Duelling the other clans

Now is the time for action, not prophecy. If you wish to know the future, you can taste it on my blade! Doji Reju, master duellist

During my travels throughout the Emerald Empire I have been forced on many occasions to defend the honor of my Daimyo , First lord Satsume , then his son Lord Hoturi and now his other son Lord Kuwanan . It has been commented on many occasions by my friends including , and I have no shame in saying this , a Mantis , Akiboshi-san ( may the Kolat never take his soul ) that my style of duelling is somewhat …. unorthodox.

 Not for me the standard Crane tactics of outwitting my opponents on the battlefield by luring them into an area where battle may not be fought or as our friends the Phoenix do it ….. get them to try fighting during a shugenja created Monsoon. I remember well the lone Phoenix Shugenja bringing an army to it’s knees when I fought at the Kakita Palisades.

 Nor do I prefer to spend long periods in meditation at the many Shrines and Gardens which adorn our most beautiful of lands, though this is a noble way to prove to the people that our way is a good one ……might is not always right as I have many times tried to tell a Lion or a Crab.

 Unfortunately in these days of war we can not use our fine artisans and courtiers to defend ourselves and our people. I yearn for the days when I could sit in the gardens of Kosaten Shiro , trying to write the perfect haiku with which to woo a pretty girl. But those days are long gone, now we must use all our skills to defend our position in the Empire. Long have we been the left hand of the Emperor, every bride to the Hantei was a Doji …now are lands are salted with the blood of thousands, our once great treasuries lie near emptied and many great artists were killed by a creature I have heard it whispered is the Shadow.

 I digress , forgive an old Samurai ….. long have I believed the best way to defeat your enemy is to kill him, even if that means dying yourself. We have long been a clan known for doing what we must, using our final breath to destroy rampaging Onis or the despised Lions , not for us the mass carnage you will see Toturis men involved in … we believe many a battle can be resolved by one duel, no need for hundreds of brave ashigaru to die, just their cowardly leader. If one Samurai dies nobly that many can live and the glory of his clan is sustained he will live on in the songs and poetry of his descendants.

 Unfortunately, and this leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, we have been long known as the other side of the Scorpion coin. Who better to teach the other clans lessons of honour than we, the most honorable clan. With secrets of the wind and truths learned from the Yogo family and our own Iaijutsu Arts we can show that many who consort with evils are dishonorable dogs who can barely raise their eyes from the ground. They bring shame to their families and a swift death by seppuku, I care not if it is honorable or dishonorable, awaits them.

 I am proud to call myself Daidoji. We are the warriors of our clan and it is our youth that I see much promise for our future. These new Samurai have what it takes to make the Crane what we were. Daidoji Karasu , willing to almost kill himself to get close enough for that fatal shot. Daidoji Rekai a most skilled and beautiful Samurai-ko……ahh if I were still a young man……. And lord Uji, reclaimer of Shiro Yojin from the Oni-allied Lion. We as a family understand when it is  time for honour and when it is a time for steel and superior tactics.

"We negotiated once and it almost destroyed our clan. The time for talking is Over" Doji Kuwanan, Crane Clan Champion