By Howard B. Des Chenes (hdeschen@lonestar.utsa.edu) (29 Apr 94)
Modern Shinto tend to be familiar with technology, as are most Japanese in the World of Darkness. This creates some interesting challenges for the Technocracy/Weaver aspect of reality, and how it relates to Japan. The Japanese Gauntlet would undoubtedly be high in most industrial areas. This would explain Japanese shrines(chantries?) and gardens(nodes?) scattered amidst huge, sprawling metroplexes. These places do reflect order, (thus the Technocracy allows their existence) but a natural order of things, where the kami are the forces behind nature. There would be constant struggle between the two groups, for control of Japan's future, and of the Avatars of the magi. In their search for balance of two worlds (perhaps an idea adopted from the Akashic Brotherhood), many Shinto Dreamspeakers have crossed the line to the Technocracy. Violent reactionaries are not tolerated in Japan, and Shinto is tolerated by the Technocracy as long as it does not interfere with Japan's "future".
The Akashic Brotherhood has had a strong influence over the Dreamspeaker Shinto, and in fact, have fought for control over Japan. When Shinto was finally wrested free from Akashic control, ill will did not die with this birth of freedom. Akashic ideals did, however, affect Shinto belief. The idea of balance and self-control is strong in Japan, and in Shinto.
Foci: Crystals for Life/Mind/Prime don't quite work. Quite possibly- Japanese Calligraphy- Life/Mind/Prime. A few contemplative symbols must be carefully painted before invoking these spheres. +1 or 2 to initiative, and a Wits + Meditation roll of 6 to write during combat. Also requires a calligraphy set and paper.
Drums- Correspondence/Entropy/Forces/Matter/Time. Ever hear Taiko Drums? Pretty incredible stuff. Drumming is essential to many traditional ceremonies in Japan. No problem there.
Feathers for spirit? No. Masks, perhaps? Donning a Japanese Kabuki mask would easily explain use of spirit, speaking directly to the kami during a ceremony, or entering the spirit world. A bit obvious and noticeable, but makes for great coincidental magic, and balances the occasions on which the Dreamspeaker could acceptably use Spirit magic in Japan. Times are tough, the Weaver spins a tight web.
The foci are about the only change to the rules that would be required. I think, though that different cultures could approach the same essential view of reality from different directions, with different props and tools. Other, more obvious possibilities for Dreamspeakers: Siberian Shamans, Australian Aboriginies (What really happened to the Dreamtime?), South American Indians, (Yano-Mamo, if you dont mind playing a character with a big disc in his lip.) and Eskimo. Some are more playable than others.
For great inspiration, check out two films by first rate director, Akira Kurisawa: "Dreams", a surreal journey through the Japanese spirit world, as seen through Kurisawa's own imagination and life; and "Kagemusha", produced by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola. It's an incredible telling of a somewhat familiar story, in which a thief is spared in order to impersonate the Daimyo during the Feudal wars of sixteenth century Japan. It illustrates certain Shinto beliefs and practices, and illuminates the Japenese mentality as something not only understandable, but admirable. The scenes are beautiful and very colorful. (Subtitled, but you can get used to it. If you can sit through an hour of Japanamation, you can watch Kagemusha."
Japenese culture isn't my specialty. Someone feel free to follow up on this and correct any errors I might have made. Thanks.