Chapter 9

News of Yasumori Giichi's death reached the temple the day after Shimizu Megumi's funeral, when Bon came to a close. Seishin took the message, thinking, indeed it had come to this. The night before, he had received contact from both Toshio and the Maruyasu sawmill that he was in critical condition. Even before that, it was clear that Giichi, who had already been suffering for a long time now, didn't have long left.

With that perhaps as the reason, the voice of Kazunari from the Maruyasu sawmill, was exceedingly calm in relaying his death. During this Bon, all members of the family had gathered and were able to spend the holidays with Giichi, and they were glad for that, said Kazunari. While taking the message Seishin was composed enough to offer words of comfort about how Giichi was likely able to begin his journey satisfied with that.

"Kazunari-san is managing the sawmill splendidly, and Kazuya-kun has a fine wife. This may be rude to say, but I think that Giichi-san was free of worries or regrets."

"That's right," Kazunari said into the receiver, seeming to be smiling. "We were unable to show him a great grandchild, so as far as disappointments go, there is indeed one. But still, having a good wife in the family, it seemed that father was pleased with that much."

"That may be so."

"The wife and my son's wife got along well with him, too. My old man struggled to the end trying not to be selfish with them."

"It's true," Seishin could nod, without any staging involved. Seishin was the same, caring for a patient who was, rather than having health that seesawed up and down, taking two steps back for every step forward. He understood well the emotions of those of the Maruyasu household. "You have truly worked hard. Kazunari-san, and Giichi-san alike."

"Thank you," Kazunari said, his voice becoming tight.

"He's died, has he? Giichi-san," asked Mitsuo as Seishin hung up the phone.

"Yes. Just now, at the National Hospital. The Mourning crew's manager for Monzen is Tokujiro-san, who is a relative, so Tamo's Sadaichi-san will probably assume the role."

"Is that so," sighed Mitsuo. "Now that it's come to losing Giichi-san, Sumi-kun and his his father and brother will have to help us, won't they?"

Seishin nodded. Yasumori Giichi, until he had passed it on to his younger brother Tokujirou, had served as the parish family representative. He had also helped as the leader of the temple helpers, making him an integral person to the temple. For a funeral for such a man, Seishin and an attendant monk would not suffice. As the acting head, he would need to have several others involved to serve the role of the assistants to the head priest. They would also have to seek consultation on determining his posthumous name with the honorary Ingou.

[TL/N: Posthumous names - Honorary Ingou

A posthumous name is assigned to denote one as a follower of Buddha, originally for those entering the priesthood and taking certain vows. Now they are written on sotoba, mortuary tablets and the like to assist in their passing to the next shore, by carrying the honor or good works within their name and having that be what they are identified by so that they aren't lured back to the world of the living when spoken about by their original name, as well as to help them spiritually separate from their former life and material world. The name is assigned by the family temple's head priest or, if one doesn't belong to any particular parish, a monk from the funeral service will assign one. It's generally made up of two characters, and optionally honorary titles such as Ingou, Dougou, Igou, and others varying by sect. There are specific rules as to which characters can be used, determining prefixes and suffixes based on age, gender, sect, etc. as well as denotations written before or after on certain relics, which vary by sect. As there are quite a few rules in place which require some thorough study to assign titles appropriately, there is a charge, which is the source of some controversy.

Ingou - In is an honorary title consisting of two characters and the third character "in", for temple, put at the beginning of the posthumous name, before the two on a standard name. It's reserved for those who were central to a temple or performing great works for the public good. It was originally reserved for emperors or those of high government houses who erected temples]

"This's gonna be hard," Ikebe sighed. "With that said, it'll be easier in a way than Megumi's, though."

Tsurumi's face furrowed. "You're saying such impudent things again."

"That's true," said Mitsuo turning to face the blackboard as he shook his head. "We shouldn't say it but now that you've said it, it certainly will be easier. Shuuji-san and Megumi-chan and the like, those funerals where the older ones are burying the younger ones, put a strain on us, too."

At Mitsuo's words, Seishin of course, everyone really, did let out a relieved breath. It was a peaceful death, Seishin thought. Of course, that didn't change what it meant to be dead but this felt how death was supposed to.

A reasonable death. An old man returning to the mountains. He was born as a human, spent his youth in the village, performed his work and built a family, and was then finished with his tasks. It was as if he could watch him from behind as he departed with a self-composed gait into the mountains. At last he was freed from his sickbed, from his suffering, and his family too released from their fear and concern on his behalf. To Giichi perhaps it was a blessing. He went on not to know the tragedies to come.

In his heart, Seishin folded his hands, wondering about his own thoughts. What were "The tragedies to come?" What tragedies could have been in store for Giichi beyond this? Giichi was ill. His family nursed him fruitlessly, his condition worsening day by day, and he'd heard that in the end he couldn't even lift up from his pillow. The man's own agony must have been severe, and he must have had concerns about troubling those around him, and of course, he must have had uneasiness regarding his own impending death, without a doubt. Ending short any remaining years of being bound to the bed in ever increasing agony, when one thought about it, might have been a blessing indeed, but "he went on not to know the tragedies to come" was subtly a different sentiment than that.

Seishin considered his own thoughts and then found the unease within himself.

Shuuji's death was a tragedy. Megumi's death too was another tragedy. And it was just the start of a string of serial tragedies.

Death spread through the village as a disease, to bring on repeated tragedies to come. That was---his premonition.