I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Most listeners just want to have some fun and enjoy themselves, and they don't care about logic or rationality.

From another perspective... the reason why this storybook became so popular is undoubtedly related to the extremely cool fight scenes in it.

Qing Deng and Chong Tian, ​​who were sitting in an inconspicuous corner where no one was paying attention, listened to Meng Le's storytelling for a while longer.

Having grown tired of hearing it all, Okita gulped down the ice water he had just bought.

"Tachibana-kun, let's go look at other places."

Qingdeng, who was also getting a little tired of storytelling, nodded.

The moment the two walked out of the storytelling venue side by side, noise and heat burst forth.

Because Meng Le's storytelling venue had a sunshade, it was relatively cool inside. As Qing Deng walked from the storytelling venue to the street outside, his skin was reminded of the feeling of leaving an air-conditioned room, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

"It's so hot..."

Okita silently tied his thin ponytail higher and tighter.

"If it's too hot, should we go back to Shieikan now?"

Qingdeng squinted and looked up at the sun in the sky, which still needed an hour to reach its highest point.

"Hmm... let's wander around a bit more." Okita thought for less than two breaths before grinning and looking up at Aoto, who was a head taller than him. "It's been a long time since I've been to Ryogoku Hirokoji. It would be a shame to go back like this."

Because the time spent recuperating at home was too boring, Qing Deng often found various things to do to pass the time.

For example, accompanying Okita and the others on leisurely outings.

Okita finished all the konpeito (Japanese sugar candy) he had stored in the Shieikan last night.

In order to sustain his life, Okita had to go out this morning to resupply konpeito (Japanese sugar candy).

Since he had nothing better to do, Aoto accompanied Okita out.

Originally, their plan was to buy konpeito and then return to Shieikan.

But Okita suddenly got the idea and said, "Since we're going out for a while, why don't we go somewhere together? I've been mostly holed up in the Shieikan lately and haven't gone out much. I suddenly feel like going to a lively place to stroll around and have a look around."

With so much free time he had nowhere to spend it, Aoto readily accepted Okita's suggestion without hesitation.

The two of them thus arrived at the Ryogoku Hirokoji (Rokugoku Hirokoji Road).

Since Okita wanted to stroll around a bit longer and wasn't in a hurry to return to Shieikan, Aoto nodded and continued to accompany Okita on a leisurely walk along Ryogoku Hirokoji Street.

Although it had been almost eight months since Qing Deng traveled to this era, he had hardly ever been to this famous entertainment district, so everything in Ryogoku Hirokoji was very new to him.

The street performers on the street are merely embellishments to this lively street.

The real highlight of Ryogoku Hirokoji Street is the theaters lining both sides of the street.

The Edo period had four major stage arts: Kabuki, Joruri Bunraku puppet shows, Noh, and Kyogen.

Kabuki is similar to Chinese opera.

As the name suggests, Jōruri Bunraku puppet show involves puppeteers holding puppets and performing stories in sync with music and narration.

Noh is the oldest form of musical drama, a type of tragic musical drama that primarily uses music, singing, and dance.

Kyogen is a comedic science fiction series that often uses humor to satirize samurai and other noble classes, as well as some social ills.

These four distinct performing arts flourished during the generally peaceful Edo period. To this day, they remain beloved by everyone from nobles and samurai to ordinary citizens.

Countless theaters are scattered along the narrow streets of both countries.

To attract as many audience members as possible, theaters often display a large number of brightly colored flags outside the theater.

These flags either display the name of the play that will be performed soon, or indicate which family or theater troupe will be performing here.

The arts and literature circles of the Edo period also exhibited rigid class structures.

Moreover, in terms of the degree of solidification, the arts and martial arts world is even more so than the martial arts world.

Take Kabuki as an example. Kabuki adopts a completely hereditary system, which is passed down only to men and not women. The "house name", "stage name", and performance style of the previous generation of Kabuki performers must be passed on to the next generation.

"Ya-ga" is a distinctive designation used by a Kabuki family, similar to brand trademarks like Sony and Nintendo.

Famous Kabuki establishments like Ichikawa Danjuro's "Narita-ya" and Onoe Kikugoro's "Otowa-ya" are renowned and prestigious families in the Kabuki world. Tickets for their performances are always sold out.

Okita was initially enjoying the street performers' show. But gradually, his attention was drawn to the brightly colored flags along the street, used to advertise the theater.

"oops."

At that moment, Okita suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"That Shibai-sha (a type of Japanese inn) is going to stage 'Ittosai'..."

Shibaju-yako: A term used to refer to theaters that specialize in Kabuki performances.

Following Okita's gaze, Qing Deng saw a light blue flag hanging high in a shrine not far ahead.

The flags bear two different inscriptions.

The first one has three large, bright red Chinese characters that read "Aoe-ya". This should be the name of the Kabuki family that will be performing in this shibai-ya (traditional Japanese residence), but Aoto has never heard of this name before.

The second type of flag also bears three large Chinese characters: "一刀斋" (Yidaozhai).

These three Chinese characters are all golden yellow, which stands out against the light green background.

"From today until August 20th, Aoe-ya will be performing Ogata Itsunari's 'Ittosai' here! Don't miss it!"

"Ittōsai! Ittōsai! Anyone want to watch Ittōsai?!"

