Samurai
The samurai are the warrior nobility of Japan, a class within Japanese society that has shaped the very history and culture of the nation over hundreds of years. Skilled warfare, arts, and politics, samurai are considered the face of Japan, though this also means that only a tiny portion of the nation is born into this status. Consisting of a mere 10% of the national population, samurai are lords of the military and protectors of their people - this means that it is no easy thing to grow up in a samurai household. To you, duty, loyalty, and honor to your clan are the qualities that define your status. However, it is up to you whether or not you choose to follow such traditions.
Abe: Presiding over Chiba, the Abe are the premier clan when it comes to spiritual matters and yokai, given that they descend from the legendary Abe no Seimei. As devout Shinto-Buddhists, their insight on handling yokai-related issues is often sought out by other clans, though they have a reputation for being hard traditionalists in matters of faith as well as showing prejudice to other religions. They have long produced some of the best onmyoji (exorcists) in all of Japan. As the face of Shinto Buddhism, they maintain contact with all clans that show a strong following for Shinto Buddhism while being openly disdainful of Christian clans.
Allies: Ashikaga, Kono, Nanbu, Saika, Tokugawa, Uesugi.
Enemies: Konishi, Ōtomo. While not enemies, the Abe clan is known to show some discomfort as Christian tolerance within the Date, Kuroda, and Oda clans.
Ashikaga: Lording over Kyoto, the Ashikaga clan has sworn itself to the protection of the Imperial Family and Japan’s old capital. They are one of the few clans to openly support the Imperial Diet and serve alongside the Imperial Army to protect His Imperial Majesty. They have a reputation for being excellent politicians and having sharp tongues. This is coupled with an infamous reputation for arrogance and snobbishness.
Allies: Abe, the Imperial Family, Imperial Diet, and Imperial Army. Besides the Abe, most other clans dislike them for showing strong pro-Imperial attitudes.
Enemies: Oda, Tokugawa, Toyotomi. The Ashikaga hold a deep grudge against the three clans that worked to overthrow the old Ashikaga Shogunate in the days of old.
Azai: The Azai clan resides in Omi, home to Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. Thanks to this lake, the Azai clan is able to practice limited naval warfare, though they still pale in comparison to dedicated navy-based clans. Their true specialty is in marine warfare, shifting between naval and ground-based combat at a moment’s notice. The Azai are also said to be graceful in most matters, though cursed with poor luck.
Allies: Hattori, Imagawa, Saika, Takeda.
Enemies: Maeda, Oda, Saitō, Sakuma, Shibata.
Chōsokabe: Masters of the sea, the Chōsokabe clan rules over Tosa, claiming rulership over the Seto Inland Sea, though this is heavily contested by their neighbors. The Chōsokabe clan is among the best when it comes to naval warfare, perhaps because they also mingle with pirates, making them excellent at raiding and plundering. Because of this, they also tend to understand the mindset of pirates and criminals better than their “cleaner” neighbors.
Allies: Ishida, Toyotomi.
Enemies: Fukushima, Hachikusa, Kono, Mōri, Tokugawa, Ukita.
Date: The powerhouse of the north, the Date clan is the undisputed master of the Tōhoku Region and lord of the Miyagi Prefecture. They gained their strength through military dominance and learning from foreigners, going so far as to invite Christianity into their borders. The Date clan is known to be friendly with foreigners and have ties to dragons, a callback to their legendary ancestor, Date Masamune. Equal parts warriors and politicians, their rule over the North remains uncontested to this day. An interesting note is that they have an openly mixed population of Shinto Buddhists and Christians, though Christianity remains the minority religion in Miyagi. Several members of the Date Clan itself are Christian while others remain Shinto Buddhists. Many foreigners also live here, though they must also abide by the strict citizenship laws as well.
Allies: Ii, Katakura, Kuroda, Matsumae, Mogami, Nanbu, Saika, Sōma
(complicated), Tokugawa, Uesugi
(complicated).
The Date often bully the Soma into siding with them. The Uesugi, on the other hand, have always found themselves opposing the Date Clan, though they stood together during the Boshin War against the Imperial Regime.Enemies: Ishida, Sōma
(complicated), Toyotomi, Tsugaru, Uesugi
(complicated).
The Soma are forced into service to the Date in most conflicts, a position they have grown to resent over the years. The Uesugi are traditionally seen as foes of the Date throughout history, though their disagreements tend to be based on political allies rather than personal views.
Fukushima: The Fukushima clan rules over the Kagawa Prefecture and is known for producing hardy folk and resilient fighters due to sharing their island with several other clans. Their deep respect for the sea leads them to be excellent swimmers and marine combatants, remaining vigilant against hostile yokai and neighboring clans alike. The Fukushima are also renowned for being specialized at slaying water and sea-based yokai, garnering a reputation of being sea monster hunters. The Fukushima Clan still holds a grudge against the Katakura Clan up north for displacing them from their original homes in the Fukushima Prefecture hundreds of years ago.
Allies: Hachikusa, Katō, Kono, Kuroda, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Chōsokabe, Ishida, Katakura, Mōri, Toyotomi, Ukita.
Hachikusa: The Hachikusa are famed for their navy that protects the Tokushima Prefecture. After all, their navy must be strong in order to counter so many rivals nearby sharing the Seto Inland Sea with them. Their strict policies against piracy often lead to conflict with their neighbor, the Chōsokabe clan. Even so, they remain ever vigilant, though this sometimes leads to them being perceived as rigid and strict.
Allies: Fukushima, Katō, Kono, Kuroda, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Chōsokabe, Ishida, Toyotomi.
