・

Then the next day

“Oh, you look surprisingly well.”

Kaoru called out.

“!”

When he turned around, he saw Kenshin next to Kaoru, and for a moment his expression turned into one of shock.

“It's been a long time, that is it. I would never do violence to a wounded man, that I would not.”

Kenshin's tone was especially gentle, and he smiled.

“Oh, oh.”

At these words, Gohei feigns calmness.

Here in Asakusa, at the *Gekikenkai's gate entrance.

“Even though I'm injured, I have a life. I can't stay in bed forever.”

Unable to stand on his feet, Gobei was working as a wooden door guard to fill the absence of Yahiko, who had gone to Kyoto to help out at a beef hot pot restaurant called "Shirobeko". However, even though he is able to work, his broken leg has not healed, and he wears a cane and a bandage on his head.

“Here's a little from us. I'll leave it here.”

Kaoru placed figs wrapped in newspaper on the ticket table. They were freshly picked figs, ripe on the tree. They grew in the sunny backyard of Kamiya Dojo and were extremely sweet and delicious.

“Oh, this looks ripe and tasty. Thank you.”

“This has a lot of nutrition, I hope you get well soon. If you don't get back to work soon, the Gekkenkai will have a hard time because there will be fewer people there.”

With the Gohei’s injury and Aoshi’s departure, the number of swordsmen belonging to the Gekikenkai was reduced. Knowing this, Kaoru felt a little sorry because she had even sent Yahiko to Kyoto.

“We had recruited since I was injured and Aoshi left the group, so we are reasonably well staffed. The true purpose of the Gekikenkai is to show off your swordsmanship and find a place to serve after all.”

“Taking consideration that the swordsman will be replaced, that is it”

Kenshin joined the conversation.

“That's what I mean. Speaking of the place to serve, I wonder how that sullen, pretty guy is doing.”

“You mean he's sullen and quiet?”

“You mean Aoshi, that you do?”

“Yes, Shinomori Aoshi.”

Kenshin and Kaoru looked at each other as the unexpected person was mentioned by Gohei.

“He was showing off his skills at the Gekkenkai.”

“Yes, yes. I came to watch the game because Yahiko was going to participate, and I saw that Aoshi was also participating. I was surprised, but Misao-dono's surprise was quite impressive, that she is. But still, I didn't know that they were so close that Gohei was concerned about Aoshi's place of service.”

“It’s unexpected”

Kenshin and Kaoru's words were quickly dismissed by Gohei.

“We don't get along with each other at all.”

“Oh, really? Then why?”

“The reason I'm hurt like this is because I got beat to a pulp in the bouncer's final exam. They said that if I failed, they would test Aoshi next. That's why he disappeared from the Gekkenkai right away. Aoshi must be where I couldn't get to.”

“Eh? Is that...?”

Kaoru hesitated.

Certainly *)Chou was in pursuit of Aoshi. Chou said he was trying to spy on a company called something or other.

“So, did you take the test to become a bouncer for the Fujita group, that you did?”

Unlike Kaoru, who had little interest in Chou's private investigation work and had a fluffy memory, Kenshin seemed to have remembered the company name correctly and asked him the exact question.

“No? It wasn't a company with such an obvious name. It was a trading company in Germany, as I recall, and I couldn't remember the name at all. It was probably in German.”

Gohei and German’s trading company. It is hard to find a more unsuitable combination. I wonder what kind of mindset made him decide to become a bouncer for such a foreign trade. No, there is something more important than that.

“Gohei, don’t you recall the name of that German trading company, that you do?"

“Foreign words just slip out of my left ear and into my right.”

“Then do you remember where that trading company is located?”

“I don't know. It's a foreign trading company, so it must be in Yokohama. I was rejected, so I don't know the details.”

That was the most information they could get from Gohei. However, it turned out that Chou's guess that "it was the Fujita group that hired Aoshi as a bouncer" was wrong.

“I don't know what to do about this.”

After returning to Kamiya Dojo, Kaoru was sipping tea in her usual tea room.

Telling Chou that Aoshi had returned to Kyoto was not a lie at the time, but as a result, it told him something that was not true. Neither Chou‘s role as a private investigator nor Aoshi's job as a bouncer was in a position for Kenshin or Kaoru to interfere unnecessarily. However, they did give incorrect information to Chou.

“Are you uncomfortable with this?”

“Yes. Pretty much.”

Presumably, Aoshi and Misao returned to Aoiya in Kyoto at least once after leaving Kamiya Dojo. And only Aoshi would have gone to the Germany trading company on a bouncer's job.

At this time, it was hard to believe that Aoshi told the people at the Aoiiya in detail where he was going and what he was doing. That was because Misao did not even know that he had participated in the Gekikenkai. Surely Aoshi was doing something in secret, and perhaps Chou would not be able to find out what Aoshi was up to even if he went to the Aoiya.

Also in the first place, Chou assumed that Aoshi had become a bouncer for the Fujita group, which was also incorrect.

Chou might not need to go after Aoshi.

“However, we can’t go to Kyoto.”

Kaoru rubbed her belly, which was becoming more noticeable.

“How about writing a letter?”

“Hmmm. But the problem is where Cho is. If he took Yahiko to Shirobeko in Kyoto, where would he be after that?”

“I think he went to Aoiya to visit Aoshi.”

“But he's a former ten-sword man. He wasn’t attacking Aoiya directly, but for them he is an enemy, right? I think if he goes straight in to ask them without a strategy, he is going to end up getting turned away at the door. So in the end, we won't know where he is.”

“It is impossible to send a letter to Chou, that it is.”

“But I can't help doing something about it. So I think I'll write to Yahiko at Shirobeko.”

“That would be good. It may be possible that the content of the letter will be conveyed to Chou by some chance.”

Kaoru immediately took up the pen.

・

At the same time, How was Chou?

Contrary to Kenshin and Kaoru's expectations, he received *ryotei hospitality at Aoiya, played *toraken, drank as much sake as he could, and got drunk in a really good mood.

“I hope you'll wake up for good!”

Ochika kicked Chou’s butt.

“Ah… Oh-oh, I'm asleep as usual.”

