Post by KuroOkami on Apr 13, 2007 22:20:13 GMT -5
Right now, I'm in the process of writing a story about wild dogs. It'll sort of be a hybrid between Warriors and the Ginga series*. For a clearer picture, it's like a canine version of Warriors with a Japanese twist.
It's about four clans of wild dogs, and each one is a different breed of Japanese dog, and the clans are named according to the breed. The four that I used are Akita, Kai, Kishu, and Shikoku. The main character is a Kai dog named Yamatora(meaning "Mountain Tiger"). The prologue is written in first person from Yamatora's point of view, but afterwards, switches to third person.
Just for reference's sake, here's some stuff about the four breeds that make up the clans.
Kai Ken/Kai Inu/Japanese Kai Dog/Tora Dog- Yamatora, the main character of the story, belongs to this breed, as well as the entire Kai Clan. The Kai Dog is a rare Japanese breed known for its distinctive brindle fur for which it got the nickname "Tora Dog", meaning "Tiger Dog". Like many Japanese breeds, the Kai Dog was bred for hunting, and are very strong and adaptable. Famous Kai dogs include characters from the Ginga series* such as Akatora, Chutora, Kurotora, Kagetora, Shigure, etc.
Shikoku Inu/Shikoku Dog/Mikawa Inu/Kochi Ken/Japanese Wolfdog- The Shikoku Clan belongs to this breed. Like the Kai Dog, the Shikoku Inu is a rare breed that was originally for hunting purposes. It is cautious and brave with good judgment. It is also loyal to its master. It has sharper features than most Japanese dogs and is sometimes allowed to chase wild boar so it will maintain its nature. Shikoku dogs are tough and sufficiently agile to run through a mountainous region. They are the ideal companion for active outdoor people. They are very energetic and active outside but they are calm and quiet indoors. The Shikoku is a very intelligent dog and a quick learner. They are not as stubborn and independent as the other native Japanese breeds. Famous Shikoku dogs include characters from the Ginga series* such as Kurojaki and Tesshin, both of them Koga ninja dogs.
Kishu Inu/Kishu Ken/Kyushu- The Kishu clan belongs to this breed. It is a highly intelligent and devoted family dog that has become highly popular in Japan as a family pet. Kishus are clean, silent, and docile. Like the Kai and Shikoku, which are its closest relatives, the Kishu was originally bred for hunting, but unlike the Kai and Shikoku, used to hunt deer, the Kishu was bred as a boar hunter. Famous Kishus include characters from the Ginga series* such as Akame, Jinnai, Hayato, Kirikaze, Tsukikaze, and other Iga ninja dogs, as well as a character named Kyoushiro.
Akita Inu- The Akita Clan belongs to this breed. Originally bred as hunting dogs, Akitas are an intelligent, but rather stubborn and dominant breed. They are generally very quiet(as they were trained to be silent hunters), and almost never respond recklessly. Once trained(which can be difficult) they tend to be very cooperative. Famous Akitas include the title characters of the Ginga series*, Riki, Gin, and Weed.
I have the prologue of the story done, expect more of it soon.
---------------
The earth beneath my paws quivered ever so slightly as row by row, our ranks stood silently with bated breath. The identical marks written in blood on the Soldiers' chests seemed to blaze with our fighting spirit as they declared the name of our Clan: Kai, the proud tiger-striped warriors that held the spirit of a great beast within the humble body of a dog. We didn't even dare to shift our attention as a rustle in the bushes announced the arrival of the other three clans. We knew them well, the familiar scents had already been upon us when we arrived. Stepping first into the dark clearing was the Shikoku Clan, followed by the Kishu, and finally the Akita. Our four Leaders brought up the rear, and each Clan stepped aside respectfully as they made their way to the front of the group of their gathered Soldiers.
The Kai Clan Leader was the much respected Hoshitora. Her chest bore the same Soldier's mark as the entire fighting force of her Clan, but her face was adorned with blood painted into the Kai Leader's Seal. The Shikoku, Kishu, and Akita Leaders, Akaya, Shirokiri, and Yukisaka stepped forward along with Hoshitora and bowed simultaneously to each other. Ears perked, we all waited for the howl that would seemingly resonate from the heavens themselves and wash over us without stating its source; that would begin our meeting.
Each New Moon, the four Clans gather to make important announcements, settle disputes, and carry out other actions that can be shared within the Clans. But tonight was the most important: the Halfyear, the night of the Assignments. It was the night that the pups would recieve their title as Apprentice, either for Soldier, Mother, or Father, and go under training with an older dog of the same title. I watched with fascination and undivided attention as Akaya, the Shikoku Leader, began naming pups from her Clan to be called forth.
