Rokugan major families
Agasha family (Phoenix – Shiba
clan)
Current Daimyo: Agasha Hamanari. Until a few
generations ago, the Agasha family served the
Togashi family. For over a
thousand years, the Agasha
practiced their strange brand of
magic in service of that family.
Upon Togashi’s death at the second day of
thunder, however, the Togashi family chose to
serve under the more sinister Mirumoto Hitomi.
Hitomi’s utilization of the clan’s resources in
relentless and single-minded pursuit of her
personal goals offended the elders of the
Agasha family, and in short order they did the
unthinkable; they forsook their vows to the
Togashi family and chose to serve the Shiba
family. Among the Shiba clan, the Agasha have
found the freedom they once enjoyed, although
they do not yet have a full measure of respect.
The Isawa family considers the alchemical style
of magic that the Agasha practice little more
than an oddity, and do not bother to learn it.
Ultimately, the Agasha consider this of little
consequence, as they are free to pursue their
own agenda.
Founder
Agasha was a follower of the Kami Togashi, and
founded the shugenja Agasha family of the
Togashi Clan. She was one of the few shugenja
in the early Empire, and one of the first to see
the connections between Shinsei's wisdom and
the religion of the Seven Fortunes.
After the Fall
After the Fall of the Kami the other brothers
and sisters of Togashi gathered many followers,
but Togashi wished no one to follow him. After
his lesson with Shinsei he retreated to the
mountains in northern Rokugan where he
thought he could be left alone. This turned out
to be impossible as two people had followed
him there. Together with Mirumoto and Agasha
the three built a temple to Amaterasu and a
castle around the temple to protect the temple.
Togashi and his two followers remained here
for many years, and word of their temple grew,
drawing more followers to the Togashi Clan.
Many of Togashi's new followers went for
Togashi's wisdom. Others showed promise with
the sword and were trained by Mirumoto, and
Agasha trained those remaining who showed
insight into the ways of the elements.
Taking students
Agasha would take some of those who entered
Togashi lands seeking Togashi's wisdom as
students. Those who did not fit her criteria for
students, or were more militarily inclined were
sent to Mirumoto and train the way of the
sword. The occasional individual would study
with neither, and journey further to join the
order of monks bearing the Togashi family
name.
Pacifist
Like her cousins among the Shiba Clan, Agasha
was opposed to violence in any form. Her life of
pacifism almost came to an end one day when
she was kidnapped by a band of goblins. Were it
not for the intervention Togashi Hojiro, she
would have been lost to the Togashi Clan. Plays
and poems would imply that there was some
romantic connection between Hojiro and
Agasha, but ther was no evidence to support it.
The age difference between the two was quite
significant, Agasha being fifty at the time and
Hojiro merely nineteen.
Nazo Bubun no Agasha
After Agasha and Mirumoto first found Togashi,
Agasha began writing down all her observations
and experiences for future reference. Her
journals expressed a devotion to the natural
world, and she spent almost all her waking
moments in the forests and wild places
observing flora and fauna, writing and drawing
vivid descriptions of all the varieties she found.
Her writings were published and shared freely
with other shugenja schools throughout
Rokugan, inspiring others to climb the peaks of
the Togashi Clan to join her in her studies of
nature. Over time the Agasha family studies
became more focused upon the metaphysical,
and Agasha's works were taught less and less.
That was until centuries later when a young
shugenja named Agasha Kitsuki showed
renewed interest for her writings, and his
exploits would bring Agasha's writings to the
forefront of teachings once again. It was only
ten years after Kitsuki's death, in 839, that
another shugenja named Agasha Daijoku
discovered a lost scroll written by Agasha.
Deciphering the coded message he learned the
secrets contained within Agasha's previous
works. Mysterious symbols in the text were in
fact symbols for certain components contained
within all plants and animals. These
components all combined in various different
ways to result in rocks, plants and creatures.
Daijoku gathered together a small school of
students who devoted themselves to further
studying Agasha's ideas, and the original set of
symbols known as Nazo Bubun no Agasha
became an ever-expanding lexicon of chemical
formulae. Amongst the students the
components became simply known as bubun,
and the collection of these became a carefully
guarded secret amongst the students.
Family
After Togashi died fighting Fu Leng in the
Second Day of Thunder, Mirumoto Hitomi took
the leadership of the clan. Hitomi was being
driven mad by the influence of Onnotangu and
began killing all of the followers of Togashi who
refused to take her name instead. The great
majority of the Agasha family saw her madness
and refused to take part in her destruction of
her own clan. They left the traitorous Hitomi in
the month of the Goat of 1131, and the Shiba,
who lost a great number of their own shugenja
during the Clan Wars, were more than happy to
take them in. In Gisei Toshi, the City of Sacrifice,
the Agasha knelt before Shiba Tsukune. Within
a week less than 10 Agasha stood with the
Shiba.
The Two Agasha
Not all of the Agasha left the Togashi clan,
however. For almost twenty years, each clan
had a family named Agasha. That changed at
the end of the War of Spirits when Emperor
Toturi I renamed the Togashi Agasha as the
Tamori family by Imperial Edict in 1151. This
was a concession into which the Emperor was
forced as a part of his truce with Hantei XVI. The
largely-defeated Hantei took great joy in having
the Togashi rename one of their families after a
man they considered to be a traitor.
Vassals of the Agasha
The following are the known vassal families of
the Agasha family:
  Atsumaru family
 Izaku family
Akodo family (Lion – Matsu clan)
Current Daimyo: Akodo Ginawa.
The Akodo are descendants of the
Akodo kami. They used to form
the Akodo clan but later decided
to serve the Matsu clan. They have a long and
illustrious history as noble and honorable
warriors and generals. Unlike their hot-
tempered Matsu cousins, the Akodo are patient
and observant, taking the full measure of their
foes before using their weakness to defeat
them. The Akodo are the hand that guides the
sword of the Matsu armies. Following the coup
of the Bayushi in 1123, the Akodo family was
dissolved by the Emperor, their daimyo cast out
as a ronin. Many Akodo joined other families,
while others became ronin or took their own
lives in the ritual of Seppuku. The family was
restored following the defeat of the Living
Shadow at the Battle of Oblivion’s Gate by the
combined clans of Rokugan a decade later.
Since that time, the former ronin Ginawa has
led the family back into prominence as some of
the finest warriors in the Empire.
Founder
Akodo was the son of Amaterasu and
Onnotangu and the Kami who founded the
Matsu Clan.
During the Tournament of the Kami, Akodo
defeated Doji after carefully studying her
techniques. In the final battle, Akodo faced
Hantei, and almost killed him before the
sunlight reflecting from Hantei's sword shone in
Akodo's eyes. Akodo was shocked by what he
had nearly done, and realized then that Hantei
could have defeated him at any time, but was
not willing to shed his brother's blood. Akodo
then kneeled to Hantei, who became the first
Emperor.
Founding of the Matsu Clan
As the other Kami searched for followers,
Akodo stood alone, saying, "I do not look for
men to follow me. I look for men worthy to
stand by my side." For nearly three years Akodo
wandered the Empire, challenging each mortal
who came to him, yet none were worthy in his
eyes. Each year he would return to the
Emperor's palace alone, saying, "I do not seek
them. They must seek me."
The Kitsu
Believing the Lion-like kitsu to be a threat to
Rokugan, Akodo lead two dozen of his warriors
into the mountains to exterminate them. His
forces slew many, and the last few kitsu made
their last stand in a hidden valley. After
grappling with the largest one, Akodo was
thrown to the ground, but the creature spared
his life. Thanks to one of his followers, Akodo
Mirotai, Akodo realized that the creatures were
intelligent and meant no harm to the people of
Rokugan. He pledged to make amends to the
creatures, which eventually resulted to the
creation of the Kitsu family.
Lady Matsu
Akodo's clan slowly grew, his troops led by
Ikoma and Kitsu - yet Akodo was not yet
satisfied, for Lady Matsu, perhaps the greatest
mortal warrior in Rokugan, had still not come to
be tested by his blade. He eventually sought her
out and challenged her, but she initially refused.
When she finally assented, their battle was said
to have shaken the earth and sky. Akodo asked
for her hand in marriage several times, but she
always rejected him.
The War Against Fu Leng
During the War Against Fu Leng, Akodo lost the
use of his left eye after the acrid black blood of
an oni he was fighting splashed into his face.
This earned him the moniker of Akodo One-
Eye. Akodo later wounded Fu Leng in battle, but
refused to finish him as he believed that a child
of heaven should not murder his brother, no
matter his crimes. Akodo refused to wield that
sword again and broke it after the war.
Gathering Thunder
At the height of the war, the armies of Fu Leng
were pushing the defending Hida back slowly.
None of the Kami were willing to confront their
mad brother, and defeat seemed inevitable
when a wise man named Shinsei appeared. He
revealed that a small group of individuals could
infiltrate the Shadowlands and defeat Fu Leng,
but they would have to be mortals. Hantei,
grievously wounded from a recent battle,
declared that one individual from each clan be
sent to join in this endeavour. Akodo was about
to put forth Ikoma Jujinin, the eldest son of
Ikoma, as the Matsu candidate but was
interrupted by Matsu who took the position.
Akodo did not say farewell to Matsu, and did
not watch her leave for the last time. Shinsei
assembled the remaining Seven Thunders
personally, and joined them on the quest to
defeat the Ninth Kami.
Day of Thunder
The Seven Thunders and Shinsei made their way
deep into the Shadowlands, where they found
Fu Leng and defeated him. The cost was heavy,
as only Shinsei and Shosuro survived the fight.
They fled north, with the First Oni and many
other creatures pursuing. The timely
intervention of Shiba allowed Shinsei and
Shosuro to reach Rokugan, but at the expense
of Shiba's life. Fu Leng had been defeated, but
at a very high cost.
The Death of Akodo
As the Ikoma Libraries and Hall of Ancestors
were being built they were unexpectedly
attacked by Tsuno in 99. Akodo confronted the
army in Seikitsu Pass, and just as the battle
seemed lost Akodo called out to Amaterasu.
Akodo's mighty roar collapsed the pass on
himself and the Tsuno. During the Twenty-
Seven Days of Darkness, the Lying Darkness
claimed responsibility for the death of Akodo,
but this has never been proven. Togashi
incarnated in Hitomi made these accusations to
Onnotangu, prior to the duel between them
that decided the War in the Heavens in 1132.
Legacy
Akodo wrote a treatise on war called
'Leadership', which became the most-read book
on the military arts. It can now be found in most
dojo throughout Rokugan. Akodo also laid down
the tenants of bushido, the code by which
nearly all samurai strive to adhere to.
Akodo's No-Dachi
The sword of Akodo, Akodo's No-Dachi, was lost
when he died. It was eventually found by the
Tsuno.
Akodo's Grave
The Tsuno attacked both the Hall of Ancestors
and Kitsu Tombs in 1159 in their searches,
finding the Akodo's Grave and recovered the
remains of Akodo.
Family
The Akodo family was founded by Akodo
himself. They were known throughout the
empire as the finest and most valiant warriors.
Historically, the Akodo had led the Lion Clan,
with only three exceptions throughout all of
history (one of which was claimed to be falsified
by the Ikoma) until the Scorpion Coup. Since the
Coup and the disbanding of the Akodo, there
had not been an Akodo Champion, nor had any
of the other families been able to establish a
clear line of succession for Championship.
History and the Akodo
The Akodo version of history tended to take the
form of a dry, highly detailed rendition of
battles, and accounted of legendary heroes,
from whom the family line was descended. The
Akodo felt that each of their actions was
watched by a past Akodo, and each of their
decisions was considered as if all the families
daimyos, back to Akodo himself, were watching.
Although the Ikoma family records history,
there was not a single Akodo who was
incapable of tracing his lineage back to the
founder of the Clan, Akodo - although reciting
this ancestry might take many hours. Each
Akodo must recite his lineage back to the
original Akodo on the day of his gempukku. Not
only did this honor the men and woman of the
young samurai's line, but it also reminded the
samurai: "I am part of your family, a piece of
the family's blood. I am your brother".
The Akodo Structure
The structure of the Akodo family was
extremely clear-cut, and each Akodo knew his
place in it. A visiting Togashi Clan samurai said
that "The Akodo know how to turn 'I' into 'We',
and that is why they are strong". The family
focused on the whole, not the individual.
The Akodo's greater strength came from each
man considering themselves a soldier - part of a
bigger group, and led to the Akodo family
motto: "Duty, Honor, Leadership", which also
defined the three qualities with the greatest
value among them.
While the Matsu family's histories were filled
with heroes who single-handedly win the day,
the Akodo hero was the man who sacrificed
himself or his honor for a greater whole - be it
the legion, the family or the empire. To the
daimyo of the family, the position was not to
increase his own glory, but to further the glory
of his Clan.
Preparation for War
Leadership was the most essential element of
any given battle, and the Akodo knew this.
Without a leader, the army could not win --
they would flee and be defeated. More
important, however, was strong and competent
leadership.
A well-trained leader could direct and motivate
his army and would instill a great sense of
purpose in them during combat and peace.
This was the Akodo's premise, and they lived
and died by it. In the Akodo house, a man was
reminded each day by sight, sound, and instinct
that he was a member of a fighting force.
Formations marched past, and the yard was full
of men training. An Akodo who was raised to
command a unit took his role very seriously, as
he knew that he was responsible for each action
his unit took.
Successful units came about as the result of
planning, preparation, and cohesion. A divided
unit could be defeated, but if a unit followed
one man, they could not be beaten. To an
Akodo, this was a truth. It was undebatable and
could not be argued. It simply was, and they
had had the years to prove it. Strength in
numbers was not enough - unified number was
the font of victory.
Lineage
As a sign of loyalty to the Akodo home they
borne Akodo Daggers, which were passed down
from father to son.
Loss of the Akodo
Akodo Toturi had declared himself emperor
following the Scorpion Coup in order to avoid a
power struggle in the absence of a Hantei heir.
The rightful heir, Hantei XXXIX eventually
reappeared however and deposed Toturi,
abolishing the Akodo family and denying Toturi
rights to seppuku. Only Akodo Kage was
allowed to keep the Akodo name.
Ironically it was the ronin Toturi who returned
on the Second Day of Thunder to depose the
emperor when he became a vessel for Fu Leng.
Return of the Akodo
After the battle at Oblivion's Gate the Akodo
name was given to the Lying Darkness by Hitomi
and Hida Yakamo.
Akodo Daimyo
Though the Akodo were the family descended
from the founding Kami of the Lion Clan, they
had not always been the Clan Champions.
For a decade, the Akodo family was disbanded
by the decree of Hantei XXXIX for the deeds of
Akodo Toturi during the Scorpion Coup. The
name remained unused until the Battle of
Oblivion's Gate, when Lady Moon named the
Lying Darkness "Akodo". The now-Emperor
Toturi I re-formed the family to incorporate all
the former ninja who had been named and to
reunite the remnants of the scattered family.
Toturi declared his old friend, Akodo Ginawa to
be the family daimyo.
Asako family (Phoenix – Shiba
clan)
Current Daimyo: Asako Toshi. The
Asako are perhaps the most
enigmatic family in the empire, for
they hold a mysterious secret
passed on to the original Asoka by Shiba in
Rokugan’s earliest years. Ever since that time,
the Asako have kept to themselves, practicing
their own brand of magic and theology, giving
rise to a mysterious sect of samurai known only
as the Asoka Henshin. The Henshin are
rumoured to hold the secrets of immortality,
but no one has ever been able to confirm this,
much to the chagrin of the Isawa family. For all
their mystique, members of the Asako family
tend to be good-natured, outgoing individuals.
They enjoy travelling the Empire en
experiencing life. It is said that travelling with
an Asako brings good fortune to a party, but
that asking them about their secrets will bring
the disfavor of the fortunes.
Founder
Asako was one of the many human companions
of the Kami Shiba. She was the wife of Yogo and
the mother of Asako Sagoten.
Yogo's Curse
Shiba and his friends traveled and conversed
frequently in the early days of Rokugan, but
that all changed with the coming of Fu Leng.
Asako was a healer by training, and at the
beginning of the War Against Fu Leng, she
traveled with Shiba's armies, tending to the
wounded and praying for an end to the
violence. Asako missed Yogo during the War, as
he was in a different unit, fighting the forces of
the Shadowlands.
Her desires to be reunited with him were for
naught, however, as during one battle, though
the forces of the Shiba Clan were victorious,
Yogo, their general, was cursed by Fu Leng to
betray the one he most loved.
Yogo returned to Kyuden Isawa a corrupted
man, his dreams crushed and his future dashed.
He was on the verge of requesting seppuku to
save his loved ones when the Bayushi Kami,
Bayushi, came to him with an offer. Bayushi
offered Yogo a place among the Bayushi, where
he could be safe because Yogo did not love
Bayushi. Yogo accepted and left, never to return
to his home or family. Asako was crushed. She
left the war and returned home to her son, but
she was changed for the worse. She had
become a bitter, hopeless woman. Sagoten was
affected even more deeply, vowing to avenge
his father's cruel abandonment. Before very
long, Shiba came to Asako and offered her a
place to begin once more, surrounded by
friends. Shiba offered Asako his home for her
own. Asako graciously accepted and began her
new life. Sagoten was less forgiving and
harbored his anger and vengance.
Shiba's Gift
After Shiba left for the Shadowlands, and after
the empire believed him dead, the First Shiba
visited Asako. He was in the body of his son,
Shiba Tsuzaki, but the voice and the wisdom
were that of Shiba. He told Asako of his final
battle, the defeat of the First Oni, and of the
words Shinsei spoke to him afterwards. The
wisdom Shinsei imparted to Shiba as the Kami
lay dying is what allowed him to remain in
Ningen-do even after his body had died. This
wisdom, Shinsei said, would greatly affect the
course of humanity, but not for centuries to
come. Shinsei told Shiba so that he could
remain and take Shosuro back into Rokugan,
and Shiba then told Asako so that her family
could guard the secret until it came time for
humanity to learn it. The secret given from
Shinsei to Shiba to Asako was the knowledge of
the Path of Man.
Asako's Quest
Fueled with Shiba's Gift, Asako began
developing methods to teach it to her family. To
keep the Path secret, Asako wrote all of her
ideas in a secret script and shared the cipher
with only those she truly trusted. Asako and her
handful of faithful, fully informed followers took
the secrets that she wrote and began recruiting
those shugenja they believed would help them
research their theories. To maintain a public
face so they could continue their researches in
secret, Asako and her followers remained
practicing healers. Asako truly wanted to help
the residents of Rokugan, so her efforts in this
field were of great importance to her. In
addition, as she journeyed on the Path of which
Shiba made her aware, her skills at healing
improved to a nearly miraculous level. Many
believed that she had learned some of her
husband's magic before he left.
Gisei Toshi
Working with the Isawa family, Asako and her
family helped build the Imperial Library in Gisei
Toshi. Within, they compiled hundreds of
volumes of histories about the War Against Fu
Leng, everything that came afterward, and all
that could be learned of the time before the
War. The library prospered under her guidance,
and the knowledge that her family collected
helped them to care for the world.
The Isawa's Exile
Somehow, the Isawa family discovered that
Asako had some magical knowledge unknown
to them. When Asako refused to share Shiba's
secret with the Council of Five, she and her
family were ejected from Gisei Toshi. Asako,
believing it to be best for their studies, left with
her followers for the edges of Rokugan. She
settled near the Shrine of the Ki-Rin in the
northern wilderness of Rokugan, and there her
family began in earnest to develop the
philosophies unique to their family.
Asako's Death
Sadly, Asako's death came early after the War.
She died when her family was still researching
the Path. As such, she was not yet experienced
enough to live on with the Fushihai not to
ascend to Tengoku. Her death was like any
other person's, though it is widely believed
among the Asako that she has since been
reincarnted and achieved apotheosis.
Family
The Asako family is an exception to many rules
in Rokugan. They are a family that consists
primarily of monks, yet they are of the samurai
caste, much like the Ise Zumi of the Togashi
Clan. Their philosophy is encouraging to
mankind, much like the Ikoma family. They are
a proud family, but they do not criticize others.
Their family is linked closely with Shinseism, but
their knowledge is secret, told to Shiba by
Shinsei and to Asako by Shiba, though not until
some time after his death.
Goals of the Family
The Asako family has two major goals. The first
is the preservation of knowledge. Shiba
informed Asako that the preservation of history
is vital for the development of mankind, as for
progress to be made, mankind must know what
events have come before. To this end, the
Asako are one of the foremost families of
historians and librarians in Rokugan. The Asako
strive to find every tale, story, and myth,
compiling them into a comprehensive history.
The second goal is the evolution of mankind
itself. To this end, the Asako Henshin do their
best to guide the rest of Rokugan along the Path
of Man. The henshin travel Rokugan as ordinary
monks, quietly and discreetly guiding those that
will listen in what they believe to be the path to
divinity.
Territories
The Asako family lives in the mountains that are
the northern border of the Clan, both the
Kyodai and Kabe sano Kita and the Yama no
Kuyami ranges. These mountains are more like
the territories of the Togashi Clan than the rest
of the Phoenix lands. They are isolated and
beautiful, with a thick air of mystery permeating
the landscape. The inters in the mountains,
while harsh, are particularly beautiful, and more
than one Emperor has held a Winter Court at an
Asako estate.
The Asako have few holdings, as the family is
largely ascetic, and only maintains holdings as
necessary for shelter and secrecy. Historically,
their lands were entirely on the inner borders of
the Phoenix Clan's territory, away from any
other clan, though this changed with the
Togashi Clan's annexation of the Dragon Heart
Plain prior to the Togashi-Phoenix War. In this
way, none of the Asako holding were ever to
contend with the territory of another clan, and
in their isolation, the militarily weak family was
long protected.
Isawa Rivalry
Asako was the second follower of Shiba who
was granted her own family within the clan.
Since the death of Shiba, there has been a bitter
rivalry between the Asako and the Isawa family,
for after Shiba's death, his spirit visited Asako,
not an Isawa, to explain to her the ultimate
secrets of mankind. The Isawa were furious
when they learned of this, and tensions
between the two families have been very high
throughout the thousand years since.
The Henshin Exposed
At winter court in 1126, Kuni Yori used this
tension to manipulate the families of the
Phoenix Clan into fighting among themselves.
Yori had found the insane Asako Oyo, and used
the fallen Henshin as a pawn to bring to light
the secrets of imortality held by the Asako. This
caused the Phoenix to spend the next several
months occupied with the ancient rivalry
between the Asako and Isawa families, leaving
them oblivious to the machinations of the Crab
Clan leading up to the Clan War.
Thought Among the Asako
The overall goal of the Asako family is to guide
humanity on its journey to apotheosis, but the
Asako have different ideas as to how that goal
should be achieved. The scholars of the Asako
fall into two broad categories: the isolationist
and the inclusivist.
Isolationist Thought
The isolationists among the Asako is devoted to
researching the Path of Man in their secret
studies, furthering their knowledge and drawing
themselves nearer to divinity. The proponents
of this method develop methods for allowing
humanity to realize its fullest potential, but
generally do little to take their lessons to
humanity itself.
They are also the oldest and most senior of the
Asako, and as such it is these isolationists who
drive the family's goals and agenda. These are
also the ones who decide who is ready to learn
the next stage of the Path and who is not.
Inclusivist Thought
The other major view among the Asako is that
the family's lessons should be shared with all of
Rokugan. They follow the ways of Shinsei as
much as those of Asako, teaching the other
clans about enlightenment when they will
listen, guiding the "younger clans" to an end
where by they will become next to divinity, just
as the Asako are.
The proponents of this method are generally
younger henshin with little more than basic
training. Although they provide a visible
presence for the Asako in Rokugan, they have
little power or control over the affairs of the
family as a whole.
Vassal families:
 Nani family
 Chukan family
Asahina family (Crane – Doji
clan)
Current Daimyo: Asahina Kimita.
The Asahina are the spiritual
center of the Doji clan. They are a
family with a strong shugenja
tradition and an intense focus on pacifism.
Many Ashahina will neither touch a weapon nor
raise a hand against another living being, even
in self-defense. The use of destructive spells is
especially forbidden, as it is seen as a
perversion of the Kami. The Shadowlands is a
notable exception to this rule. The oni and
other minions of Jigoku represent the very evil
which the Ashahina constantly fight on a
spiritual level. A certain notable faction of
Ashahina does not agree with the overall
philosophies of the family. Such ordeals as the
Clan War, Oblivion’s Gate, and the War of
Spirits have hardened them, and they realize
that one cannot save the world by hiding from
it. Accordingly, these Asahina have turned their
back on their family’s shugenja tradition and
become bushi. Ashahina shugenja are known
for their fetish magics; the magical trinkets they
create are varied and wonderous. Their love for
pacifism, in fact, stems from their mastery of
artifice. Forging a nemuranai with destructive
intent is a terrible, corruptive thing. Such an act
led to the creation of the infamous Bloodswords
by the hands of Asahina Yajinden.
Founder
Asahina was originally Isawa Asahina. He was
the Master of Air responsible for the rampage
that ended in the Victory With No Strike.
Following a change of heart and devotion to the
former Doji Clan Champion's daughter, Doji
Kiriko, he left the Shiba Clan and the Council of
Five to found the Doji Clan's Asahina family.
The Five Asahina Nemuranai
Upon his marriage to Doji Kiriko and joining the
Doji Clan in 353 Asahina gave the Doji the
following five items; the Mempo of Pure
Thought, the Courtier's Obi, the Standard of the
Iron Crane, the Merchant Coins and the daisho
pair Heaven and Earth. The items became the
most treasured of the Asahina family and were
rarely let outside Shinden Asahina, with
exception of half of the Merchant Coins set.
Family
The Asahina family was the shugenja family of
the Crane Clan. They were also noted pacifists,
and their beliefs often lead them to be less
involved in matters of clan and imperial politics
than the other families of the Crane.
History
The family originated from a Lion-Phoenix-
Crane dispute. Isawa Asahina, the Phoenix
Master of Air, who was violently obsessed with
the Phoenix's war with the Lion when the Crane
wanting to end the conflict brokered a peace
treaty. In a response to the accord, Asahina
turned his wrath upon the Crane for having the
audacity to meddle. His rampage ended in the
village of Kimura when Doji Kiriko, the Crane
Clan Champion's daughter, threw herself
repeatedly in front of Asahina's attacks thereby
saving the lives of hundreds of villagers. He was
so moved by her bravery that he realised the
grievious mistakes his rage had driven him into.
He left the Phoenix and nursed Kiriko back to
health, renouncing violence forever. When she
was fully healed, he married her and was
granted his own family within the Crane. The
two of them founded Shinden Asahina and
started the pacifistic Asahina family.
Isawa Asahina forsook the use of Fire when he
forswore violence and joined the Crane. He
turned his talents to Air, the element of healing
instead, and now it is common for many of the
Asahina shugenja use this element.
Bayushi family* (Scorpion –
Bayushi clan)
Current Daimyo: Bayushi Yojiro.
