{"id":354,"date":"2013-07-23T00:19:57","date_gmt":"2013-07-22T15:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/?p=354"},"modified":"2016-08-28T02:47:55","modified_gmt":"2016-08-27T17:47:55","slug":"part024_edit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/part024_edit\/","title":{"rendered":"\u4e8c\u5341\u56db Part 24 (Tanuki)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"goro\"
\n<\/a>\u201cOnce again, from the beginning,\u201d Sagiri said, her hands folded behind her back. Shichi nodded from his place on the floor, his palms set neatly on his folded knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cKakkon-to\u2014cold symptoms, headaches, and fever,\u201d he recited from memory. \u201cFor a quick, floating pulse and reddened tongue. Made from kuzu, ephedra, peony root, ginger, licorice root, cinnamon, and natsume.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sagiri listened silently as her pupil continued to recount the memorized herbal formulas. It had been two decades since he had arrived at the temple, and he had since aged into a proper adult. To her dismay, the boy had quickly surpassed her in height. Even so, he continued to be an obedient, dedicated student. He had proven to be much more than a shy child, gradually exposing his abilities as time went on.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cGokoto\u2014asthma, breathing troubles, fever, and coughs. For a slippery pulse and yellowed tongue. Made from gypsum, ephedra, apricot seed, mulberry bark, and licorice root.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough for today. You may return to your chores,\u201d she said with a nod. There were more than a hundred formulas and, in a surprisingly short time, he had managed to memorize each one. Despite this, she kept her outward approval to a minimum. It would not do for a healer to have an inflated ego, no matter how skilled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Master,\u201d Shichi replied, his gaze dropping to the floor. Though he had been dismissed, he remained seated, his shoulders tightening in hesitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Sagiri asked, familiar enough with her student to know when something was troubling him. He inhaled gently, considering his words before speaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been studying medicine for quite some time now,\u201d he said, his head lowered respectfully. \u201cBut you haven\u2019t allowed me to tend to an actual patient. Am I doing something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you\u2019re ready?\u201d Sagiri said, her brow rising. It was unusual for him to question her methods\u2014he must have felt quite passionately about his concern. Shichi looked up at her question, his expression set with assurance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d she said. \u201cThe next patient will be yours. You will have one chance to prove that your confidence is not unfounded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Master,\u201d he said, bowing low, barely able to hide the grateful anticipation in his voice.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

It was a week later that his chance arrived. A tengu had arrived from the nearest village, traveling an entire day in search of proper medical attention. He lay weakly on the infirmary floor, exhausted from both his journey and ailments. Without a word, Sagiri gestured for Shichi to begin his diagnosis. The young monk knelt beside his patient, checking his pulse and tongue as he questioned the villager on his symptoms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is your appetite?\u201d he asked, noticing that the man was rather thin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t felt much like eating,\u201d the tengu answered. \u201cAnd when I do, I just throw up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you feel any pain here?\u201d Shichi felt along the man\u2019s abdomen. It seemed unnaturally bloated, and his patient winced at the contact.<\/p>\n

\u201cY-yes, a bit. It aches.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi inhaled softly, taking a moment to consider each symptom, as well as his patient\u2019s constitution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Sagiri asked, still observing from her place by the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a sunken pulse and a pale tongue. It\u2019s an inflammation of the stomach lining,\u201d he said, closing his eyes to think. \u201cI would prescribe rikkunshito for his nausea, goshuyuto for the vomiting, and kamikihito for the inflammation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you certain?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he replied with a nod.<\/p>\n

Sagiri fell silent, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she slid the infirmary door open.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the hall,\u201d was all she said, gesturing that he exit with her. He swallowed, wondering what she had to say that required such privacy. Breath short, he got to his feet and followed his master out of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cShichi,\u201d she said, closing the door behind them. \u201cTell me your mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up quickly, eyes wide as his fears began to solidify.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas it my diagnosis?\u201d he asked, stifling the shudder in his voice. \u201cPerhaps . . . his pulse . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour diagnosis was fine. There was something you forgot\u2014something I told you when you first began to study kampo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . .\u201d Shichi desperately searched the far reaches of his memory. Finally, his head dropped, unable to look his master in the eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou prescribed three different formulas for one ailment. If there were to be a reaction, it would be impossible to determine the source. Daisaikoto would have addressed all of his symptoms with only eight ingredients. Your suggestion would require eighteen\u2014you\u2019ve doubled the chances of complications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi had nothing to say, motionless as he took in her words.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may not always have access to such abundant herbs. There will be times that you\u2019ll have one ingredient\u2014if you\u2019re lucky. You cannot rely on complex formulas for every single symptom,\u201d Sagiri continued, her tone steady. \u201cI\u2019m afraid you were wrong. You\u2019re not ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi closed his eyes, feeling little but the sinking of his heart. The hall was silent as he considered his next words.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what shall I do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must continue to do your best,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd never show me anything less.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Shichi said with a low nod. \u201cI won\u2019t forget again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Sagiri said, her posture as straight as her voice. \u201cYou won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

