The Delegations

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Name: Doji-ke no kashin Tanaka Shinnosuke (田中 紳之介)
Gender: Male
Occupation: Actor, artist
Age: 22
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5'8"
Build: Somewhat slim
Eyes: Gray-blue
Hair: White

(Portrait artist: 苏小遇 on Lofter)

Description:
One of the Kakita Academy's recent prodigies in the demanding art of masked Noh drama, Doji Shinnosuke (Shin to his intimates) is young, charismatic, talented--and he knows it, though to his credit he's usually not too awful about it. If his fame doesn't yet match his potential, that doesn't worry him. None of the truly great Noh actors have peaked until at least their thirties! He still has plenty of time to perfect his art, but all the same, he's burning with anticipation to be introduced at such an important court.

Shinnosuke is roughly average in height (the better to carry off every sort of stage role, male, female, or other) with a slim-to-average build that still has a bit of the half-grown young animal about it, suggesting he may fill out further in a few years' time. Not much else about his outward presentation could be fairly described as average, however. His voice is likely to be his most memorable characteristic, a naturally enticing tenor trained over years of practice to reach across an impressive range of tones and timbres. He may talk more than he should sometimes, but at least he's pleasant to listen to. And he is handsome, for another thing, with the particular friendly glamour Benten sometimes bestows on her favorite Crane children and a devil-may-care way of smiling that seems to imply, even when mocking, that you are in on the joke. The Noh masters' adage to "move ten parts of the mind but only seven parts of the body"--that is, always hold something suspended in reserve--seems to be bone-deep in him, adding a hint of dramatic tension to the simplest everyday gestures. And, as a graduate of the Kakita Artisan Academy ought to be, he is always turned out in the best refined taste (sometimes in silk fabric from House Tanaka's own workshops).

As the nephew of House Tanaka's current Lady, Shinnosuke is not in line to inherit much beyond his talents and a modest stipend, but he's said to be on close terms with his aunt's children (well, except maybe that little snot Toshio) and much valued by the Lady and her consort.

Hooks:

• Theater Kid: Shinnosuke has a nearly religious devotion to his art, and the history and legends it retells. He loves to talk about and practice it. (He's also at least conversant with just about every other type of performance.)
• Courtly Arts: Shinnosuke is a sincere student of most of the other classic courtly arts, from the tea ceremony to poetry.
• Social Bird: Shinnosuke finds people-watching (and, yes, talking about other people's business) rather absorbing, all the better with company.
• Like Great-[...]Grandfather: House Tanaka's founder had a reputation for artistic eccentricity (in addition to being a truly awful military leader), although in later generations the House has played it straighter under diminished circumstances--still, if you've heard of them, Shinnosuke might seem an interesting throwback.

Scene from "Hagoromo," Kamisaka Sekka (Minneapolis Inst. of Art)

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Entourage:
Toichi, the Page
A commoner lad of about fourteen, the son of house servants on the tiny Tanaka estate. Toichi has accompanied Shinnosuke for a couple of years and is moderately trained in most tasks a courtier's attendant and body servant would need to handle. He's also learned to manage Shinnosuke's personal collection of props and costumes, and to keep rhythm properly on the kotsuzumi shoulder drum for Shinnosuke's practice--though he never misses a chance to remind fellow servants that this doesn't make him some sort of sing-song boy. He's a very serious and valued retainer who's going to train with the ashigaru next summer!

Fanart from banafria.tumblr.com

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Haku, the Dog
About Haku not much needs to be said here. He speaks for himself.

Pekingese dog (source lost to the wilds of pinterest)

Haku_dog_smaller.jpeg (32.23 KiB) Viewed 737 times

[Yasuki Masaki]

Yasuki-ke no kashin Kawagoi Masaki
(安喜家乃家臣 川鯉 雅咲; some write 魔咲 to taunt her)
Gender: Female
Occupation: Court shugenja. Occasional merchant patron (which Yasuki isn’t?)
Age: 24
Marital Status: Single in her mid-twenties and house Kawagoi heir. Quite the conundrum.
Height: 5’3”
Build: Willowy
Eyes: Chestnut-coloured
Hair: Dark auburn, long, usually bound up with a hairpin.