“The sun has already risen to the top.”

“Uh, where's Yahiko?”

“He left long ago yesterday.”

“Oh, well, in that case, this is...”

The beautiful, slender, shapely legs are resting on Chou's stomach as he laid on his back. He pulled on the legs with a jerk.

“Aaaw, what are you doing? Lecher Chou.”

Coquettish voice raised. It was Kamatari.

“Whoa.”

Unintentionally, Chou let out a groan.

“You should at least put on a loincloth. And wrap up your balls of gold. I saw the base of your foot! It was so familiar.”

“It‘s a boy’s thing”

“It ain't nothing.”

“I don't like to wear a loincloth because it makes the strings of the loincloth look funny bulging on top of my kimono. That's why I've always worn nothing.”

“Ah. Yes, yes.”

Perhaps realizing that there was nothing more he could say, Chou quickly let go of his hand that was holding Kamatari's leg and began to get ready to leave.

“That reminds me, where is that old man?”

Chou asked Ochika, who began dusting the room even though the two were still there.”

“Did you call for me?”

Before Ochika could reply, Okina suddenly appeared.

“Hey, old man, you haven't won the game.”

If it was a game, you won it yesterday.

Okina looked mystified.

“Oh, really? I was so drunk I couldn't remember anything.”

“I took the trouble to tell you, but you don't remember where Aoshi is?”

“I don't remember a thing.”

“I'm sorry to hear that. We had a firm agreement that only you would be told once.”

“That's not fair. Tell me one more time.”

“No, no.That was the result of a strict contest between the former Juppongatana and the name of the Oniwabanshu. I can not tell you again and again so easily!”

“Eeeeeeh.”

“If you want me to tell you again, you must come back another day and play again! The world of competition is tough.”

Okina said sternly.

There, Kamatari tugged on Chou's sleeve and whispered.

“Chou, let's just retreat from this place.”

“What's wrong?”

“There are limits to what we can do with our wallets. I wasn't planning on staying the night.”

Apparently, they were not so sure about the contents of their wallets.

“If you go home, I'll give you a little discount for your charge.”

Taking advantage of the Okina's words, Kamatari went out into the corridor.

“Okay, I'm going home!”

“Me too! Thank you.”

Chou rushed to follow Kamatari.

“No, wait, I said I'd give you a discount, but I didn't say you don't have to pay!”

“Thanks for the food!”

Kamatari and Chou demonstrated the wonderful physical abilities of the former Juppongatana, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared from the Aoiya.

Okina satisfied that nuisance had been dispensed and there was no need to pursue it deeply.

Notes:

*)Gekikenkai: Kendo style match or event to test their strenght in swordsmanship and fight (for entertaiment or even gambling purpose)

*)Chou was pursuing Aoshi: refers to Tale 9

*)Ryotei: japanese traditional restaurant

*)Toraken: a game of tatami room played by geisha for entertainment

.…..continue in chapter 15……

https://kenkaodoll.tumblr.com/post/680417499353939968/kamiya-dojo-monogatari-tale-15-jump-sq

TLnote(1): translating Japanese is so hard because the sentence structure is very different compared with the English also the style of writing is different, plus there’s a lot of figurative, poetic language and things that sounds not making sense if it’s directly translated into english. So forgive me if this is very weird to read, and please tell me if you want give corrections. TLnote(2) I will provide the original Japanese text for correction if any of you who read have better knowledge of Japanese language. Just dm and I’ll send the file. TLnote(3) Dtninja had translated some earlier chapters in his website. You can go and check on there.

.

“My workplace was dismantled by the new government.”

Fukutaro began to talk as he downed a bottle of sake.

“You don't have to be vague. I've heard the story from Misao. You were a member of the Oniwabanshu, weren’t you?”

Yahiko spoke casually.

“Oh, I see. Then, let's talk about it. I was specially trained as a Gakankushi (master of forgery) among the Edo Castle Oniwabanshu.”

“Gansakushi? What's your role in that?”

Yahiko asked the unfamiliar word.

“A forgery is an elaborate imitation. I used to make elaborate forgeries of paintings and documents.”

Come to think of it, Yahiko had heard that the Oniwabanshu were not only those who were in charge of fighting, but also those who had various skills, such as making medicine and raising carrier pigeons. Fukutaro was one of the Oniwabanshu with such special skills.

“In other words, you can't paint your own pictures because you've been trained in the art of making fake ones all along.”

“Yes. That's why I like Tsunan-san's paintings, or rather, I am envious of them.”

Fukutaro laughed emphatically.

“Tsunan's paintings have an assertiveness that I do not have. I, who specialize in making fake things, have nothing like that.”

“It's a shame to waste a man with that much skill.”

Tsunan's words made Fukutaro smile shyly.

“It was my job to make forgeries, it was a legitimate mission when I was making forgeries at the request of the Shogunate. But from now on, my techniques are simply against the law. So I don't want Tsunan-san, who can paint your own pictures, to become a criminal because of your ideology.”

“It's illegal even if you don't have an ideology, and it's illegal even if you do. It's a hard world.”

Tsunan replied that he had no intention of quitting the Nishiki-e newspaper, so he let Fukutaro's words slide.

“I don't know anything about the subtleties of an artist, but why don't you start studying to paint your own pictures? Throw away all those paintings in those stalls and everything else.”

Yahiko commented.

“Throw it all away!”

Fukutaro's eyes sparkled, Yahiko's suggestion had struck him.

“That's good. Let's burn it all. For my new beginning. If Tsunan Tsukioka, whom I adore, pushes me, I think I can do it.”

“I'll burn it.... Let's blow it up with a bang.”

Tsunan never misses an opportunity to test his bombs.

In no time at all, the bombing contest was set.

・

・

Meanwhile, in Osaka.

At their usual udon shop, Chou and Kamatari were slurping down their kitsune udon.

“It's so good!”

“It's really the kind of thing that filling my stomach”

“When you've had too much sake the day before, udon noodles are the best.”

“I know.”

“...”

“...”

After a moment of silence.

“This is not the time to be idle chatter.”

Kamatari looked at Chou with a stiff expression.

Chou nodded with an unusually serious face.

