Bujeok (부적 符籍) are amulets and talismans that Korean Shamans make for clients for protection from misfortune, healing, prosperity and good fortune. These are typically inscribed in red letters on yellow paper (both “good luck” colors), and they can be placed in the home or carried on the person. The background color of the paper Bujeok amulets is normally yellow because that is the color that repels evil spirits, and the designs are inscribed in red ink which represents blood and fire, thus symbolizing life and human emotions. Although the designs may look like Chinese characters, they are “spirit writings” that can be interpreted only by the Mudang, but they also sometimes contain within the overall design some actual Chinese characters.
This video is from @shamanmudang on tiktok! I thought it might be something @witches-ofcolor’s blog might be interested in helping to boost. I know a lot of people isolated from their ancestral language need trusted resources in English.
My personal note compilation on Hingashi. To be updated as more substantial information is released.
Screenshots will be provided when possible, but all information posted here is sourced directly from the game.
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Geography
Hingashi is separated into two islands.
The main island is called Koshu, and is famed for its fine goods such as sake and silks.
The smaller island, and the island Kugane is based out of, is called Shishu.
Hingashi’s tallest mountain is called “Daitenzan”.
The demonym for people from Hingashi is “Hingans”.
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Government and Law
Hingashi is governed by a “bakufu”; literally meaning “tent government”, a “bakufu” refers to a primarily military government. In the real-world, it is best equated to the word “shogunate”. It is unknown of Hingashi possesses an analogue to a Shogun as a military dictatorship, or if its highest office of government takes some other form.
The capital of Hingashi is Bukyo, which literally means “military capital”.
There are numerous bureaucratic offices in the bakufu.
The Tairo refers to a high-ranking position in the bakufu, typically one who leads the governmental council. The closest analogue is the office of “prime minister”.
Kugane is ruled by a lord bugyo. A “bugyo” is a local magistrate or governor, often of a city or head of a government department. “Bugyo” can also refer to “commissioner” (such as in “naval commissioner”).
The police force of Kugane is the Sekiseigumi, which translates literally to “Sincerity Group”. The head of the Sekiseigumi is addressed by the rank of “Captain”. The second-in-command is referred to as the Lieutenant..
Sekiseigumi have a reputation for dealing with foreign law-breakers ruthlessly; either via heavy arrests or even immediate execution.
The main symbol of the Sekiseigumi, aside from their katanas, are their signature scarlet “haori”; the kimono-like jackets that are worn by Sekiseigumi.
The Sekiseigumi’s traditional weapons are the katana and the lance. At times, they may also use a war axe or concealed daggers.
Hingashi is host to numerous great lords held together by allegiance to the bakufu. It is unkown if these lords are directly referred to as “daimyo” or simply “lords”.
Hingans guilty of grievous crimes–such as murder or sedition–may be ordered to commit “seppuku”, or ritual suicide by disembowelment, to atone for their crimes.
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Culture and Language
Hingan social structure is largely caste-based, separated between commoners, samurai, and aristocrats.
Social mobility is highly uncommon, and social status tends to be inherited rather than earned.
Modern Hingans do not speak Japanese. As with Doman, modern Hingan language should be equated to a dialect of common Hyur language; the grammar and vocabulary is mostly English, with various words substituted for words based off of Ancient Hingan.
However, Ancient Hingan does take the form of real-world Japanese.
For strictly lore-abiding characters, I recommend that you limit any Japanese inserts in your character dialogue to words known to exist in modern Hingan: such as “ijin”, “bakufu”, etc. When in doubt, just use the English word.
Katanas are status symbols that are only permitted to be worn by samurai.
Theatre is popular in Kugane, such as plays and dancing.
The kami are revered by Hingans. Native Hingans may embark on a hallowed pilgrimage to visit the temples of the land to pay homage to the kami.
Hingan priests are known as “onmyoji”. They are known to perform rituals and exorcisms. In Hingashi, blood rituals are forbidden as taboo; an onmyoji may use a blood ritual to summon a “shikigami”, a restless spirit.
Noh and kabuki are both popular forms of plays. The Mujikoza theatre in Kugane regularly hosts kabuki programs.
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Miscellaneous
Hingan cuisine is equivalent to traditional Japanese food: tempura, tea, miso, sake, sushi, etc.
Haiku is a popular form of poetry.
Hingashi is home to a class of artisans known as “Onishishu”, who are known to be secretive and guard their techniques fiercely.
Hingashi possesses skilled female entertainers known as “geiko”.
Hingashi steel is referred to as “tamahagane”, and is symbolically significant.
The Shiokaze Hostelry specializes in a fine rice wine called “junmaishu”, imported from Koshu.
Hingashi is home to some horses, and horseback archery is a celebrated tradition with horseback archery of particular interest.
Many aspects of Hingan culture are sourced from Yanxia, such as tea.
