Meeting Nene Again

Tsushima Harbor truly deserved its reputation as Owari Province's foremost economic center. It was indeed prosperous; you could find practically anything you wanted to buy here.

On his first visit, Yamauchi Kazutoyo made a point of looking around more. Since he had decided to do something along the Kiso River, he needed to familiarize himself with Tsushima Harbor.

Sobue Kan'emon explained, "There used to be even more merchants here. Whenever the market opened, the streets were packed shoulder to shoulder, a sea of people."

"But recently, relations between Nagashima Gansho-ji and Oda Kazusa-no-suke have grown tense. The Hattori League of Kaisei District has also joined forces with the local lords of Chita District to blockade the nearby seas, so far fewer merchant ships have been arriving by sea."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo asked, "What is the situation with this Hattori League?"

Sobue Kan'emon turned and pointed across from Tsushima Harbor. "The area on the opposite bank of the Kiso River is known as Ichiejima Island, and it belongs to Kaisei District."

"Ichiejima Island is encircled by the three rivers—the Kiso River, Ibi River, and Nagara River. It is a river island even larger than Nagashima."

"The local warriors living on the island all belong to the Hattori clan, which is why they are called the Hattori League. Their leader is a man named Hattori Tomosada."

"This Hattori Tomosada has the backing of Nagashima Gansho-ji. I have heard that he recently made contact with the Imagawa clan as well. In any case, he and Oda Kazusa-no-suke do not get along."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo stopped and watched for quite some time, and he more or less understood the situation.

A man committed no crime by possessing jade, yet was guilty because he held it. Oda Nobunaga held two moneybags in Tsushima Harbor and Atsuta Shrine; naturally, the surrounding powers would eye them with envy.

Imagawa Yoshimoto of Suruga wanted to seize control of shipping across Ise Bay, while Nagashima Gansho-ji and the Hattori League wanted a piece of the pie as well.

Seeing it this way, Yamauchi Kazutoyo felt even more confident about dealing with Jodo Shinshu next.

"Oh, right, my lord. We also need to buy some paper, brushes, and ink."

"Lord Kichisuke needs them for his studies at the temple," Sobue Kan'emon reminded him.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo's younger brother, Kichisuke, was studying at a temple outside Matsukura Castle alongside Maeno Kanbei, the son of Maeno Tokiyuki. This was also the usual way ordinary samurai learned Chinese characters.

Monks had played a major role in the exchanges between ancient Japan and China, such as the famous voyage of Jianzhen eastward.

Thus, in ancient Japan, most eminent monks at temples were well versed in Chinese learning. After all, if one could not read Chinese characters, one could not even understand the sutras.

"We really have run out of paper at home. That was a timely reminder!"

"They sell it just ahead!" Sobue Kan'emon pointed toward the street corner.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo strode inside.

This was a merchant shop specializing in brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Its wares were complete and dazzlingly varied.

Seeing someone enter, the shop clerk immediately came forward. "Are you looking to buy paper and brushes, sir?"

"What else would I buy here if not paper and brushes?" Yamauchi Kazutoyo said as he looked around, his gaze sweeping over the various papers displayed on the table.

"What kind of paper is the best?"

The clerk immediately introduced it. "That would naturally be Mino paper!"

As its name suggested, Mino paper was produced in Mino, specifically Fuwa District. During the Nara period, Fuwa District had been the provincial capital of Mino Province and possessed government-run paper mills.

By the Muromachi period, merchants from Omi were selling Mino paper throughout the land, and before long, it had become famous across Japan.

"This is top-grade paper, a favorite among samurai lords."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo felt it with his fingers, then looked up. "Paper mulberry paper?"

"You know your goods, sir. It is indeed paper mulberry paper."

Paper mulberry was the paper mulberry tree, also known as the kozo tree.

The bark fibers of the paper mulberry tree were extremely tough and were first used to make clothing. After Cai Lun of China's Eastern Han used its bark to make paper, this cheaper, smooth, and clean white paper swiftly became popular everywhere.

Japan had initially learned from China to make hemp paper from flax. Only after envoys to the Tang dynasty brought back the latest papermaking techniques did Japan begin planting paper mulberry trees and making paper from their bark.

"You came at just the right time, sir. This is the last bit of Mino paper we have left."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo stroked his chin. "Is it because this paper sells so well?"

"Are you buying it or not, sir?" The clerk's face filled with wariness. Could this man be from another shop, here to pry into their business?

"Is there nothing besides Mino paper?"

"There is also Sugihara paper, but it costs more." Sugihara paper came from Settsu. Its quality was better, and because transportation costs were higher, its price was higher as well, so the clerk had not introduced it right away.

