Madame Kaji's Role

Madame Kaji's role

Madame Kaji is a headstrong, strong-willed, sharp tongued, yet caring woman in Blue Eye Samurai. We see her softer side when she was heartbroken that Kinuyo was taken from her by Boss Hamata. Her disdain for men shows up when she tells Akemi that men are weak, yet still feel the need to be powerful.

Eventually Madame Kaji and her girls are recruited to be Akemi's Lady-in-waitings, her advisors, and her companions in the palace. We see that Madame Kaji is serious about the job when she sees Mizu. Stating that it was improper of a man to be in the womens' quarters, and that she saw how Mizu watched the guards take Akemi away. Madame Kaji only budges when Mizu mentions that Akemi is in danger. So, we see that Madame Kaji does care for Akemi.

The question now is, what will be Madame Kaji's role in the future? With Seki dead, I believe that Madame Kaji will become Akemi's new mentor. But, she will differ from Seki. Madame Kaji will most likely assist Akemi's goal to becoming great. Chances are, she will encourage Akemi to manipulate her husband even further to give Akemi more power in the palace. After all, Madame Kaji did advise Akemi, "...nurture his weakness and become his strength."

Madame Kaji will push Akemi to become ruthless and manipulative to gain power in court. We've already seen Akemi manipulate Taigen during sex when she convinced him that Mizu did not give him a proper duel. Madame Kaji will Akemi the push she needs to gain control in the palace. If Seki taught Akemi how to bring honour, then Madame Kaji will teach her how to take it. Either by manipulation or by swaying the court to her favour.

I noticed that I thought Madame Kaji and Lady Ito were similar in a way. They were both women in positions of authority. (Lady Ito is currently the Empress and Madame Kaji was the manager in a brothel before becoming Akemi's Lady-in-Waiting.) Both Madame Kaji and Lady Ito have no problem with talking back to Akemi. Also both are intelligent, well-spoken, have groups of people that are loyal to them (Lady Ito's clan, sons, and the nobles in court. Madam Kaji and her girls.) And both are ruthless when it comes to their enemies. Lady Ito made her son lock the door behind them, trapping the nobles, because they saw the Shogun's less honourable side. While Madame Kaji killed Boss Hamata due to his abuse.

Since Lady Ito had made it clear she does not like Akemi, I believe that Madame Kaji will be her foil. Her parallel of some sort. Both women share multiple qualities but one is at the top of society while the other has been near the bottom almost her whole life. From what I have seen of Lady Ito, I believe that she will look down on Madame Kaji and will have a rivalry with her. Same with Madame Kaji, since Lady Ito has constantly taunted Akemi during her stay at the palace.

Madame Kaji will most likely become the key for Akemi to gain the upper hand against the Empress. Perhaps Madame Kaji or one of her girls will overhear of a secret of the Empress. Remember that Lady Ito knew of her husband's secret tradings with the West and kept it on the down low. She probably has some secrets of her own as well. Secrets that could strip her of her power or ruin her reputation.

When the palace burnt down, we learned that Akemi's father is still alive. Akemi offers to take care of him, but she has a devious smile. Akemi will try to punish her father in some way of course, but I believe she will also try to use him. From what we've seen from Akemi, she doesn't use brute force to control people. She prefers emotional manipulation. She's done this to Taigen, the random man she served in the brothel, and her husband to get her way.

Akemi's way of control lines up with Madame Kaji's view on how women get their revenge. Stating that revenge is a luxury for men, but women need to be more practical and focus on the result. They make the perfect duo. An experienced, cunning, and cutthroat advisor paired up with a ruler who is ambitious, conniving, and eager to play Go with the people around her as her Go pieces.

They will most definitely pair up to use Akemi's father for their plans. Whether through blackmail or something more sinister. Perhaps they will use Madame Kaji's girls to eavesdrop on important conversations that hold secrets of the royal family. No matter the method, Madame Kaji will ensure that Akemi will achieve greatness because not only will it benefit Akemi's future, but also her girls' future.

Seki was the mentor that Akemi needed while growing up, but Madame Kaji is the advisor that Akemi needs if she wants to navigate the backstabbing, dishonourable royal court to get to the top.

He did all the crimes above and worse, but I love him so let him free

Tcf fandom/Calefam when Cale's accused of a crime he did commit:

Symbolism with Akemi and theories on how she could become a ruler in Japan

Throughout Blue Eye Samurai, we see that Akemi constantly struggles with her freedom, life, and what she wants in life. While Akemi may be a princess, she is also a woman in the Edo Period. She barely has any say on her life. The only times she has any say on her life is when she convinces another man to change things for her. (Her father, Taigen, and her husband.)

