Crossed Swords
The crisp mountain air of the Dragon mountains whistled through the open doors of the Iron Mountain Dojo, doing it’s very best to distract the young students as they spared and tested each other. To other clans, it would appear as a mass of chaos and confusion, but to those caught in the hurricane of shouts and clashing bokken, it was home. The warm yellow sun poured through the doors sending the cold blue shadows to hide away, but even the shadows were filled with students furiously practicing their sword techniques.
Many of the students here were on their own at the moment; this was an open period for them to practice and as such there were few actual sensei here. However, the older students and veteran bushi in the dojo, of whom Mirumoto Kissaki was one, were always eager to fill in. It was a common and encouraged view that teaching carried its own reward- not only for creating better students and a stronger sense of harmony, but the act of teaching a technique is simply the best way to learn. Currently, Kissaki was relentlessly working over a young student named Tsuge on his kenjutsu, all while battering him with questions that ran from contemporary topics and immediate observation to Taoist debate, doing his best to overwhelm the young man from all sides.
“What is the significance of O’Sen’s 4th Sutra of Water?” WHACK WHACK
“How do you hold a fan when you wish to express subtle indignation at a bad joke without insulting the teller?” WHACK WHACK “What if that teller is an Otomo?”
“What is Sanzo’s Law and where does it apply?” WHACK WHACK
“Which contender is most likely to defeat Yokozuna Yamamiya this spring?” WHACK WHACK
“Who in this dojo is holding his wakizashi incorrectly?” WHACK WHACK
“Describe what conditions must be met before victory in war can be achieved!” WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK
The verbal and physical barrage continued, and to his credit the young man persisted. One of the great strengths of the Mirumoto school was the stamina of its bushi, and this was the ultimate goal of Kissaki’s lesson; the Mirumoto persisted where others fell, and this meant extensive mental and physical training. About an hour later, the two stopped and bowed to each other before heading to the garden to meditate and catch the last rays of the sun before it dipped behind the western peaks. Withstanding the cold air was yet another form of stamina training which, just as steel is beaten in the fire and then quenched in water, worked to harden the young man into a powerful sword for his daimyo.
To temper Tsuge’s warrior spirit further, Kissaki had him and a dozen other students pound mochi for tonight’s dinner, all while debating Saibankan’s treatises on Imperial law and its implications. Kissaki participated too, of course, but in this topic he mostly listened.
“Kissaki-sama!” One young student asked, slightly breathless. “If I may, what was the law like when you were young?”
Kissaki grinned. ‘When you were young’ was the most polite way the students had devised to broach the subject of previous life experiences for returned spirits so far. He didn’t mind, but he continued to challenge them to think of better ways to do it.
“The law was simple.” Kissaki said between breaths, working the hammer to smash the rice. “Might made right. Individual laws would vary per town, but the ultimate law, the ‘law of the sword’ as it was called, was that those who had the strength and determination to enforce their will upon others would do so.”
He let the students think about that for a moment, pounding the mochi for emphasis. “You three, defend Saibankan’s system; you four, point out how things have not changed. Go!”
It was like kicking a hornet’s nest; watching the students debate each other while maintaining control of their hammers. Pound the mochi too soft or too hard and it was ruined, and just like swordsmanship or debate, balance must be sought and mastered (ruining dinner for the rest of the dojo would be a great embarrassment too, and no one wanted that). Whenever a student would lag in the conversation or slow with his hammering, either Kissaki or the other students would press the advantage and pull them back in. It was invigorating. It also made the hot bath before dinner feel very, very good. A physically demanding meal also tasted better when you’ve thrown yourself into its preparation, too. Dinner itself was quiet and peaceful, simply because most of the students were just too exhausted to do anything else. However as there were no servants here it was the students’ duty to clean up. Kissaki ensured that there were a few monks in the kitchen to quietly press the students with taoist philosophy.
Word had spread of their guest for the gempukku ceremony, which was one reason why the students were working extra hard in the months ahead. Kakita Takezo, the sensei of the rival school, was coming to observe them. Even the youngest students knew this was a great honor, and as such pushed themselves as hard as possible. Every bushi who had encountered a Crane was pumped for information while Kissaki, among others, pushed them to work and think outside the box. What was expected of them? What would impress a Kakita of such high status? How should they act around him? What should they do that would impress Kakita-sama without compromising the integrity of their school or their training? Kissaki reminded them of the first principle of being a bushi: expect the unexpected, and as such to train in whatever extracurricular skill they felt best.
