Pathway to Japanese Literature

The Departure of the Dr. Shinoyama Search Party

The October 10, Meiji 40 edition of the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper first seized readers’ eyes with its primary-sized headline—“Love-Driven Airship Race to Explore the Lunar World”—while its body text brimmed with secondary-sized type in an unprecedented article of the following nature. "It may yet remain in readers' memories how approximately six months prior—specifically on May 1st of this year—Professor Shinoyama of Tokyo Imperial University departed our Earth aboard an airship of his own invention for lunar exploration, accompanied by one assistant. Yet from that day to this, not a single communication has been received from the doctor, with some even circulating rumors that his incomplete airship failed mid-journey, causing him to sacrifice his life for research. His acquaintances worry ceaselessly night and day, but none pitiable as Miss Tsukiko, his beloved daughter. Bereft of her mother in childhood, she had relied solely on the doctor as both heaven and earth. Confronted now with this misfortune, her grief knew no bounds—days spent wholly in anxious thought for her father's safety, nights passed weeping till dawn. Her beauty that outshone flowers had grown so frail, one feared it might scatter like blossoms before a midnight storm." Unable to bear silently witnessing her plight, two young gentlemen proposed to the young lady that whoever successfully staked their life to ascertain the doctor’s fate should receive her hand in marriage. One was Baron Akiyama; the other was Kumoi Fumihiko, a distant relative of the doctor. Both had confessed their deepest feelings to the young lady even before the doctor’s departure, yet she found herself unable to choose between them. Now faced with their renewed proposal, the devoted daughter finally acquiesced. Thus resolved to stake their lives—to dispel the young lady’s sorrow and fulfill their long-cherished hopes—they prepared to embark today at precisely twelve o’clock from Hibiya Park, each aboard their own airship. “And so forth…”

And so, upon reading such novelistic articles, the entire capital’s populace—driven by intense curiosity and sympathy—came flooding from all directions like an avalanche to witness today’s embarkation of the two heroes. By around nine o’clock that morning, even this expansive park had become entirely filled with these people.

Around eleven o'clock, Baron Akiyama and Kumoi Fumihiko, each accompanied by one attendant, drove their carriages and gradually entered. Having thoroughly inspected every part of their respective airships, bowed to the seeing-off crowd, and entered inside, they waited calmly for the signal cannon to sound. The crowd all held their breath, gazing intently. When at last the clock’s hour and minute hands aligned to point at twelve, a single cannon report resounded from atop the music hall. No sooner had this occurred than the airships, spreading their wings like great eagles, gradually began to ascend.

“Banzai?!!”

“To Baron Akiyama’s success!” “Long live Mr. Kumoi Fumihiko!!!”

A deafening applause and cries of "Banzai" erupted simultaneously as hats were thrown and handkerchiefs waved to celebrate the departure. The airships had initially ascended gradually while quietly moving their wings, but steadily gained speed; Baron Akiyama charted an eastward course while Kumoi Fumihiko advanced westward. Those on the ground dwindled moment by moment until even the highest mountain peaks disappeared from sight, leaving boundless emptiness in all directions—nothing but clouds wherever one looked, with neither form nor trace remaining of either airship's progress.

They threaded through the clouds, relying on the compass fixed at the prow, continuing to ascend without any discernible target.

Arrival at the Lunar World

Kumoi Fumihiko’s airship had now been one week since departing Earth. But even now, not a trace of the moon could be seen. What they saw day after day remained unchanged—nothing but pure white clouds—and his attendant Tōsuke was gradually beginning to worry. “Young master, today makes a full week, but since we still can’t see anything—could it be we’ve mistaken our course?” “That can’t be. As long as we continue heading in this direction, there’s absolutely no chance of error.”

“Still, I can’t rest easy unless I see you victorious in this contest against Baron Akiyama, young master. What’s more—they say that Baron has a right foul nature about him in society’s talk. This old man frets day and night that no ill should come to your person.”

