Doji Tanaka was a member of the Crane Clan who lost several family members in over the decades of fighting at Toshi Ranbo, and as a result was a vehement detractor of the Lion Clan. He served as one of Doji Akiko's principal couriers for several years until his death in 1167 at the hands of bandits while traveling between the Crane and Phoenix provinces carrying Gozoku messages.