Several young people dressed in light blue haori stood in front of the door of this shibazakaya, waving light blue flags with the words "Ittosai" and "Aoe-ya" written on them, and vigorously soliciting customers and promoting the business.

"It's called 'Ittosai'..."

Okita smiled.

"It's been a long time since I've watched 'Ittosai'."

Noticing Okita's expression, Aoto asked softly:

"Okita-kun, do you really enjoy watching Ittosai?"

Okita nodded vigorously a few times without hesitation, tilted his head back, and gave Aoto a big smile.

"The legend of 'Eternal Sword Saint' Ogata Hayanari is so exciting! Ittosai is the only Kabuki play I can watch."

"Is your heart pounding..." Qing Deng softly recited the adjective Okita had just used, and chuckled softly a few times. "It's really hard not to feel your heart pounding with emotion after Ogata Hayate's life."

Ogata Hayanari—in this era, everyone knows this name.

Using the word "legend" to describe the life of this dual-wielding swordsman seems to be an insult to him.

Looking at his life story gives you the feeling that you're reading a fantasy novel.

This person was active 70 years ago during the Kansei era, and his name first appeared in the public eye through a battle in which he "fought against a hundred men and killed a tyrant".

Ogata Hayanari was born in the Hirose Domain of western Japan. During the Kansei era, the lord of the Hirose Domain was a cruel and inhuman tyrant.

In order to eliminate this scourge, Ogata Hayate went alone to assassinate the tyrant. He single-handedly defeated the tyrant's hundreds of guards and successfully took the tyrant's head.

At that time, Ogata Itsunari was only 20 years old.

Having committed such a heinous crime as murdering his lord, Ogata Hayase would certainly have no place to stand in the Hirose Domain.

Therefore, after taking the tyrant's life, Ogata Hayanari resolutely broke away from the domain and became a ronin.

Ogata Yoshi's departure from the feudal clan is like a fish entering the sea.

His legend officially began from this point.

"Killing 100 people" is just his least remarkable achievement.

He single-handedly conquered Nijo Castle in Kyoto.

The destruction of the "last ninja village": Shiranui Village.

He personally led dozens of cavalrymen in Ezo to break through seven battle formations of the shogunate army and repel 1 shogunate troops.

He ventured alone into Mount Koya, a sacred Buddhist site.

Ogata Hayanari achieved all of the above and made a clean getaway!

Having achieved so many accomplishments that most people wouldn't even dare to dream of, in this country where "it's hard to be satisfied without giving celebrities a ridiculous nickname," Ogata Itsun naturally possesses a considerable number of titles, each more impressive than the last.

Man-Slaying Yisei, Executioner Ittosai, Shura...

Unfortunately, after venturing alone into the sacred Buddhist site of Mount Koya, Ogata Hayase disappeared without a trace. He didn't cause any further trouble, and his whereabouts were unknown.

Only occasionally do unverified rumors leak out, such as "Ogata Hayashi had been to a certain place and done a certain thing."

Some say that Ogata Itsunari died after his solo expedition to Mount Koya.

Some say that Ogata Itsunari moved overseas.

Of course, some people say that this legendary figure is still alive and has lived to this day, living in seclusion somewhere, and going out to sunbathe in the street every day like an ordinary old man.

Because Ogata Itsunari's life was so incredibly amazing, his original titles such as Shura, Manslayer Itsunari, and Manslayer Ittosai no longer seem worthy of him.

Therefore, after Ogata Itsei disappeared from the martial arts world, people bestowed upon him the title of "Sword Saint" because of his unparalleled swordsmanship, which was almost unmatched before or since.

Prior to this, only two people had received the title of "Sword Saint": Kamiizumi Nobutsuna and Tsukahara Bokuden.

Although Ogata Itsun didn't establish any groundbreaking new schools of kendo or make any outstanding contributions to kendo theory like the two mentioned above, his combat record was so dazzling that he achieved feats akin to piloting an exoskeleton or a Gundam with just two swords.

Therefore, in order to demonstrate Ogata Itsei's strength, and to show that Kamiizumi Nobutsuna and Tsukahara Bokuden were no match for Ogata Itsei, people bestowed upon Ogata Itsei the title of "Eternal Life" on top of "Sword Saint".

That is, "Eternal Sword Saint".

To this day, Ogata Hayase's title of "Eternal Sword Saint" is deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Legendary figures like Ogata Itsunari naturally have a large number of creators who have used his story as source material to adapt various types of literary and artistic works.

"Ittosai" is a prime example of this.

Ittosai is a Kabuki play adapted 70 years ago by a playwright named Jiro Nishino, based on Ogata Itsunari's debut battle: "One against a hundred, killing his lord".

"Punishing evil and promoting good, and killing tyrants" is one of the most popular themes among ordinary people. In addition, Ogata Hayashi has always been quite popular among the people. Since its debut, this play "Ittosai" has gained fame at an extremely fast pace.

After 70 years of development, Ittosai has become a famous Kabuki play that has spread throughout the country, just like Chushingura.

Okita likes Ittosai... Seito, who was learning this for the first time, was not particularly surprised.

It's perfectly normal that Okita, who is also a swordsman like Ogata Itsun, would be interested in Ogata's passionate stories.

"Since it's been a long time since we last watched this play, how about we find some time to watch it sometime?"