Tales of an Onnagata' | Destiny's Daughter

By David Dale

'Scarlett continues her life as a woman, and gets to meet her biological mother and Wada, who ends up committing harakiri on being told that he was not Scarlett's biological father, having committed numerous sins on her behalf. Later Scarlett's mother dies in hospital of natural causes. Scarlett inherits a considerable amount of money, and numer

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2025
• ISBN: 9789371827126

Book preview

Chapter One

F

or a few weeks, I slowly managed to put the trauma of having to witness the disembowelling of my father, by his own hand, though my mother had openly disputed his claim, to have been my legitimate father. Instead, she allotted that prize to the senior politician, that she had been accused of being involved in his murder, some twenty years previously, and of course, he was no longer around to admit or deny such an honour. Still, no matter what my mother had said, I still believed that Wada was my legitimate father, having claimed to have killed a string of individuals, all of which had abused me in one way or another, and why do that, if he had any doubt in his mind, that he was my father? I suppose it was for me to believe, what I wanted to believe, and there was no harm in doing so now that he had so cruelly passed over.

I continued to show a brave face to those around me, and was I not, a true theatrical artisan, who was able to portray a string of emotions at will? The trauma however, still remained as a residual scar within, which negated from the pleasure, which was an integral part of being a thespian. Two of the witnesses to Wada’s death, one of which was my old friend Sukini from my orphanage days, and the other was a young girl called Miho, that he had rescued from a yakusa gang. Both of whom, ended up being processed by the police, as both needed to write statements of what they had witnessed. With Miho being so young, she was promptly sent to a girl’s orphanage and Sukini was questioned at length, about what he had learnt from Miho, concerning the gang’s illicit activities.

I knew that Sukini would be alright, now that he knew that I was going to be there for him, if he needed anything. I continued to perform my Nihon Buyou performances, because Mariela as usual, needed to fill any vacant seats, and I always managed to do that, and gratify the audience in so doing. Mariela now managed the entire theatre, she often said that it was important in a time of war, to have a communal place, where one could laugh or cry with impunity, and I agreed. Yoshika my devoted handmaiden, had to leave my apartment and move back into her allotted space at the theatre’s accommodation, and yet she remained loyal as ever, and subservient to all my needs.

I had both the time, and the money, to help me to recover from the trauma, that I had faced some weeks before, and Yoshika suggested that we visited Singapore, where it was now possible for me to undergo surgical breast augmentation, to give me the desired shape, which suited my slim torso. We went, and just as she had suggested, and I underwent the procedure, with her by my side, as loyal as ever. The procedure worked out well, and it left me with my desired shape.

I wasn’t overly busty, which was fine, as Japanese women were less likely to have large breasts, and not too small, so that I wouldn’t look overly immature and flat chested. I also needed to have some cleavage, to show off my new shape. I did wonder, if having the implants would negate from my role as an onnagata, but in truth, it did quite the opposite, as the audience at once, took to my new seductive shape. I had Yoshika to thank for suggesting the procedure, and for accompanying me there, to have it done, and not once did she ask for anything for herself, I mean was she real?

Having experience a surge in my popularity, since returning from Singapore, I began to think about money and sought advice about securing my future. Mariela’s financial advisor told me that money locked in a bank during a time of war, was nigh on lunacy, and that property was the best kind of security that anyone could wish for. He explained that nonproductive land was cheap, and that the only drawback, was gaining access to the lot, or having to cross other people’s boundaries to access it, which was always going to be an issue. 

With my notoriety on an upward curve, I began to buy and invest in rocky and hillside land, and to maintain my flow of disposable income, I began to flaunt my new-found sexuality, to encourage the audience, to take me into their hearts. With this innovative approach to my working life, I was at last able to draw a line under the sad and mournful deaths of my parents, or so I was willing to believe.

Not that my parents were completely out of my life, as on stage, if I wanted to cry, all I had to do is envisage my mother’s sad face, and tears would roll down my cheeks, forcing me to dab my eye, for fear of spoiling my make-up, and if I wanted to feel real anger, I would envisage Yamada, who had once claimed to have fathered me, as he looked down on Wada, as he ended his own life. No, they were still with me, and even more so, than in my formative years. Though thoughts of my mother, would always evoke tears of remorse and feelings of guilt, and yet I was sure, that there was a strange kind of love that still reigned between those embattled parents of mine, as inexplicable as that seems.

Though Yoshika said that she would be my handmaiden for life, I felt that it would be very selfish of me, to deprive her of the chance, to become someone’s wife, and bear his offspring. I suggested that at some stage, I should allow her to choose a man, but she was adamant, that all she wanted was me, and that really shook me, and was I so deserving of such amazing loyalty? She then said, that if I commanded her, she would, but she would not do so gladly, and that asking for her consent would, of course, be unnecessary.

