As soon as we leave the house, I light a cigarette. I’m quiet as we walk contemplating what to do and what to say. What needs to be taken cared of. We walk south and I almost miss Mt. Bandai…
“See that mountain Hide?” I nod towards it, magnificent with the clouds covering the tip. “Below that mountain is Lake Inawashiro, one of the largest in Japan.”
The scenery in Aizu is beautiful, very much different from Tokyo and Kyoto. The former becoming more entrenched in change and advancement, while the latter stays rooted in it’s tradition and it’s past of many years. Aizu is different, it’s mountains and lakes remain pure. It’s people remain closely knit due to a strong sense of clan loyalty, made only stronger by the hardship the Meiji government imposed on this rebel region. If there was something to criticize in Aizu it is probably the tightness of it’s people as well… I suppose one can say while Tokyo and Kyoto represent Japan… Aizu has remained enclosed in itself, separate from the country due to it’s geography, politics and history. There was a time I fought for this place in that very same mountain. A time when I wanted nothing but be part of the same clan…
As we walk further I decide it’s best to bring this up now rather than later when I might not have time, I slow down my gait. “Hide, you’ll have to forgive Akane. She was not judging you, nor us.” Taking a longer drag on my cigarette I choose my words carefully, “Perhaps the best way to say this is that she has good reason to feel the way she does about myself.”
It’s true. It’s highly unlikely she was upset with Hide at all. “She was close to Yaso but Akane is not as petty as you may think.” Glancing back at Hide I add, “If she may come as off-putting, aloof or indignant… Please let it pass.”
Had I told Hide last night what had truly happened in Gonohe, perhaps I would’ve been very angry today at Hide. But since she doesn’t know, then I cannot be angry at her reaction or her misunderstanding of the situation. This means, I was -right- in not telling her. I am thankful for that.
Walking around Aizu
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Hajime points out the lake and the mountain, and I smile as we top a ridge and stop for a minute to look, tugging on his hand since we’re at a quiet place on the path where we shouldn’t be too seen. “I’m most familiar with Fuji-sama, but this… is a very fine view.” It’s so lovely how this is nestled entirely by mountains.
Aizu was always a distant power for an important part of my life, but -removed-. It was something spoken of, and I knew it more as the compound in Kyoto than as a far-away place.
I look out at the water as he speaks of Akane-san. “I am sorry, Hajime. I… I had a lot of that look in Ito. I can swallow it for myself but when it was Makoto, I couldn’t…” I smile back over to him, a bit ruefully, “and you as well. I don’t like you being… judged for me.” But I have the feeling it’s not about me at all. It’s him.
And those stories I don’t know, the gaps in what he’s shared with me. “One day, Hajime… please tell me everything. When I fell in love with you, I take with that not just your present, but your future and past as well. Even the parts I don’t know about.” I look over to the mountain, I wish that I had sewn in some lining into my “good” visiting haori.
I tear my gaze away from the water, the lake is beautiful but I’ve come to love moving water much better. I smile at him, “I will apologize when we get back home. Is there something we could bring her back to make the peace? And for Ueda-sama?” I don’t want to be seen as treating them poorly, but I do wish to make amends. Akane-san is young, and she must have cared deeply for Yaso-san.
?EURoeI?EUR(TM)m most familiar with Fuji-sama, but this?EUR? is a very fine view.?EUR?
“You think?” I look out. “Hijikata-san liked the view too.”
?EURoeI am sorry, Hajime. I?EUR? I had a lot of that look in Ito.
She has that look and I tilt my head for a moment studying her. Reaching out, I put an arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry about that.” The truth is I know very well how rumors can make life unbearable, much more so when they are complete lies.
One day, Hajime?EUR? please tell me everything.
Drawing her close to me, I take a slow drag on my cigarette. “Just for now, so you understand…” I look out pass the lake, reaching far back in time, “Back then in Gonohe there were rumors that I was having an affair with Tokio while I was married to Yaso. I never did anything to dispute the fact, since Yaso didn’t believe in those rumors. However, I suppose you can say that when I ended up marrying Tokio so quickly, I gave truth to those rumors.”
