by I. J. Parker
Pushing on toward the northern pavilion, the residence of Lady Yukiko, he finally heard voices and the laughter of his mistress. She had a very pretty laugh, and he assumed she must be playing with the children.
She was not.
When Tora emerged from the overgrown part of the garden near the back of her pavilion, he stopped, shocked by what he saw.
Lady Yukiko stood among some eight scruffylooking men who were leaning on shovels or watching with their arms crossed. She had covered her silk gown with a hemp apron, gathered up her hair and covered it with a hemp cloth, and held a plant in hands that were black with earth. And she was laughing with the gardeners.
He was still gaping when she saw him. "Tora!" she cried. "Come see my chrysanthemums. I shall have a chrysanthemum garden this autumn. We are planting them right here under this maple and over there under the Ginkgo tree. The bronze and yellow ones will he under the maple, and the white and purple ones near the yellow Ginkgo. The garden will all he a blaze of' colors in another few weeks. Akitada will be so amazed!"
Well, it was not precisely what was needed most urgently in this garden, but Tora warmed again to his new mistress. She lead a way wide her that lilted a man's spirits even when he lead a headache. No wonder the master doted on her.
He approached, bowing to Lady Yukiko-perhaps more deeply than usual to remind the gardeners of the respect due to this pretty young woman-and said, "It will be quite beautiful, my lady. Will all these men be required for the chrysanthemums?"
"Why? Do you need them elsewhere?"
"Well, there's the matter of-cleaning up the shrubberies. They are in a shocking state. A dead branch is hanging over the path to the tribunal. It will knock the master's hat oll- if he passes under it without paying attention."
She burst into a peal of laughter. "Oh, I'd like to see his face. But you're quite right. We cannot have my husband suffer injuries to his dignity." She turned to the gardeners. "What do you say? Can some men be spared for the branch?"
"And some other clearing work," Tora added quickly.
They decided they could spare two. These departed, looking unhappy. The others started digging the soil
around the two trees, and Lady Yukiko asked, "Any word from Ise?"
"No, my lady. But it's too soon. Perhaps tomorrow. A ferry runs between the provinces."
"Oh, how I wish I could have been on it!" she cried and turned to look in the direction of the sea. It could not been seen from here-the trees blocked the viewbut her longing transformed her pretty lace, reminding Tora of his own dlsappointment.
He felt himself melt again. She loved her husband and missed him already. Lord Sugawara Akitada had been lucky in his wives. Lady Tamako, his first wile, had given him his two children, four if-you counted the baby that had died with her and Yori who had died at five from smallpox. Lady Tamako had been much quieter than Lady Yukiko, though very friendly and kind to all of them. She would never have laughed with gardeners or-heaven forbid-revealed her feelings for her husband to Tora or anyone else. She lead had exquisite manners at all times. Lady Yukiko still quite often behaved like a young girl, one who had been spoiled by her doting parents. But you could not help smiling- and feeling your heart lift at her lively spirits. No, everything considered, the master was a very lucky man.
And would be luckier still once there was another child.
He had arrived at this conviction when Lady Yukiko said fervently, "I want to travel. I want to see the world. I want to go everywhere. Women should not have to be confined to their ponies while men get to have adventures, meet people, and see all sorts of sights."
Tora gulped. "It wouldn't be safe, my lady." "Nonsense. I'm not afraid. You cannot really live unless you leave your house." She gestured toward the gardeners digging in her plants. "It's not enough to admire the chrysanthemums and maples every autumn," she added, her voice suddenly forlorn.
Tora voiced his earlier thought. "But women are happiest raising their children."
A shadow passed over her face. "So men like to think, Tora." She turned away. "Besides not all women are alike."
He did not know what to say, so he muttered, "I'm sorry, my lady."
Her smile returned. "No need to feel sorry. There's always tomorrow, and my lord will soon be back with us."
Tora bowed. "Yes, indeed. Is there anything I might do for you?"
"No Tora. Thank you. I'll see to it that these men make the rest of the garden presentable also."
Tora bowed and went to see his own family.
Since Yuki was at his lessons in the main house, only Hanae was home. She was sewing some garment but jumped up to hug him. "Back already? You missed me?" she cried.
He laughed and nuzzled her neck. "Don't you know that you should greet your husband with more respect? Lady Yukiko and Lady Tamako always bow to the master."
"Ah," she said, wriggling away, "you carne home to find fault. And here I thought ... well never mind what
I thought. You probably would find that disrespectful also." She pouted.
"Never," he cried, reaching for her. "Ouch! Tora, you're wearing your armor."
He released her. "Sorry. I came home to change anyway." He grinned at her. "Come, you can help me."
==
Tora left an hour later, smiling contentedly. What a lucky man lie was! Perhaps even luckier than his master. Hanae doted on him and was content to be his wife and the mother of his son. He hoped Lady Yukiko would learn something from her.
He found the merchant quickly.
