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, 18 June 2008
Let's say I have an Isawa Zao with Castle of Water attached:
Isawa Zao Reaction: After Zao performs a Spell or Kiho: Give Zao +2F or gain 2 Honor.
Castle of Water Water Battle: Even if this unit is not at the current battlefield and even if you control no units there, bow this Spell: Give the current battlefield’s province +3 strength.
Let's say its my turn and I declare an attack and assign no infantry or cavalry. Let's also suppose my opponent doesn't assign any infantry or cavalry. Can I resolve a battle and use Castle of Water to raise my opponent's province strength for the purpose of gaining 2 honor?
Thanks,
-Steven
Brook Cunningham (rules official), 18 June 2008
Let's say its my turn and I declare an attack and assign no infantry or cavalry. Let's also suppose my opponent doesn't assign any infantry or cavalry. Can I resolve a battle and use Castle of Water to raise my opponent's province strength for the purpose of gaining 2 honor?
I don't see why not; everything in that sequence is nice and legal.
Enjoy your 2 Honor... oh, but watch out for Retribution!
Frivolous attacks for Honor gain are not without risk.