have the advantage of Akitada’s old and noble name and would be much easier to remove.
‘Thank you for your friendship,’ Akitada said. ‘I shall not forget it, but at the moment all I need is some information. This being the Bureau of Ranks, I thought you might know something about the man.’
Nakatoshi clapped his hands. When his scribe rushed in, he requested the documents pertaining to Kiyowara Kane. The man bowed and disappeared. Nakatoshi said, ‘Kiyowara is – was provincial gentry. His family is said to be quite wealthy, with holdings in Bingo and Izumo provinces.’
‘Yes. He bought Soga’s villa and has spent a great deal of money on it,’ said Akitada.
Nakatoshi smiled. ‘I bet you hated going there.’
‘I did.’
The scribe returned with a box and left again. Nakatoshi started sifting through the papers inside. ‘His father served as governor of Izumo and made a number of very generous gifts to the emperors at the time. No doubt because of that, some of the women of the family were invited to serve at court.’ He held up a document and looked at Akitada. ‘That would explain Kiyowara’s marriage to a daughter of the Minamoto chieftain. His mother was lady-in-waiting at the time and arranged the match. It turned out to be a brilliant move. The following year her sister married Fujiwara Yorimichi, our current chancellor.’ He returned to the rest of the papers in the box. ‘Kiyowara quickly received appointments. The latest one made him a junior controller.’ Nakatoshi closed the box. ‘That is all we have. I’m afraid I know nothing of any enemies, but a man who rises so quickly may count on opposition.’
Akitada nodded. ‘True, but envy rarely leads to murder. I think there must have been greater provocation. What of his reputation?’
‘People say that he was a hard worker. Mind you, since this is the Ranks Office, there was some gossip about what honors he might be striving for next, but it was just gossip. Still, he seems to have been an ambitious man.’
‘Yes, I think we can take that for granted. What of his personal life?’
Nakatoshi frowned. ‘I seem to recall someone mentioning that he was too fond of women.’
Akitada smiled. This sort of gossip attached itself to many men, and some positively cultivated such rumors. ‘You think that perhaps his wife lost her temper?’
Nakatoshi looked doubtful. ‘Why didn’t she object earlier? I have a feeling that she enjoys being the wife of a man who is rising in the government. You know, of course, that Yorimichi will be making more appointments soon?’
‘There have been rumors.’
‘Yes. Since Michinaga finally retired to his new palace at Uji, there have been many changes in the government. Now four of his sons hold the highest offices, and Yorimichi, the eldest, is regent and chancellor. Michinaga rules from retirement.’
Akitada remembered the rumors about the fires. ‘The people are still very unhappy about his choice of Crown Prince. Do you think he will listen?’
Nakatoshi shook his head. ‘He’s never listened before. Last year they blamed the smallpox epidemic on this, and now it’s the fires. Still, he must be worried. The court astrologer has done a reading, and he says the gods are indeed angry.’
They were getting away from the murder case. ‘What about Kiyowara’s children?’
‘His son by his first lady is the heir, I believe. He’s the only one old enough.’
‘If he was a womanizer, it could mean jealous husbands or lovers.’
Nakatoshi spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. ‘I can try to find out more.’
‘No, better not stir up suspicions. At least, not yet. Besides, there’s another suspect. Prince Atsunori went in to speak to Kiyowara before me. He may be the man who quarreled with him.’
Nakatoshi reacted much as Kobe had. ‘Atsunori? He’s an imperial and outranks Kiyowara. If they quarreled, Kiyowara would be the loser.’ He thought. ‘Could it have been suicide?’
‘No. Apparently Kiyowara’s head was bashed in. I did wonder what a man of Atsunori’s rank was doing there.’
‘Yes, it’s strange.’
‘I also saw another famous gentleman. Ono Takamura was coming from the women’s quarters.’
‘The poet? He’s a favorite of the court at the moment. They say the collection he’s working on will be brilliant. A lot of people hope to be included.’ Nakatoshi pondered a moment, then said, ‘I would have thought him harmless. All he cares about is poetry and his comforts. He makes himself pleasant to people in power because they supply him with praise and luxurious surroundings. Did you know that he lives as a guest in the Crown Prince’s Palace?’
‘Does he really? I had much the same impression of the man, but I think I must try to talk to him. He may know something about other visitors that day. How does he come to be acquainted with Kiyowara’s wives?’
‘I don’t know, sir. Perhaps I can find out.’
‘Better not.’ Akitada rose. ‘Thank you, Nakatoshi. Please don’t mention this to anyone – for your sake as well as mine.’
Nakatoshi stood also. ‘Of course. But I wonder if it might not be better if I asked the questions. It’s easier for me to get access to some of the people close to Kiyowara. Won’t you let me help, sir?’
Akitada knew what he meant. Doors would be closed to him in too many quarters now. Nobody wanted to be seen to associate with those in disfavor. He smiled at Nakatoshi. ‘Not quite yet,’ he said. ‘Perhaps later.’ But he knew he would not involve this very nice young man in his troubles.
‘Be careful, sir.’
‘I’ll try to be, Nakatoshi. My best wishes to your wife.’
Nakatoshi blushed and smiled. ‘And mine to yours, sir.’
THE COURT POET
Ono’s reputation might have entitled him to quarters in a palace, but his room lacked the luxuries Kiyowara had enjoyed.
When Akitada was shown in by a palace servant, he found a somewhat mean space dominated by a small, old desk and shelving overflowing with books, scrolls, and document boxes. But the writing set on the desk was new and very beautiful. Boxes, brush holders, water containers, seals, and even the brushes were lacquered the color of autumn maples and heavily decorated with golden leaves and mother-of-pearl flowers.
Ono himself wore a casual green silk robe open over a heavy white under-robe and brilliant red trousers. This effeminate attire suited him, as did the lassitude with which he gestured towards a cushion, saying, ‘You find me hard at work, Sugawara. Please forgive the lack of amenities. When there are fires every day, one does not want to burden oneself with possessions. Alas, I cannot even offer you wine. I do not take my meals here, and my servant has gone out for ink.’
Akitada sat down. ‘Don’t concern yourself, sir. It’s very good of you to see me.’ On closer inspection, Ono was not only a handsome man, but also older than Akitada had thought. His hair, now that he was bare-headed, was turning quite gray, though the eyes were still large and bright and his face smooth. ‘I wonder,’ Akitada asked, ‘if you recall our meeting at Kiyowara’s house two days ago?’
Ono looked blank. Clearly, he had not recognized Akitada. But he smiled quickly and nodded. ‘Ah, yes. Of course. Poor Kiyowara. He has died, you know.’
‘Yes. The very day we met. I’m afraid he was too busy to see me.’
‘Ah.’ Ono nodded, but volunteered nothing else.
Akitada thought perhaps the poet was still confused and explained, ‘You were walking in the garden, reciting poetry. I was on the veranda of the reception room. Do you remember?’
Ono’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh, that poem. I’ve rewritten it completely. Wait a moment. Now, where did I put it?’ He stared at the shelves with their boxes and scrolls, shaking his head. ‘It’s a very great undertaking, putting together an anthology of the best poems of our time. There are so many submissions that my own work gets lost among them. Sometimes I despair.’
