Night storm Okinu Flower Frail Dreams of Revenge - Volume One: The

Last Part
( -)
(Yoarashi Okinu Hana no adayume - Shohen shimo)
The story of the murder of Kobayashi Kinpei, the money lender boss, by
Arashi Rikaku III (3 ) (later Ichikawa Gonjr II (2
) 1848 -1904) and Yoarashi Okinu (1844-1872). Written by
Okamoto Kisen/Kanz ( / ) (1853. - 1882.7.20 ) and published
in 11 (Meiji 11 - 1878). Nishiki-e (pictures) by Utagawa Yoshitora

Shohen shimo
Volume One - The last part
--

Shiki no nagame no iroiro to kawaru fusei wshi to, omote o bodaishin,
tsumagaru juzu no sode no uchi, tome ki no kaori bonn no hana no iroaru
Kme no sato , ki kado ga jru bess ni, tonaru tamaya no ry o kau ke,
hikiutsuri kishi sono hito ha, moto Asakusa Torigoe no Jinnai hashi no hotori ni
nin mu Harada nanigashi no j Okinu tote, ysh koro yori tejina o narai, sono
gei na o Suzugawa koharu to yobi na shite, Edo machich no yose de bijin to
hyban daka kari kereba, sho-daimy no tachi e mo mesare, zashiki tejina no
goshom ni, aiky fukumu tesaki no hayazawa, gyoi ni kana tte, jshichi no
haruno hakaba ni, kubo ie no wakatono ga mekake ni kaka i tama ishi yori,
soko ryshin mo umida de shiga, shi yokunen korori toi uru yamai notame,
makura o narabe te ryshin tomo, kochira yo o sa shi atoato ha, hoka ni
shinzoku mo naki mo no ka, nokori shi imto no Oh made, goten uchi e
hikoto te, eiy ni okoru haruaki mo, haya futa kawari sannen me ni, chai uke
shi tonosama ga tomini sokkyo tama ishi atoha, kochira yo o u shito hitoma ni
komori, usoka makoto ka kankin ni taji naku tsukihi o okuru ya otoro e te
shokuji sae hoso kito kite, kshitsu yori nishkan no itoma o tamamono ha ri,
Hakone no onsen de hoy o seyoto y ga taki oose o u te, jijo

Lost on an island of thought Okinu gazed at the various colours of the

transient world of the four seasons, her appearance attired for someone
aspiring to Buddhahood. Inside her sleeve she rolled the rosary beads
between her finger and thumb. At home in Kme (1) her heart remembered a
fading fragrance of worldly desire. Passing time in the villa only worsened the
feeling, living here near the adjacent resplendent jewellers villa. Even though
Miss Okinu intended to work in Harada (2), in the neighbourhood of the former
Asakusa Torigoes Jinnai Bridge(3), since a tender age it had been her habit to
perform magic tricks and juggle. The appeal of these performances had
established her with a popular reputation as a beautiful person on stage at the
Edo vaudeville appearing under the temporarily assumed name of Suzugawa
Koharu(4). She had also travelled to the mansions of the feudal lords,
performed magic in the zashiki (tatami mat room) at the old Imperial Palace,
and, to suit their pleasure, had charmed with clever feats at her fingertips. At
seventeen and on the path to adolescence, she had been chosen to be
employed in the kubo house as a resident female entertainer for the young
Lord(5). There, both his parents had talked of the coming of a child. That
following year there was much illness because of cholera, and both parents
had counted pillows(6). In this way death had left its footprint in the family.
Elsewhere relatives had also lamented. After the dying was over the younger
sister Oh remained. They had retired inside the Palace and lived a life of
splendour throughout the spring and autumn (months and years). By the time
two or three years had passed the death of the noble spirited master and
feudal Lord had marked a sudden demise of her popularity and favour and all
her future wishes. The family remained disciplined staying in one room,
learning a lesson about sin through the silent reading of a sutra accompanied,
over many days and months, by much weeping and lamenting as they bid
farewell. It was heard that they had fasted to the point of death and that the
only thing that was needed at that point was to eat. As a result the of the
wishes of a superior the widower was helped on her way on a leave of
absence for two weeks, to recuperate and be distracted by the waterfalls of
Hakone(7) spa, the ladies maid
(1) Kme , Kakutars home just north of Ushima Shrine, Mukojima. The
area is now part of Sumida City, Tky

(2) It is rumoured that Okinu worked at a haneri (quality under collar for a
kimono) shop called Harada in the nakamise (shops lining a walkway) leading
to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. She was subsequently nicknamed Harada
Okinu
(3) The Torigoe is a river, named after a local shrine in Taito-ku, which
flowed through the Asakusa Kuramae area under the Jinnai Bridge
which was also named after a local shrine. The area has a history of
kawata (leather workers) an ethnic group then commonly referred to using
the derogative eta and in todays Japan referred to as burakumin
The Jinnai shrine was named after, and dedicated to, Kosaka Jinnai ,
a disciple of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. He was accused
of breaching public order and sentenced to death. Before being executed he
contracted malaria and promised that if anyone prayed to him they would be
cured of the same disease. For a fictionalised account of Jinnais torture and
death see Chapter XXII: The Shrine of Jinnai Bashi in James S De
Bennevilles translation of the Japanese ghost story Bakemono Yashiki
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19945/19945-h/19945-h.htm#Page_201
An Edo era map of the Kuramae area showing various notable locations
(in Japanese)
http://www.maroon.dti.ne.jp/~satton/taitou-edo/kuramae-edo.html
Torigoe River - 12
Jinnai Bridge -1 3
Torigoe Shrine - 14
The Torigoe can be seen flowing past the left of the wharf side Tokugawa
granaries - 10
(4) Suzugawa Koharu see plate 69 at
http://tenichi.exblog.jp/page/6/
(5) kubo Tadayori Daimyo of the Karasuyama Domain in
Shimotsuke Province
(6) Pillows counted probably a saying meaning that they had died
(7) Hakone spa the pre-eminent spa town for Tkyites
---

