Pathway to Japanese Literature

——Author’s Self-Portrait——

I. Mayor’s Inaugural Speech “Citizens of Great Ōsaka, I have now come to soil this seat as mayor of this Great Ōsaka.” “I consider it both an honor and a disgrace.”

The extra edition announcing that Kagawa Toyohiko had become mayor of Osaka was distributed to Osaka’s 1.5 million citizens three days prior. That was entirely unexpected by the citizens; neither the capitalists, nor the workers, nor the authorities—no one had known about it. Only Kagawa Toyohiko alone knew. Kagawa Toyohiko, after drinking too much coffee and suffering through a sleepless night in the sweltering slums, ended up recommending himself as mayor and conceiving Osaka’s air conquest. Thus, the extra edition had been issued by him alone and distributed throughout Osaka City, yet no one had actually delivered any copies.

In his dream, he had become Mayor of Osaka and was delivering a speech alone in his bed. “Citizens, I believe there are indeed many undertakings I must accomplish as mayor.” “The first priority—no matter what anyone says—is Osaka’s air conquest.” “If we continue to have skies like today’s—with those chimneys and coal smoke—I fear Osaka citizens will never maintain their health for the next fifty years.” “I believe the establishment of Osaka’s spirit must first begin with preventing coal smoke in the air.”

“I am by no means a circumstance-determinist.” “However, character-determinists cannot necessarily be said to hold all truth.” “Just as there is no path for fish to live apart from water, there is no path for humans to live apart from air.” “Therefore, if Osaka’s people are to create the Osaka spirit, it cannot possibly be achieved without first breathing fresh air.” “Today, it is the coal mines that are trading air.” “There, if they do not send air deep into the mine shafts, all the miners will suffocate.”

“However, the air of our Osaka cannot by any means be said to be better than that of coal mines. The amount of carbon dioxide in Osaka’s air consistently exceeds five percent, and the volume of coal smoke is indeed the highest in the world. If Osaka City possesses the world’s highest infant mortality rate, stands as the world’s most lung-diseased city, and ranks as the world’s unhealthiest city—then I believe my first undertaking as your mayor must be to guarantee your health.”

“Since time immemorial, physicians have been said to practice benevolence, with striving for society and its people being their very mission; yet despite this, today’s physicians have become concerned solely with amassing wealth.” “They may know the medical arts for individuals, but they cannot diagnose social pathology.” “They know how to crawl upon the earth but do not know how to conquer the air.” “They know how to flatter capital but do not know how to visit the poor.” “Even if they know how to conduct funerals, they do not know the means to sustain society as a society.” “Here, as a social pathologist, I consider it an honor to first be entrusted with the great task of air conquest and to assume office as mayor.”

“Therefore, as my first undertaking, I wish to begin treating the coal smoke. Next will come relief for the unemployed, followed by the destruction of slums, the rectification of Kitahama’s red-light district, urban planning, and the construction of a new morality—I shall lay bare these ambitions to you one after another and immediately commence our reform movement…”

Mayor Kagawa’s inaugural speech was a bit longer. However, as a newspaper reporter yawned and left the Central Public Hall, his speech was cut off here.

II. The End of Chimney Civilization

What Mayor Kagawa had forgotten to mention during his inaugural speech at the Central Public Hall was the following. “……Gentlemen, do you truly believe you are savoring civilization while living in an uncivilized city of chimneys like today’s?

Suppose today that Mount Ikoma were to erupt and Osaka were buried underground entirely like the ancient city of Pompeii. And suppose that three thousand three hundred and thirty-three years later, they were forced to excavate present-day Osaka—what a miserable spectacle that would be. Thirty-three centuries later, humans would find something resembling a giant’s graveyard in the northeastern corner of the Seto Inland Sea, near the basin of the former Yodo River.

“Apparently, there was once a city called Osaka around here where major industries flourished.” Even if the “Improved Japanese” explained it in a tone resembling Esperanto, the people of that time would have found it utterly incomprehensible. In thirty-three centuries, chimneys and such would no longer be found in any city; all limestone would have been mined out, oil fields completely depleted—an era where all power sources had shifted to alcohol and electricity. Thus, the very word “chimney” would not even be found in dictionaries.

And the region where Osaka City once lay will have become known as the "Giant’s Graveyard," a place that world travelers invariably visit. “Compared to obelisk memorial towers, they are utterly unartistic—the cement and iron chimneys, as large as well housings—tombstone researchers will surely have to confess complete ignorance of their origins.” Kagawa Toyohiko had intended to deliver such a rousing speech, but he ended up forgetting to say all of it.

“What a shame! What a shame!” Grinding his teeth, he exited the Central Public Hall, but the moment he stepped through the building’s entranceway, he found himself utterly despairing of the smoke-choked sky. “The sun itself brings darkness.” When he realized this phrase had been coined precisely for Osaka’s skies, he felt profound sorrow at being compelled to occupy the mayor’s seat. He could scarcely comprehend how his predecessor had completely abandoned and ignored the coal smoke issue.

Exactly! They—being former police officers and ex-teachers—were far too cowardly to accomplish this great mission of air conquest. They lacked the scientific knowledge needed to conquer coal smoke. It was only natural. They remained content and unperturbed by an Osaka City so dark that they had to keep lights burning even at midday on the city hall’s fourth floor.

Because the sun’s rays, obstructed by coal smoke, could not reach the city hall windows, Mayor Ikegami and Deputy Seki had to keep electric lamps on even during daytime to conduct their duties—a situation unimaginable thirty-three centuries later, but since it was indeed the reality, there was nothing to be done. In the city hall standing right behind the Central Public Hall, electric lamps blazed brightly even during the daytime.

He... Mayor Kagawa could not help being utterly indignant at seeing this. When he had visited New York City before, he had not seen smoke rising over that metropolis of six million people. The same held true for San Francisco. Pittsburgh had once been called the chimney capital of the world, but when a coal smoke conquest movement arose there, the city finally succeeded in eradicating that soot. In our Osaka City too—if only citizens would progress scientifically a bit further and understand the unproductiveness of capitalist factory management—a movement to destroy coal smoke civilization ought naturally to emerge. That this remained impossible struck him as truly outrageous.

“Alright, I shall now commence the coal smoke conquest movement.” “First I’ll meet with the city councilors—then convene the city council to lay out my plans.”

Mayor Kagawa returned to the city hall and sat down at his desk in the office a little past 3:30 in the afternoon, but the room was so dark that work was impossible. He twisted the electric light switch just as former Mayor Ikegami had done. With a dissatisfied heart, he looked out from the city hall window at Osaka’s western sky and saw—in the direction of Noda and Harunihide—thick clouds of smoke billowing up from Sumitomo Copper Works’ three stout chimneys and from Harunihide Electric Light Company’s massive chimney.

He stared intently at it. And when he thought of how hundreds of thousands of the working class were lamenting beneath this smoke, he grew tearful. He immediately pressed the button on the installed bell and summoned the clerk.

III. Chimneys and Adam and Eve

The next day, the city council was scheduled to convene at 1:00 p.m., but due to living in foul air, Mayor Kagawa suffered from an unrelenting headache. He paced about the mayor’s office alone, sunk in contemplation. Suddenly, he saw Adam and Eve—the world’s first humans as depicted by Albrecht Dürer on the wall-mounted painting—quarreling like a married couple. With the sensation of watching a moving picture, he fixed his attention upon them.

Adam and Eve were blaming each other for their sins. “Hey, you! The chimneys appeared on earth because of you!” When Eve said this, Adam, not to be outdone, “You’re lying! “That’s because you’re greedy! “If you hadn’t gone wanting to eat that cursed fruit of knowledge in the first place, today’s civilization wouldn’t have fallen into such corruption! It’s all your fault!”

When Eve heard that, she flew into a rage. “What are you saying? That is entirely your fault! If civilization were composed solely of gentle women like me—a rural, handwoven civilization where everything would have been artistic—it’s because you made me bear a malicious boy like Cain that today’s corrupt civilization came into being! It’s all Adam and Cain’s sin. As for the chimneys, I know nothing at all. That is entirely the result of the ugly man’s sin.”

Adam, overwhelmed by Eve, hid behind a chimney.

Just then, the Lord God appeared and asked Eve.

“Eve, where has your husband gone?” “He is hiding behind a chimney.” “Summon him here.”

Adam came forth before God, trembling with fear, still in his naked state. “Adam, was it you who made the chimneys?” “No, that is Eve’s sin.” “What? Eve’s sin?”

“Yes, it is because Eve bore slightly too many children, necessitating mass production.”

“What? Because Eve bore too many children?” “Yes, it is entirely because You did not teach us the birth control methods that someone like Mrs. Sanger instructs today.”

IV. Chimneys and the Sins of Male Culture

God turned to Eve and inquired...

“Eve, is what Adam says true?”

Eve, ashamed, shivered as she "No, God, what Adam says is entirely mistaken. "The chimneys came into being entirely for the sake of men. “Among Adam’s children, there is a greedy wretch called Cain, akin to today’s capitalists, and that man was the first to create a chimney.” “The descendants of Cain are today’s capitalists.” “It is said that boys take after their fathers, but since Adam harbored malice, one such as Cain was born.” “Adam emphasized the issue of quantity, but I consider it a matter of quality.” “The building of chimneys is entirely a matter of quality, and I myself have been telling Adam this all along.” “I consider chimneys to be entirely the result of an incompetent male civilization.”

Because Eve had declared that chimneys were the result of an incompetent male civilization, Adam strode over to her without hesitation before God and seized her long hair. "What the—you impudent, long-haired ape!" he snarled, yanking her down.

God restrained Adam and,

“Now, Adam, there’s no need to get so worked up. Do you not grieve that these chimneys have been erected? And do you think they belong in the Garden of Eden?” “It grieves me. But there’s no helping it. God, everything is fate. I believe this fate is something even you—God—cannot alter. This is the fate that arose from Eve’s ignorance of not being taught birth control methods. Everything is fate! We cannot escape this. God, I even curse that you created me. It would have been far better had I never been born. If it had been a world without sin or evil, being born might have been acceptable—but I was forced into existence. If I am immediately ensnared in sin’s trap—then punished for it—I begin to doubt God’s very wisdom. God, I am a skeptic. I have even come to doubt my own existence these days. Therefore, I—have come to doubt even your existence as God. In this day and age, believing in God has become nothing but a hindrance to this chimney civilization.”

“Wait, Adam—is it God’s thought that hinders chimney civilization, or is it chimney civilization that hinders God’s thought?” “God, I think such things are irrelevant. In any case, because of the smoke, I have lost sight of everything. It’s all fate. Today’s chimneys are a fate that neither God nor humans can alter.”

Eve, as Adam vigorously opposed God, gained great strength,

“That’s right, God. Today’s chimneys have absolutely nothing to do with us.” “That is something the Earth was fated to produce.” “No—I believe they sprouted naturally from the Earth.”

Upon hearing this, God let out a dry, cackling laugh. The voice was so loud that he snapped out of his vision. And with a boisterous laughter reminiscent of God’s, he saw the city council chairman and three council members enter the mayor’s office. What he had thought was God’s laughter was in fact the city council chairman’s guffaw.

Five: Everyone Knows What Is Needed

In the mayor’s office, what the city council members discussed was roughly as follows. “Now, Mayor, we really must do something about Osaka’s coal smoke. “My children are all so frail—I’ve resigned myself to them not living long. “Every last one has a pallid face: swollen lymph glands, constant coughing, daily doctor visits. I truly find Osaka’s skies cursed.”

This was the statement of Horii Kiichirō, elected from Nishi Ward. Following this, City Council Chairman Senba Shōjō muttered as if to no one in particular.

“This is truly a troubling matter. As for me, I have a grown daughter I must marry off this year, but she too developed lung problems from Osaka’s smoke—right now I’m having her recuperate in Hamadera—and it’s truly troubling.”

As if he had been waiting for Senba’s words, Matsushima Shōgorō from Nishi Ward endorsed it.

“Hey, Mr. Senba—my son’s been hit by it too. He just graduated high school this year and started law school in April—but came back saying his lungs were bad. There’s no way I could let him recuperate here in Osaka, so I’ve sent him off to Takarazuka. But honestly, the air here is just terrible.” “Can’t we do something about it?”

Matsushima Shōgorō was a man elected from the red-light district, but he seemed deeply concerned about his son’s life. He was an old man who grew flabby and fat from alcohol. Shima Takazō from Higashi Ward shared the same opinion. This was the compounding reason—the laundry at his home would quickly turn black from the soot emitted by the chimneys of the Artillery Arsenal.

Mayor Kagawa had been silently listening to the three men’s accounts, but they were all matters deserving of sympathy. However, none of them were considering the fundamental issues of social life.

Senba Shōjō’s concern was that even if the city council established a policy to eradicate chimneys, this plan would end in utter failure due to vehement opposition from coal merchants and large corporations. Senba, Matsushima, and Shima had only agreed to Osaka City’s air purification out of personal convenience; as for the fundamental issues, they did not appear to fully grasp them.

The mayor asked. “Mr. Matsushima, do you intend to wage a thorough battle against the coal smoke issue?” “Well, now—what exactly do you mean by ‘thorough’?” “It means demolishing all chimneys.” “So does that mean even bathhouse chimneys?” “Absolutely!” “This is quite a problem. I myself have three bathhouses rented out, and if those chimneys are to be demolished now, it would be rather inconvenient. So, Mr. Mayor, I’ll have to hold off on supporting the anti-smoke movement for now.”

The mayor proceeded to question Shima further. “Mr. Shima, will you support me and fight this battle thoroughly?”

“No, actually, I too have a relative who runs a brush-making shop with a large chimney. After consulting with them, I will give you a proper reply.” “Well then, Mr. Senba—do you have the courage to fight this battle thoroughly?”

“I will do it.” “This is my daughter’s vengeance.” “I will do it with all my might.” “Well now, interesting! Then I’d like you to start explaining that today.” “Please—I want you to handle the council’s explanation.” “Very well, I accept.” “If it’s for my daughter’s vengeance, I’ll undertake any role.”

Six: Beastly City Council Since Mayor Kagawa himself thought it would be incongruous for him to personally deliver speeches on coal smoke prevention, it was decided that a key figure in the city council—namely, the City Council Chairman himself—would provide explanations of the proposal.

The bell rang, and nearly eighty city council members filed in sluggishly to the city council hall. They all had faces as if scorched by coal smoke, not a shred of vitality left. They were like goldfish trapped in a drainage ditch.

As soon as Mr. Senba took the chairman’s seat, he immediately declared the session open and stated that due to certain necessities today he would yield the chair to the vice chairman; then he himself stepped down to his council seat.

Vice Chairman Umeda Umazō (whose real name was Mizō, but who was called Umazō in the city council due to his horse-like elongated face) took the chairman’s seat. And first and foremost, the coal smoke prevention proposal was brought before the council chamber.

“At this time, Mr. Senba will provide an explanation of the proposal.”

Having said this, Mr. Umazō sat down in his chair. Mr. Senba opened his mouth and began his speech.

“Gentlemen, the issue of coal smoke in Osaka City has been a long-standing pending matter, and its damage is being keenly felt among us.” “This is fundamentally a humanitarian issue. ‘What does it profit a person if they gain the whole world but lose their life?’ as an ancient sage once said. No matter how diligently we strive to amass wealth, it serves no purpose if we engage in acts that shorten our lifespans.” “I hope that you gentlemen will unanimously approve this proposal.”

Having said this, he stepped down from the podium.

The one who stood up while loudly calling out “Chairman’s question!” was a coal merchant named Ajigawa Funazo. “From my position, this sounds utterly absurd—though I’d resolved to remain as restrained as possible in this chamber, I can’t hold back any longer! If chimneys are abolished, what exactly do you intend to do with us coal merchants? That’s what I demand to hear!”

This man—who bore the nickname "Rabbit"—was famous in the city council for his ears, which differed markedly from others' in being unusually large and protruding long from the sides of his head.

When Rabbit stood up, Tanuki immediately stood up. Tanuki was the president of Osaka Tugboat Company, and his real name was Sakurajima Yasugorō. The reason he was called Tanuki was that he emulated Nakahashi Tokugorō, the duplicitous Education Minister known for his two-facedness, and had decorated his home’s alcove with hundreds upon hundreds of tanuki pottery figures. “I too have been questionin’ that very point since earlier.” “If we’re t’abolish chimneys altogether, does that mean even ship chimneys’d be prohibited?” ”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

Umeda answered. “Then how on earth are we supposed to power the machines?” “We cannot operate machinery without using coal.” Senba stood up and said: “There must be no misunderstanding. This proposal does not call for the immediate abolition of chimneys. For coal smoke prevention, we aim to either install devices using electric current to prevent smoke emissions or mandate exclusive reliance on electric power.”

“Tyranny!” “Tyranny!”

Ajigawa Funazo shouted.

Seven: The Abacus Address

The council members all began talking to their neighbors and clashing in arguments, rendering Senba's words nearly inaudible. But Senba continued speaking as follows.

“I have a daughter, but precisely because I brought her up within Osaka City, she contracted lung disease and cannot be wed.” “I believe I am not alone in this experience.” “All of this stems from Osaka’s foul air—this very sky above Osaka I curse.” “Yet if we but rouse ourselves slightly and run an electric current of five thousand volts through the chimneys, the coal smoke would cease to rise.” “This is what we are determined to implement.”

“That is impossible to implement.”

“That is a utopia!” “It may be good for health, but coal smoke prevention destroys industry!” They jeered in unison. “Why does coal smoke prevention destroy industry?”

When Senba posed this question, Tanuki answered that if smoke didn’t rise, the machines wouldn’t run, and if the machines didn’t run, industry would decline. “We must make some sacrifices!” Up to half of them said. When asked what “some sacrifices” meant, they replied that for the nation to prosper, one must endure having coal smoke scatter through the air. For that reason, they said it couldn’t be helped—even if lung diseases became somewhat more prevalent—to increase the nation’s wealth and power. Tanuki,

“When one ascends to a high house and looks out—smoke rises! The people’s hearths bustle with life,” he recited. “It’s bustling precisely because smoke rises!” Tanuki shouted.

“End the debate!” “End the debate!”

A voice shouted from a corner. At this, Mayor Kagawa hurriedly requested speaking rights from the chairman.

The mayor looked out at the assembly seats from the podium, but there was nothing resembling a human in the seats. All the council members appeared as beasts. This was only natural. He noticed that besides the horse, rabbit, and tanuki holding firm in their seats, there were also chickens, cows, pigs, sparrows, cats, rats, and locusts present there. "Pearls before swine" and "gold coins to cats" were proverbs he knew well. Mayor Kagawa knew full well that no matter how much he lectured Osaka’s city council members on urban hygiene or expounded on urban aesthetics, they—dazzled by golden light—would render it all useless.

The one thing Osaka people truly understood was the abacus. So he decided to deliver an abacus address.

“Gentlemen, eighty-one council members—your number, nine times nine equals eighty-one, truly represents an auspicious figure.” “Nine is the number of growth and signifies supreme fortune.” “Now, the people of Osaka City have increased to 1,333,333 and one-third individuals (‘That contradicts the national census!’ someone shouted), and they continue to multiply at a fearsome rate.” “This mayor sure knows his abacus.”

There were some who were impressed.

Eight: The Crimes of Chimney Civilization "Ahem," the mayor said, raising his voice a notch, “Now then, gentlemen of the city council—nine times nine equals eighty-one—the population increase in Osaka City does not stem from the difference between births and deaths; it increases entirely due to influx from other regions.” “In Osaka City, the number of people dying is greater than the number being born.” “Is that right?” the cat and the pig were impressed.

“When we take up the abacus to examine why this is, it is entirely due to Osaka City being an unhealthy place.” “This mayor seems remarkably skilled with the abacus.”

Saying this, the locust and the rat were impressed. “Gentlemen of Osaka City’s 9×9=81 council members—if we ask why Osaka’s mortality rate has become so high, we must declare it is entirely due to smoke from chimneys.”

“Gentlemen, while some of you may consider coal smoke an unavoidable byproduct and chimneys merely tools for producing it, that is a grave misconception—chimneys in fact arise precisely because coal fails to combust completely. No—coal smoke is equivalent to scattering coal particles into the air. In Osaka there are thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-three chimneys of all sizes that could properly be called chimneys—with one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine exceeding one hundred shaku in height—(‘My, what an exacting count!’ an impressed voice interjected)—and these spew out coal smoke amounting annually to nearly four million four hundred forty-four thousand four hundred forty-four kan and forty-four momme.”

“That’s nonsense! Your calculations are off!” someone shouted.

“That calculation’s correct—there’s no way it’s any less than that.”

“Since no one’s actually tried calculating it, how would we know?” “Order! Order!” someone barked.

“In other words, this means Osaka City is engaging in unnecessary waste.” “Gentlemen, you claim that chimneys too are unavoidable for profit-making.” “But such claims come from those who don’t use the abacus—for coal smoke degrades the air, this degraded air increases those suffering from respiratory diseases, and if five more people per thousand die each year, then calculating their medicine costs, doctor fees, and recuperation expenses, one must declare that in a metropolis like our Osaka City, this represents truly immense damage.”

“If we assume one person lies in a sickbed for eighteen days,” Mayor Kagawa continued, “then five people would amount to ninety days total. Examining this against one-third of Osaka City’s population of 1,333,333⅓ individuals, the total days of damage suffered from coal smoke comes to precisely 119,999 days and 9/10 plus 9/100.” He adjusted his glasses, the abacus beads clicking beneath his fingers. “Setting the daily wage at three yen yields a loss of approximately ¥359,999.99. Factoring in five yen daily for medicine, consultations, recuperation and hospitalization fees brings the total loss to ¥599,999.99 with nine rin.” The council chamber echoed with his final pronouncement: “This calculation still excludes human value itself. Were we to factor that in—” he paused dramatically “—the consequences would become catastrophic.”

“What the hell is this idiot spouting?” snarled Matsushima, who couldn’t grasp the calculations.

Nine: The Duality of Mayor Kagawa

Mayor Kagawa continued.

“German scholars state that if one were to meticulously create a human model from wax, crafting everything from internal organs to the skeleton, cells to nerves, it would cost two hundred million yen per person.”

“Does it really cost that much?” remarked the tanuki in awe.

“Therefore, if we assume that five additional people succumb to lung disease each year in Osaka City, this would result in six thousand six hundred sixty-six more deaths annually, thereby incurring a loss of one hundred thirty-three billion three hundred thirty-three million three hundred thirty-three thousand yen and more.” “When we add the damages from medication costs, lost wages, and coal expenses to this, Osaka City’s total damages become truly enormous.” “When I present this in a table and read it aloud, it becomes as follows.”

Osaka City Coal Smoke Damages Table

1. 133,333,330,000 yen: Lung disease death costs 1. 359,999 yen 90 sen: Daily wage losses due to illness 1. 599,999 yen 99 sen: Illness recuperation costs 1. 4,444,444 yen 44 sen: Coal cost for aerial dispersal (at 1 kan = 1 yen) "In addition to this, damages amounting to several hundred million yen are being incurred through the waste of human bodies and the decline in appreciation for beauty." "Therefore, if you gentlemen of the council—nine times nine equals eighty-one—would endeavor to save humanity from this great waste by carrying out coal smoke eradication, there could be no greater happiness for me."

Having said this, the mayor left the podium.

“Mr. Chairman!”

The one who stood up and shouted loudly was Ajigawa the Coal. “Gentlemen, I absolutely oppose the mayor’s proposal.” “If we keep doing as the mayor says, we won’t be able to make a living.” “To prevent coal smoke from being emitted, chimneys must be demolished.” “If chimneys are demolished, coal won’t sell.” “If coal stops selling, industry will collapse.”

“Gentlemen, I know all about the mayor’s past!” “He’s a dangerous man through and through!” “Outwardly he plays the meek lamb, but inside he’s rotten—a snake coiling revolutionary ideas in his gut!” “Gaffe! Gaffe!” came a shout from the benches.

“It’s not a gaffe!” “I’ll say exactly what I damn well think!” “Kagawa Toyohiko!” “He’s a dangerous man!” “Hasn’t he already been fined four times for violating the Newspaper Law! I know—he’s a man with a human face and a beastly body who takes pleasure in tormenting capitalists!” “He is a traitor and the Judas of the labor movement.” “To keep a traitor like him as Mayor of Osaka City is truly unpardonable.” “I am duty-bound to dare expose his misdeeds and awaken those he has led astray.”

Ten: City Council Chaos

No sooner had Ajigawa the Coal launched his attack than Matsushima the Brothel Owner also voiced agreement with him. “Kill Kagawa!” “Take down Kagawa!” Mr. Uma, serving as chairman, rolled his large eyes and stretched out his long neck,

“I caution Mr. Matsushima. Please refrain from speaking until you have obtained the Chairman’s permission!” “Then, Mr. Chairman, let me go first!”

The chairman calmly—

“Then, Mr. Matsushima!” he said. Matsushima lugged his large physique up to the podium. However, Coal still showed no sign of stepping down from the podium.

“Mr. Chairman, I am still speaking!” “The Chairman is incompetent! The Chairman is incompetent!” someone shouted.

“Mr. Ajigawa is speaking far too much by himself.” “The Chairman orders you to leave the podium.” “Oppression! Oppression!” someone kept shouting.

In the midst of this chaos, several individuals approached the chairman's seat and struck his head. They were overeager locusts.

The ensuing chaos in the council chamber became indescribable.

“Extra! Extra!” The shouts of “Extra! Extra!” and the ringing of news vendors’ bells resounded throughout Osaka City.

A clerk brought in a copy of the extra edition. Mayor Kagawa received it and looked. Do not be astonished! The chaos in the city council had already made it into the extra edition.

The contents of that extra edition were as follows.

Osaka City Council in Major Turmoil

Debate Over Coal Smoke Issue Reaches Boiling Point! Mayor Kagawa Struck and Sent Flying by Locusts— Labor Unions’ General Strike Preparations Underway— The Osaka City Council that convened today spawned unprecedented chaos; over the coal smoke issue, they clashed for hours without reaching consensus. Finally descending into outright brawling, with oxen, horses, dogs, and cats tearing at each other until both sides produced numerous casualties—so much so that the Red Cross Society dispatched a full battalion of volunteer nurses to the City Council Hall. Moreover, upon hearing this, the labor groups were outraged and resolved to confront the council’s tyranny through a general strike; as a result, congestion within the city grew severe, and streetcar operations had been suspended hours prior.

The first to be shocked upon seeing this extra edition was Mr. Umazo.

“Hey! Mr. Kagawa, I can no longer distinguish between past and future—but can you believe this extra edition?!”

Semba wore a bewildered expression.

“This can’t be right… It feels like a dream,” “When I came here, the streetcars were still fully operational!” “Oh, I get it! “I get it!” shrieked Mr. Umazo. “Yesterday’s completion of wireless telephone installations meant that starting today—right from their editorial offices—every newspaper company in Osaka could now sit and hear every detail of council proceedings.” “Blast it! This is bad!” “If I’d known it would come to this, I should’ve handled things better!...”

“Well, it can’t be helped! Things will turn out as they must—there’s nothing else to do!”

On the podium, Matsushima Yukaku-kun flew into an even greater rage upon seeing the extra edition. “This is all the mayor’s doing. It’s clear even from this that he’s inciting the workers, inciting the journalists, and throwing Osaka City into chaos. We must fight until we bring him down—that’s what I say!”

Mr. Semba approached the podium and whispered to Matsushima. Then, even the agitated Mr. Matsushima smirked and descended from the podium.

11. Lord Toyotomi’s Endorsement Speech Semba’s whisper to Matsushima was for no other reason than this. “Since Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi has graced us with his presence in the gallery, don’t spout any nonsense,” he cautioned. Sure enough, when Matsushima raised his eyes and looked carefully, Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi was present in the visitors’ gallery. Mayor Kagawa was busily greeting him. The mayor was saying such things to Lord Toyotomi. “Lord Toyotomi, I truly apologize for the imposition, but if I might humbly request your esteemed opinion on the coal smoke issue, I would consider it a most fortunate opportunity.”

Lord Toyotomi made a troubled face. “That would be rather troublesome—since Ōshio Heihachirō is supposed to come later, you should ask Mr. Ōshio! He’s been well-versed in labor issues—no, social issues—since the Tenpō era…… But really, Mr. Kagawa, this coal smoke in Osaka is quite the predicament.” “That’s precisely it, Lord Toyotomi! That part where you said it’s quite the predicament—I would like to hear more about that. Furthermore, as Osaka City must undertake urban planning reforms in the near future, I would ask that you thoroughly explain to the City Council members how to avoid tarnishing the grand name of Great Osaka—the vision you planned three hundred years ago.”

All the city council members were listening to their conversation with great interest.

Lord Toyotomi, “Then, very briefly!” Lord Toyotomi stepped up to the podium. “Long live Lord Toyotomi!”

The first to shout was Matsushima.

“Hey, Boss!” shouted Ajigawa! “President!” shouted the raccoon dog!

Because Lord Toyotomi was short, only his head barely protruded from the podium. Mayor Kagawa then requested that he stand by the podium and speak. “Ladies and gentlemen, I consider it a great honor that three hundred years after my death, I am able to offer my opinions regarding Osaka City’s prosperity.” “However, I must say I am astonished—indeed, I count myself among those shocked—at how spineless today’s Osakans have become.”

Just as he reached this point in his speech, Mr. Ōshio Heihachirō also appeared in the visitors’ gallery. However, no one other than Mayor Kagawa noticed this.

“I doubt there exists anyone besides Mr. Ōshio Heihachirō and myself who has given thorough thought to Great Osaka’s future,” declared Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi to the assembly. “Naturally, I’ve kept close watch on current Mayor Kagawa Toyohiko’s grand designs—why, just recently I discussed them with Mr. Ōshio himself during a chance meeting at hell’s very gates—but let me state unequivocally: I stand in complete support of Mayor Kagawa’s campaign to conquer coal smoke.” Behind placards marked with their council seat numbers, Matsushima and Ajigawa hunched like chastened schoolboys.

Lord Toyotomi continued speaking in his unflappable manner. “Today, look upon the stone walls of Osaka Castle that I built.” “I constructed that castle with a specific plan in mind.” “When I built Momoyama Castle, and when I constructed Jurakudai, I strove to create something that would not bring shame upon me as a Japanese.” “That is what is called Momoyama-style architecture today, but I can find no words to describe today’s Osakans other than ‘utterly hopeless.’”

Mayor Kagawa, having won Lord Toyotomi over to his side, was grinning with his shoulders hunched.

