Difference between revisions of "Yashida Clan"

Revision as of 16:33, 15 April 2007

One of the oldest and wealthiest families in Japan, the Yashida Clan dates back to before the reign of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Based in Tokyo, the clan currently consists of just Shiro Yoshida, his little sister Leyu, and their first cousin once removed Keniuchio Harada.

The Yashida (椰子田, literally "Palm tree field") family is an ancient and noble Japanese family. Great supporters of Tokugawa at the beginning of the Shogunate and later supporters of the Meiji imperial government, the Yashidas have amassed wealth beyond the dreams of most people. Add to that their involvement with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia, and they have risen to a prominence that in some circles rivals the Imperial Family itself.

Shiro's grandfather, Jiro, broke away from this association following World War II, leaving it to his brother Shingen. To demonstrate this change of direction for his descendants, he altered his surname to Yoshida (吉田, literally "Cherry tree field"). Jiro's son, Saburo, continued his father's work at reestablishing peace with Japan, and between Japan and her neighbors. He married a young woman named Shinobu Hino (火野, literally "of fire"), whose family hailed from Hiroshima, and had two children. Shinobu died soon after giving birth to Leyu, Tomo murdered Saburo some four years later, and Shiro killed Tomo. This leaves Shiro and Leyu the only surviving members on the Yoshida branch of the family.

Shingen, a powerful businessman, married a widow late in life and adopted her son, Keniuchio. They also had a daughter together, Mariko. Shingen split his inheritance between his children, allowing Keniuchio to start Silver Samurai, Inc., a weapons manufacturing company, and Mariko to open the National Society of Japanese Tradition, Culture, and History.

The Yashida Clan historically has been at war with the secret ninja movement known as The Hand. Tensions and violence escalated during the spring of 2006, and culminated with the deaths of Mariko and the brother of the leader of The Hand that May.