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[The plaque reads] The Ten Do is one of the densest concentrations of houses of worship within the city of Necropolis. When Asian immigrants first started to settle here, many were appalled to learn that the Sunset peoples did not pay proper homage to the ancient spirits. While small shrines were set up invarious locales, these were often the victims of vandals and arsonists. Even those newcomers who were Christian faced the scorn and racism of the whites whose neighborhoods they travelled through to try and practice their faith. In 1992, the Fujishawa family, returning from their attendence of services at the Cathedral, made a wrong turn and got lost in one of the poorer white areas. In trying to find their way out, the father, Yo, bumped his car into the car of one of the local hoods. The cars were not severely damaged. The Fujishawas were not so lucky. Only the youngest of the three children, Kasumi, survived the brutal assault. The intensity of the crime, and its savage brutality, shocked even the residents of Necropolis. The barely settled residents of Little Asia were torn, and angry. Some called for violence, others said they should leave the city entirely. A local dry cleaner, Lin Po, who was also a student of the Tao, had another idea. He called upon the residents of Little Asia to pray. And they did. For a full week, stores, shops and restaurants remained shuttered, the owners and customers all at home, making offerings and calling upon the spirits to aid them. Their prayers were answered. Local businessmen, many of whom had long since ceased to be truly rigorous in their devotion, suddenly became infused wtih the spirit of community and goodwill, donating money and land to a grand project. Artisans and architects arrived, in unusual numbers, from all over the nation, and from the residents' home countries, as well. They gave the new project its face and form. Some of the greatest philosophers and priests of the East arrived, as well, unnoticed by the Westerners, who would not have known one of them from a miner or chop suey waiter. They helped sustain the people's spirits, giving them advice and succor in the dark days. But the greatest miracle was that all of this was allowed to happen. Time and again, some city bureaucrat or land-hungry businessman would try to obstruct the building of the Ten Do. And time and again, the opposition would seem to evaporate overnight. In many ways, this also facilitated the construction and formation of the rest of Little Asia. The Ten Do was completed in a mere two years, an incredible feat of politics, finance, art and engineering. And of faith. [To those who know how to ask it properly, the stone on which the plaque rests adds to the tale.] Of course, brother and sister Shinma, there is more to the tale. There was only one Shinma, a lone Nyan, at the time of the attack on the Fujishawa family. But she was powerful, and by the end of the week, she had called in many favors from her old court. The Jade Circle arrived shortly thereafter. The Circle was a gathering of the most powerful kwannon of the day--one of each, and each a master of his own element. And they did not come empty-handed. They brought a treasure in Awakened Jade. During the day, as the Kin-Jin slept, they worked to unravel whatever mischief the Western Vampires had wrought the night before, bringing honor to corrupted officials and faith to the people of Little Asia. And so was born the Ten Do. The Jade Circle is gone, now, but one, having been admitted to Heaven with keys of Jade. Soon, I, shall move on as well. But our legacy, and your duty, lives on. Look back around the Entrance Plaza again. Return to the Little Asia Streets. |
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