Eleven (1/5)

by Natsume Sōseki

A go board is placed in front of the tokonoma, and Meitei-kun and Dokusen-kun are sitting facing each other.

"It's not just a game, you know. The loser will have to treat the winner to something, so keep that in mind," Meitei-kun emphasizes, and Dokusen-kun, as usual, pulls at his goat beard and replies.

"If we do that, the pure enjoyment of the game will be ruined. It's not interesting to be captivated by the stakes of gambling. We must forget about winning and losing, and enjoy the game with a mindset as if white clouds are naturally drifting out of the mountains; only then can we grasp its essence."

"There you go again. Dealing with such a sage-like mindset is a bit too much trouble. You sound just like a character from the Records of the Immortals."

"Like playing a stringless zither."

"You can also send a wireless telegraph."

"Anyway, let's get started."

"Are you taking white?"

"Either is fine."

"As expected of a sage, you have a relaxed attitude. If you take white, then naturally, I will take black. Now, feel free to start from anywhere."

"The rule is to start with black."

"I see. Then, out of modesty, let's follow the established moves and start from here."

"There are no such established moves."

"That's fine. It's an established move of a new invention."

I recently saw a go board for the first time due to the narrowness of the world, and the more I think about it, the stranger it seems. A square board that is not wide is cramped into squares, with black and white stones arranged to the point of dazzling. And they are making a fuss, sweating profusely, about winning or losing, living or dying. It's just a square foot area. If a cat were to scratch it with its front paws, it would be a mess. If you pull it together and tie it, it becomes a grass hut, and if you release it, it returns to the original field. It's a waste of time. It’s much more comfortable to stand with my hands in my pockets and gaze at the board. Moreover, while the first thirty or forty moves may not have particularly noticeable issues with the arrangement of stones, when you peek at the moment that divides the world, oh my, what a pitiful sight it is. The black and white stones are pushing against each other until they spill off the board, making a squeezing sound. Just because it’s cramped doesn’t mean you can ask the guy next to you to move, nor do you have the right to order the teacher in front of you to leave because it’s in the way. You can only sit still, resigned to fate, unable to move, and there’s nothing else to do but shrink back. If humans invented go, and if human preferences manifest in the game, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the fate of the cramped stones represents the petty nature of humanity. If the fate of the stones can be inferred from human nature, I must assert that humans like to mark their territory with their own two feet, unable to step into the vast world beyond, as if they were carving it with a small knife. One could summarize humanity as something that seeks pain for its own sake.

For some reason, today alone, the carefree Meitei-kun and the Zen-minded Dokusen-kun dragged an old go board out of the cupboard and started this sweltering game. As expected, since they were both together, at first, each acted freely, and the white and black stones were flying across the board, but since the board has its limits and the horizontal and vertical markings fill up with each move, no matter how carefree or Zen-like they are, it’s only natural that it becomes difficult.

“Meitei-kun, your Go is reckless. You shouldn't enter such a place.”

“It may not be the way of Zen monks, but in the style of Honinbo, there's no other way.”

“But it will only lead to death.”

“We can't be afraid of death. Now, let's proceed like this.”

“So that's how it is, very well. The fragrant breeze comes from the south, bringing a coolness to the palace. If we do this, it will be fine.”

“Oh, you did that on the side as well, impressive. I didn't expect you to be so considerate. By the way, what if we do this with the Hachiman bell?”

“What to do or how to do it doesn't matter. Leaning on the sword in the heavens is cold—ah, it's troublesome. Just cut it decisively.”

“Oh dear, that's serious. If you cut there, I will die. This is no joke, wait a moment.”

“That's what I've been saying all along. You can't enter a situation like this.”

“I apologize for entering. Please take this white stone for me.”

“Are you going to wait for that too?”

“Also, could you please lift the one next to it?”

“How brazen of you.”

“Do you see the boy?—Isn't it between you and me? Without saying such formal things, please lift it. It's a matter of life or death, so just a moment, just a moment, I'm about to rush out from the flower path.”

“I don't know anything about that.”

“It doesn't matter if you don't know, just move aside a bit.”

“You've already said 'wait' six times since earlier.”

