NEGOTIATIONS: THE BUSINESS OF A MARRIAGE BROKER (NAKO[U]DO)
The presence of O'Iwa created an upheaval in the Samoncho[u] household.
The wet nurse required brought with her a train of servants. With the
child's growth this was maintained, even increased. The young lady
(Ojo[u]san) found herself graduated into one with a _status_ to
maintain. All the niggardly habits of Matazaémon were thrown to the
winds with the advent of this grandchild. The affection never shown
outwardly to the mother, was lavished on her daughter. At seven years of
age O'Iwa underwent the common enough infliction of smallpox. It showed
itself on the anniversary day of O'Mino's death, and the child's
sickness afforded but mutilated rites for the memorial service of the
mother. Matazaémon would have abandoned all his duties, himself to nurse
the child. O'Naka loved O'Iwa for self and daughter. She had sense
enough to drive the old man into a corner of the room, then out of it;
and further expostulations sent him to his duties. Who, in those iron
days, would accept such excuse for absence? The child worried through,
not unscathed. Her grandmother's qualifications as nurse have been
mentioned. O'Iwa was a plain girl. She had the flat plate-like face of
her mother. The eyes were small, disappearing behind the swollen
eyelids, the hair was scanty, the disease added its black pock marks
which stood thick and conspicuous on a fair skin. Otherwise she was
spared by its ravages, except--
Whatever her looks O'Iwa compensated for all by her disposition. She
had one of those balanced even temperaments, with clear judgment, added
to a rare amiability. Moreover she possessed all the accomplishments and
discipline of a lady. At eleven years Matazaémon unwillingly had sought
and found a place for her in attendance on her ladyship of the great
Hosokawa House. O'Iwa's absence made no difference in his household. The
train of servants was maintained, to be disciplined for her return, to
be ready on this return. Perhaps it was a pleasing fiction to the fond
mind of the aging man that she would return, soon, to-morrow. O'Naka
acquiesced in the useless expense and change in her habits. She always
acquiesced; yet her own idea would have been to make a good housekeeper
of O'Iwa--like herself, to sew, cook, wash, clean--a second O'Mino. She
could not understand the new turn of Matazaémon's mind. As for O'Iwa,
she grew to girlhood in the Hosokawa House, learned all the
accomplishments of her own house and what the larger scale of her new
position could teach her; everything in the way of etiquette and the
polite arts, as well as the plainer tasks of housekeeping, she was
likely ever to be called on to perform. The plain child grew into the
plain woman; perhaps fortunately for her. The _okugata_ (her ladyship)
was a jealous woman. Her spouse was mad on women. Every nubile maid
(_koshimoto_) in the _yashiki_ was a candidate for concubinage. His wife
countered by as hideous a collection of females as her own House and her
lord's retainers could furnish. O'Iwa attracted from the first by her
lack of all physical attraction. His lordship tried to get used to her
with the passage of years--and failed. He could not stomach the
necessary advances. But the girl's admirable temper and even judgment
secured the esteem of all. These latter qualities captivated the whole
household. It was O'Iwa who performed all duties for her ladyship, took
them in charge as her substitute. For the first time in his life Oki no
Kami found something in a woman apart from her sex. When the time came
for O'Iwa to depart, the regret of lord and lady was substantially
expressed in their gifts. But his lordship had to admit failure. Not a
retainer could be found willing to take the daughter of Tamiya as wife.
So far O'Iwa's mission at the _yashiki_ had failed. O'Naka knew this.
Matazaémon never gave it thought; so glad he was to get her back. He
received the honoured words and presents with humble and delighted
thanks. O'Iwa reentered her home, a recovered jewel. She was the
Ojo[u]san, the lady daughter. A first step of hers was gradually to get
rid of a good part of the superfluous train. O'Iwa was a very practical
girl.
Matazaémon was now old and ill. He was nearing his seventieth year. The
one idea in his head was the _muko_, the son to be adopted as husband of
the heir of the House; the mate to be secured for O'Iwa, and the
posterity to be secured for his House. As a little girl O'Iwa had been
much courted--in fun. Watanabé Juzo[u], Natsumé Kyuzo[u], Imaizumi
Jinzaémon, many others the growing "sparks" of Samoncho[u] and
roundabout, could not forbear this amusement with the little
"_Bakémono_" (apparition). Of their ill intent O'Iwa knew nothing.