Hattori: The shadowy masters of the Iga Prefecture, the Hattori clan is one of the Tokugawa clan’s closest and longest-standing allies, having replaced the dismantled traitors of the Sakakibara clan as a member of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō). The Hattori are a samurai clan, contrary to the myriad of rumors and fictional portrayals, specializing in guerilla warfare and night-based combat. The Hattori are also known to employ shadowy yokai to work for them under the cover of night as well. Unbeknownst to the public, the Hattori clan is simply the samurai side of the family while the Iga clan is the ninja side. In the world of shadows, the names “Iga” and “Hattori” are synonymous.
Allies: Azai, Honda, Ii, Sakai, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Ishida, Toyotomi, Oda, Sakuma, Shibata.
Hōjō: A legendary clan hailing from Sagami Prefecture, the Hōjō clan is equal parts famous and feared for their talents at siege warfare. They fell once in the Siege of Odawara hundreds of years ago - they have since rebuilt and sworn that it will never fall again. To fight the Hōjō is to throw yourself at an iron wall. The Hōjō take pride in knowing their foes will break long before their walls do. They also shelter the infamous Fūma Clan of ninjas to do dirty work for them.
Allies: Sanada, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Imagawa, Ishida, Maeda, Oda, Saitō, Sakuma, Shibata, Takeda, Toyotomi.
Honda: One of the Tokugawa clan’s most stalwart allies, the Honda clan lords over the Musashi Prefecture as their lord’s neighbor. The Honda clan has a proud military history as a member of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō) and is renowned for their hardy warriors, specializing in heavy infantry and defensive tactics. Their emphasis on honor and fair play sometimes clashes with their allies who advocate more pragmatic methods. They are often seen as the polar opposite of the Ii clan who favors far more aggressive tactics. Within the civilian sector, the Honda Clan owns the Honda Company, having built a global name for themselves in automobiles.
Allies: Hattori, Ii, Maeda, Sakai, Sanada, Tachibana
(friendly rivals), Tokugawa.
Enemies: Ishida, Toyotomi.
Ii: Lords of the Kōzuke Prefecture, the Ii clan is renowned for their fierce loyalty to their Tokugawa lords, serving as the most belligerent member of the Tokugawa clan’s Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō). Feared for their ferocious warriors and daring assault tactics, the Ii clan has built a reputation for being fearless and reckless, often spilling their own blood as much as the enemy’s. They are often viewed as the polar opposite of the Honda clan who favors steadier, measured approaches to battle. The Ii clan has close ties to oni, regularly employing their kind among their ranks as well as having some of the only shrines dedicated to oni in all of Japan.
Allies: Date, Hattori, Honda, Oda, Sakai, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Imagawa, Ishida, Sanada, Shimazu, Toyotomi.
Imagawa: Ruling over the Tōtōmi Prefecture, the Imagawa clan serve as masters of ceremony, elegant in all things related to performance. Despite their disastrous defeat at the hands of the Oda clan hundreds of years ago, the Imagawa retain their military might in the modern age, though they are unable to shake off the humiliation that persists to this day. In an effort to shake off their bad reputation, the Imagawa’s troops are drilled to perfection, though it sometimes seems like they care more about looking good while fighting rather than actually winning the fight at hand.
Allies: Sanada, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Hōjō, Ii, Ishida, Maeda, Oda, Saitō, Sakuma, Shibata, Toyotomi.
Ishida: Seated in the Yamato Prefecture, the Ishida clan is the Toyotomi clan’s most fervent ally. The Ishida clan is known for their hard workers, ensuring that members of the Ishida give their 100% in any task given to them. The results speak for themselves - they are accomplished in nearly any field they put their minds to. Their talents lie in accounting and economy, though they have shown to be sharp in military strategy as well. However, they have horrible clan relations that have persisted for centuries, resulting in most of their peers despising them. Despite this, the Ishida remain unfazed by how many enemies they have - the Toyotomi are the only ones that truly matter to them. The Ishida survived the end of the Sengoku Jidai by hiding from their Tokugawa foes - when the Yokai Daisensō broke out, they wielded dark magic to not only bring themselves back to power but to also revive their long-dead lord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, thus ushering in the return of the Toyotomi Clan as well.
Allies: Chōsokabe, Mōri, Sanada, Tachibana, Toyotomi.
Enemies: Nearly every other clan besides the Ishida’s allies hates them, more or less. The feeling is often mutual, but the clans they specifically hate more than the others are the Date, Fukushima, Katō, Kobayakawa, Shimazu, and Tokugawa.
Katakura: The Katakura Clan rules over the Fukushima Prefecture as the right-hand man to their lords of the Date Clan. The most loyal of the Date Clan’s allies, the Katakura Clan boasts excellent bodyguards and duelists and their might directly contribute to the Date Clan’s iron grip on Northern Japan. As their prefecture’s name suggests, this was once the home of the Fukushima Clan which has long been displaced due to political rivalries, leading the two clans to retain bad blood despite being on opposite ends of the country. They are also typically the ones who bully the Soma Clan, yet they are also charged with protecting them from others who try to do the same.
Allies: Date, Mogami, Nanbu, Saika, Sōma (complicated), Tokugawa. The Soma Clan tends to be pressured into joining the Date Clan’s side when it comes to big conflicts of interest, at which point they are treated like allies and get protection from other clans.
Enemies: Fukushima, Ishida, Satake, Sōma (complicated), Tsugaru, Toyotomi. The main reason the Soma tend to ally with the Date and their supporters is because the Katakura Clan tends to bully them into submission, creating a toxic relationship between both clans.
