Isawa Kaiyoko

Isawa Kaiyoko was Master of Water at the turn of the 12th century. Despite her lengthy tenure on the Council of Five and her decades of service to the Phoenix Clan, she was best known for her embarassment and defeat in the Battle at Fate Gorge.
== The Battle at Fate Gorge ==
During the Battle at Fate Gorge, Kaiyoko led the forces of the Isawa family against an army of Matsu. She decided to send eight Shiba Bushi into the command tent of the enemy general, Matsu Uniri to assassinate the general the night before the battle. To the rest of Rokugan, the act was likely to have been seen as a cowardly plot, but to the Isawa, it seemed an effective use of surprise tactics combined with their special magical aptitude.
The surprise attack did not go as planned. The Shiba killed Uniri, but failed to take into account his daughter, Matsu Tsuko. Tsuko was not a threat that Kaiyoko had calculated at all, and as a result, Uniri's wife, Matsu Yunaki was still alive to lead the armies of the Matsu the next morning. Way of the Phoenix, pp. 42-43
== Retirement ==
Despite her spectacular failing at Fate Gorge, Kaiyoko remained Master of Water for some time. Kaiyoko eventually retired from her position as Master of Water, knowing that Isawa Tomo, despite his inexperience, was ready for the position. Way of the Phoenix, pp. 77-78
Category:Phoenix Clan Leaders