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#but a Waka motif
feliciadraws · 25 days
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Okami fandom hear me:
Kintsugi as a Waka motif
does anyone else here see my vision
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pavlovers · 2 years
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i'll wait until the actual chapter comes out to fully judge but i'm not sure if i'm completely satisfied with how the dark impulses have been explained...
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maggiecheungs · 2 years
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holespoles · 1 year
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Rei Kurahashi
Personification of color "Wakana-iro"
The Wakana-iro, is a bright yellow-green like Wakana of early spring. Is a refreshing color that points to the overall color of the early spring of edible wild plants, but it is also referred to as a color named after factor in the spring of herbs from it is the alias of “Wakana” is “Spring of seven herbs”.
Seri, shepherd’s purse, five elements, Hakobera, henbit, Suzuna, the spring of herbs, such as radish, in the ancient imperial court is with the exception of all kinds of diseases, of the New Year seven days as “WakanaTsumi”, “rice porridge with seven herbs” was one of the New Year of the important event. Wakana pluck woman landscape is as it was “Manyoshu,” “The Pillow Book,” “The Tale of Genji” familiar things than old enough to became a motif in such.
By the way, traditional color to get the “Waka” Many green derived from the fresh green of flowers, can be seen a large number, such as “Wakakusa-iro” “Wakatake-iro” “Wakame-iro” “Wakatake-iro”.
くらはしれい「若菜色」
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arcane-star · 2 years
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Dude the Ōkami soundtrack is such a bop. Like Issun's theme is so bouncy and it sounds like autism(I'm autistic don't come at me) I love it sm. And OH MY GOD WAKA'S BATTLE THEME IS SO FUCKING GOOD LIKE THAT SHIT GETS ME SO HYPE WHENEVER I LISTEN TO IT OH MY FUCKING GODS. And then some of the music in the OST is so calming and relaxing that sometimes I'll put it on to help me sleep. I love the soundtrack for this game so much. It's filled with so much emotion and it sets the mood for the scenes and places so perfectly. And they use the music so perfectly too. Like the tons of The Sun Rises motifs in the game, how just the characters themes alone tell so much about them. I just AAAAAAAAGH I love this game and it's soundtrack sm.
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glatisant-questing · 8 months
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The Charm (Omamori) [Yamazaki/Chizuru]
This is a four-part story (character analysis? character study? random thoughts about a waka poem? anyway) I wrote because [spolier alert] I wish Chizuru could have her charm from Yamazaki too (after the common route story of Chizuru giving Yamazaki a talisman/charm in Tsukikage no Shou, which btw has the excellent English translation by Salty Neo on Youtube). But the motifs that actually get the story to flow were inspired by the art of Utagawa Hiroshige as well as the study of how women in Edo dealt with both the physical inconvenience and social stigma on menstruation in the manga Kaze Hikaru (as long as the ending of the manga is forgotten everything is good to me). Hence, the fic ends up in a mingle-mangle hodge-podge kind of style...but the writing process is fun!
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I have a few I'd like to suggest, if that's okay!
I'd like to be sure you have been submitted Solgaleo and Lunala from Pokemon Sun and Moon; not a ton to elaborate on, I think, except that they're based on the sun and moon respectively and are heavily themed.
Tui and La from Avatar the Last Airbender; two koi spirits that are literally the sun and moon, and influence the powers of associated elements.
Another perhaps obvious set: Cecil and Kevin from Welcome to Nightvale. The towns they come from and their own motifs in general are based on the sun and moon. Alternatively, the goddess Amaterasu could also be paired with her real mythologic counterpart, Tsukuyomi, the moon god.
Amaterasu and Waka from Okami are another set of potential options; Amaterasu representing the Shinto sun goddess and Waka representing his faction called the 'Moon Tribe'.
A more kinda subtle couple of characters so I totally understand brushing them off, but, Yzma and Kuzco from The Emperor's New Groove. The references to the moon and sun were present in these characters during development, although not directly mentioned in the final product (Yzma had a song about admiring the moon and hating the sun; Kuzco's empire used to be called 'Empire of the Sun'; these were cut) although it still impacts their designs and themes.
a big one! in order:
1) dw anon i do in fact have Solgaleo and Lunala! i’ve gotten a lot of pokemon submissions
2) Tui and La are the moon and ocean spirits respectively so sadly they don’t qualify for this poll
3) yep i got Cecil snd Kevin too! as for Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, i can’t include the actual gods themselves seeing as they aren’t fictional characters, but i can add their video game interpretations
4) oooh i didn’t know that about emperors new grove!
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So, Universal has released a new Zappa album. This is a bunch of outtakes and sessions centered around Zappa's Waka Jawaka and Grand Wazoo big band sessions. The albums themselves were great, but this 4 hour love feast is even better, mainly because it is raw and edgy. Ditties include outtakes, a George Duke Demo and a live gig.
Where can I even begin?
First, Zappa was known to record material, then years later re-record entire parts. My guess was that his experimentalism sometimes got the best of him and at times he probably conceded that he didn't pull the right stuff out of the genius plebeians under his tutelage. What you hear on the mixed down Waka and Wazoo sessions is what happened when Zappa tamed it down, but this album, even with the clams and imperfections is as bizarre as it is funny, grooving and engaging.
All in all, I'm still absorbing the album. In addition, I want to buy the box set because there are probably a lot of interesting notes to read explaining lot's of back story, but let me give you a run down.
*I don't have the liners or personnel info, but let me do a blindfold test. If you've heard the album, please feel free to pipe in.
Your Mouth <- This version has raw crazy ass banter that didn't make the album. It's hilarious.
Big Swifty <- Because its a thoroughly composed piece, it's very interesting to compare the alternate mixes and takes to the verison on the album. Thanks to Apple Music, that's easy to do. There's a tight version of this on Zappa/Mothers: The Roxy Performances.
Minimal Art <- Aynsley Dunbar's drumming is over the top. In fact, you might even describe the entire box set at the Aynsley Dubnar show, especially in regards to the mix. This tune, if you're familiar with it is based on a repetitive bass motif. The band jams out Miles Davis style, and boy is it trippy.
Blessed Relief <- more trippy spacious Jazz with an element of Burt Bacharach on acid. I'm serious. Anyone disagree? It's mellow, yet off center.
Think It Over <- Really funky, but has this weird guy humming on top. Band really gets to jam out, and evolves (or devolves depending upon how you look at it) into some crazy Zappa style meshegas.
For Calvin <- More Zappa style off center avant garde Jazz from hell.
Waka/Jawaka <- This is one you just have to close your eyes and concentrate on. I'll leave it at that.
Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus <- a pastiche of motifs Kinda reminds me of the shape of things that would come circa "One Size Fits All".
Eat That Question <- Duke gets to bug out on keyboards. It's funky, it's cooking.. Zappa's band jamming out and cutting loose at its best.
Big Swifty <- an alternative mix. This song is a pastiche of thoroughly composed motifs that you have to pay close attention to. You're then taken to Zappa style fusion heaven.
For Calvin <- another version of this tune that's definitely a throwback to the Zappa's Mothers era.
