Pathway to Japanese Literature

I

Lord Takumi-no-kami ascended the entranceway and immediately—

“Tell Hikoemon and Mataemon to come at once,” he said, and entered the small study.

(There he goes again! Another of his usual fits of rage), the retainers thought, exchanging glances before hurrying off to the rooms of the two Edo elders, Yasui Hikoemon and Fujii Mataemon. Lord Takumi-no-kami had the women undo the cords of his long upper and lower garments while, “This won’t do! More expenses! Can’t be helped!” he muttered, flinging off his hakama. “Hurry up and tell those two to get here!” he urged. After a short while, Yasui Hikoemon entered hurriedly, “What is your command?” he said, sitting down.

“You have some business with me?” he said, sitting down. “And Mataemon?” “He is in the longhouse and will arrive shortly.” “Women, get out!” “Hurry up and go!” Lord Takumi-no-kami waved his hand. The women hurriedly gathered their half-folded hakama trousers and kamishimo garments and retreated. “The imperial envoy from Kyoto will be arriving, and once again it falls to us to host them.” “Understood!”

“Expenses, huh…” “However, it is an honorable matter—it cannot be helped.” “Well, that can’t be helped…” Lord Takumi-no-kami was saying when Fujii Mataemon entered.

“Forgive my lateness,” he said as he entered. “Mataemon, the shogunate has ordered us to host the imperial envoy’s reception this time. I wish to discuss this matter.” “Understood.”

“Last time—Tenna 3, was it? When we handled [the duty], how much did the expenses amount to?” “Well…” The two men tilted their heads. Fujii, “Approximately 400 ryō, I believe.” “That seems about right,” Yasui nodded. “Four hundred ryō?!” “Prices are different now compared to back then, so four hundred ryō probably won’t suffice.” “When I inquired with Izumo no Kami Itō, he said that during his tenure, it apparently cost twelve hundred ryō.” “When that person—Izumo no Kami Itō—was appointed, it was Genroku 10—yes, I believe it was the tenth year.”

“That’s correct.” “If we take twelve hundred ryō from that time as our basis, even with the most stringent cuts today, it would still amount to a thousand ryō.”

Lord Takumi-no-kami made a bitter expression. “If it costs that much, I can’t bear it! I intend to manage it with seven hundred ryō.” “Seven hundred ryō!” The two men tilted their heads. “Is it too little?” “Well…!” The two retainers knew that the Asano clan, as a minor daimyō, had maintained generations of frugal traditions, and were fully aware of Lord Takumi-no-kami’s exacting nature with accounts. “That should suffice,” was all they could say, though both privately thought: If even Izumo no Kami Itō—who was by no means wealthy—had spent twelve hundred ryō, then seven hundred ryō for our domain seemed rather questionable.

“First of all, society these days has grown far too extravagant.” “Even with this duty, we’ll have to give that customary gift to the coordinator Lord Kira—and I hear the amount keeps growing every year.” “No, that customary gift has been set at one large gold coin each.”

“Even that alone is unnecessary! Kira’s very duty is overseeing these matters—that’s what his stipend pays for! We bear no responsibility for imperial receptions! To be saddled with this extraneous duty—it’s a blatant loss of seven hundred, eight hundred ryō! At this rate, we ought to demand customary gifts from Kira ourselves!”

The two senior retainers could do nothing but nod.

II

The two men who had returned to the attendants’ room crossed their arms and said, “What a mess!” “That old man Kira Yoshihisa prides himself on his lineage but twists everything to his whim.” “All that high status as a *Kōke*, yet his coffers creak like a burning oxcart.” “The Lord dismisses these customary gifts as bribes,” they continued, “but even we bring *kenzan*—so-called ‘leftovers from shogunal offerings’—to the town magistrate’s office during our Edo stays.” “Better not invite Kira’s spite by skimping on a single large gold coin or ten small ones.” “One misstep in ceremony could spell disaster.”

“However, since he had handled this duty once before, that aspect should be manageable—but insisting on seven hundred ryō seems a bit unreasonable.” “Impossible.”

