Snippet #1675787

*District Four- Reykyon Monastery: Daybreak* (P.S. This is still the same day, but earlier in the morning. I will write about later on in the evening with the next post.)

The daily routine of a monastic always began with a morning prayer meant to cleanse the body of impure intentions and create good energy for the rest of the day, and even though the Venerable Shingen Kamakura was responsible for the entire monastery’s daily necessities he was no exception to this religious observance. As the warrior monk finished with this ritual he proceeded to clothe himself in the traditional dual blue and white kimonos reserved for trips outside of the monastery, but of course they were used most every day by the entire order. In recent years the Foreigner had successfully terrorized the populace of Bay City and initiated a cruel reign of a zealous tyrant, this in turn forced the Reykyon monastery to continually patrol the streets and shield their followers from his wrath. Luckily there had been no outright conflict between the factions as of yet, but the day was soon to come when the Reykyon monastery would be forced to act as it had in the past.


As the young monastic finished folding the intricate garments and fastened both belts around his waist in order to keep the kimonos in place a shadow appeared on the other side of the fusuma that separated his room from the hallway. Shingen’s soft feet made only the slight swishing noise of cloth on wood as he proceeded to the wood and paper door and slid it over to reveal the kneeling figure of the novice Nobutada. This novice served the senior monk as a servant/messenger who carried out the minor duties assigned him while learning the duties of a Reykyon monk.

“Come young Nobutada; let us breakfast before assigning any duties today. I am feeling particularly at peace after this morning’s prayer and wish to enjoy this tranquility for a while longer.”

The young novice, only fourteen years of age, rose up quietly after his tutor passed by and proceeded to follow him three paces behind with his head tilted slightly downwards, leaving the half-shaven head facing Shingen while his eyes followed to intricate wooden floor. The aroma of the morning’s fresh bread and porridge wafted through the still air as the monastery’s inhabitants, minus the already bustling cooking staff, all ventured towards the dining area in silence. Instead of seating themselves in tables and chairs the monks preferred to use large mats and used the floor as one giant table with the congregation seating themselves per their status in the order’s hierarchy. As the monastery’s leader it was Shingen’s place to be seated on the small dais overlooking the large circle of his peers.

Their food was always prepared by a generous cooking staff comprised of bakers and cooks from the neighboring areas as a sign of homage to their religious teachers, and after the fresh rye bread and oatmeal had been served they departed from dining area and finally the monastery to continue with their daily lives. The congregation always ate in complete silence, not wanting to disturb their morning meditation, and just as quietly the novices bowed away one by one to take empty dishes to the kitchens, clean the kitchen itself after the morning’s meal preparation, and gather the generous amount of extra food to be given as alms to the less fortunate families in the area. After all the bowls had been gathered and the novices departed to begin their daily chores Shingen finally broke the silence.

“Good morning brothers, and thanks be to Reykyon for the blessed food and yet another beautiful day on this planet,” The young monk then reached into his left sleeve and produced a parchment that had been tucked away into a pocket earlier that same morning, it was the schedule he kept to keep from showing and favoritism when assigning alms-giving, preaching, or merely traversing the city’s streets, “If you may allow I shall continue with the reading of today’s list.”

His brothers all nodded with courteous smiles on their faces. It was more of a ritual than anything, but everyone enjoyed the small gesture immensely, and no one was in contest with Shingen’s schedule.

“For the distribution of alms I would like for these individuals to pair up and proceed to various sections of District Four: Takamitsu, Keiji, Washizu, Toshiro, Kenshin, and Hideyoshi. For sermons and guidance: Nobunaga, Goemon, Masamune, Nagamasa, Toshiie, and Yukimura. I trust in the rest of your wisdom and decisions. If there are any questions I will be traversing this neighborhood and speaking with various business owners, but my pupil Nobutada will know how to reach me, so please have me sent for. If not I will be back for luncheon. Brother Hidetada please wait for one moment so I may speak with you.”

As their monastic brothers departed to begin their various duties or leisurely pursuits Shingen’s twin advanced slowly towards his brother. Hidetada had taken a vow of silence when initiated into the brotherhood, but his was a personality that needed few words to express his inner thoughts. The twin sat down softly next to his brother, Shingen, and waited patiently for whatever it was that he wished to “discuss.”

“I would like you to join me for a short while this morning Hidetada, at least until lunch-time. After that there is an errand I wish for you to run for me. Word is that in District 3 the young, female twins have been causing trouble again. I would like you to find them and give them this letter,” Upon mention of the letter Shingen again reached into his left sleeve to produce yet another parchment and handed it to Hidetada, who then slipped the rolled-up paper into his own left-sleeve, “It is a shame to hear of children forced to act in such a way, and wish to offer them help if they so desire. I also ask you to take my novice Nobutada and our brother Ieyasu with you should any complications arrive.”

Hidetada nodded his acquiescence with a bowing of his head to touch the floor with arms stretched forwards. His brother Shingen placed a light hand on his shoulder to urge the prostrate man to rise from his position. The two brothers quickly shuffled towards the dojo to obtain their respected naginatas and continued towards the entrance where they placed wooden geta on their feet for the rough roadways of the city.