It Just Might Be A One-Shot <- A bit of Captain Beefheart influence... very weird vocals includes a part sung with a Scandinavian accent. In eventually settles into a really cool Southern rock type jam, complete with the twangy guitar.
Waka/Jawaka <- tight horn driven zappa type Jazz from hell meets bebop thang. Great soloing. Love the bass.
Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus <- ***
Eat That Question <-- again, a bit of Jazzy keyboard heaven with a fuzzy psychedelic rock edge.
The next 7 tracks are a George Duke Demo. Sounds like a lot of Blackbyrds/Roy Ayers influenced crossover Jazz of the era, only with a weird Zappa/Duke influence. The session is a bit messy at times, but could have potentially been a killer release with a little cleaning up. Includes a killer version of Uncle Remus making you wonder if Duke was really the psychedelic Billy Preston.
LOVE was pre-released before the album dropped. Dunbar, who is otherwise the hero of this entire box set sounds like a somewhat messy or high version of Steve Gadd. You can tell he's sort of trying to find his groove with Duke. Getting to the Alphonse Mouzon thing. Maybe the album was recorded with intention of release, but that's what happened. Zappa thought it was too sloppy?
Psychosomatic Dunk is more typical of the pop/fusion/Jazz of the era... Final version of LOVE has the drummer a bit "tighter" and in the groove.
Next, the album goes to a bunch of live tracks. It includes Approximate, which definitely foreshadows stuff the Art Ensemble of Chicago would be known for. And on to the Winterland Ballroom Concert. The sound quality isn't quite up to par with the rest of the album (heck, it's live) but it is still worth it. Tunes range from hot cooking "free Jazz" type stuff and a really nice surprise: A horn fused big band version of Montana(!) Maybe the solos aren't as funky as the billion other versions in his catalogue, yet still, it's a really interesting version. Cosmik Debris is another Zappa staple that gets the big band treatment, and it is definitely INTERESTING to say the least. The horn arrangements on these two tunes sound more like Buddy Rich than Zappa, but maybe that's what makes it interesting.
Alas, the album ends with a real treat. An extended jam on the the quintessential Zappa anthem CHUNGA'S REVENGE. The band jams out similar to the way the used to on some of the better versions of KING KONG. We're talking an extended 18 minute Jam that puts a certain Iron Butterfly jam to shame. Zappa's solo is also quite interesting. I love the way the drums and bass are supporting him and how laid back, but funky the band is during the trumpet solo. As the jam evolves the rhythm section just heats up more and more. You can really feel and hear them listening to eat other. At the same time, the sound kinda reminds me of his Broadway The Hard Way Band with the Fowler Brothers (that I was lucky to see when I was 18!)
All in all, a great deal of the tunes on this album provide opportunity for Zappa and his band to cut loose the way only Zappa could. I don't think many people call Zappa "Jam Band" music (the term wasn't popular then), but that's pretty much what they're doing. Jamming their butts off. I'll add that the original Waka and Wazoo sessions were recorded almost 50 years ago. I initially listened in my teens, and here we are years after his death experiencing the music when the sessions could have potentially been lost in time. Boy do I feel happy and privileged.
OK... that's my read. What's your call?
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realita-lampung · 1 year
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Polres Tubaba Ungkap Kasus Penembakan Anggota PSHT
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TULANGBAWANG BARAT - Kapolres Tulang Bawang Barat Polda Lampung AKBP Sunhot P. Silalahi, S.I.K.,M.M, menggelar Konferensi Press di Halaman Mapolres Tulang Bawang Barat Ungkap Kasus Penangkapan Terhadap Pelaku Penembakan Anggota Persatuan Setia Hati Teratai (PSHT). Tersangka yang diamankan tersebut berinisial AL (34) dan dirilis pada hari, Senin (2/1/2023). Ungkap Kasus Penembakan anggota PSHT tersebut Inisial AL merupakan pelaku Tindak Pidana. Pecobaan Pembunuhan dan atau Penganiayaan, terhadap korban Sutikno (45), Warga desa Kota Jawa Kecamatan Negara Batin Kabupaten Way Kanan, yang terkena tembakan Senjata Api Rakitan yang terjadi pada Minggu (4/12/2022) pukul 13.30 WIB, di areal Hutan Register Indonesia 44 (HTI) Kecamatan Gunung Agung Kabupaten Tulang Bawang Barat. Dimana agenda Press Release ini dipimpin langsung oleh Kapolres Tulang Bawang Barat AKBP Sunhot P. Silalahi, S.I.K.,M.M, didampingi Waka Polres Kompol Heru Sulistyananto, S.H, M.H, Kabag Ops Kompol Dulhapid, S.Pd, Kasat Reskrim AKP Dailami, S.H dan beberapa personel lainnya. Dalam Press Release yang digelar, Kapolres Tulang Bawang Barat memaparkan, Awal mula kejadian penembakan tersebut berawal warga SH (Setia Hati) Kecamatan Negara Batin di undang oleh sdr. Jafar (warga SH Tulang Bawang Barat) dari Warga SH Negara Batin datang sekitar 300 orang memenuhi undangan untuk mendampingi pengamanan karena pada hari Minggu 4 Desember 2022 akan dilakukan Penanaman singkong milik sdr. Jafar sekira 10 hektar, dan pada saat korban hendak pulang dengan beriringan menaiki sepeda motor sebanyak 5 motor, tiba - tiba berpapasan dengan dua orang mengendarai satu sepeda motor dengan menggunakan cadar penutup kepala, dan satu orang yang di bonceng mengarahkan senjata laras panjang ke arah korban lalu ditembakkan ke arah kaki dan mengenai betis kaki kanan korban. Selanjutnya, Kapolres Tulang Bawang Barat Meminta Satreskrim Polres Tulang Bawang Barat Untuk menangkap Pelaku, “Jangan Pulang Sebelum Berhasil Menangkap Pelaku”, pada hari minggu tanggal 01 Januari 2023 sekira pukul 15.00 Wib (siang hari) bersama Tim subdit III Jatranras Polda Lampung berhasil menangkap tersangka dari persembunyiannya di Kampung Batu Ampar Kecamatan Gedung Aji Kabupaten Tulang Bawang selanjutnya Tersangka dan Barang Bukti dibawa ke Polres Tulang Bawang Barat untuk dilakukan proses hukum. Kapolres Tulang Bawang Barat AKBP Sunhot P. Sialahi, S.I.K, M.M Ketika Menanyakan Langsung Kepada pelaku Motif dari penembakan, AL Mengatakan Pada hari Minggu tanggal 04 Desember 2022 sekira pukul 09.00 Wib sdr S datang ke rumah tersangka AL yang beralamat di Ethanol Kab. Tulang Bawang, kemudian sdr S mengajak tersangka AL untuk masuk ke lahan yang sebelumnya tersangka AL jual kepada sdr D telah di garap/di tanam oleh PSHT, mendengar hal tersebut tersangka AL pun marah dan setelah itu sdr S bersama tersangka AL pun pergi ke lahan tersebut menggunakan 1 (satu) unit Sepeda Motor Honda CRF bewarna HITAM dan ditengah perjalanan tersangka AL diperintahkan sdr S untuk mengambil 1 (satu) pucuk Senjata Api jenis LOCOK, setelah itu ke 2 (dua) pelaku tersebut melanjutkan perjalanan dan ditengah perjalanan ke 2 (dua) pelaku tersebut berpapasan/bertemu dari arah berlawanan, lalu sdr S memutar balik arah Sepeda Motor Honda CRF warna Hitam dan tersangka AL turun dari motor langsung mengacungkan senjata api dan menembak kearah rombongan PSHT sebanyak 1 (satu kali ).” ujar Kapolres Tulang Bawang Barat. Read the full article
