So far the replies mentioned its religious significance
and the historical figure Yamaoka Tesshu (born Ono Tetsutaro) 1836 -
1888, founder of Muto-ryu sword school (book on him titled:The Sword
of No Sword).
My personal {interpretation} is historical S.H. wanted composure,
presence of mind and wanted to witness his own death. A majority of
Japanese people at the time practiced a synthesis of Shintoism and
Buddhism (many many sects/interepretations)...S.H. was buried at the
temple of Amitabha Buddha so (I'm guessing that he was a Pure Land
Buddhist). As mentioned by Serizawa Kamo he may have practiced
Mugai ryu kenjutsu (NOT iaijutsu/iaido(?)) which survives today and
has websites. Mugai ryu is heavily influenced by Buddhism---but
ofcourse we don't know the extent of S.H.'s devotion/piousness.
Mugai ryu emphasizes swordsmanship hand in hand with Buddhist
beliefs.
In Buddhist meditation you want to cultivate awareness by observing
the breath and mental fluctuations...so maybe this is what
historical S.H. was aiming for. Hindu-Buddhist beliefs in
reincarnation aside, all we know for sure is that no one can
remember their birth but they -can- experience their death (if they
die naturally). Back then I don't think people had/used painkillers
so someone in S.H.'s situation had to suffer a really long time
(gastric ulcers -symptoms- can take years before it becomes fatal).
Many people today who pass on in hospitals lose consciousness long
before their last breathe. So maybe S.H. was thinking along these
lines...he was a policeman and soldier, he had a life filled with
violence (I don't think he forgot the people he killed even in cases
of self defense) and I'm sure his own mortality was on his mind alot.
My last and lamest interpretation was that he may not have died like
this for -himself- but as a gift to his family who would ofcourse
find him in this way. Like a testament to them about all of his
prior actions, all of his intentions. A way for them to never
forget him and how he lived. His last demonstration of strength and
will after a prolonged illness and turbulent life. Recall in RK OVA
Remembrance when Kaoru's mother or father's (I can't recall) body is
on the futon and the person's face is covered with a small white
clothe...the impact of a loved one's passing is devastating enough
now how is this different from find that person sitting in the seiza
position after he had been confined to a sick bed for so long?
It is raining where I am so such gloomy thoughts emerge easily.
--- In SHQ@yahoogroups.com, "Tiffany" wrote:
> Ofcourse, I have not found an explanation for the significane of
dying
> while sitting in the seiza position which was mentioned on either
> http://1to5.net or http://www.3-hajime.com...so I posted this
question at the
> www.e-budo.com forum under the username Fujita Makoto :P
> E-Budo.com > Koryu Bujutsu > Koryu: History and Tradition >
> hopefully I will get some replies!
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