KWAIBA'S REVENGE
Kondo[u] Rokuro[u]bei went direct to the council of the conspirators. He
found them assembled in the house of Ito[u]. Kwaiba, Iémon, O'Hana,
Cho[u]zaémon, Kibei, were drinking _saké_. Kwaiba as usual was bragging
over his prowess in youth extended into age. O'Hana was laughing at him
behind his back. Kibei was surly; yet his share of income was assured.
Kwaiba roundly berated Iémon for lack of energy. "O'Iwa has been allowed
to get the upper hand. Iémon is far too soft to deal with a woman who
has been spoiled all her life." Iémon listened in silence, with a rather
doubtful smile of acquiescence or contempt. In fact, knowing O'Iwa as he
did, he had little confidence in Kwaiba or Cho[u]zaémon, or the methods
they proposed. His own plan was maturing. Meanwhile in part it ran
parallel. On this assembly burst the discomfited Rokuro[u]bei--"Ah! What
an experience! The woman is a very fiend. A new pair of _geta_, bought
but yesterday, and left at your house, Iémon Uji." Iémon looked at
Kondo[u]'s frightened face and bare feet. Then he burst into a roar of
laughter. Kwaiba was indignant. "Is the fright of Kondo[u] San any
license to bring his dirty feet on the _tatami_. Deign, good sir, to
accept water for the cleansing. O'Hana San now is inmate of the house of
Kondo[u]; yet condescend for the moment to act the mistress here." This
was part of the arrangement. With the goods of O'Iwa the person of
O'Hana had been transferred to the charge of the honest Rokuro[u]bei.
There Iémon had easy and decent access to the use of both.
Said Iémon--"What happened after this Iémon left Samoncho[u]? Kondo[u]
Dono has been frightened." Kondo[u] puffed and fumed as he cleansed his
feet at the mounting step. He groaned--"Iémon Dono, you are certainly
done for. Was it 'three years,' she said? Her face was frightful. This
Rokuro[u]bei has no more to do with the affair. He goes no more to
Samoncho[u]. Alas! He will never sleep again. Oh! Oh! To be haunted in
the next existence by such a rotten O'Baké." Said Kwaiba--"Did Iémon
really beat her? He says he did." Answered Kondo[u]--"She could barely
move a limb. Of love for Iémon not a spark is left; but she clings to
the honour of Tamiya, to the wife's duty to the House. There is no
moving her. Rokuro[u]bei is suspect, as not doing his duty as
_nako[u]do_. Look to yourselves. If she ever gets suspicious of the real
facts, has an inkling of the truth--look out for yourselves."
Kwaiba was thoughtful; Iémon was indifferent. None of them could think
of aught but the venture already engaged in. A week, ten days, passed.
In that time every effort was made to move O'Iwa to consent to a
divorce. As _Kumi-gashira_, Kwaiba summoned her to his house. Before his
kindly sympathy O'Iwa melted into tears. The scandalous treatment of
Iémon had reached his ears. Why had he not heard of it before it reached
such extremes? He looked indignation at his messenger, the one who had
brought O'Iwa to his presence, Akiyama Cho[u]zaémon the neighbour of
Tamiya, living not far off near the Ten-o[u]. Said the ward
head--"Kwaiba always took this Iémon, or Kazuma, for a scoundrel. A
stranger, why bring him into the ward? But now he is master of Tamiya.
In the place of the excellent, if obstinate, Matazaémon. Alas! The
pension of the House is said to be hypothecated for five years. And the
household goods; and separate properties of Tamiya--all gone?" O'Iwa
nodded assent, and Kwaiba threw up his hands at such wickedness. At all
events he counselled her to consider matters, to accept his aid. He
would place her somewhere; in the country and far off from the ward in
which Iémon as master of Tamiya in its degradation would always be an
unpleasant sight and influence in her life; at least until Iémon could
be expelled. With the fellow's past career doubtless this would happen
before long. Meanwhile O'Iwa was to pass into one of the wretched,
overworked, exhausted drudges on one of Kwaiba's Shimosa farms. From his
chief's expressed views Cho[u]zaémon dissented. This was the one man
O'Iwa distrusted. He had always shown dislike to her. In defense of her
conduct Cho[u]zaémon was too clever to show any warmth. He was the
subordinate making exact report to his chief. O'Iwa was completely taken
in. This friendly neutrality aroused her every grateful feeling. Said
Cho[u]zaémon--"Iémon is a coward. A _samurai_ beats neither woman nor
dog. If either are unfaithful to him, he kills the offender. Iémon's
conduct has been thoroughly bad. Before the reproaches of O'Iwa San,
beaten in argument he has retaliated by beating her to a jelly. Her face
bears the marks of his violence. As to her body, my wife answers for it
that it is a mass of bruises."--"Is that so?" said Kwaiba in deep
sympathy. O'Iwa burst into tears. Kwaiba fumed with rage--"Truly Iémon
is not a human being. He has the horns of a demon."
