Kitsu family
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
| Kitsu family
| |
|---|---|
| Clan: | Lion Clan |
| Founded: | Pre-calendar |
| Daimyo: | Kitsu Kiyoko |
In a clan of warriors, the Kitsu are the shugenja. They are descended from the last five living kitsu remaining at the end of Akodo's purge. Because of their ancestral link to the other realms, many Kitsu can communicate easily with the spirits of the ancestors, and one of their family schools is devoted to this task.
The Kitsu family serve the Lion Clan as lorekeepers, mythologists and diplomats, but their duties are far greater than the typical shugenja. Like the Ikoma family, the Kitsu are keepers of history, but rather than the physical history of their clan, the Kitsu guard the spiritual history. Thus the Kitsu's duty is not only to his Clan and Emperor, but to the many thousands of Lion who have come before him.
The reason that the school of the Kitsu is so selective is a matter of the initial founding of the family, a tale which is a cause of great dispute between the Ikoma family and the Kitsu.
Contents |
[edit] The Lost Lions
Before the dawn of the Empire, when mankind was created from the tears of the Sun and blood of the Moon, strange creatures roamed the world whose forms seemed akin to that of animals. Many believed these creatures to be the Naga, and some Crab believe that a great Nezumi culture existed before the fall of the Dark Kami.
If the myths are true, then a third race existed with the Naga and the Nezumi. This race took the form of giant lion-like cats, with flowing golden manes and mean claws. These "kitsu" were great hunters and guardians of the spirit realm, where ancestors linger to watch the deeds of their descendants.
When humankind was created, and the Dark One fell from the sky, these great races were extinguished or fractured - the Naga fell into their Sleep, and the Nezumi were scattered. The kitsu, instead of choosing to live with the new masters, retreated to the mountains that would eventually come under the rule of the Dragon Clan.
At first, the humans hunted the kitsu and the kitsu returned in kind, waging war on humanity. Eventually, Hantei ordered his brother Akodo to contain the beasts, and Akodo began the genocide of the kitsu. The great cats were hunted, killed, and their bodies burned without knowing their intelligence. In the end, the few survivors of the race gathered in a hidden valley to mount their last stand. When they were found by the humans, Akodo himself lead the attack, leaping to the leader of the kitsu and gripping him in a fierce bear-hug. Displaying an intelligence therefore unknown, the kitsu leader broke free of the hold, and unleashed a roar that shook the valley. Akodo, startled, dropped to his knees as the ground shook, and awaited death.
It never came. The great lion simply stared at the man with hate-filled eyes and waited for him to rise. As the first Lion arose, he signaled to his warriors to stand down, then bowed to the leader of the kitsu. From there, it was a simple matter to make peace with the strange race, who eventually learned to speak a rough form of Rokugani. For year, it is said, Akodo journeyed to the hidden valley of the kitsu to atone for his deeds.
It is said that upon Akodo's last visit to the valley he returned with five men, with bronze-gold hair. Akodo claimed they were the last kitsu, given human form by his mother. These men swore fealty to the Lion Clan and founded the Kitsu family, whose ties to the spirit world remain strong to this day.
[edit] Kitsu customs
[edit] Gempukku
The Kitsu family does not allow outsiders to view their gempukku ceremonies. During such a ritual, anyone who has not undergone the Kitsu gempukku is turned away from whatever location is hosting the event with no explanation.
Before a Kitsu can be given his daisho, he must first recite the names of each of his ancestors in order, back to the founding of the family. In addition, the Kitsu must cite and praise his ancestors' deeds and bravery. Clever Kitsu will find ways to include their own studies in this recitation by including a previously unknown fact about an ancestor's life or providing an unexpressed insight. The heritage must be recited without error and each ancestor evoked correctly. By doing this, the Kitsu displays a reverance towards his ancestors. The ceremony ends with the thanking of past Kitsu for their sacrifices and the initiate promising to adhere to their principles.
It is said, but it cannot be confirmed, for no Kitsu will speak of it, that the family's ancestors gather to pass judgement on the initiate. If the Kitsu cannot convince his ancestors that he is worthy, then he is stripped of the gifts of a shugenja and turned out of the family in disgrace. On the other hand, a Kitsu that passes is embraced by the spirits, and begins a period of great understanding between himself and the ancient ancestors. (WotLion pp45-46)
[edit] Kitsu Daimyo
The following are the known daimyo of the Kitsu family:
| Kitsu Toju | ? - 1150 |
| Kitsu Juri | 1150 - 1166 |
| Kitsu Katsuko | 1166 - 1170 |
| Kitsu Kiyoko | 1170 - Present |
[edit] References
Way of the Lion Pages 43-45.
