Daimyo

Strictly speaking, a "daimyo" (little "d") is the title of a Japanese feudal lord who ruled vast, hereditary land holdings from approximately 1337-1868, and were subordinate only to the shogun.

In Sakura no Aware, Daimyo (capital "D") are nearly always leaders of supernatural ability that often hold land and titles, and are typically the most likely characters to start their own clans and families. The simple fact of being a Daimyo does not guarantee leadership in a great clan (there are only so many of these), but it does guarantee the ability to affect the land of Kuniumi in meaningful and direct ways, such as:


 * Starting one's own family.
 * Starting one's own minor (or great) clan.
 * Starting one's own School or monastic order.
 * Being a leader within established clans or families, and within the imperial court.
 * Having the supernatural potency to permanently effect politics, the standing social order, and even geography.

Conversely, Kashin characters typically affect the world in more subtle, less immediate ways, given their lack of the same supernatural ability. Thus, naturally, playing a Daimyo demands a certain level of responsibility and activity, so game Wizards will be keeping a much more focused eye on these character over their Kashin peers. The thing to take away here is: Daimyo are leaders and trendsetters, social engineers, and authors to storied legacies. They are what some might call main characters to the Kashin supporting characters, though individual Kashin can cause great change on their own, with the appropriate planning, endurance, or luck.

Brief History
While the leaders of past great clans were considered kami in their own right (Empress Taiyouko chief amongst them), modern daimyo (yes, small "d" - unpowered human leaders) have lacked this power and status (and acted more like those of the mundane Japanese definition). For the past several generations, Kashin daimyo, as remnants of the previous powerful families and/or savvy negotiators and manipulators, have ruled over various small provinces and territories in the absence of any greater, unifying force.

That has changed with the sudden appearance of powered, supernatural individuals blessed with the power of the kami and of a similar (if lesser) strength as Empress Taiyouko and her siblings, without actually being kami, themselves. As the stories have it, with the Thousand Lanterns unable to directly influence the evolution of the world after Ame-no-ukihashi, the bridge to heaven, was shattered by Aranami, they have chosen new champions to enact their will by proxy.

These champions are known as the Sun-Struck, the Moons-Marked, and more simply, the Touched, for those influenced by terrestrial power. The names are not intended to be wholly flattering, as the people of Kuniumi are well aware of the terrible things those who shirk their responsibilities can cause, and this apprehension is apparent in how they refer to those with power amongst and over humanity. In even less polite circles, these individuals are referred to as the "Branded," for not everyone is pleased with what appear to be arbitrary blessings (especially if they were passed over). To polite circles, these champions are collectively known as the Ōmijin (大御人 or alternatively 大御仁), or in common parlance, the Exalted.

Cultures and families all react differently when an Ōmijin appears amongst them, as it is common for those who come into their power to do so at a critical character-defining moment, often during the latter stages of puberty, and in a spectacular and often destructive display of power. Typically the more destructive the event, the more likely it is for said Ōmijin to be ostracized or outright exiled. However, in many cases the arrival of the Ōmijin is regarded with celebration, and said Ōmijin is raised to a position of leadership. In short: It varies.

Whatever the case, Ōmijin in general are almost universally regarded with apprehension until they prove they have the responsibility and wherewithal to be more than a super-powered nuisance, or at worst, a tyrant. The term Daimyo (large "D") thus refers to an Ōmijin that has come into his or her power and possesses the ability to lead - this generally happens between late puberty and middle-age. Again, the Ōmijin are an event unique to the current generation.

Celestial Ōmijin
Celestial in this context means 'graced by the powers of heavenly kami' as opposed to earthly power. Celestial Ōmijin are routinely stronger than their Terrestrial cousins, but exceedingly rare by comparison. It is said there is only a finite number of these Ōmijin at any given time.


 * Why Not Susanoo?:This is a question posed by modern scholars: Of the Yohashira, all but Susanoo created Ōmijin, so why not him? Given that Ame has been cut off for generations, there is no real answer. Predominant thought, however, is that with his own exile and return, and then the actions of Nami-o (now Aranami), his champion, Susanoo either wisely chose to minimize his influence for a time, or was simply vetoed by the Celestial Court.

The Sun-Struck
Scholastically known as the Hi-ko (日子), or children of the sun, the Sun-Struck are champions of Amaterasu. As explained by the Sun-Struck themselves, when Amaterasu realized she was essentially trapped in Takama-ga-hara, and all of her champions had been presumed slain or lost, she cut off a lock of her hair in grief. She imbued each strand with a sliver of her power, and then tossed them down like feathers from heaven. Akin to magnets, they seek out those with the potential for greatness and imbue them with her strength.

Generally speaking, Amaterasu maintains a soft touch when it comes to her champions, trusting in their ability to excel, much as she would herself, and so aside from her gifts, does not maintain an active presence in their lives. The slight exception to this are the Zenith Caste, who represent the height of Amaterasu's glory. Upon Awakening to their power, Amaterasu sends these champions a blinding, golden vision, wherein she directs them to act in her name, and to shepherd the other Sun-Struck when necessary to ensure they stay on a righteous path. They are not secret police, and hold no authority over the other castes, but are looked to more as her high priests, preaching Shinnyo through Amaterasu's own philosophical lens.

