Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa [299]
After sending the shopgirl to buy sandals, he sat down on the edge of a stool and tightened his obi and the cord under it. Removing his loose-fitting coat and folding it neatly, he borrowed paper and brush and wrote a brief note, folded it and slipped it into the sleeve of the coat. He then called to the old man crouched beside the hearth in the room behind the shop, whom he took to be the proprietor. “Would you keep this coat for me? If I don’t return by eleven o’clock, please take it to the Ōgiya and give it to a man called Kōetsu. There’s a letter for him inside the sleeve.”
The man said he’d be glad to help, and on being asked, informed Musashi it was only about seven o’clock, the watchman having just passed and announced the hour.
When the girl returned with the sandals, Musashi examined the thongs to make sure the plait was not too tight, then tied them on over his leather socks. Handing the shopkeeper more money than was necessary, he picked up a new basket hat and went outside. Instead of tying the hat on, he held it over his head to keep off the snow, which fell in flakes softer than cherry blossoms.
Lights were visible along the riverbank at Shijō Avenue, but to the east, in the Gion woods, it was pitch black, except for widely scattered patches of light from stone lanterns. The deathly stillness was broken only sporadically, by the noise of snow sliding off a branch.
In front of a shrine gate about twenty men knelt in prayer, facing the deserted buildings. The temple bells in the nearby hills had just pealed five times, marking the hour of eight. On this particular night the loud, clear sound of the bells seemed to penetrate to the pit of the stomach.
“That’s enough praying,” said Denshichirō. “Let’s be on our way.”
As they started off, one of the men asked Denshichirō if the thongs of his sandals were all right. “On a freezing night like this, if they’re too tight, they’ll break.”
“They’re fine. When it’s this cold, the only thing to do is use cloth thongs. You’d better remember that.”
At the shrine, Denshichirō had completed his battle preparations, down to the headband and the leather sleeve thong. Surrounded by his grim-faced retinue, he strode across the snow, taking long deep breaths and emitting puffs of white vapor.
The challenge delivered to Musashi had specified the area behind the Rengeōin at nine o’clock. Fearing, or professing to fear, that if they gave Musashi any extra time he might flee, never to return, the Yoshiokas had decided to act quickly. Hyōsuke had remained in the vicinity of Shōyū’s house, but had sent his two comrades to report on the situation.
Approaching the Rengeōin, they saw a bonfire near the back of the temple. “Who’s that?” asked Denshichirō.
“It’s probably Ryōhei and Jūrōzaemon.”
“They’re here too?” said Denshichirō with a trace of annoyance. “There are too many of our men present. I don’t want people saying Musashi lost only because he was attacked by a large force.”
“When the time comes, we’ll go away.”
The main temple building, the Sanjūsangendō, extended through thirty-three column spans. Behind it was a large open space ideal for practicing archery and long used for that purpose. This association with one of the martial arts was what had induced Denshichirō to choose the Rengeōin for his encounter with Musashi. Denshichirō and his men were satisfied with the choice. There were some pine trees, enough to keep the landscape from being barren, but no weeds or rushes to get in the way during the course of the fight.
Ryōhei and Jūrōzaemon rose to greet Denshichirō, Ryōhei saying, “You’ve had a cold walk, I imagine. There’s still plenty of time. Sit down and warm yourself.”
Silently, Denshichirō seated himself in the place Ryōhei had vacated. He stretched his hands out over the flames and cracked his knuckles, one finger at a time. “I guess I’m too early,” he said. His face, warmed by the fire, had already taken on a bloodthirsty look. Frowning, he asked, “Didn’t we pass a teahouse on the way?”
“Yes, but it was closed.”
“One of you go and get some sake.