Chapter 39

A smiling maid brought their dinner to their room. Watching her move was a treat for Azuki, who hoped to develop such elegance. She entered on her knees then seemed to float across the woven straw tatami mats that provided insulation and a softer surface for the living area.

It really was a feast, echoing the traditional thanks made at the end of a meal. The pumpkin was steamed with soy sauce, rice wine, sugar and salt. There was lovely grilled trout, plus wild greens, both steamed and raw with sesame dressing. These were accompanied by a vegetable stew, miso soup and an assortment of pickles. Because this was a city inn, there was plenty of fragrant rice.

Each person got a small tray, with each serving placed on an individual dish. Each dish was different, and all were beautiful, with the food perfectly arranged on each. The only communal dish was the rice, which was served by the maid.