Young Samurai: The Ring of Sky
Page 27
‘g’ is hard as in ‘get’
‘j’ is soft as in ‘jelly’
‘ch’ as in ‘church’
‘z’ as in ‘zoo’
‘ts’ as in ‘itself’
Each syllable is pronounced separately:
A-ki-ko
Ya-ma-to
Ma-sa-mo-to
Ka-zu-ki
arigatō (gozaimasu) thank you (very much)
azuma no yabun hito Eastern barbarian
bō wooden fighting staff
bōjutsu the Art of the Bō
bokken wooden sword
bugyō a magistrate or governor
bunbu ichi the pen and sword in accord (also Bunbu Ryodo – the duel path of pen and sword)
bushido the Way of the Warrior – the samurai code
Butokuden Hall of the Virtues of War
chigiriki a Japanese flail weapon with a wooden shaft and a spiked weight on the end of a short chain
daimyo feudal lord
daishō the pair of swords, wakizashi and katana, that are traditional weapons of the samurai
Daruma Doll small wooden egg-shaped doll with no arms or legs, which is modelled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen; one eye is filled in with black ink while making a wish or goal, and the other is filled in when the wish or goal is attained
dochu no sei stillness in motion
dohyō the ring in which sumo wrestling bouts are held
dojo training hall
dōshin Edo-period police officers of samurai origin (low rank)
ensō a circle and a concept strongly associated with Zen
fudoshin literally ‘immovable heart’, a spirit of unshakeable calm
fusuma vertical rectangular panels that act as sliding doors or room dividers
futon Japanese bed: flat mattress placed directly on tatami flooring, and folded away during the day
gaijin foreigner, outsider (derogatory term)
gasshuku martial arts training camp
geisha a Japanese girl trained to entertain men with conversation, dance and song
geta traditional Japanese sandal with an elevated wooden base
gyōji a referee in sumo wrestling
hachimaki headbands, sometimes reinforced with metal strips
hatamoto literally ‘under the banners’; a samurai in the direct service of the Shogun
hayanawa a short rope used for restraining prisoners
hikyaku ‘Flying Feet’ (a courier)
ippon seoinage one-armed shoulder throw
jigoku Hell pool
jutte (or jitte) an iron truncheon or rod with a short pointed hook
kabuki a classical Japanese dance-drama
kama sickle-shaped weapon
kamon a samurai family crest (also mon)
kata a prescribed set of martial arts moves
kataginu a Japanese-style jacket with stiffened shoulders like wings
katana long sword
ki energy flow or life force (Chinese: chi or qi)
kiai literally ‘concentrated spirit’ – used in martial arts as a shout for focusing energy when executing a technique
kiaijutsu the Art of the Kiai (shout)
kimono traditional Japanese clothing
kissaki tip of sword
koban Japanese oval gold coin
koto a thirteen-string zither-like instrument
kuji-in nine syllable seals – a specialized form of Buddhist and ninja meditation
kunai a farming tool, which resembles a masonry trowel and can be used as a weapon
kyusho vital or nerve point on a human body
mabiki a farming process of weeding out the rice seedlings; also a term for infanticide
menpō protective metal mask covering part or all of the face
metsuke technique of ‘looking at a faraway mountain’
mie a powerful and emotional pose struck by an actor during a kabuki performance
mikan satsuma, orange citrus fruit
mikkyō secret teachings
mochi rice cake
mon a round copper coin with a hole in the centre, common currency of Japan until 1870; also can be a samurai family crest
musha shugyō warrior pilgrimage
nanban southern barbarian
ninja Japanese assassin
ninjatō ninja sword
ninjutsu the Art of Stealth
Niten Ichi Ryū the ‘One School of Two Heavens’
nodachi a very large two-handed sword
obi belt
ofuro bath
ō-metsuke a spy of the Shogun, reporting directly to the Council of the Shogun
onsen natural hot springs used for bathing
ramen a noodle dish
ri traditional Japanese unit of distance, approx. 2.44 miles
ronin masterless samurai
rotenburo open-air hot spring bath
saké rice wine
sakura cherry-blossom tree
samurai Japanese warrior
