The Open Road Page 17

  Chapter 6

  Days later, the gongs of the Buddhist temple boomed out once again. Raiden samurai had gathered – this time in dignified, orderly ranks. They knelt in the cleared courtyard of ‘Honor’s Sacrifice’ – hundreds of them, armoured and with their weapons at their side.

  Other samurai were ranked beside them: men beneath the gleaming banner of the Imperial house. The Imperial samurai knelt before a raised dais of tatami mats, sitting in stern dignity.

  Bells rang and prayers droned. Robed Buddhist priests and monks marched in procession before the ranks of samurai. They halted at the dais and slowly bowed to the grim dignitaries who sat beneath the imperial mon.

  Imperial Magistrate Masura sat upon a stool covered with a tiger skin, holding an iron war fan in his hand. Beside him were his senior deputy Hijiya Hoichi, his senior commanders, and two observers from the Imperial court. Lady Usagi was seated at Magistrate Masura’s right hand. She was in her half-animal form, with her long rabbit ears standing tall. Her human husband Benten was beside her, with a dozen Usagi samurai. Generals from three other clans sat stiffly, sweltering in their armour in the summer heat.

  Magistrate Masura acknowledged the bow from the abbot and his priests. The monks filed into their place at the wings.

  Kitsune Sura walked along the path towards the dais. She wore her tall cap of office, and the magnificent robes of a full priestess of the Kitsune clan. She carried a short sword in her hands – a sword with a tsuba depicting a phoenix, a sparrow and their offspring all intertwined.

  Little Sparrow walked stiffly behind Kitsune Sura – dressed in robes befitting the samurai class. Kuno and Chiri were beside her. Tsunetomo Tonbo followed behind – armoured and carrying his massive tetsubo. His left arm still remained in a cotton sling, but he otherwise looked hale and hearty.

  Sura came before the dais and bowed to Magistrate Masura. The man bowed gravely back. Little Sparrow made her own nervous bow, with Kuno, Chiri and Tonbo standing calm and dignified beside her.

  Kitsune Sura knelt down to sit before the dais. She made a space beside her, sitting Little Sparrow at her side. Kuno, Chiri and Tonbo sat themselves nearby, kneeling in calm silence beneath the Imperial banners.

  Imperial Magistrate Masura rose from his seat. He stood before the assembly, pointing his fan towards the ranks of samurai.

  “It is a glorious thing to right a wrong! Justice is the one gift that man can give the gods – and to the dead.”

  The magistrate pointed to the nearby statue of the dead samurai.

  “This shrine was raised in falsity. The man this shrine dishonoured stood by his battle comrade. He upheld his oath to care for his comrade’s family, no matter what the cost. His comrade’s own son falsely betrayed him. For the sake of high position, the son treacherously slew his own mother, laid false evidence, and brought about the death of this honourable man. In honour, this samurai committed seppuku, loyal to his oath to obey his lord, obeying even an unjust command.”

  The magistrate drew forth a letter sealed with the sigil of the Office of the Samurai. A letter signed by the Emperor himself. He displayed the seal, and the assembled audience all bowed.

  “In the name of the Emperor – We rescind all slurs against this man’s name. We rededicate this shrine to the memory of a loyal samurai. We now lay his soul to rest!”

  The magistrate bowed to Sura. The fox turned, and deftly disassembled the short sword that lay on a cloth before her. She slid away the sword’s grip, then released the tightly wound silken binding. Finally she exposed the stingray skin underneath.

  Beneath, there lay a folded piece of paper. Sura carefully spread the paper apart. Inside was a lock of Sparrow’s hair. Words had been written upon the paper in a smooth, graceful hand.

  Sura read the words aloud.

  “We pledge our love before the gods.

  The Sparrow shall forever soar beside her beloved Phoenix.

  May this bless and keep you, my beloved Toji Ittei.”

  A dark, formless mist suddenly arose from the nearby forest. Samurai turned to stare at it in alarm and consternation. The mist flowed over the shrine fence and hovered near the bronze statue, roiling and pulsing with power.

