A real swordsman should not think about how to demonstrate his art of killing; he must be a perfect person, not only in his profession, but everywhere. The sword is a symbol of spirituality, not a murder weapon. Here is a story that gives us a wonderful example of the sad fate that awaits an imperfect person. A swordsman named Umezu, who lived in the early seventeenth century, was a famous swordsman and had a high regard for himself. When he heard that Toda Seigen had arrived in Mino, where Umezu taught his fencing, he decided to try his art on him. However, Seigen had no intention of accepting the challenge. He said: “The sword is used when a criminal needs to be punished or honor is involved. We are not criminals and we do not need to decide issues of honor. Why should we have a duel?” Umezu took this as an attempt by the enemy, aware of his weakness, to evade the fight. He became even more arrogant and arrogantly talked left and right about what had happened.
Saito Yoshitana, the ruler of Mino, heard about the challenge and, interested in the outcome of the duel, sent to ask Seigen to accept the challenge. Seigen didn't answer. The ruler's request was repeated three times. Unable to provide further assistance, Seigen was forced to accept the challenge. The judge, time and place of the fight were chosen.
Umezu took the matter seriously. He spent three days and two nights performing the purification ritual. Someone began to advise Seigen to follow his example. But Seigen refused and explained it this way: “I have always cultivated a heart of sincerity, and it is not bestowed by the gods on special occasions. I do not want to hurt or hurt anyone. I accepted the challenge only because it was ignoble to refuse the ruler of a province who so urgently asked me.”
When the day of the duel arrived, both fencers came to the appointed place. Following Umezu were his many students. Umezu was holding a wooden sword three feet, six inches long, while Seigen had a short sword only a foot and three inches long. Umezu asked the judge to take a real sword. This was also conveyed to Seigen, but he said that if Umezu wants a real sword, then let him take it, it’s his business, and he himself will remain with his short wooden sword. The judge decided that both opponents should fight with wooden swords, and choose the length of the empty swords themselves, whichever one likes.
Now both were ready. Umezu with his long sword behaved like a ferocious lion, preparing to slay his opponent with one blow. Seigen looked at him completely calmly and looked like a cat that seemed to be dozing, and was about to catch a rat. They looked at each other like that for a while. And then suddenly Seigen let out a scream and struck Umezu in the neck with his short sword. Blood came out from the blow. Enraged, Umezu swung his long sword with all his might, wanting to instantly destroy his opponent. But before he could do this, Seigen had already struck his right hand, and Umezu immediately dropped the weapon. Seigen broke his sword into two pieces with a kick. Then Umezu grabbed the sword that hung on his belt, but his hand did not obey, and he fell to the ground.
Seigen was not just a swordsman, he was a perfect man. Umezu was the complete opposite. He knew nothing about the moral side of his art, but this is the main thing.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru