Gempukku

Gempukku is the ceremony by which a samurai enters adulthood.

Timing
The ceremony ususally takes place when a young samurai has reached the age of fourteen, but may take place earlier or later depending on how well the student has learned the basic techniques of his school. It is the decision of the student's sensei as to when he is ready to take the trials. A sensei will lose face if he allows a student to face the trials before he is ready.

Common Elements
The ceremony differs from clan to clan but there are some common elements. The student is required by his sensei to demonstrate that he has learned the techniques and skills taught by his school by successfully completing tests of these skills, called trials. If he successfully completes the trials the student is proclaimed an adult. He choses his adult name and receives his first daisho or, in the case of non-bushi samurai, his wakizashi. From that point forward he is considered a full adult and is expected to conduct himself as such.

If a student fails the trials he may be given a second chance if his sensei judges that he still has promise. The trials of some clans are dangerous enough that a student who fails the trials is unlikely to survive for a second attempt.

Crab Clan
In the Crab Clan, the student is required to enter the Shadowlands and return with the head of an enemy. Returning with a single goblin head is enough to ensure that the student will be accepted as an adult, and a student who returns with the head of a more powerful enemy is expected to do well in the clan.

Crane Clan
In the Crane Clan, the student is expected to demonstrate his knowledge of courtly manners and arts along with more martial skills.