The Jade Lioness

by Christina Courtenay

  Temperance frowned. ‘And you really think you’ll be able to find any trace of the man who ruined your father, so long after the event?’

  Kazuo nodded. ‘There are always people with long memories. My father is not entirely friendless, despite what happened, and I’m sure we will find something.’ He clenched his fists unconsciously. ‘We must.’

  Temperance admired his optimism, but wasn’t sure she shared it. Still, it wasn’t for her to say, so she kept her opinion to herself.

  There was a large river to cross at Kawasaki, which they did by ferry, but after that the journey seemed to go much faster and they soon reached Shinagawa.

  ‘This is the final stop before Edo itself,’ Kazuo told her.

  Here the sea came right up to the road and they were able to look out over Edo Bay from its shore. There were ships moored not too far away and that reminded Temperance of the harbour at Nagasaki. A pang of homesickness for the foreign enclave on Dejima assailed her. She wondered what Midori and Nico were doing at this moment and whether they missed her as much as she missed them. She shook her head and concentrated on the view in front of her instead. It would avail her nothing to dwell on such thoughts. If God wished it, she would return there one day. In the meantime, He was fulfilling her desire to experience more of Japan, so she shouldn’t complain even if this wasn’t quite how she’d envisaged seeing the sights.

  A row of houses backed onto the sea, and it seemed as if the whole of Shinagawa was thronged with travellers, all chatting excitedly in anticipation of the end of their journey. The numerous tea houses, eating establishments and entertainment quarters were doing a roaring trade. There were many people making their way to the nearby temple of Tokaiji, presumably to pray for good fortune, but Temperance and Kazuo didn’t dare do more than buy a quick meal.

  ‘You don’t want to go and pray?’

  ‘No, there are temples in Edo,’ Kazuo said, ‘and I’m sure my ancestors are watching over us anyway.’

  ‘How much longer do we have to go?’ Although exhilarated that they were going to reach their destination that day, Temperance was flagging slightly and her poor feet longed for some rest. She was also becoming nervous about the prospect of being in such dangerous surroundings, her fear of being caught mounting with every step she took. She would have been happy to wait for Kazuo to go and spend some time at the temple so that she could gather her courage before facing the unknown terrors of Edo.

  ‘We’ll be there before sundown. It’s not far now.’ Kazuo seemed to have sensed her feelings, because he added, ‘And don’t worry, no harm will come to you as long as you remember to keep your eyes on the ground and do exactly as I say.’

  This reassured her slightly and she kept any further misgivings to herself. It was late afternoon now and she knew her ordeal would soon be over. Once they were ensconced in lodgings somewhere she would be safe, at least for today. After a short rest and some sustenance, she was able to continue without complaint, despite her fatigue. Admittedly, the last leg of their trek passed in something of a blur, but when they reached the Nihonbashi Bridge at last, Temperance was not so tired that she couldn’t look around surreptitiously from under her hat and marvel at the sight of the enormous construction.

  ‘This is where the Tokaido Highway starts,’ Kazuo explained, ‘and it is something of a meeting place as well.’

  She could see that for herself. A large crowd of people milled about, talking, laughing and enjoying themselves. Fish vendors cried their wares, dogs barked, children ran about squealing and playing. The cacophony of noises was almost too much for Temperance’s ears since they had been used to nothing but the sounds of nature for the past few weeks.

  ‘Come, we mustn’t stay here. It’s too dangerous,’ Kazuo said in a low voice. ‘Follow me.’

  ‘Where are we going? Is there anywhere that is truly safe?’

  ‘Yes, Yoshiwara, the pleasure district.’

  ‘The what?’

  ‘The area where men go for entertainment at night.’

  Temperance was aghast as memories of Imada’s inn came flooding back. ‘But I’ve just escaped from … well, that sort of thing. Surely you’re not taking me back to a … a house of ill repute?’

  Kazuo flashed her a smile. ‘Never fear, I’m not about to sell you to the highest bidder again. No, we are going to see a very special lady, by the name of Hasuko. She was my father’s chief concubine, but when he was banished she wasn’t allowed to go with him. We had a message from her to say that she was residing in Yoshiwara and that if we ever wanted her help, she was willing to do anything in her power for us.’