Lieutenant Yamada, who was involved with tracking down Wada and who had, on that fateful day, when I lost my father, had openly challenged Wada, by saying that he was my father, to which my mother just scoffed. Now that all had been said, and laid out in the open, and the confessions of their past deeds were all out there and in the open to be scrutinized, my mind should have been at ease. Yet since that fateful day, my relationship with Yamada, as superficial as it was, was soured to the extent, that he now barely recognised me on passing.

On one of these seldom occasions, as I was being ignored, I grabbed his arm and asked him if he recognised me, my voice sharp and penetrating, for I refused to be ignored. He said that of course he did, but that my mother had put a damper on our relationship, and that she had gone out of her way, to make him look foolish. I replied by saying, that she had made fools of us all, and for all I knew, he could well be my father.

Though I spoke out in jest, maybe he understood just how undeserving he was, of the title. Though he said little to me, beyond an incoherent mumble, having adopted a peeved expression, he turned and walked away. Which left me none the wiser, despite this, he seemed just a shade more approachable, than he did prior to me challenging him.

After rehearsals, I received a large brown envelope, which had been delivered to the theatre, with my name, Scarlett Nakamura, inscribed in bold letters on the front. At once I retreated to a quiet spot and read through the typed contents. From what I read, it appeared that Wada Nakamura, and my mother having obviously, at one time, had gone ahead and married, to which both had used the same legal representative, in order to marry, and to record what property or funds they chosen to leave, and to whom, both in the future and beyond their deaths. I decided that this was not a coincidence, as both must have known that the other had bequeathed something to me, and this seemed to corroborate my suspicion, that Wada had a good reason to believe he was, as she had previously told him years ago, that he was my biological father.

Wada had told me, the day before he died, that his work as an assassin, had been highly lucrative, and that he had various properties, dotted around Honshu, especially in the Yokohama prefecture. The letter just stated that a meeting was to be arranged between myself, and the small law firm’s representatives, which both my mother and Wada had both entrusted with their last wills and testaments. As Yamada had surmised back in Tokyo, he had reckoned that my mother was unlikely to have much to leave, bar a few sentimental trinkets and possibly a box full of her worldly possessions, still whatever she had chosen to leave me, I would treasure.

As everything that I now had, was down to the benevolence of Mariela, who had taken me in, and moulded me into what I was then, and as such, I felt like I owed her everything. I was already able to pay off the outstanding loan on the theatre and was left free to buy shares in the business, to ensure that I was never going to be left destitute again, and dependent on others for neither food nor shelter, and I was now, through with selling myself short.

Having said that, with my enhanced notoriety being noticed by those in higher circles, such as politicians, and no doubt the criminal fraternity, this led me to believe, that being so wealthy was not necessarily a good thing. I rightfully began to feel nervous and understandably vulnerable, and I realized that I was susceptible and defenceless to all kinds of schemes, which would relieve me of my funds. It was then that I realised, that I needed a ‘Wada’ type personality to watch my back, and strike out on my behalf, if I became threatened.

With my apartment now solely mine, and mine alone, save Coki, my lookalike mannikin, who had been there throughout. Though she was a treasured artifact, after all that had transpired that month, she had not shed a solitary tear for poor Wada, who had idolised her, despite her being a mere wooden effigy, carved in my likeness. With the exception of Coki, I was alone, and I was uncomfortably aware, that I had nobody to protect my back. Even with this temporaneous isolation, I was still able to block out the world that encapsulated me, so that no one, or nothing was going to distract me. In this acquiescent state of mind, I was able to take a step back to the times, that I was privileged to share with my mother, from her hospital bedside.

I remember feeling quite strange, when she had openly stated, that she intended to circumvent death, and though I was very cynical at the time, I now hoped that some of what she had said, may be possible. I mean, what was life, if it didn’t have a shred of hope entangled within in its matrix, and a determined spirit to strive for something, which was almost supernatural? I recalled the old blind woman, who lived not far from Wada’s hideout and wondered if she was able, as folks believed, to know a way to communicate with the departed. These kinds of blind women, Yamada referred to as Ichiko, had endured rigorous training and were known by all, to be in league with the spirit world, and the departed.

Such thoughts would often keep me awake, and I got into the habit of lighting a small candle on a table, which was positioned at the end of my bed, which illuminated Coki’s face, and who as always, sat by my bed, as if watching over me and keeping the evil thoughts and demons at bay. With the only light therein, being the flickering candle, Coki’s face would appear almost human, her beauty enhanced by the sombre lighting, and the illusion of movement brought on by the living flame.

