Now we have reached it…
Not everyone can point to the moment in their lives when they made their biggest mistake.
Often, there are a lot of little, insignificant things we might even have trouble remembering
that result in our finding ourselves in a bad situation.
But Kenshin would need no help in clearly recalling this--
this oath that will bind him to a future of self-loathing and anguish.
(click on screen to play video - *Warning - violence)
He is a child of fourteen, and he doesn’t really understand what it is being asked of him;
or what he has promised.
Katsura and Takasugi do,
but have laid aside any qualms they have for their greater goal of political reform.
Both of these actual historical figures will die young, with their dream Japan, still unrealized.
Not just the taking of a life in the heat of battle, not a fair fight or a duel,
not even the execution of a convicted criminal;
the sudden, unexpected, brutal ending of an unprepared non-combatant,
a political opponent, or someone connected to them…
embarking on his role as an assassin for the Isshin Shishi,
Kenshin loses any chance at camaraderie with fellow insurgents,
as even they want nothing to do
with someone in that line of work.
To preserve his sanity, Kenshin shuts down all his emotions,
and moves like a zombie through the performance of his odious tasks.
One year on, and he is barely recognizable as the idealistic, impetuous youth who wanted to “protect people’s happinessâ€