Blade of the Samurai: A Shinobi Mystery (Shinobi Mysteries)

by Susan Spann

  The Koga ryu was the largest shinobi school aside from Iga. No one knew exactly which was larger. Few men had seen both ryu and lived to tell it.

  Ozuru nodded. “Yes, currently in the employ of Matsunaga Hisahide.”

  Hiro felt a twinge of concern. The Iga ryu and the Koga ryu were tentative allies but also fierce competitors, and now Ozuru could betray Hiro’s identity at will.

  “But you’ve been here for years, as a carpenter,” Kazu protested. “Hisahide only came to Kyoto recently.”

  “The ryu sent me to Kyoto years ago, to await the day when someone needed an agent inside the shogunate. The most convincing spy is the one who isn’t—until he’s needed.”

  “Why admit your affiliation and surrender your advantage?” Hiro asked.

  “I had to tell you,” Ozuru said, “to repay a debt my family owes your clan. An Iga shinobi saved my father’s life ten years ago, placing the Koga—and me—under obligation.

  “I swear, on the honor of the Koga ryu, that I will never reveal your identy or your profession to any man,” Ozuru said. “You tell Hattori Hanzo that the debt of Yoshida Bashō has been repaid.”

  Hiro had no doubt of Ozuru’s sincerity. The shinobi code was stronger and more closely held than any other. However, that didn’t make Ozuru a friend or mean that he could be trusted beyond his silence.

  * * *

  Hiro and Kazu raced the rain to Father Mateo’s home. They approached the veranda just as chilly drops began to fall.

  Inside, they found Father Mateo and Ichiro at the hearth. Loud snoring from the direction of Luis’s room said the merchant had already gone to sleep.

  The boy sat cross-legged on the tatami with Gato in his lap. The sight of the child stroking the sleeping cat made Hiro smile. Though feisty, Gato seemed to know when someone needed comfort.

  Father Mateo looked up expectantly as Hiro and Kazu entered but waited for the men to share their news.

  Hiro didn’t waste time or words. “Saburo’s killer is dead, but so is the shogun.”

  Ichiro’s head snapped up. His eyes went wide with terror. “Lord Oda has seized Kyoto? We heard nothing!”

  “Not Lord Oda.” Kazu knelt beside Ichiro. “Matsunaga Hisahide.”

  Kazu briefly explained the events at the shogunate, though he didn’t mention Ozuru or the way Akira died. In Kazu’s version, Hiro killed the murderer with a sword and Hisahide allowed them to live because they discovered Saburo’s killer.

  Father Mateo listened without comment, though he shot Hiro a look that showed he expected a better explanation after Kazu left.

  When Kazu finished, Ichiro looked down at his lap and stroked the ridge of fur along Gato’s spine. “I wish you had let me go with you.”

  He looked up with tears in his eyes. “I will never have vengeance now, and since the Ashikaga have lost the shogunate, I don’t even have a home to go back to.”

  “You do, if you want one,” Kazu said. “I will take you to Iga with me.”

  Hiro was shocked, though the offer made a strange sort of sense. The boy already looked up to Kazu, and Hisahide would probably kill any Ashikaga male who threatened his rule, despite his alleged promise. Taking Ichiro away was the only effective way to ensure his survival.

  “Iga?” Ichiro asked. “You’re going away?”

  “New shoguns always change the administration,” Kazu said. “I’m going home to my family. I’ll take you with me.”

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Hiro asked.

  Kazu stood up and turned to Hiro. “You know how badly Mother grieved for Ichiro.” He gestured to the boy. “His name is also Ichiro. Mother will consider that a sign. She’ll take him in, as one of us. I know it.”

  Father Mateo looked from Kazu to Hiro. “Mother? One of us?”

  Hiro looked at the Jesuit. “May I introduce my brother … Hattori Kazu.”

  Chapter 53

  “Hattori?” Ichiro shook his head. “Your surname is Matsui, and his is Ito.”

  “A shinobi never uses his real name when on assignment,” Kazu said.

  “Shinobi?” Ichiro’s eyes grew even wider. “Will I be allowed to become a shinobi also?”

  “If you would like to.” Kazu grinned.

  “Cousin Hanzo may not approve of your decision,” Hiro warned.

  “Forgiveness is asked as easily as permission,” Kazu said, “and I’m fairly persuasive when I want to be. Besides, if the Ashikaga ever recover the shogunate, they’ll owe the Iga ryu for saving the boy.”

  Kazu pulled a folded parchment from his tunic. “I slipped a map of the shogun’s compound, and also one of the city, out of the office when we left. That, and the information in my head, is worth at least the care of one small boy.”

  “I want to go with you,” Ichiro said. “I always wanted to be your brother anyway.”

  Gato stretched, jumped to the floor, and started to clean her coat. Raindrops pattered on the roof.

  “Then it’s settled,” Kazu said. “We’ll leave at dawn.”

