I had occasion to see my armorer friend in performance later that day. Evidently, Bayushi Degarashi is an adept of rakugo; he certainly showed himself so today, putting on six separate scenes. In the first, he pointed at the fun and adventures of married life among the Crab, capturing the boisterousness and love of life that those who face southwest enjoy; in the second, he reminded us all that even those who look down from on high can miss things in front of them, which is a useful reminder in such times as these and in all times. In the third, he seemed to reiterate the point, reminding all in the audience that they need to attend to what faces them in the present to be able to get to the longer term through an Akodo's simple step away from a falling rock; in the fourth, he showed the proper use of a fan, and involved the audience, as well. It was a daring move that I do not think anyone anticipated.

The fifth scene returned to more normal performance, though, turning once again to married life and recalling to mind that not all unions are sanguine. The comments embedded in it about the unreliability of narration were also noteworthy; you who read this now have it from a witness, but be careful in telling it to others, eh?

The final performance deserved more attention than circumstances permitted, though the circumstances are perhaps what demanded that attention. In it, Bayushi-san described to his eager audience a bed of flowers that included chrysanthemums. Of them, one seemed to sap the strength of the flowers about it, taking their beauty for its own. Another sheltered yet other flowers behind it, enduring the torments of the first to protect the rest and showing the scars and blemishes of doing so. And it was perfect.

After the show, I took some time to compose myself, returning to a tea shop that had been abandoned in advance of evacuation. A most companionable and accessible Mirumoto, Wasako by name, joined me there, and we took tea together and talked. An honest, open woman, she seemed--much as had been the case with Akodo Touki, with whom I had spoken there the previous day--not to be eager for glory, but only to serve. I believe both of them, as it happens, and I wish them well in their endeavors; though they do not seek it, I believe glory will come to them, and I will have known them in the "when" of which some speak. And it was pleasant to speak of metaphor and untangling meanings with a Dragon, truly.