A Letter of War

[Mariko]

“After the battle
All that remains
Are red blossoms
On white snow”

Young Umeko hurried along the main avenue of Zento, the Capitol City of the Empire of Tokuno. A worried look creased her brow as she scampered between knots of people and carts. Her arms were ladened with dry goods, sundries and food purchased at the local markets. The air was sweet with the aroma of roasting nuts and baking bread, but Umeko was focused on returning home as quickly as possible. She was approaching the Inn just beyond the bank when she spotted two Samurai strolling towards her. She knew them to be Ronin, but as they drew closer she saw they now wore the colors of the Empress; no longer Ronin they were now in the service of the Empire.

Deftly the young girl moved to the side of the road, set down her packages and, as the two warriors drew abreast, knelt and bowed low pressing her forehead to the ground. The two Samurai made no indication that they even noticed the girl as they strolled past quietly talking between themselves. Umeko glanced up only to assure herself they had passed by before she gathered up her packages and continued on towards the western district of the city.

Arriving at the Okiya, Umeko slipped inside, looked quickly up and down the street before closing and locking the main gates. A strange quite had settled over the district as if the world was holding its breath. Lazy strings of smoke rose from the chimneys of the nearby houses and somewhere off in the distance a dog was barking. Umeko slipped off her getas and kasa and entered the main house.

**********

Mariko was kneeling on the small stage in the private dinning room changing several worn strings on her samisen when Umeko entered, set down her packages and bowed.

“Ohayougozaimasu, aruji. I have returned with everything that was on the list,” she said somewhat breathlessly.

Mariko nodded and continued with her task. Only when Umeko remained standing did she look to the young girl. A look of worry and concern still creased the girl’s brow. Mariko paused, her delicate fingers still holding one string along the neck of the samisen.

“Umeko,” she said softly, “You are much too young to carry such a worried look on your face. What troubles you? Did the young boys tease you again?”

“No Mistress. The young boys did not tease me. It is … there is talk.”

“Talk?” Mariko smiled and turned back to her chore. “There is always talk, Umeko. Gossip, rumors. We must learn not to pay too much attention to the idle talk of busybodies.”

“No Mistress,” Umeko stepped closer to the stage and bowing again, whispered. “It is war Mistress. The people talk of war.”

Mariko stopped what she was doing and, giving no indication of emotion, laid the samisen down gently, tucked the folds of her kimono under her knees and turned towards the girl.

“War? Are you certain?”

“Hai Mistress. And I saw two Ronin wearing the colors of the Empress. They were fully armed.”

Mariko studied the girl. Umeko was not prone to flights of fancy and had never once told a lie that Mariko was aware of. If indeed it was war then there would be difficult times ahead. She nodded thoughtfully before speaking.

“Please put the goods away and prepare tea. Then you will tell me all that you heard.”

Umeko obeyed and a short while later the two women knelt at one of the low tables in the dinning area drinking tea. Umeko told her mistress everything she had heard. A group of foreigners had come to Zento for a social event at the local tea house. Everything seemed to go well except for a small group of peasants who mounted a half-hearted protest against the Empress’s polices towards the poor. The protesters were quietly led away and the protest ended peacefully. But it was much later that, as people were leaving the event, some harsh words were exchanged between several of the Empress’s men and the foreign guests. Weapons were drawn and men, on both sides, died. Upon returning to their home on the mainland, the foreigners quickly declared war upon the Empire of Tokuno. Mariko listened quietly as Umeko finished then rose and went upstairs to her private quarters.

War was no one’s friend and Mariko understood what could transpire following such a declaration. Travel outside the Empire would be curtailed. Indeed it might be impossible to even leave the city once the declaration was made official. Curfews would be enacted and strictly enforced. Prices of food and dry goods would quickly double. And there could be shortages. Not many at first, but the longer the war went on the shortages would become acute. The harbors may be blockaded and trade restricted. War was bad for business but even worse for the poor and destitute. War, however, was sometimes necessary. To defend ones homeland from invaders. To defend the honor of the Empress and protect the culture and its people. But more often than not. War was no one’s friend.

Mariko went to her dressing room and unlocked a small lacquered chest containing her ink, quills and parchment. If war was to come to the Empire, then all its citizens must do what they could to aid the Empress, not only for Her glory but for that of the Empire as well. Kneeling at her small writing desk, Mariko penned a letter to Lord Bishimi. When she was finished she sealed it and sent Umeko to deliver it to the headquarters of the Blue Lotus Ninja Clan. She then checked the contents of her strongbox. It might be necessary to hire a guard to watch the front gate, for if war was truly declared; there would be spies everywhere and if the fighting came to the Capitol; there would surely be looting.

War was no one’s friend.


**********

*A sealed letter is delivered to Lord Bishimi at the Blue Lotus Headquarters*

Lord Bishimi:

May this letter find you in good health and spirits.

I have been made aware that rumors of war have been circulating through the city. If these rumors are true and war has indeed come to us, then I wish to assure you that the gates of the Okiya shall be opened for the care and safety of those men injured or wounded in battle. War brings with it many responsibilities, but none more important than the care of those honorable warriors who fight for the Glory of the Empress and the Empire.

I shall offer prayers for your success and safety and that of your men.

May the Gods protect the Empress and the Empire.

(Signed and Sealed)

Mariko,
Geisha of the Ichiriki Chaya