Gozen Taka

Scion of a Dutch trading and diplomatic family, based in Nagasaki. Well-traveled and educated. She was raised by an uncle when her parents were lost at sea. Her uncle was somthing of a rogue, but well-connected, intelligent and analytical. Taka has learned everything from formal English ettiqute to navigation. SheÕs a decent swordswoman, very good archer, adept at kenpo. Good linguist. SheÕs also a descendent of samurai through her motherÕs (yes, motherÕs) family. She has taken the name Gozen to honor Tomoe Gozen, and fit in a bit better. Her own familly name is possibly Irish. Or Dutch. We'll see Taka really is her family nickname.

She is ostensibly a companion for hire, specializing in assisting European women who have brief reason to be in Nippon. Also helps with the setup of European households. Specializes in teaching court Japanese and general ettiquite to Westerners. Occaisonally asked to consult for Japanese in regards to European customs.

ThatÕs all a bit of a cover for her more exacting profession, as a bodyguard for women.

Her real trade is information gathering. She may be doing this at the behest of the Dutch government, she may be doing it for her merchant familiy, or she may just recognize the advantages of knowledge.

Appearance

This is how Kaoru describes Taka when she meets her in Hawk and Dragon:

Before her stood one of the most exotic and striking beings she had ever seen. It was a tall, willowy woman in what looked like a rather narrowed Chinese tunic and wide trousers in fine light tan linen, edged in heavy but simple embroidery. Heavy turquoise earrings dropped from her lobes. Her hair was the changing glitter-and-shadow of a golden eagleÕs wing, and dropped to the small of her back in a thick braid. A few wisps of bangs fell over a high forehead to accent wideset eyes the shifting green and blue of a storming sea. Her features were fine-boned and chisled, with a thin, straight nose and a small but full mouth, as deep a pink as dark rose petals. All in all, she struck Kaoru as looking like a very pretty hawk.