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=== Customs and Traditions ===
=== Customs and Traditions ===
From [[Winter Festivals from Ispar]]:
:South and west of the Naqut, over the tall mountains, the Sho lands brace as both the water and the air grow cold. The weather can shift with little warning from clear skies to torrential, wind-driven rains that leave towns flooded and in ruins, and on the coldest days, snow falls from the sky and blankets the ground in a thin layer of white. Some say the first pure snow of the year is the funeral ashes of the Wind Dragon, slain so long ago by Shou-Jen.<br><br>During this time, the Imperial Capital traditionally threw open its gates, and the last of the fresh harvest was brought forth, after the bulk had been pickled, smoked, or dried for the rest of the winter. But seeing that many used the time purely for culinary excess, Emperor Kou, the founder of the Kou Dynasty, saw that wisdom's touch was needed. Believing that the Four Stones of discipline, compassion, detachment, and humility were the true foods of the soul, he decreed the celebrations must ultimately honor the Elder Spirits and the teachings of Jojii, for without truth, even the best of harvests means very little. He also decreed that the temples must release their students and acolytes during the celebration, not only to reunite families but also to permit them to glean wisdom from their students' studies.<br><br>So the temples and monasteries across the land now release their students and acolytes, who travel homeward amidst the first snowflakes to meet their families, share some of their hard-won knowledge, and enjoy days of feasting. Travelers began carrying lanterns and torches, and the waiting towns would welcome them home with a myriad of bright paper lanterns. Children too young for the monasteries especially seem to enjoy the season, when their elder siblings return home and all can engage in the festivities together. Some towns have gone so far as to host parades, celebrating the return of loved ones and another year of abundance. Thus, the Festival of Lights, starting at first as a gluttonous spectacle, grew moderated by wisdom, and came to be the celebration it now is.<br><br>The Sho lands are bright and bustling places during this season, with small groups of torchbearers walking the roads. For the Sho, the Festival of Lights is a time to accomplish great things, and reach out to assist one's neighbors.


=== Real World Basis ===
=== Real World Basis ===

Revision as of 16:52, 31 December 2009

Ispar Index
Isparian Heritage Groups
History
Lands and Locations


History

<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro>1999/11 Release - Zogblaster.com - Sho Introduction</ref>

<ref name=EmpressKou-an>2001/11 Dark Majesty - The Glorious Reign of Empress Kou-an</ref>

Rulers

Name Bloodline Rank/Title Years of reign Notes
Shou-Jen Rian ?? ?? ?? Legendary founder of the Sho Nation

Kou ?? Emperor 1086 RC - ?? Emperor who united the Sho Nation under one banner.

Kou-an Granddaughter of Kou Empress 1176 RC - ?? Regarded as very wise. Sent 1000 emissaries to other nations of Ispar.

Sources: Sho Introduction, The Glorious Reign of Empress Kou-an,The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii Version 1 and Version 2 & other sources cited on the Timeline of Ispar.

Culture

Religions and Beliefs

Customs and Traditions

From Winter Festivals from Ispar:

South and west of the Naqut, over the tall mountains, the Sho lands brace as both the water and the air grow cold. The weather can shift with little warning from clear skies to torrential, wind-driven rains that leave towns flooded and in ruins, and on the coldest days, snow falls from the sky and blankets the ground in a thin layer of white. Some say the first pure snow of the year is the funeral ashes of the Wind Dragon, slain so long ago by Shou-Jen.

During this time, the Imperial Capital traditionally threw open its gates, and the last of the fresh harvest was brought forth, after the bulk had been pickled, smoked, or dried for the rest of the winter. But seeing that many used the time purely for culinary excess, Emperor Kou, the founder of the Kou Dynasty, saw that wisdom's touch was needed. Believing that the Four Stones of discipline, compassion, detachment, and humility were the true foods of the soul, he decreed the celebrations must ultimately honor the Elder Spirits and the teachings of Jojii, for without truth, even the best of harvests means very little. He also decreed that the temples must release their students and acolytes during the celebration, not only to reunite families but also to permit them to glean wisdom from their students' studies.

