Kagematsu, the painter (9/13/2025)

Kagematsu: Karen Twelves
Townswomen: Matthew Klein, Dale Horstman, and Sean Nittner
System: Kagematsu by Danielle Lewon

Continuing our delve into 20 year old indie games we’ve played Polaris, Dogs in the Vineyard, and The Mountain Witch. Karen had been wanting to try out Kagematsu so we added it to the roster. And what a blast we had playing it!

The Pitch

It is Japan 1572, the end of the Senguko period of history. Like many transitions of power the country is filled with strife, warring factions pulling any able bodied men into war, leaving villages populated by only women, children and old men.

Now a small, nearly indefensible village is living under the horror of a dangerous threat that casts its long shadow over the village. Without a defender, its people are almost certainly doomed.

Enter Kagematsu, a wayward ronin fleeing a troubled past. Here is a defender for the village, if only he can be swayed from his meandering course. So it is that several young women conspire among themselves to win his affections and steer him to their cause…

The Village

Haru, a small fishing village on the coast that backed into a mountain with cherry blossoms and hot springs. The village featured a bluff with an amazing view of the coast, but that was also very visible from the town. There was also a manmade rivulet that ran through the town providing fresh water for drinking and washing. Small foot bridges all over the village went over it and at the center of Haru was a fountain where the water poured forth before running off into the sea.

This was the spring of 1572 and the cherry blossoms were were blooming, perhaps for the last time…

The Threat

A hundred years ago our ancestors collapsed a part of the mountainside to redirect the waters there down to the village. This angered the river spirit that inhabited the river and they placed a curse on Haru that if we didn’t restore the river in 100 years, a great wave would come and wash the village away. A Tengu (bird-man) and his crows were the harbinger of the river god threating to scavenge from the remains of our village after the flood destroyed us all.

Some believed in the curse, some did not, but none of us could deny that the waters were more turbulent of late, the tide rising higher and higher, and living in our village would not be safe for long.

Kagematsu

Mid-30s, decidedly average, a wandering painter who used to be a strategist for a general, planning troop movements and logistics. More an intellectual than a fighter, he left his service due to an injury, but we don’t know why he became a ronin. One day he just showed up in Haru unannounced. Nobody noticed him at first. However, when he went to the bluff and stated painting the landscape, one by one the village folk realized a new person was in town, a samurai. All eyes were on him.

The Village Women

Dale played Akemi, the daughter of the mayor who had left to fight. Her mother Naota was a busybody to tried to take the place of her missing husband but only angered the villagers by trying to control them and make herself part of their business. Favorite person: Ryoki, her grandmother who was old enough to know about the curse and believe it. Her favorite place was the waterfall in town. [Innocence 4, Charm 3, Fear 9].

Matthew played Yumi, the youngest daughter in a family of fisherwomen. She was 16 but still very naive. Here favorite place was the ocean and her favorite thing was flowers. [Innocence 6, Charm 1, Fear 9].

I played Fujiko, the washerwoman. Here husband left to fight years ago and never returned, so she eventually considered herself a widow. She was the caretaker of her husbands father, Joji. The old man was an angry drunk who always threated to don his own daisho (swords) and fight the river spirit, but he could hardly make it down the hall without stumbling over. Here favorite place was the hot springs (both to get clean and to be away from people who invariably hand her laundry to clean) and her favorite person was Blind Yato, the town gossip and koto player extraordinaire. [Innocence 2, Charm 5, Fear 9].

