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Master of the Shamisen
Settler: I once visited a garden untouched by even Saito’s thugs. It’s a beautiful sanctuary kept by a master of the shamisen.
Atsu: Master Heijiro. He used to live in the Yōtei Grasslands, along the Yōtei River.
Settler: As far as I know, he’s still there.
Atsu: The garden… It’s still here… We came in spring. Mother planted those flower shrubs next to the house. I remember. She asked everyone to come out and help.
Young Atsu: Can we go now?
Yone: Did you finish trimming the bamboo?
Young Atsu: I may have missed a few spots.
Yone: Perhaps another set of eyes will help. Come along.
Young Atsu: Why are we even helping this…Master Heijiro?
Yone: When your father and I came to Ezo, it wasn’t easy. So now, we help.
Young Atsu: Help others, help yourself.
Yone: Ah, so you do listen to me?
Young Atsu: Sometimes.
Yone: Go on. Trim the bamboo.
Young Atsu: They’re just going to grow back.
Yone: In the meantime, we will replant them uphill. You missed some bamboo, Atsu.
Young Atsu: Why make a garden like this in the first place?
Yone: It is a piece of home. There are so many gardens like this in the south.
Young Atsu: There, done.
Yone: Look at that. My daughter. Conqueror of bamboo.
Young Atsu: Mother:
Yone: (Laughs)
Atsu: Everyone loved her laugh. That’s why she’d always welcome the merchants by the gates.
Settler: Greetings. You ever see foxes playing with fireflies at night?
Atsu: They like butterflies, too.
Settler: I saw one run off by a tree with red leaves. If I followed, I might have found their secrets.
Atsu: I’ll have to take a look myself.
Atsu: I remember that one time I went to meet the merchants at the entrance.
Young Atsu: These fish eggs are slimy.
Yone: Don’t touch them. Just grab a pot and place it in the water. This way. We need to find a deep enough spot.
Young Atsu: I know, I know. How big do you think they’ll get?
Yone: Knowing Master Heijiro, they will be well fed.
Young Atsu: There. Now when you’re born all you have to do is swim out! Do you think they’ll recognise me?
Yone: If you visit. You can watch each other grow up.
Atsu: You all got so big. I’m sorry I missed it. I remember Mother and I planted the sapling the next day.
Yone: It’s strange seeing this place come together.
Young Atsu: Master Heijiro said we can plant the sapling now.
Yone: Of course. The final touch of colour.
Young Atsu: Do you miss it? The mainland.
Yone: Sometimes.
Young Atsu: Is that why you want me to learn the shamisen from Master Heijiro? I like learning from you.
Yone: Atsu… Do you know why they make gardens like this in the south? It’s an attempt. To capture the beauty of nature. And in doing so, we remind ourselves nature can never fully be captured or tamed.
Young Atsu: Like Ezo.
Yone: Like you. Master Heijiro was a renowned musician on the mainland. A better teacher than I ever had. A sapling can grow wild on its own, but it can thrive with a little aid from others.
Young Atsu: (Sigh) I’ll listen to Master Heijiro. But I won’t like it.
Yone: Good. Because he is right behind you.
Atsu: Master Heijiro?
Heijiro: Do I… know you?
Atsu: I…
Heijiro: That shamisen… Atsu?
Atsu: You most stubborn student returns.
Heijiro: We all thought you were dead. You look so much like your mother. Come. You must tell me everything.
Atsu: It’s a long story.
Heijiro: I see. What do you think of the garden?
Atsu: It’s… come a long way.
Heijiro: One last bastion of tranquility for the spirit. Even Saito dare not touch it. I think it reminds him of home.
Atsu: A small comfort.
Heijiro: You still play, I see.
Atsu: I try.
Heijiro: We never did get a chance to finish our lessons.
Atsu: I wasn’t going to make it easy for you.
Heijiro: Maybe you will now. For your mother. Composing a song is like composing a garden. We strive to tame our spirit. Capture that which we hold dear.
Atsu: To remind ourselves that nothing can truly capture it in full.
Heijiro: So is the nature of things. Your mother would be proud. If you ever need a place to rest…
Atsu: I don’t think my rest will look as peaceful as this.
Heijiro: You’re going after them, aren’t you? The Yōtei Six? You are the onryō people speak of. Atsu… that cannot end well.
Atsu: I know.
Heijiro: I see. Then all I can offer is this song. I hope you can use it to find the strength of spirit needed for what is to come.
Atsu: It was good seeing you again.
Heijiro: Take care of yourself, Atsu.