Chapter 1564: The Court and the Warrior Are Irreconcilable

Precisely because he knew the inside story so well, when he spoke with such fierce urgency, Konoe Norihira did not dare utter a word in reply and merely hung his head in silence. He already understood what Nijō Yasumichi meant.

"His Majesty the Emperor, as a descendant of Amaterasu Ōmikami, has always enjoyed the protection of the gods. That all of the Empress Dowager's sons died in infancy must surely be the will of the gods." Just then, Ichijō Kaneyoshi suddenly let out a long sigh. "Had it been a boy, the gods would surely have let him die young as well. This is the fixed decree of fate, and nothing can be done about it…"

Then, sighing as he went, he borrowed the moonlight and descended the long wall step by step, before tottering unsteadily toward the attendants waiting for him inside the temple.

"Destiny has its own fixed course; this fleeting life is but a moment's flash — better to trade it for a song…" Nijō Yasumichi chanted along with him, then followed behind and descended as well.

Konoe Norihira stood there in a daze for a moment, then finally sighed too and followed the two of them down.

He had no idea either how fate would toy with the three people present tonight, nor how many affairs it could meddle in — better to simply drift with the current.

Those nominal sovereigns of Japan whom the three young men had spoken of were, tonight as always, residing within the Imperial Palace, carrying out their daily ritualized existence.

The Imperial Palace lay shrouded in the night; its halls and walls stood mute and wordless. Around the great hall, ancient trees soared skyward, their green foliage casting deep shade. Inside and outside the hall, all was silent and still, the night mists coiling about. Everything was as ordinary as ever, as if nothing at all had happened across a thousand years. The imperial princes and court nobles of the Heian era, who centuries ago prided themselves on elegance and refinement, had once gathered here to exchange verses — it seemed as though those voices had been echoing ever since, lingering even now, suffused with boundless melancholy.

The Imperial Palace was in truth not large, and over the years, as the imperial family's wealth dwindled, it had grown increasingly ancient and dilapidated; several fires in its history had left it ever more crumbling. Only after Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu had several times provided funds to support the imperial family was the court able to carry out repairs on the palace forty years ago and again twenty years ago — though, of course, the greater part was still not fully restored, only a few main halls having been rebuilt. The mottled bricks and tiles scattered everywhere, and the green grass sprouting among them, silently told the tale of this court's fate.

Entering through the southern Kenreimon Gate, one soon came upon the Shishinden, the main hall of the palace. It was opened only for the Emperor's enthronement, coming-of-age ceremony, investiture of the Crown Prince, or important festivals — the most significant venue for ceremonies. Now the great hall was still sealed, standing silent and still beneath the moonlight.

Walking northwest from the Shishinden, one soon reached the Seiryōden. It had originally been the Emperor's daily living quarters, but forty years ago, during the Tenshō era, the court used the money offered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to build the Otsunegoten, and so it no longer served as the imperial residence, becoming instead the place where the Emperor conducted daily rituals.

The present Emperor of Japan was at this very moment inside the Otsunegoten, standing obediently with arms outstretched, waiting for the court ladies to remove the cumbersome garments and ornaments from her person.

She was nine years old this year, her body still very small and delicate, but the Emperor's duty was to embody ritual, and so her daily attire could not be treated with the slightest negligence.

She was now wearing the imperial robe of golden-brown dye reserved for the Emperor. The robe was exceedingly cumbersome: beneath it was lined with the "shitagasane" (a type of Japanese garment), and from the back trailed a long "kyo" train. At her waist was a stone belt for cinching, on her feet were shoes made of colored woven fabric, and atop her head she wore a tall soaring crown. This whole set of elaborate vestments, though deliberately made a size smaller to fit the Emperor's young body, still looked as though it had swallowed her up inside.

The court ladies first removed the tall crown, then took off the stone belt from behind her — these Japanese imperial garments had all been transmitted from the Central Lands, but over many years of circulation had undergone great changes; for instance, they had divided the leather part of the belt into two sections, so that when fastened at the waist both ends met at the back, with the front tied by cords.

