Pathway to Japanese Literature

Star Lanterns When the seventh month of the lunar calendar arrived in Edo—the height of summer now past—bringing with it early autumn winds and the Bon Festival, people’s hearts filled as if by prior agreement with tender longing for the departed, and phrases like “all souls in the three realms” rose to their lips. Tonight, for the viewing of Edo’s famed star lanterns in Aoyama’s Hundred-Man District, His Excellency the Shogun arrived in procession with his beloved Lady Omi, and so the neighborhood—unlike its usual tranquility—bustled with people coming and going.

“Hey Maki, you don’t think Haru and Tsunekichi are dawdling somewhere, do you? They’re awfully late.” “There’s no such thing, you know. The group leader’s residence isn’t more than five blocks from here. It must be that His Excellency’s procession is running late.” At the home of Genbei of Inbuya—a medicinal wholesaler near Baishōin Temple—the household eagerly awaited their daughter Yuri, who served in the Inner Palace and had been granted special overnight leave that evening for the first time in six months. Earlier, they had sent their younger daughter Haru out with the shop clerk Tsunekichi to meet her partway. But when preparations in the rear tatami room were complete, Genbei’s impatience got the better of him, and he ventured out to the gate—head thrust forward—where night had already fallen in full.

Before he knew it, his wife Maki had drawn close behind Genbei and was craning her neck toward Hundred-Man District.

“Dear,” “Once Yuri returns tonight, we must settle matters with Mr. Heitarō and have her leave the castle at the earliest possible day.” “That’s my wish too,” “but Yuri writes that her superior—Lady Sode-no-i or such—showers her with such kindness she claims no desire to depart hastily.” “These modern girls’ hearts elude me.” “Regardless,” “a merchant’s daughter lingering forever in service invites calamity. …Come to think of it, they’re truly late—might something untoward have occurred?…”

At Maki’s anxious look, Genbei—sharing her concern—gazed toward the town’s distant edge. Throughout Hundred-Man District, every residence had fastened roofs wrapped in cedar leaves to cedar logs five or six ken tall, with lanterns hung beneath them—the whole scene glowing as beautifully as a cluster of gathered stars.

Through the Meiwa and Kansei eras, the people of Edo would suddenly all hang tall lanterns at every house to welcome the spirits, but in this Tenpo era of today, it had completely declined—one could only glimpse remnants in temples and the establishments of Tamaya Yamazaburō in Yoshiwara. Moreover, the rare sight of Aoyama Hundred-Man District—home to the Teppō-gumi Dōshin musketeers—persisting unchanged in this tradition had become one of Edo’s famed attractions, such that on one night during Bon, it had long been customary for the shogunate to detour its palanquin to rest at the group leader’s residence.

Tonight as well, Shogun Ieyoshi had arrived in procession with his beloved concubine Lady Omi, and Genbei’s daughter Yuri—who served Lady Omi—had joined the retinue. Yet it was the news received yesterday morning that had sent the Inbuya household into raptures—news that her daily diligence had been commended, granting her permission to return home midway through the procession. Before the impatient couple, Tsunekichi’s voice suddenly emerged from the darkness, buoyant with excitement. “Master. Madam must be overjoyed as well.”

“Oh, Tsunekichi. Where’s Yuri?” “Yes, sir. Just now, as the procession had arrived at Lord Endō’s residence, the young lady was granted leave. She’s on her way there now, but since the guest stated they would be accompanying her, I rushed ahead to arrive first.”

Just then, the lantern Haru carried drew near, and within its light, Yuri’s face appeared in clear relief. Her hair arranged in a High Shimada hairstyle and her demeanor that of a beaming palace maidservant, yet the beauty of her lingering summer makeup—though she was their own daughter—shone with such dazzling luster that it nearly blinded.

“Oh, Yuri…” “Oh, you’ve really come back after all.” “Father... Mother... You’re both well…” “You’re both well…” Leaving behind the fellow maidservants and tea page-like attendant who had accompanied her home, Yuri hurried forward at a trot—and when her parents took her hands, her heart must have swelled with emotion. Her eyes were already moist. Haru and Tsunekichi had rushed in from the shopfront to announce Yuri’s return, making the Inbuya household suddenly spring to vibrant life.

Morning breeze.

“Boss, something terrible!”

“Hey hey, Iwakichi—quit making such a racket.” “In a household handling official business, if we go yellin’ ‘This is terrible’ at every little thing, the guests’ll laugh at us.” “Watch yourself.” “Heh. This here’s a real mess.” “Just my usual habits actin’ up... Mornin’, Boss from Black Gate District.” “Iwa-san.” “Seems you’ve been busy since daybreak.”

“With all due respect to Boss Denzaburō here, I’ve managed to catch wind of some once-in-a-decade commotion…” “Iwa—what’s this about?” At the boss’s question, like a strike meeting its echo, Iwakichi’s voice rang clear.

