Pathway to Japanese Literature

I

In the era of Tokugawa Yoshimune, eighth shogun (Kyōhō 14 [1729]), a man named Genjibō Ten'ichi appeared, claiming to be his illegitimate child.
While some have mistakenly included this affair among Ōoka's famous judgments - a notion hardly worth considering - there appeared over seventy years prior, during the Manji 3 era (1660), a group of ronin who descended upon Okayama Castle Town claiming to be illegitimate children of Ikeda Mitsumasa, daimyō of Bizen.
This incident marked the first instance of an illegitimate child scandal and would be considered, so to speak, the progenitor of Ten'ichibō.

The inner workings of daimyō households were quite dissolute, and they would become intimate with maids and servant girls, siring numerous children.
Such occurrences were by no means rare, and for this era—whether due to matters of bloodline succession or the conveniences of marital politics—having numerous children was considered advantageous. One ought not judge this by contemporary ethical standards. However, when all is said and done, the prolific siring of illegitimate children by province-ruling daimyō could never be regarded as an admirable affair.

However, the person in question was Ikeda Shintarō Shōshō Mitsumasa—renowned as a wise lord and positioned as Tokugawa Ieyasu's maternal grandson.
For the shogunate, he remained an exceedingly troublesome figure.
He had long aspired to the path of sage-kings, constantly devoted himself to both literary and martial teachings, appointed Kumazawa Banzan and others as advisors to strive for domain reforms, destroyed heterodox shrines, established academies, and would not permit prostitution within the domain.
He had even strictly enforced prohibitions against theater performances—a man of unwavering principle.
And it was precisely this secret of an illegitimate child that breathed life into our tale.

“Indeed, Bizen Okayama serves as the Kyoto of Chūgoku.
“Here lies our own Higashiyama, true to its name.
“This Asahigawa corresponds precisely to the Kamo River.
“And Kyōbashi stands as our Shijō Ōhashi in this analogy.”

The inner second floor of Hanbeya Kubei's inn, facing the Ōkawa river in Nishinakajima.
Leaning against the railing and gazing at the flow of the Asahigawa River, one of the young samurai was the first to speak.

"It's utterly inconvenient that there are no teahouses in such a scenic spot.
"For starters, rather than running this establishment as a mere inn, they should either employ numerous courtesans or—failing that—station a great many servers alongside their meal service to properly liven up people's spirits."

The dark-complexioned companion—a ronin—next opened his mouth.

"You mustn't speak so rashly, my lord."

The one who interjected was a sensible-looking man in his forties wearing a topknot. His attire alone marked him as a physician.

"The Iga Crossing vendetta originated in this province," he began. "Through various circumstances, the Ikeda families of Tottori and Okayama underwent an official domain transfer. After Lord Shōshō relocated to this castle, he compelled his retainers to pursue both literary and martial arts, while instructing the common folk in diligence and thrift. First and foremost came the prohibition of brothels."

"In truth, this establishment once employed many courtesans—welcoming Genji nobles at dusk and bidding farewell to Heike lords at dawn—though now it's but a common inn. Even the serving girls here," he added with thorough explanation, proof of his local acclimation, "are like mountain apes merely draped in clothing."

“Though the maids may be mountain apes, the master’s daughter is a peerless jewel whom even the Dragon Palace princess would wear herself out tending.”
“You wouldn’t find such beauty even in Kyoto or Osaka,” the swarthy ronin declared in lowered tones, his face breaking into a grin.

“Ah, Mr. Komagoe—have you already marked her?
“For myself I cannot say, but where women are concerned, you possess alarmingly sharp eyes,” the topknotted man replied, unable to suppress a wry smile.

“Be that as it may, let’s start with sake,” said the dark-complexioned man, turning around.

“Ah, before that—would it not be advisable to summon the master of this house and disclose our true intentions?” said the topknotted man with an air of reasonableness.

“Indeed, as Lord Shunryō says, that would be advisable,” agreed the young samurai.

The master of the house, Hanbeya Kubei, was promptly summoned.
This was the local greedy man.
His practice held that if a scheme promised profit, merely hearing it out sufficed.
Yet when presented with loss-making proposals, he would instantly turn deaf and deflect with nonsensical pleasantries.
He too, however, epitomized the mercantile temperament of his time.

“Ah, I am the master of this house, Hanbeya Kubei. You have arrived quite early today.”

