younger years attached to the immediate train of
the prince, in greater maturity to the enforcement of the edicts through
the legal machinery of the Bakufu. At this time he ruffled it bravely
with the other young blades. The younger _hatamoto_ on their part
opposed to the _otokodate_ of the townsmen the far more splendid
_Jingumi_ or divine bands. Yamanaka Gonzaemon knocked out several front
teeth and inserted in their places gold ones. Hence the rise of the
_Kingumi_ or Gold Band. Aoyama Shu[u]zen did likewise with substitution
of silver. Hence the _Gingumi_. They were all of the Mikawa _bushi_;
that is, drawn from the native province and closely affiliated to the
Tokugawa House. Hence these _hatamoto_ carried themselves high even
against the greater _daimyo[u]_, sure of support from their over-lord
the Sho[u]gun. As for the town, they did as they pleased, seeking
quarrels, distributing blows, and only restrained by wholesome reprisals
of _ro[u]nin_ or the _otokodate_ of the townsmen, who in turn relied on
such _daimyo[u]_ as Date Ko[u] and Maeda Ko[u], valued allies of the
Tokugawa House, yet showing no particular liking for the encroachments
of the palace clique on their own privileges.

The necessity of moving quarters was equally an embarrassment to Aoyama
Shu[u]zen and to his intimate and neighbour O[u]kubo Hikoroku. O[u]kubo
suggested Honjo[u]--"The water lies close by. Hence in winter the place
is warm, in summer cool."--"And of mosquitoes swarms," interjected the
practical Aoyama. "If the hillside be cold, it surely is no drawback to
Hikoroku Uji." The one named made something of a wry face, and Aoyama
smiled apart. He knew that Hikoroku was not so affectioned to the
meetings of the Gaman Kwai as himself. However, smoothly--"This matter
of the Yoshida Goten coming up offers fair opportunity. The failure of
Endo[u] Uji need not discourage O[u]kubo Dono and this Aoyama." Both
smiled a little. They could put palace influences better to work. "It is
two thousand _tsubo_," said Shu[u]zen. "Just the thing: moreover, it is
close to palace duty. On this point Honjo[u] is not in the running.
Besides, the site has its own attraction. Of course Shu[u]zen takes the
well, in the division." O[u]kubo interposed a lively objection, the
shallowness of which Shu[u]zen could detect. He humoured his friend's
obstinacy. "Leave it to the lots." In haste the slips were
prepared--"Hachiman, god of the bow and feathered shaft, grant you