Chapter 29 of Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan by Richard Gordon Smith The Perpetual Life-Giving Wine Between the northeastern boundary of Totomi Province and the northwestern of Suruga Province stands a lofty mountain, Daimuginzan. It is a wild and rugged mountain, clad nearly three quarters up with lofty pines, yinoki, icho, camphors, etc. There are but few paths, and hardly anyone goes up the hill. About half way up through the forest is a shrine erected to Kwanan, but it is so small that no priest lives there, and the building is rotting away. No one knows why it was put up in such an inaccessible place except perhaps one solitary girl and her parents, who used to go there for some reason of their own. One day about 1107 A.D., the girl was praying for her mother's recovery from sickness. Okuriha was her name. She lived at Toshiro, at the foot of the mountain, and was the beauty of the countryside. The daughter of a much-loved samurai of some importance. Amid the solemn silence, Okuriha clapped her hands thrice before Kwanan as she prayed, causing mountain echoes to resound. Having finished her prayers, Okuriha began to make her way downwards when she was suddenly strung upon by a ruffianly-looking man who seized her by the arm. She cried aloud for help, but nothing came except the echoes of her voice, and she gave up herself for lost. Suddenly a piercing cold breeze came along, carrying the autumn leaves and little columns. Okuriha struggled violently with her assailant, who seemed to weaken to the cold wind as it struck his face. Okuriha weakened, too. In a few seconds the man fell down as in a drunken sleep, and she was on the point of falling. She knew not why, and of sleeping, scarce could she keep her eyes open. Just then the wind came hot, instead of cold, and she felt herself awake again. On looking up she saw advancing towards her a beautiful girl, apparently not many years older than herself. The stranger was dressed in white, and seemed to glide. Her face was white as the snow which capped Mount Daimuginzan. Her brows were crescent-shaped, like those of Buddha. Her mouth was like flowers. In a silvery voice she called to Okuriha, saying, Be neither surprised nor afraid, my child. I saw that you were in danger, and I came to your rescue, by putting that savage creature to sleep. I sent the warm breeze so that you might not fall. You need not fear that the man is dead. I can revive him if I choose, or keep him, as he is, if I wish. What is your name? Okuriha fell on her knees to express her thanks, and Rising said, My name is Okuriha. My father is the samurai who owns the greater part of the village of Tashiro, at the foot of the mountain. My mother, being ill, I have come up to this old shrine to pray Kwanan for her recovery. Five times have I been up before, but never met anyone until today, when this dreadful man attacked me. I owe my deliverance entirely to you, holy lady, and I am humbly and deeply grateful. I do hope I shall be able to come here and pray at this shrine again. My father and mother prayed here before I was born, both to Kwanan and to the tenon of the mountain. They had no child, and I was sent to them after their prayers. Therefore it is right that I should come here to pray for my mother. But this horrid man has frightened me so that I shall be afraid to come alone again. The mountain goddess, for such was Okuriha's rescuer, smiled, and said, You need have no fear, my pretty child. Come here when you will, and I shall be your protector. Children who are as devoted to their parents as you, are deserve all that is good, and are holy in themselves. If you wish to please me, come again to-morrow, so that we may converse, and bring me some flowers from the fields, for I never descend low enough on earth to get these. Though they are my favorites, they smell so sweet. And now you had better go home. When you have had time to reach there, I will restore this horrid man to life and let him go. He is not likely to return to molest you. I shall be here to-morrow, said Okuriha, bowing her thanks amid her sayonara's. Okuriha-san was so much impressed by the face of the goddess that she could not sleep, and at daybreak next morning was out in the fields gathering flowers, which she took up to the mountain to the shrine where she found the goddess waiting. They talked of many subjects, and enjoyed each other's company, and arranged to meet often. Consequently, whenever Okuriha had time, she always went up the mountain. This continued for nearly a year when Okuriha went up with flowers for the goddess as usual, but she was looking sad, and felt sad. Why is this? asked the goddess. Why are you so sad? Ah, your holiness is right, said Okuriha. I am sad. For this may be the last day I can come up here and see you. I am now seventeen years of age, and my parents think me old enough to marry. Twelve years ago, my father arranged that I should marry the son of one of his friends, Tokui, of Iwasaki Mura, when we were old enough. Now I am sad to be old enough, so I must marry. The wedding is to be in three days. After that I shall have to stay home and work for my husband, and I fear I shall not see you anymore. That is why I am sad. As she spoke, tears ran down her cheeks, and there was, for a few moments, no consoling her. But the goddess soothed her, saying, You must not be sad, dear child. On the contrary, you are about to enter the happiest state of life by being married. If people were not married and did not produce children to inherit new spirits and life, there could be no continuation.  Get married and produce children. You will be happy in doing your duty to the world and to the goddess. Before we say farewell, I give you this small gourd of furoshu. Take care of it on your way down the mountain. And when you are married, give some to your husband. You will both remain as you are in appearance, never growing a day older, though you live for centuries, as you will do. And also it will bring you perfect happiness. Now, farewell. Again the tears came to okuri his eyes as she bade farewell to her benefactress. But she mustered all her pluck and making her last bow, took her way down the mountain, weeping as she went. Three days later okuriha was married. It was a lucky day according to the calendars, and moreover, it was the year that the emperor Toba came to the throne, 1108 A.D. One day when celebrating this event at a picnic okuriha gave her husband some of the furoshu sake, and took the rest herself, as the goddess had bidden her. They were sitting on a beautiful green grassy spot whereon grew wild violets of delicious fragrance, at their feet gurgled a mountain stream of sparkling clearness. To their surprise they found petals of cherry blossom, suddenly falling all around them. There were no cherry trees near, and at first they were much puzzled, but they saw in the blue sky one white cloud which had just sailed over them, and seated thereon was the goddess of Mount Daimuganzan. Okuriha recognized her and pointed her out to her husband as their benefactress. The white cloud carried her up to the top of the mountain where it hovered until the shades of evening hit it. Okuriha and her husband never grew older. They lived for hundreds of years as senins in Mount Daimuganzan. End of Section 29 They had a daughter on whom they simply doted. Her name was Yuka. She was seven years of age and an extremely beautiful child. Unfortunately, just at this age, she developed something that mattered with her leg, which grew worse and worse until the limb became deformed. Oh, Yuka suffered no pain, but her parents were much troubled. Doctors, drugs, and the advice of many friends made Yuka's leg no better. How sad it will be for her later on, thought her mother and father. Even now it is sad that she should have a deformed leg when she plays with other children. There being no help, Yuka and her parents had to make the best of things. In any case, Yuka was not the only deformity in the village. There were other cases. One of Yuka's boy-playmates, Tarako, had been born blind, and another, Rinkichi, was so deaf that he could hold his ear to the temple bell while the other children struck it, and he never heard the sound, though he felt a vibration. Well, these two were perhaps no better off than Yuka, and at last her parents began to console themselves. The child played about and seemed perfectly happy. Nomugi village is at the foot of the great mountain Norikuradake, which rises 10,500 feet and is a wild place of volcanic origin. Many of the children of Nomugi used to go daily and play on the grassy slope of an old dam at the end of the village. They would throw stones into the water, fish, sail boats, and pick flowers. The dam was a kind of club for the children. From morning to evening they were there, having with them their rice to eat. One day, while thus playing, they were surprised by an old man with a long white beard approaching them. He came from the direction of the mountain. All stopped their games to watch him. He came on into their midst, and, patting them on the head, seemed to make friends naturally. Taking notice of Yuka's bad leg, the old man said, Come, how is this? Have not your parents tried to cure it? Little Yuka answered that they had, but that they could not do any good. The old man made her lie down on the grass and began to manipulate the leg, pulling it this way and that way, and rubbed in some red medicine which he took from a case. The old man then operated on Tadako, the blind boy, and on Rinkichi, the deaf one. Now, my children, said he, you all love your fathers and mothers, and it will be a great pleasure to them to find you cured of your ailments. You are not well yet, but you will be if you do what I tell you, in less than three or four days.  Tomorrow you will meet me at the flat rock under the cave on Mount Norikuradake. You know the place.  Then he trudged off in the direction whence he had come. The children continued their play, thinking, what a nice old man! And, strange to say, O Yuka, as she walked home, felt her leg to be of greater use. Very little attention is paid to Japanese children. They are nearly always good and well behaved, little grown-up people, in fact, and therefore they ate their suppers and went to bed as such, giving no account of their day's amusements, or of the strange old man. Next day they went to the flat rock. As it was wet, they had not started until late.  