ninja_coder | Entries tagged with work

I have been extremely busy lately, battling on behalf of Clan Nettobuku. As directed by the Nichiren Buddhist priestesses, we have been carrying out a variety of operations in Izumi, and I've gained a little knowledge of the area. I've also been working with the Mūtou grappling hook, and have achieved some basic proficiency in the Jōgesen style. (At the same time, while I'm using the manrikigusari every day and learning a lot about the sansetsukon, I can tell that I'm getting pretty rusty with the ninja-to and bo staff.)

Certain of the cities in Izumi are now firmly "my territory" — in Toranzu, for example, I know the streets, alleyways, and rooftops quite well. And I've been working in the forests a bit, too, which is good. I don't like to be too firmly restricted to the cities, and any good ninja should be at home in the woods.

But I have been working so hard, I've had no time or energy for other pursuits. There is much shugendō to be done in Hoshiakari after the recent events there, and I have been too tired to do it. I come home every day from Castle Nettobuku, and sometimes Akane pours me some sake. Occasionally, I'm so stressed and exhausted, I have a few glasses of shōchū.

We have just added a new ninja, Jimon, who will be working with me and Bunmei. He started on Friday last week, and I helped him access the armory and get some weapons sharpened. We also have a new Nichren abbess, named Jīya, who has been pressing for more organization and righteousness in our actions.

I should really add these people to the list of people in Clan Nettobuku. (And I should also note there that Chiyoko is no longer with us.) Plus I should make a few updates to the pages that describe the various ninja terms. When I have time.

Current Mood: busy

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While I've been working in Fujiwara-kyō, my fellow-ninja Bunmei has been quite busy in the modern city of Hikone. Now that I've gotten things fairly squared away Fujiwara-kyō, I'm off to Hikone to help out Bunmei with the situation...

...only to find that his recent efforts have so transformed the political and tactical situation there that I need to take some time just to learn my way around again. His work is quite impressive; there are dead bodies everywhere. I realize he is partly trying to make up for lost time from last week (when much of his time was taken up by caring for his girlfriend, whose foot had been hurt in an accident), but now I feel like I have fallen behind, and must catch up.

I will study his work, and catch up on my own tasks.

Current Mood: impressed
Current Music: "Internal Interlude" (Minister)

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It's never a good thing when your clan's Sōtō Zen monk walks into the castle in the morning, and as he passes by you doing your kata in the courtyard, he says, "I have many parables to tell you." This is Zen monk-speak for: "Your recent actions have not been in accord with the Way. You are off your center, and you will have much work to do to in order to regain the clarity and harmony of your path."

This is not a surprise to me. I knew, as I was performing some of my recent tasks, that my ki was blocked by being in a rush. But there was not time to fix it, and I knew that it would have to be made right later.

Soon I will have to sit zazen with Binya and meditate on these parables. But not yet. Right now, there is still work to be done in Fujiwara-kyō.

Current Mood: anxious
Current Music: "Headhunter" (Front 242)

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I am spending all my time running back and forth between Heian-kyō, the ancient capital, and Nara, where some of our contacts dwell. Bearing these messages in and out of the cities is an important job, requiring a ninja's stealth.

Tomo just found me on the road, and let me know that there is unrest in Heian-kyō. "One of our contacts there has been slain," he says. "Strangled, apparently by a chain weapon. We will have to track down the perpetrator."

This will probably involve a whole lot of rooftop work. Normally, I like working on the rooftops... but have I mentioned how the architecture of Heian-kyō involves a lot of really sharply sloped roofs, and some very shiny and highly-polished tile? It's slippery stuff.

This is going to suck.

Current Mood: working

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Wow, I think this is the first time I've spent a half-hour laboriously battling an enemy, and then at the end thought, "That problem would never have happened if I were using the nunchaku."

Perhaps a little explanation is in order: I don't actually use the nunchaku! But I have studied it a tiny bit, and I have realized that, while one of its most well-known (and strangest) features makes many warriors wary of it. But not me. I see that feature as a useful thing, even if it's slightly different from how most things work.

( Only seasoned warriors are likely to care about the tricks of my trade. )

The way the nunchaku are built, even if it's a bit off-putting to many warriors, is actually a great strength, that would never have allowed that particular enemy to ambush me that way. (Shō, my friend, I can hear you laughing already. I share your opinion.)

