The Samurai's Garden (21 page)
Read The Samurai's Garden Online
Authors: Patricia Kiyono
****
"Tanaka-san, it is good to see you again."
Hiro, his face nearly touching the
tatami
as he knelt and bowed, grimaced inwardly, but kept his head low as protocol demanded. It would not do to contradict the Captain of the Imperial Guard, whom he had never met.
The Captain continued, "You do not remember me, of course, but I heard much about you as I fought with your father. He often spoke of his pride in having four sons. On one or two occasions, as we returned to Tokyo, I saw your family when your father invited us to your home. Your older brother was destined to be a warrior like him, and your younger brother was an outgoing child, but when Tanaka-san spoke of you, his eyes would shine as he bragged of your quiet intelligence, your sense of honor. He knew you were destined for greatness." He looked down into Hiro's face, which had turned upward at the captain's words. "It was as if he were in awe of you."
Stunned at the unexpected praise, Hiro remained on his knees, his mind reeling at the revelation. He had always wondered what his father had thought of him, the second son. He knew that he was not the fierce warrior his
onisan
had been, but he had always worked hard, trying to prove himself to his larger-than-life father. And he had always been afraid that he had fallen short, that his desire for peace was a fault. Remembering his manners, he brought his head back down.
"I think perhaps your brother was a bit jealous of you."
Taro, jealous of me?
Hiro couldn't believe his ears.
"He used to tell me how proud your father was of your intelligence, your quick wit. Taro was a fierce warrior, but he lacked your insight, your compassion, and your diplomacy. And he always kept track of you, especially while you were in Kato-san's employ. We had heard rumors about Kato's deviousness, but had no proof.
"It is because of your brother's concerns that the Emperor demanded an investigation when you disappeared. Kato had originally pledged his allegiance to the emperor, so he was allowed to keep some of his land holdings and a few servants. But while he publicly supported the Emperor, in private he plotted an insurrection. When his duplicity was discovered, his lands were confiscated and he was sentenced to prison, but he escaped. He traveled north, recruiting wandering
ronin
as his soldiers. I understand you dealt with them in Hokkaido."
The captain explained, "Some traveling merchants came to Tokyo recently. They told us much about your leadership and how you trained a band of simple villagers into an army brave enough to face them. Their story was truly inspiring.
"The Emperor's investigation also uncovered Kato's deviousness in ordering the
seppuku
of some of his best warriors." At this, Hiro's head popped up again. He quickly lowered it again, mindful of the rules of etiquette.
"Yes, your friend Fukada-san and several others had been eliminated because their honesty and integrity had threatened Kato-san's plot to overthrow the Meiji government. Restitution has been made to their families from the holdings we seized from his estate."
Hiro couldn't contain his smile. Finally, justice for his friend!
"You may face me, Tanaka-san. You have earned the right. You have grown into an honorable man. Your gift of diplomacy will be a great asset to the Emperor."
The captain turned and reached for the golden doors leading to the seat of the Chrysanthemum Throne. "Come with me."
****
Hiro knocked on the door of the little hut on the outskirts of the city. The size and condition of the dwelling reminded him of the tiny structure where Hanako had lived when he had first met her. A tiny woman, her face lined and her body bent from years of hard work, answered his knock. She glared at her unexpected visitor, and Hiro quickly bowed.
"I am Hiromasa Tanaka. I wish to speak with the family of my friend and comrade, Kunio Fukuda."
The woman's face brightened. "Tanaka-san, it is an honor to meet you in person. I'm Kunio's mother. I've heard much about you."
"I am honored to meet you," Hiro replied. He faltered, not knowing what else to say. But the woman spoke readily.
"My son was in awe of your skill and intelligence. From the time you both began training together, he strived every day to match your abilities. He believed his friendship with you made him a better samurai."
Hiro hung his head. The friendship had also caused the man's death. It had been Hiro's idea to seek employment with the treacherous Kato-san.
"It was because of you that he had the courage to face his demons."
Hiro looked up at her, questioning.
