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in: Characters with Pictures, Conflicts, Crane Stubs, Crane Clan Leaders

Doji Kuwanan

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Doji Kuwanan 
Doji Kuwanan 
Born: Unknown 
Died: 1133 
Parents: Doji Satsume,
Doji Teinko 
Siblings: Doji Hoturi,
Doji Shizue (adopted) 
Spouse: Doji Narumi 
Children: Doji Kurohito 
Titles: Crane Clan Champion
People

Doji Kuwanan was the second son of Doji Satsume and Doji Teinko. He became Crane Clan Champion in 1128 after the death of his older brother Doji Hoturi.

Family[]

Kuwanan was an image of his father as much as Hoturi was an image of their mother. Where Hoturi was tall and easygoing, Kuwanan was shorter and his expressions were far less readable. While not as handsome as his brother he still possessed a rugged masculine look. Kuwanan watched the escapades of his brother with an amused eye, living vicariously through his brother's deeds. Because of not being as eloquent as Hoturi many thought he was a slow thick-set youth. This led many to underestimate the man both on and off the field of battle. [1]

Kakita Blade[]

Kuwanan carried the Kakita Blade Omeka. [2]

Studies[]

Doji Kuwanan 4

Young Kuwanan

As a second son, he enjoyed greater liberties than his brother Doji Hoturi, and was able to attend both the Akodo family and the Hida family bushi schools before he began training at the Daidoji family school. [3]

Lion Clan[]

The Emperor had comanded the Lion and Crane to stop warring, and imposed the fosterage of Kuwanan in the Akodo school. [4] As a promising soldier he was sent for two years' training. [5] At the age of twelve Kuwanan studied under Akodo Toturi. He learned about tactics, strategy and preparedness, and how honor can strengthen a man's heart and boost his soul. The time spent with the Lion also gave him a love for battle, and a wish to learn more of war, tactics and kenjutsu. Kuwanan had been one of Toturi's best students, and when he returned to the lands of the Doji he asked Satsume to allow him to study at other bushi schools of the Empire. [2]

Matsu Hiroru[]

During Kuwanan's time at the Akodo school he met Matsu Hiroru, the brother of the Matsu Daimyo. The two disliked each other from the moment they met, and they each studied under separate sensei so they would frequently meet in mock battles. In one of these trials Hiroru "mistakenly" broke Kuwanan's arm, and although Hiroru apologized Kuwanan could see through the hollow apology. There was nothing he could do however than politely accept the apology. Training continued with more pranks and taunting, but he could do nothing but ignore them. At the time of their gempukku Kuwanan was engaged to be married to Shiba Nosuriko, a beautiful young maiden. The night before their wedding however she hung herself in her chamber, leaving no note or reason. Kuwanan however believed the fault lay with Hiroru, who had never relented in his advances towards the girl. Kuwanan finally had enough reason to challenge Hiroru, but when he went to the Matsu's room he was nowhere to be found. Kuwanan never got his revenge. [6] Kuwanan was right. Hiroru readily had followed Akodo Kage's orders, angered after a Crane victory against Lion, and had began a romantic liasion with Nosuriko. [7]

Topaz Championship[]

In 1118 [8] Kuwanan passed his gempukku and was a contestant of the Topaz Championship with other future famous samurai as Toku. [9] There he met again Kakita Asami, a childhood sweetheart before Kuwanan left Crane lands. She looked not anymore interested on him, and saw her flirting with other contestants. [10] During the event it was found assassinated the Badger Clan Champion, Ichiro Akitomo. [11]

Early Stations[]

Learning from the Daidoji[]

Kuwanan began to roam the southern lands of the Crane to secure trading routes for the Crane, [12] and began to learn from the clever Daidoji family [6] in the Daidoji Iron Warrior school. [5]

Learning from the Hida[]

After his time with the Daidoji he traveled even further south and trained with Hida Kuman, the sensei of the Crab Clan who had taught both Hida Yakamo and Hida O-Ushi. During his time there Kuman would frequently say "the boy has promise". [13] To prove his worthy he entered the Shadowlands and returned with one of the largest oni heads ever captured. From that they the Crab respectfully called him "Kunari-me Tetsu-tsuru", or "Pretty Eeys Iron Crane". [14]

