I created this for my 'Scorpion Victory' setting I have been running for the last 15 years in L5R (The Scorpion held Otosan Uchi during the Clan Coup, and things went from there. It has some campaign specific notes on clans and personages. but I thought it might give those running Magistrate campaigns some ideas. Easily adapted for other Imperial cities

Koshimono-Bugyo (Imperial Commissioner of Swords): Ikoma Sakura

The Commissioner’s duty is to appoint those responsible for the creation of ALL Imperial Family and Shogunate Blades, Safeguarding the Three Imperial Treasures, and acting as Chief Witness during Execution of All Kuge and Buke within Otosan-Uchi. To accomplish these tasks, he has technically higher authority than the Shogun in this limited realm.

The Machi-Bugyo (Otosan-Uchi's combined Post of City Commissioner and Police Commissioner held in a monthly rotation by two senior vassals to the Shogun)

Technically this post has been around far longer than creation of the office of the Shogun and was transferred under Toturi after the end of the Clan War as a partial sop to his supporters. Toturi has seen no reason to interfere with the office's operations and only deals with it on a budgetary level, or occasional political support if the office runs into political problems (which, given his level of ethics, The Shogun has been more than willing to do).

The duties of the Machi-Bugyo include enforcing Civil and Imperial Laws within the City.

Handling legal disputes between Clans (there has to be an impartial mediator when the clans include Imperials) thought the office can only recommend not enforce suggestions between Daimyo. Handle legal proceedings if legal impropriety appears within the Kuge & Buke , up to and including the forcible removal of a Wards Governor if necessary (The office can call upon the Imperial and Emerald Legions for this task if needed) if corruption can be shown to be a problem in the Governor's ward.

The current Senior City & Police Commissioner is Doji Yotogi, a young firebrand of a magistrate who has proven quite good at hunting down criminals and kicking over just all the wrong ant-hills in the Crane lands ( but nothing that he could really be called to the table for, as he was just doing his job). The Dark Crane, while annoyed that he was spotting low level operations, realized they couldn't just get rid of him as he was the darling of the Doji Magistrate School and a favorite student of Toshimoko-sama. So they suggested him to the Daijokan (Emperors Advisory Council) as a potential candidate for the Machi-Bugyo, as he would only make the Crane look good. And be well away from their operations within the Crane Lands.

With the death of the previous Senior City & Police Commissioner Akodo Meiyo -sama , Yotogi has eased into the position with a few rough spots along the way due to suddenness of Meiyo's death and Yotogi's somewhat eclectic style

Officials that the characters should be aware of:

Koshimono-Bugyo (Imperial Commissioner of Swords): Ikoma Sakura

The Machi-Bugyo (Otosan-Uchi's combined Post of City Commissioner and Police Commissioner held in a monthly rotation by two senior vassals to the Shogun)

The Okachi Metsuki (Palace Guard Inspector): Seppun Tanaka

The Honami (Shogun's Sword Appraiser): Tsi Ichkiawa

The O-Tamashiyaku (Master of Testing the Shogun's Swords): Yamakazi Asaemon

The Ro-Bugyo (Prison Commissioner): Doji Resei

The Roju (Senior Counselor To The Shogun): Toku Shikan

The Jisha-Bugyo: The Commissioner of Shines and Temples: Asahina Takuan

Ranking System: The Roju: currently 9 on the Roju advisory board. Subject to change at Emperor's or Shoguns whim.

The Wakadoshiyori: Officials below The Roju . The wakadoshiyori ranked below the rōjū in status, but they ranked above the jisha-bugyō . These officials were tasked with supervising the activities of members of the feudal class below daimyō status—and this would include the hatamoto (the Shogun's direct retainers), craftsmen, physicians, public works, and vassals of the Shogun whose annual income was less than 10,000 koku.

