Kin of Clan Osa
Training Assistant of the Rakurai
Hakken Kinfolk of the Court of Bamboo Talons
Description
~High-born and sculptured with high-boned features, Washirou Shintaro evinces nobility and gentility. Despite his sharp poise and confident stature, Shintaro also appears pretty laid-back. His clothing varies from a pair of Polo jeans and matching collared shirt to a crisp, custom-tailored Italian suit. Shintaro wears his dark hair long, sometimes binding it in a ponytail. Other times it flows down just past his shoulder blades. Shintaro's stride matches his casual and relaxed veneer. His expression tends to be remain inscrutable, almond-shaped brown eyes observant. His face was weathered from exposure to the elements or psychological duress, making him appear to be in his mid-20s. Shintaro's strength seems to surface through his quiet bravery and gentle virtue. He may be just a man, but he is a man.~
OOC: Appearance 2; Pure Breed 4
"Look into the side of the blade to see your true reflection."
History
Youth
Some families never wanted to give up their claims to glory and nobility. The Washirou family of the Hakken Clan Osa, as well as several others in Japan, was one such legacy. Especially considering the prideful ways of the Hakken werewolves, their human relatives knew much was expected and little given in return. Of course, Trueborn Garou often felt that the honor of interbreeding with their celestial origins was enough reward for human beings. The Washirou dwelled under the shadow of that one-way street for centuries. So many years of social oppression in a samurai-like society that preached obedience and loyalty left a history and habit of submission.
Not far from Osaka, the Osa Clan made their home estate. Thousands of acres registered in the family's name for ages bordered well-kept woodlands. This setting was where Shintaro was born and raised. His father, Washirou Naboru, married Monobe Kizu, and served his bloodline's purpose well. He carried on the age-old craft of swordsmithing for the Osa Clan. Both Naboru and Kizu were "mere" Kin to the Hakken, but respected their place. They taught their only son, Shintaro, the virtues of bushido, the merits of his werewolf bloodline, and the laws of the Hakken.
And the Clan Estate wasn't a terrible place in which to grow up. Shintaro received the benefit of home tutelage. His father attempted to apprentice his son into the Washirou line of swordsmiths. But even from youth, Shintaro demonstrated a stubborn streak. He revealed much more interest in learning how to fight with the sword. Shintaro wanted to become a great warrior like his mother's cousin, Monobe Ichiro. Shintaro's father tried to dissuade the boy at an early age. One late night, Shintaro left the protective fence of the estate for the woods with his dad. And the forest was alive with frightening sounds. The hoots of owls and the distant howls of wolves (who could only be his Hakken relatives -- the indigenous Japanese wolf was extinct) made the woodlands menacing. They seemed darker than dark and very foreboding. Shintaro admits at that age he was scared. But his father failed to frighten him away from his heart's desire.
Early Years
So Shintaro's upbringing became even more isolated. Disappointed, his father emphasized the instruction of virtue and ethics over showing love for his own son. Apparently, his father hoped that lessons in morality would guide Shintaro back to the smithy. Shintaro meanwhile attended the kenjutsu lessons standard to all sons of the Osa Clan. Of course, his instructor, Hitto Ran, noted the boy's obsessive interest in fencing. Hitto-sensei was an old Trueborn werewolf of the Half Moon Auspice. In Shintaro's early years, there was only one other student his age: Toru Date. Date was destined to change as a werewolf one day whereas Shintaro was not. And the other boy knew it. He treated Shintaro with condescending arrogance. Hitto-sensei never even tried to put an end to this disdain. Though the boys trained together daily, an intense rivalry sparked.
With a rather cool relationship at home with his parents, and a rivalry with the only boy his age at the estate, Shintaro seemed rather screwed. The only saving grace Shintaro enjoyed was when the Monobe family occasionally visited the clan's home estate. Though a part of the clan, the Monobe lived in large homes in Osaka itself. And they had a son close to Shintaro's age, named Saburo. He was also Kinfolk. So Saburo and Shintaro got along great. Shintaro often spoke to Saburo about the arrogance so many Hakken displayed. He questioned how that much pride fit into the code of the samurai. Through their friendly chats, Shintaro began to form a hopeful plan. The youth decided he wanted to impress the Hakken so much that they would revise their perspective on Kinfolk. Shintaro wanted to make the werewolves treat human beings -- their own relatives at least -- with equality.
Meanwhile, Shintaro's swordmanship improved by leaps and bounds. His rival, however, also made excellent progress. This wasn't surprising to the Clan, since Date was born under the warrior's Auspice. But as practice sessions proved their matched abilities, Shintaro came to a profound realization. His epiphany accorded that werewolves were mighty because they could change into furry, muscle-bound killing machines, and they could call on magic gifts from the kami (gods and spirits). But their normal skills were only as good or bad as normal people. Shintaro could always become a better fencer than Date and any other Hakken. Indeed, as Trueborn could only devote as much time of the day to training as anyone else, they were disadvantaged. While a werewolf split his time studying spirit-rites and such, Shintaro could devote his whole day to fencing. And through that medium that the Hakken respected -- for fencing was a warrior's skill, and the Hakken were all soldiers, Shintaro figured he could prove the worthiness of Kinfolk.
