In chapter 3, Shushou observes that if you rise high enough in the government, you will never grow older. That is because high government officials become Chisen, or "wizards of the earth." Hisen ("wizards of the air") do not take part in government. Tensen constitute a third category. In chapter 14 of A Thousand Leagues of Wind, they are referred to as "Hisen who served the gods."

At one point, Shushou comes close to quoting from Hamlet:

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Labels: 12 kingdoms, tonan