Rec and Sports

The Greatest Samurai (the early years)

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 from the cradle in a variety of arts. They were expected to give their lives in the service of their Lord, and they were expected to make that life given worth something. Samurai were arguably the greatest warriors this planet has ever seen.

The greatest Samurai of them all may have been Sokaku Takeda. Compared to Myamoto Musashi, referred to as a Tengu (demon), he mastered many different skills and weapons including sword, staff, half-bow, short-staff, and throwing darts. He also received a license in the spear arts of the Hozoin-ryu, and he taught over thirty thousand students during his lifetime, among them 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 a smallish ten years, and yet he studied the precision movements of the movements of the army with a practiced eye. They moved smoothly, and they were impressive in their lacquered armor, yet his father said they were nothing but trained dogs. Suddenly, beneath the boy, whos name was Sokaku Takeda, a large band of rebels stepped out of 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 had difficulty in mastering a grappling technique the previous night, and his father had put his hand over the fire. He had not reacted, had merely observed as his flesh singed. When the punishment was over he had not nursed his hand, but merely let it be, a silent reminder to work ever harder, to learn all techniques as quickly as he could.

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.