  Samurai stared at the mist in fear. But Sura arose and took her spear in hand. She allowed Chiri to gracefully draw the sheath from her spear blade. Sura walked forward and bowed towards the cloud in profound respect.

  “Toji Ittei!

  We honour you as a just and noble samurai.

  We honour you as a true comrade, and a loyal retainer.

  We ask your forgiveness for our past wrongs.

  We pray for you. We honour your name.”

  The fox spirit drew in a breath, concentrating her energy – her face focused and immensely strong. Suddenly she leveled her spear and swept the blade through the air, drawing the symbol for the Tao in glowing strokes that floated in midair.

  “Toji Ittei.

  Honoured dead, come now forward

  Cross into the golden land.

  Come now to arms that wait in welcome.

  Your love forever more shall stand.”

  With a final slash, Sura sliced a rift clean through the barrier between the worlds. She cut a gateway into the Realm of the Honoured Dead. The samurai and officials all stared in absolute shock and amazement as soft blue light drifted through from the other realm. Small flower petals wafted in the breeze.

  The formless cloud changed shape. It coalesced slowly into the image of a man. The darkness shimmered, taking on movement and life. It changed into a shape of pure, bright, restful light.

  The spirit of Toji Ittei had shape at last. It floated in the air, alive and beautiful, shining its golden light upon the faces of the awe-struck samurai.

  Two shapes came from the gate – the spirit of the woman Sparrow, and of her first husband Yukio.

  The spirit of Toji Ittei went to them in gladness. He paused before Sura, his tendrils of light surrounding her. The fox wept in joy.

  Little Sparrow came to stand beside Sura. Toji Ittei’s spirit caressed her, wiping aside her tears.

  The three spirits joined each other side by side. They turned to face the assembly. The samurai and priests, monks and lords all bowed, while petals from the Realm of Honoured Dead drifted all about them in a gentle breeze.

  The three spirits drifted back through the gateway. Sura made a sign, and swept the butt of her spear across the rift. The gateway closed, and unearthly light vanished with a flash.

  Raiden samurai eventually arose. They walked up to the dented bronze statue and bowed, then left paper prayers and offerings at the statue’s feet. One man came towards Kitsune Sura and the Spirit Hunters. He bowed solemnly to the fox.

  It was the leader of Lord and Lady Tado’s band of archers. The man maintained a bow of profound apology.

  “Reibai. We thank you for pointing out our error.”

  The fox bowed in return.

  “I thank you for being men of honour. You bring great lustre to the samurai ideal.”

  The man bowed again and left. Other samurai came to pay their respects, while more and more men came to lay prayers before the statue.

  The ceremonies were at an end. Lord Masura had retired, heading to consult further with the abbot of the temple. Sura, Chiri, Tonbo and Kuno walked along through the temple grounds in company with Little Sparrow.

  Lady Usagi and her husband Benten found them underneath a stand of trees. They met as old, beloved friends. They all walked together up towards the road, and gazed off towards the sparkling river.

  Lady Usagi turned to look gently at Little Sparrow.

  “Little Sparrow san. You are the offspring of samurai. You have reclaimed the honourable family name of Toji. We know something of your troubles and your feelings.” The beautiful rabbit smiled.

  “We have consulted with the new overlord of this fief. If you are willing, the Usagi fief will receive you as a samurai in rank, and will take you into o
ur service.”

  Little Sparrow bowed – utterly awed.

  “My lady. I accept with gratitude.”

  “We have heard of your talent in caring for children. Such gentle skills deserve our respect. We grant you a fief of thirty koku.”

  Lady Usagi settled her sword through her belt. She wore full armour as befitted the leader of a warrior clan.

  “In the lands of Fox and Rabbit, we have no ‘untouchables’. No honest work is dishonoured. We would be pleased if your Eta companions were installed honourably as residents within your fief. Let them be Eta no more.”

  Little Sparrow looked worshipfully at Lady Usagi.

  “Are you certain, my lady? Can a lowly past be left behind to make such a future?”

