NationStates Jolt Archive

This is a guideline for the samurai class in the Empire of Etchu written by Emperor Kenshin himself.This is open,so criticizim is welcomed.

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Intro

The way of the samurai is found in death.
When ones mind and body are at peace
One should meditate on ones own body
Being torn apart by guns,arrows,spears,swords,
being shaken to death by a great earthquake,
being washed away by the see,thrown into the
midst of a great fire,falling from a thousand feet
height,or commiting seppuku at the death of ones
lord.

One should meditate and keep this in mind unfaillingly
everyday and should thus already consider
themselves already as dead.When one has kept this in
mind,then they no longer fear death,with the fear of
death gone,one can more efficiently serve ones lord
and the state.

Chpt 1. Lifestyle

The lifestyle of a samurai should be simple,one should not be afraid of being poor,but afraid of being rich.To lead a luxourious life showns ones own soul,empty.

The simpler the life the more beautiful it is,one musn't be perplexed by the illusions of life. It is good to purchase things for conveinence, but to purchase things for no other purpose than more indulgent pleasure is a fools way of living.

A samurai should not handle money,it is a vile thing that corrupts the heart of men,thus it should be handled by ones wife,husband,or servants. A samurai should not handle money or have any money-making thoughts.The merchants and members of the corporation are the lowest rats of our society.They are parasites,the merchants sell goods than make them and the corporation feeds off the greed of the people.They are the rats of our society and should thus be treated as such.

A samurai should bathe daily and have good hygenes,this is not only healthy for ones body,but it gives a good impression to the people and foreigners.A samurai caught unkempt while on duty will commit seppuku.In the battlefield when a samurai does not have the opportunity of keeping oneself tidy,he should at least be able to wash his face and comb his hair,if no water or comb a samurai should always carry some powdered rouge,if one has none of these then how can one die with dignity?

The diet of a samurai should be healthy,only eat fat increasing foods in celebrations.Food such as chicken,fowl,eggs,pork,beef,and all other forms of meat with the exception of fish,should be all best avoided and should be eaten at special occasions.A samurai who exercises daily will have no fear of ones body becoming fat to the point when they will not be able to breathe,and can eat such fatting foods as long as they keep with their exercises.

When drinking and smoking,a samurai should always keep intact that these are bad for their health and will not perform such excessive amounts of these acts.If a samurai is drunk one will not be able to perform their duty and task,so one should bear in mind not to get too drunk less one gets attacked or challenged to a duel.I am strongly against smoking,but if you must,one should always smoke outside never indoor less you bother people or create a foul stench in the building or room.I suggest smoking all natural tobacco,none of the corporate scratch tobacco so one will not become addicted.

A samurai can choose whatever religion their heart desires,but bear in mind that the first loyalty of a samurai should be to their lord and the state,no one else,not to ones mother,father,wife,mistress,etc.A samurai that fails in the bear this in mind must commit seppuku.

Chpt. 2 Death

A samurai should not fear death in any way or form,instead one should accept it as if it were a gift.Yet this gift is given too early for many,but that is faith.

In a dream when one has a nightmare we can just wake up and say "Oh...It was just a dream."Such it is with life,one should not view this in any other way.

Should a samurai's head be cut off he should still be able to perform one final act,should he become a revengeful ghost he should keep in mind his goal,and past on to the next life when the deed is done,for one who has not past on,they have shown their cowerdice and still in death,they shame themselves.

To die without reaching aim or goal is a dogs death and is fanaticism,but there is no shame in this.For killing ones enemy and ones enemy killing you,is all a matter of faith.

"Like dew drops on a lotus leaf,we vanish.
With no malice to brandish
I go peacefully
All of Nariwa a dream,a dream."
-Emperor Kenshin (A poem anticipating his death)

I will leave it to there and will not reveal the entire book.What you have read is just a preview.

Any questions or comments?

Your crazy aren't you? It's not a literal question, it's more a question of why would one care of your thought of personal combat, when personal combat is dead, not in a physical sence but in a practical sence. This is the age of fire arms, not blades.

I know that,the samurai's of the Etch Empire fight with both gun and sword.It's not dishonorable to fight with guns,as it is required for many armies to be successful to move with time.

Swords are necessary not for just close combat when guns become useless,but also for traditional and ceremonial purposes.

Your crazy aren't you? It's not a literal question, it's more a question of why would one care of your thought of personal combat, when personal combat is dead, not in a physical sence but in a practical sence. This is the age of fire arms, not blades.
Jesus. Can you post without insulting someone???

Its his decision and if you don't like it, TOUGH LUCK.

Anyways, in certain instances, i.e. close quarters combat, a sword is more useful than a sword.

[...] a sword is more useful than a [...] ... gun?



Your crazy aren't you? It's not a literal question, it's more a question of why would one care of your thought of personal combat, when personal combat is dead, not in a physical sence but in a practical sence. This is the age of fire arms, not blades.

This is the age of whatever age he wills it to be. It may be your preference to use only firearms, your nation may be based in "the age of firearms", but must your preferences be imposed upon others. One is free to rolepay at whatever tech level one wishes.

Firearms may be more proficient IRL, but are they necessarily more interesting.

Well warranted is this expression of his national culture.