sankyo a wrist lock in aikido that is termed ‘third teaching’
sashimi raw fish
saya scabbard
Saya no uchi de katsu victory in the scabbard of the sword
sensei teacher
seppuku ritual suicide
Sha ninja hand sign, interpreted as healing for ninjutsu purposes
shakujō a Buddhist ringed staff
shamisen a three-stringed plucked lute
Shichi Hō De ‘the Seven Ways of Going’, the art of disguise and impersonation
shinobi shozoku the clothing of a ninja
Shodo the path or way of writing; Japanese calligraphy
Shogun the military dictator of Japan
shoji Japanese sliding door
shuriken metal throwing stars
suki a term in kenjutsu for a break in concentration that results in flawed technique or vulnerability to attack
sumimasen excuse me; my apologies
sumo a Japanese form of heavyweight wrestling
sushi raw fish on rice
suzume Japanese name for a sparrow; also can be used as a name
taijutsu the Art of the Body (hand-to-hand combat)
tameshigiri a test cut to assess the quality of a samurai sword, performed on corpses and sometimes convicted criminals
tantō short knife
Taryu-Jiai inter-school martial arts competition
tatami floor matting
tekubi gatamae hyperflexing wristlock
ten-uchi a sword technique – the arm and wrist make a twisting motion during a descending strike
torii a distinctive Japanese gate made of two uprights and two crossbars denoting the separation between common space and sacred space, found at the entrance to Shinto shrines
Toro Nagashi a ceremony that is carried out on the last evening of the Bon Festival; paper lanterns are floated down rivers and out to sea in order to guide the spirits back to their own world
tsuzumi handheld lacquered wooden drums in an hourglass shape
uke training partner who attacks
wakizashi side-arm short sword
wako Japanese pirates
washi traditional Japanese-style paper
yakitori grilled chicken on a stick
Yama Arashi Mountain Storm throw – a hand-throwing technique that also uses a thigh sweep to take an opponent to the ground
Yoko Sankaku Jime side triangle choke using the legs
yubitsume a Japanese ritual to atone for offences by means of cutting off one’s own little finger (lit. ‘finger shortening’)
yukata summer kimono
Zai ninja hand sign for sky or elements control
zazen meditation
Japanese names usually consist of a family name (surname) followed by a given name, unlike in the Western world where the given name comes before the surname. In feudal Japan, names reflected a person’s social status and spiritual beliefs. Also, when addressing someone, san is added to that person�
�s surname (or given names in less formal situations) as a sign of courtesy, in the same way that we use Mr or Mrs in English, and for higher-status people sama is used. In Japan, sensei is usually added after a person’s name if they are a teacher, although in the Young Samurai books a traditional English order has been retained. Boys and girls are usually addressed using kun and chan, respectively.
Acknowledgements
With Jack’s journey in Japan finally coming to an end, so has mine. And it has been a musha shugyō of epic proportions. The original idea was first born in 2006, with the first book, The Way of the Warrior, written in the spring of 2007 and published the following summer in 2008 (UK). Six years have passed since that spark of an idea. Eight books have now been released in the series: 636,208 words written in total. Jack’s adventures have been published in twenty-five countries and eighteen foreign languages (so far). They’ve been nominated for more than sixteen book awards (and won some!). And I’ve toured ten countries, twenty book festivals, more than 500 schools, and performed live to over 100,000 fans and almost a million as part of the Biggest Book Show On Earth online festival. Yet none of this could have happened without the support and belief of the following people …
Charlie Viney, my agent, who recognized the idea for its potential and had the unwavering belief to make it happen.
