So since the world of Akayona is partially inspired by Ancient Chinese culture, do you think it's possible/likely that the Kingdom of Kouka had a Guoshi? And if Kouka does have a Guoshi, would they have been one of the people who were banished by Yu-hon, due to their religious affiliations?
Hi Anon! Sorry I had no idea what a guoshi was before your ask, so I can't really tell (I studied Japanese History and Literature but I'm pretty lacking for the details of Chinese History). I'd say it's possible the Great Priest in the shrine that was burned at the stake by Yuhon was close to that, but we know very little of his relationship with Il and Junam except that they both respected him greatly. The politico-religious regime from the Yuan Dynasty(from what I read on wikipedia, correct me if I'm wrong) before Yuhon banished them reminded me of this, though, that's right.
I don't feel like the Great Priest had much the role of a teacher and chaplain and felt much more like just a priest, so I'd say they were most likely the equivalent of a dishi rather than a guoshi. Akatsuki no Yona's inspirations to Chinese and Korean cultures are very loose from what I read, so I try to avoid associating specific elements to real life historical concepts too much, but thanks for the ask, I learned something new today and it's very cool when there are really connections! It sure seems to correspond a lot to the few things I've read about Imperial Preceptors. The ceremony part of their task reminds me a lot of the debacle over Yuhon and Yonhi's wedding ceremony having to be held in a temple and how much Yuhon was against it + how the temple was inside the precints of the Royal Palace + and how it was said they started to have as much authority as Junam...
