Post by Admin on Jun 1, 2016 1:26:58 GMT
Tarl describes Pani women generally accepting or tolerable of their partners' activities and he gives indication that women pay for their Companions' activities at pleasure houses and the like. Up until the arrival of Confucian and chauvinistic Buddhist values, women were able to have status, fight, position, and power. Today in traditional Japanese homes, women play the dominant role. I would assume and expect the same of Pani women. There is also more info on contract women vs collar-girls.
www2.gol.com/users/friedman/writings/p1.html
QUOTES:
"Interestingly, though I suppose there must be exceptions to this generalization, the women of the "strange men" seem generally reconciled to the fact, and will even expect, that their males will seek gratifications beyond the walls of their own domiciles. Nothing culturally heinous seems to be associated with this matter. As many companionships are arranged between families, with considerations not of love, or even of attraction, paramount, but to wealth, prestige, status, and such, and the young people often being scarcely considered in the matter, this is, I suppose, understandable. The female companion's complacency in this matter, or her understanding, or her tolerance, is, one gathers, quite different from what would be expected in the case of, say, a Gorean free companion, who, commonly, would find these arrangements outrageous and insufferable. For example, she would not likely, resignedly, without question, to pay a bill arriving at her domicile from a pleasure house, pertaining to the pleasant evening spent there by her companion. In the light of these considerations, to the extent they might apply, then, it should be clear why the "contract women" would not be likely to concern themselves overly much with collar-girls. First, they regard collar girls as far inferior to themselves, and thus scarcely in the category of rivals, and, secondly, they share the general view, as I understand it, of the women of the "strange men", namely that they have little or no hold over a male, and he may be expected to pick flowers, so to speak, where he pleases. If however, a contract woman might find herself in love with a client, she, being quite human, and utterly helpless in her contractual status, might, understandably, resent his interest, in, say, another contract woman, or, even as absurd as it might seem, a collar-girl."
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Apparently, the Pani regard anyone not of them as inferior it seems. It would regard the same view that Japan had (and still has) in respects to foreigners or outsiders. The Pani have little tolerance for cowardice, weakness, or disrespect. This passage regards Pertinax who accompanied Tarl and Tajima and whom I find to be the most annoying character in all of literature.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaijin
QUOTES:
"True," said Lord Nishida. "Tajima," said Lord Nishida quietly.
"Yes," said Tajima.
"The other's purpose was served, surely, when the reserve was reached, " said Lord Nishida. "Yet, I understand he in the camp. Why did you not kill him?"
"I was reluctant to stain my blade with inferior blood, that of a weakling, " said Tajima. "I would have left him behind for animals, but Tarl Cabot, tarnsman, our guest, desire that he be permitted to accompany us."
"I see, " said Lord Nishida. "You did right, then, to bring him to the camp."
Tajima bowed his head, slightly, acknowledging this judgement of Lord Nishida.
"He may be disposed of later, " said Lord Nishida.
"I am sure, " I said, "he may prove of service."
"There is no place in this camp, " said Lord Nishida, "for cowards or weaklings."
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As for weapons, the Pani do not name their weapons katana but simply call them swords. They use naginata, glaives, longbows, and swords. It is indicated that the swordsmen may know martial arts.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_martial_arts
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Weapons_of_Japan
QUOTES:
"He carried a single sword. I saw him, and he saw me. We did not exchange a greeting. He determined that most of our camp was asleep, and then, withdrew, to wait. He sat cross-legged for a time, facing our camp. Then, after a time, he had risen, unsheathed his unusual sword, and commenced his exercises."
"Hundreds of Pani stirred, looked to the platform, uneasy. Glaives, the long-shafted, curved-bladed naginata, were grasped.
From behind the platform, Pani archers rushed forth, standing between the platform and the mercernaries. Arrows were set to the strings of the Pani longbow, arrows which are released at the bow's lower third, muchly different from the release point of either the peasant or saddle bow.
Pani, both wielders of the glaive and graspers of the bow, looked to the platform."
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Pani seem to have a fondness for women with "unusual coloring" to be their collar-girls. Particularly, they are fond of long, blonde hair.
QUOTES:
"He then rearranged the hair of Miss Wentworth, first lifting it to the sides that its length and sheen might be noted, and then he put it carefully behind her back, spreading it nicely, evenly, behind the sheet.
Lord Nishida nodded. I gathered he was pleased.
I noted the interest, too, of the two contract women on the dais behind Lord Nishida, and to his left. I supposed they had seen few examples of such hair, given their presumed backgrounds, long, glossy, silken yellow hair, or blonde hair."
