Chapter 50Hiroshi got out of the taxi in front of the Tayasumon Gate and hurried across the bridge over the moat and under the old wood gate toward the Nippon Budokan. Inside the old, octagonal building, he took the steps two at a time.
At the top, he had to stop to catch his breath, feeling exhausted. He looked for a vending machine, but it seemed to be the only place in Tokyo without one. Apparently, canned espresso was not allowed to be sold inside the sacred space dedicated to martial arts.
Inside the Budokan, a large banner hanging across the high ceiling read: “All-Japan Inter-Prefecture Women’s Kendo Competition.” The audience ranged from children to students, parents and grandparents, everyone coming together to watch and honor the practice and spirit of kendo.
On the floor, eig