Now go home, he said, and come back here to-morrow. By the time you get home, Yuka's leg will be well, Tadako will be able to see, and Rinkichi, able to hear. And I am sure your relations will be delighted. Tomorrow, if it is fine, you must come early, and we shall have lots of fun. Even before they got home, everything came about as the old man had said. The three children were recovered. The villagers and the parents rejoiced together, but all were mystified as to who the magician could be. If he returns to the mountain, as the children say, then he must live in the cave, said one. He must be ascending, said another. It is rumoured that the most famous priest, Kukai Shounen, who founded the sacred temple on Mount Koyasan in Ki'i province, was able to make these wondrous cures in children, added another. But with all the gossiping and conjectures, none could explain how it was possible to bring sight to a boy who had been born blind. At last someone suggested that two or three should follow the children secretly on the following day. By hiding themselves, they might be able to see what happened. This excellent plan was adopted. In the morning about thirty children started off at daybreak, followed, unknown to themselves, by two men of the village. When the children arrived at the Flat Rock, which is said to be large enough to measure one thousand Japanese mats of six feet by three feet, they found the old man seated at one end of it. The two men who had followed hid themselves in some fine azalea bushes. First they saw the old man rise to his feet, and then go over to the children and hear from the three cured ones how they felt, and how their parents had been pleased. Tarako was the most delighted perhaps of the three, for he had never seen the world before, or even his parents. Now, my children, you have come here to see me, and I am going to amuse you all. See here. Saying this, the old man picked up some dead sticks, and, blowing at their ends, produced blossoming cherry branches, plum blossoms, and peach, and handed a branch of each to the girls. Next he took a stone and threw it into the air, and, behold, it turned into a dove. Another turned into a hawk, or, in fact, into any bird a boy chose to name. Now, said the old man, I will show you some animals that will make you laugh. He recited some mystic verse, and monkeys came leaping on the Flat Rock, and began to wrestle with one another. The children clapped their hands in delight, but one of the men who was hidden exclaimed in his astonishment, Who can this wizard be? No other but a wizard could do such things. The venerable old man heard, and, looking cautiously round, said, Children, I can do no more tricks today. My spell has gone. I will go to my home, and you had better go to yours. Farewell. So saying, the old man bowed to them, and turned up the mountain path, taking the direction of the cave. The two men came out from their hiding, and they, with the children, tried to follow him. In spite of his great age, he was much more nimble than they among the rocks, But they got far enough to see him enter the cave. Some minutes later they came to the entrance, and bowed before it. The entrance was surrounded by fragrant flowers, but into its dark depths they did not venture. Suddenly Ouka pointed upwards, crying, There is the old grandfather! They all looked up, and standing on a cloud was the old man, right over the summit of the mountain. Ah, now it is quite clear, cried one of the men, it is the famous hermit of Mount Norikuradake. They all bowed low, and then went home to report to the villagers what they had seen. Subscriptions were collected, a small temple was built inside the cave, and they called it the Sendokutsu Temple, which means the Senin's Temple. End of Chapter 30 Read by Rob Marland Chapter 31 of Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan This is a LibriVox recording, all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan by Richard Gordon Smith Yosuji's Chamelea Tree In the reign of the Emperor Sanjo began a particularly unlucky time. It was about the year 1013 AD when Sanjo came to the throne, the first year of Chowa. Plague broke out. Two years later the royal palace was burned down, and a war began with Korea, then known as Shidagi. In 1016 another fire broke out in the new palace. A year later the Emperor gave up the throne, owing to blindness and for other causes. He handed over the reigns of office to Prince Atsuhara, who was called the Emperor Go Ichijo, and came to the throne in the first year of Kwannin, about 1017 or 1018. The period during which the Emperor Go Ichijo reigned, about 20 years, up to 1036, was one of the worst in Japanese history. There were more wars, more fires, and worse plagues than ever. Things were in disorder generally, and even Kyoto was hardly safe to people of means, owing to the bands of brigands. In 1025 the most appalling outbreak of smallpox came. There was hardly a village or a town in Japan which escaped. It is at this period that our story begins. Our heroine, if such she may be called, is no less a deity than the goddess of the great mountain of Fuji, which nearly all the world has heard of or seen depicted.  And think of the great mountain of Japan, as to which anything should be interesting. Moreover, challenge others for a better. I have been able to find none, myself. During the terrible scourge of smallpox, there was a village in Tsuruga province called Kamide, which still exists, but is of little importance. It suffered more badly than most other villages. Scarce and inhabitant escaped. A youth of 16 or 17 years was much tried. His mother was taken with the disease, and his father being dead, the responsibility of the household fell on Yosoji, for such was his name. Yosoji procured all the help he could for his mother, sparing nothing in the way of medicines and attendants.  Having no other resource left to him, Yosoji resolved to consult a famous fortune-teller and magician, Kamo Yamakiko. Kamo Yamakiko told Yosoji that there was but one chance that his mother could be cured, and that lay much with his own courage.  But I warn you that the place is full of dangers from wild beasts and other things, but you may not return at all or even reach the place. Yosoji, in no way discouraged, made his mind up that he would start on the following morning, and, thanking the fortune-teller, went home to prepare for an early start. At three o'clock next morning he was off. It was a long and rough walk, one which he had never taken before, but he trudged gaily on, being sound of limb and bent on an errand of deepest concern. Towards midday, Yosoji arrived at a place where three rough paths met, and was sorely puzzled which to take. While he was deliberating, the figure of a beautiful girl, clad in white, came towards him through the forest. At first Yosoji felt inclined to run, but the figure called to him in silvery notes, saying, Do not go. I know what you are here for.   Follow me, if you will, and have no fear, though the road is bad and dangerous. The girl turned, and Yosoji followed in wonderment. In silence the two went for fully four miles, always upwards and into deeper and more gloomy forests.  There, said the white-robed girl, is the stream of which you are in search. Fill your gourd, and drink of it yourself, for the waters will prevent you catching the plague. Make haste, for it grows late, and it will not be well for you to be here at night. I shall guide you back to the place where I met you." Yosoji did as he was bid, drinking, and then filling the bottle to the brim. Much faster did they return than they had come, for the way was all downhill. On reaching the meeting of the three paths, Yosoji bowed low to his guide, and thanked her for her great kindness, and the girl told him again that it was her pleasure to help so dutiful a son. In three days you will want more water for your mother, said she, and I shall be at the same place to be your guide again. May I not ask to who I am indebted for this great kindness? asked Yosoji. No, you must not ask, for I should not tell you," answered the girl. Bowing again, Yosoji proceeded on his way as fast as he could, wondering greatly. On reaching home he found his mother worse. He gave her a cup of the water and told her of his adventures. During the night, Yosoji awoke as usual to attend to his mother's wants, and to give her another bowl of water. Next morning he found that she was decidedly better. During the day he gave her three more doses, and on the morning of the third day he set forth to keep his appointment with the fair lady in white, whom he found seated waiting for him on a rock at the meeting of the three paths.  Now follow me as before, and make haste. Come again in three days, and I will meet you. It will take five trips in all, for the water must be taken fresh. You may give some to the sick villagers as well. Five times did Yosoji take the trip. At the end of the fifth his mother was perfectly well, and most thankful for her restoration. Besides which, most of the villagers who had not died were cured. Yosoji was the hearer of the hour. Everyone marveled, and wondered who the white-robed girl was. For, though they had heard of the shrine of Okinaga-Sukineo, none of them knew where it was, and but few would have dared to go if they had known. Of course, all knew that Yosoji was indebted in the first place to the fortune teller Kamoyama Kiko, to whom the whole village sent presents. Yosoji was not easy in his mind. In spite of the good he had brought about, he thought to himself that he owed the whole of his success in finding and bringing the water to the village to his fair guide, and he did not feel that he had shown sufficient gratitude. Always he had hurried home as soon as he had got the precious water, bowing his thanks. That was all, and now he felt as if more were due. Surely prayers at the shrine were due, or something, and who was the lady in white? He must find out. Curiosity called upon him to do so. Thus Yosoji resolved to pay one more visit to the spring, and started early in the morning. Now familiar with the road, he did not stop at the meeting of the three paths, but pursued his way directly to the shrine. It was the first time he had travelled alone, and in spite of himself he felt afraid, though he could not say why. Perhaps it was the oppressive gloom of the mysterious dark forest, overshadowed by the holy mountain of Fuji, which in itself was more mysterious still, and filled one both with superstitious and religious feelings, and a feeling of awe as well. No one of any imagination can approach the mountain even today, without having worn or all of these emotions. Yosoji, however, sped on, as fast as he could go, and arrived at the shrine of Okinaga Tsukinae. He found that the stream had dried up, there was not a drop of water left. Yosoji flung himself upon his knees before the shrine, and thanked the god of long breath, that he had been the means of curing his mother and the surviving villagers. He prayed that his guide to the spring might reveal her presence, and that he might be unable to meet her once more to thank her for her kindness. When he arose, Yosoji saw his guide standing beside him, and bowed low. She was the first to speak. You must not come here, she said. I have told you so before. It is a place of great danger for you.  