shi soto tsuki no samurai morotomo, Miyanoshita naru toiu ryoshuku ni

shibashi try suru goro, tai zashiki no aikyaku o misome shikirini shita wa
shikera do, i hiyo ru sube mo nagaki itoma ni aranu mi wa, haya nichigen no
seri ki te, yashiki e kaeru omoi de ni, semete wa aseru ru shi jin no nadokoro
mo toi tashi to, yado no onna e hisoka ni tanomi, sagatte kike ba, Honcho no
Kikaku toi eru yakushu toiya no wakainkyo o tanomi ni, kokoronoko shite tachi
kaeru. Edo no yashiki no kiy kutsu o it ga ue ni, tojiba no zanji no hoy ga
minishi te, orimetadashi ki reishiki o urusa kuom nominarazu, ima wa yashiki
ni y naki karada, mimama ni natte anohito niau yoshi mogana to, monoomo
u shin shitsu taru hashitame no Osayo toiu wa yonj noe o futatsu mitsu koshi
di no yuki no toke yasuku, harai ito kuro ki Okinu no aikuchi, shij o kite
tayasu ku hiki uke, komono e tano nde Kikaku ga ue o tsubusa shiku saguri,
ima wa Kme no bess ni sumu yoshi shi te,

they travelled there accompanied by a samurai guard, lodging at the

Naraya Inn(1) at Miyanoshita, to relax for a suitable time. She totally fell in love
with and eagerly yearned for the guest in the opposite zashiki (tatami mat
room). As a way to cure sickness a long time was spent at leisure there,
successfully so by the time the date for their return home drew near. The
impending return home once again triggered her desire and prompted her
repeated and hurried enquiries about his name and address. A secret gift was
sent to the mistress of the inn and, having been given reliable information, an
enquiry was apologetically made to Kikaku, a retired wholesale medicine
merchant based in Honcho(2). Having luxuriated and recuperated at the health
resort for a while she was, deep down, needlessly anxious about residing in
Edo, and the demand for etiquette and fussy good manners that entailed.
Now in the living quarters her health was lamented but it was hoped that all
would be fine once her well-being had fully returned. Her health quickly
improved with the help of a lowly and inexpensive maidservant called Osayo
who was getting on for forty years or more and only two to three years away
from withering like the melting snow. The real motive of Okinus friend, Kikaku,
however was somewhat sinister. He was always ready to earn favour by
allowing himself to be drawn into free and easy conversation. Kikaku spent
much time regularly spying, questioning a young servant girl. It had been
good to know that she resided then in a villa at Kme (3),

(1) Naraya inn at Miyanoshita, an onsen, in the spa town of Hakone

http://www.naraya-cafe.com/e/history.html
(2) Honch (aka Honj) in Edo (old Tokyo) was the centre for the
wholesale kanpyaku , herbal medicine

Nihonbash Honcho Medicine Shop

(3) Kme villa

Villa in Kme
Sept 27 1863

--

Okumuki no shubi o tsukuroi, Okinu o byki to to iu iinsashi te, hoy katagata

bkun ksei o toburau anjitsu ni to, koko e wa utauri sumi shi nite, shi ji
yashiki no omoyaku kara, moshi mo kono nochi ryen atte katakduku naraba,
yashiki de sewa mo shite tora sen, mata issh o isagiyoku okuru nareba, fujo
mo sen, mi no furikata wa dore tomo kokoro no mamani makase yo to,
tsukiduki niooku teate o tamamono wa ri kereba, imono Oh to Osayo no
hoka ni, kahi ninin, otoko toiu wa kono koro shin ta ni kakae taru shimobe no
Jinpachi nomi ni shite, shj rokunin yutaka ni koso wa kurashikeru. Bu
hayasu hyshi mo onnaji nanakusa no koe no kata kara ake some te, kasumi
ta na biku niwa no to o, o te iri kuru ninin no kyaku wa, kano ssh to
Mamehachi nite, nen shu no rei wa sokosokoni, ky wa sekku ni hatsu u o
mochikomi, kotoni eh mo uma no kata, zehi tomo dezo no otomo o sen toso
ya shitateru ni, Kakutar saraba hatsu u ni mode nto, yo o shinobu mino zehi
nakumo, Oyae o uchi e koshioki, ninin o tomo te uraura to dekake ta ato e,
hiki chigae tazu kishi hitoha, higoro kara tonari no ry ya kore ie e o
taikomochi hanbun shutsunysuru Hashiba hotori no yabui nite, shi mei o
Kurobayashi Gentatsu to yobumono nari. Annai mo sezuni niwasaki kara, yaa
gyokei degoazaru, daish taku kara, bijin no soba ni bakari saburai tte

