The Scarlet Kimono (Choc Lit)

by Christina Courtenay

  ‘It’s not really “home” as such, not any more. I have no family and no clan, so I’ll be staying with the captain. But you can certainly come with me if we’re allowed to go to the town.’

  ‘Thank you. I can’t possibly have come this far and then not see anything. That would be unbearable.’ Hannah could hardly believe that they had reached Japan, the place she had dreamed of seeing for so long. It was inconceivable that she should be prevented from at least exploring a tiny bit.

  In the event, their plans proved unnecessary. Rydon summoned Hoji and asked him to arrange rented accommodation for himself and the other higher-ranking members of the crew in the town.

  ‘He told me he wants me to continue to cook for him while we’re here,’ Hoji reported back to Hannah. ‘And he said to bring you as my helper. Good, neh?’

  ‘Wonderful,’ Hannah agreed. ‘I can’t wait to get off this ship. But why is he shouting again?’ Rydon’s irate tones could be heard from one end of the Sea Sprite to the other, but it seemed to be just one long string of expletives, and she didn’t know why he was so angry.

  ‘Come and look out of the hatch,’ Hoji said, then pointed towards some of the other ships anchored in the harbour.

  ‘I don’t understand … oh!’ Hannah caught sight of an English flag flying from the main mast of one of the ships. ‘You don’t mean …?’

  ‘Yes. The English East India Company’s ship, the Clove. I heard someone say it arrived here two whole months ago. John Saris, the captain, has already left for the Shogun’s court to try and obtain a grant of privileges. We’re too late and the captain is furious.’

  ‘Oh, dear.’ Hannah remembered her father’s admonition that it was vital they were the first to reach Japan. Their unscheduled stop near the Magellan Straits had obviously scuppered their plan. ‘So that’s why he and Jacob had that heated discussion yesterday after Lord Matsura left. I heard them shouting. But surely there’s room for competition? I mean, can’t we trade with your people anyway?’

  ‘I don’t know. Captain Rydon is going to try to find this man Will Adams and see what he has to say. There are some Dutch people here too, but the ones he has spoken to so far don’t seem to know much. Either that or they’re not willing to tell him. Now, I’d better hurry and do as he asked, or he’ll be in an even worse temper. You wait here, please.’

  Japan was like nothing Hannah had ever seen before and she couldn’t have imagined it if she tried. Hoji had described his homeland to her as best he could, but mere words were not enough to do it justice.

  Small houses, built of timber and plaster, lined the streets which were immaculately clean. No refuse littered the well-swept surfaces and Hannah saw several people busy with their brooms outside their own houses. Others were sprinkling the road with water in order to minimise the amount of dust. The waterfront was cobbled and there were people engaged in repairing nets, gutting fish and all the other various trades associated with the sea. Strange, square-looking boats bobbed in the harbour and Hannah thought that their own ships seemed large and ungainly in comparison.

  Hannah stared at the people, who stared back. Their eyes opened wide at the sight of her red hair, which had by now grown back down to waist-length. She hadn’t bothered to cut it as several of the sailors on board had equally long hair. Although she had plaited it as best she could, there were still a few tendrils that escaped the leather cord she’d tied it back with to curl wildly around her face. The townsfolk seemed even more surprised if they caught a glimpse of her blue eyes. A few children shrieked with fear and ran off towards the safety of their mothers shouting, ‘Kami, kami, she’s come to take us!’

  Hannah laughed. ‘They think I’m an evil spirit? Do I look that dreadful?’

  ‘No, no, it’s your hair. They rarely see anything but black hair,’ Hoji explained. ‘And yours is rather vivid, neh?’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ Hannah chuckled.

  She hoped the people of Japan were not superstitious enough to attack her for being different, but trusted that Hoji would protect her if necessary.

  ‘Is that man wearing pattens? They don’t look much like our kind,’ Hannah whispered to her friend, nodding at a man who was wielding his broom vigorously. The man was wearing what seemed to be a flat piece of wood on each foot with two other pieces of wood attached at right angles to the underside. Hannah thought it was a wonder the man was able to balance on these contraptions.

