Yatagarasu Series
Volume 1:
Ravens Shouldn't
Wear Kimono
Author: Chisato Abe
Part 1: Spring
Section 2
A large mountain loomed into the second duchess' sight line sometime before noon. They were flying through the mountains, so she hadn't seen much flat ground in several hours. Mountains surrounded the carriage on every side.
The four leading noble families of the nation had each built their residences on the summits of high mountains. The second duchess had left a secondary residence; she assumed that her family's primary residence and the Imperial Palace would be built on even higher mountaintops.
The mountain that the Imperial Palace was built upon was undoubtedly impressive, but the second duchess didn't think it was too much higher than most of the others around it. The mountain was striking mainly because it was surrounded by a large expanse of flat or hilly land. It rose up out of comparatively level ground like a huge spike. Rocky outcrops protruded from the mountainside, and there were several places where waterfalls burst forth in white spray. Some aristocratic residences were built into the mountain itself in a peculiar style where half of the walls were inside the mountain and the other half jutted out. The effect was magnificent; each overhanging residence was supported by vertical and horizontal pillars that stretched out like the branches of a great stone tree. Covered walkways connected residences to one another like the veins of a leaf.
“The imperial family's residence is not built in the overhanging style that we can see," Ukogi said. "Where do you think they live?"
The second duchess was only half-listening to Ukogi. "I don't know," she said. "Maybe on top of the mountain?"
Ukogi noticed the second duchess' inattention, but didn't scold her. She knew more than anyone how exciting it was for the duchess to see all of this for the first time. Ukogi was excited herself. She'd been away from the Imperial Court for a long time.
"No," Ukogi said. "The peak of this mountain is the residence of the mountain god. It is a forbidden zone. No one goes there now. Long ago, the Golden Raven came to this mountain to serve the mountain god. The Golden Raven decided to carve out the mountainside so that he could live on the mountain to be close to the god. He and his family live inside the mountain. That is the origin of our nation's name, Yamauchi." 1
“So, the Imperial Court lives inside the mountain.”
“Yes. That is why the heads of the four families, like your father, built secondary residences on the mountainside. The inside of the mountain is reserved for the imperial family and for political affairs.”
The driver of the carriage informed the second duchess and Ukogi that they were close to their destination. The second duchess looked out the window, searching for the place where the horses would land.
A particularly large overhanging residence caught the second duchess' eye. A tall vermillion gate stood out front. The ground beneath the courtyard and the gate was made of pure white crushed stone. The shape of the gate reminded the duchess of ones she'd seen at home, but it was built on a much grander scale. Several other carriages were already parked in front of the gate, but they looked like toy carriages from this distance.
“Are we going to land over there?”
“No. That is the Great Gate used by government officials. The gate that leads into Sakura Palace is the Midsummer Gate. It's a bit higher up."
The carriage kept ascending for awhile. The second duchess kept her nose pressed to the window. A large flat area opened out below them, and at the end of it there was another large gate that was somewhat smaller than the Great Gate.
The driver and horses showed their skill and experience by making the landing smooth and easy. The wheels of the carriage slowed the vehicle so that it would stop almost directly in front of the gate.
A group of elegantly dressed court ladies assembled outside the gate to greet the carriage.
The second duchess alighted from the carriage and took in her surroundings. There was a stunning waterfall above her that she praised to Ukogi. It flowed down next to the gate and thundered down the rocky cliff. The spray turned into a mist that made the air pleasantly cool, which was welcome after their long journey in the stuffy carriage. The base of the waterfall was so far below that it could not be seen.
Before the second duchess could explore more, the court ladies approached her and Ukogi.
"Duchess, please step back from the cliff," Ukogi chided. "You'll alarm the other court ladies."
The second duchess covered her face with her sleeve in shame and took a reluctant step away from the waterfall. She'd been so entranced by the sights and sounds around her that she'd forgotten about the women who were here to welcome her. These were servants of the Imperial Court. It wouldn't do to offend them.
The imperial servants looked upon the second duchess with bemused smiles. They wore simple black garments beneath beautiful outer layers of silk and brocade. The severe black layer served as a reminder that they were beholden to the mountain god before all else. Their hair was cut short, just above the shoulders, as a sign of their status.
The second duchess smiled warmly at the servants, and then bowed politely. "I apologize for acting in such an undignified way. Have you come to meet me? You are very kind. I am the second duchess of the Azumaya family."
