Involvement Journal
of Ishiyama Gen'tarou Yori'ie

Anno Societatis XLVIII
(May 1, 2013 C.E. to April 30, 2014 C.E.)

September 8th
Baronial Champs and Post Pennsic Picnic

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - Now this is a little local event. Maybe about a hundred people in a cabin at the park, with a huge potluck lunch buffet. Lady Hara ran troll, and also did some MOL work for the fighting. The heavy fighting and fencing championships were decided at this event, so this was important work. I helped set up and break down some stuff, but most of the time I just socialized and tried to take notes on people's A&S work for my report. Interestingly, Lady Hara reports that the donation bucket at this event collected almost as much money as the one at Harlech.

August 24th
Siege of Harlech Castle III

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - This is the third year for this local event, but it is the first year we have attended. Over 250 signed in for this free event, and there were royalty from 3 kingdoms present. All the fighting was outside, including some 2-on-2 spear fighting on the drawbridge, and the inside was reserved for music and dancing most of the day. A friend of ours, Lady Odriana Vanderbrugge, was envigilated and inducted into the Order of the Laurel, which was very special. Feast had been sold out for weeks, so it was an object lesson in planning ahead and preregistering for events. If there was more room in this venue, we probably could have accommodated two as many people given how much food Mistress Illadore cooked. A very sweet thing that happened was that her Majesty Queen Liadain sought us out and made sure we received tokens of her favor, which we did not make sure to get at Pennsic.

July 27th to August 3rd
Pennsic XLII

Canton of Steltonwald, BMDL - Some of the best weather for this event in I don't know how long, and one fo the nicest Pennsic experiences we have had in years. Attendance was down about 15%, which made it just a little less crowded and hectic. I braided all day in the Artisan's row, but didn't teach any classes. I showed some of my woodworking in the A&S Display on Sunday, and talked to a bunch of people about woodworking. I even got a chance to go to the Known World Minister of Arts and Sciences meeting, which was small but I came away with some good ideas for stuff. Over the five weeks before Pennsic, I designed and built a new gate for Clan camp from some great cypress lumber. It's about nine feet tall, and it didn't get destroyed by the weather at Pennsic so it's probably the largest woodworking project I have ever completed. The best part of Pennsic, though, was being belted as an apprentice to Mistress Roxanne de St. Luc. We helped out for her Laurel ceremony last year, and we have known her for over a decade, so it's great to be accepted into this teacher/student relationship.

June 29th
Æthelmearc Æcademy

Shire of Abhainn Ciach Glais - This was kind of far afield for us. It was kind of farther than we normally travel for events, but we decided that it was important. Itaught a class in doing the 8-strand shippou braid, and displayed by hand-sewn tabi. The lunch was bountiful and wonderful. The weather was a little hot, but everybody was pleasant and the classes were good. I sat in on Master Langdon's class detailing the construction of medieval chests and medieval chest hardware, as well as demonstrating period woodworking techniques in general. His classes are always fun as he brings cool stuff to explain.

Anno Societatis XLVII
(May 1 2012 C.E. to April 30, 2013 C.E.)

May 17th to 19th
Æthelmearc War Practice

Canton of Steltonwald - This was our third time attending this event, and we continue to enjoy it. I had some trouble scheduling my time this year, so I really didn't do much other than attend one meeting and try to be on time for gatherings. I entered the "7 Pearls A&S Championship" as Baronial Champion, literally with the garment right off my back, but didn't win. I bought some tickets for the charity pick-a-prize drawing, but after an hour none of my numbers had been called so I gave them away. Court was very nice, and the new Great Hall at Cooper's Lake is a terrific space, though it is inconveniently situated.

Anno Societatis XLVII
(May 1 2012 C.E. to April 30, 2013 C.E.)

April 20th
Æthelmearc Coronation

Shire of Heronter - This event also hosted the competition for the Kingdom A&S Championship. We day tripped up there and I put my "honeybunny" hitatare in the competition. The theme of the competition was "Largesse", so I also donated a handful of silk and cotton braids to the Kingdom as part of this entry. I wore the green linen hitatare with the new braids on it, and received a token from King Maynard and Queen Liadain for being inspirational.

