CHAPTER IX

SHU[U]ZEN MEETS SHU[U]ZEN

Aoyama Shu[u]zen was not likely to brag of this exploit. All day he sat biting his thumbs, and drinking wine to obviate the effect of his nasty bath. An idea began to crystallize in his brain. But this matter pressed. The preparations for the night were to be made. He hoped for better luck in his vengeance on the miscreants. The watch of the rat again saw him skirting the Ushigafuchi on his way to the Bancho[u]. He had just started up the slope of the Gomizaka when he heard steps behind him. Oya! Oya! Two _chu[u]gen_ and a lady. About these there was nothing suspicious. But the lantern they carried? It was marked with the _mitsuba-aoi_, or triple leaf holly hock crest of the suzerain's House.

Plainly the bearers were on mission from one of the San Ke (Princes of the Blood), or perhaps from the palace itself. Reverence must be done to the lantern. On his present mission, and thus arrayed, Aoyama sought to avoid notice. He disappeared into the long _suzuki_ gra.s.s at the road side. He could hear the lady express her anxiety and haste. Then with curiosity Aoyama watched their strange behavior. A bare sixty feet beyond they came to a halt. The lady shrank back as in terror. Hatena!

Aoyama recognized him by his size, the antagonist and critic of the previous night. Without delay, or giving time for flight, the huge ruffian with one hand grasped the bosom of the lady's dress, with the other the arm of a _chu[u]gen_. A kick sent the other fellow very willingly to the ground. Tremendous was the apparition as he towered over his victims. He seemed taller than ever. His hair stood out like iron wire. His mouth grinned open wide from ear to ear; and now Aoyama could see distinctly the horns sprouting from his temples. Did he not have claws? Aoyama could not remember.

He would rescue the lady, beautiful of course. Rapidly pa.s.sing through the gra.s.s Aoyama burst out upon the group. He took aim at the knave's breast bone. "Yai!" The fellow let go. The two prisoners, thrust violently into the knees of Shu[u]zen, brought him to the ground. When he had recovered balance the rascal had disappeared. The lady was in a dead faint. One _chu[u]gen_ seemed to be dead. The other was squatting at some distance, eyes saucer like in fright. He regarded Aoyama with grave suspicion. The _samurai_ called to him. "Here you! Your mistress has fainted. Water at once!" But the fellow did nothing but answer "Hei!

Hei!" without sign of motion. "Don't sit and purr like a cat," roared Shu[u]zen. "Off with you, and fetch water." At last the man took courage to approach. "Alas! Danna Sama, this Bancho[u], where the thieves are apparitions, and apparitions turn to women, frightens this Isuke."--"Fear or no fear, water must be had. Such milk livered fellows are not for man's work. Weakness of loins won't do. Off with you."--"But how?"--"In your scabbard, fool." For answer the _chu[u]gen_ made a wry face and tugged at his weapon. As often the case with those men, it was of wood. Shu[u]zen laughed. Then he gave his own scabbard to the _chu[u]gen_. Off the fellow crawled, with gait and speed of a maimed insect.

Meanwhile what was to be done. Shu[u]zen put his hand into the bosom of the lady, and rummaged. Women were always dosing and fainting. Doubtless she was provided for such contingency. Surely a perfume reached his nostrils. Ah! Here it was. He drew out the fragrant package. Medicine without doubt. The drug savoured strongly of musk. At last the fellow was on hand with the liquid. Shu[u]zen made a pellet from the drug.

"Raise up your mistress. Take her in your arms." But the man drew away in horror. He prostrated himself flat on the ground. "Deign forbearance.

To touch with a finger one of the ladies of the palace is not to be ventured."--"Ah! Is that so?" grunted Shu[u]zen. "Circ.u.mstances of course don't alter cases. He who will not touch a woman is usually a most lecherous rascal." With this comment he roughly shoved aside the awkward efforts of this meticulous attendant. Taking the operation upon himself, he gently pressed the back of the lady's neck, forcing her to open her mouth. Inserting the drug he poured in water from the scabbard.