Of the Ōmijin, the Sun-Struck are considered the most powerful, excelling at everything they do, but also the most prone to hubris. Since these individuals are no longer quite human, Izanami's Curse and promise of death does not directly apply to them - they can still be killed, but need not fear natural death. Instead, the curse manifests through their hubris via their Virtue Flaw.

The Sun-Struck are most prone to Awakening during a personal crucible or other character-defining moment that affords them a glimpse of their greatness. Frequently this occurs in a situation where their only options are to embrace the blazing furnace of their own glory... or perish.

The Moons-Marked
Scholastically known as the Tsuki-ko (月子), or children of the moons, the Moons-Marked are champions of the dual moon-kami Tsukiyomi and Tsukikakushichi.


 * Tsukiyomi's children, the Full Moon Caste, represent physicality, observation through activity, martial prowess, and yang energy.
 * Conversely, Tsukikakushichi's children, the No Moon Caste, represent mental acuity, observation through passivity (i.e., scholarly pursuits, reading, etc.), spiritual and intellectual prowess, and yin energy.
 * The balance between them is maintained by the Changing Moon Caste, which is infused with the energy of both moons, and represents adaptability, negotiation, social prowess, and expressive pursuits.

As legend has it, the two moon siblings move in an eternal dance: Tsukiyomi is the open eye, constantly searching for meaning and enlightenment, while Tsukikakushichi is the hidden eye, the holder of secrets and unknown truth. Tsukiyomi chases his sister Tsukikakushichi to gain her secrets, while Tsukikakushichi herself is both running away to keep her secrets, and running towards Tsukiyomi to archive his, since he is the hunter, and she is the gatherer. Their dance represents the eternal struggle for Shinnyo. It is by following their path (the moon's light, some say even the dark light of a new moon), that one is transformed into a Moons-Marked.

Unlike Amaterasu, the twin moons take a more active, particular role when choosing their champions, who each receives a dream-vision shortly after their Awakening. These visions are said to drive them temporarily mad ("lunacy") as the full weight of their duties are imparted to them by whichever kami is their main patron (both, in the case of the Changing Moon). It is also during these visions where the champions are introduced to their animal spirit - their moon-guide - and the transformation to their full power is completed.

Where Amaterasu's children are known for excellence in everything they do, children of the dual moon are often much more mysterious, circuitous creatures, choosing to gather information and engineer events to their benefit rather than blasting through them with raw force (though the Full Moon Caste still does this with some frequency).

Of the Ōmijin, the Moon-Marked are considered the second most powerful after the Sun-Struck. They, too, are no longer quite human, and so Izanami's curse and promise of death does not directly apply to them - they can be killed, but need not fear natural death. Instead, the curse manifests as an inverse of their mystery and adaptability, reducing them to mere beasts via their Virtue Flaw.

Terrestrial Ōmijin
Terrestrial in this context means 'graced by the power and kami of Tsuchi, the earth' instead of the celestial powers of heaven. Terrestrial Ōmijin are generally the weakest of the lot, but also the most plentiful, and usually more accepted since people deal with elements every day - Amaterasu and the Moons are much more mysterious and distant entities.

The Touched
Collectively, the "Touched" refer to any Ōmijin blessed by one of the Eternal Pillars. Individually, they are described by their element, so, the Fire-Touched, or the Earth-Touched, and so on. Scholastically, they are known as the Tsuchi-ko (土子), or children of the Earth in its entirety (not just the element earth).

As the Pillars themselves are largely silent powers, the Touched receive no divine visitation, and their Awakening is typically a much more physical experience (representing the physical nature of Tsuchi) that happens in later puberty during some emotional event tied to their element. Legend has it that anyone can become Touched if they spend enough time in or near the lands associated with an Eternal Pillar, or if their breeding in a family known for Touched children is substantially pure. Still others suggest it has more to do with expressing the qualities associated with the elements.

Regardless, the Touched, while plentiful next to the Celestial Ōmijin, are still rare creatures. They do, however, find it easy to commune with kami of their associated element, and so tend to congregate in areas associated with that element, where they find a sense of belonging and 'home,' thus being easier to locate. It is also theorized that the elemental Dragons and Guardians of the Eternal Pillars are predisposed to seeing the Touched as one of their own, unlike the Celestial Ōmijin, whom they could regard as meddlesome.

Of the Ōmijin, the Touched are considered the least powerful, and with their attachment to the earth, are substantially more burdened by Izanami's Curse than their Celestial cousins. Thus, they can die of natural causes, eventually, but are still exceedingly long-lived. However, because of this, Izanami's power influences their Virtues to a far reduced degree, so their Flaws are imminently more forgiving.

The Yami-ko
The Yami-ko (闇子), or the children of darkness, are the inversion of the Sun-Struck in every meaningful way, and are considered Ōmijin only out of fear-inspired awe, and not because anyone would wish to be led by one. They have no secondary name; the primary one is spoken very little as it is. Having pulled themselves out of the pit to the underworld, it is unclear who or what created them, and to most, they are naught but myth. To those who know better, however, they are a very real terror.

Amongst scholars, it is debated if the Yami-ko are an act of Izanami, escalating the details of her curse against Izanagi. Still others blame the Onyx Dragon, taking advantage of a bad situation to reassert his power in much the same way as Aranami (who many believe was empowered by the Onyx Dragon anyways). The fact of the matter is, however, that no one knows for certain.