“You have a good memory. From now on, let's double the waiting. That's why I'm saying to move aside a bit. You're quite stubborn too. If you did some Zen meditation, you might be able to handle it a bit better.”

“But if I don't kill this stone, I might end up losing a bit...”

“Haven't you been fine with losing from the start?”

“I don't mind losing, but I don't want you to win.”

"What a flying Goto. As always, you're cutting through the spring breeze like lightning."

"It's not the spring breeze, it's the lightning breeze. You're the one who's got it backwards."

"Hahaha, I thought it was about time for everything to be reversed, but there really is a certain truth to it. Well, I guess there's no helping it, I might as well give up."

"Life and death are of utmost importance, impermanence is swift, I will give up."

"Amen," said Meitei-kun, this time throwing a stone in a completely unrelated direction.

In front of the alcove, Meitei-kun and Dokusen-kun were earnestly competing in a match, while at the entrance of the tatami room, Kangu-tsuki-kun and Toufu-kun were lined up, with the host sitting beside them with a pale face. In front of Kangu-tsuki-kun, three pieces of bonito flakes were neatly arranged on the tatami, which was a strange sight.

These bonito flakes were taken out from Kangu-tsuki-kun's pocket, and when they were taken out, they were warm, feeling so in the palm of his hand, despite being bare. The host and Toufu-kun were looking at the bonito flakes with strange eyes, and eventually, Kangu-tsuki-kun opened his mouth.

"Actually, I returned from the country about four days ago, but I had various errands to run, so I couldn't come up."

"There's no need to rush to come," said the host, as usual, in an unsociable manner.

"It's not that I need to rush, but I'm worried I won't be able to hand over this souvenir quickly."

"Isn't this bonito flakes?"

"Yes, it's a specialty of the country."

"Even if it's a specialty, it seems like there are such things in Tokyo too." The host picked up the largest piece of bonito flakes and brought it close to his nose to smell it.

"Just smelling it won't tell you the quality of the bonito flakes."

"Is it because it's a bit larger that it's considered a specialty?"

"Well, please try eating it."

"I'll eat it anyway, but this one seems to have a piece missing."

"That's why I said I'm worried if I don't bring it quickly."

"Why?"

"Why? That's because a mouse nibbled on it."

"That's dangerous. If you bite it, you'll get the plague."

"It's fine, biting it a little won't cause any harm."

"Where on earth did you bite it?"

"Inside the ship."

"Inside the ship? Why?"

"There was no place to put it, so I put it in a bag with the violin, and when I got on the ship, that night it happened. I only meant to nibble on the bonito flakes, but I accidentally bit a little bit of the important body of the violin, mistaking it for the bonito flakes."

"What a careless mouse. Living on a ship, does it lose its sense of distinction?" The master said something no one could understand while still gazing at the bonito flakes.

"Because it's a mouse, it must be careless no matter where it lives. That's why I was worried it would get into trouble again if I brought it to the boarding house, so I kept it in my bed at night."

"It seems a bit dirty."

"So wash it a little before you eat."

"A little won't make it clean."

"In that case, you should put some lye on it and scrub it well."

"Did you sleep holding the violin too?"

"The violin is too big to hold while sleeping..." just as I was about to say,

"What? You slept holding the violin? That's quite poetic. There's a phrase about the fleeting spring and the heavy heart of the biwa, but that's from a long time ago. A talented person from the Meiji era must sleep holding a violin to surpass the ancients. How about the violin guarding the long night? Kōfū-kun, can you say such a thing in new-style poetry?" Mr. Meitei called out loudly from over there, joining our conversation.

Kōfū-kun replied seriously, "New-style poetry can't be created as quickly as haiku. However, when I finally can, it will produce a more delicate sound that touches the essence of the spirit."

"Is that so? I thought the spirit was welcomed by burning incense, but can it really come just by the power of new-style poetry?" Meitei was still neglecting the game of go and was teasing.

"If you keep talking nonsense, you'll lose again." The master warns Meitei. Meitei, unfazed,

says, "Whether I want to win or lose, my opponent is like an octopus in a pot, unable to make a move, so I have no choice but to play the violin out of boredom." The opponent, Dokusen-kun, declared in a somewhat agitated tone,

"Now it's your turn. We're waiting over here."

