Tag: Hida Nagahide

Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 37

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Shanzi Matsu

Road Back to Ningen-dō

Donoha sama had long thought the souls belonging to owners of the blades that make up Mittsu Tamashi were inside the blade already. It had not occurred to him that what he’d managed to perform was creating a tether to those souls. A link to them in Gaki-do! In some ways he was destined to have to journey to Gaki-do in order to save them and bring them forth from the punishment of the realm of the hungry dead.

The three shadowy souls of Hida Nagahide san, Shiba Tsukasa san, and Akodo Chun san fell in line behind the Dragon courtier as musical bells began to ring out. Donoha sama was becoming convinced that one of Hanzo san’s relatives or close family friends had been a monk in his world’s Brotherhood of Shinsei. Their knowledge of rites typically done by monks whom focused on rituals for points in one’s life seemed prolific to put a word to it.

They all returned in mass to the shrine where Donoha reverently replaced the Karmic Key. After bowing in a show of respect to his part in helping the five samurai defeat the Queen of Hunger. He retreated to allow the others to make their feelings known. They have, after all, saved the process of reincarnation! Hanzo continued their performance with the bells used by monks to help guide souls to their place in reincarnation. Normally done from Ningen-do or Rokugan depending upon how the scholar wishes to describe the world.

Outside the shrine’s entry the mist parted to form a column of golden light. They were being granted passage back to Meido. With the constant echo of bells helping the shadowy souls find their place in a train behind the heroic samurai. Once everyone returns to the realm of waiting the one known as Tenth Kami appeared before them once more. The shadowy souls immediately began to find their way back into the line to be weighed again by Emma-O, the fortune of Death. This time their suffering in Gaki-do would be weighed as well and their chance at reincarnation seemed almost a given!

When the Tenth Kami turning their attention back to the group. The Lion bushi was knelt on one knee. The Dragon courtier in a kneeling bow with his head low and hand in gesture of contemplation. The others had deferred their gazes respectfully, and three lone souls stood behind Donoha sama watching him.

“Kitsuki Donoha san why have these three souls decided to remain with you?”

To be addressed directly by one of the Great Kami is a rarity for anyone in Rokugan since the founding of the empire. The Dragon courtier refused to touch his sword in the presence of the Tenth Kami when he answered.

“I believe these are the souls of Shiba Tsukasa san, Hida Nagahide san, and Akodo Chun san. Either their blades failed them and broke during their time as bushi samurai, or they failed their lord in their service. I was gifted each of their katana and used it to make the katana at my side, Mittsu Tamashi. I wanted to serve the empire by making swords that could be used to redeem the souls of samurai that had fallen. To give them another shot at reincarnation.”

The Tenth Kami spoke, “They have that chance and have decide to stay and serve you within the blade. I shall bind them to that fate they have chosen.”

With a raise of their hand each of the souls took the shape they had in life. Constructed by an outline of tiny pieces of light as though drawn in the dark sky. Then they became a bright mist that was absorbed into the handle of Mittsu Tamashi. Each time making it glow before settling down.

The Tenth Kami continued, “You have all done a service to every soul here and ones having gone through reincarnation. I will grant a boon to speak with a soul that has passed on.”

The first to choose was Akodo Asahi sama and they chose to speak with their father, Akodo Isoroku. Once their soul took form the two were allowed to wander off and have a private conversation. Hanzo and Donoha talk about the fact he came from a different history. Without meaning to the Dragon mentioned the Emperor had a vision and put the Emperor’s Gift Caravan together for forestall or alter that fate. According to Shosuro Hanzo san that moment is the event that led this world in a better direction than his.

Isawa Tamaki san asked to speak to the original Thunder Isawa sama themself! Only to be informed they had gone through reincarnation and were on Ningen-do actively at this moment! The Phoenix shugenja then asked for a private conversation with the Tenth Kami after everyone else was done, and was granted their request. I wish I knew what they asked but alas somethings must remain private.

