Kitsune family
Clan:	Mantis Clan
Founded:	90
Daimyo:	Kitsune Ryukan
"Fall seven times, stand up eight" [1]

The Kitsune family was the family of the Fox Clan. The Fox was the first minor clan officially recognized by any Emperor. The clan colors were red-brown and silver.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Ki-Rin's Exodus 1.2 Serving with the Ikoma 1.3 Seeking new territory 1.4 Founding 1.5 Evolution 1.6 Return of the Ki-Rin 1.7 Minor Clan Alliances 1.8 Date code 1.9 War against the Shadow 1.10 Crane Alliance 1.11 Absorption by the Mantis Clan 2 Artifacts 3 Samurai 4 Schools & Paths 5 Kitsune Daimyo 6 References

History Edit

Ki-Rin's Exodus Edit

When Shinjo took the Ki-Rin Clan to explore for threats beyond the borders of the Empire there were a small number of the clan that, for one reason or another, chose to remain within the Empire. ^[2] Shinjo bargained with her brother the Emperor that they would have records of all things which she would miss in her time away, and be prepared for her return. Since that day, the Fox libraries have filled with recorded conversations, thoughts, and celebrations directed at Shinjo, in the hopes that one day she would return. ^[3]

Serving with the Ikoma Edit

Forty years after the Ki-Rin's Exodus, the last remaining Ki-Rin, which would be later known as the Fox, marched through Ikoma lands, seeking refuge from the waves of uncivilized gaijin. These samurai served with the Ikoma for a generation as huntsmen, scouts and strike force. ^[4]

Seeking new territory Edit

In the year 85 the Lion Clan removed the threat posed by the barbaric tribes of northmen and the Fox tried to return to their ancestral lands, but the Matsu claimed the former Ki-Rin lands for their own. The small army of the Fox traveled south, through Beiden Pass and into the empty lands below the mountains. ^[4]

Founding Edit

The Emperor declared to Shinjo that he would see to the welfare of these people, and ^{[citation needed]} when the Ki-Rin departed and the remaining people were kicked out of their lands by the Lion he declared that this remnant were the Fox Clan - the first minor clan recognized by the Emperor. The Emperor also forbade anyone from declaring full-scale warfare of Great Clans against Minor Clans. In 90, ^[5] he granted them lands of Kitsune Mori, closer to Otosan Uchi than the original Ki-Rin lands in order to keep the children of his sister Shinjo close to him. ^[6] The Fox took the Ki-Rin's place at court and represented that clan's interests while it was abroad. ^{[citation needed]}

Evolution Edit

Over the centuries, the Fox clan evolved into a clan distinct from the Ki-Rin, with close ties to the Kitsune shapechangers native to the haunted forests within their lands. ^[7]

Return of the Ki-Rin Edit

In the Return of the Ki-Rin, the Fox were the first to recognize their lost kin, and they rushed this news to their allies, the Miya. ^[8] Once the Ki-Rin were recognized as the Unicorn Clan, both the Fox and the Unicorn agreed that they were different enough that they could no longer be considered the same clan, and no attempt was made to reabsorb the Fox into the Unicorn Clan. ^{[citation needed]} Their skills in hunting, herbalism and woodsmanship were unparalleled in Rokugan. ^[7]

Minor Clan Alliances Edit

The Fox Clan were members of the Three Man Alliance of minor clans, and during the Clan War they had very close ties to Yoritomo's Alliance, but they fiercely maintained their independent existence as a Minor Clan. ^{[citation needed]} The Crane Clan sought to command them from the Alliance in 1132. ^[9]

Date code Edit

Sparrow Clan used a modified calendar based upon the year of their founding. It was not uncommon for the other members of the Three Man Alliance to use it, particularly the Fox. The Wasp used it some as well. ^[10]

War against the Shadow Edit

In 1133 the Fox Clan were defending the walls of Otosan Uchi against the Shadows. ^[11]

Crane Alliance Edit

When approached by Yoritomo to join the Mantis Clan in 1133, Fox Clan Champion Kitsune Ryosei refused and threw the Fox Clan in with the Crane. ^[12] When the Crane brokered their alliance with the Fox, the Kumo moved against Kyuden Kitsune. ^[13] Some time later the Fox considered the Crane lack of support as a betrayal, ^[14] and the grudge stood for years. ^[15]

Absorption by the Mantis Clan Edit

In 1169, 40 years after Yoritomo's proposal, a prophet was discovered by the Fox Clan, Kitsune Narako, living amongst them. The prophet prophesied the downfall of the Fox Clan, and the Fox Clan Champion Kitsune Ryukan decided to ask the Tsuruchi family of the Mantis Clan for aid. Attacks in the Kitsune Mori and later several attempts to kidnap the prophet showed Ryukan the weakness of his tiny clan. ^[16] Following the aid of the Mantis Clan, the Fox Clan were absorbed into the Mantis Clan, becoming the Kitsune family. ^[17] It was later that the Shadow Dragon had orchestrated the attacks and planned to use the Fox' connection to Chikushudo to gain the awareness of all animals in the world, making him nearly omniscient. When he realized Narako's gift of prophecy, he instead sent agents to kidnap her, and to take her gift for himself. Both goals were fouled with the Mantis aid. ^[18]

Artifacts Edit

The Kitsune were currently in possession of one of the Jade Goblets of Taira. ^[19] Some might technically say they also possessed one of the black scrolls, but it was passed from Kitsune Ryosei to the Phoenix Clan, who guarded it in the Hidden City. ^[20]

Samurai Edit

See Samurai of the Fox Clan for a listing of notable members of the clan, both current and historic. For members of the Kitsune family after joining the Mantis Clan in 1169, see Samurai of the Mantis Clan.

Schools & Paths Edit

The following are the Schools and Paths of the Kitsune family:

• Kitsune Shugenja

Kitsune Daimyo Edit

The following is a listing of all Kitsune Daimyo since the family's founding in 90. Until the family's absorption into the Mantis Clan in 1169, these individuals were also the Fox Clan Champion.

Shinun	(c. 80) - ?
Kitsune Oshirin	? - 1090
Kitsune Gohei	1090 - 1124
Kitsune Ryosei	1124 - 1160
Kitsune Ryukan	1160 - Present

Sources Conflict The sources relating to this article are in conflict with each other.

In Winter Court: Kyuden Seppun page 29 was Hantei himself who allowed the relocation of the Fox Clan. As Hantei died in the year 45, and the Fox moved around the year 80, it is contradictory. --Oni no Pikachu 20:58, March 10, 2012 (UTC)

References

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