Ambassador Natsuko Akayama [ADMIN NPC]

Name Natsuko Sereniti Akayama [ADMIN NPC]

Position Joint Fleet Command Member

Rank Ambassador

Basic Info
Personality
History

Character Information

Gender		Female
Species		El-Aurian Suspected
Age		1172

Physical Appearance

Height		5f6
Weight		125lbs
Hair Color		Black
Eye Color		Black
Physical Description		Slim, with dark black hair and brown eyes she stands at 5f5 and weighs in at 1320lbs. Being Japanese her body type is a light build and she is definitely that. Starfleet considered her not aging not that much of thing, they think she is an El-Aurian even though she does not match any of their DNA markers. Most just write it off.

Family

Father		Shiro Akayama - Deceased
Mother		Akiko Akayama - Deceased
Brother(s)		Nikko Akayama and Ichiro Akayama - Both Deceased
Sister(s)		Kameko Akayama and Yukiko Akayama - Both Deceased

Personality & Traits

General Overview		Likes: Sushi, Looking into other cultures Dislikes: People who try to push others around, Rapists and criminals. Quirks: Natsuko does not wear a uniform. She has a special admiral’s dispensation and she often wears comfortable clothing, such as jeans and tee-shirts. On formal occasions she will wear traditional Kimonos. She has many and when meeting aliens, always wears them as a badge of honor.
Strengths & Weaknesses		Natsuko is often seen as a shy person. And in a way she is. She is not one to spend time with other people. But she is not a total loner. She works hard and when she is not on duty, she likes to relax on the holodeck doing programs of ancient Japan gardens and villages. She is not one to date, the memories of her first death and the rape that happened then makes her very guarded around men.
Ambitions		Interests: Kendo, Rock Climbing, Playing the Koto, Swimming, skydiving, horse riding. Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Latin, German, Irish, Scottish, English, French, Italian, Indian, Spanish, Bajoran, Romulan, Bolian, Betazoid, Vulcan, Klingon and Cardassian Education: Educated in the stereotypical Japanese female role until 18. Samurai and Kendo training in a Buddhist monastery. Masters in Politics from Tokyo University. History, science and interstellar politics Degrees, on Vulcan. Starfleet Academy, Diplomatic training. Many different Language schools over the years.
Hobbies & Interests		Other information: Koto Information: The koto is one of the most popular Japanese traditional musical instruments. To many, the character of koto music is evocative of traditional Japan with the attributes of the western harp, dulcimer and lute. (Photographs from the Japan Festival Melbourne 2002. Click on image to enlarge). Many Japanese legends refer to the origins of the koto. A popular one says that the koto was formed in the shape of crouching dragon, a charmed and mythical creature of ancient Japan and China. The koto was brought to Japan around the end of the 7th century by Chinese and Korean musicians who came to play in the Japanese court orchestra, gagaku. By the 15th century, solo repertoires for koto, sookyoku began to emerge. In the early Edo period (around the 17th century), sookyoku was a popular source of entertainment for the wealthy merchant classes. The thirteen strings of the koto are stretched along a soundboard of nearly two meters made of hollowed-out paulownia timber. The strings were traditionally made of silk, nowadays synthetic. It is tuned for different songs by movable bridges of ivory or plastic. The koto is played with ivory plectrum on the thumb and the first two fingers of the right hand, the left hand applying pressure to vary the pitch. The music ranges from the simplicity of the traditional to the melodic as well as challenging contemporary pieces. Kendo Information: Kendo, the Way of the Sword is the art of Japanese Samurai Swordsmanship. It is rooted in the traditions of Budo, the Martial Way. It is both exhilarating and demanding to learn. Origin of Kendo Modern Kendo bears but faint resemblance to Kenjutsu and to its feudal origins of sword wielding samurai warriors which are today depicted in movies and television. Kendo, literally translated, "the way of the sword," cannot be traced to a single founder or given an exact founding date. The story of the rise of modern Kendo begins with the samurai and extends over the culture of several centuries. By the end of the 12th century, the authority of the Japanese central government had declined. Bands of warriors grouped together for protection forming local aristocracies. Feudalism had