and over time refurbished the Inner part of the house. Okinus illness was
portrayed as though it was real whilst at the same as her recuperation was
under way time there was a retreat to hold a memorial service for Okinus late
father-in-law, the deceased Lord, the reason behind the change in living
arrangements. Directions were given at the time by the master of the
household to begin looking after the residence supposing that the potential
match would hopefully fulfil expectations and result in marriage. With her
future seemingly secure she lived her life daringly, whichever person her
heartstrings would be more entrusted to. For her benefit every month she was
granted an allowance and her younger sister Oh and Osayo were there as
well as a couple of maidservants and a new and worthy manservant called
Jinpachi was requested to be employed. A master and six servants was quite
enough of a responsibility to be taken on as a responsibility during those hard
times. Around that time space was made, and gatherings were encouraged, to

eat nanakusa(1), the traditional eating of seven herb porridge celebrating the
arrival of spring, and for chanting to begin. The feared evil spirits trying to
enter the garden gate grew dim. A couple of guests, an authoritative teacher
and Mamehachi(2), arrived. Entering they rewarded everyone with a hurried
rendition of songs and poems to welcome in the new year, the day of the
seasonal festival celebrating the arrival of the new fourth sign of the Zodiac,
the Hare. It was particularly auspicious because of the forthcoming
appearance, in May, of the seventh sign of the Zodiac, the Horse. Of course
the first time the friend and his companion appeared to celebrate future
fortune the New Years spiced cake was prepared and brought out. Kakutar,
about to go on a pilgrimage to celebrate the year of the Hare, bade farewell.
Unavoidably, to continue prosper, day to day living and the demands of
society had to be endured. Oyae, despairing, was left at home to clear up
after the two gentle and like the sun in spring, dazzling, friends departed. In
time companionship arrived in the guise of a man who regularly visited from
the next door neighbours villa. To pass the time the man, an honourable
entertainer, had the run of half the house of Kurobayashi Gentatsu, the
renowned neighbourhood doctor in Hashiba (3), who was invited over as soon
as could be. Out in the garden New Years greetings were made with the
assistance of the house master. Nearby, in the house, was a beautiful
persons retainer
(1) Nanakusa no sekku The tradition of eating nanakusa-gayu
seven herb porridge on the 7th January during which a chant is recited to
ward off evil and bring longevity and health
(2) Mamehachi possibly named after a mischievous character in humorist
Tamenaga Shunsui's (1790-1843) fictional work "Haru no wakagusa (The
Young Grass of Spring)"
(3) Hashiba , Taito-ku, Tokyo. In the Edo period it was an elegant
neighbourhood of residences, villas and banqueting halls where Geisha would
entertain on the west bank of the Sumida River
--

kyo te wa kenk o shimasu, kore kara hatsu u e o shutsuba to wa ikaga to

oto nau koe ni, Oyae wa oku kara hashiri i de, toshi kubi no rei o hitotoori no
te, tadaima kakukaku nite sannin tomodachi, hatsu u e mairu to deta bakari,
mada shi hotori ni arimasu yo to kite, Gentatsu nosonoso zashiki e nobori,
hotori mimawasu shi, sore dea bijin wa o rusui ka, tonari e k demo , hatsu u
rusu, konata no aruji mo mata o rusu, kore de yyaku yomi ta yomi ta, tto j
wa nani mo shirarenu ga, shujin wa tonari no reko to tjiba kara no onaji de,
sue wa ffu to yakusokuno shite aruko mo shi te arimasu, tto j wa dshita

okata yara, tabitabi otazune mshitemo, o hanshinai no wa yohodo fushigi,

nan o tanomi ni kono taku ni o ra ruru koto yara, kore mo bun ra nu, ima ni
kakoku o ken ra ruru kato omoe ba makoto ni oki no doku, hay funbetsu

hindering Oyaes full recuperation. At the door talk was of the new
appearance of the sign of the Hare. Because it was the season of the first
harvest of the year Oyae was inside, recovering. The songs and poems
expressed their current gratitude celebrating there with three friends of the
arrival of the New Year. As it was the new appearance of the sign of the Hare
they left on a round of visits in time stopping and listening to their neighbours
at their doors. Gentatsu slowly climbed up to the zashiki (tatami mat room)
and looked over at his neighbours to see what was happening. The ever
beautiful woman who had arrived in the neighbourhood and who was being
chaperoned wasnt there. The house was empty except for the head of the
household, who was house sitting, because of the new sign of the Hare
celebrations. Astutely he slowly noticed the esteemed young woman visiting
houses in the neighbourhood. Though the head of his household had noticed
when she had returned from staying in a well known health resort and the
truth of the couples relationship and their intentions for some reason the
gentleman remained uncertain about the esteemed young woman. He
frequently tried to ascertain what the couples arrangements were and though
not illicit it still remained a great mystery. What was going on depended on
continued observation. This marked the fate waiting for all of them. Because
of the changing situation in all likelihood, and before long, wretched outcome
seemed likely. Swiftly discerning the truth of the favourites poisonous nature
how
--

