Kuwasu

As guardians of the Black Scrolls, the Yogo family has done a great deal of research creating magic that would keep out those who wished to break the Scrolls' bloody seals. "Warden magic" or kuwasu (created in conjunction with the Kuni Shugenja) is designed for just that purpose.

There are two kinds of wards: elemental wards and Shadowlands wards. If the shugenja knows the calligraphic character for what he wishes the ward ti guard against, he can create that wards.

A shugenja must spend at least one hour to summon the energy required to create the wards; he cannot use the energy of kami or other elemental spirits. First, he draws the symbol of what he whishes the ward to guard against (for instance, if he wishes the ward to guar against the Shadowlands, he draws the calligraphic character for the Shadowlands). As he draws the symbol, he chants and passes a bit of his own energy into the symbol.

Wars are usually drawn with ink onto pieces of paper. They are nailed or doorways (one side on the door and the other on the wall) to keep the door sealed shut. They may also be attached to boxes, a katana's saya, or any other object can be opened. (WoShugenja, p. 99)