A sudden slap on the back and down went the bolus. The lady opened and shut her eyes. Then they remained open. "Be firm," commented Aoyama Sensei. "Thanks," replied the dame. "Ah! What fright! With hand on dagger was this Bancho[u] entered on. So near, how suspect misfortune at hand? Truly honoured sir, great your trouble and inconvenience."

Aoyama accepted the thanks, to satisfy curiosity. "But so late abroad ... and doubtless of the honoured San Ke...." Replied the lady--"The mission was of Kishu[u] Ke, said to be of grave import. Hence the late hour of the night. This insignificant person is lady in waiting at the San no Ma of the palace; Takigawa by name. The _yashiki_ of Ok.u.mura Shu[u]zen, my father, lies close at hand. Great the cowardice shown by this Taki." Shu[u]zen grasped the whole affair. Between Kishu[u] Ke and the parent House the feeling in those days was none too good. Grave suspicion on the part of one, angry resentment on that of the other. He would see more of the matter. It was his duty as _hatamoto_. "To go abroad with _chu[u]gen_ is no safe thing. At this hour and place _samurai_ could well have been taken as company. As for courage--of that kind it is not expected of a woman. Valour was shown in undertaking the mission. And this fellow...." He turned sharply to the _chu[u]gen_ and pointed to his fellow. "Mujina-take."--"What!" roared Shu[u]zen. He looked from _chu[u]gen_ to lady, and from lady to _chu[u]gen_. They seemed surprised. Stammered the man in fright--"It is but a nickname.

His name is Take, and he is very worthless. Hence he is called Tanuki-take. I am called Yo[u]kai Isuke (Apparition Isuke), being nothing but wind." Aoyama grunted a ready a.s.sent to this self critic.

The fellow's ignorance and cowardice was as gross as the material flesh which Shu[u]zen tested with a well applied kick in the b.u.t.tocks, bringing Isuke in position to render first aid to his companion. This was done by pa.s.sing on the application. A vigorous snort followed the thump on the back administered to Mujina. He sat up and regarded his mate with astonishment. "Ah! The Yo[u]kai.... No more of that. 'Tis Mujina's turn." This, when his fellow proposed a second application. The return came sooner than antic.i.p.ated. A terrific sneeze followed. Up came his head sharply, and the _yo[u]kai_ rolled over backwards on the ground. He rose in fury, holding his jaw. Shu[u]zen was laughing, the lady smiling. "The distance is but short? Plainly those fellows are next to worthless. This Shu[u]zen will act as guard." Thus did Aoyama go in company to the _yashiki_ of Ok.u.mura Shu[u]zen; and thus was his second night's venture brought to naught.

The arrival of the Ojo[u]sama (lady daughter) in company with Aoyama caused much excitement. Ok.u.mura was of five hundred _koku_; Aoyama of twelve hundred _koku_. The latter was at once ushered to the inner apartments. The lady wife of Ok.u.mura came forward to urge his stay for some entertainment. Aoyama in turn was curious to know more of this mission in connection with a _hatamoto_ like himself. He spoke gravely of the dangers in this neighbourhood, apart from the strange tales told.

Ok.u.mura Shu[u]zen heartily agreed. The charge being to Kishu[u] Ke was not to be declined. Himself he had many strange tales to relate. Though the hour was late, every effort was made. Aoyama Shu[u]zen was gratified with a beautiful repast. The wine was served in person by Takigawa Dono.

The talk pa.s.sed from personal affairs to tales of war. Here Aoyama was in his element, both from experience and the tales of others heard in the _hiban_ and at the meetings of the Gaman Kwai. This was a first meeting, not to be too long drawn out. Ok.u.mura was a new comer in the Bancho[u], his service was in connection with the public works. Aoyama had been of the palace staff until very recently. Both expressed deepest gratification at their encounter. As he took his way home in the morning light, Aoyama Shu[u]zen could but contrast with pleasure his present arrival with that of the previous morning. He had feasted well, and made an acquaintance of some value.

