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Chapters (39)
  1. Cover
  2. The Way of the Traitor
  3. Prologue
  4. 1
  5. 2
  6. 3
  7. 4
  8. 5
  9. 6
  10. 7
  11. 8
  12. 9
  13. 10
  14. 11
  15. 12
  16. 13
  17. 14
  18. 15
  19. 16
  20. 17
  21. 18
  22. 19
  23. 20
  24. 21
  25. 22
  26. 23
  27. 24
  28. 25
  29. 26
  30. 27
  31. 28
  32. 29
  33. 30
  34. 31
  35. 32
  36. 33
  37. 34
  38. 34
  39. Author

“Your trial begins tomorrow morning,” Yoriki Ota informed Sano with a triumphant leer. “Until then, you will enjoy the generous hospitality of Nagasaki Jail.” He slapped the reins and motioned for his subordinates to follow. “Let’s go!”

Caged like an animal, prodded by sticks, hounded by jeers, and ready to die of shame and despair, Sano began the long walk to Nagasaki Jail.

32

三二

The treason tribunal convened in the reception hall of the mansion where the three magistrates were staying. Bleak, early morning light barely penetrated the barred windows. Lanterns cast a sinister yellow glow over the magistrates, who wore black ceremonial robes and surcoats bearing the Tokugawa crest, black caps, and black-hilted swords, seated upon the dais. Court officials and secretaries knelt behind desks. Soldiers guarded the doors. Across a wall mural painted in murky colors, mounted archers hunted a tiger through a forest.

Sano, the accused, wearing a dirty muslin kimono, knelt on a straw mat before the dais on the shirasu: an area of floor covered with white sand, symbol of truth.

“The trial of Sōsakan Sano Ichirō is now in session,” intoned the magistrate who occupied the center position on the dais, behind a low table piled with scrolls. About sixty years of age, he had a long, rectangular face with jutting chin and razor-edged cheekbones. His body was fit and strong, his posture erect. “Hearing this case are Magistrates Segawa Fumio of Hakata and Dazai Moriya of Kurume.” He bowed to the men on either side of him; the secretaries recorded his words. From the hills above the city came the pounding of the war drums, like a monster’s heartbeat. “And myself, in the capacity of supreme judge: Takeda Kenzan of Kumamoto.”

Sano’s throat clenched as he recognized the name. Takeda was famous for a conviction rate of nearly 100 percent, and for the harshness of his sentences. Of the other judges, Sano knew nothing. They represented his chief hope of acquittal, yet their impassive faces betrayed no mercy.

“The defendant is charged with six counts of treason,” Supreme Judge Takeda said. “Operating a smuggling ring; persecuting Japanese citizens; procuring weapons from the Dutch; conspiring with them to overthrow the government; enlisting Chinese military support; and practicing Christianity.”