"My son had an illness when he was younger. He couldn't walk for many years, and in school he was teased for his awkward gait. Determination to become a samurai made him work hard to overcome his physical limitations. But a part of him always doubted his ability â until he met you. You were the one who made him feel worthy of his calling. You helped him believe in himself. When the end came, he faced it bravely because you were there. My family is deeply indebted to you."
For long moments, Hiro stood, speechless.
How could she feel gratitude?
"I am ashamed I was not there with him when the difficulties began," he told her.
Fukuda-san interrupted him with a slice of her hand. "That is nonsense," she declared. "You were following orders, fighting elsewhere as you should have been. We have heard about Kato-san's downfall. His lands were taken away, and he left in disgrace. He should have committed
seppuku
."
Hiro swallowed. "He did. He went north to recruit more soldiers." Briefly he explained what happened to the disgraced
daimyo
.
The woman nodded. "That is as it should be. He was foolish to oppose the emperor." She looked up as she realized they were still standing at the doorway.
"Will you have tea?"
Hiro bowed. "It would be an honor."
For the next hour, Hiro sat with her, hearing about his friend's childhood, learning about his wishes and dreams. Listening to the woman reminded him of Hanako.
Would she someday tell stories about Yasa?
He had to get back to them.
Â
Â
Hanako's feet dragged as she neared the end of the furrow. She didn't have to work in the field, but driving herself to exhaustion was the only way she could bear the sense of loss from Hiro's absence. The baby babbled merrily as he rode in his pack, blissfully unaware of the turmoil in his mother's heart. Thanks to his wealthy father, Yasahiro would never live in poverty. As soon as the harvest was in, Hanako and Yasa-chan would travel to Tokyo. She had no idea how she would locate Hiro, but she had to try.
Her husband had been gone nearly two months now. Yasahiro was already walking and starting to talk. He might have already forgotten the gentle giant who had held him so tenderly and played with him on the
tatami
floor.
She prodded the ox, urging him to go faster. Soon it would be time for the baby to eat. Yasa-chan could be very impatient when he was hungry. She had rice soaking in the pot. They would have it for dinner, along with some dried fish and vegetables. Most of the time, she had difficulty summoning enough appetite to eat at all. But she knew if she didn't keep up her own strength, she would not be able to properly care for the baby.
Yasa-chan was the one bright spot in her dreary life. If not for her son, the passionate unions with Hiro might have been a wondrous dream. Hanako prayed he would grow to have his father's compassion and bravery. Once he was ensconced in his father's wealthy family, he would learn the ways of the
Bushido
. Even if he never fought in battle, he would learn the noble code of ethics, as well as the mysteries of the written word.
She pulled on the reins to lead the animal to the next row. Again, doubts assailed her.
Will I be allowed to stay with Yasa-chan and care for him? Will Hiro even recognize Yasa as his son, or would he dismiss him as the product of a casual dalliance?
Before he had left, he had promised to return, but in the months of his absence, no word had arrived from the city. Perhaps his family had convinced him of the folly of his life in the country. Surrounded by the comforts of his station, he might have forgotten the little family he had left behind.
She had a beautiful son, and thanks to her husband, she would not have to worry about having the means to raise him. She should be grateful for all the things he had done for her. What kind of a wife had she been to refuse to accompany her husband? If his life was in Tokyo, she should have gone with him and learned to adjust. She had thought this patch of land held the key to her happiness, but she knew now this meant nothing without Hiro.
Finally, she completed the work in the field and put the ox into the pasture. A farm hand came over to help drag the plow to the back of the house. As she rounded the corner, a powerful fragrance assaulted her. She looked up and froze. From the front of the house to the road, carts pulled by fine horses formed a line, each cart driven by a uniformed driver. In each cart, hundreds of beautiful, fragrant blooms spilled from huge pots. And there, in front of the lead cart, was her husband. He was thinner than she remembered, but still strong, fit, and oh, so handsome. His face crinkled in a tired grin.
"What â what is this?" she finally managed.
"This is my new vocation," Hiro announced, spreading his arms to indicate the wagon loads of blossoms. "I have purchased the farm to the west of us. You can keep growing your vegetables in your fields, and I will grow flowers on the new land. Since you have taught me well, our gardens should be very successful. And our children will benefit."