Tension with the Lion[]

In early 1123 Kuwanan was still being held in Lion lands, despite his father had asked him to return home. His life was at risk, because tensions between Lion and Crane had increased with the appearance of Lion forces in the Osari border. [15]

Scorpion Coup[]

During the Scorpion Coup Kuwana's father, Satsume, was severely wounded, and the championship was assumed by Hoturi. [16] After the Imperial Palace was released and the Coup was over, Kuwanan surrounded his sister Doji Shizue, who had been freed as the rest of the surviving members of the Imperial Court. Rumors that Shizue had not been together with the rest of the courtiers spread, but it was not known what had happened to her in the rest of the days of the Coup. [17]

Clan Wars[]

Kuwanan returned from his journeys to find his family's house in flames. [12]

Beiden Pass[]

In the first skirmishes of the Battle of Beiden Pass Toturi the Black sent Kuwanan to enter in negotiations with Hida Amoro. Amoro refused to withdraw and in the battle against Kuwanan's Dragon army, he was magically affected by an ise zumi so that he could not enter a berserker trance. In his frustration Amoro accidentally destroyed the amulet which commanded his undead troops and was killed by his own army. [18]

Crane Strongholds razed[]

The assault on the Crane continued, and Kyuden Doji fell in winter 1127. There Kuwanan was wounded in a personal duel with Hoturi, without knowing he was the False Hoturi. Kuwanan was saved by the intervention of Daidoji Uji. [19] The Lion forces commanded by his former sensei, Matsu Agetoki, had stood at bay, seeing how the Shadowlands army decimated the Crane defenders. [20] Kuwanan was outraged, believing his brother had betrayed him, and swore vengeance upon Hoturi. [21] Kyuden Kakita fell later, after Kuwanan had retreated to Asahina temples to be healed. The Crane and Phoenix armies were met by an army of Naga led by Mirumoto Daini and Doji Hoturi, now fully recovered from his wounds thanks to Naga magic. [22]

Regreting[]

Kuwanan had lived his life in fear that he, like Hoturi, would fail to meet their father's impossible standards. He had been consumed with desire, a desire to be more like his successful and well-liked brother. Since their mother's death he had been overcome with regret that he had not been there to try to save her as Hoturi had been. Fear. Desire. Regret. The three greatest sins a samurai could face, all of these had taken root in Kuwanan's soul, and Hoturi played a part in each. Kuwanan saw only what he hated in himself, his failure to protect Kyuden Doji. [19]

Facing his brother[]

When Kuwanan saw his brother he believed Hoturi was the same man that wounded him at Kyuden Doji. Hoturi told a wild tale of Scorpion machinations and a magical duplicate that shared his memories, a doppleganger called the False Hoturi. He had not doubted that this was some twisted attempt to torment him further before burning the Asahina Temples to the ground. Kuwanan took Shukujo and wounded Hoturi. The Ancestral blade did not sing while Kuwanan was striking, but at the contact with Hoturi's flesh it sung. Kuwanan stopped, realizing the Crane blade still recognized Hoturi as the true Crane Clan Champion, even after his sins. Uji appeared and convinced Kuwanan to believe his brother. [19] Kuwanan was immediately place in command directly under Uji. [22] Hoturi appointed Kuwanan as his heir and next Crane Champion if he would die during his task of destroying the False Hoturi. [23]

Second Day of the Thunder[]

Kuwanan and Shiba Tsukune were alongside the Empire armies outside the Imperial City, Otosan Uchi, ready to assault it in the Second Day of Thunder. [24] The Crane forces were exhausted after the forced march. Seven hundred Daidoji led by Daidoji Uji were the first to engage the enemy, relieving Crab forces led by Hida Yakamo, allowing the Kuni Shugenja to retreat. [25]

Crane Clan Champion[]

Doji Kuwanan 1

Doji Kuwanan with his shaved head

After the death of Doji Hoturi in the Imperial Palace, Kuwanan became the new Champion. He shaved his head as a symbol of his grief, forever dedicating himself to Bishamon, Fortune of Strength, so that his vision would not be clouded again. [21] It was time for peace and rebuilding the broken Crane lands. [26] Kuwanan applied the iron gauntlet of a warrior when managing politics. [27]

