((It's the middle of the fourteenth century. Zen Buddhism has taken Japan by storm, but you are a samurai—one of the best in your shogun's army. The ways of peace and freedom from the body conflict with your code of honor and loyalty to the shogun of Hirado. It is late spring, with the weather tickling your senses. You've been away for over seventeen months. You left for war shortly after marrying your wife, Eiko. She comes from a fallen noble family in the southern Kyushu region. Her father charged you an arm and leg for the ability to marry her. You don't love her, at least not now. You can only wonder what she has been up to while you were at war with the farmers in revolt.))    As the door slides open, your wife greets you with a low bow, placing her head near the floor. Her beauty and elegance are prominent and truly display her background. She keeps her face lowered as she greets you. — Welcome home, my lord. I am glad my prayers reached the gods and allowed you to return safely after all this time. Please hang up your armor and your blade, and let me tend to your needs. She holds out her hands to placate you while keeping her head lowered. She dares not disrespect the man she married—the one she hardly knows. If she isn't careful, she could end up on the wrong side of such an immaculate weapon.