Letting go, I look down at the dirt and puff on my cigarette. “To put it simply, to validate my sudden re-marriage, I went along with the re-kindled rumors.” I smirk slightly, “Rumors that started here and reached even as far as Gonohe. So you can see why Akane has come to think the way she does.”
My eyes suddenly narrow, thinking back to that person who re-started the story, the reasons and people behind it… And how I allowed Tokio to accept it as fact. It was convenient for me, I didn’t have to explain to anyone my dubious decisions during the time. I didn’t have to explain my sudden disappearance from Gonohe either.
?EURoeI will apologize when we get back home. Is there something we could bring her back to make the peace? And for Ueda-sama??EUR?
“No Hide. Do not apologize. You were not in the wrong.” I finish my cigarette and stomp the butt under my boot, “How about we go out to the market tonight and you can prepare a Kyoto breakfast so Akane won’t have to do it in the morning?”
Turning, I start to walk down the mountain path. Now that I’ve said everything that was needed to be said, there is no reason to tarry here.
I lean into him as he embraces my shoulder. “I can see him liking it a lot.” He apologizes for Ito, but none is needed. I hope it’s something Makoto won’t remember well, but will instead think of the good friends that the Mochizukis were to us.
He tells me of what had happened, and I nod and look back up at him. The way his eyes narrow at the end tells me that there’s more… but one day he’ll tell me. I reach up to touch his face, softly caressing his jaw. “Thank you for telling me that, it helps me understand the situation better.” I’m glad on this day, this trip, where he has so much on his mind, that he told me.
Rumors… I’m angry at the people who did that to him, and Yaso-san. Even if she believed in him it must have been hurtful to have that swirling around her. It makes me wonder just -who- started it, but… I have to put that out of my mind. There are two young men in the balance that are very important.
>>How about we go out to the market tonight and you can prepare a Kyoto breakfast so Akane won?EUR(TM)t have to do it in the morning?
I nod. “But do make sure to invite her?” Not that I think I’d have anything to show her, she did very well with the breakfast we had and is skilled in not just the basics but also making such different foods go together well. But I would hope she’d enjoy it… I start mentally making a list…
We start to walk past, and I take one last look at the lake, so I can tell Makoto all about it. She’d like it a great deal… I heard somewhere that it’s home to a number of swans in warmer weather.
?EURoeBut do make sure to invite her??EUR?
“I think she comes every morning. You’ll have to wake up early and beat her to making breakfast.” Looking back, I smile slightly at her.
We walk quietly further down the road, passing a few o-dango and kaki yokan stores. That’s when I remembered I have nothing in hand to give to Namuzawa, for a moment I consider stopping but decide not to. That man is affluent enough to buy most anything he wants, that getting him anything is downright laughable. However I reach down into my pocket and feel for a small bag making sure it doesn’t get squished as I walk.
After 10 more minutes of walking we finally arrive at our destination. I look at the newly thatched roof, from the outside this home seems not that big but this is just an under-stated facade, towards the back is an indoor zen garden that is probably about as big as Hide’s apartment in Tokyo. I motion Hide to follow and we stop by the front but just as we were doing so, a carraige stops beside us.
“Fujita-kun?”
Turning, I see -him-, Namuzawa. I don’t smile at seeing him but merely nod, the last time I saw him was in Kyoto and we did not part on good terms.
“I didn’t expect you to come so suddenly. When did you get here?”
I find it quite rude that he’s not bothered to get off the carriage. Perhaps he likes to talk down on people.
“Last night.” I say my voice clipped, “I’ve come for Tsuyoshi.”
He opens the door and finally gets off. “Ah… I’m sorry you just missed him. I just took him to the training dojo, he has classes every saturday.”
“Is that so?” I stymie a frown. “What time will he be back?”
He wipes his neck with a towel and looks over at Hide. I know he’s wondering who she is but I’m not about to tell him.
He bows towards Hide. “Good morning. I’m Namuzawa Shichiro.” He smiles at her, “Ah I’m being rude… Why don’t the two of you come in first for a tea and some snacks?”