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Pani had daimyo and shogun. (Japanese words do not necessarily have plural when pronounced, so "geishas, naginatas, daimyos etc. do not make sense in their language. Plurals were later on added by Westerners.) When collar-girls are presented to them, they are usually stripped and covered with a sheet. It is also suggested that the Pani may have an emperor who rules them.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimyo
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Emperor
QUOTES:
"That is common," said Lord Nishida, "when one such as you is to be presented before a daimyo."
"What?" said Miss Wentworth.
"A lord," said Tajima.
"One such as I?" she said.
"Yes," said Tajima
This was not unlike a practice in the court of some Ubars, when a certain form of gift, or tribute, is being presented.
I would later learn that daimyo, or "great names" were vassals to a shogun, a high lord, usually a military governor, with an army at his disposal. A shogun was nominally subject to an emperor, but the emperor's role was largely ceremonial, and the true power, as is commonly the case, lies with those who are the masters of men and weapons.
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Pani have instruments such as the lyre, lute, and samisen. I would assume that would most likely have more than what is inquired here.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditiona ... nstruments
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_musical_instruments
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_musical_instrument
QUOTES:
"Can you play a stringed musical instrument, a lyre, a lute, a samisen?"
"No," she said.
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Pani contract women and possibly even collar-girls have a different series of dances as opposed to the traditional Gorean kajirae dances.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_dance
QUOTES:
The forms of dance of the women of the "strange men", would, I supposed, would be lovely and would be backgrounded by a rich cultural tradition, but I also supposed they would be quite different from a Gorean slave dance.
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There are some quotes referred too when it comes to bathing. Traditionally, bathing was an art Onsen or communal baths are usually filled with heated water from natural springs which are excellent for the skin and health. Usually, a bather must be required to wash thoroughly before entering a public bath. In hot spring resorts or towns, there are "hot-springs geisha" who will serve and bathe the right customer willing to pay.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_an ... an#Bathing
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen_geisha
QUOTES:
"Outside," said Tajima. "There are three tubs, filled with hot water, in which you may soak, and enjoy yourselves. It will be very pleasant, and there are, at hand, smooth scrapers of sandalwood, scents, oils, and towels.
"Outside?" said Miss Wentworth.
"She is not used to public bathing," I said.
"Interesting, " said Tajima. "We shall have one of the tubs brought within the hut."
Outside, a the three aforementioned tubs, Pertinax and I found, waiting, two lovely young women. They might have been of Ar, or Venna, or Telnus, from almost anywhere.
"These would have bathed you, " said Tajima.
"I see," I said.
Both women looked down frightened.
Perhaps they were new to their collars.
Both were naked.
"You may look upon them as you wish, " said Tajima. "These are not contract women, trained, refined entertainers, or such. They are simple, coarse slaves, no different from those from which you are familiar. You may note that their necks are encircled with collars, and may be confident that the collars are closed, and locked. Too, if you care to examine their left thighs, you will note, just under the hip, a brand."
I examined the brands. Both wore the cursive kef, the most common Gorean slave brand.
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There is a new breed of monkey called "Saru" which is what Miss Wentworth was renamed by her owner, Lord Nishida. It would probably be very similar to the Japanese Macaque.
QUOTES:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Macaque
The slave had been given the name 'Saru.' The saru is found variously on Gor, but usually in tropical areas. For example, it is common in the jungles of the Ua. Also, I learned from Tajima, it is found, here and there, in the home, so to speak, of the "strange men". The saru is a small, usuall arboreal animal. It is usually regarded with amusement, or contempt. It figures in children's stories as a cute, curious, mischievous little beast, but also one that is stupid, vain, and ignorant. Although the saru, as far as I can tell, is not a monkey zoologically, it surely occupies a smiliar, ecological niche, and resembles the monkey in its diet, habits, groupings, and such. It is tailless. I think it would not be amiss to think of the saru as a Gorean monkey.
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Tarl attempts to read Miss Wentworth's collar but can't due to the writing on it. I can only assume that the Pani utilized a Gorean form of kanji in their lettering.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji
QUOTES:
I examined the collar. "I cannot read the collar," I said. I supposed it was in Gorean, but it was not a common Gorean script. I had encountered something similar, long ago, in the Tahari, where Gorean was written in a quite different script, a flowing, beautiful script common in the Tahari.
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It is alluded that the Pani refer to themselves by their castles or places in which they inhabit. Possibly even a "period" of time in which their emperor may be reigning.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_castles
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_period
QUOTES:
"I assume your collar was read to you, " I said.
"Yes," she said.
"What does it say?" I asked.
"'I am the property of Lord Nishida of Nara'," she said.
This was doubtless of Lord Nishida.
"What is Nara?" I asked.
"I don't know," she said.
On the common Gorean collar it might be a city, a district, or even a cylinder. On her collar, for all I knew, it might be a place, a port, a caste, a family, a clan, or something else. I did not know what. I would later learn it was a citadel, a lofty fortress castle.
