Flower Spelling - Chapter 34
Chapter 34 – At Kyo
Kyo, the old capital of Japan, with its neatly laid out streets, unique machiya houses with lattice windows and inuyarai, and countless temples of all sizes.
The Choshu domain residence is located along the Takase River, a short distance north of the Sanjo Ohashi Bridge at the end of the Tokaido Highway. The Takasegawa River connects the area to Fushimi, a major maritime transportation hub, and due to its convenience, many other clans, including the Tsushima and Tosa clans, had their residences in this area. Across the street, the temple with its vast grounds presents a spectacularly magnificent sight.
Although not as vast as the feudal residence in Edo, it was still sufficiently large, and was now crowded with people preparing for the next day’s visit. Takasugi and Shido left, saying they would report to Seishi on their arrival in the capital, while Sogetsu stayed behind and asked Shinagawa Yajiro to show her around the mansion.
“Everyone seems to be busy.”
“Tomorrow is the long-awaited event. They’re desperate to ensure that no omissions occur.”
“… Then, I guess Mr. Katsura will not have time for me too. I just wanted to drop him a note that I have arrived safely in Kyo.”
“Ah, that’s impossible.” Shinagawa waved his hand dismissively. “These days, he works so hard to the point that he doesn’t even have the time to sleep.”
“I see… I can’t simply leave in silence…”
“Huh? Leaving?”
“Ah, I’m thinking of leaving the clan residence and fending by myself.”
Sharing the same story she had told to Takasugi, Shinagawa exclaimed and grabbed Sogetsu by the shoulders.
“No, no, no, absolutely not! Just when I thought that Sogetsu had arrived and I could leave the cramped clan house.”
“Huh?”
“It’s too small here, so many of the clansmen live in rented houses outside. I was sharing a room with Kumaji, but after discussing it with him, I decided to give the room to Sogetsu and leave the clan house, and I also decided to rent a house nearby. So at least use the room until you meet Mr. Katsura. Besides, the room is already cleaned. Here, you’ll find all the essentials. Alright, it’s decided!”
Once forcibly deciding that he would not accept any protests, putting down the luggage, he quickly invited Sogetsu to join his friends.
??
The day of the visit to Kamo.
Despite the cold, drizzling weather, a large number of people flocked to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The purpose of the trip was to visit Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine to pray for the expulsion of the barbarians. At the same time, by presenting the illustration of the shogun serving the emperor, it was intended to spread to the world the perception that the emperor was superior to the shogun.
“Even so, what a crowd.”
After leaving the clan residence with Takasugi, Sogetsu forced her way through the crowd of people to get a better look and spoke to Takasugi by her side. Takasugi dexterously slid his body into the gap and said, “Well.”
“It’s the first time in 200 years that he’s been outside the palace.”
“Two hundred years!? Are you saying that all the Emperors during that time lived their whole lives without ever leaving the palace!? Wow, no wonder the current emperor doesn’t like foreign countries. Even he doesn’t recognize the town he lives in.”
Maybe… this is a good opportunity for Master Tenshi to learn about the outside world. I hope that he will be exposed to the outside world little by little and that one day he will get to know foreign countries properly.
Somehow they managed to find a position where they could see the street. Kneeling on the muddy ground, they waited in the rain for a while. The people around them all fell to their knees with a thud, and Sogetsu followed suit. From the corner of her vision, she saw the head of the procession.
Leading the way were the lords of the Tsushima and Tsuwano clans and eleven members of the Choshu clan, including Seishi Sadahiro. Unfortunately, Sadahiro could not be seen, but the sight of all the feudal lords riding together on horseback and dressed in battle surcoats was breathtaking. Following them were the palanquins in their formal robes, the court officials and court nobles on their ceremonial horses. The Emperor’s palanquin, a glittering portable shrine carried by 40 or 50 people, is protected by the palanquins. The roof of the palanquin is adorned with gold and lacquer phoenixes. On the sides of the carriage is an elaborate silk cloth with intricate patterns.
