Ryu Zhong's Blog
April 1, 2024
Poetry of ‘Takuan from Koto’
While the ‘Journey to the West’ is very poetic, ‘Takuan from Koto’ ventures into the poetic worlds only briefly.
Most of the verses are following the waka and tanka (see below) traditions whenever it is possible with the translation.
In the Makipedia, you’ll find three verses from the book with a detailed explanation of their meaning.
Most of the verses are following the waka and tanka (see below) traditions whenever it is possible with the translation.
In the Makipedia, you’ll find three verses from the book with a detailed explanation of their meaning.
January 12, 2024
Robert Lynn Asprin and Another Fine Myth
Robert Lynn Asprin was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, known best for his humorous series ‘MythAdventures’ and ‘Phule’s Company’. His books are noted for and popular for their whimsical nature, myriad characters, and liberal use of puns.
The ‘Myth Adventures’ series is fast-moving story full of action, the characters are colourful and vocal. It is a perfect example of light and humorous fantasy, the genre in which ‘Takuan’s Adventures’ also written.
In a small part, Takuan borrows some features from Skeeve, the main character of ‘Myth Adventures’. Though his reason to leave the Mount White monastery is not a tragedy but a simple boredom.
To know a little bit more about Asprin’s connection to Takuan, you must visit the Makipedia.
The ‘Myth Adventures’ series is fast-moving story full of action, the characters are colourful and vocal. It is a perfect example of light and humorous fantasy, the genre in which ‘Takuan’s Adventures’ also written.
In a small part, Takuan borrows some features from Skeeve, the main character of ‘Myth Adventures’. Though his reason to leave the Mount White monastery is not a tragedy but a simple boredom.
To know a little bit more about Asprin’s connection to Takuan, you must visit the Makipedia.
January 3, 2024
Hercule Flambeau, Chesterton’s Trickster
Hercule Flambeau is a fictional character created by English novelist G. K. Chesterton, who appears in 48 short stories about the character Father Brown. A master criminal, his surname ‘Flambeau’ is an alias, the French word for a flaming torch.
Flambeau himself lives to his alias by committing his crimes in daring manner, acting right under the nose of police. Takuan inherits this trait: his tricks are not the ones that are done at night, but the ones that are done in plain sight.
It has been suggested that Agatha Christie’s famous detective Hercule Poirot was inspired by the character.
If you want to know a little more about Flambeau and his connection with Takuan, you must visit his page on Makipedia.
Flambeau himself lives to his alias by committing his crimes in daring manner, acting right under the nose of police. Takuan inherits this trait: his tricks are not the ones that are done at night, but the ones that are done in plain sight.
It has been suggested that Agatha Christie’s famous detective Hercule Poirot was inspired by the character.
If you want to know a little more about Flambeau and his connection with Takuan, you must visit his page on Makipedia.
December 15, 2023
Brer Rabbit, an Afro-American Trickster
Brer (Brother) Rabbit is a central figure in an oral tradition passed down by African-Americans of the Southern United States and African descendants in the Caribbean, notably Afro-Bahamians and Turks and Caicos Islanders.
He is a trickster who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn, provoking authority figures and bending social mores as he sees fit.
He’s one of the secondary references for Takuan, who also relies on his wits and provokes all sort of authorities from city guard to governors to princes.
If you want to know a little more about the origins of the Brer Rabbit himself, you must read his page on Makipedia.
He is a trickster who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn, provoking authority figures and bending social mores as he sees fit.
He’s one of the secondary references for Takuan, who also relies on his wits and provokes all sort of authorities from city guard to governors to princes.
If you want to know a little more about the origins of the Brer Rabbit himself, you must read his page on Makipedia.
December 12, 2023
Nasreddin Hodja, a Muslim Trickster
Nasreddin Hodja is a character in the folklore of the Muslim world from the Balkans to China, and a hero of humorous short stories and satirical anecdotes.
He is portrayed as a wise fool, clever simpleton, or instructive prankster.
The oldest manuscript of Nasreddin dates to 1571, which is coincidental with both ‘Journey to the West’ and the first chapbook about Till Eulenspiegel. Moreover, Nasreddin frequently is compared with this northern European trickster.
If you want to learn a bit more about how Nasreddin Hodja and Takuan related, you must visit Nasreddin’s page on Makipedia.
He is portrayed as a wise fool, clever simpleton, or instructive prankster.
The oldest manuscript of Nasreddin dates to 1571, which is coincidental with both ‘Journey to the West’ and the first chapbook about Till Eulenspiegel. Moreover, Nasreddin frequently is compared with this northern European trickster.
If you want to learn a bit more about how Nasreddin Hodja and Takuan related, you must visit Nasreddin’s page on Makipedia.
