#men kimono pattern

[tanuki-kimono]

What patterns are traditionally allowed for a man's kimono? What little I can find indicates that it's stripes or nothing.

In the past, men kimono could be as extragant and luxurious as women's, but men modern kimono fashion takes a lot from Edo era.

The thing is: it was then super regulated by the shogunate which turned a bad eyes at the chônin (=commoners living in cities, especially rich merchants). Those grew richer and richer - much more so than many samurai, and the shogunate dictated sumptuary law after sumptary law to try keep them in check.

In men kimono fashion, this means lavish patterns tended to be hidden: haori linings, juban underwear, etc. It also means they turned to other time consumming techniques to show wealth: edokomon (tiny tiny tiny patterns), and nezumi (grey family) and cha (brown family) subtle colors are some examples.

This historical heritage is sadly still super strong! But that doesn't mean any pattern is actually forbidden :) They are simply used differently, and many men today are pushing the lines so bold patterns (and colors) make a come back!

On a side note, some patterns are much much rarer on women items while they are more easily found on men's: shunga (erotic art), yôkai and/or gruesome sceneries, variation on "manly" symbols like the dragon/tiger imagery, etc etc etc

[throwing-roses-into-the-abyss]

hey does anyone here happen to know where I could get a pattern for an early 18th century mens overcoat like the ones stede wears?

[ugly-pickle]

Good morning, Pickle.

Please kindly consider this Ayato request: Your spoilt and pampered sister who has always destroyed every marriage prospect you have isn't happy that Ayato chose to marry you instead of her. So, on your wedding day, she has her servants destroy your wedding kimono as a fit of petty jealousy.

Please also kindly take as long as you need with this request; I have no qualms in waiting. Furthermore, by no means feel obligated to prioritize this request over your other requests.

lovely ☆ ayato

CHARACTERS: ayato x f!reader

SYNOPSIS: your sister seems to be upset when she finds out that you and ayato are engaged, so she casually ruins your wedding

GENRE: fluff 💿

W/C: 1.4k

C/W: cussing, betrayal, scissors, and physical touch (let me know if ive missed anything!)

A/N: OMG MY FIRST REQUEST AHRGHDSHH im currently working on your other request @sailorstar9 so just hold on tight! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

your sister is your everything, from the moment of her birth, when you held her in your arms you just knew you had to protect her until the sun and the moon collided, no, even after that you have to protect her. you thought all of the compassion youve shown your sister would help her bloom to be an elegant young lady, but has instead grown into a carrion flower.

your sister is certainly a bitch from time to time, but maybe it's because she doesnt have any suitors that truly love her, on the other hand you do. only an imbecile wouldnt want to be your lover, youre charming, funny, loving, intelligent, and beautiful. it could be out of jealousy that your sister had ruined your relationships with men who want your hand in marrige.

one day, you were having a fancy dinner with ayato, his family (plus thoma), you, and your family, when he suddenly got down on one knee and held out a ring with a fat diamond to you. you obviously accepted his proposal, and everyone in the room applauded for the two of you, except your sister.

for the next couple of months of your engagement with ayato, youve noticed that your little sister has become, well, bitter. her state worsens more and more the closer that the date of your wedding day approaches.

the week of your wedding day has finally arrived. the first gift youve received is from ayaka; you open the gift, you laid your eyes on the most beautiful kimono that has ever been made. the embroidery is truly one of a kind, the floral patterns was simply gorgeous, and the hair ornament looks so delicate that even the softest gush of wind could shatter it into pieces.

“oh my— ayaka this is beautiful…” youre at a loss of words, “im glad it’s to your liking,” ayaka responds with a sweet smile gracing her lips. “i will make sure that this kimono will never know what a blemish is,” you tell her solemnly, she giggles, “i wish i could talk to you longer, but im afraid that i have unavoidable duties to attend too,”

you bid ayaka farewell. you close the door behind you, you place the kimono back into its box and store it safely away. oh how you cannot wait to tells your friends and family about this gift, especially your sister.

when she heard about the news of your kimono that descended from celestia she threw an entire fit, one more immature than a toddler’s, but she does have her manners and did it once you had left the estate. her servants were comforting by her and calming her down, until one suggested to, perhaps, ruin the kimono?…

now that this idea has been implemented into your sister’s brain, nothing could lure it out. during the days leading up to your big day your sister has been ordering scissors so sharp that it could leave a scratch on the geo archon’s shield. your sister had selected her most loyal servants fit for the task to to shred your beloved wedding kimono to pieces.

your big wedding day is finally here! your bridesmaids are helping you get ready, they took you to the bath first, leaving your bedroom unattended.

the servants took this opportunity to sneak into your sleeping chambers and rummage through your things, looking for your kimono. after some time, one had found it; calling the others over, they started to get to work.

the embroidery now looks like the handwriting that belongs to a toddler, the floral designs had certainly seen better days, and the ornament is now smashed into pieces. the kimono now looks like the ghost from the ring would wear. your sister’s servants, pleased with their artwork, placed the kimono back into the box and storing it where they first found it.

you hear something scurry away, you open the door to see nothing. you shrug it off, “ladies, would you please bring my kimono? it’s in that box over there,” your bridesmaids nod there head, one of them grabs the box and places it on your bed. you open the box to find your kimono in a strange state.

your eyes widened in horror, you wanted to cry but you were in too much shock to do so. your bridesmaids were just as terrified as you are. the maid of honor instantly sent out two ladies, trying to order another kimono in such short notice. the ceremony is soon, you want someone to comfort you, but not the ladies with you. your sister? not a good idea, ayato? yes. but, hes busy.

you tell everyone to get out of the room, not wanting to shed tears infront of them, "but y/n, the wedding is soon, we cant afford to waste time, especially now." you acknowledge this for a moment, but with no dress you cant have the perfect wedding youve always dreamt of; besides the ladies cant get another kimono in time. "out. i already told you, get out," they cant do anything but put their heads down and listen to you, they exit the room one by one.

after the last one shuts the door, the tears fall down your face, you cant help it, you really cant. who did this? who would be so cruel, so jealous, so petty to do this? not even the tsaritsa would be this evil. the only person you know of who would do this is,

your sister?

how can she be so cruel?… but, jumping to conclusions is never good for anyone, and even if she did do this, it couldve been out of jealously.

.....

oh FUCK THAT SHIT, she just ruined your wedding for archons sake. you look at the clock. oh archons. the ceremony had started, but who cares, even a trash bag looks better than your wedding kimono.

tears are continuously rolling down your face, like a river that will never stop flowing. your sniffles are quiet, but it is the only rolling that can be heard in this room.

…

ayato is standing there at the alter, waiting for the love of his life, but she never shows up. worry suddenly floods his mind, what if something happened? he excuses himself and rushes to find you.

your sister sees him dashing towards her. have the archons finally answered her prayers? “oh ayato! i knew you would come to your senses sooner or later!” she exclaims. ayato, a bit disgusted, brushes her off and says politely, “i love y/n dearly and im currently searching for her, do you have any idea where she might be?”

one of your bridesmaids is running towards ayato, “over there ayato! quickly!” she shouts and points from across the room, unable to catch her breath. ayato nods, running towards where you are.

he slams the door open, “y/n—“ he cuts himself off when he sees your glossy eyes, tears falling down your face, your sniffles and breath trembling. “oh ayato,” you walk to your not-so-soon-to-be-husband and embrace him. the wet stain on his shoulder slowly growing.

for the first time in a while, ayato is genuinely shocked, hes seeing his lover upset, crying, and he cant do anything about it. “my love, whats wrong? what happened?”

you point to your bed, ayato takes a look and sees why— he and ayaka spent hours searching for a dress thats one of a kind and meant for you. his eyes widen a bit then relax again. he places his hand on the small on your back and rubs it in small circles.

he comforts you by saying, “i am beyond lucky to have you as my bride, even the most expensive jewels cannot be compared to your beauty because you outshine all, so please dont be too upset about this matter. i will find a dress made in celestia just to please my wonderful my darling.” he kisses your temple and pulls say, his face looks a bit more eerie now.

