ShoNuff ShoGun, Chapter II.a

Part the second: (Glossary)
Toranaga's Dilemma 

When we last left Toranaga, he was about to make a decision about Anjin-san...

I fear that Anjin-san's education must be intensified if he is ever to become civilized, or I shall be forced to ...

"... to deny him the privilege of eating breakfast with me henceforth.

Barred from my shokudo, I will have no other choice but to exile him to the den of the despicable Gehai to take his morning meals."

Would the cruel punishment force the stubborn Anjin to toe-the-line?

Toranaga was doubtful.

To make matters even worse, though he was somewhat reluctant to admit it Toranaga had actually developed a fondness for the English- man and was beginning to think of him almost as a son.

Always the philosopher, to Toranaga the Anjin's child-like mindset, illogical attitudes, vulgar manners, unrefined customs and heathen tastes were in reality a suppressed cry for help.

Unconsciously, the Shogun's paternal instincts drove him to reach out in an effort to save the foreigner from the morass of barbarism into which he had fallen and was so hopelessly mired.

He simply couldn't bear to see such a fine man, a man with potential and panache, a man of style and daring, a man who wore very cool black leather pirate boots with silver buckles, suffer due to circumstances beyond his control that were actually no fault of his own.

Anjin-san was simply ignorant of the true way.

For his very salvation and continued existence, he must be forced to see the light and convert, like it not.

Otherwise... it was the axe!!

He needed guidance.

He needed help.

Anjin-san needed tough love!!!

Punishing him however, as is the case with any man's bairn, would not be an easy matter and Toranaga was truly reluctant to cast the Anjin away from his place of honour at the breakfast table.

But as he realized full well, there was yet another compelling reason to let it go and cut Anjin-san some slack for his uncouth behaviour.

... to be continued ...

Click here to learn Toranaga's 
other compelling reason in

Chapter II b. of
 ShoNuff ShoGun