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The Pani are adamant about training their own people for war and not hiring others. Where they are currently located in Swordsmen is in a Tarncamp in which it is indicated houses outlaws and the like and are leftovers from the Arian/Cosian war. Tarncamp in the bool is a reserve of Port Kar. It would probably not be uncommon that Pani settled in camps with such, utilizing training and trade for the lost, but Lord Tajima is adamant about his men learning the tarn on their own without help of a cavalry. The Pani seem to rely on self-sufficiency, subterfuge, and secrecy in their war strategies.
QUOTES:
"Why do you and your people wish a tarn cavalry?" I asked.
"For purposes of war, of course, " said Lord Tajima.
"On continental Gor?" I asked.
"Elsewhere," said Tajima.
"Where?" I asked.
"Elsewhere," said Tajima, politely.
"Your forces, " I said to Tajima, "seem to have means. Why do you not hire a tarn cavalry, say, Treve in the Voltai?"
"Such a cavalry," said Tajima, "would be theirs, not ours. Also, how could such a hiring be concealed?"
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Pani trained in dojo
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dojo
QUOTES:
"There was a larger building, too, which had a plank floor and an open wall. This, I would learn, was a dojo, or training hall."
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The Pani, like traditional Japanese and most Asian countries, believe in committing ritual suicide when dishonor occurs or is brought upon them. Traditional suicide in Japan is called seppuku not hara-kiri and usually samurai performed such when they dishonored themselves, their daimyo, to avoid capture in defeat, and to make a protest. Seppuku was a formalized ritual in which a samurai bathed, dressed in white clothing, would eat his favorite meal, and then prepare for death by reciting a "death poem". His attendant, which would usually be a family member or trusted friend would prepare the death stroke. The samurai usually used a tanto or wakizashi and would cut into his abdomen, making a left to right cut. The attendant would then decaptitate or almost would so he would not die with painful indignity. There were usually spectators presents. The female form of ritual suicide was called jigai and she would cut her own throat; it was usually expected of women of samurai families. This fellow was prepared to commit suicide because he ran from a tarn.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigai
QUOTES:
I was preparing to leave the plaza, but, in turning about, I saw a sight which, to me, if not Tajima, and his people seemed exceedingly odd.
"What is going on there?" I asked.
"One is preparing to recover his honor, " said Tajima.
On a small platform, in a white kimono, one of Tajima's people, which I will now refer too as the Pani, as that of their word for themselves, knelt. His head was bowed, and before him, on the platform, was a curved wooden sheath, which contained, doubtless, a knife. Near the fellow, also clad in a rather formal kimono, white, stood a fellow with an unsheathed sword, of the longer sort.
"Do not intrude," said Tajima.
"What is the fellow with the sword doing?" I asked.
"It is sometimes difficult to perform the act," said Tajima. "If it cannot be well complete the swordsman will assist. There is no loss of honor in that."
"Stop!" I called.
"Do not interfere!" cried Tajima, whose suave placidity was for at once not at his disposal.
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There is a fellow called Nodachi who is called a ronen and of course would be indentical to the Japanese ronin.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronin
QUOTES:
"He is ronen," said Tajima. "A fellow of the waves, as it is said, one with no home, one carried by the current, one with no master, no captain. There are many such."
"A mercernary?" I suggested.
"Ah, Tarl Cabot, tarnsman," said Tajima, "how little you know of these things."
"Doubtless." I said.
"Loyalty," said Tajima, "is required of the warrior. His lord must be dead, or imprisoned. Or it may be he was betrayed by his lord, or that his lord proved unworthy of his devotion. It is lonely for the ronen. One remembers. One does not forget. Over the ice a cloud drifts. The bird clings to the cold branch. It cries its pain in the night."
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Infantrymen in Pani armies are called ashigaru. They were conscripted foot-soldiers during medieval Japan and were lower-ranking than samurai.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashigaru
QUOTES:
"A figure, in white, below, on the platform, was being supported by two of the infantrymen, or Ashigaru, as the Pani spoke of them."
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Pani women are not often enslaved but it is suggested that women of enemy "houses" or clans are often enslaved.
QUOTES:
"Sumomon belongs in a collar," I said.
"She is Pani," said Tajima.
"Doubtless some women of the Pani are in collars," I said.
"Yes," he said, "primarily women of enemy houses. Taken, they may be reduced to collar-girls."
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Pani rarely took male prisoners and usually they collect the heads of their enemies and/or crucify them. Impalement is regarded as a barbaric act. If a male prisoner was capped and was deemed honorable, he would be offered a chance at redeeming himself by serving another lord.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifixion#Japan
QUOTES:
"Take prisoners!" I said.
"We do not require prisoners," said Tajima.
