SHINSEI SEINARU MONASTERY APPLICATION
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Out-Of-Character (OOC) Section
IN-GAME NAME (IGN):
bmblxbee (alt, applying on)
Zoey159 (main)
DISCORD NAME & TAG:
beeloved.
WHAT IS YOUR TIMEZONE?:
EST!
DO YOU HAVE A MICROPHONE?:
I do.
DESCRIBE YOUR ACTIVITY ON THE SERVER:
Oh sheesh, I’m quite active! On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate myself around an 8 or a 9; not a solid 10, as I do take the occasional break or weekend off, but I am online quite a lot!
Normally, I’d answer with the following: on weekdays I’m typically available anytime between 3:30-9pm, and on weekends I’m available all day. But with summer creeping up, my activity is only going to skyrocket. I expect to be available anytime during the day – from an EST-standpoint, at least, as that’s my timezone. There are a few pre-planned vacations, but those will, of course, be communicated with the lead.
Because my activity is going to be increasing soon, I find it sort of redundant to make one of those fancy charts .. My apologies!
WHAT POSITION ARE YOU APPLYING FOR?:
I’m applying to become a Maiden.
WHAT KNOWLEDGE DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE OF SHINTOISM AND ARE YOU PREPARED/WILLING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RELIGION?:
Regrettably, I don’t know very much. While I’ve dabbled in various different religions and cultures, Shintoism is one I’m very much lacking in – and I’m more than aware of it! I’ll list my current knowledge down below:
- An ancient religion from Japan, revolving around the many Kami.
- Kami are, to my knowledge, deities within Shintoism. They inhibit nearly everything, from nature and things within it, to landscapes and certain locations.
- I have read some retellings/stories that featured Izanagi and Izanami, along with a few other deities I cannot remember the names of. Izanagi and Izanami created land, and Izanami passed after producing a fire kami.
- A key idea/ideal is a sense of purity! There are a ton of purification rituals and rites, and upon entering the shrine, I believe you perform one of those at the well.
I am, of course, more than willing to learn more about Shintoism as a whole. In fact, I’m looking forward to it! I’m very interested in different religions and belief systems as a whole, and Shintoism has been on my interest list for a while now. I cannot wait to learn as much as possible about it, and see all that the Shrine faction has to offer – both ICly, and OOCly!
WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT FOR THIS ROLE OVER OTHER APPLICANTS?
I could answer this in a number of ways, but I think it all just boils down to a handful of things. For starters, I possess numerous skills that would benefit the faction as a whole! I’m an incredibly hardworking and efficient individual; I want to make sure things get done, and while the necessary amount of time should be spent on them, I want things done efficiently and effectively.
I’ve also got an awful lot of experience regarding both leadership and teamwork – throughout my entire academic career, I’ve been pulled into varying leadership roles. These roles have been things as simple as helping other students out, and as impactful as serving on various school committees, governments, and leadership boards for various organizations, all of which tie into working with others, and doing a bunch of team-related things. From a server standpoint, I help lead the Student Council on my main – a faction that requires you to use both your leadership abilities, and teamwork abilities. Working with the others in the Shrine faction will be no issue, and I also won’t have an issue doing things solo!
One of the last major things that helps set me apart is my dedication. Not just to the faction, but to the server as a whole. I’m on nearly every day because I enjoy engaging with the community – because I enjoy being able to chat with other players, and interact with them. I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
DO YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU WILL HAVE TO ATTEND MANDATORY TRAININGS TO BE TAUGHT MORE ABOUT SHINTOISM AND THE ACCORDING PROCEDURES?:
Of course! I’m looking forward to training sessions.
In-Character (IC) Section
SECTION 1: Character Details
CHARACTERS FULL NAME:
' Nami Amenomori. '
CHARACTERS TITLE (E.g. Mr. Mrs. Miss):
' Call me Miss. '
CHARACTERS AGE (E.g. 21-80):
' As of current, I'm 24 years old. '
CHARACTERS MARITAL STATUS:
' I am single! '
CHARACTERS NATIONALITY:
' I was born and raised in Japan. '
CHARACTERS PHONE-NUMBER:
' 030-535-8432. '
WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR APPLYING TO WORK AT THE MONASTERY?:
‘ Ever since I was little, I’ve been thoroughly engaged with various aspects of my culture - and Shintoism is a part of that! I used to make weekly trips to a monastery close by where I grew up, and while those trips lessened as I grew older, each instance was absolutely wonderful. Every single memory has been cherished!