Current Mood: annoyed
Current Music: We Got the Gun (Clint Mansell)

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A few days ago, Commander Kobushi sent a message to the warriors of Clan Nettobuku, saying, very roughly:

Here is a table showing, for each of you, how many enemies you estimated you would kill when we drew up plans two weeks ago, and how many confirmed kills you have over the past two weeks, and what the difference between these two numbers is. I know that you are all fighting very hard, and many of you have more kills than you have recorded. This is not intended to make you go out and get into more danger; only to inspire you to accurately record what you are doing. Without accurate information, we cannot make effective plans.

I looked at the table, thinking, "I must strive to do better. I will be very good about delivering accurate reports!" Then I noticed that, of all the warriors, my "difference" column is the smallest. Bunmei has a greater discrepancy than I do, and Tomo has an even greater one still.

Of course, this doesn't mean I can slack off. But it is encouraging.

Then yesterday... Iyona, the head of the Nichiren priestesses said she wanted to speak with me. Alone. (This has its own benefits, for Iyona is fair to behold.) But then she told me that I have been very enjoyable to work with, and that she is very pleased with the way I communicate with the priestesses about my plans and progress.

This may not necessarily mean that I am a very senior ninja, but at least I am reassured that I am a highly skilled ninja. It's always good to know that one is performing adequately, and not being eyed for potential dismissal.

Nonetheless, there are some enemies in Fujiwara-kyō that I have been delayed from slaying. I must remove them today; I am tired of their continued meddling in our clan's plans. I have sharpened my kama; my kusari is tested, with all links in good repair. Off I go!

Current Mood: working
Current Music: 2piR (Clint Mansell)

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This morning, most of Clan Nettobuku gathered in the castle courtyard. Many things were discussed, and while Bunmei could not be present, I demonstrated some of the kata he and I have created.

A few days ago, Iyona had been worried about whether any of our kata would be ready. She has been quite pleased by our progress over the past few days. However, we all can see that at this rate, we will not be able to slay enemies as quickly as we would like.

We also discussed whether we can achieve our goals without establishing a foothold in Nagoya, where Oda rules. We know we absolutely need to establish strong presences in Heian-kyō, the capital; Ōtsu, by Lake Biwa; and Naniwa, at the mouth of the Yodo River — those cities are of strategic importance that cannot be denied. But Nagoya is much farther away, and operating there will add more time to everything we do. Bunmei and I, as the two ninjas, would bear the main brunt of this extra labor, because ninjas make good couriers. (The fact that the place is Oda Nobunaga's capital is no enticement, either; he has always been a great enemy of the ninja, and the place will be quite hostile.)

But since we decided we must establish a presence there, I spent the latter part of the day traveling to Nagoya and dealing with some astonishing bureaucratic holdups just trying to enter the city gates. At least, I managed to convince the scribes there to pass me through, but it is obvious that working there in the future will be hard. Their customs are different, and it will not be as easy to blend in with the populace there as it is for me in the cities of Omi, Yamato, and Yamashiro.

Current Mood: (I was) working

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[Figured this out last week, but haven't gotten around to posting it until now.]

I am beginning to understand why I have felt uncomfortable in Clan Nettobuku's high-level planning meetings: Much of this planning has to do with the terrain of Izumi Province. I don't really know my way around Izumi. Indeed, they didn't hire me to know my way around Izumi; they hired me for my knowledge of Ōmi Province, since Nettobuku's plans will require them to conquer territory in both of those provinces.

The Nichiren priestesses who guide our path are all very familiar with Izumi, as are Binya the Sōtō Zen monk and Tomo, the mercenary captain. When we're discussing strategy, the others can all describe which locations are of strategic importance, and which trails and paths people tend to move along, and where there are impassable cliffs or uncrossable rivers. I don't know any of these things.

I know large parts of Ōmi Province like the back of my hand, and can (and do!) give useful input when we talk about our operations there. For a while, I'd been a bit worried: At my last clan, I felt that I didn't get to give any input in strategy meetings... "and now at Nettobuku, I keep my mouth shut when we talk about strategy? What's wrong with me? Do I not even know what I want?"