come of age, and was to dominate Japan for several centuries. With the establishment of the Shogun in Kamakura and military rule controlling Japan, a new military class and their lifestyle called Bushido, "the way of the warrior," gained prominence. Bushido stressed the virtues of bravery, loyalty, honor, self discipline and stoical acceptance of death. Certainly, the influence of Bushido extended to modern Japanese society and Kendo was also to be greatly influenced by this thinking. The Japanese warrior had no contempt for learning or the arts. Although Kenjutsu, "the art of swordsmanship," had been recorded since the 8th century, it gained new prominence and took on religious and cultural aspects as well. Sword making became a revered art. Zen and other sects of Buddhism developed and the samurai often devoted time to fine calligraphy or poetry. The next great advance in the martial arts occurred during the late Muromachi period (1336-1568) often call the "age of Warring Provinces" because of the many internal conflicts. This period brought an increased demand and respect for men trained in the martial arts. Consequently, many schools of Kenjutsu arose, eventually numbering about 200. Each was taught by a famous swordsman whose techniques earned him honor in battle. Real blades or hardwood swords without protective equipment were used in training resulting in many injuries. These schools continued to flourish through the Tokugawa period (1600-1868), with the Ittoryu or "one sword school," having the greatest influence on modern Kendo. Kendo began to take its modern appearance during the late 18th century with the introduction of protective equipment: the men, kote and do and the use of the bamboo sword, the shinai. The use of the shinai and protective armor made possible the full delivery of blows without injury. This forced the establishment of new regulations and practice formats which set the foundation of modern Kendo. With the Meiji Restoration (1868) and Japan's entry into the modern world, Kendo suffered a great decline. The Samurai class was abolished and the wearing of swords in public outlawed. This decline was only temporary, however, interest in Kendo was revived first in 1887 when uprisings against the government showed the need for the training of police officers. Later the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) again encouraged an awareness of the martial spirit. Consequently in 1895, the Butokukai, an organization devoted to the martial arts was established. In 1911, Kendo was officially introduced into the physical education curriculum of middle schools and in 1912, the Nihon Kendo Kata, a set of regulations for Kendo, was published. In 1939 as Japan prepared for war, Kendo became a required course for all boys. After Would War II, because of its nationalistic and militaristic associations, Kendo was outlawed and the Butokukai was disbanded. However by 1952, supporters of Kendo successfully reintroduced a "pure sport" form of Kendo, called Shinai Kyogi which excluded the militaristic attitudes and some of the rougher aspects of practice characteristic of prewar Kendo, into the public schools. Today, Kendo continues to grow under the auspices of the All Japan Kendo Federation, the International Kendo Federation, and federations all over the world. Although the outward appearance and some of the ideals have changed with the changing needs of the people, Kendo continues to build character, self-discipline and respect. Despite a sport like atmosphere, Kendo remains steeped in tradition which must never be forgotten. For here lies the strength of Kendo which has carried it throughout history and will carry it far into the future. Kendo Equipment Kendo equipment consists of the swords, uniform and armor. There are two types of wooden swords used. First, the bokken or bokuto, a solid wood sword made of oak or another suitable hardwood. The bokken is used for basics and forms practice (kata). Second, the shinai, is made up of four bamboo staves and leather. The shinai is used for full contact sparring practice. The uniform or dogi consists of woven cotton top called a keikogi and pleated skirt-like trousers called a hakama. The armor or bogu consists of four pieces: the helmet (men), the body protector (do), the gloves (kote), and the hip and groin protector (tare). Modern Kendo armor design is fashioned after the Oyoroi of the Samurai. Kendo Practice A Kendo practice is composed of many types of training. Each type has a different purpose for developing the Kendo