Duty

Was she tired? Yes, she was. She was very tired, but she still dragged her body up. She was a woman and a wife; it was her duty to get everything ready for the day and as it was for all women of Vippon, duty was everything for Yukiko.

Yukiko rubbed her eyes and looked at the time of the small clock she shared with her sister. There was no alarm as that a clock like that would cost more but years of getting up at 5am in the morning has given Yukiko an internal body alarm that worked better than any clock.

Pulling her blanket away, Yukiko stood up and quickly went for her clothes. Her husband was a tradition man so his wives always slept naked even if it was in the dead of winter, even if it wasn’t her night to sleep with him. Yukiko put on her panties, underpants, and bra in a hurry. These were quickly followed by her winter kimono. Much thicker than her summer clothes, it was a necessary expense for the cold winter of Vippon but Yukiko couldn’t help but feel a little guilty at the money wasted for her comfort.

She then tied up her hair tightly in a bun before putting on her hoodveil. Most foreigners think the hoodveil was a garment that just wrap around the head, covering the face but leaving only her eyes visible. However the head covering was actually 2 pieces of three-foot fabric which were tied securely around the head. One of the cloth was tied on top of the head covering the hair and was tied to the second piece of cloth which cover the lower face as well as the neck area. Combine together, the 2 cloths totally covered the whole face outside the small area near the eyes.

Usually, Yukiko would put on the hoodveil first before her kimono but in winter, it was the other way around. Yukiko tied her kimono with a simple obi before leaving the women room. This was the room she and Kimo shared and as per the norm, the women room was right beside the kitchen. As she left the room for the kitchen, she noticed the television was still on. Curious, she went towards the living room and noticed her husband’s son, Kato, sleeping on the couch.  Sighing silently, she shook the boy awake.

It would have been easier to just call out but as a woman, she did speak to men unless spoken to. Even if he was currently just a 13 year old boy and she knew him since he was a baby, Kato was a man. After a few seconds of shaking, Kato’s eyes opened. He looked around sleepily before quickly understanding the problem.

“Sorry”

Yukiko was glad the boy was brave enough to be embarrassed but publicly she told Kato another thing. “I’m a woman Kato. You are going to be a man in a few months, you don’t say sorry to woman.”

The boy smiled sheepishly and nodded.

“It’s still early,” Yukiko told him. “Go back to your room, your mother will wake you when it’s time.”

Kato nodded and got up. Yukiko went to close the television. After doing so, she heard a gasp and turned to the sound. At the entrance of his room, Kato met his mother. Kimo had slept with their husband last night and like Yukiko had awoke to do her womanly duties. Unfortunately, she had not veiled before coming out of the room and now for the first time in years, Kato was looking at the face of his mother.

Kimo raised her hands to her face to cover it but it was a futile gesture. Kato quickly turned and walked to his room, leaving behind 2 shocked women in his wake. Then, after the shock was over, a look of pure rage appeared on her face of Kimo. Luckily for everyone, instead of confronting her son who should not be there, Kimo proceed to stomp to the kitchen.

Yukiko followed her sister to the kitchen and gave her a few seconds to compose herself. Her sole unwed daughter, Yukio, was just getting up and she knew immediately there was trouble. However she was a smart girl and knew enough to keep quiet. Yukiko was glad. At 15, Yukio had been sleeping in the kitchen for the past 2 years getting ready for her marriage which would be arranged by her husband in a couple of years time. Knowing when to be quiet was a good trait in a wife. 

Yukiko went up to her sister and touched Kimo on the arm. Kimo took a deep breath before turning to her. Yukiko tried to keep her voice as pleasant as possible but the message still had to be given.

“Control yourself sister. In a few months, Kato will be a man and you cannot keep thinking of him as just your son. He is the heir to the Yukimura family name and will need help adjusting to his new position.”

Her sister had a look of surprise but she was a good second wife and quickly nodded. “I understand sister. It’s just…hard. I keep thinking of him as my little baby. He was such a cute baby and now…well, he’s all grown up.”

“He was a cute baby,” Yukiko assured his sister. “Now, he will be a good man. It’s as much our duty as his mothers to guide him to manhood as our husband.”

“I…understand.” Kimo finally said. “I will do what’s needed.”

Yukiko hugged her sister. In a way, she understood her sister’s pain. She had 3 daughters and the two oldest had married. It’s always hard to see children leave the nest. Kimo took another deep breath and Yukiko knew she was good to go.

After years together, the two of them had teamwork on their side and breakfast was quickly prepared. Very few words was given to Yukio. In Vippon, you traditionally learn by watching and her two mothers were masters at preparing breakfast. With breakfast ready, the three women took the food out to dining table and went for their daily morning routine.

They brushed their teeth and did their business in the toilet before taking that morning shower. To save money, the three women went into the shower together. The water was cold, warm water was only for the men, and the three women washed each other to quicken their shower. They were careful not to get their hair wet and the non-washing of their hair made the shower time even quicker. Even then, they were all shivering when they came out.

After putting on their kimonos, Yukiko looked at the time and saw that it was almost 6. All three women then proceed to put on their hoodveils. Yukiko looked at the time again and saw they still had some time. She took a quick look out of the window and the city in white. She always thought the city covered in snow a soothing scene. Then, she signaled to the other women.

The 3 women went and stood in a row in the living room. The flat the Yukimura family were staying in had 2 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a storage room. Yukiko’s husband had insisted on the women having a room of their own so the storage room had been converted. Both Yukiko and Kimo had quietly suggested that they just be allowed to sleep in the kitchen with Yukio.

He refused to allow it.

The 3 women knelt and waited for the men to wake. They did not have to wait long. The alarm from their clocks rang exactly at 6am and the women bowed their heads to the ground. When the men stepped out of their rooms, the first thing they would see would be the kneeling and bowed women.

Yukiko had always wondered how the faces of the men looked like when they saw the women like this, but with her eyes to the ground she would never find out. When she heard the footsteps of the men heading to the bathroom near the kitchen, Yukiko stood. Together with Yukio, she stepped into her husband’s room. Kimo headed into her son’s room.

Making the bed was a simple chore in Vippon. Yukiko just had to clean the futon a little, untied it, folded it up and then stored it in the cabinet. Mother and daughter were soon on their way out of the room. Yukiko walked to the dining table with Yukio dutifully following a step behind. They stood near the table and waited for Kimo. Yukiko’s sister soon came out of Kato’s room and she stood between mother and daughter. Yukiko’s husband and Kato arrived at the dining table and took their seats at the table. All 3 women knelt on the floor. Although they did not bowed their heads to the ground, all 3 women kept their eyes respectfully downwards.

