Shugenja
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
Shugenja are the priests and scribes of Rokugan, as well as the mouthpieces of the fortunes and kami and the keepers of their clans' secrets. They are able to create powerful spells by offering prayers which are written upon scrolls called ofuda. The magic of the shugenja is drawn from one of the five elements: Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Void (although the Agasha family has recently developed a method of using more than one element in a single spell). All of the Great Clans have at least one family that trains shugenja.
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[edit] Power of the Shugenja
Shugenja are not merely simple priests, but those who can draw power from the elements that surround them, causing the kami to manifest themselves in a very real and physical way. To be a shugenja is not merely the manipulation of this power, but a communion with it -- a unity with the universe and the willing assistance of the kami. Because of their special place in society, shugenja are often given special recognition or respect above equal-ranked bushi, but it would be most inappropriate for a shugenja to ever attempt to use his training to demand such treatment.
[edit] Lifestyle
A shugenja's life is usually quite solitary as great meditation and study is normally required. Most shugenja spend their lives in temples and shrines. Those who wander Rokugan are usually doing so to fulfill a specific command of their daimyo. Like all samurai, it is extremely rare for a shugenja to live among the lower castes.
Shugenja are well-respected -- and sometimes feared -- throughout Rokugan. The Rokugani know that they are especially in tune with the fortunes and the elements, and many believe that the fortunes will watch especially close over their chosen ones. Because of this, shugenja are generally given very good treatment by peasants as they wander, because the peasants do not want to incur the fortunes' wrath.
If a shugenja settles in a town or village that does not already have a resident shugenja, he will quickly become the de facto headman, with the population coming to him to resolve disputes, lead religious ceremonies, and teach the locals of the Tao and the fortunes.
[edit] Training
Most shugenja come from the samurai caste, and only when their talent is discovered do they receive proper training. Those who are born peasants may have a harder time seeking guidance, and many are simply sent to the Brotherhood of Shinsei. Shugenja are actually quite rare; one samurai in a thousand is born with the gift, though aptitude can often be followed through family bloodlines. Some clans produce more shugenja than others. The Crab Clan, for example, may only produce one or two shugenja in a generation, whereas the Phoenix Clan produces a new group of students each year.
[edit] Relationship with the Kami
| One does not choose to become a shugenja, nor does a shugenja wield magic. The shugenja is merely the tool; it is the kami who choose when and where to use him.
-Shiba Ningen, Master of the Void
Way of the Shugenja, page 6
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Kami interact with the shugenja through magic. Some hear the kami more than others; some are even driven mad by voices. However, the bond with the kami is what allows the shugenja to develop. Powerful magic-wielders may have several kami to help and serve them.
After a shugenja dies, the kami will try to find a new person, someone who closely resembles their former companion, often their son or daughter or a close family member. This in turn explains why shugenja often fall in certain lineages.
[edit] Shugenja and Society
Shugenja are well-respected — and sometimes feared — throughout Rokugan. The Rokugani know that they are especially in tune with the fortunes and the elements, and many believe that the fortunes will watch especially close over their chosen ones. Becuase of this, shugenja are generally given very good treatment by peasants as they wander, because the peasants do not want to incur the fortunes' wrath.
[edit] Shugenja and the Sword
| Let the man who wears the sword use the sword.
-Old proverb
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This statement most sums up the relationship of the shugenja and the ways of warfare. If a shugenja wears the katana, he must be prepared to use it, whether that be in a duel, on a battlefield, or in any other manner demanded of him. A shugenja may choose instead to wear only the wakizashi as a symbol of his status as a member of the samurai caste, or the shugenja may choose to wear neither blade, simply leting his scroll satchel reflect his favor with the kami.
A shugenja is not typically taught the ways of kenjutsu or iaijutsu, so a shugenja that does not wear the katana can have a champion take his place in a duel and can refuse to fight in a battle. Many shugenja, especially those from the Isawa family, view the calling of the shugenja as of more importance than rank or awarded honor, and strive to use their powers only for peace, entering battle only when convinced that more lives will be lost if they do not act.
[edit] Shugenja and the Phoenix
The Phoenix Clan makes the claim that all other shugenja in Rokugan owe their origin to the Isawa family, because magic itself was discovered by them alone. Recent discoveries by the Dragon Clan in the Yobanjin City of Gold contradict this, but that the Isawa are the source of magic within Rokugan is still plausible. The Asahina family and Yogo family were started by an Isawa and an Isawa-trained Asako. Iuchi's notes mention that he was taught "a few basic spells from Isawa." During the War Against Fu Leng, Isawa sent one of his five brothers and sisters to each of the other clans (with the exception of the Scorpion Clan) to teach their families the ways of his magic. In the case of the Doji and Matsu, the lessons did not take, but during this time the Kuni and Agasha certainly learned much of the basics of magic from the Isawa.
[edit] Major References
- Way of the Phoenix Pages 21-25.
- Way of the Shugenja Pages 4-7.
