Reading in Bed

[Yogo Otoko]

Otoko pondered what a sweeping song might be like before replying. "...Mmm, was reading about the earth kami. Lots of scrolls here to study, figured to improve my shugenja understanding. Dry, but interesting. Like a song about math I suppose."

[Doji Sakura]

"Hai, I don't think a song about maths would be interesting either" Sakura said with a giggle "but there has been lots of lore discussions, ne? Maybe your um...Earth kami scrolls will prove useful?"

[Yogo Otoko]

"Perhaps." She felt like her area's of study were a bit less than practical to the instructors here, but she didn't mind either way. "...But then, I do not read for usefulness, just as you do not sing because it is useful. I read because I enjoy the process, the learning. Perhaps, in some ways, my readings is not so different."

[Doji Sakura]

"I guess. Depends what you read though. I don't think this dojo idea is designed with an artisan school, nothing so far is standard to what they teach at the Kakita academies. So little art on display! Art is important, just as much as lore!"

[Yogo Otoko]

"From what I understand, everything will have its due, at one time or another. The arts will have their moment to shine, just as I am certain there are others awaiting their own specialization."

[Doji Sakura]

"I think it should have more art" Sakura commented with a slight pout "but you are hopefully right. Sooner rather than later, ne?"

[Yogo Otoko]

"I believe a part of the point is to not have too much of any one area Doji-san. I am more than certain you will have your moment to shine, and shine brightly."

[Doji Sakura]

"That's the opposite of what the Kakita teach. Perhaps it's a Dragon thing..." Sakura mused thoughtfully "I'll just do my best. Maybe then they'll give some mochi out! They've helping me do my own project anyway."

[Yogo Otoko]

"Oh? And what project would that be Doji-san?"

[Doji Sakura]

"I've been working on a fully-Jade weapon" Sakura said, smiling brightly as she thought about it "it's only a small one for now, just a tanto, but Jade is a hard material to work with and I'm really happy to get the chance."

[Yogo Otoko]

Otoko raised an eyebrow. She knew just enough about jade to know how rare it was. To imagine even a tanto made of it... "A rare opportunity indeed Doji-san."

[Doji Sakura]

"Hai, I'm happy sensei trusted me. I have done work with gemstones before, making earrings and bracelets, but a whole weapon is another level. I'm really excited! This is the start of something big, maybe I'll even get a chance to work with sapphires or diamonds? Wouldn't that be exciting?" Sakura almost looked ready to hop on the spot "maybe not as crazy as a no-dachi made of Sapphires, but like...the saya of a weapon in the gemstone closest to the clans colours?"

[Yogo Otoko]

Otoko was thoughtful a moment. "...I understand jade has spiritual properties, but I am not a bushi, so I am uncertain what qualities gemstones add to weapons functionally. Weapons as a display gift?"

[Doji Sakura]

"Zashi-san says that Jade in a weapon would be good for fighting something more spiritual in nature, but I just find gems pretty and think they're really cool" Sakura said honestly "I want to work with as many gems as possible."

[Yogo Otoko]

Pretty and cool things were a fairly foreign concept to Otoko, but the Bayushi were known for such passions, so she was used to it by now. "The products of the earth can be wondrous indeed. I've seen some of my teachers summon boulders of jade, though never of diamond or sapphire."

[Doji Sakura]

"Oh...a teacher would have summoned it? I just thought they had them. Can shugenja summon anything?" Sakura looked thoughtful

[Yogo Otoko]

"Such displays were not permanent, the kami cannot make such things like the heaven's can. I suppose, with enough skill however, one could pray for the kami to make all sorts of materials."

[Doji Sakura]

"Is that so...hmm..." Sakura started to smile "so a shugenja could make gems, and i could keep making something from them. Thank you Yogo-san! I didn't know this."

[Yogo Otoko]

"Summoning permanent materials like that is quite difficult. Someone like a gem would likely take a master, like the Master of Earth of the Council." I'd not be good to give the wrong idea...

[Doji Sakura]

"Hai hai, but they must have someone here that can do it. How else did I get the Jade? I just need to make friends with them" Sakura said with a few nods "then I'll be able to find a way to get lots of gems to make things with!"