Chapter 13 Part 1 - Since I was reborn as Saito Yoshitatsu, I'm aiming to hand over the territory to Oda Nobunaga and live longer!
1536 (Tenbun era, year 5)
TL: YuinaAuthor's Note:
I have inserted a power structure map into the previous chapters.
If you haven't seen it yet, please take a look.
Chapter 13: Genpuku (Male Coming of Age Ceremony)
Yorinari's Temporary Residence, Oga Castle, Mino Province
In 1536, I was forced to accompany my father to Sakyo no daibu Toki Yorinari's residence for the New Year's greetings.
I carried out the New Year's greeting in a slightly thin dress, which was the formal attire.
"It's a good idea in this cold. I'm preparing hot soup and food. Let's warm up a little."
Yorinari was in a good mood, and he served meals to his vassals. The reason why he was in good mood, when the enemy was still in Mino Province, was that he was finally appointed as Shugo of Mino by the bakufu.
I think it's better to be happy of being "Mino's official Shugo" instead of "Mino's self-proclaimed Shugo".
And at the same time, it seems that many things have been achieved in parallel.
First, he made peace with Rokkaku Sadayori. Even though he was playing the mediator in their clan's internal conflict, Yorinari ignored it and held a Buddhist memorial service. Though, if Yorinari becomes Shugo, he'll had to stop the pretense.
It seems that he was going to withdraw his troops from Fuwa Barrier at the same time. That's what we call bid-rigging [1]!
Furthermore, they're talking about the marriage between Yorinari and the daughter of Rokkaku Sadayori. Their actions here are almost unhidden (or rather, they have no intention of hiding it), so the Asakura probably already knows about it.
Next was the return of Shugodai Saito Toshishige, Tatewaki Saemon no jo Saito [2]. The appointment of Yorinari as Shugo was only a matter of time, so he was somewhat aware that if he must retur, if he doesn't want to quit being Shugodai.
Asakura also seems to be quite impatient because Rokkaku's support in Omi Province will no longer be justified if the Shugo changes. But since it is winter, they can't send their troops yet. It should be frustrating.
Saito Munehiro remains the biggest problem. It seems that he is trying to get in touch with Hongan-ji Temple to seek refuge. There is a rumor that his wife and children had already escaped from Mino Province. Maybe, it's natural to be desperate in this life-and-death situation.
Also, I'll soon have my coming-of-age ceremony [3]. I'm 10 years old according to traditional age reckoning system, but in reality I'm only 8 years old. I still want to play, Father.
"If you'll have your coming-of-age ceremony now, I'll be in time for Yorinari's inauguration as Shugo. In order not to keep the Shugodai post vacant, we must use the name of Saito together."
"Children are always used at the convenience of their parents."
"I'm telling you, last time when the fire broke out, you already flourished as an adult."
Life-saving takes precedence over anything else. I will take this opportunity to relocate the temples and shrines to strengthen the control of the castle town.
"Well, what do you say?"
He's a viper. It's natural for his skin to be so thick.
Sakyo no daibu Toki Yorinari himself was my eboshi-oya [4]. It seems that he was supposed to ask another person to play that role at first. When Yorinari heard my father's report, he said, "Your glorious heir saved so many lives. I will be his eboshi-oya as a reward." A lord becoming an eboshi-oya is doing so in order to strengthen his ties with his vassals. Instead, my father lamented the fact that now, the genpuku ceremony itself had to be done in a formal manner and could not be simplified. I have also a lot more to learn, so it's a hassle.
My bangs were ruthlessly sagged and tied in a topknot, I never thought that something could hurt even more than those wooden pillows. I must do something about that quickly. Later, I don't want to use a tool like a nipper to shave my beard, so I have to prepare a T-shaped razor like those that I used in my previous life.
"Then his name is Nagai Shinkuro Toshinori from today. I give you the character 'Nori'. Become a samurai who will not bring shame to the Shugodai's house."
"Thank you. As Nagai Shinkuro Toshinori, I'll do my best to serve your clan."
I bowed in front of those great people, and said decidedly while looking at the crib sheet that I hid in my hand.
According to the rules for naming in the Shugodai Saito clan, it is customary for generations to have the character "Ri" in their name, and Yorinari told me that he couldn't break this rule because I was an outsider.
Right, Yoshitatsu didn't have that name from the beginning. My father's name, Dosan, seems to have been a priest's name, so he should not have called himself so until he became a priest. Then, when will you repent for all your misdeeds? Rather, is it even true? The doubt can't to be dispelled.
[1] The word 'Deki-race' (出来レース) in Japanease is used to describe a contest in which the victor is practically known beforehand (e.g. due to unfair conditions or an obvious difference in strength)
[2] Tatewaki is his title, we are still speaking of Saito Toshishige. Tatewaki Saemon no jo: Third-ranked officer of the Left Division of the Outer Palace Guards. Go to chapter 5 to see his first appearance.
[3] To mark the entry to adult life of boys between the ages of 11 and 17 (typically of about age 12), they were taken to the shrines of their patron kami. There they were presented with their first adult clothes, and their boys' hairstyles (角髪, mizura) were changed to the adult style. They were also given new adult names (烏帽子名, eboshi-na).
[4] Eboshi-oya is a person who carries the Kakan (crown) at the coming-of-age ceremony. In the medieval samurai society, it is customary to ask a specific person to act as a foster parent and put an eboshi (formal headwear for court nobles) on the head of the kid who reached adulthood and had his coming-of-age.
thankyou
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. ^^
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