Tairo

Chapter 1

1 March 1894

From his apartment in the imperial palace, John Mung's eyes followed the rising sun. Diaphanous rays lacquered the tiled rooftops of Tokyo a molten gold. Mung—Moryiama Ishikawa—assumed a yoga stance. He inhaled the fiery light into his belly and up into his lungs. The sight of the distant peak of Mount Fuji sharpened, and Mung spread his arms wide as he exhaled. This was an exhilarating part of his day. Although chief of the Emperor's personal intelligence organization, the Black Dragon was a man who preferred solitude. Now, at the age of sixty-seven, he had been recalled to public life.

The shoji screen behind him slid open and, unconsciously, Mung smiled. Without turning, he said, Noriko?

The beautiful eighteen-year-old daughter of his closest friend, Count Iyeasu Koin, entered the room on her knees. For the seven years since his stroke she had brought his breakfast before her school day, looked in on him when she returned, and again at night before he retired.

Although fifty years her senior, Mung enjoyed exchanging views with the girl. During the period of his illness he had kept in touch with the future generation of Japan's leaders through her. Often he used Noriko to funnel his thoughts into the classrooms of the nation's most prestigious high school. The two spoke freely, in a way few Japanese did. But, like her deceased mother, the girl had a mind of her own. She modified his ideas with her opinions.

Are you nervous, Uncle? Noriko asked. She poured his tea and placed pickled vegetables atop the steaming rice in his bowl.

Mung sat opposite her at a low table. In the days of the shoguns, few people were consulted about decisions to go to war, he said. The shogun would summon his lords, issue orders, and armies marched.

Uncle, we are on the threshold of the twentieth century. Our leaders must now consult Parliament and the Emperor before a major policy change is taken. Japan is a constitutional democracy.

Yes. I fought to make it so. But it is a slower and more complicated process than I ever imagined. Mung pushed at the rice with his eating sticks until he caught Noriko's frown. He took a few bites to please her. Food was fuel to power his tall, wiry body. He consumed enough to keep fit to serve the Emperor. My call from retirement places your father in a peculiar position. He has always advised the Emperor to maintain a strong military in order to implement an aggressive economic policy. But too many of our people want war. I shall attempt to dissuade our army from using its power.

Father does not want war, Noriko said. The others believe it is necessary if Japan is to be accepted as a modern nation state. They say that just as we copied western industrialism, we must imitate imperialism. She paused and waited until he began eating again. Many believe it is now time to copy the American takeover of Mexican territory, Britain's previous occupation of India, its present activities in Africa, and France's conquest of Indochina. To gain respect in the eyes of the world, Japan must also become imperialist.

Is this what they teach in the American college?

The Japanese instructors do. Noriko reached over and pressured the sides of an exquisite lacquerware bowl, breaking the heat seal. She uncovered the miso soup.

Mung lifted the bowl with his right hand, balanced it with the stump of his left arm and drank.

My father is less concerned with the respect Japan receives from foreigners, Noriko said. He believes a strong military is necessary to maintain overseas markets. He reminded me of Korea's insult to our trade delegation twenty years ago.

Your father's brother will never forget or forgive the Koreans. Hideyoshi was with the trade mission ejected from Pusan. Mung thought of his adopted son Udo, who had been twenty years in the Korean capital of Seoul. Udo led Genoysha, the overseas branch of the Black Dragon Society. His agents had recently reported Russian troop movements into Manchuria and North Korea with the unofficial cooperation of the Chinese and Korean governments.

In addition, a full division of Chinese troops had bivouacked on the outskirts of Seoul. Japan's centuries-old fear of an invasion from the South Korean peninsula led many of its leaders to call for an invasion of Korea. Mung had been summoned out of seclusion to prevent that. He was certain that either China and/or Russia would become involved in such a war, and Japan would lose.

Uncle, please finish your soup, Noriko said. It is almost time to meet my father and appear before the Emperor. Do you wish for me to walk with you?

That would be pleasant. Your father will appreciate your presence. I see more of you than he does.

When I return from school, will you have time to discuss your son's wedding?

I doubt that will be possible. I expect to be very busy. It is the reason I asked you to oversee the festivities for Shimatzu and Kazumi. If there are questions of formalities, appeal to the Emperor's master of protocol. Problems regarding food and other arrangements can be addressed to the imperial household staff. They are at your service. I wish the wedding to be a tasteful blend of tradition and modernity. There will be many foreign guests, as well as the most powerful men in Japan. This marriage is certain to affect the future of our country.

Seoul, Korea, 1 March 1894

The Black Dragon has ordered us to return for Shimatzu's wedding, Udo said.

Am I included? Gin-ko asked.

We were Shimatzu's parents until he was fourteen. Certainly, you are included. I cannot help but think of how proud Ukiko would have been to see her son married. And that Mung deserves some happiness. The loss of two wives, then his firstborn son Yoshida, have all taken their toll on him. Udo looked at his wife, wondering if he could ever bear losing her. Although she wore the traditional kimono, her jet black hair was cut short in the modern style. It curved on either side of her high cheekbones and framed her exotic eyes. At forty-two she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He turned back to the letter. There is a separate note from Iyeasu Koin's daughter, he said. Mung has put her in charge of the wedding. Our sons will escort Shimatzu at the ceremony.

Udo knew how much Gin-ko longed to see Shimatzu and their two older boys.

