Recollections of the Daimyo of Uesugi Upon the Ending of Winter
It came to pass that as his army wintered in Kotsuke Province, having won much victory and acclaim, that Uesugi Kenshin, having recently taken on that noble name with his adoption into the Uesugi family, was taking his leisure upon the balcony of Numata castle. Accompanying him was two of his most trusted retainers, Usami Sadamitsu and Yasuda Nagahide. About the hilltop fortress, the snow is beginning to fall.
UESUGI, SEATED UPON THE BALCONY: As this castle of men is surrounded by the coldness of the snow covered land, so too is our world surrounded by the coldness of the outer oceans, and the lands of earth are surrounded by the coldness of the skies.
USAMI, CONTEMPLATING THE SNOWFALL BEFORE SPEAKING: When a man is slain in the snow, the heat from his body rises as steam. The world is cold, and it takes the warmth from strong men, in battle or with the slow decay of age. In this way, as in many others, balance is formed.
UESUGI NODS IN APPROVAL AT THE PIOUS STATEMENT OF USAMI.
YASUDA, REGARDING HIS LORD: Such thoughts upon the nature of the world are grave, my lord, and perhaps they come from some recollection of earlier times? Or perhaps there is some religious teaching you might reveal to us?
UESUGI CONTEMPLATES THE LAND AND THE SNOW, WHILE OBSERVING A DARK RIDER UPON A DISTANT RIDGE APPROACHING THE CASTLE WITH SOME NEWS: One of my earliest battles was upon a landscape such as this. I had almost forgotten it, as I was new come to my manhood. I had been called from the temple to put an end to my brother’s rule. Several of my men were passing through a forest between Nagaoka and Shibata. I believe, Sadamitsu, you were with me on this occasion.
USAMI NODS: Yes.
UESUGI CONTINUES: We came upon the estate of a man of the Nagao clan, a noted warrior, and a retainer of my brother. It was clear he remained at home, and therefore it was necessary that he die. I directed my men to run forward to the largest building, in hopes that they would find and kill this man.
YASUDA CONSIDERS THE STORY: This was your first battle?
UESUGI RESPONDS: My first true battle, yes. The first battle where I did not simply command, but fought and killed men. I recall the snow falling, late in winter, as it does on this very day. Stark black figures of samurai, traversing the bright sunlit snow, presented a clear portrait of the world. To be samurai is to be the black shadow on the snow, the brushstroke of ink upon the paper. One sets oneself apart from the world, to adhere to honor above pleasure, to adhere to duty above pride. Seeing these men run to kill and die on my orders, I understood what it was to be samurai. To be a bright flame in a cold world.
USAMI NODS A SECOND TIME: I had heard from the monks at the temple that the fourth son of Nagao Tamekage was exceptional, and I chose to pledge myself to the boy. But it was on this day of which you speak that your future promise became clear to me, my lord.
UESUGI ACCEPTS THE PRAISE WITH HUMILITY AND GOOD GRACE: I heard the sounds of battle and of gathering reinforcements coming upon the hall from out of my vision. I did not wait. I charged forward followed by my closest retainers, sweeping around the largest hall in two groups and driving the reinforcements back to the outbuildings. The man of my clan who supported my brother was captured, but his fight was honorable, and he resisted greater numbers which possessed the strength of surprise. He insisted that he be allowed to commit seppuku on behalf of my brother Harukage. Knowing his influence, wisdom, and long life of honor, I informed him that his fealty now belonged to a different lord, who did not grant such permission.
YASUDA IS APPRECIATIVE OF THE STORY RECOUNTED BY HIS DAIMYO: You are a wise judge, my lord.
UESUGI ELABORATES AND CONCLUDES: Upon this day, the snows which had proceeded without abatement for several months changed quickly to rain, washing the red stains of blood from the snow. As the curtain of white was replaced by grey, I noted how this battle occurred at the changing of the seasons. My life advanced from that of a boy to that of a daimyo. Furthermore, the cleansing rain represented the promise of cleansing renewal, and of spring that brings new life forth after death. All is of the design of Bishamonten: My victory upon that day, and all victories to come.
AS LORD UESUGI FINISHES HIS STORY, HIS RETAINERS MURMUR IN SURPRISE TO SEE THAT JUST AS IN THE TALE, THE SNOWS ABOUT THE CASTLE HAVE BEGUN TO CHANGE TO RAIN. THE STORY WILL SPREAD THROUGH THE UESUGI ARMY AS A GOOD OMEN FOR THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN.
