Ryu (school)

A school is were bushi, courtiers, monks and shugenja learn the techniques that they use through their lives to serve their lords. Members of the samurai class often join a school after their gempukku.

Joining Schools
Each clan has its own schools, and most samurai are expected to attend one of their clan's schools. Sometimes a samurai is allowed to attend the school of another clan, perhaps being sent to that clan as part of terms negotiated for treaties, perhaps the samurai has family from the other clan or it may be as a favor to the samurai or his family. A samurai is usually allowed to attend any school from his clan, regardless of what family he is from and what family teaches the school he will attend.

There are some exceptions, for example: females of the Utaku family may only join the Battle Maidens and samurai from the Moto family are prohibited from joining the Ide Emissary School. In addition, some schools only admit samurai from their own clan, such as the Battle Maidens.

Techniques
Every school teaches techniques. Bushi and courtier schools each have five techniques, which samurai learn as they gain more life experiences. Shugenja schools only have one technique, but it sometimes becomes more powerful as the shugenja grows.