by John Allyn
That morning on the road he deliberately shortened the distance between his group and the spy Fujii who was following them. Then he picked an inn for the noonday meal in a place where it would have been awkward for Fujii to turn back or go ahead to eat elsewhere. The two parties thereby found themselves seated side by side on the same open porch facing away from the highway toward the red-and-yellow hills. Shindo and Koyama were enjoying both the scenery and the meal and already making plans for another fun-filled evening when Oishi rose and excused himself to go and wash up. As he walked past Fujii, however, he deliberately tripped himself and fell against the startled spy.
Fujii leaped to his feet with a deep-voiced curse and whipped out his sword in the same motion. He stood glowering at the apologetic Oishi until a sudden suspicion came to his mind that the fall had been no accident. Then he smiled an apology of his own and sat down. He was chagrined that his usefulness as a spy had been impaired, but he knew there were ways to make use of this new situation, too.
As for Shindo and Koyama, the sight of the crest on the thin man's sword did not escape them. It was plainly the mark of the house of Uesugi, and they lost their appetites when they saw it. Both now recollected that they had seen this man on the road behind them since leaving Yamashina and realized the precariousness of their situation. In the eyes of Oishi's enemies they were now marked as his collaborators, with whatever consequences that might bring, and their attitudes became more sober and silent.
Chapter Seven
On another morning, when they were about halfway to their destination, Oishi had another opportunity to teach them a lesson. They came to the outskirts of one more town like the rest, but as they approached it from the west they passed the traditional location of the execution grounds, which had recently been put to use. The body of a crucified prisoner presented a gruesome sight in the sunlight, bound to a wooden cross and pierced with lances.
"I see there is work for the eta, even if the tanning of leather is no longer permitted," Oishi said in a grim joke about the outcasts of society who were only permitted to hold jobs as leather workers or executioners.
His companions wet their lips and were silent as Oishi guided his horse closer to the corpse.
" 'Executed for counterfeiting,' " he read from the poster. "Well, that's not uncommon nowadays—when the government keeps debasing our currency, you're bound to find those willing to take a chance and defy the Shogun's edicts."
Shindo and Koyama muttered to each other under their breaths and Oishi pressed home his point about the consequences of illegal acts. "Kill a fox, kill a dog, kill a man—the penalty is the same for all such crimes, no matter what the provocation."
The sharp-faced Shindo pursed his lips tightly and Koyama's jaw hung open more slackly than usual as they rode on. They knew what Oishi was telling them; that a similar fate was awaiting for those who followed him and took illegal revenge. Oishi did not want to discourage them but he did want them to realize what might be in store for them. If they were not up to it, the sooner they found out and left his band.
The journey went on, past stately Buddhist tera
(temples) with their carved idols and smell of sweet-scented candles, past smaller Shinto miya (shrines), seen through their magnificent torii. There were also stone images of Jizo along the way. Over the rivers which were not too swift, or did not radically alter their courses from season to season, there were fine cedar bridges with rails. Over others, where the bridges had been washed out, it was necessary to take flat-bottomed ferryboats, and to cross the Oigawa River between Totomi and Suruga as they neared Edo it was necessary to ford the river as there were neither bridges nor boats available.
They came in sight of Mt. Fuji, dead ahead, then watched it move slowly to their left as they approached the Kanto Plain on which Edo was located. The last climb was over the Hakone Pass where the autumn scenery was magnificent and the view of Fuji unparalleled, but the travelers' minds were too full of their own problems to appreciate their surroundings. No matter how spectacular their beauty, the deer hunter never sees the mountains.
In Edo, Kira's mouth went dry with fear when he learned that Oishi was on his way. He went at once to the castle of Uesugi to see Chisaka, whose messenger had brought him the bad news.
"Ah, Chisaka-san, you're looking well," he began with a forced smile that showed his blackened teeth.
"And so are you. Lord Kira," the oily, balding little councilor replied. "Yet there are rumors that you are thinking of retiring because of poor health. Can this be true?"
Kira moved uncomfortably. It was true he had been asked to retire because of the notoriety he had
Chapter Seven
attained in the Asano affair, but he had hoped to keep it secret a while longer. He might have known that Chisaka would find out before anyone else.
"An old ailment has returned," he said. "I have no choice . . . But that reminds me of something I want to ask you about. Since I'll be leaving the Shogun's castle, I'll be needing some place to stay and I wondered if . . ."
"I'll personally help you find a house," Chisaka interrupted, anxious to keep Kira from moving into his own master's castle.
"But I need more than a house," Kira insisted. "I need guards on duty at all times and a place for them to stay."
Then he added in a softly insinuating manner: "Not that I'm afraid for myself, you understand, but after all, our houses are related and I wouldn't want Lord Uesugi to be embarrassed by an incident."
"You'll get everything you need," Chisaka promised hastily, although inwardly he was groaning at the thought of the expense. It was worth it to him only if it accomplished the purpose of keeping Kira and his problems at a distance. The Asano affair was turning out to be a troublesome problem, but for the time being at least he could do nothing but put up with it.
