Kataki

ARTICLES ON REVENGE

Katakiuchi idento hosshite shu wo hanaruru no koto

LEAVING YOUR LORD TO DEPART FOR REVENGE

If a parent or a brother is killed by another samurai, then it is a fundamental principle that you kill the opponent in revenge – there are things to keep in mind on such killings. If you report to your lord to inform him that you shall be engaging in revenge and he, after consideration, asks you to postpone, it will make it difficult for you to undertake such a venture. Therefore, you should instead send a report to your commanding officer and leave immediately. The report should say:

My parent has lost his life by [insert name] and therefore I am going to strike him down. Please convey the circumstances fully to our lord and ask for his generous understanding.

The wording does not have to follow a fixed pattern, but may vary according to your own style. For example, it might say:

I happen to know the location of my enemy and thus I present this letter in my own poor writing.

This can be done in various ways. Also, for your close friends and relatives you should compose a memo or statement saying:

For the above reasons I will report back when I have successfully made the kill and returned.

You can have your servant deliver it to them after you have left. If you cannot find your enemy it cannot be helped, but if you do not target the enemy of your parents or brothers and do not try to kill them, you are simply not a bushi.

Katakiuchi ni deru kokoroe no koto

POINTS ABOUT JOURNEYS OF VENGEANCE

Samurai should have a detailed knowledge of their own arts, especially when they need to take revenge upon an enemy. It is dangerous not to be acquainted with hyodo – the way of the soldier.¹⁵⁴ This includes:

•kenjutsu – swordsmanship

•iai – quick-drawing of a blade

•torite – capturing

•hayamichi – fast travel

These are all essential and required elements.

Make sure to wear kusari-katabira chain mail and do not let it ‘leave your skin’. Kikomi chain mail is discussed in detail in the scroll Heigu Yōhō.

As well as the above, continually hone yourself in the following areas:

•saving money to use when in a period as a ronin

•bokei – plans and tactics

•kanja no ho – the way of the spy

•shinobi no ho – the way of the shinobi

Katakimochi shisha kokoroe no koto

POINTS ABOUT MESSENGERS WHO ARE ON MISSIONS OF VENGEANCE

Someone once asked:

Imagine you are targeting an enemy and do not have enough savings in reserve and thus face hunger and you have to find a temporary patron to serve. If your new patron sends you out as a messenger and you come across your enemy on the way, should you kill the enemy or fulfil the mission as a messenger? It can be disloyal for samurai to fail to continue to serve as a messenger, even if serving a temporary lord. However, if you do not strike down your enemy, you will miss a chance to settle a feud which may have lasted years. Therefore, which of these duties should be dropped?

The master replied:

While this scenario is not impossible, it is highly unlikely. However, if it does happen in this way, then follow the original objective. You have left a generational lord to fulfil a filial debt over loyalty, all to avenge your father. Therefore, it is difficult to sacrifice filial devotion for the sake of loyalty to a temporary lord. Though loyalty should be more important than fidelity, the latter cannot be thrown away, even if dying of hunger in order to kill the enemy of your father. Having a temporary lord is a measure in your tactics and this lord was taken as a part of the requirements of your plan, so it is acceptable to stick to your original aim. In older days someone once joined the service of the enemy he intended to kill. Although it is a disloyalty to kill your lord, vengeance is considered an acceptable motive. However, you cannot forget the debt you owe to your temporary lord, so leave a letter stating that you came across your enemy and that you have acted accordingly, or even ask a close friend to pass the writing to the lord at a later point. Remember, though, that this situation is very rare.

Katakiuchi kotowaru beki shina no koto

THINGS THAT SHOULD BE REPORTED WHEN ON A QUEST OF VENGEANCE

If you come across your enemy, it goes without saying that if you are on a mountain pass or in a field you should just strike and leave. Even if in a residential area or such, just strike the enemy immediately without reporting to the head of the village or to the local governor. It is normally obligatory to report to the local office, but what if the enemy flees while you are reporting? Just strike as soon as you find him. You will never manage to kill him if you are slack-minded enough to think that you should make reports to the local office first. If you are questioned later and the issue of your having attacked without reporting correctly is brought up, simply say:

I have just arrived and I was on my way to report to the local office, but while on the way I chanced upon my enemy and could not just leave the matter alone, so I killed him. This is why my report was delayed.

If you are accused of not reporting the matter, then there is nothing you can do about it. However, having tracked your enemy down, you should not let him escape through fear of being accused.

