Pathway to Japanese Literature

I

In the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, Takamatsu Domain of Sanuki Province quickly found itself branded with the disgraceful title of enemies of the court. Their ancestor was Yorishige, elder brother of Mito Kōmon Mitsukuni. In later years, Mitsukuni read the chronicles of Boyi and Shuqi, came to regret having surpassed his brother to inherit the family headship, adopted Yorishige’s son Tsunajo as his own child, and sent his biological son Tsurumatsu to Takamatsu to establish him as heir. Thus, Takamatsu Domain held for the Tokugawa shogunal family a closeness second only to the Three Houses. Therefore, at the time of the Meiji Restoration, the entire domain stood united as a pro-shogunate faction that prioritized the shogunal family above all.

When they were defeated at Toba-Fushimi, the two chief retainers, Kogawa and Kofu, led the defeated soldiers and fled back to Takamatsu from Osaka. The entire domain was living in terror of being branded “Enemies of the Court.” In Shikoku, Tosa Domain—the vanguard of imperial loyalty—had already raised an army to subjugate the court’s enemies, entered Iyo Province, incorporated the similarly loyal troops of Uwajima Domain, subjugated the Hisamatsu-Matsudaira family of Matsuyama, crossed the Iyo-Sanuki border, and advanced into Sanuki Province.

It was a massive army numbering over three thousand. Sanuki Province had experienced invasion by Tosa troops for the second time since Chōsokabe Motochika. The entire populace of Takamatsu Domain was thrown into chaos by the foreign invasion, with hearts filled with panic, and council meetings were held daily within the castle walls. Whether to surrender or resist—the domain’s policy could not be easily decided. Today as well, within the castle’s great hall, the senior vassals had gathered and a council meeting was being held.

The Pro-Shogunate Faction held seven-tenths of the influence, while the Imperial Loyalists held three-tenths—such was the balance of power. The leader of the Pro-Shogunate Faction was Narita Tanomo, the chief retainer—a stubborn, unyielding old man of fifty-five this year. “Satsuma, Chōshū, and Tosa—what are they doing? Aren’t they all scheming to use the young emperor as a shield, seize power over the realm, and if fortune favors them, replace the Tokugawa? They’re nothing but foxes borrowing the tiger’s authority to indulge their selfish desires!” “How could there be any principle that would have us abandon the Tokugawa shogunal family out of terror at the righteous cause brandished by such rabble?” “Was it not the intention of the shogunal family that our ancestor Lord Yorishige was enfeoffed in Takamatsu for this very hour—to secure Shikoku?” “Have we not received generous stipends since our ancestors’ time and been able to support our wives and children in peace precisely so that we might lay down our lives in service to the shogunal family at such an hour as this?” “If we do not lay down our lives at such a time, would we not be admitting that since our ancestors’ days, we have been nothing but thieves of our stipends?”

With that, he glared, his eyes wide, and scanned the assembly.

“Precisely! Precisely!”

“Most reasonable.” “We share your conviction!”

In the assembly, voices were raised from various quarters.

“That may indeed be the case, however…”

Though of low rank, Fujisawa Kōtarō—who had been specially permitted to attend due to his residence in Osaka and familiarity with affairs in the capital—broke the silence from a seat slightly below the others. “We have already received confirmed reports that Prince Arisugawa has been traveling down the Tōkaidō bearing the Imperial Standard.” “The Restoration of Imperial Rule is the great trend of the realm.” “There are also rumors that even the shogunal family intends to submit to the imperial court.” “At this juncture, how could it be permissible to engage in battle with the Tosa troops of the imperial army without first ascertaining the honorable intentions of the shogunal family?”

“Don’t you dare suggest such preposterous notions as the shogunal family having any intention to submit!” “We may have been defeated at Toba-Fushimi, but that was a battle begun without warning! Once the shogunal family returns to Edo Castle and rallies fresh forces from across the realm, Satsuma, Chōshū, and Tosa would not last a moment!” “If we fail to retaliate against Tosa’s troops now and surrender—should the Tokugawa family’s prosperous era return—our Takamatsu Domain would face nothing but dissolution!” “Rather than that, by staking our lives to repel Tosa’s forces and secure an enduring foundation for the Tokugawa family, will we not bring prosperity to our domain and repay our ancestors’ boundless benevolence?” “Let those cowardly Tosa soldiers cower trembling within their castle!” “This Tanomo means to charge foremost into battle!” “Surrender or capitulation—such thoughts have never once entered my mind!” Tanomo glared at Kōtarō as at a mortal foe and roared.

“Your reasoning is sound!” “Precisely as your argument states!” “Absolutely justified!” and other clamorous words of agreement escaped from the mouths of the domain samurai.

Kōtarō, undaunted by Narita’s furious shouts, continued in his calm, composed voice: “While I acknowledge your words, Lord Narita, even the Tokugawa shogunal family has never once raised arms against the Imperial Standard.” “Moreover, regarding the Mito branch of our main house—it has been widely known since Lord Mitsukuni’s era that they have long held profound reverence for the emperor, and even Lord Nariaki devoted himself extensively to imperial affairs.” “Yet for our domain—which shares the same lineage as Mito—to mistake loyalty for rebellion at this critical juncture and become Enemies of the Court would be truly lamentable.”

Kōtarō’s rebuttal was logical and well-reasoned, but for Tanomo, who was agitated, it could not be accepted. “What is this talk of loyalty and rebellion?!” “Such arguments are the words Satsuma, Chōshū, and Tosa use when scheming for personal gain!” “What are we to do if this domain—granted the position of Shikoku Governor-General with a grand stipend by the Tokugawa shogunal family—does not act when the shogunal house faces peril?” “This debate serves no purpose!” “Let those who agree with this Tanomo’s proposal raise both hands.” “Is that clear? You will raise both hands.”