--
“Tsuge-san, your competition in this round will be Kitsu Tsuko, the esteemed ambassador from our noble allies, the Lion clan. You may take your place at board four!” The judge stated, his words carrying through the crowd of viewers. Tsuge caught Kissaki’s eye, receiving a calm, reassuring nod for his trouble. Tsuge was no slouch at the game of Go, especially for his young age, but the Lion delegation’s visit was a surprise (at least for the students), and to be paired against an ambassador... Kissaki wasn’t so much judging his Go game (he himself was terrible at it), but at the speed at which he accepted this change in events and adapted. Judging from Tsuko’s expression, the young man did so cleanly and smoothly. Many of the other students, when paired against the invitees from the other clans, were doing well, too, and though he wasn’t sitting with them Kissaki could tell that the daimyo and leadership of the Dragon, as well as the visiting dignitaries, were greatly pleased by the students’ efforts.
--
“Your students are very impressive, Uso-sama.” Kakita Takezo said, politely pausing during dinner. “It pleases me greatly to see that the Dragon’s devotion to the Tao has not wavered, and the breadth of their skills is refreshing.”
The daimyo of the Mirumoto bowed in thanks. “It is up to each student here to find their own path toward enlightenment, and we believe that this produces well-rounded samurai better suited to serve in whatever way their lord might require. ‘To train solely in one weapon is as bad as training too little’, as the saying goes. I must admit that when word spread that you were coming, Takezo-san, many of the students picked up the brush of their own volition.”
Takezo chuckled. “Well ‘the pen and sword in accord’ is the way of the samurai, after all. I am honored to inspire them so, and they in turn honor me with their works. I noticed that many have a decidedly minimalist approach to their calligraphy, but the control and precision they show is exemplary. I expect great things from them, as do you I am sure.”
“While the methodology here is so very unlike our own,” Kitsu Tsuko said, carefully dancing about an obvious topic of contention. “The effectiveness of it is quite obvious. One Mirumoto Tsuge is especially skilled, and it is unfortunate that the Topaz Championship will not be held this year. He will undoubtedly bring great honor to the Dragon.”
Though there were many nods and murmurs of agreement throughout the small hall, all were accompanied by downcast eyes. All could agree though that for such a calm, patient, and soft-spoken young man, Tsuge skill with the sword was explosive. While not the only one who would have been sent to the Topaz, he was considered to be the one with the best chance to win.
"Such things must not be dwelt upon, however,” Tsuko continued. “But many of the most promising young Dragon are students of Mirumoto Kissaki, yes? I was fortunate to talk to a number of them, and they all spoke highly of his instruction.”
“That is very interesting.” Takezo said. “Two of the students he worked with while visiting my lands have spoken highly of him, too- a Kakita Yoshiko and a Kakita Fudai, I believe.”
When all eyes turned to Kissaki, sitting at the far end of the table, he could do nothing but bow. “I am pleased that they are doing so well, but it is through the efforts of Kakita Inejiro-sama and Kakita Tsubasa-sama which benefited Yoshiko and Fudai most; they should be the ones being honored, not I. I was simply visiting Inejiro-sama’s estate for a few days and spent my off-time in the dojo. I can take no credit for their excellence.”
Kakita Takezo nodded, pleased. “None the less, the students gave glowing reports for your instruction, if you’ll pardon the pun. Tsubasa-san also spoke well of you.”
That bit of information shocked Kissaki, though he was careful to maintain his On. Tsubasa was not one to speak well of anyone, let alone... he quickly put the thought aside, bowing silently. Others nodded thoughtfully at the remark, especially the others from the Crane delegation- Tsubasa had a reputation as a very stern and extremely conservative instructor. Whatever he had said, it likely wasn’t much, but that alone was more than most ever received.
“I am familiar with young Fudai,” Takezo said, after an appreciative sip of Five Harmonies tea that had been prepared for him. “If I may ask, what did you say to him that so affected his iai? I remember him having difficulty, and his improvement was greatly noticed.”
“He was indeed struggling with finding his center, but I showed him an ancient secret passed down to me from my father, and to him from his father.” Kissaki said, stern-faced and serious, leaning in and speaking in a low, conspiratorial tone. “I took him fishing.”
The table erupted in laughter, sending the conversation completely off track for the rest of the evening.