I feel better now, having realized why I've been so out-of-sorts in these high-level meetings. Binya says it was much the same for him when he first arrived (and he says he's learned far more about the terrain of Izumi than he ever expected to).

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: "Dreamdance" (Amethystium)

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I shall be spending some time with Clan Nettobuku, so it's best if I introduce the people that I am working and fighting alongside. And a note for those who are not familiar with Nippon, or who read my scrolls only rarely and need to be reminded of who's who and what's what: You can always look at the scrolls marked with the kanji for "meta" to see helpful information about what everything means. So if you need to refer to any of my scrolls that describe my clan, or fighting styles, or the geography of Kansai during the Sengoku Jidai, you can find them with that tag.

And now, the people of Clan Nettobuku:

The High Lords

Lord Reiji: This is the man who started Clan Nettobuku, and who guided it for its first year or two. However, while his vision was clear and his path was sure, his knowledge of combat and how to choose skilled warriors was not as great. Now, the day-to-day leading of the clan falls to...
Lord Tai: Tai is a wise noble lord, well skilled in the ways of leadership. He does not speak over-much, but what he says is well-considered.
Colonel Kobushi: The supreme commander of Clan Nettobuku's armies. My boss, just as General Wāro was back in Clan Iwinaga. He spends much of his time with Lord Tai and with Mitsu, but also meets with his fighters frequently to make sure we are practicing and our strategies are keen.
Mitsu: An abbott of the Tendai branch of Buddhism, he is in charge of the four Nichiren priestesses (see below).

The Other Fighters

Bunmei: The other ninja working with Clan Nettobuku. He and I get along fairly well, if a bit distantly. (This is okay; it means we trust each other to do things well and properly.) He's not from Iga, but he knows his ninja arts quite well. Like me, he's adept at city fighting and the Pagoda Bearer school of ninja-ken fighting, but he's also skilled in the Aka Hōseki Jōgesen school.
Captain Tomo: A warrior of diverse experiences and full of calm, competent skill. He seems at home in urban, forest, or plains combat, and is a strong asset to our team.
Daigo: A mighty fighter, most recently a yamabushi, but looking to move into more of a warrior path. (Sadly, the clan's needs have required him to practice a fair bit of shugendō in the mountains, but he is assured of real fighting once the mountain passes are clear.)
Ikuya: He is adept in the net- and rope-fighting arts of Shima Province, both in the Mai-Shikuo and Ōraku schools.

The Monk and Priestesses

Binya: The only Sōtō Zen monk we have (which will likely prove to be a problem later). Another one, Etsuya, fell ill a few weeks back, and is still resting. (We hope for his return, but it is not assured.) Binya is well attuned with Buddha-nature and the ways of harmony, and also has become very familiar with the terrain of Izumi Province.
Iyona: The wisest and most senior of the four Nichiren Buddhist priestesses who guide our clan in the ways of righteousness and duty. She has a discerning eye and a sure hand, and came to her holy duties only after spending some time as a warrior. Also, she is from Iga, and we have sometimes been at the same pleasure-houses.
Riruko, Sakura, and Kirika: The other three Nichiren priestesses. Each of them has some function within the temple, but I don't really know the internal details that well. They all seem quite holy, and quite good at their devotions and knowledge of righteousness.

Last, but certainly not least, I would be a fool and an ingrate to leave out Chiyoko. If she had a title, it might be something like "quartermaster" — she ensures that all is running smoothly, that the castle is kept clean, that messengers are met when they arrive, and that weapons are sharpened as needed. She is as the unseen Tao, without which all would stop.

Update, 2008-10-07: We have hired another ninja, named Jimon, who has been placed over Bunmei and me. Also, the Nichiren priestesses have acquired an abbess named Jīya, who helps guide the entire clan in the ways of righteousness. Chiyoko, sadly, has had to leave us, for her home village is too far from Castle Nettobuku.

Update, 2008-11-03: We have hired two more ninjas, named Benjirō and Saimei. Both are young and somewhat untested, but show some promise. We have also just added a yamabushi named Ishin to our ranks. He will be taking over the trail-blazing duties from Daigo, who is pleased to move into more combat-oriented tasks.

Current Mood: working

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In the past few days, there has been much upheaval in Ōtsu, where many warriors and merchants dwell. Since I know I will have to operate there in Clan Nettobuku's upcoming campaigns, I stopped by the city to see what was happening.