“There’s no need for such worry. He is, after all, a man who holds a title of nobility…”

In the midst of their conversation, Fumihiko noticed something through a break in the clouds. "Oh,"

With that, he promptly took out the binoculars and looked—

“It’s the moon! …The moon!” “What’s that? The moon, you say?” “That’s right.” “Thank goodness.” “We’ll land in a few more hours.” “Is that so? May Great Master Shinoyama be safe and present himself—that would be most welcome.”

Before long, the airship’s speed gradually increased, and it began to descend as if being drawn inexorably toward the moon. Fumihiko, “Apply the brakes fully.”

Having given orders to Tōsuke, he carefully adjusted the voltage regulator while single-mindedly gripping the helm. Gradually, the airship drew near until at last both men stood safely upon the lunar world. “Young master—is this what they call the lunar world?” “That’s right.” “Then Great Master Shinoyama must finally be here too! If only we could find him even a moment sooner than that Baron Akiyama—” “Your frantic rushing won’t help matters. First we must locate a suitable spot and prepare proper lodgings.”

“Ah, I see. “That’s most reasonable, sir.”

Once more boarding their airship, the two proceeded skimming the ground while peering here and there—until they spotted a densely wooded forest at the foot of a mountain, through which a narrow stream flowed. "That spot should do." They landed the airship there, took out the pre-prepared tent from within, worked together to erect it at the forest's edge, disassembled the airship into compact folds to store inside, and with that completed their initial preparations.

The Disastrous State of the Gekkyū-go Kumoi Fumihiko and his servant Tōsuke set out to search for Dr. Shinoyama, each shouldering their rifles. They crossed field after field and mountain after mountain, scouring every nook and cranny, yet found not a single clue. Even when five days had passed—then a full week—they still had no grasp of their bearings.

Both disheartened, they sat down in the shade of a tree. “What’s going on? Or perhaps he took a wrong direction along the way and ended up on another star, I wonder.” “That is indeed so, sir. Depending on the circumstances, such a thing may indeed have occurred. However, since we’ve come all this way, sir, please endure a little longer and continue searching…” “Of course I’m resolved to search until death itself,” he declared resolutely,

“I’m starting to feel chilled—is there anything we could use to build a campfire?” “Well then, I shall go and gather them.” Tōsuke went out and soon returned carrying an armful of fuel. As they burned it to warm themselves while talking and placing the logs one by one, Fumihiko—now looking closely at the wood he held—found it unfamiliar in this lunar world, yet crafted as if deliberately carved. Upon closer inspection, it was an accessory from Dr. Shinoyama’s airship Gekkyū-go—a decoration designed to mimic those in the airship’s cabin.

“Ah!!! We’ve found a clue!”

“Huh?” “Look at this!” he thrust it before Tōsuke’s eyes. “This was an ornament attached to your uncle’s airship.” “Given this remains here, your uncle must have reached this place without doubt—but with his airship wrecked, he couldn’t return to Earth and has stayed here ever since.” “Thank goodness.” “This is heaven-sent fortune!” “Then there’s no question—the Great Master has indeed arrived here.” “Now let’s locate his whereabouts without delay…”

“Even so, since we don’t know our bearings, if we first examine the area where this wood was lying, we might find some clearer clues.” Leading Tōsuke ahead, they went to the place where they had gathered firewood earlier but found nothing particularly different. When they tried to proceed further through the adjacent forest, they emerged into a somewhat wide clearing. “Ah!!! It’s an airship!!!” “Gekkyū-go!!!”

In their overwhelming shock, the two men cried out involuntarily. There before them lay Dr. Shinoyama’s airship Gekkyū-go—the pinnacle of Japanese science—tragically shattered into fragments. Tōsuke, upon seeing this sight, wept aloud while— “Young master, given this state of affairs, Great Master Shinoyama has no chance of survival left. If we were to report this situation, the young miss would surely faint dead away from the shock.” “Young master, what are we to do?”

“But you needn’t despair so much yet.” “True, the airship lies utterly destroyed like this—but since Uncle’s figure remains unseen, he must surely be safe elsewhere.” “Moreover, with assistant Sugita meant to accompany him, if both are missing, they’ve surely taken refuge nearby.” While steeling his resolve, “With such a solid clue now in hand, it can’t be long before we see Uncle again.” “Now—one final push!”

