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==Centurion Kobayashi no Hotaru==
==Centurion Kobayashi no Hotaru==
Previously Known As:<BR>
Nickname(s): Hotaru, Firefly<br>
Nickname(s): Hotaru, Firefly<BR>
Pronouns: She/her/hers<br>
Pronouns: She/her/hers<BR>
<br>
<BR>
 
====Additional Registered Heraldry:====
<BR>
 
===Offices:===
===Offices:===
* '''Local Offices Held'''
* '''Local Offices Held'''
** Glaslyn Exchequer 2018 - 2021
** Glaslyn Exchequer 2018 - 2021
** Glaslyn Deputy Exchequer 2021 - 2023
** Glaslyn Deputy Exchequer 2021 - 2023
** Glaslyn Deputy Social Media 2022 - 2024
** Glaslyn Social Media Deputy 2022 - 2024
** Glaslyn Exchequer 2023 - Present
** Glaslyn Exchequer 2023 - 2025
 
* '''Regional Offices Held'''
**


* '''Kingdom Offices Held'''
* '''Kingdom Offices Held'''
** Co-Cultural Deputy (East Asian Cultures) to Minister of Arts and Sciences 2023 - Present
** Cultural Deputy (East Asian Cultures) to Minister of Arts and Sciences 2023 - 2025
<br>


===Persona History:===
===Persona History:===
<BR>
Hotaru was a peasant from a mountain village in the Tohoku region in the early Muromachi Era (mid 14th century). She was adopted on a whim by a court noblewoman from Kyoto who cleaned her up, dressed her in fine clothes and armor, and gave her a modicum of manners.
 
<br>
<br>
===Interests:===
===Interests:===
<BR>
* Armored Combat
 
* Pickling Vegetables
====Gallery:====
* Shield Painting
<BR>
* Japanese religious beliefs and practices
* Japanese historical jewelry
* East Asian period games
<br>


===Timeline of Activity:===
===Timeline of Activity:===
'''2016''': Hotaru's first introduction to the SCA was a [[Glaslyn]] practice and populace meeting in spring or summer of 2016. Though fairly confident she wanted to portray a Japanese persona, she encountered a rather outspoken individual who told her that people who played Japanese persona weren't taking the SCA seriously and they shouldn't do it. Hotaru decided that this Not Very Nice Person was wrong and she found her first goal: "I will be loudly Japanese."
[[File:HotaruCenturionScroll.png|200px|thumb|right|Centurion Scroll, artwork by [[Delfina de Borja]]]]
 
Hotaru's introduction to the SCA was a [[Glaslyn]] practice and populace meeting in spring or summer of 2016. Though fairly confident she wanted to portray a Japanese persona, she encountered a rudely outspoken individual who said that people who played Japanese persona weren't taking the SCA seriously and they shouldn't do it. Hotaru decided that this Not Very Nice Person was wrong and she found her first goal: "I will be loudly Japanese," and was gifted her first set of Japanese garb by [[Alhdryð ceorlstrang]].
'''2017''': While continuing to play locally in her home of, Hotaru traveled and attended her first [[War of the Rams]]. She was gifted her first set of Japanese garb by [[Alhdryð ceorlstrang]].
 
'''2020''': Spent the Plague deciding just exactly what she might want to do in the SCA, now that she had finished college. Hotaru attempted crafting a set of Japanese armor with the mind of using it for Cut &Thrust, injuring her hands in the process. Instead purchased a set of armor, still with the same intent, while patiently waiting for the dark times to end.
 
'''2022''': In the fall, Hotaru wavered back and forth between potentially doing Light, maybe Cut & Thrust, perhaps Combat Archery, perhaps Heavy, before finally settling on doing Heavy since that's what her friends and significant others were doing. She returned again to her second War of the Rams, freshly authorized and caught the fighting bug. Though she had been in the same spheres as [[Absolon of Hereford]] and [[Silvana Corwin]] as members of Glaslyn, it's here where the ties began to be made.