The hearsay
If some word about the heir to house Kawagoi may have reached the wider empire, the stories will probably have told of a polite, soft-spoken, relatively unimportant Asahina-trained court Shugenja. Withdrawn, or even naïve, according to some – quite the contrast to the cunning, to-the-point conventional image that the Yasuki have probably already started to cultivate by the end of the 5th century.

Some of those who frequented courts in and near eastern Yasuki and southern Crane lands in the last four or five years, or the few courts farther north Masaki has attended in that time, may have something different to say. Polite, soft-spoken, even unimportant – all that may hold, and some will even mention an interest In the arts – even if mainly simple ones. Despite all that, some of those who spent longer around her might note the contrast with the wily trader stereotype may not be as stark as one might think.

Some might mention signs of one who’s often wary of others – maybe a scar from the past? Others may assume the soft voice and sheepishness to be a ruse and say she’s the one to be wary of. Which of those versions is true is never quite agreed upon. Maybe both? Or something altogether different?

Given her unimportant position, Masaki’s presence in the Imperial Court may come as something of a surprise – and strongly suggests a good deal of manoeuvring to put her there. Those from the south of the Empire are likely to know who was pulling strings to make that happen. Unlike Masaki, her mother and house head Kawagoi Satomi is a well-known and successful courtier, present in previous Imperial Winter courts herself, and one can easily imagine her interests in sending her firstborn and heir to the main stage.

The fact that Masaki is 24 and unmarried might not be a coincidence as well, although as house heir any plans in that arena come with a number of conditions.

The Hooks:

• Clutching at straws: Masaki is often seen carrying pieces of straw of different colours and types, and she has a number of straw-plaited ornaments. Maybe you like them? Maybe you want something made for yourself?
• Burn marks: They are small, discreet and easily covered, but someone particularly perceptive looking while she moves may notice small scar-like marks on Masaki’s right ankle and forearm. Maybe there’s a story there?
• Fishy business: As the “River Carps”, house Kawagoi is unsurprisingly known for, well, carps – which they send far and wide for ornamental purposes. They’re also well-known for good quality river fish and other foodstuff from the river that cuts through their lands. Maybe you like fish? Maybe you’d like to make an order? Or maybe you’d like to try some sake? …
• Picky eater? Adventurous eater? - Masaki seems to take an interest in different types culinary traditions and ingredients and often seems excited about new things to try. At the same time, she seems to be *really* careful and meticulous when choosing what to actually eat. What’s up with that?
  
  The house map - House Kawagoi Lands
  

[Ikoma Honoka]

Ikoma-ke no kashin Kamoshita Honoka
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Height: 5’1
Build: lithe
Occupation: Duelist, courtier
Marital Status: Single
Hair colour: Brown (sometimes has a reddish tint)
Eye colour: Brown

Honoka, only child and daughter of Ikoma Ami, Niece of the Lord Kamoshita, has had a fast rise since appearing on the scene in her first court a few years ago as a young samurai fresh from her gempukku. Given the nickname "The Smiling Blade" by a Seppun who commented that Honoka seemed to be smiling even as she struck her opponent in a duel, the girl has found herself in demand and no matter where she goes almost nobody from any clan has had a bad word to say about her. She's friendly, welcoming, smart and quick with both her words and her blade. However, she is enjoyable to listen to as a storyteller as well.

Still, her invitation to Winter Court even with her rise to fame comes as a surprise with the girl appearing to be at an age that some are still just finishing gempukku at.

Hooks:

• Honoka is quite well travelled for one so young, having visited courts of clans that neighbour the Kamoshita and the Lion as a whole in the last 2 years. She has spent the last 2 months in Kyuden Ikoma however in preparation for Winter Court
• An avid storyteller, Honoka enjoys discussing stories and telling stories
• The Smiling Blade name has been making rounds for around six to twelve months now, can it really be that young girl?