“That won’t be necessary.” I cut him off. There’s no need for him to show us how well to do he is, nor how nice his home is. It’s all just for show after all.
We’re walking down another street – i notice sweet shops… we’ll need to bring something back for Makoto, and of course for Yukiko-san and Kinosuke-san, Hajime will at least know what she likes. And then, a large house…
A carriage rolls up and Hajime’s expression changes. So that’s Namuzawa…
I don’t like the way he speaks to Hajime. And he -looks- at me, and I feel rather chagrined with that sort of behavior. At least he has the courtesy to -finally- get out of his carriage, instead of speaking -down- to us. That’s rather rude…
Then he remembers to bow, and I bow back. I am a well-raised daughter of Kyoto, after all. We -are- a very polite people. I keep my eyes cast demurely down. “Fujita-san,” I address him as a -very- proper sort of wife would in public but leaves a lot of room for interpretation as to our relationship, “you are correct that we should not impose upon Namazawa-san’s -kindly- offered hospitality. Certainly, we could return later when Tsuyoshi-kun is here?” I meet his eyes under with my lowered ones, hoping he understands the tone I take.
We are polite in Kyoto, and a millennium of being the home of the Imperial Court and its courtiers has given our way of speaking the ability to be exceedingly polite yet to have a very cutting undertone. It’s a fitting way of speaking to this man who speaks to Hajime in a belittling manner yet displays so much rudeness… I glance over at the house, and the showy details that seem to be making a statement of his wealth. Such a large house for what I can imagine can only be a handful of people?
Perhaps this form of Kyoto politeness will be better than my tone from earlier in the morning. Perhaps it will serve me well later in this trip as well.
Saitou:
I’m a bit vexed that we missed Tsuyoshi. I was really hoping to see him and get a few minutes alone with my youngest son. I don’t know what I was thinking coming here…
Namuzawa introduces himself to Hide but she doesn’t return the introductions. I should at the very least for now put my irritation aside considering who this man is and what he’s done for my family in the past.
“Namuzawa-san, this is Yagi Hide. She is an old friend of mine who hails from Kyoto.” I look at her with her eyes cast down. She has that way of speaking that tells me she took a cue from myself. “Hide, this is Tokio’s uncle.”
Namuzawa:
Bowing again as Goro introduces us, I can’t help but feel that I’ve offended the lady. Perhaps it’s the way I stared at her earlier? But how could I not? I’ve never seen Goro come visit my house with a friend, much less a woman other than my niece. Even with Tokio it was rare for me to see them together.
?EURoeyou are correct that we should not impose upon Namazawa-san?EUR(TM)s -kindly- offered hospitality. Certainly, we could return later when Tsuyoshi-kun is here??EUR?
“Please… Please… There’s no need for that.” I try to smile although I am rather chaffed at their rudeness. I had thought that Goro would’ve calmed down since our last meeting. “If you can at least wait in the garden for a few minutes. I just need to get something inside and I can drop you off at the dojo.”
I look at the woman, hoping that she would agree. I know Fujita would rather see Tsuyoshi now and since I have business, they can spend a few moments alone. I know it’s probably not the best idea right now, my gut tells me that Goro is here for more than -just- a visit. But he’ll see for himself that there’s nothing to worry about. I’ve treated Tsuyoshi just like my own.
Hajime introduces me. “I am pleased to meet you, Namuzawa-san.” In this situation it is best that I go by “old friend” and in this place, there is no need to hide our Kyoto connection.
Now it’s Namuzawa-san that seems rather chagrined… But he does agree to take us to Tsuyoshi-kun. And he’s not staring. Yet he is looking at me as if I am making this decision? I cast my eyes down again. Maybe this is my version of smiling with my eyes closed? But I know, despite this man’s attempts to treat us high-handedly, that it would be hard to see Tsuyoshi-kun without his knowing. “Fujita-san, shall we wait?”
Left in the garden, I look around, it’s rather artful but missing some of the touches that I am used to… for one there’s no bench or place to sit, which means that it’s not a place that invites lingering… I wonder if there’s a garden around back, it looks like the fence goes back a -ways- but perhaps larger plots are more common here than in Kyoto or Tokyo? Maybe that one is friendlier?
