A Feast [Part 3]
In Imperial Japan, the eldest son was generally named Tarou before reaching the coming-of-age ceremony, while Jirou was a common name for the second son.
In the Imperial Household and the Shogun Household, the names were passed down from generation to generation like kabuki actors[1]. However, commoner boys usually went by Tarou, Jirou, Saburou (third son), or Shirou (fourth son) before adulthood.
[T/N 1: Kabuki is a form of traditional Japanese drama. Every kabuki actor’s stage name is passed down between generations of actors’ lineages (most often those of the actor’s father, grandfather, or teacher). Many actors will go through at least three names throughout their careers.]
Incidentally, girls didn’t change their names even after they grew up, and many of them were named after flowers and fruits with the hope that they could grow up beautifully or didn’t have to worry about food.
“Um? Madam? I also couldn’t catch that Teroo(?) clearly.” The cook muttered again.
“We don’t really understand the feeling of not being able to catch the words, though… Hm, this is troubling, isn’t it?” William felt pity for the depressed cook.
It would be inconvenient to not be able to call the boys’ names because they worked exclusively in the kitchen. But then, they also couldn’t possibly station someone in the family in the kitchen permanently.
“Ey, why don’t we just give them Kingdom-style names?”
George, who wanted to eat rice soon rather than mull over this matter, called the boys over. Although he had already heard about them in the family meeting, it was their first time meeting face to face, so he introduced himself and the family.
“I’m George Stuart, Melsa Stuart’s son. This is my younger sister, Emma, and younger brother, William. Lastly, my father, Leonard.“
The four boys seemed to have an earnest personality as they gave their names after making a deep bow.
“My name is Tarou Itou.“
“I’m Tarou Hara.“
“I’m Tarou Chijiwa.“
“I’m Tarou Nakaura.“
“We will be in your care from now on,” said the boys while looking at George nervously. They stood by in place, waiting for the task he wanted to assign them since he had called them over.
“Sorry for calling you over when you were cooking. Your names are hard to catch for the Kingdom people, you see, so is it okay if we give you Kingdom-style names?“
Being painfully straightforward had always been George’s way of doing things.
“Oh, so that’s how it was. Seeing the head chef looking troubled over something truly pains me… Hm, I see, so even our names can’t be communicated, it seems?“
“We will also work hard to learn the language as much as we can. And as for our names… Please decide on them as you like…“
“Because we don’t know any Kingdom-style names.“
“For us to receive a name before our coming-of-age ceremony… I can boast about this when I return to my country.“
The boys accepted the sudden proposal flexibly without looking displeased. The Head Court Lady Ume could never make a mistake in choosing her personnel.
“Emma-sama, the younger brother of Jacob-san, one of the patients in the treatment center, is requesting to meet you. …Um, it seems he came here directly from work and is not very cleanly dressed… Would you like to decline his request?”
A servant of House Stuart came to report timidly.
If it was before, servants would sometimes decline something for the family on their own accord, but ever since that ‘tragedy’, starting from the family to all employees, everyone had to strictly adhere to the “Report, Communicate, Consult” rule.
“Report, communicate, and consult” were seriously very important.
“Jacob-san‘s younger brother? …I believe I previously heard that he was a fisherman (man of the sea who had a slightly different charm from sailors…) Of course, I will meet him!”
The option to not meet the younger brother of the handsome sailor uncle, Jacob, simply did not exist for Emma.
When Emma headed to the garden cheerfully (because the servant hesitated whether the man was allowed to enter the mansion or not)…
…an (old) man with tan skin and a more muscular body than Jacob stood there waiting.