A slightly older woman close to the front of the group blinked in surprise. She and the others were not used to hearing such an unpretentious greeting. "We have come at the behest of Princess Fujinami," she said. "Welcome to Sakura Palace, duchess of the Azumaya family. I am Takimoto."
"It is nice to meet you, Takimoto," the second duchess said. "Is Princess Fujinami well?"
Princess Fujinami was an imperial princess and the younger sister of the Crown Prince. The second duchess' mother served as Princess Fujinami's tutor, so the second duchess and Fujinami were well acquainted.
Takimoto's habitually stern expression softened. "She is quite well."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Please come this way. Everyone from the other families is waiting. Empress Oumurasaki is expecting you."
Duchesses from the four families improved their position at court by serving imperial princesses like Fujinami. The head of the imperial family was granted the title of the Golden Raven, and his empress was called the Red Bird. These titles were very formal and not in common use among modern women living in Sakura Palace. The imperial family's crest was of a purple wisteria plant hanging below a rising sun. Consequently, purple was an imperial color, and no one but members of the imperial family were permitted to wear it. The first-ranked of all the imperial princesses was the Empress, and her name was Oumurasaki. 2
The Midsummer Gate that led into Sakura Palace was partially covered by a long and detailed tapestry. The background was purple with golden cherry blossoms and a large red bird with three legs in the foreground.
The second duchess gazed up at the tapestry with interest.
"Sakura Palace follows imperial convention," Ukogi said. "The Red Bird is the highest-ranked lady of the Imperial Court. In practice, however, the Princess of Sakura Palace manages the day-to-day matters here, and not the Red Bird herself."
"Who is the Princess of Sakura Palace?" the second duchess asked.
"The wife of the Crown Prince," Ukogi said. “The wife of the Crown Prince is not officially recognized as a member of the main imperial family until the prince ascends the throne and she becomes the empress. For this reason, she wears garments of light purple, which is considered equivalent to the deep purple of the imperials but denotes her lower rank. This light purple is the same color as a common cherry blossom, so she came to be called the Princess of Sakura Palace. 3 The crest of Wisteria Hall features wisteria flowers--you'll see it when we go further inside. This is the only place in the palace grounds where you will see the crest of the Princess of Sakura Palace."
The second duchess nodded in understanding. "So many flowers! The Princess of Sakura Palace is a lovely-sounding title."
Each side of the Midsummer Gate was marked by a tall tower erected on stilts. The towers were connected by a covered hallway that was suspended above the gate.
“The residence given to the duchess of Azumaya is called the Spring Hall,” Takimoto explained as she guided Ukogi and the second duchess. "Duchesses of the Nanke, Nishiie, and Hokke families each live in their own halls within the palace. The Nanke duchess lives in the Summer Hall. The Nishiie duchess lives in the Autumn Hall. And the Hokke duchess lives in the Winter Hall. We don't have a Princess of Sakura Palace at the moment--the Crown Prince is unwed--so an interim princess has been appointed to serve in her stead. She lives in Wisteria Hall."
“I see," the second duchess said.
“Once you have entered the palace, you must greet Empress Oumurasaki and Princess Fujinami in Wisteria Hall and obtain permission to take possession of the Spring Hall. But you need a change of clothes... Please, come this way."
Led by Takimoto, they proceeded along the corridor beside the stage towards the Spring Hall. On the way, they passed in front of the Summer Hall, but were unable to catch a glimpse of the duchess who would live there.
Since she was not yet the official mistress of the Spring Hall, the second duchess was not allowed to enter. Takimoto ushered her into a tent erected near the doors of the Spring Hall. The second duchess entered the tent, changed her clothes, and took a moment to refresh herself.
When she emerged from the tent, she was greeted by a polite imperial courier who gave her an invitation to Wisteria Hall. "Empress Oumurasaki wishes to meet you," he said.
Ukogi took a deep breath and turned to the second duchess with a somewhat tense expression. "The time has finally come, duchess. From here on, I can no longer offer you any advice. Please greet the Empress just as I have taught you."
"I will do so," the second duchess said, bowing her head slightly. She closed her eyes. From now on, if she made a mistake in etiquette, there would be no one around to protect her or cover for her.
The second duchess lifted her face resolutely and gave a single nod to the courier.
"Shall we go?" the courier asked.
The second duchess nodded. The courier led her through the hallways in silence.