“your sister, right?” ayato asks you. “i think so—” ayato cuts you off, “i’ll cut off that bitches head as soon as possible, dont worry y/n.”

:)

A/N: this was VERY rushed but i hope you still enjoyed it ૮ ⸝⸝o̴̶̷᷄ ·̭ o̴̶̷̥᷅⸝⸝ ྀིა

imagine a plot twist where the sister is in love with you lol (i dont write incest)

TAGLIST: @sailorstar9 @gummy-dummy @hopefulceladon @username-try-3

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Forgotten Queen comes to see Nikola, Jack, and Raiden to see how things are liked for their time while wearing her more modest clothing yet it's revealing as she wore in her diplomatic meeting and battle as she show cleavage and back

And her son is with her both bio and adopted as they wear nice middle easterner clothing fit for a prince

With curiosity she asked if they show her what women wear in their time, and to say she looks good in anything in any time period of clothing

-It started off with a bit of curiosity, mainly due to the reactions of the three men that you have grown close with, who would always get a little flustered whenever they would see you in the clothes you wore.

-You didn’t see anything wrong with the clothes you were wearing, they were the same ones you always wore, but then again, you came from different cultures.

-Raiden didn’t mind your clothes, as he was rather perverted, but he was respectful towards you; Jack and Nikola were the shy boys.

-This is what made you curious about the fashion of women during their time when they were alive, and you reached out to them, inquiring about visiting to learn.

-This is what started your mini traveling tour, going to the different pantheons to visit your friends, and you were pleasantly surprised when you arrived at Raiden’s place to see Nikola and Jack waiting there as well.

-Your son and Zerofuku also came with you, both wearing clothes similar to your own, middle eastern attire, but of a time period they couldn’t exactly place.

-You had gained a lot of stares, as you were wearing a more modest outfit, the one you wore for formal meetings with other dignitaries, but your back was exposed and there was a long slit down your front, exposing your cleavage as well as slits in both sides of your dress, showing off your legs.

-Raiden had prepared a formal kimono, so you could inspect the different patterns and fabrics, which was enjoyable to you, but when some women entered, going to help you dress, you were a little more thrown off, “Are there always so many layers?”

-Raiden and the two women couldn’t help but laugh, finding it amusing as it did feel a little hard to walk around, you felt smothered, and you were stunned that many kimonos and women’s outfits had many more layers.

-When you walked out, you were surprised to see everyone else in men’s outfits, including your sons, who were running around, feeling much less hindered than you were.

-Your son was bright eyed looking up at you once you walked out, “You look so pretty mama!” you couldn’t help but smile before Raiden sent you a playful wink, “Y/N always looks pretty!” which earned him a warm smile from you.

-Jack went next and he prepared outfits for everyone, including your sons, who both commented that they felt weird being in suits, but they did like the capes. Raiden was also feeling a bit uncomfortable, as it was something he wasn’t used to.

-Jack had prepared an assistant to help you dress, mainly to help with the corset and the men couldn’t help but laugh when they heard you through the door, “I asked you to show me fashion, Jack, not torture me!”

-When you walked out, wearing a dress that fit your body very well, the corset laced tightly, the frilled skirts and the long sleeves of your dress, with lace and bows adorning you, you felt rather uncomfortable and very restricted, how were you supposed to fight in this?!

-Jack pecked the back of your hand, giving you a small smile, “You look lovely my dear.” You smiled softly at him and Zerofuku brought a matching parasol over for you, “Here mama!”

-Raiden and you both learned how you could fight in this outfit, when he made a comment, due to the bustle in your dress, about your butt looking bigger, and you whacked him over the head with your parasol, much to the amusement of the others.

-Nikola went last, and surprisingly, of the three, his was the most comfortable, it was still very modest and covering, with a high waisted skirt, a high collared top with long sleeves, but there was no corset and you felt like you could at least breathe.

-Nikola felt a bit shy, seeing you wearing the clothes of his own time, you looked stunning, and he managed to tell you that, while red faced, which made you smile warmly.

-Once back in your own dress, you couldn’t help but sigh softly, feeling less restricted and free.

-It had been a fun experience for you and your boys, seeing the different clothes from different cultures and time periods, but all in all, there’s nothing like the comforts of home.

[ellas-journey]

From a thing to wear to an icon of culture 👘

There is this hidden detail in Muzan that when I noticed I could not help but smile. Remember how he said that the thing he hated the most was change? Well coming from someone that had to live in 5 different eras is kinda funny, and it's even funny when you realize that he ended up adopting the Western fashion pretty fast. But that's the twist, if you look at Muzan's vest you come to realize that it's the exact same pattern as the kimono he used to wear. The best part? That was a thing that actually happened in history.

Wanting or not, the clothing that the people used to wear represents the history they lived through. "To look seriously at art objects of the everyday, such as clothes - their discourse and practices, their meaning-bearing forms and their codes of internal and external interpretations - in an essential, and often neglected, component of any study of modern aesthetics." - Slade, 2009 Yofuku [Western Clothing] is a type of clothing that is now common all over Japan, but during a lot of time, it was a type of clothes that only selected few grew up with. The 1st contacts with these types of clothing [even if extremely different from what we now call western clothing] was in the 16th century when the Portuguese arrived in Tanegashima. With them came not only different shapes but also different fabrics. But the “true” introduction to western fashion would only happen with Commodore Matthew Perry, catharsis to the Meiji restoration, where Emperor Meiji would start to dress in a typical western military outfit, and soon after the empress would start to aper in the typical victorian dresses. In the Edo period clothing visually distinguished the social classes. "Certain articles of clothing visibly differentiated people of diverse social classes, and simultaneously distinguished an individual within a specific group. The materials, motifs and construction of military campaign coats, for example, marked their wearers as men belonging to the military class." - Milhaupt, 2014; Samurai ranked on the top, followed by farmers, artisans, and merchants on the bottom. What happen was that most of the times the samurai where poor while the merchants lived in economic success. But samurai had the privilege of using certain types of fabrics and patters, even tho most of the times they could not afford them, and so, the merchants would start to adapt the fabrics and patters they were allowed to were and would end up becoming the patrons of arts and fashion. The trends of fashion would later be documented in ukiyo-e, and not only in the work of art sense, but also in pattern books were people could browse the prevailing styles. After the 1st contacts with the westerners, what would start to happen is that slowly but surely the Japanese would start to integrate the western ways of dressing into their lives. The Japanese started to introduce some of its elements with the kimono, shoes, hats, gloves, glasses, umbrellas, etc. Then in the 19th century a full change would happen starting from the man in the highest classes to the man in the lowest classes. The emperor decided to cut his topknot in 1872 and started to dress in western clothing in official appearances, also changing some of the more cultural habits like eating meat and more wester kind of meals. In the official portraits he appears adorned with a French-style military uniform with ornaments in gold and ostrich feathers. Before this, the emperor was never a public figure, so when pictures of the Meiji Emperor became available, and he started to appear more publicly the nation would have their eyes on him and start to imitate him. Women would, for the longest time still dress in the now classic kimono, that would develop as a symbol of the old and traditional Japan. The idea of the western clothing being associated with a modernized Japan and the Kimono [that literally means “thing to wear”] to a traditional country came from the fact that the emperor would choose to wear western clothes in more formal, international events, and for religious national events would choose the traditional Japanese court dress. The western clothes will end up being a symbol of the modernization of Japan, and the Meiji government would use it as yet another tool of national control. For all the Japanese born after 1945 the western clothes became the norm. Most families would end up transforming their kimonos into western clothing pieces, and the patterns sold for kimonos would double for kimonos and western clothing.