December 10, 2023
Sung-Guan, a Boy with a Tail
Sung-Guan makes an appearance in the pages of ‘Takuan from Koto’ only towards the end of the second book, ‘Hunters of Weredemons.’ Let’s not discuss how it happened, but Sung-Guan became the victim of an unlucky sorcerer named Bricabrac, who, perhaps for the only time, found himself blessed with good fortune.
As a result, Sung-Guan acquired a long and clingy tail, as well as golden fur, resembling a mountain monkey. Along with the tail, Sung-Guan also gained the boundless energy of the celestial marten Ta-Guan, which, of course, inhabited the one who later received the name Sung-Guan.
If you want to learn a little more about Sung-Guan, you must read Makipedia.
As a result, Sung-Guan acquired a long and clingy tail, as well as golden fur, resembling a mountain monkey. Along with the tail, Sung-Guan also gained the boundless energy of the celestial marten Ta-Guan, which, of course, inhabited the one who later received the name Sung-Guan.
If you want to learn a little more about Sung-Guan, you must read Makipedia.
December 2, 2023
Four Heavenly Kings
The Four Heavenly Kings, Tamon-ten, Jocho-ten, Jikoku-ten, and Komoku-ten, were assigned by the Jade Emperor to guard the heavens from all four directions. Tamon-ten was assigned the north, Jocho-ten the south, Jikoku-ten was directed to guard the eastern gates, and Komoku-ten the western gates.
Each King wields one of the four sacred weapons: Jocho-ten skillfully wields Jian the Thunder Sword. Tamon-ten wields Sanjiegun the Thunder Flail, Jikoku-ten wields Saitsu the Lightning Trident, and Komoku-ten wields Gun the Heavenly Pole, the weapon of the Western Dawn.
If you want to know a little more about the Heavenly Kings, you must visit the Makipedia.
Each King wields one of the four sacred weapons: Jocho-ten skillfully wields Jian the Thunder Sword. Tamon-ten wields Sanjiegun the Thunder Flail, Jikoku-ten wields Saitsu the Lightning Trident, and Komoku-ten wields Gun the Heavenly Pole, the weapon of the Western Dawn.
If you want to know a little more about the Heavenly Kings, you must visit the Makipedia.
November 30, 2023
The Jade Emperor Himself
The Jade Emperor sits on the throne, located in the heart of the Jade Palace. In his hand, he holds a jade scepter, through which he governs the three realms: the Heavens, the Earthen Realm, and the Under Realm.
In ancient times, he, along with his brother, managed to ascend to the Heavens and earned the respect of the gods. As a sign of recognition, the gods bestowed upon the Emperor the jade scepter, while his brother, the long-haired Yanwang Umma-ö, gained a rare power from the gods—the ability to travel to and from the Underworld at will.
The Emperor appointed his brother as the ruler of the nine thousand worlds hidden in the Under Realm, while he himself indulged in the courtly life. Order and tranquility reigned in all three realms, pleasing the gods whom the Jade Emperor would host lavish celebrations for in his palace.
If you want to know a little more about the Jade Emperor and his domain, you must visit the Makipedia.
In ancient times, he, along with his brother, managed to ascend to the Heavens and earned the respect of the gods. As a sign of recognition, the gods bestowed upon the Emperor the jade scepter, while his brother, the long-haired Yanwang Umma-ö, gained a rare power from the gods—the ability to travel to and from the Underworld at will.
The Emperor appointed his brother as the ruler of the nine thousand worlds hidden in the Under Realm, while he himself indulged in the courtly life. Order and tranquility reigned in all three realms, pleasing the gods whom the Jade Emperor would host lavish celebrations for in his palace.
If you want to know a little more about the Jade Emperor and his domain, you must visit the Makipedia.
November 29, 2023
‘Takuan from Koto’ is Free (for a Limited Time)
I am thrilled to announce the Free Promotion just started for the Kindle version of ‘Takuan from Koto’.
Grab your copy of Takuan from Koto eBook for $0,00 now!
Grab your copy of Takuan from Koto eBook for $0,00 now!
November 28, 2023
Shu Wuzing, a Sand Demon
Once upon a time, one of the Gods of Fortune named Ebisu received a magical fishing rod as a gift. With its help, he awakened a demon who had peacefully slumbered in the depths of the sea sand.
This demon was called Shu Wuzing, and upon awakening, he set off to the Middle Realm to satisfy both his hunger and boredom. The troubles caused by the demon alarmed the Jasper Emperor, who ruled the land of Chinayindu, and he sought help from the celestials.
If you want to know a little more about Shu Wuzing’s fate, you must visit his page on the Makipedia.
This demon was called Shu Wuzing, and upon awakening, he set off to the Middle Realm to satisfy both his hunger and boredom. The troubles caused by the demon alarmed the Jasper Emperor, who ruled the land of Chinayindu, and he sought help from the celestials.
If you want to know a little more about Shu Wuzing’s fate, you must visit his page on the Makipedia.