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feliciadraws · 2 months
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Not gonna lie, I am totally thinking of redrawing or doing a proper thing of art based on this doodle of Mei I shared on Discord
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mckeedinesen73 · 2 years
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medinainternational · 2 years
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(Motif-Radio) Reggae Pon Top # 22 2022 Tracklisting:
SINGLES: DEAN FRASER & ERNIE RANGLIN- PLAYING TWINS ZION HEAD- JAH WATCHING DONNA V- SHOULD I JOHNNIE LEE- LOVE LIGHT TALEBA WAX- SKY BLUE MICHAEL GORDON- LOVE HEMISPHERE KUZZIK- STAND FOR THE CULTURE LOUIE CULTURE- ROUGH TIMES RICHIE SPICE & DRE ISLAND- HIGH GRADE SMOKE TR SHINE FEAT. PUPA CURLY- NOT APART OF YO PARTY DA UNRULY ONE- YOU ARE
RIDDIMS: PULL ME RIDDIM MONEY IN MY POCKET RIDDIM TEAR DROP RIDDIM HEAL THE WORLD RIDDIM
DANCEHALL: URBAN GROUND RIDDIM AI MILLY- TRAPPEST LIFE KNAKKIS- SOLITARY KRANIUM- SECTION RED CUPS RIDDIM RSNY- GO MY WAY SAMORA- TOO BAD RICHIE LOOP & JOLI ROUGE SOUND- WAKA SYLO G- ONE TIME SERANI- SLOWLY WESROCK & LAA LEE- IS THERE A PARTY
ONE DROP/ROOTS: RAS TEO- JAH WATERFALLS PRINCE JAMO- NIGHT OF OUR LIVES RAFEELYA- WHAT THIS IS LILA IKE- SECOND CHANCE JOHNNY OSBOURNE & ASWAD- DON'T BITE THE HAND STEEL PULSE- KU KLUX KLAN KELISSA- SMILE A WHILE NAOMI COWAN- ALL THAT SHE WANTS QUEEN IFRICA- WHY TASHA T- FIRE IN ME CLUTCHEYE- CONNIVING JAH 9- MA'AT SEVANA- IF YOU ONLY KNEW QUEEN OMEGA- SMILE IN YOUR FACE
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itsjonsonbct · 2 years
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Studio Week 12 - Brand logo Progression Pt.2.
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Experimenting with CC and the message of “Linking”:
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Trying unconventional ideas and testing them.
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Testing a completely different angle:
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I sought to develop our logo of Creative Cultures further by designing different iterations that encompass as much of our brands core values and colour schemes as much as possible, within each logo design. Each progressive iteration has a slightly noticeable design, while recycling the same colour palette and experimenting with different ways of projecting those colours of our brand. During my testing, I’ve experimented with different alignments and positionings of the letter ‘C’s” of “Creative” & and “Culture” because I wanted to see how I could carry the message of ‘linking two different worlds and realities’ together that associate with our tagline; “Bringing the old to the new”. 
Additionally I looked at emphasising on our guided framework of “Te Whare Tapa Wha” to inform what our motif would stand for, and express that in the intricate design narrative with the font, & on its own.  
Monochrome Logo:
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This inspired me to create a 4 element pattern design that associated with the four pillars of the ‘Whare”, as depicted in this example above.
Motif / Motive:
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Keeping it simple, minimalist look, but try and tell a story​
Motif with 2 C Shapes represent Creative Cultures
Looks like a couple of sails on a yacht (for a modern connection) or a canoe or waka (for ancient connection) referring to the tagline “Bringing the old to the new”  blowing in the wind giving movement or momentum or sense of doing – with the black lines which we can see – referring to real life doings or experiences – and white lines or white space wrapped around the sails or through the sails  – referring to unseen ie augmented reality flowing through real life experiences​
Using imagery :  Why are the white lines on the sails downward? ​
Imagine the sails on a windsurf with a windsurfer on the right hand side holding onto a boom moving through the water, while Maui on the left hand side of the sails using his lasso that he used to catch the sun, catching the sails… simultaneously, going for a ride
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batikargreen · 3 years
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One set waka waka polos polka
One set waka waka polos polka
Ecer : 85.000 / potong Grosir : 62.000/min5 Reseller : 60.000/min5  Agen : 59.000/min5 One set waka waka polos polka, untuk keterangan prodak, ada pada gambarnya ya? CARA PESAN :sebutkan apa yang mau di order dengan format pesan kirim gambar yang mau di order dan jumlahnya begitu seterusnya lalu kirim nama Penerima # alamat lengkap # no. Hp lalu kirim wa kami 089 6363 666 93 dan tunggu…
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goneahead · 2 years
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The (very) Unofficial Bob Ross’ Happy Trees Poetry Tools Masterpost!
Confession time! I’m an amateur poet with no lit degree, so these are the tools that I personally find helpful. I’ve also tossed in lots of examples—and some tips on how to use these tools to edit poems (and fix poems that aren’t working).
Have fun writing happy trees!
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(pix is from wiki commons)
Day 1 Consonance
Day 2 Repetition
Day 3 Cacophony and Dissonance
Day 4 Euphony
Day 5 Onomatopoeia
Day 6 Caesura and Ma
Day 7 Enjambment and Full-Stop
Day 8 White Space
Day 9 Waka
Day 10 Volta
Day 11 Kireji
 Day 12 Juxtaposition and Nibutsu Shoogeki
Day 13 Connotations, Kokoro, Kigo
Day 14 Imagery
Day 15 Vestibular Imagery
Day 16 Proprioception and Interoceptive Imagery
Day 17 Synesthesia
Day 18  Zoom
Day 19 Mono No Aware
Day 20 Sabi, Wabi, Shibui, and Shashei
Day 21 Internal Rhyme
Day 22 Motif
Day 23 Theme
Day 24 Word Order
Day 25 Adjective Order
Day 26 Adding Variety
Day 27 Aphorism
Day 28 Imagism
Day 29 Something + Something Else
Day 30 What If
Also adding a link to a thing I wrote: How to Edit Poetry Like a Boss
And adding a link to:
Handbook of Poetic Forms (fixed link!)
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emikorin · 3 years
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Who Is Higuchi Ichiyou? (Spoilers if you haven’t fully watched/read Bungou Stray Dogs)
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Higuchi Ichiyou, a port mafia member and the one who commands the Black Lizards. She isn’t respected by the mafia, she isn’t useful to the mafia ability wise but why is she here?
Let us begin from the beginning.
Who is the real life Higuchi Ichiyou?