"And now that matters are settled, won't you have some tea?" he asked his guest with a forced smile.
Kira hesitated, then forced a black smile of his own.
"Why not? We should become better acquainted since I'm sure we'll be seeing much more of each other in the future."
And they sat down together as Chisaka summoned a servant to bring them tea, however bitter it might taste to both of them.
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Twelve days from the time Oishi's group left Kyoto they arrived in Edo, their entourage intact, including the spy Fujii who now kept a more respectful distance between them. On their way into the city, they paused briefly at Sengaku-ji, a small temple and burial ground where Lord Asano was buried. Here Oishi went alone to pour purifying water from a slender bamboo dipper over the base of the stone marker. Then he left the grave wearily after bowing deeply and reassuring his lord that he could be depended upon as always.
He rejoined the others outside the temple and they proceeded into the city. The unfamiliar streets were crowded and noisy, and Oishi shuddered at the disquieting press of humanity on all sides. It was getting late in the day when they found a small downtown inn and settled for the night. He was in no great hurry to confront his rebellious followers, and besides, there was another important visit he had to make after resting and dressing in something more seemly than his traveling clothes. His stomach was hurting him again so he ate little and went to bed
Chapter Eight
early. Even after dark, however, the streets of the city rang with the barking of the dogs, and he tossed restlessly. He had never felt at ease in Edo and it was not until he turned his thoughts to Yamashina and his family that his mind became composed and he at last fell asleep.
The next day he paid the call he had been looking forward to—he went to visit Lady Asano at the home of her parents. He was not sure he would be allowed to see her, but happily he found no guards present and was taken to her without incident.
She was dressed in a nunlike robe and her manner was subdued as she received h
im in the small bare room off the garden into which she had exiled herself. There were Buddhist sutras lying on the floor by the writing table and Oishi surmised that she spent her days and nights patiently copying them, hoping to find some peace of mind from the tragedy that had overtaken her.
''I hope all your family is well," she said with an unaccustomed smile, and he knew she was really asking about her own daughter.
"They are all well—even the little one who has gone to stay with friends." He had written to her earlier of course about the adoption, but knew that words on a page are a poor substitute for personal assurances.
"Have you seen her lately?"
"No, my lady, I think it best that I stay away lest others learn of my unusual interest in the daughter of an Imperial courtier. At the least I would be accused of meddling in politics."
He tried to make a joke of it but there was no smile on Lady Asano's face as she continued to ask questions all around the subject of her daughter's
whereabouts. "And is this Imperial courtier quite high up in the court?"
"Quite high up," Oishi said briefly, determined for her own sake and for that of her daughter never to reveal the name of the man who had adopted her.
"Then I'm sure she'll have the advantage of a good education, as befits a child of nobility," Lady Asano said with a hopeful note in her voice.
"I'm sure she will," he agreed and then turned the discussion to the petition. Lady Asano asked polite questions but her enthusiasm seemed feigned, and Oishi was discouraged to see that she had little faith that what had been done under the law would be undone. Without giving away any hint of his plans he simply told her that he was still his lord's follower and would always remain so. For a moment her thoughts turned outward from herself and she saw him in the role he had chosen—that of the last defender of the name of Asano who would carry that banner as long as there was the breath of life in him. She asked him to wait a moment and went into another room. When she came back she had a letter. It was the one Lord Asano had written the night before he died and she asked Oishi to take it with him and read it. When he left, her cheeks were stained with tears but she was smiHng more peacefully, and he told himself that his visit had not been in vain. He also told himself that he must never come here again in order to avoid implicating her in his future actions.
On the way out he asked to be shown around the grounds by a servant and noted the locations of the various gates. He had it in the back of his mind that someday he would bring mother and daughter together again, although he had not mentioned any
Chapter Eight
such plan to Lady Asano for fear of arousing false hopes.
The same day Oishi went to see Araki at his home to thank him for his efforts and to learn how the petition was faring. Araki received him cordially, pleased to see by Oishi's manner that he was not in Edo on a mission of protest or violence. As always, he was conducting himself with the dignity expected of a chief retainer, and Araki was more impressed with him than ever. Unfortunately, the graying old soldier had nothing promising to report; the councilors were taking their time about disposing of the case and he could only apologize for the inconvenience it was causing. They had tea together, discussed the local weather, and parted on a note of mutual understanding. This, Oishi reflected, was better than nothing, but hardly gave him ammunition for his coming encounter with his young rebels.
Courtesy demanded that he make one more call while he was in Edo. The official spokesmen for the house of Asano were Daigaku Asano and his uncle Lord Toda, and it was to the mansion of the latter that he now made his way.
It was a large estate, although in somewhat rundown condition, and Oishi made an expression of distaste as he stepped over the body of a mangy dog at the threshold. It might have been sleeping or dead, but in either case he took it as a bad omen.