“Yes, sir—last night, a palace maidservant who accompanied His Excellency the Shogun was killed.” At Tomegorō’s home in Aoyama North District—where they had held the wake for his father who died of old age the previous night—the gathered mourners’ eyes were still swollen from weeping, but at Iwakichi’s words, they all widened in unison. Though Tomegorō’s father had been a renowned constable in Edo himself, Denzaburō from Kuromonchō—who owed his upbringing to being treated like family through their connection—had brought his lion-nosed subordinate Takezō and stayed through the night; now, just as they stood to leave this very moment, they found themselves confronted by this extraordinary tale too remarkable to disregard.

“Iwa, your way o’ talkin’s too damn rowdy.” “We’ve got Black Gate District here too.” “Can’t ya talk a bit more calmly?” “Nah, Boss of North District.” Laughing, Denzaburō stopped Tomegorō mid-scold. “There’s also a man here who don’t get flustered easy.” “Me? I’m used to jumpy types. So why don’t ya let me hear the rest?” “This ain’t no joke.” Lion-nosed Take shook his head.

“Boss. You didn’t have to come all the way out to Aoyama and drag me into this.”

“Hahaha.” “Folks don’t reckon bein’ dragged into things is when they bloom. …Now then, Iwa-san.” “What’s the story here?”

Iwakichi gulped and held his breath.

“In truth, it’s the daughter of Inbuya on Baishōin-dōri Street.” “So it’s Yuri from the Inner Palace.” “Where the hell was she killed?”

Tomegorō also unconsciously leaned forward on one knee. “Last night, she came back to her own home. They’d held a celebratory feast with eating and drinking, and she went to bed—but when her mother went to wake her this mornin’, she found her stabbed through the chest, already cold as stone, or so they say…” “Hmm.” “The lady herself, see, had come as part o’ the entourage to view them star lanterns. Heard she’d been granted just two days’ leave from service. What with it happenin’ on the very night she returned, her parents an’ everyone at the shop must’ve been thrown into pure bedlam. They grabbed me when I rushed in an’ started spoutin’ all manner o’ jumbled nonsense—’bout Lady Yuri, who was known ’round these parts as the neighborhood belle. Figured I’d best fetch the Boss here quick-like, so I came tearin’ back like my ass was on fire.”

“I see.” “You did well gathering intel.” “His Excellency the Shogun returned last night—exactly because this concerns that affair, we must resolve it by tomorrow. Magistrate Toyama-sama’s honor depends on it.” “Let’s move out.”

Having stood up, Tomegorō looked at Denzaburō, who had been listening in silence.

“Black Gate District. Just like you heard. Might be trouble, but could I get ya to come along?” “Hmm. Long as you’re willin’, I’ll tag right along. You’re the one tendin’ the departed. Helpin’ out’d make my life’s work complete.” “Obliged. If this drags on, every snoop from here to Asakusa’ll come swarmin’—no time for dallyin’. With you here, Boss, it’s like havin’ a thousand men at my back.”

Tomegorō suddenly became eager to leave with Denzaburō, but it was Takezō who called out to stop them.

“Boss.”

“What?” “I’ve still never seen a palace maidservant gettin’ killed before.” “…Today, let me make my mark for once, will ya?” “You idiot!” “Hey, Boss of Black Gate District. “Let’s take Take-san along too.” “There must be somethin’ you need a guy to dash around and handle.” “Heh, heh. “Much obliged.” “I’m sure my nose’ll come in handy for ya.”

Lion-nosed Take flipped up his hem after saying this.

The Breast Wound “Ah, Boss of the North District.” “You have my deepest gratitude for your efforts.” “Please do come in, sir.” Tsunekichi the shop clerk, his face deathly pale and wringing his hands in greeting, was met by Tomegorō, who merely gave a curt nod, his brow deeply furrowed, before briskly proceeding to the inner rooms. Following after them came Denzaburō, Takezō, and the rearguard—with Iwakichi, whose face was well-known, exchanging words with the apprentices as they proceeded. The shop stood dimly lit with its heavy shutters closed, while in the detached tatami room they were led to, Yuri's bedding remained untouched—only a single stick of incense and water offering placed at her pillow. Just as one would expect from a house where a bloody incident had occurred, a gloomy air filled the place.

“Master, what an awful turn of events.” “For Lady Yuri to have been granted leave from service only to meet with such misfortune… Ah, it’s utterly like a nightmare.” “Boss of the North District, I beg you to understand.” “She had just returned home for the first time in six months, yet not even for a single night could she rest peacefully… What a cruel twist of fate this is.” “If it would lead to this, how much better it would have been had she not come home at all.”

When Genbei's voice became faltering, Maki too, having uttered just a single word, collapsed weeping onto the floor where she stood.

“Please, Boss. Catch that killer quickly. At least let my daughter rest in Buddha’s light—I beg this of you.” “Quit your worryin’. I’ve known Lady Yuri since she was knee-high. That girl they called Aoyama’s own Ono no Komachi—I ain’t lettin’ the bastard who did this breathe easy! And today of all days, my aniki Denzaburō from Black Gate District happened by my place—godsend that—so I dragged him along too.”

“What?!” “Then this gentleman here is Mr. Denzaburō, the Boss of Shitaya?…” While still in shock, the couple bowed their heads repeatedly.