The Shikoku Clan only had three pups old enough to be Apprentices; the two males became Father Apprentices and the female became a Soldier Apprentice. In addition, a Mother Apprentice had recently completed her training. She was smiling proudly as she took her place back in the Shikoku crowd and the next Clan prepared to speak.
The Kishu Clan was next. They had been much more successful, as they had a total of seven pups ready for Assigning. There would be two more Mothers, two more Fathers, and three more Soldiers within the next few Moons. It wasn't surprising, due to the huge number of Mother and Father Assignments in the past few Halfyears. A Father and two Soldiers had also completed their training recently, and right here at the gathering, I witnessed the Bloodmarking for the first time, the final judgment of the Soldier-in-training.
The first Soldier Apprentice, without so much as flinching, sunk his fangs deep into his left foreleg, and brushed his other paw up against the wound. Taking a moment to think and memorize the strokes, he touched his paw to his chest and neatly wrote out the mark of the Kishu Soldier with his own blood. He then returned to his new spot in the Soldier's row of his Clan, quickly taking a few seconds to clean his wound with his tongue.
The other did the same, although with some difficulty. He was clearly in pain, having bitten himself a bit too hard in his apprehension, and his paw was shaking as he wrote out his mark. As soon as the new Father had taken his place among his Clan, it was the Kai Clan's turn.
Hoshitora nodded as Leader Shirokiri returned to his spot at the front of the Kishu Clan, and she stepped forward. After proudly announcing that six pups were ready to begin their training today, she began naming them. I happened to know four of those six pups very well, considering that they were myself, my two sisters, and my brother.
"In the order that you're named, come forth to meet your trainer. This Halfyear's Mother Apprentices will be Akitora and Kumotora. The Father Apprentice will be Kazetora. And the Soldier Apprentices will be Kajitora, Kibatora, and Yamatora."
Yamatora... that was my name.
---------------
BTW, if you notice the repetition with the names, that's intentional. All members of the Kai Clan have names ending in tora, meaning tiger, all members of the Kishu Clan have names ending in kiri, meaning fog, all members of the Shikoku Clan have names ending in ya, meaning arrow, and all members of the Akita Clan have names ending in saka, meaning hill.
*For info in the Ginga series, see this topic:
distanthorizons.proboards31.com/index.cgi?board=manga&action=display&thread=1176257732
Some opinions would be an absolutely WONDERFUL thing.
It's about four clans of wild dogs, and each one is a different breed of Japanese dog, and the clans are named according to the breed. The four that I used are Akita, Kai, Kishu, and Shikoku. The main character is a Kai dog named Yamatora(meaning "Mountain Tiger"). The prologue is written in first person from Yamatora's point of view, but afterwards, switches to third person.
Just for reference's sake, here's some stuff about the four breeds that make up the clans.
Kai Ken/Kai Inu/Japanese Kai Dog/Tora Dog- Yamatora, the main character of the story, belongs to this breed, as well as the entire Kai Clan. The Kai Dog is a rare Japanese breed known for its distinctive brindle fur for which it got the nickname "Tora Dog", meaning "Tiger Dog". Like many Japanese breeds, the Kai Dog was bred for hunting, and are very strong and adaptable. Famous Kai dogs include characters from the Ginga series* such as Akatora, Chutora, Kurotora, Kagetora, Shigure, etc.
Shikoku Inu/Shikoku Dog/Mikawa Inu/Kochi Ken/Japanese Wolfdog- The Shikoku Clan belongs to this breed. Like the Kai Dog, the Shikoku Inu is a rare breed that was originally for hunting purposes. It is cautious and brave with good judgment. It is also loyal to its master. It has sharper features than most Japanese dogs and is sometimes allowed to chase wild boar so it will maintain its nature. Shikoku dogs are tough and sufficiently agile to run through a mountainous region. They are the ideal companion for active outdoor people. They are very energetic and active outside but they are calm and quiet indoors. The Shikoku is a very intelligent dog and a quick learner. They are not as stubborn and independent as the other native Japanese breeds. Famous Shikoku dogs include characters from the Ginga series* such as Kurojaki and Tesshin, both of them Koga ninja dogs.
Kishu Inu/Kishu Ken/Kyushu- The Kishu clan belongs to this breed. It is a highly intelligent and devoted family dog that has become highly popular in Japan as a family pet. Kishus are clean, silent, and docile. Like the Kai and Shikoku, which are its closest relatives, the Kishu was originally bred for hunting, but unlike the Kai and Shikoku, used to hunt deer, the Kishu was bred as a boar hunter. Famous Kishus include characters from the Ginga series* such as Akame, Jinnai, Hayato, Kirikaze, Tsukikaze, and other Iga ninja dogs, as well as a character named Kyoushiro.