Whether swept up by the momentum of the times or crushed under Tanomo’s overwhelming force, eight or nine out of ten in the assembly ended up raising both hands.

Two

On the same night, at Koizumi Shūzen’s home in Nibanchō—a district of samurai residences—twelve or thirteen young samurai from the domain had gathered. Koizumi Shūzen had nurtured imperial loyalist aspirations and secretly gathered comrades ever since meeting Takasugi Shinsaku of Chōshū two or three times when he stayed at Hiyanagi Enseki’s residence in Enai Village near Kotohiragū Shrine. However, being originally a shogunal collateral domain with many conservative and opportunistic samurai who would not even listen to ideas of revering the emperor and expelling barbarians made it impossible to recruit allies, venture to Kyoto, and launch any grand movement.

But they held a patriotic resolve: at least in such a crucial hour, they would not allow their domain’s course of action to go astray. That had finally driven—in today’s castle council meeting—the domain’s policy to settle on a militant stance. This would make them nothing less than Enemies of the Court.

Moreover, the domain’s soldiers—one force heading toward Ichinomiya via the Kotohira Highway and another toward Kokubun via the Marugame Highway—were set to depart at dawn during the Hour of the Dragon. The comrades sharing the same concern had gathered unexpectedly at Koizumi’s house. Yamada Jinnosuke, Kubo Sannojō, Yoshikawa Hayato, Kōda Hachigorō, and others—all were young men between twenty and thirty. Most were low-ranking samurai, but Ama Shinichirō alone—as the heir of Chief Retainer Ama Saemon, who held an 800-koku stipend—was the highest in status within the group.

Ama Shinichirō was a twenty-five-year-old samurai who had been fond of learning since boyhood; influenced by imperial loyalist ideology through avid reading of Rai San’yō’s poetry and prose, he was keenly aware that the imperial court must be revered and the shogunate overthrown. Having been promoted to chief page, he occupied the lowest seat at that day’s senior council meeting. “So Narita Tanomo’s vulgar argument has finally prevailed?” Koizumi said to Shinichirō, arms akimbo in anger.

“Indeed, Lord Fujisawa Kōtarō argued about loyalty and rebellion, but it proved futile.” Shinichirō hung his head as if he himself were being blamed. “Do they mean to resist the Tosa troops—the Tosa troops bearing the Imperial Standard? We’re doomed to lose! Tosa has two hundred Snider rifles—isn’t that what they say?” Yamada Jinnosuke sneered. “First we’ll be branded rebels, then get utterly crushed. On top of that, if the Restoration of Imperial Rule comes to pass, Takamatsu Domain will be abolished. To first misjudge the righteous cause, then destroy our lord’s house—could we possibly stand by and watch such an outrageous act?”

Koizumi clenched his teeth in bitter frustration. “Let us storm Narita’s residence at once and persuade that stubborn old man.” Yoshikawa Hayato, who had remained silent until now, spoke.

“No, no good.” Yamada Jinnosuke waved his hand. “That old man would never heed arguments from us low-ranking men. The domain’s council has already decided the matter—no matter how much we clamor now, would that old man ever change it?” he said.

“If that is so, will you stand by and watch as this domain becomes an Enemy of the Court?” Yoshikawa Hayato flared up. “No, that is not so. “I, too, have a plan. “However, that would be a drastic measure requiring us to stake our very lives.” Having said that, Jinnosuke looked around the gathering. “Drastic measures? Splendid! “Go on, tell us,” Master Koizumi said.

Jinnosuke was about to speak when he suddenly noticed Ama Shinichirō’s presence. “Mr. Ama, I must beg your pardon, but might I ask you to withdraw temporarily?” he said.

Shinichirō’s complexion changed.

“Why?” His handsome lips tightened sharply. “No ill will toward you, but you’re closely tied to the Narita family.” “With you present while we plot against Lord Narita—it would burden us both.” “Just for today, I must ask you to withdraw...” Jinnosuke’s tone remained cordial.

But Shinichirō’s face visibly flushed crimson, “Shinichirō! Though young in years, I stand ready to destroy even kin for righteousness’ sake!” “You welcomed me as your comrade in ordinary days—to cast me aside in crisis defies all conscience!” “I will not countenance withdrawal!” he declared. “So be it. Your resolve has grown admirable of late.” “Then hear me.” “All—draw near.”

The assembled people surrounded Jinnosuke. Jinnosuke lowered his voice and, “Now that the domain’s policy has been decided, there remains no course but to resort to drastic measures to reverse the raging tide. The only way to halt tomorrow’s deployment is to eliminate Narita Tanomo tonight—I believe there is no other path. What are your opinions, everyone?” Despite his resolve, his face had turned pale as he surveyed the gathering. “Absolutely! I wholeheartedly agree!” Yoshikawa Hayato was the first to speak. Master Koizumi, as if he had already consulted with Yamada, quietly began to speak.

“As individuals, we bear no grudge against Lord Narita.” “He may be stubborn, but he is a man of single-minded loyalty to his lord’s house.” “But to uphold the domain’s rightful cause and prevent us from erring in matters of loyalty and rebellion, I believe this is an unavoidable sacrifice.” “If we eliminate Lord Narita alone, few with resolve will remain afterward.” “If Lord Narita, the commander-in-chief, were to die, tomorrow’s deployment would clearly end in hesitant indecision.” “In that interim, I believe it may be surprisingly easy to advocate the principle of revering the Emperor and completely transform the domain’s policy.” “Since Keiō 2, we comrades have gathered and shared our aspirations of revering the Emperor precisely for the sake of serving in times such as these.” “Overthrowing Lord Narita both serves the Imperial Court’s interests and saves our lord’s house.” “I believe none of you have any objections.”

