Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa [370]
At the threshold of the parlor, he was greeted by a man’s voice. “Well, well, if it isn’t my friend Inugami Sensei!”
For a moment, Matahachi thought it was a case of mistaken identity, but when he looked into the room, the face seemed vaguely familiar.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Have you forgotten Sasaki Kojirō?”
“No,” Matahachi replied quickly. “But why do you call me Inugami? My name’s Hon’iden, Hon’iden Matahachi.”
“I know, but I always remember you as you were that night on Gojō Avenue, making funny faces at a pack of stray curs. I think Inugami—god of the dogs—is a good name for you.”
“Cut it out! That’s nothing to joke about. I had a terrible time that night, thanks to you.”
“I don’t doubt it. In fact, I sent for you today because I want to do you a
good turn for a change. Come in, have a seat. Give the man some sake, girls.” “I can’t stay. I have to meet someone in Seta. I can’t afford to get drunk
today.”
“Who are you meeting?”
“A man by the name of Miyamoto. He’s a childhood friend of mine, and—” “Miyamoto Musashi? Did you make an appointment with him when you were at the inn in the pass?”
“How did you know?”
“Oh, I’ve heard all about you, all about Musashi too. I met your mother—Osugi, is it?—at the main hall on Mount Hiei. She told me about all the troubles she’s gone through.”
“You talked to my mother?”
“Yes. She’s a splendid woman. I admire her, and so do all the priests on Mount Hiei. I tried to give her some encouragement.” Rinsing his cup in a bowl of water, he offered it to Matahachi and continued: “Here, let’s drink together and wash away our old enmity. There’s no reason to worry about Musashi if you’ve got Sasaki Kojirō on your side.”
Matahachi refused the cup.
“Why don’t you drink?”
“I can’t. I have to go.”
As Matahachi started to get up, Kojirō grabbed him tightly by the wrist, saying, “Sit down!”
“But Musashi’s waiting.”
“Don’t be an ass! If you attack Musashi by yourself, he’ll kill you instantly.” “You’ve got it all wrong! He promised to help me. I’m going with him to Edo to make a new start in life.”
“You mean you’d rely on a man like Musashi?”
“Oh, I know, a lot of people say he’s no good. But that’s because my mother’s gone around slandering him. But she’s wrong, has been all along. Now that I’ve talked to him, I’m more sure of that than ever. He’s my friend, and I’m going to learn from him so that I can make something of myself too. Even if it is a little late in the day.”
Roaring with laughter, Kojirō slapped the tatami with his hand. “How could you be so innocent? Your mother told me you were unusually naive, but to be taken in by—”
“That’s not true! Musashi’s—”
“Just be quiet! Listen. In the first place, how could you think of betraying your own mother by siding with her enemy? It’s inhuman. Even I, a total stranger, was so moved by that valiant old lady that I swore to give her all the support I can.”
“I don’t care what you think. I’m going to meet Musashi, and don’t try to stop me. You, girl, bring my kimono! It should be dry by now.”
Raising his drunken eyes, Kojirō commanded, “Don’t touch it until I tell you to. Now look, Matahachi, if you plan to go with Musashi, you should at least talk to your mother first.”
“I’m going on to Edo with Musashi. If I make something of myself there, the whole problem will solve itself.”
“That sounds like something Musashi would say. In fact, I’d bet he put the words in your mouth. Anyway, wait till tomorrow, and I’ll go with you to look for your mother. You have to listen to her opinion before you do anything. In the meantime, let’s enjoy ourselves. Like it or not, you’re going to stay here and drink with me.”
This being a brothel, and Kojirō the paying guest, the women all came to his support. Matahachi’s kimono was not forthcoming, and after a few drinks, he stopped asking for it.
Sober, Matahachi was no match for Kojirō. Inebriated, he could be something of a menace. By the time day faded into night, he was demonstrating to one and all how much he could drink, demanding more, saying everything