"What in the world?!"
The scene was so bizarre that it made the man shout out in shock as if by reflex.
...
...
Edo, the residence area, at Bright's mansion—
The elegant sound of the koto was continuously emanating from a corner of the hall.
A string ensemble composed of more than a dozen musicians played a dance tune that echoed through the place.
In the center of the hall, couples laughed and danced to the beautiful melody.
As one of the first foreign merchants to come to Japan for business, although Bright's wealth was not the greatest among all foreign merchants in Japan at the time, it was still considerable.
This dance party, organized to celebrate Bright's 60th birthday and inviting half of the Edo residence's inhabitants, was something he wouldn't spare any expense on, both in feeling and in reason.
If one were to describe Bright's party with a simple and direct phrase…it would be that even the most inconspicuous details exuded luxury.
