Next day the fleet dropped anchor in Kanagawa. The port would have usually been bustling with activity, but now, with the arrival of so many foreign warships, it appeared deserted and strangely quiet.
They waited on board for a time, giving the Japanese time to cool down and prepare for the meeting, which must have been for them a momentous event. As they were all crowding the deck and looking around with curiosity, someone pointed to a wooden structure erected to the side of the bay.
"What's that? Looks like a gate."
Lottie followed his line of sight. "It's Torii." She explained. "A traditional Japanese gateway to a Shinto or Buddhist shrine. It symbolises the transition from the profane to the sacred."
"In the water?!"
"You must not forget that their religion is much different from ours. The gate is built here to assure safety of sailors and fishermen. They believe that Kami, the Spirits, will protect them from harm. A shrine may have many Torii, leading to the holy centre, where they go to pray and meditate."
"You really have been here before." Captain Norton muttered under his breath, for the first time acknowledged that he'd previously had some doubts about her claims.
She just smiled. "You need to prepare yourselves for a big shock." She continued after a while. "The Japanese culture is so different from ours and sometimes so infuriating, that you will want to scream. But self-control and restraint in everything are probably the most valued characteristics among the ruling class. You must always project calmness and composure, otherwise they will disrespect you. Even mortal enemies can meet here and share pleasantries while drinking tea and discussing art. They are very proud people, but people nevertheless." She lectured. "Try to be open-minded and you might even enjoy yourselves."
She was unfortunately aware that nothing she could say would prepare them for a meeting with such an alien culture, but she needed them to at least try to behave in an acceptable way.
An hour or so later they finally noticed an increased activity on the dock. "Gentlemen, the welcome committee has arrived." She observed. "I believe we should go and introduce ourselves. Please, do not bring any weapons and under no circumstances make any sudden movements that could be misunderstood as a threat to the Lord. They are deadly with those swords."
The rowing boat was prepared and all seven of them went ashore. Only then did they realise that Anna had brought her own revolvers.
"What happened to not bringing any weapons?" Mr Trent asked sheepishly.
"I have to protect you somehow." Her smile was ironic enough to bring a deep frown to Commander Morrison's face.
But there was no time for bickering now. The boat had docked and they disembarked clumsily, suddenly finding solid ground a bit tricky after so long at sea. They filed out and stood waiting, surveying the local lord and his entourage.
Facing them stood at least fifty armed warriors, looking fierce in their battle armour. Behind, perhaps the same number of soldiers stood, holding the horses. Lottie knew very well that they would be cut down in seconds if this first meeting went badly for any reason.
The Japanese were looking at the newcomers with apprehension, but also with curiosity. They had naturally heard about the Black Ships and the brazen Americans. But the people who faced them now didn't look at all intimidating. Even dressed in their best, the civilian financiers looked a little shabby in comparison to the silks and lacquered armours of the samurai. Only the soldier presented himself well enough in his uniform.
When the silence started to weigh on them uncomfortably, one of the Gai-Jin stepped forward and bowed deeply, taking off a hat. A murmur of surprise and awe rippled through the Japanese ranks, when long blond hair fell freely and they realised it was a woman. None of them had ever seen a white woman before and her golden hair combined with a pair of blue eyes seemed to make her in their eyes even more exotic and fascinating.
She was straight backed and much taller than they were used to in a woman. With a slim figure and narrow hips she did not appear much different from the men, but her movements were fluid and graceful.
"My Lord," She addressed him in Japanese, bowing again, with respect. "If you permit, I will be honoured to serve as an interpreter between these foreigners and yourself." She indicated the Americans standing behind her. She spoke fluently and with confidence and again a murmur rose from the ranks. "They are to represent the American government during the treaty negotiations. If you allow, I will introduce them."
The Lord nodded curtly, not giving away how shocked he truly was to discover that the Gai-Jin woman spoke his language.
"Thank you, My Lord." She continued, nonplussed. "This is Captain Norton, the commander of our ship. Lt. Commander Morrison, from the Navy, Mr Johnston from the governmental office and three representatives of the commercial concerns: Mr Trent, Mr Bracknell and Mr Thomas."
Each of them inclined his head as she was speaking.
The Lord nodded in turn in an acknowledgement. "I am Matsuda Eishi, Lord of this province." He spoke with authority. "Please, tell your companions that they are welcome to take rooms in a Ryokan, where they can refresh themselves, bathe and rest after the long journey, while they wait for the talks to begin. Perhaps tomorrow we could meet and talk some more."
She translated Lord Matsuda's invitation.
"Tomorrow?!" Morrison was strangely resentful. "Why do we need to wait like some petitioners?!"
