Ryoma : Life of a Renaissance Samurai by Hillsborough, Romulus

The Dragon Soars
As the young fugitive warrior journeyed from defeat the clouds above suddenly began to seethe, the ocean grew dark and the spray from the waves danced in the air as if magnetized by the heavens. Just as the battle-weary samurai thought that the torrential winds would finally subside, a downpour burst forth, encompassing him in a bamboo forest of silver rain, followed immediately by the deafening roar of thunder.

As the distraught young warrior neared the brink of disaster, and feared that the deluge would never relent, a great white dragon suddenly appeared, soaring through the clouds above, then riding the crest of a wave below, radiating light through its heavenly course. With the head of a horse, antlers of a stag, demon eyes and serpentine neck, the entire body of the great white dragon was covered with the gleaming scales of a fish. With claws as sharp as those of a hawk and powerful tiger-like paws, the mythical demigod was adorned with the ears of a bull.

Though legend has it that the dragon is a natural sage, in truth the beast-god knew well of worldly desire. It is for this very reason that in ancient f times, by means of some mysterious technique long forgotten, man had been able to tame the dragon, and even partake of its divine flesh.

But this particular dragon which had suddenly appeared for the brave young warrior was of a unique breed. Indeed this great white dragon could see 250 leagues into the distance and, unlike others of its kind, was the1 embodiment of freedom.

The fugitive warrior gazed up at the divine entity which seemed to have inherited the clouds, the very source of its limitless energy. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the dragon disappeared into the heavens from whence it came, the sea once again grew calm, the clouds gave way to a limitless and nearly transparent blue, the mountains in the distance shone in effervescent green off the blessed sunlight that warmed the bones of the weary young warrior, bringing a picture-perfect climax to the impetuous entry and exit of the great white dragon.
Ryoma opened his eyes to find himself in Edo, at the house of his sword master's son and heir, Chiba Jutaro. His bedding was strewn about, and an uncanny sweat covered his body, despite the chill in the air on this late morning in early October. "What a dream," he muttered to himself, rubbed his eyes, then sat up to massage the sides of his aching head.

"Jutaro!" Ryoma called through the closed paper screen door of the young sword master's room, adjacent his own. Jutaro, who had been writing at his desk, lay his brush down. "Come in," he said.

Ryoma sat down on the matted floor next to Jutaro. "My head aches," he said. The two had drank long into the previous night, rehashing old memories from nine years past when Ryoma had first appeared at the Chiba Dojo in the spring of 1853, just before the arrival of Perry's flotilla and the beginning of the end of two-and-a-half centuries of Tokugawa peace.

"Oyasu," Jutaro called his wife, "bring tea."

"What are you writing?" Ryoma asked.

"A letter."

"To whom?"

"To the most important political mind in Japan."

"Who's that?"

"Yokoi Shonan, the chief political advisor to Lord Matsudaira Shungaku, the retired daimyo of Fukui Han, who is now the political director of the Bakufu."

'"Expelling the filthy barbarians from the sacred soil of Japan,'" Ryoma began reading aloud from Jutaro's letter, '"is the most important task that faces all samurai of true courage.'"

"I'm absolutely dedicated to Imperial Reverence and Expelling the Barbarians," Jutaro said.

"How do you know Yokoi Shonan?" Ryoma asked.

"I don't actually know him. I'm just writing him a letter. Lord Ikeda has promised me to get it delivered." Lord Ikeda was a minor daimyo, to whose son Jutaro had recently become private fencing instructor.

"More than just expelling the barbarians," Ryoma said, "we must concentrate our efforts on overthrowing the Tokugawa."

"Excuse me," Oyasu said, opening the door. She held a dark brown lacquered tray, on which were two porcelain tea cups and a tea pot.

"Jutaro," Ryoma said after Oyasu served the tea, "how would you like to come with me today?"

"Where? To cut down the Shogun?" Jutaro snickered, albeit in an unintentional whisper.

"No. But maybe one of his chief retainers," Ryoma answered nonchalantly.

"What?" Jutaro started.

"I'm going to visit the commissioner of the Bakufu Navy. A man by the name of Katsu Kaishu." Although Ryoma would have Jutaro believe that he was considering killing this elite Bakufu official, he actually harbored quite different intentions. Having heard that Kaishu had commanded a ship to the United States, manned entirely by Japanese, Ryoma had become fascinated with the man. Although Kaishu was detested as a traitor among the Loyalists, m his deepest heart, Ryoma, who had an innate passion for things maritime, had already formulated his own thoughts about the navy commissioner.