But it is funny to notice how despite it all Muzan is the one being presented in western clothing and Ubuyashiki is the one in traditional clothes, always being the contradiction of the other, but also it can also be interpretated as the Ubuyashibi family being "trapped" in the past since in hundred years the corps never killed an upper moon, the history never changed. And Muzan in his ever-changing cycle of his life, in the changing of eras and changing of personas he decided to reuse the only thing he could: his clothes. And just like him, they would adapt through the times.

MILHAUPT, Terry Satsuki. 2014 - Kimono: A Modern History. London: Reaktion Books [Ebook]; SLADE, Toby. 2009 - Japanese Fashion: A cultural History. Oxford, Berg. [Ebook];

[hillbillyoracle]

Androgynous/Masc Leaning Capsule Wardrobe Ideas

In honor of International Nonbinary People’s Day, I offer you the clothing advice I wish I had like 15 years ago. I prefer a small well curated wardrobe but it is so tough to pull that off as a nonbinary genderfluid person. I spent years struggling to make my capsule wardrobe work for me. Every example I saw was either with feminine clothes or with the world blandest men’s clothing. 

For reference, I’m AFAB and live in Kentucky - very hot and muggy in summers, can get quite cold (-20 F) in winter but it’s usually mild with highs are in the 30F-40F range most days. This is the advice I’d give my younger self if I could. 

Focus on 10-15 Core Items

While I am fluid, I consistently spend most of my time “inbetween” these days. Having a neutral to masc learning main wardrobe with some feminine items to mix in wound up working best for me. So here’s the masc leaning base wardrobe I recommend. 

~3 x Button Ups - I went with short sleeve Hawaiian shirts for myself because I love bold patterns. You can find a lot of Hawaiian shirt these days that don’t have stereotypical “island” patterns on them while still being pretty light and breathable in summer. If your style leans more classic, consider oxford cloth button ups. You might need more button ups if you work in a business casual setting. 

~3 x Tees - I like graphic tees, specifically hand screen printed ones so that’s what I go with. But if your style is more classic then consider investing in some good quality solid color tees. 

~3 x Casual Tops - for me this is a tank top, turtleneck, and a Henley. But you might consider a collarless button ups, plain long sleeve shirts, and ringer style long sleeve shirts. 

~3 Pants - for me, I have black and stone washed denim since those are my favorites. I look for tapered fits over skinny or boot leg where I can. I have one pair that’s a jogger style I quite like. You might look for chinos or khakis if you have a more formal dress code at work but they’ll still work with graphic tees and other tops if you style them right. 

~3 x Layers - for me this is a cardigan, a flannel, and a hoodie. You might consider v neck or crew neck sweaters, cable knit sweaters, and fair isle sweaters as well. 

Feminine Clothing Module

What’s nice about this approach is that you can then create a feminine clothing module that plays nicely with your main wardrobe. 

For me this looks like

1-2 Dresses - I have a maxi tee dress and a long sleeved linen dress since that works more for everyday wear for me. 

1-2 Skirts - I don’t have any presently but the next big feminine swing I have I’ll be ordering a nice linen skirt in my favorite color. 

1-2 Casual Tops - I don’t have any presently after my last big wardrobe edit but business casual shell tops, camisoles, and cowl neck tops work well here. 

1-2 Layers - I have a linen blazer in a women’s cut and a long striped duster. You might consider a kimono style shrug/wraps, sweaters in a more feminine cut, and women’s cardigans

You don’t need a lot here because so much of the main wardrobe can be mixed with a feminine element or two and it becomes much more feminine - especially if you’re AFAB but even if you’re AMAB. It doesn’t take a lot a feminine clothing to make an over all outfit look more feminine and subtle touches work just as well as more overt styles ime.

Sizing

Sizing is tricky as hell. I’m plus size (size 18-20 in women’s pants) and especially trying to find masculine stuff with the right fit is a pain. I really recommend going in to try things on if you’re able but if not get comfortable with the idea you will likely need to send things back. Yes you can take measurements but those measurements are still listed with different proportions in mind. 

For men’s clothes I lean toward a slightly oversized fit - as most men I’m around do. For women’s clothes, I lean toward a slightly tight fit - as most women I’m around do. Look at the people around you and see which fits they lean toward and opt for that where you’re able to for yourself. 

Shoes, Outwear, Special Occasions

Shoes - I tend to opt to go neutral in my shoes and outerwear. Not in color or pattern mind you but gender. For shoes, I currently have 3 pairs - a pair of crocs (with spikes), running shoes/sneakers (old Champion brand slip ons), and a pair of Doc Martens. These are good options if you’re AMAB too because the sizing is unisex or available in similar styles for men and women. Other good options are Vans, Chucks, any hippie sandal brand you can think of. “Nicer” shoes are great but often pretty gendered. I lean toward getting “nicer shoes” that are opposite my assigned gender when I do grab them. 

Outerwear - I also tend to opt for gender neutral options for outerwear too. Since it doesn’t get terribly cold here, I stick to a micropuff jacket from North Face and layer a black denim jacket over it when it gets cold. When I wear it with masc stuff, blends in. When I wear it with feminine stuff, it adds a slight edge I like. Pea coats are decent options as well. If you live some place real cold, a lot of the long winter coats are basically the same between genders, just different fits. 

Special Occasions - I would recommend not worrying about special occasions until or unless they come up. I have the same two “special occasion” dresses that I’ve been using for years because they come up so rarely and I can’t bare to spend too much money on something I’ll wear maybe once or twice a year. Formal wear is highly gendered and if you learn androgynous it’s a tough needle to thread. For those events with hosts you know, it’s worth reaching out to them to see what they think makes an outfit “formal” - could be nicer cuts or materials, could be rigid gender norms - can’t know until you ask. 

For most special occasions, I do not know the host, so I default very structured looks in accordance with my assigned gender. Still feels a bit edgy but no ones gonna have the guts to say it’s wrong. For AMAB folks you might do the inverse, more flowy looks and colors while still adhering to your assigned gender. All depends on the level of familiarity you have with the hosts and the flack you’re willing to catch. 

Outfits

Some masc leaning outfit ideas: 

button up, hoodie, pants, boots

graphic tee, flannel or cardigan, pants, sneakers

turtleneck, pants, boat shoes

button up, tie, cardigan, pants, chelsea boots

Some fem leaning outfit ideas: 

button up, cardigan, skirt, sneakers

shell top, wrap, pants, sandals

graphic tee, skirt, sneakers

dress, sandals

Conclusion

Hope this was helpful to someone out there! 

[elliottjpg]

(click for quality)

I went to an exhibit on kimonos with my best friend; we came across this ukio-e of a kabuki play about a lady thief, and she pointed at it and said "That's Fujiko", while I laughed at the deadpan face of the guy in the middle.

Three weeks later, here I am.

Original ukio-e and some trivia about kabuki under the cut !