“It’s because we departed Saidaiji just this morning.”

“Ah! Indeed so!”

“We three.”
“May need to impose upon you for an extended period.”
“Is this acceptable?”

“I am most grateful.”

“Now, if you thank me this quickly, it becomes problematic.”
“Once you hear what follows, you’ll surely flare up and retract those words.”

“Oh no, whatever could you mean?”

“The truth is—our purses stand quite empty.”

“Whaaat?”

“If we three were to become a burden for two or three months—or depending on circumstances, half a year to a year—it would prove rather inconvenient should you press us for lodging fees during that time.”
“If you consent to this arrangement, we shall take up residence here as matters stand; if not, we shall forthwith remove ourselves to another inn.”
“Does this suit you? What say you?”

All these negotiations had been handled by Doctor Shunryō. Hanbeya Kubei was surprised by this, but he also considered that it must be a joke.

“Heh heh heh.”

“Now, you can’t just keep laughing. This is a serious negotiation, so unless you brace yourself properly and engage with due resolve, it will create various complications for us as well.”

“If you are truly serious in your request, my lord, then I must say you are indeed someone I’ve recently had the honor of meeting. Truly, it’s always those who take lodgings without a penny who strut about with pompous airs, play the grand patron to perfection, only to come out with ‘Well actually...’ when the bill arrives. The worst part is their vile nature—they’ve been penniless from the start. And so, Hanbeya Kubei—if I may be so bold—found your proposal for an extended stay quite to his liking.”

“So you’ll kindly put us up then?”

“However—though this is most exceedingly, that is to say, embarrassing to confess—I must implore your swift forbearance… No, I am certain honorable guests such as yourselves, who grasp the proper way of things, will extend mercy. The truth is, while I outwardly keep up this grand establishment, my true circumstances resemble a fire’s chariot.”
“Debt collectors come pressing every day, so…”

“Now, now—that’s quite enough. I’ve grasped the situation without needing to hear every last detail. In other words, you’re saying that putting us up would be an imposition, I suppose. Since that is only reasonable, we shall promptly transfer to another inn. However, Master Hanbeya—when later days come, you’ll be able to regret thinking, ‘Ah, if only I had refused them then,’ I imagine—and you’re still content with that?”

“Oh no—I would never dream of such regrets!”

“Very well. In that case, regrettably, we shall transfer to another inn… This establishment will soon fall into bankruptcy—your entire family exiled beyond the castle walls… If matters conclude at that, well—that would be the preferable outcome. Make even a slight misstep, and you’ll be beheaded. Or have your head displayed at Nihonmatsu?”

“Huh—and what might be the reason for that?”

“Well, were you to care for us long-term, excessive rewards would naturally follow—indeed, in due course you might even be elevated to samurai status… But—ah, how futile to enlighten those lacking virtue. There’s no helping it. Now then—you both must prepare yourselves. The establishment called Kojimaya Kanhachi in Higashi-Nakajima seems favorable. The master there seems to have the look of a man who understands things—let us go there.”

II

With matters having reached this point, Hanbeya Kubei could no longer remain indifferent.
Would his head be lopped off and displayed at Nihonmatsu execution grounds?
Or would he receive rewards and even be elevated to samurai status?
Which way the scales would tip—this marked a critical juncture.
Yet he suspected this might simply be another of the ronin's haphazard fabrications—some cobbled-together pretext for free lodging—but still felt compelled to hear them out if only for future reference.

“Now, now—please wait. Your words just now carried such weight—in any case, I humbly beg you to share those details with us, provided it causes no inconvenience.”

“That could be disclosed—depending on how matters proceed.”
“However, this is a grave matter.”
“Not only grave for us—for Okayama Castle and the Ikeda clan as well, this is no trifling affair.”

“Wha—?”

“This is not for others’ ears—proceed with that understanding.”

Hanbeya Kubei somehow began to feel uneasy.
A grave matter that even involved the lord—whether for good or ill, getting mixed up in such an affair could truly mean losing one’s head if things went awry.
However, if matters were handled without error, what benefits might be gained—that remained unclear.
At any rate, he decided he should at least hear them out.

“I, Hanbeya Kubei, may run an inn for my livelihood, but if this is a matter to be kept secret, I shall never breathe a word of it.”

“Very well.”
“Then I shall explain… But first—there are no others eavesdropping, I trust?”

