Young Samurai _ The Way Of The Dragon - Chris Bradford [62]
25
LAST SAMURAI STANDING
Jack sat upon his wooden horse among the decaying brown leaves.
Autumn was over and the trees lining the Yabusame course of the Kamigamo shrine were almost bare. The threat of war, once so sharp and terrifying, had now dulled and hung on the horizon like a distant storm. Though news continued to trickle in of foreign persecution and ronin drifting northwards, daimyo Kamakura had yet to attack a Japanese lord and the conflict itself had failed to materialize. Many students considered the danger had passed. Jack realized such complacency was hazardous with a man as devious as Kamakura. But even he was beginning to hope the daimyo’s crusade had lost its momentum and that the samurai lord hadn’t got the support he needed.
‘In-yo, In-yo,’ said Jack half-heartedly, as he went through the motions of drawing an arrow, nocking it on his bow and shooting the wooden target.
He could do this now with his eyes closed. He knew the exact height of the mark. He could hit the target from any distance and any angle. He knew precisely how long it would take him to nock an arrow, fire and prepare for his next shot. And he knew the jindou arrows with their blunt wooden ball heads had a tendency to drop slightly during flight. But he still had no idea whether he could do this on a galloping horse.
Jack watched enviously as the rest of the class thundered down the Yabusame track on their steeds. Emi went by, taking out the first two marks but missing the final one. Despite the months of training, no one – apart from Takuan – had struck all three targets in a single run. Occasionally, a student took a tumble in the dirt, but Sensei Yosa didn’t relegate them to training permanently on a wooden horse – as she had with Jack.
‘Takuan tells me your horsemanship has improved greatly in the last month,’ said Sensei Yosa, startling Jack as she approached him from behind.
‘Really?’ he replied, snatching at this glimmer of hope. Though he was surprised to hear this, considering Takuan spent more time watching Akiko’s prowess on the course than observing his riding skills.
‘He says you’re ready to learn how to ride without using the reins,’ she told him, patting the head of Jack’s dobbin affectionately. ‘If you make good progress, we’ll have you on a real horse for Yabusame by springtime. Now come over to the track, I have an announcement to make.’
Jack sighed at the thought of staying on his wooden horse for another three months. Dismounting, he kicked it in its unresponsive rear before trudging after Sensei Yosa.
‘How’s your mighty steed?’ said Saburo as Jack knelt down between him and Yamato. ‘Still eating sawdust?’
‘Very funny, Saburo.’
‘So when are you going to join us on a real horse?’ asked Yamato.
‘Not until spring!’
‘But that’s ages away!’ he exclaimed.
Jack nodded despondently. At least someone took his situation seriously.
‘You’ll have been on that dobbin so long, you’ll be getting splinters!’ said Yamato, his face cracking into a grin.
Seeing the funny side, Jack joined in the laughter. Sensei Yosa raised her hand for silence and the three of them stifled their giggles.
‘I’m very pleased with everyone’s progress. In the light of this, I’ve proposed a Kyosha against two of the local samurai schools, the Yagyu Ryū and Yoshioko Ryū. This competition shoot will take place as the first blossom forms on the sakura trees. In the meantime, I’ll be assessing everyone’s abilities and will select three riders to compete for the honour of the Niten Ichi Ryū.’
There was excited chatter among the students as they left the Kamigamo shrine and returned to school.
‘I wonder who’ll be chosen?’ asked Kiku.
‘Takuan will be,’ said Akiko. ‘He’s the best archer and rider.’
‘That’s kind of you to say, but there are many other fine riders in the school,’ replied Takuan, smiling warmly at