A Small Measure Of Peace

As for the American Captain, no one knows what became of him.  Some say that he died of his wounds.  Others, that he returned to his own country. But I like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find.

– Closing words from The Last Samurai

I am hardly a samurai, though I continue to meet quiet, unassuming, contemporary samurai everyday in Japan. When I confess to my Japanese friends that I liked the film, I am met by polite smiles. Be that as it may, these final words do speak to me.

My experience is, yes, I did die of my wounds. And yes, I have returned to my own country, which now is both America and Japan, and yes, at last I have found some small measure of peace.

And for that I am grateful.