“No objections.”

“No objections.”

“Agreed.”

Each of them cried out in unison.

Ama Shinichirō alone, even he, said nothing.

Koizumi quietly resumed speaking.

“If there are no objections, then we must discuss methods.” “As you all know, Narita Tanomo is a master of Takeuchi-ryū kogusoku.” “His skill with a short sword in close-quarters combat must be considered unmatched within the domain.” “Therefore, those we select as assailants from among us must be individuals confident in their martial prowess.”

“Exactly!” Yoshikawa Hayato responded. “However, we must refrain from causing commotion in the castle town with a large force, especially now when facing external enemies.” “I think three assailants would suffice first.” The gathering tensed. But in everyone’s hearts surfaced the name Ama Shinichirō. He was the domain’s martial arts instructor and senior disciple of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū’s Kumano Sansai. “Though my skills are unrefined, I humbly ask to be included,” Yoshikawa Hayato said. To call himself unskilled was modesty—within their faction, he remained a capable swordsman. Yet he could not possibly match Shinichirō.

“I too must insist!” Kōda Hachigorō said.

He was quite a skilled swordsman. However, compared to Ama Shinichirō, he was no match. With all eyes upon him—and those of clearly inferior skill having volunteered—Shinichirō too could not remain silent. “I too must humbly ask to be included,” he could not help but utter. Neither Koizumi nor Yamada had apparently intended to make Shinichirō an assailant, and Koizumi spoke calmly: “No, Mr. Ama. You should refrain.” “It is not our intention to place you in such a painful position.”

“No.” Shinichirō leaned forward slightly. “I fully comprehend your consideration.” “It must be precisely this thoughtfulness that moved you to tell me to withdraw.” “Yet as I declared earlier—private affairs remain private; public duty remains public.” “In this matter,” he stated unequivocally, “I must insist all such solicitude be entirely discarded.”

“However, Mr. Ama, you and Lord Narita’s daughter have already exchanged betrothal gifts…” Koizumi began to say, but Shinichirō cut him off indignantly, “In times of great national upheaval, how can you indulge in such personal sentiments? “Such unnecessary concern!” he declared.

Everyone fell silent. Then, struck by Shinichirō’s resolve, they rose with solemn determination.

III

However, Ama Shinichirō’s true feelings were not as resolute as his words suggested. Though his imperial loyalist fervor burned more fiercely than most, he was originally distant relatives by blood with the Narita family and had developed a considerable closeness with them.

Even the stubbornly steadfast Narita Tanomo was, in ordinary times, an eccentric and amusing old man whose greatest pastime was offshore fishing; he had even invited Shinichirō two or three times to accompany him.

The eldest son, Mannosuke, was seventeen this year and excelled in both literary and martial arts, looking up to Shinichirō as an older brother, “Brother! Brother!” he adored him, calling out. His elder sister Yaegaki, eighteen and just a year older, was on the verge of exchanging betrothal gifts with Shinichirō; however, due to the turbulent times, the matter had been left unresolved indefinitely. Therefore, he knew the layout of the Narita residence as well as his own home.

The assault on the Narita residence was set for midnight that very night.

The vanguard consisted of three members: Yoshikawa, Kōda, and Shinichirō; the second team comprised three: Koizumi, Yamada, and Kubo Sannojō. Shinichirō pretended to be calm before his comrades, but his heart was clouded and his steps were leaden.

Koizumi said, “Refrain from unnecessary killings at all costs. If the retainers interfere, you may reluctantly cut them down, but once Lord Tanomo is defeated, withdraw immediately. Above all, you must not harm Lord Mannosuke, the heir”—a directive that Shinichirō found deeply reassuring.

With their departure scheduled for tomorrow morning, the castle town was suffused with an uneasy commotion. The town, usually dark, now had many houses with lights seeping through their windows, and even as midnight approached, numerous homes still let sounds and voices spill out into the night. The six people each covered their faces with black cloth. The Narita residence was located in Fifth District, facing a desolate horse-training ground. Shinichirō first returned to his residence in Nibanchō, pretended to his family that he had gone to sleep, and then, shortly before midnight, climbed over his own estate’s wall and hurried to the horse-training ground.

By the hour of the Rat, all six had gathered. "Mr. Ama, though this weighs heavily on my heart, I must ask you to guide us to the Narita residence," Yamada said.

“I shall comply.”

Shinichirō’s face had turned pale, but no one noticed in the moonless darkness. A rope ladder was hung over the rear wall of the Narita residence. Shinichirō entered the estate first. Across the pond lay Tanomo’s twelve-mat sitting room; beyond an eight-mat room further on was Lady Yaegaki’s quarters. He prayed they would not wake and emerge. Even masked, he could not bear the thought of Lady Yaegaki or Mannosuke glimpsing his form.

They had prepared a battering ram to smash through the wooden shutters as planned, but since doing so would have awakened everyone in the residence, they ended up searching for another point of entry.

“Mr. Ama, is there any place that would be easier to breach?” Yamada whispered to Shinichirō. “There is. A small window facing the inner garden.” The instant he answered, Shinichirō regretted it. Even for the sake of a righteous cause, he couldn’t help but think he hadn’t needed to go that far.

The six men circled around the garden and entered the inner courtyard. Sure enough, there was a low window about two shaku in diameter set into the wall. The bamboo lattice was also made of slender rods. Koizumi drew his dagger and began cutting each slender rod one by one, careful not to make a sound. Yamada also assisted. “Lord Kōda, you have the smallest frame. Sneak in through here and open the shutters, if you would.” “Alright, I’m in.” After handing over his swords to Koizumi, Kōda, now unarmed, slipped through.

