The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra

Author:Joyce Lebra [Lebra, Joyce]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Historical
ISBN: 9780061662379
Google: eswUrdfTzx4C
Amazon: 0061662372
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2009-02-16T16:00:00+00:00

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Rie put on one of her better kimonos, a formal silk. She must

appear properly, if not elegantly attired for her meeting with Mrs. Nakano, who was due to arrive at any minute. Rie hurried down the stairs and instructed O-Yuki to serve tea and the choicest cakes from the Kadatoya as soon as Mrs. Nakano arrived. She glanced into the reception room to make sure that a tasteful vase and ikebana arrangement had been placed in the tokonoma alcove.

Rie trusted that Mrs. Nakano kept in mind all the factors that needed to be considered in the choice of a spouse for a large house like the Omuras, including the presence or absence of contagious or hereditary disease in a family. Only after painstaking investigation by the go-between and due consideration by both families could the go-between arrange the preliminary meeting, the o-miai. After the date was fixed for the meeting, great finesse was needed by the go-between to see that neither party lost face should negotiations not proceed further. To agree to the formal meeting was proof that both sides were serious.

Rie went to the entrance herself to greet Mrs. Nakano. Rie bowed low, crossed hands pressed on her thighs.

“How wonderful to see you again after so long,” Rie said. “We are so grateful that you were able to spare time from your busy schedule to visit our humble house.”

Both women bowed as Rie ushered her plump visitor into the drawing room and indicated the seat of honor backing against the tokonoma.

“And how is your family, Mrs. Omura?” Mrs. Nakano asked. “They are all well, thank you, growing faster than I can keep

track.” Rie laughed, her hand politely over her mouth.

O-Yuki brought in a tray with green tea and small cakes. “And how old is your eldest son, Yoshitaro, now?” Mrs.

Nakano inquired pointedly, her body inclining forward at each utterance.

The Scent of Sake

“He is twenty-two,” Rie replied, bowing.

187

Mrs. Nakano bowed in return. “Then I know you want to consider his marriage.”

Rie pushed a lacquer plate with two delicate peach-shaped cakes closer to Mrs. Nakano and bowed even further. “We rely on you.” There was no need to be more specific with Mrs. Nakano.

She nodded and put her round white hands to her brocade obi as if to adjust it, though no adjustment was necessary. “Of course your house will want a bride from one of the best families in Kobe. You know the Sawada family, I’m sure. The eldest daughter is fortunately just now of marriage age, and so beautiful. She is nineteen.”

“Yes, I have seen her,” Rie replied. “But her house does not brew, do they? Aren’t they rice wholesalers?” She smiled and dipped her head slightly. It would not do to appear too forceful in rejecting a suggestion from Mrs. Nakano.

“Yes, that is true,” Mrs. Nakano replied. “But that would also be useful for your business, to have a marriage connection with a rice dealer, wouldn’t it?” Mrs. Nakano picked up her cup and sipped delicately.

“For the eldest

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