student. Kendo, like other martial arts requires discipline and a dedication to training. A new student begins with learning the basics such as: etiquette (reigi), different postures and footwork, and how to properly swing a sword. The student progresses through a series of skills preparing them to begin training with armor (bogu). Once a student begins to practice in armor, a practice may be composed of any or all of the following types of practice and this will depend upon what the instructor's focus is at a particular time: Kiri-Kaeshi: successively striking the left and right men, practice centering, distance, and proper cutting while building spirit and stamina. Waza-Geiko: technique practice in which the student learns to use the many techniques of Kendo with a receiving partner. Kakari-Geiko: short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness, the ability to attack no matter what has come before, as well as building spirit and stamina. Ji-Geiko: sparring practice where the kendoist has a chance to try all that he or she has learned with a resisting partner. Gokaku-Geiko: sparring practice between two kendoist of similar skill level. Hikitate-Geiko: sparring practice where a senior kendoist guides a junior kendoist through practice. Shiai-Geiko: competition matches which are judged on the basis of a person scoring valid cuts against an opponent. Kendo Kata Almost all martial arts have a set of kata. Kendo is no exception. Kata are pre-set sequences of motions which illustrate very deeply one or more aspects of the art. Repetitive practice of kata internalizes the lessons of the kata. Kendo kata are practiced with a solid wooden sword called a bokken. There are ten kendo kata specified by the All Japan Kendo Federation. Each kata studies a single set of concepts in a very pure setting allowing the practitioner to delve deeply into these concepts. Kendo kata are practiced between two people, the Uchitachi and the Shidachi. In kendo kata, the Uchitachi attacks the Shidachi who in turn demonstrates a proper response to the attack. Seven of these kata are illustrations of the technique of the long sword against the long sword. The last three kata illustrate the short sword defending against attacks by the long sword. Prior to the invention of the shinai and bogu, kata were the only way that kendoists could safely practice. Originally, the role of Uchitachi was taken by the teacher and the role of Shidachi by the student. This tradition carries over into modern Kendo kata in that the Uchitachi always sets the pace and distance at which the actions are performed. Kendo Philosophy No attempt will be made here to present the philosophy of Kendo. Each Dojo will have similar but slightly different ideas of what Kendo should be. The student must discover through their Dojo and themselves what this is. The All Japan Kendo Federation Kendo has presented a Meaning of Kendo. Samurai Information Samurai (侍 or sometimes 士) is a common term for a warrior in pre-industrial Japan. A more appropriate term is bushi (武士) (lit. "war-man") which came into use during the Edo period. However, the term samurai now usually refers to warrior nobility, not, for example, ashigaru or foot soldiers. The samurai with no attachment to a clan or daimyo was called a ronin (lit. "wave-man"). Samurai were expected to be cultured and literate, and over time, samurai during the Tokugawa era gradually lost their military function. By the end of the Tokugawa, samurai were essentially civilian bureaucrats for the daimyo with their swords serving only ceremonial purposes. With the Meiji reforms in the late 19th century, the samurai were abolished as a distinct class in favor of a western-style national army. The strict code that they followed, called bushido, still survives in present-day Japanese society, as do many other aspects of their way of life. Etymology of samurai The word samurai has its origins in the pre-Heian period Japan when it was pronounced saburai, meaning servant or attendant. It was not until the early modern period, namely the Azuchi-Momoyama period and early Edo period of the late 16th and early 17th centuries that the word saburai became substituted with samurai. However, by then, the meaning had already long before changed. During the era of the rule of the samurai, the earlier term yumitori (“bowman”) was also used as an honorary title of an accomplished warrior even when swordsmanship had become more important. Japanese archery (kyujutsu), is still strongly associated with the war god Hachiman.