While receiving his swords back from inside through [the window], Kōda asked urgently: “Mr. Ama – where’s [the] crossbar? This edge or [the] far edge?” “[It] should be [the] far edge,” came Shinichirō’s terse reply through clenched teeth.

Kōda crept stealthily down the corridor.

The five outside also crept on stealthy feet to the far end of the shutters.

The sound of the crossbar being raised faintly echoed. The shutters opened with a low creak. Everyone drew their swords. Koizumi said, “Mr. Ama, please go ahead. Everyone—stay quiet,” he said. The vanguard group moved forward. The room along that corridor was Lady Yaegaki’s quarters. A lamp was faintly lit, but she must have been fast asleep. She showed no signs of noticing. “This room!”

When they had walked about ten ken down the corridor, Shinichirō turned around and whispered softly. The shoji was swiftly opened. At that very moment, “Who goes there?” A voice that had been readied to the utmost resounded as though piercing through the chests of the three vanguard members.

Tanomo, having already noticed the suspicious sounds, had swiftly fastened his obi over his nightclothes and drawn his sword close. “In the name of the Imperial Court, we’ve come to claim your life!” Yoshikawa bellowed in a low yet powerful voice.

“Who dares?!” “What wretch are you? Name yourself!” Tanomo stood up, drew his sword, threw the scabbard behind him, and kicked the lantern with his foot.

But at the same moment the lantern went out, the light from Yamada’s hand-held lantern illuminated the room. Koizumi slid open the wooden shutters facing the wide garden with a loud clatter. This was to secure an escape route.

Illuminated by the hand lantern, Tanomo leaped back from beside his bedding, pressed his back against the bedpost, and assumed a middle stance with his sword measuring under two shaku. Though an old man, he carried himself with dashing poise. “Hah!” Yoshikawa struck, but the old man swiftly bent his body and withdrew toward the staggered shelves beneath a low lintel. Yoshikawa’s longsword, swung with full force, struck the lintel, and as he frantically tried to pull it free, the old man lunged forward and delivered a shallow slash to Yoshikawa’s left shoulder.

Indeed, he was a master of Takeuchi-ryū, which specialized in close-quarters combat with short swords. Seeing Yoshikawa had been struck, Kōda lunged in with a swift slash, but the old man slipped behind the bedpost—using it as a makeshift shield—while holding his short sword in a one-handed middle stance.

The estate broke into an uproar. Any delay now would spell disaster. Koizumi, the mastermind, grew anxious.

“Mr. Ama! Mr. Ama!” He inadvertently called out Shinichirō’s name. Even more than Shinichirō had been startled upon hearing his own name called out, the old man was shocked. “Shinichirō?! Shinichirō?!” The old man fixed his eyes with madness and glared at the masked Shinichirō. Shinichirō felt as though he had swallowed boiling water. From the very start, he had readied his longsword, prepared to strike when the moment came, all while finding Tanomo’s desperate countenance unbearable to behold—but now that his adversary had recognized him, his thoughts grew increasingly disordered, and even the tip of his skilled blade began to quiver faintly.

“Mr. Ama, I will take over!” Impatient Yamada tried to push Shinichirō aside. In this situation, Shinichirō found himself in dire straits. “No need for assistance—I’ll handle this!” Shinichirō pushed Yamada aside with those words, then raised a desperate cry—“Uncle, forgive me!”—and repurposed the bedpost his opponent had been using as a shield into his own makeshift guard. Swiftly closing the distance while evading the downward-slashing longsword, he drove a left-handed thrust into Tanomo’s left flank with such force that it pierced through to pin him against the rear wall.

Kōda delivered the finishing blow from the right.

Koizumi was exchanging blows with the retainers who had rushed over, but when he saw Tanomo fall, “Everyone, fall back! Fall back!” he shouted, and while shielding the injured Yoshikawa, he dashed toward the back exit he had opened earlier in preparation for their retreat. Shinichirō bowed with one hand raised toward Tanomo’s corpse, then leaped down into the garden from the very rear. “Stop, traitor!” Mannosuke’s voice rang out.

(Lord Mannosuke! Lady Yaegaki! Forgive me!) He cried out in his heart as he leaped over the garden pond and chased after his comrades. “Wait, you coward! Wait!” Mannosuke’s voice came from four or five yards behind. But Shinichirō ran without looking back.

IV

The news of Narita Tanomo’s sudden death shocked all members of Takamatsu Domain, high and low. The dispatch scheduled for the following morning was postponed. This was a devastating blow to the pro-shogunate faction. The domain’s policy swung at once toward imperial loyalty and submission. The submission argument put forth by Yorikazu, younger brother of domain lord Yorisato, swiftly gained influence. The domain’s policy decided to place responsibility for Toba-Fushimi on Kosuke Hyōgo and Kogawa Mataemon, the two men who had been captains dispatched to the front, and forced them to commit ritual suicide. The two heads were delivered by Chief Retainer Ashizawa Iori and Hikosaka Koshirō to the camp of the Shikoku Pacification Envoy, Shijō Jijū and Shijō Shōnagon, who had at that time descended as far as Himeji.

The Tosa troops and Marugame Domain forces stayed in Takamatsu Castle town for only two or three days before withdrawing. And thus came the glorious era of the Imperial Restoration.

The people who assassinated Narita Tanomo deserted Takamatsu over the following day and the day after that. When Shinichirō tried to flee with them, both Koizumi and Yamada stopped him. “You, as the legitimate heir of the Ama family, are a person of high standing,” they said. “If we bear the guilt as the perpetrators and desert the domain, no one will suspect you. You must remain in the domain and devote yourself to both the nation and our domain. Once branded as enemies of the court, the domain’s future will be no easy path. There is much work you must do.”