The men began their breakfast. A few moments later, Kimo stood up and walked to her husband’s room. At her movement, Yukiko saw her husband raised an eyebrow but she knew what her sister was doing. Kimo was soon back at the table. She knelt in front of Yukiko and Yukio and with both hands, offered a belt to their husband.

Yukiko kept her silence as Kimo explained to their husband what mistake she made and why she needed a beating. The evil glare their husband gave Kato gave Yukiko no doubt who he thought was at fault. However…

“Kato, take the belt and give your mother 10 strikes.”

Kato looked like he was just asked to kill someone. “What…me? You want me to…”

Yukiko’s husband nodded. “The woman showed you her uncovered face. The dishonour is yours so her punishment is yours as well.” Yukiko’s husband look at his son sternly. “Do your duty son.”

Kato sat there dumbly. Seconds passed and Yukiko’s husband went back to his breakfast. Faced with his father’s order, Kato stood up shakily. He stepped around the dining and went to his mother. His face showed his agony but he took the belt from the hands of his mother. Although Yukiko’s husband was a traditional man, he much prefer the belt as the house discipline tool instead of the standard bamboo cane or wooden paddle. Almost all of the women’s punishment were by the belt and Kato had learned what he should do after seeing his father doing it so many times.

He stepped behind Kimo immediately after taking the belt and Kimo bowed her head to the ground. Kato raised the belt above his head and swung. The belt hit his mother across the back. Kimo’s body reacted but she kept her dignity by neither crying out nor moving away. Part of a woman’s duty in Vippon was to accept such punishments and Yukiko knew there was no way her sister would dishonour herself. Kato raised the belt again and again swung it down.

Yukiko made a point to watch the punishment. Kato was a man now, and she knew she needed to remember this scene. Remember that if she disobey him in the future, she would be in Kimo’s place. She needed to see and remember the power the young man has over her from now on. He was no longer a baby. He was no longer a boy. He is now a man and she, a woman, must obey.

After 10 strikes, Kato stopped. He dropped the belt in front of his mother. Kimo rose her head and took the belt with both hands. She stood up and gave a deep bow to her son. Kato went back to his seat at the table and looking at his face, Yukiko knew he would never fall asleep watching television ever again.

Kimo walked back to their husband’s room to return the belt. Kimo soon returned and took her place between Yukiko and Yukio. All 3 women returned their eyes respectfully downwards. When the men finished their breakfast and got up, all 3 women bowed their heads to the ground. As the footsteps got further away, the women stood up and cleared the table. They then went back to the living room and knelt at the door of their flat.

The men stepped out of their rooms dressed for their day. Yukiko’s husband was a taxi-driver and in Vippon this meant he was dressed in a finely-pressed suit with a tie and black pants. His son was still in school and was dressed in his school uniform of a white long-sleeved shirt with a black jacket over it. In the summer, the jacket would be put aside but now it’s winter and the jacket was part of the uniform. Kato’s black pants completed the look.

As the two walked towards the door, the 3 women bowed their heads to the ground. The men sat on two stools either side of the door and Yukiko crawled to her husband. With proper respect, she kept her head low as she put on her husband’s black leather shoes. She then crawled back to her position in line. On her left, she felt Kimo crawling back in line after putting on the shoes for her son.

“Raise your head.” The 3 women did as ordered and Yukiko’s husband continued. “You all did well today. I want all of you to do the same for the rest of the day. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye Sir.” The 3 women intoned as Yukiko saw her husband put on his white gloves. The men left. 

The moment the door closes again, Yukiko’s left arm went to her sister and hugged her close. Yukiko knew her husband had said the words of doing well especially for her.

“How did feel Kimo?”

“Painful,” her sister said. “But at the same time, proud. I felt so proud. My boy all grown up.”

Kimo’s face finally broke and she began sobbing. Yukiko gave her sister a shoulder to cry on. When the sobs subsided, Yukiko pulled down her faceveil showing her face to her sister. She gently pushed Kimo apart from her and pulled her veil down as well. Yukiko then gave her sister a wet kiss on the lips. When they parted, Yukiko’s words were for her daughter.

“Yukio, please start the cleaning without us. Yours mothers will be busy for the next few hours.”

Yukio giggled her acknowledgement and Yukiko pulled her sister up to her feet. Hand in hand, she led Kimo to their room. As the first wife, it was usually Kimo who serviced her but today would be different. For doing her duty so well, Yukiko knew her sister deserved a reward and Yukiko fully intend to give her one.

This too was part of a woman’s duty in Vippon.  

The Eternal Servant

“Koharu, come here!”

Kei Kimitaka’s shout echoed through the house and Naiki immediately heard a pair of feet running towards them. Correction; running was the wrong word to use in this instance. It sounded more like a pair of feet quickly shuffling across the ground.

Naiki Kimitaka knew this was the case even before his mother shuffled into the room where his father was waiting for her. His mother, Koharu, was wearing a plain brown kimono that prevented her from taking a full stride. As usual, she was wearing a hoodveil which covered her head leaving only her eyes visible to him. Seeing him in the room, his mother gave him a quick bow before kneeling before his father and bowing her head at his feet.

“Koharu, can you explain this?” his father asked. His mother raised her head slightly and was immediately cut down. “Put your head on the ground woman!”

At his father’s shout, his mother lowered her head even more. This time her face and not just her forehead was touching the ground. Seemingly satisfied, his father continued. “I gave you a weekly budget for household expenses. Why did you go over the budget last week?”   

Naiki knew the reason but kept quiet. His father wasn’t asking him, but his mother. Telling the truth now might even make things worse for his mother.

“My lord, this woman was foolish and did not plan her expenses properly.” His mother pleaded. “Please punish your servant so that she will never make the mistake again.”

Like any good Vipponese mother, Naiki’s mother did not give him up. Naiki felt a lump in his throat as his father took out his belt and stood behind the kneeling form of his wife. Raising his belt above his head, he smacked it across the back of his wife. The room echoed with the sound.

10 times the belt went up and down before his father finally stopped.  Throughout the punishment period, his mother curled up on her hands and knees, took her punishment without moving. Later, Naiki would learn how rare his mother was. Most women would at least fidget but back then, Naiki only heard a whimper and nothing more from his mother. A whimper that almost broke him but Naiki controlled himself. Even at that young age, he knew the dishonor he would be bringing to his mother if he tried to comfort her at that moment.

