The Inoue School of Dance

On The Ninth Day Of Fun I present... a new feature! I’ll be looking at each of the dance schools in turn, so for now enjoy the first one! History The Inoue School, and thus the Inoue Style, began with Inoue Sato (井上サト), who lived from 1767 - 1854. She was entrusted to the care of the Konoe family in Kyoto from an early age as a lady-in-waiting, and showed great promise in the traditional arts. Since the Konoe were of the nobility, Sato had access to the same education as those of the aristocracy, so she was taught only the best. Eventually she went on to become the dance instructor for the Konoe children. When she left their care in 1797, the Konoe family bestowed upon her the name Yachiyo (八千代) and gave her use of the well frame (bishimon) kamon to start her own school of dance.  From there she gained her first students of the style and in her old age eventually named a successor, Inoue Aya (井上アヤ) (1770 - 1868), who was granted the title of Yachiyo Inoue II. Not too much is known about Aya, except that she was supposedly the niece of Sato and recognized the talent of a young girl named Katayama Haruko (片山春子) from a very young age and raised her up to be her successor, which would end up being pivotal in the Inoue school’s history. Haruko (1838 - 1938), who inherited the title of Yachiyo Inoue III, would be the one who would be called upon by the governor and mayor of Kyoto to choreograph a dance for the 1872 World Expo to showcase the talents of her students, who at this point happened to be the maiko and geiko of Gion. Her dances became the first Miyako Odori, whose success was so grand that she was granted any wish that the governor could provide. As we know by now, her wish was to unite eight of the finest neighborhoods in the Gion district into its own new kagai named Gion Kobu where only her style of dance would be taught and leave the rest to be called Gion Otsubu. Like Aya before her, Haruko also found a talented dancer from a very young age to eventually replace her, but this time, it was another special young girl: Aiko.  Inoue Aiko (井上愛子) (1905 - 2004) began dancing at the age of 3, when those who are of prominent artistic lines usually begin their training instead of age 6. Although not related by blood, she would marry Haruko’s grandson and be adopted into the family. While not a standout beauty, her dancing skills were peerless and it would be the young Aiko who would lead the school as Yachiyo Inoue IV beginning in 1947. It was during her tenure that the world saw much change, specifically, the hardships endured during and after World War II and the slow decline of the karyukai when the bubble economy burst in the 1990s. During her lifetime she was named a Living National Treasure and received various awards and honors from the government for her dance. Like Haruko, Aiko recognized the talent of her granddaughter, Michiko, and named her successor upon her retirement in 2000. Inoue Michiko (井上三千子) (1956 - present) is the currently the fifth holder of the title Yachiyo Inoue. Like her grandmother before her, she began dancing at the age of 3 and showed great promise. Also like her grandmother before her, Michiko has also been named as a Living National Treasure, one of the youngest ever to boot. Michiko’s leadership through the corona virus pandemic has been nothing short of the definition of strength and endurance and hopefully she can continue to pull through as Gion Kobu rebuilds.  Now, unlike previous generations, the next Yachiyo Inoue has already been chosen so quickly after the last head’s passing. Michiko’s daughter, Inoue Yasuko (井上安寿子) has already been chosen by committee to eventually replace her mother upon her death. Like the previous heads before her, Yasuko has been groomed since the age of 3 to be a dancer, and her skills are quite impressive. She’s been noted to be a dancing prodigy, hence why her selection has already been made.     Style The Inoue style of dance is derived from the Noh court dances, so its movements are usually slow and punctuated by quick, dramatic ones.    Natori Those who become natori in the Inoue style are given a special fan signed by the current Yachiyo Inoue and is decorated with a camellia flower, a symbol of the school. Each year they receive a new fan with a new design at Kotohajime. Unlike other dance schools, those who are natori in the Inoue school cannot teach dance unless they are an accredited teacher.       

The natori graduation fan. The background is actually pink, but the gold flakes make it appear orange. 

Shinsengumi cats! 🐱

These are all available as stickers and various other merch on my Redbubble as well, whether you want the entire set or individual designs! :D

INOUE GENZABURO ∙ LIKE A DRAGON: ISHIN (2023)

ɪɴᴏᴜᴇ ɢᴇɴᴢᴀʙᴜʀᴏ 3/∞

thinking about them. being defectors ... mentor & students ... brothers in arms ... & dead men twice over .

Serizawa Kamo Inoue Genzaburo Like A Dragon: Ishin

Jetman fandom, pls wake up

Inspired by DIY acrylic charms on taobao, I decided to make Ishin-themed DIY acrylic charms after I finished playing that game :D ...

You can buy stickers by themselves (complete with free US shipping), or you can add 2 omamori acrylic blanks to your order--that said if you buy all 4 sheets, 2 acrylics will be included in your order free of charge.

