1843- 1853

1844 - 1853
Nothing to significant happened, oh yeah except for everyone wanting a piece of trade with japan. Im sure the opium wars had everyone nervous, but probably not as nervous as the over haul of changes this new Bakunin was bringing about in order to show power/dominance. As in the 1830's everyone was vying for more power. Also, there were more than grumblings about the state of the Samurai in general. The idea that many resorted to extortion and gambling is not at all far fetched, personally, Im thinking that it was the norm more than the exception.

The only information I have of anything occuring in 1844 is a list of people born at that time. Im refraining from putting what they 'are going to do'. I really want a small bio of these people, but allas... that is not possible rt now.
Kawamura Naka
Matsumae Nrihiro- the son of Matsumae-han daimyo
Todo Heisuke
Yamaguchi Hajime

This guy is the central figure of what Im writing. There is MUCH speculation about him as there really isnt much known, and those who know are not sharing much. Im going to try to write this as a mirror to historical events. Sure its, a 'fantacy/fiction' piece, but that's no excuse for being slovenly or inaccurate about it.

Differant people will give you differant answerd as to his actual birthday. I will stick with Arman's time line and say he was born Monday, February 19. He was born in Edo to Yamaguchi Yuusuke and Masu in Edo.

I think Yusuke deserves special mention here. I just think he was a kinda neeto guy. Initially he was of the rank ashigaru, a foot soldier (not a very high rank) and was beholden to the Akashi Clan in the Banshuu, Harima. When he was 21 he decided to hand everything over to his younger sister and go to Edo. I recall reading somewhere ... (Im looking for it now) that he had provided benificial information in regards to.... (something???) and was given a special comodation, and taught some of the aizu clan noble children swordsmanship.

There he served as a lower samura for "Suzuki" (its speculated Suzuki Shigesuki) in Kanda, Ogawa, Edo. Durring this time he saved his money and baught stocks(or so I have read Im not sure about this part). I know he baught the rank of Gokenin - shogun's direct vassal. --- Im not done here, Im going to add things after I feed the starving child that is my son.

Initially I wasnt going to have hajime and fujin meet later, probably when they were about 12 or so, but when I think on the arrival of the black ships and how traumatising it probably was. It shook the already shakey ground of japan esp after the reforms that did not stick and intensity of social messes of the climb for more notable positioning and business and commerce issues. Im not sure how much this would impact a nine year old (10 year old) but Im pretty sure that it was at least MILDLY terrifying, and it would be good to have a confidant or best freind. So Im changing the original idea.


When fujin walked into the shop, all eyes turned toward her. It was rather unusual to see a geisha unacompanied by a man, and certainly unheard of for her to stop in a small resteraunt such as this. The woman behind the counter made her opinion on this imediately known.

"Oy ! You ! No prostitues allowed!:" she snarled.
Fujin continued walking as if she were def and sat at a table near the back left corner, directly in view of the kitchen and front doors.

The business woman glowered down at her "ARE you def??? I said no prostitutes are allowed !"
Fujin raised her eyebrows slightly. "As I am not one, you could not have possibly been reffering to me." She then gave a small smile. "I would like the bread and chicken dinner please. I would also have tea, of course."
The woman groweled out the price, in which case Fujin provided the coins. Then she took something out of the bag she carried and handed it to the surley woman.
"What is this for!?" she asked eying it suspiciously.
None in the resturaunt heard what she said, but the woman turned red in the face, glared and stomped off. Keeping the bottle.

Fujin looked around with polite interest and was braught the bread and tea in short order, in which she ate with perfect neetness. She was very awaire of the men starring at her, one pointedly NOT. She looked at them for a moment with raised eyes and slightly bemused look, then promplty stood and to thhier great surpirse, joined them.

"If you are going to strain to stare at me, the least I can do is help so you dont ruin your eyes." She said pleasantly, continuing to eat her bread.

Harada and Shinpatchi broke out into gales of luaghter while Heiskei turned a deep red. No one really expected Saitou to have any change in demeanor and accepted his tacturn non challont , nonreaction as a matter of course.

"HA ! So you have a sense of humor !" Harada boomed.
She only smiled in response.
"E-excuse me..." Heisuki attempted..."What is a.... lady such as yourself doing here?"
The woman glowered deeply as she aproached the table with the house special chicken dish.
"Ah, I have heard many a time of the bread and chicken here. Many people compliment it and talk of when they can next return." She looked up at the woman and gave her a polite nod.
The woman in question, actually blushed, looking uncomfortable. "Thank you." she said harshly
"It is not false praise if it is earned." she smiled at the woman.
"TRUE TRUE Shinpatchi exclaimed... "no... lets have that sweet bread you make too !!!!!!"
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