--
The morning’s rays found the Iron Mountain Dojo full and busy, awash with the rampant sounds of bokken clashing and kiai shouts. Instead of just gempukku students this time there were a variety of Mirumoto luminaries as well as a number of swordsmen from other clans, all throwing themselves into their training in the garden, enjoying the mountainous view and the freshly fallen snow. The guests had waited to practice their iai and ken until now, partly to give the gempukku students more time to practice ,but also so that they would acclimate to the high altitude, upon quiet suggestion of the locals, who would not allow any of their esteemed guests to dishonor themselves due to lack of breath in the thin air.
It was quite notable that Takezo and Uso were not facing each other at any point. They were not avoiding each other, but the political implications of these two heads of their respective schools facing off against each other, even in practice, was something best avoided. For the most part, the two head sensei were content to observe, as is their traditional role.
“Kissaki-san,” Uso stated during a brief rest period before his student began meditation. “Our esteemed guest, Takezo-sama, wishes to practice his iai. Will you be available to spar with him?”
“Of course; I would be honored.” Kissaki said, bowing to both of them.
“Excellent. Takezo-sama and I have things to speak of, so he will return in two hours’ time.”
As the two men bowed and walked away, Kissaki exhaled, watching the breath fog in the cold air before heading inside to meditate at the dojo’s shrine.
Later that afternoon, they found themselves facing each other under a bare plum tree that had been insulated for the winter, wrapped in cloth, on a patch of snowy gravel that in warmer weather would be a dry karesansui garden. They made small talk for a moment before bowing and falling into their respective dueling stances- Takezo holding his hand open in the traditional Kakita manner, Kissaki holding his two bokken loosely at his sides in the traditional Mirumoto style. Both men stood as such, evaluating the narrow gap between them, Kissaki’s dark eyes locked with Takezo’s blue. A cold mountain wind rubbed its icy touch against the former’s bald head while pulling at the loose white hair of the latter. The warm midday sun lent its glow to their own. Their eyes narrowed, and the two human statues sprung to life.
--
later
The daimyo of the Shinpi province’s residence was a simple affair, even when you consider that his wife was once a Mantis. Elegant, understated, with a strong eye for finish and detail, as the manor of a Kitsuki lord should be. Kissaki sipped his tea thoughtfully, watching the setting sun paint the rolling hills to the south and west with the rich oranges and yellows of the late summer. Much had occurred recently, and he had just finished giving his report to his young lord, Shichirou, and his wife, Hara. Both were quiet for a long time, observing the last few birds from the estate’s balcony. The world was changing quickly, and Kissaki was happy to give a very unique perspective on the matters to his daimyo.
“The information you have regarding the Regent is extremely disturbing, Kissaki-san.” Hara said, passing him a small dessert- it was a small fruit from a tree which she had brought from the Mantis isles, tended by the estate’s shugenja and gardeners. Kissaki bowed and dutifully ate it, but was not sure what to make of it yet. “I am unsure that the testimony of a... monk... would be enough to do anything about it.”
“I agree, Hara-sama. There is no direct approach available to us here, but we have options. If the book and stories being compiled by Mashigai-sama were published post-humously, though, it would undermine the Regent’s authority. Anonymously, of course.” Kissaki took another bite from the strange fruit. An Oru-anje. He was still unsure.
“How would you propose we do this, Kissaki-san?” Shichirou asked inquisitively, also snacking on an orange slice. “The Dragon are not in a position to bring the wrath of the Regent down on us any more than we already are, as we did not support him, and the Empress is likely to make her court in the shadow of our mountains.”
“I will take it to the Scorpion,” Kissaki said. “They are likely to find a better way of circulating the tales of the Heroes of Rokugan, and will be certain to not include the likes of Tsuneo. In return for their help in this matter, I would not feel out of the way asking for a few of their best servants and eta to help the Empress enjoy her time in our cousins’ lands.”
The daimyo and his wife looked at each other for a moment, knowing exactly what he was suggesting, and after reading his report about the Matsu Empress’ Guard, why. “Are you sure they can be trusted? I do not wish to make light of your suggestion, Kissaki-san, but... a lot has happened since you were last here.”
“The one thing that can be guaranteed is the Loyalty of the Scorpion; if not to us, then to the Empress. I understand they are divided at the moment, but using this, the tales, and the opportunity to guard the Empress from the Shadows, is one way that we can help sway their clan onto their proper paths, away from other petty things. I, for one, would feel better knowing that there is an additional layer of security around the young Empress, especially given that she will be in a less defensible location than the Forbidden City itself.”