Shinichirō, knowing full well that he was the foremost perpetrator, felt deeply troubled at the thought of remaining behind alone. Yet he also dreaded deserting the domain alongside Koizumi and Yamada, for that would mean Mannosuke and Yaegaki would discover he was the killer. While Shinichirō was agonizing, Koizumi and the others fled to Bizen from Itogahama in the western part of the castle town, hiring fishing boats one after another. The perpetrators of Narita Tanomo’s assassination had been conclusively determined to be the five: Koizumi, Yamada, Yoshikawa, Kōda, and Kubo.

Moreover, when the world entered the era of the Imperial Restoration, Tanomo’s death—that of a pro-shogunate loyalist—came to be seen as a death in vain. The assassins were lauded rather than condemned. As for Ama Shinichirō, not a single soul suspected him.

Tanomo’s surviving children, Mannosuke and Yaegaki, far from suspecting Shinichirō, began to rely on him as their sole confidant after their father’s death. The fact that Shinichirō was an imperial loyalist worked to his advantage, and in 1870, he was summoned to the Daijōkan and appointed to serve in the Ministry of Justice.

Of the six comrades who had slain Narita Tanomo, Koizumi Shūzen had joined the Chōshū domain forces and fought in the northern campaigns, but fell during the siege of Nagaoka Castle. Kōda Hachigorō had joined the Satsuma army under the patronage of Ōyama Kakunosuke of Satsuma, but was killed in action during the Aizu War. Kubo Sannojō died of illness in Kyoto near the end of the first year of Meiji. Of the remaining three, Yamada Jinnosuke had become a Konoe captain, and Yoshikawa Hayato had become an inspector in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Ama Shinichirō, precisely because he possessed academic talent, rose swiftly through the ranks and by the fifth year of Meiji had become a judge of Tokyo Prefecture.

However, since leaving Takamatsu, he had not forgotten Narita Tanomo’s bereaved family.

He would occasionally recall Yaegaki’s beautiful bridal hairstyle arranged in the traditional high chignon style, as though she were his betrothed. When he visited the Narita household during New Year’s or the Boys’ Festival, he would be made to keep Tanomo—who loved his sake—company, and on such occasions, Yaegaki would always come out adorned in fine attire to serve drinks. Even after Tanomo’s sudden death, Yaegaki and Mannosuke did not suspect Shinichirō in the slightest. However, tormented by his conscience, Shinichirō distanced himself from the Narita household of his own accord.

In addition to the death of Yaegaki’s father, the ongoing reforms of the Meiji Restoration continued to unfold, so Shinichirō and Yaegaki’s betrothal was left unresolved.

(By now, Lady Yaegaki must have surely been married off somewhere. Or might she still be at home?) Even after coming to Tokyo, Shinichirō would occasionally entertain such thoughts. It wasn’t that he remained chaste for Yaegaki’s sake, yet Shinichirō still had not married. His seniors and colleagues recommended marriage proposals to him, but for some reason, he felt no inclination to pursue them. In the spring of 1871, Ashizawa Iori—the former chief retainer of Takamatsu—journeyed to the capital. He was distantly related to Shinichirō and likewise connected to the Narita household.

When Shinichirō went to pay his respects at the former domain lord’s residence in Suidōbashi for the first time in a long while, he happened to meet Iori there. “Well, well. It’s been a while.” “Oh, Uncle Ashizawa?” Shinichirō felt a wave of nostalgia. “There are very few Takamatsu samurai serving the new government.” “You are one of those rare few.” “Work hard—I want you to become a Councillor someday,” said Iori. “No, that won’t do.” “After all, it’s the reign of Satsuma and Chōshū, you see.” “If you’re not from Satsuma or Chōshū, you’re not even a person,” Shinichirō lamented bitterly, recognizing the unassailable power wielded by those clans.

“Is that so?” “Now that you mention it, Takamatsu was rather slow to modernize.” “However, it’s a relief we didn’t end up fully branded as Enemies of the Court like Aizu.” “That we submitted early to the imperial court through your efforts was most fortunate.” “Even the people of your domain now acknowledge your achievements!” “I see.” “Thank you very much for that.”

At that moment, Iori abruptly changed the subject, as if struck by a sudden thought.

“You know Narita’s daughter, don’t you?” “I know.” Shinichirō said nonchalantly, but he himself noticed the blood rushing to his cheeks. “It’s said she was your betrothed—is that true?”

“Ha ha ha ha ha. That’s an old story—let’s leave it at that,” he said, trying to deflect with a joke, but Ashizawa pressed on earnestly:

“No, that won’t do.” “They say that girl’s waiting for you to come back from Tokyo and fetch her, you know.”

“Is that true?” “Uncle.” Shinichirō was startled. “It’s true—they say she’s been rejecting every marriage proposal.” “You shouldn’t keep a girl of marriageable age waiting too long—it’s practically a sin.” “Or have you already married someone in Tokyo?”

“No, I haven’t married or anything.” Shinichirō firmly denied it.

“You should make Lady Yaegaki happy soon, ha ha ha ha ha.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha.” Shinichirō laughed along as if joking, yet his heart churned violently. It wasn’t that he didn’t love Yaegaki. But I was unquestionably her father’s killer. He believed marrying her while concealing this truth would violate all human ethics. Yet his longing for Yaegaki lingered stubbornly in his chest, rendering him incapable of wedding any other woman.

Shinichirō lived in a hatamoto residence in Kōjimachi Rokubanchō, employing an old maidservant, maids, and student boarders. The house was large, and the garden spanned over sixteen hundred square meters.

