Early Life of Miyamoto Musashi

Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.

From Japan in Days of Yore. Vol. 3 by Walter Dening, 1905.

The materials for the following tale have been mostly taken from an anonymous work called the Kokon-jitsuroku-eiyūbidan.

Among the retainers of Ashikaga Yoshiteru, the thirteenth Ashikaga Shōgun [A.D. 1546—1567], there was a man called Yoshioka Tarozaemon. Tarozaemon was a good type of the knights of that time: brave and honest, a diligent student, as study went in those days, a kind parent and a steadfast friend. He was, too, an exquisite fencer, and one who had distinguished himself in battle over and over again.

Yoshiteru heard of Tarozaemon's skill in fencing; and, so at one time he assembled noted fencers from all parts of Japan and set him to fence with them. On this occasion Tarozaemon defeated some sixteen well-known fencers one after another. Yoshiteru, overcome with astonishment at the victor's great skill, bestowed on him the name of Mu-ni-sai, or the "Matchless one."

On the fall of Yoshiteru, his followers were scattered hither and thither, each one being forced to make a living as best he could. Munisai had a few acquaintances in the castle-town of Himeji, Harima; so he took up his residence in an outlying village of that town called Shimmi, where he rented a small house for himself and his family and succeeded in making two ends meet by teaching fencing.

Munisai had two sons: the elder was called Seizaburō, and the younger Shichinosuke. Munisai was extremely fond of his children, regarding them as the greatest treasure he possessed. The elder boy was of a quiet, retiring disposition, which well accorded with a physical constitution that was by no means strong. The younger brother was from early days full of an almost superfluous amount of vivacity, daring and enterprising, quick in acquiring anything to which he applied himself. His father's mode of fencing early engaged his attention, and the readiness with which he imitated it astonished his neighbours and acquaintances.

At the age of twelve Shichinosuke found himself endowed with the intelligence of a man of twenty, and the bodily strength of a youth of seventeen or eighteen years of age. This led to his gradually becoming impressed with the idea that his equal was not to be found in Shimmi, even if elsewhere. Invariably coming off victorious, he eagerly sought for combatants among the young men of the village, with whom he fought or fenced as the case might be. Nothing delighted him more than to find himself pitted against a lad twice his own size. Though so pugilistic, of the bullying spirit he had none; the weak he was always ready to help. Many a lad had to thank him for a speedy deliverance from his persecutor.

But this consciousness of superiority to others—this love of self-assertion in one so young led to self-will, conceit, and a total disregard of the rights of others. Complaints reached Munisai's ears from all quarters from men whose property or persons had been injured by Shichinosuke. Munisai was no indulgent parent. He had observed with natural pride numerous agns of his son*s high endowments. The ability and courage which Shichinosuke had displayed on all occasions delighted no one so much as his parent. But at the same time Munisai saw very clearly that unless the lad was taught how to practise self-control, he would grow up worthless, if indeed, in those days of danger to human life, his career were not cut short by the sword of some expert fencer. Munisai repeatedly reproved Shichinosuke for his misbehaviour; but nothing that he said made the slightest impression on his wayward son. So he determined to try whether he could not frighten him into obedience.

Accordingly, one day, when Shichinosuke was at home, Munisai went out into his court-yard and commenced to throw dirks at a target Munisai was extremely proficient in this art; but, with the object of exciting Shichinosuke's ridicule he purposely missed the target several times. Shichinosuke, seeing this, laughed aloud. Whereupon Munisai turned round and said:—''You abominable young scoundrel I How dare you laugh at your parent? Let me hear that again, and see whether I will not cut you in two pieces."

Without the slightest sign of fear, Shichinosuke replied:—"Though you are my parent, you surely don't think that I can help laughing at a thing of this kind. Were you not close to the target and yet missed it? Is not that enough to make any one laugh?" Here he burst out laughing again.

In an instant, Munisai's sword was drawn and, rushing at Shichinosuke, he made a fierce cut at him. The latter, as quick as lightning, dodged behind his father and avoided the blow. Round and round the yard ran the lad, swiftly followed by his father. Adroitly Shichinosuke avoided stroke after stroke. This made the father appear to be more angry still and led to his doing his utmost to intercept the lad's flight. Having succeeded in bringing his sword down within a few inches of Shichinosuke's head, the lad thought it was high time to make his escape ; so he leapt over the fence and fled as fast as his legs would carry him.