There's this one moment when she is first introduced that showcases what little say she has over her life. When trying to convince her father that she should marry Taigen, Tomoe (her little half brother) throws food at her. In fact, Akemi's father even praises Tomoe for doing as he pleases. He even remarks that Tomoe would grow up to be a great lord. This is insulting to Akemi. Her little brother, a child; most likely not older than 5 or 6 because he doesn't talk, has more say over Akemi's own life, than she does. She's an adult, a princess yet this little boy could kill her at a second's notice, and she wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

What hurts even more is that the only 2 times her father speaks softer to her is when Akemi brings up marriage candidates and when he shows her the 12 and 20 sex positions. He doesn't see her as a person, he didn't even see his late wife as a person. The only thing he mentions about his late wife is that she was unladylike, but she knew how to please a lord. That's the kind of man that Akemi's father is. He only views people based on their importance to him. Tomoe is valuable because he is an heir. Akemi is valuable because she is his key to becoming the Shogun of Japan. His late wife's only use was her ability to please.

Akemi's father doesn't even show an ounce of sympathy when Akemi is down on her knees, begging to not get married.

Another symbol of Akemi's lack of say is the pet bird she receives as a wedding gift. Akemi releases the bird because she relates to its lack of freedom. She follows it, yet when it is close to gaining freedom, it is shot by her husband.

Do you know what else this parallels? Akemi when she was trying to escape her marriage. She was close to getting away, but she was caught by her family's guards.

Akemi's lack of freedom is constantly mocked. To her father to Lady Ito. Lady ito does not care about Akemi because it is what is expected. Even going as far as to mock her mourning of the bird as she feeds her 2 other birds.

Akemi is a bird in a cage, pretty but trapped. But Akemi has the potential to control Japan through her husband. Like what Madam Kaji said, "nurture his weakness and become his strength." Akemi could become a shadow ruler of Japan and have her husband be the puppet ruler. It isn't unheard of women being the actual power the thrones while a puppet ruler was the face of it. Many queens regents often acted as the absolute monarch in place of their husbands or sons. Sometimes Queen mothers would intimidate their sons so they could have power. Catherine de' Medici, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and many more are great examples.

Two other possibilities is that she could become more of a popular ruler of Japan and therefore people would be in support of placing her on the throne. Catherine the Great of Russia did this with her husband. Peter the III was incompetent so Catherine the Great overthrew her husband and became the ruler of Russia. Akemi could make the first son of the Shogun seem unfit to rule Japan and have her husband become the Shogun. Then she could slowly become more popular and have the nobles and the common people treat her more as the absolute monarch in Japan. Remember Takayoshi seems insecure and could possibly let Akemi rule instead. Effectively becoming more of the face of the throne with Akemi becoming the power of it.

The second possibility is that Akemi completely overthrows one of the 2 sons of the Shogun (either her brother in law or Takayoshi) and just become the sole ruler in Japan. While unlikely, we do have real life examples of women being the sole rulers to the throne. Queen Seondeok of Silla in Korea, and Wu Zetian, the only Female Emperor of China. Both rulers ruled before Edo Japan. Queen Seondeok of Silla was the daughter of the King, and she protested to be an heir to the throne. She was described as a kind and wise ruler. Technically, Akemi could be in line for the throne if everyone dies except her.

Wu Zetian was described to be more ruthless, but she was extremely innovated and a competent emperor. Empress Wu allowed women and commoners to be her advisors and have a place in the royal court. This is awfully similar to how Akemi allowed Madam Kaji and her girls to be her Lady-in-waitings and her companions at the palace. This also reflects on how Akemi wishes for women in Japan to be equal to men. Wu Zetian also fixed the famine problems of the common people, had a part in inventing printing for the Chinese people, and advocated for women's rights. During her reign, many women had more political power, and some even donned men's attire.

If Akemi learns how to use her manipulation skills to manipulate the royal court, she could bring a revolt to place her as the sole ruler. Akemi could possibly appear as the benevolent and wise ruler like Queen Seondeok of Silla, but behind closed doors she could use the same tactics like Wu Zetian did. But of course, still have her competence and approval of the common people. Also side note that Wu Zetian was worth about 16 trillion dollars USD and the Shogun is the second richest man in the world, so Akemi has the chance at being the richest woman in the world.

While Akemi still has much to do before she can become the ruler of Japan, I do believe that through the recent development that we've seen she could become the sole ruler of Japan. An Empress that is kind, wise, and generous like Queen Seondeok, but also a ruthless, cunning, yet powerful and beloved empress like Emperor Wu Zetian. Akemi may be a bird in a cage at this moment, but she will find a way to break out of her prison and make all of Japan worship her as the Divine Empress of Japan.