Katō: Residing in the Kumamoto Prefecture, the Katō Clan is renowned for its spartan way of life, placing an emphasis on warfare and combat above all else. In the aftermath of the Yokai Daisensō, the Katō Clan achieved a reputation for hunting yokai, particularly the more aggressive and violent ones. As of modern times, they continue this yokai hunting tradition to keep their ranks sharp and ready for war, be it against supernatural or mortal foes. The Katō tend to invoke fear in not just their foes but also their allies due to their demeanor, though this also means that they often have to deal with their own problems without aid.
Allies: Fukushima, Hachikusa, Kono, Tōdō, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Chōsokabe, Ishida, Mōri, Toyotomi, Ukita.
Kobayakawa: The Kobayakawa Clan rules the Yamaguchi Prefecture and is subservient to the neighboring Mōri Clan, though theirs is an unstable master-servant relationship. The Kobayakawa have been unable to shake off their reputation for betrayal and unreliability since the days of Sengoku Jidai and are thus universally viewed with disdain. Even their allies keep them at arms’ length, always expecting the Kobayakawa to turn on them the moment they face adversity. The Kobayakawa have learned to become self-sufficient as they cannot rely on neighbors or allies for help.
Allies: Mōri (complicated), Toyotomi, Yamana. The Mōri Clan forces the Kobayakawa Clan into servitude due to having a stronger military and greater political presence.
Enemies: Ishida, Konishi, Kono, Kyōgoku, Mōri
(complicated), Ōtomo, Tachibana, Tokugawa, Ukita.
While the Kobayakawa begrudgingly serves the Mōri Clan, they hold deep resentment for being bullied into service, though they remain too weak to rebel against their Mōri lords.
Konishi: Seated in the Nagasaki Prefecture, the Konishi are one of the two openly Christian clans in all of Japan in which 95% of their population is Christian. The Konishi are a militant clan that takes heavy inspiration from knightly cultures, often blending the samurai and knightly aesthetics together. Additionally, they are renowned for being yokai hunters, launching regular crusades to cleanse their land. While the Konishi Clan produces seasoned warriors adept at eliminating dangerous yokai, this also leads to them in constant conflict with the spiritual flora and fauna around them as they reject Shinto and Buddhist customs that the yokai prefer. This also worsens their relations with most other clans that are Shinto Buddhists. The Konishi Clan has limited access to the Vatican in Europe and chooses to periodically receive military aid in the form of armor, weapons, and spiritual tools for dealing with yokai.
Allies: Ōtomo, Tachibana, Toyotomi.
Enemies: Abe, Kobayakawa, Kono, Mōri, Nabeshima, Nanbu, Saika, Shimazu, Tokugawa, Uesugi.
Kono: The Kono Clan governs the Iyo Prefecture and has a reputation for leaning harder into old Shintoist traditions rather than having a blend of Shinto Buddhism. Coupled with their proud archery tradition, the Kono Clan has produced excellent exorcists and yokai hunters throughout their generations. Despite being excellent yokai hunters, they also live in harmony with the yokai of their lands, having built many shrines over the centuries to maintain good relations with them. This further helps them deter any potential attacks by nearby enemy clans, of which the Kono have many due to their unfortunate location.
Allies: Abe, Fukushima, Hachikusa, Katō, Tōdō, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Chōsokabe, Kobayakawa, Konishi, Mōri, Ōtomo, Tachibana.
Kuroda: Master strategists of the Hyōgo Prefecture, the Kuroda are valued for being economic powerhouses to the Tokugawa and their allies. Much of the Tokugawa’s military might stem from their militant allies, and those militant allies in turn tend to rely on - as well as fiercely protect - the Kuroda and their assets. This has also allowed them to live relatively undisturbed despite being so close to their old enemies, the Toyotomi and Ishida. Additionally, they are one of the leading clans in the field of technological advancement, easily keeping up with the Americans from overseas and even surpassing them in the civilian sector. A curious note is that while most of the Hyōgo Prefecture is Shinto Buddhist, the Kuroda Clan permits a minority of Christian worshippers to reside there without trouble. It is not uncommon for members of the Kuroda Clan itself to have a mix of Shinto Buddhists and Christians.
Allies: Date, Kyōgoku, Oda, Saika, Sakai, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Hachikusa, Ishida, Toyotomi, Yamana.
Kyōgoku: Lords of the Shimane Prefecture, the Kyōgoku Clan is known across Japan for its wealth and extravagant tastes in all things. Few can outdress and outbuy the Kyōgoku as they place importance on appearances more so than other clans. They like to compare themselves to the peacock, a beautiful bird with vibrant colors. On the other hand, their critics tend to agree on the basis that while they look nice, their actual skill in combat and strategy is lacking. The Kyōgoku like to charm or purchase their way out of trouble, which includes situations with yokai. When it comes to paying tribute to yokai and shrines, the Kyōgoku like to flaunt their wealth and provide only the most expensive offerings.
Allies: The Kyōgoku Clan manages to remain neutral with most clans and avoid taking sides. They maintain good relations with others through a combination of economic strength as well as bribery.
Enemies: While their more militant neighbors might not like the Kyōgoku Clan, they hesitate to ignite hostilities with an economic powerhouse. Just about everyone leaves the Kyōgoku Clan alone, regardless of whether they personally like them or not.
Maeda: As one of the many warrior clans in Japan, the Maeda Clan resides in the Kaga Prefecture and is a powerhouse when it comes to military strength. The Maeda Clan prefers quality over quantity, typically having harsh requirements for recruitment in the military. It is common for direct members of the Maeda bloodline to be pushed out of the family if they are shown to be weak or incompetent, ensuring that the Maeda lineage remains strong. Due to their storied history, few clans wish to call the Maeda their enemies, fearing their prowess in the art of war.