To that end, Shintaro participated in kendo tournaments all over Japan. He learned to take care of himself on trips away from home. His teacher couldn't leave the estate due to Clan duties. And his parents wouldn't come. But it gave young Shintaro a chance to see much of Japan on his own. He took many trophies, all due his focused skill and determined ambitions to become the best of the best. Sadly, he failed to impress his clanmates. Neither his parents nor rival were much moved by his winnings. And he suspected that Hitto-sensei's pride was not in his student but himself, for producing such a wonderful student.
Finally, Shintaro challenged his rival, Date. He was sick of the young werewolf's condescending insults. The entire clan observed the duel the two with boken (wooden swords) instead of shinai (bamboo-strapped swords, traditionally used for sparring) and no armor. Hitto-sensei oversaw the duel with three matches. To win, Shintaro had to win two out of three matches. One match began in traditional kendo fashion, face to face. The next tested their quickness to deliver the first strike (iaido). And the last saw them fighting waist-deep in creek water to test their environmental adaptability. Unfortunately, their skills were still even. Any number of reasons (excuses) could explain why Shintaro lost the first and second matches. But he did. And to avoid Date's inevitably inflated ego, as well as the shame of loss altogether, Shintaro left the estate for awhile.
The youth, now nineteen, went to the Monobe estate in Osaka. There he visited his old friend, Saburo. He caught up with the young man in their lifestyles. Shintaro also reaffirmed his ambitions to try and change his Trueborn relatives' perspectives. With permission from Saburo's family, Shintaro was graced with the honor to live at their home as long as he wanted. For the next two years, Shintaro got to hang out with his old friend quite a bit. He also trained with the Monobe family's fencing expert. Shintaro adopted some of this kendoist's techniques into his own repertoire.
Recent Years
But a good friend and plenty of time to train weren't the only benefits of his stay there. Over a festival holiday, all the Monobe of the area gathered. Shintaro got to meet some cousins he hadn't before. Among them lingered Monobe Takara, a beautiful Trueborn only a couple years older than he. As the daughter of his mother's cousin, their relation was fairly distant. Saburo laughed at Shintaro all day long. He couldn't stop staring! Of course, with so many guests at the household, Shintaro doubted that Takara noticed him. Still, secretly Shintaro was smitten. He wondered if they would ever meet again.
Eventually, Shintaro returned home to the Osa Estate. He kept his ambitions secret still. But that didn't stop Shintaro from challenging Date again, who was still as snooty as ever. This time, Shintaro fought much better. The duel followed the same form as the first time. Shintaro won the first round. Date took the second, especially with his preternatural Garou speed. The third match? Shintaro was whipping Date's ass! Date knew it, too, and grew incensed that he might lose to this…this human! Date lost his temper right then and there. Next thing Shintaro knew, his rival enlarged, transforming to Glabro. Date speared his bokken right into Shintaro's belly. The fight was immediately ended as blood pooled in the water. Healers rushed to the shocked and bleeding Shintaro's aid. The duel was called an inconclusive draw since he could no longer fight. Date was scolded and nothing more.
After fully recovering, Shintaro decided he had enough. He announced to his family that he was leaving again. His shame for failing to win the duel again was too great to bear, and exile was his only option. Shintaro contacted Saburo. Though the Monobe would accept his return, he learned from his friend that beautiful Takara since left Japan altogether. She moved to America, where she joined a multi-shen coalition in Kansas City's Little Asia district. Shintaro decided to follow the woman. He hoped to win her heart somehow. And in her, Shintaro wanted to plant the seeds of a new future for Hakken Kin everywhere. If he could convince Takara to believe in his vision, she would prove a great ally in his quest. Shintaro began to study English and American customs. The swordsman voyaged the summer of 2004 to Little Asia. There he, too, joined the Court of Bamboo Talons. He soon found Takara's presence. Now all he needed to do was search for the key to Takara's heart.
Significant Other
Shintaro moved to Little Asia, Kansas City, in 2004 specifically to find Takara Monobe and woo the attractive Hakken woman. When he arrived, he found her less receptive than he thought. It took great effort, including the willingness to learn how to swing dance for Takara, before he could win her over. The two exchanged intense passions. Takara at first was shocked and tried to put distance back between she and the young swordsman. But persistent Shintaro won her over again. Now the two are a couple trying to figure out the depths of their relationship and what it will mean in their future. And for starters, Shintaro is beginning to get just what he wanted. He knocked his Takara up in '04 and she gave birth to their first child, a baby girl, on May 3rd of 2005. Naming her Setsuko, the two know there could be much more to their relationship than either of them originally anticipated. And is it such a bad thing?
Takara
Weakness Pipe Dream
Shintaro hopes to see the day when the Hakken treat their (human) Kinfolk as equals in all things. Like that will ever happen! The Hakken may observe bushido, but they're still strictly caste Shadow Lords.
Likelihood of Corruption
Average.
This young man is a fairly virtuous devotee of bushido. However, that does not make him immune to the evil powers of Yomi. And minions of the Centipede often target known Kinfolk for their corruptive schemes. Shintaro must rely on his Trueborn brethren for protection against unmanifested demons.