Indeed a short experience with O'Iwa disarmed derision. Most of the
unseemly lovers came genuinely to like the girl, unless inherent malice
and ugliness of disposition, as with Natsumé and Akiyama Cho[u]zaémon,
made their sport more than mere pastime. But as grown men they could not
face the results of the final step, and no parent was harsh enough to
graft his unwilling stock on O'Iwa's persimmon trees. The girl was
clever enough to know this. It was Ho[u]ei 6th year (1709) and she was
now twenty-six years old. It was indirectly at her suggestion that
Matazaémon sought the aid of Kondo[u] Rokuro[u]bei. This man lived just
behind the large inclosure of the Sainenji, on the hill slope which dips
steeply down to the Samégabashi. The relationship was very distant at
best; but with nearer relatives in general, and with Yoémon his brother
in particular, the master of Tamiya had deadly feud. To them he would
not turn to find a husband for O'Iwa.
Thus it happened that one day in the seventh month (August)
Rokuro[u]bei was awaiting the appearance of Yamada Cho[u]bei. He really
knew little about the man, but Cho[u]bei at one time had been resident
in the ward. He had undergone vicissitudes, and now was a dealer in
metals and a kind of broker in everything under the sign of Musashiya.
He had a wide acquaintance over Edo in his different businesses, and was
the easy and slip-shod means by which Rokuro[u]bei would avoid the more
arduous part of the task laid on him by Matazaémon. Cho[u]bei was not
long in putting in an appearance. All affairs were gifts of the gods to
a man who lived on wind. Kazaguruma Cho[u]bei--Windmill Cho[u]bei--he
was called. His flittings were so noiseless and erratic, just like the
little paper windmills made for children, that the nickname applied
exactly fitted him. The maid in announcing him showed no particular
politeness. "Wait here a moment.... Danna Sama (master), Cho[u]bei San,
the metal dealer, requests an interview."--"Ah! Pass him here at
once.... Is it Cho[u]bei? Please sit down." Cho[u]bei had followed
almost on the girl's footsteps. She drew aside to make room for him,
then flirted out in haste. Poverty and dislike had no influence in
Yotsuya in those days. She seemed to scent the man.
Cho[u]bei looked with envy at the comfortable Rokuro[u]bei. The day was
hot. The thin _kimono_ fallen about his loins, the latter's garb was a
pair of drawers and a thin shirt. He sat looking out on the garden, with
its shade of large trees, its shrubbery and rock work. Everything was
dripping with the water industriously splashed to this side and to that
by the serving man. The tea was brought and Kondo[u] at last remembered
that he had a guest. As he turned--"It is a long time since a visit has
been paid. Deign to pardon the intrusion." Cho[u]bei sighed in making
this remark. The irony was lost on his fat host. As Rokuro[u]bei seemed
unwilling, or hardly to know how to impart the subject concerning which
he had summoned him, Cho[u]bei continued--"And the honoured health, is
it good? The honoured business, is it on some matter of moment that
Cho[u]bei is summoned?" Rokuro[u]bei woke up under the direct question.
He, too, sighed. Cho[u]bei was noted for a greed which inspired fear.
For money he would do anything. "Blindman Cho[u]bei" had been his
nickname of old days in the ward. Kondo[u] remembered this. He liked
money, too. It brought in so much comfort. He hated to part with
comfort. It was to be a question between himself and Cho[u]bei how much
of his hard-earned commission was to be parted with. This last thought
completely aroused him. "It is a matter of securing a _muko_. This
Rokuro[u]bei is the one charged with the task. As a son-in-law outside
the ward is desired, no one has wider circulation and better
opportunities than Cho[u]bei San. Hence the desire for a consultation."
Cho[u]bei whistled inwardly. Outside the ward! What was wrong with the
case. Here was coin to be turned up by the circumspect. "Surely there
are young fellows enough in Samoncho[u], fit to be _muko_. Of course
with impediments...."--"It is the daughter of Tamiya; O'Iwa San.
