Here is my first chapter: Henkou

Insurrection & Truth:

Many of the men in the meeting area were nervous and some fearful of what both men were proposing. It was just a surprise it was being said. Although the men were samurai of high nobility this did not make things any easier. The men addressing the peasants were: Yamagata Aritomo and Takasugi Shinsaku. The men were considering their words seriously, but also did not want to take them lightly. Isao Katsu was like many of the men during the meeting. He was a peasant, a farmer trying to make a meager living and have a family one day. He could understand why the others were apprehensive that these senior commander’s of the *Kiheitai would ask simple peasants to fight in their army. The peasants were just ordinary men not of noble blood to fight.

There was another with the troupe commanders, one that didn’t look like a samurai, but a commoner like him. Isao over heard Yamagata call him Shinku. Isao thought he was a body guard or some sort for Yamagata. When Isao asked his friend Hisoka who the mysterious man was, a shiver ran down his spine when Hisoka told him.

“The other men say Shinku is an assassin, but not just any sort of assassin. They say he’s a *Hitokiri. It’s been said he’s killed dozens, perhaps hundreds of men. He shows no remorse for it. The other’s think that’s why the Kiheitai brought him here, to scare us into joining them because they need numbers so badly.”


Hisoka was extremely worried about why the Kiheitai brought a would-be assassin in there mists. Hisoka didn’t want to think the worst, but seeing Shinku didn’t make that scenario go away. Isao himself wondered what would happen as well, but for now the more immediate problem of joining the ranks of the Kiheitai was his main concern. Isao spoke loudly to make sure that his questions were widely heard.

“Yamagata-San, I find it highly unlikely, that samurai would find alongside merchants, artists, or even plain simple peasants, we do not like the barbarians from the west, anymore than you or Takasugi-San, but how can you be sure that the samurai will accept us even gradually?”


Yamagata knew that it would not be easy recruiting peasants considering how much of a low opinion many in Japan considered the peasant class especially samurai in his own tier. He was not surprised of the skepticism in the room right now. Even he was raised to believe that peasants were just born to serve him and the rest of the samurai, but if Japan was going to be saved the old ways needed to be restructured or abolished. His task was going to be difficult. To attempt to take down the social barriers put up by the Tokugawa after the *Sengoku period was a feat he didn’t dream of taking down until now. It was maintained for two-hundred and fifty year’s, but that history of his nation was soon to be closed. If Japan was going to survive great changes were needed. Yamagata understood this and Isao’s concerns all too well and hoped he could alleviate those concerns as best he could.


“I understand your concern’s Isao-San. However, you must understand that not only are samurai joining our army, but also many like yourself. Such as men born as peasants, other’s as merchants, artists, and even poets. Do not be discouraged, because of my class or by Takasugi-San’s. The future of Japan is at stake and class can no longer be a factor. We all knew that when the black ship’s came so many years’s ago. Our world was going to change forever. Our nation was not ready for the outside world. Now, because of Tokugawa’s ignorance we are paying dearly with barbarian foreigners in our lands. The barbarians defile the very land that many of us worked so hard to govern, protect and cultivate. If we are to go against the foreign invaders we must first strike at the *Tokugawas first!”


The men in the meeting went into an uproar about what Yamagata said. Some were shouting that Yamagata sought the impossible while others were pronouncing that Yamagata should not say foolish thing’s as there were Tokugawa spies everywhere. Isao was horrified to see that barbarians were treating Japan as if it was there own. He had heard stories about China. Isao heard how it turned from a powerful nation to being cut up of spheres of influences for Europe. It disgusted him. Then he heard one voice over the chorus of noise. It was so thunderous that every person in the room fell silent. It was none other than Takasugi.


“The Tokugawa’s are not invincible! The blackship’s that came with Perry, the barbarian’s that run afoul in Japan are proof of that! The Tokugawa’s did nothing when Perry came; they did nothing when the barbarian’s came! If we let the Tokugawa’s continue to rule, our nation, our value’s and everything that we are will be destroyed. I have told many people about my days in China. I was saddened by what I saw, a great nation for hundreds of years. It is now nothing more than a colony for Europe. Yamagata-San and I will not allow this to happen, I swear to you all that Japan will not be colonized by the American’s ,the British ,the French or any other power, the time is now to do away with tradition and make new ways. Ways that will empower us and enrich us so that Japan will never have to fear being overtaken by another nation again. We must change Japan, before we expel the foreigner’s.”