  ‘Yes, but we call them geta. Like yours, they can be worn when it’s muddy or wet outside. Most people wear straw sandals though. If it’s cold they also put on socks called tabi which are split between the largest toe and the next so that you can wear them with the thonged sandals.’

  ‘I see. It looks very uncomfortable.’

  ‘You’ll become used to it. I can’t wait to buy a pair.’ Although Hoji owned some English boots, he had preferred to remain barefoot most of the time on board ship, weather permitting.

  Hannah looked at her own footwear, which was in a bad way. She had put on her old boots, but the constant presence of salt water had eaten away at the leather. She supposed she would have to adapt to the Japanese sandals too unless she wanted to walk barefoot.

  ‘So where are we going?’ Hannah asked when Hoji stopped for a moment on a street corner.

  ‘That way. After you.’ He waved a hand towards the right.

  Hannah turned the corner and ran straight into a solid chest. ‘Oh, sumimasen, I’m so sorry!’

  She heard Hoji’s sharp intake of breath behind her, as if he was horrified by something, but two strong arms came up to steady her and a familiar voice said, ‘O-hayo gozaimasu, Akai.’

  Hannah looked up into the amber gaze of Kuma and took a step back. ‘Er, good morning.’ She tried to bow and he let go of her and inclined his head. She noticed that this time there were several retainers walking behind him, all of them waiting patiently for him to continue. ‘I didn’t expect to see you here, Kuma-san. May I introduce Hoji-san, my Sensei?’ She bowed properly, aware that her cheeks were flaming yet again and wondering why he had this effect on her. It annoyed her that she felt so flustered around him.

  Hoji had fallen to his knees in the dirt and bowed so low his forehead was touching the ground. Hannah wondered if he knew something about this Kuma that she didn’t, but it was too late now. She couldn’t suddenly throw herself down in obeisance when she hadn’t done so before. ‘We were just on our way to a house belonging to Yashi-san, which has been rented to us for the time being,’ she said.

  ‘Then I believe you are going in the same direction as us. If you would care to walk with us, I’ll show you where it is. I have rented it myself on occasion, although this time I am a guest of Lord Matsura.’

  ‘You’re too kind, my lord.’ Hoji got to his feet, although he was still bent over in a deferential bow. He sent Hannah a warning glance, but she wasn’t sure what it meant. And how did Hoji know this man was a lord? He still hadn’t introduced himself properly. She resolved to ask him later, but for now, she fell into step behind Kuma. Hoji had told her that women always walked behind the men in Japan and although she was supposed to be a boy, she was obviously still this man’s social inferior. She didn’t want to offend anyone so she thought she’d better comply. Perhaps that was what Hoji had been trying to tell her?

  To her surprise, however, Kuma stopped and waved her forward. ‘Please walk next to me. I wish to talk with you some more.’

  ‘What about, er, my lord Kuma?’ She heard gasps of surprise from the retainers behind them, but tried to ignore that. They were no doubt wondering why a foreign boy, and a dirty and dishevelled one at that, should be accorded such a privilege. She couldn’t help asking the same question herself and cringed inwardly at the thought of how awful she must look.

  ‘Tell me about your journey, please. How far have you come? I understand you are from the same country as Anjin-san, the foreigner who is advisor to the Shogun.’

  ‘If you mean Will Adams, then
yes, that’s right. It’s called England. We set sail two years ago and thought it would take us about eighteen months to reach your country. Unfortunately we were held up by ice so our journey was considerably longer.’

  ‘And you suffered much hardship?’

  ‘Yes. We lost many men to illness and accidents and to tell you the truth, we were beginning to despair of ever arriving.’

  ‘It seems a long way to come just to trade. Is there no profit to be made closer to your country?’

  ‘I’m afraid I don’t know much about such matters. As far as I can understand it, the goods available here will make us much more money because they are so unusual. The captains must have thought the risks worth taking.’

  Kuma nodded as if he understood their reasoning and agreed with it. ‘It makes sense, I suppose.’

