第2章
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  Musomadeanswer:——

  \"Foryourkindintentionandyourgeneroushospitalityandamdeeplygrateful。ButIamsorrythatyoudidnottellmeofyourfather’sdeathwhenIcame;——for,thoughIwasalittletired,IcertainlywasnotsotiredthatIshouldhavefounddifficultyindoingmydutyasapriest。Hadyoutoldme,Icouldhaveperformedtheservicebeforeyourdeparture。Asitis,Ishallperformtheserviceafteryouhavegoneaway;andIshallstaybythebodyuntilmorning。Idonotknowwhatyoumeanbyyourwordsaboutthedangerofstayingherealone;butIamnotafraidofghostsordemons:thereforepleasetofeelnoanxietyonmyaccount。\"

  Theyoungmanappearedtoberejoicedbytheseassurances,andexpressedhisgratitudeinfittingwords。Thentheothermembersofthefamily,andthefolkassembledintheadjoiningroom,havingbeentoldofthepriest’skindpromises,cametothankhim,——afterwhichthemasterofthehousesaid:——

  \"Now,reverendSir,muchasweregrettoleaveyoualone,wemustbidyoufarewell。Bytheruleofourvillage,noneofuscanstayhereaftermidnight。Webeg,kindSir,thatyouwilltakeeverycareofyourhonorablebody,whileweareunabletoattenduponyou。Andifyouhappentohearorseeanythingstrangeduringourabsence,pleasetellusofthematterwhenwereturninthemorning。\"

  Allthenleftthehouse,exceptthepriest,whowenttotheroomwherethedeadbodywaslying。Theusualofferingshadbeensetbeforethecorpse;

  andasmallBuddhistlamp——tomyo——wasburning。Thepriestrecitedtheservice,andperformedthefuneralceremonies,——afterwhichheenteredintomeditation。Someditatingheremainedthroughseveralsilenthours;

  andtherewasnosoundinthedesertedvillage。But,whenthehushofthenightwasatitsdeepest,therenoiselesslyenteredaShape,vagueandvast;andinthesamemomentMusofoundhimselfwithoutpowertomoveorspeak。HesawthatShapeliftthecorpse,aswithhands,devourit,morequicklythanacatdevoursarat,——beginningatthehead,andeatingeverything:thehairandthebonesandeventheshroud。AndthemonstrousThing,havingthusconsumedthebody,turnedtotheofferings,andatethemalso。Thenitwentaway,asmysteriouslyasithadcome。

  Whenthevillagersreturnednextmorning,theyfoundthepriestawaitingthematthedooroftheheadman’sdwelling。Allinturnsalutedhim;andwhentheyhadentered,andlookedabouttheroom,nooneexpressedanysurpriseatthedisappearanceofthedeadbodyandtheofferings。ButthemasterofthehousesaidtoMuso:——

  \"ReverentSir,youhaveprobablyseenunpleasantthingsduringthenight:

  allofuswereanxiousaboutyou。Butnowweareveryhappytofindyoualiveandunharmed。Gladlywewouldhavestayedwithyou,ifithadbeenpossible。Butthelawofourvillage,asItoldyoulastevening,obligesustoquitourhousesafteradeathhastakenplace,andtoleavethecorpsealone。Wheneverthislawhasbeenbroken,heretofore,somegreatmisfortunehasfollowed。Wheneveritisobeyed,wefindthatthecorpseandtheofferingsdisappearduringourabsence。Perhapsyouhaveseenthecause。\"

  ThenMusotoldofthedimandawfulShapethathadenteredthedeath-chambertodevourthebodyandtheofferings。Nopersonseemedtobesurprisedbyhisnarration;andthemasterofthehouseobserved:——

  \"Whatyouhavetoldus,reverendSir,agreeswithwhathasbeensaidaboutthismatterfromancienttime。\"

  Musotheninquired:——

  \"Doesnotthepriestonthehillsometimesperformthefuneralserviceforyourdead?\"

  \"Whatpriest?\"theyoungmanasked。

  \"Thepriestwhoyesterdayeveningdirectedmetothisvillage,\"answeredMuso。\"Icalledathisanjitsuonthehillyonder。Herefusedmelodging,buttoldmethewayhere。\"

  Thelistenerslookedateachother,asinastonishment;and,afteramomentofsilence,themasterofthehousesaid:——

  \"ReverendSir,thereisnopriestandthereisnoanjitsuonthehill。Forthetimeofmanygenerationstherehasnotbeenanyresident-priestinthisneighborhood。\"

  Musosaidnothingmoreonthesubject;foritwasevidentthathiskindhostssupposedhimtohavebeendeludedbysomegoblin。Butafterhavingbiddenthemfarewell,andobtainedallnecessaryinformationastohisroad,hedeterminedtolookagainforthehermitageonthehill,andsotoascertainwhetherhehadreallybeendeceived。Hefoundtheanjitsuwithoutanydifficulty;and,thistime,itsagedoccupantinvitedhimtoenter。

  Whenhehaddoneso,thehermithumblyboweddownbeforehim,exclaiming:——

  \"Ah!Iamashamed!——Iamverymuchashamed!——Iamexceedinglyashamed!\"

  \"Youneednotbeashamedforhavingrefusedmeshelter,\"saidMuso。\"youdirectedmetothevillageyonder,whereIwasverykindlytreated;andI

  thankyouforthatfavor。

  \"Icangivenomanshelter,\"thereclusemadeanswer;——anditisnotfortherefusalthatIamashamed。Iamashamedonlythatyoushouldhaveseenmeinmyrealshape,——foritwasIwhodevouredthecorpseandtheofferingslastnightbeforeyoureyes……Know,reverendSir,thatIamajikininki,[1]——aneaterofhumanflesh。Havepityuponme,andsuffermetoconfessthesecretfaultbywhichIbecamereducedtothiscondition。

  \"Along,longtimeago,Iwasapriestinthisdesolateregion。Therewasnootherpriestformanyleaguesaround。So,inthattime,thebodiesofthemountain-folkwhodiedusedtobebroughthere,——sometimesfromgreatdistances,——inorderthatImightrepeatoverthemtheholyservice。ButI

  repeatedtheserviceandperformedtheritesonlyasamatterofbusiness;

  ——Ithoughtonlyofthefoodandtheclothesthatmysacredprofessionenabledmetogain。AndbecauseofthisselfishimpietyIwasreborn,immediatelyaftermydeath,intothestateofajikininki。SincethenI

  havebeenobligedtofeeduponthecorpsesofthepeoplewhodieinthisdistrict:everyoneofthemImustdevourinthewaythatyousawlastnight……Now,reverendSir,letmebeseechyoutoperformaSegaki-service[2]forme:helpmebyyourprayers,Ientreatyou,sothatImaybesoonabletoescapefromthishorriblestateofexistence\"……

  Nosoonerhadthehermitutteredthispetitionthanhedisappeared;andthehermitagealsodisappearedatthesameinstant。AndMusoKokushifoundhimselfkneelingaloneinthehighgrass,besideanancientandmoss-growntomboftheformcalledgo-rin-ishi,[3]whichseemedtobethetombofapriest。

  MUJINA

  OntheAkasakaRoad,inTokyo,thereisaslopecalledKii-no-kuni-zaka,——

  whichmeanstheSlopeoftheProvinceofKii。IdonotknowwhyitiscalledtheSlopeoftheProvinceofKii。Ononesideofthisslopeyouseeanancientmoat,deepandverywide,withhighgreenbanksrisinguptosomeplaceofgardens;——andontheothersideoftheroadextendthelongandloftywallsofanimperialpalace。Beforetheeraofstreet-lampsandjinrikishas,thisneighborhoodwasverylonesomeafterdark;andbelatedpedestrianswouldgomilesoutoftheirwayratherthanmounttheKii-no-kuni-zaka,alone,aftersunset。