Hiroki looked up from the map he was studying. Do you think we will be allowed to remain in Japan?

His mother was also anxious to hear the answer. They had been too many years in exile.

I do not know, Udo said. We of Genoysha are servants of the Emperor. I am to prepare reports for Mung. Shimatzu's wedding provides the Black Dragon an opportunity to gather key agents without causing a stir. Whether Mung will allow us to remain is unclear.

Grandfather must be fully recovered from his stroke, the nineteen-year-old Hiroki said in Korean.

Use Japanese, Udo said. Your speech is accented like those seal hunters from Hokkaido.

I was born in Korea, Father. Outside of this house I rarely speak Japanese. The last three years in the American college have added to my accent. I am more at home in Korean.

Never answer so impolitely in Japan! Gin-ko said. Growing up in an international community has taught you bad manners. You should have been educated in a Japanese school like your brothers.

Hiroki rolled his eyes at his mother, and smiled. He had learned as a child how to melt her heart. It was at her insistence he was not sent away to school with his older brothers. Excuse me, Father. He bowed.

Gin-ko's eyes met her husband's over their son's broad back. They both smiled. The boy was tall, with natural grace. Young children were drawn to him. Little girls asked to hold his hand. Gin-ko had seen jealousy in men's eyes when their wives cast furtive glances at the handsome young man. Hiroki, like so many gifted people, was oblivious to the attention, taking it as his due. It is his major fault, Gin-ko thought. Everything comes so easy to him. He has little patience with those who are not as physically and mentally gifted.

Do you think the foreign balloonists will be in Tokyo when we arrive? Hiroki asked. He pulled out a newspaper article advertising an aerial performance at the Plum Blossom Festival in Ueno park.

You are not to go up in the air! Gin-ko said. I know that you hung on the back of a giant kite. Queen Min herself saw you from her apartment window. She told me you were higher than the top of her pagoda palace.

Mother, balloons are the transportation of the future. They are much safer than kites. You told me Grandfather Mung went up in a balloon to direct artillery during the siege of Sapporo.

Udo anticipated his wife's appeal for help. Heed your mother, he said. Do not repeat such a performance again.

Yes, Father. Hiriko bowed, suppressing a smile. He too was a member of Genoysha. It was his father who ordered him aloft to spy on the Koreans. He had observed Russian soldiers training Royal Korean Army officers on the imperial palace parade ground. He identified the new Gatling guns, modern light artillery and mortars. I will ask Grandfather to arrange a ride for me in one of the foreign balloons, he thought. From stories I have heard about the old man, he might even go up with me.

You two had better start packing, Udo said. We leave tomorrow.

Kobe, Japan, 1 March 1894

If your so-called uncle could memorize the entire plan of a goddamned whaling ship, it doesn't matter how old he is, James Alburg said. He won't ever forget that Americans killed his first wife.

William Whittefield, Jr. leveled his pale blue eyes at the president of the Kobe Club. James, you may represent the most powerful organization of western businessmen in the Far East, but I will not tolerate foul language.

James Alburg excused himself. Bill, the question stands. Will he do business with us or not?

Mung constructed that ship over forty years ago, shortly after he returned to Japan. His first wife was killed some two years after that.

Alburg pointed to the closed door of his luxurious office. There are fifty Kobe Club members out there waiting to hear what you have to say. Those men control most of the business this side of the Himalayas. If there's to be a war, they want the fat military contracts with Japan. Because You're a relative, You're the only member of this club to receive an invitation to the wedding. You have an obligation to us.

I know my obligations, William said. They're first and foremost to a higher power than the Kobe Club. I was raised to believe a man can earn an honest living without transgressing. I also feel this war talk may be premature. I believe Mung's return to public life means he'll try to influence the new constitutional government to peaceful expansion.

Bill, only men like yourself who have occupied my chair know of your uncle's role as Black Dragon. Our agents in Tokyo say that Mung remains head of the Emperor's personal intelligence corps. Now, with the excuse of a wedding, he's calling in his key people from Manchuria, Mongolia, Siberia, China, and his son Udo from Korea. We believe the war will begin in Seoul. Have you ever met Udo Ishikawa?

Not yet. I've heard he speaks several languages, and can be ruthless. That's why Mung exiled him to Korea. In August 1874 Udo usurped Mung's power as Black Dragon for one night. Japanese refer to it as The Killing Night. Udo ordered the deaths by strangulation of military and political leaders opposed to a constitutional monarchy. Their elimination was a major step towards the restoration of power to the Meiji Emperor.

James Alburg leaned forward. This wedding is more important than anyone thinks.

Yes. Mung is selling his natural son Shimatzu in an arranged marriage to benefit Japan. When Udo Ishikawa and the Black Dragon come together, crucial decisions will be taken.

Wouldn't the son protest at being sold?

Shimatzu is an intelligent young man, William said. I met him in Washington three years ago. But no Japanese would object to serving his country.

And the Emperor.

The Emperor and Japan are synonymous, like Christ and God. Christianity is nothing without both. Japan is the Emperor and the Emperor is Japan. Shimatzu is marrying for the benefit of the state. It's his payment of Chu.

Sometimes you sprinkle your sentences with Japanese words I don't understand.

Every man, woman and child in Japan is born with an indebtedness to the Emperor. Chu is the honor gained by dedicating oneself to acts of gratitude to him.