“But first, we have to deal with this hangover, don't we?”

“Certainly… My head hurts.

Last night, they went to a Ryotei restaurant to receive instructions from the investigation headquarters regarding the "Fujita group counterfeit banknotes case" that they were pursuing.

Even though they were pursuing a case, neither Chou nor Kamatari were police officers. It sounded cool to call them secret detectives, but the point was that they were non-official cooperators. When they received orders, they could not be with other police officers. Therefore, they usually received orders on the side of the road, at an udon shop, or at a soba noodle shop.

However, the investigation of this case was specially funded by the Ministry of Finance's special budget and was conducted over drinks at a luxurious Ryotei.

“What a fool! No, I can't drink too much. I'm about to go on a mission, and I feel sick to my stomach.”

“Can I recap the case until the hangover subsides? I'm in the middle of this.”

“Yeah, that's right. We're just chasing…**”

“The Fujita group counterfeit banknotes case.”

“Yes, that's right. Originally, the founder of the Fujita Group, Fujita Denzaburo, was accused in a document called "Jichiroku" written by a former employee of the Fujita group.”

The "Jichiroku" is a document written by Kimura Shinzaburo, a former employee of the Fujita Group (then known as the Fujita Denzaburo Trading Company). According to this document, Fujita Denzaburo and politician Inoue Kaoru conspired to create forged banknotes. Inoue printed the banknotes during his stay in Germany and sent them to Japan as an official gift of Kaoru Inoue, a member of the Diet. Kimura saw the counterfeit bills in a box and wrapped in a fabric, and was also told by the clerk about the secret behind the counterfeit banknotes**.

“So, in fact, the counterfeit banknotes were mixed in with the taxes paid last year.”

“But are Inoue Kaoru and Fujita Denzaburo the culprits in the counterfeit banknotes case? We can't just arrest them based on eyewitness testimony that there were counterfeit banknotes in a box sent from Germany.”

“The other party was a politician from the Choshu clan and a political merchant with close ties to them. That's why we were trying to gather evidence...”

“I tried to infiltrate the Fujita Group, but Shinomori Aoshi beat me to it.”

“That was indeed a big blunder, but... Hey, don't bother rehashing what has passed. You‘re hurting me.”

Chou said in a playful tone.

“Sorry, sorry. So we switched to a simpler task. We would go through the wallets of people who had just received their paychecks from the Fujita Group to see if there were any counterfeit banknotes in them.”

“I can pick it up without being noticed, but getting it back without being noticed is harder than I thought.”

“Normally, you don't return it.”

However, no counterfeit banknotes were found in the wallets of Fujita group staff.

“Among Osaka merchants, I've heard many rumors since the end of last year that the 2-yen bill was a no-no, and that there was an old man who insisted on exchanging 2-yen bills.”

In the end, they were unable to find the actual counterfeit banknotes.

“I'm not cut out for this kind of low-key investigation. My head hurts.”

“Me too. My chest is aching.”

Both of them still had a lot of last night's alcohol left in their body.

“So, without much progress, I was invited to a ryotei restaurant.”

“Lots of food, lots of sake.”

“All sorts of Osaka Province's confidential expenses!"

“Given the fact that there are no counterfeit banknotes circulating on the street, we have no choice but to hit the company's vaults and correspondent banks. There's nothing else to do but to investigate directly.”

“So this is the kind of mission no cop could have pulled off.”

“Well.”

Kamatari drank all the udon soup in one gulp.

“Then we'll wait for the night and go on a mission. My hangover will be gone by then.”

“Yes! If all goes well. We'll get this thing over with.”

“And then we'll get our reward.”

“I'm getting excited about this.”

The two of them smiled wryly at each other.

Night.

The two, now recovered from their hangover, were headed for a warehouse used by the Fujita group. Or rather, a warehouse district.

The large buildings used for storing cargo are made of bricks to prevent fires. The buildings were built side by side.

“So somewhere in all of this, there must be evidence.”

“If there is a pile of counterfeit banknotes, you've hit the jackpot. Not just stacks of banknotes. It could be a printing press imported from Germany for making counterfeit banknotes, so it could be a printing machine, or even a stack of paper before printing. If we find it, there will be enough evidence.”

In other words, their mission is to conduct an illegal search.

They would sneak in like a thief to get the evidence in that place without formal procedure. After the police know that there was evidence, they would follow the formal procedure and interrogate the suspect. This way, there was no mistake. Since they were arresting a political merchant, the police would not be able to face him unless they had solid evidence.

They entered the warehouse district, which was eerily quiet. In the daytime, this area would be bustling with people carrying cargo, but at night there is no such bustle.

“We’re not suited for low-key investigations, but we’re also not suited for this kind of sneaking mission.”

Chou said as he looked at Kamatari's flashy furisode.

“That's true.”

Kamatari replied and stared at Chou's broom head.

“But it's the police officers' fault for asking us to do that kind of work, not ours.”

“We're only good at flashy combat.”

“Fujita's group has bouncers, and we have to be careful."

“That's right! Shinomori Aoshi, who outwitted us, might be working here as a bouncer as well. Then we'll have a big fight. I'm looking forward to it.

Chou was grinning.

“Well, maybe nothing will happen.”

Kamatari said calmly.

The warehouse naturally had no windows, so sneaking in through a window was not an option. Chou pried open the large padlock on the locked door of the warehouse using his small weapon. They went straight into the building. Both of them were confident in their strength, so even if there were bouncers guarding the door, they intended to face them in battle to get through.

The first warehouse they entered had no bundles of counterfeit banknotes, no printing presses, nothing that we found.

The next warehouse, and the one after that, had nothing.

“At least if Shinomori Aoshi himself is here, we can fight.”

Chou grumbled.

But their luck changed in the next warehouse. When he opened the door to the fourth warehouse, there was...

“This is it, isn't it?”

“Wow, we hit the jackpot!”

The two of them took each other hand in hand and rejoiced.

“Proof, proof, proof! This settles everything, doesn't it?”

“Warehouse No. 4. Report this, and the mission is complete!”

Both were in high spirits.

