As part of her dowry, Kachamaru's mother's family offered a stables that adjoined their land. There are few acres of adjoining grazing. The land was sheltered, but a steep rise made it unsuitable for cultivation. There were few horses, and only a few hands on the staff.The stables brought in some meagre income, and from time to time wandering performers would use the sloping land to relay news and put on simple entertainment for the local people. This brought in a few extra silvers every year, and these events quickly became more and more popular.
After some years the horse livery side of the business declined, and a number of wandering theatrical troupes came to settle at the former stables. They converted the buildings into living quarters and started to generate some income by teaching local students in calligraphy, art, dance and rudimentary martial skills.
By the time Kachamaru was born, the school had expanded. Now it was a fully formed theatrical and martial school. His family all had close associations with the school until it was time enough to send his elder brother to the proper academy. Kachamaru was duly bound to head off to the academy at age ten, but his mother's failing health delayed his decision. He helped to nurse her for several years, all the while under the tutelage of a senior instructor at the school, who was part thespian, part shugenja, and part physician. By this time other graduates from the school had set up their own schools, and also taught a blend of theatrical, peaceful and martial arts to the next generation of students.
His father has since retired. His older brother was killed in battle, and his father has returned to help nurse his mother. Kachamaru's father has announced his retirement, and presented Kachamaru with the family dai-sho and a place at the academy to finish his training - thanks for his devotion and duty.
It is a difficult time in this frontier land. Popular theatre doesn't sit very well with the formalised ritualistic Noh theatre, seen as traditional samurai entertainment. The family have a duty to their business partners, and need income from the school to help the family fortunes. Several students at the school have started poking fun at authority figures. This has good popular appeal, but has brought the school and family under the spotlight as potential troublemakers. There may be some officials who would like the school disbanded. The senior instructor, Fujimiya, has been singled out as the chief troublemaker. His future does not look so good.