THE AFFAIR OF THE SHIBA KIRIDO[U]SHI[11]
It was Genroku 8th year (1695). O'Iwa, a girl of twelve years, could
understand what came to her ears. In dealing with each other the
Nipponese are very exact and exacting. The New Year must start with a
clean balance sheet for the tradesman--all bills paid and collected. The
last night of the dying year, and its last few hours; this time is the
busiest and most anxious. Zensuké, the _banto[u]_ (clerk) of the Shimaya
dry goods shop, accompanied by one Jugoro[u], was passing the Shiba
Kirido[u]shi. It was the hour of the tiger (3 A.M.). Of the two,
Jugoro[u] was the fighting man. Juro[u]zaémon of the Shimaya had
provided him with a short sword and sent him as guard to Zensuké, who
would have more than three hundred _ryo[u]_ in gold. Said
Jugoro[u]--"Banto[u] San, whither now? The hour is late."--"It is never
late on the _o[u]misoka_ (31st of the 12th month)," replied Zensuké
tersely. "However, there remains but one account to collect; at
Nishikubo. We will hasten."--"Go on ahead," said Jugoro[u]. "A moment
here for a necessity." Thus the two men became separated by nearly a
_cho[u]_ (100 yards). The district was one of _yashiki_ and temples. The
white walls of the former blended with the white carpet of snow on the
ground. At any hour it was no busy place; now it was desolate. The high
banks of the cutting crowned by woods and approached through the trees,
made it an ideal place for a hold-up. Zensuké hesitated. He slowed his
pace to allow his companion to join him. He thought he saw something
move in the darkness close by. From behind a tree just before him came a
_samurai_. Two others followed this man from the shadows. The heads of
all three men were covered by _zukin_ (hoods). They wore vizors. "Wait!"
Zensuké stopped in fright. "What suspicious rascal is this, travelling
the quarter at this hour? Probably some clerk making off with his
master's funds. Come now! Give them into better keeping. Low fellow! You
are fairly trapped." Zensuké began to retreat, but two of the men were
now behind him. He began to shout for Jugoro[u]. The latter came up at a
run--"Honoured Sirs! This is the Banto[u] San of the Shimaya of Honjo[u]
Itcho[u]me. He is collecting the house bills. Deign not to disturb
him."--"Shut up!" was the reply of the leader. "Another fellow of the
same kidney. Look to him." Roughly he thrust his hand into Zensuké's
bosom and began to hustle and fumble the clerk. When Jugoro[u] would
interfere the two other men prevented him. With fright he saw the money
belt of the _banto[u]_ dangling from the man's hand. The nature of the
affair was plain. "Heigh! Jokes don't go, honoured sirs. We are not
suspicious fellows. Condescend to pardon us." As he spoke he took
advantage of the negligence of his opponents, their interest in the
struggle of Zensuké and their leader, to wrench himself free. At once
his sword was out. Jugoro[u] was of no mean skill. None of his wardsmen
could face him. One man received severe wounds in scalp and face. The
other lost part of his hand. But Jugoro[u] was no match for the odds of
two trained soldiers. He was soon cut down. Meanwhile Zensuké was
shouting lustily for aid. At this period there was a guard called the
_tsujiban_ (cross-roads watch). It was mostly composed of oldish men not
fit for active service. Such regulations as there were they observed.
These were very severe; but, as with the present day police, kept them
to their post. They rarely troubled themselves to patrol their district.
From these men there could be little hope of aid. Just then, however,
the train of some lord came in sight. With one hand the leader held
Zensuké by the bosom of his robe. The hand holding the money belt was
already thrust in his own bosom. In a moment it would be free. Then
Zensuké would go in company with Jugoro[u] to the Yellow Fountain (in
Hell). His captor gave a startled cry. "The train of Geishu[u] Sama!
Lose no time!" As he wrenched himself away Zensuké sank his teeth deep
into the man's hand. With a howl of pain the fellow made off, exchanging
a little finger for the three hundred and twenty-five _ryo[u]_ in
Zensuké's _do[u]maki_.
