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A vassal family was a specific family line within one of the families of the Great Clans. Few minor clans had the numbers to support such a formation. These were families of lesser samurai who generally served a specific purpose within their parent family.

Naming of Vassals[]

The naming conventions of vassal families were somewhat complex, especially in relation to the simplicites of family names in the great families. Within their family, parent family, and clan, members of the vassal families were called by their vassal family name. In this way, their often unique means of service to their clans were easily recognized. [1]

To those outside of their clans, however, vassal family samurai were identified by their parent families' names. To use a vassal family's name to an outsider over that of the family which they served was an act of arrogance. In this manner, the individual would be implying that his lineage was more important and well-known than that of the family he served. [1]

An Example[]

For example, Naoko Sahijir was a member of the Naoko family, vassals of the Utaku family of the Unicorn Clan. To those within the Unicorn, she was known as Naoko Sahijir, as they were immediately aware of the relation of the Naoko and Utaku families. To those outside the Unicorn clan, Sahijir would be known most simply as Utaku Sahijir. If she wished to recognize her own family, particularly if she wished to be formal, she might introduce herself as "Utaku Sahijir of House Naoko" or as "Utaku Sahijir of Naoko." [1]

If an outsider was visiting the lands of the Unicorn, these protocol would remain the same, unless that visitor was within the holdings of the Naoko family. In such a case, Sahijir could refer to herself as "Naoko Sahijir," as it would be assumed that the visitor would know he was in the lands of the Utaku family and would already know of their relation with the Naoko. [1]

Known Vassal families[]

Name Family Clan
Anou family Miya family Imperial Families
Aotora family Bayushi family Scorpion Clan
Ashidaka family Kakita family Crane Clan
Atsumaru family Agasha family Phoenix Clan
Battue family Iuchi family Unicorn Clan
Byako family Kitsune family Mantis Clan
Chirichi family Yoritomo family Mantis Clan
Chiyu family Tamori family Dragon Clan
Chukan family Asako family Phoenix Clan
Damasu family Akodo family Lion Clan
Edakumi family Suzume family Sparrow Clan
Endo family Hiruma family Crab Clan
Fujihiro family Daidoji family Crane Clan
Fundai family Kaiu family Crab Clan
Fureheshu family Ichiro family Badger Clan
Goraiku family Moshi family Mantis Clan
Goseki family Matsu family Lion Clan
Gyushi family (actually a Great Clan family on its own) Former vassals of Daigotsu family Spider Clan
Hanako family Seppun family Imperial Families
Hateru family Ide family Unicorn Clan
Hayameru family Matsu family Lion Clan
Hiasobi family Tamori family Dragon Clan
Hiramichi family Daidoji family Crane Clan
Hiramori family Daidoji family Crane Clan
Hogosha family Yoritomo family Mantis Clan
Hoji family Yoritomo family Mantis Clan
Hosokawa family Ikoma family Lion Clan
Hyobe family Kasuga family Tortoise Clan
Hyuga family Utaku family Unicorn Clan
Ichime family Akodo family Lion Clan
Iga family Shiba family Phoenix Clan
Ikeda family Matsu family Lion Clan
Iongi family Komori family Bat Clan
Ise family Kitsu family Lion Clan
Ishi family Kaiu family Crab Clan
Itagawa family Akodo family Lion Clan
Iwasaki family Kakita family Crane Clan
Izaku family Agasha family,
Tamori family
Phoenix Clan,
Dragon Clan
Jitsuyoteki family Shosuro family Scorpion Clan
Junichi family Daidoji family Crane Clan
Kaeru family Ikoma family Lion Clan
Kagehisa family Tsuruchi family Mantis Clan
Kakeguchi family Hida family Crab Clan
Kano family Yasuki family Crab Clan
Katai family Akodo family Lion Clan
Katogama family Doji family Crane Clan
Kenru family Kaiu family Crab Clan
Kenshin family Iuchi family Unicorn Clan
Kijuro family Morito family Ox Clan
Kochako family Shosuro family (formerly)
Soshi family
Scorpion Clan
Koebi family Hida family Crab Clan
Koganshi family Shiba family Phoenix Clan
Koritome family Matsu family Lion Clan
Koshei family Tonbo family Dragonfly Clan
Kouken family Mirumoto family Dragon Clan
Maisuna family Kaiu family Crab Clan
Marta family Shinjo family Unicorn Clan
Meishozo family Kuni family Crab Clan
Morehei family Doji family Crane Clan
Moshibaru family Hida family Crab Clan
Murame family Ikoma family Lion Clan
Naganori family Yogo family Scorpion Clan
Nanbu family Soshi family Scorpion Clan
Nani family Asako family Phoenix Clan
Naoko family Utaku family Unicorn Clan
Nasu family Shiba family Phoenix Clan
Nobuto family Yasuki family Crab Clan
Noroko family Kitsu family Lion Clan
Onshigawa family Moto family Unicorn Clan
Raikuto family Hiruma family Crab Clan
Reju family Otomo family Imperial Families
Remiki family Tamori family Dragon Clan
Rokugo family Bayushi family Scorpion Clan
Sakura family Kitsuki family Dragon Clan
Satoshi family Miya family Imperial Families
Seizuka family Akodo family Lion Clan
Senkensha family Tonbo family Dragonfly Clan
Sesai family Shiba family Phoenix Clan
Shiko family Ide family Unicorn Clan
Shingon family Isawa family Phoenix Clan
Shudo family Kitsune family Mantis Clan
Sodona family Shiba family Phoenix Clan
Someisa family Kasuga family Tortoise Clan
Suguru family Tsuruchi family Mantis Clan
Suio family Ide family Unicorn Clan
Tansaku family Yogo family Scorpion Clan
Tashimi family Ichiro family Badger Clan
Tokagure family Shosuro family Scorpion Clan
Tsi family Hantei family Imperial Families
Tsume family Doji family Crane Clan
Ugawa family Bayushi family Scorpion Clan
Ugawari family Kuni family Crab Clan
Watanabe family Yoritomo family Mantis Clan
Yotsu family Seppun family Imperial Families
Zeshi family Iuchi family Unicorn Clan
Zurui family Mirumoto family Dragon Clan

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Secrets of the Unicorn, p. 5
  • Secrets of the Crab, p. 3
  • Secrets of the Phoenix, p. 12
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