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The Blade Shall Fall

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For Crystol Woods' "In Their Voice Historical Poetry Contest"

The Battle of Sekigahara (October 21, 1600) is one of the most important battles in Japanese history. It marked the end of the chaotic Sengoku Period, and the beginning of the Edo Era. The battle was fought between the Eastern Army, led by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the Western Army, led by Ishida Mitsunari.

This poem is told from the POV of Konishi Yukinaga, one of the commanders of the Western Army. A Christian, his primary motive for fighting this war was to preserve the missionary activities in the country, which would be outlawed by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1614.

To craft his voice, I tried to reconstruct his character and personality based on the very few extant letters he's written, and several historical description from biographers.

Bless me, Father, for I will sin And go against your laws But the winds of change are blowing I must pick up the cause At break of dawn I'll march to war My sword will rise again For our faith might be no more If the foe prevails Sekigahara calls for me To fight that raccoon fiend But save me while I'm falling Christ, my bosom friend God of Mercy, I'm in your care Your grace my strength to lift This cross, your gift that I must bear Along my battle flag - In the voice of: Konishi Yukinaga (1558 - November 6, 1600), to Fr. Pedro Morejón, SJ. -- The Battle of Sekigahara, 21st October 1600 * "that racoon fiend" refers to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who is often derisively referred to as tanuki (raccoon dog) by detractors.

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Crystol Woods

Date: 2/19/2025 11:19:00 AM

You've truly gone the extra mile with research and accuracy... this is truly a beautiful, elegant, and powerful poem. Thank you for sharing this and congratulations! Xoxo

Vanya Evangeline
Date: 2/19/2025 7:19:00 PM

Thank you so much. Konishi Yukinaga is one of my favourite historical figures, and it is very unfortunate that his religious and social background made him something of a pariah. Assessment of him by the Edo historians are mostly very negative, so his story is mostly forgotten. Currently working on a biographical docudrama on him.