[In Character] Q&A with Chairwoman Oomiya Sakura

[Sanghyeok]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
The following nations are yet to receive a response. They will receive one within the next twenty-four hours.

---

How do you value art, Oomiya?

You might know I've dabbled with aesthetics a few times, and occasionally, I've even had some takes about it all. To me, art is never impartial, and so I do not believe in such a concept as "art for beauty's sake".

Brecht, an East German poet, once said that art is not a mirror with which the world is reflected, but rather a hammer, with which reality is shaped; Brecht is being descriptive here, not prescriptive. Art has always been a hammer, and has always been used to convey agenda; as a cultural product, it is no surprise that it would not only be shaped by culture, but in turn, also shape culture itself.

I'm certain your country recognises this value of art, and have most likely used it as a hammer to manifest class struggle and material relations of production and ideology. Indeed, reading some of your own poetry, I can sense that you have a viewpoint akin to Brecht's.

"What does your government think of the ongoing political crisis happening in Greater Cosmicium?

We have two news archives, here: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1313716
and here: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1433968 for more information." - Some underpaid, overworked and temporally disrupted government official

“Thanks again for answering. It’s not a promising answer from my position, I have to say. Chudokuren ideology...I hesitate to the use the semi-official term for it, but nonetheless...is very much based upon principles of authority and opposition to liberty, and does not pretend otherwise. I admit that I’ve had to reconsider many policies in the wake of the Nightmare- I don’t want to talk about it- but it is my fundamental belief that order is necessary for society. This is especially true of a society like Kyoki Chudoku, where the majority of the population is, in some way or another, traumatised or eccentric. From what I can understand, while opposed to oppression in general, you also recognise the value of order to some degree. That many political parties are prohibited shows that much.

Since you’re declaring your intent to intervene where possible in order to promote your ideology, I have to ask now a more political question. Granted, I’m not expected the most transparent answer on this, but still. What is your opinion on Kyoki Chudoku, and do you have any intentions of attempting anything here in the near-future?”

-Aozora Chiyumi, Supreme Overlady of All Reality

---

All nations are welcome to leave comments and other questions, but for the moment the Chairwoman is sleeping, and will not be responding until she awakes.
Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Sanghyeok]

How do you value art, Oomiya?

You might know I've dabbled with aesthetics a few times, and occasionally, I've even had some takes about it all. To me, art is never impartial, and so I do not believe in such a concept as "art for beauty's sake".

Brecht, an East German poet, once said that art is not a mirror with which the world is reflected, but rather a hammer, with which reality is shaped; Brecht is being descriptive here, not prescriptive. Art has always been a hammer, and has always been used to convey agenda; as a cultural product, it is no surprise that it would not only be shaped by culture, but in turn, also shape culture itself.

I'm certain your country recognises this value of art, and have most likely used it as a hammer to manifest class struggle and material relations of production and ideology. Indeed, reading some of your own poetry, I can sense that you have a viewpoint akin to Brecht's.

