Shiro Matsu Dojo

Shiro Matsu is the ancestral home of the Matsu family, and has served as a military outpost in the center of the defenses of the southern borders of the Lion Clan. Many battles have been launched from here, the most brtual of them the defense of Kyuden Ikoma and subsequent capture of Shiro no Meiyo from the Scorpion Clan in 533.

Seat of Power
During the banishment of the Akodo family Shiro Matsu served as the seat of power within the Lion Clan. The military activities during the Clan War were conducted from here, lasting as long as well into hte War of Spirits. The return of the Akodo as the heads of armies has left the dojo mainly training the vast armies of Matsu who follow the commands of the Akodo generals.

Traditions
There is only one tradition among the Matsu, and that is excellence. The students are trained ruthlessly in every military drill imaginable. Instructions begin with the basic stances, then moves on to unit-scale maneuvers. Both of these must be mastered before the student is allowed to progress, for the Matsu must be both a competent warrior and exceptional soldier. The most exacting and misunderstood tradition among the Matsu is the gempukku ceremony. Rumor has it that any who fail their gempukku are ordered by the Matsu to commit seppuku. This may have been true in the past, howver it is not the rule. They do however endure an exrutiatingly demanding series of tasks, including feats of martial prowess, fasting and punishing tests of physical conditioning. Those who pass are branded with the Matsu mon.

Training
The training at the dojo focuses entirely on martial arts, particularily the study of the sword. Almost every weapon deemed honorable for a samurai to be carried can be found here, and students who seek their gempukku are expected to be proficient in no less than 3 different weapon styles and possess a working knowledge of at least two or three additional weapons. Academic knowledge is downplayed by most Matsu, but all are literate and well-versed in the history of their clan and family. They do however not place much weight on the finer arts such as literature, calligoraphy, poetry and the likes, believing they dull the edge of a samurai's soul. Drills tend to uttery disregard selfpreservation, and focuses instead on all out assaults against opposing troops. Beginning students can often be seen with bokken attacking senior students in full armor with padded tetsubo's. This serves the duel purpose of teaching the younger to attack without reservation, and the older the little defensive training they will recieve.

Sensei
Due to the wide variety of styles present in the dojo there are a number of different sensei. All report to a single sensei however, who is personally chosen by the previous sensei upon his retirement. If the ranking sensei dies in battle however the remaining sensei all recommend the replacement to the Lion Clan Champion who ultimately chooses the new replacement.

Notable Sensei

 * Matsu Miwako

Notable Students

 * Matsu Dejiko
 * Matsu Kenji