Iron Mountain Dojo

The construction of the Iron Mountain Dojo was firt started by Mirumoto to be his familiy's castle, but when he was called to fight on the Day of Thunder and died, it became obvious that the vision he had was too grand for the location. Years later his adoptive son, Mirumoto Hojatsu decreed that the foundation set down by his father would not go to waste, and work begun on it again. For a whole season the workers toiled to merely get the foundation ready for building again. Even Togashi monks were working alongside the peasants voluntarily, and the occassional Mirumoto bushi was sent there by their sensei to learn humility. Hojatsu would also not live to see the completion of the dojo, but spent his final years in the nearly finished dojo detailing his father's niten style. The original work Hojatsu did still rests within the dojo. When the dojo was finished Hojatsu was buried at the head of the main class room, under a shrine to Mirumoto, Shinsei and Togashi. On either side of the shrine there are scrolls with the words "Neither Will I" written, and since the funeral walk for Hojatsu the path leading up to the dojo has been known as the Son's Last Walk.

Traditions
The gempukku of a Mirumoto is symbolic of his training. The youth kneels in his dojo, and meditates upon the only three words Shinsei ever spoke to Togashi. The student has until dawn to craft a haiku in response to these words. The most perfect response to this was one Mirumoto himself did;

Starving until I

Understand but I'm starving

My master with me

Mirumoto's response had illuminated the wisdom in Shinsei's words; that when Togashi was starving himself he was also harming those he had sworn to protect. The bushi who train here will spend their life in study of the two-sword technique, but for his gempukku ceremony he will be bereft of his swords. His teachings will focus on working side by side with his brothers and sisters, bu this test he must face alone. Quiet contemplation is the wisdom of Shinsei, and the young bushi must learn to seek answers only within. There are few Mirumoto who fail at this, for it requires only an honest thoughtful answer.

Training
The training at the dojo is intense but surprisingly unfocused. The bushi trained here are expected to outmaneuver the Lion, anticipate and counter the Unicorn and Crab, compose themselves as well as any Crane while still being able to discuss the nature of the kami and fortunes at length. After their gempukku it is left up to the student to monitor his own progress, and post-gempukku assignments rarely allow them to return to the dojo to for regular training. Nevertheless the doors are always open. A large training grounds are located just outside the dojo walls, where the Mirumoto army practice drills during the winter months.

When the Mirumoto being the training in the Niten style in earnest, he will also be impressed upon the importance of the art of the shugenja. Mirumoto and Agasha had been good friends despite their difference in temperament, and the students of the dojo spend the winter months training alongside shugenja. This close relationship with the shugenja is said to help lend enlightenment to the bushi. Of course it also has it's advantages in combat.

Sensei
The honored position of teacher does not simply fall to those who have proven themselves time and time again in the field of battle. With the Clan being so reclusive as they were there were few of the Mirumoto who saw more than a few skirmishes. As the Dragon value enlightenment as well as military prowess, it is common for the sensei to be someone who will immerse his students in the ways of warfare, shintao and the five elements equally.

Notable Sensei

 * Mirumoto Rosanjin

Notable Students

 * Mirumoto Saibanken
 * Mirumoto Taiu

Major References

 * Way of the Samurai Pages 31-32