Art is art, of course! "Your viewpoint is an interesting remark about the nature of the arts, and yet I would say I would only partially agree that 'art for beauty's sake does not exist'. If we are merely discussing the issue of state-produced entertainment, or the so called "mass-media", then there is absolutely no question that it is produced with a greater purpose far beyond just "entertainment." As we claimed prior, if Comrade Mao's claim that 'war is the final extension of politics' is true, then one can also argue that 'entertainment is the first form of politics'. Politics ends with war, perhaps, but the most powerful tool is the arts. Indeed, 'the pen is mightier than the sword', in many cases, for war must be declared, but propaganda can be spread even during times of peace, many times towards those unaware. We am far from the only person to recognize this as a tool, for many before have realized the importance of art in shaping reality. Have you ever poured water into a folding paper cup? The water is contained by the cup, but the cup is expanded by the water. Similarly, as you claim, art is then rightly summarized as not just a product of culture, but also something that affects culture itself. And yet, we do not believe this is the true story. We received a briefing about your question shortly before the evening calligraphy session, and sitting by the Hatzuki-chi trying to think of a topic to compose a poem about, we wondered if what you said was entirely true. Certainly, many of those past works have been served the role of a 'hammer', as Brecht says. But the important thing to note is that they were designed as a hammer, in other words, when we wrote them they were meant to be a force to change society, to shape how people interpreted things. That is the nature of all political work and political art of course, for hammers are generally better when they are not improvised but specifically made. However, the more one thinks, the more one wonders if all art is like this. Some of those poems were designed as a 'weapon of criticism', and were rightfully interpreted as a hammer. However, there are also poems which were not designed to be a hammer. If we were to write a poem on rising moon in the night sky, for example, or the falling cherry blossoms in April, would that also be 'art with a purpose'. Was is true that our work was not merely doing art for the sake of art, not merely writing about beauty for the sake of sharing beauty? It was a difficult question to answer. One can argue that they were mirrors- at least, designed to be mirrors based on their topics such as natural beauty, and were repurposed as a hammer. Does that mean that they can be used as a hammer? Perhaps, but that does not mean they should be used as a hammer. In some cases, they might be made into a hammer, correctly, if people realize something in the work that its author doesn't. And in other cases, that is not the proper interpretation. A mirror, when struck, breaks. Therefore, we do believe that there still exist 'pure art', even if it is extremely rare nowadays. But you are correct in your assumption that 'art for beauty's sake' is almost nonexistent, and that the relationship between artistic expression and society is a two-way one. Of course, sometimes it is relaxing to not think so deeply, and just enjoy art. For art is meant to be enjoyed, and doing so is of great respect for the author. -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省

Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Hatuzki-chi is the favourite pond of Chairwoman Oomiya Sakura in her residence complex. The name means a pond of moon reflection, and she often writes poetry there in the evenings or late at night.

Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Sanghyeok]

"What does your government think of the ongoing political crisis happening in Greater Cosmicium?

We have two news archives, here: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1313716
and here: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1433968 for more information." - Some underpaid, overworked and temporally disrupted government official

There must be peace before all else "It certainly appears that the situation in the Empire of Greater Cosmicium is less than stable at the moment. We encourage the government and the reigning Emperor to accept the election results, and allow the rightfully elected Emperor to take the throne, for to do otherwise is denying the will of the people. At the same time, we urge restraint and calm among both parties, so that there may be win-win negotiations for the benefit of all citizens." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省

[Sanghyeok]

“Thanks again for answering. It’s not a promising answer from my position, I have to say. Chudokuren ideology...I hesitate to the use the semi-official term for it, but nonetheless...is very much based upon principles of authority and opposition to liberty, and does not pretend otherwise. I admit that I’ve had to reconsider many policies in the wake of the Nightmare- I don’t want to talk about it- but it is my fundamental belief that order is necessary for society. This is especially true of a society like Kyoki Chudoku, where the majority of the population is, in some way or another, traumatised or eccentric. From what I can understand, while opposed to oppression in general, you also recognise the value of order to some degree. That many political parties are prohibited shows that much.

Since you’re declaring your intent to intervene where possible in order to promote your ideology, I have to ask now a more political question. Granted, I’m not expected the most transparent answer on this, but still. What is your opinion on Kyoki Chudoku, and do you have any intentions of attempting anything here in the near-future?”

-Aozora Chiyumi, Supreme Overlady of All Reality

We do not seek conflict, but we are ready to preserve peace "The current state of affairs in Kyoki Chudoku is not admirable, to say the least. The lack of civil freedoms is certainly condemnable, and the lack of the people's representation in government is also something which should be reconsidered. However, given that your state does not appear to be Fascist, we are willing to peacefully coexist, and will not attack unless your nation breaks the peace first. As for intentions of attempting anything, we will indeed attempt to use diplomacy and soft power to influence your country, but we are not interested in conflict." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省

[Sanghyeok]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

We once again remind all nations that informal questions, not just those related to diplomacy or government, are also welcome. In particular, Chairwoman Oomiya enjoys questions about food.

Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Linkers Sha]

Chairwoman Oomiya likes ice cream ???

[Purpelia]

"And in my view, your method of child raising is rather unusual as well. Perhaps it is in my eyes, just as strange as our method is to you. But changes happen for a reason, as do customs and traditions. Different circumstances require different means, I am sure that our two environments are completely different to the point that critiquing one for it's method is not as efficient at looking at outcomes. Consider, for example, the importance of context. I am sure that you would agree both the pudding and the shrimp tempura are wonderfully delicious. Yet they serve different purposes. One serves to excite the palate, the other to calm it. One nourishes with protein, the other with sugars. Furthermore, though both delicious, imagine eating pudding with rice, or pouring caramel on pudding. This is certainly not as delicious as before, some may call it even inedible. But why? Think of how you would use adjectives to describe them.

First, tempura: light. Cloud-like. Fragrant. Crispy. Thin. Salty. Savory. The smell of the sea. Hard on the outside. Firm.

And then, the pudding: custard. Thick. Soft. Sweet. Yielding. Bouncy.

These two wonderful foods have such different characteristics! And it is the difference in those characteristics that, despite both of them being wonderful, suit them to completely different times in the meal. Taking this as evidence, then, can you understand why perhaps the child-care method in your nation, though adapted to your situation, would not work in our country? I hope you can consider this for a moment.

And yet if you tried to prepare either of the two like the other you would end up with a tasteless mess. As with all thing man does there are always many wrong ways but only one right way. That right way, the only way is to do as we do. After all, if you treat children as if they were different what will they learn from life than that they are? That they are unique, special, at once incapable of doing all wrong and yet unable to do anything right.

Just think. If you do not punish children, if you allow them to act against the rules of society without suffering just as adults do how will they learn right from wrong? And if you do not love them both in spirit and flesh how will they in turn learn that they are loved and should love? Would you have them stumble onto these things on their own with mixed success and potentially devastating results?

And who better to teach than the family? Who better knows when to punish, so as to prevent need for the law? And who better to teach them about love than their siblings? To have the state do that with quality would require surveillance, resources and effort on the scale of an oppressive dictatorship. So why would you restrict the family from this? Why would you tie their hands behind their back and break the sacred institution that is the backbone of our race?

And why of all things would you ban children from love it self expressed in its purest form? That above all else is why you are wrong. And why we advise you abolish all sugary foods from your diet.

[Sanghyeok]

Chairwoman Oomiya likes ice cream ???

Ice cream? You said ice cream, right! "Ice cream, you said ice cream, right? Of course I love ice cream, for it tastes delicious and makes me feel like floating on a cloud. Ice cream, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways... The delightful gelato! The stable and reliable vanilla! The tantalizing chocolate! The fruitful strawberry! The underrated rum-raisin! The smooth and soft coconut! The cooling and relaxing mint! The exciting and energizing matcha! The wonderful hybrid known as ice-cream cake! And of course, one cannot forget red velvet! One cannot live without ice cream anymore than one can live without oxygen, for ice cream is vital for all of us! -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Sanghyeok]

And yet if you tried to prepare either of the two like the other you would end up with a tasteless mess. As with all thing man does there are always many wrong ways but only one right way. That right way, the only way is to do as we do. After all, if you treat children as if they were different what will they learn from life than that they are? That they are unique, special, at once incapable of doing all wrong and yet unable to do anything right.

Just think. If you do not punish children, if you allow them to act against the rules of society without suffering just as adults do how will they learn right from wrong? And if you do not love them both in spirit and flesh how will they in turn learn that they are loved and should love? Would you have them stumble onto these things on their own with mixed success and potentially devastating results?

And who better to teach than the family? Who better knows when to punish, so as to prevent need for the law? And who better to teach them about love than their siblings? To have the state do that with quality would require surveillance, resources and effort on the scale of an oppressive dictatorship. So why would you restrict the family from this? Why would you tie their hands behind their back and break the sacred institution that is the backbone of our race?