“As Your Lordship can see, none of the rooms are yet occupied.”
“Overnight guests will be arriving from eveningfall, Your Lordship…”

“Very well—I shall disclose a grave matter here, but first and foremost, there is an item I must leave in your care.”
“Now then, Mr. Komagoe—hand over that item here.”

What the dark-skinned ronin named Komagoe promptly threw out there was a leather money belt containing one hundred koban coins that landed with a heavy thud.

Kubei was unexpectedly surprised.
This proved their claim of empty pockets had been a lie.
Even between lies—declaring existence where there was none, and denying existence where there was—the difference made all the world.

“Huh… To have this much on hand…”
“To have this much on hand…”

“Ah—we still possess two or three hundred ryō more.”
“However, we anticipate considerable expenses ahead... Well, just take these hundred ryō for now.”

“Huh…”

“There is still one more item… Now then, Lord Kanesaburō—if you would kindly permit us to view it…”

The young samurai nonchalantly produced a green bamboo tube split in two.
When he opened it, a brocade bag appeared from inside.
From within that bag came an ordinary wakizashi—a single blade.

“Now then—behold.”

He had been intimidated by the brocade bag, but what emerged from within was a sheath polished to a waxen vermilion hue.
Yamazaka Kihē’s pierced openwork tsuba.
A hilt wrapped in shark skin with pale green thread in a large diamond pattern—up to that point, it was ordinary, but there was no need to see the blade.
The menuki featured silver ring-shaped butterflies.
Undoubtedly the Ikeda family crest.

This appeared rather plain for a personal blade belonging to Ikeda Mitsumasa, Lord of Bizen and Junior Commander Shinzaburō, yet precisely because his lordship detested extravagance and enforced strict frugality in all matters, its authenticity could paradoxically be acknowledged when compared to gold-and-silver-inlaid counterfeits. However, since such blades were occasionally permitted as honors bestowed upon retainers, one could not definitively conclude it was exclusively his lordship’s own. Yet considering how reverently they carried it, he concluded there must indeed be some special connection—without even drawing the blade to inspect it further, he pressed it to his forehead in respect before returning it.

“This is a most august matter, Your Lordship.”

“If deference stays your hand, let it remain so—yet know this blade’s core was wrought by Osafune Nagamitsu, founding smith of our province’s foremost lineage.”

“Huh…”

“Though this revered one bearing the blade temporarily adopts the Kanesaburō name, he is in truth Lord Kanesaburō—rightful scion of His Lordship Shōshō Mitsumasa Shinzaburō.”
“You are now permitted an audience with His Lordship.”

“Huh—”

Hanbeya Kubei pressed his forehead to the tatami without thinking.

“Now, now—it’s too soon for you to prostrate yourself like this. If you prostrate yourself without even understanding the particulars, it would hinder our future official business. I shall explain the situation. Furthermore, should you find it troublesome to host Lord Kanesaburō, do not hesitate to say so. We shall immediately relocate elsewhere. Tōnakajima’s Kojimaya Kanhachi—I rather think that establishment might prove more accommodating.”

“N-No, not at all—please, I couldn’t possibly—”

III

The ronin Kosaburō Kanesaburō, alongside Sana'i Komagoe and physician Shunryō Okuno—these three alone took up lodging at Hanbeya Kubei's establishment for the time being. The innkeeper, now in raptures, extended hospitality that treated the trio as veritable gods of fortune. For Kosaburō specifically, he assigned the detached hermitage as a bedchamber, with his only daughter Oayu serving as his attendant in place of a maid.

This had turned into something tremendous! Before long he would be granted sword-wearing privileges—just how much reward money might there be? Ah—rather than receiving one thousand or two thousand ryō all at once... He was utterly consumed by these fantasies.

“Well now, what in the world has happened here?”

Kubei’s wife O-Sachi was not merely being taken in by the smokescreen.