Matazaémon Dono has commissioned this Rokuro[u]bei to secure a _muko_."
Cho[u]bei whistled outwardly. "For O'Iwa San!..."--"She is no beauty, as
Cho[u]bei evidently knows. Wealth compensates for other deficiencies. At
all events his aid is desired."--"For how much?" Cho[u]bei spoke
bluntly. If Rokuro[u]bei had forgotten Cho[u]bei, Cho[u]bei had not
forgotten Rokuro[u]bei. He went on--"To get a price for damaged goods is
no sinecure. Fortunately she is only out of repair on the surface....
Say ten _ryo[u]_?" Kondo[u] laughed scornfully--"And they call Cho[u]bei
'the Blind-man'! Rather is it vision magnified. The entertainment should
be the reward; with what Cho[u]bei collects from the happy bridegroom."
Cho[u]bei replied gravely--"With such a wealthy connection the future of
Kondo[u] Dono is to be envied. Cho[u]bei has to realize his future at
once. Not a _ryo[u]_ less can he afford." Plainly he was in earnest, as
was the long conversation which followed. Finally Cho[u]bei emerged with
partial success, and half the sum named as stipend for his labours.
He began them at once. The next day he was at the metal market in
Kanda. In course of chaffering over wares he never bought--"You fellows
always have some _ro[u]nin_ in train; a fine, handsome fellow for whom a
wife is needed. Application is made. Jinzaémon, you have a
candidate."--"Not for the kind of wife Cho[u]bei San provides." Those
present laughed loudly at the sally. Cho[u]bei did not wink. He
explained. "No bad provision is this one. Rich, with an income of thirty
_tawara_, a fine property in reversion, and but twenty-five years old.
The man therefore must be fit to pose as a _samurai_; able to read and
write, to perform official duty, he must be neither a boy nor a man so
old as to be incapable. Come now! Does no one come forward? _Ro[u]nin_
are to be had. A _ryo[u]_ for aid to this Cho[u]bei."--"Too cheap as an
offer," was Jinzaémon's retort. "A _ro[u]nin_ is one to be handled with
care. Those favoured with acquaintance of the honoured _bushi_ often
part with life and company at the same date. Those without lords are
equally testy as those in quarters." He spoke with the bluntness of the
true Edokko, the peculiar product of the capital; men who were neither
farmers nor provincials, but true descendants of the men of the guild of
Bandzuin Cho[u]bei. He jested, but the subject interested the crowd.
Said one--"Does Cho[u]bei San get the _ryo[u]_ out of groom or bride?
She is a bold wench, unmarried at that age; and none too chaste eh,
Cho[u]bei San? She will provide the husband with wife and child to hand,
or in the making. Or, are matters the other way? Has she been tried and
found wanting? Is she impotent, or deformed; or is Cho[u]bei making
fools of us?" Answered Cho[u]bei slowly--"No; she is a little ugly. The
face round and flat, shining, with black pock marks, making it look like
speckled pumice, rouses suspicion of leprosy. This, however, is not the
case. At all events she is a woman." All were now roaring with
laughter--"A very beauty indeed! Just the one for Cho[u]bei's trade! Too
honied was his speech. He would market anything. But in this market it
is a matter of hard cash; without credit. This is a bit of goods too
wilted. Even Cho[u]bei cannot sell it."--"You lie!" said Cho[u]bei in a
towering passion. "At the first hint of ill-fortune threatening wine
supply or pleasure, there is not one of you who would not turn to
Cho[u]bei to find the money needed. Sisters, daughters, wives, aunts ...
mothers are for sale." He was choking with rage. "Sell her? Cho[u]bei
can and will." Angered by the final item on his family list, a man
nearby gave him a sharp poke in the back. Others voiced resentment,
perhaps would have given it material form. The canal was spoken of.
Cho[u]bei took the hint. He did not wait for a ducking. At a sharp pace
he trotted off toward his tenement at Asakusa Hanagawado[u]. For a while
he would avoid the metal market. He regretted his display of temper. It
was in the necessities of other trades that he found the material of his
own, and flourished.