  AllbecauseofaMujinathatusedtowalkthere。(1)

  ThelastmanwhosawtheMujinawasanoldmerchantoftheKyobashiquarter,whodiedaboutthirtyyearsago。Thisisthestory,ashetoldit:——

  Onenight,atalatehour,hewashurryinguptheKii-no-kuni-zaka,whenheperceivedawomancrouchingbythemoat,allalone,andweepingbitterly。Fearingthatsheintendedtodrownherself,hestoppedtoofferheranyassistanceorconsolationinhispower。Sheappearedtobeaslightandgracefulperson,handsomelydressed;andherhairwasarrangedlikethatofayounggirlofgoodfamily。\"O-jochu,\"[1]heexclaimed,approachingher,——\"O-jochu,donotcrylikethat!……Tellmewhatthetroubleis;andiftherebeanywaytohelpyou,Ishallbegladtohelpyou。\"(Hereallymeantwhathesaid;forhewasaverykindman。)Butshecontinuedtoweep,——hidingherfacefromhimwithoneofherlongsleeves。

  \"O-jochu,\"hesaidagain,asgentlyashecould,——\"please,pleaselistentome!……Thisisnoplaceforayoungladyatnight!Donotcry,Iimploreyou!——onlytellmehowImaybeofsomehelptoyou!\"Slowlysheroseup,butturnedherbacktohim,andcontinuedtomoanandsobbehindhersleeve。Helaidhishandlightlyuponhershoulder,andpleaded:——

  \"O-jochu!——O-jochu!——O-jochu!……Listentome,justforonelittlemoment!……O-jochu!——O-jochu!\"……ThenthatO-jochuturnedaround,anddroppedhersleeve,andstrokedherfacewithherhand;——andthemansawthatshehadnoeyesornoseormouth,——andhescreamedandranaway。(2)

  UpKii-no-kuni-zakaheranandran;andallwasblackandemptybeforehim。Onandonheran,neverdaringtolookback;andatlasthesawalantern,sofarawaythatitlookedlikethegleamofafirefly;andhemadeforit。Itprovedtobeonlythelanternofanitinerantsoba-seller,[2]whohadsetdownhisstandbytheroad-side;butanylightandanyhumancompanionshipwasgoodafterthatexperience;andheflunghimselfdownatthefeetofthesoba-seller,cryingout,\"Ah!——aa!!——aa!!!\"……

  \"Kore!kore!\"(3)roughlyexclaimedthesoba-man。\"Here!whatisthematterwithyou?Anybodyhurtyou?\"

  \"No——nobodyhurtme,\"pantedtheother,——\"only……Ah!——aa!\"

  \"——Onlyscaredyou?\"queriedthepeddler,unsympathetically。\"Robbers?\"

  \"Notrobbers,——notrobbers,\"gaspedtheterrifiedman……\"Isaw……Isawawoman——bythemoat;——andsheshowedme……Ah!Icannottellyouwhatsheshowedme!\"……

  \"He!(4)WasitanythinglikeTHISthatsheshowedyou?\"criedthesoba-man,strokinghisownface——whichtherewithbecamelikeuntoanEgg……And,simultaneously,thelightwentout。

  ROKURO-KUBI

  Nearlyfivehundredyearsagotherewasasamurai,namedIsogaiHeidazaemonTaketsura,intheserviceoftheLordKikuji,ofKyushu。ThisIsogaihadinherited,frommanywarlikeancestors,anaturalaptitudeformilitaryexercises,andextraordinarystrength。Whileyetaboyhehadsurpassedhisteachersintheartofswordsmanship,inarchery,andintheuseofthespear,andhaddisplayedallthecapacitiesofadaringandskillfulsoldier。Afterwards,inthetimeoftheEikyo[1]war,hesodistinguishedhimselfthathighhonorswerebestoweduponhim。ButwhenthehouseofKikujicametoruin,Isogaifoundhimselfwithoutamaster。Hemighttheneasilyhaveobtainedserviceunderanotherdaimyo;butashehadneversoughtdistinctionforhisownsakealone,andashisheartremainedtruetohisformerlord,hepreferredtogiveuptheworld。sohecutoffhishair,andbecameatravelingpriest,——takingtheBuddhistnameofKwairyo。

  Butalways,underthekoromo[2]ofthepriest,Kwairyokeptwarmwithinhimtheheartofthesamurai。Asinotheryearshehadlaughedatperil,sonowalsohescorneddanger;andinallweathersandallseasonshejourneyedtopreachthegoodLawinplaceswherenootherpriestwouldhavedaredtogo。Forthatagewasanageofviolenceanddisorder;anduponthehighwaystherewasnosecurityforthesolitarytraveler,evenifhehappenedtobeapriest。

  Inthecourseofhisfirstlongjourney,KwairyohadoccasiontovisittheprovinceofKai。(1)Oneevening,ashewastravelingthroughthemountainsofthatprovince,darknessovercamehiminaverylonesomedistrict,leaguesawayfromanyvillage。Soheresignedhimselftopassthenightunderthestars;andhavingfoundasuitablegrassyspot,bytheroadside,helaydownthere,andpreparedtosleep。Hehadalwayswelcomeddiscomfort;andevenabarerockwasforhimagoodbed,whennothingbettercouldbefound,andtherootofapine-treeanexcellentpillow。Hisbodywasiron;andhenevertroubledhimselfaboutdewsorrainorfrostorsnow。

  Scarcelyhadhelaindownwhenamancamealongtheroad,carryinganaxeandagreatbundleofchoppedwood。ThiswoodcutterhaltedonseeingKwairyolyingdown,and,afteramomentofsilentobservation,saidtohiminatoneofgreatsurprise:——

  \"Whatkindofamancanyoube,goodSir,thatyoudaretoliedownaloneinsuchaplaceasthis?……Therearehauntersabouthere,——manyofthem。

  areyounotafraidofHairyThings?\"

  \"Myfriend,\"cheerfullyansweredKwairyo,\"Iamonlyawanderingpriest,——

  a’Cloud-and-Water-Guest,’asfolkscallit:Unsui-no-ryokaku。(2)AndIamnotintheleastafraidofHairyThings,——ifyoumeangoblin-foxes,orgoblin-badgers,oranycreaturesofthatkind。Asforlonesomeplaces,I

  likethem:theyaresuitableformeditation。Iamaccustomedtosleepingintheopenair:andIhavelearnednevertobeanxiousaboutmylife。\"

  \"Youmustbeindeedabraveman,SirPriest,\"thepeasantresponded,\"toliedownhere!Thisplacehasabadname,——averybadname。But,astheproverbhasit,Kunshiayayukinichikayorazu[’Thesuperiormandoesnotneedlesslyexposehimselftoperil’];andImustassureyou,Sir,thatitisverydangeroustosleephere。Therefore,althoughmyhouseisonlyawretchedthatchedhut,letmebegofyoutocomehomewithmeatonce。Inthewayoffood,Ihavenothingtoofferyou;butthereisaroofatleast,andyoucansleepunderitwithoutrisk。\"

  Hespokeearnestly;andKwairyo,likingthekindlytoneoftheman,acceptedthismodestoffer。Thewoodcutterguidedhimalonganarrowpath,leadingupfromthemainroadthroughmountain-forest。Itwasaroughanddangerouspath,——sometimesskirtingprecipices,——sometimesofferingnothingbutanetworkofslipperyrootsforthefoottorestupon,——

  sometimeswindingoverorbetweenmassesofjaggedrock。ButatlastKwairyofoundhimselfuponaclearedspaceatthetopofahill,withafullmoonshiningoverhead;andhesawbeforehimasmallthatchedcottage,cheerfullylightedfromwithin。Thewoodcutterledhimtoashedatthebackofthehouse,whitherwaterhadbeenconducted,throughbamboo-pipes,fromsomeneighboringstream;andthetwomenwashedtheirfeet。Beyondtheshedwasavegetablegarden,andagroveofcedarsandbamboos;andbeyondthetreesappearedtheglimmerofacascade,pouringfromsomeloftierheight,andswayinginthemoonshinelikealongwhiterobe。

