From: "Donald Arganbright" <jayden63@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: ffml@fanfic.com
Subject: Re: [FFML] [ShortFic]Ninja Scroll
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 12:54:19 MST

Hoi,

C&C is more than welcome.

Ask and ye shall recieve... put you pay the shipping and handeling

A few even clapped.  Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed one >man 

that had been sleeping the entire time near the back, a sword in >his 
lap.  The man's broad-brimmed straw hat covered his face.

   "You there!" the boasting man called out, weaving around seats to
prod the sleeping passenger with the butt of his saya.  The man 

stirred slightly before settling back to sleep again.
The man frowned.  How dare a commoner ignore him, and even have the 
audacity to carry a sword!
"Impudent peasant!  When a warrior speaks, one should listen," the 
self-centered swordsman shouted.

Your right about the audacity of carring a sword.  Any pesant caught 
with a Katana, who is not a retainer or servent of a samurai, was 
instantly killed on the spot.  There were few greater crimes.  The 
samurai would not have cared about being ignored, he would fight Jubei 
for having a sword.  Funny that Jubei (who is not a samurai, but a 
ninja) uses a katana and not a ninja-to

Jubei isn't a ninja.  He's not a samurai in the strictest technical 
sense, though ronin could be considered samurai to some degree or the 
other.  This is, of course, a subjective point.  True, peasants in the 
high era of feudal Japan would never have had a sword, though later on 
it actually became common as low quality swords became widespread in the 
Japanese army before guns became more prevalent.  It isn't that odd to 
find a peasant with a katana.  You most likely wouldn't have found one 
sporting it like there was no tomorrow.  As for ninja and samurai, as 
far as I know, there's no such thing as a 'ninja-to'.  The 'ninja-blade' 
is a lot more a misconception based on the fact that ninjas and their 
lore as almost all lore and not much fact.  Most people would assert 
that the 'ninja-to' was actually a katana or a wakazashi.  

In my opinion, based on what I've learned and the books/people I've 
read/spoke to, there's no such thing as a 'ninja-to' in the strictest 
sense of the word.

The strange man shrugged and turned to look over the expansive lake. 

The other swordsman noticed the sword in his hand.

"You carry a sword," the armored swordsman spat in an offended 
voice.  "How is it a peasant like you could come to carry a blade?"
"It's mine," was the nonchalant reply.  "It's been in my family for 
quite some time."
   "Do you even know how to use such a weapon?"
   "I guess I do," the stranger said with a small smile.  "I'm still 

alive, ne."

Too much talking, while you have Jubei's reactions and manerisms 
correct, the other samurai would just attemp to strike him down.  Now 
its true that there are Ronin (non-samurai) that carry a sword, if they 
don't have a reputation and are known for their honor or glory, most 
samurai will strike them down on the spot... again most do not carry a 
Katana.

Striking someone down in broad daylight like that might be great for a 
samurai who's been affronted by someone, but in all likelihood, the 
samurai would most likely speak before slash.  If the peasant really was 
a peasant, they'd be quick to pass judgement, but there are far too many 
documented incidents and folk lore that assert that many ronin were 
unrecognizable and that most if not all samurai (true samurai, if there 
is such a thing) would not have simply struck the person down where they 
stood.  A quiet man is a very dangerous man, or has the potential to be 
one.  On the other hand, touching someone's sword without express 
permission can be rewarded by death.  Go fig...

   "I am the undisputed champion of this province.  I could show >you 

a thing or two about that blade you carry," the boastful >swordsman 
said.  

"I'm willing to wager you don't even know how to use that thing >you 
have in your hand."
"That's fine," the man said, brushing off his simple brown keikogi 
and settling back into the seat for another nap.  The other >swordsman 

Still too much talking, although Jubeis attitude is correct.

kicked his leg out from under him.
   "Rude bastard!  I'm challenging you to fight me, though you 
certainly aren't worth the effort."
   The quiet swordsman simply blinked slowly, his face 

expressionless.

