Matsu Mokote was a Lion bushi who became the ronin Mokote because he had defended a village that the Matsu had ordered evacuated. He moved to the village of Mimura and learned the art of lacquerware from the aged Dosan, taking over his shop after the old man died. Mokote took two apprentices, Ryokai and Tadashi, honoring Dosan's last request, to train other young men so they would never be slaves to the land.