Kyuden Ashinagabachi Dojo

When Tsuruchi founded the Wasp Clan he fought both the Lion Clan and Scorpion Clan, winning against all odds. In the early days of the Wasp those who wished to join were tested, needing to proove themselves to a superior member already within the clan. This ensured few recruits, but high standards. As the second generation of Wasps were born the old ways no longer prooved useful, and the training methods needed a drastic change. Fate however were on their side, by joining the Mantis Clan they had access to senseis, and Kyuden Ashinagabachi was as much a palace as a dojo.

Traditions
The Tsuruchi children are taught the way of the bow, of law and of Tsuruchi's code. Even though the Wasp joined the Manits the majority of them consider themselves Wasp before Mantis. Even the previous daimyo Tsuruchi Ichiro used to wear a black and yellow armband to signify this status. The practice of Archery and kyujutsu has evolved over the years. Initially the Wasp refused to have anything to do with the trappings of the samurai, but since they became firmly entrenched in the social order of Rokugan such notions have vanished. When the Wasp were first starting up they were all granted positions as Emerald Magistrate]s] by then [[Emerald Champion Doji Satsume. This status was held for several years, but was lost when they joined the Mantis. Some of the elder Tsuruchi hold this as a point of contention, leading to small amounts of friction with the othe Mantis families. There are still many Tsuruchi who seek to become magistrates, which leads the dojo to teach the laws of the Empire in great detail.

Training
The curriculum at the dojo is broad, but classes are informal. Archery is paramount, as a young tsuruchi is given a bow as soon as he can draw it. Daily practice from that age ensures that the Tsuruchi are more skilled with the bow than anyother. Other weapons training is merely an afterthought. The students are also given a broad education in the ways of the Empire, carefully teaching the youths about the ways of outsiders. The tenets of Bushido are also carefully examined. Until the students understand why the samurai around them act the way they do, and how to act in their presence, they are now allowed to leave the Valley of the Wasp.

Sensei
The Tsuruchi train their children themselves, and most sensei are members of the family. There are few sensei, simplu because the curriculum has little to do with formal teaching. Those few sensei are treated with the utmost respect at all times, because the Tsuruchi understand their value. Other positions within the dojo are filled by other Mantis.

Notable Sensei

 * Tsuruchi Ikado ? - ?
 * Tsuruchi Hakobe ? - ?

Major References

 * Way of the Samurai Page 49.