The city's previous ruler has stepped down, passing rulership on to his son. The new lord, Mitsuhiro-dono, is still consolidating his power; while most things are unchanged, there were enough changes to put me in great peril at least once or twice. I had to expend all of my shuriken to get out alive, and will need to rest before going back again.

However, once the unrest and chaos are quelled, I think the new ruler of Ōtsu will be very good for the city, and I look forward to visiting... perhaps late in summer.

In the meantime, I have recently been able to help two of my friends: my fellow-ninja Shō has need of a warrior, and it seems Araiguma is still ready and handy with his bo staff. Shō is introducing 'guma to his contact. I have my fingers crossed that this will be a beneficial partnership for all involved. It's good to be able to help friends.

And my Aka Hōseki Jōgesen studies are going well; I was able to match some of Bunmei's kata earlier this morning. He and I are building up some useful techniques, that are sure to come in handy when we start our military campaign and face enemy opposition.

Current Mood: working
Current Music: "Act II" (Philip Glass)

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I have been working hard with Clan Nettobuku, learning to use the sansetsukon and becoming adept at the fighting techniques of the Aka Hōseki Jōgesen school. The clan has been going through some reorganization and changes, and we are now embarking on a complete shift in our plans.

In between training and practice sessions, I have been a part of the clan's discussions on what our overall strategy will be, and what lands we wish to conquer. The Nichiren priestesses have a deep understanding of the ways of righteousness and harmony, but they also listen to the ideas of the warriors. We warriors are all quite skilled in strategy and tactics, but listen with open minds to the priestesses' wisdom. All of us are trying to determine our best course of action.

In the meantime, the wealthy merchants who are supporting our operations do not have unlimited patience. We must have a major victory by the beginning of the new year, or the merchants' funding will most likely cease. So, despite having some sense of the paths that would most align with Buddha-nature and righteousness, we must also consider the paths that can bring us short-term success.

I am studying hard to learn the Jōgesen school. It is a good ryū, one with much to recommend it, and I fear that I will have great trouble readjusting to the Pagoda Bearer school of ninja-ken. The sansetsukon is spoiling me.

Current Mood: working
Current Music: "The Robots (live)" (Kraftwerk)

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It is a foggy, misty day in Iga, and I am hard at work learning the Aka Hōseki Jōgesen style of sansetsukon fighting. Luckily, I was able to impress General Kobushi yesterday when we needed some Pagoda Bearer fighting done — Kobushi thought we would have to slay a large number of enemies, which we weren't really prepared for. But using some ninja techniques, I was able to whittle them down quickly and achieve a satisfactory resolution.

Next week, Clan Nettobuku will move to its new castle, not far from Henshukoku. The journey to the new castle will be an easy stroll across northern Yamato Province to Izumi. It will be interesting. Sadly, my fellow warriors Bunmei, Tomo, and Daigo will be coming from much further away. I hope they are not too fatigued by their journeys.

I am working hard to be accepted and admired by my new clan. I think it is going well. It is a small clan, so there are not too many people to get to know. They all seem good at their duties, and friendly as well. My fellow warriors are quite formidable, and I am confident that we will prove adequate to face down whatever enemies the clan decides to face.

But in order to do so, it will be very important to become more skilled with the sansetsukon. So, I return to my studies. Gambarimasu!

Edited to Add: In my studies, I have been guided by the very useful scroll called Sure-Footed Combat With Jōgesen (3rd edition), by the Pragmatic Warriors. I have just reached the point in my studies where I have started leap-frogging ahead of the moves and kata in the scroll.

I just read: "Of course, this technique would need to be altered if fighting in a forest, lest the end of the staff get tangled in underbrush on the downward sweeping motions. Let's look at how the Jōgesen school adapts the kata for such situations..."

And rather than continuing on, I put the scroll aside, and worked out the kata on my own. Having worked out my own version, I then checked back with the scroll... And it matches! (Well, mostly. Except for a couple of minor wrist-positioning differences.) I am starting to truly understand this school and its techniques.

