Appearance:
Name: Ishibashi Maiko
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Physical Description:
Ishibashi Maiko is a lithe woman who stands at 1.65 meters. Around her eyes she has some noticeable crows-feet. Her hair has a few strands of grey mixed in with the primarily black locks.
Skillset:
Samurai Housewife. As a Onna-bugeisha she knows how to use the Naginata as a weapon of self-defense and is fairly effective with it. Beyond that she is quite apt at various household chores, and conducting tea ceremonies.
Shirabyōshi - As she was a Shirabyōshi, (ie. Female Dancer) Ishibashi is a rather proficient entertainer, especially when it comes to dancing and singing. She is also a competent poet and musician.
Ichigenkin Player - Ishibashi Maiko's instrument of choice, she can play the stringed instrument with a fair amount of skill.
Fisherman - Maiko knows her way around a pole; after all she does hail from a family of fishmongers. If there is a river, lake or ocean and she has the time, Maiko will find an opportunity to fish.
History:
Maiko was born as the third daughter and fifth over-all child of the Shima Family, a fairly well off Merchant family who dealt primarily with fishing. Maiko was groomed in her early years, much like her older sisters, to become a faithful wife. So she learned how to tend to the house, prepare meals, practicing her calligraphy and other essentials to that extent.
When she was eight her father hosted a party that would help guide her down the path that would eventually get her connected to the Raremashita Clan. During that party Maiko learned of the existence of Shirabyōshi. Maiko was enthralled by how they entertained the male guests so, and had the desire to join their ranks. Maiko went to her father and mother and asked if she could join the troupe. Her mother and father discussed at lengths and eventually decided to allow her to join them.
In the Shirabyōshi Troupe she traveled across Japan entertaining various families and scouring for someone she wanted to marry. At age fourteen she arrived to perform on the lands of the Raremashita Clan. It was there she met Ishibashi Masaru, a seventeen year old son from a relatively new family of warriors who fought under the Clan. She found herself drawn to him for his charm, looks, and what really grabbed her attention was how quick he could gut a fish.
Masaru, was not yet married and found himself attracted to her. Fairly quickly the two married and Maiko was now Ishibashi Maiko, a samurai's wife. Masaru bonded with his wife and helped her around a naginata so she could defend herself and the home when he was out, or if he decided to bring her along for war. The two had a relatively peaceful life, as Maiko gave birth to her three children, Ishibashi Takeo, Ishibashi Junichi and Ishibashi Momo, (currently aged 19, 16 and 4 respectively)
However a dark fate would fall upon the Ishibashi Household during the Second Uprising. Her husband valiantly went out to slay these enemies, and brought his boys with him to engage in his first real bit of warfare. All the while Maiko found herself needing to use her naginata as her house was also getting attacked, and she would not allow her children to die. While she managed to survive, her husband and son were not as fortunate.
She swore that she would kill them all until she was positive the culprits who did that fatal blow against her beloved husband and child, were dead by her hands. Fortunately, to that end she was called to guard the heir to the clan. And with that, Maiko knew she could get her vengeance and taking little Momo with her, she would make sure her daughter would not suffer the same fate as her father and brothers.
Psychological Profile: There is a curious question on what to do if a cuckoo does not sing. Out of the three answers, Maiko would go with the option of coaxing it. She knows the power of persuasion and views it as her primary tool. However she knows that persuasion by resources and personality is not enough and if need be, she won't shy away from resorting to violence as a means for persuasion. Maiko is a rather vibrant hostess, taking great pains to make sure that everything is going swimmingly. However when she is not actively hosting celebrations and ceremonies, she tries to be demure, but occasionally her perky nature pokes through. Ishibashi Maiko views herself as but a simple housewife, and will insist on that fact if she is given credit for anything. Maiko is extremely protective of her family, whom she loves deeply and wants to keep them happy and safe. Due to this she holds an undying hatred to the Geniko Clan and allies who murdered her husband and her sons, and seeks for their lineage to be destroyed fully and utterly.
Equipment/Weapons:
Ko-naginata - A glaive with a shorter blade than the standard battlefield naginata, it allows for better dexterity for self-defense.
Uchigatana- This was originally her husband's sword, she doesn't use it for battle but rather as part of dance. She primarily keeps it to honor her husband's memory.
Kaiken - A 25 cm dagger in a plain wooden sheath
Santoku bōchō - All Purpose Kitchen Knife
Calligraphy Set - A collection of various bottles of inks, feathers and a few pieces of parchment
Tea-set - In it is a chaiken (cloth for wiping the tea bowl) one tea bowl for thick teas and one for thin teas, two clay cups, a tea caddy, a tea scoop and a tea whisk
Spare Kimono
Shirabyōshi Outfit - Has a red hamaka, white and red suikan, hand-fan and a tate-eboshi hat
Two large linen sacks