With that, he himself took the lead and started walking, so Tōsuke too finally wiped away his tears and followed.

The Eerie Sound in the Cave By the time they had advanced three or four leagues, the surroundings gradually grew dark.

“Since we can’t search once night falls, why don’t we camp somewhere tonight and resume our search early tomorrow morning?”

He looked around for a suitable spot, but the area was nothing but barren hills and plains, with nowhere adequate to shelter from the dew.

Just then, suddenly Tōsuke—

“Young Master, there’s a cave ahead!” Tōsuke shouted.

“Let me see.”

When he looked in the direction being pointed, there was a single cave at the foot of a mountain about ten chō ahead.

“Let’s stay there tonight.”

And when they went there and looked, the cave was wider than expected, and the depths seemed considerably deep.

After unloading their luggage and sitting down, they took out biscuits from a leather bag and were eating them when—

Strange!!! Strange!!!

In the depths of the cave, something let out a groaning sound!!! The two men startled, exchanging glances—but Tōsuke lowered his voice and,

“What could that sound be?” “Who knows?”

At first thinking it might be an auditory illusion, they listened carefully—yet that groaning sound still reached their ears. In the quiet, damp cave, a feeble plaintive voice could faintly be heard, and the two men shuddered involuntarily.

Fumihiko abruptly seized the rifle, loaded it while rising to his feet, and beckoned Tōsuke.

Tōsuke likewise loaded his rifle and followed behind his master. Like a cat stalking a mouse, they held their breath and crept toward the source of the sound, muffling their footsteps.

After proceeding a few ken, the path curved to the right. The groans were indeed emanating from there; they had thought the source distant because the voice was too faint and weak. When they reached the base of the great protruding rock, the sound grew distinct. It was unmistakably a human groan!!

When they hurriedly rounded the rock, they found in the center of a broad chamber a single candle flickering on the verge of extinction, its pale white light dimly illuminating the surroundings—and beneath it lay two dark forms lying prostrate. The groan arose from one of them; the dark figure writhed intermittently, moaning in evident agony. Fumihiko—acting on some impulse—cast aside his rifle there, rushed to its side, and lit an electric lamp.

The surroundings suddenly blazed with light. Lying fallen were two men in Western clothing. Fumihiko peered at the two men’s faces in the lamplight but,

“Ah!”

Having uttered that, he dropped the lamp there and froze. Startled by this sight, Tōsuke rushed over while— “Young Master! What’s happened to you?!” “Young Master!”

Having been addressed, Fumihiko gradually regained his composure and returned to himself, but then clung to the man once more,

“Uncle. “It’s me, Fumihiko.” “Stay strong.” "It's me, Fumihiko." “It’s me, Fumihiko.” As he said this, he lifted him up. Tōsuke, too, realized what it was for the first time, “Oh! Is that Master Shinoyama?” “Please stay strong, Master Shinoyama.” “Young Master and Tōsuke have come to meet you.” “If—”

he clung close and spoke into his ear. “Medicine!! Water—quickly!!!” “Yes.” As Tōsuke inserted the offered medicine into his mouth and had him drink water from the suction tube, the doctor—who until now had been moaning with faltering breath—slowly opened his eyes. “Uncle. “Uncle. Have you come to your senses?” “It’s Fumihiko.” “It’s me.” “Oh… Fumihiko?” “Yes.” “Master Shinoyama! “Have you regained consciousness?” “You came…” Having uttered those few words, the momentary relief caused the tension that had sustained him until now to slacken, and he began to collapse once more.

“Uncle, please stay resolute.”

When he poured brandy into his mouth, he finally regained consciousness,

“Alright. I’m alright now. Sugita… Sugita…” As he instructed, “Yes.” Fumihiko lifted the assistant Sugita who lay collapsed beside him and saw that he had already passed away, his body cold as ice. Even so—just in case—they administered medicine and tended to him in every way they could, but there was nothing more to be done.

“Uncle. Sugita is already beyond help. He can’t be saved at all.” “I see… What a pitiful thing I’ve done.”