Thinking about what he wanted Donoha sama missed what both Otaku Gunba san and Shosuro Hanzo san asked for. He gathered they seemed happy, or maybe relieved at the outcomes of those discussions. The Scorpion courtier seemed to think this world was a blessing to him now. The Unicorn shugenja seemed a bit more contemplative about his their result.

Donoha thought about the people they could talk to that were dead and decided to try and make this a gift. He asked if he could pass this gift to the Ikoma. He tries to get a boon for the Ikoma family daimyo, Ikoma Anakazu sama. Acknowledging how much the Ikoma damiyo has done for him in the last year he asked the Tenth Kami if such a boon was possible. The answer was that it may be possible for them to grant such a desire. He would have to pray when he was near the person and hopefully the Tenth Kami would hear the prayer.

After all conversations were had, the group headed back into the mist and became one with it again as they were once greeted by the Maiden of the Void, Chiasa. Donoha and she shared a brief moment, although this author is sure it felt much longer to the Dragon than it was. She told him their would be a time in the future they could be together but her duties would not allow it yet. At the mention of possibly infringing on her duty to her cause or lord. He stilled his spirit and apologized for he would not wish to cause her any harm. It was a look shared of two people in love. The mist swirled as she sent them home to Ningen-do.

Back in the Dragon lands each of them came to on the 4th of Bayushi (Month of the Rooster {OOC: October}), 1123. Three days had past and Togashi Hoshi sama had been caring for them and their mounts while their souls had been away. As everyone was beginning to realize how hungry they were for not eating for three days! Donoha sama and Gunba san shared a brief look about the journey. The Unicorn wandered off to the horses is soon joined by Donoha as he goes to groom Yukiabo, his personal horse. When he asked if the Unicorn shugenja was alright, Gunba san assured him it was nothing of import. The Dragon courtier leaned back and rubbed his eye apologizing for snow getting in it.

Togashi Hoshi welcomes us back as Donoha sama returns. Asahi sama begins cooking food with provisions. They are so talented at cooking one wonders if they had not cooked for a Hantei in a past life. The Dragon and Scorpion courtiers play a game of Go to pass the time. Donoha won the game, and its been a fair amount of time since the game they played in the Valley of the Centipede in Moshi no Machi against the Mantis captain, Yoritomo Sekimoto san.

As everyone was eating the food Donoha sama praises his cousin’s cooking alongside Hanzo san. After their food was done the Scorpion acted out one of the classic tales done normally in kabuki or noh mask theatre. They are an accomplished actor and everyone enjoyed the tale. Tamaki wanted to try and meditate during most of the meal. even going as far with magic of the kami to pull a flaming log up to him through the air to keep warm. Eventually, the log was not enough and they had to leave their spot they had claimed on a rock column. Even Gunba returned when the group was given our next destination on the way to the High House of Light.

The group was informed there is a shrine on a lake to Fukuro-kujin, the fortune or Wisdom and Mercy. There we will meet our next guide, Tetsuo san. Donoha sama asked about a few details of the shrine. Togashi sama confirmed and the Kitsuki nodded that he’d seen the shrine before but it was never on his way to or from Copper River Manor where he was born. The group decided that since the day was only coming upon highsun they begin their journey with haste. They packed up being rested, refreshed, and fed most importantly.

As they began to travel Asahi broke into song several times with amazing renditions of ballads heard around the Empire! Their voice is a joy to listen to, clearly another past life coming through this very talented samurai. Donoha sama gathered a thick branch and began to carve it in his lap on Yukiabo with his chisels and smithing hammer. He finished it on the following day of the 5th of Bayushi (Month of the Rooster {OOC: October}), 1123. He presented a three compartment stackable inro box to be worn from their obi. A scorpion was carved upon both its sides and stretched over the three compartments.

