The Spirit Drum by Kyusaku Yumeno

Author:Kyusaku Yumeno [Yumeno, Kyusaku]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
Publisher: J.D. Wisgo
Published: 2019-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

I exited the gate of the Tsuruhara residence, head hung low.

Today was the first time I’ve been thrown into such a complete state of confusion. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined such a family would exist. Everything seemed bizarre, like part of a dream, and yet it all felt more disturbing, frightening, joyful, and sorrowful than a dream.

First the young master, who abandoned his obligations, forsook his name, and even ate the candies from his own memorial service…and the widow of the Viscount Tsuruhara, who seemed to pretend he was a nephew, confine him to her house, and order him around like a maid…there was also that exquisite dressing room, that eerie sickroom, that leather whip, and The Spirit Drum––What an enigmatic world! What an absurd family! I was unable to believe what I saw with my own eyes.

As I was thinking this, I suddenly realized the bulge in my chest. Looking down, I saw pieces of the box that the young master had crumpled up sticking out of my pocket. I withdrew the bundle and raised my head, considering where to dispose of it. Just then I halted, having nearly bumped into a lady coming towards me whose gaze was directed at the ground.

She too stopped and raised her head.

The graceful-looking woman had a fair complexion, probably around 24 or 25. Her large head of hair was done up fashionably. Wearing a black-crested kimono with a white collar, there was a certain sophistication to her, like an actress in the theater. She held something in one hand, but at that time I didn’t yet know what it was.

Then, for no particular reason, I bowed to her. The woman bowed gracefully in return, then continued past me. A sweet fragrance caressed my face and touched something deep inside of me.

When I walked forward, suppressing the nearly unbearable urge to turn around and look back, my forehead started sweating profusely. Once I finally reached Kogai Bridge, a rickshaw suddenly came down the hill on the left, and continued past me. Right then I glanced behind me.

A dark figure stood on the wooden bridge in front of the Tsuruhara residence, carrying something wrapped in purple cloth. A pale face turned towards me.

I quickly escaped, turning off the main road onto a side street.

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