   "What school do you practice?" he asked.
   "I am the very founder of the Taikosetsu-ryu!" the man boasted.
   The man in brown simply nodded.
   "And you, peasant?  What base form of battou-jutsu do you presume 

to 

know?"
   A moment of silence lapsed.
   "The School of No Sword," the man replied with a smile.
   "The School of No Sword?" the proud samurai asked.
   The man nodded quietly.
   "Very well then.  We'll see just how good your school is!" the 
samurai said, making to draw his swords.

This is a little wronge.  Duels were simply a 1 cut affair.  When using 
a katana thats all it takes.   Both samurai stood a few feet apart and 
stuck at the same time.  There was 1 draw and 1 cut.  Someone died and 
someone lived.  They were that simple.  It was an honorable death, if 
you lost.

Not necessarily true.  A common misconception about the katana was that 
you could cut through something like ten men with a single strike.  
True, a master swordsman could most likely cut a man in two, but when it 
came down to duels, one strike was not necessarily enough.   True, it 
could be, but not all the time, and particularly not with armor on.  The 
possibility is there, but I think it'd take more when it comes down to 
two skilled swordsmen.  Again, a subjective point.

"Come now!  Come forward and fight, peasant!" he called back to the 
boat.
"The man in the simple clothes walked over to the edge of the boat 
and yawned.  He handed over his sword to the nearest oarsman who 
simply blinked in confusion.  Before the samurai on shore would 

react, 
the man in brown took an oar and gave the boat a strong push >off, 
sending the boat back out into the deeper waters.  The oarsmen >laughed 
and paddled onwards as the women quietly smiled amongst >themselves.

While I found this funny, it was a little incorrect.  I can see the 
fight where Jubei udderly defeats his opponent, destoying both is armor 
and swords, but not killing him.  To loose in a duel and not die, was 
disgraceful.  I can see this as seamingly proper punishment that Jubei 
would dish out.

I have to disagree.  While personal opinion, I believe that if Jubei 
were to adhere to the strictest interpretation of what is or is not 
honorable, the duel would not have been fought.  Aside from personal 
insult, there was nothing that necessitated the duel to the death.  And 
given Jubei's usually cunning and quick wit, I think publicly shaming 
him in front of a great many people is the wiser, safer, and easier 
choice.  No swordsman would have fought unless they absolutely have to.  
After all, the true samurai doesn't fight with the sword to obliterate 
and dishonor his enemy, the sword is simply a tool to accomplish that 
which needs to be done; and the sword, while a swift and efficient tool, 
is one that requires an impartial mind and must be free of personal 
desires.  At least, that's how I've interpreted iai.  It's hard to 
explain, and I'm most likely butchering the concept.

Subjective.  This is completely subjective, and I see your point.  I 
simply have a different interpretation of the samurai code, I guess.

"That is my school of No Sword," the man in brown called over his 

shoulder with a smile.

The shouting of the samurai stranded on the island died in the 
gentle breeze as they paddled back on course.  The triumphant 
swordsman settled back into his seat, a well-dressed womanly timidly 
offering him shade with her umbrella.  He smiled his thanks and 
settled back into his seat for a nap.  The rest of the ride passed 
without incident.

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Over all it was a very good read.  I enjoyed it and I thought you 
caputured Jubei's calmness and clarity perfectly.  

Thank you for the C&C.  I appreciate it.  I see what you mean in a lot 
of your comments.  I'll be sure to look over them again and take what 
you've said into consideration.  Don't be offended if I seem a little 
terse, or quick to be defensive.  I'm not trying to come off that way, 
though if you'd like to discuss bushido or iaido in detail, I suggest we 
take it to private email.  ^_^;;

Thanks again for reading!

***    Knife Sharpens on Stone... Man Sharpens on Man     ***
***    - Tao                                              ***

Jayden Stormwalker


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