Hidden Emperor[]

In 1130 Toturi I announced a great festival for his second anniversary as Emperor, and important members of the Clans gathered into the Imperial City. Before the celebration began, a guard announced the disappearance of Toturi, and it was found a Scorpion silk scrap in his chambers. The Phoenix Clan Champion Shiba Tsukune gave testimony that Bayushi Kachiko had been in the Emperor's chambers just one hour ago. Tsukune had led the guards through the secret passage beyond the Emperor's room and had found an Akodo Dagger in the hands of the dead Bayushi Tagumura, a minor Daimyo, who also held a piece of Toturi's cloak. Kuwanan warned Kachiko to return Toturi or to suffer the Crane's wrath. Within the dagger's tang was found the name of its owner, Akodo Kage, who had died during the Clan War. Only a Lion could have this weapon, making the matter confuse. [28]

Scorpion Exile[]

The Imperial Regent Takuan ordered the exile of the Scorpion Clan to the Burning Sands. [29] Kakita Yoshi offered his Clan to foster all children of the Scorpion under the age of twelve, releasing the children to such a harsh journey. [28]

The Scorpion Lands[]

Bayushi Aramoro made a deal with Yoritomo in 1131. In exchange for his son, Bayushi Aramasu, Yoritomo would hold the Scorpion lands until their return from their exile to the Burning Sands. Yoritomo Aramasu travelled to Mantis lands bearing maps and secrets so Yoritomo could further his power in the Empire and fulfill his promise to Aramoro. Citing their charter from Toturi I to tax and regent any "unaligned" lands, [30] the Mantis headed from the Three Man Alliance's territory towards the Scorpion lands, and were blocked by the Crane, who refused them passage. Yoritomo offered them a fortune in payment for passage, including the Ancestral Sword of the Lion Clan. [31] Kuwanan himself travelled with Yoritomo, but when Yoritomo turned to thank Kuwanan upon arriving in Scorpion lands it becomes clear Kuwanan had made his own plans, using the Scorpion Children fostered to the Crane as the excuse for rightful ownership to the Scorpion lands. Kuwanan ambushed Yoritomo as soon as they hit Scorpion lands, and Yoritomo was forced to retreat. [30] Kuwanan was unaware of it at the time, but his decisions were based on advisers sent by the Lying Darkness to cause strife in the Empire. [32] This was widely regarded as the beginning of the War Against Shadow. [30]

While retreating the Mantis seized the Beiden Pass, a way to go north to Lion lands and the beaches of Otosan Uchi. Crane and Unicorn forces surrounded the Mantis. [33] In 1132 after six months since the Mantis claimed Beiden Pass they had built a Palace upon the tall slopes of the canyon, and their armies prepare to invade the Matsu lands. The Crane allied with the Unicorn waged war against Yoritomo, seeking to destroy his hold on Beiden Pass. [34]

Kuwanan Pursued Yoritomo[]

Doji Kuwanan 2

Kuwanan, Crane Clan Champion

Finally Yoritomo left the pass, toward Shiro Matsu and Otosan Uchi. [35] The Lion could not oppose this advance, with Ikoma Tsanuri marching to Crab lands and simultaneously defending themselves from the Unicorn, who were aware of their bonds with the Shadowlands. His path home cut off, Yoritomo opted to skirt the Crane lands and retreated to the edge of Phoenix territory. Kuwanan hesitated to enter the lands of of their longtime allies, and the Mantis were given time to regroup. [36]

Civil Crane War[]

While Kuwanan had been confronting Yoritomo in the former lands of the Scorpion Clan he had sent a message to Daidoji Uji asking for his aid. The minions of the Lying Darkness killed the Crane messenger and replaced him with another, and forged a message asking Uji's current status. Uji had been dreaming of revenge against the Lion, [37] and informed his lord that he would retake Shiro no Yojin instead to hold ground on Kyuden Bayushi. [38] When the report was delivered unaltered to Kuwanan he believed Uji had defied his orders. [37] Kuwanan ordered to cease the attack against the Lion and sent Crane forces to stop Uji. It caused a civil war when Crane fought Crane. The Lord of the Hainen Provinces, Doji Kuyamu, died against Uji's forces. [39] Kuwanan ordered to kill Uji and any attempt to pacify them was halted by minions of the Lying Darkness. It became a full-scale civil war. [40]

