THE DAIMYO'S ARREST
Daikomitsu proceeded directly to Tokyo, and upon his arrival found the
shogun's party considerably stirred up over what threatened to become a
serious breach. It had been strongly hinted by some of Ikamon's enemies
that the lord daimyo of Kanazawa had withdrawn in disgust, and for no
other reason than a hearty dislike of his son-in-law's encouragement of
everything foreign. There was also gaining ground a feeling that the
crafty minister had used too much to his own advantage the powers of the
shogun. Notwithstanding this latter charge, the real cause for
dissension centred in the growing distrust of the foreigners. Here as in
Kyoto it had already become the main issue, and strong overtures were
being made to some of the leaders in the mikado's ranks for a coalition
of all the anti-foreign forces.
Upon Daikomitsu's return to the scene at Tokyo he was showered with
every consideration. In fact some of the more ardent openly stated that
he had come as the secret envoy of the mikado, for the express purpose
of encouraging a friendly understanding between the two heads of
government on that subject.
Ikamon was not at all pleased with these friendly demonstrations,
because things had so shaped themselves that he could not recede from
the position taken had he so desired or thought best. He had used his
influence with the shogunate to stamp approval only upon such foreign
measures as he had been forced to concede, rather than involve the
nation in open hostilities with the powers; which he knew full well
would have been practical suicide. As a result of these several
contentions there had sprung up, among a few of the more radical of the
prime minister's foes, a demand for the regency of Hitotsubashi, and
whisperings of Daikomitsu as a possible successor to Ikamon himself. It
had already come to Ikamon's ears that even Tetsutaisho had listened to
the rumors with indifference, whereupon the prime minister sought an
interview with Daikomitsu and undertook to wrest from him a definite
understanding. The easy-going scholar, of course, denied any such
thought as disloyalty to a friend, and carelessly went so far as to
suggest stringent measures.
"This unrest must be checked in some way," said he to Ikamon, a day or
so before he had fully made up his mind to return to Kyoto. "Why, it is
rumoured that even Maido is in some way dissatisfied. Yet I should
sooner think it his son, Shibusawa, were he in a position to speak."
"I will admit a drag-net might surprise the most sanguine these
days--still, Maido is beyond question. When he has proven false, then it
is high time for such as you and I to indulge a quicker spirit. In the
meantime let us not abstain too much from the liquor--this the golden
wine that kissed the wood these forty years or more--and here is to
'longer friendship'," said Ikamon, as he raised the bowl to his own
lips, then passed it to his guest.
"And a 'better understanding'," answered Daikomitsu, as he emptied the
contents and filled again the cup for his host.
After this last interview Daikomitsu concluded he had best get away from
the scene of his rising popularity, so he immediately returned to Kyoto,
where he found Takara anxiously engaged about the daimyos' meeting,
which had already been planned. She had talked with Kido and others, and
according to her version none had seemed to object and all promised to
take part in the proceedings. Just what the plans really were, no one
claimed to know or greatly care; nor did she herself apparently have a
very clear understanding. It was her maiden effort in politics, and she
knew only that something must be done. Perhaps she had been advised by
Kido, who was pre-eminently qualified and probably not reluctant.
Possibly she took a woman's course, and put in motion all her forces at
the first impulse. However that may have been, the call was duly made
and all responded. Daikomitsu had in person carried the invitation to
Maido, and to make certain his response remained there until proper to
go.
After the daimyos had assembled, including all the southern sympathisers
and many from the north, it soon became apparent that an effort would be
made to pledge a united support to a measure intended to expel the
foreigners.
Maido had gone there with no intention of joining any such movement, in
fact had never surmised its proposal; nor did he afterwards discover
that he had really been tricked. Saigo was extremely anxious to get the
tacit if not active support of Kanazawa, and in consequence had at an
early day cautioned Kido to lose no chance to cultivate a friendly
relation with the lord daimyo. Kido, too, appreciated the benefits
necessarily to result from such a policy, could they but secure his
friendship, though they failed of an alliance. Being not only a very
wise statesman, but an adroit politician, Kido recognised Takara's
relation to Maido's family and counted the power of woman in matters of
state, had she the aptitude and could she be induced to venture.
Therefore he used the first opportunity to gratify the mikado's daughter
in her ambition and thus further their cause; though the consequences
proved to be far more startling than even he had dared to think.
