Pathway to Japanese Literature

I

Asano Naganori stepped up into the entrance and immediately,

“Tell Yasui and Fujii to come here immediately,” he said, then entered the small study. *There he goes again—another one of his tantrums!* The retainers exchanged glances and ran off toward the rooms of the two Edo elders, Yasui Hikoemon and Fujii Mataemon. Asano Naganori had the female servants untie the cords of his long kamishimo attire while, “This won’t do! “Another financial burden! There’s no helping it!” he muttered, then took off his hakama and, “Hurry up and tell those two to come here!” he urged.

After a short while, Yasui Hikoemon entered hurriedly and, "What is your command?" he said, sitting down. "Where's Mataemon?" "He is in the tenement quarters, so he will come at once." "You women—get over there! Hurry up and go!" Lord Asano waved his hand. The women hastily gathered the half-folded hakama and ceremonial jacket and withdrew. "The imperial envoy from Kyoto will be arriving—we've been assigned hospitality duty again." "Understood!" "This will strain our coffers." "However, it is an honorable duty—there's no helping it."

“Well, that can’t be helped…” Asano Naganori said when Fujii Mataemon entered. “I apologize for the delay,” he said as he entered. “Mataemon, the shogunate has ordered us to host the imperial envoy this time, and I wish to discuss the matter.” “Understood.” “The last time—Tenna 3, was it?—when we performed the duty, how much did it cost?” “Well...” The two men cocked their heads. Fujii, “I believe it was approximately four hundred ryō or so.”

“That sounds about right,” Yasui nodded. “Four hundred ryō?!” “Prices were different back then compared to today. Four hundred ryō probably wouldn’t suffice.” “When I inquired with Izumo no Kami Itō, his hosting had apparently cost twelve hundred ryō.” “That lord performed his duty in Genroku 10—yes, ten years ago precisely.” “Correct.” “If twelve hundred ryō was required then, even cutting every possible corner today would still demand one thousand ryō.”

Asano Naganori made a bitter face. “If it costs that much, it’s utterly unbearable! I intend to manage it with around seven hundred ryō.” “Seven hundred ryō?” The two men tilted their heads in doubt. “Too little?” “Well…!”

The two men knew well that Asano, being a minor daimyō, came from a family with generations of frugal tradition, and they fully understood Takumi-no-kami’s notoriously exacting nature regarding finances—

“That should suffice” was all they could say, but both thought that even Itō Izumo—who was by no means wealthy—had spent twelve hundred ryō on his hosting duty. If that was the case, seven hundred ryō for our domain seemed rather inadequate. "First of all, society these days has grown far too extravagant. Even for this duty, we must give those customary gifts to Kira Yoshihisa, the protocol officer, but it seems their required amounts keep increasing every year." "No, those customary gifts have been fixed at one large gold coin each for horse expenses."

“Even that alone is unnecessary, isn’t it? “Kira’s duty is to manage protocol—that’s what he receives his stipend for.” “We aren’t the ones tasked with hosting imperial envoys.” “Being forced into a duty that’s not our role, we’re clearly losing seven or eight hundred ryō.” “We should be the ones receiving customary gifts from Kira instead!”

The two elders could do nothing but nod.

II

The two men who returned to the steward’s room,

“This is a problem!” they exclaimed, crossing their arms.

“That old man Kira Yoshihisa is a contrary old stickler who preens over his pedigree.”

“He’s all noble lineage and empty coffers—scraping by like a burning oxcart.” “My Lord dismisses these customary gifts as outright bribes,” [the elder countered], “yet even the town magistrate’s office receives kenzan—gold and goods presented as ‘leftovers from shogunal offerings’ in gratitude for their services during a daimyō’s Edo stay.” “Stint on even one large gold coin or ten small ones, and we’ll invite Kira’s petty vengeance.” “A single ceremonial misstep could ruin us all.”

"However, since you've handled this duty before, that part should be manageable—but demanding to manage it with seven hundred ryō is pushing too far." "Impossible."