The Jisha-Bugyo: this title identifies an official with responsibility for supervision of shrines and temples. This is considered a high-ranking office, in status ranked only slightly below that of wakadoshiyori but above all other bugyō

Police Ranks:

Doshin: Constable

Jomawari : Lit: 'Regular patrolman'. A form of Doshin

Machikata: Town policemen. Typically the yoriki's assistants

Okappiki: unofficial policemen that were former criminals

Yoriki: Police Lieutenant (typically of samurai rank)

Ometsuke: High Ranking officials used to deal with Kuge crime issues, but can handle lower ranked issues (though this is viewed dimly by the metsuke ). Typically brought in when the inner court has an interest.

Metsuke: Police officials. Ryoju and his immediate superior would be considered of this rank.

Kachi-Metsuke: Proxy Officials. lower-ranking police who could detain samurai. If one could do this, they must do so tactfully, as they are still technically peasants vs samurai. However, if the samurai resists an arrest or detainment order within eyesight of their superiors, the gloves come off.

Police/Magistrate Terms:

Asobinin: Lit: 'Players'. Men living in the fast lane.

Agarizashiki: Prison cells for prisoners of the highest rank

Bansho or Banya : A Police Box. Typically manned during the day by a Yoriki or Assistant.

Bugyosho: Office of the Commisioner (Bugyo)

Burei-uchi: Lit: “Striking down the Impolite”. The Samurai Right to kill commoners for rudeness.

Dairyo: Prison Boss. Prison Officials typically appointed reliable prisoners to keep order within cell blocks. The Dairyo was a cell boss.

Ebi-Zume: 'Shrimp Torture'. The Shinsen-gumi are particularly brutal in interrogations. An early “Stress Position”.

Enma or Emma-O: Lord of the Underworld

Go-Yo : Lit. “Official Business”. Often shouted during criminal press sweeps. The most terrifying words for a peasant criminal. The equivalent of “Halt! Police!” during police business, “Make Way!” for officials on their way somewhere.

Haritsuke: Crucifixion.

Hitsuke tozoku aratame: commonly abbreviated to kato-aratame. A special policing dedicated to stopping arson and violent crime, the former before the latter in priority. Does NOT report to the Machi-Bugyo, but to the Seppun Imperial House Guard directly in charge of protecting The Emperor’s Castle (the sakite-gumi ) under the command of a wakadoshiyori counselor. Outranks the Machi-Bugyo in these two areas if a question of influence comes up.

Daimyo-Bikeshi :Fire Departments serving family daimyo's and their Clans

Jōbikeshi : Fire departments that serve the Office of the Shogun, technically reporting to the city mayor's office

Machi-Bikeshi : Fire departments made of commoners, typically organized by district

Kobun: “child status” Denoting junior status in a gang

Irezomotsu : Lit: “Enter Bribe Thing” Someone framed as a takadaimono at the end of the year for okappiki desperate for rewards

Jitte: A metal truncheon carried by police. Otosan-Uichi police carried the Jitte-gusari.

O-Shirasu: Interrogation Center, often a torture chamber

Osadamegaki : The Official Provisions. Formal name for Imperial Laws

Ronanushi: Prisoner in charge of other prisoners. Typically one of the more well behaved ones that may be facing minor charges while in lock-up. Remember, prisoners are considered Guilty until proven innocent. On the other hand, if they behave themselves while things are sorted out, prisoners are typically treated pretty humanely. Being in ‘Emma-O’s Court’ tends to make Prison Staff behave themselves.

Sumaki: The Concrete boots of Rokugani underworld. The victim would be tied up in a bamboo screen, then heaved overboard to drown

Takadaimono: Lit: “High Platform Thing”, those sentenced to death via crucifixion, beheading, or burning.

Oyakata: Boss

“ White Wave” : Elegant term for a thief

Shinobi/Ninja Terms

Chunin: Ninja 'Officers'

Genin: Regular Ninja, typically lower rank.

-gumi (kumi): military unit

Gunkimono: war tale (typically) involving ninja

Hamagari: long thin folding saw. Common tool of the ninja

Kancho: Spies

Komuso: a flute playing Zen mendicant. Commonly used as a cover of ninja operations. Typically give to those with a fair amount of theological skill

Koran: agitators or disrupters.

