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This + book has been a standard source of information about Japanese + folklore and customs since its original publication in 1871 and + has been in print ever since.</div> + + <hr class="full" /> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"><a href="images/frontis.jpg" name="frontis" target="blank"><img width="100%" src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="THE RÔNINS INVITE KÔTSUKÉ NO SUKÉ TO PERFORM HARA-KIRI." /></a> THE RÔNINS INVITE KÔTSUKÉ NO SUKÉ TO PERFORM HARA-KIRI.</div> + + + <h1>TALES OF OLD JAPAN</h1> + + <h4>by</h4> + + <h2>LORD REDESDALE, G.C.V.O., K.C.B.</h2> + + <h4>FORMERLY SECOND SECRETARY TO THE BRITISH LEGATION IN JAPAN</h4> + + <br /> + <br /> + + + <h3>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS + <br /> + <i>DRAWN AND CUT ON WOOD BY JAPANESE ARTISTS</i></h3> + <br /> + <br /> + <h4>1910</h4> + <br /> + <br /> + + <h2>PREFACE</h2> + + <p>In the Introduction to the story of the Forty-seven + Rônins, I have said almost as much as is needful by way + of preface to my stories.</p> + + <p>Those of my readers who are most capable of pointing out the + many shortcomings and faults of my work, will also be the most + indulgent towards me; for any one who has been in Japan, and + studied Japanese, knows the great difficulties by which the + learner is beset.</p> + + <p>For the illustrations, at least, I feel that I need make no + apology. Drawn, in the first instance, by one + Ôdaké, an artist in my employ, they were cut on + wood by a famous wood-engraver at Yedo, and are therefore + genuine specimens of Japanese art. Messrs. Dalziel, on + examining the wood blocks, pointed out to me, as an interesting + fact, that the lines are cut with the grain of the wood, after + the manner of Albert Dürer and some of the old German + masters,—a process which has been abandoned by modern + European wood-engravers.</p> + + <p>It will be noticed that very little allusion is made in + these Tales to the Emperor and his Court. Although I searched + diligently, I was able to find no story in which they played a + conspicuous part.</p> + + <p>Another class to which no allusion is made is that of the + Gôshi. The Gôshi are a kind of yeomen, or + bonnet-lairds, as they would be called over the border, living + on their own land, and owning no allegiance to any feudal lord. + Their rank is inferior to that of the Samurai, or men of the + military class, between whom and the peasantry they hold a + middle place. Like the Samurai, they wear two swords, and are + in many cases prosperous and wealthy men claiming a descent + more ancient than that of many of the feudal Princes. A large + number of them are enrolled among the Emperor's body-guard; and + these have played a conspicuous part in the recent political + changes in Japan, as the most conservative and anti-foreign + element in the nation.</p> + + <p>With these exceptions, I think that all classes are fairly + represented in my stories.</p> + + <p>The feudal system has passed away like a dissolving view + before the eyes of those who have lived in Japan during the + last few years. But when they arrived there it was in full + force, and there is not an incident narrated in the following + pages, however strange it may appear to Europeans, for the + possibility and probability of which those most competent to + judge will not vouch. Nor, as many a recent event can prove, + have heroism, chivalry, and devotion gone out of the land + altogether. We may deplore and inveigh against the Yamato + Damashi, or Spirit of Old Japan, which still breathes in the + soul of the Samurai, but we cannot withhold our admiration from + the self-sacrifices which men will still make for the love of + their country.</p> + + <p>The first two of the Tales have already appeared in the + <i>Fortnightly Review,</i> and two of the Sermons, with a + portion of the Appendix on the subject of the Hara-Kiri, in the + pages of the <i>Cornhill Magazine</i>. I have to thank the + editors of those periodicals for permission to reprint them + here.</p> + + <p style="text-indent:2em">LONDON, <i>January 7, 1871.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + <div class="toc"> + <p>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS<a href="#illustrations">1</a></p> + + <p>THE FORTY-SEVEN RÔNINS <a href="#page1">1</a></p> + + <p>THE LOVES OF GOMPACHI AND KOMURASAKI + <a href="#page20">20</a></p> + + <p>KAZUMA'S REVENGE <a href="#page38">38</a></p> + + <p>A STORY OF THE OTOKODATÉ OF YEDO + <a href="#page54">54</a></p> + + <p>THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF FUNAKOSHI JIUYÉMON + <a href="#page91">91</a></p> + + <p>THE ETA MAIDEN AND THE HATAMOTO + <a href="#page115">115</a></p> + + <p>FAIRY TALES <a href="#page133">133</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW + <a href="#page135">135</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE + <a href="#page138">138</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE CRACKLING MOUNTAIN + <a href="#page141">141</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE STORY OF THE OLD MAN WHO MADE WITHERED + TREES TO BLOSSOM <a href="#page145">145</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE BATTLE OF THE APE AND THE CRAB + <a href="#page149">149</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE PEACHLING + <a href="#page152">152</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE FOXES' WEDDING + <a href="#page155">155</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE HISTORY OF SAKATA KINTOKI + <a href="#page158">158</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE ELVES AND THE ENVIOUS NEIGHBOUR + <a href="#page160">160</a></p> + + <p>THE GHOST OF SAKURA <a href="#page161">161</a></p> + + <p>HOW TAJIMA SHUMÉ WAS TORMENTED BY A DEVIL OF HIS + OWN CREATION <a href="#page192">192</a></p> + + <p>CONCERNING CERTAIN SUPERSTITIONS + <a href="#page197">197</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE VAMPIRE CAT OF NABÉSHIMA + <a href="#page200">200</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE STORY OF THE FAITHFUL CAT + <a href="#page207">207</a></p> + + <p class="i2">HOW A MAN WAS BEWITCHED AND HAD HIS HEAD + SHAVED BY THE FOXES <a href="#page209">209</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE GRATEFUL FOXES + <a href="#page213">213</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE BADGER'S MONEY + <a href="#page220">220</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE PRINCE AND THE BADGER + <a href="#page224">224</a></p> + + <p>JAPANESE SERMONS <a href="#page227">227</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE SERMONS OF KIU-Ô, VOL. I. SERMON I. + <a href="#page235">235</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE SERMONS OF KIU-Ô, VOL. I. SERMON + II. <a href="#page244">244</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE SERMONS OF KIU-Ô, VOL. I. SERMON + III. <a href="#page253">253</a></p> + + <p>APPENDICES:—</p> + + <p class="i2">AN ACCOUNT OF THE HARA-KIRI + <a href="#page263">263</a></p> + + <p class="i2">THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY + <a href="#page288">288</a></p> + + <p class="i2">ON THE BIRTH AND REARING OF CHILDREN + <a href="#page296">296</a></p> + + <p class="i2">FUNERAL RITES <a href="#page301">301</a></p> + </div> + <hr /> + <br /> + <a name="illustrations" + id="illustrations"></a> + + <h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#frontis">THE RÔNINS + INVITE RÔTSUKÉ NO SUKÉ TO PERFORM + HARA-KIRI</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image004">THE WELL IN WHICH + THE HEAD WAS WASHED</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image008">THE SATSUMA MAN + INSULTS OISHI KURANOSUKÉ</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image015">THE TOMBS OF THE + RÔNINS</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image025">THE TOMB OF THE + SHIYOKU</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image028">GOMPACHI AWAKENED + BY THE MAIDEN IN THE ROBBERS' DEN</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image039">FORGING THE + SWORD</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image043">MATAGORÔ + KILLS YUKIYÉ</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image045">THE DEATH OF + DANYÉMON</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image070">TRICKS OF + SWORDSMANSHIP AT ASAKUSA</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image076">THE DEATH OF + CHÔBEI OF BANDZUIN</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image094">FUNAKOSHI + JIUYÉMON ON BOARD THE PIRATE SHIP</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image101">JIUYÉMON + PUNISHES HIS WIFE AND THE WRESTLER</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image103">FUNAKOSHI + JIUYÉMON AND THE GOBLINS</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image109">"GOKUMON"</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image111">CHAMPION + WRESTLER</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image113">A WRESTLING + MATCH</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image117">GENZABURÔ'S + MEETING WITH THE ETA MAIDEN</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image136">THE TONGUE-CUT + SPARROW</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image137">THE TONGUE-CUT + SPARROW (2)</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image139">THE ACCOMPLISHED + AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image140">THE ACCOMPLISHED + AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE (2)</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image142">THE HARE AND THE + BADGER</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image143">THE HARE AND THE + BADGER (2)</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image146">THE OLD MAN WHO + CAUSED WITHERED TREES TO FLOWER</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image147">THE OLD MAN WHO + CAUSED WITHERED TREES TO FLOWER (2)</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image150">THE APE AND THE + CRAB</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image151">THE APE AND THE + CRAB (2)</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image153">LITTLE + PEACHLING</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image154">LITTLE PEACHLING + (2)</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image156">THE FOXES' + WEDDING</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image157">THE FOXES' WEDDING + (2)</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image162">THE DEPUTATION OF + PEASANTS AT THEIR LORD'S GATE</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image165">THE GHOST OF + SAKURA</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image170">SÔGORÔ + THRUSTING THE PETITION INTO THE SHOGUN'S LITTER</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image201">THE CAT OF + NABÉSHIMA</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image217">THE FEAST OF INARI + SAMA</a></p> + + <p class="illustrations"><a href="#image228">A JAPANESE + SERMON</a></p><br /> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page1" + id="page1"></a>[pg 1]</span> + + <h1>TALES OF OLD JAPAN</h1> + + <h2>THE FORTY-SEVEN RÔNINS</h2> + + <p>The books which have been written of late years about Japan + have either been compiled from official records, or have + contained the sketchy impressions of passing travellers. Of the + inner life of the Japanese the world at large knows but little: + their religion, their superstitions, their ways of thought, the + hidden springs by which they move—all these are as yet + mysteries. Nor is this to be wondered at. The first Western men + who came in contact with Japan—I am speaking not of the + old Dutch and Portuguese traders and priests, but of the + diplomatists and merchants of eleven years ago—met with a + cold reception. Above all things, the native Government threw + obstacles in the way of any inquiry into their language, + literature, and history. The fact was that the Tycoon's + Government—with whom alone, so long as the Mikado + remained in seclusion in his sacred capital at Kiôto, any + relations were maintained—knew that the Imperial purple + with which they sought to invest their chief must quickly fade + before the strong sunlight which would be brought upon it so + soon as there should be European linguists capable of examining + their books and records. No opportunity was lost of throwing + dust in the eyes of the new-comers, whom, even in the most + trifling details, it was the official policy to lead astray. + Now, however, there is no cause for concealment; the <i>Roi + Fainéant</i> has shaken off his sloth, and his <i>Maire + du Palais</i>, together, and an intelligible Government, which + need not fear scrutiny from abroad, is the result: the records + of the country being but so many proofs of the Mikado's title + to power, there is no reason for keeping up any show of + mystery. The path of inquiry is open to all; and although there + is yet much to be learnt, some knowledge has been attained, in + which it may interest those who stay at home to share.</p> + + <p>The recent revolution in Japan has wrought changes social as + well as political; and it may be that when, in addition to the + advance which has already been made, railways and telegraphs + shall have connected the principal points of the Land of + Sunrise, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page2" + id="page2"></a>[pg 2]</span> the old Japanese, such as he + was and had been for centuries when we found him eleven + short years ago, will have become extinct. It has appeared + to me that no better means could be chosen of preserving a + record of a curious and fast disappearing civilization than + the translation of some of the most interesting national + legends and histories, together with other specimens of + literature bearing upon the same subject. Thus the Japanese + may tell their own tale, their translator only adding here + and there a few words of heading or tag to a chapter, where + an explanation or amplification may seem necessary. I fear + that the long and hard names will often make my tales + tedious reading, but I believe that those who will bear with + the difficulty will learn more of the character of the + Japanese people than by skimming over descriptions of travel + and adventure, however brilliant. The lord and his retainer, + the warrior and the priest, the humble artisan and the + despised Eta or pariah, each in his turn will become a + leading character in my budget of stories; and it is out of + the mouths of these personages that I hope to show forth a + tolerably complete picture of Japanese society.</p> + + <p>Having said so much by way of preface, I beg my readers to + fancy themselves wafted away to the shores of the Bay of + Yedo—a fair, smiling landscape: gentle slopes, crested by + a dark fringe of pines and firs, lead down to the sea; the + quaint eaves of many a temple and holy shrine peep out here and + there from the groves; the bay itself is studded with + picturesque fisher-craft, the torches of which shine by night + like glow-worms among the outlying forts; far away to the west + loom the goblin-haunted heights of Oyama, and beyond the twin + hills of the Hakoné Pass—Fuji-Yama, the Peerless + Mountain, solitary and grand, stands in the centre of the + plain, from which it sprang vomiting flames twenty-one + centuries ago.<a id="footnotetag1" + name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + For a hundred and sixty years the huge mountain has been at + peace, but the frequent earthquakes still tell of hidden + fires, and none can say when the red-hot stones and ashes + may once more fall like rain over five provinces.</p> + + <p>In the midst of a nest of venerable trees in Takanawa, a + suburb of Yedo, is hidden Sengakuji, or the Spring-hill Temple, + renowned throughout the length and breadth of the land for its + cemetery, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" + id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span> which contains the graves of + the Forty-seven. Rônins,<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + famous in Japanese history, heroes of Japanese drama, the + tale of whose deeds I am about to transcribe.</p> + + <p>On the left-hand side of the main court of the temple is a + chapel, in which, surmounted by a gilt figure of Kwanyin, the + goddess of mercy, are enshrined the images of the forty-seven + men, and of the master whom they loved so well. The statues are + carved in wood, the faces coloured, and the dresses richly + lacquered; as works of art they have great merit—the + action of the heroes, each armed with his favourite weapon, + being wonderfully life-like and spirited. Some are venerable + men, with thin, grey hair (one is seventy-seven years old); + others are mere boys of sixteen. Close by the chapel, at the + side of a path leading up the hill, is a little well of pure + water, fenced in and adorned with a tiny fernery, over which is + an inscription, setting forth that "This is the well in which + the head was washed; you must not wash your hands or your feet + here." A little further on is a stall, at which a poor old man + earns a pittance by selling books, pictures, and medals, + commemorating the loyalty of the Forty-seven; and higher up + yet, shaded by a grove of stately trees, is a neat inclosure, + kept up, as a signboard announces, by voluntary contributions, + round which are ranged forty-eight little tombstones, each + decked with evergreens, each with its tribute of water and + incense for the comfort of the departed spirit. There were + forty-seven Rônins; there are forty-eight tombstones, and + the story of the forty-eighth is truly characteristic of + Japanese ideas of honour. Almost touching the rail of the + graveyard is a more imposing monument under which lies buried + the lord, whose death his followers piously avenged.</p> + + <p>And now for the story.</p> + + <p>At the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived a + daimio, called Asano Takumi no Kami, the Lord of the castle of + Akô, in <span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" + id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> the province of Harima. Now it + happened that an Imperial ambassador from the Court of the + Mikado having been sent to the Shogun<a id="footnotetag3" + name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> + at Yedo, Takumi no Kami and another noble called Kamei Sama + were appointed to receive and feast the envoy; and a high + official, named Kira Kôtsuké no Suké, + was named to teach them the proper ceremonies to be observed + upon the occasion. The two nobles were accordingly forced to + go daily to the castle to listen to the instructions of + Kôtsuké no Suké. But this + Kôtsuké no Suké was a man greedy of + money; and as he deemed that the presents which the two + daimios, according to time-honoured custom, had brought him + in return for his instruction, were mean and unworthy, he + conceived a great hatred against them, and took no pains in + teaching them, but on the contrary rather sought to make + laughing-stocks of them. Takumi no Kami, restrained by a + stern sense of duty, bore his insults with patience; but + Kamei Sama, who had less control over his temper, was + violently incensed, and determined to kill + Kôtsuké no Suké.