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Double-flowered Chrysanthemums [English]
🕑 Added 2024-07-06 11:50:17 +0000 UTCThis is a seppuku story written by Yasushi Watanabe.
Published in the March 1966 issue of "Fuzoku Kidan" magazine.
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Translation & Annotation by カルコサの住民
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1
It was the fourth year of the Keio era and the beginning of the Meiji era (*A.D. 1868). The mountains and fields of this northern region were covered in brilliant red autumn foliage, deepening the feeling of the advancing fall season.
Normally, this castle town would have been lively with the sounds of flutes and drums, and the feudal residents should have been dressed in their finest attires.
However, this year was different.
There was not a single person to be seen on the streets of the castle town huddled tightly around the keep.
The overthrowing of the Shogunate that began in the capital resulted in the seizure of the Edo Castle. As the season deepened, the advancing government army swiftly made its way northward, attacking one domain after another - while this small domain had boldly raised their banner to suppress the rebels, intending to repay the three-hundred-year benevolence bestowed upon them by the Tokugawa family.
How many days had passed since the Alliance of the thirty-one domains of Ouetsu* raised their battle cry to "Vanquish the rebellion at Shiroishi Castle" and "Recapture the Edo Castle"? By then, the domains had already lowered their banners before the Western-equipped government army.
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* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cuetsu_Reppan_D%C5%8Dmei
In contrast to that, only this small domain demonstrated the true valor of the Northern samurai, so highly praised around the country.
The samurais of this domain had fortified several mountain passes, including key points on the roads and byroads leading to the castle town, faced off against tens of thousands of government soldiers equipped with rifles and cannons.
The two hundred fifty samurais, armed only with a few matchlock guns, abandoned firing their guns and instead charged into the large government army forces with their swords in hand. They attacked from the ridges of the mountains, the streams, and the forests, where they knew the terrain well and had the advantage.
However, the outcome of the battle was clear from the start.
The difference in equipment and troop numbers was insurmountable. The government army broke through the castle's defenses, surrounded the castle town, and positioned cannons toward the castle itself.
The castle forces had essentially expended all of their strength.
Even if it meant going down together with the castle, they at least wanted to strike a blow against the enemy of the domain, like a samurai. Driven by this mindset, even the elderly who could still walk, as well as women and children, all took arms and joined the battle.
But as expected, there was no way for them to turn the tide of the battle. On that very afternoon, the castle gates were tightly shut.
2
As the fading autumn sun was just about to dip behind the western mountain slopes, two figures dressed in samurai attire staggered into one of the samurai residences. It was the residence of Suzuki Sakon, the Kinju-gashira*.
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* A position equivalent to the captain of the lord's personal guards.
Clad in men's undershirts, covered in mud and blood-spattered Yoshitsune-Hakama* pants, breastplates, and greaves - they looked like an infantry samurai, yet they were not men, but rather Suzuki Sakon's wife Yukiji and her younger sister Yuko. They had obtained permission from the Lord to lead a troop of women from the household into battle.
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* A type of Hakama worn by samurai during the Edo period.
That afternoon, the two had taken their troop and hidden in a forest on the outskirts of the castle town. Lying in wait, they charged the flank of a passing government army unit. However, they were spotted by the army's gunmen, and nearly twenty of their troop members were gunned down on the spot.
Still, Yukiji fought on. Wielding a memento tachi gifted to her by her husband who had to remain in the castle, she cut down one enemy and injured another.
Meanwhile, Yuko used a naginata from her late mother, injuring one of the gunmen, but was unfortunately struck in the leg and collapsed into the hollow pit in the forest.
Violating women on the battlefield has always been a tradition of war. However, the government army must have mistaken their figures for men in the fading evening light. Seeing Yuko and most of the troops had fallen, they pressed on towards the castle while ignoring them.
Failing to achieve much and having lost her troop’s members, Yukiji resigned herself to the fact that this was the end. She supported the injured Yuko and managed to slip away from the enemy's eyes, finally making it back to their home.
"Even if the castle gates are still open, how can we return in this dishonored state? We cannot face the Lord and our household’s members. Yuko, resolve ourselves for the end."
