Daily History Lessons IV (Day 4, Early Morning)

[Usagi Tomoe]

((As always, feel free to say you were here for the start of it all. Today's lesson will be short as I'm not feeling my best. ))

"Minna-sama," the Usagi spoke up. "I am Usagi Tomoe, historian of the Hare Clan. Like previous days, I am here to share with you the history of the Empire, to show that we welcome back the children of Lady Shinjo and we wish for them to learn of the changes in the Empire."

"Today, I will speak of the history of the position of Emerald Champion - the leader the Emerald Magistrates, and protector of the Emperor. While the title of Emerald Champion was not as we know it today at the dawn of the Empire, being properly established in the year 153, we must look to the first samurai to carry that title."

"Lord Kakita at the dawn of the Empire was the first of the Emerald Champions, earning his position at the age of 19 in the year 23 when he travelled to Otosan Uchi to compete in the first Tournament of the Emerald Champion hosted by the Glorious Son of Heaven, the First Hantei. He faced the Lady Matsu in the final duel and was victorious. He served in that position for 20 years before he retired from his position to focus more on his study of the art of iaijutsu, and his son Kakita Shimizu succeeded him as Emerald Champion by winning the second tournament hosted by Emperor Hantei Genji the Shining Prince."

"Kakita Shimizu served until his death, setting a standard that would be followed by most to bear the title for generations to come. It is also through Shimizu's influence as an accomplished duelist and the first iaijutsu sensei of the Kakita Duelling Academy, that the Tournament of the Emerald Championship was formally structured as an iaijutsu competition. This standard stands today, as well as the tests that would appear in the fourth Tournament; tests of etiquette, strategy and martial ability."

"It was Doji Hatsuo, Crane Clan Champion and the Fifth Emerald Champion who truly structured the Emerald Office, as well as developing a consistent system of law enforcement. His principal advisor, judge Soshi Saibankan, was instrumental in these projects, and their system is still used today."

"Soshi Saibankan was a judge who presided over Taiyo One Toshi, famous for being a fair and wise judge far and wide. The Shining Prince Hantei Genji even attended one of his judgements in disguise to see for himself and was so impressed he invited the man to the Imperial City and asked him to refine the legal system alongside Doji Hatsuo."

"Doji Hatsuo, as a military man, laid out the framework of the Imperial Legions that serve the Emperor all across the Empire - while Soshi Saibankan, the judge, organised the magistrates that we today know as the Emerald Magistrates and removed the old system of 'judges'. To this date, we still use the system set down by them. And upon his death, the Emperor pronounced Saibankan to be the Fortune of Magistrate and Judges."

"While almost all Emerald Champions have earned their positions by winning the Tournament of the Emerald Championship, there have been individuals who have been appointed directly by the Emperor to act as a temporary Emerald Champion until a Tournament could be arranged. Traditionally, such duties fall to the Lion Clan Champion, as the Right Hand of the Emperor, for when the Imperial Legions were formed under Doji Hatsuo, it was also determined that while the Emperor of course have supreme command over his Legions, the Lion Clan Champion might take command of the Legions when the Emerald Champion's other duties demand attention."

"For while the duties of the Emerald Champion is not only to be the named protector of the Emperor, as well as leader of the Emerald Magistrates and Imperial Legions, it is also the Emerald Champion's duty to oversee parts of the Imperial Bureaucracy, and to protect the Imperial City."

"Through history, a majority of the Emerald Champions have been students of the Crane who have followed in the footsteps of the first Kakita and his first successors. The fourth Emerald Champion was Akodo Saito, the first Lion to claim the position in year 108, who would inspire other Lions to earn the title, such as Matsu Noshin and Matsu Mochiko. Emerald Champion Masamune has been the only samurai with no clan to claim the title - a legendary swordsmith, as skilled with the blade as he was at making them. And Suzume Wara who was the Emerald Champion until recently, was the first samurai from a Minor Clan to carry the mantle."

"In the year 756, Kakita Seiko, daughter of a former Emerald Champion, Kakita Isora, won the Tournament of the Emerald Champion, and is our Emerald Champion today, serving the Son of Heaven with honor and distinction."


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EDIT: Fixed incorrect Day in title

[Seppun Hideo]

And her audience, the Imperial, remained close by listen.

