Flask of the Drunken Master Read online

  “Well, if you ever want a flask of Kyoto’s finest sake,” Ginjiro said, “just say the word.”

  Father Mateo smiled. “I will remember.”

  * * *

  “There is something I don’t understand,” Father Mateo said to Hiro as they walked down Marutamachi Road toward home. “How did you know that Ren would confess his knowledge of the murder weapon?”

  “I didn’t,” Hiro said, “but he mentioned the sake flask this morning, back at the Lucky Monkey, and I knew he needed the murder ‘solved’ as soon as possible. He had the money in his room and couldn’t keep it there for long because of the risk of theft. He needed to either repay the loan or purchase another brewery, but he also needed a killer punished so no one would be watching him too closely.”

  “Surely Mina would ask where Ren got the money to buy a brewery?” Father Mateo asked.

  “Mina intends to become a nun. She wouldn’t have noticed what Ren did thereafter.” Hiro paused to hold his breath as they passed the smoldering incense at the gates to Okazaki Shrine.

  “But how did you know Yoshiko wasn’t the killer?” Father Mateo rubbed at the scar on his neck. “Or Kaoru? We never did find out for sure that Ginjiro didn’t hire a guard.”

  “The money tells the tale,” Hiro said. “A sum that big will change a person’s behavior every time. Kaoru yelled at his mother about money yesterday. He wouldn’t have done that if he had taken the money from Chikao. He’d have coins in his purse, and since he didn’t consider the future, he wouldn’t have felt the need to complain right now.

  “Yoshiko would have taken the money to pay off Kaoru’s debt. She wouldn’t have left it on the body and wouldn’t have continued to complain about the debt. She would have made up a story about Chikao paying her before he died.

  “In the end, that left only Ren.”

  * * *

  A man in a carpenter’s tunic and trousers squatted by the side of the road in front of Father Mateo’s home. He stood as Hiro and the priest approached.

  Nervous excitement loosened Hiro’s muscles and warmed his joints. Ozuru would not wait in the open if he intended harm, but the assassin’s presence didn’t indicate good news.

  “Did we hire a carpenter?” Father Mateo asked. “He looks familiar, but I don’t remember arranging for any work.”

  Hiro shook his head. “I know him, a little. He came to see me.”

  “But you didn’t expect him,” Father Mateo said. It wasn’t a question.

  “No,” Hiro said. “In fact, I didn’t expect to see him again at all.”

  “I’ll wait for you inside.” Father Mateo nodded to Ozuru as he passed but didn’t speak to the carpenter.

  As soon as the door swung shut behind the priest, Hiro said, “This looks a lot like the visit you couldn’t ever make again.”

  “The situation justifies the risk,” Ozuru said. “I persuaded Hisahide that the merchant’s death, or that of the priest, would prompt the Portuguese to terminate all trade with Kyoto. Hisahide doesn’t care about the foreigners themselves, but he does care very much about his access to their firearms. Also, he doesn’t want the Portuguese to back Daimyo Miyoshi in the coming war.”

  Ozuru looked up the empty street. “However, as soon as Hisahide obtains the firearms he needs, he will order the merchant killed—and the priest as well.”

  “Matsunaga Hisahide would not risk the other Jesuits’ anger,” Hiro said. “Like the emperor, Hisahide supports the Christians’ efforts in Kyoto.”

  “A ruse designed to destabilize the Ashikaga clan’s control of the city,” Ozuru said. “As soon as the emperor names him shogun, Matsunaga-san will either banish the priests or kill them.”

  “You’re telling me to leave Kyoto now,” the shinobi said.

  “Yes,” Ozuru said, “but not at once. Matsunaga-san won’t let you leave until he’s purchased all the weapons he desires to arm his men. He will need the merchant here at least until the war is over. But the moment the Miyoshi surrender, Matsunaga-san will become your enemy.”

  “He is my enemy already,” Hiro said.

  “Then we understand each other.” Ozuru bowed and walked away toward Okazaki Shrine.

  Hiro considered the cloudless sky and wondered how long it would take the Miyoshi to attack Kyoto. If they allied with the former shogun’s brother, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, other clans might rally to their cause. However, Hiro suspected the Ashikaga heir would choose a different warlord—one whose name was feared by every daimyo in Japan.

  Lord Oda Nobunaga wanted an excuse to seize the capital. Restoring the Ashikaga heir to the shogunate would give him cause and also strong support among the lesser daimyos.

  Hiro also wondered, briefly, if the missing samurai’s body would be found. The shogunate would call it murder, but Hiro hoped the lack of clues would prevent an investigation. Samurai died all the time, usually by violent means. Hiro would keep his eyes open, but doubted the death would cause him any trouble.

  Father Mateo emerged from the house and joined the shinobi near the street. Gato trotted out behind the priest and rubbed herself on Hiro’s legs in greeting.

  “This day turned out more pleasant than expected,” Father Mateo said.

  “Not really,” Hiro said. “I sense a dangerous storm approaching.”

  “Are you sure?” The Jesuit scanned the sky. “I don’t see any clouds.”

  “Still blowing in.” Hiro picked up the cat and stroked her fur. “But they are coming.”

  Father Mateo looked nervous. “How will we know when it’s time to take cover?”

  “I will tell you,” Hiro said. “For now, you’ll have to trust me.”

  Glossary of Japanese Terms

  B

  bakufu: Literally, “tent government.” Another name for the shogunate and the shogun’s administration.

  C

  chonmage: The traditional hairstyle of adult samurai males. After shaving the pate, the remaining hair was oiled and tied in a tail, which was then folded back and forth on top of the head.

  D

  daimyo: A samurai lord, usually the ruler of a province or the head of a samurai clan.

