ame on all _kerai_ throughout the land; would
cause people to fear our caste. We three planned the deed and secured
the money." He put his arms behind his back. The _yakunin_, stepping
softly, roped him up almost with respect. A wave of Gemba's hand and the
guilty men were removed. Unable to help themselves, Nakagawa and Imai
made confession to avoid the torture in what was now a hopeless case.
Later the sentences of condemnation were issued. Degraded from their
status the three men were taken to the execution ground of Shinagawa,
and there decapitated.

The wife of Takahashi Daihachiro[u] did not wait these proceedings.
The confession of her husband was in her hands before he himself told
everything to Matsuda Gemba. Before night she had decamped with her son.
At eight years of age Kichitaro[u] was placed as disciple (_deshi_) at
the Jo[u]shinji of Fukagawa. Receiving the name of Myo[u]shin he became
the favourite of the rector (_ju[u]shoku_) of the temple. The mother now
became reduced to the greatest penury. For a time she was bawd in the
Honjo[u] Warigesui district. Subsequently she was promoted to the
position of favourite sultana (wife) of her master Toemon, local head of
his profession. Her name now was O'Matsu. When Myo[u]shin was thirteen
years old in some way he was told that she was dead. Henceforth he had
no stay in the world but the worthy priest, who became a second and
better father to him. This treatment found its usual and virtuous
reward. At eighteen years, now a priest and learned in priestly ways, he
took to himself the contents of the temple strong box. Fifty _ryo[u]_
soon disappeared in the company of the harlots of Fukagawa Yagura-Shita.
A prolonged absence of Myo[u]shin aroused the inquiries of the other
monks, and the eyes of the rector were soon opened as to his unworthy
proselyte, the blighted issue of a miserable stock.[15]

CHAPTER VI

NEGOTIATIONS: THE BUSINESS OF A MARRIAGE BROKER (NAKO[U]DO)

The presence of O'Iwa created an upheaval in the Samoncho[u] household.
The wet nurse required brought with her a train of servants. With the
child's growth this was maintained, even increased. The young lady
(Ojo[u]san) found herself graduated into one with a _status_ to
maintain. All the niggardly habits of Matazaemon were thrown to the
winds with the advent of this grandchild. The affection never shown
outwardly to the mother, was lavished on her daughter. At seven years of
age O'Iwa u