(I've CC'ed you in case this post doesn't go through.)

True Sheol wrote:
>>So, even if Tenchi-ken is a special master key, it's not for Tsunami, 
but .<<

AstroNerdBoy wrote:
>But what?  :-D<

     Fixing the sentence: So, even if Tenchi-ken is a special master key, 
it's not from Tsunami, but from Funaho-ki .

     The "101 Mysteries" (old translated version) reiterates:

----------
13.      What's the master key? 
Answer:
It is carved from the Ouke no Ki (Tree of Imperial Family). 
More details ...
The sap of the trees often crystallizes into a jewel on its branch. If a 
good one if found, it is cut out together with the branch and carved into a 
key.  The partner of the Tree keeps it and nobody else can use it unless 
the partner wishes so.  However, when the life of the Tree and/or its 
partner is in danger, the master key will override and take command. A 
master key is the key for the 1st generation Trees. Therefore, Youshou's 
key (Tenchi Sword) is a master key while Aeka's is just a normal key. This 
is why Tenchi, with his master key, could release Ryoko from Aeka's jail in 
ep.2. 
----------

     For emphasis, "A master key is the key for the 1st generation Trees.  
Therefore, Youshou's key (Tenchi Sword) is a master key while Aeka's is 
just a normal key."  The clear implication is that Tenchi-ken is Youshou's, 
that it was made from his Tree, and therefore it is from Funaho-ki.  This 
is in keeping with the reason that Funaho-ki needed the power from Washu's 
gems held in Tenchi-ken.  If Tenchi-ken had a connection with Tsunami, then 
Funaho-ki should have been able to draw power from her and therefore not 
needed the gems.

>In regards to the ring, is there any material that states its purpose?  
For me, the ring was simply something to give Tenchi some clothes, 
specifically Juraian Battle Garb (TM) like that worn by Aeka.  I would 
guess the battle garb has some importance if Aeka changed into it, but 
what, I don't know.<

     Tenchi's ring was originally discussed in Kajishima's online Q&A.  It 
is no long available online, but the Q&As were reprinted in Kamidake Onsen 
circle's doujinshi "Ianryoko Tomjitsu no Yoru 3".  The battlewear / 
combatsuit is part of a system akin to a Guardian system (Tarant uses a 
particularly nasty Guardian system in GXP).  According to the STM novel 
Youshou, there are different settings/modes and functionality might differ 
from one Guardian system to another.  Basically, the user does not have to 
be conscious or aware of a threat for the system to work.  So, at the very 
least, it is a combat-worthy, environmental suit.

>I've often thought this was Kajishima's way of answering the 
question, "Where'd Tenchi get those clothes in episode 6?"  So he had a 
scene in episode 7 where Tenchi has a wooden ring, accidently activates 
it, "transforms", then Ryu-oh's seed convienently pops out so that Ryu-oh 
can be reborn.  :-)<

     It's a part of the story that Kajishima chose to hint at.  Consider 
the death/rebirth of Ryo-Ohki.  The full explanation would have been too 
tedious to explain, so it wasn't mentioned in full.  Likewise, ring is 
important but might have given away too much if it was really explained.

>However, you do bring up an interesting item.  The ring is apparently 
crafted from a part of Tsunami-ki.  If this is true and assuming that 
Sasami's key in episode 2 is also from Tsunami, then Tsunami is capable of 
giving out powerful artifacts from herself to those important to her.  So 
it is still possible that Tenchi-ken is a creation of Tsunami's.<

     There is no indication from the 101 that it is the case.  Rather, the 
101 indicates that it is from Youshou's partner, Funaho-ki.  Also, it would 
not answer the question as to why Funaho-ki needed the power from Washu's 
gems if it had a connection to Tsunami thru Tenchi-ken.  Additionally, if 
Tenchi-ken was from Tsunami, then why would she need to give the ring to 
Tenchi as keys apparently provide access to that equipment/functionality to 
their users.

>I think it has been clearly established that Tenchi-ken is not Funaho-ki's 
key in light of the fact that Azusa had it in his battle with Kagato and 
Ryoko YEARS before Yosho was born and partnered with Funahi-ki.  So, what 
do we know?<

     I was told that as well, but I've since decided that someone jumped to 
conclusions without proof.  As far as I've read, there is no mention of 
Tenchi-ken in Azusa's battle with Kagato and Ryouko.

>1) Tenchi-ken is a Master Key.<

     True.

>2) All 1st-generation tree's keys are master keys and can control lesser-
generation tree's.<

     True.