Ryoma's admiration was not unfounded. He reasoned that any man who had the courage to brave such a dangerous voyage must have some redeeming qualities. And recently, since returning to Edo, Ryoma had heard another interesting story concerning the pluck of this so-called traitor. When American Consul Townsend Harris was informed of the Bakufu's plan to send an all-Japanese crew across the Pacific on a ship designed to sail in only coastal waters, he dismissed it as a crazy idea. Instead, Harris advised the Japanese to use a larger ship and man it with experienced American and British sailors. While the Bakufu was ready to heed Harris' advice, Kaishu refused to listen, and eventually set sail on his pioneering journey without foreign assistance.

Ryoma's admiration for Kaishu and his fascination for Western ships notwithstanding, he was by no means willing to sell out to the foreigners. And although he no longer shared the blind xenophobia of his comrades, he resented as much as anyone the insult of ultimatum that the foreigners had presented to Japan concerning the opening of its ports. He particularly detested the shameless way that the Bakufu had yielded to foreign demands. But Ryoma, like Kawada Shoryo and Katsu Kaishu, was wise enough to realize the futility of trying to resist the inevitability of the times.

"You're crazy, Ryoma," Jutaro exclaimed. "How do you plan to get close enough to Katsu to cut him?" Then after a brief pause, he added, "Although I can't say I blame you. I'd like to kill the traitor myself."

"With this," Ryoma said, drawing his sword. "Are you coming with me. I'm going straight to Katsu's house. If at first he refuses to see me, I'll cut my way inside, and if I have to, I'll cut..."

"Hold it," Jutaro interrupted. "Here, have some more tea," he said, refilling both cups. "You still haven't told me how you plan to get into Katsu's ' house."

"Well," Ryoma began speaking slowly, "I was actually hoping to ask for your help."

"My help?"

"Yes. Through the Chiba name, I thought that you might be able to get a letter of introduction to Katsu from somebody high up."

"Ryoma," Jutaro exclaimed, his eyes brightening, "you just might have a point there. I think I might be able to get the Lord of Tottori to arrange a meeting for us with the Lord of Fukui."

"Huh?" Ryoma pressed his tea cup against his lips. "I don't follow you."

"The Lord of Fukui is apparently close with Kaishu. So, if we were to ask him to..."

Ryoma gulped down the tea, and slammed the empty cup on the matted, floor. "Fantastic idea!" he exploded. "Let's go!" Ryoma grabbed his sword, and stood up to leave.

"Wait," Jutaro said. "First, I'll have to pay a visit to the Lord of Tottori. Hopefully he'll arrange for us to meet the Lord of Fukui, and if all goes well, we'll have our chance to meet Katsu Kaishu this very evening. Then we either straighten out Katsu's traitorous ideas about opening Japan to the barbarians," Jutaro said bitterly, "or we cut him down."

Ryoma, however, had different intentions in mind. Like the great white dragon in his vision, he was searching for his own chance to inherit the clouds, to soar through the heavens on the boundless energy of vapor. An outlaw-samurai, a meager ronin, visiting an elite government official? Unheard of? Farfetched? Preposterous? Such words of restraint were not included in the vocabulary of Sakamoto Ryoma.

* * *
Katsu Kaishu was born in Edo in 1823, the only son of a petty Tokugawa retainer. At age six he was invited by a distant relative employed in the Shogun's inner-palace to view the wonderful gardens in the compound of Edo Castle. Having caught the eye, and apparently the fancy, of Shogun Tokugawa Ienari, from this day the young boy became the official playmate of the Shogun's grandson, spending most of his time in the confines of the castle, where he would continue this role for the next five years.

One day, on his way to the castle, Kaishu was attacked by a stray dog, and bitten in that most vulnerable of places of the male anatomy. Although the actual wound was sewn up and healed soon after, the tender aftermath prohibited him from beginning kenjutsu training until his fifteenth year, when he took up residence at the dojo of Shimada Toranosuke, one of the most reputable sword masters in Edo. Here, Kaishu's training was of much greater severity, both mentally and physically, than most men of the time had been apt to endure. It was to this training, which he continued daily for the next four years, that later in life Kaishu attributed his great success as innovative shogunal official, and even his ability to survive several attacks on his life. At age twenty, Kaishu was initiated at Shimada's dojo, qualifying him to become a kenjutsu instructor in his own right. Two years later, however, he discontinued his training with the sword and took up the study of the Dutch language.