Katakiuchi sukedachi no koto

LENDING AID IN REVENGE

It is standard to give a coup de grâce when the enemy has been struck, but if you are to decapitate them then a coup de grâce is not required. If someone offers to perform as sukedachi – assistant to the killing – you should move towards them and decline, even if it is a colleague. If passing by and you happen to see an act of vengeance taking place, and gates have been secured to the front or to the rear, stopping the enemy from fleeing, then just continue to observe. If you notice that the man taking revenge is a samurai and if the combat is intense and katanas have been broken asunder and if the man taking revenge asks to borrow your katana, draw your sword and pass it to him. Also, say: ‘I have noticed that you are fighting with earnest and I am impressed. If you get tired then I will become your sukedachi.’

After making this offer, you should remain there. When the combat has finished and the person returns your sword, say: ‘Please keep it and wear it, even though it may be a humble blade, as I see that you do not have a replacement.’

In this case do not take back your sword. This is unlikely to happen, but I have mentioned it so that you are aware of it. If the person targeted for revenge asks you to perform as a sukedachi, then do not agree. Say to him: ‘Sir, it is not appropriate for someone who has been targeted to ask for assistance.’

These points apply to an encounter where the combatants are strangers to you. You should not fight for a man who has been targeted, as it is against filial devotion.

Katakiuchi hoka no kokushi wo tanomu koto

GAINING AID FROM A PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR AFTER AN ACT OF VENGEANCE

If you successfully kill your target and seek employment with another clan, using your achievement of this act of vengeance as an example of your value, then in most cases you will not be hired, even if the combat was outstanding. This is because a samurai killing his enemy is not an unusual occurrence. If you wish to serve a provincial governor but think you may be rejected, you should say:

I [insert name] killed the enemy of my parent in [insert place] and have moved from there. As I have long since been a ronin, and as I have fallen into poverty, if I am given shelter and kindness, my appreciation will be vast and I will devote myself to you.

If you are offered a position you should accept it, but if you are not offered one make sure to talk about yourself in only a light manner. If you and your achievement then impresses your prospective employer and you are considered an earnest person, then he may decide to hire you and keep you within the clan. If you are asked of the salary you require, simply say, ‘To be retained is my only hope.’ Do not discuss an amount of fief and rice.¹⁵⁵ As revenge is not a rare occurrence for samurai, it is ill-mannered to place vanity in this act.¹⁵⁶

Kuni ni iru katakiuchi no koto

THOSE WHO ESCAPE TO YOUR PROVINCE HAVING EXACTED REVENGE IN ANOTHER PROVINCE

If someone has killed his target and seeks shelter in your province, even if there is no position for him in the clan you must still not let him be killed, no matter how many are in pursuit. This is the jurisdiction of the provincial governor. If the provincial governor does not know of the man’s presence, sometimes his death cannot be avoided, but otherwise it is not allowed for anyone to kill someone who has come to your area hoping to serve in your province. If it is decided not to retain him, then escort him with officials or captains through your province. If someone has fled [from your province] to another province after a revenge killing, taking advantage of the above principle, know that there are ways you should keep in mind to kill or capture him.

Hashirikomimono kokoroe no koto

POINTS ABOUT THOSE WHO SEEK SANCTUARY

A person who has killed his enemy or someone against whom he holds a grudge may be chased and therefore seek sanctuary. As it is a principle for a samurai to give shelter in such cases, shelter must be given. However, there are traps you should be aware of. Some people may falsely claim to have killed someone in order to ward off hunger or to receive a gift of money; there have even been cases where they turned out to be thieves – therefore, be sure to examine the situation. Find ways to identify impostors after hiring them, such as observing how they conduct themselves in the master–retainer relationship.