In common Gorean warfare it is not unknown for prisoners to be taken. They may be interrogated, worked, sold, and such. Too, occasionally, if important, and of station, they may be ransomed. The Pani, it seemed, might take prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduction the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion. Such things vary apparently very culturally. Perhaps one reason the Pani are not prone to making prisoners is that it is thought that the prisoner might be expected, if honorable, to end his own life, to erase his shame at having fallen into the hands of the enemy, and thus, if this is so, he might well be spared this indignity by being granted an earlier surcease. Also, if heads are prized, and important with respect and advancement, and such, this militates against taking prisoners. An interesting exception to this sort of thing is that a prisoner, or one on the verge of capture, may be accorded the right to accept a new daimyo or shogun. Once he does this he is then honor bound to serve the new leader, as he did the old, and it seems, he may be depended upon to do so. He is not a mercenary, but he is a loyal follower, whomsoever he follows. The prime reason for not taking prisoners, or not making it that much of a common practice, if this should be truly so, is probably that the male prisoner is dangerous. He is feared, and perhaps wisely. Thus it seems supposed that he might be well done away with.
"These heads were clearly trophies of a sort. For example, a warrior might win favor from his daimyo or shogun by garnering heads, this understood as proof of prowess in war. In such a way one might earn promotion, land, gifts, preferments, and such. I would later learn that these heads, particularly one of a celebrated foe, might be treasured, and kept indefinitely, the hair being carefully combed and dressed, the head being perfumed, the teeth painted black, and so on."
"The sword! The sword!" begged Licinius.
"Impalement would be a Gorean way," I said to Tajima.
"That is barbarous, " said Tajima.
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The Pani traditionally drink sake which is fermented rice wine. It is often made from Bazi rice. Along with Pani foods, the feast I read about included rice but mostly Gorean food. I would assume they would include their own version of traditional Asian, particularly Japanese cuisine a la Gorean style.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sake
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cusine
QUOTES:
"I said near Lord Nishida, and he had offered me a sip of a different fermented beverage, one I had once tasted on Earth, though not of so fine a quality. It was warm, in its small bowl. "It is sake," I was informed. I nodded. There are rice fields on Gor, in the vicinity of Bazi, famed for its teas, but rice is not as familiar on Gor as the grain, sa-tarna. And Pani, as far I was knew, were not found in Bazi, or its environs. To be sure, I supposed the rice might be Bazi rice, but I was not sure of that, not at all sure of it."
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The Pani seem to have their own set of beliefs in regards to religion. They speak of divination, spirits, and gods. Japan has a national religion called Shintoism which is essentially "The Way of the Gods". I believe that the Priest-Kings are referred too and worshiped with a Shintoistic aspect and I wouldn't doubt it if they believed in other deities aside from the Priest-Kings. Here, in this passage, Lord Nishida informs Tarl Cabot of the Initiates coming to the Pani people and well... if your uppity self attempts to rule the Pani, you get pwned.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintoism
In 1597, twenty-six Christians were nailed to crosses at Nagasaki, Japan. Among those executed were Paulo Miki and Pedro Bautista, a Spanish Franciscan who had worked about ten years in the Philippines. The executions marked the beginning of a long history of persecution of Christianity in Japan, which continued until the Meiji Restoration introduced religious freedom in Japan in 1871.
QUOTES:
"It is a beast," he said.
"An unusual beast," I said.
"It is a mystical thing," he smiled, "something magical, possessing a gift of divination?"
"I think," said Lord Nishida, "that a wager is involved, or perhaps a contest of sorts, amongst spirits, powerful beings."
"How is it you speak Gorean?" I asked.
"Strange men, dour men with shaven heads and white robes, appeared amongst our ancestors, mysteriously so, long ago, very long ago, claiming to speak for the gods."
"Initiates," I said.
I supposed some might have been placed amongst the Pani by Priest-Kings. Apparently the Priest-Kings wanted there to be at least one commonly spoken language on Gor, by means of which they could communicate with a least a majority of Gorean human beings. Perhaps they thought that would lead to harmony, peace, and understanding. It had not. Amongst themselves the Priest-Kings communicated by scent. On the rare occasions when they dealt with human beings directly, translators were utilized.
"We must learn their language or be destroyed," said Lord Nishida. "Some recalcitrants and zealots were consumed by fire, streaming from the sky."
That would be the Flame Death. It was commonly used for enforcing the technology laws, and, doubtless, could serve other purposes as well.
"So Gorean was learned?" I said.
"Who disputes the will of the gods?" asked Lord Nishida.
"Who, indeed?" I said.
"Other things were brought, as well," said Lord Nishida, "recipes, seeds, serums, and such."
Normally gifts would be received through cultural diffusion, through trade, and such. I gathered this was impractical in the case of the Pani.
But these strange men, " said Lord Nishida, "attempted to rule us."
"I see," I said.