  ‘And is she a …? I mean, does she work there now?’

  ‘Not exactly. I believe she’s the owner of one of the establishments but I don’t think she’s selling her own services. Even if she is, it’s beside the point. The poor woman has to earn her living somehow since I’m sure she received no help from whoever ousted my father. It is not for us to judge her. No doubt she did what she had to. I tell you, she’s a good woman. My father was … is very fond of her and what is more important, trusts her completely.’

  ‘Oh, I’m not judging her, far from it. She sounds like a remarkable lady, and courageous too.’ If this journey had taught her nothing else, at least Temperance knew by now that there were indeed women who had no choice in these matters. Having come so close to submitting to such a fate herself, she felt she was the last person to be in a position to look down upon ladies of easy virtue. She merely thanked God that she had escaped, at least thus far.

  As they walked through the streets of Edo, Kazuo told her more about Yoshiwara. ‘It’s a special area of the city, with walls all around it. The people who run businesses there have to be licensed and it’s the only place in Edo where everyone is allowed to be out and about at night. There’s entertainment day and night and hundreds of women live there, controlled by their owners.’

  ‘They are slaves?’

  ‘No, more like indentured servants. Most are sold into this life as children then trained until they are ready to become fully-fledged courtesans. Once they start receiving clients, I believe they usually have to work for ten years in order to free themselves from their debt to the brothel owner, but after that they are allowed to leave. Wasn’t that the case at Imada’s place?’

  ‘Yes, except from what I heard, hardly any of the girls ever made it out of there.’

  ‘He was a thoroughly nasty man. Things are better regulated here in Yoshiwara, although it’s true the women can’t leave without permission. There is only one entrance and it’s heavily guarded.’

  ‘How sad.’ A thought struck her. ‘But how will we get in or out then?’

  ‘I have a special password arranged by Hasuko. She’s paid the guards handsomely and they will turn a blind eye.’

  ‘Couldn’t those poor women do the same?’

  ‘I doubt they get to keep that much of their earnings. Hasuko had some money put aside from her time with my father and she is an astute woman, which is how she came to buy an establishment.’

  ‘I see.’

  Whatever the secret password was, it worked, and they were allowed inside the gate without any questions asked. One of the guards gave Kazuo directions to Hasuko’s house, which apparently went by the name of The Silk Room, and they were soon on their way. Temperance tried to keep her eyes on the ground, but couldn’t help the occasional peep from under the brim of her hat at the exquisite women that passed them frequently. Mostly in giggling groups, they tottered along on their high geta, their brightly hued kimono a colourful sight. Of the few she managed to observe, however, Temperance noted that for most of them, their air of gaiety was very forced. There was no real happiness in their dark eyes and it made her stomach clench to think of the dreadful lives they were forced to lead.

  Droves of men, some obviously the worse for wear from drinking too much sake, passed them as well, and Temperance noted that they all looked fairly prosperous. She surm
ised that mostly wealthy or upper-class men came to find their nightly entertainments here.

  ‘Here we are, this is it.’ Kazuo stopped outside a large establishment and read the wooden sign outside the door, which was open but had a curtain covering the aperture.

  Temperance chanced a quick glance and took in the front of the building. There were latticed windows, slightly open, which showed a large room inside, covered with tatami mats and with beautifully decorated walls. She knew from her time at The Weeping Willow that this was called the harimise – the display room. At least a dozen girls sat on plump silk cushions obviously waiting for clients. To pass the time, some were smoking tobacco, some drinking tea or playing the shamisen, a strange three-stringed instrument Midori had shown Temperance. The girls were a mixture of fully-fledged courtesans in splendid robes and younger shinzo, apprentices, in their slightly less sumptuous furisode with long sleeves. Child servants scurried between them, fetching and carrying. In some ways it was a peaceful scene, but then Temperance remembered what they were all waiting for and a little shudder went through her. This was a market place and the goods on sale were these women’s bodies.