Kunai: implement for gouging holes in walls.

Ninjutsu: Ninja techniques, including hand to hand.

Shinobigama: proper term for the traditional sickle and chain weapon used by ninja.

Shonin: Head ninja or leader

-shu: military unit

Teisatsu: Ninja scouts

General Terms and Concepts

Bugeisha: Lit: Armed Female Gentry. A polite way of differentiating between woman courtiers and female warrior bushi. Considered complimentary by more of the militaristic inclined female-led clans.

Banto: high ranking assistant to a merchant (as in trusted advisor or second)

Tedai: lower ranked merchant's helper/roustabout.

Kozo: child helper to a merchant/runner.

Atsumono: Lit: “Thick Things”. A form of chrysanthemum flower

Bokujuya: a man who applies black paint to wall the same way we ‘whitewash’ walls in the west

Danna: Term of respect among commoners for a great man

Daikan : An official of Otosan-Uichi set aside to collect taxes owed to the city and oversee public works, agriculture, and other projects administered by the city.

Daikansho: Office of the Daikan

Funai : The Inner City of Otosan-Uichi

Fusama: The sliding doors between walls in a Rokugani house. Often taken off the rails in the summer to let the breeze through.

Gokenin: Lower ranked retainer

Haru Ichiban: The first strong winds of spring. Every year, the Haru Ichiban are considered the signs of springs arrival.

Hibachi: traditional fire urn used for heating houses.

Hyakubiroi: Lit: “picking up a hundred things” Lowest of the low without actually hitting eta status, living off the discarded junk of others. Considered rather distasteful by most castes, including the eta.

Koboshin-gumi: “Small builders group”: consisting of samurai with no official postings who still receive a salary. In charge of procuring day laborers for construction projects.

Hiyameshukui: Lit: 'Cold Rice Eater' Term of contempt for second sons who are not heirs.

Kasa: Umbrella

Kasa-Bari: Making umbrellas from paper and bamboo. Under the strict caste provisions, bushi are not allowed to work the fields like peasants or go into business like commoners. Even a penniless ronin could make money by making umbrellas or performing menial tasks not covered by the caste restrictions.

Kusaku: ‘lees vinager’ : produced from the dregs of sake makings

Koshi-ire: Palanquin's entrance: the bride's entrance into the groom's house

Jikisan: A Samurai directly under the Shogun

Matamono: A Daimyo’s Retainer , unlike a Jikisan , directly under the Shogun

Matoi : Fireman’s Banner

Nanshiji : a form of lacquer finish that incorporate gold or silver flakes.

Penpen Grass: Shepard’s Purse, a plant fairly common around the capitol. Called penpen as the seeds resemble the Shamisen’s pick used to pluck the strings making the penpen noise.

Setta: a type of sandel made from rope and bamboo

Tanomoshiko: Mutual Financing Association

Wakadoshiyori: ‘Junior Elder’: High government official in charge of critical areas of interest, but not part of the Emperors Inner Council, the Daijokan.

Uwazumi: The sake that rises to the top during the brewing process, with the fewest impurities. Highly Prized.

Yoshiwara: “The Floating World”: A nickname for Otosan-Uichi’s famous pleasure gardens. A derisive nickname among commoners and some bushi for the Inner Ring of Otosan-Uichi (not said within earshot of upper ranked samurai)

Sword Terms

Bokuto: A wooden practice sword

Chokutō: ancient straight bladed sword. In essence, an early version of the katana

Daimyo: Local Warlord

Daisho: Lit: “Matched Set”. The paired Katana and Wakazashi.

Do-Maru: a type of close fitting armor

Gyokishin: Lit: Energy Concealing Heart. A term for hiding ones intentions in dueling and kenshin.

Ha: The cutting edge of a Sword

Habuchi: the visible white line along the length of a sword blade.

Hadagane: The harder outer steel section of a sword.

Hamon: the pattern of the habuchi along the length of the sword.

'Hitotsu no Tachi': 'One Stroke'. An expression on idealized swordsmanship.

