“Dream…it must be...it must be a dream!!”
Yuiko keeps on mumbling away to herself. She couldn’t believe and accept what
was happening in front of her. Suddenly, someone give her a slap on the chin; the
painful burning sensation woke her up from delirium. That person was Saigyo the
monk…
“Yuiko, wake up!! This is not the time for
sentimental! If you didn’t act now Yorinaga will be dead by losing too much
blood!!”
“But….but I can’t… I don’t know what to
do…”
“Nonsense, you’re a practiced physician!!”
“I….”
“Stop hesitating!! Do it!!”
With this Yuiko closed her eyes said a
prayer, swallowed a deep breath and started to work on this seems to be impossible
mission…
Together with Saigyo and Yorinaga’s
servants they moved him to a small abandoned temple for treatment. After much
adverse attempts, Yuiko finally managed to stop his wound from bleeding.
However no matter what she did Yorinaga still remains unconscious. Whether will
he be awake, it’s all really depends on his will to live…
Just in this precarious situation, the
Regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi arrived at the temple with numbers of fully armed
warriors…
“What are you doing here? Don’t you ever
try to lay a hand on Yorinaga!! Get away from us! You’re not welcome
here!!”shouted Yuiko furiously.
“Princess Yuiko, I meant you no harm.
Please listen to me… In a short while, the Goshirakawa’s army with be here to
capture the war criminals. With me here are few trustable guards they will
escort you and Yorinaga to a safer place. I beg you to do as I said and leave
this place immediately! Please outsmart the army and survive, don’t ever repeat
the same mistake your parents made years ago!! I may be as you had said coward
and selfish but in order to protect the one I cherish, I am willfully to do
atrocious deeds, be humiliated or even to give out my life…”
This was the second time where Tadamichi
arranged an escape for his love one. Previously was Fujiwara no Tamako and now
Yuiko. While witnessing Yuiko’s escape, her mother Tamako ran across his mind,
his love towards both of them was beyond description yet it was destined to be
a fruitless romance. Thus the only thing he can do is to help them to get their
happiness, a way he defines his love…
Hundred of horseback warriors reached the
temple short moment later, with the aid of Tadamichi Yuiko managed to escape
narrowly. However on the run Yorinaga’s wound manifested again and fresh blood
started to gush out…
After had
been defeated in the war, Yorinaga and his servants ran overnight from temple
at Arashi Mountain to fisherman village at Ooigawa River to seek for refuge. At
last when he couldn’t bear anymore pain on his neck, his last wish was to seek
his father Fujiwara noTadazane’s absolution at Nara…
They reached
Tadazane’s quarter in Nara at the early dawn of 13th on the seventh
month. However they were rejected at the front of the house…
“Master Tadazane,
your son Yorinaga seeks for an audience. He is seriously injured.”
After much
thinking, Tadazane finally open his mouth and said: “Let him go.”
“What? Sir,
wouldn’t you want to see him, your son?”
“Sorry to
say but being shot by an arrow means a bad omen, such person will only bring
ill fortune to the Fujiwara clan. Thus, kindly please leave before the master
is angry.” Said one of Tadazane’s servants.
“But Yorinaga
is Master Tadazane’s son!! Please!! Please let our Master Yorinaga in!! Open
the door, please!! Even a glance will do, please I beg you!!”
There wasn’t
any replies afterwards…
As if had
been thrown into an endless pit, his father’s envenomed rejection had made him
give way to hopeless never ending grief…
At this very
last hour, he remembered the old time when he’s name is still Ayawaka playing
hide and seek in this very spot with his father Tadazane. Tadazane’s every
move, every single action, his fatherly stern expression, and warm hands all of
these had deeply imprinted on Yorinaga’s mind…
Tears overflow,
with much despair he breaths in deeply for the last time, draws his whole body’s
last energy to his jaw and bites his own tongue off…
Blood was oozing
from his mouth; the vivid in color warm fluid slowly dyed his snow white robe
into fresh red…
In front of
this despondent scene, stood Yuiko strongly shaken by what she had witnessed…
“My inner
heart? What does Saigyo means? What is he trying to tell me?”