“Take this as a lesson woman. Now get out of my sight!” At his father’s command, his mother started to crawl out of the room on her hands and knees. Naiki could clearly see that she was in pain but like a good Vipponese woman, she thank her lord and husband for her punishment. After she had left the room, his father turned and looked at Naiki. One look at his father’s face and Naiki knew his father knew.

“You know I was the one who spent the money, don’t you father?” His father nodded and Naiki felt his temper rising. “Then why did you punish mother and not me?”

“Because I gave the money to your mother Naiki,” his father said as he started to put his belt back around his pants. “She was the one responsible for the money, not you.”

“As a woman, she cannot keep the money from me the moment I asked for it.” Now he was getting angry. “You know that and still you punished her?”

“Yes,” his father said. “Your mother is a good woman and a great slave. She properly never even thought of saying no to you when you asked for the money.”

“Then why…it’s not her fault! It was mine and you know that!”

“Because your mother is a good woman.” His confusion must have shown because his father calmly explained. “Your mother gave you the money even though she knew she would be punished for it when I find out. Your mother would never hide her expenses from me. She expected a punishment and I would not be doing my duty as her husband if I didn’t give it to her. Do you understand?”

He did not, at least not then, and Naiki shook his head to indicate the fact. A smile came to his father’s face and he explained further. “We all have our roles to play Naiki. Our roles as men are to provide for our family, to ensure that they are fed and that they are kept safe. A woman’s role is to be a good servant to her husband and a good slave to her family. Your mother did her role as expected of her. She obeyed a command from you, a man, but in doing so disobeyed an order from me, also a man.”

“That’s a no-win situation for her.”

“True and she was put in that position because of you.” His father said. “I am angry with you but the money was given to her and your mother was to control the expenses. She did not managed to do so because of you but what do you expect me to do?”

“Punish me!”

“Even though the money was never yours to control?” His father asked.  

“She is the servant and slave.” Naiki said. “Mother can’t say no to a male of House Kimitaka and I’m a male. So…why does she get the punishment?”

“Because the money was given to her.”

“That’s not fair father.” Naiki finally said.

“True,” his father nodded again. “But such is life and not just to your mother. You think I wanted to punish her even when I know she’s not at fault?”

Naiki knew the answer but he still had to ask. “So if I asked for money again in the future from mother…”

“If she gives it to you, and she would, I would have to punish her again. What does that tell you my boy?”

“Don’t ask for extra money in the future.”

“Why?”

“Because she would give it to me and mother would be punish for my mistake.” 

“Don’t put her in that position again Naiki. In Vippon, a woman’s place is directly tied to the men of her family. What you do affects not just you but your family as well. The men, we can handle ourselves, but women? Weak females which required our constant care and protection? They will suffer for your actions.”

Understanding suddenly dawned on the young Naiki. “And my role as a man is to protect the women of the family and to keep them safe. Safe from…you?”

Kei Kimitaka’s smile got wider as he realized his son was beginning to understand his role as a man. “In this case, yes. You want to protect your mother don’t you?”

“Of course.” Naiki silently vowed not to do anything that would harm his mother ever again. “That’s why I’m here right? To see the results of my…silly actions.”

“Then don’t do this ever again.” His father said. “Not just now but in the future as well. When you have your own wives, daughters and granddaughters, think of them when you want to do something. Think of the women you are protecting.”

Naiki nodded. “Is there anything else father?”

“You got that guitar with the money right?”

“…Yes”

“Make sure you practice. Don’t make your mother suffer for nothing.” Naiki nodded in agreement and his father continued. “Now go and apologized to your mother. She’s a good servant and slave to the house of Kimitaka.”

That was, is, his mother. A good woman, a good servant, a good slave, and a great mother. Naiki couldn’t help but think so as he sat beside the hospital bed of his mother. It’s strange what you would think of when you realized someone would soon not be with you ever again.

Over 40 years had passed since that day when Naiki realized the responsibility that came with being a man and though his father was the one who explained everything, his real teacher was his mother. His mother lying in front of him, dressed in a white hospital kimono, her head covered in a black hoodveil. His mother, who was dying in front of him.

“My lord? My lord, is that you? My lord?”

Naiki reached out to hold the hand of his mother and spoke softly, “No, mother. It’s me, Naiki. Your son.”

His mother’s eye shone with recognition. “Oh, Naiki. I…I thought I saw your father just now. I…I really wanted to see him again.” There were no words for him to speak. His father has been dead for over 10 years. “My boy, do you think I will see your father again? Do you think they will let me in? Do you think they will let me serve?”

“Yes, they will mother. For over 50 years, Koharu Kimitaka has been a great slave to the House of Kimitaka. Since her marriage, Koharu Kimitaka has been a great servant to her lord and master, Kei Kimitake. When you are gone, you will be received in heaven by our ancestors. They will welcome you into the Heavenly House of Kimitaka where you, and all the other good women in the history of our House, will serve for all eternally. Father will be there and when you arrive, he will be there to greet you. You will be his eternal servant, serving him for all eternity.”

The words broke his heart but nothing he said was untrue. Since her marriage, her mother has been a great servant to his father. Naiki knew for a fact there was no way his ancestors would deny his mother a place in heaven. Like his father said all those years ago; she was a good woman.

“My boy…my good boy.” His mother said. “My good boy.”

With that, his mother closed her eyes for the final time and was gone. Naiki felt tears coming out of his eyes and wiped them away. He took a moment to gather himself before standing up. His legs shook with emotions but he knew he shouldn’t wait. He walked out of the room into the corridor and went to the hospital shrine where his family was waiting.

He entered the shrine quietly. His sons and grandsons were all sitting on the benches at the back of the shrine and they all stood up when they saw him. His wives, daughter-in-laws and granddaughters were on their knees, praying at the front of the shrine. Naiki cleared his throat loudly and the women turned around on their knees.

“She is gone. Mother is now with our ancestors.” His sons and grandsons bowed their head in respect and some of his women started to sob. As women, they were allowed such show of public weakness. Naiki continued. “Go now and pay your last respects to her.”

Slowly, his family walked out of the shrine. When the last of them left, Naiki went and sat down on the bench. He put his head in his hands and cried. Now, alone in his grief, he can mourn.  

A Family Interview

The fusuma opened and the girl glided into the room with a grace that showed her years of practice. She turned and slide the doors closed. Folding her hands in front of her, the girl then turned back towards them and walked slowly, gracefully towards them.

Chika took a good look at her and saw that the girl was dressed in a blue silk kimono with patterns of flowing water on it. The kimono was tied tightly to her body with a silk obi. Her head was covered with a black hoodveil with only an opening for her eyes.

