Shinichi Yoshida

Born in Kyoto in 2371, Yoshida was raised in the deeply historic city in Japan and developed a very antiquarian mindset, taking the teachings of the past to inform the future. He studied various martial arts including Judo, Kyudo, Aikido, Kendo, and Iaido. His father, Hiroyuki Yoshida, was a Federation diplomat and was often absent during his sons formative years. However, through his job, Shinichi Yoshida was able to meet a wide variety of races and cultures as well as travel off world. When Shinichi was 12, he hiked alone to Mt. Kurama outside of his home in Kyoto and found himself lost. He spent the night in the mountain forest and dreamed he met and learned from the Tengu who were said to inhabit the mountains. Shinichi to this day is not wholly convinced it was a dream, but he was found in the morning on one of the hiking trails with no memory of how he had found his way back in the dark. After this experience, Shinichi found himself to take to martial arts even more adeptly and also developed a kind of strangeness to him and a longing for adventures among the stars.

When he was 18, he joined Starfleet academy. His father had hoped he would go into politics like himself, but Shinichi’s “tengu spirit” as people began to refer to Shinichi’s growing sense of adventure, drew him to Starfleet. He assuaged his father by pointing out that a distinguished Starfleet career can prove helpful in future diplomatic endeavors. His father was not entirely convinced, but acquiesced to his son. After four years at the academy, Shinichi graduated within the top 10 percentile of his class and was given his first commission as a command ensign aboard the Akira Class starship the USS Firesword.

Over the next three years of service, Yoshida climbed to the rank of Lieutenant. He served in various command functions, but often volunteered for Security operations. When the position of Chief of security became open on the Odyssey class ship USS Hikaru Sulu, Shinichi immediately put in his request. There was some persuasion needed, as his background was in command, not security, but the COS, Lt. Commander Carter, helped to convince both captains to give Shinichi the position. There he served for the next five years, achieving the rank of Lt. Commander and third in command. But Shinichi’s tengu spirit began to get restless and he when he saw the opening for Executive officer aboard the renowned Ark Angel, he knew he had to attempt to fill it.