The Origin of the Samurai #4: 告発 (kokuhatsu)
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The Origin of the Samurai #4: 告発 (kokuhatsu)

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To see the previous installments, click on the following links: #1, #2, #3

Within the Date fief, any serious accusation against anyone, especially a member of the clan, was initially handled by the daimio's trusted samurai. And so, Masaki Hayato (正木隼人), Rodrigo's mentor, visited him in his cell.

He arrived with an escort, dressed in a formal kimono, and after introductions were made, he unrolled with ritual precision a document setting out the charges. Although he was overcome with emotion, he was acting as investigator, judge and messenger, and this required him to use a grave and ceremonious tone.

The charge was simple and twofold. He was charged with practising Christianity, which had been forbidden by shogunate law since 1614, and with suspected espionage on behalf of a rival clan (the Uesugi).

The Uesugi ruled the Aizu domain, southwest of the Sendai domain, and was a powerful clan close to the shogunate with whom there were historical tensions over control of the territory.

Masaki implied that he did not believe the accusations against him but that his loyalty to the clan obliged him. As spokesman, he asked him to confess or challenged him to prove his innocence at a future trial, leaving the uncertainty of his fate hanging in the air.

To be continued

Header Image:

Kanji for the word ‘samurai’. Source: Wikipedia

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