I felt at liberty to talk to her, as she never answered back or contradicted me, and she was in that respect, both a good listener and a pleasure to talk to. There were times, when I would address her as my mother, and there were times when I spoke to her, as if it was Wada’s spirit within, behind that woody veneer of womanhood. I would thank Wada for his life of sacrifice, and I would admonish him at times, for killing so many, and I asked him often, if he had any regrets? I even explained to my mother, that my income had become so enlarged, that it was becoming a threat and a burden, which threatened both my security and my opulent lifestyle, and that my insecurity invoked a fear in me, which was growing, like an unwelcome tumour, and in likewise proportions.

It was on such a night, Yoshika had left me just a couple of hours earlier, and I was settling down to sleep, with my eyes, switching from the flickering flame to Coki’s white, rounded face, and I was feeling mesmerized by the duplicity of the stimuli, and feeling drowsy. It was then, that Coki’s white powdery face, seemed to take on a fleshy tone, and her eyes, which were, as always, focussed in my direction seemed to twinkle, as if they were moist and human like. I asked Coki to tell me who had possessed her, and of course she didn’t reply, and then I had to lay back and chuckle, at my own naivety.

It was then that I heard a strange sounding voice, which resembled a young girl’s voice, as it chirped from out of the darkness. The voice then declared that there were two spirits, which were vying for her soul, and that she was being trapped in the middle. I then asked her to tell me who were the spirits were, which were possessing her. She said that the spirit called Wada and Hisako, abounded within her, and that they were busy tormenting each other. She then stated in a whimpering voice, that Coki was not a happy child. She then began to weep, and her sweet voice seemed to fritter away, as if her breath had been stifled by the fabric of the living wood.

Moments later, I heard her soft voice again, and this time she addressed herself as Coki and complained that her long blue kimono, was both dusty and infested with spiders, and that she detested creepy crawlies, and that her feet were cold, and with that, the candle flickered out and I was left in the dark, to process what I had just heard.

At once, I jumped out of bed and switched the light on, I took off her kimono and gave it a thorough shake, redressed her, and then put some soft woollen white sock on her feet. I then stared into her white rounded face, and gazed into those inanimate eyes of hers, had I been hallucinating? Though the words that I had just heard, were they mere echoes from deep within my own head, or were they from Coki’s effigy, or maybe, they were created from my own thespian mind? I then apologised to her, gave her an apologetic kiss, switched off the light and then I slid back into my bed.

With the passing of Wada, my protector, I somehow began to feel vulnerable and quite alone, even though for most of my life, I had been unaware of his protective presence. I now knew, instinctively, that being a lone, rich woman in Japan, during a depression, and in a country that was embroiled in a state of war, was lucky to be survive in such an unsafe environment. Eventually, someone will endeavour and succeed in relieving me of my wealth, be it through threat, coercion or by force, and I hadn’t even written a will? At twenty years old, who would be thinking of leaving anything beyond their passing, and at such a ridiculously young age? Those that I trusted the most, such as the scriptwriter Kido and my mother were both now dead, and only Mariela remained as my sole confidant, as Yoshika had not yet been with me long enough, for me to know her inner heart for sure, obedient as she was.

In the morning, I placed Coki inside my warm bed, and rested her head on my downy pillow, and then made my way to the theatre to talk to Mariela. As usual, she had eaten along with the crew, and was sat in an adjoining glass fronted office, which broadcasted her availability. I knocked on her door, entered and then sat facing her. At once she stood up to embrace me, and I made my contact with her short and sweet.

She gave me a pert smile and asked me if I was alright, and I said that I was okay. I told her, that now her daughter Maria had a permanent boyfriend, there was no reason for her to serenade me so sweetly, and that I was fine going it alone. Her brow furrowed a touch, and she shrugged her shoulders, she then asked me what I wanted.

I simply stated that I needed to hire a good and honest lawyer, to write my will for me, and then a look of horror swept across her face. She then asked me, if I was dying, and that made me laugh. I said that I had no plans to pass over as yet, but I believed that my life was in danger, and that the money I had honestly earned, was exacerbating the situation. I explained that my life, as it was, had become a very public affair, which wasn’t healthy.

She then said that Kido used a lawyer to draw up his last will and testament, and if I wished, she could set up a meeting with him and myself. She then offered, to go to the meeting with me, and I declined and said, that like our good friend Kido, I had no intension of forgetting the theatre nor its family. Though she was a little down hearted, about not being invited, into becoming, somehow involved, I guessed that she knew that I had to grow up one day, and I needed to try and stand on my own two feet.

