User:Mushii/Soeur System

The [Soeur system] originally belongs to [Musashino Jyoshi Gakuen], a Japanese school in the city of [Musashino], which inspired the anime and manga series "[Maria sama ga miteru]". It is a school system which encourages the guidance from older students to the youngest in a senpai type of relationship. In [Yumi Fukuzawa]'s words, it is an aid to guide the students so the school may continue with its normal activities.

Any second or third year student might pick a younger girl who will become her "soeur" (sister, in [French]). The basic etiquette demands the petite soeur to call her guide back "Oneesama" (older sister in Japanese).

Even though the relationships are basically related to friendship, some prove to develope into further feelings, such as the main pairing for the [Maria sama ga miteru] story, Yumi and Sachiko. There's an implicit code of behaviour between soeurs, especially in the Student Council, the [Yamayurikai]: quietness, measure and respect towards each other. Values deeply attached into the Japanese traditional education. Due to the high importance the three Roses families (Rosa Gigantea, Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida) have in the developement of the student activities within school, those who become petite soeurs of any of the mentioned families receive a functional "inheritance" through the Grande Soeurs teachings, to adopt a position given certain circunstances. In this way, there are patrons recognised through the generations of the members of the Rose families.

Still, after graduating, the Grande Soeurs of the Yamayurikai may continue with a fair participation in the events concerning their families, as shown in the novels (Vol. 21 "Soeur audition") which follows the story after the second animated season (Haru).