The Hojo Clan
"Honed and Ready."
[tabs][Tab | Introduction|]
Name :
Hojo Clan
Location
North of Kumogakure is where Kisamo's Hold can be found, but they have a compound in Kumogakure as well.
Village
Kumogakure - Lightning country.
Traits
- The majority of the Hojo clan seek a career in the military. Regardless of it being shinobi or a soldier, they're quite a militant minded culture and group.
- Thanks to their strict culture the majority of the clan lives by strict codes of honour and loyalty.
- Most of the Hojo tend to prefer close ranged quarter combat, though it isn't a rarity to spot Hojo members who have been trained and use ranged weaponry.
- They have a great dislike for natives of the Earth country and a distrust towards the nomads of the lightning country. There is also some dislike for the Sanosuke clan seeing their history.
[/tab][Tab | History |]
The roots of the Hojo clan has been a source of debate and interest for many of its members. After much research and digging in archives, the Hojo came to the realisation that there is one clan that used to be a part of them. The renowned and respected Hon clan in the Akinian Empire. With this discovery the Hojo clan, however, desired to make their own history. It isn't certain if Kosami Hojo existed, but the leaders of the clan have claimed since then to be his descendants. There are still some similarities between the two said clans ever since the Hon 'part' left for the southern lands, but those have faded away as time passed and with the distance between the two.
Kosami Hojo. A name that every Hojo member is grown up with. It is the name of the founder of the 'modern' Hojo clan and a name that was given to the castle and lands that the Hojo still view and control as their own to this day. Kosami Hojo was born and raised on a farm. He lived an easy life but wanted to be more than just a worker on a farm for the rest of his life. As the third son, he wouldn't inherit the acre of land that his family had held for generations. Thus Kosami ventured out and joined a mercenary company. There the young man started his career with the 'Fierce Blades'. Being trained and hardened Kosami slowly worked his way up to the top of the company. At the age of twenty-five and a few conflicts later he had become the leader of the 'Fierce Blades'. Deciding that he wanted more than just being a captain of a mercenary company, Kosami started to consider his options. This was quite early in the begin of the Warring Clans period - approx 192 - and there were enough clans and factions who wouldn't mind paying coin for mercenaries to bolster their own military. Being hired to fight in the north, in what we can call the Lightning country in the present, Kosami found a suitable place for a headquarters. Establishing a base of operations, he started to take more contracts to use the wealth to expand his base of operations.
As this continued, Kosami soon had managed to build what would be the foundations of the future castle at the age of fifty. Already married and having a few children, Kosami felt the desire to venture out. It had been years since he had been on the battlefield or storming the battlements of a fortification. Against better advice of his family and captains, Kosami would eventually find himself death on the field with one arrow in the guts and two more in the belly.
On his death, his eldest son would take up the leadership. Irosuko Hojo was a different leader than his father. Less ambitious and eager to find himself on the battlefield. He did not forsake the 'Fierce Blades' and continue to accept contracts in which the soldiers served as mercenaries for other clans and factions. His main focus was, however, at the headquarters of the 'Fierce Blades'. It was more a fort, but under Irosuko's leadership, it started to gain more the shape of a castle. Wooden walls would be replaced with stout stone walls and towers. Irosuko wasn't perhaps the military mind and soldier his father was, but he found his love in building. Every year and after each contract the castle became bigger. In dear memory and honour of his father, Irosuko eventually named the growing castle : Kosami's Hold.
With fertile lands around the castle and the intimating presence of the fortification, Irosuko saw an increase of people wanting to be safe from the conflicts that surrounded the land. With his mercenary company and own personal diplomatic skill and approach, Irosuko laid the further foundation of the Hojo clan. From his sons, the Hojo clan saw their might and prosperity growing as well the castle - as it almost became a tradition to expand and improve the defence of the castle. Becoming acknowledged as a clan of their own, the Hojo clan did eventually stop with lending their troops out as mercenary forces. Instead, they started to lay out their own campaigns to gain more land, riches and glory. Their most disliked rival and frequent target were the clans of the Sanosuke to their north. During the Warring Clan period, the Hojo clan and several Sanosuke clans clashed violently, often with a peace treaty signed after several years of conflict. This led to the dislike and distrust that is still present between the majority of the Sanosuke and Hojo people.