Sarah Hughes at Puffin Books for seizing the Young Samurai sword before anyone else could; swiftly followed by my editor, Shannon Cullen, who bravely took up the sword from Sarah and sharpened it to perfection over the years. Also, Lola Bubbosh at Disney and the ever-faithful and fantastic Puffin team, including Wendy Shakespeare, Helen Gray, Julia Teece, Jayde Lynch, Sara Flavell and the cover designer Paul Young.
Pippa Le Quesne for her early guidance in the art of writing. Tessa Girvan, Franca Bernatavicius and Nicki Kennedy, my overseas agents at ILA, for taking Young Samurai round the world.
My martial arts instructors – Steve Cowley, David Ansell and Peter Brown – for their expert tuition, knowledge and support.
My friends – Karen, Rob and Thomas, Geoff and Lucy, Matt, Hayley, to name only a few – for their constant encouragement and feedback.
My family – Sarah, Zach, Mum and Dad, Sue and Simon, Steve and Sam, Ann and Andrew, Laura – who have been with me every step of the way, carrying me through the toughest of times and celebrating with me at the best of times.
And, finally, a huge heartfelt thanks must go to my readers. This book is dedicated to you, and here are just a handful of the most ardent supporters:
Adeeb Nami, Guilherme Merched Salomão, Charlie Harland, Hannah Lim En Hui, Paul Nelson, Koh Xuan Hong, Tyler Thompson, Cross Lee Jun Ye, Gabby Bolderstone, Tee Yew Ping, Andrew Whetherly, Nick Ritter, Nathaniel E Whiles, Lorraine Whiles, Cameron Clarke, Joel Monroy, Alexander De Potter, Rhiona O’Brien, Mon Yeu Chan, Natalija Damjanovi, Laura Colussi, Tom Horton, Shevy Oakly, Siddhant Ganguly, Liam Moir, Daniel Baryshnikov, Elmiga Herbst, Gracie Millett, Victoria Fröberg, Matthew Apps, Philip Morgan, Charlie Baker, Low Chuan Wei, Aidan Bracher, Kirby Phillips, Marco Rivolta, George Griffiths, Tiwa Ethan Adelaja, Nur Zarifah Mohd Zafrullah, Callum Dunlop, Seth Alexander James Turquand-Cook, Nirmit Dhanani, Thean Li-Yang, Robert Mitchell, Li Chao, Anurag Kumar, Elliott Daly, Isabelle Monteiro, Chloe Anne Dervey, Soon Jia Yi, Isaac Roe, Mu’ammar Theba, Mohammad Dainish Jabeen, Nicholas Mitchell, Thibaut Revers, Nathaniel L. Williams, Emilie Elizabeth Carroll, Anisur Rahman, Shelbert Creech III, Shelbert Creech IV, Bishal Bahadur Sanmani Magar, Instructor Steve McCormick, Shazaan Nadeem, Hank Kiser, Simranjit Cheema, Zoe Oakes. Lande Fourie, Banti Debnath, Colby Wolfer, Edward Bennett, Oliver Morley, Millie Tillman, Oliver Hall, Matthias Moosburner, Sian Maiden, Matt Selesky, Jivjyot Singh, Daphne Ooi, Kevin Haex, Daniël Altena, Shray Bhandary, Ishaan Kumar, Byron Paterson, Sarah Aschmann, Jonathan Kaname Sison, Dmitry Alyohin, Noah Benoit, Dion Birney, Thomas Leyton Sidney, Dawn Sidney, Robbie Cannon, Janis Lim Hui Qin, Andy Honrado, Jessica Morgan, Luke Wolfer, Ozzie Teschler, Tim Hoogstoel, Harrison Facey, Zac Wakamatsu, Roman Frenkenberg, Sam Buss, Nate Kimball, Gabriel Kemble, Mark Butterworth, Brock Burnett, Jonathan Paul Walkotten, M. Salman Khan, Joseph Baross, Órla and Cíara Murphy, Axel Revin, Harry Woodley Luneth Calibur and every other Young Samurai fan (sorry I couldn’t include all of your names!) … Remember, keep waving the sword – the battle may not yet be over!
