The Flavor Text
The Senryuu
The Senryuu originally was convened with one purpose: to regulate dueling. As the peace of the Shogun flourished in the early 5th century, hordes of samurai unable to go to war on a grand scale turned their swords on each other in cities throughout Hachigoku. The slightest insult or infraction of honor became cause for rivers of blood, one warrior at a time. Rivalries between different sword styles became rife with violent contention; the honorable rivalry between legends like Kakita and Mirumoto Hojatsu was no longer emulated. When the last practitioner of the Hiruma ryuu fell before a young Kakita challenger, then daimyo Hida Tadaka made it his mission to preserve the traditions of Hachigoku bushi against themselves. With daimyo Matsu Oki at his side, the two made a trek throughout the Empire, challenging and gathering the sensei of every great dojo.
Their journey complete, the two convened a council of these sensei together at the Bishamon no Seido, founding the Senryuu and requesting recognition by the Shogun. At the behest of the Otomo, the Shogun refused and sent his metsuke to break up the conclave. The rift laid the seeds for the overthrow of the Shogun's rule, and the Senryuu have remained an independent force ever since, despite their domination by various uji.
There are many ryuu ("schools", or "styles") of bushi techniques throughout the Empire of Hachigoku. Collectively, the vast majority are created, supported, and administered by the Senryuu ("1,000 Schools"). Each dojo, a place where one trains in bushi skills and okuden, is an independent unit in itself, but licensed and ultimately overseen loosely by the sensei of the ryuu it teaches. It is not unheard of for a dojo to teach multiple ryuu, but often this requires some form of special dispensation from the parent ryuu.
Some dojo teach specific techniques that deviate or derive from an older, more established ryuu. These dojo are licensed in the name of their parent ryuu, although they enjoy a special reputation all their own. Thus, an Akodo bushi dojo might teach the okuden of the Akodo bushi ryuu, while an Ikeda kimabushi dojo would teach both the Ikeda kimabushi okuden and the Akodo bushi okuden.
Each ryuu belongs to a specific uji, normally that which the ryuu's founder served, and rarely does one uji control more than one ryuu at any time, although it might license several derived ryuu as well. The Senryuu is divided into three tiers: the O-Shosei, the Shosei, and the Shodai.
The O-Shosei
The O-Shosei are the ruling council of the Senryuu. These represent the seven ryuu that control the entire organization, composed of the seven most "classic" and oldest forms of bushi ryuu. All of the O-Shosei ryuu can trace the beginnings of their okuden to either the Kami or the Thunders in the First Shadowlands War, a thousand years ago. Each sends a representative to a ruling council that governs the codes and punishments of the ryuu and controls membership. Technically, each representative is the ryuu's Sei or Dai. If a ryuu follows a tradition of lineage, where the head of the ryuu is descended from the ryuu's founder, or at least their founder by tradition, then the head of the ryuu is a Sei. If the ryuu instead chooses its head by merit or appointment, the head is called a Dai.
Each representative in the O-Shosei is the Sei of their ryuu. At least in theory. In reality, the Sei is most often an uji's daimyo as well, so there usually is a political Sei (the daimyo), an acting Dai (the real master of the okuden), and the council member (someone to do the bookkeeping). The council members are considered Sei for all intents and purposes, although most avoid the political difficulty of this arrangement by simply addressing all members as “sensei.” These sensei make decisions by voting, but rarely act without achieving unanimous consent first, and appoint one among them to oversee affairs of the council and set the agenda. The holder of this position has no official title, but other bushi often jokingly refer to the member as the "Steel Champion." The O-Shosei council manages the Senryuu from the city of Toshi Ranbo, where the Tsume uji rules. The O-Shosei consist of the Akodo, Bayushi, Hida, Kakita, Mirumoto, Shiba, and Shinjo.
Akodo Bushi Ryuu: Akodo bushi are steeped in tradition and Bushido. Few bushi uphold the arts of the sword, bow, and strategy as diligently, often to the point of obsession. Some go as far to claim that the yari, precursor to the daisho, is the only true weapon of the samurai. The ryuu is frequently accused of stagnation and stubbornness, unwilling to change even the most trivial ritual or stance, and eschewing innovations in technique. However, none doubt that its stability and resilience is founded on sound theory, practice, and discipline; arguing with okuden handed down over a thousand years from sensei to sensei from the mouth of the Kami Akodo One-Eye is madness. Students of the ryuu are often found as officers or in other positions of duty and responsibility, and while many cite their martial skills as less than daring, few would dare themselves to challenge the prowess of an Akodo samurai openly.