The following day he would make his acknowledgments. Aping no great style he walked accompanied by a page and two _chu[u]gen_. Inquiry soon brought him to the _yashiki_. Inquiry soon introduced him to a sitting room. "Lucky fellow!" thought Aoyama. "The influence of Matsudaira Ko[u] lands him in affluence. A modest income; a double _yashiki_!" This part of the house was different from that of his last night's introduction. Then he stated his business to the _karo[u]_. The night before he had accompanied the Ojo[u]san to the _yashiki_. He would make acknowledgment of the courtesy then received. The face of old Beita Heima was a puzzle. Deep the respect due to twelve hundred _koku_ Aoyama, but had he been drunk or dreaming?--"Has not your lordship mistaken the _yashiki_?" Aoyama was a little severe at what seemed gratuitous a.s.sumption. "You were not on the guard last night." Beita spoke, prostrate and with great respect, but with an earnestness and obstinacy not to be mistaken. He had been on the guard--from sunset to dawn. Aoyama began to feel uncomfortable. Veiling the sharpness--"Is this not the _yashiki_ of Ok.u.mura Dono?" Heima gulped a.s.sent. "Is not Takigawa Dono, of the San no Ma, the Ojo[u]san of the House?" Here Heima was on sure ground. "Ojo[u]san of the House there is none. It is very rude; but surely there is mistake as to the _yashiki_." Aoyama now was beginning to see light. He felt very hot and uncomfortable. He ventured a last question for surety. "And Ok.u.mura Dono?"--"The Tono Sama absent in Shimosa, the _yashiki_ has been in this Heima's charge for this past month's course." With such grace as he could in his discomfiture Aoyama Shu[u]zen took his leave. The astonished page and _chu[u]gen_, still retaining the intended presents of acknowledgment, with difficulty kept up with their master. Ah! The beasts again had scored. Detestable!

Shu[u]zen thought with horror of his repast of the previous night. He had no better fare than Rokuzo the _chu[u]gen_. In rage he sought his room, and swallowed all the purges and emetics to hand. Occupied in retching, and thinking, and other matters germane to his condition, he concocted the plan by which he hoped to bring the foe to book, and himself to the presiding chair which surely he had earned.

CHAPTER X

THE MEETING OF THE GAMAN KWAI

With the fall of O[u]saka castle (1615), and the culmination of the uneasy movements of the years following in the conspiracy of Honda Masazumi, the country entered on a long peace--the Tokugawa Taihei. The Arima rebellion after all was but an affair of farming folk, in far off Kyu[u]shu[u]. Masazumi struck right at the person of the Sho[u]gun himself. A special ceiling was constructed in his castle at Utsunomiya.

This was to collapse on the sleeping Iyemitsu Ko[u] sheltered beneath it. Caught between the heavy boulders above and beneath the couch, the Sho[u]gun was to be sent to rest with, not worship of, his divinized grandfather at Nikko[u]. Iyemitsu slept the night at Edo castle, owing to the valour and strength of Ishikawa Hachiemon. Masazumi had failed, and the set field of battle between the factions of the _samurai_ was a thing of the past. The duel, forbidden in theory and compulsory in practice, was to take its place. The subst.i.tute always had existed. It tried men's courage, not the sustained endurance of campaigning. How then was the old spirit of the warrior to be maintained? The desire to emulate their sires worked on the younger generation. The relics of the Tensho[u], Keicho[u] and Genwa periods (1573-1623) O[u]kubo Hikozaemon, Matsudaira Montaro[u], Nagasaki Chiyari Kuro[u], were heroes who could boast of having stood before the horse of Iyeyasu in his earlier trials of battles, trials in which the veteran commander would pound with his fist the pommel of the saddle until it was red with the blood from his bruised knuckles. Their tales of actual war, the sly jeers at the softening manners, spurred on younger members to find ways by which to simulate practical experience of campaigning. The result was curious.

One of the organizations was the Undameshi Kwai, or Fortune Testing Society. Loaded firelocks were stacked in the middle of the room of meeting. Around them sat the members of the club, squeezed into full armour, from helmet to the warriors shoes of skin. The match was set.