Scene from the play "Journey to the East along the fifty-three stations" - Edo (Tokyo), Japan, 1854; polychrome woodblock print

Bandô Shûka, on the left, was a kabuki actor renowed for playing female roles. These onnagata (men playing female roles) were considered the incarnation of ideal feminity. Many of them chose to live as women off-stage as well. Their life-style, their hairdos and their accessories were imitated by fancy women. Here, Shûka played the role of a famous lady thief. He is wearing a distinctive kimono with a skeleton pattern.

[moth-time]

The EMPEROR OF XING's most TRUSTED SERVANT stumbles upon a SHOCKINGLY INTIMATE MOMENT with a MYSTERIOUS FOREIGNER, buy these prints to find out what HAPPENS NEXT

Ok dramatic clickbait descriptions aside, I’ve wanted to draw something in this style for a while now, and these three seemed like an excellent subject! This was really fun to do and I learned a lot. Click through to full size for all the little details, I spent way too much time on their clothes and the resize does not do them justice x)

[ID: A drawing of Ling, Greed and Lan Fan from Fullmetal Alchemist, inspired by shunga - a type of japanese erotic painting from the Edo period. Ling and Greed are in the forefront of the picture, sitting on the ground in front of a low tea-table. They are tangled together and their faces are very close and smiling. In the background, hidden behind a sliding panel, is Lan Fan. She is kneeling and peeking into the room at the two men, a hand over her mouth. All three of them are wearing fancy patterned kimonos - blue with a fish scale pattern for Lan Fan, yellow with clouds and mountains for Ling, and black with a grass pattern for Greed.]

[tanuki-kimono]

Samurai's ranks and dress code in Late Edo period

AMAZING reference chart put together by Nadeshico Rin, showing the different attires worn by the men of the buke class in and about Edo Castle. OP stresses the chart is by no means exhaustive - but it helps picturing things SO MUCH!

For easier reading, I have adapted the chart with english translation. Rin has also created illustrations detailing each attire, I'll translate those in coming days under the tag "samurai kimono".

You'll find the transliteration below cut:

The court ranks - Mibun 身分 or Ikai (位階)

Find more about the exact titles here.

一位 Ichii (First court rank)

三位 Sanmi (Third court rank) and 四位 Shii (Fourth court rank)

Goi 五位 (Fifth court rank​)

Omemie ijô 御目見 以上, the "upper" vassals allowed to request audience with the shogun

Omemie ika 御目見 以下, the "lesser" vassals (not allowed to request audience with the shogun)

Rin does not mention the second court rank (二位 Nii) so I am not sure where this one is supposed to go ^^;

The clan/families - Kamei 家名

徳川将軍家 Tokugawa shôgunke (Tokugawa Shogun clan)

尾張徳川家 Owari Tokugawake (Owari Tokugawa clan), 紀伊徳川家 Kii Tokugawake (Kii Tokugawa clan), 水戸徳川家 Mito Tokugawake (Mito Tokugawa clan), 徳川御三卿 Tokugawa gosankyo (Secondary Tokugawa branch clans: Tayasu, Shimizu, and Hitotsubashi)

三奉行 Sanbugyô, & 下三奉行 Shimosan bugyô (magistrates, governors)

旗本 Hatamoto (general term for upper-rank vassals of the Tokugawa)

御家人 Gokenin (general term for lower-rank vassals of the Tokugawa)

Outfits TPO (Time, Place, Occasion)

第一礼服 (大礼 など) Daiichi raifuku (tairei nado) - Most formal outfit worn during State/important ceremonies, etc.

礼服 (正月など) Raifuku (Shogatsu nado) - Formal outfit, worn for events like New Year, etc.

通常礼服 (節句など) Tsûjô raifuku (sekku nado) - Regular formal outfit, worn during seasonal festivals, etc.

平服 Heifuku - Everyday outfit

Type of outfits

Rin has released separated charts detailing the different costumes. You'll find them translated here in coming days.

束帯 Sokutai - old ceremonial court dress, first worn by Heian nobility. Attire includes the 笏 shaku (flat ritual sceptre), and 冠 kanmuri hat.

衣冠 Ikan - old ceremonial court dress, much more simpler than sokutai

布衣 Hoi - "plain" 狩衣 kariginu (which were informal clothes worn by the nobility from the Heian period and onwards)

素襖 Suô - ceremonial dress of the lower-ranked samurai

直垂 Hitatare - ceremonial court robe​

狩衣 Kariginu - patterned kariginu (informal clothes worn by the nobility from the Heian period and onwards)

大紋 Daimon - 直垂 hitatare with large family crests

直衣 Nôshi - everyday robes which were first worn by males of the imperial family during Heian era, and then spread among nobility, etc.

長上下 Naga Kamishimo - outfit pairing a sleeveless ceremonial robe called 肩衣 kataginu, with trailing pants called 長袴 nagabakama

半上下 Han Kamishimo - outfit pairing a sleeveless ceremonial robe called 肩衣 kataginu, with ankle lenght pants called 半袴 hanbakama

[villainbait]

Sins of the Shrine - Chapter Two

Pairing: Heian!Sukuna x Reader

Rating: R

Word count: 2k

AO3 LINK

Chapter Warnings: heian period brutality, light body horror, thriller, curses do exist, sexual themes, eventually, torture, threats, graphic depictions of blood, ryomen sukuna is his own warning, pre-transformation sukuna, potential manga spoilers

Summary:

The other miko had whispered of a shrine that separated the clearing of your own but you had forgotten their warning. It was very important, but you had forgotten it. A hushed warning about a demon that dwelled there, his cursed energy so thick it could choke you to death just by being in his presence- that's if you survived long enough for that to be your fate. Whether you come as a lover or an executioner, I am ready to receive you. -Agustin Gomez-Arcos

prologue ↠ i. ↠ ii.

You imagine most people’s first question upon meeting a deity are usually things like, ‘Are you here to kill me?’ or ‘Please, will you save my dying family?’ but you find yourself burning with a different question entirely. “Why are you wearing a woman’s kimono?” 

However, a question like that would certainly get you killed, so you of course do not ask it of the great Ryomen Sukuna, strongest jujutsu sorcerer of the realm and rumored deity. Oh, but you want to and you bite your tongue hard to refrain from asking something that could offend him. Yet despite the obviously gendered garb, it didn’t look ridiculous on him as it would many other men. He still cut an imposing figure despite the clash of styles, and he stood with one arm tucked into the slit of it to rest casually.

Instead, you stupidly blurt out a paltry excuse for a greeting that would have your extremely decorous father in absolute shambles had he heard it. 

“Oh, uhm, wow.” 

Sukuna continues to hover over you and you just simply do not move to greet him in any appropriate fashion, resigned to whatever fate he decides to bestow upon you. You weren’t even sure you could move when your legs still felt like those strange wiggly meat jellies you sometimes saw your father eating at the dinner table. When you don’t elaborate, his eyes narrow and it’s on the bleeding tip of your tongue to apologize when he chases away the silence with his question. 

“Do I scare you?” His manner of speech is a confusing mixture of rough and refined, his tone that of the aristocracy but the harsh words of a commoner. You take his question with every ounce of seriousness your body possesses though and take the time granted to you to study him. He certainly looks vaguely monstrous, his double set of eyes a ruby red so violent it makes you shiver. Yet, his unique carnation pink hair softens the harshness of his appearance and the beautiful markings on his face make your fingers ache to trace the unique pattern, wondering what the texture of ink on his skin would feel like. You’d never seen tattoos before though you had heard in the many years of eavesdropping on your servants that criminals and other unsavory types were branded similarly for all to see. Was his a mark of his misdeeds or something more symbolic? 

