The Crane Pavilion
An Akitada Novel
I. J. Parker
2014
I · J · P
Copyright 2014 by I. J. Parker
This book is a work of fiction. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission of the author or publisher.
Published by Ingrid J. Parker Inc. 2014; First Edition.
Cover design by I. J. Parker; Cover image by Ito Yakuchu.
Formatting: Polgarus Studio
Praise for I. J. Parker and the Akitada series
“Elegant and entertaining … Parker has created a wonderful protagonist in Akitada… . She puts us at ease in a Japan of one thousand years ago.” The Boston Globe
“You couldn’t ask for a more gracious introduction to the exotic world of Imperial Japan than the stately historical novels of I. J. Parker.” The New York Times
“Akitada is as rich a character as Robert Van Gulik’s intriguing detective, Judge Dee” The Dallas Morning News
“Readers will be enchanted by Akitada.” Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“Terrifically imaginative” The Wall Street Journal
“A brisk and well-plotted mystery with a cast of regulars who become more fully developed with every episode” Kirkus
“More than just a mystery novel, ( THE CONVICT’S SWORD ) is a superb piece of literature set against the backdrop of 11th-cntury Kyoto.” The Japan Times
“Parker’s research is extensive and she makes great use of the complex manners and relationships of feudal Japan.” Globe and Mail
“The fast-moving, surprising plot and colorful writing will enthrall even those unfamiliar with the exotic setting.” Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“…the author possesses both intimate knowledge of the time period and a fertile imagination as well. Combine that with an intriguing mystery and a fast-moving plot, and you’ve got a historical crime novel that anyone can love.” Chicago Sun-Times
“Parker’s series deserves a wide readership.” Historical Novel Society
“The historical research is impressive, the prose crisp, and Parker’s ability to universalize the human condition makes for a satisfying tale.” Booklist
“Parker masterfully blends action and detection while making the attitudes and customs of the period accessible.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Readers looking for historical mystery with a twist will find what they’re after in Parker’s latest Sugawara Akitada mystery … An intriguing glimpse into an ancient culture.” Booklist
Pronunciation of Japanese Words
Unlike English, Japanese is pronounced phonetically. Therefore vowel sounds are approximately as follows:
“a” as in “father”
“e” as in “let”
“i” as in “kin”
“o” as in “more”
“u” as in “would”
Double consonants (“ai” or “ei”) are pronounced separately, and ō or ū are doubled or lengthened.
As for the consonants:
“g” as in “game”
“j” as in “join”
“ch” as in “chat”
Contents
Characters
“Koshiro”
“The Sadness of Spring”
“A Conspiracy”
“The Old Professor”
“The Student”
“Murder in a Bathhouse”
“The Caretaker and the Artist”
“Talk of the Town”
“The Tides of Life”
“The Moneylenders”
“Fire in a Jar”
“The Blind Girl”
“A Hopeless Case”
“Gossip in the Bath”
“In Disgrace”
“The Gamblers”
“The Nun”
“A Tiger in the Dark”
“Dance of the Cranes”
“Lady Akiko’s News”
“Arrest”
“An Old Acquaintance”
“A Good Name is Forever”
“The Search”
“Phoenix”
“Walk into Danger”
“Rising Mist”
“Twilight before Dark”
“Kobe’s Risk”
“The Quiet Sadness of Autumn Rain”
“The Bridge of Dreams”
“A Lotus Flower in the Mud”
“The Lady of the Crane Pavilion”
“Senior Secretary Soga”
Historical Note
About the Author
Contact Information
Characters
Sugawara Akitada - government official between assignments
Yasuko, Yoshitada - his daughter & son
Akiko - his sister
Tora & Hanae - his senior retainer & wife
Genba & Ohiro - another retainer & wife
Saburo - a third retainer, a former spy
Kobe - Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police
Nakatoshi - one of Akitada’s friends
Fujiwara Kaneie - Akitada’s former superior, Minister of Justice
Persons involved in the case of Lady Ogata’s suicide:
Abbot Genshin - a former friend of Akitada
Professor Suketada - a retired university professor
Yoshizane - a poor painter
Takechi Akushiro - a poor student
Koshiro - a caretaker
Seikan - a nun
Soga Ietada - Senior Secretary to the Prime Minister
Minamoto Masakane - an exiled nobleman
Maeko & Shiro - two children, sister and brother
Persons connected with the murder in the bathhouse:
Jinzaemon - owner of the bathhouse Daikoku-yu
Sachi - a blind shampoo girl
Nakamura Minobe - a moneylender
Nakamura Manjiro - his son
Yasohachi Saito - his adopted brother and partner
Kanemoto - a gangster
Hankei - a gambler
Chiyo, aka Phoenix - a courtesan
Kajiwara - a poor schoolmaster.
1
Koshiro
Koshiro finished his bowl of rice gruel and set it down beside him. With a sigh of satisfaction, he looked across his garden where the cabbage, radish, and melon plants grew daily larger. The morning sun was quite warm already. It was autumn already, a time of clear skies and chills bringing the promise of winter. Then maybe he would hate his lonely life again, but just now, in this glorious morning sun, surrounded by birdsong and the scent of the rose bush, living in this small wooden house felt like a gift from the gods.
Peace.
Refuge.
And a new life.
He closed his eyes and leaned back against the sun-warmed boards. In a moment he would get up, wash his bowl, and start his chores. They were light, though the grounds were large. The owner hired workers for repairs and heavy work. Yes, Koshiro was blessed to have found this place.
And so were the others. He smiled. The student, the most recent arrival, still shied like a rabbit whenever they met. And he still feared every new arrival. But he was the only one. The professor was deaf, and the nun never paid attention. And the lady? Sometimes when there was a knocking, she got that look of longing on her face—as if she expected a lover to come and carry her away.
Koshiro hated that look. She was very beautiful, and it was to be expected that she should have known love and still wished for it. But she was here, as they all were. None of them would ever leave.
They would find consolation.
In time. Because time was all they had.
And each other.
He imagined himself and the lady becoming reconciled to their lives and to each other and smiled. There was hope. There always was hope.
And then he heard the children’s cries.
His eyes popped open. He looked in the direction of the sound but saw nothing beyond the lush green trees and shrubs where late shrubs still bloomed in shades of red. Getting to his feet, he shaded his eyes. It was quiet again. He decided the children had been at some silly game and relaxed again. They made a nuisance of themselves, but the lady loved children. He gave a low growl of irritation.