Ghastly Tales from the Yotsuya kaidan by Takeshi Saitō

Author:Takeshi Saitō
Format: epub
Publisher: Chisokudō Publications

15 Chōbei Gets the News

The attendant stood over the peddler as he came to. The eyes of the two men met in astonishment. “Why, it’s Mobei! A quarrel over your wares with the revolting women of the district, was it?”

“Kakusuke, I have so much to tell you. Iwa….” The attendant of the samurai Itō Kaiho was all ears.

“I had the misfortune of meeting up with the lady of Tamiya. She was in a pitiful state and had no idea what was going on. When I told her the whole truth she turned on me and you see the results. Would that the matter ended there! She swore revenge ‘for seven lives to come’ against your master Itō, against Iemon and his wife Hana, and anyone else involved in the plot. Her anger will not be appeased until each and every one of them is caught and put to death. She invoked the aid of all the gods and buddhas, and even of Emma himself , king of the underworld. Look out for yourself, Kakusuke. Seek employment elsewhere.”

At last Kakusuke had raised the clawed and battered peddler to his feet.

“Mobei, you were foolish to do what you did. Tell me what this is all about.”

As Mobei began to fill in the details, Kakusuke grew pensive.

“Much of this I am hearing for the first time. A servant only picks up bits and pieces of the goings on. I have just been dispatched by Master Itō to the Inagaki residence near Hōon-ji—something to do with the recent adoption of Kihei into the master’s family.…. So that scoundrel Chōbei sold the lady of Tamiya to whore for Tōemon. What a shame! She deserves better. One way or another, their aim is to kill her off and Chōbei was a paid accomplice. Where is this brothel?”

Surrounded by the women of his house, Tōemon listened in to the excited talk. Take was crying in pain and anger as she stood before the mirror examining her face for cuts. Kota had regained consciousness and lay groaning in a corner while the others applied cold compresses to her broken jaw. Tōemon looked sidelong at Kakusuke as he entered supporting the lame and wounded Mobei.

“Look to this man’s wares scattered on the roadway, and take care of him.”

Tōemon spoke brusquely and with authority, but he could not afford to ignore Mobei. He turned to him in a pretense of concern.

“Well, now, this is a terrible punishment. Your face is flushed like a plum blossom…. Haru, run to Wakiyama’s. Kota is badly hurt and his skills are needed. Stop at the drug store. Here, this will cover the cost of a balm for this good fellow’s wounds. Who would have thought that a woman of Tōemon’s household would treat others so badly. When we catch up with her, the punishment….”

“Enough!” cried Kakusuke. He was already involved in his master’s interests. “How does it come that Lady Iwa is here at the house of Tōemon in the first place?”

“Lady Iwa?” The

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