川の下の子

Hakuoki - Record of Curious Tales: Katana and Samurai #5, Kashuu Kiyomitsu

Translation by KumoriYami

Eighth month of the first year of Genji——. During the Ikedaya Incident during the 6th month, Okita Souji was injured and vomited blood after fighting with Kazama, and had to rest in his futon while he recovered. In the same month, when the Akebonotei Incident and the Kinmon Incident [Hamaguri Gate Rebellion] occurred, he could only stay at headquarters on standby so he spent the time leisurely/not doing anything. In the eight month, when Souji had almost recovered and wanted to return to the troop, he disovered a major problem——the tip of the katana he used during the Ikedaya Incident had been partiall damaged.

"The way this is, it can't be used anymore..." As he gazed at the unsheathed blade, Souji sighed and muttered to himself. Damage to the blade could be repaired through polishing and the length of the sword could be changed to a preferred length through forging, but if the tip of the sword was missing, nothing could be done.. "I actually... really liked this katana." Souji looked at the damaged tip of the sword and recalled when he first received this katana. It was when Souji and Kondou were still in Edo, and with everyone else from Shiekan when they were preparing participate in the Roshigumi recruitment for maintaining the law and order in Kyoto.

On that day, everyone had been busy preparing to leave for Kyoto, except for Souji, who had nothing to do, and gazed thoughtlessly at the sky outside of the dojo. "Souji, Souji. Come here for a moment." Upon hearing that voice, Souji turned around voice, the head office turned around and saw Kondou Shusai, the former head of Tennins Rishin-ryu, who was now referred to as Dai-sensei. "Shusai-sensei, what is it?" As Souji walked over, Shusai kept an eye in the direction of the dojo, and lowered his voice to ask: "Actually, it's about Isami... have you heard about the katana he's planning to bring to Kyoto?" "Kondou-san's katana? He was happily showing me that he obtained a Kiyomaro blade." "Hmm, Kiyomaro Minamoto , who is also called the Masamune of Yotsuya? That's a truly good thing. "Yes, that's why Kondou-san was very happy." "I see... Kiyomaru, is it...." Shusai nodded his head in acknowledgement as if he had shaken off a heavy burden, and then spoke to Souji. "By the way, Souji. What are you going to do for your sword?" "Mine? The one I have now is fine, and as long as my swordsmanship is good, all blades are the same." "No, no, it's not like that. A samurai needs to have the appearance of a samurai, but there will be times when people look at their swords, right? That's why it's necessary to wear a sword that isn't embarrassing, not to mention, having a good sword will be even more useful in actual combat. After speaking, Shusai handed Souji the katana with a black sheath that was in his hands. "You can take this with you." "This is...?" "Nn, this is my farewell gift from me for you, Souji." As he spoke, Shusai grabbed the hilt of the sword with his right hand an unsheathed the blade. The blade shone brightly in the sunlight. "Kashuu Kiyomitsu… I chose the work of the 6th generation Kiyomitsu, who is also commonly known as "Beggar Kiyomitsu." The blade has a shallow curve and is two shaku and four sun long, and is slightly longer than the standard length. Since you're good at stabbing, it should be perfect for Souji, right?" Souji gazed at the blade with undisguised joy in his eyes. "The undulating patterns and cross-eyes in the design are also quite nice... It looks like it will be able to kill very well [I guess? I was really confused with the first part of this.]." "Nn. This will absolutely do so." As if the two were thinking of the same situation, they both smiled with excitement. "But, is it really okay for me to receive this? This.. was prepared for Kondou-san, right? I think it'd still be better to give it to him..." " What, so you already realized it… Well, it's fine, Isami seems to have found his own sword. After all, it's a sword that he's entrusted his life to so it's best for him to personally satisfied with it, so I cant interfere from the side." "I understand. Then, I'll bring it to Kyoto instead of Kondou-san/in place of Kondou-san, I'll bring it to Kyoto!" "Is that alright?" "No problem!" As Souji received Kashuu Kiyomits from Shusai, he smiled like a child and kept gazing at it for a long time.

"...Shusai-sensei, it really could kill very well." Souji returned Kiyomitsu, whose tip had been broken, to its sheath and pondered carefully. In order for him to return to active duty, he needed to prepare a new sword. What should he do for that sword…. In actuality, he wanted the same sword as Kondou but it was too expensive and he couldn't afford to buy it… A few days later, Souji chose a katana named Yamato no Kami Yasusada. The reason was that it resembled Kondou's Kotetsu.

---end---

i did not edit this. will do so later if i remember... maybe?

also i don't want tokuen ranbu info! i want sword history info! 😤

references used:

https://nihonto.com/yasusada/

https://shinsengumi-archives.tumblr.com/post/653115494539362304/kashu-kiyomitsu-the-sword-soji-okita-used-at