Author's Games: Samurai

Clan 10: Setsuka Matsunaga

This was written by Jay_Loren. 

Name: Matsunaga Setsuka (Mat-su-na-gaa Set-ska)

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Appearance: Setsuka is stunning in every meaning of the word. Her jet black hair is long and silky, but is hardly ever seen loose but rather in tight buns or ponytails, usually held together with decorative hair clips. Her eyes are also dark, so much so that they are often mistaken for the color black when they are in fact a dark brown. Despite there wide and slanted shaoe, they are devoid of all innocence. These features are off-balanced by her milky white skin, which she enhances with powdered make-up, charcoal eye make-up, and bright red lips, inspired by the traditional geisha make-up. She is a woman of average height and build, and usually wears a black kimono with silver and white decorative pattersn, as well as the symbol of her clan on the back of the kimono. She wears the garb loosely around her shoulders and has a slit going up the center, making it easier for her to run or walk in her wooden sandals. Unlike other onna-bugeisha, she carries around a katana, hidden in a black embroidered sheath, tied to her left hip as well as a kaiken blade disguised as a hair piece. 

Weapon of Choice: A katana and a small kaiken blade disguised as a hair piece used for espionage and close-quarter combat.

Personality: Once a cheerful and obedient girl, the events surrounding her lately have morphed her into something entirely different, leaving only a shadow of the girl she once was. She is now a cold and vengeful woman who will stop at nothing to get what she desires and cut anyone down who gets in her way.

Background: After being abandoned by her family after birth, she was taken in the by Matsunaga Hisahide, who raised her as his own daughter along side his three sons. She grew up unaware of her lineage and under the belief that she belonged to the clan by blood. Being seen as someone with rare beauty, even from a young age, she was brought up to be the perfect wife of the next heir to the Matsunaga clan, Kazunari. Always by his side as children, she was extrmely loyal to him, hardly ever wavering from that loyalty, even in the face of punishment. This loyalty soon blossomed into love and adoration between the two. This love and adoration led to Kazunari teaching his bethored to fight with a katana behind his father's back, who saw women as weak and undeserving to hold a blade. This was so she could defend herself should anything ever happen to him. She grew closer to him in this aspect and soon was able to take care of herself in battle. The pair married and lived together in peace and comfortability, due to the plan's firm allegiance to the Nobunaga clan. As time passed and the wars between tribes continued, Setsuka continued to hone her skills with the sword, blissfully unaware of the treachery her father-in-law had planned that would ultimately lead to his death and her husband being left in a state of vegetation. Hisahide did not like the path his son was traveling down and attempted to end his life and have his second son be next in line. His plan was almost a success due to Kazunari being unable to lead the clan properly but left to Setsuka cutting him down, as well as her brother-in-law. Before a civil war could break out in her clan, she instilled order with an iron fist and began to train an army of onna-bugeisha, feeling that women had just a right to defend themselves as men did. She now acts as an envoy between her husband and the rest of his clan, as he does not show his face to anyone other than her.

Important side characters: Her husband, Kazunari, is someone she had vowed to never leave, even in times of destruction. He is the only person left to see the softer side of her.

Influence on the battlefield: Setsuka is a strategist through and through, with the only time she ever disregarded this was to cut her father-in-law and brother-in-law down. She is extremely calculating, shown through her techniques with a katana and the way she counts her steps or her swings of the sword, as well as other things.

Belief: She believes in power. Doing what one must to have power and keep it. This is a drastic change to the way she once was but the belief stems from the former head of her clan.

Additional Infortmation about the Matsunaga: The former daimyo, Hisahide, is regarded as a villian in Japanese history.

Nobunaga Oda: "There just might be hope for women samurai yet, if more were like you. The Matsunaga clan will always have my respect. But do not mistake that for mercy should the Matsunaga clan defy me."

Mitsuhide Akechi: "Power is a dangerous belief to hold onto. Not many ever live to achieve it. The few who do, typically end up being corrupt. Tread your path carefully and strategically, just as you do in battle."

Hideyoshi Hashiba: "I can't imagine how hard life must have been for you, Matsunaga-chan. You did the right thing, though, and I admire what you try to do for other women like you."

Magoichi Saika: "Now there's a gorgeous woman! I know you're married, but after a little time with me, you won't even remember your husband's name."

Ishida Mitsunari: "Your thirst for power is a strength, but be careful that it does not lead to your downfall. Your sheer will and determination... That is something I admire. I believe it is the reason why you have come so far. Do not let anyone or anything else stop you."