The itching was almost unbearable. The starched Arrow shirt chafed against the new irizumi tattoos that covered Takahashi from waist to collarbone, the final stage of a five year initiation into the Sumiyoshi-Kai family of Yakuza. The thought of his four thousand years of Samurai lineage did little to relieve his discomfort, and he longed for his uncle Kenji-san to arrive so he could order a drink.
As though summoned by the thought, Kenji-san parted the noren in the doorway. The hostess chirped a greeting, showed him to the back booth where his nephew sat waiting.
Kenji took a seat, his face wooden. “I notice you did not get up when I came in, nor did you bow.”
“My uncle will remember that we are now equals in the brotherhood. Honorifics are reserved for the oyabun.”
Kenji-san laughed and slapped the table. “You see? I knew you’d be a natural.”
As more people contribute, it’ll be interesting to see how people will interpret a street view of the central ward of Tokyo. So far, I’ve read a melancholy tale of estranged family, and a crime drama. Mine, of course, is time travel.
I like where you took this. From serious, almost resentful history to humor between uncle and nephew.
P.S. Once again the “get the inlinkz code” button doesn’t show up. Thanks.
Thanks for the heads up. Should be fixed now!
Nope. The InLinkz do-dad is there but it takes me right to everyone’s posts, not the code. Thanks.
Nope. The get the InLinkz Code takes me to the submissions. No Link yet.
A great sense of place and atmosphere. And a nice touch of humour at the end. Reads like the start of a longer Yakuza story waiting to be written.
Dear J Hardy,
Once more you’ve set the tone and told the story with aplomb and authenticity. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS: Clever title. (Yeah, I had to look it up. ;) )
Great story with a slice of Japanese history deftly woven into it.
Marvelous story made all the more vivid upon a second reading, after I translated the title.
Interesting. Could make for an even more interesting longer story.
Strong traditions never die.
Great story to the prompt.
– Lisa
Very evocative and cinematic prose. And great characterisation is just a few words. Nicely done.