  AsKwairyoenteredthecottagewithhisguide,heperceivedfourpersons——menandwomen——warmingtheirhandsatalittlefirekindledinthero[1]oftheprincipleapartment。Theybowedlowtothepriest,andgreetedhiminthemostrespectfulmanner。Kwairyowonderedthatpersonssopoor,anddwellinginsuchasolitude,shouldbeawareofthepoliteformsofgreeting。\"Thesearegoodpeople,\"hethoughttohimself;\"andtheymusthavebeentaughtbysomeonewellacquaintedwiththerulesofpropriety。\"

  Thenturningtohishost,——thearuji,orhouse-master,astheotherscalledhim,——Kwairyosaid:——

  \"Fromthekindnessofyourspeech,andfromtheverypolitewelcomegivenmebyyourhousehold,Iimaginethatyouhavenotalwaysbeenawoodcutter。

  Perhapsyouformerlybelongedtooneoftheupperclasses?\"

  Smiling,thewoodcutteranswered:——

  \"Sir,youarenotmistaken。Thoughnowlivingasyoufindme,Iwasonceapersonofsomedistinction。Mystoryisthestoryofaruinedlife——

  ruinedbymyownfault。Iusedtobeintheserviceofadaimyo;andmyrankinthatservicewasnotinconsiderable。ButIlovedwomenandwinetoowell;andundertheinfluenceofpassionIactedwickedly。Myselfishnessbroughtabouttheruinofourhouse,andcausedthedeathofmanypersons。

  Retributionfollowedme;andIlongremainedafugitiveintheland。NowI

  oftenpraythatImaybeabletomakesomeatonementfortheevilwhichI

  did,andtoreestablishtheancestralhome。ButIfearthatIshallneverfindanywayofsodoing。Nevertheless,Itrytoovercomethekarmaofmyerrorsbysincererepentance,andbyhelpingasafarasIcan,thosewhoareunfortunate。\"

  Kwairyowaspleasedbythisannouncementofgoodresolve;andhesaidtothearuji:——

  \"Myfriend,Ihavehadoccasiontoobservethatman,pronetofollyintheiryouth,mayinafteryearsbecomeveryearnestinrightliving。Intheholysutrasitiswrittenthatthosestrongestinwrong-doingcanbecome,bypowerofgoodresolve,thestrongestinright-doing。Idonotdoubtthatyouhaveagoodheart;andIhopethatbetterfortunewillcometoyou。To-nightIshallrecitethesutrasforyoursake,andpraythatyoumayobtaintheforcetoovercomethekarmaofanypasterrors。\"

  Withtheseassurances,Kwairyobadethearujigood-night;andhishostshowedhimtoaverysmallside-room,whereabedhadbeenmadeready。Thenallwenttosleepexceptthepriest,whobegantoreadthesutrasbythelightofapaperlantern。Untilalatehourhecontinuedtoreadandpray:

  thenheopenedalittlewindowinhislittlesleeping-room,totakealastlookatthelandscapebeforelyingdown。Thenightwasbeautiful:therewasnocloudinthesky:therewasnowind;andthestrongmoonlightthrewdownsharpblackshadowsoffoliage,andglitteredonthedewsofthegarden。Shrillingsofcricketsandbell-insects(3)madeamusicaltumult;

  andthesoundoftheneighboringcascadedeepenedwiththenight。Kwairyofeltthirstyashelistenedtothenoiseofthewater;and,rememberingthebambooaqueductattherearofthehouse,hethoughtthathecouldgothereandgetadrinkwithoutdisturbingthesleepinghousehold。Verygentlyhepushedapartthesliding-screensthatseparatedhisroomfromthemainapartment;andhesaw,bythelightofthelantern,fiverecumbentbodies——withoutheads!

  Foroneinstanthestoodbewildered,——imaginingacrime。Butinanothermomentheperceivedthattherewasnoblood,andthattheheadlessnecksdidnotlookasiftheyhadbeencut。Thenhethoughttohimself:——\"Eitherthisisanillusionmadebygoblins,orIhavebeenluredintothedwellingofaRokuro-Kubi……(4)InthebookSoshinki(5)itiswrittenthatifonefindthebodyofaRokuro-Kubiwithoutitshead,andremovethebodytoanotherplace,theheadwillneverbeabletojoinitselfagaintotheneck。Andthebookfurthersaysthatwhentheheadcomesbackandfindsthatitsbodyhasbeenmoved,itwillstrikeitselfuponthefloorthreetimes,——boundinglikeaball,——andwillpantasingreatfear,andpresentlydie。Now,ifthesebeRokuro-Kubi,theymeanmenogood;——soI

  shallbejustifiedinfollowingtheinstructionsofthebook。\"……

  Heseizedthebodyofthearujibythefeet,pulledittothewindow,andpusheditout。Thenhewenttotheback-door,whichhefoundbarred;andhesurmisedthattheheadshadmadetheirexitthroughthesmoke-holeintheroof,whichhadbeenleftopen。Gentlyunbarringthedoor,hemadehiswaytothegarden,andproceededwithallpossiblecautiontothegrovebeyondit。Heheardvoicestalkinginthegrove;andhewentinthedirectionofthevoices,——stealingfromshadowtoshadow,untilhereachedagoodhiding-place。Then,frombehindatrunk,hecaughtsightoftheheads,——

  allfiveofthem,——flittingabout,andchattingastheyflitted。Theywereeatingwormsandinsectswhichtheyfoundonthegroundoramongthetrees。

  Presentlytheheadofthearujistoppedeatingandsaid:——

  \"Ah,thattravelingpriestwhocameto-night!——howfatallhisbodyis!

  Whenweshallhaveeatenhim,ourbellieswillbewellfilled……IwasfoolishtotalktohimasIdid;——itonlysethimtorecitingthesutrasonbehalfofmysoul!Togonearhimwhileheisrecitingwouldbedifficult;andwecannottouchhimsolongasheispraying。Butasitisnownearlymorning,perhapshehasgonetosleep……Someoneofyougotothehouseandseewhatthefellowisdoing。\"

  Anotherhead——theheadofayoungwoman——immediatelyroseupandflittedtothehouse,lightlyasabat。Afterafewminutesitcameback,andcriedouthuskily,inatoneofgreatalarm:——

  \"Thattravelingpriestisnotinthehouse;——heisgone!Butthatisnottheworstofthematter。Hehastakenthebodyofouraruji;andIdonotknowwherehehasputit。\"

  Atthisannouncementtheheadofthearuji——distinctlyvisibleinthemoonlight——assumedafrightfulaspect:itseyesopenedmonstrously;itshairstoodupbristling;anditsteethgnashed。Thenacryburstfromitslips;and——weepingtearsofrage——itexclaimed:——

  \"Sincemybodyhasbeenmoved,torejoinitisnotpossible!ThenImustdie!……Andallthroughtheworkofthatpriest!BeforeIdieIwillgetatthatpriest!——Iwilltearhim!——Iwilldevourhim!……ANDTHEREHEIS

  ——behindthattree!——hidingbehindthattree!Seehim!——thefatcoward!\"……

  Inthesamemomenttheheadofthearuji,followedbytheotherfourheads,sprangatKwairyo。Butthestrongpriesthadalreadyarmedhimselfbypluckingupayoungtree;andwiththattreehestrucktheheadsastheycame,——knockingthemfromhimwithtremendousblows。Fourofthemfledaway。Buttheheadofthearuji,thoughbatteredagainandagain,desperatelycontinuedtoboundatthepriest,andatlastcaughthimbytheleftsleeveofhisrobe。Kwairyo,however,asquicklygrippedtheheadbyitstopknot,andrepeatedlystruckit。Itdidnotreleaseitshold;butitutteredalongmoan,andthereafterceasedtostruggle。Itwasdead。Butitsteethstillheldthesleeve;and,forallhisgreatstrength,Kwairyocouldnotforceopenthejaws。

