Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

I was thinking, with the plague situation solved, Tomoe eventually has to know that her Lord is planning to shackle her with an arranged marriage.

I was thinking that this could end with a scene where Tomoe and Usagi together discuss the situation with Noriyuki which could end with Tomoe playing one last desperate card to escape the obligation:

Tomoe: My lord, I can't get married to him because... because... I'm already engaged!
Noriyuki: [surprised] Really? Who's the lucky fellow?
Tomoe:Er... [looking desperately] Usagi!

Usagi starts with shock at this improvisation, but recovers enough to play along for Tomoe's sake until he understands what game she is playing. Tomoe could make up some story about having a really long term engagement with the rabbit and Usagi hesitantly backs her up. Noriyuki, taken in completely, is delighted and congratulates the pair and promises to prepare the wedding when they feel ready.

Once alone, the pair could angrily discuss this sudden thing, but Tomoe convinces Usagi that it was the only way to avoid getting forced into marriage. They could come to an agreement to maintain this deception until they can think of a better idea.

And the best part is that Tomoe could playfully suggest they could be watched and they best make their facade convincing. At that, they could could kiss with a passion that only now has release from their respective reserve.

The pair depart with Usagi claiming he needs to finish his pilgimage before any marriage can be considered. Although it was under circumstances they would have not preferred, both have a happy realization that what they shared, but quietly denied, between them now need never been hidden again.

What do you think? Plausible? Desirable?

Sounds great, but I'd like to see some Usagi/Tomoe adventures before they depart, sort of like the Usagi/Jotaro travels. Awesome idea about the ruse though.

I don't know how long "engagements" traditionally lasted in Japan then, but certain they can go on for years here... so nothing to say it could be a very long engagement

Well considering that Tomoe is a vassal of Noriuki I don't think it would be appropriate for her to suddenly procliaim she's engaged. In fact I think it would shame her and her family. She is bound by honour to her Lord. And to disobey him, no matter how odious his order may be, would be a fate worse than death.

Now if she killed her husband-to-be, that's another story all together. That would rock.

Interesting! None the less, I think Usago would remain one not to get romatically, well in marrage, involved, I just dont see that being a case....

estee wrote:Well considering that Tomoe is a vassal of Noriuki I don't think it would be appropriate for her to suddenly procliaim she's engaged. In fact I think it would shame her and her family. She is bound by honour to her Lord. And to disobey him, no matter how odious his order may be, would be a fate worse than death.

You are right. She would never make such a huge decision as getting married on her own, not without letting Lord Noriyuki know. There are a lot of formalities in a marriage in her position--go-betweens, negotiations, gift exchanges, formal meetings, etc. That is something I wanted to go into when I thought of this story. It will take a while to do all the reseach.

I feel so sorry for Tomoe If she' gets married off, then she'd be bound to him and she may not see Usagi ever again.

Given how much Noriyuki trusts Tomoe's judgement and wisdom, I'm not entirely certain he'd allow an arranged marriage to go ahead if Tomoe protested vigorously enough against it.

And we all know what Tomoe can be like at times

Still it's Stan's call of course as to where this is going to go heh...

Stan Sakai wrote: You are right. She would never make such a huge decision as getting married on her own, not without letting Lord Noriyuki know. There are a lot of formalities in a marriage in her position--go-betweens, negotiations, gift exchanges, formal meetings, etc. That is something I wanted to go into when I thought of this story. It will take a while to do all the reseach.

Then I hope that the groom Tomoe is about to be shoved with will either be some innocent who will likely be killed off as a narrative sacrificial lamb or a piece of villainous abusive scum whom Tomoe will likely have to kill herself, leaving her free to decide about her feelings about Usagi.

The alternative is too heartbreaking to contemplate.

Stan Sakai wrote: You are right. She would never make such a huge decision as getting married on her own, not without letting Lord Noriyuki know. There are a lot of formalities in a marriage in her position--go-betweens, negotiations, gift exchanges, formal meetings, etc.

My friend's mom and dad was in an arrange marrage. I should have looked more into it- but I found it amazing thatthey went through that. I learnd about Go Betweens form them... I should rebrush on that, so i could say more XD....but that is very interesting!

If Tomoe refused to marry at her lords command...

As a Samurai, she would be duty bound to put the needs of the clan before her own. So If she didn't...

Would she be expected to perform Sepukku for the dishonour of shaming her clan and family..

Or,

Would she be discharged from her position and made Ronin? If so would she share her warriors pilgramage with Usagi?

All good questions.. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I don't think you can simply "walk away" from your obligation, Jedi. Its all about honour and honour is everything to a samurai.

Sorry, I didn't mean just walk away. I meant that it *could* be possible she *may* be allowed to be discharged, because of her years of trusted service. But it would depend on her lord. What he says goes.

He could order her to go through with it. He's the boss, and as a vassal her purpose is to serve his interests. If he's angry at her protesting, he may discharge her from his service, If he's sympathetic he may allow her to be discharged. Or if he is very angry he could command her to ritually kill herself.

I was under the impression being made ronin (While your lord still lived)was a disgrace. Either way Tomoe would have a lot of soul searching to do.

Or as someone said If the guy (The chaimberlain?) was killed the plot would fall through. Although the seed would still have been planted. Especialy as Lord Noriyuki seemed to see it as a reward for her years of service....

Any way it's going to be interesting.

Indeed... that's the argument I was putting forward. This isn't any old vassal or any old female. This is Tomoe, whom is probably the person Noriyuki trusts the most in his life. If she objects to his request, then it would carry a lot of weight. It may not change anything, but it would have gravity to the situation. If Noriyuki knows such a thing would make Tomoe unhappy... I would honestly see him considering that fact and not just blindly ordering it to go ahead.

Now I'm trying to second guess Stan and get inside his head

Its all about that conniving advisor Noriuki has...Tomoe knows he's up to no good and is just trying to get rid of her.

I think she needs to have a heart to heart with Nori and set him straight.

If she's is so trusted then he'd have to listen.