Hiromono: Carved decoration along a blade, typically along the 'back' of the blade or along the spine

Ji: The surface of the blade.

Kagebara : a particular form of seppuku to take responsibility for failure. The Warrior makes the cut in secret, concealing it from others.

Kajiya: Blacksmith: often used by swordsmiths of refer to themselves in modesty and humility when they craft weapons. Courtier note: If a swordsmith of repute refers to themselves as this, accept the terminology and move on.

Kamidana : 'God Shelf', a place in the household that holds images of the local Kami. Typically also found in a force, with various kraftsmen 'kami' over looking the local forge.

Kengo: Master Swordsman. Not a honorific, but a title of recognition.

'Kiai!': 'Energy', an exclamation at the start of an attack.

Kissaki: The point of a blade

Kireaji: Lit: 'Cutting Taste'. How well a blade cuts.

Koshimono : A Sword. Koshi from 'hip' so koshimono meaning 'hipwear' or garment.

Kubiuchi: Decapitation. Kubu meaning 'head' and Kiri meaning 'cut', so Kubukiri Asa, literally meaning 'Headcutter' Asa.

Menkyo Kaiden: Secrets of the Art of the Sword.

Mune: Back of the sword.

Muto or Mu-do : 'No Sword' technique of swordfighting

Nie: course granular particles within a blades surface

Nioi: microscopic granular particles within a blades surface

Satsuki: ‘Murderous intent’. Satsuki is a state of mind that all samurai are trained to look for or sense from an opponent. Some samurai are trained to use it to distract, or to hide it. See Gyokishin

Sori: The curve of a Rokugani Blade

Suemonogiri: Cutting through a stationary object

Togishi: Sword Polisher

Toshio: 'Swordsmith' used to denote a person that all they do is make swords or a Swordsmith with a considerably high opinion of themselves to actually use the term. While technically accurate, the usage of the term is often viewed as a bit of bluster among the craft. Unless it is justified.

Religious Terms

Akuso: Evil Monk. typically used to describe a Sohei as a prejorative, but if Tainted monks are known about....

Ashigaru: foot soldier

Do-maru: simple Armor. typically worn by sohei

Ikki: organization or league

Jinja: Shintao Shrine

Jisha-Bugyo: The Commissioner of Shines and Temples

Baku: Nothingness

Ihai: Shinseist mortuary tablet

Jizo: a Bohdisattva comforting the common man. Jizo figures are the patron guardians or children, travelers, women, and the weak and ailing .

Kanbe: An allotment of households made to shrines under the Ritsuryō system, a system of legal and administrative codes of the early Japanese state during the seventh and eighth centuries. These households were responsible for paying all taxes to the shrine ( so [tax on agricultural products], chō [land tax], yō [corvée labor]) and also for cleaning and maintaining the shrines, as well as miscellaneous forms of labor necessary at shrines.

Kannushi: Shintao Preist

Kashiwade: The traditional clapping of hands before a Shintao shrine to call the attention of the kami

Kata-kesa: Shinseist robe worn over one shoulder

Keidaichi: Land on which a shrine located. The term shrine encompasses in this case the immediate shrine buildings as well as other constructions and edifices located on its grounds. Furthermore, shrines require land and space to maintain the shrine's dignity and places to perform rites and for public worship

Kesa: the ceremonial scarf worn by Shinseist monks

Kokuinichi: refers to land granted to shrines (and temples) under a black seal by a daimyō

Mikoshi : a miniature shrine carried during festivals

Mitama: the spirit of a Shintao kami. In this particular instance, referring to it's nature, much as a person has a spirit.

Monto: adherant of a Ikki. also: Zealot

Nembutsu :"Shinsei calling" the act of praying to the Shinsei

Sohei: "Shinseist Soldier" or "Warrior Monk": The famed fighting monks of Rokugan. Typically guarding caravans of the Faithful or those that make a donation to the Temple from bandits or corrupt officials.

