Shijiku is the name of the Crane Minister of Trade, one of the top advisors to the shogun. it is extremely unlikely that he would bother to personally give orders to set up a tollbooth in the middle of nowhere; more likely the man just gave the first name he could think of that was in some way connected with the authorities.

In response to your statement, he gives a tiny yelp and attempts to get back inside.

Everyone Roll Initiative; if you beat a 16, you have a round in which to act before he gets inside.