The doctor involuntarily shed streaming tears.

The Doctor’s Whereabouts

After a while, Fumihiko, as if remembering something,

“Uncle.” “Our tools are currently placed about fifteen ri from here.” “I would like to take you there，but given your current condition，moving you remains impossible．Therefore，I shall first bring all our belongings here and tend to you at this location．” “For this purpose，I must now return to retrieve them．” “During my absence，Tōsuke will remain at your side—please endure these next few days as we arrange matters．”

When he whispered this into his ear, the doctor quietly fell silent.

Fumihiko stood up and faced Tōsuke, “Well then, I’ll go now, so take firm charge of things here.”

“Understood.” “You’ve worked hard, sir.” “Alright—I’ll leave the rest to you.”

And, exiting the cave once more, he retraced his steps back along the path he had come.

On the morning of the second day, he finally returned to his own tent, first assembled the airship, packed up the tent and other items into it, hurriedly boarded the airship, and once more returned to that cave.

The moment he disembarked from the airship, “Tōsuke! Tōsuke!” he called again, but there was still no answer.

_What’s going on?_

Muttering to himself, he proceeded further inside, only to find the light had gone out and the surroundings plunged into an absolute darkness where even black and white were indistinguishable.

“Uncle!! I’ve returned just now.” “It’s Fumihiko.” “Tōsuke!” “Tōsuke! Isn’t Tōsuke here?” He shouted loudly, but still, the only response was the terrifying echo of his own voice.

Fumihiko felt a surge of unease welling up all at once and hurriedly lit his pocket lantern to look, “Ah! Ah!”

"No one's here!!! The cave was empty!!! Only Sugita’s corpse remained. 'I forgot!!!' With that shout, he momentarily lost himself and stood dazed; but immediately regaining his composure, he snatched up his rifle that had been discarded nearby and tried to dash out—only to trip over something and fall flat."

Realizing with a start, he lit the match again and looked—

It was Tōsuke!!! Tōsuke lay face down, still gripping the rifle!!!

Fumihiko abruptly lifted him up,

“Tōsuke!!! What happened? Speak clearly!” While calling out to him, he administered a stimulant, and just as Tōsuke finally regained consciousness— “Damn it! I won’t let you escape!” —Fumihiko abruptly grabbed and restrained him as he tried to rise.

“Tōsuke.” “It’s me—Fumihiko.” “What on earth happened here?”

When he asked this, Tōsuke, upon hearing his voice, clung to Fumihiko and— “Young master!!! I deeply regret it.” “What happened? What about Uncle?” Tōsuke sobbed violently,

“While I was entrusted with his care—I’ve no excuse for this failure—after you departed, Young master, as I tended to the Great master, on the second night came footsteps near the entrance. Certain it must be your return, I rushed out to meet you—but ’twas not you—”

“What?!” “That detestable Baron Akiyama.” “What? Baron Akiyama?”

“Yes. He entered with a servant.”

“Ugh…” “Then what happened?” “While saying ‘Here it is! Here it is!’—perhaps they couldn’t see me in the dark—the two of them paid me no heed and boldly pressed deeper into the cave. Not knowing what else to do, I followed from behind. The moment I caught sight of the Great master’s figure, Baron Akiyama declared: ‘Ah! Dr.Shinoyama! I’ve come at Miss Tsukiko’s behest to retrieve you.’ So I rushed in there at once and stated: ‘The Great master was already met by my Young master two days ago! He should be arriving here any moment now after packing his tools—’ when…”

“Right. Then what happened?” “That beast Akiyama.” “He seemed startled to see me there unexpectedly, but after barking orders at his servant Heizō, that brute Heizō tried to roughly haul away the Great master in his weakened state from…”

“Heizō did?!”

“Yes.” “I thought, ‘I won’t let them escape!’ and fought with all my might, but alas—it was two against one. As they were about to exit the cave, I resolved to shoot them dead and gave chase… only for Baron Akiyama to strike me hard in the chest. After that, I lost all awareness. It was your voice just now that finally restored my senses, Young master.”

he tearfully recounted. Having finished listening, Fumihiko looked dejected, “Ah… After all the trouble I went through to come this far, what a regrettable thing I’ve done.”