The Bayushi are decended from
the Kami Bayushi, and lead the
clan both in the courts and
battlefields. The Bayushi are generally the
masterminds of the many plots the clan is
working on at any one time, and are the largest,
most dangerous family in the clan.
Founder
Bayushi was a Kami, the twin brother of Shiba,
and the founder of the Bayushi Clan.
Portrayal
Deeply misunderstood, Bayushi was often
portrayed as a liar and a deceiver. Where his
brothers and sisters saw potential and
possibility, Bayushi saw the darker nature of the
world, and knew he had to protect his family
from what they could not or would not see. He
founded the Bayushi Clan, masters of stealth
and secrecy to meet this end, drawing to him
followers from the shadows, those who could
do what had to be done. Bayushi would
sacrifice his honor, and the honor of his family
to protect the Empire. As the Emperor's
Underhand, he was despised by many. He was a
man of deep feelings, and loved the maiden
Shosuro. He disappeared not long after he
believed he had lost her forever.
Fall of the Kami
When their father Onnotangu began behaving
strange, Shiba and Bayushi approached Hantei
and Fu Leng and suggested something should
be done. Hantei forbade the twins from
continuing with their planning, but Fu Leng
betrayed them to Onnotangu anyway.
Onnotangu ate all his children, including Fu
Leng. Amaterasu fed him poisoned sake with
every child, and when it came to Hantei
Onnotangu mistakenly ate a stone. Hantei later
challenged his father, cutting open his belly to
free his siblings. Onnotangu in turn cut open a
hole in the sky, and the Kami fell to earth.
Tournament of the Kami
In the Tournament of the Kami where the Kami
decided which of them was to rule above the
others. Bayushi first faced his little sister Shinjo,
and used her chaotic fighting style against her.
But when the time came to face Shiba, Shinsei
took him aside and told him the tale of the
Scorpion and the Frog. Bayushi was perhaps the
first kami to learn and apply wisdom from the
little monk, because after the story Bayushi
took a scrap of silk and masked his face. He
then intentionally lost to his twin brother Shiba,
letting every member of his family
underestimate him. The common adage is "A
Bayushi wears a mask to let you know he can
not be trusted." but in Bayushi's case he wore it
to prevent his smile from being seen.
Followers
Bayushi knew he needed a special type of
person for his clans goals, he found the greatest
followers in Shosuro, who would become the
Bayushi Thunder, and later known as Soshi, and
Yogo, one of Shiba's shugenja and Asako's
husband, who had been cursed to betray the
one he loved.
Bayushi and Shosuro
When Bayushi first met Shosuro he thought she
was a stable boy, but he found out she could
change her appearance when she held a knife
to his throat at a geisha house that same night.
Bayushi would meet with Shiba and discuss
Shosuro, even while she was in the same room.
Shiba had his concerns about her, but trusted
his brother. Even Togashi appeared and
counseled Bayushi, but Bayushi would not
accept the destiny Togashi foresaw for the two.
War Against Fu Leng, Gathering
Thunder
At the height of the war, the armies of Fu Leng
were pushing the defending Hida back slowly.
None of the Kami were willing to confront their
mad brother, and defeat seemed inevitable
when a wise man named Shinsei appeared. He
revealed that a small group of individuals could
infiltrate the Shadowlands and defeat Fu Leng,
but they would have to be mortals. Hantei,
grievously wounded from a recent battle,
declared that one individual from each clan be
sent to join in this endeavour. Bayushi refused
to allow any more Bayushi to die in this war,
and forbade his followers to join in this quest.
Shosuro however joined the group as they
reached the Shadowlands, pointing out that
Bayushi had merely forbidden any Bayushi from
dying. Shinsei and the assembled Seven
Thunders entered the Shadowlands in their
quest to defeat the Ninth Kami.
Day of Thunder
The Seven Thunders and Shinsei made their way
deep into the Shadowlands, where they found
Fu Leng and defeated him. The cost was heavy,
as only Shinsei and Shosuro survived the fight.
They fled north, with the First Oni and many
other creatures pursuing. The timely
intervention of Shiba allowed Shinsei and
Shosuro to reach Rokugan, but at the expense
of Shiba's life. Fu Leng had been defeated, but
at a very high cost. Shosuro kept her promise
not to die, and returned to Bayushi.
Black Scrolls and Shosuro
Bayushi's refusal to send a Bayushi Thunder
increased the rift between him and the other
Kami. Shosuro went against his wishes, and
when she returned the only surivivor and
carrying the twelve Black Scrolls, Bayushi
petitioned Hantei that the Bayushi become
their guardians. The Bayushi were granted the
duty, and the Yogo family were charged with
protecting them. Shosuro struggled with her
new existance, having bargained with the Lying
Darkness for her life, and faked her death and
took the guise of Soshi. Even this was hard for
her, and in the end she fled.
Bayushi Departs
In 82 Shosuro fled to Togashi, knowing she was
slipping under the control of the Lying
Darkness. She asked the Togashi kami for help,
and he placed her into a Chamber of Crystal. A
year later in 83, Bayushi was unable to deal with
her loss and disappeared. Leaving only his mask
and his sword behind with a note stating "I've
lost her forever" he bound his soul to the
Sleeping Lake beneath Kyuden Bayushi, where
he remained awaiting a way to be with his love
once again.
War against the Shadow, Visited by
Goju Adorai
In 1132 Shosuro had escaped from his crystal
prison, and Goju Adorai realized his own
influence over the Lying Darkness was waning.
Shosuro sought to suplant him as the Shadows'
Avatar, and the Darkness would resume its
original goal to unmake all the creation, rather
than remaking it as Adorai's will. The Goju
passed the Oblivion's Gate seeking Bayushi, the
only being who might stop Shosuro. Adorai told
Bayushi that Shosuro had returned and
escaped. Bayushi's soul returned to the Mortal
Realm in the Sleeping Lake.
Kachiko's Dream
Bayushi Kachiko was warned by Bayushi of an
impending attack from Shosuro who had just
escaped her crystal prison beneath Kyuden
Hitomi.
Sleeping Lake
In 1133 Shosuro found Kachiko beside the lake
and attacked, but the spirit of Bayushi
contained within the lake confused Shosuro
long enough for Kachiko to help contain the
Shadow-tainted essence of Shosuro by
drowning herself. Their bodies would die but
their spirits would be far from Darkness' reach.
Family
The Bayushi family was founded by the Kami
Bayushi. The daimyo of this family were also the
Scorpion Clan Champions. The Bayushi were
probably the most well-rounded of the
Scorpion, often possessing great wit as well as
talent with fencing. It was for this reason that
the Bayushi were often the public face and
leaders of the Scorpion Clan.
Mon and Motto
The Bayushi mon was a scorpion set before a
field of water. This mon honored an old parable
told to Bayushi by Shinsei himself. In the story,
a scorpion wished to cross a river, and asked a
frog for a ride across. The Frog refused since the
Scorpion could sting him. The Scorpion
countered that if he did, they would both
drown. The traditional story ended with the
Scorpion stinging the Frog, explaining that it
was his nature, even if they both drowned. The
story related by Shinsei revealed that the
Scorpion always knew how to swim. Since then,
the Bayushi family motto had been, I can swim.
The Bath
It was tradition among the Bayushi for their
guests to bathe upon their arrival, as a courtesy
to their hosts. Guests were provided with a
bath and a servant to bathe them. More than
one guest of the Bayushi has commented on
feeling vulnerable or nervous at this custom, as
being naked in the home of the Scorpion and in
the hands of their servants could make a
samurai realize how easily he could be
dispatched at that moment.
Daimyo
Since the founding of the Scorpion Clan, the
daimyo of the Bayushi family have also been the
Scorpion Clan Champion.
Vassal families:
 Aotora family
 Rokugo family
Daidoji family (Crane – Doji clan)
Current Daimyo: Daijoji Rekai.
When the original Doji Thunder
was lost in the Shadowlands, it
was Doji Hayaku who sought out
her blade and returned it home. The journey
changed him, causing his hair to turn to a stark
white. To this day, many Doji bleach their hair
white in honor of his bravery. Hayaku became
the the founder of the Daidoji, the most militant
family in the clan.
Founder
Doji Hayaku was the fifth and youngest son of
Doji and Kakita. Hayaku was the younger sibling
of a Thunder, and attempted to find his sister
after the Day of Thunder. Though he did not
find his sister, Hayaku did find her sword. In
return for his valor and service, he was granted
the Daidoji family name.
Hayaku's Journey
When his sister, Doji Konishiko, was lost to the
Shadowlands on the Day of Thunder, the Lady
Doji had a dream that she was still alive and
suffering. Hearing his mother's vision, Hayaku
chose to follow his sister's journey and bring her
back. Hayaku traveled to the Hida Clan to seek
assistance, but the members of the clan
laughed and told him that what he wanted to
do could not be done. Undetered, Hayaku went
alone into the Shadowlands.
Hayaku's Return
Three years later, Hayaku returned to his family.
He was unable to talk of the horrors he had
seen because of a scar along his throat, and his
once-black hair had turned ghostly white.
Although his body had suffered from his
journey, he had returned triumphant, bringing
Shukujo, the sword forged by Doji Yasurugi and
wielded by Doji Konishiko.
Hayaku's Reward
For bringing back the soul of Yasurugi and
Konishiko, Hayaku was given his own family.
Those who followed him bore the the name
Daidoji family name, meaning the Defenders of
the Doji. The Daidoji since then became the
sworn protectors of the other Doji families.
Hayaku's Wife
During his journey in the Shadowlands Hayaku
encountered a ronin who had once been a
member of the Hida Clan. Hida Yohko had been
disgraced for using maho in the defense of her
family, and had entered the Shadowlands
seeking death. Meeting Hayaku changed her
outlook on life, and she helped him find his
sister's blade. After their return, the two were
wed and she took the Daidoji name.
Lasting Traditions
To honor Hayaku, many among the Doji Clan
bleached their hair white. In this way, they
showed their respect for his courage and
sacrifice, and it also allowed them to show their
dedication to the Doji. The traditions continues
among many Doji to this day.
Family
The Daidoji family were the support troops of
the Crane. They train the yojimbo used by
Crane dignitaries, and their Harriers were the
elite forces that most samurai -- even within the
Crane -- did not even know exist. They also
contributed the most men to the rank and file
of the Crane armies, the Daidoji Iron Warriors.
History
The Daidoji were renowned throughout
Rokugan for their unusual tactics and stubborn
defense of the Crane Clan lands. The family was
founded after the youngest son of Doji and
Kakita, Doji Hayaku entered the Shadowlands
after the Day of Thunder in search of his sister
Doji Konishiko. Three years later he returned,
his hair completely white and his speech lost
due to a scar across his throat. In his hand was
the blade Shukujo, which his sister had carried
into the Shadowlands. Hayaku was given leave
to found the Daidoji family, the "Defender of
the Doji", and his children followed the duty to
protect their kinsmen. To this day many Crane
would dye their hair white as a tribute to
Hayaku and a mark of loyalty to their clan.
Military Action
The two most well know instances of the
Daidoji military in action were the Battle of Tidal
Landbridge where the Daidoji Daimyo Daidoji
Masashigi stood alongside the Hida defending
against a Shadowlands attack, and the
Swordsman's Last Stand when the Crane lost
Shiro no Yojin to the Lion Clan.
Yasuki family
After the defection of the Yasuki family in the
fourth century there were many of the Yasuki
who refused to dishonor their vow to the Crane.
Those Yasuki joined the Daidoji and since then
the Daidoji had openly despised the Yasuki. The
good relations between the Hida and the
Daidoji was all that held the shaky truce
between them, and it was often commented
upon how the Yasuki and Daidoji are like two
sides of the same coin.
Vassals of the Daidoji
The following were the known vassal families of
the Daidoji family:
 Hiramori family
 Hiramichi family
Tactics
The Daidoji knew they could not match the
forces of their traditional enemy, the Lion Clan,
in strength or numbers, so instead they learned
to use ambushes, sabotage, and explosives, and
to exploit the land to their advantage. They
were the masters of guerilla warfare, and it was
the only reason the Crane had survived for so
long. Their methods skirted the edges of
dishonor, but the Daidoji were confident in
their abilities and proud of the service they did
for their Clan. In addition to their duties as
defensive measures the Daidoji were often
required to conduct illegal smuggling operations
to keep supplies trickling into a war-torn area.
The Daidoji were also sometimes found in
court, although not in a courtier capacity. Their
presence there was to gather sensitive
information for the Doji courtiers. Daidoji could
also occasionally be seen as yojimbo to some
important courtiers.
Motto
The Daidoji respected the spear as a weapon
and many of their bushi learned to use it before
the katana. Their motto spoke to a readiness to
leap to the defense of their clan, military or
otherwise. A bushi of the Daidoji would have
their mon tattooed on their wrists on the day of
their gempukku, as a reminder of their sworn
duty to the Crane.
Doji family* (Crane – Doji clan)
Current Daimyo: Doji Kurohito.
The Doji are leaders of their clan,
the wealthiest and most influential
family in Rokugan. Even the
Otomo Imperial family doesn’t have the
extensive resources and wealth that the Doji
posess, though of course the resources of the
Doji are at the Otomo’s command should they
will it so.
Founder
Doji was the founder of the Doji Clan as well as
a creator of culture and civilization. During the
founding of the Empire her wisdom shaped the
nature of diplomacy and social interaction in
Rokugan. In addition to creating the written
language she invented some of the techniques
taught even now at the Kakita Academy.
Tournament of the Kami
To determine who would be the first Emperor
of their newly created Empire a Tournament
was held. Doji fought against Shiba and won,
but was in turn beaten by Akodo who had
studied her techniques closely.
Family
Doji married the Emerald Champion Kakita, and
they had five children together. Their daughter
Doji Konishiko became the Doji Thunder after
the death of her twin brother Doji Yasurugi. Doji
Hayaku founded the Daidoji family, Kakita
Shimizu the Kakita family and Doji Nio the Doji.
Marriage to Kakita
Shortly after Kakita had won the tournament to
become Emerald Champion, Hantei presented
Kakita to his sister, Doji, and expressed his
desire that they wed. Doji agreed, but on the
condition that Kakita be able to complete three
challenges, so that she would know his worth.
Hantei agreed. The first challenge was to bring
the dead to life. The second was to measure the
width of the world. The third was to show her a
vision of absolute beauty. Though crestfallen,
Kakita did not give up. In order to complete
these quests, Kakita travelled far to consult with
a wise woman, Yasuki, who showed him where
to seek the answers to the Lady Doji's
challenges. For the first challenge, Kakita
crafted a biwa from a piece of dead driftwood
and gave it to his bride to be. For the second
challenge, he explained that the world was only
as wide, and would take as long to cross, as the
company you had while crossing it, and that if
Amaterasu were your companion, you could
cross it in a single day. Finally, for the third
challenge, Kakita took out a mirror, and showed
the Lady Doji her own reflection, as a vision of
peerless beauty.
Snow-flakes
After Otosan Uchi had been built upon Seppun
Hill Doji had stayed to live with her brother
Hantei for a while. There, when looking out her
window one day, see saw a beggar sitting
outside in the cold. When she told her guards to
offer him to come in the beggar refused. She
went to see him to ask why he would not come
in from the cold. The beggar asked her if she
had taken the time to look at the snow and
appreciate that every snow-flake was different.
The beggar's insight into how things will
eventually be forgotten, even someone like
Doji, caused her to sit with him in the cold and
enjoy the falling snow around them.
War Against Fu Leng, Gathering
Thunder
At the height of the war, the armies of Fu Leng
were pushing the defending Hida back slowly.
None of the Kami were willing to confront their
mad brother, and defeat seemed inevitable
when a wise man named Shinsei appeared. He
revealed that a small group of individuals could
infiltrate the Shadowlands and defeat Fu Leng,
but they would have to be mortals. Hantei,
grievously wounded from a recent battle,
declared that one individual from each clan be
sent to join in this endeavour. Doji suggested a
search be held for the member of the Doji to be
chosen, which in the end proved to be her son
Doji Yasurugi. Yasurugi was killed very shortly
after by an oni, but when all hope seemed lost
his twin sister Doji Konishiko stepped forward
to become the Doji Thunder. Shinsei assembled
the remaining Seven Thunders personally, and
joined them on the quest to defeat the Ninth
Kami.
Day of Thunder
The Seven Thunders and Shinsei made their way
deep into the Shadowlands, where they found
Fu Leng and defeated him. The cost was heavy,
as only Shinsei and Shosuro survived the fight.
They fled north, with the First Oni and many
other creatures pursuing. The timely
intervention of Shiba allowed Shinsei and
Shosuro to reach Rokugan, but at the expense
of Shiba's life. Fu Leng had been defeated, but
at a very high cost.
Loneliness
Lady Doji lived for many years after the death of
her husband, Kakita. She became lonely as the
years went by, with Kakita and Hantei dead and
Shinjo gone into the lands beyond the
mountains. She regularly journeyed to the
homes of her brothers, but her trips became
shorter and shorter as they either died or
disappeared. Her last living sibling was Togashi,
and when she was turned back at the gates of
Kyuden Togashi with the news of his death in
101, she stopped journeying. Of the eight Kami,
Doji and Hida were the only ones remaining.
Having never been too close to Hida she felt
very alone.
Disappearance of Lady Doji
Some time later, Doji was walking along the
beach at Kyuden Doji. As the sun set, she stood
on a high rock and watched the ocean. The tide
rose at her feet, and the waves crashed against
the surrounding rocks. Doji watched the setting
sun as it fell behind the land she had made her
home. The waves towered over her and crashed
on the rocks on which she was standing. When
the water receeded, the Lady Doji was nowhere
to be found. Her body was never been
recovered, and there are those that say that she
did not die. Legends say that she became a part
of the ocean itself. The rocks on which Doji
stood for the last time have become a holy
place for the Doji. The night before a new
samurai became the Doji Clan Champion, he
spent the night on these rocks searching for the
wisdom of Lady Doji and praying for her to
guide him on his new path. The largest of the
rocks was called the Lady's Rest. It was
decorated with flowers each year during the
Chrysanthemum Festival by maidens from all of
the clans. Superstition said that maidens who
made such remembrances would be very lucky
in their love lives. Prior to the duel between
Onnotangu and Hitomi in 1132 that decided the
War in the Heavens, Togashi incarnated in
Hitomi accused Lord Moon to have used lies
and treachery to drown Doji in the sea.
Family
The Doji family were the descendants of the
children of Doji and Kakita who took their
mother's name. They were the Champions of
the Crane, and are frequently, though not
exclusively, the Emerald Champions as well. The
Doji hosted the Crane's courtier and magistrate
schools, although many of their number trained
in the Kakita schools also.
History
The contributions from the Doji family
throughout history shaped the civilization in
Rokugan. They built the essential ceremonies
and protocols that allowed the delicate political
system to succeed, the Doji relying more on the
power of the mind than the body. The
Emperor's Left Hand have always been a
member of the Crane, from the first Hantei to
Kakita Yoshi and Hantei XXXVIII. To the Doji life
itself was art, to be lived with finesse and
without regrets. Their work in the Imperial
Courts helped the people of Rokugan
remember the purpose of living, to savor the
finest of each moment. Many had no fear of
death, because when you lived life to the fullest
what could death take from you? The second
son of Doji, Doji Nio, took his mothers name
and followed in her footsteps. He served the
Emperor as his mother had, and often traveled
to the lands of the daimyo of other clans to
facilitate communication and free trade
between them.
Vassals of the Doji
The following were the known vassal families of
the Doji family:
 Katogama family
Family Motto
The family motto of the Doji were the last
words spoken by Lady Doji on the night of her
disappearance. It was said she came to the
bedside of Doji Ochiba, the wife of Doji Nio, and
revealed to her several secrets which had since
been passed down from each wife of the Crane
daimyo.
Hida family* (Crab – Hida clan)
Current Daimyo: Hida Kuroda.
The Hida are the leaders of the
clan, descended from the Kami
Hida himself. Their proud family
counts the Storm-Bringer Osano-Wo and Lord
Sun among its bloodline.
Founder
The Kami Hida founded the Hida Clan. Hida was
the strongest of the Kami. Hida had two sons,
Hida Atarasi and Hida Osano-Wo.
Tournament of the Kami
Hida fell first in the Tournament of the Kami,
losing out to the quickness of Shinjo.
Afterwards, he berated himself for hours,
cursing his clumsiness and inability to marshal
his strength effectively. Shinsei told him his
inability to accept his weakness caused him to
fall. Knowing this, Hida's weakness transformed
into strength. Hida took what the man had told
him and over the years he learned to temper his
strength with strategy, watching the Matsu and
Togashi Clans gain their tactical knowledge.
Renowned Warrior
By the time Fu Leng rose to challenge Hantei,
Hida was the most feared warrior in Rokugan.
Hida led the Hida at the vanguard of battles.
The Hida would take heavy casualities, but they
made sure every oni paid for every step into
Rokugan. It is said he once wrestled an oni to he
ground with his bare hands ripping it apart with
his fingers and teeth. Hida could slay as many
opponenents as any other twenty men
combined, and was even capable of crushing
the life out of an Ogre with his bare hands.
Unmei and the Koumori
During the scouring of the Empire by the armies
of the Kami, Hida encountered Unmei and his
people of koumori spirits. Hida recognized that
they were not minions of Fu Leng and allowed
them to escape to the Islands of Spice and Silk.
Hida told his grandson Kaimetsu-Uo about
Unmei, which prompted Kaimetsu-Uo to travel
to the islands later.
War Against Fu Leng
The Hida Clan long fought valiantly in the War
Against Fu Leng, but were slowly loosing
ground.
Gathering Thunder
None of the Kami were willing to confront their
mad brother, and defeat seemed inevitable
when a wise man named Shinsei appeared. He
revealed that a small group of individuals could
infiltrate the Shadowlands and defeat Fu Leng,
but they would have to be mortals. Hantei,
grievously wounded from a recent battle,
declared that one individual from each clan be
sent to join in this endeavour. Hida immediately
proposed his own son Hida Atarasi be the Hida
Thunder, as he had the best knowledge of the
Shadowlands. Shinsei assembled the remaining
Seven Thunders personally, and joined them on
the quest to defeat the Ninth Kami.
Day of Thunder
The Seven Thunders and Shinsei made their way
deep into the Shadowlands, where they found
Fu Leng and defeated him. The cost was heavy,
as only Shinsei and Shosuro survived the fight.
They fled north, with the First Oni and many
other creatures pursuing. The timely
intervention of Shiba allowed Shinsei and
Shosuro to reach Rokugan, but at the expense
of Shiba's life. Fu Leng had been defeated, but
at a very high cost.
Families of the Hida
After the war was won, Hida swore to battle the
Shadowlands until Lord Moon and Lady Sun fell
from the sky. Gathering followers, Hida
journeyed south to set up the defense of the
Empire. He asked, "Who is strong enough to
pick up the burden with me?" Silence followed
until three men stepped forward. They
presented themselves as Hiruma, Kaiu, and
Kuni. Hida asked them, "What have you done to
deserve the trust I will place in you?" Hiruma
replied simply, "Nothing. Nothing we have done
can match the task now set before us. But we
know we are worthy." Hida then told them of
Oni no Hatsu Suru, a lieutenant of Fu Leng, still
in the Shadowlands. They would have to kill the
oni to prove their worth. So the three entered
the Shadowlands, and working together, they
trapped and killed the oni. In reward the three
were granted each of their families within the
Hida. Hiruma became Hida's right hand man,
Kaiu was placed in charge of the defense of the
Hida, and Kuni was given leave to study the
Shadowlands to find its weaknesses.
Hida's Child
After the disappeearance of his only son
Atarasi, on the Day of Thunder, Hida swore
never to have another child. Togashi saw his
brother's grief and told the Togashis of Hida's
sorrow. The Dragon of Thunder was so moved
that it took human form and went to see Hida
saying, "I am the Queen of Storms, and I love
you." A year later she returned, permanently
mortal and with their son in her arms. The child
was named Hida Osano-Wo.
Hida's Lost Son
Hida had no way of learning the fate of his first
son, Hida Atarasi on the Day of Thunder, and
this haunted him for his entire life. In 63, he
stepped down as Clan Champion and began
preparations to discover Aterasi's fate. In 210,
he announced he was going to find his lost son,
took up his tetsubo and went out into the
Shadowlands, never to be seen again. This is
held by many Matsu historians as the year of
Hida's death.
However, documents written by Iuchi Karasu
relating to his time spent as a captive of the
Akutenshi Moto Tsume in the Shadowlands tell
a different fate for Hida. Karasu writes of a time
that Tsume took him to see a battle between
two men with "shoulders like oxen and legs as
large around as an open fan." Tsume had told
him that one of the fighters, Atarasi had been
raised from near death to serve Fu Leng, and
that the other, Hida had in fact found his lost
son.
The battle between father and son has lasted
over a thousand years.
Family
The Hida family are the leaders of the Crab.
Their family motto is; "I will not fail". No other
family holds their duty in such high regard as
the Hida. It is the largest family in the Crab, and
dominate the political life of the clan. They plan
military tactics, lead the armies and co-ordinate
the defenses of the clan.
History
They are descended from the Kami Hida, known
for his sheer strength. Hida's children often
have that in common with the Kami, and they
are known throughout the empire as some of
the fiercest fighters in Rokugan, if not the most
cultured.
The Hida are well known for a very colorful
language, with many threats, insults, curses and
expressions. They are known to be impulsive,
brutish, hot-headed and do not take insults
lightly. They do not care what other people
might think, their obligations to the emperor
require a certain mindset, the rougher aspects
of the Crab.
Denying these aspects would be to deny them
of their greatest strength. Until someone steps
up to shoulder their burden, the Hida will act as
they see fit. Hida are known to thrive on the
pressures of battle and take joy in combat as no
others do.
Vassals of the Hida
The following are the vassal families of the
Hida:
 Kakeguchi family
 Moshibaru family
Relating to the other Crab families
The other families of the Crab Clan have never
questioned the Hida family's right to rule. They
provide support for the Hida, doing their duties
as they are told, and in return they are given
more autonomy to pursue their respective
interests.
This does not mean that the Hida will not listen
to their fellow Crab. If a matter of magic is being
discussed then the Kuni daimyo will have the
full attention of the Hida, but as soon as the
matter has been decided there is no room for
discussion.
This system creates a surprisingly efficient clan
policy, with the four smaller families having a
large amount of influence in their respective
areas of expertise, but all the decision making is
left to the Hida.
Hida Children
The children of the Hida family understand the
great burden that will be placed on their
shoulders, and spend all their youth and most
of their grown lives learning how to endure it.
From the day they can talk they are taught what
is expected from them, and trained to make
command decisions at the same time they are
taught the rudiments such as reading and
writing. Even childhood games have elements
of this preparations, playing games such as
"Find the Oni" and "Strongwall".
Hiruma family (Crab – Hida clan)
Current Daimyo: Hiruma
Masagaro. The Hiruma are the
advance scouts of the Hida clan.