“We deeply apologize for taking your time when you must be so busy. I humbly ask for your kind assistance.” “Well, can’t say for sure if I’ll be of service, but since there must be some connection that’s brought me here, I’ll do my best to work on it.” Denzaburō nodded softly while still gripping his silver-alloy pipe.

Tomegorō approached the corpse and gazed intently at Yuri’s face. The others also surrounded the bedside and held their breath. As they peeled away her kimono, then her underrobe, then her undershirt, skin so stark white it seared the eyes appeared before them – pulsing as though still alive.

“Brother, this was the fatal blow after all.” “Hmm, the blade’s got impressive sharpness.” Beneath the rounded swell of her breast, a single thrust—the blade tip having reached her heart—left her garments dyed crimson, but she had breathed her last without any apparent struggle.

Tomegorō readjusted the kimono back into place, and Denzaburō too pressed his hands together in prayer before turning back toward Genbei.

“Master. Then I’ll have you tell me everything about last night’s events.” “Yes… Yuri returned precisely at the Hour of the Monkey. Accompanying her were Lady Sode-no-i—a senior maidservant from the outer attendants serving Her Ladyship O-Hikari, around thirty years of age—and Ōsuzu-sama, a tea page.” “What’d those two come here for?” “Lady Sode-no-i resides in Hyakunin-chō and was said to be on most cordial terms with Yuri. Having similarly received permission for leave from service, she kindly stopped by to escort her home… Ōsuzu-sama, the tea page, escorted her along the way at Her Ladyship O-Hikari’s behest, so…”

“So, did the two of them enter the tatami room?”

“That is correct.” “As we had prepared a meal ourselves, we seated the two guests in the place of honor with Yuri and Heitarō beside them, and they had a bite to eat.” “When you say Heitarō…?” “He’s the son of Yūkiya in the same neighborhood—once Yuri leaves service at the castle, they’re agreed to be together. We had invited him last night as well.” “In that case, nothing out of the ordinary happened then?”

“By then, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and Ōsuzu-sama was exceptionally skilled at singing and gesture dances.” “He had us laughing endlessly—that’s all there was to it.”

“Hmm.”

“And when did everyone leave?” “Ōsuzu-sama had stated he need not join the procession’s retinue yet still departed by palanquin around four o’clock. Some time later, Yuri proposed escorting Lady Sode-no-i to view the star lanterns. As it wasn’t far, we sent Tsunekichi along with her—Yuri too returned after about half an hour.” “……” “Afterward, we parents and child spoke privately at length. However, as she was indeed fatigued and wished to sleep late tomorrow morning, she requested the detached room connected by the covered walkway—thus we had her rest here.” “Though it may sound like grumbling, now that I think of it, I can’t help but regret not having her sleep in our room—this above all else weighs on me.”

“Master.” “I must ask something terribly rude…”

Denzaburō interjected. “Mr. Heitarō and Miss Yuri hadn’t become estranged, had they?” “No such thing.” “There is no such thing.” “Speaking as her parent—though it may be forward of me—Yuri is a reserved woman, and Heitarō too is a timid man; they’ve simply been waiting for their wedding day to be set.” “Seems he hasn’t come by yet this morning.” “Yes.” “Fearing the commotion might grow too large, we have imposed silence upon the shop staff and have not yet informed Yukiya either…”

Tomegorō, who had been listening, suddenly straightened up when he saw Denzaburō nod.

“Madam.” “Now then, let’s proceed with the examination.” “First, let’s have all the household members summoned.”

Events at Midnight

When Maki went out, five pale-faced men and women soon lined up at the entrance. “Let me begin by stating that the one at the front is my younger daughter Haru, who is seventeen.” “Miss Yuri was nineteen, wasn’t she?”

“Yes, it is her unlucky year.” In response to her father’s voice, the girl who bowed her head politely wore her hair in a yuiwata-style bun adorned with a pink silk scarf, bearing resemblance to her elder sister in both refined features and an air of steadfast reliability.

“Next is our shop clerk Tsunekichi. Eventually, we intend for him to marry Haru and take over this business.” “He has been in service since childhood and truly works diligently…” Tsunekichi blushed and placed both hands on the floor, but Haru—who had long been resigned to this arrangement—showed no reaction as she continued staring in her sister’s direction, her expression unchanging.

The rest were Tamakichi and Matsusaburō—apprentices fresh from the countryside. Neither Tomegorō nor Denzaburō showed any sign of being particularly interested in this. “Ours is a modest trade, and as I am still primarily managing the work myself, this number of people suffices for our needs.” “…The one we have working in the kitchen is Omine, the maidservant seated at the very end.” “She is eighteen now but was hired from Bōshū the year before last—an honest soul.”

Omine, looking down shyly with lowered eyes—being a maidservant, she wore plain attire—had rounded shoulders and a high chest; in the face that occasionally glanced toward Tomegorō lingered a certain allure, making her a woman who could generally catch men’s eyes.

“Well, I’ve got the full picture now. Now that I’ve got you all lined up like this, makes the investigation a breeze. So here’s how it is—someone here must know about whoever slipped into Miss Yuri’s room last night after everyone was asleep. No need for formalities—spit it out.” “……” “If y’all stay mum, I’ll have to grill each one of you separately. Depending how this goes, might just drag every last soul down to the magistrate’s office. On my end, I’ve already got a rough idea—and since I’ve heard whispers about this business, you’d better come clean.”

