The Heike Story (66 page)

The Nose was the commonest of the common people; but his wife, Umeno, was of noble descent. Kiyomori saw to it that Bamboku was named Warden of the Kamo River—a post with authority over petty officials and workmen in charge of riparian works on the Kamo; the office, moreover, was equivalent to the Fifth Rank and required Bamboku to wear the robes of that rank on all state occasions.

"Yes, a title is all very well, but these clothes are certainly uncomfortable!" Bamboku exclaimed to himself one day while on his way home. "I must find some place to stretch." Then it suddenly occurred to him that Kichiji, the gold-merchant from the northeast, was visiting the capital. He immediately set out for Kichiji's lodgings in the gay quarters at Horikawa, a district lying along a canal lined with willow trees.

"Is Master Kichiji in? I'm the Warden of the Kamo River," Red-Nose announced to a maidservant whom he saw as he entered the gate.

The servant, mumbling indistinctly, disappeared into the house, where Kichiji was in close conversation with a caller. Kichiji was puzzled.

"Warden of the Kamo River—who is it, anyway? I don't know anyone by that name."

His visitor laughed. "That must be Master Red-Nose. He was named Warden of the Kamo River at the awarding of the New Year's honors, you know."

"Ah—the Nose! An important guest—show him to your best room," Kichiji directed, and then continued to talk to his visitor, a familiar figure in this quarter, where he was known as "the Serpent." His business was the buying and selling of women and children.

"That makes it a total of seventeen women we've bought since last autumn—including yesterday's," Kichiji said.

"Yes, and at that I've had great trouble filling your orders, sir, for there aren't too many beauties to be found even in the capital "

"Well, I'll be back in a year or two, but I want you to keep an eye out in the meantime."

"Yes, sir, that I'll do. As a matter of fact I've found one in the slums on the Street of the Ox-Dealers."

"How old is she?"

"Only thirteen."

"That won't matter. I'll keep her as a servant in my house until she's older. I'll take her with me when I leave."

"There's one thing, though—the girl's attached to her parents, who are miserably poor. They love the girl and won't say yes. The father's bedridden and they're heavily in debt. Don't even know where the next meal's coming from—but what a beauty!"

"Is she really?"

"I'm not exaggerating if I say she'd compare with the most beautiful at Court."

"A pity—"

"Well, there's no reason why something can't be done about it."

"You mean money would do it, eh?"

"That you know best, sir." The Serpent laughed slyly, a greedy grin twisting his lips.

Kichiji visited the capital every two or three years, and always lodged at the same house in the gay quarters, where he spent lavishly. As many of his transactions were for the Chieftain Hidehira, a name in the northeast, Kichiji was known to every merchant in Kyoto. His business was to acquire every kind of luxury goods for his patron—works of art and even beautiful women— in exchange for the placer gold, horses, lacquerware, and silks he brought from the northeast.

Hidehira's grandfather, the first chieftain, a Fujiwara, had dreamed of building a capital in the barbarous northernmost province of Michinoku, once the territory of the subjugated aborigines, the Ainu. It was to be a metropolis rivaling the grandeur of Kyoto, and the work still went on.

Kichiji, whose mission was completed after several months in the capital, was again disappointed at not having many beautiful young women to take back with him. It was not his practice to kidnap or traffic in women and children, but he offered large sums of money and guarantees of good living-conditions to whoever was willing to go to the northeast. Since Michinoku offered few attractions to those who might otherwise go there, Kichiji was obliged to call on the Serpent to help him in his search for beautiful women.

The maidservant appeared once more to say: "The Warden of the Kamo River says he will call again, if you're busy today, sir."

"Well, Serpent," Kichiji said, pausing on the threshold to dismiss the man, "if you can manage it before I leave, I'll take a look at this girl."

Bamboku was ushered in.

"I must apologize to you for keeping you."

"Not at all, Kichiji, I'm afraid I am interrupting," Bamboku replied.

"No, I'm free now. It was good of you to come. As a matter of fact, I shall be leaving in a day or two and thought of paying you a call. . . . But this is most fortunate."

"Just as I thought," Bamboku interjected. "A little sudden perhaps, but it occurred to me that you might have the time to drink with me this evening before you go."

"Excellent!—though this is hardly the place to invite you."

"Not in the least. But you're to be my guest. A change of scene will do you good, and if you don't object we'll go to one of my favorite houses," Red-Nose insisted, leading the way.

Red-Nose bellowed for the proprietress as he stalked in familiarly. "Taji! Taji! It's I—Bamboku! Is the Violet Room to be had?"

As soon as the two were settled in a room looking out on an elegant inner garden, Red-Nose drew a writing-set to him and quickly wrote a note, addressed it, and then called for a servant, to whom he gave some directions, adding: "Get a runner to take it. Right away—now!"

A sumptuous meal appeared with the wine, but only servants waited on Red-Nose and his guest, for, unlike most establishments of this kind, the proprietress prided herself on her clientele and the excellence of her accomplished entertainers, who appeared only at the request of select guests, and even then only to dance and sing.

It was late and they were well in their cups when Red-Nose insisted on having several dancing-girls sent him; he asked for them by name, and exerted himself to entertain Kichiji.

"When do you expect to be back—next year, perhaps?"

"No, I can't say. . . . But I expect to make another trip in about three years."

"Well, Kichiji, next time you're here, you won't need to stay at Horikawa, since my villa will be at your disposal."

"Your villa—where is it?"