During the trek the group shared a number of shared moments between the group. When they arrived at the shrine on the 8th of Bayushi (Month of the Rooster {OOC: October}). Both the Lion and Dragon were inspired to come up with a haiku which I will record below. Donoha’s Haiku:
Quiet mind at peace.
Peaceful heart, a knowing smile.
Wisdom’s gentle light.

Asahi’s Haiku:
Cold Snow Falls So Clear
A Statue’s Silent Gazing
Mercy and Wisdom

Tetsuo introduced themselves to the group. Then offered them a chance to visit and pay their respects. The Lion and the Dragon bow and kneel at the stairs to offer their prayers. The Scorpion took some wonderful incense to burn at the alter of the fortune. After their prayers the Phoenix offered some of theirs as well. The Unicorn took the most time but he carved a token to add to the altar. They did a job that made them feel the Fortune would be happy with the offering. As they came out Shosuro Hanzo was beginning a divination by the nearby lake.

Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 27

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Shanzi Matsu

THE DUEL

The castle town of Shiro Shiba was far more vacant than usual this day. Going on what they knew about Crane clan rumors, which was little. They were under the impression because beauty and art was valued by the Crane. They began looking for a shop that would handle kimonos and other fabric based artistry. It took a bit of time before they came across the Nasu Silk & Satin, and its proprietor: Nasu Meiko san.

Asahi sama said that he was shopping for a custom kimono for a member of the Dragon and Crane clans. There was some back and forth about the custom specifics for each kimono before Meiko san asked if these were for the duel. The notion of a duel quickly becomes gossip in many castle towns. Why the duel was happening became as important as sand in a storm. What became important was that a Dragon was facing off against a Crane! The rivalry went back to the near founding of each clan as to whom could produce the better sword saint or kensai if you speak High Rokugani.

Meiko san became far more talkative about options, needing a rush project, and the Kakita duelist Donoha sama would be facing. Eventually Asahi sama and Gunba san found out the name because that Crane did frequent this shop while visiting their distant relative, Asako Takumi sama. Kakita Ozaki was a Crane duelist of the same rank as Donoha sama, and they possessed one of the famous Kakita blades. Weapons only given to proven warriors of excellence.

During this revelation of information Tamaki san headed off to the Temple of Eternal Flame once more to meditate. When they passed the “Slaughter on the Hill” they noticed the bodies had all been removed at this point. Upon reaching the Temple of the Eternal Flame they found it cleaned but devoid of anybody upon the grounds. They set about creating a vison quest into the Void. In order to get answers about the maladies. They did not return to the caravan until dinner time when the others made it back.

Back at the Nasu Silk & Satin, Meiko san and the Lion were discussing how payment would be arranged when he let slip he was Donoha’s cousin. Meiko san latched onto the chance of a lifetime. She explained she would heavily discount Donoha sama’s kimono for a favor. When the Lion queried what that might be she produced a large scroll-based copy of “In Defense of Honor” from a chest.

“If he could sign this copy, you will have your discount and they will be ready for the duel tomorrow.” The Lion took possession of the copy of Matsu Shànzi san’s work. The two left the store and began to head back to the caravan. Thinking their ailment had abated, Asahi sama offered to make yakisoba for dinner. Everyone was excited and when done both the Unicorn – Gunba san and the Phoenix – Tamaki san both loved the dish. Even Donoha seem to enjoy it while Asahi still had the taste of ash in his mouth.

After dinner Tamaki san went to check in on Agasha Re and update her about the proceedings. While Asahi sama asked his cousin about what he had been up to. Since he had been practicing with Mittsu Tamashi upon their return. He mentioned working on a haiku all day and then read it from the scroll he finalized it upon.

Steel whispers its song,
Clash and spark, a breath escapes,
One falls, silence reigns.

