Kakita

Legend of the Five Rings card from Dawn of the Empire

Card Type

Personality

Force

4

Chi

6

Honor Requirement

10

Gold Cost

12

Personal Honor

5

Clan

Crane

Keywords

Duelist, Loyal, Unique, Crane Clan, Disciple, Kami, Samurai

Card Text

Players must focus at least once per duel if able.
After a duel ends, the winner draws a card.
Before the first focus or strike of a duel involving Kakita, set his Chi equal to the Chi of the Personality he is facing, and remove that Personality's Double Chi, until the duel ends. You may only focus once during this duel, but with one to three cards.

Legality

Age of Enlightenment (Lotus), Rain of Blood (Diamond)

Erratum

Second trait errata'd in the Lotus Edition rulebook.

Deck

Dynasty

Printings

Rulings

• Erratum: The winner of the duel draws one card, not the same amount as he focused. [Erratum, Lotus Edition rulebook, 31 October 2005] Rules Archive, August 18, 2007, p. 107

Rules Q&A

• Q: If Kakita or Mirumoto focus with multiple cards and their opponent then plays Smoke and Mirrors, what happens?
  A: Exactly what it says in the card text: Discard the last card. Martin Lund, "Rules for 25 January 2005", 31 Jan 2005
• Q: 9) Kakita again: can I focus two cards and the third with Tsuma Dojo?
  A: Sure. Kakita doesn't care where the cards are coming from. Tsuma Dojo says that you use a card in the Discard Pile instead of a card from your hand. That works fine. Martin Lund, "Rules for 24 January 2005", 31 Jan 2005
• Q: In conclusion Saori can target a bowed duelist (ie Kakita) who then issues a challenge to another personality. Is this correct? I think so, but I'm not sure if I missed any rules/rulings.
  A: That's all correct.
  As for suggestions about working with the Rulebook, those should be directed to Design - Jeff Alexander in particular. Martin Lund, "Rules for 16 January 2005", 20 Jan 2005
• Q: So Kakita can play a say Smoke and Mirrors on his opponent 1st focus, then focus 3 cards on the second opportunity???
  A: Yes. Martin Lund, "Rules for 15 January 2005", 20 Jan 2005
• Q: And what is considered "focus" now? Is a reaction "instead of Focusing" who provide no actual focused card (ie Smoke again) considered focus or not? And if yes, how does that interact with the Kakita example above?
  A: No. It is distinctly and explicitly Not Focusing - hence the use of the word "instead." That's why Kakita can Focus at the next opportunity after Smoke and Mirrors and still abide his restriction that he only focuses once.
  It is entirely possible, however, that you take a Reaction instead of Focusing that actually causes you to Focus in some special way as one of its effects. Martin Lund, "Rules for 15 January 2005", 20 Jan 2005
• Q: It was ruled a month ago that Kakita and Mirumoto just remove the option to strike unless we have used an "option to focus" in the form of a card or of a reaction instead of focusing.
  A: I don't remember that ruling. I remember ruling that you can't strike unless you've Focused - though discarding the Focus card with say, Smoke and Mirrors, has no impact on whether you have Focused or not. Playing a Reaction "instead of Focusing" does not count as focusing unless the card makes you Focus as part of its effects. Martin Lund, "Rules for 12 January 2004", 14 Jan 2005
• Q: I have Kakita bowed in play. My Saori bows for her duel and targets a duelist, Kakita. Is this legal? or should Kakita be straightenend.
  A: Completely legal.
  Saori is the Personality on which the Action resides, so SHE performs the Action. That's Rule #1 on the Performing List, so that's who is performing the Action. Do not pass "Go," do not collect US$200.00. You never get to ANY of the Rules under which Kakita could Perform the Action (rules 3 and 4).
  This looks to be a case of players confusing their short-hand explanations "bowed Personalities can't challenge" with the - actual rules - "Bowed Personalities can't perform Actions that issue challenges." Martin Lund, "Rules for 4 January 2005", 8 Jan 2005
• Q: If so,can it be prevented by effects that stop such bonuses/penalties(like,say,a shugenja casting
  "Wholeness of self" on Kakita)?
  A: Wholeness of Self won't work, since Kakita is a card in his own unit, and Wholeness of Self doesn't prevent modifiers, "from cards in that unit." Martin Lund, "Rules for 21 December 2004", 27 Dec 2004
• Q: I have a question about kakita and Mirumoto traits: Does it apply in duels involving kakita and mirumoto or ALL the duels issued by your personalities while those two are in play?
  A: They both have some traits that do not specifically reference them, but rather apply to all duels while they are in play.]
  This would include: "Personalities must focus at least once per duel if able. After each duel, the winner draws as many cards as he focused," for Kakita and, "After each duel, the winner draws a card," for Mirumoto. Martin Lund, "Rules for 14 December 2004", 20 Dec 2004