So the temples and monasteries across the land now release their students and acolytes, who travel homeward amidst the first snowflakes to meet their families, share some of their hard-won knowledge, and enjoy days of feasting. Travelers began carrying lanterns and torches, and the waiting towns would welcome them home with a myriad of bright paper lanterns. Children too young for the monasteries especially seem to enjoy the season, when their elder siblings return home and all can engage in the festivities together. Some towns have gone so far as to host parades, celebrating the return of loved ones and another year of abundance. Thus, the Festival of Lights, starting at first as a gluttonous spectacle, grew moderated by wisdom, and came to be the celebration it now is.

The Sho lands are bright and bustling places during this season, with small groups of torchbearers walking the roads. For the Sho, the Festival of Lights is a time to accomplish great things, and reach out to assist one's neighbors.

Real World Basis

The Sho culture is based on East Asian cultures, in particular the cultures of Japan and China.

Numerous names for Sho places and items are Japanese or Chinese. The word Ono is Japanese for "axe".<ref>Wikipedia - Ono (weapon)</ref> The word Yoroi comes from Ō-Yoroi, Japanese for "great armor".<ref>Wikipedia - O-yoroi</ref> The name of the forest town of Lin most likely comes from the Chinese name Lin, meaning "forest".<ref>Behind the Name: Chinese Names</ref>

The Sho naming system of having the surname first and the given name last is based on the naming traditions of China,<ref>Wikipedia - Chinese name</ref> Japan,<ref>Wikipedia - Japanese name</ref> Korea,<ref>Wikipedia - Korean name</ref> and Vietnam.<ref>Wikipedia - Vietnamese name</ref>

The Four Stones of Jojii are most likely based on the Taoist Three Jewels, which could be interpreted as compassion, humility, and frugality or simplicity. The four stones of Jojii change frugality or simplicity to detachment from worldly things, and add the fourth stone of discipline.

The four houses of the Tanada Clan of Nanjou Shou-Jen, Air, Earth, Water, and Fire, correspond to four of the five elements of Japanese philosophy and the four great elements of Buddhism.

Texts

Firebird's Splendor (Text) Icon.png Firebird's Splendor (Text)Jojii Zhen Gai Comments on the Teachings of Jojii Icon.png Jojii Zhen Gai Comments on the Teachings of JojiiKen-Gou and the Curse of Attachment Icon.png Ken-Gou and the Curse of AttachmentLetter From Home (Sho) Icon.png Letter From Home (Sho)Loka Jii Learns to Hunt Icon.png Loka Jii Learns to HuntOn the Four Stones and Three Elders Icon.png On the Four Stones and Three EldersReflections of a Portal Icon.png Reflections of a PortalScrawled Note (Jojii) Icon.png Scrawled Note (Jojii)Stone of the Firebird (Text) Icon.png Stone of the Firebird (Text)The Collected Writings of Jhong Mi Icon.png The Collected Writings of Jhong MiThe Emperor's Blade Icon.png The Emperor's BladeThe Journal of Nandesu Ka Icon.png The Journal of Nandesu KaThe Rise and Fall of the Tanada Icon.png The Rise and Fall of the TanadaThe Story of Ben Ten and Yanshi Icon.png The Story of Ben Ten and YanshiThe Story of Koji and the Dragon of Power Icon.png The Story of Koji and the Dragon of PowerThe Story of Koji's Sword Icon.png The Story of Koji's SwordUnicorn's Grace (Text) Icon.png Unicorn's Grace (Text)

Internet Articles

Factions

Items

Ogre Mask Icon.png Ogre MaskKoji's Beast Icon.png Koji's BeastKoji's Fiend Icon.png Koji's FiendKoji's Visage Icon.png Koji's VisageThe Dragon of Power Icon.png The Dragon of Power

Weapons

Feathered Razor Icon.png Feathered RazorFist of Enlightenment Icon.png Fist of EnlightenmentGreen Mire Yari Icon.png Green Mire YariJitte of Law Icon.png Jitte of LawMi Krau-Li's Jitte Icon.png Mi Krau-Li's JitteMi Krau-Li's Improved Jitte Icon.png Mi Krau-Li's Improved JitteMi Krau-Li's Remastered Jitte Icon.png Mi Krau-Li's Remastered JitteMoriharu's Kitchen Knife Icon.png Moriharu's Kitchen KnifeOrb of Splendor Icon.png Orb of SplendorPillar of Fearlessness Icon.png Pillar of FearlessnessSerpent's Flight Icon.png Serpent's FlightSword of Soroku Icon.png Sword of SorokuTachi of Grace Icon.png Tachi of Grace