More of them peeked out from where his kimono had partially fallen open and it makes you want to know where else he had them. The thought was far too inappropriate and you flushed, hoping he wasn’t really a god and couldn’t read your impure thoughts. Your eyes dart back to his own and you realize he’s still waiting for your answer. 

What a patient god he was.

“You’re beautiful, actually.” Your genuinely awestruck reply doesn’t answer his question at all and you realize what you’ve said too late. Oh, that mouth of yours is going to get you killed absolutely for sure and you brace yourself for the mortal blow that never comes. In your cowardice, you had closed your eyes tightly against this particular death, unwilling to watch your guts be splattered across the lawn along with the disgusting curse next to you. After a moment, the realization sinks in that you were still alive and you risk a peek at the enigmatic sorcerer. It’s astonishing to you to find Sukuna looking positively stunned by your words and you wonder if no one had ever called him beautiful before. It would not occur to you until much later that it wasn’t that no one had ever commented upon this vision of a man, it’s that they never lived long enough after seeing it. 

He breaks your gaze first as the loud crack of a bone between teeth punctuates the otherwise quiet evening. Your gaze is drawn to see what he was staring at and find your dogs have made an absolute mess of the perfectly manicured temple lawn. The silence eats away at you the longer it hangs between the two of you and you realize you have grown accustomed to the general nattering of your shrine mates over the past moon cycle. A question suddenly tumbles tentatively from your lips if for no other reason than to confirm that you were, in fact, staring death in the face; his form a beautifully frightening man.

“I’m not mistaken to believe you’re Ryomen Sukuna, am I?” You ask faintly and his lips quirk up into a smirk in response while he continues to watch the dogs with idle interest. Your question granted you another few moments to live, but that’s if your heart didn’t give out first with how frantically it rattled around in your chest. It threatened to stop entirely when he replied, “So you do know who I am, and yet you don’t greet me properly.” 

Fair point. 

You thought about making the excuse of how your legs still felt too wobbly to move, but you had an inkling any excuse at all would be grounds for your immediate departure from life. 

“I’ve never met a god before so I’m not sure how one greets such a being.”  “Maybe you should try.” His voice lowered and his cursed energy sparks along your exposed skin like a threat. You scramble to your knees to bow low in the mockery of a formal greeting, relieved you didn’t fall face first into the grass and embarrass yourself further. The slight rustling of cloth has you lifting your head to find Sukuna crouching in front of you and you realize how close he is. He cups your chin between two clawed fingers and pulls your face inches from his to scrutinize you with an unreadable expression, his thumb nail pricking the soft flesh of your cheek. You fight the urge to jerk away from his grip, but being this close to him is agony. The desire to touch the markings on his face is unbearable but so is the smothering weight of his cursed energy. 

It makes you squirm and you want to tell him to stop but he has commanded you to do something for him. You don’t deny a demand from Ryomen Sukuna and live. Instead, you couldn’t take it anymore and you push back at his energy with your own until it doesn’t feel as biting; but not so much as to be perceived as a threat. His eyes widen imperceptibly at your resistance and you notice it this close to him, wondering just what it was you had done for him to look at you like that. It was on the tip of your tongue to ask when the loud, sickening sound of the dogs eating made it impossible for you to be courteous and you sigh heavily, abandoning the futile attempt at any courtly civility. Both of you glance to the side simultaneously at the noise and you can’t help but wince at the gruesome sight. 

“I’m sorry for that. They have terrible table manners.” You spoke in a low tone and he waves you off nonchalantly with his free hand.

“I’ve made worse messes here.” He mistakes your stricken expression for continued worry and offers a type of platitude he normally reserves for Uraume alone. “The rains will take care of it, it’s whatever.” 

Sukuna realizes he is still holding your face hostage and releases you abruptly. You bounce to your feet quickly, stuttering back a few steps to catch your breath and put some distance between the two of you; for what good that would do. One way or another you were certain Ryomen Sukuna was going to be the death of you.

“...Oh.” You stand there awkwardly and unsure of what’s going to happen next, your gaze alternating between staring at Sukuna and the sky. He doesn’t ask if you’re okay and you don’t take it personally because why would this great sorcerer be concerned over the well-being of one little mortal. Both of you soundlessly watch the demon dogs in silence eat the rest of the curse before trotting back over. His crimson eyes follow the dogs closely as they melt into your faint shadow cast by the moonlight and only turns that gaze back to you when they’ve disappeared completely. 

“What’s your cursed technique?” He asks and you can tell he’s curious. You only wish you had more to say to satiate it. 

“You know, I don't really understand it. The dogs just came to me one day when I was a child and decided they wished to live in my shadow.” You look over to find his attention on you and you shrug nonchalantly. “So I let them.” 

Interesting. Your voice reminds Sukuna of Uraume and it doesn’t annoy him, though you talk a little too much for his taste. It unnerves him that he's not annoyed, but he allows his curiosity free reign. 

“Are you from the shrine nearby? Did you get lost?” 

“...How did you know?” 

The narrowing of his eyes as they sweep down your body make you follow his line of sight and you laugh weakly. “Right, how silly of me. Yes, I recently came here after receiving formal training, but it’s not like I had much of a choice.” You sigh in quiet resignation, staring at the sky as a particularly bright star distracts you. You were growing more comfortable in his suffocating presence by the minute. “I don’t like it there.” 

“Stay here if you want then, I don’t care.” He paused and you noticed a suddenly strange expression on his face before he schooled it. Clearly done with the conversation, he suddenly turns to leave and his parting words float over his shoulder. “You can find your way back on your own, can’t you?” 

You nod quickly and turn to head back through the torii in which you arrived but pause as you remember the etiquette that at times had been quite literally beaten into you, swiveling in a rush of cloth. The untimely arrival of Uraume was unfortunate as your voice cracks loudly in the darkness and the white-haired attendant’s eyes widen with shock at the utterly disrespectful display towards their master. 

“Sukuna!” 

He half-turns to look at you and for the second time that night he is struck momentarily speechless, this time by how lovely you look caressed by the gentle illumination of the waning moonlight. The soft, trusting smile you offered to him was so devastating that he almost missed your simple but heartfelt words. 

“Thank you!” 

Your graceful bow was the result of an art perfected, but you straightened and turned to find a white-haired gender cryptid frowning at you with a basket full of plants in their arms. It surprises you and recognition flares as you remember them being in the forest earlier when you were being chased and how they hadn’t bothered to help you. The two of you stare at one another for a moment longer before you scamper past them and make your way back to the shrine to gather your things. 

Uraume traipses after Sukuna and it was burning into their mind to ask, but as they open their mouth the sorcerer cuts them off. 

“Don’t ask.” 

“Forgive my impertinence, but is it wise?” Uraume asks anyway and risks the ire of their master, though the rest of their sentence remains unsaid. However, the implication was clear that Sukuna’s attendant didn’t approve.

He grunted in response as they made their way inside the temple, too caught up in his own thoughts of the peculiar human that was you to bother answering Uraume. Sukuna didn’t usually question himself but for once, he wasn’t sure what the hell he had done that for either. 

Stay here if you want then, I don’t care. The words had come out of his mouth and Sukuna wondered for a moment if he had been possessed by something other than his own cursed life to offer this slip of a girl a place in his home. Granted, he did find her cursed technique interesting, but interesting enough to give her permission to stay? 

Well, he could always get rid of her if she became too much of a nuisance.

A/N: Thank you for reading chapter two. I hope you enjoyed Sukuna's appearance finally and I'm sorry it took so long but I wanted to properly set the story up. Please look forward to more. ♥

prologue ↠ i. ↠ ii.