“This is a matter of great secrecy—but husband and wife share one heart.”
“I suppose it’s alright to tell just you.”
“Now don’t go making a fuss.”
“The guest in the hermitage—that man is His Lordship Shōshō Mitsumasa’s natural son by a lady-in-waiting called Tsurue who served Her Ladyship. When they realized she was with child, His Lordship discreetly dismissed her before it showed.”
“So Lady Tsurue went back to her birthplace in Harima Himeji and married Hyōemon Kanesaburō—a Honda family retainer.”
“Whether that man was simple enough to take her as his bride unknowing, or knew full well but played the fool—that part I didn’t hear—but either way, that’s where Lord Kanesaburō first drew breath.”
“Later this Hyōemon fell from grace and became ronin.”
“Through his line, Lord Kanesaburō too bears that honorable station.”
“He went to Osaka as an instructor of penmanship and Noh chanting.”
“During that time Lord Hyōemon took ill and died, after which Lord Kanesaburō continued teaching Noh and calligraphy while Lady Tsurue instructed in koto music.”
“On her deathbed, Lady Tsurue summoned Lord Kanesaburō and revealed the truth—made him fetch Lord Shōshō’s protective short sword from deep in her chest of drawers and gave it to him. But she strictly forbade him from ever declaring his lineage.”
“Though she’d bound him to silence for your protection, that traveling physician Shunryō got wind of it and convinced him blood calls to blood after all—so he came here with that commemorative sword as proof to seek formal service from the domain house. They say there’s documents too that serve like official seals.”
“If this were some fabrication, His Lordship would have no memory of it—they’d be arrested as frauds and crucified on the spot.”
“No one would risk such peril without cause—why, even I can vouch this is genuine!”

“Oh, how delightful! A god of fortune!”

As for O-Sachi, she was a woman greedier than her husband.

"So then—now's the moment to use our daughter Oayu—"

"Understood."

How hasty they were.
When it came to greed, their capacity for swallowing schemes proved remarkably voracious—and such instances abounded.

How could such a beautiful daughter as Oayu have come from these two greedy souls?
No—such a thing being possible was out of the question—so in truth, they had received money from a pilgrim couple lodging at their inn and had been scheming to use this daughter as their figurehead for profit-making ventures; this plan now proved useful for the first time.

“Therefore, it would be best to let the daughter hear of this matter as well.”
“That does seem reasonable.”

Mother O-Sachi secretly informed her daughter Oayu of this matter.
And so.
“Since this will lead to your advancement, you must never go against Lord Kanesaburō’s wishes; accept everything obediently, understand?”

However, there was already someone who had secretly communicated with this Oayu.
It was when Oayu—alone amidst the bustling crowd enjoying the evening cool at Asahigawara riverbank—had slipped out through the back entrance and begun strolling leisurely.

“Well now—if it isn’t the renowned daughter of Hanbeya taking her evening air.”

Instantly, people took notice and naturally formed a circle around Oayu—Bizen’s evening calm hung thick in the air.
Overwhelmed by the oppressive heat, Oayu was overcome with fear and tried to hurry back to her home.

Just then, Daradara Daibō—a simpleton beggar who had emerged from Amino-hama and wandered the town—stepped forward to block her path.

“Hee-hee-hee”

While his bizarre laughter hinted at abnormality, what he pulled from his sleeve was a large toad. Grabbing one of its legs and dangling it, he swung it back and forth until finally trying to shove it into Oayu’s bosom.

“Eek!”

Oayu disliked snakes, but seeing this toad’s bumpy warts filled her with such revulsion she nearly fainted.

Seeing Oayu’s face pale as she fled, Daradara Daibō grew even more amused.

“Be my wife.”
“If you refuse that, then lick the wart-covered toad.”
With those words, he chased after her.

A young samurai emerged from the side to save her.
This was Gennojō Nomoto, who served as a page in direct service.

This connection led to Gennojō using a Noh chant as his signal atop Kyōbashi Bridge at night—a development that saw Oayu slipping out through the back entrance to steal down to the riverbank.

Oayu secretly informed Gennojō Nomoto via letter about Kosaburō Kanesaburō being the alleged illegitimate child and related claims.
She had entrusted it to the old woman selling ema at the Sendan Tree Inari, and Gennojō received it covertly while on his way to the archery range.

“A grave situation.”

Of course, Gennojō Nomoto had promptly conveyed this to Shintarō Shōshō’s august ears.

IV

On one side was the traveling physician Shunryō Okuno.
They had met with domain elder Lord Dewa Ikeda to secretly discuss the matter of the illegitimate child while outwardly arranging a petition for ronin employment, but unfortunately Lord Dewa Ikeda had gone out to Amagi Estate for saltwater therapy, so they were watching for favorable timing today or the next day.

