Legends of the Samurai

Legends of the Samurai The Legend of Masamune and Muramasa A legend tells of a test where Muramasa challenged his master, Masamune, to see who could make a finer sword. They both worked tirelessly and eventually, when both swords were finished, they decided to test the results. The contest was for each to suspend the blades in a small creek with the cutting edge facing the current. Muramasa's sword, the Juuchi Fuyu (10,000 Winters) cut everything that passed its way; fish, leaves floating down the river, the very air which blew on it. Highly impressed with his pupil's work, Masamune lowered his sword, the Yawaraka-Te(Tender Hands), into the current and waited patiently. Not a leaf was cut, the fish swam right up to it, and the air hissed as it gently blew by the blade. After a while, Muramasa began to scoff at his master for his apparent lack of skill in the making of his sword. Smiling to himself, Masamune pulled up his sword, dried it, and sheathed it. All the while, Muramasa was heckling him for his sword's inability to cut anything. A monk, who had been watching the whole ordeal, walked over and bowed low to the two sword masters. He then began to explain what he had seen. "The first of the swords was by all accounts a fine sword, however it is a blood thirsty, evil blade as it doesn't discriminate as to who or what it will cut. It may just as well be cutting down butterflies as severing heads. The second was by far the finer of the two, as it doesn't needlessly cut that which is innocent and undeserving." Legend of Amakuni One day, Amakuni and his son, Amakura, were standing in the doorway of their shop, watching the Emperor's warriors return from battle. Although having done so on previous occasions, the Emperor did not give Amakuni any sign of recognition. Having always looked upon these gestures as a sign of appreciation for his efforts and hard work, Amakuni suddenly noticed that nearly half of the returning warriors were carrying broken swords. Determined to make things right, Amakuni and Amakura went about gathering remnants of the swords and examined them. It appeared that the chief reasons for breakage were that the swords had been improperly forged and that the soldiers had struck hard objects, probably armor or other weapons, with them. Once again, the Emperor's subtle yet audible rebuff ran through his mind. Tears filled Amakuni's eyes, and he said to himself, "If they are going to use our swords for such slashing, I shall make one that will not break.“ With this vow, Amakuni and his son sealed themselves away in the Forge and prayed for seven days and seven nights to the Shinto gods. Amakuni then selected the best iron sand ore he could obtain and refined it into steel. Working without rest, the two worked at their apparently impossible task. Thirty days later, Amakuni and his son emerged gaunt and weary from the forge with a single-edged sword with curvature. Undaunted by the other swordsmiths, who believed them to be insane, Amakuni and Amakura ground and polished the new sword. During the following months, Amakuni and his son continued with their work, forging many types of improved swords. In the following spring, there was another war. Again the samurai returned, and as they passed by, he counted over thirty-one swords with perfect, intact blades. As the Emperor passed, he smiled and said, "You are an expert swordmaker. None of the swords you have made failed in this battle." Amakuni rejoiced and once more felt that life was full and joyous. No one knows when Amakuni died. Hojo Soun’s 21 Articles to live by 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Believe in Buddha and the Shinto gods. Get up early in the morning in order to set a good example for your servants and to carry out your own duties well. If you begin to be lax, you’ll be fired. Go to bed at a reasonable hour. Don’t waste fuel for lighting while you hang out with other guys until late at night. Remember that robbers usually break in two hours before and after midnight, so if you aren’t around, you’ll fall victim to them. It’s not worth getting a bad name for irresponsible behavior. Get up a couple hours before dawn, wash in cold water, and say your prayers. Get yourself ready, and then give your wife, children and servants their instructions for the day. Arrive at work early, before the sun rises, so that you can do all the work allotted to you. If you don’t keep up, you won’t be able to do everything you’re responsible for. Before washing your face and hands, go and check out the washroom, the gates, stables, and gardens. Get someone to clean up the places that need cleaning. Then go and wash your face and hands. Don’t expectorate loudly, because this will disturb the people asleep in your house. Saying prayers is for your own sake. Be honest, sincere, and law-abiding. Respect your superiors and treat your subordinates compassionately. Accept your lot, in accordance with Buddha and the Shinto gods: accept what you have and what you don’t have – this will give you divine protection, even if you don’t pray. Remember if a dishonest person prays, he will not be given divine protection. Beware! Don’t try and compete with others in the quality of your clothes and weapons. As long as they look reasonable, you’re fine. If you go into debt to buy expensive things, people will deride you. Fix your hair first thing, whether you go to work or stay at home. There is no way you can appear among people when you’re all disheveled – and if your servants see that you don’t care about your appearance, they’ll begin to neglect theirs, too. It also looks ridiculous for you to rush to fix your hair if an unexpected guest arrives. When you arrive at work, don’t go straight to the boss’s office. Wait in the waiting area and see how the other workers behave. Go to the boss when he calls you, otherwise there may be an unpleasant surprise in store for you. When the boss calls you, answer “Yes, sir!” promptly, even if you are at some distance from him. Hurry forward, and then, when you get close to him, crawl to him on your hands and knees. Then rush off to do what he has told you to do, and when you’re done, come back and give him an accurate report. Don’t try and show how clever you are. If necessary, consult with other people as to how to present your report to the boss. Don’t take all the credit. When you are with your boss, don’t listen to gossips. Keep well away from them. You must also not talk about yourself or laugh loudly – this will make your cronies and your boss ostracize you. Rely on others – don’t try to do things alone. Carry a book with you wherever you go, so that if you have a free moment, you can read and revise the characters surreptitiously. If you don’t get into the habit of reviewing them, you’ll forget them. Do the same for writing. When there is a line of VIPs waiting to consult with your boss, do not walk past them arrogantly, but bow at the waist and hold your hands low. Samurai must behave with humility and deference. Always tell the truth to everyone – whether they are superior or subordinate to you. Even when you are joking, tell the truth, otherwise telling half-truths and lies will become a habit and you will be ostracized. If you someone accuses you of lying, it is a disgrace that will never leave you. If you don’t know tanka composition, you are ignorant and ungifted. You must study it. Always watch what you say. One word can betray your thoughts. During your free time, practice your equestrian skills. Get an expert to show you the basic stuff, and learn all the rest on your own. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Spend your time on studying and writing. Avoid go, chess, and musical instruments. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with these things – they’re just a waste of time. Remember that the type of person you are – good or bad – depends on your friends. Remember, too, that when you are travelling with two other people, one of them will be worth listening to. Choose him. The other one can serve as an example of what not to do. When you’re off work and go home, check out certain things, such as whether the walls of your house, behind the stables, are intact. Repair the holes in the fence made by dogs. If the thatch from the roof has been used for heating, replace it. At sunset, lock the gate. Open it only if someone comes or goes. This will prevent trouble. Before going to sleep, check out all the fires in the kitchen and your wife’s room, as well as ensuring that your house can’t be harmed by a neighbor’s fire. Do this every night since wives tend to forget this, and leave their clothes and jewelry lying around. If you have servants, you must first do things yourself before you ask them to do them. It is important for you to know what it’s like to do things. It is imperative for you to constantly practice reading, writing, martial arts, archery, and equestrian skills. Literary skills belong to your left hand, martial skills to your right.