Allies: Oda, Saitō, Sakuma, Shibata, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Ishida, Toyotomi.
Matsumae: Lords of the wintery north, the Matsumae are expert survivalists and arctic warfare combatants. They have sworn to give their lives to safeguard Hokkaido from any and all threats - even this far north, they remain fiercely loyal to their Shogunate masters. Many of their members are mixed with Ainu blood in order to appease the Ainu populations and establish friendly ties. The Matsumae clan has long lived alongside cold-weather yokai such as the yuki-onna and has been known to recruit them into their ranks, both for civilian and military employment.
Allies: Tokugawa, Takeda, Date.
Enemies: Ashikaga, Satake, Tsugaru. The Matsumae have a deep hatred of the Imperial Diet and all that are related to them.
Mogami: Rulers of the Dewa Prefecture, the Mogami Clan is considered the Date Clan’s left hand if the Katakura Clan is the right. The Mogami Clan has a long history of successfully warring with their neighbors and aggressively expanding until they pledged service to the Date. Famed for controlling the flow of rivers to increase rice production, the Mogami Clan is famed for its strong rice-based economy that further fuels its war machine in the North. Their tributes to yokai and shrines also tend to have extra portions of rice to go along with food.
Allies: Date, Katakura, Nanbu, Saika, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Satake, Toyotomi, Tsugaru, Uesugi.
Mōri: Masters of political scheming and subterfuge, the Mōri Clan is the lord of the Aki Prefecture, often pressing the Kobayakawa Clan into service through blackmail, threats, and other underhanded methods. They have a reputation for being untrustworthy and conniving, accusations which have some merit to them. Still, they maintain their lands unchallenged by having a massive military, though they are staunch believers in quantity over quality, drowning their foes in bodies. The Mōri are adept at negotiation and blackmail that even yokai have grown to respect their sharp wits and even sharper tongues.
Allies: Ishida, Kobayakawa (complicated), Toyotomi, Yamana.
Enemies: Chōsokabe, Fukushima, Hachikusa, Konishi, Kono, Ōtomo, Tokugawa, Ukita.
Nabeshima: The Nabeshima Clan is placed in charge of the Hizen Prefecture, sharing the southern island of Kyūshū with many other clans. They have a complicated history of siding with the Tokugawa during Sengoku Jidai and then turning on them hundreds of years later in the Boshin War. Still, they are too far for the Tokugawa to truly care about, so they tread carefully in the political field. The Nabeshima Clan is known for being resourceful and adaptive - they can see how the political landscape changes and play accordingly. This means whatever allies they have now are largely temporary, a condition typically understood by both sides.
Allies: Katō, Shimazu, Tōdō.
Enemies: Konishi, Ōtomo, Tachibana.
Nanbu: The Nanbu rule over Iwate and are often viewed as peculiar due to their deep fascination with the dead. While known for their devoted loyalty, the Nanbu carry a reputation for being gloomy and creepy due to their dabbling in the dark arts. Often misunderstood, the Nanbu Clan actually has a deep respect for the dead - so long as it belongs to their own people or their allies. To their foes, the Nanbu will not hesitate to wield horrific magic in order to bastardize their fallen enemies or utilize the most dangerous of yokai to unleash upon their foes. The Nanbu clan is one of the only clans that can possibly compare to the legendary Abe clan when it comes to producing onmyoji (exorcists), though they are also known for having necromancers who have learned this forbidden art from the darker yokai that reside in their home prefecture. The Nanbu Clan is often viewed as a necessary evil by their allies, often feared by those they fight alongside with as much as the enemy. Occultism is very popular within the Nanbu clan, if that has not been made apparent.
Allies: Abe, Date, Katakura, Mogami, Takeda, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Tsugaru, Satake, Soma.
Oda: Once thought long gone, the Oda Clan currently rules over the Owari Prefecture after reclaiming it from the previous owner, the Hashiba Clan which was a branch family of the Toyotomi Clan. The Oda Clan’s return to their homeland comes after decades of being displaced and surviving overseas as mercenaries, working with many other cultures and religions. As a result, the population of Owari is friendly to foreigners as well as Christians, being one of the few prefectures to be so open to outsiders. Besides their open-minded outlook on foreigners, the Oda Clan is feared for their prowess in battle, particularly their skill with guns and artillery. Tanegashima Arms remains one of the leading gun companies in Japan, owned by the Oda Clan. After having been gone for so long, the Oda Clan has a polarizing reputation among its peers. Many clans rejected their return and claimed it was illegitimate, nothing more than an act of mass terrorism. Others welcomed them back with open arms, having been long-standing allies of the Oda or enemies of the Toyotomi who were pleased to see an entire cadet branch wiped out.
Allies: Ii, Maeda, Saitō, Sakuma, Shibata, Tokugawa (complicated). The Oda and Tokugawa both see each other as rivals, but they have shared foes and tread carefully with each other. Both of them more or less play each other.
Enemies: Ashikaga, Azai, Hattori, Imagawa, Ishida, Saika, Takeda, Tokugawa (complicated), Toyotomi, Uesugi. The Oda and Tokugawa may still use each other for mutual benefits, but both still view the other as a rival in the political power struggle.
