Clan Hanamura

[spicii 1114]

C L A N  H A N A M U R A 

 

 

[ 花村一族 ]

“Let thy step be slow and steady, that thou stumble not.”

 

Overview

概要

 

Clan Hanamura is a family with 6 staunch siblings, all of which reside within the settlement of Oshima. Hanamuran blood has run through Oyashiman cities and towns for centuries, maintaining their reputation for their talents in entertainment as well as religion and culture. The Hanamura women are most known for their involvement, and ownership of Meiji Shrine and production of artisan products and goods around the citizens of Oshima. 

 

Values

 価値 

 

 

Clan Hanamura are under a cosmic influence that values tied into who they are as a member of the Oyashiman culture is a rather cosmic part of their mission and role within the clan as a whole. Though having all good-natured values is a colossal asset to them. The siblings of Hanamura are engrossed within the values of formality, believing it to be what creates the atmosphere of harmony within Oshiman lands. When a sibling is conversing with another human, they tend to keep in mind the social hierarchy of the other. The rather basic hierarchy as such is mentioned transpires as: parents are above children, teachers above students and elders over younger ones. They will simply adjust their language accordingly. Bowing is perhaps one of the most courteous gestures within this clan, A short bow at about 15° is appropriate for a casual greeting. A 30° bow is used for greeting strangers and bosses, and a 45° angle conveys deep respect, or an apology. The belief that peaceful unity and conformity within a clan in which members prefer the continuation of a harmonious community over their personal interests. Siblings of the Hanamura clan often use their selfless tendencies to ensure that harmony is being kept within their own being and the community of Oshima as a whole. It is not out of the ordinary that the clan as a whole are determined individuals within everything they do, whether that be labour or mindset. Clan Hanamura take pride in their various artisan productions and religious values. If one is not pulling their weight, it is considered disrespectful towards the members of the family and they would be punished accordingly with more labour or tedious duty.

 

Traditions

伝統

 

In the case of a marriage, Hanamurans follow ‘Shinto.’ A Shinto wedding ceremony is typically a small affair, limited to family, while a reception is open to a larger group of friends. Shinzen kekkon is a Shinto purification ritual that incorporates the exchange of sake between the couple before they are married. The ceremony typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.  Food items, including salt, water, rice, sake, fruit, and vegetables, are left at a ceremonial wedding altar, which also holds the wedding rings. A priest stands to the right of the altar, while a shrine maiden, Miko, stands to the left. The couple will often stand in the centre of the room, while closest family members stand behind tables containing sake and small fruits. The priest will purify the shrine and call the attention of benevolent spirits, or kami. Then, the priest announces the beginning of the ceremony, reflecting three oaths taken three times, represented by three cups, poured three times, and swallowed in three sips. This often includes three pourings from three cups of increasing sizes. The first, smallest cup, is first poured to the groom, who drinks from it before offering it to the bride. The second pouring goes first to the bride, then to the groom. The final pouring goes from the groom first, then the bride (essentially repeating the first pour). The sake aspect of the ceremony is said to be the core of a Shinto wedding. Shinto brides and grooms typically wear kimonos. The bride will wear a number of layers of kimono, the outermost layer being the most formal. A bride will either wear a colourful uchikake over-kimono, or a pure-white shiromuku over-kimono. 

 

The Hanamura Clan take a different approach when mourning a loved one at a funeral. Flowers play a vigorous role in this as they provide comfort and express respect, but also symbolise mortality. The type of flower that you decide to bring to the funeral speaks a huge deal about your personality as a whole. The most popular types within Oshima are as follows:

Hydrangea - symbolises gratitude, grace and beauty. The colours of a hydrangea represent love, harmony and peace, making it a fitting flower for a funeral.

Lisianthus - this flower represents appreciation, gratitude and charisma. With this beauty, it is a formal way of saying ‘thank you’ to the deceased and all their hard work. 

Calla - represents purity, sympathy and beauty. The shape of the flower, with its stylised ornate calyxes, lends itself well to a funeral arrangement. 

Alongside flowers, many Hanamurans also bring along items that bestow fortune, such as money or ceremonial clothing. This is to ensure that their path to the afterlife does not prove challenging, and that the deceased is finally at peace. All flowers mentioned above are available at request from the Hanamura siblings. 

