Houko was a Lion village which once was attacked by Mirumoto forces, shattering the defending Lion troops. The visitor ronin shugenja Ekuro knew the Mirumoto commander, and thus knew Houko would be put to the torch. In the gates of the village he challenged the approaching forces, summonning a series of Elemental weapons, defeated the attackers and slew the Mirumoto general. Ekuro spent months recovering under the care of the grateful villagers of Houko.