“Revd Shiraishi, I hope you weren’t injured in the earthquake.â€ To Akiko, Mr Akiyama even sounded genuinely concerned.

“No.â€ Shiraishi, on the other hand, definitely sounded hostile, although that was hardly surprising.

“I’m very glad to hear that. Surely this further damage will convince you that you should just give up propagating these outmoded superstitions. Even the torii has collapsed now.â€ Akiko sucked her breath in sharply. She really didn’t understand Mr Akiyama. He seemed polite and intelligent, but his approach to Shiraishi was hardly calculated to be persuasive. Akiko glanced at the priest, who was clearly making an effort to keep herself under control.

“I am not going to abandon the shrine, the kami.â€ Shiraishi paused, and sucked in a deep breath. “You will not convince me to leave, and Wakabayashi will not drive me out. This is my duty.â€

“It is foolish to be bound by the past when it has no meaning. Just because your ancestors supported the militaristic fascism of Imperial Japan doesn’t mean that you have to play a role in such a structure.â€

“There is nothing…â€ Shiraishi was shouting, and she caught herself, taking several breaths to calm down. “There is nothing fascist about Shinto now, nor was there before State Shinto.â€

“Was there really anything we can call Shinto before State Shinto?â€

“Yes. I have made my decision, Mr Akiyama.â€

“You surely can’t actually believe in the kami? When they can’t even protect their own shrines from earthquakes?â€

“The earthquake was because the kami was angry!â€ The words escaped Akiko’s lips before she could think about them deeply; if these people kept provoking Tamao, who knew what might happen? In the end, there had been no deaths in the flood, but it was a close thing. Next time, it could be worse.

Mr Akiyama had turned to her, his face amused and condescending. She could tell he didn’t believe her.

“Tamao is angry, angry at the destruction of his shrine, and at your interference. That’s why he caused the earthquake.â€

“Ms Tanahata, please be serious. Earthquakes are caused by the shifting of the plates of the earth’s crust, not by kami getting annoyed. No-one believes that sort of mumbo-jumbo anymore.â€

“The kami can cause earthquakes. And storms. And floods. And diseases. When they are angry, people suffer. Why are you provoking them?â€

Mr Akiyama laughed.

“I know the legends, Ms Tanahata. But that’s all they are, you know, legends. The Japanese archipelago is the result of geological processes and vulcanism, not something that Izanami gave birth to. The legends are just wrong.â€

“You can’t deny that the flood and the earthquake happened after the shrine was burned down.â€

“Coincidence. And, in any case, why would the kami cause an earthquake that destroyed his own torii? That doesn’t make any sense. The kami would have to be both vicious and stupid, and in that case worshipping them is hardly reasonable, now is it?â€ He was smiling as he finished, and talking as if Akiko were a rather slow ten-year-old. She was about to retort, when she realised that the people standing behind Mr Akiyama had started laughing. The conversation replayed in her mind, and she suddenly imagined herself hearing it a few weeks ago. They were right; she sounded ridiculous.

She felt herself blushing furiously as tears pricked at her eyes, and she looked down, fighting an urge to turn and run into the house. <em>No, that will only make you look even more foolish,</em> she lectured herself.

“Well, Reverend, I really do hope that you will reconsider. I am thinking mainly of the children of the area, you know. They deserve to be free of this sort of superstition.â€

“Get out. Just get out of the shrine. Now.â€ Shiraishi was spitting the words out, her voice shaking slightly. Akiko risked a glance up, to see Mr Akiyama bow and take his leave. Of course. They always complied with direct requests to leave the property. The other protesters returned to wandering around the precincts, and Akiko did go into the house, mortified at the spectacle she had made of herself.

Shiraishi found her a few minutes later, sitting in her room, leaning on the table, and gazing blankly out at the garden.

“Akiko? Are you all right?â€

Akiko made a non-commital gesture, but didn’t look at the priest. Shiraishi was quiet for a few moments, apparently waiting for a response, but Akiko wasn’t about to say any more and make herself look even more foolish.

“What you said about the earthquake — do you really think it was Tamao?â€

This time, Akiko did turn to look at her.

“I saw him, Revd Shiraishi. I saw him in the ground. He was angry, he shook himself, and there was an earthquake. I’m as sure that he caused the earthquake as I am that Mr Akiyama is leading the protesters.â€

The priest sat down heavily, her expression unreadable, too many emotions fighting for control of her face.

“So he did collapse the torii. That will cost us a lot more money, you know.â€ She paused. “Why?â€

“He’s angry.â€

“About the protesters?â€

“Yes.â€ Akiko stopped. Was she sure about that? Tamao hadn’t been very clear about the details of his feelings. “Well, I suppose he must be. But I think he was already angry before.â€

“Could he… Could he have been responsible for burning down the shrine?â€ Akiko looked at Shiraishi, shocked. How could she think such a thing? But then, it didn’t seem to be impossible. Could that actually have been the kami’s doing?

“I don’t think so,â€ Akiko concluded. “I think he sent me dreams to stop the burning of the shrine, or at least to rescue things from it. So, no, I think that was someone else, and I think it’s one of the things he’s angry about.â€

Shiraishi nodded, and looked somewhat relieved.

“But the flood? You think that was him?â€ Akiko nodded.

“Just like the fever was Hideo Takenaka.â€

“Is Mr Akiyama right? Are the kami stupid and vicious?â€ Akiko caught her breath. How could Shiraishi risk saying that here? Tamao might hear!

“No, not stupid and vicious. Although Tamao might not be thinking straight at the moment.

“Revd Shiraishi, the kami are angry.â€