NAGATO'S WOUND.
The Prince of Nagato had returned to his palace. He slept stretched out
on a pile of fine mats; around him was almost total darkness, for the
blinds had been lowered, and large screens spread before the windows.
Here and there a black lacquer panel shone in the shadow and reflected
dimly, like a dull mirror, the pale face of the Prince as he lay on his
cushions.
Nagato had not succeeded in seeing Hieyas: he was told that the Regent
was engaged with very important business. Pleased at the chance, the
young Prince hurried home to rest for a few hours before the council.
In the chambers adjoining the one in which he slept servants came
and went silently, preparing their master's toilette. They walked
cautiously, that the floor might not creak, and talked together in low
tones.
"Our poor master knows no moderation," said an old woman, scattering
drops of perfume over a court cloak. "Continual feasting and nightly
revels,--never any rest; he will kill himself."
"Oh, no! pleasure does not kill," said an impudent-looking boy, dressed
in gay colors.
"What do you know about it, imp?" replied the woman. "Wouldn't you
think the brat spent his life in enjoyment like a lord? Don't talk so
boldly about things you know nothing of!"
"Perhaps I know more about them than you do," said the child, making a
wry face; "you haven't got married yet, for all your great age and your
great beauty."
The woman threw the contents of her flask in the boy's face; but he
hid behind the silver disk of a mirror which he was polishing, and the
perfume fell to the ground. When the danger was over, out popped his
head.
"Will you have me for a husband?" he cried; "you can spare me a few of
your years, and between us we'll make but a young couple."
The woman, in her rage, gave a sharp scream.
"Will you be quiet?" said another servant, threatening her with his
fist.
"But who could listen to that young scamp without blushing and losing
her temper?"
"Blush as much as you like," said the child; "that won't make any
noise."
"Come, Loo, be quiet!" said the servant.
Loo shrugged his shoulders and made a face, then went on listlessly
rubbing his mirror.
At this instant a man entered the room.
"I must speak to Iwakura, Prince of Nagato," he cried aloud.
All the servants made violent signs to impose silence on the new-comer.
Loo rushed towards him and stopped his mouth with the rag with which he
was polishing the mirror; but the man pushed him roughly away.
"What does all this mean?" he said. "Are you crazy? I want to speak to
the lord whom you serve, the very illustrious daimio who rules over the
province of Nagato. Go and tell him, and stop your monkey tricks."
"He is asleep," whispered a servant.
"We cannot wake him," said another.
"He is frightfully tired," said Loo, with his finger on his lip.
"Tired or not, he will rejoice at my coming," said the stranger.
"We were ordered not to wake him until a few moments before the hour
for the council," said the old woman.
"I sha'n't take the risk of rousing him," said Loo, drawing his mouth
to one side.--
"Nor I," said the old woman.
"I will go myself, if you like," said the messenger; "moreover, the
hour of the council is close at hand. I just saw the Prince of Arima on
his way to the Hall of a Thousand Mats."
"The Prince of Arima!" cried Loo; "and he is always late!"
"Alas!" said the old woman; "shall we have time to dress our master?"
Loo pushed aside a sliding partition and opened a narrow passage;
he then softly entered Nagato's bedroom. It was cool within, and a
delicate odor of camphor filled the air.
"Master! master!" said Loo in a loud voice, "the hour has come; and
besides there is a messenger here."
"A messenger!" cried Nagato, raising himself on one elbow; "what does
he look like?"
"He is dressed like a samurai:[1] he has two-swords in his sash."
"Let him come in at once," said the Prince, in a tone of agitation.
Loo beckoned to the messenger, who prostrated himself on the threshold
of the room.
"Approach!" said Nagato.
But the messenger being unable to see in the dark hall, Loo folded
back one leaf of a screen which intercepted the light. A broad band of
sunshine entered; it lighted up the delicate texture of the matting
which covered the wall and glistened on a silver stork with sinuous
neck and spread wings, hanging against it.