Throughout the period of Tokugawa rule, most knowledge of the West was transmitted by the Dutch to native scholars of Western learning. Although most so-called "Dutch scholars" studied medicine (Perry's flotilla was not to appear off the Edo coast for several years), Kaishu's keen sense of the times led him to pursue Western military science. He continued his studies for five years until 1850, when, at age twenty-seven, the Western scholar opened up his own private academy in his shoddy home in Edo's Akasaka district. From this time, Kaishu's reputation as an expert in things Western began to spread.

Within two years, in 1852, Kaishu had received requests from various han around Japan for the manufacture of Western-style cannon, which, with the aid of a blacksmith, he constructed according to the instructions in his Dutch textbooks. Kaishu first attracted significant attention among the Bakufu elite at age thirty with a brilliant letter of advice he had submitted to a national survey conducted by Edo in response to Perry's demands. His letter, which displayed a greater awareness of the times than any of the hundreds which the government had received, proposed that the Bakufu break an age-old tradition, and go beyond social class to recruit men of ability for these very pressing times. It also advised that the Bakufu begin international trade, using the profits thereby to build a modern navy.

Although the ranks of the Bakufu were filled with men of mediocre ability who had attained their posts due to nothing more than birthright, such was not the case for the entire Edo elite. And fortunately for Kaishu-and indeed the future of Japan-the talents of the young scholar caught the attention of Okubo Ichio, one of the most progressive and enlightened Tokugawa officials in these very troubled times.

Over the following six years, Kaishu dedicated himself to government service, during which time he was sent to study under Dutch naval experts in the port city of Nagasaki. It was here that Kaishu obtained the knowledge and skills to enable him to command the Kanrin Maru, the first Japanese-manned ship ever to sail to the Western world. Kaishu returned to Japan in May 1860, two months after the assassination of Ii Naosuke. With national policy at a temporary standstill pending the emergence of new Bakufu leadership, a discouraged Kaishu, now thirty-seven, retired into temporary obscurity. In the following year, with the restoration to power of his political ally and close friend, the Lord of Fukui, Kaishu's return to the national scene was secured. The maritime expert was appointed commissioner of the Shogun's navy in August 1862, only two months before Ryoma and Jutaro appeared at the front gate of his home carrying a letter of introduction from the Lord of Fukui.

* * *

Two swordsmen, one shoddy, the other immaculately dressed, increased their pace as they walked up the sloped road leading to the home of the navy commissioner, just after sundown on a chilly, cloudless October night. Earlier in that day, Jutaro had arranged for an audience for Ryoma and himself with I Lord Matsudaira Shungaku, the retired Fukui daimyo and most powerful official in the Edo regime, to request a letter of introduction to Katsu Kaishu." In the light of the full moon the two swordsmen appeared hostile, even dangerous, as they rapidly approached the house of the celebrated proponent of Opening the Country. "Jutaro!" Ryoma broke the moonlit silence, then suddenly stopped in his tracks near a high moss-covered stone wall at the side of the road, beyond which stood an ancient Shinto shrine. "Before we jump to any conclusions about Katsu," he said in a low voice, his back against the stone wall, "I think we ought to hear what he has to say."

"What do you expect to gain out of listening to a traitor like Katsu Kaishu?"

"I'm not sure he is a traitor. But if he is," Ryoma wrapped his right hand around the hilt of his sword, "he'll get what he has coming to him. But if he isn't," Ryoma grinned slightly, "I think Katsu might be able to teach us how to operate a Western-style warship."

"What?" Jutaro gasped in disbelief.

"Give me two or three of those ships the Bakufu has docked in Edo Bay, and I'll topple the Tokugawa myself," Ryoma boasted.

"You're crazy, Ryoma," Jutaro scoffed. "We're about to cut down a cowardly traitor, and you're talking nonsense. Let's go," he said, and the two men resumed their rapid gait up the slope toward Kaishu's house.