“……” “All right.” “Alright then, I’ll question each of you one by one.” “Leave Miss Haru here alone—the rest of you lot go wait in the next room.”

Even after everyone had left, Tomegorō remained displeased. “Miss Haru, the only ones here now are your parents.” “To avenge your sister, you’ve got to tell the truth.” “I sent everyone away because you looked like you wanted to say something just now.—So speak up.” “Yes… Though I cannot say the exact time, when I went to the lavatory at midnight, there was someone passing through the hallway, suppressing their footsteps.”

“Hmm.” “When I stepped out into the hallway, the one who turned around in surprise at the handheld lantern’s light—though already far ahead—was unmistakably Tsune-don.”

“Tsunekichi?…”

Genbei, looking startled, parroted the question back. “That hallway leads from the annex where Elder Sister was sleeping to the kitchen. From midway along it, there’s a branch leading to the room where Tsune-don sleeps with the apprentices. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but now I believe that was him returning from Elder Sister’s room.” “I see. … Do you have anything else you’ve noticed about this incident?”

“No.”

“Got it. Now you get over there and fetch them apprentices.” “Yes.”

An oppressive air flowed before the assembled group. “Tsunekichi, of all people…” “But… now that you mention it, he’s someone who gets so carried away when it comes to Yuri.” “Just yesterday, didn’t he say he’d go alone to meet her?” Maki did not align herself with Genbei’s dismissive attitude toward Haru’s words.

“I have brought the apprentices.” “……”

The apprentices seated behind Haru exchanged glances and fidgeted restlessly. “Hey.” “You guys must’ve noticed Tsunekichi leavin’ the room after you went to bed last night.” “………”

When Matsusaburō looked pleadingly at Tamakichi, Tamakichi glared back but eventually squinted up at Tomegorō. "Matsu-don seemed fast asleep, but I got kicked awake by Tsune-don." "When I yelled 'That hurts!', he snapped 'Quit whinin'—too dark to see anythin',' then crawled back to his own mat." "I see. No mistake he went out at midnight?" "Well?" "Notice anythin' odd 'bout Tsunekichi this mornin'?"

“Oh! That’s right!” Matsusaburō suddenly raised his voice.

“I was asked to polish a thin-bladed knife used for shaving rhinoceros horns and dried livers, so I polished it.” “What? A blade?...” A bright smile suddenly appeared on Tomegorō’s face.

“Miss Haru.” “Your guess was spot-on.” “Go call Tsunekichi here right now!”

The Unlatched Bolt

“Tsunekichi. You went out back just now, didn’t you? You must’ve finally meant to make your escape, but that deal won’t clear through the wholesalers.”

“No. Why would I ever do such a thing? That’s—”

Tsunekichi, who had been made to sit before Tomegorō, lowered his head dejectedly upon hearing what Haru and the apprentices had said—but at Tomegorō’s words, delivered like a finishing blow, he resolutely raised his face.

“Since learning of the young lady’s fate this morning, I had been searching for any clues when I noticed the bolt on the back gate was undone.” “Th-The bolt?!…” Genbei shouted from beside them. Tomegorō watched the scene coldly, but it was Denzaburō whose eyes suddenly gleamed.

“Now then—” “Was that bolt always latched?” “That is correct.” “When dusk’s sixth hour arrives, we fasten it without fail every day without exception—last evening too I made my rounds and confirmed this beyond doubt.”

“Then what about you, Brother?…” Tomegorō looked at Denzaburō discontentedly. “Are you suggesting there’s someone who came in from outside?”

“Well now.” “I’m not saying there is.” “But I can’t say there isn’t.” “I just think we’ve gotta check that out.”

“Ha ha ha ha. This bastard came up with that story to cover up the suspicions that have fallen on you. Hey, Tsunekichi!”

At Tomegorō’s voice, Tsunekichi’s shoulder twitched.

“You had feelings for Lady Yuri, didn’t you? Couldn’t stand Heitarō taking her away, so you pulled some damn fool stunt—no doubt about it. Precisely because we’ve seen through your true feelings, Miss Haru—the one who’s supposed to take you in as a son-in-law—won’t side with you. Well? Got any defense?” “......”

“Miss Haru. “Right?” “I won’t say Tsunekichi killed her, but when I compare my sister and Tsunekichi, I want to side with my sister, so…” “Alright, Tsunekichi. “Well?” “I-I have always been treated kindly by the young lady since entering service here as a child. Though it may be presumptuous of a motherless wretch like myself, precisely because I have regarded her as both a mother and an elder sister all this time, I could never possibly commit such an outrageous act as killing the young lady. …As for the blade… today I was supposed to grind Rhinoceros Horn Powder, so I had just sharpened it. I certainly did not shed any blood.”

“Then when you were seen by Miss Haru—weren’t you coming back from the annex?”

“………” “Miss Haru was in the privy.” “You had no damn business walkin’ down that corridor!”

