Great Clan

Each of the Kami that fell to Ningen-do with Hantei founded a Great Clan. Each Clan is ruled by a Clan Champion, with the exception of the Phoenix Clan, whose Champion is subservient to the Elemental Council. In times past, the mantle of Champion traditionally fell to an hier of the previous Champion though this practice seems to have ceased of late. Functionally the only true difference between a Great Clan and a Minor Clan is size and power, as aptly demonstrated by the Yoritomo's Alliance on the Second Day of Thunder, when they were acknowledged as the Mantis Clan and offically recongnised as a Great Clan.

At the begining of the Empire there were seven Great Clans. Hida founded the Crab, Akodo the Lion, Doji the Crane, Togashi the Dragon, Bayushi the Scorpion, Shiba the Phoenix and Shinjo the Ki-Rin. During their time away from Rokugan the Ki-Rin were renamed the Unicorn, the name they currently bear.

Great Clans usually have some purpose in the Empire relating to a task or duty given to their founder by the first Hantei. The Crab protect the Empire, the Lion are the Right Hand of the Emperor, his military. The Scorpion are the keepers and exposers of secrets, the Emperor's Underhand. The Phoenix are the magical might of the Empire, the seekers of knowledge. They also bear the title of Voice of the Emperor. The Unicorn are the Empires scouts as well as a formidable fighting force. The Crane are the Emperor's Left Hand, responsible for culture and civility. The Mantis didn't exist when the duties were given and recently the Dragon had theirs removed. Previously it was to record the truth of the history of the Empire. Great Clans are not allowed to make war on Minor Clans without provocation.