The weapons were exploded, sending a shower of b.a.l.l.s in every direction.

"Ah! Ha! The bullet grazed my helmet."--"The gorgelet caught it."--"The corselet has saved me."--"Congratulations are in order. Surely your pension will be increased during the year."--"Oya! Oya! And Genzaemon Uji?" The unfortunate Genzaemon had not fared so well in the mimic war.

At all events he sat the meeting out--if he could. To be reported dead, in the course of duty; or be overcome with regrets at showing such clumsiness in being wounded; or, if actually incapacitated, to go home and die of "illness" (cut belly).[9]

The Gaman Kwai, or Endurance Society, was another form the movement took. In the season of great cold its meetings were held as if in the height of the _doyo[u]_ or dog days; vice-versa with the time of great heat. It was the beginning of the seventh month (first half of August).

The heat was intense, and had been for the past weeks. The farmer watched the steamy vapour rising from the rice fields and rejoiced. The plants were growing luxuriantly, the leaves of the willow trees were hanging yellow and wilted. Pa.s.sers by on city or village streets sought the shade under the buildings, walking with languid lagging step, and, home once reached, removing every garment which etiquette--not decency--had hitherto compelled. Great was the dismay of the weaker members of the Gaman Kwai on receipt of a circular letter couched much as follows:

"In this season of great cold the continuance of the honoured health is observed with joy. On the seventeenth day it is desired to make offering of a cup of indifferent wine.

It is begged that the use of the honoured _kago_ (palanquin) be condescended. This the purport of the missive. With reverence and respect.

KONDO[U] n.o.bORINOSUKe.

To...."

The weaker allowed this missive to float gently and despairingly earthwards. Gasping for breath in the stifling heat they sought to fan themselves into a semi consciousness. "Terrific! Terrific! Yet refusal is out of the question. Ah! This Kondo[u] is a doubtful sort of rascal.

He is of the cruel kind. No mercy is to be expected of him. Yet if one fails to attend there will be but jeers and taunts of cowardice. One could not appear in public. Alas! Alas!" The stronger received it with equal impatience, but with the purpose to put in the evil hours with the best possible face, and score on the host--if they could. All left strict orders at home for a cold bath to be in readiness for the return.

To this rash step the weaker groaned and yielded. The Nipponese fear and detest cold water--even for drink.

Thus they sallied forth--from Ichigaya to Honjo[u] Kameidocho[u], from s.h.i.taya to Shinagawa; some on horseback, some in _kago_; all arrayed in triple set of thickly wadded winter garments, in _hakama_, or trousers with double folds, in shirts and leggings, and fur shoes of the warrior on winter campaign. The gate keeper of the _yashiki_ in Owaricho[u]

called their names on arrival--"O[u]kubo Hikoroku Dono, Endo[u]

Saburo[u]zaemon Dono, Abe Shiro[u]goro[u] Dono, Matsudaira Montaro[u]

Dono, O[u]kubo Shichinosuke Dono, Mizuno Juro[u]zaemon Dono, Ishikawa Hachiemon Dono,[10] Ok.u.mura Shu[u]zen Dono, Kuse Sanshichiro[u] Dono, Aoyama Shu[u]zen Dono...." The list was a long one. One and all were met by Kondo[u] n.o.borinosuke in person at the entrance. Over his triple winter garb he wore a wadded coat or _kosode_. Others had donned the longer _kataginu_. These were of the weaker kind. It did not fit so closely; pressed the warmth of its tissue less lovingly to the person.

All complained of the intense cold. "Never was such cold felt," blandly agreed n.o.borinosuke. "An old fellow of the gardeners says that for sixty years such cold has not been experienced. It is a marvellous cold year.

The ground will not be thawed this season. Deign to enter. Warmth is provided against this intensity of cold." And his hearers bowed and offered thanks, as well as their unwieldy wrappings would allow. At all events in the room yonder there would be the breeze from the garden side. They knew the place and its delights. Kondo[u] was of the age to provide himself with quiet comforts. With eager stride the banquet room was sought.