At the end of the Warring Clans era, which saw the rise of the formal countries the Hojo clan made their vow of fealty to the first Lightning Daimyo. This saw some small changes to the clan as they had to give up some of their independence, but not their way of life. Instead of mourning the loss of independence, the Hojo clan strived to become one of the major players in the politics of the land. Eventually, this saw in the year 476 with the return of the Kusanagi clan them to be made direct subjects of the Hojo clan on orders of the Hojo clan.
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Honoured ancestors :
Kosami Hojo,
Reputed founder forefather of the clan and the militant way the clan lives. Eventually died in the battle of Hitomashi, felled by three arrows from Sanosuke archers.
Irosuko Hojo,
Son of Kosami Hojo who started the 'tradition' of building further and improving the castle and land that is now known as Kosami's Hold. Eventually passed away in his sleep at the age of seventy-two.
Minato Hojo,
Grandson of Irosuko Hojo. He is one of the honoured ancestors of the clan, improving many of the clan's logistic and training system for their soldiers and starting to invest time to train shinobi. Died eventually in another conflict against the Sanosuke clan.
Rei Hojo,
A Hojo clan leader of the past that saw to the first victory against the Sanosuke clans. He did eventually die soon of his wounds with the peace treaty of Hitomashi being signed.
Current members :
Mareo Hojo,
Current clan leader. A man past his prime - being fifty-five years old - but still holds a tight grip and control over the clan. The bald man is a renown master of kendo and kenjutsu in his clan.
Setsu Hojo,
Current heir of the clan. Forty years old at the moment, Setsu is known for his friendly manners and love for discipline.
Buncho Hojo,
A swordsman in service of Maero Hojo, 38 years old.
Hairi Hojo
Wife of Buncho Hojo, aged 35 years old.
Manzo Hojo
The first son of Buncho Hojo, 21 years old, currently serving in the retinue of the Lightning Daimyo.
Norihisa Hojo
The second son of Buncho Hojo, 19 years old, currently serving as captain, stationed in the northern regions of the Lightning country.
Mizuchi Hojo
The third child and first daughter of Buncho Hojo, 18 years old, currently in the Shinobi corps as a chuunin.
Yumeji Hojo
The fourth child and second daughter of Buncho Hojo, 17 years old, currently in the Shinobi corps as a chuunin.
Kyoichi Hojo
Fifth child and third son of Buncho Hojo, 14 years old and currently being trained to become a foot soldier.
Yosuke Hojo
Sixth child and fourth son of Buncho Hojo, 13 years old and currently being trained to become a foot soldier.
Side note : There are more Hojo families, but at the given moment I will just start with this basic information. In the near future, I shall pour effort into making a decent and fun family tree.
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[Tab | Kosami's Hold |]
The ancestral castle and the land of the Hojo clan. It has and still is the seat of the Hojo clan's power. Where the majority of the Hojo clan and the descendants of their first subjects and soldiers live. Build with the mountains in the back, the clan has an iron mine where they harvest and mine for metals for their weapons, armour and tools. The fertile land is being ploughed and used for agriculture, which makes the clan able to only trade for goods and luxury products that they either aren't interested in producing themselves or simply can't - not that the Hojo clan will admit to such a fact, mind you.
The castle itself is old but has been kept improved leader after leader. Stout, thick stone walls provide security for those who call it their home. Towers enable Hojo soldiers to spot people from afar and the legend has it that as long as a Hojo leads the defence that none can hope to win it through battle.
It also serves as the place where the Hojo train their best. Using the names of the mercenary company, 'Fierce Blades', the Hojo's soldiers and shinobi that originate from this land are trained to be fierce fighters in close range. During times of war, the Hojo clan rounds up able-bodied men and train them to become well trained and equipped foot soldiers for the daimyo and their country.
Some facts about the castle :
- Currently, it has a population of approx 8-9000. Of which 4000 can be mobilised to serve as soldiers, having enjoyed a martial upraising.