At which point his cousin mentioned running into a fan of “In Defense of Honor” and would like them to sign their copy. Smiling and shaking his head at how popular Shànzi san’s work had become. When his cousin handed him the scroll he noticed this copy had a reprint of the picture he had drawn for her. Whomever made the woodblock of his painting was a skilled artisan. He asked his cousin about this fan and what they did for a living. When the Lion mentioned they were a skilled artisan with textiles he became inspired not just to sign it. He took a few more minutes to write a haiku for them before handing it back to his cousin.

Needle dances light,
Fabric dreams take shape and form,
A world, thread by thread.

9th of Doji in Rokugan’s year 1123 (Month of the Goat {OOC: August}) – In the morning their was a check on the Dragon’s and Lion’s jade. None of it had dulled or turned black. Asahi sama learned that sticking to a single ingrediant helped to make things go down easier and stay down. Eating ashes or food that tastes that way is horrible and not recommended. Gunba san displayed their magic by making a bland but nutritious meal. It still tasted like ashes, just less than the other food.

Around mid morning both Gunba san and Asahi sama told the Dragon they were headed back into town to deliver the signed book to Meiko san at Nasu Silk & Satin. While they were gone Donoha sama sent a missive to Matsu Shànzi san making sure they knew about the duel and were invited to witness their first official duel. Following that they practiced all day long with the brush and the sword. Drawing a singular character over and over with brush and blade. The character for peace: 平 or “hei” in High Rokugani.

When the setting had reached the horizon Donoha had finished bathing. He dressed in his kimono presented to him by Akodo Tozawa sama of Shiro Akodo. The golden landscape stitched into the green was still resplendent months later with all the travel.

His group was led to the duel, held within a courtyard inside Shiro Shiba’s castle proper. All of the Emerald ambassadors were seated on one side with Asako Takumi position in the center next to Shiba Sono sama. Directly across from the ambassadors were all the spectators that had come to witness a sanctioned duel. Even the ambassadors had to acknowledge that one of the four champions involved in lifting curses. Being a part of a duel was hard pressed to be kept a secret. In the far side from their entrance was three samurai he’d met before. Yasuki Minoru san of the Crab clan, and both Akodo Maki san and Mastu Mayumi san of the Lion clan. Kneeling in the center of the courtyard was his opponent, Kakita Ozaki sama.

Donoha sama joined them in the center of the courtyard as the rules of the duel were read aloud. It was to be to first blood, neither opponent was allowed to die. Killing your opponent would result in the other’s death. The reason for the duel was not disclosed since the public was present. Ozaki sama stood and bowed to the Dragon, which Donoha sama returned the bow to the Crane. While he was not feeling well, and fully aware this was a professional duelist across from him. He had promised his daimyo he would have to win, hs honor was most deffinately on the line. However, he was a direct descendant of Agasha Kitsuki, and not pursuing the truth would stain his family and his ancestor.

It was also not lost on him that his sister, Kitsuki Hoshikiba, would hear of this duel’s outcome. In an agreement his father’s daimyo almost failed to honor, his sister ended up being sent to study at the Kakita school of swordsmanship and a Crane child was sent to the Mirumoto school to study. Now he was sent to test himself against one of the most feared practitioners of the sword.

They bowed to one another and took the center stance. Eyes locked on each other and assessing their opponent. While Takumi sama grinned from the sideline, sure of the Dragon’s defeat by the Crane wielding a Kakita blade. Hands went to the grips of their katana as the duel shifted to focusing on which one of them could draw faster. Time slowed to a crawl as everyone waited with held breath. Donoha sama changed his grip to a reverse grip from the standard one. Then in the span of a second it happened!

FWOOSH!

Mittsu Tamashi – 三つ魂 the blade of Three Souls’ blackened steel with the copper hamon flashed in the setting sun! Very much like the talon of a dragon he struck Kakita Ozaki sama’s right hand holding their blade’s tsuka with just the kissaki tip. There were five hyper quick flicks of his wrist holding Mittsu Tamashi. All of this happened in the span of Kakita sama only getting their blade a tenth of a shaku out of their saya!