While
thinking about Saigyo words, the veil of the Hougen War draws quietly, like a
shadow in dark…
It all
begins when Minamoto no Yoshitomo a Genji warrior of the Goshirakawa’s army
suggested night ambush towards Yorinaga’s. This idea was fully supported by the
Regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi, however Yuiko thinks the other way round. Night
ambush means to attack the other party at night when people are at rest; this
would be cowardice and ignoble action, but sadly Yuiko was in no position to
stop them. And so the Goshirakawa’s army had their ambush at four in the
morning marking the starts of the 1st war after almost a century of
peacefulness------ The Hougen War.
From time to
time informers come and go bringing the latest information regarding the war to
people at Takamatsu Palace. All of them were good victory news nevertheless
these didn’t lighten Yuiko’s mind; the reason she had been paying attention to
the monotonous informers was waiting for them to inform her HIS
whereabouts…
At last
slightly before end of the day, one informer rush in bringing the news that the
war is over with mentions of the name Fujiwara no Yorinaga…
The Hougen
War lasted for only a day leaving Sudoku’s army totally defeated, it all ended
when the war general Fujiwara no Yorinaga was shot by an arrow during his
flees…
“Minister of
left Yorinaga was shot?!”
As if had
been struck by the lightning, Yuiko had gone sobers up, now only would she
realize all along it is Yorinaga that she really wants …
Without much
thinking she stood up, gathered all her medicines and head for the exit of
Takamatsu Palace. However at the gate, she was stopped by the Regent Fujiwara no
Tadamichi…
“Yuiko, stop
it! Don’t go. You don’t know what you are going to meet!”
“Get away
from me. I must go, no matter how dangerous the outside world is! If not I’ll
regret!!”
“Do you know where he is? No!! So just let him
die, he’s a now war criminal!! And you are a princess he’s no good for you
now!!”
“How can you
say such words? You are his brother and you used to be his foster father too!!
He’s now in danger yet you still talk ill about him!! How cruel!!”
“Yuiko, I’m
doing this is for the sake of you! Yorinaga is now a war criminal, going off to
see him will only make you one of his accomplices! Although I’m his brother,
but law is law I must obey it!”
“You are a
coward then!! From the way you accepted Yoshitomo night ambush’s suggestion,
you are no better than those rascals!! Now I finally understand why mother
chose father instead of you, because you are a selfish good-for-nothing
timorous fool!! You never get her and you’ll never get me either!!”
Yuiko pushed
Tadamichi’s off and haste towards the disastrous outside world…
Part of
Yuiko agreed with Tadamichi as she doesn’t know Yorinaga’s whereabouts, rushing
out without any plans would be a ludicrous act. Nevertheless her inner heart
told her to act before she could feel sorry about it. Thus will she be able to
find him in this havoc state, it’s all depends on their destiny…
Almost 9 hrs to go before we end the year 2012.
525600 min for 2012, how do I measure the year?
Overall what I can say is this was a bitter sweet year for me.
Bitter in the sense of financial problem and reluctant about my future.
While sweet means the ability to go thru the year peacefully and in good health.
My 1st attempt in the year:
-became tuition teacher for primary (group) and secondary students ( a short while)
-become a Japanese interpreter (haven't receive any assignments though)
-become a "fierce" lab instructor
-cried in front of my supervisor lol
That's all for the 1st attempt part, all really are financial base attempt.
Talk about 2012 resolution:
I had forgotten whether I got any resolution for the year, but as usual it's all about lose weight, romance and etc.
Lose weight thingy I did it well let's say 50% achieved Lolz. But for romance , I totally flunk it!!
No romance for the year 2012 ( ；´Д｀)
I did fall for the 'Bradley' at my church but sadly he's to far to reach....
And so single again...haha anyhow let's hope for a better 2013~
Thank you for the year 2012 every bitter sweet moments along the year will eventually made me grows!! Fighting!! ヾ(＠⌒ー⌒＠)ノ
Yeah it’s the time of the year again for the 6th
Annual Nanaho Award!! Woohoo~ last year I calculated wrongly…haha it had been 6
years ever since I started my own annual award~This year I write it earlier as I’ll be sort of busy on the 31st.
And so the theme of this year 2012 is……
The year of Heian Period!!
I’m totally I love with Heian period within the year 2012, I
read actual Heian period novels and articles, watched Heian period drama and
movie, and even dreamt of owning Heian costume sadly it’s too expensive and
rare…so I bought a Uchikake instead
lol~
And so……
The Best Movie of the year
The Terminal (2004)
-Yes it is an old movie. I had been very busy during the
2012 and couldn’t had chance to go to the cinema so I downloaded old movie to
watch at home instead. This movie is my best of the year, as the storyline is
interesting and touching. I like Viktor’s determination to overcome all the
trouble just to carry out his father’s dead wish. Of course my favourite quote in the movie:
Life is about waiting, everybody’s waiting. Everybody.