The _banto[u]_ crouched in conventional attitude by the roadside. His
distress was plain; the prostrate body of a man evidence of some unusual
condition. A _samurai_ left the passing train and came up to
investigate. "Ah! Robbery and murder: follow behind to the _tsujiban_.
It is their affair." With moans and groans Zensuké made his report. He
was indignant at the luxury of these watchmen, toasting at their fire.
They noted it; looked at each other and out into the snowy night, and
laughed with contempt. For a tradesman's money belt were they to disturb
themselves? They questioned him harshly, in such way as to excuse any
further effort on their part. Surely the thieves by this time were at
the other end of Edo. Two of them, however, did accompany Zensuké to the
scene of the hold-up. Casting an eye over Jugoro[u]'s mangled corpse,
said one--"A good fight: the occasion has been missed. As perhaps the
criminal this man is to be bound. Probably his intent was to run away
with the master's funds." Roughly they seized him, hustled him back to
the guardhouse. Trussed up Zensuké had to spend the hours in alarm and
fear. Luckily the _kenshi_ soon appeared. It was the _o[u]misoka_. No
official business would be performed during the three days following.
Jugoro[u] could hardly exercise patience and remain as he was for that
space of time. So the examination was duly held. The Shimaya soon
secured the body of Jugoro[u] and the release of Zensuké. The latter's
evidence was put on record; none too satisfactory, as the concealing
_zukin_ prevented any recognition or description of the features of the
assailants. He only knew of the cries of impatience at wounds received,
and knew that he had left his mark on his own opponent. How then were
they to be run down? The _kenshi_ showed some impatience. Said he to the
captain of the _tsujiban_--"Why truss up this man, even though a
tradesman? He has all his own fingers, and the corpse lacks none." He
touched the severed finger with his baton. With this all were dismissed,
and to all seeming the affair was forgotten.
The Tokugawa had their plain-clothes police. One of the most noted was
Magomé Yaémon of Hacho[u]bori. His great grandfather had captured
Marubashi Chuya, of note in the rebellion of Yui Shosetsu at the time of
the fourth Shogun Iyetsuna Ko[u]. One day this Magomé Dono, in company
with a _yakunin_ (constable) named Kuma, was rummaging the poorer
districts of Shitaya Hiroko[u]ji. The two men were disguised as charcoal
burners, and attracted little attention. All the legitimate profession
in the way of medicine and pharmacy had been ransacked by the magistrate
(_machibugyo[u]_) of the south district. Yaémon felt sure that there
were still some by-ways. "Who's that fellow?" he asked Kuma. The
constable laughed. "He's a _sunékiri_ (shin-cutter). The rascals can be
told by their tough dark blue cotton socks, the coarse straw sandals,
and the banded leggings. Deign to note the long staff he carries. They
peddle plasters--shin plasters, guaranteed to cure any wound, to stop
any flow of blood. A man's arm hangs but by a strip of skin; the blood
flows in torrents. Apply the plaster and the flow ceases at once, the
arm heals. They drive a roaring trade, even among the _bushi_
(_samurai_); selling a shell here, two there. As for their real
usefulness...." He laughed.[12] They followed after the man and soon
came to a guard house. Said Magomé San--"Detain that man yonder. He is
to be examined." The ward officer was a little surprised--"Respectfully
heard and understood. It is old Yamabayashi Yo[u]gen." Soon the man
entered the guard house. Said the official drily--"Magomé Dono is here
to talk with Yo[u]gen. What has he been up to?" But the old fellow was
confident. "Thanks are felt." With the ease of the righteous and
prosperous he passed into the presence of Yaémon. The latter greeted him
with a non-official genial smile. "Ah! This is Yamabayashi Yo[u]gen, the
head of the _Sunékiri_. And business?"--"Truly this Yo[u]gen is
grateful. Man was born with teeth. Men and women still seek each other's
company. So long as such endures Yo[u]gen finds profit."--"And
plasters?"--"They are the affair of To[u]kichi. Would his worship deign
to examine him ... condescend dismissal. At once he presents himself."