Ōtomo: One of the two openly Christian clans in Japan, the Ōtomo Clan presides over the Bungo Prefecture. Much like their neighbors, the Konishi Clan, the Ōtomo boast a population of 95% Christians within their borders. Unlike the Konishi, the Ōtomo have blended elements of Shintoism with Christianity, still worshipping their foreign God while acknowledging and paying respect to the local yokai and kami, simply viewing them as beneath God. The Ōtomo provide excellent exorcists rather than onmyoji, clad in Western robes and sporting crosses instead of prayer beads. Still, despite the stigma against Christians in a Shinto Buddhist dominant nation, the Ōtomo Clan provides assistance to anyone willing to work with them, within reason. The Ōtomo Clan has limited access to the Vatican in Europe and chooses to strengthen its spy network to match the Japanese ninja clans. They have decided to name their spy network the Amakusa Sect, after the martyr Amakusa Shirō of the Shimbara Rebellion.
Allies: Konishi, Tachibana, Toyotomi.
Enemies: Abe, Kobayakawa, Mōri, Shimazu, Tokugawa.
Saika: The Saika Clan hails from the Wakayama Prefecture, originally a group of warrior monks called the Saika-Ikki. Through service to the Date Clan as mercenaries, they gained clan status over several centuries, though they continue to behave more like a religious sect than an actual clan. Heir status is not necessarily guaranteed by bloodline - if a promising candidate is recognized, they can be adopted into the family as a new heir. It also helps that the Saika Clan contains a large number of sōhei within their ranks, warrior monks versed in both religion and warfare. The Saika continue to be famed for their marksmanship, producing some of the finest sharpshooters in Japan. They also own Saika Industries, a weapons manufacturing company that rivals the Oda Clan’s Tanegashima Arms.
Allies: Abe, Date, Katakura, Mogami, Nanbu.
Enemies: Ishida, Oda, Satake, Toyotomi, Tsugaru.
Saitō: The Saitō Clan has long ruled over the Mino Prefecture, having been given a second chance at life in the late 1800’s after their destruction in the mid-1500s. They were one of the clans that welcomed the Oda Clan back to power in Owari and have since then served as their political and strategic advisors, both of which are their fields of expertise. Their critics often insult them as “snakes,” referring to their cutthroat politics and underhanded tactics, yet they seem to not only ignore this but even embrace it, having built shrines to snake yokai as if to rebuke their opponents.
Allies: Maeda, Oda, Sakuma, Shibata.
Enemies: Azai, Ashikaga, Hattori, Ishida, Toyotomi.
Sakai: The Sakai Clan has governance over the Tochigi Prefecture and serves the Tokugawa Clan as one of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō). They have a reputation for having excellent military strategists, even tutoring the members of the Tokugawa bloodline directly. Often overshadowed by the mightier Honda and Ii Clans, the Sakai are content with their position as they understand that they are the brains of the operation while those two are the muscles and the Hattori serve as the shadowy dagger. More often than not, it is the Sakai who is entrusted to de-escalate a situation involving the Honda or Ii who prefer thinking with their weapons.
Allies: Hattori, Honda, Ii, Kuroda, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Ishida, Toyotomi.
Sakuma: Based in the Toyama Prefecture, the Sakuma Clan is known for fighting smart rather than fighting hard. For the Sakuma Clan, retreating is a perfectly viable tactic if it means surviving to fight another day. The Sakuma tend to see things further than other warrior clans, perfectly willing to lose the battle in order to win the war. While they are insulted by others as cowards, the Sakuma Clan views itself as pragmatic and logical, unbound by concepts of honor or fair play.
Allies: Maeda, Oda, Saitō, Shibata.
Enemies: Ashikaga, Azai, Hattori, Ishida, Toyotomi.
Sanada: Perhaps one of the most prolific samurai clans, the Sanada Clan lords over the Shinano Prefecture, located right in the center of Japan. The Sanada Clan is a military powerhouse surrounded by equally mighty neighbors. Due to their colorful history, the Sanada have fought with and against nearly everyone, having shared some history with them. Famed for both their martial mastery and cunning minds, the Sanada Clan is not one to be trifled with. There is a reason why their clan is so romanticized in fiction. They also shelter the Sarutobi Clan of ninjas to do dirty work for them when needed.
Allies: Hōjō, Honda, Ishida, Takeda, Tokugawa, Toyotomi, Uesugi (all complicated). The Sanada Clan has been on both sides of history on multiple occasions. These are the clans they have the most significant relations with and currently hold somewhat friendly relations with them but they are by no means close friends.
Enemies: None so far, but all of their current allies can easily shift to enemies at a moment’s notice. Few clans trust the Sanada and the feeling is mutual.
Satake: The Satake Clan is the ruler of the Akita Prefecture and is known for its naval talents in the North. However, the Satake Clan’s unfortunate location means that they are regularly pressured and bullied by the Date Clan and their allies. Still, the Satake Clan perseveres knowing that it has endured worse, keeping its head down for now and waiting for the day to come when it may have its vengeance.
Allies: Sōma (sometimes), Toyotomi, Tsugaru (sometimes). The Sōma tend to be forced to side against the Satake while the Tsugaru are unreliable allies most of the time.
Enemies: Date, Katakura, Mogami, Nanbu, Tokugawa.
Shibata: As the lords of the Echizen Prefecture, the Shibata Clan have long held the central region of Japan with other old allies of the Oda Clan. When their old masters returned, the Shibata Clan was the most vocal of the Oda’s old loyalists. The Shibata Clan is known for being ruthlessly efficient and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve victory. Warriors of the Shibata Clan are quick to distinguish friend from foe in order to understand who is expendable and who is not. They regularly take it upon themselves to do what their peers may not have the stomach for.
Allies: Maeda, Oda, Saitō, Sakuma.
Enemies: Azai, Ashikaga, Hattori, Ishida, Toyotomi.
