Pathway to Japanese Literature

Characters

Major Uji

Orderly Ota

Groom Tomokichi
Mrs. Suzuko Uji
Tomokichi's Wife Kazuyo
Maid Yoshi

Time: Summer of Meiji 37 (1904)

Place: Tokyo

Act 1

Major Uji's living room—evening

Orderly Ota (First Class Cavalryman) was organizing a military kit bag.

Mrs. Suzuko Uji appeared.

Mrs. Uji: “Now, do put this knitting needle away somewhere.
We could send it later, but it would be such a nuisance if it got lost in the shuffle...
Besides, they say it turns cold over there once September comes.—Everything will depend on your care.
I truly rely on you.
It must be terribly trying, but...
Please take particular care not to fall ill.
You’ll ruin your stomach straight away.”

“In that case… are these all we need to pack?”
“I suppose so…”
“That’s about all there is, I suppose.”
“Did you put the protective charm over there…?”

“Whiskey—will two bottles suffice?”

“That should be plenty.”
“You should put one in your map case yourself.”

Orderly Ota will also take one along.
And then，since there are grooms...

Mrs．Uji： “That much．．．？”
“They say you shouldn’t drink alcohol on cold nights，though．．．”
“They say people often freeze to death，so．．．”

Orderly： “Pardon？”

Mrs．Uji： “They freeze to death．”
“If one gets drunk or something．．．”

Orderly： “Why is that？”

“I don’t know why exactly,” Mrs.Uji continued, “but I once heard such a story at a women’s association lecture.” Her fingers brushed against the woolen knitting needle she’d asked him to pack earlier. “You don’t drink, do you?”

Orderly Ota kept his eyes on the kit bag’s brass buckles as he answered: “No... It’s not permitted.”

“That’s for the best.”

The shoji screens rattled suddenly. Major Uji stood framed in the doorway, his yukata sleeves hanging loose like surrender flags. “Finished?”

“Yes, sir.” Ota’s spine straightened to attention.

Mrs.Uji’s gaze shifted to the whiskey bottles crowding her husband’s luggage. “What could you possibly need with so much liquor?”

“That’s none of your business.”
“Ota—you’re dismissed for today.”
“Have you met with your family yet?”

“No—I haven’t met them yet.”
“There’s nothing requiring my attention.”

“But still…”

Major: “You need not come tomorrow.”
“Then tell the adjutant there’s no further business tonight.”

Orderly Ota: “Yes, sir.”
“I shall inform the adjutant that there is no further business tonight.”
(Taking out a certificate) “Please affix your seal...”

Major: “Take care not to ruin your health before departure.”

Orderly Ota: “Yes, sir.”
(Shouldering the military bag, he exited.)

Mrs. Uji’s efforts were acknowledged.

(The Major and Mrs. Uji sit facing each other and remain silent for some time.)
(—An extra edition seller passes by out front.)

Mrs. Uji: “Shall I have someone buy the extra edition?”

Major: “Hmm.”

Mrs. Uji: (Facing the back) “Yoshi, go and buy the extra edition.”

(Yoshi’s voice) Yes.

(A long silence)

"What are you thinking about?"

Major: "That guy’s gone off to play in the groom’s quarters again, hasn’t he?"

Mrs. Uji: "Is it Takeshi?"

Major: "That woman Kazu really shouldn’t be putting bad ideas into children’s heads. She apparently put a toy gun to her own throat and showed them how to pretend to commit suicide or something like that."

Mrs. Uji: "Goodness! What time is it?"

Major: "Earlier, when I returned, they were at the gate playing around doing that sort of thing with the other children. When I asked where they learned it from, they said it was from Kazu."

“It’s truly troublesome,” said Mrs.Uji.

“The groom’s wife went to one of those girls’ schools—that’s the root of it,” replied the Major. “Her words reek of insolence, her actions amount to childish playacting—utterly intolerable.” He leaned forward, the yukata sleeves brushing against packed whiskey crates. “I can’t have her minding the children while I’m away at the front.”

Mrs.Uji folded her hands over her kimono sash. “I shall exercise greater vigilance.”
“She understands worldly matters too thoroughly,” she added, her voice lowering conspiratorially.

The Major snorted through his mustache. “Jaded, plain and simple...” His sentence trailed off as Yoshi slid open the shoji screen.

“If we go there… that woman called Yoshi…”

(Yoshi opens the sliding door.)
(Mrs.Uji falls silent.)

“The extra edition seller has already left.”
“It’s because you called out too late, I suppose.”

Yoshi: “No—when I went out to the gate, he’d already gone somewhere.”

Mrs.Uji: “Didn’t you hear the bell?”