The messenger approached the Prince and offered him a slender roll of
paper wrapped in silk; then he left the room backwards.
Nagato hastily unrolled the paper, and read as follows:
"You have been here, illustrious one, I know it! But why
this madness, and why this mystery? I cannot understand
your actions. I have received severe reprimands from my
sovereign on your account. As you know, I was passing
through the gardens, escorting her to her palace, when
all at once I saw you leaning against a tree. I could
not repress an exclamation, and at my cry she turned
towards me and followed the direction of my eyes. 'Ah!'
she said, 'it is the sight of Nagato that draws such
cries from you. Could you not stifle them, and at least
spare me the sight of your immodest conduct?' Then she
turned and looked at you several times. The anger in her
eyes alarmed me. I dare not appear before her to-morrow,
and I send you this message to beg you not to repeat
these strange visits, which have such fatal consequences
to me. Alas! do you not know that I love you, and need
I repeat it? I will be your wife whenever you wish....
But it pleases you to adore me as if I were an idol in
the pagoda of the Thirty-three thousand three hundred
and thirty-three.[2] If you had not risked your life
repeatedly to see me, I should think you were mocking
me. I entreat you, expose me to no more such reproofs,
and do not forget that I am ready to recognize you as
my lord and master, and that to live by your side is my
dearest desire."
Nagato smiled and slowly closed the roll; he fixed his eyes upon the
streak of light cast on the floor from the window, and seemed lost in
deep revery.
Little Loo was greatly disappointed. He had tried to read over his
master's shoulder; but the roll was written in Chinese characters,
and his knowledge fell short of that. He was quite familiar with the
Kata-Kana, and even knew something of Hira-Kana; but unfortunately was
entirely ignorant of Chinese writing. To hide his vexation, he went to
the window and lifting one corner of the blind, looked out.
"Ah!" he said, "the Prince of Satsuma and the Prince of Aki arrive
together, and their followers look askance atone another. Ah! Satsuma
takes precedence. Oh! oh! there goes the Regent down the avenue. He
glances this way, and laughs when he sees the Prince of Nagato's suite
still standing at the door. He would laugh far louder if he knew how
little progress my master had made in his toilet."
"Let him laugh, Loo! and come here," said the Prince, who had taken
a pencil and roll of paper from his girdle and hastily written a few
words. "Run to the palace and give this to the King."
Loo set off as fast as his legs could carry him, pushing and jostling
those who came in his way to his utmost.
"And now," said Iwakura, "dress me quickly."
His servants clustered about him, and the Prince was soon arrayed in
the broad trailing trousers which make the wearer look as if he were
walking on his knees, and the stiff ceremonial mantle, made still more
heavy by the crest embroidered on its sleeves. The arms of Nagato
consisted of a black bolt surmounting three balls in the form of a
pyramid.
The young man, usually so careful of his dress, paid no attention to
the work of his servants; he did not even glance at the mirror so well
polished by Loo, when the high pointed cap, tied by golden ribbons, was
placed on his head.
As soon as his toilette was complete he left the palace; but so great
was his abstraction that, instead of getting into the norimono awaiting
him in the midst of his escort, he set off on foot, dragging his huge
pantaloons in the sand, and exposing himself to the rays of the sun.
His suite, terrified at this breach of etiquette, followed in utter
disorder, while the spies ordered to watch the actions of the Prince
hastened to report this extraordinary occurrence to their various
masters.
The ramparts of the royal residence at Osaka, thick, lofty walls
flanked at intervals by a semicircular bastion, form a huge square,
which encloses several palaces and vast gardens. To the south and west
the fortress is sheltered by the city; on the north the river which
flows through Osaka widens, and forms an immense moat at the foot of
the rampart; on the east, a narrower stream bounds it. On the platform
of the walls grows a row of centenarian cedars of a sombre verdure,
their level branches projecting horizontally across the battlements.