Shimazu: Considered to be the most warlike clan in the South, the Shimazu Clan holds dominion over the Satsuma Prefecture and is nearly an autonomous nation in its own right due to how far they are from the capital of Tokyo. Despite being surrounded by enemies, the Shimazu’s continued survival to this day stands a testament to their military might, being one of the fiercest clans in the country. Warriors from the Shimazu Clan are famed for their martial mastery and harsh military tactics, seldom showing mercy to their foes. The Shimazu Clan has a fierce independent streak - they do not take kindly to anyone who demands them to bow their heads.
Allies: Shō, Toyotomi.
Enemies: Ii, Ishida, Katō, Konishi, Nabeshima, Ōtomo, Tachibana, Tōdō.
Shō: As the rulers of the Okinawa Prefecture, the Shō Clan was actually the Shō Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom before being annexed into Japan. Under the new government, they were promoted to samurai status and peacefully assimilated - as a result, most of their population remained Ryukyuan with a small mix of Japanese who traveled overseas. As rulers of their own island, the Shō Clan has expertise in naval and marine warfare, though military dominance is not quite their focus. Their economy is booming thanks to their beaches and weather, making them natural tourist attractions. They are sometimes referred to as the “Hawaii of Japan.” In terms of politics, they are far removed from the political guile of mainland Japan, just barely retaining relations with a small number of other clans.
Allies: Shimazu, Tokugawa.
Enemies: None.
Sōma: The Sōma clan resides over the Ibaraki Prefecture near the Date Clan and their allies. Over the centuries, the Sōma Clan has frequently been pressured by the Date Clan and their allies into submission, seldom able to act on their wishes. While they are subtly oppressed by the Date, this also means they are protected from others who wish to do the same. The Sōma Clan wishes to someday break out on their own, dreaming of rising to power someday.
Allies: Date (complicated), Katakura (complicated), Satake (sometimes). The Katakura are geographically closer to the Sōma and thus they bully the Sōma on behalf of the Date. As for the Satake, they have sympathy for each other, but neither are truly able to change their situations.
Enemies: Date (complicated), Katakura (complicated). The Sōma tend to share enemies with the Date and Katakura, but it is seldom a personal rivalry. Their true tensions lie with their oppressors.
Tachibana: The Tachibana Clan has long been lauded as among the most noble and honorable of the samurai clans, respected by allies and enemies alike. Warriors of the Tachibana are renowned for their dueling skills, able to rival the likes of the Honda, Ii, and other warlike clans. Graceful on and off the battlefield, the Tachibana Clan holds true to the image of the samurai, though this also means they lack the ruthlessness and efficiency of some of their more aggressive peers. As they used to be a branch of the Ōtomo Clan, both have close ties and share a servant-master relationship; this means the Tachibana is among the few clans that have a mixed Christian and Shinto Buddhist population.
Allies: Honda (friendly rivals), Ishida, Konishi, Ōtomo, Toyotomi.
Enemies: Katō, Kobayakawa, Kono, Shimazu, Tōdō.
Takeda: Famed for being masters of cavalry, the Takeda Clan lords over the Kai Prefecture, having adapted their mastery over horsemanship to swift, mechanized warfare. The Takeda still stands alongside fellow military powerhouses such as the Sanada, Hōjō, and their fated rivals, the Uesugi. The Takeda Clan’s specialty is in fast attack, favoring ground-based cavalry such as assault motorcycles, armored trucks, and anything else that facilitates their preferred hit-and-run tactics. Aside from that, they still have the best horsemen in the country for both recreation and war, on the off-chance that they ever need to return to the saddle to face their foes. Besides that, they also own Takeda Motors within the civilian sector, famed for their luxury and sports vehicles. They also keep quiet about the Mochizuki Clan of ninjas that secretly collect intelligence for them. The Takeda continue to partake in quiet skirmishes with their Uesugi rivals, awaiting the day when a new Tiger of Kai and Dragon of Echigo may rise to settle their centuries-old grudge match.
Allies: Azai, Sanada, Uesugi (fated rival). The Uesugi Clan is the Takeda Clan’s greatest rival, having constantly battled each other for centuries by this point. They both share the “only I can kill you” mentality, which results in unexpected alliances at times.
Enemies: Hōjō, Imagawa, Maeda, Oda, Saitō, Sakuma, Shibata, Tokugawa, Uesugi (fated rival). Despite their grudging respect for each other, the Takeda and Uesugi Clans are still fierce rivals. They actively try to best each other in all fields, especially combat.
Tōdō: Based in the Hyūga Prefecture, the Tōdō Clan maintains peace in the south despite being surrounded by enemies on behalf of the Tokugawa, their lords in Central Japan. This is thanks to their talents in negotiation and diplomacy as well as their reputation as builders - their cities are equal parts beautiful and accommodating to civilians and built to survive the harshness of war. If threatened, the Tōdō Clan will retreat behind their walls and watch as their foes break their backs upon their ramparts.
Allies: Katō, Kono, Nabeshima, Tokugawa.
Enemies: Ishida, Konishi, Ōtomo, Shimazu, Tachibana, Toyotomi.
Tokugawa: The ruling Shogunate family itself. Seated in the Edo Prefecture, the Tokugawa Clan stands at the top as the military rulers of Japan, lording over allies and enemies alike. Centuries of careful political maneuvering have cemented their grip over the nation even when they were nearly toppled in the Boshin War. The Tokugawa Clan’s greatest skill is their mind as members of their lineage are known to be brilliant tacticians as much as they are talented diplomats. Unlike the myriad of warrior clans among the samurai, the Tokugawa may not be able to outpower them, but they have an advantage that few others have: bonds and alliances. To fight the Tokugawa would be to challenge more than half of the nation itself, for their allies can be found as far north as Hokkaidō to the deep south of Kyūshū. But with that many allies come as many enemies all across the nation. Between their countless military alliances and ventures within the economic fields, the Tokugawa have ensured that they stand as one of the top dogs on both the battlefield and civilian sectors. Come what may, the Tokugawa will endure it all. They have done so for hundreds of years by now and they will continue to do so for hundreds more.