nasare yo toiu wa makoto ka, sokokiri waruku, Oyae wa nanto kotoba sae
yori tsura ki mune no uchi, sashi utsumuku o Gentatsu wa etari to hata e ni jiri
yori, soko o gu r ga yoi sama ni shujin e settoku shite, tonari no fuchi o setsu
shite shinzeru, orei no shirushi ni, Oyae san, tada hitotabi de yoi hodoni, un to
tooi hi to dakitsuku tesaki o harau te to hiku tokoro e, gejo ga awate shji o hi
ake, Honch kara Shirkichi don ga otoshi kbe ni mie mashita, toki te
odoroku Gentatsu ha, nanakusa na duna too dono o o ss, dore dore, kochi
tsuchi gozaranu sakini, su ton ton to ashibumi narashi, nokori oshige ni kaeri
keru. Tsuma toha shiranu Kakutar, ninin no massha o hikitsure te,
Yanagishima kara Kameido ume niwa sukoshi haya keredo, koko made kuru
tsuginito, Umeyashiki o mo mimono se u ni, koko de au shi wa Gentatsu kara
hanashi no a tsuta tonari no shufu, Hakone de kozo mishiri taru Okinu no
hitomure, haru no hajime toi hi nagara, sai sen utsukushi ni kikaza te, yasurau
shgi mo tonari ai, hajimete koko de kotoba o majie, tsuke no joch to
Mamehachi ga tawamuru koto no omoshirosa ni, tsui uchitoke te, tsuma kara
wa kochi futamure ga hitotsu tonari, ryriten Hashimoto nite hitokumu o moy
u shi, katamini ky o tsukuse shi ha, ken te Okinu ga gan nite, ikaga naru
kami no hikiaiwase ni ya, kore made tabitabi Gentatsu kara yona to asobiniku
rare yo, toiu okuri shiga, monogata ku onago bakari no shi taku e shutsuny
suru no ha ikaga zoto dan hari orishi shi hito ga, k made yawaragi tama
hishito ha,

could what was said be the truth? Ominously speaking ill, whatever Oyae
said was as a result of her broken spirit. As he noticed the shameful looks
between them Gentatsu though Ive got it! The foolish kind old man had not
taken his head of household seriously when he had tried to persuade him. Uh
huh. The nearby neighbours eager offer and their evident expression of

gratitude. Miss Oyae may have been down on her luck but then had wiped her
hands of it when she retired to this place. The maidservant quickly pulled
open the shoji (paper) screen. Gentatsu was astonished to hear that,
apparently, this New Year the apprentice from Honch had been beheaded.
Huh! Quickly, he said, lets hurry over to that place a garland of nanakusa
(seven green herbs) but lets not go until weve performed a ceremony of
stamping and drumming so that we have no misgivings when we have
returned.
The dear person pretended not to know Kakutar who was accompanied by
one of his two friends, the professional entertainer. They soon arrived at
Yanagashimas(1) Ume (Plum) Garden in Kameido (2,3), near where there was
another attraction, Umeyashiki (4). Here, during an early Spring event,
Gentatsu discussed with her house mistress, who last year at Hakone had
become acquainted with Okinus crowd, and investigated their conversations.
Dressed beautifully she was extremely seductive. Neighbours they sat on
adjacent footstools and chatted for the first time. They were joined by the
maidservant who Mamehachi poked fun at. Intimate at last, the two groups
socialised together with the dear one. For a variety of reasons, at the
Hashimoto Restaurant(5), sake and dinner were served. Undeniably they were
congenial and were enjoying the entertainment together. As God is a witness
how could anything be compared with something as good as wishing to be
with Okinu who made frequent evening visits to Gentatsu and parted without a
care in the world. Honestly she was a troubled girl and a solution was indeed
required for her flirtatious behaviour and conduct. They resolved to be resilient
until, in some way, this feeling might indeed be made to steadfastly fade away.
(1) Yanagishima Island in Kameido south west of Tky

Mykendo Temple at Yanagishima

from Hiroshige IIs Forty Eight Famous Views of Edo

(2) Kameido is in Ktku Ward , Tky

(3) Kakutar was the son of Kinokuniya, Nihonbashis dry goods seller (Note:
Before 1923 Kinokuniya, today a book publisher and seller, used to sell
charcoal and wood). Kiyosumi Gardens in Kameido was the
residence of the successful Edo goods merchant Kinokuniya Bunzaemon
(1669-1734). Its possible that Bunzaemon, a favourite of the
government officials, Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu and Ogura Shigehide, of then

Shgun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi , established a trading depot in

Yotsuya when, in 1695 the area underwent major development, and
where the charcoal and wood depot predecessor to the current Kinokuniya
Books was located
(4) Umeyashiki , in ta Ward a few kilometres south of
Shinagawa , now a municipal park was, during the Edo period, planted
with hundreds of plum trees and the location of medicine traders and the site
of Kameido teahouses and inns serving travellers on the first post town on the
journey south from Tky on the Tkaid Road