I’ve been in college studying journalism for multiple years now. And, while I love it, I fear I need a break. I don’t want to push myself into all of that work now, and end up miserable in ten years. It sounds horrible! I considered just taking a gap year or two before graduating, but then those beloved memories of my monastery trips came up. . Why spend those couple of years floating around and hardly doing anything, when I could spend them on something I actually enjoy? Something invigorating. . Something that’ll make a lasting impact not only on me, but on those around me, and the community?
So. . I suppose that’s why I wish to work here. I’ve always been passionate about my culture and upbringing, though I fear I don’t know as much as some of those around me. Working here, at the Shinsei Seinaru Monastery, could offer me the opportunity to not only do something I enjoy, but to help me learn more about it, too.
If offered the opportunity, I certainly promise it won’t go to waste! ‘
TELL ME WHAT HISTORY AND INFORMATION YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SHINSEI SEINARU MONASTERY:
' Off the top of my head, I fear I know quite little! I did, however, do a little reading at the library. . To my knowledge, the monastery is near-ancient! It was first build in 744, so, it's one of Karakura's OLDEST sites! The monastery itself is home to a lot of buildings. . From the shop where you buy omamoris, to a tea house and dojo! And, of course, the rooms the workers live in. However, the site went up in flames twice in it's lifetime - once in 1176, and again in 1228. Despite both of these fires, it was rebuilt, and now houses a vast staff.
That is. . About it! I understand that visitors can train in the dojo, yes? They're also able to get their fortunes told by those trained to do so, and can have workers set up offerings for them! While I haven't interacted with many, the lovely staff seem absolutely kind!
I do regret not knowing much about the place. . Though, I hope to learn more about it by spending my days there! '
WRITE A LETTER TO THE MONASTERY LEAD :
‘ Dear Mitsue-Shiro Saiky,SECTION 1: Character Details
CHARACTERS FULL NAME:
' Nami Amenomori. '
CHARACTERS TITLE (E.g. Mr. Mrs. Miss):
' Call me Miss. '
CHARACTERS AGE (E.g. 21-80):
' As of current, I'm 24 years old. '
CHARACTERS MARITAL STATUS:
' I am single! '
CHARACTERS NATIONALITY:
' I was born and raised in Japan. '
CHARACTERS PHONE-NUMBER:
' 030-535-8432. '
WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR APPLYING TO WORK AT THE MONASTERY?:
‘ Ever since I was little, I’ve been thoroughly engaged with various aspects of my culture - and Shintoism is a part of that! I used to make weekly trips to a monastery close by where I grew up, and while those trips lessened as I grew older, each instance was absolutely wonderful. Every single memory has been cherished!
I’ve been in college studying journalism for multiple years now. And, while I love it, I fear I need a break. I don’t want to push myself into all of that work now, and end up miserable in ten years. It sounds horrible! I considered just taking a gap year or two before graduating, but then those beloved memories of my monastery trips came up. . Why spend those couple of years floating around and hardly doing anything, when I could spend them on something I actually enjoy? Something invigorating. . Something that’ll make a lasting impact not only on me, but on those around me, and the community?
So. . I suppose that’s why I wish to work here. I’ve always been passionate about my culture and upbringing, though I fear I don’t know as much as some of those around me. Working here, at the Shinsei Seinaru Monastery, could offer me the opportunity to not only do something I enjoy, but to help me learn more about it, too.
If offered the opportunity, I certainly promise it won’t go to waste! ‘
TELL ME WHAT HISTORY AND INFORMATION YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SHINSEI SEINARU MONASTERY:
' Off the top of my head, I fear I know quite little! I did, however, do a little reading at the library. . To my knowledge, the monastery is near-ancient! It was first build in 744, so, it's one of Karakura's OLDEST sites! The monastery itself is home to a lot of buildings. . From the shop where you buy omamoris, to a tea house and dojo! And, of course, the rooms the workers live in. However, the site went up in flames twice in it's lifetime - once in 1176, and again in 1228. Despite both of these fires, it was rebuilt, and now houses a vast staff.
That is. . About it! I understand that visitors can train in the dojo, yes? They're also able to get their fortunes told by those trained to do so, and can have workers set up offerings for them! While I haven't interacted with many, the lovely staff seem absolutely kind!
I do regret not knowing much about the place. . Though, I hope to learn more about it by spending my days there! '
WRITE A LETTER TO THE MONASTERY LEAD :
You and I haven’t met face-to-face before, but I’ve certainly wandered throughout the Monastery you lead. I must say, it is beautiful.
