The Twelve Kingdoms Forum

I watched (again) the episode where Enki was reporting about the 12 kingdoms (I think it's episode 21). We were introduced to Kei, En, Ho and Tai (and the mystery of Tai-o and Taiki's disappearence) before this episode. After this episode, we were introduced to Kyo, Ho and Sai. And I managed to find out a bit about Ren in the translations of the novel. Which means in total, I got a glimpse of the situation in 8 of the 12 kingdoms.

Anyone out there as curious as I am to find out about what's going on in the other kingdoms?

The kingdoms are Syun, So, Han and Ryu. Ryu seems to be the easiest to figure out. Even though we did not get a chance to see Ryu-o or Ryuki, based on Rakushun's travels to Ryu (where he met Shokei), we know that Ryu is falling as monsters are beggining to appear. So-o is the longest serving king, which means that So must be doing very well. Interestingly, when Enki was giving his report, the scene that showed the shadows of So-o and Sorin showed the shadows of four other persons as well. I'm assuming that must be So-o's family. Plus, Enki also mentioned that it was Sorin that found him in Horai. I really do wonder what Sorin was doing in Horai at that time. Syun is supposed to be a decent kingdom and the Syun-o seems to be quite new (only 40 years as king), so maybe that's why theres nothing worth mentioning about it at the moment. Han is the one I want to find out more about. According to Enki, Han-o and Hanrin are "a little weird". For Enki (who is a bit weird himself) to say that, then something interesting must be going on in Han. My guess is the reason he said that could be because Han is very closed to the world and not many people outside of Han have seen Han-o or Hanrin.

Interestingly, when Enki was giving his report, the scene that showed the shadows of So-o and Sorin showed the shadows of four other persons as well. I'm assuming that must be So-o's family.

There are 4 shadows because So-ou's family help So-ou to run the kingdom. So-ou had a wife, 2 sons, and 1 daughter.

According to Enki, Han-o and Hanrin are "a little weird".

Han-ou and Hanrin were weird in the sense that they like to criticize about other emperors' taste of clothes, etc. Both also always make trouble for the kingdom that they visit. Both of them also like to argue with En-ou and Enki.

Yume Li wrote:

According to Enki, Han-o and Hanrin are "a little weird".

Han-ou and Hanrin were weird in the sense that they like to criticize about other emperors' taste of clothes, etc. Both also always make trouble for the kingdom that they visit. Both of them also like to argue with En-ou and Enki.

how did you know about Han?? there shouldn't be any story for Han in the novel as far as i know. Am i missing somtin?

carlanox wrote:

Yume Li wrote:

Han-ou and Hanrin were weird in the sense that they like to criticize about other emperors' taste of clothes, etc. Both also always make trouble for the kingdom that they visit. Both of them also like to argue with En-ou and Enki.

how did you know about Han?? there shouldn't be any story for Han in the novel as far as i know. Am i missing somtin?

Han-ou and Han-rin appeared in the novel: Tasogare no Kishi, Akatsuki no Sora <The Shore in Twilight, the Sky in Daybreak>

Does anybody know anything about the kingdom of Ren? According to enki in episode 21, Ren Ou, Ou Seitaiku was apparantly holding a stick in his right hand. This makes me curious on whether it is some sort of a weapon or magic wand.

Read "The dreams of Kasyo - Prosperity in Winter" at http://www.otyaku.com/animeObserver/toei/toei_menu.htm

This will describe more about Ren. It describes Taiki's trip to Ren to visit Renrin and the King.

Yume Li wrote:

Interestingly, when Enki was giving his report, the scene that showed the shadows of So-o and Sorin showed the shadows of four other persons as well. I'm assuming that must be So-o's family.

There are 4 shadows because So-ou's family help So-ou to run the kingdom. So-ou had a wife, 2 sons, and 1 daughter.

It looks like there's something going on with one of his sons. At least in that shadowed picture, one of them is shown dressed quite different from everyone else and standing a little apart from them. Anyone know what that's about?

Juunikokki1996 wrote:Does anybody know anything about the kingdom of Ren? According to enki in episode 21, Ren Ou, Ou Seitaiku was apparantly holding a stick in his right hand. This makes me curious on whether it is some sort of a weapon or magic wand.

It looks like it could be a hoe. RenOu had been a farmer and remained an avid gardener even after becomming emperor.

Niwashi2 wrote:

Yume Li wrote:

Interestingly, when Enki was giving his report, the scene that showed the shadows of So-o and Sorin showed the shadows of four other persons as well. I'm assuming that must be So-o's family.

There are 4 shadows because So-ou's family help So-ou to run the kingdom. So-ou had a wife, 2 sons, and 1 daughter.

It looks like there's something going on with one of his sons. At least in that shadowed picture, one of them is shown dressed quite different from everyone else and standing a little apart from them. Anyone know what that's about?

The son is often away from home and always in countries that had lost their rulers or had already lost them. He also knew En-Ou.

Yume Li wrote:The son is often away from home and always in countries that had lost their rulers or had already lost them. He also knew En-Ou.

Don't leave me hanging like that. Please tell us more.

does that means he is helping to search for taiki and tai-ou also? or might also in Kou? darn really interesting. haste my japanese learning process!!!!

On Kingdom of Ryu,
We can see the King of Ryu while he is interogating Shokei and know he is corrupt. They also never reply about En's request for help in searching for Taiki. Speculating that the long absent of kirin and appearance of youma at the borders signify that the kingdom is failing and the kirin is sick.

On the Kingdom of Han,
Both King and Kirin are 'natural enemies' of En-O and Enki, meaning that they are completely opposite in personalities and both have long reign. Han-O and Hanrin is well known for their exquisite taste. That's why Shokei is angry that Kei-O is using a plain paper and horrible writing when corresponding with Han-O.

On the Kingdom of Ren,
Basically Renrin runs the country as the current Ren-O is a farmer (in the anime version he is a fisherman, thus the stick) and doesn't know or really wants to govern. They have an uprising a few years ago but was surpressed. Renrin was the one brought back Taiki from Japan. When both Renrin and Taiki met again, they built a good relationship and thus the ardent spirit in searching of Taiki even when she is tired.

On the Kingdom of So,
A 600 years reign country. So-O is formerly and inn keeper that runs his business with the help of his whole family. Thus when he was chosen as King, he runs the nation the same way and treats Sorin like his daugther. His younger son likes to run around thus finding himself is various country and learn about their conditions. The young prince even help Kyou-O across the Yellow Sea to climb Mt. Hou and support her during her early years. Kingdom of So is somewhat like big brother nation of the twelve kingdoms, they always help in efforts of refugees of failing country and lent any assistance to new dynasty if possible.

[quote="tiaopiak"]On Kingdom of Ryu,
We can see the King of Ryu while he is interogating Shokei and know he is corrupt. They also never reply about En's request for help in searching for Taiki. Speculating that the long absent of kirin and appearance of youma at the borders signify that the kingdom is failing and the kirin is sick.

Actually that was just an official (either of the town or province). We get confirmation from what Rakashun says when told of the corruption, that if the officials are corrupt then that means the government could be too.

There is a strong rumour on the net that Houka, like Taiki and Enki has been swept away to China by a natural Shoku. As i understand, the Ranka for Hou's Kirin (Houka) has not bear fruit on the tree at Housan. So what the heck is happening? Which version is true or this is the direction of the author or anime is heading?

Anyone has anything on Syun? Other than the current reign of 40 years and facing problems due to refugee from Ko.