Wako

A pirate is one who robs or plunders at sea without a commission from a recognised sovereign nation. Pirates usually target other ships, but have been know to attack targets on shore. These acts are known as piracy. (Pirate)

Pirates are somewhat common along the Rokugani coast, especially in the lucrative Crane and Mantis shipping lanes. Some blame the Mantis as a whole of piracy because of the methods they employ to secure their waters, but as their raiders are commissioned by the clan, and therefore indirectly by the Emperor, they would technically be considered privateers.