I had some downtime at work today, and did a little researching on the topic of Meishodo. The current version of meishodo is certainly clearer as to what it is, and what it isn't. It is no where near as flexible, or useful as I was originally led to believe.
This is what I was told about meishodo back in 1997 when I first started playing, and was trying to decide what type of character would be my first Legend of the Five Rings player character. (I ended up creating a Shinjo Horse Archer, but my gamemaster really tried to tempt me to play an Iuchi Meishodo Practitioner.)
I was told meishodo was the western art of spellcasting. He was going to allow me to use I.C.E.'s Spell Law as my spell book. I would need to pick one realm, Essence, Channeling, or Mentalism. Then choose one class set of list. Thus a meishodo caster could basically emulate any western style spellcaster. Animist, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Magician, Mentalist, Mystic, Shaman, Sorcerer, Wizard, ... Anything really. I would also use Spell Laws rules for casting, and be limited to the mana pool system of Rolemaster. I have to say that was tempting in comparison to Rokugani Shugenja. I almost fell for it. That would have opened up a can of worms for us as players, because that would also allow him to throw western sorcerers at us. I am glad I chose a Shinjo Bushi, and so was the rest of the play group.
Another gamemaster also called it western spellcasting. He allowed players to use the AD&D spell lists, and supplements, including item creation. He also used mana pool system for a way to restrict spellcasting while giving it some flexibility. His explanation, or fluff for doing so, was that western spellcasters could sense the ley lines, and nexus wells of the planet, and call upon either that energy, or their own energy to fuel their spells. This was the one I had adopted for the games I ran up until a few years ago. This was my view of meishodo until I researched it earlier today. A long stretch, and much more useful, and powerful than what it was intended to be. I can see that now.
Now I look at how they actually implemented meishodo as name magic requiring a talisman, and sacrificing power, and flexibility for speed of casting. I am like; Wow! this is our ancient secret? It really is no big deal, and well balanced with the rest of the spellcasting in Rokugan. Whatever can be done with meishodo, can also be accomplished by other shugenja, or even outclassed in many ways. After all it would not due to have gaijin magic outshine the magic derived from the kami of Rokugan. I am grateful they did leave it balanced, even weaker in the long run.
Anyways with all the topics on magic, and shugenja. spellcasting out on this board, I just thought I would share some other food for thought. Give those who like high powered games maybe some ideas, or tools to use. Have fun guys go wild if this is your sort of thing. I know we had fun with it for many years.