>3) There have been a maximum of FIVE 1st-generation tree's partnered in 
Jurai's history (the number may be off by one depending on how Mitsuki is 
counted, but I haven't been able to see how she factors in yet).  Two of 
those are Azusa and Yosho.  For some reason, I want to say the first 
emperor of Jurai and his sister had one, but that may not be true (TS or 
someone, correct me on this).<

     There is no mention of the Royal Tree of the first king of Jurai or 
his younger sister's.

>4) Keys draw power from the tree that they were created from.<

     True.  The 101 Mysteries and Kajishima's Q&A are clear about this.

>5) Tenchi-ken has been owned by at least three people (Azusa, Yosho, and 
Tenchi), two with 1st-gen trees and one with no tree.<

     There is no indication of this at all, from what I've read of STM: 
Jurai.

>I would also like to state that there are no accidents in the world of TM!
R.<

     Not true.  Utsutsumi's falling upon Seto was definitely an 
accident.  :D  Now, there is a lot of mention of destiny and fate in the 
STM novels.  Even Tsunami thought that it would take millions of years for 
Tenchi to appear.  It turned out to take only thousands of years.

>It was no mistake that Azusa was sent to Earth.  It was no mistake that 
Yosho ended up at the same spot years later.  It was no mistake that 
Tsunami was in the right place at the right time to assimilate Sasami-
chan.  It was no mistake that Tsunami allowed Aeka (and the "stowaway" 
Sasami) to leave Jurai and go missing for ~700 years.  You get the 
point.  :-)<

     Even Choushin need a vacation?  (LOL)

>True Sheol stated he didn't think that Tenchi-ken is Tsunami's key.  I got 
to thinking about that, especially in light of the fact that Sasami-chan 
has a master key.  Sasami's key *should* be Tsunami's key since that would 
make sense.  :-P  Sasami is not partnered with Ryu-oh, and until she and 
Tsunami are one, Sasami couldn't control Ryu-oh without something.  Only 
partners of trees are given keys to that tree.  Thus, if Sasami had a key 
that overrode Aeka's commands, it must be a master key.   Since Sasami is 
officially partnered with Tsunami-ki, it is reasonable to assume that the 
key is from Tsunami.  I don't think that can be argued.<

     Sasami might not need a key since she is Tsunami, much like Kazuki 
Yotsuga didn't need to touch the control balls on Jinmu to control the 
giant robot.

>However Tenchi-ken is a master key but with it being passed down and 
controling 1st-generation trees, it couldn't be from a 1st-generation 
tree.  Yosho used it to interface with Funaho-ki and generated LHW's 
(Funaho-ki's doing).  Aeka used Tenchi-ken to access Funaho-ki's memory 
banks to see the time of her arrival on Earth.  Funaho-ki was a very 
powerful tree among 1st-gen trees (I believe it was the most powerful 1st-
gen tree but I may be mistaken), but since Tenchi-ken wasn't hers, 
something more powerful had to have created it.  It wouldn't make sense for 
a first-gen tree to control another, and if Funaho-ki is the most powerful 
1st-gen tree, then other 1st-gen trees would have no say.  Besides, Kirito-
ki is the only other 1st-generation tree currently partnered with someone 
and an active part of the Juraian fleet.<

     Again, I have found no evidence that indicates that Tenchi-ken has 
been passed down from on person to another.  Thus, your entire line of 
reasoning is likely built upon a very shaky foundation.  Regarding Aeka's 
use of Tenchi-ken, the answer is easy.  From the 101 Mysteries: "The 
partner of the Tree keeps it and nobody else can use it unless the partner 
wishes so."  Youshou let Tenchi take Tenchi-ken.  (Youshou also knew that 
Aeka would show up.)  Tenchi later gave Tenchi-ken to Aeka.  The 101 
indicates that the key is at least semi-intelligent, so it can likely 
detect and know who it can permit to use it.

>[snip] In light of not seeing this information (I don't recall True Sheol 
ever stating, but I'm sure he'll correct me if I'm wrong), I look to Tenchi-
ken.  If Tsunami gave Tenchi-ken to the first Emperor as a sign that she 
and her trees would protect his family (the Masaki family BTW), not to 
mention Jurai, then it would be a pledge to the rulers of Jurai of 
Tsunami's promise.  That would explain why Azusa had it.  Once he was 
partnered with a 1st-generation tree (an EXTREMELY rare occurance), Azusa 
would be (and was) the automatic canidate to be next ruler of Jurai and 
would have the inside track.  After all, if a 1st-gen tree is going to 
partner with you, you are all but a shoo-in.

