Bishamon
Bishamon was the Fortune of Strength and one of the Seven Fortunes. [1] Rokugani saw him as their protecting deity, and often asked for his blessings before a battle. [2] There were countless temples and shrines devoted to Bishamon, but the most famous one, Bishamon Seido was located in Lion Clan lands. [3]
Appearance[]
Bishamon was a large man, who clutched a miniature model of a great castle, carved in perfect detail. If one looked closely enough, there almost seemed to be little people moving about inside. [4] He wore a heavy samurai armor and wielded a naginata [5] made of silver. [6]
Blessings and Curses[]
When Bishamon intervened was on a dramatic scale. Unfortunately, he could also be unpredictable towards those in whom he had taken an interest, whether they were blessed or cursed. If Bishamon felt that someone under his scrutiny had been weak or dishonorable, he might arrange for a suitable test of their courage. [7] He was particularly venerated by the Crab and Lion clans, although bushi of all clans paid him homage. [8]
Temples to Bishamon[]
Monks that served the temples to Bishamon were allowed to marry and had families. [9] The direct descendants of Shinsei were hidden within them, and only to make themselves known when it became necessary to gather the Thunders once more. [10]
History[]
Invasion of the Celestial Heavens[]
Bishamon
Bishamon fought Akuma no Oni during the Invasion of the Celestial Heavens. [6] In 1160 the invasion was halted when the words of Hantei Naseru tricked Fu Leng into distrusting Daigotsu, whose faith was the source of Fu Leng's power. [11] Taking advantage of this moment of weakness, Bishamon deprived Fu Leng of the Emma-O's Spear, and Hoshi pushed him back to the gates of Tengoku. Fu Leng was once again confronted by the Seven Thunders and decided to retreat. [12]
Isawa Nakamuro[]
Bishamon favored the Master of Air, Isawa Nakamuro. [13] In 1165 he granted the shugenja with a spear to fight Iuchiban in the Siege of Gisei Toshi. [2]
Death of Rosoku[]
Rosoku, the heir of Shinsei, had been murdered and it angered Bishamon. In 1167 [14] the Fortune appeared in Kagoki, the most fertile Scorpion village and razed much of the farmlands for their inability to protect him. The Scorpion faced starvation as a result. [15] Since that the area was called Bishamon's Curse. [16]
Celestial Unrest[]
In 1170 the seven fortunes supported the Jade Dragon and Obsidian Dragon when they challenged and defeated Yakamo, Lord Sun, and Hitomi, Lady Moon. [17]
Togashi ascends[]
The Kami Togashi was a lawbreaker of the Celestial Order, a mortal whose soul remained in Ningen-do avoiding death. It drew the attention of the Seven Fortunes who judged his interaction illegal. Togashi eventually accepted their judgment and ascended to Tengoku. [18]
External Links[]
A statue representing Bishamon
- Bishamon's Guidance (Empire at War)
- Temple of Bishamon (Shadowlands)
- Shrine to Bishamon (Heaven and Earth)
References
- ↑ Way of the Phoenix, p. 33
- ↑ Legend of the Five Rings; Third Edition, p. 293
- ↑ Fortunes & Winds, p. 69
- ↑ Jade, by Rich Wulf
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fight For Tomorrow, Part I
- ↑ Fortunes & Winds, pp. 69-70
- ↑ Emerald Empire; Fourth Edition, p. 178
- ↑ Way of Shinsei, p. 32
- ↑ Way of Shinsei, p. 39
- ↑ Fight for Tomorrow, Part 11, by Rich Wulf
- ↑ Corruption's Price, by Rich Wulf
- ↑ Shrine of Bishamon (Lotus flavor)
- ↑ Vacant Throne, p. 25
- ↑ Worldly Matters, by Shawn Carman
- ↑ The Destroyer War, Part 18, by Shawn Carman
- ↑ Scenes from the Empire VI, by Brian Yoon
- ↑ Heaven’s Net, by Nancy Sauer
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