  Withtheheadstillhangingtohissleevehewentbacktothehouse,andtherecaughtsightoftheotherfourRokuro-Kubisquattingtogether,withtheirbruisedandbleedingheadsreunitedtotheirbodies。Butwhentheyperceivedhimattheback-doorallscreamed,\"Thepriest!thepriest!\"——

  andfled,throughtheotherdoorway,outintothewoods。

  Eastwardtheskywasbrightening;daywasabouttodawn;andKwairyoknewthatthepowerofthegoblinswaslimitedtothehoursofdarkness。Helookedattheheadclingingtohissleeve,——itsfaceallfouledwithbloodandfoamandclay;andhelaughedaloudashethoughttohimself:\"Whatamiyage![4]——theheadofagoblin!\"Afterwhichhegatheredtogetherhisfewbelongings,andleisurelydescendedthemountaintocontinuehisjourney。

  Rightonhejourneyed,untilhecametoSuwainShinano;(6)andintothemainstreetofSuwahesolemnlystrode,withtheheaddanglingathiselbow。Thenwomanfainted,andchildrenscreamedandranaway;andtherewasagreatcrowdingandclamoringuntilthetorite(asthepoliceinthosedayswerecalled)seizedthepriest,andtookhimtojail。Fortheysupposedtheheadtobetheheadofamurderedmanwho,inthemomentofbeingkilled,hadcaughtthemurderer’ssleeveinhisteeth。AstheKwairyo,heonlysmiledandsaidnothingwhentheyquestionedhim。So,afterhavingpassedanightinprison,hewasbroughtbeforethemagistratesofthedistrict。Thenhewasorderedtoexplainhowhe,apriest,hadbeenfoundwiththeheadofamanfastenedtohissleeve,andwhyhehaddaredthusshamelesslytoparadehiscrimeinthesightofpeople。

  Kwairyolaughedlongandloudlyatthesequestions;andthenhesaid:——

  \"Sirs,Ididnotfastentheheadtomysleeve:itfasteneditselfthere——

  muchagainstmywill。AndIhavenotcommittedanycrime。Forthisisnottheheadofaman;itistheheadofagoblin;——and,ifIcausedthedeathofthegoblin,Ididnotdosobyanysheddingofblood,butsimplybytakingtheprecautionsnecessarytoassuremyownsafety。\"……Andheproceededtorelatethewholeoftheadventure,——burstingintoanotherheartylaughashetoldofhisencounterwiththefiveheads。

  Butthemagistratesdidnotlaugh。Theyjudgedhimtobeahardenedcriminal,andhisstoryaninsulttotheirintelligence。Therefore,withoutfurtherquestioning,theydecidedtoorderhisimmediateexecution,——allofthemexceptone,averyoldman。Thisagedofficerhadmadenoremarkduringthetrial;but,afterhavingheardtheopinionofhiscolleagues,heroseup,andsaid:——

  \"Letusfirstexaminetheheadcarefully;forthis,Ithink,hasnotyetbeendone。Ifthepriesthasspokentruth,theheaditselfshouldbearwitnessforhim……Bringtheheadhere!\"

  Sothehead,stillholdinginitsteeththekoromothathadbeenstrippedfromKwairyo’sshoulders,wasputbeforethejudges。Theoldmanturneditroundandround,carefullyexaminedit,anddiscovered,onthenapeofitsneck,severalstrangeredcharacters。Hecalledtheattentionofhiscolleaguestothese,andalsobadthemobservethattheedgesofthenecknowherepresentedtheappearanceofhavingbeencutbyanyweapon。Onthecontrary,thelineofleverancewassmoothasthelineatwhichafallingleafdetachesitselffromthestem……Thensaidtheelder:——

  \"Iamquitesurethatthepriesttoldusnothingbutthetruth。ThisistheheadofaRokuro-Kubi。InthebookNan-ho-i-butsu-shiitiswrittenthatcertainredcharacterscanalwaysbefounduponthenapeoftheneckofarealRokuro-Kubi。Therearethecharacters:youcanseeforyourselvesthattheyhavenotbeenpainted。Moreover,itiswellknownthatsuchgoblinshavebeendwellinginthemountainsoftheprovinceofKaifromveryancienttime……Butyou,Sir,\"heexclaimed,turningtoKwairyo,——

  \"whatsortofsturdypriestmayyoube?Certainlyyouhavegivenproofofacouragethatfewpriestspossess;andyouhavetheairofasoldierratherthanapriest。Perhapsyouoncebelongedtothesamurai-class?\"

  \"Youhaveguessedrightly,Sir,\"Kwairyoresponded。\"Beforebecomingapriest,Ilongfollowedtheprofessionofarms;andinthosedaysIneverfearedmanordevil。MynamethenwasIsogaiHeidazaemonTaketsuraofKyushu:theremaybesomeamongyouwhorememberit。\"

  Atthementionofthatname,amurmurofadmirationfilledthecourt-room。;forthereweremanypresentwhorememberedit。AndKwairyoimmediatelyfoundhimselfamongfriendsinsteadofjudges,——friendsanxioustoprovetheiradmirationbyfraternalkindness。Withhonortheyescortedhimtotheresidenceofthedaimyo,whowelcomedhim,andfeastedhim,andmadehimahandsomepresentbeforeallowinghimtodepart。WhenKwairyoleftSuwa,hewasashappyasanypriestispermittedtobeinthistransitoryworld。Asforthehead,hetookitwithhim,——jocoselyinsistingthatheintendeditforamiyage。

  Andnowitonlyremainstotellwhatbecameofthehead。

  AdayortwoafterleavingSuwa,Kwairyometwitharobber,whostoppedhiminalonesomeplace,andbadehimstrip。Kwairyoatonceremovedhiskoromo,andofferedittotherobber,whothenfirstperceivedwhatwashangingtothesleeve。Thoughbrave,thehighwaymanwasstartled:hedroppedthegarment,andsprangback。Thenhecriedout:——\"You!——whatkindofapriestareyou?Why,youareaworsemanthanIam!ItistruethatIhavekilledpeople;butIneverwalkedaboutwithanybody’sheadfastenedtomysleeve……Well,Sirpriest,Isupposeweareofthesamecalling;andImustsaythatIadmireyou!……Nowthatheadwouldbeofusetome:Icouldfrightenpeoplewithit。Willyousellit?Youcanhavemyrobeinexchangeforyourkoromo;andIwillgiveyoufiveryoforthehead。\"

  Kwairyoanswered:——

  \"Ishallletyouhavetheheadandtherobeifyouinsist;butImusttellyouthatthisisnottheheadofaman。Itisagoblin’shead。So,ifyoubuyit,andhaveanytroubleinconsequence,pleasetorememberthatyouwerenotdeceivedbyme。\"

  \"Whatanicepriestyouare!\"exclaimedtherobber。\"Youkillmen,andjestaboutit!……ButIamreallyinearnest。Hereismyrobe;andhereisthemoney;——andletmehavethehead……Whatistheuseofjoking?\"

  \"Takethething,\"saidKwairyo。\"Iwasnotjoking。Theonlyjoke——iftherebeanyjokeatall——isthatyouarefoolenoughtopaygoodmoneyforagoblin’shead。\"AndKwairyo,loudlylaughing,wentuponhisway。