Hanako felt her cheeks grow damp. Her lower lip quivered, and she sobbed with joy. He had said children â not child. There would be more sturdy little boys and maybe a girl or two. Mindful of the servants' curious stares, she wiped away her tears. Her watery vision suddenly focused on the characters painted on the sides of each wagon.
"Tanaka Farms?"
"Yes, I thought weâ" He stopped short and stared at her. "How did you know what it says on the wagons?"
"Reiko-san has been teaching me to read. I'm not very good yetâ"
A pair of strong arms squeezed her tightly, cutting her in mid-sentence. "Hanako, this is wonderful! I am so proud of you."
She glowed from his praise. "I didn't want Yasa-chan to be ashamed of his mother."
"That would never happen."
Her husband's conviction warmed her even more. "I will go indoors and prepare a meal for you and your men." She hurried into the house, untied her baby bundle, and set Yasa on the
tatami
mat with some toys in the corner away from the stove. Turning around, she found herself enveloped in a tight embrace.
"The servants will stay outside. I need time with my wife."
Urgent kisses rained upon her forehead, her cheeks, her neck, and her lips. Her knees weakened, and she held him tightly, returning the kisses, fearing the sight and feel of her beloved would suddenly melt away. When he finally lifted his head, he crushed her to him, and she rested her head against his broad chest, relishing the sound of his strong heartbeat.
"You came back," she whispered. "I was so afraid you wouldn't. I was preparing to come to you, if you would accept me. I don't know the ways of a city life, but I would try very hard to learn. I want to be worthy of you."
He leaned back, looking solemnly into her eyes. "My life is here. I want to raise our son and our future children here on this land. I want them to live a peaceful life, surrounded by natural beauty, not golden castles and silk draperies. If you will agree, we will make this farm into a place that will provide comfortably for our family. Of course, we will need to enlarge our home a bit â since our family will undoubtedly grow."
Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks, but she needed to ask, "What of your family? You have responsibilities to them."
He smiled. "My younger brother has agreed to care for our mother. He has a successful business in Tokyo, where
Okaasan
has friends and an active social life. I have relinquished my inheritance rights as the eldest son, but I have not been totally dismissed from my family. She is eager to meet her grandson and daughter-in-law and is making plans to come and stay with us for a while next spring. And after the harvest is complete, I thought perhaps we could visit her."
"But â but I'm not suitable. I don't have the right clothes, or the right manners, orâ"
He took her shoulders and shook her gently. "Never defame yourself, my beautiful little flower. You are my inspiration, my reason for living. My family knows you and little Yasa are my life. You have built this farm with your own hard work and determination. As far as they are concerned, you are every bit as brave and strong as a samurai wife should be. I am proud to be your husband and partner." He paused, and for the first time, she heard a thread of uncertainty in her husband's voice. "If â if this is what you want."
Her cry of joy and the tight crush of her arms around his neck gave him the answer he desired.
Â
Â
Tanaka Farms, Hokkaido, Fall, 1879
"I've never seen anything more beautiful."
"So delicate, yet enduring."
"Hiro, you are truly amazing."
Hiro bowed to his admirers in acknowledgement. "It is nothing, really. Without my beautiful wife, this would not be possible."
Hanako gently adjusted the silk fabric wrapped around their latest creation â the Aomori Rose. Through Hiro's diligent study and hard work, he and Hanako had produced a blossom that was snowy white on the outside, with a dark crimson stain inside. He had named it after the place where his friend had been forced to end his life.
Sitting beside his mother, four-year-old Yasa-chan made faces at his little sister, who peered back at him from her perch on Hanako's back. He didn't understand the fuss over a flower. After all, there were lots of flowers just like this in the fields outside their home. But this little creature was different. She didn't do much except cry and drink, but
Okaasan
and
Otousan
seemed to think she was pretty special. When she'd first arrived, lots of visitors came with presents. Uncle Ginjiro and Aunt Reiko still came often, to help hold the baby so
Okaasan
could rest.