TAIKO: AN EPIC NOVEL OF WAR AND GLORY IN FEUDAL JAPAN

administration in order, rest his troops, and wait for another day,” Hanbei said.

'I'm sure that's what his plans are, but with his disposition, he can't just let the day pass in idleness. That's why he sent this letter asking about policy.'

'Planning for the future, allying himself with his neighbors—I think the present is probably a splendid opportunity for that.'

'So?' Hideyoshi asked.

'It's just my humble opinion, because you, rather than I, are the one who is said to be capable in so many areas. First, answer with just one line: 'Be friendly with neighbor; make plans for the future.' Then, at a convenient moment, go to Gifu Castie and explain your plan in person.'

Why don't we each write down which province we think it would be best for the Oda to ally itself with, and then compare to see if we're thinking the same thing?'

Hanbei wrote something first, and then Hideyoshi put the brush to a piece of paper.

When they exchanged the papers and unfolded them, they found that they had both Written 'Takeda of Kai,' and they broke out in laughter, delighted that they were both thinking along the same lines.

The lamps were bright in the guest room. The messenger from Gifu was given the seat of honor, and Hideyoshi's mother and wife were also in attendance. When Hideyoshi took his seat, the lamps seemed suddenly even more cheerful and the room more lively.

Nene thought that her husband seemed to be drinking a good bit more sake these days, at least compared with the past. She watched his easy attitude throughout the ban­quet as though she saw nothing at all. He was entertaining his guest, making his mother laugh, and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Even Hanbei, who never drank, put the sake cup to his lips and sipped a little to toast Hideyoshi.

Others joined the banquet, and it soon became quite boisterous. When his mother and Nene had retired, Hideyoshi walked outside to sober up. The blossoms of the young cherry trees had already fallen, and only the fragrance of the mountain wisteria filled the night.

'Ah! Who's that under the trees?' Hideyoshi called out.

'It's me,' replied a woman's voice.

'Oyu, what are you doing here?'

'My brother is so late in coming back, and he's so weak, I was worried.'

'It's a wonderful thing to see such a beautiful relationship between brother and sister.'

Hideyoshi walked up to her side. She was about to prostrate herself, but he caught her hands. 'Oyu, let's walk over to the teahouse over there. I'm so drunk that I'm not sure of my footing. I'd like you to make me a bowl of tea.'

'My goodness! My hands! This isn't right. Please let go.'

'It's all right. Don't worry.'

'You-you shouldn't be doing this.'

'It's really all right.'

'Please!'

'Why are you being so noisy? Please whisper. You're being cruel.'

'This is not right!'

At that moment Hanbei called out. He was on his way back to his house. When Hideyoshi saw him, he immediately let go of Oyu. Hanbei stared at him in amazement. 'My lord, what kind of drunken craziness is this?'

Hideyoshi slapped his head with his hand. Then, either laughing at his own foolish­ness or at his lack of elegance, he opened his mouth wide and said, 'Yes, well, what's wrong? This is 'being friendly with neighbors and planning for the future.' Don't worry about it.'

Summer turned to fall. One day Hikoemon came with a message for Hanbei, re­questing that Oyu become a lady-in-waiting for Hideyoshi's mother. When Oyu heard the request, she shrank in fear. She burst into tears. That was her answer to Hideyoshi's request.

A tea bowl that has no imperfections is said to be lacking in beauty, and Hideyoshi's character, too, was not without blemish. Though the elegance of a tea bowl, or even human frailty itself, may be interesting to contemplate, from a woman's point of view this flaw cannot be 'interesting' at all. When his sister broke into tears just at the mention of the matter, Hanbei thought her refusal was reasonable, and conveyed it to Hikoemon.

Autumn, too, passed without incident. In Gifu, the principle of 'being a friendly neighbor and planning for the future' was put into practice. For the Oda clan, the Takeda of Kai had always been a threat at the rear. Arrangements were soon made for Nobunaga's daughter to be married to Takeda Shingen's son, Katsuyori. The bride was a young girl of thirteen and an incomparable beauty. She had been adopted, however, and was not one of Nobunaga's natural daughters. Nevertheless, after the marriage ceremony, it seemed that Shingen was extraordinarily pleased with her, and the union was soon blessed with a son, Taro.

For the time being at least, the Oda clan's northern border would have seemed to be secure, but the young bride died giving birth to Taro. Nobunaga then had his eldest son Nobutada, betrothed to Shingen's sixth daughter, to prevent the weakening of the alliance between the two provinces. He also sent a proposal of marriage ties to Tokugawa Ieyasu of Mikawa. Thus, the military alliance that already existed between the two was strengthened by family bonds. At the time of their engagement, Ieyasu's eldest son, Takechiyo, and Nobunaga's daughter were both eight years old. This policy was also used with the Sasaki clan in Omi. And so the castle at Gifu was busy with celebrations for the next two years.

*  *  *

The samurai's face was hidden in the shadow of a broad hat of woven sedge. He was tall, around forty years of age. Judging from his clothes and sandals, he was a wandering swordsman who had been on the road for some time. Even from behind, his body seemed to leave no opening for attack. He had just finished his midday meal, and was stepping out into a street in Gifu. He walked about, looking around, without any particular purpose. From time to time he would comment to himself how much such-and-such a place had changed.

From any spot in the town, the traveler could look up and see the towering walls of Gifu Castle. Holding the rim of his low, conical hat, he gazed at them for a while in fascination.

Suddenly a passerby, probably a merchant's wife, turned and stopped to look at him. She whispered something to the clerk accompanying her, and then hesitantly approached the swordsman. 'Excuse me. It's rude of me to stop you in the street like this, but aren’t you Master Akechi's nephew?'

Caught off guard, the swordsman quickly responded, 'No!' and walked off in great strides. After going ten or so steps, however, he turned and looked at the woman, who was still staring at him. That's Shunsai the armorer's daughter, he thought. She must be married by now.

He wound his way through the streets. Two hours later he was near the Nagara River. He sat down on the grassy riverbank and gazed at the water. He could have stayed there forever. The reeds rustled in desolate whispers under a pale, chilly autumn sun.

“Master Swordsman?' Someone tapped him on the shoulder.

Mitsuhide turned around to see three men—most likely a patrol of Oda samurai on police duty.

'What are you doing?' one asked casually. But the faces of the three men were tense and suspicious.

'I was tired from walking, and stopped to rest a bit,' the swordsman answered calmly. 'Are you from the Oda clan?' he asked, standing up and brushing the grass from his clothes.

'We are,' the soldier said stiffly. 'Where have you come from, and where are you going?'

'I'm from Echizen. I have a relative at the castle and have been looking for some way to get in touch.'

'A retainer?'

'No.'

'But didn't you just say that it was someone at the castle?'

'She's not a retainer. She's a member of the household.'

'What's her name?'

'I hesitate to say it here.'

'What about your name?'

'That too.'