Umeyashiki by Hiroshige

(5) Hashimoto Restaurant at Yanagishima Island in Kameido

was located on the banks of the river Tenjin at the junction of the
Kitajukkengawa and Yokojukkengawa Canals in the north-east corner of Edo's
Honj district adjacent to the Myken Hall, Yanagashima
Mykenzan Hosshji

The brightly lit windows of the Hashimoto Restaurant at Yanagishima Island

Hiroshige

--

Haru wa ari taki mono nari to, Okinu wa itaku sake o ka shite ku shi ki ysu ni,
shi ba o setsu age, uchi tomo da tsute kerimichi, Kakutar wa Okinu o tasuke
tsutsu, tonari no ry e okuri komi, ninin no tomo o kado kara kaeshite iru
zashiki ni, shonbori to Oyae ga mono o anjiru ha, reino kototo Kakutar, soba
e suwate kao bu nagame, k pokapoka to yki ninatta ni, soto e derarenu
omae no mine, kibun no fusagu wa mottomo ji ya, shi uchi o h no hataraki
de, d to ka hanashi ga kimaru de arau, sukoshi no aida shinb sureba,
omote te no myto tonareru, ky wa hakari zu otanari no Okinu san no joch
tsure ni deai, Hashimto de

Its said that during springtime life changes. Okinu was drinking sake
excessively and making herself disturbed and thoroughly miserable.
Accompanied by his trusted companion Kakutar returned and rescued Okinu
sending her off into a neighbours villa. The couples trusted companion turned
back from the gate and returned to the zashiki (tatami mat room). As always in
these circumstances with Kakutar Oyae was downhearted and anxious
about their emotional involvement. Kakutar sat close and looked at her face.
Feeling warmth throughout his body and completely cheerful. Feeling
melancholy about your future happens in real life. In that situation, with a little
time and patience, his honourable inner fragrance worked its magic and with
increased encouragement she became more settled and turned over a new
leaf. Outwardly they appeared not to be a couple and had that day intelligently
managed an encounter with Miss Okinus close companion and maidservant.
Hashimoto is
--

ippai yatta ga, Nanakusa no hatsu u no seika, kinnen ni nai hito no de, toiu
hashibashi ga Gentatsu no i shi kotoba ni omia tare ba, sate ato Oyae wa ky
kedo, kuchi wa shita naku i de te, keibetsu rete wa haji to, ka Gentatsu ga
midara naru furuma seshi mo o h mi, Tadamoto taku kara bant ga toshi
shu ni kose shigoto nado wo tsu te, sono ba wo to na seshi ga, Kakutar wa
tsuma yori oriori ni tonari no ry e kayoi, shitashiku majiwaru Schi ni, koini
tedare no Okinu no to nashi, tsuma toi wane de j arukoto no hagusa no
tsuyu ke ki ni, harukaze ukete nabi kete u, Osaya ga kei ki baishaku ni, tsuno,
bu tokete kara, Kakutar, izenni katte higoto noyni, tonari e bakari irikomi ni
zo, Oyae wa hajimete Gentatsu no kyo ga makoto to Narumigata, shiohigari ni
mei nu oki no ishi, jin koso shiranu asay ni bin naki mi nomi mi tan chi tsutsu,
tamoto no kawaku ma totemo naku yori hoka ni, kochira koto o sdan suru wa
o yoshi nomi, sore mo kochira koro ie ni ora neba, tada kochira mi o
tsutsushimi, urami o tsutsunde itsumademo, mi o maka shitaru Kakuta(r) no
nushi e shi eta uede, misurarenai ba sore made to, akiramete mitemo,
musmume gi no matamo toyakau yukusue o anji dashiteha, monoomoi u shin
no uchi zo aware nari. Sate mo Okinu wa kozo no aki misome ta koi ga yaya
ni kanau te ureshi ki kone ha, sekken ha te no ffu to naraba, mata
tanoshimi mo kakubetsu nara n, yashiki no kata wa endu no gan mo sumi do,
kobito ni Oyae to ieru tsukimono areba, Kakuta(r) no kata ga mend nari,
tada kone ha, Oyae sae nozo ka ba,

full, as a result of the new sign of the Hare. The result of odds and ends not
attended to in recent years said Gentatsu when putting thoughts into words
for the occasion. Hooray! Later Oyae was surprised, disdainful and ashamed
when, just after the speech, Gentatsu became bawdy and had begun to sing,
arguing to send for the beautiful h. That year the head clerk from
Tadamoto(1) clan had, when completing the accounting books on debt
collections, made an announcement, that the place had taken on a reputation
for cheating. Occasionally to visit his dear one Kakutar popped over to the

