Bokuden, A Beautiful Oriental Story

This beautiful oriental story tells us about Tsukahara Bokuden, a legendary sword master from the 16th century in Japan. He was a practitioner of martial arts and became very famous for his talent for combat, but mainly for his wisdom.

They say that Bokuden had three children and wanted to put them to the test. He wanted to know how cautious and evolved they were. To check, he put a heavy headrest over the door and left it ajar. Then, he called for his eldest son, Hikoshiro, with great haste.

The eldest son was a young man very appreciated by all. He had a sweet character and a reputation for being a cautious man. This oriental story tells that when his father called him, he came to the door ajar and pushed it gently. He noticed that it was heavier and assumed that something had changed.

Cautiously, he began feeling the upper end of the door. Thus he discovered that there was the headrest and gently removed it. Bokuden was pleased and just said something casual to her. Then the eldest son left the room, leaving the headrest as he had found it.

Different reactions

A few days passed and Bokuden wanted to perform the same test with his second son, who was named Hikogoro. Eastern history says that he was quite known for his great agility and dexterity. He was not cautious, like his older brother, because he was very confident of his abilities.

The father called Hikogoro and he quickly got up and went to the door. Without thinking twice, he pushed her into the room early. The headrest fell, but the boy was so agile he caught him in midair. Then he put it back in its place. Bokuden was thoughtful.

It was time to do the test with his youngest son, Hikoroku. This was the most impulsive of all, but also the most cheerful and loving. Bokuden loved him very much, but feared that he would not be able to pass the test. He was right. The father called his youngest son, just as he had done with his brothers.

Hikoroku rushed out and pushed the door open with great energy. The headrest fell and hit the chomnaje, or traditional bow tie from Japan. The oriental story tells that when the boy felt the blow, he drew his sword and broke the object in two, before it fell to the ground. Then he laughed and seemed proud of her reaction.

A memory in eastern history

According to this beautiful oriental story, Bokuden was concerned about the reaction of his youngest son. He thought that such an impulsive person would only bring misfortune and ruin to his house. Tradition said that he should repudiate him, since his behavior only showed a lack of conscience and wisdom.

Bokuden, however, called all of his children and told them about an episode that he himself had experienced, years before. He had a student who was considered the most skilled of all his apprentices. Quick in mind and body, he was used to winning every fight.

It happened that this apprentice was walking one afternoon down a street in the village. He passed a rather nervous horse. So restless was the animal that when it felt the presence of the disciple nearby, it launched a kick. However, the student was so skilled that he made a feline movement and dodged the blow. Those present applauded him.

A beautiful moral

That same afternoon the gifted student came to Bokuden and spoke to him about what had happened, with a certain pride. Bokuden listened carefully, but as soon as the apprentice finished the story, he expelled him from his classes. He said he never wanted to see him again. Everyone else was surprised. How was it that he did not value the skillful action of his student?

The three sons of Bokuden listened to the story very carefully. The eldest son was silent and seemed to be reflecting. The one in the middle looked intrigued. And the youngest son looked confused and restless. ” How is it that you fired such a clever man? … Were you afraid that he would take your place? ” Asked the boy.

Eastern history says that Bokuden replied: “ A man who is not capable of foreseeing dangers, but only reacting to them, does not deserve to be my disciple . If it had been someone wise, it would never have passed by the horse ”. The three sons were silent. The one in the middle and the youngest understood the message and without their father asking them, they left with their heads down.