 

History

歴史

 

 

Hanamuran blood has ran through Oyashiman cities and towns for centuries, maintaining their reputation for their talents in entertainment as well as religion and culture, their lineage starting with a well-off kimono making man who had met a young and beautiful yujyo, paying off all her debt in order to buy her and her family freedom. Throughout history they have been known for their consistency when it comes to career paths, many and almost all of this family’s daughters have grown up to become maikos and then geishas working at the shrine. This then led down the line to what you know as the modern Hanamura Clan.

 

Family Craft

ファミリークラフト
 

 

The Hanamura women are most known for their involvement, and ownership of Meiji Shrine. The four sisters are often seen heading up there and dressed appropriately, sporting the adored maiko-geisha makeup style. They will spend hours at a time at the shrine practising playing instruments, singing and dancing as a form of entertainment for not only themselves, but any guests who wish to attend.  Furthermore, the clan as a whole manage the business of ‘Hanamura Market’, in which they are tasked with the manufacturing of sweet treats and snacks for the citizens of Oshima. Food is seen as the cornerstone of the Oyashiman culture and known for its earth-oriented cuisine and balanced nutritional value, serves as a great pride of the Oshiman people. For example, within the spring months, the Oyashiman flavour profile consists of bitter flavours that give a unique bite to their food and opens the palate of the eater so that the more earthy-notes can be appreciated and savoured from the bitterness of the core ingredients meal. They are also involved within the arts of artisan production and painting, finding comfort within such.

 

Appearance/Fashion

ファッション

 

 

The women of Clan Hanamura are renowned for their fresh, pale-faced beauties. They are specifically described to have a rich dark brown hair colour, rather than the common jet black of their settlement in Oshima. The first four sisters of Hanamura are often spotted wearing spring colours decorated with florals, spring colours being; peach orange, light pink, soft blue, yellow and lilac. This is to highlight the clan's importance of nature and the different seasons, their names all associated with the season of spring and florals. Moreover, this is transpired through their usually bright coloured kimonos and the sister’s rather large quantity of flowers that rest within hazel hair. The men, on the other hand, seem to don rather serious and toned faces. Their clothing is usually of a lighter shade and minimal, highlighting their modest and vigorous values. Hair contrasts with the women of the clan, men usually having it tied up in a bun or ponytail.

 

Family Members

家族
 

 

Hanamura Haruki ‘The Sōzokujin’ - Haruki: the heir, and twin brother of Momoko is said to be very quiet, much unlikely for an eldest son. He is also said to be away from town a lot of the time, claiming that he has much more important things to be doing than loitering and waiting for something to happen.

Hanamura Momoko ‘The Bijin’ - Momo is described to be the serious eldest sister of her family, characterised to be determined and persistent. She is the one who brings in most of the income, working two jobs; young stewardess and shrine maiden. Away from work she is known for her soft demeanour and motherly behavioural pattern towards her younger siblings.
 

Hanamura Natsuyoshi ‘The Sohei’- Natsuyoshi appears to be an unostentatious monk, though most renowned for his rather strange, yet enormous storage of knowledge. He spends most of his time being useful, helping within the family - though mostly within the shrine.
 

Hanamura Chiharu ‘The Omikuji’ - Chiharu is renowned for her rather captivating gift in which she is able to tell the fortune or misfortunes of another human, guiding them through any trouble or strife they may find themselves in. This is paired with her twin brother Natsuyoshi, many citizens throughout the whole of Oshima seeking their gift for a small sum of pay.
 

Hanamura Tsu ‘The Swan Geisha’- Delicate as is a swan, Tsu - despite still in her childhood years - has proved to be quite the budding Maiko. With a polite albeit quiet voice and a matching timid demeanour, she was born to be the very swan that appears when she dances.`
 

Hanamura Izumi ‘The Blade Dancer’- As the youngest daughter of Hanamura, Izumi has always been a spirited child - delicate as a flower. Her whimsical spirit is sure to bring a gleam to any eye that falls upon her, but her surplus energy often elicits the exact opposite effect in her family members. This junior member of the Hanamura Clan never allows herself to be seen without a vibrant grin decorating her face. 

 

Spoiler

Certain parts have been taken from the Oyashima culture post, linked below:

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/194066-culture-oyashima/

 

[meowcelina 222]

Momo would wander around the shrine, reading with excitement.

Edited March 22, 2022 by doobling

[Reckless Banzai Screamer 11945]

"Now arriving at Hanamura," Athena announced as Hana Song from the Cunyuan Province discusses with her five teammates how to push the courtyard.