  Thustherobbergottheheadandthekoromo;andforsometimeheplayedgoblin-priestuponthehighways。But,reachingtheneighborhoodofSuwa,hethereleanedthetruestoryofthehead;andhethenbecameafraidthatthespiritoftheRokuro-Kubimightgivehimtrouble。Sohemadeuphismindtotakebacktheheadtotheplacefromwhichithadcome,andtoburyitwithitsbody。HefoundhiswaytothelonelycottageinthemountainsofKai;

  butnobodywasthere,andhecouldnotdiscoverthebody。Thereforeheburiedtheheadbyitself,inthegrovebehindthecottage;andhehadatombstonesetupoverthegrave;andhecausedaSegaki-servicetobeperformedonbehalfofthespiritoftheRokuro-Kubi。Andthattombstone——

  knownastheTombstoneoftheRokuro-Kubi——maybeseen(atleastsotheJapanesestory-tellerdeclares)evenuntothisday。

  ADEADSECRET

  Alongtimeago,intheprovinceofTamba(1),therelivedarichmerchantnamedInamurayaGensuke。HehadadaughtercalledO-Sono。Asshewasverycleverandpretty,hethoughtitwouldbeapitytolethergrowupwithonlysuchteachingasthecountry-teacherscouldgiveher:sohesenther,incareofsometrustyattendants,toKyoto,thatshemightbetrainedinthepoliteaccomplishmentstaughttotheladiesofthecapital。Aftershehadthusbeeneducated,shewasmarriedtoafriendofherfather’sfamily——amerchantnamedNagaraya;——andshelivedhappilywithhimfornearlyfouryears。Theyhadonechild,——aButO-Sonofellillanddied,inthefourthyearafterhermarriage。

  OnthenightafterthefuneralofO-Sono,herlittlesonsaidthathismammahadcomeback,andwasintheroomupstairs。Shehadsmiledathim,butwouldnottalktohim:sohebecameafraid,andranaway。ThensomeofthefamilywentupstairstotheroomwhichhadbeenO-Sono’s;andtheywerestartledtosee,bythelightofasmalllampwhichhadbeenkindledbeforeashrineinthatroom,thefigureofthedeadmother。Sheappearedasifstandinginfrontofatansu,orchestofdrawers,thatstillcontainedherornamentsandherwearing-apparel。Herheadandshoulderscouldbeverydistinctlyseen;butfromthewaistdownwardsthefigurethinnedintoinvisibility;——itwaslikeanimperfectreflectionofher,andtransparentasashadowonwater。

  Thenthefolkwereafraid,andlefttheroom。Belowtheyconsultedtogether;andthemotherofO-Sono’shusbandsaid:\"Awomanisfondofhersmallthings;andO-Sonowasmuchattachedtoherbelongings。Perhapsshehascomebacktolookatthem。Manydeadpersonswilldothat,——unlessthethingsbegiventotheparish-temple。IfwepresentO-Sono’srobesandgirdlestothetemple,herspiritwillprobablyfindrest。\"

  Iwasagreedthatthisshouldbedoneassoonaspossible。Soonthefollowingmorningthedrawerswereemptied;andallofO-Sono’sornamentsanddressesweretakentothetemple。Butshecamebackthenextnight,andlookedatthetansuasbefore。Andshecamebackalsoonthenightfollowing,andthenightafterthat,andeverynight;——andthehousebecameahouseoffear。

  ThemotherofO-Sono’shusbandthenwenttotheparish-temple,andtoldthechiefpriestallthathadhappened,andaskedforghostlycounsel。ThetemplewasaZentemple;andthehead-priestwasalearnedoldman,knownasDaigenOsho。Hesaid:\"Theremustbesomethingaboutwhichsheisanxious,inornearthattansu。\"——\"Butweemptiedallthedrawers,\"

  repliedthewoman;——\"thereisnothinginthetansu。\"——\"Well,\"saidDaigenOsho,\"to-nightIshallgotoyourhouse,andkeepwatchinthatroom,andseewhatcanbedone。YoumustgiveordersthatnopersonshallentertheroomwhileIamwatching,unlessIcall。\"

  Aftersundown,DaigenOshowenttothehouse,andfoundtheroommadereadyforhim。Heremainedtherealone,readingthesutras;andnothingappeareduntilaftertheHouroftheRat。[1]ThenthefigureofO-Sonosuddenlyoutlineditselfinfrontofthetansu。Herfacehadawistfullook;andshekepthereyesfixeduponthetansu。

  Thepriestutteredtheholyformulaprescribedinsuchcases,andthen,addressingthefigurebythekaimyo[2]ofO-Sono,said:——\"Ihavecomehereinordertohelpyou。Perhapsinthattansuthereissomethingaboutwhichyouhavereasontofeelanxious。ShallItrytofinditforyou?\"Theshadowappearedtogiveassentbyaslightmotionofthehead;andthepriest,rising,openedthetopdrawer。Itwasempty。Successivelyheopenedthesecond,thethird,andthefourthdrawer;——hesearchedcarefullybehindthemandbeneaththem;——hecarefullyexaminedtheinteriorofthechest。Hefoundnothing。Butthefigureremainedgazingaswistfullyasbefore。\"Whatcanshewant?\"thoughtthepriest。Suddenlyitoccurredtohimthattheremightbesomethinghiddenunderthepaperwithwhichthedrawerswerelined。Heremovedtheliningofthefirstdrawer:——nothing!

  Heremovedtheliningofthesecondandthirddrawers:——stillnothing。Butundertheliningofthelowermostdrawerhefound——aletter。\"Isthisthethingaboutwhichyouhavebeentroubled?\"heasked。Theshadowofthewomanturnedtowardhim,——herfaintgazefixedupontheletter。\"ShallI

  burnitforyou?\"heasked。Shebowedbeforehim。\"Itshallbeburnedinthetemplethisverymorning,\"hepromised;——\"andnooneshallreadit,exceptmyself。\"Thefiguresmiledandvanished。

  Dawnwasbreakingasthepriestdescendedthestairs,tofindthefamilywaitinganxiouslybelow。\"Donotbeanxious,\"hesaidtothem:\"Shewillnotappearagain。\"Andsheneverdid。

  Theletterwasburned。Itwasalove-letterwrittentoO-SonointhetimeofherstudiesatKyoto。Butthepriestaloneknewwhatwasinit;andthesecretdiedwithhim。

  YUKI-ONNA

  InavillageofMusashiProvince(1),therelivedtwowoodcutters:MosakuandMinokichi。AtthetimeofwhichIamspeaking,Mosakuwasanoldman;

  andMinokichi,hisapprentice,wasaladofeighteenyears。Everydaytheywenttogethertoaforestsituatedaboutfivemilesfromtheirvillage。Onthewaytothatforestthereisawiderivertocross;andthereisaferry-boat。Severaltimesabridgewasbuiltwheretheferryis;butthebridgewaseachtimecarriedawaybyaflood。Nocommonbridgecanresistthecurrenttherewhentheriverrises。

  MosakuandMinokichiwereontheirwayhome,oneverycoldevening,whenagreatsnowstormovertookthem。Theyreachedtheferry;andtheyfoundthattheboatmanhadgoneaway,leavinghisboatontheothersideoftheriver。

  Itwasnodayforswimming;andthewoodcutterstookshelterintheferryman’shut,——thinkingthemselvesluckytofindanyshelteratall。

  Therewasnobrazierinthehut,noranyplaceinwhichtomakeafire:itwasonlyatwo-mat[1]hut,withasingledoor,butnowindow。MosakuandMinokichifastenedthedoor,andlaydowntorest,withtheirstrawrain-coatsoverthem。Atfirsttheydidnotfeelverycold;andtheythoughtthatthestormwouldsoonbeover。

