Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa [626]
Although I should have told you this earlier, I refrained because I knew you would insist upon helping me. Rather than involve you, I came and stayed at Tarōzaemon’s house. I shall also have the use of one of his boats to go to Funashima, at the hour I think appropriate. Of that you may rest assured.
Deeply impressed, Sado stared silently at the writing for a time. It was a good letter, modest, thoughtful, considerate, and he was now ashamed of his agitation of the day before.
“Nuinosuke.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take this letter and show it to Magobeinojō and his comrades, as well as the others concerned.”
Nuinosuke had just left, when a servant came in and said, “If your business is finished, sir, you should get ready to leave now.”
“Yes, of course, but there’s still plenty of time,” Sado replied quietly. “It’s not early. Kakubei’s already left.”
“That’s his business. Iori, come here a minute.”
“Sir?”
“Are you a man, Iori?”
“I think so.”
“Do you think you can keep from crying, whatever happens?”
“Yes, sir.”
“All right then, you can go to Funashima with me as my attendant. But remember one thing: we may have to pick up Musashi’s corpse and bring it back with us. Could you still keep from crying?”
“Yes, sir. I will, I swear I will.”
Nuinosuke had no sooner hurried through the gate than a shabbily dressed
woman called to him. “Pardon me, sir, but are you a retainer in this house?” Nuinosuke stopped and looked at her suspiciously. “What do you want?” “Forgive me. Looking the way I do, I shouldn’t be standing in front of your
gate.”
“Well, why are you doing it, then?”
“I wanted to ask … it’s about the fight today. People are saying Musashi’s run away. Is that true?”
“You stupid wench! How dare you! You’re talking about Miyamoto Musashi. Do you think he’d do a thing like that? Just wait until eight o’clock and you’ll see. I’ve just been to see Musashi.”
“You saw him?”
“Who are you?”
She dropped her eyes. “I’m an acquaintance of Musashi.”
“Hmph. But still you worry about groundless rumors? All right—I’m in a hurry, but I’ll show you a letter from Musashi.” He read it aloud for her, not noticing the man with tearful eyes looking over his shoulder. When he did notice, he jerked his shoulder back and said, “Who are you? What do you think you’re doing?”
Wiping the tears from his eyes, the man bowed sheepishly. “Sorry. I’m with this woman.”
“Her husband?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you for showing us the letter. I feel like I’ve actually seen Musashi. Don’t you, Akemi?”
“Yes; I feel so much better. Let’s go find a place to watch.”
Nuinosuke’s anger evaporated. “If you go to the top of that hill over there by the shore, you should be able to see Funashima. As clear as it is today, you might even be able to make out the sandbar.”
“We’re sorry to have made a nuisance of ourselves when you’re in a hurry. Please forgive us.”
As they started to walk away, Nuinosuke said, “Just a minute—what are your names? If you don’t mind, I’d like to know.”
They turned and bowed. “My name’s Matahachi. I was born in the same village as Musashi.”
“My name’s Akemi.”
Nuinosuke nodded and ran off.
They watched him for a few moments, exchanged glances and hurried on to the hill. From there, they could see Funashima jutting up among a number of other islands, the mountains of Nagato in the distance beyond. They spread some reed matting on the ground and sat down. The waves rumbled below them, and a pine needle or two floated down. Akemi took the baby from her back and began nursing it. Matahachi, his hands on his knees, stared fixedly out over the water.
The Marriage
Nuinosuke went first