"Commander, I advise you to compose yourself and hold your tongue for a more private occasion!" Her tone was deceptively light, but she was very tense. "They are a very proud people and are easily offended. You should consider it an honour that he wants to have anything to do with us at all. Do not forget that to him we are nothing but presumptuous peasants! I would strongly advise to show the appropriate humility. NOW! It's considered extremely rude to keep him waiting."
With some hesitation and stiff backs they all bowed.
Suddenly, Lottie became aware of a pair of dark brown eyes, looking at her with a strange intensity. These eyes belonged to a man from Lord Matsuda's entourage. His face was set into inscrutable features, with only a furrowed brow showing his disapproval. But his mouth changed the outlook of the whole face. The corners of his lips twitched in suppressed anger or... smile, it was impossible to tell. His head was shaved, but both his clothing and the swords at his belt told her he couldn't be a monk. There was something peculiar in his gaze, yet she couldn't identify it.
When he realised that she was looking at him, he quickly stepped back, disappearing from sight among the other warriors.
"Matsuda-Sama, the Gai-Jin are truly grateful for your generous offer." She picked up and once more bowed deeply.
He only nodded and turned away. The audience was finished. He mounted his horse and moved with his people towards the residence.
On the way he sought the man who had caught Lottie's attention at the dock. "Takeda-San, what do you make of these Gai-Jin?" He asked.
"They have no manners. And they stink!" The other man wrinkled his nose with distaste. "Nothing has changed since I saw the white people the last time." His voice was full of derision.
"All Gai-Jin are the same." Generalised Matsuda. "But they have a military advantage and the ShÅgun seems to be quite unable to oppose their demands. Besides, the noble families find their produce and technology more and more fascinating. We'll see what they can offer." He considered something for a moment. "And what of the woman?"
"She seems to have some manners." His companion was strangely reluctant to pass on his judgement. "It is difficult to say."
"I wonder where she learned our language."
Lord Matsuda was by nature a very curious man. He liked to know about people everything that was worth knowing. And now he was very curious about the Gai-Jin woman.
"Takeda-Sama." He turned now towards his interlocutor. "Would it be an imposition to ask you to extend your visit a little bit longer?"
"I had completed my compulsory residence and planned to return to my domain." Lord Takeda didn't like changing his plans. Besides, he missed the austere beauty and the fresh air of his lands in the north. It was much too hot here.
"It might prove useful to find out more about the foreigners."
"I should not be involved with the negotiations. My position..." Started Takeda.
"I realise that." Matsuda inclined his head slightly. "But I also know well your legendary skill in acquiring information." He smiled.
"Fine." Takeda agreed, but his face remained stern. "A few days should be more than enough to find out something. And I can depart before Tokugawa's people arrive."
Both lords bowed in agreement and they separated.
*
While Lord Matsuda's attendants moved away, Lottie turned back to her companions. "Return to the ship now and collect anything you think you might need in here. I will look for the inn and arrange suitable rooms for us. Remember about the gifts for the lord. We really need to impress him tomorrow."
They looked at her, slightly flushed. Despite her earlier explanations, they were not prepared to be treated in this way, therefore they were all grumbling.
"It's a bloody feudalism!" Mumbled Bracknell.
"Indeed, it is." She acquiesced happily. "But the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can start enjoying your experience. Think about it: we are the first westerners who set foot in Japan for more than two hundred years. And we are still alive to tell the tale!"
"Anna, you are teasing us." Captain Norton shook his head in amused exasperation.
She just smiled mischievously. "The Japanese are very serious people, when necessary. But they have also a good sense of humour. You'll see..." She stopped talking suddenly, seeing a scowl on Morrison's face. He wasn't the type of man who would appreciate a sense of humour in anybody.
After they had gone, Lottie looked around to get her bearings and to locate the inn. Her eyes fell immediately on a solitary figure, who seemed to be waiting for her attention. The man approached and bowed. She returned the bow and spoke. "Forgive me, but could you show me the way to the inn, please?"
"Lord Matsuda ordered me to assist you in any way I can. Allow me to help."
"Thank you." She smiled.
"My name is Hoji and I am a clerk in service of Lord Matsuda."
"Nice to meet you, Hoji-San."
Her politeness was accepted with a real pleasure, because his face split in a wide smile. He beckoned her to follow and briskly walked away.
She was looking around curiously. People who were milling around appeared well fed and content with their lives. Naturally, she was causing a great sensation on the way, as the news of the fair-haired woman from afar, who spoke their language spread like wild fire. But she tried to ignore the stares.
Hoji showed her the inn and arranged with the inn-keeper the conditions of their stay. Soon servants were busy preparing rooms, food and baths for the new guests.
Satisfied with the arrangements, Lottie stepped outside.
It was stiflingly hot. She took off her hat and pulled out a big kerchief to mop the sweat from her face and neck. "I really need a bath!" She muttered to herself in English.