She was born on May 2, 1872 in a nagaya (row house) on the premises of the Tokyo prefectural office (present Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Prefecture) in Uchisaiwaicho, Ichi shoku, Daini daiku, Tokyo-fu (Tokyo Prefecture). Her real name was Natsu HIGUCHI. Her father was Tamenosuke (Noriyoshi) HIGUCHI and her mother was Ayame, the fifth daughter of the Furuya family; Ichiyo was their second daughter. She had an older sister (Fuji) and two older brothers (Sentaro and Toranosuke), and was followed by a younger sister (Kuni). Making Higuchi Ichiyou the fourth child.
Her father, Noriyoshi, was a peasant in Nakahagiwara Village, Yamanashi County, Kai Province (present Koshu City, formerly Enzan City). Her grandfather seems to have been familiar with creative writings such as haikai (seventeen-syllable verse) and keisho (the most important documents in Confucianism); it is said that Noriyoshi preferred academics to farming and, as his marriage with Ayame was not permitted, they practically eloped to Edo. Noriyoshi began as a servant in the Bansho shirabesho (a government-run Western studies education and research institute) and, by good fortune, became a jikisan (immediate retainer) of the bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun) by buying a kabu (a right to become doshin) of doshin (a low-ranked official) in 1867. After the Meiji Restoration, he became a low-level official and acquired the status of shizoku (a family or person of samurai ancestry), but was dismissed in 1876. After that, he made a living by working as a real estate broker and similar things.
As a young child, Ichiyo was raised in a family of moderate means, and she enjoyed reading from the time she was small; she read kusazoshi (illustrated story books) and it is said that she read through "Nanso Hakkenden" (a story of eight samurai and a princess of the Satomi family in the Nanso region) by Bakin KYOKUTEI when she was seven years old. In 1877, she entered Hongo Shogakko (Hongo Elementary School), but could not continue because she was too young, so she enrolled in Yoshikawa Gakko (Yoshikawa School), which had been established privately by Tomikichi YOSHIKAWA. In 1881, Toranosuke, her second older brother, set up a branch family and apprenticed himself to an earthenware painter. The family moved to Okachimachi, Shitaya Ward in the same year, so in November, she transferred to Seikai Gakko, a private school, in Ueno Motokuromoncho. She graduated from the fourth grade of the advanced course at the top of her class, but left the school without advancing to the upper grades. It is said that this was because her mother, Ayame, believed that studies were unnecessary for women.
On the other hand, it is said that her father, Noriyoshi, recognized his daughter's literary talent and let her learn waka from his acquaintance, Shigeo WADA. In 1886, she entered the waka school 'Haginoya,' run by Utako NAKAJIMA, through an introduction by Choan TODA, an acquaintance of her father from the days of the Tokugawa shogunate. In this school, besides waka, she studied classic literature and Japanese calligraphy of the Chikage school; dynastic style literature, such as The Tale of Genji, was the motif of Ichiyo's early works. During her time at Haginoya, Ichiyo met her close friends Natsuko ITO and Tatsuko TANABE and gave lectures as an assistant teacher. At that time, Haginoya was a waka school attended by the wives and daughters of the former regime's privileged classes - such as court nobles, former roju (senior councilor of the Tokugawa shogunate), and former domain lords - and of the Meiji government statesmen and military personnel. Although Ichiyo was shizoku, since her family had been farmers, she was treated as a commoner; she became introverted, and senior pupils from the upper social class called her 'monotsutsumi no kimi' (literally, close-natured person). When the first annual New Year's opening ceremony since Ichiyo had entered the school drew near, the topic of conversation among the well-bred young ladies turned to clothing and festive dress, well beyond the range in which the daughter of a low-class government official could compete. However, she quashed her feelings of inferiority and attended the ceremony wearing old clothes that her parents had borrowed.
Ichiyo's family moved frequently; Ichiyo moved twelve times in her life. In 1888, Sentaro, the first son and head of the family, died; Ichiyo inherited the family and became its head, with her father as guardian. In 1889, Noriyoshi's attempt to establish an association of draying contractors failed, and he died in July of the same year.
Ichiyo's engagement to her fiance, Saburo SHIBUYA, was cancelled. It is said this was due to the fact that, although the Higuchi family was left with a large amount of debt after Noriyoshi's death, Saburo HIGUCHI required a large amount of yuinokin (betrothal [gift] money). At the age of 17, Ichiyo was forced to support her family as its head and, in 1890, she lived in the house of the Nakajima family as a Haginoya apprentice. In September of the same year, she moved to Kikuzaka, Hongo (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo Prefecture) and, along with her mother and younger sister, was obliged to live a hard life doing needlework and araihari (washing, stretching and drying various parts of kimono). It is said, however, that Ichiyo herself tended to disdain labor, and that the needlework and araihari were conducted by her mother and younger sister.
As Ichiyo's nearsightedness made her bad at detail work, she searched for other ways to earn income. When she learned that Kaho TANABE, a pupil in the grades ahead of her, had obtained a large manuscript fee for her novel "Yabu no Uguisu" (literally, Bush Warbler in a Thicket), Ichiyo made up her mind to write novels. At the age of 20, she wrote 'Kareobana Hitomoto' (Withered Grass). She used her pen name 'Ichiyo' for the first time in an essay written that same year. In order to make a living as a novelist, she also studied under Tosui NAKARAI, who reported on novels for the Asahi Shimbun, frequented a library, and published her first novel 'Yamizakura' (literally, Cherry Blossom in the Dark) in the first issue of the magazine 'Musashino,' presided over by Tosui. Afterwards, Tosui continued to take care of Ichiyo, who lived in dire poverty. Gradually, Ichiyo began to have amorous feelings for Tosui. However, a scandal about their relationship spread (although both were single, the customs of the time did not approve of such associations between a man and a woman without the intent to marry), and so she severed relations with Tosui. As if to emphasize the end of her relationship with Tosui, she published "Umoregi" (literally, Buried Wood), an idealistic novel in the style of Rohan KODA; it was completely different from her previous works, and it became the one that made her career.
Ichiyo became acquainted with Toson SHIMAZAKI and Tokuboku HIRATA, both of whom were well-versed in European literature; having come into contact with naturalistic literature, Ichiyo published multiple works including 'Yuki no Hi' (literally, Snowy Day) in 'Bungakukai.'
Her former fiance, Saburo SAKAMOTO (the Saburo SHIBUYA mentioned above) had become a prosecutor; around this time, he proposed to her, but she refused him. In order to relieve her straightened circumstances, she opened a variety shop which sold cleaning implements and penny candy in Shitaya Ryusenji-cho (present Ryusen 1-chome, Taito Ward), but closed the shop in May 1894 and moved to Maruyama Fukuyama-cho, Hongo Ward (present Nishikata 1-chome). Her experience on this occasion later became the subject of 'Takekurabe,' her representative work. She continued writing. In December, she published 'Otsugomori' (literally, New Year's Eve) in 'Bungakukai' and the next year, in 1895, 'Takekurabe' was published in seven installments, beginning in January.