Notes:

*)Utagawa Kuniyoshi was one of the last great masters of the Japanese ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints and painting. The range of Kuniyoshi's subjects included many genres: landscapes, beautiful women, Kabuki actors, cats, and mythical animals.

*)Kawanabe Kyosai was a painter, print artist and collector. Working in a wide range of fields of both 'Ukiyo-e' and more classical styles of painting.

*Hikikomori: total withdrawal from society and seeking extreme degrees of social isolation and confinement.

*)Nishiki-e: a painting with woodblock printing technique

*)Kitsune udon: udon with deep-fried tofu

*)Ryotei (Japanese-style restaurant)

**)The case Chou was pursuing refers to Tales 9

*)Jichiroku: practical record

**)This case actually is based on a real event, the Fujita Counterfeit Case, but I can't find any source in English.

*)Furisode: Kimono with long sleeve for young woman

.…..continue in chapter 24……

https://kenkaodoll.tumblr.com/post/682412826978058240/kamiya-dojo-monogatari-tales-24-jump-sq

“It depends on the standard. Thanks to you, Aoiya was hit hard. We can't allow you to get away with it now, even if you're cooperating with the government.”

Misao's voice was rough and angry.

If you don't forgive me, I won't be able to fulfill the third purpose of my visit today, which is to ask about Aoshi's whereabouts.

There's no way I'm going to tell you guys about Aoshi-sama.

The conversation went on and on...  Then...

"Well, well, don't be so harsh, Misao.

It was Okina who came to the tatami room to intercede.

“Yesterday's enemy is today's friend, good words right? He was the enemy who dealt a heavy blow to Aoiya, but now he is a young man who is trying to work for the world and for others. Let's close one eye and watch over him.”

“Ew, Grandpa, you're too good for people!”

“But I only have to close one eye. I'll give you the hospitality of Aoiya for the full price. But I can't give you any information about Aoishi.”

He declared sternly.

“That's the way to do it, Granpa! When it's time to decide, we'll decide.”

Misao was relieved. When he first said that he would look out for these two former Shishio faction members, Chou and Kamatari, she thought she was not convinced. But this is a ryotei restaurant. We will uphold the main mission of a ryotei, but we will also uphold our main mission as Oniwabanshu. We will entertain them, but we will not give you information. Yes, that is the way it should be.

“I'm glad that you are going to watch over us starting our life, and I'm glad that you are going to entertain us at the ryotei, but honestly, we are in trouble if we don't have any information about Aoshi. We'll do something  for you about that.”

Okina shook his head at Chou, who put his hands together begging.

“If we have to, we have to settle for a win.”

“You'll give me information  if I win, right? “

“Of course.”

“Yessssss!”

Then, just like that, he put his hands on his hips. It's Chou, of course. There was no way he was coming here unarmed.

Everyone in the room tensed up.

But, Okina shouted out a warning and interrupted the tension!

“Wait!”

The atmosphere in the room hardened at his powerful roar.

“Aoiya is a ryotei restaurant, after all. A ryotei has its own way of playing the game.”

“A ryotei competition? Is this some kind of taste contest? I'm telling you, we are totally hopeless in the kitchen.”

“No way. If there is a competition in a ryotei restaurant, Kurojo and Shirojo, the signature chefs of Aoiya, are sure to win. I am well aware that you would not take part in such a contest.”

“Then what is a ryotei game?”

“The ryotei game. It's called *)Toraken!”

He raised his voice and said ‘Toraken’ with all energy.

The force of his words made Chou flinch.

“Tiger fist... What? Is that Chinese martial arts or something?”

“Let me explain. Toraken is a game of tatami room played by geisha for entertainment.”

“Play! I thought we were fighting.”

Chou was not pleased, but Kamatari was very enthusiastic.

“A game! I like that. I've always wanted to try it.”

“You're going to teach me how to do this, right?”

“Of course.”

Toraken.

It is, roughly speaking, a kind of "rock-paper-scissors" game.

However, there is a story behind the toraken that originated in the joruri (a type of Japanese puppet play) written by *)Chikamatsu Monzaemon.

Long ago, there was a military commander named Watounai, whose father was Chinese and mother was Japanese, who devoted himself to the revival of the Ming Dynasty. The general was very strong and could kill a tiger with his hunting rifle, making him stronger than the tiger.

However, even such a strong Watounai was vulnerable to his aging, cane-wielding mother.

And the old mother was no match for the tiger.

.

Watounai won over the tiger, the mother won over Watounai, and the tiger won over the mother.

.

The relationship between Watounai, his mother, and the tiger was like "rock, scissor, and paper".

.

But this was how the game was played in the tatami room.

First, a folding screen was prepared to hide the figures. The person stood on the right and left sides of the folding screen, respectively. This made it impossible for the participants to see each other.

Then they  danced to the *)shamisen, and sang the toraken song. At the end of the song, the winner was decided by whether their dance pose should be "Watounai aiming at his prey with a hunting rifle," "Watounai's mother with a walking stick," or "a tiger crawling on all fours, stalking its prey".

・

“So, Shirojo, Kurojo, you go back to the kitchen and continue your work as cooks. Misao, bring in the dishes. Also, call Ochika and Omasu and bring them a folding screen and a shamisen. Our guests should enjoy the fun of ryotei tatami room games!”

The three of them moved quickly under Okina’s direction.

Ochika and Omasu positioned the partition screen.

“First of all, let me show you the Toraken dance as a model. It is a simple compositon, and you will learn it quickly.”

Ochika set up the shamisen, adjusted the strings a little, and began to sing.

“*)Tora to-ra Tora to-ra

Tora to-ra, tora to-ra”

Okina clapped his hands cheerfully, and Ochika's singing followed.

“Running Thousands of miles - through the numbers

Everyone, take a peek.”

Here, Okina made a gesture as if he were running through a number of them and peeking into their eyes.

The song and dance seem to be in tune with each other so could be easily understood.

“Gold-brocade wrapper band

Watounai gabbling endlessly

The beast that was captured

Tora to-ra Tora to-ra

Tora to-ra Tora to-ra

Tora to-ra Tora to-ra”

When the song "Toratora Toratora" was ended, the two people who couldn't see each other came out from the partition screen and posed as Watounai, or the mother, or the tiger. Then, for example, if he was Watounai, he won against the tiger and lost against the mother, and if they both were Watounai, the game was a draw.

