Shugenja were the priests and scribes of Rokugan, ^[1] as well as the envoys of the fortunes and kami and the keepers of their clans' secrets. ^[2]

They were able to create powerful spells by offering prayers which were written upon scrolls called ofuda.^{[citation needed]}

The magic of the shugenja was drawn from one of the five elements: Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Void. Notable exceptions were the Agasha family who were known to have developed a method of using more than one element in a single spell, and some among the Mantis Clan were able to harness the power of thunder. All of the Great Clans had at least one family that trained shugenja. ^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Duty as priests 2 History 2.1 Origins 3 Power of the Shugenja 4 Lifestyle 4.1 Training 4.2 Shugenja and the Sword 4.3 Mon 4.4 Shugenja Duels 5 Shungenja in Clans 6 References

Duty as priests Edit

The shugenja were diviners who could communicate with the gods, in the Rokugani pantheon of the Kami no michi. They knew the rites of purification (performed at birth and at death) and the secrets of dispelling evil spirits. ^[3]

History Edit

Origins Edit

The Phoenix Clan made the claim that all other shugenja in Rokugan owed 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 contradicted this, but that the Isawa were the source of magic within Rokugan was still plausible because of the Tribe of Isawa's original connection to yobanjin.^{[citation needed]}

The Asahina family and Yogo family were started by an Isawa and an Isawa-trained Asako. Iuchi's notes mentioned that he was taught "a few basic spells from Isawa."^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

A notable exception to the general idea that all magic came from Isawa were the Kitsu family of the Lion Clan, who originated from the kitsu race.^{[citation needed]}

Power of the Shugenja Edit

"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 [4]

Shugenja were not merely simple priests, but those who could 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 required more than merely manipulating this power, but communing with it -- attaining unity with the universe and the willing assistance of the kami.

Kami interacted with the shugenja through magic. Some heard the kami more than others; some were even driven mad by the voices. However, the bond with the kami was what allowed the shugenja to develop. Powerful magic-wielders could even have several kami to help and serve them.^{[citation needed]}

After a shugenja dies, the kami would try to find a new person, someone who closely resembled their former companion, often their son or daughter or a close family member. This in turn explained why the gift of a shugenja often appeared more frequent in certain lineages.^{[citation needed]}

Lifestyle Edit

A shugenja's life was usually quite solitary, as great meditation and study was always required, and most shugenja would spend their lives in temples and shrines. Those who wandered Rokugan were usually doing so to fulfill a specific command of their daimyo. Like all samurai, it was extremely rare for a shugenja to live among the lower castes.

Because of their special place in society, shugenja were 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.^{[citation needed]}

Shugenja were generally treated with respect throughout Rokugan, although it was sometimes born out of fear. Rokugani knew that shugenja were uniquely attuned to the fortunes and elements, and some even believed that the fortunes themselves would watch over their chosen few. Because of these beliefs, shugenja were commonly given very good treatment by most. Peasants even more so, as they did not wish to incur the wraths of fortunes.^{[citation needed]}

If a shugenja settled in a town or village that did not already have a resident shugenja, he would 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.^{[citation needed]}

Training Edit

Almost all shugenja came from the samurai caste, and only when their talent was discovered did they receive proper training. Those who were born to lower castes would have a harder time seeking guidance, and many were simply sent to the Brotherhood of Shinsei. Shugenja were actually quite rare; one samurai in roughly a thousand was born with the gift, though aptitude could often be followed through family bloodlines. Some families produced more shugenja than others. The Hida family, for example, might only produce one or two shugenja in a generation, whereas the Isawa family would often produce a new group of students each year.^{[citation needed]}

Shugenja and the Sword Edit

Let the man who wears the sword use the sword. -Old proverb [citation needed]

This statement most accurately summed up the relationship of the shugenja and the ways of warfare. If a shugenja was to wear the katana, he would have to be prepared to use it, whether that be in a duel, on a battlefield, or in any other manner demanded of him. A shugenja might choose instead to wear only the wakizashi as a symbol of his status as a member of the samurai caste, or the shugenja could even choose to wear neither blade, simply letting his scroll satchel reflect his favor with the kami.^{[citation needed]}

A shugenja was not typically taught the ways of kenjutsu or iaijutsu, so a shugenja that did not wear the katana could have a champion take his place in a duel and could 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.

