"It's extremely inconvenient for those of us who work within the castle grounds. Rather than blame those passing through, why not discuss the matter and speed up the progress of the construction? Do you understand? Not just the overseer but you, too, his subordinates and the foremen."
When he had finished, he laughed cheerfully. "Well, excuse me. I've been rude, just speaking what's on my mind, but we all think of this as an important official matter, night and day. Well, it's gotten dark. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go home."
While Ukon and his men stood dumbfounded, Tokichiro quickly left the castle grounds.
The following day Tokichiro was in the stables. In his new post, his diligence was second to none.
"Nobody loves horses as much as he does," his colleagues said. To an extent that amazed even the other stable workers, he completely immersed himself in the rounds of the stables and in the grooming of the horses, and his daily life was totally taken up with these animals.
The group leader came to the stables and called to him, "Kinoshita, you've been summoned."
Tokichiro looked out from beneath the belly of Nobunaga's favorite horse, Sangetsu, and asked, "By whom?" Sangetsu had developed an abscess on his leg, so Tokichiro was washing his fetlocks with hot water.
"If it's a summons, it means by Lord Nobunaga. Hurry up." The group leader turn and shouted in the direction of the samurais' room, "Hey! Somebody take Kinoshita place and take Sangetsu to the stable."
"No, no. I'll do it." Tokichiro did not emerge until he had finished washing Sangetsu’s leg. He applied an ointment and bandaged the wound, stroked the animal's neck, and then took it back to its stall himself.
"Where is Lord Nobunaga?"
"In the garden. If you don't hurry, you're going to put His Lordship in a bad mod.”t
Tokichiro went into the office and pulled on his blue coat with the paulownia crest. With Nobunaga in the garden were four or five retainers, including Shibata Katsuie and Maeda Inuchiyo.
Tokichiro, dressed in his blue coat, hurried over, stopped more than twenty yards from Nobunaga, and prostrated himself.
"Monkey, come here," Nobunaga ordered. Inuchiyo immediately put up a stool for him. "Come closer."
"Yes, my lord."
"Monkey? I've heard that you shot out some pretty big words at the construction site on the outer walls last night."
"You've already heard, my lord?"
Nobunaga forced a smile. Tokichiro did not seem to be a person who would have 1et out those big words; he was now bowing before him, looking shamefaced.
"From now on, restrain yourself," Nobunaga reprimanded him. "Yamabuchi Ukon came to me this morning with loud complaints about your bad manners. I calmed hir down because, according to others, there seemed to be a lot of sense in your words."
"I'm extremely sorry."
"Go to the construction site and apologize to Ukon."
"Me, my lord?"
"Of course."
“If it's an order, I'll go and apologize."
“Do you disapprove?"
“I hesitate to say this, but won't it encourage his vice? What I said was correct, and his work,, in terms of service to you, can hardly be called conscientious. Even that little bit of repair has taken close to more than twenty days, and furthermore—"
"Monkey, are you going to spit out those big words even to me? I've heard your lecture already."
"I thought I spoke what was obvious, certainly not just big words."
"If that's so, how many days should it take to finish the job?"
"Well…" Tokichiro became a bit more cautious and thoughtful, but he answered promptly, "Well, since the work has already been started, I think I could finish it without difficulty in three days."
"Three days!" Nobunaga exclaimed involuntarily.
Shibata Katsuie looked exasperated and sneered at Nobunaga's credulity in believing Tokichiro. But Inuchiyo had absolutely no doubt that he could do exactly as he claimed.
Nobunaga promoted Tokichiro to the post of overseer of building works on the spot. He would replace Yamabuchi Ukon, and in just three days, he would be expected to repair two hundred yards of the castle walls.
He accepted the commission and prepared to withdraw, but Nobunaga asked him again, "Wait. Are you sure you can do it?" From the sympathetic tone of Nobunaga's voice, it was clear that he did not want Tokichiro to be forced to commit seppuku if he was to fail. Tokichiro sat a little straighter and said with certainty, "I will do it without fail."
