Ever since she was a small child, Asahina Junko dreamed of being a duelist. Given the Asahina family's legacy of pacifism, this was unusual, to say the least. Even more unusual, her parents supported her dream. Despite their support, the Asahina daimyo and the Crane Clan had other ideas, for young Junko was blessed with a voice so rich and pure, it could bring hardened warriors to tears.
 
Fate intervened on the girl's behalf in the form of Shosuro Genjiro, who happened to be wintering in the Crane village of Tsuma in 1152, at the court that would decide the course of Junko's life. Genjiro, perceptive and empathetic, saw in the Asahina girl a reflection of his own childhood struggle. But where he'd been powerless to achieve his own desire, here he was perfectly positioned to make Junko's dream come true. In the end, the Crane even believed it was their idea and that it was a setback to the Scorpion.
 
Miya Ansho revealed to Junko what Genjiro had done for her and the two became pen pals. After passing her gempukku, Ansho arranged for her to become Genjiro's yojimbo.