Dragon of Kiso Mountain
Dragon of Kiso Mountain | |
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First reference: | Landslide |
Using an illustrated storybook, Kaito Nakamura details the story of how the Takezo Kensei's encountered the Dragon of Kiso Mountain.
About
Landslide
During the sparring between Hiro and Kaito, Hiro recounts the story of "Kensei and the Dragon" told to him by Kaito when Hiro was a child.
Out of Time
Hiro tells Yaeko the story of the trail of the Dragon of Kiso Mountain, and that it is how his journey in the past must end.
Heroes Evolutions
yamagatofellowship.org
Yamagato Fellowship has a page on their website that mentions the following about the dragon:
- With war threatening to fracture Japan, Takezo 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 newfound 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.
Sword Saint
In Chapter 3, "The Trial of the Hidden Fortress", the narrator documents how Takezo Kensei meets his end in his most famous tale: Kensei and the Dragon.
In Chapter 4, Part 1, "Kensei and the Dragon", Takezo Kensei meets a beautiful princess who makes him swear to defeat White Beard with everything in his power. Kensei seeks out the Dragon of Kiso Mountain to help train him. It is rumored that the dragon would only train those who truly needed him and a great price would have to be paid. Professor Karen Chamberlin documents that the Dragon agrees to help Kensei as long as he gives up what he most loves in life. Kensei agrees and is able to then defeat White Beard. Kensei requests marriage to the princess and she agrees. Karen Chamberlin comments that their wedding was the most beautiful wedding in Japanese history. However, the Dragon appears at their wedding demanding that Kensei honor their agreement and give the Dragon his love. Kensei takes a sword a stabs out his heart, then tells the Dragon, "My love is in here. Take it."
In Chapter 4, Part 2, "Kensei and the Dragon", Professor Karen Chamberlin documents that Takezo Kensei dies in the arms of his princess. Many different stories are recorded through history about how Kensei died, what happened to Kensei after the Dragon came to him, and who the Princess was.
Saving Charlie
- Hiro buys Charlie a gift—a reproduction of the story of Kensei and the Dragon. This is Hiro's favorite of all the stories about Kensei. (Chapter 22)
- Hiro gives Charlie a gift: a reproduction of the Kensei and the Dragon legend, where the dragon looks fierce and terrible. Hiro says that Kensei goes to the dragon and asks to learn the secrets of a sacred sword, and the dragon agrees. After Kensei uses the dragon's secrets to save his people, the dragon goes to the palace and demands payment—the life of Kensei's princess. Kensei plunges the sword into his heart and hands it to the dragon instead, explaining that his love is in his heart. (Chapter 23)
Notes
- Thompson, Jr. has a dragon on his jacket sleeve.
- Miko Otomo often folds origami dragons (Brave New World), even while in captivity (Under the Mask). Her father Hachiro Otomo also has several origami dragons in his office (Brave New World).
Gallery
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While his father reads...
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...Hiro plays with a toy dragon.
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The dragon is a fierce one.
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The toy with which Hiro plays appears to have two heads.
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A statue of the dragon is kept at Jittetsu Arms.
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Sword Saint notes that "Kensei and the Dragon" is the most famous of the Kensei tales.
See Also
- For other uses of dragon, see dragon (disambig).