Matajuro Yagyu was the son of a famous swordsman. His father, believing that his son’s work was too mediocre to anticipate mastership, disowned him.
So Matajuro went to Mount Futara and there found the famous swordsman Banzo. But Banzo confirmed the father’s judgment. “You wish to learn swordsmanship under my guidance?” asked Banzo. “You cannot fulfill the requirements.”
“But if I work hard, how many years will it take to become a master?” persisted the youth.
“The rest of your life,” replied Banzo.
“I cannot wait that long,” explained Matajuro. “I am willing to pass through any hardship if only you will teach me. If I become your devoted servant, how long might it be?”
“Oh, maybe ten years,” Banzo relented.
“My father is getting old, and soon I must take care of him,” continued Matajuro. “If I work far more intensively, how long would it take me?”
“Oh, maybe thirty years,” said Banzo.
“Why is that?” asked Matajuro. “First you say ten and now thirty years. I will undergo any hardship to master this art in the shortest time!”
“Well,” said Banzo, “in that case you will have to remain with me for seventy years. A man in such a hurry as you are to get results seldom learns quickly.”
“Very well,” declared the youth, understanding at last that he was being rebuked for impatience, “I agree.”
Matajuro was told never to speak of fencing and never to touch a sword. He cooked for his master, washed the dishes, made his bed, cleaned the yard, cared for the garden, all without a word of swordsmanship.
Three years passed. Still Matajuro labored on. Thinking of his future, he was sad. He had not even begun to learn the art to which he had devoted his life.
But one day Banzo crept up behind him and gave him a terrific blow with a wooden sword.
The following day, when Matajuro was cooking rice, Banzo again sprang upon him unexpectedly.
After that, day and night, Matajuro had to defend himself from unexpected thrusts. Not a moment passed in any day that he did not have to think of the taste of Banzo’s sword.
He learned so rapidly he brought smiles to the face of his master. Matajuro became the greatest swordsman in the land.
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story source: the taste of Banzo’s sword
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picture source: Bad+Ass+Ronin.jpg
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“life in every breath”
5 comments
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April 20, 2012 at 4:27 am
stuartart
Wise words – when we stop looking, what we want comes to find us. 🙂
April 20, 2012 at 10:10 am
Sue Dreamwalker
Another post full of Wisdom from the Master of Zen Art… 🙂 Life often deals us a blow when not looking, and its only through working our way through them we gain our strengths.. 🙂
April 20, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Cat Forsley
“LIFE IN EVERY BREATH ”
THAT SAYS IT ALL ……
BE OBSERVANT AND LOVING AND KIND ……..
AND PATIENT 🙂
XOXOXO
April 21, 2012 at 8:29 am
yearstricken
So much wisdom in this story.
April 23, 2012 at 5:10 pm
granbee
Outstanding way to teach mastery of the sword by placing the student in real life situations continually–after first getting him completely “off guard”–just as we are in real life!