2012-02-13, 08:22 | Link #1061 | ||||
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Age: 35
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One thing which does support your point is that I believe the English translation for sakura in "cherry blossoms" is not completely accurate in that many or most of the sakura varieties raised in Japan are indeed ornamental and do not bear fruit. While related to the "sakura" which do produce cherries, I think you are correct in hypothesizing that part of the significance of the sakura as a symbol of transience lies in how it is flower of purely ornamental beauty. In particular, relating to the "smell" of the plum blossoms which the poet of the 35th notes remains the same, is that while it appears that plum blossoms are noted for their fragrance, cherry blossoms are generally somewhat odourless themselves. Quote:
The signs or smell of the plum blossoms are what Chihaya must watch out for, the various tricks and strategies which karuta players use to battle in their game. However, what that smell or all of those tricks and strategies lead to, is something which is common to all karuta players, which is a love and passion for karuta itself. This is the one constant thing which Chihaya can look for in her matches against the wily pros of the A-kyu karuta level, through the otherwise unknowable depths of the human heart. Thanks once again for your research into the waka of the Hyakunin Isshu and your insight. It's helped my appreciation for this episode, already one of my favourites next to Chihaya's initiation match against Shinobu, grow even more. |
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2012-02-13, 17:44 | Link #1062 | |
Lost at Sea
Join Date: Mar 2010
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In the end, I think there is a dissonance between the name and the person. If it's intended, I think it is to make Sakura's real identity complex, problematic--precisely the conundrum the waka sets out at the nature of human beings generally. Who is Sakura really? She is a lot of things--some of them not coherent with each other. For instance, she is Chihaya's rival, but she is also a kind of sensei--Chihaya receives her comments as instruction, and thanks her for it afterwards. One of the ways the anime gets at this complexity of character is via the device of framing flowers. There are a number of times in which Sakura gets a border of flowers set around her during the episode. The first moment comes at 3:20, when Chihaya notices how cute Sakara is: at this moment, Sakura is framed with a white flower, with long white petals, and a yellow center. At 5:30, Sakura is framed with cherry blossoms; at 7:12, with what appear to be sunflowers; then, after the match, at 12:32 Chihaya sees Sakura framed with yellow versions of the initial white flower; and then finally, at 12:52, Sakura is framed with yellow, pink, and white shades of the initial flower. I throw the times out there to invite others to identify the flowers. I haven't been able to identify the main one, the one repeated in different shades at the end. My own guess is that it is not a cherry blossom, but a generic flower that the anime uniquely associates with Sakura. In other words, it is--in its different versions and colors--a symbol for Sakura as an individual. If it has different colors, that alludes to her complexity of character: she is not just one thing. She can even at times be other flowers (the cherry blossom, the sunflower), which is to say, like other people. If human hearts can't be known, it is since they are over-determined, defined by a multitude of factors--just like Sakura, who is an Ume; a cute lady, who is also a mother, not to mention a fox... ----- After Chihaya resolves to pay attention to Sakura, and to learn from her, they both touch the card at the same time, which gives the card to Sakura. At this point, Sakura is up by seven cards--we know that, since you can count the total cards in play from two turns ago. Since the final margin is 6 cards, Chihaya will from this point on play Sakura slightly better than even. Chihaya beats Sakura at her own game--but only after it's too late to make up the margin of the initial errors.
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2012-02-14, 18:18 | Link #1064 |
One-Eyed Dragon
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ, USA
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Congrats to Kana and Nishida. Komano put up a good last effort, but was to far behind. Taichi and Nishida's match was so intense. Lol Chihaya's reaction were great when she forgot about the other match and then when she heard Nishida. Looks like Arata got more of a motivational push from Taichi.
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2012-02-14, 18:37 | Link #1065 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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Okay I know I said I didn't care last week but I was a little upset that Taichi lost. I love Nishida too of course and they both obviously played a great game (otherwise they wouldn't have been so equal at the end.) But I guess I just knew how much getting to A meant to Taichi & it is a little a shame the last card was so much down to luck.
But Taichi is right it was only down to luck in the first place because they both played so well previously. Nishida deserved his won. I just hope Taichi will make A-class before the end of the anime. Hang in there Taichi. Nishida coming out at the end was really sweet. Kana & Desktomu match was also great and no complaints there. It's nice they both got to advance too so it's not as heartbreaking to me that one of them had to lose.
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2012-02-14, 19:11 | Link #1066 |
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Location: Virginia, USA
Age: 62
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No, it wasn't Taichi's name that motivated Arata. It was seeing Nishida's name joining the ranks of Class A that motivated him. Remember two things. (1) Arata beat Nishida in their Class A finals competition years ago. (2) Taichi won't be able to compete one-on-one with Arata because Taichi is still a Class B.