"They were crucified," said Lord Nishida.
"There were no retaliations from the sky?" I said.
"No," said Lord Nishida.
Their purposes served, it seems the Priest-Kings had no further need of their missionaries, so to speak.
www2.gol.com/users/friedman/writings/p1.html
QUOTES:
"Interestingly, though I suppose there must be exceptions to this generalization, the women of the "strange men" seem generally reconciled to the fact, and will even expect, that their males will seek gratifications beyond the walls of their own domiciles. Nothing culturally heinous seems to be associated with this matter. As many companionships are arranged between families, with considerations not of love, or even of attraction, paramount, but to wealth, prestige, status, and such, and the young people often being scarcely considered in the matter, this is, I suppose, understandable. The female companion's complacency in this matter, or her understanding, or her tolerance, is, one gathers, quite different from what would be expected in the case of, say, a Gorean free companion, who, commonly, would find these arrangements outrageous and insufferable. For example, she would not likely, resignedly, without question, to pay a bill arriving at her domicile from a pleasure house, pertaining to the pleasant evening spent there by her companion. In the light of these considerations, to the extent they might apply, then, it should be clear why the "contract women" would not be likely to concern themselves overly much with collar-girls. First, they regard collar girls as far inferior to themselves, and thus scarcely in the category of rivals, and, secondly, they share the general view, as I understand it, of the women of the "strange men", namely that they have little or no hold over a male, and he may be expected to pick flowers, so to speak, where he pleases. If however, a contract woman might find herself in love with a client, she, being quite human, and utterly helpless in her contractual status, might, understandably, resent his interest, in, say, another contract woman, or, even as absurd as it might seem, a collar-girl."
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Apparently, the Pani regard anyone not of them as inferior it seems. It would regard the same view that Japan had (and still has) in respects to foreigners or outsiders. The Pani have little tolerance for cowardice, weakness, or disrespect. This passage regards Pertinax who accompanied Tarl and Tajima and whom I find to be the most annoying character in all of literature.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaijin
QUOTES:
"True," said Lord Nishida. "Tajima," said Lord Nishida quietly.
"Yes," said Tajima.
"The other's purpose was served, surely, when the reserve was reached, " said Lord Nishida. "Yet, I understand he in the camp. Why did you not kill him?"
"I was reluctant to stain my blade with inferior blood, that of a weakling, " said Tajima. "I would have left him behind for animals, but Tarl Cabot, tarnsman, our guest, desire that he be permitted to accompany us."
"I see, " said Lord Nishida. "You did right, then, to bring him to the camp."
Tajima bowed his head, slightly, acknowledging this judgement of Lord Nishida.
"He may be disposed of later, " said Lord Nishida.
"I am sure, " I said, "he may prove of service."
"There is no place in this camp, " said Lord Nishida, "for cowards or weaklings."
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As for weapons, the Pani do not name their weapons katana but simply call them swords. They use naginata, glaives, longbows, and swords. It is indicated that the swordsmen may know martial arts.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_martial_arts
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Weapons_of_Japan
QUOTES:
"He carried a single sword. I saw him, and he saw me. We did not exchange a greeting. He determined that most of our camp was asleep, and then, withdrew, to wait. He sat cross-legged for a time, facing our camp. Then, after a time, he had risen, unsheathed his unusual sword, and commenced his exercises."
"Hundreds of Pani stirred, looked to the platform, uneasy. Glaives, the long-shafted, curved-bladed naginata, were grasped.
From behind the platform, Pani archers rushed forth, standing between the platform and the mercernaries. Arrows were set to the strings of the Pani longbow, arrows which are released at the bow's lower third, muchly different from the release point of either the peasant or saddle bow.
Pani, both wielders of the glaive and graspers of the bow, looked to the platform."
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Pani seem to have a fondness for women with "unusual coloring" to be their collar-girls. Particularly, they are fond of long, blonde hair.
QUOTES:
"He then rearranged the hair of Miss Wentworth, first lifting it to the sides that its length and sheen might be noted, and then he put it carefully behind her back, spreading it nicely, evenly, behind the sheet.
Lord Nishida nodded. I gathered he was pleased.
I noted the interest, too, of the two contract women on the dais behind Lord Nishida, and to his left. I supposed they had seen few examples of such hair, given their presumed backgrounds, long, glossy, silken yellow hair, or blonde hair."
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Pani had daimyo and shogun. (Japanese words do not necessarily have plural when pronounced, so "geishas, naginatas, daimyos etc. do not make sense in their language. Plurals were later on added by Westerners.) When collar-girls are presented to them, they are usually stripped and covered with a sheet. It is also suggested that the Pani may have an emperor who rules them.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimyo
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Emperor
QUOTES:
"That is common," said Lord Nishida, "when one such as you is to be presented before a daimyo."