“Amazing… beautiful…”
Some clasped their hands in prayer, others shed tears of joy.
Sogetsu, too, was overwhelmed by the opulence of the scene and asked Takasugi about it.
“But with that sudare, you can’t see inside at all, right? We wouldn’t even be able to see if it was really Master Tenshi on board.”
“Then why don’t you turn the sudare and have a look?”
“Wah, that’s not good at all! I’ll have you dealt with it immediately.”
Takasugi let out a stifled laugh at Sogetsu’s brutality.
“I’m joking.”
“When Mr. Takasugi says it, it doesn’t sound like a joke.”
Meanwhile, the imperial carriage passed by, followed by a procession of warriors. At the head of the procession was a young samurai on horseback, wearing a jinbaori (traditional Japanese ceremonial coat).
“So that’s the Shogun. He’s still a child.”
“Eh, that child is the Shogun?”
Although she knew he was young, he was indeed young. It won’t be weird to refer to him as a boy. It’s a pity that his body was so drenched, but the way he straightened his back, trying to be the best he can, was very touching.
Takasugi was next to her, “Yes! Sei-i Taishogun!”
“I have been awaiting!”
When the attendants turned to look at them, both of them were already facing down like the others. Beneath their downcast heads, they exchanged a stealthy glance and giggled like children at a successful prank.
??
Late that night. Sogetsu was invited by Katsura to visit his room. She was slightly astonished to find Takasugi in the room but sat down as he prompted her.
“I’m sorry to bother you at this hour. I’ve had a lot on my hands.”
Katsura’s face revealed a hint of haggardness. If you look at the fact that he has not taken off his work silk clothes, he must have called upon her right after he finished his work.
“You’ve had a hard journey too. Are you tired?”
“Yes, I am. I’m sorry to have to take up so much of your time.”
“No, it’s no trouble at all. The landlady has asked me to look after you.”
“Mr. Katsura, about that…”
Sogetsu was about to say something when Katsura stopped her.
“I heard from Takasugi. That you want to live out of the clan house.”
He sure heard it quick from him. Sogetsu expressed the feelings she had been holding onto for a long time.
I am sincerely grateful to Choshu for allowing me to stay at their residence, providing me with food, clothing, and shelter, as well as a place to study, and for bringing me to Kyo. Now that I am in Kyo and don’t need to be sheltered from the officials, I don’t want to be a nuisance to Choshu anymore and bother everyone who is busy.
When she had finished speaking at once and caught her breath, Katsura, who had been listening silently, nodded slowly and said.
“I know how you feel, Sogetsu. But you know how hard it is to live in a foreign town. Especially when you’re on your own. We hope you will understand our concern for you. ??Ans this.”
Katsura took out a folded piece of paper from the library beside him and spread it out in front of Sogetsu. It looked like a map of Kyo, but here and there it was marked in red.
“Do you know what these marks are?”
Sogetsu merely shook her head. At the sight of this, Katsura said quietly.
“This is the house that everyone asked about, looking for the folding screen with the cat on it.”
Sogetsu’s eyes widened.
“We go door to door, whenever there is time. No one told us to do it. It’s just that we like you. None of us have ever thought of you as a nuisance. You are our friend. Please, let us be of assistance.”
“…”
The back of her eyes grew hot and the map blurred.
Words failed her.
Why are you all being so nice to me? I’ve made up my mind. I decided to do it alone. But… If you say it like that, I’ll be lenient again.
A piece of paper was quickly held out from the side.
“Just say that you will stay here. You’re being too cautious. We’re not as soft as you think we are. Mr. Katsura likes to be bothered, and he’ll be glad to hear that you’re being so selfish.”
“Don’t talk to her like she is a weirdo. And you need to pull your weight a little more.”
??Ah, seriously.
I am surrounded by good people.
With a face full of tears and laughter, Sogetsu bowed her head deeply.