Day of the Full Sun
The Day of the Full Sun is the name given to the birthday rites of the Yо̄ken Empire, and is widely considered to be one of, if not the most, important tradition within the Yо̄kenji culture. Born in a time of great national pride, the rites represent a person's rebirth after fully living through an entire year serving the Empire, its armed forces or its gods. The Yо̄kenji believe that the person's spirit detaches from their body for at least some part of the day, wandering through the memories of their achievements over the last year and inhabiting the realm where thoughts, ideas and the gods themselves dwell. Although there are claims of such spiritual projections happening at around the time of the rites' inception, it is generally accepted that this refers to a more symbolic process, wherein the individual reflects over what happened over the past year and is grateful when and where it is due.
A common practice within Yо̄ken is to give gifts to the person who is being celebrated, expecting nothing in return. The most common gifts are handmade weapons which can be used as decorations or as a means to defend the household, should they be necessary. Other presents are more strictly defined by tradition, stating that women should receive gifts that aid them in their process of becoming part of the On'nasen, such as armor crafting tools or items that might be useful for their training, be it mental, physical or spiritual; men, meanwhile, receive presents that can be anything from art supplies and books to farming and woodcutter's tools.
A common practice within Yо̄ken is to give gifts to the person who is being celebrated, expecting nothing in return. The most common gifts are handmade weapons which can be used as decorations or as a means to defend the household, should they be necessary. Other presents are more strictly defined by tradition, stating that women should receive gifts that aid them in their process of becoming part of the On'nasen, such as armor crafting tools or items that might be useful for their training, be it mental, physical or spiritual; men, meanwhile, receive presents that can be anything from art supplies and books to farming and woodcutter's tools.
History
Historically, the Day of the Full Sun has been linked to Kaida Sengō, the legendary warrior responsible for the early Empire's survival. She and other warriors were the first to meditate on the importance of their labor once per year, brewing different brews of potent tea to enhance their senses and opening them to the realm of the spirits.
The rituals have stayed largely the same, suffering minor modifications throughout the years. These changes have happened because of the shifting paradigms within the Empire, as well as the influx of different immigrants from elsewhere in the world.
The rituals have stayed largely the same, suffering minor modifications throughout the years. These changes have happened because of the shifting paradigms within the Empire, as well as the influx of different immigrants from elsewhere in the world.
Execution
The rites begin as soon as the person wakes up on their Day of the Full Sun, with their family congratulating them with a small poem, recited as:
Afterwards, they are to go to the local low-shrine, a temple found in or near the village or city, where they are blessed four times with warm water and cool air, representing both the hot blood that courses through their veins and the clensing winds of the mind that tempers it.
Next comes a tea ceremony, widely regarded as the most important part of the day. The person is taken to a tea parlor, which may or may not be owned by their family, and are invited to drink a cup of Hicha tea, often cited as being 'fire made liquid by the gods who allowed us mortals to use it'. The tea has certain properties attributed to it, such as allowing for deep, spiritual awakening and unlocking hidden powers within their being, allowing their spirit to leave their body temporarily. However, most times people just enjoy the experience and the rare chance to drink such a special brew without being interrupted.
Once the tea has been drunk, the person goes about their day without the worries of labor, awaiting for twilight's arrival. When it does, the individual must go to a high-shrine, a temple located in the mountains, going there by themselves. There, they will pray and be purified by one of the shrinekeepers under the light of the white flames. Once this has been done, they will be sent on their way.
Their final stop is at their home, where their journey began. Leading up to the home's entrance will be several paper lanterns. Within, their families have lit incense and are patiently awaiting for their arrival, where they have prepared a nightly feast.
"Day of white flame pure , Long and pleasant may its glow be, For it shines for you."after which the individual recieves gifts from their family and change into their Jōhfuku, a two piece robe that can either be handmade or tailor-made, which they will wear for the remainder of the day.
Afterwards, they are to go to the local low-shrine, a temple found in or near the village or city, where they are blessed four times with warm water and cool air, representing both the hot blood that courses through their veins and the clensing winds of the mind that tempers it.
Next comes a tea ceremony, widely regarded as the most important part of the day. The person is taken to a tea parlor, which may or may not be owned by their family, and are invited to drink a cup of Hicha tea, often cited as being 'fire made liquid by the gods who allowed us mortals to use it'. The tea has certain properties attributed to it, such as allowing for deep, spiritual awakening and unlocking hidden powers within their being, allowing their spirit to leave their body temporarily. However, most times people just enjoy the experience and the rare chance to drink such a special brew without being interrupted.
Once the tea has been drunk, the person goes about their day without the worries of labor, awaiting for twilight's arrival. When it does, the individual must go to a high-shrine, a temple located in the mountains, going there by themselves. There, they will pray and be purified by one of the shrinekeepers under the light of the white flames. Once this has been done, they will be sent on their way.
Their final stop is at their home, where their journey began. Leading up to the home's entrance will be several paper lanterns. Within, their families have lit incense and are patiently awaiting for their arrival, where they have prepared a nightly feast.
Components and tools
There are several items necessary in order to celebrate a person's birthday properly in Yо̄ken, starting with their ceremonial Jōhfuku, though one made for a Day of the Full Sun is slightly different from its regular counterpart. While the design and stamping still represent a person's individuality, all colors give way to white and gold, the symbols of rebirth and prosperity, respectively.
Tea-brewing implements are also essential for the Hicha tea ceremony. However, it is not uncommon for families to hire tea brewers or entire tea parlors to perform said ceremony.
The last components, necessary for the Day of the Full Sun's nighttime sections, are cylindrical paper lanterns (usually colored red) and sticks of incense. Both of these are used in the person's private residence, and signify the hours in which a person returns from the plane of their rebirth to the real world.
Tea-brewing implements are also essential for the Hicha tea ceremony. However, it is not uncommon for families to hire tea brewers or entire tea parlors to perform said ceremony.
The last components, necessary for the Day of the Full Sun's nighttime sections, are cylindrical paper lanterns (usually colored red) and sticks of incense. Both of these are used in the person's private residence, and signify the hours in which a person returns from the plane of their rebirth to the real world.
Participants
The most important person during the multiple ceremonies of the Day of the Full Sun is the person being celebrated, who becomes the de facto center of attention for their family throughout the day.
Other important figures include the priests and priestesses that bless the individual with water and air; the people in charge of the tea ceremony, which are usually from outside the person's family; the shrinekeepers responsible for listening to the person's prayers; and the individual's family, who are expected to light the paper candles within their homes to welcome the Full Sun's last light.
Other important figures include the priests and priestesses that bless the individual with water and air; the people in charge of the tea ceremony, which are usually from outside the person's family; the shrinekeepers responsible for listening to the person's prayers; and the individual's family, who are expected to light the paper candles within their homes to welcome the Full Sun's last light.
Observance
The rites of the Day of the Full sun are observed once a year for each individual during their birthday.
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