Chapter 556: 556

Chapter 556 Nara Chameshi and Grilled Bonito

Zhang Heng held up the rice bowl in front of him, put it under his nose, and took in a whiff . Akane Koyama’s Nara Chameshi had a heavenly fragrance, a mixture of tea and grain with hints of salt and wine .

A serving of Nara Chameshi had more than just rice in it . Usually, the Japanese included millet, dried chestnuts, glutinous rice, red beans, and fried soybeans . After brewed with the stock, it was typically served in a bowl paired with pickles and tofu soup . Originally, Nara Chameshi was something only monks would eat at the Toda-ji and Kofuku-ji Temple in Nara . However, it had since gained a lot of popularity since it was served to ordinary people .

“Give it a taste,” Akane Koyama put down the wooden spoon and urged . “I shall . ”

Zhang Heng took his chopsticks, picked up a pickled stick of radish, and chomped on it with the steaming hot Nara Chameshi . “How is it?” Akane Koyama asked nervously, sitting on her knees and eagerly leaning forward .

Zhang Heng did not answer her immediately . Instead, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to savor the taste lingering between his lips and teeth . After a while, he opened his eyes .

“Well, that was unexpectedly delicious . I didn’t know you can cook so well . ”

“You are too generous with your praises . I learned it from my father,” said Akane Koyama, relieved after seeing Zhang Heng’s reaction .

“Can your father cook?”

“Yes, my father once said that cooking is the same as swordsmanship, a form of cultivation on its own . It takes great patience to get the results we desire,” continued Akane Koyama .

Five days passed since Yamada and his men came to challenge Akane Koyama . After the Choshu Domain’s samurai retreated, Zhang Heng volunteered to join the Koyama Dojo . However, she didn’t agree to let him join immediately, urging him to rethink it for a few more days .

In Akane Koyama’s opinion, apprenticeship was one of those significant events in life . When it came to that subject, one was usually discouraged from making a hasty decision . Moreover, Zhang Heng’s swordsmanship was formidable enough that even her father might not beat him if he were still alive . Hence, Akane Koyama did not know what else she could teach Zhang Heng . To thank him for saving her life, she invited Zhang Heng over by cooking him a simple meal . Other than Nara Chameshi, she also prepared grilled bonito . The fresh fish and its skin were grilled over the fire until they turned white . After that, he was supposed to dip it in vinegar with wasabi . Delicious, it was a very popular dish in Kyoto .

Matsuo Basho (yes, that’s right, the famous Hihori haiku master) once said, “The wisteria blossoms / bending the finger and waiting patiently / it is a good day to eat bonito . ” The haiku was used to express his desire to eat bonito . There was also once a saying, “I will pawn my wife to eat bonito . ”

When the yearly season of bonito was available in the market, its price was comparable to gold . Back in the day, only the generals were allowed the pleasure of savoring it .

Now, it was finally the people’s turn to enjoy the bonito . Akane Koyama had spent a lot to make the meal . Coupled with the children’s subsidies, she had been stretched so thin, she probably wouldn’t be holding up any longer even though Zhang Heng just passed her the rent . Her best option was to close down the dojo and live in Kyoto with the rent she received every month . Or, she could marry someone and give birth to a child . These were the possibilities that she had never considered before .

As the two ate, someone suddenly knocked on the door .

Akane Koyoma put out the fire . “I’ll open the door . Carry on with your meal . ”

She then ran to the front door and when she opened it, standing outside was a couple that looked unfamiliar .

“How can I help you both?” asked Akane Koyama .

Before the man could even say a word, his wife was already down on her knees in gratitude .

“Huh?”

Akane Koyama was baffled by the situation . Fortunately, the man quickly explained, “We are Chiyo’s parents . A few days ago, you rescued two little girls at the market? One of them is our daughter . ”

“Yes . I remember . It’s not a big deal… I just did my best to help them . ”

Akane Koyama seemed a little shy when she talked to them . At the same time, she also saw Chiyo hiding behind her parents . The latter was holding a box and was a little bashful as well .

Taking the box from Chiyo, the man handed it to Akane Koyama .

“We know we can never repay you for saving our daughter . I hope you will accept this little gift from us . ”

Akane Koyama opened the box and saw a wakizashi .

“My ancestor is a famous blacksmith in Ise, but I am ashamed to tell anybody . In my generation, I only know how to make some farming tools . Fortunately, a wakizashi was still handed down to me . I hope you can find some use for it,” said the man .

“This is too precious . Since it’s a legacy from your ancestors, passed down for generations, you should keep it,” replied Akane Koyama, politely declining the offer . “No, no, we are not samurai . Even if we have it at home, all it would do is collect dust . It’ll be better for us to give it to someone who really needs it . I believe that you will be able to use it well . ”

Seeing how Koyama Akane refused to accept the gift, the man became a little anxious . Immediately, he pulled his daughter to him and knelt on the ground like his wife .

When Zhang Heng heard the commotion outside the door, he thought that the Choshu Domain’s samurai had come to their doorstep . He quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked out of the dojo . Chiyo seemed a little surprised to see Zhang Heng, not expecting him to be living with Akane Koyama . The little girl looked at Zhang Heng curiously and guessed the relationship between the two in her heart .

In the end, Akane Koyama couldn’t refuse them, so she gladly accepted the wakizashi . And thankfully, the family of three soon left . Akane Koyama stood silently at the entrance of the dojo as she held the wakizashi . The sword appeared to have invoked some deep memories . Zhang Heng did not want to bother her . After a while, she raised her head .

“Sorry . I remember some things my father said before-Koyama Myoshin-Ryū focuses more on defense than offense . Everyone has something or someone they want to protect . A blade is used to inflict hurt . However, as long as it is used well, it can also be used to save . This is probably the reason why he opened the dojo . Today, his words have left a deeper understanding of me . ”

“Can I see it?” Zhang Heng stretched out his hand and took the wakizashi from Akane Koyama’s hand .

The wakizashi was slightly lighter than an ordinary short sword . Although it had been forged a long time ago, it was well maintained, and the blade was still sharp . Using the jade technique, the iron sand was first smelted into iron blocks in a furnace . After that, the blacksmith would bludgeon the iron block with a hammer until it turned into a flat bar, subsequently molding it into shape . The wakizashi was indeed an excellent weapon . “Take it if you like it,” said Akane Koyama . She had noticed that Zhang Heng only had an old knife, and he did not have a wakizashi .

The wakizashi was not used regularly like Tachi . In most cases, it was used for emergency after the samurai lost his primary weapon . Or the samurai would use it to break armor and fight in small places .

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