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Samurai's Tale Prompt 1
If I could give advice to Murakami I would tell him to be stern, to not give in to people, and to treat all races and genders with equal respect. For example, when an old man comes up to Murakami saying that rice has been stolen from his load and Murakami pretty much dismisses it (104, Haugaard). Murakami should have been stricter about keeping an eye on the rice, plus he could have made sure that the old man wasn’t stealing the rice. He also seems to have a soft spot for peasants, since he used to be one – he did not doubt the man’s honesty for a minute (there is a liar inside of everyone). Also, Kansuke says to Murakami, “Even a great lord’s wife will search for a needle lost among the mats on the floor. Women are never wasteful.” He later says, “A woman thinks three times before she parts with anything, be it a needle or a body of troops. But then, she is of the Oda family and they are headstrong, self-willed lot who do not know patience. So she may attack us even though she is a woman.” (140, Haugaard). From that dialogue, I get the sense that Murakami is buying into the stereotype that Japanese women are possibly packrats, cheapskates, and scaredy-cats. Never underestimate the power a person can achieve. That is what I would tell Murakami if I were to give him advice.
I would lead to believe that Murakami wouldn’t take my advice for I would be a stranger to him, someone not yet trustworthy. For example, the ninja that was asking for sake by the fire, telling them of Lord Toyoma’s death (134-135, Haugaard). He had not believed the man because of the way he dressed, the way he sneaked there mysteriously, thinking him a ninja. He couldn’t rely on a stranger for correct info. This is why I think Murakami would not take my advice.

Samurai's Tale Response
I would say that Harutomo should watch his back. He just got scared by his own lord, so what else could be in store for him? it's like at the beginning of the book, but just a little bit before it. Something big is about to happen. We don't know the outcome. Harutomo should be very scared and never let his guard down. After all, he could be killed, captured, or severely wounded. On the other hand, he could come back a hero ad a samurai, but we just can't be sure of any of it.

Harutomo would probably take note of my advice. He may not utilize it, but he probably would. Think of how he handles advice given to him by his betters. He worships it, especially when it is given to him by Kansuke or Lord Akiyama. When advice is given to him by anyone below him, he dismisses it, as if it were nothing more than a fable. If I was someone of equal rank, he may or may not take note of my advice. It would be a wise decision to do so, though.

Samurias Tale
The advice that I would give Morikami at this point of book is to go with his gut. Like when he didn’t kill that man but just hurt him. But I don’t think he should of let the people who stole the rice go without doing anything. I think he should go with what he thinks and also what people are telling him. That way he can feel good about doing the right thing and also do what he is told.
I think he will not really take my advice right when I say it. But then later he might think about what I said and take in under consideration.

The Samurai's Tale
My advice to Murakami would be that he should not let his pride cloud his judgment. I think this is good advice for him because he can be seem in the book letting his conceit think for him. For example on page 21 Murakami gets tired of watching the richly-dressed boys prance around, when he was supposed to be one of them. This lack of judgment caused Murakami to step on the field himself, prepared to prove his greatness to the other boys. From that moment to where Murakami is now, I believe that Murakami would keep this advice close to him.

Samurai's Tale
1. I would tell Murakami that he should follow his heart and do what he thinks is right. I think that he already does follow his heart and that he shouldn't always do what Lord Akiyama or anyone else wants him to do. Wada Kansuke tells Murakami to kill anyone that should take or sell the rice they have. An old mans rice was taken, a man named Denji was taking it. Instead of doing what Wada Kansuke told him to do, Murakami didn't kill Denji, but he whipped him. Murakami did what he thought was right.

2. I think that Murakami would accept my advice. He is aready following this advice but needs reminding of it sometimes. I think that he would be silly if he always did what he is told, he follows his heart and makes the right choices. In chapter 16, Murakami comes across a Ronin Bandit. Murakami fights and wounds the man but then he askes if the man wants Murakami to help him bandage his wound. Murakami didn't like taking the mans life from him and he followed his heart and did what was right. He offered help for what he did. Murakami followed his heart and did the right thing.

Samurai's Tale Answer
Well, I would tell Murakami to just keep following his own instincts, but before he does any of that, to really and truly think about it, first. To make sure he is doing the right thing, and so he doesn't get himself in a lot of trouble, injured, or killed. His instinct has won him new positions, but that doesn't mean he still can't get more powerful positions. For example, he did not kill Dingi when he stole rice, as Wada Kansuke instructed. He beat Dingi, and gave him more rice to carry, so that others will see his humiliation and they then won't steal other rice from others. I think there is a pretty good chance that he will listen to my advice, but considering his arrogance in that past, there is also a smaller chance that he won't, even though he isn't as arrogant now.


Alex

Samurai's Tale
If i were to give Morikami some advise it would be to, follow his heart but don't be too soft. What i mean by this is, it is good he beat Dinji and did not kill him, but i believe it was a poor choice to give soldiers who rice was stolen more rice. If he is just in the middle of following his instinct and what he is told everything will be okay. I think this is good advice to follow because he wont have to just kill people when he does not have to but he will also not seem to soft by letting them go unpunished.

I think that Morikami would at first think my advise as an insult but then realize that he could gain respect without killing or something extreme.

Samurai's Tale
I would tell him it's good to have a kind heart but that could get in the way of things in his life.
This is shown often in the book and espically where we are in the book. One example is when
the soldiers say others took their ration of rice. The soldiers came to him to get more
and he gave them some though he was still worried that the entire army would be coming to
him for more rice. Another example is when Wada Kansuke was talking to him about the burning villages and Murikami responded" Why was it done?There was no reason for it"(124, Haugaard.)
Murikami does not understand that some things are necessary to win a war. Murikami would be better knowing this advice because he would probably be more likely be promoted to a real samurai and thats what he wants.


Murikami would probably like this advice but i think he already knows it and isn't strong enought to take it.
One example is when he was with the the old man whose lord was named Lord Obu and Murikami cuts the mans shoulder but doesn't want help. Murikami also offered him to work for Lord Akiyama. This showed that he wasn't strong enough to let old man just die there he wanted to help the old mans woon. One other example is when Lord Akiyama asks Murikami to find hearts of men and not of rabbits. I dont think the book showed it but by judging Murikami's attitude earlier in the book I he was alittle ashamed that his heart wasn't that brave. I think as the book goes on Murikami is using this advice and becomeing stronger mentally.

Samuri's Tale

1) My advice for Murakami would be to not let anyone tell him what to do and everything will go smoothly. Too believe in him self. Lately good things have been happening to him because he followed his instincts. It is good advice because for example, when he did not kill Dingi for stealing rice, Wada Kansuke was very happy with him. If he just goes on and kills everyone, which is not what he wants to do, he will feel horrible.

2) Murakami would accept my advice. He would accept it because he has been following his heart and what he thinks is right already. I encourage him to keep doing so. He already became the “Master of Rice”, he could become more than that. The bottom line, if he keeps this up, everything will turn out alright and you will feel good about yourself.

What advice would you give Murakami at this point in the book? Defend why you think it is good advice? Do you think the character would accept your advice? Why or why not? (Don't forget to provide examples from the novel to support your claims).