Hachiman

Hachiman, the Kami of warriors and Japanese culture is one of the most popular Kami in all of Japan after Inari. The eight banners and the dove are signs of his presence, however, the most definitive of his signs is the mitsudomoe. His symbol, the mitsudomoe, the three teardrops in a vortex, symbolizes flexibility and willingness to change so that one can prosper and succeed. His wisdom is that of reacting to the new and unexpected, changing to best respond to the situation at hand. He guided the warriors of Japan via bushidō and even incarnated himself as an Emperor once so that he might help them succeed in difficult times.

He seeks victory in all conflicts, not just military, and understands war by other means. While he appreciates Amaterasu’s passion for helping her people, he knows that she will never focus on organizing large groups and thus the task falls to him. He realizes that wars are won by logistics, organization, and proper training, not skirmishes or wild heroic deeds. Like Amaterasu, he loves and wishes to promote Japan and the Japanese people, to see them prosper, and he believes the best way to do so is by organizing them and helping them work together.

In modern times, he often appears as an interim CEO or a military reformer bringing in new ideas that increase effectiveness and efficiency. Often he appears as a mentor to a team of green, but eager to learn, young leaders. He will recount stories of his successes and failures, but there is always a lesson he is teaching.

His Scions have been famous military leaders, corporate presidents, anime, monster movie, and chanbara film producers, teachers, mentors, and those who would promote the positive aspects of Japan’s collectivist culture. Their zeal for hard work, confidence, and perseverance set them apart from others. If you meet a Scion throwing themselves into a difficult problem with gusto while shouting and encouraging others to join them, you’ve met a Scion of Hachiman. And when they succeed their enthusiastic shouts of “Yatta!” can be heard for miles.