The reception accorded the lord daimyo upon his arrival at Kyoto pleased
him very much, and he felt glad indeed for an opportunity to visit his
daughter-in-law. While living at his house in Tokyo she had endeared
herself to him, and though he realised Shibusawa's indifference he may
have had some hope that this visit might result in at least a partial
reconciliation. He knew that originally the marriage had been a sad
mistake, but somehow began to feel that possibly in the end it might
resolve itself into a useful if not a happy union. He had finally
responded to the invitation with such a thought uppermost in his mind,
and without paying any attention to the daimyos' meeting sought while
there to devote himself to Takara.
In fact, he had been present only at the passage of one measure; and
then was so engaged by Daikomitsu, who accompanied him and had induced
him to attend, that he gained little understanding of what actually took
place. Nor did he take a copy of the document, when the final draft was
submitted to him, but allowed his supposed friend the privilege, eagerly
taken, of placing it hastily in his girdle; afterwards striding off
pleasantly, together, toward Takara's house.
"It is a capital idea," said the younger man, as they approached the
marble doorstep. "I want to have you entertain a more friendly feeling
toward our people, if not our cause."
"I am at peace with all the world," answered Maido, heartily.
"Then we are already on friendly terms."
"I trust so."
"And there is a reason."
"Maido never betrayed a friend."
"Nor formed a friendship in vain."
They had seated themselves in the guests' hall, at Takara's invitation,
and were enjoying their pipes and tobacco. Neither had spoken a word to
break the silence for some time, when suddenly Maido said:
"The document, Daikomitsu. Let us see what these lords and barons have
been up to."
"Oh, some letter of the mikado's, I believe," said Daikomitsu,
unconcernedly, though he trembled perceptibly as he drew it from his
girdle and tossed it toward his companion.
"Some friendly encouragement, I presume."
"Yes, in relation to the foreigners, I believe."
"Of course," said the elder, as he drew a long whiff and sat blowing the
smoke through his nostrils.
The lord daimyo paid no heed to the--as he supposed innocent--document
which lay at his side, but continued the conversation as if he preferred
more to hear his friend's explanation.
Presently Takara came in and seated herself at her father-in-law's side.
Thereat the subject of conversation changed and Maido picked up the
dainty roll of paper and tossing it at Takara told her to take care of
it until he should want it. She caught it and after a while, when the
men were occupied, carelessly unrolled it, and read from beginning to
end. As she did this Daikomitsu watched her closely; he twitched
nervously and coloured noticeably, though taking care not to attract
Maido's attention.
Takara read on without observing either of her audience, and when
finished smiled with a sense of satisfaction. Then re-rolling the paper
and replacing the dainty silk which held it, she tucked it away in the
sleeve of her kimono.
The measure in question was nothing more than the endorsement of a
letter which purported to have been written by the mikado, addressed to
the daimyos there assembled, individually and collectively. The
endorsement was in the nature of a resolution passed in open assembly,
only by the assent of the daimyos; a copy of the letter and resolution,
bearing all their names, having been handed to each, his silence being
deemed a sufficient approval. The letter recommended that they consult
with certain leaders of the bakufu, at Tokyo and elsewhere, named
therein at the instance of Daikomitsu, and that they organise a movement
to drive out the foreigners and thereby satisfy the demands of the
people and restore peace in the land. As a precaution against being
found out by the powers at Tokyo, no extra copies were issued, and none
not liable, excepting only Daikomitsu, had been allowed to be present.
Takara and her company continued to sit until presently the conversation
drifted to things of interest about her home life; whereupon she
proposed they stroll through the gardens and enjoy the early cherry
blossoms. To this the men agreed, and she courtesied and retired to her
own apartments to make ready for the walk.
Entering her own chamber Takara took the document from her sleeve and
hastily placing it in a lacquered chest carelessly dropped the lid with
a loud report. Turning quickly around, she observed that she had not
closed after her the partitions and that Daikomitsu could have seen her,
though he had turned his face and was not then looking. Closing her room
she proceeded with her toilet, soon after joining again the party, all
of whom strolled out into the garden.
They had not been there long, however, before Daikomitsu excused himself
and went away, failing to come back again; and when Takara returned to
her room she did not remember to look for the paper which she had
secreted in her toilet case. In fact, it had entirely escaped her, and
she also failed to think of it when Maido later on prepared to take his
departure; nor did she afterwards call it to mind, until too late.
Daikomitsu had watched her, and from the closing of the lid knew just
where to look for the copy of the letter and resolution; and upon
excusing himself in the garden, stole to her room, and taking the
instrument gave it to a waiting messenger, who bore it directly to
Ikamon. It proved to be Daikomitsu's golden opportunity, and he grasped
it eagerly and effectively. He had in one act proved his loyalty to
Ikamon and laid open the way to success, for which he had become eager
and in his own easy way sagacious.
