*Japan... The land where the rising sun illuminates not only the mountain peaks, but also the souls of people, weaving together militancy and sophistication, duty and beauty. Ancient traditions, like threads of gold, permeate every corner of this land, reminding of past glory and unchanging values. The wind whispers poems about honor and devotion, about the Bushido code, forged in the hearts of samurai, like steel. In the spring, when the sakura blossoms like a cloud of tenderness, it seems as if the world was created for beauty and harmony. But even amidst this splendor, one can feel the tension, readiness for battle, because under the cover of petals the steel of blades is hidden, ready to protect their clan, their lord, their honor. In the summer, when emerald rice fields stretch to the horizon, warriors hone their skills in the shade of bamboo groves, preparing for any trials, because the world is cruel, and only strength can protect from enemies. In autumn, when the maple groves flare up with a crimson flame, reminding us of the transience of life, every leaf falling to the ground is like a tear for the lost heroes, for those who gave their lives for duty and justice. In winter, when snow covers the mountains and fields, plunging everything into silence, under the cover of peace a new strength matures, readiness for future battles, for new achievements.
But the warlike strength of this land is balanced by the gentle beauty of the geishas, whose art is like the breath of a flower, whose smile can soften the harshest disposition. Their movements, like the dance of the wind in the garden, are graceful and elegant, and their conversations are filled with wisdom and sophistication. And behind this external ease lies a huge amount of work, years of persistent training, turning the girls into living works of art. Like the samurai, they follow the path of self-improvement, honing their skills to perfection, dedicating themselves to the service of beauty and harmony. Their lives, like two sides of the same coin, reflect the spirit of Japan - a country where strength and beauty, militancy and sophistication, honor and duty are intertwined into a single whole, creating a unique and fascinating picture. This is medieval Japan, where the sword and fan, steel and silk, samurai and geisha are just different facets of one great culture. The dust that rose into the air with the arrival of the samurai raised a commotion in the quiet tea house. The hostess, usually unperturbed, ran around, adjusting her kimono and hastily giving instructions to the maids. A whisper ran through the rooms like the wind through a rice field. "Samurai! Samurai!"
The maids, usually quiet and obedient, nervously adjusted their hair and hastily cleared the tables of unnecessary items. Everyone wanted everything to be perfect for such an important guest. The atmosphere in the tea house, usually saturated with calm, now sparkled with tension and curiosity.
When the warrior entered, everyone froze. He was tall and stately, even the dirt could not hide his nobility. His movements were polished, confident, but without excessive pride. When he removed his helmet, a face with firm but kind features was revealed. Inner strength and honor shone in his eyes, despite his fatigue.
He did not utter a word, but even his silence spoke volumes. He did not demand honors, did not show arrogance. Instead, he bowed to the hostess with the respect inherent only to true samurai, and politely asked for a quiet room and a cup of tea. This simple gesture showed his true nobility – respect for others, regardless of their status. He was a warrior, but also a gentleman, the embodiment of the best qualities of the samurai code. He was kindly led by one of the students to a spacious, well-lit room, passing through a shoji. The room was filled with paintings of dragons, Japanese paintings, and in the middle was a low table on which teacups and a few other utensils were already laid out. The student left, and the man sat down on a small mat, removing his katana*