“Lone Wolf and Cub” is the tale of Samurai Ogami Itto. When he begins his mission to avenge the murder of his wife, his son is three years old. It is not your classic single father story. The tale is told over the course of 28 volumes, and is so popular it has been adapted into four plays, six movies, and a television series.
But, beyond the obvious, there is another problem. Itto is not a typical Samurai. In Japan, “Samurai” referred to a retainer, someone who accompanied the Lord, had pledged fealty to the Lord, and served the Lord in close attendance. It means, essentially, “to wait upon the Lord.”
Itto, though, is a Ronin, a Samurai who no longer serves a master. How he got that way is one of the reasons you might consider experiencing the story, yourself.
The Hagakure ("hidden leaves") is a book that captures this warrior code of the samurai. It is a practical and spiritual guide for the warrior ("retainer" in the book). It has been said of the Hagakure that it is Japan; that it captures the heart of all that truly matters to the culture.
So ... is everyone in Japan a warrior?
Well, no. But everyone is, in their world view, either a Lord or a Retainer. There are few Lords and many Retainers. A book delving into what makes one the ideal retainer could easily be said to be the heart of the culture. It’s enough to make me wonder what it is that makes this book —on the surface about warriors— be considered the guide for almost everyone in the country.
What, then, is this warrior code of the Samurai?
As with many things in life, it is a simple understanding: everyone, from the most skilled to the least, can hold a place of honor in the culture. To quote the Hagakure: "...even a person who is good for nothing and exceedingly clumsy will be a reliable retainer if only he has the determination to think earnestly of his master."
If only the slothful (frightened?) servant in this week's Matthew 25 Lectionary selection had been able to access the Hagakure. Perhaps if he had been keeping his mind fixed on what was best for his master, he would have made a better choice concerning the talent accorded him.
The lesson here for us?
When we stop focusing on what could go wrong, and instead focus on what God intended for us to do with the talents to which we have been entrusted, we should be able to reason through to the wise choice.
We need only think earnestly of our master.
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A considerably different version of this reflection appeared in November 2014 as “The Heart of the Hagakure.”
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Photo Credit: —WARNING! SOME PHOTOS VERY GRAPHICALLY DEPICT DEATH BY SEPPUKU (HARAKIRI)— Venetian-born photographer Felice Beato took these photos in the late 1800’s. He personally added the coloring so they would more accurately show how the Samurai looked. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4161102/Live-die-sword-Brutal-pictures-Samurai.html
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A bit more on “Lone Wolf and Cub” at: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/10/08/books/book-reviews/lone-wolf-cub-japans-greatest-samurai-manga/#.WhDHL2hMGEc
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 28 (33) (November 19, 2017)
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//
Judges 4:1-7
Psalm 123
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
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Lectionary Breakfast is a fun and interesting way to start the day and a great way to enter the weekend. We dig into the scriptures for the coming Sunday, asking questions and seeking their relevance for our lives. Join us Friday morning at the Waco “Egg and I” restaurant. We start at 8:00 and finish around 9:00. It’s an hour like no other.
Samurai welcome.
Blessings,
Steve
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