I'm usually more concerned with warfare...but my things led me to this creation.

Yoshida family (Doji Vassal)

Mon: A moth in Crane colours.

Information: During the late 9th century warfare and conflicts between Crane and Lion clans were dire in the area of the Kintani valley. The Crane champion, Doji Yoshihide, spent huge part of his own personal resources in facing such crises, both in court and in the battlefield. Even if he was a Doji, Kiyonaka was trained in the Kakita Bushi School and was used to lead armies on person, often endagering his own safety. The only relax he could find was during the nights, when he loved to stay alone and meditate.

During one of those nights of meditation he happened to listen to a voice coming from a nearby area. One of his lower attendants was reciting poetry entertaining his comrades around a campfire. They were just a few, very quick and informal haiku verses but recited with style and creatity, conveying a sense of somber peace. The crane champion listened to this poetry while remaining hidden behind a bush in darkness and, when he came back to his own place, he found his own soul rested.

The following morning a simple soldier, Asahina Yoshida was called to the crane champion and, when he entered the room, ink and paper were to be found on a table. Kiyonaka asked the lowly bushi if he could try to compose more poetry and write it in order to be remembered. Yoshida bowed and answered that he was ready to serve his lord at the best of his possibilities. In this way the Yoshida family was born: they are tasked to create poetry and excel also in the way of calligraphy.

A poetry scroll written by a Yoshida is a treasure gift that most courtiers long for. There is no dearth of Yoshida bushi but most are courtiers and especially artesans, continuing the poetic tradition established by their founder. Oddly enough, even if they are a mostly peaceful family, their main stronghold is in a hotly contested territory. It is called "Yoshida Mura" and it is just a minor fortified village in the Kintani Valley. They were given a land where their ancestor firstly impressed the Crane champion and the Yoshida are proud to keep it safe from Lion incursions.

As a mon they use the moth, symbolising beauty appearing during the night, as the poems of their ancestors were firstly performed in the night. Indeed reciting poetry, and especially Haiku, under the starlight is a tradition that the Yoshida kept since their founding.

Common Schools: Doji Courtier, Kakita Artisan. They often enter the "Yoshida poet" path. The few who follow the way of the warrior usually access the Kakita bushi school and take the "Warrior Poet" path (from strongholds of the empire).

Trait: +1 Awareness

Skills (they can substitute any school skill with the following): Artisan (poetry), calligraphy

NEW ALTERNATE PATH. Yoshida Poet [Artisan]

Since their founding the Yoshida poets have sought perfection, with an aim of recreating balance in the minds of the audience with the perfect performance of poetry reciting.

The Yoshida poets are concerned not just about the momentaneous performance but also about recreating the poetic experience through perfect calligraphy.

Technique Rank: 3

Replaces: Doji Courtier 3, Kakita Artisan 3.

Requirements: Artisan (poetry) 4, Calligraphy 2.

Technique: The sweetness of the words - The Yoshida poet receives + 0k1 on any Artisan (Poetry skill).

Furthermore, when he recites poetry with great inspiration (Poetry Roll on Tn 25) and spends 1 Void point, he can make the listeners recovering 1 Void point.

A Yoshida poet can also write a poem on a scroll using the best of its writing ability (Calligraphy roll with tn 25) and spending 1 Void point during its creation. When somebody meditates and read the poem for the first time he can recover one additional Void point. Further reading of the poem will not give this additional benefit.