Allies: Abe, Date, Fukushima, Hachikusa, Hattori, Hōjō, Honda, Ii, Imagawa, Katakura, Katō, Kono, Kuroda, Maeda, Matsumae, Mogami, Nanbu, Oda (complicated), Sakai, Sanada (complicated), Shō, Tōdō, Uesugi (complicated). The Oda and Sanada are allies of convenience only, kept at arms’ length at all times. The Uesugi have been on both sides of history with the Tokugawa, so they are a tenuous ally at best. The rest of the Tokugawa Clan’s allies are a testament to their talents in diplomacy and political management.
Enemies: Ashikaga, Chōsokabe, Ishida, Kobayakawa, Konishi, Mōri, Oda (complicated), Ōtomo, Sanada (complicated), Satake, Shimazu, Tachibana, Takeda, Toyotomi, Uesugi (complicated), Ukita, Yamana. The Oda, Sanada, and Uesugi are not trusted by the Tokugawa, but the three of them are smart enough to not move against each other for now. The vast majority of the Tokugawa Clan’s enemies stem from loyalists to the Toyotomi Clan.
Toyotomi: The greatest contender to the Tokugawa Shogunate’s seat of power, the Toyotomi Clan is the lord of Ōsaka Prefecture and holds most of Southern Japan in its grip. They were annihilated at the end of the Sengoku Jidai, but the Toyotomi returned to power during the Yokai Daisensō, brought back through dark magic that revived Toyotomi Hideyoshi, though it was channeled through a willing host who sacrificed himself for the long-dead daimyo. For his service throughout the war, the Toyotomi Clan was granted samurai status once more and reclaimed Ōsaka as their home. In modern times, the Toyotomi Clan is infamous for their skill in political skullduggery, strongarming others to agree with them or bribing them. This would not be possible without the Toyotomi Clan’s immense economic power, having dipped into all aspects of the entertainment industry, including gambling. Yet for all their power, they still cannot surpass their hated foes, the Tokugawa Clan. The Tokugawa’s allies may not all see eye-to-eye, but they are generally united - the Toyotomi’s allies may have a fierce loyalty to the Toyotomi themselves, but each of those clans is also out for each other’s throats.
Allies: Chōsokabe, Ishida, Kobayakawa, Konishi, Mōri, Ōtomo, Satake, Shimazu, Sanada (complicated), Tachibana, Ukita, Yamana. Despite their numbers, almost all of the Toyotomi Clan’s allies happen to hate each other as well, making their alliances fragile and prone to betrayal. As for the Sanada Clan, they are openly friendly to the Toyotomi Clan but too strong to be bullied by them into picking sides.
Enemies: Ashikaga, Date, Fukushima, Hachikusa, Hattori, Hōjō, Honda, Ii, Imagawa, Katakura, Katō, Kuroda, Maeda, Mogami, Oda, Saika, Saitō, Sakai, Sakuma, Shibata, Tōdō, Tokugawa. The Toyotomi are mostly hated by allies of the Tokugawa and Oda Clans, the other Great Unifiers of Japan. There is immense tension between the Big Three and their allies.
Uesugi: Renowned for their mastery of martial arts and spiritualism, the Uesugi Clan holds dominion over the Echigo Prefecture, still practicing their arts of war and religion to this day. As devout Shinto-Buddhists, the Uesugi Clan naturally has a large number of onmyoji and monks, but their true specialty are sōhei, warrior monks who can strike down mortal foes as well as supernatural ones. Much like their fated rivals in the Takeda Clan, the Uesugi Clan is another military powerhouse that is not to be trifled with, much like the Sanada and Hōjō. Few can compare to the mastery over both paths like the Uesugi, though this comes at the cost of being surrounded by enemies and having withdrawn into a largely neutral state. Even so, little else matters beyond their legendary rivalry with the Takeda Clan. Old prophecies foretell of the clash between a new Tiger of Kai and Dragon of Echigo.
Allies: Date, Sanada, Takeda, Tokugawa (all complicated). The Uesugi have fought with and against these clans throughout history and survived to tell the tale. As for the Takeda, the Uesugi have sworn that none are allowed to destroy them other than the Takeda. Those who challenge that answer to the lords of Echigo.
Enemies: Date, Oda, Takeda, Tokugawa (all complicated). As mentioned, the Uesugi have fought with and against these clans in the past. With the Takeda, they still swear to defeat the lords of Kai once and for all someday.
Tsugaru: Ruling over Aomori, the Tsugaru clan has survived by siding with the winners in major conflicts throughout history. Distrusted by their neighbors and more, they have a reputation for being cunning yet unreliable, although none can deny that they are gifted craftsmen in the arts, ranging from sculptures to instruments. Due to their crafting talents, the Tsugaru clan tends to deal with lots of tsukumogami which are old tools and instruments that have gained sentience over time and have become yokai.
Allies: None that are permanent, they side with whoever is the strongest or most likely to succeed.
Enemies: Date, Katakura, Mogami, Nanbu.
Ukita: A clan of diehard loyalists to the Toyotomi Clan, the Ukita Clan holds jurisdiction over the Okayama Prefecture and has a reputation for being survivalists, able to endure even the toughest conditions. This naturally lends them towards being outdoorsmen and preferring attrition tactics that outlast the foe. More willing to get down and dirty than most other clans, the Ukita understand what it takes to survive and win - more importantly, they understand that might alone is not a guarantee for victory.