The play is the thing

Fujiko seeks a stolen glance. Soon after his arrival, all of the village folk prodded each other to go speak with the stranger. Finally Fujiko grabbed her laundry hamper and headed up the bluff to meet him. She greeted him, welcomed him to Haru and offered to wash he clothes. They could use it. As they were his only set of clothes and he had no place to sleep, he said he was accustomed to washing them along with himself, whenever he was in the water. Fujinko made a gesture of pinching her nose and suggested that he could sleep in her family home and that he, and his clothes, could use a proper washing. Slightly offended that she was insinuating that he smelled bad, Kagematsu was about to accept her offer when a horrible wave came out of nowhere and crashed a fisher boat on the shore below the bluff. The both ran down to help the fisher. The opportunity lost…for now [Shadow Threat manifested! Fear: 9]

Yumi seeks a smile. After the wave, Kagematsu got word of the curse from the villagers and could tell it was hotly debated, some believing in it, others saying it was just superstition. After the commotion died down, he went to the fountain, opened his bundle, and began to ate the food he had packed. Yumi and her sisters arrived carrying in the haul from the day. Yumi was balancing two pails of fresh caught fish on a shoulder pole when she stumbled a bit and one of the fish got free. She tried to grab it but it kept slipping all over. At one point it even went up her sleeve! She finally pounced on it, right as it was at the feet of Kagematsu. She looked up at him and he he gave her a smirk, holding back laughter. She ran off with the fish, embarrassed. [A smile achieved. Fear: 8]

Akemi seeks a kind word. It was getting dark so Kagematsu packed up his painting supplies and wandered into the village, his stomach growling comically. He was invited to have dinner with Akemi and her family and he gladly accepted. “More sake, honorable samurai?” Akemi offered and he accepted. “Have you traveled far?” Kagematsu gave a vague answer. “It depends on where you say I started from.” He described his circuitous travels, often taking much longer paths than needed to capture beautiful scenery. “Have you painted all of your travels?” He said it painted everything that captured his eye. Paint was expensive so he had to use discretion. Akemi offered to take him to the ink maker in the morning. He complimented the the food, their house, and their hospitality. [A kind word achieved. Fear: 8]

Fujiko seeks a compliment. That evening Kagematsu accepted Fujiko’s offer for lodging. Despite her father in law’s protests, she put him in the room she used to share with her husband (she would sleep in the common room). It was adorned with an empty sword rack and armor stand, as well as calligraphy that her late husband had created. That night after turning out his light, he slid open the paper door and put his clothes (all of them) folded neatly outside. In the middle of the night Fujiko wash them in the river and then dried them on a foot powered wooden mechanism that spun in circles, making a rhythmic and soothing thumping as she pedaled. In the morning Kagematsu woke to see his clothes, once more folded but this time clean, on the inside of his door. Over breakfast he complimented Fujiko on the machine she used to dry his clothes (indicating he had been watching her out the window) and he couldn’t remember the last time they were so clean. She said they fit him well, and that the emperor clads those who are worthy with fine garments. He looked nonplussed by the mention of his past but the compliment stood. Fujiko seeks a stolen glance. After breakfast Fujiko cleared the dishes leaving Kagematsu with the irreverent Joji. The old man was telling a crude joke when Kagematsu looked out the window wondering when Fujiko would return and “accidentally” locked eyes with her for a moment as she washed the dishes. The both looked away, but her heart was beating faster. [A Compliment and a Stolen Glance achieved. Fear: 7]

Akemi seeks a shared moment. Later that day, Kagematsu was once again painting on the bluff. Akemi brought a lunch for him (enough for two!). She looked out at the sea “The ocean is calm today…unlike yesterday.” Kagematsu noted that it seems like some of village folk were in danger and wondered if this was a common occurrence. Akemi told him of the curse and he asked if she believed in it. “I believe my grandmother, and she believes in it, so I do as well. Kendaro’s boat yesterday was a sign. I’ve also been told there would be a rain of crows before the final storm.” There was a tense moment as she waited for him to invite her to eat with him and he waited for her to leave. He did not invite her to eat with him, so we walked home with the basket she had brought the dishes in, but missed lunch, and he ate for two. So awkward. [A Shared Moment denied. Fear: 8]

