Daidoji Hanzo

Daidoji Hanzo was a bushi of the Crane Clan and the youngest sibling of the Daidoji Daimyo Daidoji Kamei.

Aunt's Maddened Behaviour
In 520 his aunt Daidoji Hira began to act erratically until his brother patience was exhausted. The Daidoji Daimyo Daidoji Kamei ordered his brother to commit seppuku, but Hira fled along with forty-four bushi from the Shiro Daidoji guard, leaving a message behind: "You did not set a date for my death, brother. Seek me in the Uebe Marshes if you wish to hasten it."

Foxfire War
Kamei and his brother fought for months the Foxfire War, until Kamei decided to retire to Shiro Daidoji. There he found Hira's body dead by seppuku and the message: "Do not let the food and drink of peace make the belly of the Daidoji grow fat. Seek my son in the marshes." Kamei retired as a monk, and Hanzo's elder sister, Daidoji Kasako, succeeded him. She resumed the war and hunted Hira's son, Daidoji Yasuhira, who within three years was captured and executed. Another message was found, "My brother Shigehira and my men spit at you from the Wall above the Ocean."

Commander
Yasuhira's younger brother Daidoji Shigehira continued the fight from the mountain range, and Hanzo was the commander of the Daidoji troops who chased him. A yari duel between the two leaders on a cliff path ended the war. Hanzo won, so the Foxfire Wars were finally concluded and both sides came together to forget the madness that had consumed Hira's line and act as a single family in all things once again.

Aftermath
Hanzo's sister Daidoji Kasami was already the Daidoji Daimyo at that time. She was a practical woman and realized the value of the troops that had helped her defeat Hira's followers. Kasami proclaimed them the Hiramori family, vassals to the Daidoji. The family was named the "Forest Hira," an ironic joke at the traitorous Hira's expense.