Chambara, The Spirit of Japan

Travelling through Japan an enigmatic swordsman whose past is cloaked in myth and legend, some say he fought Minamoto Yoshitsune to a standstill. Others assure he was the one to deliver the killing blow on Oda Nobunaga murder in Honnoji. Some historical documents place him in Sekigahara fighting for the Tokugawa, or in the Ichijo-ji Pine helping Musashi against the 70 members of the Yoshioka Ryu. He fought in Kyoto during the Bakumatsu in the side of the Ishin Shishi and the myth tells he defeated Okita Soji in single combat. Upon the dawn of the 20th Century his mysterious sightings turned scarce, the only time he appeared was in three separate occasions during WW II. He helped a soldier to fend off American troops in an island of the pacific as the soldier did it to protect his fellow comrades. He appeared in America, protecting a Politic Prisoner that wanted to protect a family heirloom and last but not least some saw him weeping in Hiroshima, walking in the rubble, like the ghost of a long past Era.

Who is this man? Is he a man at all? Some of the historians and chroniclers working for the JHWAB discovered several nicknames he used through time. During ancient periods, like the Muromachi Jidai some considered him a Yokai or an Ayakashi a supernatural being. During the Sengoku Jidai he was called Rurouni, as he wandered through all states showing up wherever a powerful swordsman appeared or somebody wanted to protect their own ideals but lacked the strength to do it. He even got several nobility titles after helping in wars. But his most lasting nickname and the name he usually responds to is Chambara (Clash of Swords) as everywhere he goes the sound of steel against steel can be heard. From all the titles he gathered through time the most important should be Go-Daimyo (Protecting Warlord), gifted to him after saving Ieyasu Tokugawa’s life from an assassin sent to get his head in the midst of Sekigahara. Chambara doesn’t care much about titles and the little of his words registered show that his focus is swordsmanship, plain and simple.

There hasn’t been a single 21st Century reported apparition of this elusive character that some venture to call “The Spirit of Japan” yet, but the historian hope he appears, as he always did to protect who withheld the Bushido. Chambara never helped a foreigner; his skills are only in service of the Japanese people for some reason. Whoever withholds Japanese pride, customs and traditions and is in need of dire help will summon Chambara to his aid as he is the Spirit of Japan and the Samurai’s Pride, or maybe he is something much, much weirder.


Chambara usually appears as a 6'11'' fully armored Samurai, with grey and red as his main colors. His face is hidden behind a warrior's mask and his body is surrounded by vapor-like energy oozing like some kind of devilish smoke.

Chambara is clearly supernatural, capable of lifting up to 10 tons of weight, move with ease at supersonic speeds and being able to resist cannonballs or WWII artillery without any wounds. His senses are enhanced and he can perceive and damage spectral enemies. His whole body is covered in armor and he carries a Daisho Pair, The Katana is called Nanashi (Nameless) and the Wakizashi is called Omongui (Giant Killer). Yet what are especially important about him are his skills.

Chambara has demonstrated mastery upon every sword-style created in Japan, as if he learns them all from the simplest strike to the most complex kata. His skill with the blade is not unmatched, as he lacks what others warriors would call “Spirit” (Kiai) and he lacks any kind of blood lust. Still he shouldn’t be underestimated as pure refined skill is more than enough to seal the deal most of the time. He tends to rely in one sword styles mostly and in the basics of swordsmanship.

Chambara is not a being but the cristallized ideals of a country and its people. He represents he utmost values the Japanese People hold dearly.