Jutaro could hardly be blamed for his indignation. For all intents and purposes, Ryoma's talk of learning how to operate a warship was nonsense.
Although the Bakufu had set up a naval training center in Edo, for the past two-and-a-half centuries only vassals of the Shogun (or upon special request, samurai from certain elite han) were permitted to participate in any kind of Bakufu-sponsored military training. And since Ryoma was a lower-samurai from Tosa, he had as little chance of receiving recommendation by the Lord of Tosa as did the sons of farmers and merchants of that strictly segregated domain. And even if lower-samurai had been eligible, Ryoma was now an outlaw.

As the two approached the front gate, Ryoma again stopped and turned to face Jutaro. "Before we go in there," he said, gesturing with his chin toward the house, "I want you to know one thing. I'm not sure that I want to kill Katsu. I only insinuated that I was to convince you to come with me." "You did what?" Jutaro gasped indignantly.

"Relax! I wanted you to come for your own good. I have the feeling that there's a lot more to Katsu than what most of us realize. Anyway, before we kill the man, we owe it ourselves to hear him out. Maybe he has something worthwhile to say."

"Ryoma! I can't believe I'm actually hearing these things from you, of all people. Katsu's a traitor. He's leading the way for the Westernization of Japan."

"If he's a traitor, then I'll be the first to cut him," Ryoma said, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. "But the Westernization of Japan?" he scoffed. "We have to defend ourselves some way. You don't really believe that Japan has a chance against the barbarians without Western-style warships and technology. We certainly aren't going to drive the barbarians out with our swords alone."

The two samurai passed through the front gate, its dark brown wood badly weathered. A mossy stone walkway led to the front door of the two-storied house, which in the moonlight appeared to be in as much need of repair as the front gate.

"Is anyone home?" Jutaro called from the front entranceway, which was lit by a single lantern.

Presently an attractive, middle-aged woman carrying a white paper lantern appeared. "Yes, what might you want at this hour?" she asked. Her teeth were blackened and her eyebrows shaved, indicating that this was the lady of the household.

"We've come to see Katsu-sensei," the sloppily dressed samurai said. As was his habit, Ryoma held his right hand tucked into his kimono. "We have a letter of introduction from Lord Matsudaira Shungaku," he said, producing the document.

Katsu's wife took the letter, told the two visitors to wait, then disappeared into the dark house. She returned a few minutes later to escort them down a dark corridor leading to a drawing room which was adjacent to a study. Sliding open the screen door of the drawing room, the woman told them to wait inside.

Enter Katsu Kaishu. Although Ryoma and Jutaro could see only his silhouette through the thin paper screen which separated the drawing room from the study, they perceived a small man, just under five feet tall, with a wiry build, who, if standing next to either of them, would barely reach their shoulders.

"Don't take off your swords," Kaishu suddenly called out. Although neither man had intended to leave his swords in the drawing room, Kaishu seemed amused to go through the formality of permitting them to retain their weapons. "It just wouldn't be fitting of samurai in these troubled times to be so careless," he gibed. "You may enter as you are."

Not knowing what to expect next, the two men entered the study. Books-in Dutch, English, Chinese and the native script-were piled in heaps along one wall. In one corner was a globe of the world. In the alcove was a model of a triple-masted steamer, and next to this were two swords set in a rack made of deer antlers. In the middle of the room, with arms folded at his chest, stood the commissioner of the Shogun's navy. At age thirty-nine, Katsu Kaishu was of a light complexion, and his piercing dark eyes displayed an inner strength which immediately impressed both swordsmen. His slightly aquiline nose, thin lips and small jaw produced an aristocratic air. With a full head of hair tied in a topknot, he was plainly dressed in a light blue kimono, gray hakama and a black jacket on which was displayed the Katsu family crest of a four-petaled flower in a circle. But the navy commissioner's aristocratic air was instantly shattered when he began speaking in his slick downtown Edo accent.

"Don't just stand there," he said with an amused grin which annoyed Jutaro. "Sit down!"

"So, this is the man that people say is selling out to the barbarians," Ryoma; thought to himself. "And the same man who commanded the ship across the Pacific." His mind raced as he eyed the model ship in the alcove. Ryoma; now realized that the man standing before him was not a typical member of; the Bakufu elite. He had been in Edo long enough to know that those pusillanimous products of Edo's easy living were no different than the pampered sons of upper-samurai from Tosa, whom he had learned to despise. "I'm Sakamoto Ryoma from Tosa," he said brusquely.