12. Suspension of Speakers

“As expected, Lord Toyotomi truly stands apart,” muttered Shima to himself in admiration. Lord Toyotomi drank the water on the lectern’s desk and continued. “There are those who liken me to an imperialist, but that is a grave misunderstanding—I have endeavored to implement philosopher-king governance.” "I believe what passes for democracy these days is mere majority rule—one cannot implement the ideal governance one envisions." “I firmly believe we should gather representatives’ opinions through associations and unions, just as I once implemented in Osaka.” “Of course, there seem to be various opinions in society regarding matters such as my Korean campaigns, but ultimately, they were nothing other than measures I devised to fortify Japan’s independence.” “I trust you all understand that even after unifying Japan, I harbored not an ounce of personal ambition.” “Similarly, my Korean campaigns were not motivated by personal ambition either.” "The sole purpose was to stabilize Japan’s position as a cornerstone of the Orient."

“Lord Toyotomi, enough about the past already! What are we supposed to do about the coal smoke problem?!”

Umeda shouted in a loud voice.

Lord Toyotomi did not show much surprise at the voice, “I believe it would be best to abolish the chimneys.” “I am in full agreement with Mr. Kagawa’s air conquest.” “Lord Toyotomi has grown quite radical lately.”

The sheep remarked something like this.

Lord Toyotomi seemed greatly offended upon hearing this voice, “I had only intended to offer my greetings, yet I ended up saying unnecessary things. Thank you for your attentive listening.”

With that, he briskly descended from the podium. Mayor Kagawa escorted Lord Toyotomi to the visitors’ gallery, then went to Ōshio Heihachirō’s side and bowed. Thereupon, Ōshio Heihachirō also agreed to deliver a speech. He stood at the podium, his great topknot tied and both long and short swords at his waist, eyes narrowed sharply. At first glance, he looked exactly like a Meiji 40-style socialist. Mayor Kagawa introduced Mr. Ōshio Heihachirō to the assembly hall. “Hey Lenin!”

“Boss of direct action!” There were those who jeered such things in unison. Ōshio shouted from the very beginning in a loud voice, his tone suggesting he was thoroughly excited.

“Chimneys are the enemy of society! “They create lung disease patients, produce paupers, promote wasteful consumption, disrupt the skies—these are enemies of all society! “Perish at once, you barbarians who believe industry cannot develop without chimneys! “There are different kinds of smoke. “The smoke of Tenma that I once raised is the most excellent among all smokes!” “Suspend the speaker!” Before Ōshio’s speech could reach its most engaging part, a plainclothes detective had summoned the Wakamatsu Police Station Chief via telephone, whereupon the Chief—wearing a triumphant look—proceeded to halt Ōshio’s speech with his “Suspend the speaker!” command.

The assembly hall descended into chaos. “Let him speak! Let him speak! Let Ōshio speak!” And so the tanuki, the dog, and the rabbit all shouted like this!

The Cow protested to the Wakamatsu Police Station Chief.

“You’re trampling on our right to self-government!”

Matsushima lunged at the Wakamatsu Police Station Chief; the policeman and Matsushima grappled.

The police chief ordered the dissolution from the podium.

Mayor Kagawa objected to this. “Great Osaka’s right to self-government has been trampled upon by the Wakamatsu Police Station Chief.” However, the Wakamatsu Police Station Chief excused himself by saying, “Since the special city system had not yet been established, that is not an issue.”

13. Heroic Democratic Theory

After the city council was dissolved, Lord Toyotomi, Ōshio Heihachirō, and Mayor Kagawa drank tea together in the mayor’s office. “Today was truly delightful—there’s nothing more pleasurable than this, I dare say…”

When this monkey-faced man began speaking, Ōshio declared, “They don’t let me say a single thing I want to say—the moment I take the podium, they immediately suspend the speaker! The methods of Osaka’s police authorities are truly appalling. There are aspects that closely resemble the Tokugawa government. No, even in the Tokugawa era we still had freedom of speech!”

Kagawa Toyohiko asked Ōshio Heihachirō. "Mr. Ōshio, what exactly do you mean when you say the Tokugawa era still had better aspects than today?" "In that era, there were no such things as capitalists to begin with. When justice and fairness were strongly advocated, they prevailed in society. But today—now that newspapers, magazines, parliament, and local governments have all become capitalized—neither justice nor fairness can ever prevail. They pay lip service to democracy, but in the end, it’s all money politics, hasn’t it? The Tokugawa era, being an age still governed by martial valor, had no taint of money. Looking at today’s city council proceedings—the council members don’t seem serious at all. Everything has become money-dominated, hasn’t it? With things like this, no matter how much Mayor Kagawa struggles and devises his air conquest, it’ll all come to nothing in the end, hasn’t it?"

“However, Mr. Kagawa, I have one idea. It can’t be spoken of here… Lend me your ear for a moment…”

When Mayor Kagawa brought his ear to Ōshio's lips, Ōshio whispered in a small voice, "We must decisively carry out chimney cleaning day."

Lord Toyotomi smirked upon hearing Ōshio’s words. “Mr. Ōshio. Don’t bother with stingy little measures like chimney cleaning days—we must resolutely pursue the complete electrification of Osaka City’s entire power supply right now! If it were me, I’d use the same courage I showed in the Korean Campaign to declare the complete electrification of Osaka City’s entire power supply at this very moment! From that perspective, Russia’s Lenin has some admirable qualities, I must say. I like a man like that.”

Ōshio teased him about it, “Since you and Lenin share certain similarities, it’s only natural you’d find common ground. However, if you were entrusted with all of today’s Russia, would you employ the methods that the extremists are currently taking?”

“No, I consider the extremists’ methods to be inept. Ah, one must not let people’s hearts grow weary. Humans are strange creatures—if there’s nothing heroic about them, they grow weary. Because it reduces everything to mere commoners, everyone grew weary so quickly. There must be a bit more idealism. On this point, I can’t help but pity the extremists. Rather, on this point, I find the French-style exaltation of heroic spirit and syndicalism infused with neo-idealism quite intriguing.”

“Lord Toyotomi, when did you undertake the study of something like syndicalism?” “You’re full of surprises!” Ōshio Heihachirō exclaimed in surprise.

Lord Toyotomi’s response to that was dismissive. "You see, so many people from all walks of life have been gathering in the underworld lately that simply eavesdropping on what those men say makes one wise. Those fellows are all clever, since they’re precisely the sort who’d end up in hell anyway."

14. The Mayor’s Background

“Hey, who brought in a mayor like that?”

Matsushima the Brothel Owner asked Ajigawa the Coal Baron at the entrance to the city council chamber. After the city council was dissolved, they had decided to go somewhere for a drink and were just about to head out. "I don’t know—when the hell was that mayor even appointed?" "Do you know?" Ajigawa, having answered that, inquired further. "What an outrageous fellow! Even if Lord Toyotomi is tolerable, they didn’t need to bring in some man who associates with dangerous elements like Ōshio Heihachirō. Was that Ebisuya’s scheming?"

Just then, Mr. Ebisuya came from the opposite direction.

“Hey, Ebisuya! You need to cut this out! What’re you thinking bringing in such a dangerous man? Tryin’ to burn down Tenma?”

“I don’t know anything.”

“You don’t know either?”

Matsushima was surprised.

“How on earth did that man become Osaka Mayor?” Coal asked quizzically.

“Well… It’s truly troublesome. Given today’s behavior, we’ll have no choice but to have him resign.” “Let’s just expel him!” Ajigawa shouted. The voices of Matsushima and Ajigawa were so loud that even the other city council members, who had been about to leave, gathered around. Then, Matsushima shouted in a loud voice at the entrance to the council chamber: “Gentlemen, I have a question—does anyone here know how the current mayor came to be appointed?” ”

Cats, raccoon dogs, mice, and horses—they all faced each other and whispered in hushed tones.

“Do you know?” “I don’t know.”

“I don’t know.” “I don’t know either.”

Matsushima saw the chorus of denials ripple through.

“Gentlemen, you are truly outrageous! You sit here as current city council members, yet you don’t even know how the current mayor was elected. The city council is truly in a precarious state!”

The raccoon dog shouted in a loud voice.

“Well then, Mr. Matsushima—do you know?”

The entire group had thought they would obtain a clear answer from him. However, Matsushima's answer was negative. "Truth be told, I don't know either."

The entire group burst into derisive laughter.

The rabbit shouted. “Why don’t you ask Mr. Koyama Kenzo—since the Osaka financial elders often bring mayors in, he might know.” “That’s it, that’s it—let’s ask the prefectural high-ranking detective!”

“Try asking Shimatoku or Miyazaki Keisuke—stockbrokers have their ears to the ground, so they might know.” Thereupon, Matsushima called an attendant and had him make phone calls in all directions. While waiting for the phone, a variety of discussions sprang up.

Some began to say, "He must be a government-appointed mayor," while others claimed, "Since there hasn’t been a mayor for so long, he must have been appointed by the prefectural governor."

Others said that since it was something unprecedented, they couldn’t know.

Some argued, "Since the current mayor is already mayor, we should simply keep him as mayor."

A flustered attendant came running in.

“Mr. Miyazaki, Mr. Shimatoku, the detective, and Mr. Koyama—they all said they didn’t know.”

“Oh no, this is serious!” The mouse blinked its small eyes.

15. The Mayor Myth Theory

Since no one could ascertain the mayor’s origins, among the various wild theories that emerged, the theory positing a close connection between Lord Toyotomi and the current mayor gained prominence.

The reasoning behind this theory was as follows. Mayor Kagawa, acknowledged by Toyotomi Hideyoshi—Osaka’s benefactor—possessed a more influential sponsor than any number of recommendations could provide. Given his connection to the principal deity of Toyokuni Shrine, he might have become mayor through his mastery of the Way of the Gods or perhaps by divine oracle from Amaterasu Omikami—though they cautioned against making such wild claims. This was the assertion made by the gentle ox elected from the Tenma Tenjin district. However, opposition to this theory came from the cat bearing the pseudonym Canis Leo.

“The current mayor’s origin is clear. He is none other than a self-appointed mayor who imitates Russia and seeks to establish a proletarian dictatorship. Such a mayor runs counter to the very foundation of the democratic movement, and we must fight him to the bitter end.”

When he said this, the horse opposed it, “But Mr. Cat, Russia at least has an actual political party called the Communists running a sort of party dictatorship—Kagawa doesn’t have any party or anything like that, does he? Therefore, the claim that Kagawa is imitating Russia is wrong!” he shouted.

In response, the cat answered.

“Even so—seeing how he’s connected to Ōshio Heihachirō—it really stinks.”

The debate showed no sign of ending. And so, in the end, it was decided that the horse and ox would go inquire with Lord Toyotomi and Ōshio Heihachirō—for the attendant had said that both Lord Toyotomi and Ōshio were still in the mayor’s office.

The ox respectfully bowed to Lord Toyotomi and inquired.

“A debate has now arisen among the city council members, so I humbly inquire—what manner of relationship might exist between your esteemed self and His Honor the Mayor? If you would be so kind as to enlighten us on this matter, I would consider it most fortunate.”

“Well—we’re friends.”

Lord Toyotomi said rapidly. The Ox could not inquire further. This time, the Horse tried asking Ōshio Heihachirō.

“How did Mr. Kagawa come to be appointed mayor of Osaka?” “Well now, you ought to know better than I do—since you’ve been involved in municipal administration longer than I have.” The Horse, who had always prided himself on his knowledge, could not inquire further.

The two immediately returned to the city council chamber. And the Ox and the Horse said: "Lord Toyotomi and the Mayor are apparently friends." "I hear Ōshio Heihachirō isn't particularly well-versed in municipal administration."

“Did you ask both of them where Mayor Kagawa came from?”

Matsushima asked.

The Ox continued in an indignant tone, “Hmm, we already know he’s friends with Lord Toyotomi—that is already established!” he answered.

Many agreed with the Ox’s answer. Matsushima and Ajigawa opposed it.

“What do you think, Mr. Umazō?”

Umazō gave an ambiguous response to that.

“I really don’t understand. Once someone’s become mayor, there’s nothing to be done about it, I suppose. If we need a mayor, shouldn’t we just leave him as he is…”

“That’s right, that’s right!” “You’re all just blindly obedient—that’s why this won’t work!” That’s what Matsushima said. Then the rabbit grew furious. “What do you mean we’re blindly obedient? “You’re the one running a brothel business, feeding on human flesh day in and day out… You’re the real beast here—worse than any lion or tiger!”

There, another fight was about to break out. However, the Horse and the Ox intervened to mediate it, and it was decided to maintain the status quo. At that very moment, like the roar of a thousand thunders, a cry of "Banzai!" erupted before City Hall. The voices didn’t seem to come from fifty or a hundred thousand mouths. All the city council members hurriedly stuck their heads out of the windows.

Lord Toyotomi in the mayor’s office, Ōshio Heihachirō, and Mayor Kagawa—all of them—were sticking their heads out of different windows.

16. Inside and Outside City Hall

The crowd in front of City Hall was already the massive demonstration that had been reported in the extra edition. Red flags, blue flags, yellow flags, black flags, white flags, triangular flags, streaming banners—the innumerable flags held by the workers filled the streets, and the entire city seethed like a boiling cauldron.

Various slogans were drawn on the flags. "Liberate the producers!" "We demand our right to live!" "We mourn the civilization of coal smoke!" "Bury the chimneys!" "Crossing the Death Line" Slogans such as "Bury capitalism" were among the principal ones.

Lord Toyotomi was overjoyed. “Even during the Korean campaigns, I never gathered this many people... How many hundreds of thousands do you think there are?” The Mayor replied. “Fifty or sixty thousand, I suppose.” “In the Keichō era, we could have called it five hundred thousand.”

Ōshio Heihachirō was also impressed. "How remarkably united they are! If I’d had this many people following me back then, I wouldn’t have lost in the Tenpō 8 February incident."

Lord Toyotomi asked.

“Mr. Kagawa, what on earth is the purpose of this procession?” “I haven’t heard yet myself, but I believe they’re advocating for factory control… Just a moment… I’ll go ask right now.” Mayor Kagawa jumped down from the second floor and asked one of the marchers. “You there—what on earth is the purpose of this demonstration?” “You mean this? This is because capitalist organizations across the board cut wages due to the economic depression, so after making various demands, we’ve moved to a demonstration. You’re Mr. Kagawa, aren’t you? There’s no reason you shouldn’t know! Once you become mayor, you really are useless, aren’t you? As I thought, politics has no place in the labor movement—all indirect action is useless. Nothing gets settled without direct action, I tell you.”

Having said this, the laborer walked on past.

Mayor Kagawa returned to his office, thinking that some laborers could indeed say such intelligent things. And to Lord Toyotomi,

“It’s a demonstration against the economic depression,” Mayor Kagawa answered.

"I see! Now that I look carefully, it seems the chimneys are emitting less smoke!" exclaimed Lord Toyotomi. "No, it just occurred to me now—all the chimneys in the city aren’t emitting any smoke. Seeing a sky like this is truly rare for Osaka." So Mayor Kagawa said. "Now that you mention it, that’s true,” Ōshio remarked in wonder. Indeed, from the thousands of chimneys at each company that had been billowing smoke until just past noon, not a wisp was now emerging—as if by prior agreement.

Mayor Kagawa was overjoyed. “The sky over Osaka has cleared for the first time in ages,” he said. However, Ajigawa the Coal and Matsushima the Brothel’s faction, who had been peering out from the neighboring window, were astonished. “This is entirely because Kagawa Toyohiko incited it. He summoned us to the city council, and in our absence, he caused this disturbance at the various companies we’re connected with—we must thoroughly expel Kagawa after all,” they said.

Moreover, when looking out at the city from the window, innumerable white-uniformed police officers were passing by. Seeing this, Lord Toyotomi asked the Mayor.

“What is that?” “Those are police officers controlling the demonstrations.” “Hmm!” Lord Toyotomi was astonished. “You mustn’t be surprised by such things. It’s safe to assume that more than half of this large procession are plainclothes police officers.”

“Huh?” This time, Ōshio Heihachirō was astonished. “So you’re saying this procession isn’t solely composed of workers?” “So the authorities are assisting them too?” asked Lord Toyotomi. “They’re not helping, you see. “Lord Toyotomi, because there are many dangerous individuals and plainclothes officers are assigned one per person, a procession of one thousand people becomes two thousand strong—with ten thousand marchers, it swells to twenty thousand.”

“Hmm… So the Japanese Government spends quite lavishly on dangerous ideologies, I see?” “It is said that 110 million yen is required for prison and police expenses.” “You could launch another Korean invasion with that,” Lord Toyotomi glared.

17. Yodoyabashi Contemplation

After the great demonstration had passed and Lord Toyotomi and Ōshio Heihachirō had departed, Mayor Kagawa also decided to withdraw to his private residence.

His private residence stood behind a boarding house in Gokū at Osaka City's southern edge—a structure measuring nine shaku by two ken, with a three-tatami front room and two-tatami back room that counted as a spacious dwelling by slum standards. He had waited at Ōe Bridge tram stop intending to catch a streetcar, lingering ten minutes, then twenty, but no tram arrived. What finally dawned on him was that all municipal transit workers had joined the strike. Having witnessed that massive demonstration earlier only to forget... He burned with shame at his own absent-mindedness and resolved to hurry straight along Yodoyabashi-suji on foot back to Gokū's slums.

He walked along Yodoyabashi-suji, pondering various aspects of urban planning. The so-called urban planning created during Mayor Ikemi’s era aimed to expand Yodoyabashi-suji into a straight thoroughfare, intending to make it Osaka City’s largest road. However, he thought. Osaka City lacked both a high-speed railway and diagonal roads cutting through the city at an angle. All roads connected at ninety-degree angles. In other words, one could only conclude that the urban planning committee members possessed minds constrained by ninety-degree angles.

And so, if he could continue occupying the mayor’s chair for a few more months, he thought he would need to formulate a new idealist urban plan and stir up controversy in the city council once again. He also considered that even in housing construction methods, instead of today’s block-like, uninspired ninety-degree-angle architecture, he must mandate a uniform style with angles of eighty-seven and a half degrees or seventy-seven degrees and three minutes to enhance urban aesthetics. As for roads, he envisioned paving them not with today’s unnatural asphalt or wooden bricks, but with a chemically treated black soil substance possessing rubber-like elasticity while surpassing wooden bricks in hardness.

He also contemplated the fate of commerce. He wondered when the current commercial system would be abolished and replaced by an exchange system based on consumer cooperatives. As these thoughts swirled through his mind, concerns about the Osaka Kyoeisha Consumer Cooperative and Kobe Purchasing Cooperative—both organizations he was involved with—surfaced, bringing with them worries over their persistent monthly deficits. Even during the citywide strike, errand boys still scurried about loitering in front of shops along Yodoyabashi-suji. Yet seeing their bluish complexions—faces resembling those of lung disease patients—he felt renewed conviction about the urgent need to eliminate chimneys.

It took him about an hour, but he finally arrived at Ebisuchō and returned to the slums of Gokū. When he returned home, dozens of thugs were waiting in front of his house. The moment they caught sight of him, one of them shouted loudly. “Hey, Kagawa! They say you’ve been riling up the workers, swearin’ you’ll stop every last chimney in Osaka from smokin’… Let’s hear you say that’s true.”

18. Violence and Truth

He didn’t need to become mayor, but since he had, the thought that he would be tormented by ruffians again filled him with sorrow.

“Hey, Kagawa! You bastard claim you’ll make sure not a wisp of smoke comes out of Osaka’s chimneys—well then, whether that’s possible or not, go ahead and try it! If there’s no smoke, how are you gonna run the machines?” “Just run them with electricity!” “That damn electricity! If there’s no smoke, how the hell is it supposed to happen?!” “It’s generated by hydro power, isn’t it!” “Hydro power? The hell is that?! I don’t get a damn thing! You bastard—spoutin’ that crap and tryin’ to ruin my reputation—hey Kagawa! You know damn well who I am, don’t ya? Me? Hmph! I’m Janome no Kumagorō—the top lieutenant of the *Onbiki Tiger* gang, got it?! I’m here to collect your head today! You bastard actually went and dragged Ōshio Heihachirō back from the underworld in this Taishō era! Me—just lookin’ at your damn face pisses me off to no end!”

With that, Janome no Kumagorō spat on the mayor’s face. Mayor Kagawa remained silent, for he understood the mentality of slum ruffians all too well. And without wiping away the spit that had been spat on him, he waited for it to dry in the sun. Janome no Kumagorō’s henchmen, “He’s one thick-skinned bastard, ain’t he?” “He’s lettin’ the sun dry that spit right on his face, the bastard,” they kept saying.

This time, Kuma struck Kagawa’s left cheek with all his might. “Hey, Kagawa! You bastard planning to make a mockery of Osaka’s citizens? Me? I’m thinkin’ about the necessity of chimneys outta loyalty to the emperor and love for the country—you’re inciting workers to destroy chimneys to bring down the country, ain’t ya? … If you still don’t learn your lesson after this, I’ll do ya in like this!”

Kuma grabbed Kagawa by the collar, threw him to the ground, and then—along with his henchmen—swarmed in, stomping and kicking him until he lost consciousness. However, Kagawa did not resist at all. He knew full well that resorting to feeble violence would serve no purpose in a world governed by violence where one must struggle and strive. By his conviction that only truth could overcome violence, he maintained an impassive face no matter how much they beat or kicked him. Strangely, even when kicked or beaten, he felt no pain.

The enemy finally brandished a drawn blade in broad daylight and slashed at him. He was stabbed in the groin. Even so, he remained silent.

He remained knocked to the ground, silently praying. No one came to help him. Neither police officers nor inspectors came. The police, who knew he was a dangerous individual, were delighted to hear that he was being tormented by ruffians.

Janome no Kumagorō threw out such words as his parting line and withdrew. “You think you’re so high and mighty as Osaka Mayor? What the hell do you know about politics holed up in this Gokū slum? Politics—that’s for the higher-ups to handle nice and proper! Ain’t no place for lowlifes like you to stick your nose in! A bastard like you—begging around since you were a kid then crawling into this Gokū dump—now parading as Mr. Big-Shot Mayor? Who’d trust scum like you? Hey Kagawa! Know your damn place! I’ll let you keep your life... But once you can stand—get outta here! Vanish to some backwater! Don’t leave? Next time I’ll chop you into mincemeat! You better remember that!”

With that, the gang of ruffians withdrew.

XIX. The Two-Mat Palace of the Slums

Mayor Kagawa, his wounds from being beaten and slashed failing to heal, lay bedridden for an entire week in the two-mat room of the slums. However, during that time, all was right with the world. If he did not have to worry about the city council, there was no need to worry about the workings of the world either. Because his sole concern was for his wounds to heal quickly, he forgot all about politics, economics, philosophy, and art—lying on his back, he stared at the ceiling or gazed at the four corners of the cramped two-mat room, immersed in fantasy after fantasy.

It was precisely at times like these that he became a poet. He never yields to difficulties. That is because “poetry” sustains him. He dreamed of the Dragon Palace from his two-mat sickbed and painted visions of the Japanese Alps. No, he considered the two-mat room as if it were a palace’s grand hall and was dreaming of indoor travels.

The northern corner was Matsushima, the southern corner Beppu, the east Lake Chūzenji, and the west the vicinity of Innoshima in the Seto Inland Sea. Lying in bed, he would travel by ship from Matsushima to Innoshima in his mind, or take a train journey from Beppu to Lake Chūzenji.

As he read the newspaper advertisements pasted on the wall, he would discover the shape of a large island there or envision mountain ranges stretching from Yari-ga-take in the Japanese Alps through Hotaka to Noguchi Gorō. Mayor Kagawa suffered from severe myopic astigmatism. He often paid close attention to beautiful women to study their faces, but those who appeared in his vision would sometimes have missing noses, eyes bulging out of their sockets, or chins fused directly beneath their foreheads. That he could visualize these mountain ranges within newspaper advertisements had profound psychological roots in this very condition. What might ultimately prove a blessing remained truly unknowable.

In any case, he possessed an uncanny eye that discovered nature’s marvels in soot-stained wood grain, torn paper screens, and crumbling sliding doors—a faculty of wonder even Lord Toyotomi himself had never wielded.

While he thus indulged in life’s pleasures within the Two-Mat Palace—this den of demons (?)—on either side of the alleyway, the tenements presented tragedies unimaginable in human society. First, in the Gokū slums, every last tree withered away due to the smoke. The neighbor who collected rope scraps laughed as she remarked that morning glory flowers bloomed black from the coal smoke, and complained that every last potted plant was withering away.

If only it had been just the plants withering away. Babies were dying. Within seven days, two babies in the neighborhood had died. Both had pneumonia. The chimney-sweeping old man from across the way died too. The old man who had walked totteringly from five in the morning until around eight in the evening, carrying a long split bamboo pole with a red wax-coated scraper on its end, was dead. The old man—his forehead, cheeks, chin, neck, his entire body blackened with soot—who had spent his days sweeping chimneys, died. He lay in bed paying his respects to the coffins leaving the tenements and pondered deeply the great fissure that existed in the world.

XX. Ebisuya Kichibē He dragged his leg but, as he gradually became able to walk, made an effort to take walks to the edge of the slums. It was because staying too long in the slums made him feel as though he would vomit. In the Gokū slums, the coal smoke was so severe that even if the smallness of the houses wasn’t a hardship, the smoke made one’s throat feel choked. Moreover, with the pathways laid with coke, it became even more unbearable. He felt he had grown weary of this coke-colored civilization.

In the slums, lung disease patients were extremely numerous. In the night, the sound of coughing could be heard here and there. It was said that 150,000 people nationwide fell ill with lung disease each year, but the reason Osaka had particularly many lung disease patients became clear when one was in the slums. The wealthy all fled to the suburbs, but the poor, lacking the means to escape, had no choice but to be engulfed by the smoke and perish. Mayor Kagawa, even during his illness, further intensified his conviction for air conquest.

Mayor Kagawa, now able to walk somewhat farther, visited the blanket wholesaler Mr. Ebisuya Kichibē in Bakurōmachi 5-chōme for the first time in ages. Through his involvement in the purchasing cooperative with Mr. Kichibē and since they were on good terms, he had gone out intending to sound out public opinion in Semba. No sooner had he entered Mr. Kichibē’s shopfront than Kichibē said: “Mr. Kagawa, we’ve simply got to carry out this air conquest.” “The pine tree in my garden has finally been done in.”

When he asked again, “What happened?” The pine tree in the garden had withered due to the coal smoke. “Then, do you support my air conquest?” he asked. “Of course, Mr. Kagawa! Who in the world would actually like this smoke?”

“But you see, Mr. Kichibē, there are those who insist this smoke is beneficial.” “Now then, what’s happened this time?” “This is how I’ve finally been done in because of it.”

Mayor Kagawa pointed to his thigh and recounted the entire incident of his injury.

“Well, that must have been terrible… Since nothing about it appeared in the papers, I didn’t come to visit…” “However, I will do it—I intend to fight this through to the end.” “By all means, carry it out… Now speaking of that—I actually have an interesting story to tell. “Well now, please take your ease today.” “I’ll tell you an interesting story.” “Let’s eat dinner together.” Having been spoken to so kindly, Mayor Kagawa decided to accept the treat of dinner at Mr. Kichibē’s place.

Mr. Kichibē’s wife Hiroko came out. Their daughter Tsuneko came down from the second floor too. Dinner preparations were hastened. Mr. Kichibē began speaking in measured fragments, beaming like Ebisu himself. “Now Mr. Kagawa, there was that man Ajigawa who opposed you at the city council meeting the other day, right? His daughter’s classmates with mine at the girls’ school.”

"Hmm, is that so?" "And what became of that?" "Well now, that daughter has lung disease and had been recuperating in Ashiya... Though she's improved significantly by now, you see." "It seems she'd become quite taken with your ideas—from that very day onward, she'd been having huge fights with her father every single day."

“What that young lady says aligns exactly with your own statements—that she contracted lung disease entirely due to Osaka City’s excessive coal smoke, and that Mayor Kagawa, who works to prevent this smoke, should rightfully be Osaka’s benefactor—yet her father persecutes him in the council as if he were a business rival; it’s truly unacceptable.” “If my father is going to be such a stubborn fool, even if I’m disowned, I want to join as one of your allies for the sake of Osaka’s citizens and take part in the air conquest movement,” she says.

“Hmm. So that means I’ve gained one sympathizer then.” Having said this, Mayor Kagawa grew proud.

XXI The Young Maiden’s Anguish

“However, what I wish to discuss is what comes next.” “Heh heh, so the story isn’t over yet?” Mr. Kichibē wrinkled the bridge of his nose and directed an amused gaze at Mayor Kagawa as he spoke.

“You see, this is about what comes next—Mr. Kagawa, are you acquainted with a man named Shimamura Nobuyuki? I hear he’s a graduate of Waseda University and serves as something like the director of the Osaka Machinery Labor Union...” “Yes, I know Mr. Shimamura well… What’s happened?” “Now, this young lady is called Miss Kikuko, and it seems she has become quite passionately involved with a certain Mr. Shimamura... So then, they say their hope is for you, Mr. Kagawa, to have a word with them and bring them together.”

“That’s quite a predicament.” “Mr. Ajigawa opposes me so vehemently, but does his daughter still have bad lungs?” “I hear Mr. Semba’s daughter is also ill?”

“In every household, there’s one or two people with lung problems.” “For those living in Osaka, one must consider that unavoidable… But how about it—would you be willing to act as go-between for Miss Kikuko and Mr. Shimamura?” ” Mayor Kagawa, suddenly put on the defensive, found himself at a great disadvantage. “Mr. Ebisuya, Mr. Ajigawa is no good, I tell you. “That man would get angry if I said anything and would never listen.” “Rather than that, I think it would be much better to have you go instead.”

“No, you see—if it’s me, her father won’t trust it.” “The other party believes a daughter’s free love is what delinquent girls pursue, you understand.” “Were I to approach Mr. Ajigawa directly, he’d surely think I’d put her up to it.” “What sort of girl is this Miss Kikuco?” “I’d very much like to meet her.” “That’s easily managed.” “She’s been visiting my daughter since morning—she’s upstairs right now—I’ll summon her at once…”

Tsuneko ran up to the second floor and called Miss Kikuco. It was a face he had seen somewhere before. As he thought about it, he realized she was the girl who often came to his rallies. He now also recalled that she had some connection with Shimamura-kun. After exchanging the usual greetings, Miss Kikuco asked shyly. “Mr. Kagawa, is something like free love truly a good thing?” “My father is vehemently opposed to it, but…”

“I believe love must be free.” “How wonderful! This finally puts my mind at ease. No one else would give me a clear answer no matter who I asked—I’d been tormented by this anguish over and over.”

Just then, Mr. Kichibē’s wife Hiroko interjected. “Mr. Kagawa, you must know—her father has already promised her to that foul-mouthed brothel owner Mr. Matsushima’s son, you see.”

Mr. Kichibē added to that. "The fathers are considering bringing the two together this autumn, but the crucial person in question is saying she doesn’t want to and keeps running away."

XXII Yodo-dono’s Worry

“Miss Kikuko, how did you come to know Mr. Shimamura?”