Nevertheless, Nobunaga asked him to think about it a little more. "Monkey, the mouth is the cause of most disasters. Don't be obstinate over such a trivial matter."
"I'll have the walls ready for your inspection after three days," Tokichiro repeated, and withdrew.
That day he returned home earlier than usual. "Gonzo! Gonzo!" he called out. When his young servant peeked into the back garden at his master's call, there was Tokichiro, stripped naked and sitting cross-legged.
"Do you have an errand for me?"
"Yes, indeed!" he answered heartily. "You have some money on hand, don't you?"
"Money?"
"That's what I said."
"Well…"
"What about that little bit I gave you some time ago for the various household expenses?"
"That's been gone for a long time."
"Well, what about the money for the kitchen expenses?"
"There hasn't been any money for the kitchen for a long time, either. When I told you—it must have been a couple of months ago—you said we would have to do our best, so we've just been getting along as best we could."
"So there's no money?"
"And no reason for there to be any."
"Well then, what am I going to do?"
"Do you need something?"
"I'd like to invite some men over tonight."
"If it's just a matter of sake and food, I'll run around to the shops and buy some on credit."
Tokichiro slapped his thigh. "Gonzo, I'm relying on you." He picked up a fan and fanned himself with wide strokes. An autumn breeze was blowing, and paulownia leaves were falling in profusion; there were also a lot of mosquitoes.
"Who are the guests?"
"The construction foremen. They'll probably all come in a group."
Tokichiro took a bath in the tub in the garden. Just then, someone called from the entrance.
"Who is it?" asked the maidservant.
The guest removed his hat and introduced himself, "Maeda Inuchiyo."
The master of the little residence got out of the tub, put on a summer kimono on the veranda, and peered out toward the front.
"Well, well, Master Inuchiyo. I was wondering who it could be. Come on in and take a seat," Tokichiro called out in a casual manner, putting down some cushions hiself. Inuchiyo sat down.
"I've come rather unexpectedly."
"Is it anything urgent?"
"No, it's not for myself. It's about you."
"Huh?"
"You act as if you don't have a care in the world. You've committed yourself to an possible task, and I can't help feeling worried for you. It was your choice, so you must be confident of success."
"Ah, you mean the castle wall."
"Of course! You spoke out without thinking. Even Lord Nobunaga acted as didn't want you to commit seppuku over this."
"I did say three days, didn't I?"
"Do you have any chance of success?"
"None at all."
"None?"
"Of course not. I know nothing about building walls."
"What are you going to do, then?"
"If I can make the laborers on the construction site work hard, I think I should be able to do this just by using their strength to the full."
Inuchiyo lowered his voice. "Well, that's the question."
They were strange rivals in love. Even though the two men loved the same girl, they had become friends. They did not display friendship in either word or deed but rather
in a somewhat uneasy relationship; each knew the other well, and they had entered into a respectful fellowship. Today in particular, it seemed that the nature of Inuchiyo's visit one of genuine concern for Tokichiro.
“Have you thought about Yamabuchi Ukon's feelings?" Inuchiyo asked.
“He probably bears a grudge against me."
“Well, do you know what Ukon is thinking and doing?"
"I do."
Is that so?" Inuchiyo cut his words short. "If you can discern that much, then my mind will be at ease."
Tokichiro stared intently at Inuchiyo. Then he bowed his head in a way that seemed to indicate assent. "You're something, Inuchiyo. Whatever you set your sights on, you set them well, don't you?"
"No, you're the quick one. You're clever to notice about Yamabuchi Ukon, and there's—"
"No, don't say any more." When Tokichiro made as if to put his hand over his mouth, Inuchiyo cheerfully clapped his hands and laughed.
"Let's leave it to the imagination. It's better left unsaid." Of course, he was about to mention Nene.
Gonzo returned, and the sake and food were delivered. Inuchiyo was about to go home, but Tokichiro stopped him.
"The sake’s just come. Drink a cup with me before you go."
"Well, if you insist." Inuchiyo drank freely. However, not one of the guests for whom the sake and food had been provided showed up.