And why of all things would you ban children from love it self expressed in its purest form? That above all else is why you are wrong. And why we advise you abolish all sugary foods from your diet.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Your question has been received and will be answered within 24 hours.

Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Zitravgrad]

"Come now... I have a difficult question for you."
...
"What is your single favorite flavor of parfait? Just one. No cheating, hehe."
Dr. Feodora Alexandrovna Miroslavskaya
First Lady of Zitravgrad, mathematician, computer scientist and military technologist

[Libertalonia]

"If you could, what would you give us to obtain a lifetime supply of parfait?"
-Lilith

[Linkers Sha]

What is chairwoman Oomiya opinion on the dead and former leader of yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito ???

[Sanghyeok]

"Come now... I have a difficult question for you."
...
"What is your single favorite flavor of parfait? Just one. No cheating, hehe."
Dr. Feodora Alexandrovna Miroslavskaya
First Lady of Zitravgrad, mathematician, computer scientist and military technologist

Parfait!? I love parfait! "Hmmm....this is a difficult question. I think my favouite would have to be strawberry! Parfait tastes like clouds, and if you eat strawberry parfait then it tastes like strawberry clouds!" -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Sanghyeok]

"If you could, what would you give us to obtain a lifetime supply of parfait?"
-Lilith

Parfait! "How about a lot of chocolate?" -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Sanghyeok]

And yet if you tried to prepare either of the two like the other you would end up with a tasteless mess. As with all thing man does there are always many wrong ways but only one right way. That right way, the only way is to do as we do. After all, if you treat children as if they were different what will they learn from life than that they are? That they are unique, special, at once incapable of doing all wrong and yet unable to do anything right.

Just think. If you do not punish children, if you allow them to act against the rules of society without suffering just as adults do how will they learn right from wrong? And if you do not love them both in spirit and flesh how will they in turn learn that they are loved and should love? Would you have them stumble onto these things on their own with mixed success and potentially devastating results?

And who better to teach than the family? Who better knows when to punish, so as to prevent need for the law? And who better to teach them about love than their siblings? To have the state do that with quality would require surveillance, resources and effort on the scale of an oppressive dictatorship. So why would you restrict the family from this? Why would you tie their hands behind their back and break the sacred institution that is the backbone of our race?

And why of all things would you ban children from love it self expressed in its purest form? That above all else is why you are wrong. And why we advise you abolish all sugary foods from your diet.

You must understand other approaches "There is no 'one true answer' for such a complicated question as to 'what is the best way to raise a child'. Certainly, the issue of raising children has seen many answers throughout history, and yet to say that any of them is the 'best' is not always correct. You may see our method of raising children as too spoiling of them, too protective, too unwilling to let them do things that they please. But this is a product of the environment. There is much children have to learn before they are ready to face the challenges of our world- and so, until that time, they must be cared for. This does not mean we neglect the role of the parent. Parents are of course in most cases the rightful one to raise their child, they are children of their parents and not the state. We do not dictate what their children eat or play, so long as they are eating and growing well. But parents are not always available, and sometimes they lack the knowledge. Sometimes, some parents are more resourced than others; giving their children an advantage. Sometimes, parents cannot provide one or more things their child needs. This is when the state offers its assistance, it does what parents cannot. I leave you with a more philosophical note on raising children. You may have heard of what are known as 'attachment styles'; that is, how children view their relationship to their attachment figure. For a long time, it was believed that there is only one correct answer- a stable, secure attachment style, and there were specific steps to reach this attachment style- and that all else would lead to a poorer outcome for the life of the child. And yet this was found to be false on a cross-cultural level. The reason is environment, the 'correct' way to raise children differs by the society they are in, just as one cannot eat ice cream on a cold day anymore than drink hot coffee in summer (although I do both, but this is irrelevant). In this case, I urge you to use those results as a metaphor, for how your insistence on their being only one way of raising children is limited, for it is perhaps best suited to your society and not others. -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Good reading: https://weiszlab.fas.harvard.edu/files/ ... tudies.pdf

[Sanghyeok]

What is chairwoman Oomiya opinion on the dead and former leader of yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito ???