Once the ladies had removed the soaring crown and the voluminous yet heavy imperial robe, the Emperor's loosened hair cascaded down over her shoulders, and at last she looked like a young girl.

This tiny Emperor let out a long breath, as though she had just been pulled out of an iron cage; the silence and solemnity she had worn before seemed to fall away as well, and her whole person radiated the vitality of childhood.

Then, with a light hop, she lifted her feet free of the colored woven shoes, as if to vent her joy that today she finally no longer had to wear this burdensome outfit.

"Your Majesty, do not make such careless movements!" Yet almost in the very next instant, a shout came from behind her.

Hearing the shout, the young Emperor's expression immediately tightened; she stiffened right back up and obediently stood straight again. For she recognized that the voice behind her was her mother's.

Then, she obediently turned around and performed a respectful bow.

"You are the Son of Heaven, so you must show the bearing of the Son of Heaven. How can such unsteadiness be acceptable?" Her mother did not cease her reprimand on this account, but walked step by step before her. "Since you have become the Son of Heaven, and have reached this age, you must properly display the majesty of the Son of Heaven. Such behavior is never to be permitted again."

Because she had been pregnant for several months now, her belly was high and swollen, and her movements had become much slower as a result. Yet her manner was extremely stern, and she did not lose any of her dignity because of it. Though called Empress Dowager, she was in fact only twenty-six years old; the traces of youth had not yet vanished from her person. Her face was still fair and lovely, now touched with a measure of majesty from her years as Empress.

"Yes, Mother." The Emperor obediently lowered her head.

"If you do not constantly remember that you are the Son of Heaven and show the proper demeanor, it will not do." As Empress Dowager Kazuko spoke, she took a set of everyday clothes from a nearby court lady and slipped them onto her daughter herself.

Though her tone in lecturing her daughter was extremely stern and her expression very severe, her movements were exceedingly gentle. She carefully dressed her daughter, then picked up a comb and began combing her hair, soon smoothing it into order.

The Empress Dowager, born of a warrior house, was the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and her character seemed to have taken on a few shades of that Lord Ieyasu's coloring — extremely strong-willed and insistent on propriety, yielding not an inch to anyone.

Moreover, her daughter was the first female Emperor in nearly a thousand years, which in itself had brought countless veiled curses upon her, accusing her of using her maiden family's power to bully the court for her own selfish ends. She was therefore all the more determined that her daughter should perform better and give no one any grounds for censure.

Such demands were indeed too harsh for a nine-year-old child, and so deep in her heart, Empress Dowager Kazuko pitied this daughter of hers greatly.

While her mother combed her hair, the Emperor narrowed her eyes slightly, as though she thoroughly enjoyed this stroking.

After who knew how long, this stroking finally ended, and the Emperor opened her eyes again.

"How did your waka studies go today?" Empress Dowager Kazuko grew stern once more and asked her daughter in a low voice. "When the Gon Dainagon gave you your lesson, did you study properly?"

According to the Laws Governing the Imperial Palace and the Court Nobility laid down by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Emperor's statutory duties were to preside over ceremonies and to study the various arts and waka poetry; Empress Dowager Kazuko had therefore always placed great importance on her daughter's studies in waka and other areas, inquiring about them repeatedly.

"Gon Dainagon" referred to the court noble currently serving in that post, the head of the Kazanin family, Kazanin Sadayoshi. The Kazanin family was likewise a branch of the Fujiwara Hokke; though its status was not as high as the Five Regent Houses, it was still ranked among the Seiga families, making it a high-ranking noble house. For generations, this family had served in the imperial court, and its heads had occasionally been able to rise to the positions of Minister of the Left or Right. The family had for generations cultivated some expertise in waka, and its status was also highly esteemed, so Empress Dowager Kazuko had chosen the family head, the current Gon Dainagon Kazanin Sadayoshi.

This head of the Kazanin family came to the Imperial Palace every few days to instruct His Majesty the Emperor in waka.

"The Gon Dainagon today, just as before, taught me some rules, and then gave me some waka and haikai verses he had written himself, telling me to study them on my own." Emperor Okiko blinked, then answered in a low voice.

