Dai-Chikai Dojo

The Dai-Chikai Dojo was constructed in the year 217 to help house and train the growing number of yojimbo needed to protect the Isawa. Fifty years later the sensei had developed so many techniques that the dojo was finally recognized as its own school. Located just south of Kyuden Isawa, the dojo had over time become surrounded by a small town of it's own.

Founding
Even before Shiba swore his oath to Isawa he had gathered around himself a strong house of samurai. His followers became known as philosopher-warriors, who contemplated the mysteries of the universe as eagerly as taking up the sword in their masters defence. When Shiba knelt before Isawa there were some of his followers who were reluctant to be in service to the pacifistic Isawa family. Shiba's words on the matter were that if they would follow him they would obey his words. The matter was never fully resolved because Shiba left to find Isawa on the Day of Thunder, and never returned. It therefore fell to Shiba's grandsons, Shiba Kaigen and Shiba Yinobu, to end the debate. Kaigen believed the Shiba family were swoarn to safeguard the lands of the Phoenix and their people, but Yinobu held that they were to guard each Isawa individually. The two brothers decided to found a dojo each. One, the Eternal Phoenix Dojo was founded by Kaigen, and the other, Dai-Chikai Dojo was founded by Yinobu.

Destruction
During the Clan War there were many of the Isawa who fell to the taint, in particular the Council of Five. The oath Shiba made did however not make any provisions for the honor, purity or sanity of the Isawa, and many of the Shiba would stand beside the Isawa despite their fall. As the great armies of Yogo Junzo marched to Kyuden Isawa the dojo itself was destroyed on the way. After the wars the dojo was one of the first structures to be rebuilt, being "reborn" in the same form as before.

Traditions
In the remarkably plain halls of the dojo hangs a great and ancient banenr. In the center is the Phoenix mon, executed by the hand of Shiba himself. Kanji fill the corners of the fabric, saying the words he had passed on to his son and all the Shiba. "If you are willing to sacrifice anything, you can be trusted with the world." Every morning those words greet the students as they begin their practice. Students are allowed to repeat this oath upon their gempukku, but rarely are any of them immediately assigned to protect shugenja. Most of the junior officers are assigned to gaurd Kyuden Isawa while continuing to train and grow. Those of particular merit are often assigned a charge early on, as the Elemental Masters have learned that pairing two potential rising stars early oftens strengthens them both. Another reason for students rarely being assigned a charge immediately is because they will seldom have more than one charge their entire life. Most yojimbo do not outlive their charges, and those who do rarely take another.

Training
The training of the yojimbo here is quite different from that of the normal bushi. The prospective guardians must learn to analyze every situation and tease out the clues that indicate a threat. Where the students of the Eternal Phoenix Dojo read the Dai-Chikai students solve puzzles. They are sent to walk the streets, and when they return to the dojo they are asked to report in every detail the people they chanced upon. In addition to these practices they also practice swordplay, naginata drills and armor use, as well as the strict practice of meditation which is common for all Shiba family. With their training being so focused on the understanding of the workings of the assassins minds there are several who if not assigned a charge will become either magistrates or investigators for their clan.

Sensei
The ranking within the dojo is determined by one thing; success. A uojimbo's ability is based on the length of his charge's life, and because of this those who are invited to become sensei of the dojo are usually aged, but have never failed their duty. The other sensei of the school pick the new sensei, to make sure that failure does not soil the leadership of the dojo.

Notable Sensei

 * Shiba Yinobu ? - ?
 * Shiba Saisune ? - ?

Notable Students

 * Shiba Mirabu

Major References

 * Way of the Samurai Pages 56-57.