But as one journey ends, another now begins. I am embarking on a new adventure, the modern equivalent of the samurai warrior: the BODYGUARD. This past year I’ve been training in the art of close protection and I’m now primed to deliver an action-adventure story that will be as thrilling and exciting as the Young Samurai series.
I do hope you, my reader, will join me on this brand-new journey …
Chris
Disclaimer: Young Samurai: The Ring of Sky is a work of fiction, and while based on real historical figures, events and locations, the book does not profess to be accurate in this regard. Young Samurai: The Ring of Sky is more an echo of the times than a re-enactment of history.
Warning: Do not attempt any of the techniques described within this book without the supervision of a qualified martial arts instructor. These can be highly dangerous moves and result in fatal injuries. The author and publisher take no responsibility for any injuries resulting from attempting these techniques.
PUFFIN BOOKS
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First published 2012
Text copyright © Chris Bradford, 2012
Cover illustration copyright © Paul Young, 2012
Map copyright © Robert Nelmes, 2008
Ensōsymbol by Andy Lin
Cover Illustration by Paul Young
All rights reserved
The moral right of the author and illustrators has been asserted
ISBN: 978-0-141-97102-5
MEET CHRIS
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED TRAINING IN MARTIAL ARTS?
I started judo when I was seven years old. I won my first trophy at the age of eight and have since trained in over nine different martial arts.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MARTIAL ART AND WHY?
I have enjoyed all my styles – each one has taught me something new – but my favourite must be Zen Kyo Shin taijutsu, since it was the first one I earned my black belt in. The style originates from the fighting art of the ninja – my sensei was even taught by a ninja grandmaster!
HAVE YOU EVER MET A REAL SAMURAI WARRIOR?
Yes – I am a student of Akemi Solloway Sensei, who is the eldest daughter of an old samurai family, descended from the karo of Iwatsuki Castle (near Tokyo) in the time of Lord Ota Dokan (1432–1486). The name Akemi means ‘bright and beautiful’ and, because she has no brothers, Akemi has a special responsibility to keep alive the traditions of her samurai ancestors.
WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?
I’ve been writing all my life, but mostly lyrics for songs. I didn’t start writing stories until much later, though I remember making up stories in my h
ead as a child, especially on long car journeys to stop myself getting bored.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR?
I wrote The Way of the Warrior very quickly – in two months! The story literally burst out of me and on to the page fully formed.
WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS AND INSPIRATIONS COME FROM?
My heart and my life. The Young Samurai trilogy was inspired by my passion for martial arts. It is the story of a young boy learning about life through martial arts. It could be about me. Equally it could be about you.
WHAT DID YOU USED TO DO BEFORE YOU WERE A WRITER?
I was a songwriter and musician. I sing, play guitar and harmonica. I have performed all over the world, appeared on TV and taught music at the illustrious Academy Of Contemporary Music in Guildford. My musical experience led me to writing my first book on songwriting (Heart & Soul) for the British Academy Of Composers & Songwriters.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
It by Stephen King. The scariest, and his best.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD AND WHY?
I’ve travelled to many wonderful places, but my three favourite memories are playing guitar on a beach as the sun set in Fiji, sitting in a tree house in the middle of a jungle in Laos and listening to a temple bell chime at dawn in Kyoto, Japan.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF FOOD?
Sushi. It’s so healthy and very tasty.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My samurai sword. The blade gleams like lightning and whistles when it cuts through the air.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The action scenes are magical and literally defy gravity, the actors are like fighting ballerinas, and it features one of the greatest female movie martial artists, Michelle Yeoh.
It all started with a Scarecrow.
Puffin is well over sixty years old. Sounds ancient, doesn’t it? But Puffin has never been so lively. We’re always on the lookout for the next big idea, which is how it began all those years ago.