(no subject)
Depending upon the kanji used, the name of the Nisei translates into "two stars" -- probably an allusion to the two stars visible in the star sapphire. In older references, however, the kanji for "life/birth" has been recorded, creating the meaning "two life/birth."
By legend, the Nisei has the power to alter fate. It's said to have altered the course of battles, to have ensnared others into love, and to have recalled the departed to life. One story tells of four uses: A feudal lord was besotted with the lady wife of a neighboring kingdom and vowed to have her as his own. His first wish was for victory, and the earth opened before the neighboring army, swallowing men and horses alive. He captured the wife, but she did not love him, instead clamoring for her fallen husband. The lord's second wish was to have her love, and as soon as the words fell from his lips, she came to him as though she'd known no other. Overjoyed, the lord took her as his own -- but as the months passed, they found that the lady was barren, unable to have a child. His third wish blessed her womb, and she bore him six children in succession . . . all daughters, each as lovely as the last, but not one able to carry on his kingdom. A seventh came, and, half-crazed and nearing the end of his life, the lord made his last wish: Every one of his daughters became a son, as though they'd never been otherwise -- seven sons to carry on his name. The lord passed away soon after, his belly bloated with glut and a smile twisted on his lips. When they cut open his belly, out flew hundreds of demons, who flew away into the night sky. They'd eaten him from the inside out.
There are dozens of variants on this story, including ones where each wish cost the lord a family member, where he himself became a demon that fed on his country until he was killed, where he devoured the children as they were born and they were spirits or demons freed from his belly upon his demise. Each variant seems more barbaric than the last, but the aforementioned tale seems to be the most common.
Where the Nisei was found was, by legend, a mine that granted wishes. Usually one associates wish-making devices with wells or stars, but local tradition insisted that standing at the entrance to the mine and whispering a wish into the darkness proved to be good luck, as occasionally the wishes came true. The locals insist one of their number, a man named Hiro Tanaka, wished for immortality and has since lived to the age of 129. The joke is that unfortunately he should have wished for youth, too. Others report that their crops flourished, that their marriages rekindled, and that ailments vanished from wishing at the cave. None of these wishes or their results have ever been confirmed. They themselves admit that not every wish made seems to come true. The locals were always rumored to be rather superstitious sorts, with a belief in spirits that has remained to this day.
Understandably, they were greatly upset by the excavation of the mine, but were suitably paid.
By legend, the Nisei has the power to alter fate. It's said to have altered the course of battles, to have ensnared others into love, and to have recalled the departed to life. One story tells of four uses: A feudal lord was besotted with the lady wife of a neighboring kingdom and vowed to have her as his own. His first wish was for victory, and the earth opened before the neighboring army, swallowing men and horses alive. He captured the wife, but she did not love him, instead clamoring for her fallen husband. The lord's second wish was to have her love, and as soon as the words fell from his lips, she came to him as though she'd known no other. Overjoyed, the lord took her as his own -- but as the months passed, they found that the lady was barren, unable to have a child. His third wish blessed her womb, and she bore him six children in succession . . . all daughters, each as lovely as the last, but not one able to carry on his kingdom. A seventh came, and, half-crazed and nearing the end of his life, the lord made his last wish: Every one of his daughters became a son, as though they'd never been otherwise -- seven sons to carry on his name. The lord passed away soon after, his belly bloated with glut and a smile twisted on his lips. When they cut open his belly, out flew hundreds of demons, who flew away into the night sky. They'd eaten him from the inside out.
There are dozens of variants on this story, including ones where each wish cost the lord a family member, where he himself became a demon that fed on his country until he was killed, where he devoured the children as they were born and they were spirits or demons freed from his belly upon his demise. Each variant seems more barbaric than the last, but the aforementioned tale seems to be the most common.
Where the Nisei was found was, by legend, a mine that granted wishes. Usually one associates wish-making devices with wells or stars, but local tradition insisted that standing at the entrance to the mine and whispering a wish into the darkness proved to be good luck, as occasionally the wishes came true. The locals insist one of their number, a man named Hiro Tanaka, wished for immortality and has since lived to the age of 129. The joke is that unfortunately he should have wished for youth, too. Others report that their crops flourished, that their marriages rekindled, and that ailments vanished from wishing at the cave. None of these wishes or their results have ever been confirmed. They themselves admit that not every wish made seems to come true. The locals were always rumored to be rather superstitious sorts, with a belief in spirits that has remained to this day.
Understandably, they were greatly upset by the excavation of the mine, but were suitably paid.