Chapter 8

On April 10, 1552 (Tenshō 21)

■ In the mountains near the Kuno residence in the Sagami Province, Ashigara Lower District

"Hyogo-no-suke, Mankuro, over there!"

In the forest, a wild boar was running at an incredible speed, rustling through the underbrush. Several men were chasing it.

"Yo, Kichirosuke, go for it!"

At Kaji Hyogo-no-suke's command, Noguchi Kichirosuke aimed his matchlock, which had a stock, and fired.

"Now!"

With a loud "thud," the bullet hit the boar, which collapsed with a heavy thud.

"Great job, Kichirosuke."

"Yo."

The men who had been driving the boar also gathered one by one.

"Hyogo-no-suke, Mankuro, everyone, you've done well."

At Yoshiro's words, everyone looked relieved.

"Yo, thank you."

"But to hit it with one shot, Kichirosuke has become a great marksman."

"No, no, cheek shooting won't get you this far. It's the shoulder shooting that provides stability."

"The Tanegashima is perfect for hunting, but it's not yet suitable for battle."

"It doesn't fit the shape of armor."

"Well, that's fine. It's a big boar, so we'll make some creative dishes tonight."

"If it's your cooking, I'm looking forward to it."

"The last tempura was delicious too."

"Yes, the sesame oil flavor and the crispy texture were irresistible."

"So, let's take the boar back."

"Hai."

On April 10, 1552

■ Kuno residence in the Sagami Province, Ashigara Lower District, Mita Yoshiro

On the way back, we stopped by the fields to harvest vegetables before returning to the residence. In the kitchen, we started the butchering process. As we skinned the boar, ticks and parasites began to flee, sensing the loss of their host's body heat.

After the butchering was complete and the meat was divided, we prepared for cooking. I couldn't participate in the cooking, but I gave instructions to ensure we could make some modern dishes. The cooking was done by the kitchen staff, including Shimako-san.

"Shimako-san, make thick, salt-free flat noodles with flour. No need to let them rest."

"If you don't let them rest, they won't have the right texture."

"They'll be simmered, so it's fine as is."

"Understood."

As expected, Shimako-san gave clear instructions to the maids and started making the noodles.

"For the broth, use dried sardines and shiitake mushrooms to make the stock, then dissolve bean paste and add sliced pumpkin."

"Pumpkin, right? You recently grew it, didn't you?"

"Yes, it's a vegetable from the Southern Barbarians."

"It has a good sweetness for simmered dishes."

"It will add sweetness to the broth."

"Understood."

"When it's boiling, add the vegetables."

"Daikon, rape, taro, turnip greens, golden carrots, and burdock?"

"Yes, start with the ones that take longer to cook, then add the noodles to thicken the broth. Add the boar meat and simmer, then skim off the scum. Finally, add chopped green onions to complete it."

We also had some dried vegetables and those stored in the room, but I got the pumpkin from a merchant in Edo first. It's an Eastern pumpkin, and the carrots are golden carrots. Since there's no Chinese cabbage, I used rapeseed instead.

Shiitake mushrooms can't be cultivated in this era, so they are very expensive. However, I'm trying to grow spores using agar I made before, and I'm cultivating them in a bed of sawdust, rice bran, and shell powder. Perhaps I can eventually produce cultivated shiitake mushrooms.

"Understood. I'll start cooking, so please wait in your room."

"Hai."

When I returned to the room, not only Kichirosuke and the others were there, but also Fujikikumaru and Takechidomaru.

"Hey, Yoshiro."

"Yoshiro-san."

"Welcome, Fujikikumaru-sama, Takechidomaru-sama."

"Ah, no need for formalities."

"Hai."

"I heard you hunted a boar, so I came to eat."

"I was brought by my brother..."

Fujikikumaru looked as if it was the most natural thing, while Takechidomaru looked apologetic.

"Well, you're probably going to make some strange dish again. I'll be the taste tester."

Their faces clearly showed they were looking forward to the meal.

"Understood. It's being prepared now, so please wait a moment."

Recently, with Shikoku and the old man Kuno on a campaign in Ueno, these two have been coming over frequently for meals.

"The last kamaboko was delicious. Using the flesh of fish like ishimochi and shark, which aren't suitable for sashimi, and grinding it to make kamaboko was a great idea. It's become quite popular in the town. There are even kamaboko shops now."

That's right. When I think of Odawara, I think of kamaboko and lanterns, but I couldn't find any. I heard that kamaboko was very expensive at the time, used as a gift instead of sea bream. So, I made it using the white meat of fish like shark, which aren't often eaten. It was a big hit, recognized by the old man Kuno and Shikoku. The production of kamaboko was licensed, and when the shops in the town started making it, it became popular for being cheap and delicious. In just half a year, it's becoming a specialty of Odawara.

"That's right, food is culture."

"I don't understand it, but it's good that common people can enjoy delicious food."

"Indeed."

"So, what are you making today?"

They ask with great interest.

"It's a noodle dish."

"Noodles? Is it udon or soba?"

Udon is what they call it, not yet known as udon. By the way, I also invented soba, so Shinshu soba lost its title as the first soba.

"It's similar to udon, but it's a noodle cooked in miso without the texture."

"Simmered udon, I wonder what it will be like. I'm looking forward to it."

Seeing Takechidomaru looking bored, I decided to bring out some toys to play with.

"Takechidomaru-sama, would you like to play something?"

"No, I can't trouble you, Yoshiro-san."

Look at this politeness. I wish Fujikikumaru could drink the essence of Takechidomaru's manners.

"Yoshiro, then play with me. You must have made some new toys."

This guy, what is he?

So, I brought out a certain masterpiece game.

