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Mittsu Tamashi 三つ魂 or Three Souls

The blade bears three souls of samurai that either failed their duty or whose blades failed them by breaking. The three souls that became bound belong to the Crab, Phoenix, and Lion.

  • Hida Nagahide
  • Shiba Tsukasa
  • Akodo Chun

The blade is made of swords that failed their wielder’s honor in a sanmai style construction using copper to separate the hard core from the softer sides. It was not differentially hardened using clay! The tsukasa or handle bears a Phoenix and Lion menuki on one side at the Tsuba or guard side and the Kashra or pommel side. Upon the opposite side in the middle is the Crab menuki. The saya of sheath is green lacquered rayskin in handachi style (Handachi is essentially a sword in tachi mounts worn as a katana edge upwards).

From the Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 3
The Ikoma Damiyo said he wished to know what was etched on the blade. A few more heads tilted and realized a phrase was cut into both sides of the softer portion of the blade. Without moving Donoha replied, “On the Damiyo’s side is the blade’s name, Mittsu Tamashi (Three Souls). On the Seppun’s side (they were each given the best seats to view the event) is my motto: Itami wa chie to hikikae ni sa reru (pain is traded for wisdom). Tonight, my blade cuts for you, Ikoma-sama, I am unworthy to stand here but I shall strike when you say to.”

L5R 4th Ed. “In Game” Mechanics

  • Because of its different construction style it was given 2k3 for its damage rather than 3k2.
  • Due to being purchase as a sacred weapon in character creation one of its powers was available at game start.
    • Nearly Invulnerable: For every point of permanent Void the craftsman has at the time of making, that many raises must be taken for no value to begin damaging the item. In the case of Mittsu Tamashi two raises must be taken.
  • Power(s) unlocked through game play.
    • Radiant: When the sword was taken to Gaki-Do it was discovered it will harm creatures only hurt by jade or crystal.
  • Power(s) unlocked by becoming an awakened Nemurani.
    • Three Souls: Once per skirmish, you may spend a complex action to invoke one of the sword’s spirits. For the remainder of that scene, you may use that single technique as your own. You may not switch to another technique until a new scene, duel, or completely separate combat is engaged. You may not use them all at once or in any combination thereof.
    • Akodo Chun – RANK 1: THE WAY OF THE LION: You may either ignore the portion of an opponent’s Armor TN derived from Armor, or gain a Free Raise when attacking. (You do not ignore Reduction from the Armor while choosing the first option.) Also, you gain a bonus of +1k0 to the total of all attack rolls on your first melee attack against an opponent in a skirmish, or against any opponent who has declared a Raise on an attack against you since your last turn. You add only a total of 1k0 for an enemy who Raised against you, no matter how many times they actually Raised.
    • Shiba Tsukasa – RANK 2: DANCING WITH THE ELEMENTS: When you assume your Stance for the Round, you may choose a target within 30’. Whenever your target casts or is the target of a spell, you may choose to increase or decrease the TN of the spell by 5. Additionally, whenever you are the target of a spell, you may immediately choose to increase or decrease the TN of the spell by 5.
    • Hida Nagahide – RANK 3: TWO PINCERS, ONE MIND: You may make attacks as a Simple Action instead of a Complex action while using Heavy Weapons or weapons with the Samurai keyword.