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

through the fences at every house he could see diapers hung out to dry.

Now maybe we'll have a grandchild's diapers like that in our own yard. Such thoughts

naturally came to him, but they were not especially comforting to Mataemon. He was not all that pleased with the idea that someday he was going to be called 'grandpa.' Before that happened, he planned on making a name for himself. He had striven not to be left behind at Dengakuhazama, and he had certainly not given up the hope of heading the list of meritorious warriors in future battles. While in the midst of these thoughts, he found himself before Lord Nagoya's elegant villa.

The building had formerly been a small temple, but Nagoya had had it remodeled as a country villa.

Nagoya was exceedingly pleased with his prompt visit. 'Thank you for coming. This year we've had a number of military disturbances, but I did manage to plant some chrysanthemums. Perhaps later you could do me the honor of looking at them.'

Mataemon was treated graciously, but because his host was one of Nobunaga's close relatives, he sat at a respectful distance and bowed low.

What was the purpose of this? Mataemon wondered a little anxiously.

'Mataemon, make yourself more comfortable. Get yourself a cushion. You can see the chrysanthemums from here as well. Looking at chrysanthemums is not just looking at flowers, you know, it's looking at a man's work. But showing them to others is not a mat­ter of boasting, it's sharing the pleasure, and enjoying another person's appreciation. Smelling the fragrance of chrysanthemums under a beautiful sky like this is another of His Lordship's favors.'

'Most certainly, my lord.'

'That we are blessed with a wise lord is something we've become acutely aware of recently. I'm sure none of us will ever be able to forget the appearance of Lord Nobunaga at Okehazama.'

'With respect, my lord, he did not seem to be human, but an incarnation of the god of war.'

'Nevertheless, we all did well together, didn't we? You're in the archers' regiment, but that day you were among the spearmen, weren't you?'

'That's correct, my lord.'

'Were you in the attack on the Imagawa headquarters?'

'When we finally rushed the hill, the action was so confused that we could hardly tell friend from foe. But in the midst of it I heard Mori Shinsuke announce that he had taken the lord of Suruga's head.'

'Was a man by the name of Kinoshita Tokichiro in your regiment?'

'He was indeed, my lord.'

'What about Maeda Inuchiyo?'

“He had received His Lordship's displeasure, but was given permission to join the battle. I haven't seen him since we returned from Okehazama, but hasn't he returned to his former post?'

“He has. You probably still don't know about this, but he just recently accompanied his Lordship to Kyoto. They have returned to the castle, and Inuchiyo is in service there now.'

'Kyoto! Why did His Lordship go there?'

“There's no harm in talking about it now. He went with only thirty or forty men, and

he himself was disguised as a country samurai on a pilgrimage. They were gone about forty days. His retainers acted as though he were here during that time. Shall we have a look at the chrysanthemum garden?'

Mataemon followed his host into the garden as though he were a servant. Nagoya spoke of the finer points of growing chrysanthemums, and how one had to use the same care and love as in raising a child.

'I've heard you have a daughter. She's called Nene, isn't she? I would like to help you find a son-in- law.'

'My lord?' Mataemon bowed almost in half. Yet he hesitated momentarily. The sub­ject recalled to him his own confusion. Nagoya ignored his vacillation, however, and went on, 'I know someone who would make an excellent son-in-law. Leave it to me. I'll handle this.'

'My family is really unworthy of this honor, my lord.'

'You should talk it over with your wife. The man I have in mind for your son-in-law is Kinoshita Tokichiro. You know him well, I believe.'

'Yes, my lord,' Mataemon answered without thinking. He reproached himself for being so ill-bred as to sound surprised, but he was unable to stop himself.

'I'll wait for your answer.'

'Yes… indeed…' With that, Mataemon took his leave.

He had wanted to ask more than a few questions about the reason for this interview, but could not be so openly inquisitive with a member of Lord Nobunaga's family. When he arrived home, Mataemon related what happened, and his wife seemed troubled that he had come home without giving a prompt reply.

'You should accept his request,' she said. 'I think this is really good news. Relationships are always a matter of timing, and the fact that Tokichiro has spoken with Nene so many times shows they had strong connections in a previous life. Tokichiro must have some merit for a relative of His Lordship to act as his go- between. Please go tomorrow and give Lord Nagoya your answer.'

'But don't you think I should ask Nene how she feels?'

'Hasn't she already spoken out about that?' Okoi asked.

'Well, I wonder if she still feels the same way.'

'Nene is not very talkative, but once she's made up her mind, she doesn't often change it.'

Alone, Mataemon wrestled with his worries for the future, and felt the awkwardness of being tossed aside. So at a time when they thought that Tokichiro might have been forgotten, having not shown his face there at all, he once again featured largely in the thoughts of Mataemon, his wife, and Nene.

The next day Mataemon quickly went off to deliver an answer to Lord Nagoya. As soon as he returned, he spoke to his wife. 'Well, there was rather unexpected news.' His wife immediately saw from his expression that this was something exceptional. As her husband told her about his meeting with Nagoya, the bright light that now shone on Nene's situation was manifest in both of their smiles.

'I had made up my mind today to ask Lord Nagoya why he had offered to be a go-between, but to ask this of a member of His Lordship's family was really difficult. Just as I

was trying my best to be polite, he mentioned that Inuchiyo had asked him.'

'Inuchiyo asked Lord Nagoya?' exclaimed his wife. 'Are you saying that he suggested that Nene and Tokichiro get married?'

'It seems as though there was some talk on the road when His Lordship made his secret trip to Kyoto. Well, I suppose His Lordship overheard it.'

'My! His Lordship himself?'

'Yes, this is really quite extraordinary. It seems that during the long hours of the trip Inuchiyo and Tokichiro were talking about Nene quite openly, right in front of His Lordship.'

'Has Master Inuchiyo given his consent?'

'Inuchiyo went to Lord Nagoya and made the same request, so we won't have to worry about him anymore.'

'Well then, did you give a clear answer to Lord Nagoya today?'

'Yes, I told him that I placed the matter entirely in his hands.' With that, Mataermon straightened up as though his worries had been completely cleared away.

*  *  *

The year passed, and on an auspicious day in the fall, the wedding was celebrated at the Asano home.

Tokichiro felt restless and fidgety. His household was in confusion, with Gonzo, the servant girl, and the others who had come to help, and he had been able to do nothing  more than ramble in and out of the house since early morning. Today is the third day of the Eighth Month, isn't it? He kept confirming the obvious over and over in his mind. From time to time he would open up his clothes chest or try to relax on a cushion, but he just couldn't settle down. I'm marrying Nene and becoming a member of her family, he reminded himself. It's finally happening tonight, but now I somehow feel ill at ease.

After the wedding had been announced, Tokichiro became uncharacteristically shy. When his neighbors