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/004.jpg" + name="image004" + target="blank" + id="image004"><img width="100%" + src="images/004.jpg" + alt="THE WELL IN WHICH THE HEAD WAS WASHED." /></a> + THE WELL IN WHICH THE HEAD WAS WASHED. + </div> + + <p>One night when his duties at the castle were ended, Kamei + Sama returned to his own palace, and having summoned his + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" + id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> councillors<a id="footnotetag4" + name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> + to a secret conference, said to them: "Kôtsuké + no Suké has insulted Takumi no Kami and myself during + our service in attendance on the Imperial envoy. This is + against all decency, and I was minded to kill him on the + spot; but I bethought me that if I did such a deed within + the precincts of the castle, not only would my own life be + forfeit, but my family and vassals would be ruined: so I + stayed my hand. Still the life of such a wretch is a sorrow + to the people, and to-morrow when I go to Court I will slay + him: my mind is made up, and I will listen to no + remonstrance." And as he spoke his face became livid with + rage.</p> + + <p>Now one of Kamei Sama's councillors was a man of great + judgment, and when he saw from his lord's manner that + remonstrance would be useless, he said: "Your lordship's words + are law; your servant will make all preparations accordingly; + and to-morrow, when your lordship goes to Court, if this + Kôtsuké no Suké should again be insolent, + let him die the death." And his lord was pleased at this + speech, and waited with impatience for the day to break, that + he might return to Court and kill his enemy.</p> + + <p>But the councillor went home, and was sorely troubled, and + thought anxiously about what his prince had said. And as he + reflected, it occurred to him that since Kôtsuké + no Suké had the reputation of being a miser he would + certainly be open to a bribe, and that it was better to pay any + sum, no matter how great, than that his lord and his house + should be ruined. So he collected all the money he could, and, + giving it to his servants to carry, rode off in the night to + Kôtsuké no Suké's palace, and said to his + retainers: "My master, who is now in attendance upon the + Imperial envoy, owes much thanks to my Lord + Kôtsuké no Suké, who has been at so great + pains to teach him the proper ceremonies to be observed during + the reception of the Imperial envoy. This is but a shabby + present which he has sent by me, but he hopes that his lordship + will condescend to accept it, and commends himself to his + lordship's favour." And, with these words, he produced a + thousand ounces of silver for Kôtsuké no + Suké, and a hundred ounces to be distributed among his + retainers.</p> + + <p>When the latter saw the money their eyes sparkled with + pleasure, and they were profuse in their thanks; and begging + the councillor to wait a little, they went and told their + master of the lordly present which had arrived with a polite + message from Kamei Sama. Kôtsuké no Suké in + eager delight sent for the councillor into an inner chamber, + and, after thanking him, promised on the morrow to instruct his + master carefully in all the different points of etiquette. So + the councillor, seeing the miser's glee, rejoiced at the + success of his plan; and having taken his + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" + id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> leave returned home in high + spirits. But Kamei Sama, little thinking how his vassal had + propitiated his enemy, lay brooding over his vengeance, and + on the following morning at daybreak went to Court in solemn + procession.</p> + + <p>When Kôtsuké no Suké met him his manner + had completely changed, and nothing could exceed his courtesy. + "You have come early to Court this morning, my Lord Kamei," + said he. "I cannot sufficiently admire your zeal. I shall have + the honour to call your attention to several points of + etiquette to-day. I must beg your lordship to excuse my + previous conduct, which must have seemed very rude; but I am + naturally of a cross-grained disposition, so I pray you to + forgive me." And as he kept on humbling himself and making fair + speeches, the heart of Kamei Sama was gradually softened, and + he renounced his intention of killing him. Thus by the + cleverness of his councillor was Kamei Sama, with all his + house, saved from ruin.</p> + + <p>Shortly after this, Takumi no Kami, who had sent no present, + arrived at the castle, and Kôtsuké no Suké + turned him into ridicule even more than before, provoking him + with sneers and covert insults; but Takumi no Kami affected to + ignore all this, and submitted himself patiently to + Kôtsuké no Suké's orders.</p> + + <p>This conduct, so far from producing a good effect, only made + Kôtsuké no Suké despise him the more, until + at last he said haughtily: "Here, my Lord of Takumi, the ribbon + of my sock has come untied; be so good as to tie it up for + me."</p> + + <p>Takumi no Kami, although burning with rage at the affront, + still thought that as he was on duty he was bound to obey, and + tied up the ribbon of the sock. Then Kôtsuké no + Suké, turning from him, petulantly exclaimed: "Why, how + clumsy you are! You cannot so much as tie up the ribbon of a + sock properly! Any one can see that you are a boor from the + country, and know nothing of the manners of Yedo." And with a + scornful laugh he moved towards an inner room.</p> + + <p>But the patience of Takumi no Kami was exhausted; this last + insult was more than he could bear.</p> + + <p>"Stop a moment, my lord," cried he.</p> + + <p>"Well, what is it?" replied the other. And, as he turned + round, Takumi no Kami drew his dirk, and aimed a blow at his + head; but Kôtsuké no Suké, being protected + by the Court cap which he wore, the wound was but a scratch, so + he ran away; and Takumi no Kami, pursuing him, tried a second + time to cut him down, but, missing his aim, struck his dirk + into a pillar. At this moment an officer, named Kajikawa + Yosobei, seeing the affray, rushed up, and holding back the + infuriated noble, gave Kôtsuké no Suké time + to make good his escape.</p> + + <p>Then there arose a great uproar and confusion, and Takumi no + Kami was arrested and disarmed, and confined in one of the + apartments of the palace under the care of the censors. A + council was held, and the prisoner was given over to the + safeguard of a daimio, called Tamura Ukiyô no Daibu, who + kept <span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" + id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> him in close custody in his own + house, to the great grief of his wife and of his retainers; + and when the deliberations of the council were completed, it + was decided that, as he had committed an outrage and + attacked another man within the precincts of the palace, he + must perform <i>hara-kiri</i>,—that is, commit suicide + by disembowelling; his goods must be confiscated, and his + family ruined. Such was the law. So Takumi no Kami performed + <i>hara-kiri</i>, his castle of Akô was confiscated, + and his retainers having become Rônins, some of them + took service with other daimios, and others became + merchants.</p> + + <p>Now amongst these retainers was his principal councillor, a + man called Oishi Kuranosuké, who, with forty-six other + faithful dependants, formed a league to avenge their master's + death by killing Kôtsuké no Suké. This + Oishi Kuranosuké was absent at the castle of Akô + at the time of the affray, which, had he been with his prince, + would never have occurred; for, being a wise man, he would not + have failed to propitiate Kôtsuké no Suké + by sending him suitable presents; while the councillor who was + in attendance on the prince at Yedo was a dullard, who + neglected this precaution, and so caused the death of his + master and the ruin of his house.</p> + + <p>So Oishi Kuranosuké and his forty-six companions + began to lay their plans of vengeance against + Kôtsuké no Suké; but the latter was so well + guarded by a body of men lent to him by a daimio called + Uyésugi Sama, whose daughter he had married, that they + saw that the only way of attaining their end would be to throw + their enemy off his guard. With this object they separated and + disguised themselves, some as carpenters or craftsmen, others + as merchants; and their chief, Kuranosuké, went to + Kiôto, and built a house in the quarter called Yamashina, + where he took to frequenting houses of the worst repute, and + gave himself up to drunkenness and debauchery, as if nothing + were further from his mind than revenge. Kôtsuké + no Suké, in the meanwhile, suspecting that Takumi no + Kami's former retainers would be scheming against his life, + secretly sent spies to Kiôto, and caused a faithful + account to be kept of all that Kuranosuké did. The + latter, however, determined thoroughly to delude the enemy into + a false security, went on leading a dissolute life with harlots + and winebibbers. One day, as he was returning home drunk from + some low haunt, he fell down in the street and went to sleep, + and all the passers-by laughed him to scorn. It happened that a + Satsuma man saw this, and said: "Is not this Oishi + Kuranosuké, who was a councillor of Asano Takumi no + Kami, and who, not having the heart to avenge his lord, gives + himself up to women and wine? See how he lies drunk in the + public street! Faithless beast! Fool and craven! Unworthy the + name of a Samurai!"<a id="footnotetag5" + name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a></p><span class="pagenum"> + <a name="page8" + id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/008.jpg" + name="image008" + target="blank" + id="image008"><img width="100%" + src="images/008.jpg" + alt="THE SATSUMA MAN INSULTS OISHI KURANOSUKÉ." /> + </a> THE SATSUMA MAN INSULTS OISHI KURANOSUKÉ. + </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" + id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> + + <p>And he trod on Kuranosuké's face as he slept, and + spat upon him; but when Kôtsuké no Suké's + spies reported all this at Yedo, he was greatly relieved at the + news, and felt secure from danger.</p> + + <p>One day Kuranosuké's wife, who was bitterly grieved + to see her husband lead this abandoned life, went to him and + said: "My lord, you told me at first that your debauchery was + but a trick to make your enemy relax in watchfulness. But + indeed, indeed, this has gone too far. I pray and beseech you + to put some restraint upon yourself."</p> + + <p>"Trouble me not," replied Kuranosuké, "for I will not + listen to your whining. Since my way of life is displeasing to + you, I will divorce you, and you may go about your business; + and I will buy some pretty young girl from one of the + public-houses, and marry her for my pleasure. I am sick of the + sight of an old woman like you about the house, so get you + gone—the sooner the better."</p> + + <p>So saying, he flew into a violent rage, and his wife, + terror-stricken, pleaded piteously for mercy.</p> + + <p>"Oh, my lord! unsay those terrible words! I have been your + faithful wife for twenty years, and have borne you three + children; in sickness and in sorrow I have been with you; you + cannot be so cruel as to turn me out of doors now. Have pity! + have pity!"</p> + + <p>"Cease this useless wailing. My mind is made up, and you + must go; and as the children are in my way also, you are + welcome to take them with you."</p> + + <p>When she heard her husband speak thus, in her grief she + sought her eldest son, Oishi Chikara, and begged him to plead + for her, and pray that she might be pardoned. But nothing would + turn Kuranosuké from his purpose, so his wife was sent + away, with the two younger children, and went back to her + native place. But Oishi Chikara remained with his father.</p> + + <p>The spies communicated all this without fail to + Kôtsuké no Suké, and he, when he heard how + Kuranosuké, having turned his wife and children out of + doors and bought a concubine, was grovelling in a life of + drunkenness and lust, began to think that he had no longer + anything to fear from the retainers of Takumi no Kami, who must + be cowards, without the courage to avenge their lord. So by + degrees he began to keep a less strict watch, and sent back + half of the guard which had been lent to him by his + father-in-law, Uyésugi Sama. Little did he think how he + was falling into the trap laid for him by Kuranosuké, + who, in his zeal to slay his lord's enemy, thought nothing of + divorcing his wife and sending away his children! Admirable and + faithful man!</p> + + <p>In this way Kuranosuké continued to throw dust in the + eyes of his foe, by persisting in his apparently shameless + conduct; but his associates all went to Yedo, and, having in + their several capacities as workmen and pedlars contrived to + gain access to Kôtsuké no Suké's house, + made themselves familiar with the plan of the building and the + arrangement of the different rooms, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page10" + id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> and ascertained the character + of the inmates, who were brave and loyal men, and who were + cowards; upon all of which matters they sent regular reports + to Kuranosuké. And when at last it became evident + from the letters which arrived from Yedo that + Kôtsuké no Suké was thoroughly off his + guard, Kuranosuké rejoiced that the day of vengeance + was at hand; and, having appointed a trysting-place at Yedo, + he fled secretly from Kiôto, eluding the vigilance of + his enemy's spies. Then the forty-seven men, having laid all + their plans, bided their time patiently.</p> + + <p>It was now midwinter, the twelfth month of the year, and the + cold was bitter. One night, during a heavy fall of snow, when + the whole world was hushed, and peaceful men were stretched in + sleep upon the mats, the Rônins determined that no more + favourable opportunity could occur for carrying out their + purpose. So they took counsel together, and, having divided + their band into two parties, assigned to each man his post. One + band, led by Oishi Kuranosuké, was to attack the front + gate, and the other, under his son Oishi Chikara, was to attack + the postern of Kôtsuké no Suké's house; but + as Chikara was only sixteen years of age, Yoshida + Chiuzayémon was appointed to act as his guardian. + Further it was arranged that a drum, beaten at the order of + Kuranosuké, should be the signal for the simultaneous + attack; and that if any one slew Kôtsuké no + Suké and cut off his head he should blow a shrill + whistle, as a signal to his comrades, who would hurry to the + spot, and, having identified the head, carry it off to the + temple called Sengakuji, and lay it as an offering before the + tomb of their dead lord. Then they must report their deed to + the Government, and await the sentence of death which would + surely be passed upon them. To this the Rônins one and + all pledged themselves. Midnight was fixed upon as the hour, + and the forty-seven comrades, having made all ready for the + attack, partook of a last farewell feast together, for on the + morrow they must die. Then Oishi Kuranosuké addressed + the band, and said—</p> + + <p>"To-night we shall attack our enemy in his palace; his + retainers will certainly resist us, and we shall be obliged to + kill them. But to slay old men and women and children is a + pitiful thing; therefore, I pray you each one to take great + heed lest you kill a single helpless person." His comrades all + applauded this speech, and so they remained, waiting for the + hour of midnight to arrive.</p> + + <p>When the appointed hour came, the Rônins set forth. + The wind howled furiously, and the driving snow beat in their + faces; but little cared they for wind or snow as they hurried + on their road, eager for revenge. At last they reached + Kôtsuké no Suké's house, and divided + themselves into two bands; and Chikara, with twenty-three men, + went round to the back gate. Then four men, by means of a + ladder of ropes which they hung on to the roof of the porch, + effected an entry into the courtyard; and, as they saw signs + that all the inmates of the house were asleep, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" + id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> they went into the porter's + lodge where the guard slept, and, before the latter had time + to recover from their astonishment, bound them. The + terrified guard prayed hard for mercy, that their lives + might be spared; and to this the Rônins agreed on + condition that the keys of the gate should be given up; but + the others tremblingly said that the keys were kept in the + house of one of their officers, and that they had no means + of obtaining them. Then the Rônins lost patience, and + with a hammer dashed in pieces the big wooden bolt which + secured the gate, and the doors flew open to the right and + to the left. At the same time Chikara and his party broke in + by the back gate.</p> + + <p>Then Oishi Kuranosuké sent a messenger to the + neighbouring houses, bearing the following message:—"We, + the Rônins who were formerly in the service of Asano + Takumi no Kami, are this night about to break into the palace + of Kôtsuké no Suké, to avenge our lord. As + we are neither night robbers nor ruffians, no hurt will be done + to the neighbouring houses. We pray you to set your minds at + rest." And as Kôtsuké no Suké was hated by + his neighbours for his covetousness, they did not unite their + forces to assist him. Another precaution was yet taken. Lest + any of the people inside should run out to call the relations + of the family to the rescue, and these coming in force should + interfere with the plans of the Rônins, Kuranosuké + stationed ten of his men armed with bows on the roof of the + four sides of the courtyard, with orders to shoot any retainers + who might attempt to leave the place. Having thus laid all his + plans and posted his men, Kuranosuké with his own hand + beat the drum and gave the signal for attack.</p> + + <p>Ten of Kôtsuké no Suké's retainers, + hearing the noise, woke up; and, drawing their swords, rushed + into the front room to defend their master. At this moment the + Rônins, who had burst open the door of the front hall, + entered the same room. Then arose a furious fight between the + two parties, in the midst of which Chikara, leading his men + through the garden, broke into the back of the house; and + Kôtsuké no Suké, in terror of his life, + took refuge, with his wife and female servants, in a closet in + the verandah; while the rest of his retainers, who slept in the + barrack outside the house, made ready to go to the rescue. But + the Rônins who had come in by the front door, and were + fighting with the ten retainers, ended by overpowering and + slaying the latter without losing one of their own number; + after which, forcing their way bravely towards the back rooms, + they were joined by Chikara and his men, and the two bands were + united in one.</p> + + <p>By this time the remainder of Kôtsuké no + Suké's men had come in, and the fight became general; + and Kuranosuké, sitting on a camp-stool, gave his orders + and directed the Rônins. Soon the inmates of the house + perceived that they were no match for their enemy, so they + tried to send out intelligence of their plight to + Uyésugi Sama, their lord's father-in-law, begging him to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" + id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> come to the rescue with all + the force at his command. But the messengers were shot down + by the archers whom Kuranosuké had posted on the + roof. So no help coming, they fought on in despair. Then + Kuranosuké cried out with a loud voice: + "Kôtsuké no Suké alone is our enemy; let + some one go inside and bring him forth. dead or alive!"