  Theoldmanalmostimmediatelyfellasleep;buttheboy,Minokichi,layawakealongtime,listeningtotheawfulwind,andthecontinualslashingofthesnowagainstthedoor。Theriverwasroaring;andthehutswayedandcreakedlikeajunkatsea。Itwasaterriblestorm;andtheairwaseverymomentbecomingcolder;andMinokichishiveredunderhisrain-coat。Butatlast,inspiteofthecold,hetoofellasleep。

  Hewasawakenedbyashoweringofsnowinhisface。Thedoorofthehuthadbeenforcedopen;and,bythesnow-light(yuki-akari),hesawawomanintheroom,——awomanallinwhite。ShewasbendingaboveMosaku,andblowingherbreathuponhim;——andherbreathwaslikeabrightwhitesmoke。AlmostinthesamemomentsheturnedtoMinokichi,andstoopedoverhim。Hetriedtocryout,butfoundthathecouldnotutteranysound。Thewhitewomanbentdownoverhim,lowerandlower,untilherfacealmosttouchedhim;andhesawthatshewasverybeautiful,——thoughhereyesmadehimafraid。Foralittletimeshecontinuedtolookathim;——thenshesmiled,andshewhispered:——\"Iintendedtotreatyouliketheotherman。

  ButIcannothelpfeelingsomepityforyou,——becauseyouaresoyoung……

  Youareaprettyboy,Minokichi;andIwillnothurtyounow。But,ifyouevertellanybody——evenyourownmother——aboutwhatyouhaveseenthisnight,Ishallknowit;andthenIwillkillyou……RememberwhatIsay!\"

  Withthesewords,sheturnedfromhim,andpassedthroughthedoorway。

  Thenhefoundhimselfabletomove;andhesprangup,andlookedout。Butthewomanwasnowheretobeseen;andthesnowwasdrivingfuriouslyintothehut。Minokichiclosedthedoor,andsecureditbyfixingseveralbilletsofwoodagainstit。Hewonderedifthewindhadblownitopen;——hethoughtthathemighthavebeenonlydreaming,andmighthavemistakenthegleamofthesnow-lightinthedoorwayforthefigureofawhitewoman:buthecouldnotbesure。HecalledtoMosaku,andwasfrightenedbecausetheoldmandidnotanswer。Heputouthishandinthedark,andtouchedMosaku’sface,andfoundthatitwasice!Mosakuwasstarkanddead……

  Bydawnthestormwasover;andwhentheferrymanreturnedtohisstation,alittleaftersunrise,hefoundMinokichilyingsenselessbesidethefrozenbodyofMosaku。Minokichiwaspromptlycaredfor,andsooncametohimself;butheremainedalongtimeillfromtheeffectsofthecoldofthatterriblenight。Hehadbeengreatlyfrightenedalsobytheoldman’sdeath;buthesaidnothingaboutthevisionofthewomaninwhite。Assoonashegotwellagain,hereturnedtohiscalling,——goingaloneeverymorningtotheforest,andcomingbackatnightfallwithhisbundlesofwood,whichhismotherhelpedhimtosell。

  Oneevening,inthewinterofthefollowingyear,ashewasonhiswayhome,heovertookagirlwhohappenedtobetravelingbythesameroad。Shewasatall,slimgirl,verygood-looking;andsheansweredMinokichi’sgreetinginavoiceaspleasanttotheearasthevoiceofasong-bird。

  Thenhewalkedbesideher;andtheybegantotalk。ThegirlsaidthathernamewasO-Yuki[2];thatshehadlatelylostbothofherparents;andthatshewasgoingtoYedo(2),whereshehappenedtohavesomepoorrelations,whomighthelphertofindasituationasaservant。Minokichisoonfeltcharmedbythisstrangegirl;andthemorethathelookedather,thehandsomersheappearedtobe。Heaskedherwhethershewasyetbetrothed;

  andsheanswered,laughingly,thatshewasfree。Then,inherturn,sheaskedMinokichiwhetherhewasmarried,orpledgetomarry;andhetoldherthat,althoughhehadonlyawidowedmothertosupport,thequestionofan\"honorabledaughter-in-law\"hadnotyetbeenconsidered,ashewasveryyoung……Aftertheseconfidences,theywalkedonforalongwhilewithoutspeaking;but,astheproverbdeclares,Kigaareba,memokuchihodonimonowoiu:\"Whenthewishisthere,theeyescansayasmuchasthemouth。\"Bythetimetheyreachedthevillage,theyhadbecomeverymuchpleasedwitheachother;andthenMinokichiaskedO-Yukitorestawhileathishouse。Aftersomeshyhesitation,shewenttherewithhim;andhismothermadeherwelcome,andpreparedawarmmealforher。O-YukibehavedsonicelythatMinokichi’smothertookasuddenfancytoher,andpersuadedhertodelayherjourneytoYedo。AndthenaturalendofthematterwasthatYukineverwenttoYedoatall。Sheremainedinthehouse,asan\"honorabledaughter-in-law。\"

  O-Yukiprovedaverygooddaughter-in-law。WhenMinokichi’smothercametodie,——somefiveyearslater,——herlastwordswerewordsofaffectionandpraiseforthewifeofherson。AndO-YukiboreMinokichitenchildren,boysandgirls,——handsomechildrenallofthem,andveryfairofskin。

  Thecountry-folkthoughtO-Yukiawonderfulperson,bynaturedifferentfromthemselves。Mostofthepeasant-womenageearly;butO-Yuki,evenafterhavingbecomethemotheroftenchildren,lookedasyoungandfreshasonthedaywhenshehadfirstcometothevillage。

  Onenight,afterthechildrenhadgonetosleep,O-Yukiwassewingbythelightofapaperlamp;andMinokichi,watchingher,said:——

  \"Toseeyousewingthere,withthelightonyourface,makesmethinkofastrangethingthathappenedwhenIwasaladofeighteen。Ithensawsomebodyasbeautifulandwhiteasyouarenow——indeed,shewasverylikeyou。\"……

  Withoutliftinghereyesfromherwork,O-Yukiresponded:——

  \"Tellmeabouther……Wheredidyouseeher?

  ThenMinokichitoldherabouttheterriblenightintheferryman’shut,——

  andabouttheWhiteWomanthathadstoopedabovehim,smilingandwhispering,——andaboutthesilentdeathofoldMosaku。Andhesaid:——

  \"Asleeporawake,thatwastheonlytimethatIsawabeingasbeautifulasyou。Ofcourse,shewasnotahumanbeing;andIwasafraidofher,——

  verymuchafraid,——butshewassowhite!……Indeed,IhaveneverbeensurewhetheritwasadreamthatIsaw,ortheWomanoftheSnow。\"……

  O-Yukiflungdownhersewing,andarose,andbowedaboveMinokichiwherehesat,andshriekedintohisface:——

  \"ItwasI——I——I!Yukiitwas!AndItoldyouthenthatIwouldkillyouifyoueversaidoneworkaboutit!……Butforthosechildrenasleepthere,Iwouldkillyouthismoment!Andnowyouhadbettertakevery,verygoodcareofthem;forifevertheyhavereasontocomplainofyou,Iwilltreatyouasyoudeserve!\"……

  Evenasshescreamed,hervoicebecamethin,likeacryingofwind;——thenshemeltedintoabrightwhitemistthatspiredtotheroof-beams,andshudderedawaythroughthesmoke-hold……Neveragainwassheseen。

  THESTORYOFAOYAGI

  IntheeraofBummei[1469-1486]therewasayoungsamuraicalledTomotadaintheserviceofHatakeyamaYoshimune,theLordofNoto(1)。TomotadawasanativeofEchizen(2);butatanearlyagehehadbeentaken,aspage,intothepalaceofthedaimyoofNoto,andhadbeeneducated,underthesupervisionofthatprince,fortheprofessionofarms。Ashegrewup,heprovedhimselfbothagoodscholarandagoodsoldier,andcontinuedtoenjoythefavorofhisprince。Beinggiftedwithanamiablecharacter,awinningaddress,andaveryhandsomeperson,hewasadmiredandmuchlikedbyhissamurai-comrades。