"That's what I'm planning now. And, Master Kichiji, just say where you want it, and it'll be done."

"I'm tempted to accept the offer. Some place with a fine view."

"It shall be done—and you'll bring a little more of your gold with you, eh? This last supply—well, I'm not too happy doing business on such a miserable scale. You may think I'm bragging, but —with overseas trade in mind—you brought me barely enough to meet orders for gold lacquerware alone from my customers in the capital."

Kichiji laughed. "Master Nose, you've had quite a bit to drink, and you talk big."

"No, I'm not lying."

"I don't say you're lying, but you must be exaggerating. I doubt that the amount of gold I bring here can be equaled by what's found elsewhere in Japan. Well, well, being made the Warden of the Kamo River and an officer of the Fifth Rank may have something to do with your exuberance, but the Heike aren't the only ones who count, nor Kyoto the only place to live. Pay us a visit just once in the northeast and look around for yourself."

The Nose roared with laughter. "Bragging about your part of the country, eh? I like what you say about the capital—'not the only place to live'!—I'll make a point of visiting you in Michinoku."

"I'll show you around myself."

"Master Kichiji, I'm not convinced that you're only a merchant."

"Hmm—what makes you say that?"

"You think I don't know better? You're a warrior! You're Hidehira's retainer or have a title of some sort, I can see. You don't have to hide it from me. Bamboku of Fifth Avenue is a broad-minded fellow, I assure you. You'll find out for yourself on long acquaintance."

Kichiji gave the Nose a wry smile. "Hmm, that may be so," he replied, adding nothing more, for unlike the loquacious Bamboku, Kichiji was reserved, a taciturn northerner.

"I feel it a compliment to be taken for a warrior in these times. ... As you know, Master Nose, I travel thousands of miles on horseback carrying untold wealth in gold with me. I may be a merchant at heart, but it takes the courage of a warrior to travel as I do—particularly in dangerous times like these."

"Quite so, quite so. Stands to reason. I was merely joking just now. Come to think of it—I wonder what's happened to my friend. He should be here by now."

"Who's this?"

"He used to be a court secretary—Tokitada—Kiyomori's brother-in-law. I wanted him to meet you."

"Yes, yes, we mentioned that once before, and I'm quite anxious myself to make his acquaintance."

A messenger soon returned to say that Tokitada was not at home and not expected back that night.

Red-Nose and his guest were reeling drunk by now. After some time, roused from their stupor, they made their way home in the early dawn.

Several days later Tokitada brought his carriage to a stop in front of Red-Nose's shop on Fifth Avenue, but did not alight.

"Bamboku, Bamboku! ... Is Bamboku there?" he called out at the shop-front.

Some clerks in the shop heard Tokitada, but paid no attention to him.

"Bamboku? Who is Bamboku, sir?" a clerk finally asked, approaching the carriage.

"Master Red-Nose—"

"Oh, the master is it, sir?"

Red-Nose came hurrying from his warehouses.

"Ah, it's you, sir! Come round to the house," he greeted him.

"No, I'm on my way to the honorable Yorimori's right now. Can't be bothered getting down, so I'll talk to you here."

"Are you in a hurry? What can I do for you, sir?"

"Nothing—but a message from Rokuhara. I don't know what's wanted, but you're to come to the rose court about sundown when the lamps are lit."

"Hmm . . ." the Nose ruminated. "Something displeasing him?"

"He didn't seem out of sorts, so you needn't worry. . . . And by the way, Bamboku, you sound quite concerned, but he's clay in your hands, isn't he?"

"Dear me, no! I'd never say that of my lord—his terrible temper and all, but clay—never!"

Tokitada laughed until his carriage rocked. "Bamboku—you, I just wanted to see how you'd take it. You're a comical sight, puffing and protesting until that nose of yours turns even redder! But there's a good side to you, too."

"Now, did you come all the way out here to make jokes at my expense?"

"Here, Bamboku, don't take it so hard. Just the sight of your nose is enough to make anyone feel gay. What does your wife say to your nose in her sleep?"

"I'm afraid you've been drinking, sir, even before you arrive at your host's."

"It's still the New Year—no wars—the best New Year in years. . . . Yes, and that reminds me—I'm sorry I was away when your messenger came. Who's this fellow you wanted me to meet?"

"You must have heard of him—Kichiji, the gold-merchant from the northeast."

"Yes, I've heard of him."

"I've noticed some things that make me think he's here for something more than business. I suspect that Hidehira is sending him here to smell out a few things, and I thought it might be worth your while to look the fellow over yourself."

"Ah, that's it, is it? Is this Kichiji staying in the capital much longer?"

"He leaves early tomorrow for the northeast, he says. I thought of seeing him off."

"Good! I'll be there, too. . . . But I'll go in disguise, remember that now." With these words Tokitada drew the carriage blinds.

The following morning Red-Nose accompanied Kichiji as far as one of the city gates, where a large crowd of men and women had gathered to take leave of him.

"Yes, I'll be back before long—in two or three years," Kichiji said affably from his saddle, a courteous word and bow to each of his well-wishers. "You'll make the parting harder for me by coming much farther, so let me say good-by to you all here, and with the best of wishes."

Kichiji finally started away uphill and the crowd gradually dispersed. His servants, grooms, and pack-horses waited for him some distance away. Suddenly Kichiji heard someone behind at the foot of the hill calling to him to stop. The man finally caught up with him on the crest of the hill. He was out of breath and unable to utter a word.