Fish shoal together
For protection. The hungry
Tuna is not fooled
Tengen told me over and over again that the mind is greater than the body. That the power of the mind can achieve anything.
It seemed nonsense to me, especially when Tengen tried to tell me I could overcome my disability with my mind as he threw me repeatedly and very easily. If it had not been for my stubborn streak, I would have given in and admitted that I could never hope to learn to defend myself. But I was determined that this new discipline would not defeat me, and I began to wonder if my stubbornness was another way of believing in myself, and that perhaps Tengen was right after all.
I was so buoyed up by the thought that I concentrated hard and began to anticipate Tengen’s moves. I waited until he was off guard and then swiveled on my good leg and neatly landed a blow with my elbow in his ribs. It was not a hard blow, but it startled him, and with his attention distracted, I had just enough time to grab the front of his robe and then pivot, using his body as my anchor.
I let go of the robe as I felt his balance leave him and hopped back to watch the dust rise from the dojo floor with the impact of his body. Pure elation bloomed in my mind as my shadow fell on him and, for a moment, blotted out his familiar features.
“You always told me that the secret of bodily combat was using the strength of one’s opponent against them,” I panted. “Now, I understand what you mean.” At that moment, I felt strong. If I could do this, I could do anything. Achieve anything.
Tengen got to his feet lithely. “I am delighted you finally believe something I have told you,” he said drily. “You took me unawares, Mi-san. Next time, it will not be so very easy.”
From that moment on, it seemed to me that there was a sense of urgency in all that Tengen taught me. He insisted that we resume our schoolroom lessons. I agreed reluctantly. I enjoyed the fresh air and physical contact of the dojo far more than sitting inside with a brush in my hand. When I argued, he agreed to divide our time between the schoolroom and the dojo.
I noticed that Tengen seemed to have become increasingly impatient with me. He pointed out the slightest error in my kanji and corrected my reading briskly. At the same time, the lessons in the dojo changed.
“I opened my chest to you, but you did not take advantage,” Tengen scolded. “If you see the opportunity again, then ram your elbow as hard as you can here.” He put his hand just above his flat stomach and patted it. “Don’t hesitate. If your opponent sees what you are about to do, then he will have time to tighten his stomach muscles and your blow will glance off. You must strike like summer lightning—fast and unexpectedly.”
“It would hurt you,” I protested.
“Try it and see.”
The next time I saw my chance, I took it. Tengen winced and sucked in a breath of pain.
“Better. Much better,” he gasped.
On another occasion, he grabbed my shoulders and spun me around, keeping one arm around my throat. I could breathe easily enough, but I knew that if his forearm pressed just a little harder, I would be unconscious very quickly.
“And now, Mi-san? Pretend that we are no longer in the dojo. I am a stranger with evil intent who has taken you by surprise and there is nobody near to help you. Screaming would do no good except to leave you breathless. So, what are you going to do?”
I clawed at his arm. It was like fighting a tree trunk. Tengen grunted with amusement; he had expected that. So, I went as limp as a dead animal. I allowed my head to loll forward and gave a little gasp.
It worked. Instantly, Tengen was all concern. “Mi-san? Have I hurt you?” His grasp relaxed and I wriggled away from him. My hands grasped the front of his robe and I tried to throw him, but he recovered quickly and grasped my kimono in his turn. For a moment, we rocked to and fro, both knowing that neither had the advantage.
I was elated when Tengen gave in first and released his hold. I followed cautiously.
“Well done. I didn’t teach you that, but it is a good strategy.” He stepped back to indicate he would not follow through with another move. I watched him suspiciously. “But if I was a man intent on doing you harm, I would not care if you had been hurt or not and would not let go. What would you do then?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“If you were outside the house, you would be wearing either geta or zori. I suggest you always wear geta. The back tooth will be more effective.”
“Effective for what?”
“I will show you. Turn around and I will put my arm around your neck again.” I did as he instructed. “Now, you have pretended to faint and I have not let go. What now?”
I bent my head and tried to bite his arm, but my chin got in the way. I wriggled, but Tengen simply tightened his grip. His ribs were protected by my body, so I had no opportunity to strike him there. I could think of nothing else and admitted it.
“I don’t know. I can’t reach you.”
“Balance on your left foot. It should be easy because I am taking your weight. Now ram your right foot as hard as you can into my instep, just where the foot meets the leg.”
I did as he instructed. Even though I was bare-footed, I heard him grunt with pain. He released me at once.
“I understand why you said geta would be better than zori,” I said thoughtfully. “The bar across the sole at the back of a geta would cause great pain if I stamped hard enough. But I am small and light. If you had held me off the ground, I would not have been able to reach your instep.”
Tengen stared at me and a smile crossed his face slowly. He smiled so very rarely that I was surprised.
“You are correct. But there are ways to counter that. Your attacker will have one arm around your throat. That is only natural as it is a simple bandit attack. He will probably attempt to pinion your arms with his other arm, but even if he does, it will be your upper arms. Your hands and lower arms will be free. If you cannot kick—and kicking anywhere but on the instep will do nothing but exhaust you—then reach down and grab for his kintama.”
I flushed with embarrassment at his words, but Tengen appeared not to notice.
“Grab as hard as you can and squeeze even harder. Unless you are very unfortunate and he is a eunuch, it will cause him unbearable pain. Do not let go until the man has let go of you and is bent double in pain. When that happens, make a fist and hit him with a straight arm, here.” Tengen put his finger on his temple at a spot above his right eyebrow. I pursed my lips doubtfully.
“My hands are very small. Will I be able to hurt a grown man?”
Tengen put out his hand, palm up. I laid my hand obediently on his palm and grunted in surprise as he pushed back the sleeve of my kimono almost to shoulder level.
“You appear small, and delicate, Mi-san. But because of the exercises we have been doing and because your arms and shoulders support your entire body, your upper body is very strong indeed. If you straightened the whole of your arm and let loose like a flying arrow, putting your anger into the blow, when you strike in the place I have shown you, then it would be a remarkably strong man who did not fall before you.”
Abruptly, I found it hard to catch a breath. Tengen was staring at me intently, and I could not read his expression. All my worries fled like dust before a brisk breeze as I blurted without thought, “And are you that strong man, Tengen?”