Quiz question: Where in the Dominic Flandry series is it stated that the Roidhun sometimes has the status of a demigod?
Dikko Henderson tells James Bond that the Emperor has to make his peace with ancestors and gods but he can do this because he embodies them so he can get on with his hobbies.
Dominic Flandry reflects that:
"...the Roidhun stood for the God, the unity, and the hope of a warrior people..."
-Poul Anderson, A Circus Of Hells IN Anderson, Young Flandry (Riverdale, NY, 2010), pp. 193-365 AT CHAPTER TWELVE, p. 282.
But there has already been much about Japan on the blog. I think that previous posts and especially their comboxes can be reread with interest. See here.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Unfortunately, I don't recall where in the Flandry stories mention was made of the Roidhun being regarded as a demigod by the Merseians (well, not by those on Dennitza!). I do recall this bit as well from Chapter XII of A CIRCUS OF HELLS: "...but, surely too, the harshest, most dictatorial Protector regarded his Roidhun with something of the same awe and pride that inspired the lowliest "foot" or "tail"--..."
Yes, the Roidhunate does remind me of Japan, where it has been traditional for many centuries for the greatly revered Tennos to reign but seldom to actively take a role in the governing of Japan. With the actual day to day governing of Japan being done by either the Shoguns or prime ministers.
And those "hobbies" of the Japanese Emperor reminded me of how both the late Emperor Showa and his son the former Emperor Heisei were serious, professional level marine biologists. And regarded as such by other marine biologists.
Ad astra! Sean
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