  E

  eta: Literally, “an abundance of filth.” A term for members of the Japanese “untouchable” or outcaste class that sat at the bottom of Japan’s social hierarchy. In modern times, the term was replaced by the less offensive “burakumin.”

  F

  futon: A thin padded mattress, small and pliable enough to be folded and stored out of sight during the day.

  G

  geta: Traditional Japanese sandals (resembling flip-flops) with a raised wooden base and fabric thongs that wrapped around the wearer’s big toe.

  H

  hakama: Loose, pleated pants worn over kimono or beneath a tunic or surcoat.

  I

  ichibancha: “First-picked tea.” Tea leaves picked in April or early May, during the first picking of the season. Ichibancha is considered the highest quality, and most flavorful, kind of tea.

  J

  jitte: A long wooden or metal nightstick with a forward-pointing hook at the top of the hand grip; carried by dōshin as both a weapon and a symbol of office.

  K

  kami: The Japanese word for “god” or “divine spirit”; used to describe gods, the spirits inhabiting natural objects, and certain natural forces of divine origin.

  kanzashi: A type of hair pin worn by women in medieval Japan.

  kata: Literally, “form(s).” A detailed pattern or set of movements used to practice martial skills and combat techniques, performed either with or without a weapon.

  katana: The longer of the two swords worn by a samurai. (The shorter one is the wakizashi.)

  kimono: Literally, “a thing to wear.” A full-length wrap-around robe traditionally worn by Japanese people of all ages and genders.

  kitsune: A “fox spirit,” often believed to possess superior intelligence, long life, and magical powers. According to legend,
kitsune sometimes assumed a human (usually female) form in order to play tricks on people.

  M

  miso: A traditional Japanese food paste made from fermented soybeans (or, sometimes, rice or barley).

  mon: An emblem or crest used to identify a Japanese family or clan.

  N

  noren: A traditional Japanese doorway hanging, with a slit cut up the center to permit passage.

  O

  obi: A wide sash wrapped around the waist to hold a kimono closed, worn by people of all ages and genders.

  oe: The large central living space in a Japanese home, which featured a sunken hearth and often served as a combination of kitchen, reception room, and living space.

  P

  Pontocho: One of Kyoto’s hanamachi (geisha and courtesan) districts, containing geisha houses, teahouses, brothels, restaurants, and similar businesses.

  R

  ronin: A masterless samurai.

  ryu: Literally, “school.” Shinobi clans used this term as a combination identifier and association name. (Hattori Hiro is a member of the Iga ryu.)

  S

  sake (also “saké”): An alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice.

  samurai: A member of the medieval Japanese nobility, the warrior caste that formed the highest-ranking social class.

  -san: A suffix used to show respect.

  seppuku: A form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment, originally used only by samurai.

  shinobi: Literally, “shadowed person.” Shinobi is the Japanese pronunciation of the characters that many Westerners pronounce “ninja.” (“Ninja” is based on a Chinese pronunciation.)

  Shinto: The indigenous spirituality or religion of Japan, sometimes also called “kami-no-michi.”

  shirazu: A pit of white sand where criminals knelt during trial and to receive their sentences from the magistrate.

  shogun: The military dictator and commander who acted as de facto ruler of medieval Japan.

  shogunate (also “bakufu”): A name for the shogun’s government and the compound where the shogun lived.

  shoji: A sliding door, usually consisting of a wooden frame with oiled paper panels.

  shuriken: An easily concealed, palm-sized weapon made of metal and often shaped like a cross or star; used by shinobi for throwing or as a handheld weapon in close combat.

  sugi: Also known as “Japanese cedar” (Cryptomeria japonica). A type of tree indigenous to Japan, often used for sake casks. The wood imparts a flavor that overpowers the delicate notes of high-quality sake, so sugi barrels are customarily used for ceremonial casks or aging lower-quality sakes.

  T

  tatami: A traditional Japanese mat-style floor covering made in standard sizes, with the length measuring exactly twice its width. Tatami usually contained a straw core covered with grass or rushes.

  torii: A traditional, stylized Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance to Shinto shrines.

  U

  udon: A type of thick wheat flour noodle, often served hot in soup or broth.

  W

  wakizashi: The shorter of the two words worn by a samurai. (The longer one is the katana.)

  Z

  za: A guild.

  For additional cultural information, expanded definitions, and author’s notes, visit http://www.susanspann.com.

  About the Author

  Susan Spann is a transactional attorney with a lifelong love of Asian history and culture. When not writing or practicing law, she enjoys traditional archery, martial arts, horseback riding, and raising seahorses and rare corals in her marine aquarium. Susan lives in Northern California. Visit her online at www.susanspann.com and on Twitter @SusanSpann or sign up for email updates here.

  ALSO BY SUSAN SPANN

  Claws of the Cat

  Blade of the Samurai

  Thank you for buying this

  St. Martin’s Press ebook.

  To receive special offers, bonus content,

  and info on new releases and other great reads,

  sign up for our newsletters.

  Or visit us online at

  us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

  For email updates on the author, click here.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Cast of Characters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Glossary of Japanese Terms

  About the Author

  Also by Susan Spann

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  A THOMAS DUNNE BOOK FOR MINOTAUR BOOKS.

  An imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.

  FLASK OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER. Copyright © 2015 by Susan Spann. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.thomasdunnebooks.com

  www.minotaurbooks.com

  Cover design by David Baldeosingh Rotstein

  Cover photograph by Lisa Adams

  eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected].

  The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

  ISBN 978-1-250-02706-1 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-250-02707-8 (e-book)

  e-ISBN 9781250027078

  First Edition: July 2015