“………”

“Alright.” “There’s nothin’ more to hear.” “Now I’m draggin’ you to the magistrate’s office and makin’ you swallow sand—so prepare yourself.” “The magistrate is none other than Lord Tōyama Saemon-no-jō—the terror of crying children.” “He won’t last a moment.—Hey Master, bring that blade from the bastard’s room here.” Having said that, Tomegorō suddenly threw a restraining rope at Tsunekichi. “Y-yes…”

Watching Genbei stagger out, Tomegorō shook with laughter. “Brother Denzaburō. Looks like that’s settled. Come on, let’s head back together.”

“No need for that—I’ll stick around.” “You investigate that bastard till you’re satisfied.” “What’s that?” “Still think it’s some outsider’s doing, eh?” “Can’t say for sure.” “But you Kitamachi boys—” “I got unfinished business here.” “It’s my nature—can’t stomach food ’less I dig till I’m satisfied.” “Ain’t got no manners ’bout it—you clear out first.” “Be back by dusk—gotta consult your household Buddha.”

Crimson leaves.

After Tomegorō and Iwakichi had triumphantly departed with Tsunekichi in custody, the bewildered group could only steal fearful sidelong glances at Denzaburō.

“Well then, Master. I’m gonna take a look around the backyard now, so nobody better go outside yet—but I ain’t startin’ nothin’ with the household Buddha business or nothin’. Then there’s the maid—Omine, was it? I’ll have you show me around.” “No, I’ll—”

As Haru tried to quickly stand up, Denzaburō casually restrained her.

“Nah, Omine’s better.” “When it comes to kitchens and back entrances, servant girls are more familiar with them.” “Hey, Take.” “Right.” “You…” At Denzaburō’s whispered words, Take—the lion-nosed—gave a firm nod and darted out to the front.

With Omine leading the way, Denzaburō—who had gone out to the backyard—slowly surveyed every corner. Then, sitting down on a garden stone beside the back gate, he had Omine sit on one end of a log lying before him. “Let’s hear your story. Your face wasn’t right when Tsunekichi was restrained. There’s gotta be somethin’. Spit it out.” “Yes…”

Tears suddenly welled up in Omine’s resolute eyes.

“Boss! T-Tsune-don didn’t kill the young mistress!”

“How do **you** know that?”

“Earlier, you mentioned that Miss Haru was walking down the corridor, but Tsune-don was in the maids’ room until that time.” “Why was he in your room at such a late hour? Ain’t that fishy?”

“Yes…” Omine’s pallid face flushed crimson. “This is mortifying to say, but as it concerns Tsune-don’s life, I will tell you everything without reservation. The two of us... Tsune-don and I are in a pledged relationship.” “What’s that?”

“It was this spring. When I fell ill and was bedridden for about ten days, Tsune-don nursed me every night, so I ended up being bound by his kindness…” “But you—Tsunekichi’s the man set to become this family’s son-in-law, ain’t he?” “That is correct. However, Miss Haru treats Tsune-don quite harshly because he used to be a shop boy. So at times, Tsune-don also ends up crying tears of frustration. ……I too had always felt sorry for him.”

“Hmm.” “Last night too, Master tried to have Miss Haru and Tsune-don take seats at the celebration, but Miss Haru said she refused to be with Tsune-don and promptly went to bed.” “The reason being…”

“And the reason being…?” “It is because Miss Haru holds affection for Mr. Heitarō.” “Heitarō—that’s the man betrothed to the late Miss Yuri. …So you’re saying he returns Haru’s feelings?” “That I cannot say… but considering last night’s events…” “Last night’s events being…?” “……” “This worthless hesitation helps neither Tsunekichi nor you.” “Out with it.”

“Y-yes. “...Actually, until past midnight, Tsune-don was with me, but he said he was going to refill the oil in Lady Yuri’s room’s paper lantern and went to the annex…” “Hmm.” “After that, I knew nothing more, but after this morning’s commotion, he said he’d done something outrageous last night.”

“……” “Tsune-don said that when he went to the annex, he got startled and turned back because it seemed someone was inside the shoji—if he had known this would happen, he should have looked at their face.” “Tsune-don was lamenting that since he had assumed it was Mr. Heitarō, he couldn’t even discern the kimono’s pattern.”

“I see. But then why didn’t Tsunekichi say that earlier? Just that alone should’ve helped prove his innocence, but…” “Yes, it’s like this. As my parents are poor, when I entered service at this establishment, I borrowed a substantial sum of money. If I were to fail midway, I would have to repay that money and return to my hometown. I think Tsune-don must have considered that and kept silent about everything for my sake.”

“I see.” “Moreover, as Tsune-don held such regard for Lady Yuri, he simply couldn’t bring himself to say there had been a man in the young lady’s room—could he have?”

It was the moment when Denzaburō gave a deep nod. “Boss, I brought him.”

Just as Takezō’s voice was suddenly heard, Heitarō—his right hand seized—came slipping in through the rear gate like a ghost.

Scattered flowers

“Oh, Heitarō.” “Don’t you sit here.”

“……” When Denzaburō pointed at where Omine had been standing, Heitarō sat down with his torso stiff as an Awa puppet’s, only his head hanging low.

