THE PLOT AGAINST O'IWA
The following morning Iémon sat brooding, mind and tongue clouded by
the drinking bout of the previous night. O'Iwa silently busied herself
with his renovation. Rokuro[u]bei had delivered him over to her,
decidedly the worse for wine and wear. He was somewhat astonished at the
young man's easy discomfiture. Middle age with the Nipponese usually
means the seasoned and steady toper. Regarding the matter as partly due
to her own fault, and reassured by Kondo[u] as to the events of the
evening, O'Iwa heated the _saké_ with all the greater care, serving it
herself, chatting on the indifferent gossip of the neighbourhood. She
spoke of the talk current as to Ito[u] Kwaiba's adoption of an heir.
"This man Kibei, his disposition appears to be as ugly as his face."
With a little smile she added, "for the latter compensation is to be
found in the first-named quality; a truth which he seems to disregard.
What will become of O'Hana San?" For the first time since the night
before the thought of the letter flashed into Iémon's mind. He put down
the renovating morning draft, and on some excuse arose. His _kimono_ lay
neatly folded in the _hirabuta_ (flat tray). Hastily he searched the
sleeves. There was not a sign of the missive. With clouded brow he
returned to the sitting room. A glance at O'Iwa made him feel ashamed.
It had never come into her hands. He knew her well enough to be assured
that he would have found it, scrupulously laid together with the tobacco
pouch, nose wipe (_hanagami_), and divers other minor articles of daily
use carried on the person. The whole affair perhaps was a dream. The
more he considered, the more he became so convinced. His transports with
O'Hana, their surprise, Kondo[u]'s rebuke--so far the evening was
tolerably clear. It was only as to the final cups, the rising to depart,
the standing in the cold night air, that the exact course of events
became clouded. "Ah! It was all a vision. O'Hana never would have been
so imprudent." There was a trace of doubt in his mind. He would clear it
up at the fountain source--at Kwaiba's house and by the lips of O'Hana.
Kwaiba greeted him with almost boisterous cheerfulness. "Ah! Tamiya
comes early; a flattering acknowledgment of last night's reception." To
Iémon's deprecatory speech and apology--"Don't talk folly, after the
manner of a country boor. Iémon San is a man of the world; and will give
this Kwaiba credit for being the same. What does it amount to? A matter
of a little too much wine.... Hana! Hana! The Master of Tamiya is
present. Cut some bean paste, and bring tea. Heat the wine. Matazaémon
was so sober an old dog that it is doubtful whether O'Iwa knows aught
about the best remedy for past drinking." As Kibei entered--"There is
the inventory of the Shimosa farms. Condescend to take a glance at the
report of the _nanushi_ (bailiff). Hana will aid." Thus dismissed, the
two left the room. Kwaiba turned to Iémon--"A draught: no? Then Kwaiba
will drink for both. For him it is a day of rejoicing. The coming of
Tamiya is opportune. It was intended to send for him. Deign to aid this
Kwaiba with counsel. The adoption of Kibei has finally been settled."
The old man's exultation influenced even the indifference of Iémon's
aching head. With well-simulated interest he said--"Naruhodo! Kibei Dono
is indeed to be congratulated. As to our chief, since everything is to
his satisfaction, Iémon is but too glad to speak his pleasure, to offer
his congratulations."--"Nay! A little more than that, Iémon Uji. This
Kwaiba would seek his aid in another matter of importance. Kwaiba is
old. A woman no longer is an object to him. He cannot make a child. If
O'Hana should give birth to a child great would be the discomfiture,
knowing the truth. What is to be done in such a case?" He now was
looking with direct inquiry into the face of Iémon. The latter was much
confused. He stammered--"Just so: so indeed. O'Hana San is truly an
embarrassment. Doubtless she is also an obstacle to Kibei Dono. She...."
Sneered Kwaiba--"Tamiya, though young, is wise. He grasps the situation
at once. Deign, Iémon San, to take O'Hana yourself." Kwaiba raised his
voice a little. Kibei brought O'Hana with him from the next room. She
seemed alarmed and embarrassed. Said Kwaiba--"What have you there; the
inventory? Ah! A letter: and there is no one to read a letter like Iémon
San. Deign, Sir, to favour us. Iémon San alone can give the contents the
proper inflection." He handed it to Iémon. A glance showed the latter
that it was a letter from O'Hana, probably that of the previous night.
His pocket had been neatly picked by Kibei. It was plain. He had been
trapped. The pretended entertainment had been a plot in which the
passion of O'Hana had been given full chance to range. Even the
disinterested witness, the old fool Kondo[u], had been provided. He
caught a curious, mocking smile on the face of the girl O'Moto, just
then passing along the _ro[u]ka_.