  Ana laid extra futons on the floor of the common room for Kazu and Ichiro. No one wanted dinner, though when the housekeeper insisted Father Mateo eat soup and rice to help him heal, the others had some too to keep the Jesuit company.

  They went to sleep soon afterward.

  It felt to Hiro as if he had barely closed his eyes when the shoji rustled and Kazu entered the room. The younger shinobi crossed the floor and crouched by Hiro’s futon. “We’re leaving now—Ichiro and I.”

  Hiro sat up and pulled his feet from beneath the sleeping cat. He tried to sense the time. “It isn’t dawn. The gates are closed.”

  “It’s close enough. The barricades will open when we get there.”

  “What about passes?” Hiro asked.

  Kazu drew a folded paper from his sleeve. “I haven’t been without it since you made me return to the shogunate. Just in case. Both Ichiro and I can travel on it.”

  “He’s too old to pass without documentation,” Hiro said.

  Kazu smiled. “His only family died in a fire. Their documentation burned. As a courtesy, I’m escorting the boy to his relatives at Iga.” He shrugged. “That and a gold koban should solve any problems. He won’t be wearing his swords on the road, and no one cares very much about a boy.”

  Hiro laid a hand on Kazu’s shoulder. “Travel safely. And tell Mother our new brother is entirely your fault—but that I welcome him to the family nonetheless.”

  Kazu chuckled. “I’ll send word of our arrival when we get there.” The smile left his face and voice. “Please tell Tomiko I’m sorry I had to go.”

  “If I can.”

  Kazu nodded. “Don’t kill the priest.”

  Hiro frowned. “Don’t kill yourself.”

  “I’ve done all right so far.” Kazu patted Gato, stood, and made his way to the door.

  Hiro followed.

  As Kazu and Ichiro left, Hiro stood on the veranda and listened to the muffled crunch of their feet on the gravel path. The neighbor’s dog began barking as the boy and the shinobi reached the street. Ichiro startled, but Kazu put a reassuring hand on the youngster’s shoulder and together they hurried off down the darkened road.

  Clouds drifted across the heavens, blocking out the stars and moon. The air held the damp-earth smell of grass and trees still wet with rain.

  Hiro inhaled deeply, enjoying the freshness and the charge in the air that promised a lightning storm by morning. He stood on the veranda and considered the past few days. Father Mateo’s hands were healing and with proper care would avoid infection. Kazu and Ichiro were closer to safety with every step.

  Hisahide would be a dangerous shogun, but probably no worse than the one before him.

  A warlord was a warlord, after all.

  A flash of lightning lit the sky. Moments later, thunder cracked. Raindrops pattered on the roof like tiny paws. The sound made Hiro think of Gato, sound asleep at the end of the futon quilt.

  The shinobi y
awned. Like the cat, he needed to sleep while he had the chance.

  With a satisfied smile, he turned and went inside.

  Glossary of Japanese Terms

  B

  bakufu: Literally, “tent government.” Another name for the shogunate and the shogun’s administration.

  bokken: A wooden practice sword, used for sparring or solo weapons practice.

  Bushido: Literally, “the way of the warrior.” The samurai moral code, which emphasized loyalty, frugality, and personal honor.

  C

  chogin: a type of silver coin, used as currency in medieval Japan.

  chonmage: The traditional hairstyle of adult samurai males. After shaving the pate, the remaining hair was oiled and tied in a tail, which was then folded back and forth on top of the head.

  D

  daimyo: A samurai lord, usually the ruler of a province or the head of a samurai clan.

  dōshin: The medieval Japanese equivalent of a beat cop or policeman.

  F

  futon: A thin padded mattress, small and pliable enough to be folded and stored out of sight during the day.

  G

  genpuku: A traditional samurai coming-of-age ceremony, after which a boy was allowed to wear swords and take on the responsibilities of an adult.

  geta: Traditional Japanese sandals (resembling flip-flops) with a raised wooden base and fabric thongs that wrap around the wearer’s big toe.

  gyokuro: Literally, “jewel dew.” A high-quality green tea that is grown in the shade rather than in the sun.

  H

  hakama: Loose, pleated pants worn over a kimono or beneath a tunic or surcoat.

  I

  ichibancha: Literally, “first-picked tea.” Tea leaves picked in April or early May, during the first picking of the season. Ichibancha is considered the highest quality, and most flavorful, kind of tea.

  inkan: A personal seal, used in place of a signature on official documents.

  J

  jitte: A long wooden or metal nightstick with a forward-pointing hook at the top of the hand grip; carried by dōshin as both a weapon and a symbol of office.