The girl stopped in front of them. For a moment she just stayed there, then in a flowing motion she knelt, put her hands together on the ground and bowed her head in submission. Her head to the ground just above her hands, the girl greeted her future superiors.

“This girl is Hiromi. Hiromi is 18 years of age and respectfully greet her future mistresses.”

Chika did not want to admit but had to. This girl was grace personified but as the second wife of the Date family, it was not Chika’s place to reply. This task was left to her lord’s first wife, Nanao.

“This woman is Nanao Date, first wife of Fujio Date. Stand Hiromi-san.”

Nanao phrased it as a request but none of the three women in the small room had any doubt it was anything but. With her seemingly customary grace, Hiromi stood but maintain her submissive posture by putting her hands in front of her and her head looking at the ground.

“Hiromi-san, strip.”

Hiromi did not hesitate. The moment the words came out of Nanao’s mouth, the girl opened her obi and let her kimono slide to the ground. Chika couldn’t help but admire the girl’s grace. She had little doubt her lord would be pleased with Hiromi but she got a job to do.

“Chika,” Nanao said. “Check her.”

As first wife, Nanao was kneeling in front of Chika. Chika was kneeling behind Nanao to her right and Chika stood as ordered. She walked towards Hiromi and stood in front of the poor girl.

Standing in front of the naked Hiromi, Chika understood the humiliation the young girl must be feeling. 10 years and 3 children ago when she was being interviewed by Nanao, Chika stood where Hiromi was today. It was a day she could never forget.

However this was not the time for remembrance. Chika walked around Hiromi who was now naked except for her hoodveil. Chika looked over her body for any blemishes, scars or birthmarks. Any such information had been given to the Date family earlier by the matchmaker but it was always good to check. Chika was checking if there was anything that was missing in the reports.

Chika couldn’t see any problems and was soon standing back in front of Hiromi. Nanao told the girl to look up. Hiromi did as ordered and Chika quickly raised her hands to Hiromi’s breasts and squeezed. The girl’s breasts were soft and firm but Chika didn’t care about that. She was looking at Hiromi’s eyes. What would her reaction be to her breasts being violated? Fear, anger, acceptance, maybe even pride? Would she accept what was done to her or would she pulled back in disgrace?

No. Hiromi stood where she was and Chika saw resignation in Hiromi’s eyes. This was a girl who did not like what was being done to her but was resigned to her fate. She was the second daughter of her father’s second wife and was now to be married to be the third wife of a man chosen by her father. She might even knew that this marriage was not for her happiness but to tie the two business families together in one.

In Hiromi’s eyes, Chika saw that the young girl was resigned to her fate. She knew her wishes and happiness had less than nothing to do with the marriage. This was a marriage for their families, not for a silly little girl. Hiromi knew this and accepted it.

Chika was pleased. Hiromi had the making of an obedient third wife. Chika turned to Nanao and bowed her acceptance to the first wife. A wave of Nanao’s hand later, Chika went back to her place kneeling behind Nanao.

“Make yourself decent Hiromi-san.”

Trained from young to be obedient, Hiromi obeyed. Picking up her kimono from the ground, she put it on and tied it tight with her obi. Everything was done with a flow, pleasing and graceful to the eye. Oh yes, Chika knew for certain now that her lord would be very pleased with Hiromi.

Seeing that Hiromi was now properly dressed, Nanao told Hiromi the news she needed to hear.

“Hiromi, you are here today because you are to be the third wife of my lord and husband, Fujio Date. I will tell this this so that there would be no misunderstanding in the future. You are young, petite and beautiful but those are not the reasons why you are here. You are here because your marriage to my lord would tie our families together. You are but a side-note to the business deals our families would agree to. This is why there is a marriage. When you are married, you will be expected to serve, slave and obey. You will give the Date family many children and served the boys with the respect and honour they deserved. You will train your daughters to be obedient so that in the future they will become good obedient wives to their future husbands. Husbands that will be chosen for them by our lord. Those will be the only reasons for your existence. In the Date family, our husband is our lord, master and god. Not only have that, as the third wife of Fujio Date you will also be expected to obey every word of me and Chika here.”

Chika nodded her head at the mention of her name but kept eyes on Hiromi. Her reaction now would determine if this interview would be a success or a failure. Nanao and Chika waited in silence and they were not disappointed.

Hiromi knelt and once again bowed her head to the ground.

“Hiromi knows and understand. It would Hiromi’s great honour to serve as the third wife of Fujio Date, a slave to the Date family, and a servant to Nanao and Chika Date, first and second wife of the Date family. Hiromi begged for the chance to marry, serve, and slave in the Date family.”

Chika smiled behind her hoodveil and she knew Nanao was smiling too. From today, the Date family would have a new wife, servant and slave. 

The Birth of Hara

The girl was the perfect picture of a gentle and obedient Vipponese wife. Kneeling in her new house, the girl was silently awaiting her lord and husband for their first night as husband and wife. Today was her long awaited wedding day and she was excited...but you would never noticed it just by looking at her.

Kneeling on the floor in her white wedding kimono with matching white hoodveil, gloves and socks, the girl looked like she was not moving. You would be right. In Vipponese tradition, after a short introduction at the wedding dinner, the wife would be sent to the bedroom to wait silently for her husband, who would be at the dinner entertaining the guests. The girl had no orders from her husband except to wait silently for him, so that's what she was doing to do. She been training for the past 4 years for this day and had no intention of doing anything to displease her new husband.

Keeping with Vipponese tradition, the girl's father had taken her out of school at 13 years of age and since then, she had been undergoing marriage training. As part of the training, she was only allowed to wear a dowdy gray kimono with a hoodveil covering her face. A hood that covered her head with a veil covering the lower half of her face, the hoodveil only showed her eyes to her family and, on the rare occasion when she was allowed out of the house with a chaperone, the public.

The girl did not know how long she had been kneeling but she knew it did not matter. Her husband would come for her when he was ready. It was his choice. Still, her knees had began to hurt and she silently hope her husband would come soon. If she had said this out to her mother, her mother would have told her that her training was incomplete.

The girl would not have agreed as her marriage training was all compressing. The girl was only allowed to sleep in the kitchen of her old house on a thin mattress with only a blanket and pillow for company, and had to serve, clean and cook for the men of the family. The girl became a servant to the family. No, that was incorrect. Without another daughter in the family, she was the lowest person there, below even her mother. Her mother was the servant of the family; the girl was just a servant in training.

One more reason why she was looking forward to today.

As if answering her silent prayers, the door of her bedroom opened. The girl took a quick look at the man entering the door and saw that it was her husband wearing only a loose robe. The girl bow her head to the ground. The girl stayed in place as he walked around her, carefully inspecting his new wife, servant and slave.