There is no reason for you to come here more. I have come, answered Yosoji, because I have not fully spoken my thanks, and because I wish to tell you how deeply grateful I am to you, as is my mother, and as are the whole of our villages. Moreover, they all, as well as I, wish to know to whom they are indebted for my guidance to the spring. Though Kamoyamakiko told me of the spring, I should never have found it but for kindness, which has now extended over five weeks. Surely you will let us know to whom we are so much indebted, so that we may at least erect a shrine in our temple. All that you ask is unnecessary. I am glad that you are grateful. I knew that one so truly filial as you must be so, and it is because of your filial piety and goodness that I guided you to this health giving spring, which, as you see, is dry, having at present no further use. It is unnecessary that you should know who I am. We must now part, so farewell. End your life as you have begun it, and you shall be happy. The beautiful maiden swung a wild camellia branch over her head, as if with a beckoning motion, and a cloud came down from the top of the Mount Fuji, enveloping her at first in mist. It then arose, showing her figure to the weeping Yosoji, who now began to realize that he loved the departing figure, and that it was no lesser figure than that of the great goddess of Fujiyama. Yosoji fell on his knees and prayed to her, and the goddess, acknowledging his prayer, threw down the branch of wild camellia. Yosoji carried it home and planted it, caring for it with the utmost attention. The branch grew to a tree with marvellous rapidity, being over twenty feet high in two years.  End of Chapter 31 Read by Rob Marland Chapter 32 of Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Vlad Amalchuk Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan by Richard Gordon Smith Wales There are many stories and superstitions regarding Wales. I take one, dating back to the period of Hoenn, 1135, which will show the veneration and the fear in which the Japanese have always held these creatures. I will annex the translation by Mr. Ando of our consulate of a newspaper paragraph of date, February 12, 1907 showing that the superstitions are still current. Some 172 years ago, when the Hoenn period began, the shrine of Atsuta at Nagoya was burned down. For some reason, this calamity was said at the time to have happened because the head shrine watcher, Yoda Aman, had startled one of the gods. Well, at any rate, the holy shrine was burned down and the caretaker was exiled to Oshima Island in Izu province, now generally known as Vris Island. It is the largest and most northerly of the group of islands, which run in a chain towards the southeast. The nearest to Oshima is Toshi Island, often named Vishima, of which our story is told. Yoda Aman was a man of active mind and pursuits. Perhaps that is why he startled the god who caused the fire at Atsuta. In any case, he felt his exile greatly. He could gain no news of home or family, and he fretted and worried himself to such an extent that at last his nights became sleepless. And he thought to himself that if some relief to his mind did not come soon, he must either kill himself or go mad. At last it occurred to him that possibly he might get permission to go fishing. And the permission was given him, on condition that he kept within a mile of the shore. Day after day, Yoda took the boat which was land him and returned generally with a goodly supply of fish, singing to himself as he rode in to and out from the shore. He soon managed to sleep soundly and regain his strength. After a month or two, Yoda became quite a popular person, giving his fish away free to any who chose to take them. And he was soon allowed a wider range than the one-mile limit. He became an expert sailor and had it not been for the loss of his family, he would have been quite happy in his new home. One day, the morning being calm, Yoda ventured farther away than usual, hoping to capture some of the larger fish, which were reputed to be plentiful some ten miles from Tashishima. He was lucky and landed three magnificent fish of the mackerel family, known as Sada in Japan, Sia in India and Albuquer with us in England, who never see them. Unfortunately, after this, the wind, instead of springing up from the south- east as usual, came out from the northwest, and instead of being able to return to Oshima, Yoda found himself being blown farther from it. The wind came stronger and stronger until a gale was blowing, and soon the currents caused a high and breaking sea. Darkness set in, and Yoda thought to himself that this was a visitation upon him for having caught fish. Oh, cried he aloud. What foolish sin have I now committed? Surely my position as a banished priest should have told me that I was sinning and catching fish. He flung himself on the bottom of the boat and prayed, but his prayers availed him nothing, for the wind eased in force and so did the sea. Long after midnight, a big wave smashed the boat to splinters. Half stunned, half drowned, a Yoda clung to the large oar, and so remained for some three hours.  After many efforts, so exhausted was he and so numbed, he sat there only half conscious in the dark. Towards morning, the turn of tide caused the sea to smooth down, and as the sun rose, Yoda found to his horror that it was no rock upon which he sat, but the back of a live whale of gigantic size. Yoda knew neither what to do, nor what to think. He dared not move for fear of disturbing the whale's repose. Not even when the animal blew water and air from its spout hole, did he venture to turn his body. But silently, he muttered prayers all the time. At last, when the sun was full up, the whale began to turn round and as it did, so Yoda saw a large fishing boat, not more than half a mile away. He shouted and shouted at the top of his voice, trying to attract attention. But move, he dared not, lest the whale should leave him. The wind was still high, but the sea was smooth. Suddenly, the fishing boat changed its course and the whale lay still again, basking in the sunshine. The boat advanced rapidly and when about 80 feet from the whale, brought up to the wind and lay still. A lifeline with a buoy attached was drifted towards the whale and when it was near enough Yoda slid off to take it and was holding to the boat, thoroughly thankful for his rescue. As soon as Yoda was on board, the boat began to roll, for the whale lashed his tail and was playing about, causing quite a heavy sea. But to the relief of all, the creature headed south for the open Pacific. The crew on the fishing boat belonged to Toshi Island and had heard of Yoda Ammon and being good-natured fellows felt sorry for him in his exile. After his astonishing adventure with the whale, they did not in the least mind taking him back to Oshima, which they reached about sundown. Yoda immediately reported himself and was congratulated on his extraordinary escape. After this, Yoda gave up fishing and submitted without grumbling to the severe discipline of his exile. On the occasion of Prince Tannin ascending he was issued, giving freedom to many prisoners and exiles. Yoda Ammon was among them and was giving permission to return home, but he said he had made so many friends on the island and his life has been saved so miraculously that he preferred to leave where he was and he obtained official permission to do so and to send for his family, which after leaving the house he did. In the first year of Koji 1142 to 1144 Yoda was made mayor of Shichto that is the seven islands lying round or south of Oshima and including itself. Now, thought he, I shall be able to repay the kindness that the whale showed me in saving my life and he should an order that no whales were killed anywhere near the islands over which he had jurisdiction. At first there was some grumbling, but the government sent messages to Oshima to say that the emperor approved Yoda Ammon's order and furthermore that during Yoda's life no whale was to be killed anywhere in Shichto. Whale and Whaler Some years ago they lived a wealthy fisherman called Matsushima Tomiguro at Matsushima in Nagasaki. He made a large fortune by whale fishing. One night he dreamed a strange dream a whale, Zato Kujira carrying a baby whale appeared before his pillow and requested him to let her and the baby go safely. They were going to pass a certain part of the sea at a certain time and date. Matsushima heartlessly did not exceed but took advantage of the information. He put a net in the said sea at the due time and caught a whale and her baby. Not long after the cruel fisherman began to reap the harvest of his mercilessness. Miss Fortune after Miss Fortune and all his wealth disappeared. It must be the result of his cruelty in killing the whale and its baby said the neighbors and for some time they never caught whales carrying babies. Translated by Mr. Ando End of Chapter 32 Chapter 33 of Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org. Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen, Vancouver, B.C. Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan by Richard Gordon Smith The Holy Cherry Tree of Musubi No-Kami Temple In the province of Mimkasa is a small town called Kakmi and in the temple grounds is a shrine which has been there for some hundreds of years and is dedicated to Musubi No-Kami, the God of Love. Nearby one stood a magnificent old cherry tree which was given the name of Kanzakura or Holy Cherry and it is in honour of this tree that the shrine dedicated to the God of Love was built. Long ago when the village of Kakmi was smaller than it is a present, it had as one of its chief residents called Sud-Au. Sud-Au was one of those men to be found in most Japanese villages who with but little work thrive on the work of others and grow richer than most. He bought and sold their crops, making commission both ways and before he was middle-aged he was a rich man. Sud-Au was a widower but he had a lovely daughter who was age seventeen and it was thought by Sud-Au that the time had now arrived for him to look about for a desirable husband for Hanano. Accordingly he called her to him and said him has come, my dear child, when it is my duty to find you a suitable husband. When I have done so you will I trust a proof of him for it will be your duty to marry him. Of course, oh Hanano bowed her willingness to do just as her father decreed, but at the same time she confided in her favourite servant Yuka that she did not care about being married to a man that she might not love. What can I do? What would you advise me to do, my dear O Yuka? Do try and think how you can help me to obtain a man I can love. A handsome man he must be not more than twenty-two years of age. O Yuka answered that the advice asked for was difficult to give, but there was one thing she said. You can go to the temple and pray at the shrine of Musubi No-Kami, the god of love. Pray him that the husband your father finds may be handsome after your own heart. They say that if you pray at this shrine twenty-one days in succession you will obtain the kind of lover you want. O Hanano was pleased with the idea, and that afternoon accompanied by Yuka, her maid she went to pray at the shrine of Musubi No-Kami. Day after day they continued until the twenty-first, and last day of the series had arrived. They had finished their prayers and were on their way from the temple and passing under the great cherry tree known as the Kanzakura or Holy Cherry when they saw standing near its stem a youth twenty or twenty-one years.  In his hand he held a branch of cherry blossom. He smiled pleasantly at Hasano and she at him, then bowing he came forward and smilingly presented her with the blossom. Hasano blushed and took the flowers. The youth bowed again and walked away as did Hasano who had a fluttering heart and felt very happy for she thought that this youth must be the one sent by the God of love in answer to her prayers. Of course it must be, she said This is the twenty-first and that completes the course of prayer you spoke of. Am I not lucky and is he not handsome? I do not think it possible that a more handsome youth was ever seen. I wish he had not gone away so soon. Perhaps and much more did Ohano prattle to her maid on the way home. Upon reaching which the first thing she did was to put the cherry blossom branch into a vase in her own room. Oh Yuka she called for the twentieth time at least. Now you must find out all you can about the young man but say nothing to my father as yet. Possibly it is not the husband he is choosing for me but I can love no other at all events and I must love him in secret if this is the case. Now go dear Yuka find out all you can and will you prove yourself more faithful and dear to me than ever and the faithful maid went on her young mistress's errand. Now Oh Yuka found out nothing about the youth they had seen under the holy cherry tree but she found out that there was another youth in the village who lived with her mistress and as he had heard that Oh Hanano's father was looking out for a suitable husband he intended to apply next day himself. His name was Tokunosui he was a fairly well connected youth and had some means but the talks were in no way comparable with those of the youth who had handed the cherry branch to Hanano having discovered this much Yuka returned to her young mistress and reported next day early in the morning at the most formal calling hour Tokunosui went by appointment to see Hanano's father Hanano was called to serve tea and saw the young man. Tokunosui was strupulously formal and polite to her and she to him and soon after he left Hanano was told by her father that was the young man whom he had chosen to be her husband most desirable in every way he added he has money his father is my friend and he has secretly loved you for some months you can ask for nothing better Oh Hanano made no answer but burst a crying and left the room and Yuka was called in her steed I have found a most desirable young man as husband for your mistress said sorry you but instead of showing pleasure and gratitude she has flown from the room crying can you explain to me the reason you must know her secrets has she a lover unknown to me Oh Yuka was not prepared to face the anger of her mistress's father and she thought that truth in this special instance would further Hanano's interest best so she told the story faithfully and boldly so Ahyu thanked her for it and again called his daughter to him telling her that she must either produce her lover or allow Toku Un Skui to call and press his suit next morning Toku Un Skui did call but Hanano told him with tears in her eyes that she could not love him for she loved another whose name she did not even know herself this is a strange piece of news thought Toku Un Skui to himself almost insulting to love a man whose name she does not know and bowing low he left the house determined to find out who his nameless rival was even if he had to disguise himself and follow Hanano to do so that very afternoon Hanano and Yuka went to pray as usual and on coming away they again found the handsome youth standing under the cherry tree and again he advanced and smilingly handed Hanano a branch full of bloom but again no words came from his lips and it was evident to Toku Nusuki who was hiding behind some stone lanterns that they could not have known each other long in a few moments they bowed and separated oh Hanano and her maid walked away from the temple while the youth under the cherry tree looked after them Toku Nusuki was now furiously jealous he came from his hiding place and accosted the youth under the cherry tree in a rude and rough tone who are you you hateful Roscoe give me your name and address at once and tell me how you dare tempt the beautiful Ohhanu-san to love you he was about to seize his enemy by the arm when the enemy jumped suddenly back a step and before Toku Unasku had time to catch him a sudden gust of wind blew the bloom thickly off the cherry tree so thick and quickly did the blossoms fell they blinded Toku Nusaku for some moments when he could see again the handsome youth was gone but there was a strange moaning sound inside the cherry tree while one of the temple priests came rushing at him in great awe you sacrilegious villain what do you mean by attempting violence here do you not know that this cherry tree has stood here for hundreds of years it is sacred and contains a holy spirit which sometimes comes forth in the form of a youth it is he that you tried to touch with your filthy and unholy hand be gone I say and never dare enter this temple again Toku Nusuki did not want pressing he took to his hails and ran and he ran straight to the house of Souduyaku and told what he had seen and what had befallen him omitting nothing even to the names of the priest had called him perhaps now your daughter may consent to marry me he finished by saying she cannot marry a holy spirit Ohano was called and told the story and was very much upset that the face to whom she had given her heart was that of a spirit what sin have I committed she cried falling in love with a God and she rushed off to implore forgiveness at the shrine long and earnestly she prayed that her sin might be forgiven her she resolved to devote the rest of her life to the temple and as she refused to marry she obtained her father's consent then she applied for permission to live in the temple and become one of its caretakers she shaved her head wore a white linen coat and the crimson pantaloons which denote that you are no longer of the world Ohano remained in the temple for the rest of her life sweeping the grounds and praying the temple still stands it is highly probable that if the stump of the cherry tree remains another tree is planted beside it as is usual Chapter 33 Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen Vancouver BC Chapter 34 of Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan This is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Vlad Amelchuk A Story of Mount Kanzan-Rae Far up on the northeastern coast of Korea is a high mountain called Kanzan-Rae and not far from its base where lies the district of Kangkou-Fu is a village called Taehaegun trading in little but natural products such as mushrooms, timber, furs, fish and a little gold In this village lived a pretty girl called Choyo an orphan of some means Her father Choka had been the only merchant in the district and he had made quite a fortune for those parts which he had left to Choyo when she was some sixteen summers old At the foot of the mountain of Kanzan-Rae lived a woodcutter of simple and frugal habits He dwelt alone in a broken down hut associated with but the future whom he sold his wood and was considered generally to be a morose and unsociable man The recluse he was called and many wondered who he was and why he kept so much to himself for he was not yet thirty years of age and was remarkable for his good looks and strong frame Sawada Shigiyoki was his name but the people did not know it One evening as the recluse was wending his way down the rough mountain path with a large load of firewood on his back he was resting in a particularly wide and rocky pass darkened by the huge pine trees which towered on every hand and was startled by a rustling sound close below He looked nervously round for the place in which he was had the reputation of being haunted by tigers and with some truth for several people had lightly been killed by them On this occasion however the recluse was caused by no tiger but only by a pheasant which fluttered off her nest and was imitating the sign of a wounded bird to draw the