Why have I made this shrine? Because I like Hotohori. Why do I like him? Well...
Saihitei Seishuku was the middle child in a royal family which basically means that no one payed any attention to him EVER. When his father died, his mother took a sudden interest in him. Although Saihitei had an elder brother who should have inherited the throne before him, his mother, who must have been fairly influential, was much more interested in seeing her son there instead of another wife's so that she could maintain power by ruling through him as regent. So, at a very early age, the little boy had to take on the great responsibility of ruling a kingdom, a task that only got harder after his mother died.
Saihitei was always surounded by advisors and servants, but he had no friends and he was a very lonely child:
"I was 14 when I took my father's place at the time of his death
It was my mother's wish that I become Emperor. I was just a puppet.
But, then my mother also died. Since, life around me has been
unearthly quiet. There were only royal vassals and other such people
I noticed in the midst of that quiet, my loneliness. I have been like
a bird in a cage."
Learning that he was Hotohori, he dreamed that one day Suzaku no miko would come and be a friend for him. As he grew older and girls tried to win his favour in hopes of becoming his emperess, Hotohori hoped even more for the love of Suzaku no miko who would appreciate him for who he was and not just because he was the emperor. So, he was already majorly in love with the idea of Miaka way before he met her.
A lot of people say that this picture of Suzaku no miko that Hotohori formed before hand means that his love for her was not sincere, but I don't believe that. Here's why: Hotohori may have originally been in love with the idea of Suzaku no miko as a sincere and loving woman, but he saw that ideal realized in Miaka. As he got to know her, his love only became more real for his admiration of Miaka's kindness and generosity. Where once his love was selfish, it grew into concern and care for her as a person and as a friend. That is real love, where one is willing to sacrifice their happiness for the sake of the other, that finds no equal in Tamahome's jealous claim to her (feel free to flame me if you like. That's what I think).
"Miaka, do you love someone?"
"Me? Let's not talk about me."
"I have loved someone for a very long time. Only that one person since
I was a boy and first heard the story of Suzaku no Miko from the other
world. Since then, I've tried to imagine what she'd be like. Miaka,
You are the one I envisioned."
Although nothing will ever change Hotohori's love for Miaka, he realised that she was deeply in love with his fellow seishi Tamahome and although at first he was angry and jealous, he knew that he could not come between them. He became Miaka's good friend and finally gave into his advisors' demands for marriage. Although it is never made clear how Hotohori met his wife, many people have commented on her strange resemblence to Nuriko. Hmmn...Anyway, however they met, it is obvious that Hotohori loves her very much. About as many people as say that Hotohori doesn't really love Miaka say that Hotohori doesn't really love Houki (Poor guy. He must be destined to be alone). I don't think that's true either. Hotohori must love her because he was thinkning of her as he lay dying on the battlefield. So his last words were to Miaka. Big deal! She was right there next to him. What was he supposed to do, ignore her totally? No.
I believe completely that it is possible for someone to love more than one person on different levels. I don't think that just because Hotohori loved Miaka means that he can't love Houki or that because he loves Houki means that he didn't really love Miaka. But, I won't get into that right now.
Houki is Hotohori's wife. She was only with him for a very short time before he was killed by Nakago and worse, Hotohori died knowing that Houki was pregnant and that he would never see his child. Even in that short time, they must have developped a very close relationship because after Hotohori died she mourned for two years, becoming ill and refusing to speak even one word.
Boushin, their little son, too was silent. Up until he was two years old he never spoke a word, not even baby talk. He was a sad subdued child and when Hotohori's ghost returned to the palace with Miaka, Chichiri, Tasuki and Taka, it broke his heart to see him. In fact, Taka was so upset by Hotohori's sorrow that he allowed the ghost to take over his body in order to hold the child and comfort him. After that, Boushin became a happy normal child and he grew up to become emperor and have a family of his own.
Many more stories and other Hotohori stuff can be found on her page, Wish Upon a Star
Here are Hotohori's songs. I think these lyrics are Tasuki no Miko's so go tell her how wonderful she is.
Real Audio files are taken with permission from The Fushigi Yuugi Real Audio Page
Boku no Uchuu ni Kimi ga Iru listen
Legacy listen
Sadame no Hoshi listen
Here is a Hotohori music video set to "Boku not Uchuu Kimi ga Iru". It was taken with permission from Jody Grubb's Fushigi Yuugi Music Crips Page
Here are two Hotohori ICQ skins from the Hotohori Gaiden, Suzaku Hi Den. The images were scanned by Thay and the skins were made by Dreamcatcher. For more ICQ skins, visit her Misc. WK site.
Hotohori's family download
Hotohori and Houki download
