had gifted much of
his new fief as temple land, and on the old maps of the day this part of
Edo is a blood red splash, indication of these many establishments. But
the Katada influence still prevailed through the ward, indeed through
the more than good will of the beneficiaries. Tatewaki's _yashiki_ was
at the top of Ushigomezaka. His modest pension of a thousand _koku_ by
no means represented the extent of his power. Iemon became frightened at
the storm gathering against him. He was open to all suggestions of
remedy for the cataleptic state into which O'Hana had fallen. The
neighbour gossips suggested calling in the Daiho[u]-in of Shiomachi. A
service kept part at least of the money in the ward. They had their
share in provision and consumption; the fifty _ryo[u]_ necessary were
much to them--and to Iemon in his present circumstances.

The neighbours were assembled at Tamiya. Iemon went forth to greet the
Daiho[u]-in. With his attendant _kannushi_ and train he presented
himself at the entrance. Iemon was prostrate in salutation before the
great man.--"Reverential thanks for the condescension. Deign to enter
this unfortunate house." The Shinto[u] priest was brusque, as is the way
of the kind. Himself he was the _samurai_, with all the tone of official
manner. "Ha! Ha! Salutation to all." He gave a comprehensive glance
through the assembly and lost none of them in the process. He approached
the couch of O'Hana. He opened the closed eyes, which stared fixedly
into space as of one dead. He raised an arm upright from the body.
Stepping aside, he squatted. Some moments passed. The arm remained
rigidly upright. Satisfied, the Daiho[u]-in signed to his attendants.
Raising O'Hana they placed her in a sitting posture on a mat. Her hair
was arranged in _icho[u]mage_.[36] A _gohei_ was placed between her
hands. Then the Daiho[u]-in began the recitation of the prayers and
charms. The other priests gave voice at times in response. All present
were awe-struck. The women hardly breathed, leaning eagerly forward.
Their eyes took on a vacant stare, as if themselves mesmerized. The
_gohei_ began to tremble; then to shake violently. The woman's hair fell
down in disorder around her face. All turned away their faces. Some
women gave smothered cries. It was O'Iwa San who glared at them out of
those eyes. The Daiho[u]-in eagerly leaned close over O'Hana--"O'Iwa:
where are you? What has become of your body? Be sure to speak the truth.
Don't