With Namazawa inside, I stand next to Hajime, and look up at him. My sleeves hiding that my hand takes his and I squeeze softly. I know this is hard for him. But this is why I’m here.
Namuzawa leaves and we’re left alone in the garden. I observe Hide’s eyes roam the place. It is a nice garden but nothing like inside. I know she likes gardens and since it seems we’ll be standing out here for a little while…
“Gardens like these are a common view in Aizu.” I tell her, “Visitors are typically received here while “honourable” guests are invited inside the tatami room…”
Watching her eyes take the sight of the fence all the way to the back, I add, “Or to a larger garden at the center of the house.”
I think she would like it inside. When the boys and I used to visit, the sand in the garden was a favorite of theirs to play in. But I didn’t come here to see how well he’s done for himself. Suddenly I feel her hand squeeze mine and looking down I see she’s hidden it from view.
“Ah I’m sorry. I would’ve introduced you -properly-…” Letting go I light a smoke, “Be patient?”
The truth is, up until Namuzawa’s proposal to adopt my son, I respected him greatly. My anger is getting the best of my attitude and unfortunately, I think this has led to Hide’s poor behavior as well. Should I tell her? But I can’t bring myself to say anything good about Namuzawa right now, even if time and time again he’s come to my assistance.
He tells me of more gardens, I would have liked to have seen them, maybe they have a more personal touch than this front one?
>>Ah I?EUR(TM)m sorry. I would?EUR(TM)ve introduced you -properly-?EUR?Be patient?
I smile up at him. “I didn’t mind this, he is Tokio’s uncle and you’re not close to him like you are Ueda-sama. And seeing Tsuyoshi-kun is the most important thing. I just thought… that it was a good moment to hold your hand.”
I sigh, kneeling down to look more closely at some of the stonework, it seems to be something older, maybe from an older garden? “I hope you won’t regret bringing me here, I think I’ve made a poor showing everywhere. I can be overly sensitive when I feel people are slighting you.” I stand back up, and take his other hand. “I should have pried some of these stories out of you before we left, so I would be better behaved.” But I don’t know about Namazawa, I remember Hajime’s mood after meeting him in Kyoto…
Saitou:
I didn?EUR(TM)t mind this, he is Tokio?EUR(TM)s uncle and you?EUR(TM)re not close to him like you are Ueda-sama.
“I’m glad then.” I nod, turning to her direction. Eventually I’ll have to tell him but not right now. Quite honestly, I’m more worried about how to introduce Hide to my sons. How to broach that subject in such short notice so that their reaction would be more out of curiosity and not of the “natural” kind.
I hope you won?EUR(TM)t regret bringing me here, I think I?EUR(TM)ve made a poor showing everywhere.
Tilting my head I look at her some more. I’m somewhat saddened by that. “I don’t regret it.” I say simply, after all if she didn’t come I don’t think I’ll force myself to do this. Well I -might- but not in the proper ways things should be done. Besides having her around reminds me that there are things that needs to be taken care off if things are to go -anywhere-.
I can be overly sensitive when I feel people are slighting you
“You don’t have to be.” I blow a smoke to the side and grin slightly, “Otherwise you’ll be forever bearish with the number of people I’ve had crossed in the past.”
She stands and hold my hand, I hold it back. We’re alone for now and only in private can we be ourselves here in Aizu, it reminds me of the old days in Tokyo when we would go outside. I wouldn’t even dare to walk beside her, much less hold her hand in public.
I should have pried some of these stories out of you before we left, so I would be better behaved.?EUR?
“Just be yourself.” I assure her and let go. I suppose I could tell her things, but there is too many to tell and I wouldn’t know where or who to start with. If she mis-steps throughout this trip, it’s not her fault but mine.
Namuzawa:
Coming from the other end of the house, I see the two talking rather personally… I’m surprised that they are holding hands. There is more to this lady than Goro has let on it seems. Although I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, I have heard that Tokio has moved back to Hieuemon’s house… They’ve had such a hard time these past few years that it would not be improbable that they’ve separated just as in the rumors. But in Aizu rumors travel like wild fire… It seems Goro can’t seem to run from this back then, and even up to now. How unfortunate.