Takanami Masayoshi and a servant were installed in the best inn in Komachi's center. The presence of a servant, not previously mentioned, suggested again that the man was not just any citizen of Owari even if he was a merchant. This was not altogether surprising since a number of' noble families had recognized the advantages to be gained from trade. Several great houses, like the Fujiwara and the Tachibana, were regularly engaged in lending rice to farmers in return of a large portion of their harvest. Rice storage and distribution were probably the biggest businesses in the country, and this particular noble merchant had evidently also invested in transport.
Tora had changed into his ordinary clothes, a neat blue cotton robe with a black sash and his black hat. When he arrived at the inn, he was received with some courtesy, but the maid sent to Takanami returned to say their guest was too busy to see people.
Believing this due to his ordinary appearance, Tora sent the maid back with one of his cards identifying him as commander of the provincial guard.
This time, the maid returned to take him to a room where Takanami sat at his ease on a cushion, some paper work and writing materials by his side. The room was upstairs and gave onto a narrow balcony that overlooked the main street of Komachi below.
Takanami was middle-aged and had a round face, dandified mustache, and heavy-lidded eyes. He wore clothes of heavy silk. When Tora entered, he did not rise and regarded him with a frown. "You're from the tribunal? What do you want?" he snapped.
Offended by this rudeness, Tora merely nodded and seated himself uninvited. "Why did you leave the post station lodge?" he said in lieu of a greeting. He could be just as rude as Takanami.
"Because it's an awful place. You people should do something about it. The people who stay there are all porters. They smell."
Tora raised his brows. "I was told you're a merchant from Owari."
Takanami flushed. "We are an old, land-owning family in Owari. The rice business is a sideline." "Really? The police chief said you were robbed of one thousand pieces of gold. The tribunal takes an interest in large gold shipments. Do you carry the proper permits?"
The merchant-nobleman made a dismissive gesture. "If that's what he's told you, he's a fool. There was some gold, my personal property, but most of the value
of the goods was in rice and silk and such commodities. Most of it was destined for the capital."
"'These goods had been purchased by you or in your name?"
&nbs
p; Takanami fidgeted. "Not all. Some were tax goods I provided transport for."
"You are also in the transport business? You must be carrying several permits then. Might I see them?" Takanami handed over a small package containing a number of permits issued by authorities in Owari and in the capital, all properly signed and bearing the seals required. Tora had seen and handled enough permits in his day to accept these as authentic. But his suspicions had increased. He did not like the man.
In the end, he had him write out the list of losses again, then said, "I expect you and the boat will remain in Mikawa for the time being?"
The merchant blustered, "Believe me, I would already be gone if your authorities weren't so slow in certifying the attack on my boat. I have to explain to my clients and to the government what happened to their goods."
"Ah. Well, they have to prove your story first. It all depends on whether the pirates can be found with your goods."
Takanami turned purple. "What do you mean? You have my statement and that of the boatmen. Are you suggesting I lied? Why do you need the pirates?"
Tora tucked Takanami's list into his robe and got to his feet. "Among other things, we try to return stolen
property to its owners. I Hope you will enjoy Komachi sir."
8 The Lost Jewel
0n the morning of his second day, Akitada was up early. Somewhat to his surprise, Junichiro was nowhere in sight. A very pretty young. woman was behind the counter. She wished him a good morning and asked if he had slept well. This was such a pleasant change from the rude male who had been working the night belore that he thanked her with a smile and said he was on his way to the shrines.
"Oh, very good, sir. You may catch one of the cerernonies at Geku. Do you know the way?„
"Yes. I've been here before." He paused, impressed by her courtesy as much as by her prettiness, and added, "I arrival yesterday but didn't see you."
She looked pleased. "I'm Keiko. I only got here myself last night. I'm visiting my mother." Seeing his blank look, she added, "She owns this inn."
"Oh. Well, I'm glad to have met you, Keiko."
She wished him a pleasant day, and he walked out into the sunshine.
It was not too warm yet and the fragrance of the evergreen forest that clothed the mountains on either side of the river filled the air. Akitada had decided to fast in order to approach the kami properly. Cleanliness, both physical and spiritual, was mandatory for shrine visits. He had bathed the night before, but would also perform the required ablutions before entering the shrine precinct. He had not engaged in sexual intercourse and, while he had witnessed the retrieval of a dead woman, he had not been anywhere near her or touched her.
He walked to Uji Bridge. It spanned the river and led to the shrines on the other side. There were many shrines in the forest and on the mountain sides, but the main ones were Naiku and Geku.
Though it was still early, other visitors were also crossing the river. This crossing over water marked the passing of the boundary between the ordinary world and the sacred one.
On the other side of the bridge was a landing, and there the shrine visitors performed their ablutions at stone water basins. He waited his turn, then rinsed his hands, took a drink from the bamboo ladle to rinse his mouth, and spat the water on the ground. The road wound through a forest of giant cryptomerias. He passed several halls used for purification ceremonies,
prayers, and the preparation of food offerings. Then he walked under the first of two red-painted torii.
Naiku, the shrine sacred to the goddess Amaterasu, was of extraordinary plainness, just a small, slender building made of weathered cypress wood behind tall cypress fences. Only the emperor was permitted to enter the shrine proper, which contained the most inviolable treasures of the nation, the sacred mirror in which to reflect Amaterasu, the tutelary goddess of the Yamato clan of the imperial family, and the sacred sword.