Then the priest Myo[u]zen, of the family temple, the Myo[u]gyo[u]ji of
Samégabashi,[25] appeared at the Samoncho[u] house. To him O'Iwa looked
for ghostly consolation against the ills of this world. Instead he
merely chanted the old refrain, harped on the scandal brought on
Samoncho[u] by the continued bickering of the married pair. Husband and
wife had mutual duty toward each other; but also there was a duty toward
their neighbours. Iémon was irreclaimable.... This stranger! O'Iwa San
should deign to take the active part herself; not afford this ill
spectacle and example to the ward. Like most parsons he was convinced by
the noise of his own voice, and spoke with the intense conviction of
long rehearsal. O'Iwa heard him out with a curious chill at heart. The
graves of her beloved _hotoké_ (departed ones) were in the cemetery of
Myo[u]gyo[u]ji. The temple had been one of the few generous features,
almost extravagances, of Matazaémon. It had profited greatly by his
donations. It was the honour of the House against the argument of the
priest and the convenience of the neighbours; and all because a bad man
had been brought into it. "What the revered _osho[u]_ (prebend) has said
reaches to the heart of this Iwa. Submission is to be an inspiration
from the revered _hotoké_. Iwa will seek their counsel." Baffled, the
priest left the house; veiled censure was on his lips; open disobedience
and contempt on the part of O'Iwa.
Said Kwaiba--"Cho[u]zaémon has failed. At least this Kwaiba has saved
his ten _ryo[u]_--and gained one object. Kondo[u] Dono, thanks for your
kind hospitality to O'Hana San. Do you propose to adopt her?" Kondo[u]
made an emphatic gesture of protest and dissent. He said--"At least
Kondo[u] has the security of goods and money for his generous
expenditures."--"Both of them belonging to O'Iwa San; just as Kwaiba
holds the acknowledgment of Akiyama San." Cho[u]zaémon made a wry face.
The prospect of pressure put on him, with all the added accumulation of
the months of interest, was not a cheerful one. Said Kwaiba
angrily--"Ah! Whoever would have suspected such obstinacy in the O'Baké;
she who always was so yielding within her home and outside of it. She
seemed to be such an easy mark. It was merely a matter of ordering her
out. And now she baffles this Kwaiba of his revenge!" Iémon laughed
outright. Kwaiba looked at him with surprise. Was this charlatan playing
a double game? Said Iémon--"Fear enters at the words of the honoured
chief. Pray condescend to be easy in mind. As yet Cho[u]zaémon has not
failed. At least the question can be argued with the _Kumi-gashira_. It
is left to these principals. Iémon is of better counsel." Then after a
silence during which Kwaiba intently eyed him--"To-morrow O'Iwa San
leaves Yotsuya. Kwaiba Dono gets his revenge on the late master of
Tamiya. Pray remember it, in favour of the present incumbent of the
House." Said Kwaiba fervently--"Iémon would be a son to Kwaiba! Is it
really true--that the O'Baké will be expelled the ward, in disgrace?"
Iémon nodded assent.
On the following day O'Iwa had completed her ablutions. She arrayed
herself in freshly washed robes. Then she took her place before the
Butsudan. It was memorial day of the decease of the _hotoké_. Earnestly
she prayed--"Deign, honoured _hotoké_, to have regard to this Iwa. The
year has not lapsed since the hand of Iwa was placed in that of Iémon.