Yoshi: “Was that the bell? Well—it rang in several places, but…”

Major: “Enough. Summon Tomokichi.”

Mrs.Uji: “Will you tell him now?”

Major: “No.”

(A long silence)

(Groom Tomokichi appears timidly.)

Tomokichi: “Is there something you require…?”

Major: “Come closer over here… You’ve replaced the bedding straw with fresh stuff, haven’t you.”

Tomokichi: “Yes, sir.”

Major: “Well then—let’s get straight to it. I want to hear your decision.”

Tomokichi: …

Major: “How about it—will you go to the battlefield with me?”

Tomokichi: (Silently bows his head)

Major: “As for the reserve horse—well—it’s manageable enough—but that main horse over there—as you know—it’s high-maintenance—and you’ve only just gotten accustomed to handling it—if you come along with me—I’d find it a great help.”
“When entrusted with an officer’s horse—one would think you’d have made some mental preparations for times like these—but I ask just to confirm.”
Tomokichi: …

Major: “Or are you scared to go to war?”

Tomokichi: “No, I’m not scared.”

Major: “Then how about it?”
“Will you go?”

Tomokichi: (Bows his head again)

“If you think of yourself as being conscripted by the army, it’s nothing to fret over,” said the Major. “With that physique and youth, you shouldn’t utter such cowardly words.”

Tomokichi remained silent.

“All men die once anyway,” continued the Major. “Whether you expire on tatami or get trampled by a train—a life’s still a life. If you gallantly lay down your life for the nation, your death alone will blossom into glory. Isn’t that a man’s ultimate purpose?”

Tomokichi: (Silently bowed his head)

Major: “I’ll double your salary, and the government will naturally provide an allowance as well. On top of that, if you return safely, you’ll also receive a military service badge.”

Mrs. Uji: “And even though it’s called war, you wouldn’t have to go to such dangerous places like regular soldiers, would you?”

Major: “That’s true enough. Why, your life will be safe. (Pause) I’ll naturally take care of whoever you leave behind here.”
“Even if something were to happen to you, there’d be no need for worry.”

Tomokichi: (Silently bows his head)

Major: “I can’t force you to come against your will—do as you see fit.”

Tomokichi: “Then I’ll consult my wife.”

Major: “That would be wisest.”
“But Kazuyo… you do realize she’s just a woman.”

Tomokichi: “Oh.”

“If you ask whether it’s better to go or not,” said Major Uji, “isn’t it certain she’ll say not to go? If you resolve to do this and declare ‘I will go,’ she won’t tell you not to. Japanese women don’t say such things.”

“Oh,” Tomokichi murmured. “But…”

“But what?”

“The truth is… I did mention it earlier. But that woman has no relatives—if I were to go…”

“So I told you I’d handle the rest, didn’t I?”

“If you’d please speak to her yourself, sir… Once that woman decides something, she never relents…
I’m truly at my wit’s end.”

“So Kazuyo objects to you going?”

“To put it plainly—though I shouldn’t overstep—given how things stand between us, even I can’t help fearing she might… do something reckless later…”

“That won’t happen. Today, every man worth calling a man leaves behind wives and children—parents and siblings—to march toward enemy territory. It’s not as if your wife alone would remain behind. This grows tedious—you still fail to comprehend. Very well—I shall question her myself.”

Madam: “Well now, back then it was about whether you two could marry or not—hence all that drama over life and death—but this matter is quite different.”
“I’ll look after her properly so there’s no such trouble…”

Tomokichi: “Ah, I’m most grateful.”
“But with her temperament… She’s truly beyond my grasp…”
(Scratches his head)

Major: (Laughing) “Quit your whimpering.”
“You dug this grave yourself.”
“It’s fine that you’re so devoted—but…”

Tomokichi: “What is it? It’s just... somehow, I feel like I can’t breathe...”

Mrs. Suzuko Uji: (Laughing) “Oh my... My goodness... This one is quite something...”
Major: “Summon Kazuyo.”

Mrs. Uji exits.

Major: “Look at me. Me… I don’t consult a damn soul!”

Tomokichi: “Oh…”

Major: “Aren’t you heeding your wife’s words a bit too much?”

Tomokichi: “Well, if I don’t [listen], she’ll just keep pestering me afterward…”

Major: “How exactly does she pester you?”

Tomokichi: “Kazuyo always tells me, ‘My body is yours, and in exchange, your body is mine.’”

Major: "Then what becomes of your role as master?"

Tomokichi: "Oh... Well... It's just that... When we're alone together, that's how things stand..."
"If you dismiss her at night, I can't even go out to buy tobacco anymore."

Major: "You're a fortunate man..."
(Beat) "Show resolve... Stay firm..."
"What's that look on your face...?"