[Matsu Masumi]

Matsu-ke no kashin Morikawa Masumi

Age: 20
Gender: Female
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5’7”
Build: Muscular
Profession: Emerald Yoriki
Marital Status: Unwed

Underneath silk trappings of court is a woman bred for violence. No amount of makeup could ever conceal the calluses earned through so much training. Nonetheless she is akin to a compliant house cat, polite enough to not wreck up the place but certainly not affectionate in any sense of the word. Instead of mice, her duty is to hunt down a different sort of vermin: criminals! Is it more terrifying to have a belligerent yoriki eager to break bones or a reticent one who will just as readily do so? Ask them, not her.

For all her strength, she is a runt of the litter. House Morikawa constantly funnels worthy additions to the Lion's Pride. One could say that is why Masumi has devoted more time to beauty and eloquence so that she could distance herself by joining an Imperial Post. Whatever the truth is, her family is rarely a topic of discussion of her choosing.

Despite that, she has also shown no interest in pursuing a marrying into another family. Indeed she has spurned many an attempt to win her favor. At the very least, the rejected do not suffer any reprimands. She simply seems so... aloof about it.

Hooks:

• If someone breaks the law, then Masumi would break their bones... within reason.
• Quietude in places of beauty appeals to her much more than bustling court activities!
• Ordinarily implacable, there are a few topics which would breach her composure.

[Daidoji Ryu]

Name: Daidoji-ke no kashin Miyahara Ryu
Gender: Male
Occupation: Bushi, Courtier
Age: 23
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5'8"
Build: Slim
Eyes: Grey-brown
Hair: Black

Ryu is a hard-working and dedicated Crane samurai. He was trained as a bushi, but most of his recent work has been in the courts. While not many would call him "friendly", he is polite, and attentive enough to interpersonal relationship that he manages to have friends. Work friends, anyway.

He is the cousin of the head of Miyahara household, Miyahara Sae, and works diligently to support her in her endeavors. His father was the younger brother of the previous heir, and both his parents served the Crane without special distinction. He also has a younger sister. If you ask him, she's a bit bratty. If you ask anyone else, she's fine.

Ryu's naturally handsome features are slightly marred by the fact that his expression tends towards the dour; at it's worst, he looks some some sort of 'grumpy cat'. When neutral (which does happen sometimes!), or even smiling, he has the classic elegant Crane features. Yes, even bushi know how to moisturize properly in the Crane. He keeps up on the latest court fashions, dressing to fit in rather than stand out, as appropriate for his status.

Hooks:
*Do you have a friendship quota? Ryu does! We can help each other to meet the Mandatory Friend Quota for the season.
*Do you want to wheel and deal? What's wheeling? Ryu... well, he doesn't like to, but he feels like its his job.
*If you want to talk about something Ryu actually enjoys, he's happy(ish) to talk about higher things, such as art, philosophy, or other intellectual things. If NPR were a thing in Rokugan, he'd totally listen to it. He'd skip Marketplace though, sorry Kai Ryssdal.

[Asako Kenichi]

Name: Asako Kenichi of House Ito
Gender: Male
Occupation: Loremaster, bard
Age: 21
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5'6"
Build: Wiry
Eyes: Green
Hair: Black

Kenichi has been a fixture of Kyuden Ikoma for the last 6-7 years, though not entirely voluntarily. He is a hostage from the Phoenix, sent as a result of a bargain made at the end of the Gozoku era, due to his family's involvement. Despite the bad bloodline, he has been nothing but exceptional both in his Phoenix education, as well as a guest in the Ikoma household. Although he is cordial and well liked, it is obvious that no decision has been made on what to do with the young man, so most of his time has been spent at leisure activities, or helping out where allowed.

Although not a prominent member of his House, he does have the ear of Ikoma Ryota, and has received training among the Bards of the Ikoma as a place of honor.