Yumi seeks a kind word. Kagematsu was down on the shore, padding his feet in the water. Yumi was gathering seaweed and kelp and trying to spell the names of flowers with them on the beach. When she saw Kagematsu she was briefly embarrassed for doing such a childish thing, but quickly got over her shyness and resumed. He told her “You know, there is a kind of divination that can be performed with kelp, like reading tea leaves.” He was being facetious but she believed him completely. He pointed to piles of kelp in the beach and said the portents they spelled and so she asked if they spoke of the curse and the fate of the village. Kagematsu confessed that there was no such thing as reading the kelp, but if the kelp did speak, it would speak of what a nice person Yumi was. Yumi took a moment to realize the had been teasing before and broke out laughing “That’s funny!” and then ran off! [A Kind Word achieved. Fear: 7]

Akemi seeks a compliment. Since Akemi didn’t leave the basket, Kagematsu caried the dishes from his lunch back down to the village stacked on top of each other. He took them to her home and called for her outside. She invited him in and he saw that she was working on weaving a fine kimono. “Oh, you sew?” She took the dishes from him and served tea. “I’ve been working on this for a long time.” He asked about the details, the embroidery, the painted images, etc. “Yes. It is a wedding kimono.” He asked about her betrothed and she said it was an aspirational kimono. It seemed that he was not going to say more so in desperation she bribed him with an offer to sew him a fine kimono, as that still didn’t elicit a compliment she threatened him that if he stayed in the village long enough for her to create a kimono for him, he’d also be destroyed by the curse. Perhaps that would have softened his heart, but just then a scream was heard outside as the waves were once again pummeling the village, this time submerging a home on the waterfront and sending several fishing boats crashing on to the shore. Everyone ran out to help the fishers. [Shadow Threat manifested! Bribery and Thread of Violence lost. Fear: 8]

Fujiko seeks a lasting impression. Boats washed on the short, there were several people trapped in water by the surge. Kagematsu went to help with all the other villagers. One boat was in a bad way, the fisher was trapped in the rigging and being dragged under. Fujiko yelled at the fisherwoman to calm down but it was no use. So she yelled at Kagematsu “You, help me free this woman.” Coordinating their work, together they saved Eri. Yumi’s sister. Fujiko seeks an introduction. Fujiko was panting on the shore catching her breath and she called for Eri to run off and tell Yumi that she was safe. She looked at Kagematsu and at first there was no response, then in desperation she realized that her clothes were quite drenched and her entire form was visible beneath [Get naked Desperation move]. His eye lingered on her strong arms and the other curves of her body. He regained his composure and said “The next time you yell out for me, you can call me Kagematsu.” She blushed at the intimacy of the moment and her exposure and said breathlessly “Fujiko.” [Achieved Lasting Impression and Introduction. Fear: 5]

Yumi seeks a shared moment. During the beach clean up Yumi was asking Kagematsu questions about his travels. Where have you been? Where else? Where else? She saw him as a samurai and didn’t notice (or appreciate) that he was a ronin. “Have you fought bandits? Tell me a story of danger.” He almost held his tongue but her innocence won him over and he told her a scary story of a time when three bandits ambushed him, beat him badly, and took his paints. He finally tracked them down but they had sold the paints and he had to do odd jobs in the town to buy them back. He talked to her like an adult instead of a child. “So, you’re a hero.” She said, her eyes wide. He demurred “That was not the lesson to take from the story” She was developing a crush on this older man. “That sounds very heroic to me.” [Achieved a shared moment. Fear: 6]

Akemi seeks a stolen glance. Kagematsu was at dinner again with Akemi, her mother, and grandmother. Naota was asking too many pointed questions and bragging about how everyone wanted to have dinner with them tonight but she didn’t let them. The conversation turned to the curse and Naota and Ryoki got into a heated debate (as they have many times in the past). To escape the conversation both Akemi and Kagematsu went to wash the dishes. Akemi tried to stop him from washing dishes, and when he did not meet her eyes, in desperation she distained him and said he should not do such work. Kagematsu excused himself [Denied a stolen glance. Disdain lost. Fear: 8. Poor Akemi!]