The main reason was that Yamauchi Kazutoyo's group did not look like high-ranking samurai, while Sugihara paper was generally used by high-ranking samurai.

Samurai often chose Sugihara paper as gifts for one another. It was therefore regarded as a symbol of samurai status.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo paid for two bundles of each. One bundle contained five hundred sheets.

After buying the paper, Yamauchi Kazutoyo caught sight of all kinds of colorful decorative paper beside it. At the same time, two figures entered from outside.

"How much is a bundle of decorative paper?" Nene pretended to ask the price, though her eyes kept drifting, deliberately or not, toward Yamauchi Kazutoyo.

Then Nene covered her mouth and put on a delighted expression. "Lord Yamauchi, is that you?"

"I never expected to run into you here."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo also recognized Nene and Maeno Chokichi beside her. He could not help but sigh at how small Owari truly was.

"So it is Miss Nene and Lord Chokichi. Have you come to buy things as well?"

Nene smiled and nodded, while Asano Chokichi at her side bowed in greeting.

"I am currently studying literacy under a lady at Kiyosu Castle, so I came to buy some paper as a gift."

"Have you already finished your shopping, Lord Yamauchi?" Nene's large eyes fluttered brightly.

"Yes."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo stepped aside, while Nene had Chokichi pay for the goods and continued chatting enthusiastically with Yamauchi Kazutoyo.

As they spoke, Nene suddenly clasped her hands to her chest and said with a yearning expression, "A Chinese poem has been circulating throughout Owari lately. I heard it was written by Lord Yamauchi, and I have had the chance to read it as well. The Mount Fuji beneath your brush truly makes one yearn for it."

Maeno Muneyasu had not been idle these past days. Holding that poem, "Presented to Lord Maeno Jikan," he had hosted eight flower-viewing gatherings in ten days, taking it on a "touring exhibition" across Owari.

Retired old men might all be like this—when they had nothing to do, they loved wandering all over the place. Maeno Muneyasu had shown it off everywhere, and Yamauchi Kazutoyo had become famous throughout Owari because of it.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo said casually, "It is an honor beyond measure that my humble work caught Miss Nene's eye."

"Lord Yamauchi is deeply versed in Chinese learning. I have some questions myself; might I ask for your guidance?"

"Please ask, Miss Nene. I will certainly tell you everything I know." How could Yamauchi Kazutoyo fail to understand a young girl's thoughts? Still, he did not dislike the idea of associating with Nene.

Samurai of this era were often away fighting wars, and the household truly needed a virtuous wife to support it.

Nene was praised as one of the "Three Wives of the Warring States," and she was not yet married. Naturally, Yamauchi Kazutoyo was willing to learn more about her.

Love at first sight was something young people liked. A real old hand only looked at whether the other half could help his career.

Being born into the right family and getting married were the two things most capable of helping a man achieve his ideals and ambitions. The former could not be chosen, so the latter became especially important.

"Recently, I have read many classics and discovered that Japan is called Fusang in them. Letters exchanged among samurai also all use this name. Does Lord Yamauchi know the origin of the name Fusang?"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo smiled. Now this was his field of expertise.

"The name Fusang originated in China. Ancient Chinese believed that at the edge of the Eastern Sea stood a divine tree, the place where the sun rose."

"During the Tang dynasty, a Japanese monk named Jinglong once traveled to China to study and became acquainted with the poet Wei Zhuang."

"When Jinglong returned to Japan after completing his studies, Wei Zhuang wrote a poem to bid his friend farewell. The poem contained the words Fusang."

"From then on, Fusang became the literary name used by scholars and poets for Japan. Thus, the word Fusang is used in written contexts such as letters and classics."

Nene suddenly understood. This was clearly knowledge beyond her reach.

To Japanese people of this era, many Chinese-character allusions were things they knew existed without knowing why. That was why professions such as diplomatic monks and scribes emerged—to avoid disputes caused by misunderstandings in writing.

"Does Lord Yamauchi know that poem?" Nene asked eagerly.

"Of course!" Yamauchi Kazutoyo looked around, tossed two copper coins to the clerk, then walked to the counter and began writing.

Fusang already lay amid the vast haze; Home lay east of Fusang, farther east still. Who would travel with my master on this journey? One boat, a bright moon, one sail in the wind.

Tang dynasty, Wei Zhuang.

Nene excitedly accepted the paper. As expected of the samurai so highly praised by Lord Maeno Jikan—he truly was extraordinary.

When Nene looked at Yamauchi Kazutoyo now, there was even more respect in her eyes.

Just as Nene was about to offer a few words of praise, a short figure suddenly walked in from outside.

"Miss Nene, there you are! I have been searching everywhere for you!"