The Samurai's Tale

Smitten with Zakoji’s daughter, Harutomo questions Zakoji’s servants about her. He learns that her name is Aki-hime and that she was scheduled to be married the following summer, but her fiancé is now dead. The deceased fiancé was a great lord with a large estate. Harutomo realizes a more prominent man than he is likely to marry Aki-hime, whose father is rich. He daydreams that Akiyama gives him land and suggests him as a suitor for the young woman. Later, he thinks that he doesn’t have a chance with Aki-hime, especially since her father held a high rank as the district tax collector. He later learns from Kansuke that Zakoji is a cultured man who paints and does calligraphy. A few days later, Harutomo and Yoshitoki are sent with Zakoji to visit Lord Takeda in Nagashino Castle. Each samurai brings a servant, and Harutomo chooses Yoshi, the loyal elderly servant who caught a rice thief in Chapter 15. Their mission is to accompany Zakoji while he asks Takeda’s permission for Lord Akiyama to marry Lady Toyama. Yoshitoki suggests that Akiyama is making a wise choice in marrying Lady Toyama because that will make him the undisputed ruler of Iwamura Castle. When Harutomo asks if Lady Toyama loves Akiyama, Yoshitoki responds by saying that she was married three times for the “convenience” of her nephew, Oda Nobunaga, and this time it was her choice. Thinking of Aki-hime, Harutomo hopes that Akiyama is marrying for love.

During the journey to visit Takeda, Zakoji rides silently. When they arrive, the men find that Takeda’s soldiers are unhappy and the lord is ill. His stomach is badly swollen, and two Buddhist priests say he has little hope of survival. Harutomo learns that Takeda’s heir, Katsuyori, is less respected than his father. Takeda is happy about Akiyama’s marriage proposal and sends a purse full of gold as a wedding present. On the day before they leave the castle, Zakoji summons Harutomo. Zakoji reveals he is going deaf, which could make him seem foolish. This explains why he is often aloof. The old man criticizes his own vanity, saying he should be focused on letting go of worldly desires and finding the way to Buddha. Zakoji says Takeda wants to see Harutomo and that Akiyama sent Takeda a letter reminding him about the young man. When Harutomo visits Takeda, the ill warlord calls Akiyama the best of his generals. Takeda gives Harutomo a gold coin to reward him for killing the ronin Minbu, even though Harutomo insists that he only wounded the samurai, and that was likely because he was lucky. Takeda tells Harutomo to serve Akiyama “to the end” (180). After the meeting, Zakoji speaks dismissively about Katsuyori and says everything will be over if the warlord dies. Zakoji then invites Harutomo for tea and is friendly toward him, delighting him by mentioning his daughter, Aki-hime.

On their trip back to Iwamura, Harutomo continues spending time with Zakoji. He learns that the older man is a gentle, well-read person who owns many valuable possessions and drinks tea from fancy cups. However, no one laughs at the old samurai’s “dainty” habits because he is a strong horseman and was known as a great swordsman (182). When they return to Iwamura Castle, Akiyama marries Lady Toyama in a small, simple ceremony, and Harutomo tells two confidants about his interest in Aki-hime. Yoshitoki teases him in a friendly way, but the loyal servant Yochi thinks no woman in Japan is out of his beloved master’s league. Yochi later tells Harutomo that he knows a servant who knows one of Aki-hime’s servants and that he can pass a message to her. Even though he doubts his poetry skills and fears rejection, Harutomo writes a poem to Aki-hime, using plum blossoms as a metaphor for hope. She writes back, building on the topic of plum blossoms. Harutomo, now about 20 years old, seeks out better quality paper from Kansuke and responds with another poem, which the young woman also answers.

Takeda is now dead. The warlord wanted his death kept secret to prevent enemies from invading, but by the summer, the secret is out. Zakoji tells Harutomo about a split between Takeda’s generals. Younger men want the warlord’s son, Katsuyori, to rule, while the more experienced generals—including Akiyama—want the army to be led by a council until Katsuyori’s son comes of age. Zakoji implies that he might want to adopt Harutomo and allow him to marry Aki-hime. However, he says the time isn’t right because of the uncertain situation political situation. After the meeting, Harutomo sends more poems to Aki-hime, and while she doesn’t answer, he learns through servants that she cares about him. Motivated by the possibility of taking over Zakoji’s job as a tax collector, Harutomo applies himself zealously to his work, reflecting, “Already I thought of myself as a young lord” (193). Despite Akiyama’s opposition, Katsuyori takes over his father’s position. While the late Takeda advised that his successor shouldn’t fight outside their borders, the generals worry Katsuyori will attack before he is ready.

In the fall, one of the late Takeda’s enemies conquers Nagashino Castle. Akiyama and Zakoji worry that this will cause Katsuyori to jump into a battle. Zakoji thinks Katsuyori should make peace with his father’s enemies and give up the dream of ruling Japan, but Harutomo thinks that is unlikely: “Dreams are as strong as iron. They say that a wild horse can be tied with a spider’s web; certain it is that a man can be tied by a dream,” Harutomo reflects (194). Harutomo continues to yearn for Aki-hime, but Zakoji takes no action on his proposal to adopt Harutomo into his family. Instead, he speaks philosophically about following the path of Buddhism.