neighbours villa and relaxed treated to intimate associations. Okinu was

skilful in the accomplishments of love and there seemed to be compellingly
passionate feelings accompanied by the mood of dew on grass leaves (2). In
the light atmosphere recalling the usual feeling of being swayed by the spring
breeze Osayo was matchmaking. Helping to resolve any problems Kakutar
made changes to his daily life, a complicated step to make towards
companionship. For the first time Oyae became aware of the real untruths to
Gentatsus story and was pitched into Naurmigata (3), gathering shells at low
tide and viewing the wild rocks offshore. People werent always aware, and
needed to be constantly reminded, of her family bereavement as she paused
for a while from her excessive crying to dry her sleeve. It was as well, at that
time, to give up discussing the matter in question and to stop behaving like
this when she was away from home. In this way, previously, she had
preserved her modesty. She had entrusted herself to service to Kakuta(r)s
master for her future living as long as she didnt forsake or give up seeing him
though she was constantly resentful. Once again fault could be found with her
girlishly provocative temperament. Anxious thoughts about losing her future
prospects invoked a chilling misery in her mind.
With some pleasant effort Okinu had also fallen in love last autumn with
someone whose love, in truth and in mind, had also grown and grown. If
circumstances allowed they would dispel the efforts of the community to break
them up. Also, if circumstances allowed they would continue to take
exceptional pleasure from their relationship. The master of the residence had
wished them well and had completed the arrangements for them to be
married. Loving Oyae meant that it was possible to say that they were,
indispensably, a part of each other whether or not Kakuta(r)s master would
have any further difficulty, as long as Oyae didnt make a big deal of the
occasion.
(1) Tadamoto possibly Honda Tadamoto (1817 1883), Daimy of
Okazaki-han Domain and a Kyto Shoshida between
1857-1858. The Honda (also known as the Zeze) had a clan house in Edo
which was subsequently purchased and developed into the Shintomiza
Kabuki Theatre
(2) Hagusa no tsuyu dew on grass leaves. Mentioned in Takasago,
a Noh play by Zeami about the sacredness of the pine tree. In the play there
are two pine trees, symbolic of husband and wife joined in love though far
apart, and the pine itself is symbolic of longevity. However the symbol of dew
tends to be a metaphor for tears and the fragility of this fleeting world.
(3) Narumigata mentioned in Matsukaze (Pining Wind) a Noh play by Kan
ami redrafted by Zeami and also a term evocative of exquisite solitude and
melancholy. It is also the name of a Japanese flower, the white Camellia
sasanqua. A white camellia is a Japanese symbol of ideal love/loveliness and
the flower that brings spring. Narumigata, Narumi Bay, is also the name of a
place near Nagoya that was one of the post stations of the Tokaido. This
reference may allude to Ankamon in no Shijo, a court attendant to Princess
Ankamonin, who also became a nun but remained involved in worldly affairs
and had family conflicts. Narumigata is famous for its plovers and the
Japanese expression chi-dori-ashi 'plover's feet' signifying an inability to walk
a straight path when drunk

--

Kochi no nozo wa kanawan, nanka shudan wa nai mono kato, yuneni amatta
sdanni, Osayo mo koma ji te nani kore to shian shi yo fuke yuki te, tomoshibi
anki hitoma kara, reiri na sama demo onna ha onna, ninin de hitoban
kangaete mo, deru mono tote wa suwa muri bakari, kore demo gu r otoko
dake, jikini u nda hitokuf, chie o kashi saru sau kato, nossori deta wa tannin
niarazu, are Kurobayashi Gentatsu nite, ken te kono ya e dei suru uchi,
Osayo to ikka naji te, hitome o shinobi katarau o, Okinu wa shire do, ninin
tomo harai kuro ki saga nareba, nanika no yonitatsu koto a ran to mitemifuri
de, jihi o kakete oi taru mo, korera no koto o hakarigoto ran tame to, Okinu wa
kokoro ni unaduki te, tebako no uchi kara kigane o toridashi, shin ni hine te
Gentatsu ga maeni sa oki, shiage ta ueno hbi wa kakubetsu, kore wa tetsuke ja, Oyae o nozoku shudan toiu o, hayaku hayaku to Okinu to Osayo ga
sekita ru o, jirashi te oi te kogoe ni nari, tsuma wa kk nasare yo to, kite ninin
wa kaomiase, shibashi kotoba mono kari ga, Osayo ga matamo koe o se
mashi, tsuma o shi mamani shite o ka ba, koto no roken no moto ni mo nara
n, tsuma yue ato wa konj o minu te oita shimobe Jinpachi e tande, kk suru
naraba atobara yama nu jsaku nara n, say ji yato sannin sasayaki au,
takumi no hodo zo kowa shikere. Ky tosugi, kin to asubu, harunohi no
nagaki moku te, ky haha ya hatsuka toiu te shimai shgatsu, karuta no asobi
no nagori tote, Okinu wa fumi mo te kikaku no moto e, ky wa sukoshi ku yi
mo areba, mada omemoji o se nu Oyae sama o mo o tsure sara rete, ykoku
kara zehi tomo oide moto saredo, i hi kosu taru yue, shchi nma o kotae oki
shini, Oyae wa kokoro mo susu manu to kotowari i haba nanto yara, rinki
noyni kikoe mo sen to, ko to yorokobi shitaku o totonoe, Kakuta(r) tomoni
tonari naru Okinu no ry e ita ri shinin, ky wa kotosara zashiki o kazari,
Okinu wa goten ni orishi sugata no machi ni, yomo mabayuku mi yuru hodo
meka ritataru ydai nite, shitone ni za o shime,

