Blog - Tale of Ronin

The Bakufu-Han System: Feudal Government Structure in Edo Period Japan

History / September 28, 2023 September 28, 2023

When the last of Japan’s three great unifiers, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power, he had a problem. His predecessors, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, had both failed to establish a lasting regime that could endure after their deaths. In 1603, Ieyasu created the Edo bakufu—also known as the Tokugawa Shogunate—to legitimize his rule. Thus the …

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Tale of Ronin Game Features

Announcements / September 14, 2023 September 14, 2023

We’re thrilled to unveil our latest Game Features video for Tale of Ronin! In this new preview, we’re taking you deeper into the heart of our game and giving you a taste of what’s in store for all the aspiring Ronin out there. Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of feudal Japan, …

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Taira no Masakado: Japan’s Most Famous Vengeful Ghost

History / August 31, 2023 August 31, 2023

Vengeful ghosts are a staple of Japanese folklore. The most famous and the most culturally-relevant today is the onryo, a vicious ghost that indiscriminately curses those unfortunate enough to be near the spirit or the subject of its revenge. And among onryo, the most famous is probably the ancient samurai known as Taira no Masakado. …

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Artwork depicting a humanoid, but decaying and undead figure standing in an unnatural stance.

Magatsuhi no Kami: The Gods of Disaster

Mythology / August 24, 2023 August 24, 2023

Magatsuhi-no-Kami are kami of Japan’s native Shinto belief system. Like other powerful kami, they are treated as a mighty, deity-like force that can directly influence the world on a massive scale. However, Magatsuhi-no-Kami stand out from the crowd by being the kami of disasters. According to the Shinto creation myth, the Magatsuhi-no-Kami—or rather, Yasomagatsuhi-no-Kami, translated …

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A digital ink-style artwork of a cherry blossom tree, with a thick trunk and branches leading to bright pink sakura flowers.

Cherry Blossom Symbolism in Japanese Culture

History / August 17, 2023 August 17, 2023

In Japan, the arrival of spring brings forth an enchanting spectacle that captivates both locals and visitors alike—the blooming of cherry blossoms. These delicate flowers, known as “sakura,” hold a deep-rooted significance in Japanese culture and history. They bloom for only a short time, often for as little as 14 days. During that period, the …

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An inkstyle digital artwork of a Komuso Monk. It shows a figure standing with blue robes, and their shoulders, arms, and hands are wrapped in cloth. A woven bucket sits on their head, and they hold a long flute to their mouth.

Komuso: The Flute-Playing Monks of Emptiness

History / August 10, 2023 August 10, 2023

Few images are more distinctive than the iconic silhouette of the komuso monk. These mendicant monks traveled across Japan in the Edo period, begging for alms and observing the land. Their uniform consisted of a kimono, a woven basket worn over the head, and a traditional bamboo flute called a shakuhachi. During this period, they …

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An ink style digital artwork of an Onryo standing with claw like hands, a tall unnatural body draped in robes, and scraggly hair.

Onryo: Japan’s Wrathful Spirits of Vengeance

Mythology / August 3, 2023 August 3, 2023

The concept of the wronged dead returning from the grave for revenge is likely universal. However, the Japanese onryo stands out even among other spirits of vengeance. The distinctive appearance, tragic circumstances, and destructive curse of onryo are enough to make them horror icons even today. In short, an onryo is the vengeful spirit of …

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An inkstyle digital artwork of a samurai mediating with a peaceful face on the left. On the upper right screen it shows two samurai fighting, with one swinging their sword in a successful hit with red ink symbolizing a splash of blood.

The Mind of a Samurai

Game System / July 27, 2023 July 27, 2023

Samurai were required to be physically strong to perform effectively in combat. However, mental strength was just as essential as physical strength. Meditation and zen were integral parts of the samurai lifestyle designed to help warriors develop mental fortitude. In Tale of Ronin, this focus on the mind of a samurai is reflected in the …

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The Japanese Warring States Period: 100 Years of Civil War

History / July 20, 2023 July 20, 2023

The Japanese Warring States period, also known as the Sengoku period, lasted for most of the 15th and 16th centuries. It was a violent and turbulent era where the land lacked a central government. The Imperial Court had lost most of its power and the descendants of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first Shogun, were unable …

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An ink-style drawing of Kabuki and Kabukimono, gangs of flamboyantly dressed samurai, from Edo period Japan. The art depicts three samurai standing with a third as a larger visage hanging in the air.

Kabuki and Kabukimono: The Violent Birth of an Art Form

History / July 13, 2023 July 13, 2023

Kabuki is one of Japan’s most iconic forms of traditional performance art. It combines music, dance, and theater with elaborate costumes and sets. Today, kabuki is internationally acclaimed, but it originated as the art of the people during the 1600s. Between the late Warring States period and the early Edo Period, the kabukimono movement arose …

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