In the 1930s Master Yamaguchi Gogen, dubbed ‘Cat’ for his agility, was working in the Chinese office of a Japanese company. At that time discord had broken out in the country, and Chinese authorities arrested Yamaguchi for espionage. Knowing that he was a martial arts Master, the thrill-seeking Chinese offered him a choice: he could be executed immediately or fight a tiger and possibly live. The warrior decided to take his chances. All he had was himself against this powerful and bloodthirsty opponent. Running was not an option, he was only focused on moving forward.
Yamaguchi stepped calmy but carefully into the cage with the beast. They stared in each other’s eyes and with a lighting-like flash their energies got fused.
The crowd held its breath.
The tiger prepared for a deadly leap and for a split second shifted its weight to its hind paws. The master took advantage of this vulnerable moment by delivering a shuttering blow to its nose and killing it.
He prayed for the repose of the tiger’s soul and asked forgiveness for the unnecessary cruelty. The stunned Chinese set Yamaguchi free with all due signs of honor.
The founder of Kyokushin Karate-Do, legendary Masutatsu Oyama, dreamed of repeating this feat, but the Wildlife Protection League forbade it on the grounds that tigers are an endangered species.
A warrior must be merciful.
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