Revelations abound, as we slowly learn more about the swordsman. One of the x-mas gifts that I received this year was the book Hagakure, which means "In the Shadow of Leaves." The book is a collection of 300 quotes taken from a retired samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo over the course of seven years. Yamamoto became a Buddhist monk in 1700 after the Shogunal government prohibited the practice of seppuku. The book has some excellent quotes, some of which helped to inspire this very story, and some of which I will share with you.
"Learning is a good thing, but more often it leads to mistakes. It is like the admonition of the priest Konan. It is worthwhile just looking at the deeds of accomplished persons for the purpose of knowing our own insufficiences. But often this does not happen. For the most part, we admire our own opinions and become fond of arguing."
This quote is pretty apparent on this page here, where we learn that the swordsman is becoming aware of the fact that he's been a bad samurai over the years.
Fitz: Yes, the quote actually comes from a WWII vet that presented to my class in high school. He talked about all of the hatred that he and his fellow navy officers felt towards the Japanese around the time of the Kamakazi runs - until he had to clear the deck of an aircraft carrier that was loaded with dead bodies of both American and Japanese soldiers.
He started crying during the presentation, saying that despite what he had felt before, he saw no differences between the US and Japanese bodies on the deck that day. The color of their blood was the same, and it brought him to tears. He left the service soon afterwards.
Not sure how much the quote book helped you, but I really like this conversation, finally we see the Swordsman reveal more - and mature a bit. I loved the line "We all bleed the same". Very, very wise!
Darwin: I always wondered what that situation would be like from the perspective from the armed forces. I know some of the tragic tales that were felt on college campus, some of which I may share at some point on here (because, as previously stated, this story was inspired by 9/11).
My old campus had an aviation program where students trained on a nearby air base, and they had to "detain" the students on the air base and close the doors the day of the event, because there was a fear that more attacks were going to be under way. It was truly a frightening time.
And it was also the reason that I stopped watching TV, but I digress....
amanda: Yes, I question what my kids will react to my thoughts - because I admit to being highly opinionated. I'm afraid of them dating "thug kids." Now, bear in mind that "thug" is not associated in my mind with a race, but with an urban culture that transcends skin color. When I worked security at Best Buy, most of the "thugs" that I busted were white - and many of them were under the age of 13.
Also, personal opinion: I'm just not a fan of rap or rap culture. Just an opinion.
Janen: Thanks. I wanted the shading in the final panel to standout a bit, show the desolation and isolation that the character has obviously felt over the period of time between the tragic event and now (which, I can say, is about 1-2 years). I may come up with some adventures between then and now, but I probably won't. That time was very dark and lonely for the character, and I think keeping that time in the dark helps showcase that.
I may show some adventures before this tragic event, however. ;)
My mom is one of the most amazing people I know - I think it's interesting that my dad is so close-minded and bigoted in such stark contrast. My dad told me something very similar to what your mom said - but it was more specific: "You better not bring any man home but a white man." Um...how about I just never bring home the men I date ever? That works better for me ^.^
In a small way, though, I can sort of understand why he might say such things. He was born in the 30s, and people were simply treated differently then. The issue is that he doesn't want to change his mind even when faced with facts and examples. Sigh. I'm sure my kids will feel the same way about me when I'm older. "Son/Daughter, stop dating those damn emo kids!"
That was a very dark time, for sure. I'm in the military so you can imagine.
The quietest day I ever heard was 9-12-01. You just don't realize how noisy our world is until all air traffic is grounded...
Oh I've seen prejudice, I've known people who are blindly prejudicial. And that doesn't have to be against people, against animals say. My husband's family hates coyotes...would rather shoot one for the false idea that they kill livestock...
COYOTES? They only gather in groups up to four and they're too small to take down the deer that are abundant in that area.
They gave me crap for not shooting one I saw while out hunting. First off...I don't hunt predators, they're few enough of them as it is and there are plenty of prey animals to go around. Secondly - I don't shoot things for no reason...and I didn't have a reason to shoot it.
Darwin: You're absolutely right, and one of the things that I was trying to do with this character is show that, despite the fact that you want to identify with him and for him to be the hero, he's really not a nice person. He's heavily flawed, and very quick to judgement - and that doesn't always work.
The other thing was that Temple was very much a reaction to 9/11, and many people instantly jumped to conclusions around that time - many hate crimes. The only thing that I really praise Bush for doing was attempting to quell that violence against American Muslims and Middle Easterners that was going on in the days that followed. This character is a result of that mentality - a horrible thing happened to him, so he instantly hates everyone who reminds him of that event.
TheMidge28: You're right. Also, that single string of sling would never support that arm. I have failed as a writer, and must therefore commit seppuku to atone for my failures....
[ugly nasty death scene - very uncomfortable, avert your eyes]
usedbooks: I try to put a little education in there with the entertainment. The quote "we all bleed the same" comes from a speaker that I heard while talking about his time stationed fighting the Japanese during WWII. He talked about all of the hatred that he and his fellow navy officers felt towards the Japanese around the time of the Kamakazi runs - until he had to clear the deck of an aircraft carrier that was loaded with dead bodies of both American and Japanese soldiers.
He started crying during the presentation, saying that despite what he had felt before, he saw no differences between the US and Japanese bodies on the deck that day. The color of their blood was the same, and it brought him to tears. He felt the service soon afterwards.
DAJB: No sir, and it's usually because of hindsight (20/20 vision, and all that). However, it's important to learn, especially from the past - and especially from past mistakes. The swordsman is slowly learning that fact.
Peipei: Amen to that!
harryq and GTLB: Thanks!
amanda: Your mother sounds like a very smart woman. I sometimes wonder how my own folks feel about the different races and whatnot, and asked - my mother told me when I was younger that she would mind me brining home a black girl, but would never say anything about it to me. Years later, she said that she didn't mind who I brought home, be it boy or girl - but I had difficulty believeing her.
I dated a Malaysian girl in college, who always wanted to go meet my folks, and I was always timid about bringing her home with me because of that conversation my mother and I had had years previous. I didn't want it to be awkward at all. The girl and I eventually broke up, around the time she went back to her home country. I still occasionally keep in touch with her.
My mom used to say she didn't understand why people hated one another because "we're all pink inside." Same concept. I was off, though - I assumed the Tojin had killed his family - didn't even THINK about the master. Nicely done.
Very interesting stuff. You're author's notes are educational too. Samurai are interesting. I don't know much about them except from Goemon on Lupin III. :-P