Not far from Himeji there is a village called Nomura. In this village there was at the time of which I write a temple called the Kōshōji. The priest of this temple was the brother of Munisai's wife. Shichinosuke was in the habit of frequently visiting his uncle, so, being afraid to confront his father after what had occurred, he hastened to Kōshōji. He reached the temple in a great state of agitation: and his uncle, seeing this, asked: —”What is the matter? What makes you so flurried?"

Wiping the perspiration from his forehead as he spoke, Shichinosuke related all that had happened, and added:—"I have often heard people talk of my Other's superior swordsmanship, but I had no idea he was so formidable. I am afraid to go into his presence again until he has forgiven me. Please go and ask him to pardon me." ''Do you mean to say that you have been all this time finding out that your father's swordsmanship is not to be matched anywhere?" asked the priest. "This is just your way of going on—as full of conceit as possible—with no respect whatever for your superiors! Munisai is at once your father and your teacher. The kindness with which he treats you is deeper than the sea and higher than Shumisen. And yet—scamp that you are! you despise this paternal affection. I go and plead for you!— what am I to say?'' Then, after a pause, he continued:— “Well, well! as you are my nephew I will do what I can for you, but the chances are against my succeeding.''

Quickly the good old man wended his way to the village of Shimmi, for, to tell the truth, despite Shichinosuke's self-will and conceit, he was a great favourite of his uncle's. The numerous noble traits of the lad's character more than outweighing the imperfections to which I have alluded, the priest felt deeply interested in him.

“Shichinosuke has behaved in an outrageously impolite manner to you, I hear," commenced the priest to Munisai; "and I have no doubt you find it hard to pass over his offence. But since he is your own child, may I venture to ask you to pardon him this time? He has been very much frightened by what has occurred and is afraid to confront you unforgiven.

“I knew," replied Munisai, ''that he would come to you, and therefore did not trouble about him. I am much obliged to you for your kindness to him. Though no doubt I look on him with a father's eye, yet it seems to me that Shichinosuke is no ordinary lad, and that if he lives to grow up he will make a name for himself some day. But lately I have noticed that he has been getting more and more puffed up with conceit. He has no respect whatever for the opinions or feelings of other people. Vanity of this kind leads to remissness in duty, to the neglect of rules of etiquette, to all kinds of evil. I have repeatedly reproved him for his arrogance, but to no purpose; so I think it best that he should be banished from the house for a while. To act in this way may seem to you to proceed from want of parental affection; but in truth it is not so. It has more real affection in it than a less indulgent course could possibly have. Shichinosuke pays little attention to his books, I am sorry to say. As you know very well, learning and war are like the two wheels of a chariot: by means of these man makes progress. If one of them is lacking, the other becomes useless. I think that it is possible that you may be able to induce him to study. Do me the favour of allowing him to remain at the temple until you think he is thoroughly reformed. If you will thus oblige me I shall feel grateful to you for life.”

To this the priest agreed. Returning to the temple, he informed Shichinosuke that his father was far too angry to receive him into his house, and that therefore there was nothing for it but for him to stay where he was; and that, as of course his remaining there idle was out of the question, he should expect him to apply himself to books in right earnest. This Shichinosuke promised to do.

There was at this time in Himeji a renowned fencing-master, who boasted of the name of Arima Kiheiji Ichiyōken Nobukata. Nobukata taught a style of fencing known as the Arima-ryū. He had in accordance with the custom of those days spent years in traversing the country in order to perfect his style, and on the termination of his wandering had settled down in Himeji, where he had opened a fencing-school which was attended by some three hundred pupils, the elite of the neighbourhood being included among them. His popularity as a fencing-master is said to have been unprecedented in Himeji. Outside his door stood a notice painted in gold letters which stated that he was the originator of a style of fencing the like of which had not been known since the creation of the world.

One day, when sent on an errand by the priest, Shichinosuke happened to pass Nobukata's house, and this notice caught his eye. "What cheek!" exclaimed the lad. " One would think to see this notice that Nobukata was the only fencer in existence. I have heard my father say that the men who have originated styles of fencing are innumerable; and yet this man tries to make out that the style which he has invented is superior to everything else in the fencing line. It is rightly said that it is people's vanity that is the cause of their destruction. I will act in Heaven's stead and punish this man for his presumptuous folly'

So saying, Shichinosuke took his pen from the case in which it was carried and, mounting the water-tub which stood near the gate, wrote the words:—"The frog in the well knows nothing of the great sea,” and by the side of it added:—"This was written by Yoshioka Shichinosuke, of the Kōshōji, Nomura."