• Q: That's a major change from the rules, so I don't think you understood the situation.
  I control Kakita with 5 cards in my hand. My opponent controls a personality with 0 cards in his hand. I play an unrefusable challenge. My opponent cannot focus so he declares strike. Do I still get to focus or not?
  A: [MARTY] Oh, I see what you're getting at now.
  "Players take turns focusing until one strikes." (Diamond Edition Rulebook, page 89)
  Once someone strikes, that's it. There are no further opportunities to Focus. Kakita doesn't change that, if that's what you are asking.
  - Marty Lund Deputy Rules Monkey Martin Lund, "Rules for 11 December 2004", 13 Dec 2004
• Q: Kakita is in play. Kakita says that "personalities must focus at least once per duel if able". So we know that this is not just for Kakita's duels. However, he also reads: "the winner draws...". I notice that there is no "may draw". So this means that they must draw? Correct?
  A: Yes. Martin Lund, "Rules for 6 December 2004", 10 Dec 2004
• Q: When Kakita focuses, it says that he 'may focus', but why does it say 'may' when his previous text indicates that he clearly must focus?
  A: "May" has to do with extending the option to him use your choice of 1-3 cards to Focus instead of just one. This is still a - Single - Focus.
  Also, as Jeff has explained to me, Kakita's statement of "must focus at least once if able," prohibits you from Striking unless you've already struck or can not focus. You can still use Reactions instead of Focusing freely. Martin Lund, "Rules for 6 December 2004", 10 Dec 2004
• Q: Also he may only focus once, with this can Kakita play Smoke and Mirrors or ditch Wrath of the Emperor (since both are "instead of focusing"), and if so, can he focus 2 (or is it 3) more cards with either of them or did they take up the entire ability of focusing thrice?
  A: It takes up the entire opportunity to Focus, regardless of how many cards you are allowed to put down as a single Focus. Martin Lund, "Rules for 6 December 2004", 10 Dec 2004
• Q: What about if I use Shadow's Claw with Kakita? Do I get to focus thrice still (even though one of the cards came from Shadow's Claw) or only once? Also, if I keen eye Shadow's Claw, does he still get to focus thrice?
  A: No. Shadow's Claw replaces Kakita's opportunity to Focus in which he could focus as many as 3 cards with its own special instructions to Focus with that ONE card you selected. Martin Lund, "Rules for 6 December 2004", 10 Dec 2004
• Q: Tsuma Dojo Are cards focused using Tsuma Dojo considered as if you focused it from your hand? Could Kakita still focus 2 more cards if using the reaction off of Tsuma? And would he be rehonored from a Tsuma'd Fortune's Smile?
  A: No. They are not considered to have been Focused from your hand. Tsuma Dojo lets Focus a card that isn't in your hand in the stead of a card from your hand. It can be one of the 3 cards you use in Kakita's focus - and you will focus it face-down like any other card you focus.
  Yes, traits on the Focused card would still trigger, such as Fortune's Smile. Martin Lund, "Rules for 6 December 2004", 10 Dec 2004
• Q: Last questions, I am playing blade of truths and Kakita is on the table. I become involved in a duel. I react with the blade of truths and name a 2 which is the only thing in their hand. Does this count as having to focus but only "if able"? Or in other words, can they focus, must they focus, or
  A: If they don't have any cards they can legally focus, then they are not considered to be "able" to focus, and may choose to strike. Martin Lund, "Rules for 6 December 2004", 10 Dec 2004
• Q: Kakita is in play. Kakita says that "personalities must focus at least once per duel if able". So we know that this is not just for Kakita's duels. However, he also reads: "the winner draws...". I notice that there is no "may draw". So this means that they must draw? Correct?
  A: Correct. Martin Lund, "Rules for 4 Decemeber 2004", 9 Dec 2004
• Q: When Kakita focuses, it says that he 'may focus', but why does it say 'may' when his previous text indicates that he clearly must focus?
  A: Because it says, "May only focus once." That phrasing is there to tell you that you can't focus with Kakita more than once in a duel. Martin Lund, "Rules for 4 Decemeber 2004", 9 Dec 2004
• Q: Also he may only focus once, with this can Kakita play Smoke and Mirrors or ditch Wrath of the Emperor (since both are "instead of focusing"), and if so, can he focus 2 more cards with either of them or did they take up the entire ability of focusing thrice?
  A: Kakita does not focus thrice. He focuses once, using up to 3 cards instead of just 1.
  And no, you he can't play a Reaction instead of Focusing - this would clearly violate the rule laid down by his Trait. Martin Lund, "Rules for 4 Decemeber 2004", 9 Dec 2004
• Q: What about if I use Shadow's Claw with Kakita? Do I get to focus thrice still (even though one of the cards came from Shadow's Claw) or only once?
