As I have mentioned previously, I have been playing a Yojimbo/Shuggie deck with good success for some time now, and Ikuko is going to be amazing in there. 4/3 for 7 Duelist • Yojimbo (having both of those is very key) and can bow a unit? Ikuko is amazingly solid. Enjoy!

I read her ability and thought... meh! Then I re-read her ability and um, wow!

Yojimbo... check
Duelist... check
Inbuilt Osano-wo's Rebuke? ZOMFG that's awesome!

For the cost of bowing a Ring? What about Earth after you've cracked a province while trading them with your opponent? Or in the midst of a pitched battle when you've dropped Air, or Water and then snap! She's downed a unit (not personality, the whole unit!) and for chi buffing you can have a weapon (though not the Tempered No-dachi if you plan to duel); possibly one with an action that kills attachments, for better operation with the ability.

I think she's a damned solid card, possibly could be better if there were more +2C items available but I suspect that they'll come... I'd love for one additional PH on her, for better interaction with Chasing Osano-wo, but... Last Gift? Armor of Command? Doji Armor? OK, the last one I need slapping over, but still.

And flavour text that doesn't sound like it comes from a cheesy anime! This I am happy about too

To make her really, really work you need a shugenja, a +2 chi Item and a ring in play ....

These are all 'ifs and buts and coconuts' Damen, the fact IS she is back to the good ol' days of synergy, as a peep on her own she is meh.

To make her really, really work you need a shugenja, a +2 chi Item and a ring in play, all of which is possible, but that much effort for a bow? Yeh, that's good.

I distinctly remember you promising us more info on that deck but we still haven't see anything . There was even some pretty heated discussion going on about it at the time if I recall correctly.