Blades buried, hearts honed (Patreon)

LOVED this idea- the August Sketch of the Month concept was a glimpse into Igrath & Fae's wedding.  They followed the traditional Kojiki ceremony, but I have a feeling Fae would have insisted upon the old ways- sharp.

We have a document with differing marriage ceremonies for each of the seven districts- here is Kojiki's:

Kojiki:  The traditional wedding of the Kojiki district involves much preparation, dedication, and practice on the parts of the bride and groom.  It consists of a ceremonial duel / dance between the betrothed, using the ritual katanas of the district's heritage.  Although contemporary katanas are typically dulled for safety purposes, the original ceremony used blades with a razor edge.

The origins of the ceremony were less about a rehearsed dance, and more about actual conflict.  In bygone generations, the duel would be conducted between the groom and the bride’s father, to test the groom’s worthiness in battle.  Bladed duels were more common in older eras of Kojiki, as a symbolic and (usually) non-lethal alternative to powers combat.  The fight between groom and father would be until first blood, and if the groom was victorious, he had won the right to the daughter’s hand.

However, in one famous duel, the bride to be stood resentful as this fight went on.  Proud and formidable in her own right, she chafed at the idea of someone fighting in her stead.  Breaking the ritual, she stepped into the ring and forcibly disarmed her father, proceeding to duel her husband-to-be for herself.  The duel ended in an emotional stalemate - they finally had fought to a position wherein they could strike one another - but neither landed the blow.  They instead froze, staring into one another’s eyes, and then sheathed their blades, and married.  This couple became very influential, their story famous, and afterwards it became the custom for the bride and groom to duel one another.

The ceremonial duel takes place in a circle of smooth white sand thirty feet in diameter, ringed by blossoming cherry trees and wedding guests.  Traditional family display robes, handed down through the generations, are worn by the duelists.  There are variations on the dance, it can range anywhere from a dozen to a hundred blade-strikes.  Every move of the duel is pre-planned and rehearsed, meant to showcase grace, power, and coordination.  Completing the dance is meant to showcase that the couple has the dedication to accomplish any task in tandem, and give proof of their coordination and sensitivity to one another.  Risking death in the circle for one another, and completing the duel requires perfect synchronization and technique, and the two must be in genuine harmony with one another.

Accidents do sometimes happen in the ceremony - but, as in life, withstanding misfortune and completing their goal together is paramount.  The dance does not have to be perfect, as long as they finish it together.  The dance ends with one last stroke, wherein each thrusts their sword into the sheath being worn by the other, ending with the blades out of sight and the couple in a tight embrace.  They kiss, and are declared to be married.  At this point, the on looking guests are permitted to enter the circle and give their hearty congratulations.

After the ceremony, the families adjourn to a dining hall to celebrate.