"Sister-in-law, I am already resolved. Our fallen companions lying regretfully in the cold forest - how can we possibly apologize to them? Let us quickly follow after them."
The 20-year-old sister-in-law and 18-year-old younger sister grasped each other's hands tightly through their tears.
"But Yuko, I do not intend to end my life here and now. According to my duties, I should have perished with our companions in that forest. The fact that we survived must be due to some karmic connection. Moreover, having failed to report to our Lord what happened in battle, I wish to witness the castle's final moments and then lay down my life in service to my Lord. And, having abandoned my femininity to take up arms as a samurai, I desire to end my life in the true spirit of a warrior… By committing seppuku."
Though she had disguised herself as a man, Yukiji was still a woman who resolved herself to commit seppuku. Hesitant for a moment, she gazed firmly at Yuko.
"I shall join you in seppuku as well. Thinking of our companions who perished twisting in agony from gunshot wounds, without a chance to even cross blades with the enemy, a simple thrust to the heart to die quickly seems too merciful a death. Let us disembowel ourselves fully, enduring the agony, so we can witness the castle's end before our passing."
As the fragrance of chrysanthemums wafted in the evening darkness, the two carefully shut the sliding doors separating the interior of the house from the outside, ensuring not a glimmer of light escaped, lest any intruding government soldiers would bring shame upon their honor. They then began preparations for seppuku.
Having taken up arms as men, they were determined to commit seppuku in men's clothing.
Yukiji put on her husband Sakon's white kimono, while Yuko prepared a Hitatare* made of Akajinishiki**, which was a Suzuki family heirloom. Having chosen their burial attires, they set about making slight alterations to ensure a proper fit.
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* A type of traditional coat worn by samurai.
** A type of red silk fabric that features patterns woven with gold and silver threads.
The sounds of the government army's rifles and cannons had long since ceased, leaving a deathly stillness around the two to commit seppuku.
The two did not doubt that the castle's end would come by tomorrow and that their own final moments would be at that time as well.
3
In these northern regions, dawn comes late, especially in the late autumn. And what heralded the dawn was the thundering of the government army's cannons. The cannon fire echoed from every direction around the castle. Though there were slight intervals to the volleys, the cannonballs were fired almost incessantly in a steady rhythm, demolishing the castle's stone walls, ramparts, and roofs.
However, there was no sound of gunfire to be heard.
Like hunters finishing off a wounded beast that had lost all mobility, keeping their distance to torture them to death, the government army unleashed the full force of its Western weaponry.
Despite the cloudy sky, on that morning that had grown brighter, it was made perfectly clear and visible from the Suzuki residence's garden — that the once beautiful castle was being mercilessly disfigured and transformed.
On the white sand between the hedge surrounded by chrysanthemums of various colors and the Engawa veranda, Yukiji and Yuko finished preparing the place for their seppuku by laying out pairs of tatami mats with the underside facing up, and further covering them with white cloth.
A biting chill hung in the air under the cloudy sky, but the tense pair did not feel it at all.
After their baths, the two began dressing for seppuku.
"Yuko-sama, this is my last wish of my life. I have resolved to commit seppuku while fully embodying the male form by wearing my husband's white kimono. However, for my hairdo, I wish to have the Shimada-Style*. It is the least I can do to express my devotion as a wife serving her husband in death. Yuko-sama, would you tie it for me, please?"
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* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihongami#History
"As Sakon's younger sister, I am grateful to you, my sister-in-law. How could I not grant your wish to have your hair express your final thoughts as his wife? I will tie it beautifully with all of my heart."
The two exchanged warm smiles before the mirror.
With her hair elaborately done up in the Shimada-Style, Yukiji donned the white kimono, now a memento of her husband, which accentuated her perfectly voluptuous body, with an indescribable feeling of bliss. Her figure was as beautiful as a full white chrysanthemum blossom.
Yuko carefully tied the Hitatare and Hakama of Akajinishiki, with her long hair hanging down her back in a simple ponytail. Her petite form had a gallant air to it, like a young samurai from the Sengoku period.
Then, Yuko removed the hilt from her mother's memento dagger, exposed two-and-a-half su-n* of the blade's tip, wrapped the rest tightly in a white paper, and placed it on a sanbo*.