Hooks:
- Does your family and self-esteem suck too? Let's commiserate!
- Kenichi has a wide variety of interests, including History, telling stories, even practicing with the blade to some extent.
- He has 3 unwed sisters (all more important than him). Anyone shopping for some Asako relations?
- Although he has been vacated from his usual lodgings, he still knows the Kyuden quite well. He has not spent any considerable amount of time anywhere else, after all.

[Kitsu Rini]

Kitsu-ke no kashin Tatsukawa Rini

Age: 20
Gender: Female
Hair: Dark Red
Eyes: Green
Height: 5’4"
Build: Petite
Profession: Shugenja, Priestess, Witch?
Marital Status: Available

Smart. Honorable. Gifted. Bound for Glory.

All these words and more describe the young priestess of twenty winters, and distant cousin to the main line of the Tatsukawa House, Kitsu Rini. Descended from a line of priests, scholars, and seekers of esoteric knowledge, she has been chosen as part of the Delegation due to her keen intellect and outstanding talent. In fact, she worked as one of the researchers looking through the histories to help find the potential Winds and where the bloodline has led. Though not the main researcher, mind you. Merely part of the team of scholars.

She was just very very good at it.

Rini is something of a bookworm, both professionally and recreationally. Any time new texts came through the Tatsukawa lands, she would somehow make her way to getting copies of anything and everything.

Given her talent, Mystic might, and while not exceptional but noted aesthetic beauty, the Lion are seeking potential marriage arrangements, though more so to bring in to the Kitsu, than marry out her talents.

Hooks:

• Rini knows a little bit of everything. Given her voracious appetite for reading and work, she can speak on any topic known. If you need to find something out, she might just know what it is.
• Rini is a prodigious magical girl. Her skills include healing, more healing, and dousing her enemies in water and making them repent.
• Those that can see the supernatural can see a haunting presence that hangs about her at all times

[Kuni Shiori]

Kuni-ke no kashin Kuroyama Shiori (栞)

Age: 20
Gender: Female
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 165 cm/5'5”
Build: A bit on the toned side
Profession: Iron Mine Overseer, Medic, Shugenja, Professional People Watcher
Marital Status: Single

Kuni Shiori of House Kuroyama comes from a family of five siblings. Little is known about the House save that they’ve been transplanted from the untamed wilderness of the Kuni lands in the west and brought closer to the heart of Crab Clan lands, closer to the vein of commerce of the Yasuki provinces. The effects of her upbringing there are likely evident to those within the Crab. Much like members of her House, their manner of talking is less curt or blunt compared to the Kuni who reside West of the Crab lands, perhaps emulated from their proximity with the Yasuki. Shiori is often calm and seems to possess a serene temperament, although internally there might be some deliberateness and calculation with each politeness. She speaks with a low and rich soothing tone, a voice that encourages ease and assurance.

As a trained Kuni shugenja, Shiori is seldom without her traditional face paint. Her personal motif seems to lend itself closer toward shadowy shapes than the colourful striking lines used in other Kuni facepaint designs. Her tastes in fashion don't follow closely with recent trends but they are certainly presentable, opting for traditional style in decorative furisode kimono. They are often combined with black hakama, which is apparently a House trademark fashion.

Hooks:

• In writing, House Kuroyama are Kuni who specialize in mining operations and ore extraction. Not in writing, they are "manage" and wrangle mujina are labourers for mining.
• They've moved from their home in the Kuni lands to be more eastward. The House now resides closer to the Yasuki and the River of Gold as their current home, where they continue overseeing mining.
• People are interesting and fascinating, always. Shiori is willing to listen but she will have questions.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Hiruma-ke no kashin Tetsumura Daichi

Age: 22
Gender: Male
Hair: Black
Eyes: Dark brown
Height: 5’9"
Build: Toned
Profession: Bushi, Senior Gunso, Cat Dad?
Marital Status: Available

Description:

Daichi is a lot of what you would expect from a Crab samurai, on the taller side for a rokugani, with a toned physique well used to long days of physical activities. Scars are evident his arms from sword practice and various skirmishes over the years and his hands rough from holding weapons. He is a bit better groomed then one might expect from a man used to fighting dark creatures from the depths of the shadowlands though. He dresses well for his stations and duty and puts in more than the minimal number of efforts into his appearance for various reasons. After all, just because you were born in the ass end of the Empire, you didn't have to dress like it. Or at least that's what his mother always said.