The Best drama of the year
The History of the Salaryman
-Yup definitely my best!!This is an all in drama: comedy, romance, storyline, history; everything
you name it they got it!! Following this drama was my best time of the year. I
love all four of the main character, and every one of the actors and actresses
performed wonderfully in this drama. Just hope that this drama got lots of
awards at the SBS Annual Award. Aza!!
Other favourite dramas
平清盛 (Taira no
Kiyomori)
-I watched a number of dramas this year, but sadly other
then the drama stated above none captured my heart.As for this drama平清盛, I couldn’t say it as my favourite since
I don’t like the main character, yet the drama’s Heian setting and those sub-characters
in this drama caught my eye i.e. Fujiwara no Yorinaga and the romance between
Emperor Toba and Lady Tamako. Nevertheless, this drama got wonderful
soundtracks.
Jin仁ー完結編
-I watched this drama last year, but after a second watch this year only that
I realized it wasn’t that bad after all. It was very touching and the ending
fits perfectly either.
The Best Actor of the year
山本耕史 (Yamamoto
Kouji)
-Yup that’s him the all talented actor. Though he can’t be considered as
very handsome but he can sing, dance, act, compose, play guitar, draw and even
magic!! I started to recognize him due to his brilliant act in the drama Taira
no Kiyomori as the role of Fujiwara no Yorinaga. I also like this comedic act
as a cheapskate hired actor a mini drama.
Other favourite actor
Song Jung Ki (Tree with deep roots, Sung Seong Gwan Scandal)
The Best Actress of the year
Moon Geun Young
-Once again Miss Moon had won this award!! Her new drama
‘Cheongdamdong Alice’ started early December, though personally I’m not very
fond of it but I’m totally in love with her fashion style in the drama.
Other favourite actresses
-Hong Soo Hyun (History of the Salaryman)
-Han Ga In (Moon embraces the Sun)
The Best Couple of the year
Choi Hang Woo and Cha Woo Ui
-Yup they are the modern 项羽/虞姬
couple!! Luckily our writer of History of the Salaryman didn’t give them a
tragic end as the real history did. Congratulation to Ms. Hong Soo Hyun being
chosen again for the best couple award~ haha!!
The Best Book of
the year
To Kill a Mocking bird by Harper Lee
-To be honest I had already forgotten most of the story but
I know that it’s an interesting and warmth story despite dealing with serious
issues of rape and racial inequality.
My second best is actually The Tale of Genji the famous
Japanese Classic Literature written in the 11th Century. It is
called the world first novel which illustrates a unique depiction of the
livelihoods of high courtiers during the Heian Period. However I’m still
reading the book so couldn’t count into the award.
The Best Drama/ Movie Character of the year
藤原頼長 Fujiwara no Yorinaga from平清盛
-As mentioned earlier, Yorinaga was a jewel in the drama. Who would have
missed this tenacious fellow in the drama? Not to mention his eye-catching *hem
hem homosexual * act in the drama. Lol!! The actor Mr. Yamamoto
definitely did a great job by portraying this historical good looking tragedy
gay guy.
The Best Cartoon of the year
The Simpsons
-All long the years these yellow stupid looking creatures still my favourite.
//Music Section//
The Best Music Artist of the year
一青窈 Hitoto Yo
-Sorry no more Ayu, from now on I prefer a more sentimental genre.I like most of her song especially those
compose by Mr.武部聡志 i.e. 栞、花のあと and of
course my K song かざぐるま風車.
[Just don't understand why this video couldn't get into the page]
-I’m totally fond of this version, as they had added 尺八a Japanese traditional instrument into
this live arrangement.
The Best MV of the year
Sign (Japanese version) by Brown Eyed Girls
Although it considered as an old song but still I like this song and the MV
especially the Japanese version, perhaps due to the interesting fan dance.
The Best Album of the year
NHK大河ドラマ《平清盛》サウンドトラック
-Although I prefer the
part 2 for this OST but I couldn’t get the download source for that so I choose
part 1 instead. Is an interesting OST combining both Western and Japanese
orchestra instrument. I even bought the music score directly from Japan.