"Stand"

The girl stood immediately despite the protest of her knees, obeying the first order given to her by her husband. She folded her hand in front of her and look down submissively at the ground. 

"Bend over"

The girl obeyed again. Bending over, she put her hands on her knees. A slap to her buttocks came almost immediately. The girl felt the sting of the slap but kept silence and maintained her position. Her husband used his hand to spank her again. Again the girl did not moved.

"Did you know what you did wrong?"

The girl had no idea. She answered that she did not and begged her husband to enlightened her.

"You are wearing clothes in the bedroom"

In Vippon, many men want their wives to be naked in the bedroom. It wasn't what you called a common practice but it happened so often that it was hardly unusual. The girl had no orders to be naked but it seem her husband is a follower of the practice and was displeased that his new wife was wearing clothes. The girl stored the information for the future and begged forgiveness from her husband.

"Take off your clothes"

The girl quickly obeyed. In seconds, her wedding kimono, gloves, socks and underwear were neatly folded on the ground. The girl then got back to her position. She bended over with her hands on her knees, wearing only her hoodveil. Her husband then moved his hand between her legs and was disappointed with what he found.

"You are not ready." Her husband said as he slapped her buttocks again. "Get yourself ready wife."

The girl moved her hand to her hole, rubbing it furiously to get herself wet for her husband. Her punishment was not quite over. As she desperately rubbed herself, her husband continued spanking her. The pain did not help the girl, she was never trained to accept pain as pleasure, but it did not deter her also. Countless slaps later, the girl was overjoyed to announced to her husband that she was ready.

Her husband checked and ordered her to the futon. The girl gingerly laid on the futon and opened her legs. Her husband did not waste any time. Opening his robe, her husband entered her immediately. The girl was embarrassed to discover that her husband was more ready for their wedding night than she was and vowed never to make the same silly mistake again. As a wife, the girl was at her husband's beck and call, not the other way around. A wife should always be ready for her husband. Her husband was, quickly coming to a climax.

"I shall call you Hara"

Her husband released as he made the pronouncement and the woman known as Hara was born. In Vippon, when a woman marry, she was leaving her old family to join a new one. In ancient times, it was common practice for the man to give the woman a new name on their wedding night, to symbolized the act of marriage.

As her husband withdraw himself from her, the woman known as Hara thanked her husband for her new name and promised to give him many strong sons. He husband grunted his approval and went to switch off the lights. As the lights went out, the girl was no more. In her place was the woman known as Hara, and she was content. She had been training for this day for the past 4 years and she was finally here.

She was now a wife. 

The Southern Park of the Dragon

The Southern Park of the Dragon had a reputation of being the most beautiful park in Sakura City and Iza had to admit that so far, the reputation was fully deserved.  It was still early morning and the warm soft sunlight had bathed the park in a soft warm glow.

Iza smiled beneath her hood-veil as a morning breeze flowed past her.  As she walked, she could see the first signs of activities of the city. A young family was strolling further up the path with the wife pushing a baby stroller and walking a respectful 3 steps behind her husband; a young teenage boy was walking his dog to her right, a jogger was running down the path in the opposite direction of her. As he got closer, Iza noticed that he was not along.

A woman was running along behind him and unlike the man who was dressed in a modern tracksuit, the woman was dressed in traditional Vipponese sporting attire but with a touch of the modern about her. Dressed all in black, the woman had a pair of black pants on with a black shirt and gloves. With her hood-veil, she looked like a ninja except for her running shoes and a black leather collar that encircled her neck. A silver chain ran from it to the man’s right wrist where it was connected to a bracelet.

As the man ran past her, Iza respectfully kept her head down but she risk a glance at the man’s hands and noticed that she was mistaken. It wasn’t a bracelet but a sport watch which had a hook for the woman’s chain. The woman’s hoodveil was also modified in some way. The traditional hoodveil was cloth which the woman folded to fully cover their head leaving only a gap for their eyes. This woman’s hoodveil was partly made out of leather. Iza could not tell how much of it was leather but could see that the area of the hoodveil below the chin was made of leather and it goes around the neck like a collar. The silver chain was connected to the front and Iza briefly wondered if the woman created it herself. For the honor of their family, public display of submission to their husbands was considered a norm for most women in Vippon, and some women like to modify their own clothing for a "personal" touch in their public display.

That was not Iza.

A girl who came from a rich family from the province of the Tiger, Iza was never bought up traditionally like most girls in the country. Her father was liberal and forward thinking, more concerned with Iza's education in science and mathematics than her homemaking skills. She loved him for it, and that was the only reason she agreed to this matchmaking meeting. She even wore a new furisode for it.

A style of kimono, the furisode is a formal style of kimono worn by unmarried girls since ancient times in Vippon to signify that the girl was single, and of legal age for marriage. Iza had ordered a new one for this meeting and it was exquisite.  Made of fine silk, her furisode was bright blue in color with flying white cranes patterned on it. The long distinguishable sleeves ran 100 cm, and her red obi was decorated with flowing lines symbolizing water. It was a pain to walk in but she felt it necessary to show her status and her family’s wealth. Not for Iza was the traditional view that women should be demure invisible and submissive. 

Everything on her was expensive, including the black hoodveil covering her head.  Made of the finest silkworm, the veil left only a small area for her eyes but outside that, her entire head was totally covered. Completing her outfit were her white gloves and white split-toe socks, as well as her geta footwear. Iza was confident that she was as perfectly dressed as possible for a formal matchmaking meeting. She wanted to be as perfect as possible so that no one could begrudge her when she rejected the match.

Yusuke Moon was a scion of a rich family from the Sheep Province. The unusual family name was because the Moon family was not native Vipponese. The family originated from Jorea, Vippon’s north neighbor, and most of their family’s businesses was based on trade between the two countries. Iza, much like her liberal father, could not care less about the fact that the family was less than one hundred percent Vipponese, but she do care about the fact that married women were expected to quit education and jobs to focus on the family. Sure, family was important to her but the daily servitude of a Vipponese wife was so unlike her, Iza wanted to laugh whenever she thought of it.

No; she was not ready for marriage.

A thought further enforced when she saw her potential husband. The location chosen was near perfect. Under a sakura tree, a traditional low table was placed on a wide tatami mat and a tea set was on display on the table. Behind the table sat Yusuke Moon.

Iza’s potential husband was, for a lack of a better word, fat. Sitting behind the low table, Iza saw that his gut was twice bigger than what it should be, and it says a lot of his health that sweat could be seen on his brow even though he was sitting down under a tree. Iza was glad her hoodveil was covering her face or her look of disgust could be seen by all.