Kaishu sat down on the tatami floor next to a wooden brazier, on which rested a small steaming kettle. "Well, Sakamoto Ryoma-san," he said, "sit down!" Placing their swords on the floor at their right sides, the younger men sat opposite Kaishu in the formal position.

"So, you've come to cut me down," Kaishu stunned both swordsmen with the nonchalance in which he spoke. "Why are you so surprised?" he continued in a calm, gibing tone, as he warmed his hands over the brazier. "You both have revenge written all over your faces, so you can forget about trying to hide it."

Ryoma and Jutaro remained silent, quite outdone by the smaller man's display of pluck. Although neither knew it, Kaishu had previously been warned of their visit in a message from Lord Shungaku. "You can expect a sudden visit at any time now from two young swordsmen" the note began, before giving their names. "As I estimate Sakamoto to be a youth of great character and potential, I have taken it upon myself to introduce him to you. But please be careful with him, as he is still young and a bit naive, and seems to harbor some wild ideas in favor of expelling the barbarians."

"You aren't the first ones who have been here with the same purpose in mind," Kaishu continued speaking in the same vibrant downtown accent. "People who call themselves Men of High Purpose come here every day to cut me down. Can you believe it? Who'd have ever thought that I'd be this sought after? I'm flattered, I tell you, simply flattered. But," Kaishu said with an amused grin, "I don't hold a grudge against any of them. They're only doing what they think is best for Japan, even if many of them are lacking a bit up here," he chuckled, tapping his temple with his index finger. "So, what I usually do, is invite them in for a long talk. And up to now, not even one of them has killed me," he said, bursting out in laughter.

So as not to be made a fool of, Jutaro felt inclined to speak, but before he could get a word in his loquacious host beat him to the verbal draw. "You must be the young sword master of the Chiba Dojo." The smooth-talking expert of things maritime cast a hard gaze into the fiery eyes of Chiba Jutaro.

With this unexpected and abrupt turn of things, Jutaro had now lost whatever intentions he may have had of killing Katsu Kaishu.

"Well, it certainly is something, isn't it," Kaishu responded to Jutaro's reluctance to speak, "to have such a reputed sword master in my home." Although Jutaro could not resist taking the compliment at face value, something about the way the little man spoke rang of irony.

Since having introduced himself a few moments ago, Ryoma had also remained silent, in the formal sitting position, back straight, head upright, and hands resting on his thighs. "Katsu-sensei," he began speaking reverently.

"You needn't call me 'Sensei,'" Kaishu interrupted, waving his hand in a gesture to show the two younger men that he was willing to talk to them on an equal level. "Relax," he said, motioning for them to sit cross-legged like himself. "Let's forget the formalities and start talking about things that really matter," he said, then clapped his hands twice loudly, a signal for his wife to serve hot tea. "Then, if you don't like what I have to say," Kaishu continued to amaze, "you can kill me and be on your way." With a pair of iron sticks, he picked up a glowing cinder from the brazier and lit a short bamboo pipe of tobacco. Slowly exhaling the smoke through his nostrils, he added, "Although I've practiced kenjutsu myself, I wouldn't stand a chance against two expert swordsmen like yourselves. Besides, I keep the hilt of my sword so tightly fastened to the scabbard that I'd have trouble just drawing the damn blade."

No, Ryoma thought again, this is not a typical Bakufu official. "You're right, Katsu-san," he said. "The reason we came tonight was to kill you."

"Now that it's out in the open, why don't you tell me why you'd want to do a thing like that?" Kaishu asked, reaching for a large, metal ashtray.

Gently tapping the ashes from his pipe into the ashtray, the navy commissioner said, "Actually, I already know why. I represent a government which has disgraced itself by being forced to sign a treaty with the barbarians permitting free trade with foreign nations against the will of his Sacred Majesty in Kyoto. And so," Kaishu continued speaking the younger men's thoughts, "I'm a traitor who advocates the cowardly policy of Opening the Country." "Yes," Ryoma spoke up, "the Bakufu has deceived the people, and is only concerned with its own welfare. The Bakufu no longer has the power to govern Japan. If we allow things to continue as they are, Japan is going to face the same humiliation as China."

