"Grandmother! Grandmother!” Kenjiro’s feet skidded on the polished wood of the bathhouse floor as he ran around the corner and came to a stop in front of the two women, his chores quite forgotten. “General Munenori is coming this way! I saw him heading down the street with his samurai! I think he’s coming here – to the bathhouse!” The boy was excited. Munenori Yagyu was the most famous swordsman in the whole of Japan, and the Shogun’s right hand man. He was also the swordsmanship instructor for the Shogun’s son.

“Ahhh!” Tsunade’s eyes lit up. “I had a feeling the General and some of his retainers might come by. I had a hand in getting one of the local girls a position at his home, and in return, I asked that she mention on numerous occasions how wonderful and relaxing this bathhouse was. I was hoping that sooner or later he would become curious and pay us a visit.”

“You are very clever, Tsunade-baa-chan,” said Utsuri, as she nodded her head.

“Shameless is more like it,” replied Kenjiro, which earned him a stern look from his grandmother, which rapidly softened into a smile.

“I am a businesswoman,” she chuckled, rubbing her hands together. “I have to find ways of promoting myself. You and Sanjiro-kun finish cleaning up that water quickly. Then go to Nami-san and let her comb your hair and straighten your clothes. Utsuri-chan, you look fine, despite the tricks of my grandsons. You may tend to the needs of our usual customers, but be ready in case the General should have need of you. Those samurai of his probably have sore shoulders from sword practice. Now, off with both of you, because I have to get ready myself!” Tsunade made shooing motions at them with her hands.

Soft footsteps led Utsuri into the main room of the bathhouse. Her ears twitched, listening to the buzz of activity, as the attendants scampered around, making sure everything was perfect for when the General arrived. Through her feet, she could feel the vibrations of those moving around her, and she could tell the location of every person in the room, and how far away from her they were. She inhaled and took in the scents around her, and the subtle fragrance from an expensive blend of unguent reached her nose.

“Makoto-sama?” the girl raised her voice to carry over the din of activity. The scent was very distinctive and was worn by one of the regular customers. She turned her head this way and that, listening for a reply.

“Utsuri-chan!” A voice came from the far side of the room and the girl unerringly walked towards it. It belonged to Moninori Makoto, the wife of Kamakura’s most prosperous silk merchant. She suffered from terrible rheumatism and came to Tsunade’s to soak in the soothing herbal baths and get massages to ease the pain in her joints. “It never ceases to amaze me how you always know when I am here. I never have to have anyone call for you,” she continued, one the blind girl had reached her side.

“Tsunade-sama wishes that we take very good care of her honored customers,” Utsuri replied. She reached out for a cushion, which she knew by habit, would be there. She placed it on the floor and knelt upon it. “What pains you today, Makoto-sama?”

“Ohhh this weather is making my wrists ache! Not to mention all of the clipping and pruning that I am doing, getting my bonsai garden back into proper shape --- ahhh, that feels wonderful, child. You are such a blessing…”

If the General becomes a patron of my bathhouse, then it will be an honor indeed. Not to mention the money. I can charge him triple! Those were the thoughts that kept Tsunade company as she walked into the main room of the bathhouse. An experienced eye glanced around. The teak floor was polished and shining like the afternoon sun. The silken cushions were plumped, inviting all to come and sit. The scent of freshly picked lotus flowers mingled with the aroma of steaming herbs, filling the air with a delightful fragrance. The finest jasmine tea was brewing and one of the girls had dashed down to the teahouse and brought back some fresh cakes. A raise was in store for that clever creature! The attendants looked charming in their matching indigo and white yukatas, and there was Utsuri, taking care of the silk merchant’s wife. Now where were the boys? Hopefully staying out of trouble!

“Welcome, my lords. Welcome to our humble bathhouse.” The young girl who was stationed by the door to greet customers bowed deeply as the three men stepped into the establishment.

Tsunade clapped her hands together, and, as if by magic, two rows of attendants formed up on either side of her, bowing respectfully, and making a wall of indigo and white, which funneled the General and his entourage into the center of the room, where the beaming proprietor was waiting.

“General Munenori, you do us a great honor by visiting us. Please tell me whatever I may do to make your time here as pleasant as possible!” She was pleased that her voice sounded as sweet as it had in her younger days. She had been a famous courtesan in Edo, before she had retired to the country life in Kamakura.

“I thank you for your kind greeting, although this old war horse does not know what to do in such luxurious surroundings. My men, who are much more worldly than myself, will have to help me,” said the General, with a smile. He was a man in his late forties, with grizzled hair and the hardened mien of a man who had spent his life training in the arts of bushido. But, true to the nature of his class, the cadence of his voice was that of a scholar and his manners were impeccable. Two very serious looking samurai flanked him; they were there to protect his personage.

“How may we serve you today? Would you like a nice soak in a herbal bath to soothe your nerves?” Tsunade suggested.

“That sounds wonderful.” Munenori agreed with a nod. “All of Kamakura talks of nothing but how much they love to come here.” He was not armed, but the two samurai with him wore the twin hilts of the daisho proudly, as symbols of their position. Upon hearing that their lord had decided to partake of the offerings of the establishment, they turned and removed their katana. They passed them to two of the attendants; the long blades would be stored on a rack, until their owners were ready to leave. As was customary, they would keep the smaller wakizashis, by their sides at all times.

(cont...)