'''2023''': Attended Glaslyn Defender of the Flame, dying in the first round. Attended Elfsea Defender, making it to the quarter finals. Following Elfsea defender, Hotaru asked Sir Absolon if he was interested in taking a squire and what his process would be for that. Attended Steppes Warlord, became Sir Absolon's man-at-arms at Steppes Warlord, as is the tradition for his belt line. Won the Newcomer Torchlight Tourney that night at Steppes Warlord after a 23 round onslaught against Maddog of the Steppes. Put together Glaslyn's Phoenix Company. Ran gate at Summer Crown Tournament and participated in pick ups. Attended War of Ages: 100 Years War, finaling in the Unbelt Torchlight Tournament. Attended Bjornsborg's Quest for the Grail. Attended Seawinds Defender: Myths and Legends, coming in second in their chivalric defender. Attended War of the Rams and lead Phoenix Company's first foray onto the melee field.
Over the next few years she played locally, being exchequer or deputy exchequer of Glaslyn, and doing a little bit of Rapier combat while going to college. She spent the Plague deciding just exactly what she might want to do in the SCA now that she had graduated. After wavering back and forth between doing Rapier or Cut & Thrust, she decided on a whim to get authorized for Armored Combat for 2022's War of the Rams, since that's what her friends and significant others were doing. The fighting bug bit hard, and she started training and going to every tournament and war that she could.


'''2024''': Attended Marata Midwinter Melees. Attended Battle of the Pines and experienced her first instance of the yips, an important lesson. Attended her first Gulf Wars, standing in for [[Sonja Ryzaja]] as the interim Central Regional Army Commander. Attended Elfsea Defender, making it into the finals against [[Decimus Cornelius Scaevus]]. Attended Northkeep's Castellan, meeting many new faces and reconnecting with her northern friends and won the "I Am No Man" Tourney. Attended Steppes Warlord, making it to the three-way finals in the AoA round. Here she was made squire to Absolon after a year and a day of being a  man-at-arms, in the tradition of his belt line. Also taught a class with [[Cadmus Lochagus]], [[Clauß Fuchs von Nurenberg]] and [[Hagen Jensson]] on why, in her words, "glaive is the one true weapon style!" Attended Vindheim Summer Coronet, fighting in the pick ups with her friends. Attended Namron Protectorate and Coronation, being chosen as King's Champion to [[89th Crown|HRM Jean-Paul de Sens]]. Attended War of the Rams, being welcomed into the [[Centurions of the Sable Star]].
In 2023 she became a Man at Arms to Sir [[Absolon of Hereford]] at Steppes Warlord, and then a Squire to the same a year and a day later at the same event.


[[File:KingsChampion89th.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Champion Scroll, artwork by [[Elena Wyth]]]]
In 2025 she became King's Champion to His Majesty Jean Paul de Sens III, and was inducted to the Order of the Centurions of the Sable Star shortly after. [[File:KingsChampion89th.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Champion Scroll, artwork by [[Elena Wyth]]]]
* '''Words from Namron Protectorate and Coronation''': "I'm home safe from Namron Protectorate & Coronation. I want to extend my most sincere gratitude to Their Majesties Jean Paul and Gilyan for a day that I will never forget, and to the Barony of Namron and Their Excellencies Isabella & Emma for hosting a wonderful event and coronation. I'm humbled and honored to have received the privilege of being King's Champion to His Majesty. I hope I can provide challenge on the field of war for those who might choose to face our King. I hope to be a staunch defender and loyal ally both on and off the field to His Majesty who has placed his trust in me. I'm looking forward to a fun six months at His Majesty's side and am looking back over a long history of people who held this position before me with a growing sense of understanding of the responsibilities. I hope to bring my all to the role and live up to those who came before me."
* '''Words from Namron Protectorate and Coronation''': "I'm home safe from Namron Protectorate & Coronation. I want to extend my most sincere gratitude to Their Majesties Jean Paul and Gilyan for a day that I will never forget, and to the Barony of Namron and Their Excellencies Isabella & Emma for hosting a wonderful event and coronation. I'm humbled and honored to have received the privilege of being King's Champion to His Majesty. I hope I can provide challenge on the field of war for those who might choose to face our King. I hope to be a staunch defender and loyal ally both on and off the field to His Majesty who has placed his trust in me. I'm looking forward to a fun six months at His Majesty's side and am looking back over a long history of people who held this position before me with a growing sense of understanding of the responsibilities. I hope to bring my all to the role and live up to those who came before me."