In plain terms Kazaguruma Cho[u]bei was a pimp for the Yoshiwara and
kindred quarters. His other occupations were mere channels accessory to
this main business. Hence his seasons of increase and decline. Just now
he was in a period of decline. His eagerness in this Tamiya affair was
sharpened. Pushing his way through the Kuramae of Asakusa suddenly a
hopeful light came into his eye. Abruptly he made his way to the side of
the roadway. Here boarding covered the ditch, removing the occupant of a
booth erected thereon, and would-be clients, from the passing stream of
humanity. There was a table in the booth, and on it were several books,
a vessel containing water, brushes (_fudé_), scrolls for writing, and a
box containing divining sticks. It was the stand of a strolling
fortune-teller. At the time the occupant was engaged in gathering
together his professional apparatus, with the evident purpose to decamp.
Cho[u]bei did not delay in accosting him. "Ah! The Sensei;[16] Kazuma
Uji finds the day too hot to pry into the future. Does the Sensei leave
his clients to their fate, or have the clients abandoned the Sensei?
Deign to come along with Cho[u]bei. Perhaps he, too, can tell fortunes.
At all events the wife has been forewarned; the bath is ready. It will
put life into both of us." The young man laughed and hastened his
operations, nodding assent--"Thanks are felt, Cho[u]bei San. Indeed this
Kazuma has but to continue the art of prophecy if he would foretell his
own fate. No one will buy the future when money is so needed for the
present. Besides this is a pleasure ground. Men have no hankering to
learn of possible worse luck than being here. All the fools have
died--except their prophet." He shouldered his scanty apparatus, and
with rapid stride the two men pushed their way up the crowded street
toward the great gate of the temple. In his haste Cho[u]bei yet had time
to eye, from time to time, his companion, always gaining encouragement
from the palpable seediness made more plain by a handsome person. The
two were neighbours in a house-row (_nagaya_) of the Hanagawado[u], that
poverty-stricken district along the river close to the great amusement
ground, and furnishing those who perform its baser tasks. On arrival
Cho[u]bei called out--"O'Taki! O'Taki! The bath, is it ready? The
Sensei, Kazuma San, honours us with his company. Make all ready for his
reception.... Sensei, condescend to enter; please come up."
Yanagibara Kazuma dropped his clogs in the vestibule. As he entered the
room--"Pray pardon the intrusion. This Kazuma feels much in the way. He
is continually putting his neighbours of the _nagaya_ to inconvenience;
too great the kindness of Cho[u]bei San and wife." O'Taki laughed
deprecatingly. Truly this was a handsome young man. In this 6th year of
Ho[u]ei (1709) Yanagibara Kazuma was twenty-one years of age. O'Taki was
thirty odd. She appreciated masculine beauty all the more. Cho[u]bei
grunted from heat and the merest trace of discomfiture. He had his
limit, even in his business. Quickly he shook off his _kimono_, and fan
in hand squatted in his loin cloth. "Ah! 'Tis hot beyond endurance.
Business is bad--from Yoshiwara to Yotsuya." O'Taki looked up at the
last word. He continued--"The Sensei takes precedence. Kazuma Uji, deign
to enter the bath. All is ready?" His wife nodded assent. Kazuma
followed the example of Cho[u]bei. In a trice he was naked as his mother
bore him. Cho[u]bei burst out into phrases of admiration--"What a
splendid fellow! Ah! Waste of material! If a woman Kazuma San would be a
fortune to himself and to Cho[u]bei.... Taki, note the skin of the
Sensei. It has the texture of the finest paper. How regrettable!" He
drew back for the better inspection of the sum total of his subject's
charms. O'Taki drew closer for the same purpose. Cho[u]bei sighed--"It
is plain enough that Kazuma San is not a woman. An error of Nature!
Somehow the age at which a woman becomes of use, is that at which a boy
becomes a mere burden. He is fit for nothing but to be a
story-teller.... And you, Taki, what are you about?" The lady of his
affections was far advanced in the process of disrobing. She protested.
"Does not the Sensei need aid in the bath? How cleanse the back, the
shoulders. This Taki would aid him."--"Immodest wench!" bellowed
Cho[u]bei. "The Sensei needs no such aid. Why! You ... Taki ... one
would take you for a charcoal ball (_tadon_), so dark your skin. Nay!