(At this moment, Mrs. Uji enters, accompanied by Tomokichi’s wife, Kazuyo.)

(Kazuyo bows politely.)

Major: "You needn’t be so formal."
"Now, I assume you’ve already heard the gist—with the war having begun and mobilization orders issued to our division—as you know, every officer must take one groom with them."
"I intend to take Tomokichi. Do you object?"

Kazuyo (silently looked at Tomokichi’s face)

Tomokichi (avoids her gaze and lowers his face)

Major: "I've just spoken to Tomokichi. He says he'll go if you consent."
"If this were us soldiers, we wouldn't consult our wives or give a damn."
"Well then—grooms may have their freedom—but any Japanese man born into this world would share this uniform desire: to serve the nation at this thousand-year opportunity."

“If that’s how it stands—whether he goes or stays—is that entirely his own decision?”
“Essentially.”
“Then regarding accompaniment—I cannot possibly consent.”
“But why…?”
“I refuse to be parted from him.”
“Is that all?”

Kazuyo: "That is all there is to it."

Major: "Is there no room left for reconsideration?"

Kazuyo: "Since earlier, I have been thinking carefully—in truth, whether a military groom must go to war or not is something we could not fully grasp."
"If he must go, then I too am prepared for that."
"However, according to what you just said, since it appears he doesn’t have to go, I do not wish for him to go."

“Even if you don’t want him to go,” said the Major, “there’s no recourse if your husband says he will.”

“That cannot be,” Kazuyo replied. “There’s no reason for him to declare he’ll go. This matter was already settled between us.”

Tomokichi shifted uneasily. “But Kazuyo... When the Major puts it that way...” He avoided her eyes. “Given the obligations from all his past kindnesses, I can’t rightly refuse to accompany him.”

“What is this now?” Kazuyo’s voice sharpened as she faced Tomokichi. “Can’t we repay their kindness through some other means? You think you can go off to war? Twice as cowardly as anyone else...” Her words dripped with contempt. “You’d lose your nerve just hearing gunfire.”

“Tomokichi,” she snapped, cutting off his weak protest, “stop this joking.”

“That’s not true,” he mumbled, avoiding her gaze. “They say grooms don’t go to dangerous places anyway.”

Kazuyo’s final declaration left no room for argument: “If I refuse, then there’s nothing to be done.”

(A long silence)

“Though I may be speaking out of turn as someone on the sidelines... What do you think, Kazuyo? This isn’t like other times—we can’t just think of ourselves now.”
“What if you were to make up your mind...?”
“Tomokichi must maintain his standing in society too.”

Tomokichi: “Since I have that reputation…”
“Even today at the squad—when those comrades asked me, ‘You goin’?’—I told ’em straight out I was goin’, of course.”

Kazuyo: “You’re still saying such things.”
“Earlier—what did you say to me…?”

Tomokichi (suddenly choking up, having looked at his wife’s face, shrinking back)

Kazuyo: “Until now, regarding our matters as a couple, we have caused you various worries—and to be of no use at such a time—you must think us utterly inhuman—but in this one matter, I beg your forgiveness. There may well be a more tactful way to decline, but rather than making up excuses and finding ourselves trapped in an irresolvable plight, I have chosen to speak plainly. If this person were to be taken away from me, I would have no reason left to live…”
(Suddenly presses her sleeve to her eyes.)

“I understand—there’s no need to hear anything more.”
“You attended girls’ school, yet you appear not to comprehend a citizen’s duty.”
“It can’t be helped.”
“I haven’t time to instruct you now.”
“Tomokichi is truly cursed by fate.”
“Wherever you go henceforth, you’ll endure public disgrace.”

“Regarding that matter, please spare yourself concern.”
“I cannot remain silent while exposing this person to such humiliation.”
“The world ought to extend far beyond such narrow confines.”

Mrs. Uji: “Kazuyo.”
“Haven’t you spoken out of turn?”

Major: “Enough! Both of you—get over there! Filthy even to converse with such wretches.”
“Consider the master-servant bond severed as of today.”

Tomokichi: “My deepest apologies.”

Kazuyo: “There is no alternative.”
“This resolve alone I have steeled myself for.”
“If it would not inconvenience you, Tomokichi could find employment elsewhere while I remain here assisting Madam—but should that too prove burdensome, we shall both take our leave.”
(After a pause) “Now then... Master... Madam... May you keep well...”
“Come—you must offer your farewells too.”

Tomokichi (bowed his head)

Mrs. Uji: “Do you mean to leave this house in such a way? Who will tend to the horses starting tomorrow?”

Tomokichi (looking at his wife): “That’s right. Tomorrow morning—who will put on the saddles….”

