| Iweko Miaka | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born: | 1183 |
| Died: | - |
| Parents: | Iweko I, Iweko Setai |
| Siblings: | Iweko II, Iweko Shibatsu |
| Spouse: | Betrothed to Bayushi Karyudo |
| Titles: | Princess |
| People | |
Iweko Miaka, the Princess, was born in 1183 [1], becoming the third child and only daughter of Empress Iweko I [2] and Iweko Setai. She had two brothers, Iweko Seiken and Iweko Shibatsu.
Entourage
Her father Iweko Setai hand-picked Matsu Misato as her yojimbo, who alongside the Seppun Miharu Seppun Tasuke kept her safe. Miaka was taught by a Tattooed Monk, Togashi Gozato, who was prone to speaking in riddles and answering questions with questions of his own – habits which frustrated her. Isawa Tenkawa was her spiritual advisor. [2]
Selecting a Suitor
The Empress' youngest child was a teenager who after she had just completed her gempukku became the most eligible maiden in the Empire, and prominent samurai from every clan and faction set out to court her. Miaka had lived a very sheltered life with a rather naïve and romantic view of samurai life. In public she was usually too shy and uncertain of herself to actually speak. Sycophants as Shosuro Yamazaki, Doji Takato, or even the sumai wrestler Kaiu Akemi attempted to improve their own power and reputation by manipulating the courtship process. [2]
Winter Court - 1199
In 1199 Miaka attended Imperial Winter Court at Toshi Ranbo, taking the famous poet Yasuki Keirohime as her Scribe. [3] During the courtly event known as the Devil's Chase, a traditional ending to the Winter Court, in which a procession of priests was led through the Palace by the Devil Chaser, a priest bearing ancient artifacts and performing ceremonial song and dance, her yojimbo Seppun Asagako revealed to have been replaced by an oni. [4] Kommei no Oni rampaged through several district of the Imperial City, until it was eventually destroyed. It was unkown how the creature of Jigoku had managed to bypass the magical wards of the Imperial Palace. [5] Miaka commissioned a tapestry to commemorate the fierce battle taking place in the Imperial Gardens, depicting those who were part of the one's chase. [6]
Iweko II's Reign
Betrothed
Her brother Iweko Seiken was selected by her mother as the new Emperor, [7] Iweko II. [8] At the end of the Winter Court of 1199, Miaka became betrothed to Bayushi Karyudo [9] [3], set to marry into the Scorpion Clan in two years and losing her station as Imperial princess afterwards. [10] In the Month of the Hare of 1200 her brother Seiken arranged that once he was crowned as Emperor Iweko II, Miaka would travel to the Scorpion lands. The Scorpion expected she would be interested in visiting several locations, strategic points along the path of Lion's attack. Miaka's presence would held the Lion forces. [11]
War on the Empire
During the festivals predating Iweko Seiken's coronation, her elder brother had publicly humiliated Daigotsu Kanpeki by announcing that he would remove him as Spider Clan Champion. Seiken's brother, Iweko Shibatsu would join the Susumu family as their daimyo and become Lord Spider. Kanpeki considered this as betrayal of the deal between his father and Iweko I and declared war on the Empire. [12]
Fall of Toshi Ranbo
In 1200 the rebellious Spider Clan had the upperhand in their goal to rule the Empire. Bayushi Nitoshi offered to the enemy leader Daigotsu Kanpeki his services, and the services of half of his Clan. The Scorpion Clan Champion had delivered to Kanpeki the heads of the Crane Clan Champion Doji Makoto and the Phoenix Clan Champion Shiba Tsukimi to prove his allegiance. The Crane Clan suggested that Miaka's betrothal to Karyudo had already been dissolved by Seiken himself, and that a secret bounty had been issued on Karyudo's head. Shortly after the Spider stormed Toshi Ranbo, and the Phoenix used the spell Walking the Way to took the Emperor, his bride Hida Ayameko, Shibatsu and Miaka to a secret location. Nitoshi and his Clan were instrumental to secure the Iweko family, denying Kanpeki's real target, Iweko II. Karyudo decided to stay, as the spell would require less time with less travelers. [13]
External Links
- Iweko Miaka (The New Order)
References
- ↑ Winter Court IV - Doji Nishikawa speaks about Iweko Miaka
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Love Letter Flyer & Characters
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Reconstruction, by C. Thomas Hand
- ↑ Devil's Chase festival
- ↑ Winter Court 4 - Final Week Summary
- ↑ The Oak in the The Gardens - L5R and the Interactive Novel
- ↑ The Ascendant Son, by Shawn Carman
- ↑ Iron Defenders (Twenty Festivals flavor)
- ↑ Winter Court IV - Iweko Miaka's betrothal
- ↑ Isawa Tenkawa (The New Order flavor)
- ↑ Twenty Festivals, Part 3: Daughters and Kharma, by C Thomas Hand
- ↑ Thunderous Acclaim, Part 1, by Shawn Carman & Christopher Hand
- ↑ Blood Moons, by Mari Anne Murdock
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