"So, what else do you have to say, Sakamoto-san?" Kaishu snickered. "Don't you see? That's exactly why we must open our country to free trade. The only way we can beat the barbarians is by first opening up to them. But I wouldn't want you to think that I intend to sit back and watch them come into Japan to do whatever they please." Kaishu suddenly stopped speaking, as his wife appeared at the doorway to serve tea. "I'd love to cut the bastards to pieces," the navy commissioner continued. "But do you really believe that it's possible to keep the barbarians away?" Kaishu paused, sipped his tea. "What do you suppose would happen, Sakamoto-san, if Tosa Han, for instance, were attacked by the barbarians?"

"Tosa wouldn't stand a chance against their warships and cannon," Ryoma snickered. "The fight would be over as soon as it started."

"So, you understand," Kaishu said consolingly. "For us to fight the barbarians at this point would be like beating our heads against an iron wall."

He chuckled at the unfortunate metaphor. "And with the way things are in Japan nowadays, I don't think it's such a good idea for Japanese to be killing Japanese. We must combine our resources and work together."

Ryoma recalled in dismay the massacre at the Teradaya, and even the assassination of Yoshida Toyo.

"Internal fighting will only leave us the more vulnerable to foreign attack," Kaishu said, took a deep breath, then continued lecturing. "Instead, we must' concentrate on positive ways to avoid foreign subjugation. But exclusionism, is not one of them," he said firmly, pounding his fist on the floor. "It's simply,' not realistic."

"But opening the country to the barbarians is?" Jutaro asked bitterly. "My reasons for wanting to open Japan are a little different than what you probably think," said Kaishu, slowly raising his teacup to his mouth.

"How's that?" Ryoma asked.

"How old are you, Sakamoto-san?" Kaishu asked.

"Twenty-seven."

"Ha, ha! You're still green," Kaishu taunted. "But you seem to have potential. Anyway back to your question. You wanted to know how I justify my support of Opening the Country, right, Chiba-san?"

Jutaro only nodded.

"Take a look at that," Kaishu said, reaching over to the large globe next-to the pile of books. "See this tiny nation surrounded by nothing but ocean. It's no bigger than Japan. But what it has that Japan doesn't have is the most powerful navy in the history of the world. England has literally thousands of steamships which can travel anywhere on the globe. How else do you suppose it has become the wealthiest nation on the face of the earth? Certainly not from its own natural resources. Look at China," he pointed to the massive Middle Kingdom. "One of the largest countries in the world, but as you know, England has just about conquered it. But, again, England has something that neither China nor Japan has." "A powerful navy," Ryoma interrupted.

"Exactly! Both military and merchant. England has become the wealthiest nation in the history of the world because of one thing: free trade and plenty of it. And by trading all over the world, it has amassed such wealth that no one can challenge it." Then after a slight pause, Kaishu added, "Not yet, anyway. But if things continue as they are now, we are never going to be able to stand up against England or America, not to mention France, Holland, Russia and others. No matter how much we rant and rave about the virtues of keeping the barbarians out, we just don't have the means to do so."

"That's just an excuse for opening the country!" Jutaro angrily spewed, grabbing his sword.

"Relax, Jutaro!" Ryoma said, immediately grabbing his friend by the

wrist.

"And so," Kaishu calmly resumed, "we are going to have to develop our navy, which compared to those of the Western powers is still in its infancy. The few ships we have are like children's toys compared to the great warships of England and America. And when I say 'we are going to have to develop our navy,' I mean all of us together. Not just the sons of elite samurai. Most of them are useless anyway."

"All of us?" Ryoma asked.

"Yes. That means the both of you, myself and any other man with the will, guts and brains to do so."

"Katsu-sensei," Ryoma suddenly blurted out, "I've been wanting to do just that for the past eight years."

"Well, then, rather than wasting our time and energy screaming to expel the barbarians like a bunch of idiots, we must start training talented men in the naval sciences. I've submitted my plan to the Bakufu, but most of the ministers on the Senior Council are too stupid to understand it." Kaishu stunned the two younger men with this comment. "All they can tell me is that we don't have the money."

Ryoma glanced over his shoulder at Jutaro, drawing a snicker from the navy commissioner. "I know what you're thinking now," Kaishu said. You're wondering how a Bakufu official like myself can actually say such a thing. You think I'm two-faced. But never mind."

