Revenge
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
| Revenge | |
|---|---|
| Created by: | Asahina Yajinden |
| First used by: | Akodo Meikuko |
| Currently in the possession of: | Unknown |
| Nemuranai | |
The bloodsword Fukushu (Revenge) was forged by Asahina Yajinden in 508 on the Anvil of Despair. It was the first of four bloodswords forged by Yajinden.
Contents |
[edit] The Lion Clan Champion
It was given to the Lion Clan Champion, Akodo Meikuko who had the reputation of a cool and level-headed general. In 509 she was present at court when Togashi Moho, an Ise Zumi who was a personal advisor to the Emperor of Rokugan made a joke that she took offense at. The Emperor had posed the hypothetical question "Were I to lower taxes to ease the burden of the people, where should I start?" Moho's response was "Among the Lion. Perhaps emptying their larders would remind them of the hands that fill them." Meikuko took offense at this remark. "Do you imply that we neglect our duty to the Emperor?" Moho's answer did not help. "In fact," he said, shaking his head, "I meant to remind you of your duty to the people. I apologize if your sense of self worth is so fragile that you misunderstand me, Matsu-sama." Meikuko demanded satisfaction for the insult and petitioned the Hantei to permit her to challenge Moho to a duel. The Emperor, who valued both retainers and wished to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, did not grant her request until three days later, after he had advised the monk to return to Dragon lands. Winter would soon begin, and the Emperor expected that since the mountain passes would soon be blocked with snow that Meikuko would have plenty of time to forget the insult. Instead, she declared war on the Dragon Clan and led and army of 20,000 Lion into the Dragon lands to attack Togashi Mountain in the dead of winter. Only 2,000 soldiers returned from the Battle of Red Snow. Meikuko took her own life with Revenge on the summit of Togashi mountain, and her name became synonymous with "mistake" among the Lion.
[edit] The Fall of Shiro Morikage
The blade was recovered centuries later by the last master of Shiro Morikage, Shiba Kojiro. The exact cause of the destruction of Shiro Morikage in 782 is still unknown, but those who have learned the lore of the bloodswords do not doubt that Fukushu played a key role.
[edit] Ginawa
The whereabouts of the bloodsword after the fall of Shiro Morikage are unclear until it resurfaced just before the Scorpion Coup in the hands of the ronin Ginawa.
[edit] Wielders of Revenge
(3E p.13), Way of the Wolf
