Chapter 4

Professor Sakurako Ueda stepped onto the stage with the confidence of someone deeply knowledgeable and passionate about her field. The applause was warm and welcoming, a testament to her recent resurgence in popularity. She smiled at the audience, waiting for the claps to die down before she began her lecture.

"Thank you all for being here today," Professor Ueda began, her voice carrying clearly through the hall. "It's a pleasure to see so many faces, both familiar and new, gathered to discuss one of my favourite subjects—Heian-period poetry."

She paused, allowing her words to settle in, before continuing, "The Heian period, as many of you know, was a time of remarkable cultural flourishing in Japan. Spanning from 794 to 1185, it was an era where literature, especially poetry, became an essential part of court life. The aristocrats of the time were expected to be not only literate but also skilled in the art of composing waka—short poems typically consisting of 31 syllables in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern."

"She really knows her stuff, doesn't she?" Nowaki whispered, leaning slightly towards Hiroki.

Hiroki nodded, his eyes fixed on the stage. "Of course she does. She's one of the best in the field. I'm glad you can see that."

Nowaki chuckled softly. "I've picked up a few things from you, Hiro-san. Plus, I wanted to be prepared for today."

Hiroki felt a warmth in his chest at Nowaki's thoughtfulness, but he quickly masked it with a small huff. "Well, pay attention then. You might learn something."

As Professor Ueda delved into the intricacies of Heian poetry, Nowaki listened intently, occasionally glancing at Hiroki to gauge his reactions. Hiroki was clearly in his happy place, completely absorbed by the lecture.

The professor's eyes sparkled as she spoke, clearly in her element. She clicked a remote, and a slide appeared on the projector, displaying an excerpt of a poem by Ono no Komachi. "Komachi's poetry is celebrated for its depth of emotion and its exploration of themes like love, longing, and the impermanence of life. For example, this poem speaks to the fleeting nature of beauty and youth:

'In this world
of ours,
the blossoms will fade
and the only thing that lasts
is the truth of our sorrow.'

"Komachi's work, like that of many Heian poets, often blurs the lines between personal expression and universal themes, making it resonate with readers even a millennium later."

The audience was captivated, hanging on her every word as she elaborated on the significance of Heian poetry.

Professor Ueda then shifted to discussing how this ancient art form had made a surprising comeback in recent years, partly due to its portrayal in popular culture. "Many of you might have first encountered Heian poetry through the recent period drama that featured several of these poems. It's fascinating to see how these works, which were originally intended for an elite audience in the imperial court, have now reached a global audience. And I must say, it's quite something to see young people today getting tattoos of waka poems!"

The crowd chuckled at this, and the professor smiled before continuing, "This resurgence in interest has also led to renewed scholarly efforts to study and translate these works with a modern perspective, allowing us to appreciate them in new ways. The drama, The Woven Word, was a collaborative effort where I had the privilege to work as a consultant, ensuring that the poetic essence was retained even as the story was adapted for a contemporary audience."

She concluded her presentation by reflecting on how timeless these poems are and expressing her hope that more people would continue exploring and appreciating the richness of Heian-period literature.

Once more, the audience erupted into applause, clearly moved and inspired by her presentation. As the applause continued, Nowaki turned to Hiroki, clapping enthusiastically. "That was brilliant, Hiro-san! She really knows how to capture the audience's attention."

Hiroki, still clapping, nodded in agreement. "Yes, she does. Her depth of knowledge is impressive, but what makes her truly remarkable is her ability to present it so beautifully. She has a way of making even the most intricate aspects of Heian poetry accessible and engaging. That's not something you see every day."

Nowaki smiled, admiring the passion in Hiroki's voice. "I can tell you really enjoyed it. It's amazing how much more there is to poetry than I ever realised."

Hiroki softened slightly, feeling the warmth of Nowaki's genuine interest. "It's not just about the words, Nowaki. It's about how they're delivered, how they resonate with the listener. Ueda-sensei has mastered that art."

Nowaki's smile widened, his eyes softening as he looked at Hiroki. "You know, Hiro-san, your words have the same effect on me. Every time you talk about something you're passionate about, it's like I'm hearing it for the first time, and it makes me fall in love with you all over again."

