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Samurai were the lords of life and death in old Japan. If you were a peasant, you could be killed for looking at a samurai the wrong way. If a samurai killed another Samurai all he had to do was make a statement at the local government headquarters and he was scott free.
Samurai were trained in a variety of arts right from the cradle. They dedicated their lives to the service of their Lord, and they were expected to make there lives worth something. Samurai are considered by many to be the greatest warriors this planet has ever seen.
Sokaku Takeda may have been the greatest Samurai of them all. He has been compared to Myamoto Musashi, labeled a Tengu (demon), and he mastered many skills and weapons including sword, staff, half-bow, short-staff, and throwing darts. He also received a license in Hozoin-ryu (the spear arts), and he taught thirty thousand students, which students included the founders of Aikido and Hapkido.
The boy studied the approaching armies from his vantage point high in a tree. The Imperial Forces with their colorful banners moved in precise manuevers across the valley floor. The infantry dared the world in thunderous voice, and the proud cavalry on their high stepping chargers darted about, flinging challenges to the rebels.
The boy was only ten, and he was small for his age, but he studied the precision movements of the large numbers of men with an intelligent eye. The troops moved well, and they looked so beautiful, but his father referred to them as well trained dogs. Suddenly, beneath Sokaku Takeda the rebels emerged from the forest.
These were taciturn, worn warriors, not overly proud peacocks, and among them Sokaku could see his fatherr and others of his family. These were the Aizu, his clan, and a fierce surge of pride ran through his body. Now we shall find out, he thought, and he flexed his fingers in anticipation--and quickly loosed them.
He had been slow in learning a technique the night previous, and his grandfather had watched as his father held his hand over the fire. Holding back tears, he had watched as his flesh singed. The punishment done, he had not held his hand, but just let it hang, a reminder to work ever harder, to master the techniques quickly quickly and avoid such punishment.
His flesh had been burned before, and it would, no doubt, be burned again, but it was more important to concentrate on the coming battle. Watch and learn, were the advice of his father the previous evening--learn what manner of technique gets a man killed, and what manner of technique lets a man live. Sokaku Takeda, knowing his father had spoken truly, made himself comfortable in the high tree, and prepared to learn the lessons that would guide his life.
Samurai were trained in a variety of arts right from the cradle. They dedicated their lives to the service of their Lord, and they were expected to make there lives worth something. Samurai are considered by many to be the greatest warriors this planet has ever seen.
Sokaku Takeda may have been the greatest Samurai of them all. He has been compared to Myamoto Musashi, labeled a Tengu (demon), and he mastered many skills and weapons including sword, staff, half-bow, short-staff, and throwing darts. He also received a license in Hozoin-ryu (the spear arts), and he taught thirty thousand students, which students included the founders of Aikido and Hapkido.
The boy studied the approaching armies from his vantage point high in a tree. The Imperial Forces with their colorful banners moved in precise manuevers across the valley floor. The infantry dared the world in thunderous voice, and the proud cavalry on their high stepping chargers darted about, flinging challenges to the rebels.
The boy was only ten, and he was small for his age, but he studied the precision movements of the large numbers of men with an intelligent eye. The troops moved well, and they looked so beautiful, but his father referred to them as well trained dogs. Suddenly, beneath Sokaku Takeda the rebels emerged from the forest.
These were taciturn, worn warriors, not overly proud peacocks, and among them Sokaku could see his fatherr and others of his family. These were the Aizu, his clan, and a fierce surge of pride ran through his body. Now we shall find out, he thought, and he flexed his fingers in anticipation--and quickly loosed them.
He had been slow in learning a technique the night previous, and his grandfather had watched as his father held his hand over the fire. Holding back tears, he had watched as his flesh singed. The punishment done, he had not held his hand, but just let it hang, a reminder to work ever harder, to master the techniques quickly quickly and avoid such punishment.
His flesh had been burned before, and it would, no doubt, be burned again, but it was more important to concentrate on the coming battle. Watch and learn, were the advice of his father the previous evening--learn what manner of technique gets a man killed, and what manner of technique lets a man live. Sokaku Takeda, knowing his father had spoken truly, made himself comfortable in the high tree, and prepared to learn the lessons that would guide his life.
About the Author:
Al Case has been practicing the martial arts for more than 40 years. Download his free book at Monster Martial Arts. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.
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