The unveiling party for Ensho’s Present City was scheduled for the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Takamiya had named it the “Moon and Painting Appreciation Party” and invited many of his friends and acquaintances.
That day, Yilin headed to the provided address by taxi. The Takamiya residence was in Okazaki, so on the way, she caught sight of Heian Shrine’s towering torii gate, an art museum, and ROHM Theatre Kyoto.
“This area is lovely too,” she murmured softly, looking down at her watch. It was 6:20 p.m. Registration began at 6:30 p.m. In Western countries, arriving at a party ahead of schedule or right on time was sometimes frowned upon, but Japanese people tended to prefer early. Since Yilin didn’t know what Takamiya liked, she decided to play it safe and arrive around the time registration opened.
“Miss, we’re one turn away from your destination,” said the driver. “Takamiya’s house occupies the entire corner. Are you okay with the front entrance?”
“Yes,” Yilin replied.
She took out her hand mirror to check her appearance before arriving. For today’s party, she’d donned an indigo evening gown to match the autumn night setting. A necklace studded with small diamonds hung around her neck. It was a star-themed piece designed by a world-famous Asian jewelry brand called Hua, or Hana in Japanese.
Hana was run by an acquaintance of Yilin’s: Zixuan Zhou, daughter of Hua Ya Corporation representative Haoyu Zhou. In Japan, she went by the name of Azusa. Hana had originally been an apparel brand, but after they launched a jewelry line, their new accessories had caught the eye of a popular Korean actress, igniting their popularity and granting them instant fame. Nowadays, the brand was known more for jewelry than apparel.
Yilin had been a bit cynical at first, thinking it was just a passing fad, but as she’d looked at Hana’s jewelry, she’d felt her heart flutter. The necklace she currently wore was one she’d fallen in love with at first sight. She was normally just a window-shopper, but an unveiling party for Ensho’s newest painting called for something special.
Arriving at the Takamiya residence, she stepped out of the taxi. As rumored, the mansion was so large that it was hard to believe it was located within the city of Kyoto. It had a tall iron fence to discourage intruders, beyond which lay a sprawling lawn. Since there was a party tonight, the gate was open. A crowd had formed in the yard, and guests were lining up to check in at the table in front of the entrance. There were many Westerners in attendance.
“I didn’t think it’d be this large-scale...”
Rather than a physical invitation on paper, Yilin had been sent a QR code via email. She presented it to the staff at the table, who scanned it.
“Welcome, Miss Yilin Jing,” the staff said. “You will find the main event at the end of the hallway to the right. You may keep your gesoku on. Please help yourself to the food and drinks while you view the painting. We will be closing at 9:30 p.m. Oh, and the garden is open to guests as well.”
Yilin had expected the party to begin with an opening speech from Takamiya, but it seemed that visitors were free to drop by, look at the painting, and leave as they pleased.
“I wonder what ‘gesoku’ means?” She looked up the word on her phone and found that it meant “footwear.” In Japan, it was customary to take off one’s shoes when entering someone’s home, hence the need for clarification.
Are Kiyotaka and Aoi already here?
Yilin headed to the party hall with the other guests. It was a large rectangular space. One of the long walls was lined with windows facing the balcony, while the other featured a long table covered in food trays and wine bottles. Circular tables dotted the hall, and sofas had been placed along the walls. An ensemble was playing music at the far end of the room.
Tonight’s star, Present City, was displayed on one of the short walls. It was softly illuminated from all sides, sectioned off by ropes placed such that guests wouldn’t be able to touch it. The painting depicted an overhead view of Gion at sunset. It showed Shijo Bridge spanning the Kamo River, Minamiza Theater, and Yasaka Shrine at the end of the street to the east. The scenery had been painted beautifully and meticulously, and most of all, the pedestrians looked lively and cheerful.
The guests were admiring the painting.
“It’s fascinating, isn’t it?” said one.
“Yes, I feel like I’m being pulled in,” said another.
Yilin’s expression relaxed into a smile.
“Good evening, Yilin,” came Kiyotaka’s voice.
She swung around and saw the young appraiser clad in a charcoal-gray suit and carrying a bouquet of bright-red roses. She’d thought she was used to seeing him by now, but his strikingly beautiful features never failed to awe her.
But what if he was wearing a light-blue haori coat instead of that suit and those flowers in his hands were replaced with a katana? She imagined him in Shinsengumi attire for a second before quickly pulling herself together.
“Good evening, Kiyotaka,” she said. “What are those flowers for?”
“I’m thinking of giving them to Ensho if he shows up.” Kiyotaka grinned mischievously.
He definitely wants to annoy him. “What if he doesn’t?”
“I heard that Takamiya purchased a Sèvres vase for tonight’s party, so I’ll have them placed in that.”
As its name suggested, Sèvres porcelain was produced in the Sèvres commune in France. It had originally been created to rival Germany’s Meissen, but it was now known as “the pride of France” and “elusive porcelain.” What made it elusive? The fact that it was made by a select few artisans who only produced about six thousand pieces per year, making it extremely valuable. France was the country of roses, so Kiyotaka’s bouquet was fitting for a Sèvres vase.
He was only joking about giving it to Ensho, then.
“Where’s Aoi, by the way?” Yilin asked.
“She came across a troublesome young lady at the entrance and got caught up in talking to her, but now she’s admiring the painting.”
Yilin looked back at Present City. As Kiyotaka had said, Aoi was standing transfixed before it. She showed no sign of movement. Even from behind, it was clear that she was overcome with emotion.