Quotations From Cloud Of Sparrows

Quotations from CLOUD OF SPARROWS Crossing an unknown river far from your domain, observe the surface turbulence, and note the clarity of the water. Heed the demeanor of the horses. Beware of the massed ambush. At a familiar ford near home, look deep into the shadows on the far bank, and watch the movement of the tall grass. Listen to the breathing of your nearest companions. Beware of the lone assassin. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1491) Some say there is no difference among the barbarians, that they are all the same offal-eating abominations. This is false. The Portuguese will trade guns for women. The Dutch demand gold. The English want treaties. From this, you should know that the Portuguese and the Dutch are easily understood, and the English are the most dangerous. Therefore, study the English carefully and ignore the others. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1641) Doubts assail you. Confusion reigns. You know not yesterday from tomorrow. Listen to the heart and find guidance. Beating, like a drum. Roaring, like winter rapids. Finally, sound and silence indistinguishable. Listen. Listen. Listen. Blood, not water. Your blood. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1860) Knowledge may hinder. Ignorance may liberate. Knowing when to know and when not to know, this is as important as a fluent blade. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1434) That year, Lord Shayo froze in the icy winter sea; a branch laden with spring blossoms crushed his successor, Lord Ryoto; the next heir, Lord Moritake, was immolated by summer lightning. Koseki then became lord of the domain. He said, “I can do nothing about the weather.” During the early autumn rains, he executed the entire bodyguard corps, sent every concubine into a nunnery, banished the cooks, married the stablemaster’s daughter, and declared war against the Shogun.

Lord Koseki ruled for thirty-eight years. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1397) Every battle is not won by advance. Every retreat is not loss. Advance is strategy. Retreat is also strategy. Retreat must be orderly. It must not always appear orderly. Retreat is strategy. Appearance in retreat is also strategy. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1600) Some believe victory comes from superior strategy. Others trust valor. Yet others rest their hopes on the favor of the gods. Then there are those who place their faith in spies, assassins, seductions, betrayals, corruption, greed, fear. These are all delusory paths for one simple reason. One thought of victory and you lose real while clutching the false. What is the real? When the blades of your enemies are slashing ferociously at you, and your life hangs in the balance, you will know. If you do not, you have lived your life in vain. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1599) The lord chamberlain said, “There have been arguments of late about whether virtue is inborn or acquired. What is your lordship’s view?” Lord Takanori said, “Pointless.” The Chamberlain said, “If virtue is inborn, then training will avail us naught. If it is acquired, then an outcast can become the equal of a samurai.” Lord Takanori said, “The virtuous shit. The unvirtuous shit.” The chamberlain bowed respectfully and withdrew. Lord Takanori returned his full attention to the scene before him and continued painting A View of Trees Obscuring Lady Shinku’s Bath. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1817)

Words can damage. Silence can heal. Knowing when to speak and when not to speak is the wisdom of sages.

Knowledge can hinder. Ignorance can liberate. Knowing when to know and when not to know is the wisdom of prophets. Unimpeded by words, silence, knowledge or ignorance, a fluent blade cuts cleanly. This is the wisdom of warriors. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1434) Gods and Buddhas, ancestors and ghosts, demons and angels, none of them can live your life or die your death. Neither foreknowledge nor seeing into minds of others will show you the way that is truly yours. This much I have learned. The rest is for you to discover. SUZUME-NO-KUMO (1860)

May all the gods and Buddhas of the ten thousand heavens smile on you who strengthen our domain. May all the ghosts and demons of ten thousand hells hound forever those who fail to uphold our honor. CLOUD OF SPARROWS by Takashi Matsuoka, pg. 560