“Whom would you suggest? I admit, I am too biased to make a rational decision here.”
“Soshi Toshiro-sama. He is a Toturi Loyalist, as far as I know. I did not see him in the Palace, at least, and I have heard good things about him.”
“Then please do so with our blessing. Perhaps he would accept our invitation to visit us?”
“I shall ask when I see him.” Kissaki said, bowing lightly.
A small flock of birds swirled outside, diving and chasing the insects that had come out in the slowly darkening light. Lanterns were being lit in the town surrounding Shiro Kitsuki, and around the provincial daimyo’s estate also, giving them all a moment to pause and reflect.
“The progress with the kata goes well?” Shichirou asked.
“Hai, sama. Uso-dono and Takezo-sama are working when they can, but their schedules keep them busy. I have been assigned to assist them in this matter, and am doing what I can to get them working. Many of the forms are promising, and we will work on them all together when we visit Otosan-Uchi later this fall as I will have the opportunity to coordinate efforts with some exceptional swordsmen from the other clans then.” Kissaki said, again bowing lightly as Hara refilled his cup. “It is a most refreshing challenge.”
“That is good to hear. I suppose you will work with Kakita Rei?” Hara-sama smiled lightly behind her tea.
“Hai. She is a noted duelist of the Crane school. It would be my honor.” Kissaki said, trying not to lead too much into it. “I am sure Seppun Takashi will be there as well, among others.”
“He is the one who spoke to you about the Miya’s Blessing, correct?” Shichirou said, changing the subject.
“Hai, sama. We gave support to our Lion allies as Honor demands, and a token support to Seppun-sama. As he was the one chosen, we now have the Imperial family’s support for the Miya’s Blessing. I am sure that most of it will be used to increase the capacity of the Tonbo, though. Should the Miya family wish to support the Empress in favor of the Regent, I expect the Blessing will be much larger than normal, especially if they cannot do so openly yet.”
“I am sorry to inform you, then, that such a thing will not likely come to be.” Shichirou said, with an unhappy tone to his voice. “I have heard that there will be no Miya’s Blessing this year, and even so, I do not think it will go to us, given our recent conflict with the Phoenix.”
Kissaki looked away, keeping his On rigid.
“One of Uso-dono’s orders, however,” Schichirou said, changing the subject and handing Kissaki a small scroll. “You are to be assigned to the Iron Mountain Dojo as a sensei, and that you have permission to choose the best of the best that the Dragon has to offer as students. You will spend some time at Last Step Castle first, however, that you may study to be a sensei for our clan.”
Kissaki nodded silently, bowing. “I shall do my very best, Shichirou-dono.”
“Is there any news of the new dojo, husband?” Hara inquired politely.
“Hoshi-dono has expedited its construction, but with the recent acquisition of the Dragon Heart Plain, it will be slow. The chosen site is just off the main road from here to Kyuden Tonbo, though, which isn’t far from the home you were provided with, Kissaki-san. There will be a lot of activity in your back yard, it seems.” Shichirou said, eating a slice of the exotic fruit.
“I suspect the Lion and Unicorn will also place armies nearby, too, and I have requisitioned scouts and Mountaineers to comb the countryside for... potential trouble, and have extended a similar invitation to the Three Orders, and a number of Tattooed men, those who are not out hunting Kokujin, have come. Multiple roads are being prepared in case the worst happens and the Empress decides to visit our lovely mountains. One wide road to Shiro Kitsuki, one “hidden” road, and another, which will be nothing more than a game trail, plus who knows what else. All of this is under the most extreme secrecy, of course. If the peasants and brotherhood monks are still in rebellion elsewhere in the empire, and the Regent has any half-decent spy network to speak of, we cannot assume to share this information with anyone except the most trusted, sadly, not to mention any other threats that exist in the shadows”
Kissaki bowed deeply, honored that he warranted such information. “When shall I start?”
“You will leave for Last Step Castle tomorrow. If there is an attempt on the Empress again, Hantei the Sixteenth will not let her slip away so easily. We must prepare for every contingency.”
Kissaki looked out over the balcony, watching the last rays of the sun fall under the horizon.
“Kissaki-san,” Hara asked. “One of the monks mentioned something confusing to me recently. What is ‘Rock tea’?”