"What is this? It's not Go, and the black and white stones are attached back-to-back."

Yes, it's that Japanese-born game, Othello. It's better for children than Go.

"You place them, and if they're surrounded, they flip over."

"I see, it's like capturing territory."

"Something like that."

"You think of a lot of things, like samurai chess, throwing arrows, flower cards, and number cards. I can't do that."

Samurai chess is military chess, throwing arrows is darts, and number cards are playing cards.

No, no, I just copied them.

"Just a bit."

"That's what makes it amazing."

"I'm flattered."

"Does it have a name?"

"Not yet."

Othello sounds a bit off.

"Then, how about 'Go-Flip'?"

"Go-Flip?"

"Yes, it's like flipping Go stones. It's simple and straightforward."

"That's true. Let's call it Go-Flip."

"Agreed. Since I'm your mentor, you should give me a cut of the profits."

He asks for his share with a sly smile. He's got the blood of the Hojo family.

"Understood. I'll pay you when it sells."

"Everything you made before has sold well, so it should be fine. Twenty percent is good."

"Brother, I'm sorry."

Takechidomaru bows deeply, but he's a hard worker. I want to tell him not to worry about Fujikikumaru's actions.

"Takechidomaru, what are you saying? It's important to receive just compensation."

"Is it just to call it that? I have serious doubts."

"You're becoming more outspoken."

It's not a brotherly quarrel, but more like playful bickering between puppy siblings.

"Alright, eat this and calm down."

I always let them try my experimental dishes.

"Hmm, what is this?"

"This is pickled plum in honey. This is simmered small fish and arame in tamari soy sauce. And this is agar with mung beans and mochi, topped with black syrup."

The simmered small fish is tsukudani, and the agar is a mock anmitsu.

"Luxurious."

"Yoshiro-san, can we eat it?"

"Please do."

Fujikikumaru tries the pickled plum, and Takechidomaru tries the anmitsu.

"Delicious, this is good."

"Delicious. I want to share it with my sisters."

"Is it that good?"

This time, Fujikikumaru tries the anmitsu.

"Wow, it has a good texture. This is indeed delicious."

"See? Brother."

"Indeed. Yoshiro, treat my sisters next time."

"Of course."

Fujikikumaru nods in agreement.

"Let's try this."

He eats the tsukudani.

"Hmm, this has a rich flavor and is delicious, but it makes me want rice."

"Yes, I think it would be even better with rice porridge."

"True. I can't do it now, but I'll try it with rice porridge later."

He clearly wants to take it home.

"Do you want to take it as a souvenir?"

"Yes, please."

Just then, Shimako-san and the others brought the evening meal.

"Is this acceptable?"

It's a perfect hōtō. As expected, Shimako-san.

"Shimako-san, this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Yoshiro, is this simmered udon? It has a very appetizing smell."

Shimako-san serves everyone.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Since they come to eat often, I now interact with Fujikikumaru and the others normally. At first, it was difficult because they were too respectful.

"Let's add this to enhance the flavor."

I bring out the shichimi togarashi, which I made by obtaining red pepper seeds from Edo and growing them in the fields. It's only been about ten years since they were introduced to Japan, so it was hard to find them, but I managed to get them. I added red pepper, hemp seeds, tangerine peel, black sesame, white sesame, ginger, and Sichuan pepper. For now, shichimi is complete. I couldn't get mustard seeds.

"Ah, what is this?"

"Red pepper."

"It's bright red."

"It's spicy, so don't add too much."

"Understood."

I show them how to use it and start the tasting. Everyone starts eating, and they all eat silently.

"Delicious. It's very good."

"Delicious."

"Very good."

Everyone praises the dish. I also ate it, and without chemical seasonings, the natural flavors come through, creating an indescribable deliciousness.

"Yoshiro, this warms the body. It might be good for winter battle rations."

"This is delicious. Yoshiro-dono's inventions are always very interesting."

Kondo Dewa-no-kami, Fujikikumaru's guardian, has also arrived and is eating.

"Dewa, when did you come?"

"I noticed Fujikikumaru left the castle immediately."

"Well, I'd like to keep it a secret from my father..."

He has a commanding presence, as befits a seasoned warrior. However, Kondo Dewa-no-kami will die in battle at Hachioji Castle.

"You should have said something. Why do you always do this?"

"Well, if you know, you might worry Yoshiro unnecessarily."

"That would be a burden to Yoshiro-dono."

Fujikikumaru is intimidated by Dewa-no-kami's scolding.

"I see, then I'll send a messenger next time."

"There's no other way. Please inform me in advance."

"Understood."

"Yoshiro, I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's not a problem."

Since he's a hostage, and Dewa-no-kami is here, I have to be careful.

"Yoshiro-dono, please don't spoil Fujikikumaru."

"Understood."

"Dewa, Yoshiro's creations are all interesting and useful. If you come here as part of your studies, it might be beneficial."

Dewa-no-kami agrees, albeit reluctantly.

"Understood. As I said before, you must get my permission and come with me."

"Understood, Dewa."

"Then, Fujikikumaru-sama, Takechidomaru-sama, let's return to the castle."

"Understood. Yoshiro, thank you for the meal. I'll take some as a souvenir."

"Yoshiro-san, I caused you a lot of trouble today. Thank you for the delicious meal."

"Then, Yoshiro-dono, it was an honor."

"Fujikikumaru-sama, Takechidomaru-sama, Kondo-dono, please be careful."

After the storm of the two plus a few others left, the day came to an end.

The hōtō was also well-received by the staff left at the residence.

Later, I heard that when Fujikikumaru took the tsukudani and ate it with rice porridge, it was highly praised, and even Shikoku's wife, Mizuki, praised it.