In the summer, Akiyama begins organizing hunting expeditions, archery tournaments, and wrestling matches for his men. He gives the winners generous prizes. The castle occupants gossip about the nearly 50-year-old general’s new, more lively personality, and Harutomo thinks it results from Akiyama’s love for his new wife. With the uncertainty of a new warlord and more battles seeming likely, Kansuke suggests Akiyama is treating the samurai well because many of them will soon die, saying, “He knows, you see, that this will be the last summer for most of you, and so it pleases him to see you all happy” (197). That night, Akiyama summons Harutomo. Calling him by his old name, Taro, Akiyama confides that Katsuyori laid siege to the castle and is asking him to send troops. Akiyama expresses his lack of confidence in the new warlord and says maybe he should adopt Harutomo since his sons are sickly. However, he says he won’t adopt Harutomo because Zakoji has more wealth to give him. While he doesn’t trust Katsuyori’s judgment, Akiyama follows him out of loyalty to the late Takeda and prepares to send 1,000 troops to support the siege. Yoshitoki and Kansuke will be among them.

Though he doesn’t want to leave Iwamura Castle, Harutomo begs to go in Kansuke’s place because he thinks of the older man as a father, and he feels it is his duty. When Kansuke rejects his request, Harutomo asks to see Akiyama, who also rejects the entreaty. The general says, “You seem to have an abundance of fathers” (200). Later, Harutomo has a farewell dinner with Kansuke and Yoshitoki, whom he suspects he will never see again. Foreshadowing that he will not return, Kansuke leaves Harutomo his room in the castle and his meager property. The next day, Harutomo’s friends depart with most of the cavalry, leaving archers and foot soldiers to defend the castle.

Akiyama wants the castle’s stores filled with provisions in preparation for a siege. Harutomo now has Kansuke’s job, which means that he must collect taxes and buy supplies. Akiyama no longer holds archery competitions or hunting trips, opting instead to spend time in his wife’s quarters, where she sometimes plays the zither. Harutomo feels lonely without his friends, and he writes a poem to Aki-hima. In response, her father summons him to his room, where Harutomo finds the older man wearing a priest’s robes. Zakoji says he wants to spend his last days preparing for the afterlife in a hermitage in the mountains. He adds that if Katsuyori loses the coming battle, they will have to make peace with Oda Nobunaga or die. Zakoji asks Harutomo to stop writing poems to Aki-hima because she needs to spend more time praying but says he will still adopt Harutomo if they survive. Akiyama later tells Harutomo that Aki-hima cares about him. He says he will act as a go-between when the time is right.

When spring comes, Harutomo is busy working with the supply troops. He confides his feelings to Yochi, which makes him feel less lonely. One day, Harutomo learns Katsuyori’s army has been destroyed. Knowing Oda Nobunaga will soon attack Iwamura, Akiyama summons Harutomo and his men. Akiyama seems more relaxed, as if he is reconciled to the coming disaster. The general quotes a prayer as Harutomo leaves, saying, “In the raging fire of this world there is no peace”(206).

Oda’s army takes up position on the same hill that Akiyama used to attack Iwamura Castle. Harutomo learns Yoshitoki was killed in Katsuyori’s disastrous defeat. Kansuke also died. A young samurai who was one of the few survivors from Katsuyori’s army says the warlord began acting erratically as he repeatedly attacked a well-guarded position. The young warrior smiles as he recalls the slaughter, and the reader can infer that charging into certain death connects with the samurai’s ideal of glory: “We had found […] the gate of death, and we were as eager to pass through it as if it were the gate of a palace,” the young samurai says (208). Harutomo vows to have religious services said for his fallen friends if he escapes the castle alive.

As the defenders of Iwamura Castle prepare to be attacked, Akiyama has trees and bushes cleared to the distance of an arrow’s flight so enemy archers can’t shoot from behind cover. He also sends away women, children, and the elderly. Harutomo notes they have enough food and water for at least six months. Suffering from boredom, 50 young samurai plan a surprise attack only to be slaughtered by Oda’s army. Later, Akiyama says they might survive the siege if Katsuyori raises an army to aid them. He asks Harutomo to carry a message to Katsuyori because he says the new warlord only trusts people his own age. Harutomo agrees, even though Akiyama warns him he will be executed as a spy if he is caught. He says he isn’t afraid, recalling that “the young do not fear death” (211).

As Harutomo prepares to leave on his mission, Yochi helps him arrange a secret meeting with Aki-hime. The meeting is awkward since they haven’t spoken to one another before. Aki-hime says she will pray for his success, and he tells her about his feelings, promising to come back and protect her. After the conversation, she runs off with tears in her eyes. Satisfied with the knowledge that Aki-hime cares about him, Harutomo asks Akiyama if he can leave that night. At dark, Akiyama calls him to his room and gives him two letters—one for his father and the other for Katsuyori. Akiyama says that while he doesn’t expect Katsuyori to help him, Harutomo should have a fire lit in the mountains as a signal if the new warlord does decide to help.

