Ashidaka was a young woman who presented herself to a contest summoned in 150 by the first Emerald Champion, Doji Hatsuo. He would bestow his favor to the swordsmith who could supply him with the greatest blade. Another pair of the Empire's greatest blacksmiths forged and presented each one a sword, as Ashidaka did. The first tested his blade splitting a huge bulder in two. The second sliced a flying petal in two. Ashidaka kicked a cherry tree, and none of the falling leaves fell on the blade. Hatsuo selected the last, because its spirit was so strong, even the leaves knew to avoid the blade.