HEROES-HYPE.COM

 I first posted about the Yamagato Fellowship site here - i’ve just been going back over it and thought that i’d post up what it has on Takezo Kensei. It basically tells the legend of his sacrifice for love and country - which parallels nicely with Kaito’s pep-talk to Hiro in “Landslide”.

Here’s the lowdown on Takezo:

- A wild savage turned master swordsman whose heroics helped unify Japan.

- Takezo found a sword frozen in the snow that helped him focus all his strength and courage. Some say this sword, and Takezo’s power, were a Godsend.

- With war threatening to fracture Japan, he went to the Dragon of Kiso Mountain and asked him to teach him the secrets of the sword. The Dragon agreed to help in exchange for all of his love. Takezo loved a princess with all his heart but knew Japan would fall if he did not triumph, so he agreed. The Dragon taught him and he became Kensei (a sword saint).

- With his new found knowledge, Kensei fought and won a great battle – thus saving his people. After the battle, the Dragon came to Kensei’s palace to collect on their deal. The Dragon demanded the life of the princess. Kensei refused and cut out his own heart, handed it to the dragon and said, “My love is in here. Take it.” And then he died. When the Dragon saw what Kensei was willing to sacrifice for his people (and his love) he was so moved that he replaced Kensei’s heart and breathed fire-life back into the swordsman.

- The Takezo dynasty went on to rule Japan with valour and love for a hundred years.

The site also has a rather cool 4-5 minute video chapter depicting the birth of the “Sword Saint” (Takezo Kensei). I suspect that the 2nd chapter will be up soon and i’ll keep you posted if and when.