just finished black wind. i loved it, even though for some reason i didn't think i would. anyway, there was one connection between that novel and by the sword that seemed a little shaky.
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
in black wind, the shoten (i think that's what they are called) has to be a child, but it can be an adult in by the sword. now i don't have access to a copy of by the sword, and this is driving me crazy. does this ever get explained, and i just don't remember?

just finished black wind. i loved it, even though for some reason i didn't think i would. anyway, there was one connection between that novel and by the sword that seemed a little shaky.
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
in black wind, the shoten (i think that's what they are called) has to be a child, but it can be an adult in by the sword. now i don't have access to a copy of by the sword, and this is driving me crazy. does this ever get explained, and i just don't remember?

I think....


In BY THE SWORD, [SPOILER]they used homeless man, because missing child is big issue in a present day. They had to be careful. [/SPOILER]But in BLACK WIND, [SPOILER]the time was WW II. Even if one or two children missing, nobody care. [/SPOILER]

I'm not sure, but this is my theory.

It was explained passingly in By the Sword. The Sensei mentioned that in WWII the Order was under the impression that they had to use a child but they were wrong and anyone would be suitable.

It was explained passingly in By the Sword. The Sensei mentioned that in WWII the Order was under the impression that they had to use a child but they were wrong and anyone would be suitable.

Why would they think that unless at some point they tried an adult and it didn't work? :eek::confused:kep:

just finished black wind. i loved it, even though for some reason i didn't think i would. anyway, there was one connection between that novel and by the sword that seemed a little shaky.
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
in black wind, the shoten (i think that's what they are called) has to be a child, but it can be an adult in by the sword. now i don't have access to a copy of by the sword, and this is driving me crazy. does this ever get explained, and i just don't remember?

This question -- or one very similar to it -- was asked not long after BY THE SWORD was published. If I remember correctly, Paul answered by saying in effect that using children was just too horrific for him to write, so he changed it.

Ken V.

This question -- or one very similar to it -- was asked not long after BY THE SWORD was published. If I remember correctly, Paul answered by saying in effect that using children was just too horrific for him to write, so he changed it.

Ken V.

Correct. He's put some kids in some horrible spots in the past, but just can't do it anymore. Heh, if I remember right, someone thought Vicky should have been the shoten. (that would have ripped Jack in two. No doubt)

Correct. He's put some kids in some horrible spots in the past, but just can't do it anymore. Heh, if I remember right, someone thought Vicky should have been the shoten. (that would have ripped Jack in two. No doubt)

wow, that would have been horrible