Matsu no Akodo Kage (Male, Akodo Bushi 5): Kage is the venerable appointee of the Akodo ryuu's Sei, the daimyo Akodo Toturi, chosen as much for his acknowledged superiority in the ryuu's okuden as he was a peace offering to the Matsu uji. Never before has an Akodo not sworn to an Akodo daimyo's fealty been given such an honor. While Akodo Kage is highly respected, there are rumblings outside Heigen no Otaku that resources for the ryuu's dojo throughout Hachigoku are being dominated, at least more than usual, by the Akodo, Ikoma, and Matsu uji under his leadership. Akodo Kage, of course, denies this with good reason, citing the interference of Doji Satsume's Jade Metsuke and tension between the Akodo and Matsu. He spends much of his time outside Toshi Rambo visiting Akodo Toturi; whether he is currying favor or trying to avert open war depends on which way the rumors of Otosan Uchi are flying on any given day.
Bayushi Bushi Ryuu: Bayushi bushi appear to be contradictory. They are almost as quick as Shinjo bushi to incorporate any new crafty design into their strategies, but disdain novelty and demand others conform to strictures almost as traditional as the Akodo. They decry anyone's use of weaponry besides the katana and daikyu as cowardice and shame, yet are legends for turning any farm implement or barroom furniture into deadly weapons, often appearing without warning. And that is the strength of the Bayushi: to use your strength against you. They approach battle with the belief that knowing your enemy, and controlling their choices, is the first key to victory. All else is illusion. Citing descent from Bayushi, the Scorpion Kami, a Bayushi bushi believes in loyalty above all else. Loyalty to Hachigoku, loyalty to your uji, loyalty to your family, loyalty to the ryuu... and loyalty to yourself last of all. The honor of the individual is expendable.
Bayushi no Soshi Tishi (Male, Bayushi Bushi 5): Soshi Tishi was once the most promising yet arrogant kenshi in his generation at Honor's Lesson Dojo, one of the Bayushi ryuu's most renowned institutions. Despite his youth, he quickly mastered okuden and skills, and even invented unique kata of his own for training. The last dying Sei appointed Tishi as his choice to lead the ryuu; the following Sei, Bayushi Shoju, saw no reason to replace him, despite personality conflicts. Humbled by the responsibility thrust upon him, the last several years have toned down Soshi Tishi considerably. He is now merely overconfident, but he has yet to fail proving a boast, either. He spends most of his time at Honor's Lesson, in the shadow of Kyuden Bayushi.
Hida Bushi Ryuu: Hida bushi endure some of the most grueling training in Hachigoku. Since the vast bulk of those trained in the ryuu serve along Kaiu Kabe against the Shadowlands, the importance of this duty is driven into their muscle and bones every waking hour. They train with the heaviest weapons in full armor, marching miles upon miles every day. Doing so, they honor the indominable armored might of the Crab Kami, Hida, who valued strength over speed. Any who accuse a heavily armored Hida bushi bearing a massive weapon of being little more than a brute would be gravely mistaken. A Hida is no less adept with a katana than they are with a powerful tetsubo or ono; it is strictly a matter of pragmatism. The foes a Hida is usually trained to oppose are fearsome monsters undeserving of a touch from the soul of one's ancestors, and often impervious to thin steel. Next to that, dealing with mere mortals on the field of battle requires little more than such knives. Nor is a Hida a mindless engine of war only capable of charging forward in a bestial rage; every Hida is a trained, cool calculator, and retreat is a perfectly viable option in service to a more worthy victory.
Hida no Toritaka Tatsune (Male, Hida Bushi 5/Defender of the Wall 3): Hostage as a result of peace negotiations two generations ago with the Toritaka uji, Toritaka Tatsune was given Hida training instead of his uji's traditional ghosthunting. He faced the brutal Hida gempukku of venturing out into the Shadowlands, returning with a goblin head. Proud to serve, he eventually swore fealty to a young daimyo, Hida Kisada, and was one of the very few ever inducted into the Defenders of the Wall's okuden. Leading a patrol into the Shadowlands several years ago, he was corned by a trio of ogres. He was given up for lost, but three days later appeared, crawling over the lip of Kaiu Kabe, after surviving the wastes, after swimming across Black Finger River, and after climbing Kaiu Kabe. Unaided. With a shattered kneecap, festering with Taint. The man who became a legend, and the daimyo appointed him head sensei of Kyuden Hida. When the appointed Senryuu representative died mysteriously, Toritaka Tatsune was named his successor and ordered to move permanently to Toshi Ranbo. Every success has taken him farther and farther from where he considers his rightful place: fighting the Shadowlands. But his daimyo has charged him with a sacred duty: to oversee the other Hida ryuu scattered throughout the Empire, for the Empire must be strong. And soon. The battered Toritaka would never disobey his oldest friend.