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* A traditional unit of length measurement, with 1 su-n equating to around 3 cm.
** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanbo
Yukiji similarly prepared her protective dagger, which she had brought when she got married, exposing two su-n of the tip and wrapping the rest. She also wrapped her tachi used in yesterday's charge, leaving five su-n of the blade exposed. Each was then placed on a separate sanbo.
"Sister-in-law, why have you prepared two blades?"
"Please don't ask about that for now, Yuko. It would be a great shame if I were to fail."
Yukiji smiled gently, looking as if she was being lost in her own thoughts.
Just then, an exceptionally loud cannon blast rang out, and the castle finally began billowing thick black smoke. The smoke seemed to be coming from the direction of the granary, as it engulfed the keep tower from the side .
"Let us go."
At Yukiji's resolute words, Yuko nodded firmly. Lifting their sanbo, they walked from the Engawa veranda onto the white cloth-covered garden, proceeding to the place for their seppuku.
4
Positioning the sanbo with the seppuku dagger before her and the tachi-bearing sanbo to her left, Yukiji knelt in proper seiza position, legs slightly parted.
Yuko likewise placed the sanbo with the seppuku dagger before her, and knelt resolutely with her knees spread wide, like a man would.
After deeply bowing their heads to pay reverence to the castle, Yukiji spoke:
"To our Lord, the Chief Retainers, and all within the castle. We, Suzuki Sakon's wife Yukiji and his younger sister Yuko, shall follow all of you in oblivion for the castle's sake. As the final honor for all Northern samurai, we shall commit seppuku in male forms, so please forgive this willfulness."
"Now sister-in-law, I shall begin seppuku first, so please witness carefully how I cut open my belly."
Loosening the Hakama waistband of her Hitatare of Akajinishiki, Yuko tied it again on her lower waist. Without hesitation, she undid the sleeve knots, tucking both elbows inward, then removed her upper clothing in one breath - fully exposing her bare skin to the air. Unflustered by her exposed small, taut breasts, she continued undressing until her lower abdomen below the navel lay completely bare.
Like Yuko, Yukiji re-tied her white Hakama lower. First smoothly pulling her right arm from its sleeve, she used her right hand to hold the collar over her chest. She then repeated the motion on her left side before releasing the collar on both ends, allowing her upper clothing to slip off silently. Her pert, full breasts pointed upwards, possibly from the excitement of the moment.
Next, with forceful tugs, Yukiji pulled her kimono front down, the loose fabric draping over her waistband and fully exposing her navel and amply fleshed lower abdomen.
Exchanging a warm smile and final nod with Yukiji, Yuko placed both hands on her lower abdomen, caressing it slowly. Emulating her, Yukiji too laid her hands on her lower abdomen, tenderly rubbing and caressing it.
"All of you within the castle, please witness Suzuki Yuko's seppuku carefully."
With those words, Yuko grasped the seppuku dagger in her left hand, transferring it to a reverse grip in her right. Positioning the sanbo under her hip with her left, she then placed that hand on the blade's back, aiming the tip around two su-n below her navel on her belly's left side.
After a deep breath, then another, she holds her shallow breath and swiftly thrusts inward.
SHHHUNTT!
With a dull sound, the tip penetrated about one-and-a-half su-n into her abdomen. Gripping the dagger tightly with both hands, she pulls the blade forcefully to the right.
"Sister-in-law. T-This is… How Yuko commits… Commits seppuku…"
"Excellent, Yuko-sama. Without stopping the blade… Draw it straight across."
The seppuku dagger sliced past her midline, blood gushing out as it ripped relentlessly across to her right side.
Seeing this, Yukiji grasped her own seppuku dagger with her left hand, steadying it in a reversed grip with her right hand. With her left hand, she positioned the sanbo under her hip, then firmly pressed the tip into the plump left side of her lower abdomen.
"My companions, and Sakon-dono, my dearest husband. Bear witness as I, Yukiji, follow Yuko-sama in performing seppuku."
With those words spoken, she braced the dagger with her left hand and, arching her back, forcefully dragged the blade across in a smooth motion.
The blade carved a crimson line about one su-n below her navel, slicing steadily to the right.