  A: You couldn't focus thrice. It replaces Kakita's original focus (the one with the triple-card use) with its own focus and special instruction to focus with one card selected from the 5. Martin Lund, "Rules for 4 Decemeber 2004", 9 Dec 2004
• Q: Could Kakita still focus 2 more cards if using the reaction off of Tsuma?
  A: Yes. Tsuma Dojo lets you use the card from your Discard Pile in the stead of a card from your hand when focusing. Kakita lets you focus with up to 3 cards. Normally, these would come from your hand. Tsuma Dojo would make sure one of them was the card in your Discard Pile. Martin Lund, "Rules for 4 Decemeber 2004", 9 Dec 2004
• Q: Second question, I am playing blade of truths and Kakita is on the table. I become involved in a duel. I react with the blade of truths and name a 2 which is the only thing in their hand. Does this count as having to focus but only "if able"? Or in other words, can they focus, must they focus, or
  A: If they don't have any legal cards to focus (either due to having no hand, or only ineligible cards in their hand) then they aren't able to focus. Martin Lund, "Rules for 4 Decemeber 2004", 9 Dec 2004
• Q: +Kakita vs smoke and mirrors I have Kakita dueling another personality. If I react to my first focus/strike opportunity with smoke (if legal) can I still focus with 1-3 cards in my next opportunity or must I strike?
  A: Yes. You still have not focused in this duel (you played a reaction instead), so you aren't violating the "may only focus once" restriction. Martin Lund, "Rules for 2 December 2004", 6 Dec 2004
• Q: Kakita + Enmity What happens if Kakita enters a duel with the Personality he was "enmitied" with? A: They have equal Chi B: The other Personality has +2 Chi
  A: It is all about timing. The +2 Chi kicks in as soon as they two Personality are in a duel with one another. Setting Kakita's chi equal to that of the opponent comes before the first opportunity to focus or strike. Kakita's trait will always kick in after the +2 Chi of Enmity is in place.
  Short answer: "A" Martin Lund, "Rules for 24 November 2004", 26 Nov 2004
• Q: In what order do these triggers occur after a duel?
  1. I win a duel with Kakita. I draw cards equal to the number I focused, including a Legendary Confrontation. May I play it?
  A: "After winning a duel" comes well before "after each duel." It even comes before the outcome of winning or losing (gain 5 honor, destroy the loser, etc.), which also happen earlier than "after each duel." Martin Lund, "Rules for 20 November 2004", 23 Nov 2004
• Q: 2. I win another duel with Kakita. I draw cards equal to the number I focused, including the Ring of Fire. May I play it?
  A: No. Again, Kakita happens when the duel is concluded, which is different that after you win a duel. Martin Lund, "Rules for 20 November 2004", 23 Nov 2004
• Q: 3. I win another duel with Kakita. I play the Ring of Fire in reaction to winning the duel. May I bow it in reaction to the duel ending?
  A: Yes. You play it after winning, then you use the ability after the duel itself ends (which comes later). Martin Lund, "Rules for 20 November 2004", 23 Nov 2004
• Q: I didn't want to put specifics in when I asked the question because I thought that Dawn questions weren't being answered yet. Since Dawn's rules changes (smal though they are) are now in effect, I'll add in the specifics.
  Kakita and Mirumoto both have traits that let the winner of a duel draw extra cards after winning the duel. Neither of those traits say "while Kakita/Mirumoto is in play", so according to the current rules, they will always generate those effects.
  My questions are 1) Will Kakita and Mirumoto allow you to draw extra cards after winning a duel while they are in your discard pile?
  2) Will Kakita and Mirumoto allow you to draw extra cards after winning a duel while they are in your deck or face down in your provinces? (I'm assuming that you'll either be required to show your opponent or show a judge/neighboring player these cards before the games starts to verify that they are in your deck if the answer to this question is yes.)
  3) Will Kakita and Mirumoto allow you to draw extra cards after winning a duel while they are face up in your provinces?
  4) Will Kakita and Mirumoto allow you to draw extra cards after winning a duel simply by existing in the game if they're not in your deck or your opponent's deck at all - after all, the traits still exist even if they're not in either of your decks.
  A: No, no, no, no.
  Something important was left off the Dawn rulesheet. This:
  Abilities and Traits [p. 63] While traits of a card are always active, even while the card is not in play, the traits of a card that is not in play do not affect anything except that card itself. Martin Lund, "Rules for 8 November 2004", 12 Nov 2004
• Q: If I enter a duel with Mirumoto or Kakita who has a sword of gales attached and I challenge a personalinty with say 2 chi, does their chi stay where it is because their minimum chi is 6?