"What?" said Miss Wentworth.
"A lord," said Tajima.
"One such as I?" she said.
"Yes," said Tajima
This was not unlike a practice in the court of some Ubars, when a certain form of gift, or tribute, is being presented.
I would later learn that daimyo, or "great names" were vassals to a shogun, a high lord, usually a military governor, with an army at his disposal. A shogun was nominally subject to an emperor, but the emperor's role was largely ceremonial, and the true power, as is commonly the case, lies with those who are the masters of men and weapons.
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Pani have instruments such as the lyre, lute, and samisen. I would assume that would most likely have more than what is inquired here.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditiona ... nstruments
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_musical_instruments
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_musical_instrument
QUOTES:
"Can you play a stringed musical instrument, a lyre, a lute, a samisen?"
"No," she said.
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=======================================================================================================
Pani contract women and possibly even collar-girls have a different series of dances as opposed to the traditional Gorean kajirae dances.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_dance
QUOTES:
The forms of dance of the women of the "strange men", would, I supposed, would be lovely and would be backgrounded by a rich cultural tradition, but I also supposed they would be quite different from a Gorean slave dance.
=======================================================================================================
=======================================================================================================
There are some quotes referred too when it comes to bathing. Traditionally, bathing was an art Onsen or communal baths are usually filled with heated water from natural springs which are excellent for the skin and health. Usually, a bather must be required to wash thoroughly before entering a public bath. In hot spring resorts or towns, there are "hot-springs geisha" who will serve and bathe the right customer willing to pay.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_an ... an#Bathing
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen_geisha
QUOTES:
"Outside," said Tajima. "There are three tubs, filled with hot water, in which you may soak, and enjoy yourselves. It will be very pleasant, and there are, at hand, smooth scrapers of sandalwood, scents, oils, and towels.
"Outside?" said Miss Wentworth.
"She is not used to public bathing," I said.
"Interesting, " said Tajima. "We shall have one of the tubs brought within the hut."
Outside, a the three aforementioned tubs, Pertinax and I found, waiting, two lovely young women. They might have been of Ar, or Venna, or Telnus, from almost anywhere.
"These would have bathed you, " said Tajima.
"I see," I said.
Both women looked down frightened.
Perhaps they were new to their collars.
Both were naked.
"You may look upon them as you wish, " said Tajima. "These are not contract women, trained, refined entertainers, or such. They are simple, coarse slaves, no different from those from which you are familiar. You may note that their necks are encircled with collars, and may be confident that the collars are closed, and locked. Too, if you care to examine their left thighs, you will note, just under the hip, a brand."
I examined the brands. Both wore the cursive kef, the most common Gorean slave brand.
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There is a new breed of monkey called "Saru" which is what Miss Wentworth was renamed by her owner, Lord Nishida. It would probably be very similar to the Japanese Macaque.
QUOTES:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Macaque
The slave had been given the name 'Saru.' The saru is found variously on Gor, but usually in tropical areas. For example, it is common in the jungles of the Ua. Also, I learned from Tajima, it is found, here and there, in the home, so to speak, of the "strange men". The saru is a small, usuall arboreal animal. It is usually regarded with amusement, or contempt. It figures in children's stories as a cute, curious, mischievous little beast, but also one that is stupid, vain, and ignorant. Although the saru, as far as I can tell, is not a monkey zoologically, it surely occupies a smiliar, ecological niche, and resembles the monkey in its diet, habits, groupings, and such. It is tailless. I think it would not be amiss to think of the saru as a Gorean monkey.
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Tarl attempts to read Miss Wentworth's collar but can't due to the writing on it. I can only assume that the Pani utilized a Gorean form of kanji in their lettering.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji
QUOTES:
I examined the collar. "I cannot read the collar," I said. I supposed it was in Gorean, but it was not a common Gorean script. I had encountered something similar, long ago, in the Tahari, where Gorean was written in a quite different script, a flowing, beautiful script common in the Tahari.
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It is alluded that the Pani refer to themselves by their castles or places in which they inhabit. Possibly even a "period" of time in which their emperor may be reigning.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_castles
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_period
QUOTES:
"I assume your collar was read to you, " I said.
"Yes," she said.
"What does it say?" I asked.
"'I am the property of Lord Nishida of Nara'," she said.
This was doubtless of Lord Nishida.
"What is Nara?" I asked.
"I don't know," she said.
On the common Gorean collar it might be a city, a district, or even a cylinder. On her collar, for all I knew, it might be a place, a port, a caste, a family, a clan, or something else. I did not know what. I would later learn it was a citadel, a lofty fortress castle.