Now the House is brought to ruin. No heir appears to console this Iwa
and to continue its worship, to inherit its revenues. 'Take these in
hand. Life lies before Iémon for their enjoyment. His revenue will be
ample. Deign but to have the honour of the House in mind, the
continuance of its line as object.' Such were the words of the honoured
Matazaémon when in life. Unworthy has been the conduct of this trust by
Iémon. But divorce is a scandal, always to be avoided by a woman. Return
the love of Iémon to this Iwa. Deign, honoured _hotoké_, to influence
his wandering passions toward this child of the House. Cause the husband
to return to Tamiya, once more to uphold its rights and influence. Such
is the prayer of this Iwa." She rose, placed the offerings, and struck
the little bell with the hammer. As she did so a noise was heard at the
entrance. Iémon, carrying fishing rod and basket, and followed by
Natsumé Kyuzo[u] and Imaizumi Jinzaémon, burst into the room. All three
were more or less drunk. Dumfounded O'Iwa looked from one to the other.
Imaizumi carried a tub. Kyuzo[u] knocked it from his shoulders. Then
tumbled clumsily down on the cask. None of them had removed the dirty
_waraji_ (straw sandals) they wore. "Why do so in such a barn?"
hiccoughed Kyuzo[u]. "And this _saké_; Kyuzo[u] found it without, at the
kitchen door. Jinzaémon shouldered it. Whence does it come, Iémon San?
Faugh! It smells as if the cask had been placed for the convenience of
passers-by on the wayside. It stinks. That's what it does." He gave the
cask a kick, knocking out the bung. The filthy liquid poured out on the
floor.
Iémon appropriated the tub. He seated himself on it. "'Tis the fine
liquor of Tamiya. All the house possesses. Iémon is hungry." Opening his
basket he took out an eel. He began to skin it. A cry from O'Iwa
arrested him. His wife sank down before him in attitude of prayer.
"Importunate jade! What would you now? Further advice to a husband who
wants but to get rid of the sight of an ugly face? Bah! This lump of a
wench is neither good for child-bearing nor for house-keeping; she is
not even a good _rusu_ (care-taker)." His knife made a rip in the skin
of the squirming animal. O'Iwa laid a hand on his sleeve. With a voice
in which sobs mingled with the petition--"To-day is a memorial day of
the honoured _Hotoké Sama_. Deign to refrain from taking life in the
house; nay, before the very _ihai_ in the Butsudan. Such deed will cause
pain to the _Hotoké Sama_; bring disaster on the House, perhaps on this
Iwa and Iémon San." Iémon fairly roared as he sprang up from the
tub--"What! You noisy slut! Is this Iémon to go without food because the
_hotoké_ dislikes the smell of eels?... Jinzaémon, can you cook eels?"
Imaizumi had sought the _ro[u]ka_. His round featureless face showed his
fright and indecision before this critical quarrel of husband and wife.
Of all involved in the plot he was the most unwilling in performance of
his rôle. But he answered according to rote--"Iya! Iémon Uji, the office
of cook is a special one. Jinzaémon is no cook. He leaves that office to
his wife. Moreover the cooking of eels is an art in itself."--"And the
artist is here," chimed in the malignancy of Kyuzo[u]. "O'Iwa San is
noted for her skill."--"Right!" said Iémon. "Kyuzo[u] and Jinzaémon have
heard the refusal of O'Iwa. Cook this eel--or else Iémon pronounces the
formula of divorce against the disobedient wife."
In silence O'Iwa rose. She went to the portable stove. With the bellows
she stirred up the fire therein. She did not dare even for a moment to
pray at the Butsudan. The skillet was on the fire. The eels were
sizzling in the hot liquor. Suddenly Iémon made an exclamation. Taking a
towel he grasped the handle of the vessel. The next moment he had forced
down the hot pan and its contents on the head of O'Iwa. "Kiya!" With the
single cry she fell over backwards, writhing in pain under the
infliction of the scalding mess streaming over face, neck, and bosom.
Imaizumi fled in dismay. Even Natsumé Kyuzo[u] protested. Seizing the
arm of Iémon--"Iémon Uji, you go too far. Don't kill her." "Kill the
O'Baké? It's impossible." Iémon spoke coldly. He was the one person of
collected wits in the room.
Groaning with agony O'Iwa came to her senses. A man was leaning over
her. Half blind as she was, she could recognize Cho[u]bei. His look was
grave. His voice was reticent and confused. "What has been going on
here, O'Iwa Dono? Ah! Cho[u]bei comes at a bad season. Ma! Ma! The
house, too; stripped bare to the very boards, and the season still
wintry. Truly this Iémon is a beast--a very brute (_chikusho[u]_). What
is Cho[u]bei to do? There is this matter of the honour of Tamiya." He
wrung his hands as in great perplexity, glancing sideways toward O'Iwa.
