Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 97

80

Notices of Japan, No. VI.

FEB.

delivering to them the sabre, begged pardon for having taken it away in a mis- take. Instead of accepting his excuses, they replied, that this was an affair which could not be so lightly passed over; that he could not have offered them a great- er affront than in exchanging his sabre for one of theirs; and that they would be dishonored, if it were known at Yedo that they had not taken a signal revenge for it. They, therefore, declared, that he must fight them, and urged him to fix the time and place for the combat. Gozo complained of their injustice; remind. ed them that he had with him a sick daughter, who would be left destitute if be were to perish by their hands; and again intreated them to pardon him, assuring them that his daughter and himself would never cease to bear their kindness in grateful remembrance. All his remonstrances were fruitless. Finding, therefore, that he could not appease them, he was compelled to accept the challenge, and agreed to meet them the following day.

Gozo, on leaving them, reflected on his situation, which was in reality terrible; for he had no other alternative than either to perish in the combat, or, if he vanquished his enemies, to die by his own hand. Such was the law established by the prince of Satsuma. In this dilemma, he called upon one of his friends, who was a servant of the prince of Mito, related to him what had happened, and begged that he would lend him a pike to equip him for opposing his anta- gonists. His friend not only gave him his pike, but assured him that he would accompany him as his second, and assist him if he saw him in danger.

Next day, Satsuma's three servants repaired to the field of battle, where they were met by Gozo. They were armed with long sabres, while he had nothing but his pike, which, however, he plied with such dexterity and success, that with the two first thrusts, he extended two of his adversaries at his feet: the third, ap- prehensive of sharing their fate, ran away. Gozo, after pursuing him for some time, but without being able to overtake him, because fear lent him wings, re- turned to the place of combat for the purpose of dispatching himself. At this moment his friend ran up, wrested his arms from him, and cheered him, by repre- senting that justice was on his side, as he had been provoked in an unwarrantable manner, and obliged to defend himself. "I witnessed the combat,” added he; "I will make my report of it, and be bail for you. Meanwhile, the best thing you can do is to lose no time in acquainting the governor of Yedo with what has happened."

The governor wrote, in consequence, to the prince of Satsuma, who soon afterwards returned for answer, that on inquiry he learned that the malefactors were not his subjects, but must have come from some other province. Gozo was in consequence set at liberty, and thus the affair terminated.

We may now turn to anecdotes less painful, illustrative of lighter parts of the Japanese character. The following will prove that, if an implacable vindictive spirit, over which time can exert no softening influence, be part of that character, at least it is not excited by petty provocations, and may likewise afford a specimen : of the good-humor and love of drollery that mingle rather oddly with the national ferocity and passion for ceremony.

About the middle of the last century,* Fota Sagami no kami, a man of high reputation for learning and talent, was advanced to an eminent place in the coun. cil of state by the young siogoun, Yeye-sige, upon his accession. In the business.

* Titsingh.