Early in the eight century the
Hiruma lost their ancestral homelands to the
Maw, and they regained them only recently.
After stalking through the depths of the
Shadowlands for four centuries they have
become even more grim and antisocial than
most of the Hida clan.
Founder
Hiruma was one of the first followers of Hida
and was the founder of the Hiruma family of
the Hida Clan. Hiruma was a highly skilled scout
and was known as the "Hunter of a thousand
hares".
Hiruma's Skill
Hiruma's eyes were said to be eagle-sharp, and
he was able to determine the size of a force
with a single glance. He knew the colors and
insignia of units from all the commanders of all
armies: human, goblin, and oni. Without his
keen observations, Hida would not have been
able to defend the empire as well as he did. He
was quick-footed and quick-witted, and the
tales of his exploits border on inhuman bravery
and foolhardy bravado.
Daughter
Hiruma was known to have had at least one
child, Hiruma Mai. Mai was full of the same
bravado as her father and constantly sought to
prove her superiority to anyone she met. Her
ruthless and unforgiving military tactics and
instruction style served to forge the Hiruma into
what they would become.
Initial Duty
One of Hiruma's first duties was to scout the
mountains in Hida lands, searching for suitable
natural resources. He tired of the work, being to
impatient for the work to be completed. He was
also concerned of what would become of him
once the Hida were settled, not having the skill
to become a farmer or an artisan such as Kaiu.
Instead Hiruma longed to explore further
south , but he was warned against it by Kuni.
Oni no Hatsu Suru
In 43, when Hida first called for followers,
Hiruma stepped forward with Kaiu and Kuni. To
prove themselves, the three had to enter the
Shadowlands and kill Oni no Hatsu Suru, a
guardian left behind by Fu Leng after his defeat
in the War. Hiruma's role in the fight was to lure
the oni into the trap set by Kuni. once the oni
was trapped, Hiruma also dealt the final blow to
the oni using Chikara, the sword Kaiu had
forged. Afterward, the reward for the three was
permission for them to found their own
families, sworn to Hida's service. Because he
dealt the killing blow to the oni, Hiruma became
Hida's right hand, second in Hida lands only to
Hida himself. Despite his newfound station,
Hiruma continued to volunteer his services as
advance scout of the Hida armies.
The Hiruma Tetsubo
Hida as a sign of trust gave Hiruma his tetsubo,
who was known as the Hiruma Tetsubo.
Family
The Hiruma family was founded by Hiruma, the
right hand of the Kami Hida.
Motto
The motto of the Hiruma family was "The only
thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good
men to do nothing at all." as it was written in
the Hiruma family banner.
Loss of the Ancestral Lands
Kyuden Hiruma, the ancestral home of the
Hiruma family was destroyed in 716 by The
Maw. For centuries the Hiruma had no lands to
call their own. A Hiruma warrior was grim,
determined and joyless. The Hiruma bore no
mon during this time and strove only to regain
their homelands.
Restoration of the Ancestral Lands
In 1130, they fulfilled their quest, and once
again, Kyuden Hiruma was filled with the colors
of the Crab. The Hiruma took a new mon and
moved the family katana, Hiko back to Kyuden
Hiruma from its temporary home in Kyuden
Hida.
Bargain with Kuni Yori
In 1132 the complete Hiruma family was in risk
to became part of the Shadowlands. When the
Hiruma Daimyo, Hiruma Yoshi was trapped at
Hiruma Castle and knew Hida Yakamo was
imprisoned by [[Kuni Yori], he offered a bargain
to the tainted Shugenja: the Hiruma family
willingly became Shadowlands for the life of
Yakamo. Yoshi took the hand of Yori but the
deal was broken when Yoshi tried to kill Yori
with jade.
Shinjo Allies
Hiruma - Shinjo marriages were not uncommon
as the Hiruma were sent to train in Shinjo
schools as their emphasis on speed and stamina
was very close to their own teachings. Most
notably in recent years was Hiruma Todori,
daimyo of the family. Todori spent a great deal
of his youth training with the Shinjo and had the
same free spirit as his Unicorn cousins.
Hiruma Scouts
Hiruma Scouts served as military spies and
advance scouts and were able to blend in with
their surroundings and watch entire armies pass
by undetected, they could run with the stamina
of a horse delivering messages to units days
apart. Their speed and intelligence gathering
abilities were second to none.
Hitomi family (Dragon – Togashi
clan)
Current Daimyo: Hitomi
Kagetora. The Hitomi family,
created by Hitomi herself when
she became the champion of the
Togashi clan, dates back less than two
generations. A lingering resentment remains
between them and the Togashi family, as one of
Hitomi’s first edicts as Champion forced the
Togashi from their ancestral home to make way
for her new family.
Founder
Mirumoto Hitomi was daimyo of the Mirumoto
family, the second Togashi Clan Thunder,
Togashi Clan Champion, and as Hitomi was the
first Hitomi Daimyo. Her whirlwind ascension to
political status came to a head when she
defeated Onnotangu and ascended in his place
as Lady Moon.
Horiuchi family (Unicorn – Moto
clan)
Current Daimyo: Horiuchi Shem-
Zhe. The Horiuchi is an extremely
small family composed of Horiuchi
Shem-Ze, his immediate family,
and a few vassals. Their present task is the
protection of the Shinomen forest, home of the
sleeping Naga. Thoughthe Horiuchi are few in
number, they take their task extremely
seriously, and bring the powerful magic of the
Iuchi ancesters to bear against any who
threaten their sleeping charges.
Founder
Shinjo Yokatsu was the Moto Clan Champion
during the Clan War. He had two sons, Shinjo
Yasamura, and the much younger Shinjo Shono,
and a daughter, Shinjo Haruko.
Youth
Yokatsu was raised by his grandfather, and grew
up hearing tales of his clan's time in the Burning
Sands. The day after his gempukku, Yokatsu
declined to immediately take the position of
clan champion and instead mounted his horse
and departed from his home.
Yokatsu spent the next two years traveling.
During his travels he met with strange gaijin,
from whom he learned much. One day Yokatsu
reached the edge of the Burning Sands. He
spent the day mounted on his horse, simply
watching and not moving. When the moon rose
Yokatsu turned around and left for home,
singing songs from his youth.
Upon returning Yokatsu took up the
championship and came to be known as the
Master of the Four Winds.
As Champion
Yokatsu was very uncomfortable in political
situations, as he was a quiet man. He often
made mistakes in court and would curse under
his breath and look extremely embarrassed,
visible to all.
Otaku Kamoko
Yokatsu attended the gempukku ceremony of
Otaku Kamoko, and even spoke to the assembly
after the ceremonies. He spoke with Kamoko
later the same evening where he realised she
had not named her horse. He named it
Hachiman, deeming him "as rash and
impetuous as his mistress".
Bayushi Coup
Yokatsu condemned Bayushi Shoju's actions in
the Bayushi Coup in 1123, and sounded a call to
arms to his clan in support of the Hantei
Dynasty. Yokatsu successfully brought the Moto
army to the capital within a day of the
Emperor's assassination. Until the return of
Akodo Toturi, the leadership of the united clans
was going to be held by either Yokatsu or Matsu
Tsuko.
Clan War
An isolated Moto army led by Shinjo Yasamura
fought at the Battle of Beiden Pass under the
banner of Toturi the Black. They were later
tasked with guarded the pass, and after a
Matsu-Moto treaty agreed by Yokatsu, Toturi
was no longer permitted travel through the
pass.
Besieging Otosan Uchi
Yokatsu later ordered the Moto forces led by
his son to join the combined army massing near
Otosan Uchi. Alongside the Doji Clan Champion
Doji Hoturi, the Matsu forces of Kitsu Motso,
Hida Yakamo's Hida forces and Toturi's Army.
Second Day of Thunder
Yokatsu fought at the Second Day of Thunder,
and aided Otaku Kamoko in killing Yogo Junzo
by shooting an arrow through his throat before
trampled him with her horse.
Death of Akodo Kage
Yokatsu knew the death of his old friend the
Kolat Master Akodo Kage in 1128 was a fake.
Otaku Kamoko Dissappeared
The behaviour of Otaku Kamoko after the end
of the Clan War became so twisted from her
mother's vengeance that at one point she even
issued a duel against Yokatsu, who refused.
Near the end of year 1129 the Otaku Daimyo
disappeared.
Hidden Emperor
The Moto Clan gave testimony against the
Bayushi Clan after Toturi I disappeared. Kitsuki
Yasu, the appointed investigator, disagreed.
While the Imperial Throne was empty Yokatsu
keep the Emperor's law with Shinjo Yasamura in
the West and Shinjo Sanetama in the East. The
way the Moto attempted to keep the law
clashed with the Matsu Clan, and fights began
between both clans. The city of Ryoko Owari
was seized in 1130 with the Bayushi Clan sent
into exile.
Madness of Toturi
In 1132 Toturi had been rescued and ruled
again the Empire. He enacted a Imperial Edict
stepped down the Matsu as the Right Hand of
the Emperor, and the Moto Clan took this role
instead. Toturi ordered the Moto courtier Ide
Tadaji to punish the Matsu for threatening the
Hida, as well as to destroy the Kitsu for their
corruption.
The Gift of the Emperor
Ryoko Owari remained under Moto rule even
when the rest of Bayushi lands were returned
to their original holders by Toturi I in 1132 as
the boon of the tournament The Gift of the
Emperor. The Emperor would not have his right
hand cheated of their conquest.
Kolat
Yokatsu was revealed as a kolat to the
kidnapped Doji Shizue.
After Shinjo returned from the Burning Sands,
Yokatsu was removed from his station as Moto
Clan Champion when he was revealed to be a
Kolat Master and fled the Moto, becoming a
ronin, and took refuge in the Hidden Temple of
the kolat.
Death
After hiding for several months, Yokatsu was
hunted down by his son, Shinjo Shono. Yokatsu
refused to cross blades with him, and Shono
struck him down.
Family
The Horiuchi family was the newest family of
the Unicorn Clan, having been founded just
before the Scorpion Coup. Because of their
short history, the Horiuchi was also the smallest
family among the Unicorn. They were the
second shugenja family of the Unicorn Clan and
the guardians of the Shinomen Mori.
Origins
The Horiuchi family was formally created by
Shinjo Yokatsu when Iuchi Shoan saved two of
his children, Shinjo Shono and Shinjo Shonoko
from a bandit attack. Shoan had the word 'Hori',
which means 'moat' added to her name, and
thus the Horiuchi family was born. Other
records however show a Horiuchi Danai in the
early 11th century, although little was known of
him.
Put to the Torch
The survival of the family was in serious
jeopardy in 1171, as a plague that was
unleashed upon Rokugan by the Ebon Daughter
took a great toll on their territory. To prevent a
complete outbreak, Empress Iweko I ordered
the Horiuchi lands put to the torch and all
within to be killed. As the family was a small
one, all but a dozen Horiuchi (such as Horiuchi
Rikako) were killed in the culling.
Ide family (Unicorn – Moto clan)
Current Daimyo: Ide Tadaji. The
Ide family follows the philosophy it
calls wabukan, “the house of
peaceful warriors”. Though they
respect the martial traditions of their cousins in
the Utaku and Moto, the Ide follow a path of
strict pacifism. Those accustomed to the
brutish, merciless reputation of the Moto clan
are ofter startled by the cunning minds and
peaceful dispositions of this family.
Founder
Ide was the foremost diplomat of the Ki-Rin
Clan during the dawn of the Empire. He
founded the family that shares his name.
Family
Ide was married to Otaku, who died on the Day
of Thunder in 42. Together they had a daughter,
Otaku Shiko, who became Shinjo's right hand
following her mother's death on the Day of
Thunder. They also had a son, Ide Gokun, who
was more martially inclined than their other
children save Shiko. Ide disapproved and
Gokun, in an attempt to prove himself to his
father and avenge his mother, joined an assault
led against the Shadowlands. Shortly before the
Ki-Rin's Exodus in 45, news arrived to Ide of his
son's death.
Yobanjin
Ide and his student Shinjo Bairezu were sent on
a mission to find the Yobanjin and offer them
the protection of the Ki-Rin Clan by Shinjo. the
two were ambushed by yobanjin archers, and
their horses were killed. Ide was knocked
unconcious by the leader of the archers, Harito,
and Bairezu was shot in the leg. The Yobanjin
chieftain Battul arrived, and asked Bairezu to
tell him their message. Bairezu explained the
emergance of Fu Leng, and the war to the
south. Battul was not concerned however, and
told Bairezu to return to his master and tell her
never to send people seeking them again. Battul
offered Bairezu a place among the Yobanjin
when the Kami lost their war with Fu Leng.
Family
The Ide family were founded by Ide, Shinjo's
most valuable ally once she entered the foreign
cultures of the Burning Sands. He adapted to
the changing cultures and customs with a skill
absolutely unparalleled. His descendants still do
the same, acting as the clan's diplomats and
ambassadors to the other clans and to the
Imperial Court.
Schools
The Ide Emissary were used, while the Unicorn
Clan was out of Rokugan, as the people through
which first contact was made with other
cultures. Since the Unicorn returned, they are
used as the clan's diplomats.
Ikoma family (Lion – Matsu clan)
Current Daimyo: Ikoma Sume. The
Ikom are the historians and
ambassadors of the Matsu clan. Their extensive
knowledge of history allows them to draw upon
centuries of insight when negotiating with other
clans, and they are rarely caught unawares;
their family has encountered almost every
possible ploy, and recorded the results.
Founder
Ikoma was one of the first followers of Akodo,
and the founder of the Ikoma family.
Boastful
Ikoma was well know for liking sake, women
and boasting. In one such story he claimed to
have broken the back of a troll with his bare
hands, just to amuse a pretty woman.
Hunting Kitsu
Ikoma was a part of the group hunting Kitsu.
The group was led by Akodo personally, who
was following his brother's decree to kill
anything non-human. It was a young man
named Akodo Mirotai who realized the Kitsu
were more than just beasts. Ikoma had also
noticed, but did not say anything. Akodo was
made aware of the true nature of the Kitsu, and
ended the scourge of their kind.
Children
Ikoma had nine sons, the eldest of which
stepped forward to be the Matsu Clan thunder.
Before Ikoma Jujinin could finish pledging
himself to the cause he was struck to the floor
by Matsu, who took his place. Another son,
[Ikoma Komori]] was gifted with the Ikoma
Tessen by Akodo himself, and became the next
Ikoma Daimyo.
Family
The Ikoma family were the historians and
strategists of the Lion Clan. They were
decended from the followers of Ikoma, the first
and closest of Akodo's followers. Where the
Akodo and Matsu families lead the armies of
the Lion with skill unparalelled in Rokugan, the
Ikoma directed and planned their battles just as
well.
Historians
In all their time with the Lion, the Ikoma had
always been the historians, recording the great
deeds of their fellows, and the ones who kept
the records of each battle fought on Imperial
soil. Although many claimed that they placed
too much emphasis on history, it could not be
denied that the Ikoma had the most intricate
and complete records of the history of the
Empire. In the beginning, the Ikoma role of
historian was an important but minor role of
the family, which was a family of warriors like
the Akodo and the Matsu. Underground
influence of the Kolat however turned the
family to a less martial way over the years. Their
records were collected in the Ikoma Histories.
Library Collections
The Ikoma kept a copy of each of the four major
treatises on warfare - Akodo's Leadership,
Kakita's The Sword, Mirumoto's Niten, and
Bayushi Tangen's Lies. Each were recorded in
full, with annotations, addenda and arguments.
The Ikoma were also said to have the only
complete, unedited copy of Akodo's Leadership.
The truth was that the complete text had been
declared heresy by the seventh Hantei, who had
claimed that Akodo would never write a manual
advocating deception and other less than noble
means of waging war. Since then the Ikoma had
ensured that the text was suitably modified
before it was distributed to the other clans, and
they maintained the complete copy of the text
in their libraries. Only the Lion Clan Champion
knew what was truely held in the text.
When each Champion retired, he was expected
to give his journals to the Ikoma historians, in
order to have his exploits included in
Leadership.
The Loss of the Histories
In 1132 a sudden attack by the Lying Darkness
left the great histories of the Ikoma family in
ruins. With the Empire's past lost the Lion
historians could do little but pick up the pieces.
Shosuro-Ikoma Alliance
Since the first rise of Iuchiban the Shosuro
family were tasked to co-operate with the
Ikoma family in preventing certain secrets that
could threaten the reputation of the Emperor
ever coming out.
Vassals of the Ikoma
The following were the vassal families of the
Ikoma:
 Kaeru family
Training
Bushi of the Ikoma family would follow the path
of the Akodo, learning tactics and strategy along
with the use of weapons, and it was not
uncommon for an Ikoma to attend the Akodo
school for part of their training. The Ikoma were
more peaceful than the other families of the
Lion Clan, and it was partly because of this and
their interest in accurately recording history,
that they had a shrewd eye for potential
difficulties. Instead of treating them as losses or
victories, they simply learned from their
experiences. At times, this allowed a skilled
Ikoma to provide a depth to the Lion battle
plans that might otherwise have gone
unnoticed.
Loss of the Akodo
During the reign of Hantei XXXIX, the Akodo
family were disolved by Imperial edict, it's
members made ronin or joined the Ikoma and
Matsu families. The Ikoma family took over the
management of the main Tactical School of the
Lion Clan by receiving many Akodo. After the
Akodo were reinstated, under the rule of Toturi,
the Ikoma kept the important and prestigious
Tactician Academy.
Courtiers
The Ikoma are most commonly the ones sent to
the Imperial courts, which they viewed as just
another battlefield, albeit with different rules,
and unique strategies. The constant dedication
of the Ikoma brought their house honor many
times.
Notable Schools
The Ikoma Omoidasu, or Ikoma Bard, served an
important role in the Lion Clan. They were the
Clan's historian, law keeper and heart; being
among the few who were allowed to display
emotion.
The Ikoma Spymaster was only known to a few
members in the Clan. they were trained at the
secret Honor's Sacrifice Dojo, and would
normally perform duties of historians, courtiers,
bushi and omoidasu. Until the rule of Ikoma
Daimyo Ikoma Sume their existance was almost
completely unknown, even to the previous
Ikoma Daimyo.
Isawa family (Phoenix – Shiba
clan)
Current Daimyo: None. The Isawa
family is ruled by the council of
Elemental Masters, currently
consisting of Isawa Taeruko, Isawa
Hochiu, Isawa Riake, Isawa Nakamuro and Shiba
Ningen. The Isawa are the undisputed masters
of the magical arts in Rokugan. No other family
in any clan can boast their sheer numbers in
shugenja, nor the depth of training they
achieve. The Isawa, proud of their renown,
often look down on students of other shugenja
schools as lesser practitioners of the arts. Other
shugenja may resent this condescension, but
the Isawa’s power is so respected that it
ultimately makes little difference. The Isawa
family essentially rules the Shiba clan despite
having no direct ancestral ties to a Kami. The
council of Elemental Masters makes all
significant clan decisions, much to the
consternation of the Shiba daimyo, who is
ostensibly the clan’s champion.
Founder
Isawa was a talented Void shugenja and the
founder of the Isawa family of the Shiba Clan
(then the Tribe of Isawa) and the Council of
Five. Isawa was the first Shiba Thunder and died
in 42 on the first Day of Thunder, offering to
serve as Thunder only if Shiba would kneel
before him and promise to protect his family.
Isawa's Views
Isawa's attitude toward life and the Kami is
perhaps best summed up in his own words to
his daughter, Akiko: "Power does not come from
the heavens, my daughter. It comes from our
minds, our hands, and our hearts. Never doubt
that, for it is the greatest secret of the universe
-- we are not the servants of destiny, but the
makers of the future."
Isawa and Shiba
When the Kami began gathering followers to
their respective clans, the kami Shiba was given
the north-eastern lands by his brother. In those
lands live Isawa and his people, the Tribe of
Isawa. Isawa had no intention of being ruled by
Hantei, but allowed Shiba to say his tribe was a
part of the Shiba Clan to avoid the wrath of
Hantei and his armies. Shiba repeatedly asked
for Isawa's assistance in the War Against Fu
Leng, but Isawa thought the conflict too far
away to be of any consequence for his people.
In the end it was an attack on, and the
destruction of Toshi Tetsuharu that convinced
Isawa that his people would not remain safe
from this threat forever. Isawa committed his
finest students, led by Asako Sagoten, to aid
Shiba in the war. Shiba refused the aid of
Sagoten, as Sagoten's father Asako Yogo was
already fighting in the war and he could not ask
such sacrifice of their mother and wife Asako.
Isawa agreed, but still would not commit
himself to the war.
Shiba's Promise
As the Day of Thunder grew nearer, Shiba
begged Shinsei to be allowed to accompany the
monk into his battle with Fu Leng. Shinsei
refused, explaining to Shiba that mortal men
must be the ones to defeat the Dark Kami.
Shiba then approached Isawa, bidding him to go
with Shinsei. Isawa refused, claiming he could
not abandon his family to fight the Kami's war.
The Kami Shiba knelt before the mortal Isawa
and promised to protect his people in exchange
for Isawa becoming the Shiba Thunder. Isawa
promptly agreed and joined the Shiba Clan in
deed, not only in word, and his family began
their aid in the War Against Fu Leng. Isawa left
with Shinsei that day. Shiba and Isawa are often
depicted with Shiba kneeling, not out of
disrespect for the Kami, but because the act is
considered to be one of the most important and
heroic in Shiba history. Stubborn Shiba children
are often scolded, "Are you so tall that you
cannot bend your knee as Shiba did?"
The Thunders and Fu Leng
As the Seven Thunders journeyed deeper into
the Shadowlands to find and defeat Fu Leng,
Isawa poured over his scrolls in an attempt to
find a way to win the day. He would read scrolls
used to bind the souls of the dead, that
reminded him of his sister Isawa Ariminhime,
but it did not seem to help. It was the Ki-Rin
Thunder Otaku who finally opened his eyes, to
the fact that they did not need to kill Fu Leng,
merely defeat him. The two continued the
research together, devising a way of sealing Fu
Leng within the scrolls. As they reached Fu
Leng's keep they were chased inside and Isawa
was mortally wounded by Mutsuhito. Rather
than attempt to save himself he began the ritual
while the remaining Thunders bought him time.
Isawa created the Twelve Black Scrolls, sealing
Fu Leng within. He warned Hida Atarasi and
Shosuro, the two surviving thunders, that the
scroll must not be opened or Fu Leng would
escape. And with that he died.
Isawa's Helm
Isawa's Helm was a nemuranai crafted by
Asahina artisans. It had Doji magic and was
rumored to contain the lingering spirit of Isawa.
Because the Asahina were formed centuries
after Isawa's death it is known that the helm
was never worn by Isawa himself.
Family
The Isawa family was founded by a shugenja
named Isawa. Isawa was a great scholar and
sorcerer before the Kami fell to the earth. When
Shiba came to him to ask for his help, Isawa
refused without first recieving an oath that
Shiba would protect his family. In response, the
Kami Shiba knelt before Isawa and gave him
that promise.
Currently, the Isawa use this promise to retain
control over the affairs of the Phoenix clan. The
Shiba family controls the armies, but even this
is done under the direction of the Isawa. There
are those among the Shiba who would argue
that the Kami did not promise servitude, but
those are greatly ignored by the Isawa. There
are also those in Rokugan who would argue,
especially after the near-destruction of the clan
during the Clan War, that the Shiba needed to
do a better job of protecting the Isawa from
themselves, but these people generally make
sure that any Phoenix are not nearby to hear
them.
The Isawa Mon
The Isawa mon is worn by all Isawa and by all
graduates of the Isawa schools. In addition,
shugenja from all clans often spend some time
studying with the Isawa after their gempukku.
Many of these shugenja choose to wear the
Isawa mon as a mark of pride. The Isawa mon is,
behind the Emperor's mon, perhaps the most
recognizable in the empire.
Life in the Isawa family
Originally only a very select few were chosen by
the Isawa to become shugenja. Once every ten
years, the Isawa would hold a great festival, and
the children of the clan would be tested. The
Council of Five would test the children, and the
ones who showed the most promise were
accepted as apprentices -- one student for each
Master. The number of students never
outnumbered the number of Masters.
All training at this time was done orally, so no
written records of the festival or the tests exist
today. Later descriptions of them describe the
process as a long, grueling process, possibly
designed to kill those who had the pride to
attend but lacked the skills to master the art.
With the War Against Fu Leng, this all changed.
The Isawa, as part of the Phoenix Clan, were
required to lend aid to the war effort. Isawa
sent his siblings to tutor the other Clans, and
also sent healers and other magic users into
combat.
Because of this need, the number of shugenja
taught by the Isawa has risen compared to the
time before the war. Today nearly all Isawa are
taught the ways of the kami, and their training
begins before they can walk.
The Protectors of Magic
The Isawa see themselves as the protectors of
all that is arcane within Rokugan. They hunt for
maho. They search for unknown nemuranai and
other artifacts. They seek knowledge thought
lost to time. They attempt to learn all that there
is to be known about magic, from all of the
clans. Isawa students are not an uncommon
sight in the schools around the empire, studying
under the sensei of other clans.
There are those that claim that the Isawa
suppress knowledge and harbor vile sorceries.
Some claim that their libraries contain works on
maho, oni summoning and other black arts. The
Isawa vehemently deny this, claiming that the
works they have on these subjects is scholarly,
not practical, and that they destroy evil sorcery
whenever it is found.
The Isawa Peasantry
Most of the heimin of the Isawa were fisherfolk
living along the coastline near Kyuden Isawa.
Peasant villages dotted the Isawa coastline,
where the heimin fished for the great shoals of
tuna and herring that thrived in the cold
northern currents. These fishing villages were
frequented by ocean-borne merchants, who
sailed up the coast to peddle their wares to the
Phoenix. These merchants were quite welcome
in the lands of the Phoenix. The Clan was more
secluded than most, and such interactions were
a primary source of news and goods from the
rest of Rokugan.
Isawa Daimyo
Since the founding of the Phoenix Clan the
Isawa family had been ruled by the Council of
Five, in essence five daimyo working together in
leading the family and Clan.
Vassals of the Isawa
The following were the vassal families of the
Isawa:
 Shingon family
Iuchi family (Unicorn – Moto
clan)
Current Daimyo: Iuchi Yue. The
Iuchi are the keepers of the Moto
religious traditions, a strange mix
of gaijin philosophy and Kami
magic. Iuchi magic is unlike the magic of other
Rokugani shugenja, focusing instead on the
powers of nature and on personal identity. The
Iuchi are extremely secretive, especially for
Moto clan members. Past experiences with the
Bayushi clan have led the Iuchi to be extremely
reticent about sharing their mystic arts, and it is
rare for outsiders to be admitted to their
school.
