The Creator of the Reverse-Blade Sword: Shakkū Arai's Final Swing is the 39th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series.
Synopsis[]
Himura Kenshin and Makimachi Misao have now arrived in the beloved Imperial Millenium Castle City of Japan, the western city of Kyōto. Meanwhile, in the city's outskirts, Shishio Makoto and Komagata Yumi have arrived back at their headquarters hidden in the mountains. As Himura becomes acquainted with the staff of the Aoiya and its leader, Okina, so will new allies help the wanderer aid in his business throughout Kyōto's streets. But just as good has its dwellings and residings, villainy has its eyes and ears deeply ingrained too, within Kyōto. Is Kenshin going to find new allies in this city? What are going to be the first things that Kenshin needs to do once he is in Kyōto?
Plot[]
A view of a wide street in Kyōto
Just as Shishio Makoto arrives at his base in Kyōto, Kenshin and Misao arrive in Kyōto. Misao rushes up to what she claims her restaurant, the Aoiya, and is greeted by the old man she calls Okina and four other employees. Kenshin, who has his cross scar covered with a bandage, begins walking away until Okina stops him. Somehow, Okina knows who Kenshin really is. As Misao takes a refreshing hot bath, Okina sits down with Kenshin to discuss matters. The old man introduces himself as Kashiwazaki Nenji, former Oniwabanshū member and spy in Kyōto, also referred to as the Okina.
The group of inhabitants of the Aoiya
Okina explains that the Aoiya was originally a main base for the Oniwabanshū, but when the Edo Government had collapsed, it had become a restaurant that gave jobs to former Oniwabanshū members. Therefore, all of the employees were once Oniwabanshū. Seeing as that's the situation, Kenshin decides to speak about what happened with Han'nya and the others. It is agreed by both that Misao shouldn't know what happened to them yet. Okina is also aware that Shishio is in town because he knows everything that goes on in Kyoto and figures that Kenshin is present as well to fight him, so Kenshin decides to rely on the old man's knowledge to find two men: Arai Shakkū and Hiko Seijūrō.
Arai Iori smiling
The next morning, Kenshin, Misao, and Okina depart for Arai Seikū's place. Seikū is the son of Arai Shakkū, the man who crafted Kenshin's Sakabatō. Unfortunately, Shakkū had died, but his knowledge was handed down to his son. At Seikū's residence, kitchen knives are displayed in showcases in the front of his home. A little boy, Seikū's son, is the only one present, but his mother, Seikū's wife, walks out shortly after hearing the "customers'" arrival. Kenshin asks if he could try out one of the knives. The woman allows him to do as he pleases. From his kimono, Kenshin pulls out a large radish and chops it with the knife. Shortly after, he is able to put it back together, as if it was never cut. Only the best samurai can perform such a technique with the best type of sword.
The Arai family smiling together
By time Kenshin is through examining Seikū's knives, Seikū himself arrives back home. The first thing Kenshin asks is if Seikū could make him a sword. Seikū refuses the offer, explaining he's given up making them. Unlike his father, Seikū is more of a pacifist and doesn't understand killing. Kenshin understands and thanks Seikū for his time. Misao begins shouting at the now knife maker, trying to force him into crafting a sword for Kenshin, but that does no good because she's eventually dragged away by the Rurouni.
Iori flying high once Chō throws the sneath in the air
Later, Seikū's home is visited by an unexpected guest. A blonde haired samurai-like man immediately asks if he could see Arai Shakkū's last sword. This man's name is Chō, and he really is one of Shishio's Jūppongatana. Seikū plays dumb, acting as if his father's swords are all gone when there's really only one left. Chō wants the sword immediately, otherwise, their son, Iori, dies. Not wanting her only child to be killed, Seikū's wife, Azusa, tells Chō the last sword of Arai Shakkū was dedicated to the Hakusan Shinto Shrine. Now knowing the location, Chō leaves, but takes Iori just in case Azusa is lying.
Kenshin leaving the Aoiya running to save Iori from Chō
Misao arrives on the scene after Chō's departure. She was going to bother Seikū into making Kenshin's sword, but now that dangerous matters have come up, she has a carrier pigeon inform Kenshin and Okina of the situation at the Aoiya. By time Chō arrives at the shrine with Iori hanging at the tip of his long sword's sheath, Kenshin is already there. With eyes ready for battle, Kenshin removes his bandage, showing the scar on his cheek. Chō identifies the Battōsai quickly and knows he probably wants Shakkū's sword too. Even so, Chō promises that he will be the one to get it because Kenshin will be dead.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Shishio Makoto
- Komagata Yumi
- Sadojima Hōji
- Himura Kenshin
- Makimachi Misao
- Okita Sōji
- Saitō Hajime
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Kurojō
- Shirojō
- Masukami
- Ōmime
- Beshimi
- Hyottoko
- Han'nya
- Shikijō
- Shinomori Aoshi
- Arai Shakkū (mentioned)
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII (mentioned)
- Arai Iori
- Arai Azusa
- Arai Seikū
- Sawagejō Chō
Trivia[]
- This is the first episode in which the second opening theme Nibun no Ichi (One Half) is used.
- This episode introduces the concept of "a sword that is offered to the gods": According to ancient japanese tradition, sword maker artisans would seldom create a sword that was never used (never touched by blood), and placed in a shrine as a relic offered to the gods.
Gallery[]
