We had a perfect day for Iron Comet Challenge, Japanese Iris Festival, and the Kingdom Equestrian Champs. There was so much to enjoy. There were four martial tournaments and all were well fought. There were two arts and science competitions: an equestrian tournament and a non-equestrian tournament. Both tournaments had a number of entries and there was so much we could learn just from the tournaments. In addition to the tournaments, there was an Asian themed Arts and Sciences display with plenty to see (and taste). There was also all-day origami by Maire. And we had horses. There was the agility challenge, the A&S entries, and the riding for the Prince in the competition for King’s choice and queens. To finish the day we had a joust followed by court for Baron and Baroness and the King and Queen.
There are so many thank yous: Thanks to Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hildarun for their support of the little Japanese event that grew to Iron Comet. Also thanks to Gesa for asking to include horses. Thank you also to Their Majesties Byron and Ariella for expanding that little barony event to Kingdom Equestrian Champs. Thanks to my mentor Elss, and my other advisors Muirgheal, Arianna, and Hilda. Thank you as well to reservations by Alaric and troll by Forveleth, and Astridr. The site tokens design was found by Elss, and the tokens were made by Elss and Forveleth. Thank you also to covid checkers Graidhne, Elsa, Gwen. Thank you to Gesa for equestrian covid checkins and equestrian liason work. Thanks to the hard-working setup folks Robert, Alaric, Sean aka Jay, Maire, Elss, Ishiyama, and Gesa. Also thanks to Ishiyama for coordinating all the arts and For all the marshal efforts thanks to our marshals Ronan, Meinulf, Robert, Dorothea, and Gozen and also thanks to the MoLs Vika and Itome. Special thanks to Jussey for all the carrying. Thank you also for royalty hospitality by Saiaiko, Illadore, Sturrim, with help from Vaunda. The heralds gave us all the news of the days winners Gwendolyn the Graceful and new barony herald Jehannette. Also thanks to Niall for court streaming. Thanks to all the scribes who worked on all the lovely scrolls. Also at the end of a very full day, thank you to the clean-up crew of Arianna, Robert, Muirgheal, Jorundr, Alaric, Rachel, Elss, and Ishiyama who made the work go very quickly. Thank you as well to the equestrians for their cleanup.
Congratulations to competition winners:
heavy – Master Jussi Laplein
fencing – Don Cyrus Augur
thrown weapons – Lord Godzimir the Golden
archery – Lord Skjoldr Bjorn
a&s – Mistress Irene von Schmetterling
youth archery & youth a&s – Otto Brandulfarson & Sigrid von Fredeburg
youth thrown weapons – Otto Brandulfarson
overall iron comet – Count Andreas Morgan
youth iron comet – Otto Brandulfarson
completion of all five areas – Lord Patrokles Athenaios & Lord Ulf of the Wee Horn
Congratulations to Mistress Rhiannon Elandris and Mistress Tiercelin riding Romeo and Mercutio who won King’s choice in the equestrian champs. Also congratulations to Lord Yardley of the Debatable Lands riding Diamond who won Queen’s choice.
Also cheers to Lady Gesa von Wellenstein on Maple and Lord Yardley on Diamond for our joust. One final equestrian note we had a brand new rider Lars on Maple in the champs competition.
Inspirations: The conversation with Oribe Tsukime was the spark of the idea. Elss encouraged, mentored, and contributed the origami pattern. It was fun that Alaric, Elss, and Ceindrech wanted to make their own garb even though they had no Japanese garb background. I provided guidance and advice as needed. Then as the event came closer, Aibell was working on new Japanese outfit and asked advice. Then she did all the research on the beetle shells. On the day of the event the weather was so lovely. I saw so many people who had made or borrowed Japanese clothing. I was thrilled to hear that poetry by Morien was inspired by the Japanese event. I was also quite impressed by Count Andreas explanation about why he tried his arts and sciences project. Also special thanks to my constant support Ishiyama.
In Service and Gratitude,
Hara Kikumatsu