Recent archaeological evidence lends credence to the theory that the Ezo mastered bowmanship earlier than the people of any other region in Japan.

Such a man does not understand the simplest rudiments of those principles which are the basis of true prosperity, and is not only totally unfitted to rise out of his wretchedness, but is actually attracting to himself a still deeper wretchedness by dwelling in, and acting out, indolent, deceptive, and unmanly thoughts.

wool of bat and tongue of dog

[T]here is Judgment Day—a sense of visitation, the smell of fear, the appearance of the unwanted, ten nights in a barroom and the thrill of waiting around for the end of the world—in the most weatherbound.