“The imperial envoy’s stay will be ten days, correct?” “That’s right.” “At one hundred ryō per day, that makes one thousand. Last time they managed with forty ryō daily, but gold’s value differs between Tenna’s Keichō-era coins and today’s recoinage—and the formalities have grown more elaborate…” “The feasts too have become increasingly extravagant…” “Exactly. Even Izumo spent twelve hundred ryō—for Asano to use seven hundred… Cutting it nearly in half would border on disrespect toward the envoy.”

“This is bad.”

“This is a problem… We could send an express messenger to have Ōno or Ōishi back in the domain persuade His Lordship… but Ōno’s such a miser—he’d enthusiastically support the seven hundred ryō plan—and Ōishi, living up to his ‘Daytime Lantern’ nickname, isn’t one to counsel His Lordship on abacus matters…” “This is a problem… Our only path is to slash expenses ruthlessly—trim corners where it won’t show.” “If only he’d quietly leave these affairs to us retainers.” “If we could just make up the usual deficit somehow during this…”

“If things go badly, we’ll end up having to dig into our own pockets.” “That’s it!” “Anyway, first and foremost is replacing the tatami mats at the densō residence.” The two men began detailed calculations of the expenses for the reception.

III

In the palace, to Hatakeyama, the Minister of Popular Affairs and current monthly duty officer of the Kōke, “Here is the expense estimate for this imperial envoy reception—please review it,” said Lord Takumi-no-kami, presenting a formal document with detailed line items written out. Hatakeyama gazed at it for a while, but... “I don’t understand such matters—since Kira seems to be here,” he said and pulled the bell cord. A monk, “Yes,” he said, placing his hands on the floor. “Tell Lord Kira to come here if he has a moment!”

“Yes, sir!” When the monk left,

"What an enormous expense," Hatakeyama said. "These days, seven or eight hundred ryō truly strain one’s resources." "Yet you possess salt fields and enjoy prosperity." "It merely appears so." "No domain yields fifty-three thousand koku yet sustains over two hundred samurai households—this rarity exists solely through your affluence," he remarked as Lord Kira Yoshihisa entered. "Concerning Lord Asano’s current estimate—having reviewed it—I find myself baffled." "A mediation supervisor must be assigned!"

Hatakeyama passed the document to Kira. “Prepared rather quickly, I see. Let’s have a look.” Kira stared intently at it, then looked up at Lord Asano’s face. “You’ve pared everything down excessively,” he said. “This amount won’t suffice.” “Seven hundred ryō, you say?”

“That’s correct.” “However, have not the previous expenditures been excessive? I wish to avoid unnecessary expenses.”

Lord Kira glared sharply at Lord Asano, “Even if it is too costly, you must not break precedent.” “There is a long-standing custom. Should you attempt to manage it with expenses below that standard, you will naturally invite disrespect toward the imperial envoy.” “However, matters of propriety do not depend on the amount of expenses!” “That’s mere logic.” “If you don’t handle such matters according to precedent, mistakes are bound to occur.” “However, with expenses increasing year after year…”

“It can’t be helped, can it? “Since all expenses rise year after year, what cost one thousand ryō last year will require one thousand one hundred this year.”

“However, seven hundred ryō would suffice—there’s no need to adhere to last year’s…” “How do you expect *that* to suffice?” “It is here.” With that, Lord Takumi-no-kami presented the document. “I have examined it thoroughly.” “However, this isn’t a duty that arises so frequently—and your household is reputed to be wealthy, is it not?” “Two hundred ryō or five hundred...”

“Even if you say it so casually, it’s a large sum.” “As for those of us paying…” “In any case, you will follow last year’s precedent.” Kira’s voice had grown slightly sharper.

“Then would you grant approval for this budget?” “I find it impossible to believe such paltry expenses could adequately host imperial envoys.” “Might I ask—does the shogunate maintain any formal regulation stipulating required expenditure amounts for receptions?”

“What!” Lord Kira turned red.

“Since it will also benefit those who come after us, I intend to fix this occasion’s expenses at seven hundred ryō.” “Are you breaking precedent?” “I believe precedent too may be broken on occasion.” “Future generations will rejoice.” “You fool!” “What do you mean by ‘fool’?” Hatakeyama, “Lord Takumi!” he rebuked. “Precedent too depends on the times.”

