Chapter 523: Chapter 354: It Seems, There is Another Purpose?
"Vice Master, may I ask what the characteristics of ancient swordsmanship are? Honestly, I’ve always been curious about this. Whether it’s Shindo Style, Kasumi Shinto Style, Jigen Style, or Shinto Style, they all seem like mere names to me. Based on their characteristics... I can’t tell them apart at all."
The Bushin Dojo of the Sakihara Family in the Chiyoda District.
Sakihara Matsue was sipping sake when he heard the question from a junior disciple running towards him in the dojo.
Sakihara Matsue held the cup in his hand and glanced at the young disciple in front of him.
"You’re asking this?"
The disciple, dressed in a simple hakama, nodded, looking a bit dumbfounded.
He was still in high school and joined the Kendo Department in his first year. A senior there had recommended he try learning ancient swordsmanship at a nearby dojo.
Coincidentally, his home was near Chiyoda District.
Since elementary school, he would pass by the Bushin Dojo on his way home every day.
Every time he saw the wooden swords inside, he felt a pull, much like any boy would have a sense of admiration and curiosity towards Sword Dao and dojos.
With the suggestion from his senior in the Kendo Department, he came here to learn.
"Well~ In reality, there’s no difference in Sword Dao; Sword Dao is just Sword Dao, a modern competition. All dojos teach the same techniques, with only minor differences depending on the person and experience."
Sakihara Matsue sat upright to the right of a traditional Japanese wooden table, and after pondering for a moment, he said:
"Strictly speaking, what we teach isn’t Sword Dao, but swordsmanship, ancient swordsmanship. Only ancient swordsmanship has different styles; modern Sword Dao has unified techniques and standards, and competitions are based on this Sword Dao."
The young disciple was taken aback, clearly not expecting such an answer.
"I’ve just joined our school’s Kendo Department not long ago... So now, am I... looking in the wrong direction? Even though my senior clearly recommended I come to the dojo to study..."
Seeing his confusion, Sakihara Matsue asked back: "So, do you think you’re wrong?"
Looking into the eyes of the Vice Master, the young disciple was at a loss for words, unable to answer.
This path seemed both right and wrong.
Sakihara Matsue continued:
"Your senior’s recommendation isn’t wrong. Although Sword Dao does not equal ancient swordsmanship, the importance of learning modern Sword Dao in real competitions far outweighs that of ancient swordsmanship, but that doesn’t mean it’s meaningless."
After taking a sip of sake, Sakihara Matsue asked:
"You just started learning here. When you were at school, did you pay attention to the current Sword Dao competitions?"
"Yes," the young disciple answered.
"In recent years’ competitions, which player have you followed the most?"
The young disciple almost instinctively replied, "Fujimaki Chidori."
He had heard of the last two years’ champion before coming here.
Sakihara Matsue suddenly smiled and said, "Young people all like him; although he has his flaws, in terms of influence, he stands out."
"I must remind you of one thing."
"Ancient swordsmanship has its own characteristics and is not the same as modern Sword Dao, but its most important point in competitions is integration. The reason someone can be called a Sword Master is due to their unique understanding and handling of situations."
"Also, although your Senior Brother Fujimaki’s style is impressive, I still advise you not to imitate him."
"Why...?" The young disciple found it hard to understand.
"Didn’t I just say? The style is different, you can’t learn his style."
"If you want to further improve, you must practice dull swinging, footwork, and psychological games. You must control your breathing, control the rhythm, keep calm when facing your opponent with your mask on, don’t lose composure when the opponent tests you, handle defense calmly, be neither arrogant nor impatient, and swing your sword with great momentum, courage, and strategy."
"—Once you’ve achieved all this, you’ll have begun to learn the way of swordsmanship. As for the differences in styles, when you’ve practiced enough, you can spar with them, and you’ll naturally understand what so-called style really is."
The young disciple tried to absorb all these words into his heart, knowing that the Vice Master was a dan-ranked practitioner.
It’s believed that if he fully implements these words into practice, he will greatly benefit from them.
"Vice Master Sakihara, this year... why haven’t I seen Senior Brother Fujimaki?"
"Him? He didn’t represent us in the competition this year."
The young disciple was clearly startled, "Huh? Why? He could’ve won the championship three times in a row this year."
"The Master used your other senior brother to take his place."
The young disciple’s face couldn’t hide his confusion; why was he suddenly replaced?
Originally, Sakihara Matsue didn’t understand either, but now he realized what Yishin was attempting as a hands-off manager.
A few days ago, a very pretty girl came to the dojo looking for Uesugi Sakura.
Sakihara Matsue learned she had the last name Hanamaru.
Hanamaru... Hanamaru Hiroki.
The policeman who defeated Yishin.
After further inquiry.
He didn’t expect that Uesugi Sakura was actually that guy’s son-in-law.
"Vice Master...?"
Sakihara Matsue did not answer any more questions from the young disciple but waved him away, saying, "Go on, remember that every time you practice, there will be times of irritation. Practice is about overcoming those."
Although the young disciple was still puzzled by the earlier matter, seeing Sakihara Matsue’s expression, he didn’t ask further.
"Thank you, Vice Master."
"It’s nothing."
About five minutes later.
Sakihara Matsue, who was sitting upright in his kendo clothes, saw several senior disciples entering from the dojo’s entrance.
"Back so early?"
Kusunoki Kubomaru walked at the front, greeted his fellow disciples in the dojo, and then went to where Sakihara Matsue was resting.
He plopped down on a seat.
"Hey, don’t know what happened, but after our junior brother took the field, his opponent unexpectedly forfeited! And it was Maehara Takeshi. Such a shame, after he was in the top four nationwide last year!"