“I have been invited to a drinking-bout by Midzuno Jiurozayemon.  I know full well that this is but a stratagem to requite me for having fooled him, and maybe his hatred will go the length of killing me.  However, I shall go and take my chance; and if I detect any sign of foul play, I’ll try to serve the world by ridding it of a tyrant, who passes his life in oppressing the helpless farmers and wardsmen.  Now as, even if I succeed in killing him in his own house, my life must pay forfeit for the deed, do you come to-morrow night with a burying-tub,[30] and fetch my corpse from this Jiurozayemon’s house.”

[Footnote 30:  The lowest classes in Japan are buried in a squatting position, in a sort of barrel.  One would have expected a person of Chobei’s condition and means to have ordered a square box.  It is a mistake to suppose the burning of the dead to be universal in Japan:  only about thirty per cent of the lower classes, chiefly belonging to the Monto sect of Buddhism, are burnt.  The rich and noble are buried in several square coffins, one inside the other, in a sitting position; and their bodies are partially preserved from decay by filling the nose, ears, and mouth with vermilion.  In the case of the very wealthy, the coffin is completely filled in with vermilion.  The family of the Princes of Mito, and some other nobles, bury their dead in a recumbent position.]

Token Gombei, when he heard the “Father” speak thus, was horrified, and tried to dissuade him from obeying the invitation.  But Chobei’s mind was fixed, and, without heeding Gombei’s remonstrances, he proceeded to give instructions as to the disposal of his property after his death, and to settle all his earthly affairs.

On the following day, towards noon, he made ready to go to Jiurozayemon’s house, bidding one of his apprentices precede him with a complimentary present.[31] Jiurozayemon, who was waiting with impatience for Chobei to come, so soon as he heard of his arrival ordered his retainers to usher him into his presence; and Chobei, having bade his apprentices without fail to come and fetch him that night, went into the house.

[Footnote 31:  It is customary, on the occasion of a first visit to a house, to carry a present to the owner, who gives something of equal value on returning the visit.]

No sooner had he reached the room next to that in which Jiurozayemon was sitting than he saw that his suspicions of treachery were well founded; for two men with drawn swords rushed upon him, and tried to cut him down.  Deftly avoiding their blows, however, he tripped up the one, and kicking the other in the ribs, sent him reeling and breathless against the wall; then, as calmly as if nothing had happened he presented himself before Jiurozayemon, who, peeping through a chink in the sliding-doors, had watched his retainers’ failure.

“Welcome, welcome, Master Chobei,” said he.  “I always had heard that you were a man of mettle, and I wanted to see what stuff you were made of; so I bade my retainers put your courage to the test.  That was a masterly throw of yours.  Well, you must excuse this churlish reception:  come and sit down by me.”