"Huh? Have you already played?"

"I have, long ago."

"Where?"

"I extended this white stone."

"I see. So you extended this white stone and lost, huh? In that case, what about this—this—this, and it ends in the evening, it seems there's no good move. I'll let you play once more, so go ahead and make a move wherever you like."

"Is there such a game?"

"If there isn't, then let's play. —Well then, shall I place it a bit crooked on this corner? —Kangetsu-kun, your violin is so cheap that mice mock it and nibble on it. I'll splurge a bit and buy a better one; should I order an antique from Italy that's three hundred years old?"

"Please do. And while you're at it, I would also like to ask for a purification."

"What use is such an old thing?" the master, who knew nothing, scolded Meitei.

"You must be equating human antiques with violin antiques. Even human antiques like Kaneda's are still in fashion, so the older the violin, the better it is. —Now, Dokusen-kun, please hurry. As they say, autumn days are quick to fade."

"Playing go with a restless man like you is painful. There's no time to think or do anything. I have no choice but to place a stone here and keep an eye on it."

"Oh dear, I've finally let it live. What a shame. I thought for sure you wouldn't play there, and while I was chatting a bit to break the tension, it seems it didn't work after all."

"Of course. Yours is not about hitting. It's about deceiving."

"That's the Honinbo style, the Kaneda style, the modern gentleman's style. -- Hey, Kusami-sensei, as expected, Dokusen-kun has been to Kamakura and eaten the mannenzuke, so he is unperturbed by things. I truly admire him. His Go may be poor, but his courage is solid."

"So a man without courage like you should try to imitate a little." As the master replied without turning around, Meitei-kun stuck out his large red tongue. Dokusen-kun, as if it had nothing to do with him, urged his opponent again, saying, "Now it's your turn."

"When did you start playing the violin? I was thinking of learning a little too, but I hear it's quite difficult." Higashikaze-kun was asking Kangugetsu-kun.

"Well, anyone can do it if they just get the basics down."

"Since it's the same art, those with a taste for poetry and song will surely improve faster in music, I secretly hope, but what do you think?"

"That should be fine. You'll surely get good at it."

"When did you start?"

"During high school. -- Sensei, have I ever told you the story of how I started learning the violin?"

"No, I haven't heard it yet."

"Did you start learning it while you were a teacher in high school?"

"Oh no, there was nothing like that. It was self-taught."

"You're truly a genius."

"If it's self-taught, it doesn't necessarily mean genius." Kangugetsu-kun replied with a huff. It's probably only Kangugetsu-kun who puffs up at being called a genius.

"That's beside the point, but I'd like to hear a bit about how you self-taught. I want to use it as a reference."

"I can talk about it. Sensei, shall I share?"

"Ah, please do."

Nowadays, it is common to see young people walking around the city with violin cases, but when I was a student, there were hardly any students learning Western music in high school. Especially the school I attended was in the middle of nowhere, a simple place where even straw sandals were absent, so there was not a single person among the students who played the violin.

“It seems like an interesting story has started over there. Dokusen-kun, shall we wrap it up soon?” someone said.

“There are still two or three places that aren’t cleaned up,” Dokusen-kun replied.

“That’s fine. For the most part, I’ll give it to you,” he said, to which Dokusen-kun responded, “Even if you say that, I can’t just take it.”

“He’s too meticulous for a Zen scholar. Well then, let’s do it all at once. Kanguzuki-kun, it sounds really interesting. The story about those high school students going to school barefoot...”

“That’s not true,” Kanguzuki-kun denied.

“But they all do physical exercises barefoot and do right turns, so the skin on their feet gets thick,” Dokusen-kun continued.

“No way, who said such a thing?”

“Anyone will do. They say that for lunch, they bring a great rice ball, hanging it from their waist like a summer orange, and they eat it. Rather than eating, they actually devour it. Then, a pickled plum is said to pop out from the center. They eagerly munch away at the salt-free surroundings, looking forward to the emergence of this pickled plum. Indeed, they are quite energetic. Dokusen-kun, this is a story you might like.”