Instead of being sent on the mission that ended with Shen Yuan getting stripped by a Skinner Demon (before Shen Yuan killed the demon), Yue Qingyuan sends Shen Qingqiu to the imperial city to deal with some political matters.

It's far safer - Shen Qingqiu won't get physically harmed and lost memories or not, Yue Qingyuan reasons that Shen Jiu's innate sharp tongue is going to inflict more emotional damage than he could even possibly receive. Plus, for good measure, he sends Shang Qinghua too.

So, Shen Yuan gets sent to the imperial city to help Shang Qinghua with a particularly difficult trade negotiation and a couple extra days for sightseeing/vacationing because Yue Qingyuan Likes To Spoil Shen Jiu Like That.

As a bonus, Shen Qingqiu's presence also reminds the imperial court to fuck off - Cang Qiong doesn’t deal with politics, they stay out of it and prioritize saving people, so please stop telling them to accept bribes and refuse missions to this or that place that just so happens to be where some enemy politician's fam is located.

Luo Binghe tags along to act as Shen Qingqiu's servant because Shen Yuan demanded it - the sheep can't get bullied on the peak while he's away! - and Yue Qingyuan also thought that Luo Binghe's presence would help encourage Shen Qingqiu to take his meds and eat properly. You know, the basic self-care things that Shen Qingqiu should do more.

Anyways, Shen Yuan does what Shen Yuan does and wifebeams the crown prince. And the whole court. And the city too.

Yue Qingyuan has Regrets. The sheep is watching everything with wide eyes, only narrowly escaping the wifebeam thanks to his age and having not started puberty yet.

(The Luo Binghe a few years later will view those memories with Very Very different outlook. But it's too late.)

A literal line of horse-drawn carts come stampeding to the peak with proposal letters for Shen Qingqiu. And that's how Shen Yuan starts off his second life with a bang.

[More in #shen yuan's wifebeam hits the entire imperial city and there are Consequences AU]

Names and their meanings - Blue Eye Samurai

Mizu- means water; this can represent that Mizu travels across the waters to find her biological father to kill him. Can also represent her flexibility within her identity. There is nothing solid. Mizu has lived her life as a man and a woman. She is both white and Japanese. Mizu draws the line between a swordmaster who appreciates the art of the sword and a person stricken with grief who will stop at nothing to achieve the vengeance they so crave. During the play, Mizu was both the ronin and the onryo. There is not one identity you can give to Mizu because she is as flexible and changing as water. After all, you can't keep water in your hands forever the same way you cannot tie down Mizu to one identity.

Akemi- translates to Bright Beauty. Akemi is mentioned to look nothing short like a princess even when her kimino was covered in dirt. The bright in bright beauty could also be taken as intelligence. Akemi throughout the series becomes knowledgeable, and well tempered. Fitting of a wise princess. You could also argue that bright could refer to her ambition to be great.

Taigen- means strong, fearless, and warrior. Taigen is regarded to be a strong samurai throughout the series, with Mizu even acknowledging his strength. He definitely fits into the warrior archetype. Always wanting to restore his honour, appreciating the art of the sword, physically strong, coming from a humble background, etc. Taigen is fearless to an alarming degree. Of course, he's brave but it can be deadly to the point of recklessness. For example, he was confident he could beat Abijah Fowler's gun with his sword. Not even considering the advance technology of guns.

Ringo- means apple. This one kinda stumped me, but I have an explanation that I hope makes sense. There's the saying, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Usually referring to children being alike to their parents. In the beginning, we see that Ringo is helping out with his father's restaurant. Cooking noodles and serving customers. After seeing Mizu's showdown in the restaurant, he's inspired by her. Wanting to be her apprentice because Ringo wants to be a great samurai. In the season finale, Ringo is led to believe that Mizu has died. Master Eiji takes Ringo under his wing to learn the art of sword making. I believe his name refers to his willingness to always learn. Ringo learned from his father, Mizu then Master Eiji. (Taigen even teaches some stuff about fighting) I'm sure that him learning from all these people will lead up to something. Maybe Ringo will become a Jack of All Trades.

Mikio is such a loser

The audacity of some fucking man, I didn't feel rage in the moment while watching the episode with the amount of rage I felt after is unexplainable, she trusted him enough to fuck him, then show her her real self and then, he may of had something to do with the man that attacked her, then he ran away like a pussy as if he has one and then he came back called her mom a hoe killed her mom and then begged for forgiveness he is so lucky that mizu had enough, because if I was her he would have gotten much worse than what he did