Famine[]

In the rolling lands of the Crane, famine raised its terrible head. Heimin died by the score, and even the wealthiest families hoarded their koku, desperate to feed their children. Together, the artisans, courtiers and assembled daimyo of the Crane struggled to keep themselves alive. [41]

Mantis Invasion of the Phoenix Lands[]

When Yoritomo began the Mantis Invasion of the Phoenix lands Kuwanan did not chase him. Yoritomo Hogosha had lobbied to favor the Mantis in the Imperial Court to the ears of Kakita Yoshi and with an ongoing Civil War the Crane were kept at bay while their allies, the Phoenix, were invaded. [42]

Twenty-Seven Days of Darkness[]

Onnotangu was dead and Amaterasu had fled the Celestial Heavens, beginning the Twenty-Seven Days of Darkness. In the eighth day Hitomi appeared at Kyuden Doji and she enjoyed a tea ceremony with Kuwanan. [43]

The Crane Civil War Ends[]

Kuwanan meets Uji

Kuwanan meets Uji

Kakita Kaiten told Uji and Kuwanan that the Darkness was destroying the very souls of the dead, the ancestors had been slaughtered by the hundreds. It was time to reunite Clan. [44] Uji returned to Kuwanan, [45] offering his seppuku for his treason. Meeting in person at Shiro no Yojin [46] they finally realized that they had been duped by the Lying Darkness shapeshifters and the Crane were unified again. [47] [48]

Race to Volturnum[]

Uji and Kuwanan

Kuwanan and Uji in the Battle of Oblivion's Gate, at Tadaka's sight

The Crane Clan followed Kakita Kaiten's information and marched toward the troll city of Volturnum to stop the Lying Darkness. [44] An oni army blocked their way and Crane and Lion forces fought together to step forward. [49] Kuwanan was near death when overwhelming odds of goblin and oni attacked him. A Fox saved his life shooting an oni before the creature could kill him. Kuwanan was dragged out the battlefield. [50]

Oblivion's Gate[]

Kuwanan fought at the Battle of Oblivion's Gate. He killed his own Daidoji guard, after they became faceless possessed by the Shadows. [51] He was one of the thousand samurai who reached the gates of Volturnum. [52] Despite the festering Taint that took his right arm and turned it into a twisted mass of flesh he stood beside the united armies on the day that the Empire stood against the Shadow and refused to fall. [53]

Death and Successor[]

Doji Kuwanan 3

Kuwanan praying

Kuwanan married Doji Narumi. His son Doji Kurohito was born mere days after Kuwanan's death in 1133 at the Battle of Oblivion's Gate in the city of Volturnum. Kurohito wouldn't become champion until eleven years later in 1144, and the Crane were ruled by the Regent Kakita Kaiten until that time. [54] After his death, Kuwanan's spirit became the ruler and keeper of Volturnum. [55]

After Death[]

In 1160 the spirit of Kuwanan was seen in Toshi Ranbo as one of the souls called forth from Naishi during the cleanse of the cursed sword Chukandomo. Kuwanan's son Doji Kurohito recognized his father, but Kuwanan did not recognize his son, the boy having been born days after Kuwanan's death. [54]

Legion of the Dead[]

In 1166 Kuwanan joined the Legion of the Dead. He had stepped forward to answer Matsu Goemon's call to fight the Legion of Blood. [21] As the two forces initially battled for control over the newly forming realm in 1166, Isawa Tsuke released a massive explosion intending to stop the First Oni, but it also disrupted the realm and knocked everyone in it into private memories of critical choices in their lives. The Realm of Thwarted Destiny was testing each of them, to see if they would embrace their destines or reject them. The realm could become a place where those who failed their destinies could repeat their failures for eternity or a place where those who failed could embrace their fates and find redemption. [56]

Lost in the mists of the new Realm[]

Kuwanan was again wounding his brother at the Asahina Temples, and again stopped his swing before he killed Hoturi. His vision faded, and he was again in the plains of the Thwarted Destiny realm. He followed Uji. [19]

See also[]

External Links[]