His visit was unexpected and he found that Lord Toda was out. Daigaku, however, still under unofficial house arrest, was glad to receive him as a visitor. He was a thin, nervous young man who danced around uttering little cries of welcome while his close-set eyes darted over Oishi's face to find a clue to his true intentions. Finally he stopped, laid
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a finger alongside one nostril, and sniffed vigorously.
"I'm so glad to see you," he repeated for the tenth time. "It's been so long."
Oishi nodded formally. "I trust Your Lordship has been well."
"I'm afraid I haven't been . . . these pains in my chest ... I really don't know what to do for them."
"We've all been under a strain," Oishi told him. "You'll feel better when things are back to normal again."
"If they ever are," Daigaku said bitterly. "But that's something that may never happen."
"You've had no encouragement about your appointment as your brother's successor?"
"No—but Lord Toda tells me I still have a chance." Then he added hastily, "That's why we must wait and see. There's no point in jeopardizing my chances."
"No, of course not ..."
They were interrupted by a sound in the hallway and in a moment Lord Toda entered in some haste. Daigaku smiled in relief. He was glad to have his uncle present during Oishi's visit.
Lord Toda. a short bristling man with a no-nonsense manner was the complete opposite of his ineffectual young nephew. He came directly to the point with Oishi after they had exchanged bows and formal greetings.
"I hear there is agitation among some of your men for action against Kira."
Oishi looked at him closely, then nodded. "There are many who feel that to take the life of the miserable scoundrel who caused our master's death is the only honorable path to follow."
Lord Toda snorted. "Insanity . . . sheer insanity. Don't they know Kira lives within the Shogun's
Chapter Eight
walls? Do they have any idea how thick those walls are and how well guarded?"
"They are aware of those facts, Lord Toda, but perhaps at a later date ..."
"Nonsense," Toda interrupted him. "The Shogun's orders to the men of Ako were to surrender and disband and that must be the end of it. ... I hear you did a fine job of transferring the castle and I thank you for it. That's the kind of action that will save our family name. Not causing more bloodshed like that hot-headed young . . ."
He was about to say Lord Asano's name, but stopped when he saw the look in Oishi's eyes.
"Well, no matter. What's done is done. But at least we can do everything in our power to keep things from getting worse."
"And what of Lord Daigaku's chances of succession?" Oishi asked politely, determined to hear all viewpoints on this vital question.
Lord Toda paced up and down the room. "I believe the chances are good—providing we do nothing to upset the Shogun further. When time has passed and tempers have had a chance to cool, I think everyone will look at this matter in a different light. With our long history of faithful service, I can't believe we could lose everything overnight. But patience must be our watchword." He paused to look at Oishi closely. "Patience and forbearance at all times—that's how we'll win our goal."
Oishi bowed politely and Lord Toda seemed satisfied that iie had understood. Tea was served and a short while later Oishi left. He was thinking that he was glad he had confronted the old man and the young heir if only to see how weak they were. It was plain that the responsibility for revenge was his alone.
That night a tall, thin man wearing the two swords of a samurai called at the castle of Uesugi and was admitted to an audience with the chief councilor, Chisaka.
"At your service," the tall man said with a deep voice, and bowed low to his diminutive superior.
"Well, and where is he now?" Chisaka demanded to know. "I trust you have him under constant surveillance?"
"I know exactly where he is. At a meeting in a restaurant in the suburbs."
"A meeting?"
"A meeting with the Ako men who stayed behind in Edo when their maste
r was killed."
"Executed, you mean. And why aren't you at the meeting, learning about their plans?"
"I wasn't invited," said Fujii drily. "Besides they know my face now and aren't likely to take me into their confidence."
Chisaka was about to pose another ill-tempered question but Fujii anticipated him.
"Never fear—the meeting is being covered by one of my men disguised as a servant, although I doubt if he'll learn much of value."
Chisaka looked at him coldly. "You just take care of the spying, Fujii. I'll decide what's of value."
Fujii silently bowed, but Chisaka thought he detected a sardonic grin on the thin man's face.
"What makes you so sure they're not plotting to attack Kira right now?" the little man cried out in irritation.
Fujii paused, then shrugged.
"They have an intelligent leader—one who won't
Chapter Eight
let them act out of rashness. And what can they do about removing Kira's head while he's safe in the castle?"
Chisaka smiled condescendingly. "You'd better leave the conjecturing to me, my friend. I have other sources of information besides you and am in a better position to fit the pieces together."
Fujii smiled uncertainly. Perhaps he had gone too far with his sarcasm.
"I'm sorry if I offended you. In the future I'll stick to my part of the job," he said, with only the faintest trace of the distaste he felt.
"Right," Chisaka agreed. "And if you do well, there'll be a permanent place for you here, as I promised. We were fortunate to have discovered each other when we did. A ronin with knowledge of the Kyoto area was what I needed just when you needed a roof over your head."
Fujii was silent. He did not like to be reminded of his past.
"Now, will you do as I say and get back on the job?"
As Fujii scrambled to bow low, Chisaka threw him the tidbit of information he had been saving.
"You see, my uninformed friend, things are a Httle more precarious now since Kira is no longer staying in the castle!"