・

“Yes,yes! I get it, I can't wait to try it for real."

Kamatari's eyes lit up, then the food and sake were brought to them.

“Well, before that, let's have a drink. These games are supposed to be fun.”

“Good!”

On top of the serving table were a feast of cooked *)mizuna, deep-fried tofu, seasonal vegetable tempura, sashimi, and shrimp balls .

“Delicious!”

“It tastes great!”

“Yes, it's good.”

Kamatari, Chou, and Yahiko enjoyed the taste of the ryotei. Kamatari and Chou also enjoyed sake from Kyoto. Only Yahiko, who had previously had a bad experience with Sanosuke and Tsukioka Tsunan by drinking sake at a party, decided to have a cup of tea.

When the delicious food had made them feel refreshed, Okina said to them.

“Well then, it's time to start the game.”

Yahiko cut him off.

“I'm not in the game because I'm not the one who wants to get information. I'm going to observe.”

“Oh, that's true. Well, then Kamatari in my group, Old man... I'd like to play with Omasu-chan, the pretty girl who first showed me the room.”

After bringing the folding screen, Omasu, who had been preparing the room, stood up.

“Yes, sir.”

“Then I'll play with the pretty girl.”

“Oh, you're good.”

Kamatari was thrilled and quickly entered the shadow behind the folding screen. Okina was also ready.

“Tora to-ra Tora to-ra

Tora to-ra, tora to-ra”

They were dancing on Ochika's shamisen... and the result.

Kamatari, tiger. Okina, tiger.

It was a draw.

“If it's a draw, we'll have one drink each and then move on to the next group.”

Okina poured sake into Kamatari's cup.

“Well, take a swig.”

Kamatari drank too.

“Here for you!”

In a good mood, Kamatari poured sake for Okina.

The next match was between Chou and Omasu. However, this game ended in a draw too between Watounai and Watounai, and the drinking party continued.

・

“Can I have a word?”

With the merry, drunken adults at his back, Misao called Yahiko to the end of the hallway.

“We don't know the whereabouts of Aoshi-sama either, you know. It's Grandpa''s intention to get them out of the house by getting them drunk in the tatami room and making a nice mess of it.”

“Well, that's pretty much what I figured.”

Yahiko nodded.

“It was the same when he was hired by Takeda Kanryu. I was worried about Aoshi-sama when I heard that a secret police detective was after his whereabouts in Aoiya. I'm thinking of tracking down Aoishi-sama, Yahiko, have you heard anything from Chou?”

Misao’s concern was serious. He could feel her pain. However, to tell her Chou’s story about the bodyguard job to her would mean a betrayal on Chou’s mission.

Chou and Kamatari were drunk, and Yahiko was in a dilemma with information about Aoshi.

・

Meanwhile Kamiya Dojo. Kaoru was having tea with Kenshin.

“Kenshin, I'm thinking of going to visit Hiruma Gohei tomorrow.

“Oro? Why?”

“I heard that his injury has been lingering for quite a while, and I'm worried.”

“Eh, but he was like an enemy to Kamiya Dojo.”

“Yesterday's enemy is today's friend. I think it was fate that I saved him from being attacked by a gang of thugs.”

“But I am worried about you with your pregnancy, that I should be. I will accompany you, that I will.”

Notes:

*)Toraken (Tiger Fist): A rock, paper, scissors game with gesture setting a folding screen between players and toss up to the shamisen. At the end of the song “tora to ra to ra tora tora to ra to ra tora”, jump from the behind of the screen and strike a pose.

Tiger → perform tiger pose with growling (a rock)

An old lady → perform walking with a stick pose (scissors)

Watonai → perform attacking pose (paper)

*)Chikamatsu Monzaemon was a Japanese dramatist of jōruri, the form of puppet theater that later came to be known as bunraku, and the live-actor drama, kabuki.

*)Shamisen: a Japanese traditional instrument .

*)Mizuna is a leafy green vegetable that's native to East Asia. It's also referred to as Japanese mustard greens, spider mustard, or konya.

.…..continue in chapter 14……

https://kenkaodoll.tumblr.com/post/680235111634141184/kamiya-dojo-monogatari-tales-14-jump-sq

TLnote(1): translating Japanese is so hard because the sentence structure is very different compared with the English also the style of writing is different, plus there’s a lot of figurative, poetic language and things that sounds not making sense if it’s directly translated into english. So forgive me if this is very weird to read, and please tell me if you want give corrections.

TLnote(2) I will provide the original Japanese text for correction if any of you who read have better knowledge of Japanese language. Just dm and I’ll send the file.

TLnote(3) Dtninja had translated some earlier chapters in his website. You can go and check on there.

“We're not going to get anywhere arguing like this.”

“Then let's play a game.”

Kamatari challenged him.

“Of course, yes.”

“We have a big printing press here.”

It was an important piece of evidence. It was a large printing press, so large that a man could hide behind it.

“Then I'll go this way and Chou will go the other way across the printing press.”

Now they were out of sight of each other.

“Then, please clap your hands! Torato-ra, to-ratora.*”

“Torato-ra, to-ratora. One game.”

“Torato-ra, to-ratora. Win or lose, no hard feelings."

"Thousands of miles, you will run in numbers."

They sang and danced.

At the end of the song.

“Torato-ra, to-ratora!”

The two jumped out from behind the printing press.

This game was a kind of rock-paper-scissors-paper game played by three characters: Watouchi, Tiger, and Mother.

If Watouchi made the gesture of shooting the tiger, he would win against the tiger.

If they made the gesture of a tiger, he would win against the mother.

If the mother makes a gesture of a walking stick, she would win against Watouchi.

Result.

Chou made a gesture of shooting a tiger. Watouchi.

Kamatari made the gesture of picking up the cane. Mother.

“Tsk! I thought you would make a mocking gesture like "It's a tiger, Nyan☆" as you promised. I wouldn’t think you would act like an old lady with a cane. Damn it, I'm losing!”