Lord Takumi-no-kami continued to grow livid.

“Do as you please.” Kira was shaking his fist and glaring at Takumi-no-kami.

Four

When Fujii left,

“Outrageous wretch,” Lord Kira muttered.

The attendant,

“From Asano,” he said, presenting the gift Fujii had brought. “Is that all?” “Yes.” “Was there nothing else included?” “There was nothing else included.” “That wretch has been spouting the same nonsense as Takumi—financial difficulties this year, cutting expenses everywhere—so that’s how it is.” Lord Kira took a sip of cold tea, “The master has his faults, and the servants theirs.” “Did you say something?” “They’re fools!” “They.” “Every last one of them is miserly!”

“What seems to be the matter?” “Asano’s official stipend may be fifty-three thousand koku, but he has salt fields yielding another five thousand.” “With this income beyond his stipend, among wealthy minor daimyō, his house would rank within the top five!” “What nonsense is he spouting about financial difficulties?!” “Honestly…” “They bring this trifling gift but not even the customary gold!” “One large gold coin and ten small ones—I’m not saying this because I want them.” “Precedent must be respected—this isn’t negotiable!” “Just because they handled this duty once before, they think they can ignore my instructions now! Since when do people disregard precedent in such matters?” “They slash reception expenses to a paltry seven hundred ryō and withhold even my customary gold!” “In matters like these, regardless of their lord’s words, family elders should act appropriately—yet Fujii and Yasui are mere bean-counters who understand nothing of practical governance!” “Had they a chief retainer like Ōishi, they wouldn’t commit such idiocy!” “Asano will destroy his reputation through this duty!” “The Shogunate’s favor will turn against him too!”

Lord Kira was furious with Lord Takumi-no-kami, but his anger also rose at the Edo-based senior retainers’ handling of the matter.

(If they won't heed my words, then I too have my own plans.) Having reached this conclusion,

“Take this paltry gift and shove it back!” he said.

The attendant, “But that seems excessive…” he said.

Lord Kira was silently thinking.

Five

At Tatsunokuchi, the Densō Mansion on the corner of Hori-dōri had its fences and walls completely repainted, and where garden grass once grew, white sand now stretched from the gate all the way to the entrance.

As it was the day Kira was coming for his inspection, the substitute personnel had been on duty since early morning, their hearts filled with unease.

“Is everything prepared? Have we missed anything?” “I don’t believe so.” “Don’t just believe—be certain!” “Then there are absolutely no oversights!”

“But with seven hundred ryō, there will be difficulties somewhere.”

“How much did our co-host Lord Date Sakyo spend?” “There’s no way to know that!” “If ours is less than Date’s, we’ll lose face!”

“First of all,(this) will damage our reputation,” people were saying when—

“Lord Kira Yoshihisa!” A voice called out at the entrance.

“There he is!” The people stood up. At the entrance platform and beside the entrance, samurai and servants were modestly waiting in attendance. From the black-lacquered palanquin placed on the stone at the entrance, Lord Kira Yoshihisa emerged, bowed lightly to the welcoming party, and proceeded up into the entrance. The people tried to gauge Lord Kira’s mood from his expression.

“Where is Lord Takumi-no-kami?”

"He will be here shortly." Lord Kira Yoshihisa's anger and displeasure intensified when Lord Takumi-no-kami failed to appear at the entrance to greet him. Having ascended the entrance platform, he stepped into the entryway,

“What about this tatami?” he looked down. “Yes, sir!” “Did you replace these tatami?” “Yes, sir!” “Why haven’t you used graded brocade edging?”

The moment the people ascended the entrance, they were met with Lord Kira Yoshihisa’s sharply accusatory demeanor—and with neither the person in charge nor Lord Takumi-no-kami present, they found themselves at a loss for how to respond. “Call Takumi!” “Yes, right away!” “Even a child knows that court nobles require graded brocade edging.” “How much does the cost differ between this edging and graded brocade?” “As for the entrance alone, perhaps it would be acceptable not to use graded brocade…” As one of the samurai began to answer, “Silence! “Since you’ve taken responsibility, everything must be done according to protocol!” “If you’re so concerned about expenses, why didn’t you refuse by citing financial constraints?” “Having taken on the responsibility, would you dare flout tradition and skimp on expenses?” “Call Takumi at once!”