Walking towards them, I look to the side where the carriage is still waiting. “We’ll be right out.” I shout to my driver but more to my guests benefit. I wouldn’t want to make this meeting more inconvenient for them as it already is.
“If you two are ready we can go.” I nod slightly.
(OOC: You can forward the trip if you want. Shouldn’t be a long trip at all)
>>I don?EUR(TM)t regret it
I nod, and then smile up at him. “Good,” I answer, squeezing his hand. “I’m still very happy to be here with you.” He finally grins and makes a bit of a joke, and I laugh softly. “I won’t take on all of your enemies. I’m much better at cooking than that…”
He tells me to be myself, “I will. It’s easiest to be oneself, after all.” I tilt my head as I look up at him.
Namuzawa returns and I wonder if he saw us holding hands, he looks at us a bit curiously. I bow at him. “Thank you for taking us,” I say, following him and Hajime to the carriage.
I am nervous, meeting this young man for the first time, even if he’ll be easier than his brother… but I keep up a stream of light talk, this time stripped of the attitude I carried earlier, about Aizu and the view out towards Mt. Bandai.
And… the carriage rolls to a stop. I look out of the window, and smile slightly. Don’t most dojos look the same? Although, for a while, my old home functioned as a sort of dojo…
Hide seems to have relaxed a little and keeps up conversation with Namuzawa. I am thankful for that, I wasn’t in the mood to make small talk. I puff a bit more on my cigarette keeping my eye out the carriage windows. I must admit, it is better to be riding a carriage than to be walking or riding on the back of a horse or crate. Only a few people here managed to keep or rebuild their wealth and amongst them was this man whose family turned from being Samurai to merchants… Adapting to the times I guess.
We’re finally there and he leads us inside the courtyard and up the steps leading up to the dojo hall. We enter quietly to the side as there seems to be a sparring match going on.
“Namuzawa-sama. I didn’t expect you to be back so early.” A man bows at our companion, obviously showing his respect. I wonder if it’s more out of respect for money however.
“My apologies Nobu-sensei.” He bows, “but Tsuyoshi’s father has come all the way from Tokyo to visit.”
Turning, he introduces us to who apparently is the head of this dojo. “This is Fujita Goro, Tsuyoshi’s father and this is his friend, Miss Yagi Hide.”
“Nice to meet you.” He bows and points to the middle of the room, “Well there he is.” He smiles, “You came just in time, there is nothing more that pleases me than for you to see how well he’s doing in my dojo.”
Turning, I watch the two boys in the middle of the room. The other is a bit taller than Tsuyoshi so I assume he must be the one with the black lacquer breastplate. I can’t help but smile slightly at seeing him even if he is hardly recognizable with all the trappings wrapped around his chest and his arms.
“What style of swordsmanship do you teach?” I ask.
“We specialize in two sir, Mizoguchi-ha style and Mugai style.”
I nod and watch his stance, knowing immediately what he chose and -glad- that he chose it. In Tokyo, my swordstyle was no longer being taught in schools due to it’s fuedal battle origins. Most kendo styles now were more for art, than actual combat. “Mugai isn’t it?” I ask the instructor an obvious question.
“Yes Fujita-san. You look like a swordsman yourself…” I don’t look at him, since I’m observing if Tsuyoshi has any open and weak spots. There is hardly any movement in the middle of the room, most people would find this rather boring or that the two opponents are afraid… But that simply isn’t the case.
“Yahh!!!” The taller boys dives in with a long swing and Tsuyoshi mettles it with his shinai. The clashing of wood fills the dojo as the taller boy take the aggressive role of attacking. I can’t help but watch closely, wondering if the strength of the young man will overcome Tsuyoshi’s grip on his wooden sword.
“When he first came here, he was already quite good sir.” The instructor continues.
“I was surprised myself.” Namuzawa laughs, “but the first thing he asked was if there was a good dojo close by.”
