Kenson Gakka: Humble Turtle
Hour of the Dragon
Nyoko decided to enter two of the competitions of the Humble Turtle, out of curiosity if nothing else. Preparing for the Seikakusa and Sumai events, Nyoko took a moment to bind the ends of her hakima tightly around her ankles. Among the Lion bushi, who keep themselves clearly separate from their shugenja, the Dragon drew no few comments about this. Several Lion stopped to watch the Dragon practice, probably to try to see if she was actually a shugenja.
As the morning court wound to a close, Kadokawa stepped out into the courtyard. He removed his kimono, and carried his full daisho in the belt of his kobokama. His small stature seemed almost comical, but he seemed not to notice. He sheathed his blades and began practicing his iaijutsu technique. He began with his right hand, to honor his sensei. The Kakita school required that students learned with their right hands. It was custom. Far be it for one lone Doji to fly in the face of a thousand years of tradition. Even if he was left handed. His draw and strike were nearly flawless, and his focus unbreakable. Even as others stopped and watched, Kadokawa continued, oblivious to those around him.
A Crane's sword technique is quite different than members of the other clans. His movements are rapid, and graceful. Each strike looks like an iaijutsu attack. His blade stands perfectly still for a moment, then almost immediately seems to be at his opponent's throat. His blade sings as he practices.
Then he switched hands. Many opponents have been unable to cope with Kadokawa's ability to use both hands equally well. What little pride the samurai holds is found in this fact.
After a little while, Kadokawa finished his workout. He felt fully prepared for the contests for which all of the bushi were waiting. His mind his body and his soul were ready. He turned to make conversation with any onlookers, Cranes in particular, although he held no contempt for any clan.
He was slightly surprised to find Otaku Ku Shi among the throng. Not impressed in the least with Kadokawa, but interested to try the techniques he was using, Ku Shi had walked up to him and was watching without appearing interested. She prepared herself to practice her iaijutsu technique, as well. Starting with her right hand and switching to her left, Ku Shi acted like it was not natural for her, mostly to throw off the other onlookers, almost making a joke out of it. Acting frustrated with her performance, Ku Shi bowed to Kadokawa and walked off.
Hoping that her soon-to-be opponents were watching her performance, Ku Shi thought to herself, I'm looking forward to these games.
At the middle of the Hour of the Dragon, the Festival's competitions began with the Yabusame - targeting - event. The call went out across the parade grounds for the entrants to assemble. Aramoro, Shitasu, and Ku Shi made their ways to the competition field and listened to the instructions of the Lion judges. In this event, mounted samurai were to ride through a series of six targets placed on either side and fire at them. The targets began large and close to the rider, but between each round, the size decreased and the distance from the rider increased. When an archer missed, they were automatically eliminated.
After the judges had explained the event to the participants, they pointed out the stacks of arrows for the competitors - one for each target on each ride - and the dai-kyu available for the samurai who did not have their own bows. They announced the first rider, a local Matsu bushi. The three companions prepared themselves for their upcoming performances.
As the contestants prepared, Jin was walking about, speaking with whoever would listen, and going to go to the events that Aramoro was involved in. Jin showed his support for him and boasted that Aramoro was the most majestic of Lions. "Why, this indiviual shines so brilliantly that one may wonder why he is a Lion and not a member of the Emperor's own house!"
Jin bowed to all and grinned widely as he ackowledged his uncanny ability to enrapture everyone with his lustrous smile. "You know, it is my good fortune to be blessed by the heavens. I know that it is hard for some to understand that one such as I am so gallant and blessed," seemed to become Jin's typical converstaion.
Nyoko shook her head as she watched the courtier speak to everyone, and attempted to keep her mind on her preparations for her upcoming events.
Called to begin his run, Aramoro stood ready beside the field. He had changed his clothes from the kimono he wore at court to battle gear for the tournament. Long before his turn arrived, he mounted a horse provided by the Matsu. It was a fine steed, and Aramoro hoped someone had chosen it for him on purpose. He'd need help from good steady mount to hit targets while riding. At least he had his own bow. His turn arrived and Aramoro guided his horse out to the beginning of the course. The referee waved a tessen, signaling him to start and his horse. Familiar with the signal, the horse almost took off without him.
Aramoro drew an arrow and eyed the first target while trying to compensate for the movement of the horse. His sensei's words drifted across Aramoro’s lips, "The arrow knows the way," just as he let it fly toward the first target. He found himself trying to see if the first arrow hit, when he was suddenly aware how close the next target was. Quickly he pulled another arrow and shot again. The young soldier cringed. He could tell from the way it felt he must have missed that time. Focusing on the task at hand Aramoro drew again and fired. His instinct told him that one was better. As he guided the horse around the path with only his knees, he drew and fired three times more. As he reached the end of the course Aramoro knew he had not made it past the first round.
Shitasu made his first run shortly after Aramoro. He was easily twice as good with a bow as the Akodo, and his skill showed during his run. Unfortunately, like Aramoro, he was not used to using his martial skills on horseback. His run was impressive, but he did narrowly miss two of the targets.
Walking off the parade grounds to rejoin Aramoro, Shitasu was a little upset that the sign advertising the event neglected to mention the horses.
Kadowkawa watched his companions as they competed in the archery contest. After a while, he grew tired of all the movement on horseback, so he decided to retreat to the Shrine of the Seven Fortunes, across town. Walking into the monastery, Kadokawa asked the shinpu if he could be allowed to meditate with the monks.
"Certainly, Doji-sama," the elderly monk replied. "There are not many here to join, but you are more than welcome to."
Kadokawa thanked the monk and settled onto a tatami in front of the shrine to Bishamon, reasoning that the Fortune of Strength is probably popular among the former Akodo and Matsu that no doubt fill the Shrine. He studied his Tao for some time, poltely speaking with and asking questions of the two monks in the shrine with him, and eventually convincing them to help him with his tea ceremony. While speaking with the monks, Kadokawa also occasionally asked them for pointers on tactics and warfare, as his knowledge of such matters was limited, and he had a curious itch to participate in the tactics challenge to come later in the day. He was very polite to his hosts, but also remained persistant in his study with them.
The monks were gracious hosts, and generally helped Kadokawa in any way they could. Kadokawa eventually noticed that the more he spoke of his tactical requests in terms of the power of Bishamon, the more likely the monks were to answer the actual question, and not simply quote the Tao and advise against unnecessary violence.
Akodo Ichiro spent his time during the morning speaking with the traveling martial artists at the festival, as well as watching the street performaers that were relatively common throughout. He was seeking to expand his fighting knowledge, especially in melee situations. Ichiro was beginning to believe that he was growing too dependent on his magic, possibly to his ultimate detriment.
The moves of the street performers could possibly be of use in a difficult fight, he realized, but they are still very unconventional, even for unarmed combat. The other samurai actually proved to be the greatest influences on Ichiro, as he managed to observe the fighting styles of the Kakita, Hida, Mirumoto, Shiba, and of course, the Akodo, as the samurai at the festival entered into tests of skill with each other. Ichiro found the mix of styles present truly enlightening.