On this side was Kosaburō Kanesaburō.
Kosaburō was overjoyed that the beauty Oayu—rare even in Kyoto and Osaka—stayed by his side almost all day, attending to his every need.

However, he considered this to be the most crucial point.
Though they might never publicly declare themselves as father and son with Shintarō Shōshō, once tacit approval was secured, it was all but certain they would eventually be recruited into the Ikeda family under branch family status to receive several thousand koku—and in time, seize opportunities to gain tens of thousands more. For this very reason, should even the slightest impropriety—such as growing overly familiar with the innkeeper’s daughter beforehand—be detected, it would prove most disadvantageous.
There was the point where he had to endure—and common sense did assert itself.

But then again—however—Oayu was a peerless beauty. He wanted to spend a night talking with her until dawn. Burning with youthful passion, he found himself unable to restrain it any longer.

The proof that this path was an entirely different matter could indeed be seen in Ikeda Shintarō Shōshō—he who had delved so deeply into the sage ruler’s path that he remained rigidly formal. In reality, there was even the secret that he had impregnated a maid. How much more so for us mortals—such selfish thoughts would instantly arise, and whenever Oayu came to serve, he simply couldn’t resist making jokes.

Though autumn was near, it was still quite hot.

At the inner second floor, Kosaburō Kanesaburō drank heavily with Sana'i Komagoe and Shunryō Okuno, using sweetfish from the Asahi River as a snack.
He returned alone to the detached hermitage.
The smoke from the mosquito-repelling incense had already weakened.

Here, having been sent by her mother O-Sachi, her daughter Oayu came to hang the mosquito net.

“Oh, Oayu.
If you hang the mosquito net now, it’ll be too stifling to bear.
Now, now—let’s set that aside and keep talking.
Tonight, once again, there’s not a breath of wind.
Won’t you stay here until I grow drowsy and keep me company?”

“Yes.”

If she tried to escape, her mother must have been hiding beside the garden gate and lying in wait. Since she lacked the courage to break through and flee, Oayu remained on the veranda with her hands braced against it, fidgeting awkwardly as she waited.

“Come now, why are you being so reserved?”
“I am soon to be employed by your honorable household.”
“In that case, I must soon take a wife—and in truth, I want none but you to come to me.”

“Oh, I don’t deserve such honor.
A mere daughter of an innkeeper like me… to a person of your status…”

“No, no—there’s the method of establishing proxy parents.
Now, let’s set aside such matters and speak more intimately about the marriage preparations.
Come, come closer... Hmm, what a dreadful swarm of mosquitoes!”

Kanesaburō stood up and vigorously flapped his Nadeshiko River fan, first extinguishing the lantern flame beneath the eaves.
Next, he extinguished the lamp in the tatami room as well.
Only the light from the stone lantern in the garden now faintly illuminated this area.

“I must beg your pardon.”

“Hmm, isn’t it still early?”
“I’d like you to keep me company a bit longer.”

At that very moment, near the eastern approach of Kyōbashi Bridge, came the sound of a Yashima Noh chant.
That must have been Gennojō’s arrival, and Oayu’s mind was diverted there as well.

O-Sachi, her mother, retreated to the shop, relieved that the lights had gone out.

At that very moment, inside the hermitage—

A scream—“Ah—”
It had come from Oayu’s lips.

Following that came Kosaburō’s shrill voice.

“You villain!” he shouted.

“I beg your pardon.”
“It was so dark I mistook the room,” came an unfamiliar woman’s voice from one corner of the chamber—and at that moment, startled by the scream, O-Sachi hurried over from the main building with a lit candle.

In that light, she appeared in a white linen robe with a black gauze waist surplice—a Buddhist nun of about forty-one or forty-two years. Her full-fleshed face bore a lustrous complexion, but it was the harsh glint in her eyes that dominated her features.

“Are you not the nun who arrived this evening? Your room is on the front second floor.” O-Sachi could not suppress her suspicion. “However dark it may be, what possible reason could you have for mistaking your way to this detached room?”

“Well, I heard from your honorable maid that there’s an Inari shrine within the grounds, so I just came to pay my respects.”

A nun worshipping Inari—this couldn’t exactly be called impossible. While O-Sachi wasn’t wholly dismissive of that explanation, she nevertheless sensed something unconvincing about it.

First and foremost, Kanesaburō’s complexion was anything but normal. From how it had turned deathly pale—like that of a corpse—she couldn’t help but think there must be some circumstance behind it.

