Clan Yama Kaminari

 Still as mountain,
quick as lightning.
Clan Yama Kaminari began as a small group within the Society for Creative Anachronism loyal to Sir Ogami Akira. After a few years of false starts, the concept of Clan as it now exists came to be: A group of groups, united for a purpose and loyal to a common ideal.

The purpose of Clan is to have fun, work together with friends and to create an effect. We have a basic rule: If it isn't fun, don't do it. We are very proud of what we have accomplished and what we have become. The Clan is Japanese in form and symbolism, but we do not require or even suggest that any person or group have a Japanese persona. It is the diversity of the individuals within Clan that makes us who we are.

Yama Kaminari is founded on the concept that the function of the Clan is to enhance the individual member, not to restrict him or her. To that end, we believe that the newest member is as equally as important as the Daimyo. Formality is reserved for official functions and to impress visitors.

We join together to create an effect, not to live it.

We believe that each person should participate as much as they wish. Members are encouraged to contribute to Clan, and are appreciated when they do, but no one is required to perform tasks that they do not wish to (with the exception of the Daimyo and the Bugyo who have specific duties.)

Yama Kaminari is not a Household. It is a Clan. We are a group of groups. Because of this, we do not have a sense of “family” so much as a sense of “families”. No one is an “insider,” no one is an “outsider.” Our strength lies in our differences. Each group within the Clan is different. Each group has its own perception of what it means to be in Clan. The unifying element is the desire to be with other people who share similar goals and needs, and to work towards accomplishing them.

Clan Structure

 The structure of the Clan is based upon that of 16th century Japanese clans. There are three levels in the structure: the Daimyo, the Bugyo and the Membership. These are much-shortened descriptions taken from Clan by-laws. The Bugyo is the ruling council of the Clan. Its members are appointed by the Clan Master for an appointed term. The Bugyo consists of five members: the Hatamoto, the Karo, the Juro, the Shokunin, and the O-Dai.

Daimyo

 Sir Ogami Akira
The Daimyo serves as a figurehead and a unifying symbol. He has the power to hire and fire members of the Bugyo. He may veto its ideas and may suggest actions or projects, but he may not unilaterally direct them. He is responsible for the major decisions and affiliations that affect the Clan externally, although he is required to consult the Bugyo before committing the Clan to any major position or action.

Hatamoto

 Cecily of Whitehaven
The Hatamoto organizes projects, keeps track of membership, must anticipate and solve problems, resolve disputes, plans and runs the War encampment, advises the Clan Master, keeps track of Clan property, and directs the daily operations of Clan.

Karo

 Jorunn MacDonald of Clanrandal
The Karo is the chief personal retainer to the Clan Master. The Karo must act as social secretary to the Clan Master, keep an appointment book, greet visitors to the Clan encampment, stand in for him when he has a scheduling conflict, and direct the personal retainers. In addition, the Karo also must try to make sure that the Clan Master eats, sleeps and presents a proper appearance.

Juro

 Sir Christopher Rawlins
The Juro is responsible for directing the Clan’s fighters, for instructing them in the techniques of Japanese warfare and for getting them where they need to be when they need to be there. He leads the Clan fighters when the Clan Master is not present.

Shokunin

 Kusunoki Fumio Bun-ami AKA Master Morien ap Rhys
The Shokunin is responsible for the “stage dressing” of Clan functions, for researching and designing how to make things look good. The Shokunin also is responsible for advising everyone on correct procedures and etiquette for Clan functions. The Shokunin organizes and directs projects which affect how the Clan is perceived.

Daiko

 Michael the Tinker

The Daiko oversees Clan construction and repair/maintenance projects in their planning, execution, and funding. For example, the Gift Shop.

Shonagon

Bridget the Tinker's Wife

The Shonagon is responsible for helping to maintain the wa inside of Clan. As an advisor (and part-time executioner) to the Daimyo and Bugyo, the Shonagon anticipates and sublimates potential harmony disruption.

Membership
Membership in Clan Yama Kaminari is by invitation only.

We receive many inquiries regarding membership from people near to us as well as from around the world. We prefer to know the people in Clan personally before we extend membership. The membership process is as follows:

Full Membership
First, you should spend as much time with Yama Kaminari people as possible. Typically, the Pennsic War is the easiest place to find a lot of us in the same location. If you decide you fit in, and if we decide you might fit in, then a member of Yama Kaminari will privately suggest your name to the Bugyo or Ruling Council of Clan. The Bugyo will discuss the candidate among themselves. If, for some reason a member of the Bugyo objects, then no invitation will be extended. If the Bugyo has no objections, the candidate's name is then presented to the Daimyo of the Clan who has final say.

Associate Membership
A second way to gain membership into Yama Kaminari is by associate membership.
Associate Membership is attained:

  • By joining one of the households which have membership in Yama Kaminari.
  • By having a relationship (i.e., squire, man at arms, retainer, apprentice, spouse, child etc.) with a member of Yama Kaminari.

We appreciate everyone who would like to be a part of Yama Kaminari. For those whose situation makes it impossible to join, we still are more than happy to make new friends and share ideas and information. For further information please contact the web mistress.

The Clan Kamon and It's Usage

 Written by Anna Malakina
The Yama Kaminari kamon (or mon) is the personal kamon of Sir Ogami Akira, Daimyo of Yama Kaminari. It is registered as his device with the SCA College of Heralds and the European blazon of the heraldry is as follows: Gules, a triangle argent within a delf voided and fracted in cross argent.
The Daimyo kindly allows and encourages members of Yama Kaminari (including members of associated households) to use his personal device to signify membership of the Clan.

As the Clan kamon is the personal device of the Daimyo, the kamon must always be used in a manner that is respectful to Sir Ogami. (And the Clan as well.)

  • It should not be modified or parodied, including replacing the triangle in the center of the mon with anything else. *

The Daimyo likes his mon just the way it is. You can, however, put just about anything (within reason and taste) below the mon. Just don't change the mon itself. The mon should be white on red, though other colors may be acceptable (in keeping with Japanese Heraldry) for some applications, pending clear affirmative approval of the Daimyo**.

The Daimyo loves seeing his mon! He encourages you to wear it as a favor or on your sashimono so that people know that you are a part of his clan. He likes it on windscreens and on the gate. He would love to see it on the top of your personal Japanese banners, and just about anywhere that is tasteful and respectful to the Daimyo.

  • If you are unsure if your idea of mon usage is tasteful, err on the side of caution. Ask the Daimyo to see if he responds in an enthusiastically positive manner**, or bounce your idea off of someone like Sir Christopher and see if they make a nasty face or if they think it's cool. If they think it's cool, check with the Daimyo just to be safe.

When using the Clan kamon on a Japanese banner or sashimono, the mon should be in the following order:

  1. Top-most kamon: Clan mon
  2. Second kamon: household (if applicable)
  3. Bottom kamon: personal device

For a sashimono, you can use the Clan mon alone, however personal banners should include your personal device.

  • The mon can even be used on be used on European style banners, such as those long triangular war banners!
The Clan mon may also be used to mark anything that is Clan property, such as Clan boxes, Clan wagons, and the like. You can also use the mon on your own personal items, if you like.
  • Only the Daimyo may use his mon in conjunction with the kanji for his name, and only the Daimyo may lace his mon into his armor. Hey, ownership has it's privileges.
*There is no grandfather clause to this usage guideline. Please do not change the mon or display a changed mon.

**Note that clear affirmation is generally along the lines of "Yes." or "That would be sex on ice." If it's not an absolutely positive "go do that!", it's a no, even if it's not the actual word "no."