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‘No, it’s not. It’s tactics,’ Kazuki replied as Hiroto brought their boat alongside. ‘This is a bōjutsu class after all. And don’t forget our agreement!’

Kazuki thrust his staff at Jack a second time. Still off-balance, Jack couldn’t avoid the strike and was caught in the stomach. He doubled over with pain. Kazuki went for the final blow, hoping to knock Jack into the water. But Jack managed to raise his bō at the last second and block the strike. He then whipped his own staff round in an arc, aiming for Kazuki’s head. Kazuki ducked and swept his bō low across Jack’s boat. Jack was forced to jump and barely avoided getting cracked across the shins.

Landing unevenly on the rails, Jack felt the little rowing boat rock dangerously. Yamato’s right oar dug deep into the water and was snatched from his grasp. The boat lurched to one side. Jack teetered on the edge of the rail, arms cartwheeling manically. Only years of seafaring allowed him to regain his balance.

To no avail. As their boat keeled over and water rushed in, Jack jumped to the other side, trying to level the boat before it capsized. But it was too little, too late.

Kazuki and Hiroto coursed ahead, laughing to one another.

‘Hope you can swim!’ Hiroto shouted back as Jack and Yamato floundered in the chilly waters of the pond.

By the time they’d righted their boat, clambered in and completed their penalty circle, three other boats had passed them by, including Takuan and Akiko.

Yamato grabbed the oars and began to row furiously, while Jack crouched low on the stern urging him on. They passed two of the boats before reaching the opposite bank. Takuan and Akiko were setting off on the return leg. Kazuki and Hiroto, however, had swapped positions and were already heading back towards the jetty. Jack took over the oars from Yamato, checked to see his friend was balanced, then dug the blades in.

With each stroke, they gained on the two lead boats. Takuan appeared balanced, but Akiko was not as accomplished a rower as Jack. He soon overtook their boat. Then Jack focused on catching up with Kazuki. Keeping the strength in his pull even and ensuring the blades didn’t catch the pond’s surface, he brought the boat cutting smoothly through the water until they were head-to-head with Kazuki and Hiroto.

But Kazuki was determined not to let them pass. Their oars clashed and he threatened to ram Jack’s boat. Hiroto tried to dislodge Yamato with his staff, but Yamato was too quick and skilful with the bō. He neatly deflected the strike, cracking his staff across Hiroto’s knuckles and forcing him to drop his weapon. Then he jabbed Hiroto hard in the chest and the boy flew off the stern. Kazuki cursed and broke off from the race. Jack and Yamato let out a shout of triumph.

They’d won!

All of a sudden their boat came to a juddering halt, Yamato landing in a heap on top of Jack. Too intent on beating their rivals, they’d crashed into an ornamental rock. They could only watch as Akiko rowed calmly by.

Takuan raised his staff in salute. ‘Your exploits have inspired me to compose a haiku in your honour…

‘Spring hare runs too fast

to cross the finish line first –

hear the tortoise laugh.’

16

SNATCH AND GRAB

Jack, still wet from capsizing in the pond, trudged through Kyoto’s side streets in the direction of the Niten Ichi Ryū. Yamato had stayed behind with Sensei Kano for his advanced bōjutsu practice, while the rest of the class, in high-spirits following the race, had taken a more direct route back to school.

But Jack was not alone. Yori had insisted on accompanying him.

‘He’s so full of himself!’ muttered Jack, kicking at a loose pebble on the ground.

‘Who?’

‘Takuan.’

‘Ah! The tiger returns,’ said Yori, arching his eyebrow in a sage-like manner.

‘What are you on about?’

‘The tiger of jealousy, of course.’

‘I’m not jealous,’ declared Jack. ‘Why on earth should I be jealous of him?’

‘No reason. Good-looking, excellent at martial arts, impresses the sensei, a bit different, admired by Akiko…’

‘OK, I might