The nun seemed to notice for the first time.

“Well, well. When I wondered who it might be—you must be Lord Kosaburō Kanesaburō, are you not? To encounter you in such an unexpected place.”

“Ah, so it was Chien the nun.”

“What a curious meeting this is.”

“Indeed, that it is.”

Realizing something was amiss, O-Sachi urged Oayu to withdraw from there. And so, enduring the mosquito bites in the shadow of the plant basket, they did not neglect to eavesdrop.

During this time, Oayu slipped out through the back door to the riverbank.
There, Gennojō Nomoto had been waiting impatiently.

5

In the now-empty detached room, the situation abruptly transformed. Grabbing Kosaburō by the collar, Nun Chien began shoving him.

Kanesaburō clasped his hands together, bowing repeatedly.

“Now, quietly. If we make a scene, everything will be ruined—quietly… I beg you… please, have mercy… I implore you.”

“No—I won’t have it. I don’t care if we’re ruined. No—ruin would rather be a blessing for this humble nun. You wicked man! This humble nun withdrew three hundred ryō—savings I had guarded like a tiger protects its cub—and with that as your capital, you peddled the Bizen governor’s illegitimate child to launch your three-man expedition. That may hold true since there is solid evidence, but even if you achieve success with your scheme to take the daughter of this house as your bride, it would mean this humble nun’s utter ruin. You made such firm promises that once established, you would surely send for me later—what is this about being unfaithful? Anticipating such a thing might happen, this humble nun could not sit still in my Tennōji hermitage—and when I followed after to see, it has indeed come to this outcome, just as I surmised. Even if those three hundred ryō go to waste, so be it. I don’t care if you never rise in status again. Return to how it was with this humble nun, in secret…”

“Now now，Lady Chien.”
“This marks our critical juncture.”
“I humbly entreat you to grant me advancement.”
“That was but ‘a momentary impulse’.”

“I do not care for this ‘momentary impulse’ of his.”

“No—he will never again turn to another woman.”

While they were thus entangled, O-Sachi—who had been eavesdropping—came to report this development, prompting physician Shunryō Okuno to come rushing down from the inner second floor.

“Now, now, Lady Chien.”
“Even if you’re furious—this here is the most crucial moment.”
“Please, I beg your understanding—your understanding in all matters.”
“Anyway—first to the inner second floor—”

Shunryō led the enraged Nun Chien to the inner second floor and, together with Sana’i, pleaded and entreated.
The two men together bowed and prostrated themselves so many times it was impossible to count.

In other words, this nun and Kanesaburō had a deep relationship. Having persuaded her to provide the funds for their campaign this time, the three of them had thus made their move into Bizen Okayama.

In the end, through one way or another—settled in an unsettled manner—Nun Chien first returned to her front second-floor room, but late at night, under the pretext of retrieving a forgotten item, she also went out to the detached guest quarters to check whether Kosaburō was alone or not. The nun’s jealousy was unprecedented for the time, and the people at the inn were also intrigued.

The next day had come and the morning meal was finished when it happened.
Suddenly, Nun Chien began writhing with abdominal pain.

"This is poison—murder!"
"Murder!"

The people of the inn were startled.

The first to arrive was Doctor Shunryō.

“What nonsense—poisoning? How could such a thing happen?”
“It’s precisely indigestion—it will heal promptly.”
“Here, here—a dose of this medicine.”

He took out some powdered medicine and forced it into the mouth of the suffering Nun Chien.

However, after taking that medicine, her suffering only intensified, and though she could utter groans, she became unable to speak.
In the end, she vomited blood and died in agony.

Hanbeya Kubei and his wife also turned pale.
Having an unnatural death among their lodgers would make matters exceedingly troublesome.

Was it poison?
Then they were truly implicated.
While one could roughly infer physician Shunryō had dosed her to preserve their secret, this was also calculated reasoning that eliminating an obstacle would advance Kosaburō's marriage plans with Oyau—hence embodying petty cunning demanding absolute secrecy through concealment.

“Dr. Shunryō... I deeply regret embroiling you in such grave trouble.”
“I-I mean... It absolutely wasn't poisoning! Surely sudden death from indigestion! Though most burdensome... I implore you... please provide written certification of this diagnosis!”