Shingun: A specific type of gun (district), one of the provincial administrative units under the system of laws and codes that provides services to a shrine.

Shinryo: Land owned by a shrine. The term is especially used to refer to land providing a shrine's economic support from the medieval through the early modern period. Shinryō can be divided into the sub-categories of sharyō shōen , mikuriya , and shuinchi . As private land ownership of shōen (estates) increased from the late ancient period, the majority of the shōen owned by shrines ( sharyō shōen ) were dedicated to them by the emperor, the nobility, warriors, or others with authority.

Shuinchi: refers to land granted to shrines (and temples) by the shogun and sealed with a vermilion seal

Yamabushi: Literally "Mountain Gentry": Those monks that follow the path of enlightenment by mediation in mountainous areas. Also meaning "Monk of the Mountain"

Chinga Kokko no Dojo : A term given to the lead temple of monks protecting the Imperial City. Lit:"The Temple for the Pacification and Preservation of the State."

“Wasshoi!”: shouted when carrying a mikoshi during festival

Zazu: Head Abott of the Chinga Kokko No Dojo . Appointed by the Emperor.

Units of Measurement:

Cho: approximately 300 meters. Also a section of a city

Ken : Approximately 2 yards

Shaku: . Roughly 30cm

Sun: Roughly 3cm

Ri: approximately 4 kilometers

Rin : approximately 1/3 of a millimeter

To : A measure of capacity equaling roughly 4.8 gallons

Tsubo: Roughly 4 Square Yards

Monetary Terms:

Koku: a Bale of Rice (typically before bagging). Theoretically 1 person could live off of this for one year.

Kan: a bundle of 1000 copper coins

Mon (or Monme-ita): A copper coin

A Note on Samurai Women: Stephen Turnbull's Samurai Women does note that Bugeisha (Armed Female Gentry) typically tended to carry a naginata in lieu of a daisho, along with a tanto to make up for the differences in upper body strength. Given that most naginata were crafted by swordsmiths with as much attention to detail and craft as the katana , this is not considered a insult or a diminution of the Bugeisha. Given the level of force that can be brought to bear from a properly trained wielder with the naginata and the weapons reach, a properly trained bugeisha with a naginata will not be taken lightly by any samurai with the slightest bit of sense. To represent this, the naginata should get the Keyword: Samurai if the school does not already have it.

Invoking the Name of Ones Lord

When dealing with functionaries and others of technically higher station than the Samurai in question, it can become rather difficult to get people to take you seriously. Medieval Japan recognized this and the invocation of a lords name to indicate that you were there on their behalf tended to make things bit easier for lower ranking functionaries. And this was a socially acceptable form of intimidation within the Samurai caste. Annoying a lower ranked bushi was one thing. Angering a Shomyo or a Daimyo was another kettle of fish.

When invoking the name of ones lord during official business, the bushi is treated as having Glory and Status of one rank lower than their lord. Standard rules apply for such rolls at the adjusted levels

Testimony with multiple samurai against a single higher ranking samurai:

This is one that’s a bit of a grey area, but I’ll try to give a rough guide. Generally, if you have bushi within the same rank (Bonge, Buke, or Kuge) it usually takes multiple samurai of Rank equaling or exceeding the target samurai’s rank before anyone will take them seriously. This is modified if the Target Bushi has a title of some form or position, and general reputation of credibility vs the accusing samurai. If one has a reputation that is upstanding, then the accusers had best have very good Sincerity skills, cold hard proof, or the ability to convince another bushi of higher caste to back them. If accusing a bushi of much higher rank, without damning testimony and backing, other more radical actions may need to be taken (see the 47 Ronin) or the accusers will be doomed.

