Rokugan Local Governance
Storytelling in Rokugan often occurs during a time of war, when the role of the warriors and the movements of armies rightly dominate. However, the Empire has lasted for a thousand years, and during that time it has sustained its people and given rise to fine art, and the reserves to support those mighty armies. Power becomes centralized into the mighty and defensible cities which are well described in various sourcebooks, including Otosan Uchi, Toshi Ranbo, Ryoko Owari, Naishou Province, and so on. However, during peacetime and in regions untouched by war, it is small towns and villages that provide the Empire's plenty and demonstrate that Rokugan still bears the Mandate of Heaven. This section describes the Mandate of Heaven, how these villages and small towns are governed by their samurai, the role of courtiers outside of the high courts of daimyos and the Emperor, and how a model village might vary from one clan to another. Some of this material comes from Legend of the Five Rings source books, some based on governance in Japan and Korea, with allusions to Chinese governance, and some is material created by myself as a source for my own fiction writing and our campaigns.
The Mandate of Heaven
When the Eight Kami first fell from Heaven, they encountered a peaceful tribe of farmers led by the wise woman, Seppun. Hantei spoke with her, and in his heavenly wisdom made an agreement with her, and through her, all the peoples of the Empire. The agreement was simple: Follow and support us, and we will grant you Protection from your enemies, Defense against the spirits of other Realms, and The prosperity of your lands.
It was based on this promise that the people of Ningen-do recognized in Hantei the Mandate of Heaven, and have put their faith in him ever since. In order to fulfill this promise, Hantei looked first to his brothers and sisters, and they, in turn, looked to those special men and women of Ningen-do who proved themselves before them, to help them in this task. And so the samurai caste was formed: sons and daughters and those commissioned by the kami, who took up these promises. Samurai stood as bushi, protecting against enemies, as shugenja, defending against the dangerous influence of other spiritual realms - especially Jigoku, and as courtiers, developing the health and prosperity of the land. In these roles, samurai touch upon every aspect of life in Rokugan. And the smallest unit of life in Rokugan is the family.
The Samurai Family
The family is the smallest functional unit of governance in Rokugan. Though families vary in wealth and structure throughout Rokugan, certain fundamentals stay the same.
Of Koku: Samurai Economics and Demographics
We are told that Clan Samurai do not care about money or commerce. All that a samurai needs is provided by their lord. But the governance and structures of villages centers around their production of rice, so a basic understanding of samurai economics is required.
The Structure of a Village
Beyond the family, the basic structure of governance is the village, from tiny hamlets to villages of up to a thousand people.
The Development of Cities
When villages grow in size or protect important people or key resources, they become a valued part of clan lands, points worth defending. They become cities.
The Transition to War
In peacetime the Empire is still, but interclan warfare or invasions of the Shadowlands turns the norms of families, villages, and cities upside-down.
The Role of Courtiers
Bushi and Shugenja have clear roles for villages and towns in Rokugan. But courtiers too fulfill a vital role, even outside the elegant boundaries of a Winter Court.
Variations between Clans
While all the Empire is built around Families, their Villages, and Towns, each clan has their own variations, in how their families are structured, in how their villages are formed and face adversity, and how their towns are built and deal with crisis.
This section includes those differences, as well as some of the many differences in various traditions between the clans.
The Mandate of Heaven
When the Eight Kami first fell from Heaven, they encountered a peaceful tribe of farmers led by the wise woman, Seppun. Hantei spoke with her, and in his heavenly wisdom made an agreement with her, and through her, all the peoples of the Empire. The agreement was simple: Follow and support us, and we will grant you Protection from your enemies, Defense against the spirits of other Realms, and The prosperity of your lands.
It was based on this promise that the people of Ningen-do recognized in Hantei the Mandate of Heaven, and have put their faith in him ever since. In order to fulfill this promise, Hantei looked first to his brothers and sisters, and they, in turn, looked to those special men and women of Ningen-do who proved themselves before them, to help them in this task. And so the samurai caste was formed: sons and daughters and those commissioned by the kami, who took up these promises. Samurai stood as bushi, protecting against enemies, as shugenja, defending against the dangerous influence of other spiritual realms - especially Jigoku, and as courtiers, developing the health and prosperity of the land. In these roles, samurai touch upon every aspect of life in Rokugan. And the smallest unit of life in Rokugan is the family.
The Samurai Family
The family is the smallest functional unit of governance in Rokugan. Though families vary in wealth and structure throughout Rokugan, certain fundamentals stay the same.
Of Koku: Samurai Economics and Demographics
We are told that Clan Samurai do not care about money or commerce. All that a samurai needs is provided by their lord. But the governance and structures of villages centers around their production of rice, so a basic understanding of samurai economics is required.
The Structure of a Village
Beyond the family, the basic structure of governance is the village, from tiny hamlets to villages of up to a thousand people.
The Development of Cities
When villages grow in size or protect important people or key resources, they become a valued part of clan lands, points worth defending. They become cities.
The Transition to War
In peacetime the Empire is still, but interclan warfare or invasions of the Shadowlands turns the norms of families, villages, and cities upside-down.
The Role of Courtiers
Bushi and Shugenja have clear roles for villages and towns in Rokugan. But courtiers too fulfill a vital role, even outside the elegant boundaries of a Winter Court.
Variations between Clans
While all the Empire is built around Families, their Villages, and Towns, each clan has their own variations, in how their families are structured, in how their villages are formed and face adversity, and how their towns are built and deal with crisis.
This section includes those differences, as well as some of the many differences in various traditions between the clans.