Major: “I’ll put it on myself.”
“I don’t want to borrow the hands of such a coward to put on the saddle for deployment.”
(Stands up indignantly and starts to leave toward the rear.)

Kazuyo (tightens her expression and watches him leave)

Tomokichi (summoning all his courage): “Master...”

Major (looks back)

Tomokichi: “What do you mean by ‘coward’?”
(In a trembling voice) “I don’t care about my life.”
“I’m a man too.”
“I won’t take such insults!”

Major (with deliberate smile): “Good. If being called a coward riles you up, your backbone ain’t completely rotted yet.”
“Think on it one more night.”
(He disappears.)

“Now now—you mustn’t be so confrontational either.”
“From Master’s perspective, it’s only natural he finds your attitude exasperating.”
“That said—I do understand your position.”
“Which is precisely why I wish to request we resolve this matter more peaceably.”

Kazuyo: “No matter what you may say, there’s nothing to be done. Even if this person is branded a coward, to me he remains my irreplaceable and precious husband. If all it takes is incurring the Master’s displeasure to save his life, there could be no greater joy.”

“There’s no need to say such things, you know.”

“No—Madam and those of your standing see the world through different eyes than we do.”
“Those of noble status may possess the lofty dispositions befitting their station, but such dispositions are beyond our understanding.”
“They hold no meaning for us.”
“To us, honor is as worthless as scrap paper.”
“If anyone claims an army groom who dies will be enshrined as a god, even the horses would laugh.”

Mrs. Uji: “But you—”

Kazuyo (desperately): “No—that isn’t what I meant.”
“Even if you piled up millions upon millions of yen before me—I would never send this person off to war.”
“Not just war—I couldn’t bear being apart from him for even a single day.”
“Though I say this, you’ll never understand.”
(Recalling) “Once, twice, thrice… The grief of parting has been carved into my very bones.”
“When I became one with this person, I vowed that this time—no matter what might come—I would never leave his side.”
(After a pause) “My first husband fell suddenly ill and was gone in an instant.”
“If this person were to sicken and die, I’ve resolved to follow him into death.”
(After a pause) “My second husband took up with another woman on his travels and disappeared without a trace.”
“When this person was to depart on his journey, I had fully intended to accompany him.”
“How could there ever be such sorrow as parting between those who call themselves one flesh and soul?”
“It must surely be a mistake—there can be no doubt of that.”
“Not even death shall part us—that is the truth.”
“Madam—you must think it absurd for us to speak such things.”

Mrs. Uji (solemnly): “Not only do you speak these words—I envy you for being in a position to truly act on them.”

(At this moment, the sliding door opens, and the maid Yoshi reveals half her body.)

Yoshi: “Madam, um... the Master is asking for you.”

Mrs. Uji: “Well then—I suppose you should take your leave for today.”
“Even if you take your leave, do so calmly—there are things to consider for the future...”
(Exits with the maid)

Tomokichi: “Shall we go over there?”

Kazuyo: “You do say what needs to be said when it matters.”

Tomokichi: “Of course. Would any man stay silent after being insulted? Just because he’s the Master, he gets all high and mighty from our kowtowing...”

Kazuyo: “It’s fine—just let them say whatever they want… It’s not as if we’ll be relying on them anymore anyway…”

Tomokichi: “I ain’t scared of the war.”

Kazuyo: “I know.”

Tomokichi: “But damn, it’s annoying. The world’s full of busybodies.”

Kazuyo: “Wouldn’t it be better if we weren’t in Tokyo?”

Tomokichi: “The horses are precious to me too.”

Kazuyo: “Which do you find more precious—me or them?”

Tomokichi (grinned slyly at his wife)

Kazuyo: “Which do you find more precious?”

Tomokichi (poked Kazuyo’s cheek with his finger)

Kazuyo (taking his hand): “Look at this.”
“I won’t have you changing your mind now.”
“So it’s settled then.”
“Come—let’s hurry and go somewhere.”
(Suddenly brightening) “Let’s go to Osaka—to Osaka...”
“My uncle’s there if we go to Osaka...”
“He’ll surely help us...”
“Yes? Let’s do that.”
“Come—quickly...”

(Kazuyo stands up and tries to pull Tomokichi to his feet.)
(Tomokichi stubbornly refuses to get up.)

--Curtain--

Second Act

Groom Tomokichi and his wife’s room—around noon

A rope-bound trunk and two furoshiki bundles sat in the corner of the room, with a scrap of cloth laid over the dining tray. Kazuyo was cooking something over a Seto brazier. Standing in the earthen entryway, the maid Yoshi was chattering incessantly.