Within, a second wall, preceded by a moat, encloses the parks and
palaces reserved for the princes and their families. Between this wall
and the ramparts lie the houses of soldiers and officials. A third wall
surrounds the private palace of the Shogun, built upon a hill. This
building is of simple but noble design. Square towers with roof upon
roof rise here and there from the general mass. Marble stair-ways,
bordered by slender lacquer railings, and decorated at the foot by
bronze monsters or huge pottery vases, lead to the outer galleries. The
terrace before the palace is covered with gravel and white sand which
reflects back the splendor of the sun.
In the centre of the edifice stands a large, lofty, and magnificently
ornate square tower. It supports seven roofs, whose angles are bent
upward; on the topmost roof two enormous goldfish[3] writhe and twist,
glittering so that they may be seen from every point of the city.
In that part of the palace nearest to this tower is the Hall of a
Thousand Mats, the meeting-place for the Council.
The lords arrived from all directions, climbed the hill, and moved
towards the central portico of the palace, which opens upon a long
gallery loading directly into the Hall of a Thousand Mats.
This lofty, spacious hall is entirely bare of furniture. Movable
partitions sliding in grooves intersect it and, when closed, form
compartments of various sizes. But the partitions are always opened
wide in such a way as to produce agreeable effects of perspective. The
panels in one compartment are covered with black lacquer decorated
in gold, in another of red lacquer or of Jeseri wood, the veins of
which form natural and pleasing designs. Here, the screen, painted
by a famous artist, is lined with white satin heavily embroidered
with flowers; there, on a dead gold ground, a peach-tree loaded with
its pink blossoms spreads its gnarled branches; or perhaps merely
an irregular sprinkling of black, red, and white dots oil dark wood
dazzles the eye. The mats which cover the floor are snow white, and
fringed with silver.
The nobles, with their loose pantaloons falling below their feet, seem
to move forward on their knees, and their robes brush the mats with
a continuous sound, like the murmur of a waterfall. The spectators,
moreover, preserve a religious silence. The _Hattamotos_, members of
an order of nobility, recently instituted by the Regent, crouch in the
farthest corners, while the _Samurais_, of ancient lineage, owners
of fiefs and vassals of princes, pass these newly made nobles by,
with scornful glances, and come perceptibly closer to the great drawn
curtain veiling the platform reserved for the Shogun. The _Lords of
the Earth_, princes supreme in their own provinces, form a wide circle
before the throne, leaving a free space for the thirteen members of the
Council.
The councillors soon arrive. They salute each other, and exchange a few
words in low voices; then take their places.
On the left, presenting their profile to the drawn curtain, are
the superior councillors. They are five in number, but only four
are present. The nearest to the throne is the Prince of Satsuma, a
venerable old man with a long face full of kindness. Next to him is
spread the mat of the absentee. Then comes the Prince of Satake, who
bites his lip as he carefully arranges the folds of his robe. He is
young, dark-skinned, and his jet black eyes twinkle strangely. Next to
him is established the Prince of Ouesougi, a fat and listless-looking
man. The last is the Prince of Isida, a short, ugly-faced fellow.
The eight inferior councillors crouching opposite the throne are the
princes of Arima, Figo, Wakasa, Aki, Tosa, Ise, and Coroda.
A stir is heard in the direction of the entrance, and every head
is bent to the ground. The Regent advances into the hall. He moves
rapidly, not being embarrassed, like the princes, by the folds of his
trailing trousers, and seat's himself, cross-legged, on a pile of mats
to the right of the throne.
Hieyas was at this time an old man. His back was slightly bent, but
he was broad-shouldered and muscular. His head, entirely shaven,
revealed a high forehead, with prominent eyebrows. His thin lips,
cruel and obstinate in expression, were deeply marked at the corners
with downward wrinkles. His cheek-bones were extremely marked, and his
prominent eyes flashed forth abrupt and insincere glances.