intruder's attention away from the direction of her nest Strange however was it thought the recluse that the bird should have so acted for she could neither have seen nor heard him and so he listened intently to find a cause Though not many minutes to wait almost immediately the recluse heard the sounds of voices and of scuffling and hiding himself behind the trunk of a large tree he waited acts in hand Soon his saw being carried pushed and dragged down the path a girl of surpassing beauty she was in charge of three villainous men whom the recluse soon recognized as bandits As they were coming his way the recluse retained his position hidden behind the great pine and grasping more firmly his axe and as the four approached him his spring out and blocked their way Who have you here and what are you doing with this girl? cried he Let her go or you will have to suffer Being three to one the robbers were in no fear and cried back Stand out of our way if you fall and let us pass unless you wish to lose your life But the woodcutter was not afraid he raised his axe and the robbers drew their swords The woodcutter was too much for them In an instant he had cut down one and pushed another over the precipice and the third took to his heels only too glad to get away with his life The recluse then bent down to attend to the girl who had fainted He fetched water and bathed her face bringing her back to her senses and as soon as she was able to speak he asked who she was whether she was hurt and how she had come into the hands of such ruffians Amid sobs and weeping the girl answered I am Choyo Choka My home is the village of Teigun This is the anniversary of my father's death and I went to pray at his tomb at the foot of Ganda mountain The day being fine I decided to make a long tour and come back this way About an hour ago I was seized by these robbers and the rest you know Oh sir, I am thankful to you for your brave ring saving me Please tell me your name The woodcutter answered Ah Then you are the famous beauty of Teigun village of whom I have so often heard It is an honour indeed to me to have been able to help you As for me I am a woodcutter the recluse they call me and I leave at the foot of this mountain If you will come with me I will take you to my hut where you can rest and then I will see you safely to your home Choyo was very grateful to the woodcutter who shouldered his stack of wood and taking her by the hand led her down this steep and dangerous path At his hut they rested and he made her tea Then took her to the outskirts of the village where bowed into her in a manner far above that of the ordinary peasant he left her That night Choyo could think of nothing but the brave and handsome woodcutter who had saved her life So much indeed did she think that before the morn had dawned she felt herself in love deeply and desperately The day passed and night came Choyo had told all her friends of how she had been saved and by whom The more she talked the more she thought of the woodcutter until at last she made up her mind that she must go and see him for she knew that he would not come to see her I have the excuse of going to thank him she thought and besides I will take him a present of some delicacies and fish Accordingly next morning she started off at daybreak carrying her present in a basket By good fortune she found the recluse at home sharpening his axes but otherwise taking a holiday I have come sir to thank you again for your brave rescue of myself the other day and I have brought a small present which I trust however unworthy you will deign to accept said the lovesick Choyo there is no reason to thank me for performing a common duty said the recluse but by so fair a pair of lips as yours it is pleasing to be thanked and I feel a great honour the gift however I cannot accept for then I should be the debtor which for a man is wrong Choyo felt both flattered and rebuffed at this pitch and tried again to get the recluse to accept her present but though her attempts led to friendly conversation and to chaff he would not do so and Choyo left saying well you have beaten me today but I will return and in time I shall beat you and make you accept a gift from me come here when you like answered the recluse I shall always be glad to see you for you are a ray of light in my miserable heart but never shall you place me under an obligation by making me accept a gift it was a curious answer thought Choyo as she left but oh how handsome he is and how I love him and anyway I will visit him again often and see who wins in the end such was the assurance of so beautiful a girl as Choyo she felt that she must conquer in the end for the next two months she visited the recluse often and they sat and talked he brought her wild flowers of great rarity and beauty from the highest mountains and buried to it but never once did he make laugh to her and accept the slightest present from her hands that did not deter Choyo from pursuing her love she was determined to win in the end and she even felt that in a way this strange man loved her as she loved him but for some reason would not say so one day in the third month after her rescue Choyo again went to see the recluse he was not at home he sat and waited looking round the miserable hut and thinking what a pity it was that so noble a man should live in such a state when she, who was well off was only too anxious to marry him and of her own beauty she knew well while she was thus musing the woodcutter returned not in his usual rags but in the handsome costume of a Japanese samurai and greatly astonished was she as she rose to greet him ah fair Choyo you are surprised to see me now as I am and it is also with sorrow that I must tell you what I do for I know well what is in both your heart and mind today we must part forever for I am going away Choyo flung herself upon the floor weeping bitterly and then rising said between her sobs oh now this cannot be you must not leave me but take me with you hither too I have said nothing because it is not for a maid to declare her love but I love you and have loved you ever since the day you saved me from the robbers take me with you no matter where even to the cave where the demons of hell leave will I follow you if you will but let me help you without you alas cried the recluse this cannot be it is impossible for I am a Japanese not a Korean though I love you as much as you love me we cannot be united my name is I am a samurai from Kurume ten years ago I committed a political offense and had to fly from my country I came to Korea disguised as a woodcutter and until I met you I had not a happy day now our government is changed and I am free to return home to you I have told this story and to you alone forgive my heartlessness and leaving you I do so with tears in my eyes and sorrow in my heart farewell so saying the brave samurai as my Rakhunter calls him strode from the hut never to see poor Choyo again Choyo continued to weep until darkness came on and it was too late for her to return home in safety so she spent the night where she was in weeping next morning she was found by her servants almost demented with fever she was carried to her home and for three months was seriously ill on her recovery she gave most of her money to temples for charity she sold her house keeping only enough money to buy herself rice and spent the remainder of her days alone in the little hut at the foot of Mount Kanzanri where at the age of 21 she was found dead of a broken hut the samurai was brave but was ennoble in spite of his haughty national pride to the Japanese mind as did Buddha when he renounced his weirdly loves what chance is there if all men act thus of a sincere friendship between Japan and Korea End of chapter 34 read by Angelique Campbell April 2019 ancient tales and folklore of Japan by Richard Gordon Smith White Bone Mountain at the foot of Mount Shimongataki up in the northwestern province of Ikijo once stood and probably even still stands in rotten or repaired state a temple of some importance in so much as it was the burial ground of the feudal lord Yamana's ancestors the name of the temple was Bumanji and many high and important priests kept it up generation after generation owing to the early help received from lord Yamana's relations among the priests who presided over this temple was one named Araji Joan who was the adopted son of the Otomo family Araji was learned and virtuous and had many followers but one day the sight of a most attractive girl called Kiku meaning Chrysanthemum whose age was 18 upset all his religious equilibrium he fell desperately in love with her offering to sacrifice his position and reputation if she would only listen to his prayer and marry him but the lovely Okiku-san refused all his entreaties a year later she was taken seriously ill with fever and died and whispers when brought that Araji the priest had cursed her in his jealousy and brought about her illness and her death the rumor was not exactly without reason but Araji went mad within a week of Okiku's death he neglected his services and then got worse running wildly about the temple shrieking at night and frightening all those who came near finally one night he dug up the body of Okiku which was part of her flesh people declared that he had turned into the devil and none dared go near the temple even the younger priest left until at last he was alone so terrified were the people none approached the temple which soon ran to rack and ruin the horny bushes were on the roof moss on the hither-tube polished and matted floors birds built their nests inside perched on the mortuary tables and made a mess of everything a masterpiece of beauty became a rotting ruin one summer evening some six or seven months later an old woman who owned a tea-house at the foot of Shumangataki Mountain was about to close her shutters when she was terrified at the sight of a priest with a white cap on his head approaching the devil praised at the devil priest she cried as she slammed the last shutter in his face get away, get away we can't have you here what do you mean by devil priest I am a traveling or pilgrim priest not a robber let me in at once I want both rest and refreshment cried the voice from outside the old woman looked through her crack in the shutters and saw that it was not the dreaded maniac but a venerable pilgrim priest so she opened the