The parents he left behind in his home province refused to come to Tokyo no matter how much he urged them, saying they disliked leaving their home. While wanting to visit his parents in his home province and also check on Yaegaki and her brother, Shinichirō thought of returning to Takamatsu once. However, the memory of killing Tanomo remained vivid, and when it came down to it, he simply couldn’t bring himself to make the journey.

The year Meiji 5 arrived. It was April 5th of that year.

When Shinichirō returned home from the government office around four o’clock, the maid who had come to greet him—

“A guest has arrived from your home province,” she said. “A guest from my home province! Well, well—what’s their name?” “He gives his name as Lord Narita.”

“Narita!” Nostalgia and terror welled up in Shinichirō’s chest in equal measure.

After settling into the parlor, he said to the maid,

“Show him in here,” he said.

“It must be Mannosuke. If he’s twenty-two this year, then Lady Yaegaki would be twenty-three.” As he thought this and waited, the sliding door opened to reveal Mannosuke—his hair cropped short—grinning as he appeared. “Hey.” Shinichirō unconsciously raised his voice from nostalgia. “It’s been too long!” Mannosuke placed both hands respectfully on the floor. Then, “My sister has come with me,” he added.

“Lady Yaegaki too?!”

Shinichirō received an intense shock and was embarrassed that Mannosuke had seen his face turn red. “Now then. Please, over here!” Shinichirō pulled the seating cushion closer to himself.

Yaegaki emerged from behind the sliding door and bowed. Shinichirō could hardly wait for Yaegaki to raise her face. Her slender nose bridge, Jizō-shaped eyebrows, and gentle eyes with a dewy quality—all retained their familiar delicate beauty of old—yet now showed traces of painful gauntness somewhere within them that grieved Shinichirō’s heart.

The siblings showed no sign of approaching. “Come now—please, over here! We can’t talk there. Come on!” The fear that he himself was an enemy faded, leaving only nostalgia and familiarity to fill Shinichirō’s heart. “I had heard about you both through rumors from provincial visitors to the capital and worried privately—but seeing you safe brings me greatest relief.” “Congratulations on your good health and splendid success... Brother.”

Being called "Brother" just as before, Shinichirō was overcome with a heartrending emotion. "When did you come to the capital this time?" "We arrived yesterday."

“By steamship?” “Yes.” “We boarded from Kobe.” “That must have been exhausting. “Lady Yaegaki must have had an even harder time.” For the first time being addressed by Shinichirō, Yaegaki blushed and averted her gaze. “Where are you staying now?” “We are under Lord Ashizawa’s care.”

“I see.” “As you can see, my residence is spacious and unoccupied—I could accommodate you at any time. Why not come stay starting tomorrow?” “Thank you very much.” “I may indeed take you up on that offer.”

Mannosuke, too, had tears in his eyes at Shinichirō’s unchanging kindness from days past. “What brings you to the capital this time—is it for some form of training, or perhaps to seek an official position…?” asked Shinichirō.

Mannosuke remained silent for a while, but—

“Regarding that matter, I would like to consult with you again at another time, Brother,” he said. Shinichirō felt a chill as Mannosuke’s eyes suddenly seemed to turn sharp.

That day, after being treated to dinner, the siblings returned to the Ashizawa residence within the Matsudaira estate at Suidōbashi, saying they would come within three or four days.

However, on the evening of the third day, instead of the siblings, Iori suddenly showed up.

Since it was a rare guest, when they courteously welcomed him into the parlor, Ashizawa Iori suddenly said— “Lady Yaegaki has finally come to Tokyo because she couldn’t endure it any longer, hasn’t she?” “…” Shinichirō could not respond at all. “I hear you told the siblings they could come to your house anytime—but merely inviting them over leaves things half-finished! Why not properly make her your wife?”

“Ah…”

“That ‘Ah’ won’t cut it. “I want you to give me a clear answer. “Lady Yaegaki is already twenty-three, you know. “Women age quickly. “Just because you work with the law doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten human feelings, does it? “Just yesterday, when I mentioned it to His Excellency, his will was that it should definitely be settled. “In the old days, this would’ve been a wedding ordered by a command you couldn’t refuse. “Well? Mr. Ama!”

Shinichirō was at a loss for a reply. His heart was filled with affection for Yaegaki. However, if they were to hold a wedding and then it were to become known that he was the enemy of her father, their marriage would indeed turn into a living hell. He thought that this was precisely where he, as a man, had to stand his ground, and so—

“Thank you for your consideration.” “As for those siblings, I too feel pity for them as if they were my own flesh and blood.” “Therefore, I intend to take them into my home and care for them without reservation.” “However, regarding the matter of a wedding with Lady Yaegaki, I humbly request your forbearance for the time being.” “You’re stubborn.” “Do you have a concubine or something?” “No, there is nothing of the sort.”

“In that case, there should be no impediment whatsoever.”

“There are… certain circumstances I must consider…” “So you’ll take care of them but won’t hold a wedding?” “Ah.” Iori, slightly exasperated, stared intently at Shinichirō’s face, but— “You’re quite the odd one. “Then you’ll take care of them as if they were your own family, right?” “Ah, that much I would gladly…” “I see. “Then I’ll have those siblings sent over to this house. “In time, once you try keeping her by your side and Lady Yaegaki takes a liking to it, you’ll properly make her your wife, I suppose.”

Shinichirō thought for a moment, but—

“That may come to pass,” he said, blinking as if dazzled.

V

Yaegaki and Mannosuke came to Shinichirō’s house four or five days after that.

Yaegaki was not Shinichirō’s wife, but she naturally became like the lady of the household.

She took care of Shinichirō’s daily needs and prepared his bedding. Shinichirō, too, respected and loved Yaegaki as a wife would be respected and loved. At the Mitsui Dry Goods Store in Surugachō, he had a full set of clothing prepared for her, and at Kinryūdō in Nihonbashi-Kodenmachō, he bought expensive items such as combs, hair ornaments, and obi clasps.