As he entered, he cast an evil look, accompanied by a half-smile,
towards the vacant place of the Prince of Nagato. But when the curtain
rose, the Shogun appeared, leaning with one hand on the shoulder of his
youthful councillor.
The Regent frowned.
All the spectators prostrated themselves, pressing their foreheads on
the ground. When they rose, the Prince of Nagato had taken his place
with the rest.
Fide-Yori seated himself, and motioned to Hieyas that he might speak.
Then the Regent read various unimportant reports,--nominations of
magistrates, movements of the troops on the frontier, the change of
residence of a governor whose term had expired. Hieyas explained
briefly and volubly the reasons which had actuated him. The councillors
ran their eyes over the manuscripts, and having no objection to make,
acquiesced by a gesture. But soon the Regent folded all these papers
and handed them to a secretary stationed near him; then resumed his
speech, after first coughing:--
"I called this special meeting to-day," he said, "that its members
might share the fears which I have conceived for the tranquillity of
the kingdom, on learning that the severe supervision ordered over
the European bonzes and such Japanese as have embraced their strange
doctrine, are strangely relaxed, and that they have resumed their
dangerous intrigues against the public peace. I therefore demand the
enforcement of the law decreeing the extermination of all Christians."
A singular uproar arose in the assembly,--a mixture of approval,
surprise, cries of horror and of anger.
"Would you witness a renewal of the hideous and bloody scenes whose
terror still lingers in our minds?" cried the Prince of Satake with his
wonted animation.
"It is odd to affirm that poor people who preach nothing but virtue and
concord can disturb the peace of an empire," said Nagato.
"The Daimio speaks well," said the Prince of Satsuma; "it is impossible
for the bonzes of Europe to have any effect upon the tranquillity of
the kingdom. It is therefore useless to disturb them."
But Hieyas addressed himself directly to Fide-Yori.
"Master," said he, "since no one will share my anxiety, I must inform
you that a dreadful rumor is beginning to circulate among the nobles
and among the people."
He paused a moment, to add solemnity to his words.
"It is said that he who is still under my guardianship, the future
ruler of Japan, our gracious lord, Fide-Yori, has embraced the
Christian faith."
An impressive silence followed these words. The spectators exchanged
glances which said clearly that they had heard the report, which might
have a solid basis.
Fide-Yori took up the word.
"And should a calumny spread by ill-intentioned persons be avenged upon
the innocent I I command that the Christians shall not be molested in
any way. My father, I regret it, thought it his duty to pursue with his
wrath and to exterminate those unhappy men; but I swear, while I live,
not one drop of their blood shall be shed."
Hieyas was stupefied by the resolute accent of the young Shogun; for
the first time he spoke as a master, and commanded. He bowed in sign of
submission, and made no objection. Fide-Yori had attained his majority,
and if he was not yet proclaimed Shogun it was because Hieyas was in
no haste to lay down his power. He did not, therefore, wish to enter
into open strife with his ward. He set the question aside for the time
being, and passed to something else.
"I am told," he said, "that a nobleman was attacked and wounded last
night on the Kioto road. I do not yet know the name of this noble;
but perhaps the Prince of Nagato, who was at Kioto last night, heard
something of this adventure?"
"Ah! you know that I was at Kioto," muttered the Prince; "then I
understand why there were assassins on my path."
"How could Nagato be at Osaka and at Kioto at one and the same time?"
asked the Prince of Satake. "There is nothing talked of this morning
but the water-party which he gave last night, and which ended so
merrily with a fight between the lords and the sailors from the shore."
"I even got a scratch in the squabble," said Nagato, smiling.
"The Prince traverses in a few hours distances that others would take a
day to go over," said Hieyas; "that's all. Only, he does not spare his
horses; every time he comes back to the palace, his animal falls down
dead."
The Prince of Nagato turned pale, and felt for the sword missing from
his girdle.
"I did not suppose that your anxious care extended even to the beasts
of the kingdom," said he, with an insolent irony. "I thank you in the
name of my dead horses."
