A long time ago during the reign of the Tokagawa Shogunate a samurai set
out on an errand.
Precisely one year ago to the day he had lent 10 koku to a fisherman in a small
coastal village nearby, and today was the day the fisherman had promised he
would repay the debt. The samurai arrived in the village at noon and upon inquiring at the fisherman's
home he was told by the fisherman's wife that he would find the man down at his
boat working on his nets. Upon seeing the samurai coming up the beach the
fisherman threw himself to the ground and bowed his head to the sand. "Get
up," said the samurai, "As agreed it has been one year and I have
come to collect the money you owe me." "I have not forgotten my debt
to you," said the fisherman, who now stood but with his head still bowed, "but
it has been a very bad year for me and I regret that I do not have the money I
owe you."
Hearing this the samurai, who was not a man known for his patience, flushed
with anger and quickly drew his sword, preparing to kill the fisherman then and
there. "Why should I not simply slay you instead?" shouted the
samurai as he raised the deadly blade above his head. Fearing that his life was
at and end and having nothing to lose the fisherman boldly spoke out. "For
some time now I have been studying martial arts," he replied, "and
one of the lessons that my master teaches, is never to strike when you are
angry." "I beg you," said the fisherman, "give me one more
year to pay you what I owe."
Thinking about what the fisherman had just said the samurai slowly lowered his
sword. "Your master is wise," said the samurai, "as a student of
the art of the sword I too have heard that lesson many times, but sometimes I
get so angry I act without thinking." Putting away his sword the samurai
spoke in a voice that was used...... to being obeyed. "You shall have another
year to repay your debt to me," he said, "but when I return if you do
not have all the money you owe me I shall not hesitate to take your life
instead." and without another word he turned and walked away.
Having left the village later than he intended to it was already dark by the
time the samurai arrived home. Seeing no lights on in the house he crept in
quietly not wishing to wake the servants or his wife. As he entered his bed
chamber he notice that there were two persons lying on his futon, one he
recognized as his wife and the other from their clothing was unmistakably
another samurai.
Swiftly he drew his sword and as his anger quickly grew he moved in to slay
them both. Just then, as he was about to strike, the fisherman's words came
back to him, "never strike when you are angry." This time I shall
follow the lesson he thought to himself, pausing he took a deep breath and
tried to relax, then on purpose he made a loud noise. Hearing the sound both
his wife and the stranger immediately woke up and when his wife had lit a
candle he found himself face to face with his wife and his mother who had
dressed up in his clothes and another set of swords.
"What is the meaning of this," he demanded, "I almost slew you
both." His wife quickly explained that when he had not returned by night
fall they decided to dress his mother up in his clothes so that in the event
that an intruder entered the home they would be frightened off at the sight of
a samurai in the house.
A that moment the samurai realized that his habit of "striking without
thinking" had almost cost him the life of his wife and his mother. One
year later the samurai again walked down the same beach towards the fisherman.
After exchanging the proper formal greetings the fisherman said, "It has
been an excellent year my Lord, here is all the money I owe you as promised,
and with interest."
"Keep your money," replied the samurai, "You do not know it, but
your debt was paid to me long ago."
