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frogchiro · 2 years

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If you don't mind then i'll keep bugging!♥️

I just thought of a sexy ermites harem who just wanna raise you ksksksks 🫣🤤... Hoyo are si naughty giving us sexy ermites liké freak :(

I'll leave you alone for tonight or this day my Friend ♥️👉🏻👈🏻

SEXY EREMITES HAREM LETS GOOOO

thank you for the delicious thoughts i've been thinking about this ever since you send this, thank you darling <333

fem!reader, smut, a bit of breeding kink, implied poly relationship between reader and the eremites, kinda yandere eremites leader, reader is explicitly said to be soft/curvy/chubby <3

okay but i had a lil naughty thought lately....so from what i gathered eremites are like wandering tribes right? and every tribe needs a leader...imagine that you're one of them, a sweet little fluffy thing that's not build for battle, no, you're far too precious for that and none of the big strong men of the clan would let you get your soft hands dirty with blood, it's their job to protect you <3

imagine that you're a healer/cook of your group, all sweet smiles, gentle hands and soft curves that your fellow eremites love to grab onto and have it warm them during the cold desert nights.

and yet the leader of your tribe (i'm imagining the sunfrost or day thunder model or even jebrael) taking a special interest in you. ofc he knew you very well before, it was your amazing hands that healed him and nursed him back to health when he was heavily wounded after a particulary intense battle. he watched as his men took turn with you almost every night in the main tent where everyone was sleeping or resting when the clan was resting for the time being. he watched them worship your body, kiss, lick and suck every single inch until you were screaming with delight, your soft noises the sweetest music to their ears and when they finished washing you with a cloth they took turns in massaging your soft body and murmuring soft thank you's for you being with them and letting all these brutish men love you.

he, as the leader always got the very first turn with you, in fact it was him who took your virginity; after his turn he made himself comfortable against the mounds of pillows and silks as he sipped his drink from a shallow cup as he watched the magnificent spectacle before him.

and yet his mind couldn't help but stray, jealousy taking over him momentary as he watched your puffy pussy get stuffed full with yet another load, a rumbling growl escaping his lips when the triumphant roar of pleasure left the man who was currently cumming inside your precious hole and he watched as the very same man lovingly caressed your soft lower tummy and whispered something to you that made the other men jeer and laugh boisterously and made you try and hide your face behind your hands.

he should be the one to breed you, he should be the one to sire your first child; a nice healthy and strong son or daughter. but he would get his chance don't you worry, especially after he takes you as his little bride and he'll get to breed you and own you to his heart's content, his sweet wife <3

#kin speaks #asks #interactions #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact smut #eremites x reader #thirst

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fangsxii · 11 months

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I really wish that Hoyo would go into Hua and Mei’s relationship. We’ve seen both admire each other to some degree but never in the same room, they’re always like miles apart.

Like Mei has shown some admiration for Hua’s contribution to humanity and just.. Hua alone (telling Hua’s Sim about herself in the current era), Hua has as well shown admiration about Mei’s strength (specifically being in the World Serpent.)

Most content that come from the two are from the Manga or Cooking with Valkyries. (Elysian Realm a little too.)

Which isn’t much. I really hope that they will have some deep conversation(s) about stuff, especially with the fact Mei basically became the successor for the Flamechasers and Hua also knowing those members. But with what Hoyo has given so far, I honestly doubt they’ll ever have a conversation about that.

If Hoyo gave them some more time together, better yet, more screen time with each other, they’d probably have a great relationship, a lot more solid than their current one. A lot deeper even. (?)

I mean— as much as Kiana knows of Hua’s past from their interactions. Mei also has a good amount of it from her time in the Elysian realm, not only Hua, but also Hua’s old teammates which is.. a lot? Especially for a person like Hua.. who’s basically the “Last Flamechaser.”

I don’t know, I feel like it would make a lot of sense for those two to have SOME SORT of conversation about shit. More content of their relationship with each other.

