Culture, Religion, and Beliefs
Religion
The Fujiwara clan were largely polytheistic – carrying a belief in multiple Kami (gods) and the existence of Yōkai, which is a broad term that refers to a wide variety of ghosts, monsters, spirits and supernatural entities. Historically, the vast majority of the clan reserved their worship for the sea god Ryujin, as it is believed that he was the one who blessed the first emperor with land and the power to free his people from slavery. While it wasn’t (and still isn’t) an enforced religion and considered folklore more than anything, there are still members of the original clan who worship Ryujin and carry a healthy fear/curiosity for the existence of the spiritual realm beyond theirs.
Wisteria
The clan believed that the Fuji trees ( or wisteria trees, in common tongue) acted as pathways for the souls of the dead to make passage towards the afterlife, in addition to protecting those who lived amongst them from evil spirits, entities, and demons. Since ancient times, they’ve symbolized immortality within the clan.
The Story Of Ryu Fujiwara
He was a man of no name.
None but a nameless slave working under a cruel lord. Working in order to keep his wife and son fed, and his fellow clans people safe from the poverty and famine that plagued their lands. Whereas the lord of the lands did not.
Many-a-times, the man foresaw a better future for both his people and his family under a new rule and a more fruitful land, though what was he other than a footstool to a lord? For he could not even look him in the eye, lest he wish to be slain for challenging his authority. An uprising was what he declared too many times before, only to receive little support out of fear that the lord's mercenaries would have them slain.
One night, the nameless man took it upon himself to try to steal from the palace during the dead of night, in hopes that his loot would feed his family that winter – yet the angry lord caught on to his treachery and followed him home. The mistake caused him to be ripped from his child and wife’s arms, being dragged by the scruff from his home and into whatever fate his master would decide of him. Yet the lord did not kill him outright. No, he dumped the weak, emaciated man’s body into the ocean for the sea monsters to take him.
Separated from loved ones, with nothing but a piece of driftwood to keep him afloat, the nameless man slowly began to accept his fate, his failures, and the aching death of hunger he’d condemned his family and people to by being caught. Yet on the edge of life itself, the sea around him began to rumble. Out from the blue waters of the barren sea came a powerful, serpentine body of scales that shadowed the airs around him and hissed with a monstrous ferocity. Eyeing the wolf that floated just above his palace.
“Who dares to enter my domain?”
Howled Ryūjin, dragon god of the sea.
And though the sight of the great sea deity made his own bones quake, the nameless man was desperate as his body withered away. He had nothing left to lose.
“Oh, great deity of the sea. Help my people, for I am unfit to do so....” croaked the nameless man
And Ryūjin’s rage only simmered on, because how dare a mere mortal give him orders?
The sea god could have eaten him right then and there – yet he could see the nameless man’s soul. It was pure. Rid of greed of his belongings. Many who encountered Ryūjin lusted after much more and even sought after his jewels. Yet the nameless man’s desires were as true as his heart. Yes – the deity could see that much. So with an intimidatingly toothy grin, the sea god let out a predatory laugh from the bowels of his lungs.
“Very well. I will grant you your wish, while you will make a fine vessel for me.”
And their bodies would merge.
The nameless man cried out in agony as he felt the vessel of his soul become occupied by another. The drift wood beneath his paws grew exponentially, and formed into an island that flooded with life and trees of pale lilac. He was no longer a man of no name, but Ryu – as he felt in his very soul. And Ryu would use this new found strength of his to return to the very cliffs he was thrown from – using the power vested upon him to slay the lord and his mercenaries, and guide his family and people back to the land.
A new era of peace and prosperity would reign under a new ruler, his wife, and his heir. On the island of flowering wisteria, a new Emperor was born.
Ryu Fujiwara; First ruler of the dynasty and vessel of Ryujin.
None but a nameless slave working under a cruel lord. Working in order to keep his wife and son fed, and his fellow clans people safe from the poverty and famine that plagued their lands. Whereas the lord of the lands did not.
Many-a-times, the man foresaw a better future for both his people and his family under a new rule and a more fruitful land, though what was he other than a footstool to a lord? For he could not even look him in the eye, lest he wish to be slain for challenging his authority. An uprising was what he declared too many times before, only to receive little support out of fear that the lord's mercenaries would have them slain.
One night, the nameless man took it upon himself to try to steal from the palace during the dead of night, in hopes that his loot would feed his family that winter – yet the angry lord caught on to his treachery and followed him home. The mistake caused him to be ripped from his child and wife’s arms, being dragged by the scruff from his home and into whatever fate his master would decide of him. Yet the lord did not kill him outright. No, he dumped the weak, emaciated man’s body into the ocean for the sea monsters to take him.