“What time was it when you snuck into Miss Yuri’s room?”

“……” “This morning, when the mistress here saw Miss Yuri dead and started making a commotion, what the master noticed when he rushed over was that the storm shutters on the veranda were open about two sun. A seasoned bastard’d never pull such a boneheaded move. It’s always amateurs who panic and make such blunders. You got frantic and fled—ain’t no mistake about that.”

“I’m at your mercy.” “You! Under arrest!”

Takezō barked down at him from above. “Ah, please wait…” As if doused with cold water, Heitarō trembled violently and involuntarily bowed deeply to Denzaburō.

“Take, don’t wait. Heitarō, you got something to say?”

“Yes… It was indeed I who sneaked into Lady Yuri’s quarters, but when I did so, Lady Yuri was already dead…” “Heitarō. If you keep spewing whatever spills from your mouth, it’ll only make your charges weigh heavier.”

Denzaburō snapped sharply. “No, I would never lie to you, Boss. Last night, after Lady Yuri saw off the guests and returned home, I joined her father and mother for conversation.”

“Hmm.” “Both Uncle and Aunt urged me in unison to hold the wedding soon, yet Lady Yuri would not say yes.” “Not only that, but she said that due to various circumstances next March, she had made an agreement with Lady Sode-no-i not to leave her post, so the next time she could return home would likely be around this time next year.” “……”

“I left shortly afterward and returned home, but even after getting back, I was so vexed that I simply couldn’t sleep.” “And so, thinking I must by all means have one more proper discussion with Lady Yuri, I staggered out of my house in a daze.” “When she wouldn’t listen, you’d resolved to kill her in one fell thought, hadn’t you?” “Nothing of the sort!” “In the first place, I do not even possess a blade.” “If I spoke with all my heart, she might change her mind—that alone was my hope.”

“So, how’d you get in from the back?” “When I left home, I’d resolved to climb over the wall if need be—but when I absently-mindedly tried pushing the back gate, it opened without a hitch, so…”

“So you’re sayin’ the door bolt was unfastened?” “That is correct. Then, following the garden path to the veranda, I quietly opened the storm shutters. When I approached the bedside, what dimly came into view in the light of the Ariake lantern was the naked corpse of Miss Yuri—her fists clenched tight.” “Hmm.”

“Ah!” I exclaimed, and just like that, I could no longer see anything. But before long, what I realized was that if I remained there, suspicion of murder would fall upon me. In my terror, I could not bring myself to wake anyone and, panicking, fled back home.” “That ain’t how it was. You were egged on by Haru and hatched some grand scheme, weren’t you?” “There is absolutely no such thing. I intensely dislike headstrong women like Haru.”

He must have been holding back all this time. From Heitarō’s eyes, tears suddenly streamed down his cheeks. “Alright, now I’ll go meet your old man. Hey, Take. I ain’t come here to tell the master I’ll make a round.”

Suddenly standing up, Denzaburō grabbed Heitarō’s wrist. Heitarō’s white, rounded arm was as gentle as a woman’s.

Red dragonflies hovered. “Boss, ain’t no need to rush this much, right?” “Idiot! We’re swamped with official business. Can’t be babysittin’ you!” “But Heitarō ain’t our man here, yeah?” “That’s exactly why we gotta push harder!” “If we can’t nab whoever sneaked into Lady Yuri’s room, guess we gotta take it slow-like.” “Why not grab a quick breather round here?”

“Take.” “If ya wanna rest, go ’head an’ sleep right there long as ya like.” “You mustn’t joke like that!” “Boss, c’mon now—wait up, will ya?”

Denzaburō hurried along from Umashōin Avenue toward Hyakunin-chō, distractedly handling Take—the lion-nosed man—while appearing engrossed in deliberation. “Take. Time to put you to work.” “Huh? Me?” “Much obliged…” “Ain’t got no choice. You’re gonna head past Akasaka Gate and comb through that Tameike barley-rice shop.”

“As for that teahouse there, there’re six establishments.” “Thirty women work there.” “Right now, the ones makin’ waves are O-Taki an’ O-Tsuma…” “Ain’t about findin’ women.” “From ’round eight last night till dawn today—find out what customers came through an’ check ’em.” “Our main mark’s that tea page Ōsuzu, but might be other pickin’s out there too.” “Yes sir.” “But why’d a tea page go there?…”

“Last night on his way back from Inbuya, Genbei must’ve been slick enough to slip him two bu coins or a whole ryō.” “The monk’s residence is in Hamamatsuchō, so it makes for a convenient staging ground.” “A guy holed up like that—ain’t no tellin’ what he’s scheming.”

“I see.” “A monk who waltzed into Inbuya and buttered everyone up. Since we can’t know who’s been ordered by the castle to do what, we can’t let our guard down.”

“Right away, sir.” “I’ll be sure to bring back some kind of souvenir, sir.”

“I’m gonna stop by one place and head back to Kuromonchō. If I don’t know how things stand on your end, the work order won’t get sorted—so there’s no way to hurry this along.”

“Ah, got it! Boss, you take care on your way too.”