Miss Kikuco kept her face down,

“I became acquainted with him on my way back from the rally.” “And have you been continuing to meet him frequently?” Hiroko wore a faint smile on her cheeks as she said, “Well you see—those two are so earnest about it that with Mr．Ajigawa being overly strict．they’ve been exchanging letters by placing them in a soap box at the bathhouse．” “They would set a specific time．and Mr．Shimamura would come to the bathhouse near Miss Kikuco’s place to exchange letters there．” “Given how devoted they are．I truly believe how happy the two of them would be if they could become united．”

Miss Kikuco, looking embarrassed, remained facing downward while writing characters on the tatami mat.

Tsuneko-san looked amused, “I hear there are already about fifty letters piled up! Right? Miss Kikuco!”

“That’s a lie! Tsun-chan, you shouldn’t go saying things like that!”

“But it’s true! If everyone just speaks up properly and asks, wouldn’t that work?”

Mayor Kagawa was impressed upon hearing about Miss Ajigawa Kikuko’s passionate love. “Hmm, the world truly is changing. To think Osaka girls have become capable of such ardent romance... I’d always assumed those raised amidst this smoke were nothing but naive simpletons incapable of love or anything worthwhile.”

"How awful!" Tsuneko exclaimed. Kikuco shouted.

“It’s true. It’s true.”

Ebisuya Kichibē agreed with Mayor Kagawa. “In truth, up until now, we’ve been keeping our daughters carefully confined in inner rooms, raising them as naive green gourds, then sending them off like merchandise with ceremonial tags attached.” “In Semba, daughters were practically commodities—‘sheltered treasures’ as the saying went.” “And since they raised boys in that same stifling way too, those lads often blundered about—even got maids pregnant and stirred up family scandals.” “Now take Matsushima’s eldest son—the one Miss Kikuko’s meant to marry—he ran off with one of their house prostitutes this New Year and caused an uproar.” “…And now they want to drag Miss Kikuko into that den? It’s pure madness if you ask me.”

The clerk approached Mayor Kagawa,

The clerk came to inform Mayor Kagawa, "Someone has arrived."

“Who is it?” Mayor Kagawa asked, and the clerk made a strange face,

"He's quite refined, yet peculiar," said the clerk. "He's wearing a kimono like those worn for grand imperial ceremonies." "Hmm?" Mayor Kagawa wondered. "Who could it be?" "He resembles a prince," the clerk added. "Then I shall go see to it," Hiroko offered.

With those words, Hiroko ran off. And then she immediately returned, “A most unusual visitor, sir—she says she’s Lady Yodo, here to inquire after Lord Toyotomi… Shall I show her in? When we welcome the protagonist of this air conquest as a guest, strange things start happening—though we can’t quite fathom why…” Hiroko exclaimed in surprise. “Please, if it’s no trouble at your home, could you show her in?”

Hiroko returned to the inner room from the shop after guiding Lady Yodo. Indeed, Lady Yodo wore ceremonial robes one might don for a grand imperial rite, with heavy makeup and a twelve-layered underrobe. And now, she appeared as though she had just emerged from the inner palace of the Toyotomi family.

23. Osaka Where Love Turns to Smoke Lady Yodo had no particular business there, but people said she had been anxiously searching about, worried because Lord Toyotomi had left the castle a week prior and not returned. The manner of Lady Yodo's speech held peculiar charm. "When I emerge from the inner palace after three hundred years to look upon the world, it appears most unsightly," she declared. "In former days when those smoke-spewing chimneys did not yet exist, we could behold cherry blossoms and wisteria in their true beauty. But in today's smoke-choked world, even flowers and autumn leaves become naught but haze."

Lady Yodo narrated quietly in a dialect reminiscent of that spoken by people deep in the mountains of Mikawa. By her graceful and beautiful words and demeanor, Mayor Kagawa was profoundly moved.

Mayor Kagawa, having been asked by Lady Yodo about his wife, “To tell you the truth, Lady Yodo, as she is currently pregnant and it would be dangerous to leave her in the slums, I have sent her to stay in the countryside,” he answered, whereupon Lady Yodo smiled and, “That is most auspicious news indeed. After all, with the capital being so tumultuous and smoke-filled like Osaka, it would indeed be harmful to your wife’s health.” Mr. Ebisuya Kichibē introduced his daughter Tsuneko and Ajigawa’s daughter Kikuko to Lady Yodo.

It was said that Lady Yodo knew Miss Kikuko well. Miss Kikuko was startled, "How do you know me?" she asked in return, to which Lady Yodo replied that she knew because Miss Kikuko often came for walks by the moat's edge with a young man. Kikuko blushed and looked down. Lady Yodo comforted her, "To love in one's youth is a good thing. To yield oneself to another without love is indeed the artifice of courtly performers. In days of old, they would keep unnecessary daughters in inner chambers for strategic purposes, but even now, to see people buying and selling daughters for commercial schemes—this is truly a sin. Truly, I say it is a maiden's life worth living that blossoms for love."

“So then, Lady Yodo—do you endorse freedom in love?” “I do endorse it.” “If one does not love, human life becomes as insipid as a flower without color or fragrance—so I do declare.”

Lady Yodo’s replies were brisk. Everyone felt this was precisely what one would expect from her who had single-handedly managed the realm after Lord Toyotomi’s passing. “Wasn’t Lord Toyotomi a bit of a playboy?”

When Lady Yodo heard what Mayor Kagawa had interjected, "Until one discerns true love within me, even Lord Toyotomi wanders in uncertainty, I do declare." "Love is a complicated thing, isn’t it?" When Mayor Kagawa said this, Lady Yodo— "For the proletariat, love shall not be attainable, I do declare." Everyone burst out laughing when Lady Yodo uttered the word "proletariat." Yodo-dono continued. "In a city such as Osaka, where smoke doth billow thick, even the most exceedingly beautiful love cannot be brought to fruition, I do declare." "Dread naught but love that doth turn to smoke, I do declare."

Indeed, when Yodo-dono spoke such wise words, Mayor Kagawa found himself deeply impressed. “In Osaka, even love turns to smoke. Even love turns to smoke!” When Yodo-dono said something truly wise, the gathered people were struck with admiration. Before long, dinner was ready, so they invited Lady Yodo to eat as well, but she said she could not rest until she met Lord Toyotomi and tried to leave.

So Mayor Kagawa, “Lady Yodo, do you have any idea where Lord Toyotomi might be?” “No, no—though I have searched these seven days, I find no trace, and am utterly at a loss with no path to resolution, I do declare.” At that moment, Mr. Ebisuya Kichibē interjected,

“Mr. Kagawa, this must be Matsushima Shōgorō’s doing.” “Lord Toyotomi’s surely been taken captive at Matsushima’s brothel, mark my words.” “…I’ll give them a ring and see.”

24: Lord Toyotomi Taken Captive

When he tried calling, they discovered only that Lord Toyotomi was at Matsushima’s brothel.

Yodo-dono was delighted and hopping with joy, but Mr. Ebisuya tactfully interjected: “Lady Yodo, it’s dangerous for you to go to Matsushima’s brothel alone—especially if you go about it like that. It’s a place teeming with unsavory types and rakish men even in broad daylight; they might resort to violence. Let me accompany you.” “No—I will go!” Mayor Kagawa shouted.

“Aren’t you and Matsushima sworn enemies on the city council?” “You’ll get beaten again.” “I’ll go in your place and handle it.”

Then Yodo-dono and Mr. Ebisuya sped by automobile to Matsushima’s brothel. And when they arrived at Matsushima Shōgorō’s residence, a parent-child quarrel was now in full swing at Shōgorō’s home. Since they thought it would be improper to enter immediately, Mr. Ebisuya and Yodo-dono remained standing in the entranceway. The quarrel indeed appeared to center around the son’s romantic troubles. "I can’t stay in this house where my personhood is being trampled upon, so I’ll leave today."

“If you’re leaving, then get out! Go cough up blood and drop dead already!” “Instead of leaving, I’ll take Yūko with me.” “Go ahead and take her! That’s something I’ve already sunk three thousand yen into! Think you can just take her as you please? Try it!” “What’s three thousand yen?! Can love be bought with money?!”

“Shut your mouth!” “You damn brat! Our business runs on carnal desires!” “That’s flesh peddling!” “Can’t you grasp that?!”

It sounded like Lord Toyotomi’s voice. “Enough! Enough!” a voice said.

Seizing the moment, Mr. Ebisuya shouted loudly, “Excuse me! Pardon me!”

The son was glimpsed wiping his tears as he passed from the inner room to the next chamber.

The maid came out from the inner room to the reception area. “Is Lord Toyotomi here? There was a bit of business, you see, so I’ve come to escort the person I brought.” “Just a moment, please.” The maid went into the inner room and exchanged some words with her master, Shōgorō.

Before long, Lord Toyotomi's voice rang out, “Shōgorō! Let me go already, damn it!” came the voice. Because something felt off, Mr. Ebisuya strode alone into the inner room. What astonished him was that Lord Toyotomi was confined inside a cage and imitating a monkey. The moment Matsushima saw Ebisuya’s face,

“Who the hell are you?!” “You—! Mr. Shōgorō, you know Kichibē the foreign goods dealer, don’t you? You’re a terrible person, ain’t ya! How dare you—with all due disrespect—order Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Senior First Rank, Imperial Regent and Chancellor of the Realm, Hashiba Chikuzen-no-kami, to be confined to a cage! What in the world were you thinkin’?!” “No matter how you slice it, that Lord Toyotomi pissed me off, so I damn well intend to keep him captured alive!” “What in the world’s goin’ on here?”

“No matter how you look at it, Lord Toyotomi was interferin’ with our business, so we’ve had him caged up for seven days as punishment… But gotta hand it to him—still acts all high and mighty like a proper lord, not a single tear shed.” “What’s the root cause here?” “Why don’tcha ask Lord Toyotomi yourself… I’m too pissed off to bother talkin’.”

Mr. Ebisuya asked Lord Toyotomi, who was crouching calmly in the cage, why he had been confined.

25. Ordinary Corruption

“Lord Toyotomi, what on earth happened?” “It’s nothing, really. They’ve gone mad and started blaming me just because I said it wasn’t good to keep so many prostitutes gathered in one place.” “I must say, Mr. Shōgorō seems to have gone mad lately.” “Mr. Kichibē, that’s quite enough now.” “I am not the least bit mad, I assure you—I’m merely conducting myself as any ordinary person would.”

“You call this ordinary? Since when is running brothels ordinary?” “That’s right—it’s ’cause I want money that I’m in the brothel business. Wantin’ money’s just ordinary, ain’t it… You’re only dealin’ in foreign goods ’cause you want cash yourself, ain’tcha?” “No, Mr. Shōgorō, I’ll have you know that even someone like me hasn’t been thinkin’ about makin’ money at all lately.” “Don’t you play dumb with me!”

“I ain’t lyin’.” “I’ll have you know I’m even serving as a director of a consumer cooperative.” “What in blazes’s a ‘consumer cooperative’?” “Release Lord Toyotomi from the cage—then I’ll tell ya.” “This is a right mess… Aight, outta respect for Ebisuya Kichibē’s smarmy grin—shall we let this monkey loose?”

Shōgorō borrowed Kichibē’s help, removed the large stone that had been placed atop the cage, and took Lord Toyotomi out of the cage.

Lord Toyotomi said, “Well now, I’m saved. She must have been worried.” “Farewell then.” “Lord Toyotomi, Lady Yodo has come to greet you at the entrance,” said the maid. “Hmm, is that so?” he replied. Lord Toyotomi quietly walked out to the front entrance. Shōgorō too rushed to the entrance upon hearing Lady Yodo’s name. He stared fixedly at Yodo-dono’s face. Standing alone, he watched with admiration as Lord Toyotomi and Yodo-dono passed through the gate, “That jewel’s a fine piece—for that one, I’d pay even ten thousand ryō,” he remarked. “Lord Toyotomi truly does possess an exquisite jewel!”

“Don’t talk such nonsense!” Mr. Kichibē scolded Shōgorō from the back room.

Noticing this, Shōgorō rushed into the back room, but upon seeing the cage was empty, "What a waste!" "I was taken in by Mr. Kichibē’s smooth talk and ended up letting Lord Toyotomi escape." "You were goin’ on about somethin’." "Ebisuya, you were sayin’ there’s a business that don’t think ’bout makin’ money, huh?" "So what you’re sayin’ is—if that’s how it works—we don’t gotta pay bank interest or nothin’?!" "To tell you the truth, I’ve been havin’ trouble with twenty thousand yen in interest payments, see? If I’d kept Lord Toyotomi locked up, I was thinkin’ maybe at least one loyal retainer would’ve brought me a chest of gold coins from the ones buried in Karahori." "Then you showed up, right? I thought you’d bring me at least one chest of gold coins."

“There you go again, only thinkin’ ’bout greed… But Mr. Shōgorō, if you go lockin’ up Lord Toyotomi like that, you’ll surely get your comeuppance.” “I s’pose that’s right…”

“What on earth did you do?”

26. Lord Toyotomi’s Argument for Free Abolition Matsushima ended up getting drawn into Kichibē’s questioning and started talking. “Well, you see… I thought I’d let Lord Toyotomi have a bit of fun. After that city council meeting ended, Mr. Ajigawa and I went by car to pick him up at his residence. We even called over thirty geishas—ended up splurging a fortune that night.” “So when I asked, ‘Which of these women catches your fancy?’ Lord Toyotomi declared, ‘I consider the licensed prostitution system an evil institution and support its free abolition, but I would never dream of toying with women bought with money!’—insulting us right there in public, on the second floor of a teahouse, as if he were delivering a Salvation Army street sermon! I was fuming,”

“Then I pressed him: ‘Lord Toyotomi, may I ask—did you not keep concubines yourself?’ But he just said, ‘I have never used financial power to exploit women’s charms,’ which really got under my skin.” “In a world where chimneys stand tall, providing women to workers starved for intimacy counts as one of our charitable works, I tell ya!” “That’s utterly mistaken,” Lord Toyotomi declared. “The true path lies in ensuring all may properly obtain brides through fair means—not entertaining such despicable calculations as running brothel businesses to satisfy the lust of workers gathered beneath chimneys you’ve erected. “Humans aren’t merchandise,’ he went on lecturing, and...”

...I told him. “Let ’em spout whatever they want—the licensed prostitution system’s a necessary, indispensable thing for preventin’ syphilis, I tell ya!” And when I laid it out like this... In response, Lord Toyotomi retorted: “Syphilis was not yet known in Japan during the Keichō era." “‘As it spread across the world alongside humanity’s obsession with profit-making,’ he declared—just as brothels arose in Yoshiwara alongside Edo’s growth—‘that itself proves how evil this licensed prostitution system truly is!’ Since I saw there was no winnin’ such an argument,” Matsushima explained to Ebisuya Kichibē, “I went and caged him.” “Truth be told, even after cagin’ him, I kept worryin’ ’bout curses from Toyokuni Shrine.” “But still… this nightlife business ain’t proper work for decent folk.” “Now I hear my son’s tryin’ to bolt usin’ that 3,000 yen payment as his excuse—ain’t that rich?”

“Your son—that Kenichi who asked you to let me take Ajigawa Kikuko the other day—was it?” ”

“Yes!” “Weren’t ya just havin’ a heated argument with him earlier?!” “Well, ain’t that divine punishment?” “The family just can’t get along proper—it’s a real problem.” “Makin’ money off others’ daughters’ flesh an’ blood ain’t decent business...” “But Mr. Kichibē—that matter didn’t work out?”

“That matter—wasn’t it about Ms. Kikuko?” “As for me, if I take that girl and get Mr. Ajigawa to write off the twenty thousand yen I owe him… She’s a lung-diseased wretch anyway—even with twenty thousand yen thrown in, there ain’t no takers these days.” “There’s buyers aplenty—starting with *you*, Matsushima Shōgorō!” “Don’t go mockin’ me like that!” “But listen here, Mr. Shōgorō—ain’t your son sayin’ he’ll run off with that three thousand yen lump sum from your place! Who’s he fixin’ to take as bride? You or your son?”

“That’d be my son, of course.” “But didn’t your son say he won’t marry someone with lung disease?” “To be honest, I don’t want a sickly daughter with lung disease either—but since I’m only after the money, once I get that cash, I’ll just toss her out into the wilds or somethin’.” “How dreadful… How dreadful… Mr. Shōgorō, I must take my leave now.” “If she’s thrown into fields or mountains, that’d cause trouble, see…” Mr. Kichibē bowed three or four times and exited through Tokiwadai’s gate.

In the entranceway, the faces of prostitutes for sale were arrayed in great numbers.

27. Higashi-Yokoborigawa River

With Lord Toyotomi’s matter settled, Mr. Kichibē hurried back to Bakurōmachi, but Mayor Kagawa and Ms. Kikuko were already gone. When he asked Hiroko, she explained that since Shimamura had coincidentally come to visit Mayor Kagawa, the three of them—Shimamura, Ms. Kikuko, and the mayor—had said they were going for a walk and just left.

In truth, the three of them were strolling around the Higashi-Yokoborigawa River area without any particular destination in mind. But Mayor Kagawa, being not so obtuse as to fail to discern Shimamura's intentions nor unable to read the young man's heart, promptly cut short the conversation and returned to the slums, leaving the two behind. Their conversation was truly as sweet as honey. At the same time, it was tinged with pessimism. "Kikuko, I've been feeling so hopelessly pessimistic lately... I wonder what's wrong with me."

“Me too… I… I’ve come to want to die.” “I wonder what’s wrong with me…” “Love is truly painful.” “Really… maybe I shouldn’t go back home tonight either?” “You’ll get scolded by Father again!”

“Being scolded by Father is nothing—isn’t love stronger than death?”

The two came to the edge of Kōrai Bridge and stopped. Kikuko was crying. “Kiku-chan, why are you crying?!” “………………” “Kiku-chan, if you cry, I’ll get sad too.” Shimamura was also crying. The two leaned against Kōrai Bridge’s railing and wept for some time. However, finding little solace in continued weeping, Kikuko fixed her gaze on the gaslight shimmering beautifully upon the water flowing beneath the bridge.

Shimamura was still crying. The light flowing on the water stretched and shrank, so utterly beautiful. That murky Yokoborigawa River looked like a spring in the Dragon Palace when seen under the electric lights. Kikuko was so drawn to that beauty that she nearly forgot Shimamura was crying. When she compared in her mind the flowing water, her own love, and the night view of Osaka made beautiful by electric lights, she found herself so strange that it was as if she became enchanted by herself.

What especially struck Kikuko as absurd was how Shimamura—a grown man—leaned against the bridge railing in such a sentimental display of tears, the scene so novelistic that she found herself giggling despite herself.

Then Shimamura too hid his face in his sleeve, laughing through his tears. When their laughter had continued awhile, Shimamura said, “It’s strange, Kikuko—why does love make people so sentimental? I shouldn’t need to cry, yet before I know it, the tears come.”

When he said this, Kikuko, who had been laughing, began to cry again. “Hey, Nobu... What makes me sad is that humans have to laugh. In this world filled with sorrow, why did God create something as contradictory as laughter?”

When she said this, Shimamura, who had been laughing just a moment before, began to cry again. "You’re right, Kiku-chan. I wasn’t the sort to lose myself in cheap laughter—no, I was meant to carry this great mission of smashing bourgeois culture to pieces. I’ll never laugh again in my life. I’ll make tears my lifelong sustenance, immersing my corpse in proletarian sorrow until it’s pickled through!" He said this, but his own words—so sentimental in declaring crying to be his lifelong mission—had scarcely dried on his tongue before he burst out laughing.

28. The Triumph of Death Part II Intoxicated by the blood of youth, the two cried and laughed until the night deepened and midnight had long since passed.

Finally, Kikuko declared she could no longer return home. “I’ve come to want to die.” “Hey, Shimamura-san, won’t you die with me?” Shimamura thought he was being tested by Kikuko, so

“Kiku-chan, for your sake I’d give not just this one life—if I had seven lives, I’d give all seven to you.” “Then, will you do a double suicide with me?” “If it’s with you, I’d gladly do a double suicide or anything else.”

“Then, let’s die at the river where Osome-Hisamatsu died.”

Having said this, Kikuko walked toward the vicinity of Amijima, tugging Shimamura along.

Shimamura was zealous about dying. Now that he could approach the world of nihilism he had long contemplated in his daily life, he looked forward to it eagerly. Kikuko was delighted, thinking she could imitate D’Annunzio’s *The Triumph of Death*, which she had finished reading two days prior. “Nobu, death is victory!” “That’s right, Kiku-chan—nihilism is the final resting place! All is nothing! If nothing is given to us, then we shall receive nothing in turn. If our love does not succeed, we have no choice but to choose death! Everything? Nothingness? Alas! We are finally life’s defeated!”

“I’m not a defeated person! Nobu, I refuse to die as a defeated person… If you say such things, I won’t die!” Kikuko wavered in the face of death. “Please forgive me. For you, Kiku-chan, death was victory, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right—death is victory! Because you keep saying death is defeat, I’ve stopped wanting to die… And now you’re considering death to be victory?” “I can’t understand! I don’t understand anything. Everything is nothing… to me.” “You’re so unreliable. You—say that death is victory!” “Nihilism is the ultimate end of everything.” “Then I can’t die… You’re saying the same thing as Giorgio from D’Annunzio’s *The Triumph of Death*.”

“I haven’t read that novel.” “You’re so unreliable! If you’re going to commit a modern double suicide, you’ve got to at least read *The Triumph of Death*!” “So Kikuko, are you imitating that novel?” “It’s not exactly imitation… but I want to savor the mood presented there.”

Shimamura knew he was out of sync with Kikuko’s mood. However, Shimamura himself was thoroughly weary of life, and driven by a curiosity craving some grand transformation, he was fully resolved to die. What’s more, Kikuko—who tempted him toward death—was so beautiful that he felt compelled to follow wherever the demon of beauty led.

The two walked from Amijima to the riverbank near the Mint, searching for a good place to die.

Whenever they thought, "This is the spot," there would be a fisherman angling at midnight, and whenever they settled on a place, a boat would come from upriver—they simply couldn't manage to die.

So they briskly followed the river and ended up heading into the countryside.

29. Wait, You Suicidal Lovers!

In the reeds along the banks of the nameless Yodo River, as the two bound each other’s hands and tied their torsos together, something began making splashing sounds in the water. The two, anxious to hasten their deaths before anyone could stop them, hurriedly stood at the water’s edge. And, “Namu Amida Butsu!” as they were about to leap into the water, “Wait!” A voice called out from the middle of the river. There’s something strange going on here. Convinced that no one was around and thinking it would be a waste not to die after all their preparations, the two peered intently into the river—when there, on the water’s surface, a graceful sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl and a dashing twenty-four- or twenty-five-year-old townsman with a topknot abruptly raised their heads side by side like turtles.

“Young ones, you mustn’t act hastily!” Startled by this sudden outcry from the river, the nihilist youth was left utterly flabbergasted, while the young girl—who had placed her faith in the gospel of *The Triumph of Death*—could only blink her eyes rapidly and exchange bewildered glances with him. “What’s that?” Kikuko cried out like this. “What could it be? It looks like a drowned corpse.” “We’re not drowned corpses! We’re fellow double suicides! Wait a moment. Now, we two will come ashore.”

With that, the woman’s head and the man’s head swam up to the shore. Even these two, who had no fear of death, could not help but be terrified when a man with a topknot tried to dissuade them from dying from the river. They were startled, their hair standing on end as if Orie’s severed head had surfaced from Mutanda Pond.

Then, the man with the topknot and the woman with the Chinese-style topknot calmly came ashore. And then they bowed respectfully and, "My name is Hisamatsu of Nozaki Village…" "This young woman is Osome of the oil shop." Shimamura and Kikuko had never expected to encounter Osome-Hisamatsu in such a place, and not knowing what words of greeting to offer, they remained silent with their heads bowed. Then Osome, her lips like lovely flower buds, opened them and asked Kikuko.

“Young lady, may I ask what hardships have driven you to such circumstances as to attempt double suicide?”

Kikuko, as if seizing her moment, “Do you know D’Annunzio’s novel *The Triumph of Death*?”

Osome’s face remained as still as a corpse’s, not a muscle moving. “Young lady, what about it?” Kikuko blushed crimson as Osome’s response veered so far from her own question. “You’re not worth talking to. You don’t even know D’Annunzio’s *The Triumph of Death*.” “Young lady, what about it?”

“The way you do double suicide is outdated.”

Kikuko seized Osome and began a lecture on double suicide.

“You see, Osome, we’re different from people of your era.” “Because the economic system has changed compared to your feudal era, even love comes under far greater oppression from capitalism.” “In your time, you only needed to fight the family system, but we must battle the bourgeois class.” “And my father is bourgeois.” “That’s why my love can never be fulfilled.”

**30 Into the Midst of the People** Osome had been deep in thought about what Kikuko was saying for a long time, but—

“Ito-san, I don’t understand a word you’re saying. Your double suicide seems to come from books, does it not?” “Books? What do you mean by books?” “Aren’t you rather too influenced by Western books?” “Are you saying we’re swayed by books to commit double suicide?”

Kikuko answered with her eyes wide open. “Then, Osome, what exactly influenced you two to commit double suicide?” “Ours is nothing. We had no other path to take.” “Then we have no other path either!” “I won’t have you say that!” The one who shouted this was Hisamatsu, who had been silently listening until now. “Though I am aware that it may not align with Osaka’s customs for a mere former errand boy like myself to offer advice to a young lady such as yourself, we have been following and listening to your conversation all the way from Kōraibashi.”

Kikuko was startled. “We are ghosts who threw ourselves into the river three hundred years ago, so…” “Ghosts? … You mean ghosts are the same as spirits? “Eek!”

Kikuko was so astonished that she kept uttering exclamations of surprise. Hisamatsu continued. “Kikuko, if merely hearing we’re ghosts shocks you this much, you’re not fit to die yet!” “Then... have I failed Hisamatsu’s double suicide exam?” “Exactly. You’ve failed my double suicide studies—because you’ve shown no innovation when attempting it. Isn’t this approach antiquated? Copying our methods and imitating Italian novels!”

“Then what should I do?” Kikuko listened while trembling violently. “You misunderstand where to leap.” “Eek! Isn’t this spot acceptable?” “Should we go slightly upstream instead?” “Not at all! The ‘leap’ I mean—if you truly seek to discard your life—should be taken on the frontlines of proletarian liberation! There you must perish gloriously in battle!”

“My, Mr. Hisamatsu, I never thought I’d hear proletarian class liberation theory from someone like you!” “Young lady, that’s exactly it—the times are changing! The emotional conventions of double suicide must also be reformed in this era! There’s no need to cowardly seek a place to cast away your life in this riverbed. The era when we sought it in the riverbed was our own. In today’s era on the path to liberation, we must discover a new path for double suicide. You must cross over the battlefront!”

“My, Mr. Hisamatsu, you certainly know a lot about various things.” “Of course—in the underworld I serve as secretary of the Salarymen’s Union,” he continued without pause. “We organize apprentices, clerks, shop managers—even those white-collar workers dropping dead these days—to oppose the tyranny of blue and red demons.” His voice took on an agitator’s cadence as he leaned closer across moonlit reeds. “First we’ll abolish monetary discrimination—they say even hell’s judgments bend to gold.” The river breeze carried his words like pamphlets tossed at a rally. “Soon enough we’ll realize an autonomous realm for all departed souls there.” For an instant his spectral form seemed solid with conviction. “And mark this—it’s my personal mission to unite lovers torn apart in this world.”

“So does that mean such movements are occurring even in hell now?”

“That’s right…”

“I understand, Mr. Hisamatsu. Thank you. With the resolve of one who has sunk into the Yodo River, I will fight in this world just as you devote yourself to reforming hell. Thank you. Shall we find our double suicide within class warfare? We’ll leave our corpses exposed there, won’t we?” “Exactly! Modern girls catch on quick—how delightful! That’s the new double suicide! What we call new idealism double suicide means lovers joining hands for liberation, fighting and falling together—no drowning required!”

“My, Mr. Hisamatsu, you’re quite the scholar… I never imagined I’d receive such a practical lesson here by the reeds of the Yodo River.”

“Understood?” “Well then, we’ll take our leave now.”

Having said that, Hisamatsu and Osome vanished without a trace.

Kikuko stared wide-eyed in astonishment and watched the water’s surface.

31. The Dialogue Between the Sun and the Gas Tank

This was from the time before Mayor Kagawa had become mayor. From the slums of Gokū, he ambled out and was strolling near Taishō Bridge to the south around eleven in the morning when he once heard the Gas Tank and Mr. Sun engaged in a dialogue.

“Good day, Mr. Sun! Running late today, are we?” When Gas Tank said this, Mr. Sun responded,

“What do you mean ‘late’? I’ve already had my second sunrise today!”

As he lingered on Taishō Bridge listening to this exchange, the Gas Tank burst into loud laughter. “Mr. Sun, you can’t be serious! How can there be a second sunrise?”

To this, Mr. Sun also let out a booming laugh, “What are you talking about? The first sunrise was at 6 a.m., and the second is at 11 a.m.! You’d know that already… The only reason you’re valued in Osaka City is because Osaka’s electric lights are always dim! Since I perform two sunrises and two sunsets during the daytime here, making Osaka have three nights in a twenty-four-hour day, it’s your bloated belly that swells from all that! Ah ha! Ah ha ha ha!”

he said.

The Gas Tank was impressed by this,

“Mr. Sun, you’re impressive. From up in the heavens, do all the people of Osaka look like fools to you?” he asked. Mr. Sun’s response to that was quite something. “Tank, the people of Osaka all resemble you. Flashy on the outside but empty inside… and filled with foul gas in their bellies.” “Mr. Sun, if you’re going to spew such venomous words, I’ll have my chimney kin smoke you out of this world starting today… From this day forth, I won’t allow you to lay eyes on Osaka’s soil ever again!”

After saying all this, the Gas Tank became enraged. That marked the beginning. In Osaka, the smoke grew ever thicker until even during daytime hours, Mr. Sun became invisible.

Not long after that, the man who had heard the conversation between the Sun and the Gas Tank became the Mayor of Osaka City. Having become mayor, he worked to eliminate the smoke from Osaka—a city that experienced three nights and two sunrises a day. However, the first city council meeting ended in failure, and the workers’ grand demonstration lasted only a day, achieving nothing. He pondered what he should do. He decided that before convening the city council again, he would first hold an inventors’ convention to devise a method to make all of Osaka’s smoke disappear.

The day after the cage confinement incident involving Lord Toyotomi and Miss Kikuko’s running away from home, he went to city hall and resolved to gather not only all of Osaka’s inventors but every inventor across Japan to Osaka.