Outside the doors of Wisteria Hall, the courier cried out, "The second duchess of Azumaya is entering Wisteria Hall! Make way!"
There was a curtain over the door. Ukogi lifted it, and the second duchess walked beneath it. All the attendants and servants in Wisteria Hall stared at the second duchess as she made her entrance.
The hall was carved directly into the heart of the mountain along a rocky incline. The slope of the floor was challenging in places. The spring breeze ruffled the second duchess' hair. Cherry blossoms drifted through the air and came to rest on amber-colored floorboards.
The second duchess dared a quick glance backward. Ukogi was following after her. Behind Ukogi, twenty more elegantly dressed ladies-in-waiting walked through the hall like a train of wildflowers.
A member of the imperial family came down from a raised dais to greet the second duchess properly and lead her to her place. After the second duchess took her place, the duchess of the Nanke family was announced. The duchess entered through a door emblazoned with her family crest upon it. Like the second duchess, the Nanke duchess ducked under a sheer curtain held up by her attendants as she entered the hall. Maids and ladies-in-waiting accompanied her to her place.
The second duchess of the Azumaya family noticed that the Nanke duchess towered over her servants. She was tall and imposing, and not just for a woman. Her long black hair fell straight down her back. She walked with the smooth grace of a dancer.
The duchess of the Nishiie family was announced next. She, too, had a commanding presence, though she lacked the Nanke duchess' exceptional height. The clothes she wore and the accessories of her attendants sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight. Each piece of tailoring was exquisitely crafted and of the same or greater quality as the clothing that the imperial family wore. Gold and silver embroidery shimmered as she walked. Her light-colored hair flowed over her shoulders, gleaming with youth and health.
The duchesses of the Summer and Autumn Halls faced each other. They had entered Wisteria Hall at almost the same time. Their ladies-in-waiting formed two orderly lines and proceeded to their places.
The second duchess found herself facing the duchess who would preside over the Winter Hall. She was so close to the second duchess that they could almost touch.
The second duchess' eyes went wide. The duchess of the Hokke family was slender, petite, and very graceful. Her fine black hair was trimmed neatly. Her face was thin and oval-shaped. Her eyes were large and framed by curling dark lashes.
As lovely as the Hokke duchess was, what made the second duchess stare was the extreme paleness of her skin. It was so fair that it might never have been touched by sunlight. The Hokke duchess was like a goddess visiting the earth for the first time.
As the second duchess of the Azumaya family gawped, the duchess of Hokke turned away from her so that she could take her place in the hall. The second duchess remembered that she had to move. She lined up hurriedly next to the Hokke duchess.
I've never seen anyone so beautiful, the second duchess thought as she walked beside the Hokke duchess. Now that she was closer, she noticed that her clothes were much plainer than those of the Nishiie duchess, but that simplicity suited her. Her over-robe was pure white and shone like moonlight.
Before long, the group of duchesses reached the center of Wisteria Hall. The polished wooden floor retained no footprints. Those who would reside in the Summer and Autumn Halls were already seated along two walls.
The duchesses who would preside over the Spring and Winter Halls sat facing each other in the center. Following what she had been taught, the second duchess of the Azumaya family took her seat to the left of the Nanke duchess. The Hokke duchess sat to the right of the Nishiie duchess.
The second duchess' attendants and servants sat down behind her. She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead. They were separated from the imperial ladies in the hall by a thin screen made of silk and bamboo. The rustle of silk garments and the sound of gentle laughter echoed from behind the screen. Princess Fujinami and her attendants sat beyond it, along with Empress Oumurasaki. They had been close since Princess Fujinami was a child.
The second duchess waited, hoping to hear Princess Fujinami’s voice, but the first person to speak was Takimoto. She opened with a ceremonial greeting and proceeded to give a brief congratulatory speech to the assembled duchesses.
“May the blessings of the mountain god be upon you on this auspicious day,” Takimoto said in a deep and steady voice full of gravitas. "This is Sakura Palace. Outsiders are not permitted here without express permission. Anyone who brings in an outsider will be severely punished, regardless of their rank. The entry of men into Sakura Palace is permitted only to male members of the imperial family or their guards who are on duty, and then only when they come to meet with the Empress or Princess Fujinami. Guards are permitted only within Wisteria Hall. Furthermore, any message must be sent via courier in Wisteria Hall. If it is absolutely necessary for anyone to leave Sakura Palace, a lady-in-waiting from the imperial family must act as a chaperone. No exceptions.”
