An Amusing Interview at the Castle

[ninja_coder]

 
I have been very busy lately, both at Castle Nettobuku and in Henshukoku, so it's taken me a little while to write out the latest interesting occurrence.

On Monday morning, Jimon and I met with a warrior who wanted to join our clan. He is a rōnin, who used to fight with one of the samurai infantry legions of Owari Province. A few years ago, he became disenchanted with bushido and the regimented strategies of Oda's forces, and renounced the katana.

And he also expresses distaste for the ninja-ken, and complete disinterest in the bo staff. "I study the ways of the Jōgesen ryū now!", he said. "I fight with the sansetsukon; I need no other weapons." As Jimon and I spoke with him, I became less and less impressed with him.

But it was Jimon who saved our clan the trouble of questioning this aspirant any further: "Here is a sansetsukon," he said. "Show us your skill. Use that practice dummy over there." He pointed at a dummy some five paces away.

The would-be warrior took the staff, struck a stance, started whirling one end at high speed... and then let out an ear-splitting yell and threw the sansetsukon at the dummy.

In his defense, I will admit that he did at least hit the target, and even managed to get it wrapped around the upper part in a way that suggested wrapping around a victim's neck.

Aside from that? Jimon and I looked at each other in bewilderment. Finally, Jimon asked, "Why did you throw your staff?"

"Well... the target was so far away," he replied. "How else was I to hit it?"

"You could... step forward? Lunge? Use your feet?"

He looked sheepish. He bowed and said, "I am sorry for wasting your time. I should leave now." And off he went.

We still need qualified and experienced warriors at Clan Nettobuku... but not like that guy.

Comments

[glamtasm.livejournal.com]

I loved reading this story, especially knowing the translation!

Thank you for sharing!

He *threw* it! Bwah ha ha!

[baronlaw.livejournal.com]

LOL!

[kest]

Hah. I want to know the translation. :) Especially having been in similar interview situations. 'I know everything! I'm hot stuff! I'm great!' 'Ok, show us what you got.' An hour later, the practice dummy has heard a weapon whistle by, but that's about it....

[maradydd.livejournal.com]

Goodness. I know it's difficult to maintain proficiency with every weapon, but really, unless one is already Musashi, rejecting all the others strikes me as folly.

Admittedly, I have been quite busy with the nunchaku, the ninja-ken and rope-fighting of the Gikun school -- enough so that I have as yet had no time to familiarise myself with the sansetsukon or the bo staff. (And my zo-jutsu skills are suffering for it, as well.) But I consider that a failing, not a strong point!

[y2kdragon.livejournal.com]

As a former samurai myself, even I know better than to just forsake the katana. I do not use it now, but it always a part of me. There are times my skills have come in handy to find spies and traitors in our midst. And still, there is the rare occasion where the katana is exactly the right tool. I have called upon it on rare occasion, but only when absolutely necessary.

Clearly, there is a reason he is rōnin now. Some are because they can, or need to. Then there are some who are not by choice, but that they cannot honor the will of their Liege-Lord.