Allies: Ishida, Toyotomi, Yamana.
Enemies: Chōsokabe, Fukushima, Katō, Kobayakawa, Mōri, Tokugawa.
Yamana: The Yamana Clan rules over the Tottori Prefecture and has long been plagued with a reputation for having overwhelming amounts of ronin wandering the lands, with many of them spilling over to neighboring prefectures looking for work. As a result, the Yamana Clan is not trusted by many others, though the myriad of ronin means there is a steady supply of mercenaries for hire. The clan itself is known to have a rebellious streak and tends to value its own freedom more than anything. This means that the Yaman would rather retain their infamy as a prefecture full of ronin before they truly bend their knee to anyone in servitude. Even their allies must remember to treat them like equals, even if there is a notable strength difference.
Allies: Ishida, Kobayakawa, Mōri, Toyotomi.
Enemies: Kuroda, Tokugawa.
Ninja
The ninjas are the spies, saboteurs, and assassins of Japan, ruling from the shadows behind their samurai lords. While samurai clans are the ones who shape the nation’s history and geography through blood and steel, the ninja clans shape the nation in more subtle manners, be it through manipulating the samurai clans or by engaging in merciless wars in the shadows against each other. Samurai are already a minority within the Japanese population - the ninjas are even fewer in numbers, as evident by how few clans there are. Few have what it takes to be taken in by a ninja clan - fewer still have what it takes to live up to the family if they are born into one. Ninjas sacrifice all concepts of honor and integrity so that they may do what their lords cannot or will not do. Only you can decide how far you are willing to push the boundaries. Note: all of the ninja clans are rivals and none are true allies of each other. As for their relations with samurai clans, they share the same relations as their masters do.
Amakusa: The Amakusa Sect resides in the Bungo Prefecture under their masters, the Ōtomo Clan. They are not a true ninja clan and have virtually no ninja traditions among them - they are actually the Japanese branch of the Vatican’s network of assassins. While they may lack the Japanese traditions of the other clans, the Amakusa Sect are still able to play the spy game just like their peers. Their greatest strength is access to the Vatican’s armory which makes them more
effective against yokai, but their weakness comes in the form of being unfamiliar with the intricate and unpredictable nature of yokai.
Iga: The Iga Clan commands their assassins from the Iga Prefecture under the Hattori Clan, though in truth, the Hattori and Iga are as one. The Iga branched directly off of the Hattori and simply adopted the name of their home to distinguish themselves from their more legitimate cousins. The Iga have long been on the winning side of history and for good reason - they serve the Hattori as well as the Tokugawa Shogunate directly. The Iga Clan’s specialty is its adaptability, being a jack-of-all-trades among the ninja clans. They can do everything at a competent level: spying, assassinations, guerilla warfare, sabotage, and more. In short, they are the most traditional and conventionally classic of the ninja clans. This grants them no glaring weaknesses, but it also means they have no particular strengths.
Kōga: The Kōga Clan resides in the Owari Prefecture in service to the Oda Clan and has long been renowned for training some of the deadliest assassins and killers in Japan. The Kōga are infamous for their cruel methods and cold-blooded nature, viewed as barbaric even by fellow ninja clans. Few can match the body count that the Kōga have piled up over the centuries and even fewer dare to whisper ill of them. However, their tendency to resort to bloodshed first makes them a greater threat and more likely to be targeted back. By spilling so much bloodshed, the Kōga have also had much of their own blood spilled, more so than their shadowy peers. Restraint is a lesson that the Kōga Clan is still learning the hard way.
Fūma: The Fūma Clan makes its home in the Sagami Prefecture under the command of the Hōjō Clan. Their origins trace back to them acting as mercenaries to the Hōjō before they truly developed into a proper clan. Fūma ninjas are infamous for devious gadgets and weaponry, the most famous of all being the Fūma shuriken, a massive shuriken as large as a human torso that is sometimes described as “the windmill of death.” Fūma ninjas utilizing these tools to augment their expertise in guerilla warfare, being masters at fighting in unfair conditions on the battlefield. However, this makes them more aggressive than the other clans, at times becoming a liability. Patience can make all the difference between life and death in the ninja world.
Mochizuki: The Mochizuki Clan calls the Kai Prefecture its home and is in service to the Takeda Clan. The Mochizuki Clan has long held a reputation for employing beautiful women to spy for their masters in a male-dominated world in the past centuries. Nowadays, they pluck attractive men and women from the streets to train them for a life of espionage, now adapting to modern times. Every ninja clan is expected to train their operatives to hide in plain sight and blend in with the common folk, but few can do it better than the Mochizuki. Even fewer can play up the sex appeal the same way the Mochizuki do it. While this makes them excellent spies, Mochizuki ninjas are taught to actively avoid combat as much as possible, even more so than the other clans. They are lacking in the fields of guerilla warfare and confrontation, but a good Mochizuki ninja should never get caught that far out.
Sarutobi: The Sarutobi Clan takes shelter in the Shinano Prefecture under their lords, the Sanada Clan. The Sarutobi Clan originates from the Sanada Ten Braves and was not the only option when the Sanada were forming a ninja clan of their own. The Katō Clan - no relation to the samurai Katō Clan - were the next best contender, but the Sarutobi ultimately played the ninja game better. Among the clans, the Sarutobi are renowned for being the best at traps and lures, infamous for aiding the Sanada Clan when they were turning Ueda Castle into a deathtrap for invading foes. However, Sarutobi ninjas tend to rely on preparation more than other clans do, making it harder for them to succeed should their traps and plans fail.