"Well, nobody's coming," Tokichiro said at last. "Gonzo, what do you suppose happened?"
When Tokichiro turned to Gonzo, Inuchiyo said, "Tokichiro, did you invite the construction foremen here tonight?"
"That's right. We have to get through some preliminaries. To finish the construction work in three days, we'll have to raise the morale of the men."
"I really overestimated you."
"Why do you say that?"
"I respected you as being twice as quick-witted as other men, but you were the only one who didn't guess that this was going to happen."
Tokichiro stared at the laughing Inuchiyo.
"If you'd think about it, you'd see," Inuchiyo said. "Your opponent is a man of little character. He is, after all, Yamabuchi Ukon, a man with limited abilities, even among those ordinarily judged not to have them. There's no reason for him to be praying that you'll successfully outwit him."
"Of course, but— "
"So is he going to just sit there sucking his thumb? I think not."
“I see.”
"No doubt he's planning some obstruction so that you'll fail. So we might be right in thinking that the foremen you invited here tonight won't be coming. Both the workmen and the foremen are thinking that Yamabuchi Ukon is a good bit more important than you are."
"Right. I understand." Tokichiro hung his head. "If that's so, then this sake is for the two of us to drink. Shouldn't we leave it to the gods and finish it off?"
"That's fine, but your promise to do this in three days starts from tomorrow."
"I say let's drink, come what may."
"If you're decided, sit down and let's drink."
They did not drink much, but talked at length. Inuchiyo was a ready conversationalist, and Tokichiro somehow became the listener. Unlike Inuchiyo, Tokichiro had no formal education. As a boy he had not had a single day to spend, as the sons of samurai did,
devoted to book learning and manners. He did not think of this as unfortunate, but he knew that it was a hindrance to his advancement in the world, and when he thought about those who had more education than he or sat in conversation with them, he was determined to make their knowledge his own. Thus he listened eagerly to the talk of others.
"Ah, I feel a little drunk, Tokichiro. Let's go to sleep. You've got to get up early, and I'm relying on you completely." So saying, Inuchiyo finally pushed his cup away, rose, and went home. When Inuchiyo had gone, Tokichiro lay down on his side, crooked his elbow beneath his head, and went to sleep. He did not notice when the maidservant came slipped a pillow beneath his head.
He had never known a sleepless night. When he slept, there was no distinction between heaven and earth and himself. However, when he awoke, as he did early the next morning, he was himself immediately.
"Gonzo! Gonzo!"
"Yes, yes. Are you already awake, sir?"
"Bring me a horse!"
"Sir?"
"A horse!"
"A horse, sir?"
"Yes! I'll be going to work early today. I won't be returning home either tonight or tomorrow night."
"Unfortunately, we have neither horse nor stable yet."
"Dimwit! Borrow one from somewhere in the neighborhood. I'm not going out on a picnic. I need it for official business. Don't hesitate, go out and bring one back."
"It may be morning, but it's still dark outside."
"If they're sleeping, bang on the gate. If you think it's for my personal use, you’ll probably hesitate. But it's for official business, so it's justifiable."
Gonzo put on a coat and hurried out in confusion. He came back leading a horse. Impatient to leave, the artless new rider galloped into the dawn without even asking where his mount had come from. Tokichiro rode round to six or seven houses of the construction foremen. They received stipends from the clan and belonged to the artisans’ corps. Their houses were all built with a good bit of luxury, had maidservants and concubines, and were extraordinarily stately compared with Tokichiro's own house.
He went from house to house, beating on the gates and calling out to those still sleeping inside.
"Come to the meeting! Come to the meeting! Everyone who's working on the construction, be at the site by the Hour of the Tiger. Anyone who is late will be dismissed. By order of Lord Nobunaga!"
He gave out this message at one house after another. White steam rose from the sweat-soaked coat of his horse. Just as he reached the castle moat, light began to appear in the eastern sky. He tethered his horse outside the castle gate, took a deep breath, and stood blocking the Karabashi Gate. He held his long sword in his hand, and his eyes were shining brightly.
