Notes on Mori Banchiro's Journey

Introduction

• Setting: Japan, 1800, castle town of Kochi, Tosa domain.
• Main character: Mori Banchiro, 16-year-old samurai in training.
• Objective: To gain support for a year of studies in the capital city of Edo.

Background Context

• Samurai's roles have evolved:
  • Once primarily warriors, now also:
    • Government officials
    • Scholars
    • Teachers
    • Artists (e.g., tea ceremony)
• Peaceful Japan: For 200 years, maintaining stability, influencing samurai lifestyles.

Banchiro's Personal Goals

• Banchiro's influences:
  • Inspired by legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi (renowned swordsman, calligrapher, painter).
  • Secret ambition to become a painter.
• The significance of the daisho:
  • Long sword for training/combat.
  • Short sword for ritual suicide (seppuku) in case of dishonor.

Daily Routine

• Morning practice:
  • Drills with long sword to impress teachers.
  • Departure from home; father preparing to accompany the daimyo to Edo.

Political Context

• Daimyo's obligations:
  • Required to alternate years in capital (Edo) and home domain.
  • Maintains loyalty and reduces military power of regional rulers.
  • Family as hostages in the capital.
• Banchiro's desire to travel with his father to Edo for training.

School Life

• First lesson in sword fighting under instructor's supervision.
• Other activities:
  • Archery
  • Horsemanship
  • Swimming.
• Afternoon academics:
  • Confucian philosophy, morality, and history.
  • Banchiro feels confident in gaining support from teachers for his request.

Convincing His Father

• Father's perspective:
  • Believes martial arts are more critical than literary arts.
• Banchiro's strategy:
  • Focus on sword instructors and teaching certifications to enhance career prospects.
  • Final argument: If he succeeds in Edo, his father can retire and send him in the future.
• Outcome: Father's consent for Banchiro to accompany him to Edo.

Conclusion

• Banchiro's opportunity to pursue his painting ambition in the capital.
• Suggested further exploration:
  • Travel back to the time of the Cossacks or learn about Kabuki dance drama.