As Lord Kira was saying this, Lord Takumi-no-kami appeared from behind his retainers with a fierce glare, walking briskly. “Have I committed some breach of protocol?” He said this to Lord Kira without even a bow. “Breach of protocol?” Lord Kira nodded. “Incompetence!” “What is this tatami edging?!” “It is graded brocade.” “There are various grades of brocade.” “What kind of graded brocade is this?” “I don’t know about that. “However, I ordered it as graded brocade from the tatami maker.” “It is indeed graded brocade.”

“The pattern differs.” “Replace it!” “Replace it?” “Exactly!” “Starting now.” “Patterns established by protocol cannot be altered.” “However much you flout precedent, such matters defy arbitrary disregard.” “Replace them immediately!” “Next…”

Having said that, Lord Kira entered the next room without waiting for Lord Takumi-no-kami’s reply.

Lord Takumi-no-kami turned pale and glared at the retreating figure.

Six

Upon hearing that the plans for tomorrow’s imperial envoy reception had been slightly altered, Lord Takumi-no-kami attempted to seek out Date Sakyō for clarification, but the tea attendant—

“He has already departed.” “Lord Kira?” “He is present.”

Lord Takumi-no-kami stepped out into the corridor and began walking toward the kōke officials’ gathering hall,

"(It’s regrettable to have to ask Lord Kira, but…)" he thought. But consulting Date would also be a blow to his dignity…

As he thought this and stepped out into the corridor of the Pine Room, Lord Kira came walking toward him from the opposite direction. “Lord Kira.” Lord Kira glared sharply! Lord Kira saw Lord Takumi-no-kami and halted.

“I hear there are rearrangements scheduled for tomorrow. How exactly…”

“Don’t you know?” “I must have missed it! Please instruct me!” “You missed it!” “Incompetent.” “Where were you when this was explained?” “I was occupied.” “We’re all busy.” Lord Kira tried to stride past. “Wait! About tomorrow’s—” He seized Lord Kira’s sleeve with his right hand and tugged. “What are you doing?!” Lord Kira wrenched his arm free with a shout. His forearm slammed into Lord Takumi-no-kami’s hand. “You ignore every instruction I give, then have the gall to ask favors now?”

Lord Kira raised his voice, so Kajikawa opened the sliding door and showed his face. Lord Takumi-no-kami had turned pale. “You treat me as if I barely exist, yet when you’re in trouble, you dare grab my sleeve and ask questions?”

Lord Kira, since Lord Takumi-no-kami remained silent, “Ridiculous!” he muttered and attempted to walk past.

“Won’t you instruct me?” “Are you demanding instruction now? When have I ever asked *you* to instruct *me*, Lord Takumi?”

“As for tomorrow’s matters—being ceremonial affairs—are they not public duty?” “Since this concerns public duty, why did you fail to heed my earlier instructions?” “That is precisely why I humbly seek your guidance—due to my own negligence.” “I’ll not clean up your incompetence!” With those words, Lord Kira began to stride away.

“Are you saying you won’t tell me?” Takumi called out desperately from behind.

“Enough!”

“You’re conflating public and private matters…” Lord Takumi-no-kami said, and— “That would be you.” “You’d even discard precedent out of miserliness!” “What?!” Kajikawa,

“Gah!” he shouted under his breath and leapt to his feet. Lord Kira,

“What are you doing?!” he shouted. In Lord Takumi-no-kami’s hand, a bare blade gleamed.

Lord Kira staggered as if tripping and fled. When Lord Takumi-no-kami slashed in a half-crouched stance, Kajikawa—

“What are you doing, Lord?!” he shouted and grappled him.

VII “Lord Takumi-no-kami has been ordered to commit seppuku,” his son Saemon came to his bedside and announced.

Lord Kira was lying on his side, his face contorted in pain from the wound, but— “I suppose so,” he answered.

“The authorities had intended to show more leniency by deeming him deranged, but Lord Takumi-no-kami reportedly insisted he wasn’t mad—that Lord Kira couldn’t be left alive for posterity—spouting all manner of arguments until it ended in seppuku…” “That obstinate hothead—who knows how thoughtless he’ll prove next.” “And how do they judge this in the palace?” “Whether they fault me or commend him.”

