Japan in Days of Yore (Volume 3-4) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1905. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Bokuden, without taking the slighest notice of him, set the sailors to row the boat away. And when they had rowed out a long distance, standing up in the boat, he opened his fan, and waving it to and fro as a signal, said with a loud voice: --" I have given you a lesson in an abstruse part of the art which I practise. I have no doubt you are filled with admiration of it. Should you wish it, on some future occasion I will instruct you further. For the present, Adieu Adieu " There are those who assert that Sakmua Ichimu was the subject of this tale. But probabilities are in favour of Bokuden's being the person concerned. II On one occasion when Takeda Shingen was going out to battle, a pigeon alighted on a tree near the place where the troops were assembled. The men were delighted at this good omen and showed it by their faces. Shingen, asking the reason of this, was told that according to the experience of old soldiers, the appearance of a pigeon shortly before an expedition started was always an indication of a great victory to be won later on. Without even waiting to hear the end of this explanation, Shingen took a gun and shot the pigeon, intending by this to show his contempt for such notions and to prevent his troops from being discouraged on future occasions when no pigeon made its appearance.* END OF PART I. Compare what is related of Hideyoshi in my " New Life " pp. 117, 118. . JAPAN IN DAYS OF YORE. THE LIFE OF MIYAMOTO "MUSASHI. JP A 3K T II. CHAPTER I. TT was about six years subsequent to the death of Munisai when Sasaki Ganryu, after having wandered from province to province, said to himself one day: --" Come I have travelled far enough. The reproach brought on my name by my defeat in Himcji has now been wiped off. And Munisai being dead, I need not ...