When he was in the mayor’s office for the first time in a while, a large number of newspaper reporters came in for interviews before noon. “Mayor, how’s that injury of yours?” “Has it healed already?” “Do you still have the courage to continue your anti-smoke campaign?”

They fired off these questions all at once, mocking the mayor. In response, Mayor Kagawa declared he remained resolute in continuing the anti-smoke campaign and announced his decision to convene an inventors' convention in Osaka City in the near future. That evening's edition featured both Lord Toyotomi's cage confinement incident and coverage of the All-Japan Inventors' Convention regarding the smoke prohibition movement across its third page.

32. The Emergence of Chestless Creatures Since preparations for the inventors’ convention were taking too long, Mayor Kagawa decided to gather educators and spread the anti-smoke campaign to households. As scheduling the educators’ meeting could be arranged quickly for the next day, he summoned all the city’s educators. When he prepared to convene the Social Hygiene Educators’ Conference at Central Public Hall, the Education Director brought an astonishing report. “Mayor, these are the most recent statistics. As you can see, while Osaka’s children exceed the national elementary school average in height, their chest measurements—due to living amid smoke—have become astonishingly narrow…” “In other words, Osaka’s children are like pea plants grown under shade covers.” “They’re tall, but their bodies lack substance.”

Mayor Kagawa was utterly astonished when he saw the statistics presented by the Education Director. “Hmm, Education Director! This is truly a grave national issue! “If this trend continues, in fifty years, Osaka’s children will become as chestless as gourds!” "This is truly catastrophic!" “We must not create gourd-like children!” “Let’s launch a major publicity campaign!” “Education Director, I’m counting on you to handle this properly!” “I’ll also put on full horsepower for this occasion!”

The next day’s educators’ meeting was truly a lively affair. To escape coal smoke, the utility and necessity of forest schools, seaside elementary schools, and agricultural town elementary schools were emphasized. However, not a single person criticized the reckless chimney civilization rooted in capitalist production that lay at the heart of it all. Of course, some did say interesting things. “If, a century from now, Osaka City must still endure coal smoke as it does today, all its citizens may lose their lungs and have to carry around gill-like organs in their place. Osaka is no place fit for human habitation. It’s a place fit for tadpoles.”

No sooner had one person said this than,

“It’s no use thinking up such fanciful ideas. There’s nothing to be done but extend physical education periods.” There was one who said this. To this, another countered, “The air in the playground is even worse than that in the classrooms. Next to my school is a glass factory—smoke never stops billowing from its chimney day and night. At our school, we always keep the classrooms sealed to block the coal smoke. In such cases, what should we do?”

Some argued that oxygen gas generators should be installed in every classroom at city expense. Some also argued that it would be good to install dust absorption machines within schools, as done in spinning companies.

However, what rang out as most tragic was that Osaka’s elementary school teachers had the highest rate of being afflicted by respiratory diseases nationwide, and if they taught in factory districts for more than five years, they would inevitably collapse as respiratory disease patients. The report was utterly devastating. However, when it came to how to proceed with anti-smoke campaign publicity, not a single person advocated a concrete approach.

33. The Failed Educators’ Conference

When Mayor Kagawa looked out from the podium at the nearly two thousand gathered elementary school teachers and middle school instructors, not a single teacher had what could be called a human face.

Many were like earth-colored clay figurines. These people were spring-operated puppets employed by machines that taught reading, arithmetic, and calligraphy—beings that did not belong to the lung-equipped human race. They feared the ward education committee members above all else. The ward education committee members were mostly wealthy individuals who owned one or two chimneys, and making speeches advocating chimney destruction inevitably meant being expelled from the schools in their wards.

In reality, there was no place like Osaka where the wealthy so brazenly wielded power over education. Even when a two-hundred-million-yen urban plan materialized, the previous mayor had still not lifted a finger to unify Osaka’s school districts. In an Osaka that could not even unify its school districts, there remained no hope of propagating chimney destruction campaigns through its schools. The teachers coolly instructed their students in such matters...

“Those who are diligent and thrifty and devote themselves to learning will always prosper, while those who are uneducated and lazy will always remain poor.” “Yasuda Zenjirō valued diligence and thrift, amassing a fortune of eight hundred million yen over fifty years, while another rose from being a miner to build a copper palace.” “Their virtues and achievements are indeed worthy of boundless praise.” When they taught such things, among the students—

“Teacher!” “Why are you poor?”

asks. Then the teacher, flustered, “That’s just how it’s been since my parents’ time—there’s nothing to be done.” he deflects. The clever student,

“Teacher, I hear that even Yasuda Zenjirō and Itō Den'emon’s parents were all poor.” Then the teacher said, “They were just lucky.” “Teacher, what is luck?” the student asked, “Luck is luck… It’s naturally becoming rich!” In an Osaka with such teachers, how could the proper way to live ever be taught with integrity? They devised Forest Elementary Schools and Seaside Elementary Schools for the children of the wealthy but had never given a thought to the poor.

When Mayor Kagawa looked out from the podium, nearly nine-tenths of the elementary school teachers were dozing off. And the remaining tenth were going through the motions. Their dozing stemmed partly from overwork and oxygen deprivation, and partly because staying like this proved preferable to standing up to speak and being reprimanded by ward council members. Moreover, their mechanical compliance arose from sheer disinterest in the issues. Elementary school teachers are machines that dispense academic instruction. They are not instructors who cultivate life skills. Matters like social hygiene or school sanitation belonged to others' domain; their sole concern lay in squeezing out one more yen for their monthly salaries.

The Director of Education had been speaking for about an hour on the necessity of the anti-smoke campaign, but all the teachers were completely dozing off. And when the talk ended, everyone woke up as if by prior agreement and set off for home. Even Mayor Kagawa was utterly astonished by their spring-driven precision.

In any case, the mayor came to fully understand that the anti-smoke campaign conducted through educators had ended in complete failure due to the teachers' insufficient oxygen supply.

34. Women’s Assembly and Miss Kikuko

That evening, Shimamura Nobuyuki and Miss Ajigawa Kikuko came to visit the slums of Kōkyū.

And then, the two of them declared their newly formed resolve to Mayor Kagawa. Mayor Kagawa listened with evident satisfaction. After exchanging various observations, Mayor Kagawa related how the educators' conference had ended in failure. At this, Miss Kikuko indignantly declared: "Since the anti-smoke campaign concerns women's domestic lives above all else, you must let me lead this movement!"

“That’s an excellent plan,” said Mayor Kagawa. “I’ll arrange to convene the Osaka Women’s Assembly immediately. When the time comes, I’d like you to speak there without fail, Miss Kikuko.” “I’ll do it,” she replied. “Moreover, I have another friend I’d like to ask to give a speech.” “Would this friend be Yodo-dono?” “No—Ms. Aburaya Someko.” “Ms. Aburaya Someko? Who might that be?” “It’s Ms. Someko! Really now, Mr. Kagawa—you must have dreadful blood circulation.”

“Ah, is that so? “That sounds interesting.” “Then I’ll leave it to you.” “Around the day after tomorrow should work, don’t you think?”

“However many days it takes, I will bring Ms. Someko.” The two left.

Two days later, the Osaka Women’s Assembly was held.

It was an enormous crowd—thousands upon thousands—so large that they couldn’t possibly all fit into the Central Public Hall.

The chairperson of the Women’s Assembly was, of course, Ms. Ajigawa Kikuko. Ms. Ajigawa Kikuko wore Western attire and delivered her maiden speech with a dignified bearing. "—Ladies and gentlemen gathered here, the civilization of men has already decayed. I believe we should create a women’s culture with new courage. As our first undertaking, what we must do is conquer Osaka City’s coal smoke." (Applause erupts.) "Because of this, Osaka City has the highest infant mortality rate in the world—nearly three hundred out of every thousand babies born die each year. We, who should be mothers—" (She nearly said "mothers" but hesitated slightly) "—must fight thoroughly for this cause." (Loud applause) "Regarding this matter, indirect action will not suffice for us. There is no path but through direct action!"

“Speaker, attention!” The supervising police inspector, hiding behind a screen, issued a warning. The audience erupted. “Tyranny!” “Tyranny!” The voices shook the entire hall.

Miss Kikuko calmed the audience, “What just happened is not a suspension of the assembly. It is merely a warning… Please do not worry.” “Even if we are ordered to stop, we have nothing to fear.” “We are determined to fight thoroughly beyond the brink of death.” “We will not hesitate to die in order to liberate Osaka City from the tyranny of this coal smoke.”

“Even as it is, we are being killed by lung disease. So if we are to be killed in the smoke, I think it would be better to fight against the smoke and fall in battle.” Having said this, she stepped down from the podium, but among the audience, some were so moved that— “Goddess of Air Conquest!” There was even a young man who shouted such things.

35. Osome’s Rhythmic Speech

However, no matter what anyone said, the main attraction of the Women’s Assembly was Osome and Hisamatsu giving a speech together. Osome appeared on the podium, her beautiful Chinese-style chignon still in place.

“Hey, Osome!” “Love supremacy!” “Goddess of Double Suicide!” “New woman!” They shouted all sorts of things and heckled her. Osome began her speech in a tone even more courageous than that of the waitress alliance members, as if singing a Kiyomoto ballad. “—At Naniwa Bay, plovers weep by reed-choked shores—” When she reached this point, a young man in the corner, stirred by her beautiful voice, “Better than Ryojo!” he shouted. “The ebb and flow of people’s hearts—” “Hey, Female Kumoemon!” shouted someone.

“Seeing a beautiful woman gets me excited, huh?” someone whispered.

Osome remained unperturbed. “...When one climbs a high tower and looks—only smoke rises, how sorrowful! Even at midday, they rely on gas and electric lights, never seeing the sun’s face—pale-skinned necks elongated, breaths gasping with blood—how sorrowful are Naniwazu’s consumptive girls who cough, how bitterly they resent...”

The entire hall fell silent; not even a single cough could be heard. “Smoke mingles with darkness, and people walking the roads pass through the dark. In this dark world’s manifold sorrows, Toribeyama’s living hell—before one’s eyes even close, the wailing of scorching flames—love and passion all turn to smoke, how pitiful Naniwa’s fate…” As Osome’s speech increasingly took on the rhythm of Kiyomoto, someone began to match her melody, “Now as in olden times on Tile-roofed Street, the renowned daughter stands alone.” There was also a man who chimed in.

Osome, without paying any mind to such things, took up the melody from the man’s previous verse and, “Though there be no red demons or blue demons, in this marketplace where human flesh is plundered, capitalism alone thrives. With clouded hearts finding no peace, as the dead and those with lung disease multiply—this city of smoke is a city of death. If we are resolved to embark on the journey to the land of the dead, let us instead do good before we go.” “Before they cut off the smoke, even if we lament infants’ pneumonia, it will all be for naught.” “Lady Osome, Lady Osome! Please, won’t you return to your mountain home after all?” someone heckled.

Ms. Osome continued her rhythmic speech unperturbed. “Though scorned as double suicides and forever mocked by posterity—even I, Osome, the sheltered maiden, being a creature of flesh and blood—until the world’s transformation is achieved, let us gather under the proletarian banner with those who, for love’s freedom, become guardians of the fallen. Now let us embark on liberation’s path and conquer the skies!”

The youth on the second floor shouted in a loud voice, “What a beautiful passage!” Osome continued further, “To live strong is for love’s sake; to prevent coal smoke is for love’s sake—so that mothers of Naniwazu may spare their dear husbands’ only children from dying of smoke-born pneumonia! This we take as women’s sacred duty! Thus do I return to this present age—a ghost of Nozaki village where smoke withers all plants, where male and female blossoms droop defeated! With all my lingering obsession focused through suicide pact’s resolve—I preach coal smoke prevention!”

Having said this, Osome vanished as if erased from sight. The audience of nearly eight thousand had been listening to Osome’s voice as if intoxicated, but when her figure vanished suddenly, the audience shouted all manner of things! “Was that Osome’s ghost?” “She was a real beauty, huh?”

“It’s only natural Hisamatsu got so worked up, huh?”

“After all, we’ve got to prevent coal smoke.”

36. Kikuko’s Arrest When Osome’s speech concluded and Ms. Kikuko stood at the podium once more to formally pass an anti-smoke resolution through the Women’s Assembly’s procedures, over a dozen burly men appeared haphazardly from nowhere. “Female orator!” “We’ve got questions!”

“Please save your questions for later,” answered Kikuko. “What? You insolent—you dare side with Kagawa, that destroyer of Japanese industry, just because you're a woman? ...Fine, I’ll beat you up!”

The one who called out was Onbiki Tora’s top lieutenant, Janome no Kumagorō. Kikuko was not an adherent of non-resistance like Mayor Kagawa. Though she had recently developed lung trouble and been recuperating in Ashiya, she was a woman who had received a first-dan judo certificate during her girls’ school days and still retained her skills. “Wait a moment!” With her lovely mouth requesting a reprieve even as she tucked up her skirt and declared with dignity, “Now I am Tomoe Gozen,” she confronted Janome no Kumagorō.

The audience stood up en masse in dumbfounded silence, watching to see what would unfold. Recognizing the growing chaos, both the police inspector and his officers hastily retreated. Janome no Kumagorō seized Kikuko's shoulder firmly, but she gripped his right hand with both of hers, performed a shoulder throw, and slammed him onto the stage with a resounding thud. Though Janome no Kumagorō crawled back up and charged at her again, Kikuko swept his legs out from under him with a reap throw. Four or five members of Kuma's gang who had been watching now attacked Kikuko in succession. After using her final technique to drive off two assailants, the remaining pair sank their teeth into her arms as blood streamed down. Kikuko's white Western dress bloomed crimson with bloodstains.

The crowd, seeing this state of affairs, leapt up onto the stage. Some called for the police. Some came to Kikuko’s aid, while others joined forces with Janome no Kumagorō. Finally, Kikuko entered the speaker’s room, protected by a large group of youths who appeared to be laborers. Janome no Kumagorō’s gang continued their struggle on the stage, in the great hall, and along the side of the assembly hall, clashing with Kikuko’s sympathizers who had mingled among the audience.

The inspector who had fled earlier reappeared from nowhere and ordered the audience to disperse. The audience straggled out while resenting the police's attitude. Some cursed that the police were capitalists' dogs. All those who had shouted such abuse were arrested.

And Kikuko too was arrested. The audience who witnessed this all grew furious. However, because the police possessed the authority of certification, “Save your arguments for later! If you keep grumbling, we’ll arrest you!” they barked. “What a terrifying police force this is.” “What century’s police force is this supposed to be?” they shouted in unison. Then, the man taking Kikuko into custody gave this reply. “What does the era matter? “If you keep grumbling, then come along!”

Those who obediently followed along were all arrested.

Those who protested the arrests were arrested, and those who accompanied the ones being arrested were arrested as well. And those who went to deliver tissue paper to the detainees were also arrested. However, since the jail cells were too cramped, they couldn’t detain anyone else. The police officers kept saying, “Busy! Busy!”

37 Father and Daughter

Due to Kikuko’s arrest, the women’s assembly fell apart completely.

Forty-eight hours later, Ms. Ajigawa Kikuko was released from custody and returned home for the first time in ages, but her father stubbornly refused to let her into the house. “Kikuko! How dare a flighty thing like you come crawling back to this house!” “Get out!” “Because of you, this Ajigawa house has been defiled.” “And you! Letting that idiot Kagawa incite you to playact as some female activist and getting yourself dragged off by the police!” “You damn brat! Don’t you know the Ajigawa family business is coal?!” “If you keep up this campaign to tear down chimneys, our coal won’t sell anymore!” “Then who’s going to buy your dowry?”

“Father! I don’t need any dowry!” “Why not? You refuse to go to Matsushima?!” “I refuse to marry into a house that traffics human beings… Even if I die, I will never set foot in such a place.”

“So does that mean you’ve got some other man lined up…?” “Yes, I have already made a promise.”

“Hey, you hoodlum! What do you think you’re doing, taking up with some man on your own without even telling your parents?!” Kikuko’s father erupted in fury, pummeling her mercilessly with his fists before finally kicking her to the ground. She offered no resistance, simply lying there as tears streamed down her face. Then Kikuko’s mother and the manager arrived, coaxing her father away and leading him to the adjoining room. Left alone, Kikuko crumpled into a heap of sobs before eventually drifting off to sleep like an exhausted child.

When she awoke, it was already nearing evening.

After taking a bath, applying light makeup, and feeling refreshed, her ambition for air conquest once again surged forth vigorously. And so, she decided to go out and give roadside speeches advocating for the prohibition of coal smoke with Aunt Hiroko from Bakurōchō and Ms. Tsuneko.

She visited Bakurōchō with her mother’s permission. In Bakurōchō, they welcomed her warmly.

“Ms. Kikuko, you’ve become quite the figure, haven’t you? That spectacle the other day was like something straight out of the Ashura King’s realm!” Hiroko said teasingly.

“When I came back from the police, you know, my father got angry—I was hit and kicked and everything. It was awful.”

“What on earth are you going to do?”

Since Hiroko asked, Kikuko answered. “I intend to fight to the bitter end. Tonight as well, I came out intending to go give roadside speeches for the anti-smoke campaign. I consider the movement to clear the air I breathe every day more urgent than roundabout causes like women’s suffrage. So I want to recruit members and fight this through to the end. Since I must become a mother in the near future, I don’t want to raise children without lungs or anything of the sort.”

“That’s true. So, what kind of campaign will you be taking up?” “I want to create a housewives’ boycott alliance—to refuse buying any products from those evil capitalists who operate factories that erect chimneys and harm citizens’ health.” “If that proves too lukewarm, I believe it would be necessary to stage demonstrations composed solely of women.” “And I think we should carry as many children born in Osaka—those coughing like their lungs are gone—on our backs as possible, join the march, and go directly to negotiate at places like Sumitomo Copper Works and Harunire Power Plant.”

“That sounds intriguing! Then shall we prepare for a grand demonstration?”

38. People Peddling Their Severed Heads

Shimamura, stimulated by Kikuko’s impetuous activism, thought he had to make new efforts. He pondered deeply about how he could contribute to coal smoke prevention from his position. However, due to the economic depression, the ever-growing crowds of unemployed people each day created an atmosphere of widespread unease, and the situation was such that no one could tell when a major incident might erupt.

Now, while the coal smoke problem was important, he believed the unemployment crisis was even more critical. Thus, early in the morning, Shimamura visited Mayor Kagawa in the Palace Slums to ask what should be done.

Mayor Kagawa did not have any particularly new plans. "Demands for unemployment insurance or severance pay are merely stopgap measures—unless the capitalist economic system is fundamentally reformed, there will be no way to solve the unemployment crisis." "However, if our workers face further hardship, the city must take action. Therefore, we will promptly implement urban planning measures to provide employment for twenty to thirty thousand workers over the next two or three years."

Mayor Kagawa said.

Having finished their conversation, the two of them left the house and were hurrying toward Nakanoshima when— “Hey, don’t you need a head?” “One head here!” “Buy my head!” “Heads! Cheap heads here!”

They encountered several men who, shouting such things in chorus, had detached their heads from their own bodies and were peddling them from town to town, each holding his head in hand. Mayor Kagawa was utterly shocked upon seeing this. "You see, those people are unemployed, aren't they?" “That’s right. Because we can’t make a living anymore, we’re peddling our own severed heads.” “How pitiable. We must do something about this.” Mayor Kagawa, contemplating the profound hollowness of politics, approached the headless man,

“Are you selling that head?” “Yes, would you like to buy one?” “How much is it?” “I sell it for two yen a day.”

“Are you selling it by the day at two yen?”

“That’s right. I can sell it for a lifetime too, though it’s a bit more expensive.” “How much is it?” “I won’t name a price—as long as you provide enough for my wife and children to eat, that’s all I ask.”

“Why have you lost your heads?” “You know about the recent grand demonstration, don’t you?” “Hmm, I know about that. What of it?” “Because we were the leaders who opposed the wage cuts during that time, our heads were cut off.” “That’s truly pitiable.” “We are a kind of slave… Wage slaves.” “While unemployed, we always detach our own heads from our bodies and peddle them around.”

“Come with me—I’ll at least give you something to eat.” “No, we are not beggars—we don’t want your pity. We want work. Please give us work. If you give us work, my head will naturally reattach itself. Is there any work?” “There’s no work…”

When the mayor said sorrowfully, the headless people also walked away sadly in the opposite direction. The mayor hurried to city hall, his eyes brimming with tears. “Smoke and Unemployment” “If this weren’t resolved,” he thought bitterly,“it would be a disgrace for an industrial city like Osaka.”

39. The Nagatsuki Doctrine of Municipal Clerks

What surprised him upon visiting the city hall was that today of all days, every department was in a frenzy of activity—it was like a scene from a fire. “What’s going on? What has happened?” he asked. “We received a call earlier today that an aristocratic observation group from Kyoto is coming for an inspection, so we have to make it look a bit busy or it would look bad,” they replied. “There’s no need for that, I suppose.”

“No, just sorting out the education system unification proposal that Mayor Ikegami left abandoned for over a decade gives us plenty of work.”

they were saying. In any case, the municipal clerks were autonomous organizations in name only; since everything operated mechanically and without autonomy, the longer someone worked at the city hall—one year, two years—the worse their mental faculties became, until every task was performed through mechanical reflex. Everything was bound by rigid constraints that allowed no flexibility, and they came to regard this restrictive process as their official duty. To obtain a pencil costing one sen and five rin, you had to fill out five application forms. One copy addressed to the mayor, one to Accounting, one to General Affairs, one to the Historical Records Section, and one you had to keep for your own records. As for the municipal clerks’ Nagatsuki sashes, even Mayor Kagawa found himself utterly astonished. They were supposed to be busy.

When registering a single birth certificate, the registry clerk first pointed out that the main text was incorrect—the "and" in "and herewith" was missing. They ordered them to insert it; when submitted a second time, they said the address was wrong and ordered another correction; on the third submission, they claimed the father’s name was incorrect—saying that the “Yoshi” in “Tameyoshi” should be written as “Yoshi” in the family register—and ordered a correction; when submitted a fourth time, they pointed out that the mother’s name was in kana and ordered it corrected to match the original registry; after making the fourth revision and submitting it a fifth time with the mother’s name written in kana, they declared that the address was wrong and demanded it be resubmitted with the newly amended address number. Paying ten sen to have the land lot number checked by the investigation department, when submitting it for the sixth time, they said that since they hadn’t filed a residence registration for their current address, they must first submit a residence registration. They returned home specifically to submit their residence registration, inquired about the address, and submitted it for the seventh time—only to be told that address did not exist in the city hall’s registry. After finally having the investigation department check it, when they attempted to submit the residence registration, they could no longer make it before the day’s closing hours. The next day, when they submitted it for the eighth time thinking it was finally correct, they were told they had missed the legally stipulated deadline and would have to pay a fine.

When they protested, “That makes no sense,” [the clerks] said, “Then please go correct the time of birth.” So they went out again and, on the ninth attempt, corrected the time of birth—falsifying historical facts as dictated by the municipal clerks—to finally submit their application, only to be told this time that it was too messy and to rewrite it neatly. Bursting with fury and trembling violently, they rushed to the free scribe’s office—only to find it was packed! Having no other choice, they dashed into a paid scribe’s office to have it written, and the scribe, licking his lips eagerly, scribbled it down in a flurry. When they looked at the finished product, it had been rewritten into an even messier form.

He stamped it with his seal for them. “Will this suffice?” “It’s fine—as long as my seal is here.” “Oh… So that’s how it’s done, huh?”

While marveling at this yet worrying they might be ordered to make an eleventh correction, they timidly submitted it to the registry clerk’s window—whereupon the clerk examined the scribe’s seal and declared, “Approved.”

The applicant set off for home, overwhelmed by both tears of joy at having completed the registration and bitter resentment toward the bureaucrats’ interminable red tape.

Mayor Kagawa fully grasped the clerks’ busyness. In short, it was a nagatsuki-style busyness—a perpetual, sabotage-like state of being overworked.

Mayor Kagawa thought that unless he carried out these internal reforms, it would cause great harm to the citizens' lives. He immediately embarked on a major reorganization.

40. Snail-like Revolutionary Neurasthenia

The moment Mayor Kagawa declared disciplinary reforms, the first voice of opposition came from the Public Works Department. The Public Works Department was truly peculiar in that it had the greatest number of members wearing the highest-quality Western suits purchased through installment payments. Those who opposed Mayor Kagawa’s reorganization of "sabotage-like busyness" were not limited to just a portion of the Public Works Department. It was nearly all municipal clerks in the city hall. Their reasoning was a simple one: "The old way was easier."

As Mayor Kagawa, he wanted to introduce innovative approaches to the city's administration. What he desired was to convert all municipal administrative tasks into a contract system—having clerks in departments like Public Works, Sanitation, General Affairs, Registry, Education, Social Affairs, Accounting, and Urban Planning submit competitive bids—and establish efficiency bonus rates based on work performance. Since municipal administration contracting companies already existed in the United States, Mayor Kagawa thought Japan too should have such companies.

The mayor resolutely announced a major reform of the municipal clerks’ work procedures. And he dismissed all current section chiefs, newly ordering each department to conduct efficiency-based contract bidding. Oh no, this was bad!

Every department was thrown into utter chaos, turned upside down. Some advocated for mass resignation, while others went around promoting a general strike by all municipal clerks. On the other hand, there were also those who said they would go advise Mayor Kagawa to resign. Some of the more eager ones rushed to the city council members’ offices. There were also those who visited city council members. The result was like poking a hornet’s nest.

He had known full well things would turn out this way. He remained unperturbed. He considered helping the registry clerks who had quit in despair, but found himself unable to do even that. Alone, he agonized over whether to attempt this course or that—until he realized he was succumbing to neurasthenia. It was a condition one might call snail-like revolutionary neurasthenic ideopathy—a malady where work stagnates, nerves sharpen to a razor's edge, and one burns with an insatiable craving for revolutionary action.

Just as the municipal clerks were declaring a general strike, thirty-four Kyoto court nobles descended into the chaos. First, they were shown to the mayor’s office but were shocked by how soiled the mayor’s garments were. The mayor remained as ever, wearing a Kogura Western suit—specially made by the purchasing cooperative for three yen and sixty sen—with rubber boots on his feet. One of the Kyoto court nobles addressed the mayor first, posing a question in lieu of greeting: “Isn’t there something that can be done about Osaka’s smoke?”

“I’ve been trying to address it by considering various approaches, but I’m troubled that I haven’t seen results yet.” The mayor replied evasively, his voice trailing off. “No, this too is indeed a sign of prosperity—most splendid,” said Count Tomikoji of Sanjōnishi-iru. The Kyoto court nobles then circled through the city hall’s interior, lavishly praising its splendid structure. “This surpasses even the Shishinden in splendor!”

“In days of old, we had no administrative affairs to speak of.” “Such grand architecture was hardly necessary back then, I must say.” “Indeed, I must say—when speaking of the section chief class of old, that is to say those of dainagon rank, they established the custom of composing three poems each morning and three each evening. One could well call it poetic labor.”

The one who had said this was Count Senbonmitsuchō—a scion of a former dainagon lineage—now lodging at an elementary school teacher’s residence near Tako-yakushi, known as “the Naive Count of Senbonmitsuchō.” What most delighted the nobles during their city hall tour was observing the registry clerks’ work. Their profound fascination with genealogies made them overjoyed to witness how bloodlines were preserved in modern times. One noble personally flipped through the registry books and exclaimed,

“Good heavens! This ledger is nothing but commoners!”

Another was informed that there were cases where applications were rejected eleven times during registry entry, “Otherwise, the genealogies would not be preserved perfectly for posterity,” he said delightedly.

41. Municipal Contracting Corporation The municipal clerks’ respect and fascination toward the Kyoto court nobles was extraordinary. They all wore their joy at befriending counts and viscounts plainly on their faces, frolicking about while completely forgetting their planned general strike. After the lords’ departure, the city hall abruptly returned to idleness. Now they did no work whatsoever, concerned solely with how best to shirk duties and maximize their monthly pay. How many municipal clerks truly regarded office work as anything resembling a personal vocation? Naturally they harbored no aspirations toward realizing urban socialism as a pathway to a free society—every procedure followed rigid bureaucratic formulas.

Just four or five days prior, a Civil Engineering Department clerk and an Accounting Department clerk had gotten into a fight. The civil engineering clerk had been on a business trip to Nagoya and needed to stop in Nara, but with no late-night trains available in Kansai, he had detoured through Kyoto to reach Nara. The accounting clerk refused to approve the travel expenses, deeming this route improper. "But there were no trains—what else could I do?!" protested the civil engineering clerk. "Then write 'consultation matters at Kyoto Prefectural Office,'" retorted the accounting clerk. "Do that and we'll approve the expenses."

“Alright then, I’ll just write ‘train schedule coordination matters at Kyoto Prefectural Office’—is that good enough for you?” he scoffed, sparking a massive brawl.

Since everything was like this, the mayor was completely at a loss. However, many municipal clerks had entered the office through connections with city council members and had become clerks through ties to wealthy individuals. They couldn’t just purge them, efficiency didn’t improve, and as they kept cycling through sabotage-induced busywork, the municipal office seemed to be suffering a stroke. Those who had been visiting city council members also returned. And with the dismissed section chief at their center, they began a grand council. The ousting of Mayor Kagawa became a decided matter. Moreover, with all the city’s wealthy backing this movement, it gained even greater momentum.

Mayor Kagawa, as if belatedly, clearly acknowledged that the city hall existed not for the citizens but for the wealthy. Municipal governance had become completely ensnared in a spiderweb of capitalism sprawling in all directions, rendering the mayor’s power utterly ineffectual. The ringleader behind the mayor’s ousting was the Education Section Chief. He entered the mayor’s office with a furious scowl, the corners of his eyes sharply raised in anger. “Mr. Mayor, I demand that you resign.”

“Hmm, do you think I should resign?” “This isn’t about good or bad. “You’re undermining the nation’s very foundations!... Y-Y-You talk of implementing a contracting system for municipal affairs—wh-wh-what becomes of the city’s sovereignty then?” “The city’s authority lies solely in the moral unity of its citizens. “There can be no other authority beyond that.” “Then what do you intend to do with Osaka City?”

“Just as with the Universal Postal Union system, by trusting in the people’s own social nature for public service, I intend to transform everything into a free society centered on mutual aid.” “Mayor, then what will become of our positions?” “You were dismissed because you forgot your role as public custodians and became too high-handed, but I’ll rehire you as custodians if you wish.” “Mayor, I will not become a custodian.” “I am a cousin of the husband of the daughter of the grandson of a relative of Kōnoike Zen'emon.” “I will not become some municipal custodian or anything of the sort.”

“Then you should quit city hall.” “I’ll resign… but you should quit too.”

“That is not something you should say. I cannot resign as mayor until I fundamentally reform today’s municipal administration that prioritizes the wealthy.”