  ‘Let’s go round to the back,’ Kazuo said. ‘We don’t want it to seem like we are customers.’

  He led the way down a small alley to the back of the three storey house, and knocked on a tiny door. After a whispered conversation with the old woman who opened it, they were ushered inside and taken straight to an upstairs room.

  ‘Please, sit down. I will fetch Hasuko-san immediately,’ the old lady said and bowed to them. They did as they were told and sank down onto a pair of dark green silk cushions on the soft tatami floor. Temperance breathed a sigh of relief – they were here at last and so far no one had discovered their deception and denounced her to the authorities.

  A small woman came into the room, a wide smile on her face as she glided gracefully across the floor towards Kazuo and bowed deeply. ‘Kazuo-sama, you managed it. I am so pleased to see you. Welcome to my home.’

  ‘Thank you, Hasuko-san. My father sends you his very best wishes and I am glad to find you in such glowing health. All is well with you?’

  ‘Indeed it is. Naturally, I miss your father, but apart from that I cannot complain.’ Hasuko glanced at Temperance, who had kept her head down. ‘And you have brought a companion? Someone to help you with your quest?’

  If only I could, Temperance thought. Instead she was nothing but a nuisance and no doubt Kazuo was wishing he were rid of her now that he’d reached his destination. It was a lowering thought.

  ‘Not exactly. This is Temi-san. She is travelling with me, but I will tell you all about that later. For now we would be very grateful for somewhere to rest and perhaps something to eat and drink.’

  ‘Of course, it is being seen to already. If you don’t mind, I think it best if you sleep upstairs in one of the smaller rooms. I am sorry to offer you such humble accommodation, but in view of the circumstances …’

  ‘We understand and we’re very grateful for your help, Hasuko-san.’

  The little room they were led to nestled under the eaves of the house and was so small it held nothing but a plump futon. Since this was all they needed, however, Temperance and Kazuo were very happy with this, and even more grateful when two large trays arrived loaded with various delicious-smelling dishes.

  Hasuko herself delivered the trays. ‘The fewer people who see you, the better,’ she said. ‘If there is anything else you need, don’t hesitate to ask. For now, I think it best if you stay up here. Then when everyone has left I will come and fetch you so that you can come down to the kitchen and have a bath.’

  ‘That sounds perfect, thank you so much.’ Both Kazuo and Temperance bowed to the kind lady, who bowed back, then left them to the bliss of eating a huge and satisfying meal.

  ‘You still want to live on soba?’ Kazuo teased as Temperance finished off the last piece of sushi on the tray, made with fish so fresh it fairly melted in her mouth. She had eaten raw fish many times before, since her cousin insisted on including an element of local food into the otherwise European diet on Dejima, but she didn’t think it had ever tasted this heavenly.

  She threw him a withering glance. ‘I’m not going to answer that. You had the unfair advantage of knowing what Edo cooking is like, I didn’t.’

  He grinned at her. ‘Very well, I’ll allow you to eat some sushi from time to time.’

  She leaned over to hit him playfully on the arm, but he caught her hand easily and pulled her towards him so that she ended up sprawled on his lap. For a long moment, they stared at each other, spellbound. She thought she caught a look of pure desire in his eyes, but then he slowly released her and turned away.

  ‘Let us make plans for tomorrow, while we wait for Hasuko’s return. There is much to do, at least for me, Temi-san.’

  The formal way of addressing her doused any hope that he may relent and at least kiss her. Temperance sat up and slowly made her way over to lean against the wall, wrapping her arms around her bent knees and resting her forehead on top. She listened as Kazuo told her what he hoped to achieve within the next few days, but she wasn’t really paying attention. Instead, her troubled thoughts mulled over her precarious position here.

  What if anything were to happen to Kazuo? What would become of her? A chill of apprehension ran down her spine as she grasped just how dependent upon him she was at the moment. He was her only buffer, her only advocate. In short, the only person here who actually cared what became of her. Should he disappear or, God forbid, be killed, there would be no reason for Hasuko or anyone else to keep Temperance alive or assist her in anyway. She didn’t even have any money to bribe anyone with. She had nothing.