Thus in short order the straight haired, unshaven, low browed
To[u]kichi stuck his head into the Sanbashi guard house. "Deign to
pardon this To[u]kichi. The honoured benevolence...." The ward officer
eyed him knowingly and quizzically. "Shut up! Magomé Dono has questions
to ask about clients. Wait until the questions deal with the doings of
To[u]kichi. That will be well. Then it will be time enough to lie.
Meanwhile, be sure and tell the truth." With this disinterested advice
To[u]kichi was passed to the presence. Once more conscience spoke louder
than caution. "The honoured benevolence, the honoured pity; condescend
the honoured examination into the innocence of To[u]kichi." Yaémon
laughed. "Fortunately it is not a matter of To[u]kichi, but of his
plasters. Who bought these at this year's Sho[u]gwatsu (New Year)? Be
careful in answer. The case is a bad one." To[u]kichi considered. "The
first day of the New Year a man came. His purchase of salve was large.
In the course of the past three months he has been many times to buy.
His visits now are wider spaced, and he praises the goods--as he ought.
No hand ever had a worse poisoned wound. He...."--"Age and appearance?"
interrupted Yaémon, now all attention. He had struck a trail. "Perhaps
fifty years; fair of complexion, tall, and stout. By his lordly manner
he must at least be a _go-kenin_, or a charlatan." Who was this man?
Yaémon felt sure that he was about to learn something of interest. Kuma
was given his instructions. "Go daily to the shop of this man and
receive his report. As to the _samurai_ in question be circumspect.
Evidently he is no ordinary person. A _samurai_ is to be summoned, not
disgraced by arrest--if he is a _samurai_." So Kuma with several aides
established himself in the rear of To[u]kichi's shop. The man not having
put in an appearance for several weeks, the wait, if uncertain, was soon
rewarded. On the 25th day of the 3rd month (May) he presented himself.
Kuma recognized him at once by the description; sooner than To[u]kichi,
who was engaged in filling his little shells with the marvellous salve.
The officer's decision was prompt. At a call To[u]kichi turned from his
drugs. "Ah! the honoured Sir. And the arm, does it honourably
progress?"--"Progress could not be better. This is probably the last
visit." In replying the man eyed To[u]kichi with some astonishment. The
latter made his bows, first to the newcomer, then to the indefinite rear
of the establishment. "Indeed the drug is all that is claimed for it.
The wound being poisoned, at one time it looked as if the hand, nay arm,
must go. These House doctors are notoriously good for nothing. Just as
nothing can surpass your product, good leech. Here is money for two
shells of its virtues." He held out a silver _bu_.[13] Busied with his
preparations To[u]kichi looked in vain toward the rear apartment. After
as long delay as he could contrive he passed the shells and a heap of
copper change over to the customer. As soon as the latter had left the
shop To[u]kichi bolted for the rear. Kuma was gone. His aides were
calmly smoking their pipes and drinking the poor tea (_bancha_) of
To[u]kichi.
Kuma had little trouble in following his man to Okachimachi in Shitaya.
He found near by a shop for the sale of everything, from tobacco to
_daikon_ (radish), both odoriferous, yet lacking perfume. Said Kuma--"A
question or so: this tall _samurai_, an oldish man, who lives close by;
who is he?" The woman in charge hesitated. Then dislike overcame
discretion. "Ah! With the hand wrapped in a bandage; his name is Sakurai
Kichiro[u] Tayu. Truly he is a bad man. That he should quarrel with his
own class is no great matter. Maimed as he is, thrice report has been
made to the guard house, but in each case he has escaped further
process. He is a dreadful fellow; one who never pays a debt, yet to whom
it is dangerous to refuse credit. Already nearly a _ryo[u]_ is due to
this Echigoya. It has been the bad luck to support him and his family
during the past six months." Said Kuma--"Thus maimed, to hold his own in
quarrels he must be a notable fencer as well as brawler. Was the wound
so received?"--"Iya! That is not known. Some quarrel at the New Year's
festivities probably was the cause. Before that time he was sound
enough." She laughed. "He has two friends; Kahei San and Miemon San.