April 13th
Iron Comet

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - The main purpose of this event is a multi-prong competition that asks participants to to enter as many competitions on one day as they can if they want to win the Iron Comet. This meant that the A&S competition was packed with entries. There were two tables of projects and four performances. I entered my cherry marudai because the theme of the event was "Cherries". I didn't win, but I didn't have time to prepare anything extra-special.

March 30th
Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon

Barony of the Rhydderich Hael - This was our first time ever attending this event. We've been encouraged for years to attend, and I'm certainly glad to have gone, but there were things about it that made me unhappy. There were some scheduling problems with a meeting I was supposed to attend, and dealing with those took up way too much time. There is an important A&S competition at this event, but it is crammed into a room that is too small for it. There is way too much fiddly paperwork involved in entering (documents, forms, index cards, folders), for very little purpose or return. The location is great, but I'd been given the impression it was centered on A&S stuff and it's mostly centered on fighting like most SCA events are. I entered my green linen hitatare (with undergarments) and its associated braids in the competition. I found out later that I did win a "Baronial Choice" award in the competition, but we left after Royal Court without realizing more event-level announcements would occur at Baronial Court. Anyway, it was good to see some of our Buffalo friends in the middle of the year instead of just at Pennsic, so we will probably attend again next year, though we probably won't stay at the same hotel. The Adam's Mark is quite the faded property.

January 26th
Steltonwald 12th Night

Canton of Steltonwald - This event is always catered, so that nobody has to worry about running the kitchen and everybody can just socialize and enjoy themselves. This year, it was catered by and held at Pittsburgh's venerable Hyeholde restaurant. The food was very good, and the venue was great. Everybody chatted up a storm and drank down the bar's supply of Scotch. There were a few modifications to the gift exchange that made everything move much faster. I wound up getting a nice gift basket of gourmet party food that I brought to a party a few weeks later. I wore my recently completed lined and padded dobuku since I got the fabric for this in last year's gift exchange and it seemed fancy enough.

January 12th
Baronial Twelfth Night

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - The event had to move to a slightly smaller venue this year, which was a little uncomfortable, but the event was still good. I brought a crockpot full of my "Chicken Mole for Parties", which was completely consumed, so that worked well. Lady hara and I did a bit of braiding, and I entered my Cypress Karabitsu in the competition. I won the competition, meaning that I was named Baronial Arts and Sciences Champion for this year.

November 10th
Fall Æthelmearc Æcademy

Barony of the Rhydderich Hael - The main occurrence at this event was that our friend Roxanne de St. Luc was being elevated to the Order of the Laurel. I helped out gaurding her vigil yurt, and we both participated in the procession bringing her into court. Lady Hara had led the effort to make Mistress Roxanne's elevation garb, and we both did a bunch of work on multiple garments. I was mostly in charge of the Cloak, which was was a long padded uwagi coat of linen with a laurel wreath on the back made from dozens of individually appliqued leaves made from fabric donated by friends of Mistress Roxanne.

November 3rd
Agincourt

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - I made a braid from suede lacing to enter into the A&S competition this year, but a few days before the event I wound up volunteering to run it. There were relatively few entries in the competition, and Lady Sumayya, who was the only leatherworking entry won. Good for her, I say. Anyway, it was a fun event again, more crowded than ever of course. Most people didn't stay for feast, which was a real shame because the feast was a lot of fun. The dishes were inventive and large.

August 3rd to August 12th
Pennsic XLI

Canton of Steltonwald, BMDL - I started my Pennsic by proceding with the BMDL to Opening ceremonies. It was raining pretty steadily, so these ceremonies were held in a crowded barn. I spent most of Monday participating in the Pennsic Arts & Sciences display, demonstrating kumihimo and showing off 28 16-strand braids I'd made. The next day, I taught a 16-strand kumihimo on the marudai class, which had eight attendees who learned three 16-strand braids. On Thursday, I participated in Narrow wares day on Artisans Row, where I spent most of the day demonstrating kumihimo except for an hour spent over in the Fleur meeting.