By the time it was halfway out he was returning Mittsu Tamashi to be readied for returning to its saya! Kakita Ozaki sama’s face looked crestfallen. Returning their blade and holding up their right hand to show the streak of crimson flowing from the cut on the back her right hand! The three souls within the sword: Shiba Tsukasa, Hida Nagahide, and Akodo Chun were in harmony with that swing. Among the ambassadors Asako Takumi sama was no longer smiling. The Dragon’s opponent walked to the edge of the courtyard next to the Crab and two Lion samurai. Donoha sama turned to the Emerald ambassadors and bowed to them all, then bowed to his sword, and finally kneeled and laid his sword in front of himself.

The gathered crowd began to cheer at such a masterful display of “to first blood” in a duel. While it was likely faster than their eyes could catch. Nothing would stop the sharing tales of the deed with the phrase – Beware the Dragon’s Claw or Ryū no Kagi Tsume (竜の鉤爪) in High Rokugani. Donoha gained his first nickname that day – 竜 爪 or Ryū Tsume, the Dragon’s Claw.

Shiba Sono sama made their way out to the kneeling Dragon, “It pleases me that you were able to keep your honor this day. Now your words, testimony, witnesses, and evidence can be weighed on equal footing as the accused. Thank you for giving us the path forward to avenge this crime.” With that Shiba Sono bowed to Donoha from the waist in front of all to see. The Dragon returned the grand gesture by bowing and touching his forehead to the floor. As this display of honor was happening two Phoenix bushi showed up on either side of Asako Takumi and escorted him away.

After the Phoenix ambassador returned to the others Donoha wiped Mittsu Tamashi down and return it to its saya. His cousin joined him in the center of the courtyard with Tamaki san and Gunba san each holding a black lacquered box. Asahi sama requested Kakita Ozaki sama join them, to which they did so somewhat reluctantly. Asahi sama took the box from Gunba san and presented it as a gift for participating in the duel. The contents of which were a light blue fading down into a light gray. A silk screened dragon encircled the shoulder above a crane just above where the obi sash would sit. Included from Gunba san was a copy of “In Defense of Honor” so they could appreciate the art and the information about their opponent. Both the Lion and the Crane went through the customary three rejections of the gift and three offerings before Kakita Ozaki sama accepted it and then bowed before leaving. They waited only long enough to be returned bows by all present.

Next, Asahi sama presented the box Tamaki san held to his cousin. He explained this was a kimono designed to replicate the blade of Mittsu Tamashi. Donoha opened the box and beheld a work of art. A black kimono with a copper obi and a coppery wavy line separating the wave designs below that. Meiko san at Nasu Silk & Satin had outdone themselves and Donoha returned it to the box saying he would treasure wearing it. It would be what he wore tomorrow.

Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 1

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Shanzi Matsu

Great Journey of the Second Sword Birth

On his 16th birthday he is presented with a nigh impossible Gempukku – Make a Katana in a way never before done before!!!

Tales of the impossible task have been whispered throughout the Dragon lands. But the boy accepted the Gempukku without hesitation. Some whisper that his father is being punished for some hidden slight of honor.

Donoha sama planned out how he would do this and set about the journey to prove honor can be restored. He left Shiro Kitsuki in the second month after the longest night of the year. He was provided with letters to access roads and funding as the clan would pay the cost. He took three gifts with him to entreat the damiyos he met to aid him in these endeavors.

The Dragon journeyed to Aojiroi Oku Shiro (Pale Oak Castle) in the lands of the Phoenix Clan. The gift he presented to the Daimyo there was blank bamboo scrolls and ink vials prepared to inscribe and hold magic. In exchange he asks for two blades that had failed and broke under use. Whether the break was from battle or a defect would not matter to him as his plan to create a new way to craft a katana would help restore honor to the swords’ owner or maker.