They are birds of a feather; and all partly plucked. Perhaps they
quarrelled in company, but if so have made it up. Sakurai San is a match
for the two others." She looked at Kuma, to see if he had more to say.
Indifferent he picked out a strand of tobacco. "He shouldered this
Go[u]bei into the ditch close by here. Fortunate is it to have escaped
worse injury." Satisfied with his inquiries he took his way in haste to
his master. The eyes of Yaémon and his aid shone with enjoyment. Surely
they had the men of the Shiba Kirido[u]shi.
Magomé Yaémon at once sought out the _machibugyo[u]'s_ office. His
lordship heard the report. "Different disorders require different
treatment. Of two of these men this Gemba knows something. The other man
is hard to place, and evidently not so easy to deal with." Two
_do[u]shin_ and _yakunin_ were sent at once to the addresses indicated.
To capture Nakagawa Miemon and Imai Kahei was an easy task. The
_do[u]shin_ and _yakunin_ sent to the house of Sakurai formed a band of
twenty men. The house surrounded, without ceremony the officer and an
aid entered. "On the lord's mission: Sakurai San is wanted at the office
of Matsuda Dono. If resistance be made it will be necessary to use the
rope. Pray accompany me." Sakurai Kichiro[u] divined the object of the
arrest. "The affair at the Kirido[u]shi has been scented out. The manner
of that rascally drug seller was strange to-day." The officer had
planted himself right before the sword rack. Sakurai could neither kill
anybody, nor cut belly. He turned to his wife. "There is a matter on
hand to be explained. Absence will probably be prolonged. Already the
day is far advanced.... Ah! Is it Kichitaro[u]?" A boy of seven years
had rushed into the room. "Pretty fellow!... Honoured Sir, be patient.
The separation is no short one. No resistance is made. We go the same
road.... Taro[u]; rude fellow! Salute the gentleman." The boy obeyed,
with grave ceremony and a hostility which divined an unpleasant mission.
"Your father leaves you. It is now the time to obey the mother in all
she says. Remember well, or the end will be a bad one." Wife and child
clung to him, frightened and now weeping. It was an arrest; their
mainstay was being taken from them. In the last caresses he had time to
bend down and whisper to O'Ren--"In the toilet box is a scroll sealed
up. All is there explained. Read and destroy it. In later days at
discretion let our son know." Roughly he pushed woman and boy aside.
With rapid stride he reached the entrance. The _yakunin_ confronted him.
He laughed and waved a hand. "There is no resistance. We go the same
road." The _do[u]shin_ permitted the laxity of discipline. He had his
orders.
Meanwhile the examination of the other two men was in progress at the
office of the _machibugyo[u]_. As the biggest fool of the two, Nakagawa
Miemon was the first summoned to the presence of Matsuda Dono. Said the
Judge[14]--"Nakagawa Uji, there is a slight inquiry to make. How were
those scars on the face come by? These are marks of wounds not long
since received. Consider well and remember." The tone of menace
staggered Miemon. He had anticipated some rebuke for slight infraction
of the peace, not unusual with these men. "Naruhodo! Has the Shiba
Kirido[u]shi matter cropped up?" He hesitated--"The story is a long one,
and a foolish one. To weary the honoured ears...." Matsuda Gemba caught
him up with impatient gesture. "Answer the question, and truly. Nakagawa
Miemon is noted neither for judgment nor sobriety." The man caught up
the last phrase as a cue. Eagerly he spoke, the doors of the jail
opening wide for exit--"So it is indeed. Wine never benefited man; much
less a _samurai_. Hence, with Kahei and Sakurai Uji, it was decided to
forswear wine forever. It was determined to make a pilgrimage to Kompira
San. There the vow of abstinence was to be taken; on its holy ground.
All went well. We met at Nihonbashi. Alas! At the Kyo[u]bashi the
perfume of a grog shop reached our noses. The vow had not yet been
taken. The ground was not holy. Just one last drink before setting out.
