Passing of a friend

[Rokurou]

I have some very bad news. On 28 June 2013, Date Saburou Yukiie lost his battle with PTSD and took his own life. He battled fiercely and in a samurai way but in the end, PTSD won. He was a cherished, close and dear friend and I will miss him greatly.

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 7:16:05 GMT -5 Rokurou said:

I have some very bad news. On 28 June 2013, Date Saburou Yukiie lost his battle with PTSD and took his own life.

This is terrible news. Here is a picture from my archives of Date Yukiie about seven years ago.

Armor on, a spear in each hand, and ready for whatever comes next. It's how I will remember him.

[akikonomu]

While I didn't know Date Yukiie, my husband and I both send our deepest condolences to his friends and family. While my husband, a clinical psychiatric pharmacist, does not play in the SCA, he does has PTSD himself, so we know the struggle. (Ironically perhaps, much of hubby's PTSD comes from being unable to stop a patient from jumping out a three-story window.)

PTSD is a tragedy on so many levels.

[Please Delete]

Date was everything that a samurai could hope to be: a true warrior who fought for his country to protect others, as well as an artist and poet. His loss is deeply felt. I know that Yoshimitsu-dono has already offered to host some sort of Mutsu memorial at Pennsic next year.

[Saionji Shonagon]

He dazzled me with his artistry, whether with steel or silk or brush. He wrote poetry that dared me to do better, that challenged me to out think him, that took my breath away. He was my inspiration in ways I cannot begin to describe. 

On my way back from An Tir West War this evening, I made a detour to the old Alameda Point Naval Air Station because I had an open bottle of Jinyu and cups with me. We always thought we'd have a chance to do this in person one day. 

Across the great land
a cup of sake offered
in gentle friendship
from one we have never met...
so sweet as to move to tears. **(Date to Saionji)

Across the great land
A bottle of cheer is sent
Where I could not go.
Dreaming yet of unmet friends,
We will one day share a cup. (Saionji)
- August 26, 2005.

I don't have a poem for this evening. I haven't the heart for it.  Yet I know what I feel is a mere ripple compared to what his family is going through.

[Lady Kimiko]

"Whenever the moon
sets forth on its journey
across the heavens,
its reflection must appear
in the depths of the waters." - From The Gossamer Journal (Roughly around 957ad)

I knew him only briefly, but know of the demons he faced very well. May he rest in peace.

[Saionji Shonagon]

I spent most of this morning trying to write. Crossposted from my Livejournal, it may help bring some of our newer members closer to the old friend we lost. gurdymonkey.livejournal.com/720261.html

[AJBryant]

I've been off the forum for a few weeks, but I wanted to make a post here.

Date was a phenomenally cool guy, who always had a dozen projects going. He definitely "got it" in terms of what Japanese history and culture and aesthetics were all about. He was my apprentice, he was my friend, and I am going to miss him.

[modhail]

This is just horrible. I've been away from (lurking on) these boards for quite some time and only just wandered back.
I have never been very active, preferring to read and see, but Date has always been an inspiration, not just by what he created, but by the whole attitude and demeanor he showed on these forums, by who he was.
My deepest respect goes out to him and my commiserations to those he leaves behind.

[takamori]

I've been away since 2007 after life went a bit sideways.
Just getting back into the swing of things and I read this...
Words fail.
Never met him but chatted on the boards on and off for a few years and he helped me greatly off list. A superior human being.
I echo the sentiments shared here.
Date was a phenomenal person. Period.

And I know he'll be missed terribly by the many people whose lives he touched.

Sakurai Kenjiro Takamori