1126 - Year of the Monkey

Reign of Hantei 39th, Year 2

You may read the imperial histories in order below or jump to any month of the year using the calendar to the right. You may also download the 1126 MSWord file.

The seasons of the imperial year:

Winter: Rat, Ox, Tiger

Spring: Hare, Dragon, Snake

Summer: Horse, Ram, Monkey

Fall: Rooster, Dog, Boar

Month of the Rat: Winter Court (Kyuden Asako) begins with a spectacular pyrotechnic display by the Pheonix elemental masters of Fire and Air. An earthquake devastates Sparrow lands and southern crab lands. The Hare Clan brings suit against the Scorpion Clan for recovery of Hare’s Nose/Scorpion Tail island. The emperor hears supporting testimony from the Fox and Yasuki about the Hare’s traditional control of the island. The Scorpion protest that the island was given to them in a peace treaty, however, Usagi Tanaka points out that the island was given in a marriage treaty and that Bayushi Tomaru has renounced his wife, Tomoe, and with her that treaty. Hantei 39th rules that the island should be returned to the Hare. It becomes evident that the Fox, Hare, Wasp, and Sparrow are now acting in concert under the leadership of the Fox Daimyo, Ryosei. Courtiers begin referring to the “four-man alliance” of minor clans. The Unicorn clan daimyo, Yamasura, accepts the responsibility of guarding the “Exile’s Road” and the entrance to Rokugan until more suitable arrangements can be made.

Month of the Ox: The Jade Inquisitors continue to build the “ Tower of Jade ” in Otosan Uchi on the ruins of the lands of the Tortoise, and are looking for large jade supplies. In an unusual move of generosity, the Crab clan daimyo, Hida Kisada, provides a large jade supply at the request of Kuni Yori, the “chief inquisitor.” The emperor is favorably impressed and grants Kisada a “boon.” Hida Kisada asks to be closer to the “light of heaven in order to hold back the darkness.” Hantei 39th chooses to send his young cousin, Seppun Kenzone, a promising duelist, to be fostered by Kisada at his court. The Lion and Crane truce holds. Akodo Toturi and Doji Hoturi renew their friendship at the imperial court publicly and the more belligerent members of their clans are subdued. The Phoenix clan proposes a compromise on the Kintani valley, suggesting that the emperor send Otomo diplomats to administer the lands for at least 5 years. Neither Lion nor Crane find this proposal acceptable. The Empress gives birth to a daughter and the court rejoices. A discussion between Agasha Tamori (the Dragon Clan Agasha Family Daimyo) and Phoenix Clan Elemental Masters Isawa Tadaka (Earth) and Isawa Uona (Air) becomes somewhat loud and heated as Isawa Tadaka continues to press the silent Agasha Tamori on a point regarding the teachings of Shinsei.  As the discussion draws more attention, the Phoenix Clan Champion, Shiba Ujimitsu interrupts the discussion with courtly pleasantries, derailing the argument and allowing Agasha Tamori to take his leave of the three Phoenix .  Afterwards, though he remains at Winter Court, the Phoenix Clan champion is noticeably absent from any gathering containing one or more of the Elemental Masters and visa versa.

Month of the Tiger:During an archery contest before the entire court, Tsuruchi, the Wasp Clan daimyo falls ill. It is quickly determined that he ingested poisonous leaves used as a garnish for lunch by accident. He is saved from death by the Empress, whose knowledge of Herbalism surprises the courtly elite. While her knowledge is impressive, such skills are considered low skills in most clans and in the court and quiet murmurs and rumors quickly spread about the “charming rustic ways” of the young Empress and a mocking haiku surfaces in Otosan Uchi: “Empress of the fields, bent over for the harvest, in mud stained silks.” Otomo Tadamara and Shinjo Yamasura tie in the archery contest and quickly become friends. Tadamara agrees to visit the Cherry Blossom Lake in Unicorn lands during the traditional time of summer pilgrimage. The Emerald Champion, Doji Satsume, hears the request of the former Badger clan daimyo, Hideo, for aid in seeking out those who betrayed his clan. The former badger, Koturi, and his new wife, Agasha Momuko, are outlawed by the Emerald Champion. Numerous Wasp bounty hunters agree to aid Hideo and the remnants of his bushi in finding the “twelve traitors.”