The first part of his speech she disregarded. Such talk and consolation
were growing stale. That all should pity her caused no surprise. Her
situation was not unusual. It was the last words which caught her ear.
"The honour of Tamiya: Cho[u]bei San?" Cho[u]bei turned away; to put
some peppermint in his eyes. Tears stood in them as he turned again to
her. O'Iwa was alarmed. "What has happened?" She caught his sleeve, drew
close to him. He answered--"Cho[u]bei cannot speak. To find O'Iwa San in
such dreadful state renders it impossible to explain. Iémon San has gone
too far." So he had, from Cho[u]bei's point of view and for his
purposes. These young fellows never can keep within bounds; even in
abuse of a woman. His resentment was extreme. O'Iwa insisted. Finally
the resistance of Cho[u]bei was overcome. Iémon's name was posted at the
Kuramaé of Asakusa. He was in debt on every side. As the final blow, he
had stolen the seal of Ito[u] Kwaiba and forged an acknowledgment for
twenty _ryo[u]_. Kwaiba's enmity to Matazaémon was well known. He liked
Iémon no better, and would pursue him to the end, force him to cut
belly, and accomplish the official degradation and extinction of the
Tamiya House (_kaieki_). "What is to be done?" He turned squarely to
O'Iwa. She said--"Ito[u] Dono has been kind to O'Iwa. Perhaps if request
be made...." Cho[u]bei laughed. "Ito[u] Kwaiba is always kind to a
woman. It is not O'Iwa San whom he hates. But this is an affair between
men. He secures vengeance on Matazaémon through Iémon and this official
extinction of Tamiya. It is too tempting. He is not to be trusted. No
hint of the deed must reach him. Is there no money at the command of
O'Iwa San? The sum is but twenty _ryo[u]_. Iémon brought this news to
Cho[u]bei last night. He leaves Edo, to go in hiding, after ... after
... punishing the ... Well! Well! He is a wicked man. Cho[u]bei never
suspected such wickedness. But Iémon is not the issue. He represents and
can disgrace the Tamiya. There lies the issue. Has O'Iwa San no means,
nothing in coin?"--"Less than a _bu_, sixty _mon_." She held out the
coppers to Cho[u]bei.
Said Cho[u]bei with decision--"There is one resource left. There is
the person of O'Iwa San. Deign to go into service at the pleasure
quarter. Cho[u]bei is skilful. In seven days these wounds can be healed.
Twenty _ryo[u]_ secured, the paper is taken up, the robbery of the seal
is never discovered. We can laugh at Kwaiba's anger. All is for the
Tamiya." He noted that O'Iwa was hesitating--"It is but as a pledge. The
money is advanced on the person of O'Iwa San. A week, ten days, and
other sources of loan will be discovered. This is the only measure
Cho[u]bei can suggest. He has no means of his own to meet this debt." He
smiled as at a thought--"Perhaps Kwaiba himself will pay his own debt!"
He chuckled at the idea. "Why not make appeal at once?" repeated O'Iwa,
grasping at any straw of safety from this resource, so horrible to the
_samurai_ woman. Said Cho[u]bei promptly--"Ito[u] Sama knows perfectly
well the state of Samoncho[u]. Asakusa, Honjo[u], are far removed. An
appeal for twenty _ryo[u]_ as surety money in applying for a situation
would appeal to him; the other would not. Besides, thus far away he
could not investigate closely, if he would. He could but say 'yes' or
'no.'" O'Iwa remembered what Kwaiba had said--the necessity of removing
to a distance. The words and actions of these rascals dove-tailed
admirably. A long silence followed. With exultation at heart Cho[u]bei
saw her rise. She put out the fire, gathered together the few personal
articles she still possessed. On seeing her struggle with the heavy rain
doors he came to her aid. "For the time being accept the hospitality of
Cho[u]bei's poor quarters. These wounds are to be healed." With full
heart O'Iwa gratefully accepted. She took his hand as if to kiss it.
Cho[u]bei hastily snatched it away. In his sleeve, the ink not
twenty-four hours old, was the paper of the sale of O'Iwa to Cho[u]bei;
her passing over to his guardianship, to dispose of as a street harlot,
a night-hawk. The consideration? Five _ryo[u]_: payment duly
acknowledged, and of course nominal. The paper of transfer was in
thoroughly correct form. Cho[u]bei had drawn it himself.