One Samurai from the province came to Edo (Tokyo) on business and took with him his Servant, the Master of the Tea Ceremony, as an accompanying person. In Edo they stayed at a hotel, and the Samurai, before going about his business, warned his Servant not to leave the hotel alone. Edo is a capital city, and you can get into trouble due to ignorance of the rules of behavior and rituals. However, the Servant did not listen and decided to look at the city. And by accident, through inattention, he committed a tactlessness in relation to the Japanese Champion in kendo (sword fencing). During the quarrel, the honor of the Master of the tea ceremony was affected, and it turned out to be impossible to disperse without a fight. The fight was scheduled for the next day.
The saddened Tea Ceremony Master returned to the hotel, where he told the Samurai everything, and then decided to go to the Kendo Master so that he could teach him how to die with dignity, defending the Master’s honor.
He quickly found the person he needed in Edo.
“Master,” he said, “I have never held a weapon in my hands.” The only thing I know how to do well is the tea ceremony. Tomorrow I will have to fight the Japanese Kendo Champion and I will die. Please tell me how can I die with dignity?
“Do a tea ceremony for me,” the Kendo Master asked, “and then we’ll talk.”
The master of the tea ceremony prepared and performed a flawless tea ceremony. But it must be said that this is a very long and difficult ceremony, which includes many rituals. After the completion of the tea ceremony, the Kendo Master showed the Tea Ceremony Master how to properly hold the sword in his hands and how to stand correctly at the beginning of the fight. Showed him the correct kamae (fighting stance). And he gave this admonition:
- This is the only thing I can do for you. You already know the rest. When you come to the fight, act as if you are going to conduct a tea ceremony. Also, with concentration, calmly and carefully, take off and fold your outer kimono in the proper manner, then pick up the sword and stand in kamae. I have nothing more to say.
The master of the tea ceremony came to the place of the fight, preparing for death. His opponent was already there. The master of the tea ceremony took off his kimono, folded it and stood up as the Kendo Master had taught him.
Suddenly the Kendo Champion fell to his knees, bowed to him and exclaimed:
- Why didn’t you tell me yesterday that you are a Kendo Master?! Then I wouldn’t schedule a fight for you, we would decide everything on the spot! I apologize for the complete tactlessness.
That was the end of it.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru