The Dragon Star

The setting is modern day Japan, 1980, and the Guidelines for US-Japan Defense Cooperation document, which has served as a basis for how Japan and America address defense matters of common interest, since 1978, is still in effect. However, unknown to the world, these guidelines between the two nations are in jeopardy as a result of internal conflict in Japan caused by the death of the Prime Minister. Despite the demise of this leader, the country can still function before a new prime...
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The setting is modern day Japan, 1980, and the Guidelines for US-Japan Defense Cooperation document, which has served as a basis for how Japan and America address defense matters of common interest, since 1978, is still in effect. However, unknown to the world, these guidelines between the two nations are in jeopardy as a result of internal conflict in Japan caused by the death of the Prime Minister. Despite the demise of this leader, the country can still function before a new prime minister can be chosen, by employing the use of a kage daijin (shadow minister), operating behind the scenes. Thus, unknown to history, two negotiators are ordered by their respective countries to take charge of the situation. Shadow Minister Katagimudo, a member of one of the most powerful and influential families which have been influencing finances and policy in Japan for years, and MG Mannings, a decorated and devoted member of the US Army, are secretly and desperately attempting, behind the scenes, to preserve the guidelines before either the Communist faction, headed by the insidious Mugirimoto family, or the right-wing militarists can thwart this attempt and perhaps overthrow the government of Japan, an action that will have severe impact on the world order.Katagimudo, a man of principles, is torn between the forces of democracy, Communism, and nationalism. He longs for the "samurai way of life" but knows, in his heart, that Japan must remain a democracy. However, because of a debt made long ago to the Mugirimoto family, he has been forced to promise his only daughter, Tsukiko, in marriage to young Mugirimoto, the family's favorite son. Should this take place before a new prime minister takes office, this union could consolidate power in the hands of the Mugirimoto family in the event of the Shadow Minister's untimely assassination, a plot that the young Mugirimoto has been secretly planning. But the most visible and volatile situation is the battle for martial arts supremacy between the Katagimudo team, headed by the Shadow Minister's "samurai" son, the Kat, and the US Army team, led by the General's romantic son, Mike. In order to find Sabrina, his current crush, so they can make up after a quarrel, Mike crashes a party at the Katagimudo palace. There he encounters the exquisite Tsukiko dancing one of her own artistic creations. In the grace of her movements, he discovers what has been missing in both his martial arts and his love life. When the two are caught in an innocent but seemingly compromising interlude, a fight nearly breaks out. In order not to create an international incident, Mike runs. The Kat interprets this escape as a sign of cowardice and loss of face; thus, he vows revenge and promises to restore martial arts supremacy to the Katagimudo family and Japan by defeating Mike in a martial arts combat. Worrying about the feelings of Tsukiko, Mike returns at night and scales the walls of the palace to her balcony. Under the magical light of the Dragon Star, they discover their love for each other and flee into the night to the sanctuary of the monastery, where they are secretly married by the priest, Master Zendo, who hopes by this union to join America and Japan and thus finally defeat the Mugirimoto family. But it will take more than their marriage to heal the scars of mistrust left by WWII; it will take the ultimate sacrifice of the two young lovers to restore order and harmony between the two nations.  For permission to perform this copyrighted play, contact Paul Turse at samurairaider@comcast.net.