It was much later that day, as promised, that Mariela came over to me, and introduced a smart looking gentleman, he had a thin, long unshaven face and a long bony nose, on which his round metal glasses balanced on precariously. His eyes were small and deep set, and what little hair he had, was swept back from his forelock.  He was introduced as Fujiyama-San, at once he handed me his name card, and said that his office was just a stone’s throw from Yokohama portside.

Mariela, then directed us to a quiet room to discuss our matters in private. He started by saying, that he was aware of my income, from both my mother’s estate, and from Wada-San’s legacy, as well as my accrued income from my theatrical work, which he said was in itself very impressive. He said that these details were a matter of concern, as they were all in the public domain, and that in itself, was alarming.

I said that I had already begun buying unproductive land, north of Yokohama and that I knew that land alone, would not turn a profit, unless it was used in some way. To that he nodded and wrote something down on his notebook. I then said that the government was seen by many, as the enemy, and that people feared the authorities getting to know their business, and again, he nodded and gave me a smile. He then said that he was following my logic and asked me to continue. I then said that I wanted to get into some kind of deal with the government, maybe on a sixty to seventy percent kind of relationship, to build what the government alone couldn’t afford to build. The lawyer then asked me, if I had any ideas about what the imperial government needed, that it hadn’t got already?

I reached across and took hold of his arm and said ‘men’ and he then began to laugh and asked me what I meant by that. I said that we were losing the war, bit by bit, and our men were coming home broken, and those who remained abroad, had been dying needlessly. His face wore a mask of intrigue and asked me to go on. I said that I wanted the government and myself to build a hospital on high ground, with a sea view and fresh air, for our soldiers to recuperate, convalesce and get well. I said that the government, if involved, would be duty bound to keep me supplied with any military casualties flown in, and even sufficient funding to meet their medical needs, and I would find both doctors and nurses to work with the patients, and I would be allowed to charge some administration fees into the bargain.

The lawyer said that he liked my proposal, and then added, that I would need to have plans drawn up for the construction, and then I needed to hire some project managers and have numerous meetings with politicians, about how much it would cost on both sides.  Conversely, he suggested, that it would be easier to have some rough plans drawn up, which were needed, to be done first. Then as land was plentiful on higher ground, he suggested that if I did it alone, maybe by constructing a small hospital of my own, the entire project would be far simpler done and much quicker. He also added that I would have far less bureaucracy to deal with, which would otherwise hold up the building process, almost indefinitely.

He then said that he knew a man, who could design what I needed, and that this gent and I, would need to work closely on the project together, prior to any building being done. I then told him to go ahead and approach the man, and then we could go on and arrange another meeting, and he agreed, closed his notebook, and rose to his feet. He then said that he was excited about my idea, and that he looked forward to seeing the work begin.

With the gent now gone from the small office, Mariela entered and asked me if we had agreed to anything, and I said that we had, but I would let her in on the secret, when the plans were approved, and she raised her eyebrows, as if partially impressed. I had thought about this idea for some time, and as healthy eligible men were in such short supply, with most of them busy fighting the enemy abroad, and for their labours they were getting badly hurt and injured in the process.

A hospital would be able to employ the same male patients, who had recovered from their injuries, and utilise them as builders and helpers. If I was to do this alone, it would be like a soldier’s charity, but whatever I did, it needed to make some kind of money, and if not, I would soon see my resources diminish, beyond their ability to recover.

I knew that there needed to be some kind of legal framework, where the cost of medical treatment could be paid for, in terms of hours worked, and in whatever capacity we were able to offer, and the same went for females, who were able to nurse, clean or cook, and they too needed sensible renumeration, for what they contributed and for their labour.

I thought that I had just about worked it out, when I had to decide, where I was going to live, would it be at the hospital or back in Yokohama, close to the theatre? I also wanted my mother’s body to be close to me, as well as Wada’s, whose, last will and testament, requested that he was to be buried alongside my mother. I had to wonder if she had any knowledge about that. I hoped that my involvement in this enterprise, would keep my mind busy, and in doing so, quiet the three murmuring spirits, which had just recently begun to rattle me, especially when I was alone, and in a state of spiritual acquiescence.

Chapter Two

I

decided that it was time, for Yoshika to take some of the strain from off my shoulders, and so I spent an hour or more discussing my plans for a small hospital with her, and she seemed very upbeat about the whole idea. She also voiced some ideas of her own, such as establishing some kind of hierarchy, to be put in place, to spread the decision-making process, with me at the top of the tree, as it were, like a kind of chief executive figure. It would certainly make my life easier and relieve the stress of trying to do it all on my own.

It was whist I was thinking about finding investors, or people who might want to invest some of their time in supporting me, that I remembered the Imperial University students that I had met with in Tokyo, whilst visiting my mother