May 26th
Queen's Rapier Championship and BMDL Birthday Celebration

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - I showed my baronial populace hata-jirushi banner and hatadai banner stand in the arts & sciences competition, and had a nice day watching the fighters and eating Scottish food. In court, Lady Hara and I were inducted into cometary orders. I was inducted into the order of the Comet Azure Argent, for arts and sciences, and she was inducted into the order of the Comet Or, for service.

May 18th to 20th
Æthelmearc War Practice

Canton of Steltonwald, BMDL - Our second time at this event, and the first time not ensconced in the Royal encampment. We camped over near the Runestone with most of our friends and generally had a relaxing time. I went to my first Fleur meeting and was totally overwhelmed. Later, I realized that I did not take good enough notes,but I had a much better idea of what will be expected of me in the Order. Lady Hara taught a braiding class while I was in the meeting, which was well attended and she seemed to enjoy teaching on her own.

Anno Societatis XLVI
(May 1 2011 C.E. to April 30, 2012 C.E.)

January 28th
Steltonwald 12th Night

Canton of Steltonwald, BMDL - As usual, another fun party. I wore the silk haori jacket that a friend gifted to me at Pennsic, which suited the dress-up atmosphere. I wound up snagging about seven yards of a lovely brocade fabric in the gift exchange. Rather than fight over some of the more more widely desirable items, I grabbed something that I thought I could keep and knew I could use for something. I mean, not that I don't know what to do with a bottle of scotch...

January 14th
Baronial Twelfth Night

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - With the exception of court, this is an informal event with a cocktail party atmosphere. Food is provided by pot-luck, including entrees, soups, appetizers, side dishes, desserts, and sweets. There are games and performances all day, but there are no classes, battles, or conflict. There's an A&S competition (which I so did not win), some merchants, and an auction. This time, there were two vigils for friends of ours. One was for our friend Hildarun Huggelman, who was being inducted into the Order of the Pelican for her years of service to the Kingdom. The other was for our friend and householder Baron Thomas Byron of Haverford, who was being indiucted into the Order of Chivalry. As well, a number of friends and acquiantances received awards, including Duchess Morgen of Rye who was inducted into the Order of the Gage.

January 6th, 7th, and 8th
Twelfth Night Coronation

Kingdom of the West - A person who is a luminary in the community of SCA Japanese personae was being recognized and inducted into the Order of the Laurel, so a bunch of us from all over who have directly benefited from her help and companionship online converged on the event to back her up. I've never been to an SCA event in a hotel before, but it was kind of nice, with plenty of room for all the events including an outdoor but completely enclosed fencing area and many windows in which artists placed decorative "stained glass" panels.

December 3rd
Rapier and Costuming Academy

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - Another local event, this time a mostly scholarly one. There were three tracks of costuming classes, and three tracks of fencing classes. Sideboards all day kept us well fed and happy. The facility was large enough that there was plenty of space for people to sit and work while socializing, too. I retained for their majesties Æthelmearc, who were in attendance, and guarded for their excellencies of the Marche. One of our good friends was being inducted into the order of the Laurel, so we visited her during her vigil. I also taught a class in Japanese men's clothing, which was very lightly attended.

October 22nd
Agincourt

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - This "small local event" continues to grow in popularity. We retained for Their Royal Majesties in the morning, then spent the afternoon braiding in the Baroness' Bower. I entered a collection of kumihimo titled "Explorations of the Edo Yatsu" in the Arts and Sciences display. There were also two Pelican vigils to visit, including that of Brandubh O'Donghaile. I was granted arms, and inducted into the Order of the Fleur. I wore my brown linen kataginu kamishimo, with a pale green linen kosode. As you hear quite often, I would have gotten more dressed up if I had expected at all to be called into court.