Founder
Iuchi was a member of the Ki-Rin Clan during
the dawn of the Empire and was a powerful
shugenja. When the Ki-Rin left Rokugan to
explore the rest of the world, they encountered
the Rocs, which attacked the Clan. Using a
powerful spell, Iuchi caused a rockslide in the
mountain pass that killed not only the Rocs but
also a large number of Ki-Rin samurai and one
of Shinjo's sons. With the pass back to Rokugan
now blocked by the landslide, the Ki-Rin split up
to look for another way back home.
During their journeys abroad, Iuchi learned
much of the magics of the lands he visited, and
as a result, the Unicorn's magic is often seen as
dangerously gaijin in nature, especially in their
use of magical items. The Iuchi attempt to hide
this from their xenophobic cousins as much as
possible.
Kaiu family (Crab – Hida clan)
Current Daimyo: Kaiu Umasu.
Thew Kaiu, builders of the
Carpenter Wall, are the greatest
architects in Rokugan. This
reputation is deserved , but their skills are
hardly limited to construction. The Kaiu are also
great siegemasters, and know how to destroy a
structure as well as build it. Kaiu tend to have
keen analytical minds and quickly see the heart
of any problem. They are thoroughly pragmatic
and absolutely loyal to the Hida family. The
Hida know that they can count upon the sound
advice of the Kaiu, and know that the Wall will
stand indefinitely so long as Kaiu are present to
maintain it.
Founder
Kaiu was known as the "builder of ships and
armor" and was the founder of the Kaiu family.
Kaiu also apprenticed the famous Doji smith,
Doji Yasurugi.
Initial Duty
Kaiu was intially tasked with the construction of
Kyuden Hida, and created armor for many of
the Hida Clan's first followers including Hiruma.
Kaiu's relentless application to his work
however caused him to be banished from the
constructionsite by one of his sons, who
thought he pushed the peasant workers too
hard and would cause the project to fail.
Oni no Hatsu Suru
In 43 when Hida first began his search for
followers, Kaiu stepped forward with Hiruma
and Kuni. To prove themselves they had to
enter the Shadowlands and kill Oni no Hatsu
Suru, a guardian left behind by Fu Leng. Kaiu's
part in the fight with the oni was crafting the
weapon Chikara which was wielded by Hiruma
and later became the Ancestral Weapon of the
Hida Clan. Kaiu was badly wounded by Hatsu
Suru in the fight protecting Kuni, but survived.
Afterwards Kaiu's reward was permission to
found his own family and granted the honor of
coordinating the defense against the
Shadowlands. He was a blacksmith and forged
the weapons used against the Shadowlands.
Sensei
Kaiu was the sensei of the legendary
swordsmith Doji Yasurugi.
Family
The Kaiu family are without question the best
engineers in Rokugan. They are the architects of
the Carpenter Wall, as well as the catacombs
and traps beneath. If anyone in the empire
wants to build a structure that will rival all
others and stand throughout time, they consult
a Kaiu.
Demeanor of the Kaiu
Those who deal with the Kaiu are often
surprised by how quiet and soft spoken they
are, displaying none of the usual "Crab temper".
They are reserved, calm, and act with a
foresight that Shinsei himself would envy. They
are builders, planners, engineers, and refined
architects, calm, cool, and under control who
produce the most potent weapons and
ingenious defenses in the Empire.
Purpose of the Kaiu
The Kaiu think of themselves as the rock
anchoring the Hida and Hiruma families. The
Crab Clan's support and defenses would be
paralyzed without them, so they have little time
to search for glory for themselves. Their
philosophy emphasizes the larger picture and
the long term benefits of their actions. They
love to plan and enjoy seeing intricacies of a
well-laid scheme coming together.
Customs of the Kaiu
A Kaiu giving something built with his or her
own hands has made a serious gesture of
respect and friendship. Many Kaiu have the
curious habit of chewing tea leaves, no doubt
because of the prevalent tea harvest in some of
their provinces.
Lands of the Kaiu
The family's home is Kaiu Shiro, which is literally
inside the Carpenter Wall. The wall was built
around the fortress, and the Kaiu care for both
with equal fervor. Their lands are comprised
mostly of the Twilight Mountains, so some
engineering knowledge is practically bred into
the people of the area, as a major portion of
their income comes from iron mining. Much of
the rest comes from the growing and harvesting
of tea.
Kakita family (Crane – Doji clan)
Current Daimyo: Kakita Kaiten.
The Kakita are a family of artists,
though those who would assume
their art is limited to peaceful
origami, poetry, and dance would be horribly
mistaken. The most renowned artists of the
Kakita are their iaijutsu masters, arguably the
deadliest duelists in Rokugan. (Only the
Mirumoto begin to compare to their talent.)
The Kakita are intense, passionate, and driven
even for Doji clan members. Nothing less than
the perfection of their art will satisfy them.
Anything less is a waste of time and energy.
Though not as wealthy as the Doji, the Kakita
still wield a great deal of political clout.
Founder
Kakita was one of the finest duelists in the
history of Rokugan. Kakita, the first of the
Emerald Champions, was the husband of Lady
Doji and the founder of the Kakita family of the
Doji Clan. He was the foremost expert on
dueling in Rokugan and composed "The Sword",
a treatise on dueling used to this day.
The Life of Kakita, The Emerald
Championship
At 19 years of age, Kakita traveled to Otosan
Uchi to compete in the first Tounament of the
Emerald Champion. He triumphed in this
endeavor, facing the Lady Matsu in his last duel.
He was victorious over the Lioness, but she took
great insult from her defeat. Kakita earned an
enemy that harbored a grudge against his
House forever.
The Lady Doji
A short while after the tournament, Hantei
presented Kakita to his sister, Doji, and
expressed his desire that they wed. Doji agreed,
but on the condition that Kakita be able to
complete three challenges of her creation, so
that she would know his worth. The first
challenge was to bring the dead to life. The
second, to measure the width of the world. The
third was to show her a vision of absolute
beauty. Hantei agreed, although the challenges
were daunting.
The Wise Woman Yasuki
In order to complete these quests, Kakita
traveled far to consult with a wise woman,
Yasuki, who showed him where to seek the
answers to the Lady Doji's challenges. While
Kakita traveled, he left his twin sister, Kiyamori
to be Doji's lady in waiting. Upon learning the
answers to the each quest, Kakita returned to
Doji to fulfil his end of the agreement.
For the first challenge, Kakita crafted a biwa
from a piece of dead driftwood and used it to
play a beautiful song for his bride to be.
In answer to the second challenge, he explained
that the world was only as wide, and would
take as long to cross as the company you had
while crossing it. He went on to say that if
Amaterasu were your companion, you could
cross the world in a single day.
Finally, for the third challenge, Kakita produced
a mirror, and showed the Lady Doji that her
own reflection was a vision of peerless beauty.
Kakita and Doji were married that day. In return
for Yasuki's help, Kiyamori was married the wise
woman's son, elevating him to samurai status.
Children
The Lady Doji and Kakita had five children: the
twins, Doji Yasurugi and Doji Konishiko, as well
as Doji Nio, Kakita Shimizu and Doji Hayaku. Nio
continued the line of the Doji family, Shimizu
the Kakita family, and Hayaku became the
founder of the Daidoji family.
Yasurugi and Konishiko
When Shinsei proposed a plan to defeat Fu
Leng, Hantei declared that one hero from each
clan would join the quest. The Doji candidate
was Kakita's son, Doji Yasurugi, but he was
killed shortly after by an oni assassin. All hope
seemed lost until Yasurugi's twin sister Doji
Konishiko stepped forward. Kakita made
Mirumoto promise to protect his daughter, and
Mirumoto responded by asking Kakita to
protect his Empire.
The Death of Kakita
Kakita served as the Emerald Champion for
twenty years. Toward the end of that time, the
Emperor commanded him to duel Mirumoto
Hojatsu, the son of Mirumoto, in order to prove
once and for all whose technique was superior.
After standing silent and still for an entire day,
with neither Master touching their weapons,
both combatants bowed and walked away,
knowing that if either had drawn, it would
mean the death of them both.
On Kakita's 39th birthday, the two duelists met
again on the field of battle during a minor
skirmish, knowing that they would never again
get the chance to test each other's skill. The
pair faced off. Kakita cut down his opponent,
but not before Hojatsu had mortally wounded
Kakita. Refusing treatment for his wound, he
ordered his son, Shimizu, to retrieve the fallen
Hojatsu's katana. Receiving the blade, Kakita
whispered, "Do your duty to your master,", fell
upon it and died. A monument stands upon that
spot in honor of Kakita and Mirumoto Hojatsu
at Tanima sano Futatsu Taisho.
Family
The Kakita family were descended from the
children of Doji and Kakita who decided to take
their father's name. They comprised a great
portion of the Crane Clan's armies and were
arguably the finest artisans and duelists in the
Empire. Many Kakita would often train in the
Doji schools as well.
History
The style of Kakita became the famed Kakita
Iaijutsu school, and he passed on his knowledge
to any who had the ability and discipline to
learn. He created their first dojo, and taught his
students the way of honorable combat. All of
his five children excelled at dueling, and his son
Kakita Shimizu became the first Iaijutsu Master
of the Kakita Dueling Academy. Training in the
school was hard, and graduates of the school
have become some of the finest duelists in
Rokugan's history. Since it's founding each
Emperor had also sent their sons to study both
the physical and intellectual teachings of the
school.
Kitsu family (Lion – Matsu clan)
Current Daimyo: Kitsu Juri. By far
the most contemplative and
withdrawn family of the Matsu
clan, the Kitsu are en enigma to the rest of the
empire. Their shugenja school is regarded as
old-fashioned and traditionalist by other
families, and it is the only such school in all of
Rokugan that rejects all applicants from outside
the clan. In addition to their standard shugenja
school, the Kitsu also practice a unique form of
ancestor magic wherein the Kitsu specialists,
known as sodan-senzo, send their spirits to the
realm of the dead to communicate with and
even summon ancestor spirits. While it is not
unheard of for Kitsu to take up the way of the
warrior, it is uncommon. The legendary general
Kitsu Motso was one such unique individual,
and the fiery Kitsu Dejiko of the modern Kitsu is
another example. Only those Kitsu who prove
incapable of conversing with the spirits are sent
to the warrior dojo, and these samurai are
frequently looked upon as failures by their
family. Kitsu warriors understandably often
resent their shugenja brethren. The Kitsu are
still battling the stigma their family acquired
generations ago with the corruption of Kitsu
Okura, the Jade Champion. Okura was
eventually exposed as a practitioner of maho
who had bound an oni to his name, ostensibly
to strengthen his clan. During the Battle of
Oblivion’s Gate, Okura’s oni unexpectedly
turned upon the Shadowlands Horde, favoring
the honor of its summoner over the Taint of its
origins. The oni slew its progenitor, the Oni Lord
Akuma, and restored the honor of the Kitsu
family. The ancestral Kitsu Tombs are still being
purified, but the Empire considers the Kitsu to
have redeemed themselves.
Founder
Kitsu Toju was a shugenja of the Matsu Clan.
Toju was one of Kitsu Motso's younger
brothers, and was seen as mediocre until tested
for his ability with the spirit world.
Student
Even a child, Toju was quiet and shy,
overlooked in favour of his older brothers.
Never the most intelligent or the strongest of
the family, Toju was expected to take a position
as a tutor or minor diplomat. On the Day of
Choosing, Toju's prowess as a shugenja was
revealed. While others could only perform
minor tricks with the fire, Toju made its embers
glow with white heat, and its flames to grow
towards the skies. Afterwards, Toju was
immediately inducted into the Kitsu Shugenja
School, and began to learn the proper rituals to
honor the ancestors correctly.
Titles
Toju's great spiritual power led him to become
Kitsu family daimyo and head of the Kitsu Sodan
Senzo school.
Demeanor
Toju was a nervous, painfully shy and
withdrawn person in his daily life. He bundled
himself in thick robes, and was prone to jerky,
self-conscious movements. He suffered from a
stutter that prevents him from speaking at any
length without embarrassing pauses as he tries
to find his voice. While performing rituals,
however, he was an entirely different man,
powerful and passionate with a certain voice
and bold, flowing movements. Those who had
not seen him performing his shugenja duties
tended to underestimate him.
War Against the Shadow
In 1132 Toju sensed the souls of the dead, their
ancestor, were being slaughterd by the Shadow
in the Shadowlands. The Kitsu adviced the
acting Matsu Champion, the Rikugunshokan
Kitsu Motso.
Family
In a clan of warriors, the Kitsu were the
shugenja. They were descended from the last
five living kitsu remaining at the end of Akodo's
purge. Because of their ancestral link to the
other realms, many Kitsu could communicate
easily with the spirits of the ancestors, and one
of their family schools was devoted to this task,
the Kitsu Sodan Senzo.
The Kitsu family served the Lion Clan as
lorekeepers, mythologists and diplomats, but
their duties were far greater than the typical
shugenja. Like the Ikoma family, the Kitsu were
keepers of history, but rather than the physical
history of their clan, the Kitsu guarded the
spiritual history. Thus the Kitsu's duty ws not
only to his Clan and Emperor, but to the many
thousands of Lion who had come before him.
The reason that the school of the Kitsu was so
selective was a matter of the initial founding of
the family, a tale which was a cause of great
dispute between the Ikoma family and the
Kitsu.
The Lost Lions
Before the dawn of the Empire, when mankind
was created from the tears of the Sun and
blood of the Moon, strange creatures roamed
the world whose forms seemed akin to that of
animals. Many believed these creatures to be
the Naga, and some Crab believed that a great
Nezumi culture existed before the fall of the
Dark Kami.
If the myths were true, then a third race existed
with the Naga and the Nezumi. This race took
the form of giant lion-like cats, with flowing
golden manes and mean claws. These "kitsu"
were great hunters and guardians of the spirit
realm, where ancestors linger to watch the
deeds of their descendants.
When humankind was created, and the Dark
One fell from the sky, these great races were
extinguished or fractured - the Naga fell into
their Sleep, and the Nezumi were scattered. The
Kitsu, instead of choosing to live with the new
masters, retreated to the mountains that would
eventually come under the rule of the Togashi
Clan.
At first, the humans hunted the kitsu and the
kitsu returned in kind, waging war on humanity.
Eventually, Hantei ordered his brother Akodo to
contain the beasts, and Akodo began the
genocide of the kitsu. The great cats were
hunted, killed, and their bodies burned without
knowing their intelligence. In the end, the few
survivors of the race gathered in a hidden valley
to mount their last stand. When they were
found by the humans, Akodo himself lead the
attack, leaping to the leader of the kitsu and
gripping him in a fierce bear-hug. Displaying an
intelligence therefore unknown, the kitsu leader
broke free of the hold, and unleashed a roar
that shook the valley. Akodo, startled, dropped
to his knees as the ground shook, and awaited
death.
It never came. The great lion simply stared at
the man with hate-filled eyes and waited for
him to rise. As the first Lion arose, he signaled
to his warriors to stand down, then bowed to
the leader of the kitsu. From there, it was a
simple matter to make peace with the strange
race, who eventually learned to speak a rough
form of Rokugani. For year, it was said, Akodo
journeyed to the hidden valley of the kitsu to
atone for his deeds.
It was said that upon Akodo's last visit to the
valley he returned with five men, with bronze-
gold hair. Akodo claimed they were the last
kitsu, given human form by his mother. These
men swore fealty to the Lion Clan and founded
the Kitsu family, whose ties to the spirit world
remained strong to this day.
Any descendant who was pure Kitsu blood had
deep orange color eyes.
Kitsu customs
The Kitsu family did not allow outsiders to view
their gempukku ceremonies. During such a
ritual, anyone who had not undergone the Kitsu
gempukku was turned away from whatever
location was hosting the event with no
explanation.
Before a Kitsu could be given his daisho, he
must first recite the names of each of his
ancestors in order, back to the founding of the
family. In addition, the Kitsu must cite and
praise his ancestors' deeds and bravery. Clever
Kitsu would find ways to include their own
studies in this recitation by including a
previously unknown fact about an ancestor's
life or providing an unexpressed insight. The
heritage must be recited without error and each
ancestor evoked correctly. By doing this, the
Kitsu displayed a reverance towards his
ancestors. The ceremony ended with the
thanking of past Kitsu for their sacrifices and the
initiate promising to adhere to their principles.
It was said, but it could not be confirmed, for no
Kitsu would speak of it, that the family's
ancestors gathered to pass judgement on the
initiate. If the Kitsu caould not convince his
ancestors that he was worthy, then he was
stripped of the gifts of a shugenja and turned
out of the family in disgrace. On the other hand,
a Kitsu that passed was embraced by the spirits,
and began a period of great understanding
between himself and the ancient ancestors.
Lies
The Kitsu are not able to lie.
Kitsuki family (Dragon – Togashi
clan)
Current Daimyo: Kitsuki Mizuochi.
Descended from Agasha Kitsuki,
this family has served the Togashi
as emissaries, magistrate, and
diplomats since its founding over 200 years ago.
The Kitsuki are, however, much more than
simple ambassadors. Agasha Kitsuki himself was
a seeker of truth and justice, his exploits
eventually earning him death at the hands of
Bayushi. He had invented what is now known as
Kitsuki’s method, a form of investigation that
favors evidence over Rokugan’s more accepted
form of trial by testimony alone. Nearly every
Kitsuki is a trained investigator and a competent
duelist. The Kitsuki themselves tend to be the
most open and warm of the Togashi clan.
Though they are known to unreel strings of
riddles and quotes from the Tao, they are more
likely to give a straight answer than any other
family from their clan. Like the rest of the
Togashi clan, however, their practice of Kitsuki’s
method sets them apart from the rest of the
Empire, even though the method has proved
itself effective.
Founder
Agasha Kitsuki was the founder of the Kitsuki
family. A brilliant, but lackluster student, who
proved his innocence by applying his self taught
methods, and was allowed to found his own
family in recognition of his skills.
Studies
Almost from the beginning Kitsuki was
fascinated by puzzles and riddles. As such he
was expected to do well in the Agasha Shugenja
school, but he did not. He was talented at the
rudamentary levels of study, but as soon as
metaphysics were mentioned his mind would
wander. While other students continued their
studies from the natural to the supernatural, he
would still be contemplating the natural. Other
students mocked him for his "mundane"
studies, and Kitsuki would frequently be
threatened with expulsion if he did not keep up
with his fellow students. He reluctantly kept up
with the other students, but continued his
private studies on the side. Towards the end of
his studies he began seeking out new puzzles,
and started on the most complicated puzzle he
could find; the human mind. He would study his
fellow students, and soon his skill became so
great he could know things about people
without even speaking to them. His teachers
were not impressed with his "peasant magics",
but Kitsuki ignored them. He would begin
travelling the country side, applying his
techniques, and would be frequently caught
attempting to sneak in after curfew and flogged
for it. By the year 820 his sensei threatened him
with expulsion.
Proving his innocence
The expulsion never happened, because two
weeks following his threats, the sensei was
found murdered in his room with Kitsuki's
wakizashi. Kitsuki was questioned, but refused
to admit the crime. The Agasha Daimyo at the
time did not wish to order his favourite nephew
to commit seppuku, and when Kitsuki begged to
be given 24 hours to prove his innocence, the
daimyo agreed. Exactly 24 hours following his
request, Kitsuki returned with the evidence, the
true murderer and his confession. In recognition
of his incredible powers of perception, he was
granted his own family, and so the Kitsuki family
was founded.
Enemies
Kitsuki's accomplishments in court made him
many enemies during his lifetime, particularily
among the Scorpion Clan. Foremost among
these was Bayushi Shiko. Their rivalry was so
renowned that the playwright Doji Yosei wrote
a play named Eyes and Ears about the two, and
the death of Kitsuki.
Death
Kitsuki died mysteriously following his final duel
with Bayushi Shiko. The Bayushi had gained
sensitive information on a member of the Moto
involving mingling of peasant and samurai
blood requiring false documentation of birth
records. Kitsuki managed to obtain these
documents from Shiko after a daring race
through Shinomen Mori, only to discover the
documents were false and poisoned. Kitsuki
died on the thirteenth day of the Month of the
Monkey in 829.
Descendants
At the beginning of the twelfth century there
were only twenty direct descendants of Kitsuki.
Family
The Kitsuki family were founded in 820 when a
brilliant student, Agasha Kitsuki, was accused of
murder yet given 24 hours to prove himself
innocent. Kitsuki provided both proof and
testimony that exonerated him, and in
recognition of his incredible powers of
perception he was given his own family by the
Togashi Clan.
They were often called "the hospitable
Togashi", and served as diplomats and
magistrates for the Togashi Clan. Although they
branched out from a shugenja family, they had
no shugenja school. Instead the Kitsuki teached
Kitsuki's Method, a unique technique that
utilized perception, awareness and intuition to
aid in solving a crime.
The Agasha
Following the creation of the Kitsuki family
there was a number of the Agasha who
followed Agasha Kitsuki. While the Agasha kept
their focus on their studies of the bubun, those
with more interests in the practical applications
of Agasha's works joined the Kitsuki. Over the
years, a friendly rivalry arose between the two
families, and the Agasha would often look upon
the Kitsuki as their "little brothers and sisters".
It would sometimes even occur that Agasha
would refer to a Kitsuki when meeting them as
oto-oto (little brother) or imo-oto (little sister).
Enemies
The biggest enemy the Kitsuki had made over
the years, maybe without even knowing too
much about them, were the ninja. In their
quests for the truth, the Kitsuki occasionally
picked up the trails of ninja who did not wish to
be traced back to their missions. As such, quite
a few Kitsuki had been assassinated over the
years, and each time, more Kitsuki filled their
place to investigate the new clues and learn
more about the perpetrators, although rarely
who they were.
Lands
The Kitsuki Provinces, also known as the
Gateway to the Wall, contained most of the
smallest peaks in the Great Wall of the North
mountains and several twisting valleys making it
easily confusing to visitors. These lands were
also the home of most of the Togashi Clan's
gold mines, producing the majority of it's
wealth. A lot of goats were herded throughout
these lands, ands as such the population was
concentrated mainly in mining towns and
shepperding villages. The lands themselves
were sparsely populated, and it's people were
quiet and withdrawn preferring solitude to
visitors. The magistrates of these provinces
were all Kitsuki, and most Kitsuki Magistrates
served here initially as an "initiation" period.
Shiro Kitsuki sat in the north of these lands,
where resided the diplomatic corps of the Clan.
It was also the centre of law within the Togashi,
and any Togashi accused of a crime stood trial
here. Even the peasantry of the Kitsuki
provinces were well versed in the Tao and the
law.
Kuni family (Crab – Hida clan)
Current Daimyo: Kuni Tansho.
The Kuni are the shugenja of the
Hida clan. They are fascinated by
the power of the Taint, and
approach the evil of the Shadowlands with
analytical detachments. They regularly conduct
expeditions into the Shadowlands, obtaining
specimens of flora and fauna and then
returning to their remote towers for scientific
experiments. The other families watch the Kuni
warily, always prepared for one among their
numbers to fall for the Taint’s temptation.
Though this happens from time to time, the
Kuni’s experiments are largely beneficial. Kuni
tend to be very certain of themselves, and do
not appreciate being questioned. They have
sacrificed much for the good of their clan. This
mind-set often leads to arrogance, but it also
breeds an unshakable iron will.
Founder
Kuni was a founder of the Kuni family and
known as the "seeker of that which is hidden".
Initial Duties
Kuni was intially tasked with magically altering
stone to ease the construction of Kyuden Hida.
While it did ease construction he did not believe
it modified the stone with the same degree of
skill as Kaiu's work. Kuni was among the first to
sense the growing darkness from the south of
Rokugan, and warned Hiruma not to go
scouting further south.
Oni no Hatsu Suru
In 43 when Hida first wanted followers, Kuni
stepped forward with Hiruma and Kaiu. To
prove themselves they had to enter the
Shadowlands and kill Oni no Hatsu Suru, a
guardian left behind by Fu Leng in 43. Kuni's
part in the fight with the oni was creating the
magical trap to capture Hatsu Suru so Hiruma
could finish it off.
Kuni's Reward
Afterwards Kuni's reward was permission to
found his own family and permission to study
the enemy, learning as many ways of destroying
them as possible. He was ordered to discover
the means of combating the dark Shadowlands
magic. By doing this he supplied the Hida with
the first real defenses against the Taint.
Kuni's End
But there was a price to pay. He became more
obsessed with his task, seeking to uncover
secrets best left untouched. He would make
solitary trips into the Shadowlands, returning
maddened and feverish, needing weeks of bed
rest. The rantings he had while in bed would be
recorded by apprentices, learning new ways to
bind errant spirits, weaknesses of different oni
and extending protective properties of Jade. In
the end he locked himself in his quarters, and
went slowly mad, his children and apprentices
continuing with his work. When his family
entered his private sanctum they found no
body, only his private journals full on secrets on
how to fight the creatures of the Shadowlands.
He is remembered as a hero who spent his life
in service to the Hida, a service that cost him
greatly. It is said that his spirit lived on in the
blood of those who take his name and he
watches over them as his own children.
Family
The Kuni family are some of the most feared
and enigmatic shugenja in all of Rokugan.
Knowledge
Kuni are very often skilled in the arts of the
physical form, understanding anatomy and the
mixture of the five elements in the body. Their
training generally is steeped in biology and
constuction of the living form. Their magic
tends towards wards and bindings, either
holding bodies in a location or preventing
bodies from entering (or leaving) a place. The
concept of a spirit possessing a body is of great
interest to the Kuni and, as the oni are spirits
made flesh, they are even more interesting.
Passing Knowledge
Each Kuni has a part of the family library in their
care, the system has it's advantages and
disadvantages. Exchanging knowledge between
two shugenja can be difficult and few shugenja
have an all-encompassing mastery of the
school. It is, however, difficult to destroy any
significant portion of Kuni learnings. They hold
annual meetings in Kyuden Hida every winter
behind closed doors to discuss their findings
over the past year.
Kuni Witch Hunters
The Kuni Witch Hunters came about after
Iuchiban attacked Rokugan. Also known as
Tsukai-sagasu, they study the martial arts of
their fellow Crab as well as the magical arts of
their family. After their training is complete
they set out to destroy the Shadowlands in any
form they find it. Most travel north into
Rokugan to search for Shadowlands creatures
that might have slipped through the wall.
School
They have no physical school, instead teaching
their students directly and only one or two at a
time. Their students are very often close
relatives. They go to great lengths to
understand the creatures of the Shadowlands,
including capturing live specimens to study and
dissecting dead ones. The tragedy of their
scholarly pursuits is that members of the Kuni
family are the most susceptible of all Rokugani
to succumb to the Taint. The retaking of Kuni
lands after their destruction by the army of The
Maw left the land known as the Kuni Wastes.
Matsu family* (Lion)
Current Daimyo: Matsu Ketsui. If
the Akodo are the nobility of the
Matsu clan, then the Matsu are
surely its passion. One of the
largest families in Rokugan, the Matsu are also
perhaps the most aggressive and warlike. They
are always the first to solve problems with force
and the last to leave the field of battle. While
respected and feared, others regard the Matsu
as hot-tempered and dangerous individuals
who are prone to bouts of violence at the
slightest provocation. When the Akodo were
disbanded by Imperial edict several decades
ago, it was the Matsu who stepped forward and
took command of the clan. Their passionate
leadership, unchecked by the Akodo
practicality, took its toll upon the clan. Now that
the Akodo disbanding has been turned around
and they have joined the Matsu again, the
leadership of the Matsu is tempered by their
wisdom, and the passion of the Matsu directed
by their strategy. The Matsu’s relation to the
rest of the clan can best be summed up in the
words of the historian Ikoma Sume: “To the
Matsu the kill, to the Akodo the victory, and to
the Ikoma the tale.”
Founder
Matsu was the most hot-headed and arrogant
woman in Rokugan. This reputation is only
surpassed by her legendary fury on the battle
field. Her wrath was visited with such intensity
that few survived. She was a loyal servant of the
Kami Akodo and the founder of the Matsu
family who do their best to live up to her name.
Life Before the Lion Clan
Prior to joining the Matsu Clan Matsu had led a
life of banditry and slaughter as a part of the
Tribe of Noriaki, even falling in love with
Mutsuhito, the son of the bandit leader. She
had come to realize how meaningless her life of
murder had been, and secluded herself in a
small village where she would teach the use of
weapons in defense. Eventually Akodo came to
the village, and at first she thought he was just
another killer like the rest. Over time the Kami
proved himself, and Matsu finally understood
the true meaning of honor.[2] The tribe were
defeated by the Kami and Seppun at Seppun
Hill, and Mutsuhito led what few remained into
the Shadowlands to the south.
Matsu's Relationships, Matsu and
Akodo
When Akodo sought Matsu out, she took his
courtship as an insult and challenged him to a
duel on the field of honor. The winner would
win Akodo's army and rule the Matsu Clan,
while the loser would serve the winner. Akodo
added an additional condition: if he won, she
would accept his proposal of marriage. Matsu
also added an additional condition - that if she
won, he would never again ask for her hand.
The battle ended with Akodo's blade at Matsu's
throat.
Matsu and Kakita
At the dawn of the Empire the first Hantei held
a tournament to decide who would become his
bodyguard. Matsu entered, and many believed
that she would win. However, a man from the
northern provinces named Kakita also attended,
and no man could match his skill, and he bowed
to each opponent after their defeat. Eventually
even Matsu fell before him, but he did not bow
this time. Matsu roared at the insult, but Kakita
merely told her that he did not show her any
respect because she had not shown any respect
to her other opponents. This insult would cause
the enmity and blood feud between the Matsu
family and Kakita family for centuries.
War Against Fu Leng, The Gathering
Thunder
When Shinsei approached the Kami at the
height of the War Against Fu Leng with a plan to
defeat Fu Leng, Hantei declared that one
member of each Great Clan would be sent on
the mission. Ikoma Jujinin attemted to step
forward to take the Matsu's place, but Matsu
knocked him to the floor and took the spot.
Matsu then travelled with Shinsei and
Mirumoto to gather the other Thunders. After
the death of Doji Yasurugi all hope seemed lost,
but his twin sister Doji Konishiko stepped
forward to take his place. Matsu was not
convinced this little girl could be up to the task,
but was quickly quitened after Konishiko
disarmed her.[8] Matsu never asked permission
from Akodo to leave, although it is disputed
why. Some historians say she left in order to
save Akodo the pain of ordering her to go,
others to avoid having to disobey him if he
ordered her to stay. She left with only her
armor and katana, leaving her wakizashi behind
to be passed down her family line.
Day of Thunder
Matsu regretted never saying goodbye to her
family and Akodo, but did not let that get in the
way of doing her duty on the Day of Thunder.
After the Seven Thunders and Shinsei reached
the keep of Fu Leng, they quickly became
trapped and were assaulted on all sides by
obsidian samurai. The leader of the samurai was
Mutsuhito, Matsu's former love. Matsu slew
Mutsuhito, but not before the man could
mortally wound the Shiba Thunder Isawa. While
Isawa, now dying, performed the ritual to bind
Fu Leng, Matsu and the other Thunders bought
him the time. Matsu engaged Fu Leng himself in
combat, but was killed by the Dark Kami in a
tempest of black fire leaving only ashes of the
Matsu Thunder.
Ashes Returned
1100 years later, Matsu's ashes were returned
by Matsu Benika from the Tomb of the Seven
Thunders.
Warning the Matsu
In 1170, the spirit of Matsu sought out the
presence in Yomi of the visiting Kitsu Daimyo,
Kitsu Katsuko. Acting on her words, Katsuko
summoned Matsu Daimyo Matsu Kenji and the
samurai Matsu Benika to the Hall of Ancestors.
There, though arts of the Kitsu, she addressed
the two samurai-ko. She offered mild praise to
each for their accomplishments, though
advising them not to become complacent in
them. But she then said that their honor and
dedication to Bushido earned them a warning.
It was then that she gave Rokugan the first
warning of the coming upheaval in the heavens
and impending doom of Lord Sun and Lady
Moon.
Family
The Matsu are a tall, proud family, who rarely
dye their dark hair like others in their clan. Their
ancestress, the Lady Matsu was the last to join
the Kami Akodo, and she was the only follower
Akodo sought out.
Marriage and the Matsu
When a man marries into the Matsu family, he
takes the Matsu name, and all men who marry
outside of the family must forever forsake their
Matsu name. The Lady Matsu began this
tradition upon her wedding day, when she
married the fourth follower of Akodo. It is said
that Akodo came to her and asked why she
chose this man over him, and she replied "For if
I marry you, I will be the wife of Akodo. If I
marry him, then he shall be the husband of
Matsu". The fifth house of the Lion, who were
recorded only briefly in only the earliest Ikoma
family texts, were completely absorbed into the
Matsu.
Temperament of the Matsu
Whereas members of the Akodo family are said
to be the brain of the Lion, the Matsu are said
to be the heart, for it is the Matsu who charge
onto the battleground and direct the troops.
All Matsu are hot-tempered, emotional, strong
willed and intractable, just like their founder,
but they are also highly courageous, loyal,
dedicated and fierce. The Matsu are the
epitome of every other Clan's view of the Lion,
good and bad.
Leadership among the Matsu
Matsu leaders are chosen more for their skill
with a katana and combat prowess than their
ability to break down an enemy strategy. As has
been shown time and again, even the best laid
plans often fall like rice paper to a katana when
faced with the furious charge of the Matsu. In
addition to this fire within, the Matsu live for
the purity of honor. The Matsu believe that the
purity of a samurai's soul is often as potent a
weapon as his blade. Often, with the Matsu's
ancestors guiding his blade, a samurai's purity
of soul becomes more important, for even the
dullest blade will cut deeper than the sharpest
blade that has been turned aside. The Matsu
ancestors will guide the killing blow and guard
the samurai from harm if he is filled with a pure,
noble soul.
Place of the Matsu
Since the beginning, the Matsu have stood
beside the Akodo family, providing the Akodo's
tactical foresight with the feirceness to succeed.
There have been time when the leadership of
the clan has been uneasy, and even open
anarchy between the two houses.
The Matsu family represent some of the
greatest warriors in Rokugan, and not even the
Crab ignore the threat presented by the mighty
Matsu army. No sane man would ever
knowingly question the honor of a Matsu, for
honor is more than a word and more than a
record of a person's standing in the Empire. To
a Matsu, honor is the link that ties them to their
ancestors, and the blood that links them to
their oath. Since the first Matsu, they have
never faltered in their duty to protect the
Empire.
Matsu customs
In the Matsu family, the gempukku ceremony is
not a time of celebration and joy, like in other
families in Rokugan, but one of trial. The Matsu
gempukku is the time when a samurai must
prove his worth to the family and clan, rather
than a time to be acknowledged for his previous
accomplishments. Like other traditions of the
Matsu, their gempukku ceremony is harsh,
rigid, and unforgiving, but it is also a great
honor, for those who survive can count
themselves among the greatest warriors the
Empire has to offer.
The gempukku is a series of tests, each
designed to showcase and test a particular part
of the samurai's character. The initial tests are
intellectual or martial in focus, and are said to
be the easiest to pass. They often involve
reciting passages of Akodo's Leadership from
memory and demonstrating a working
knowledge of at least twenty weapons. Other
tests may include the quartering of
pomegranates before they hit the ground or
some other means of testing the samurai's skill
with a katana.
To test the samurai's endurance, he is struck
repeatedly -- up to 400 times -- with a bamboo
rod. Although these blows will cause no
permanent damage, they are incredibly painful
and drain the reciever's stamina. The Matsu is
expected to remain concious and upright
throughout every blow. Failure results in
dishonor and seppuku.
The next test involves the samurai's wisdom,
patience, and his ability to set aside his own
earthly desires for the good of the Lion Clan. He
is placed in a room surrounded by plates of
steaming food, wherein he must fast for three
days. At the end of these three days, he is given
a bowl of gruel, which he must completely
consume and lick clean, all the while
surrounded by delicious meals. In doing so he
shows he will never take from the Lion more
than he is due.
The final test is often regarded as the most
harsh. A white-hot poker shaped in the Matsu
crest is pressed into the samurai's skin, forever
branding them a Matsu. Although the process
only lasts a few seconds, the pain lingers on,
and expressing any discomfort will result in the
samurai being forced to commit seppuku.
Mirumoto family (Dragon –
Togashi clan)
Current Daimyo: Mirumoto Uso.
The first Mirumoto was one of the
two men who followed Togashi
into the mountains that the
Togashi would make their home. He was a
canny swordsman, and developed the two-
sword style called Niten before he died in the
Shadowlands fighting the dark god Fu Leng. His
family lives on as the strong arm of the Togashi,
feared in both single combat and large-scale
warfare. Due to the reclusive nature of the
Togashi, it usually falls upon the Daimyo of the
Mirumoto to handle the clan’s day-to-day
affairs. The Mirumoto train to concert with the
shugenja of the clan, resulting in samurai who
favor two swords when one is the accepted
custom, and can speak of the kami as
knowledgeably as any shugenja. Of all the bushi
family of Rokugan, the Mirumoto tend to be the
most spiritual. A typical Mirumoto is reserved
and calm at all times. Foremost on the mind of
a Mirumoto is his lord, his swords, and the Tao
of Shinsei. Many Mirumoto have ties to a
certain temple of temples of the Brotherhood
of Shinsei, and shave their heads out of piety.
When the Mirumoto samurai speaks, his
statements are typically short and cryptic.
Founder
Mirumoto was one of the first followers of the
Kami Togashi, and the founder of the Mirumoto
family. Mirumoto had been Togashi's yojimbo,
and became famous for founding the two-
sword style of the Mirumoto. Little is known
about him prior to meeting Togashi.
Appearance
Mirumoto was a tall man with long gangly arms
and large hands. He was not known to be a
handsome man, and when portrayed in the
theater he is often made to have two scars on
his face that cross each other.
After the Fall
After the Fall of the Kami the other brothers
and sisters of Togashi gathered many followers,
but Togashi wished no one to follow him. After
his lesson with Shinsei he retreated to the
mountains in northern Rokugan where he
thought he could be left alone. This turned out
to be impossible as two others had followed
him there. Together with Mirumoto and
Agasha, the three built a temple to Amaterasu
and a castle around the temple to protect the
temple. Togashi and his two followers remained
here for many years, and word of their temple
grew, drawing more followers to the Togashi
Clan. Many of Togashi's new followers went for
Togashi's wisdom. Others showed promise with
the sword and were trained by Mirumoto, and
Agasha trained those remaining who showed
insight into the ways of the elements.
Duty
Mirumoto was tasked with the defense of the
lands of the Togashi Clan by Togashi. Some of
the people who wandered into the Togashi
lands seeking the wisdom of Togashi, such as
Akodo Kaiteru, would be approached by either
Mirumoto or Agasha and offered a chance to
study with them. The occasional individual
would pass them by to find Togashi himself, and
become one of the Togashi order.
Reputation
The best swordsman in his generation,
Mirumoto became a legend in Rokugan, and
was arguably the best swordsman ever - a claim
which could only seriously be challenged by
Kakita, who grew up in the next generation. The
argument over which sword style was superior
would ultimately lead to a duel between Kakita
and Mirumoto's successor, Mirumoto Hojatsu.
For all his excellence, however, Mirumoto was
not a very pleasant man, and some stories
portrayed him as a rude bully. Some samurai
would also refer to his unconventional niten
style as "a coward's style", although few who
did so in front of Mirumoto managed to keep
their lives afterward. In response to those
comments, Mirumoto once wrote, "Some men
say I am a coward. A samurai's duty is to
protect his lord. Are they so simple-minded that
they cannot see that two swords serve their lord
better than one?"
Style
Mirumoto's style was known as a "no-nonsense"
style. Practical results were his aim, not artistry.
While other schools would emphasize particular
stances, Mirumoto would merely stand relaxed
with his swords at his side. Only when he began
his frenzied motion could his true style be seen.
He would strike his opponent in any way he
could; with his hands, elbow, head or even the
pommel of his katana. It was later in life that he
developed the style that has become known as
the niten style.
Mirumoto and the Assassins
When Mirumoto reached the age of forty, he
became a monk. He had taken many students,
but swore he would never take up a sword
again while his head was shaved. Once, while
crossing a river with a student, he spotted three
assassins awaiting their arrival on the shore
ahead. The student asked Mirumoto what they
should do. Mirumoto took his knife, began
whittling at one of the oars, and replied; "I will
fight, you will row." When they finally reached
the shore Mirumoto had carved the oar into a
boken and proceeded to kill the three assassins
with it.
Gathering Thunder
When Shinsei approached the Kami at the
height of the War Against Fu Leng with a plan to
defeat Fu Leng, Hantei declared that one
member of each Great Clan would be sent on
the mission. Mirumoto was the second to
answer Shinsei's call, and was put forward by
Togashi himself. None of the other members of
the Togashi questioned his claim. Mirumoto
travelled with Shinsei and Matsu to gather the
other thunders. Mirumoto was present at the
assassination of Doji Yasurugi and promised to
Kakita that he would look out for his daughter
Doji Konishiko, who had taken Yasurugi's place.
Mirumoto in turn made Kakita promise to
protect his Empire.
Day of Thunder
During their journey into the Shadowlands,
Mirumoto began training Doji Konishiko for the
coming battle. When they reached the Festering
Pit, they were pursued into the keep of Fu Leng
where they made their last stand. While Isawa ,
who was dying, spent his last breath to
complete the ritual to bound Fu Leng,
Mirumoto and the other Thunders bought him
time. When Fu Leng realized what was
happening, he attempted to flee, but Mirumoto
seized him and didn´t let him go. Fu Leng´s slew
him on the spot. It was said that he died
without any mortal ever defeating him.
Celebration
Because exaclty when and how he died is
unknown, his death is celebrated on the Day of
the Togashi, the first day in the Month of the
Dragon.
Legacy
Mirumoto had an adopted son Mirumoto
Hojatsu, who furher developed the niten two
sword style after his father died on the Day of
Thunder, and continued the Mirumoto name. [10]
Mirumoto's Daisho was passed down through
his family, and the blades could not even be
drawn out of their saya by any not of the
Mirumoto family.
Family
The Mirumoto family is the largest family of the
Togashi Clan and comprimises the majority of
their bushi. They were founded by the yojimbo
of Togashi, Mirumoto, who was one of the most
brilliant duelists that Rokugan has ever known.
The family line cannot be drawn directly from
Mirumoto himself, as the only child he had was
his adopted son Mirumoto Hojatsu. Hojatsu's
daughter, Mirumoto Ujaniko continued the
Mirumoto name in honor of the Dragon
Thunder. The Mirumoto are also fierce
advocates of the niten two sword style, as their
founder Mirumoto was the one who invented it
and it was further developed by Hojatsu.
The Agasha
After the Day of Thunder in 42, Togashi and his
followers moved back up into the mountains
and withdrew themselves almost completely
from the affairs of the Empire. It was during this
time that the Mirumoto family forged a strong
bond with the Agasha family. The son of
Mirumoto, Mirumoto Yojiro and the founder of
the Agasha, Agasha worked closely together
maintaining the clan's interests, and learned
much from eachother in the process. Over the
years the Mirumoto students would be
encouraged to watch the Agasha and learn from
them, and the Agasha students would do the
same with the Mirumoto. This practice
continued even after the deaths of the two
school founders.
Family structure
The Mirumoto family is the military might of the
Togashi Clan, and therefore has a much more
regimental structure then the other families of
the Togashi. The leader of the family is the
daimyo, and the only others with higher
authority than the daimyo is the daimyo of the
Togashi family, Emperor of Rokugan and the
Emerald Champion. Because of the reclusive
nature of the Togashi daimyo the Mirumoto
daimyo was for a thousand years almost
considered to have the same status as a Clan
daimyo. The Mirumoto daimyo's personal guard
usually consists of roughly 1300 men where 200
are archers, 200 are ashigaru, 50 are
bannermen and 50 are shieldbearers. 500 are
regular samurai, 150 are cavalry and the
remaining 150 are shugenja. These soldiers are
regularily stationed at Shiro Mirumoto in
addition to troops from all the Togashi families
totalling roughly three to five thousand troops
at any one time in Shiro Mirumoto.
Training
A Mirumoto begins their training at a young
age, studying, practicing, learning kata and
being taught the family history. The main dojo
of the Mirumoto is a simple room with only
three words painted on the wall; "Neither will
I." This phrase was spoken to Togashi by
Shinsei, and is very important to the Mirumoto.
The reason for why it is so important has been
hotly debated between the Agasha and
Mirumoto. The students are expected to study
this phrase during his training, and at the end of
their gempukku they are expected to write a
spontaneous haiku in response to the phrase.
The most famous of these haiku was that of
Mirumoto himself:
Miya family (Imperial)
Current Daimyo: Miya Yumi. After
Fu Leng’s defeat, Hantei the First
lay dying in his bed. The First
Emperor’s final decree was for a
samurai named Miya to spread the word across
the empire of the victory over the Dark Kami.
When Miya returned to Otosan Uchi, Hantei II
was crowned with Seppun and Otomo at his
side. Hantei Genji’s first edict was to make
room beside his throne and within his palace for
the family of brave and tireless Miya. The
Otomo played no small part in this, and to this
day the Miya and Otomo have strong ties.
Family
The Miya family was founded by Miya, originally
a follower of Otomo. Miya was entrusted with
spreading the news of the victory at the end of
the War Against Fu Leng by Hantei as the
emperor lay dying. In return for his service in
this matter, Miya was given his own family
among the followers of Hantei Genji at the
coronation of the Shining Prince. The Miya were
now the Emperors' Heralds, carrying edicts to
his people.
Vassal families
The Anou vassal family of the Miya were
originally Kaiu family vassals but were absorbed
by the Miya per an Imperial Edict centuries ago.
Moshi family (Mantis – Yoritomo
clan)
Current Daimyo: Moshi Juiko.
Centuries ago, a small offshoot of
the Shiba family became the tiny
and reclusive Moshi family. A
matriarchal family devoted to the worship of
Ameterasu, the Lady Sun, the Moshi family
practiced their powerful style of magic for many
centuries with very little interaction with the
rest of the Empire. When the ambassadors of
the Yoritomo family arrived early in the Clan
War, however, the Moshi family realized that
they could not hide in the mountains while the
Shadowlands ravaged Rokugan. The Moshi
family joined Yorimoto’s alliance.
Founder
Moshi Azami was an early daimyo of the
Centipede Clan. She lost the harmony of her
soul so she climbed the highest mountain of the
vale in order to meditate. After three days she
received a vision of the Lady Sun who told
Azami the Centipede would be her acolytes. The
Centipede promised to serve and worship the
Sun turning to her alone and follow her will.
Family
The Moshi family was a family of the Mantis
Clan. Originally the family comprised the
Centipede Clan, but conditionally decided to
join the Mantis in 1127 in the Month of the
Tiger. They wished a marriage with the ruling
family of Mantis, to be determined later. [1] [2]
The wedding was finally in 1133 between Moshi
Wakiza and Yoritomo, and the arrangement was
complete sealed. [3] The clan colors were
orange, black, and brown and are still widely
worn by the older Moshi. The Moshi family line
beared mostly female children, the first Moshi
had eleven daughters and no sons, and had
become matriarchal because of it. The Moshi
had a deep devotion to the Sun goddess
Amaterasu and continued to honor 'Lady Sun'
even after her death.
History
The Centipede clan was founded in 347 when
the sensei of a modest shugenja school of the
Phoenix Clan had become isolated from the
Phoenix east of Kiken Roka in the Mountains of
Regret. The area was called Tani Senshio. The
Otomo pointed out to the Emperor that it
would be easier to record their events and tax
peasants if they were a seperate minor clan, so
the sensei was given lands and the title of a
minor clan.
In 580 the Lion Clan made claim to the lands of
the Centipede and sent an army to try and take
them by military force. The attempt failed,
turned back by Moshi magic combined with the
difficulty of the terrain until diplomatic pressure
permanently halted the attempt.
Since joining the Mantis Clan in 1127 the
formerly isolated Moshi had been forced to
interact with Empire far more than the family
had been used to. Since then the Moshi family
had increased dramatically in size, primarily
through marriage, and the Moshi family had
spread holdings throughout the lands of Mantis
Clan and beyond.
Traditions
The Moshi family was a matriarchy with a
continuing devotion to Amaterasu, even after
the goddess had passed from divine life. The
Moshi were known for their conservative
nature and love of tradition, which often
conflicted with what was seen as the Mantis
way of doing things.
Vassal Family
The Goraiku family were a vassal family
founded to honor, and contained the ambition
of, Moshi Goraiku, the most skilled samurai in
service to Moshi Jukio. The Goraiku family had
forged new traditions and was highly devoted
to Lord Sun and had close ties with the
Yoritomo family and the Hida family.
Moto family* (Unicorn – Moto
clan)
Current Daimyo: Moto Gaheris.
The founders of the Moto were
not Rokugani at all, but the Ujik-
hai, a race of savage wanderers
whom the Shinjo encountered in the desert
beyond Rokugan. The Ujik-hai swore fealty to
Shinjo after their defeat at her hands, and have
been loyal followers of the Shinjo ever since.
The Moto are a grim, pragmatic family with
undeniable skill in combat. Some would go as
far as call them “savage,” but never within
earshot. The Moto White Guard are among the
most terrifying berserker warriors in Rokugan. It
is a Moto custom (and an unusual one, for
samurai) to allow an enemy the opportunity to
surrender. Should the enemy deny this single
opportunity, the Moto show no mercy.
Founder
Moto was an Ujik-hai who became a follower of
Shinjo during the first century. He swore fealty
to her and was allowed to found the Moto
family. Because he joined Shinjo, the jealous
Shi-Tien Yen-Wang captured his soul and cursed
his descendants.
Family
The Moto family are the ruling family of the
Unicorn Clan since Shinjo's return from the
Burning Sands. Shortly after Shinjo and the Ki-
Rin left the Empire, they discovered a tribe in
the Burning Sands called the Ujik-hai. Those
Ujik-hai that chose to join the Unicorn became
the Moto family. As such, the Moto are the only
family of the Unicorn Clan to have come from
outside of Rokugan.
The Dark Moto
After the Return of the Unicorn in 815, the
Moto saw what the threat of the Shadowlands
were for the first time, and decided to show
their strength by defeating it. In 825, led by
their Daimyo Moto Tsume, they rode into the
Shadowlands, hoping to aid the Crab in their
fight. None returned.
Return of Shinjo
When the Scorpion Clan returned from their
exile after the disapearance of Toturi I, they
brought back the remainder of the Moto as well
as their Kami, Shinjo. Shinjo discovered that the
Unicorn Clan had been corrupted by the Kolat
(Qolat) and removed the Shinjo family from
power, making the Moto the ruling family of the
Unicorn.
Destruction of the Dark Moto
In 1133 the Moto Khan Moto Gaheris destroyed
the Dark Moto by using fierce tactics from the
Burning Sands, unifying their line once and for
all, in the Battle of Twilight Mountains.
Daimyo and Khan
Historically, the daimyo of the Moto was called
daimyo, just as all the other families and clans
in Rokugan. Recently, with the coming of the
remaining Moto from the Burning Sands with
Shinjo, the Moto daimyo have taken to calling
themselves "Khan" instead. With the promotion
of the Moto family to the leadership of the
Unicorn Clan as a whole, the Unicorn Clan
Champion has been referred to as the Khan as
well.
Otomo family (Imperial)
Current Daimyo: Otomo
Hoketuhime. The Otomo share a
direct line to the lost Hantei, as
their founder was the son of
Hantei the First. While the family did not have a
true purpose at first, during the rulership of the
Gozoku the Otomo helped Hantei Yugozohime
(Hantei VII) break their power and restore the
Emerald Throne to its rightful ascendance. The
Otomo have since worked behind the Emperor
and the Seppun, keeping the powerful clans in
check when needed.
Family
The Otomo family was formed by Otomo, one
of the followers of the original Hantei. The
family's purpose was to protect the Emperor
from losing political power to the Great Clans,
such as the situation with the original Gozoku.
Using their power as the most prominent
courtiers in Rokugan, the Otomo strived to
maintain strife and conflict between the Great
Clans, keeping them from unifying against the
political power of the Emperor.
Schools
The Otomo family had a school of Seiyaku,
which meaned covenant or agreement. Its
techniques focused on sowing distrust between
the samurai of the clans.
Seppun family (Imperial)
Current Daimyo: Seppun
Hotaitaka. Lady Seppun was the
first human to swear fealty
directly to Hantei instead of his
brothers or sisters. She was a wise woman, who
was said to have heard the voices of Lady Sun
and Lord Moon. When Shiba recorded the Tao,
Seppun supported it in the courts of the
Emperor, and worked with the Shiba to unify
Shinsei’s words with the wisdom of the Isawa.
Family
The Seppun family was founded by Seppun,
one of the first and closest followers of Hantei.
Their Miharu and shugenja are trained and
entrusted especially to guard the Emperor.
Members of the Seppun family are found at all
levels of the Imperial Bureaucracy.
Defense of Seppun Hill
Some time not long after the Fall of the Kami,
the Seppun were attacked at Seppun Hill by the
Tribe of Noriaki. The defense was successful,
with the aid of Hantei and the Kami. The Noriaki
were mostly destroyed or captured, but a small
band of them escaped south into the
Shadowlands.
Lady Seppun
Lady Seppun was a holy woman in the tribal
pre-kami society of Rokugan. The name
"Seppun" was actually her title, which referred
to the holiest of celestial servants. She
witnessed the Fall of the Kami and was the first
to swear her service to the Kami Hantei.
Throughout the history of the Empire, many
members of the Hantei family who were not in
the direct line of succession took the Seppun
name in order to completely remove their
claims to the throne. Because of this, the
Seppun are closely related to both the Hantei
family and the Crane Clan.
Duties
The Seppun family in modern Rokugan
comprise the majority of the Emperor's
personal guard. The family sponsors a
guardsman and shugenja school, both of which
teach techniques dedicated to protecting the
Imperial line.
