The Floating World
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In Ancient Japan, a Princess and her sister protect their kingdom in an age of feudal warfare.
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The Floating World - Elijah Stephens
THE FLOATING WORLD
By
Elijah Stephens
* * * * *
PUBLISHED BY:
Liquid Heaven Productions™
www.liquidheavenlive.com
Smashwords Edition
The Floating World
Copyright © 2012 by Elijah Stephens
All rights reserved. No part of this work of fiction may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Cover by Sam Hadley
Other Stories in Ancient Japan
Goddess of the Sun
Quest Fantasy
Prophets of the Northwind
Pride of the Celts
* * * * *
THE FLOATING WORLD
Table of Contents
ACT ONE – THE FLOATING WORLD
ACT TWO – THE LAST REBELLION
ACT THREE – THE LOTUS AND THE SWORD
EPILOGUE
* * * * *
The world now unchanged from ancient times,
leaves that are words retain seeds in the heart.
Hosokawa Fujitaka (c. 1600 AD)
* * * * *
ACT ONE
THE FLOATING WORLD
Starting with Jimmu in 660 BC, the first Emperors of Nihon were chieftains becoming warrior-kings. As they claimed descent from the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, they were also the highest priest who kept harmony with the spirits and even the weather. In the first millennium, the title of Great King was a subscript for the ruler of Heaven and Earth.
The House of the Yamato clan eventually controlled trade routes across central Nihon with a burgeoning civil administration based on Chinese government. In 607 AD, a thousand years after Emperor Jimmu reigned, Prince Shotoku was confident enough to write to China with the heading, To the Emperor of the land of the setting Sun.
Over time the imperial court evolved, leading to clan rule by aristocrats. By the 8th century, laws were passed that allowed ownership of land to be passed down from generation to generation. This was clearly in favor of hereditary clans and not the imperial house, as it decentralized the government and led to large private landholdings.
Whereas the Emperor in China would assign plots to anyone who could assure a certain yield during harvest, the landowners in Nihon paid off administrators in order to be exempt from even paying taxes. This meant that their Emperor was no longer key to the distribution of territory based upon merit, and instead the strength of noble households grew.
By 729, the Yamato Empire was at war with the Emishi tribespeople who inhabited the land before them, and the title of shogun signified a military rank of General given to noble warriors who led campaigns of conquest. The conflict spanned a century, as the Emishi were hunter-gatherers who knew the land and relied on guerilla warfare against the Empire’s heavy infantry. The Yamato eventually turned the tide by the 790s, after they mimicked the Emishi’s tactics of horsemanship and archery. After that, the indigenous tribes either submitted to imperial authority or migrated further north.
The capital was moved to Kyoto by Emperor Kanmu in 794 AD, starting the Golden Age of Nihon. During this time, political stability resided in four major clans competing for influence over the imperial court through marriage and official appointments. The power-structure was leaning towards the Generals, but the Emperor was still the emissary of Heaven, so the samurai clans mixed with the descendants of Imperial families and secured their status through bloodlines.
By 1180 AD, the Taira clan tried to consolidate power, resulting in the Genpei War. When they lost to the Minamoto family, this started the first official Shogunate and centralized feudalism. With some imperial heritage, Minamoto Yoritomo went further to claim descent from Emperor Kanmu himself as an attempt at royal legitimacy for the warrior class. To be Shogun was to have military dominance, but before this time it was also just a political position in the government. As civil conflicts grew with expanding territories, the samurai realized how important they were in keeping the peace from external threats, even if they had to gloss over clan alliances between noble houses and title among political regents that existed centuries before.
During the rule of the first Shogunate, each landlord and managing stewards were given a new type of military governor, a daimyo, who supplanted the existing civil leaders appointed by the Imperial Court in Kyoto. This marked the proliferation of these rulers as lesser shoguns,
and the role of their samurai retainers became increasingly necessary to defend the land. As regents, they were sometimes appointed to several provinces at the same time, testing their loyalty to the Shogun when they could easily turn on their lord and rule the land themselves.
* * * * *
Tsuru Onozawa walked for hours through the woods. Though the formal path between provinces was a quicker route, he would be back by sunrise either way and preferred the anonymity. Sweet nectar floated on the breeze and he stopped to breathe in the honeysuckle. When a red fox scampered from the bushes and sniffed the air, he reached into his pocket for a handful of berries and tossed them to the animal’s feet. She ate them with a voracious appetite, licking her lips with great care before scurrying into the undergrowth.
Onozawa reached a rocky outcrop and the scent of eucalyptus over a province built within the woodland, where sloping tile rooftops led to the city center and a large Buddhist temple. Fires raised on covered lanterns lined the main road, and watchmen patrolled the early morning shift as the new day melted the clouds into a fine mist that hovered above the city.
