Newsletter 1157
It was 1882 when Sokaku Takeda, twenty-three years of age, strode imperiously into the Fukushima courtroom. At the head of the room the magistrate felt a cold wind. It was a new era, the Samurai were being disarmed, and yet this proud peacock didn’t seem to understand this.
On a table at the side of the courtroom a sword had been placed. So many men killed by that weapon, so many injured, yet when the magistrate looked up at the cool-eyed Samurai who had wielded the sword there was no expression on his face. And looking into the eyes of the young man was like looking into a bottomless well. At midnight. With no moon.
And the judge considered what he had heard concerning this proud peacock. An Aizu Samurai, he had begun a warrior’s pilgrimage when he was just thirteen, traveling the countryside, training with top swordsmen, even members of the shogunate’s Kobusho. Finally, he had begun taking on challengers, killing scores of men, and now he had come to Fukushima.
The magistrate studied the young man, who studied him back. The judge had old eyes, and he was trying to agree with Imperial edict and put an end to the ways of the Samurai. The young man had haughty eyes, and those eyes pierced the old man like a winter wind, taking his measure, seeing through him, daring him.
In the presence of such a powerful personality, under the gaze of such piercing eyes, the magistrate felt his mortality. He had no doubts that if he rendered a verdict unpleasing to the young man, sword or no, the young man could pass a verdict on the court. A bloody verdict.
“You have killed many construction workers.” The judge forced himself to speak. He was terrified.
“They came at me with picks and shovels. I merely defended myself.” Young Sokaku Takeda showed no remorse.
“So many lives lost.” The magistrate shook his head. Inside, he was quivering.
“They should not have come at me.” Sokaku showed no expression. He was in no danger here.
For a moment, the old man considered the defendant. So fierce, so brave, so proud. “Since it was self defense, we shall let you go, but we shall keep your weapon.”
Still no emotion. “The age of the Samurai is over,” admonished the magistrate.
Still, the young man merely stared at the judge, and the magistrate, in spite of his position, felt like he was the blusterer.
Disarmed, he was no less dangerous. Spoken down to, he was yet above his foe.
And Sokaku Takeda, not cowed at all, strode proudly from the courtroom.
TO BE CONTINUED…
About the Author: Al Case began martial arts in 1967. He became a writer/columnist for martial arts magazines, and has produced 100s of books and 100s of hours of martial arts videos. If you want to learn how to use the sword as well as Sokaku Takeda, check out Al’s course on…
Have a great work out!
Al Case
MonsterMartialArts.com