“Yes, Lord Takumi-no-kami’s rashness and miserliness are well-known, but given that he resorted to attacking you within the palace, people assume there must have been truly unbearable provocation—so sympathy remains with him.” “Kajikawa’s reputation appears tarnished.” “Why didn’t they let him finish his attack before restraining him…?” “What nonsense! How could I endure letting him complete his assault?!” “My wounds are slight, while he faced seppuku and his house’s destruction—yes, they’ll pity him. But to censure me for this is unjust.”

“Well, I’m not entirely blaming you, Father, but…” “No—if those within the palace who understand the circumstances consider this trivial, then the world at large, which sees only the final outcome, will surely condemn me harshly.” “I do not believe I am at fault in this matter. As a member of the Kōke, it is my duty to uphold the shogunate’s ceremonial precedents.” “If precedent is disregarded, what standing do I have left?” “The cause of this affair lies with them.” “However, because that wretch resorted to such violence as attacking me within the palace grounds, it’s now considered an extraordinary circumstance, and he’s suddenly being pitied.” “Even if I had been killed then, they would still sympathize with that wretch.” “The fact that that wretch committed such a reckless act is what’s garnering public sympathy.” “Ridiculous.”

“However, those who know the circumstances understand perfectly.” “Of course they do.” “Therefore, even from the authorities, I received no reprimand, and he was ordered to commit seppuku.” “However, the world refuses to accept that so readily.” “Simply because that wretch resorted to violence, sympathy turns toward him.” “My mistake was engaging with a thoughtless hothead.” “It was like picking a fight with a viper.” “He was an impossible adversary.” “Honestly!”

“Lord Takumi-no-kami bears responsibility—had his retainers been more attentive—this incident would never have occurred.” “I’ve had nothing but trouble!” “Not only was I slashed, but now society dares to censure me?” “Could there possibly be another such calamity?”

The doctor from the next room— “You mustn’t talk too much,” he cautioned.

VIII

Chisaka Hyōbu, the Uesugi clan’s senior retainer, finished drinking his pale tea,

“Have Your Lordship heard the recent rumors about the Asano rōnin?” Chisaka said to Lord Kira. “What kind?”

“They say it’s to avenge Lord Takumi-no-kami by striking down the retired lord.”

Lord Kōzuke laughed, “Why would they attack me? Having barely survived being cut down by Lord Takumi-no-kami, would I now let myself be slain by his retainers?” “Indeed, Lord Takumi-no-kami’s being ordered to commit seppuku was largely his own doing—if one were to resent anyone, it should be the shogunate—there should be no reason to resent the Retired Lord. However, it’s said that when Lord Takumi-no-kami committed seppuku, he left a final plea to his close retainers to avenge this grudge… and among his vassals, there are apparently many who seek to carry out that wish…”

“Even though their lord lost his life through his own recklessness, what law allows retainers to carry out his misguided will?” “Yet the public judges without knowing particulars—they see only a vendetta.” “The mob’s power terrifies me.” “There will always be fools who dance when someone pipes.” “Moreover, the Asano rōnin now feel keenly the sting of lost stipends—they hunger for action.” “If they cannot find new posts, they’ll surely stir trouble to break this stalemate.” “Having neither rank nor income makes them dangerous.” “Success might win them employment; failure costs them nothing.” “Therefore—might I suggest relocating decisively to the Uesugi estate?”

“What a nuisance!” Lord Kōzuke shook his head. “I do not believe I have done the slightest thing wrong.” “As for the quarrel between me and Lord Takumi-no-kami, I consider seventy percent of the blame lies with him.” “Were I to relocate to Shirogane over such rumors, people would surely say Kira must harbor some guilty secret.” “That rankles me.” “Retired Lord, you are rather obstinate.”

“Hmm.” “But I can only think they forced a petty squabble upon me.” “I see no reason why Takumi-no-kami’s retainers—the ones who started this quarrel—should bear me any grudge.” “Logically, that may be true, but—” “Who exactly leads the Asano rōnin?”