Yet even when they were alone in Shinichirō’s parlor, he did not so much as lay a finger on her.

About two months had passed since Yaegaki had come. That day, there was a banquet, and Shinichirō returned home a little past eleven o’clock, slightly intoxicated. Yaegaki diligently cared for Shinichirō, changed him into his nightclothes, and put him to bed.

However, even after Shinichirō had gone to bed, Yaegaki made no move to leave the room as she usually would.

She remained seated at the edge of the futon for a long time.

Shinichirō was troubled by this, so

“Lady Yaegaki, would you not retire for the night?” he said.

As if that had been the trigger, Yaegaki began to sob quietly. Because he understood all too clearly why Yaegaki was crying, Shinichirō’s heart was suddenly thrown into disarray, overwhelmed by unbearable anguish. If only he could forget everything and draw that frail body close—he thought that both she and he might find happiness—but Shinichirō’s sharp conscience would not permit it. I did not kill him for personal gain or selfish desire, but I am undoubtedly her parent’s enemy. Moreover, the conviction that keeping this hidden while forming a bond with her daughter was not something a man should do forcefully suppressed his carnal desires.

For a time, he allowed Yaegaki to cry, but eventually spoke quietly.

“Lady Yaegaki, I understand your feelings well.” “Your heart, which has waited for me all this time, fills me with profound joy.” “Even now, I think of you as my wife.” “However, as for the marital union alone—due to a matter of heartfelt vow—I cannot proceed with it for the time being.” “You must be suffering... I too am suffering.” “But I must ask you to give up.” “In time, there will come a day when you are called my wife and I your husband.”

Shinichirō’s words were filled with truth and love. Yaegaki burst into tears and fell prostrate. But after a while, when she stopped crying,

“I must beg your pardon.” After saying, “Please forgive me,” she gracefully opened the sliding door. (Lady Yaegaki!) Shinichirō barely suppressed the urge to call her back.

VI Mannosuke had mentioned his purpose for coming to the capital but left it at that, and the matter remained unresolved. And even after coming to Shinichirō’s residence, he continued to go out nearly every day. At first, Shinichirō thought he might be attending academic lessons, but according to the maids’ accounts, he was actually practicing swordsmanship. This left Shinichirō with an uneasy feeling, so one evening, he summoned Mannosuke to his side and—

“You are said to attend swordsmanship practice every day—is this true?” he asked.

“Yes.” Mannosuke nodded obediently.

“Is that so? That might be a slight misunderstanding.” “In this age where the feudal system has crumbled and the Haitōrei for the warrior class is soon to be enacted, what do you hope to accomplish by practicing swordsmanship?” “Rather than that, why do you not pursue studies of civilization and enlightenment to establish yourself in this new era?” “How about attending Mr. Fukuzawa’s school, then?”

Mannosuke looked down and remained silent for a while, but eventually, “Brother, I had not yet informed you of this—there are circumstances that require me to practice swordsmanship.” “What do you mean by ‘circumstances’?” “Mannosuke wishes to take revenge.”

“What?!” Shinichirō flinched, his voice rising involuntarily. “The bitterness of having my father Tanomo killed—I simply cannot abandon it.”

“……”

Shinichirō felt as if his guts were being torn out, and he could not speak. “When I saw my father lying there with his side stabbed and his neck half-severed, I resolved that even if it cost me my life, I would strike back at the enemy with a single blow.” “However, with the Meiji Restoration, I had resigned myself to thinking that acts of revenge were no longer possible—when in 1870, the New Criminal Code was promulgated, which contained an article stating that if one’s parent or ancestor is killed, one may slay the enemy without penalty provided it is reported to the authorities beforehand. This not only brought me relief but also strengthened my resolve for vengeance.” “Moreover, in the same year, rumors of the Sumiya brothers’ revenge at Kanda-Sujikaibashi reached even Takamatsu, so I could no longer contain myself and came to the capital.”

Shinichirō felt a chill creeping around his collar as he casually inquired. “Do you know who the enemy is?” “I know.” “It can only be the five—Koizumi, Yamada, Yoshikawa, and others—who deserted the day after my father was killed.”

“However, even among them, as many as three have already died, but…” “The fact that Yamada and Yoshikawa still live must be heaven taking pity on my resolve.”

Shinichirō felt his face turning pale and disliked being looked at directly by Mannosuke. "Do you even know who the perpetrator is?" "I do not know. Brother, it is said that you had dealings with that group—do you not know any details?"

Shinichirō endured the heavy thudding in his chest, “No… I do not know either…”

“Who directly dealt the blow is not the issue.” “But there is no doubt that both Yamada and Yoshikawa are enemies.”

Shinichirō remained silent for a moment but, “Even within the Daijōkan, doubts arose regarding the public authorization of revenge under the New Criminal Code. An official inquiry was issued to seek the opinions of university professors, but they too responded that revenge should be prohibited. Thus, it was submitted to the Sa-in’s deliberation, and a Revenge Prohibition Edict is expected to be promulgated soon.” “Moreover, during the Restoration, these were not murders born of personal grudges or desires but unavoidable acts committed for the nation’s sake. How can you persist in resenting Yamada and Yoshikawa so single-mindedly?” “I believe Lord Tanomo’s revered spirit would rejoice far more if you were to devote yourself to the scholarly pursuits of civilization and achieve success, rather than squander your precious half-life on revenge...”

Shinichirō’s words seemed to come straight from the depths of his heart.

