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

with loud complaints about your bad manners. I calmed hir down because, according to others, there seemed to be a lot of sense in your words.'

'I'm extremely sorry.'

'Go to the construction site and apologize to Ukon.'

'Me, my lord?'

'Of course.'

“If it's an order, I'll go and apologize.'

“Do you disapprove?'

“I hesitate to say this, but won't it encourage his vice? What I said was correct, and his work,, in terms of service to you, can hardly be called conscientious. Even that little bit of repair has taken close to more than twenty days, and furthermore—'

'Monkey, are you going to spit out those big words even to me? I've heard your lec­ture already.'

'I thought I spoke what was obvious, certainly not just big words.'

'If that's so, how many days should it take to finish the job?'

'Well…' Tokichiro became a bit more cautious and thoughtful, but he answered promptly, 'Well, since the work has already been started, I think I could finish it without difficulty in three days.'

'Three days!' Nobunaga exclaimed involuntarily.

Shibata Katsuie looked exasperated and sneered at Nobunaga's credulity in believing Tokichiro. But Inuchiyo had absolutely no doubt that he could do exactly as he claimed.

Nobunaga promoted Tokichiro to the post of overseer of building works on the spot. He would replace Yamabuchi Ukon, and in just three days, he would be expected to re­pair two hundred yards of the castle walls.

He accepted the commission and prepared to withdraw, but Nobunaga asked him again, 'Wait. Are you sure you can do it?' From the sympathetic tone of Nobunaga's voice, it was clear that he did not want Tokichiro to be forced to commit seppuku if he was to fail. Tokichiro sat a little straighter and said with certainty, 'I will do it without fail.'

Nevertheless, Nobunaga asked him to think about it a little more. 'Monkey, the mouth is the cause of most disasters. Don't be obstinate over such a trivial matter.'

'I'll have the walls ready for your inspection after three days,' Tokichiro repeated, and withdrew.

That day he returned home earlier than usual. 'Gonzo! Gonzo!' he called out. When his young servant peeked into the back garden at his master's call, there was Tokichiro, stripped naked and sitting cross- legged.

'Do you have an errand for me?'

'Yes, indeed!' he answered heartily. 'You have some money on hand, don't you?'

'Money?'

'That's what I said.'

'Well…'

'What about that little bit I gave you some time ago for the various household expenses?'

'That's been gone for a long time.'

'Well, what about the money for the kitchen expenses?'

'There hasn't been any money for the kitchen for a long time, either. When I told you—it must have been a couple of months ago—you said we would have to do our best, so we've just been getting along as best we could.'

'So there's no money?'

'And no reason for there to be any.'

'Well then, what am I going to do?'

'Do you need something?'

'I'd like to invite some men over tonight.'

'If it's just a matter of sake and food, I'll run around to the shops and buy some on credit.'

Tokichiro slapped his thigh. 'Gonzo, I'm relying on you.' He picked up a fan and fanned himself with wide strokes. An autumn breeze was blowing, and paulownia leaves were falling in profusion; there were also a lot of mosquitoes.

'Who are the guests?'

'The construction foremen. They'll probably all come in a group.'

Tokichiro took a bath in the tub in the garden. Just then, someone called from the entrance.

'Who is it?' asked the maidservant.

The guest removed his hat and introduced himself, 'Maeda Inuchiyo.'

The master of the little residence got out of the tub, put on a summer kimono on the veranda, and peered out toward the front.

'Well, well, Master Inuchiyo. I was wondering who it could be. Come on in and take a seat,' Tokichiro called out in a casual manner, putting down some cushions hiself. Inuchiyo sat down.

'I've come rather unexpectedly.'

'Is it anything urgent?'

'No, it's not for myself. It's about you.'

'Huh?'

'You act as if you don't have a care in the world. You've committed yourself to an possible task, and I can't help feeling worried for you. It was your choice, so you must be confident of success.'

'Ah, you mean the castle wall.'

'Of course! You spoke out without thinking. Even Lord Nobunaga acted as didn't want you to commit seppuku over this.'

'I did say three days, didn't I?'

'Do you have any chance of success?'

'None at all.'

'None?'

'Of course not. I know nothing about building walls.'

'What are you going to do, then?'

'If I can make the laborers on the construction site work hard, I think I should be able to do this just by using their strength to the full.'

Inuchiyo lowered his voice. 'Well, that's the question.'

They were strange rivals in love. Even though the two men loved the same girl, they had become friends. They did not display friendship in either word or deed but rather in a somewhat uneasy relationship; each knew the other well, and they had entered into a respectful fellowship. Today in particular, it seemed that the nature of Inuchiyo's visit one of genuine concern for Tokichiro.

“Have you thought about Yamabuchi Ukon's feelings?' Inuchiyo asked.

“He probably bears a grudge against me.'

“Well, do you know what Ukon is thinking and doing?'

'I do.'

Is that so?' Inuchiyo cut his words short. 'If you can discern that much, then my mind will be at ease.'

Tokichiro stared intently at Inuchiyo. Then he bowed his head in a way that seemed to indicate assent. 'You're something, Inuchiyo. Whatever you set your sights on, you set them well, don't you?'

'No, you're the quick one. You're clever to notice about Yamabuchi Ukon, and there's—'

'No, don't say any more.' When Tokichiro made as if to put his hand over his mouth, Inuchiyo cheerfully clapped his hands and laughed.

'Let's leave it to the imagination. It's better left unsaid.' Of course, he was about to mention Nene.

Gonzo returned, and the sake and food were delivered. Inuchiyo was about to go home, but Tokichiro stopped him.

'The sake’s just come. Drink a cup with me before you go.'