Session4

An arrival, a threat and a tournament begins

After arriving at night, Isawa Bin, Akodo Haraku, Daidoji Ryou and Kakita Takeyoshi? found accommodation in Toshi Ranbo's Traveller's District outside the city walls, each finding a rest house and a room of their own liking.

During the Hour of Dragon on the first day of the two-day tournament, the twelve contestants assembled in the practice yard of the city's castle. The area was decked out impressively with banners of all the clans involved and was host to a small band playing traditional drum and flute music. A three-tiered roofed platform sat at the centre of this pageantry. The highest tier, presumably reserved for the Governor and his retinue, was empty but on the middle tier there were several noble samurai of the Crane, the Lion, the Phoenix and the Scorpion clans. Each contestant was guided to the lower of these platforms where they knelt in silence awaiting their host.

As the bells of the city outside the castle's walls chimed the arrival of the Hour of the Serpent an imposing blue-robed man, daisho at his waist, entered the practice yard followed by a striking young samurai-ko with the white hair common among the Crane and a small armed guard. Upon reaching the platform the imposing samurai –Daidoji Asato- placed his swords on a rack on the upper platform and knelt facing the assembled samurai who all bowed deeply to their host.

With the eye of an experienced soldier and a canny general, Asato surveyed those beneath his gaze for several long minutes before giving the command to rise.

In a voice that has been trained to carry across battlefields, Asato stated that Toshi Ranbo was in need of the most capable, the most honourable and the most dedicated samurai to serve The Emperor's will. The tournament he said was created to allow any samurai to compete but only the best would succeed and it would test all facets of a samurai's character and only victory would demonstrate worthiness to wear the green sash of office. With that, he declared the Tournament of Fukurokujin open.

The morning session consisted of three tasks: Sumai, Heraldry and Athletics. Before each contest, Asato related the nature of the contest to a Magistrate's duty and then randomly drew the contestant's names from a bowl to determine who would face whom in each match.

Before the end of the Hour of the Horse, at the end of the Athletics contest, Governor Asato called a halt to the proceedings and ordered a small army of servants to bring out paper screens and bowls of hot water so the contestants could clean themselves in preparation for food being served.

During this time many of the guests and contestants introduced themselves to each other. Doji Yamiko, Asato's Karo, seemed to take a particular interest in the handsome Daidoji Ryou and suggested that he visit her during the Hour of the Cockerel for an evening meal and discussion of art and acting, subjects close to his heart.

Akodo Haraku however, who had lost to Ryou in the athletics tournament received a less welcome visit, this time from Ikoma Ujiaki, the official representative of the Lion Clan in Toshi Ranbo. Ujiaki made it clear that he expected Haraku to at least regain honour for himself and for the Lion Clan or commit seppuku? if he failed…

Shiba Katsuda, daimyo of the neighbouring Phoenix lands, congratulated Isawa Bin on his three victories so far and wished him the blessing of the Fortunes for the subsequent contest; he expressed the belief that a Phoenix victory in the Tournament would be the best all round, a Lion, Crane or Scorpion victory would almost certainly lead to more unrest within the city. Only a Phoenix Emerald Magistrate he believed could truly bring order to the city.

The Scorpion Clan Ambassador to Asato's court, Shosuro Goemon, in what is apparently typical behaviour for this brash bushi, chided and bullied Bayushi Roshei? for his performance so far and was none to discreet about doing so. Goemon's mother Ayumi who was also present at the exchange looked extremely uncomfortable at her son's lack of decorum and apologised to Roshei afterwards once the Ambassador was out of ear-shot.

There was also open hostility between the contestants. Hiruma Do?, a somewhat arrogant scout, derided the other Crab contestant Hiruma Asumi? and questioned her abilities to compete against him. Kakita Akito? of the Dragon Clan made it quite clear that he considered his nitten style superior to that of the Kakita and he intended to prove himself against Takeyoshi?...

Eventually, once all the contestants had cleansed themselves, the servants removed the screens and the water and then brought out trays of good food: rice, vegetables, slices of fresh sashimi and some exquisite pickled vegetables. During the meal dancers and performers of the highest standard entertained the assembled samurai.

The afternoon's contests of Go? and Law, Etiquette and Bushido were more sedate and courtly than the morning's wrestling and athletics matches but no less fiercely contested. By the end of the Hour of the Sheep, when Asato announced the end of the day's events, Isawa Bin of the Phoenix was clearly in the lead as he had not conceded a single point; second was Hiruma Asumi? of the Crab Clan who only dropped one point on the Heraldry contest.

Following the contenst, Daidoji Ryou, knowing he was going to visit Doji Yamiko at her home, went to search the city's Artisan district for a suitable gift. An elderly and serene artist by the name of Kakita Taka? had a fine jade netsuke? that Ryou was particularly keen on but, even though the gift was destined for the most influential and powerful courtier in Toshi Ranbo, Taka would not part with it. Ryou did however obtain an exquisite fan with a picture of a crane in flight and a waterfall painted on the delicate silk.

Yamiko was delighted with the fan and made sure Ryou was comfortable, getting servants to bring fine food, tea while they talked about what ever took their fancy. She was witty, charming and intelligent and she seemed set on supporting and assisting Ryou in any way she could, a powerful ally indeed. However, Ryou realised that she was also cunning and ambitious and that in offering her aid she was also expecting his loyalty…

Akodo Haraku, somewhat humbled by his performance and shamed by Ikoma Ujiaki's rebuke decided to prepare himself mentally and spiritually for the Tournament's final day. Calling on his courage, Haraku went to Ujiaki's residence in the city's Daimyo District;.the servants showed Haraku in but instead of taking him to Ujiaki took him to see Ikoma Fukashi, Ujiaki's karo. Slightly relieved, Haraku asked the Karo if the house's scrolls could be made available to him so he could study for the following day. Agreeing Fukashi escorted him to the sombre chamber at the heart of the house and ordered servants to bring some simple food, tea and a futon so he could remain as long as he needed. Thanking Fukashi for his kindness, Haraku began a night of study, mediation and contemplation.