Character Background

Personal History

Born to an influential family in Toyama, Japan in approximately 1569, Natsuko was meant to be the perfect daughter, she was the second born child and the second eldest of 5. Her parents arranged a marriage with the son of another wealthy family, but before they could marry, war struck through the provinces of Japan. In 1587, Her family were caught in the crossfire and slaughtered. Her mother and sisters were raped as was she and they all were stabbed multiple times. Hours later, Natsuko opened her eyes and found the carnage of her family’s bodies. Panicked she ran for her fiancée’s house but found the same carnage there. Sickened she returned to her family house and packed her belongings. Knowing that the soldiers could return at any moment she left her home, taking her belongings and family treasures. They included, her father’s swords, her mother’s Kimono’s, the family’s money and jewelry. She hitched two of the family’s horses to a cart and loaded it. She left her family acres that night, fleeing in the midst of war and terror. She made her way to a small temple where she appealed for sanctuary. The temple guardians gave it and she lived there for many years.

It was during this time that, her lack of aging came to the fore. The guardians noted that she never aged. And thought she was a demon. Again, she fled in the night. She wondered if she would ever be left alone. She fled to the Tateyama mountains to the highest peak where there was a monastery of Buddhist priests. Since ancient times in Japan, mountains have been regarded as places where the gods lived, and even just 100 years ago, ordinary people still feared to venture very far into the mountains. Only those mountains which had been climbed and consecrated by early Buddhist priests were open for devout ascetics as pilgrimages. Tateyama Mountains in Toyama Prefecture, one of the Three Sacred Mountains in Japan along with Mt. Fuji (on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures) and Mt. Hakusan (Ishikawa Prefecture), comprise of steep 3,000-meter-class peaks soaring with dignity. Among them are Mt. Oyama, where a shrine was built in the 8th century on summit, and Mt. Tsurugidake (meaning "sword mountain") which, named after its sword-like sharp points, is popular with serious rock-climber in the modern world.

It would be later discovered that she was not a normal human. She was immortal. One could kill her but she would revive 3 hours later. SO PLEASE NO PUTTING HER IN COFFINS. She confessed everything to the head priest who realized that the young woman before him was no demon, but blessed by the gods. They took it on themselves to train her in the way of Kendo and samurai. She trained for nearly 100 years, toning her body and mind into the art of Kendo. She gained the title Samurai in 1678 but continued to train. In 1756, she left the monastery and returned to Toyama Prefecture. She brought her old family holdings and set up home there. She became a recluse for many years, hiring only those she trusted to be her contact with the outside world. As her home was far from the center of the city, she lived peacefully, occasionally leaving, faking her death and then staying away for 20 years or so. When world war 2 happened she was witness to the carnage in her country of origin. Angry at the callousness of the people in control of Japan, she went to university and studied politics in Tokyo. Pleased with her new found knowledge she set herself up as a political consultant and began to subtly mold the future of Japan. When the peoples of Earth began to explore the space, she was intrigued and went to Vulcan to study their culture. There she dabbled in sciences, history and interstellar politics.

For many years she traveled through the newly founded federation and worked with the people of it. With her education in Politics and Battle strategy she was always finding work. In 2353, she joined starfleet. She went to the academy but was given credit for her past and she only spent two years there. She graduated in 2355 and was sent to the USS Melbourne as a Diplomatic officer.

She took with her, her family sword, the sword collection, all of her family treasures. She still had her family home and she goes there every year on leave. After the Melbourne she was transferred to the USS Galaxy and then to the USS Cairo. When she got to the Cairo she was promoted to full Lieutenant and given the position of chief of Diplomatic Affairs. But the USS Cairo was not her cup-of tea and after a year there she was transferred to Starbase One as a plain diplomatic affairs officer. For two years she worked there, and then in 2370 she was transferred to the USS Harriman where she was Chief Diplomatic Affairs officer for 2 years. In 2372, President Jaresh-Inyo asked her to be his chief Diplomatic Aide for the duration of his presidency. He promoted her to Envoy and she was also a senior advisor to him during the four years.

After her four years as a presidential advisor, Natsuko was offered a job as professor in Diplomacy at Starfleet Academy. She took it and spent the next four years teaching. In 2380 she took an LOA for a year before returning to teaching for another three. In 2384, she was offered the Chief Federation Diplomat post on Freedom Station.

She moved from that station in 2386 and took a sabbatical for 4 years trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. She spent four years on Earth relaxing and spending time working with diplomats at the Academy, but as an advisor not as a lecturer.

Then she resigned her commission and became a Civilian Advisor to the Academy officially.

After nearly five years, she was offered the role of Civilian Administrator on Langley Station.

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