The White Tiger and the Sun Dragon

“Waters of Blue Light”  -  by anonymous Zendo philosopher

 

Lost stars, the journey,

Through infinity … our bond,

Water of blue light

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

The White Tiger and the Sun Dragon

 

 

Rays from the sun setting amidst isles of cloud

turn ablaze deep valleys and soaring mountains,

across all Isodoro, from the Jade-Blue Sea east,

over forests and plains, unto the Endless Ocean west

illuminated by a chorus of myriad spirits, 

lamenting the fall of once glorious Empire

Nigh a thousand years endured the Golden Harmony.

Blessed era of art, poetry, philosophy, and shining peace.

Its echoes yet recited by the mizugeija, and reijin singers,

reverberating through generations of monks chanting,

of how such a world came to final downfall

 

Between the Imperial Family and Five Great Houses it began -

The slow undoing of bonds, breaking of vows, disregarding honor,

as families and once allied clans turned against one another.

Gathering momentum, the inexorable avalanche rumbled.

Betrayals that bred violence and unforeseen tragedy,

leading to a time of horses, arrows, spears and swords

A time of savagery, storms, and desperation

 

Sorrowful winter, of so few flowers remembered

 

During these years of the Empire’s waning light

no confrontation between the Major Houses

can compare to the Segai against the Minotora;

This clashing of White Tiger and Sun Dragon,

Deities from opposing Circles of the World

 

Segai warriors rode in columns of white armor and banners

to face the gold-clad Minotora hosts, their standards looming.

Spears bristled, arrows filled the skies, faithful steeds whinnied

as both the fearful and valiant fell in scores, slain left and right.

But the Minotora obeyed Lord Hojotora as General Shirei-khan,

And the Segai were devoted to Regent Lady Kitoma and her sons

As guardians of the Imperial Mitaijio Family and the realm.

Thus, ranks upon ranks went forth, unrelenting

 

The giant tiger with his sky-blue stripes and piercing eyes.

The vast serpent, hissing and scales blinding in the sunlight.

They roared and snarled; their fangs and claws tearing.

Mountainsides trembled and rocks loosened;

Trees shivered, flocks of birds took flight, villages fled,

as the sky flashed with the ferocity of this duel.

 

In these years innocence was trampled,

temples desecrated and literature burned,

Zendoism, and Amida’s teachings disregarded.

The sanctity of life lost.

 

Plum blossoms passed, then the sakura, wisteria, and irises

As did women shed continuous tears, among petals falling,

for fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons.

 

An age, an empire, a dream forever shattered -

Ruinous battle of Segai’s tiger and Minotora’s dragon

shook to upheaval the foundations of the archipelago.

The gong of Tennodaiji Temple resounded

Whilst Amidaoist priests intoned mantras for mercy.

Yet the rivers ran red, broken, armored bodies adrift -

Droves of warriors ever perishing in this tempest.

Red autumn leaves lost too soon in the wind.

 

Holy incense smoke rises to drift away vanishing,

as clouds form and then are swept away.

Those heroes and great deeds shall pass into legend

Across the rippling oceans of millenniums

 

Where has the Sun Dragon gone? Where does the White Tiger roam?

The years pass, yet the memory of Segai and Minotora remain,

in the dappled light of forest boughs swaying in spring.

in the lonesome cry of the uguisu bird in autumn;

Shrine bells also recall to remembrance.

Many souls still search for their lost kin, for peace.

Looking to the horizon we pray with hope, across time

that through the Wheel of Transmigrations,

they may yet find rebirth in in the Pure Land,

the unseen paradise, beyond the setting sun.

 

 

- from the chronicles of the Saga of Suns and Storms, by Masamto Shojiki