Young Samurai _ The Way Of The Dragon - Chris Bradford [131]
‘Can’t we rescue him?’
Sensei Yamada shook his head. ‘I understand he has gone there of his own choosing. He was offered a post serving daimyo Kamakura himself, but he refused to take it in deference to those who died. Masamoto-sama would never serve such a tyrannical master.’
Jack was relieved and at the same time saddened by the news. His guardian was alive, but it seemed a shameful end for such a great and noble warrior.
‘He’ll be fine, Jack-kun,’ said Sensei Yamada, seeing the disappointment in Jack’s eyes. ‘Masamoto-sama had often said he intended to live out his final years in contemplation. It’s always been his intention to write down the techniques of the Two Heavens for future generations of swordsmen. This may be just the opportunity he was looking for.’
Jack laughed. It was so like his Zen master to see the silver lining behind every cloud.
‘Did you ever find out what happened to daimyo Takatomi and Emi?’ he asked.
Sensei Yamado nodded. ‘Emi-chan’s safe. Daimyo Takatomi is a man of great wisdom. Ruthless as daimyo Kamakura is, he recognizes the need for such an astute lord as Takatomi in his new vision for Japan.’
‘You mean daimyo Takatomi’s serving him? He’s betrayed us!’ exclaimed Jack.
‘Our lord is no traitor,’ said Sensei Yamada sternly. ‘We have lost the war. But daimyo Takatomi realizes he could do more good for Japan serving in the new government than he could as an exiled lord, or a dead one.’
‘But surely Japan’s heading for disaster? Shouldn’t he be organizing a rebellion?’
Sensei Yamada thumped the ground with the tip of his staff. ‘After the rain, the earth hardens.’
Jack stared blankly at his Zen master, wishing he wouldn’t always speak in riddles.
‘Japan is now stronger than it was before the war. Though many would prefer someone else, daimyo Kamakura is the one finally to unify our country. Nobunaga piled the rice, Hasegawa kneaded the dough, but daimyo Kamakura gets to eat the cake!’
Sensei Yamada initially laughed at his clever analogy. Then his expression became grave again.
‘He has declared himself Shogun.’
‘Shogun?’
‘The supreme ruler of Japan. Daimyo Kamakura has seized all power, claiming a Minamoto bloodline. The Emperor becomes but a figurehead for our nation. Japan is now entirely in daimyo Kamakura’s hands. Which brings us to your predicament, Jack-kun. Have you had any thoughts as to your future?’
‘A few,’ admitted Jack, ‘but none of them offer me much hope.’
Sensei Yamada tutted and wagged his finger at Jack. ‘I believe you were the one to tell Yori, “Where there are friends, there’s hope.” Very wise words.’
He glanced towards the house as a shoji slid open.
‘Speaking of wise words, here comes a little wellspring of them.’
Yori bounded over the bridge, a tiny plant in his hand.
Jack was amazed at how resilient his friend had proven to be. The day after he and Akiko had fled the Tenno-ji Plain, they had come across Sensei Yamada and Yori retreating down the same road. It had been just in time too. With Akiko slipping in and out of consciousness, Jack was at a loss what to do. Sensei Yamada soon had the arrowhead out and treated Akiko’s wound with herbs.
It was during their journey to Toba that Yori told Jack how he’d escaped. Almost trampled underfoot by the Red Devils, he’d thrown himself off the bridge and into the moat. He’d then had to hide beneath the bleeding and maimed corpses of fallen samurai to evade capture. At dusk he’d made his way all alone across the Tenno-ji Plain until Sensei Yamada found him.
Yori was so delighted to discover his friends alive that his faith in Buddha now burnt brighter than ever. Yet in spite of his outward appearance of joy, Jack knew Yori suffered terrible nightmares of his escape. He heard him crying out in anguish every night.
Yori, a brave smile on his face, approached Jack and presented him with the sapling.
‘Uekiya says we can plant this sakura tree in honour of Yamato,