  The rabbit looked briefly at the Spirit Hunters, and gave a secret smile.

  “Yes, Toji san. There have been precedents…”

  The various lords and ladies were all expected at the main temple, where the abbot would receive new, firm instructions from Magistrate Masura. As the others stood and spoke with visitors, Sura sidled off to a building nearby. The abbot had set out a great many bottles of plum wine and sakē for a private feast that night. Sura took swift possession of four bottles of wine, wrapping them up in a cloth printed with the lotus sutra. She hastened back in time to join her friends as they walked with Little Sparrow back towards the Eta village.

  They returned back over the ford to their little campsite, where Grandma Pine awaited them. Sura changed out of her formal costume, folding everything away inside a lacquered leather folder and slipping it all into her backpack. She had visited the Eta butchers, and had availed herself of a variety of salted dried meats. Most of all, she was pleased to find that a weird concoction she had left over their morning campfire had now cooled enough to strain into an empty canteen. Dressed in her comfortable robes, her little breastplate and her old straw hat, Sura shrugged on her backpack, tucked her spear beneath her arm, and heaved a happy sigh.

  They were ready to depart at last. Kuno turned to Little Sparrow, carefully handing the woman her father’s sword.

  “Toji san, we are glad to have helped you in our small way. May you be blessed with the courage of your mother, and the loyalty of your father.”

  Little Sparrow bowed to Kuno. She hugged Chiri and Sura. Finally, she faced Tonbo, bowing – her eyes upon his sling.

  “Tonbo san. I do not have any sufficient way to express my gratitude.” The girl reached into her sleeve. “But I have made this. Perhaps it will show you a small measure of my love, and my respect for you all.”

  The girl passed over a small, beautiful inro – a lacquered wooden container designed to hang from a traveler’s belt. It had been beautifully painted, showing a phoenix flying joyously with a sparrow. Little Sparrow placed the container gratefully into Tonbo’s hands.

  The Spirit Hunters bowed to Little Sparrow and Grandma Pine. Shouldering their packs, the adventurers moved to the quiet woodland road, and walked off into the shade.

  The road wound up above the river lands. Trees shaded the road, and the soft dust was pleasant underfoot. Cicadas burred and sang sleepily high up in the trees, filling the world with wonderful symphonies of sound. The Spirit Hunters walked onwards through the peace, all through a warm and sleepy afternoon.

  Chiri and Kuno were in the lead, with Daitanishi and Bifuuko drifting along happily beside them. Some way behind, Sura and Tonbo were lagging in the road. Sura had poured out a cup of medicine, and was urging Tonbo over into the shade to sit and drink. Tonbo - a reluctant patient – was waving the cup away. He wanted to walk on.

  “I’m alright! Put it away – I hate that stuff!”

  Sura hastened after him with the brimming cup. “It’s an old fox remedy!”

  Tonbo caught a whiff of the weird scent rising from the cup, and made a face of disgust. “What’s it made from?”

  Sura sniffed at the cup and frowned.

  “Um – old foxes?”

  Chiri and Kuno left them wrangling. Kuno halted beneath a great, wide tree. He drew in a deep breath, listening joyously to the cicadas.

  “Chiri san – I shall confess to a sense of satisfaction.”

  The rat gave her gentle smile. “We have done well. I am pleased for Little Sparrow and her friends.”

  The group walked on. Sura still chased after Tonbo, urging him to let her readjust his sling. The big man was determined to be stoic. Walking side by side with Kuno, Chiri looked back towards her friends.

  “Kuno san – should we let them fight so?”

  “Chiri san – I believe they would not have it any other way…”

  Sixth Encounter:

  Friendship’s Sword

  Chapter 1

  The Taisho River clove its way along a magnificent steep sided valley. The course of the river wound back and forth – sometimes with a rocky island sitting prettily mid-stream. Here and there, great rocky bluffs looked out over the view. There was a slight haze in the air below, but the upper skies were clear. A glorious summer breeze came rippling through the grass.

