Chapter 556 - Nara Chameshi and Grilled Bonito (1/2)

Zhang Heng held up the rice bowl in front of him, put it under his nose, and took in a whiff. Akane Koyama’s Nara Chames.h.i.+ had a heavenly fragrance, a mixture of tea and grain with hints of salt and wine.

A serving of Nara Chames.h.i.+ had more than just rice in it. Usually, the j.a.panese included millet, dried chestnuts, glutinous rice, red beans, and fried soybeans. After brewed with the stock, it was typically served in a bowl paired with pickles and tofu soup. Originally, Nara Chames.h.i.+ was something only monks would eat at the Toda-ji and Kof.u.ku-ji Temple in Nara. However, it had since gained a lot of popularity since it was served to ordinary people.

“Give it a taste,” Akane Koyama put down the wooden spoon and urged. “I shall.”

Zhang Heng took his chopsticks, picked up a pickled stick of radish, and chomped on it with the steaming hot Nara Chames.h.i.+. “How is it?” Akane Koyama asked nervously, sitting on her knees and eagerly leaning forward.

Zhang Heng did not answer her immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to savor the taste lingering between his lips and teeth. After a while, he opened his eyes.

“Well, that was unexpectedly delicious. I didn’t know you can cook so well.”

“You are too generous with your praises. I learned it from my father,” said Akane Koyama, relieved after seeing Zhang Heng’s reaction.

“Can your father cook?”

“Yes, my father once said that cooking is the same as swordsmans.h.i.+p, a form of cultivation on its own. It takes great patience to get the results we desire,” continued Akane Koyama.

Five days pa.s.sed since Yamada and his men came to challenge Akane Koyama. After the Choshu Domain’s samurai retreated, Zhang Heng volunteered to join the Koyama Dojo. However, she didn’t agree to let him join immediately, urging him to rethink it for a few more days.

In Akane Koyama’s opinion, apprentices.h.i.+p was one of those significant events in life. When it came to that subject, one was usually discouraged from making a hasty decision. Moreover, Zhang Heng’s swordsmans.h.i.+p was formidable enough that even her father might not beat him if he were still alive. Hence, Akane Koyama did not know what else she could teach Zhang Heng. To thank him for saving her life, she invited Zhang Heng over by cooking him a simple meal. Other than Nara Chames.h.i.+, she also prepared grilled bonito. The fresh fish and its skin were grilled over the fire until they turned white. After that, he was supposed to dip it in vinegar with wasabi. Delicious, it was a very popular dish in Kyoto.

Mats...o...b..sho (yes, that’s right, the famous Hihori haiku master) once said, “The wisteria blossoms / bending the finger and waiting patiently / it is a good day to eat bonito.” The haiku was used to express his desire to eat bonito. There was also once a saying, “I will p.a.w.n my wife to eat bonito.”

When the yearly season of bonito was available in the market, its price was comparable to gold. Back in the day, only the generals were allowed the pleasure of savoring it.

Now, it was finally the people’s turn to enjoy the bonito. Akane Koyama had spent a lot to make the meal. Coupled with the children’s subsidies, she had been stretched so thin, she probably wouldn’t be holding up any longer even though Zhang Heng just pa.s.sed her the rent. Her best option was to close down the dojo and live in Kyoto with the rent she received every month. Or, she could marry someone and give birth to a child. These were the possibilities that she had never considered before.

As the two ate, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Akane Koyoma put out the fire. “I’ll open the door. Carry on with your meal.”

She then ran to the front door and when she opened it, standing outside was a couple that looked unfamiliar.

“How can I help you both?” asked Akane Koyama.