  Only Kazuo. Would that be enough?

  Chapter Seventeen

  ‘There’s silver missing from my pouch. Do you know anything about that?’

  Haag had been summoned to Noordholt’s private room and was now on the receiving end of a terrifying glare. If he’d been less sure that he’d done the right thing in using Noordholt’s coins for bribery he would have been cowering behind the nearest door. As it was, he stood his ground and tried his best to feign surprise.

  ‘No. Why would I? You didn’t ask me to keep watch on your possessions.’

  He was sent another shrivelling glare and wondered if that had sounded too insolent, but it was the truth.

  ‘I didn’t think there was any need. You’re the only man here who knows how much I brought as we left the Deputy Factor back in Dejima.’

  ‘I may know how much there was to begin with, but I have no idea where you’ve been keeping it or how much has been spent,’ Haag protested, although part of that sentence was a lie. He’d spied on the Chief Factor through a hole in the paper partitions and found out that the silver was hidden under a loose stone just outside Noordholt’s room in a tiny private garden. It had been child’s play to liberate some of it when the man went to the privy.

  Noordholt didn’t look convinced, however. ‘Well, if I find that you’re not telling the truth you’ll regret it, I promise you. And from now on, I’ll keep the damned silver on my person at all times. Whoever is stealing it will have to kill me first.’

  ‘Good idea,’ Haag murmured, but inside he was seething. He’d hoped the thefts wouldn’t be discovered quite so quickly. Now he regretted not taking more while he had the chance. Somehow he’d have to make the amount he had left last. It would be the very devil of a task. He could only hope they’d be leaving Edo soon.

  Temperance and Kazuo eventually fell asleep while waiting to be summoned, and were woken in the early hours of the morning by Hasuko herself and taken down to the small kitchen at the back of the house one at a time.

  ‘You go first,’ Kazuo urged Temperance. ‘I’ll wait up here.’

  ‘Very well, thank you.’

  The house was silent and slightly eerie in the first light of dawn, but Temperance hardly noticed. She was still tired after their journ
ey and her brain fogged with sleep.

  Their kind hostess and her maid, the older woman who had ushered them in on arrival, had prepared a tub of hot water and a smaller one for washing first. They bustled about making sure there were towels and wash cloths, but when Temperance removed the piece of material that had been tied round her head for so long, the Japanese ladies stopped dead and gasped.

  ‘Nani?’ Hasuko put a hand up to her mouth and took a step backwards.

  Temperance blinked, still befuddled from being woken up so suddenly, then realised Kazuo had never got round to telling Hasuko about his travelling companion being foreign.

  ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, we forgot to warn you. I’m a gai-jin, but I’m not a threat to you in any way, I promise.’ She glanced at the maid whose eyes were huge with surprise and fear. ‘Really, I assure you, I won’t harm you.’

  Hasuko was obviously made of sterner stuff and lowered her hand, nodding. ‘Kazuo-sama wouldn’t have brought you otherwise.’ She frowned at the maid. ‘Seiko, stop gawping and let’s get started. Gai-jin or not, this lady needs a bath.’

  The women helped her remove the rest of her clothing and made sure she was thoroughly washed. Temperance had never been so grateful to be clean in her life. It felt wonderful after the grime of the long journey. As she sank into the near-scalding water in the little bathtub she closed her eyes. ‘This is wonderful,’ she murmured. ‘Thank you so much.’ She had missed the daily baths in the onsen more than she’d realised and revelled in the feel of the hot water against her newly scrubbed skin. All her aches and pains began to subside.

  ‘Yes, but I’m afraid you can’t linger,’ Hasuko said. ‘It wouldn’t do for anyone to find you here and you never know, someone might wake up.’

  No sooner had she uttered these words than there came a sharp rapping on the front door of the house. The three women looked at each other in consternation.

  ‘Who could that be? We’re not expecting anyone at this hour,’ Seiko whispered, wringing her hands nervously.