“...” he spat out as if hurling the words away, then looked up at the sky indignantly and let out a deep sigh; but once again stood up resolutely,

“Tōsuke! Now that it’s come to this, we must reclaim Uncle by force.” “It matters not who brings Uncle home safely—but leaving that cunning, wicked Baron Akiyama unchecked, who knows what vile schemes he’ll concoct to torment us further and toy with dove-like Miss Tsukiko.” “We depart at once—you’re coming with me.” “I beg you—vanquish this foe.” “Though I perish, I’ll see that Akiyama cur receives his due punishment!”

The two of them hurried outside and, the moment they boarded the airship, ascended at full speed. This was to confirm whether Baron Akiyama had already boarded the airship with the uncle and departed for Earth.

The Lunar World's Thrilling Drama

The figure of Baron Akiyama they sought was nowhere to be found; scanning their surroundings revealed no signs of departure yet. First breathing a sigh of relief, he next swept his binoculars across the area near the cave entrance— “Thank goodness.” “They’re still here!!!”

About one ri from the cave, there was a single airship, with two people bustling about beside it.

Undoubtedly, it was Baron Akiyama’s group.

However, there was not a moment to lose.

Their bustling activity was unmistakably preparations for departure. As Fumihiko increased speed and closed in, the opposing party—perhaps perceiving this—swiftly boarded their craft, whereupon the airship began slowly moving its great wings in preparation for departure.

The distance between the two parties was still one ri.

For Fumihiko, the present moment was irreplaceable even by ten million years. He released the maximum current to charge forward while firing a blank shot. Baron Akiyama, who had just gripped the handle to unleash full speed, involuntarily released his grasp at the gunshot; the handle rotated in reverse, and the airship descended slightly. By the time he snapped back to his senses, Fumihiko’s airship had already drawn near enough to be within arm’s reach.

“Baron Akiyama!!!”

Fumihiko called out sharply, “It’s been an age since we last met.” he deliberately bowed with utmost courtesy. “Indeed.” Baron Akiyama answered arrogantly.

Fumihiko continued speaking, "Baron Akiyama. Let me state once again—I have come to retrieve my uncle." "Uncle? You mean Dr.Shinoyama?" "Indeed."

Baron Akiyama abruptly raised his voice harshly,

“Don’t spout such nonsense! You should know when to quit with your self-serving demands. What do you think I specifically came all the way here resolved to die for? It was solely to search for Dr. Shinoyama’s whereabouts. How could I possibly hand over the doctor I went to such lengths to obtain so readily to you? Fool!!! If you want him so badly, why didn’t you search for him yourself?” he shamelessly twisted the situation against him, “I risked my life to obtain Dr. Shinoyama. If you want him, then stake your life and try to take him!”

“Very well. Duel!!! Make your preparations.” “You impudent brat. Come—I’ll grant you this match!”

Just as they both took aim with their rifles, a sudden gunshot rang out—and Baron Akiyama, “Damn it!!!” he shouted sharply and recoiled. As Fumihiko stared in shock, Baron Akiyama glared at him with pained intensity, “Kumoi! You struck me like a coward!”

Tōsuke straightened up and, “It wasn’t the young master who shot you. The young master would never stoop to your twisted ways. It was me who shot you! Before exchanging lives with the young master now, I repaid that favor I received from you earlier in the cave.” he declared with intense hatred. Baron Akiyama, upon hearing these words,

“Cheh… Regret!!!”

With just that single cry, he swiftly breathed his last from his mortal wound.

Though the baron had been a villain, Fumihiko mourned his death and, together with Sugita, gave him a proper burial on the lunar world. They erected a memorial atop the grave and remained there for about a week, waiting until the doctor had somewhat regained his strength. Then, with Dr. Shinoyama, Tōsuke, and Heizō—who had expressed remorse and pledged obedience following his master’s death—they divided into pairs and boarded two airships to depart for Earth. (“Tanken Sekai” Meiji 40 October Supplement)