“The imperial envoys’ stay will be ten days, correct?” “That’s right.” “At a hundred ryō per day, that’d make a thousand. In the previous instance, they managed with forty ryō per day—but between the Keichō koban used in Tenna and today’s recoined koban, the gold’s value differs entirely. And on top of that, all ceremonial requirements have escalated…” “The hospitality has been growing increasingly extravagant, and…” “That’s right. Even Izumo spent twelve hundred ryō, yet Asano insists on seven hundred… Cutting it nearly in half would be downright disrespectful to the imperial envoys.”

“This is troubling.” “This is a problem… We could dispatch an express messenger to have Ōno or Ōishi back in the domain persuade our lord—but Ōno’s such a notorious miser he’d wholeheartedly endorse this seven hundred ryō plan… And Ōishi—true to his ‘Daytime Lantern’ nickname—isn’t exactly someone who’d advise His Lordship on financial matters…”

“This is a problem,” “We must cut costs to the bone—the only way is to skimp in areas that won’t draw attention.” “I wish he’d just quietly leave such matters to us retainers.” “If only we could somehow cover the deficit as we usually do at times like this.” “If things go poorly, we’ll end up paying from our own pockets.”

“Exactly!”

“In any case, replacing the tatami at the imperial envoy’s residence must come first.” The two men began calculating the detailed expenses for the hospitality.

III

In the palace chambers, to Hatakeyama Minbu-no-taifu, the Rotating Protocol Officer, “Regarding the cost estimate for this imperial envoy hospitality, I’d like you to review it,” said Lord Takumi-no-kami, presenting a formal letter containing an itemized list. Hatakeyama examined it for some time, but—

“I don’t understand such matters myself, so Kira—ah, it seems he’s just arrived—” With this, [Hatakeyama] pulled the bell cord. A page,

“Yes,” he replied, pressing his hands to the floor. “Go tell Lord Kira to come if he has a moment!”

“At once!” After the page left,

“What an unexpected financial burden this is,” said Hatakeyama. “These days, seven or eight hundred ryō truly take their toll.” “However, you have salt fields and are prosperous.”

“It only appears that way.” “No, maintaining over two hundred samurai on fifty-three thousand koku—such a thing is unheard of elsewhere. Only possible because you’re wealthy.” Hatakeyama was saying this when Kira Yoshihisa entered. “Lord Asano’s current estimate—I’ve reviewed it, but I cannot comprehend it. This is precisely why we have a Master of Ceremonies!”

Hatakeyama handed the document to Kira.

“Quite prompt. Let me see.” Kira stared fixedly at the document, then— “You’ve cut back everything too severely,” he said, glaring at Lord Takumi-no-kami. “With this sum, it will never suffice,” he added. “Is it seven hundred ryō?”

“Yes.” “But have previous costs not been excessive? I intend to avoid unnecessary expenditures.” Kira Yoshihisa fixed Lord Takumi-no-kami with a piercing glare,

“Even if it becomes exorbitant, you must not break with established precedent.” “There are established precedents. Should you attempt to manage with less funding than required, you’ll inevitably show disrespect to the imperial envoys.” “However, whether something constitutes propriety or impropriety shouldn’t hinge on the amount of funds expended!” “That’s mere sophistry.” “If you don’t handle such matters according to precedent, mistakes are bound to occur.”

“But expenses keep mounting year after year…” “It cannot be helped. Because all ceremonial expenditures rise annually, what required a thousand ryō last year now demands eleven hundred.” “Yet it can be accomplished with seven hundred ryō—there’s no need to slavishly follow last year’s…” “How would you accomplish it?” “It’s detailed here.” With that, Lord Takumi-no-kami presented the document. “I have scrutinized this thoroughly. However, this duty does not recur so frequently, and your domain is reputedly prosperous. Two hundred ryō or five hundred…”

“Even if you say it so casually, it remains a fortune. For those footing the bill…” “You will adhere to last year’s precedent.” Kira’s voice turned edged. “Then you refuse to approve this budget?” “You presume this meager sum suffices for proper hospitality?” “If I may ask—what exact amount does the shogunate prescribe for reception expenses? Are there official regulations?” “What?!” Kira flushed crimson.

“For the sake of those who will follow, I intend to manage it with seven hundred ryō this time.”

“Are you defying established precedent?” “I believe it’s acceptable to break with precedent at times.” “Those who come after will be pleased.” “Fool!” “What do you mean by ‘fool’?”