Separated from loved ones, with nothing but a piece of driftwood to keep him afloat, the nameless man slowly began to accept his fate, his failures, and the aching death of hunger he’d condemned his family and people to by being caught. Yet on the edge of life itself, the sea around him began to rumble. Out from the blue waters of the barren sea came a powerful, serpentine body of scales that shadowed the airs around him and hissed with a monstrous ferocity. Eyeing the wolf that floated just above his palace.
“Who dares to enter my domain?”
Howled Ryūjin, dragon god of the sea.
And though the sight of the great sea deity made his own bones quake, the nameless man was desperate as his body withered away. He had nothing left to lose.
“Oh, great deity of the sea. Help my people, for I am unfit to do so....” croaked the nameless man
And Ryūjin’s rage only simmered on, because how dare a mere mortal give him orders?
The sea god could have eaten him right then and there – yet he could see the nameless man’s soul. It was pure. Rid of greed of his belongings. Many who encountered Ryūjin lusted after much more and even sought after his jewels. Yet the nameless man’s desires were as true as his heart. Yes – the deity could see that much. So with an intimidatingly toothy grin, the sea god let out a predatory laugh from the bowels of his lungs.
“Very well. I will grant you your wish, while you will make a fine vessel for me.”
And their bodies would merge.
The nameless man cried out in agony as he felt the vessel of his soul become occupied by another. The drift wood beneath his paws grew exponentially, and formed into an island that flooded with life and trees of pale lilac. He was no longer a man of no name, but Ryu – as he felt in his very soul. And Ryu would use this new found strength of his to return to the very cliffs he was thrown from – using the power vested upon him to slay the lord and his mercenaries, and guide his family and people back to the land.
A new era of peace and prosperity would reign under a new ruler, his wife, and his heir. On the island of flowering wisteria, a new Emperor was born.
Ryu Fujiwara; First ruler of the dynasty and vessel of Ryujin.
![[Image: purple-dragon.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/YCmKpL6t/purple-dragon.png)
Traditions and Ceremonies
Shunbun: Spring Solstice (April)
Shunbun is a week-long celebration of the wisteria blossoms in full bloom, marking a season of renewal and prosperity within the dynasty. Wolves from within the clan and allied packs, decorate their pelts with wisteria petals, sing songs of their ancestors, and tell stories and tales of spirits and gods alike. A grand feast is held, too, where a variety of food and delicacies from different packs are shared while others become drunk on fermented berries and contagious laughter. On the final day, the celebration concludes with the release of wisteria flowers into the sea. A way of blessing those who came before and wishing prosperity upon those who participate.
Aki no Kari: The Autumal Hunt (November)
Aki no Kari was meant to celebrate the gathering of both the clan and it's neighboring packs in celebration of the year nearing its end. In preparation for winter, large groups of hunters from each pack were gathered to hunt as much prey and berries as possible to show their yield to the rulers. The group with the most would be known as the "Season's champions" for that year – and the week of hunting would end in a feast, with some left over that would hopefully supply them for the winter.
Ai no Matsuri: Festival of love (Febuary)
Taking place for 7 nights, Ai no Matsuri is a match-making event meant to celebrate love, fertility, and eternal bonds. Traditionally, a wolf will present a gift, trinket, or similar treasure to another of their choosing underneath a wisteria tree – either as a way to confess their affections to a loved one, or further show their affections towards their significant other. This happens during the day. By night, there is a celebration full of dancing, drinking (which is really just eating fermented fruits and berries because wolves can’t open a bottle of wine.), and enjoying the company of your hopefully new significant other.
Wedding Ceremony
Weddings are sacred ceremonies of the joining of two souls. Traditionally, the two would confess their vows in the presence of a Kannushi (Priest/Priestess) while family and loved ones joined them. They seal their bond with a kiss, and are showered with cheers, gifts, and prayers of a long, prosperous marriage and many, many children.
Crowning Ceremony
The crowning of the next Dynasty’s ruler is traditionally done upon the island’s shores – where the waves meet the land beneath the watchful gaze of sea deity Ryujin. The entire pack gathers to witness the crowning of their new leader and their spouse (If they have one). They stand face to face with the retired dynasty’s leader’s, pledging to continue upholding the values of the dynasty, protect the wolves who inhabit it, and bring honor to the family. In the close presence of the sea deity himself, the blood of the founding ruler lives on through his descendants.
![[Image: 54890335_EWIrkUwAqghUjLP.png]](https://f2.toyhou.se/file/f2-toyhou-se/images/54890335_EWIrkUwAqghUjLP.png)
