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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. Lacking the eloquence and brashness of his older brother Hoturi, Kuwanan was often mistaken as a slow thick-set youth. This led many to underestimate him both on and off the field of battle, often to their detriment. [1]

Kakita Blade[]

Kuwanan carried the Kakita Blade Omeka. [2]

Studies[]

Young Kuwanan

Young Kuwanan

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

Lion Clan[]

The Emperor had commanded the Lion and Crane to stop warring, and imposed the fosterage of Kuwanan in the Akodo school. [4] 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 fortify his soul. The time spent with the Lion Champion 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 as each studied under separate sensei, they frequently met 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, other than politely accept the apology. Training continued with more pranks and taunting from Hiroru, but Kuwanan 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 she hung herself in her chamber, leaving no note or reason for her act. Kuwanan believed the fault lay with Hiroru, who had never relented in his advances toward 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 had followed Akodo Kage's orders, angered after a Crane victory against the Lion, and had begun a romantic liaison with Nosuriko. [7]

Topaz Championship[]

In 1118 [8] Kuwanan passed his gempukku and was a contestant at the Topaz Championship with other future famous samurai such as Toku. [9] There he again met Kakita Asami, who had been a childhood sweetheart before Kuwanan had left Crane lands. But she was no longer interested in him, and he saw her flirting with other contestants. [10] During the event the Badger Clan Champion, Ichiro Akitomo, was found assassinated. [11]

Early Stations[]

Learning From the Daidoji[]

Kuwanan began to roam the southern lands of the Crane to secure trade routes, [12] and also started training with the clever Daidoji family [6] in the Daidoji Iron Warrior school. [5]

Learning From the Hida[]

After his time with the Daidoji Kuwanan 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 worthiness, Kuwanan entered the Shadowlands and returned with one of the largest oni heads ever captured. From then the Crab respectfully called him "Kunari-me Tetsu-tsuru", or "Pretty Eyes Iron Crane". [14]

Tension With the Lion[]

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

Scorpion Coup[]

During the Scorpion Coup Kuwanan's father Satsume was severely wounded and the Clan Championship was assumed by Hoturi. [16] After the Imperial Palace was liberated and the Coup was over, Kuwanan questioned his sister Doji Shizue, who had been freed along with 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 during the last 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 negotiate with Hida Amoro. Amoro refused to withdraw and in the battle against Kuwanan's Dragon army, he was magically ensorcelled 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 the winter of 1127. There Kuwanan was wounded in a personal duel with 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 by, 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 the Asahina temples to be healed. The Crane and Phoenix armies were met by an army of Naga led by Mirumoto Daini and the real Doji Hoturi, who was now fully recovered from his wounds thanks to Naga magic. [22]

Regret[]

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 the 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, and all of these had taken root in Kuwanan's soul, with Hoturi playing 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 had wounded him at Kyuden Doji. Hoturi told a wild tale of Scorpion machinations and a magical duplicate that shared his memories, a doppelganger he called the False Hoturi. Kuwanan believed that this was some twisted attempt by Hoturi 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 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 placed in command directly under Uji. [22] Hoturi appointed Kuwanan as his heir and next Crane Champion should he die in his efforts to destroy the False Hoturi. [23]

Second Day of Thunder[]

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

Crane Clan Champion[]

Doji Kuwanan with his shaved head

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 devastated Crane lands. [26] Kuwanan applied the iron-fisted approach of a warrior in his management of political issues. [27]

Hidden Emperor[]

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

Scorpion Exile[]

The Imperial Regent Takuan ordered the exile of the Scorpion Clan to the Burning Sands. [29] Kakita Yoshi offered for his Clan to foster all children of the Scorpion under the age of twelve, saving them from 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 toward 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 became 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 crossed into Scorpion territory, and Yoritomo was forced to retreat. [30] Kuwanan was unaware of it at the time, but his decisions were based on advisors sent by the Lying Darkness to sow confusion and strife in the Empire. [32] This event is widely regarded as the beginning act of the War Against Shadow. [30]

While retreating the Mantis seized Beiden Pass, a route which had access to the northern Lion lands and the beaches of Otosan Uchi. Crane and Unicorn forces surrounded the Mantis. [33] In 1132, after six months of occupation, the Mantis claimed Beiden Pass and built a Palace upon the tall slopes of the canyon, preparing to invade the Matsu lands. The Crane allied with the Unicorn and waged war against Yoritomo, seeking to oust him from Beiden Pass. [34]

Kuwanan Pursues Yoritomo[]

Kuwanan, Crane Clan Champion

Kuwanan, Crane Clan Champion

Finally Yoritomo left the pass, heading 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. With 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 an agent of the Shadow, 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 of holding ground at Kyuden Bayushi. [38] When the report was delivered to Kuwanan he believed Uji had defied his orders. [37] Kuwanan ordered a stop to the attack against the Lion and sent Crane forces to stop Uji. This series of events sparked a Crane civil war. The Lord of the Hainen Provinces, Doji Kuyamu, died fighting against Uji's forces. [39] Kuwanan issued orders to kill Uji and any attempt to pacify the internecine hostilities was halted by minions of the Lying Darkness. [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 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 Lying Darkness was destroying the very souls of the dead, and related that ancestors had been slaughtered by the hundreds. It was time to reunite the Crane Clan. [44] Uji returned to Kuwanan, [45] offering to commit seppuku for his treason. Meeting in person at Shiro no Yojin, [46] both men finally realized that they had been duped by the Lying Darkness, and the Crane were unified again. [47] [48]

Race to Volturnum[]

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

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 continue forward. [49] Kuwanan was near death when overwhelming numbers of goblins and oni attacked him. A Fox Clan archer saved his life by shooting an oni before the creature could kill him. Kuwanan was dragged off the battlefield. [50]

Oblivion's Gate[]

Kuwanan fought at the Battle of Oblivion's Gate. He was forced to kill his own Daidoji guard after they became faceless minions possessed by the Shadow. [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[]

Kuwanan praying

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 cleansing 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, stepping 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 intended to stop the First Oni, but it disrupted reality in the entire 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 destinies or reject them. The realm could become a place where those who failed their destinies could repeat their failures for eternity or 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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