Pathway to Japanese Literature

Characters

Captain Miyoshi

Mrs. Miyoshi

Maid

Neighbor's Wife

Tadabō

The outskirts of Tokyo—an early autumn afternoon.

Captain Miyoshi’s house—an eight-tatami-mat room facing the garden.

Sitting on the veranda edge and gazing intently at the photographs in the photo album was the Neighbor’s Wife.

Leaning forward there and eagerly explaining the photographs was Mrs. Miyoshi.

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Time flies, doesn’t it? It’s already been six years this year.”

Neighbor’s Wife: “That’s so true. But with only one child, you must have it easy.”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Do you think it’s easy? These are my parents. Yes, they’re still going strong. This is the child of the older brother of the mother from where my sister married into… In other words, what relation would that make them…?”

Neighbor’s Wife: “I see.”
Mrs. Miyoshi: “This is the previous regimental commander.”

Neighbor’s Wife: “Oh.”
Mrs. Miyoshi: “The commander’s wife was such a kind person, you know.”
Neighbor’s Wife: “Absolutely.”

"Our household has been quite fortunate with commanders, you see.
The first regimental commander when he was commissioned was Lieutenant General Tsukamoto—he’s now at the Imperial General Staff Office—a man who truly looked after his subordinates.
Then came that gentleman from the earlier photograph—he rose to major general but retired during the military reductions.
Yet he remained remarkably understanding; though my husband was just a newly appointed lieutenant back then, he permitted him to take the Army War College entrance exam immediately.
As for the battalion commander at that time…"

Neighbor’s Wife: “My, what an adorable baby… Is this your little boy?”

“Which one?”
“Oh, that’s not it, you see.”
“As expected, this child belongs to someone from our cohort who got married in the very same month as we did.”
“There should have been a commemorative wedding photograph of them together…” Her fingers flipped through the next pages.

“This must be your husband, yes? What do they call this kind of garment…”
“Isn’t it called a full dress uniform?”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “In military circles, we refer to it as formal attire…”
“Doesn’t he look almost boyish here?”

Neighbor’s Wife: “Not at all!”
“But how fortunate you are to have such a distinguished husband…”
“Is that a decoration?”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Yes, this is what we call the Commemorative Medal of the Grand Ceremony. It was specially conferred upon high-ranking officials during His Majesty’s enthronement.”

Neighbor’s Wife: “My, how prestigious.”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Well, one might say so.”

Neighbor’s Wife: “Oh my! This is you... Could this really be you?”
“Do forgive me.”
“This…”

Mrs.Miyoshi: “That’s correct.”
“I must look strange in it.”
“Everyone says so.”
“‘You can’t even tell it’s me,’ they say…”
“Why did I turn out looking so countrified…?”
“Partly because the photographer was incompetent.”
“Photographs truly should only be entrusted to Masaki.”

Neighbor’s Wife: “I suppose…”

Mrs.Miyoshi (facing inward): “Maid! Bring fresh hot tea at once.”

Maid (entering from the back)

Mrs. Miyoshi: “You forgot to respond again, didn’t you?
She’s a hard worker, mind you, but this one keeps forgetting replies—it’s quite a problem.”
“Isn’t that right?”

Maid (carrying tea utensils): “Yes.”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “That ‘yes’ was much better, wasn’t it?”
(Exchanging smirks with the Neighbor’s Wife) “She only came from the countryside two months ago, you know…”
“Honesty is honesty, isn’t it?”
(Lowering her voice) “It’s an odd tale, but having Okome around… (suppressing a giggle) Well, with a figure like hers…”

“For your household, if one were a maid, it’d be paradise,” said the Neighbor’s Wife. “Your child being just one… and you being so attentive…”
“Oh, it’s really not so grand,” replied Mrs. Miyoshi. “Moreover, my husband has a bit of a temper, you see. But since I’m always the one being scolded, it’s no trouble at all.”
“I’m sure that’s true…” murmured the Neighbor’s Wife. “Oh my, what a terrible disturbance I’ve caused… I wonder what time it could be already…”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Oh, isn’t it perfectly fine?”
“The tea will arrive momentarily.”
“Maid, make haste.”
“Wring it thoroughly once.”
“Well, though it may prove burdensome initially, if you simply persevere, matters will grow more manageable in time...”

