“Every day that we waited seemed as three autumns to us. Verily, we have
trodden the snow for one day, nay, for two days, and have tasted food but
once. The old and decrepit, the sick and ailing, have come forth gladly to lay
down their lives. Men might laugh at us, as at grasshoppers trusting in the
strength of their arms, and thus shame our honoured lord; but we could not
halt in our deed of vengeance.”

Exerpt from the letter which the Forty-seven Ronin laid upon the tomb of their master, together with the head of Kira Kotsuke no Suke.

~In lieu of a New Years post~

This year is different, it is newly born and untainted. My eyes have seen 27 years so far…this will be the best. It’s important for one to have a constitution or a set of rules and standards to live by. I have been refining mine. By no means is the process done, but I will live it to the best of my ability. Perfection is a path not a destination and I mean to walk it. No more tumbling through days in search of time that I can call mine. I will claim everyday and exert my will on situations. I will spread something good im my wake and let negative forces tremble at my coming. More importantly I will live and be fruitful. Like the 47 Ronin I will serve the ideal despite having a physical personage to guide it. I will become the best version of me that I can become. This is not a New Years resolution, but a commitment to my life. I am being born anew into this year and will respond accordingly. Letting go of past hang-ups and breaking all crutches. I will rage against the dying of the light. I will use the force. Voy con el dios. My life will be revenge for those ancestors who could not live theirs. My reclamation of their ways will be my training. The practice of their, of our culture my sword. My every breath will be a strike. Like the Samurai I will hit my target despite what may befall my physical person I will strike to the heart of darkness and leave only light in my trail. This is my manifesto. Live.

The More You Know: The 47 Ronin