Six Crimson Cranes

Emperor Hanriyu’s consort Raikama, the stepmother to his children by the deceased empress, has a mysterious past. Few know her true name (Channari), and she is otherwise referred to as “Her Radiance” because of her striking beauty. Shiori describes her as having “striking opalescent eyes, a rosebud mouth, and ebony hair,” and not even her large facial scar can keep her from being “the most beautiful woman in the world” (15). Behind her back, people refer to her as Raikama, which means “The Nameless Queen.”

Raikama’s beauty stands in stark contrast to her behavior—cold, distant, and often solitary. Shiori has no desire to form a relationship with her, and when she discovers Raikama’s true serpent form and is subsequently cursed, Raikama seems to play into the evil stepmother archetype. However, Shiori eventually learns that the curse was a means of protecting her and her brothers (which produced unforeseen consequences due to Raikama’s dragon pearl being unruly; Raikama was willing to lose their love for her to keep them safe.

Before she dies, Raikama reveals that Shiori’s childhood songs and memories of her birth mother actually feature her (but were enchanted to create distance between Raikama and the royal children), proving that Raikama has always been the only mother Shiori has known. Raikama’s true name, Channari, means “moon-faced girl,” which alludes to Imurinya “the moon lady,” who is believed to be the reincarnation of the goddess of fate. In giving Raikama a complex background and motives, Lim transforms the classic evil stepmother trope into a character who is an ally and protector. Shiori and Raikama have not only sorcery in common but also personal journeys of courage and self-acceptance to protect whom they love.

Takkan Bushian is a sentinel from Iro, son of Lord Bushian, and Shiori’s betrothed. Not knowing anything about Takkan, Shiori pictures him as “some barbarian lord of the third rank” (32), her judgment reflecting how much she resents having to get married. The shame she inflicts upon him for ruining their betrothal ceremony initially angers him, but his relentless search for the missing royal children demonstrates how selfless he is. A foil to Shiori, Takkan is gentle and kind while Shiori is impulsive and sometimes insensitive.

When Shiori meets Takkan at the Sparrow Inn, he looks the part of a sentinel: “Stiff posture, proud shoulders chiseled from years of rigorous training, the solemn eyes absent of mischief or cunning” (102). He is a skilled fighter, who displays his courage and prowess numerous times while protecting Shiori. However, just as Shiori subverts the archetypal princess who needs saving, Takkan is not a typical prince: He loves the arts and sent many letters to Shiori to get to know her. This “Prince Charming’s” search for the princess who fits the slipper (echoing Cinderella) and daily prayers for her safety are less motivated by wanting to find his future spouse and more so genuine concern for the royal children’s well-being.

Takkan is one of the few to support Shiori when everyone else at Castle Bushian judges her, and with his intuition, he figures out Shiori’s true identity. His lack of judgment of Shiori (as the servant Lina at Sparrow Inn) and continued support of her when he learns about her magic contrast with Shiori’s initial judgment of him—serving as an important lesson in remaining open-minded.

Shiori’s older brothers—Andahai, Benkai, Reiji, Yotan, Wandei, and Hasho—are named after the first six stars of the Crane constellation, with Shiori being the seventh “knot” that completes the family. The six brothers all have distinct personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, but what they all have in common is that they take their responsibilities as royals seriously—unlike Shiori. As they grow, they have less time to spend with Shiori and are less patient with her antics. Shiori feels this pressure and fears her family drifting apart.

The Crane, seen as “the sacred messenger of fate” (165), is part of the Hanriyu imperial crest. As a symbol of Hanriyu, the crest explains why Raikama’s well-intended curse transforms the six brothers into crimson cranes, the namesake of the novel. Borrowing from Chinese and Japanese folklore and mythology, cranes symbolize loyalty and nobility, which the brothers demonstrate when relentlessly searching for Shiori and trying to help her break their stepmother’s curse. Like Shiori, they demonstrate Courage and Sacrifice for the sake of their family and country. Ironically, the curse is an opportunity for the siblings to grow closer, and for Shiori’s brothers to witness their carefree sister’s dedication. Despite being static characters, the brothers’ perception of Shiori and magic transforms from one of judgment to one of acceptance.

Seryu is the “Prince of the Easterly Seas and most favored grandson of the Dragon King, Nazayun, Ruler of the Four Seas and Heavenly Waters” (38). Shiori first interacts with him when she nearly drowns in the Sacred Lake, though she does not know his identity at the time. Seeing a small dragon, the “size of a rowboat, with glittering ruby eyes and scales green as the purest jade” (1), further confirms for Shiori that legends and magic do exist.

In his human form, Seryu has green hair, “clawlike fingernails,” and skin with “a pearlescent sheen” (36), qualities that remind Shiori that he is a dragon. Lim characterizes Seryu as confident, even conceited at times, through his dialogue with Shiori. He finds humans boring, and believes even an imperial princess would be seen as a “pig” in the Dragon Court. Nevertheless, he finds Shiori and her magic intriguing, and without his initial encouragement, Shiori might have ignored her powers completely.

Seryu is the first character to demonstrate sacrifice in the novel, sharing a piece of his dragon pearl with Shiori to keep her from drowning. He demonstrates concern for her safety, convincing the Dragon King to leave the royal children unharmed. Lim suggests that Seryu develops romantic feelings for Shiori, by his sudden change in behavior after learning about Takkan and his betrothal to Shiori. This dynamic also echoes the romance trope of a princess having to choose between a prince and a secondary love interest.