Between the two works, she published 'Yuku Kumo' (literally, Going Cloud), 'Nigorie,' 'Jusanya' and others; the period from 'Otsugomori' to 'Uramurasaki' (literally, Purple on the Verso) is called her 'miraculous 14 months.'
In 1896, when 'Takekurabe' was published in its entirety in 'Bungei Kurabu,' it won great acclaim from Ogai MORI, Rohan KODA and others; Ogai MORI praised Ichiyo very highly in 'Mezamashigusa,' and many members of 'Bungakukai' began to visit her. In May, she published 'Warekara' (literally, From Myself), and 'Tsuzoku Shokanbun' (literally, Popular Epistle) in "Nichiyo Hyakka Zensho" (literally, The Daily Encyclopedia). Ichiyo had advanced tuberculosis and, when she was diagnosed in August, it was judged hopeless. On November 23, she died at the age of 24 years and 8 months. Ichiyo's life as a novelist lasted only a little over 14 months and in 1897, the year following her death, "Ichiyo Zenshu" (literally, The Complete Collection of Ichiyo's Works), and "Kotei Ichiyo Zenshu" (literally, The Revised Complete Collection of Ichiyo's Works) were published.
Her grave was in the annex temple of Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple, the Higuchi family's ancestral temple, and was later moved to the Wadabori byosho (mausoleum) of Nishihongan-ji Temple in Izumi, Suginami Ward. Her homyo (posthumous Buddhist name) in Jodo Shinshu sect (the True Pure Land Sect of Buddhism) is Choshoin Shaku Myoyo. Literary materials including handwritten manuscripts and other related materials are kept by the Museum of Modern Japanese Literature and Yamanashi Kenritsu Bungakukan (literally, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Literature). Since November 2004, her portrait has been used on the Bank of Japan's five thousand yen note.
Now that we know her real life counterpart lets review her anime/manga self.
As a mafioso, Higuchi proves ruthless and fearsome, not shying away from killing her targets. When confronted by the enemy, she has a distant atmosphere to herself, often strictly no-nonsense and showing little sympathy for them. Quick to act, she seldom tolerates disrespect and detests those who underestimate Port Mafia.
However, Higuchi's personality, as her boss and she herself notes, is rather unfit in the Port Mafia. Beneath her tough exterior, she is easy to upset, hesitant, and quick to question herself. She even contemplated leaving several times, despite the inevitable hardships defection foretold. As a result, her subordinates seldom show her respect, many following her orders out of fear of Akutagawa's wrath. An impulsive spirit also leads her to tend toward drastic measures, consequently going against orders.
Her biggest weakness is her intense, bordering obsessive loyalty to Ryunosuke Akutagawa, whom she obeys almost unconditionally. She often insists on filling in for Akutagawa, worried about his poor health. Unfortunately, her loyalty is met with a frustrated Akutagawa's abusive and harsh treatment, often being called "unnecessary" to him. Nonetheless, Higuchi remains loyal to him. Her instinct to tell Akutagawa everything she knows ends up a key component to luring Akutagawa to the Guild's Moby Dick. However, Higuchi makes up her weaknesses for having a strong resolve, and she refuses to turn away when allies, especially Akutagawa, are in danger.
Thankfully, her determined and honest nature earns her Black Lizard's respect. She proves reliable and incredibly brave, even if her judgment is easily clouded under pressure. Even if questioning her position in the mafia, Higuchi shoulders its burdens and responsibilities to this day, understanding its vital role in Yokohama's safety. She also makes it a point to not be unnecessarily cruel to her opponents, acting strictly professional in Akutagawa and Port Mafia's names.
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Her composure can often waver. Sometimes she is cool-headed and intimidating, other times easily unsettled and stressed out. Ultimately, she seems to excel more in covert operations than the frontlines, as a tendency to panic leaves her wide open in battle.
Higuchi however has some...strange relationship with the boss however. And this is mostly with what was already established above that the real life Mori Ougai had praised her work which made her very popular. So far in the anime there are three people who Mori Ougai seems close with;
Fukuzawa Yukichi, Yosano Akiko and Natsume Soseki.
Ogai MORI (February 17, 1862 - July 9, 1922) was a novelist, critic, translator, playwright, surgeon of the Imperial Army and Bureaucrat (Senior Official First Class). He was also Army Surgeon General (equivalent to Lieutenant General), Shoshii (Senior Fourth Rank), Order of Merit Second Class, Ko Third Grade, Doctor of Medical Science and had a doctorate in Literature. He is considered one of the great writers of the post-First World War Period ranked alongside Soseki NATSUME. His real name was Rintaro. He was born in Tsuwano Domain, Iwami Province (present Tsuwano-cho, Shimane Prefecture). He graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine.
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Shiyo Ho was born as the third daughter of Soshichi HO (father) and Tsune (mother) who ran a long-established Japanese confectionery shop 'Surugaya' in Kaino-cho, Sakai City (present-day Kaino-cho, Sakai Ward), Osaka Prefecture. One of her real brothers was Hidetaro HO who later became an electrical engineer. Shiyo entered a school of Sinology (the study of the Chinese classics) at the age of nine and also learned koto (a long Japanese zither with thirteen strings) and shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese banjo). After entering Sakai Girl's School (present-day Osaka Prefectural Senyo Senior High School), she devoured the Japanese classics such as "The Tale of Genji." In addition, she said, under her elder brother's influence, 'by the time I was twelve or thirteen, my greatest pleasure was reading literary magazines "Shigaramisoshi" (and later its successor "Mezamashigusa") and "Bungakukai" as well as novels by Koyo OZAKI, Rohan KODA, and Ichiyo HIGUCHI' ("Myojo" May 1906).
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Around the age of twenty she started contributing her poems to magazines while she helped her family business. After participated in the Kansai Young Men's Literary Society, in 1900, she became acquainted with a waka poet Tekkan YOSANO at a poetry reading held at a Japanese-style hotel in Hamaderakoen and contributed her poem to "Myojo," an in-house magazine of Shinshisha (New Poetry Society) founded by Tekkan. In the following year she left her home and moved to Tokyo, and published her first poetry anthology "Midaregami" (Tangled hair) that expressed female sensuality in open fashion with which she established her style as a romantic poet. Later she married Tekkan.
In September 1904, she published a poem "Kimi Shinitamou koto nakare" (Thou Shalt Not Die) in "Myojo." In 1911, she contributed a poem that started with 'Yama no ugoku hi kitaru' (The day comes when a mountain moves) to the first issue of "Seito," the first female literary magazine in Japan. In 1912, Akiko followed Tekkan and moved to Paris, France. Ogai MORI helped her to raise money for going abroad with his wide range of literary works and large circle of contacts, and he also proofread "Shinyaku Genji Monogatari (New Translation of The Tale of Genji)" on behalf of Akiko to which he wrote the preface. On May 5, 1912, the Yomiuri Shimbun started a series of articles entitled 'Atarashii Onna' (New Women) with an article on Akiko's voyage to Paris, and on the following day the newspaper reported her departure (some 500 people including Raicho HIRATSUKA saw her off). The following June issue of the "Chuo koron" magazine ran a feature story on Akiko. On May 19, Akiko arrived in Paris via the Trans-Siberian Railway; during four months up to her leaving to Japan from Marseille, France on September 21, she visited England, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands and so on.