Sagiri had been right\u2014in the half-century since his first diagnosis, he had never forgotten her words. Healing was more than the simple memorization of formulas. There were nuances between each patient and symptom\u2014the hot and cold, weak and rigid. Forgetting these could lead to tragedy\u2014to everything he was working to prevent. The memory of that day was vivid as he looked down at his selection of herbs on the table. At the temple, he had maintained a supply of more than a hundred varieties of roots, leaves, and stems. Now, he had six.<\/p>\n

Shichi sighed as he placed a few pieces of dried ginger into a drawer. Luckily, Fumie had planted a patch the previous year, making them ready for harvest in the winter. It was still too cold to plant many of the herbs he preferred to use, limiting his options to a pitiable few. The poor selection, however, wasn\u2019t the cause of his low mood\u2014it was the fact that most of them were simply going to waste. Many weeks had passed since his arrival in Osaka, and the only life he had saved was that of a murderer. The bandits had remained in the safety of the inn, not daring to venture out into the hands of the law.<\/p>\n

\u201cShichi!\u201d came a song-like voice from the first floor. The innkeeper was calling him. He placed the last of his herbs into a linen bag, leaving the room to see what she needed.<\/p>\n

He found her near the entrance, standing beside a pair of yokai. They were tanuki\u2014raccoon dogs that, much like humans, stood upright on two legs. One was an old female, using both hands to support the elbow of a younger male. He had clearly gone through some kind of trouble\u2014a section of his fur was charred black and two of his teeth had gone missing. Despite this, he still managed to maintain a wily grin. Both tanuki appeared to have plenty of winter fat, their bellies round and their pelts thick with fur.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it true?\u201d asked the woman as he descended the stairs. \u201cAre you a doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Shichi said, surprised to be called so by a stranger. \u201cCan I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son was playing pranks on humans again. They were so frightened that they knocked him right into the hearth,\u201d she explained, gesturing to the teenager\u2019s arm. The stench of burnt fur wafted beneath Shichi\u2019s nostrils as he took a closer look. Sure enough, much of the fur was either scorched or missing entirely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d the tengu said, impressed to find that the boy wasn\u2019t crying\u2014it looked quite painful. \u201cI\u2019ll do what I can. Please, have a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, thank you!\u201d The mother\u2019s round face brightened with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but first,\u201d Fumie cut in, holding up a hand to stop them as she gave the boy a once-over. \u201cIf you\u2019d like to come in, you\u2019ll need to . . . put some clothes on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, of course,\u201d the tanuki said, closing her eyes. Her chest filled as she took in a deep breath, and a moment later a plain kimono had materialized over her body. The cloth fluttered as it settled around her legs, followed by a pair of pants for her son. Shichi tried not to stare. He had grown accustomed to Chiyo\u2019s shifting from fox to human, but had never seen the formulation of inanimate objects. Not wasting a moment, the pair seated themselves on the floor in the sitting room.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like the burn didn\u2019t go deep into your skin,\u201d Shichi said as he pressed a cool, wet cloth to the damaged area. \u201cLuckily, I have some chickweed and aloe in the garden.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChickweed?\u201d Fumie said, her voice laced with disappointment. Though her head was in the sitting room, her body had remained in the foyer. \u201cI was going to use that for seven-herb porridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that for Human Day?\u201d Shichi asked. \u201cYou know we\u2019re not human, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know. Well, this is more important,\u201d Fumie said. \u201cWould you like me to fetch some?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d he replied gratefully. The innkeeper\u2019s head wound back through the doorway, returning to her body as she headed toward the garden. He turned his attention back to his patient\u2014it was his first time speaking with tanuki aside from brief interactions in the restaurant.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, a prank, was it?\u201d Shichi\u2019s eyes narrowed in amusement. The tanuki nodded proudly, then was promptly whacked on the head by his mother.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw.\u201d He rubbed the spot she\u2019d hit. \u201cMother, I\u2019m already injured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoro! I told you not to go near those humans again!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe looks on their faces was worth it!\u201d the boy said, holding his belly as he laughed. He looked up at Shichi with excitement, eager to elaborate on his story. \u201cI shifted to the form of a fish\u2014this big! And right before they could put me in the pot, I looked at them and said \u2018How could you eat me? I have a family!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi swallowed his laughter, not wanting to incur the wrath of the mother. Instead, he cooled the cloth with fresh water, returning it to the burnt skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can turn into a fish?\u201d the tengu asked, skeptical despite what he\u2019d seen with their clothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I can!\u201d Goro said. \u201cI can turn into anything. Tanuki are the best shape-shifters there are. Much better than kitsune!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d came a voice from the top of the stairs. Though it was a single word, it hit each one of them like a boulder. The sound was followed by a series of stomps as the kitsune descended the stairs, appearing in the doorway with folded arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cCare to repeat that?\u201d She glared thorns at the young tanuki.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard me, lady.\u201d He grinned back at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou little\u2014\u201d Chiyo muttered and pushed her sleeves up. She paused, and a moment later had shifted into a white tanuki. Her body rounded out considerably, her narrowed eyes still lined with red. It was Shichi\u2019s first time seeing her in any form aside from a fox or a human, and he stared speechlessly at the new shape. Not to be outdone, Goro slipped out of the tengu\u2019s grasp, his fur rippling before transforming as well. Shichi choked. He had copied Chiyo\u2019s form\u2014her human form\u2014exactly.<\/p>\n

