Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [247]
“Poor village!” Fujiko’s short upper lip curled disdainfully. “A stupid waste of peasants and fishermen! Kasigi Yabu-san’s a fool! How can a barbarian learn our tongue in half a year? How long did the barbarian Tsukku-san take? More than twenty years, neh? And isn’t he the only barbarian who’s ever been able to talk even passable Japanese?”
“No, not the only one, though he’s the best I’ve ever heard. Yes, it’s difficult for them. But the Anjin-san’s an intelligent man and Lord Toranaga said that in half a year, isolated from barbarians, eating our food, living as we do, drinking cha, bathing every day, the Anjin-san will soon be like one of us.”
Fujiko’s face had been set. “Look at him, Mariko-san … so ugly. So monstrous and alien. Curious to think that as much as I detest barbarians, once he steps through the gate I’m committed and he becomes my lord and master.”
“He’s brave, very brave, Fujiko. And he saved Lord Toranaga’s life and is very valuable to him.”
“Yes, I know, and that should make me dislike him less but, so sorry, it doesn’t. Even so, I’ll try with all my strength to change him into one of us. I pray Lord Buddha will help me.”
Mariko had wanted to ask her niece, why the sudden change? Why are you now prepared to serve the Anjin-san and obey Lord Toranaga so absolutely, when only this morning you refused to obey, you swore to kill yourself without permission or to kill the barbarian the moment he slept? What did Lord Toranaga say to change you, Fujiko?
But Mariko had known better than to ask. Toranaga had not taken her into this confidence. Fujiko would not tell her. The girl had been too well trained by her mother, Buntaro’s sister, who had been trained by her father, Hiro-matsu.
I wonder if Lord Hiro-matsu will escape from Osaka Castle, she asked herself, very fond of the old general, her father-in-law. And what about Kiri-san and the Lady Sazuko? Where is Buntaro, my husband? Where was he captured? Or did he have time to die?
Mariko watched Fujiko pour the last of the saké. This cup too was consumed like the others, without expression.
“Dozo. Saké,” Blackthorne said.
More saké was brought. And finished. “Dozo, saké.”
“Mariko-san,” Fujiko said, “the Master shouldn’t have any more, neh? He’ll get drunk. Please ask him if he’d like his bath now. I will send for Suwo.”
Mariko asked him. “Sorry, he says he’ll bathe later.”
Patiently Fujiko ordered more saké and Mariko added quietly to the maid, “Bring some charcoaled fish.”
The new flask was emptied with the same silent determination. The food did not tempt him but he took a piece at Mariko’s gracious persuasion. He did not eat it.
More wine was brought, and two more flasks were consumed.
“Please give the Anjin-san my apologies,” Fujiko said. “So sorry, but there isn’t any more saké in his house. Tell him I apologize for this lack. I’ve sent the maid to fetch some more from the village.”
“Good. He’s had more than enough, though it doesn’t seem to have touched him at all. Why not leave us now, Fujiko? Now would be a good time to make the formal offer on your behalf.”
Fujiko bowed to Blackthorne and went away, glad that custom decreed that important matters were always to be handled by a third party in private. Thus dignity could always be maintained on both sides.
Mariko explained to Blackthorne about the wine.
“How long will it take to get more?”
“Not long. Perhaps you’d like to bathe now. I’ll see that saké’s sent the instant it arrives.”
“Did Toranaga say anything about my plan before he left? About the navy?”
“No. I’m sorry, he said nothing about that.” Mariko had been watching for the telltale signs of drunkenness. But to her surprise none had appeared, not even a slight flush, or a slurring of words. With this amount of wine consumed so fast, any Japanese would be drunk. “The wine is not to your taste, Anjin-san?”
“Not really. It’s too weak. It gives me nothing.”
“You seek oblivion?”
“No—a solution.”
“Anything that can be done to help, will be done.”
“I must have books and paper and pens.”