Kakita Dueling Academy
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
The Kakita Dueling Academy is the most renowned swordsmanship school in Rokugan. Exemplifying the Crane Clan's constant pursuit for excellence, students of the Kakita Dueling Academy study iaijutsu to perfection. The Dueling Academy is a subsection of the Kakita Academy.
Contents |
[edit] History
The origins of the Dueling Academy lie with Kakita himself. The first followers of Kakita learnt his style from him direclty, but after his death the school could not remain where it was. The Lady Doji would visit less and less as seeing the students practicing her husbands style caused her great pain. Not wanting to offend her the students moved their training facility, creating the Kakita Dueling Academy. The dojo is located in the relatively unfruitful lands and even with a lack of seasoned troops stationed here the school has never suffered a major assault. During the Clan War and War of Spirits it served as a rally point for refugees.
[edit] Traditions
The oldest tradition in the dueling academy is the rivalry they have with the Mirumoto Swordmasters of the Dragon Clan. Kakita attempted to heal the rift when he duelled Mirumoto's son Mirumoto Hojatsu. He killed Hojatsu and then threw himself on Hojatsu's sword saying; "Do your master's bidding". Unfortunately the Kakita family are arrogant and the Mirumoto family are stubborn, so the rivalry continues.
[edit] Training
The training at the dojo is a traditional and ritualized process, where the sensei looks for milestones to determine when the student is ready for the next level of training.
[edit] First Tier
The first few years the students train on every mechanincal aspect of iaijutsu, and when they have mastered the draw and strike they move to the next level.
[edit] Second Tier
The students practice a lot surrounded by nature, during heavy rain, wildlife-filled forests, waterfalls, etc. This way they learn to focus on their strike and not their surroundings, also realizing the spiritual element of their craft.
[edit] Other Arts
In addition to their normal training the students are taught a variety of different other arts. The Crane Clan are renowned for their sophistication and culture, and cannot have their most visible representatives demonstrating inapropriate skills. In addition to the sword training they learn history, literature, poetry, etiquette and varied artisan skills.
[edit] Dojo Benefits
The dojo is established as the finest institute of iaijutsu in the Empire, and aspiring duelists see the Academy as a birthplace of greatness. Students of the dojo enjoy a considerable social and psychological advantage when facing other duelists, and the symbol of the Academy is a single stripe of silver on the right side of the students family mon on their kimono. This symbolzies the lightning strike of Kakita himself.
[edit] Sensei
[edit] Notable Sensei
[edit] Notable Students
[edit] Major References
- Way of the Samurai Pages 25-26