Mon Edit

A lot of shugenja would choose to wear the Isawa mon as a way of declaring their status as a shugenja.^{[citation needed]}

Shugenja Duels Edit

Duels between shugenja were a way for two shugenja resolve an issue between them. The rules for such a duel were set down by Isawa Ujikki and Kakita in the work known as Shugenja Taryu-Jiai. ^[5]

Shungenja in Clans Edit

All the Great Clans had at least one major family of shugenja, and some minor clan were also known to have a magical lineage such as the Dragonfly Clan.^{[citation needed]}

Clan	School	Speciality	Elemental Affinity
Crab Clan	Kuni Shugenja		Earth [6]
	Crystal Master	Advanced path	As original school. [7]
Crane Clan	Asahina Shugenja		Air [8]
	Asahina Sohei	Advanced path	As original school. [9]
	Asahina Fetishist	Advanced path	As original school. [10]
Dragon Clan	Agasha Shugenja	Until 1151
	Tamori Shugenja	After 1151	Earth [11]
	Tamori Yamabushi	Advanced path	As original school. [12]
	Tamori Alchemist	Advanced path	As original school. [13]
	Student of the Tao	Advanced school	As original school. [14]
Lion Clan	Kitsu Shugenja		Water [15]
	Kitsu Sodan Senzo	Ancestor magic
	Bishamon's Chosen	Advanced path	As original school. [16]
Mantis Clan	Kitsune Shugenja	Formerly the Fox Clan	Earth [17]
	Moshi Shugenja		Fire [18]
	Storm Riders
	Storm Acolytes	Advanced path	As original school. [19]
	Yoritomo Shugenja		Water [20]
	Orochi Riders	Advanced school	As original school. [21]
Phoenix Clan	Isawa Shugenja		Any [22]
	Isawa Tensai	Specialized Focus on one Element	Any but Void. [23]
	Isawa Ishiken	Advanced path	Void. [24]
	Agasha Shugenja	Multi-Elemental Spells
	Shiba Tejina	Illusion Magic
	Dragon Channeler	Advanced school	None. [25]
	Asako Inquisitor	Advanced path	As original school. [26]
Scorpion Clan	Soshi Shugenja	Tejina magic	Air [27]
	Yogo Shugenja	Glyphs and Wards	None. [28]
	Kuroiban	Advanced path	As original school. [29]
Unicorn Clan	Iuchi Shugenja	Meishodo magic	Water [30]
	Baraunghar Ghost Guard		Water [31]
	Horiuchi Shugenja		Earth. [32]
	Moto Priest of Death	Advanced school	None. [33]
	Ki-Rin Travelers	Advanced path	As original school. [34]
Imperial Families	Seppun Shugenja		Air and Water [35]
	Jade Magistrate	Advanced path	As original school. [36]
Bat Clan	Komori Shugenja		Air [37]
Dragonfly Clan	Tonbo Shugenja		Water [38]
Any minor clan	Minor Clan Defender	Advanced school	As original school. [39]
Ronin	Traditional Ronin Priest		Any but Void [40]
	Militant Ronin Shugenja		Earth [40]
	Kanosei Furudera Order		Air [40]
	Forgotten Sons	Advanced path	None. [41]
	Fortune's Grace	Advanced path	As original school. [42]
	Order of Isashi	Advanced path	As original school. [42]
	Grand Master of the Elements	Advanced school	All. [43]
Spider Clan	Chuda Shugenja		Maho. [44]
Bloodspeakers	Maho-tsukai		Maho. [45]
	Chosen Phoenix	Secret Cult	As original school. [26]
Shadowlands	Tsuno Soultwister	Spirit Realms	None. [46]

References