  ‘You will have to ask captain Rydon if you want further details. I would be happy to translate for you.’ Hannah didn’t know what made her add this offer, especially since she was sure Rydon wouldn’t approve, but she found this man fascinating and wanted to meet him again. ‘Or Hoji-san would, of course,’ she added.

  ‘Thank you, I might do that. Now here we are, your house. I bid you farewell.’

  Kuma bowed, although not very low Hannah noticed, and they said goodbye. She heard Hoji let out a long breath, as if he’d been holding it for a while, and she turned to him with a frown. ‘What’s the matter? Did I offend him? I was only trying to answer his questions, but I know I don’t speak your language perfectly yet.’

  ‘No, you did well and I don’t think you were impolite in any way, but men such as he can be very unpredictable. One moment they’ll be all gracious and forgiving, the next they’ll cut your head off for the slightest transgression. You must be careful, Hannah-chan.’

  ‘Cut off your head? Surely not.’ She shivered at the thought.

  ‘But of course. He is clearly a powerful man, a daimyo or other high-ranking samurai no doubt. Didn’t you see his two exquisite swords and his fine clothing? And why else would he be a guest of Lord Matsura and have so many servants following his every step?’

  ‘Heavens, I had no idea. He just told me his name was Kuma. Not lord anything.’

  Hoji shook his head. ‘Honestly, it nearly gave me a heart attack when you walked into him. I thought your last moment had come for sure. He’s obviously humouring you for some reason though, curiosity perhaps. But be on your guard.’

  ‘You may be sure I will.’

  They had stopped in front of a gate set in a wooden fence. A servant opened it and after exchanging a few words with Hoji, the man bowed low to welcome them to their temporary home. Hannah hardly noticed as her eyes took in the enchanting garden beyond the gate. The simplicity of it almost took her breath away, and she found it incredibly beautiful.

  There were hardly any flowers or herbs in the manner of an English garden. Instead everything that grew was of varying shades of green, from the lightest mint to deepest emerald, and the effect was stunning. Stones and boulders had been set out, seemingly without any pattern, but they looked just right, and tiny stone lanterns had been placed on some of them. Hannah could hardly wait for the evening to see the effect when they were lit.

  ‘Hoji-san, this is amazing.’ Hannah turned a smile on her companion and caught the look of surprise on the face of the servant who had opened the door at her use of his language. The servant bowed once more, even deeper than before and Hannah returned the bow gracefully as she had been taught by her mentor.

  ‘Come, Harry-chan, let’s look around the house and then we can eat.’ Hoji had taken to adding chan after her name somewhere along the interminable journey. Hannah had understood it to be an endearment usually reserved for children or loved ones. Since she had come to regard him as an honorary father or an uncle, she didn’t mind.

  Without him, she was sure she would never have survived the journey.

  Taro resisted the urge to turn and stare at the little gai-jin again. He had tried to observe her during their conversation without being too obvious, but it hadn’t been enough. He found her utterly fascinating and very much wanted to study her some more, but that was impossible unless he wished to give rise to gossip and speculation. In truth, he had probably shocked his retainers enough by inviting the scruffy foreigner to walk next to him.

  It was a ‘her’, he was sure of that. Although she had confused him when he’d first set eyes on her out on the ship, he’d soon realised she was female. Despite the threadbare clothing that was similar to what all the other crew members were wearing, she had been unable to hide her blushes or the unconscious way she pushed her red hair over her shoulder in a very feminine gesture.

  Perhaps he’d never have noticed if Yanagihara hadn’t been so emphatic that it was a woman who was coming. But since he had expected a female, his subconscious had looked for the signs and found them. There was no doubt about it – she had to be the one Yanagihara had seen in his prophecy.

  It almost made him laugh out loud to think the old man had thought her a threat. How could she possibly be dangerous? Not only was she small and weak from the long months at sea, but she was obviously not an empress or any kind of leader. She was a servant girl.