[kani-miso]

short analysis on es' 4th anniversary art

i do not play around when talking about es milgram

es' kimono

es is using a black kimono. before analyzing the colors, let's talk about the history of kimonos color combination first.

short history of kimonos color combination

the first form of kimono worn in the court society was called junihitoe, which refers to a set of clothes that consist of numerous layers of robes and coats. the color combination of layers shown around the sleeves determine the level of sophistication and rank of the person wearing it.

now, let's talk about the colors

black : the black color is often used in japanese kimono to represent power and elegance. the black fabric of a kimono is often used to represent femininity and beauty in japan. the color's deep shade was originally created as an alternative for cherry blossom flowers, which were not available during winter months (source). despite es having a more masculine outlook most of the times(assertive behavior and social dominance) ,there's alot of stereotypical feminine mannerisms that balance it out, such as : crossing their legs and putting their hand inwards (from undercover), politeness (their pose in the 4th anni art), and their long sleeves on their kimono (does this even count as a mannerism, i just wanted to point it because women usually wear longer sleeves when using a kimono). es is so gender

gold : the gold color is often used in japanese kimono to make a rich symphony of colors. gold represents wealth, luxury and prosperity and evokes feelings of grandeur and sophistication . gold can also represent love.

kimono length

their kimono is a standard one. their kimono is considered very formal kimono, a black silk kimono worn over a white under-kimono and hakama (although es is not using a hakama). their sleeves can be considered long. long sleeves on a kimono are usually used to ward off evil.

sash

their sash (previously from their robe) is placed on their left shoulder and elbow. its color is gold, the gold is a pale and muted gold .the sash on the shoulder seems to have one of those restraints on the prisoner outfits

obi

man that obi is pretty long.

the kimono sash, an obi, is a traditional japanese belt that holds great significance in japanese culture. beyond securing a kimono, the obi represents a beautiful fusion of art, craftsmanship, and history.

es' obi is a black obi with additional gold(?) patterns. es' obi is probably the men's obi belt because their obi belt is using a dark color which is black with a plain pattern. although, their obi belts size does not correspond with the men's obi belt. men's obi belt (kaku obi) are usually narrow, es' obi is wide. wide obi's are usually worn by women.

also, the obi pattern kind of looks like kotoko's warden hat in deepcover!

es' overall color scheme

i'm pretty sure es' color scheme is colder than the others

it can mean 2 things: personality-wise or physical status

personality-wise : a cold person, often characterized by specific cold personality traits, is someone perceived as emotionally distant and unexpressive. they usually come across as detached, exhibiting an indifference to social interactions and the emotions of others, a hallmark of what some might label a cold-hearted person. es isn't exactly a cold person, it's just to make them seem professional.

physical status : when your body grows cold and becomes pale-ish, that means you're in the process of dying, not sure if this is important at all (maybe to the 'victim amalgamation' theory or the 'everyone's dead' theory).

[endersketch]

POV your Boss teleports you to Japan... for lunch. Also your clothes are gone. (pretend there are shops in the background.)

This Dark is a friend's interpretation. The twins were Japanese and outward gender is in constant flux. Note that their kimono is in the "dead" orientation, and their shoes are a mens style. I want to design a better pattern for Dark's kimono. The OC is Zion, my Google software engineer that works for Dark's company. He's confused. Poor thing. They go on work lunches offten when they're having meetings, but this was the first time they went out of the country hehe

[graciereyy]

The Siren And The Samurai Chapter: 1

Happens after events of last episode! POSSIBLE SPOILERS.

*warning! This will have alot of possibly triggering stuff just like the actual show so be advised.*

Mizu awoke from the yell of the boaters.

“WE’RE CLOSE! GO GET THEM!”

She moaned in complaint from the loss of comfort in her sleep. “Sir, we are close to London and getting closer by the second. Im sorry to wake you, but you need to be up here.”She deeply exhaled.

“Oh alright.” She gathered her things and went outside, the cool breeze made her calm. They were right, London was close-by. A rush of excitement filled her, she could just imagine killing those men already . “are you guys going to stay here? Because i need that irish fuck here, so i can go to him when i need him.” One of the boaters grinned.

“Yeah, we’re going to stay a while. We have quite some business to do here, you dont need to worry about a thing.” She hummed in confirmation then fixed her bangs. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“Business.” She looked behind her and sighed in relief. “Oh look we’re here.” She was happy to get off this damn boat after so long, it felt like she was stuck in a hole forever, but not anymore, more subtle excitement rushed into her body, She was so ready to leave and get off the water and go back on her way. “Hm, its still dark out..” she mumbled to herself. She turned back to the men “so can i just explore? I need some direction.”

“Hell yeah, have at it boy.” One of them said as the other ran to tie the boat to the port. “Just make sure your able to get back.”

“I will.” She mumbled. She took a deep breath then turned around to leave the boat for a while. When her foot touched the port she felt a release in herself. She slowly made her way into the smaller downtown part of the city, it wasn’t like japan at all and she wasn’t used everything being so different, especially when it came to clothes. The women wore these restrictive looking things on their torsos, elegant looking but also looked kind of uncomfortable; With long layered skirts.

While the men wore vests and ugly looking pants. She felt kind of judged just wearing her kimono, the townspeople probably never seen clothes like hers just like she hasn’t seen clothes like theirs but she didn’t really care about that, as long as she wasn’t being looked to as inferior unlike a certain almost bald samurai she was fine.

While she did think about him she didn’t really know how to feel about him. She doesn’t have the time to find out right now, not like he ever actually liked her anyway. She sighed as she made her way to what the townspeople call “The Plaza” its a circular part of town with a stage in the middle, the golden lanterns lit it up beautifully. it looked like the main place a festival would be, which piqued her interest only by a little. Well not until the guy on stage announced one of the singers.

“ Unfortunately theres someone going to be performing in the morning that isn’t very expected or wanted, tomorrow morning THE SIREN is going to perform..” most of the crowd booed while some didn’t even know how to react themselves. Mizu was one of them, she was so confused by it. Why were they called the siren and why weren’t they liked? She just decided to go back to the port.

When she was pretty close to port she saw a strange looking girl with long brown hair, even longer than her own with it getting lighter at the very ends, but also short; reminding her of a tiny mouse. But something else caught her eye about the girl, her clothes looked promiscuous compared to both hers and the the townspeople, her skirt was layered but shorter, a few inches above her knees. her corset had a floral pattern with transparent puffy sleeves. She noticed her staring and their eyes locked, her brown eyes just engraved into Mizus head.

She just ran away and back into the boat. She cleared her throat and deepened her voice “im going to check on, Abijah.” One of the boaters nodded in response. She made her way to the cell while tapping on the wood of the boat, trying to annoy him. Out came a sinister chuckle as she was noticed.

“Ah, little miss Mizu. Ive been waiting for you…” he cooed.

“Ah huh. Okay.”

He grabbed the metal of the cell and twirled his hair sarcastically, as he said “ I’ve been so very lonely down here by myself Mizu.. cant you let me out now?.” He cooed in the tone of an innocent girl.

“Yeah no, you can stay down here for now. You’re going to be here as long as i need you then im going to kill you.”

he growled quietly. “Just gonna use me like im a common whore? Okay fine have your own way then.”

[esotericas-sims]

Some first attempts at recreating Meiji Period outfits based on artworks by Yōshū Chikanobu.

Thoughts & references below the cut.