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The Pani are adamant about training their own people for war and not hiring others. Where they are currently located in Swordsmen is in a Tarncamp in which it is indicated houses outlaws and the like and are leftovers from the Arian/Cosian war. Tarncamp in the bool is a reserve of Port Kar. It would probably not be uncommon that Pani settled in camps with such, utilizing training and trade for the lost, but Lord Tajima is adamant about his men learning the tarn on their own without help of a cavalry. The Pani seem to rely on self-sufficiency, subterfuge, and secrecy in their war strategies.
QUOTES:
"Why do you and your people wish a tarn cavalry?" I asked.
"For purposes of war, of course, " said Lord Tajima.
"On continental Gor?" I asked.
"Elsewhere," said Tajima.
"Where?" I asked.
"Elsewhere," said Tajima, politely.
"Your forces, " I said to Tajima, "seem to have means. Why do you not hire a tarn cavalry, say, Treve in the Voltai?"
"Such a cavalry," said Tajima, "would be theirs, not ours. Also, how could such a hiring be concealed?"
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Pani trained in dojo
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dojo
QUOTES:
"There was a larger building, too, which had a plank floor and an open wall. This, I would learn, was a dojo, or training hall."
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The Pani, like traditional Japanese and most Asian countries, believe in committing ritual suicide when dishonor occurs or is brought upon them. Traditional suicide in Japan is called seppuku not hara-kiri and usually samurai performed such when they dishonored themselves, their daimyo, to avoid capture in defeat, and to make a protest. Seppuku was a formalized ritual in which a samurai bathed, dressed in white clothing, would eat his favorite meal, and then prepare for death by reciting a "death poem". His attendant, which would usually be a family member or trusted friend would prepare the death stroke. The samurai usually used a tanto or wakizashi and would cut into his abdomen, making a left to right cut. The attendant would then decaptitate or almost would so he would not die with painful indignity. There were usually spectators presents. The female form of ritual suicide was called jigai and she would cut her own throat; it was usually expected of women of samurai families. This fellow was prepared to commit suicide because he ran from a tarn.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigai
QUOTES:
I was preparing to leave the plaza, but, in turning about, I saw a sight which, to me, if not Tajima, and his people seemed exceedingly odd.
"What is going on there?" I asked.
"One is preparing to recover his honor, " said Tajima.
On a small platform, in a white kimono, one of Tajima's people, which I will now refer too as the Pani, as that of their word for themselves, knelt. His head was bowed, and before him, on the platform, was a curved wooden sheath, which contained, doubtless, a knife. Near the fellow, also clad in a rather formal kimono, white, stood a fellow with an unsheathed sword, of the longer sort.
"Do not intrude," said Tajima.
"What is the fellow with the sword doing?" I asked.
"It is sometimes difficult to perform the act," said Tajima. "If it cannot be well complete the swordsman will assist. There is no loss of honor in that."
"Stop!" I called.
"Do not interfere!" cried Tajima, whose suave placidity was for at once not at his disposal.
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There is a fellow called Nodachi who is called a ronen and of course would be indentical to the Japanese ronin.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronin
QUOTES:
"He is ronen," said Tajima. "A fellow of the waves, as it is said, one with no home, one carried by the current, one with no master, no captain. There are many such."
"A mercernary?" I suggested.
"Ah, Tarl Cabot, tarnsman," said Tajima, "how little you know of these things."
"Doubtless." I said.
"Loyalty," said Tajima, "is required of the warrior. His lord must be dead, or imprisoned. Or it may be he was betrayed by his lord, or that his lord proved unworthy of his devotion. It is lonely for the ronen. One remembers. One does not forget. Over the ice a cloud drifts. The bird clings to the cold branch. It cries its pain in the night."
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Infantrymen in Pani armies are called ashigaru. They were conscripted foot-soldiers during medieval Japan and were lower-ranking than samurai.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashigaru
QUOTES:
"A figure, in white, below, on the platform, was being supported by two of the infantrymen, or Ashigaru, as the Pani spoke of them."
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Pani women are not often enslaved but it is suggested that women of enemy "houses" or clans are often enslaved.
QUOTES:
"Sumomon belongs in a collar," I said.
"She is Pani," said Tajima.
"Doubtless some women of the Pani are in collars," I said.
"Yes," he said, "primarily women of enemy houses. Taken, they may be reduced to collar-girls."
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Pani rarely took male prisoners and usually they collect the heads of their enemies and/or crucify them. Impalement is regarded as a barbaric act. If a male prisoner was capped and was deemed honorable, he would be offered a chance at redeeming himself by serving another lord.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifixion#Japan
QUOTES:
"Take prisoners!" I said.
"We do not require prisoners," said Tajima.
