| Shogun |
More formally and originally Seii Taishogun, the title was derived from a combination of
Seiishi, an archaic commission meaning sent against the barbarians, and Taisho which was the
head general of an army. By this era, the title more widely known as Shogun denotes the
overall head of the military and ruler of the Far East. |
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| Daimyo |
Pronounced die-mee-oh, this title means great names. The title is formed from dai meaning
great, and myo or myoden meaning rice producing fief. As the heads of the various families
loyal to the Shogun's own clan, the daimyo are considered to form the upper nobility of the
Orient. In return for living under certain restrictions to insure their loyalty, daimyo are
for all purposes considered are semi-autonomous warlords in charge of the various provinces not
directly under the Shogun's control. |
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| Hatamoto |
Translated as banner knight or standard bearer, this title was traditionally reserved for
the bodyguards of a military commander in battle. With the establishment of the Shogun's rule,
the title is given to those retainers who remained loyal to the Shogun during the previous
chaotic civil wars. The title is also granted to those of exceptional learning and skill and
also to the descendants of illustrious families. The upper end of the petty nobles, hatamoto
are the highest samurai rank. |
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| Gokenin |
Also known as honorable members of the household, gokenin made up the lower end of the
petty nobles typically owning small fiefs producing less than a hundred koku. Together with
the hatamoto, the gokenin were the direct retainers of the Shogun otherwise known as bakushin.
Protective of their position and fiercely loyal, the gokenin make up the bulk of the Shogun's
personal fighting force. |
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| Baishin |
The most privileged of the samurai of the various daimyo, the baishin were the only
warriors permitted to serve in the capital of the Far East in addition to the Shogun's own
retainers, the bakushin. The baishin serve in a number of capacities including serving their
respective daimyo during that daimyo's mandatory bi-annual stay at the capital, waiting on the
Shogun having been assigned as such for specific duties, and guarding the immediate families of
the daimyo who were required to stay in the capital. |
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| Bushi |
The term bushi literally means warrior. This title is preferred by the more distinguished
samurai of a daimyo as not all members of the samurai caste are necessarily trained in the
arts of war. As such bushi more closely approximates the more dignified meaning of armed
gentry. |
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| Samurai |
In the highly socially stratified land of the Orient, the biggest class distinction is
between the heimin or commoner caste and the samurai or warrior caste. Anyone born into a
samurai family is considered to be a member of the samurai caste. This is irrespective of their
profession though most are trained to be at least competent warriors. Among other privileges,
only those of the samurai caste or higher may wear the daisho which consists of a katana (long
sword) and a wakizashi (short sword). All samurai are guided in their actions by a complicated
code of conduct known as bushido. |
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| Ashigaru |
Translated as agile legs, as foot soldiers ashigaru usually have the most numerous presence
on any battlefield. Although they are by and large heimin, their deeds do not go unnoticed and
it is not unusual for them to be elevated to samurai status. In fact, Oda Nobunaga was one
of several powerful warlords from the lower social classes to rise to power. |
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| Ronin |
Something of an anomaly in an otherwise highly structured society, ronin are masterless samurai.
Signifying their drifting and uncommitted nature, ronin literally means wave man. A samurai
might become a ronin in one of several ways. First, due to the fortunes of war, their master
might be removed from power or forced to reduce the size of their armed retainers. Second,
having committed a dishonorable act, the samurai might be dismissed from service until they
atone for their transgression. Lastly, a samurai might obtain from the Shogun a temporary
dismissal from clan service in order to be free of obligations to the clan typically for a
specific amount of time. Due to the Oriental notion of collective responsibility, a samurai
might seek to become a ronin in order to pursue such things as personal vendettas that might
otherwise bring dishonor to the clan. In any case, ronin do not display their clanbadge and
are treated the same as non-members on issues such as protection. After having resolved the
issue that was cause for their dismissal and a reasonable amount of time has passed, ronin are
reinstated as full members of the clan at their previous rank. |
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| Grasshopper
| In a lesson to a pupil, a certain sensei once said something loosely translated as,
"Close your eyes, see the grasshopper at your feet." In light of the accomplishments the
student went on to make, all new initiates to Quiet Storm take the rank of grasshopper to
symbolize their first humble lessons. All grasshoppers are given a trial period to evaluate
their fitness to be members of Quiet Storm. Upon successful completion of this initial
period, the grasshopper is honored with the words of that certain sensei, "You have down well,
grasshopper." The grasshopper then becomes a full member of the clan and is elevated to a
higher rank. |
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| Gaijin |
A term for foreigners, anyone not from the Far East is considered to be gaijin. |
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| eta |
Outcasts of society, eta are former members of Quiet Storm who have disgraced themselves so
thoroughly that their dishonor is a permanent stain on their soul and as such have been cast
out of the Shogun's realm. Not considered to have the rights of a normal person, they are to
be given absolutely no respect and their names are never to be spoken aloud.
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| "We were few against many. I turned to him and watched an insane grin spread across
his face."
-Ragnar Kimura, a yoriki of Edo's Harbor District |
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Clan Hierarchy