083　Happy 40th!

Hikaru's 40th birthday celebrations began in October with Lady Murasaki holding a memorial service to the Healing Buddha at a temple in Saga. It was a private event because Hikaru did not want to make a big deal of it, but it seems that Ministers and Councilors accompanied him. Since it was the season with beautiful autumn leaves, I thought it was an elegant event, even though it was a Buddhist ceremony.

"Today is Shojin Otoshi* of that..." 

Shojin Otoshi* is an event for people who have refrained from eating meat or fish after Buddhist events to return to their regular diet.

On October 23rd, I was invited by Hikaru to visit Nijo mansion for the first time in quite some time, but his face was dull. Next to him, Reizei-san, wearing the exact same outfit as him, is sitting with a big smile on his face.

"Wow, you both look very similar." 

I looked at them with admiration. 

"Now isn't the time to praise us." 

Although Hikaru looked anxious, he knitted his brows as if he couldn't refuse because it was an order from Mikado. 

"Are you really going to do it, Reizei-san?" 

"Sure."

Reizei-san was smiling confidently. They have the same sweet scent from their clothes, so they are very good at disguise. 

"This may also help disrupt those prophecies." 

I said with a bitter smile.

"Please don't talk, Reizei-san. Let me take your place as planned." 

"Certainly." 

He was smiling as usual, but seemed very excited. 

"This is my first time doing a prank like this." 

"This is the first and last time, OK?" 

Hikaru looked troubled, perhaps because he wasn't used to Reizei-san being selfish, but he didn't seem to dislike him. They're a lovely father and son. I think it's wonderful that they are similar enough that switching places are possible.

I heard that Hikaru transferred this Nijo mansion to Lady Murasaki just before he went to Suma Bay. So this is now her private residence. Hikaru must have given his home to her because he truly cared for her, and he must have been prepared for the possibility of never returning to the Imperial Capital. 

Today, there are many seats prepared here for the court nobles, including Ministers, and the seat of the guest of honor, Hikaru, was a chair decorated with mother-of-pearl. I think this is a very stylish and valuable item. Summer and winter outfits are beautifully displayed in the west living room. The stands with beautiful artificial flowers, folding screens, decorated chests, and furnishings are all luxurious and dazzling. Reizei-san took his seat as Hikaru, completely not worrying about the space that would have overwhelmed me.

In the afternoon, gagaku musicians were called and the celebratory dances began, and the aristocrats who had prepared for the day performed one after another. In the evening, bamboo flutes, drums, and bells played Komagaku*, followed by a lively solo dancer wearing a mask shaped like a fanged dragon head. Then, at the end of these performances, Yugiri-kun and Kashiwagi-kun danced off the stage and stepped into under the beautiful autumn leaves. I see, Reizei-san probably wanted to see this... 

Komagaku* is the general term for Gagaku, which was created in Japan by imitating Chinese music that came to Japan via the Korean Peninsula, or by imitating those styles. 

Reizei-san pretended to be Hikaru and remained calm, but I could feel the happiness in his face. The way he looks at Yugiri-kun seems to me like a fan following someone he admires. 

"Their relationship is very similar to that of their fathers."

"Their official rank is higher." 

It also felt nostalgic to hear rumors like that from the court ladies who had been in service since the olden days. I want Kashiwagi-kun to live as long as his father. In addition to Yugiri-kun, I also worried about Kashiwagi-kun, who became my son-in-law, and I was watching them from an inconspicuous place, keeping an eye on them. 

At night, when the performers were changing places, Reizei-san nonchalantly got up from his seat and took his place with Hikaru.

"How did you like it?" 

"I had an incredible time." 

Reizei-san, dressed in Hikaru, was still excited and smiling with satisfaction.

◇◇◇

Hikaru's 40th birthday celebration finale took place in late December. Of course, Reizei-san wanted to participate this time as well, but since it was an event hosted by Empress Umetsubo, I heard that he refrained from attending. She donated sutra readings by monks and fine silks and cottons to temples in Nara and the Imperial Capital. Then she decorated the autumn section (her residence) of Rokujo-in in a luxurious manner and invited Hikaru. Hikaru's attire that day were sumptuous and exquisite, and it was a big event where all the classic masterpieces that had been passed down from ancient times appeared. 

"I promote Yugiri-kun to Major Captain of the Right Division of Imperial Guards."

Perhaps to relieve his frustration at not being able to attend, Reizei-san appointed Yugiri-kun to fill the position that had been vacant due to illness. What a powerful promotion! Yugiri-kun also decorated the summer section splendidly and invited Hikaru to attend. I secretly got a seat in the west wing, where Lady Tamakazura used to live, and enjoyed watching as much as I could.

Not only the Ministers and court nobles, but also the Grand Minister of the state seems to be here today. I heard that Hikaru's seat and furniture were arranged according to Reizei-san's instructions, and that the pictures on the four folding screens were also hand-drawn by him. The collaboration between Yugiri-kun and Reizei-san is valuable and worth watching. I can feel his strong energy as he has just been promoted, and there are many horses lined up in the garden, as befits a military officer, and it is a brave and great celebration.

"Happy 40th!"

Hotaru received the biwa, his specialty, and was happily playing it. Hikaru plays a 7-string koto, and the Grand Minister of the state plays a 6-string koto. Their ensemble is a pleasure to listen to. The Grand Minister of the state seemed happy to have Yugiri-kun as his son-in-law, and talked fondly with Hikaru. They were having a good time drinking and I was glad that their relationship had improved. 

I was also happy to hear that Yugiri-kun was apparently going to have another child. Not only him but also Lady Murasaki and Empress Umetsubo congratulate Hikaru who took on the role of their father. Reizei-san is of course excellent, and I thought Hikaru's connections and nurturing skills were amazing.