In this way they were able to realise their desire, something which, given the
extra advice they had been given, they tried hard not to allow to dissipate.
Osayo was also anxiously wondering about this and that when it was time to
set off on the late evening journey. From the subterranean dark of one of the
rooms the light of a lamp shone out as the women fussed about. All evening
the couple wondered if there was anything else other than this foolish old
person who they were contriving to remember. Wisdom lent honour to
motivating them to making a move and gradually there wasnt anyone else left
apart from Kurobayashi Gentatsu. Coming and going freely between the
residences and intimate at home Osayo contentedly conspiring with a stealthy
gaze discovered what was happening with Okinu. As far as she was
concerned the nature of the couples companionship was dark in nature. In
the circumstances she usefully pretended not to see the contempt and
revulsion instead feeling sufficient compassion towards the old man. Muddled
though the plans were in Okinus mind came a silent answer (1). From inside a
box gold was taken. In expectation and in a different mood Gentatsu wiped
the slate clean. It was an exceptionally superior reward as a finishing touch
and was congratulatory for the Te-tsuke (2) saying that Oyae had taken it. Much
earlier Okinu and Osayo had hurriedly whispered how pathetic the old man
was. As the couple listened a formal postponement was announced as a
result of the dear one having done this and that and temporarily for a short
while conversation proved entirely unnecessary. Once again in her secret and
sly way Osayo spoke up saying that the dear one should have been where
she would have done as she was told and if they discovered the cause the
case could be drawn to a close. The reason for the dear ones ruin was
because the manservant Jinapchi in questioning her had seen through her
temperamental mischief. As a consequence and if circumstances allowed
doing this and that would ensure that the best plan would reach a critical
point.
Correctly three of the employees had a secret meeting to discuss the extent of
the scary work of the investigation. By the time the long Spring day had
passed it had been mostly spent mostly messing around. It was the twentieth
day which marked the end of the first month of the New Year because of
which the playing of Karuta(3) had ended. Under guidance Okinu wrote letters
and prepared a little for the hardship to come and now the opportunity for

Miss Oyae to bring someone to meet the women had ended and so it was
decided to leave at the earliest opportunity that evening. As what had
occurred was unusual and in excess of what was reasonable the only
acceptable and excellent solution was to take a hard tone opposing any
encouragement of Oyaes stupidness otherwise there might be an unexpected
outcome when similarly her reputation for jealousy might affect the future.
With satisfaction the arrangements were prepared and they, Kakuta(r) and
his fellow neighbour, went to the city quarter intending that day to tidy up the
zashiki (tatami mat room) in the mansion where Okinus knickers had made
past dazzling appearances waved and viewed in every direction. All in all
calling attention to herself by dressing up and putting on airs and graces and
finding a place on the pillow.
(1) Unaduki , silent answer, is also the name of a mountain top shrine
made by God to enable him to descend from heaven. Symbolically the
meaning is probably that of being brought down to earth; humbled
(2) Te-tsuke an official of a village subordinate to the Shoguns Deputy
Official Dai-kwan
(3) Karuta , Japanese card game http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karuta
implying that the gambling of the protagonists of this story is also over
--

Oyae o chikaduke, shotaimen no eshaku shite, konnen jgo no tsubomi no

hana, yoka ashika wa shiraito no mada naji naki imono Oh o yobidashi shite
hikiawase nado tsuru uchi ni, kagaya kaen ni, gunshu no shokudai totomo ni
mochidasu sakesakana, Osayo ga shij zashiki o torimochi, susu mu ru
sakazuki no mawaru ni tsure, Okinu wa Kakuta(r) o gawahe hikiyo,
koremiyogashi no furuma ni, Oyae wa yaku omoe domo, jibun no otto toiu de
hana ku, kochi mo motoha tadagoto, kuchio keredo mune o sasu tte shinobu
toko e, Osayo ga betsu no tokuri o chidashi, kore wa amai de nomasu to,

muri na susume ni ni san bai, Oyae ga nomu to tachimachi ni manako kurai

nde, teashi ga ritsu i, mune no hotori ni ga kurushi ku te, nanibun zashiki ni
tamararenu ysu o, Oyasu ga miteto te, izen no tokuri o torikataduke, Oyae
samani wa agaranu seika, yohodo o y na sareta o ysu, oyasumi nasaru gay
o kara uto, Oyasu ga ie ba, Kakutar, sukoshimo nomi nu buiki na onna,
otekazu nagara chotto taku made oku tte kudasare, yakunitatanu to kamai
mosenu o, Oyae wa kuyashi to omoe domo, munagurushikini tae karete,
aisatsu totemo sokosokoni, joch no kata ni tasukerare, wagaie no zashiki e
yainaya, shi mama sokohe butsu fushi te, shtai nakereba, gejo wa odoroki,
muri ni fushido e katsugikomi, furi o hisenu teate shite, onore mo gash no yi
o suru toki, tonari no joch ga kotodute ni, kika no danna wa watashi kata e o
tomari nasaru to kiku te, shi took soko toji shite ono ga gash ni iri ni keru. Shi
yo mo fuke te ushimitsu goro, niwa no kakine o noriko te, shinobi taru ichinin
no kusemono, tefuki mabuka ni omote o tsutsumi, mo o takaku hikarage,
niwaishi dutaini ensaki no amado o ichimai ko di hanashi, Oyae no gash o
ukagau te, hito hokuhoku datentki, y au tefuki hikinobashi, shtai mo naki
Oyae no kuchi e sarugutsuwa, obi nite karada o guruguru maki, yoara oshite
kata e hi kake, isoide niwa no kiretto kara, ura womegutte tan bo michi, ikiseki
kake te, Ushima no tsutsumi e nobo tte atari o mimawashi, koko wa nabakari
Chmeiji no

