Chapter 143

"The Boshin war did not leave us unmolested," Ikue told Noriko. The old woman, tough as an ancient wisteria vine in winter, sat bolt upright on her cushion. "There was fighting here." She added charcoal to the fire in the brazier. It was dark in her cave shelter, the brazier needed for light as well as heat. Noriko waited patiently for her old teacher to continue.

"There were forces loyal to the Shogunate who went north, to Hokkaido, where they eventually established the Ezo Republic. This you know."

Noriko nodded. Ikue poured warm water from the kettle into the used tea bowls and set the used whisk in one. The memory distressed her, Noriko thought.

Ikue paused, took a deep breath and continued.

"The troops passed right through here." Ikue picked up the kettle again as if to pour, realized she already had and she set it down.

"Because of our location, so close to a main road and adjacent to this fertile valley, it was easy for those opposed to stage an ambush here."