The Katana

This coming-of-age quest follows the journey of a young surfer/martial artist, Ki'ata, who lives on a remote South Pacific Island. Visitors to the island steal a sacred family heirloom- a priceless Katana, a sword once owned by Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest Japanese Samurai warrior of all time. Driven by an obligation he feels for his ancestors, Ki'ata sets out to retrieve the stolen item. Along the way, his martial arts skills are tested and new surf spots are discovered as he is entangled in situations that are alternately funny, serious, loving, and brutal. A surprising chain of events which led Ki'ata's Korean ancestors to acquire the Japanese Katana, even though Korea and Japan were bitter enemies in ancient times, is also revealed. Although the initial purpose of his journey is to recover the Katana, what Ki'ata learns about the outside world, about himself, and about love, in the end, might be the real focus of his pursuit.