Mono-gashira - A General requires competent lieutenants to make sure his orders are properly carried out and this man fulfils this role admirably.
Dairyo - Being familiar with the story of the monk Dairyo, this man never alienates himself from his men and shares in their hardships.
Gennin - On the eve of battle a Samurai should not be troubled with the preparation of equipment or the feeding of his horse. He has this man to do it for him instead.
Honjin-Hatamoto - When secure inside his castle walls, the samurai has little to fear from the outside world. However when he travels he takes his Hatamoto with him to protect him while he sleeps. It is this man’s duty to make sure that the camp is secure against assassins and spies.
Karo - Even the most cunning and intelligent of Daimyo require able men to help them run their affairs effectively. This man is a capable administrator and helps his master with his civil duties.
Kumi-gashira - Sun Tzu said that “organization of the many is the same of the few. It is a matter of organisation.” Having such a talented sergeant also helps greatly.
Bugyô - This man is one of the five care-taker regents appointed by Hideyoshi to look rule in the name of his son Hideyori until he is old enough to rule himself. A man of influence indeed.
Gesu or Shitazukasa - A lower official, this man may seem like any other cog in the machine but in fact it is this man’s administration skill that often saves face for his master.
Metsuke - This man is an accomplished swordsman and is familiar with all of its principles including Metsuke. He is an expert at taking stock of his surroundings and acting accordingly.
Shin obi - Acquiring the services of this man of the shadows was a stroke of good luck for this general. He will be constantly kept up-to date on his enemies movements and so will have the advantage in manoeuvring his army.
Geisha - Geishas or “Art People” are courtesans of the highest calibre who’s skills ranged from the subtleties of polite conversation to the intricacies of the tea ceremony. Though Geishas were never bought by their patrons this geisha has the special favour of the general and is inclined to follow him wherever he goes.
Ashigaru - This general specialises in the leading of the Ashigaru in battle. He is able to organize what might have been a peasant rabble into an effective fighting force.
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Ashigaru - Having risen from the ranks himself, this General understands the mindset of the peasant soldiers than most and is able to turn even the most unruly peasant mob into an effective fighting force.
Kimono - The kimono is the traditional garb of the Samurai class, an elegant and functional piece of clothing that is cool in the summer heat but warm enough to be worn in winter. This particular kimono is of particularly high quality.
Hatamoto - The personal guard of a high ranking samurai, this man has a certain amount of influence himself. This man is a skilled fighter and will stop at nothing to protect the life of his master.
Bakufu - For centuries the islands of Japan have been ruled, not by the Emperor, but by the military dictatorship of the Shogunate, or the Bakufu. Through years of loyal service and some skilful politicking this man has become and important part of this Military Government.
Sandal bearer - Heaven forbid that a samurai should find himself having to walk barefoot if his sandal were to break. The shame of having to walk like a peasant would be unbearable, so he always takes this servant with him to carry spares.
O-uma-jirushi - Great standards such as this one were a rallying point for soldiers in the heat of battle. However they also served to identify the Daimyo’s unit on the battlefield and the presence of the Daimyo was enough to encourage even the most defeated of armies to fight to the last.
Captured O-uma-jirushi - Through his immense feats of bravery on the battlefield, this samurai has been able to break through enemy lines and capture the enemy’s Great Standard. This has brought great honour to his
Fudai - This samurai has stayed loyal to his overlord all his life and after so many years of steadfast service his Lord has granted him the title of “Fudai-daimyo” or “Hereditary Daimyo” of [insert province here]. His family will now rule over this province indefinitely.
Hyakushô - This officer likes to encourage to the local people to be entrepreneurial while they aren’t toiling in the field. The locals make a little extra money out of the deal and the local economy gets a boost. It’s a situation in which everybody wins.
Jizamurai - Some samurai were in-fact only part time warriors and spent the rest of their time farming the land with the peasants. These men were known as “Samurai of the Earth” of Jizamurai. Though they weren’t given all the rights of normal samurai but the did have useful knowledge of farming.
Joshu - Having heard and understood the story of “Joshu and the Cat” this man knows that decisive action in the heat of the moment is far better than hesitation. As a result he is never at a loss on the battlefield and always knows the proper course of action.
Kagemusha - Literally “Shadow Warrior” these men where doubles hired by some samurai to confuse enemy spies and to protect against assassination. The most famous of these was Takeda Shingen’s brother Nobukado who regularly made public appearances as his brother.
Namban - Generally the Japanese have always considered themselves to be a far superior race to outsiders, after all they came from “the Land of the Gods”. As a result foreigners are often looked down upon but this one has knowledge that any daimyo would be a fool to ignore.
Shite - Noh plays are a popular distraction from the day-to-day affairs of a samurai. The talented performances of this actor have not gone unnoticed and he has found himself a wealthy patron to fund him in his creative pursuits.
Sohei - This man is one of the many Buddhist Monks who have taken to arms against the authority of the Shogun and the various warlords that dominate Japan. He garners the respect and support of the common man and presents a real threat to the establishment.
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