“Really… Managing maids is no easy task,” remarked the Neighbor’s Wife, her voice trailing off. “In my household, the child demands more attention than my husband ever did. I’ve considered hiring a maid myself, but that would only multiply my burdens—so we make do as best we can…”

Mrs. Miyoshi adjusted her sleeve with a practiced motion. “Well, if only we could manage without hiring one altogether.” Her lips tightened briefly before adding, “In our case, were it not for my husband’s social obligations…”

The maid reappeared bearing a lacquered tray, steam curling from the teapot’s spout. “Shall I prepare more boiling water after this?” she asked, eyes carefully lowered.

“There’s no need.”
“What’s with this one…”

Maid: “Well…”

Mrs.Miyoshi: “It’s not ‘well…’. What do you think you’re doing transferring this into the kettle and pouring a cup of cold water here?”

Maid: “Cold water then?”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Cold water.”

Maid: “Cold water, right?”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “That’s right. For heaven’s sake, don’t stare at people like that. And go light the fire under the bath.”

Maid (silently exits).

Mrs. Miyoshi (smiling at the Neighbor’s Wife): “Forgive my rudeness, but how old is your husband?”

Neighbor’s Wife (with a slightly flustered air): “My husband’s? Well, even so, he’s still quite young, you know.”
(laughs)

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Would that be around twenty-three?”

“...?”
“Your husband and mine can’t be more than twelve years apart.”
“Your husband is...”
“Thirty-four.”
“Thirty...?”

“Yes.”

“Then he’s not much older at all.”

“Then… about twelve years’ difference…”

Neighbor’s Wife (growing more flustered): "Poor thing, he’s still six."
Mrs.Miyoshi (flustered): "Oh…"

Neighbor’s Wife: “I’ll hurry home and tell him just that.”
(Rising to fold the zabuton cushion) “Well then, thank you for your hospitality…”
“You really ought to visit us sometime…”
“Do try leaving your husband to himself occasionally.”

Mrs. Miyoshi (pretending to glare): "What a sharp tongue you have."
"Well then, do take your time…"
"You must excuse me now."

The neighbor’s wife departed.

“Maid—now clean this up...”
(She went into the back room.)

Maid (appeared in her place.)
While tidying the tea set, she suddenly noticed the photographs in the photo album.
She gazed intently, completely absorbed.
Then, while keeping an eye on the back room, she pulled out a photograph and hurriedly tucked it into her kimono.
Feigning ignorance, she closed the album, placed it on the desk, and took away the tea set and dessert plates.

Mrs. Miyoshi’s voice: “Maid, where’s the master’s undershirt that was washed this morning? Have you put it away already?”

Maid’s voice: “It’s over here.”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “Didn’t I tell you not to take things over there? There’s no rule that allows bringing the master’s belongings into a maid’s room! You’ve got to be more careful.” (Pause) “Your washing is so sloppy—you’re not getting any of the dirt off at all.”

“That part just won’t come clean no matter how I try.”

“There’s no way it won’t come off! It’s not like the grime’s any different from other people’s…”

At that moment, the lattice door opened with a clatter. Footsteps sounded across the entranceway. A sword clanged against its scabbard. A bag thudded onto the tatami mats.

“Welcome back.”
“You’re home early today.”
“Tadabō… wasn’t he out front…?”

“He wasn’t there.”
“Who was he playing with?”

“He was with the neighbor’s boys,” came Mrs. Miyoshi’s voice.
“Then he must’ve gone back into their house.”
“Maid, go over to the neighbors’ and fetch the boy.”
“Every time, be sure to say ‘I’m sorry for the disturbance’ politely.”