Armor

Breastplate of Grace Icon.png Breastplate of GraceBreastplate of Power Icon.png Breastplate of PowerBreastplate of Splendor Icon.png Breastplate of SplendorGreater Koujia Shadow Breastplate Icon.png Greater Koujia Shadow BreastplateGreater Koujia Shadow Leggings Icon.png Greater Koujia Shadow LeggingsGreater Koujia Shadow Sleeves Icon.png Greater Koujia Shadow SleevesGreen Mire Yoroi Cuirass Icon.png Green Mire Yoroi CuirassNexus Koujia Breastplate Icon.png Nexus Koujia BreastplateNexus Koujia Leggings Icon.png Nexus Koujia LeggingsNexus Koujia Sleeves Icon.png Nexus Koujia SleevesPrismatic Koujia Breastplate Icon.png Prismatic Koujia BreastplatePrismatic Koujia Leggings Icon.png Prismatic Koujia LeggingsPrismatic Koujia Sleeves Icon.png Prismatic Koujia SleevesShield of Power Icon.png Shield of PowerShield of Truth Icon.png Shield of TruthShield of Yanshi Icon.png Shield of YanshiShou-jen Jika-Tabi Icon.png Shou-jen Jika-TabiShou-jen Shozoku Jacket Icon.png Shou-jen Shozoku JacketShou-jen Shozoku Mask Icon.png Shou-jen Shozoku MaskShou-jen Shozoku Sleeve Gauntlets Icon.png Shou-jen Shozoku Sleeve GauntletsShou-jen Shozoku Trousers Icon.png Shou-jen Shozoku TrousersSollerets of Grace Icon.png Sollerets of Grace

Accessories

Channeled Tanada Medallion Icon.png Channeled Tanada MedallionDansha-Ki's Gem of Portal Recall Icon.png Dansha-Ki's Gem of Portal RecallDansha-Ki's Ring Icon.png Dansha-Ki's RingGem of Balance Icon.png Gem of BalanceMiyako's Moonstone Icon.png Miyako's Moonstone

Decorations

Bending Willow and Setting Sun Icon.png Bending Willow and Setting SunFalling Leaves Icon.png Falling LeavesFat Vase Icon.png Fat VaseFont of Jojii Icon.png Font of JojiiJade Shrine Icon.png Jade ShrineScreen Icon.png ScreenSho Festival Light Icon.png Sho Festival LightSho Floor Pillow Icon.png Sho Floor PillowSho Lantern Icon.png Sho Lantern

Miscellaneous

Brazier of Power Icon.png Brazier of PowerCrystals of Grace Icon.png Crystals of GraceEnlightened Master's Medallion Icon.png Enlightened Master's MedallionGolden Shuriken of Tanada Icon.png Golden Shuriken of TanadaGrace and Power Icon.png Grace and PowerJade Medallion of the Depths Icon.png Jade Medallion of the DepthsJojii Shrine Icon.png Jojii ShrineMedallion of Breath Icon.png Medallion of BreathMedallion of Earth Icon.png Medallion of EarthMedallion of Metal Icon.png Medallion of MetalMedallion of Stone Icon.png Medallion of StoneMedallion of Storms Icon.png Medallion of StormsMedallion of the Sword Icon.png Medallion of the SwordMedallion of Wind Icon.png Medallion of WindPower, Grace and Splendor Icon.png Power, Grace and SplendorPure Water Icon.png Pure WaterRock of Splendor Icon.png Rock of SplendorScroll of Air Icon.png Scroll of AirScroll of Earth Icon.png Scroll of EarthScroll of Water Icon.png Scroll of WaterStone of Compassion Icon.png Stone of CompassionStone of Humility Icon.png Stone of HumilityStone of Discipline Icon.png Stone of DisciplineStone of Detachment Icon.png Stone of DetachmentTanada Clan Master's Medallion Icon.png Tanada Clan Master's MedallionTanada Gate Medallion Icon.png Tanada Gate Medallion

Art & Images

References

<references/>