by Shaun Curry
The procession eventually arrived at the main seki on the city’soutskirt. These checkpoints, set up at key strategic locations, were barriers on the city’s periphery, where guards stopped all travellers for interrogation. By law, samurai or other individuals with special privileges were the only people allowed to carry weapons into the capital. In part, the seki checkpoints ensured no armed ronin entered the city.
Daimyo Shigemasa had a great deal of autonomy to govern his lands as he wished. However, once he entered the Kanto region – the area surrounding the capital of Edo – his activities were under the Shogun’s firm control.
As the procession approached the main seki, Shigemasa moved to the front of the party. His flag bearer proudly displayed the Daimyo’s family crest, his mon, denoting the prominence of his clan.
At the sight of the flag, several guards left their post to greet them. ‘Daimyo Shigemasa, welcome to Edo,’ the senior guard said. ‘We have been expecting you for some time.’
‘We encountered delays in our journey, but thank you. I present these Christian criminals as a gift to the Shogun, to do with as he sees fit.’
The senior guard inspected the prisoners, still painted red and standing in a long line. Following their arduous journey from Osaka, they looked haggard, with sagging postures and bent necks. Standing with his arms crossed and head tilted, the senior guard stared at Father Joaquim and his catechists. ‘One of our riders will speed word to the Shogun of their arrival.’
‘And where shall we take these dogs?’
‘Two guards will escort your procession to the prison.’
‘When does the Shogun wish to view them?’
‘Soon,’ the guard answered. ‘Perhaps you may wish to visit the pleasure quarters and enjoy yūjo while you wait, Daimyo?’
‘I will,’ Shigemasa replied with a smile.
The two promised guards led the group through the checkpoint and towards the Tama River, which they needed to cross to reach the city. The Tama flowed from the mountains in the west down into Edo Bay. Although not a large river, it was too deep to cross on foot or horseback, so they had to take the half-dozen ferries ready to shuttle the prisoners into the capital.
The journey across gave them a few moments to rest and anticipate the hell they knew awaited them.
Joaquim marvelled at the city’s grandeur. Everywhere he looked, he saw thousands of people. This was the biggest city in the world, he thought – much larger than any European city he’d been to. Large buildings appeared modern in design and were located everywhere. As he observed his fellow prisoners, it was apparent they had the same conflicted feelings: facing imminent death, they could not help but admire the magnificent city. Joaquim and most of the prisoners knew that while Kyoto, home to Japan’s imperial family, remained the nation’s formal capital, Edo was the centre of political and military power.
The trip did not take long. The guards and their prisoners stepped off the ferries and made their way past citizens who stopped to jeer and insult them, including Buddhist monks in Ikegami Honmonji on Edo’s southern limit. The Shogun’s checkpoint guards led Shigemasa’s procession towards the centre of the city. All the while, the Daimyo’s samurai continued to insult and beat the prisoners.
Joaquim observed the many houses of prostitution lining the main road they travelled. Many of the official lodgings along the road had been turned into brothels, catering to government officials and merchants.
As the group reached the Shitamachi area of the city, Joaquim and his companions were amazed at the sheer number of buildings and people. Because of general Shogun paranoia, massive ramparts and moats surrounded his castle grounds. This area, known as the Yamanote, also consisted of sizeable mansions of the feudal daimyo. The Shogun required these daimyos’ families to live in Edo as part of the sankin kōtai system, which mandated that all Japan’s feudal daimyo made annual journeys to Edo. The purpose was for the Shogun to keep watch over the daimyo and prevent any of them plotting against him. In addition, the sankin kōtai system also required the daimyos’ families to live in Edo year-round. Should any daimyo consider raising arms against the Shogun, the Shogun could seize their families as hostages.
Finally, the lengthy and distressing parade through the city arrived in the Eta district.
‘Straight ahead!’ one guard yelled, commanding the group to make their way down a filthy narrow street. ‘Do you see that building at the end?’
None of the exhausted Christians responded as they beheld an abominable, decrepit structure before them.