The same like Higuchi Ichiyou, Fukuzawa was praised for his work and put on the Japanese bill. Fukuzawa is respected and is still friends with Mori as evident in season 3 episode 9 where he said after leaving Lucy “I’m going to visit an old friend”.
Despite the many things Fukuzawa witnessed Mori do (which includes mentally abusing Yosano to have her ability of usage for the mafia) Fukuzawa still sees Mori as a friend and that is seen back with how Mori and Fukuzawa fought.
They both went for the more vital points of their body. Making their death quick and painless so that one cannot suffer compared to the other. Even when Pushkin was caught, the two had one brain cell in that moment and both punched the virus ability user.
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Why are Fukuzawa, Yosano and Natsume relevant you might ask? Well, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Let’s dissect season 1 episode 11 first (chapter 14 in the manga.)
We begin with how Mori Ougai is introduced, which is through Higuchi. After the failure that is capturing Atsushi and selling them for 4 billion yen/dollars Higuchi reports to Mori about their failure. This scene made me, a fan of the irl Mori Ougai’s work, open my eyes and ears to see how the two interact:
Higuchi: “I’m truly sorry for this.”
Mori: “Maybe he’ll never regain consciousness.”
Higuchi: “No way!”
Mori: “Don’t worry. You two have done you’re best. It’s true that you failed in the assault of the armed detective agency, erred during the capture of the man-tiger and sank the freighter along with our cargo. But you’ve done your best, and that’s all that mattered. Making effort is the most important. Results only come second, isn’t that right?”
Higuchi: “....”
Mori: “Oh, yeah. The trafficking company Akutagawa destroyed during the mission...the Remnants of Karma Transit seems to be recruiting. They’re probably planning to take revenge on Akutagawa.”
Higuchi: “what?”
Mori: “Listen, Higuchi-kun. The mafia is essentially an economic body that uses violence as its currency. It doesn’t matter at what got sunk or who got killed but if that violence is returned to us, all our expenses will become liabilities.”
Higuchi: “How could you call those liabilities? They were the fruits of of Akutagawa-senpai’s efforts up until now!”
Mori: “Indeed. Akutagawa-kun is highly capable. His violence is outstanding even in the mafia. **But what about you?** “
Higuchi: “....”
Mori: “Higuchi-kun. Have you ever wondered whether this job is really suited for you?”
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From what we have seen so far, Mori doesn’t seem angry at her actions. In fact, he seems more disappointed but with a hint of worry. Knowing real life mafia bosses, Higuchi would either get fired or tortured for her failures, yet she is here standing without any injuries. This is the most seen in the anime where Higuchi clearly is talking back to Mori, talking back to the king of the underworld.
The next scene is with the Black Lizards.
Tachihara: “This bastard Gin is always put onto sneaky jobs like infiltration and assassinations. Slitting the throats of families and friends on the higher ups order is quite a usual task. If he had meant it, you wouldn’t even have the time to gape.”
Higuchi: “Did the boss say he wanted me dead?”
Hirotsu: “Not yet, but who knows what will happen in the future.”
Higuchi: *cold face* “So you have come here to mock me?”
Hirotsu: “We’re only here to warn you to stay alert. If I were you I would come up with an insurance plan before the hitman starts closing in. The higher ups aren’t the only ones who are after your head. You and Akutagawa are the Guerrilla Squad directly under the boss’ command, giving you the authority to mobilize us in the combat squad, so your technically our superiors. However we don’t obey you out of your authority, but out of fear and respect for Akutagawa’s ability. Higuchi-kun, now that Akutagawa is out of action what power do you posses to make us obey you?”
Throughout the whole entire scene they say that Higuchi, despite her position as their superior, has not much authority over them. The only reason why they follow her is because she is under Mori’s direct order, so she and Akutagawa are second closes to Mori next to the executives.
Yet why is she here if she isn’t that important to the mafia according to the Black Lizards?
In the next page we see that she is against Mori’s order. Higuchi is going against Mori’s orders. This is a giant red flag because she is directly not following Mori’s order; this is enough to get executed under mafia rules yet she isn’t. How? How is she allowed to go through with this?
Let’s look further:
“But the only reason I never actually did it...”
“It’s not easy to break away from the mafia, but it’s not impossible.”
Let’s take the first sentence. She never finished it. She never said the reason why she never left. All we see is her remembering Akutagawa. This could mean one of two things; 1, she is in love with Akutagawa and wants to protect him or 2. She admires him for him using his ability more efficiently compared to her.
You might be asking, how did we go from Akutagawa to Higuchi’s ability? That’s simple.
Let’s remember Tachihara for example. At first we thought he wasn’t an ability user like Gin but it was later on revealed that his ability, Midwinter Memento, allows him to manipulate metal. While it has nothing in common, the name and the ability itself, this can be the same for Hirotsu.
Which means that authors have abilities, and Higuchi Ichiyou isn’t just some author. She is the first ever female author that got so high as being on a yen bill. So her not having an ability is rather suspicious.
Not only that but let’s look at how the novel 55 minutes describes her:
The novel described Akutagawa as an ability user, how would Higuchi not be described as a non-ability user? Because she is an ability user.
⁠Which brings us back to the first take. Many mafioso’s would get in trouble for going against Mori’s word. With Higuchi  it is differently; in season 1 episode 11 you see that Higuchi was talking to Mori on a rather even note, her eyes shined a few times which means that she appreciates the praises but she still went against his word by saying “Akutagawa has done so much to be considered a liability.” She talked back against the boss, that would be considered a punishment in the underground yet Mori kept her. This is also shown in the manga where in the mall, Higuchi talked once again back against him but Mori warned her as if she was a child that wants to know more about her birthday present.
Compare this to how he talks to Hirotsu; a mafioso who is longer in the mafia compared to Mori.
He talked back to him and he got a glare and was questioned “what do you want to say?” In a threatening type of way. Knowing Mori, it isn’t because of the former boss because Mori doesn’t care about him anymore nor is it about Dazai taking his place, that is his main goal.
My theory is that Higuchi’s ability is that big of a liability that she is Mori’s secret weapon.
In season 1 episode 11 she keeps saying “it is difficult to leave the mafia but the reason I stayed is because...”
She never finished her sentence. She never told the full reason why she stayed. In the manga we are shown that she isn’t respected, that subordinates walk over her. Yet even with these facts, Higuchi isn’t fired.
She also says “it is difficult to leave the mafia but it isn’t impossible”
That is a lie because as we have seen with Kyōuka it is impossible. How does Higuchi have such privilege? Because Mori knows she will come back. The reason why in her monologue it showed Akutagawa is because she admires him for being able to control Rashoumon, the same way how Atsushi finds Akutagawa amazing for being able to control Rashoumon.
Mori favors her, and this is shown in a panel in Wan where Higuchi does an impression of Mori when he is with Elise yet instead of being angry at Higuchi, Mori directs his glare to Chuuya and Tachihara. There is also a chapter where Tachihara, Higuchi, Akutagawa and Gin destroyed the Black Lizard hideout but instead of punishing Higuchi (who was the source of the accident) he punished them all.