Kakita Bushi Ryuu: The Kakita claim descent from the Crane Kami's husband, the legendary kenshi Kakita. Swift and deadly, the cultured Kakita bushi do not view their okuden as merely a set of techniques for fighting. It is an art form, and privately a Kakita kenshi considers himself less a Senryuu member and more akin to their spiritual cousins in the Kakita gakuen, artisans without peer. Their devotion to tradition rivals the Akodo, but is more specialized: the swift blade is the surest path to victory, epitomized in the ritual of iaijutsu. To the end of perfecting themselves as artisans of the blade, rather than only mere bushi, a Kakita kenshi maintains an active interest in poetry, drama, and art.
Kakita Toshimoko (Kakita Bushi 5/Kakita Kenshinzen): Perhaps the finest kenshi in Hachigoku, he is also likely the most irresponsible. An old man that refuses to admit age, he still hunts the seedier side of the Empire. A he ceded his birthright claim as Kakita daimyo to his younger brother, Kakita Yoshi refused to let him stand aside as the ryuu's Sei. At first, Kakita Toshimoko refused to take on the role. Then he realized the unlimited travel opportunity provided to him, and has not seen Shiro Kakita since. Frankly, he hasn't seen much of Toshi Ranbo, either, and has focused much of his life on rambling through the gambling dens, brothels, geisha houses, and theatres of Hachigoku, often with his nephew Doji Hoturi along for the adventure. Although he does seem to be slowing down recently, none can accuse him of settling. He hasn't attended an O-Shosei meeting in seven years, sending capable junior sensei in his place; sometimes even Doji Hoturi arrives, with apologies.
Mirumoto Bushi Ryuu: Unsurprisingly, the Mirumoto bushi are often view as unnecessarily enigmatic by their fellow samurai. They eschew handling a katana two-handed, and train with the katana in one hand and the wakizashi in the other. “One sword, one strike,” Kakita was once heard to say. Mirumoto replied: “Two hands.” They are trained to sense the kami as shugenja do, although they cannot command, and learn to complement rather than protect such priests in battle. Their most annoying quirk, as far as the samurai of Hachigoku are concerned, is an unfailing respect and compassion for the lower castes. They take their duty towards the lesser castes too far, their detractors claim. A traditional dueling rivalry with the most cultured, politically powerful ryuu, the Kakita, helps not.
Togashi Kondo (Mirumoto Bushi 5/Inkyo Kensai 1): Togashi Kondo is gifted with a single-minded sense of focus of legendary proportions. Having mastered the Mirumoto okuden, he retired into the Togashi House of Light as a kensai, seeking to perfect both his spiritual and martial aspects. A lesser cousin of Mirumoto Daini, he was appointed due to Mirumoto Sukune's recommendation, in recognition of his skill, reputation, and for victories in some unknown battles to the north of Togashi territory. Sworn to secrecy on the details, the vicious scar sprawling across his chest speaks for itself. Quiet and contemplative, he oversees the Mirumto ryuu from his home at Iron Mountain Dojo, only leaving his retreat to attend Senryuu business in Toshi Ranbo.
Shiba Bushi Ryuu: Shiba bushi claim descent from the Phoenix Kami, Shiba. As Shiba knelt before Isawa and offered both his protection and fealty, every bushi trained in the ryuu kneels before a shugenja and renews Shiba's oath to protect, honor, and learn before mastering their first okuden. Like the Mirumoto bushi, they merge martial and spiritual philosophies. However, a Shiba is devoted to the protection of shugenja, instead of striving to bring equality on the battlefield. This dedication has led the Shiba to evolve as the preeminent yojimbo trainers in Hachigoku, whose bushi are able to reach deep inside themselves for spiritual fortitude to accomplish inhuman feats in the name of guardianship. This protective nature extends to their weaponry, often mastering polearms such as the naginata, all in the name of keeping danger distant from those they guard.
Shiba Ujimitsu (Male, Shiba Bushi 5): See the Shiba uji section of Chapter 3.