Yoshi: “Well then—your resolve won’t break while the Master’s away. But just wait until Madam’s left alone. What with having to listen to all her complaints... If that were all, it’d be fine. Say you’re lonely—she scolds you; say there’s no word from him—she hits you... Those of us by her side are the ones who really suffer. I’ve been in a concubine’s household before, you know—that’s why I get it.”

Kazuyo was listening distractedly. She seemed to have a toothache, occasionally pressing her hand against her cheek.

Yoshi: “But you know, if you aren’t here, there’ll be things that trouble me.”
“Oh right—this morning, the Major and Madam did that water cup ritual.”
“I wanted to show you how they looked.”

Kazuyo: “That’s where they differ.”

Yoshi: “Someone like me—I just can’t help crying at times like that.”

“Madam didn’t cry.”
“That’s odd, isn’t it.”
“………”
“She might’ve wept quietly last night. Though Madam did say she envies you.”

“When?”

Yoshi: “Earlier...”
(Pause) “They say the Master will be staying at the regiment starting tonight...”

Kazuyo: “For good?”

Yoshi: “That’s why they performed the farewell water cup ritual this morning—but when they came out… somehow even my chest tightened up.”
Kazuyo: ……

“It felt somehow brave yet sorrowful—I almost wanted to shout ‘hurrah’...”
“Have you finished preparing lunch?”

Yoshi: “Ah, I forgot. You know, when you’re free—Madam said to come for a moment...”

“I’m just… not feeling well…”

“That’s not true at all. Madam doesn’t think anything of it at all. She just said she was worried about what you intend to do now.”

“I hate this idea of waiting until there’s a replacement. You’d think they could find any number of people to take over as groom. Because they say all men want to go to war…”

“War might be all well and good, but if they don’t even die…”

Kazuyo: “What I hate is not knowing whether he’ll live or die.”

(At this moment, Mrs. Suzuko Uji appeared.)

Yoshi: “Oh...”
“I just mentioned that a moment ago, but...”

“Are your hands still not free? —I’ve suddenly grown lonely; come keep me company.”

“Yes.”
“But…”

“Since the Major departed this morning in perfectly good spirits, you needn’t feel so reserved about it.”
“If a replacement could be found even today, wouldn’t that suffice?”
“Tomokichi too—thinking his duties were ending today—was holding the horse’s bridle more diligently than usual.”
“That’s more like it.”
“I was pleased!”

“I’m obliged.”

“It seems there are still four or five days until the mobilization concludes—if we can find someone suitable by then… You needn’t rush to prepare your departure like that. Since this room will be vacant anyway, why don’t you stay here at your leisure until your future plans are settled.”

Kazuyo: “I am grateful.”

Madam: (to Yoshi) “You—stop loitering there and go prepare lunch at once.”

“Yes, what shall I prepare for lunch?”

“We still have some simmered kelp, don’t we? Could you grill a salmon for us?”

Yoshi: …(Exits).

“If it’s a meal you need, have some of ours—there’s a cup of cold water.”

Kazuyo: “Yes.”
“I’m obliged.”
“Because my husband said he might return for lunch…”

“This morning, you were crying in the entrance,” said Madam. “Why were you crying?”

“Oh, Madam,” replied Kazuyo, “were you watching me?”
“No—well… at that moment…”
“While seeing off the Major, I felt as though struck by a tremendous force.”
“You placed your hand on the young master’s head and simply lowered your eyes in silence.”
“When the young master called out ‘I’m off now’ in his usual spirited way—”
“—the Major must have turned back to give that gentle nod of his.”
“Then you suddenly drew the young master close and laughed like this.”

“My, you observed everything in such detail.”

“I certainly did...”
(Pause) “Madam, in that moment I realized I was truly a wretched woman.”
“But there’s nothing to be done about that.”
“For people like us, there’s nothing compelling us to act in such ways...”

“That manner of living seems more carefree.”

“Yet in return, everything before my eyes remains pitch black.”
“I cannot walk alone.”
“Though at times I may appear strong-willed, that’s merely me chastising myself.”

“But if someone as steadfast as you remains resolute, there’s nothing in this world to fear.”
“But no matter what one says—you are a woman after all.”
“Tomokichi—though I say this before you—is, how shall I put it, the sort who bends to others’ words; nor can it be said there won’t be considerable hardship from here on out.”
“If you ever find yourself overwhelmed again, come consult me anytime.”
“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do anything...”

Kazuyo: “When you say that, it only makes it more painful. Since I’m being dismissed for my ingratitude regardless, I feel it would be somewhat easier on my heart if I were to leave through the gate while enduring harsh scolding.”

Madam: “That’s your bad habit.”