Yusuke took up as she approached and both of them bowed to each other, Iza making sure her head was lower than Yusuke. After that came the customary introductions. Both of them recited their family lineage, education, and for Yusuke, his job and business. It was all very boring for Iza and she found her attention wandering to her surroundings. Then Yusuke asked her to drink the tea.

Yusuke had bought a servant of the Moon household with him who was, as befitting her station, kneeling on the grass just beyond the tatami mat. Silent as a ghost, she stood and approached her two superiors with her head bowed and hands folded in front of her.  Kneeling beside the table, she then slowly and carefully poured the tea into the tea cup. She then placed a white screen between her and Yusuke before prostrating herself before Iza. As Yusuke was praising the quality of the tea before her, Iza was more pleased by the fact that the servants of the Moon household was if nothing else, well-trained. As she took down her veil, to drink the tea, she was almost sorry she had already decided to reject this marriage. She would have enjoyed being served by servants who knew their place.

Even though the screen protected her from Yusuke’s view, Iza went through the rituals of handling the tea properly before taking a sip of the tea. It was foul. The terrible tea stung her tongue but given the social etiquette of Vippon, she had no choice but to drink the rest of the tea. The servant placed her hands on the screen and Iza quickly put her veil back in place.As the servant stood up and retreated backwards toward her original position beyond the tatami mat, Iza was thinking that perhaps the servants of the Moon household was not that well-trained after all. A good servant would have waited for a signal from her before removing the screen.

Yusuke asked, “How was the tea, gentle Iza?”

Several thoughts went through her head before Iza decided to go for the most direct route of ending this farce of a marriage meeting. “Yusuke, I am sorry but I’m afraid our taste in tea is vastly different. I thought that this is foul.”

Iza thought Yusuke would have been displeased by this but instead Yusuke had a big smile on his face. “It is,” Yusuke admitted. “It is truly terrible.”

Iza was knocked by this admission. “I’m sorry Yusuke but you were just praising the quality of the tea to me a moment ago.”

“I was,” Yusuke admitted again. “It was a test.”

“A test?” Iza asked. “For what?”

“For you of course, silly girl,” This was the first time Yusuke has been less than unfailing polite and seeing the mischievous eyes of Yusuke, the moment Iza realized just how outplayed she had been till now. To his credit, Yusuke waited a moment for Iza to gather herself before continuing.

“Dear Iza, I take it you realized that the Moon household is part Jorean and part Vipponese.” Seeing Iza’s nod, Yusuke explained the test. “You see in some ways, Jorea and Vippon are very similar but in some ways, the differences are subtle yet great. Take this test for example; wives in Vippon are supposed to tell the whole truth to their husbands so as a Vippon girl yourself, what you did was correct. You told the truth even though you thought it would displease me.”

This was about the last thing on Iza’s mind when she answered but for now she just nodded. Yusuke continued, “However in Jorea, it’s different. In Jorea, wives are expected to tell the truth but at the same time, they are not to contradict their husband in public. In fact, due to their mutemask, they cannot even if they want to.”

Iza of course knew of the mutemask. A fiberglass white mask all women in Jorea wore to show their chastity and obedience, the mute mask encased the head of the women rigidly, preventing them from speaking in public.

“But what does that got to do with this…test?”

Yusuke’s smile got bigger and he said, “It’s very simple really. It’s a simple matter of social etiquette. Under Vipponese social etiquette, you telling me this tea is foul is totally acceptable but under  Jorean etiquette, you telling me this tea is foul is something worthy of harsh punishment.”

Iza was afraid to ask but intrigued, she found she had to. “So which “social etiquette” should a wife of the Moon household follow?”

“Both of course,” Yusuke said. “Stupid girl, just look at Momoe.”

For the first time, Iza took a good look at the servant Yusuke bought along and only now did Iza realized that Momoe was dressed in a combination of Jorean and Vipponese clothing. She was dressed in a drab brown Jorean hanbok, but on her head was a Vipponese hoodveil instead of a Jorean mutemask. Iza was wondering if all servants of the Moon household dressed like this when she realized that Yusuke had not introduced Momoe at all. The fact that Momoe was a servant was something she thought up herself due to her dressing, Yusuke never introduced her as such. Which means…

“I’m sorry Yusuke but you haven’t introduced me to Momoe yet.”

“Oh yes, I haven’t.” Yusuke said. “Let me correct that right now. Iza, please meet my first wife, Momoe Moon.”

Iza’s stomach turned at the introduction but she had no time to dwell on that as Momoe bowed her head to the ground. Even though she had no wish to agree to the marriage, Iza knew that she shouldn’t have the first wife of her potential husband bowing her head to her. She responded quickly, bowing her head towards Momoe and pleading.

“I’m sorry, Momoe-san. I did not realize I was in the presence of Yusuke’s first wife. Please forgive me.”

Both women held their position towards each other, on their knees with their head to the ground, till Yususke said. “Wife, you may answer.”

“There is nothing to forgive Iza-san for we are both servants and slaves of the Moon household.” Momoe replied.

It was the correct, respectful thing to day  but while Momoe's words were correct, her actions were not. Normally, you would raise your head at this point but Iza did not feel Momoe raising her head and refused to do it before her.

“Wife, you may rise.” Only then did the two women raise their heads from the ground and Iza could see that Yususke was delighted by the situation. He said, “Back to the explanation! As you can see stupid girl, the women in the Moon household dressed in a Jorean hanbok with a Vipponese veil. This partial uniform is to show our history as a migrant family from Jorea who made good in the Kingdom of Vippon. It's not too difficult for you to understand right?"

The insults were beginning to glad on her nerves but Iza was also curious. Why would her father agreed to this marriage when Yusuke already have a wife? He must have known about that and Iza could not believe he would willing let her be a second wife. Yet her father agreed to this marriage meeting and Iza was smart enough to know he must have a good reason for it. Iza wanted to know the reason. She did nothing but gave a small nod.

"Good," Yusuke said. "But it's not good for women to be too intelligent, right Momoe?"

Momoe who was still kneeling on the grass just beyond the tatami mat just replied quietly, "Yes my lord. Women are to serve the house and be slaves to their lords. Nothing else."

Yusuke nodded. "Servant to the Moon household; slaves to their husbands. These are the qualities we require of our wives. However if you are unable to fulfill these requirements, I wish to ensure you this marriage can be cancelled with no hard feelings on our side." It took every ounce of Iza's self-control not to leap at the offer; she knew there must be a catch to this offer. Yusuke promptly gave it to her. "Of course, the business alliance between our families would be cancelled as well."

