Chiyu nu Tami (t͡ɕi.ju nu ta.mi)
"There are many worlds in the Dream, and we build them together with our thoughts and our deeds. When the time comes for us to move on, we cross to these bright new worlds, to learn from them and dream ever brighter. We are the people of eternity, and we seek The Brightest World." - Litany of the Chiyu nu Tami
The Chiyu nu Tami is what the Kitsunejin of the Chichyū Islands name themselves. Their culture stretches back before the beginning of the world, and spans a dozen more before that. Their name translates to "The People of Eternity", for their culture has extended beyond the bounds of time.
Common Dress & Style
The ushinchi is the traditional garment among the Chiyu nu Tami. It is a robe which crosses in the front and is secured by a wide belt. Depending on the occasion and level of formality, the details of the ushinchi will vary - longer and more heavily decorated ushinchi are appropriate for formal occasions, while shorter light-weight versions are common for everyday use. No matter what the style, they always are cut to accomodate the bushy tail of the Kitsunejin.
While the ushinchi is often worn alone, they can also be combined with other garments. Heavier outer robes may be used for warmth or to protect an elaborate inner ushinchi from weather and mud. In wet or snowy weather, they may wear shoes with platform soles that help elevate them above the mud or snow; at other times, they usually choose to go barefoot. Hats are similarly limited to protective gear in harsh weather, and are rarely worn at other times.
The Chiyu nu Tami do prize jewelry, and will often wear a single piece at a time that is intended as the focus of their outfit. Necklaces and pendants are the most common, although brooches and elaborate pins are also popular. Wearing several pieces of jewelry at once is not considered tasteful.
Social Structure
The society of the Chiyu nu Tami is strongly oriented around the family, each of which is said to be descended from one the Kitsunekami. The eldest female in each family is the leader and high priestess of the family, and delegates various responsibilities to her daughters and granddaughters. Occasionally they will give some responsibility to one of the males in the family, but in general the Chiyu nu Tami consider males too emotional, whimsical, and flighty to be trusted with anything important.
As each one of the Chiyu nu Tami approach their hundredth year, they will begin to retire from public life, passing on their responsibilities to the younger members of the family. What exactly they do afterwards is not discussed with people outside the Chiyu nu Tami, but seems to be religious in nature, and ancestors who are long vanished are eventually referred to as having moved from being Kitsunejin to being Kitsunekami.
Religion & Folklore
The Chiyu nu Tami revere and worship their ancestors, who are collectively known as the Kitsunekami. They believe that the Kitsunekami are activelly engaged in shaping the worlds that emerge out of the Dream, and that by practicing Hanakarui, they are participating in that effort. Hanakarui is a philosophical concept at the heart of the Chiyu nu Tami culture. It roughly translates to "Bright Blossoming", but is more often described as "Living Brightly". To practice Hanakarui, one must strive to live their life in a way that inspires bright and positive thoughts in those around them. There are many ways to practice Hanakarui, from the raising of children to epic heroism. The point is to inspire people to dream of good things and better worlds, so that those thoughts will enter into the Dream and create the tenor of new worlds yet to be born. The Chiyu nu Tami believe that happy people who have inspiring stories around them create brighter worlds within in the dream, and that the practice of Hanakarui encourages the conditions for these worlds to emerge.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Main Article: Kitsunengo
Foods & Cuisine
The cuisine of the Chiyu nu Tami is highly eclectic, as they love to try new foods from other cultures and incorporate them into their every day foods. Like most of the cultures in the Great Ring, they rely heavily on seafood, including fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. They also incorporate many fruits and vegetables, including taro, yams, and many kinds of seaweed. A popular dish among the Chiyu nu Tami is Champulu, which consists of stir-fried noodles with fish and vegetables, usually bean sprouts, bitter melon, and carrots. Each family will have their own variation on Champulu, with their own combination of spices and ingredients, and rivalry over whose version is best is fierce.
Related Articles
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
I love the amount of detail you put on their cuisine! They sound like real foodies- my kind of people <3
Come visit my world of Kena'an for tales of fantasy and magic!
Or, if you want something darker, Crux Umbra awaits.
I really like food as a way to explore a culture; I’m glad you like their taste!