[[File:HotaruCenturionScroll.png|150px|thumb|right|Centurion Scroll, artwork by [[Delfina de Borja]]]]
Hotaru fought in the Champion's Battle at Gulf War XXXIII and defeated the King's Champion of Trimaris. At the 2025 Winter Crown Tournament she was honored with the King's Blade of Chivalry by Sultan Creppin l'Ostriche III.
* '''Words from War of the Rams''': "I am so incredibly elated. Thank you to Their Majesties and to the Order for choosing to recognize me as a member of the Centurions of the Sable Star. Two years ago, I naively set out with the dream of being worthy of the cloak placed on my shoulders on Saturday. The honor to serve as a member of the Centurions has been and will always remain incredibly important to me as a fighter in our game. It is why I began fighting, it's what kept me fighting, and it's one of the many things I will continue to fight for. Thank you for the joy it is to be counted amongst my brothers and sisters. There are far too many people to thank by name who were involved in my journey so far and who I hope will continue to be involved in it. I hope I can continue to live up to what everyone sees in me. Thank you so much for being my friends and teachers." <BR> "I want to give thanks to the incredibly talented artisans who worked with my friends to give me very unique gifts. On Centurion Kormakr's behalf Honorable Lady Yzabeau Brossier created a jinbaori for me to fight in that I can't wait to wear over my armor. The stylized eagle on the branch on the back is a such a personal touch that I was crying when they unfolded it. I want to thank her for putting her talent in for someone she'd never met. I'll be proud to wear it on the field. Lady Alhdryð ceorlstrang created a jinbaori for me in secret in stolen moments when I was out of the house. It missed its moment in court and I want her to know I appreciate and love her dearly for it. It's made of silk and trade wool and she designed the eagle kamon on the back from historic designs. (And I promise never to let it near a washing machine!) Lady Delfina de Borja created a scroll for me based on traditional representations of female Japanese samurai and took the time to make the armor in my colors, down to the littlest detail. Lord Hákon did the translation and type setting of the scroll text and designed the red seal in seal script. I also want to thank my knight, Baron Absolon, for making me a tetsubo and Her Grace Sonja for gifting me a steel tessen as a set of incredible cudgels. Now whether I dress for war or court, I have something to strike with! I was gifted garters from my friends, Centurions Rúna and Magnus, thank you so much! I'll wear them proudly and continue to bonk many foes. My knight also passed down the garter that came from his own knight. It means an incredible deal to me, I will cherish it. If I missed anyone, I apologize! I was overwhelmed with all your support and promise it's unintentional."
<br>
 
===Populace Provided Information:===
<BR>
====[[Hákon the Blacksmith]]====
At Gulf Wars XXXIII, Hotaru was King's Champion to Jean Paul III, and was slated to be the first up in the Champion's Battle, against the King's Champion of Trimaris. So the first fight, for the first war point, on the first day, in front of everyone assembled. No pressure.


====Prior Groups:====
Before the war, she learned that their champion fought left-handed with sword and shield. She spent the week leading up to the war working on a strategy with His Grace [[Gabriel of Maccuswell]] who fights in a similar style. When the time for battle came, Hotaru stanced up as if to fight a right-handed fighter. Her friends amongst the chivalry and centurions around us all began talking to each other immediately, asking "why is she not switching to lefty?" "Did she forget to switch?" "Why isn't she switching?"
<BR>
 
===Populace Provided Information:===
<BR>


Hotaru began throwing high shots that were easily deflected by the Trimaris' champions shield, but she kept throwing them until he raised his shield just enough for her to throw a long crossbody shot at his left thigh. He dropped to his knees. While he put up a valiant effort, polearm versus sword from the ground is a tough contest to come back from - and as she won, Duke Gabriel is backslapping and grinning like an excited dad over their plan coming together exactly as they had practiced.
<br>
<br>
===Notable Contributions or Accomplishments:===
===Notable Contributions or Accomplishments:===
* King's Champion to [[89th Crown|HRM Jean-Paul de Sens]]
* King's Champion to [[89th Crown|HRM Jean-Paul de Sens]]
<BR>
* Armored Combat Champion of the Barony of [[Raven's Fort]], 2025
* Champion, [[Northkeep]] 'I Am No Man' Tournament, 2024
* Won the Steppes Warlord Newcomers' Tournament in a 23-round final
* Founder and first commander, [[Phoenix Company]]
* Teacher, "Glaive: the One True Weapon"
* Designed the 2025 Kingdom trailer wrap
<br>