[Tonbo Misa]

Having heard of the lessons, Misa decided to go out to them this morning. Getting up early to get groomed and prepared, she had made her way out to where the history was to be taught, arriving before most. When the Hare had arrived, Sanmi let her mistress know, and as the stories were told, the Dragon had listened with a small smile. The title was honorable of course, and she found the lesson well told, even if the general area of knowledge wasn't something she found enthusiasm for,

All the same, when Tomoe finished, Misa offered a bow in the area of the speaker, even giving a little patter of silent clapping as her smile broadened a moment as she straightened.

[Suki]

With the nearby Shrine to the Emerald Champion, Suki figured it couldn't hurt to learn a bit more. She was well-read, but my no means a historian. Also, her last time attending had led to some interesting philosophical discussions and she was certainly up for that.

Allowing the samurai their room, she lingered close by, listening and nodding at the well-researched words of the Usagi.

[Shinjo Taichi]

Keen to learn all he could from these lessons now that he knew that they existed, Taichi listened attentively. Emerald Champion sounded great, as did Protector of the Empire. Someone who was a part of a clan, but a defender of all. This sounded like a task worthy of his greatness.

As soon as iaijutsu as the method for deciding the position was mentioned however, he got a little disappointed. The whole idea of iaijutsu seemed silly to him.

[Asako Yuki]

Yuki stood off to one side, listening to the history given by the Hare samurai. It felt sort of like one of the lectures that her father or some of her brothers and sisters used to give to her and she smiled slightly at the fond memories.

[Soshi Yuuru]

Yuuru also arrived that morning to hear his friend give her history lesson. He'd been unable to attend up to that point, but made sure to be there for the one today since she had asked.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Shinjo Liu Yue had heard rumors about the history lessons beforehand. Before prior arrangements had kept her from arriving. This time, though, she was able to listen to the entire one. By the end of it, she was unsure if she was supposed to cheer for the Usagi or not.

I wonder if one of my Clan will become the Emerald Champion one day. Hm...

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo noted who had arrived this time, and spotted a Unicorn he hadn't noticed before. Which, given her state, surprised him.

Well then...what happened to her?

He was curious how the woman would find one of the better stories the Girl had told, and made his way over to Liu Yue, giving her a polite bow.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The Shinjo turned to the Imperial with a smile. She gave him a deep bow. "Ohayou gozaimasu," she stated. She tried to keep her voice down, given the crowd. "Watakushi wa Shinjo Liu Yue desu."

[Seppun Hideo]

"Good morning Shinjo-san" Hideo returned with a smile as well "I hope you are well? I am Seppun Hideo, priest of the Imperial Families."

He peered back to the Hare again.

"Quite an interesting story. What did you think of it?"

[Ichiro Daisuke]

Daisuke was here, though thus far he hadn't much in the way of traveling among the other portions of the Yurts. Seated near the back of the group he quietly listened to the story as his hands worked. Slowly carving away at a small piece of wood,it seemed to be coming along fairly well, but there was a still long ways to go.

Careful not to get any of the shavings on anyone, he'd occasionally pause in his work when Tomoe got to a particularly important part of her lesson.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Good morning Shinjo-san" Hideo returned with a smile as well "I hope you are well? I am Seppun Hideo, priest of the Imperial Families."

He peered back to the Hare again.

"Quite an interesting story. What did you think of it?"

"I am well. And you, Hideo-dono?"

She followed his look to Tomoe. "The Emerald Champion is a prestigious position. I am interested in hearing more about the tournament itself."

[Ichiro Daisuke]

With The majority of the lesson done Daisuke looked up from his work and glanced around the group before addressing Tomoe. "Out of curiosity Usagi-san."

"Do you know why they used to host the Emerald Championship here?" It seemed a rather out of a way place for it, well at least to the Badger. Also no one else seemed to be interested in asking questions. They were supposed to ask questions right?'

[Seppun Hideo]

"I am well. And you, Hideo-dono?"

She followed his look to Tomoe. "The Emerald Champion is a prestigious position. I am interested in hearing more about the tournament itself."

Hideo raised a brow at his first name being so openly used, but didn't call her on it. Not yet anyway.

"I am very well thank you; a very good story to start the morning and wonderful company as well" he nodded to the woman with a polite smile "the test of the Emerald Championship is a difficult one. The candidates are tested on every aspect of being a samurai and a man of the law; Etiquette, Investigation, Law, Martial ability, Resources. They are also tested on ability to lead, to see if they can adapt quickly to an every-changing scenario. Once the candidates have been tested, those who are still considered to be worthy are entered into an Iaijutsu competition. The heavens then decide who is to the next champion, the honour being bestowed upon the victor by the Emperor himself."