Random fandom-y thoughts about 景元

[cashew]

Note: I'm gonna just stick to JY for easier typing and stuff.

---

So uh, I found out that JY's canon nickname is 景元元. I'm dying to know how this nickname came to be and who the F uses it. Is it his master? Baiheng? Yingxing? ... I refuse to believe Dan Feng would use such a saccharine nickname. I doubt his subordinates have the guts to call him this. WHO USED THIS NICKNAME?!

Also, because his other nickname is 空条景太郎，this suggests that Jing is actually his surname/family name, and Yuan is his given name. This is because the nickname pattern actually follows historical traditions, especially if we consider the cultural practices of the Song dynasty. And the reason I'm starting to lean into the Song cultural references is because...

---

Apparently JY's basic attack is called 石火流光, translated as Glistening Light, but it completely fails to actually translate anything because the phrase is actually a reference to a poem by the famous Song dynasty poet Su Shi (苏轼)《行香子·述怀》:

清夜无尘。月色如银。酒斟时、须满十分。浮名浮利，虚苦劳神。叹隙中驹，石中火，梦中身。
虽抱文章，开口谁亲。且陶陶、乐尽天真。几时归去，作个闲人。对一张琴，一壶酒，一溪云。

The line of interest is this one: “浮名浮利，虚苦劳神。叹隙中驹，石中火，梦中身。”

The poem itself is talking about not caring about rank or reputation, because they are all nebulous honors that fade quickly and don't life any real meaning. The second half bemoans not having anyone who is willing to listen to academic discussions so might as well get drunk.

The line specifically being referenced is talking about life is like riding a fast horse and all the beauty flashes by then disappears, remaining only in one's memory.

Basically...guy is getting drunk and being sad and nostalgic.

Instead of Glistening Light, it's probably better translated as "ephemeral spark", as the light is specifically referring to the sparks struck by a flint stone. 😭

(Also, hilarious unintended reference? 石火流光 is also used in a much lesser known Qing dynasty poem by 金朝觐...and refers to, uh, mortal desires *ahem*.)

---

On the other hand, he could also be named after the Tang dynasty's imperial coin 景元通宝. Who knows? I don't!

---

I'm usually a fan of JP voice overs, and I really do love Ono Daisuke's voice, but his verison of JY just doesn't have the same OOMPH as the Chinese reading, probably because no matter how good the translation, the poetry of the original language is lost, so only the surface level is translated.

Sorry, but 斬 and 斬無赦 just don't have the same feeling.

Yes, both phrases mean execution, but the latter (Chinese version) refers to immediate execution, no asking for parole, no asking for mercy, no asking for reconsideration. It's more like "I sentence thee to immediate death!"

There's also the cultural background for the phrase which evokes a military setting (because JY is a general and stuff), and it often comes about when the general is expressing his unwavering dedication to a particular cause by swearing to execute anyone who dares to stand in his way.

So yeah. All that emotion doesn't really come across in the translation. It's not just about no mercy, it's also about the unwavering will of the person who is ordering an immediate execution.

So, the full line "煌煌威靈，遵吾敕命，斬無赦" is more like "O radiant power, mine to command, slay my enemies!" Because the grammar is super archaic.

Also, I think the translation of 威靈 as spirit kind of really de-emphasizes the strength of the spirit. It's not just any spirit, we're talking about a metaphysical power that instills fear and awe into those who behold it. Especially since the full name is 神霄雷府总司驱雷掣电追魔扫秽天君, the 天君 part of the name suggests it's a god of some kind.

Meanwhile, 遵吾敕命 is a very polite command from a superior officer to a subordinate, emphasizing the duality of the relationship between JY and the Aeon(?), while the Aeon is superior to him in power, JY is the one giving the orders.

Comments

[tanithryudo]

The Aeon of the Hunt is Lan (岚). 神霄雷府总司驱雷掣电追魔扫秽天君 is the "emanator" (level-ish entity)

[cashew]

OK. Cosmology of Star Rail is confusing...

But who the hell call JY 景元元?! I need to know this.

[tanithryudo]

My guess is Baiheng. Her personality seems the closest fit for it.

[cashew]

OK, so we don't have in-game explanation? Hm, I wonder how CN wiki got the info...

[tanithryudo]

Does that CN wiki cite its sources anywhere? Cuz it's also possible they may be listing fanon or memes.

My search-fu came up with these:
https://nga.178.com/read.php?tid=36323626
https://nga.178.com/read.php?tid=36421287

As well, my search for 空条景太郎 comes up with a character from Jojo. So not sure if this nickname may also be a fan-provided meme rather than actual lore.

[cashew]

Sadly, the Chinese wiki doesn't seem to cite sources (well, it's Bilibili wiki, so I have no idea how the fact checking goes on there). But seems likely it's an outsider thing (if factual) rather than anyone actually calling him that to his face. OK.

But also: the official wiki listed the nickname!!!

OK, I'm going to go with the Clara explanation.

[cashew]

Also, if emanators don't have a will, then the incantation is being directed to the origin of the emanator's power, so 煌煌威灵 might be referring to 岚 (the one with sapience) rather than 神君. Since you can't really give orders to an object. On the other hand, it's possible the incantation activates the emanator, in which case, spirit (in English) still doesn't quite convey the same feeling.

[tanithryudo]

The Lightning Lord could be a symbiotic entity, or a summons entity, where giving commands would make sense. But that's all speculation as canon lore hasn't really delved too deep into the mechanics of it.