But the Buddha was unfavourable. Once begun, the drinking was adjourned
to a cook shop. There the bout continued all day. Wine lent us the wings
of _tengu_. We travelled the road to Kompira San in a dream. In the
progress Kahei and this Miemon quarrelled. Swords were drawn, and we cut
each other. These wounds on head and face were the portion of this
Miemon. Kahei had his hand nearly severed. Sakurai San, who was asleep,
aroused by the noise, sprang up to part us. He is a man to be feared;
but in my rage I sank my teeth in his hand. The bite of man or beast is
poison. His wound was worse than that of either of us."
Gemba Dono was in conversation with his chamberlain. He let Miemon talk
away. He was not one to say too little. As barely having listened he
asked--"When was this fight? The day of the vow and journey to Kompira?
Truly the result has been the vengeance of offended deity."--"The
twelfth month tenth day," naturally replied Miemon. Gemba forced him to
repeat the answer. Several times he put the query in different forms.
Miemon, fool that he was, stuck to the date. Then said the
magistrate--"Miemon, you are a liar. Moreover, you are a murderer. On
the 13th day, on going up to the castle, this Gemba had converse with
your lord. At that time Nakagawa Miemon was summoned to carry out a
mission. As a man of whom report had been made you were noted well. At
that time you had no wound.... Tie him up, and take him away." The
_yakunin_ fell on him from all sides. In a trice he was trussed up and
removed.
Then appeared Imai Kahei. Kahei was cunning, but also a coward. To the
questions of the _machibugyo[u]_ he procrastinated in his answers,
confused them all he could. What had Miemon said? "He spoke of the
eloquence of Imai San; of Kahei Uji as the clever man, the one to tell
the tale properly. Now let us have the true statement of the case." Such
was Gemba's reply. It was flattering. Unable to help himself Kahei set
sail on his sea of lies. "We all like wine...."--"Ah! After all you are
agreed." Gemba smiled pleasantly. Kahei took courage--"But wine costs
money. Together we went to Kuraya Jibei, a money-lender living at
Kuramae no Saka, as is well known." Gemba nodded assent. "Of him two
_ryo[u]_ were borrowed, on agreement to repay ten _ryo[u]_ as interest
within a month. The nearest grog shop was sought, and it was the hour of
the rat (11 P.M.) before the return was started. At the Teobashi a band
of drunkards was encountered. Without cause these men forced a quarrel
on us. Thus was the hand of Kahei nearly severed. This is the
truth."--"And what was the date of this money bond?" Imai hesitated. He
had caught a glimpse of the drug seller To[u]kichi on being brought into
the place. Without doubt the Kirido[u]shi affair was in question. He
must antedate his wound. "Kahei does not remember with certainty.
Perhaps it was the seventeenth day; before the Kwannon festival of the
eighteenth day." He mumbled, and was frightened. Said Gemba
sharply--"Speak distinctly; the seventeenth day?"--"Hei! Hei! Some time
in the last decade of the month; the nineteenth or twentieth day--not
later; not later." Matsuda Gemba almost leaped at him. "Oh, you liar! On
the last day of the year you came, in person, to this Gemba to
anticipate the New Year's gift (_sebo_). At that time you had no wound.
Yet the drug seller sees you next day with maimed hand. It was not at
Teobashi, but at Shiba Kirido[u]shi, that the wound was received.... Tie
him up, and away with him." The _yakunin_ came forward. Imai made a
spasmodic attempt to rise. They threw him down, and in a moment he was
keeping company with Nakagawa Miemon.
Gemba Dono braced himself for the more serious task. So did his
_yakunin_. A glance showed the magistrate that he had mistaken his man.
