"Let the Eye of Heaven shine upon us in our most diligent efforts, so that we may wash our hands of the blood of tyranny."

Life

In life, Shiro was a young farmer in a rural community in northwest Dewa-Kyuryo. As a boy, he worked the farm. He was a quiet and smart youth, always listening instead of jabbering. He was strong with all the farmwork and humble. At the age of twenty, his father passed. Although the youngest son out of four boys, Shiro took on the responsibility of every acre of his family's rice paddy. He was the best for the job anyway, and the other three brothers were intending to do other things with their lives. Shiro ran the farm, attending Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies, and annual celebrations. At a summer holiday celebration, Shiro met his wife-to-be, Kurano Osen. In proper time, after wooing her, the two were married happily. Shiro had never felt such a deep devotion before.

Death

But it was not fated to last. When World War II broke out, he was enlisted. Through diligent work, he acquired the rank of seargeant in the Japanese army. He was stationed in Shanghai, for at this time, Japan was very expansionistic. He served loyally, though refused to engage in some of the crueler activities of his comrades (butchering and raping civilians). Still, when the Japanese were driven back, he was mortally wounded in the final conflict that permitted his officers to escape. He was taken back to Japan and given a burial due a small hero. But that wasn't the end of Semaisen Shiro...

Shiro had left his family behind without heir nor did he have any brothers left (they too died in the war) to take his place. Osen was now a widow, and though a good woman, sorrow gripped her. All that remained at the farm was Osen and his two young cousins. His family needed him still! He was fortunate enough that during this rebellious time the Jade Censors had no influence in the Japanese Deadlands. He was Reaped by comrades-in-arms who had likewise perished and allowed to return to his family home. There he spent a great deal of time guiding his family back to prosperity, several years in fact. He watched and even encouraged the remarrying of Osen to his cousin, Jiro. He wanted her to be happy, even if it pained him that he wasn't the one who could be making her so. Osen and Jiro had children, and the Semaisen family began to grow again.

Fist of Nippon

And with having to little more than insuring that his family regained its footing, Shiro expanded his horizons. He studied many of the classic literatary and legal works and developed his abilities to interact with the Middle Kingdom. He kept his presence secret from his family, though they were always grateful to their "lucky ancestors". Even after the fall of the Japanese Emperor and the collapse of the center of the national religion, his family paid him proper respects in return for his care.

But duty would call again. His comrade-in-arms beckoned Shiro to the Necropolis of Edo (Tokyo). There was a consultation with many ancient and influential dead. The last rebellion against the Jade Kingdom had failed and their greatest general, Oda Nobunaga, was utterly destroyed. Now convinced more than ever that Yu Huang was in fact Lung Wang in disguise, this group of Sundead were determined to put an end to his reign over their homeland. Though Shiro had been careful about chafing too hard against the Jade Kingdom officials, he now knew he could not ignore it anymore. He signed up for this new "renegade" faction, the Fist of Nippon.

Through years of diligent service, he rose to the equivelent rank of lieutenant, excelling in all of his military and civilian studies and duties (including maintaining a strong presence to his living family, even generations later). Though he secretly yearned for a return to the happiness he had before death, before the war, he was as loyal and true as any samurai. None dared insult the honor of this "farmboy". Still, Shiro rarely engaged in combat. Indeed, most of his Restless engagements were with Yomi and kuei. He was rarely called to battle the armies of Yu Huang. Most of that conflict took place in the cities, and Shiro remained in his family home in the countryside.

Recent Years

Times changed again. Japan was heavily modernized, arguably moreso than their Western forebears. But as cultural demands rose, so did costs, and the economy dropped overall. His family, no longer as prosperous as they once were with the heavy urbanization and food imports, decided to take the big step just this year. They moved to America, particularly to the growing Asian district of Kansas City. Here, in a newer Little Asia, they had opportunity and planned to capitalize to regain their original prosperity. Semaisen Shiro accompanied them, and woe to those, mortal or shen, who would bring this warborne wraith's only joy misery!

