Rokugan
Rokugan, which meant Emerald Land in the language of the Celestial Heavens , is the central location of the Legend of the Five Rings universe and its ruling Rokugani Empire's culture is similar to that of feudal Japan. Rokugan is sometimes referred to as the Emerald Empire. Rokugani society is also based on aspects of other Asian cultures such as China and India, as well as their magical systems and mythical beasts.
There was no given name for the entire world which Rokugan was a part of, but the name of Rokugan could sometimes be used to refer to the entire world. Strictly speaking this was incorrect, but as the Emperor had a rightful claim to "all that was" as a right of being the descendant of Amaterasu and Onnotangu , the courtiers of the Emerald Empire saw this as an appropriate use. The citizens and rulers of the Burning Sands and Ivory Kingdoms might have disagreed, however.
Rokugani society is based on a clan structure, with seven so-called Great Clans , as well as several minor clans. Each clan has areas of land bequeathed to them by the Emperor, which they were tasked with maintaining. The Emperor retained ownership of all lands, however, and the clans essentially rented the lands they used by paying taxes annually.
Rokugan is ruled over by the Emperor . The Emporer is supported by the Emerald Champion , who oversees law thorughout the Empire. The seven great clans each also have a Clan Champion , who advise the Emporer. Beneath each Clan Champion, there is a Damiyo for each Family within their Clan. The Damiyos rule over the local rulers: Provincial Governors and city Governors, who in turn rule over smaller local Lords.
All land within the Empire belongs to the Emporer. The Lords of the Empire are stewards on the Emporer's behalf. The Emerald Champion collects taxes on the lands, which support the Imperial Families.
Samurai are the warrior class who sit on the top of the Rokugani Social Structure. Technically, they are divided into the Kuge , the land owning Samuria class, and the Buge , the samurai who do not own land. Beneath them are the Heimin , or half people. The Heimin are not permited to carry swords, and any samurai can kill a heimin, although they would be expected to pay reperations to the heimin's lord. Heimin are the farmers, labourers, and merchants of the empire. Beneath them are the Eta , the untouchables, or non-people. They handle anything unclean: butchering, disposing of waste or the dead, leatherworking, and other tasks that taint the soil.
Bushi
Shugenja
Courtier
Shinobi
Monk
Ronin
Political Landscape
Rokugan is divided into various-sized provinces, each controlled by distinct groups. The largest groups, and the largest areas, are controlled by the clans of Rokugan -- groups of families descended largely from a common ancestor who had inherited control over their respective tracts of land, as well as the people living on them.
The Great Clans were each formed by one of the Founding Kami after their fall from Tengoku , and their histories dated back to the very beginning of the Empire.
The Great Clans were made up of several family lines, and each Family had their own general purpose within the Clan. Each Clan also had a specific purpose within Rokugan -- some area of expertise or mandate that the specific Clan could fulfill better than any others.
There were many minor clans in Rokugan -- clans that had been formed since the birth of the Empire by those other than the Kami . New clans were not founded lightly, and the founders of these clans generally performed some extraordinarily valiant deed or favor for the Empire. Unlike the Great Clans, minor clans generally only had one family, but like the Great Clans, each usually had a specific duty they fulfilled.
In addition to the clans, a very powerful faction in Rokugan are the Imperial Families. The Emperor of Rokugan has no clan of his own, but he does have his own family, currently the Hantei family, and three families that served his interests directly: the Miya, the Otomo, and the Seppun family. The Imperial Families have no standing army of their own, though they largely control the Imperial Legions, which recruited soldiers from all the clans of the Empire. Unlike the Great or Minor Clans, the Imperial families have no Champion, as the Emperor himself leads them.
The Imperial Families are often smaller than the families of the Great Clans, but what they lack in numbers they more than make up for in sheer political influence. With the Emperor at their head, the Imperial Families are possibly the strongest political force in the emprie.
