Vanya Evangeline Poet Other

Notes About The Poem

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.

Pedro Gomez, SJ is the Vice Provincial of the Jesuit mission in Japan during those days.

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The Blade Shall Fall

 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 will be no more
 Should our foe prevail

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 Gomez, 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 February 19, 2025 at 11:19 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 February 19, 2025 at 7:19 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.