‘That will be your last home before your execution.’
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
13 July 1626
Shogun’s North-eastern Prison, Edo, Musashi Province
The prison chamber smelled even more rank than the prison in Omura. Dead and near-dead bodies were strewn about, while healthier prisoners fought each other, often to the death, for food and more space.
It was not long before the newcomers settled themselves into nooks and crannies, by walls if possible, and alongside familiar companions if not.
Despite the misery, a few prisoners exhibited kindness amid the horror. One such, Akihiko, was a young man who lay motionless on the floor. Despite his extreme pain and loss, he often offered his limited water and food to anyone who needed either, including Tonia, Miguel, and Master Watanabe, who sat beside him, giving him aid.
‘I see the misery in your eyes,’ Father Joaquim said. He spoke to those around him, but his remarks were addressed to anyone who would hear. ‘You think this is the end, do you not? All of you?’
A few weak mumbles and groans answered his trenchant question.
‘Well, let me tell you,’ Father Joaquim continued, ‘you are wrong!’
An old farmer from the village spoke up: ‘Why? Why are we wrong? What hope do we have now?’
Joaquim said, ‘Man’s frailty is God’s opportunity.’
‘Your words are empty!’ an angry young man shouted. ‘Only death awaits us now. Every person in this prison will die!’
‘Who are you?’ Joaquim asked. He squinted, trying to see through the dark towards the back of the prison. ‘Why are you here?’
‘My name is Susumu,’ answered the agitated young man. ‘I am a thief.’
‘Why do you steal?’
‘To survive.’
‘Confess your sins, Susumu-san. Give your life to Jesus, and He will save you.’
‘Don’t waste your breath on me, foreign priest. I don’t believe in your God.’
‘Do you feel death is on our doorstep and things cannot get worse?’
‘Yes. Only death awaits me now.’
‘Then believe. Belief will set you free.’
‘Are you insane, priest? Do you have any idea where you are?
You need to wake up. We’re all in a cell, condemned to death in the Shogun’s prison!’
‘Then you have no reason not to believe,’ Father Joaquim repeated. ‘Believe the Lord will help us, and see what happens.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you risk nothing and might gain the world.’
With those last words, the prison sat in silence.
* * *
Inside the small meeting room, Shogun Iemitsu knelt atop a plush golden pillow as he awaited the Daimyo. Owing to the formal nature of the meeting, he was accompanied by members of the Roju cabinet, who knelt in a short perpendicular line off to one side of him.
As Daimyo Shigemasa entered, the room became silent. He dropped to his knees and bowed deeply to the Shogun. Next, he crawled to the centre of the room to face the Shogun.
‘Your arrival pleases us,’ the Shogun declared, with no great conviction. Iemitsu glared at Shigemasa, who looked sheepish, sprawled out before him. ‘We have been expecting you for quite some time.’
‘Thank you, Lord. I know I should have arrived earlier.’
‘And why are you late, Daimyo?’
‘I am sorry, Lord. We had a problem. The p
riest escaped. It took a short while to recapture him.’
‘You captured a priest on your fief and then lost him days later?’
‘I am sorry, Lord. He escaped from Omura prison while I was collecting more gifts for you.’
‘That is sloppy and negligent. Is this how you conduct your affairs?’
‘No, Lord. We tend to our duties with great care. It will never happen again. I executed the negligent prison master myself.’
‘I am divided on this issue,’ the Shogun declared. His eyes were hard and expressionless as he viewed the Daimyo.
‘What do you mean, Lord Shogun?’
‘On the one hand, it pleases me you have captured a hidden Christian village. I will enjoy crucifying them. However, I am displeased that such a village still existed on your lands.’
‘Yes, Lord. Their discovery surprised me as well.’
‘This makes me wonder whether you are fit to govern your lands, Daimyo.’
‘It will never happen again.’
‘I will tell you what worries me, Daimyo.’
‘What, Lord?’
