Asoko Family
The Asako family was an exception to many rules in Rokugan . They were a family that consisted primarily of monks, yet they were of the samurai caste, much like the Ise Zumi of the Dragon Clan. Their philosophy was encouraging to mankind, much like the Ikoma family. They were a proud family, but they did not criticize others. Their family was linked closely with Shinseism, but their knowledge was secret, told to Shiba by Shinsei and to Asako by Shiba, though not until some time after his death.
The Asako family had two major goals. The first was the preservation of knowledge. Shiba informed Asako that the preservation of history was vital for the development of mankind, as for progress to be made, mankind must know what events have come before. To this end, the Asako were one of the foremost families of historians and librarians in Rokugan. The Asako strove to find every tale, story, and myth, compiling them into a comprehensive history. [2] They were considered some of the greatest historians of Rokugan.
The second goal was the evolution of mankind itself. To this end, the Asako Henshin did their best to guide the rest of Rokugan along the Path of Man. The henshin traveled Rokugan as ordinary monks, quietly and discreetly guiding those that would listen in what they believed to be the path to divinity.
Asako was the second follower of Shiba who was granted her own family within the clan. Since the death of Shiba, there had been a bitter rivalry between the Asako and the Isawa Family , for after Shiba's death, his spirit visited Asako, not an Isawa, to explain to her the ultimate secrets of mankind. The Isawa were furious when they learned of this, and tensions between the two families had been very high throughout the thousand years since.
The overall goal of the Asako family was to guide humanity on its journey to apotheosis, but the Asako had different ideas as to how that goal should be achieved. The scholars of the Asako fell into two broad categories: the isolationist and the inclusivist.
The isolationists among the Asako was devoted to researching the Path of Man in their secret studies, furthering their knowledge and drawing themselves nearer to divinity. The proponents of this method developed methods for allowing humanity to realize its fullest potential, but generally did little to take their lessons to humanity itself.
They were also the oldest and most senior of the Asako, and as such it was these isolationists who drived the family's goals and agenda. These were also the ones who decided who was ready to learn the next stage of the Path and who was not. [7]
The other major view among the Asako was that the family's lessons should be shared with all of Rokugan. They followed the ways of Shinsei as much as those of Asako, teaching the other clans about enlightenment when they would listen, guiding the "younger clans" to an end where by they would become next to divinity, just as the Asako were.
The proponents of this method were generally younger henshin with little more than basic training. Although they provided a visible presence for the Asako in Rokugan, they had little power or control over the affairs of the family as a whole.
The mon of the Asako was originally designed to reflect the family's dedication to the magic taught them by Isawa -- it was the image of an open hand, the fingers covered in blood. Needless to say, the image has long since been changed, and even the knowledge of its existence was unknown.
Unlike many monks, the Asako were born of noble status, and maintained a balance between monastic sensibilities and a samurai's responsibilities. The Asako cities were well cared for and nearly free of crime and poverty, immediately recognizable by their pristine cleanliness and magnificence.
Goals of the Family
The Asako family had two major goals. The first was the preservation of knowledge. Shiba informed Asako that the preservation of history was vital for the development of mankind, as for progress to be made, mankind must know what events have come before. To this end, the Asako were one of the foremost families of historians and librarians in Rokugan. The Asako strove to find every tale, story, and myth, compiling them into a comprehensive history. [2] They were considered some of the greatest historians of Rokugan.
The second goal was the evolution of mankind itself. To this end, the Asako Henshin did their best to guide the rest of Rokugan along the Path of Man. The henshin traveled Rokugan as ordinary monks, quietly and discreetly guiding those that would listen in what they believed to be the path to divinity.
Isawa Rivalry
Asako was the second follower of Shiba who was granted her own family within the clan. Since the death of Shiba, there had been a bitter rivalry between the Asako and the Isawa Family , for after Shiba's death, his spirit visited Asako, not an Isawa, to explain to her the ultimate secrets of mankind. The Isawa were furious when they learned of this, and tensions between the two families had been very high throughout the thousand years since.
Thought Among the Asako
The overall goal of the Asako family was to guide humanity on its journey to apotheosis, but the Asako had different ideas as to how that goal should be achieved. The scholars of the Asako fell into two broad categories: the isolationist and the inclusivist.
Isolationist Thought
The isolationists among the Asako was devoted to researching the Path of Man in their secret studies, furthering their knowledge and drawing themselves nearer to divinity. The proponents of this method developed methods for allowing humanity to realize its fullest potential, but generally did little to take their lessons to humanity itself.
They were also the oldest and most senior of the Asako, and as such it was these isolationists who drived the family's goals and agenda. These were also the ones who decided who was ready to learn the next stage of the Path and who was not. [7]
Inclusivist Thought
The other major view among the Asako was that the family's lessons should be shared with all of Rokugan. They followed the ways of Shinsei as much as those of Asako, teaching the other clans about enlightenment when they would listen, guiding the "younger clans" to an end where by they would become next to divinity, just as the Asako were.
The proponents of this method were generally younger henshin with little more than basic training. Although they provided a visible presence for the Asako in Rokugan, they had little power or control over the affairs of the family as a whole.
The Asako Mon
The mon of the Asako family is a hand holding a flaming quill. The quill was a symbol of the Asako's position as historians and librarians, and the flames were symbolic of their place in the Phoenix Clan.The mon of the Asako was originally designed to reflect the family's dedication to the magic taught them by Isawa -- it was the image of an open hand, the fingers covered in blood. Needless to say, the image has long since been changed, and even the knowledge of its existence was unknown.
Gifted Administrators
Unlike many monks, the Asako were born of noble status, and maintained a balance between monastic sensibilities and a samurai's responsibilities. The Asako cities were well cared for and nearly free of crime and poverty, immediately recognizable by their pristine cleanliness and magnificence.
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