\u201cChiyo, I\u2019m trying to work here,\u201d Shichi said, then shook his head and turned to the proper Chiyo\u2014who was still in the shape of a tanuki. They both ignored him, butting foreheads as they spoke.<\/p>\n

Chiyo\u2019s round ears twitched. \u201cYou don\u2019t look anything like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the wrong color. And you can\u2019t even hide your red makeup,\u201d Goro said, still smiling. His mother didn\u2019t cut in, her expression showing a hint of pride as she watched.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not makeup!\u201d She bared her teeth before shifting once again\u2014this time to a tengu. Shichi faltered at the sight of her. Aside from her white feathers, she bore a perfect resemblance to a typical female. He froze in place, greatly unsettled at how attractive she had suddenly become.<\/p>\n

\u201cChiyo, don\u2019t do that! It\u2019s disturbing,\u201d Shichi said. \u201cAnd he\u2019s injured, I need to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve still got your makeup,\u201d Goro said, tugging down his lower eyelid. Just as Chiyo moved in the throttle the boy, he popped into the shape of a cooking pot, clattering as he hit the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d She slammed her fist on the floor in frustration. The winner was clear\u2014no matter how hard she tried, she couldn\u2019t possibly match the tanuki\u2019s abilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth is going on in here?\u201d Fumie asked, blinking in the doorway. In her hands was a basket of freshly picked herbs, as well as a mortar and pestle. There was a heavy pause before both contenders returned to their normal forms\u2014Goro with a grin, and Chiyo with a scowl. Shichi sighed, relieved that they had finally calmed down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Shichi said, accepting the herbs to prepare in a poultice. Having had quite enough of both his patient and his friend, he instead turned to look at the tanuki\u2019s mother. \u201cAh, if you don\u2019t mind me asking, how did you know I was a doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s simple,\u201d she said with a wave of her hand. \u201cMy husband drinks here all the time. He told us this crazy story about some bandits and insisted that there was a tengu physician here. We almost didn\u2019t believe him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Shichi said pleasantly, \u201cI\u2019m glad that you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before long, the burn was tended and wrapped, as well as the boy\u2019s scuffs and scrapes. His mother thanked the monk profusely, promising to tell everyone she knew about his services. As he refused to accept payment, she instead opted to purchase a rather large cask of sake from the inn, hefting it with both arms to bring back to her husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember,\u201d Shichi said as he sent them off. \u201cDon\u2019t touch the blisters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t!\u201d Goro called, waving as he and his mother stepped out into the alley in their human forms. \u201cThank you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood riddance,\u201d Chiyo mumbled, only to be elbowed by the tengu at her side. \u201cOw, what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned something today,\u201d Shichi said as he watched the tanuki disappear around the corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? And what\u2019s that?\u201d Chiyo said with a patronizing smirk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you have the maturity level of a teenage boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch it, or I\u2019ll turn into a pretty tengu lady again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho said you were pretty?\u201d Shichi waved off the thought but made sure to avoid her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou thought I was.\u201d Chiyo\u2019s grin became even more smug. \u201cYour feathers got all puffy like they did when you saw Aki.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi immediately bristled. \u201cThat was in fear!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re doing it again! Oh, you\u2019re so embarrassed!\u201d Chiyo cooed, placing her hands on the sides of her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not!\u201d was all he said before turning back to the inn, hurriedly shutting the door behind him. Chiyo remained outside the entrance, her terrible laughter carrying all the way down the empty alley.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cOnce again, from the beginning,\u201d Sagiri said, her hands folded behind her back. Shichi nodded from his place on the floor, his palms set neatly on his folded knees. \u201cKakkon-to\u2014cold symptoms, headaches, and fever,\u201d he recited from memory. \u201cFor a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-one"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=354"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1108,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions\/1108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}