Households of Mt. Komorebi: Akiyama Family (+ Fashion)

(Year 230, Fall) I'm introducing the many households in my game, including some details on cultural and historical aspects. I like to share, and it might also help me sorting out further paths and much needed inspiration for my game.

5th protected family of Komorebi:
Akiyama Family

Protector of the (love-) Bird, Protected by the Cherry tree (blossom), Element Changes.

Originally there were 7 protcted families in each of the 3 kingdoms that are today forming the Empire of Snorthia. Today only the Nishidake family (1st Protected family of Komorebi) ranks higher than Akiyama, from the old Komorebi families.

Princiss Magile (26), Yimoshi Akiyama (62) and daughter Beyole (0)
carried by Aunt Kimiro (67), visitin g from Sulani (Sea kingdom).

Since their origin in Year 44 only 1 out of 5 heads of the Akiyama family did not have a position in the Imperial Council. With such a strong community position it was no surprise that the current head could marry a 36 years younger daughter of the Emperor, Princiss Magile.

Fashions

The kimono is traditionally the only fashionable outfit of Empire of Snorthia, but fashions changed very slowly. There are several rules when wearing a kimono, generally spoken it takes a certain rank as well as youth to wear strong colors or hefty patterns.

Only class Kurai-ichi can use colors of red and purple. Classes Kurai-ichi and Kurai-ni can use patterns and elements of gold/silver. All members of the Imperial Sloth family will use colorful kimonos. Classes Kurai-san and the common class use solid colors with no patterns. Within any of the three classes, youngers will use brighter colors/patterns than elders, meaning a lower ranked elder will typically be seen wearing a gray kimono with no pattern.

The tradituional old Simerian kimono, witch origins from Simerinia, is occasionally used by Empire/Emperess, but it is also the traditional wedding outfit with finer families, today mostly used by Kurai-ichi, Kurai-ni and Kurai-san, as well as the 7 protected families. Concubine-ichi will wear it, as might Geisha. The wedding kimono used to be popular with tourists' portraits, but this was stopped by the current Emperor.

The tuft is normally reserved married residents, mostly used by women, but we can also find it on children's kimonos, most likely when the child is main heir of a finer family.

Also make-up has its own rules in Snorthia! The pale facial mask is old tradition, while the heavy mascara was introduced following the Sloth invasion. Both are still standing strong, mainly with the upper classes (ichi and ni). White mask is obligatory when expecting to be publicly observed, especially if you are famous or formal by heart. Depending on the situation both mask and mascara can be graded, you will restrict the effects while working out, but going more extreme at a formal event. Only Concubines and Geisha will wear a non-transparent mask, though. Mask and mascara are used from teen life stage, males just a tiny bit more discrete than females.

Estate

The Akiyama family resides at 2-4-3 Wakabamori, Wakaba. It was current head's father, Kadoshi Akiyama, Princi-ichi who bought the lot in Year 183 and built Akiyama House. This is the only lot owned by the family.

Current household

Yimoshi Akiyama (62), head of the Akiyama family, is probably the least sporty member of the Imperial Council, which he was elected into at age 50. He is traditional and proper, but he is not really interesting in whether estetics are traditional or  modern. He loves the outdoors, but prefers the lush nature over snowy mountains and is not interested in extreme sports. He enjoys collecting stuff from nature, and being the protector of (love-) birds, he keeps chicken, in order to provide birds to others more than to make a fortune. His registered career is a soy bean farmer.

Princiss Magile (26) was married to head of the Akiyama family as soon as she grew up. The year after she gave birth to a daughter, meaning they will obviously try for more children. In Empire of Snorthia «1 son is worth 10 daughters», and only a son can become next head of the house. Magile is family-oriented, and wants many children. She is dominant and formal, and really wants to build a career, but it might not be easy thanks to the old fashioned standards where house wives are meant to tend to family. She is thinking of developing canned food for infants, perhaps the coming years will be perfect for research?

Beyole Akiyama (1) is too young to be described. She just discovered the funny birds outside!

Yimoshi Akiyama has two sisters, Kimiro living in Sulani/Sea kingdom, where she married into House of Wixx. And Nikade who married into the Kibo family.

Akiyama Family's family tree.

Princiss Magile, Yimoshi Akiyama and little Beyole. Aunt visiting from Sulani.

Animals, Crops and Pets

This household grows soy bean and keeps chicken, both being Yimoshi Akiyama's responsibility. Rumors had it that Princiss Magile refused to become a farmer, but she might get used to live outside the Sloth Palace eventually.