Mirumoto
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
| Mirumoto | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born: | Pre-Calendar |
| Died: | 42 |
| Children | Mirumoto Hojatsu (adopted), Mirumoto Yojiro |
| Titles: | Dragon Clan Thunder, Mirumoto family founder |
| People | |
Mirumoto was one of the first followers of the Kami Togashi, and the founder of the Mirumoto family. Mirumoto had been Togashi's yojimbo, and became famous for founding the two-sword style of the Mirumoto. [1] Little is known about him prior to meeting Togashi. [2]
Contents |
[edit] Appearance
Mirumoto was a tall man with long gangly arms and large hands. He was not known to be a handsome man, and when portrayed in the theater he is often made to have two scars on his face that cross each other.[2]
[edit] After the Fall
After the Fall of the Kami the other brothers and sisters of Togashi gathered many followers, but Togashi wished no one to follow him. After his lesson with Shinsei he retreated to the mountains in northern Rokugan where he thought he could be left alone. This turned out to be impossible as two others had followed him there. Together with Mirumoto and Agasha, the three built a temple to Amaterasu and a castle around the temple to protect the temple. Togashi and his two followers remained here for many years, and word of their temple grew, drawing more followers to the Dragon Clan. Many of Togashi's new followers went for Togashi's wisdom. Others showed promise with the sword and were trained by Mirumoto, and Agasha trained those remaining who showed insight into the ways of the elements. [3]
[edit] Duty
Mirumoto was tasked with the defense of the lands of the Dragon Clan by Togashi. Some of the people who wandered into the Dragon lands seeking the wisdom of Togashi, such as Akodo Kaiteru, would be approached by either Mirumoto or Agasha and offered to study with them. The occasional individual would pass them by to find Togashi himself, and become one of the Togashi order.[4]
[edit] Reputation
The best swordsman in his generation, Mirumoto became a legend in Rokugan, and was arguably the best swordsman ever - a claim which could only seriously be challenged by Kakita, who grew up in the next generation. The argument over which sword style was superior would ultimately lead to a duel between Kakita and Mirumoto's successor, Mirumoto Hojatsu.
For all his excellence, however, Mirumoto was not a very pleasant man, and some stories portrayed him as a rude bully. Some samurai would also refer to his unconventional niten style as "a coward's style", although few who did so in front of Mirumoto managed to keep their lives afterward. In response to those comments, Mirumoto once wrote, [5]
| "Some men say I am a coward. A samurai's duty is to protect his lord. Are they so simple-minded that they cannot see that two swords serve their lord better than one?"
-Mirumoto
|
[edit] Style
Mirumoto's style was known as a "no-nonsense" style. Practical results were his aim, not artistry. While other schools would emphasize stance, Mirumoto would merely stand relaxed with his sword at his side. Only when he began his frenzied motion could his true style be seen. He would hit at his opponent in any way he could; with his hands, elbow, head or even the pommel of his blade. It was later in life that he developed the style that has become known as the niten style.
[edit] Mirumoto and the Assassins
One time, when Mirumoto had reached the age of forty, he had become a monk. He had taken many students, but swore he would never take up a sword again while his head was shaved. Once, while crossing a river with a student, he spotted three assassins awaiting their arrival on the shore ahead. The student asked Mirumoto what they would do. Mirumoto took his knife, began whittling at one of the oars, and replied; "I will fight, you will row." When they finally reached the shore Mirumoto had whittled the oar into a boken and proceded to kill the three assassins with it.[6]
[edit] Gathering Thunder
| "Protect my Empire, Kakita."
-Mirumoto
|
When Shinsei approached the Kami at the height of the War Against Fu Leng with a plan to defeat Fu Leng, Hantei declared that one member of each Great Clan would be sent on the mission. Mirumoto was the second to answer Shinsei's call, and was put forward by Togashi himself. None of the other members of the Dragon questioned his claim. Mirumoto travelled with Shinsei and Matsu to gather the other thunders. Mirumoto was present at the assassination of Doji Yasurugi and promised Kakita to look out for his daughter Doji Konishiko, who took Yasurugi's place. Mirumoto in turn made Kakita promise to protect his Empire.[7][3]
[edit] Day of Thunder
During their journey into the Shadowlands, Mirumoto began training Doji Konishiko for the battle to come. When they reached the Festering Pit, they were chased into the keep of Fu Leng where they made their last stand. While Isawa lay dying, spending his last efforts to complete the ritual to bind Fu Leng, Mirumoto and the other Thunders bought him time. When Fu Leng realized what was happening there, he tried to flee, but Mirumoto caught him and didn´t let him go. He died by Fu Leng´s attacks. It´s said that he died without any mortal able to defeat him.[8]
[edit] Celebration
Because exaclty when and how he died is unknown, his death is celebrated on the Day of the Dragon, the first day in the Month of the Dragon.[9]
[edit] Legacy
Mirumoto had an adopted son Mirumoto Hojatsu, who furher developed the niten two sword style after his father died on the Day of Thunder, and continued the Mirumoto name.[10]
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ↑ Way of the Dragon p. 14
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Way of the Dragon p. 56
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Way of the Dragon p. 15
- ↑ Way of the Dragon
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Way of the Dragon p. 29
- ↑ Way of the Dragon pp. 56-57
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Gathering of Thunder
- ↑ Day of Thunder
- ↑ Way of the Dragon p. 57
- ↑ Way of the Samurai pp. 31-32
| Preceded by: None | Mirumoto Daimyo Pre-calendar - 42 | Succeeded by: Mirumoto Hojatsu |
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