Hiroki felt his cheeks flush slightly, and he quickly turned his attention back to the stage, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Idiot...," he muttered, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

Professor Ueda had taken a seat on one of the plush armchairs on stage, as a representative from her publishing house joined her. The atmosphere shifted to a more relaxed, conversational tone as the host opened the floor to questions from the audience. Throughout the discussion, Professor Ueda shared insights into her research, her involvement in the drama, and her thoughts on how Heian poetry continues to influence Japanese culture today. The excitement in the room peaked when she revealed that the drama was getting a sequel, which was met with cheers and applause from the audience.

After the announcement of the drama's sequel, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Professor Ueda, still seated in the plush armchair, continued to discuss her involvement in the upcoming season.

"I'm thrilled to be working on the sequel, The Woven Word 2," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "This time, we're exploring even more intricate aspects of Heian culture, with a particular focus on the personal lives of the poets. I've had the privilege of consulting closely with the writers and directors to ensure that we remain true to the historical context while also engaging a modern audience."

As she spoke, the projector flickered to life again, displaying a series of behind-the-scenes photographs from the set. The audience leaned forward, captivated by the images of actors in elaborate period costumes, props designed to replicate Heian-era artifacts, and even a few candid shots of Professor Ueda working with the cast and crew. The crowd reacted with audible delight, clearly appreciating this glimpse into the making of the drama.

Hiroki nudged Nowaki, his eyes bright with interest. "Look at that! They've really gone all out to capture the authenticity. I can't wait to see how it turns out."

Nowaki nodded, equally impressed. "It's incredible. I had no idea so much detail went into these productions. You must be excited to see how they handle the poetry."

Hiroki nodded, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I am. It's not often you see this level of dedication to something so niche."

As the event naturally drew to a close, Professor Ueda stood up, addressing the audience with a warm smile. "Thank you all for being such a wonderful audience today. I'm pleased to announce that my research on Heian poetry has been compiled into a book, which will be available for purchase after this event. I'll also be here to sign copies, and as a special treat, our publishers are releasing a new anthology of Heian poetry. This collection includes many of the poems we've discussed today, along with others that tie into the drama. And for those of you who purchase a copy, you'll receive an exclusive bookmark featuring artwork from the show."

A ripple of approval ran through the crowd, with many people murmuring excitedly to one another. Hiroki turned to Nowaki, his expression a mix of anticipation and determination. "We're definitely getting that book. And the anthology."

Nowaki chuckled, already calculating how much more space they'd need in their apartment for the new additions. "Of course, Hiro-san. I figured we weren't leaving without them."

The professor took her leave to a huge round of applause, the room filled with excitement and energy. Hiroki and Nowaki joined in, both impressed and inspired by the day's events. As the applause finally subsided, the room buzzed with conversations, everyone eager to discuss what they had just experienced and, of course, to get their hands on the books.

The audience, still abuzz with excitement from Professor Ueda's presentation, began to shift and gather their belongings, but the host quickly stepped forward, raising a hand to capture their attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, before you go, we have a special mystery guest joining us. You won't want to miss this!" The room settled back into eager anticipation, murmurs of curiosity spreading through the crowd.

Hiroki glanced at Nowaki, a little skeptical. "We've already seen the posters and leaflets all over the place, and I'm not sure if we should stick around. They've got a tough act to follow after Ueda-sensei."

Nowaki grinned, nudging Hiroki playfully. "Come on, Hiro-san. It's a mystery guest—it could be fun! Besides, what's the harm in staying a little longer?"

Hiroki sighed, glancing back at the stage. He frowned slightly, torn between wanting to leave and the curiosity tugging at him. "You're right… It could be fun," he conceded, though he still wasn't fully convinced.

They both settled back into their seats, Hiroki's curiosity slowly growing. When the doors at the side of the stage opened, and Akihiko Usami walked out, Hiroki's eyes widened in disbelief.

The crowd went wild, cheers and applause erupting throughout the room. Hiroki could hardly believe what he was seeing, and he quickly turned to Nowaki, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Well, Hiro-san," Nowaki said, leaning in close, "This is going to be interesting."
AN: Can you see why I split this into two chapters? It would have been a really long chapter on literature and poetry talks – But it was a great way to set up to introduce Akihiko to the story. Hopefully I didn't bore you with all the poetry talk – but from now on things should get interesting.
As always, feedback and comments are always welcome – I'd love to hear your thoughts.

See you soon for chapter 5.
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