The Muramasa Blade

TOTO

MY DEAR SISTERMY DEAR SISTEREMILIEEMILIE

With loveWith lovefrom your brotherfrom your brother

THIS BOOKTHIS BOOKIS FOR YOUIS FOR YOU

FROM THE AUTHORFROM THE AUTHOR

PREFACE.PREFACE.

This storyThis storyis a new taleis a new taleabout Old Japan.about Old Japan.

I wrote itI wrote itlike a Japanese person.like a Japanese person.

SomeoneSomeonecould translate itcould translate itinto that language.into that language.

A personA personcould read itcould read itin a book.in a book.

A storytellerA narratoron a street cornerat a street cornercould tell it.could recount it.

The reader or listenerThe reader or listenerwould thinkwould believeit fits the old traditionsit matches the ancient customsperfectly.flawlessly.

I do not knowI am not sureif people hereif the people in this placewill like this style.will enjoy this manner of writing.

The publicThe general audiencemust decide.must make the judgment.

Some famous writer friendsSeveral well-known author friendsgave me advice.offered me suggestions.

They wanted me to changeThey desired for me to alterthe style and the story.the manner and the plot.