  WhenTomotadawasabouttwentyyearsold,hewassentuponaprivatemissiontoHosokawaMasamoto,thegreatdaimyoofKyoto,akinsmanofHatakeyamaYoshimune。HavingbeenorderedtojourneythroughEchizen,theyouthrequestedandobtainedpermissiontopayavisit,ontheway,tohiswidowedmother。

  Itwasthecoldestperiodoftheyearwhenhestarted;and,thoughmounteduponapowerfulhorse,hefoundhimselfobligedtoproceedslowly。Theroadwhichhefollowedpassedthroughamountain-districtwherethesettlementswerefewandfarbetween;andontheseconddayofhisjourney,afterawearyrideofhours,hewasdismayedtofindthathecouldnotreachedhisintendedhalting-placeuntillateinthenight。Hehadreasontobeanxious;——foraheavysnowstormcameon,withanintenselycoldwind;andthehorseshowedsignsofexhaustion。Butinthattryingmoment,Tomotadaunexpectedlyperceivedthethatchedroomofacottageonthesummitofanearhill,wherewillow-treesweregrowing。Withdifficultyheurgedhistiredanimaltothedwelling;andheloudlyknockeduponthestorm-doors,whichhadbeenclosedagainstthewind。Anoldwomanopenedthem,andcriedoutcompassionatelyatthesightofthehandsomestranger:\"Ah,howpitiful!——ayounggentlemantravelingaloneinsuchweather!……Deign,youngmaster,toenter。\"

  Tomotadadismounted,andafterleadinghishorsetoashedintherear,enteredthecottage,wherehesawanoldmanandagirlwarmingthemselvesbyafireofbamboosplints。Theyrespectfullyinvitedhimtoapproachthefire;andtheoldfolksthenproceededtowarmsomerice-wine,andtopreparefoodforthetraveler,whomtheyventuredtoquestioninregardtohisjourney。Meanwhiletheyounggirldisappearedbehindascreen。Tomotadahadobserved,withastonishment,thatshewasextremelybeautiful,——thoughherattirewasofthemostwretchedkind,andherlong,loosehairindisorder。Hewonderedthatsohandsomeagirlshouldbelivinginsuchamiserableandlonesomeplace。

  Theoldmansaidtohim:——

  \"HonoredSir,thenextvillageisfar;andthesnowisfallingthickly。

  Thewindispiercing;andtheroadisverybad。Therefore,toproceedfurtherthisnightwouldprobablybedangerous。Althoughthishovelisunworthyofyourpresence,andalthoughwehavenotanycomforttooffer,perhapsitweresafertoremainto-nightunderthismiserableroof……Wewouldtakegoodcareofyourhorse。\"

  Tomotadaacceptedthishumbleproposal,——secretlygladofthechancethusaffordedhimtoseemoreoftheyounggirl。Presentlyacoarsebutamplemealwassetbeforehim;andthegirlcamefrombehindthescreen,toservethewine。Shewasnowreclad,inaroughbutcleanlyrobeofhomespun;andherlong,loosehairhadbeenneatlycombedandsmoothed。Asshebentforwardtofillhiscup,Tomotadawasamazedtoperceivethatshewasincomparablymorebeautifulthananywomanwhomhehadeverbeforeseen;andtherewasagraceabouthereverymotionthatastonishedhim。Buttheeldersbegantoapologizeforher,saying:\"Sir,ourdaughter,Aoyagi,[1]hasbeenbroughtuphereinthemountains,almostalone;andsheknowsnothingofgentleservice。Wepraythatyouwillpardonherstupidityandherignorance。\"Tomotadaprotestedthathedeemedhimselfluckytobewaiteduponbysocomelyamaiden。Hecouldnotturnhiseyesawayfromher——thoughhesawthathisadmiringgazemadeherblush;——andheleftthewineandfooduntastedbeforehim。Themothersaid:\"KindSir,weverymuchhopethatyouwilltrytoeatandtodrinkalittle,——thoughourpeasant-fareisoftheworst,——asyoumusthavebeenchilledbythatpiercingwind。\"Then,topleasetheoldfolks,Tomotadaateanddrankashecould;butthecharmoftheblushinggirlstillgrewuponhim。Hetalkedwithher,andfoundthatherspeechwassweetasherface。Broughtupinthemountainsasshemighthavebeen;——but,inthatcase,herparentsmustatsometimebeenpersonsofhighdegree;forshespokeandmovedlikeadamselofrank。Suddenlyheaddressedherwithapoem——whichwasalsoaquestion——inspiredbythedelightinhisheart:——

  \"Tadzunetsuru,Hanakatotekoso,Hiwokurase,AkenuniotoruAkanesasuran?\"

  [\"Beingonmywaytopayavisit,IfoundthatwhichItooktobeaflower:thereforehereIspendtheday……Why,inthetimebeforedawn,thedawn-blushtintshouldglow——that,indeed,Iknownot。\"][2]

  Withoutamoment’shesitation,sheansweredhimintheseverses:——

  \"IzuruhinoHonomekuirowoWagasodeniTsutsumabaasumoKimiyatomaran。\"

  [IfwithmysleeveIhidthefaintfaircolorofthedawningsun,——then,perhaps,inthemorningmylordwillremain。\"][3]

  ThenTomotadaknewthatsheacceptedhisadmiration;andhewasscarcelylesssurprisedbytheartwithwhichshehadutteredherfeelingsinverse,thandelightedbytheassurancewhichtheversesconveyed。Hewasnowcertainthatinallthisworldhecouldnothopetomeet,muchlesstowin,agirlmorebeautifulandwittythanthisrusticmaidbeforehim;andavoiceinhisheartseemedtocryouturgently,\"Taketheluckthatthegodshaveputinyourway!\"Inshorthewasbewitched——bewitchedtosuchadegreethat,withoutfurtherpreliminary,heaskedtheoldpeopletogivehimtheirdaughterinmarriage,——tellingthem,atthesametime,hisnameandlineage,andhisrankinthetrainoftheLordofNoto。

  Theyboweddownbeforehim,withmanyexclamationsofgratefulastonishment。But,aftersomemomentsofapparenthesitation,thefatherreplied:——

  \"Honoredmaster,youareapersonofhighposition,andlikelytorisetostillhigherthings。Toogreatisthefavorthatyoudeigntoofferus;——

  indeed,thedepthofourgratitudethereforisnottobespokenormeasured。Butthisgirlofours,beingastupidcountry-girlofvulgarbirth,withnotrainingorteachingofanysort,itwouldbeimpropertoletherbecomethewifeofanoblesamurai。Eventospeakofsuchamatterisnotright……But,sinceyoufindthegirltoyourliking,andhavecondescendedtopardonherpeasant-mannersandtooverlookhergreatrudeness,wedogladlypresenthertoyou,foranhumblehandmaid。Deign,therefore,toacthereafterinherregardaccordingtoyouraugustpleasure。\"

  Eremorningthestormhadpassed;anddaybrokethroughacloudlesseast。

  EvenifthesleeveofAoyagihidfromherlover’seyestherose-blushofthatdawn,hecouldnolongertarry。Butneithercouldheresignhimselftopartwiththegirl;and,wheneverythinghadbeenpreparedforhisjourney,hethusaddressedherparents:——

  \"ThoughitmayseemthanklesstoaskformorethanIhavealreadyreceived,Imustagainbegyoutogivemeyourdaughterforwife。Itwouldbedifficultformetoseparatefromhernow;andassheiswillingtoaccompanyme,ifyoupermit,Icantakeherwithmeassheis。Ifyouwillgivehertome,Ishallevercherishyouasparents……And,inthemeantime,pleasetoacceptthispooracknowledgmentofyourkindesthospitality。\"