Akita Inu- The Akita Clan belongs to this breed. Originally bred as hunting dogs, Akitas are an intelligent, but rather stubborn and dominant breed. They are generally very quiet(as they were trained to be silent hunters), and almost never respond recklessly. Once trained(which can be difficult) they tend to be very cooperative. Famous Akitas include the title characters of the Ginga series*, Riki, Gin, and Weed.
I have the prologue of the story done, expect more of it soon.
---------------
The earth beneath my paws quivered ever so slightly as row by row, our ranks stood silently with bated breath. The identical marks written in blood on the Soldiers' chests seemed to blaze with our fighting spirit as they declared the name of our Clan: Kai, the proud tiger-striped warriors that held the spirit of a great beast within the humble body of a dog. We didn't even dare to shift our attention as a rustle in the bushes announced the arrival of the other three clans. We knew them well, the familiar scents had already been upon us when we arrived. Stepping first into the dark clearing was the Shikoku Clan, followed by the Kishu, and finally the Akita. Our four Leaders brought up the rear, and each Clan stepped aside respectfully as they made their way to the front of the group of their gathered Soldiers.
The Kai Clan Leader was the much respected Hoshitora. Her chest bore the same Soldier's mark as the entire fighting force of her Clan, but her face was adorned with blood painted into the Kai Leader's Seal. The Shikoku, Kishu, and Akita Leaders, Akaya, Shirokiri, and Yukisaka stepped forward along with Hoshitora and bowed simultaneously to each other. Ears perked, we all waited for the howl that would seemingly resonate from the heavens themselves and wash over us without stating its source; that would begin our meeting.
Each New Moon, the four Clans gather to make important announcements, settle disputes, and carry out other actions that can be shared within the Clans. But tonight was the most important: the Halfyear, the night of the Assignments. It was the night that the pups would recieve their title as Apprentice, either for Soldier, Mother, or Father, and go under training with an older dog of the same title. I watched with fascination and undivided attention as Akaya, the Shikoku Leader, began naming pups from her Clan to be called forth.
The Shikoku Clan only had three pups old enough to be Apprentices; the two males became Father Apprentices and the female became a Soldier Apprentice. In addition, a Mother Apprentice had recently completed her training. She was smiling proudly as she took her place back in the Shikoku crowd and the next Clan prepared to speak.
The Kishu Clan was next. They had been much more successful, as they had a total of seven pups ready for Assigning. There would be two more Mothers, two more Fathers, and three more Soldiers within the next few Moons. It wasn't surprising, due to the huge number of Mother and Father Assignments in the past few Halfyears. A Father and two Soldiers had also completed their training recently, and right here at the gathering, I witnessed the Bloodmarking for the first time, the final judgment of the Soldier-in-training.
The first Soldier Apprentice, without so much as flinching, sunk his fangs deep into his left foreleg, and brushed his other paw up against the wound. Taking a moment to think and memorize the strokes, he touched his paw to his chest and neatly wrote out the mark of the Kishu Soldier with his own blood. He then returned to his new spot in the Soldier's row of his Clan, quickly taking a few seconds to clean his wound with his tongue.
The other did the same, although with some difficulty. He was clearly in pain, having bitten himself a bit too hard in his apprehension, and his paw was shaking as he wrote out his mark. As soon as the new Father had taken his place among his Clan, it was the Kai Clan's turn.
Hoshitora nodded as Leader Shirokiri returned to his spot at the front of the Kishu Clan, and she stepped forward. After proudly announcing that six pups were ready to begin their training today, she began naming them. I happened to know four of those six pups very well, considering that they were myself, my two sisters, and my brother.
"In the order that you're named, come forth to meet your trainer. This Halfyear's Mother Apprentices will be Akitora and Kumotora. The Father Apprentice will be Kazetora. And the Soldier Apprentices will be Kajitora, Kibatora, and Yamatora."
Yamatora... that was my name.
---------------
BTW, if you notice the repetition with the names, that's intentional. All members of the Kai Clan have names ending in tora, meaning tiger, all members of the Kishu Clan have names ending in kiri, meaning fog, all members of the Shikoku Clan have names ending in ya, meaning arrow, and all members of the Akita Clan have names ending in saka, meaning hill.
*For info in the Ginga series, see this topic:
distanthorizons.proboards31.com/index.cgi?board=manga&action=display&thread=1176257732
Some opinions would be an absolutely WONDERFUL thing.