In common Gorean warfare it is not unknown for prisoners to be taken. They may be interrogated, worked, sold, and such. Too, occasionally, if important, and of station, they may be ransomed. The Pani, it seemed, might take prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduction the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion. Such things vary apparently very culturally. Perhaps one reason the Pani are not prone to making prisoners is that it is thought that the prisoner might be expected, if honorable, to end his own life, to erase his shame at having fallen into the hands of the enemy, and thus, if this is so, he might well be spared this indignity by being granted an earlier surcease. Also, if heads are prized, and important with respect and advancement, and such, this militates against taking prisoners. An interesting exception to this sort of thing is that a prisoner, or one on the verge of capture, may be accorded the right to accept a new daimyo or shogun. Once he does this he is then honor bound to serve the new leader, as he did the old, and it seems, he may be depended upon to do so. He is not a mercenary, but he is a loyal follower, whomsoever he follows. The prime reason for not taking prisoners, or not making it that much of a common practice, if this should be truly so, is probably that the male prisoner is dangerous. He is feared, and perhaps wisely. Thus it seems supposed that he might be well done away with.
"These heads were clearly trophies of a sort. For example, a warrior might win favor from his daimyo or shogun by garnering heads, this understood as proof of prowess in war. In such a way one might earn promotion, land, gifts, preferments, and such. I would later learn that these heads, particularly one of a celebrated foe, might be treasured, and kept indefinitely, the hair being carefully combed and dressed, the head being perfumed, the teeth painted black, and so on."
"The sword! The sword!" begged Licinius.
"Impalement would be a Gorean way," I said to Tajima.
"That is barbarous, " said Tajima.
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The Pani traditionally drink sake which is fermented rice wine. It is often made from Bazi rice. Along with Pani foods, the feast I read about included rice but mostly Gorean food. I would assume they would include their own version of traditional Asian, particularly Japanese cuisine a la Gorean style.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sake
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cusine
QUOTES:
"I said near Lord Nishida, and he had offered me a sip of a different fermented beverage, one I had once tasted on Earth, though not of so fine a quality. It was warm, in its small bowl. "It is sake," I was informed. I nodded. There are rice fields on Gor, in the vicinity of Bazi, famed for its teas, but rice is not as familiar on Gor as the grain, sa-tarna. And Pani, as far I was knew, were not found in Bazi, or its environs. To be sure, I supposed the rice might be Bazi rice, but I was not sure of that, not at all sure of it."
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The Pani seem to have their own set of beliefs in regards to religion. They speak of divination, spirits, and gods. Japan has a national religion called Shintoism which is essentially "The Way of the Gods". I believe that the Priest-Kings are referred too and worshiped with a Shintoistic aspect and I wouldn't doubt it if they believed in other deities aside from the Priest-Kings. Here, in this passage, Lord Nishida informs Tarl Cabot of the Initiates coming to the Pani people and well... if your uppity self attempts to rule the Pani, you get pwned.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintoism
In 1597, twenty-six Christians were nailed to crosses at Nagasaki, Japan. Among those executed were Paulo Miki and Pedro Bautista, a Spanish Franciscan who had worked about ten years in the Philippines. The executions marked the beginning of a long history of persecution of Christianity in Japan, which continued until the Meiji Restoration introduced religious freedom in Japan in 1871.
QUOTES:
"It is a beast," he said.
"An unusual beast," I said.
"It is a mystical thing," he smiled, "something magical, possessing a gift of divination?"
"I think," said Lord Nishida, "that a wager is involved, or perhaps a contest of sorts, amongst spirits, powerful beings."
"How is it you speak Gorean?" I asked.
"Strange men, dour men with shaven heads and white robes, appeared amongst our ancestors, mysteriously so, long ago, very long ago, claiming to speak for the gods."
"Initiates," I said.
I supposed some might have been placed amongst the Pani by Priest-Kings. Apparently the Priest-Kings wanted there to be at least one commonly spoken language on Gor, by means of which they could communicate with a least a majority of Gorean human beings. Perhaps they thought that would lead to harmony, peace, and understanding. It had not. Amongst themselves the Priest-Kings communicated by scent. On the rare occasions when they dealt with human beings directly, translators were utilized.
"We must learn their language or be destroyed," said Lord Nishida. "Some recalcitrants and zealots were consumed by fire, streaming from the sky."
That would be the Flame Death. It was commonly used for enforcing the technology laws, and, doubtless, could serve other purposes as well.
"So Gorean was learned?" I said.
"Who disputes the will of the gods?" asked Lord Nishida.
"Who, indeed?" I said.
"Other things were brought, as well," said Lord Nishida, "recipes, seeds, serums, and such."
Normally gifts would be received through cultural diffusion, through trade, and such. I gathered this was impractical in the case of the Pani.
But these strange men, " said Lord Nishida, "attempted to rule us."
"I see," I said.
"They were crucified," said Lord Nishida.
"There were no retaliations from the sky?" I said.
"No," said Lord Nishida.
Their purposes served, it seems the Priest-Kings had no further need of their missionaries, so to speak.