‘If there is one hidden Christian village on your lands, there may be more.’
‘No, Lord. We do all we can to catch Christian mongrels on my lands.’
‘It is not enough. Their cult remains. You will not stay in Edo. You will return home to unearth more Christians!’
‘But Lord, is it not customary for daimyo to spend time in Edo before returning home?’
‘You have humiliated yourself, Daimyo Shigemasa. We need to rebuke you.’
‘I am sorry, Lord.’
‘When you return to your lands, I want you to consider one thing – whether you are fit to remain as daimyo of your domain. We will evaluate you with greater scrutiny now.’
‘Yes, Lord.’
‘Remember, I am not averse to giving your lands to someone else.’
‘That will not be necessary, Lord Shogun. I will annihilate Christianity from my lands.’
‘A vessel is waiting for you now. Return home at once, and do not fail me again!’
With a flushed face, Shigemasa stared at the floor. Once more, he bowed to the Shogun and crawled backwards out of the grand chamber. After he exited the room, he was consumed by anger as he frowned and thrust his chest out. Nostrils flaring and grinding his teeth, he stormed down the hall, bent on hunting down and destroying more Christians on his lands.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
14 July 1626
In a trance-like state, Father Joaquim saw a surreal apparition of his Jesuit hero, Saint Francis Xavier. The saint handed him a sword that looked like Master Yamaguchi’s and in the background he saw the Shogun’s mon fall to the ground.
Joaquim blinked open his eyes and as he sought to focus them he saw Master Watanabe looking at him curiously.
‘You appear confused, Father, or perhaps unsure. What is it? Did you have a strange dream?’
‘I did, my friend. And it was a powerful one.’ The Jesuit shook his head to help clear it, and rubbed his eyes.
‘What was it about, Father?’
He hesitated for a moment and scratched his head before answering. ‘I dreamed that I am supposed to challenge the Shogun.’
‘How?’
‘I don’t know.’ Father Joaquim shrugged and shook his head again. ‘Perhaps it was just nonsense, or fantasy.’
‘Do not disregard it, Father. Dreams are a way the Source speaks to us.’
‘You mean a way that God speaks to us.’
‘I can call Him God if doing so helps our conversation.’
Father Joaquim looked around the cell at the other prisoners, most still asleep. ‘But what am I supposed to challenge the Shogun about?’
‘I don’t know, Father. It’s your dream. But God has spoken to you through it.’
‘Perhaps God wants me to challenge the Shogun’s closest Buddhists monks to refute their faith.’
‘I’m not sure, Father, but the Creator does not favour one faith over another.’
‘That is a point about which we will have to disagree, my friend. Jesus told His followers He was the only way to the Father. If I believed that all faiths were the same, I would have had no reason to bring my faith in Christ here.’
‘Hmm . . .’ Master Watanabe leaned on his elbow, pondering Father Joaquim’s words. ‘One day we will have to discuss that thought in more detail. But for now, let’s examine your dream and what you should do about it.’
‘What do you think I should do?’
‘You must trust your intuition on the matter.’
‘But this is critical, Master Watanabe. All our lives are at stake. An entire village depends on me.’
‘It matters not. The principles are the same.’
‘What makes you so sure?’
‘Did you not ask God for help, Father?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, perhaps he sent me to help you. We are all part of His plan, are we not?’
Father Joaquim took a moment to consider. ‘And what about your role in this, my friend? I have seen your abilities. Why can you not use your powers to free us?’
‘I am only a guide, nothing more, to help remind you of who you are.’
‘And who is that?’
‘A small, but powerful part of Almighty God,’ responded Master Watanabe. ‘Does your Bible not say God created man in his own image?’
‘Yes.’
‘And elsewhere, does it not say, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save?”’
‘Yes, the Book of Zephaniah says that.’
‘Then it is time for you to know that God lives in you, and that because of this, you have His powers.’
The rhythmic thud of footfalls interrupted the men’s conversation. A key loudly opened a lock and the prison door flew open.