Not wanting to aggravated the situation before knowing the whole story, Iza gave a submissive nod and said. "I'm sorry Yusuke but I do not know much about the family business. It's not something my father speak of to me."

"That's something I agree with. Women has no role in business, though with what I heard of your father's "progressive" leanings, very surprising." Iza felt like slapping Yusuke's face at the insult but the feelings evaporated when he continued. "Of course,  many would say this was why your father's business is in some much trouble."

It was an Eureka moment for Iza. Suddenly, everything made sense. If the family business was in trouble, a marriage sealing a business alliance with the prosperous Moon family would help. That was why he arrange this marriage meeting and since this meeting was between his beloved daughter and a vile man like Yusuke, the family business must be in serious trouble.

"What is your decision girl?" Yusuke asked. "Understand that if you agree to the marriage, it will be the last decision you ever make because a woman of the Moon household never decide, they only obey."

Iza bowed her head to the ground and said. "There is no decision to be made...my lord. I obey the choice of my father."

Iza could sense Yusuke standing up and could him dropping something on the low table.

"My girl, you have been very disrespectful to me since the start of our meeting." Yusuke said. "Offer this to me and beg for punishment."

Iza looked up at the table and could see there is a belt on the table. For her father and family, there was no choice. Taking the belt with both hands, Iza held it above her head and begged. “Please use this belt and punish me for my failure my lord.”

Iza felt the belt leaving her hands and heard her lord's order. "Bowed your head to the ground stupid girl and raise you ugly butt high. I will give you 10 swats of the belt. Maintain the position at all times, make sure to keep your brainless head below the level of your butt. Understand stupid girl?”

As Yusuke held the belt over his head, Iza said,  "This stupid girl understand my lord."

The belt came down and the park echoed with the strike. A few passerby took a look at the scene and among them was an old man looking through a pair of binoculars.

“Looks like negotiations were successful.”

“Was there ever any doubt?”

The old man looked at the man beside him, a man destined to be family by marriage in the future. “In truth, considering the rumors of how liberal she was brought up, I thought there’s a fair chance your daughter would reject the marriage proposal.”

The other man laughed gently at his friend. “There’s more than one way to get obedience,’ the other man said. “Obedience is not something you gain only through pain, humiliation and beatings.  Sometimes love is more effective than any of the above.”

“Like the love a daughter has for her father?”

“That and the love she has for the family. See how she would accept a beating from a stranger she just met for the sake of the family who she believes is in trouble?”

The old man look through his binoculars again and could see that his son was giving his future second wife a full thrashing, holding nothing back in his strikes. Yet despite it all, the girl was still in position accepting the beating that was her due. The old man had to admit he was more than a little impressed. “This would be a good marriage for the Moon household,” the old admitted to his future in-law in more ways than one. “Come; let us discuss the details of our business deal.”

With that comment, the two old men turned away from the scene. Nearer to the couple, the passerbys who had stopped to watch the beating slowly moved on. It was just another day in the Southern Park of the Dragon. 

Distant Rats

           Iweko took the water bottle and carefully slipped the straw between the cuts in the veil. Taking her time, she took her drink slowly. Looking around her, Iweko saw that she was not alone. Most of her colleagues were doing the same thing she was doing; slacking off, just waiting for the bell.

It might not be the right thing to do, but after a hard shift at the factory all the women, including Iweko, needed a breather for the day ahead. The moment the bell rang, everyone stood up and took off. Iweko took her punch card and joined in the dash for the clock. As her station was in the middle of the factory, she joined halfway in the queue. Not that it matters much as all the women were in a rush. Before you know it, Iweko was at the exit of the factory.

Before leaving, Iweko went through a quick check to make sure her clothing was in order. She was wearing a plain brown kimono with gloves and socks that covered her hands and feet. Most importantly of course was her black hoodveil. Covering her head, Iweko made sure the hoodveil was secured around the head. The 2 piece veil totally covered the whole face outside the small area near the eyes. A cut in the veil made it easy for her to drink refreshments, but even that cut was overlayed, making it impossible for anyone to see her flesh. Seeing that everything was in order, Iweko made the daily dash home.

Situated in the Rat Province, Port Tama was a city that depended on the small port for her livelihood. For centuries, men had fished in the Sea of Blue Snow and used ports like Tama as their port of call. When the season was in full swing, the fishing, crab, lobster ships will go into the Sea of Blue Snow and make their catches. From there, the seafood would be unloaded in port and the women of the fishermen would clean and packed the fishes into boxes. After which, trucks would deliver the cargo all over Vippon.

As you might expect, the fish factory was situated near the port and far away from the residential areas. Afterall, no one want to live beside the smell of fish all day and Iweko’s home, like most, was at the fringe of the city.. This also means that women like Iweko had a long walk home everyday. Head facing downwards, Iweko ran for home. At least she attempted to run for home. Like all women in the Rat Province, Iweko’s 2 feets were connected with a short rope. Since ancient times, it was considered ungainly for women to run and the rope was an ancient way to maintain a woman’s modesty. Tradition dies hard in the Rat.

The rope prevented Iweko from taking a full stride, or even half a stride, making a fast walk all but impossible. Add to this was the constant wind and rain. The Rat was a small but important province in Vippon as it was the only province that has access to the sea. Bordering the rich Sea of Blue Snow, it supplied closed to all the seafood consumed by the citizens of Vippon. However, the Sea of Blue Snow was not a gentle sea. It was both cold and rough as heavy wind can cause big waves at sea, making fishing a dangerous if high-paying career. The wind lashed against the mainland as well, bringing along with it the ever-present water vapour from the sea. Head faced down, rope between the feet, heavy wind and constant rain makes walking fast dangerous for women. Still, Iweko walked as fast as she dared. She knew that being late was unacceptable for her father-in-law.

Shuffling as fast as she can, Iweko finally made it home. Her family knew the knock-off time at the factory and Iweko, like all the women who worked at the factory, had a curfew. As usual, Iweko had missed it.

“Woman, you are late again!” Her father-in-law was holding the cane at the entrance of the house. Knowing better than to argue, Iweko kneed and bowed her head to the ground. As with most families in Port Tama, Iweko was from a fishing family and her husband was currently out at sea fishing.

The husband was out at sea; the wives were working at the fish factories; the mother-in-laws were keeping house and the father-in-law oversaw the women in the husband’s absence. It was the way fishermen had lived for centuries in Vippon. They had piece of mind while out at sea, miles from their wives because they knew that even in their absence, their fathers will see to it that their wives were behaving honorably.