Sakurai Kichiro[u] came forward with calm and dignity. Making his
ceremonial salutation to the judge he came at once to the point. "What
lies Miemon and Kahei have told, this Kichiro[u] knows not. The fact is
that we three plotted together to rob the fatly supplied purses of the
_banto[u]_ making their rounds in settlement of accounts at the close of
the year. Hence the _banto[u]_ of the Shimaya, Zensuké, lost his money
belt, and a man of the same stamp, one Jugoro[u], was killed. All three
of us are guilty of the murder...." As he would proceed Gemba held up
his hand. "Bring in the other two men. Continue, Kichiro[u]." Said
Sakurai--"Miemon was badly cut about the head and face. Kahei nearly
lost his hand. This Kichiro[u] would have killed the clerk, but the
procession of Geishu[u] Sama came in sight, and recognition was feared.
Of the three hundred and twenty-five _ryo[u]_ secured...." The eyes of
Nakagawa and Imai stood out. Aghast they had followed the confession of
Sakurai Kichiro[u], with full intention to deny its truth. Now they were
in a fury. "What! Three hundred and twenty-five _ryo[u]_! And we had but
ten _ryo[u]_ apiece. You jest, Sakurai Uji.... Oh! The low fellow! The
villain! A very beast! A swine!"
Gemba Dono could ask for nothing more. With smiling face and courtesy
he turned to Sakurai Kichiro[u]. "Why did Kichiro[u] take the three
hundred _ryo[u]_, giving to these fellows such a paltry sum?" Answered
Kichiro[u]--"As deserving no more. They are paltry fellows; little
better than common soldiers (_ashigaru_). But there is more to tell, now
the end is reached. The true name of Sakurai Kichiro[u] is Takahashi
Daihachiro[u], at one time a retainer of Matsudaira Aki no Kami. Pressed
by the money lender Jusuké, I killed him and had the body disposed of by
one Densuké, the cook at the soldiers' quarters of the _yashiki_. This
was in Tenwa 3rd year 5th month (June 1683). Fleeing to avoid arrest the
occupation of writing teacher was taken up at Yu[u]ki in Shimosa.
Densuké, too, had fled, and hither he came as a wandering beggar.
Fearing his tongue I killed him; and mutilating the corpse, threw it
into the castle moat close by. A beggar found dead, no inquiry was
made."--"When did this take place?" asked Gemba. "Just one year
later--Jo[u]kyo[u] 1st year 5th month." He made a little movement.
Nakagawa and Imai broke out into protest at the completeness of this
confession, but Sakurai turned fiercely on them. "Shut up! To undergo
public trial would bring shame on all _kerai_ throughout the land; would
cause people to fear our caste. We three planned the deed and secured
the money." He put his arms behind his back. The _yakunin_, stepping
softly, roped him up almost with respect. A wave of Gemba's hand and the
guilty men were removed. Unable to help themselves, Nakagawa and Imai
made confession to avoid the torture in what was now a hopeless case.
Later the sentences of condemnation were issued. Degraded from their
status the three men were taken to the execution ground of Shinagawa,
and there decapitated.
The wife of Takahashi Daihachiro[u] did not wait these proceedings.
The confession of her husband was in her hands before he himself told
everything to Matsuda Gemba. Before night she had decamped with her son.
At eight years of age Kichitaro[u] was placed as disciple (_deshi_) at
the Jo[u]shinji of Fukagawa. Receiving the name of Myo[u]shin he became
the favourite of the rector (_ju[u]shoku_) of the temple. The mother now
became reduced to the greatest penury. For a time she was bawd in the
Honjo[u] Warigesui district. Subsequently she was promoted to the
position of favourite sultana (wife) of her master Toémon, local head of
his profession. Her name now was O'Matsu. When Myo[u]shin was thirteen
years old in some way he was told that she was dead. Henceforth he had
no stay in the world but the worthy priest, who became a second and
better father to him. This treatment found its usual and virtuous
reward. At eighteen years, now a priest and learned in priestly ways, he
took to himself the contents of the temple strong box. Fifty _ryo[u]_
soon disappeared in the company of the harlots of Fukagawa Yagura-Shita.
A prolonged absence of Myo[u]shin aroused the inquiries of the other
monks, and the eyes of the rector were soon opened as to his unworthy
proselyte, the blighted issue of a miserable stock.[15]