Chikamatsu Yanagi

“ We pursued them, and fought with all our strength. Suddenly from behind us a loud voice was heard to cry, 'Stay! Look at me! I am Katō Kiyomasa, a retainer of Hashiba Hidéyoshi. You, the son of the traitor Mitsuhidé, and your followers shall now feel the sharpness of my sword.' Kiyomasa cut at us with his great sword, and raged with demoniacal fury. His soldiers were so encouraged by this, that they fell upon us with renewed vigour. So powerful was their attack, that in a few minutes my troops were killed to a man. ”

“ Akéchi Mitsuhidé will now celebrate your funeral rites. Prepare for your last moments." Mitsuhidé was ready for an attack, but the dying mother intercepted them.
"Lord Hidéyoshi," she said, "look at me. I have been killed with this bamboo-spear, as a divine punishment for my son's crime of having murdered his master. I don't regret dying by the hand of my son, because I hope that my death may be a means of extenuating his vile crime. Lord Hidéyoshi, I beseech you to place it upon record that Mitsuhidé's mother was crucified for the sake of her son's crime. ”

“ I am the sole survivor of the battle, left to tell you that tale, dear father."
"What cowardice!" cried Mitsuhidé, his hair bristling with desperate anger. "What has become of Shiōden?"
"Shiōden's one aim was the destruction of Hidéyoshi. He fought by himself since yesterday morning, and I missed him in the mêlée. I do not know for certain whether he is alive or dead. I was anxious about father's safety, and so I cut my way through the enemy's ranks, and have come back here. It is dangerous to stay here any longer. Do not lose a moment in hurrying back to our province, father!" ”

“ What can women such as you know about such matters? You had better keep away."
There suddenly arose a deafening sound of battle drums. Mitsuhidé and the others strained their eyes to see what was happening. At this moment Jūjirō returned, and tottered up to the house, leaning on his sword, with the blood flowing like a torrent from his wounds.
"My parents! Are you here?" he gasped, in the agony of approaching death. Misao and Hatsugiku were struck with sorrow and despair at his ghastly plight. The girl ran up to him. ”

“ It is natural that such a misfortune should befall a relative of Mitsuhidé. He has murdered his master, Lord Nobunaga, the Minister of the Right. By committing the horrible crime of treason, he has compromised our house which has, up to this time, been free from infamy. He is an undutiful son,—nay, more,—he is an unspeakable wretch. There are no words that can fully express his wickedness. Wealth and rank gained by unrighteous means are like floating clouds. He boasts of having slain his lord. ”

“ Shiōden refused to listen, and shaking her off began to start.
"Stay!" said Mitsuhidé reproachfully. "You take too much upon yourself. I gave you no instructions to make such an uproar."
"Why do you stop me, my lord?" said Shiōden excitedly. "Even if you had committed some fault, it would be an impardonable wrong for you, a daimio, governing the two provinces of Tamba and Ōmi, to be beaten. My hatred of Rammaru knows no bounds! How can I help trying to take vengeance on him? I am determined either to kill Rammaru or myself. ”

“ He forgets that even if a man becomes Emperor or Shogun by such wicked means, he is far worse than the most miserable beggar. On the other hand, if a man has a mere pittance to live upon, it is worth more than the income of a great daimio, if he serves his master and parents faithfully, and duly fulfils the duties of benevolence and justice; of loyalty and filial piety. The baseness of your heart has caused all this misery, Mitsuhidé. There are various weapons with which to kill a samurai, and yet I am killed with a bamboo spear, which is generally used only for butchering wild boars! ”

“ When he heard this pathetic story, Hidéyoshi was seized with grief and amazement. He feared that if the news of Nobunaga's untimely end should spread, it might dishearten his troops and lead to a defeat. He therefore cried at the top of his voice: "I have killed a woman who has tried to deceive me."
He then returned to an inner room, where he burned incense, and read the sutras, and prayed to the soul of his departed liege lord. When he had finished, he began to ponder how he might best deal with the traitor Mitsuhidé. ”