Current Mood: working
Current Music: Carolyn's Fingers (Cocteau Twins)

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It's a foggy, misty day in Kansai and the Kii Peninsula as I rise early and head off (for the first time!) to Izumi Province to meet some of the other members of Clan Nettobuku. The fighters are having a series of meetings over the next few days, partly to get to know each other, and partly to plan our strategies and tactics.

Over the past two weeks, I have created a few useful kata with the kusari-gama, and have studied the basics of the three-sectional staff. Clan Nettobuku doesn't use the usual Pirōto design for its grappling hooks, but instead uses the Mūtou-style hook, so a few of the things I used to do back at Clan Iwinaga, I've had to re-learn with the new hook.

But all of this, I could do at home in Henshukoku, communicating with my clan-mate, Bunmei, via scrolls and irogomi. Now, I must journey to the castle.

We have many things to discuss, and many plans to make. I hope I can make a good impression.

Current Mood: working

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Since Clan Nettobuku is in the process of moving to a different castle, I have not even had to leave Iga Province this morning. The irogomi I received from their other ninja, Bunmei, told me of the tactics I need to prepare. A fairly standard urban operation, to be demonstrated for the clan's higher-ups when it is ready.

I had been somewhat looking forward to making the journey to Izumi Province, for the Yamato River is always scenic this time of year. But there are advantages to staying in Iga. Perhaps in a while I'll step out to a teahouse in the neighborhood.

Current Mood: working
Current Music: "One of These Days...", by Pink Floyd

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Today, General Wāro and the Ōmi Team took me out to a local steak house for a farewell lunch. Sachiko and her Sōtō Zen monks came, as well, and we all enjoyed fine food and each others' company. I found that the restaurant even has fine shōchū of a type that I've been enjoying lately, so I had a glass.

Since my impressive display last Sunday, Araki has been treating me with new respect. He keeps asking me about chain and grappling-hook techniques, and takes my advice on matters of urban strategy and tactics. Still, this is not enough of a change to keep me; Clan Iwinaga is too focused on samurai, mounted combat, and fighting on open plains.

But they do know how to treat their people, and it was quite enjoyable, sitting there eating finely prepared fugu and drinking daiginjyo shōchū for lunch (and watching Araki have a bit too much sake, so that he was amusingly sloppy with a few of his kata when we returned to the castle!).

Tomorrow, we have a clan-wide meeting to discuss our achievements over the past three months. Then, we have an enkai before I leave forever, and return to Iga for Arisa's and her husband Benjiro's party.

Current Mood: content

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Today, I spent 10 hours carving a trail of death through the cities of Futa Sanjūichi, doing some truly outstanding work with the kusari-gama. Joint locks, throws, some truly inspired tricks with the grappling hook. I left a trail of dead and bleeding bodies in my wake, and baffled many foes with my skill and ingenuity.

Finally, back at Castle Iwinaga, I showed General Wāro some of the special kata I have recently been developing, which I hope the armies of Clan Iwinaga will find useful in my absence. He was quite pleased, and even Araki, who rarely finds merit in anyone's techniques besides his own, said he was impressed with the way I'd integrated the chain and the moves with kama's blade.

Though I wish I could have spent the day with Akane, or helped cheer up my friend Teruaki (who is having a bad time lately), I am at least pleased to have turned in such an impressive finale. I sit writing these words in an Okinawan restaurant, midway from Heian-kyō back to Iga, where Akane will shortly join me for dinner.

(Later, upon arriving home: Ah! It turns out Teruaki will be able to join us for drinks and companionship. He'll arrive shortly, and we'll break out some sake... After today's performance, General Wāro will certainly not quibble if I'm a little late tomorrow.)

Current Mood: happy

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The Tales of the Ninja Coder

Way Too Busy

Bunmei's Done Some Serious Work

The Ninja and the Zen Monk

Ninja Bitching

The Usefulness of Nunchaku (Now, If Only I Had a Pair...)

Doing Well at Work

Life is Hard For a Ninja Coder

A Ninja's Reaction to Strategic Planning Meetings

The People of Clan Nettobuku

Adventure In Ōtsu; Helping Friends; Fun With Jōgesen

The Past Few Weeks At Clan Nettobuku

Studying Hard With Clan Nettobuku

Journey to Castle Nettobuku

My First Day With Clan Nettobuku

A Good (Second-to-Last!) Day at Castle Iwinaga

Badass Finale at Iwinaga

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