Kagutsuchiph, The Fire Spirit
~ Pearls don't lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for it. ~
The story continued...
Kimyo was young. Like most young men, he was confident. Unlike most young men, he was not cocky. He knew his heart was strong, but he was not so foolish as to believe there were not others with a more vital spirit than his.
He prayed he was worthy enough to complete this task.
Master Kenshi told Kimyo, "I will teach you to make swords for yourself. Any swords you make off this island will not be as good as those made on this island. However, they will be better than any swords today. I give you this gift, Kimyo, to erase the shame my son has brought to our family name. I give you this gift, Kimyo, because I believe you to be a good man with a good soul."
The process begins by selecting several different rods of steel. Most swords in the outside world were made from a single steel rod. Other blades made incorrectly in this manner had a nasty habit of snapping and breaking during heavy use in combat, leaving a warrior utterly defenseless against his enemy.
This was one reason why the Eastern Island swords were so highly coveted. They rarely, if ever, broke, no matter how strenuously they were used. The Islanders and Kenshi sold some second-tier swords to foreigners, which were excellent but not outstanding.
Master Kenshi was very picky about whom he would sell these swords to. If he felt it was the correct type of warrior, he would sell for what the warrior could afford to pay. If he thought it was the wrong type of warrior, no amount of coin would tempt him to sell.
He explained it had to be this way. With an Island sword, even a second-tier blade, one warrior could turn the tide of a battle, a war, or a nation. Kenshi felt it was the sacred duty of his family to only sell to those warriors with good souls. The sword-making process was highly ritualized. No wonder it seemed magical to outsiders.
It could take weeks or even months to forge just one sword.
Master Kenshi said, "I name all swords made in my shop. You may also name it what you will. My name for your sword will be Modoru Katana or The Returning Sword. I have had a powerful dream about this. If you decide to leave us, young man, my heart and dream tell me that someday you will return. So, it shall be named!"
Kenshi continued, "Both my son and nephew tell me you are already a good warrior and man. You follow the true path of the pen and sword of one accord. Kimyo, you will become a great warrior with the Returning Sword. This blade will return honor to my son and the Kenshi name. If my dream is true, this sword will return you to us one day."
Master Kenshi spoke for hours that first day as Kimyo soaked every word like a dry sponge. "They call the steel Tamahagane, which translates to jewel steel in our language. Steel made from the special black ore sand of the Eastern Island. It is rich in a secret iron ore called magnetite, which we use to make pointers for our famous Eastern Island compasses. The compass needle will always point to the true north."
The Master sword maker took Kimyo on tour, pointing out various pieces of equipment. "Kimyo, can you see this huge clay sacred vessel? It is four feet tall, four feet wide, and twelve feet long. It is called a Tatara. Pieces of this same holy vessel go into the making of each new one. My family has used it for generations. You must fire it by lighting a fire inside its belly. Once fired, you must carefully pack it with layers of black sand and charcoal, which will be consumed in the ceramic furnace."
"Finally, and most importantly, you must pray for Kagutsuchiph, The Fire Spirit, to bless your efforts. Without his blessing, you will surely fail."
END
***
Questions to ponder:
We know Kimyo has the 'gift' of seeing and speaking with spirits. Do you think his gift will help him when it is time for him to make his sword?
After 800 years, why do you think Master Kenshi is willing to share his family's sword-making secrets with Kimyo?
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The Boy With Strange Eyes
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