Kazuyo: “No, Madam—please, I truly beg you not to concern yourself with our affairs any longer…”

Madam: “That’s right—one shouldn’t dismiss others’ kindness as you do.”

Kazuyo: “Is that so? Is receiving scorn still not enough for us? On top of that, must we still be subjected to pity?” (her voice breaking) “That’s too much, too much…” (Cries.)

(At this moment, Tomokichi staggers in weakly.)

(After bowing to Madam, he noticed his wife's unusual complexion and looked back at Madam suspiciously)

Tomokichi: “What’s wrong?”

Madam: “What’s troubling Kazuyo? You must be under considerable strain with recent matters, but whenever I try to speak openly with you, somehow it gets misinterpreted...” (turning to Kazuyo) “Now, calm yourself properly and listen obediently to what I say.”

Tomokichi: “She’s being contrary—it’s truly troublesome. Moreover, since yesterday she seems somewhat agitated... I must apologize for this outrageous impropriety.”

Madam: “No, I don’t mind such things… It’s not as if this is the first time I’ve shown concern for the two of you.”

Tomokichi: “It’s just as you say…”

Madam: “Even back then—when the two of you became like that—it was I who smoothed things over before the Major, you know. Kazuyo, you couldn’t have forgotten what you said to me back then.” (Pause) “You said that if you could be with Tomokichi, you’d endure any hardship… And then you also said this: ‘I’ll never forget Madam’s kindness even if I die…’. No, well—I don’t want to make people feel indebted to me. It’s just that when I think you don’t understand my feelings, I feel a bit disappointed.”

Tomokichi: “Ah—well—we always discuss matters between ourselves, Madam, but there’s no such intention here. As for this recent matter too, we’ve come to realize it was entirely our own misunderstanding… What I mean is—today at the regiment, hearing all the men without exception would be accompanying Major Uji—I too have finally resolved to do so.”

Kazuyo (suddenly raised her face and stared at Tomokichi)

Tomokichi: “After all... I’ve decided to go with him.”
“Permission has also been granted by the master.”
“Well, if that’s how it’s decided, there’s nothing more to say.”
“Hey, Kazuyo, like I just said, I’ve decided to go too, so get things ready with that in mind.”

Kazuyo (silently looked at Tomokichi’s face)

Madam (hesitant toward Kazuyo): “I say—is it really all right to decide such matters without consulting Kazuyo?”

Tomokichi: “Ah, consulting my wife about such matters was a mistake.”
“Come on, get things ready.”

Madam: “Is that really true?”
“If that’s settled properly, then there’s nothing more to say.”
“Well then, take your time saying farewell.”
“I’ll go have my lunch in the meantime...”
(Exits.)

Tomokichi: (with some awkwardness) “Why are you staying silent?”
“Hey, say something. (Pause) I have to go no matter what.”
“No—I want to go.”
“Don’t say anything—just let me go. Hey, Kazuyo—please endure this.”

Kazuyo—not looking at her husband’s face, nor lowering her gaze—stared vacantly into the distance and remained utterly silent.

Tomokichi: “You might think I made such firm promises last night, but back then, I was having a bad dream.”
“(Pause) I won’t do anything as stupid as dying, so just let me go this once.”
“I’ll definitely come back safely.”
“When I come back, I’ll cherish you even more than before…”
“Hey—even so, you still refuse?”

Kazuyo…

Tomokichi: “Why won’t you answer?”
“(Pause) Stay by Madam’s side and live comfortably while I’m away.”
“You’ve nothing to worry about.”
“But look—look at our Madam...”
“Isn’t it the same thing?”

Kazuyo: (suddenly shrill) “No! No! That’s not a woman!”
“How can you call someone a woman when she calmly bids farewell to her husband leaving for some distant place without knowing when he’ll return?”
“No—no! You can’t go! You can’t go!”

Tomokichi: “So I can come back anytime, right? If I say I’m sick, I can return whenever.”
Kazuyo: “You don’t need to go that far.” (Crawling closer) “You must understand—I’m a woman who can’t keep living if you’re not by my side even for a moment. I’m different from other women. Every single day, thinking of you—not knowing if you’re alive or dead—please imagine me wasting away... No—worse! If you leave, I’ll die right here—I mean it! I’ll die right now to prove it.”

Tomokichi: “Hey, hey—stop saying such jokes.”