</p> + + <p>Now in front of Kôtsuké no Suké's + private room stood three brave retainers with drawn swords. The + first was Kobayashi Héhachi, the second was Waku + Handaiyu, and the third was Shimidzu Ikkaku, all good men and + true, and expert swordsmen. So stoutly did these men lay about + them that for a while they kept the whole of the Rônins + at bay, and at one moment even forced them back. When Oishi + Kuranosuké saw this, he ground his teeth with rage, and + shouted to his men: "What! did not every man of you swear to + lay down his life in avenging his lord, and now are you driven + back by three men? Cowards, not fit to be spoken to! to die + fighting in a master's cause should be the noblest ambition of + a retainer!" Then turning to his own son Chikara, he said, + "Here, boy! engage those men, and if they are too strong for + you, die!"</p> + + <p>Spurred by these words, Chikara seized a spear and gave + battle to Waku Handaiyu, but could not hold his ground, and + backing by degrees, was driven out into the garden, where he + missed his footing and slipped into a pond, but as Handaiyu, + thinking to kill him, looked down into the pond, Chikara cut + his enemy in the leg and caused him to fall, and then, crawling + out of the water dispatched him. In the meanwhile Kobayashi + Héhachi and Shimidzu Ikkaku had been killed by the other + Rônins, and of all Kôtsuké no Suké's + retainers not one fighting man remained. Chikara, seeing this, + went with his bloody sword in his hand into a back room to + search for Kôtsuké no Suké, but he only + found the son of the latter, a young lord named Kira + Sahioyé, who, carrying a halberd, attacked him, but was + soon wounded and fled. Thus the whole of Kôtsuké + no Suké's men having been killed, there was an end of + the fighting; but as yet there was no trace of + Kôtsuké no Suké to be found.</p> + + <p>Then Kuranosuké divided his men into several parties + and searched the whole house, but all in vain; women and + children weeping were alone to be seen. At this the forty-seven + men began to lose heart in regret, that after all their toil + they had allowed their enemy to escape them, and there was a + moment when in their despair they agreed to commit suicide + together upon the spot; but they determined to make one more + effort. So Kuranosuké went into Kôtsuké no + Suké's sleeping-room, and touching the quilt with his + hands, exclaimed, "I have just felt the bed-clothes and they + are yet warm, and so methinks that our enemy is not far off. He + must certainly be hidden somewhere in the house." Greatly + excited by this, the Rônins renewed their search. Now in + the raised part of the room, near the place of honour, there + was a picture hanging; taking down this picture, they saw that + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" + id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> there was a large hole in the + plastered wall, and on thrusting a spear in they could feel + nothing beyond it. So one of the Rônins, called Yazama + Jiutarô, got into the hole, and found that on the + other side there was a little courtyard, in which there + stood an outhouse for holding charcoal and firewood. Looking + into the outhouse, he spied something white at the further + end, at which he struck with his spear, when two armed men + sprang out upon him and tried to cut him down, but he kept + them back until one of his comrades came up and killed one + of the two men and engaged the other, while Jiutarô + entered the outhouse and felt about with his spear. Again + seeing something white, he struck it with his lance, when a + cry of pain betrayed that it was a man; so he rushed up, and + the man in white clothes, who had been wounded in the thigh, + drew a dirk and aimed a blow at him. But Jiutarô + wrested the dirk from him, and clutching him by the collar, + dragged him out of the outhouse. Then the other Rônin + came up, and they examined the prisoner attentively, and saw + that he was a noble-looking man, some sixty years of age, + dressed in a white satin sleeping-robe, which was stained by + the blood from the thigh-wound which, Jiutarô had + inflicted. The two men felt convinced that this was no other + than Kôtsuké no Suké, and they asked him + his name, but he gave no answer, so they gave the signal + whistle, and all their comrades collected together at the + call; then Oishi Kuranosuké, bringing a lantern, + scanned the old man's features, and it was indeed + Kôtsuké no Suké; and if further proof + were wanting, he still bore a scar on his forehead where + their master, Asano Takumi no Kami, had wounded him during + the affray in the castle. There being no possibility of + mistake, therefore, Oishi Kuranosuké went down on his + knees, and addressing the old man very respectfully, + said—</p> + + <p>"My lord, we are the retainers of Asano Takumi no Kami. Last + year your lordship and our master quarrelled in the palace, and + our master was sentenced to <i>hara-kiri,</i> and his family + was ruined. We have come to-night to avenge him, as is the duty + of faithful and loyal men. I pray your lordship to acknowledge + the justice of our purpose. And now, my lord, we beseech you to + perform <i>hara-kiri</i>. I myself shall have the honour to act + as your second, and when, with all humility, I shall have + received your lordship's head, it is my intention to lay it as + an offering upon the grave of Asano Takumi no Kami."</p> + + <p>Thus, in consideration of the high rank of + Kôtsuké no Suké, the Rônins treated + him with the greatest courtesy, and over and over again + entreated him to perform <i>hara-kiri.</i> But he crouched + speechless and trembling. At last Kuranosuké, seeing + that it was vain to urge him to die the death of a nobleman, + forced him down, and cut off his head with the same dirk with + which Asano Takumi no Kami had killed himself. Then the + forty-seven comrades, elated at having accomplished their + design, placed the head in a bucket, and prepared to depart; + but before leaving the house they carefully extinguished all + the lights and fires in the place, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" + id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> lest by any accident a fire + should break out and the neighbours suffer.</p> + + <p>As they were on their way to Takanawa, the suburb in which + the temple called Sengakuji stands, the day broke; and the + people flocked out to see the forty-seven men, who, with their + clothes and arms all blood-stained, presented a terrible + appearance; and every one praised them, wondering at their + valour and faithfulness. But they expected every moment that + Kôtsuké no Suké's father-in-law would + attack them and carry off the head, and made ready to die + bravely sword in hand. However, they reached Takanawa in + safety, for Matsudaira Aki no Kami, one of the eighteen chief + daimios of Japan, of whose house Asano Takumi no Kami had been + a cadet, had been highly pleased when he heard of the last + night's work, and he had made ready to assist the Rônins + in case they were attacked. So Kôtsuké no + Suké's father-in-law dared not pursue them.</p> + + <p>At about seven in the morning they came opposite to the + palace of Matsudaira Mutsu no Kami, the Prince of Sendai, and + the Prince, hearing of it, sent for one of his councillors and + said: "The retainers of Takumi no Kami have slain their lord's + enemy, and are passing this way; I cannot sufficiently admire + their devotion, so, as they must be tired and hungry after + their night's work, do you go and invite them to come in here, + and set some gruel and a cup of wine before them."</p> + + <p>So the councillor went out and said to Oishi + Kuranosuké: "Sir, I am a councillor of the Prince of + Sendai, and my master bids me beg you, as you must be worn out + after all you have undergone, to come in and partake of such + poor refreshment as we can offer you. This is my message to you + from my lord."</p> + + <p>"I thank you, sir," replied Kuranosuké. "It is very + good of his lordship to trouble himself to think of us. We + shall accept his kindness gratefully."</p> + + <p>So the forty-seven Rônins went into the palace, and + were feasted with gruel and wine, and all the retainers of the + Prince of Sendai came and praised them.</p> + + <p>Then Kuranosuké turned to the councillor and said, + "Sir, we are truly indebted to you for this kind hospitality; + but as we have still to hurry to Sengakuji, we must needs + humbly take our leave." And, after returning many thanks to + their hosts, they left the palace of the Prince of Sendai and + hastened to Sengakuji, where they were met by the abbot of the + monastery, who went to the front gate to receive them, and led + them to the tomb of Takumi no Kami.</p> + + <p>And when they came to their lord's grave, they took the head + of Kôtsuké no Suké, and having washed it + clean in a well hard by, laid it as an offering before the + tomb. When they had done this, they engaged the priests of the + temple to come and read prayers while they burnt incense: first + Oishi Kuranosuké burnt incense, and then his son Oishi + Chikara, and after them the other forty-five men performed the + same ceremony. Then Kuranosuké, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" + id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span> having given all the money + that he had by him to the abbot, said—</p> + + <p>"When we forty-seven men shall have performed + <i>hara-kiri</i>, I beg you to bury us decently. I rely upon + your kindness. This is but a trifle that I have to offer; such + as it is, let it be spent in masses for our souls!"</p> + + <p>And the abbot, marvelling at the faithful courage of the + men, with tears in his eyes pledged himself to fulfil their + wishes. So the forty-seven Rônins, with their minds at + rest, waited patiently until they should receive the orders of + the Government.</p> + + <p>At last they were summoned to the Supreme Court, where the + governors of Yedo and the public censors had assembled; and the + sentence passed upon them was as follows: "Whereas, neither + respecting the dignity of the city nor fearing the Government, + having leagued yourselves together to slay your enemy, you + violently broke into the house of Kira Kôtsuké no + Suké by night and murdered him, the sentence of the + Court is, that, for this audacious conduct, you perform + <i>hara-kiri</i>." When the sentence had been read, the + forty-seven Rônins were divided into four parties, and + handed over to the safe keeping of four different daimios; and + sheriffs were sent to the palaces of those daimios in whose + presence the Rônins were made to perform + <i>hara-kiri</i>. But, as from the very beginning they had all + made up their minds that to this end they must come, they met + their death nobly; and their corpses were carried to Sengakuji, + and buried in front of the tomb of their master, Asano Takumi + no Kami. And when <span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" + id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> the fame of this became + noised abroad, the people flocked to pray at the graves of + these faithful men.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/015.jpg" + name="image015" + target="blank" + id="image015"><img width="100%" + src="images/015.jpg" + alt="THE TOMBS OF THE RÔNINS." /></a> THE TOMBS + OF THE RÔNINS. + </div> + + <p>Among those who came to pray was a Satsuma man, who, + prostrating himself before the grave of Oishi + Kuranosuké, said: "When I saw you lying drunk by the + roadside at Yamashina, in Kiôto, I knew not that you were + plotting to avenge your lord; and, thinking you to be a + faithless man, I trampled on you and spat in your face as I + passed. And now I have come to ask pardon and offer atonement + for the insult of last year." With those words he prostrated + himself again before the grave, and, drawing a dirk from his + girdle, stabbed himself in the belly and died. And the chief + priest of the temple, taking pity upon him, buried him by the + side of the Rônins; and his tomb still remains to be seen + with those of the forty-seven comrades.</p> + + <p>This is the end of the story of the forty-seven + Rônins.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>A terrible picture of fierce heroism which it is impossible + not to admire. In the Japanese mind this feeling of admiration + is unmixed, and hence it is that the forty-seven Rônins + receive almost divine honours. Pious hands still deck their + graves with green boughs and burn incense upon them; the + clothes and arms which they wore are preserved carefully in a + fire-proof store-house attached to the temple, and exhibited + yearly to admiring crowds, who behold them probably with little + less veneration than is accorded to the relics of + Aix-la-Chapelle or Trèves; and once in sixty years the + monks of Sengakuji reap quite a harvest for the good of their + temple by holding a commemorative fair or festival, to which + the people flock during nearly two months.</p> + + <p>A silver key once admitted me to a private inspection of the + relics. We were ushered, my friend and myself, into a back + apartment of the spacious temple, overlooking one of those + marvellous miniature gardens, cunningly adorned with rockeries + and dwarf trees, in which the Japanese delight. One by one, + carefully labelled and indexed boxes containing the precious + articles were brought out and opened by the chief priest. Such + a curious medley of old rags and scraps of metal and wood! + Home-made chain armour, composed of wads of leather secured + together by pieces of iron, bear witness to the secrecy with + which the Rônins made ready for the fight. To have bought + armour would have attracted attention, so they made it with + their own hands. Old moth-eaten surcoats, bits of helmets, + three flutes, a writing-box that must have been any age at the + time of the tragedy, and is now tumbling to pieces; tattered + trousers of what once was rich silk brocade, now all unravelled + and befringed; scraps of leather, part of an old gauntlet, + crests and badges, bits of sword handles, spear-heads and + dirks, the latter all red with rust, but with certain patches + more deeply stained as if the fatal clots of blood were never + to be blotted out: all these were reverently shown to us. Among + the confusion and litter were a number of documents, Yellow + with age and much worn at the folds. One was a plan + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" + id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span> of Kôtsuké no + Suké's house, which one of the Rônins obtained + by marrying the daughter of the builder who designed it. + Three of the manuscripts appeared to me so curious that I + obtained leave to have copies taken of them.</p> + + <p>The first is the receipt given by the retainers of + Kôtsuké no Suké's son in return for the + head of their lord's father, which the priests restored to the + family, and runs as follows:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"MEMORANDUM:—</p> + + <p>ITEM. ONE HEAD.</p> + + <p>ITEM. ONE PAPER PARCEL.</p> + + <p>The above articles are acknowledged to have been + received.</p> + + <p class="author">Signed, {SAYADA MAGOBELI.(<i>Loc. + sigill.</i>)</p> + + <p class="author">{ SAITÔ KUNAI.(<i>Loc. + sigill.</i>)</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"To the priests deputed from the Temple + Sengakuji,</p> + + <p class="i4">His Reverence SEKISHI,</p> + + <p class="i4">His Reverence ICHIDON."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The second paper is a document explanatory of their conduct, + a copy of which was found on the person of each of the + forty-seven men:—</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"Last year, in the third month, Asano Takumi no Kami, + upon the occasion of the entertainment of the Imperial + ambassador, was driven, by the force of circumstances, to + attack and wound my Lord Kôtsuké no + Suké in the castle, in order to avenge an insult + offered to him. Having done this without considering the + dignity of the place, and having thus disregarded all rules + of propriety, he was condemned to <i>hara-kiri,</i> and his + property and castle of Akô were forfeited to the + State, and were delivered up by his retainers to the + officers deputed by the Shogun to receive them. After this + his followers were all dispersed. At the time of the + quarrel the high officials present prevented Asano Takumi + no Kami from carrying out his intention of killing his + enemy, my Lord Kôtsuké no Suké. So + Asano Takumi no Kami died without having avenged himself, + and this was more than his retainers could endure. It is + impossible to remain under the same heaven with the enemy + of lord or father; for this reason we have dared to declare + enmity against a personage of so exalted rank. This day we + shall attack Kira Kôtsuké no Suké, in + order to finish the deed of vengeance which was begun by + our dead lord. If any honourable person should find our + bodies after death, he is respectfully requested to open + and read this document.</p> + + <p>"15th year of Genroku. 12th month.</p> + + <p class="author">"Signed, OISHI KURANOSUKÉ, + Retainer of Asano<br /> + Takumi no Kami, and forty-six others."<a id="footnotetag6" + name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6"><sup>6</sup></a></p> + </blockquote> + + <p>The third manuscript is a paper which the Forty-seven + Rônins laid upon the tomb of their master, together with + the head of Kira Kôtsuké no + Suké:—</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"The 15th year of Genroku, the 12th month, and 15th day. + We have come this day to do homage here, forty-seven men in + all, from Oishi Kuranosuké down to the foot-soldier, + Terasaka Kichiyémon, all cheerfully about to lay + down our lives on your behalf. We reverently announce this + to the honoured spirit of our dead master. On the 14th day + of the third month of last year + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page18" + id="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> our honoured master was + pleased to attack Kira Kôtsuké no + Suké, for what reason we know not. Our honoured + master put an end to his own life, but Kira + Kôtsuké no Suké lived. Although we + fear that after the decree issued by the Government this + plot of ours will be displeasing to our honoured master, + still we, who have eaten of your food, could not without + blushing repeat the verse, 'Thou shalt not live under + the same heaven nor tread the same earth with the enemy + of thy father or lord,' nor could we have dared to leave + hell and present ourselves before you in paradise, + unless we had carried out the vengeance which you began. + Every day that we waited seemed as three autumns to us. + Verily, we have trodden the snow for one day, nay, for + two days, and have tasted food but once. The old and + decrepit, the sick and ailing, have come forth gladly to + lay down their lives. Men might laugh at us, as at + grasshoppers trusting in the strength of their arms, and + thus shame our honoured lord; but we could not halt in + our deed of vengeance. Having taken counsel together + last night, we have escorted my Lord + Kôtsuké no Suké hither to your tomb. + This dirk,<a id="footnotetag7" + name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7"><sup>7</sup></a> + by which our honoured lord set great store last year, + and entrusted to our care, we now bring back. If your + noble spirit be now present before this tomb, we pray + you, as a sign, to take the dirk, and, striking the head + of your enemy with it a second time, to dispel your + hatred for ever. This is the respectful statement of + forty-seven men."