Nobukata was giving his lessons as usual when his attention was attracted by a great hubbub at the gate. Something was evidently amiss. What could it be? He sent one of his pupils to see.

On hearing what had occurred, the fencer grew livid with rage. ''The work of some abominable scoundrel!" he exclaimed. ''He that defaces my sign-board is as though he defaced me. A reproach cast on the fencing that I teach! an insult to Arima the like of which never was!—Anyhow, we will see who is the better man,—and that with real swords too! So go, one of you and, Iaying hold of that scoundrel Shichinosuke by the hair of the head, drag him to this

One of Nobukata's disciples immediately set out for the temple, and demanded of the priest that Shichinosuke be sent to his master without delay.

The priest, on hearing what had occurred, was frightened out of his wits, and replied—"I cannot decide this myself; I will go and see Shichinosuke about it He has been unwell of late, so that what can be the meaning of this freak of his I cannot tell. He must be slightly demented I should say. Anyhow I will see him about it and let you know the result."

“What on earth have you been doing now?" exclaimed the priest to his nephew. "Do you know that you have provoked the fencing-master to send a man here to insist on your fighting with him with a real sword? What could have induced you to act in this way? Are you aware that you have put your life in danger?"

"Please, uncle, not to trouble yourself about this matter in any way," replied the lad quite calmly. "This fellow Arima Nobukata is a man who seems unaware of the existence of any one in the world but himself. It was because he placed an outrageous notice outside his gate that I wrote what I did. It was done by way of reproof, and not as mischief. And now for the fellow to say he wishes to see which of us is the better man with real swords!—well, this is a joke! Anyhow I will go at once and cross swords with him: so don't trouble yourself any more about it, uncle."

"An audacious young scamp, indeed!'' replied the priest “It is hopeless to expect to do anything with such a one as you: just stay where you are, will you. I will set the matter to rights."

The priest went out to Nobukata's messenger and said:—”Really, sir, I find that your master's august wrath has not been uncalled for. The mischief that has been perpetrated is absolutely outrageous. This Shichinosuke, I must tell you, sir, is my nephew. I have no reason to be proud of him, as you may imagine. He is only a lad of twelve. I have noticed that of late he has been growing very arrogant, and I have observed too that he gives way to fits of passion every now and again. I have not allowed him to leave the temple for some days. But yesterday I sent him on a little errand to Himeji; and this is the result I beg, sir, that you will be good enough to offer my humble apologies to your master, and ask him to pardon this boy's misbehaviour."

"I thought," replied the messenger, "that the person who was audacious enough to scribble on my master's notice-board was probably some noted fencer, but when you tell me that it was the work of a child who is ill and given to fits of passion, why, then there is no reason for my master's taking any further notice of the matter. But as I have no power to settle anything without consulting him, I will return and tell him what you say and let you know the result"

Nobukata, after hearing the report of the messenger, remarked:—"I thought that it was something of this kind. But had I done nothing to discover who the culprit was, of course it would have been said that I was afraid to encounter the man who had insulted me. It being a boy that has defaced my notice-board, to fight with him would be unmanly and undignified. Yet something must be done to wipe off the seeming disgrace which the disfigurement of the notice-board involves. Who knows but ourselves that it is a child who has committed this offence?"

Here Nobukata put his head on one side as though in deep thought, and, after a moment, addressing the messenger who had come from Nomura, said:—”I am sorry to trouble you so much, but just go again to the priest and say that, in accordance with his request, I will not enforce Shichinosuke's fighting with me, but that, as the lad is evidently very ignorant of manners, he is to bring him to-morrow at twelve o'clock to the pine-plantation on the outskirts of the town, where I will meet and instruct him."

On the messenger's reporting this to the priest, the latter replied:—"I am extremely grateful for this kindness. And that your master should not only be good enough to overlook Shichinosuke's offence but should condescend to instruct him as well—this is beyond all my expectations. Thank you very much for your trouble in coming a second time. He shall be at the appointed place tomorrow at noon."

Nobukata was interested in making this as public as possible. So he had notices placed in different parts of the town, which stated that on the following day at noon Arima Kiheiji would impart instruction to Shichinosuke of Nomura, and that listeners would be welcome.