“He is a chief retainer named Ōishi.” “Ōishi Kuranosuke? That man should know better than this. Instead of attacking me, they ought to campaign for their house’s restoration. Let them try striking me down—they’ll sever all hope of reviving the Asano line forever.” “That may be so, but men stripped of stipends lack leisure for such calculations. Why challenge the mighty shogunate when a retired lord lies within reach...”

“Fine!” “Fine!” “However, not only am I rumored to have bullied Lord Takumi-no-kami, but now I’m said to be fleeing in fear of their vendetta—this touches upon my honor. Should they come, we’ll deal with it then. But Chisaka, aren’t these ultimately just rumors?”

“Very well,” Chisaka conceded. “However, you should make preparations for any contingency.” “But I refuse to relocate,” Lord Kōzuke countered.

“In that case… regarding the matter of stationing skilled personnel as attendants—” “Hmm. That’s acceptable, but ensure it doesn’t become public gossip.” “Hah.”

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

Nine

Thunderous crashes of objects toppling over and splintering doors being smashed—a dreadful roar echoed from afar, and human screams could be heard. Lord Kōzuke listened intently. “Fire!” a voice shouted. (What ill timing, at this hectic year’s end. Is it within the mansion grounds... or perhaps the neighboring residence...?) Lord Kōzuke 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 footsteps on tatami and retainers’ shouts.

“Where’s the fire? Isn’t anyone here?!” A sharp voice—likely a battle cry—rang out. The crash of storm shutters being smashed in a nearby corridor reverberated through the air. At the same time, the relentless pounding of wedges being hammered into a wooden fence somewhere rang out one after another.

“Could it be the Asano rōnin?” In the darkness where the lingering moonlight had faded, Lord Kōzuke groped for and found his short sword. Then, the shadow of a faint light fell,

“My lord,” The attendant came rushing in shouting. “Ruffians have broken in!”

“The Asano rōnin?” “It appears so.” “You must leave immediately!”

Lord Kōzuke hurriedly sat up. The sound of clashing swords rang out. Shouts rang out. Their footsteps poured chaotically into the garden, the corridors, the rooms.

“This way!” “Where are you going?” “Hurry! Hurry!” The attendant went out to the back entrance and pulled open the door. It was snowlight. Various noises came through crystal-clear and distinct. The attendant opened the door to the coal shed, “In here!” urged [the attendant]. As Lord Kōzuke entered barefoot, the attendant immediately shut the door.

“So many?”

“Fifty or sixty people.” “From the back and front.” “Fifty or sixty people!” Lord Kōzuke could not believe that such a large number of men from among Asano’s retainers had remained to attack him.

“Could there be outside reinforcements involved?” “I don’t know.” “How could such idiocy exist—that a man who’s done nothing wrong gets provoked into a fight, wounded, despised by society, and then hunted down as an enemy afterward?”

Lord Kōzuke felt anger welling from the depths of his heart toward societal morals like vendettas. “My lord, shh! If you don’t stay quiet, they’ll find us.” Lord Kōzuke stopped muttering. Inside the coal shed, the cold pierced to the bone. The shouts and footsteps outside grew more frantic. “Is it truly the Asano rōnin?” “It appears so.”

“If I’m killed now, I’ll be branded a villain until the world’s end.” “To glorify their vendetta, society will make certain posterity remembers me as a greedy tyrant.” “True, I did provoke Asano Takumi-no-kami somewhat.” “But he has trampled my dignity at every turn.” “He ignores my directives and withholds even the customary gold!” “Which of us bears fault here?” “Yet because they resorted to violence—to that disgraceful assault—the world instantly cast me as the avaricious villain.” “He failed to strike me down physically, but spiritually I lie cleaved in two.” “What justification remains for his retainers to hunt me now—merely because their lord botched his attack?” “This resentment holds neither reason nor justice!” “What crime have I committed?” “Outrageous!” “This is pure fabrication!”

Lord Kōzuke shook his head, trembling violently from both the cold and his rage.

The noises grew slightly quieter. “Have they left?”

“No, my lord. Not yet.”

The two were huddled behind the charcoal sacks. Footsteps crunching through snow approached the shed, drawing nearer.

