Family, referred to as kazoku (家族), was usually patriarchal. Traditionally, with men serving as heads of household, women would be expected to carry out domestic duties. However, this was exclusive mostly to pre-colonial days in Koushima, which began to slowly shift during the rule of the Tianren. While many still follow tradition, some in the new world tend to split household duties amongst each other for better efficiency.

Married couples, regardless of gender, were almost typically in the workforce, as unemployment in general was commonly frowned upon. In terms of occupations, however, men were the most expected to have military or hard labor jobs. In contrast, at most, women were expected to, at the very least, create artisanal goods or work in entertainment. However, the latter was only deemed socially acceptable for unmarried women.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞

Courtship was practically nonexistent during the days of Koushima, as many were often decided by families for political power or wealth. When this happened, they would arrange an omiai (お見合い), directly translated as “matchmaking”, where couples meet for the first time and discuss their compatibilities over tea, almost always disregarding their own personal romantic preferences.

During the rule of the Tianren and the Seishin’s exodus from the mainland, these traditions shifted a bit to become more romantically involved. In the current day and age, it has become custom to offer a decorated hairpin to a person of interest, which could happen regardless of gender. If a woman receives a hairpin, she would wear it in her hair only on the day of their wedding and then on. If a man receives and accepts a hairpin, typically, they would return the hairpin to their betrothed to finalize a marriage.

Sometimes, if two lovers were forced to break up, they would split a hairpin between each other as a promise of love until they are eventually able to reunite. Even if they are betrothed to another and still bear the split parts of the hairpin, they may see each other again to place the broken hairpin back together to both prove their identities and symbolize their fateful reunion.

Romance is very subtle and those who sought to court another was hardly ever straightforward, preferring to send further gifts to their person of interest, and by extension, their family to earn approval.

Religiously, polygamy in marriage is practically impossible to put into practice. Due to strong values connecting to the household over personal desire, the Seishin found it more efficient to marry monogamously and have clearly defined roles in their families.

The Seishin, having had to leave much behind in their exodus from the mainland, are very protective of their traditions, making them hesitant to marry into different cultures. Marrying into other households is also to be considered, as many did not wish to marry into poorer families.

𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝

Pregnancy, when it occurred, involved the woman and her partner deciding whether they would like to terminate it or carry it to term. Abortion is never frowned upon, because when the child is still in the womb, they are not considered to be part of the physical world yet. When they decide to keep it, the pregnant woman would wear a maternity sash around her, announcing the pregnancy.

When pregnant, it was often encouraged that women only consume “warm” foods rather than “cold” foods, as it was necessary to keep the womb warm during pregnancy. This belief originates from early interaction with the Tianren, where food is commonly believed to carry different types of energy regardless of the actual state it was prepared in. Pungent, rich, oily foods were considered warm, while sweet, bitter, or raw foods were considered cold, and it was important to keep a balance of both.
When a baby is born, the woman who birthed it has the choice of keeping it or committing infanticide, for the same reason of children still being considered part of the spirit world rather than the physical world. The latter option is rarely frowned upon, being a normal practice in the mainland.

If born into a family of high ranking, the name that the baby is given would be considered their yōmyō (幼名), or their youth name. Later on, during Genpuku, this would be exchanged for two new names; their kemyō (仮名), or their temporary/false name, and their imina (諱), or their forbidden name. A person’s imina would not be spoken aloud unless by their parents or authority figures, as it is considered disrespectful in any other case. Instead, they are called by their kemyō, which functions as a nickname. In death, their imina would still be avoided, opting for an okurina (諡), or a post-death name, as a display of respect.

From an early age, children are taught the importance of family and community, learning principles of respect, humility, and gratitude toward their elders. They would also be taught basic education including literacy and mathematics. Good education for a child was especially important in the coming ages as art and science became prized career fields, which often places children in strict educational regiments by the time they learn to speak and walk.

When children grew to be of age, they were expected to choose a trade. Family businesses, being common in Shinryoku and Koushima alike, were the first to take priority. However, some may choose to start an independent line of trade in agriculture, commerce, or art. These were especially rooted in discipline and responsibility, as children would need to take an apprenticeship under a certified master of their chosen craft.

𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

When children reach their age of maturity, a coming-of-age ceremony is held every year called Genpuku (元服). During this time, children entering adulthood were to change into adult hairstyles, garments, and even names, although this primarily extended to those of high social standing.

Those in attendance of Genpuku wore ceremonial dress for the occasion, typically wearing elaborate kimonos for either gender. During the ceremony, boys received a court cap called kanmuri (冠), and girls received a pleated skirt known as mogi (裳着). Boys would also have their forelocks cut off by a guardian, while girls had their teeth dyed black as a symbol of maturity.

Elders are of great importance in Seishin culture, being seen as living monuments of wisdom and knowledge. Many cultural aspects hold elders in high regard, with many going out of their way to showcase respect for them.

However, during the militaristic period of Koushima and the new age arrival in Nimoria, families, who became preoccupied with work or war, often neglected their elders if they weren’t able to afford proper care and resources for them.

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥

Funerals were rarely consistent within Seishin culture due to it being based on individual traditions, but the most common way of handling the dead was cremating them. From Koujin belief, many believed that fire cleansed the body and spirit so that they may reincarnate in the next life. It was also considered clean and efficient. The cremated remains would be placed in an urn and buried at a family gravesite.

However, the Tianren and Hyeon-in prefer more elaborate funeral rites, where the deceased are placed in coffins and adorned with jade to ward off bad spirits. For the more wealthy, these bodies were washed and dressed in white, being a color associated with the dead. In more urban areas, these practices are typically replaced by the Koujin method.