The Seppun also maintain the Imperial
Histories. These are not as detailed as the
Ikoma Histories, but are rumored to contain
insights into the Hantei line and Imperial history
that do not appear elsewhere in the Empire.
Members of the Seppun family serve the
Empire in many roles, beyond serving as the
personal guard of the Emperor, the Seppun
serve throughout the Imperial bureaucracy as
clerks and agents keeping the machinery of
Empire running smoothly.
Vassal Family
At the Winter Court in Kyuden Otomo in 1168,
the personal friendship between Seppun Kiharu
and Yotsu Seou led to the Yotsu family being
accepted as a vassal family to the Seppun.
However, due to their past Imperial service the
Yotsu have been allow to keep their own family
name and have been given the singular honor
of wearing both the Yotsu and Seppun mons
when serving the Imperial family.
Shiba family* (Phoenix – Shiba clan)
Current Daimyo: Shiba Tsukune.
The Shiba family, descended from
the Kami of the same name, is
unique in Rokugan. Ostensibly
leaders of their clan, the Shiba clan champion
nonetheless bows to the wishes of the Isawa
family’s Elemental Masters. This state of affairs
dates back to Shiba’s vow to Isawa, at the
beginning of the Empire, to always protect and
defend Isawa’s descendents. The Shiba
continue to honor that promise.
Founder
Shiba-kami, the First Shiba, the twin of Bayushi,
and the wisest of the Kami, led the Shiba Clan
until his death at the hands of the First Oni
during his attempt to rescue Shosuro and
Shinsei after the first Day of Thunder. After his
death, his essence possessed his sword,
Ofushikai, and for over a thousand years Shiba
himself chose the new Champions of his clan
and guided them in their paths.
Fall of the Kami
When their father Onnotangu began behaving
strange, Shiba and Bayushi approached Hantei
and Fu Leng and suggested something should
be done. Hantei forbade the twins from
continuing with their planning, but Fu Leng
betrayed them to Onnotangu anyway.
Onnotangu ate all his children, including Fu
Leng. Amaterasu fed him poisoned sake with
every child, and when it came to Hantei
Onnotangu mistakenly ate a stone. Hantei later
challenged his father, cutting open his belly to
free his siblings. Onnotangu in turn cut open a
hole in the sky, and the Kami fell to earth.
Personality
Shiba was possibly the most intellectual of the
Kami. He was intensely interested in the world
of Rokugan, and had no shortage of questions
for all of the people he met along his journeys.
Shiba also was adept at watching people and
learning from their actions, a trait which served
him well at the Tournament of the Kami. He
would spend entire days watching people,
remembering everything, and would attempt to
use his knowledge to integrate himself into the
society into which he had fallen.
Tournament of the Kami
After their fall to Earth the Kami decided to hold
a Tournament to determine who would be the
first Emperor. Shiba beat his twin Bayushi, as he
was to wise to fall for his tricks, but was in turn
beaten by Doji.
Shiba and Fu Leng
Though it is well known that Shinjo journeyed
into the Shadowlands to search for her lost
brother, it is not as widely known that it was
Shiba that first noticed Fu Leng was absent from
the Kami that fell upon Seppun Hill. Shiba also
journeyed along the once-fertile lands that lead
to the place where the Ninth Kami fell through
Ningen-do. Though he did not find his brother,
Shiba did find a place where a great darkness
lived on the path to Jigoku and where a deep
sadness filled the Kami as he approached. Most
believe this place to be the Festering Pit, but
there are some who disagree. The accounts do
not match completely, as Shiba describes a
place of sheer blackness, where color itself had
been drained from the land and where there
was no sign of life whatsoever. Within the place
is also said to be a dark river of souls,
information which the Council of Five guards
jealously. The Masters have sent parties to
search for the place, but none have been
successful. Doubtless the Champion knows of
this place through his connection to the Soul of
Shiba, but none have volunteered any help to
solving the mystery.
Shiba and Shinsei
His divine nature separated Shiba from the
mortals of Rokugan, but his desire to know
them separated him from his brothers and
sisters. His isolation grew more and more
intense until the arrival of Shinsei, who
understood Shiba. Through Shinsei, Shiba
learned how the lives of the mortals were
linked to the divine. Shiba became a devout
follower of Shinsei. When the Little Teacher met
with Hantei, it was Shiba who was at hand to
record their conversation. This transcription
became known as the Tao of Shinsei. The
original Tao has been greatly ravaged by time
and hardship, but its burned and tattered
remains still rest in the libraries of Gisei Toshi.
Shiba, Bayushi and Shosuro
Shiba would frequently meet with his twin
brother Bayushi to discuss stories they had
about humans throughout the land, and it was
the only time Bayushi would ever take his mask
off. It was at one of these meetings that Bayushi
introduced Shiba to Shosuro, one of Bayushi's
first followers. Shiba was keenly aware that
Shosuro was more than she appeared to be.
Shiba and Isawa
When Shiba initially gathered followers around
him, he encountered the Tribe of Isawa and
their leader Isawa occupying the lands granted
to him by his brother. Shiba tried to persuade
Isawa to join the fledgling Shiba Clan, but Isawa
only allowed the Tribe to join to prevent the
wrath of Hantei forcing them to leave their
lands. Shiba repeatedly tried to convince Isawa
that he could not remain neutral in the War
Against Fu Leng, but Isawa would not risk his
people in a conflict he deemed to be too far
away to be of any consequence. It was only
after an attack on Toshi Testuharu and it's
destruction that Isawa realized the Tribe of
Isawa would not be safe. Isawa committed his
finest students to assist in the war, but would
still to partake in it himself.
Shiba's Promise
As the Day of Thunder drew near, Shiba begged
Shinsei to be allowed to accompany the monk
into battle with Fu Leng. Shinsei refused,
explaining to Shiba that mortal men must be
the ones to defeat the Dark Kami. Shiba then
approached Isawa, bidding him to go with
Shinsei. Isawa refused, claiming he could not
abandon his family to fight the Kami's war. The
Kami Shiba knelt before the mortal Isawa and
promised to protect his people in exchange for
Isawa becoming the Shiba Thunder. Isawa
agreed and left with Shinsei that day. Shiba and
Isawa are often depicted with Shiba kneeling,
not out of disrespect for the Kami, but because
the act is considered to be one of the most
important and heroic in Shiba history. Stubborn
Shiba children are often scolded, "Are you so
tall that you cannot bend your knee as Shiba
did?"
The Eternal Shiba
Sometime after the departure of the Seven
Thunders, Shiba was uneasy about the lack of
news from the group, so he asked the Isawa to
see what the kami could tell them. The Isawa
determined that of the eight that set out, only
two were living, and one of those barely. They
could not determine which two were still alive,
however. Determined not to let Shinsei fall in
the Shadowlands, where his wisdom might be
corrupted, Shiba set out to find the two
survivors and bring them safely back to
Rokugan.
Shiba marched into the Shadowlands, found
Shinsei and the severely wounded Shosuro
about to be overwhelmed by an army of
monstrosities led by the First Oni. Unwilling to
let them die, Shiba drew Ofushikai and charged
to their rescue. The Kami slew the oni, but not
before it dealt Shiba a mortal blow as well.
Shiba died of his wounds on the journey back to
Otosan Uchi.
But that was not the end for the Eternal Shiba.
Shiba's soul found an anchor in the mortal
realm -- Ofushikai, his katana -- that allowed his
spirit to remain in Ningen-do. The son of Shiba,
Shiba Tsuzaki, left Shiro Shiba shortly after his
father's death, claiming that Shiba was calling to
him. When Tsuzaki returned, there was an aged
wisdom in his eyes and another presence
behind his face. Tsuzaki pronounced "My father
is dead, but he will live forever in his
descendants." And through every successive
Champion until Ofushikai was taken from them,
he did.
After his death, Shiba came to realize that
humanity was capable of far more than they
realized, and told Asako all he had realized
about the cosmos and mankind's place in them.
This Gift of Shiba's became the Path of Man that
the Asako Henshin follow to this day.
Family
The Shiba family embraced many
contradictions. They were the descendants of a
Kami, yet were subservient to the Isawa family.
They have given birth to every Clan Champion,
yet they do not rule the clan. They were soldiers
and warriors in a clan of pacifists. They were a
vital and valued part of the Phoenix Clan.
Founding and Succession
The Shiba family was founded by the Kami
Shiba. Shiba's descendants remain the
Champions of the Phoenix Clan, although the
line of that succession has not always been by
blood. For most of the clan's history, when a
Champion died, the successor was chosen by
Shiba himself, through the clan's Ancestral
sword, Ofushikai; at the death of a Champion,
the sword would disappear and reappear with
the person who would become the next
Champion.
When Amaterasu scattered all of the clans'
ancestral swords into the heavens, however,
this method of selection was lost. When Shiba
Tsukune ascended to Tengoku to become
Fortune of Rebirth, the Elemental Masters
refused to accept her son, Shiba Aikune, as
Champion, and instead decided to appoint the
new champion themselves. This apparently
lasted only for the appointment of Shiba
Mirabu, as while he still held the position, the
Soul of Shiba was bound to the Shiba bloodline
itself by Aikune, and Ofushikai, now just a
symbol of that authority, was given to him as
well.
Duty of the Shiba
The primary duty of the Shiba was to protect
the Isawa family. At the dawn of the empire,
Shiba made this promise to Isawa, and his
descendants have been driven to fulfill it ever
since. That promise is what the Shiba look to as
their defining purpose; it is what gives them
unity and strength.
Despite this, there was always and has always
been some measure of friction between the
Shiba and Isawa families. The Shiba became
frustrated that the Isawa do not understand
their philosophy, and the Isawa, like their
founder, resent any implication that they owe
the Shiba thanks or respect. In addition, the
Isawa tend to remain sequestered in their
family holdings, and this habit breeds a certain
level of separation from everyday matters and
politics. The Shiba dealt with Rokugan every
day, and thus are more pragmatic and realistic
about certain matters, such as the occasional
necessity of violence. In matters such as these,
the two families rarely saw eye to eye.
Despite their inherent disagreements, the
families of the Phoenix Clan do not let their
internal differences become exploitable to
outsiders. In the face of pressure from outside
the clan, the Phoenix would quickly close ranks
to deal with any threat. A Shiba may complain
about the Isawa all day long, but suggesting that
he help work against them would elicit a violent
reaction in their defense. Many young and
overly ambitious courtiers have learned this
lesson too late to save themselves from their
end under a Phoenix blade in a duel over the
clan's honor.
Training of the Shiba
After a Shiba's gempukku, he or she would
serve in the Phoenix' Home Guard, patrolling
the clan's lands and guarding against any threat.
After some time in the Guard, any Shiba that
desired could join the Shiba Yojimbo and be
assigned to protect a specific shugenja, courtier,
or other dignitary. The Shiba Yojimbo were
among the finest in Rokugan, and it was in this
capacity that their family truly excelled.
Shiba bushi were reknowned throughout
Rokugan for thinking constantly of defenses and
security measures. A Shiba was, some would
say, overly concerned with the number of
guards, their positions, their shift rotations, and
so on, sometimes down to the quality and
quantity of their rations. Many gunso
throughout the empire dread the arrival of a
Phoenix dignitary because they know that
person's yojimbo will not lgive them a
moment's rest, barraging them with concerns
about the quality of their charges security. The
Shiba, however, took pride in this reputation,
because it only served to show their dedication
to their charges and to their ancestor's oath.
Shinjo family (Unicorn – Moto
clan)
Current Daimyo: Shinjo Shono. The
Shinjo had ruled the Shinjo clan
ever since is whas the Ki-Rin clan,
but a generation ago the Kami
Shinjo returned and removed them from that
position. They were then destined to follow the
Moto. The exposure of Daimyo Shinjo Yokatsu
as a Kolat Master shattered the faith in the
Shinjo, and as a result they must struggle for
respect and acceptance even among their own
people. The Shinjo are viewed as a “soiled”
family and other Moto clan members often
avoid them. Many have abandoned their
family’s quest for redemption and instead
embrace their role as explorers, finding the
peace in the wilderness that will forever be
denied them among other samurai. The Shinjo
are also expert animal trainers; their war dogs
and trained falcons are legendary.
Founder
Shinjo was one of the Kami, the children of the
Sun and the Moon. Onnotangu ate his own
children, and when Hantei freed them all, they
fell through a hole in the sky, out of Tengoku
and into Ningen-do, the mortal realm.
The Ki-Rin
Once in Ningen-do, the Kami established the
Empire of Rokugan. There, they decided upon a
tournament to decide who amongst them
should lead. Shinjo's speed and cleverness
enabled her to defeat Hida, but the
underhanded tactics of Bayushi then eliminated
her. Shinjo went on to found a clan called the
Ki-Rin. The Ki-Rin would later become the Moto
Clan.
War Against Fu Leng
During the War Against Fu Leng, Shinjo was the
only one of her brothers and sister to try and
reconcile with their fallen brother. She visited
his citadel in the Shadowlands, but her efforts
were rebuffed.
Attempted Alliances
At the beginning of the War with her brother,
Shinjo sent her vassal Ide and his student Shinjo
Bairezu with a message to the Yobanjin. Shinjo
wished for the Yobanjin to join the Ki-Rin, to
offer protection from the war with Fu Leng. The
Yobanjin chieftain Battul would not accept and
warned Bairezu to tell his master never to send
messengers to them again.
Gathering Thunder
At the height of the war, the armies of Fu Leng
were pushing the defending Hida back slowly.
None of the Kami were willing to confront their
mad brother, and defeat seemed inevitable
when a wise man named Shinsei appeared. He
revealed that a small group of individuals could
infiltrate the Shadowlands and defeat Fu Leng,
but they would have to be mortals. Hantei,
grievously wounded from a recent battle,
declared that one individual from each clan be
sent to join in this endeavour. Shinjo sent her
finest vassal Otaku to be the Ki-Rin Thunder.
Shinsei assembled the remaining Seven
Thunders personally, and joined them on the
quest to defeat the Ninth Kami.
Day of Thunder
The Seven Thunders and Shinsei made their way
deep into the Shadowlands, where they found
Fu Leng and defeated him. The cost was heavy,
as only Shinsei and Shosuro survived the fight.
They fled north, with the First Oni and many
other creatures pursuing. The timely
intervention of Shiba allowed Shinsei and
Shosuro to reach Rokugan, but at the expense
of Shiba's life. Fu Leng had been defeated, but
at a very high cost.
Burning Sands
After the defeat of Fu Leng, Shinjo and her clan
were tasked with ensuring there were no
threats to Rokugan from outside its borders.
Leaving only a small remnant of her clan behind
(who went on to found the Kitsune Clan), Shinjo
and the Ki-Rin rode north into the Burning
Sands to explore the world. Shinjo left Rokugan
and was accompanied by the Ide, Iuchi and
Otaku families. She was given Doji's Mirror to
keep in contact with Hantei. When the mirror
went dark most had assumed the worst.
First Encounter
One of the first groups the Ki-Rin encountered
in the Burning Sands were the Ujik-hai, a
warrior people who lived on the harsh steppes.
The Ujik-hai had seen the scouts of the Ki-Rin
and their chieftain wished to take their
equipment and horses for his people.
Approaching the Ki-Rin under a banner of
peace, the Ujik-hai lured out Shinjo, the heads
of the Ki-Rin families and a small retinue to a
meeting. Once they had the retinue
surrounded, the Ujik-hai attacked, but the
powers of Shinjo, slew Ujik-hai men, and the
other family daimyo's slew a dozen more
caused the attack to falter. The chieftain himself
was beheaded by Shinjo, and the son of the
chieftain watched as his father's head cloven in
two before it struck the ground, whereupon he
fled with the remaining Ujik-hai. Over time Ujik-
hai came to join the powerful Ki-Rin, and so
their numbers grew steadily. The addition of the
Ujik-hai was fortunate, for they brought key
survival techniques such as how to find food,
water and shelter in the very harsh
environment of the Burning Sands. Shinjo
would become very close with one of the Ujik-
hai elders named Martazera, who would open
Shinjo's eyes to the differences between the Ki-
Rin and other lands. By the time the Ki-Rin
exited the Ujik-hai steppes they had grown to
over 1000 strong.
Shi-Tien Yen-Wang's Curse
The Ujik-hai came to the realization that the so-
called heathens were not only worthy, they
were honorable, more so than their own death
gods, the Shi-Tien Yen-Wang Gods, whose
corruption was becoming more evident. The
vast majority of the Ujik-hai, remembering true
honor, followed a man named Moto and swore
fealty to Shinjo. These people became the Moto
family of the Moto Clan.
No one was left to worship the Shi-Tien Yen-
Wang and without worshippers, they began to
weaken. These dark Gods cursed the Moto, and
pursued them angrily. Their curse made the
Moto the most nomadic family of all, as they
attempted to constantly move and escape the
revenge of their fallen masters.
Shinjo's Promise
Shinjo had made a promise to her followers that
she would never leave them. During the Exodus
of the Ki-Rin, she suddenly vanished when her
clan happened upon a mysterious oasis.
Shinjo had been kidnapped by the Lying
Darkness. For centuries she was held in the
Black Earth, with dark djinn whispering in her
ear. Even though no one tried to find her, the
Nothing did not taint her soul. The Lying
Darkness, an ally of Fu Leng, was forbidden by
that Dark Lord to twist her, and Shinjo remained
uncorrupted.
Utaku Shiko waited for her until she
reappeared, and when she did, she was
pregnant with five children, whom were ki-rin.
Shiko decided she could not kill Shinjo for
breaking her promise, and instead told Shinjo
she could amend her promise to say that while
she might leave her clan, she would always
return to them.
Shinjo Released
In 1132, Hojyn gathered with the four Avatars,
Shosuro Tage the Bayushi, Amru the Qabal,
Moto Kara of the Kirin, and Zarha the Ebonite.
Together, they freed Shinjo.
The Return of Shinjo
After Bayushi Aramoro's victory in the
Emperor's tournament the main Bayushi force
returned to Rokugan to reclaim their lands.
Shinjo herself led them after having been freed
from her imprisonment. The Bayushi Clan was
reinstated by force of deeds. Even when the
Emperor did not remove its status as exiles,
nobody opposed the return of a Clan led by a
Kami itself.
Purge of the Kolat
Shinjo sensed the Moto general who kneeled to
her was a kolat and executed him on the spot.
Otaku Tetsuko confessed and described the
members she knew, and commited seppuku.
She personally executed hundreds of members
of her own clan, revealing them to be Kolat but
she could not find Yokatsu. Moto Gaheris was
appointed by Shinjo as the new Moto
Champion, and spared the life of the Daimyos
Shinjo Shono and Otaku Kamoko.
March to Otosan Uchi
With the help of the Bayushi, Shinjo learned of
the Lying Darkness and its hold over Toturi.
Shinjo assembled the combined forces of all the
clans in the Assault of Otosan Uchi, which had
become dark and bleak since the return of
Toturi.
Shinjo and Yoritomo
The Imperial armies defended the Imperial City
but the battle stopped when all realized that
Toturi had disappeared again. Shortly after the
Mantis' defeat in Shiba lands Yoritomo was
approached by Lady Shinjo, who offered to put
him on the Imperial Throne. Yoritomo refused,
saying he would never become a pawn of the
Kami, even if it would make him Emperor.
The Departure of Shinjo
In anger at the death of her husband
Onnotangu, Amaterasu commanded Shinjo to
take all the Ancestral Swords of the Clans and
throw them to the stars. Shortly after
Amaterasu commited jigai.
Shinjo left the mortal realm and ascended to
the Celestial Heavens in 1133. Gaheris was in
charge of the Moto Clan believing the Kolat
influence of the Shinjo family not entirely gone.
She set Otaku Kamoko among the stars to
honor her sacrifice and commanded the Otaku
family to change their name to Utaku so
Kamoko would be the last Battle Maiden to
bear the Otaku name.
Death
Shinjo was killed in 1160 after her brother Fu
Leng, freed by Daigotsu and equipped with
Emma-O's Spear, invaded the Celestial Heavens.
Shinjo sought out Fu Leng to try and convince
him to turn from his path, as she did long ago.
The conversation between the brother and
sister was brief, and so was the battle - Emma-
O's spear proved too much for Shinjo and she
was killed.
Shinjo's Journey
The Kami found herself in the Realm of Waiting,
Meido, where she saw that the Shi-Tien Yen-
Wang were trying to wrest control of the realm
from Emma-O, claiming the Fortune could no
longer discharge his duties properly. She was
met by her brother Ryoshun, the steward of lost
souls, who was with one of the Lords of the
Death. They showed Shinjo a portal which
ressembled the Oblivion's Gate, and which
bring new life to the spirits who passed through
it by means of reincarnation. Shinjo crossed
through the portal, there to await rebirth when
the time was right. Later Kitsu Hisashi arranged
an agreement to share control of Meido
between the Lords of Death and Emma-O.
Reincarnation
It was believed that Shinjo reincarnated in
Shinjo Shono and Moto Genki's daughter, Shinjo
Min-Hee. Chochu and the Ninube wanted to
steal the power from the reincarnated Shinjo,
as well from the soul of Togashi. A Ninube killer
tried to take Min-Hee, but Akasha fought the
creature which fled.
Family
The Shinjo family was formed by the Kami
Shinjo. Despite their deific lineage, the Shinjo
do not currently control the clan. Over the
centuries, the descendants of Shinjo allowed
the Kolat to infiltrate the clan to a point
unparalleled in Rokugan. The secret society
controlled the clan through its Champion, who
sat as one of the Kolat's Ten Masters. When
Shinjo was freed from her prison and returned
to Rokugan in 1132, she saw the influence of
the Kolat among her descendants and
personally slew every Kolat agent she
discovered, greatly reducing the numbers of the
Shinjo, as well as shattering the Unicorn Clan's
confidence in their leading family. During the
chaos, Shinjo Yokatsu, a hero of the Clan War,
was hunted down and murdered by his son
Shinjo Shono, who rules the Shinjo family to this
day. Shinjo placed the Moto in charge of the
clan, and they have controlled clan matters ever
since.
The Shinjo family became associated with the
Kolat and lost all semblance of their former
glory, in the same way that Crab Clan, Lion Clan,
and Yogo family are still associated with the
Shadowlands and hated for it.
Shosuro family (Scorpion –
Bayushi clan)
Current Daimyo: Shosuro
Yudoka. The right hand of the
Bayushi is the Shosuro family. The
first Shosuro was known as
Bayushi’s daughter, though it is debated to this
day whether Shosuro was man, woman, or
neither. The Shosuro are spies, actors, and
ninja, and their province is the art of creating
false lives, fake histories, and empty truths. It is
the infamous (though spoken of only in rumor)
Shosuro Dojo that produces the ninja for the
Bayushi, and the Shosuro Butei are among the
most famous actors in the Empire.
Founder
Shosuro was a human who became the first
follower of the Kami Bayushi. She was actually
made from a piece of the Lying Darkness. Her
superb acting skills and expert deceptions
impressed her master. A Kharmic Tie was
created between them, and she was sometimes
known as Bayushi's Daughter.
Creation
Shosuro was created by the kenku Mukashi and
his brother Takashi using a small piece of
Nothing. Mukashi hoped that by giving the
small piece a purpose it would be shown a
different path. Mukashi intended for Shosuro to
replace a small girl named Shuro who had gone
missing from a nearby village. Shortly after
Shosuro's creation Shuro was found and
Shosuro was left without a purpose. Saddened,
Shosuro vowed to find a father for herself.
The Name
The name "Shosuro" is thought by many as an
obvious pseudonym, being a slight
bastardization of the word "shosuru", which
means "name" in Rokugani. It is known that
Bayushi often called her "Shosuko", a nickname
fathers usually give to their first-born
daughters, and "Soshisa", which means
"founder" in Rokugani.
Shosuro and Bayushi
Shosuro came to Bayushi's notice first as a
stable boy. It was not until later that same night
that Bayushi realised she could change her
shape when Shosuro held a knife to his throat
at a geisha house. Shosuro became one of
Bayushi's first followers.
Shiba and Togashi
Bayushi would bring Shosuro to meet with
Shiba, but Shosuro could sense that Shiba was
aware Shosuro was something more than
human. Sometime later Togashi appeared
before Bayushi and warned him that Shosuro
would have to follow her own, different path.
Bayushi was quite angered with Togashi and
refused to believe in the destiny Togashi had
foreseen.
The Day of Thunder
When Shinsei came to aid the Kami in their fight
against their brother Fu Leng and required
seven humans, The Seven Thunders, Bayushi
refused to let any more Bayushi die in this war.
Shosuro ignored his order and she went
anyway, intent on not dying.
She was the only one of the Seven Thunders
who survived the battle and came back to
Otosan Uchi. She made a pact with the Lying
Darkness to escape the Shadowlands alive, and
yet even so it was only with when the Kami
Shiba intervened and sacrificed his life battling
with the First Oni, that enabled her to escape
the Shadowlands alive. She brought with her an
obsidian hand which came to be known as
Shosuro's Hand, which was in fact Onnotangu's
Hand. She also brought back from Shadowlands
an obsidian mirror and a satchel with twelve
scrolls, which had been created by the Shiba
Clan Thunder, Isawa, to imprison Fu Leng's soul.
After returning to the Imperial Palace of Otosan
Uchi, she faked her own death.
The Soshi family
She changed her identity and became Soshi,
founding one of the two Bayushi Clan Shugenja
schools, but her link to the Lying Darkness was
too strong, and she finally was Lost to the
Shadow. Traveling to the Dragon leans, she
importuned Togashi to help her, whereupon he
encased her in a crystal cage by deep beneath
Kyuden Togashi in 82. Prior to the duel between
Hitomi and Onnotangu that decided the War in
the Heavens in 1132, Togashi incarnated in
Hitomi accused Lord Moon to steal away
Bayushi's only love, because his envy and
hatred.
Shosuro Released
In 1132, in the month of the Rooster, Hitomi
found her and released her from this
imprisonment before realizing her grave
mistake. For hundreds of years Shosuro had
been trapped in the light of the crystal prison,
hidden away from the Darkness. Now her
Master's will won her freedom from the crystal
cage through a tiny crack, but it was all the
Shapeshifter needed to escape. Shosuro went
to the Shrine of the Seven Thunders, killed all
the guardian monks and stole the Shosuro's
Cloak from the Shrine.
Kachiko's Lake
Shosuro was nearly lost to the Shadows, but
while she shared part of her soul with Bayushi
Kachiko and was the Bayushi Thunder alive,
Shosuro could not be truly consumed. She went
after Kachiko to kill her and to replace Goju
Adorai as the true avatar of the Lying Darkness.
Even as the Clans were fighting the Shadows at
the Battle of Oblivion's Gate in 1133, Shosuro
went toKyuden Bayushi and reached Kachiko at
the Sleeping Lake. Bayushi manifested himself
at the lake and drew both Kachiko and Shosuro
into the lake with him. Their bodies would die
but their spirits would be far from Darkness'
reach.