The next day Nobukata, having arrayed himself in his best clothes, a little before twelve entered his palanquin and, attended by some fifty of his pupils made his way to the pine-plantation on the outskirts of the town, and on arrival pompously seated himself in a chair that had been prepared for him in the midst of the assembled multitudes.

Punctual to time, the priest of Kōshōji shortly after arrived, with his rosary in his hand, and Shichinosuke walking by his side.

The priest approached Nobukata and, bowing, said:—”As you see, sir, Shichinosuke is but a lad. He is very ignorant ; I hope you will be good enough to instruct him."

Nobukata did not rise from his seat, and condescended to do no more than show by a slight movement of his eyes that he was aware that the priest was addressing him. Treating the priest with cold indifference, he turned to the lad and said. "Shichinosuke, come here!"

Shichinosuke advanced in a careless, slouching manner and bowed to the fencer.

"I am no other than the noted Arima Kiheiji," commenced the fencer in a pompous voice. "Your scribbling on my notice-board was an outrageous piece of mischief. Since you are only a child. I will magnanimously pardon you, but listen well to what I have to say. You have learnt a little fencing, I understand. Such a smattering knowledge as you possess, however, is in the possession of most lads of your age. You should not allow this to puff you up with conceit.”

“Impudence, indeed!” thought Shichinosuke as he listened to these words. "This fellow would do well to apply to himself the advice he is so ready to give to others." But as his uncle was there, Shichinosuke did not venture to show any signs of resentment, but simply bowed assent to the fencer's remarks.

"So you assent to what I say, do you?—well, that's good. Now let's see what style of fencing you have learnt. Come, lad, suppose I put you through your cuts and guards."

“If you specially wish it," replied Shichinosuke, "you shall see what I can do."

The words were hardly out of his mouth, when, as quick as lightning, he drew from his bosom a short fencing sword, measuring about one foot two inches, and before Kiheiji knew what was intended or had time to rise from his seat, he brought it down with tremendous force on his forehead.

"Ah!" ejaculated the fencer, and, reeling in his chair, he dropped dead on the spot

The greatest commotion imaginable followed. Kiheiji's pupils were mad with rage. One of them, rushing at Shichinosuke, attempted to seize him; but in an instant the latter caught the pupil by the hair of his head and sent him flying through the air. Two others now attacked him. One of these he kicked, and tumbled head over heels; the other he struck with his fencing sword so effectually that he did not care to approach Shichinosuke again. Whereupon a number of others drawing their swords, and exclaiming to each other: "Take care what you are at! he is no mean foe," set on him pell-mell.

Shichinosuke, nothing daunted, dashed about hither and thither, dealing blows where they were necessary, and avoiding stroke after stroke in a way that astonished spectators and assailants alike till,watching his chance, he escaped scathless, dragging his old uncle, who was half dead with fright and bewilderment, after him.

The two had not gone far before they met a troop of samurai. Their leader was evidently a man of some importance. Shichinosuke ran up to the troop and said:—”Please, Sir Knights, to take pity on us: our foes are at our heels. What becomes of me I care not, but do take compassion on this old priest"

"We know nothing of the rights of the case," replied the leader of the troop, “but since you appeal to us because we are samurai, we cannot well refuse to help you."

Orders were given that the two refugees should be put into an empty palanquin that was being borne in their midst Shichinosuke and his uncle had no sooner entered it than some thirty or forty of Arima's disciples came running up, and inquired of the samurai:—"Have you not seen a boy of some twelve or thirteen years of age with a priest pass this way?"

“No;" replied the leader of the troop, “we have seen no one of the kind. You had better search for them elsewhere."

"It is not so;" replied one of the pursuers, "We saw them come thus far. They cannot have escaped without your observing them. They are here."

"They are in the palanquin! They are in the palanquin! Let us search the palanquin!" exclaimed one of Kiheiji's followers.

"Look into a palanquin that I am guarding without my leave!—a piece of rudeness such as this I will never allow.” replied the leader of the troops. "I am no other than Miyamoto Buzaemon, the retainer of Katō Kiyomasa, the Lord of Higo. I will not allow anyone to point a finger even at a palanquin that I am guarding, much less look into it." Thus saying, Buzaemon seized his spear and stood ready to run any one through that approached, and then said: "Look into the palanquin, as many of you as please!—Come on!—don't be shy!”

