> > This is also contrary to what I have read.  In fact
> I've never read anywhere on any sites or in any posts
> that Yosho gave Funaho to Tenchi and that the Master
> Key is the key to Tsunami.  Kagato's own words say the
> sword is useless when cut off from Tsunami's power
> thus implying it was the Key to Tsunami.  Also, Kagato
> was trying to get his hands on the Master Key.  He
> wants Tsunami so why bother with capturing a second
> generation tree like Funaho that cannot turn into a
> ship anymore?  

1)  Funaho-ki is a FIRST-generation tree.  :-D  That's why Yosho is a canidate to
the throne of Jurai after his father.

2)  While there is a record of tree's being passed from one person to the next (Azusa
for example), this did not happen in episode 5.  Yosho is still using Funaho's powers
to keep his Katsuhito disguise.  Funaho is keeping him alive.  This would not
happen if Funaho had decided to make Tenchi her partner. 

3)  Tenchi-ken (Sword Tenchi) is THE Master Key.  It is not coincidence that the sword
and Tenchi Masaki have the same name.  That said, I don't think the Master Key would
control Tsunami as such per se, but it would allow the user to interface with
her better.  That is the purpose of all keys is to allow the user to better access
their tree-ships.

Master Keys can override can take control of younger-generation trees.  We saw this
in episode 2 and again in episode 5.  With Tenchi-ken, we also saw that it rose to
Tenchi's defence in episode 1 by creating a shield (LHW?), then activating to parry

Ryoko's attack, and finally cutting off Ryoko's arm. 

> No, there is too much evidence in
> support of the idea that the Master Key is the key to
> Tsunami and that Yosho did not give Funaho to Tenchi. 
> He doesn't need a royal tree since he himself has his
> own power.  I've done a search of several sites and
> found nothing that supports your claims.  Much of this
> has been debated in the #WASHU#, #SAS#, and RFFC
> groups a few years ago.
> 
> Think about it.  On the Soja Tenchi was cut off from
> the Tsuanmi's power thus the Master Key was useless to
> him.  If he was cut off from Tsunami he would have
> been cut off from Funaho also.  In ep 13 Yosho
> referred to Funaho as if the tree was still his tree. 
> All of this points to the idea that Yosho is still
> bound to Funaho and the Tenchiken is the key to
> Tsunami.  Must of this is what is supported by what
> others in #WASHU#, #SAS#, and the RFFC were able to
> find out when this was debated before.
> 

Yeah, that's all true.  I've also felt that Tenchi-ken accepting Tenchi immediately
made him a proven heir to the throne.  Tenchi having his own powers would pretty much
make the throne his should he wish it.