Doji Yasuyo

Doji Yasuyo was a samurai-ko of the Crane Clan, renowned for her beauty and skill with a sword. She was trained by the Kenku Kozue at the age of 15, and instrumental in the cleansing of the blade Chukandomo a year later. She married the Shogun Kaneka, and competed in the Celestial Tournament in 1170.

Appearance
Yasuyo was beautiful samurai-ko that was said to be the image of Lady Doji herself. In spite of this, she was never aware of the fact that she was an image of perfection. Instead she focused on her training, excelling at the Kakita Dueling Academy and also training with the Doji Magistrates in the Kyuden Doji Dojo so she could better serve her clan. She passed her gempukku by the age of sixteen.

Destiny
At her fifteenth birthday, she attended her first Winter Court with her brother Doji Nagori and the Crane Clan Champion Doji Kurohito, her cousin. At Winter Court she received a vision from Lady Doji, which told her to seek out the mujina Fujao and the kenku Kozue. According to Lady Doji, her cousin would need her help to break the curse of Chukandomo. Upon awakening, Yasuyo left Kyuden Doji with her sword Naishi, the Raven, without saying goodbye to her family.

Training
Yasuyo first found the mujina Fuhao, who led her to the kenku master Kozue who tested her skill and courtesy. The kenku master told her of her true mission; how she was destined to use Naishi to break the curse on her cousin's sword. He told her that only those of Lady Doji's family could defeat the blade and end the thousand year curse. He also told her what would come after if they failed to break the curse: a fall from glory that would crush the Doji family forever. With little time left, the Kozue brought Yasuyo into the Spirit Realm of Chikushudo, the realm of animals, to train.

Return
After a year of training in the Spirit realms with Kozue, Yasuyo returned in 1160 and successfully helped Kurohito remove the curse from Chukandomo in Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho.

Marriage
Yasuyo later came to marry the Shogun Kaneka, the illegitimate son of Emperor Toturi I and brother to Emperor Toturi III. Kaneka was killed in combat with the Khan Moto Chagatai in the Battle of Toshi Ranbo in 1169.

Major References

 * Way of the Samurai Page 25
 * Secrets of the Crane Page 48