Hida Kuon

From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings

Hida Kuon
Born:	Unknown
Died:	17th day of the Rooster, 1171
Parents:	Hida O-Ushi, Hida Yasamura
Siblings:	Hida Kuroda
Spouse:	Hida Reiha
Children	Hida Kisada, Hida Ren
Titles:	Crab Clan Champion
People

Hida Kuon was a bushi and berserker of the Crab Clan. He was the son of Hida Yasamura and Hida O-Ushi, twin brother of Hida Kuroda, husband to Hida Reiha and father to two sons, Hida Ichiro and Hida Ren. Kuon became the Crab Clan Champion in 1159 and led the clan until his death in 1171.

Contents 1 Youth 2 Crab Clan Champion 3 Return of Kisada 4 Third Yasuki War 4.1 Cherry Blossom Snow Village 4.2 End of the War 5 Ichiro's Gempukku 6 Death 7 External Links 8 References

[edit] Youth

Hida Kuon never expected to become Crab Champion. All assumed that his twin brother, Kuroda, would be a better leader, including Kuon. When O-Ushi died, Kuroda was named the Crab Champion, and Kuon was satisfied to serve his brother as his most trusted officer. ^{[citation needed]}

Kuroda was a superb general, studied in the tactics and strategies of the Crab and Unicorn. Kuon was a formidable warrior, and embraced the bloodlust of the Hida family. They were the perfect pair. ^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Crab Clan Champion

When Kuroda fell defending the Kaiu Wall, it came to Kuon to take his place. At first, he was unsure of himself and his decisions. He was also tormented to know that Kuroda had become Lost, possessed by the onisu Kyofu. Yet, when Kuon faced him while retaking the fallen Kaiu Towers, Kuon was galvanized by rage. His nearly defeated soldiers watched him charge his brother and were heartened, and followed him in his charge.^{[citation needed]}

Kuon is an inspiration of hope to his clan, and some say that with him as Champion, the Crab cannot be defeated. He fights personally at the head of his army, wielding Kisada's tetsubo with devastating effect, and though he carries Yuruginai, he only draws it against his corrupted brother. Acknowledging his weakness as a tactician, he has called the Crab's most experienced military minds to his council. With their advice, the lost Kaiu Towers had been reclaimed, and Kaiu Wall had been rebuilt around the Tower of Fear.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Return of Kisada

The return of his grandfather Hida Kisada through Oblivion's Gate caused some concern for Kuon. Many among the Crab revere Kisada, and Kuon even offered the position of champion to his grandfather. Kisada declined, but the presence of two such strong leaders created a rift within the Crab. Kisada's previous allying with the Shadowlands and later negotiations with the Lost were of great concern to Kuon.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Third Yasuki War

A meeting between Kuon and Doji Domotai sparked a war between the Crab and the Crane. Kuon claimed to have evidence which proved that the late Emerald Champion Yasuki Hachi was not the rightful heir to the Yasuki family, and demanded the next Yasuki daimyo swear fealty to the Crab alone. Domotai refused to accept that, as she would not allow him to contradict the word of Doji Kurohito. ^[1]

[edit] Cherry Blossom Snow Village

The Crab captured Cherry Blossom Snow Village after the battle there in 1170. However, Kakita Kensho-in slew all the workers of the village's renowned brewery, rendering it useless. Kuon did not take the news well, and a mocking gift from Domotai shortly after compounded his hatred of the Crane Clan Champion.^[2]

[edit] End of the War

At the beginning of winter, the leaders of the Crab met to discuss the progress of the war. Hida Otoya claimed that their forces would be able to push the Crane out of the province by spring, but Yasuki Jinn-Kuen said that the Crab's supplies would last no more than a month, due to the Crane's economic sanctions and the high cost of maintaining the Wall. Otoya suggested they deploy the Damned, but Kuon was outraged by the notion. Left with no other options, Kuon sent Jinn-Kuen to ask Domotai for terms.^[3]

[edit] Ichiro's Gempukku

Hida Ichiro, a prodigy with the blade and, underwent his gempukku in the spring of 1171, a full year ahead of his contemporaries despite being small for his age. He took the name of his great-grandfather Hida Kisada, and had since served alongside warriors older, larger and stronger than him.^[4]

[edit] Death

In 1171, following the fall of the Kaiu Kabe to the forces of the Destroyer, Kuon was made to answer for the failings of the Crab Clan by Empress Iweko I. Kuon offered to seppuku to cleanse the shame from the Crab, and his request was accepted. He was however allowed to die a Crab's death, leading a hundred volunteers in an attack on an occupied section of the Carpenter Wall. Koun passed leadership of the Crab Clan to his wife Hida Reiha, until such a time as Kisada would be old enough to assume leadership, and marched upon the wall. Reports returned to the Imperial City of Kuon's valiant stand and death on the 17th day of the Month of the Rooster.^[4]

[edit] External Links

• Hida Kuon (Spirit Wars)
• Hida Kuon (Experienced) (A Perfect Cut)
• Hida Kuon (Experienced 2) (Broken Blades)
• Hida Kuon (Experienced 3) (Diamond Edition)
• Hida Kuon (Experienced 4) (Lotus Edition)
• Hida Kuon (Experienced 5) (Samurai Edition)
• Hida Kuon (Experienced 6) (Celestial Edition)

References

Preceded by: Hida Kuroda

Crab Clan Champion 1159 - 1171

Succeeded by: Hida Reiha

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