Musui's Story

In the third chapter, the author describes his life from age 16 to 21. During this period, Katsu learns everything he can about swords—from fighting with them to how they are made. After all, “the sword is a samurai’s prized possession” (48). He engages in many formal sword fights and disorganized street brawls, visits the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters, repeatedly runs out of money, and even gets married.

At age 16, Katsu asks his commissioner Ishikawa for an appointment according to his social status. The commissioner thinks that his experience as a beggar made Katsu tough and promises him an appointment. However, nothing comes of it.

The author repeatedly complains about his adoptive grandmother, whose behavior gets worse. As a result, he spends as much time away from home as possible—and gets into trouble. Thanks to Karoku Kuboshima, his older biological half-brother Hikoshirō’s colleague, Katsu discovers the red-light district: “One day he tricked me into going with him to the pleasure quarters in the Yoshiwara” (44). Katsu spent all his money on the courtesans (sex workers): “My foolishness was dragging me deeper into debt” (60). This behavior turns into a pattern. By the time Katsu reaches age 21, he is so broke that he has to sell his sword.