Author's Games: Samurai

Clan 11: Oka Mori

This was written by Ryder27.

Name: Oka (oh-ka) Mori (more-ee) [Oka means cherry blossom]

Age: 23

Gender: Female

Appearance: Despite standing at around 5'6", NAME is a petite girl. Her thick, long, dark hair falls in waves down her back. It is her most prized feature, and so she lets it fall whenever she can, despite it not being traditional. Her skin is pale, and looks almost like a porcelain doll, although she is not as fragile as one might think.

Weapon of choice: katana

Personality: Oka was born ahead of her time. She was not meant to live the simple life of a house wife nor a mother. Her headstrong personality could be a result of growing up with with several boys. She is kind, however, something unusual for someone in her situation. She was taught the way of the samurai and believes deeply in being honorable in her dealings with her fellow men. She cherishes life and dislikes drawing blood unless it is to further a greater good. She was fortunate enough to receive a good education, at least good enougj considering she was a female and not even related to the family she lived with. Still, despite her lack of former education, she is bright and able to learn quickly.

Background: Oka never knew her real family. She knew her fatherwas an important clan leader but other then that her knowledge was entirely limited. She grew up in a dojo, taken in by a kindly man, his wife, Akari, and three sons. In exchange for his sacrifice of taking care if her all those years, Hiromi Misaki betrothed her to his eldest son, who was six years her elder and whom she never saw much of. Hiroaki Misaki attended an academy since he was ten, training to become an assistant to the emperor. The other two had to stay home, helping their father and mother attend their dojo. Growing up their, she was given the opportunity to train like few other girls in Japan. Hiromi taught her the ways of a samuri, as he did his other two boys, Asaki and Nagoya.

Important side characters with them: Hiroaki Misaki, her fiance who she has seen since she was four. Akari Misaki, her adoptive mother. Hiromi Misaki, her adoptive mother. Asaki and Nagoya Misaki, her adoptive brothers.

What influences their decisions in battle: Oka is a bright girl, and is very strategic. She prefers thinking through things before acting, creating an effective and least conflicting strategy for whatever she does. She is more of the "do it yourself" kind of girl but will turn to a close friend or family member for occasional advice.

Belief: Oka believes strongly in the story of the cherry blossom and has ever since she discovered the significance of her name. She also believes deeply in honor, like that of a samuri.

Additional information about their clan: (I'm just going to make this up, if that's okay.) Her biological father was leader of their clan. He was never married, despite having a daughter. (I'll address this in later entries.) He was a cruel leader, always commanding a lot from those who followed him.

Nobunaga Oda: "Hah! A woman has no place being or calling herself a samurai. Though, as weak as most of the men I've met are, perhaps you could show them a thing or two. Is there anyone out there who could actually hope to challenge me?" 

Mitsuhide Akechi: "Your head for strategy might just help you aid your clan in this conflict. I have never encountered a woman warrior, but if you follow bushido, you just might become a true samurai. 

Hideyoshi Hashiba: "Don't listen to anyone who tells you that a woman can't become a warrior, Mori-chan! If you hold true to your beliefs and work hard and use what your master taught you, then I know you can achieve whatever you set your mind to." 

Magoichi Saika: "It's too bad you're engaged. I would have enjoyed to train with you. Or, you know, other interesting activities."

Ishida Mitsunari: "The lesson of the cherry blossom is what others tell themselves when horrible tragedies happen to their lives. They would rather distract themselves with beauty, then deal with the problems that they face."