‘The Shogun wants to interrogate the priest, his foreign aides, and the ronin who helped them escape,’ a prison guard shouted. ‘Come out at once.’
Father Joaquim emerged through the prison door, followed by Master Watanabe, Tonia, and Miguel.
‘Prepare for the end,’ the prison guard declared. ‘You are about to meet the Shogun.’
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
14 July 1626
Shogun’s Castle
‘Strip the mongrels and scrub them down. Don’t stop until you get rid of their stench,’ a senior retainer ordered several samurai.
‘Including the woman?’
‘She stinks too.’
‘I’m sorry, Tonia,’ Father Joaquim called out. Dozens of samurai descended on them, ripping their clothes off. As soon as samurai undressed the three men, they made them stand a few feet apart from one another. The samurai who stripped Tonia took longer, laughing as they moved her towards the three male prisoners. The men watched helplessly as guards pinned them against a wall.
Samurai poured cold water over each of the naked prisoners. All but Master Watanabe shook from the shock of the icy water. Then servants used brooms to scrub the prisoners, from head to toe, before they splashed them again with water to rinse their bodies.
Each was then tossed a towel and their clothes.
Once dressed, Joaquim and his companions were dragged at knife-point to a guarded side room next to the grand chamber, to wait. The spiky knives scratched their necks. They sat on the floor in silence as a half-dozen samurai stared contemptuously at them.
The order came soon enough. ‘Rise, canines. It is time.’
Miguel and Tonia blinked and fidgeted as they arose. Miguel’s eyes shifted in panic and his breathing became rapid and shallow. The pair had little time to compose themselves as samurai shoved them down a long hallway towards the main entrance of the grand chamber. The doors were flung open and they were pushed inside.
‘Bow, you dogs. Bow before my presence!’ the Shogun shouted as they entered the room. Before they could obey, the blunt edges of samurai swords pounded them from behind, forcing them to kneel.
Joaquim was awestruck at the grandeur of the chamber. The Shogun had filled the large hall with high-ranking officials, samurai, retainers, and other prominent members of his regime. From the edge of the floor, the priest looked up at the Shogun. He was shocked by his youth, and then he noted dark eyes that were abnormally small and sunken into his skull. He only looked for a moment.
‘Place them in the centre of the room!’ Samurai obeyed the Shogun’s command. ‘So you are the one who has who caused all this trouble.’ The ruler glowered at Father Joaquim.
‘I do not know of what you speak,’ Joaquim replied.
‘The priest who escaped,’ the Shogun sneered. ‘Your escape caused our Kyushu authorities great embarrassment.’
Neither Father Joaquim nor the other prisoners responded.
‘We will not make this long,’ the Shogun avowed. ‘You are all criminals of the Empire and we will torture and execute you for your crimes.’
‘Of what crimes do you speak?’ Joaquim asked.
‘Do not mock me, priest. We banished Christians and your stupid beliefs more than a decade ago. You have defied our laws by hiding here and spreading your filth. You can reduce your torture, however . . .’ – the Shogun stopped to glance at his Roju cabinet members before resuming – ‘if you tell us where other Christians and priests are hiding.’
Again, no one responded.
‘You can also reduce your torture by telling us which factions of ronin helped you escape Omura prison.’
‘I think we differ about who is committing crimes in Japan,’ Joaquim said. ‘It’s you who have committed a crime.’
The Shogun was taken by surprise. ‘Against whom?’
‘Against God.’ Joaquim dared to look into the Shogun’s eyes as he answered. ‘You have deprived the people of Japan of His Word and the ministry of His servants. You have denied the people the freedom to know God. And you have done so for greater power, control, and self-glorification.’
‘How dare you speak out against me? I am the Shogun of all Japan! Beat him now!’ Iemitsu’s samurai complied.
‘Of all the Christians in my possession,’ the Shogun declared when the samurai had finished, ‘you shall suffer the most. You will beg me to kill you.’ Iemitsu’s nostrils flared as his eyes narrowed into his head.