Perhaps fearing her mother's reproach, she immediately added, "So today I studied those waka on my own, and even copied them out several times…"

This tiny girl, not yet ten years old and now already Emperor, had unwittingly come to understand far too many of the world's mundane affairs. She already understood why her father had one day suddenly shaved his head bald, what that signified, and why she herself had suddenly become His Majesty the Emperor.

But there was still far too much she did not understand — things she was still too muddled to see. For instance, why the relationship between her father and mother was so strange, why her mother was so often burdened with deep anxiety, and how exactly the court nobles and ministers regarded her, this Emperor.

Yet she could also see that Kazanin Sadayoshi did not teach her waka with any great seriousness, merely going through the motions. But after all, she was a child and not so ardently devoted to study; if the Gon Dainagon did not teach her earnestly, she was in no hurry either.

Empress Dowager Kazuko's reaction, however, was entirely different. She clenched her hands tightly, trembling almost uncontrollably.

Because the court nobles detested the Tokugawa house, they had passed that loathing and hatred on to her daughter as well — this knot in the heart, though she strove to undo it, could probably never be untied.

What meaning, then, did such an Emperor hold for her?

By a strange twist of fate she had been placed upon the imperial throne, but this had brought her no benefit whatsoever. From childhood she had to bear so many demands, endure the hatred and antipathy of so many, and spend her entire life in lonely solitude… Such a price, in exchange for the mere title of a Son of Heaven whose sole function was ritual — it was far too unworthy.

Yet even as her heart ached for her daughter, she could only watch her walk this road destined for tragedy; the pain of such helplessness was truly heart-wrenching.

"Mother?" Because Empress Dowager Kazuko had remained silent for so long, Emperor Okiko could not help but look up at her. "Mother, do not be angry. I will work hard from now on and learn waka well by myself…"

When these clear, childlike words reached Kazuko's ears, she felt a sting in her eyes, and tears nearly welled forth.

But she suppressed the impulse, then gently gathered her daughter into her arms and stroked the hair upon her daughter's shoulders. "Good, very good… do just that. If others will not help you, you must work hard yourself, learn it well by yourself, and never let anyone laugh at you. They… they have only these petty tricks."

"Mm." Though she did not know the thoughts in her mother's heart, the Emperor nodded.

During this exchange between mother and daughter, the Emperor had already changed her attire and was now dressed just like the Empress Dowager's other daughters.

"Come." The Empress Dowager turned around and began to walk.

"Yes." The Emperor bowed her head and followed behind.

She knew that her mother was taking her to see the Retired Emperor, who had taken Buddhist vows.

Although the Cloistered Emperor had already renounced the world, he had continued to live within the Imperial Palace; aside from changing his daily residence and shaving his head, to her there was not much difference. After becoming Emperor, she still often went to see her father, no different from before.

The Imperial Palace was indeed very small; Empress Dowager Kazuko and Emperor Okiko, together with the court ladies, soon arrived at the place where His Majesty the Cloistered Emperor resided.

They waited a moment and soon obtained the Cloistered Emperor's permission to enter.

Once inside, they quickly saw the middle-aged man seated upon the tatami.

This middle-aged man was draped in a monk's surplice, his head also completely bald, just like an ordinary monk. His complexion was ruddy, however, clearly showing that he had taken good care of himself, but his expression was stern, his face even somewhat indifferent.

The moment she saw this middle-aged man, the Empress, together with the Emperor, performed the ritual bow to the Retired Emperor according to protocol.

When the empress and their daughter entered, he showed no great reaction, merely beckoning with a gesture, signaling them to come before the couch.

"Okiko, how goes your study of the arts?" Once the emperor had approached him, the Retired Emperor reached out and stroked the emperor's face, then asked softly.

"Okiko has been studying very diligently, and has made great progress, Your Majesty." Before Okiko could answer, Empress Dowager Kazuko immediately replied.

"Oh, that is good." The Retired Emperor did not press further, simply nodding in approval; it seemed he had only been asking casually.

