Scène: An impromptu meeting under the Moon

The night sky becomes brighter as the clouds vanish, revealing the Moon Goddess Hitomi in her full radiance. Near the gate, Denbe is performing his duty as a yojimbo by standing watch over the Estate's perimeter. In the Temple Pavilion, Kitsu Hajime is cleaning up the last of the tea set and sweeping the tatami. The Temple will be ready for worship when visitors come at the break of dawn.

Just as the priest has completed his work, delicate steps can be heard at the pavilion's entrance, announcing the arrival of Lady Setsuko.


Setsuko

Setsuko approaches Kitsu Hajime after the conversation that he had with Bayushi Akinaru and places a hand on his shoulder with a timid smile.

Kitsu-San, you have shown yourself to be of much prowess in matters of spirituality and I would greatly like to call on your gifts now. As you may have heard, one of my elder brothers have left this world. I would dearly like to pray for my brother with you and learn how best to pray for my dearly departed. And perhaps also get to know a little the samurai who is able to contend with Hida Sae... she smiles again and looks almost over awed, if that is alright with you, esteemed Kitsu-San.

And I was also wondering if you could help me pray to my ancestors. I have been considering learning a new school, like duellist or archer and would like to be guided at least in part by my ancestors...


Hajime

Quite a contrast from my wife, thought the Kitsu. Clearly, this was a woman of Quality that we have here; well bred, frail, delicate, charming and witty. As it should be. The Bayushi courtier was the complete opposite of his Sae. The complete opposite, indeed... Oh why had my parents matched me with Hida Sae? This reminded him painfully that he could have been paired with a much better bride... At Setuko's touch, the priest melts. He is a married man, but clearly this is not a concern to him at this time, allowing her hand to linger on a bit longer that what would be considered proper. Then, as he is suddenly reminded that he is in a temple, the Kitsu slips back into his role as priest and the breaks contact to turns to face Setsuko.

"You grace us by your presence, Lady Setsuko" says Hajime as he politly bows in greeting.

I am sorry to hear about your brother, please accept my sincere condolences. Perhaps, it is as you say, and I can guide you in offering your respects to your dearly departed brother. In this way, he would be properly honoured in Yomi, the Realm of the Blessed Ancestors. There is a ritual that I will teach you, and that will allow you to enter in contact with the spirits of the Ancestors. This ritual is surprisingly simple, as you will soon learn.

With a sweep of his arm, the Kitsu indicates the Altar crowded with the paintings, statuette and of various offerings.

First, if possible, create a likeness of your Ancestor. A painting or a statue is good for this purpose. Actually, a small statuette would perhaps be best, as it is far more portable and durable during our travels. Ideally, you will deposit the likeness of your brother at an altar dedicated to the Ancestors, just like we have here in this pavilion. But that is not compulsory, as you can offer your devotions almost anywhere.

Hajime pauses to indicating a delicate vase filled with fragrant sticks of incense.

When the time comes for you to offer your prayers, light a few sticks. Also, depositing an offering of fruit before the likeness of your Ancestor is a gesture that is always appreciated. Some Ancestors like offerings of sake too, and some like poems, while others prefer flowers or paintings. If possible, always offer them their favourite things and they will be most grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Then comes the time for prayer. This takes many forms. Some will offer formal prayers. For others, it will be an recounting of the day's accomplishments; in this way, Ancestors can hear you, and perhaps even offer you some wise counsel. Offering the prayer is not always as easy as it might seem. It takes some form of mental discipline to properly accomplish the rite, as you must stand long hours before the altar, with no apparent results. If you have trouble with keeping your focus, come to me and I will give you some further advice.

For your devotions to be effective, this Ritual of Ancestral worship should be accomplished regularly at least once a week, and for about an hour's time. The temple here is open to everyone, every day of the week, and at all hours. During the night, the lantern outside will light the path leading from the main villa to the Temple Pavilion. Sometime, in the middle of the night, when doubt assails us, it is always good to come visit the Ancestors for comfort and advice.

Every day, at the break of dawn, I come here to offer my respects to the Ancestors in a formal ceremony. You are welcome to join with the others if you wish. Or you can come here at some quieter moment in the day if you prefer greater intimacy with your Ancestors.

I would greatly like to pay respect to my ancestors at the formal ceremony, but it is part of the nature of my clan to value greatly our privacy. I know that of all of those in our group, you would best understand this, as discretion must be of import when dealing with fickle ancestors.

This being said, Kitsu-san, I am afraid I will already be a nuisance to you. Could I pray with you in the hour prior to the arrival of the others? We would have the intimacy I feel cannot be lacking for the worship of my ancestors. She laughs self-depracatingly And as you well know, I should be up earlier so as to be dressed and made ready at the same time as all the others.
She waits a few moments, but begins to speak before he can comment

Might I then expect to see you here tomorrow? If you can tolerate the sight of me before my personal attendant has worked her arts that is... A frightful thing really. Her tone is terribly playful, but she was quite serious about wanting to pray apart from the others. The Bayushi ancestors would be best worshiped in solitude, but if she could bind the Shugenga closer to her in the process, what was the harm? He clearly thirsted for exposure to some refinement, what with his wife who was unable to reconcile the fact that a warrior need not be a brute

The Kitsu priest was clearly relishing the prospect of having such a graceful lady visit his temple. Clearly caught in the game, Hajime replies in a playful tone.

Please, dame Setsuko, do not say such things. I am certain you inner grace will shine through and rival the sun's morning radiance.

A bit more seriously now, the priest adds the following...

I understand your particular need for privacy. It will be an honor for me to host an early ceremony for your Ancestors. Just warn me in advance whenever you need one.

Now, I believe it's best we retire, milady. It's been a busy night, and tomorrow the morning's duties will arrive even quicker than usual.

Hajime escorts Setsuko outside the pavilion, back to the main villa, then bows politely and turns to rejoin Sae in his apartments.