Captain Miyoshi (appeared in the parlor still in his military uniform): “That’s no use. Even if you say such things...”
(Spotted the photo album on the desk) “Did someone come?”

Mrs. Miyoshi (appeared after him): “The neighbor’s wife…”

Captain Miyoshi (exited into the tea room): “The letters…?”

Mrs. Miyoshi (following after him): “There’s a picture postcard from Mr. Kumaji… That’s all…”

Captain Miyoshi’s voice: “Huh, that guy’s such an idiot. Sending postcards whenever he damn well remembers.”
“What’s it say…?”
“Let’s see…”
(seems to be reading) —“I trust this finds you in continued good health...”
“Reached the summit of Mount Kongō... Must be one hell of a view.”
“Hope a tiger hasn’t eaten him yet.”
(Pause) “This undershirt’s clammy as hell.”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “The maid said your grime doesn’t come off.”

Captain Miyoshi scoffed playfully.
"Aren’t there any others?"

Mrs. Miyoshi: "Well then, since the bathwater will be ready soon, I’ll set things out while you’re bathing."
"Until then, please keep wearing this as it is."

Captain Miyoshi appeared in the parlor while fastening his obi, sat down at the desk, and casually opened the photo album to look through it. *Haven't they shown this yet...?* Receiving no response, he glanced briefly toward the tea room but continued flipping pages. *Can't believe they'd show me something like this...*

He grinned. What the hell was this mess...

Huh—had such a photograph even existed...?

This one was no good—better remove this photo...

Wait—this photograph...

Mrs.Miyoshi (appears): “Let me see?”
CaptainMiyoshi: “This female country schoolteacher...”

“It’s alright, even if there was…”
“Oh my, what happened here? Did you take it out?”

“I didn’t take it out.”
“Was something in there?”

“How strange.”
“It was there just a moment ago…”
“Your formal attire photograph.”
“The one from when you were promoted to captain…”
“When we were looking at it earlier with the neighbor’s wife, it was definitely there…”
“That can’t be!”

“Even if you say it’s impossible, there’s nothing to be done about it.”
“Could it be some kind of error?”

“What do you mean, ‘some kind of mistake’?” Mrs. Miyoshi pressed. “I even explained about the Commemorative Medal of the Grand Ceremony!”
She clutched the album tighter, her voice dropping to a horrified whisper. “You don’t think... the neighbor’s wife might have taken it home...?”

Captain Miyoshi snorted through his newspaper. “Why the hell would she want that?”

“Then what happened?” She flipped through pages like prosecuting evidence. A beat passed before she slammed the album shut. “Fine—I’ll go ask.”

“Ask who?”

“The neighbor’s wife.”

“Fool! Fool! They’ll laugh at you!”

“But then—who did it?”

“How should I know if you ask me?”

“Just look at this!”
(Her eyes gradually darkening) “I’ve figured it out.”
“That’s it—it must be!”

Captain Miyoshi: “What on earth have you figured out?”

Mrs. Miyoshi: “That’s enough, it’s already settled.
“But that’s quite a bold thing to do.”
(suddenly stands up and heads into the back) “Nee-ya, Nee-ya….”

Captain Miyoshi: “She must’ve gone to call the boy.”

Mrs. Miyoshi had realized.

Captain Miyoshi (scratching his spiky head vigorously)

Mrs. Miyoshi’s voice: “What’s wrong…? How long are you going to take…?”

At this moment, the Captain’s only son, Tadabō, appeared, face covered in mud.

Captain Miyoshi: “Hey, Tadabō, come here.”
“You did some mischief, didn’t you?”
“What’s with that face of yours…?”
(After seating the child on his lap and pointing at the photograph) “Do you know who this is?”

The Maid’s voice (suddenly, loudly): “I don’t know nothin’!”

A long silence.

