Vassal family

A vassal family was a specific family line within one of the families of the Great Clans. Few minor clans had the numbers to support such a formation. These were families of lesser samurai who generally served a specific purpose within their parent family.
== Naming of Vassals ==
The naming conventions of vassal families were somewhat complex, especially in relation to the simplicites of family names in the great families. Within their family, parent family, and clan, members of the vassal families were called by their vassal family name. In this way, their often unique means of service to their clans were easily recognized. Secrets of the Unicorn, p. 5
To those outside of their clans, however, vassal family samurai were identified by their parent families' names. To use a vassal family's name to an outsider over that of the family which they served was an act of arrogance. In this manner, the individual would be implying that his lineage was more important and well-known than that of the family he served. 
=== An Example ===
For example, Naoko Sahijir was a member of the Naoko family, vassals of the Utaku family of the Unicorn Clan. To those within the Unicorn, she was known as Naoko Sahijir, as they were immediately aware of the relation of the Naoko and Utaku families. To those outside the Unicorn clan, Sahijir would be known most simply as Utaku Sahijir. If she wished to recognize her own family, particularly if she wished to be formal, she might introduce herself as "Utaku Sahijir of House Naoko" or as "Utaku Sahijir of Naoko." 
If an outsider was visiting the lands of the Unicorn, these protocol would remain the same, unless that visitor was within the holdings of the Naoko family. In such a case, Sahijir could refer to herself as "Naoko Sahijir," as it would be assumed that the visitor would know he was in the lands of the Utaku family and would already know of their relation with the Naoko. 
== Known Vassal families ==
Name 	Family 	Clan
Anou family 	Miya family 	Imperial Families
Aotora family 	Bayushi family 	Scorpion Clan
Ashidaka family 	Kakita family 	Crane Clan
Atsumaru family 	Agasha family 	Phoenix Clan
Battue family 	Iuchi family 	Unicorn Clan
Byako family 	Kitsune family 	Mantis Clan
Chirichi family 	Yoritomo family 	Mantis Clan
Chiyu family 	Tamori family 	Dragon Clan
Chukan family 	Asako family 	Phoenix Clan
Damasu family 	Akodo family 	Lion Clan
Edakumi family 	Suzume family 	Sparrow Clan
Endo family 	Hiruma family 	Crab Clan
Fujihiro family 	Daidoji family 	Crane Clan
Fundai family 	Kaiu family 	Crab Clan
Fureheshu family 	Ichiro family 	Badger Clan
Goraiku family 	Moshi family 	Mantis Clan
Goseki family 	Matsu family 	Lion Clan
Gyushi family (actually a Great Clan family on its own)	Former vassals of Daigotsu family 	Spider Clan
Hanako family 	Seppun family 	Imperial Families
Hateru family 	Ide family 	Unicorn Clan
Hayameru family 	Matsu family 	Lion Clan
Hiasobi family 	Tamori family 	Dragon Clan
Hiramichi family 	Daidoji family 	Crane Clan
Hiramori family 	Daidoji family 	Crane Clan
Hogosha family 	Yoritomo family 	Mantis Clan
Hoji family 	Yoritomo family 	Mantis Clan
Hosokawa family 	Ikoma family 	Lion Clan
Hyobe family 	Kasuga family 	Tortoise Clan
Hyuga family 	Utaku family 	Unicorn Clan
Ichime family 	Akodo family 	Lion Clan
Iga family 	Shiba family 	Phoenix Clan
Ikeda family 	Matsu family 	Lion Clan
Iongi family 	Komori family 	Bat Clan
Ise family 	Kitsu family 	Lion Clan
Ishi family 	Kaiu family 	Crab Clan
Itagawa family 	Akodo family 	Lion Clan
Iwasaki family 	Kakita family 	Crane Clan
Izaku family 	Agasha family,Tamori family 	Phoenix Clan,Dragon Clan
Jitsuyoteki family 	Shosuro family 	Scorpion Clan
Junichi family 	Daidoji family 	Crane Clan
Kaeru family 	Ikoma family 	Lion Clan
Kagehisa family 	Tsuruchi family 	Mantis Clan
Kakeguchi family 	Hida family 	Crab Clan
Kano family 	Yasuki family 	Crab Clan
Katai family 	Akodo family 	Lion Clan
Katogama family 	Doji family 	Crane Clan
Kenru family 	Kaiu family 	Crab Clan
Kenshin family 	Iuchi family 	Unicorn Clan
Kijuro family 	Morito family 	Ox Clan
Kochako family 	Shosuro family (formerly)Soshi family	Scorpion Clan
Koebi family 	Hida family 	Crab Clan
Koganshi family 	Shiba family 	Phoenix Clan
Koritome family 	Matsu family 	Lion Clan
Koshei family 	Tonbo family 	Dragonfly Clan
Kouken family 	Mirumoto family 	Dragon Clan
Maisuna family 	Kaiu family 	Crab Clan
Marta family 	Shinjo family 	Unicorn Clan
Meishozo family 	Kuni family 	Crab Clan
Morehei family 	Doji family 	Crane Clan
Moshibaru family 	Hida family 	Crab Clan
Murame family 	Ikoma family 	Lion Clan
Naganori family 	Yogo family 	Scorpion Clan
Nanbu family 	Soshi family 	Scorpion Clan
Nani family 	Asako family 	Phoenix Clan
Naoko family 	Utaku family 	Unicorn Clan
Nasu family 	Shiba family 	Phoenix Clan
Nobuto family 	Yasuki family 	Crab Clan
Noroko family 	Kitsu family 	Lion Clan
Onshigawa family 	Moto family 	Unicorn Clan
Raikuto family 	Hiruma family 	Crab Clan
Reju family 	Otomo family 	Imperial Families
Remiki family 	Tamori family 	Dragon Clan
Rokugo family 	Bayushi family 	Scorpion Clan
Sakura family 	Kitsuki family 	Dragon Clan
Satoshi family 	Miya family 	Imperial Families
Seizuka family 	Akodo family 	Lion Clan
Senkensha family 	Tonbo family 	Dragonfly Clan
Sesai family 	Shiba family 	Phoenix Clan
Shiko family 	Ide family 	Unicorn Clan
Shingon family 	Isawa family 	Phoenix Clan
Shudo family 	Kitsune family 	Mantis Clan
Sodona family 	Shiba family 	Phoenix Clan
Someisa family 	Kasuga family 	Tortoise Clan
Suguru family 	Tsuruchi family 	Mantis Clan
Suio family 	Ide family 	Unicorn Clan
Tansaku family 	Yogo family 	Scorpion Clan
Tashimi family 	Ichiro family 	Badger Clan
Tokagure family 	Shosuro family 	Scorpion Clan
Tsi family 	Hantei family 	Imperial Families
Tsume family 	Doji family 	Crane Clan
Ugawa family 	Bayushi family 	Scorpion Clan
Ugawari family 	Kuni family 	Crab Clan
Watanabe family 	Yoritomo family 	Mantis Clan
Yotsu family 	Seppun family 	Imperial Families
Zeshi family 	Iuchi family 	Unicorn Clan
Zurui family 	Mirumoto family 	Dragon Clan
* Secrets of the Crab, p. 3
* Secrets of the Phoenix, p. 12
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