So Shiro protects and watches over the Semaisen in Little Asia. Shiro joined the local multi-shen Court to keep an eye on the other local supernaturals as well as create and maintain alliances. When that organization failed, he helped the local Restless establish the Court of the Silver Censer for the Coalition of Little Asia Courts. Furthermore, he helps his fellow Fist of Nippon ghosts to keep Little Asia free of Yu Huang's influence. "Peasant" uprisings and a lack of interest on Yu Huang's part has so far kept all Chinese officials out of Kansas City. Yu Huang is still too busy with the coastlines of the States to care about Kansas City anyway. But Shiro remained aware of all opportunities.

Indeed, a fight with a powerful Spectre left Shiro in possession of a strange Artifact that was empowered with Arcanos he was not familiar with (Usury). He personally delivered it to his commanders in Edo, risking Imperial foes to travel. He was promoted to captain as a result; with his talent, wisdom, and will, he was more recently promoted again to the rank of marshall within the Fist. Lastly, Shiro remained keenly aware of his loneliness. Though always strong of heart (and thus, weak in darkness), Shiro felt the pang of need for companionship. This quiet spirit silently searched for his destiny.

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The P'o

The P'o lurking behind Shiro's Hun seethes like a suppressed demon. Shiro's self-control is immense, almost implacable. His Shadow strives hard every day and night to overcome the stately wraith. So far, it has had little success. But prowling spectres whisper to Shiro's P'o and teach it patience: time will wear the powerful ghost's will down. Then the P'o will rise triumphant and claim another soul for Oblivion.

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Artifacts & Relics

Revolver
Type: Relic
Level: 4
Origin: This relic manifested with Shiro upon his Reaping.
Description: This is a standard 1940 Japanese-issue sidearm. It chambers six rounds and packs a heckuva punch.
Effects: 1) shoot stuff
Pathos Costs: Relic: 0, #1: 1
Activation: Cock the hammer, aim, and pull the trigger. Naturally, the ghost has to put enough heart into the act of firing a gun to make it work in the Underworld.

True Jade Katana
Type: Artifact
Level: 3
Origin: This rare Artifact manifested with Shiro upon his Reaping. Indeed, True Jade manifests only as relics do. However, its durability is as great as the most sturdy Artifacts -- as strong as Stygian steel in fact.
Description: This wondrous sword glows emeraldine green when drawn, and can cut through nearly any material in the Underworld, including white jade.
Effects: 1) inflict aggravated damage, 2) shatter/cut through white jade and lesser materials
Pathos Costs: Artifact: 0, #1: 0
Activation: Just draw it from its sheath and swing away.

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Significant Other

Dirty old man! Shiro’s longing for love took an unexpected turn after adopting young Jori Oshikoji in 2003. The childish wraith needed a mentor. Their friendship blossomed beyond either’s expectations as Shiro grew more protective of Jori. Gentle love is shared between the two now, as Shiro realizes he’s making love to a girl in spirit. But as they say, when love hits, love hits. And all one needs is love. These two may have a lot of obstacles to overcome in the future. On the other hand, they’re dead. So is the world in which they dwell. Chances are, no one will really care…

But Shiro always cared. He was always reluctant to let Jori serve the Fist of Nippon despite her eagerness. In 2008, to his horror, he watched her slide into a Nihil trap. He dove into the Tempest after his sweet companion, but the darkness kept them agonizingly separate. She finally resurfaced, a little more mature, and a whole lot more dedicated to standing at Shiro's side.

Jori

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Weakness
Sentimental Echoes

Shiro is an icon of a glorious past, a past he refuses to let go of. Take the high-flying cavalieristic veneer of the 1940s and a sprinkling of bushido stoicism and you have this ghost in a nutshell. That also means he views the world through a black and white tint. Everything is love or hate, good or evil; Shiro has difficulty accepting moral "grays" even though he's immersed in the gray of the afterlife.

Likelihood of Corruption

Average.

Shiro's P'o has grown cunning over the decades. However, Shiro's Hun is still very strong. Whereas many wraiths when they reach Shiro's age begin to corrode on the inside (if not outside), Shiro is still as Oblivion-defiant as he was the day he was cut from the Caul. The fact that his P'o is and always will be quite active, however, indicates the psychological and spiritual danger Shiro faces.

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