Kazuyo: “You think this is a joke?”
(Pause) “I’ve endured hardship after hardship ever since I was little.”
“Even now, there are sufferings you couldn’t possibly understand.”
“Just being with you makes those burdens feel light. Just looking at your face like this makes me want to stay alive in this world.”
(Pause) “So please—I beg you—reconsider.”
“If going to war is noble, then refusing to go must be equally noble.”
“That’s true—because you wouldn’t have to kill anyone…”
(Pause) “And dying in battle—compared to living on like this, mocked and pitied by others—must be far easier.”
“But none of that matters.”
“If suffering serves someone’s cause, we’ll show them how much we can endure—let’s suffer together, just us two, ignoring everyone else…”

Tomokichi (perplexed, looks up at the ceiling)

Kazuyo: “That’s why you’re spineless.”

Tomokichi: “That horse had somehow sensed I wasn’t going to go. This morning, when I casually brought a carrot to it, the horse shoved away the carrot it usually devours eagerly with its nose. When I tried to force it into its mouth, it clenched its teeth and absolutely refused to open its mouth. There’s no mistake—it must have resented me!”

Kazuyo: “That’s not true.”
“Its belly was swollen.”

Tomokichi: “No—you’re wrong.”
“It’s not some damn foreign thing—it’s a carrot!”
“So I joked, ‘I’ll go, I’ll go—stop worrying,’ I told it.”
“Then the bastard went and gaped its big mouth wide open.”

(A long silence)

Kazuyo: “Then go ahead and see for yourself—since I’m right here like this.”
(Kazuyo wraps her arms around Tomokichi’s neck)

Tomokichi: “I wish I could take you with me...”

(A long silence)

Tomokichi: (stands up as if shaking off both the woman’s arms and some temptation) “Alright—I can’t just stay like this.”

Kazuyo: (while glaring at Tomokichi) “But really—you act like going to war’s some grand thing! You’re not even a proper soldier!”
“You’re nothing but a lowly groom!”
“War’s like some play—only the good actors get applause!”
“If you were like our master—all decked in medals, barking orders from horseback with your long sword drawn—then going might be worth something!”
“But if you’re just gonna scuttle after horses in your shabby clothes? War and shit might as well be twins!”
“(Pause) Don’t let them sweet-talk you—don’t get cocky!”
“Even if we alone think it’s for the nation—if that precious nation won’t spare us a glance—what’s even the point?”

Tomokichi: “Saying such things is pointless.”

Kazuyo: “Why can’t it be helped?”

Tomokichi: “There are things you just don’t understand.”

Kazuyo: “What don’t I understand? — That’s right, that’s exactly it. You’ve already stopped thinking about someone like me, haven’t you?”

Tomokichi: “You’re saying that again. No matter how many times I say it, it’s the same thing. I just don’t want to shrink from the world—that’s all there is to it. The other guys are heading out with gusto. I can’t just sit here alone and watch that happen. Then I’d feel too pathetic. You wouldn’t want to see my gloomy face day after day from now on either, would you? No matter what I do, that’s how it’ll end up. Wherever I go, they’ll say, ‘That’s Major Uji’s groom.’”

Kazuyo: “So you’re determined to go no matter what?”

Tomokichi: “Let me have my way. If you tell me I can’t go no matter what… I won’t be able to go on living.”

Kazuyo: “Can’t go on living…?”
“Are you truly resolved to die? Will you die with me?”

Tomokichi: ……

Kazuyo: “I’d be far happier that way than having you go off alone.”
“(Pause) Even if we stay together like this, sad times may come again.”
“That’s truly how it is.”
“It’s precisely when you’ve come to feel that resolve that I can steel myself and do anything.”
“(Pause) Then I’ll make preparations with that resolve.”
“How should we die—you must think about that.”
“I wonder if there’s a way… to die resolutely without too much suffering…”
“But it’s fine—even if it’s a bit painful…”
“After all, it’s just five or ten minutes…”

Tomokichi: “Stop talking nonsense... That’s... That’s absurd... You’re a laughingstock.”
Kazuyo: “Let those who laugh do as they please.”
“I wonder why I never thought of that until now…”
“Even without all this… my heart was already heavy with the fear that someday I’d have to part with you…”
“In fact, I couldn’t even eat meals.”

(At this moment, Orderly Ota appears.)

“You’re still here?”

Tomokichi: (flustered, stands up) “I just finished eating.”
“I was about to change clothes and head out right away.”

Ota: “Since we’re assembling at division headquarters at two, shouldn’t we start preparing the horses? There’s an armed inspection from three o’clock.”

Tomokichi: “Right.” (Turning to Kazuyo) “Hey—quickly, get those clothes out. Then put tea in the canteen...”

Ota: “What about the haversack items...?”

Tomokichi: “Yeah, I know.”

Ota: “Well then, I’ll head back a step ahead.”
“I was entrusted with a letter from your wife.”
“I’d like to take a quick look at the contents.”