  K

  kami: The Japanese word for “god” or “divine spirit”; used to describe gods, the spirits inhabiting natural objects, and certain natural forces of divine origin.

  kanzashi: A type of hair pin worn by women in medieval Japan.

  kata: Literally, “form(s).” A detailed pattern or set of movements used to practice martial skills and combat techniques, performed either with or without a weapon.

  katana: The longer of the two swords worn by a samurai. (The shorter one is the wakizashi.)

  kimono: Literally, “a thing to wear.” A full-length wraparound robe traditionally worn by Japanese people of all ages and genders.

  koban: A gold coin which came into widespread use in Japan during the later medieval period.

  komusō: A mendicant monk of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism.

  kunoichi: A female shinobi.

  M

  maiko: A novice or apprentice entertainer who has not yet earned the title or rank of geisha.

  mempo: An armored mask that covers the wearer’s face, with holes for the eyes and mouth.

  miso: A traditional Japanese food paste made from fermented soybeans (or, sometimes, rice or barley).

  mon: An emblem or crest used to identify a Japanese family or clan.

  N

  noren: A traditional Japanese doorway hanging, with a slit cut up the center to permit passage.

  O

  obi: A wide sash wrapped around the waist to hold a kimono closed, worn by people of all ages and genders.

  oe: The large central living space in a Japanese home, which features a sunken hearth and often serves as a combination of kitchen, reception room, and living space.

  otosan: Father.

  P

  Pontocho: One of Kyoto’s hanamachi (geisha and courtesan) districts, containing geisha houses, teahouses, brothels, restaurants, and similar businesses.

  R

  ronin: A masterless samurai.

  ryu: Literally, “school.” Shinobi clans used this term as a combination identifier and association name. (Hattori Hiro is a member of the Iga ryu.)

  S

  sake (also saké): An alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice.

  -sama: A suffix used to show even higher respect than -san.

  samurai: A member of the medieval Japanese nobility, the warrior caste that formed the highest-ranking social class.

  -san: A suffix used to show respect.

  seppuku: A form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment, originally used only by samurai.

  shakuhachi: A type of flute, normally made from bamboo and blown from the end. Shinobi sometimes concealed weapons inside flutes or other benign objects.

  shinobi: Literally, “shadowed person.” Shinobi is the Japanese pronunciation of the characters that many Westerners pronounce “ninja.” (“Ninja” is based on a Chinese pronunciation.)

  Shinto: The indigenous spirituality or religion of Japan, sometimes also called kami-no-michi.

  shogun: The military dictator and commander who acted as de facto ruler of medieval Japan.

  shogunate (also bakufu): A name for the shogun’s government or the compound where the shogun lived.

  shoji: A sliding door, usually consisting of a wooden frame with oiled paper panels.

  shuriken: An easily concealed, palm-sized weapon made of metal, often shaped like a cross or star, that shinobi used for throwing or as a handheld weapon in close combat.

  T

  tabi: An ankle-length Japanese sock with a separation between the big toe and other toes to facilitate the use of sandals and other traditional Japanese footwear.

  tanto: A fixed-blade dagger with a single or double-edged blade measuring 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) in length.

  tatami: A traditional Japanese mat-style floor covering made in standard sizes, with the length measuring exactly twice its width. Tatami usually contained a straw core covered with grass or rushes.

  tengu: A supernatural demon (“monster-spirit”) from Japanese folklore, often depicted as a human-avian hybrid or with a long, hooked nose reminiscent of a beak.

  tokonoma: A decorative alcove or recessed space set into the wall of a Japanese room. The tokonoma typically held a piece of art, a flower arrangement, or a hanging scroll.

  torii: A traditional, stylized Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance to Shinto shrines.

  W

  wakizashi: The shorter of the two swords worn by a samurai. (The longer one is the katana.)

  For additional cultural information, expanded definitions, and author’s notes, visit www.susanspann.com.

  ALSO BY SUSAN SPANN

  Claws of the Cat

  About the Author

  SUSAN SPANN is a transactional attorney focusing on publishing law and a former law school professor. She has a deep interest in Asian culture and has studied Mandarin and Japanese. Her hobbies include Asian cooking, fencing, knife and shuriken throwing, traditional archery, martial arts, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Susan keeps a marine aquarium where she raises seahorses and rare corals. Spann is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She lives in Northern California with her family. Visit her Web site at www.susanspann.com.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  A THOMAS DUNNE BOOK FOR MINOTAUR BOOKS.

  An imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.

  BLADE OF THE SAMURAI. Copyright © 2014 by Susan Spann. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.thomasdunnebooks.com

  www.minotaurbooks.com

  Cover design by David Baldeosingh Rotstein

  Cover photograph by Lisa Adams

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purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.

  The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

  Spann, Susan.

  Blade of the samurai: a Shinobi mystery / Susan Spann. — First edition.

  p. cm. — (; 2)

  ISBN 978-1-250-02705-4 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-250-02704-7 (e-book)

  1. Ninja—Fiction. 2. Samurai—Fiction. 3. Murder—Investigation—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3619.P3436B53 2014

  813'.6—dc23

  2014008766

  e-ISBN 9781250027047

  First Edition: July 2014