“ She ran to the entrance of the temple. Rammaru heard her cry and, starting up, rushed up the balcony. He cast his eye round in every direction. The night was black, but from his observations in the darkness he made sure that Mitsuhidé's troops were advancing. He ran down and reported it to Nobunaga. "What! Treason on the part of Mitsuhidé?" exclaimed Nobunaga in astonishment. "Your warning was wonderfully prophetic. I deeply regret that I did not listen to it. But regrets are useless. Our only course is to defend ourselves as well as possible." ”

“ Then Mitsuhidé answered that he respectfully accepted the command, and the messenger departed
Mitsuhidé folded his arms and stood for a few moments buried in reverie. Shiōden was filled with an inexpressible anger.
"What do you think of this command, my lord?" he asked, his hair bristling with wrath. "It is obvious that the merciless Nobunaga intends to destroy you. It is not the time to think of loyalty. Your lordship must raise the banner of chastisement against the cruel tyrant, and conquer Japan, and leave an undying fame to future generations. ”

“ It would be impossible for such a man as Mitsuhidé to 'strike his lance' against me, who am a hero, governing Japan. Set your mind at ease and fill another cup. 'Saké is the best broom to sweep away sorrow.' I will join you."
So saying, Nobunaga drained two or three cupfuls in rapid succession. Ano-no-Tsuboné warned him, saying: "'Remissness is a great enemy,' my lord. You would do well to ponder over what Sir Rammaru said just now." ”

“ The hero at once pursued them to the seashore.
The peasant seemed to be amazed at this sudden attack.
"Your honour," he cried, "you are in great danger! You must not stay here any longer! Hasten, I implore you, to my village! Come with us! We will be your guides! We will go first, and show you the way."
Chōbei and the priest took a few steps forward. Hidéyoshi promptly seized the opportunity, and cut down the priest from behind.
"Villain!" he roared, "you cannot deceive me! I recognize you as Mitsuhidé's retainer Shiōden!" ”

“ At that moment Rammaru came back, after having cut down many of the enemy. He prostrated himself before Nobunaga.
"I have received a report," he said, "to the effect that Mitsuhidé has sent another army to the Nijō Castle. Lord Nobutada's retainers have fought bravely, but in vain. He has, alas! made up his mind to kill himself. The enemy have already forced their way into our temple, and I fear that all is lost. Your lordship's obvious duty is to commit seppuku, and I'll follow you to the Meido!" ”

“ The sooner you are able to do so, the better, my lord."
"I am grateful to you for your kind words, Tsuboné," said Nobunaga resignedly. "I am, however, fully prepared to die. If I should be killed by an unknown soldier, in an attempt to escape, it would be an everlasting disgrace. But I am troubled about the safety of Sambōshi. I want you to take the child and hasten to Hidéyoshi's camp at Takamatsu, in the province of Bitchū. When you arrive there, tell him to take care of Sambōshi, and to revenge my death on the accursed traitor. ”

“ An ancient sage says, 'When one's master is insulted, one fights to the death.' I will break into the castle, even if I lose my life, and take the head of Rammaru, who has insulted my lord. Do not stop me! ”

“ Nobutada stayed at the Nijō Castle, and Nobunaga put up at the Honnōji Temple, where he spent some days in enjoyment with his beautiful concubine Ano-no-Tsuboné, his favourite Rammaru, and the latter's younger brother Rikimaru.
One night Ano-no-Tsuboné brought Nobutada's son Sambōshi from the Nijō Castle, and taking the baby in her arms, bore it into Nobunaga's presence. Nobunaga was exceedingly delighted to see his innocent grandson. A feast was immediately given in honour of the child's visit, and Nobunaga ordered the lady to perform a dance. ”

“ Misao and Hatsugiku brought him a tub of water in which to wash his feet.
"You are very kind, ladies," said the shaveling.
"Please do not put yourselves to so much trouble. A travelling priest always has to do everything for himself. I can sleep soundly anywhere, even in the corner of a shed. ”

“ King Bu of China slew the tyrant Chū and in our own country Hōjō Yoshitoki exiled an Emperor. These illustrious examples show that it is the desire of all Japanese and Chinese heroes to relieve the people of their grievances, by destroying their tyrants. ”