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In the event of an assault, which was quite frequent during feudal times, passengers who were skilled in combative disciplines were, by order of the King, commanded to aid the crew. An example is found in the time when Sakugawa Kanga was on board such a ship bound for China. Of course, a man of Sakugawa’s skills was not only expected to help, but also, in spite of being unfamiliar with ship duty, serve as an assistant to the director of security.

The shinkoosen (tribute ship).

One evening, the day before the tribute ship was scheduled to arrive in Fuzhou, both passengers and crew were enjoying a routine voyage when, all of a sudden, the ship was attacked. Savage cries shot out from the darkness and arrows found their marks. Besieged by Chinese pirates, the crew fought gallantly against the ruthless sea dogs. A master fighter, Kanga wasted no time stripping down to his undergarment in an effort to enhance his combative mobility. Grabbing a roku-shaku bo (six foot staff) he bolted out on the deck of the ship under siege.