September 17th
Æthelmearc Fall Coronation

Shire of Hunter's Home - We were there solely to help Their Majesties to put an end cap on their reign. Due to a shortage of people, I wound up filling in as a guard instead of retaining. I was inducted into the Order of the Sigil of Æthelmearc (for service to the Crown) in appreciation of my service througout the reign. Once court was completed, we accompanied Their Graces from the site. I wore the dragonfly suoh sugata. I also left a gift for His Majesty Isenwulf of a suikan sugata of his very own.

September 10th
Summer's End - Gion Festival

Canton of Beau Fleuve, Barony of the Rhydderich Hael - Taught kumihimo much of the day in the A&S room. Entered red suikan sugata in A&S competition. Met lots of people and ate lots of food. Wore traveling outfit of blue linen hakama and burnt orange kosode.

August 27th
Baronial Investiture

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - Braided and explained kumihimo to several people. Retained for their Majesties. Entered Suoh in A&S display titled "Things I made for or at Pennsic". Chatted with old friends. Wore black linen hakama and kataginu with pale yellow linen kosode.

August 6th - 14th
Pennsic War XL

Canton of Steltonwald, Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - Retained for their Majesties roughly 2 hours per day and during opening ceremonies, Æthelmearc court, and closing court. Participated in "Narrow Wares Day" all morning on Artisan's Row. Visited Pelican vigil of Ii Katsumori and Abe.

July 16th
Vikings on the Bog

Barony of St. Swithin's Bog - I just took a day trip out to this weekend event. It was a pleasant event on a wonderful day, and I carpooled out with some friends since it was only about an hour east of home. I entered my blue shibori kosode in the A&S competition, which was limited to crafts you've learned in past year. I spent about an hour on Her Majesty's guard, and two hours retaining during the day, plus a shift during court. Their Majesties Christopher & Morgen inducted two long-deserving ladies into the Order of the Pelican. Our group didn't stay for feast, but judging from the awful experience we had at Pizza Hut on the way home, we probably should have.

July
Preparations for Pennsic

Made two eboshi for Lord Ogami Arashimoto no Shiro. Made a kanmuri hat for THL Brandubh Ó Donnghaile that will be worn by His Higness Isenwulf during Pennsic opening ceremonies. Made a red suikan and red patterned sashinuki that will be worn by His Highness Isenwulf during Pennsic opening ceremonies.

Steltonwald sewing circle, July 2nd - Made two eboshi for Lord Kusunoki Yoshimoto, new East Kingdom King's Archery Champion. Consulted with others regarding proper Japanese garb.

Royal retainers service event, July 3rd - Helped construct 600 Queen's favors.

June 18th
Tournaments Thru The Ages - Kingdom Equestrian Championship

Shire of Stormsport - Retained for Their Sylvan Majesties Christopher & Morgen during the day. Performed guard duties during Court. Showed off orange kosode and green linen suikan.

May 20th to 22nd
Æthelmearc War Practice

Canton of Steltonwald, BMDL - Retained for Their Sylvan Majesties Christopher & Morgen during the day. Retained for Their Sylvan Majesties Christopher & Morgen during Court. Visited Pelican vigil of Robert.. Gave a one hour class in kumihimo on the marudai. Helped break down and clean up the royal encampment.

May 14th
Æthelmearc Spring Crown Tournament

Barony of Blackstone Mountain - Retained for Their Sylvan Majesties Christopher & Morgen during the day. Acted as banner bearer for Sir Magariki Kastuichi no Koredono. Showed off blue silk shibori kosode and green linen suikan.

April 9th
Æthelmearc Coronation

Canton of Steltonwald, BMDL - Retained for the incoming Sylvan Majesties Christopher & Morgen during Court. Spoke with several people about kumihimo and Japanese garb. Showed off red brocade kariginu.

March 5th
Castle Schola

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands - Gave a one hour class in kumihimo on the marudai. Helped with a Japanese garb class given by Lady Alessandra. Attended two woodworking classes by Baron Master Will Langdon of Graymorne.

Ishiyama's involvement pre-dates this time, but the dates and content of prior events was not recorded.