- During times of siege, the Hojo clan holds mangonels and trebuchets behind their walls to fling projectiles back at their foes.
- Ever since the leadership of Irosuke Hojo, the clan stores provisions for three years inside the castle. These provisions are kept under the close watch of the most trusted Hojo soldiers, to prevent it both from rotting as well providing any threat if the castle would ever be besieged again.
- More is currently WIP.
The rest of the land is being the subject of mostly mother nature. There are some small villages that are being governed and watched over by the Hojo clan. Furthermore, there is the region that has been given to the Kusanagi clan. It is an area that is close to the mountains north of the Hojo castle. It is a rather closed off piece of land that provides some meadow during the summer for the Kusanagi clan to let their cattle and horses be fed and a few forests, with wildlife. A few rivers do blockade any easy passage and the Hojo clan keep a strict watch on where the Kusanagi reside and travel. The Kusanagi are to work and serve on the command of the Hojo clan in order to pay taxes as well to earn their stay on the Hojo lands - as the Hojo clan shall provide the extra tax for them in trade of valuable wares to not suffer a net loss income. In return, they won't be abused by the Hojo clan unless the Hojo clan wish to be branded as traitors and put arrested for crossing the laws of the feudal lord.
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The Hojo clan isn't focused on producing the finest and deadliest shinobi. Their samurai and foot soldiers are trained extensively in the use of the sword, spear and bow. The shinobi that are trained from the clan often find themselves most comfortable with chakra flow based ninjutsu fighting styles. This does hinder the Hojo shinobi in being capable spies and assassins, but they claim that they will resolve matters on the field of battle or battlements instead of sending agents and being cowards.
It is thus not a surprise to learn that the militant minded Hojo raises most of their children and pupils in becoming capable of warfare. Not only in the martial arts, but also to understand how a battle is waged. Tactics and strategy are introduced first as a manner of playing games, but as a Hojo grow older they will be tutored into warfare with studies and books. With lectures and by studying history.
[/tab][Tab | Hojo Culture|]
The culture of the Hojo is mainly focused on striving and achieving to become the best military of the north. Though not every soldier under their service is being trained all day and night long, they instil discipline and loyalty into their subjects and their own. Hojo children enjoy a good education as they learn how to write, read and sometimes even some form of art. All to just become capable soldiers, samurai and leaders as their education will be focused on leading and governing a military.
This, however, doesn't come with the cost as the Hojo are also a clan with a proud culture. Even their art and songs are focused on their old achievements on the battlefields against past foes - such as the Sanosuke. The Hojo clan religion is
Shinto. It isn't overruling their militant culture but serves as a certain 'compliment' to further discipline its people.
[/tab][Tab | Relations|]
In a short version, the Hojo regard most nomadic clans of the Lightning country below them and distrust them. This does come forth from the lack of understanding and will to try to understand the nomads. The Hojo clan does hold a certain deep dislike towards those who hail from the Earth country and the Sanosuke clan, their rival of old.
Hon clan
Current status :
Regarded somewhere between ancient relatives and possible rivals.
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As a clan that is orientated on militant achievements and manners, the Hojo clan isn't a stranger to the Hon clan down south. Even with no interaction between the two clans, the Hojo regard the Hon as possible rivals and strive to gain accomplishments to make sure that no Hojo should feel to be the lesser of the Hon clan.
Sanosuke clan
Current status :
Rivals/enemies.
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The Sanosuke are viewed as the nemesis of the Hojo clan. Where the Hojo clan regard themselves as a civilised and honourable people, they have a different opinion on the Sanosuke clans. With the past conflicts between the two clans this hostility hasn't yet came to cease. While of course no Hojo or Sanosuke shall battle their difference out with blood being drawn, the hostility doesn't seem to end.
Jun clan
Current Status :
Potential allies.
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Though the Jun clan isn't a most renown or particular old clan within the lands of the Lightning, the Hojo clan has expressed in a formal alliance and bond between themselves and the Jun clan. Seeing that the Jun clan value martial arts and have a militant spirit, this has only led further to the Hojo's interest to be increased.
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