Also here's a vid that shows how I add stickers to the acrylic blanks.

where in the world is inoue gendiego

Hello! Do you remember the "having a secret date night during Tanabata festival" request for some of the Ishin boys? Could I request the same thing but with Hijikata and Genzaburo, please? Many thanks!

Oh word yes I sure can, also sorry for the late reply, I promise you I had this one on the to-do list n all. Headcanons below, mwah.

Genzaburo Inoue

The date itself is secret but he isn't scaling no walls like the other boys. He's just slipping out a back door somewhere, real quietly. Honestly no one even notices he's gone.

Insists on meeting at your place and walking you to the festival. Won't wear matching outfits but will perhaps arrange an outfit that is complimentary in color scheme to yours.

Will buy you a nice little present or souvenir of your choosing. Doesn't go for the games that much but loves watching you. Spends most of his time browsing vendor stalls and snacking on various things.

Does take wish making rituals quite seriously. He can be a real wordsmith when he feels like it. Has great handwriting.

Walks you home and gives you a kiss on the forehead before he goes. Gen-san saves kisses on the lips for super duper rare ultra special occassions.

Hijikata Toshizo

Homey is not even keeping it a secret, he is walking his ass out the front gate without even saying bye. Since he's acting captain, no one questions it although Nagakura and Genzaburo have a good hunch what he's up to.

Will meet you wherever it's most convenient for you. Will extend his arm for you to hold onto or lean on, as that's one of his most preferred forms of physical affection, especially in public spaces.

He's kind of a people watcher so festivals like these are just for him to drink in all the sights, sounds, and smells. Doesn't go for any of the games much but will help you on really hard ones.

He doesn't really believe in the wish making process but always does it just in case. The problem is, he has so many things to worry about that his wishes can get longwinded. Sometimes he runs off the paper.

Walks you home and waits outside for a bit afterwards to make sure you got inside okay and you don't need him for anything before he takes off. He has an over protective streak going.

A bento! Made with care! By a loving wife!

The only thing on my mind while doing that side quest was Kashiwagi and it shows. Possibly ishin spoilers for names, and Akiyama specifically so thread carefully. Also I am using the yakuza names in brackets cause i cannot for the life of me remember them by Ishin names.

Ishin men get a bento from their partner with (Kashiwagi) Inoue Genzaburo, (Ryuji) Saigo Kichinosuke and (Akiyama) Katsura Kogoro

(KASHIWAGI) INOUE GENZABURO

- You’d think he will be all embarrassed and troubled to be handed a bento right before his squadron and other captains. You’d think WRONG. Much to everyone’s surprise, he is very smooth about it. His lips bend into a rare, kind smile as his calloused hands gently wrap around the package, carefully wrapped in a colorful cloth. He stares right at you with this wistful gaze, like you are his entire universe and more... Although you can imagine that in reallity, he is definitely gauging reactions out of the corner of his eye.

- Gen is not the kind for pettines. Yet, whenever it comes to his beloved partner, he feels immense pride in rubbing it hard into the wounds of the starved shinsengumi hounds. Showing them what they could never have. In some ways, he thinks of you as a trophy, but with how kindly he treats you it hardly feels like an insult. If anything, being able to tame one of shinsengumi’s best is to be worn like a badge of pride.

-  He makes sure to thank you with a kind word for your dedication and is most regretful he cannot offer a kiss to the knuckles of these hands, that prepared the meal for him. Not right away, that is. Instead he inconspiciously leans closer, tips of his ears slightly burning, as he whispers to meet him by the riverbed. Gen needs not say anything more, you’ve been at it for a while after all. This meticulous little mischief of yours, that starts with handing him a bento for all to see and ends in a secluded spot where he consumes the food while listening to your day. Otherwise know as his favourite part of the day.

- So both of you slip away from prying eyes, enjoying each others’ presence to the tune of soothing sound of waves. He sits by you, his face filling with little wrinkles of joy as he uncovers the delicacies of the homemade bento. The conversation you share is so engaging, that before you know it he is already halfway through, his free hand sneaked around yours with fingers drawing circles into your skin. Gen’s touches are always so gentle and yet barely a little brush sends warm tingles running through your body. Fondness. Both yours towards him and his towards you.

- It’s pretty much his habit to share the bento with you, so he always encourages you to fill at least some part with your favourite foods. Even if you deny him that little pleasure, you will suddenly start hearing about how much he loves that meal or the other that you just happen to enjoy. You can’t beat the old fox. If you ask him to feed you, he would certainly grumble about how you “are no longer a child”, but at the same time Gen would never dare truly deny you.