</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>The text, "Thou shalt not live under the same heaven with + the enemy of thy father," is based upon the Confucian books. + Dr. Legge, in his "Life and Teachings of Confucius," p. 113, + has an interesting paragraph summing up the doctrine of the + sage upon the subject of revenge.</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"In the second book of the 'Le Ke' there is the + following passage:—'With the slayer of his father a + man may not live under the same heaven; against the slayer + of his brother a man must never have to go home to fetch a + weapon; with the slayer of his friend a man may not live in + the same State.' The <i>lex talionis</i> is here laid down + in its fullest extent. The 'Chow Le' tells us of a + provision made against the evil consequences of the + principle by the appointment of a minister called 'The + Reconciler.' The provision is very inferior to the cities + of refuge which were set apart by Moses for the manslayer + to flee to from the fury of the avenger. Such as it was, + however, it existed, and it is remarkable that Confucius, + when consulted on the subject, took no notice of it, but + affirmed the duty of blood-revenge in the strongest and + most unrestricted terms. His disciple, Tsze Hea, asked him, + 'What course is to be pursued in the murder of a father or + mother?' He replied, 'The son must sleep upon a matting of + grass with his shield for his pillow; he must decline to + take office; he must not live under the same heaven with + the slayer. When he meets him in the market-place or the + court, he must have his weapon ready to strike him.' 'And + what is the course in the murder of a brother?' 'The + surviving brother must not take office in the same State + with the slayer; yet, if he go on his prince's service to + the State where the slayer is, though he meet him, he must + not fight with him.' 'And what is the course in the murder + of an uncle or cousin?' 'In this case the nephew or cousin + is not the principal. If the principal, on whom the revenge + devolves, can take it, he has only to stand behind with his + weapon in his hand, and support him.'"</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>I will add one anecdote to show the sanctity which is + attached to the graves of the Forty-seven. In the month of + September 1868, a certain man came to pray before the grave of + Oishi <span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" + id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> Chikara. Having finished his + prayers, he deliberately performed + <i>hara-kiri</i>,<a id="footnotetag8" + name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8"><sup>8</sup></a> + and, the belly wound not being mortal, dispatched himself by + cutting his throat. Upon his person were found papers + setting forth that, being a Rônin and without means of + earning a living, he had petitioned to be allowed to enter + the clan of the Prince of Chôshiu, which he looked + upon as the noblest clan in the realm; his petition having + been refused, nothing remained for him but to die, for to be + a Rônin was hateful to him, and he would serve no + other master than the Prince of Chôshiu: what more + fitting place could he find in which to put an end to his + life than the graveyard of these Braves? This happened at + about two hundred yards' distance from my house, and when I + saw the spot an hour or two later, the ground was all + bespattered with blood, and disturbed by the death-struggles + of the man.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" + id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> + + <h2>THE LOVES OF GOMPACHI AND KOMURASAKI</h2> + + <p>Within two miles or so from Yedo, and yet well away from the + toil and din of the great city, stands the village of Meguro. + Once past the outskirts of the town, the road leading thither + is bounded on either side by woodlands rich in an endless + variety of foliage, broken at intervals by the long, low line + of villages and hamlets. As we draw near to Meguro, the + scenery, becoming more and more rustic, increases in beauty. + Deep shady lanes, bordered by hedgerows as luxurious as any in + England, lead down to a valley of rice fields bright with the + emerald green of the young crops. To the right and to the left + rise knolls of fantastic shape, crowned with a profusion of + Cryptomerias, Scotch firs and other cone-bearing trees, and + fringed with thickets of feathery bamboos, bending their stems + gracefully to the light summer breeze. Wherever there is a spot + shadier and pleasanter to look upon than the rest, there may be + seen the red portal of a shrine which the simple piety of the + country folk has raised to Inari Sama, the patron god of + farming, or to some other tutelary deity of the place. At the + eastern outlet of the valley a strip of blue sea bounds the + horizon; westward are the distant mountains. In the foreground, + in front of a farmhouse, snug-looking, with its roof of + velvety-brown thatch, a troop of sturdy urchins, suntanned and + stark naked, are frisking in the wildest gambols, all heedless + of the scolding voice of the withered old grandam who sits + spinning and minding the house, while her son and his wife are + away toiling at some outdoor labour. Close at our feet runs a + stream of pure water, in which a group of countrymen are + washing the vegetables which they will presently shoulder and + carry off to sell by auction in the suburbs of Yedo. Not the + least beauty of the scene consists in the wondrous clearness of + an atmosphere so transparent that the most distant outlines are + scarcely dimmed, while the details of the nearer ground stand + out in sharp, bold relief, now lit by the rays of a vertical + sun, now darkened under the flying shadows thrown by the fleecy + clouds which sail across the sky. Under such a heaven, what + painter could limn the lights and shades which flit over the + woods, the pride of Japan, whether in late autumn, when the + russets and yellows of our own trees are mixed with the deep + crimson glow of the maples, or in spring-time, when plum and + cherry trees and wild camellias—giants, fifty feet + high—are in full blossom?</p> + + <p>All that we see is enchanting, but there is a strange + stillness in the groves; rarely does the song of a bird break + the silence; indeed, I know but one warbler whose note has any + music in <span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" + id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span> it, the <i>uguisu</i>, by + some enthusiasts called the Japanese nightingale—at + best, a king in the kingdom of the blind. The scarcity of + animal life of all descriptions, man and mosquitoes alone + excepted, is a standing wonder to the traveller; the + sportsman must toil many a weary mile to get a shot at boar, + or deer, or pheasant; and the plough of the farmer and the + trap of the poacher, who works in and out of season, + threaten to exterminate all wild creatures; unless, indeed, + the Government should, as they threatened in the spring of + 1869, put in force some adaptation of European game-laws. + But they are lukewarm in the matter; a little hawking on a + duck-pond satisfies the cravings of the modern Japanese + sportsman, who knows that, game-laws or no game-laws, the + wild fowl will never fail in winter; and the days are long + past when my Lord the Shogun used to ride forth with a + mighty company to the wild places about Mount Fuji, there + camping out and hunting the boar, the deer, and the wolf, + believing that in so doing he was fostering a manly and + military spirit in the land.</p> + + <p>There is one serious drawback to the enjoyment of the + beauties of the Japanese country, and that is the intolerable + affront which is continually offered to one's sense of smell; + the whole of what should form the sewerage of the city is + carried out on the backs of men and horses, to be thrown upon + the fields; and, if you would avoid the overpowering nuisance, + you must walk handkerchief in hand, ready to shut out the + stench which assails you at every moment.</p> + + <p>It would seem natural, while writing of the Japanese + country, to say a few words about the peasantry, their relation + to the lord of the soil, and their government. But these I must + reserve for another place. At present our dealings are with the + pretty village of Meguro.</p> + + <p>At the bottom of a little lane, close to the entrance of the + village, stands an old shrine of the Shintô (the form of + hero-worship which existed in Japan before the introduction of + Confucianism or of Buddhism), surrounded by lofty Cryptomerias. + The trees around a Shintô shrine are specially under the + protection of the god to whom the altar is dedicated; and, in + connection with them, there is a kind of magic still respected + by the superstitious, which recalls the waxen dolls, through + the medium of which sorcerers of the middle ages in Europe, and + indeed those of ancient Greece, as Theocritus tells us, + pretended to kill the enemies of their clients. This is called + <i>Ushi no toki mairi,</i> or "going to worship at the hour of + the ox,"<a id="footnotetag9" + name="footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9"><sup>9</sup></a> + and is <span class="pagenum"><a name="page22" + id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> practised by jealous women + who wish to be revenged upon their faithless lovers.</p> + + <p>When the world is at rest, at two in the morning, the hour + of which the ox is the symbol, the woman rises; she dons a + white robe and high sandals or clogs; her coif is a metal + tripod, in which are thrust three lighted candles; around her + neck she hangs a mirror, which falls upon her bosom; in her + left hand she carries a small straw figure, the effigy of the + lover who has abandoned her, and in her right she grasps a + hammer and nails, with which she fastens the figure to one of + the sacred trees that surround the shrine. There she prays for + the death of the traitor, vowing that, if her petition be + heard, she will herself pull out the nails which now offend the + god by wounding the mystic tree. Night after night she comes to + the shrine, and each night she strikes in two or more nails, + believing that every nail will shorten her lover's life, for + the god, to save his tree, will surely strike him dead.</p> + + <p>Meguro is one of the many places round Yedo to which the + good citizens flock for purposes convivial or religious, or + both; hence it is that, cheek by jowl with the old shrines and + temples, you will find many a pretty tea-house, standing at the + rival doors of which Mesdemoiselles Sugar, Wave of the Sea, + Flower, Seashore, and Chrysanthemum are pressing in their + invitations to you to enter and rest. Not beautiful these + damsels, if judged by our standard, but the charm of Japanese + women lies in their manner and dainty little ways, and the + tea-house girl, being a professional decoy-duck, is an adept in + the art of flirting,—<i>en tout bien tout honneur</i>, be + it remembered; for she is not to be confounded with the frail + beauties of the Yoshiwara, nor even with her sisterhood near + the ports open to foreigners, and to their corrupting + influence. For, strange as it seems, our contact all over the + East has an evil effect upon the natives.</p> + + <p>In one of the tea-houses a thriving trade is carried on in + the sale of wooden tablets, some six inches square, adorned + with the picture of a pink cuttlefish on a bright blue ground. + These are ex-votos, destined to be offered up at the Temple of + Yakushi Niurai, the Buddhist Æsculapius, which stands + opposite, and concerning the foundation of which the following + legend is told.</p> + + <p>In the days of old there was a priest called Jikaku, who at + the age of forty years, it being the autumn of the tenth year + of the period called Tenchô (A.D. 833), was suffering + from disease of the eyes, which had attacked him three years + before. In order to be healed from this disease he carved a + figure of Yakushi Niurai, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" + id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> to which he used to offer up + his prayers. Five years later he went to China, taking with + him the figure as his guardian saint, and at a place called + Kairetsu it protected him from robbers and wild beasts and + from other calamities. There he passed his time in studying + the sacred laws both hidden and revealed, and after nine + years set sail to return to Japan. When he was on the high + seas a storm arose, and a great fish attacked and tried to + swamp the ship, so that the rudder and mast were broken, and + the nearest shore being that of a land inhabited by devils, + to retreat or to advance was equally dangerous. Then the + holy man prayed to the patron saint whose image he carried, + and as he prayed, behold the true Yakushi Niurai appeared in + the centre of the ship, and said to him—</p> + + <p>"Verily, thou hast travelled far that the sacred laws might + be revealed for the salvation of many men; now, therefore, take + my image, which thou carriest in thy bosom, and cast it into + the sea, that the wind may abate, and that thou mayest be + delivered from this land of devils."</p> + + <p>The commands of the saints must be obeyed, so with tears in + his eyes, the priest threw into the sea the sacred image which + he loved. Then did the wind abate, and the waves were stilled, + and the ship went on her course as though she were being drawn + by unseen hands until she reached a safe haven. In the tenth + month of the same year the priest again set sail, trusting to + the power of his patron saint, and reached the harbour of + Tsukushi without mishap. For three years he prayed that the + image which he had cast away might be restored to him, until at + last one night he was warned in a dream that on the sea-shore + at Matsura Yakushi Niurai would appear to him. In consequence + of this dream he went to the province of Hizen, and landed on + the sea-shore at Hirato, where, in the midst of a blaze of + light, the image which he had carved appeared to him twice, + riding on the back of a cuttlefish. Thus was the image restored + to the world by a miracle. In commemoration of his recovery + from the disease of the eyes and of his preservation from the + dangers of the sea, that these things might be known to all + posterity, the priest established the worship of Tako Yakushi + Niurai ("Yakushi Niurai of the Cuttlefish") and came to Meguro, + where he built the Temple of Fudô + Sama,<a id="footnotetag10" + name="footnotetag10"></a><a href="#footnote10"><sup>10</sup></a> + another Buddhist divinity. At this time there was an + epidemic of small-pox in the village, so that men fell down + and died in the street, and the holy man prayed to + Fudô Sama that the plague might be stayed. Then the + god appeared to him, and said—</p> + + <p>"The saint Yakushi Niurai of the Cuttlefish, whose image + thou carriest, desires to have his place in this village, and + he will heal this plague. Thou shalt, therefore, raise a temple + to him here that not only this small-pox, but other diseases + for future generations, may be cured by his power."</p> + + <p>Hearing this, the priest shed tears of gratitude, and having + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" + id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> chosen a piece of fine wood, + carved a large figure of his patron saint of the cuttlefish, + and placed the smaller image inside of the larger, and laid + it up in this temple, to which people still flock that they + may be healed of their diseases.</p> + + <p>Such is the story of the miracle, translated from a small + ill-printed pamphlet sold by the priests of the temple, all the + decorations of which, even to a bronze lantern in the middle of + the yard, are in the form of a cuttlefish, the sacred emblem of + the place.</p> + + <p>What pleasanter lounge in which to while away a hot day + could a man wish for than the shade of the trees borne by the + hill on which stands the Temple of Fudô Sama? Two jets of + pure water springing from the rock are voided by spouts carved + in the shape of dragons into a stone basin enclosed by rails, + within which it is written that "no woman may enter." If you + are in luck, you may cool yourself by watching some devotee, + naked save his loin-cloth, performing the ceremony called + <i>Suigiyô</i>; that is to say, praying under the + waterfall that his soul may be purified through his body. In + winter it requires no small pluck to go through this penance, + yet I have seen a penitent submit to it for more than a quarter + of an hour on a bitterly cold day in January. In summer, on the + other hand, the religious exercise called <i>Hiyakudo</i>, or + "the hundred times," which may also be seen here to advantage, + is no small trial of patience. It consists in walking backwards + and forwards a hundred times between two points within the + sacred precincts, repeating a prayer each time. The count is + kept either upon the fingers or by depositing a length of + twisted straw each time that the goal is reached; at this + temple the place allotted for the ceremony is between a + grotesque bronze figure of Tengu Sama ("the Dog of Heaven"), + the terror of children, a most hideous monster with a gigantic + nose, which it is beneficial to rub with a finger afterwards to + be applied to one's own nose, and a large brown box inscribed + with the characters <i>Hiyaku Do</i> in high relief, which may + generally be seen full of straw tallies. It is no sinecure to + be a good Buddhist, for the gods are not lightly to be + propitiated. Prayer and fasting, mortification of the flesh, + abstinence from wine, from women, and from favourite dishes, + are the only passports to rising in office, prosperity in + trade, recovery from sickness, or a happy marriage with a + beloved maiden. Nor will mere faith without works be efficient. + A votive tablet of proportionate value to the favour prayed + for, or a sum of money for the repairs of the shrine or temple, + is necessary to win the favour of the gods. Poorer persons will + cut off the queue of their hair and offer that up; and at + Horinouchi, a temple in great renown some eight or nine miles + from Yedo, there is a rope about two inches and a half in + diameter and about six fathoms long, entirely made of human + hair so given to the gods; it lies coiled up, dirty, + moth-eaten, and uncared for, at one end of a long shed full of + tablets and pictures, by the side of a rude native fire-engine. + The taking of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" + id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> life being displeasing to + Buddha, outside many of the temples old women and children + earn a livelihood by selling sparrows, small eels, carp, and + tortoises, which the worshipper sets free in honour of the + deity, within whose territory cocks and hens and doves, tame + and unharmed, perch on every jutty, frieze, buttress, and + coigne of vantage.