door and let him in profuse in her apologies and telling him how they were all frightened out of their wits by the priest of Fumangi Temple who had gone mad over a love affair we hardly dare go within half a mile of the temple now and some day the mad priest is sure to come out of it and kill some of us do you mean to tell me that a priest has so far forgotten himself as to break through the teachings of Buddha and to make himself the slave of worldly passions asked the traveler I don't know about the worldly passions cried the old lady but our priest has turned into a devil I don't know what care abouts will tell you for he has even dug up and eaten of the flesh of the poor girl whom he calls to die by his cursing there have been instances of people turning devils said the priest but they are usually common people and not priest a quarter year of the emperor's sores turned into a serpent the wife of Yoshi into a moth the mother of Ogan into a yansha or a vampire bat turning into a devil besides a Raji Joan your priest at Fumanji temple was a birch within clever man I have always heard I have come here in fact to do myself the honor of meeting him and tomorrow I shall go and see him the old lady served the priest with tea and begged him to think of no such thing but he persisted and said that on the tomorrow he would do as he mentioned and to read the mad priest a lecture and then he laid himself down for the night. Next afternoon the old priest, true to his word started for the Fumanji temple the old lady accompanying him for the first part of the walk to the place where the path which led to the temple turned up the mountain and there she bade him goodbye refusing to go another step the sun was beginning to set as the priest came in sight of the temple and he saw that the place was in great disorder the gates had tumbled off their hinges withered leaves were thickly strewn everywhere and crumpled under his feet but he walked boldly on and struck a small temple bell with his staff at the sound came any birds and bats from the temple the bats flapping round his head but there was no other sign of life he struck the bell again with renewed force and it boomed and clanged in echoes at last a thin miserable looking priest came out and looking wildly about said who are you and why have you come here the temple has long since been deserted for some reason which I cannot understand if you want lodging you must go to the village there is neither food nor bedding here I am a priest from Wakasa province the pretty scenery and clear streams have caused me to linger long on my journey it is too late now to go to the village and I am too tired so please let me remain for the night said the priest the other made answer I cannot order you away no longer more than a ruined shed you can stay if you like but you can have neither food nor bedding having said this he sat on the corner of a rock while the pilgrim priest sat on another close by neither spoke until it was dark and the moon had risen then the mad priest said find what place you can inside to sleep there are no beds but what there is up the roof keeps the mountain dew from falling on you during the night then he went into the temple the pilgrim priest could not tell where for it was dark and he could not follow the place being littered with idols and beams and furniture which the mad priest had hacked to pieces in the early stages of his madness the pilgrim therefore felt his way about until he found himself between a large fallen idol and a wall and here he decided to spend the night it being as safe a place in which to hide from the maniac as any he could find a way about or having a light fortunately for himself he was a strong and healthy old man and was well able to do without food and also to stand unharmed the piercing and damp cold the pilgrim priest could hear the sound of the many streams which gargled down the mountainside there was also the unpleasant sound of squeaking rats as they chased and fought and of bats which flew in and out of the place and of hoading owls but beyond this nothing of the mad priest hour after hour passed to us until one o'clock when suddenly just as the pilgrim felt himself dozing off he was aroused by a noise the whole temple seemed as if it were being knocked down shutters were slammed with such violence that they fell to the floor right and left idols and furniture were being hurled about in and out ran the sound of the naked pattering feet of the crazed priest who shouted oh where is the beautiful kiku my sweetly beloved kiku oh where oh where is she the gods and the devils have combined to defraud me of her and I care for neither and defy them all kiku kiku come to me the pilgrim thinking his cramped position would be dangerous if the maniac came near him availed himself of an opportunity when the ladder was in a far apart of the temple to get out into the grounds and hide himself again it would be easier to see what went on thought he and a run if necessary he hid himself first in one part of the grounds and then in another meanwhile the mad priest paid several rushing visits to the outsides of the temple keeping up all the time awful cries for a kiku towards morning he retired once more to the part of the temple in which he lived and no more noise was made our pilgrim then went forth from his hiding and seated himself in the rock which he had occupied the evening before determined to see if he could not force a conversation with a demented man and read him a lesson from the sacred teachings of Buddha he sat patiently on until the sun was high but all remained silent there was no sign of the mad priest towards midday the pilgrim heard sounds in the temple and by the mad man came out looking as if he had just recovered from a drunken orgy he appeared dazed and was quiet and started as he saw the old priest seated on the rock as he had been the night before the old man rose and approaching him said, my friend my name is Ungai I am a brother priest from the temple of Dagoji in Wakasa province I came hither to see you hearing of your great wisdom but last night I heard in the village that you had broken your vows as a priest and lost your heart to a maiden and that from love of her you have turned into a dangerous demon I have in consequence considered it my duty to come and read you a lecture as it is impossible to pass your conduct unnoticed pray listen to the lecture and tell me if I can help you the mad priest answered quite meekly indeed, aboda please tell me what I can do to forget the past and to become a holy and virtuous priest once more Ungai answered come out here in the grounds and seat yourself on this rock then he read a lecture out of the buddhist bible and finished by saying and now if you wish to redeem your soul you must sit on this rock until you are able to explain the following lines which are written in the sacred book then on the lake shines on the winds between the pine trees and a long night grows quiet at midnight having said this Ungai bowed low and left the mad priest Joan sitting on the rock reflecting for a month Ungai wandered from temple to temple lecturing at the end of that time he came back by way of homangi temple and thought he would go up to it and see what had happened to mad Joan at the tea house in which he had first put up he asked the old landlady if she had seen or heard any more of the crazy priest no she said we have neither seen nor heard of him some people say he has left but no one knows for none dare go up to the temple to see well said Ungai I will go up tomorrow morning and find out next morning Ungai went to the temple and found Joan still seated exactly as he had left him on the rock muttering the words the moon on the lake shines on the winds between the pine trees and a long night grows quiet at midnight Joan's hair and beard had become longer and gray in the time and he appeared to be measurably thin and almost transparent Ungai was struck with pity at Joan's righteous determination and patience and tears came to his eyes get up for indeed you are a holy and determined man but Joan did not move Ungai poked him with his staff to awaken him as he thought but to his horror Joan fell to pieces and disappeared like a flake of melting snow Ungai stayed in the temple for three days praying for the soul of Joan the villagers hearing of this generous action rebuilt the temple and made him their priest of sect but now it was transpired to Ungai's Joan du sect and the temple or name of Omanji was changed to Halkatsuzan white bone mountain the temple is said to have prospered for hundreds of years after End of Chapter 35 Chapter 36 of Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Colleen McMahon Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan by Richard Gordon Smith A Stormy Night's Tragedy Footnote Fukugat told me this story and vouches for its accuracy End of Footnote All who have read anything of Japanese history must have heard of Saigo Takamori who lived between the years 1827 and 1877 He was a great imperialist fighting for the emperor until 1876 when he gave over owing to his disapproval of the Europeanization going on in the country and the abandonment of ancient national ways As practical commander-in-chief of the imperial army Saigo fled to Kagoshima where he raised a body of faithful followers which was the beginning of the Satsuma Rebellion The imperialists defeated them In September of 1877 Saigo was killed Some say in the last battle and others that he did seppuku and that his head was cut off and secretly buried so that it should not fall into the hands of his enemies Saigo Takamori was highly honored even by the imperialists it is hard to call him a rebel He did not rebel against his emperor but only against the revolting idea of becoming Europeanized who can say that he was not right He was a man of fine sentiment and great loyalty Should all of us follow meekly the imperial order in England if we were told that we were to practice the manners and customs of South Sea islanders that would be hardly less revolting to us than Europeanization was to Saigo In the first year of Meiji 1868 the Tokugawa army had been badly beaten by Saigo at Fushimi and Field Marshal Tokugawa Keiki had the greatest difficulty in getting down to the sea and escaping to Yedo the imperial army proceeded along the Tokaido road determined to break