The Maid’s voice (again, louder): “I don’t know nothin’! Nothin’ at all!”

Captain Miyoshi: “Hey.”
“Isn’t the bath ready yet?”

A long silence.

Captain Miyoshi (rising to his feet and heading to the tearoom): “Hey, isn’t the bath ready yet?”

A somewhat long interval.

Mrs.Miyoshi’s voice: “Come over here and have a look.”
(The Maid appeared.)

Maid (appeared next,
surprisingly composed)

Mrs. Miyoshi (indicating the empty space in the photo album): “This one.”
“It was here until just now—doesn’t that seem strange?”
(Staring holes through the maid’s face) “Look—we know you took it now. Just confess honestly.”
“This isn’t like stealing money or goods—there’s nothing shameful about wanting something like this.”
“If you took it, say you took it and let’s be done.”
“If you want it that badly, I’ll have a new copy made.”
“Well? What’s your answer?”

Maid (biting her lip and looking down)

Mrs.Miyoshi: “Well—show it.”
“Where is it?”

Maid (remaining silent)

Mrs.Miyoshi: “Are you holding it there?”
(Reaching out)

Maid (hunching her shoulders and bracing herself firmly, as if to prevent it from being taken back)

“So, since I’m asking you, give it back.”
“There’s only one copy of that photograph in my possession now—I can’t just hand it over—but if it’s a different one, I could give you that.”
“But more importantly… why on earth did you decide to take something like a photograph?”
“Was it just because it was rare?”
(Pause.) “That can’t be it.”
“Let’s hear your reason.”
(From this point onward, Mrs. Miyoshi’s expression turned fearsome.) “You can’t say it, can you?”
“There we go. That’s how it is, isn’t it?”
(With a sarcastic smile) “You’re quite the hussy beneath that innocent face.”
“Carrying around someone else’s husband’s photograph against your skin—what exactly were you planning to do with that?”
“I won’t let you pull any foolish stunts right before my eyes.”

Maid (at this moment looked up at Mrs.Miyoshi with a resentful expression)

Mrs.Miyoshi: "Sa—hand it over."
"You won’t hand it over?"

(Slowly rising to her feet, she made a move to lunge.)

The Maid (flustered, reached into the front of her kimono and seemed to firmly grasp the item inside.)
This appeared to display a resolve that dared her to try taking it if she could.)

Mrs. Miyoshi (losing all composure at this defiant attitude, seized the maid’s arm and yanked it with all her strength)

Maid (unable to offer even token resistance): “Ma’am...”

Mrs. Miyoshi (frantically): “Hand over the photograph! Hand it over…!”
(The photograph forcibly snatched from the maid’s hand lay crumpled like wastepaper.)

A long silence.

Maid (weeping in suppressed sobs)

Mrs. Miyoshi (smoothing out the wrinkles in the photograph): “Such an important photograph—ruined like this.”
(changing her tone) “What exactly were you planning to do with this?”
“If you’re so fond of our master, why not have him accompany you wherever you please?”

Captain Miyoshi’s voice (suddenly, from the next room): “Stop spouting nonsense.”
“It’s unsightly.”

Mrs. Miyoshi (caught off guard, flushing deeply): “You—you must’ve said something indulgent to this woman!”

Maid (unable to speak from the shock, mouth working soundlessly as she gazed at Mrs. Miyoshi with tear-filled eyes, shaking her head without any clear reason).

Captain Miyoshi (appearing in nothing but a fundoshi): “Alright, I get it, I get it.”
“No need to worry.”

Mrs. Miyoshi (with heightened ferocity): “What do you mean there’s no need to worry?”
“Are you going to make us do this and then just leave it be?”

Captain Miyoshi: “I haven’t told you yet.”
“Hey, you—just tell me clearly why you wanted that photograph…”
“She just wanted to have a photograph of a military man dressed so smartly and brag about it to someone, that’s all.”