The Shogun, full of alarm, cast supplicating glances at Nagato. But
it seemed as if the Regent's patience were proof against all trials
to-day. He smiled and made no reply.
However, Fide-Yori saw that anger smouldered in his friend's soul;
and dreading some fresh outburst, he put an end to the council by
withdrawing.
Almost immediately one of the palace guards informed the Prince of
Nagato that the Shogun was asking for him. The Prince said a pleasant
word to several nobles, bowed to the rest, and left the hall without
turning his head in the direction of Hieyas.
When he reached the apartments of the Shogun, he heard a woman's voice,
petulant, and at the same time complaining. He caught his own name.
"I have heard all," said the voice,--"your refusal to accede to the
wishes of the Regent, whom you suffered to be insulted before your very
eyes by the Prince of Nagato, whose impudence is truly incomparable;
and the rare patience of Hieyas, who did not take up the insult from
respect for you, from pity for him whom you believe to be your friend,
in your ignorance of men."
Nagato recognized the speaker as the Shogun's mother, the beautiful and
haughty Yodogimi.
"Mother," said the Shogun, "turn your thoughts to embroidery and dress:
that is woman's sphere."
Nagato entered hurriedly, that he might not longer be an unsuspected
listener.
"My gracious master asked for me," he said. Yodogimi turned and blushed
slightly on seeing the Prince, who bowed low before her.
"I have something to say to you," said the Shogun.
"Then I will retire," said Yodogimi bitterly, "and go back to my
embroidery."
She crossed the room slowly, rustling her trailing silken robes, and
casting as she went out a singular look at Nagato, compounded of
coquetry and hate.
"You heard my mother," said Fide-Yori.
"Yes," said Nagato.
"Every one is anxious to detach me from you, my friend: what can be
their motive?"
"Your mother is blinded by some calumny," said the Prince; "the others
see in me a clear-sighted foe, who can outwit the plots which they
contrive against you."
"It was of a plot I wished to speak to you."
"Against your life?"
"Precisely. It was revealed to me in a strange fashion, and I
can scarcely credit it; yet I cannot resist a certain feeling of
uneasiness. To-morrow, at the feast of the God of the Sea, a bridge
will give way beneath me."
"Horrible!" cried Nagato. "Do not go to the feast."
"If I stay away," said Fide-Yori, "I shall never know the truth, for
the plot will not be carried out. But if I go to the feast," he added
with a smile, "if the conspiracy really exist, the truth would be
somewhat difficult of proof."
"To be sure," said Nagato. "Still, our doubts must be set at rest; some
means must be found. Is your route fixed?"
"Hieyas has arranged it."
Fide-Yori took a roll of paper from a low table and read:--
"Yedogava Quay, Fishmarket Square, Sycamore Street, seashore. Return by
Bamboo Hill and Swallow bridge.
"The wretches!" cried Iwakura; "that is the bridge swung across the
valley!"
"The place would be well chosen indeed," said the Shogun.
"It must be that bridge; those crossing the countless city canals would
not expose you to death by crumbling under your feet, but at the utmost
to a disagreeable bath."
"True," said Fide-Yori; "and from the Swallow bridge I should be hurled
upon the rocks."
"Have you full trust in my friendship for you?" asked the Prince of
Nagato, after a moment's thought.
"Can you doubt it, Iwakura?" said the Shogun.
"Very well, then. Fear nothing, feign complete ignorance, let them lead
the way, and march straight up to the bridge. I have thought of a way
to save you, and yet discover the truth."
"I trust myself to you, friend, in perfect confidence."
"Then let me go; I must have time to carry out my scheme."
"Go, Prince; I place my life in your hands untremblingly," said the
Shogun.
Nagato hastened away, first saluting the king, who replied by a
friendly gesture.
[1] Noble officer in the service of a daimio or prince.
[2] Temple at Kioto containing 33,333 idols.
[3] These fish actually exist, and are valued at an immense sum, many
placing it as high as a million dollars.