</p> + + <p>But of all the marvellous customs that I wot of in + connection with Japanese religious exercises, none appears to + me so strange as that of spitting at the images of the gods, + more especially at the statues of the Ni-ô, the two huge + red or red and green statues which, like Gog and Magog, emblems + of strength, stand as guardians of the chief Buddhist temples. + The figures are protected by a network of iron wire, through + which the votaries, praying the while, spit pieces of paper, + which they had chewed up into a pulp. If the pellet sticks to + the statue, the omen is favourable; if it falls, the prayer is + not accepted. The inside of the great bell at the Tycoon's + burial-ground, and almost every holy statue throughout the + country, are all covered with these outspittings from pious + mouths.<a id="footnotetag11" + name="footnotetag11"></a><a href="#footnote11"><sup>11</sup></a></p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/025.jpg" + name="image025" + target="blank" + id="image025"><img width="100%" + src="images/025.jpg" + alt="THE TOMB OF THE SHIYOKU." /></a>THE TOMB OF THE + SHIYOKU. + </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" + id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> + + <p>Through all this discourse about temples and tea-houses, I + am coming by degrees to the goal of our pilgrimage—two + old stones, mouldering away in a rank, overgrown graveyard hard + by, an old old burying-ground, forgotten by all save those who + love to dig out the tales of the past. The key is kept by a + ghoulish old dame, almost as time-worn and mildewed as the tomb + over which she watches. Obedient to our call, and looking + forward to a fee ten times greater than any native would give + her, she hobbles out, and, opening the gate, points out the + stone bearing the inscription, the "Tomb of the Shiyoku" + (fabulous birds, which, living one within the other—a + mysterious duality contained in one body—are the emblem + of connubial love and fidelity). By this stone stands another, + graven with a longer legend, which runs as follows:—</p> + + <p>"In the old days of Genroku, she pined for the beauty of her + lover, who was as fair to look upon as the flowers; and now + beneath the moss of this old tombstone all has perished of her + save her name. Amid the changes of a fitful world, this tomb is + decaying under the dew and rain; gradually crumbling beneath + its own dust, its outline alone remains. Stranger! bestow an + alms to preserve this stone; and we, sparing neither pain nor + labour, will second you with all our hearts. Erecting it again, + let us preserve it from decay for future generations, and let + us write the following verse upon it:—'These two birds, + beautiful as the cherry-blossoms, perished before their time, + like flowers broken down by the wind before they have borne + seed.'"</p> + + <p>Under the first stone is the dust of Gompachi, robber and + murderer, mixed with that of his true love Komurasaki, who lies + buried with him. Her sorrows and constancy have hallowed the + place, and pious people still come to burn incense and lay + flowers before the grave. How she loved him even in death may + be seen from the following old-world story.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>About two hundred and thirty years ago there lived in the + service of a daimio of the province of Inaba a young man, + called Shirai Gompachi, who, when he was but sixteen years of + age, had already won a name for his personal beauty and valour, + and for his skill in the use of arms. Now it happened that one + day a dog belonging to him fought with another dog belonging to + a fellow-clansman, and the two masters, being both passionate + youths, disputing as to whose dog had had the best of the + fight, quarrelled and came to blows, and Gompachi slew his + adversary; and in consequence of this he was obliged to flee + from his country, and make his escape to Yedo.</p> + + <p>And so Gompachi set out on his travels.</p> + + <p>One night, weary and footsore, he entered what appeared to + him to be a roadside inn, ordered some refreshment, and went to + bed, little thinking of the danger that menaced him: for as + luck would have it, this inn turned out to be the + trysting-place of a gang of robbers, into whose clutches he had + thus unwittingly <span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" + id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> fallen. To be sure, + Gompachi's purse was but scantily furnished, but his sword + and dirk were worth some three hundred ounces of silver, and + upon these the robbers (of whom there were ten) had cast + envious eyes, and had determined to kill the owner for their + sake; but he, all unsuspicious, slept on in fancied + security.</p> + + <p>In the middle of the night he was startled from his deep + slumbers by some one stealthily opening the sliding door which + led into his room, and rousing himself with an effort, he + beheld a beautiful young girl, fifteen years of age, who, + making signs to him not to stir, came up to his bedside, and + said to him in a whisper—</p> + + <p>"Sir, the master of this house is the chief of a gang of + robbers, who have been plotting to murder you this night for + the sake of your clothes and your sword. As for me, I am the + daughter of a rich merchant in Mikawa: last year the robbers + came to our house, and carried off my father's treasure and + myself. I pray you, sir, take me with you, and let us fly from + this dreadful place."</p> + + <p>She wept as she spoke, and Gompachi was at first too much + startled to answer; but being a youth of high courage and a + cunning fencer to boot, he soon recovered his presence of mind, + and determined to kill the robbers, and to deliver the girl out + of their hands. So he replied—</p> + + <p>"Since you say so, I will kill these thieves, and rescue you + this very night; only do you, when I begin the fight, run + outside the house, that you may be out of harm's way, and + remain in hiding until I join you."</p> + + <p>Upon this understanding the maiden left him, and went her + way. But he lay awake, holding his breath and watching; and + when the thieves crept noiselessly into the room, where they + supposed him to be fast asleep, he cut down the first man that + entered, and stretched him dead at his feet. The other nine, + seeing this, laid about them with their drawn swords, but + Gompachi, fighting with desperation, mastered them at last, and + slew them. After thus ridding himself of his enemies, he went + outside the house and called to the girl, who came running to + his side, and joyfully travelled on with him to Mikawa, where + her father dwelt; and when they reached Mikawa, he took the + maiden to the old man's house, and told him how, when he had + fallen among thieves, his daughter had come to him in his hour + of peril, and saved him out of her great pity; and how he, in + return, rescuing her from her servitude, had brought her back + to her home. When the old folks saw their daughter whom they + had lost restored to them, they were beside themselves with + joy, and shed tears for very happiness; and, in their + gratitude, they pressed Gompachi to remain with them, and they + prepared feasts for him, and entertained him hospitably: but + their daughter, who had fallen in love with him for his beauty + and knightly valour, spent her days in thinking of him, and of + him alone. The young man, however, in spite of the kindness of + the old merchant, who <!--blank page 28--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page29" + id="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> wished to adopt him as his + son, and tried hard to persuade him to consent to this, was + fretting to go to Yedo and take service as an officer in the + household of some noble lord; so he resisted the entreaties + of the father and the soft speeches of the daughter, and + made ready to start on his journey; and the old merchant, + seeing that he would not be turned from his purpose, gave + him a parting gift of two hundred ounces of silver, and + sorrowfully bade him farewell.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/028.jpg" + name="image028" + target="blank" + id="image028"><img width="100%" + src="images/028.jpg" + alt="GOMPACHI AWAKENED BY THE MAIDEN IN THE ROBBERS' DEN." /> + </a> GOMPACHI AWAKENED BY THE MAIDEN IN THE ROBBERS' DEN. + </div> + + <p>But alas for the grief of the maiden, who sat sobbing her + heart out and mourning over her lover's departure! He, all the + while thinking more of ambition than of love, went to her and + comforted her, and said: "Dry your eyes, sweetheart, and weep + no more, for I shall soon come back to you. Do you, in the + meanwhile, be faithful and true to me, and tend your parents + with filial piety."</p> + + <p>So she wiped away her tears and smiled again, when she heard + him promise that he would soon return to her. And Gompachi went + his way, and in due time came near to Yedo.</p> + + <p>But his dangers were not yet over; for late one night, + arriving at a place called Suzugamori, in the neighbourhood of + Yedo, he fell in with six highwaymen, who attacked him, + thinking to make short work of killing and robbing him. Nothing + daunted, he drew his sword, and dispatched two out of the six; + but, being weary and worn out with his long journey, he was + sorely pressed, and the struggle was going hard with him, when + a wardsman,<a id="footnotetag12" + name="footnotetag12"></a><a href="#footnote12"><sup>12</sup></a> + who happened to pass that way riding in a chair, seeing the + affray, jumped down from his chair and drawing his dirk came + to the rescue, and between them they put the robbers to + flight.</p> + + <p>Now it turned out that this kind tradesman, who had so + happily come to the assistance of Gompachi, was no other than + Chôbei of Bandzuin, the chief of the + <i>Otokodaté</i>, or Friendly Society of the wardsmen of + Yedo—a man famous in the annals of the city, whose life, + exploits, and adventures are recited to this day, and form the + subject of another tale.</p> + + <p>When the highwaymen had disappeared, Gompachi, turning to + his deliverer, said—</p> + + <p>"I know not who you may be, sir, but I have to thank you for + rescuing me from a great danger."</p> + + <p>And as he proceeded to express his gratitude, Chôbei + replied—</p> + + <p>"I am but a poor wardsman, a humble man in my way, sir; and + if the robbers ran away, it was more by good luck than owing to + any merit of mine. But I am filled with admiration at the way + you fought; you displayed a courage and a skill that were + beyond your years, sir."</p> + + <p>"Indeed," said the young man, smiling with pleasure at + hearing <span class="pagenum"><a name="page30" + id="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span> himself praised; "I am still + young and inexperienced, and am quite ashamed of my bungling + style of fencing."</p> + + <p>"And now may I ask you, sir, whither you are bound?"</p> + + <p>"That is almost more than I know myself, for I am a + <i>rônin,</i> and have no fixed purpose in view."</p> + + <p>"That is a bad job," said Chôbei, who felt pity for + the lad. "However, if you will excuse my boldness in making + such an offer, being but a wardsman, until you shall have taken + service I would fain place my poor house at your disposal."</p> + + <p>Gompachi accepted the offer of his new but trusty friend + with thanks; so Chôbei led him to his house, where he + lodged him and hospitably entertained him for some months. And + now Gompachi, being idle and having nothing to care for, fell + into bad ways, and began to lead a dissolute life, thinking of + nothing but gratifying his whims and passions; he took to + frequenting the Yoshiwara, the quarter of the town which is set + aside for tea-houses and other haunts of wild young men, where + his handsome face and figure attracted attention, and soon made + him a great favourite with all the beauties of the + neighbourhood.</p> + + <p>About this time men began to speak loud in praise of the + charms of Komurasaki, or "Little Purple," a young girl who had + recently come to the Yoshiwara, and who in beauty and + accomplishments outshone all her rivals. Gompachi, like the + rest of the world, heard so much of her fame that he determined + to go to the house where she dwelt, at the sign of "The Three + Sea-coasts," and judge for himself whether she deserved all + that men said of her. Accordingly he set out one day, and + having arrived at "The Three Sea-coasts," asked to see + Komurasaki; and being shown into the room where she was + sitting, advanced towards her; but when their eyes met, they + both started back with a cry of astonishment, for this + Komurasaki, the famous beauty of the Yoshiwara, proved to be + the very girl whom several months before Gompachi had rescued + from the robbers' den, and restored to her parents in Mikawa. + He had left her in prosperity and affluence, the darling child + of a rich father, when they had exchanged vows of love and + fidelity; and now they met in a common stew in Yedo. What a + change! what a contrast! How had the riches turned to rust, the + vows to lies!</p> + + <p>"What is this?" cried Gompachi, when he had recovered from + his surprise. "How is it that I find you here pursuing this + vile calling, in the Yoshiwara? Pray explain this to me, for + there is some mystery beneath all this which I do not + understand."</p> + + <p>But Komurasaki—who, having thus unexpectedly fallen in + with her lover that she had yearned for, was divided between + joy and shame—answered, weeping—</p> + + <p>"Alas! my tale is a sad one, and would be long to tell. + After you left us last year, calamity and reverses fell upon + our house; and when my parents became poverty-stricken, I was + at my wits' end to know how to support them: so I sold this + wretched body of mine to the master of this house, and sent the + money to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page31" + id="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span> my father and mother; but, in + spite of this, troubles and misfortunes multiplied upon + them, and now, at last, they have died of misery and grief. + And, oh! lives there in this wide world so unhappy a wretch + as I! But now that I have met you again—you who are so + strong—help me who am weak. You saved me once—do + not, I implore you, desert me now!!" and as she told her + piteous tale the tears streamed from her eyes.</p> + + <p>"This is, indeed, a sad story," replied Gompachi, much + affected by the recital. "There must have been a wonderful run + of bad luck to bring such misfortune upon your house, which but + a little while ago I recollect so prosperous. However, mourn no + more, for I will not forsake you. It is true that I am too poor + to redeem you from your servitude, but at any rate I will + contrive so that you shall be tormented no more. Love me, + therefore, and put your trust in me." When she heard him speak + so kindly she was comforted, and wept no more, but poured out + her whole heart to him, and forgot her past sorrows in the + great joy of meeting him again.</p> + + <p>When it became time for them to separate, he embraced her + tenderly and returned to Chôbei's house; but he could not + banish Komurasaki from his mind, and all day long he thought of + her alone; and so it came about that he went daily to the + Yoshiwara to see her, and if any accident detained him, she, + missing the accustomed visit, would become anxious and write to + him to inquire the cause of his absence. At last, pursuing this + course of life, his stock of money ran short, and as, being a + <i>rônin</i> and without any fixed employment, he had no + means of renewing his supplies, he was ashamed of showing + himself penniless at "The Three Sea-coasts." Then it was that a + wicked spirit arose within him, and he went out and murdered a + man, and having robbed him of his money carried it to the + Yoshiwara.</p> + + <p>From bad to worse is an easy step, and the tiger that has + once tasted blood is dangerous. Blinded and infatuated by his + excessive love, Gompachi kept on slaying and robbing, so that, + while his outer man was fair to look upon, the heart within him + was that of a hideous devil. At last his friend Chôbei + could no longer endure the sight of him, and turned him out of + his house; and as, sooner or later, virtue and vice meet with + their reward, it came to pass that Gompachi's crimes became + notorious, and the Government having set spies upon his track, + he was caught red-handed and arrested; and his evil deeds + having been fully proved against him, he was carried off to the + execution ground at Suzugamori, the "Bell Grove," and beheaded + as a common male-factor.</p> + + <p>Now when Gompachi was dead, Chôbei's old affection for + the young man returned, and, being a kind and pious man, he + went and claimed his body and head, and buried him at Meguro, + in the grounds of the Temple called Boronji.</p> + + <p>When Komurasaki heard the people at Yoshiwara gossiping + about her lover's end, her grief knew no bounds, so she fled + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page32" + id="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span> secretly from "The Three + Sea-coasts," and came to Meguro and threw herself upon the + newly-made grave. Long she prayed and bitterly she wept over + the tomb of him whom, with all his faults, she had loved so + well, and then, drawing a dagger from her girdle, she + plunged it in her breast and died. The priests of the + temple, when they saw what had happened, wondered greatly + and were astonished at the loving faithfulness of this + beautiful girl, and taking compassion on her, they laid her + side by side with Gompachi in one grave, and over the grave + they placed a stone which remains to this day, bearing the + inscription "The Tomb of the Shiyoku." And still the people + of Yedo visit the place, and still they praise the beauty of + Gompachi and the filial piety and fidelity of + Komurasaki.</p> + + <p>Let us linger for a moment longer in the old graveyard. The + word which I have translated a few lines above as "loving + faithfulness" means literally "chastity." When Komurasaki sold + herself to supply the wants of her ruined parents, she was not, + according to her lights, forfeiting her claim to virtue. On the + contrary, she could perform no greater act of filial piety, + and, so far from incurring reproach among her people, her + self-sacrifice would be worthy of all praise in their eyes. + This idea has led to grave misunderstanding abroad, and indeed + no phase of Japanese life has been so misrepresented as this. I + have heard it stated, and seen it printed, that it is no + disgrace for a respectable Japanese to sell his daughter, that + men of position and family often choose their wives from such + places as "The Three Sea-coasts," and that up to the time of + her marriage the conduct of a young girl is a matter of no + importance whatever. Nothing could be more unjust or more + untrue. It is only the neediest people that sell their children + to be waitresses, singers, or prostitutes. It does occasionally + happen that the daughter of a <i>Samurai</i>, or gentleman, is + found in a house of ill-fame, but such a case could only occur + at the death or utter ruin of the parents, and an official + investigation of the matter has proved it to be so exceptional, + that the presence of a young lady in such a place is an + enormous attraction, her superior education and accomplishments + shedding a lustre over the house. As for gentlemen marrying + women of bad character, are not such things known in Europe? Do + ladies of the <i>demi-monde</i> never make good marriages? + <i>Mésalliances</i> are far rarer in Japan than with us. + Certainly among the lowest class of the population such, + marriages may occasionally occur, for it often happens that a + woman can lay by a tempting dowry out of her wretched + earnings-, but amongst the gentry of the country they are + unknown.