"Superb seppuku, my sister-in-law… Like… Like this, I shall leave the blade in my side as I witness the castle's end."
Gasping heavily, Yuko leaned forward and braced herself with her left hand on the ground, leaving the seppuku dagger embedded in her right side as she gazed at Yukiji's seppuku. Blood gushed from the gash in her lower abdomen, staining her Hakama of Akajinishiki and the white cloth beneath.
After slicing across her right side, Yukiji forcibly pulled the seppuku dagger out. She then brought the sanbo holding the tachi from her left side to the front. Though clenching her lips tightly against the agonizing pain, the twisting motion caused blood to gush from the wound on her left side even more.
First, she placed the bloodied seppuku dagger on the sanbo before her, then reached for the tachi.
"Yuko… This is… Suzuki Sakon's w-wife… Sakon-dono's wife, Yukiji's seppuku. This is my seppuku as a wife, which I could not explain before… Please witness it carefully…"
The tachi felt heavy in Yukiji's trembling, pained grip. Breathing deeply, she inverted the blade’s grip and carefully positioned the tip at her navel, bracing it with both hands. Slowly and reverentially, she guided the tip into her navel - an act that seemed devoted, as if she were accepting her husband into her body to feel his love.
"Ugh… Ugh… Yukiji's seppuku… Sakon-dono… Please witness Yukiji's seppuku…"
The tip sank one su-n by one su-n into her navel, wetting it with blood. At that moment, perhaps Yukiji felt she was firmly embracing her husband within her belly.
After impaling herself nearly three su-n deep, she rested the other end on the sanbo before her. Removing her hands, she placed them resolutely on her knees and lifted her gaze towards the castle. The tachi now spanned the space horizontally like a bridge, its tip embedded in Yukiji's navel while the other end rested on the sanbo.
5
For a while, Yuko and Yukiji simply endured their agonized breaths, gazing at the castle with the seppuku dagger remaining on Yuko's right side. The air mingled the scents of blood and chrysanthemums. To the two, intoxicated by the torment yet satisfied with having accomplished seppuku with the same determination befitting a man, may have imparted an otherworldly sensation beyond this world.
Blood continued to spread relentlessly from their Hakama onto the white cloth.
"Sister-in-law… My vision… My vision is dimming…"
"Yuko-sama… The castle… S-still stands… A little… Longer… Let’s…… Endure this suffering… A bit more…"
"Y-Yes… Seppuku… Seppuku is to suffer agony… But it is nothing… Nothing at all…"
Yukiji's eyes were now ringed in darkness, her lips drained of color. Yet she maintained a perfect seiza posture, her hands resting on her knees. And with every breath from her shoulders, the blade impaled in her navel slid downward gradually, widening the wound to meet the horizontal gash.
And finally, their last moment arrived.
The castle's keep tower had begun to burn.
At some point, the government army's artillery fire had already ceased.
"Ah… Sister-in-law… The castle… Falls… Now… L-let us… Go too…"
"Yuko-sama… Admirably done… N-now… It ends… W-we shall… M-meet… In the afterlife…"
Mustering her very last strength, Yuko pulled the seppuku dagger from her right side. Shaking, she raised it to her left breast and collapsed forward, surrendering her weight onto it. Her Hitatare of Akajinishiki seemed to twitch twice before falling still.
Watching Yuko take her last breath, Yukiji found the tachi's blade had already reached the waistband of her white kimono before she swiftly pulled it out in one fluid motion. Blood immediately gushed forth from the wound.
After two, or three gasps, she angled the tip squarely between her breasts and drove her full weight down upon it. The tachi fell sideways - perhaps the blade had penetrated her body and reached her thoracic vertebra - and Yukiji's head drooped heavily, and she collapsed forward.
Two koku (around four hours in modern times) have passed since then.
The season's first snow began to fall - the snow for which all the fallen castle defenders had longed. Had it fallen half a month earlier, the government army may have abandoned their winter siege.
But now, amid the spreading bloodshed, it could only drape Yukiji's pale form like a discarded white chrysanthemum, and Yuko's slender frame like a crumpled crimson blossom, serving as a cold blanket.
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