Upon hearing this, the Education Section Chief became furious as a raging fire and shouted as he stormed out of the mayor’s office: “Remember this, damn you! I’ll have your head soon enough!”

42. School of Love Graduate

The Education Section Chief immediately visited five or six city council members. And he went around spreading the word, asking them to come because he wanted to hold a consultation meeting to oust the mayor.

That night, the consultation meeting was held at a geisha house in Shinmachi. This was the residence of Ajigawa's mistress, and the Tammany faction of municipal administration centered around Ajigawa always held their secret meetings here.

Those who gathered were Umeda, Matsushima, and eleven others.

Of course, Ajigawa was its central figure. The Education Section Chief was eagerly trying to stay in Ajigawa’s mistress’s good graces.

People had gathered, but the consultation meeting showed no sign of starting anytime soon. They wasted two full hours on women’s gossip, debates over the coal smoke ban, the incident of Lord Toyotomi’s confinement, and Matsushima’s critique of Yodo-dono’s appearance. Matsushima shouted to Ajigawa’s mistress: “Hanako! Lady Yodo’s a real beauty—you couldn’t possibly measure up to her!”

Hanako was quite proud of her own face yet deliberately put on a humble smile, "Oh my! Someone like me with this plain face can't compare to Lord Toyotomi’s concubine—it’s just impossible!" "No! Hanako here’s quite a beauty herself!"

It was Umeda who shouted this. “I truly don’t think there’s another beauty in all of Osaka who can compare to you, Miss Hanako.”

It was Shima who added this.

And so Matsushima began defending his argument. "No, I've never laid eyes on such a beauty in all my born days!" "Speaking of which—they say that Osome of Osome-Hisamatsu gave a speech at the women's assembly lately. Is she truly a beauty? I've always maintained that celebrated women are plain by nature, but this Osome—can't say she strikes me as any great looker either..." Umeda inquired of the Education Section Chief.

In response to that, the Education Section Chief,

"I... I made an unfortunate mistake. In the end... I never saw her. Mr. Ajigawa, you must have heard the rumors from your daughter, haven’t you?" "No, Education Section Chief, I’ve disowned my daughter, you see." "Well, I never..." "It’s true, I tell ya! Lately, she does nothing but indulge in fantasies, and she’ll listen to anything that damn fool mayor says—makes me hate her even more!"

Ajigawa said indignantly. Upon hearing this, “But why don’t daughters these days listen to their parents anymore?” Ajigawa’s mistress Hanako responded to this. “It’s the parents who are at fault. Even in Miss Kikuko’s case, I sympathize with her.” Matsushima let out a derisive laugh upon hearing this and said, “Miss Hanako, you need to stop this already—if you keep saying things like that, Mr. Ajigawa’s gonna blow his top.”

“So what if he gets angry? I’ve been saying all along that it’s better to let his daughter’s love be fulfilled!” “A School of Love graduate sure is different, huh?” Umeda mocked. “Mr. Ajigawa, seems like you can’t win against Miss Hanako either,” Shima teased Ajigawa. “That’s where her human kindness shines through.” Matsushima showed off a bit of flair. The Education Section Chief was utterly flustered, as the crucial issue had made no progress whatsoever. “Mr. Ajigawa, I must insist we begin discussing the mayor’s expulsion in earnest.”

“Well now, since that man’s expulsion has already been decided, I don’t see any need to belabor the point.”

Ajigawa answered thus. Ajigawa’s mistress Hanako suddenly, called out “Mr. Section Chief” and requested to speak. “I don’t think it’s right for everyone to try to oust Mr. Mayor. I do think he’s a benefactor to Osaka City.” “So you’re taking sides with that great Mayor now, are you?”

Matsushima teased Hanako.

43: Café Abunai

The geisha Hanako added further. “I may be uneducated—a poor woman who can’t survive without being someone’s mistress—but I truly believe what Mr. Mayor says is right.” “Building chimneys that produce tens of thousands of sick people every year is a huge mistake.” “On that point, I’m against my master.” “Even if my master disowns me, I don’t mind—I wholeheartedly support Osaka’s anti-smoke movement!” “You’re only opposing it because your face powder gets dirty,” Matsushima butted in.

“I’ve never even met Mr. Mayor myself, but... I can’t help thinking my master’s ideas lean too much toward money-making. If I’d graduated from girls’ school like Ajigawa’s daughter and gotten a proper education, I wouldn’t be doing this mistress work—I’d be giving speeches at Central Public Hall myself!” When Hanako delivered this pro-mayor speech from her lovely mouth, the whole assembly fell into discomfited silence, with not a soul raising opposition.

Hanako continued. "I think Mr. Education Section Chief is utterly outrageous. At the educators’ conference the other day, he gave such a grand speech supporting Mr. Mayor’s ideas—and now just because he lost his position, he wants to oust him? I think that’s terribly unprincipled... Even working as a geisha, I’ve never let two men touch my body—because nothing gets under my skin more than seeing men who can’t stick to their own convictions!"

Being subjected to such pointed criticism, even the Education Section Chief had completely lost face. Ajigawa, too, simply because Hanako was so charming, could not bring himself to oppose her directly and merely maintained his silence. Because Ajigawa remained silent, Matsushima Shōgorō—that good-for-nothing bastard—also fell silent.

The Education Section Chief stared at Hanako for a while but suddenly stood up and left. When the Education Section Chief left, Shima, Umeda, and over ten other city council members all departed. And afterwards, only Matsushima and Ajigawa remained.

“That Education Section Chief—you really can’t underestimate him, you know. “Hey there, Ajigawa-kun, turns out that guy’s been getting lured by some waitress at Café Abunai down south, or so I hear.”

When Matsushima said curiously, Ajigawa was startled,

“No way—who’s been spreading that?” “Rumors do spread quickly,” Matsushima replied. “In my line of work, there’s those who keep me properly informed.” Ajigawa snorted. “He puts on such a serious face, but honestly—you never know what today’s educators get up to behind closed doors. Seeing how the papers keep reporting teachers’ scandals these days... makes you wonder about that man’s true nature.” “But Ajigawa-kun,” Matsushima pressed, leaning forward, “we’ve got to do something about Osaka’s cafés—they’re practically whorehouses! If the girls get corrupted, the customers follow suit. I tell ya—we should just make those waitresses get venereal disease checks!”

“Don’t say such awful things!” “But honestly, Ajigawa-kun, there’s truly no place more dangerous these days than cafés. With places like that around, a young man can’t even go out to eat a simple Western meal by himself.” “Then what about the brothels?” “Brothels are still acceptable—it’s cafés that are worse, luring young men into corruption. Especially that Umeko from Café Abunai—the one the Education Section Chief’s involved with—they say she’s such a sorceress she could tether a runaway stallion with a nose hair.”

“You’ve gotten yourself tangled up with a real piece of work, Hanako—” (Ajigawa turned to Hanako) “—did you know about the relationship between Café Abunai’s Umeko and the Section Chief when you said all that tonight?” “Oh, I heard about it from Mr. Matsushima the other day and thought I should tell him once and for all.” “Mr. Education Section Chief needs to act a bit more like a proper educator, I must say.” “In that case, I myself think someone like me—a geisha—comes off as far more genuine.”

Unable to even raise their heads before the mistress, the meeting to oust the mayor ended in utter failure.

44: Two Severed Sleeves That night, Mayor Kagawa went to consult with Shimamura in Nishikujō. Shimamura encouraged the mayor in various ways. “Well now, if all the city hall clerks go on strike, why don’t we make workers into clerks instead? Or perhaps have women’s organizations occupy city hall entirely?”

Because Shimamura offered such encouraging words, the Mayor strengthened his resolve and said: "To tell the truth, I wish groups like Ittoen would step up more actively—instead of just cleaning toilets in people's homes, they could clean up the filth in municipal government." "Shall I go and ask? Since there are quite a lot of intellectuals there, they should be able to manage city administration completely..." Just then, Kikuko arrived for a visit, accompanied by Mrs. Hiroko of Ebisuya and Miss Tsuneko.

They had come to request that labor organizations provide support as well, since women's organizations were planning to stage a major protest demonstration the day before the Inventors' Convention was to be held.

“Hey, Mr. Shimamura, we of course want the women’s labor unions involved, but we also need as many workers’ wives as possible to participate…” When Kikuko said this, Ms. Hiroko took over, “And we’d like those with babies to bring their smoke-wasted infants as much as possible, you know.” Mayor Kagawa, as if he could hardly wait for the two women’s words to end,

“So have you women finished your business?” “There’s nothing else.” Kikuko looked at Tsuneko and said.

“Now then, if I may ask—there is something I would like the three of you to carefully consider.”

Straightening up, Mayor Kagawa said solemnly: "What is it? Has something serious happened again?" "No, nothing particularly grave... Actually, since this afternoon, all city hall clerks have gone on strike. Now—whether we should appeal to Ittoen or student groups remains unclear—but considering many women in these organizations have ample free time, I'd like to request their volunteer service as an act of penitence, much like Ittoen's alms-seeking rounds."

“That’s nothing at all!” The brave Kikuko exclaimed.

“Well, I don’t know if we can manage it.” Hiroko, ever the worrier, answered this way. “It’d be fun if we did it!”

The mischievous Tsuneko said this. “Go ahead and do it, go ahead and do it—all is the age of reform. Aren’t both train ticket sellers and postal savings clerks all women? Is there any reason women’s organizations can’t handle tasks like organizing family registers or the Education Department’s work?!”

Shimamura thus offered encouragement. At these words, Hiroko— “We’ll do it. “I’ve made up my mind. If we don’t act now, there will never be a better time to demonstrate women’s capabilities.” “Let’s do it.”

“Let’s do it.”

Kikuko and Tsuneko also agreed with Hiroko.

Mayor Kagawa was pleased with the three women’s resolve but, to be thorough, asked them once more about their determination. "You will definitely do this, won’t you, Ms. Hiroko?"

“I will definitely do it.” “If you doubt me, I’ll offer both my sleeves as proof!” Having said that, Hiroko borrowed scissors from Shimamura, cut off both her sleeves with a snip-snip, and placed them before the mayor, “Mr. Kagawa, the sleeves of Japanese women have been a bit too long until today.” “As of tonight, we Japanese women have cut off our sleeves.” “From now on, we will embark on the world of reform.” “Please watch over us.” “Starting tomorrow, we pledge to undertake the reform of Osaka’s municipal government...”

Mayor Kagawa respectfully bowed his head before the three women.

45. Creation of Women’s Culture

The next day, as expected, all municipal employees went on strike. However, the women's groups, who had coordinated in advance, immediately took up positions across all departments of city hall.

Kikuko’s breath came in sharp bursts. “Isn’t Japan’s primal woman the sun deity Amaterasu Ōmikami? “This ruin comes from entrusting governance solely to men. “Were women to wield power, we’d never raise such vile chimneys. “As humanity’s mothers, we’d never clothe our children in soot-stained rags… We shall weave a woman-centered culture through Osaka… Men lack the vision to cultivate urban beauty.” “Behold! “Don’t Western cities all keep female tutelary deities? “Athens, Paris, Ephesus, Rome—each claims a goddess as protector.”

“Entrusting Osaka exclusively to men was a grave mistake. From now on, we must become Osaka’s guardian deities, destroy this hideous chimney civilization built by men, and realize a female-centered artistic culture in Osaka.” Having declared this to the leaders of various women’s organizations, Kikuko watched as they set to work. These were women accustomed to managing household kitchens, and they proved equally adept at organizing city hall’s administrative affairs. Female clerks from banks took charge of the Accounting Department. Teachers staffed Education, communications bureau clerks handled General Affairs, while doctors and nurses occupied Public Health—each assuming their designated posts with precision. Ms. Kikuko and Ms. Hiroko found themselves serving as senior deputy mayors pro tempore. Yet having gathered through voluntary service rather than ambition, none presumed airs of authority.

The city hall’s administrative work did not stagnate in the slightest. Everything proceeded perfectly.

At this, even the municipal employees who had gone on strike were utterly astonished. "Well, well—the wives have turned into strike-breakers and are opposing our campaign to oust the mayor. This has taken a strange turn," they fretted.

Some grumbled in dismay, saying it was wrong that the mayor incited workers to strike yet refused to recognize the municipal employees' strike.

Kikuko, along with the women’s group leaders, opposed this and declared.

“Municipal governance exists for the people. Those employees differ in nature from capitalist ones. In a free society, strikes are not permitted. If strikes are allowed even within a free society, the public must suffer fatal wounds. Therefore, in public autonomous organizations, strikes constitute a moral evil. Above all, for government employees to strike is a moral evil.”

Having said this, they defended the actions of the women’s groups. As a result, conflict between the women’s groups and the striking municipal employees’ union became unavoidable.

However, the women’s groups paid no mind to such matters. They could not afford to let this opportune moment for realizing their ideals slip away. They resolved to exert their utmost efforts. Since bringing it before the city council would invite trouble, they decided to immediately begin implementing the women-led reforms they could execute without council approval.

The expansion of daycare centers; the organization of a women’s association for free nursing care for the poor; the establishment of public milk distribution centers, public laundromats, and public drying areas; the formation of a citywide mothers’ association; and the closure of geisha and prostitute recruitment agencies—all of this was carried out as the first day’s work.

Even the newspaper reporters were actually astonished by the swiftness of the women’s groups’ activities.

46. A Doctor Crawling in the Dirt

The municipal employees’ strike and the women’s groups’ handling of administrative duties became the talk of the town, and that evening, all sorts of sensational rumors began circulating everywhere. Among these, the most extravagant rumor was that the new mayor intended to dissolve the current city council and elect female city council members. That evening, the Mayor returned to the Kōkyū slums and went to bed early. However, in the middle of the night when he heard a woman’s crying from next door and rushed to investigate, he found his neighbor Ms. Matsue—a single mother with her only child—clutching each other and weeping.

Ms. Matsue had long been a factory worker at a hosiery company, but due to the foul air of the smoky city, she finally contracted lung disease and had been bedridden for over two months. She was ashamed to go to Saiseikai and had been getting examined by the town doctor. However, because the medicine costs were exorbitant, they pawned all their belongings, leaving only the futons that she and her parent used to cover themselves and sleep in. After that, they borrowed another forty yen for medicine, so the doctor said he would no longer make house calls. That night, her pulse worsened and she grew faint, so they decided to call the doctor—but now they were anxious about the medicine money they owed him.

The father took his own sleeping futon and one of his daughter’s bedding futons to pawn; with that, he barely managed to raise a quarter of the medicine money—but when he asked for a saline injection, the doctor said, “One injection costs five yen—if you’re aware of that…” The daughter pleaded, “Please, just save my life,” and finally managed to receive a saline injection—but after the doctor left, she and her father embraced each other and wept. The sound reached Mayor Kagawa, who was sleeping next door.

Mayor Kagawa was told the entire story by the daughter and wept. And he promised that tomorrow he would do something about it. He then thought about various things.

He pondered deeply and repeatedly about the doctors' inhumanity, the necessity of a volunteer nurses' association, and the need for a corps of volunteer physicians.

"That's right—I was elected mayor for these poor people. I must do my best from now on." Mayor Kagawa encouraged himself and returned home, but being utterly unable to sleep, he slipped out of the house again and wandered alone through the slum lanes. "Why must I alone endure such hardship? Why don't I lead a slightly easier life? Why is there so much pain in the world?"

While lost in such thoughts, he staggered out of the slums and wandered through Osaka’s midnight streets, weeping as he went.

No one knew. The world had fallen into deep slumber. But whenever he contemplated Osaka City's sins and follies, sleep eluded him utterly. Like one possessed, he walked alone through street after street, torrential tears streaming down his face.

47. Flood of Tears

"What a desolately lonely night!" "Is there no salvation in life?! When will life's darkness ever clear?!"

As he walked lost in such thoughts, he had before long forgotten who he was. “Anyway, I’ll cry and cry until I’ve drenched Osaka in tears!” He continued to cry while thinking one after another of exceedingly romantic notions about the destruction of chimney civilization and the day of capitalist culture’s final collapse. As his nerves grew more acute, he heard the boiling of his blood within his veins.

By the time he noticed the boiling of his blood, his body was already rapidly expanding before his eyes. He expanded as mercury does when heated. He looked down upon the city like a superhuman. Tsutenkaku Tower in Tennōji came into view far below him. He could not predict how large he would become. He worried that he might become so large as to trample the Earth. Growing so large was indeed a source of anxiety for him. He grieved that he had grown too large. Thus, his tears fell underground with a roaring sound.

His crying had become dangerous both to himself and to society. Therefore, he endeavored to restrain his weeping to some extent. But since the inertia had taken hold, he simply couldn’t stop it.

Tears fell like heavy rain.

Before long, he saw disturbances breaking out throughout the city. And

“A flood!” “A flood!” “Flooding!” “Flooding!” “Help!” “The houses are being washed away!” he heard these cries. Paying attention and looking toward the direction from which the shouts arose, he saw that houses were indeed being washed away. When he paid attention to where the water was coming from, it was water flowing from his own eyes. At last, his tears became a flood. He too found himself wondering how such water had come to be, but upon reflection, it was hardly strange at all. A large amount of liquid will always become a flood. The entire city of Osaka was now soaked with his tears.

This was a bad thing to do. It was truly regrettable that loving Osaka so deeply and weeping for its sins had instead brought about a great flood. He racked his brains over how he might atone for that, but no satisfactory method presented itself.

He thought there was no way to save the city from flooding except by stopping his tears, so he wiped his eyes with a handkerchief and even considered using it to wipe away the tears that had fallen to the ground. But since he feared that moving might create a low-pressure system and trigger a great storm, and moreover thought it would be disastrous if the citizens discovered his involvement, he resolved to stay perfectly still while they remained in turmoil.

The citizens’ flood commotion was a tremendous affair. Because water had appeared in an area where floods never occurred even during sudden heavy rains, everyone was mystified. However, since not a single person looked up and noticed that this was the superhuman’s tear-rain, he too felt relieved.

Before long, the water flowed through the ditches from the Yokoborigawa River into the Ōkawa River, and the roads became bone-dry again. The citizens closed their doors again and went to sleep. Left alone in Osaka's sky, he too finally regained his mental composure. The heat of his blood also gradually cooled. And then, without anyone noticing, he returned to his original small stature; so, feigning complete ignorance about the tears, he went back to the slums and slept until morning.

48. Softness Overcomes Hardness

The next day, the mayor went to city hall with an innocent face.

In front of City Hall was a massive throng, where the municipal employees' strike group and the women's organizations' volunteer corps were locked in fierce combat over surveillance measures.

The women’s organizations were determined to safely bring the female attendees into City Hall. The strike group tried to keep them out. A fierce struggle broke out between them. Having anticipated such resistance, the women linked hands and charged toward the surveillance team, devising a way to safely usher the attendees into City Hall. The leader of the attendees' escort team was Miss Ajigawa Kikuko, and upon hearing she was a judo master, the surveillance team found it difficult to approach. Some among them wanted to get closer to see the beautiful faces but, fearing what might befall them, did not readily draw near.

Even so, they did not let up their surveillance. And the women’s army were not defeated either. Thus, the women’s army and the clerks’ surveillance team assumed a stance of glaring at each other. The spectators were increasing more and more; people who had business at city hall were all turning into spectators, and the citizens were making a commotion as if watching an action play. The police declared strict neutrality and feigned ignorance. Thereupon, the women’s army adopted a strategy of endurance, and the guard unit decided to focus their efforts exclusively in that direction for the time being.

However, men and women seemed to possess a peculiar compatibility, for among the clerks who had come to surveil them, some ended up surrendering to the women’s army, bringing them soda or treating them to milk caramels.

In the end, it came to pass that the enemy had taken over the guard duties of the women’s army. In other words, it had become clear by that morning that the clerks’ strike group could not possibly win against the women. The women’s army inside City Hall was working hard on administrative tasks. Even if surrendering the stronghold to the enemy was imminent in the near future, they worked with only one thing in mind—to achieve as many favorable results as possible in the meantime—and thus their tasks advanced remarkably well.

The day’s work program included organizing consumer cooperatives citywide, municipalizing lodging houses, combating corrupt physicians and establishing health cooperatives (an idea conceived by the mayor after his neighbor Mr. Matsueda’s illness, aiming to hire cooperative doctors and exclude profit-driven physicians), replacing all tram wheels with rubber tires, installing coal smoke inspectors, imposing fines on those wantonly emitting smoke into the air for pollution control purposes, and investigating coal smoke taxes.

The registry staff became polite and kind, eliminating the need for eleven or more corrections. This was all because the clerks themselves began making corrections through the use of Japanese-language typewriters. The citizens' joy at these reforms was extraordinary. The Sanitation Department was also very well-received. Out of their fastidiousness, the women swept all areas of the city clean and beautiful. Because of this, Osaka City was thought to become an artistic city unlike any seen since its founding.

The notion that women lacked political ability was proven to be entirely false by this. On the contrary, the obedient nature of women proved remarkably convenient for undertaking the joint projects of a new civilization, so the mayor concluded that future culture must inevitably become one centered on artistic women.

49. A Doll’s House and a Human House

As soon as the municipal employees recognized the strike was unsuccessful, they went to seek assistance from the General Labor Federation.

Thereupon, the General Labor Federation’s strike investigation committee convened an investigative meeting. The members of the committee were Suehiro Nishiwo, Minami Tadashi, Shimamura Nobuyuki, Ishioka Bunshichi, Takafuji Kunimatsu, and two others, making seven in total. As a result of their investigation, the committee decided to maintain an observational stance for the time being. This was because they had determined that not all aspects of the strike were commendable, and even if the Mayor had been somewhat autocratic, the clerks—despite having declared they would autonomously take charge of municipal administration—had gone on strike, thus clinging excessively to bureaucratic factions. That said, since they couldn’t simply abandon them either, they announced that they would adopt an observational attitude.

Thereupon, the clerks’ strike group found themselves completely helpless. Having concluded there was no solution left but to convene the city council and proceed with preparations to oust the Mayor, they divided their efforts and visited city council members.

The city council members' intent was ninety-nine percent in favor of ousting the mayor.

That said, those who had the courage to thoroughly voice their calls for the mayor’s ouster were limited to Matsushima Shōgorō and Ajigawa Funazo. As citizens, they did not have much interest in who would take charge of municipal administration. However, since the women’s organizations had taken the lead and begun moving, efficiency had risen, and there were quite a large number of people who were greatly pleased. Therefore, fearing that ousting the mayor would invite a citizens’ counterattack and cause more trouble, they should have convened the city council, but it never properly materialized.

On the third day, the city hall's efficiency further improved compared to the previous day and the day before that. Since the ouster attempt was deemed invalid, it was abandoned. On the contrary, the women's organizations declared they must actively advance their social reform program. They resolved to establish policies for municipal operation implementation including: "Improvement of home-based piecework labor," "Eight-hour workdays for domestic servants," "Abolition of the licensed prostitution system," "Expansion of municipal monopolies," "Municipalization of stock markets," "Municipalization of banks," "Municipalization of warehousing," "Municipalization of pawnshops," and all other necessities for urban life.

However, more than half of the city council members were troublesome individuals who parasitized these central institutions and lorded over them. That battle was not an easy one. To implement these reforms, they would have to wait for a suitable opportunity. Until then, they thought women must at least establish their qualifications to have a voice in municipal government. However, when women’s suffrage would come into their hands was something they had absolutely no idea about. In the end, they decided to start by implementing the measures that were easier to carry out. That is to say, all the women’s groups across the city would unite to demand women’s suffrage through their households, and if there were any who refused to recognize women’s suffrage, the women’s organizations would carry out a general strike against those households.

Women’s suffrage was not an end in itself in politics. However, it was considered necessary to cleanse today’s filthy cities and civilization, and transform Adam’s chimneys into an artistic “Tree of Life.”

50. Activities of the Coal Smoke Monitors “Hey, Minami! The chimney at the hosiery company’s belchin’ out way too much smoke!”

Having said that, the coal smoke monitor shouted down from atop the fire watchtower,

“Alright—I’ll go take care of it right now—”

Having shouted this, the monitor dashed off in that direction. Smoke was billowing from the hosiery company’s slender chimney as though trying to smother the sky. The supervisor strode into the office and pointed at the chimney, “That was this company’s chimney, wasn’t it?” The clerk widened his eyes, wondering what had happened,

“Yes, is something wrong, sir?” “The smoke’s coming out a bit too much, I must say.” “I don’t want to make a fuss over a small amount, but since that’s harming the residents’ health around here, I’ll have to impose a five-yen fine.” “A five-yen fine?!”

“That’s correct. We are required to collect a fine.”

“We know nothing about such matters.” “A five-yen fine is still lenient. You likely have no idea how much suffering your excessive coal smoke has caused the citizens. For this reason, Osaka City has seen an annual increase in lung disease patients and deaths. Those who show no regard for public safety deserve to be put to death, but as a warning for the future, we will let you off with a first-time fine of five yen this time.”

“We ain’t payin’ no such fine.” “Very well. In that case, I hereby order the cessation of the generator’s operation.” “What a terrifying show of authority… Is puffin’ out smoke really such a bad thing?” “Up till yesterday an’ the day before, no matter how much coal we shoveled an’ smoke we belched out, there wasn’t a soul who batted an eye!” “Who in blazes decided such a thing?” “The current mayor.” “Who’s this ‘current mayor’ anyhow?” “It’s Mr. Kagawa.” “Ah, that idiot… Who the hell put a man like that in charge as mayor?”

“Well, in any case, since my role is to collect fines, let’s just take care of the fine, shall we?” “No, our side ain’t payin’ no such unlawful fines.” “Then I will order the cessation of machinery operation.” “Go ahead and order it. If you can do something so violent, then by all means, try it anytime. Where’s this law that says what was lettin’ us spew coal smoke free as air till yesterday suddenly can’t be done today?” “You appear to be excessively preoccupied with your own interests while giving no consideration whatsoever to the citizens’ inconvenience.”

The supervisor said this seriously.

“Ridiculous! Not being allowed to emit smoke from one’s own chimney... Why do you permit such chimneys to exist! A chimney exists to emit smoke—if it can’t emit smoke, then it’s not even a chimney! You idiot, think before you speak!” “Until yesterday, citizens were all acting as they pleased. But since we’ve come to understand that was harmful, starting today we’ve even assigned coal smoke prohibition monitors. You cannot make such selfish demands. To stop emitting smoke, why not simply make some adjustments to how the furnace is built! It’s an inexpensive job that can be done for just a hundred or two hundred yen—by neglecting this and inconveniencing citizens, you’re committing a grave error. A five-yen fine is lenient.”

The clerk from the hosiery company reluctantly brought a single five-yen note from accounting and handed it to the supervisor. The supervisor once again dashed back to the fire watchtower.

May 1: The Whirlwind of Daily Life

Various rumors arose about the flood. Had it been rain falling over all of Osaka City, there would have been nothing strange about it, but since the flood had occurred so locally, even the meteorological observatory claimed not to understand its cause.

The night watchman claimed not to know, and the police officer claimed not to know either. Some said it was "fox piss," while others insisted it must have been a burst water main. Both Dōjima and Kitahama showed faint signs of unease over this. "If these strange floods keep happening after this," brokers in Kitahama muttered, "Osaka's coal smoke will be the least of our troubles—we'll never sleep soundly again."

Some said it was mysterious rain sent down by Kōbō Daishi, while others claimed it was an omen of war or some calamity befalling the nation.

However, no one knew its cause. The rumors only grew larger with each passing day. In this era where women occupy city halls and men of unknown origins sit as mayors, who knows what conspiracies might be afoot? Perhaps the Golden-Haired Nine-Tailed Fox had come from Tang China or India and disguised itself as the Osaka Mayor. Or else, there also emerged those who asserted with an air of truth that radicals might be employing mysterious tactics to cause trouble for Japan through various deeds.

For reasons unknown, a rumor spread among the citizens that on the night of the flood, the shadow of a giant monk-like specter had been cast over all of Osaka City. The story spread from an incident where a man from Kobe had gone out to relieve himself that morning only to faint and die upon seeing a giant monk-like specter standing in Osaka’s sky, overlooking the entire city.

Since it was a story told by a man who had died, there was no telling how much of it should be believed, but in any case, the superstitious people of Osaka now came to believe it entirely. “Hey, they say a giant monk-like specter appears in Osaka’s sky every night!” “Hey, don’t go saying such scary things to people!”

“But it’s true! There’s not a single person left who doesn’t believe it now!”

“Well then, I’ll take up some religious faith so I don’t have to see such things.” All citizens of Osaka City became utterly and fervently devout. Ikoma’s Shōten-sama, Nose’s Myōken-san, Takatsu Shrine, and Tenma’s Tenjin-san—all were packed every day. It was exactly the same as visiting shrines to ward off misfortune in an unlucky year.

Mayor Kagawa had become utterly overwhelmed by these rumors. Even if he stated it plainly, there would likely be no one who believed it; yet if he didn't speak, who knew what calamity might occur hereafter. If he were to say that the giant monk-like specter was himself, there might be people who would die of shock. This had left him completely at a loss. He had grown weary even of conducting politics earnestly. Humans, in the end, were like white mice busily running round and round on the same wheel—in today's civilization, there was neither progress nor development. Even if they were to survive for hundreds or thousands of years hence, the result would remain unchanged. Everything was weariness. Both the air conquest and women's civilization—all were meaningless efforts.

He thought he must delve deeper into a more potent realm of truth. Upon what foundation do all social movements ultimately stand? Marxist socialists would declare, "Upon material production." But what purpose does that material production serve—is it not fundamentally for sustaining life! And why does one sustain life? Ah, everything remains surface upon surface. Humankind must inhabit deeper strata. Social movements and labor disputes—unless rooted in life's essential principles—all amount to futile struggles. As he gazed at Osaka's sky with these thoughts, even its smoke appeared as void within void.

52: The World of Human Cruelty

He had come to want to quit being Osaka Mayor. However, he could not quit being Osaka Mayor now, and he struggled against the fate he himself had decided.

He thought there was nothing more trivial than being mayor. He merely expended his energy in vain, was subjected to people’s slander, became unable to study, and made a fuss over legally proper actions by twisting ancient, outdated laws that were of no use—but in the end, even that was a void within a void. There were no inventions, nor any discoveries. Rather than that, he thought it would be far wiser to research the evolution of skeletal structures in organisms or investigate changes in the zygomatic bone.

First and foremost, he had grown sick of urban life. Everything is superficial. Beauty has disappeared from every part. Chimneys, iron bridges, zinc-plated roofs, a desert of roof tiles—and exhausted laborers—the prostitutes and streetwalkers who sate their carnal desires; all was weariness, all was afflicted with revolutionary neurasthenia.

Living in a decadent city like today’s, it was only natural to crave revolution as a substitute for morphine. And the slums! Tens of thousands of people with disabled bodies had no hope of getting by and were starving. On the other hand, there were those with so much gold in their safes that they feared thieves—and among them was a noblewoman who, living all alone with no one to lavish her affection on, doted on dogs instead of people.