As Buzaemon stood thus, he looked as fierce as the Ni-ō that stand at the entrance of the Buddhist temples; or like the Chinese Chōhi when he stood on the bridge of Chōhan and withstood the Gi army.

Kiheiji’s disciples were overawed when they heard Kiyomasa's name and saw how formidable a foe they would have to contend with in his follower; and so though they knew that such was not the case, they said:—”We have no doubt made a mistake; we will search for them elsewhere.” and immediately went away.

Buzaemon smiled and ordered his men to proceed. When they had gone about five miles from the place where this incident occurred, he stopped the cavalcade and had the refugees brought before him. He had been struck by the magnanimous way in which Shichinosuke had pleaded for protection for the priest while professing himself careless as to his own fate. And now when he looked at Shichinosuke more narrowly and perceived that he was but a child, he was still more impressed by the courage and generosity which he had displayed.

The priest thanked his benefactor in a most polite manner. "You rescued us 'sir' at a time when we despaired of life," said the priest " Your kindness is more then we can possibly repay." He then proceeded to relate the history of the whole affair described above. At the close of the story Buzaemon, turning to Shichinosuke, said:—”I admire immensely the pluck you have shown to-day. Whose son are you?"

On Shichinosuke's giving his father's name, Buzaemon looked very pleased and replied:—”Why, your father and I then served together under Ashikaga. At that time he and I were bosom friends, our relation to each other being very much like that of fish and water. Since the Shogun's fell I have lost sight of your father. I am glad to know that he is still alive. I will accompany you to his house."

“I am not allowed to go to my father's house, sir," replied Shichinosuke. "I am under punishment"

"Why?—what has happened?" asked Buzaemon.

The priest now came forward and gave the reason for Shichinosuke's banishment from his father's house. After which, Buzaemon, addressing the priest, said:—"I have a matter about which I wish to speak to you: we will go to your temple together."

On their arrival at Kōshōji, Buzaemon remarked:—

“Shichinosuke has killed Kiheiji and several of his pupils. Of course their companions and friends will come here to avenge their death. So what I advise is, that you dispose of your goods and chattels and leave this place at once. I will take the lad back to his father and make arrangements for secreting him somewhere."

To this the priest agreed, and forthwith, assuming the garb of a mendicant friar, and not forgetting to take his lute, an instrument on which he played with great skill, so much so that subsequently he was known as the Lute-devotee, he set out on his journey.

Buzaemon, under the guidance of Shichinosuke, made his way to Munisai's house. Munisai had heard that his son had been guilty of defacing Nobukata's sign-board, and and anticipated that the priest of Kōshōji was on this account greatly troubled, and was sorry enough that he undertook the charge of so wild a lad as Shichinosuke. Just as he was wondering how the affair had ended, Buzaemon reached his door. Seizaburo went to the door.

"Is this the house of Mr. Yoshioka Munisai?" asked Buzaemon.

"It is;" replied Seizaburo. "Who may the gentleman be that I have the honour of addressing? My father is at home to-day, sir: please walk in."

“I am an old friend of Munisai's," said Buzaemon as he passed into the house, "so I will enter without further ceremony."

Here the two knights met; and, after going through all that the etiquette of the gentlemen of those days demanded in the way of salutation, which, it is hardly necessary to say, occupied a considerable time, as is the custom with old friends, they related to each other the experiences of the years that had intervened since their separation.

"I," said Buzaemon, “having been fortunate enough to be patronized by Kiyomasa, am getting on splendidly. If there is anything that I can do to help an old friend, I hope he will not be backward in letting me know."

“Thank you", replied Mimisai. “Though I am in the unbecoming plight in which you now see me, yet, since I enjoy good health, I have really no cause to complain and am in no need of assistance, kind as it is of you to offer it nevertheless."

While the two were thus conversing, Seizaburo was preparing for the guest such refreshment as the house afforded. In offering it to Buzaemon, Munisai said:—“We have nothing whatever to give you worth eating. Notwithstanding its unpalatableness, let me beg of you to partake of a little sakana. It is but vegetable sakana, I perceive."

“If the dish,” replied Buzaemon, "be an evidence of the friendly feeling that Munisai entertains towards Buzaemon, then vegetable sakana has a better flavour attached to it than any sakana lacking this association could possibly have. But there is a special kind of sakana that I wish to ask you for. Will you not give it to me?"