The heir apparent to his house he has a lot of expectations to fulfill and tries to approach all his dealings with this in mind. Which could lead one to believe he is more than a little overly serious. He does know how know how to relax though and is most at ease out of the public eye with his family and close friends.

Daichi can sometimes be found accompanied by Nyoko a three-year-old black cat. A regal creature, by cat standards. She views herself as queen of the crab house. Though it is uncertain if her reign will be respected, or if she will have to travel to other locales to get the adoration she truly deserves.

Hooks:

- Do you like cats? Daichi has one.

- At twenty-two marriage is in Daichi's near future. Perhaps something can be arranged?

- As a bushi Daichi is always interested in improving his skills. He also has a interest in learning about the wider empire.

[Ikoma Tanji]

Ikoma no Suitai Tanji
Occupation: Bushi, Imperial Scribe, Lion Delegate
Age: 24
Marital Status: Married for 2 years
Height: 5'10
Build: Gangly
Eyes: 1 discolored, 1 brown
Hair: Long Black hair which covers one side of his face, unless it doesn't want to

The youngest living child of House Suitai, a house few outside the Lion Clan has heard of. Tanji has dutifully served as a scribe in Otosan Uchi for half a decade now. He has utilized his natural talents in literature and a few key opportunities to find himself a wife who loves him and a place in the Lion Clan embassy. He chooses his fights well, and has been rewarded recently with a ticket to the biggest event the Ikoma Family could host. With little time to prepare, but the tools for the job, can Ikoma Tanji change the fates of his family, his clan, and maybe even the Empire? Only time will tell.

House Suitai Location: 035,027, which is just a few ri to the west of the City of the Rich Frog

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

Mirumoto-ke no kashin Ito Jinkan

Gender: Male.
Occupation: Bushi and land manager.
Age: Mid-twenties.
Marital Status: Unattached. Available.
Height: Tall.
Build: Uncomfortably thin.
Eyes: Black.
Hair: Black and tied up in a bun most of the time.

The heir to the Ito house is immediately noticeable by the huge scar across his face like he tried to catch a sword between his teeth and missed. The height, slightly darker skin, and deep circles under his eyes tend to draw attention next, followed by the nice silks, expensive hairpin, and jade netsuke. He doesn't strike a particularly imposing figure, looking rather more like a hanger for his clothes than a trained warrior. But those who studied with him can readily attest to his trailer park tweaker bursts of strength as well as an unsettling habit of talking to things that aren't seen.

Jinkan doesn't let such things bother him if he even notices them. He does his best to remain cordial with most everyone he meets, its is just his best is pretty bad. He is excessively rich and the next-in-line to an important jade producing family though so most everything is forgiven even if people talk behind his back. When he isn't wrangling his father and sister into eating actual food, or pretending to read memos, the young bushi likes stacking rocks next to the river or having staring contests with crows.

Hooks:
Likes nature, will talk to rocks and shrubs if there are not animals available.
Lives inside a mountain fortress where they mine for jade. Probably the closest thing to a dwarf that exists in Rokugan.
Sees things that others can't. Or is just nuts. Possibly both.
Can talk about literally anything, very well read.

[Jihen]

Name: Jihen (慈編)
Gender: Male
Occupation: Abbot Aide
Age: 20
Marital Status: Monk
Height: Average
Build: Average
Eyes: Brown
Hair: None

Born under a waning crescent moon, Jihen was given to the Four Temples Monastery as a small child by the Seppun family as the young Abbot Chou-sin began seeking the support of the Imperial families in earnest. Jihen's birth was seen as both a blessing and a test from the heavens by those in his family, for Jihen came into the world with only one arm. The Seppun believed his path lay in spiritual devotion. Despite his physical limitations, Jihen excelled in meditation, philosophy, artistry, and performance... adapting the temple's teachings to suit his body.