Hatakeyama barked, “Lord Takumi-no-kami!” “Customs too must adapt with the times.” Lord Takumi-no-kami turned pale but kept speaking.

“Do as you please.” Kira shook his fist and glared at Lord Takumi.

IV

After Fujii left, "What insolence!" muttered Kira Yoshihisa.

The attendant,

“From Lord Asano,” he said, presenting the gift Fujii had brought. “Is that all?” “Yes.” “Was there truly nothing else added to it?” “There was nothing added.” “That bastard’s been going on about recent financial difficulties and cutting expenses across the board—just like Asano. I see.”

Kira Yoshihisa took a sip of chilled tea, “The lord is no better than his retainers.”

“Did you say something?” “They’re fools.” “They.” “They’re all a bunch of misers!” “Is something the matter?” “Asano may have an official stipend of fifty-three thousand koku, but he also possesses five thousand koku from salt fields.” “This income beyond his stipend lands—if speaking of wealthy minor daimyō, his household would surely rank among the top five.” “And then he dares to complain about financial difficulties—what nonsense!” “Utterly preposterous.”

“With just one paltry gift—they can’t even bring the customary gold coins. It’s not that I demand one large koban and ten small ones out of personal greed. Precedent must be respected—this cannot be compromised. Just because he once served in this role before does not mean he can now reject my guidance—since when does tradition bow to such arrogance? He slashes the hospitality budget to a mere seven hundred ryō while withholding even the customary coins. Whatever the master may say about this, family elders should exercise proper judgment—yet Fujii and Yasui remain mere accountants who grasp nothing of practical governance. Had they a chief retainer like Ōishi, such foolishness would never occur! Asano will tarnish his reputation through this assignment! And the shogunate’s favor will curdle!”

Kira Yoshihisa was angered by Lord Takumi-no-kami, but his fury also welled up at the Edo elders’ handling of matters. (If you won’t listen to me, then I too have my own plans.)

Having thought this,

“Take this paltry gift and send it back!” he snapped. The attendant, “But that’s going too far…” he protested. Kira Yoshihisa fell silent, lost in thought.

V

The Densō residence at Tatsunokuchi, on the corner of Hori-dōri, had its walls and fences completely repainted, and instead of garden grass, white sand stretched from the gate all the way to the entrance hall.

As it was the day Kira Yoshihisa was coming for the preliminary inspection, the substitute attendants had been stationed since early morning, their hearts filled with unease. “Are there any oversights anywhere?” “I don’t believe there are.” “We can’t rely on mere belief!” “Then there are absolutely none!” “But with seven hundred ryō, compromises must surface somewhere.” “How much do you suppose our counterpart Date Saikyō spent?”

“How would we know?!” “Spending less than Date would shame us all!”

As people were muttering, “Above all, our reputation will suffer,”

“Lord Kira Yoshihisa!” came a voice calling from the entrance. “There he is!”

The people rose to their feet.

At the entrance steps and beside the entrance, samurai and servants waited modestly. From the black-lacquered palanquin placed on the stone steps of the entrance, Kira Yoshihisa emerged, gave a slight bow to the welcoming party, and ascended into the entrance hall. The people tried to gauge Kira Yoshihisa’s mood from his facial expression. “Where is Takumi-no-kami?” “He will arrive shortly.” Kira Yoshihisa, finding that Lord Takumi-no-kami had not come out to the entrance to greet him, felt his anger and displeasure mounting. And then he ascended the ceremonial steps and stepped into the entrance hall,

“This tatami?” Lord Kira Yoshihisa demanded, glaring downward. “Yes, my lord!” “Did you replace these mats?” “Yes, my lord!” “Why isn’t this brocade-edged tatami?” The substitute attendants froze upon entering the hall—caught between Lord Kira Yoshihisa’s razor-edged reprimand and the absence of both their supervising elder and Lord Takumi-no-kami. No words came to them. “Summon Lord Takumi!” “At once!” “Even a child knows court nobles require brocade-edged tatami! What’s the cost difference between this shoddy trim and proper brocade work?”