Hashirikomi mono kakaeyō no koto

HOW TO RETAIN THOSE WHO SEEK SANCTUARY

As this situation may arise suddenly, it is often the case you have no idea how to actually deal with it. The first thing to do when someone seeks sanctuary is to ask him to talk about his situation and the specifics of their grudge. If he appears to be telling the truth, say the following: ‘You have done well. Therefore, do not worry for I will provide shelter.’ You may decide to take charge of his long and short swords. Sometimes it may be better to give the man gold and silver and let him escape through the rear gate. It may also be the case that one of your servants is attacked and injured by a pursuer, who may attack from an area near a neighbour’s house and may chase the servant back into your grounds in order to get to the man seeking sanctuary.¹⁵⁷ Sometimes the sanctuary seeker’s long and short swords should not be confiscated – this will all depend on the situation. Make sure to instruct the gatekeepers and servants to inform anyone who arrives in pursuit that no one seeking sanctuary has entered your residence. If the gatekeepers or servants become flustered and confess that the sanctuary seeker is in fact within, and if the pursuers accuse you of harbouring their target, taking your gatekeeper’s words as evidence, say the following: ‘As a samurai family we do not give shelter. These words from such a low class man cannot be used as evidence.’ If you say this in a gentle manner, they should not insist that you show them the inside of your complex. However, if they still demand to come in to investigate, then it becomes a situation where you can definitely enter into combat with them.

Toganin kakae derubeki koto

SHELTERING AND HELPING CRIMINALS FLEE

If you are asked for help by a samurai who has set himself against someone above him or entered into a duel with another samurai serving the same clan, know that he has broken official laws and so it will be difficult to offer him shelter. However, if you wish to give him at least some form of aid, simply let him flee to another province before you receive any official orders to detain him. If you delay your decision to let him escape, it may become too late. Instead you may have to say to him the following:

Although I intended to let you flee by any means that you could, officials have arrived to arrest you. Therefore, I have no choice but to hand you over to them, as this is the order of the lord.

By saying this you can convince him of your good intent before passing him over to the officials. If you have previously confiscated his long and short swords, you should not return them. However, sometimes you should let him wear his swords with the intention that he will die by the sword – as always, everything depends on the situation. All this applies to samurai from other provinces, but if someone from your own clan finds himself in this situation, it may be appropriate to present a request to the officials to save his life.

Takoku no hashirikomimono no koto

CONCERNING SANCTUARY SEEKERS FROM OTHER PROVINCES

If you shelter a sanctuary seeker from another province who is being pursued, report to your captain or the officials in charge and tell them of the circumstances, saying the following:

As the man has put trust in me and has come from another province, I have given him shelter; this is a principle of the samurai. Those others who have come from his province are insisting on a transfer of custody, which is why I am referring to a higher authority. While I am not a man of any consequence, this man still came to me in good faith and therefore it is difficult for me to simply hand him over. If those who are in pursuit insist upon their capture by any and all means, I shall enter into combat, so please consult our lord about this issue.

In most cases the authorities will declare that the man has their official protection. Make sure to present full information in a written report to these authorities, including the family name of the samurai, the name of the samurai who was killed, their previous master and any other details needed.

Hashirikomimono nisemono wo tadasu koto

DETECTING A BOGUS SANCTUARY SEEKER

If a sanctuary seeker appears dubious, first remove his long and short swords and ask in detail about his situation, the clan in which he served and also question him about which members of that clan he was acquainted with – check this against your knowledge of the samurai there. After this, say the following: ‘I do not doubt you, but I will still need to send someone to verify what you have told me.’ If he turns pale, this will add to your suspicions. At this point, press him in a strict manner, saying: ‘If you are telling the truth I will offer you shelter, but if I find you are lying then I will not let you go.’ Telling him this will surely reveal whether he is being truthful or not. As well as the above, use your own strategies.

Teki no kubi wo motsu hashirikomimono no koto

FOR A SANCTUARY SEEKER WHO IS HOLDING THE DECAPITATED HEAD OF AN ENEMY

If a sanctuary seeker has killed his enemy and arrives with the decapitated head in his hand, the first thing to do is discover if the situation is true or false.¹⁵⁸ If the case is real then say:

I understand that the head you hold is evidence of the defeat of your enemy, and I am extremely impressed by it, but I am not happy for you to bring the head in here. Your date of departure from us is unknown, so I will stand as a witness to the fact that you did bring the head if I am needed to, but please now dispose of that head.

It is best to state the above to ensure he throws the head away. It is not appropriate to allow the head to be kept and thrown away at a later point.

Torimono kankyū no koto

CAPTURING PEOPLE QUICKLY OR SLOWLY

Uchimono – killing at the lord’s order – is a suitable punishment for someone who has killed another person or has robbed gold and silver and is holed up in a house, forest or abandoned home. It is also an appropriate way to deal with someone who has committed a crime against the laws of the lord and fled to another province.