#honkai impact #raiden mei #fu hua

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anantaru · 1 year

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teyvat, spiral abyss, glaze lilies, and ganyu !!

genshin ask-game 🌸

✧ ۫ teyvat — (which released region do you prefer and which unreleased nation are you most looking forward to visiting?)

my favorite nation out of all the ones that are released is mondstadt 🫣 ! i don't know it just feels so much like home to me !! i always use the crafting table there, i cook stuff there and i‘m doing all the things in mondstadt !! i had my dailies set there as well but after finishing that one fatui quest that took 2 years to appear i now switched to another region ! 💗 and obviously the region i‘m looking most forward to is fontaine, i‘m french and i hope they do us justice 🫠 !! (and add many of the negative aspects too lmao)

✧ ۫ spiral abyss — (what’s your favorite part of genshin: puzzles, exploration, domains, building characters, or lore?)

lore and exploration !! 🌸 lore because before i started playing genshin, i was a honkai player (still am) so i already knew how good hoyo is with story telling and damn they did not disappoint! 💗 like the whole world building is insane, i read most of the stuff hidden in books and artifacts too whenever i was on break and it's simply amazing, no words can explain that !! 👼🏼

✧ ۫ ganyu — (which character’s rerun are you waiting for desperately?)

EULA !!! OMG YOU GUYS 👺👺👺 she's the only character that i'm missing, istg i've been waiting for 400 years this isn't even funny anymore, give me my wife hoyo the kids need her !!!!!!!!!!! 😠

✧ ۫ glaze lilies -> answered here

#𖣦 games'

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zelistair · 3 years

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lover's oath, xiao pov.

Inspired by: Lover's Oath - HOYO-MiX

This song played when we first met each other's gazes. As for someone who has lived long enough to see almost all things that there is to see, I never thought that there would be a sight that would make me surprised again. A sight that would make my arrogance and coldness falter.

All there is to Liyue, I have seen them all. Well, I thought.

Back then, even before you visited the Land of Contracts, I became aware of your existence. You were the mighty outlander hailed from Mondstadt who saved the Nation of the Wind from Dvalin. You're great in the eyes of all people, whatever nation they may come from.

All was awed and made aware of your bravery, achievement, and mightiness. I was no exception.

As the last Yaksha alive, all burdens lies on my shoulder. The responsibilities that my comrades and I are all supposed to share, they all fell on my shoulders the moment my comrades vanished. All my life, I lived only to help and protect Liyue and its people. For thousands of years, I did it all alone.

You were not the first one to offer help, but you were the first one who extended your arms and hands voluntarily with a sweet smile. You were the first one who's willing. You were the first one who's genuine.

When I lost my comrades, I almost forgot how it felt to have someone by your side through thick and thin. When you came, you made me remember that feeling again. And you made that feeling better. Not only through thick and thin but you're there even when I don't need you to, even when I don't tell you to.

Slowly, I started to see you in a different light.

When you turn around and smile at me after "protecting" me from monsters, I would evade your gaze, your smile. I did not know how to respond for your smile was the brightest. That one time when we released lanterns on the sky, I didn't have the chance to make a wish because I was busy staring at you who's wishing with your eyes closed. With all the lights coming from the lanterns floating in the air lighting your calm face, I strangely felt comforted. That moment felt like it was meant to last forever.

I would like every moment actually to last forever.

You would stay home with me frome time to time and cook my favorite foods. Sometimes, I'd catch you waiting for me inside the house while cooking. I never thought that the thought of someone waiting for me to come home would make me smile.

I thought my smile had disappeared long time ago. My happiness which didn't come back even when I want it to, it surfaced again because of you.

Right then and there, I knew I don't want to let you go. I knew I had to keep you. Because if I don't, I'd go crazy for another time and for that time, I don't think I'd survive.

But, I also know that I can't.

You're the bravest, smartest, and mightiest adventurer and outlander that there is. Traveling nations is what you do. It is your job, your happiness. To take that away from you is not something that I can do. I know that your smile would falter and turn lifeless if I did.

Besides, protecting and helping Liyue is what I do, too. Not Mondstadt, not Inazuma, not Sumeru, Snezhnaya or any other nation but Liyue. Even if I would love to keep on living this current life I have with you forever, I know that it's impossible.

So, I let you go. I let you travel the vast seas to get to Inazuma. I know that you have to find your brother, your remaining family. I wouldn't stop you. Your freedom and bravery is what makes you shine brightly. My love for you is never shallow to take that light away from you, to take those feelings away from you.

So I let you be. I let you fly higher, farther.

Our memories are engraved deep in the rhythm and melody of Lover's Oath, so I'll be fine. Whenever this song plays, I would be reminded of you and you're well-being, I'd never be able to forget you.

I was fine, until news came back to Liyue.

In a letter, it was said that in the hands of the Fatui, the adventurer who saved Mondstadt, defeated Osial, and saved Inazuma, died. In an all out battle where the adventurer was caught up and was merely shielded with few soldiers, the second and third Fatui Harbingers all focused on the traveler.

At that moment, I feel like my head was about to burst. My eyes stings and are hot, my nerves are about to pop and my blood boiled. You.. killed. Died. In the hands of the enemy.

All of a sudden, our memories together flashbacks to me. Your smile, your laughter and your silly jokes. Our picnic on Qingce Village during sunset. Your photograph while lying on the flowerbed in Qingce. All of them came back to me. Why?

"Why didn't I follow you?" I whispered to myself.

I slammed the table making people around me shriek in surprise. The table was broken. All of a sudden, both of the archons appeared in front of me. Breathless, in shock, and livid.

"I could've done so much if I was there with her. I could've saved her. Take her to safety. Take care of her. I should've come with her. I should've been there," it was all I can whisper to myself. If the two gods in front of me are livid and full of sorrow and anger, I was probably worse.

"I know from the start that it wasn't safe, why did I let her leave?" Venti is now crying in frustration. His eyes, bloodshot and full of regrets.

"I should've just told her the truth and break that damn contract. The consequences, I can endure. But this? I can't, I will never be able to," Zhongli spoke.

My tears fell. My only light and happiness was taken away from me. I was once again deprived of the chance to be happy. This time, with her. I could've done so much if I only chose to come with her. And even if we both die, at least she's there with me. I'm there with her. Not like this.

"Zhongli! Xiao!"

A breathless Ningguang and Ganyu suddenly ran towards us. They were both surprised to see someone from Mondstadt but quickly tended their attention towards me. I was hanging my head low and crying, the letter still crumpled on my fist.

"I will avenge her. I will never stop until I kill those who took her away from me. I will not stop until her death's given justice," I whispered, full of anger, contempt, and nothing but blind grudge.

"Xiao.." Ganyu whispered. She then cried when she realizes that the news is true.

"T-traveler.." Ningguang stuttered.

I closed my eyes and let my thoughts flow. Right now, I'm fully ready to avenge you. I'm more than ready to give your death justice. Suddenly, our oath came to mind.

"I swear to never, ever, ever blame myself again for losing my sibling. I swear to never tire myself out again and to never overwork myself so Xiao won't have to get worried!"

Your smile and silly laugh was followed by your remark. My eyes shot open suddenly, but my tears never stopped. I looked at the sky above and saw that it's tinted with yellow-orange now. The sun is setting. For some reason, I don't want it to. It feels like it's you, saying goodbye to all of us.

I almost forgot the oath I made to you. Thank you, for making me remember. Thank you for still saving me even when you're not here anymore.

"I promise to not let myself hold a grudge again and let myself experience happiness.. even in its' tiniest form," I whispered. That was my oath to you. That promise helped a lot with dealing with myself. Now, even when you're gone, you still saved me. I almost went insane. I know that you won't like it if I do. I know you'd be stomping your feet up there, screaming, if I do go insane because of this.

And it hurts more because of that. Because the oath we made are still up and valid, but the person I did it with aren't anymore. How am I supposed to move forward now that you're gone?

I closed my eyes and screamed. I cried so much. I don't care if I'm in the presence of other people. I will let them know that there is someone who grieves for your death so much. That there is someone like me who's left alone because of the stupid ways of the Fatui. I will let everyone know that even when it's not immediately, I will avenge you. And make everyone who's responsible pay.

"I want to hear you again, please let me hear your voice again. Please let me see your smile one more time, I beg of you," I knelt down on the ground and cried.

Just one more time, please, talk to me. Let me know how you're doing. Let me know if you're fine, angry, calm..

"Talk to her, Xiao. She's listening through the wind," Venti suddenly spoke. I couldn't care to ask how did he know, all I want is to talk to her again. To hear her one last time.

"I will always love you, even when you're gone. I will never forget your smile, your words, the happiness you gave to me, the memories we shared. I will keep them all in my heart. I will love you for as long as I live. So please, let me hear your voice, my love. One more time," I desperately whispered.

I closed my eyes and felt a strong wind blowing. With the winds, a voice came.

"I know, Xiao. I love you too. I wouldn't have done those things with you if I didn't. Don't ruin yourself for me. I am contented with what happened. So, don't taint your hands for my sake. Just take care of Aether when you see or find him, alright? It's time for me to go now. And, say thank you to Venti. And say to everyone for me that I valued the time I had with them. I have to go now."

Then, the wind was gone.

Venti dropped to the ground and is panting. But at the same time, he had this weak and genuine smile on. As if he knows what she said. Figuring it all out, I looked at Venti.

"Thank you for letting me hear her one last time."

My gaze went back to the sky that's now turning gray and black. Soon, it'll grow dark. My wounds from today will never heal. My love for you from yesterday will never fade. My oath to you from before will always be valid. This oath has more power to it than what the others think. For it is my oath to you, my very last promise.

I wish I could've heard the song with you again for the last time. It is the song that played when I first met you. How ironic that it's also the song playing for the last time that I'm with you. If I could, I'd die in your place. I would've taken the pain you had on your dying moments if I could, if I was there.

For the love of my life who brought me back to my feet and taught me so much, thank you. So now, I oath to you. Here in your funeral, I oath to you that you will be the first and last person I would come to love for as long as I live. I promise to not let anyone replace you. This oath will be in power and valid, until we meet again in the arms of the gods and goddesses.

#xiao angst #genshin impact #genshin imagines #f!reader #xiao x female reader

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sidneyyprescott · 6 years

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1 + 4 + 11 + 15 + 24 !

your favorite face claims

SO MANY. Olivia Cooke, Crystal Reed, Zoey Deutch, Gal Gadot, Hayley Atwell, Laura Harrier, Ana de Armas, Ricardo Hoyos, Milo Ventimiglia, Chris Evans, Carlson Young, Natalia Dyer, Tessa Thompson. there’s probably a ton i’m forgetting but.

face claims that you are dying to play against

Avan Jogia, Jeremy Allen White, Skeet Ulrich, Chris Evans, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pine, Milo Ventimiglia, Bex Taylor Klaus, Jon Bernthal, Dylan Minette, Tessa Thompson, Shelley Hennig, Alycia Debnam Carey, any of the fcs as well above tbh.

an rpg that meant a lot to you

God I have so many in my heart!! And for so many different reasons I think Westfield both 1 + 2 represent such a nice time in my life tbh. i met some cool af people through those roleplays and got to creat this spooky world with one of my bffs at the time so it was just a really fun time and I loved the characters I played so damn much like I miss being that dedicated to anything. My first ever RP which was Arcanum will always be very special to me as well even if it was a complete shitshow lmao. Walt was like such a fun roleplay like despite the drama and bullshit I remember having some of the funnest threads of my life during that RP!! We took nothing seriously and posted like a million starters a day, it was a mess and I miss it. The Romantics is special because it’s probably one of the only RPs I’ve poured my soul into. Like that friend group is so fascinating to me for some reason??? I’ll probably end up writing a book about it, minus the name because that’s already taken lmao.

your favorite rp otp

CRIES THINKING ABOUT ALL MY PAST OTPS. dude I have not had a new rp ship in so fucking long. like I can’t even remember the last time and that shit is what I live for. so I’m mourning a bit as I think about all the glorious OTP’s I’ve had in the past. Aurora and Seth were so important to me at one point like they were everything. I loved Lydia and Nate, Wazowskins, Erin and Logan!! I’ve had so many beautiful OTPs in my life I’m lucky. Tatum and Teddy were amazing. Grace and Parker still haunt my soul because of the lack of closure. Lily and Holden were the first ship where I was actually the boy lmao and sometimes I still log into his account and post something and the girl I rped with actually replies so!!! Sav and Fiona were my biggest degrassi RP ship tbh, they were so cute and essentially Seth + Summer (this was at a time where I loved Seth and Summer lmao excuse my foolishness). Daphne and Ethan were iconic because he literally saved her life and I’m weak as fuck for that stuff and just ksdfjdhs. OKAY. again I’m sure I missed some however i’m high as hell

your favorite rp genre

i’m a weak bitch for romance so give me anything mixed with that. horror, especially lmaooo.