Let’s look at another thing; how close is Higuchi with Mori?
Season 2 episode 8 where Mori was stabbed by Fyodor. It was brief but we see Higuchi together with the boss. Out of everyone in the mafia; Kouyou, Chuuya, Kajii hell even Akutagawa could  (but he was busy looking for Nathanial) it was the least respected mafioso. Not only that but Higuchi back in season 2 gave information that the boss gave personally to Higuchi to send to Dazai.
This could have also been done by Hirotsu or Gin who know Dazai the longest. But something caught my attention. Higuchi said “I researched your history.” This wouldn’t seem bad was it not that Mori keeps Dazai’s executive position open for him to return, so Dazai is still technically an executive. ONLY EXECUTIVES are allowed to learn the history of the other executives. Gin, Hirotsu, Akutagawa, Kajii, Chuuya and Kouyou know about Dazai because they have an actual history with him but Higuchi is an outsider of this. She is like the other mafioso who aren’t related to Dazai yet she did research on him, which isn’t allowed.
Now this might sound as if Higuchi is special but let’s look at something or more someone who also didn’t look special but actually is special; Tachihara Michizo.
On the surface, Tachihara is an arrogant, impulsive, rash individual, more than willing to solve problems through sheer brute force and his dual guns. A violent temper leads to frequent conflict between him and other mafiosi, namely Gin, whom Tachihara views as creepy and frequently insults, leading to arguments, and Hirotsu, who often shuts Tachihara's temper down by threatening him. Tachihara's self-preservation prompts him to obey Hirotsu in the end, albeit reluctantly. An apparent thirst for battle and arrogance fuels Tachihara's temper. He's often seen with a rather feral smile on his face whenever fighting. He seldom considers the weight of a mission over the rush of eliminating his targets. He shows no hesitation nor remorse in murder, in fact sometimes urging to just eliminate a troublesome person if he finds their baggage more than they're worth.
A prideful man, Tachihara despises being underestimated and belittled. This is a surefire way to get oneself shot.
His rebellious side doesn't negate how he values orders, seeing them as an utmost system. Due to this, he attempts to dissuade Higuchi from saving Akutagawa against Mori's orders, even suggesting an alternate plan that wouldn't disobey these orders. Furthermore, he maintains his composure when dragged into shopping with Elise, and tolerates her putting bows in his hair. Despite guards laughing at him, Tachihara doesn't snap. Despite his rough exterior, Tachihara is capable of thinking rationally, just not in the heat of the moment in the Port Mafia. He can recognize danger quickly and finds himself on edge over how nonchalant Mori, Kōyō, and Chūya's meeting went. Tachihara has a proficient understanding of how to deal with the enemy, alluding to a much more cunning side of his true nature.
Much of Tachihara's details of joining the Port Mafia are unknown, however, it is a ruse. His identity as the fifth Hunting Dog reveals a much more clever, driven man. Unlike Ango Sakaguchi, Tachihara always intended to infiltrate the Port Mafia, using his position in the Hunting Dogs to operate as a spy. His confrontation with Yosano is devoid of any rage, depicting a cold, blunt side as he explains his grudge against her for "killing" his brother. Regardless of who he is working for, Tachihara cares deeply for his comrades. He was first to try to stop Higuchi when she tried to save Akutagawa on her own and has been seen visibly harboring guilt for when he cut down Hirotsu and Gin for the sake of his mission as a spy. He has also been seen caring for Teruko when she showed she was heavily injured from going against a plane head-on. He's also notably patient with those who are spoiled, including letting Teruko sit on her shoulders with little protests of being her "slave" and letting Elise put a bow on his head.
Beneath a lot of Tachihara's rough and punk-like exterior is a strong sense of incompetency and inferiority compared to his elder brother who was praised as being "perfect" while he was deemed by his family as being inferior, even being questioned as to why he didn't die instead of him. These things have driven Tachihara to act out and live a life of delinquency and ruthlessness by affiliating with gang activity, but despite these things, he still couldn't shake off these negative feelings. His insecurity and desperation to escape his brother's shadow was so strong, that Tachihara took on the first "order" that allowed him to become someone "not like his brother or his opposite" and joined the Hunting Dogs and infiltrate the Mafia to get revenge on Yosano for "killing" his brother, even when he knew and acknowledged that all of it was an excuse to appease his own negative feelings.
Many didn’t think much of Tachihara next that he was a commander of the Black Lizards and just someone who is close with Chuuya in Wan, however in the current arc we learn that he is a member of the Hunting Dogs with his ability Midwinter Memento being perfect for to lure Yosano to him, and in his fight with Fukuchi we learn that Mori giving him the order to kill Fukuchi was perfect for him.
Tachihara’s ability is named after his famous poem;
*Neither pursuing nor being pursued,
I stand under a barren tree. I'm watching
my silhouette, now marooned on a spotless snow....
(My pale shadow somberly takes shape.)
I'm listening. Yes! I certainly
am listening to what my shadow sings....
In a plaintively nasal voice it sings tunes of long-gone
summer flowers never to return.
Without responding, "That's a bunting, that's a siskin,
that's a white fir
—that's me...I a siskin, I a fir...," my shadow and I
eye each other as though these statements once were true.
My shadow listens to my heart at song.
Like the hubbub of that old arrowing brook,
it listens to tears at song...on the snow.*
This poem is seen mostly how Tachihara lives in the shadow of his brother, how much he listens to what others have to say because he himself can’t find a reason to do something.
As we already had established, Higuchi Ichiyou is a famous female writer. And the characters based on the authors and their books have an ability.
However there are two (three) categories: Name based abilities and non-name based abilities.
(Three being a non-abilities)
Non-abilities: The Great Old Ones and Ultra-Deduction.
Name based: Beast Beneath The Moonlight, Doppo Poet, All Men Are Equal, Lemon Bomb, The Great Fitzgerald, Thou Shalt Not Die, Gone With The Wind, I Am A Cat, A Feast in Time of Plague, Anne of Abyssal Red, Moby Dick, Time Machine, Yesterday’s Shadow Tag, The Grapes of Wrath etc.
Non-name based abilities: Vita Sexualis, Midwinter Memento, Another, An Inherent Drop, Black Cat in the Rue Morgue, Little Woman, Demon Snow/Golden Demon, Flawless, Futon, Plum Blossom in Snow, Priceless Tears, Undefeated By the Rain, No Longer Human, For The Tainted Sorrow etc.