====Non-Armigerous Awards and Recognitions:====
====Non-Armigerous Awards and Recognitions:====
* Acorn of the Steppes (Twice!)
* Acorn of the Steppes (Twice!)
* Boar's Tusk of the Steppes
* Boar's Tusk of the Steppes
<BR>
* Western Tower of Elfsea
<br>


====Trivia:====
After her first second-place finish in a tournament, someone told her "second place gets a cheesecake!" Now every second place finish results in complaints about never getting any of these promised cheesecakes.
<br>
<br>
===Affiliations:===
===Affiliations:===
* Member, House Arlac (Significant others and found family)
* Member, Wanderer's Hall
* Member, House of Halberd and Trident ([[Absolon of Hereford]] and [[Silvana Corwin]]'s house)
* Member, House of Halberd and Trident
* Founder, Phoenix Company (Glaslyn Warband)
* Squire to Sir Absolon of Hereford
* Extended Family, La Taniere ([[Louis le Blaireau]] and [[Colleen O'Kelly]]'s house)
* Phoenix Company
<BR>
* Extended Family, La Tanière
<br>


===Mundane Information:===
===Mundane Information:===
<BR>
Hotaru does professional graphic design as a side hustle.
 
<br>
====Special Needs:====
<BR>
 
====In Case of Court:====
====In Case of Court:====
Hotaru prefers to be surprised by awards, no warning is necessary. For significant awards or announcements, she greatly appreciates if her significant other, [[Hákon the Blacksmith]], or her knight, [[Absolon of Hereford]], are given a heads up.
Hotaru prefers to be surprised by awards, no warning is necessary. For significant awards or announcements, she greatly appreciates if her significant other, Hákon the Blacksmith, or her knight, Absolon of Hereford, are given a heads up.
<BR>
<br>


[[Category:Centurions]]
[[Category:Glaslyn]]
[[Category:Glaslyn]]
[[Category:Japanese Personas]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Pride]]
[[Category:Pride]]
[[Category:PPI]]
[[Category:Squires]]

Latest revision as of 11:49, 21 January 2026

Photo

Photo by Kasjan Jaskólski Ivarson
Information
Registered Name: Kobayashi Hotaru
Resides: Glaslyn
Status: Active
Joined SCA: 2016
Order of Precedence
Kobayashi no Hotaru
Heraldry

Purpure, the old kanji for "hotaru" and two bars in chief Or

Centurion Kobayashi no Hotaru

Nickname(s): Hotaru, Firefly
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Offices:

  • Local Offices Held
    • Glaslyn Exchequer 2018 - 2021
    • Glaslyn Deputy Exchequer 2021 - 2023
    • Glaslyn Social Media Deputy 2022 - 2024
    • Glaslyn Exchequer 2023 - 2025
  • Kingdom Offices Held
    • Cultural Deputy (East Asian Cultures) to Minister of Arts and Sciences 2023 - 2025


Persona History:

Hotaru was a peasant from a mountain village in the Tohoku region in the early Muromachi Era (mid 14th century). She was adopted on a whim by a court noblewoman from Kyoto who cleaned her up, dressed her in fine clothes and armor, and gave her a modicum of manners.

Interests:

  • Armored Combat
  • Pickling Vegetables
  • Shield Painting
  • Japanese religious beliefs and practices
  • Japanese historical jewelry
  • East Asian period games


Timeline of Activity:

Centurion Scroll, artwork by Delfina de Borja

Hotaru's introduction to the SCA was a Glaslyn practice and populace meeting in spring or summer of 2016. Though fairly confident she wanted to portray a Japanese persona, she encountered a rudely outspoken individual who said that people who played Japanese persona weren't taking the SCA seriously and they shouldn't do it. Hotaru decided that this Not Very Nice Person was wrong and she found her first goal: "I will be loudly Japanese," and was gifted her first set of Japanese garb by Alhdryð ceorlstrang.