A retired seaman himself, Iweko’s father-in-law ruled the house with an iron-fist. He began berating Iweko for being late and accused her of dishonoring the family and her husband for her lazy ways. Iweko kept her head bowed to the ground and accepted everything that was said silently. It was almost a daily ritual as it was almost impossible to make it home in the time set by her father-in-law. However, this was a scene played out all over the city at the moment as Iweko’s father-in-law was not harsh. The curfew set by the in-laws were too short for the women on purpose.

The purpose was punishment. Her father-in-law walked to the side of her and Iweko steeled herself for what’s coming. She heard the swish of the cane and immediately Iweko’s buttocks was aflame with pain. Iweko kept silent despite the pain and took the beating silently. Her father-in-law alternated between her buttocks and her back as Iweko silently kept count of the strokes. Even after years, Iweko couldn’t help but feel humiliated having a public caning in full view of her neighbors.

After 22 strokes, her father-in-law stopped. This meant that she was 22mins late today. Iweko did not know if this was true but as a woman, it was not her place to question or complain, only to accept the rules and orders of the men of the house.

At the order of her father-in-law, Iweko stood up and went in to the house. Her two young sons were on the sofa watching television. Iweko immediately stood at attention and gave them both a respectfully low bow. A wave in dismissal from her sons later, Iweko went into the kitchen. Her mother-in-law was already there with Iweko’s daughter. Iweko bowed to her in-law and enquired if there was anything she needed help in. However dinner was almost ready and her mother-in-law told her to go for her bath and prayers.

Iweko wasn’t surprised. Her oldest daughter Amiko was already 12 years old and was already helping in the kitchen. Since Amiko would be taking the veil next year, she had been given lots of housework in preparation for the big day. Knowing in her heart everything was in order, Iweko went to her bedroom. In her cupboard, she took out her spare kimono.

In her frugal family, every woman was only given 4 plain brown kimonos. Excluding the one she was currently wearing, one was in the wash, one was drying on the bamboo pole, and this was the spare. It was just enough for the women. Iweko took out her spare bra and panties and rush to the bathroom. Before that, Iweko stopped in front of her father-in-law who was reading the papers in the living room. Kneeling, Iweko bowed to the ground and begged her father-in-law to allow her to go for the bath. Her father-in-law gave his approval and Iweko, while on her knees, turned around. Her father-in-law unhooked the rope between her feet, and gave a kick to her buttocks. At the signal, Iweko stood up and walked to the kitchen.

Iweko walked quickly to the back of the kitchen and into the bathroom. Taking off her fish-smelling kimono, she threw it into the wash. Iweko then took off her underwear and her hoodveil as well. Everything went into the wash. Her mother-in-law would wash it tomorrow. Iweko a quick shower, not that she could stay in there long anyway. Hot-water shower was only allowed for the men and children; grown women like her were only allowed cold showers. In a cold place like Port Tama, a long cold shower was impossible.

After she finished, Iweko put on the spare kimono, hoodveil and walked out. The family altar was in the living room. Every family in Vippon has an altar at home worshipping their ancestors, and Iweko’s family was no exception. Head down, Iweko walked to the altar and kneed before it.

Most people in other countries found it strange that in Vippon only women were engaged in religion. Most people did not understand the Vippon religion of Ancestral Worship. People in Vippon believed that when they pass on, their forefathers still lived on in spirit and can influence the physical world if they wish to. However as with most spirits, their forefathers couldn’t care less about the physical world and you must beg them to help you and your family. As men are leaders of society, you can’t expect them to beg for favors on a daily basis; but woman could! So religion is considered a women’s job in Vippon.

Iweko again made sure her kimono and hoodveil were in order; it wouldn’t do to insult her ancestors by being poorly-dressed. Iweko bowed her head to the floor and silently begged her ancestors to keep her husband safe. In this, her family was lucky. In her family tree, there were no less than 16 seamen, 3 of whom were captains of their own ships. Iweko knew all of them by name and begged each one of them one-by-one to make sure her husband return home unharmed.

With 16 pleas, it took a long time to finish her prayers. By the time she was finished with the prayers, it was dinner time. Dinner was a quiet affair for the women. Iweko, her mother-in-law and Amiko sat at the dinner table which had a screen cutting across the table. This screen separated the men from the women and as Iweko and her mother-in-law lowered their veil to take dinner, the screen prevented the men from seeing their faces. In fact, her husband told Iweko that it has been years since he saw her mother’s face. Iweko only hoped that she could match her mother-in-law’s care and discipline in the future.

The women finished quickly, both Iweko and her mother-in-law immediately put their veils back on. The 3 women then sat quietly with their head down and their hands folded on their laps. After the men had finished, the women cleared the table and did the washing. As her sons were playing their latest computer games and her father-in-law was reading the papers, the women were busy with the washing. They also cleaned the whole kitchen again.

By the time they were finished, it was late but Iweko tested Amiko on her knowledge of cooking. Since she was working at the factory, the training of Amiko was left up to her mother-in-law. But as her mother, Iweko made a point to test Amiko on occasions to make sure she had learned everything she had been thought. Personally, she felt her mother-in-law was a little lenient with her granddaughter.

The test was cut short when her father-in-law announced it was time for bed. It must have been later than she thought. As Amiko and her sons went to their room, Iweko followed her father-in-law into her bedroom. As her husband was out at sea, Iweko was not allowed to sleep on the bed. Instead she followed her father-in-law to the cupboard she took her kimonos from. Iweko put her hands behind her and her father-in-law tied them up with a thick rope. He then opened up the cupboard and Iweko obediently went into the cupboard. The cupboard was small so she had to knee to fit into it. Iweko’s father-in-law went to work again with more ropes. By the time he was finished, Iweko found that she would not move an inch. The ropes had tied her feet together and it looped over her head crisis-crossing over her body. The tie was to prevent her from dishonoring herself with temptations.

The door of the cupboard closes and Iweko was locked up in the darkness. In some way she was lucky. Iweko knew that some of her colleagues were locked in small wooden boxes barely big enough for them.

A small light is then switched on within the cupboard. It shone on a stern picture of her lord and master which was placed on a hook inside the cupboard. The hook was directly in front of her eyes. Iweko relaxed and looked at the picture of her husband. It would be the last image she would see before she goes to sleep and the first thing she would see when she wakes up. Iweko wondered what her husband was doing now on the distant seas. Silently, she leaned her head against the cupboard’s door and tried to get some sleep. It would be the same thing everyday until her master came home. 

Iweko looked at her husband’s picture once more and then closed her eyes. Be safe, my lord and come home soon.