Masao's is based on this image from 1882,

And Hana's is based on this one which is from 1887,

Generally based on his artwork it seems like people either dressed "western" or "Japanese," I don't see a ton of examples of fusion of the two styles. Obviously, many of the women in "western" dress are still using Japanese fabrics, prints, and color combos, which are mostly what I used to help Hana's outfit match the inspirations. There are some examples of proper fusion, where people are wearing both Japanese and western clothes, and they largely seem to be on teenage girls?

The girl in this artwork from 1897 has a western hairstyle, a Japanese kimono, and what looks like a western dress on underneath? It's hard to tell, seeing as there's not much showing, but the pattern of the fabric and the shape of the sleeves seem very western.

Similarly, one girl in this image from 1890 seems to be wearing a kimono over the top of a more western-styled dress, with its button collar and narrow sleeves, but a Japanese-style skirt (or pants? the crease in the middle makes it look almost like pants) underneath.

Menswear looks like it's generally a lot simpler - I see a lot of double breasted military style coats in artworks of the Emperor, like this one. (Wikipedia claims it's from 1850 which is obviously not correct, but I'm not enough of an expert to try and date the artwork based on the outfits.)

Also notable, clearly male children were dressed pretty much like adult men. In this case, the kid has no sash, but the style is the same, with a double-breasted coat, about knee length, and all in black with gold trimmings. The men's outfits (when they're dressing western) in Chikanobu's artworks are all very similar, with minimal variation from figure to figure.

Another notable image I found is a dancing scene in this image from 1888. What stuck out to me was the fit of the top portion of the men's tailcoats, which is very different from men's eveningwear in the west.

Compared to this portrait from 1883, the Japanese coats clearly button further up the chest - I'm not sure I see a waistcoat at all, although it's hard to tell due to image resolution.

I am far from an expert on any sort of Japanese fashion, nor really on any historical fashion at all, so if anyone has information to offer (or cc to recommend, I'm really struggling here) I'd be happy to hear them!

[botd-if]

AYAKASHI FASHION

In the demon realm, Western fashion has made its mark on the Ayakashi community, leading to a captivating blend of Western and traditional Japanese garments. Women seamlessly incorporate Western-style dresses and accessories with traditional Japanese elements, creating a vibrant and enchanting aesthetic. Men have embraced Western suits as everyday attire, while still appreciating traditional Japanese garments like the haori, kimono, and a hakama.

Their wardrobes feature a wide array of traditional Japanese garments, including the elegant kimono, comfortable yukata, and dignified hakama. These garments serve as a canvas for intricate patterns, exquisite embroidery, and motifs. The silhouettes of their attire embrace loose and flowing designs, exuding an enchanting and graceful aura. Long, draping sleeves, layered fabrics, and delicate pleats further enhance the nature of their fashion choices.

The color palette that are trending in the realm are rich and vibrant, showcasing deep hues of red, blue, green, and purple. Additionally, metallic or iridescent tones are often incorporated, lending a touch of mystique and allure to their ensembles. Elaborate embroidery, delicate beading, and shimmering metallic accents adorn Ayakashi garments, adding a sense of opulence and beauty. Symbolic motifs, such as cherry blossoms, dragons, foxes, and etc are intricately woven into the fabric.

Accessories play a crucial role in Ayakashi fashion, completing their captivating looks. Ornate hairpieces, hats, gloves, delicate fans, and decorative obi belts are among the carefully chosen accessories. Hairpins adorned with gemstones, feathers, and symbolic charms add a whimsical touch to their hairstyles.

[narumi-gens]

Triptych | "I want the truth."

Chisaki Kai x f!Reader

summary: Your life is nothing more than a triptych, a work of art in three parts with each panel depicting a distinct period — a beginning, a middle, an end. And in the triptych that is your life, the central figure has always been Chisaki Kai.

chapter warnings: 18+ minors/ageless/blank blogs dni, angst, yandere, possessive behavior, imprisonment, emotional manipulation, emotional/psychological abuse

notes: this is from a non-chronological series so the parts can be read in any order. also, I'm using yakuza terminology so we're going with wakagashira for Overhaul and kumicho for our big boss man.

words: 2.4k

SERIES MASTERLIST

minors, blank, and ageless blogs do not like, comment, or reblog

The End

“Nemoto, I need your help with a sensitive matter.”

As Nemoto walks at Overhaul’s side through the winding maze of underground hallways and corridors, the words ring in his ears — especially since the sensitive matter in question is you. 

“I’m going to use the unfinished product on her. She won’t be able to use her Quirk, so you can draw the truth out of her.”

The mask Nemoto wears, the mask bestowed upon him by Overhaul, hides the mixture of surprise and awe on his face when the plan is explained to him. To be entrusted with you is further proof that among both the Eight Bullets and the entire Shie Hassaikai, he stands alone as integral to Overhaul’s ambitions. 

“I think once she sees it, she’ll finally understand this is where she belongs.”

The two men come to a stop in front of a locked room. Although with what lies inside and with how carefully Overhaul guards the key, it may as well be a vault. 

As Overhaul opens the door, a shaft of light from the hallway’s fluorescent bulbs cuts across the floor and illuminates the small room just enough to allow Nemoto to curiously scan his eyes over its contents. The room is barren, the only piece of furniture within is a twin-sized bed against one wall. 

But in the middle of the bed, curled up in a small ball and facing away from the door, lays the Shie Hassaikai’s most valuable possession second only to Eri — you. 

If not for the way your deep blue kimono and its crane pattern stands out starkly against the white bed sheets, then you would have simply melded into the room’s darkness. Especially as you make no movement upon their entrance. 

In fact, your figure is so still that Nemoto would wonder if you were actually dead if he didn’t already know that Overhaul would never allow it.

Overhaul makes his way to your side before gingerly sitting on the edge of your bed. You remain perfectly still, giving no sign that you’re aware that the two men are there. He reaches into his pocket and slips out a small case. Opening it, he carefully picks up one of the bullets inside and holds it up to look at it in the light from the hallway. 

After a long moment, he sets the case down beside him and turns to you. You apparently sense that his attention is now focused on you because you finally acknowledge his presence. 

“What do you want, Kai?” you ask, your voice rough with exhaustion and disuse. “What else could possibly be left?”

He reaches out a gloved hand to take the sleeve of your kimono and slide it up your arm until your bicep is exposed. 

“I want the truth,” he replies and before you can ask what that’s supposed to mean, he pricks your arm with the needle end of the bullet. 

You sharply inhale at the unexpected pain, your arm reflexively jerking away from his hold and your head snaps toward him. Despite the dim lighting and the distance between you, Nemoto can see the shock and confusion written across your face. 

But then your eyes catch sight of the bullet that’s still held aloft by Overhaul and they widen in what Nemoto easily identifies as fear. Your expression only grows more horrified when you notice that Overhaul isn’t alone and that Nemoto’s figure is standing in the doorway, seeming to piece together what Overhaul meant by “the truth.”

“Kai...w-what did you do?” you ask, your voice trembling as you scramble to sit up and put as much space as possible between the two of you. “M-my Quirk?”

Despite already having your back pressed to the wall, you continue to try and flatten yourself against it further. The air is becoming so saturated with your panic that even through his mask, Nemoto can practically taste it. 

Overhaul ignores your questions as he carefully returns the now-empty bullet to its case before slipping it back into his pocket. He then turns to you with a tired sigh.

“Do you realize the trouble you almost caused?” he asks, his voice tinged with exasperation. “What would we have done if Eri had actually gotten away? What if those heroes had put up a fight? We could have lost everything that we’ve been working towards these last couple of years.”

He glances down at his hands as he begins to remove one of his gloves. The action doesn’t escape you and your eyes are wide with terror as they follow every movement. When he reaches his bare hand out toward your face, you flinch away from him. But with your back already against the wall, there’s nowhere for you to go. 