Shinjo Bushi Ryuu: Shinjo bushi are the most feared riders throughout Hachigoku. Not just for their mastery of bajutsu, their skill at yabusame, or even their proficiency with using yari in a charge. They are... different. They move swiftly, even unmounted, and make rash decisions. They are restless. They embrace novelty. They value the individual over the ryuu, and sometimes even over the uji. Their position in the Senryuu derives from their claim of ancestry with the Kiirin Kami, Shinjo, but as a ryuu it is only three centuries old. When the Shinjo and their allies returned to Hachigoku, part of the negotiations with the Roju involved harnessing their bushi within the Senryuu hierarchy, and bringing other cavalry traditions under their fold while pulling other Shinjo samurai into the training of different ryuu. Today the Shinjo are as respected as any ryuu, but bushi from other ryuu still feel unsettled around their gaijin-influenced okuden and philosophies.
Shinjo Hayasu (Female, Shinjo Bushi 5): Shinjo Hayasu is a hard, tough woman, and as strong as any of her horses. Appointed by daimyo Shinjo Yokatsu, who is loathe to leave his ancestral lands, she travels among the dojo of Hachigoku constantly, perhaps covering more ground yearly than even Kakita Toshimoko. She is the greatest link between other members of the O-Shosei's council, and even among the sensei of the Shosei and Shodai. She makes sure to visit every major dojo besides her own, and in a regular, patterned manner. If a Shinjo dojo can't make her list for the year, she sends Shinjo Hanari. When one speaks of kimabushi in Hachigoku, their two names inevitably arise, and favorably.
The Shosei
Beneath the O-Shosei are the Shosei, an advisory council of ryuu. They send representatives to the council every five years, proposing new rules, registering new okuden, debating okuden, and holding contests. Ultimately, the Shosei cannot vote on matters either, but are given a say in council deliberations. To be in the Shosei, the ryuu must be led by a Sei. Like the Kami and Thunder origins of the O-Shosei ryuu, almost all Shosei ryuu have miraculous or supernatural aspects to their founding.
Prominent Shosei
Yoritomo Bushi Ryuu: Yoritomo bushi are an anomaly, being both new and ancient. The ryuu claims twin ancestry from the okuden developed by the legendary Kaimetsu-uo, son of Osano-wo, grandson of Hida, and from recent refinements instituted by Yoritomo (“The Mantis”), a brash and powerful daimyo from the Spice Islands. The okuden are ancient, but its devotees were few and far between outside of the islands, and only the extensive efforts of the Yoritomo uji in the past decade have won them proper recognition. The ryuu is seen as even more radical in philosophy than either the Mirumoto or Shinjo, relying more on weapons developed by the peasantry than the traditional daisho. The maritime history of the islands is also incorporated, as Yoritomo bushi remain fluid throughout combat, swaying back and forth to keep their opponents lost at sea and wondering when the strength and fury of a storm will strike.
Yoritomo (Male, Yoritomo Bushi 5): See the Yoritomo uji section in Chapter 3.
Tsuruchi Bushi Ryuu: Tsuruchi focus on kyujutsu, almost to the exclusion of any other skill. Their archers are the finest in Hachigoku. This was not a difficult feat for Tsuruchi (“The Wasp”), the ryuu's founder, as he offered fealty and prizes to the Empire's greatest archers when he founded the Tsuruchi uji a generation ago. Those who answered his call brought with them an immense array of archery and hunting lore, and an accumulation of different kyujutsu okuden developed over a thousand years. Under his guidance, the sensei managed to develop a coherent system out of the various okuden, and began propagating it throughout Hachigoku. As a compromise with the Senryuu for membership, elements of Tsuruchi philosophy—in particular its idiosyncratic rejection of Bushido for the Wasp Code—are not taught in the subordinate dojo throughout Hachigoku.
Tsuruchi (Male, Tsuruchi Bushi 5/Tsuruchi Bounty Hunter): See the Tsuruchi uji section in Chapter 3.
The Shodai
Beneath the Shosei are the Shodai, whose ryuu founders and later developers share no ancestry. The head sensei of such ryuu are the Dai. Like the "higher" ryuu, all of the Shodai are sponsored by an uji, but most do not hold as prestigious a place in their uji's history or politics. The true Dai of these ryuu, however, are often among the most dangerous members of the Senryuu's bushi, since their positions are more of a meritocracy than among the O-Shosei and Shosei. The Shodai are beholden to all the same rules as other ryuu, and attend the Shosei conventions, but are not allowed to participate in council discussions, although they are allowed to compete in any Senryuu-sanctioned tournaments.
