17. Out Through the Back Door

The year 1881 was a year when there was much interference by the police at the Residence. It was the year when the two sections of the stone Kanrodai and some of Oyasama’s red clothes were confiscated.

Whenever the police came to investigate, Izo was vigilant about protecting Oyasama. He also allowed worshipers and people staying over at the Residence to slip out the back door during the time it took his daughter Yoshie to open the front gate to let the police inside.

(From Shinpan Izo Iburi den p. 73)

• Next installment in this series: 18. Visions of Matsue’s Passing

*Note: This post has been revised since its original publication.