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| Mochikata's funeral.; Pay your respects to our late, great general Matsudaira Mochikata. | |
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| Topic Started: 27/10/2011 - 08:56 am (532 Views) | |
| Naughty_Ranko | 27/10/2011 - 08:56 am Post #1 |
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Fallen Angel
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The autumn afternoon sun had bathed the graveyard next to the temple in Mikawa into a golden light, somewhat mellowing the heavy atmosphere of the gathered people. Many had come, including the daimyo and his family who considered Mochikata one of their own. The officers were gathered and the ceremony was open to commoners from all classes to pay their respects. Fujiko glanced at the nearby grave of Genji. Too many had died already. But their sacrifices wouldn't be in vain. Soon their shared dream of Tokugawa dominance would come to pass and their souls rest easy in the knowledge that they had been a part of bringing this new era of peace about. The head priestess observed the customary rituals, pouring fresh water over the gravestone which read the Matsudaira family name, lighting two sticks of incense in front of the grave and placing an offering of food between them. She knelt down and began to pray in silence, while everyone else folded their hands and followed suit. Finally she took a deep breath and began to speak. "Today we bid farewell to Matsudaira Mochikata, a great warrior, a natural born leader and faithful servant to our daimyo Hirotada." "Mochikata was a simple man. Born and raised in Sagami. When troops were recruited there for the impending war with the Ashina and the Satomi, he was one of the volunteers. Despite his young age he proved to be a very apt warrior in both mind and body. He and his unit served with distinction as back-up for General Mochimori." "It was in the spring of 1561 that his command ability was truly put to the test. During the early days of the Uesugi war his army came under siege in Musashi. With no senior officer to organise the defense, Mochikata stepped forth and led his fellow warriors to voictory in the face of adversity. For this display of bravery, which crucially kept the Tokugawa flank intact, our daimyo saw fit to promote him to general at only 20 years old, the youngest general of the clan at that point and bestowed upon him the title of Commissioner for Finance." "Two years later in the Date war he conquered the provinces of Shimotsuke and Hitachi and continued to provide backup for further advances. Through those victories and despite his youth he gained the respect and friendship of those serving under him. It must have pained him to no end to relinquish command of the majority of his troops to Ieyasu in preparation for the Hattori war. But I know for a fact that he did not hold that against the daimyo's son. Indeed, being only three years apart in age, the two men shared a mutual respect for one another, when they met in Mikawa. It was Mochikata's training of the men, which made Ieyasu's recent victories possible." "Mochikata looked out for his men and he adored music, which endeared him very much to me while he was stationed here in Mikawa. He would always employ a professional Koto Player to keep up morale around camp. But despite his artisitc soul, his mind and body longed for the battlefield. Wanting to assist his friends. When he received the commission for a new force, he couldn't have been happier. He dealt with the Chosokabe invasion swiftly and efficiently as he always did and was preparing the assault on Ise." Fujiko lowered her head. "That is when the foul and villainous Hattori had him assassinated, denying him the glory of a death on the battlefield. A man struck down in the prime of his life, Matsudaira Mochikata only lived for 30 years. But despite his youth, he had wisdom beyond his years. He knew the risks of going into battle and thus he left his will with me." She took out a meticulously folded piece of paper. "He asked me to read this poem to you in the event of his death. These are the final words of Mochikata by which he shall be remembered:" Inhale, exhale Forward, back Living, dying: Arrows, let flown each to each Meet midway and slice The void in aimless flight -- Thus I return to the source. After having finished the poem Fujiko began to sing. A heartbreakingly sorrowful song about regret and the falling of the leaves, so ancient that it's original lyrics had been lost in the mists of time itself. With the last notes fading away into the sunset, Fujiko stepped back, allowing everyone else to pray before the grave and share their memories of a truly great man. |
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damo2986
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27/10/2011 - 12:47 pm Post #2 |
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|damo2986|
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Hirotada stood, head bowed as Fujiko recalled Mochikata's life. As she was speaking, Hirotada thought to himself that he did not realise just how much Mochikata had given to the clan until his achievements were spoken of for all to hear. He looked back to the time that he saw a fresh faced soldier standing proud before him as he had just achieved a great victory for the Tokugawa and was about to be bestowed with the greatest honour. It brought a smile to his face and Hirotada looked up at the sky as Fujiko broke out into song. When the song was complete Hirotada lowered his head and stepped forward towards the grave. After closing his eyes and muttering a prayer he turned and addressed those present. "I thank you all for coming. Today we celebrate the life of one of our brothers. Mochikata gave his life for this clan and soon his sacrifice will be paid for in full. My only wish is that each one of you stood here today commit yourselves as Mochikata did. Let his life be an inspiration to us all." Hirotada looked back at the grave one last time, nodded appreciately at Fujiko and then made his way towards Mikawa castle. |
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| BADCOP112 | 28/10/2011 - 12:51 pm Post #3 |
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As Kurimoto stood there he felt a void in his heart. He had met the young man years ago and taken a liking to him. They were friends and he was like a brother to Kurimoto. He knew that void would never be filled. He turned and left without a word, for he could not describe how he felt with words. |
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| Lord Kierstead | 01/11/2011 - 05:32 am Post #4 |
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Valor with honor, treason with death
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Icorisu stood at the back to avoid the high priestesses sight and for the first time in years felt a pull at his heart he sat thier and recalled all the men lost on this campaign and of all Mochikata was the best for the first and last time Icorisu thought if the campign was worth it how many families had lost fathers brothers sons or grandfathers but then Icorisu dissmised those thoudghts with ones of how many men would die if the Hattori Chosokabe Shimazu became shogun or even if the Ashikaga stayed in power he left and took the long way around and said under his beath "It is worth it I will not fall into dismall feeling"but even wih his thougts he could not restrain his tears the ears of loss the tears of love and the tears of betrayal |
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