#answer #meme #you are an ANGEL for sending these and giving me a reason to reminscence on everything i used to looove #funeralbelle

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stretchjournalemerson · 4 years

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Keep the Pie Right Side Up

By Daniela Lee Hoyos

46 million turkeys are sold in the U.S. every Thanksgiving, it is a very American tradition, and families take it very seriously here. But oddly, most of my Thanksgivings happened in Bogota, Colombia. My very American, tall, blond, blue-eyed Grandmother from Indiana fell in love with a very Colombian man and moved to Colombia after marriage. My Grandfather studied at a university in Bogota and had an exchange program with a catholic college in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For someone who lived in a country that had no seasons, going to an exchange program for the spring semester in Indiana meant living under the snow for three months. My Grandmother and Grandfather never had classes together since they studied very different things but they would meet up for lunch and my Grandma would invite him to eat at her house. My American family would laugh at my Grandfather for being so underprepared for winter and would serve him a cup of hot chocolate he would hate because he missed the bitter, mouth-watering, dark roast black coffee from home. After the semester ended their love lived through letters that would take four days to arrive, until my Grandpa went back to visit and asked her to be his wife. He couldn’t imagine a life without her. They moved to Colombia a few days after the marriage and have lived there ever since.

I was born in Manhattan on June 9, 2001, 4 months and 3 days before the twin tower attack. My Grandparents freaked out about this and didn’t really like going to NY to visit. Thanksgiving was really important for my Grandma so every time that time of the year came along we would fly into Bogota to have that meal.

On Thanksgiving 2008 I was already living in Colombia since I moved there from New York. This meant that we would actually help out with the cooking. At around 11 A.M. my Grandfather picked my sister and me up from our house in his big, box-like Jeep. I remember him honking the horn that sounded like a 16 wheeler truck on a highway. My sister and I ran down the stairs, leaping from the excitement that my Grandma had invited us to go bake pies. We jumped up and down in the car on the way to my Grandparent’s house. Once we arrived we ran up the stairs with my Grandpa’s dog who had come along for the trip. My Grandma had already opened the door because she said she could hear us all the way up the stairs.

My Grandmother extended her arms open with excitement to see us and her cookie scent filled me with joy. Her bright, blue eyes looked into mine as she smiled. I headed straight to the kitchen ready to bake the pies, my Grandma had already set everything up for us. I hung a red apron around my neck and tied a bow with the two strings hanging behind my back. My Grandma said, “Lucia go to the counter next to the sink and start reading the instructions for the apple pie, and Daniela go to the counter next to the oven and start reading the instructions for the banana cream pie.” I headed to the counter and found myself reading the instructions and pointing at each ingredient that my Grandma had left out for me to simply mix in the bowl. “Traeme Cocola Dani porfa,” my Grandpa screamed from the living room. I served him a glass of coke and I sat on his lap as he told me about his day. I kind of forgot I was supposed to be in the kitchen helping my Grandmother until she called my name for me to go back. Tito laughed and I jumped off of his lap and ran back to the kitchen.

I started to put the dry ingredients together in a bowl and began mixing them together, my Grandma had told me to not dare mix the wet and dry ingredients until she told me to, or it wouldn’t end up right. To this day I still don’t understand the theory behind that since it all ends up together anyway but I followed her instructions. Once I had the filling done, she told me to get the crust from the fridge. The scent of graham crackers filled my nose and reminded me of the summer when I was at camp. I placed the pie crust in its plate on the counter and filled the base with the filling. I later sliced the bananas that my Grandma passed me, clumsy me cut my finger in the process. My Grandma’s nickname for me never failed to show its meaning: “Grace,” she laughed in a sarcastic tone as she put my finger under cold water and put a nude-pink bandage around my finger. I took the apron off and sat on my Grandma’s bed watching the discovery channel as she baked both pies in addition to the pecan pie she was making simultaneously.