Prominent Shodai
Hiruma Bushi Ryuu: Hiruma bushi still lament the loss of their original ryuu, its okuden lost, a presaging of the loss of Hiruma lands during the Maw's War a few centuries later. As a consequence, the uji began developed a new ryuu whose okuden focused on stealth and intelligence gathering. Someday, the Hida and their allies would sweep in and retake the Hiruma han, and Hiruma bushi will lead the way. Since adopting that as their mission, Hiruma bushi discovered that training their sekko in speed and judgment in the most perilous realm imaginable, the Shadowlands, translated into extremely useful skills in high demand among the other uji of Hachigoku. As a result, Hiruma dojo began spreading throughout the realms, especially with the support of the Bayushi and Ikoma uji. These tireless bushi can survive for months in the wilderness on meager rations, slay a dozen targets at hundreds of yards before retreating, and run uninterrupted day and night. And still smell the Taint from a mile away, so the legends say.
Moto no Hiruma Tsuneko (Female, Hida Bushi 1/Hiruma Bushi 5): Hiruma Tsuneko is a testament to the longstanding alliance between the Hiruma and Moto uji, at home both within the depths of the Shadowlands and the high grass of the Moto han. Sensei of the Far Runner Dojo, she is a nightmare for any cultured, civilized samurai when his marriage arrangements are considered. She is a beautiful woman, even if graying, who bathes when she remembers. Or is reminded, more likely. She remembers little of human etiquette after her years among the nezumi in the Shadowlands, speaks her mind, and is constantly ready to strike at anyone who disagrees with her. And her students lover her for it. While the Hiruma ryuu's reputation and skill is never questioned, its honor frequently is. Hiruma Tsuneko will bite your head off for such an insult, however. And every bushi under her tutelage approves. If she wants to host a warren of nezumi near her dojo as well, who would dare say no?
Activities & Obligations
The Senryuu authored a specific code for dueling, especially the nearly sacred iaijutsu duels, and Senryuu bushi deputized to punish those who violated the codes. Every ryuu is required, as part of its obligations, to provide a sterling bushi as a roving kenshi ready to challenge and defeat those who defy Senryuu regulations.
Since its founding its responsibilites have grown. Today it licenses and taxes all affiliated dojo throughout the Empire, ensuring a certain standard for training, even officiating at gempukku (a samurai's "coming of age", if he is a member of a Senryuu ryuu). Every ryuu sanctioned by the Senryuu is obligated to provide sensei at the request of any daimyo, so that the monopoly of any uji over a ryuu overseen by the Senryuu is strictly forbidden, unless a state of war has been recognized by the Roju. Even a blood feud is not grounds for suspending resources. The result has been an ebb and flow of flourishing okuden over the centuries, keeping Hachigoku's bushi well-trained and competitive against each other without the wholesale slaughter of the Shogun's rule.
Their most public service, though, is conducting and judging martial tournaments throughout Hachigoku, including the most famous, such as the Topaz Championship and even the Jade Championship.
Non-Senryuu Ryuu
Those dojo and ryuu sanctioned by the Senryuu are hardly the only source and style of bushi skills in Rokugan. Those ryuu that do not belong to the Senryuu are so usually because they keep their training secret or exclusive, or because they are not beholden to the interests of any one uji that could sponsor their membership. Elite units and rare styles can be a clan's most guarded secrets, giving them an edge in prestige or on the battlefield, like the elite yojimbo that protect specific daimyo. Likewise, there remain a variety of somewhat "generic" okuden among ronin and other more respected ryuu. Dojo throughout Hachigoku teach these as well, but the Senryuu does not sanction them. Still, it does not forbid their practice among its bushi.
Glossary:
- bushi: warrior
- Dai: Grandmaster, not a descendent of the original ryuu founder
- dojo: bushi training center
- gempukku: samurai's coming of age ceremony
- ito: archer
- juzimai: ronin criminal gang
- kenshi: swordsman, duelist
- kimabushi: cavalry bushi
- metsuke: magistrate
- mosenshi: berserker
- ryuu: school or style
- samurai-ko: female samurai-caste bushi
- Sei: Grandmaster, descendent of the original ryuu founder
- sekko: scout
- sensei: teacher, instructor
- -sha: devotee of the weapon in question, such as tetsubo-sha
