Welcome to Gaia! ::

*jumps in to the rescue* X3

1) It is two weeks, but I'm not sure if any of the new posts here have it.

2) I'm...not really sure. I know the idea of apartments and landlords/ladies was around possibly as early as the 1940s, but I'm not sure how far back it goes. Most manga from that time period highlights rich or at least somewhat well-off people, not commoners. :/ Commoners may have been able to have houses to themselves back then, seeing as the population wasn't as big, and multiple-story buildings weren't as common. Just my speculation though.

I've actually been thinking we need a couple more kitties in positions of relative importance a la Shiro and Cho...specifically, someone to run a hotel/onsen (hot spring), and a landlord/lady position if apartments are cool. We'd need some good, dedicated RPers for that though... *eyes Chiaku*

3) Actually, according to Geisha, A Life, a book written by an actual geisha, sleeping with any clients isn't part of the job. A geisha may take a boyfriend/husband (though they usually retire after marrying to start a family) but they don't get paid for it. As I recall, the author of the book actually shot down that rumor at one point, saying something to the effect of that geishas are so well-paid that the idea that they need to sleep with someone for money is ridiculous. (Which actually makes me wonder about how Kiseki became one when she's not well off and not sponsored by an okiya...I'm guessing she found the supplies in the abandoned house and trained herself.

Ah, thanks for setting the record straight on that geisha thing. ^^;; Since Nobara mentioned it, I think I did confuse the kabuki actresses/actors with the geisha.

As for the housing, I am not certain how accurate my information is regarding the buildings... Most of my knowledge comes from reading Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal manga, which does focus on commoners often during the Tokogawa Era (I believe that's when Squinty Kitties is supposed to take place as well). It's generally more realistic than some other popular Japanese anime (Ruroni Kenshin, etc.) and Samura-san has been applauded for his historical accuracy in several cases (aside from the supernatural aspect of the story).

Usually, at the end of a chapter, there will be notes from the editor about some aspect of commoner lifestyle, such as the money system, common snack foods served to guests, etc. I assume that the editor did his research and actually gives readers factual background information regarding the actions of certain characters in the story. (That's where I found out that waitresses who delivered food often provided sexual favors as part of the delivery...There was a character in a story who was one of these waitresses, and then there was a sidenote from the editor explaining the dialogue between her and her husband.)

From what I've observed in the manga, housing arrangements sort of differ...I do recall one story in which there was an artisan, and both he and his son lived on the second story of a building (it was an integral part of the plot), while the first story was reserved for something else (the father's workshop/business, I think). The central characters in the story are often on the move, so you mostly see them staying at inns or something of that sort...

I guess this sort of stuff is more difficult to find information on since most people tend to be more interested in fighting or something of that sort... sweatdrop

It's my fault that I didn't publicize this well. The rule is still 2 weeks, howeer, the only time I will actually allow you to buy a rise scroll now is after you've rp'd enough. And The Dave will be the one who decides. He will message you when he thinks you are worthy. Stuff that will get you in his goodbooks is being nice to others and keep up appearances in the RP. On the other hand, if you act in an inapproapriate manner anywhere on the Guild, your kitty will lose points, and you may even be busted down to rank.



As far as I know about the Edo period (and these are only generalizations, as real Edo life is probably as diverse as life is now, and the government of that time were not always completely successful in regulating social order.) all citizens had some kind of job, as an artisan, merchant, or bar owner etc., and their homes would serve as their place of business (unless you were a travelling merchant). The size of these houses/shops would depend on the success of the owners business, but generally, and average house would be one or two rooms big. Those who did not own their own business worked for big businesses, and were housed in dormitories provided for in the business building. Examples of this set up are, of course, Geishas, silk workers, and waitresses. Remember that Edo was the beginning of urbanization, so most people still lived in the country side, where they would live in a small hut in the village, and the villagers worked together to sustain the collective. The people who did come to cities were the very people seeking employment in restaurants and silk mills. Outcasts (probably could be likened to the 'Commoners' in the SK world) did not have any place in society, and were homeless, and were, as far as the society was concerned, invisible. Samurais were given luxuries and houses by their masters. So the wealth of their master would probably decide on how they lived. It was common for wealthy merchants or large business owners to hire a bunch of samurai for protection, and would house them in appartments in their own establishment.



I think Nobara and Riikii pretty much said what I would have said about Geishas. The fact is that the way of the Geisha was really considered an artform, and a respected profession, in those days, as well as today. They were professional entertainers, masters of conversation, literary skills, calligraphy, flower arrangement, and anything which was considered sophisticated and intellegent in those days, and of course, the art of sex!

I have been quite specific in details which make the game fun, and lax in details which would not. For example, authentic dress, food and location makes it easier to emerse yourself in the SK world, however social rules and order true to the Edo period would limit the freedom of owners in an unnecessary way. In real life Edo, people did not have the opportunity to choose their own class, would have to act in a way strictly befitting their social status, and not everyone would be able to afford fashionable kimonos available to every kitty in the SK world.

As for living conditions: Decide for yourself how you would like your kitty to live, poor or wealthy; in their own house, or in an apartment, but if you want to be authentic, choose historically plausible reasons for your kitty's living conditions. The SK world first began with the ideas of kitty owners, and I hope it will grow in the same way!

Ello! I noticed that an example kitty on you buying thingy was pink, can we ask for other colors? and can we start our own rp? sweatdrop

Well, I was going to post this in the Rank & Class Enquires thread, but it's locked.

I noticed that Kami is ranked as an Empress, and her clan specified as Choshu. I believe Empress Flower is the empress, however, I would guess that her clan would be listed as "Royal" like Tenshi.

Does this mean that Kami is the Empress of only the Choshu clan? I just got confused because she's got a royal scroll, which entitles her to be a part of the royal family so to speak, but does it make a difference that she's joined a clan?

I remember some vague talk about royals not being allowed to join clans, but that was quite some time ago. I posted my RP on the assumption that Kami was a royal, because I didn't see her full picture until after I posted and she introduced herself as a princess, which according to her rank isn't quite correct.

I'm not trying to pick on Kami, it's just the first time the issue of nobility in clans has come up, so I'm not sure how things are supposed to work. smile

Well...doesn't that make the idea of rank progression pointless then? Working up your rank was kinda one of the aspects that made it fun to roleplay. Also it does kinda throw a wrench into the roleplay if there's 20 emporers running around. I still think it's fine to be able to buy classes, but it seems like a cheat if you can just buy your way into being a battosai rank.