The Disciples of the River was formed by the disciples of Kitsu Sonosuke, a shugenja whose power was borrowed from the kami of the Drowned Merchant River. They were recruited among those talented water Kitsu Shugenja who lacked the pure bloodlines to become Kitsu Sodan Senzo or the militant spirit to join Bishamon's Chosen. The Disciples tended a series of small temples near the Drowned Merchant River or one of its tributaries. The Disciples were seen as eccentric but well-meaning and honorable by the rest of their clan.