Bakemono Yashiki, page 269 by James S. de Benneville
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e disembowelled him. Abandoning hold on his weapon, with a screech Aoyama fell, twisting and writhing in the pool of his blood. When the kerai, roused by the disturbance, the shouts and the clashing of swords, fell on Sampei, to disarm and make short work of him, the karo[u] Makishima Gombei prevented them. With difficulty he dragged Shu[u]zen's sword out from the deep cut it had made in the beam of the partition. "Stain not good weapons with the blood of a rascal and thief, who shall undergo the torture and the disgrace of the execution ground. Be sure his lordship will be well avenged. It is better so."
Thus with bitter regret Sampei found himself avenged, but still in life. The next day, with the presence of the messengers from Shinano no Kami, the situation changed. With the report from Makishima was demanded the person of Wataru Sampei, whose story fitted into present evidence obtained. Deeper and deeper went the investigation into Aoyama's house affairs. Here was great disorder--harshness, lust, ill discipline. On this latter charge--lack of discipline--official displeasure gladly fell. The tale of the monster, obviously unfit for any service to the suzerain, came out. The kaieki of the House--deprivation of rank and income--followed. As far as posthumous action could disgrace, so far did Shu[u]zen suffer.
Much better was the fate of Sampei. The case of the Bancho[u] yashiki no longer could be hid under a bushel. It was the affair of a hatamoto, so hated by the daimyo[u]. Satsuma no Kami sought and obtained his charge. During the weeks which followed Sampei was the object of respect and solicitude of those who had the care of him. As ro[u]nin of the Takéda House this was all the greater in this yashiki where the Tokugawa were held in no great affection. The breaking into the yashiki of a hatamoto, the slaying of its lord, could not be condoned. The official world was glad to combine this with the l