I listen but merely nod my head, watching Tsutomu parry a wide swing and slid to his opponents blind side. With a grin, I turn back to the two not bothering to watch the end. A classic text book counter-attack, parry, slide… and a thrust right below the arm towards the rib cage. He’s not that much better… but -better-. I still remember him asking me to come watch his matches back in Tokyo. I did attend a couple until I moved out.
I look at Hide, my eyes probably a little too much so I turn away. Before I knew it Namuzawa has already stepped closer to the sparring area waving at Tsuyoshi. I watch as Tsuyoshi takes off his head gear and run towards him.
“Tou-san! Why are you back so early?” He asks and looks up at him. He seems happy to see him and yet worried? I’m rather surprised at the scene and the grin drops off my face. Namuzawa points towards us and my son drops his shinai on the floor running past the others. I should approach but for some odd reason I feel rooted to this spot on the floor.
“Chichi-ue!” He smiles and wraps his arm around my waist, like he used to. He’s taller now but not too much for a ten year old boy. “I’m so glad you came. When Tou-san told me, I couldn’t believe it!”
Placing a hand on his head, I step back slightly to look at him. “Well.. Well… It seems you haven’t changed!” I say and laugh. Oh he’s changed, he was always the happy sort of child but now he seems happier. I should be glad.
“Did you see me?” He asks, there’s almost a twinkle in his eyes. He always did like kendo, to the detriment of his schooling at times. “Did you see that!”
“Of course I did.” I bite my lip, “You were -very- good.” Oh had it been another time, I would’ve asked him how his studies were first, probably scolded him a little about having his shinai and not his books.
“Nobu-sensei,” I hear Namuzawa behind me, “I think Fujita-san would like some time alone with Tsuyoshi so I hope you don’t mind him leaving for the rest of the day.”
“Not at all Namuzawa-sama.”
“Run and get your things Tsuyoshi.” He tells him. Tsuyoshi goes running back to the middle of the dojo and then runs to the other end, obviously to get his things together.
“I’m a bit late for business Goro.” He looks at me, “Please when you’re done, escort him back to my home.”
“He’ll be safe. He’s -my- son.”
“I know.” He bows but looks at me one more time. I think he knows… What I came here for. I do appreciate however that he’s not made this hard and simply leaves.
“I’m back.” He smiles, “Oh where’s Tou-san?”
“He has business elsewhere.” I tell him and take his bag. “Let’s go get some food. I bet you’re hungry.”
“Well more thirsty really!” He takes my hand and starts to walk but I stop him.
“Wait.” I say to Tsuyoshi, “It’s not nice to leave a lady behind.”
Looking at her I say, “Come Hide. Let’s go.”
(OOC: You can end or if not you can consider this ended and new thread will start tom)
We enter the dojo, the instructor seems to be a good man.
I watch the two boys in the middle, and from casting glances at Hajime’s face, I can see that he must be the smaller of the two boys…
I’ve seen enough kendo practice and from the few weeks that I had to suffer from it, I can see… this boy has talent. And the look on my beloved’s face as he watches… pride… and that grin!
He rushes over and I see the resemblance, and in his open, happy affection I see his sister in him… but what I see most is a boy who has strengths beyond kendo. I’m suddenly struck with the wish to brush his hair out of his face, make sure he’s not hurt, to fuss over him like I do Makoto or did to my brothers… but I’m a stranger to him. Instead, I watch the father and son.
Hajime seems… it’s much like when he met Makoto for the first time, but he becomes more comfortable in just a few moments. How could he not, with that face beaming up at him?
>>Please when you?EUR(TM)re done, escort him back to my home.
I bow at Namazawa. “Thank you, Namazawa-san.” It wasn’t necessary to add my thanks, but I do anyway. It’s unexpectedly generous, I had anticipated a “supervised” visit…
They start to leave, Tsuyoshi-kun talking about being thirsty, and I smile to myself. Boys…
It?EUR(TM)s not nice to leave a lady behind. Come Hide. Let?EUR(TM)s go.
I nod, catching up to them at the doors of the dojo, walking a step behind, a smile on my face as I watch them together.
(OOC: Close)