up the Tokugawa force their advance guard had reached Hiratsuka under Mount Fuji on the coast it was a spring day the 5th of April and the cherry trees were in full bloom the country folk had come in to see the victorious troops who formed the advance guard of those who had beaten the Tokugawa there were many beggars about together with peddlers and sellers of sweets roasted potatoes and what not this morning clouds came over the skies at five o'clock rain began at six everyone was under cover at the principal inn were a party of the headquarters staff officers including the gallant Saigo they were making the best of the bad weather and not feeling particularly lively when they heard the soft and melodious notes of the shakuhachi at the gate that is the poor blind beggar we saw playing near the temple today said one yes so it is said another poor fellow must be very wet and miserable let us call him in capital idea assented all of them among whom was Saigo Takamori we will have him in and raise a subscription for him if he can raise our spirits in this weather they gave the landlord an order to admit the blind flute player the poor man was led in by a side door and brought into the presence of the officers gentlemen said he you have done me a very great honor and a kindness for it is not pleasant to stand outside playing in the rain with cotton clothes on I think I can repay you for I am said to play the shakuhachi well since I have been blind it has become my only pleasure and not only that but also my only means of living it is hard now in these unsettled days when everything is upside down to earn a living not many travelers come to the inns while the imperial troops occupy them these are hard days gentlemen they may be hard days for you poor blind fellow we have been against the imperial troops for we have to be suspicious there being spies of the Tokugawa three eyes indeed does each of us need in his head well well I have no wish to say all to against the imperial troops said the blind man all I have to say is that it is precious hard for a blind man to earn enough rice wherewith to fill his stomach only once a week on average am I called to play to private parties or to shampoo some rheumatic person such as this wet weather produces well we will see what we can do for you poor fellow said Saigo go around the room and see what you can collect and then we will start the concert Matsuichi did as he was bid and returned to Saigo some ten minutes later with five or six yen to which Saigo added saying there poor fellow what do you think of that say no more that the imperial troops cause you to have an empty belly say rather that if you lived near them long the skin of your belly might become so overstretched as to cause you perforced open your eyes and then indeed you might find yourself put about for a trade but let us hear your music we're dull of spirit tonight in one in livening oh gentlemen this is too much far too much for my poor music take some of it back no no they answered we're troops and officers of the imperial army our lives are uncertain from day to day it is a pleasure to give and to enjoy music when we can the blind man began to play and he played long and late sometimes his airs were lively and at other times as mournful as the spring wind which blew through the cherry trees but his manner was enchanting and all were grateful to him for having afforded a night's amusement at eleven o'clock the concert finished and they went to rest the blind beggar left to the inn and kato shibe the proprietor locked it up in spite of the sentries posted outside the inn was surrounded by hedges and several clumps of bamboos stood in the corners at the far end was an artificial mountain with a lake at its foot and near the lake a little summer house over which towered a huge and ancient pine tree one of the branches of which stretched right back over the roof of the inn at about one o'clock in the morning the form of a man might have been seen stealthily climbing this huge tree until he had reached the branch which hung over the inn there he stretched himself flat and began squirming along evidently intent upon reaching the upper floor of the house unfortunately for himself he cracked a small branch of dead wood and the sound caused a sentry to look up who goes there cried he bringing his musket round but there was no answer the sentry shouted for help and it was not more than twenty seconds before the whole house was up and out no escape for the man on the tree was possible he was taken prisoner imagine the astonishment of all when they found that he was the blind beggar but now not blind at all his eyes flashed fire of indignation at his captors for the great plan of his young life was dead who is he cried one and all and why the trickery of being blind last evening a spy that's what he is a Tokugawa spy said one take him to headquarters so that the chief officers may interrogate him and be careful to hold his hands for his every appearance of being a samurai and a fighter and so the prisoner was led off to the temple of Homunji where the headquarters of the staff temporarily were the prisoner was brought into the presence of Saigo Takamori and four other Imperial officers one of whom was Katsura Koguro he was made to kneel then Saigo who was the chief said hold your head up and give us your name the prisoner answered I am Watanabe Tatsuzo I am one of those who have the honor of belonging to the bodyguard of the Tokugawa government you are bold said Saigo do you have the goodness to tell us why you have been masquerading as a blind beggar and why you were caught in an attempt to break into the inn I found that the Imperial ambassador was sleeping there and our cause is not bettered by killing ordinary officers you are a fool answered Saigo how much better would you find yourself off if you killed Yanagihwara, Hashimoto or Katsura your question is stupid was the unabashed answer every man of us does his little is only a fragment but little by little we shall gain our ends have you a comrade here asked Saigo oh no answered the prisoner we act individually as we think best for the cause it was my intention to kill anyone of importance whose death might strengthen us I was acting entirely as I thought best and Saigo said your loyalty does you credit and I admire you for that but you should recognize that after the last victory of the Imperial troops at Fushimi Tokugawa's tenure of office extending over 300 years has come to an end it is only natural that the Imperial family should return to power your intention is presumably to support a power that is finished have you never heard the proverb which says that no single support can hold a falling tower now tell me truthfully the absurd ideas which appear to exist in your mind do you really think that the Tokugawa have any further chance if you were any other than the heroic or admirable Saigo I should refuse to answer these questions said the prisoner but as you are the great Saigo Takamori and I admire your loyalty and courage I will confess that after our defeat some 200 of a samurai formed into a society swearing to sacrifice our lives to the cause in any way that we were able I regret to say that nearly all run away and that I am as far as I am able to judge about the only one left as you will execute me there will be none stop cried Saigo say no more let me ask you will you not join us look upon the Tokugawa is dead too many faithful but ignorant samurai have died for them the Imperial family must reign 9 tenths of the country demand it though your guilt stands confessed your loyalty is admirable and we should gladly take you to our side think before you answer no thought was necessary Watanabe Tatsuzo answered instantly never though alone I will not be unfaithful to my cause you'd better behead me before the day dawns I see the strength of your arguments that the Imperial family must and should reign but that cannot alter my decision with regard to my own fate Saigo stood up and said here is a man whom we must respect there are many Tokugawa who have joined our cause through fear but they retain hate in their hearts look all of you at this Watanabe and forget him not for he is a noble man and true to the death so saying Saigo bowed to Watanabe and then turning to the guard said take the prisoner to the Sanbon Matsu and behead him as soon as the day dawns footnote Sanbon Matsu is three pines and a footnote Watanabe Tatsuzo was led forth and executed accordingly there is a crossroad on the way leading to Mariko on the right of the Nita Ferry some five or six Cho from the hill to the Hamanji Temple Ikegami in Abaragun Tokiofu where there is a little grave with a tombstone over it with characters written there on they mean tomb of Futsetsushi and it is here that Watanabe Tatsuzo is said to have been buried End of Chapter 36 Recording by Colleen McMahon Chapter 37 of Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan This is a LibriVox recording while LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Colleen McMahon Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan by Richard Gordon Smith The Kakemono Ghost of Aki Province Footnote About 250 years ago a strange legend was attached to a Kakemono which was painted by an artist's celebrity Sawara Kameju by name and owing to the reasons given in the story the Kakemono was handed over to the safekeeping of the head priest of the Karinji Temple End of Footnote Down the inland sea between Umadaichi and Kure now a great naval port and in the province of Aki there is a small village called Yayama in which lived a painter of some note Abe Tenko taught more than he painted and relied for his living mostly on the small means to which he had succeeded at his father's death and on the aspiring artists who boarded in the village for the purpose of taking daily lessons from him the island and rock scenery in the neighborhood afforded continual study and Tenko was never short of pupils among them was one scarcely more than a boy being only 17 years of age his name was Sawara Kameju and the most promising pupil he was he had been sent to Tenko over a year before when scarce 16 years of age and for the reason that Tenko had been a friend of his father Sawara was taken under the roof of the artist and treated as if he had been his son Tenko had had a sister who went into the service of