"We thought that perhaps for the entrance alone, it might be acceptable not to use brocade-edged tatami..." As one of the samurai began to reply, “Silence! “Since you’ve taken on this responsibility, do everything according to protocol! “If you’re so reluctant to spend, why didn’t you decline using financial constraints as an excuse? “Having accepted the responsibility, would you dare break even customary practices and pinch pennies like this? “Hurry up and call Takumi!”

Just as Kira Yoshihisa was speaking these words, Lord Takumi-no-kami appeared from behind his retainers with a fierce glare, walking briskly. "Have I committed some breach of etiquette?" He said to Kira without even a bow. "A breach?" Kira nodded and said, "Impropriety! "What is this tatami edging?!" "It is brocade-edged." "There are various grades of brocade-edged tatami. "What variety of brocade-edged tatami is this?" "I don't know about that. "However, I ordered the tatami artisans to use brocade-edged." "It is indeed brocade-edged."

“The pattern is wrong. Replace them!” “Replace them?”

“Exactly!” “Starting now?” “Patterns established by protocol cannot be altered.” “No matter how much you flout tradition, you cannot disregard such matters on a whim.” “Replace them immediately.” “Next...”

Having said that, Kira Yoshihisa did not wait for Asano Naganori's reply and entered the next room. Lord Takumi-no-kami turned pale and glared at his retreating figure.

Six

Upon hearing that tomorrow’s arrangements for receiving the imperial envoys had been slightly altered, Lord Takumi-no-kami sought to find Date Sakyo and inquire, but the tea servant said, “He has already departed.” “Where is Lord Kira?”

“He is here.”

Lord Takumi-no-kami stepped out into the corridor and began walking toward the gathering hall for the kōke officials, "It’s regrettable having to ask Lord Kira…" he thought. "However, going to ask Date would also compromise my dignity…" Having thought that, when he stepped out into the corridor of the Pine Room, Lord Kira was walking toward him from the opposite direction. “Wait!”

Kira glared! He stopped upon seeing Lord Takumi-no-kami. "I hear there's to be a rearrangement tomorrow—how exactly..." "You don't know?"

“I must have missed hearing about it. Please inform me!” “Missed it?! “How negligent!” “Where were you? What were doing?” “I was occupied.” “We’re both occupied.”

Kira attempted to walk past.

“Wait—about tomorrow—” he said, grabbing Kira’s sleeve with his right hand and pulling. “What are you doing!” Kira shook off the grip and shouted. His arm struck Lord Takumi-no-kami’s hand. “Not once have you heeded what I say, yet now you shamelessly ask something?” When Kira raised his voice, Kajikawa slid open the fusuma door and peered out. Lord Takumi-no-kami had turned pale. “While treating me as if I were nothing, now that you’re in trouble, you grab my sleeve and ask something?”

Kira Yoshihisa, since Lord Takumi-no-kami remained silent,

“Ridiculous!” he muttered, attempting to walk past. “Won’t you tell me?” “Are you demanding instruction, Takumi? You—when have I ever asked to be taught?” “Regarding tomorrow’s matter—as it concerns the ceremony—is it not a matter of shogunate affairs?” “Precisely because this concerns shogunate affairs—why did you fail to hear it when notified earlier?” “That is due to this humble one’s carelessness, yet I beseech you for instruction—” “I have no obligation to clean up your mess!” With those words, Kira Yoshihisa began to walk away.

“Are you refusing to instruct me?” Asano called out desperately from behind.

“Enough!” “You’re conflating public and private matters—” Takumi said, “That’s you!” “You’d break with precedent out of gold-pinching stinginess!”

“What!” Kajikawa “Ah!” he cried softly, springing to his feet. Kira Yoshihisa “What are you doing!” he shouted. In Lord Takumi-no-kami’s hand, a gleaming blade flashed.

Kira staggered, stumbled, and fled. When Lord Takumi-no-kami struck from a crouched stance, Kajikawa— "What are you doing!" he shouted, grappling him.

Seven

“Lord Takumi-no-kami has been ordered to commit seppuku,” his son Sahyōe came to his bedside and said. Kira Yoshihisa lay on his side, his face contorted in pain from his wounds. “I suppose so,” he answered. “The shogunate authorities initially sought to treat him more leniently as a madman, but Lord Takumi-no-kami reportedly insisted he wasn’t deranged—arguing that Lord Kōzuke-no-suke couldn’t be left alive for posterity’s sake—until matters finally culminated in his seppuku...”