However, uchimono will not always be necessary. There is also torimono, which involves capturing someone who has barricaded himself within a place. It may be that they are insane. In all cases of torimono, do not kill the target but detain him and keep him alive. Be aware that a samurai should be captured quickly, while farmers, craftsmen and merchants should be flushed out over an extended period. This is the ancient teaching of kankyū – ‘with haste or by patience’.¹⁵⁹

Torimono kokoroe no koto

POINTS ABOUT CAPTURING CRIMINALS

Capturing farmers, craftsmen and merchants is straightforward, but there are many teachings on the capture of samurai and others if they are defending themselves with bladed and projectile weapons, such as bows and muskets. Know that various plans and measures need to be deployed, such as:

•the throwing of hot water or fire

•putting ash into a musket and shooting it at them

•using body armour

•using the tsukubō, sasumata and kumade pole-arms¹⁶⁰ along with the traditional grappling hook

You should be flexible according to the situation.

Tobidōgu mochi shirizoku mono no koto

CONCERNING PEOPLE WITHDRAWING WITH PROJECTILE WEAPONS

When pursing someone who is retreating along a street in full view, be aware that he may sometimes stand and prepare to fire a projectile weapon. If this happens, move on him without hesitation and at speed to make the capture. Remember that you will only be struck by a projectile weapon if you hesitate. Retain a firm mind and know that it is a disgrace and slight against samurai ethics to fail to make the capture. There is a clear and definite difference between your bravery and his cowardice. Because of the above way, know that you will not be hit in most cases. Also remember that after a musket has been shot there is a pause while it is being reloaded with the next round. If you don’t understand this you will be one who ‘fears the fuse of an unloaded musket or an arrow which is broken’ – a term used to describe a cowardly pursuer. Instead, ‘let your mind escape the forest of thorns’.

Komorimono toraeyō no koto

CAPTURING THOSE WHO ARE BARRICADED WITHIN

If a thief or murderer is holed up in a house and has a blade to defend himself, there are various weapons you can use to capture him. However, circumstances will vary and sometimes you may not have any specialized weapons or tools available – if this is the case, then know that there is a mindset for such situations. First, bear in mind that if the killer or robber has set himself up defensively inside a house, it means he is fully aware that he has committed a harmful act and is in fear of his pursuers and will try to evade them and survive, even if just for a moment longer. For such cowardly people, saying the right words can sometimes make the capture easier – this may involve deceiving them, coaxing them or even threatening them in an aggressive way. However, if your plan overreaches itself and goes off course you will not gain any benefit. In our school we go directly to the destination, without hesitation, and capture the target by adapting our tactics to the circumstances. Generally, those who retreat and defend themselves within a building lack courage. If they did have courage and understood that there was no escape, they would come out to fight or cut open their own guts. If they do come out to fight there are certain points to bear in mind, for this shows they are courageous fighters. They are called hisshi no mono – those who are determined to die.

Nigeru wo ou kokoroe no koto

POINTS ABOUT PURSUING SOMEONE WHO IS FLEEING

If you are walking along a narrow alley or the like and you happen upon a criminal who is being pursued and the pursuers order you to make the capture, do not block his path – this is because the criminal will fight like a ‘cornered soldier’. In this situation, the teaching is to pretend not to hear the order, allow the criminal to pass and then capture him from the rear.

Tō wo nashi kaoku ni komoru koto

THOSE WHO FORM GROUPS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES WITHIN A HOUSE

It is not difficult to capture or attack those people who are defending a residence, etc., when they are in number and forming a large group. If the enemy are large in number then you should also have a large number and protect yourself appropriately, have the correct equipment and join in combat. If they have secured the gate you should break down the nagaya buildings on either side of the gatehouse,¹⁶¹ but if they have secured both the main gate and the nagaya then have your people cross over the wall and then enter the nagaya to fight those within. Sometimes you should just break through the gate and demolish the house or make an incendiary attack; there are countless ways to achieve this. Not every teaching of kyojitsu within our school can be recorded here.¹⁶²

Torimono nawa kakeyō no koto

HOW TO BIND A CRIMINAL WITH ROPE

Each school has its own way to use the quick-rope¹⁶³ or other equipment for securing prisoners. It is difficult to initially bind someone by using a hook and regular rope, so first bind with the quick-rope and then later bind him with regular rope. In some cases people have tried to bind with normal rope from the beginning and have been unsuccessful.

Δ Tradition says:

Below are traditions on the above twenty points. They are called hiden – secret traditions – and you should understand and take them for what they are. The following traditions are for revenge and capturing.