"Oya! Oya!" The speaker gasped in dismay and for breath. They had been introduced into a furnace. Explained Kondo[u] gently--"Everything has been done to shut out the intense cold. The _amado_ are tight closed, the braziers well supplied.... Heigh-ho! Allow none of these to get dark. More charcoal! More fuel!" The attendants obeyed, urging the fires before each guest. Seated close together to conserve the heat, the sweat poured off in streams. Unable to get breath some groaned and grunted--to pa.s.s it off as due to the intensity of cold. Soon they "would be thawed out with the genial warmth." Kondo[u] and Aoyama were immensely pleased in their a.s.sent and at their sufferings. But the more discontented sought the fly in the ointment of the content of their hosts. Aoyama really was such. He was the one responsible for the call; Kondo[u] his ready abettor. Said one--"Intense the cold, yet how explain the freaks of Nature. If it were not so freezing the blue cl.u.s.ters hanging in Kondo[u] Dono's garden, just traversed, could well pa.s.s for wisteria."

They laughed at him--"Wisteria in the seventh month? That would be as great a marvel as the cold."--"Not so the grape," replied another.

"Kondo[u] Uji long since promised sight of the new plant. To be sure the barbarian fruits are as ill trained and uncouth as the denizens of the land they grow in. They flower and fruit in winter season. If not wisteria the cl.u.s.ters must be of the grape."--"Not so," promptly put in Aoyama. "Truly it is the green eye of jealousy which colours the vision.

They are icicles; and no seasoning for the repast or the conversation of this cold occasion."--"Which brings the sweat to the face of Aoyama Uji." Aoyama turned calmly on the rash interloper. "It is not sweat; 'tis mucous. The intense cold causes flow of mucous. Are not others so affected?" He looked around grimly on the steaming shining faces before him. "Mucous?" questioned a doubter. "Yes: face mucous," was the calm rejoinder.

All turned to Kondo[u] n.o.borinosuke who would explain the more particular purport of the meeting. There was report to make, a new member to introduce. All turned with respect and salutation to Ok.u.mura Shu[u]zen. It was a long and painful ceremony in the bulky winter garb.

But they were in relays, took turns. Ah! If it was but Aoyama, thus long bent double, murmuring apology and compliment. Then Aoyama Shu[u]zen made his report. He made it as one sure to please his hearers, many of whom regarded him with no particular liking. In fact at the tale of his discomfiture there was some joy, and tendency to show it. "Then, as with us, Aoyama Uji meets Ok.u.mura Dono for the first time." Aoyama nodded an amused a.s.sent. Said one more malicious, "And the repast? Surely the _hatamoto_ was as well entertained as the _chu[u]gen_?" Shu[u]zen skilfully dodged the issue. "The hour was very late. Such could hardly be expected or offered to this Shu[u]zen without raising doubts.

Fortunately it was thus." Said one more persistent--"At least a cup of wine...."--"Without fire or heating? More than rude the implication!"--"Yet beasts know but little of etiquette; and if fox or badger...." Kondo[u] n.o.borinosuke came in with--"That shall be at once determined. It is time for the repast. The _tanuki_ killed by Aoyama Uji furnishes the soup." At a sign the retainers brought the beast in his own skin. All rose in marvel at the sight. Truly it was a huge fellow.

"An old rascal, too. See! The hair on the back is of different colour from that on the rest of the body."--"Showing the great age and wickedness. Many are those he has gulled to their destruction. Now in turn he furnishes forth the repast." Said Kondo[u]--"How did Aoyama Uji secure the beast."

