Well this is a stretch from my previous character idea, but...
"Strike then, if it is your wish to taste the ground."
-Shinji Takemitsu-
Born in the far eastern land of Kyoshiro, far beyond the mountains, Shinji (Age 31) grew up never knowing much of his true father. From what his mother told him, he was a wandering ronin who had stopped by at the brothel where she worked. One thing had led to another as they say, and Shinji was born.
Throughout his childhood, Shinji admired the Shogun's samurai as they rode through the town. He would stare in awe of their magnificent armor and the impressive daisho of swords that hung at their hips. Alas, being of the working class, never in his lifetime would the boy be given the chance to become a samurai...or so he had thought.
Years later, his mother had passed away. The young boy was now in his teens and worked by the sweat of his brow everyday on his uncle's farm to earn a living, yet he still carried on his dream of becoming a samurai. Long after his chores were finished, he would grab a bamboo stick and head out to the field to practice. He imagined the enemy before him, his mere stick an elegant and deadly katana in his hands. Then, with a shout, he'd lunge forward, delivering a swift blow at nothing but dead air. Little did the young man know his uncle watched him from afar. It came as a shock to Shinji when the old man told him his form was wrong.
"Keep your balance, place your strong foot forward, and then...strike!" He had said. "I too once knew the life of a samurai, but that was many moons ago. It has been so long since I have held a blade in my hands, but the feeling...it is familiar to me. To be a samurai takes more than swordsmanship. You must learn the code of the warrior, honor, duty, loyalty, bravery, and righteousness. If it is your wish, young one, to be a samurai, then I shall teach you."
And so he did. His uncle's tutelage was harsh, but under his wing Shinji grew to be a samurai. His skill with a katana was impeccable almost, and just as well, he carried himself under a strict code.
The boy grew to be a man. Years of training, years of discipline, so many harsh winters and summers with the scars to prove it. He was now a full fledged samurai under the order of the Shogun Masataka Haru. Shinji served the Shogun dutifully following the years of the War of the Seven Suns. It was upon the field of battle, his skill became legend. With a single blow, Shinji struck down nearly three men at once. He charged across the battlefield with a speed to rival even the gods, and his war cry brought terror to his foes. In but those few short years, he rose through the ranks and cemented his status as commander of the royal guard.
He was honored among his fellow warriors, and praised highly by the Shogun, who became a close friend to him.
But alas, this praise would be short lived.
For every king had his prized possession, and for the Shogun, his most prized was his wife.
Yukina was her name, once a slave girl, she was betrothed to the Shogun at such a young age. Her exotic beauty allured many men, but to touch her would be a death sentence. Nevertheless, that did not stop Yukina from pursuing the affections of Shinji. Bored of her husband, she lusted for the handsome commander. Many times she tried to seduce Shinji, even going so far as to wait for him in his chambers...stark naked.
But Shinji's loyalty to the Shogun was strong. He refused to acknowledge her advances on him. This in turn made the woman resentful of him. If only Shinji had known the woman's cruelty far surpassed her beauty.
One night, the samurai was brought to her chamber. A simple meeting was all he was told, but Shinji had his suspicions. Unfortunately, with sake, Yukina was able to lower the man's resilient guard against her charms. She got him drunk then took him to her bed.
The memories of what transpired were but a blur to Shinji, but the next morning, he was brought before the Shogun, accused of forcing himself upon his wife in a drunken stupor. Enraged was the Shogun by this betrayal. Shinji was sure he would be executed, but instead, the Shogun spared his life and branded upon his right hand a mark of dishonor.
He was banished from his homeland soon after and forced to wander, a warrior without a master, without a purpose. His high rank, stripped by a woman's scorn.
Despite the loss of his status, Shinji still dons the blue armor of his Shogun and wears his tachi and wakazashi proudly upon his hip. He may not bow to a lord, but in his heart, he was still a man of courage and honor. As such, he lives still by a strict code and aids those who cannot defend themselves without any recompense. He is skilled with quite a few weapons and unnarmed combat techniques, but above all, he prefers the way of the sword.
Trained in traditional Kyoshiri swordsmanship, Shinji is quicker than most combatants when it comes to attacking. However, against the thick plate armor of the western kingdoms, his swords are useless unless he can somehow penetrate the gaps and grooves between the plates. He is proficient as well in using pikes and in archery on horseback.
As a man of integrity, Shinji looks down upon thieves and assassins. Thieves undermine a man's honest hard work, and assassins are nothing but cutthroats who kill dishonorably for pay. Should he learn of such, he will not rest until they are brought to justice. Shinji is also a firm supporter of being generous to the poor and believes that a monarch should benefit the people who serve him rather than oppress them. In this new land ripe with conflict, he had no desires before to be wrapped up in their messy politics, but seeing the plight of the peasants firsthand has swayed him to join the rebellion, not as a mercenary but a volunteer.