“It’s a simple, robust, and reliable spirit,” Dokusen-kun nodded.

"There is still something reassuring. It seems there are no ash blowers over there. When my friend was in service there, he went out to buy an ash blower marked with the seal of the Tsugetsu Peak, but there was not a single thing that could be called an ash blower, let alone Tsugetsu Peak. When I asked out of curiosity, he calmly replied that anyone could just go to the back thicket and cut one, so there was no need to sell them. This must also be a beautiful story that expresses the simple and robust spirit, right, Dokusen-kun?"

"Hmm, that's fine, but we have to put in a flaw here," said Dokusen-kun.

"Alright. Flaw, flaw, flaw. That settles it. I was really surprised when I heard that story. It's impressive that you taught yourself the violin in such a place. There's a saying in the Chuci that goes 'unique and unmatched,' but Kanguu-kun is truly the Qu Yuan of the Meiji era."

"I don't want to be Qu Yuan," said Kanguu-kun.

"Then you're the Werther of this century. What, you want to calculate with stones? You're quite a rigid character. Even without calculating, I'm sure I've lost."

"However, it's hard to come to a conclusion..."

"Then you do it. I'm not a calculator. If I don't hear the anecdote of the genius Werther-kun starting to learn the violin, I would be disrespecting my ancestors, so excuse me," he said, and slipped toward Kanguu-kun. Dokusen-kun was carefully taking white stones to fill the white holes and black stones to fill the black holes, continuously calculating in his mouth. Kanguu-kun continued the conversation.

"Even though the local character is already established, the people of my country are very stubborn, and if there is even a slightly weak person, they would say it reflects poorly on the students from other prefectures and would impose strict sanctions without hesitation, so it was quite troublesome."

"When it comes to the students from your country, it's really hard to talk. Why on earth do they wear plain navy hakama? First of all, that's already strange. Also, perhaps because they are blown by the salty wind, the color seems quite dark. It may be fine for a man, but for a woman, that must be quite troublesome," said Meitei-kun as he entered alone.

“Women are just as dark as that.”

“Well, it’s surprising they have suitors.”

“But it can’t be helped since the whole country is dark.”

“It’s karma, isn’t it? Hey, Kusami-kun.”

“Being dark is better. If you’re white, you can’t help but be conceited every time you look in the mirror. Women are just troublesome beings,” the master sighed deeply.

“But if the whole country is dark, wouldn’t you not be conceited about being dark?” Kusami-kun asked a very reasonable question.

“In any case, women are completely unnecessary,” the master said,

“If you say that, your wife will be in a bad mood later,” warned Meitei-sensei with a laugh.

“What, it’s fine.”

“Is she not here?”

“She went out with the child a little while ago.”

“No wonder it’s quiet. Where did she go?”

“I don’t know where. She just goes out on her own.”

“And does she come back on her own?”

“Well, yes. You’re lucky to be single,” said Kusami-kun, making a slightly dissatisfied face. Kanguu-kun chuckled. Meitei-kun said.

“Once you have a wife, everyone feels that way. Hey, Dokusen-kun, you must have trouble with your wife too.”

“Huh? Wait a minute. Four, six, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven. If I thought it was narrow, there are forty-six. I thought I had a bit more, but when I counted, it’s just an eighteen-point difference. — What?”

“I’m saying you have trouble with your wife too.”

“Ahahaha, it’s not particularly difficult. My wife loves me after all.”

“That was a bit rude. That’s just like you, Dokusen-kun.”

“It’s not just Dokusen-kun. There are plenty of such cases,” Kanguu-kun said, taking a little effort to defend the wives of the world.

"I also agree with Kanketsu-kun. In my opinion, there are only two paths for humans to enter the realm of the absolute, and those two paths are art and love. Since the love between a husband and wife represents one of them, I believe that humans must definitely get married and fulfill this happiness, or they will be going against the will of heaven. -- But what do you think, Sensei?" Toofuu-kun turned back to Meitei-kun with his usual seriousness.

"That's a great argument. Someone like me could never hope to enter the realm of the absolute."

