Saiunkoku Monogatari - Prolog

After finishing the first season and the latest episode of the second season, I want to write something about this series. I'm now a crazy fan of Saiunkoku Monogatari. I want to dedicate something to Jun Shishido (the director) as well as Sai Yukino (the author), and the only thing I can do is to blog the whole series. It's very difficult to translate the beauty of the animation, the character design, the music, the expression of the characters....but I'm trying my best to translate the anime into a light novel. It will take a lot of my time, but for the first time in my life, I'm really determined to do something....so Yukino please forgive me if you dont please with my writing...






Prolog:

A long time ago, in the era when the demons of the mountain forest ravaged the lands, a single young man started on a journey in the midst of that endless chaos. Fighting back the rampaging demons, and holding the peace and safety of the people in his heart, he continued his endless journey.

Moved by the man's spirit, eight enlightened beings (sen) gathered to the young man. Ran-sen (indigo), Kou-sen (crimson), Heki-sen (blue-green), Kou-sen (yellow), Haku-sen (white), Koku-sen (black), Sa-sen (brown), Shi-sen (purple). Bearing the names of colours, they eventually came to be called the "eight enlightened beings of colour", and they used their mysterious powers to help the young man.

The young man's name was Sougen. With the help of the eight enlightened ones' wisdom, he built the foundation for the nation, brought the dawn to a new era to the world of people, and was the first Emperor of Saiunkoku.

After the death of Sougen, the eight enlightened ones disappeared somewhere. However, it is said that they continue to live in the human world. It's possible that they still exist among the people. An elegant shrine was built out of respect for their being enlightened beings: the enlightened ones' den. Called the Sentoukyuu (Enlightened Ones' Cave Shrine) ; it still stands within the Imperial City.

Setting:

Saiunkoku had been divided into eight distinct provinces named after colours of the rainbow. Six hundred years ago, the Emperor commanded that the ruling family of each province change their names to match the province they ruled. Commoners were forbidden to share the same family names as nobles.

Provinces and ruling families: Each province in Saiunkoku is ruled by a noble family of the same name. All eight provinces and families are named after colours.

* Ran (藍, Ran?, Indigo) — The most powerful clan in Saiunkoku, although they play a dormant role in the political issues of the country.

* Kou (紅, Kō?, Crimson) — Equal power to that of the Ran clan. Along with the Ran clan, the Kou clan is known to be the 'highest of nobility'.

* Heki (碧, Heki?, Blue-Green)

* Kou (黄, Kō/Ki?, Yellow) — Although pronounced the same as the 'Crimson' (紅) clan, the kanji (黄) means 'yellow'

* Haku (白, Haku ?, White)

* Koku (黒, Koku ?, Black)

* Sa (茶, Sa?, Brown) — Known as the least distinguished clan in Saiunkoku

* Shi (紫, Shi?, Purple) — The family of the Emperor

At first, the positions of power were all hereditary, filled by the nobility. However, eventually the law was changed so that government officials were chosen on the basis of their results on difficult examinations. This did not significantly alter the balance of power, since the nobility could afford to hire the best tutors and continued to monopolize the top positions.

Eight years ago, the emperor's health began to fail. His second son was exiled because the prince's mother's family had tried to make a bid for power. Of the remaining five sons, the oldest four killed each other in their attempts to gain the throne. This left only the youngest prince to inherit the crown.