"He journeyed toward his brother dear, too long from his side left."

“The relationship between a husband and a wife is like a garment; if a garment is torn, it can be mended. The relationship between two brothers is like a limb; if a limb is broken, it cannot be repaired.” – Chinese Proverb taken from the Romance of the three Kingdoms

A few weeks ago, while browsing through the “free books” section of a local library sale, I came across a pristine set of the two volume Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a classic 1300 page novel written in 14^th century China. Perusing through it, it seems to be an almost endless testosterone laced tale of military valor, intrigue, adventure, swashbuckling, and feudal conflict. Definitely a switch from reading Jane Austen as I have been lately. Imagine a teenager playing World of Warcraft for a year and then creating a novel from the narrative. Anyway, in one particular story, the warrior Guan Yu attempts to reunite with his brother and sworn overlord Lu Bei. In chapter 27 of the epic, one reads of Guan Yu’s seemingly unlimited tenacity as he overcomes numerous obstacles to fulfilling his desire to live up to his filial ideals to his brother. The chapter is entitled “Crossing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals” and for all intents and purposes, the chapter title tells you about all you need to know about the story. Pity the man or army who stands in the way of Guan Yu as he seeks to fulfill his duty to his sworn brother. (incidentally, as the quote at the top of this page indicates, the relationship between men is primary in the Confucian world view and ethic.)

 You can read of the original vows made between the brothers in the first chapter of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms below:

“Fei said, "There is a peach garden in the rear of my estate, and the flowers are now in full bloom; tomorrow, we should conduct a sacrificial ceremony to heaven and earth. We three should become brothers, joining forces with a common purpose, and later we will be able to accomplish great deeds." Xuande and Yunchang both responded in unison, "An excellent idea!" The following day, they prepared sacrificial offerings such as a black bull and a white horse. The three of them all burned incense, and performed double obeisance. They all took an oath, saying, "When saying the names Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, although the surnames are different, yet we have come together as brothers. From this day forward, we shall join forces for a common purpose, and come to each other's aid in times of crisis. We shall avenge the nation from above, and pacify the citizenry from below. We seek not to be born on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. We merely hope to die on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. May the gods of heaven and earth attest to what is in our hearts. If we should ever do anything to betray our friendship, may the gods in heaven strike us dead." Having completed the oath, Xuande was declared to be eldest brother, followed by Guan Yu, with Zhang Fei as the most junior brother.”

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Romance_of_the_Three_Kingdoms/Chapter_1#Map

Guan Yu

From my limited understanding, the story of Guan Yu “Crossing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals” is a story of a Confucian determination to live up to filial obligations and in many respects, it mirrors the fealty that one sees evidenced in Count Roland as he takes on any challenge and fights any foe on behalf of Charlemagne in the French epic Song of Roland. You can see Guan Yu “riding alone for thousands of miles” in this famous mural.

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles

So, where is the connection? Last night, I watched Zhang Yamou’s Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, a contemporary story about a modern day Japanese fisherman who determines to go to China and record a particular Chinese Opera of the same title on behalf of his estranged son who has liver cancer. I am not exactly sure of all the connections between the plot line of the movie and the plotline of the opera and the plot line of chapter 27 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms but on the surface it seems as though the theme has to do with the demonstration of one’s respect for filial ties, be they between father and son or between brother and brother.

In the story of Guan Yu, he goes through a series of obstacles and challenges as a result of his commitment to Liu Bei but in the end, arrives at the destination only to find that his brother is not there. The whole chapter, all its passes, all its skirmishes, seems to have been for nothing really. Similarly, in the movie, the fisherman Gouichi Takada’s, son dies before the father gets him the video he hoped to give him. Similarly Takata fails to reunite Yang Yang, the orphan with his father in jail. In both the ancient Chinese novel and in the movie, the mission is a failure. But on another level, the attempt itself is what may matter most. Chapter 27 of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, celebrates Guan Yu’s feat, honoring him not for what he accomplished but for what he sacrificed and attempted.

His seal hung up, the treasury locked, his
courtly mansion left,
He journeyed toward his brother dear, too long
from his side left.
The horse he rode was famed for speed as for
endurance great,
His good sword made a way for him and
opened every gate.
His loyalty and truth forth stand, a pattern
unto all,
His valor would frighten rushing streams and
make high mountains fall.
Alone he traveled lustily, this was death to meet
his blade,
He has been themed by myriads, his glory never
will fade.  

I suppose we all have relationships that have at some point in time been severed. And perhaps we may never fully accomplish our wish to reunite them. This story is all about what we are willing to try even if we are quite sure that we will fail. For maybe there is something honorable in attempts and something that can inspire others in trying.

This entry is dedicated to my brothers Andy and Tim and my sister Faith. May we always be friends.

Question for comment: What failure in your life serves as testimony that “at least you cared”?