Some of the peasants were still weary that the Tokugawa would hunt them down and kill them, but others were moved by Takasugi’s speech and expressed their support. Yamagata pronounced that it was getting late and they would re-convene tomorrow morning at nine o’clock as everyone would be well rested by then. As people were leaving the meeting, Isao stayed. He did not know what to do at this point. Was he to join and help all of Japan become a powerful nation again or would he continue working in the fields? He knew that if he continued working in the fields, nothing would be done and eventually all he worked for would eventually be for nothing since it would most likely be taken by foreign land developers or worse. As he was deciding what to do Yamagata approached him with a curious look about him.


“Isao-San have you decided to join us or not. It is of course your decision, but we must have an answer since Takasugi-San and I will be starting the meeting again tomorrow morning.”Isao was perplexed, but knew he had to give Yamagata something. He felt he deserved as much at least.“I do not know what to do Yamagata-San if I stay I will not accomplish anything, but if I go will I accomplish anymore than I would if I stayed? I do not have an answer for myself much less you.”Isao was confused on the look on Yamagata-San’s face it was of amusement.“Isao-San I understand what you’re feeling, I felt similar apprehensions when I first began plans to oust the Tokugawa’s, I cannot turn back, but you, you do not have to be a foot soldier in the front lines if you wish. Perhaps you need to see a different perspective of the war besides that of Kiheitai and the Tokugawa’s.”


Then out of the shadow’s Shinku appeared. At first Isao didn’t move and looked startled, but he quickly composed himself. Yamagata was not shaken, though Isao was wondering if Yamagata-San planned all this. Yamagata introduced Isao formally to Shinku.“Isao-San I believe you already know of Shinku. Shinku as you probably may have guessed is not his real name. His real name is Kioshi Subeta. His role in the Kiheitai is not important, but what is important is that he will show you another side to this war if you’re willing to see it that is.Yamagata look turned from amusement to coldness. He was deadly serious about this. Isao knew that. Isao also knew that whether he wanted to be in this war or not, he still needed to go with Kioshi. He needed to see it with his own eyes of what the future may or may not entail.


“Yamagata-San, Kioshi-San I accept. I want to see this third-side you speak. The times that will come that may or may not bring a future to Japan. But I only ask that I give you my answer then and not before”Yamagata nodded and said his goodbyes to Isao-San. Soon after Yamagata left, Kioshi-San looked at Isao-San and said something that felt like a cold chill.“Now you will see how Japan’s future will be shaped, not by men but by blood.”


*Kiheitai: Calvary*Hitokiri: Man-Slayer*Sengoku: Warring States*Tokugawa: Governing body of Japan


Isao was following Kioshi for almost four perhaps even five hours until Kioshi led them to Dekai forest. The foliage was not dynamic, but it did offer them protection. There was a reason why it was called Dekai forest. The trees were so large it could blot out the sun; fortunately it was during nightfall away from prying eyes. Isao had heard stories that this forest was a place for the poor and misfortunate, and sometimes the dead. Isao followed Kioshi for almost another hour until they reached an area deep inside the forest. Kisohi stopped and turned himself around straight toward Isao and bluntly asked him several questions which put Kioshi off guard.


“Why do you want to fight in this war? Why do you personally wish to fight? Do you have a personal stake in this war? Do you have altruistic values? You should not fight a war if you do not have a reason too.”


Isao was confused he did not know what to say or how to begin to answer. These questions were important for sure, but what if he had no reason. Isao had no aspirations for glory or fame. That was not his way. It had seemed a whole new opportunity opened up for him. An opportunity to fight for the Emperor, but that was not a true reason to fight he mused. He would not be fighting for me he knew. He was but a simple peasant, a farmer. A person who for the better part of his life let the whole social tier of his people is accepted. Many people including him came to view the Samurai as such. The warrior nobility, just second to the Shogun and the Emperor, but now this was not true anymore. Times have changed and war would soon be upon them. Why would he fight? He couldn’t answer Kisohi since he did not know himself. Isao looked at Kioshi and mused over what to say. As Isao, started to speak Kioshi interrupted him and spoke first. Isao stared blankly at him.


“You don’t know do you? Did you think I would not know that? Many people who fight in wars do not know. But the most simplistic aspect that all people have when they fight is one thing: survival.”Isao was wondering where he was going with this line of thought since he didn’t believe Kioshi was a man of words, but obviously there was more to this man than he perceived. Then sometimes strange happened Kioshi was smiling.


