(Player's note: I know there's the stories and biographies page for this kind of thing, but I figured that since I already had this thread made that I may as well continue to use it to introduce new characters as they come into play. As well, Ishi Sato has been temporarily retired - as in he's been deleted. He will more than likely not be seen anywhere other than here in forum RP.)
Sugawara Jino. The name, much like the man, is not one of importance. Along with his faithful canine companion Tobimaru, Jino travels the trade lanes of Sirius in his Firefly Transport, the Shachimaru, looking for the path to enlightenment. He is not a man of many words, but when he does open his mouth to speak it is usually to bedazzle the conversation with some sort of zen kōan. One must be cautious of this man, however, for while he speaks and acts the part of the Monk he is at heart a Samurai. Due to his pro-Blood Dragon policy, many speculate that he used to be a member that eventually chose the life of a Ronin in order to see what lay beyond Kusari's borders.
Misc. Notes of Interest about Jino -
* While not the best or most competent of pilots, Jino is a reportedly well versed in martial arts, the art of swordplay and the use of firearms. It is rumored that he once dispatched (read: knocked unconscious) a half-dozen Kusari Military Police officers single-handedly when they attempted to apprehend him on suspicion of consorting with certain unlawful elements.
* What would normally be the recreation and dining area aboard a vessel like the Shachimaru has been dedicated entirely to the act of meditation. Almost a million credits were spent converting it into a walk-in forest complete with a pond, a small bamboo grove and various plants of Kusari origin. (This same room also houses Jino's rather impressive bonsai collection which he takes meticulous care of.)
* The name of Jino's ship, Shachimaru, is named in honor of the mythological Orca from the hit action-adventure video game Ōkami. In Ōkami, Shachimaru was the name of the Orca that the Goddess Amaterasu rode on when crossing the ocean.
* Similarly, Jino's canine companion, Tobimaru, is named in honor of the dog of the young orphan Kotaro from the critically acclaimed Japanese animation motion picture Sword of the Stranger.
* The visual basis for Jino can be seen here.