Month of the Hare: Hida Goshiri attends the Crab Clan's "judgment day," traditional held at the coming of spring. There he sees the imperial courtier Seppun Kenzone enter into fosterage at Hida Kisada's court, under the mentorship of the Daimyo's son, Hida Yakamo. In an unusual move, Yoko is exiled from Rokugan by Kisada. Goshiri is given the duty of excorting Yoko to the Last Arch. On the way, he reports to the service of the Emerald Magistrate Yamagata at Pleasure City . Tsumado sends Gondo with Goshiri to the north, with an offering for Shinjo Ratha's family shrine. Goshiri arrives at the Last Arch, where Shinjo Hokido is in command. Goshiri prevents Iuchi Masami from slaying Yoko because of an old grudge. Yoko is sent into exile. A large caravan, commanded by Ide Maru departs from Rokugan, seeking signs of the legendary return of shinjo. Goshiri and Hokido decide to conduct various investigations about those who travalled beyond the Arch.

Month of the Dragon: Disputes between the Wasp and Scorpion break into small skirmishes. The empress attempts to intervene on behalf of the Wasp. The wasp clan daimyo Tsuruchi, already out of favor, is summoned to account before the emperor. During the hearing, Bayushi Kachiko decries the dishonorable behavior of Wasp "samurai" as bounty hunters and implies that their activities are an insult to the Emerald Magistrate. The emperor agrees and decides to find new employment for the Wasp clan: they are granted the old Badger lands in the far north and entrusted with guarding the Last Arch; their bounty hunters are restrained by imperial law and, henceforth, will only be allowing to hunt those who have been exiled by the Magistrates. Tsuruchi and his followers depart to Badger lands. Meanwhile, the Scorpion try to reclaim former Wasp lands, but the emperor hears the pleas of the Sparrow, whose lands were devastated by earthquake and he grants them Wasp lands.

Gondo and Hokido bring valuable sake to the court of Shinjo Shoji. Gondo wins a public duel to defend his lord, Akodo Tsumado's name. At court, the honor of Akodo Tsumado is insulted by a unicorn bushi, Shinjo Aishi (sp?) who employs a crane clan ronin. Gondo challenges the ronin to a duel to defend Tsumado's honor and wins a lengthy fight to first blood in front of the entire court. Nevertheless, the Unicorn is not satisfied, and she, one of her vassals, and the ronin treacherously attack Gondo and Hokido, while they are conversing with Gondo's old friend Shrimp. Shrimp is killed, but Gondo and Hokido manage to kill the attackers, though are nearly dispatched themselves

Month of the Snake: Gondo reports back to Tsumado. Goshiri joins a party of Unicorn to aid the former Badger clan (including Nodojo) in seeking out some of the "Twelve Traitors" in Falcon lands. Goshiri and Hokido travel to Nigatani village to aid the Falcon, who have plagued by ronin attacks led by rogue Badger. They participate in a large battle of Falcon vs. a ronin juzimai (the "forest killers"), who seem to be in the employ of the former Badger. After much searching, their party finds a group of three evil Badger and slays them. The Falcon are grateful for the aid of major clan bushi and reward those involved. Hokido and Goshiri return to the court of Shinjo Shoji and spend a few pleasant days there before Goshiri returns to Pleasure city for duty.

Month of the Horse: Hida Goshiri escorts a convoy to the Twilight Mountains with the aid of Nodojo. Shinjo Hokido and Mirumoto Tsuntake act as yojimbo for Iuchi Chojuro and Ide Dosan, as they go shopping in the City of the Rich Frog. Later, at Chrysanthemum Petal Lake, Hokido and Tsuntake participate in the Ide Horseman Challenge.