Family
The Shosuro family was founded by Bayushi's
first follower, Shosuro. Shosuro excelled in
acting, drama, treachery, and the arts, as her
followers do today. The Shosuro were excellent
spies and courtiers, as well as assassins. The
Shosuro were a family veiled in lies. While Clans
like the Crab and the Lion were the "experts" on
warfare, the Scorpion would deal with things
quietly, carefully making sure no witnesses
survived. If you befriended a Shosuro, you
should not be surprised if you find your
problems quickly melting away.
Shosuro-Ikoma Alliance
Since the first rise of Iuchiban the Ikoma family
were tasked to co-operate with the Shosuro
family in preventing certain secrets that could
threaten the reputation of the Emperor ever
coming out.
The Lying Darkness
To came back from Shadowlands on the Day of
Thunder in 42, Shosuro, greivously wounded,
made a bargain with the Lying Darkness. Each
year from this date, the Darkness began taking
souls among the Shosuro family. Since then,
every student ninja must pass a review at the
end of their first year. A hooded man, in
twilight, would touch each student. One in
fifteen would be taken by the Darkness.
Vassal families
The following were known vassal families of the
Shosuro family;
 Kochako family
 Tokagure family
Soshi family (Scorpion – Bayushi
clan)
Current Daimyo: Soshi Uidori.
The soshi, founded by the Shosuro
after she faked her death upon
returning from the Day of
Thunder, trains most of the Bayushi clan’s
shugenja. They specialize in psionics, focusing
on distraction, illusion, and confusion. Soshi
shugenja can turn the tides of a battle, causing
opponents to miscalculate the position or size
of a Bayushi army, or become unable to fight
effectively. Though the Soshi delved into the
mysteries of “Shadow magic” in the past, when
it was revealed as an extension of the Living
Darkness, the Soshi shunned it completely.
Soshi tend to be more cynical than typical
shugenja. The Bayushi clans are infamous for
their negative opinion of the Tao of Shinsei, and
the attitudes of their shugenja show it. Many
Soshi tend to revere Bayushi above other Kami
or Fortunes, and possess a dry, disturbing sense
of humor.
Founder
Soshi was the alter identity established by
Shosuro in 42 after she faked her own death
following the Day of Thunder. Once Shosuro's
shadow powers were strong enough to be
passed off as shugenja's, she altered her
appearance to that of a man, took the name
Soshi, and established the Soshi family. One of
the two Bayushi Clans Shugenja families,
focusing on Shadow magics.
Together with Bayushi, "Soshi" built a secret
fortress guarded by magic of the Shadow and
established a network of spies and informants.
Together with one of his most admirable
students, Soshi developed the new style of
magic he called "Shinobi", as well as the
reputable shadow-brands.
Shosuro's link to the Lying Darkness was too
strong however, and she finally was lost to the
Shadow. Shosuro fled the Bayushi Clan in 82,
seeking the help of the Togashi Clan Champion.
Togashi imprisoned her in the Chamber of
Crystal deep beneath Kyuden Togashi.
Family
The Soshi family was founded by Soshi.
Who was Soshi
Soshi's origin was shrouded in mystery. Some
said that he was the son of Shosuro and
Bayushi. The most commonly accepted case
was that it was Shosuro herself, attempting to
hide from the events on the Day of Thunder.
The Soshi family did not exist until after the Day
of Thunder, and after Shosuro disappeared, and
Soshi himself disappeared only a few decades
later.
Size and Studies
The Soshi family was the third largest family
within the Scorpion Clan. They were
traditionally led by shugenja, but most Soshi
followed other professions. They were
associated with the study of Tejina magic as
well as Shadow magic.
Vassal families
The following were known vassal families of the
Soshi family:
 Nanbu family
Tamori family (Dragon – Togashi
clan)
Current Daimyo: Tamori
Shaitung. When the Agasha left
the Hitomi-ruled Togashi clan to
join the Shiba a generation ago,
one stood apart, choosing to remain loyal to his
clan. That man was Agasha Tamori, the daimyo
of the Agasha family at the time. Tamori stood
beside Hitomi and the Togashi until he was
corrupted in the Shadowlands during the Battle
at Oblivion’s Gate. During the War of the Spirits,
Agasha Tamori joined the armies of Hantei XVI,
and was granted a family name in the treaty
that ended the war (though Tamori himself
disappeared shortly thereafter).
Founder
Agasha Tamori was the Agasha Daimyo who led
the Agasha family during the Clan War and into
the War of Spirits. During the War of Spirits he
aided the armies of the Steel Chrysanthemum,
and would later go on to become the Dark
Oracle of Fire.
Youth
From an early age Tamori was fascinated with
the elements and how they combined with the
earth, and would study the teachings of Shinsei
on the intricate patterns of life. He would spend
months away from school, travelling to discover
as much as he could on his own. He recorded all
his findings formulating several hypotheses, and
would frequently test them out to learn more
about the workings of the universe. Following
his graduation from the Agasha Shugenja school
he continued to search new knowledge,
conducting experiments frequently in his
private quarters and rarely going out anymore.
Appearance
Tamori was a small and quiet man, and would
prefer to not to engage in conversation if he
could help it. He preferred the solace of his
libraries to the courts, and would focus his time
on unlocking the metaphysical aspects of
Agasha's teachings. He was a brilliant shugenja
who trusted in ability over status, but would
never overstep his bounds.
Daimyo Duties
As the Daimyo of the Agasha his duties included
the maintenance of the Agasha family's libraries
and the journals of his clan's progenitor. He
would frequently travel between the Agasha
library and the vaults of Kyuden Togashi. In
recognition for his service, he was granted a
tattoo by Togashi Clan Champion Togashi
Yokuni. Tamori never wielded the family's
daisho.
The Defection of the Agasha
In 1131, the Agasha were split because of the
leadership of Hitomi. The majority led by
Agasha Gennai, a student of Tamori, declared
they were defecting. Gennai attempted to
convince Tamori to join them but he would not.
The majority of the family left the Togashi for
the Shiba Clan. Refusing to leave and crushed
by his family's betrayal, Tamori eventually left
his position and his family name to wander
Rokugan.
Family
Tamori had a wife, Agasha Tsutomu, and the
couple had one daughter, Agasha Shaitung.
Tsutomu was killed in 1133 during the Battle of
Oblivion's Gate. Shaitung took up the position
of daimyo after her father relinquished the
post.
War of Spirits
During the War of Spirits, Tamori sided with the
forces of Hantei XVI. Alongside Hida Tsuneo
Tamori led the attacks upon the Shiba Clan in
1150, and was also a part of the kidnapping of
the children of the Shiba the same year.
Dark Oracle of Fire
The Steel Chrysanthemum easily defeated Shiba
forces who fled into the Isawa Woodlands.
Tamori burned the trees where the scattered
Shiba had hidden and one by one slaughtered
them. A strange whisper gnawed at his soul,
and after the battle Tamori willingly became the
Dark Oracle of Fire, disappearing from the
Hantei XVI army.
Tamori family name
As a concession to the Steel Chrysanthemum at
the end of the war in 1151, Emperor Toturi I
proclaimed an Imperial Edict forcing the Agasha
still remaining with the Togashi Clan to be
renamed the Tamori family in honor of their
Tainted ex-Daimyo.
Togashi-Shiba War
In 1157 Tamori was approached by a Shiba and
a Togashi who had come into possession of the
Dark Covenant of Fire. The Shiba used it to
command Tamori to attack their two respective
clans, to make the clans stronger. Tamori was
only happy to oblige, and awaked the previous
dormant volcano Wrath of the Kami, which
caused many Togashi refugees to flee into the
Dragon Heart Plain. They were rebufed by the
Shiba and with that began the Togashi-Shiba
War. The Togashi had been Tamori Chosai, who
had done it so Tamori Shaitung could defeat
Tamori and cleanse the Tamori name. The Shiba
had been Isawa Hochiu, who had felt that the
Shiba would slowly die if they did not have
conflict to strengthen them.
Shaitung's Gambit
In 1159 Tamori Shaitung duelled the Elemental
Masters. She defeated them in an all-or-nothing
attack. The six shugenja were swallowed up by
the earth where, under the crust of the earth,
they encountered Shaitung's father, Tamori.
The Dark Oracle of Fire revealed that he had
caused the volcanic eruptions that instigated
the Togashi-Shiba War. The ensuing battle killed
Isawa Riake, and only Shaitung and Isawa
Nakamuro escaped the tunnels intact. The
remaining three masters were sealed in a stone
prison by the Oracle.
Dark Oracle Unleashed
Mirumoto Tsuge went to a cave with several
bushi following the advice of his old companion
Tamori Hitaka to consult a ronin Shugenja that
could help the Togashi in the war. Instead of a
ronin, Tamori was there with Hitaka at his side.
The Oracle requested of Tsuge for permission to
destroy the Shiba Clan, just as he had gotten the
permission to destroy the Togashi Clan. As a
General in command of the Togashi's defense
against the Shiba his assent would be sufficient.
Tsuge initially resisted, but Tamori released
several spells that caused the cave to collapse
and lava started to surround and endanger the
Togashi bushi. Finally, Tsuge gave permission
and went out of the cave proclaiming his
revenge against Tamori. Shortly afterwards,
Tamori Taiu recieved reports of Shiba battalions
being destroyed to a man and then left to rot in
the field.
Tamori Exposed to the Togashi
Togashi Nyima, Mirumoto Daisuke and Hitomi
Hogai were fighting in an engagement against
the Shiba that ended with Tamori showing up in
disguise as Shiba Aikune and wrecking havoc on
the Togashi army, leaving the three men as the
only survivors. They were saved by the
intervention of Osano-Wo, who explained
Tamori's deception. Several Togashi
ambassadors sent to make an offer of peace to
the Shiba, initially presumed killed by a mad
Aikune, now seemed to be also murdered by
Tamori.
Continued Plans
Tamori began to plot his attacks further,
employing his servant Hitaka to steal
genealogical information of every noble Togashi
and Shiba bloodline over the past twenty years.
He desired to kill the most promised members
in the new generation of both clans.
Defeat
When searching for Tamori to confront him
they encountered Isawa Taeruko. Nakamuro
uncovered the illusion, revealing that the Shiba
traitor had been Isawa Hochiu. Both Bairei and
Nakamuro confronted Hochiu, but the fight was
interrupted by the arrival of Tamori. Chosai
used the Dark Covenant to demand Tamori face
Hochiu in a duel. Tamori survived the duel, and
incinerated Hochiu. Tamori was distracted long
enough by Shaitung to allow Tsuge to kill him.
Chosai became the next Dark Oracle of Fire, but
Nakamuro used the Covenant to banish him
from Rokugan and never return.
Family
The Tamori family were founded after the
Agasha family left the Togashi. There was a
small group that still remained, led by Agasha
Tamori. For almost twenty years, each clan had
a family named Agasha, but that changed at the
end of the War of Spirits when Emperor Toturi I
renamed the Togashi Agasha as the Tamori
family in 1151. This was a concession into which
the Emperor was forced as a part of his truce
with Hantei XVI. The largely-defeated Hantei
took great joy in having the Togashi rename one
of their families after a man they considered to
be a traitor.
Provinces
The Tamori Provinces, formerly the Agasha
Provinces, were also known as the Twisting
Labyrinth. They were divided into two smaller
provinces.
For further information on this section, please
see Tamori provinces
Vassals of the Tamori Edit
The following are the known vassal families of
the Tamori:
 Izaku family
Togashi family* (Dragon –
Togashi clan)
Current Daimyo: Togashi Hoshi.
The traditional leaders, the
Togashi “family” is really a monastic order of
monks called ise zumi. The founding Kami of the
Togashi, drew his followers from mountain
monks and yamabushi. Togashi himself would
see to the tattooing of these new ise zumi,
giving them powers beyond mortal reach.
Togashi himself lived for a thousand years,
dying on the second Day of Thunder. Leadership
passed to the samurai-ko Mirumoto Hitomi,
who banished the Togashi.
Founder
Togashi was the founder of the Togashi Clan,
one of the Kami that fell from Tengoku when
the stomach of Onnotangu was cut open by
Hantei. He is one of the three Kami that did not
participate in the Tournament of the Kami, the
other two being Fu Leng and Ryoshun, declaring
that he already knew the outcome. Togashi
himself never died, though he changed identity
every fifty years or so, and continued to
personally rule the Togashi Clan for over 1100
years.
After the Fall
After the Fall of the Kami the other brothers
and sisters of Togashi gathered many followers,
but Togashi did not want any. After his lesson
with Shinsei he retreated to the bleak
mountains of northern Rokugan. where he
sought to be alone. This turned out to be
impossible as two humans had trailed him into
the fastness of the north. These men were
Mirumoto and Agasha, together the three built
a temple to Amaterasu and a castle around the
temple to protect the temple. Togashi and his
two followers remained here for many years,
and word of their temple grew, drawing more
followers to the Togashi Clan. Many of Togashi's
new followers went for Togashi's wisdom.
Others showed promise with the sword and
were trained by Mirumoto, and Agasha trained
those remaining who showed insight into the
ways of the elements.
Duty
All the kami were given tasks by their brother
Hantei. Togashi was charged to "Watch the
Emerald Empire. Through your eyes, the truth of
history shall be known." Togashi knew that truth
could not be known without separation from
the mundane, as so he retreated up into his
mountains. He remained in seclusion, studying
the words of Shinsei, communing with the
spirits of the Elements, and above all he
watched the Empire. Records of Togashi's
observances are kept in the depths of Kyuden
Togashi. Every event from the birth of the
tiniest sparrow to the death of the greatest
Emperor is chronicled therein. They are written
in a strange serpentine script that only the most
erudite of monks can comprehend.
Seclusion
Togashi would rarely leave the mountains for
over a thousand years. The few times he did
venture forth marked tremendous changes in
the Empire. Each time the destiny of the Empire
hung precariously in the balance. His passings
have coincided with storms, earthquakes and
other natural phenomenon, none of which
could be connected to him. At the beginning of
the twelfth century his appearances in Rokugan
began to increase, portending a major event to
come, the Day of Thunder.
War Against Fu Leng, The Gathering
Thunder
At the height of the war, the armies of Fu Leng
were pushing the defending Hida back slowly.
None of the Kami were willing to confront their
mad brother, and defeat seemed inevitable
until a wise man named Shinsei appeared. He
revealed that a small group of individuals could
infiltrate the Shadowlands and defeat Fu Leng,
but they would have to be mortals. Hantei,
grievously wounded from a recent battle,
declared that one individual from each clan be
sent to join in this endeavor. Togashi put forth
his own yojimbo Mirumoto as the Togashi
Thunder. Shinsei assembled the remaining
Seven Thunders personally, and joined them on
the quest to defeat the Ninth Kami.
Day of Thunder
The Seven Thunders and Shinsei made their way
deep into the Shadowlands, where they found
Fu Leng and defeated him. The cost was heavy,
as only Shinsei and Shosuro survived the fight.
After defeating Fu Leng, they retreated north,
with the First Oni and many other creatures on
their trail. The timely intervention of Shiba
allowed Shinsei and Shosuro to reach Rokugan,
but at the expense of Shiba's life. Fu Leng had
been defeated, but at a very high cost. [6]
Togashi, Bayushi and Shosuro
Togashi saw the destiny of Bayushi's follower
Shosuro, and to warned his brother that she
would have to walk her own path alone.
Bayushi was very angry with Togashi, and
refused to believe his prophetic vision. After the
events around the Day of Thunder, Shosuro fled
the Bayushi Clan and sought refuge with
Togashi in hopes the Lying Darkness within her
could be stopped. Togashi was able her in a
crystal prison, but she later escaped, now fully
under the influence of the Lying Darkness.
Togashi's family
Unlike his brothers and sisters, Togashi never
took a bride nor had any children (that, until
recently, the empire knew of; see Togashi's
Son). The Togashi family, which bears his name,
is a family not of blood in the traditional sense,
the Togashi are comprised of the Ise Zumi who
came to follow Togashi (and now his grandson,
Togashi Satsu). Though they were not
descended from the Togashi Kami himself,
Togashi used his own blood to add his power to
their tattoos, so they are, nevertheless,
connected to Togashi's blood.
Those who sought to follow him were pushed
to their limits, mentally and physically. One
such individual, Akodo Kaiteru, became one of
the first person to bear the Togashi name after
he almost starved to death in the Dragon
mountains.
Togashi's Son
Two centuries after the foundation of Rokugan,
Bayushi Oshiso, then the Bayushi Clan
Champion, decided to attempt to infiltrate the
lands of the Togashi Clan. Oshiso sent his
daughter Bayushi Kuninoko to gather
information from the enigmatic Clan. Oshiso
was not to see his daughter again for seven
years, but when she did returne, hair was
streaked with grey and completely blind. She
also hed uncovered the secret for which her
father was searching.
Oshiso's daughter told him that the man the
empire knew as Togashi Kuzejiro, the Togashi
Clan Champion, was in fact the Kami Togashi
under an assumed name, still alive after two
hundred years. She informed him that she was
pregnant with the son of Togashi and that she
was returning to Kyuden Togashi. Oshiso tried
to stop her, but eventually he had to let her go,
never to see her again.
The Bayushi Clan kept this information as its
most closely guarded secret until the Second
Day of Thunder, when it became known
throughout the Empire. The Bayushi were
unsurprised afterwards when Togashi Hoshi
revealed himself and attempted to take control
of the Togashi.
Togashi was secretly proud of the progress his
son made, hoping his son would help his clan
prevail through the dark times he had foreseen.
Togashi the clan
Togashi was the first Dragon to enter the world
of men, but where the other Dragons were the
physical avatars of powers in the universe he
was not. His form as a Dragon represented the
wisdom of the world, and the enormous
potential it contained. When he first touched
the earth he lost the immortality inherent in all
Dragons. In exchange, he gained the ability to
see the world as it truly was. The other Dragons
refused to give up their immortality, and as
such remained bound to their respective
elements and could not view the world outside
the confines that the elements presented.
Togashi considered his immortality a fair trade
for this wisdom. He would frequently speak
with the other Dragons, and his discussions with
Osano-Wo were legendary within the monastic
order of his family.
Togashi and the Gozoku
Like all Bayushi Clan Champions since Bayushi
Oshiso, Bayushi Atsuki knew the secret of
Togashi's existence and met him in counsel
shortly before Atsuki and the rest of the Gozoku
were preparing to assassinate the Emperor and
take control of the Empire. The Togashi Kami
advised Atsuki to kidnap the heir and control
the throne from the shadows instead of killing
him outright. After taking this as a sign of
approval from a child of Tengoku, the Gozoku
changed their plans and thus preserved the
Hantei line.
Later, as Hantei Yugozohime prepared to take
the throne from her Gozoku-controlled brother,
Togashi ordered the Mirumoto family bushi to
cut off the Imperial Lands, preventing the
Gozoku from coming to the aid of their puppet
heir. With Yugozohime's coronation as Empress,
the Gozoku's power was at an end.
Kokujin
In 1120, Togashi realized that a confrontation
with his brother was inevitable, began to
prepare himself. Now the flesh bound Kami
found that a thousand years in mortal form had
left him vulnerable to such things as doubt and
fear. Knowing that he could not show such
weaknesses in the battle to come, he took the
unusual step of nurturing two tamashii. Into
one, he poured all his fears, doubts, anger and
other negative emotions. Unfortunately, the act
broke the mind of the tamashii, and despite
Togashi's attempts to help him, he escaped and
fled the Togashi lands. Soon this former Ise
Zumi took a new name, Kokujin.
Bayushi Coup
Sometime prior to the Bayushi Coup in 1123,
Bayushi Clan Champion Bayushi Shoju met with
Togashi. The exact details of their conversation
is unknown but it is believed that Shoju asked
Togashi's insight on the Prophecies of Uikku.
Shortly after the Coup was set in motion, Hoshi
wrote a letter to his father begging him to keep
the Togashi Clan out of the events unfolding at
the capital. Hoshi suspected the true
motivations for Shoju's actions and felt the
Togashi should allow the Bayushi, his mother's
clan, to complete the task they had set before
them.
Togashi's Death
Togashi died during the Second Day of Thunder
by the hand of Mirumoto Hitomi. Hitomi was
forced to kill the Kami after he became crippled
by Fu Leng. The Twelfth Black Scroll was hidden
within his beating heart, and Hitomi was had to
retrieve it so that the Dark Kami could be finally
defeated.
Togashi's Guidance
Togashi guided Hitomi after she realized her
mistakes, who eventually released Shosuro
from the Chamber of Crystal in 1132. Hitomi
heard the voice of Togashi in her mind while
she chanllenged Onnotangu. Her voice was
used by Togashi to accuse Lord Moon to destroy
Akodo, when he crashed the mountain down, to
have used lies and treachery to drown Doji in
the sea, and that his envy and hatred stole away
Bayushi's only love, Shosuro.
Togashi Satsu
Togashi guided his grandson Togashi Satsu to
retrieve Togashi's Daisho from the mad monk
Kokujin in 1159.
Togashi's Shrine
Togashi had a shrine to honor him and seek his
guidance.
Judgement
Togashi's interference with Satsu drew the
attention of the Seven Fortunes. They judged
his interaction illegal, and forcefully removed
him from Ningen-do.
Family
The Togashi family were founded by the Togashi
Clan Founder Togashi. While not direct
descendants of the Kami, the members who
were tattooed by the Togashi Clan Champion
prior to the Second Day of Thunder were done
so with the blood of Togashi, and therefore had
a connection with the Kami none the less.
Togashi's Family
Unlike his brothers and sisters, Togashi never
took a bride nor had any children (that, until
recently, the empire knew of; see Togashi's Son.
The Togashi family, which bears his name, is a
family not of blood in the traditional sense. The
Togashi are the Ise Zumi which came to follow
Togashi (and now his grandson, Togashi Satsu).
Though they were not descended from the
Togashi Kami himself, Togashi used his own
blood to give power to their tattoos, so they
are, nevertheless, connected by Togashi's
blood.
The Banishment of the Togashi
In 1129 after the death of Togashi himself,
Hitomi claims the Togashi Clan for herself. She
renamed Kyuden Togashi Kyuden Hitomi and
commanded all those who bore the Togashi
name to swear fealty to her or be excecuted or
banished. A few take the Hitomi name, but
most flee Togashi lands or are excecuted by
Hitomi. Togashi's only son, Togashi Hoshi is
among those banished. Now Hoshi, he used his
long standing good relations with the
Brotherhood of Shinsei to accomodate many of
the former Togashi.
The Togashi Name Restored
In 1131 the Naga led by Qamar lay siege to the
lower Togashi provinces. It was unknown to
most why the Naga have done this, and their
rampage destroyed three minor strongholds of
the Togashi until they were suddenly halted by
the appearance of the Brotherhood of Shinsei.
Many believed the Brotherhood were there to
parley with the Naga to end hostilities, but
when the Brotherhood, mostly former Togashi
Ise Zumi led by Hoshi join forces with the Naga,
many are taken aback. Hitomi's own brother,
Mirumoto Daini chooses to side with the Naga.
It becomes clear within weeks that Hoshi has
also mastered the art of making Ise Zumi
himself, and many of the Brotherhood swear
fealty to the Hoshi name.
The siege lasts until 1132 when Toku is
commanded to take the Monkey Clan and end
the fighting in Togashi lands.
Upon the ascension of Hitomi to become Lady
Moon the Togashi are reinstated as Togashi
Hoshi claims the leadership of the Togashi. In
addition to the Togashi being restored those
who swore to the Hoshi name are allowed to
join the Togashi. Using wisdom learned from
Hitomi, Hoshi prepares for the upcoming
conflict with the Lying Darkness.
Toritaka family (Crab – Hida
clan)
Current Daimyo: Toritaka Tatsune.
The Toritaka were once only allied
with the Hida clan. In the wake of a
mysterious incident in the Twilight
Mountains, the Toritaka felt it would be in their
best interests to join the Hide officially. The
Toritaka are phantom-hunters, experts on the
supernatural and the Spirit Realms. The
mysteries they explore broaden the clan’s
scope, as the Toritaka battle not only the
physical threats of the Shadowlands, but also
the strange spirits that often boil forth from the
shadows.
Founder
Yotogi was granted Toritaka Province by the
Emperor in 834 after his father, the ashigaru
spearman, Hayabusa, saved an imperial advisor
from an assassin. Yotogi quickly uncovered the
nature of the assassin, a peasant maddened by
the possession of an evil spirit, leading to the
Falcon Clan finding their meaning in life.
Family
The Toritaka family were originally the Falcon
Clan, but were absorbed into the Crab Clan in
the 12th century. Their clan colors were dark
gray and forest green.
The Founding of the Falcon
The Falcon Clan was founded in 834 when the
Emperor granted the Toritaka province to the
son of Hayabusa, who saved the life of an
imperial advisor from an assassin. Hayabusa's
son, Yotogi, quickly uncovered that the assassin
was a peasant maddened by the possession of
an evil spirit. The Falcon found their meaning in
life, studying the nature of ghosts and other
supernatural occurances, which lead to a high
demand for their services, especially among the
Crab, with whom they quickly became allies.
Absorbed by the Crab
In 1125 an unknown maho ritual opened a rift
to the spirit world releasing the Shuten Doji.
Many of the Falcon were possessed and even
though the ritual was reversed many Falcon and
peasants had been killed. With the clan's lands
in disarray the Emperor gave the Crab Clan
authorization to absorb the minor clan. With
the blessing of the Falcon Clan Champion, the
Falcon became the Toritaka family of the Crab.
Since their absorption into the Crab the Falcon
have gained resources that were unavailable
before and greatly improved the techniques of
their dojo. They served mostly as eyes for the
Crab, searching for threats from other Spirit
Realms beyond just Jigoku.
Tsuruchi family (Mantis –
Yoritomo clan)
Current Daimyo: Tsuruchi Ichiro.
The Tsuruchi are named after the
valiant warrior who founded the
tiny Tsuruchi family generations
ago despite the vengeful Matsu and Bayushi
who sought his destruction. Daring to flout
tradition, Tsuruchi led his family in defiance of
accepted samurai norms, forsaking the blade
for the bow and the code of bushido for an
individual’s word of honor.
Family
The Tsuruchi family were now a part of the
Mantis Clan, however originally they were the
Wasp Clan. Their clan colors were black and
gold.
Founding
In 1109, Tsuruchi, born of a Scorpion and a Lion
and betrayed by both clans, retook the castle
that had been his birthright from his uncle,
Kyuden Ashinagabachi, slaughtering all within.
In the ensuing uproar, Tsuruchi presented his
case to Emerald Champion Doji Satsume, a
Crane with a distaste for both clans. Tsuruchi
was declared innocent of any wrong doing and
was given leave to create his own minor clan.
Tsuruchi's followers had long since given him
the nickname "Little Wasp," so there was little
debate over the name for their new clan. Thus,
the Wasp Clan was born.
