Post by Kiri on Apr 13, 2007 1:59:26 GMT -5
Homura Clan
[/i][/size][/color][/center]Basics[/i][/u][/size][/color]
For the most part, members of the Homura clan are quite placid, considering that their bonds lie in something as erratic and unpredictable as fire. This is not without reason. In the clan's early days, its members were dangerously undisciplined, and many unintentionally destroyed themselves with their flippant approach to flame jutsu. Homura Hinomoto, the accepted "founder" of the clan, was the perfect example of this. As the legend goes, he was as powerful as a raging wildfire, but also just as uncontrollable. In his unbridled pursuit of increasingly stronger techniques, he was consumed by the ferocity of his own inner flame.
The Homura have taken great lesson from this. Early on, children in the clan are taught to meditate and control the fire within them. Before they are allowed entrance to the academy, they must learn to access it and pacify its fury. As they grow and begin to learn more difficult and powerful techniques, their inner focus must likewise increase. In this way, the clan honors inner balance above all else.
The Inner Flame[/i][/u][/size][/color]
The "inner flame" is a rather abstract concept for the Homura, more spiritual than it is physical. Since they believe their ancestors actually came from fire, they consider this small flame to burn inside of them, perhaps near the heart area. They generally fail to be specific about it. It could be compared to the concept of a soul: intangible, but still believed to exist.
The Temple[/i][/u][/size][/color]
Though the Homura do not worship fire, they recognize its power. Many clan members, in fact, believe that their skills are far too dangerous to be put to use in battle. Because of this belief, the Homura Temple of Tranquility was established. Located in the center of the clan grounds, its courtyard has become a gathering place for holidays, special occasions, and meetings to discuss clan business.
Primarily, the Temple is a place of learning for the Homura clan. Controlled by a council of five elders, this is the place where the young Homura are sent to be trained in addition to their normal Academy training, and the elders are the ones who decide which Homura will be allowed to train as shinobi. They may also choose to review their decision, and even revoke the privilege at any time if a young shinobi does something irresponsible with his or her power.
The devout who seek to actually join the temple enter a life similar to that of a monk. Forsaking the ways of the shinobi, they live simple lives and focus on their path to finding inner peace. They wear robes similar to those worn buddhist monks, ranging in color from dark blacks and blues to bright reds, oranges, and yellows. While the shaving of the head is not required, many choose to do so because it further simplifies their manner of living. These reclusive members are also in charge of recording and cataloguing clan history.
Although they are pacifistic, that does not mean that they are weak. As they strive for the perfect balance by training their minds, they spend an equal amount of time training their bodies. While they would never use the generally accepted fire techniques of the Homura clan, they will use defense-based taijutsu. Most of them know the basics that shinobi are taught at the Academy, but beyond that, they do not practice jutsu.
The Shinobi[/i][/u][/size][/color]
This branch of the Homura clan is similar to the rest of Konoha's shinobi. They train at the Academy and participate in the village heirarchy. The only difference is that about a year before a child enters the academy, her or she is sent to a special school at the Temple. Only when the would-be shinobi satisfy the requirements of the Temple elders are they allowed to enroll in the Konoha Ninja Academy.
The Itamai[/i][/u][/size][/color]
The Itamai are a branch of the clan dedicated to studying the culinary arts. Though fewer in number than the Homura shinobi or the members of the Temple, the chefs that graduate from the Homura School of Culinary Arts are among the most skilled in the world. Before entering cooking school, almost all of the students study to become shinobi so that they can apply the Homura clan techniques in the culinary world.
In recent years, school policy was changed to allow entrance by anyone, not just members of the Homura clan. However, students without an expertise in fire techniques often find the classes much more difficult.
Clan History[/i][/u][/size][/color]
As previously mentioned, the clan was founded by Homura Hinamoto, whose given name literally means "origin of fire." Many of the techniques he developed are still used in the clan today, although they have evolved over time. However, knowledge of the techniques he was developing before his death has been lost or destroyed. After his death, his three sons, Homura Ryoukou, Homura Kouhei, and Homura Yasuragi split apart, creating three different institutions.
Yasuragi, the oldest brother, founded the Temple. He despised his father's lust for power and shunned the pursuit of it, burying himself in a quest for tranquility. He spent most of his life creating guidelines and doctrine for the future devout to follow. Although he did not live to see the culmination of his efforts, by the time of his death the construction of the Temple of Tranquility was well under way, and he had already gathered a number of followers from among the growing clan.
Hinamoto's second son, Kouhei, went into training as a shinobi, intermingling Yasuragi's beliefs in balance with his own beliefs in power and his ingenuity for creating techniques. Of the three, he was the most like his father, but, unlike the clan's patriarch, he was smarter about his ambitions. Careful to keep moderation and wisdom at the forefront when forming techniques, he was able to maintain stability while achieving an admirable level of strength.
The last and youngest brother, Ryoukou, followed after Kouhei for a time, trying to train himself as a shinobi. After a while, however, he found that he disliked this path for his life and began to consider other alternatives, especially pursuits in which he could apply his knowledge of fire techniques. In a rare stroke of genius, he decided to apply the Homura fire skills to the art of cooking. Taking on the name of "Itamai," he buried himself in what would become a lifelong pursuit of culinary greatness. It was one of his grandchildren who later began the process of establishing the Homura School of Culinary Arts; but since its beginnings, the students there have called themselves "Itamai" in honor of the legendary chef Ryoukou.
The Fire Festival[/i][/u][/size][/color]
The Homura clan has a special holiday in autumn called The Fire Festival. It is a five day event that centers around the clan, as well as its skills and accomplishments. More importantly, however, it is meant to celebrate the element of fire itself. The festival is a flurry of activity, with so much to do that it would be impossible to partake of everything. The Itamai show off their latest recipes, and mouth-watering smells permeate the clan grounds for the festival's duration. Historians from the Temple hold storytelling sessions of the clan's history, often separated into sessions by age. Children may listen to one story, while their parents or older siblings listen to others. There is also a tournament which the Homura shinobi may participate in and take the opportunity to show off their skills.
The biggest and most anticipated event of the festival by far, however, is the show on the evening of the last day. As soon as it gets dark, everyone gathers near the Temple grounds where a special stage has been set up. A clan member (usually one of the Temple elders) narrates as the show commences. It is an interpretive dance based on the formation of the Homura clan, and while there are many dancers, there is one who is central throughout. The clan rotates between members to decide whose turn it is which year to perform. After the performance, fireworks are set off, and the Homura party on into the night. The festival ends at sunrise.
In the past this festival was off-limits to anyone who was not a clan member, however in recent years this has been changed. Often people outside of the clan will be allowed to attend by invitation from friends within the clan.