* * * * *
He greeted the guards at the Governor’s estate and walked up the cobblestone street. He could have entered the home without being seen, but that would be disrespectful. He bowed to the samurai at the inner-compound and asked if the Daimyo was awake, knowing that Hideyoshi always rose with the Sun. The men nodded as they moved aside, telling Tsuru that their lord was expecting him. After passing ornate bronze gates, he entered an elaborate garden with trees in the bloom of the season with a translucent pink. He crossed the walkway to the communal house where business was discussed with solemn attention.
He left his cloth sandals at the rice-paper door and stepped onto the rattan matting. The walls were lined with translated Confucian proverbs, brought from the mainland and written with delicate calligraphy. He went to the altar beset by ancient heirlooms of Hideyoshi’s family and replaced the jade key to its rightful setting. He heard the Daimyo enter the room behind him.
I suspect that they refused to return it peacefully,
said Hideyoshi Murai, a benevolent ruler with a strong presence and generous eyes.
Yes, my lord,
Onozawa replied.
The Daimyo smiled. You cannot be formal with someone you hope to protect with your life.
Pardon me, I don’t know the samurai way.
Yet you have always served me to perfection.
Tsuru stood reluctantly and kept his eyes on the ground. I honor the freedom you have given me. Without this place, I’d be homeless.
The spirit searches for a way to know itself. In peace it discovers the source, but in war it finds the truth. You look as if there is a question burning in you.
It’s about the jade key. What does it open?
My father had it made for a specific treasure, a golden case. He never told me or my brother what was in it, but upon his death he split his kingdom in two. He gave me the key and my brother the case and divided his land between us.
So that’s why it was stolen...
I assume my brother Yoshimizu had those men find a place in my court since I am known for hiring bodyguards. He tried to exploit my kindness by having them betray me, but luckily I know one ninja who still has a faithful heart.
Onozawa bowed. Thank you, my lord.
The Daimyo touched his shoulder. I will need you in the upcoming war. My brother has chosen to obsess about the key. After he discovers that his dishonorable attempt to steal it has failed, I have no doubt that he will form an army to ride against us. When that day arrives, I want you with my cavalry.
They will not like riding with someone who isn’t samurai.
"But they will be humble to my wishes."
If your brother would prefer civil war –
Yoshimizu has always been greedy,
replied the Daimyo. As the elder brother, he believes that the entire region should be his. He’s so blinded by this desire that he sends his soldiers to unlock the mystery our father left behind.
So why aren’t you as anxious to open the golden case?
Because I already found my treasure. A piece of myself died with my wife, but a piece of her lives on in my daughters. With them, I cherish her.
And nothing your father could have left in his desire to unite his sons would change your love for your children?
Yes.
That’s an admirable trait, I think.
The Daimyo paused. Tsuru?
Yes?
Business is over for now. After your daily meditation, we’ll speak about defending my people. And thank you for returning the key, it is the last remaining heirloom I have of my father. So much of our history has been lost to thieves, I dread to think about what I will leave behind. Now go see my daughters, they adore you.
I understand what it means to you, but if it would save your samurai from a needless battle, I can’t see why simply letting Yoshimizu have it wouldn’t be the best course of action.
I might be an admirable man,
replied the Daimyo. But I never said I was a pushover.
* * * * *
Onozawa stepped lightly into a secluded area of the compound, following the fork in the path that crossed beneath sloped awnings. He walked by wandering peacocks brought from overseas and heard giggling beyond rows of perfectly-trimmed bushes. The Governor often took meditative walks near a shrine built to worship the memory of his wife. He crossed the wooden bridge that stretched over a branch of the pond, near the slender body of a red-crowned crane.
He saw a little girl crouching looking into the pond and walked over to see what she was looking at. I heard you coming,
she told him. You’re not a very good ninja.
I only sneak when I have to, Lotus. What are you staring at?
One of the goldfish died this morning.
Are you sad for it?
I think it was lucky to grow so big in the first place,
said Yukio. I respect it enough not to eat it, though.
He sat next to her as they scanned the waters. You’re not supposed to eat your pets.
I know!
she laughed. That’s what I told the watchman who helped me bury it, but samurai have no sense of humor.
Onozawa chuckled under his breath. I’m glad that you got back so quickly,
she said. You’ll have to leave again soon if there’s going to be a war.
People talk about such things in front of you?
She leaned close, "They don’t know I’m there, I sneak very well."
So what do you know about politics, Lotus?
