Japanese Inn

Description

The beguiling story of the Minaguchi-ya, an ancient inn on the Tokaido Road, founded on the eve of the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. Travelers and guests flow into and past the inn--warriors on the march, lovers fleeing to a new life, pilgrims on their merry expeditions, great men going to and from the capital. The story of the Minaguchi-ya is a social history of Japan through 400 years, a ringside seat to some of the most stirring events of a stirring period. TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION List of Illustrations FIRST AND SECOND GENERATIONS CHAPTER ONE - In which the inn is introduced CHAPTER TWO - 1569-1582 - In which the inn is founded PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CHAPTER THREE - 1582-1605 - In which a reluctant Mochizuki is pushed deeper into innkeeping PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CHAPTER FOUR - 1947 and 1605-1621-In which I become acquainted with the inn-three and a quarter centuries after its establishment is formally acknowledged PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS FOURTH GENERATION CHAPTER FIVE - 1651 and Today - In which the inn becomes involved in a rebellion against Tokugawa rule PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS SIXTH AND SEVENTH GENERATIONS CHAPTER SIX - Today and 1691 - In which the inn shelters important and exotic guests PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CHAPTER SEVEN - The 1690s - Which explores the pleasures offered by a Tokaido post town, and some of the troubles and compensations which come the way of an innkeeper PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CHAPTER EIGHT - The 1690s - Which investigates the medicine shops of Seikenji, and their special attractions PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CHAPTER NINE - The 1690s - Which concerns the light-hearted pilgrims of the Tokaido PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CHAPTER TEN - 1701-1703 - In which the master of the Minaguchi-ya observes the course of a vendetta that stirs all Japan PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH GENERATIONS CHAPTER ELEVEN - 1842 - In which one of Japan’s great artists visits the Minaguchi-ya PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS SEVENTEENTH GENERATION CHAPTER TWELVE - 1820-1893 - Which introduces the Tokaido’s Number One Boss PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS EIGHTEENTH GENERATION CHAPTER THIRTEEN - 1889-1940 - In which the inn successfully makes the transition into modern times PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS TWENTIETH GENERATION CHAPTER FOURTEEN - 1940-1957 - In which the inn survives the war and the Occupation PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CHAPTER FIFTEEN - 1957 - In which the Emperor and Empress of Japan honor the inn as its guests PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS THE MENUS FOR THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS MINAGUCHI-YA, 1957 DINNER, OCTOBER 25 BREAKFAST, OCTOBER 26 LUNCHEON, OCTOBER 26 DINNER, OCTOBER 26 BREAKFAST, OCTOBER 27 LUNCHEON, OCTOBER 27 Postscript