The Way Of The Sword by Chris Bradford Page A

at his keenness. ‘You must abandon the idea of
having
to hit the target. When the archer does not think about the target, then they may unfold the Way of the Bow.’
    Jack’s brow creased in confusion. ‘But won’t I be more likely to miss if I don’t think about it?’ he asked.
    ‘There are no mysteries in
kyujutsu
, Jack-kun,’ continued Sensei Yosa, shaking her head in response. ‘Like any art, the secret is revealed through dedication, hard work and constant practice.’
    But I am practising hard
, Jack wanted to say,
and I don’t seem to be getting any better.

    Later that day, Jack’s fifth attempt at
origami
lay in a crumpled heap on the floor.
    The rest of the students were deep in studied concentration, cross-legged on their
zabuton
cushions within the Buddha Hall. Today their meditation model was a frog, and all that could be heard was the delicate crimping of countless pieces of paper.
    Sensei Yamada had once again set his class a
zazen
mediation on
origami
, repeating the
koan
, ‘What does
origami
teach us?’ No one as yet had provided him with a satisfactory answer.
    ‘Watch how I do it, Jack,’ Yori offered, turning so that Jack could see his moves.
    Jack tried again, but only succeeded in tearing a hole in the fragile paper. He cursed out loud in English and Yori gave him a puzzled look. Jack smiled apologetically.
    ‘How am I going to be able to answer Sensei Yamada’s
Koan
trial if I can’t even fold a paper frog?’ said Jack, taking another sheet from the pile.
    ‘I don’t think it matters if you can or can’t,’ replied Yori kindly. ‘The frog is not the focus. Remember what Sensei Yamada said? The answer is in the paper.’
    Yori admired his own perfect frog before setting it on the floor next to the perfect
origami
crane, butterfly and goldfish he had already made.
    ‘But surely the process must help,’ maintained Jack, waving his flat square of paper despondently in the air. ‘Otherwise why would he be getting us all to do
origami
? I seem to be making such slow progress.’
    Jack was now very concerned about his chances in the forthcoming trials. There were only five places and if he didn’t pass any of the trials, he wouldn’t earn his place in the Circle of Three, let alone be taught the Two Heavens technique.
    ‘Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap,’ said a calm voice in his ear.
    Sensei Yamada had appeared at Jack’s shoulder and leant over to take the paper from his hands. He scored, folded and bent the sheet in front of Jack’s eyes, transforming it into a beautiful flowering rose.
    ‘Judge it by the seeds you plant.’

    ‘You’re having a bad week, that’s all,’ said Akiko, trying to console Jack during dinner that evening.
    ‘But I haven’t hit the archery targets for nearly a month now,’ Jack replied, half-heartedly spearing a piece of
sushi
with his
hashi
before reminding himself that it was bad etiquette.
    ‘It’s just a matter of getting used to the distance,’ encouraged Yamato. ‘Don’t you remember how you scored in
kyujutsu
during the
Taryu-Jiai
? It’s not as if you can’t do it.’
    ‘I suppose you’re right,’ conceded Jack, putting down his
hashi
. ‘But it feels like I’ve hit a brick wall with my training. Even in
kenjutsu
Sensei Hosokawa’s constantly on my back, correcting every little mistake. However hard I try, I don’t seem to be getting any better.’
    ‘But you heard what Sensei Yamada said,’ reminded Yori.
‘Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap
...’
    ‘Yes, but what seeds am I actually planting?’ sighed Jack, burying his head in his hands. ‘Perhaps Kazuki’s right. I’m not meant to be samurai.’
    ‘You’re not listening to Kazuki again, are you?’ exclaimed Akiko in exasperation. ‘He’s poisoning your mind! Of course you’re worthy to be samurai. Masamoto-sama would not have adopted you, or invited you to his school if he thought you were anything less. Becoming a true