The Wasp Code
The Wasp under Tsuruchi developed their own
code of honor, which was not entirely in accord
with the code of Bushido. The Wasp code was
not adopted completely by the younger
generations of the clan due to contradictions in
its works. Its main precepts are Honesty,
Loyalty, Mercy, Justice, Brotherhood and
Judgement.
Joining the Mantis
In 1128 the Wasp Clan joined the Mantis Clan
and became the Tsuruchi family.
Ivory Kingdoms
The information gathered by the Tsuruchi spies
were instrumental in the succesfullly Mantis-
Ivory Kingdoms War.
Schism
The Tsuruchi generations that did not live when
the Wasp was a clan were more willing to
follow the Bushido than their older fellows. A
philosophical schism, code of Bushido against
code of Tsuruchi, began within the family, and
affected the real life and the behaviour
between Tsuruchi bethren. Theoretical
discussions even could finalize with one of the
Tsuruchi exiled.
Utaku family (Unicorn – Moto
clan)
Current Daimyo: Utaku Xieng Chi.
The Utaku are bold, brash and
headstrong even by Moto
standards. The founder of the
Utaku swore no oath of fealty to Shinjo – none
was necessary. They strongly believe that the
sincerity of their actions speaks for them, and
that so long as they maintain the purity of their
honor they cannot fail. This matriarchal family is
ruled by an organization of samurai-ko known
as the Utaku Battle Maidens: the single greatest
cavalry force in Rokugan. Male samurai may not
join the Battle Maidens. In fact, male Utaku are
forbidden to ride the fine steeds of the Utaku.
Most choose not to ride at all. The Utaku are
extraordinarily loyal to one another, and tend
to be condescending even toward other Moto
clan families. Some might call them elitist and
arrogant. The Utaku would argue that any
contamination of their purity would sap their
strength. Until about a generation ago this
family bore the name “Otaku,” but it changed
after the Kami Shinjo purged the Kolat
influence. Their new name symbolizes the oath
they swore anew to Shinjo, an oath that
requires no words, only action.
Founder
Otaku was one of the original followers of the
Kami Shinjo, in the original Ki-Rin Clan. She
founded what the Otaku family and the
Shiotome, also known as the Utaku Battle
Maidens, one of the strongest fighting units in
the Empire.
War Against Fu Leng, The Gathering
Thunder
When Shinsei approached the Kami at the
height of the War Against Fu Leng and claimed
he had a plan to defeat Fu Leng, Hantei
declared that one from each of the Great Clans
would go on the quest. Shinjo put forward
Otaku as the Ki-Rin Clan candidate, and Otaku
later caught up with the other Thunders. When
Shinsei approached the Kami at the height of
the War Against Fu Leng with a plan to defeat
Fu Leng, Hantei declared that one member of
each Great Clan would be sent on the mission.
Day of Thunder
During their journey through the Shadowlands,
it was quiet little Otaku who opened Isawa's
eyes to the way of defeating Fu Leng using his
scrolls. In the final battle in the keep of Fu Leng,
Otaku died first. She interposed herself
between the wounded Isawa, performing the
ritual to bind Fu Leng's soul to the Scrolls, and
Fu Leng himself. Fu Leng's sword lodged in
Otaku, and she spat onto Fu Leng's face as she
died.
Family
Otaku was married to Ide, another of Shinjo's
followers. The couple had a daughter, Otaku
Shiko, took Otaku's position at Shinjo's right
hand when Otaku entered the Shadowlands.
Otaku and Ide also had a son, Ide Gokun, who
died prior to the Ki-Rin's Exodus.
The Otaku family was founded by Otaku, a
follower of the Kami Shinjo, a skilled warrior,
and the Unicorn Thunder on the Day of
Thunder. While Otaku was the family founder, it
was Otaku Shiko who actually laid down and
codified many of the family's martial traditions
that became the Utaku Battle Maiden school. It
was Shiko, who had returned through Oblivion's
Gate in 1133, who declared that the family
would change its name in order to renew their
vows to the Kami Shinjo, becoming the Utaku
family. The family was strictly matriarchal. No
male Utaku had ever been daimyo of the family,
and the men were not allowed to ride the
Utaku steeds into combat.
Although it was a well known fact that Utaku
men might not ride the family's great steeds
into battle, many erroneously assumed this
means that Utaku men did not ride at all. Utaku
(of both sexes) laugh when they heard this.
Utaku men were the greatest horse breeders
and stable masters in all of Rokugan. Riding was
a necessary part of maintaining and training
quality steeds. Male Utaku were just not trained
in mounted combat, leaving that honor to the
women of the family.
Vassals of the Utaku
The following are the vassal families of the
Utaku:
 Hyuga family
 Naoko family
Yasuki family (Crab – Hida clan)
Current Daimyo: None. The
Yasuki are the public face of the
Hida clan – merchants, diplomats,
and courtiers. Once a family in
service of the Doji, they broke from that alliance
centuries ago on friendly terms. With the recent
death of Daimyo Yasuki Kamoru and lack of a
clearly designated heir, official control of the
Yasuki has reverted to their Doji cousins.
Despite this turn of events, many Yasuki are
intensely loyal to the Hida family and refuse to
serve to Doji. The Yasuki have quite a
reputation for acts of larceny, and many view
them as cutthroat swindlers. This reputation is
not entirely undeserved. The Hida are not a
wealthy family, and the Yasuki believe they
must do whatever is necessary to obtain
supplies for their clan’s eternal war. If this
means cheating and swindling a few Doji or
Matsu, so be it. It’s all for the good of Rokugan
in the end. Yasuki tend to be smug, clever, and
loquacious. In recent times, the Yasuki’s usual
jovial good nature has been tempered by
uncertainty over their family’s future.
Founder against the Shadowlands. The Crane Clan
Yasuki was the wise woman who aided Kakita in Champion Doji Mizobu was outraged at their
his quest to marry Lady Doji. Kakita found her in disloyalty and banished them from the Crane
a small fishing village at the site of where lands. The Crab were more than happy to open
Yufuku and Heigen Toshi stands today. In return their doors to those who wished to join, and the
for her aid her son, Yasuki Torikago married Yasuki have been a family of the Crab since.
Kakita's twin sister Kakita Kiyamori.
Infiltrated by the Kolat
Family
The rulers of the Yasuki Family were Kolat in the
The Yasuki family were the public face of the
12th century, renegade Kolat. They were
Crab Clan. Where the other families all dealt
murdered for their defiance against the Ten
daily with the horrors of the Shadowlands, the
Masters. Toturi suspected as much, but he
Yasuki were the Crab's diplomatic and economic
could not reveal that a great family of Rokugan
engine. Yasuki courtiers were seen in courts
had fallen under the Kolat's control. Instead,
representing the Crab much more than any of
Toturi ordered the Otomo to place the Yasuki
their other families, and their merchants were
family in the hands of a Crane, preferably a low-
by far the most crafty in all of Rokugan. The
born and dishonored Crane, until he could be
Yasuki family was originally a family of the
certain which Yasuki were Kolat and which were
Crane Clan, but broke from the Crane in the 4th
not. [5] The result was that after the death of
century and were quickly incorporated into the
Yasuki Kamoru in 1158 the Yasuki did not have a
Crab Clan.
Daimyo and becoming attractive to the Crane.
History
Second Yasuki War
The Yasuki were founded by the wisewoman
In 1158 the Crane invaded the Yasuki provinces
Yasuki after she aided Kakita in solving his three
beginning the Second Yasuki War. The Yasuki
quests to gain Lady Doji's heart. For their first
lands became again part of the Crane when
three hundred years the Yasuki served the
Yasuki Hachi inherited them when he became
Crane, furthering their economic and political
the Yasuki Daimyo. The true Yasuki lineage was
pursuits. They made their mark on Rokugan by
claimed to be on Akodo Kaneka who took
starting the tradition of trade through gifts
Yasuki Yashiki and became his estates, without
rather than "dishonorable" merchanting. When
claiming any Yasuki title as Daimyo. The War
the War Against Fu Leng started the Yasuki kept
ended in 1160 when Hachi became a Crab Clan
the troops supplied with food and weapons,
member through a Twenty Goblin Winter, and
and one of the first daimyo of the Yasuki was
the Yasuki Estates were Crane and Crab.
given the title of Imperial Trade Advisor. [3]
Third Yasuki War
Break from the Crane
After the death of Hachi in 1169 the conflict
In the fourth century a conflict arose between
arised again in the Third Yasuki War. It ended
the Crab and the Crane Clan, the First Yasuki
shortly after Iweko I became Empress in 1170
War. The Yasuki were not willing to attack the
after an agreement between both Clans, and
Crab due to their constant service defending
the Yasuki provinces were fully Crab again.
Purpose
The focus of the family lied primarily in their
mercantile interests. Their leaders would argue
that trade was the lifeblood of Rokugan. They
loved the art of the deal and took great delight
in providing products their customers both
wanted and needed. While the Yasuki were
cunning and wily, they had a reputation for the
same rough honesty that marked all the Crab.
They would rarely sell shoddy or inferior
products; the buyer almost always knews
exactly what he was receiving. Smuggling was a
favored profession among the Yasuki, especially
smuggling to the Lion Clan, as neither the Crane
nor Scorpion Clans wanted overt ties with their
warmongering neighbor. The Yasuki smuggling
operations were an especially painful thorn in
the side of the Crane, particularly along the
River of Gold. The Yasuki also served as
diplomats for the Crab. Diplomats visiting the
Crab are housed in the Face of the East Castle,
near the Shinomen Mori. Yasuki Yashiki itself
held too many secrets to trust outsiders there.
Mon
The Yasuki family had two separate mons. One
was from their time under the Crane Clan and
the other dated from their union with the Crab.
Hida Mon
The mon of the Yasuki despicted a carp
surrounding a flower on a blue background. The
carp was considered an animal of good fortune,
and the mon was intended to bring wealth and
prosperity to all Yasuki who bore it.
Doji Mon
The mon from before they broke from the
Crane was considered very bad luck among
both the Yasuki and Daidoji. It could still be
occasionally found on ancient items from
before the event, but many of those items had
been destroyed over the years by the Yasuki
and Daidoji alike. The Yasuki believed that if at
any time an item with the old mon on was
brought within the walls of the Black Crane
Palace it would bring on a year of bad trade and
ill fortune.
Training
Until their gempukku, Yasuki were taught
finance, diplomacy, and culture. After their
gempukku, they were selected by a sensei who
would train them in mercantile arts and
smuggling.
Yogo family (Scorpion – Bayushi
clan)
Current Daimyo: Yogo Koji. The
family of the Yogo is a
contradiction – they are doomed
to betray those they love, a curse
first laid upon their founder Yogo. They were
charged with the care of the Black Scrolls,
twelve scrolls of epic black magic that sealed
the soul of the dark god Fu Leng. Originally
Yogo’s curse was blunted by the idea that Yogo
held no love for the Bayushi, making him the
perfect guardian of the scrolls. However, the
curse came full circle when Yogo Junzo, a vassal
utterly devoted to the service of Bayushi Shoju,
determined to avenge his slain master by
opening the first of the twelve Scrolls –
beginning the release of Fu Leng from his
prison. Now the Yogo have become a family of
shugenja dedicated to finding the secrets of the
Shadowlands, a path which the Kuni have
already walked for over a thousand years.
However, the Yogo believe the unique
perspective of the Bayushi gives them an
advantage in their research the Kuni do not
possess.
Founder
Yogo, formerly known Asako Yogo of the Shiba
Clan, was the founder of the Yogo family, the
father of Asako Sagoten and the husband of
Lady Asako. He left the Shiba at Bayushi's
request, who then allowed him to found his
own family within the Bayushi Clan.
Yogo's Curse
In 39, during the War Against Fu Leng, Asako
Yogo, who was Asako's husband, gained a great
victory against Fu Leng's troops broking the
protection enchanments of the Castle of
Murder. However, shortly before the defeat, Fu
Leng himself placed a powerful curse on Yogo.
The Shiba Clan recognized the black magic
fouling Yogo's chi, but despite their best efforts,
their limited knowledge of maho was not
enough to remove the curse, even Isawa could
not undone it. However, they were able to
identify it. Yogo was destined (at the most
crucial moment of his life) to betray the one he
loved the most. The Shiba shugenja also
determined that the curse would pass on
through his blood to his children, his
descendants and all others who bore his name.
Yogo left the Shiba and joined the Bayushi Clan
at the urgings of Bayushi, where he founded
that Clan's Yogo family.
Yogo Kocho
Yogo left then his Clan and his wife and son, and
joined the Bayushi Clan. Although he's known as
Yogo, when he joined Bayushi's Clan he
changed his name to Yogo Kocho, and he
married a woman named Shujunoko, and
despite he wanted a son, she had three
daughters. Yogo cared nothing for the children,
and saw them rarely. When Yogo was seventy,
he passed on his duty to his eldest daughter.
She took on the responsibility reluctantly while
Yogo's youngest sister swallowed her protest.
She knew her sister was not strong enough for
the position and she was right. Within one year,
the locations of the Black Scrolls had to be
resecured.
It is not known whom Yogo betrayed. Some
historians consider it was his eldest daughter,
others count the youngest. Some Shiba say that
he betrayed Asako and their common son.
Perhaps he betrayed them all, but the truth will
never be known.
Family
The Yogo family was founded by the shugenja
Yogo, the husband of Asako, who had been
cursed during the War Against Fu Leng. Cursed
to betray those he loved he joined the Scorpion
Clan after Bayushi convinced him that he did
not love Bayushi or the Scorpion, and therefore
could not betray them.
Duty
For a thousand years, from 42 and the Day of
Thunder, until 1128 and the Second Day of
Thunder, the family's duty was to guard the
Twelve Black Scrolls.
Curse
The Yogo Curse still manifested itself in
descendants of Yogo, and even the occasional
member of the Asako family fell foul of this
curse.
Alliances
In 750, with the creation of the Kuni Witch
Hunters and the Kuroiban, the Yogo family and
the Kuni family started a long relationship,
sharing knowlegde about Maho tsukai.
Yoritomo family (Mantis –
Yoritomo clan)
Current Daimyo: Yoritomo Kitao.
The Yoritomo family was formed
in the wake of the second Day of
Thunder in 1128. Having led an
alliance of families against the Shadowlands
during the Clan War, the Yorimtomo daimyo
stood before the assembled leaders of the
Great Clans and demanded the Yoritomo family
to be elevated to coequal status in recognition
of their valor. He offered his head to the
champions for his presumption, but refused to
withdraw the demand. The champions
recognized Yoritomo’s contributions to the Clan
War and agreed to his request. Upon his
coronation as Emperor, Toturi I confirmed the
Yoritomo status, under the leadership of the
new Yoritomo family. Yoritomo’s descendants
have ruled the family ever since.
Founder
Yoritomo, often called the Son of Storms, was a
large man by Rokugani standards. He had an
athletic build and green eyes. He was only
rarely seen out of his trademark mantis-like
armor, and even rarer still without his kama.
Believing that the Mantis Clan deserved to be
more than a minor clan, he lived his life to one
end: the ascension of his people to Great Clan
status. Yoritomo was a cunning tactician and a
fearsome warrior. His courage and audacity
shocked many, but lead most samurai to admire
his strength.
Youth
In 1107, Yoritomo was born the youngest of
three sons to the Mantis Clan Champion
Yoshitsune and his wife Kirei.
In 1110, at the age of three, Yoritomo's mother
and two brothers were killed by assassins from
the Ivory Kingdoms. The attack upon the Mantis
Clan Champion's family left the Champion with
a crippled leg and Yoritomo with a scar across
his face. Yoshitsune kept the true nature of his
family's death from Yoritomo for years to come.
In 1117 Yoshitsune's conscience weighed too
heavy, and he revealed to Yoritomo the true
nature of what had happened that night.
Yoshitsune revealed that he was an impostor,
that the real Yoshitsune had died in 1110, and
the imposter had come to love Yoritomo and
raised him until just before his gempukku. The
false Yoshitsune handed Yoritomo his blades,
and as it dawned upon the ten year old boy that
the man was not his real father the man jumped
from the walls of Kyuden Mantis to his death in
the sea below. That same year, Yoritomo was
made the Mantis Clan Champion. Many within
the Mantis felt he would lead them to greatness
as he was well known for his anger over the
minor clan status of the clan.
Training
Yoritomo's sensei during his youth was called
Tokui. In one sparring session, earlier in the
same day Yoshitsune revealed the truth to
Yoritomo, Yoritomo broke some of Tokui's ribs.
Tokui might have been killed were it not for the
intervention of Yoshitsune.
Yoritomo's Alliance
To increase his visibility and power base,
Yoritomo formed the Yoritomo's Alliance during
the Clan War. They were united by a common
cause: stop the bloodshed, force the Great
Clans to honor their ancient obligations and
oaths, and ensure that the Empire is saved from
those who would destroy it. They were used as
hired mercenaries, and the gold of the Doji had
paid for the Mantis's vast armies.
The Great Clan
After the Battle of Sokustel Forest, the Mantis
fought on the Second Day of Thunder. Yoritomo
presented the Clan Champions of the
assembled Great Clans with an ultimatum: he
and his clan would rather die than continue to
serve, so they would accept the Mantis as a
Great Clan or Yoritomo would attack them with
his army. Kakita Toshimoko asked Doji Hoturi
for permission to kill Yoritomo for the request,
but Hida Yakamo just laughed and said he
approved. The Champions were so impressed
they agreed to give the Mantis Great Clan
status, assuming any of them survived the day.
Toturi's Disappearence
Following Emperor Toturi I's kidnapping in
1130, Yoritomo's ambitions towards the
Imperial Throne increased.
The Bayushi Deal
Bayushi Aramoro made a deal with Yoritomo in
1131. In exchange for his son, Bayushi Aramasu,
Yoritomo would hold the Bayushi lands until
their return from their exile to the Burning
Sands. Yoritomo Aramasu traveled to Mantis
lands bearing maps and secrets, so that
Yoritomo could further his power in Rokugan
and fulfill his promise to Aramoro. Citing their
charter from Toturi I to tax and regent any
"unaligned" lands, Yoritomo traveled to Bayushi
lands.
Yoritomo told Aramasu that if he could not take
the Imperial Throne he would destroy it instead.
While journeying through Doji Clan lands, Doji
Kuwanan himself traveled with the Mantis.
Upon arriving in Bayushi lands, it became clear
that Kuwanan had made his own plans, using
the Bayushi Children fostered to the Doji as an
excuse for rightful ownership of Bayushi lands.
Kuwanan ambushed Yoritomo as they entered
Bayushi lands, and Yoritomo was forced to
retreat.
While retreating they seized the Beiden Pass, a
way to go north to Matsu lands and the beaches
of Otosan Uchi. Doji and Moto forces
surrounded the Mantis. After six months since
the Mantis claimed Beiden Pass they had built a
Palace upon the tall slopes of the canyon, and
their armies prepare to invade the Matsu lands.
The Doji allied with the Moto waged war
against Yoritomo, seeking to destroy his hold on
Beiden pass.
Seeking the Hidden Emperor
In 1132 Yoritomo gave Tsuruchi an Akodo
Dagger brought by a spy from outside the clan
to help him to find the Hidden Emperor. The spy
should be a kolat minion, because the only lost
Akodo Dagger was seen on the hands of Akodo
Kage, the uncovered Kolat Master. [12] [13] It was
not clear if the kolat were helping the Empire
against the Shadow, the opposite, or only
playing on both sides.
Kuwanan Pursued Yoritomo
Finally Yoritomo left the pass, toward Shiro
Matsu and Otosan Uchi. The Matsu could not
oppose this advance, being Ikoma Tsanuri in the
march to Hida lands and defending themshelves
from the Moto, who were aware of their
bounds with the Shadowlands.
Kuwanan was unaware of it at the time, but his
decisions were based on advisors sent by the
Lying Darkness to cause strife in the Empire.
This is widely regarded as the beginning of the
War Against Shadow.
Rescue of Toturi
Yoritomo had promised Tsuruchi to meet him in
the Beiden Pass or in the other side of Morikage
Forest, in the Shiba lands. The small Mantis
group had been slaughtered by the Goju and
could not contact Yoritomo. Tsuruchi joined
Otaku Kamoko and several Naga, and retreated
inside the Morikage Castle, where they found
the kidnapped Emperor Toturi, shortly before
they were attacked by more Goju. Yoritomo
marched to the forest with their Ikoma allies to
find what had occurred to their men, and aided
Kamoko's group to survive the attack of the
Shadows, and they left the forest. Yoritomo was
reported by Tsuruchi about the dark activities in
the Morikage Castle and used it to march with
his troops toward Shiba lands. It was not known
why Yoritomo informed the death of Tsuruchi at
Shiba lands, but it was not true.
Mantis Invasion of Shiba Lands
In 1132, in an effort to expand his power,
Yoritomo again cited the Mantis Clan Charter
and seized control of the lands of the Shiba
Clan, claiming the clan was too weak to
properly protect the territory themselves,
following their depletion on the Second Day of
Thunder. Advisors of Yoritomo warned him
about towait too much because the Shiba could
ally with the Doji and the Mantis would face a
war from two fronts. Yoritomo hoped to take
the lands quickly, but the Shiba Clan Champion,
Shiba Tsukune, saw his invasion as an act of war
and responded in kind. As the Shiba were not
ready for such an assault, Yoritomo slowly
made his way deeper into Shiba lands. It was
later concluded that Yoritomo's actions were
based on advice given by shape-shifting minions
of the Lying Darkness.
Fall of Kyuden Asako
The famine stroke Rokugan after many lands
being unattended. Yoritomo requested Shiba
Tsukune to surrender Kyuden Asako in return
for food, but was rebufed. In 1132 the Mantis
attacked and the Fall of Kyuden Asako was
quick. Tsukune had to retreat to Isawa
provinces. Yoritomo brought forth supplies to
be divided amongst the people. The Mantis
used the information provided by Bayushi
Aramasu to seize the Shiba strongholds.
The Doji and the Kitsune
In the political warfare the Doji had began to
contact the Kitsune, seeking to take them out of
the Yoritomo's Alliance.
Shinjo and Yoritomo
The same year, shortly after the mad Toturi
disappeared again, Yoritomo was approached
by Lady Shinjo, who offered to put him on the
Imperial throne. Her reason for this was that
the Mantis did not have a hand in ending her
brother Hantei's family line. Yoritomo refused,
saying he would never become a pawn, not
even of the Kami.
Fall of Shiro Shiba
Later this year Yoritomo sieged Shiro Shiba.
When Shiba Tsukune realized the Mantis had
splitted his army in two, the second marching to
Isawa lands, the Shiba had no choice than allow
their home to be captured and hastened north
to defend the Isawa provinces.
Kyuden Isawa besieged
The Yoritomo's Alliance besieged Kyuden Isawa
Shiba Tetsu decided to change his tactics and
entered the Isawa Woodlands with his forces,
beginning a guerrilla warfare against the
invaders crippling the spirit of the Yoritomo's
forces. The fate of the castle was determined in
a personal duel between Yoritomo Denyaku and
Shiba Gensui, who was won by the Shiba.
Strange Portent
Shortly after Shiro Shiba was seized, one of
Yoritomo's advisor urged him to press the
adavantage, and he annoyed so much Yoritomo
with his persistent claim that he cut the advisor
down. The advisor's face melted down into
nothingness, and Yoritomo ordered his troops
to pull back to Shiro Shiba until he could
determine what the meaning of the event.
Fall of the Alliance
In 1133 the never ending invasion of the Shiba
lands took its toll increasing the disappointment
with Mantis leadershipl. When Yoritomo
proposed marriage to Kitsune Clan Champion
Kitsune Ryosei, she not only refused but
abandoned the Alliance. She threw the Kitsune
Clan in with the Doji.
Yoritomo Married
With Bayushi Clan returned to their lands
Yoritomo retreated to the Mantis islands,
abandoning mainland Rokugan completely. In
1133 Yoritomo married Moshi Wakiza the
Moshi Daimyo of the Centipede Clan, making
the binds between both clans stronger.
Oblivions's Gate
When the Dragon of Water came to collect
Yoritomo and his twenty strongest men to be
speeded away to Oblivion's Gate, Yoritomo
knew his men were weak and weary from the
war with the Shiba. He told the Water Dragon
that he was his twenty strongest men. Young
Aramasu boldly stood with his father and said
"And I am twenty-one."
Death
During the Battle of Oblivion's Gate in 1133,
Yoritomo was confronted by Goju Adorai who
attempted to convince the Mantis Champion to
join the Shadow by giving up his name.
Yoritomo replied that he had already given his
name to his followers. Adorai was outraged and
lashed out at Yoritomo, severely wounding the
Champion before fleeing. Aramasu, who had
been watching nearby, raced over to his
adoptive father. Dying, Yoritomo passed
leadership on to Aramasu. Aramasu took up his
father's kama and ended Yoritomo's suffering,
fulfilling the prophecies Hitomi and Adorai had
made that Aramasu would kill his father.
Continuing the Fight
Following his death Yoritomo fought alongside
the other heroes of Rokugan who returned
through Oblivion's Gate. [35] He once again took
up arms alongside his son Aramasu and other
heroic souls in the Legion of the Dead to battle
the Legion of Blood over the newly formed
Realm of Thwarted Destiny.
After Death
Following the victory at Oblivion's Gate,
Yoritomo spent his time in Yomi, repeatedly
performing kata on the seashore. What would
be considered a reward for some was a boring
existence for a man who had had such an
exciting life. It was not until 1168 that his
situation changed when Moshi Daimyo Moshi
Amika and Horiuchi Rikako used the Heavenly
Kobune of Suitengu to enlist his aid in finding
Otaku Kamoko among the stars. As a reward for
bringing Kamoko to the court of Tengoku,
Yoritomo was granted admittance so the Mantis
would have a voice in the heavenly court.
Following the Elemental Dragons' purge of all
non-fortune, non-Emperor mortals in the
heavens, the Dragon of Thunder did not wish
Yoritomo to be cast out of Tengoku. The
Dragons allowed Otaku Kamoko to stay in
Tengoku as Shinjo's substitute until Shinjo's
return, but they would not allow Yoritomo to
remain because he had no divine patron.
Thunder, feeling that Yoritomo was worthy of
being allowed to remain, gave up a part of its
own divinity to make Yoritomo a rightful
resident of the heavens. Thunder was cast
down and Yoritomo was allowed to live in
Tengoku permanently, effectively considered to
be a Kami.
Family
The Yoritomo family came to be in 1128 after
the Mantis Clan became a Great Clan. Since
then they had been the ruling family of the
Mantis, and the only family to be originally a
part of the Mantis when they were a minor
clan. Since the creation of the Yoritomo family,
their daimyo had been the Mantis Clan
Champions.
A Diverse Family
Interestingly, the Yoritomo were the only family
in all of Rokugan with a bushi school, a courtier
school, and a shugenja school. This made sense,
however, when one considered that the
Yoritomo's greatest strength was their ability to
adapt to new conditions and challenges when
the need so arised.