Ten

The door creaked, and faint snowlight streamed in.

When he thought, “Damn it—this isn’t good,” a man clad in fireman’s garb appeared at the entrance and tried to enter while brandishing a spear. The attendant grabbed a piece of firewood, stood up, and hurled it. The man immediately darted back through the doorway and,

“There’s something suspicious in here!” he shouted. And then, he readied his spear once more, “Get out!” he shouted, inching forward. The attendant threw charcoal and firewood, but upon spotting Lord Kōzuke in white robes behind him,

“Damn you!” he shouted, lunging forward. Lord Kōzuke tried to retreat backward and thudded his back against the rough wall—the moment he did, someone grabbed his thigh and sent him sprawling. (What crime have I committed that I should be killed? Where is the justice in this? I will be killed and then branded a villain for all eternity. My arguments and my position will be trampled underfoot by the grandiose morality of vendettas.)

Lord Kōzuke grabbed a piece of charcoal and hurled it. The moment the attendant darted like a rabbit past the man with the spear and emerged outside, a black shadow appeared on the snow, and as a battle cry rang out, the attendant staggered and fell forward onto his hands.

“Is there something suspicious in here?” Another man stomped in and, spotting the white of Lord Kōzuke’s robes, “Here I come!” he shouted, raising his sword.

“Is Ōishi here?” Lord Kōzuke asked. “Who are you? You—” “If Ōishi were here—” “He’s not here.” Lord Kōzuke— (If Ōishi were here, I’d confront him about this unreasonable vendetta), he thought as he tried to stand up and staggered. A man who had come from behind grabbed his collar and tried to drag him.

Lord Kōzuke, "(The master is reckless, and his retainers are a bunch of reckless fools)," he thought, but his heart nearly stopped from terror, and no sound came out. And he was dragged out with a scraping sound. "Hey!" "He’s wearing white figured silk!"

One of the men waiting outside spoke. Someone blew a signal whistle.

(They know about the white figured silk. They know nothing of how things work, yet they recognize white figured silk. Why must I suffer time and again because of Asano and his retainers?) Lord Kōzuke’s mind was in disarray. (Because I was slashed by Lord Takumi-no-kami in the shogunal palace, they came to think of me as a greedy, spiteful old man. I’m the one who should be seeking revenge to restore my honor. And yet, why does the fact that I was nearly cut down before now become the reason for me to be killed? Everything is completely upside down.)

People came gathering in a dark mass.

When a slightly plump, not very tall figure approached,

“Master, this appears to be Lord Kōzuke!” one man said politely. “Is this Ōishi?” Lord Kōzuke wondered as— “Check the wounds.” Two or three people deftly bared shoulders and held out hand torches. “There is one.” Ōishi nodded and knelt in the snow. Lord Kōzuke, thinking “Hm?”, glanced over and— “I presume you are Lord Kira Yoshihisa.” “We are the former retainers of Asano Takumi-no-kami—Ōishi Kuranosuke Yoshio and forty-six men—but due to unforeseen circumstances in years past…”

he said, pressing his hands into the snow and beginning his formal introduction. (So this is it.) Ōishi was indeed Ōishi. Why hadn’t he been in Edo back then? If Ōishi had been there, neither I nor you would have ended up like this. Only Ōishi knew my heart to some extent. Yes—everything had been unforeseen. This was my absurd misfortune. (Should I resign myself to this disaster and let them kill me?)

As Lord Kōzuke, with his muddled head, indulged in self-centered thoughts, Ōishi finished saying something and presented a dagger. “At last!” he said. When the dagger was thrust at him, the faint glimmer of resignation that had barely taken root in Lord Kōzuke’s mind was instantly swallowed by shadow again. The anger that his own position and arguments would be trampled upon forever by this thing called vendetta blazed up again in his chest. With a resolve to defy them all—the Asano clan, society, the masses, morality, posterity—he drew the dagger and unsteadily rose to his feet.

“Pathetic!” “You coward!” (What cowardice? I have a just case!) he thought as he brandished the dagger wildly.

“Now! Strike!” Ōishi said.

(Does even Ōishi not grasp the fury of a man being wrongfully slain?) he thought— “Hyah!” came the battle cry.