"If you get a wife, you won't be able to enter it either," the master said with a serious expression.

"In any case, we unmarried young men must touch the spirit of art and pave the way for our improvement; otherwise, we won't understand the meaning of life. So, to start, I thought I would learn the violin and have been listening to Kanketsu-kun's experiences," he said.

"That's right, you were supposed to hear Werther-kun's violin story. Now, please go ahead and tell it. I won't interrupt anymore," Meitei-kun finally redirected the conversation.

"The path to improvement cannot be opened through a pastime like the violin. It would be terrible if one could know the truths of the universe through such a frivolous game," Dokusen-kun lectured Toofuu-kun in a somewhat pretentious tone. However, Toofuu-kun, being a man who knew nothing about Zen, did not seem particularly impressed,

"I see, that may be true, but I still believe that art expresses the ultimate desires of humanity, so I cannot possibly abandon it," he replied.

"If you can't abandon it, then as you wish, I will tell you about my violin. To be honest, I had quite a hard time before I started practicing the violin. First, it was quite difficult to buy one," Dokusen-kun continued.

"That makes sense; there shouldn't be violins in a place without a maira zori," Dokusen-kun said.

"No, actually, there is one. I had saved up money beforehand, so there was no problem, but I just couldn't buy it," Toofuu-kun said.

"Why not?"

"Because it's a small piece of land, if I buy it, it will be found out immediately. If it's discovered, I will be scolded for being cheeky right away."

"Geniuses have always been persecuted," said Tōfū-kun, showing sympathy.

"Another genius, huh? I really wish you could spare me that title. Every day, as I walk past the shop with the violin, I think how nice it would be to buy that, what it would feel like to hold it, oh how I want it, not a single day has gone by without those thoughts," continued Dokusen-kun.

"That's reasonable," said Meitei, and as the master was puzzled, saying, "It's rather elaborate," Tōfū-kun expressed admiration, saying, "You really are a genius." Only Dokusen-kun remained aloof, twisting his beard.

"You might wonder why there is a violin in such a place, but if you think about it, it's only natural. There is a girls' school in this area, and the female students have to practice the violin every day as part of their curriculum, so there must be some. Of course, they are not good ones. They barely qualify to be called 'violins.' That's why they are not given much importance in the shop, and a couple of them are just hung together on display. Sometimes, when I walk past, the wind blows or a boy's hand touches them, and they produce sound. Hearing that sound makes my heart feel like it's about to burst, and I can't sit still."

"That's dangerous. There are various types of epilepsy, like water epilepsy and human epilepsy, but yours is a Werther-like violin epilepsy," Meitei teased.

"No, if you don't have that kind of sensitivity, you can't become a true artist. You really have a genius temperament," Tōfū-kun further expressed admiration.

"Yes, it might actually be epilepsy, but that tone is special. Since then, I've played a lot until today, but I've never produced such a beautiful sound. I don't even know how to describe it," said Dokusen-kun.

“Isn't it ringing like a beautiful chime?” the Independent Immortal Lord brought up a difficult expression, but it was unfortunate that no one took him seriously.

“While I was strolling around the store every day, I finally heard this extraordinary sound three times. By the third time, I was determined that I absolutely had to buy it. Even if I were scolded by the authorities of the country, or looked down upon by those from other prefectures—yes, even if I had to hold my breath for the sake of punishment—even if I mistakenly received a dismissal from school, I thought I could not help but buy this.”

“That’s genius. If you weren’t a genius, you couldn’t be so convinced. I envy you. I’ve been trying for many years to somehow feel such intense emotions, but it just doesn’t work for me. I go to concerts and listen as attentively as I can, but I just can’t get that excited,” said Dongfeng-kun, expressing his envy repeatedly.

“It’s better not to get too excited. I can talk about it calmly now, but the suffering at that time was something I could hardly imagine. After that, teacher, I finally splurged and bought it.”

“Hmm, why was that?”

“It was just the night before the November Festival. Everyone from the country had gone to the hot springs for an overnight stay, so there was no one around. I said I was sick and took a day off school to stay in bed. That night, I kept thinking about going out and finally getting the violin I had longed for, while wrapped up in my futon.”