Takimoto bowed gracefully and stepped aside to a seat of honor. The ceremony continued smoothly. At the end of it, the Empress entrusted the keys to the four halls to each of the duchesses.
“Duchess of Nanke, present yourself.”
The Nanke duchess rose from her seat and acknowledged being called in a bright, clear voice. She stepped forward boldly, her demeanor as gallant as a young man’s. Her beauty was striking: strong but not delicate. Her figure was a balance of curves and well-developed muscle. Her long limbs were slender and graceful. Though she was richly endowed by nature, there was nothing coquettish or flirtatious about her.
“I am the first duchess of Nanke, Hamayū."
“I have heard of you," the Empress said. "The Summer Hall once belonged to me. It is a fine residence. I entrust it into your keeping.”
"Thank you, Empress."
One of the ladies-in-waiting standing near Takimoto received the key to the Summer Hall. She ducked behind a bamboo blind and then handed the key to Hamayū.
Hamayū accepted the key, bowed, and returned to her place.
The Empress called on the Nishiie duchess to introduce herself next. The Nishiie duchess walked gracefully to her place and bowed.
The second duchess held her breath. The Nishiie duchess was stunning. All of the duchesses were beautiful, but the second duchess thought that the Nishiie duchess was in a different league from all the rest. Her black hair had a reddish tint in sunlight. It flowed over her rose-colored skin in gentle waves. Her lips were large and glistening like the flesh of ripe peaches.
“My name is Masuho no Susuki, the first duchess of Nishiie. I am delighted to meet you.”
The Empress gave her a vague glance of disapproval. "The Autumn Hall is your residence." She handed over the key. "Duchess of Hokke, please present yourself."
“Yes, Empress," the duchess of Hokke said.
Masuho no Susuki hastened to her ladies-in-waiting so that she and the Hokke duchess would not collide.
The Hokke duchess assumed her place before the Empress and bowed. “I am Shiratama, third daughter of the Lord of Hokke.”
“Shiratama, is it…” The Empress narrowed her eyes. "Your residence shall be the Winter Hall. Duchess of Azumaya, present yourself."
“Y-yes." The second duchess was mortified at her stammer, but she could do nothing to change it. She took a moment to steady herself and then took her place and bowed.
“I am the second duchess of Azumaya. It is an honor to meet you.”
There was a silence. The second duchess felt the stares of everyone in the hall upon her. Had she done something wrong? She replayed her words in her mind and confirmed that there was no problem.
But the Empress said nothing.
“Excuse me." A timid woman spoke up from the other side of the bamboo blind. “Do you not have a personal name, second duchess? 'Second duchess of Azumaya' is rather dull. I seem to recall hearing a name before... Futaba, I believe?”
The second duchess of Azumaya had never been granted a personal name. Personal names were informal, used in place of titles in everyday life. A person's true birth name was only ever revealed to one's spouse. Futaba had a personal name because everyone had always expected her to present herself at court. The second duchess had been raised in a separate residence and there had never been any expectation that she would go to the Imperial Court until a few weeks ago.
"Um, Futaba is my older sister. She fell ill recently. I am her younger sister. I was sent in her place."
"That's enough," the Empress said curtly.
The second duchess blushed. She could have handled that more gracefully, but she'd been put on the spot.
The Empress clapped her hands. "Very well. We shall call you 'Asebi,' then, and wish for the continued prosperity and good health of the Azumaya family."
Murmurs and whispers filled the room.
"Asebi. Do you like your name?" the Empress asked.
The second duchess was bewildered by what was happening. She gasped, and then composed herself.
"Receiving a name from you is far too great an honor. I am most grateful."
"Then it's decided. Asebi of Azumaya, I entrust the Spring Hall into your care."
Asebi. The second duchess of Azumaya now had a personal name.
Stunned by her unbelievable luck, Asebi received her key from the lady-in-waiting. A subtle perfume wafted from beyond the bamboo screen. Asebi felt like she was glimpsing another world as the scent washed over her.
The duchesses completed their greetings and excused themselves from the hall.
Translator's Notes
1 山内: Yamauchi means "inside the mountain." ↩
2 大紫: Oumurasaki is the species name for the giant purple butterfly sasakia charonda.↩
3 桜: "Sakura" means "cherry blossom" in Japanese. ↩
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