Akiyama laments the diminishing sense of loyalty in his society and says he does not want to die as his wife sobs from behind a screen. During their final goodbye, Harutomo recalls the beginning of his relationship with the general by asking to be called Taro. Akiyama comments on their bond and Harutomo’s rise to prominence by responding, “To me, yes, you are Taro. It is the name I gave you long ago. But to everyone else you are Murakami Harutomo, one of my most trusted retainers” (216). Amid hard rain in the darkest part of the night, Harutomo leaves the castle dressed in black. He has soot on his face and his teeth have been blackened. He carries his swords and wears the letters in a bag around his neck. Rather than leave from a supposedly secret exit that he worries might be known, Harutomo climbs down a rope to a place along the wall where he can hide in some bushes. Yochi is the last person he sees as he leaves the castle.

Knowing that he needs to get out of the valley by sunrise, Harutomo travels without resting. By dawn, he is soaking wet, and he stops to eat and wash the soot off of his face. He then walks to the home of a charcoal maker, whose family he has patronized and befriended. They welcome him, giving him food and a place to warm himself. The family’s oldest son gives Harutomo peasant clothes, and he poses as a fellow charcoal seller. He reaches Akiyama’s mansion in the early morning and takes time to care for his horse since no one is awake. He passes the cookhouse where he once worked with Togan and gives Akiyama’s letter to the general’s father. Later that day, Harutomo is summoned to see Katsuyori. He delivers his letter and explains the state of the castle, saying its roughly 1,000 defenders are outnumbered 15 or 20 to 1. Katsuyori laughs with disdain, saying he will call for Harutomo when he decides his answer.

As Harutomo waits for an answer from Katsuyori, he spends time with Akiyama’s father. The old man was an accomplished archer in his youth, and he teaches the skill to Harutomo while he talks about Akiyama. Days pass without an answer from Katsuyori, and they grow worried. When Akiyama’s father tries to see the lord, he is dismissed like a beggar, which makes him furious. Harutomo finally learns Katsuyori’s answer when he bumps into the ninja he met long before with his friend Kansuke outside Iwamura Castle. The ninja says he just went to the castle again to deliver a message from Katsuyori. The castle’s defenders were told to make a deal with Oda to give up the castle in exchange for their lives.

When Harutomo asks if the defenders will be allowed to leave safely, the ninja says that he would not want to bargain with Oda. Harutomo responds that Akiyama’s wife is Oda’s aunt, but the ninja says Oda is unlikely to forgive her for marrying without his permission. Harutomo rushes to tell Akiyama’s father about the exchange and announces his intention to return to the castle. Akiyama’s father comments on Harutomo’s loyalty and sends him on his way with his best horse, a letter, and a purse of gold. Harutomo rides without rest to Iida Castle, and leaves the next morning for the charcoal burner’s cottage. When he arrives, the charcoal burner tells him that Oda captured the castle. The man tells Harutomo that Oda promised to let the occupants leave alive but then had them killed, even the women and children. He says that Akiyama and three others were crucified like common criminals and the rumor is that Oda himself cut off his aunt’s head. The charcoal burner urges Harutomo to stay, telling him that his master is dead, and he is no longer obliged to follow him. He also offers to let Harutomo marry his daughter, saying that while young men rush toward death, Harutomo is not a child any longer. Harutomo agrees that his youth is over. He smiles at the daughter and wonders if she had asked her father to urge him to stay.

Harutomo leaves the charcoal burner’s home wearing rags and carrying a bag of charcoal on his back. He hides his long, samurai-style hair under a broad peasant hat. He notes that it would have been smarter to cut it off, but he couldn’t part with the sign of rank he worked so hard to achieve. He goes to Oda’s headquarters and sees four naked men who have been crucified, including Akiyama and Zakoji. A man standing nearby says that they didn’t suffer long because he was allowed to kill them shortly after they were crucified. Akiyama’s wife’s head is nearby along with a line of others. Harutomo looks fearfully but doesn’t see Aki-hime’s head among them. He reflects that killing enemies is usual but it is shameful to humiliate dead bodies as Oda did. He prays in front of Akiyama’s cross and bows.

Harutomo wonders if anyone can tell him what happened to Yochi and Aki-hime, although he doesn’t think they could have escaped. As he stands in a crowd, he hears a voice whisper “master,” and he sees Yochi standing next to him. Yochi leads him to a hut where Aki-hime is hiding. She says she has no parents and is unworthy of any man. Harutomo indicates the rags he is wearing and says they will make a good couple. The three of them travel to Kofuchu that night. Harutomo says his youth ended when Iwamura Castle fell and Akiyama was killed. He ends his story by disagreeing with the prayer that says there is no peace in the “raging fire of the world” (234). He says that peace can be found between two human beings in love.