Flower Spelling - Chapter 28
Chapter 28 – Beyond Hakone
The Tokaido Highway is one of the five highways, along with the Nakasendo and Koshu highways, and connects Nihonbashi in Edo to Sanjo-Ohashi in Kyoto at fifty-three stops. In the latter half of the Edo period, as the construction of the highway progressed and travel became relatively easy, the longing for travel grew among the common people, and in particular, visiting Ise was so popular that it was said that people wanted to visit Ise at least once in their lifetime.
Depending on the weather conditions, it generally requires no more than ten days for a man and twenty days for a woman to travel from Edo to Kyoto.
After departing from Edo, Sogetsu and the three others stayed first in Hodogaya, then Hiratsuka and Odawara… continuing their journey slowly but steadily.
… But.
“??You’re late!”
“Excuse me!”
Fourth day of the journey.
On one of the most difficult sections of the Tokaido Highway, Shido’s relentless fury struck as he grew weary of Sogetsu’s delay on the mountain road to Hakone.
“You, even a ten years old child can walk a lot more briskly! Is it a lie when you said you won’t cause any trouble!”
“No!”
Chastising her aching legs, Sogetsu desperately chased after Takasugi and Shido who were ahead of her.
Two years arriving in Edo.
Sogetsu had assumed that the absence of cars and trains would have strengthened her legs, but she was wrong. The mountain roads in Hakone were much more difficult to walk on than on the plains due to the steep slopes and the rough stone pavements.
“Why… are you so… lively, Mr. Shido? From Kyo… all the way to Edo… and almost without a break, having to rush back.”
“This much is nothing.”
In contrast to Sogetsu, who was breathlessly climbing up a slope sporting the name, “Onna Koroshizaka“, Shido, who was not losing his breath, obviously turned his chest away.
“You are far too weak.”
“Ugh…”
Many travellers around her, though panting for breath, were not as exhausted as Sogetsu.
E-Everyone is a good walker…
After a short rest in a lodge lined with teahouses, another strenuous climb awaited her. Halfway up a precipice that can no longer be considered a hill, and halfway down a steep, slippery descent, again at the risk of death. (Once I slip, it’s inevitable that I’ll fall)
After a series of chilling moments, the final descent to Hakone inn was reached and a massive lake presented itself before her view.
Here was Ashinoko lake.
The shimmering azure surface of the lake was surrounded by the fresh green of the adjacent mountains. Mount Fuji stood gracefully behind it against the clear blue sky.
“Wow…”
Beautiful was the only clichéd word that escaped her lips and she felt frustrated by it. However, the view was so spectacular that she could forgive herself if she had to suffer through the hardship to witness it.
“Never fails to amaze me.” Takasugi, too, narrowed his eyes dazzlingly.
Other travellers around them were also admiring the view before their eyes, their mouths agape with wonder.
“That’s the best part of travelling, isn’t it? I’ve read ‘Tokaidochu Hizakurige‘ many times, but reading it and imagining it is entirely different from physically witnessing it with your own eyes.”
“I guess so… Well, we better get going moving now. If we don’t get to Mishima by the end of the day, we’ll be camping out in the mountains. I don’t want to be attacked by snakes or boars or anything like that.”
“… Yes.”
Under Takasugi’s urging, Sogetsu took in the view one last time and then hurried after Shido before he could yell at her again.
Soon after passing through the huge cedar-lined road, they entered Hakone inn.
The sun was already high above the sky. Having finished a hearty meal at a reasonably priced food shop, they managed to cross the Hakone Pass and arrived at Mishima just before nightfall.
Upon arrival at the inn, the servant brought over a tub to wash her feet. When she took off her socks, which were stained with soil, she noticed that they were in a miserable state, with many blisters crushed.
“Ugh… I shouldn’t have seen that.”
The pain felt more severe than ever. The innkeeper gave her some medicine, and she bandaged herself up.
The sandals are… I wish they were a bit easier to walk in.
Although these sandals were light, they were so thin that any unevenness in the ground would be felt by the sole of the foot. On top of this, the strap dug in between her toes, causing pain each time she walked.
At least she tried to go to bed early and be prepared for tomorrow, but her feverish legs were tingling and keeping her from falling asleep.
I was naive… At this rate, I’ll never make it to Kyo…
As she rubbed her tense legs, she fought to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.
I can’t bother Mr. Takasugi or Mr. Shido any further, I have to do something about it.
She reached into her luggage to see if she can find anything.
“Ah!”
In a panic, a small piece of cloth fell off and rolled out of the bag.
Oh no, oh no.
Sogetsu gently retrieved the wrapping and examined it. Wrapped carefully in layers of soft cloth, it was a silver pocket watch with a thin chain. The light from the lantern cast a faint reddish glow over it.
Before leaving Edo, as a parting gift, she sent Bain a book of miniature drawings of plants, together with a farewell letter announcing her departure for Kyo??Because Bain mentioned that he liked Japanese flowers and plants??This is what was attached to the reply.
Slightly undersized, it fit comfortably in Sogetsu’s hand as if she had been using it for years.
The lid was delicately ornamented with intertwined ivy and flowers. Inside, a clock face with Roman numerals and ornate hands twirled in a graceful line. And on the inner cover were inscribed words from Bain.
? With?Love?to?My?best?Friend
????????????????????J?B? ?
“‘Dear friend’…”
Whispering it aloud, a warmth surged across her chest.
Energized slightly, she carefully re-wrapped it in its original cloth.
… Ah yes, there is also the option of buying shoes in Yokohama. But even if I was Sakamoto Ryoma, regardless of how easy it was to walk, I couldn’t wear shoes with my hakama as it would be too conspicuous.
Imagining it, she couldn’t resist smiling.
With what I have here, what I can do now is…
?
“What’s that?”
The following morning.
Takasugi and Shido both peered incredulously at Sogetsu’s face upon arising.
“What’s up with that? Are you alright? Did you have a bad dream?”
She must have looked awful. Forgetting his usual sarcasm, Shido called out to her in a caring way.
“I worked all night to make this.”
Sogetsu’s tabi, which he lifted up, had a split at the fork, reinforced with several layers of cloth.
“This will lessen the damage caused by the laces of my sandals, won’t it? Then I’ll be able to walk better than before. I’ll do my best not to cause any more trouble. So please let me continue to accompany you!”
When Sogetsu bowed down, Takasugi lifted the edge of his mouth.
“What are you talking about? You are here in the guise of my servant. Is there a servant who will let his master go first and come after him leisurely? Right, Monta?”
“Indeed. If you insist on being able to walk, then let’s get on with it.”
“… Yes!” Sogetsu cheerfully responded and stepped out into the still slightly cold morning mist.
Forty-two more stops to reach Kyo.
The journey had scarcely begun.
T/N:
Onna Koroshizaka – The name “Onna Koroshizaka” hill, comes from the fact that a woman riding a horse fell off and lost her life when she passed by here.