August 15, 2005
The Red Book
I've received many questions from people trying to unlock a file uncovered by my associate. I'm posting the text of this file--an excerpt of a much larger document circulated internally by our competitor, known as The Red Book.
The reach of our enemy is not just historical, but global, and we must redouble our efforts to make connections with opposition groups abroad. Has our enemy always acted with such organized intent, throughout the world? Perhaps not, since individual greed, corruption, and clash of cultures creates unavoidable (and exploitable) conflicts. But be assured the true struggle of history is happening beneath the surface of events, and more connections will begin to appear. How it plays out depends upon our enlightened action.
THE RED BOOK:
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION REGARDING
HARLEQUINS AND OTHER RESISTANCE GROUPS
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SECTION 11.3
HARLEQUINS IN JAPAN
Summary: The Harlequins in Japan formed independently of European/Christian influences. After making contact with international allies in the modern era, the group was fairly well established until it was obliterated by the "Black Sunday" disposal action in 1965. The last surviving Harlequin, an individual named
Sparrow, caused significant damage to the Brethren for an eight-year period, thereafter. At the present time, all known Harlequins have been eliminated from the country.
The history of the Harlequins in Japan falls into four distinct periods:
A. RONIN ERA
The first historical document that mentions swordsmen defending Japanese holy men appeared in the Nara Period of Japanese history (710-794 A.D.). The spread of Buddhism by the Emperor Shomu resulted in several famous incidents involving swordsmen fighting at temples. Gradually, a particular group of "ronin" (samurai unattached to a feudal lord) began to systematically protect Buddhist mystics. These samurai--eventually called the "Gray Ronin"--were especially active during the chaos of the Onin War, which broke out in 1467. In eighteenth century, many of the mythical stories about these fighters appeared in the legendary TALES OF THE GRAY RONIN--still a popular book in Japan.
B. MEIJI ERA
The end of the shogunate and the opening up of Japan to the West occurred during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912). Sword-carrying samurai disappeared and Japan began to industrialize. Not having feudal obligations, the Gray Ronin acting as Harlequins quickly adapted to these changes and many of them became involved in international trade.
The first meetings between the Japanese and European Harlequins occurred in London around the year 1870. A captured letter written from Kyoto in 1895 shows that the Japanese began to call themselves "Harlequins" and identified themselves as being part of a loosely organized international group.
C. MODERN ERA
After World War I, Japan became one of the most powerful countries in the world. Although there were national elections, the country was primarily run by the military and the "zaibatsu" (financial cliques of bankers and major industrialists).
During this time the Yakuza (Japanese mafia) became as organized as the other institutions in the country and this criminal group entered into a long-term relationship with the Harlequins. The Yakuza provided weapons to the Harlequins and dealt with police pressure. The Harlequins provided international connections to the Yakuza, but consistently refused to get involved in criminal activity.
The Harlequins effectively protected Japanese Travelers and Pathfinders during the chaos that followed World War II. In the 1950s, there were five Harlequins in Japan lead by Gajutsu (English translation: ginger root). There was very little Harlequin activity during this period and the group seemed to be just another sub-group that had found its place in post-war Japanese society. In the early
1960s, several Travelers began to organize anti-pollution and anti-corruption movements, which were seen as barriers to progress by the nation's leaders. After a series of secret negotiations, the Yakuza chiefs agreed to sever their long-standing relationship with Harlequins and received a payment of 60 million American dollars from the Japanese Brethren. On "Black Sunday" (March 4, 1965) all known Harlequins—with one exception—were eliminated by Yakuza mercenaries.
D. FINAL RESISTANCE
The young Japanese Harlequin, Sparrow, had planned to be in Tokyo during the weekend of "Black Sunday". A few days before the Yakuza action, he argued with his teacher, Gajutsu, and traveled to Kyoto to see a sumo tournament.
After "Black Sunday," Sparrow immediately left the country. When he returned to Tokyo two years later, he assassinated all the Yakuza involved with killing his teacher and then began an intense period of Harlequin activity. During this time, he defended the four Travelers still alive in Japan and destroyed a large number of Brethren mercenaries. (Note: if security clearance permits, cross-reference to
Sparrow's file in the database). The Harlequin's only allies were European allies and friends in the Japanese martial arts world.
Sparrow was eliminated in a confrontation at the Hotel Osaka in 1975. The history of the Harlequins in Japan ended with his death.
Posted by Hollis at August 15, 2005 10:03 AM