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2012-02-14, 19:19 | Link #1067 | |
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2012-02-14, 20:16 | Link #1068 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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At any rate, Arata got motivated by seeing both their names there.
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2012-02-14, 21:22 | Link #1070 | |
reads too much
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: you know that's a great question.....
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Now, I just wonder where they'll go next in the show, there's not quite enough time for more training and another tournament I'd think but who knows!
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2012-02-14, 22:10 | Link #1071 | ||
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2012-02-15, 00:27 | Link #1072 |
Seishu's Ace
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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Well, that episode was both fantastic and totally heartbreaking.
I fear that heartache is always going to be Taichi's lot - that he'll never be rewarded for all the hard work and all his support and all his internal agony. He seems destined to always be the good guy you can always turn to - not the guy who wins. I found that scene where Chihaya put his head on her shoulder both deeply moving and fascinating, because it was such a sharp (and I suspect intentional) contrast with the scene on the train last week, when Taichi couldn't quite bring himself to take the sleeping Chihaya's hand. He always thinks too much, and Chihaya is as Nishida calls her, an airhead. But that just who they are, and in each case it's their greatest strength as well as a weakness. I think they fit each other perfectly - and so do Kanade and Tsutomu, for that matter.
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2012-02-15, 00:48 | Link #1073 |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
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Best episode of the series.
* Desktop-kun's last-ditch strategy was hilarious -- the rules of karuta practically encourage cheating and it was great to see someone take advantage of it. * The moment Desktop-kun and Kana-chan shared afterwards was so sweet with all the blushing. Since Chihaya's romantic plot is dead in the water, hopefully we'll at least see the B-couple together by the end of the series. * Epic match was epic. * They broke out some cool new themes for this ep. I wonder if we'll get a second soundtrack with them. * The conversation between Taichi and Nishida after the match was great, as was Chihaya's reaction to it. * The scene in the van was so great. If not for the fact that the Arata story hasn't been resolved, it would've been a great place to end the series. I really hope the actual last scene is something like that, showing us the team having a good time together after a triumph. |
2012-02-15, 03:39 | Link #1075 |
On a mission
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MM, show is still running strong, but sometimes it lays the drama on too thick, turning into "Emofuru". I'm also kinda disappointed Chihaya's been mostly nothing other than hot blooded lead and making silly face. With 7 episodes left, I can only imagine there's gonna be one final big game but in terms of character development it leaves me desiring much more.
Also, they've been using Kana-chan for a fanservice character. But desk-kun doesn't mind; maybe do something else on those desks? However, good games, or as we gamers call it "GG". One thing they realized is that nobody is entitled to win, and Taichi just had a win taken him like that. Anything can happen if someone is playing harder. And of course, that cute scene between Taichi and Chihaya. I wasn't appreciative of how he did that cell phone break up (lol dropped plot threads) but whatever.
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2012-02-15, 05:01 | Link #1076 |
You are Reading this!
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: In the study room
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There are many ways to winning a match, by focusing on the utilization of tactics, however cheap it may seem, as long as they do not contradict the rules set, are still valid strategies in winning a match, as Desk...Komano-kun did.
The match between Taichi and Nishida was ruled by luck at the end, as it is undoubtedly hard to attack a card that the opponent is particularly defending for. But Taichi chose the right path, by deciding to improve himself rather than blaming other factors in his 'unfortunate' loss. Looking forward to see how Arata has improved/deproved over the past few years where he was on hiatus! |
2012-02-15, 05:50 | Link #1077 | |
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2012-02-15, 05:53 | Link #1078 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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I hardly see how Taichi is only playing out of jealousy. That's not true at all, he obviously loves Karuta and wants to improve himself for him. He sees Arata as a rival yes & I am not saying he never gets jealous (because that woukd be false) but his motivations to win are pure.
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Last edited by Kirarakim; 2012-02-15 at 06:10. |
2012-02-15, 06:11 | Link #1079 |
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Join Date: May 2007
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It's obvious that there are many factors in why he's playing karuta, while Taichi may have come to love karuta, Arata and Chihaya have a straightforward concept of playing it to rip their opponents apart and attain glory even if it meant breaking some bones in the process Taichi is playing it to surpass Arata so that Chihaya will notice him.
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2012-02-15, 06:19 | Link #1080 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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And I would argue that winning at Karuta is not just to get Chihaya but instead both goals are the same for Taichi, to not give up on something just because he isn't the clear winner from the start. That is what his arc is about.
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josei, karuta, madhouse |
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