Tsushima Trip (Please Keep Reading)

"Since I am already a Jodo Shinshu believer, can I become a lecturer now?"

After calming himself, Yamauchi Kazutoyo continued asking.

"Becoming a believer is only the first step. If you wish to become a lecturer, Lord Ogawa must also spread the teachings—best if you can bring in a few followers as well."

"With some results to show, this humble monk can report it to his superiors, can't he?" the monk added with a wink.

That stench was overpowering. A long-lost sense of familiarity washed over Yamauchi Kazutoyo's entire body. His DNA stirred.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo swept his gaze across the scene. He might as well show them what he could do.

After hesitating for a moment, Yamauchi Kazutoyo proposed, "May I borrow this place?"

The monk turned to look at Sasuke. Having just taken Yamauchi Kazutoyo's money, Sasuke naturally had no reason to refuse.

He also knew that Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his companion were no ordinary men. How could someone who casually handed over gold be interested in becoming the village lecturer of such a place?

"Please, Lord Ogawa." Sasuke made an inviting gesture.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo adjusted his clothes, then strode up onto the high platform.

Once he stood still, the crowd turned their eyes toward him.

"Namu Amida Butsu!"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo began with a shout, making the monk below nod again and again.

Jodo Shinshu advocated "chanting the Buddha's name." What did that mean? It meant reciting "Namu Amida Butsu." If you could shout those words, you passed!

"Everyone, I have just joined Jodo Shinshu and become a devout believer. What are you still hesitating for?"

"Today's village sermon is a gratitude sermon."

"What is gratitude? Naturally, it is repaying the kindness of Jodo Shinshu!"

"I won't waste words. Brother, bring out the money!" Without another word, Yamauchi Kazutoyo shouted down at Horio Yoshiharu.

Horio Yoshiharu pulled two more strings of copper coins from his robe and held them in his hands.

"Anyone willing to join Jodo Shinshu now will receive ten mon from me!" Yamauchi Kazutoyo decided to use the simplest and most direct method.

When the crowd remained unmoved, Yamauchi Kazutoyo added, "The first person to sign up gets fifty mon!"

"Make it a hundred mon. Once it's handed out, that's it."

Whoosh!

In an instant, the people below surged forward in a swarm.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo turned to the monk. "Will this do?"

The monk swallowed. If you had this money, give it to me! At worst, I'd split some of my own followers with you!

Jodo Shinshu had always taken money from the common folk. Why were you handing money out instead? What a terrible waste!

"Yes, yes, it will do."

"This humble monk will write you a letter at once. There happens to be a gathering at Shotokuji Temple three days from now."

A quarter of an hour later, Yamauchi Kazutoyo and Horio Yoshiharu left Kawada Village with letters of introduction bearing the name "Kariyasuka Vow Temple" tucked into their robes.

The monk from Vow Temple had just said that the gathering at Shotokuji Temple would be held in three days. Yamauchi Kazutoyo decided to visit Tsushima Harbor first.

Kariyasuka Township was only thirty li from Tsushima Harbor. The two hurried along and reached the temple town before Tsushima Shrine by nightfall.

After searching several inns in succession, they finally found Sobue Kan'emon, who had been waiting for them for a long time, at an inn tucked away in a corner.

"Where's Koroku?"

Not seeing Hachisuka Masakatsu inside, Yamauchi Kazutoyo asked.

"Lord Hachisuka returned to the countryside."

"Have all the goods been sold?"

"Yes!" Sobue Kan'emon took out a cloth pouch. "After taxes, we received twelve kan in total, all exchanged for gold."

"Lord Hachisuka said he would return tomorrow and told us to wait here for him."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo put away the gold and continued, "Did you find a place that makes jewelry?"

"There is a smithy behind the marketplace. Lord Hachisuka introduced it to us."

"There are no craftsmen here specializing in gold jewelry. Such things are too precious for ordinary people to afford. Only places like Kyoto or Sakai Port have them."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo nodded, then lay down separately with Horio Yoshiharu.