“I tried to be secretive. Well, I'll split the contents of the reward in half, so don't worry. Oh, I'm looking forward to it! A gold reward from the Ministry of Finance's secret fund!”

Kamatari’s face smug with a winning smile.

And then...

"We found it"

Four *characters were sent to Tokyo by telegraph.

・

“Sir! This is an urgent message.”

Despite the late hour of the night, it was mid-police superintendent *Ando Sokumei who received a four *character telegraph from a live in *student.

“Mitsuketa (We found it)... What? Four characters are not enough. Give me more information.”

At this time, grand police superintendent Kawaji Toshiyoshi was away from Japan because he was in trip to Europe. Ando was appointed as his deputy. Kawaji and Ando were both from Satsuma, as the police are called "mappo," short for "Satsumappo," meaning Satsuma people.

In the 10th year of Meiji, there was the Seinan War and Saigo Takamori died.

The following year, ‘Sojiro’s Heaven Blade’ of the Juppongatana assassinated Okubo Toshimichi.

The Satsuma clan lost these two men and were pushed by the Choshu clan. The main figures of the Choshu clan were Ito Hirobumi, Inoue Kaoru, and Yamagata Aritomo. Founder of the Fujita Group Fujita Denzaburou was also from Choshu. He was suspected of being responsible for the counterfeit banknote case. Now Ando had the evidence.  It's Fujita Denzaburo, the culprit in the counterfeit banknote case. He was deeply involved with Inoue. Ando was from the Satsuma clan, he was instantly elated at the thought of being able to arrest the Choshu clan.

“Call out now! Board to Osaka!”

He couldn't leave it to the Osaka police officers. It was a big arrest. He would dispatch "his men" selected from Tokyo to raid the Fujita Group. There was no time to talk about morning or night. He was going to gather people right now and get on a boat to Osaka right away.

“Strike while the iron is hot.”

I will finish this case myself before Grand inspector Kawaji Toshiyoshi returns to Japan. Ando vowed.

・

・

Aoshi was fighting.

He was working as a bouncer for the German’s trading company in Yokohama, but actually he was searching for the German’s company that had the "printing plate". 

Of course it was the printing plate for counterfeit banknotes of "2,000 yen bill".

Aoshi's mission was to "burry the bad guys who use the forbidden technique with his own power". This time, his objective was to destroy the printing plate of counterfeit banknotes made with Oniwabanshu's forbidden technique.

Chou was actually right to have once turned his attention to the German’s trading company. The biggest proof of counterfeit banknotes, the printing plate was in this trading company.

He infiltrated as a bouncer, at last discovered the location of the printing plate and beat the bouncers who were guarding it.

After obtaining, destroying, and dumping the printing plate into the sea, someone called out to Aoshi.

“*Okashira!”

When he turned around, there was a policeman there.

After the Meiji Restoration, former Oniwabanshu had taken on various jobs, so naturally there were also those who had taken on the position of "policeman". He was one of the Oniwabanshu who became a policeman. In fact, the reason Aoshi was able to outwit Chou and become a bouncer here was because the Metropolitan Police Department had a network of information on the former Oniwabanshu. They sympathize with Aoshi's belief of "burry the bad guys who use the forbidden technique with his own power," and provide him with information.

“What's up?”

“Evidence in the counterfeit case has come to light.”

“...”

It was, and I've just destroyed it. So, why?

A printing press and a large quantity of counterfeit banknotes were found in a warehouse of the Fujita Group. Using this as evidence, Tokyo is dispatching a police force to Osaka.”

“.... That's ridiculous. The culprit in the counterfeit case is the German owner of the trading company here. The Fujita Group had nothing to do with it.”

“But, I heard that the two former Juppongatana, ‘Sword Hunter Cho’ and ‘Great Scythe Kamatari’, have found evidence of it. It can’t be mistaken if a printing press and a large quantity of counterfeit banknotes have been found in the warehouse of the Fujita Group.”

“...”

Aoshi nodded to the policeman and started running.

It was Fukutaro who created the counterfeit banknotes with his special skill.

Fukutaro made elaborate counterfeit bills using his special skill and a German’s printing machine in exchange for the owner of the German’s trading company to provide him with money for a trip to Germany. This was exposed by the fact that counterfeit banknotes had been circulating from Osaka to Kyushu area since last year. Aoshi identified Fukutaro as the culprit and let him go, but he set the condition that he would "destroy the printing plate and cause no further damage." The crimes of the Oniwabanshu will be judged by the Oniwabanshu. This was not a matter for the police, but for our own people. That is what he thought.

But then, smoke came from an unexpected source. Someone was trying to frame the Fujita Group for the crime.

Fujita Group was in political business. Some said they were a purveyor of wealth by cozying up to politicians and bureaucrats. In other words, they must have many enemies.

Aoshi hurried to Fukutaro's residence.

“Fukutaro!”

He kicked the entrance door forcefully and it opened.

“Come out!”

The room was quiet and Aoshi felt a sense of discomfort.

There was no sign of anyone.

Aoshi felt strange.

Aoshi violently broke into the storage shed.

Then, he realized what the strange feeling was.

There were mountains of paintings and calligraphy piled in the storage shed. The vivid colors and the high grade of the artwork were gone completely.

“The place was empty.... I wonder...”

The usually quiet Aoshi murmured to himself, There was nothing here.

Fukutaro and his belongings had disappeared.

It is now late at night. Fukutaro's residence was secluded and there were no pedestrians around. There was no way to inquire where he went. However, there might be a clue somewhere.

Aoshi was about to start searching the storage shed.

At that time.

“Somebody!”

A man came running from the station, shouting.

“It’s weird! A strange thing!” 

Aoshi came out of the storage shed and called out to the man.

“What's wrong?”

“Aaaa, thank goodness someone was there. I just saw something terrible.

“What is it?”

“Well, you'll be surprised to hear…It's a *shapeshifter Tanuki!”

“…”

Aoshi raised his eyebrows and fell silent. He didn't know how to answer at a time like this.

“Are you surprised?”

“Oh, I'm surprised.”

Aoshi tried hard to match the story in his own way. Because he was going to ask him if he had seen anyone who looked like Fukutaro.

“No, you don't look surprised.”

