User:54x69x61x6ex64x61x6f/Seifubanshoudou

History
The current home of the Takamuko family was built by the fortieth head of the Takamuko clan, Takamuko no Gennojo. Construction began late in 1776, and was completed in 1782. Originally, it was to fulfil two functions - being the home of the Takamuko family in the region, and also to serve as the administrative office for the village of Yamamorijuku. As such, it is somewhat larger than a typical house, and has space set aside for offices, meeting rooms, and other official functions.

By the early 1830s, several other notable families had settled in the region, and a new administrative office was constructed closer to the centre of the growing town. As such, large portions of Seifubanshoudou fell into disrepair, and remained more or less unchanged until after the sealing of Gensoukyou. The head of the clan at the time, Takamuko no Hyogonosuke, was pushing for an aggressive policy of human expansion, and believed that the prominent families should set an example of progress and forward-thinking. A large part of this, to him, involved projecting the right image - and so he oversaw a complete renovation and expansion of the family’s home, with the end result being its current state - that of a large, almost self-sufficient compound on the edge of the village.

Under the current head of the clan, Takamuko no Yoriyasu, Seifubanshoudou has been declared off limits to all except those in the employ of the family, or anyone who has obtained written permission to enter. Even then, visitors are only permitted to access the reception hall, unless accompanied by Yoriyasu himself, or one of his personal retainers. So strict is the security, that not even the village militia is allowed to enter the grounds under any circumstances. The family’s own guards patrol the grounds and the surrounding roads, and any trespassers will no doubt receive a harsh punishment.

Place Description
Seifubanshoudou itself is a large manor built in the Shinden-zukuri-style. The entire compound is surrounded by walls, with Yagura (watchtowers) at each corner. There are three gates - two opening onto the road leading into the village, with one being a larger Karakado gate for the use of important individuals, and a simpler gate for the delivery of goods and general daily use. A third gate on the far wall opens onto a small dirt road that leads past the village’s farmland and ultimately to the edge of the forest of magic.

Inside the walls lie the house itself, which can be divided into the old and new sections and the gardens, which include a large pond, lying in between the two halves of the house. The old house is more utilitarian, but also less used - it includes much of the old administration offices and other official buildings. The “new” house is somewhat more luxurious, and includes the reception hall, main hall, living quarters for most of the family, studies, dining rooms, and other such places. The storerooms, kitchen, and servant’s quarters comprise their own group of buildings, linked to the main house by a tanrou, or covered walkway.

Trivia

 * The pond at Seifubanshoudou is fed by a small river that runs all the way from the misty lake, and also supplies much of the water for the farms outside the village.


 * There is a old kyouzou, or sutra repository on the mansion grounds - it is located in a secluded corner of the gardens and surrounded by several other buildings. Originally built by one of the prior clan heads, it is unlikely to be used, but seems to have been maintained. It is unknown what, if anything, is kept there.