Early the next morning, Yamauchi Kazutoyo had Sobue Kan'emon take him to buy several sets of clothes for his younger brother and sister.

To save money, Yamauchi Kazutoyo chose ramie clothing. The raw material was shipped from Echigo Province, and its workmanship was better than elsewhere—durable and long-lasting.

He then picked out two sets each for Kichibē and Kichizō. Sobue Kan'emon bought nothing; he was alone, with no family to provide for.

After buying everything, Sobue Kan'emon led Yamauchi Kazutoyo to a smithy.

"Kiyobē!" Sobue Kan'emon shouted from the entrance.

"Coming! Coming!" An old man emerged bare-chested.

"My lord came yesterday, didn't you? Are you here to make gold jewelry?"

Just as Yamauchi Kazutoyo was about to enter, a wave of heat rushed into his face, forcing him back out.

Kiyobē pointed to the room beside it. "Please step this way, my lord."

"Mm."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo followed him inside and found that this room was for display. All kinds of iron implements hung on the walls, mostly farming tools.

Several tachi and uchigatana had also been casually placed on sword racks in a prominent spot at the center. Yamauchi Kazutoyo reached out and touched them. They had not yet been sharpened.

"Please sit for a moment, my lord. Gold ornaments require delicate work. This old man's eyes are poor with age, and I fear making a mistake. I will call my son-in-law over at once."

"Fine!"

On Tsushima Highway, Nene curiously surveyed the bustling streets, finding them even more prosperous than Kiyosu Castle.

Performances occasionally sprang up along the roadside, making Nene stop to watch.

Chokichi yawned. His elder sister had dragged him here, and beside them walked a short, ugly-looking man.

"Lord Chokichi, Lady Nene, one of my relatives lives not far ahead."

"If it is not urgent, may I go greet him?"

"Rest assured, it will not delay us for long," Tokichiro said, bowing and scraping.

At twenty-three, Tokichiro had just been promoted by Oda Nobunaga to commander of an ashigaru squad. He had not intended to accept Asano Nagakatsu's invitation—until he saw the man's daughter.

Tokichiro swore that she was the first person in his life who had seen his face without mocking him.

She was different!

Nene and Chokichi were somewhat unused to Tokichiro's eager attentions along the way. After all, his status was comparable to that of their father, Asano Nagakatsu.

Still, though the man was ugly, he was warmhearted. Neither Chokichi nor Nene looked down on him for his appearance.

"We have Lord Tokichiro to thank for looking after us all the way here. Since Lord Tokichiro has relatives here, we should indeed pay them a visit," Nene said politely.

Every smile and frown of hers left Tokichiro utterly bewitched. In twenty-three years, when had anyone ever respectfully called him "my lord"?

"Let's go. We still have to return to Kiyosu Castle before dark, or Father will worry," Chokichi said, turning his head.

"Ha!" Tokichiro bent at the waist and replied out of habit, his comical appearance making Nene stifle another laugh.

He really does look like a monkey.

At her side, Tokichiro was overwhelmed with delight. Nene had actually smiled at him.

Could it be...

With his heart burning hot, Tokichiro felt as though he were walking on clouds. Before long, the three reached a corner of the street.

At that moment, Nene suddenly froze, because the figure who had just emerged from the house ahead looked strangely familiar.

Is that him?

Yamauchi Kazutoyo held a golden hairpin in his hand. There was hardly any design to it; the craftsman called Shōzaemon had merely pressed it into shape with a mold.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo left with his head lowered, not noticing Nene nearby. His mind was filled with Jodo Shinshu and Hachisuka Masakatsu.

"Uncle-in-law! Tokichiro has come to see you!"

After Yamauchi Kazutoyo had gone some distance, Tokichiro swaggered into the house.

"You rascal, I heard you became a samurai lord. Let me have a good look at you!" Shōzaemon ran out at the sound.

Tokichiro puffed out his chest and declared proudly, "I am Nakamura Tokichiro. Greetings, Uncle-in-law!"

Then he turned to introduce Chokichi and Nene behind him—and Tokichiro went blank.

Where had they gone?