After seeing Takezō dash off, kicking up a cloud of dust, Denzaburō turned straight onto the main street and passed through the gate of a small, aged estate.

“Excuse me. Might this be the residence of Lady Sode-no-i, who serves at the castle?” “Yes, yes. And who might you be?”

Responding in a slack voice and emerging with unsteady steps was an elderly maidservant-like woman wearing a tea-colored hitoe robe fastened with a raised black satin obi.

“I am one undertaking official business for the magistrate’s office, but I have come to pay a visit as there is something I wish to discuss with Lady Sode-no-i.” “Ah, regarding what matter might this be?” “Regarding the matter of Lady Yuri of the Inbuya household, I have come to inquire...”

“Please wait a moment.” Denzaburō waited in silence, gazing at the watchman’s lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the earthen-floored area across the way. Before long, the elderly woman returned.

“I kept you waiting. At present, the young lady is not in residence, but the master has indicated he will receive you.” “…Please come in.” Though Sode-no-i’s absence came as a surprise, he couldn’t simply withdraw now.

Led to the inner room with peeling walls, Denzaburō involuntarily exclaimed “Ah!” in his heart upon seeing the master of this house. “Would you be Lord Denzaburō?” “I am Sode’s father, Shinsai.” The figure sitting on the floor must have reached the final stages of leprosy. His face was disfigured, his voice hoarse—an old man whose very age was uncertain.

“I do not receive visitors,” he said, “but hearing it concerned official business, I permitted your entry. What manner of affair brings you here?” “To come directly to the matter—Lady Yuri of Inbuya, a fellow colleague of Lady Sode-no-i’s, met a sudden passing last night. I wished to make certain inquiries of Lady Sode-no-i regarding this...”

“What did you say? Lady Yuri has passed away?… I was particularly close with that young lady—she even came here last night, but…” “Is that so? So you were that close with her?…” “Indeed. She mentioned they used matching clothes and hair accessories, but were Sode to hear of it, she would surely lament.”

Though he had been confined to his sickbed for ten long years, Shinsai—who had once served as physician to Matsudaira Iyo-no-kami—spoke in a manner that still carried the dignity of his former self. "So where might the young lady be visiting?" "She went as my messenger to relatives in Yotsuya, but should return by the eighth hour." "I can tell you anything within my knowledge, though..." "No, in that case I shall return when she has come back." "Please convey my respects."

With a sensation like cold water being poured down his spine as he conversed, Denzaburō suddenly noticed something and quickly rose from his seat.

Oshun’s Wisdom

“Hey, Oshun. “In Yanagishitate’s stories or something—I think I’ve seen it there—but does such a thing as women loving each other like husband and wife really exist?” “Well, who’s to say?” “Did something happen?”

Having returned to his home in Kuromonchō, Denzaburō suddenly spoke while watching his wife Oshun preparing tea in the parlor.

“Hmm. There’s a bit of trouble I’m dealing with.” “I don’t know about such things myself,” “…but when I attended Tomimoto lessons, the haori-clad men who came to the master’s place would sometimes talk about that sort of thing.” “In women’s theater troupes or female prisons, I’ve heard women pledge themselves to each other—even imprinting beauty marks…” “I see.” As Denzaburō stood with folded arms deep in thought, Takemichi returned.

“Boss, he ain’t there no more.”

“Oh back already? Did that rascal get himself soaked through all night?” “Apologies bein’ so plain about it.” “Just followin’ orders.” “...Ōsuzu went up to Sakaeya—made a right racket carousin’, slept it off there—came back ’round seven bells this mornin’. Nothin’ peculiar from our end... Beggin’ pardon.” “Nah—good work.” “Now my thoughts’ve lined up proper.” “Let’s hightail it back to Hundred-Man District.” “This time—got us somethin’ solid to grab onto!”

“Heh, that’s welcome news, ’tis!” “Tonight might run late, so get the lanterns ready.”

“Understood…” No sooner had Take—still brimming with determination—stepped out than he came rushing back in a panic.

“Boss.” “A granny claiming to be a messenger from Lady Sode-no-i just arrived by palanquin.”

“Sode-no-i’s?…” Denzaburō stared fixedly at the pipe in his hand but then let it roll onto the tatami mat. “Alright.” “Bring ’er in here.”

“Right away.” Guided in by Take was unmistakably the same old woman they had seen before, but now changed into neat clothes with her hair smoothed down, appearing transformed into someone unrecognizably elegant. “I must sincerely thank you for your trouble earlier,” “as Her Ladyship has just now returned home.” “Nah—’twas me who acted rude before—but what’s yer business?” “Her Ladyship conveys that while you were to visit this evening, as the patient’s condition has grown agitated, she humbly requests you postpone until tomorrow morning.”

“……” “Her Ladyship said she would spend tonight tending to the patient in imitation of others’ filial devotion, and as she will return to the castle tomorrow morning, you may meet her at leisure then…” “In that case, Her Ladyship wishes to spend today undisturbed with just her parent, I take it?” “Yes. As I too have been granted leave, if you would kindly consent, Boss, I will be going to stay at my daughter’s place in Asakusa, so…”

Denzaburō picked up his pipe and became lost in thought, forgetting to pack it with tobacco, but eventually tapped the edge of the long brazier with its mouthpiece. “Very well. To intrude would be a heartless deed. And it’d be a shame to disrupt your well-earned rest. I won’t come visiting until around the Hour of the Horse tomorrow, so please take your time.”