He lamented from the depths of his heart the aberrations of modern civilization. To live more beautifully and more truly, he concluded, could only be achieved by destroying urban civilization. The destruction of chimney civilization was, in other words, the destruction of urban civilization. It was to eliminate those with white hands who did not even wish to wash their own bowls.

Even if he said such things, it wasn't something that could be settled immediately, and he felt completely stuck.

Whenever he found himself at such an impasse, he had a habit of seeking solace in inanimate objects. He went out for a walk to the countryside after leaving work at four in the afternoon, not returning to the slums. There, he wanted to leave behind the two-legged animals, the coal smoke, and the slums, and maintain contact with nature even for a short while.

He boarded the Keihan Electric Railway from Tenmabashi, went to Hirakata, climbed the eastern hill from Hirakata, and emerged into his beloved Kitakawachi Katano Field. He wandered alone through the fields. From Yamada Village to Tsuda Village’s large pond, he thought of nothing but the beauty of nature. Frogs croaked persistently in the rice fields. Dragonflies flew. In a beautiful stream swam small fish.

He sat by the stream and recalled his childhood. He longed for when he was six or seven years old, keeping killifish in jars and catching pond snails. A loach poked its head out from the riverbed’s mud. A diving beetle spun round and round in the water.

53: The Temptation of Nature He thought that if he could become part of this grand nature, he might find far greater happiness than in being Osaka Mayor. So he asked his childhood friend Medaka.

“Mr. Medaka, I’m so terribly weary of life—won’t you let me join your group?”

Mr. Medaka heard this and curtly refused.

“It’s impossible. Unless one is reborn anew, entry into the land of Medaka is forbidden.”

“But as I am now, I simply don’t have the courage to return to Osaka. Please, if you’d let me help even one person, allow me to join your group.” Because he pleaded again, Mr. Medaka seemed to take it seriously. “Can you be humble?” “I will be as humble as needed.” “You mustn’t go on thinking you’re a know-it-all. Do you admit that the knowledge you’ve had until now has been utterly superficial?”

"Of course, I admit that." Mr. Medaka continued his questioning. "You must not join our ranks while still thinking of yourself as human. If you want to join us Medaka, can you truly become one of us in heart?"

“I do want that. “I want to become that. “The truth is, I’ve already grown tired of humans.” “If you’re so weary of humanity, do you truly hold the hope of becoming a fish for eternity?”

When faced with this question, he found himself at a loss. “Still no answer? One, two, three, four...” “What exactly is your question? Are you asking whether I have any hope of becoming a fish forever?”

“Yes!” “Please wait a moment...” “Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten... Still no answer? ……If you cannot answer by the time I count to twenty, you will never be able to join our ranks. We are extremely busy. Summer is our peak season—if we don’t evolve during summer, there’ll be no other chance… Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen... Still no answer?”

“Mr. Medaka, even if you rush me, I still can’t make up my mind…” “If you keep this up, you’ll lag behind the universe’s evolution.” “Plants are striving harder than animals.” “I can’t waste time on a layabout like you… Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen… Three seconds left!” “I don’t want to become just a medaka.” “I want to become all of nature.”

“Very well, that settles it. Since you’re not one to be bound by a single rope, I’ll use seven and a half ropes on you.” No sooner had Mr. Medaka said this than the spider that had been dangling from the tree since earlier smoothly descended and wound seven and a half strands of silk around Mayor Kagawa, binding him tightly. And the spider vanished without a trace.

Mr. Medaka shouted from the small ditch.

“You have become nature’s captive.” “You can never return to the human world.”

When he said that, the birds in the trees, the water beetles in the water, and the gold-striped frogs on the bank all cackled raucously.

Just as he was thinking how strange it was that someone would laugh in such an odd way, he felt his body grow ecstatic and his consciousness begin to fade. "Ah, I've finally been bewitched by nature," the mayor felt, but by then he had already sunk to the bottom of the stream.

54. Mr. Snail’s Philosophy of Life

At the bottom of the stream, he found himself enveloped in an aura of silence and noticed his body contracting under the water’s weight and the solemn pressure of nature.

Due to the great change that had occurred in his own body, he felt intense fatigue. Just as silkworms sleep before and after molting, he too slept greedily. What he feared was that he might never wake from his slumber. It appeared that all living creatures in nature were in a state of ecstatic semi-wakefulness. Watching the crabs and loaches go about their way, they would move a foot and then doze off, scurry five feet and then rest. Whether it was due to a lack of energy or the hardships of life—whatever the case—the creatures at the bottom of the stream seemed to have entered a "world of sleep."

He longed for a long sleep. Under the coal smoke, he had grown utterly exhausted. Yet his yearning for nature was not for this eternal slumber. He sought repose, not annihilation. He sought awakening. Human life was all too uniform, devoid of any awakening—thus he had chosen nature to rouse himself further still. The one thing to be grateful for was change. In nature abounded transformations unseen in human society. Though all seemed bound by fate, change was ever-present. Quietly burying himself in the stream's muddy bed—like a loach—he observed the ceaselessly shifting surroundings.

The water was transparent, the duckweed was beautiful, and the sunlight was dazzling; when it beat down on the water’s surface, rainbow-like ripples formed. The water chestnut fruits were beautifully hidden under their leaves, and killifish swarmed around them. A crab was busily eating soil next to its hole. The snail was buried deep in the mud, maintaining its composure like a Cynic philosopher. The water plants and the reeds along the shore stood in silence, tracing beautiful lines through the space. The dragonfly larvae sank and rose, performing a leisurely imitation of calisthenics at the base of the shoots. The only busy one was the whirligig beetle, circling thirty-three times in a figure-eight pattern within the same area before advancing a little further in its peculiar motion.

Unlike when viewed under Osaka’s smoke, he found it pleasant to watch. Because the seven and a half strands of spider silk had not yet come undone, he considered himself a captive of “nature,” laid bare before countless eyes. After some time, the riverbed philosopher Mr.Snail—the Cynic Master—came sluggishly crawling to where the captive mayor lay, his dwelling still clinging to his body.

“Hmm! Child of man, the human world must be quite noisy, hmm?” Because he had suddenly posed such a philosophical question, even the mayor was taken aback. “It must be noisy. It must be noisy. After all, there can be no peace among upstarts risen from frog spawn. Even in this small ditch, those who disturb the peace are invariably the lordly frogs that eat killifish. Children of man are all upstarts risen from frog spawn. There can be no reason for peace to exist among them.”

Mayor Kagawa wanted to protest against this, but his mouth simply wouldn't open. He realized for the first time that even his mouth had fallen captive. Mr. Snail continued his soliloquy. “Even among frogs this holds true—and how much more so for mankind! They spawn children thoughtlessly only to abandon them to survival of the fittest when rearing time comes. Word reaches even here that humanity grows ever more depraved—could you be one such straggler defeated in life’s struggle? Truly despicable is this world of man’s making! Particularly you Japanese—they say your wickedness knows no bounds! Has Japan not become overpopulated with such wretches? Nothing but human dregs! What an intolerable state! You too were trampled beneath this system—nearly crushed to death before fleeing here, I presume.”

55. The Battle on the Snail's Horn

“Hey, frog’s child”—he called out—“come over here for a moment! Let me show you something interesting.”

Mr. Snail called the mayor over to his side, “Can you see? That snail on the branch tip?” he said, pointing at a zelkova branch extending over the bank. “Where? Where?” “That snail on the zelkova tree standing on the bank there.” “I see it! I see it!”

“Can you see the war being fought?” “I can see it! I can see it!” Indeed, now that it was pointed out, on the snail’s horn were two small men resembling warrior dolls, both clad in armor and mounted on chestnut horses, locked in mortal combat. “Hiyah!” they roared, thrusting their spears with vigor as they clashed. Alas, the one who thrust fell first. And immediately after, the one who had been struck fell as well. Just when he thought the war had ended, more armored warriors came charging up the horn from behind. And they were waging a battle over a space on the horn’s tip that did not even reach one square millimeter.

“Look there! Look there!” “Child of a frog, do you understand now?” “Humans are such wretched things.” “Among my snail relatives, on that horn there exists a space not even reaching one square millimeter, yet they assert ownership over it and make such a commotion every single day, just like that.” “Whether rain falls or wind blows, the battle on the horn rages on all year round.” “We don’t find it particularly unusual, so we hardly take notice—but for those visiting for the first time, it must seem quite remarkable.”

The mayor was utterly astonished. He had long heard of battles fought on a snail’s horn, but viewing them from the bottom of the stream, they appeared as reality. “It’s because humans are like that that they’re so hopeless! “And yet there are those who go on shouting about human evolution while acting like that—your fellow philosophers must be quite incompetent, hmm!” “Lately, there seem to be many materialist philosophers clamoring about class struggle, but I suppose they too are just theorists of battles on a snail’s horn, hmm?” “What a troublesome affair this is, hmm.”

Just then, a school of killifish emerged from beneath the water chestnut leaves.

“They’re at it again, hmm.”

“Today, because the weather is good, they’ve been at it since morning.”

Mr. Snail answered. "It’s remarkable how persistent they’ve been." "That must be innate, I suppose… You often hear of murderous maniacs, but it seems humans inevitably have a great deal of that blood mixed within them." Mr. Snail tore into humans with relentless contempt. But there was no avoiding it. Humans had continued fighting, as Mr. Snail said, since the dawn of human history. Mayor Kagawa, having been made aware of humanity’s foolishness by Mr. Snail, remained silent and crouched in the mud. Having seen this, Medaka,

“Perhaps it’s time we released him from his restraints, hmm?” Medaka asked Mr. Snail. “Release him. Since he’s likely a defeated warrior from the horn battle, he probably won’t act too recklessly. I will take responsibility for his custody.” Since Mr. Snail had guaranteed it, Medaka released the seven and a half strands of spider silk from the Little Mayor’s body.

56. Underwater Democracy

When the ropes were untied, he was immediately able to speak.

In his joy, he sang a hymn at the top of his voice.

“Farewell, Yukine—the night’s dream, The morning sun’s light has come— My confusion—clearly revealed You are my Lord—Lord Jesus.”

When he chanted this, all the animals in the water began to chant.

“Gurgle gurgle, scritch scritch scritch scritch “Gurgle gurgle, scritch scritch scritch scritch” Crabs, killifish, Genjiro beetles, frogs, loaches, and snails all joined the chorus. Medaka informed Mayor Kagawa. “From today, you are nature’s free person. “From now on, you will be able to converse freely with all things.” “With crabs, snails, killifish, frogs… But do be careful.” “Lord Frog is a nasty one.” “Many of our companions have been eaten by that one.” “Do be careful.” “If you aren’t careful, you’ll be eaten too.” “Are you good at escaping?” “He’s quite skilled at swimming, so unless you escape very quickly, he’ll catch you.” “Despite having such a fearsome appearance, crabs are actually quite gentle, you see... They’re rather well-regarded among our companions.” “But when it comes to frogs—oh, I’m afraid they’re simply beyond reason!”

While Medaka was still talking by himself, Lord Frog drew near. “Welcome, sir!” He was rather charming. Medaka, startled, hid somewhere. “Where have you come from today? From Osaka? From Kyoto? This place lies exactly halfway between Kyoto and Osaka—it’s said to be five ri in either direction. And where have you come from?”

“I am from Osaka.” “I see. Welcome, sir.” “Now then, sir—this riverbed has two factions, you see. Those who come here must affiliate themselves with one side.” “Which side will you affiliate yourself with?” “I do not wish to align with either.” “I have always disliked factions.” “Even so, you must choose a side if you wish to live here.”

“Now, why must that be? “I am far too weary to involve myself with political parties or politics.” “I do not wish to engage in political factionalism even here at the riverbed.” Upon hearing this, he goggled his bulging eyes while—

“If you keep talking like that, you’ll soon meet a terrible end.” It seemed Medaka had spread the word, for all the animals in the riverbed gathered. Led by Mr. Snail “the Cynic,” seven members in total—a crab, a loach, a dragonfly larva, Genjiro beetles, and the Medaka couple—approached with solemn dignity. At the assembly site, the Medaka couple were quite bold. They sat beside the frog without showing the slightest fear. The Mayor had shrunk and was watching. Soon, Medaka shouted, “Chairman!” “Item six!” declared Mr. Snail as he pointed at Medaka.

Mr. Snail appeared to be the chairman. "I demand that the frog leave the assembly."

The frog, upon hearing this, slanted his eyes upward and was furious. “I will not leave.”

Medaka said with a sob,

“Didn’t you devour my brothers? You damned beast!” Mr.Snail maintained perfect composure. “Mr.Medaka, silence! We must expedite proceedings. Gentlemen, we have convened this emergency assembly for one purpose alone. As a new guest member has joined us in the riverbed, we must determine his factional affiliation. I call for your deliberations.”

57. The Snail Faction and Lord Frog

"Chairman!" called the loach, twisting his famous thin mustache as he addressed the chair. "First!"

Called "First!," the loach stood up.

“Chairman, I wish to take him as my adopted son. "My family has no members, and I have been searching for someone to succeed me." “Fortunately, as my daughter has graduated with honors from the Higher Loach School this year, I would consider it most fortunate if he were to come to our family as an adopted son.”

It was Gen-gorō Mushi who called out, “Chairman!” “I oppose the Loach’s proposal. "He is far too selfish. “He is an inferior creature who strives only to expand his own influence, wallowing in mud from morning till night.” “To give a two-legged animal as an adopted child to one such as him is the very foundation that destroys democracy in this riverbed.”

“Chairman!” shouted the frog in a loud voice. “I support expelling that two-legged animal.” “He is a murderous maniac imported by that tearful Medaka.” “He will undoubtedly disrupt the peace and order of our nation in the future… Just now, though it seems the Medaka couple here have accused me of devouring their brothers, we have no recollection of such an act. I believe it must be the doing of that two-legged animal standing over there.”

“Noo— Noo—” voices arose from all directions.

The crab, who had remained silent until now, swung his large claws and glared at the frog with his long eyes,

“You liar!” he shouted.

The frog, evidently terrified by the crab’s claws, hunched his neck in and shrank back. “I would like to hear the Chairman’s opinion.”

Medaka shouted. Mr. Snail opened his heavy lips and said: "I have always been so devoted to individualism that I've never bothered my head over social issues, so I have no particular opinion to offer. However, being of a character diametrically opposed to frogs and their kind, I detest mere lip-service debates." "Even ideologically, I cannot align with frogs who espouse mass democracy—though we both embrace democracy, I find myself agreeing with Medaka's principles." "I was born an individualistic anarchist." "But I cannot interpret it as Proudhon's 'To be rich is to steal.'" "My house is an appendage of my body and was never created by thieves."

“Derailment! Derailment!” shouted Lord Frog. When the crab waved his claws, the frog shrank his neck again. “I advocate absolute freedom.” “Therefore, if the two-legged animal wishes to dwell in our world, we should guarantee him freedom; if the Loach desires to adopt him, that too is acceptable. I have no desire to bind anyone.” “Nor do I wish to be bound by anyone.” “However, I remain absolutely opposed to the likes of well frogs.” Medaka and the Loach were delighted. They clapped with all their might.

Lord Frog, seeing this, turned bright red and stood up.

“That is bourgeois democracy.” “The Crab has his hole，Mr.Snail has his shell—yet this tree frog remains a proletarian without even a place to rest his head.” “If you let Snails and Crabs steer this world by their ideals，proletarians like us—barehanded and owning nothing—will have no choice but starve!”

“So that’s why you eat Medaka, huh?” jeered Gen-gorō Mushi.

Mr. Snail declared. “Ultimately, liberalists and centralists cannot possibly act together. Today’s meeting has no path but to end in deadlock. Do you have any opinions on this matter?”

The Loach asked. “Then, would there be any issue with him coming to our family as an adopted son?” “Let’s leave that to freedom—you all have no objections, I trust?”

“Opposition! Opposition!” shouted Lord Frog. “Agreed! Agreed!” all the others chanted in unison. “I shall not call for a vote. Since majority votes are trivial matters, let’s leave it to individual freedom.”

Having said that, Mr.Snail looked around the assembly hall with a composed face.

No one opposed it.

But already, Lord Frog’s figure was nowhere to be seen in the assembly hall.

58. Loach’s Bride Just as they thought the meeting had been settled with that, “We will now immediately commence the wedding ceremony.”

the Loach said.

Just as he was wondering what they were going to do,

The Loach pulled in a girl adorned with algae and water-plant flowers. "We shall now adopt a child before this honorable assembly's witness."

The Loach was the picture of composure. “I do not consent!”

With a sorrowful voice, the mayor objected.

"There is no need at all for you to give your consent. Since this is a matter I alone have decided, I shall carry it out accordingly." "That’s a strange thing to say," he thought curiously—and so, for the first time, the mayor inquired of Mr. Snail. "Is marriage possible here even if one party does not consent?" "Ah, well—in the world of fish, since females do not become pregnant in their bellies without requiring the kind of union that occurs among mammals, you bear no responsibility whatsoever. There’s no need to worry. They’ve decided on their own and are making a fuss on their own, so just leave them be."

Upon hearing this, he realized that in fish reproduction, unrequited love posed no issue whatsoever.

And so, he stood there in silence.

The Loach couple and their daughter were reciting something like a spell, all three together. Then they declared in loud voices, “The wedding ceremony has already been completed. We humbly request that you all come to our residence as our guests.”

The Mayor, utterly clueless about what was going on, stood silently watching, when the crab rolled its eyes and glared at the loach.

“This two-legged animal is our shared property! He’s not your personal property!” With that, the Crab embraced the Mayor with its two legs.

To this, 〈Medaka〉 objected. “This person is someone I brought here. He is my esteemed guest. It is only proper that I take him back to my residence.” The Crab brandished its large claws and shouted. “What nonsense are you spouting? You fool! You cannot keep him all to yourself! He belongs to society as a whole!” 〈Medaka〉 did not back down. “Belonging to society as a whole ultimately means belonging to no one at all, does it not? Who will host him? Even if you advocate communism, isn’t yours a communism that only takes—a communism that has never once given to others?! I do not agree with such communism. True communism begins with giving. It is precisely because I believe he belongs to us that I am guiding him to my residence.”

The Mayor was deeply impressed by what Medaka had said. So he wanted to go to Medaka’s house. Having eaten nothing since Saturday’s lunch, his stomach was empty. Yet he remained silent, thinking that expressing his wish to visit Medaka’s house would surely cause an uproar. The Loach grew impatient, “The feast grows cold,” “Guests already begin departing,” “Pray come quickly.”

The Crab bellowed in a loud voice. “Unacceptable! We won’t allow his privatization! Superior species are all public property! … All of you, go back! I am the protector of communism. I alone will protect him… I shall take him back to my hole to protect him in a safe zone.”

Having said that, the Crab—foremost in violence across the riverbed—clamped the little mayor within its massive claws and hauled him away to its own hole.

59. The Crab’s Loneliness

“I’m lonely.” “I’m lonely.” “There’s a profound reason I had you come here.”

The Crab began to speak haltingly in a sorrowful tone. “People out there say I’m some kind of tough guy, but... “Truth be told, I’ve grown sick of myself. “Looking this much like a thug, I suppose no one will come near me. “I’m unbearably lonely myself. “Now these big claws are unbearably in the way. “Because of these claws, even Medaka and the loach all flee when they see me.”

The Crab shed tears and lamented his misfortune. While being held captive by the Crab, he too grew sad, just as when made to listen to its story. “Are you an adherent of non-resistance doctrine?”

the Crab abruptly asked.

“Well, people do say that,” “However, I am a thorough advocate of conflict.” “It’s just that I don’t want to resort to violence in that conflict.” “Is anything acceptable as long as it’s not violence?” “Well, that’s right.”

“That’s the smarter way, I suppose.”

“I’ve come to want to return.” “Would you let me go back?”

“Tell me more. "I'm lonely. Tell me about military reduction... Can the world truly remain safe by reducing armaments? Tell me about that! To what extent is the struggle for survival necessary? Tell me about that too. I’m tormented right now. Ever since I was born, I’ve been made to wear this heavy armor, and that alone has become the source of my torment.”

“Mr. Crab, that’s exactly what I wanted to ask you. I’m constantly being bullied by thugs myself, so I keep wondering how to escape that threat.”

The Crab stared wide-eyed. “What the hell are ‘thugs’? What class of animal is that?”

“That is a parasite.” “Shall I kill them with my claws?” “There it is—your theory of violence!”

“Hmph, I still believe in the power of my claws!” “At times I’m a violence denier, at times a violence advocate—I don’t debate, I just act!” “All that’s left is action!”

While they were talking back and forth, night had come to the riverbed. When night came, the Crab hurriedly retreated deep inside without paying any mind to his guest and fell asleep. So the Mayor escaped from the Crab’s hole and took a solitary stroll along the riverbed. The riverbed’s night was truly mystical. The stars reflected on the water’s surface and appeared like fireflies. Phosphorescent animals moved through the algae.

60. The Marvelous Method of Metamorphosis

He was quietly meditating under the roots of the algae. Apparently, he had recovered from neurasthenia as well. With this vigor, he thought of setting out again on Osaka's Air Conquest. So, he resolved himself and emerged at the water’s surface. Although his stay at the riverbed had been brief, it appeared that significant changes had occurred in his physical body, for he found himself utterly unable to rise above the water’s surface. He felt inexplicably restrained. So, he decided to descend to the riverbed once more.

He wept under the roots of the algae until morning, thinking as though he had been cast into the abyss of despair.

When the water’s surface had grown slightly pale and the starlight began to fade, he noticed a dragonfly larva toiling diligently in the shadow of the algae. Then he inquired.

“Good morning. Mr. Dragonfly’s son, I see you’ve been preparing since early morning—where might you be off to?”

The dragonfly larva smiled faintly,

“Today, I intend to leave the water.”

“Huh? You’re leaving the water? Now why’s that?” “The time has come—I plan to grow wings and take flight.” “Ah! Now I understand! So you mean to evolve?” “Precisely—I intend to make this evolutionary leap.” “Then won’t you teach me this method of leaping too?!”

The dragonfly larva asked while shaking its large head.

“And once you’ve learned it, what do you intend to do?” “I wish to return to my home.” “Where is this home you speak of?” “Osaka.” “That city of smoke?” “You are quite well-informed.” “We have ancestral legends that say Osaka is a dangerous city because of its smoke... So what exactly are you doing there?” “I am employed at the city office.”

“I hear labor issues have become quite tumultuous in Osaka lately… Are they developing steadily?”

“Lately, things seem to have grown considerably revolutionary.” “What do you mean by ‘revolutionary’?” “Are they planning to resort to destructive action?” “Well, something like that.”

The dragonfly larva furrowed its brows and inquired.

“Do those people truly understand the real significance of revolution?” “Well… who knows…”

“It seems true revolution remains beyond the grasp of the children of men.” “Then, what is your idea?” “It is to fly! It is to change from within. You must possess the power to emerge from your aquatic form into the air, as I do……But humans cannot fly as we do, it seems. No matter how much those without internal transformation try to impose revolution through violence or authority like crabs or frogs, it’s futile! In the end, they’ll just end up crawling about on the ground. True revolution must be carried out from within the soul. Otherwise, you cannot possibly hope for a leap of life. You will forever remain slaves to your circumstances. Do it thoroughly. I shall also do my part to assist you.”

The dragonfly larva, being young, spoke quite briskly. “Well then, about that request I made earlier—might you be able to fulfill it?”

“That is a simple matter.”

Having said that, the Dragonfly Larva kindly fetched several young leaves from a cluster of water weeds. And it said to him. “Please eat this. If you do so, you will not only return to the earth as I have but also freely soar through the air. This is what we call the *Metamorphosis Elixir*. Well then, I shall take my leave here. I shall now depart immediately…”

With those parting words, the Dragonfly Larva swiftly lifted off from the water's surface and soared into the air. The Mayor ate one of the leaves exactly as instructed by the Dragonfly Larva. Then, strangely enough, he felt his body grow light as though rising into the air. He became entranced, his very self forgotten.

61 I and I

When he emerged onto the ground again, he saw a young man deep in meditation under a zelkova tree in the fields.

He sat in meditation, unaware of the night dew settling upon him. The time was already past nine in the evening, and fires had been lit here and there in the fields. It closely resembled the phosphorescence of water insects at the riverbed. He felt pity upon seeing the utterly exhausted appearance of the young man sitting in meditation and called out to him. “You!” “You!” The young man snapped open his large eyes,

“What is it? Do you have some business with me?”

Mayor Kagawa, who had emerged from the riverbed, silently gazed at the young man's face. However he considered it, that was his own face.

So he asked. “Weren’t you Kagawa Toyohiko?” “Yes, I am Kagawa Toyohiko… Who are you? Somehow you look familiar, but I’m too exhausted to think clearly… Aren’t you also Mr. Kagawa Toyohiko?”

The Mayor who had emerged from the riverbed answered clearly. "I am Kagawa Toyohiko."

The man who had been sitting in meditation smoothly stood up, "I see. I was being absent-minded." "You are the spiritual Kagawa Toyohiko, aren’t you?" "I am the physical Kagawa Toyohiko." "My apologies." "No, I am not the spiritual Kagawa Toyohiko; I am the current Kagawa Toyohiko." "You are the Kagawa Toyohiko from five hours ago." "You are my self…… Actually, I must inform you—it has been five hours since we parted." "In that brief span of time, I became a completely new person." "Nature has given me great lessons and power." "I was taught at the riverbed how insignificant humans are, and how humans must strive even further.…"

"...I learned life philosophy from Mr. Snail, the principle of non-harm from crabs, and the laws of evolutionary divergence from the Dragonfly Larva. And I even received and drank medicine that allows me to fly freely through the air......" "...Just now, the Dragonfly Larva flew through here! That Dragonfly Larva taught me the art of metamorphosis. Thus I do not find it strange that there are two s—the present and the past —being different from each other. It is the difference between larva and adult insect. It is the difference between silkworms and butterflies......"

“The current me is a free spirit, while the past —though it’s rude to say ‘you’—are a human bound… by a spider’s thread… Living beings cannot survive without change. Yet until now, humankind had made a grave error by fixating solely on external revolutions while never once considering the means of transformation.”

“I am already a transformed spiritual entity.” “Through five hours of riverbed life under the Dragonfly Larva’s guidance, I’ve become a free man schooled in evolutionary ingenuity.” “You mustn’t falter now—you and I are already divided on evolution’s path… My former self isn’t my present self.” “This current me might best be called my resurrected form.” “The past me was cowardly and earthbound.” “I vow to assist you wholeheartedly.” “But know that I may offer severe critiques when necessary.” “Let us return together now to Osaka’s slums.” “There I’ll strive to support your work.” “However—regarding your continued involvement in those rootless populist movements—expect my utmost criticism.” “Is this acceptable?” “Come! Let us depart together—Kagawa Toyohiko of yesteryear!” “Has your mind cleared sufficiently?”

“I understand! Spiritual Kagawa, I will strive to align with your intentions and make every effort to do so.”

The spiritual Kagawa, looking back at his past self, said: "You seem to distinguish between soul and body, but I do not wish to make that distinction. For the sake of argument, there is no harm in calling my current self and my past self . However, since this is often misunderstood, please take care to note that it does not constitute a spirit-flesh dualism. I believe that the me extending through time and the me expanding across space are one. Therefore, I think it would be best for the two of us to stay together as much as possible. However, should necessity compel us, let us work separately. Do you understand?"

“Understood. I humbly ask for your continued guidance.”

The two of them amiably went together and returned from Katano to the City of Smoke.

62. The Sparrow’s Funeral

What they discovered upon returning to the slums was that on that very afternoon, the neighbor’s daughter had died. They felt deeply sorry that she had ultimately not been admitted to a hospital and had been allowed to die, and also thought it regrettable. Since there was no one to keep the night vigil, Mayor Kagawa and his spirit had to keep the night vigil together.

The dead person’s eyes were half-open. Through them, the soul of the dead daughter peered.

The grandfather wandered about half in tears. The candle before the Buddhist altar swayed faintly. Each time it did so, the dead girl seemed about to speak. The grandfather was too frightened to stay near the corpse. Muttering about lacking funeral funds, he turned his wallet inside out three or four times. The mayor too was desperately poor - his wallet held only fifteen yen. Given his habit of giving away everything he owned and his worse habit of borrowing to give what he didn't possess, those fifteen yen truly represented his entire worldly wealth.

However, it was more than enough for a small funeral.

1. Death notification document drafting fee: 10 sen

1. Coffin cost: 4 yen 50 sen

1. Two laborers: 3 yen 2. Palanquin rental fee: 1 yen 3. Two floral arrangements with laborers: 2 yen 70 sen

1. Pochi laborers (20 sen each): 80 sen 1. Urn: 25 sen 1. Pochi undertakers (for two people): 40 sen 1. Bone collection Pochi: 40 sen Total: Fourteen yen and eighty sen He couldn’t help but think it pitiful that merely fourteen yen and eighty sen sufficed to bury a single soul.

Around midnight, the undertaker brought the coffin. And because the undertaker advised that if they didn’t take it to the crematorium by tonight, leaving it for a day in the hot summer would make it smell, they hurriedly disposed of the corpse.

The grandfather was too afraid of the corpse to bring himself to touch it. Therefore, the mayor himself decided to perform the encoffinment. He boiled water, washed the corpse, and completed the encoffinment; then, as the grandfather requested, he performed prayers and incantations using the secret methods of the Christian missionaries, saving only on the monk’s sutra-chanting fee. The prayers had just concluded when it was decided to carry out the coffin past midnight, around two o'clock.

Four laborers wearing black undertaker uniforms entered the path. The funeral bier was placed before the house. And the coffin was placed into the bier. The grandfather smashed his daughter’s everyday rice bowl in the doorway. The sparrows under the eaves, startled, flew out from the gutter. The grandfather was leaning against the entrance pillar, sobbing loudly.

Quietly, the bier carrying the coffin departed from the roadside. There was no one to see them off. The slums lay silent in slumber. Those who followed the bier to the crematorium were only Mayor Kagawa and his spiritual self. The grandfather insisted he wouldn’t accompany them for the aftermath. When the coffin emerged from the roadside path, the sparrows erupted in commotion once more.

Suddenly, upon closer inspection, about a dozen sparrows living under the eaves were standing in the darkness as mourners. That was not visible to the physical Mayor Kagawa. However, the spiritual Mayor Kagawa saw that.

The coffin was sent to the crematorium, threading through the darkness. And the mournful hymn of small sparrows could be heard in the gutters of the crematorium’s roof. Mayor Kagawa was praying before the coffin, weeping.

63. Save the Babies!

The next morning, while still asleep, someone came to wake him. That was Shimamura. “Almost all the leaders of the demonstration have already gathered at Tennōji Park, so would you please join us as well?”

had come to deliver this request. Though he hadn't rested nearly enough, thinking it was for public service, when he went to Tennōji Park they came streaming in—thousands upon thousands of smoke-afflicted women gathering. All carried infants and babies stunted by smoke on their backs as they joined that day's demonstration.

It was truly a tremendous sight.

The departure time had been set for exactly 8:00 AM. And so, with Miss Ajigawa Kikuko as commander-in-chief and the female section chiefs who had occupied city hall serving as battalion commanders, they marched out of the park in full force.

When they went to the front of the factories they deemed suitable,

“Save the babies!” they shouted, raising their children aloft in unison. Seeing this scene, the Mayor felt it deeply. Even in Osaka—a city with an infant mortality rate unparalleled in the world—he became convinced that when women awakened like this, something could be achieved. Along every route the procession took, police squads stood watch in dozens of groups. Yet on this day alone, even the officers refrained from intervening much. The reason was that their own wives had joined the demonstration.

The demonstration procession made its way through the city and safely disbanded at Nakano-shima Park. However, this did not mark the end of the women’s brigade’s agenda.

The women carrying children on their backs divided into groups and set out to directly negotiate with factories lacking smoke prevention equipment. Some went to negotiate with the Kujō Sulfur & Soda Company, others to the Sumitomo Copper Works, others to the Haruniden Electric Company, and others to the Tenma Knitwear Company.

As for the state of distress among the small factories in the Tenma area, it was pitiful enough to bring tears to one's eyes. Miss Ajigawa Kikuko had heard that the Tenma area suffered the most extreme coal smoke pollution, so she turned toward that direction. The first they stormed into was the Osaka Copper Works. The guard was startled to see Miss Kikuko accompanied by a group of young mothers carrying infants on their backs. "What's all this now!" the guard demanded of Miss Kikuko. "I wish to have an audience with the president."

“Today is Sunday, so the president is not here.” “Then I’ll speak to the factory manager.” “The factory manager isn’t present either.” “Then I’ll speak to the supervisor.” “The supervisor isn’t here either… Today is Sunday, so everyone is off.” “What is the reason smoke is coming from the chimney?” “We’re merely keeping things operational.” “Then please let me meet whoever’s currently on duty. I must discuss this coal smoke issue immediately.”

The guard dashed off to where the duty officer was. And then immediately came back and, "I’m afraid the duty officer is also off today." The crowd laughed upon hearing that. Miss Kikuko said in an emboldened voice.

“In that case… I must insist on meeting the person responsible regarding the coal smoke issue.”

The guard dashed into the back again. Finally, the person in charge came out, "What business brings you here today... As it happens, we're closed today, so I must ask you to return tomorrow." "If everyone's off duty, then why is that smoke coming out?" "That's simply what happens when you burn coal." The crowd laughed again. The person in charge looked awkwardly... "We'll pay whatever fine you want—just let this slide for today... If you keep making such a racket, we can't do business." "If we get fined just for burning our own coal in our own boiler—our own coal!—we can't survive." "Even straw makes smoke when burned—you've got to give us some leeway here!"

Since the person in charge bowed deeply in profuse apology, Miss Kikuko's group promptly withdrew.

The demonstration that day was a great success after all.

64 Crash! Crash!

Evidently unable to overcome the recession, the brokerage firms of Kitahama continued their daily sniveling.

Even when people consulted fortune-tellers or made pilgrimages to Lord Shōten of Ikoma, not a single auspicious omen appeared. Even entreaties to Inari proved fruitless. Stocks fell relentlessly day after day, and shops sprouted up everywhere that couldn’t even manage to pay their rent. The ranks of mistresses dwindled; though these wolfish souls tried cutting back on their revelries, profits refused to come when profits wouldn’t come, leaving those who sought to survive by skimming others’ earnings thoroughly discomposed.

Back when everyone was making a fuss about the Imperial Ceremony and Victory Dances, things were fine, but after the war ended and the cherry blossoms of 1920 scattered, Kitahama too had become utterly desolate.

To make matters worse, as voices clamoring for social reform and the overthrow of capitalism grew louder, public sentiment turned increasingly against them, making business utterly unmanageable. Moreover, when it became an era where these female crusaders started giving speeches, one couldn’t help but feel like the world had turned upside down—and there was nothing enjoyable about it at all. The day after the women’s brigade’s “Save the Babies” rally, Kitahama suffered another market crash. With extra editions blaring “Aikoku Bank Collapses!” brokers stood around looking as wilted as greens sprinkled with salt.

Ajigawa Funazo, a regular patron of Kitahama, suffered an especially devastating blow that day. The shares of the Kitakyushu mining companies had been rendered utterly worthless by that day’s market crash.

He could not believe the broker’s phone call. He tried calling three times, four times. He thought to call a fifth time, but being so terribly worried, he decided to go to Kitahama himself. He then checked the market price of his own stock holdings. Indeed, what the broker had said was not at all mistaken. However, he simply could not bring himself to believe it. He rubbed his eyes three, four times, but it remained unchanged. He stood there blankly, on the verge of tears. Today of all days, there was not a soul willing to engage with him.

He had become penniless in a single day. He could not bring himself to believe that. He wondered if he was dreaming and twisted his body. However, he was still alive. He had secured a loan from Aikoku Bank and established a mining company. And during prosperous times, he provided loans to both Matsushima and Shima. But when the bank collapsed and company stocks crashed, there was no way out. In a near-frenzied state, he rushed back to his home. And then he drank alcohol and went to bed.

However，he found no relief.

Before long, a call came from the manager of Aikoku Bank. He understood the matter. It was a demand to repay the money. So he ordered the maid, "Say I'm not home," and burrowed back into his futon.

He could not sleep at all. So he went to his mistress’s house in Shinmachi. Even when looking at the geisha’s face, he found no enjoyment. He returned to his home again in the middle of the night.

The maid said the phone had been ringing incessantly.

“Where from?” he asked. “From the manager of Aikoku Bank,” she answered.

Even the bold Ajigawa Funazo was utterly worn down. It was no small sum. It was a matter of nearly one million yen. But no matter where he tried to scrape up that money, there was nowhere it could come from now. The stocks were not even worth three mon.

He had even grown to hate being alive.

65 The Man Who Fell from the Rainbow

"I'm done for." Ajigawa Funazo was tormented. "I've been struck by divine punishment! The coal miners must surely be welcoming my failure with joy. Starting from being a shed boss in Orio, Kyushu, until I became a director of Kitakyushu Mining Company, I did plenty of terrible things. In my coal mines, dozens—no, hundreds—of miners have died. However, I have not done what I should have done for those people. That punishment has now struck! ……My rainbow has already vanished. I... was pushed off the rainbow! Everything is fate! But there was no path left but to move as fate dictated. But... now that it's come to this, everything has reached a dead end. All that remained was to die. I was too terrified of death to die. The spirits of hundreds of miners who died in the coal mines seemed to surround and attack me all at once—"

He saw his past evil deeds unfold before his eyes like a panorama. Born as the eldest son of an innkeeper in Gotōji, Fukuoka Prefecture, he had been a troublemaker since childhood; before even properly graduating elementary school, he learned gambling, eventually quit school, and was entrusted to his father’s close friend—a prominent gang boss in Wakamatsu—who put him to work as a coal-loading errand boy. Through these connections, he built sheds in Orio, learned to skim from miners’ wages, made a business of lending money to miners at high interest rates to accumulate small fortunes, and by around thirty years old, already came to own four or five coal fields in Tanukibori. As his money flowed well, his conduct deteriorated in the opposite direction, and as the number of women he became involved with gradually increased, following a friend’s advice, he took as his bride a relative’s daughter of the prominent gang boss in Wakamatsu—this was Kikuko’s mother.

Even so, his misconduct did not improve. He indulged so extravagantly that it was said there wasn’t a geisha in Hakata or Nogata whom Ajigawa hadn’t laid hands on. Amid the post-Russo-Japanese War economic boom, he suddenly became a war profiteer and, as a prominent industrialist, moved his company’s headquarters to Osaka. Thereafter, his luck only grew better; everything he undertook succeeded one after another. He attained a position where he could freely handle millions of yen, was elected to the city council, became a member of the board of councilors, and in this manner, as a Tammany faction figure in municipal politics, he finally began attracting society’s attention.

However, since his financial resources still lay in the Kitakyushu coal mines, whenever coal didn’t sell, he would always grow pessimistic. The era of the European war—when coal that cost only about four yen per ton in Osaka had been sold at four or five times that price—had passed. In this age of recession, with coal demand sharply declining, production volumes decreasing, and wages refusing to fall, he formulated plans to further expand his coal fields. Receiving a 1.5-million-yen investment from Aikoku Bank to establish Kitakyushu Mining Company became the cause of his downfall.

He had realized that the coal fields he purchased were a bad investment, the coal output was exceedingly low, and nearly three million yen had vanished into equipment costs in the blink of an eye; he had foreseen the company’s impending collapse several months prior. However, because the manager of Aikoku Bank was supporting him single-handedly, he had thought there was still some viability left. However, due to Aikoku Bank’s reckless lending policies, it faced a bank run in Nagoya and had to post notices suspending payments. And Aikoku Bank’s collapse itself led to the crash of Kitakyushu Mining Company’s stock, bringing the season when he had no choice but to take his own life.

66 The Exploiter's End

No matter how poor the mine's facilities were, no matter how severe the gas emissions might be—paying no heed to such things, whether ventilation pits were broken, elevators malfunctioned, or shed conditions were deplorable—Ajigawa Funazo's cruel methods of squeezing every last drop from the laborers had often struck even himself as appalling. Even when cave-ins caused accidental deaths, since recognizing them as work-related injuries would require substantial compensation, he would deliberately have the corpses carried out of the mine and falsify them as careless falls into vertical shafts. Such cover-ups were standard practice. Even if a husband, wife, and their four children died together in a gas explosion at the same spot, he never paid a single sen in compensation. Around Orio and Nogata, there was a song among the miners.

Demon Ajigawa *Tormented with an iron club* Pitiful miners! Living Hell During the Rice Riots of August 1918, Ajigawa’s coal mine was the first in Kyushu to erupt in unrest. At that time, Ajigawa rushed from Osaka, borrowed hundreds of gamblers from the prominent gang boss in Wakamatsu, seized the seventeen recognized as ringleaders, subjected them to torture, left three half-dead, and killed one. Even today, such things were daily occurrences in Kitakyushu, but in the mining company managed by Ajigawa, it was particularly severe. Thus, among the miners of Orio, the song “Demon Ajigawa Tormented with an Iron Club” came to spread widely.

Ajigawa Funazo saw the murdered miners with his own eyes. And he firmly believed that someday this retribution would come back to him. But he had never thought it would come so soon. He looked back on his ugly half-life unfolding like a panorama and pitied himself, thinking that if he were to become poor now, not a single soul would care for him. Then, like a phantom, the terrifying corpse of the man killed before his very eyes during the Rice Riots began to move.

The eyes were tightly shut. The muscles were all stiffened. Blood was oozing from his mouth, nose, and ears. The head was split in places. The corpse reached out its hand as if beckoning him. Just as one becomes entranced by a beckoning cat, Funazo could not avoid the corpse’s summons. He reached out his hand. Then, the corpse—still lying down—took him outside and dragged him smoothly toward the Ōkawa riverbank.

He tried to shout *Help me!* However, his tongue stuck fast to his jaw, and he couldn't even produce a sound.

He strained to dig in his heels. Yet the corpse dragged him forward effortlessly. At the brink of riverfall, the corpse silently commanded him: "Fill your sleeves with stones." He stuffed his sleeves with stones as ordered. Blind to all else, he leapt into the water with the corpse. When he felt himself settle on the riverbed, only then did the corpse relinquish its grip. *Ah... Now I can finally rest!*

And at last, he felt ready to sleep. However, his eyes would never open again. The next day, he became a corpse floating beneath Tanimino Bridge.

67 Sutokuin Jigon Eichi Daikoji At the Ajigawa household, a great uproar broke out because the master was nowhere to be found. They called the mistress’s residence in Shinmachi; they called Matsushima Shōgorō’s residence—still his whereabouts remained unknown. They waited anxiously through the night thinking he might return if they held out until morning, but at dawn came a police call informing them he had drowned himself.

Kikuko received that report while having breakfast at Ebisuya. She left her meal untouched and set out to retrieve the remains.

By the time she reached Tanimino Bridge, the street had turned black with people gathered to see the drowned corpse covered in a mat. Kikuko parted the crowd and saw her father’s corpse beneath the matting, but even a daughter of such bold spirit could not move from that spot for some time. Thanks to a call from Hiroko, Shimamura was first to rush to the scene. He arrived by automobile. He then requested permission from the attending inspector to load Ajigawa’s corpse into the car and transport it to his residence.

The attending inspector, for some reason, would not permit it.

“We cannot move the corpse until the prosecutor has conducted the inspection.” After waiting about an hour, the prosecutor arrived. At last, they were able to move the corpse. However, by that time, both Matsushima Shōgorō and Shima Takazō had arrived at the scene. Among the spectators, there were those who recognized Kikuko’s face and whispered.

That evening, a wake was held. Around nine o'clock in the evening, the priest from Senzen-ji Temple in Tanimachi Fifth District arrived. Though he was a rather elderly priest, he was a man of imposing presence. After reciting Sanskrit sutras at length, he bestowed a posthumous name. "Sutokuin Jigon Eichi Daikoji (Posthumous name: The Venerable Great Layman of Emperor Sutoku's Lineage, Compassionate and Wise)"

This priest explained the posthumous name to Matsushima. "When we say 'Sutokuin,' it signifies that the deceased was truly a man of exalted virtue who showered affection upon numerous miners and spared no effort in their service. Therefore, we have conferred this name out of profound respect for his noble character."

Matsushima listened to this and was impressed. “Indeed, compared to someone like me, the deceased was a person of high virtue indeed. “Well, I’ve borrowed quite a lot of money from him myself… But Priest, why did you choose ‘Jigon’ for his name?” “This is because the deceased was truly a man of boundless love, who understood the plight of the common people and extended his compassion even to geishas and barmaids—so we have bestowed this name based on what we have often heard.”

Matsushima frowned,

“Hmm... Well now, the number of geishas and barmaids who received the deceased’s patronage must have been countless—hundreds at least! So then, Priest—what about someone like me running a brothel? When I die, could I get a posthumous name as grand as Jigon-in?” “Ah, that follows naturally... After all, you’re giving pitiful children of the poor decent jobs and helping them make ends meet. One might say you’re engaged in a sort of charitable enterprise.”

“Ha! How wonderful—so according to Buddha’s teachings, even running a brothel counts as a form of charitable work, does it?…” “In Buddha’s compassion, there is no distinction between good and evil—thus all things become compassion. Even if one engages in brothel business, it may serve as a connection to salvation.” “How wonderful! So then, you aren’t opposed to the brothel business… unlike Miss Kikuko here… are you?” “I believe brothels are still necessary for the time being.”

“How increasingly gracious of you! Reverend, I’m thinking of adding about five more good girls to my stock soon. And once I turn a profit again, I’ll be sure to make a donation to the temple.” “Well, I do hope you’ll make good on that request.” After the priest had left, Matsushima began gossiping about him.

“That guy sure knows how to talk smooth.” “He’s got a proper mistress tucked away in Minami Shinchi—you don’t cross someone like that.” “He’s spouting all that sweet talk ’cause I know his dirty secret.” “These days, what can you expect from half-baked priests?” Kikuko heard this and merely laughed.

68: Critique Session at the Funeral Parlor At Ajigawa’s funeral, about eight or nine out of ten city council members had gathered. And various pessimistic views on the current state of municipal administration were discussed. “Who on earth incited the city clerks’ strike anyway?—It’s only made things worse!”

Thus, Mr. Umeda Uma asked in a loud voice.

On a hot summer afternoon, Abeno Funeral Hall was especially sweltering. The city council members had staked out a corner of the lounge and were cooling themselves with round fans and folding fans. In response to Mr. Uma’s question, Matsushima answered. “No one incited it. That’s just how things go these days.” “But is that strike still dragging on?” “The word is that the strike will continue as it is until the Mayor resigns.”

In a quiet voice, City Council Chairman Semba Shigeo answered. "That might not be such a bad idea," Matsushima declared loudly. "There's talk that those female clerks are doing a bang-up job—if that's true, why don't we just sack all the male clerks while we're at it and keep the women working like this forever?"

Matsushima declared loudly. "That's just drunken revelry talk!"

Shima responded to that. “If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean we’d end up approving the Mayor’s policies?”

Thus Umeda asked Matsushima.

"That guy's no good. But havin' female clerks was a damn fine idea... Heard there's some real lookers mixed in too."

When Matsushima brought up the topic of women again, Shima teased him.

“Matsushima-kun would agree with anyone if they’re a beauty… But what’s going to happen in the end?” Umeda answered clearly. “We’ll drive out the Mayor—if we leave someone like him in place, Osaka’s capitalists will be completely ruined…”

Shima questioned Umeda. "That’s understood. However, the problem lies in how to drive him out." "There’s the crux of it. If the city council passes a resolution, that should suffice, shouldn’t it?" Umeda answered nonchalantly as if it were nothing.

Matsushima, as if brimming with confidence, “But hey, just passing a city council resolution alone won’t make that man budge. The quickest way would be to cook up some criminal charge and throw him in the slammer.” “But do you have any grounds for that?” “Oh, it’s nothing. We just need to link it to Mr. Ajigawa’s suspicious death.” “Mr. Ajigawa’s death certainly has the Mayor to blame for it too, you know.”

Shima said this.

At that moment, the first bell of the funeral ceremony tolled. And hundreds of mourners took their seats in the municipal funeral hall. The city council members also took their seats.

The Mayor was seated in the family section alongside the chief mourner, Miss Kikuko. And Shimamura sat next to him. Umeda pulled Matsushima’s sleeve,

“Who’s that sitting next to Miss Kikuko?” Umeda asked. “That’s Shimamura—the one they say is Ajigawa’s daughter’s lover, mixed up in the labor movement… Hey, look at the Mayor putting on airs!” The priest of Senzen-ji Temple and seven monks from affiliated temples stood lined up before the coffin in their brocade priestly robes.

“Hey, some lookers have shown up.”

Matsushima said to Umeda. Umeda stretched his long neck like a horse’s and peered behind the family seating area. There, Ajigawa’s mistress Hanako and fifteen or sixteen geisha from Shinmachi sat lined up, their hair done in glossy, water-sleek styles. “Hey, what do you think we should do about Hanako? “Why don’t you take care of Hanako?”

Matsushima said this. Umeda responded to that, “She ain’t under my thumb anymore. Lately she’s been spouting off about starting some women’s suffrage movement or other.” While the sutra chanting continued, Umeda and Matsushima were critiquing each geisha one by one. Nevertheless, when the incense offering began, Umeda stepped forward on behalf of the city council to offer incense. After the funeral, the city council’s Tammany once again flooded into Shinmachi’s geisha houses.

69. The Law of the Kirishitan Bateren

The next day's newspapers conveyed strange rumors.

It went as follows. "The prosecutor’s office launched a major investigation due to suspicions that Mr. Ajigawa Funazo—a pillar of the financial world—had been murdered." "It appears labor groups hold grudges related to this matter, and certain central figures in municipal government are also implicated." That afternoon, what reached Kikuko’s ears was this: "The killing of Ajigawa was executed through truly ingenious means—unlike conventional poisonings or assassinations, he was cursed to death through psychic power." "According to reports from sources deemed credible and reliable, the Mayor possesses the power to resurrect even the dead through the law of the Kirishitan Bateren." "When that power is inverted, it becomes a force of curses surpassing even Kōbō Daishi." "Ajigawa was slain by the Mayor’s curse, and they say His Honor hides in Kōkyū’s slums to hone this very sorcery."

This was something a certain newspaper reporter said. “Who was saying such things?” Kikuko asked the newspaper reporter. “It’s the talk among the funeral workers,” he replied. “They say the Mayor is a Kirishitan Bateren wizard who sleeps with corpses in the dead of night and conducts funerals without summoning priests—praying alone to the Bateren instead. They say he’s an utterly bizarre figure.” When she asked whether he had met the funeral workers spreading that rumor,

“I met them, you know. The funeral workers were saying there are two Kagawa Toyohikos—one being Mayor Kagawa the sorcerer, and the other being the current Mayor Kagawa Toyohiko—and now nobody can tell them apart anymore. That rumor started when the old man west of Mr. Kagawa’s place saw his true form on the night his daughter died. They say even the sparrows on eaves and dragonflies in fields get their smarts from Mr. Kagawa. When that old man’s daughter west of Mr. Kagawa died, they claim Mayor Kagawa just had to say the word, and all the eaves’ sparrows started chirping their heads off—made a right racket.”

Kikuko listened quietly. Then the newspaper reporter shared another intriguing tidbit. "They say if you really focus your eyes, Mayor Kagawa appears doubled." "Apparently you need sharp vision to see it, but if you look at him in the dark, it becomes clear." “……That’s what the funeral workers claimed……” “……So about that giant monk business, eh?” "They’ve figured out that was Mayor Kagawa’s doing."

“So it becomes clear he’s connected to last month’s flood too—that all these recent disturbances in the city trace back to him! What a terrifying man! He’s like Russia’s Rasputin, that one!” Kikuko found the newspaper reporter’s words so intriguing she kept listening. “Why, he’s practically a new Ōmoto-kyō sect! They say he’s confident his incantations can move all creation. When he prays, even streetcars and locomotives screech to a halt!”

“Well, you’re telling some grand tall tales, aren’t you?”

Having said that, Kikuko laughed at the newspaper reporter’s bizarre tale.

“I can’t believe it. That the Mayor would curse my father to death—it’s unthinkable.”

“However, there are indeed credible reasons to believe it. The first reason is that he greatly disliked Mr. Ajigawa. The second reason is that the coal miners of Kitakyushu greatly hated Mr. Ajigawa. The third reason is that Osaka’s labor groups—particularly those affiliated with Mr. Shimamura—hated Mr. Ajigawa. To hate is to kill. Mr. Ajigawa was indeed cursed to death by the villains. Isn’t psychic power a terrifying thing!””

The newspaper reporter spoke as though he had witnessed it himself. Kikuko burst into loud laughter upon hearing that.

Seventy: Kikuko’s Mother

“Kikuko, you don’t have to cry so much. We must break through the dark earth and live strongly, mustn’t we? Pull yourself together. You can’t just be so pessimistic!”

It was Shimamura Nobuyuki who comforted her with these words.

After her father’s unnatural death, Kikuko had no energy at all. Even so, until her father’s funeral was over, her nerves had been strained, so she hadn’t seemed particularly changed; but once the service ended, she suddenly weakened. She became as if hysterical and could no longer even handle household chores. She entered her room and had been crying since morning. Of course, on the flip side, there was also her own anguish over her romantic relationship. Matsushima told Kikuko’s mother that he absolutely wanted to take Kikuko as his bride at this point. Kikuko’s weak mother seemed inclined to follow Matsushima’s opinion.

“Since even Emperor Sutoku’s opinion was that Kikuko should go to Matsushima…”

Trailing off, her mother said something strange to Kikuko. That became the most pressing problem weighing on Kikuko. If only she could decisively throw herself into Shimamura’s embrace—all her troubles would be solved. But bound by maidenly purity, she lacked the courage for such boldness and could only writhe in anguish. Yet her mother, seeming to sense Kikuko’s torment, finally spoke to Shimamura. “Mr. Shimamura, I dread what might become of Kikuko if anything else happens now. So please—whatever it takes—if it’s truly for her sake, I implore you to watch over her.”

So Shimamura too thought it undesirable for Kikuko to grow overly pessimistic, and thus met her for a solemn, earnest talk. Naturally, this conversation served to intensify their existing bond. Thereupon, at this critical moment, the two pledged they ought resolutely to commit to marriage.

Kikuko immediately went to her mother and made the request. In response, her mother couldn’t bring herself to object. “Do as you wish. After all, it would be a problem if something were to happen to you now that Father has passed away.”

her mother replied. “Then… Mother, I’ll go.” So Kikuko asked bashfully. “Well, if you think it’s best, then you should do so… But can Mr.Shimamura really make a living like that? If he’s doing labor union work and such, wouldn’t you be in trouble if a child were born?” “See, Mother, since I’ll be working too, it’ll be fine.” “Even if you insist you’ll manage so boldly, I can’t stop worrying—you were raised spoiled from the start. You’ve never cooked rice in a clay pot before, have you?”

“Mother, I can at least cook rice in a clay pot.” “You—housework isn’t child’s play!” “I know that much.” “If you’re truly resolved, then I’ll let you go to Shimamura… If you’re prepared to cook rice in a clay pot and serve your husband even in poverty, then you can endure life at Mr. Shimamura’s place. Since this differs from before, you must apply yourself properly. Carrying on with rough talk and protest marches won’t let you raise children. Do you understand?”

"I understand."

“Then please call Mr. Shimamura.”

When Shimamura entered the room, her mother formally gave Kikuko to him.

Kikuko and Shimamura were overcome with tears of joy and for a time could not speak, but even before her mother they embraced and sent soul and soul soaring high into the heavens.

71. The Inventors Arrive in Osaka

“Hey Tengu, how’s this sky? After all, it was a good idea I brought the oxygen inhaler, ah!” “Unfortunately, with this rain, those coming to the conference must be having trouble… But I’ve truly been shocked by this sky. It was really a good thing I followed your advice and brought the oxygen inhaler!” “When it rains, it seems the smoke doesn’t rise, so all the soot must be settling down, ah. How’s this darkness? It’s just like midnight, ah. While we were at it, I should’ve brought a lantern too, ah!”

“Well, I’ve brought just the right thing.” “I have a flashlight.” “Let’s light this up and go.”

The arrival in Osaka of Tokyo inventors Professor Snotty and Professor Tengu truly was a spectacle for all to behold.

They alighted at Osaka Station carrying backpack-shaped oxygen generators on their backs, holding bags in their hands, with Professor Tengu gripping a flashlight in one hand. All passersby were taken aback at the sight of their bizarre attire.

“What on earth is that?!”

“Well, turning on electric lights in broad daylight… They must look like proper eccentrics.”

Professor Tengu, seemingly irritated upon hearing this, came to a halt.

“Hey, you fool! We’re not carrying lights in broad daylight out of some eccentric whim. Compared to Tokyo, Osaka’s streets are so damn dark you can’t even walk properly. I’m utterly amazed that you Osaka residents can stroll around such a blackened city without even carrying lanterns—it’s truly baffling to me. Is it because you live in Osaka City that your eyes have transformed like an owl’s? We Tokyo people aren’t accustomed to darkness, so we can’t walk without lighting a flashlight.”

The Osaka resident nodded,

“What’s that thing on your back?” “This? This is an oxygen generator.” “Oxygen generator!” “Don’t you people understand oxygen generators? The air in Osaka’s bad, you see, so we’ve brought them along.” “Is that so? Is Osaka’s air really that bad?”

Before long, curious Osaka residents began noisily gathering around Professor Tengu and Professor Snotty. “Hey! Freaks! Freaks!” “They crawled out of the sea, you freaks!” Professor Snotty seemed greatly irritated by this. “Hey you fool, we may be freaks, but we’re not water freaks—we’re gas freaks!”

“What’s that iron helmet?” “This thing?… You really don’t get it—this is an oxygen inhaler, isn’t it? Because Osaka’s air is so terrible, when coming from a forested city like Tokyo to a smoky one like Osaka, you have to use this to avoid suffocating from lack of oxygen… How you all manage to live in such foul air is beyond me?” The Osaka resident raised their signature eyebrows and stared at Professor Snotty as they spoke.

“Coal smoke doesn’t seem to harm the human body in the slightest. I can go about my activities just fine without such things.” “But isn’t it said that Osaka residents’ chest measurements decrease year by year?”

Tengu asked loudly. "That’s right, that’s right, but the decrease is only slight, isn’t it? They were saying things like one inch or one and a half inches. If we adapt, we should be fine, shouldn’t we?" "Hey! If we’re talking about one inch in chest measurements, in terms of oxidation, that reduces oxygen processing by approximately fifty thousand cubic feet per day! It’s not as simple as you make it out to be!"

"But we're already used to it, so it doesn't bother us at all!" "That's why you won't find inventors in Osaka." "They're all suffering from oxygen deficiency." "However, it's no use dawdling around like this. Hey, let's go."

72. Aerial Residences and Aerial Gardens

Tengu and Hanatare, astonished by the Osaka residents’ indifference to the smoke, hurried to their designated inn.

The rain fell heavily. From the tips of the Western umbrella’s ribs, raindrops fell in rapid succession. When they suddenly realized, all of it was as black as ink. Tengu was startled and said, “Hey, Hanatare! Your umbrella must be cheap—the dyed color looks like it’s dissolving in the rain!” “Is that so? Where?”

“Look at this!” Tengu caught the raindrops falling from the umbrella ribs in his hand and showed them to Hanatare. Indeed, they were as black as ink. “Well! This is astonishing!”

For a time, the two walked through town believing their Western umbrellas’ dye was dissolving in the rain. But upon closer inspection, they saw all rain—whether striking roofs or flowing through gutters—had turned ink-black. “Hey! Hey! Tengu—this isn’t the umbrellas! Osaka’s rain itself is ink-black! Look! Every roof’s stained black! The gutter water! River water! Even bucket water—all ink-black!” “This must be coal smoke dissolving in the rain!”

“Ah, I see! That explains it.” “Come to think of it, compared to Tokyo’s rain, I had thought this looked rather soot-blackened.” “The coal smoke is indeed dissolving in the rain and coming down.”

The two of them, thoroughly impressed, arrived at their inn. However, having been utterly shocked by Osaka’s coal smoke, they never let go of their oxygen generators, whether bathing or eating.

The following day marked the first day of the Inventors' Conference. Mayor Kagawa, thinking that the inventors who had gathered from across the nation must surely be a lively bunch, headed to the Central Public Hall, the conference venue. Yet despite all preparations, when the opening hour struck at 9:00 AM, there stood only two attendees.

Moreover, he was shocked by the truly bizarre clothing of those two. When he inquired with the female clerk handling administrative duties for the Inventors' Conference, she reported that while approximately 450 inventors had gathered from across the nation, they were all complaining of headaches and staying in their lodgings. “Why?” he asked, to which she replied that it was entirely due to Osaka’s poor air quality—the lungs’ oxidation processes simply weren’t functioning adequately. Ah, I see. So then, he couldn’t help but admire how thoroughly prepared the Tokyo inventors were.

Then, Mayor Kagawa politely greeted the two and expressed his desire to hear their opinions, whereupon Professor Tengu puffed up with pride, “My theory is extremely simple. “I specialize in gas dynamics, but… ultimately, if we accept that modern combustion science can only prevent coal smoke to a certain extent, then I believe there is no other path but to create an aerial cultural village beyond the reach of the smoke.” Mayor Kagawa was utterly astonished upon hearing about the aerial cultural village.

