​The Exile of Ono Jiroemon and His Return to Favor

This is a translation from an edo period Japanese manuscript that has never before been translated to English . I managed to find a copy and translated a portion , but I’m wondering if it’s worth the time to go through the text.

The Exile of Ono Jiroemon and His Return to Favor

In those days, there was a foolish man in the Ryogoku district who set up a large sign. It read:

“Behold a swordsman unrivaled. I challenge anyone to a duel with live blades. I care not if I am cut down.”

Vast crowds from the city and the countryside gathered to watch.

Anyone who failed to cut him down and was instead beaten by his wooden sword was forced to become his disciple. His fame grew rapidly.

When the Shogunal instructor, Ono Jiroemon, heard of this, he was incensed.

“It is a disgrace to the Shogunate to allow such a charlatan to thrive right under the Shogun’s nose,” he said.

Jiroemon went to see for himself, accompanied by his disciples. Watching the “imposter” from the spectator’s gallery, Jiroemon and his students couldn’t help but smirk at the man’s clumsy technique. The man noticed this and flew into a rage.

“Why do you laugh? My sign says I will fight anyone with live blades! if you have the heart to mock me, come down and face me!”

One of the man’s followers recognized the gallery and whispered, “Master, stop! That is Jiroemon, the Shogun’s own instructor!” But the fool would not listen, shouting insults and demands for a fight. Jiroemon, feeling his honor as a warrior was at stake, descended from the gallery.

“Very well, I shall face you,” Jiroemon said. Instead of a sword, he drew an iron fan (tessen). The fool took a middle-guard stance (seigan) and lunged with a single, desperate strike.

The crowd gasped, thinking Jiroemon was finished. But in that heartbeat, Jiroemon struck first. He smashed the iron fan into the man’s brow, crushing his skull. The man died instantly without a second word.

When Shogun Iemitsu heard of this, he was displeased. “This is not the conduct of a master instructor,” he declared, and ordered Jiroemon to be exiled to a distant island.