“Ah, I am fully aware.”
“This is absolutely not a death by poisoning.”
“From a physician’s standpoint, this old one guarantees it to the fullest extent—there is no need for your concern.”

In the report, Shunryō attributed it to an improper food combination having harmed the digestive system, resulting in sudden death and so forth. He emphatically wrote that he had indeed been present as a witness.

The inquest officials did come, but with the physician’s certification in hand, they conducted a perfunctory inspection before withdrawing without incident.

They hurriedly sent the corpse to Sasayama for cremation. The nun’s corruption met with a tragic end—it was what Buddhist teachings call reaping what one sows.

VI

The one who arrived by express horse at Amagi Residence to meet Dewa Ikeda was Gennojō Nomoto.
In the inner study, having cleared the room of others, they were engaged in secret talks.
Dewa Ikeda displayed a look of perplexity between his brows as...

“Now then—regarding this wakizashi carried by the ronin who styles himself Kosaburō Kanesaburō—does His Lordship retain any memory of it or not?”
“Have you conducted preliminary inquiries?”

Gennojō spoke fearfully.

“When I made inquiries, His Lordship stated that he has no recollection whatsoever and retains no memory of it in his heart. However, upon investigating the diary of His Lordship’s attendants, it was found to be the honorable wakizashi crafted by First-Generation Nagamitsu. The construction featured a wax-colored sheath polished with a suede-textured grass pattern—Yamazaka Kihē’s small pierced guard and a hilt wrapped in shark skin with pale green thread in a large diamond pattern. On the menuki was the official family crest: a silver wheel-shaped butterfly. There duly exists a record.”

“Hmm,” said Dewa Ikeda. “The ronin must indeed possess a wakizashi that matches this description.”

“That is indeed so.”

“As for the countenance of this ronin who styles himself Kanesaburō—”

“Though it is presumptuous to say, there are features where he closely resembles His Lordship.”

“Hmm…”

Dewa Ikeda, known as the wise Dewa and esteemed elder of the Ikeda clan, could not help being perplexed upon hearing this.

“And what did His Lordship deign to state regarding this? Does His Lordship have any recollection of personally sending the honorable wakizashi to the maid Tsurue, or not? What did he deign to state?”

“He has no recollection… were His Lordship’s words.”

“Hmm—were His Lordship’s words muddied? Were they clear?”

“As for that matter… I cannot say for certain…”

“No—this being a critical juncture，set aside propriety and speak plainly of what you witnessed.”

“If I may speak without reserve，I have come to understand that there was a slight difference from His Lordship’s usual words.”

“So，His Lordship commanded that this incident not be disclosed to others and that you should first consult this Dewa—is that correct?”

“That is indeed so.”

Dewa Ikeda thought.
Though one would never lightly send an official family-crested wakizashi—and a secret one at that—to a mere maid, given that Kanesaburō's mother Tsurue had indeed received this very wakizashi according to factual records, this must after all be the illegitimate child.
No matter how virtuous a lord might be, this particular path had always been treated as a separate matter since ancient times—such was the established notion.

No—if this were true, it would certainly be a joyous occasion, a legitimate heir to His Lordship.
Though gaining one young lord might seem beneficial, with there now being three legitimate heirs—Tsunamasa, Masakoto, and Teruaki—it would not actually suffice.
Should His Lordship retire in the near future, he would need to allocate private lands to the second and third young lords as well.
Lord Masakoto would receive twenty-five thousand koku.
To Lord Teruaki, fifteen thousand koku—and just as this private decision was being finalized, adding another person there would require recalculating the abacus.

However, that was something that could be managed somehow—a parent was a parent. A child was a child. Since there appeared to be no discrepancy in the honorable parent-child relationship with this ronin who called himself Kanesaburō, an official audience ought by all means to have been arranged posthaste and he should have been taken into service—yet such matters inevitably became known immediately. Not only throughout the domain, but once it spread across all of Japan—look, even Lord Shintarō Mitsumasa, hailed as a sage ruler, had favored a woman after all. He had taken liberties with a maid, resulting in an illegitimate child. When people insisted on maintaining strict formality at all times, public morals were certain to quickly deteriorate. His Lordship’s consideration lay there—this Dewa had likely been made a secret envoy for that very reason: to find some discretion. This is quite a difficult problem, he thought, crossing his arms and pondering deeply.