“No, that's not true. A shapeshifter Tanuki is quite rare...”

At that moment, a sudden flash of memory flashed through Aoushi's mind.

A shapeshifter Tanuki. The word stuck in his mind when he tried to say it out loud. Where had he heard this word before?

It was when he and Misao were about to board a steam train from Shinbashi Station. Yahiko's friend, a young man who looked like a student, was talking about a shapeshifter Tanuki. He wondered…

“You mean the shapeshifter Tanuki that turned into steam locomotive?"”

The man had a big smile at Aoshi's words.

“Yes, yes, that's it! There was a Tanuki who turned into a steam locomotive.”

The man, perhaps happy to be understood, spoke rapidly about the shapeshifter Tanuki that transformed into a steam locomotive.

This was what he said.

The Tanuki's steam locomotive was very small.

It did not emit smoke like a real steam locomotive.

It was running on the tracks in the direction of Shinbashi.

There were people on it.

The man talked about things like this with gestures, saying the same thing over and over again and exaggerating more and more, until he was satisfied.

“You say there were people on board, what were they like?”

“I think there were three of them! They might have been manipulated by the shapeshifter Tanuki.”

“What did they look like?”

“They were excited.”

“Their appearances?

“A little guy with a spiky head and two guys with long hair. One of them was dressed in Western clothes.”

That's it! The man with the long hair in Western clothes was no doubt Fukutaro. He didn't know the shapeshifter Tanuki, but at any rate, it seemed to be heading from Yokohama Station to Shinbashi along the railroad tracks.

“Well, I thank you.”

Aoshi left the man, who still seemed to have more to say, and headed for the Shinbashi station.

Notes:

*)They were playing Tora-ken game, refers Tales 13 

*)Characters mean Japanese character in Kana

*)Live in student: in the Meiji and Taisho period some university students earned extra money by living in a rich household and giving tutoring to their children.

*)Ando Sokumei also known as Ando Norimichi was a samurai of the Satsuma clan in the late Edo period and a police official and politician of the Meiji period.

*)Kawaji Toshiyoshi was a Japanese statesman and chief of police during the Meiji period. A Satsuma Domain samurai initially tasked to study foreign systems for application in the Japanese military.

*)Seinan war The Satsuma Rebellion, also known as the Seinan War was a revolt of disaffected samurai against the new imperial government, nine years into the Meiji Era.

*)Saigo Takamori was a Japanese samurai and nobleman. He was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history and one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. Living during the late Edo and early Meiji periods, he later led the Satsuma Rebellion against the Meiji government

*)Okubo Toshimichi was a Japanese statesman and one of the Three Great Nobles regarded as the main founders of modern Japan. He was assassinated on 14th May, 11th Year of Meiji. 

*)Ito Hirobumi was a Japanese politician and statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of Japan.

*)Inoue Kaoru was a Japanese politician and a prominent member of the Meiji oligarchy during the Meiji period of the Empire of Japan. 

*)Yamagata Aritomo was a senior-ranking Japanese military commander and a leading member of the genrō, an élite group of senior statesmen who dominated Japan after the Meiji Restoration.

*)Okashira: head; leader.

*)Tanuki: racoon dog, a shapeshifter in Japanese folklore

.…..continue in chapter 26……https://kenkaodoll.tumblr.com/post/682773046187180032/kamiya-dojo-monogatari-tales-26-jump-sq

・

Therefore, Misao was taken to another room by Sae. She promptly changed her clothes.

“Ehehe. I don't know.”

Misao, embarrassed by her unaccustomed Western attire, fidgeted and showed herself to Kamatari.

“Ya-da, kawaii-iii!”

Kamatari shouted loudly.

“She's really cute!”

Sae was also very satisfied.

“Hehehe, thank you.”

Shyly, Misao wished she could show it to Aoshi-sama, she wondered what he would think if he saw her wearing this outfit.

The Western-style costume worn by Misao is a white one-piece dress with a white frilly apron, in contrast to Kamatari, who wore black.

“It's the same shape as my dress, but in a different color. But what is that headdress?”

Kamatari asked.

“This is called a nurse's cap, and it's supposed to be a nurse's costume. Kamatari-han is wearing a maid's uniform. Misao-chan is wearing a nurse's uniform. Both of them are costumes for working women in England.”

“Heh! Nurse.”

“I like England. I want to go to the West. Not only in England, but I want to go to various places and wear various clothes. It's just a dream.”

Kamatari's eyes drove away.

“If you want to wear different clothes...”

Sae brought a wicker trunk and started to pull out some things from inside.

“This is a German Tyrolean costume.”

The white puff-sleeve blouse, red torso gown that was narrowed to fit the lines of the body, and a skirt of the same color. And an apron.

“Wow, those puffy sleeves! So cute!”

“This is the American Cowgirl.”

A beige western shirt with lots of fringe and a bright red neckerchief. Cowboy hat, gun belt, and rope. Styled jeans and western boots.

“Cool! It's a very energetic costume.”

Oh, I'm pretty good with a scythe and chain, so wielding a rope thing like this suits me.”

“And now we turn our attention to the Oriental style.”

“Oh, I don't know, it looks like the Three Kingdoms..”

“This is *Ao Dai.”

“It looks like a celestial maiden.”

Both Kamatari and Misao were intrigued.

“By the way, Sae, why do you have so many exotic costumes?”

Misao's simple question.

“It‘s my hobby.”

Sae smiled nicely.

“I've always loved needlework. If I had to make something, I wanted to make not an ordinary kimono, but a glamorous outfit from a foreign country.”

Incidentally, Sae's twin sister, Tae’s hobby was collecting nishiki-e (woodblock prints). Both sisters enjoyed fulfilling lives with their strong hobbies.

“Wow, that's lovely.”

Kamatari sighed.

Sae was in a good mood, too, as her eyes lit up.

“Yes, If you're this happy, I'm happy too, so I'll dress you in something I've kept for you.”

With that, she went to pick up the "special".

And when he came back.

“Ta-da! This is the dress I made with three-fifths of my savings that I have been saving since I started working!”