Phoenix blade owners: Asako Katsumi & Shiba Tsukasa. Both had died protecting the Shugenja. Tsukasa was the Yojimbo assigned to a Phoenix Shugenja. Katsumi committed seppuku when he leared of the blade failing he had made.

During his time here he settled disputes between tradesmen with such care that he was gifted with two very thick, treated, branches from the pale oak where beneath Emperor Hantei the Seventeenth was buried to be near the woman he loved! The Daimyo was impressed with the child of the Dragon. He spent three months there (Spring to Summer) gathering the sharkskin and wood and learning how to shape tsubaka and saya (handles and sheathes). He also fell in love there. The one thing he never learned to do was dye sharkskin as the material he acquired had already been dyed black. He did learn a lot about glue and adhesives from them. In all of his travels he continued to write letters to his true love.

He continued on, leaving from Toshi no Omoidoso (City of Remembrance) via ship for Ryu Bannin Toshi in the Imperial controlled lands. It was the middle of summer when his ship docked and he got to meet his famous grandfather in person. His grandfather grilled him with question about how he would accomplish such a daunting, no, an impossible task. He told his grandfather a phrase he heard him say when he was younger, about 6-7. “Problems are merely Oni for which we have not found the correct sword to slay them with.” He went on to explain to his grandfather, grandmother, and aunt everything over a family dinner in the Seppun house. They saw his journal about his travels and his notes about the process he wished to try.

Getting his grandfather’s, grandmother’s, and aunt’s blessings to continue he left Ryu Bannin Toshi on another ship heading south to Samui Kaze Toshi. It was the end of summer when he arrived. He rode with patrols of samurai from the Crane clan to Dangai, on to Shaiga, Meidochi and finally Kaia Osho Mura. Next he joined a river merchant caravan going to Maemikake, Kuda Mura, and finally Kaiu Shiro – The Carpenter’s Castle. Here he presented a box wrapped in black silk embroidered with the dragon of his clan. The box and the four stones inside hinged with gold was made wholly from jade. Then he presented the smith hammer he’d been gifted and asked to be trained further in its use. It only took a few days for the Crab historians to realize that the hammer had been gifted to the Dragon for returning an heirloom sword after defeating one of the Crab Samurai. (edited)

Chikai no kodzuchi 誓いの小槌 known as the Oath-hammer. Was a smithing hammer from the Crab Clan used in making Kaiu Blades. It was a nemurani that required an oath of the wielder to function. At the time of this writing there has been a total of 9 daimyo that know he’s not allowed to let it out of his sight. The three Dragon Family Daimyo, the four Crab family Daimyo, the Ikoma of the Lion, and the Seppun imperial family Daimyo

During the next six months he worked with a young Kaiu smith with some interesting ideas and learned more secrets about forging blades. He made one trip to see the wall during this time and sketched it. It was there he collected the broken swords of those whom had fallen fighting on the wall. The names of the six samurai were: Hida Shimazu, Hida Nagahide, Hiruma Kenji, Hida Moriyama, Kuni Asakura, and Yasuki Saigo. These would become the core of the edge, but also prevent warping if the blade bent.

When he left, he had turned 17 and re-traced his route over land back to Samui Kaze Toshi departing on another ship to Kyuden Doji. Said to be rivaled only by the capital in splendor. Donoha drew several of the shrines and buildings within the city in his journals.

A few days later found him in the great open market city of Yufuku & Heigen Toshi. Every clan was welcomed here because of the market. He spent almost a full week in taverns listening to tradesmen talk about their work. He spent a fair amount on scrolls as he ate to take down what he was hearing. He won a game of Go against one artisan that all they did was make the Habaki (the shoulder the blade sits on before meeting the Tsuba or guard). Instead of extracting Koku (coin) he had the artisan help him make a habaki so he knew what to do later but left it with him as a token of thanks. They left as friends if nothing else. Echigo Sawanda was the artisan’s name, not a noble just one of the merchant classes.