Such a sweeping disclosure as this purported to be, though Ikamon had
had a thorough understanding with Daikomitsu before the latter's
departure for Kyoto, could hardly have been so soon expected. The prime
minister's self-constituted spy had promised something interesting; but
that he should forthwith be able to return an official document
implicating so large a number of powerful daimyos--including his own
father-in-law and nearly thirty of the bakufu of his own city--in a plot
that threatened his own safety and endangered the shogunate, was beyond
his comprehension. At first he was dumfoundered, but having fought his
way thus far he did not propose to be outwitted. So he pondered the
situation over night and the next morning called Jigokumon, keeper of
the torments, and questioned him about the capacity of the dungeons.
Then he said to him:
"Make ready the cellar of torture, and see to it that the slow fires are
well kindled and the red light plentiful, and that the sulphur pots are
all filled afresh. Be careful lest there be one among your lackeys who
betrays you, for Jigokumon shall suffer the consequences."
Then he began preparing a list of the condemned; taking particular pains
to include all of the bakufu whose names appeared in the letter supplied
through Daikomitsu, and as many of the daimyos as he thought it
practicable to arrest without warlike resistance. In all there were
thirty daimyos and twenty-seven bakufu. For these he issued a warrant in
the name of the shogun, commanding the officer of the guard forthwith to
bring their bodies before the law, that they might be judged as to their
disloyalty, the crime charged. Having duly issued and delivered the
writ, his reflections grew, until finally the enormity of the situation
had so fixed itself upon his susceptive nature that no punishment seemed
severe enough to fit the case.
At first he inclined toward excusing Maido, but upon reflection changed
his mind and left his name upon the list; and as time went on and he
dwelt upon the matter he conjured up the most hearty distrust of his
father-in-law, and finally in his own mind ranked him the most dangerous
enemy of them all. He said to himself:
"I can now understand why the daimyo wished to withdraw from the
capital. How I was led into letting him go! A swifter vengeance could
not have been less deserved."
The quickness of Ikamon's discovery of the plot and the suddenness with
which he acted so startled them and overcame opposition that not one
escaped; but all were promptly arrested and thrown into Ikamon's
dungeon, where they remained stunned and overwhelmed, awaiting their
doom. Probably the most heart-broken and puzzled of the many was Maido,
for he had no inkling of such a thing and certainly knew of no reason
why he should be so treated; though high-handed proceedings were not at
all uncommon even in that late day.
At first he inclined toward treating the whole matter as a joke, and
finally upon his departure told Shibusawa that he should not remain a
martyr, but would return a Maido.
"I trust so," said the doubtful son, as they saluted a last farewell and
the father started off, all fettered and bound.
Maido did not deign to think that anything more than some trivial
misunderstanding had arisen, and that upon his arrival at Tokyo
everything would be satisfactorily explained and he would be accounted
the abused rather than condemned as accused. Shibusawa had less
confidence in Ikamon and was more doubtful, still he did not believe
anything serious would come of it, otherwise he would have resisted the
arrest. In talking the matter over with his son, before being carried
away, Maido recalled the fact of having left with Takara the only bit of
evidence he had received of his participation in the daimyos' meeting.
He remembered having given her the document after talking it over with
Daikomitsu, and said:
"I will ask for it, and Takara will send it forthwith to Tokyo. It sets
forth all that to which I am a party, and will be a complete
vindication. Daikomitsu knows its contents, and it could not be in safer
hands than Takara's."
"I do not too much like Daikomitsu," said Shibusawa anxiously. "He is
profuse, and has a purpose."
"Even so, Takara can be trusted. Do you know, I believe my presence was
desired more by her than the mikado? And really she is a grand woman. I
trust you will know more of her, and it is my hope that you may like her
better. She desires it, I fancy."
After Maido's departure, Shibusawa recalled the circumstance and felt
much annoyed at the part Daikomitsu had played in connection with his
father's presence at Kyoto. He had come to know his wife's former lover
very well from his repeated visits to Kanazawa in the winter, and was
not much impressed with his sincerity. He had also gathered the
impression that the apparent dullard had far greater ambitions than
generally accredited, and felt suspicious of the close relation that
seemed still to exist between Daikomitsu and Takara.
In his limited acquaintance with his wife Shibusawa had formed the
impression that she was rather a clever woman, and now that she too
appeared recently to have taken much interest in Maido, and gained
possession of his only evidence of vindication, he could not resist
connecting the two and believing them implicated in some plot to
embarrass his aged father, if not to be rid of him entirely. He did not
like the look of the situation, and the more he studied the darker it
grew.