Over the next few years she played locally, being exchequer or deputy exchequer of Glaslyn, and doing a little bit of Rapier combat while going to college. She spent the Plague deciding just exactly what she might want to do in the SCA now that she had graduated. After wavering back and forth between doing Rapier or Cut & Thrust, she decided on a whim to get authorized for Armored Combat for 2022's War of the Rams, since that's what her friends and significant others were doing. The fighting bug bit hard, and she started training and going to every tournament and war that she could.

In 2023 she became a Man at Arms to Sir Absolon of Hereford at Steppes Warlord, and then a Squire to the same a year and a day later at the same event.

In 2025 she became King's Champion to His Majesty Jean Paul de Sens III, and was inducted to the Order of the Centurions of the Sable Star shortly after.

Champion Scroll, artwork by Elena Wyth
  • Words from Namron Protectorate and Coronation: "I'm home safe from Namron Protectorate & Coronation. I want to extend my most sincere gratitude to Their Majesties Jean Paul and Gilyan for a day that I will never forget, and to the Barony of Namron and Their Excellencies Isabella & Emma for hosting a wonderful event and coronation. I'm humbled and honored to have received the privilege of being King's Champion to His Majesty. I hope I can provide challenge on the field of war for those who might choose to face our King. I hope to be a staunch defender and loyal ally both on and off the field to His Majesty who has placed his trust in me. I'm looking forward to a fun six months at His Majesty's side and am looking back over a long history of people who held this position before me with a growing sense of understanding of the responsibilities. I hope to bring my all to the role and live up to those who came before me."

Hotaru fought in the Champion's Battle at Gulf War XXXIII and defeated the King's Champion of Trimaris. At the 2025 Winter Crown Tournament she was honored with the King's Blade of Chivalry by Sultan Creppin l'Ostriche III.

Populace Provided Information:

Hákon the Blacksmith

At Gulf Wars XXXIII, Hotaru was King's Champion to Jean Paul III, and was slated to be the first up in the Champion's Battle, against the King's Champion of Trimaris. So the first fight, for the first war point, on the first day, in front of everyone assembled. No pressure.

Before the war, she learned that their champion fought left-handed with sword and shield. She spent the week leading up to the war working on a strategy with His Grace Gabriel of Maccuswell who fights in a similar style. When the time for battle came, Hotaru stanced up as if to fight a right-handed fighter. Her friends amongst the chivalry and centurions around us all began talking to each other immediately, asking "why is she not switching to lefty?" "Did she forget to switch?" "Why isn't she switching?"

Hotaru began throwing high shots that were easily deflected by the Trimaris' champions shield, but she kept throwing them until he raised his shield just enough for her to throw a long crossbody shot at his left thigh. He dropped to his knees. While he put up a valiant effort, polearm versus sword from the ground is a tough contest to come back from - and as she won, Duke Gabriel is backslapping and grinning like an excited dad over their plan coming together exactly as they had practiced.

Notable Contributions or Accomplishments:

  • King's Champion to HRM Jean-Paul de Sens
  • Armored Combat Champion of the Barony of Raven's Fort, 2025
  • Champion, Northkeep 'I Am No Man' Tournament, 2024
  • Won the Steppes Warlord Newcomers' Tournament in a 23-round final
  • Founder and first commander, Phoenix Company
  • Teacher, "Glaive: the One True Weapon"
  • Designed the 2025 Kingdom trailer wrap


Non-Armigerous Awards and Recognitions:

  • Acorn of the Steppes (Twice!)
  • Boar's Tusk of the Steppes
  • Western Tower of Elfsea


Trivia:

After her first second-place finish in a tournament, someone told her "second place gets a cheesecake!" Now every second place finish results in complaints about never getting any of these promised cheesecakes.

Affiliations:

  • Member, Wanderer's Hall
  • Member, House of Halberd and Trident
  • Squire to Sir Absolon of Hereford
  • Phoenix Company
  • Extended Family, La Tanière


Mundane Information:

Hotaru does professional graphic design as a side hustle.

In Case of Court:

Hotaru prefers to be surprised by awards, no warning is necessary. For significant awards or announcements, she greatly appreciates if her significant other, Hákon the Blacksmith, or her knight, Absolon of Hereford, are given a heads up.

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