</p> + + <p>And yet a girl is not disgraced if for her parents' sake she + sells herself to a life of misery so great, that, when a + Japanese enters a house of ill-fame, he is forced to leave his + sword and dirk at the door for two reasons—first, to + prevent brawling; secondly, because it is known that some of + the women inside so loathe + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page33" + id="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> their existence that they + would put an end to it, could they get hold of a weapon.</p> + + <p>It is a curious fact that in all the Daimio's castle-towns, + with the exception of some which are also seaports, open + prostitution is strictly forbidden, although, if report speaks + truly, public morality rather suffers than gains by the + prohibition.</p> + + <p>The misapprehension which exists upon the subject of + prostitution in Japan may be accounted for by the fact that + foreign writers, basing their judgment upon the vice of the + open ports, have not hesitated to pronounce the Japanese women + unchaste. As fairly might a Japanese, writing about England, + argue from the street-walkers of Portsmouth or Plymouth to the + wives, sisters, and daughters of these very authors. In some + respects the gulf fixed between virtue and vice in Japan is + even greater than in England. The Eastern courtesan is confined + to a certain quarter of the town, and distinguished by a + peculiarly gaudy costume, and by a head-dress which consists of + a forest of light tortoiseshell hair-pins, stuck round her head + like a saint's glory—a glory of shame which a modest + woman would sooner die than wear. Vice jostling virtue in the + public places; virtue imitating the fashions set by vice, and + buying trinkets or furniture at the sale of vice's + effects—these are social phenomena which the East knows + not.</p> + + <p>The custom prevalent among the lower orders of bathing in + public bath-houses without distinction of the sexes, is another + circumstance which has tended to spread abroad very false + notions upon the subject of the chastity of the Japanese women. + Every traveller is shocked by it, and every writer finds in it + matter for a page of pungent description. Yet it is only those + who are so poor (and they must be poor indeed) that they cannot + afford a bath at home, who, at the end of their day's work, go + to the public bath-house to refresh themselves before sitting + down to their evening meal: having been used to the scene from + their childhood, they see no indelicacy in it; it is a matter + of course, and <i>honi soit qui mal y pense</i>: certainly + there is far less indecency and immorality resulting from this + public bathing, than from the promiscuous herding together of + all sexes and ages which disgraces our own lodging-houses in + the great cities, and the hideous hovels in which some of our + labourers have to pass their lives; nor can it be said that + there is more confusion of sexes amongst the lowest orders in + Japan than in Europe. Speaking upon the subject once with a + Japanese gentleman, I observed that we considered it an act of + indecency for men and women to wash together. He shrugged his + shoulders as he answered, "But then Westerns have such prurient + minds." Some time ago, at the open port of Yokohama, the + Government, out of deference to the prejudices of foreigners, + forbade the men and women to bathe together, and no doubt this + was the first step towards putting down the practice + altogether: as for women tubbing in the open streets of Yedo, I + have read of such things in books written by + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page34" + id="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> foreigners; but during a + residence of three years and a half, in which time I crossed + and recrossed every part of the great city at all hours of + the day, I never once saw such a sight. I believe myself + that it can only be seen at certain hot mineral springs in + remote country districts.</p> + + <p>The best answer to the general charge of immorality which + has been brought against the Japanese women during their period + of unmarried life, lies in the fact that every man who can + afford to do so keeps the maidens of his family closely guarded + in the strictest seclusion. The daughter of poverty, indeed, + must work and go abroad, but not a man is allowed to approach + the daughter of a gentleman; and she is taught that if by + accident any insult should be offered to her, the knife which + she carries at her girdle is meant for use, and not merely as a + badge of her rank. Not long ago a tragedy took place in the + house of one of the chief nobles in Yedo. One of My Lady's + tire-women, herself a damsel of gentle blood, and gifted with + rare beauty, had attracted the attention of a retainer in the + palace, who fell desperately in love with her. For a long time + the strict rules of decorum by which she was hedged in + prevented him from declaring his passion; but at last he + contrived to gain access to her presence, and so far forgot + himself, that she, drawing her poniard, stabbed him in the eye, + so that he was carried off fainting, and presently died. The + girl's declaration, that the dead man had attempted to insult + her, was held to be sufficient justification of her deed, and, + instead of being blamed, she was praised and extolled for her + valour and chastity. As the affair had taken place within the + four walls of a powerful noble, there was no official + investigation into the matter, with which the authorities of + the palace were competent to deal. The truth of this story was + vouched for by two or three persons whose word I have no reason + to doubt, and who had themselves been mixed up in it; I can + bear witness that it is in complete harmony with Japanese + ideas; and certainly it seems more just that Lucretia should + kill Tarquin than herself.</p> + + <p>The better the Japanese people come to be known and + understood, the more, I am certain, will it be felt that a + great injustice has been done them in the sweeping attacks + which have been made upon their women. Writers are agreed, I + believe, that their matrons are, as a rule, without reproach. + If their maidens are chaste, as I contend that from very force + of circumstances they cannot help being, what becomes of all + these charges of vice and immodesty? Do they not rather recoil + upon the accusers, who would appear to have studied the + Japanese woman only in the harlot of Yokohama?</p> + + <p>Having said so much, I will now try to give some account of + the famous Yoshiwara<a id="footnotetag13" + name="footnotetag13"></a><a href="#footnote13"><sup>13</sup></a> + of Yedo, to which frequent allusion will have to be made in + the course of these + tales.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page35" + id="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> + + <p>At the end of the sixteenth century the courtesans of Yedo + lived in three special places: these were the street called + Kôji-machi, in which dwelt the women who came from + Kiôto; the Kamakura Street, and a spot opposite the great + bridge, in which last two places lived women brought from + Suruga. Besides these there afterwards came women from Fushimi + and from Nara, who lodged scattered here and there throughout + the town. This appears to have scandalized a certain reformer, + named Shôji Jinyémon, who, in the year 1612, + addressed a memorial to the Government, petitioning that the + women who lived in different parts of the town should be + collected in one "Flower Quarter." His petition was granted in + the year 1617, and he fixed upon a place called Fukiyacho, + which, on account of the quantities of rushes which grew there, + was named <i>Yoshi-Wara,</i> or the rush-moor, a name which + now-a-days, by a play upon the word <i>yoshi,</i> is written + with two Chinese characters, signifying the "good," or "lucky + moor." The place was divided into four streets, called the Yedo + Street, the Second Yedo Street, the Kiôto Street, and the + Second Kiôto Street.</p> + + <p>In the eighth month of the year 1655, when Yedo was + beginning to increase in size and importance, the Yoshiwara, + preserving its name, was transplanted bodily to the spot which + it now occupies at the northern end of the town. And the + streets in it were named after the places from which the + greater number of their inhabitants originally came, as the + "Sakai Street," the "Fushimi Street," &c.</p> + + <p>The official Guide to the Yoshiwara for 1869 gives a return + of 153 brothels, containing 3,289 courtesans of all classes, + from the <i>Oiran</i>, or proud beauty, who, dressed up in + gorgeous brocade of gold and silver, with painted face and + gilded lips, and with her teeth fashionably blacked, has all + the young bloods of Yedo at her feet, down to the humble + <i>Shinzo</i>, or white-toothed woman, who rots away her life + in the common stews. These figures do not, however, represent + the whole of the prostitution of Yedo; the Yoshiwara is the + chief, but not the only, abiding-place of the public women. At + Fukagawa there is another Flower District, built upon the same + principle as the Yoshiwara; while at Shinagawa, Shinjiku, + Itabashi, Senji, and Kadzukappara, the hotels contain women + who, nominally only waitresses, are in reality prostitutes. + There are also women called <i>Jigoku-Omna,</i> or hell-women, + who, without being borne on the books of any brothel, live in + their own houses, and ply their trade in secret. On the whole, + I believe the amount of prostitution in Yedo to be wonderfully + small, considering the vast size of the city.</p> + + <p>There are 394 tea-houses in the Yoshiwara, which are largely + used as places of assignation, and which on those occasions are + paid, not by the visitors frequenting them, but by the keepers + of the brothels. It is also the fashion to give dinners and + drinking-parties <span class="pagenum"><a name="page36" + id="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> at these houses, for which + the services of <i>Taikomochi</i>, or jesters, among whom + there are thirty-nine chief celebrities, and of singing and + dancing girls, are retained. The Guide to the Yoshiwara + gives a list of fifty-five famous singing-girls, besides a + host of minor stars. These women are not to be confounded + with the courtesans. Their conduct is very closely watched + by their masters, and they always go out to parties in + couples or in bands, so that they may be a check upon one + another. Doubtless, however, in spite of all precautions, + the shower of gold does from time to time find its way to + Danaë's lap; and to be the favoured lover of a + fashionable singer or dancer is rather a feather in the cap + of a fast young Japanese gentleman. The fee paid to + singing-girls for performing during a space of two hours is + one shilling and fourpence each; for six hours the fee is + quadrupled, and it is customary to give the girls a + <i>hana</i>, or present, for themselves, besides their + regular pay, which goes to the master of the troupe to which + they belong.</p> + + <p>Courtesans, singing women, and dancers are bought by + contractors, either as children, when they are educated for + their calling, or at a more advanced age, when their + accomplishments and charms render them desirable investments. + The engagement is never made life-long, for once past the + flower of their youth the poor creatures would be mere burthens + upon their masters; a courtesan is usually bought until she + shall have reached the age of twenty-seven, after which she + becomes her own property. Singers remain longer in harness, but + even they rarely work after the age of thirty, for Japanese + women, like Italians, age quickly, and have none of that + intermediate stage between youth and old age, which seems to be + confined to countries where there is a twilight.</p> + + <p>Children destined to be trained as singers are usually + bought when they are five or six years old, a likely child + fetching from about thirty-five to fifty shillings; the + purchaser undertakes the education of his charge, and brings + the little thing up as his own child. The parents sign a paper + absolving him from all responsibility in case of sickness or + accident; but they know that their child will be well treated + and cared for, the interests of the buyer being their material + guarantee. Girls of fifteen or upwards who are sufficiently + accomplished to join a company of singers fetch ten times the + price paid for children; for in their case there is no risk and + no expense of education.</p> + + <p>Little children who are bought for purposes of prostitution + at the age of five or six years fetch about the same price as + those that are bought to be singers. During their novitiate + they are employed to wait upon the <i>Oiran</i>, or fashionable + courtesans, in the capacity of little female pages + (<i>Kamuro</i>). They are mostly the children of distressed + persons, or orphans, whom their relatives cruelly sell rather + than be at the expense and trouble of bringing them up. Of the + girls who enter the profession later in life, some are orphans, + who have no other means of earning a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page37" + id="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> livelihood; others sell their + bodies out of filial piety, that they may succour their sick + or needy parents; others are married women, who enter the + Yoshiwara to supply the wants of their husbands; and a very + small proportion is recruited from girls who have been + seduced and abandoned, perhaps sold, by faithless + lovers.</p> + + <p>The time to see the Yoshiwara to the best advantage is just + after nightfall, when the lamps are lighted. Then it is that + the women—who for the last two hours have been engaged in + gilding their lips and painting their eyebrows black, and their + throats and bosoms a snowy white, carefully leaving three brown + Van-dyke-collar points where the back of the head joins the + neck, in accordance with one of the strictest rules of Japanese + cosmetic science—leave the back rooms, and take their + places, side by side, in a kind of long narrow cage, the wooden + bars of which open on to the public thoroughfare. Here they sit + for hours, gorgeous in dresses of silk and gold and silver + embroidery, speechless and motionless as wax figures, until + they shall have attracted the attention of some of the + passers-by, who begin to throng the place. At Yokohama indeed, + and at the other open ports, the women of the Yoshiwara are + loud in their invitations to visitors, frequently relieving the + monotony of their own language by some blasphemous term of + endearment picked up from British and American seamen; but in + the Flower District at Yedo, and wherever Japanese customs are + untainted, the utmost decorum prevails. Although the shape + which vice takes is ugly enough, still it has this merit, that + it is unobtrusive. Never need the pure be contaminated by + contact with the impure; he who goes to the Yoshiwara, goes + there knowing full well what he will find, but the virtuous man + may live through his life without having this kind of vice + forced upon his sight. Here again do the open ports contrast + unfavourably with other places: Yokohama at night is as leprous + a place as the London Haymarket.<a id="footnotetag14" + name="footnotetag14"></a><a href="#footnote14"><sup>14</sup></a></p> + + <p>A public woman or singer on entering her profession assumes + a <i>nom de guerre</i>, by which she is known until her + engagement is at an end. Some of these names are so pretty and + quaint that I will take a few specimens from the <i>Yoshiwara + Saiken</i>, the guidebook upon which this notice is based. + "Little Pine," "Little Butterfly," "Brightness of the Flowers," + "The Jewel River," "Gold Mountain," "Pearl Harp," "The Stork + that lives a Thousand Years," "Village of Flowers," "Sea + Beach," "The Little Dragon," "Little Purple," "Silver," + "Chrysanthemum," "Waterfall," "White Brightness," "Forest of + Cherries,"—these and a host of other quaint conceits are + the one prettiness of a very foul + place.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page38" + id="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> + + <h2>KAZUMA'S REVENGE</h2> + + <p>It is a law that he who lives by the sword shall die by the + sword. In Japan, where there exists a large armed class over + whom there is practically little or no control, party and clan + broils, and single quarrels ending in bloodshed and death, are + matters of daily occurrence; and it has been observed that + Edinburgh in the olden time, when the clansmen, roistering + through the streets at night, would pass from high words to + deadly blows, is perhaps the best European parallel of modern + Yedo or Kiôto.</p> + + <p>It follows that of all his possessions the Samurai sets most + store by his sword, his constant companion, his ally, defensive + and offensive. The price of a sword by a famous maker reaches a + high sum: a Japanese noble will sometimes be found girding on a + sword, the blade of which unmounted is worth from six hundred + to a thousand riyos, say from £200 to £300, and the + mounting, rich in cunning metal work, will be of proportionate + value. These swords are handed down as heirlooms from father to + son, and become almost a part of the wearer's own self. + Iyéyasu, the founder of the last dynasty of Shoguns, + wrote in his Legacy,<a id="footnotetag15" + name="footnotetag15"></a><a href="#footnote15"><sup>15</sup></a> + a code of rules drawn up for the guidance of his successors + and their advisers in the government, "The girded sword is + the living soul of the Samurai. In the case of a Samurai + forgetting his sword, act as is appointed: it may not be + overlooked."</p> + + <p>The occupation of a swordsmith is an honourable profession, + the members of which are men of gentle blood. In a country + where trade is looked down upon as degrading, it is strange to + find this single exception to the general rule. The traditions + of the craft are many and curious. During the most critical + moment of the forging of the sword, when the steel edge is + being welded into the body of the iron blade, it is a custom + which still obtains among old-fashioned armourers to put on the + cap and robes worn by the Kugé, or nobles of the + Mikado's court, and, closing the doors of the workshop, to + labour in secrecy and freedom from interruption, the half gloom + adding to the mystery of the operation. Sometimes the occasion + is even invested with a certain sanctity, a tasselled cord of + straw, such as is hung before the shrines of the Kami, or + native gods of Japan, being suspended between two bamboo poles + in the forge, which for the nonce is converted into a holy + altar.