It was said that the mirror reflected both good and evil, both right and wrong, and that it was always fair and impartial.
He reflected that this made it also a symbol of his own calling, of providing justice that always weighed both sides and applied the laws impartially. And the sword surely represented the power of enforcing justice.
A strange kind of peace filled Akitada. He was not a very religious man and positively disliked Buddhism, but here he felt close to his origins and to his country. "these were his own gods, forever present in the mountains, the sky, the plants, the waters of these beautiful islands.
He wanted to linger, but somehow the imperial secretary's letter had taken on a new and ominous significance since lie had set foot on sacred ground. So he performed his obeisance and silently asked for guidance in his work. 'then he turned his steps in the direction of the chief priest's dwelling.
The priest was a descendant of the Nakatomi family, once part of an early imperial branch. Nakatomi males were hereditary head priests at the Ise shrines and represented the emperor in their duties. The head priest only performed the ceremonies on high holy days. Other, lower-ranking priests undertook the daily duties.
Akitada had seen several of these as he walked. And there were also some of the charming shrine maidens about. These were mostly daughters of the priests, dressed in their red and white silk costumes with their long hair flowing down their backs.
Nakatomi lived in a spacious villa that would have been adequate for a retired emperor. Akitada was admitted, gave the Yoshimine name, and asked to see the priest on behalf of his Excellency, Tachibana Nakahira.
Somewhat to his surprise, the servant returned quickly and led him to a large room overlooking a garden. Tatami mats were spread on the dark, glossy floor and green reed blinds covered part of the open doors to a veranda.
A slender elderly man with thick white hair came to meet him, examining him with sharp eyes. "So you are Sugawara Akitada," he said in the friendliest manner. "How nice that his Excellency sent you."
Akitada bowed politely and said he was greatly honored that Nakatomi should have heard of him.
The priest smiled a little and asked, "You have visited the shrines?"
"Only the inner shrine, sir. I did not want to delay seeing you."
The priest nodded and gestured to some cushions. He turned quite serious. "I'm afraid what I have to tell you is shocking. In fact, it may already be too late."
They seated themselves near the open door overlooking the garden and the distant mountains. The summer morning was fragrant and peaceful. Akitada did not know what to make of the priest's words and, since Nakatomi had fallen into a mournful silence, he asked, "Has something happened to Princess Takahime?"
The priest regarded him sadly. "You might say so. I suspect that she is gone, perhaps dead."
The words hung in the silent air. Gone? Dead? Akitada shivered. He could not imagine a disaster of greater magnitude befalling the nation. Even an attack on the capital might have a more hopeful outcome than the death or defilement of the Ise Virgin. She was the guardian of the sacred mirror and sword upon which rested the imperial rule. Divinely descended and chosen by the gods, the Yamato line of emperors, unbroken since the very beginning of time, took its legitimacy directly from the ancient gods. If through the high priestess of Amaterasu the gods had been offended, disaster would strike the land and destroy its people.
In any case, the majority of His Majesty's subjects believed so. Their panic would rise with every small disaster. A storm would be blamed on the anger of the goddess, a poor harvest would be seen as direct punishment, every disease would be visited on them through her anger. Their entire happiness rested in their trust in the blessings of the gods.
But the priest merely suspected that she was gone. Akitada asked, "What makes you think so?"
"She has not appeared in public for many weeks. I have not seen her on my visits to her palace. She has not officiated at important ceremonies. Dear heaven, I'm afraid she must be dead! How else would you explain it'.'" Nakatomi shook his head. "I d
on't know what we will do."
Akitada suppressed another shudder and wondered if the priest was not exaggerating. He asked, "How could such a thing have been kept quiet?"
The priest did not meet his eyes. "I took some steps to make sure her duties were perlormed as usual. We were able to fool people so far, but it cannot last. And it is a sacrilege, of course. This is why I traveled to the capital and informed His Majesty. It was decided to bring in someone from the outside, someone who could not be involved in any way. They chose you."
Akitada's head reeled. "I still have a hard time taking it in," he said. "What do the princess's people have to say? Surely they must know something. It is my un derstanding that she resides In a large household with many attendants and servants, and that her palace is heavily guarded."
"That is so. But as for being heavily guarded, I doubt the young gentlemen of the Imperial Guard take their job very seriously. The nature of their assignment here seems to encourage them to live a life of leisure and debauchery. Uji-tachi with its brothels and gambling dens is a major attraction, as are hunting and fishing."
Akitada recalled the elegant nobleman from the night belore. He lead been walking toward the pleasures ol' Uji-tachi with a fierce look of determination on his handsome face. He considered the general lack of discipline for a moment and asked, "Is it possible that the princess left of her own accord?'"
The priest sighed. "I think so, but her senior lady-in-waiting denies it."
"What explanation does she give then?
"Oh, she denies that she is gone. She claims the princess is ailing." The priest clenched his lists and said angrily, "The woman is lying. I know it. She's a horrible creature, an evil woman who should never have been allowed close to Her Highness. Whatever happened, she was the one who made it happen!"