Torimono daishō yōsha

CONSIDERATION ON THE USE OF LONG AND SHORT SWORDS WHILE CAPTURING

If there is someone who must be captured alive, remove your long and short swords and have a retainer look after them so that you can take hold of a weapon such as the hananeji,¹⁶⁴ then you should jump in¹⁶⁵ and capture him. However, if the person is a townsman or farmer you should wear your swords because such people do not have the heart for sword-fighting and are likely to become scared when they see yours. When dealing with a samurai do not go in wearing swords. This is so that the person is not cut while being captured.¹⁶⁶ Whether you should wear swords or not depends on the situation.

Nigerumono mukau shina

WHEN THOSE YOU ARE CHASING SUDDENLY STOP AND TURN

If you chase straight after the enemy, he may suddenly turn back on you, making you run into him. Therefore, give chase so that you come up alongside your target.

Nigekomimono kokoroe

POINTS ABOUT SANCTUARY SEEKERS

Whoever you are chasing, if the person runs into another’s gateway then run in after them and kill them without regard for any others there. If you first ask for permission to go in and so on, the situation will become complicated – especially if the authorities get involved.

Hashirikomimono kunmei kariru toki

WHEN AN ORDER FROM THE LORD IS INVOKED TO TRY TO CAPTURE A SANCTUARY SEEKER

If you are sheltering a sanctuary seeker, sometimes his pursuers will come to your door and invoke an order from the lord saying that he be handed over. In these situations consider whether they are telling the truth or a falsehood. If the lord has given such an order, the pursuers will move through your gate without hesitation and will decisively capture their target. However, if it is a personal matter and they do not have authorization they will waver in intention and will hesitate when moving through your gate. Also, listen to their speech to identify the truth.

Ikki no torimono

CAPTURING IN THE INSTANT

Without wavering, jump in and capture your target. Retain a normal mindset even when dealing with those who are insane and be without hesitation.¹⁶⁷ There is no particular reason for concern. Be aware that if you have ‘two thoughts and double beats’¹⁶⁸ then you will fail to make the capture.

Chigiriki tobigane

THE CHIGIRIKI OR THE TOBIGANE TOOL¹⁶⁹

This is a ball upon a chain and is sometimes attached to a staff, which is called a chigiriki-zue. This should be thrown over the enemy.

Hayanawa kōshin

THE HOOK AND QUICK-ROPE

Attach the kind of hook used for fishing to a quick-rope and hook the enemy with it. As this is painful, the enemy can easily be pulled around by his hand.¹⁷⁰ The hook can be inserted into his mouth or one of his ears.

The above twenty points are about revenge and capturing. With the seven additional secret traditions, this adds up to twenty-seven points in total.

The following are points to keep in mind on messengers, investigations and lawsuits. The ideogram for accusations, , has been put at the start of these ten points. There are a further six points, which adds up to sixteen points in total.

154 ‘soldier-path’ – in this context, the military training of the samurai.

155 chigyō – land rights.

156i.e. a samurai should not self-promote the success of his vengeance killing.

157A pursuer may target a servant of the samurai who is providing sanctuary and attack him as he passes a nearby house. This way the attacking samurai can look as if he is giving chase for a supposed foul deed by the servant and push right through the gate with the actual intention of killing the sanctuary seeker.

158 kyojitsu – literally, ‘substantial or insubstantial’.

159 kankyū – kan is ‘to take time’ over a matter while kyū is ‘to engage with speed‘.

160These are three varieties of pole-arms used in capture operations. In order, they are: U-shaped , barbed and raked

161 nagaya – a long building built into the wall adjacent to a gatehouse.

162The implication here is that kyojitsu – the substantial and the insubstantial – encompasses every conceivable way to achieve the goal.

163 hayanawa – a thin cord used to ensnare a prisoner.

164 hananeji – originally a loop of cord on the end of a stick. It was used to twist around the nose of a horse to keep control of it, but is also adapted to use for binding criminals. The version used for capturing criminals is generally stout and robust and consists of a short staff with a loop for placing over a body part, although variations exist.

165The term used is tobi-iru , ‘to spring in’.

166The translation of this point is based mainly on the Koga transcription.

167Do not overthink or overestimate the enemy and do not allow fear to creep in through internal debate. Act decisively and with bravery.

168 ninen-niki – literally, ‘two thoughts and two chi’ – this means to think twice or to hesitate.

169A tool that consists of a staff and chain with a metal ball attached to the end.

170This could be either the hand or the arm.