“You’re talking about an aerial cultural village?” “Now, how on earth are we supposed to go about that?”

“That’s not particularly difficult.” “As methods for achieving sufficient stability in the air have been discovered through modern gas dynamics, we can improve upon Zeppelin airships to construct absolutely unwavering residences in the sky.” “We can also create fields in the air.” “We can also build factories in the air.” “Oh?” “Aerial fields?” Even Mayor Kagawa was astonished by Professor Tengu’s statements.

“Now, how on earth is such a thing possible?”

73 The Spinning Top Scholar’s Aerial Island

As if he had been waiting for this moment, Professor Snotty snorted and answered. Since we’re on the subject, let me explain: Professor Snotty earned his nickname because after developing nasal catarrh and undergoing nasal surgery, he dripped so much nasal mucus that he went through five handkerchiefs a day. “My specialty lies in the study of spinning tops, but if you install gyroscopes on modern airplanes, they can maintain proper stability—sutabirichī—in midair. “That involves attaching six propellers—each with a diameter of sixty-six shaku and rotating at 6,660 revolutions per second—in all six directions: upward, downward, forward, backward, left, and right.” “Then, due to the equilibrium of forces, it becomes possible to create in midair a plane as fixed as the earth—neither rising nor descending, neither advancing nor retreating.” “Therefore, for the time being in Osaka, I think it would be fascinating to build an aerial cultural village covering an area of three square kilometers above Nakanoshima… There would be farmland, factories, parks, schools—truly, I believe it could become an independent nation floating in the sky.” “What do you say, Mr. Kagawa—how about undertaking the construction of that aerial cultural village?” “Japan simply won’t do with narrow regions like today’s.” “Even if we build three or five stories high on the ground like this, we still won’t be able to sustain the farmland in proportion to population growth, you see.”

Mayor Kagawa was impressed by Professor Snotty’s unconventional argument yet found himself resonating with its startling originality. “So then—if I follow—we wouldn’t need to fuss over immigration issues anymore, would we? According to your theory, we could manufacture as many new aerial islands as desired, correct?”

“That’s exactly right. If you wish to create a 1-tanbu field [approx. 991.7 square meters], simply place soil averaging 1 shaku 8 sun [approx. 54.5 centimeters] thick on the airplane’s wings—the wings are all made of aluminum—and that will suffice for cultivation. So if you want to create five tanbu [approx. 4,958.5 square meters], you simply need to connect five such airplane surfaces in midair. If you make them too wide, sunlight won’t reach the front surfaces, so it would be better to stack as many narrow planes as possible in parallel.”

“Can such a thing really be done? This surpasses even the ancient Tower of Babel.” “That surpasses Babel itself. I believe all humankind will migrate skyward in the near future. When crawling on the ground, the struggle for survival inevitably intensifies. In reptilian society, this brutal competition still rages today—but those who washed their hands of that scaled world and took wing became what we now call birds. Avian creatures lead truly blissful existences. By ascending skyward, survival pressures diminish… I beg you to consider this and act swiftly.”

Having said this, Professor Snotty blew his nose again.

"That is truly splendid. However, I must ask for a brief postponement. I will give it my earnest consideration." Having answered thus, the Mayor tilted his head. However, the Mayor firmly resolved in his heart.

He parted ways with Professor Snotty and Professor Tengu and immediately set out to inspect factories in the city. This was to conduct fundamental research on the coal smoke problem. The conclusion he reached through factory inspections was that nothing wasted energy as much as contemporary steam engines. Futile efforts, reckless coal consumption, and the production of unhealthy soot! He discovered that if things continued this way, stopgap modifications would ultimately prove utterly useless.

74 Residents of the Aerial Village

The second day of the inventors' conference also came to nothing. This was because no truly good ideas had emerged in Osaka, and because everyone said they wanted to return home as soon as possible and indeed left. The only ones who remained were Professor Snotty and Professor Tengu. Since the two of them had brought along oxygen generators, truly excellent ideas came to mind. The aerial village plan was one such example, but ideas kept welling up in their minds—connections between the aerial village and land, aerial factories, aerial pastures, aerial schools, an aerial communist state—not just physicochemical inventions but psychological and spiritual ones too, one after another.

Professors Snotty and Tengu visited Mayor Kagawa in his office and told him about various fascinating social science inventions. "Mr. Mayor, social organizations must also be invented through innovation."

Professor Snotty said this while making his nose produce wet snuffling sounds. “I too am in complete agreement with that... Have any good ideas on the matter occurred to you by any chance?” “Well then, I have invented an aerial communist state.” “What kind of social organization is that?”

Mayor Kagawa asked, his eyes widening.

“Well, it’s about all the people who dislike asserting land ownership relocating to the aerial village and carrying out everything through love and mutual aid.”

“Is that feasible in practice?” “Of course, I believe it to be the true heaven.”

“Is it because it’s in heaven?” “Don’t joke about this… My proposal is entirely serious.” “Since there are no boundaries in the sky, asserting ownership would be rather unreliable, wouldn’t it?” “No, what I’m referring to is something more fundamental. I believe that all people who live in the sky must be transformed into new humans different from those of today. In other words, I believe aerial humans must not be children of Adam but humans with wings.”

“I see. So what exactly are you saying? You’re suggesting they’d be birdmen?” “Exactly. They must be reborn anew—just as wrigglers become mosquitoes and caterpillars transform into butterflies, humankind too must undergo a new metamorphosis, Ah.”

Mayor Kagawa made a strange face upon hearing this, then brought his mouth close to Professor Snotty’s ear and whispered a few words.

Professor Snotty nodded repeatedly. It was only natural for Professor Snotty to nod. It was because beside Mayor Kagawa—whom they had thought to be alone—the spiritual Mayor Kagawa with dragonfly wings had clearly manifested himself.

“Hmm!” “This is it! This is precisely the human we sought to invent!”

Professors Snotty and Tengu shouted simultaneously.

Tengu asked.

“Mayor, who is this person with wings?”

“This is still Kagawa Toyohiko.” “Then who are you?”

"I am still Kagawa Toyohiko." The spiritual Kagawa Toyohiko stood there in silence. Then Professor Tengu asked. "Doesn’t this gentleman speak?" "He does not speak to others. But he always speaks to me." "In that case, this differs somewhat from what I aim to invent... The newly patented human I intend to create would converse with anyone—unlike this second Mr. Kagawa here who seems rather constrained." "This second Mr. Kagawa is just like a Trappist monk… He won’t do for the new society… But perhaps this type might be suitable as the first-phase residents of my aerial village… Wait a moment." "Allow me to measure this person... the second Mr. Kagawa’s weight."

At that moment, the spiritual Mr. Kagawa spoke to the physical Mr. Kagawa in front of others for the first time. "I have no weight!"

“Ideal! Ideal!” Professor Snotty shouted. “If one has no weight, they’re completely ideal as residents of the Aerial Village.” “I will immediately begin constructing the Aerial Village.” “Please watch.” “Since it’s truly an ideal thing.” Having said that, the inventor hurriedly left.

75. Human Modification Machine

The first thing Mayor Kagawa noticed upon waking the next morning was a strange hum resonating through the air. Thinking that perhaps the Aerial Village had been built overnight, he went out to the path in the slum to look.

Incredible! Incredible! Hundreds upon hundreds of airships and airplanes were visible in the sky. Moreover, they were stationary exactly as Professor Tengu had explained to him two days prior, not moving an inch.

Ah, so the Aerial Village had finally been completed! With his heart racing, he rushed off to the city hall. The citizens along the streets, too, were staring wide-eyed at the sky, for a wondrous aerial edifice had appeared high above Osaka overnight. In the mayor’s office, Professor Snotty and Professor Tengu were waiting.

“Mayor, it’s done.” “The fields have been prepared.” “Flowers have been planted.” “We’ve designed it to accommodate all Osaka City residents if they wish to relocate.” “How about trying some farming in the aerial fields today?” “There’s absolutely no smoke up there!” “Since it’s about two thousand feet above the smoke line, the view is truly magnificent.” “If you like, we could relocate all municipal officials to the aerial village as well?” “That’s most generous of you!” “Then first allow me to conduct an inspection of this Aerial Village.”

Mayor Kagawa exclaimed with a beaming face. Immediately afterward, Mayor Kagawa—accompanied by the spiritual Mr. Kagawa and the two inventors—inspected the Aerial Village by airplane. To Mayor Kagawa, everything seemed nothing short of miraculous. There were fields in the sky, factories, pastures, schools—it was as if Columbus had discovered a new continent. While touring the Aerial Village, Mayor Kagawa came across an incomprehensible machine. The machine had been installed in the beautiful factory at the village's center. Beside it stood Greek sculptures and modern masterpieces crammed together so densely they seemed to jostle for space.

“What on earth is this for?” Mayor Kagawa asked Professor Tengu.

“This?” “This facility remolds humanity… This must exist aloft because existing humans would inevitably wage wars or take pleasure in revolts within the Aerial Village—therefore we’ve instituted human transformation here.” “I see!” “What is this machine called?” “It’s called the Wagner Foundry—an improved version of the one used by that human modifier Wagner in Goethe’s Faust.”

"I see... So if I have you remold me here, will wings even sprout?" "Wings are a given. It can eliminate body weight like the second Mr.agawa."

“Oh, is that all?” “No, that’s not all. Humans will be completely transformed—in other words, their very souls can be reborn.”

“Then, could you remold me first?” “You no longer need remolding. The second spiritual Mr. Kagawa already exists.” “Have you yourselves been remolded?” “No—we installed the machine according to scientific principles, but lack the energy to operate it. This device won’t function unless powered by universal motive force—that is, divine power.”

“What a strange machine, isn’t it?” “That’s correct. It’s an evolved version of a mammalian uterus.” “Could you demonstrate it for me?” Professor Tengu made a strange face and said.

“We cannot do that. “If it were possible, I would have evolved into a spiritual body long ago… Probably, the second Mr. Kagawa has that power, I think.” “Could you please ask the second Mr. Kagawa?” The ever-silent spiritual Mr. Kagawa resolutely approached the machine, grasped its handle, and prayed briefly; then, when he twisted what appeared to be a power switch, something resembling a rotary smelting furnace began operating with a resonant hum.

76. Insects Teeming on the Abacus

“That’s how it should be! “That’s how it should be. “Through that rotation, rust gets removed, melts from heat, and gets poured into new molds. “When they emerge from the molds, they come out as proper humans with wings.” Thus Professor Tengu said while wiggling his prominent nose. Mayor Kagara was observing the world below from the aerial factory’s railing.

“How about this filthy Osaka! Doesn’t it look just like an overturned trash bin!”

Professor Snotty responded and said. “When viewed from the heavens, life truly is a sorrowful thing, isn’t it?” “And nothing is more wretched than modern urban life indeed.”

Mayor Kagawa appeared to have taken those words to heart,

“Absolutely. “Osaka people are like insects bred upon abacus beads. I’m acutely aware of this. They waste their whole lives debating whether business thrives or falters, whether market prices rise or fall. Some are born upon the abacus, some die upon the abacus. There are those who hang themselves from its rods over a single misplaced digit—truly pitiful.”

Professor Tengu seized the moment with all his might,

“And that is precisely why this human modification machine becomes necessary, isn’t it?” “That’s true.” “That’s true.” “I would greatly like to utilize this for the many people around me—those who have lost limbs in accidents and those who have failed in life and wish to start anew—don’t you think?”

Mayor Kagawa said happily. “With this machine, we can achieve the human transformation that eugenics had been attempting." “……And if that cannot be achieved, no matter how much revolution one carries out, in the end it will amount to nothing.” “I agree. “Even if they were to build a new communist state in this same ugly human form today, it would not bring any happiness at all. “A proletarian dictatorship created by people with alcoholism, cerebral syphilis, and murderous madness would ultimately be like living next door to hell. “I do not want to believe in externally imposed revolutions in the slightest. “I must by all means consider the transformation of humanity itself as the first principle of revolution. “In this sense, I heartily congratulate the invention of Wagner Foundry.”

“I had thought you would be pleased to say that,” said Mayor Kagawa. “So these will be the people migrating to the Aerial Village? First of all, whom should we welcome?” “Why don’t we first invite those from the Koukyuu slum where I live!” replied Professor Tengu, his prominent nose twitching with enthusiasm. “Countless there struggle without even proper housing. And imagine their joy when we tell them those with syphilis-ravaged noses or perforated skulls can be remolded anew!”

Mayor Kagawa answered with his heart racing as the vision of slums being soon transformed floated before his eyes. “Well then, let’s do that…… But wouldn’t that make ordinary citizens angry?” “Then let’s proceed this way—we’ll publicly announce that applicants won’t be limited to paupers. Anyone wishing to migrate to the aerial village may do so.”

“That would be best.”

Having concluded their discussion, the mayor’s party of four descended once more into the smoke-filled skies of Osaka City.

At that moment, Professor Snotty shouted. “Waste! “Waste! “In Osaka, humans and energy are being senselessly squandered. “The final stage of abacus civilization is truly pitiable, isn’t it?”

77 Migration to the Sky

“Hey there! Mr. Mayor. Can ya let me go to the Aerial Village too?” "Explosive Bomb" O-Tora, famous among the prostitutes of Koukyuu, spotted Mayor Kagawa standing before the suction pump of the human modification machine and said this. Mayor Kagawa joyfully welcomed O-Tora. “Come now. The Aerial Village is spacious, so if you wish to go, I’ll let anyone go there.” “Would ya mind even a woman like me with a missin’ nose?” “Is that really something to worry about? In the Aerial Village, there’s a proper human modification machine—those with missing noses will have one attached, those with bad legs will get legs that move freely, and those who can’t see will receive eyes that can.”

“Is that so? Is there really such a wondrous mechanism in place?” “This suction pump here is precisely that… You’ll be drawn up through this, then when you go up, there’s a funnel that will catch you. Beyond that lies a machine that melts humans down—there they’ll remove your rust, dissolve you once in a bath, and finally pour you into a mold to emerge as winged celestial beings.”

“If it’s such a fine place, I’ll have ya do it for me quick as can be.… Since I’ll be lonesome all by myself, I’m gonna bring a whole bunch o’ friends along.”

“Explosive Bomb” O-Tora had once returned to the tenement, but she came back leading a horde of hundreds she had gathered in her wake.

“Mayor! Please let me go too!” “Please let me go too!”

Upon investigating those who came making such requests, he found that every last one of them were people who wanted to become even slightly better human beings.

Even the mayor was surprised by this, but since the very purpose of the modification lay in this, he rejoiced that these people had at last come to awareness.

The human modification machine began operation at 9:00 a.m., and by 11:00 a.m., the number of people sent to the Aerial Village was eight hundred eighty-eight.

Because the commotion in the slums was so intense, the crowd of onlookers who had come to see the suction pump of the human modification machine leading to the Aerial Village numbered several thousand that day.

“Well, that’s one heck of a strange machine they’ve got there!”

“What in blazes is that thing?” “That there’s a machine for goin’ up to the heavens!” “What’ll happen when ya reach the sky, I wonder?” “They say you get swallowed by a dragon—ain’t that true?” “Is it really true ’bout livin’ in this Aerial Village place?” “Nah, looks like they’re gettin’ hoodwinked by that Kagawa conjurer and endin’ up as dragon fodder.” “As proof, ain’t a soul come back from them that went up since dawnbreak, has there?”

“Now that ya mention it—ain’t it true? What with that recent flood and Mr. Ajigawa’s strange death, they’re all sayin’ it’s got somethin’ to do with the mayor’s Christian sorcerer ways… Seems this Aerial Village and human modification machine are just another kind o’ trickery! A man as brazenly deceptive as this mayor—there ain’t many like ’im, I tell ya.” “So then, it’s all just a scam after all, ain’t it?” Surrounding the suction pump of the modification machine, the crowd of onlookers were engaged in various discussions and rumors.

However, the people of the slums rejoiced and rallied, dancing lightly as they were sucked up.

Just as the lunch break began, Spiritual Mayor Kagawa—who had been operating the human modification machine—descended from the sky. Mayor Kagawa of the Flesh could see it clearly.

The two were discussing the modification machine's operation. To onlookers, their conversation appeared like incantations being chanted. The jeering crowd caught every moment of this. "Hey! The Mayor's reciting his Christian sorcerer spells again!"

“Are you sayin’ that’s what it is?” “Gives me the creeps.” “We might get captured and killed by that machine before long.”

78. Reign of Violence

The operation of human modification continued into the afternoon. By around 2:00 p.m., the number of humans who had ascended to the sky exceeded six thousand.

However, strangely enough, after 2:00 p.m., the applicants came to an abrupt halt. “Someone must have been spreading opposition propaganda,” Mayor Kagawa was thinking—when suddenly Mrs. Shimamura (formerly Miss Ajigawa Kikuko) came rushing over. Kikuko, in a panic and without explaining the situation,

“It’s a huge commotion... A huge commotion! The city hall is in a huge uproar,” she said. “What happened?” “The coup has begun.” “Whose?” “Matsushima Shōgorō’s faction incited the Kokkentō Party members—about five thousand armed toughs carrying weapons have occupied the city hall... Anarchist Party members are mixed in among them. I barely escaped here with my life.” “What do you intend to do?”

“I want to escape to the Aerial Village.” “Shimamura will be right behind me.” “Quickly, please send me to the Aerial Village.” “Alright!” As soon as the Mayor said this, the suction machine sucked in Mrs. Shimamura Kikuko.

Right after that, Shimamura came rushing over in his work clothes. “It’s terrible, Mr. Kagawa! Everyone’s been captured!” “It seems Hiroko-san and Tsuneko-san were caught too.” “Most of the other cadres were dragged away as well.” “It was fortunate that at least Kikuko managed to escape.” “Has Kikuko fled here?” “She’s already gone to the Aerial Village…… How did she get away?” “Well, we were chatting behind the city hall.” “When Matsushima’s gang stormed in during that time, Kikuko rushed straight to you.”

“What stance are the labor groups taking?”

“The labor groups are remaining extremely calm. However, a faction of Bolsheviks are opposing you.” “I suppose so. The more fundamental reform I speak of would probably not be understood by materialist socialists.” “They’re saying that your brand of socialism is Utopian Socialism that doesn’t apply to the real world, so it’s actually getting in the way.” “I suppose so.” “But Mr. Kagawa, you also need to escape somewhere. They’re saying they won’t stand for it unless they capture you first.”

“It’s fine if I’m captured. Since I’m doing what I must, I’ll never yield to violent hands.” “Truth has never been defeated, after all.” “Here they come!” No sooner had Shimamura screamed than Janome no Kumagorō and dozens of his gang members came flying toward the mayor standing before the suction machine. “Hey, Kagawa! You bastard—using your Christian missionary tricks to deceive us!” “You’ve prepared yourself for today, haven’t you?” “Quietly let yourself be tied up!”

Mayor Kagawa obediently allowed himself to be bound with rope. Janome no Kumagorō triumphantly withdrew to Matsushima’s residence.

79. Migration to Mars

The sound of the bombardment of the Aerial Village boomed resoundingly from morning. The airships burst into flames, and the airplanes burned and fell. A cowardly spirit that knew to rely solely on violence and feared evolution and development dominated all of Osaka City.

The mayor, confined to his cell, endured everything in silence. Boom! The sound of cannon fire resounded into the cell. Then came the clattering sound of various things falling from the sky. Each time the reverberation reached his ears, the mayor grieved as his ideals were being utterly shattered. Since the bombardment had begun in the Aerial Village, the residents resolved to evacuate elsewhere. As for the evacuation site, it was decided to entrust everything to the spiritual village chief Mayor Kagawa.

Spiritual Mayor Kagawa declared that they would migrate to Mars. All residents of Sachi Aerial Village except for Professor Snotty and Professor Tengu had no body weight and were therefore unaffected by gravity. Their relationship with Earth's gravity had been severed from the moment they entered the suction device.

Spiritual Mayor Kagawa proclaimed to all people: “All residents of the Aerial Village shall migrate to Mars immediately. “The vehicle will be a light-train—operating through Einstein’s theory of relativity. Though its trajectory curves slightly, it can traverse ninety-three million miles in eight minutes. “Thus I calculate our journey to Mars will take under three minutes. “Never extend your head or hands from the light-train windows. Should you do so while passing through space at absolute zero, the frigid air may freeze your limbs and make them fall away.”

The light-train bound for Mars departed carrying approximately six thousand celestial beings.

The two who remained behind—Professor Tengu and Professor Snotty—exchanged looks and laughed. “Hey, we’ve come to quite a place, haven’t we?”

“What should we do? Should we make a hurried landing and return to Tokyo?”

The two made a promise to return to Tokyo. Then, before coming under bombardment, they landed and walked to Umeda, feigning ignorance. “Hey, the smoke’s still awful down here. After living in the Aerial Village and coming back to these smoky depths, humans really do look rather lowly, don’t they?” “Seems we’d leaped too far ahead, eh? Curbing coal smoke should’ve been our first task.” “But today’s capitalists would never grasp that.”

As they were calmly crossing Yodoyabashi Bridge, “Hey, stop right there! Where the hell are you going?”

A thug, with his large eyes gleaming, called out to stop them. “We are thinking of returning to Tokyo and are on our way to Umeda.”

Professor Tengu answered boldly. “What the hell is that thing on your head?”

“This is an oxygen inhaler.” “Oxygen inhaler? What’s it for?” “Since Osaka has so much smoke, we use this to protect against it.” Professor Snotty answered clearly.

“Preventing coal smoke? So you’re with the mayor then?” “Correct.” “Get over here… You know there’s orders against even mentioning coal smoke prevention? Imbecile! Coal smoke doesn’t harm humans one bit! It strengthens lungs, purifies the air, reduces consumption, helps youths grow taller! Moron!” “Take off those oxygen inhalers!”

“If you take this off, I’ll die.”

Professor Snotty protested. However, it was not heeded. The thugs forcibly seized the oxygen inhalers from the two of them. The two of them, having had their inhalers taken away, collapsed and lost consciousness. “Toss them into any empty cell!” Thus shouted the thug leader.

The unconscious bodies of the two men were laid next to the Mayor's cell.

80. The Agitator on the Cross

That night, Mayor Kagawa was dragged before the private court. There gathered all council members opposed to the Mayor. Matsushima served as chief judge while Umeda, Shima, Horie and others were associate judges. Of course, being a private court, it had neither prosecutors nor proper judges. Everyone acted as prosecutor and everyone acted as judge.

Matsushima asked in a loud voice. “Hey, Kagawa! Did you curse Ajigawa Funazo to death?” “......”

The Mayor remained silent and did not answer anything. “You bastard! They say you can use the Kirishitan padres’ magic to make rain fall and unleash floods whenever you please—is that true?” “......”

The Mayor continued to remain silent. "You bastard—shouting about coal smoke prevention, destroying industry, disrupting the nation’s order, conspiring to establish an aerial nation, and adopting an attitude that endangers the constitution of our Yamato Shimane—this is truly outrageous! They say fifty thousand people have already gone to the sky, but they all starved to death up there, and their corpses come plummeting down from the heavens—no doubt that’s the truth, eh!?"

“......” “You bastard—you’ve deceived the women and children of this land, disrupted municipal governance, made women engage in politics, damaged our nation’s fine customs, and violated the national constitution! All of these constitute capital offenses; therefore I sentence you to death!”

Kagawa Toyohiko received the declaration of his death sentence but remained unfazed.

“This bastard really has some nerve.” “He remains unfazed even when sentenced to death, I tell you!”

Thus said Umeda. "How utterly terrifying!" said Shima.

Shima said this.

At Abeno Cemetery, Kagawa Toyohiko was finally to be crucified. The jeering crowd, finding it amusing, trailed after in a disorderly mob. “Hey, looks like that agitator’s finally getting crucified.”

“How pitiful.” “What’s so pitiful? It’s better to have killed that hypocrite! That bastard would definitely side with the counter-revolution when push comes to shove—no doubt about it!”

“That’s right! That’s right! That bastard’s the Judas of the labor movement! His damn non-resistance doctrine dulled workers’ class consciousness, weakened their fighting spirit, kept ’em content as eternal slaves… Now that we’ve killed that spouter of nonsense, revolution’s gotten way easier! With that lunatic gone, we can finally breathe free!” The extremists mingling in the jeering crowd chattered triumphantly.

At Abeno, Kagawa Toyohiko was crucified on a cross, stabbed from both sides with spears, and died immediately.

The spectators laughed loudly upon seeing that Kagawa Toyohiko had died. "Look at that! He got himself killed because he acted so high and mighty!" "If he'd shown some restraint, he wouldn't have gotten himself killed!"

Some spat at him. Some threw stones. The Red Dragonfly, the only one there, happened to pass by, its eyes widening as it soared into the air.

Chapter 81: Mars and the Red Dragonfly

The group that had arrived on Mars received a grand welcome from the Martian residents. “Despite having repeatedly sent wireless telegraphs to Earth until today without receiving any response, we had given up hope that any living beings inhabited Earth’s surface—yet here you’ve come after all!” The residents of the Martian Republic were overjoyed. The Martian residents were exceedingly kind to the six thousand Celestial People.

They showed them every nook and cranny of the Martian world. The Martians had excavated two canals from the North and South Poles to the desert region directly under the equator to overcome geological challenges, channeling meltwater into the desert. Even the Spiritual Mayor Kagawa was astonished by this grand civil engineering project. "I see! Such grand civil engineering could never be accomplished on Earth's surface. Even channeling Atlantic waters into the Sahara Desert remains contentious—diverting water from the North Pole to the Gobi Desert would naturally be an unimaginably monumental undertaking!"

Hearing this, the Martians said as follows.

“There are no wars among us, nor do we have quarrels, so there is no waste of energy. Since we all work together in perfect harmony, diverting water from the North Pole to the desert becomes truly an easy task. Of course, there is no doubt this cooperation was born out of necessity. In the past, even on Mars, we often waged wars over trivial matters and engaged in class struggles. However, once we learned that Mars itself was gradually drying up—and upon discovering that the extinction of our race drew near if we merely kept fighting—we absolutely ceased all wars. The result lies before your eyes.”

The Spiritual Mayor Kagawa was impressed by each and every thing he was told.

The Martian youths came to visit, saying that Earth’s maidens were beautiful. Immediately, many of them received marriage proposals.

Moreover, among the young men who had gone from Earth, there were those who fell in love with Martian girls and became engaged. For this reason, the residents of Mars rejoiced daily by putting up illuminations. Every night, gondola boats beautifully decorated with electric lights floated upon the canal that had been dug straight for thousands of miles from the North Pole. And they raised a toast, declaring that the birth of a cosmic free society was not far off.

There, the Red Dragonfly came flying. Spiritual Mayor Kagawa, who harbored the essence of the Red Dragonfly, immediately realized its aerial dispatch had come bearing ill tidings.

The Red Dragonfly said sorrowfully. "Mr. Kagawa has finally been crucified at Abeno." "The corpse has now been taken by laborers to the slums." "The funeral will likely be conducted by your wife coming from the countryside." "That is all I have to report to you."

With those words, the Red Dragonfly vanished without a trace.

As soon as Spiritual Mayor Kagawa heard this, he immediately left the banquet, boarded the "Moonlight" that came around from the moon, and descended to Earth. Having returned to the slums, Spiritual Mayor Kagawa grew sorrowful at how little difference there was between the starry world and the smoke-choked slums beneath.

The corpse of the physical Kagawa Toyohiko lay with a lonely expression in the two-mat palace of the slums.

82: The Final Moment of Shattering the Coffin

That night, the funeral was held late. The mourners were laborers and a gang of thugs who had come to monitor the corpse. Spiritual Kagawa Toyohiko delivered a eulogy. “……I, Kagawa Toyohiko, mourn the death of you—that is, Kagawa Toyohiko. “Death is a transformation. “I celebrate that you encountered death’s fate to achieve an evolutionary stage. “Death is natural selection. “God holds the right to cull humanity. “Even if you take no joy in your death, you cannot refuse it as divine selection. “Furthermore, being Kagawa Toyohiko from five hours prior, you must acknowledge yourself as a biological entity belonging to the past.”

The corpse from within the coffin— “No! No!” it shouted. “Even if you shout ‘No! No!’, there’s nothing to be done about it.” “You are already a creature of the past.” “All that belongs to the past is dead.” “Death is the rope ladder leading to eternal life.” “In order for life to be purified and revered, life buries the old into the past and unearths the new from the future.” “Are you not already a person of the past, sufficient to close your eyes in peace?” “Reflecting on your time in this world—you went about spouting whatever you pleased, wrote novels to scrape by, composed works that led people astray without compunction to turn a profit, revered no authority, bowed to no wealthy man, held neither Marx nor Lenin in esteem, pursued a free society yet spoke not of its proper path, advocated spiritual revolution while shunning class struggle with such ambiguous posturing—neither pleasing your allies nor earning your enemies’ respect—you fell upon the cross as an isolated, ill-fated child of misfortune.”

“To bury you with smoke is an act of loyalty to you; you have become smoke to conquer smoke. You truly were admirable. Ah, how worthy of celebration! How worthy of rejoicing!”

After the eulogy concluded, the coffin was transported to Abeno Crematorium.

The gravediggers threw the coffin into a third-class pit, handed over the matching key, spread soil over it, and lit the fire.

Having confirmed that the fire had spread beneath the coffin, the group dispersed.

“Finally, Mr. Kagawa has turned to ashes too!”

With these words, one of the laborers laughed with a lonely air.

×　　　　×　　　　× As the fire and smoke spread through, Kagawa Toyohiko inside the coffin began regaining consciousness.

“Hey! Where is this?!”

Because the corpse inside the coffin spoke out, the gravediggers fled. “It’s a ghost! It’s a ghost!” “Hey, I’m not a ghost! I’m still human! It’s not that smoky!” Kagawa Toyohiko shouted while choking on smoke.

But there was no one left to answer.

The fire had apparently spread across the entire coffin. From neck to shin, every part that stung as if being pierced—when he touched them, blood oozed out. "So this is it—I am finally being cremated." As he steeled himself,

Fierce smoke invaded through the gap in the coffin lid. Since he thought there was no choice but to suffocate like this, he resolved to make one last effort to break through the coffin lid. “Un!” He put all his strength into breaking through the coffin lid. The moment he broke through, his own eyes snapped open. When he opened his eyes, he found himself still lying in his two-mat palace in the slums. He had drunk too much coffee and been unable to sleep all night, finally dozing off toward morning, but felt as though he might suffocate from the smoke wafting in from the nearby fertilizer manufacturing company. On top of that, as usual, the bedbugs—which he would catch fifty or sixty of each night—had relentlessly attacked him, leaving his entire body swollen up. What he had thought was crematorium smoke turned out to be from the fertilizer company, and what he believed had oozed blood was actually from bedbug bites.