  A: Yes. Zen Faulkes, "Mirumoto/Kakita and sword of gales", 15 Mar 2005
• Q: If Kakita (or Mirumoto for that matter) is targeted by Amaterasu's Blessing, does this mean when you reajust his chi in a duel it can never go below 5?
  A: Yes.
  Stat minimums are imposed after all other bonuses and penalties are applied to the stat.
  If Kakita dueled Koto, he'd give himself a -6 Chi Penalty, to a 1 Chi total, but than the Blessing would force the stat to have a value of 5.
  Of course, Kakita would then Focus with up to 3 cards. If he focused a 1 a 2 and a 3, his Chi would now be 7 again.
  7 - 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 7 5 so no minimum applied.
  Remember, the minimum or maximum is always applied dead last, regardless of the order of the bonus or penalty effects. Martin Lund, "Kakita + Amaterasu's Blessing", 12 Mar 2005
• Q: If I focus during a duel and Kakita is in play and my opponent Smoke and Mirrors my card does that still count as a card focused for the purpose of drawing after the duel if I win.
  A: Yes. You focused. The trait does not say anything like "the number of focus cards revealed when a strike occurs." Zen Faulkes, "Kakita and drawing cards", 7 Mar 2005
• Q: Some suggest (not me) that if someone plays SMOKE AND MIRRORS after KAKITA has focused with his 3 cards, that ALL 3 (having been focused at once) would be discarded.
  A: "Last focus card" is singular. Only one goes. Zen Faulkes, "Smoke and Mirrors used against KAKITA", 7 Mar 2005
• Q: the first card focused by any player counts for BOTH (Shattered Focus) and Kakita.
  A: Correct. Zen Faulkes, "Re: kakita, focusing", 5 Mar 2005
• Q: Hello.
  i have seen these posts.
  http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13497
  http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12949&highlight=kakita
  They look contradictory to me.
  So i ask this:I m worng in this(the parentesis text)?
  Quote:
  i-kakita can play smoke as his opportunity and may not focus anymore.
  (this is false, since S&M isnt played as a focus , it is played intead of focusing and in resolution it doesnt have a effect that makes you focus other cards like shadow's claw count as focus because they have a effect that says "focus it/with...". So after play a S&M Kakita can still focus once.)
  "Reaction: Play instead of focusing in a duel to discard your opponent's last focus card without effect. Draw a Fate card."
  A: What Zen is saying is that playing Smoke and Mirrors happens instead of the whole act of focusing, rather than just replacing one of the 3 cards Kakita would use in his Focus.
  After playing Smoke and Mirrors, Kakita still hasn't focused. If he gets another opportunity to declare a Focus or Strike (after the other Personality does), he can still make his "up to 3 card" Focus.
  Kakita hasn't focused yet, if you use Smoke and Mirrors instead of Focusing with him.
  However, playing Smoke and Mirrors still takes up Kakita's opportunity to declare a Focus or a Strike. Martin Lund, "kakita stuff", 5 Mar 2005
• Q: Quote:
  ii-before kakita focuses, his controller may use tsuma dojo's reaction for one among the three cards focused.
  (this is false, since the tsuma dojo's text says you only focus with one card, the same will happen with shadows claw, you only get to focus one card by the reacctions card text,so he cant use one of these reacctions and conbine them with more cards from the hand.)
  "Reaction: Before you focus in a duel: Once per turn, target a card in your Fate discard pile. Focus with it instead of a card from your hand. Remove it from the game after the duel ends."
  (Both effects make you focus a card, so Kakita must strike next time since he has indeed focused already in this duel.)
  A: You're incorrect about Tsuma Dojo. Tsuma Dojo is not played "instead of focusing" but rather "before focusing" and allows you to pick a card in your Discard Pile to "focus with it instead of a card from your hand." It is still your "normal" act of focusing, however, just with a different card pool.
  Kakita normally lets you focus with up to 3 cards from hand. Using Tsuma Dojo lets you focus with upto 2 cards from hand plus 1 target card from the Discard Pile. Martin Lund, "kakita stuff", 5 Mar 2005
• Q: the first card focused by any player counts for BOTH (Shattered Focus) and Kakita.
  A: Correct. Zen Faulkes, "kakita, focusing", 3 Mar 2005
• Q: Well, last time I checked, Kakita could play Smoke THEN on his next opportunity focus with 1 to 3 cards (unless he has another "instead of focusing" action)
  A: No. Playing Smoke and Mirrors doesn't count as you having focused in the duel, though it does take up your opportunity to focus. It is played "instead of" focusing.
  You're right, Kaze. In the example given, the player who called "Strike" could not have yet called it unless his hand was emptied due to some weird effect, since he has not focused yet.
  I missed which player had called "Strike" in the example. Martin Lund, "3 quick rules questions.", 23 Feb 2005