I do hope this letter finds you well, along with my application - are you well? I hope so. I believe I need a change of scenery. . A change of my lifestyle. I’ve had the sudden realization that I don’t wish to spend my young years working away in some cubicle, but would instead like to spend it working at your monastery - a place where I can grow as a person, and connect with like-minded others!
My knowledge is certainly rusty (my monastery visits have been slim, as of late. .), but I hope I can catch up quickly under your guidance, and the others volunteering there.
Forever,
Nami Amenomori ‘
BACKSTORY (100+ Words):
While most people would go in depth about one’s early years, Nami prefers to keep that portion brief. Why dilly-dally over her toddler years when it’s simply not needed? She was born in Chōsei, Japan, and raised within a small-ish household – just her, and three others! She grew up with her mother and older sister, along with the matriarch of her family, her grandmother. Those early years certainly weren’t the easiest, but given the chance, she wouldn’t change anything she went through. It is, at the end of the day, what made her.
As soon as she could walk and talk, Nami was helpin’ out in her grandmother’s tea shop! While a young child certainly couldn’t serve tea, she was able to collect dirty dishes, keep the alley rats out, and organize shoe racks and bookshelves. This shop was open six days out of the week – the seventh was spared for a weekly trip to a nearby Monastery, where her great-aunt served. Days were spent visiting her, and learning as much as she could.
By the time she’d hit her pre-teen years, these trips grew to be bimonthly. She was helping out in the shop more, and on top of that, had classes to go to. College certainly didn’t help any of that, either. By her graduation, those once-weekly trips were now monthly, and once she was a full-fledged college student, every other month at the best. She didn’t go straight into college, she took a year and a half to save up some funds – but, still, it didn’t help! It wasn’t until she was almost to her college graduation that she decided she wanted a change. Why rush her degree and end up miserable in a few years, when she could take her time and enjoy life? That leads to her being here - the Shinsei Seinaru Monastery.
SECTION 2: Self-Knowledge Details
What duties do Shinto Priests and Maidens have?:
To my knowledge, there aren’t a bunch of differences between the two - at least, on SRP. If there are a huge amount of differences, I haven’t personally encountered them, and I apologize!
Generally, though, they will have some separate duties. Maidens are often found performing shrine duties. They make sure things are neat and orderly, they make sure the place is clean. Maidens will offer prayers and offerings. When it comes to functions at a shrine, they will assist in those. They offer fortune telling, and perform ceremonial dances - one of which is Kagura .. which we see on SRP!
Priests, on the other hand, have some different duties. They may still help to keep the place orderly and clean, and offer prayers and offerings, but they’re also the individuals that have knowledge on things like rituals, other worship, incantations, etc. They often help lead worship, and interact with both kami and people.
What are the steps needed to be taken at the purification trough before entering the Shrine?:
When you step up to SRP’s Shrine, or those found in Japan, you’re often met with a well-like basin of water. This is called a temizuya, and is used to purify yourself before you enter the Shrine. Inside the temizuya is a ladle, which is used to scoop and pour water over your hands. From seeing other people interact with it, I believe you do your left hand and then your right – but, I don’t know for sure. You also ladle water into one hand to drink from, when cleanses your mouth.
How are offerings to a Kami performed?:
I’d like to say that each offering is unique to the kami it’s being offered to, though I DO know that common offerings are things like sake, rice, and money. When you present your offering to a Kami, you must bow twice .. Which would likely be formal bows, as those symbolize respect! Then you must clap twice, so that your presence is known, and then you pray. Once you’ve finished that, you finish it off with another bow.
Like many cultures, offerings are offered to thank the Kami, or to receive something.
How do you perform a tea ceremony ritual?:
This is something I know little of, so I apologize in advance!
For starters, the guests will perform a purification ritual before entering the space. The individual performing the ceremony will bow, and then the guests will return the bow. A traditional bamboo whisk is used to make the tea itself, and that needs to soften in a cup of hot water. If not, the bristles will break. Scoops of matcha are placed into the tea cup or bowl, and water is added in. Using the whisk, you quickly mix the two together, and then serve it.
Explain what a Tamagushi, Ofuda and Kagura Suzu is and what they're used for:
Tamagushi: This is one form of an offering! It’s made from sakaki-tree branches, with washi-paper, silk, and/or cotton decor. It’s often presented at weddings and funerals.
Ofuda: This is something that can be made out of a variety of materials. It’s traditionally sort of a talisman, with each one you make having a specific intention/purpose. One may protect against violence, while another could push you towards love.
Kagura Suzu: These are used within Kagura dance, as mentioned earlier! It’s a set of bells on a small staff, often between 12-15.
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