Unity is important. Ice cream cake needs cake and ice cream both. "Although I have some understanding of his policies and beliefs, I do not believe I have done enough research to give you an opinion. I am of the belief that he was capable in keeping his country united during his rule, however." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Sanghyeok]

I feel uneasy "There is a sense of malaise in the air. Something wicked this way comes...." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Shin-Mutsu]

Sayuri appears in the middle of Oomiya's study in a flash of light. Oomiya turns away her poetry writing, and sees Sayuri. Sayuri speaks

Oh?

"Little-sister, so we meet at last. I do not wish to fight you, but I will not hesitate to if I must. For this world is rightfully mine, just like all the others in your realm."


Her Imperial Majesty the Eternal Empress of the Realm, President of the Empire, Sayuri "Lily" Oomiya

[Sanghyeok]

This has escalated "Big-sister, I do not wish to fight you either. To let us exist peacefully is all we ask. I have spent so much for the sake of preserving peace, and I cannot bear the thought of another parent, sibling, or child mourning those lost in battle." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Shin-Mutsu]

Sayuri laughs menacingly, knocking aside Oomiya's ink vessel and spilling it on the calligraphy paper.

Do not make me laugh

"You were always a stubborn one, even in childhood. The only reason you love peace is because you were spoiled and you were favoured. You offer your citizens a false peace under a weak leadership. I will allow you one more chance to surrender peacefully. Otherwise, I shall show you no mercy."


Her Imperial Majesty the Eternal Empress of the Realm, President of the Empire, Sayuri "Lily" Oomiya

[Sanghyeok]

..... "I love peace, and I avoid war, but do not mistake me for someone who is too weak, or unwilling to defend harmony. If you are so determined to fight us, then I shall not turn in my resolve either. You have left me no choice but to reply to your aggression. Though it pains me so...consider our nations in a state of war, big-sister. I have nothing else I wish to say." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Qassadia]

I would like to inquire what exactly is the stance of the Sanghyeok government, in regards to its foreign policy towards the Holy Kingdom of Cassadia, knowing that your comrades in-ideology-and-values are considered to be per; Public Security and Counter-Terrorism legislation by our security service structures and the Crown-Government as FSEs (Foreign Subversive Elements). Of course, socialists, Marxists, communists are not the only ones who subscribe to anti-societal, terroristic values, ideologies, and allegiances such as jihadists, feminists, apostates, mob-rule advocates as well as promoters and practitioners of sexual deviancy. Since such individuals are considered to be high-threat public security hazards to Her Imperial Majesty The Empress and the Christian social order of our Kingdom - our judicial system and counter-terrorist and public security structures, do often opt for sentences that provide permanent solutions when it comes to the verdicts given to convicts found guilty of such high-crime of terrorism and treason to the Crown, society and the Christian faith, if they are brought before our special courts at all.

- Director Of The GRB (General Reconnaissance Bureau) Hafez Nonnete Putina [No relation to IRL figures]

[Shin-Mutsu]

You do have resolve

"Let us meet on the battlefield, then. Just like during our childhood competitions of strength, I shall prevail again. And you will lose once more, for this is the natural state of things between older and younger sister. We shall not meet until your defeat, little-sister."

Sayuri takes a few steps back, before turning back to Oomiya's side, taking the calligraphy brush Oomiya was using.

"Oh, and I always hated your poetry, anyways."

Her Imperial Majesty the Eternal Empress of the Realm, President of the Empire, Sayuri "Lily" Oomiya

Sayuri turns away for real this time, before vanishing without a trace.

[Sanghyeok]

..... ................" May peace prevail in this realm, quickly. Heavens guide me." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Oomiya looks down at the ruined poetry, before sighing. For the first time in 700 years, she will not write her evening poem. There are more important things to be done, but first she must calm her heart and mind.

[Sanghyeok]

OOC: End of the RP section, this thread is now returning to Q&A as normal.