In Imperial Japan the Samurai were the lords of life and death. You could be killed for looking at a samurai the wrong way, if you were a peasant. A samurai who killed another Samurai merely had to make a statement at the local government headquarters and he was free to go.
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 watched the approaching armies from high in a tree. The Imperial Forces waved their banners in geometric fashion as they crossed the vale. The infantry yelled like thunder and dared the world, and the high stepping cavalry on their immaculate chargers darted hither and yon, screaming challenges to the rebels.
The boy was small for his age, which was only ten, and yet he studied the precision movements of the large numbers of men with a bold eye. They moved well, and they looked so beautiful in their lacquered armor, yet his father had merely referred to them as trained dogs. Suddenly, beneath the boy, whos name was Sokaku Takeda, the rebels emerged from the forest.
These were not peacocks, but taciturn, worn warriors, and among them Sokaku could pick out his father, and other family members. These were his clan, the Aizu, and he felt a fierce surge of pride. Now we shall see, he thought, and he unconsciously flexed his fingers--and quickly unflexed 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.
About the Author:
Al Case has been researching the martial arts for more than over 40 plus years. Download his free book at Monster Martial Arts. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory
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