A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from a copy of the forum saved in October 2015, so pages it didn't save are missing. Players' names are left out; the rules officials are named. Rulings are as they stood on these dates; later rulings, the rulebooks and the Rules Archive may differ.
A player, 23 August 2007
Does Asako Bairei EXP 3 bow to use his ability?
Relevant text: Asako Bairei
Phoenix Clan*Elemental Master*Sugenja*Water*Scribe*Cavalry*Experienced 3*Unique
Your water sugenja need not bow as a cost to perform water actions
Water Battle: Even if he is not at the current battlefield, bow Bairei: Straighten up to 4 target bowed cards.
From the special GenCon announcements on the L5R website:
A reference to a “(Keyword) Spell,” a “(Keyword) card,” or a “(Keyword) Action card” can also refer to a Spell or Action card with an ability that has that keyword.
While Bairei is obviously a water sugenja with a water action, he is not a Spell or Action card.
Does he bow?
Martin Lund (rules official), 23 August 2007
Does Asako Bairei EXP 3 bow to use his ability?
Relevant text: Asako Bairei
Phoenix Clan*Elemental Master*Sugenja*Water*Scribe*Cavalry*Experienced 3*Unique
Your water sugenja need not bow as a cost to perform water actions
Water Battle: Even if he is not at the current battlefield, bow Bairei: Straighten up to 4 target bowed cards.
From the special GenCon announcements on the L5R website:
A reference to a “(Keyword) Spell,” a “(Keyword) card,” or a “(Keyword) Action card” can also refer to a Spell or Action card with an ability that has that keyword.
While Bairei is obviously a water sugenja with a water action, he is not a Spell or Action card.
Does he bow?
This Asako Bairei - Experienced 3 card of which you speak - it wouldn't happen to be a Preview Card, would it?
We don't do rules questions on Preview Cards so early around these parts.