“Wrong, wrong! If it’s a military man’s photograph you wanted, aren’t there plenty of others? Of all things, your photograph…”

Captain Miyoshi: “Where exactly does this ‘special because it’s Captain Miyoshi’ photograph exist?”
“You won’t get an army captain’s full-dress uniform through your own efforts that easily, Maid.”
“So go on—show her one of the other photographs.”
“She’ll happily take that one instead.”
“Right? That’s how it goes.”

Maid (shook her head slightly)

Mrs. Miyoshi (seizing her moment): "Look at this!"
"She insists it must be yours."
"What an impudent creature!"

Captain Miyoshi: "Try to speak more calmly."
"In that case, I suppose it must be like this..."

Mrs. Miyoshi: "Are you dispensing your wisdom to her now?"
"What a considerate master you are, aren’t you?"

Captain Miyoshi: "Alright, then I’ll keep quiet."
"But hey—what if the Maid had fallen for me? What’d you do then?"
"So to speak—she wanted at least one photograph. Sure, taking it without permission was wrong, but since having her ask wasn’t really an option, it’s fine as it is, don’t you think?"
"It doesn’t particularly trouble anyone, does it?"
"If a photograph isn’t enough to satisfy her—well, that’ll become a bit of a hassle."
"Even so—though not in front of the Maid here—if anyone’s going to be inconvenienced, it’s just me. You just need to trust me."
"If you can’t bring yourself to trust me—then this likely isn’t limited to just this maid here."

Mrs. Miyoshi (sharply): “Exactly. You wouldn’t care who it was, would you?”

“You’re making the maid laugh,” said Captain Miyoshi.
“That was just a metaphor.”
“Getting angry won’t do, Maid...”
“Hey—even you might have someone good back home.”
(Forcing a smile) “A man like me with a beard—you want nothing to do with that, huh?”

Maid (fidgeting, with an expression that seemed to summon all her courage): “That ain’t true at all... but about th’ photograph—there’s another reason for that.”

Captain Miyoshi (with a self-satisfied air): “That’s how it is.”
“Go on, say it.”
“Then the missus can relax.”

Maid: Truth is, back home they say all us young’uns who go to Tokyo for service end up in proper households... but folks are sayin’ it’s all lies. So I wanted to show ’em proof there ain’t nothin’ like that...
“See, our own folks’d understand if they came up to Tokyo—but the neighbors keep jawin’. They say Tadabō here lives in a military man’s house... then I heard ’em claim even a private counts as military! Like we’re at some... some lowly private’s place—ain’t true at all!”

Captain Miyoshi: “Alright, now I get it. I’ll have you take back proper evidence. This coming Sunday, we’ll all take a photo together. We’ll seat the Maid in the center—I’ll stand on the right in my military uniform, and Mrs. Miyoshi will sit on the left wearing her patterned kimono… Let’s have Tadabō be held by the Maid. That should settle it. Since that’s how things stand, I’ll make an exception for today’s matter—apologize to Mrs. Miyoshi.”

Maid (politely placing her hands on the floor): “Mrs. Miyoshi, I’m truly sorry… I’ll never do nothin’ like stealin’ the Master’s photograph again…”

“Alright, alright, that’s enough now,” said Captain Miyoshi.
“Oh—what’s become of Tadabō?”
“I had him wait at the bath entrance, but damn, he went off playing again.”
“Maid, go call him once more.”

Maid exited.

Mrs. Miyoshi buried her face in her husband’s lap, shamefacedly.

Captain Miyoshi, perplexed about where to put his hands, absentmindedly reopened the photo album. “That one—she should’ve taken yours too while she was at it.”
“That’s right—if it were this rural schoolteacher, it would’ve been even better.”

Mrs. Miyoshi (her shoulders undulated like waves - whether she wept or laughed).

Captain Miyoshi (shaking his knee): "Quit it - that tickles! I said quit tickling me..."

—CURTAIN—