“That obstinate hothead—there’s no fathoming the depths of his thoughtlessness.” “And how do they speak of this affair within the palace grounds?” “Whether they debate who bears fault—” “While Lord Takumi-no-kami’s rashness and parsimony are widely acknowledged, most believe such an attack within the shogun’s residence could only spring from intolerable provocation—hence the lingering sympathy for him.” “Kajikawa’s standing appears diminished.” “Why didn’t you permit him to complete the act before intervening…?”

“You talk nonsense—how could I endure being fully struck down? I sustained only light wounds, while the other side was forced to commit seppuku with their house abolished—so yes, sympathy may flow their way. But condemning me for this is wrong.”

“No, I’m not condemning you outright, Father—” “No—if even those in the castle who understand the circumstances speak so lightly of it, then the wider world—judging solely by outcomes—will surely brand me a monster. I bear no fault in this matter—I am of the kōke, charged with preserving the shogunate’s ceremonial traditions. Should those traditions be cast aside, what standing would remain for me? The root of this affair lies entirely with them. Yet because that brute dared strike at me within the palace grounds—an act of unprecedented violence—people now deem it extraordinary circumstance, and suddenly sympathy flows his way. Had I been slain then, still he would have been pitied! That his reckless actions should garner public compassion—absurd.”

“However, those who know the circumstances understand perfectly.”

“That’s right.” “That’s why even the authorities saw fit not to punish me, while he was ordered to commit seppuku.” “Yet the world refuses to accept this straightforwardly.” “Just because that wretch resorted to violence does sympathy flow his way.” “My miscalculation lay in dealing with that thoughtless hothead.” “It’s like fighting a viper.” “I had the worst possible opponent.”

“Honestly…” “Asano was Asano, but had his retainers shown more sense, this incident would never have occurred.” “This is utterly infuriating!” “To be struck down and then subjected to the world’s censure?” “Could there possibly be another calamity like this?”

The doctor from the adjacent room,

“You mustn’t talk too much,” the doctor cautioned.

Eight

When Uesugi clan advisor Chisaka Hyōbu finished drinking his pale tea,

“Have you heard the recent rumors about the Asano rōnin?” Chisaka Hyōbu said to Kira.

“What sort?” “They say they intend to strike down the Retired Lord in retribution for Lord Takumi-no-kami.”

Kira Yoshihisa laughed, “Why would they come to kill me? First that Asano nearly cuts me down, and now his retainers come to finish the job? I won’t stand for it!” “Admittedly, Lord Takumi-no-kami’s ordered seppuku appears self-inflicted—if resentment must be directed anywhere, it should be toward the shogunate authorities, not Your Lordship. However, it is said that during his final moments, Lord Takumi-no-kami left a will urging his close retainers to ‘avenge this grudge.’ Now, numerous among his former vassals reportedly seek to carry out his final wishes…”

“Even though their lord lost his life through his own recklessness, since when do retainers have any right to carry on his will?” “However, the public judges matters solely by revenge’s surface appeal, without grasping the detailed circumstances. The mob’s power is truly terrifying—play the flute, and dancers appear. Moreover, the Asano rōnin have now fully tasted the bitterness of losing their stipends. They’re desperate to act. If they can’t secure posts through conventional means, they’ll inevitably resort to drastic measures to break this stalemate. Having neither status nor income makes them dangerous—success could win them appointments; failure costs them nothing they still possess. Therefore, might I propose Your Lordship decisively relocate to the Uesugi residence under these circumstances?”

"How detestable!" Kira Yoshihisa shook his head.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong at all.” “As for the quarrel between me and Asano Takumi-no-kami, I consider him seventy percent at fault.” “If I were to relocate to Shirogane amid such public criticism, people would surely say Kira must have something to hide.” “That’s what galls me.” “You are rather stubborn, Retired Lord.”

“Indeed. “But I can only see it as having been provoked into a petty quarrel. “I see no reason why Asano’s retainers—the ones who started this conflict—should bear any grudge against me.” “The logic may hold in theory, but—” “Who leads these Asano rōnin?!” “It is Ōishi, their chief retainer.” “Ōishi Kuranosuke? “That man should understand reason better. “Rather than attacking me, I’d expect them to campaign for their household’s restoration. “Let them try striking me down—the Asano clan’s revival prospects will be severed forever.”