For two of them, for a cluster piled in a box, so round the buttocks and
belly. The Sensei wants no aid from such an ugly jade. This Cho[u]bei
can do what is needed; with as much skill and better purpose than a
woman." Kazuma modestly interposed in this incipient quarrel between
husband and wife. "Nay, the matter is of no importance. Kazuma is
grateful for such kindness, but aid is not needed. His arm is long." He
held it out, almost simian in proportion and slenderness, the one
proportional defect of this handsome body. The quarrel of Cho[u]bei and
O'Taki lapsed before his pleasant smile.
Seated over tea said Cho[u]bei--"This Cho[u]bei, too, has claimed to be
a diviner. Don't deny it. The Sensei at one time has been a priest."
Kazuma looked at him with surprise, even misgiving. Explained
Cho[u]bei--"The manner in which the Sensei takes up the cup betrays him;
in both hands, with a little waving of the vessel and shake of the head.
The rust of the priest's garb clings close." Said Kazuma--"Cho[u]bei San
is a clever fellow. It is true. At one time I was priest."--"Whereabouts?"
asked Cho[u]bei. "At the Reigan of Fukagawa," replied the prophet--"Ah!
Reiganji; and later would return to the life of a _samurai_. Such pose and
manner possessed by the Sensei are only gained in good company. He would
reassume the status. This Cho[u]bei was not always as he is. Wine, women,
gambling, have brought him to pimping. The buying of _geisha_ and
_joro[u]_ cost the more as they imply the other two vices. Wife, status,
fortune; all are gone. Such has been Cho[u]bei's fate."--"Not the only
case of the kind," grumbled his partner in concubinage. "And the wife,
what has become of her?"--"None of Taki's affair, as she is no longer an
issue. Would the jade be jealous?" He glowered at her. "But Kazuma San,
this Cho[u]bei is not only diviner, to tell fortunes. He can make them."
Kazuma laughed. "Don't joke. Cho[u]bei San's line of business has already
cost this Kazuma fortune and position."--"To secure a better one. Kazuma
San is a _ro[u]nin_ (without lord), a man of education, and of fine
appearance. He is just the one to become a _muko_."--"In some tradesman's
family?" The _samurai_ spoke with disdain. Said Cho[u]bei eagerly--"No:
Cho[u]bei prophesied the return of Kazuma Uji to his own caste."--"At what
cost?" said Kazuma coolly. "The honour of a _samurai_ cannot stand open
taint. Kazuma has no desire to cut belly at too early a date, to save the
situation for others. Has the woman erred, and is the father's sword
dulled?"--"It is no such case," answered Cho[u]bei. "The parents, rather
grandparents, are fools in pride. The girl is twenty-five years old, rich,
and, one must admit, not too good looking. It is by a mere chance, a
former connection, that the affair comes into Cho[u]bei's hands. As Kazuma
Uji knows, it is not much in his line. Let us share the good luck
together."--"Is she a monster; one of those long-necked, pop-eyed
_rokurokubi_?"--"That can be determined at the meeting," said the cautious
Cho[u]bei. "She is somewhat pock-marked, as with others. It is a matter of
luck. Cho[u]bei's position forces him to fall back on Kazuma San as the
only likely man to recommend. Deign not to refuse to come to his
aid."--"Rich, and granddaughter of people old in years." He eyed Cho[u]bei
quizzically. The latter nodded agreement. "No matter what her looks, this
Kazuma accepts with thanks--unless this be a jest of Cho[u]bei San."
Cho[u]bei slightly coughed--"There is a commission...."--"Ah! Then the
foundation is rock. As to commission, assuredly; Kazuma is not rich, nor
in funds."--"But will be. At ten _ryo[u]_ it is a cheap
affair."--"Agreed," replied the diviner carelessly. "The money will be
paid."--"With the delivery of the goods." Cho[u]bei now was all
gaiety--"Of the Rokurokubi, the monster with sextuple lengthed neck,"
laughed Kazuma Sensei as he took his leave. He was engaged to meet
Cho[u]bei the next day at the house of Kondo[u] Rokuro[u]bei in Yotsuya.