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Chichiri: The Well

As you already know, Chichiri wears a magic mask to cover his scarred eye, so both pictures are of him. He also wears his Suzaku symbol, and this is located on his right knee, and it looks like this:

The well's significance is evident in Chichiri's life, both past and present. Like a well, Chichiri is always giving, rarely (if at all) taking. Literally, the name means "place where you draw water," and Chichiri provides something just as vital-- sound advice. It may seem that Hotohori and Tamohome lead the Suzaku seven, but it is obvious that Chichiri directs behind the scenes, giving hints and strengthening the group whenever needed. The oldest of all the seishi, at 24, Chichiri is in a fine position to be "The well" for the whole group.

Each of the seishi has an event in their past that leads them towards their destiny, fulfilling the requirements to fit the constellation. They are often sad, and Chichiri is no exception. Chichiri was engaged as a teen, about seven years before the beginning of the series. His best friend grew jealous, then stole a kiss from Chichiri's future bride, just to spite him. Chichiri found out, and the two began to battle. As they fought, a flood swept through the village, catching Chichiri's friend in the raging current. Deciding his friend was more important than any argument, Chichiri grabbed a hold on his friend. He might have saved him, too, had not a log, carried by the flood, smashed into his face, causing Chichiri to lose his left eye, and his grip to break. Chichiri became a wanderer, and eventually learned magic. He could have healed his eye at any time, but chose to leave it as a memorial to his friend. Knowing that scars can disturb people, he created a magic mask that hides his face, and wears it on all but the most serious occasions. He gives happiness to others as much as he can, but believes himself to be unworthy of the very happiness that he distributes.

The well that is ChichiriBoshi is represented in the sky by the stars that make up Gemini, which is interesting, because Chichiri fits the twins like a glove. His real self and his masked self are about as different as Pollux and Castor, giving an uncanny (or very cleverly planned) meaning to this character.

If you want more on how I feel about Chichiri, you can go to my shrine to him by clicking here. I warn you, though, it's a bit of a shock since I wrote it in the persona of Ryoko, a space pirate from the anime "Tenchi Muyo!" who "gets around" if you catch my drift. I don't really remember half the stuff that ended up in there. You have been warned.

"Let's move on, no da?"

Click on Chichiri or here to go to page 10!