  Kitsune Sura came hiking up the road onto a great, high, rocky crest. She laboured excitedly up to the highest point above the river then stood in triumph. She pushed back her straw hat and delighted in the feel of the wind in her hair, looking down to the river far below. She marveled at the little boats drifting on the current – at the sight of small figures threading along a path beside the far river bank. Sura leaned upon her spear and simply delighted in the world.

  Nezumi Chiri, Tonbo and Kuno made their way up the road behind her. They joined Sura at her vantage point and all stood joyously beside her, gazing off at the river haze far below. The long, wavering river glittered like a sword.

  The countryside seemed utterly peaceful. Looking onward upstream, the travelers saw a large town nestled on the riverbanks. A substantial island two hundred yards offshore was home to a picturesque old shrine – a place with tori gates, docks, residences and peaceful gardens. A pair of white herons circled high up in the sky, wings twinkling brightly in the morning light.

  The four Spirit Hunters sat to rest. Chiri’s elementals crept out to enjoy the view across the gorge. The group basked in the breeze and the strange, echoing sound of the distant river. They seemed to be alone in a bubble high above the world.

  Sura passed cold persimmon tea over to her friends. Kuno drank, passed the flask to Tonbo, then drew in a grateful breath of air.

  “Beautiful. Most beautiful.”

  Sura pointed down to the beautiful island.

  “So this is all Ishigi territory! All the river on both sides – the main castle is up over there somewhere.” She waved vaguely off away from the river, then looked happily down at the marvellous island. “That’s the Sword Temple. Oldest human architecture in the Sacred Isles!” The fox was gloriously happy. “What a view!”

  Chiri relaxed back against a rock with Daitanishi and Bifuuko sunning themselves upon her knees. The rat spirit smiled as she felt the breeze stirring through her hair.

  “This is a beautiful vantage point. Shall we rest here a while and make some tea?

  Sura peered eagerly down towards the town. The streets were filling up with people for the festival

  “No no no, we should move on. I want to reach the town by lunchtime.”

  “Why by then, Sura san?”

  Sura clapped her hands together and gave a beatific sigh. “Because tonight is the ‘Night of the Dead’. Souls cross over to visit the living: spirits walk and the dead roam free!” The fox gave a wave of her tail. “You’ll be surprised how popular exorcists are as dinner guests!”

  Tonbo leaned upon his tetsubo. He flicked a knowing glance towards Sura.

  “Ha. Do not be fooled, Chiri san. She just wants to see the lanterns. The town and temple here do a magnificent festival.”

  Sura gave a sniff and placed one hand against her heart.

  “I happen to like the lantern ceremony. I have a poetic soul.”


  Kuno immediately turned. He drew forth several neatly folded pages from his belt pouch.

  “Ah – excellent! Then perhaps you might like to hear the ode I have written for the occasion.”

  Sura tried walking hastily onwards, but Kuno was locked firmly at her side. He declaimed his poetry in a voice filled with grandeur.

  “The barrier is a mirror.

  The gulf is dark and deep.

  To cross the bridge is fleeting, but the return is steep.

  Oh mighty gulf – oh chasm dark.

  Dark, dark – deep deep deep…

  Deep dark deep. Deep deep dark.

  Dark dark dark deep deep…”

  Kuno began flipping through the rest of his notes, smoothing the pages flat. “I have another seven on the subject, if you will perhaps indulge me…”

  Somehow keeping a straight face, Sura leaned over to Chiri and whispered in her ear.

  “Chiri – please distract him before I’m forced to kill myself!”

  The rat flitted over to Kuno’s side. Falling in with him, she coughed to shyly attract his attention.

  “Kuno san, please forgive me – but a question has been turning over in my mind.” Chiri frowned slightly as she walked: her question was quite serious.

  “I have seen samurai lend each other their books, their armour – spears and bows. A samurai will lend his friend his own horse cheerfully, or give him his own last mouthful of food. Yet I have never seen a samurai loan a friend his sword.”

  Kuno nodded, concentrating upon the question.

  “If a man’s life or honour were at stake, then a sword would be lent. Provided no dishonour would come upon the blade.”