“Ah, you’ve worked hard—very hard. In that case, we too have considerations regarding this matter. You must promptly summon Hanbeya Kubei and instruct him confidentially.”

“Hah.”

“Regarding the aforementioned matter—”

Dewa lowered his voice yet further and confidentially informed Gennojō in a whisper, close to his ear.

“Hah. I have taken heed.”

Gennojō Nomoto, having taken heed of Dewa Ikeda’s secret plot, hurried back to Okayama.

7

Hanbeya Kubei, who had been summoned to Gennojō Nomoto’s residence.
Since he had not entirely failed to notice his daughter’s relationship [with Kosaburō], he proceeded with the worry that this summons was surely to request her before Lord Kanesaburō could take her away.

“Ah, Kubei.”
“Today’s discussion concerns a matter of grave importance.”
“There’s no need for reserve.”
“Come closer.”

“Oh...”

“Among your lodgers, there is the party of Kosaburō Kanesaburō and his group.”

“Oh… Three guests are staying here.”

“They presumptuously claim to be His Lordship’s illegitimate child, possessing an evidential wakizashi, and plot to request official employment—or so it is said.”
“That would indeed be the case.”

“You are well aware that, in fact, we have been holding back due to Lord Dewa’s entry into the Amagi residence, waiting for his return to proceed privately… which you are well aware of.”

“No—it’s not just me. Lord Dewa already knows as well.”

“Oh—what sharp ears you have.”

“Lord Dewa immediately brought this matter to His Lordship’s attention—an unprecedented development. However, being ronin, they cannot be punished like domain retainers. Though we clearly recognize them as impostors, this presents a situation where no direct action can be taken. It has been officially decreed that they shall first be granted service as requested, only to then be ordered without delay to commit seppuku.”

“Oh—”

“The unruly ronin will thereby be dealt with, but for the transgression of harboring those impostors, you of Hanbeya shall be dispossessed.”
“The innkeeper will face exile.”

“Gah!”

“I do find this most regrettable, hence my private disclosure to you.”
“Before matters reach that extremity, why not arrange things to your liking?”
“This is but a well-meaning caution from myself.”

“Oh… Thank you very much.”
“Indeed, once taken into service, even if ordered to commit seppuku, there would be no refusing it.”
“That would be most suitable.”
“I have informed the parties involved accordingly—oh, this has truly become a grave matter.”

Flustered, Kubei hurried away.

Kubei had secretly informed Kanesaburō and the others about being taken into service only to be ordered to commit seppuku, so they were shocked by this.

"But I am indeed the illegitimate child, and the evidence wakizashi has been brought forth."

Kanesaburō, half-sobbing, blurted out complaints.

“It’s no use.
“It’s completely hopeless.
“Since it’s undoubtedly inconvenient for the Ikeda family that this illegitimate child has emerged, there’s no point forcing our claim when they show no goodwill.
“If taken into service, they become Ikeda retainers.
“Once they’re Ikeda retainers, when the day comes their lord orders seppuku, they won’t be able to refuse.
“Give it up!”

The mastermind Shunryō Okuno was already preparing to flee.

“Ah, that’s true—where there’s life, there’s hope,” Sana'i Komagoe said with a hint of cowardice.

Kubei once again emphasized the house’s critical matter.

“I humbly request you vacate the premises at once.”
“The 100 ryō we have been holding in trust shall be returned after deducting lodging fees—ah, I beg you to act accordingly for both our sakes.”
“As for the dead nun’s funeral, our house will most certainly take care of it.”

If they dilly-dallied, he would bring up the nun’s poisoning—so he dangled the threat of reporting them.

“Well then—we shall take our leave.”
“We shall vacate the premises.”

With matters having reached this point, Kubei’s greed deducted the exorbitant lodging fees and returned barely thirty ryō.

The three had no time for such matters; under cover of night, they departed Nishinakajima.
As for where they went after that—they never returned to Okayama again.

There exists a theory that Gennojō and others ambushed and killed them at Saidaiji Pass, but this account does not adopt it.

The *Yūhiroku* records: “Lord Dewa returned and presented himself before His Lordship, whereupon he stated: ‘You were profoundly distressed—had you not perceived such a matter?’”

Had Kanesaburō—resolved to commit seppuku—steeled himself to remain once more, he might have been formally taken into service; but having failed this trial of fortitude, the Bizen Ten’ichibō affair likely met its ruin.