Education and Gempukku
Warrior Pilgrimage
Love and Marriage
Retirement
Seppuku
Death
After Life
There was no given name for the entire world which Rokugan was a part of, but the name of Rokugan could sometimes be used to refer to the entire world. Strictly speaking this was incorrect, but as the Emperor had a rightful claim to "all that was" as a right of being the descendant of Amaterasu and Onnotangu , the courtiers of the Emerald Empire saw this as an appropriate use. The citizens and rulers of the Burning Sands and Ivory Kingdoms might have disagreed, however.
Social Structure
Rokugani society is based on a clan structure, with seven so-called Great Clans , as well as several minor clans. Each clan has areas of land bequeathed to them by the Emperor, which they were tasked with maintaining. The Emperor retained ownership of all lands, however, and the clans essentially rented the lands they used by paying taxes annually.
Rokugan is ruled over by the Emperor . The Emporer is supported by the Emerald Champion , who oversees law thorughout the Empire. The seven great clans each also have a Clan Champion , who advise the Emporer. Beneath each Clan Champion, there is a Damiyo for each Family within their Clan. The Damiyos rule over the local rulers: Provincial Governors and city Governors, who in turn rule over smaller local Lords.
All land within the Empire belongs to the Emporer. The Lords of the Empire are stewards on the Emporer's behalf. The Emerald Champion collects taxes on the lands, which support the Imperial Families.
Samurai are the warrior class who sit on the top of the Rokugani Social Structure. Technically, they are divided into the Kuge , the land owning Samuria class, and the Buge , the samurai who do not own land. Beneath them are the Heimin , or half people. The Heimin are not permited to carry swords, and any samurai can kill a heimin, although they would be expected to pay reperations to the heimin's lord. Heimin are the farmers, labourers, and merchants of the empire. Beneath them are the Eta , the untouchables, or non-people. They handle anything unclean: butchering, disposing of waste or the dead, leatherworking, and other tasks that taint the soil.
Roles of Samuria in Rokugan
Bushi
Shugenja
Courtier
Shinobi
Monk
Ronin
Political Landscape
Rokugan is divided into various-sized provinces, each controlled by distinct groups. The largest groups, and the largest areas, are controlled by the clans of Rokugan -- groups of families descended largely from a common ancestor who had inherited control over their respective tracts of land, as well as the people living on them.Great Clans
The Great Clans were each formed by one of the Founding Kami after their fall from Tengoku , and their histories dated back to the very beginning of the Empire.
The Great Clans were made up of several family lines, and each Family had their own general purpose within the Clan. Each Clan also had a specific purpose within Rokugan -- some area of expertise or mandate that the specific Clan could fulfill better than any others.
There were many minor clans in Rokugan -- clans that had been formed since the birth of the Empire by those other than the Kami . New clans were not founded lightly, and the founders of these clans generally performed some extraordinarily valiant deed or favor for the Empire. Unlike the Great Clans, minor clans generally only had one family, but like the Great Clans, each usually had a specific duty they fulfilled.
- Badger Clan
- Bat Clan
- Cat Clan
- Dragonfly Clan
- Sparrow Clan
- Tortoise Clan
Imperial Families
In addition to the clans, a very powerful faction in Rokugan are the Imperial Families. The Emperor of Rokugan has no clan of his own, but he does have his own family, currently the Hantei family, and three families that served his interests directly: the Miya, the Otomo, and the Seppun family. The Imperial Families have no standing army of their own, though they largely control the Imperial Legions, which recruited soldiers from all the clans of the Empire. Unlike the Great or Minor Clans, the Imperial families have no Champion, as the Emperor himself leads them.
The Imperial Families are often smaller than the families of the Great Clans, but what they lack in numbers they more than make up for in sheer political influence. With the Emperor at their head, the Imperial Families are possibly the strongest political force in the emprie.
Religion
-
Rokugani religion tends to be a combination of the below practices. These religions are not considered to be exclusive, and while many Rokugani may favour one religion over another, all are considered to be true.
- Fortunism
Shinseism
Elemental Worship
Ancestor Worship
Traditions and Customs:
Education and Gempukku
Warrior Pilgrimage
Love and Marriage
Retirement
Seppuku
Death
After Life
Type
Geopolitical, Country
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