Higuchi Ichiyou’s famous short story Takekurabe (Growing Pains) could be her ability based on that Mori Ougai had praised her for it, which eventually became they key to her success;
“ * [Higuchi Ichiyō’s] ‘Growing Pains’ was acclaimed as a masterpiece, especially when the entire work was republished in a single issue of the popular magazine Bungei Kurabu in April 1896, Mori Ōgai… lavishly praised its every feature: … (Ōgai): It is not especially remarkable that this author, a member of a literary circle in which the Naturalist school is said to be enjoying a vogue should have chosen to set her story in this place [the Yoshiwara district]. What is remarkable is that the characters who haunt this area are not the brute beasts in human form - the copies of Zola, Ibsen, and the rest - presented by the assiduous imitators of the so-called Naturalist school, but human beings with whom we can laugh and cry together… . At the risk of being mocked as an Ichiyō-idolater, I do not hesitate to accord to her the name of ‘poet.’ It is more difficult to depict a person with individual characteristics than a stereotype, and far more difficult to depict and individual in a milieu than a special person all by himself. This author, who has painted the ‘local coloring’ of Daionji-mae so effectively that one might say it has ceased to exist apart from ‘Growing Pains,’ without leaving any trace of the efforts such portraiture must have cost her, must truly be called a woman of rare ability.* “
(Credit to Donald Keene, Dawn to the West.)
But what could Growing Pains do if it was actually an ability? For most we need to understand what an actual ability needs to have in common.
For this we will take For The Tainted Sorrow and see how this ability is related to gravity?
With literal names based abilities we look at Atsushu. Atsushi has the ability to transform into a white tiger. At first, he doesn't seem to have much control over the transformation, likely due to the fact, or caused by, his unawareness of his state as an Ability user. After becoming an official member of the Agency and under the influence of All Men Are Equal, he gains more control over his transformations - as shown during his second fight with Akutagawa, when he breaks the transformation on his arms to escape.
My theory is that Higuchi’s ability allows her to paralyze her enemies.
Let’s look as too why I think this and use the summary of Takekurabe as an example; The main characters are children living on the edge of Yoshiwara, the only district of Edo that was licensed for prostitution. As they grow up, they find themselves assuming their family professions and losing the freedom they enjoyed as children. Next we have Nigorie translated into English as Troubled Waters and Muddy Water, is a Japanese short story written by Higuchi Ichiyō in 1895. It depicts the fate of a courtesan in the red light district of a nameless town during the Meiji era. Nigorie centers around Oriki, the most popular courtesan at the Kikunoi, a brothel in the red light district of an unspecified town, and a group of people connected to her, during the summer Obon festival. Through her conversations with other prostitutes, and Oriki's accounts in the presence of new customer Yūki Tomonosuke, the reader learns that a previous customer, Genshichi, a futon salesman of moderate affluence, was addicted to Oriki and spent all his money at the brothel. Now that Genshichi has been reduced to the hard labor of a construction worker, forced to move with his wife Ohatsu and his young son Takichi into a smaller flat in a run-down section of town, Oriki rejects seeing him despite his pleas. Tomonosuke repeatedly questions Oriki during his visits. She reminisces about her poor upbringing, which she cites, together with her profession, as the reason for not wanting to marry, although she had contemplated the possibility. She recounts a childhood incident when she was seven years old, sent by her mother to buy rice for supper. On her way back, she slipped on the frozen ground, spilling the rice into the gutter, leaving the family starving for this day. Meanwhile, Ohatsu scolds Genshichi for his ongoing obsession with Oriki and the family's poverty, which she tries to mitigate by doing piecework. When Takichi comes home with a piece of cake, which he received as a gift from Oriki (whom he refers to as "the demon-lady"), Ohatsu angrily throws it away. Genshichi, furious about her ongoing accusations and behaviour, demands that she leaves him. Ohatsu begs him to let her stay, as she has no relatives she can return to, but finally leaves, taking their son with her. At the end of the festivities, the dead bodies of Oriki and Genshichi are found. While it seems obvious that Genshichi committed suicide by seppuku, the cause of Oriki's death stays unclear. The passerbys speculate about her fate; while one assumes a shinjū (double love suicide), another one reasons that the wounds on Oriki's body make a murder after her attempted escape more plausible. It is left to the reader to determine the true circumstance of her death.
From these famous stories we can already determine that Higuchi’s stories are centered around the concept of one-sided attraction. This is something she and Akutagawa have, a one-sided attraction. This is the most in season 3 episode 5 where Higuchi doesn’t seem to find her way of trying to confess that she loves Akutagawa or that she thinks she admires him. And what is there not to admire about Akutagawa? He has an amazing ability, he is reliable in many ways but is just stubborn. So with this in mind, Higuchi’s (if this theory is correct) ability comes in this form; Higuchi’s ability is a mix of a non-name based ability and a name-based ability. The ability of paralyzation has the meaning of that she is paralyzed by fear with job as a mafioso but also her fear of being rejected by Akutagawa and that it is the greatest liability Mori has in order to protect Yokohama-This idea comes more in mind in the manga, Chapter 41, where we briefly see Higuchi’s little sister. This may not mean much to you but Higuchi is the only confirmed character with a little sister who isn’t based on a book (Gin=Ogin and Naomi=Naomi). Which leads me to the reason why she doesn’t use her ability anymore or is restricting herself- and the second is the meaning of Growing Pains ; Growing pains are often described as an ache or throb in the legs — often in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Growing pains tend to affect both legs and occur at night, and may even wake a child from sleep. Although these pains are called growing pains, there's no evidence that growth hurts.
There could have been an incident in which Higuchi accidentally used her ability on her little sister which resulted in her little sister being paralyzed. She could have met Mori and knowing Mori he manipulated in keeping her ability a secret and for repayment let her join the mafia. This idea is further proven with how he was with Yosano; after the death of Tachihara’s brother Mori manipulated Yosano into thinking that this is her fault, almost making her join the mafia out of guilt was it not for Ranpo.
6. Maybe Higuchi wasn’t as lucky and thought that what Morti  said was true and joined the mafia out of guilt, which leads me as to why she fell in love with him. The nightingale effect; The Florence Nightingale effect is a trope where a caregiver falls in love with their patient, even if very little communication or contact takes place outside of basic care. Feelings may fade once the patient is no longer in need of care. Higuchi fell in love with Akutagawa not out of admiration but out of care for him. That guilt of not being able to take care of him could be because of her little sister and the fear that Higuchi one day paralyzes Akutagawa, as to why she isn’t using her ability. After all, this isn’t the first time there was a character who hid their ability to do things without it; Fyodor and Tachihara.
And the last thing that might confirm Higuchi’s importance is the way she acted in Wan and the Onsen drama CD. While Wan is merely a comedy it does call out the characters for their flaws and unique personalities, meanwhile the Onsen drama CD is like a filler but adds information about certain characters and their relationship; Higuchi included.
1. ⁠She stalks Akutagawa at first out of fear that other organizations might attack him, but at this point she stalks him with a mix of worry and not being capable of walking up to him.
2. ⁠She is rather open to nudity as shown that she said to Chuuya “it is my job to help Akutagawa even it means being naked” (or something along those lines).
In a certain chapter however where the Port Mafia had to disguise themselves as Mori, Higuchi was up and while she failed to look like Mori because she is very feminine she then used another tactic which is acting like Mori when he is with Elise. For most, Mori would have either glared at them and give them punishment, he glared at Chuuya and Tachihara (who were the closest next to him) instead at Higuchi. Higuchi broke many Port Mafia rules, many times she failed and has unintentionally mocked him yet she is still here.
so what do you guys think? Is this theory plausible?
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