Lots of really useful stuff in here! I particularly like the information on the various ranks and positions; one of the things that disappoints me in 4e L5R (no idea whether earlier editions were better about this) is the dearth of information on that kind of thing, so that samurai get appointed generically to positions like "magistrate" with no gradations, and pretty much the only two promotion tracks are "rule an area" and "be in the army." I'll probably wind up incorporating some of this into my own campaign!

the two positions at the top were peculiar to the Shogunate and later imperial periods in the imperial city, but everything else should work just fine. The terms I researched and thought it might give extra depth to magistrate campaigns. The invocation of One's lord was a classic tropes of Samurai films, so I thought a mechanic to represent it might be useful

*Casts Threadomancy* I will be doing some updates to this particular thread as I have got my hands on a Boatload of historical documentation and discussions on various samurai era topics from Stephen Turnbull. I tne dot lean more 'realistic'/Chambara with my campaigns and lots of little details are always useful. I recommend looking Turnbull up as he gives a lot of good information

I eagerly await your updates good sir/madam.

I've updated the entries under Religious terms. Next up. an entry on Shinobi

Ninja information added. Working on additional noble Ranks and Castle information

Sorry for the delay. I've been working on other projects. But I am working on a update for Castles and such. I am a bit unfamiliar for how to embed images on this forum, but Intend to display images supporting the explanastions on castles

As always my good sir, you're doing excellent work and I applaud you.

bit of a early draft of material

Castle Terms:

Yamashiro: “Mountain Castle”. Most of the early castles of Rokugan were built atop of mountains or tall hills . A typically rudimentary wooden fortress on top of a hill used to restrict enemy movement

Hirajiro: “Plains Castle” A castle built in flatlands surrounded by flooded rice fields and rivers.

Hirayamajiro: “Mountain and Plains castle” As the name implies, a mixture of the two styles of castle above.

Sengoku Yamashiro: “Warring Period Mountain Castle” One of the earliest designs of castle, and something of a misnomer. Evolving from a rudimentary wooden fortress and fence perimeter blended into terrain, eventually involving creative uses of the surrounding terrain, turning gulleys into ditches, with removal of local foliage and sculpting of local hills to be more defensible This would eventually result in nearby concentric mountains being turned into a series of inner and outer baileys for the local castle system. This would be refined over time with certain mountain tops being leveled off, with each mountain top going towards the inner core somewhat higher and interlocking and supporting fields of fire being setup by shaping the mountain sides. Ditches would have ventricle cross pieces built to make for bridges connecting the complex together, strengthened by the 90 degree application to the various fortress walls. Come would have channels cut into them to allow boulders to be rolled down hill. Mountain streams could be diverted into gullies to make natural moats surround the castles as well.

edit: update to the Religious section. I've found a plethora of information on Shinto and adding some of the more mundane aspects to help with plot ideas

Added a bunch of information under the Sword terms area. Still translating some items with regards to that

Will be adding more on sword terms and Castle terms. I hope this is useful to everyone

@The WanderingJewels

This topic is amazing!

Thank you for the effort, but please check a few errors: e.g. "Daimyo" is among Sword terms or e.g. "Ashigaru" is among Religious terms.

I think you could use something to make new additions more visible. Bigger these (amazing) posts get, harder it becomes to spot what's new.

Indeed. If you are feeling discouraged by the lack of replies on this topic, do know that well... its not like there is much here for anyone to add or debate.

Okay, let's see....

Hmm.. is the Honami really supposed to be Ichkiawa and not Ichikawa?

It is odd to see typical Japanese last names being used as personal names, Tanaka really stands out as it was the common name that a LOT of farmers took when Japan required everyone take a family name.... It literally means "in the field" as in.. well.. a farmer. A samurai really chose to go by that name?

Also "Sakura" is the single most pre-gempukku name for girls in Rokugan by a mile, so it is kind of weird that a post-gempukku samurai who has an actual station would have that name.... But, you probably drew these from somewhere and it was the story team who was being funky in these cases... so often I see names in L5R where it is clear that they totally forgot the whole "child name" thing was well.. a thing-- and that samurai probably shouldn't have child names.

1 hour ago, LucaCherstich said:

@The WanderingJewels

This topic is amazing!

Thank you for the effort, but please check a few errors: e.g. "Daimyo" is among Sword terms or e.g. "Ashigaru" is among Religious terms.

thanks. some times I need an editor