Though not nearly renowned as the famous Ikoma, the Doji and Kakita are just as well versed in the art of storytelling. They can paint a picture in the mind's eye as pure and delicate as a newly born cherry blossom. As one such Doji, allow me to tell you the story of Akodo Houritsu, The Golden Crane…
Doji Machiko was the first born child of the Emerald Champions chief Lieutenant. A rare beauty, she also possessed the keen senses of her father. Through her hard work and dedication, she excelled through all of her studies at Kyuden Kakita, becoming one of its famed magistrates.
Like the blink of an eye, her father saw his precocious little Machiko-chan mature into the Crane's newest magistrate, Doji Emiko. Ever the proud father, he offered his daughter a position as a magistrate with his own patrol in the magnificent Otosan Uchi. Though touched by his offer, Emiko felt it better that she seek her duty outside the influence of her famous father. Reluctantly, he agreed to allow her to seek her duty wherever she liked.
After much though, and a few well placed comments from a courtier cousin, Emiko chose her post. She would travel to the border between the Crane and their neighbors, the Lion. She would become the chief magistrate representative of the Crane clan in Toshi Ranbo. In an effort to calm the ill feelings between these age old enemies, she would post herself at the most contested city on the border between the two.
The choice was noticed by representatives on both sides and her progress would be closely watched for sure. In her first few years as a magistrate of Toshi Ranbo, things were mostly uneventful. Sometime during her third year in the city, the cousin who pushed her to take this post began spinning his web in the courts of many clans across the empire, placing suggestions in the minds of many minor daimyo that the hand of Doji Emiko was highly sought after. He tried his best to find a worthy spouse for his most favorite cousin. He tried just a bit too hard as it turns out.
All of the compliments, exaggerations, and generosities made their way back to Toshi Ranbo, where the city governor heard them. He was impressed by the sheer number of samurai who wanted to marry this Crane that was in his city. After much thought, he decided that such a prize could not be taken from his city, and definitely not from his clan. Governor Jasu sent the most trusted member of his staff to the court of the Doji daimyo to press his claim as the better suitor.
Within weeks, the Ikoma returned to his lord with a message. The message stated simply that Akodo Jasu, governor of Toshi Ranbo was an unfit match for the fair Doji Emiko. He was just too old. Despite that, a union between their clans was possible and definitely desired by the daimyo. The Crane daimyo allowed that if a suitable Lion candidate of a more respectable age were to be presented, then he would be given all due consideration by the court.
Jasu saw only one option if he intended to keep this honor for himself, his family and his clan. There was only one way to bring glory to the house of Jasu, to marry his son to this Doji. He was certainly of the right age, and the sort of honorable man that anyone would hope to have as the husband to their daughter. And so it was settled, Akodo Jasu would write to the Crane daimyo and offer his son up to the Doji daughter, so that he could claim the glory and status for his own family.
Emiko was full of rage when she heard of the courtly battle that was her impending betrothal. No one from her family had even mentioned this to her let alone asked for her opinion on the matter. She couldn't honestly believe that her father had anything to do with this. He surely would know that she wanted some say in the choice of her husband. She would have to send him a message, and find out what was going on.
The next morning she sent a message with a courier to Otosan Uchi, and her father. She continued in her duties as a city magistrate, listening to all the rumors as to who was currently in the highest favor with her and her family. Apparently the newest suitor was Akodo Sharitsu, son of the governor, and her commanding officer in the city. Sharitsu wasn't so bad, as commanders go, but he wasn't really someone that she considered a suitable spouse. At least, not before now, but rather than dwell on the possibilities she waited for word from her father.