If Tenchi-ken is an heirloom to rulers of Jurai or those with 1st-gen trees 
(who would be assumed the next rulers of Jurai), it would make sense that 
Azusa would be given Tenchi-ken.  Tenchi-ken's acceptance of Azusa would be 
just another confirmation of his being the successor to the throne.  Then 
Azusa armed with Tenchi-ken goes on his Warrior's Journey.< 

     Why would Jurai need a pledge from Tsunami?  If she did not protect 
the Royal Family, it might have been impossible for her to find Tenchi so 
quickly.  I once wondered about Tenchi-ken being used to identify a 
prophesied person (i.e. Excalibur in "La Morte Arthur"), but that might 
have well been the red-herring that threw Kagato off the trail.  (^_^;)  
So, Kagato was looking for Tenchi, but thought it was Tenchi-ken, Youshou's 
key.

>[snip] Once Yosho has Tenchi-ken and is stranded on Earth, Tenchi-ken's 
role changes from weapon/master key to guardian (sealing Ryoko)& holder of 
Washu's gem-balls. There is some thought that Tenchi-ken was also the relay 
of the gem-ball power to Funaho-ki. But did Tenchi-ken relay the gem-balls 
power? 

I'm not aware of any information either way that states whether Tenchi-ken 
was the relay or not.  We know that Funahi-ki was cut off from drawing her 
power from Tsunami by being rooted on Earth (vs. the special containers) 
and to stay alive, Funaho-ki began drawing power from the gems.  However, 
if Tenchi-ken could act as a power relay, then it should be able to relay 
Tsunami's power.  But keys aren't power relays in that sense.  They can 
store power and use power from the tree they were created from, but feeding 
power BACK to a tree makes no sense.  Trees do gain power from other trees 
(and all ultimately get their power from Tsunami) but not from keys.<

     Modern energy grids are designed that way (thus able to support 
cogeneration), as are many UPS systems.  The same system that takes power 
from the batteries is capable of charging them.  Since Funaho-ki no longer 
had its roots in subspace connections to Tsunami and other trees, it needed 
the power from Washu's gems.  As episode thirteen indicate, Funaho-ki used 
the power from the gems, not Tsunami.  Funaho knew this.  Had Tenchi-ken 
been from Tsunami *and* usable as a Funaho-ki's interface with the gems, 
there is no reason why the Tree could not have just as easily gotten power 
from Tsunami instead.  Applying Occam's Razor results in the conclusion 
that Tenchi-ken is from Funaho-ki, not Tsunami-ki.

>This brings me to the naming of the sword.  If Tsunami was looking for 
Tenchi and gave the sword/master key to the first Emperor, it would make 
sense that she would name it after the one she was looking for.<

     People name children and weapons after legendary and mythical beings.  
There's no reason why it couldn't have been Youshou rather than Tsunami 
that name Tenchi-ken.

>Next, why was Tenchi Masaki the one Yosho was going to send back to Jurai?<

     According to the 101 Mysteries, Youshou thought that there was 
something special about Tenchi.  It isn't elaborated, but it's quite 
possible that Funaho-ki detected something about Tenchi and told Yousho.  
>From the old 101 translation:
----------
20.      Why did Tenchi break the demon's seal in the shrine? 
Answer:
His grandfather's fault. 
More details ...
He broke the seal out of pure curiosity. "If someone told you never ever do 
something, you'd want to do it, wouldn't you?" (ep.1, Tench)  In fact he 
fell in his grandfather's trap, he made Tenchi interested in the demon ever 
since childhood, with help of Tenchi's mother. He is a tactician (^_^) and 
knew that Ryoko was watching Tenchi all the time. Even though Tenchi did 
not realise the astral body of Ryoko was watching him (flash back in ep.5), 
his grandfather knew. He arranged so that Tenchi would break the seal and 
use the Tree to attract Aeka. He felt something special about Tenchi and 
wanted him to be Emperor of Jurai in the future. That's why he gave his 
master key to Tenchi and told him to fight against Kagato.  But Tenchi won 
the battle without it in the end. Tenchi has more power than his 
grandfather first thought and he had to change his plans ...
----------
     Hopefully, we'll find out more in OVA 3.


     For reference, here is my translation of questions 15 and 16 from the 
Kajishima Q&A:

Q.15
In the seventh OVA episode, Tenchi's ring is made out of what material?
It appears to be made of wood, is it from Funaho-no-ki or Tsunami-no-ki?

A.15
>From Tsunami-no-ki.


Q.16
When Tenchi tries to remove the ring, a battlesuit appears on Tenchi, does 
the ring have any other functions besides this transformation?

A.16
It is a kind of Guardian system.
Functional forms vary and is dependant upon backup by one's Royal Ship, 
since Tenchi's ring is a special gift from Tsunami-no-ki it is able to get 
backup from all Trees of any generation. 

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