  Sosaying,heplacedbeforehishumblehostapurseofgoldryo。Buttheoldman,aftermanyprostrations,gentlypushedbackthegift,andsaid:——

  \"Kindmaster,thegoldwouldbeofnousetous;andyouwillprobablyhaveneedofitduringyourlong,coldjourney。Herewebuynothing;andwecouldnotspendsomuchmoneyuponourselves,evenifwewished……Asforthegirl,wehavealreadybestowedherasafreegift;——shebelongstoyou:thereforeitisnotnecessarytoaskourleavetotakeheraway。

  Alreadyshehastoldusthatshehopestoaccompanyyou,andtoremainyourservantforaslongasyoumaybewillingtoendureherpresence。Weareonlytoohappytoknowthatyoudeigntoaccepther;andwepraythatyouwillnottroubleyourselfonouraccount。Inthisplacewecouldnotprovideherwithproperclothing,——muchlesswithadowry。Moreover,beingold,weshouldinanyeventhavetoseparatefromherbeforelong。

  Thereforeitisveryfortunatethatyoushouldbewillingtotakeherwithyounow。\"

  ItwasinvainthatTomotadatriedtopersuadetheoldpeopletoacceptapresent:hefoundthattheycarednothingformoney。Buthesawthattheywerereallyanxioustotrusttheirdaughter’sfatetohishands;andhethereforedecidedtotakeherwithhim。Soheplacedheruponhishorse,andbadetheoldfolksfarewellforthetimebeing,withmanysincereexpressionsofgratitude。

  \"honoredSir,\"thefathermadeanswer,\"itiswe,andnotyou,whohavereasonforgratitude。Wearesurethatyouwillbekindtoourgirl;andwehavenofearsforhersake。\"……

  [Here,intheJapaneseoriginal,thereisaqueerbreakinthenaturalcourseofthenarration,whichtherefromremainscuriouslyinconsistent。

  NothingfurtherissaidaboutthemotherofTomotada,orabouttheparentsofAoyagi,oraboutthedaimyoofNoto。Evidentlythewriterweariedofhisworkatthispoint,andhurriedthestory,verycarelessly,toitsstartlingend。Iamnotabletosupplyhisomissions,ortorepairhisfaultsofconstruction;butImustventuretoputinafewexplanatorydetails,withoutwhichtherestofthetalewouldnotholdtogether……ItappearsthatTomotadarashlytookAoyagiwithhimtoKyoto,andsogotintotrouble;butwearenotinformedastowherethecouplelivedafterwards。]……Nowasamuraiwasnotallowedtomarrywithouttheconsentofhislord;

  andTomotadacouldnotexpecttoobtainthissanctionbeforehismissionhadbeenaccomplished。Hehadreason,undersuchcircumstances,tofearthatthebeautyofAoyagimightattractdangerousattention,andthatmeansmightbedevisedoftakingherawayfromhim。InKyotohethereforetriedtokeepherhiddenfromcuriouseyes。ButaretainerofLordHosokawaonedaycaughtsightofAoyagi,discoveredherrelationtoTomotada,andreportedthemattertothedaimyo。Thereuponthedaimyo——ayoungprince,andfondofprettyfaces——gaveordersthatthegirlshouldbebroughttotheplace;andshewastakenthitheratonce,withoutceremony。

  Tomotadasorrowedunspeakably;butheknewhimselfpowerless。Hewasonlyanhumblemessengerintheserviceofafar-offdaimyo;andforthetimebeinghewasatthemercyofamuchmorepowerfuldaimyo,whosewisheswerenottobequestioned。MoreoverTomotadaknewthathehadactedfoolishly,——

  thathehadbroughtabouthisownmisfortune,byenteringintoaclandestinerelationwhichthecodeofthemilitaryclasscondemned。Therewasnowbutonehopeforhim,——adesperatehope:thatAoyagimightbeableandwillingtoescapeandtofleewithhim。Afterlongreflection,heresolvedtotrytosendheraletter。Theattemptwouldbedangerous,ofcourse:anywritingsenttohermightfinditswaytothehandsofthedaimyo;andtosendalove-lettertoanyinmateoftheplacewasanunpardonableoffense。Butheresolvedtodaretherisk;and,intheformofaChinesepoem,hecomposedaletterwhichheendeavoredtohaveconveyedtoher。Thepoemwaswrittenwithonlytwenty-eightcharacters。Butwiththosetwenty-eightcharactershewasabouttoexpressallthedepthofhispassion,andtosuggestallthepainofhisloss:——[4]

  Koshio-songojinwoou;

  Ryokujunamidawotareterakinwohitataru;

  Komonhitotabiiritefukakikotouminogotoshi;

  Koreyorishorokorerojin[Closely,closelytheyouthfulprincenowfollowsafterthegem-brightmaid;——

  Thetearsofthefairone,falling,havemoistenedallherrobes。

  Buttheaugustlord,havingonebecomeenamoredofher——thedepthofhislongingislikethedepthofthesea。

  ThereforeitisonlyIthatamleftforlorn,——onlyIthatamlefttowanderalong。]

  Ontheeveningofthedayafterthispoemhadbeensent,TomotadawassummonedtoappearbeforetheLordHosokawa。Theyouthatoncesuspectedthathisconfidencehadbeenbetrayed;andhecouldnothope,ifhisletterhadbeenseenbythedaimyo,toescapetheseverestpenalty。\"Nowhewillordermydeath,\"thoughtTomotada;——\"butIdonotcaretoliveunlessAoyagiberestoredtome。Besides,ifthedeath-sentencebepassed,IcanatleasttrytokillHosokawa。\"Heslippedhisswordsintohisgirdle,andhastenedtothepalace。

  Onenteringthepresence-roomhesawtheLordHosokawaseateduponthedais,surroundedbysamuraiofhighrank,incapsandrobesofceremony。

  Allweresilentasstatues;andwhileTomotadaadvancedtomakeobeisance,thehushseemedtohissinisterandheavy,likethestillnessbeforeastorm。ButHosokawasuddenlydescendedfromthedais,and,whiletakingtheyouthbythearm,begantorepeatthewordsofthepoem:——\"Koshio-songojinwoou。\"……AndTomotada,lookingup,sawkindlytearsintheprince’seyes。

  ThensaidHosokawa:——

  \"Becauseyouloveeachothersomuch,Ihavetakenituponmyselftoauthorizeyourmarriage,inlieuofmykinsman,theLordofNoto;andyourweddingshallnowbecelebratedbeforeme。Theguestsareassembled;——thegiftsareready。\"

  Atasignalfromthelord,thesliding-screensconcealingafurtherapartmentwerepushedopen;andTomotadasawtheremanydignitariesofthecourt,assembledfortheceremony,andAoyagiawaitinghiminbrides’

  apparel……Thuswasshegivenbacktohim;——andtheweddingwasjoyousandsplendid;——andpreciousgiftsweremadetotheyoungcouplebytheprince,andbythemembersofhishousehold。

  ***

  Forfivehappyyears,afterthatwedding,TomotadaandAoyagidwelttogether。ButonemorningAoyagi,whiletalkingwithherhusbandaboutsomehouseholdmatter,suddenlyutteredagreatcryofpain,andthenbecameverywhiteandstill。Afterafewmomentsshesaid,inafeeblevoice:

  \"Pardonmeforthusrudelycryingout——butthepaidwassosudden!……Mydearhusband,ourunionmusthavebeenbroughtaboutthroughsomeKarma-relationinaformerstateofexistence;andthathappyrelation,I

  think,willbringusagaintogetherinmorethanonelifetocome。Butforthispresentexistenceofours,therelationisnowended;——weareabouttobeseparated。Repeatforme,Ibeseechyou,theNembutsu-prayer,——

  becauseIamdying。\"

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