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page39" + id="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span> + + <p>At Osaka, I lived opposite to one Kusano Yoshiaki, a + swordsmith, a most intelligent and amiable gentleman, who was + famous throughout his neighbourhood for his good and charitable + deeds. His idea was that, having been bred up to a calling + which trades in life and death, he was bound, so far as in him + lay, to atone for this by seeking to alleviate the suffering + which is in the world; and he carried out his principle to the + extent of impoverishing himself. No neighbour ever appealed to + him in vain for help in tending the sick or burying the dead. + No beggar or lazar was ever turned from his door without + receiving some mark of his bounty, whether in money or in kind. + Nor was his scrupulous honesty less remarkable than his + charity. While other smiths are in the habit of earning large + sums of money by counterfeiting the marks of the famous makers + of old, he was able to boast that he had never turned out a + weapon which bore any other mark than his own. From his father + and his forefathers he inherited his trade, which, in his turn, + he will hand over to his son—a hard-working, honest, and + sturdy man, the clank of whose hammer and anvil may be heard + from daybreak to sundown.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/039.jpg" + name="image039" + target="blank" + id="image039"><img width="100%" + src="images/039.jpg" + alt="FORGING THE SWORD." /></a> FORGING THE SWORD. + </div> + + <p>The trenchant edge of the Japanese sword is notorious. It is + said that the best blades will in the hands of an expert + swordsman cut through the dead bodies of three men, laid one + upon the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page40" + id="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> other, at a blow. The swords + of the Shogun used to be tried upon the corpses of executed + criminals; the public headsman was entrusted with the duty, + and for a "nose medicine," or bribe of two bus (about three + shillings), would substitute the weapon of a private + individual for that of his Lord. Dogs and beggars, lying + helpless by the roadside, not unfrequently serve to test a + ruffian's sword; but the executioner earns many a fee from + those who wish to see how their blades will cut off a + head.</p> + + <p>The statesman who shall enact a law forbidding the carrying + of this deadly weapon will indeed have deserved well of his + country; but it will be a difficult task to undertake, and a + dangerous one. I would not give much for that man's life. The + hand of every swashbuckler in the empire would be against him. + One day as we were talking over this and other kindred + subjects, a friend of mine, a man of advanced and liberal + views, wrote down his opinion, <i>more Japonico</i>, in a verse + of poetry which ran as follows:—"I would that all the + swords and dirks in the country might be collected in one place + and molten down, and that, from the metal so produced, one huge + sword might be forged, which, being the only blade left, should + be the girded sword of Great Japan."</p> + + <p>The following history is in more senses than one a "Tale of + a Sword."</p> + + <p>About two hundred and fifty years ago Ikéda + Kunaishôyu was Lord of the Province of Inaba. Among his + retainers were two gentlemen, named Watanabé + Yukiyé and Kawai Matazayémon, who were bound + together by strong ties of friendship, and were in the habit of + frequently visiting at one another's houses. One day + Yukiyé was sitting conversing with Matazayémon in + the house of the latter, when, on a sudden, a sword that was + lying in the raised part of the room caught his eye. As he saw + it, he started and said—</p> + + <p>"Pray tell me, how came you by that sword?"</p> + + <p>"Well, as you know, when my Lord Ikéda followed my + Lord Tokugawa Iyéyasu to fight at Nagakudé, my + father went in his train; and it was at the battle of + Nagakudé that he picked up this sword."</p> + + <p>"My father went too, and was killed in the fight, and this + sword, which was an heirloom in our family for many + generations, was lost at that time. As it is of great value in + my eyes, I do wish that, if you set no special store by it, you + would have the great kindness to return it to me."</p> + + <p>"That is a very easy matter, and no more than what one + friend should do by another. Pray take it."</p> + + <p>Upon this Yukiyé gratefully took the sword, and + having carried it home put it carefully away.</p> + + <p>At the beginning of the ensuing year Matazayémon fell + sick and died, and Yukiyé, mourning bitterly for the + loss of his good friend, and anxious to requite the favour + which he had received in the matter of his father's sword, did + many acts of kindness to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page41" + id="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> the dead man's son—a + young man twenty-two years of age, named Matagorô.</p> + + <p>Now this Matagorô was a base-hearted cur, who had + begrudged the sword that his father had given to Yukiyé, + and complained publicly and often that Yukiyé had never + made any present in return; and in this way Yukiyé got a + bad name in my Lord's palace as a stingy and illiberal man.</p> + + <p>But Yukiyé had a son, called Kazuma, a youth sixteen + years of age, who served as one of the Prince's pages of + honour. One evening, as he and one of his brother pages were + talking together, the latter said—</p> + + <p>"Matagorô is telling everybody that your father + accepted a handsome sword from him and never made him any + present in return, and people are beginning to gossip about + it."</p> + + <p>"Indeed," replied the other, "my father received that sword + from Matagorô's father as a mark of friendship and + good-will, and, considering that it would be an insult to send + a present of money in return, thought to return the favour by + acts of kindness towards Matagorô. I suppose it is money + he wants."</p> + + <p>When Kazuma's service was over, he returned home, and went + to his father's room to tell him the report that was being + spread in the palace, and begged him to send an ample present + of money to Matagorô. Yukryé reflected for a + while, and said—</p> + + <p>"You are too young to understand the right line of conduct + in such matters. Matagorô's father and myself were very + close friends; so, seeing that he had ungrudgingly given me + back the sword of my ancestors, I, thinking to requite his + kindness at his death, rendered important services to + Matagorô. It would be easy to finish the matter by + sending a present of money; but I had rather take the sword and + return it than be under an obligation to this mean churl, who + knows not the laws which regulate the intercourse and dealings + of men of gentle blood."</p> + + <p>So Yukiyé, in his anger, took the sword to + Matagorô's house, and said to him—</p> + + <p>"I have come to your house this night for no other purpose + than to restore to you the sword which your father gave me;" + and with this he placed the sword before Matagorô.</p> + + <p>"Indeed," replied the other, "I trust that you will not pain + me by returning a present which my father made you."</p> + + <p>"Amongst men of gentle birth," said Yukiyé, laughing + scornfully, "it is the custom to requite presents, in the first + place by kindness, and afterwards by a suitable gift offered + with a free heart. But it is no use talking to such as you, who + are ignorant of the first principles of good breeding; so I + have the honour to give you back the sword."</p> + + <p>As Yukiyé went on bitterly to reprove Matagorô, + the latter waxed very wroth, and, being a ruffian, would have + killed Yukiyé on the spot; but he, old man as he was, + was a skilful swordsman, so Matagorô, craven-like, + determined to wait until he could attack him unawares. Little + suspecting any treachery, Yukiyé started + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page42" + id="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> to return home, and + Matagorô, under the pretence of attending him to the + door, came behind him with his sword drawn and cut him in + the shoulder. The older man, turning round, drew and + defended himself; but having received a severe wound in the + first instance, he fainted away from loss of blood, and + Matagorô slew him.</p> + + <p>The mother of Matagorô, startled by the noise, came + out; and when she saw what had been done, she was afraid, and + said—"Passionate man! what have you done? You are a + murderer; and now your life will be forfeit. What terrible deed + is this!"</p> + + <p>"I have killed him now, and there's nothing to be done. + Come, mother, before the matter becomes known, let us fly + together from this house."</p> + + <p>"I will follow you; do you go and seek out my Lord + Abé Shirogorô, a chief among the + Hatamotos,<a id="footnotetag16" + name="footnotetag16"></a><a href="#footnote16"><sup>16</sup></a> + who was my foster-child. You had better fly to him for + protection, and remain in hiding."</p> + + <p>So the old woman persuaded her son to make his escape, and + sent him to the palace of Shirogorô.</p> + + <p>Now it happened that at this time the Hatamotos had formed + themselves into a league against the powerful Daimios; and + Abé Shirogorô, with two other noblemen, named + Kondô Noborinosuké and Midzuno + Jiurozayémon, was at the head of the league. It + followed, as a matter of course, that his forces were + frequently recruited by vicious men, who had no means of + gaining their living, and whom he received and entreated kindly + without asking any questions as to their antecedents; how much + the more then, on being applied to for an asylum by the son of + his own foster-mother, did he willingly extend his patronage to + him, and guarantee him against all danger. So he called a + meeting of the principal Hatamotos, and introduced + Matagorô to them, saying—"This man is a retainer of + Ikéda Kunaishôyu, who, having cause of hatred + against a man named Watanabé Yukiyé, has slain + him, and has fled to me for protection; this man's mother + suckled me when I was an infant, and, right or wrong, I will + befriend him. If, therefore, Ikéda Kunaishôyu + should send to require me to deliver him up, I trust that you + will one and all put forth your strength and help me to defend + him."</p> + + <p>"Ay! that will we, with pleasure!" replied Kondô + Noborinosuké. "We have for some time had cause to + complain of the scorn with which the Daimios have treated us. + Let Ikéda Kunaishôyu send to claim this man, and + we will show him the power of the Hatamotos."</p> + + <p>All the other Hatamotos, with one accord, applauded this + determination, and made ready their force for an armed + resistance, should my Lord Kunaishôyu send to demand the + surrender <!--blank page 43--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page44" + id="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> of Matugorô. But the + latter remained as a welcome guest in the house of + Abé Shirogorô.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/043.jpg" + name="image043" + target="blank" + id="image043"><img width="100%" + src="images/043.jpg" + alt="MATAGORÔ KILLS YUKIYÉ." /></a> + MATAGORÔ KILLS YUKIYÉ. + </div> + + <p>Now when Watanabé Kazuma saw that, as the night + advanced, his father Yukiyé did not return home, he + became anxious, and went to the house of Matagorô to seek + for him, and finding to his horror that he was murdered, fell + upon the corpse and, embraced it, weeping. On a sudden, it + flashed across him that this must assuredly be the handiwork of + Matagorô; so he rushed furiously into the house, + determined to kill his father's murderer upon the spot. But + Matagorô had already fled, and he found only the mother, + who was making her preparations for following her son to the + house of Abé Shirogorô: so he bound the old woman, + and searched all over the house for her son; but, seeing that + his search was fruitless, he carried off the mother, and handed + her over to one of the elders of the clan, at the same time + laying information against Matagorô as his father's + murderer. When the affair was reported to the Prince, he was + very angry, and ordered that the old woman should remain bound + and be cast into prison until the whereabouts of her son should + be discovered. Then Kazuma buried his father's corpse with + great pomp, and the widow and the orphan mourned over their + loss.</p> + + <p>It soon became known amongst the people of Abé + Shirogorô that the mother of Matagorô had been + imprisoned for her son's crime, and they immediately set about + planning her rescue; so they sent to the palace of my Lord + Kunaishôyu a messenger, who, when he was introduced to + the councillor of the Prince, said—</p> + + <p>"We have heard that, in consequence of the murder of + Yukiyé, my lord has been pleased to imprison the mother + of Matagorô. Our master Shirogorô has arrested the + criminal, and will deliver him up to you. But the mother has + committed no crime, so we pray that she may be released from a + cruel imprisonment: she was the foster-mother of our master, + and he would fain intercede to save her life. Should you + consent to this, we, on our side, will give up the murderer, + and hand him over to you in front of our master's gate + to-morrow."</p> + + <p>The councillor repeated this message to the Prince, who, in + his pleasure at being able to give Kazuma his revenge on the + morrow, immediately agreed to the proposal, and the messenger + returned triumphant at the success of the scheme. On the + following day, the Prince ordered the mother of Matagorô + to be placed in a litter and carried to the Hatamoto's + dwelling, in charge of a retainer named Sasawo Danyémon, + who, when he arrived at the door of Abé + Shirogorô's house, said—</p> + + <p>"I am charged to hand over to you the mother of + Matagorô, and, in exchange, I am authorized to receive + her son at your hands."</p> + + <p>"We will immediately give him up to you; but, as the mother + and son are now about to bid an eternal farewell to one + another, we beg you to be so kind as to tarry a little."</p> + + <p>With this the retainers of Shirogorô led the old woman + inside <span class="pagenum"><a name="page46" + id="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> their master's house, and + Sasawo Danyémon remained waiting outside, until at + last he grew impatient, and ventured to hurry on the people + within.</p> + + <p>"We return you many thanks," replied they, "for your + kindness in bringing us the mother; but, as the son cannot go + with you at present, you had better return home as quickly as + possible. We are afraid we have put you to much trouble." And + so they mocked him.</p> + + <p>When Danyémon saw that he had not only been cheated + into giving up the old woman, but was being made a + laughing-stock of into the bargain, he flew into a great rage, + and thought to break into the house and seize Matagorô + and his mother by force; but, peeping into the courtyard, he + saw that it was filled with Hatamotos, carrying guns and naked + swords. Not caring then to die fighting a hopeless battle, and + at the same time feeling that, after having been so cheated, he + would be put to shame before his lord, Sasawo Danyémon + went to the burial-place of his ancestors, and disembowelled + himself in front of their graves.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/045.jpg" + name="image045" + target="blank" + id="image045"><img width="100%" + src="images/045.jpg" + alt="THE DEATH OF DANYÉMON." /></a> THE DEATH + OF DANYÉMON. + </div> + + <p>When the Prince heard how his messenger had been treated, + he was indignant, and summoning his councillors resolved, + although he was suffering from sickness, to collect his + retainers and attack Abé Shirogorô; and the other + chief Daimios, when the matter became publicly known, took up + the cause, and determined that the Hatamotos must be chastised + for their insolence. On their side, the Hatamotos put forth all + their efforts to resist the Daimios. So Yedo became disturbed, + and the riotous state of the city caused great anxiety to the + Government, who took counsel together how they might restore + peace. As the Hatamotos were directly under the orders of the + Shogun, it was no difficult matter to put them down: the hard + question to solve was how to put a restraint upon the great + Daimios. However, one of the + Gorôjin,<a id="footnotetag17" + name="footnotetag17"></a><a href="#footnote17"><sup>17</sup></a> + named Matsudaira Idzu no Kami, a man of great intelligence, + hit upon a plan by which he might secure this end.</p> + + <p>There was at this time in the service of the Shogun a + physician, named Nakarai Tsusen, who was in the habit of + frequenting the palace of my Lord Kunaishôyu, and who for + some time past had been treating him for the disease from which + he was suffering. Idzu no Kami sent secretly for this + physician, and, summoning him to his private room, engaged him + in conversation, in the midst of which he suddenly dropped his + voice and said to him in a whisper—</p> + + <p>"Listen, Tsusen. You have received great favours at the + hands of the Shogun. The Government is now sorely straitened: + are you willing to carry your loyalty so far as to lay down + your life on its behalf?"</p> + + <p>"Ay, my lord; for generations my forefathers have held their + property by the grace of the Shogun. I am willing this night to + lay down my life for my Prince, as a faithful vassal + should."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page47" + id="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> + + <p>"Well, then, I will tell you. The great Daimios and the + Hatamotos have fallen out about this affair of Matagorô, + and lately it has seemed as if they meant to come to blows. The + country will be agitated, and the farmers and townsfolk suffer + great misery, if we cannot quell the tumult. The Hatamotos will + be easily kept under, but it will be no light task to pacify + the great Daimios. If you are willing to lay down your life in + carrying out a stratagem of mine, peace will be restored to the + country; but your loyalty will be your death."</p> + + <p>"I am ready to sacrifice my life in this service."</p> + + <p>"This is my plan. You have been attending my Lord + Kunaishôyu in his sickness; to-morrow you must go to see + him, and put poison in his physic. If we can kill him, the + agitation will cease. This is the service which I ask of + you."</p> + + <p>Tsusen agreed to undertake the deed; and on the following + day, when he went to see Kunaishôyu, he carried with him + poisoned drugs. Half the draught he drank + himself,<a id="footnotetag18" + name="footnotetag18"></a><a href="#footnote18"><sup>18</sup></a> + and thus put the Prince off his guard, so that he swallowed + the remainder fearlessly. Tsusen, seeing this, hurried away, + and as he was carried home in his litter the death-agony + seized him, and he died, vomiting blood.</p> + + <p>My Lord Kunaishôyu died in the same way in great + torture, and in the confusion attending upon his death and + funeral ceremonies the struggle which was impending with the + Hatamotos was delayed.</p> + + <p>In the meanwhile the Gorôjiu Idzu no Kami summoned the + three leaders of the Hatamotos and addressed them as + follows—</p> + + <p>"The secret plottings and treasonable, turbulent conduct of + you three men, so unbecoming your position as Hatamotos, have + enraged my lord the Shogun to such a degree, that he has been + pleased to order that you be imprisoned in a temple, and that + your patrimony be given over to your next heirs."