#reimeiroku

"Hmm…I am sure that it must be around here…" Pulling a slip of paper from within my kimono, I cast my eyes upon the address one more time. It has been quite some time since I last made my way to Edo, and so I am liable to get turned around easily. And so I have no choice but to rely on these directions to get me where I need to go. "Ah, my apologies!" Walking with my eyes glued to the directions caused me to run into someone... This is terrible. At this rate I will only cause more trouble for the people around here. For now, I best stop in a nearby shop and ask for directions. "The shopkeep told me that this was the place but..." I would never want to assume that the kind stranger would lie to me... However, the row houses before me look very old in their construction. Could an Ukiyo-e artist really live in a place such as this? Standing in front of the building, I call out to the occupants inside. "Pardon me, I have been sent here from the Kasama Domain. Is there anyone present?" From beyond the entryway door, I heard a faint reply. The sliding door opened, and a figure emerged. "So you're the guy from Kasama Domain?" "Yes, that is me. Souma Kazue. Are you perchance, Ibuki-dono then?"

With that, the man scratched his face, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "There's no need to call me '-dono'. I'm not that level of guy." "Come on inside. I've prepared a few concept drafts for you to look at." With that curt invitation, I followed him inside. Inside the main room, I immediately noticed the countless art tools accompanied by a rather distinct smell. Judging by the state of things, he does not appear to live a very easy life. I suppose this is what it must be like for those in creative professions. Ibuki then brought me several drawings from the back of the room. "The request was for an illustration of kenjutsu practice, right? I drafted up a few different ideas. Go ahead and pick the one you think is best." I took the several offered drawings into my hands. All of them depicted a young man doing his sword practice. "Yes, very good." I made sure to examine each and every sketch carefully. Even for simple sketches, I found all of them to be quite captivating. "I find this one to be the best out of the lot. I'd like you to use it for the final design." I selected the drawing that I spoke of and returned it to Ibuki. "...this one? got it. To tell you the truth, I think this one turned out the best." "You do?" "Yeah. It's not to say that I slacked off on any of the others...When it comes to art, sometimes you just know when an Idea will turn out well from before you even start." "I see. That is very fascinating." I have precious few chances to speak with an artist like this... And so I had no way of knowing anything about their process until now. "Alright then. I'll go ahead and carve the print block with this design. When it's done, I'll send word to your domain, so sit tight until then." "Ah yes. Thank you very much." The order placed by my employers, was an illustration for a book aimed at the young sons of retainers in our province. Intended to encourage the development of kenjutsu skills among them. The decision was that pictures would help get them interested more than just words alone. And so, an artist was commissioned. "Above all, I'm a little surprised that your boss chose to take a chance on a no-name artist like me. I guess there must be some eccentrics back in Kasama, huh?" "Well, uh..." I was not at all certain how to reply. My understanding was that an artist of good repute was to be commissioned... However, the twists and turns that lead to the selection of this young man are beyond my purview as a mere errand boy. Perhaps he could tell as much from my expression alone. "Well, it's not like I'm gonna grill you about it. My life's pretty rough and so I'm grateful for the work." "I am glad that our patronage can be of help to you." Once more, I took the selected sketch back into my hands. "Your work has a certain impressive air to it. In particular, the way that you portray kenjutsu. It really makes one feel as if they are truly there." "It makes me think that the artist knows a great deal about kenjutsu itself." "You may not be very well known as of now, but I think that you may very well leave a mark on this world with your art."

My words suddenly made Ibuki's cheeks flush and he averts his eyes. "Hey now. You're not gonna get anything from flattering me." "That was not my intention. In truth, I am not at all skilled in flattery." All I did was say my honest thoughts... "Now that I think about it, I didn't even offer you any tea, did I? Just wait here a moment." It looks as though I made him uncomfortable, and he retreats behind the screen door. ...did I perhaps overstep somehow? While I pondered that and waited for the tea, I cast my gaze around the room once more. There are abandoned pieces and apparent practice sketches scattered haphazardly around the room. Being an artist seems to require one to draw far much more than is ever even sold. "...hm?" Among the scattered drawings, there is one that clearly sticks out and draws my eye. A black and white colour scheme with red accents, depicting an oddly dignified white-haired demon. The image captivated me, and I found my hands reaching out towards it. Viewing it up close, i feel myself further drawn in by its powerful aura. "This kimono...It looks like something from the play Kanadehon Chuushingura? But no, this outfit is a distinct light-blue colour." I feel as though I have heard of a samurai squad being formed in Kyoto that wears this uniform. Their name was something like...Shinsen...