Painting with the Dragon. Book 2. Stories of ‘Peony’

By Elena Kryuchkova and Olga Kryuchkova

Excerpts from the book:
One moon has passed since Ageha's death. The eleventh moon has arrived and the autumn cold has begun, signifying the imminent arrival of winter. However, the city of Edo continued to bustle with life. In Yoshiwara, too, there were no fewer visitors.
As for the ‘Peony’, the gloomy atmosphere still reigned there. Despite how sad it may sound, the deaths of courtesans in Yoshiwara were common. Ageha was buried modestly, but according to all the rules. However, it seemed that her soul could not rest in peace. For in ‘Peony’, strange things have been constantly happening lately. For example, objects suddenly appeared out of place. At night, from Ageha’s room, which was still empty, sounds similar to a woman’s crying were heard.
Madame Kagero, being a superstitious person, called a priest who performed a purification ritual. And she paid him additionally to pray for the repose of Ageha’s soul. For a while, this actually helped. The strange sounds stopped, the objects remained in their places. But soon everything started all over again.
Satsuki met Shotaro and Ōi in her dream, in her room. And without leaving ‘Peony’ she told them about what was happening. The dragon, without thinking twice, answered:
“It is obvious! There's a ghost in ‘Peony’!”
“Can’t Ageha rest in peace?” the oiran became worried.
“Most likely,” Shotaro confirmed. “But this can only mean one thing: that she did not die of a heart attack, she did not die a natural death. In other words, someone killed her.”
“Is it really Mr. Minamisawa?” Satsuki was scared.
After all, the man began to visit ‘Peony’ again — he returned to Ms. Suigetsu. “So our kôshi is also in danger?” flashed through the oiran’s head.
But Ōi unexpectedly stood up for the owner of the oil shop:
“I don't think he's involved in this matter. I already told you earlier that I met with him after the incident. He looked genuinely sad and full of bitterness.”
“But then who?” Satsuki was perplexed. “Who could harm Ageha?”
“Has Tōmei visited anyone else besides her?” the artist asked.
“Yes, he visited Ms. Suigetsu in the past, and now he visits her again,” the oiran answered, not yet understanding what her friend meant.
“Could she have poisoned Ms. Ageha out of jealousy?” Ōi put forward her assumption.
“No, I'm sure of it!” Satsuki exclaimed. “Even though she has a difficult character, she would not dare to kill! I can't even imagine it!”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elena Kryuchkova
• Release date: Dec 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463933299

Elena Kryuchkova

Elena Kryuchkova started her creative path in 2012. She writes in different genres, such as: esotericism, fantasy, Slavic fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, post-apocalyptic and others. Has several graphic works. A number of her novels were co-authored with Olga Kryuchkova.She is inspired by various fantasy and science fiction.Loves cats and draws.

Book preview

Painting with the Dragon.

Book 2. Stories of ‘Peony’

Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

Painting with the Dragon. Book 2. Stories of ‘Peony’

Written by Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

Copyright © 2021 Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

All rights reserved

Cover Design © 2021 Elena Kryuchkova

Elena Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova

Painting with the Dragon

Chapter 4. The Story of Ms. Karen

Chapter 5. Descent of the Dragon

Chapter 6. Another Story of Karen

Chapter 7. Oiran Ageha

Chapter 8. The Ghost of ‘Peony’

Japanese System Divides the Day

Book 2. Stories of ‘Peony’

This story is fiction and any similarity to real people or events are coincidental.

The names of real people who lived in the past are marked with footnotes. But the description of their life in this story is fictitious.

This story is completely fiction.

Chapter 4. The Story of Ms. Karen

Twenty-eighth year of the reign of Emperor Kōkaku (1807).

Six years have passed. Tatsujo, as she wanted, married Sotaro. The ceremony was celebrated quite magnificently, and the bride moved to her groom's house. Their relationship was going well, and soon the deities sent them their first child, a healthy boy. Sometimes Tatsujo painted paintings, but she did not plan to take up painting more seriously.

Ōi and Satsuki turned sixteen years old this year. Ōi actively assisted her father with painting. Her drawing skills grew rapidly, and the quality of her depictions of women in her paintings rivaled those of her father.

Three years ago, Hokusai painted a giant portrait of Bodhidharma. And now, in addition to creating ordinary paintings, he actively illustrated stories by famous authors.

Some other changes took place in the artist’s life. Last year, he and his wife had another daughter, who was named Ohana. Unfortunately, the baby was born blind and weak.

But, as everyone knows, until the age of seven, children belong to the deities. Therefore, the deities can call the child to themselves at any time. But still, Mrs. Okiko hoped that the deities would wish for her youngest daughter to remain alive.

In order for the girl to grow up in a calmer environment, Okiko decided to leave her husband for different homes. For Hokusai managed to create such artistic chaos around himself, which added a lot of worries to his wife. And when Ōi began to constantly assist her father, the creative chaos became twice as great.

Thus, Okiko and her youngest daughter stayed at home, and Hokusai and Ōi began renting housing. These turned out to be small, modest houses. And they lived there until the housing fell into disrepair. In the most literal sense. For neither Ōi nor Hokusai cleaned or cooked, and when the need came, they simply looked for the necessary housing (this happened twice already). This is how they lived, creating paintings on various subjects: landscapes, portraits of Kabuki actors, paintings to order, illustrations for books.

In addition, Hokusai periodically went to Yoshiwara to paint portraits of local beauties. He also visited ‘Peony’, where he met Satsuki. But in the much prettier, matured oiran lady, who had recently had mizuage, he could not recognize the girl with whom his daughter was friends.

Of course, unlike him, Satsuki immediately recognized the father of her dear friend, whom she continued to meet in the World of Dreams with the help of the dragon Shotaro. But according to the rules and etiquette of ‘Peony’ she did not show it. Moreover, Hokusai had no intention of visiting her or painting her portrait. Most often he drew her former mentor, the oiran Karen.

The woman turned twenty-seven this year. She looked great and was at the peak of her popularity. However, she realized that this could not continue for long. Age was already running out. And if she stops bringing the income expected from the oiran to ‘Peony’, then she may be sold to a less prestigious brothel.

Karen understood that she was unlikely to survive such humiliation. To be an oiran all your life, and then become a low-class yūjo! Unthinkable! I could not save the amount necessary to redeem myself, the courtesan thought at such moments. And it’s unlikely that any of my clients will buy me out. Therefore, if it comes to this, I will commit suicide. And my hand will not tremble!

But as everyone knows, hope dies last, so Karen has not yet sought to give up her life.

...That day began as usual. During the day, preparations were traditionally made in Yoshiwara for the evening, the time of arrival of the main number of clients. The brothels were being cleaned, and yūjo of various ranks were also preparing for the evening. Particularly impatient clients have already come to some of the beauties.

Satsuki was resting. She had to accept two clients during the night. The girl really liked one of them. His name was Mr. Maruo, and he was a round, middle-aged man engaged in trade. He bought luxury cosmetics in China and sold them to wealthy ladies he knew. He did not keep a shop due to the fact that he was constantly traveling. And he would have to pay extra taxes because of this.

Maruo had his own family: a charming and meek wife and two children: a boy and a girl. But still, whenever possible, he visited Yoshiwara, where his favorite oiran was none other than Satsuki. The man often brought her expensive gifts, and even dreamed of ransoming the girl in order to make her his concubine. But, alas, he simply did not have enough funds to pay her debt.

However, Satsuki was happy about this too. Long ago, having realized that she had nowhere to wait for help, and it was better not to hope that anyone would buy her out, the young oiran saved money as