Lore & Setting > Culture and Customs
A major trait of Heibesian culture is the emphasis on adventure, exploration, the pushing of one’s own boundaries, and personal achievement. Nowhere is this more obvious than in their trade system, and in the plethora of Exploration-related Guilds. This drive is, however, tempered by their philosophy of humility and internal trouble. Still, a typical coming-of-age ritual consists of going off alone or in a small group of same-age people and finding artefacts or defeating some low-grade monster.
Heibesu society is mildly matriarchal, though there are few gender restrictions. A reason might be the biased female-to-male ratio, which gives female numerical superiority and, from there, power over many other aspects of Heibesu life. Males do tend to be explorers and merchants more than females, but they simply are undermined by how few of them they are. Another effect is that males are usually discouraged from taking to arms or putting themselves in unnecessary danger. The Ameiko clan is known for being male-dominated, strangely enough.
Family
The typical Heibesu family unit is composed of three, sometimes two or four members. Two-people families tend to be looked down, though many established units are, in fact, two-people households. Four-people families are just as common, and usually occur when a male is accepted into an established family. There is often a hierarchy within family units, with a House Mistress (and rarely a House Master) effectively ruling over the rest of the household.
Entertainment
There are many ways to entertain oneself in Heibesu. Commoners might meet after work in lower-class tea houses, but the wealthy also enjoy gathering in more refined tea houses. Ramen stands are also an option, especially in more urban areas. Card games, such as Hanafuda, and gambling are commonly practised there; drinking alcoholic beverages was also common. Empress Sakura was known for trying to ban gambling, but gave up soon after.
Many people, of all classes, love to craft various items during their spare time. One of the most famous forms is the ubiquitous Origami, often taught to the wealthier in school, but also well known in lower classes. Richer people tend to develop taste for calligraphy and even the writing of poetry, and there often are contests, during ceremonies.
Exploration and various acts of bravado are common, especially amongst the lower classes; however there is a current trend to visit Unseelie fortresses, which is a greater challenge and a good way for Bushi to blow steam off in peacetime, as well as a source of pride for the city and clan they hail from.
Performing arts are a part of Heibesu culture, and there are many theatres and opera houses in cities. Heibesian opera is particularly developed, as well as music as a whole, with bards and musicians troupes often performing across the country.
Geisha are a type of usually female performers that act as hosts to wealthier people, and perform a variety of classical arts, such as classical music, or dance. They are notable for being highly respected and having their own organizations, despite being casteless.
Food
Diet often changes according to social status, but even then, is often varied , cooking is treated as a fine art. In most households, one of the partners is often responsible for day-to-day running of the house, which includes cooking. However, the staple food in Heibesu is rice, which is even used as a measure of wealth. Millet and corn are also sometimes eaten, however. Rice can be cooked and prepared in a variety of ways : boiled, made into paste, turned into honey rice cakes, mixed with vegetables, and so forth. Ramen is a very common dish, and every province and even village has its own variation of ramen.
Due to the Ton’keena physiology, meat is often required to a certain point and there are many pastures and countless recipes. However due to the difficulties of finding proper land for pasture, meat is not very common (though beef and pork are common delicacies). Instead, fish is the main meat staple food, and there are countless ways to prepare fish.
Other foodstuffs include potatoes, radishes, tomatoes, red beans, soya. Salt is important, as well as oil; both used a lot in the preparation of dishes.
As for drinks - tea and sake are the beverages of choice, though higher classes have access to imported products, like wine or cider.
Festivals and Ceremonies
Festivals are very common occurrences in Heibesu. New Year is celebrated at the end of each lunar year, and is a time of gifting, celebration, and goodwill. The most celebrated are known as Matsuri. There are local and empire-wide festivals; each province and even town has its own festivals. For instance Harvest related festivals are common in more rural regions, and the harvest of rice is often a time of celebration. Common festivals involve coming-of-age celebrations, when kids who reached 16 often go on for coming-of-age tests and are congratulated by their peers; or Starlight Day, dedicated to Yuuriko, Hikai of the Void. There are also many personal ceremonies, especially on festive occasions like weddings, or anniversaries; however the death of a loved one is often marked by the Mourning Flower Ceremony, a time to respect and honour the deceased, where everyone wears black kimonos, with different belts depending on who died : white if a parent, blue if one’s first partner (within a relationship or household), purple if another, black if one’s offspring, and so on.
The Way of the Tea is a special ceremony involving the ritual making and serving of tea. Gatherings can be formal and informal, with formal gatherings usually involving feasts and lasting for hours.
Etiquette
Heibesu society is often marked by etiquette. Bowing is the most usual way of greeting somebody in a society with puts emphasis on one’s standing, both personally and to the outside world. Though shoes can be worn inside, most places will offer guest inside shoes, especially inns. Households are often ranked according to order of generational seniority, and often the Housemistress/Housemaster is given the most respect. In many relationships this translates to a full-fledged hierarchy, with each new member starting out lower. Within family, parents are also given more respect, though equally if in a three or more household. This has, in effect, a profound effect in Imperial sociolinguistics, with honorifics being very developed.
Festivals are very common occurrences in Heibesu. New Year is celebrated at the end of each lunar year, and is a time of gifting, celebration, and goodwill. The most celebrated are known as Matsuri. There are local and empire-wide festivals; each province and even town has its own festivals. For instance Harvest related festivals are common in more rural regions, and the harvest of rice is often a time of celebration. Common festivals involve coming-of-age celebrations, when kids who reached 16 often go on for coming-of-age tests and are congratulated by their peers; or Starlight Day, dedicated to Yuuriko, Hikai of the Void. There are also many personal ceremonies, especially on festive occasions like weddings, or anniversaries; however the death of a loved one is often marked by the Mourning Flower Ceremony, a time to respect and honour the deceased, where everyone wears black kimonos, with different belts depending on who died : white if a parent, blue if one’s first partner (within a relationship or household), purple if another, black if one’s offspring, and so on.
The Way of the Tea is a special ceremony involving the ritual making and serving of tea. Gatherings can be formal and informal, with formal gatherings usually involving feasts and lasting for hours.
Etiquette
Heibesu society is often marked by etiquette. Bowing is the most usual way of greeting somebody in a society with puts emphasis on one’s standing, both personally and to the outside world. Though shoes can be worn inside, most places will offer guest inside shoes, especially inns. Households are often ranked according to order of generational seniority, and often the Housemistress/Housemaster is given the most respect. In many relationships this translates to a full-fledged hierarchy, with each new member starting out lower. Within family, parents are also given more respect, though equally if in a three or more household. This has, in effect, a profound effect in Imperial sociolinguistics, with honorifics being very developed.