“I am most grateful for your words, Brother.” “However, I do not desire career advancement or success.” “But I simply wish to clear my father’s bitterness.” “No—as you say, Father may no longer resent them.” “If that is the case, then I wish to clear my own bitterness.” “The anguish of having seen my father killed in such a brutal manner—I simply cannot forget it.”

Shinichirō was overwhelmed by Mannosuke’s fierce resolve and found himself unable to speak. If he were to declare himself the perpetrator, the past familiarity between them would vanish in an instant, and Mannosuke would undoubtedly charge at him immediately. “You are entirely correct.” “In that case, you should accomplish your aim before the promulgation of the Revenge Prohibition Edict.” “But do you know what Yamada and Yoshikawa look like?” asked Shinichirō.

“That is where the difficulty lies.” “I do not know either of them.” “Moreover, one is a Konoe captain and the other a police inspector—both hold positions that make it quite difficult to lay hands on them.” “Furthermore, my resolve demands slaying both men simultaneously, rendering execution of this deed anything but straightforward.”

“I see…” Having answered thus, Shinichirō became despondent. Shinichirō thought of confessing and letting himself be killed. However, precisely because Shinichirō had believed killing Tanomo to be a necessary murder for the sake of the nation, he did not feel enough self-reproach to confess and allow himself to be slain. Moreover, he had recently gained the favor of Eto Shinpei, Vice-Chairman of the Sa-in, and received an informal agreement to be promoted to Judicial Vice-Minister. Should that come to pass, he also harbored the ambition to make a significant contribution to reforms in the new Japan’s civil and criminal codes.

While observing Mannosuke’s condition for the time being, he thought that making Mannosuke abandon his resolve for revenge might benefit everyone—and be for Mannosuke’s own sake as well.

Before long, Meiji 6 (1873) arrived.

During the New Year’s greetings of the first month, Mannosuke went to the former domain lord Matsudaira’s residence at Suidōbashi. He met Yamada Jinnosuke there, but Yamada gripped the hilt of his military sword and showed not the slightest carelessness toward Mannosuke. Mannosuke reached for the hilt of the dagger concealed in his breast multiple times, but torn between his desire to strike down Yoshikawa simultaneously and overwhelmed by the resplendent authority of his opponent’s Konoe officer’s uniform, he ultimately could not bring himself to act. That night, Mannosuke vented his frustration while weeping before Shinichirō.

Then, in February of Meiji 6 (1873), not long after, the Revenge Prohibition Edict was promulgated as Daijōkan Proclamation No. 37.

The proclamation read as follows: Killing constitutes a grave prohibition by the state, and the punishment of killers resides within the public authority of the government; however, since antiquity there has persisted an old custom whereby children and younger siblings regard vengeance for parents and elder brothers as their filial duty. Though such acts spring from irrepressible human sentiment, those who ultimately breach this grave prohibition through private resentment and infringe upon public authority with personal justice cannot escape condemnation for the crime of unauthorized killing. Moreover, in extreme cases, practitioners neither investigate the circumstances of grievances nor consider the validity of their cause; hiding behind the name of revenge, they frequently perpetrate indiscriminate harm—an utterly intolerable state of affairs. Therefore, by decree, revenge is hereby strictly prohibited. Henceforth, any person whose close relative suffers wrongful harm must fully detail the facts and promptly lodge a complaint with the proper authorities. Should anyone disregard this procedure—clinging to antiquated customs and committing unauthorized killings—they shall incur appropriate criminal penalties. All must take heed to avoid transgressing this ordinance.

Shinichirō brought back a copy of the proclamation from the government office and showed it to Mannosuke.

Mannosuke, upon seeing this, wept like a man.

After waiting for Mannosuke to stop crying, Shinichirō spoke quietly. “Now that this Revenge Prohibition Edict has been issued, even were you to slay your father’s enemy, it would still constitute premeditated murder.” “At best, life imprisonment; at worst, decapitation.”

But Mannosuke resolutely declared.

“Since resolving to take revenge, I have considered my life as already lost.” “The Soga brothers, Gorō and Jūrō, also gave up their lives at the moment of their revenge.” “As brothers, they must have considered it their true wish.” “Even if an edict of prohibition comes from the imperial court, I will do it.” “I will definitely do it.” “The only time I value my life is until I slay the enemy. Once I have slain them, I will not value my life in the slightest,” he declared.

It was not long after that when Shinichirō suddenly coughed up blood. He, with his frail constitution, had unwittingly had his lungs ravaged.

Yaegaki’s shock and sorrow, followed by her devoted nursing, did nothing to brighten Shinichirō’s heart. Shinichirō's illness gradually worsened. By around July of that year, it was declared incurable.

Shinichirō committed suicide by seppuku on his sickbed on August 1.

There were several suicide notes. The one addressed to Mannosuke was as follows.

Lord Mannosuke, Your father’s killer is I. It was I who first struck down your father. The final blow was delivered by Kōda. Yoshikawa, Yamada, and the others did not lay a hand at all at that time. Do not target them as enemies and ruin your life. This is my most earnest entreaty—my final plea. Though my allotted lifespan has ended, that I choose to end my own life without quietly awaiting Heaven’s decree is an expression of my humble sincerity toward you. By my death, your enemy has been eliminated; do not think of revenge again.

Shinichirō

The one addressed to Yaegaki was as follows.

Lady Yaegaki. Only in death, permit me to call you my wife. To conceal being your father's killer while binding myself to you would violate all honor. I entreat your understanding. Through my death, the enmity shall vanish—grant me this final right to name you my spouse. Having declared you my wife in the testament to my superiors, all my personal funds and government-bestowed monies shall become yours. May you find happiness with Lord Mannosuke. Should worthy suitors come, you may wed again.

Shinichirō

Mannosuke and Yaegaki, at Shinichirō’s deathbed, embraced each other and continued to weep endlessly.