Kakita
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
| Kakita | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born: | (c. 4) |
| Died: | (c. 43) |
| Siblings: | Kakita Kiyamori |
| Spouse: | Doji |
| Children | Doji Yasurugi, Doji Konishiko, Kakita Shimizu, Doji Hayaku, Doji Nio |
| Titles: | Emerald Champion, Kakita Daimyo |
| People | |
Kakita was one of the finest duelists in the history of Rokugan. Kakita became the first Emerald Champion, the husband of Lady Doji, and the founder of the Kakita family of the Crane Clan. He was the foremost expert on the matter of dueling in Rokugan and wrote "The Sword", a treatise on dueling used to this day.
Contents |
[edit] The Life of Kakita
[edit] The Emerald Championship
At 19 years of age, Kakita traveled to Otosan Uchi to compete in the first Tounament of the Emerald Champion. Although he triumphed in this endeavor, he faced the Lady Matsu in his last duel. He triumphed over the Lioness, but she took great insult in her defeat. That day, Kakita earned an enemy that harbors a grudge against his House to this day. [1][2]
[edit] The Lady Doji
A short while after the tournament, Hantei presented Kakita to his sister, Doji, and expressed his desire that they wed. Doji agreed, but on the condition that Kakita be able to complete three challenges, so that she would know his worth. Hantei agreed. The first challenge was to bring the dead to life. The second was to measure the width of the world. The third was to show her a vision of absolute beauty. Though crestfallen, Kakita did not give up. [3][2]
[edit] The Wise Woman Yasuki
In order to complete these quests, Kakita traveled far to consult with a wise woman, Yasuki, who showed him where to seek the answers to the Lady Doji's challenges. While Kakita traveled, he left his twin sister, Kiyamori to be Doji's lady in waiting. For the first challenge, Kakita crafted a biwa from a piece of dead driftwood and used it to play a beautiful song for his bride to be. For the second challenge, he explained that the world was only as wide, and would take as long to cross, as the company you had while crossing it, and that if Amaterasu were your companion, you could cross it in a single day. Finally, for the third challenge, Kakita took out a mirror, and showed the Lady Doji her own reflection, as a vision of peerless beauty. Kakita and Doji were married that day. In return for Yasuki's help, Kiyamori married the wise woman's son, elevating him to samurai status. [4][2]
[edit] Children
The Lady Doji and Kakita had five children: the twins, Doji Yasurugi and Doji Konishiko, as well as Doji Nio, Kakita Shimizu and Doji Hayaku. Nio continued the line of the Doji family, Shimizu the Kakita family, and Hayaku became the founder of the Daidoji family.
[edit] Yasurugi and Konishiko
When Shinsei proposed a plan to defeat Fu Leng, Hantei declared that one hero from each clan would join the quest. The Crane candidate was Kakita's son, Doji Yasurugi, but he was killed shortly after by an oni assassin. All hope seemed lost until Yasurugi's twin sister Doji Konishiko stepped forward. Kakita made Mirumoto promise to protect his daughter, and Miromoto asked Kakita to protect his Empire.[5]
[edit] The Death of Kakita
Kakita served as the Emerald Champion for twenty years. Toward the end of that time, the Emperor commanded him to duel Mirumoto Hojatsu, the son of Mirumoto, to prove to whose technique was superior. After standing silent and still for a day, neither drawing their katana, both combatants bowed and walked away, knowing that if either had struck, it would mean the death of them both.
On Kakita's 39th birthday, the two duelists met on the field of battle during a minor skirmish, and knew that they would never again get the chance to test each other's skill. The pair faced off in a duel. Kakita cut down his opponent, but not before Hojatsu mortally wounded Kakita. Refusing treatment for his wound, he ordered his son, Shimizu, to fetch Hojatsu's sword. Recieving the sword, Kakita whispered, "Do your duty to your master," and fell upon Hojatsu's sword. A monument stands in honor of Kakita and Mirumoto Hojatsu in Tanima sano Futatsu Taisho. [6]
[edit] A Note on Dates
The dates of Kakita's life are shrouded behind the veil of history. What is known about him and how the dates in this article were determined can be seen here.
[edit] External Links
Kakita (Dawn of the Empire)
[edit] References
- ↑ Crane pp. 20-21
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Perfect Gift
- ↑ Crane p. 22
- ↑ Crane pp. 22-23
- ↑ A Gathering of Thunders
- ↑ Crane pp. 12-13
| Preceded by: None | Kakita Daimyo (c. 23) - (c. 43) | Succeeded by: Kakita Shimizu |
| Preceded by: None | Emerald Champion (c. 23) - (c. 43) | Succeeded by: Kakita Shimizu |