In Sae's hand was a gorgeous light purple colored dress. The dress was made of a generous amount of fabric, draped generously, and decorated with lace ornaments on the collar and sleeves. The silhouette was slim and tight at the waist, the skirt was elegantly curved and full, spread out on the legs  in exquisitely beautiful lines. The dress has a petticoat inside to shape the dress, which is the latest fashion in Western Europe.

“...!”

The dress was so gorgeous that for a moment they were speechless, just gazing at each other with a twinkle in their eyes.

It was Kamatari who spoke first.

“Can I wear this?”

“Of course.”

Misao, who had been in a daze at the beauty of the dress, suddenly comes back to herself.

“Me too! I want to wear it too.”

“Yeah!”

Sae was smiling.

The next moment, however, Kamatari and Misao clashed with each other vigorously.

“I'm first!”

“No! I'll put it on first!”

“What about? I'm the *okama who wears these beautiful costumes.”

“No, no, no, I'm the best *kunoichi of Oniwabanshuu, of course I should wear it.”

Why would an okama or kunoichi deserve to wear a dress first? The logic never quite made sense, but they were serious.

“Oh, well, I hope you two get along.”

Sae seems not to be too happy to see the two of them getting serious about a dress of her own making.

“Me!”

“Me!”

The two sides do not give an inch.

“Phew.”

Kamatari laughed, with sharp eyes and twitching mouth.

“Hmph.”

Misao, too, glared at her opponent and smiled wryly.

“I guess we are enemies after all.”

“I guess so. I thought we might be kindred spirits earlier, but it seems I was wrong.”

“Sae, I'll leave this dress with you for once.”

They left the gorgeous purple dress to Sae.

Then, Kamatari, in a black maid's outfit, and Misao, in a white nurse's outfit, got into a fighting stance after a moderate pause.

“Here we go!”

“Like usual...”

Let's fight! They were about to say...

“Oh! What are you guys doing dressed so weirdly?”

“A victim of Sae's hobby...”

Chou and Yahiko, who had apparently finished their business outside, came in. The two were on the verge of a confrontation when Kamatari and Misao suddenly came to their senses.

“What's weird with the fancy dress? It's very nice, isn't it?”

Kamatari talked back to Chou.

“Victim.... Is it really so strange?”

Misao could not fight back like Kamatari and suddenly felt embarrassed.

Yahiko did not mean to make fun of Western-style clothing. It's just that he had been given a frilly apron and ribbon before, so he said "victim" because he remembered how he felt at the time. But Misao didn't take it that way.

I'm going to go change my clothes."

In a great hurry, she went to change in the room where her clothes were.

"Kamatari, you, too, go and change quickly."

“Why?”

“I just got my master's paycheck, so I'm leaving now.”

“Oh, no.”

“The other day, I was drunkenly crushed after being drunk a lot at Aoiya. The Aoiya must not know the whereabouts of Aoshi either. If that's the case, there's no point in staying in Kyoto forever.”

“Yeah, but…”

Kamatari glanced at the dress in Sae’s hand.

“The dress won't run away, so you can always come back to Shirobeko.”

“But...”

“I'll do my best to make you another dress so you won't have to fight with Misao-chan next time.”

“Really?”

Kamatari's expression brightened. It was not Kamatari’s intention to quarrel with Misao.

“I want a pink color!”

“Yes, let's make it that color. It's worth the effort, knowing that there are people waiting for it.”

“I'm looking forward to it!”

Kamatari was overjoyed and went to the other room to change.

・

Then Chou and Kamatari were ready to leave.

“I know it's been a short time, but thank you for your hospitality and the extra pay you've given me.”

“We'll always be here for you.”

“Make me a pink colored dress, for sure!”

“Look forward to it.

After saying goodbye to Sae, Chou and Kamatari face Misao.

“You really don't know where Aoshi is, do you?”

“Umm...”

“You looked good in your Western clothes earlier. When you dress differently, be strong-minded and confident.”

Kamatari had noticed that Misao had suddenly become embarrassed.

“I'll keep that in mind.”

Yahiko then joined the conversation.

“Chou, you're leaving now, do you know where you're going?”

“I'm going to Osaka for now. It's my hometown.”

“In the end, it seems that the only way is to conduct a steady investigation. I thought I could get the evidence in one blow if I could only find out the whereabouts of Aoshi. Too bad!”

Kamatari sighed.

“Well, good-bye.”

“See you later!”

Despite the daily fuss, the two people departed with a simple goodbye.

・

Then.

“Oh, that's right. I'm a customer. One beef hotpot. Also, I came to ask Yahiko to help me find Aoshi-sama.”

“A bowl of beef hot pot!”

Yahiko then told the kitchen the order.

“I'm here to help the Shirobeko, so I don't have a lot spare time.”

“I know, right? Besides, if Chou went to Osaka, it doesn't seem to make sense to look for him in Kyoto.”

Misao sighed deeply as she ate the beef hotpot that had been brought to her.

“Here's the mail.”

The mailman left an envelope.

It was addressed to "Mr. Yahiko Myojin. The sender was Kaoru Kamiya.

Yahiko immediately opened the envelope.

“What!”

Yahiko shouted out loud at the unexpected content.

“It says that Aoshi might be in Yokohama!”

Misao's expression quickly turned to a smile at this information, while Yahiko held his head.

He did not know where in Osaka Chou had gone. They were completely unlucky slips.

Notes:

*)-han: honorific, Sae used Kansai dialect

*)Ao Dai : Vietnam traditional costume

*)okama: effeminate man, crossdresser

*)kunoichi: female ninja

.…..continue in chapter 16……

https://kenkaodoll.tumblr.com/post/680506843657797632/kamiya-dojo-monogatari-tales-16-jump-sq

TLnote(1): translating Japanese is so hard because the sentence structure is very different compared with the English also the style of writing is different, plus there’s a lot of figurative, poetic language and things that sounds not making sense if it’s directly translated into english. So forgive me if this is very weird to read, and please tell me if you want give corrections.

TLnote(2) I will provide the original Japanese text for correction if any of you who read have better knowledge of Japanese language. Just dm and I’ll send the file.

TLnote(3) Dtninja had translated some earlier chapters in his website. You can go and check on there.