According to the Convention Among the Warrior Class
I was always unconcerned with the way of society, and it was my inborn nature to act always in my own way. Since all the samurai of small means kept no servants, they were obliged to go out and do their own shopping. But according to the convention among the warrior class, they were ashamed of being seen handling money. Therefore, it was customary for samurai to wrap their faces with hand-towels and go out after dark whenever they had an errand to do.
I hated having a towel on my face and have never worn one. I even used to go out on errands in broad daylight, swinging a wine bottle in one hand, with two swords at my side as became a man of samurai rank.
“This is my own money,” I would say to myself. “I did not steal it. What is wrong with buying things with my own money?” Thus, I believe, it was with a boyish pride and conceit that I made light of the mock gentility of my neighbors.
