The story behind the "pinnacle" form

果樹数名                   Kaju Sumei                "several fruit trees"

Apples have been cultivated in Japan since the 8th century AD, following importation from China. However, Western apple cultivation in Japan is fairly recent, only dating to the Bakumatsu period [1853-1868]. Peaches, on the other hand, have been cultivated in Japan since the Yayoi Period [300 BC – 300 AD], also brought in from China, but it was not until the Edo Period [1603 to 1868] that people really began to fancy them. Last but not least, pears have been cultivated since at least the Heian period [794–1185 AD].

The story is told of a well-known samurai “hatamoto” (a high-ranking samurai in the direct service of a daimyo) who had an orchard of peaches, apples, and pears of which he was very proud. This was during the Edo period (1603-1868) as mentioned above.

Many other hatamoto and even daimyo were jealous of the man’s orchard, as well as his excellent position as hatamoto to the daimyo, which he had earned through hard work, great skill, and absolute loyalty to his master. The samurai is accused of several crimes, arrested, and brought in to face the daimyo, who is himself jealous and wishing to have the samurai executed so he (the daimyo) can take over the samurai’s land and fortunes, including the orchard. As he faces the daimyo and his accusers, he notices that he is the only one who has been disarmed, and so if he is going to defend himself, he must obtain a sword from one of the other samurai in the room, and set about defending himself and his honor from this treachery.

"Several fruit trees" is the pinnacle sword kata in BHKIRA, and refers obliquely to a small number of trees (actually meaning men, fighters) that can provide a family with a sufficient supply of fruit (or provide a sufficient amount of trouble); often ranging from two to three, to as many as a dozen; and depending on the type of trees (foot soldiers, samurai, bandits) what kind of care they require (or in the case of enemies, the necessary actions to defeat them.)

It is the longest kata in our sword system, containing 17 movements. This is rare, as most sword kata only contain 4-8 movements. If you know the kata, it is a gem. If you have seen it performed, its worth waiting for. If you don't know it yet, you have a real prize awaiting you.