From
101 Zen
Stories:
The Taste Of Ban-Zo's Sword
Matajuro Yagyu was the son of a
famous
swordsman. His father, believing his son's work was too
mediocre to
anticipate
mastership, disowned him. So Matajuro went to Mount Futara,
and there found the
famous
swordsman Ban-Zo. But Ban-Zo confirmed the father's judgment.
"You wish to learn swordsmanship under my guidance?" asked
Ban-Zo. "You cannot fulfill the requirements.". "But if I
work hard, how many years will it take to become a master?"
persisted the youth. "The rest of your life" replied Ban-Zo.
"I cannot wait that long" explained Matajuro. "I am willing
to pass through any hardship if only you will teach me. If I
become your devoted servant, how long might it be?". "Oh,
maybe ten years" Ban-Zo relented.
"My father is getting old, and soon I must take care of him"
continued Matajuro. "If I work far more intensively, how long
would it take me?". "Oh, maybe thirty years" said Ban-Zo.
"Why is that?" asked Matajuro. "First you say ten and now
thirty years. I will undergo any hardship to master this art
in the shortest time!". "Well" said Ban-Zo, "in that case you
will have to remain with me for seventy years. A man in such
a hurry as you are to get results seldom learns quickly.".
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"Very well" declared the youth, understanding at last that
he was being rebuked for impatience, "I agree."
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Matajuro was told never to speak of fencing and never to
touch a sword. He cooked for his master, washed the dishes,
made his bed, cleaned the yard, cared for the garden, all
without a word of swordsmanship. Three years passed. Still
Matajuro labored on. Thinking of his future, he was sad. He
had not even begun to learn the art to which he had devoted
his life.
But one day Ban-Zo crept up behind him and gave him a
terrific blow - whack! - with a wooden
sword. The following day, when Matajuro was cooking rice,
Ban-Zo again sprang upon him unexpectedly.
After that, day and night, Matajuro had to defend himself
from unexpected thrusts. Not a moment passed in any day that
he did not have to think of the taste of Ban-Zo's sword. He
learned so rapidly he brought smiles to the face of his
master.
Matajuro became the greatest swordsman in the land.
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