I know it’s why I don’t have any friends. All the boys spend their time training to be warriors, so when they play with girls they play too rough. They should know that women are like origami.
Not all women are fragile,
Tsuru protested.
Yes they are,
Yukio insisted. So are men, they just hide it.
Women hide their strength in dignity.
What’s dignity?
she asked with big, curious eyes.
It’s when someone traverses a hard path and becomes stronger for it.
I was sad when I found the dead goldfish, but I wasn’t that attached to him. Not enough to mourn, I guess. I visit my mom’s shrine a lot because I want to hear her voice.
Does she ever speak to you?
I don’t know. I feel something when I’m there but I can’t explain it.
Me too.
He squeezed her chipmunk-cheeks. Our ancestors live on inside us, it is simply what we are. Not everyone who wishes to communicate with you can yell.
Yukio grabbed a handful of water and splashed his face. You’re crazy, but you always make me feel better.
Tsuru handed her a small box from his pocket. I found this in the forest.
She opened the container and saw a huge beetle with a protruding horn. She brightened when he set it on her palm.
This is much better than the caterpillar you brought me.
I was trying to make a point,
he said. They change into butterflies when they mature, just like you will. If I find another beetle, you can watch them wrestle.
Why would they do that?
she asked.
Women.
Boys fight about everything.
She saw her elder sibling picking flowers in the distance. You didn’t have to win my sister.
"That’s because she chose me."
Yukio rolled her eyes. You can go smooch with my sister now, but you have to see me again before you leave.
She kissed him on the cheek and ran off cradling the rhinoceros beetle.
Onozawa followed the pond while watching Rumiko smell the flowers, oblivious to all but her apparent task. She walked through the shrubs into a maze of lush greenery, and smiled before she saw him behind her.
You’re back from my father’s mission.
Now that time I was trying to sneak,
said Tsuru. How did you know?
I could smell you,
she said, bringing a flower to her nose and winking at him with her enchanting eyes.
What do I smell like?
he wondered.
A man...
An extraordinary one, I hope.
Rumiko dropped her bundle of flowers and stood on her toes to kiss him. You shouldn’t spoil my sister so much, unless you plan on living long enough to see her grow up.
Is that what you were meditating about?
he said, wrapping his arms around the Princess.
She shrugged. You know my habits better than I thought.
Perhaps you just pick more flowers than you realize.
She put her hands against his chest. I’ve spoken with my father about the war. Apparently he’ll be meeting with his messengers soon to collect edicts of loyalty from surrounding provinces. I don’t know any better than he does what is in the golden case, but it isn’t worth losing you.
I think your father broods about honor.
I think he struggles to honor himself,
she said. There is such a thing as too much pride, you know.
You’re not talking to a samurai.
That’s why I can’t risk losing you to their ambition.
Footsteps nearby prompted Rumiko to grab his hand and pull him behind the overhanging leaves of a willow tree.
It’s just the watchmen,
he said.
She pulled the elaborate pin holding her hair and it fell in graceful black waves down her shoulders. I know, but I like the game.
He studied her porcelain cheek. You’ve got the makings of a ninja.
Don’t tell anyone.
She lightly ran her fingers along the bump in his throat. I wasn’t just thinking about the war.
Onozawa tightened his grip and leaned forward, languidly dipping her as if they danced to an unheard melody. She rolled her head and her hair cascaded around her beautiful face.
I love when you do that,
she said. I don’t want to lose you.
You won’t,
he promised.
* * * * *
By mid-day, the Sun was shining clear across the cloudless sky and birds chirped their territorial songs. Tsuru left the Governor’s compound through the bronze gates and walked among the crowds at the marketplace. While farmers brought horsedrawn carts with food to trade, many people took their kids to pleasant places beyond the city, to combat uncertainty with the serenity of nature.
On his way to the Buddhist temple, Onozawa crossed paths with nobles in casual robes, who gave him begrudging looks of respect buried in the shame of his career. He returned the stares of the samurai and read the focus of their minds like a language on their faces. They all knew what he contributed to the Daimyo, but what he was could only be defined as the enemy who stabs you in the back.
Though his job was to protect the Governor who guided their fates, he was certain that the elitists would never let a ninja ride with them into battle, despite what Hideyoshi ordered. The civilized world wanted to put everything in the open, even if what was most important could never be seen.
Tsuru took a road not cluttered with pedestrians and walked up a hill into seclusion. Where the foliage pulled back around a statue of the Buddha, the outdoor temple was empty except for a seated monk. Onozawa joined him in meditation with the noise of the living pulse and let his senses flow through him. The chirping birds went quiet and Tsuru felt his substance fade into water. His mind opened and he could