he looked on with interest a hand
was laid on his shoulder. Turning, he saw a man, partly in the dress of
a _chu[u]gen_, partly in that of a menial attendant of one of the larger
_yashiki_ (nobleman's mansion). Scars of burns on his hands and arms,
patches of rice flour and bran, showed that he was a cook. His eye was
severe and his manner abrupt as he rebuked Densuke. "An idle fellow!
This Taro[u]bei never fails to come across Densuke as an idler, or on
the way to Asakusa with the worthy wife. Is he fit for nothing?" Densuke
was a mild man. To this man with a grievance his answer was soft.
Besides he had no liking for the cook's knife stuck in the girdle, and
handy to carve fish or flesh. He said--"Perchance the idleness is more
in appearance than fact. Buying and selling on commission the task is an
irregular one. It is true, however, that this Densuke has no settled
labour. Alas! Former days in the service of a _samurai_ are much to be
regretted."--"Can you cook rice?" was the abrupt interruption. "This
Densuke knows the 'Sanryaku' fairly well. Is more needed?" The man
looked at him dumbfounded. "The 'Sanryaku'--what's that?"--"Knowledge of
the 'Sanryaku' enables one to meet all the requirements of a _bushi_
(knight).[6] At the school in Kazusa To[u]gane the priest who taught
this Densuke, at one time a _samurai_, was far more taken with the
'Sanryaku' than with the _Sutra_ (Scripture); the lessons taught applied
more to Bushido[u] (the knight's way) than to Butsudo[u] (the way of the
Buddha).... But to the point; this Densuke for three years cooked the
rice at Tamiya in Yotsuya. First there is the _toro-toro_ of bubbling
water; then the _biri-biri_, as what little remains passes as steam
through the rice grains. Then the sharp whistling cry of a baby from the
pot on the slow fire (_murashite_). The task is done, and the vessel is
removed from the stove." The man looked with respect on this learned
cook. Said he--"Densuke is the man. Taro[u]bei must leave the kitchen of
Geishu[u] Sama at once. The mother is ill in Aki province. A substitute
is to be found. The salary--is next to nothing; but the perquisites are
numerous, and the food ample to feed several Densuke and their wives.
Deign to accept." Densuke did not hesitate--"The obligation lies with
Densuke. But how secure the position? There is Tamiya...." The man
laughed. "There are many Densuke in Edo; and no connection between the
_yashiki_ of Matsudaira Aki no Kam