"This Shu[u]zen was much put out. Plainly by no ordinary means could these miscreants be eliminated. How meet them in true shape? Against the usual weapons they were secure in their transformations. Only the flying bullet could reach such mark; and the discharge of a gun in Edo town means banishment at the least. Then an idea came to Shu[u]zen. At the hour of the ox again the Bancho[u] was sought. Position of great dejection and weariness was taken, on a stone amid its greatest desolation. The wait was not long. Unexpectedly the sound of a gunshot was heard. This was surprising, for the reasons given. Hardly believing in an apparition, thinking it rather due to some rascally outlaw, his coming was awaited. Slouching along appeared a man in hunter's garb. He carried a fowling piece, and evidently was the criminal. Taught however by past events this Shu[u]zen took no action. Merely hailing him, his purpose and game was inquired. He was ready in answer as to both. Yonder on Matsuyama harboured a huge and dangerous boar. It was this boar he sought. Kindly he gave warning, and advised return to safer quarters. On my part great enthusiasm was expressed for the sport; his company was sought. At this he jeered; then denied attendance as lacking a gun. 'Not so,' quoth I. With these words the punk carried in the hand was touched to the fuse of the fire crackers concealed at one side. 'Kiya!' So startled was he that his gun fell to the ground and he took his proper shape. At once this Shu[u]zen in the act of drawing cut him into two parts. Thus he died. Awaiting dawn another beast appeared, this time in true form. Approaching the prostrate body it wept and wailed. This too 'twas sought to slay, but the beast had the advantage of being forewarned. For the time it has escaped. Meanwhile, returning from its pursuit, was found an admiring crowd of plebeians gathered round the slaughtered _tanuki_. The priest for his exorcisms took cash; the _samurai_ were the ones to act. Their joy and wonder was turned to good account. Under penalty of sharing the fate of the beast two of them shouldered it to the _yashiki_. Such the tale of Shu[u]zen. And now for the results!"

Kondo[u] gave a sign, and the gaping wonder of the a.s.sembly at the deed was stifled in the wave of heat which poured in from the neighbouring room. "Ah! Truly these are cruel fellows!" Here a furnace had been erected for the cooking of the _tanuki_. It sent its streams of hot air into the already crowded and stifling room. Aoyama in person supervised the cooking. The animal was cut into small portions. Smoking hot the viands were placed under the noses of the gasping guests. With the great age of the beast it had acc.u.mulated great toughness. The younger members had the consolation of their jibes at the old fellows. They tore at, struggled with, the leathery fragments. But the latter had no teeth, and the malicious Aoyama would see to it that it stuck in their throats.

"How, now, ancients? Is not the meat of this _tanuki_ tender beyond measure? Truly one cannot call this engaging in the practice of war; to enjoy such a delightful mess."--"Just so," grunted Montaro[u]. "One can then eat the k.n.o.bs off one's helmet. The flesh of this fellow is so tender it sticks in one's throat, as unwilling to allow it pa.s.sage....

G'up! G'up! G'up!"

Said another--"The wine thus steaming hot, the viands sizzling, truly the feed is most beneficial. One even sweats in this intensity of cold."--"Of course," was the matter of fact reply of the wise. "Thus does the heat of spring thaw out the cold ground into a perspiration; thus does the frozen body burst into a sweat with the hot food and drink." All accepted the explanation without argument. They were in haste to end this meeting, even at cost of swallowing whole the _tanuki_ and Aoyama Shu[u]zen with it. Despite the prospect of attendance at his _yashiki_ all rapturously agreed. Aoyama was an original. He would not repeat the experiment of Kondo[u]. They had nearly a six month's respite before them. With this the entertainment was brought to a close. In almost unceremonious haste the guests took their leave, fairly galloping out of the entrance, hanging out of the _kago_ or over the horse's neck, urging attendants to full speed homeward. Here the stifling garments were torn off, the plunge into the cold tub followed; and many paid for this rashness with an illness of days. Meanwhile Aoyama Shu[u]zen had learned one important fact. Endo[u] Saburo[u]zaemon in application for the _bakemono yashiki_ had met with flat refusal. The field was open to himself. Moreover he had said nothing of the fact that, in the exercise of his new office as magistrate for the apprehension of thieves and fire-bugs, he was in fair way to suppress forever and in great torments the Mujina-bake and his fellows, residuary legatees of the prowess and field of action of the late So[u]ja Mushuku.

END OF PART I

PART II

THE BANCHO[U] SARAYASHIKI

OR

THE LADY OF THE PLATES

WHAT AOYAMA SHU[U]ZEN BECAME.