She called me back to the kitchen to take my masterpiece out of the oven. She put a blue glove on my right hand and a red one on my left hand and told me to pull the pie out carefully to not drop it. “Plop.” Well, I blame her for jinxing it. There it was my banana cream pie straight out of the oven face down on the kitchen floor. I looked up fearful to see her reaction because she was dead silent. Once my eyes met her eyes she cracked up in laughter and had to sit down because of how hard she was laughing. Her humor is something I miss the most. I cracked up with her and it took us around 15 minutes to turn the pie over because each time we went back to pick it up our uncontrollable laughter would start again. We were finally able to control our laughter and flip the pie back over. It honestly didn’t look that bad, the only thing was that the filling looked a little smooshed and the meringue didn’t have its full effect. My Grandma scraped the top and told me, “it’s our little secret.” That night we all enjoyed the meal and even my downside up banana cream pie and no one even found out it had fallen down.

This year’s Thanksgiving wasn’t quite the same, the laughter wasn’t there. It was all the echo of her presence. The turkey tasted different, the green beans looked soggy, the potatoes were dry. It just wasn’t the same. She wasn’t there. As the banana cream pie came from the kitchen it smelled the same, it looked the same, and it probably tasted the same; I wouldn’t know I didn’t have the guts to eat a piece. The hands bringing the pie from the kitchen weren’t my beautiful grandmother’s wrinkled, tissue paper hands. They were my mom’s. It hit me, I felt the hole inside people talk about when they deal with loss. It all came with the banana cream pie, a little piece of her came into that room that day saying hello with the sweet scent she always had.

Banana Cream Pie

Remember those Thanksgiving dinners over at your Grandmother’s house? After being fully stuffed from varieties of cornbreads, stuffing, vegetables, turkey, and gravy? And then suddenly you see your Grandma come out of the kitchen with a freshly baked pie? Your favorite. Well, this is what Thanksgiving looked like for me, and thanks to my Grandma I am able to share this family recipe with you. It might seem like a tedious task but believe me, you and your guests will find it extremely rewarding once you get the first bite into this pie.

Ingredients for crust:

1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers

⅓ cup of sugar

½ cup melted shortening or butter

Add sugar to the crushed graham crackers and add shortening/butter into the mixture.

Mix well and press the pastry into a greased 9-inch pie pan. Chill until set (around 45 minutes).

Ingredients for filling:

¼ cup cornstarch

⅔ cup of sugar

6 tablespoons of sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups of milk

3 scalded, stiff beaten egg whites

3 slightly beaten egg yolks

2-3 bananas

Mix the sugar, salt, and cornstarch; gradually add milk.

Place mixture in a double boiler for about 10 minutes or until thick. (stir constantly)

Slowly add a small amount of the hot mixture to the egg yolks, and add it back to the remaining hot mixture and stir properly.

Put back into a double boiler for 5 minutes.

Add butter and vanilla and stir until fully mixed, put the mixture to the side and let cool.

In a bowl whisk the egg whites with added 6 tablespoons of sugar to form the coating merengue.

Pour the mixture into the set crust shell and add 2-3 sliced bananas on top. Spread the meringue on top and place pie into a moderate oven (350 degrees Celsius) 12 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Tip: Make sure you keep the pie off the ground, it makes the process easier.

Works Cited

“Turkey Facts.” Turkey Facts - Turkey for Holidays - University of Illinois Extension, web.extension.illinois.edu/turkey/turkey_facts.cfm.