Month of the Ram: Akodo Tsumado, Hida Goshiri, and Gondo escort the imperial diplomat Miya Sakai and his wife, Doji Huriko to a meeting at the Temple of 3 Sides River. At the temple, emissaries from the Lion Clan (Akodo O-Ishida, Ikoma Owaru, Matsu Yuki and guards) and the Crane Clan (Asahina Bezetsu, Daidoji Handen, Doji Okaido and gaurds) negotiate a permanent peace in the Lion-Crane disputes. The Lion agree to present a poem praising Kakita Toshimoko at the next Winter Court and the Crane promise to build a ceremonial garden around the statue honoring Akodo Arasou at Violence Behind Courtliness City. Damasu and Tsume territory is fairly divided and their dispute ended. In a show of renewed Lion-Crane partnership, Akodo Tsumado and Daidoji Shiko are engaged to be married in one year's time.

Shinjo Hokido and Mirumoto Tsuntake travel to the City of Nanashi Mura, seeking answers and prevent an attack on Iuchi Chojuro.

Month of the Monkey: Akodo Tsumado and Gondo bust smugglers on the Kawa no Kin and discover an ancient maho user and his allies. The foul minions of evil are dispatched by Tsumado.

Month of Rooster: Hokido and Tsuntake lead pursuit of the assassins north and westwards, towards the Last Arch. Eventually, they join forces with a Scorpion force led by Bayushi Junichi, who is leading a party seeking a related group of assassins. With reinforcements sent by Iuchi Chojuro, the combined Unicorn-Scorpion party tracks down the assassins near the Last Arch. The party storms a mountaintop, where the evil assassins have already treacherously slain two monks, and then dispose of the assassins. Many Scorpion are killed in the assault and many Unicorn direly wounded. No assassins escape.

Month of the Dog: Tsumado, Goshiri, and Gondo decide to travel to the minor clan tournament on the plains of Ronin Chiki to seek employment, especially because they can travel with their old friend Ichiro Nodojo. Yogo Yomaru, having deserted his post to aid them, embarks on a religious pilgrimage seeking enlightenment. The three ronin distinguish themselves in some events and weigh offers from various employers. Usagi Maroni offers them employment in Hare lands if they can gather a handful of ronin. Goshiri and Tsumado recruit several ronin and accept the offer of their old friend. Gondo wins the fencing competition, but is confronted by a Kitsune bushi seeking vengeance; faced with hidden steel in a boken competition, Gondo slays his opponent and is pardoned by the Fox clan daimyo. In Maroni ’s service, they discover a hidden base of a ronin juzimai, the Forest Killers, which is wiped out by the Hare. Usagi Maroni offers them winter quarters, which they accept.

Month of the Boar: Tsumado and Gondo return to Tsumado’s ancestral lands, but find the reception chilly. They rescue Onka from loansharks and rendez-vous with Goshiri at Nanashi Mura, where they seek employment as ronin. Goshiri defeats the local champions of Nanashi in bare knuckle fighting, gaining the respect of the Eyes of Nanashi Mura. The ronin befriend several unattached ronin and form a small band, which is contracted for security by Shiba Musashi in Ukabu Mura. While in Ukabu, Goshiri and Gondo observe the travelling party of the empress, heading to northern Phoenix lands. Accidental witnesses to a murder of a geisha, Goshiri and Gondo are impressed by the local magistrate into service to clear their names. Travelling north, they uncover a series of grisly murders of geisha. They are detained by Seppun guardsmen at Pale Oak castle until the matter can be resolved. During the reception for the empress there is a terrible attack by bloodspeakers who attempt to assassinate the pregnant Empress. Goshiri and Gondo prove instrumental in defeating the plot, including helping to destroy a terrible Oni no Ugulu summoned by the bloodspeaker, Kakitia Konga. Although Konga escapes and many dignitaries die, the empress is saved. Konga is outlawed and the Jade Magistrates take up the hunt for him. Gondo and Goshiri return to Ukabu Mura, and aid Tsumado in foiling the attack of four “weaver” assassins seeking Shiba Musashi’s life. Musashi rewards them handsomely, but dismisses them after taking several Shiba Yojimbo into his permanent service.

Hokido and Tsuntake return with their party to Shinjo Soji to rest, recover, and plan. Bayushi Junichi visits the court of Shoji.