Then, the room suddenly fell into a strange silence, as though no one knew what to say for a moment.

Ordinarily, despite the somewhat awkwardness of their positions, the Retired Emperor and Empress Kazuko's relationship was fairly good, and they had maintained contact over the years, having several children together. But recently, because of a certain piece of news, the feelings between them had soured somewhat as a result, and Empress Dowager Kazuko knew she was bearing the brunt of his displaced anger.

Such things had happened before. Whenever the shogunate stirred up some major trouble or humiliated the imperial court, the Retired Emperor would always be angry for a long time, and then grow cold and distant toward this empress from the Tokugawa family for an extended period. Over time, Kazuko had grown used to it, and would not offend the imperial dignity when he was in a temper, quietly waiting for His Majesty to calm down.

But today was different. Even knowing His Majesty was still angry, she still wanted to bring it up.

"Regarding Iemitsu's journey to the capital, has Your Majesty truly decided not to change your mind?" she asked the Retired Emperor in a low voice. "Even if you will not receive him at the Hall of Purple Dawn, could you not meet him here after the court session..."

Not long before, the imperial court had received a missive from the shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, stating that his father Hidetada had passed away and that he wished to travel to the capital for an audience with His Majesty, requesting the court's permission.

Although this was a request for the court's permission, everyone knew the court had absolutely no room to refuse, and had no choice but to reluctantly grant his request. However, out of his loathing for the Tokugawa family's arrogance, the Retired Emperor still made a small show of resistance within the limits of his power — he declared that he was now a man who had renounced the world and wished not to deal with worldly affairs, and therefore did not intend to participate in any of the court's activities welcoming Tokugawa Iemitsu's imperial audience, nor did he plan to receive this shogun.

Such an action naturally provoked the shogunate's displeasure, but the Retired Emperor held firm to his view and refused to change his mind.

Not wishing to see the Retired Emperor fall into conflict with the shogunate again, Empress Dowager Kazuko, though knowing the Retired Emperor would surely be displeased to hear it, still mustered her courage to remonstrate with him, but her efforts had consistently failed to yield the desired result.

"We have already renounced the world. Let worldly affairs be handled by worldly people." Sure enough, she received the same answer from the Retired Emperor today. "If the Empress so wishes to see her younger brother, can she not simply go and see him herself when the time comes?"

These cold words made Kazuko's heart clench, and she felt increasingly distressed.

She was the daughter of the previous shogun, the sister of the current shogun, yet also the empress of the emperor. Thus, caught all along as empress and empress dowager between the shogunate and the imperial court, she truly felt the strain too great to bear.

She strove to mend the relations between the two sides, to repair the rift between the court nobility and the warrior houses. It was at her urging that the shogunate had previously allocated funds to help the imperial family construct the Shugakuin Detached Palace at the foot of Mount Hiei, and when conflicts arose between the court and the shogunate, she would rush about in every direction, hoping to resolve the discord.

Yet, contrary to her wishes, despite all her efforts, the relationship between the court — especially her husband himself — and the shogunate rapidly cooled, until it finally reached the point where her husband simply renounced the world and abdicated.

She also knew that this was largely the shogunate's fault, and had written many times to her elder brother Tokugawa Iemitsu, urging him, for the sake of the Tokugawa family's reputation and the people's perception, to rein in his aggressiveness somewhat. But the shogunate had always treated her words as wind past the ear, repeatedly using various pretexts and incidents to suppress the court's prestige, which in turn made her own position even more difficult.

She did not know how long this torment would last — probably until her death.

The previous generation's Tokugawa Hidetada had five daughters, several of whom were married off to political enemies as alliance brides. For instance, her eldest sister Senhime was married to Toyotomi Hideyori, the son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, whose position was already precarious at the time. Later, to fully consolidate its rule over Japan, the Tokugawa family raised troops to subjugate Toyotomi Hideyori, and after the Winter Siege of Osaka and the Summer Siege of Osaka, finally forced Toyotomi Hideyori to commit suicide, turning the Toyotomi clan's power into a remnant of history.