That day, after finishing his duties at the domain school where he instructed young samurai, Kiyonobu returned home. At home, he shed the image of the warrior in armor. Instead, he dressed in a plain indigo-dyed kimono and hakama. His swords rested in the corner of the room, while he sat formally on the tatami, facing his family.
The evening meal was simple, yet dignified:
- rice mixed with barley and millet, since pure white rice was considered extravagant
- miso soup with radish and fried tofu
- grilled dried fish
- small dishes of pickles
His wife, Osaki, arranged the meal, while their two children—Shinnosuke, the young son, and his little sister Oharu—sat eagerly before the trays.
Before eating, Kiyonobu reminded his children to give thanks: “Itadakimasu.” He then patiently corrected their posture, the way they held their chopsticks, and their table manners. For a samurai, even a family meal was part of lifelong discipline, an extension of his duty to live with dignity.
Outside, the sounds of crickets echoed. Through the shōji screens, the garden bamboo swayed in the evening breeze. In this quiet and modest atmosphere, Kiyonobu found peace. Amid the endless demands of his domain, these shared meals with his family were the moments he cherished most.
Thus, the daily life of a samurai was not only forged in the chaos of battlefields, but also nurtured within the small rituals of home.