With a smile on his face, Munisai replied:—"Never mind about that now; just take what's set before you, that's a good fellow!"

“Ah," rejoined Buzaemon, "I perceive that you do not know to what sakana I am referring. It is to your son Shichinosuke that I allude."

Here Buzaemon informed Munisai of the manner in which he had come into contact with Shichinosuke. “And," said he, "I am overcome with admiration at the boy's courage and true nobleness of nature. I have never been blessed with a son of my own, so that, if you can consent to part with him, nothing would give me more pleasure than to adopt Shichinosuke and take him with me to Kiimamoto. In my opinion it will never do to leave him here. Kiheiji's pupils will most certainly search the neighbourhood for him. If you can make up your mind to part with such a noble lad, it will have the effect of cementing the friendship of years in a lasting manner; and I shall feel indebted to you for life."

Munisai hardly knew how to reply to this request A variety of emotions were contending for the mastery within his breast. He was an affectionate parent, and Shichinosuke was his favourite son and a lad of whose superior abilities and high moral qualities he was justly proud. And, now, to think that this son had been so near death, and that the hand which rescued him was that of an old friend. The boy was evidently immensely improved too: his anxiety to save his uncle's life and his carelessness about his own was a touching proof of this. And now must he part with this boy, perhaps forever? Yet no other course was open. The lad's safety first and next his future prospects must take the precedence of all besides. Parental feeling must bow to the voice of reason. Buzaemon's request was no less reasonable than opportune—deny it, he could not. So after giving in the most honest manner possible a detailed account of the boy's failings, Munisai said:—"If, after hearing all, you still wish to adopt him, then I willingly intrust him to you, being confident that I could not place him in better hands."

A tear, whether of joy or of sorrow it would be hard to say, was seen to roll down the father's cheek as he thus gave his consent to his son's departure.

Shichinosuke was now called and his father addressed him as follows—"Notwithstanding that you are such a good-for-nothing lad, Mr. Buzaemon has been gracious enough to say that he will adopt you as his son. I have decided to allow you to accompany him to Kumamoto."

Munisai, being anxious to give some private instructions to his son before his departure, requested Buzaemon to excuse them, and, taking the lad into an adjoining room, addressed him as follows:—

"My object in sending you to the Koshoji was to induce you to study. Knights are persons who from early years must give attention to learning. By learning it may seem to you as though I referred to something very extensive. But such is not the case. Described briefly, learning consists of two things, and two things only: one being loyalty, the other filial piety. Warriors are men who, when occasion calls for it, must be ready to throw away their lives as though they were dust In the cause of justice they must look upon their persons as no more worthy of consideration than a feather. If they strive to be brave and to do what is right, they will bring no reproach on their parents. But to be putting forth strength on all occasions without an adequate cause this is wrong. Prompted by the anger of the moment, to kill people, and thus be the means of one's own destruction—this is courting a death that only befits a dog, and making oneself a butt for the ridicule of the world. As Confucius remarks:—‘We are not to be like the tiger that in his fury throws himself into the river and loses his life without an adequate reason for doing so.' “

Shichinosuke was much moved by these words. Separation from his father had had the desired effect: it drew out his natural affection for his parents, and suppressed the unseemly arrogance the display of which had so often given Munisai pain.

"I will bear in mind what you say, sir," replied Shichinosuke. ''Hitherto, in my ignorance and folly, I have done nothing but behave in an impolite and arrogant manner, henceforth I shall act differently. The clouds that darkened my heart have been dispelled, and it is bright again."

This mild and submissive answer from the lips of one who had never uttered anything like it in his father's hearing before, had the effect of intensifying the sorrow with which Munisai took leave of his son. But, having made up his mind to a course, Munisai was not the one to change; and he was averse to showing emotions that would only have tended to unnerve Shichinosuke and unfit him for entering on his new duties with heart and soul. So he abruptly put an end to the interview by saying:—"Mr. Buzaemon has a long journey to make. Already he has been greatly delayed on our account: he must not be detained any longer; so make haste and get ready to start."

Thus, as is so often the case, the pain of separation was alleviated by the bustle of the necessary preparations for the journey, and Shichinosuke set out for his new and distant home.

Dening, Walter. Japan in Days of Yore. Vol. 3, Kyōbunkwan, 1905.

Walter Dening

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