Mizurana Oak

Mizurana Oak trees [Akashiren: ミズラナ], Akashiren Oak trees or Tengaki Oak trees are a rare subspecies of Oak that grows on the steep slopes of Tengaki mountains. The tree is highly valued and under the national protection of the Akashiro Shogunate.
== Description ==
The Mizurana tree's porous nature makes it a less-than-ideal container or fire starter, and it was rarely used in physical craft, but often mentioned in ancient poetry and texts as a symbol of nobility and perseverance. 
== History and Lore ==
Feeding off the tiny streams of fresh water from the frozen peaks of Tengaki, it may take hundreds, or in some legends, even thousands of years for these trees to mature, and the majority failed to thrive through their adolescent years due to the unstable supply of natural alpine streams; but when one does survive, it’s curved beauty often stands isolated and proud.
As civilization progressed, the Akashiren people came to understand how to overcome the physical limitations of Mizurana and were able to develop techniques to craft the wood into a variety of objects. In skilled hands, they were made into luxurious furniture for the Shogun and nobles, and great brewers were able to overcome the harsh oak notes and imbue the hidden mellow aroma underneath in their decades-old barrels of alcohol. 
Many adventurers have perished attempting to the top of Tengaki for Mizuranas, either trapped in snow and avalanches and frozen to death, or simply ran out of strength upon reaching the tree and collapsing from exhaustion and starvation.
As civilization grew, more of the snowtops melted and streams flowed, and the Mizurana hit their peak in numbers; however, the increased population quickly became unsustainable, and many of the lower trees lost their majestic form, making the old originals at the mountaintops even more valuable than before.
At the wake of the Warring Clans, the Mizurana became unprotected and many landed in the control of the many warlords and clan leaders, and those that resided mid-levels and below were largely stolen, some burned away in the great forest fires that have haunted the Akashirens. Worse yet, many had attempted to import oak from other parts of the world, sometimes crossbred with the remaining Mizurana, and planted them along the slopes of Tengaki in hopes of earning an easy quick buck.
After the conflict subsided, only a few pure Mizurana Oak remained, currently under direct protection and control of the Shogunate. As the restoration work of Tengaki progressed, some natural Mizurana saplings were eventually created. Additionally, true Mizurana barrels of wine are considered a national treasure and are often used as a symbol of promotion and wealth, the only time most citizens are allowed to taste drinks from them being when the Shogun offers them a cup during their promotion to the government councils as a sign of trust, and a reminder to be noble and stand tall amongst the hardships of challenge, like the Mizurana trees.
Category:Plants
Category:Flora
Category:Biota
Category:Akashiro
Category:Abexilas