#stretch2020 #stretch journal #emersoncollege #thanksgiving #pie recipe #memoir

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itsartworkbylem-blog · 6 years

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Japanese Film: Blog #15

Zoto: The Japanese Custom of Gift Giving

“Koden should also be enclosed in a special envelope designed for the occasion, and as with weddings, the amount should reflect the relationship between the guest and the deceased, with the average being approximately 5000 yen…” (pg. 236)

I have been to a few funerals and have never been expected to bring money for the family. In America and other western cultures, this would seem inappropriate because money is not viewed as a form of consolation during that time. Instead, many people provide the family with cards and their time as a way of offering condolences. In a lot of western cultures people provide food for the reception or gathering after the formal funeral as well. They do this for many reasons including making sure the grieving family doesn’t have to worry about cooking for awhile, and a reminder for their sympathies. The grieving families are not expected to return the favor unlike in Japan, where they offer gifts to those who offered koden during the hoyo ceremony.

In Japan, gift giving during all occasions is very important. Ceremonial gifts during funerals are a must for those who come and pay their respects to the deceased. Typically, they bring a koden in the form of money to the grieving family, a ritual that is more modern compared to the past. The amount of money depends on the relationship of the giver and the deceased, and is done to show their respect and sympathies to the family.

“Even today, when a couple goes on a honeymoon, they have to buy plenty of souvenirs for their relatives, friends, colleagues, all those have have celebrated with them at the wedding party, and even those who have seen them off at the airport.” (pg. 237)

it is common in the west to bring back souvenirs for their friends and families after they go on vacation. When I went to Korea two years ago, I made sure to spend lots of money on gifts for my family, boyfriend, and friends as a way to share the experience with them. However, in the west, we do not go beyond our friends and families when it comes to souvenir giving. Souvenirs are seen as a small gesture to share in an experience and not seen as a requirement. You are not obligated to give a gift to everyone you know just because you went on vacation.

In Japan, gifts are viewed more as an obligation to maintain relationships. Giri plays a large role in this, as it is the social obligation of gift giving. Japanese people feel pressured to give these gifts even to those who they don’t want to just to keep the harmony within their social or private groups. Unlike western cultures, their gift giving extends to anyone with whom they share a relationship with, so they must be vigilant in creating a harmonious relationship with all. If they do not bring back souvenirs for someone, then they break this harmony and create conflict.

Soshiki: Japanese Funerals

“Next, the dead person is cleaned in a process called yukan, in which the body is washed with hot water in preparation for burial. Gauze or absorbant cotton with alcohol is used to clean the deceased…generally, members of the bereaved family perform these actions under the direction and guidance of the undertakers.” (pg. 204)

In western cultures, family members do not participate in these rituals of preparation of the dead. I could not imagine having to participate in the cleaning of the body of a family member, no matter who they are in relation to me. In America, funeral homes do these tasks for the family. Largely, I feel like this has to do with many people, including myself, who would be unable to handle seeing and handling their loved ones after death. In Japan, people are viewed as vessels for the afterlife, however, and doing these rituals shows an appreciation and love for the person.

Japanese funerals have an extensive list of mandatory rituals involved, many of which include the grieving family. Cleaning the dead is seen as a way to prepare the person for their journey in the afterlife. Families, under the supervision of the undertaker, clean the body with water and alcohol so that the deceased is ready for the afterlife. The family wants to make sure that the person will have an easy time in the afterlife and participate in these rituals to do so.

“At the funeral, the bereaved family and relatives must wear special, formal clothes, and the mourners are also expected to come in appropriate clothing.” (pg. 208)

The funerals I have attended have always come with expectations of certain types of clothing one should wear. Typically, people are supposed to come in black, business casual or formal attire. When I have gone, I always made sure to wear black as a way to display my personal mourning for the deceased. This is normal for western cultures, however, in modern times; it is becoming more okay for people to wear more than just black to funerals. As long as you do not wear outlandish, inappropriate colors or patterns, black clothing is not required. I have seen many people wear navy, white, purple, and other colors to funerals. Their outfits, however, were appropriate and modest as the occasion calls for. In Japan, on the other hand, funerals are much more formal occasions.

In Japan, men wear a haori hakama, which is a kind of black kimono with a half-length Japanese coat and a long pleated skirt worn over the kimono. When wear black kimonos without patterns. Mourners are also expected to dress very formally as a way to pay respect for the deceased. Men wear formal business attire in the form of black suits, black ties, and even black socks. Woman wear black suits or kimonos, and the only jewelry they are allowed to wear are pearls.

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