"That's why we must topple the Tokugawa," Ryoma said bitterly. "It's the Bakufu itself which is holding Japan down."

'So, Sakamoto-san," Kaishu again snickered, "you think it would be quite amusing to get a retainer of the Shogun to agree with you."

"I suppose you're right," Ryoma shrugged.

"And I don't blame you. You think that the Tokugawa is more concerned about its own welfare than that of the rest of the nation. And you're absolutely right."

Ryoma and Jutaro were now beside themselves with awe for this unique Bakufu official.

"In this way," Kaishu continued, "the Bakufu is no different than the hundreds of han throughout Japan. But from now on, we must combine our strength and resources, and regardless of han or birthright or rank, we must rely on men of talent to bring our nation up to the technological level of the Western powers, or we must perish," Kaishu concluded firmly.

"And use the profits we gain from trading with the West to modernize so we can purchase our own warships and guns to develop our navy," Ryoma said.

"Exactly! But rather than merely purchasing the technology, we must import the expertise so that we can produce our own ships. To get the money to build iron mills and the necessary machinery and factories to produce warships and guns, we must trade with the rest of the world. And, Chiba-san," Kaishu directed his attention at the young sword master, "this means opening up to the barbarians. Only then will Japan be able to raise its head proudly to the rest of the world."

Ryoma was mesmerized. Kaishu's talk of forming a navy and going beyond class to recruit men of ability was identical to the ideas of Kawada Shoryo. But these were no longer merely ideas. This was the commissioner of the Bakufu Navy, speaking on equal terms to him, a ronin, a wanted man and self-styled enemy of the very regime which Kaishu represented. This little man who sat before him seemed to radiate the aura of a giant. In fact, Ryoma felt that he had just met the greatest man in all of Japan.

Ryoma sat in the formal position, placed his hands directly in front of him, then, much to the astonishment of both Jutaro and Kaishu, bowed his head to the floor. "Katsu-sensei," he said, resuming an upright posture, "it was my intention tonight to perhaps kill you, but now I am ashamed of my narrow-minded prejudice. I beg you to accept me as your disciple."

"Ryoma!" Jutaro protested.

Not only was the young sword master shocked at the seemingly sudden conversion of his trusted friend, but even Katsu Kaishu himself was taken aback. Indeed this ronin from Tosa seemed to understand his ideas better than any of the self-styled Men of High Purpose whom the navy commissioner had thus far encountered.

"In that case," Kaishu said, "you can sit back and relax. I'll be glad to have you working with me. As a matter of fact, this calls for a drink to celebrate the occasion."

"No, Katsu-sensei. Not tonight." Ryoma was firm.

"No need for reservation with me, Ryoma," Kaishu said, referring to his new disciple familiarly, by his given name.
"If I drink, I won't be of any use tonight," Ryoma said. "Like you've told us, there are men all over Edo who would like to cut you down."

"And?" Kaishu was amused.

"I've just assigned myself as your personal bodyguard." Ryoma grabbed his sword. "If anybody wants to harm Katsu Kaishu," he said, "they are going to have to kill Sakamoto Ryoma first."

Although Kaishu had perhaps exaggerated in his talk of so many would-be assassins showing up at his home, Ryoma was dead serious. He had heard about the recent bloodbath in Kyoto, where the murder of Bakufu supporters had become an everyday occurrence. He had even heard rumors that Takechi Hanpeita was the mastermind behind the bloodshed, and that Okada Izo was his leading hit man. And although Edo was not yet as dangerous as Kyoto, since the assassination of Regent li Naosuke two years before, proponents of Opening the Country were not safe even in the Shogun's capital.

"Jutaro," Ryoma said, turning to his friend, "are you with me?"

Jutaro was confused, as anyone would have been who had accompanied Ryoma on this historical night. "Don't you think you ought to consider this a little more before making such a big decision?" he said, looking Ryoma straight in the eye.

"There's nothing more to consider. You heard what Katsu-sensei said. What could possibly be more important than helping him to build a navy?"

Chiba Jutaro was overcome, and much for his own good, by the clear foresight of Sakamoto Ryoma. "Alright," he shrugged. "You win. Katsu-sensei," Jutaro looked hard at the man whom he had considered killing earlier that very night, "sleep well. Sakamoto Ryoma and Chiba Jutaro will be standing guard until morning."