Top 5 Instrumental Music of the year
-夢詠み...紀行 by 吉松隆 from
平清盛 OST
-５月の夢の歌by 吉松隆 from
平清盛 OST
-平清盛テーマ曲by 吉松隆 from
平清盛 OST
-情歌by 吉松隆 from
平清盛 OST
-美つめる by吉俣良 from江 ~姫たちの戦国~OST
Top 15 Songs of the year
-Because of you by JeA from History of the Salaryman OST
-喝采 by一青窈
-恋 by中孝介 from Anime Tale of Genji Ending Theme
-오직단하나唯一 by SoHyang
소향 from马医 OST
-아프고아파도即使很痛苦from马医 OST
-기억할게요 by YangPa양파 from Tree with deep roots OST
-Sign by Brown Eyed Girls
-Abracadabra by Brown Eyed Girls
-Moon by Park Lena
-告白 by平井堅
-明日世界が終わるなら by中島美嘉
-Deepness by MISIA
-Back in love again by MISIA
-遊びをせんとや from平清盛 OST
-달빛이지고 by
Heora from Moon Embraces the Sun OST
Well that’s all for
the year 2012~ A year full of Heian Romance~
The monk
smiled to Yuiko and said: “Norikiyo was my past, and now I’m Saigyo.”
“You are
alive!! I thought that you were dead, killed by Kimiharu!!”
“I was once
death and now alive…”
“But…how?”
And so
Saigyo previously called Norikiyo begins to narrate his salvation story…
To some people love is a possession, to be
fond of someone is to gain ownership towards that person heart and soul; if
failed this type of person will then do anything and everything to prevent
others to take the heart of their lover, they named this type of love as
obsessive love…
Norikiyo was
a victim of this obsessive love, so do Yorinaga’s departed wife Sachiko.
While
working as a watch guard for the Empress Taikenmon, day after day his heart
towards the soft-spoken beauty grows, eventually he decided to confess his
fondness to her during the first day of the year as she retreated to her quarter
after the ceremony. She rejected him politely and he accepted his fate either,
however his inner demon was awaken when he heard that the Empress was going to
spend her night with the Emperor. Anger and jealousy clouded his mind, without
thinking he raised his hand towards the lady’s neck and strangled her to death.
Luckily the Empress lady-in waiting was around and prevented the catastrophe.
The Empress decided to forgive Norikiyo thus ordered to set him free, he was so
much ashamed with his deed and never to set foot in the palace again…
On the other
hand, Sachiko was attracted by Norikiyo’s charm while she was a court lady
serving the Empress. Even after married to Yorinaga, her affection towards
Norikiyo never languishes.She finds
that her younger husband is childish, uncompromised and not charming for he
failed to produce no poet at all. As a
married woman her movement is much restricted, despite that she keeps on
inviting Noriyiko to her household. But she was rejected every time when Norikiyo
had duty at the Empress quarter. Bit by bit her resentment towards Norikiyo
increases until at last she ordered her servant Kimiharu for Norikiyo’s life
for he had failed to keep his promise…
One day as
Norikiyo was visiting a temple at Mount Kiei, he was attacked by Kimiharu and
his gang by surprise. They chased him towards a cliff and use arrows to shoot
him over. While falling he assumed that he’s going to die and got a flashback
of this whole life. All the while he had been looking for beautifulness in life
yet thru the flashback it was a mere meaningless act, he was regretting about
it but it was too late…
Luckily the
God haven’t abandoned him, he was saved by an old couple. Due to the deep fall,
he was injured severely. But with the aid of the old couple his wound was
healed in no time. He was surprised to know that such brilliant physician can
be found in the deep woods. He then thanks the couple and leave for Mount Kiei
to take the tonsure…
“Princess Yuiko, I was deeply touched by the
old couple who saved me when I fall. Though in old age wrinkles all around,
their affection towards each other is pure and deep, only then I realized this
is the true beautifulness I was looking for. In rich in poor, in good in bad, in
life in death, their love is imperishable and everlasting.
The reason I’m
here tonight is to remind you to pay attention to your inner heart. My lady,
listen to what it tries to tell you what it really wants, and act accordingly.
We only live once and no one would be as lucky as I to have a second chance in
life, therefore when it’s the right time don’t hesitate, grab the opportunity
tightly and never regrets about it!”
After saying
these words, Norikiyo now Saigyo perishes quietly, without leaving trance of
his presence…