When his hand is finally cupping your cheek, your loud whimper fills the room as you squeeze your eyes tightly shut. With the protection that your negation Quirk normally provides you now gone, a fearful tear rolls down your cheek as you prepare yourself for imminent and unfathomable pain. 

Nemoto watches on curiously, a silent observer to the entire interaction, unable to decide whether or not he should be surprised. He’s never seen Overhaul raise a hand to you. However, you’ve also never come so close to derailing his ambitions.

But rather than disassembling you as the both of you expect, Overhaul gently brushes away your single tear with his thumb. He then glances over his shoulder at Nemoto before returning his piercing eyes to yours.

“Nemoto.” 

If it’s possible to do so, he somehow manages to stand up even straighter at being addressed by the man he so deeply respects. 

“You keep giving Eri false hope that she can escape and fail every time. Don’t you think that’s cruel?” Overhaul asks you and Nemoto can see the way the fear on your face shifts from fear of pain to fear of the truth.

“Do you think that’s cruel?” Nemoto repeats, activating his Quirk and your gaze shifts to him before quickly returning to Overhaul. 

“Yes,” you whisper, the answer dragged from your lips. Your eyes fill with more tears as you’re clearly shaken by both the truth and the sensation of having experienced another person’s Quirk for the first time. 

“Crueler than taking her apart and reassembling her?” 

“Crueler than taking her apart and reassembling her?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” From the certainty with which he asks each question, it sounds like Overhaul already knows the answers. But Nemoto knows that this is for your benefit — to open your eyes to the truth.

“Why?”

“Because she trusts me to help her and I can’t do it.” Your voice is thick with emotion — fear, guilt, sadness, pain. 

“Eri’s already accepted her fate, now you need to do the same,” he tells you. He pauses before narrowing his eyes. “You asked those heroes for help, didn’t you?”

“Did you ask the heroes for help?”

“Yes,” you immediately reply, your voice cracking and even without being able to see your expression, Nemoto knows that so far, this is the one truth that you wish you hadn’t told.

“What did you tell them?” There’s no trace left of the leniency Overhaul usually allows you in his question. 

“What did you tell them?”

“I told them to take Eri,” you confess.

“Did you tell them why?”

“Did you tell them why?”

“No. I just told them to take her.” Some of the tension in the small room dissipates at the knowledge that you haven’t given away Overhaul’s plan. 

“So, you practically spelled out to those heroes that a small girl was in danger and they didn’t lift a finger to help you,” he muses. “They handed her right back to me.”

There’s then a meaningful pause as he lets the words sink in.

“Why do you think the heroes didn’t help you, even when they saw a little girl asking for help?”

“Why didn’t the heroes help you or Eri?”

“Because they’re cowards,” you say and for the first time, you don’t sound surprised by your answer. You sound resigned, knowing that no help will come for you. 

“Can you trust the heroes?” Overhaul asks, appeased by your reply. 

“Can you trust the heroes?”

“No,” you murmur and you finally seem defeated. 

“Good. I’m glad you already know that. Your place isn’t with the heroes,” he tells you tiredly, like he’s bored of having to explain this to you yet again. “You know that you belong with the Hassaikai.”

There’s then a pause, Overhaul clearly contemplating something. 

“When I showed up at your apartment that first time in Sapporo, how did you feel?” he asks, finally settling on a line of questioning. 

“How did you feel when Overhaul first came to see you in Sapporo?”

“Happy.” 

The word hangs in the air, Overhaul letting it resonate. 

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Because I missed home. I missed you,” you confess, the tears present once again in your voice as the truth is exposed and Nemoto realizes exactly what Overhaul is doing. 

He isn’t just trying to show you the truth. 

‘Shake up her heart…’

“Did you think that you could ever actually leave the Hassaikai?”

“Did you think that you could ever leave the Hassaikai for good?”

“No,” you say and the way fear colors the single word causes Nemoto to wonder if this is a question that you’ve asked yourself before. 

Overhaul takes another moment as he mentally maps out the answers that he’s looking for. 

“Do you think that our fates are intertwined?”

“Do you think that your fate is intertwined with Overhaul’s?”

“Yes.” Another immediate answer that seems to shake you to the very core. 

“Do you think you can ever be fully free of me?”

“Do you think you can ever be fully free of Overhaul?”

“No,” you reply as you begin to softly cry. 

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Because if someone tried to erase the pieces of you that make me who I am, then there would be nothing left behind,” you quietly admit. Nemoto can feel how satisfied Overhaul is with your answer. 

“That’s right. I’m your past, your present, and your future,” he tells you before pausing to ensure that he has your full attention. “Just like you��re mine.”

Nemoto finds himself reminded yet again of how he stands apart from every other member of the Eight Bullets in Overhaul’s eyes. He would never trust another member, perhaps only Kurono and Mimic, to witness such an interaction between the two of you. 

To only a select few in the Hassaikai are you more than just a silent figure, more than merely the kumicho’s daughter and the wakagashira’s wife. 

But Nemoto knows better. Nemoto has been trusted to know better.

“Do you love me?” Overhaul asks though the question is nothing but a simple formality that he already knows the answer to. 

“Do you love Overhaul?”

“Yes,” you reply before finally breaking down in sobs and Nemoto knows that his job is done. Your heart has been fully shaken and the only thing keeping you from collapsing is Overhaul’s hold on you. 

Taking advantage of your distress, Overhaul wraps his free arm around your waist and pulls you from your position against the wall toward him. He then rests his forehead against yours, his mask brushing against your face. 

“I know our history is long and complicated,” he begins, his voice softer, kinder, than Nemoto has ever heard it. “But buried beneath all of it at the very foundation is the truth — that you belong by my side at the head of the Shie Hassaikai. And now you know it without a doubt.” 

He holds you to him another moment longer before releasing you. With him no longer supporting you, you curl in on yourself under the weight of the truths that have been pulled from you. Overhaul then reaches into his pocket and pulls out the key to the room that you’re being kept in and sets it down on the bed, right in your line of sight.

“I’ll leave this with you. I don’t think I’ll need it anymore,” he says, a show of trust that you no longer need to be kept under lock and key. As he begins to put on the glove that he took off earlier, he turns to the other matter that brought him to you. “I’m meeting with Shigaraki tomorrow. I’d like you to be there for it.”

You’re quiet and Nemoto thinks you won’t respond, still reeling from everything that’s just happened. 

“Why?” you ask, surprising Nemoto when you do so. He glances at Overhaul, but sees none of the same surprise, already knowing that your curiosity would get the better of you.

“Because you’re good at reading people,” he replies. “I want to hear what you have to say before we make any final decisions regarding the League.”

Nemoto finds himself pleased yet again at being allowed to witness another interaction that demonstrates the high regard that Overhaul holds you in. 

“Don’t worry, you’ll have your Quirk back by then,” he assures you and Nemoto can see the relief in your form that you haven’t had your Quirk taken away from you permanently. “I would never take it from you.”

He then stands up and slips his hands into his pockets before looking down at you. 

“It might be the only one in existence that’s actually pure,” he says with the smallest hint of amusement. 

Without waiting for you to respond, he walks away from you and out of the room, leaving the door wide open in his wake. Nemoto wordlessly joins him at his side.

“Good work, Nemoto,” Overhaul offers and Nemoto feels pride bursting in his chest. 

Yes, he truly is different from the rest of the Shie Hassaikai. Only he can be trusted with protecting both Overhaul’s ambitions and Overhaul’s heart.