Tuesday 11 September 2018

Tanegashima Hiromoto, Award of Arms, 2018

The hot sun rises
Over Iwashimizu;
Hachiman’s temple.
Baldric and Breyla, mighty
Imperial sovereigns
Summon before them
A loyal bushi; name him
Tanegashima
Hiromoto: Twin arrows
Crossed atop a turtle’s shell.
Veteran of war
Trainer of Ashigaru
He serves and is served.
Sews the seeds of future
And of victories to come.
Tanegashima
Bushi of southern islands:
Service is honoured.
Our court recognizes you;
Know now your worth as tono.

Done this 7th day of Summer, in the 53rd Year of the Society, by our decree.

NOTES:
Composed as a renga (連歌) format of poetry.
"The hot sun rises" is a kigo (季語, "seasonal word") for summer.
Iwashimzu Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the the syncretic divinity of archery and war; this, along with the crossed arrows on the turtle's shell, is a reference to Hiromoto's heraldry.
Sewing the Seeds of the Future and Southern Island is a reference to the literal translation of Tanegashima.

Wording by Akashi Terumoto.

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