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It was a culture with a place for both the blossom and the glaive, a culture where one might, a sword within reach, unroll a painting and, bit by bit, meditate upon its elements, where a warrior might attend sensitively to the delicacy of his calligraphy and a general might compose poetry on the eve of battle. - (Rebels of Gor, Chapter 30, Sentence #31)

Such images were not infrequently encountered in the islands, but, more commonly, one encountered images of a gentler, more tranquil nature, snow-capped mountains, forests, winding streams, placid villages, and such. There seemed to me many contrasts, if not paradoxes, in the Pani culture. Perhaps where life may be short, and jeopardy is often afoot, when the morning may not guarantee the evening, one is more likely to see and appreciate beauty, and fix it, as one can, for a moment of contemplation. It was a culture with a place for both the blossom and the glaive, a culture where one might, a sword within reach, unroll a painting and, bit by bit, meditate upon its elements, where a warrior might attend sensitively to the delicacy of his calligraphy and a general might compose poetry on the eve of battle. "The shogun marches against the lands of Temmu," said Tajima. "Of course," said one of the Ashigaru. "No attempt has been made at swiftness of approach or stealth," said Tajima. - (Rebels of Gor)