Poetry

There is a package at the Bar for Lan Zhan. It includes four items: a letter, a Japanese language primer specifically for Chinese readers, the volume of Lan An's poetry that he loaned to Abe no Seimei, and a small card inside the cover of said volume of poetry.

The letter, written in neat Chinese characters with a fountain pen on cream-colored paper, reads:

To the Honorable Lan Wangji,

Thank you once again for introducing me to the work of the founder of your sect. I found many of his poems deeply moving, and I daresay even the great Du Fu would have admired them.

I dare to hope that you find the poetry of my homeland to be so worthy. Our poems are written in a phonetic alphabet called katakana, in which a character represents a syllable (rather than a word, as in the Chinese system). The waka poems I have recommended to you are written in a pattern of 5/7/5/7/7 syllables. It has occurred to me that Milliways' translation effect may obscure this form. Therefore I have included, along with your book, a primer intended for Chinese people to learn katakana. May this gift serve you well.

安倍 晴明

The card inside the cover of Lan An's poetry is blue, and the only thing written on it is a waka poem, like an offering:

Tare ka yo ni nagaraete mimu kakitomeshi ate wa kiesenu katami naredomo

As life flows on, who will ever read it - this keepsake to her whose memory will never die?

Peace Offering

At the Bar is a package for Wei Wuxian, consisting of a letter written in neat Chinese (on cream-colored paper with a fountain pen) and a small, glossy black stoppered clay bottle wrapped in a folded furoshiki cloth.

The letter is short and to the point, since the sender understands that the recipient probably prefers it that way. It reads:

To the Honorable Wei Wuxian,

I owe you an apology for my behavior at our first meeting, which I feel obligated to deliver in person at a time and place of your choosing. Until then, I hope you will find this rice wine from my homeland to your liking. It is meant to be consumed hot. Removing the enchanted stopper will heat the wine in the bottle to the optimal drinking temperature.

安倍 晴明