“That may indeed be so, but those who have lost their stipends likely lack the leisure to consider such rationales. Rather than taking on the formidable shogunate authorities, they would target the more accessible Retired Lord—” “I understand! I understand! But first they spread rumors that I tormented Lord Takumi-no-kami, and now claim I’m fleeing in fear of this revenge attack—it sullies my honor! Should they come, we’ll meet them then. But Chisaka—in the end, aren’t these just rumors?”

“If that is your wish, so be it— However, I must urge you to make preparations for any eventuality.” “But I refuse to move!” “In that case—as a precautionary measure—shall I arrange to station capable attendants here?”

“Hmm. That would be acceptable—but ensure it’s done discreetly to avoid public speculation.” “Ha ha.”

Chisaka thought that between this stubborn old man and the short-tempered Lord Takumi-no-kami，a quarrel was only natural. However，he thought it unreasonable to dismiss this stubbornness as mere greed or stinginess，as the world did.

Nine

Things crashed down with a thunderous rumble; doors splintered with a sickening crack. A horrific clamor erupted in the distance, and human screams pierced through. Kira Yoshihisa strained his ears.

A voice cried out, “Fire!”

(What misfortune, at this hectic year’s end. (Is it inside the residence...or the neighboring estate?) he wondered while—

“Is it a fire?” he called out to the attendant who should have been nearby. Then, as he raised his upper body, he heard the sound of footsteps on tatami and the shouts of his retainers.

“Where’s the fire?” “Is anyone there?!”

A sharp voice rang out—likely a battle cry. From the nearby corridor came a crashing sound—the rain shutters seemed to have been smashed down. Simultaneously, the sound of what seemed to be mallets being driven into a wooden fence somewhere rang out in rapid succession.

“Could it be the Asano rōnin?”

In the darkness where even the lingering moonlight had faded, Kira groped for and found his short sword. Then a faint lamplight cast its shadow, "My Lord!" The attendant came rushing in, shouting.

“Ruffians have broken in!” “The Asano rōnin?” “It seems so. You must leave at once!”

Kira hurriedly stood up. The sound of clashing swords rang out. Battle cries were heard. Footsteps swarmed chaotically into the garden, corridors, and rooms.

“This way!” “Where are you going?” “Hurry! Hurry!” The attendant went out to the kitchen entrance and pulled open the door. The snow cast a pale light. Various noises came through piercingly clear and distinctly audible. The attendant opened the charcoal shed door and, “Here!” he said. Ueno entered barefoot, and the attendant immediately shut the door. “So many?” “Fifty or sixty. From front and rear.” “Fifty or sixty men!” Ueno could not believe that so many men from among Asano’s retainers had remained behind to kill him.

“Could there be outside reinforcements?” “Hard to say.” "How could such an absurdity exist—I’ve done nothing wrong but get provoked into a quarrel, wounded and despised by society, only to be cut down later as an enemy?" Kira Yoshihisa felt anger seeping from the depths of his heart toward society’s morals and this revenge-driven logic. “My Lord, shh! If you don’t stay silent, they’ll find us.” Ueno stopped muttering.

The inside of the charcoal shed was pierced through with bitter cold. The shouts and footsteps outside grew increasingly violent.

“Is it truly the Asano rōnin?” “It seems so.” If I’m killed here... I’ll be branded a villain for all eternity. To glorify this act of vengeance, society will make sure I’m remembered through the ages as a greedy, heartless monster. I did admittedly provoke Lord Asano somewhat. But Lord Asano was eroding my authority. Not only did he disregard my instructions—he wouldn’t even deliver the customary bribes. Which of us is truly at fault here? Yet because they resorted to violence—that reckless sword attack—the world instantly cast me as the avaricious one. He failed to strike me down physically, but spiritually, he’s cut me to the marrow. And still his retainers come for me—what justification could there be for marking me their enemy simply because their lord botched his own assault? This grudge defies all reason—isn’t it utterly devoid of logic? What crime have I committed? Outrageous! “This is absolute madness!”

Uenosuke shook his head violently from cold and rage.

