The Soul of the Samurai (Fairy Tale)
Amidst a landscape marked by treacherous seas and steep cliffs, O Nitta San's journey transcends the physical realm, venturing into the depths of spiritual sacrifice to seek favor from the mighty sea god, Kompira...
Mary F. Nixon-Roulet 
O Nitta San standing on the cliff under the moonlight, praying and preparing to sacrifice his sword to the sea god/This image was created with the assistance of DALL·E
Far upon a Western headland the pine trees waved their arms to the sea and the sea god loved them and dashed his high foaming spray to send them greeting. Giant torii [1] rose heavenward, that the Golden Crow, the strange and mystic Hobo Bird, might rest there, in his swift flight toward the sun god.
The sea flowed restless and proud at the foot of the cliffs and the beach was soft and treacherous, and the sea god yearly claimed a victim, when the air was heavy with the sweet scent of the wild pittosporum.
O Nitta San was a great warrior. He fought for Go-Daigo the emperor and was his faithful general. Many a battle he fought and won, though the men of the Hojo Clan were many and strong and fought well. But when he reached the headland of the pines, the soul of O Nitta San was heavy within him.
“The men of the Hojo guard the sea with ships, they watch the hills with archers,” he said to his head man. “They are as many as the waves of the sea. Our fate is in the hands of the gods!”
“The favor of the gods must be won, O Nitta San,” said the head man. “I am of small account, but let me throw myself into the sea, and perchance the sea god may accept the sacrifice and smile upon you, my master.”
“Not so,” replied O Nitta San. “I myself will appease the god of the sea, that he may grant us a passage to conquer the city, for the glory of my master the emperor.”
“Honorably the emperor will reward you,” said the head man bowing low, but O Nitta San shook his head.
“I desire no reward,” he said. “Do you hear the chirp of that bird? In a land where even the wild songsters of the forest cry ‘Chiu,’[2] do not think a Samurai needs a reward.”
O Nitta San turned him to the cliffs, and he raised his hands to the sea god and prayed long and earnestly. Then he drew from its scabbard his sword, and lovingly he gazed upon its keen and shining blade. He raised it toward the clouds and it gleamed in the moonlight like a shimmering serpent.
“Beloved comrade, Soul of the Samurai,”[3] he cried. “Well have you served me in many a fierce battle. You are a friend as well as a servant. Now serve me once again and appease the wrath of the sea god!” For a moment he lovingly laid the sword against his breast, then “God of the Sea,” he cried aloud, “accept my sacrifice and care for the Soul of the Samurai.” And so saying he cast far from him the sword.
It screamed through the air and smote the water, and a myriad sparkling crystals rose into the air. They leaped to encircle the sword, as if lovingly encrusting it with diamonds. It rose upon a wave, it fell, the pearl-like foam covered it, and O Nitta San saw it no more.
But from the sea came a dull murmuring sound, and the waters rolled back from the cliffs and a passageway appeared.
“Kompira has accepted my sacrifice,” cried O Nitta San. “We may pass over in safety to conquest and glory.”
Then the army passed over at the edge of the cliff, and they fought a mighty battle with the Hojo and took the city.
Go-Daigo was glad, and he greatly rewarded O Nitta San who was proud and of a good heart fighting for the emperor.
He offered much rice and millet to Kompira, god of the sea, but never, so long as he lived, did he smile when the sun-crested waves sparkled and broke into diamonds before him, for he murmured to himself, “Oh, Kompira, God of the Sea, deal gently with my offering, be kind to the Soul of the Samurai.”
This story is part of "Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales" by Mary F. Nixon-Roulet. Read all the stories from this enchanting collection HERE!
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[1] An archway placed before certain shrines in Japan; originally a perch for sacred fowl heralding the approach of day.
[2] Loyalty.
[3] In Japan, a title given to the sword.
