MAY - Challenge #1 - Feudal Japan

[lauand.livejournal.com]

      I assume that people will take some time in learning about this comm, so the first month will be May. The AU setting of choice will be Feudal Japan.

      So, how do you see the characters in this world? Who would be a courtier, who a ninja, who the Emperor, who a geisha, who a samurai who a ronin? Kimonos, katanas, weird hairdos, assassinations, intrigue, powerfights, integrity, honor, awesome sword technics...

      Here's a little collage for visual reference.

Pics taken from the Internet, no idea who their rightful authors are, except for the last, which is Minekura's.



      Feel free to comment and share your visions, your pics, your ideas...

      You can start posting your works from right now (even if it's still April) till 30th May!

Comments

[two-point.livejournal.com]

This is the most exciting thing that has happened all year. I don't know how productive I'll be with the first project, but the general idea is perfect and exactly the kind of stories I've wanted to play with. Yay!

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad I'm not alone on this... I was afraid no one would like to join (especially in this time of the year). I'm looking forward to see what you come up with! (And which fandom you choose. You know, I thought the compulsion to write 58 would be stronger in you. Gojyo is such a seductive bastard...)

[missingkitsune.livejournal.com]

looks interesting. i'll look over the guidelines and see if i can fit here anywhere. but it sure does look fun.

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope you decide to participate! The more, the merrier, as they say...

[daegaer.livejournal.com]

Hurray!

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Yay!

(That means you're in?)

[daegaer.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes!

(Work and life have been conspiring against me lately, but this is a fabulous idea!)

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I'm already looking forward to your entry! :3

[wispykitty.livejournal.com]

Well, I know nothing about Feudal Japan either, so I don't know if I'll get anything written for this, but we'll see. It's a cool idea anyway! :)

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... most Feudal Japan manga are quite fantasious. I don't think it has to be historical as much as give the feel those stories do. Bionic limbs, Chinese magical objects, metamorphosing foxes of nine tails... it doesn't have to be real, it can be your own interpretation of the Japanese feudal period.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Best of luck. This is a very good idea. (May I suggest posting notification on livejournals wb_yaoi and wk_fiction?)

To kick off with the obvious. In Saiyuki, the Sanzo-ikkou would be those martial Buddhist monks who chased samurai off the field of battle. I can just see Kanzeon Botatsu as the ruthless abbot.

In WK, Schuldig would make a good kitsune (or possibly satori - 'an apelike creature that can read minds'), while Farfarello could be a hungry ghost. There is also the kamaitachi, the slashing weasel spirit, which certainly sounds like Farfarello to me. You could have Nagi as Daidarabotchi, the mountain-moving giant. Weiss itself could be bakenekos, shape-shifting cats.

Either Gojyo or Yohji would make a good Prince Genji.

And, on a final note for many fandoms. Japanese tradition has Keseran-parasan 'a mysterious white fluffy creature'. Another explanation for Mary Sues.

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Hmm... so Japanese tradition contemplates the issue of the Mary Sues, how thoughtful of them! XD

I see that your knowledge of Japanese legends surpasses mine by far, I didn't know of half the creatures you mention. Folklore is such a beautiful thing...

OMG! You've read my mind! Yesterday I finished a shabby kitsune!Schuldig doodle! I sort of envision Farfarello as the kind of shady warrior who travels with many blades at his back and a straw hat. I envision Aya as an honorable samurai and Yohji as a dice gambler. Crawford's place would be in court, intriguing in the shadows.

About Saiyuki, I think I like them better with different roles, but I'm not sure which ones.

About the notification, I was afraid to overdo it with the crossposting, and I'm not a member of those comms. But if you think it would be a good idea and feel like mentioning there, please, do it! If not, it's okay, too.

Glad you liked the idea. Are you planning on taking part? (I'm just curious, either way is fine)

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Actually, I just downloaded a list of Japanese demons fromthe internet. It's so long ago I'm afraid I've forgotten the name.

I'd love to take part, but I seem to be having a dry spell at the moment.

Your ideas are much better. Bright snaps there, I'm glad you posted them.

Gojyo leading a troop of Japanese macaques, perhaps?

Thank you for this comm.

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Right now I'm in a dry spell, too, but at least I still have the inspiration to do shabby fanart!

I like talking about this kind of stuff. It would be awesome if more people shared their personal views on the matter, since I'm sure everyone has different ideas.

XD! Isn't Goku supposed to be the Monkey King? I like your way of having in mind the animals and not only the human beings as characters. Somehow it would fit this particular AU.

After much thinking, I believe that Gojyo would be great soldier of the common kind, fighting a war he doesn't really believe in, but fighting it anyway. It would be sort of Kenren-ish, too.

I think Sanzo would just be himself.

XD! No need to thank me. I've got completely selfish reasons. I'm already looking forward the posts.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I meant Goku. I think you're right about Gojyo, and that Sanzo remains 'the Sanzo that walks by himself'.

Manx' outfit could be translated into geisha regalia by someone who knew more about geishas than me (ie, anyone).

I think Yohji a romantic. I admit, with him I slip over into Ruonin Kenshin.After all, Saito Hajime was based on a real character. I admit I lkie the idea of him having to deal with Murase and Kudoh, investigators.

Hard to say how Omi's technical brilliance would translate to a medieval setting. He might become an apprentice to one of his brothers (who'd probably kill him in envy) Or he might turn to poetry or politics or medicine.

Hakkai strikes me as an 'in the shadows' type as well.I wonder what would happen if he and Crawford met?

[lauand.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, it would be great to see Goku leading the apes XD!

And I agree, Manx would make a wonderful geisha (working as a spy for Persia).

"Murase and Kudoh, investigators" ...hmmm, I like how that sounds.

I'm at a loss with Omi. He's not a character I've ever had a grip on, anyway. But Nagi strikes me as a member of the Shisengumi, like the famous Okita.

Hakkai+Crawford=the most silent and understated colliding of worlds ever. It would be great if somebody wrote a crossover where both are diplomats politely arguing their points in front of the emperor/daimyo/whatever.