The noises grew somewhat quieter.

“Have they left?”

“No. Not yet.”

The two were huddled behind the charcoal sacks. Footsteps crunching through snow could be heard approaching the shed.

Ten.

The door creaked, and faint snow-light streamed in. When he thought, "Damn it, this is bad," a man wearing what appeared to be fireman’s garb materialized at the entrance and began advancing while leveling his spear. The attendant grabbed a piece of firewood, stood up, and hurled it. The man instantly dashed back to the doorway, "There’s something suspicious in here!" he shouted. And then, he readied his spear once more,

“Get out!” he roared, charging forward while leveling his spear. The attendant hurled charcoal and firewood, but when the intruder caught sight of Ueno’s white-robed figure behind him,

"Damn you!" he roared, charging forward. Ueno tried to back away, thudded his back against the rough wall, and at that moment had his thigh grabbed and fell flat on his rear.

What crime have I committed that I must be killed? Where was there any justice in this? I am killed, then eternally cast as the villain. My arguments and my position will be trampled underfoot for the sake of this grandstanding morality of vengeance.

Ueno grabbed charcoal and hurled it. Just as the attendant slipped past the spear-wielding man like a rabbit and emerged outside, a black shadow appeared on the snow. When a shout rang out, the attendant staggered and planted his hands. "Is there something suspicious in here?" Another man stomped in and, using the white of Ueno’s robe as a target, "Here I come!" he shouted, raising his sword. "Is Ōishi here?" Ueno asked. "Who are you?! "You—"

“If Ōishi were here…” “He isn’t here!”

Ueno—(If Ōishi were here I'd confront him about this groundless vengeance)—thought while trying to stand up only to stagger backward. A man who had approached from behind seized him by the nape and attempted to haul him away.

Ueno,

(If the lord is reckless, his retainers must be a reckless lot,) he thought, but terror had stilled his heart and stolen his voice. And then, he was dragged out with a scraping sound. “Look! He’s wearing a white silk robe!” One of the men waiting outside spoke. Someone blew a signal whistle. (They know about the white silk robe. They understand nothing of how things truly are, yet they know about the white silk robe. Why must I suffer such terrible ordeals time and again for Asano and his retainers?)

Ueno, in his confused mind, (Because I was slashed by Asano Naganori within Edo Castle's halls, people came to see me as a greedy spiteful old man.) I'm the one who should retaliate to restore my honor. Yet why should my near-death experience then justify killing me now? (Everything stands completely inverted.)

A dark mass of people converged. When a slightly plump, not very tall figure approached, “Master, this must be Lord Ueno!” one man said respectfully. (So this is Ōishi,) Ueno thought as— “Examine the wound.” Two or three men quickly bared their shoulders and held out hand candles. “There it is.”

Ōishi nodded and then knelt in the snow. Ueno, thinking "Hm?", glanced briefly and— "I take you to be Lord Kira Yoshihisa." "We are former retainers of Asano Naganori—Ōishi Kuranosuke Yoshio and forty-six men under him—but last year, due to unforeseen circumstances…"

and pressed his hands into the snow as he began to announce himself. (Ah, so this is it. Ōishi was indeed Ōishi. Why wasn't he in Edo back then? If Ōishi had been there, neither I nor you would have come to such a pass. Ōishi alone has some grasp of my heart. That’s right—it’s all been unforeseen. It’s my own absurd misfortune. Shall I resign myself to this misfortune and let them kill me?) As Ueno, with his confused mind, indulged in self-centered thoughts, Ōishi finished saying something and presented a dagger,

“Now!” Ōishi Kuranosuke said.

When the dagger was thrust at him, the faint flicker of resignation that had barely taken root in Ueno’s mind instantly retreated into shadow. The fury at having both his standing and his justifications permanently trampled underfoot by this so-called act of vengeance once again blazed up within his chest.

He stood up unsteadily, drawing his dagger with the resolve to defy Asano and his retainers, society, the masses, morality, posterity—all of it. “Still clinging on?!” “You coward!” (What cowardice? I have a rightful justification!) With that thought, he swung his dagger wildly when—

“Now! Strike!” Ōishi said.

(Does even Ōishi not understand the fury of those slain unjustly?) he thought when— “Now!” they shouted.