(RYUJI) SAIGO KICHINOSUKE

- Still not over the fact that he did actually score you, the best goddamn thing ever, as his partner. And now you even bring him a lovely, homemade bento? Not even his big ego can help him wrap his head around this, even if he makes sure to look otherwise. There is a full fledged smirk on his face as you approach with the wrapped goods, his hands crossed nonchalantely on his chest. The aura he exudes just screams smug, confident and in a way not surprised he is having people fawing over him. Even his men, despite the fact that they are pretty sure you are the first one to ever do that, try to pay no mind. No one dares point out the twinkles in his eyes, knowing it leads to nothing but trouble. For you, however, these twinkles are the most endearing thing about your lion of a lover.

- Saigo has no sweet words to offer, instead messing up your hair with his big hand and accepting the bento like he is doing it for your benefit, more than his. The only sweet thing is the time he takes to tease you about it, asking if you want to poison him or perchance court him - like you are not partner already. He enjoys the bickering, and keeping you around longer, almost as much as the dishes you prepared for him so you make sure to entertain his playful side at least sometimes.

- While you cannot accompany him during the dinner, you can be sure to find a cleaned out bento right outside of your room the following evening. On more busy nights it just appears on its own, but the little trinkets left just by it - like a freshly picked flower - assure you that you were visited by the lion himself. Every other time, however, Saigo makes sure to stop by in person, even for a brief spell. His partner will not be left wanting for his attention, that’s for sure. Be it some intimate time in your room - just so spying servants are less likely - or a date out on the city, the man will pour all his heart into making you feel appreciated and loved. 

- If you happen to make it a habit, he will get incredibly worried when you stop bringing him food. “Did they get kidnapped” kind of worried. He has his men all over Kyo, himself included if circumstances allow, looking for your whereabouts only to find you completely oblivious and enjoying your time. It takes some explaining to get it through his thick head that you were being late or maybe didn’t have inspiration to cook today altogether. He doesn’t want to make you feel guilty about it, not in a malicious way but... The puppy eyes do make you feel at least SLIGHTLY guilty. You can’t help but accept an invitation for shared dinner now. And the whole situation causes quite an uproar for the days to come, with all the factions on edge. It just so happens to be the perfect excuse to offer you to stay with him for the time being. Forever, maybe?  

(AKIYAMA) KATSURA KOGORO

- So giddy when Ikumatsu presents the bento you left for him! His trusted spy is left giggling mess as she watches her boss light up in joy, his fingers impatiently unwraping the material around dinner you lovingly prepared. Kogoro spares no vocal compliments, boasting loudly to every usual patron enjoying their drink in the bar. No one seems too bothered, at this point they are used to his antics and if anything, watching him so entranced is just endearing. Just as he is about to dig in, you suddenly reveal your presence previously hidden by the kitchen door - a little ruse Ikumatsu came up with to surprise the leader.

- Somehow, his smile manages to get ever wider and in no time he strides over to your side, hands gently placed on your shoulders. The comforting warmth of his fingers seeps down into your core, as the man’s voice trembles with geniuine passion. It’s only a few words of gratitude and yet this sincerity is near dizzying when you realize all the eyes on you. Kogoro pays no mind himself, but in a second thought he does worry he might cause you trouble. Immediately backs down with a sheepish expression, hands twitching at his side ever so slightly now that they are no longer hooked around your figure.

- The next time you come over with a bento, he makes sure to be prepared. Even Ikumatsu backs off when he explains his master plan to pay you back for your kindness. As you settle down in the bar, enjoying the slow business with a sip of tea, Kogoro bursts out of the kitchen not unlike you did. Much to your surprise, he is wearing an outfit more appropriate for a cook than Choshu leader - topped off with a cute little apron barely tied around his waist, clearly belonging to some of the more feminine chefs. In his arms he cradles his favourite dish, clearly fresh and... Slightly off. He looks truly defeated like never before. He lost, and to a meal no less.

- Hopefully you are willing to still give it a try. It doesn’t look outright poisonous, at very least, and the look in his eyes tells you that it might yet lift his spirits. Just a kind “thank you” coming from your lips makes him brighten right up. He watches you like a hawk, as you take the first bite only to discover, that it is actually pretty good! Although some elements are all over the place and presentation was less than appealing, you can tell there was a lot of effort and heart put into it. You find that it just gets better with each bite through the simple reality of him by your side. Finally as the dish is cleaned, Kogoro finds it in himself to ask for your review. Can you imagine how happy he will be when you ask him to cook for you again some time?

Inoue ishin plushie in pico-8 graphics

Really been into low poly modeling and pixel art lately so thought I'd show this off

INOUE GENZABURO ∙ LIKE A DRAGON: ISHIN (2023)

ɪɴᴏᴜᴇ ɢᴇɴᴢᴀʙᴜʀᴏ 1/∞

What Jetman Meant for Super Sentai

Laying out what I think is the core theme and message behind one of the most iconic Sentai series.