“Thank you kindly.” “Then I shall leave it in your kind hands.” After accepting and drinking the tea Oshun had offered, the old woman bustled off home. “Boss, this is no joke. “What about the paper lanterns?”

“Hey, Take. Ain’t they say haste makes waste?” “But Boss! Now that it’s clear it ain’t Tsunekichi, ain’t Heitarō, ain’t Ōsuzu either—I don’t know what you’re plannin’ to ask Lady Sode-no-i, but pushin’ this off till tomorrow too? Ain’t that just gets downright aggravating?”

“Ha ha ha. It’s still too damn early for you to be gettin’ fed up. On a day like this, we turn in early and start fresh tomorrow.”

Note

A bright morning arrived, and from the clear early autumn sky, under the dazzling sun, the voices of small birds clamored in the roofed garden.

“Good morning.” “Is the Boss present?” “I’ve come from Tomegorō.” “I was hoping to meet you here for a moment.”

“Oh, Mr. Iwakichi.” “You’re damn early again, ain’t ya?”

Takezō seemed to be occupied with something in the back, while Denzaburō—who had been changing the water at the household shrine—casually made his way to the entranceway. “Boss Tomegorō was supposed to come himself, but as he’s currently occupied, I’ve come in his stead to deliver the message posthaste.” “And what’s this matter you mentioned?” “This morning at dawn, Lady Sode-no-i committed suicide, so…” “I see… So she died after all…” “So Boss… you’d known since yesterday that Sode-no-i was going to die?”

At Iwakichi’s voice, Take, who had rushed out in a fluster, let out a shrill cry, but Denzaburō did not respond to it.

“Mr. Iwa, ain’t ya gonna sit down? And what about the patient?” “Ah. The patient was also killed by Lady Sode-no-i’s hand. The retired neighbor who helps change the patient’s bandages every morning discovered them and came rushing to us. The boss and I rushed over immediately, but this letter—found beside Lady Sode-no-i after she’d stabbed her throat and collapsed—was opened and read by the boss, so we fully grasped the circumstances. Not knowing its contents, we took the liberty of reading it first, but as the boss ordered it to be delivered promptly to the Boss of Kuromonchō, I have come to bring it here.”

When Denzaburō took what Iwakichi held out and looked at it, it was a single suicide note.— Upon returning this time and learning with shock that my father’s illness was leprosy, the sorrow that Lady Yuri had seen his condition was beyond compare. My intimacy with Lady Yuri must now end, and should word of this escape her lips to the castle, I cannot fathom what calamity might follow. I have resolved to take my own life. Therefore, seizing the opportunity of our promised midnight tryst, I went to the Ibukiya residence and stabbed the sleeping Lady Yuri once. Though I had meant to die then and there, drawn back by my ailing father as time slipped away, the investigators’ net closed swiftly about us until all hope was lost. The townsmen conducting the inquiry, being merciful souls, granted me one night’s reprieve; after tending devotedly to my father and waiting until he fell asleep at dawn, I cut his life’s thread before turning the blade upon myself to journey to the underworld. In that realm where neither anguish nor resentment shall dwell, taking my father’s hand to follow Lady Yuri and become companions in Hakugyokurō—this is my final joy.

“Hey Oshun. So those two really were in the sorta relationship you’d talked about after all, huh?” “I don’t rightly understand… but hearing that suicide note read out, I just couldn’t stop myself from crying.”

Oshun, who had brought tea to Iwakichi, pressed her sleeve to her eyes. “Boss, had you already marked Sode-no-i as your suspect back when we hauled Tsunekichi in?” “Nah, that ain’t it.” “Just figured stabbin’ clean through the breast like that’d be a stretch for some common townsfolk.” “But once I heard Shinsai’s tale, plain as day—this one was Sode-no-i. When her people sent word over, reckoned I’d keep my mitts off for one night—let her end things proper without makin’ a ruckus. … You’ve had it rough there, Mr. Iwa.” “So—the delivery’s squared away?”

“Ah. “With maidservants like that, when something like this happens, they’d likely been dismissed from service as of yesterday.” “……The aftermath’s been completely entrusted to Boss Tomegorō.” “They’re right in the thick of sorting it all out now.”

“I see. I’ll show my face later too, but make sure you tell Boss Tomegorō I’m countin’ on him to handle things proper.”

“Ah, understood.”

Having said that, Iwakichi suddenly stood up and put on a solemn face.

“Boss Denzaburō.” “I truly cannot thank you enough for your assistance on this matter.”

Iwakichi gave an awkward bow and hurried away. “Oshun, since we’re involved, wrap up a condolence offering.”

“Yes.”

Denzaburō had said this, but his eyes were wet with tears—perhaps mourning the ill-fated women who had perished during the Bon Festival.

Needless to say, Tsunekichi was released that very day.