Recognizing his brilliance and to better ingratiate himself with the imperial families, the abbot, Chou-sin, took Jihen as his personal aide. Under Chou-sin’s mentorship, Jihen has blossomed into a prodigy of the school. He has mastered many of the sacred texts, developed innovative techniques for the temple’s unique esoteric arts, and became a guiding presence for his peers. Chou-sin and Jihen have developed a strong master-pupil relationship. While Jihen has attended court in the imperial capital, this Winter Court will be his first. Chou-sin has asked him to come and learn of the intricacies of these types of gatherings, and support the Four Temples in their pursuits.

Hooks:
-Resident of the capital and of noble stock.
-Works closely with Chou-sin
-Interested in debate and storytelling.
-An artsy, talky monk.

[Doji Arai]

Doji Arai

Gender: Female
Occupation: Bushi
Age: 21
Marital Status: Single
Height: 1.62
Build: Lithe
Eyes: Black.
Hair: Black

Doji Arai is the young Lady of the House Ishimoto. She only succeeded her mother, the most successful daimyo of the Ishimoto in their long history, a few months ago. The young bushi is trained in the Kakita Dueling Academy and she is considered somewhat of a scholar among her peers. She has a knack for commanding troops and taking the right decisions at the right time during a battle. Or so her training has shown as she hasn't so far been tested in a real battlefield. Arai is exceptionally polite and somewhat reserved, but when she opens up, she has a good sense of humor and a warm demeanor.

Hooks:

- Books!
- Unwed and unbetrothed Lady of House Ishimoto
- With unwed and unbetrothed siblings
- Swordswoman and commander
- Loves games
- Interested in art, of course
- The previous Lady Ishimoto, her mother, killed a few Matsu officers in the battle between the Crane and the Matsu not so long ago.

[Doji Aito]

Doji Aito

Gender: female
Occupation: Bushi
Age: 20
Marital Status: Single
Height: 1.68
Build: Athletic and slender
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black

Aito is the heiress of the House Ishimoto of the Doji. She is a very talented swordswoman and likes spending her time with her sword and her flute. She is overtalented, confident about her abilities, carefree and rather childish. She is timid and not too social but loyal and trustworthy to her close friends and relatives.

Hooks:
-Very much into arts and sports
-time to find a good marriage
-Likes expanding her horizons and learning new things

[Akodo Kenji]

Description
Age: 19
Sex: Male
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown with green flecks
Height: 5’8”
Build: Slim
Profession: Imperial Scribe
Marital Status: Available

Akodo Kenji is a pleasant young man with moderately good looks, long dark hair, and the slightly overly pale skin that suggests too much time spent indoors. Indeed it is rare to catch him without a stack of scrolls or papers, and all too often there is a stray spot of ink or paint gracing a finger or silken hem. Known to his family as “The Young Scholar” Kenji fills that role rather well having been sent to train with the Imperial Calligraphers after his gempukku. He can hold a conversation on most subjects without embarrassing himself, and has the sort of manners that suggest more time spent in the Capital around courtiers than on a battlefield.

Hooks

• "That which has interest is interesting." - Kenji knows a lot about many esoteric subjects and is always keen to learn more.
• "A game of Go, anyone?" - The Empire's premier strategy game is always a good way to pass the time.
• "The way of the brush and blade." - From one thing, know a thousand things. The Kami gave Kenji a gift, he writes well. Really well.
• "House full of heroes." - The Kusama are an Old house with a storied history. Perhaps you have heard of them? Perhaps you have a score to settle?

House
Kusama of the Akodo
Bishamon's Chosen
Guardians of the Western Plains
"The space between grasses."
Location: 041.028 and 042.029

Subordinates: House Harada (040.029)