The foremen who had been awakened while it was still dark all wondered what had
happened, and arrived one by one, leading their men.
"Wait!" Tokichiro ordered, stopping them at the entrance. After they had given their names, the location of their work, and the number of their workers and coolies, he gave them permission to pass. Then he ordered them to wait silently at their work stations. As far as he could see, almost everyone was there. The workmen were standing in order, but murmuring among themselves uneasily.
Tokichiro stood in front of them, still carrying his unsheathed sword. "Quiet!" He spoke as though he were giving a command with the tip of his raised sword. "Fall in!"
The workmen obeyed, but smiled scornfully. It was obvious from the looks in their eyes that they regarded him as a greenhorn, and that they were laughing at the way he stood in front of them with his chest stuck out. To them, his sword waving was nothing more than impertinent posturing, and it did nothing but invite their scorn.
"This is an order for all of you," Tokichiro said in a loud voice, with what seemed to be complete nonchalance. "By the order of Lord Nobunaga, I, as unworthy as I am, will be in charge of the construction from now on. Yamabuchi Ukon was in charge until yesterday, but I will take his place from today." As he spoke, he looked over the ranks of the workmen from right to left. "Until a short while ago, I was in the lowest rank of the servants. But with the favor of His Lordship, I was moved to the kitchens and am now in the stables. I have spent only a short time on the castle grounds, and I know nothing about construction work, but I plan on being second to none when it comes to serving our master. Under an overseer like myself, then, I wonder if any of you will consider working as my subordinates. I can imagine that, among artisans, there is an artisan's temperament. If any of you dislike working under these conditions, please feel free to say so, and I will promptly dismiss you."
Everyone was silent. Even the foremen, who had hidden their scorn,
kept their mouths shut.
"No one? Is there no one who is dissatisfied with me as overseer?" he asked again. "If not, then let's get to work immediately. As I've said before, in wartime it is unforgivable for this work to take twenty days. I plan to finish the work by dawn three days from now. I want to say this clearly so that you'll understand and work hard."
The foremen looked at each other. It was natural that this sort of speech would elicit derisive smiles from those men with receding hairlines, who had been doing their jobs since childhood. Tokichiro noticed their reaction but chose to ignore it.
"Foremen of the masons! Head carpenters and plasterers! Come forward!"
They stepped forward, but as they looked up, scorn floated across their faces. Tokichiro suddenly struck the head plasterer with the flat of his long sword.
"What insolence! Do you stand there in front of an overseer with your arms folded? Get out!"
Thinking that he had been cut, the man fell down screaming. The others turned pale, their knees shaking.
Tokichiro went on severely, "I'm going to assign you your posts and duties. Listen carefully." Their attitude had improved. No one looked as if he was only half listening. They were quiet, though not reconciled. And even though they were not really cooperating, they looked scared.
"I've divided the two hundred yards of the wall into fifty sections, giving each group responsibility for four yards. Each group will consist of ten men: three carpenters, two plasterers, and five masons. I'm going to leave those assignments to the foremen. You foremen will each be supervising from four to five groups, so make sure that the workmen are not idle and pay attention to the distribution of men. When any of you have men to spare, move them to a station that is shorthanded. Don't leave an instant for idling."
They nodded but looked restive. They were irritated by this sort of lecture, and unhappy at being assigned to work stations.
"Ah, I almost forgot," Tokichiro said in a louder voice. "Along with the division of ten men for every four yards, I'm assigning a reserve corps of eight coolies and two workmen to each group. When I look at the way the work has been done so far, workers and plasterers are apt to leave the scaffolding and spend the day doing work that is not their own, like carrying lumber. But a worker at the workplace is the same as a soldier on the fied. He should never leave his post. And he shouldn't abandon his tools, whether he be a carpenter, a plasterer, or a mason. That would be the same as a soldier throwing away his sword or spear on the battlefield."
TAIKO: AN EPIC NOVEL OF WAR AND GLORY IN FEUDAL JAPAN Page 24