Oyae was brought in and after bowing she was questioned. Lamenting the
intimacy, good or bad, this fifteen year old flower bud was a young woman
who was a silken thread(1). The meeting was suspended and Oh was
summoned. Into the garden of dazzling flowers an army of candlesticks were
brought along with food and drink. Osayo carried on entertaining in the zashiki
(tatami mat room) encouraging the company to drink more and more sake.
Showing off Okinu drew Kakuta(r) to one side. Oyae was, it seemed, jealous
of the others. Her speech flowery she said that this is a trivial matter and
though regretful my heart tells me to endure this situation. Osayo produced
another bottle of sake, sweetly encouraging more drinking. Wasnt it
unreasonable to encourage the drinking of two to three cups of sake. As Oyae
drank and her eyesight became hazy, her limbs trembled strangely and,
unable to endure the situation in the zashiki (tatami mat room) her heart felt
painful. Osayo had grasped the situation and had since cleared way the bottle

of sake. Oh! To a great extent the outlook for Oyae did not look good or
fruitful. The situation was that the daughter of another mans honourable wife
was drunk and she had taken break dozing whilst Osayo chatted about it.
Kakutar did not want anything to drink or anything to do with the wanton girl.
Troubled for a short while she was sent from the house, her pretence and
uselessness having been established Oyae no longer felt able to fit in and
with tightness in her chest, faltered, appearing regretful. Responding quickly
the maidservant offered her shoulder helping each other to stand up no
sooner had they reached the zashiki (tatami mat room) than she struck out
and fell over. Coming to her senses, the maidservant, astonished at her
unreasonable behaviour, carried her to the bed where she unintentionally
drew attention to herself by arguing. Tidying up the bed and angrily
interjecting, the neighbours maidservant gave her a message that, The
patron the house asked me to stopover briefly to give you a message, this
place is closed and you are cannot stay here. That evening as it grew late
and midnight approached a suspicious fellow, wearing a towel wrapped round
his head and with his expensive skirt tucked up, rode past the garden hedge.
Sneaking in across the stone paving in the garden and along the veranda wall
he lifted and slid in under the storm shutter. Chuckling to himself he went to
Oyaes bed, struck her as she was nodding off. As the truth dawned on her
she wept as she was roughly handled and gagged with a hand towel. An obi
(belt) was wrapped and wound around her body and she was deliberately
slung partially over one shoulder. He dashed out quickly through a gap in the
garden until, out of site behind the house, he reached the road by the paddy
(rice field). The sprint made him pant. Climbing up the side of the bank at
Ushima(2) he looked around. Here on the other shore by the so named
Chmeiji(3)
(1) shiraito - silk thread (perfection)
(2) The Geisha neighbourhood Mukjimas Ushima Jinja Shrine

On the opposite (east) bank of the Sumidagawa River from Asakusa in

Sumida Park near what remains of the Mito clan villa in Kme its black
stone cow, Nadeushi, is purported to help in the rapid healing of
injuries

(3) Mukojima Chmeiji (Longevity) Temple famous for its "Chomei

Water" is just north of Meguri Shrine and adjacent to Kfukuji Temple by the
Sumida River in Tokyo. Its the home of Benten, deity of music and fine arts,
the only female of the seven lucky gods. A temple precinct speciality is
sakuramochi rice cakes wrapped in pickled cherry tree leaves. It was a
renowned spot for viewing the winter snow
--

mae no kishi, matazoro kodote e katsugi ake, koko ra de yoito omoishi ka,
kata ni kaketaru Oyae o oroshi, ashi to kbe to e ryte wokake, naka ni tsure
shite Namu Amida Butsu no koe morotomo, Sumida no nagare e zanbu
tokoso wa nage kon dari. Koko no kobune ni sao sasu otoko wa nanimo nite
zen naru ya waru naru ya nihen o yomite shiri tamau beshi.

at a small embankment he again raised the burden that he carried. Yes,

here was a good place and time to teach someone a lesson. Oyae dangled
down from his shoulder. He laid her down and together they chanted Namu
Amida Butsu(1) as he then completed what remained to do, throwing her into
the Sumida Rivers current. Needs must when the devil drives and there, in a
small boat, the man stretched out his pole. As surely as evil and good have

been balanced also the reader has come to the end of this part and reached
Part Two
(1) Hail to Amitbha Buddha, and is chanted or recited by Pure Land
Buddhists in order to gain rebirth into the Pure Land after death.
References:
Waseda University Library images
Night storm Okinu Flower Frail Dreams of Revenge

Yoarashi Okinu Hana no adayume
http://www.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kotenseki/html/he14/he14_02689/index.html
Night storm Okinu Flower Frail Dreams of Revenge

() [] Reprint Japanese Modern Literature
(Jan 2006) by Okamoto Kisen
Publisher: National Institute of Japanese Literature