“Just because I do not speak much does not mean I cannot speak at all. I can speak, but I reserve that in the appropriate times. Such as now, since it is important I speak to you about this upcoming war. Which side will you be on? What Ideals will you fight for? Will you fight for blood, to kill, to relish it or to bring a new era, an era of peace and prosperity?”


Isao didn’t know how to answer those questions, but he felt he might not have to as. Kioshi pulled out his katana from his sheath and was wondering what he was going to do with it. Kioshi’s expression turned ice cold.“Look at this blade; it has served me well, because I refined myself to serve it well. The symbolic relationship serves us because we have purpose we know what we must do. We are both disciplined. If you falter at any second in your convictions at a crucial moment you will die. The war should not concern you, so why does it. And do not believe that I will accept your claims that you were persuaded by Yamagata-San.”


Isao was paralyzed he didn’t expect such talk especially not from a Hitokiri. He didn’t want to just stand there and say nothing, but he hadn’t said anything, so he if we going to say something he would try to make the most of it.


“You are right Kioshi-San, I do not have any reason or conviction to fight in this war, and yes I am not totally persuaded by Yamagata-San’s words. They do not pierce me; I am not charmed by their speeches. If I fight, I will fight for my own reasons. My own conviction’s, but as to what they are who is to say since I do not know. I am a simple farmer who minded his own business with the intention to maintain a farm and have a family one day. Now I am called to fight in an army for the Emperor? The war is none of my concern. I am not affected by it my village is not. The artists and merchants are not affected by it. The Samurai and the Shogun are affected by it. It is there war, why should they involve the rest of us. They have shunned us and looked down upon us. Now they seek our help. I’m sure many will be persuaded, but I look at it and see that when it is done and gone. We will be forgotten and shunned again. My reason to fight should be important enough to as you say hold strong convictions and maintain a focus, but I fear I have none of that and if that makes me unfit to be in the emperor’s army then so be it.


”Kioshi looked at Isao for moments until, something unexpected happened. Kioshi laughed. He laughed not at Isao, but how honest he was with him. Kioshi didn’t expect Isao to be this honest, in fact did not know what to expect from Isao. Now that Isao told Kioshi of his own explanation of what he thought of the oncoming war it amused him. Kioshi believed he could work with his man, even train him. Kioshi was a master of iaijutsu and Battōjutsu, but Kioshi believed iaijutsu would be best suited for Isao, and perhaps later teach him Battōjutsu have him train under other’s. Kioshi sheathed his sword as he approached Isao.


“You surprise me Isao-San, but a welcome one. I don’t think you should be in the regular army no. I have something else in mind for you. Something you might find to your liking. It will teach you to give your mind discipline and focus in your life. I’m not asking you to be a Hitokiri, but with my help I can train you to give you reason’s to fight, make those convictions count and give you a high aptitude for the ultimate success: survival. This war will not be easy. Even then if we win, Japan, will never be the same because. If you accept training will be difficult and if you succeed, it will not be an easy life.”

Isao had a hard choice to make, difficult. Shedding this old life, and begin a new. This new life could be wondrous, or disastrous, but at least he would be making the decision, not the Shogun in Edo, but him. This was his choice, but as hard and indecisive as it is to make, he knew that he would never have a choice like this again. A decision like this was difficult. He would have liked more time to think it over; however he knew that he crossed a path of no return when he chose to follow Kioshi. Perhaps he always knew his destiny was elsewhere away from the village, from his current life, or fate simply swept him somewhere else. Isao could not honestly say. Though as hard and difficult this life-changing decision was. It was a new door , and perhaps he wanted more out of life than that of a simple peasant, but time will tell. It may have been a split second decision, but to Isao it was an eternity. Kioshi was not surprised when Isao finally answered which was not surprisingly brief or long.


“Kioshi-San, I accept, I wish to be trained and become like you and the rest of the Hitokiri.”Kioshi-San nodded his head. He had a thin grin, but showed made it clear that Isao was doing the right thing. Kioshi placed his hand on Isao’s left shoulder.


“Your old life ends here Isao. Be proud in the choice you made today. No one told you couldn’t or could make this choice. You decided it. Always take solace in that fact. You made a choice. Isao-San, the samurai, the peasants, the artists and merchants, have less to choose than you. The reason is because their lives are already pre-determined, their families from start to end, know what they will be doing. That right to choose what they want was taken before they were born, but you. You chose to make to do this and be it better or worse. You chose this path. Your new life Isao-San start’s now.