Azo wore a pair of baggy trousers or split skirt called hakama, printed brown on black, over a short kimono of blue slik. Her family seal—a gingko leaf—was printed on the back of the kimono and in the front at each shoulder. Through her sash or obi she bore two swords: long and short. Around her head was tied a towel, symbol of her readiness to meet with Tomoe. She watched the two rivers blend, as she and her sword would blend to become a mighty machine by which another samurai might fall. One of the rivers was smaller than the other. It was overwhelmed by the turbulence of the larger one. The froth and noise of the clashing rivers vanished into serene greatness further on, beyond the destruction of the smaller. There had been too many occasions when Azo heard it said that among the women warriors of Naipon, only Tomoe Gozen could defeat Azo Hono-o. Azo disagreed; no samurai, be he man or be she woman, was match for Azo’s blade. She believed this devoutly. She would demonstrate the truth of her belief.
