AHN – Chapter 12 Africans board a ship from Mito (Part 2)

“That is all I have to say. If you have any questions, you may ask,” Mitsukuni said, looking at the two with a gentle expression.

Demba and Kanga exchanged glances.

Demba thought for a moment before speaking, his face as still as a statue. “The people of the north, the Ainu, are they a different tribe from the lords and the Kamon-san?”

Mitsukuni paused briefly. “Tribe, you say? In a way, perhaps. There may be some differences, but they are all citizens of this country.”

“This country,” Demba repeated, pausing for a moment. “In our country, different tribes trade goods, but mostly, different tribes fight. Over water sources, forests with many animals. They can’t decide whose territory it is, and it leads to conflict, to bloodshed. Here, in this country, do different tribes not fight?”

“We are not in an era of warring states, so there are no battles between nations now. Disputes within the country are not non-existent, but… what are you trying to say?”

Demba’s face remained motionless. “We are from a different country. We do not know if going there will cause conflict. If it does, we will fight. Is that acceptable?”

“Hmm,” Mitsukuni furrowed his brows. “We are going there for trade negotiations. We must avoid conflict as much as possible. However, as it is between people, there is always a possibility of disputes.”

He paused briefly.

“If a conflict arises, whether to fight or not is up to you. However, under no circumstances are you to kill. Killing leaves grudges. Grudges are wounds that do not heal quickly. Even if the one who inflicted the wound forgets, the one who was wounded does not. This is never good for those who trade. Let me reiterate: you must not kill. Understand?”

“For example, if they try to kill us, we still do not kill them?” Demba asked.

Mitsukuni nodded. “Exactly.”

Demba and Kanga exchanged glances. They probably shared the same thoughts, Demba guessed. Kanga spoke up.

“The white people called us black pigs. On the ship, we were treated like animals. Many died. They were thrown into the sea like garbage. We were not considered human. You say people, but are we really people? Are we allowed to be called people? Sometimes I still do not know.”

Mitsukuni nodded and folded his arms, letting out a small sigh. “It is understandable. Being suddenly captured and brought to an unknown country to be bought and sold… but here, no one sees you that way. At least, not I. I did not buy you with money. I hired you because I wanted your strength, to work for me. That is why I pay you. You are esteemed members of the Mito clan.”

Kanga averted his gaze slightly. “At that time, if I had the strength, I would have killed the men in white clothes. I still hate the white people who treated us like pigs. You are different, but the people of the north might not see us as human. Even so, we must not kill?”

Mitsukuni nodded. “Humans capturing and treating other humans as animals, even buying and selling them, is something that should never happen. I believe that. There is an old saying, ‘All things have reason in the natural order.’ Although you might not understand, there is no distinction of skin color before the natural law. There may be those with malice. Some might harbor murderous intent. But if you act according to reason, the natural will shall prevail. That is what reason means.”

Kanga tilted his head. Mitsukuni laughed.

“You don’t understand? That is fine. For now, just remember this: you are no longer slaves. You are my subordinates, hired by me. Act as members of the Mito clan. When you face others, remember that you are standing there on my behalf.”

“Yes, sir,” Kanga bowed his head.

Demba then spoke up.

“One more thing. Why us? Sukezo-sama, Kamon-sama, there are many other capable people. Why are we chosen for this role?”

Mitsukuni nodded generously. “My retainers asked the same thing. I told them that even if we fail, the damage to the clan would be minimal. Perhaps they think I am a cold man.”

“Is that not the reason?”

He shook his head. “As I said, you are no longer slaves or tools. You are my subordinates. I do not intend to use important subordinates recklessly.”

“Then why?”

“Whether we like it or not, you are ‘people from a foreign land.’ I have thought for some time, dealing with Matsumae, that perhaps the people of Ezo do not consider themselves as part of this country.

If my assumption is correct, then having individuals with ‘foreign eyes’ might be necessary for these negotiations. That is why I chose you.”

“Foreign eyes…” Demba repeated absently.

Mitsukuni nodded. “Think about how this country appeared to you when you first arrived. The people of Ezo might see our country in the same way.”

Demba pondered.

This country. The environment, the climate. It was so different from the land where they were born.

Even though it’s the same country, having foreign eyes means something, doesn’t it?

Then there must be something we can do.

Demba vaguely understood Mitsukuni’s intention. “Understood. We will fulfill our duties, even at the cost of our lives.”

Mitsukuni sighed with relief and smiled.

“Who taught you that?”

Demba raised his head. “Sukezo-sama. He said to tell you this if we were troubled by an order.”

Mitsukuni laughed heartily.

***

In February of the fifth year of Jōkyō (the first year of Genroku, 1688), under clear skies and a gentle breeze, the large-sailed ship Kaifumaru set sail from Naka Port for its third voyage to Ezo.

Measuring 37 ken (about 53 meters) in length, 9 ken (about 18 meters) in width, and with a mast height of 18 ken (about 33 meters), it was the largest ship in Japan at the time.

The crew, led by Captain Sakiyama Ichinai, consisted of sixty-five members.

As a large crowd waved them off from the port, the crew members responded with waves of their own.

Among them stood the motionless figures of Demba and Kanga.

Thus, it came to be that for the first time in history, Africans set foot on the land of Ezo.