Kwaiba allowed the silence to become oppressive. He seemed to await an
incriminating outburst on the part of O'Hana, plainly on the verge of
tears. However, the girl caught herself up. Instead she turned a calm,
inquiring look toward the three men. Iémon alone looked down, his gaze
on the letter the characters of which danced and waved before his eyes.
Sharp as he ordinarily was, before this vigorous and astute old man,
backed by the ruffianly prospective son with impertinent smile, the
cowardice of Iémon deprived him of all spirit. His faculties were
numbed. Kwaiba leaned over and removed the letter from his hands. "Since
Iémon San will not read the letter, Kwaiba will try to do so; a poor
substitute for the accomplished cleric." The old fellow seemed to know
everything, as the tone of contempt indicated. He ran the scroll out in
his hands--"Naruhodo! Ma! Ma! What's this? From some woman: a lascivious
jade indeed!... Eh! Kibei Dono, apology is due your ears. This Kwaiba
laughed at your suspicions." He threw down the scroll, as in a fury.
Kibei picked it up. He began to read:
"Night is the source of pleasure, but greater that pleasure
at sight of Iémon. The day comes when Iémon and Hana will be
husband and wife, in fact if not in form. 'Ah! Day and night
to be at the service of Iémon.' Thus does Hana pray gods and
Buddhas. When distant from his side, even though the time be
short, painful is its passage. Place this letter next to
your very person. May that night come quickly, when the
coming of Iémon is awaited. The connection with O'Iwa San is
the punishment for sin committed in a previous existence.
Condescend to dismiss her from your mind. View the matter
wholly in this light. The spiteful brush (pen) refuses
further service. Hard, hard, is the lot of this Hana. The
honoured Master comes; the heartfelt wish is accomplished.
With compliments,
To Iémon Sama." HANA.
Kwaiba's rage grew and grew with the reading. At Iémon's name he sprang
up and made a movement toward the stand on which reposed his swords.
Laying a hand on the larger weapon he turned with a scowl--"Ah! This
Kwaiba is old, but in vigour he is young. It is for Kwaiba to sport with
the women. They are not to make a fool of him." Kibei sharply
interposed. "Does Kwaiba Dono gain satisfaction by such a vengeance? To
Kibei it seems a poor one. A matter so easily to be settled is not to be
made a scandal in the ward. Deign, honoured Sir, so to regard it. To
punish both at once with death is proper. But is it expedient?
Condescend to hear the words of Kibei."
Kwaiba pulled himself up. It was as if some one had dragged him back.
His rage departed. A cold malice took its place. He smiled blandly--"One
does not quarrel over a harlot. Kwaiba spares their lives. Iémon shall
take Hana home--as wife."--"As wife!" Iémon broke through his fear.
"Surely the honoured _Kashira_ is unreasonable. This Iémon is but the
_muko_ of Tamiya. To demand that O'Iwa San be discarded is going too
far. Positively in this matter, though there have been love passages,
the most intimate relation has never followed--now or in previous
relations."--"You lie!" said Kwaiba coldly. "Furthermore 'tis a matter
not passing the period of last night. But that is not to the point.
Against Matazaémon this Kwaiba has a grudge--as yet unsatisfied. Through
O'Iwa San this shall be paid. With Iémon no harsh measures are adopted.
Nay; Kwaiba comes to his aid. You, too, Kibei, shall assist.... Ah! For
the ready consent, thanks. Ma! A delicious revenge is that gathered by
Kwaiba. O'Hana the harlot takes the place of the Ojo[u]san. And she
loves Iémon! In our feasts Natsumé and Imaizumi get the skin of the
omelet; Iémon the centre. Then O'Iwa is to be driven out. To that Tamiya
cannot object. He substitutes honey for garlic;[23] O'Hana the flower
for the ugly toad O'Iwa. Splendid! Splendid! But how? Ah! Here's
Kondo[u], just in the nick of time. Rokuro[u]bei, aid us with your
experience and influence. Aid us with Iémon, who would cleave to the
O'Baké."
Put in possession of the facts Kondo[u] was aghast. He had come to the
parting of the ways; and under conditions which assured his
participation in the plot. At first he turned on Iémon with bitter
recrimination. "Oh! A virtuous fellow, who would drink a man's wine, lie
with his woman, and then preach morality to a household! But the
mischief is done. If not the paramour of O'Hana San, everybody believes
it to be so...." Kwaiba held up his hands in well-simulated anger. Kibei
and Rokuro[u]bei interfered. Iémon's last resistance was broken down. To
talk? That is the business of a priest. Soon he was as eagerly engaged
in the plot as if he had left the house in Samoncho[u] for that purpose.
Said Rokuro[u]bei--"What difficulty does the matter present? Set on
Watanabé Goro[u] to tempt and make love to O'Iwa. He is badly in debt.
