Lord Otori Shigeru – Takeo Eulogy
I stand before you here today, as Lord Otori Shigeru’s adopted son, Takeo. Although Lord Shigeru is no longer with us, he will be remembered tremendously by everybody who had the experience of meeting him. Lord Shigeru always believed he would achieve far more in death than he did in life and it is therefore important that we do not spend the coming days in mourning. Instead, we rise and continue the legacy of Shigeru! And although he is no longer among us, we can honour his memory and keep his spirit alive. As I stand here before you today, I thank each and every one of you for attending. I also thank you, Lord Otori Shigeru for the honourable life you led, full of achievements and the memories which will remain as a result of you. From the moment I met him, he displayed qualities of a warrior. A warrior who always did his best to help the people.
Lord Shigeru was a great man who did not feel the need, even as rightful heir to the Otori Clan, to use power and politics to make his mark in the world. In fact, Lord Shigeru often wanted nothing to do with the Otori Clan. However, having been born into it, it was expected that he continue the Clan into the future. This was not the life, Lord Shigeru wanted, in fact he much preferred settling down in his garden and becoming a farmer rather than the warlord he was expected to be. Lord Shigeru was even prepared to brave his enemy for a life with his one true love. We are gathered here today to honour a great man who achieved great things which should be remembered by future warlords. Because, while he is not physically with us, he will live on in future Otori Clan leaders and it is because of this and him that the Three Countries will now be changed for the better.
Lord Otori Shigeru was not like any other warlord among the Three Countries. I mean, all warlords have their allies and their enemies. But the one thing that set him apart from the other warlords was his desire to not be affiliated with politics. In fact, it was his dream to nurture a farm without any worries. This was something that became clear to me on our first meeting. My town, Mino, set in the mountains in Tohan territory was one of the most remote settings in the Three Countries. We were a secluded group of people who did not follow the traditional Japanese Zen Buddhism teachings. This made us the enemy of many warlords and territories. It was upon the attack of our village by one of our enemies where I was rescued from a certain death by Lord Shigeru.
Our village was burnt down. I was the only survivor. As I was leaving the village I came upon Lord Iida of the Tohan Clan. Now, growing up in a culture forbidden to kill, I knew nothing of the fighting between territories. I especially didn’t know of the rivalry between Lord Iida and Lord Shigeru. However, no matter how great the rivalry was, Lord Shigeru risked his life to save my life and for this, I am forever grateful. Lord Shigeru and I began our journey back to Hagi, the seaside castle town of the Otori Clan. I was scared; after all it was my first time leaving the safety of my home. However, it was not long before I became comfortable with Lord Shigeru and we began to become closer.
It also became clear to me that Lord Shigeru had risked his life in a time when it would have been respected if he had remained home to mourn. Lord Shigeru’s brother, Takeshi had just been assassinated and his mother had just died of illness. In fact it became clear that Lord Shigeru’s life had been plagued with death and my rescue may have been his saviour. Initially I believed I only existed to help Lord Shigeru with his revenge, my father being a famous assassin. However, I began to mature. I began to love Shigeru like a father and he loved me like a son. That bond is what brings me here today. I feel proud to say that Lord Shigeru died an honourable death. Not slain by his enemy, but by a true friend in the face of a certain death. And it must be said, that you lived an honourable life.
You were released from your misery by the one part of you that always did and always will remain a part of you, Jato. Jato was what you trusted most and even though it may only be a sword, in your eyes, it was what kept you going. Jato saved my life and in the end he saved yours as well. I even remember the day where I met Jato, not long after he saved my life. It immediately became clear to me that Jato was a big part of you and was something you would not readily give up.
Lord Shigeru was always courageous, in the highest form. He always tackled the enemy head on and was never afraid to stand up and back himself, even when by society standards and family beliefs, it seemed wrong. His courage was especially strong when it came to the one true love of his life. Despite his recent losses, Lord Shigeru remained in the highest possible spirits as the emotion of Love took over. Lord Shigeru was in love with a member of the Seishuu Clan, Lady Maruyama. One night in a quiet inn “they spoke of their love for each other, their few meetings, their plans for the future.” (p25) Lord Shigeru even went as far as to say “you will marry no one but me...it is my only desire.” (p25) It was unfortunate that you were never able to spend much time together as Lady Maruyama was the interest of Lord Iida and time together without Lord Iida knowing was hard to come by. You risked your life to be with Lady Maruyama and for that, I honour you.
You were a remarkable man who inspired many across the Three Countries. So remarkable, even your enemies respected and feared you. “’Shigeru is a lot more dangerous than he seems. He’s no coward, for a start. He has patience. And no one else in the Three Countries has this effect on people!’” (p217) You were so kind as to welcome me graciously in your home. I was someone not like many other people in the Clan, not like anyone amongst your relatives. I was even rejected by some, yet you stood tall in the face of your close friends and relatives and welcomed me into your home. I thank you for your acceptance of not only myself, but everybody you met across the journey which became your life.
Today I offer goshuushou sama desu to the family of Lord Otori Shigeru. You should not be sad that a nephew or close relative has been lost. Instead you should be greatly thankful that his life was led to the fullest. As Lord Shigeru once said to me, we should not be afraid now that he is gone, for Lord Shigeru will achieve more in death than he did in life and for this, as a part of the Three Countries, we should be grateful.
Thank you for joining me along with all the members of the family here today, as we celebrate a life, rather than mourn a death. A life filled with achievement. Lord Shigeru, I trust that you rest in peace with the ones that brought you so much happiness in your life. You will be remembered by all as a warlord who defied the rules. For the future of the Three Countries has now been adjusted for the better. No longer must it be that those born into the position of Clan heir take up the role as given. The future has effectively been rewritten by a man who wanted nothing more than to settle down into his garden and farm and avoid all politics.