Kumagai.

This is coolbert:

"what life is so hard as that of a soldier?" - Kumagai.

Here another person, a warrior most chivalrous, deemed by Bert to be worthy of inclusion into the list of "Worthies" in emulation of the "Nine" worthies. A Japanese warrior true to his samurai code, all the while possessing and displaying on the battlefield what the Japanese of ancient times called aware'! 

Pity, sympathy - ALAS!

* Kumagai Naozane.

"Kumagai no Jiro Naozane . . . was a famous soldier who served the Genji (Minamoto) Clan during the Heian period of Japanese history. Kumagai is particularly known for his exploits during the Genpei War, specifically for killing the young warrior Taira no Atsumori at the battle of Ichi-no-tani in 1184"

I quote here in entirety from the wiki entry, my own words NOT able to do justice:

"Atsumori and Ichi-no-tani"

"During the battle of Ichi-no-Tani, Atsumori and Kumagai met on the beach at Suma, as the main Genji force approached and the Heike fled to their ships. As it is told in the Heike Monogotari, Kumagai caught up with Atsumori, who was fleeing on horseback. Kumagai managed to throw Atsumori from his horse and ripped off the helmet of the prone Atsumori. It was then that Kumagai realized that he had caught a young prince, based on the fine makeup and robes. Atsumori then tells Kumagai to take his head, but Kumagai hesitates because Atsumori reminded him of his own son, roughly the same age. Kumagai wished to spare Atsumori's life, due to his kind nature, but saw that his fellow Genji soldiers were approaching. Tearfully he promises to recite prayers to Atsumori, and cuts off his head."

"The Noh play Atsumori describes Atsumori's death as follows":

"Overwhelmed by compassion, Naozane could not find a place to strike. His senses reeled, his wits forsook him, and he was scarcely conscious of his surroundings. But matters could not go on like that forever: in tears, he took the head."

"Because Atsumori's name was not familiar to him, Kumagai then knew that Atsumori had never been in a battle before. After taking the time to look through Atsumori's belongings, he found a certain flute, known as the 'Saeda' (little twig). Discovering that the flute was given to Taira no Tadamori by Emperor Toba, and later passed down to Atsumori, he reportedly felt even more sadness and regret for his actions. The night before the battle, while Kumagai was in his tent, he had heard someone playing the flute with skill outside the enemy camp, and he now realized that that flute player may have been Atsumori."

Kumagai - - without fault, killing his vanquished enemy - - Kumagai true to his code of military valor and chivalry - - all the while regretting what he had to do. Kumagai - - knowing full well this being the fate of the warrior/soldier obeying his calling!

Kumagai - - subsequently giving up the samurai way of life, renouncing the secular life for the spiritual - - becoming a Buddhist monk, devoting himself to religious purposes!!

Aware'!

coolbert.