Practical training
Hello everyone, it’s Animeman73 once again. Welcome to day 29 of Inessa Burnell’s #BASwordtember challenge. This challenge has been fun, but all good things must end. And I’ve got a lot more to do.
For day 29, the word/subject is: Wood.
Let me show you what I came up with. I enjoyed this one.
Jiro Okawara grunted as he swung his wood sword through the practice routines. The apprentice of Master Samurai Hiroshi Uchiyama moved through the steps. Yet the boredom and frustration were becoming evident.
Then he heard booted footsteps approach. He turned to see his master dressed in his loose-fitting training garb approach. He turned and bowed in respect, keeping his head up.
The older man nodded and bowed. “Good, I see those whacks I gave to you the first few times have helped you learn.”
The boy nodded. The master samurai looked on the young man. “Something troubles you young Jiro?” he asked.
The boy nodded. “Master, why must we practice with these wood swords? Why can’t I use a real sword instead?”
The older samurai asked, “Are you so eager to wield the metal blade like the samurai of Nihana legend?”
"Yes master, " Jiro answered as he nodded in confirmation.
The older samurai drew a wood blade from the holder on his belt. “You may do so, if you can beat me.”
The younger boy’s eyes widened. “But. But Master I..?”
The older samurai shook his head. “The only way to wield a metal sword is when you can beat me in a duel.”
The young man raised his wood sword into a ready position as taught. The older samurai took one look. He extended his sword, and knocked the boy out of his stance. The older man shook his head. “Your body is too tight, and your stance isn’t wide enough.” He chided.
The young man grimaced and adjusted his footing. The older samurai swatted at his ready position again. The sounds of both wood blades rang out, but this time the boy did not budge.
The older samurai nodded his approval. “Your stance is better and your grip is steady. You’re improving Jiro.”
Then the man moved back into his own ready stance. Jiro braced himself for whatever was to come.
The older man ran forward and let loose with a rightward swing upward. Jiro moved his sword to block Master Uchiyama. He grimaced as the blow struck the blade sending shockwaves of pain through his hands and arms.
Yet the young man managed to hold on to his sword. Master Uchiyama came at him with a leftward swing. Jiro had no choice but to slide back.
The wood sword whooshed as it went by. But the young man wasted no time in going for the opening.
The older samurai saw what the young man was trying and spun around him as Jiro struck with a frontal attack.
For his efforts Jiro received a hard whack to his back and went flying downward to crash to the Earth. The young man groaned from the stinging blow to his back.
“You got too aggressive Jiro, it’s one thing to have courage. But courage without wisdom is a death sentence.”
The young man got to his feet and brushed his face off as he raised his wood sword.
He struck again and again. Master Uchiyama blocked his blows with his sword. But this time Jiro saw the older man going for the overhead strike.
Instead, he moved to his left, and struck out. The stabbing blow connected with the man’s right hip, and Master Uchiyama grimaced.
He then smirked. “You hit me, that’s faster than any of my other apprentices did. But this duel isn’t done yet!”
Young Okawara raised his blade into a ready stance, his master doing the same. Jiro saw the older samurai’s right foot twitch. The young man turned his sword into a rightward defense position.
Instead, the older man moved his blade downward and caught him with a blow to the chin.
Jiro grimaced and backed away as he rubbed his chin. His ears rang from the blow and he shook his head to get the ringing out of his ears. When the ringing stopped his master stated, “Never presume what your opponent will do.”
The younger man grimaced in frustration. “Damn it, I’ll never be as good as you!”
He set down his sword. "You win Master!”
“Why do you quit so soon Jiro?” his master asked.
“Because I can’t beat you, you’re too good, and me, I’m a mere Rice Farmer’s son. I should return to the family farm and…"
The master gave Jiro a glare. “Listen to me Jiro, I did not master these moves overnight. It took years of study for me to get this.
“You are still young and innocent in the ways of the world. Do not be so foolish and believe you can master the way of the samurai overnight.”
The older man took the young man and they headed over to a bench to sit. “You did manage to hit me. That’s more than any apprentice did in their first year.” He pointed out.
“Jiro, you have much potential and must not rush things. The greatest of artisans or haiku poets do not master their craft overnight. It takes years to master as with any skill.”
“You think so Master?” Jiro asked.
Master Uchiyama nodded. “I know so dear boy. You can and will master the sword.
You will work with metal swords one day. But now, practice with the wood. Hone your skills, and one day you will be like the great warriors of legend.’
The young man felt himself perk up. He bowed to his teacher. “Yes master, I will.”