Preceded by:
Doji Hoturi 		Crane Clan Champion
1128 - 1133 		Succeeded by:
Kakita Kaiten


Sources Conflict
The sources relating to this article are in conflict with each other.
Hidden Emperor page 82 claims that Kuwanan died during the War of Spirits, safeguarding the retreat of his forces during a pincer attack of the Hantei XVI's forces. Imperial Histories page 225 claims Kuwanan died in the Battle of Oblivion's Gate, which is kept as more accuracy as IH is a later RPG. 21:02, June 9, 2013 (UTC)

References

  1. ↑ Way of the Crane, pp. 80,82
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Way of the Crane, p. 80
  3. ↑ Way of the Crane, pp. 80-81
  4. ↑ Way of the Lion, p. 75
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Imperial Histories, p. 207
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Way of the Crane, p. 81
  7. ↑ The Merchant's Guide to Rokugan, pp. 85-86
  8. ↑ Imperial Histories, p. 127
  9. ↑ Roleplaying in the Emerald Empire, p. 218
  10. ↑ Roleplaying in the Emerald Empire, p. 214 Sidebar
  11. ↑ Roleplaying in the Emerald Empire, p. 213
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Doji Kuwanan (Forbidden Knowledge flavor)
  13. ↑ Way of the Crane, pp. 81-82
  14. ↑ Roleplaying in the Emerald Empire, p. 61
  15. ↑ Winter Court: Kyuden Seppun, p. 84
  16. ↑ Otosan Uchi: The Scorpion's Sting, p. 24
  17. ↑ Otosan Uchi: The Scorpion's Sting, p. 67
  18. ↑ The Bad Death of Hida Amoro, by Rob Vaux
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Legions, Part VIII
  20. ↑ Clan War: Thunder's Challenge, p. 8
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 The Legion of the Dead: Brother of Thunder
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 The Story So Far: Forbidden Knowledge (Imperial Herald v1 #4)
  23. ↑ Clan War: Thunder's Challenge, p. 33
  24. ↑ Doji Kuwanan Exp (Time of the Void flavor)
  25. ↑ Time of the Void, pp. 95-96
  26. ↑ Clan Letter to the Crane #7 (Imperial Herald v2 #3)
  27. ↑ Marketplace (Jade flavor)
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 The Exile of the Scorpion, Part I, by Ree Soesbee
  29. ↑ Legend of the Five Rings: Third Edition, p. 20
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Legend of the Five Rings; Third Edition, p. 21
  31. ↑ Claiming the Bayushi Provinces (Storyline Tournament)
  32. ↑ Draft Notice (Soul of the Empire flavor)
  33. ↑ Rulebook Story (Hidden Emperor 5)
  34. ↑ Rulebook Story (Hidden Emperor 6)
  35. ↑ A Gentle Reminder by Ree Soesbee
  36. ↑ Hidden Emperor, p. 28
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Hidden Emperor, p. 29
  38. ↑ Clan Letter to the Crane #10 (Imperial Herald v3 #2)
  39. ↑ Soul of the Fallen, by Ree Soesbee
  40. ↑ Hidden Emperor, p. 41
  41. ↑ The Storming of Morikage Castle, Part 1, by Ree Soesbee
  42. ↑ Clan Letter to the Phoenix #10 (Imperial Herald v3 #2)
  43. ↑ Strike At Midnight: The Twenty-seven Days of Darkness
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Clan Letter to the Crane #11 (Imperial Herald v3 #3)
  45. ↑ Clan Letter to the Crane #12 (Imperial Herald v3 #4)
  46. ↑ Triumphant Victory (Fire and Shadow flavor)
  47. ↑ Clan Letter to the Scorpion (Imperial Herald v4 #2)
  48. ↑ Hidden Emperor, p. 66
  49. ↑ The Race to Volturnum: Crane
  50. ↑ The Race to Volturnum: Monk
  51. ↑ GenCon 2000: Oblivion's Gate, by Ree Soesbee
  52. ↑ The Battle at Oblivion's Gate
  53. ↑ A Letter from Saigorei (Imperial Herald v4 #4)
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Immortal Steel, by Shawn Carman
  55. ↑ Oriental Adventures, p. 243
  56. ↑ Legions, Part III, by Shawn Carman and Rich Wulf


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