Suddenly, with an instinct acquired during her years in the West, she felt someone's presence behind her. In one fluid motion she turned around and simultaneously reached for her gun. However, she didn't draw it. Instead her hand hovered over the handle in readiness to use it in an instant, if necessary.
A man stepped out of the shadow. She recognised him instantly. It was the man who had caught her eye earlier. As she saw him now up close, she was definitely sure he was a samurai. He wore a simple, but undoubtedly expensive kimono and both his swords had beautifully decorated scabbards. He seemed to be around her own age, perhaps in his mid-thirties, but his appearance and his bearing suggested a man of power. The expression on his face was carefully neutral.
She let her hand drop from the gun. "My Lord." She acknowledged him. With a practiced movement she gathered her long hair, twisted it into a bun and pushed it back under her hat.
He was looking at her appraisingly, though without saying a single word. Impatient and irritable from the heat, she was about to walk away, when he finally spoke. "I trust that ryokan is acceptable?"
Lottie noted that he didn't use any formal salutation in addressing her. "Hai, My Lord... It is acceptable." She couldn't stifle her irritation and her voice was full of irony. Undoubtedly, he noticed that, but his face remained inscrutable.
She realised with sudden clarity that all those years spent with her uncle in the Wild West taught her self-confidence and gave her a stiff neck. She realised that to be useful during the negotiations, she needed to contain and control herself to avoid antagonising any of the proud samurai. Independence wasn't a desired trait in a woman. Both here or in the States.
She bowed again and turned away to leave. She wasn't going to waste any more of her time here.
"Let's walk." He spoke again.
Lottie gritted her teeth, but forced her face into a polite expression. When she turned to him once more, she realised that suddenly they were surrounded by armed guards who seemed to appear out of the thin air. This surprised her. Only great lords could afford bodyguards. Perhaps she was mistaken taking him for a common samurai. "My Lord?" She looked straight into his eyes, waiting.
Unexpectedly, he smiled. That smile completely transformed his face; his eyes twinkled, brows smoothed, losing their severity and he suddenly looked much younger and ... attractive, she realised with a start. "I am Lord Takeda." He introduced himself with dignity. His voice was low and assured. It was the voice that could easily command crowds without the need to shout. "I am a guest of Lord Matsuda."
"KÅeidesu... I am honoured, My Lord." She bowed once again.
"As we are now acquainted, may I accompany you?" He smiled again, with a hint of sarcasm.
"Of course, My Lord. It will be my pleasure." According to the etiquette, she was walking a few steps behind, but he beckoned her to join him.
"Will you now reveal your name?" He asked after a moment.
Lottie stopped in her tracks with astonishment. It had not even occurred to her that anybody would like to know her name. The name of a woman. And Gai-Jin! "Forgive my lack of manners, My Lord. My name is Anna Mitchell."
"Ana-San." He tried it. Her name wasn't easy on his tongue.
This sudden elevation in status was quite unexpected and she wasn't sure what prompted it. Maybe she was wrong and Japan had changed in recent years?
"I am greatly impressed with your knowledge of my language." He continued after a while. It wasn't a direct question, but the implication was obvious; he was very curious how she knew Japanese.
However, she wasn't going to make things easy for him. "ArigatÅgozaimashita, Takeda-Sama." She thanked him and tried to appear to be deeply humbled by his attention. The corners of his lips twitched slightly. Once again she wasn't sure, with anger or suppressed smile.
They continued walking in silence.
Lord Takeda couldn't understand why talking to this woman proved to be such a challenge. He had never been so tongue-tied. She treated him with deference due to his position, but he sensed her independent and free nature. It was a very dangerous combination in a woman. Japanese women were brought up with an acceptance that someone will always decide their fate for them. Firstly the father, later the husband or brother. Men decided about their whole existence. Women were expected to be only beautiful and obedient. But this fair-haired woman was obviously different. She did not seem to belong to any of her companions. And as she was their official translator, she must have won their respect in some way.
Lord Takeda recalled the fluidity of her movement, when she had reached for the weapon. He greatly admired the skill of a warrior, but also the restraint, preventing her from drawing the gun needlessly. She reminded him of a samurai in the Nukitsuke position, when the warrior slightly lifts the sword upright by pressing with his thumb on the hilt until it's raised a little out of the sheath, ready for the battle. He didn't expect such a skill from a woman. What other surprises was she hiding?
In silence they arrived back at the dock.
"Takeda-Sama." She bowed deeply, trying to conceal a smile. "It was a great honour."
"Ana-San." He nodded much lower than before. "Perhaps we could find another occasion for a talk?"
"Perhaps..." She agreed and walked away, leaving him alone and very confused.