The handsome man of the ward everyone would suspect her fall. Surprised
by Iémon, O'Iwa is driven out as unchaste. This Kondo[u] stipulates that
matters go no further. After all O'Iwa is innocent of offence. The
husband's full rights are not to be excused. Neither she, nor Watanabé
is to suffer injury."
Kibei laughed outright at the idea of a drawn sword in Iémon's hand.
Iémon turned the contempt on to Kondo[u]. Sneering, he replied--"The
plan is worthless. O'Iwa is chastity itself. In the absence of this
Iémon no man is allowed entrance to the house." Kwaiba knitted his
brows--"Kakusuké! Kakusuké!" As the _chu[u]gen_ appeared--"Go yonder to
the house of Akiyama Cho[u]zaémon San. Say that the Kumi-gashira would
speak with Akiyama San." As the man departed--"Cho[u]zaémon is the man.
For gossip and malice he is a very woman. Rejoice and he weeps; weep and
he rejoices. If Akiyama cannot concoct some plan to get rid of O'Iwa,
then no one can.... Alas! O'Hana and Iémon must die by the hand of this
Kwaiba. Kibei will give his aid." The old man and Kibei got much
enjoyment out of the cowardice of Iémon and the fright of O'Hana. But
not for long. Akiyama Cho[u]zaémon, the one-time boy lover of O'Iwa; a
long, lean, hungry-looking man, with long, cadaverous face and a
decidedly bad eye, appeared with the _chu[u]gen_ Kakusuké close behind.
The latter seemed a sort of policeman attending the none-too-willing
Cho[u]zaémon. The latter's brow lightened at sight of the company. He
owed Kwaiba money. Sending away the servant, Kwaiba unfolded the
situation. Said Cho[u]zaémon--"Heigh! Tamiya takes the cast off leman of
Ito[u] Dono. Fair exchange is no robbery; Kibei Uji against O'Hana San.
Iémon San goes into the matter with eyes wide open. The lady is an old
intimate, it is said." This manner of approaching the subject was
Cho[u]zaémon's way. He cared nothing for the scowls of Kibei nor the
wrath of Kwaiba. He was needed, or they would not have called him to
counsel. As for Iémon, he was grateful to Cho[u]zaémon; as neighbour,
and for the insult to Kibei and Kwaiba.
Continued the mediator--"The obstacle of course is the O'Baké. O'Iwa
is to be driven out. And Watanabé won't answer? Maa! Chastity in an
O'Baké! It is a thing unheard of. 'Tis such, once of womankind, who
seduce living men. Tamiya is now head of the House. O'Iwa once driven
out, the property remains in his hands as its representative. She must
be forced to leave of her own will. Good; very good. What is it worth to
Kwaiba Dono?"--"Look to Iémon for commission," said Kwaiba roughly.
"Nay! Nay!" mouthed Cho[u]zaémon. "Kwaiba is Kwaiba; Iémon is Iémon. The
two are to be settled with separately. If Kwaiba Dono had gone to
extremes at the start no question would have been raised. To do so now,
with all present and after discussion, is out of the question. Kwaiba
Dono wishes to adopt Kibei Uji; to get rid of O'Hana San. Iémon San has
been neatly trapped. He must consent. O'Hana is a woman. She has no
voice in the matter. All this is clear. But as to Cho[u]zaémon's labour
in the affair; that it is which interests this Akiyama." He gave a sour
reprimanding look at Kibei. Then he looked impertinently from Kwaiba to
Iémon, and from Iémon to Kwaiba. Iémon in delight nodded assent.
Cho[u]zaémon promptly turned his back on him and faced Kwaiba. At first
the old man was very angry at the acuteness of Cho[u]zaémon. The sharp,
free exposure did not please him. Then the idea of countering on this
acuteness made him good tempered. He grumbled--"The ten _ryo[u]_ owing
to Kwaiba at the New Year--principal and interest; such is the fee for a
successful issue." Cho[u]zaémon held up his hands in pretended
horror--"Pay back borrowed money! Is that expected by the
Kumi-gashira?"--"Not 'expected,'" put in Kwaiba promptly. "With the seal
of Akiyama San the return is assured." Cho[u]zaémon became
thoughtful--"It is true. The last loan was under seal.... Too bad....
Well! Well! The conditions are hard. Submission is necessary. The debt
will be forgiven?"--"Kibei and Iémon stand as witnesses," replied
Kwaiba--"Then how is this?" said Cho[u]zaémon. All put their heads
together. Akiyama Cho[u]zaémon went into details. Kwaiba pushed back his
cushion; slapped his thighs. "Cho[u]zaémon, you are cheap at double the
money. Just the thing! Eh, Iémon, Uji? Eh, Muko San?" All grinned a
raptured assent.