the lord of Aki by whom she had a daughter had the child been a son it would have been adopted into the Aki family but being a daughter it was sent back to its mother's family with the result that Tenko took charge of the child whose name was Kimi the mother being dead the child had lived with him for 16 years our story opens with Okimi grown into a pretty girl Okimi was a most devoted adopted daughter to Tenko she attended almost entirely to his household affairs and Tenko looked upon her as if indeed she were his own daughter instead of an illegitimate niece trusting her in everything after the arrival of the young student Okimi's heart gave her much trouble she fell in love with him Sawara admired Okimi greatly but of love he never said a word being too much absorbed in his study he looked upon Kimi as a sweet girl taking his meals with her and enjoying her society he would have fought for her and he loved her but he never gave himself time to think that she was not his sister and he might make love to her so it came to pass at last that Okimi one day with the pains of love in her heart availed herself of her guardian's absence of the temple with her he had gone to paint something for the priests Okimi screwed up her courage and made love to Sawara she told him that since he had come to the house her heart had known no peace she loved him and would like to marry him if he did not mind this simple and maiden like request accompanied by the offer of tea was more than young Sawara was able to answer without acquiescence after all it did not much matter thought he Kimi is the most beautiful and charming girl and I like her very much and must marry someday so Sawara told Kimi that he loved her and would be only too delighted to marry her when his studies were complete say two or three years then Kimi was overjoyed and on the return of the good Tenko was able to inform her guardian of what had passed Sawara said too with renewed vigor and worked diligently improving very much in his style of painting and after a year Tenko thought it would do him good to finish off his studies in Kyoto under an old friend of his own a painter named Sumiyoshi Miyokei thus it was that in the spring of the sixth year of Kiyoho that is in 1721 Sawara bade farewell to Tenko and his pretty niece Okimi and started forth to the capital it was a sad parting Sawara had grown to love Kimi very deeply and he vowed that as soon as his name was made he would return and marry her in the olden days the Japanese were even more shockingly poor correspondents than they are now and even lovers or engaged couples did not write to each other as several of my tales may show after Sawara had been away for a year that he should write and say at all events how he was getting on but he did not do so a second year passed and still there was no news in the meantime there had been several admirers of Okimi's who had proposed Tenko for her hand but Tenko had invariably said that Kimi-san was already engaged until one day he heard from Miyokei the painter in Kyoto who told him that Sawara was making splendid progress and that he was most anxious that the youth should marry his daughter he felt that he must ask his old friend Tenko first and before speaking to Sawara Tenko on the other hand had an application from a rich merchant for Okimi's hand what was Tenko to do Sawara showed no signs of returning on the contrary it seemed that Miyokei was anxious to get him to marry into his family that must be a good thing for Sawara he thought Miyokei is a better teacher than I and if Sawara marries his daughter he will take more interest than ever in my old pupil also it is advisable that Kimi should marry that rich young merchant if I can persuade her to do so but it will be difficult for she loves Sawara still I am afraid he has forgotten her a little strategy I will try and tell her that Miyokei has written to tell me that Sawara is going to marry his daughter then possibly she may feel sufficiently afraid to marry the young merchant arguing thus to himself he wrote to Miyokei to say that he had his full consent to ask Sawara to be his son-in-law and he wished him every success in the effort and in the evening he spoke to Kimi Kimi he said today I have had news of Sawara through my friend Miyokei oh do tell me what cried the excited Kimi is he coming back and has he finished his education how delighted I shall be to see him we can be married in April when the cherry blooms and he can paint a picture of our first picnic I fear Kimi the news which I have does not talk of his coming back on the contrary I am asked by Miyokei to allow Sawara to marry his daughter and as I think such a request could not have been made had Sawara been faithful to you I have answered that I have no objection to the union and now as for yourself I deeply regret to tell you this but as your uncle and guardian I again wish to impress upon you the advisability of marrying Yurizuya the young merchant who is deeply in love with you and in every way a most desirable husband indeed I must insist upon it for I think it is most desirable poor Kimi-san broke into tears and deep sobs and without answering a word went to her room where Tenko thought it well to leave her alone for the night in the morning she had gone none knew wither there being no trace of her up in Kyoto Sawara continued his studies true and faithful to Okimi after receiving Tenko's letter approving of Miyokei's asking Sawara to become his son-in-law Miyokei asks Sawara if he would so honor him when you marry my daughter we shall be a family of painters and I think you will be one of the most celebrated ones that Japan ever had there cried Sawara I cannot do myself the honor of marrying your daughter for I am already engaged I have been for the last three years to Kimi Tenko's daughter it is most strange that he should not have told you there was nothing for Miyokei to say to this but there was much for Sawara to think about foolish perhaps he then thought were the ways of Japanese in not corresponding more freely he wrote to Kimi twice accordingly but no answer came then Miyokei fell ill of a chill and died so Sawara returned to his village home in Aki where he was welcomed by Tenko who is now without Okimi lonely in his old age when Sawara heard that Kimi had gone away leaving neither address nor letter he was very angry for he had not been told the reason an ungrateful and bad girl said he to Tenko and I have been lucky indeed in not marrying her yes yes said Tenko I have been lucky but you must not be too angry women are queer things and as the saying goes when you see water running uphill and hands laying square eggs you may expect to see a truly honest minded woman but come now I want to tell you that as I am growing old and feeble I wish to make you the master of my house and property here you must take my name and marry feeling disgusted in Okimi's conduct daughter of a wealthy farmer was found Kiku the chrysanthemum and she and Sawara lived happily with old Tenko keeping his house and minding his estate Sawara painted in his spare time little by little he became quite famous one day the lord of Aki sent for him and said it was his wish that Sawara should paint the seven beautiful scenes of the islands of Kabakarijima six probably the pictures were to be mounted on gold screens this was the first commission that Sawara had had from such a high official he was very proud of it and went off to the upper and lower Kabakari islands where he made rough sketches he went also to the rocky islands of Shikokujima and to the little uninhabited island of Daikokujima where an adventure befell him strolling along the shore he met a girl tanned by sun and wind she wore only a red cotton cloth on her shoulders she had been gathering shellfish and had a basket of them under her arm Sawara thought it strange that he should meet a single woman in so wild a place and more so still when she addressed him saying surely your Sawara come aid you are you not yes answered Sawara I am but it is very strange that you should know me may I ask how you do so if you are Sawara as I know you are you should know me without asking to whom you are engaged Sawara was astonished and hardly knew what to say so he asked her questions as to how she had come to this lonely island Okimi explained everything and ended by saying with a smile of happiness upon her face and since my dearest Sawara I understand that what I was told is false and they did not marry my oké's daughter and that we have been faithful to each other we can be married and happy after all oh think how happy we shall be alas alas my dear Okimi it cannot be I was led to suppose that you had deserted our benefactor Tenko and given up all thought of me oh the sadness of it all the wickedness I have been persuaded that you were faithless and had been made to marry another Okimi made no answer but began to run along the shore towards a little hut which home she had made for herself she ran fast and Sawara run after her calling Okimi, Kimi, stop and speak to me but Kimi did not stop she gained her hut and seizing a knife plunged it into her throat and fell back bleeding to death Sawara greatly grieved burst into tears it was horrible to see the girl who might have been his bride lying dead at his feet all covered with blood and having suffered so horrible death at her own hands greatly impressed he drew paper from his pocket and made a sketch of the body then he and his boatmen buried Okimi above the tide mark near the primitive hut afterwards at home with a mournful heart he painted a picture of the dead girl and hung it in his room on the first night that it was hung Sawara had a dreadful dream on awakening he found the figure on the Kakimono seemed to be alive the ghost of Okimi stepped out of it and stood near his bed night after night the ghost appeared until sleep and rest for Sawara as early as possible there was nothing to be done thought he but to send his wife back to her parents which he did and the Kakimono he presented to the Karinji temple where the priest kept it with great care and daily prayed for the spirit of Okimi-san after that Sawara saw the ghost no more the Kakimono was called the ghost picture of Tenko too and is said to be still kept in the Karinji temple where it was placed some 230 to 240 years ago end of chapter 37 recording by Colleen McMahon