Tomokichi: “Well then, could you go ahead and stow the Major’s coat onto the saddle? Since it needs to be attached there…”

Ota: “Okay.”
“Okami-san, then—farewell.”
“I’ll take charge of Tom.”
“No need to fret.”
(He exits briskly)

(A long silence)

Kazuyo: (Directing a sharp gaze at the fidgeting Tomokichi) “So you’re really going after all.”

Tomokichi: “What should I do?”

Kazuyo: “Then do whatever you like—isn’t that fine?”

Tomokichi: “I’ll do as you say.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
(He slumps down exhaustedly.)

Kazuyo: “Well then, I won’t say anything more. Please do as you see fit.”
“If you must go, then go cheerfully—but only after putting my mind at ease.”
“If you won’t go, then don’t go—but do it resolutely. Don’t resent me, and stay with me, please.”

“How am I supposed to make you feel at ease?”

Kazuyo: ……

Tomokichi: “I’ll never forget you.”

“Is that all?”
“You needn’t worry about me straying or such.”
“Is that all?”

Tomokichi: "When I come back, I'll bring loads of souvenirs."
Kazuyo: "Is that all?"
Tomokichi: "I'll write you as often as I possibly can."
Kazuyo: "Is that all?"
(Her voice dwindles away)

If it seemed like things would take too long, Tomokichi would make arrangements to return quickly.

Kazuyo: “Is that all?”
(Barely audible.)

Tomokichi: “Come now, stop saying such things and hurry with the preparations.”

Kazuyo (silently unties the cord of the wicker trunk and pulls out clothes).

(A military bugle call echoes faintly in the distance.)

Tomokichi (begins to take off the clothes he is wearing)

Kazuyo: (Holding back tears) “I’ll just go inform Mrs. Uji.”
“I’ll be right back—please wait.”
(Without looking at Tomokichi’s face, she exits stumbling as if chasing some unseen thing.)

Tomokichi (watched her leave for a moment, then, as if remembering something, quickly changed clothes).

(The sound of a bugle.)

(Maid Yoshi appeared)

Yoshi: "So it’s finally been decided… you’re going."

Tomokichi: "Well, I’ve been prepared for this from the start.—I’m counting on you to handle things here."

Yoshi: "Shall I help with something? …Okami-san…?"

Tomokichi: "She’s just gone to the back. Hey—sorry to trouble you—could you fetch that stomach wrap?"

Yoshi (went upstairs and brought it): "Here."

Tomokichi (wrapped it around his stomach): "This way… it’s a bit hot."

Yoshi: “Even if it’s hot, you must keep it on. You’re sweating terribly.”
(She wiped his back with a hand towel.)

“That’s enough.”
“It’s fine—just stay still.”
“If I go to war... the treatment’s different...”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ll have to handle everything while I’m away—I’m really counting on you. She’s the type who gets twice as lonely as anyone else, you know.”
“You’re the one who’ll be lonely.”
“Enough! I may not look like much, but I’m a Japanese man! Do you think I’d let myself be held back by the likes of a wife?”

Yoshi: “How noble, how noble! Okami-san would be delighted to hear that.”

(At this moment, Mrs. Suzuko Uji appeared while calling “Yoshi-ya.”)

Mrs. Uji: “You’re chattering away again.”
“For Tomokichi—though there’s nothing special—do prepare a proper meal…”

Tomokichi: “No, please don’t go to such trouble.”
“Please, there’s no need for that…”

Mrs. Uji: “It’s fine—well, you see, it’s my own wish…”

Yoshi: “If I do that…?”

Mrs. Uji: “Ah.”
“Just as you did for the Major this morning…”

Yoshi: “Yes.”
(Exits)

“Where is Okami-san?”

“She just went up to your quarters, Mrs.Uji…”

“Ah，she came，but left immediately.”
“Well，she must have gone shopping or something.”

“I struggled terribly with that woman.”
“But I finally made her agree.”
(Forces out laughter)

“Now, now… Even if you say that, she understands everything…”

(At this moment, Yoshi's shrill voice was suddenly heard.
Following this, Yoshi burst in with a frantic expression.
(Everyone turned in that direction.))

“Madam, something terrible has happened!”

Mrs. Uji: “What’s wrong?”

Yoshi (pointing outside): “Okami-san is—at the well—Madam, the well...”
(She was unable to speak further)

Mrs. Uji (startled, rushed outside)

Yoshi (followed after)

Tomokichi: “She went through with it.”
(He also started to rush out after them but—suddenly leaping back into the room—clung to a pillar, eyes wide with terror, voice trembling) “It’s a lie! It’s a lie! I won’t go!”
“I said I’m not going!”
“Damn it! I’m telling you it’s a lie! Don’t you get it even now…?”
(In a near-frenzied state, writhing and crying out)

――Curtain――