Confession of Love and Courtship in Guardians of Azuma

​Initially I was slightly bemused by the journey Courtship takes in the game but in fact, it mirrors some traditional Japanese dating customs.

First there is your own Confession.  In Japanese culture traditionally, the declaration of love would be oblique and more of a declaration that you like the individual very much.  Love is not the word used initially.


The formal Confession is called Kokuhaku.  It transforms casual encounters or outings into a rather exclusive commitment.  If the formal Confession is not made verbally, the two are considered nothing more than friends by society.

What is said is: Suki desu.  It means ‘I like you’.  Although the word Love is used during the Confession in Azuma, the recipient of this declaration always asks for time to think about his or her response.


The next event will be scheduled for the day following the Confession.  No one ever responds in a negative fashion because you cannot even make the confession until you have reached a high bonding level with the other individual.

After the positive response is given, you have the option to ask the individual to go on a date with you.

That will occur the day after you ask for the date unless a festival intervenes.  The first date often is not really romantic in this game.  It can be more of an adventure than a romantic rendezvous.

Amazingly, I still experience new responses very occasionally both to interactions, in battle formations and in ordinary dialogues.


I left Kurama and began a new Fate recently, once again courting Kai.  Kai, now almost at Level 49 had a new response today to the choice of Holding Hands:


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