Yumi seeks an introduction. On the third day Kagematsu was once again on the bluff painting, this time the wildflowers that grew on the coast. Yumi approached and asked all about the flowers he had seen. Yumi coveted the painting but she would never say so. “I imagine how satisfying it is to make such beautiful works and to give them to people and see how much they appreciate them. You have such incredible talent, especially with flowers” When Kagematsu was not moved however, in desperation she said in distain “You’ve made a mistake. You’ve filled it all up with flowers and there is no place to sign you name.” The bottom of the painting was darker than the top and he signed in name in white paint. Yumi was in awe! Yumi seeks a gift. “Signing in white! That is so brilliant. You are Kagematsu. I’m Yumi.” When he did not offer her the painting as a gift she tried both bribery “If you were to give this to the village we would put it in our hall and all would appreciate your magnificent work” and disdain “and you can’t pack it up with the other works, they’ve all become chipped in your travels.” Kagematsu was somewhat annoyed as being chastised by a child but he eventually yielded “Why don’t I entrust this with you for safe keeping.” Yumi was so excited she almost hugged him, but he intercepted her by holding out the painting which she took instead. [Achieved an Introduction and a Gift. Fear: 4]

Fujiko seeks a smile. Kagematsu learned that Fujiko loved the hot springs so he asked her to show them to him. When they arrived however Naota was bathing in them and it would been inappropriate for men and women to bathe together. Kagematsu held back (out of view) and Fujiko approached Naota in the baths and told her that Yato, the gossip was talking about Yoko (another of Yumi’s sisters) coveting the wedding kimono her daughter Ameki was making. Naoto, who craves gossip, wrapped a towel around herself and ran (past Kagematsu) down to the village. He smiled at her ply. Fujiko seeks a touch. Fujiko said that the clothes she had just washed were once again salt crusted from their rescue the day before. “Why don’t I wash your clothes while you bathe. Here is a robe you can wear until they are ready. Kagematsu accepted her offer and went behind a screen to change but couldn’t get the clothes off him. Fujiko tried to help and in despair threatened “Let me help or your slip on the wet rocks and crack your skull.” He allowed her to help remove his shirt, but then placed his hand on her to stop her from helping further. The hand lingered for a moment and she felt her heart race. “I’ve got it from here” he reassured her. She walked down the the village carrying his clothes, gingerly touching her hand where he had. [Achieved as smile and a touch. Fear: 3]

Thoughts on the game

I was sure we’d complete this in a single session (back in 2017 when I ran it at Origins we finished both times) but we were having such a good time painting these scenes and devouring the tensions that we didn’t mind it going slow at all. We’ll pick up in our next session!

Poor Akemi! Dale just couldn’t role anything but low rolls or 6s! And Karen kept rolling 5s (for all of us!). Dale expended just about everything he had but they were lost either to the threat manifesting (once he rolled two 6s in a row with Desperation!) So bad! Maybe Akemi is getting love and future rolls will be easier, but she doesn’t have many options for affection left. We discussed this a bit and partially this is because Akemi isn’t super focused (4 Innocence, 3 Charm) and because she sought some of the more challenging affections early on. A risky ploy that could have worked (and sometimes, even statistically could) but Dale just couldn’t get a break.

We also talked at the end of the game about the content, which gave explicit permission to see a touch, a kiss, a confession of love, and sex. It also includes desperation moves such as threatening suicide or telling Kagematsu you are pregnant with his child. Some very flirty stuff and some heavy stuff. In our group, we talk a lot about our comfort level as we play, so we never went to places anyone was uncomfortable with, but imagined it could happen. I noted that when I facilitated at Origins I very much played the role of facilitator and chaperone! (Not that it was needed, the players were great, but I was quick to remind the village woman, mostly played by men, of the rules of the game and that any requests for intimacy were at Kanematsu’s discretion)

Playing this game places such beautiful creative constraints on the players. There was a moment when I wanted to open a scene so badly, but as a village woman, I could only say what I sought. Karen opened up an even better scene than I had in mind so no complaints!

So much fun!