  It was pure luck that he’d found her at last. He’d arrived at Hirado some weeks ago to see the foreign ships the messenger had told him about. They were indeed from a country he’d never heard of and claimed to be trading on behalf of their king. Although there were some males on board with hair that had a slight tinge of orange, he’d been unable to find a single person with truly red hair and no females whatsoever. He had concluded that Yanagihara must have been wrong, but just as he’d been about to set off for home, four more ships from the same country were sighted. He waited for their arrival and there she was on board. Akai.

  He would have to discuss her with Yanagihara, but as far as he could see, there was nothing about her that he need warn the Shogun of.

  It would, of course, help if he could speak to her some more. Their conversations so far had been very enlightening, but he still had many questions he would like to ask her. She seemed intelligent enough, as proved by the fact that she had bothered to learn his language. She should be able to answer most of the things he wanted to know about her and her country.

  But how could he get her alone?

  Hannah and Hoji settled into life in the house and whenever they had some free time, they eagerly explored the town in the company of a maid called Sakura, whom Hoji had hired to help with the housework. The townspeople soon became used to the sight of her, and bowed politely. They still whispered about her hair, but Hannah took it in good humour. Hadn’t her own people stared in the same way at Hoji in Plymouth? It was only natural, she reasoned, for them to be curious. She even stopped from time to time to let the children touch her plait in order to reassure them she wasn’t dangerous.

  After being sworn to secrecy regarding Hannah’s gender, Sakura introduced her to the pleasures of Japanese style bathing. This meant being first washed from top to toe by the maid and then left to soak in a tub of very warm water for as long as she wished. It took some getting used to, since at first it felt almost too hot, but it was bearable after only a few moments and very refreshing. Afterwards, Hannah was given a soothing massage and clean clothes to wear. She would have liked to try one of the gowns the Japanese ladies wore, but had to make do with male clothing. This consisted of a loincloth, a belted thigh-length robe, and something called hakama. This was like a long wide skirt, split in the middle and worn over the other garments.

  ‘I see you are adopting native ways, boy,’ Rydon sneered, when he first caught sight of her in her new clothes. ‘I suppose you’ll be going to their temples next.’

  Hannah had kept out of his way as much as possible, just like she’d done on the ship, and held her breath, wondering if he would now realise that she was a girl. But Rydon must have become used to thinking of her as a boy, because he didn’t seem to notice and his gl
ance only flickered over her with irritation. She dared to answer him.

  ‘Not at all. You should try it yourself, captain. These garments are very comfortable, and when it turns warmer I’m sure it will help.’

  The climate was very hot and humid in this part of Japan during the summer months, Hoji had told her. ‘Almost like the first bit of our journey, where the dark-skinned people lived. Japan is quite big though, so if you went to the far north, it would be much cooler.’

  ‘No, thank you,’ Rydon replied curtly to her suggestion. ‘I’m not dressing like a heathen for any reason.’

  ‘Would you like to have a bath then and let Sakura wash your clothes in the meantime?’ She didn’t add that it would be polite to be clean, although she was itching to give him this piece of advice.

  ‘What for? I washed my hands and face this morning and there’s nothing wrong with my clothing.’ Rydon flung out of the room, in the process almost knocking down the flimsy wood and paper partition which separated it from the next room.

  Hannah could have told him he smelled dreadful, and that his servants and any other Japanese person he came into contact with would find this offensive. However, she didn’t think there was any point in arguing with him. He would never listen.

  In comparison to Rydon, everything around her was fresh and fragrant. The house was constructed of camphor-wood and cedar, and most of the floors were covered by mats woven out of rice stalks.

  ‘They are called tatami,’ Hoji told her.

  ‘Mmm, they smell heavenly.’ Hannah inhaled deeply. ‘It reminds me of the scent of sweet hay, and they are so wonderfully soft to walk on.’

  At night-time even softer mattresses called futons were brought out and placed on top of the tatami mats. Hannah thought she had never slept so comfortably in her life. It was a far cry from the rough bricks of the ship’s cook room at any rate, although it was some time before she stopped feeling the rocking motion her body had become so used to.