</p> + + <p>Accordingly the three Hatamotos, after having been severely + admonished, were confined in a temple called Kanyeiji; and the + remaining Hatamotos, scared by this example, dispersed in + peace. As for the great Daimios, inasmuch as after the death of + my Lord Kunaishôyu the Hatamotos were all dispersed, + there was no enemy left for them to fight with; so the tumult + was quelled, and peace was restored.</p> + + <p>Thus it happened that Matagorô lost his patron; so, + taking his mother with him, he went and placed himself under + the protection of an old man named Sakurai Jiuzayémon. + This old man was a famous teacher of lance exercise, and + enjoyed both wealth and honour; so he took in Matagorô, + and having engaged as a guard thirty Rônins, all resolute + fellows and well skilled in the arts of war, they all fled + together to a distant place called Sagara.</p> + + <p>All this time Watanabé Kazuma had been brooding over + his father's death, and thinking how he should be revenged upon + the murderer; so when my Lord Kunaishôyu suddenly died, + he went <span class="pagenum"><a name="page48" + id="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> to the young Prince who + succeeded him and obtained leave of absence to go and seek + out his father's enemy. Now Kazuma's elder sister was + married to a man named Araki Matayémon, who at that + time was famous as the first swordsman in Japan. As Kazuma + was but sixteen years of age, this Matayémon, taking + into consideration his near relationship as son-in-law to + the murdered man, determined to go forth with the lad, as + his guardian, and help him to seek out Matagorô; and + two of Matayémon's retainers, named Ishidomé + Busuké and Ikezoyé Magohachi, made up their + minds, at all hazards, to follow their master. The latter, + when he heard their intention, thanked them, but refused the + offer, saying that as he was now about to engage in a + vendetta in which his life would be continually in jeopardy, + and as it would be a lasting grief to him should either of + them receive a wound in such a service, he must beg them to + renounce their intention; but they answered—</p> + + <p>"Master, this is a cruel speech of yours. All these years + have we received nought but kindness and favours at your hands; + and now that you are engaged in the pursuit of this murderer, + we desire to follow you, and, if needs must, to lay down our + lives in your service. Furthermore, we have heard that the + friends of this Matagorô are no fewer than thirty-six + men; so, however bravely you may fight, you will be in peril + from the superior numbers of your enemy. However, if you are + pleased to persist in your refusal to take us, we have made up + our minds that there is no resource for us but to disembowel + ourselves on the spot."</p> + + <p>When Matayémon and Kazuma heard these words, they + wondered at these faithful and brave men, and were moved to + tears. Then Matayémon said—</p> + + <p>"The kindness of you two brave fellows is without precedent. + Well, then, I will accept your services gratefully."</p> + + <p>Then the two men, having obtained their wish, cheerfully + followed their master; and the four set out together upon their + journey to seek out Matagorô, of whose whereabouts they + were completely ignorant.</p> + + <p>Matagorô in the meanwhile had made his way, with the + old man Sakurai Jiuzayémon and his thirty Rônins, + to Osaka. But, strong as they were in numbers, they travelled + in great secrecy. The reason for this was that the old man's + younger brother, Sakurai Jinsuké, a fencing-master by + profession, had once had a fencing-match with + Matayémon, Kazuma's brother-in-law, and had been + shamefully beaten; so that the party were greatly afraid of + Matayémon, and felt that, since he was taking up + Kazuma's cause and acting as his guardian, they might be + worsted in spite of their numbers: so they went on their way + with great caution, and, having reached Osaka, put up at an inn + in a quarter called Ikutama, and hid from Kazuma and + Matayémon.</p> + + <p>The latter also in good time reached Osaka, and spared no + pains to seek out Matagorô. One evening towards dusk, as + Matayémon was walking in the quarter where the enemy + were staying, he saw <span class="pagenum"><a name="page49" + id="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> a man, dressed as a + gentleman's servant, enter a cook-shop and order some + buckwheat porridge for thirty-six men, and looking + attentively at the man, he recognized him as the servant of + Sakurai Jiuzayémon; so he hid himself in a dark place + and watched, and heard the fellow say—</p> + + <p>"My master, Sakurai Jiuzayémon, is about to start for + Sagara to-morrow morning, to return thanks to the gods for his + recovery from a sickness from which he has been suffering; so I + am in a great hurry."</p> + + <p>With these words the servant hastened away; and + Matayémon, entering the shop, called for some porridge, + and as he ate it, made some inquiries as to the man who had + just given so large an order for buckwheat porridge. The master + of the shop answered that he was the attendant of a party of + thirty-six gentlemen who were staying at such and such an inn. + Then Matayémon, having found out all that he wanted to + know, went home and told Kazuma, who was delighted at the + prospect of carrying his revenge into execution on the morrow. + That same evening Matayémon sent one of his two faithful + retainers as a spy to the inn, to find out at what hour + Matagorô was to set out on the following morning; and he + ascertained from the servants of the inn, that the party was to + start at daybreak for Sagara, stopping at Isé to worship + at the shrine of Tershô Daijin.<a id="footnotetag19" + name="footnotetag19"></a><a href="#footnote19"><sup>19</sup></a></p> + + <p>Matayémon made his preparations accordingly, and, + with Kazuma and his two retainers, started before dawn. Beyond + Uyéno, in the province of Iga, the castle-town of the + Daimio Tôdô Idzumi no Kami, there is a wide and + lonely moor; and this was the place upon which they fixed for + the attack upon the enemy. When they had arrived at the spot, + Matayémon went into a tea-house by the roadside, and + wrote a petition to the governor of the Daimio's castle-town + for permission to carry out the vendetta within its + precincts;<a id="footnotetag20" + name="footnotetag20"></a><a href="#footnote20"><sup>20</sup></a> + then he addressed Kazuma, and said—</p> + + <p>"When we fall in with Matagorô and begin the fight, do + you engage and slay your father's murderer; attack him and him + only, and I will keep off his guard of Rônins;" then + turning to his two retainers, "As for you, keep close to + Kazuma; and should the Rônins attempt to rescue + Matagorô, it will be your duty to prevent them, and + succour Kazuma." And having further laid down each man's duties + with great minuteness, they lay in wait + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page50" + id="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> for the arrival of the enemy. + Whilst they were resting in the tea-house, the governor of + the castle-town arrived, and, asking for Matayémou, + said—</p> + + <p>"I have the honour to be the governor of the castle-town of + Tôdô Idzumi no Kami. My lord, having learnt your + intention of slaying your enemy within the precincts of his + citadel, gives his consent; and as a proof of his admiration of + your fidelity and valour, he has further sent you a detachment + of infantry, one hundred strong, to guard the place; so that + should any of the thirty-six men attempt to escape, you may set + your mind at ease, for flight will be impossible."</p> + + <p>"A person harbouring such vengeance shall notify the same in + writing to the Criminal Court; and although no check or + hindrance may be offered to his carrying out his desire within + the period allowed for that purpose, it is forbidden that the + chastisement of an enemy be attended with riot.</p> + + <p>"Fellows who neglect to give notice of their intended + revenge are like wolves of pretext, and their punishment or + pardon should depend upon the circumstances of the + case."—<i>Legacy of Iyéyasu</i>, ut + suprà.]</p> + + <p>When Matayémon and Kazurna had expressed their thanks + for his lordship's gracious kindness, the governor took his + leave and returned home. At last the enemy's train was seen in + the distance. First came Sakurai Jiuzayémon and his + younger brother Jinsuké; and next to them followed Kawai + Matagorô and Takénouchi Gentan. These four men, + who were the bravest and the foremost of the band of + Rônins, were riding on pack-horses, and the remainder + were marching on foot, keeping close together.</p> + + <p>As they drew near, Kazuma, who was impatient to avenge his + father, stepped boldly forward and shouted in a loud + voice—</p> + + <p>"Here stand I, Kazuma, the son of Yukiyé, whom you, + Matagorô, treacherously slew, determined to avenge my + father's death. Come forth, then, and do battle with me, and + let us see which of us twain is the better man."</p> + + <p>And before the Rônins had recovered from their + astonishment, Matayémon said—</p> + + <p>"I, Araké Matayémon, the son-in-law of + Yukiyé, have come to second Kazuma in his deed of + vengeance. Win or lose, you must give us battle."</p> + + <p>When the thirty-six men heard the name of Matayémon, + they were greatly afraid; but Sakurai Jiuzayémon urged + them to be upon their guard, and leaped from his horse; and + Matayémon, springing forward with his drawn sword, cleft + him from the shoulder to the nipple of his breast, so that he + fell dead. Sakurai Jinsuké, seeing his brother killed + before his eyes, grew furious, and shot an arrow at + Matayémon, who deftly cut the shaft in two with his dirk + as it flew; and Jinsuké, amazed at this feat, threw away + his bow and attacked Matayémon, who, with his sword in + his right hand and his dirk in his left, fought with + desperation. The other Rônins attempted to rescue + Jinsuké, and, in the struggle, Kazuma, who had engaged + Matagorô, became separated from Matayémon, whose + two retainers, Busuké and Magohachi, bearing in mind + their master's orders, killed five Rônins who had + attacked Kazuma, but were themselves badly wounded. In the + meantime, Matayémon, who had killed seven of the + Rônins, and who the harder he was pressed the more + bravely he fought, soon cut down three more, and the remainder + dared not approach him. At this moment there came up one + Kanô Tozayémon, a retainer of the lord of the + castle-town, and an old friend of Matayémon, who, when + he heard that Matayémon + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page51" + id="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> was this day about to avenge + his father-in-law, had seized his spear and set out, for the + sake of the good-will between them, to help him, and act as + his second, and said—</p> + + <p>"Sir Matayémon, hearing of the perilous adventure in + which you have engaged, I have come out to offer myself as your + second."</p> + + <p>Matayémon, hearing this, was rejoiced, and fought + with renewed vigour. Then one of the Rônins, named + Takénouchi Gentan, a very brave man, leaving his + companions to do battle with Matayémon, came to the + rescue of Matagorô, who was being hotly pressed by + Kazuma, and, in attempting to prevent this, Busuké fell + covered with wounds. His companion Magohachi, seeing him fall, + was in great anxiety; for should any harm happen to Kazuma, + what excuse could he make to Matayémon? So, wounded as + he was, he too engaged Takénouchi Gentan, and, being + crippled by the gashes he had received, was in deadly peril. + Then the man who had come up from the castle-town to act as + Matayémon's second cried out—</p> + + <p>"See there, Sir Matayémon, your follower who is + fighting with Gentan is in great danger. Do you go to his + rescue, and second Sir Kazuma: I will give an account of the + others!"</p> + + <p>"Great thanks to you, sir. I will go and second Kazuma."</p> + + <p>So Matayémon went to help Kazuma, whilst his second + and the infantry soldiers kept back the surviving Rônins, + who, already wearied by their fight with Matayémon, were + unfit for any further exertion. Kazuma meanwhile was still + fighting with Matagorô, and the issue of the conflict was + doubtful; and Takénouchi Gentan, in his attempt to + rescue Matagorô, was being kept at bay by Magohachi, who, + weakened by his wounds, and blinded by the blood which was + streaming into his eyes from a cut in the forehead, had given + himself up for lost when Matayémon came and + cried—</p> + + <p>"Be of good cheer, Magohachi; it is I, Matayémon, who + have come to the rescue. You are badly hurt; get out of harm's + way, and rest yourself."</p> + + <p>Then Magohachi, who until then had been kept up by his + anxiety for Kazuma's safety, gave in, and fell fainting from + loss of blood; and Matayémon worsted and slew Gentan; + and even then, although be had received two wounds, he was not + exhausted, but drew near to Kazuma and said—</p> + + <p>"Courage, Kazuma! The Rônins are all killed, and there + now remains only Matagorô, your father's murderer. Fight + and win!"</p> + + <p>The youth, thus encouraged, redoubled his efforts; but + Matagorô, losing heart, quailed and fell. So Kazuma's + vengeance was fulfilled, and the desire of his heart was + accomplished.</p> + + <p>The two faithful retainers, who had died in their loyalty, + were buried with great ceremony, and Kazuma carried the head of + Matagorô and piously laid it upon his father's tomb.</p> + + <p>So ends the tale of Kazuma's revenge.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page52" + id="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> + + <p>I fear that stories of which killing and bloodshed form the + principal features can hardly enlist much sympathy in these + peaceful days. Still, when such tales are based upon history, + they are interesting to students of social phenomena. The story + of Kazuma's revenge is mixed up with events which at the + present time are peculiarly significant: I mean the feud + between the great Daimios and the Hatamotos. Those who have + followed the modern history of Japan will see that the recent + struggle, which has ended in the ruin of the Tycoon's power and + the abolition of his office, was the outburst of a hidden fire + which had been smouldering for centuries. But the repressive + might had been gradually weakened, and contact with Western + powers had rendered still more odious a feudality which men + felt to be out of date. The revolution which has ended in the + triumph of the Daimios over the Tycoon, is also the triumph of + the vassal over his feudal lord, and is the harbinger of + political life to the people at large. In the time of + Iyéyasu the burden might be hateful, but it had to be + borne; and so it would have been to this day, had not + circumstances from without broken the spell. The Japanese + Daimio, in advocating the isolation of his country, was hugging + the very yoke which he hated. Strange to say, however, there + are still men who, while they embrace the new political creed, + yet praise the past, and look back with regret upon the day + when Japan stood alone, without part or share in the great + family of nations.</p> + + <p>NOTE.—<i>Hatamoto</i>. This word means "<i>under the + flag</i>." The Hatamotos were men who, as their name implied, + rallied round the standard of the Shogun, or Tycoon, in + war-time. They were eighty thousand in number. When + Iyéyasu left the Province of Mikawa and became Shogun, + the retainers whom he ennobled, and who received from him + grants of land yielding revenue to the amount of ten thousand + kokus of rice a year, and from that down to one hundred kokus, + were called <i>Hatamoto</i>. In return for these grants of + land, the Hatamotos had in war-time to furnish a contingent of + soldiers in proportion to their revenue. For every thousand + kokus of rice five men were required. Those Hatamotos whose + revenue fell short of a thousand kokus substituted a quota of + money. In time of peace most of the minor offices of the + Tycoon's government were filled by Hatamotos, the more + important places being held by the Fudai, or vassal Daimios of + the Shogun. Seven years ago, in imitation of the customs of + foreign nations, a standing army was founded; and then the + Hatamotos had to contribute their quota of men or of money, + whether the country were at peace or at war. When the Shogun + was reduced in 1868 to the rank of a simple Daimio, his revenue + of eight million kokus reverted to the Government, with the + exception of seven hundred thousand kokus. The title of + Hatamoto exists no more, and those who until a few months ago + held the rank are for the most part ruined or dispersed. From + having been perhaps the proudest and most overbearing class in + Japan, they are driven to the utmost straits of poverty. Some + have gone into trade, with the heirlooms of their families as + their stock; <span class="pagenum"><a name="page53" + id="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> others are wandering through + the country as Rônins; while a small minority have + been allowed to follow the fallen fortunes of their master's + family, the present chief of which is known as the Prince of + Tokugawa. Thus are the eighty thousand dispersed.</p> + + <p>The koku of rice, in which all revenue is calculated, is of + varying value. At the cheapest it is worth rather more than a + pound sterling, and sometimes almost three times as much. The + salaries of officials being paid in rice, it follows that there + is a large and influential class throughout the country who are + interested in keeping up the price of the staple article of + food. Hence the opposition with which a free trade in rice has + met, even in famine times. Hence also the frequent so-called + "Rice Riots."</p> + + <p>The amounts at which the lands formerly held by the chief + Daimios, but now patriotically given up by them to the Mikado, + were assessed, sound fabulous. The Prince of Kaga alone had an + income of more than one million two hundred thousand kokus. Yet + these great proprietors were, latterly at least, embarrassed + men. They had many thousand mouths to feed, and were mulcted of + their dues right and left; while their mania for buying foreign + ships and munitions of war, often at exorbitant prices, had + plunged them heavily in + debt.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page54" + id="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> + + <h2>A STORY OF THE OTOKODATÉ OF YEDO;</h2> + + <h3>BEING THE SUPPLEMENT OF</h3> + + <h2>THE STORY OF GOMPACHI AND KOMURASAKI</h2> + + <p>The word Otokodaté occurs several times in these + Tales; and as I cannot convey its full meaning by a simple + translation, I must preserve it in the text, explaining it by + the following note, taken from the Japanese of a native + scholar.</p> + + <p>The Otokodaté were friendly associations of brave men + bound together by an obligation to stand by one another in weal + or in woe, regardless of their own lives, and without inquiring + into one another's antecedents. A bad man, however, having + joined the Otokodaté must forsake his evil ways; for + their principle was to treat the oppressor as an enemy, and to + help the feeble as a father does his child. If they had money, + they gave it to those that had none, and their charitable deeds + won for them the respect of all men. The head of the society + was called its "Father"; if any of the others, who were his + apprentices, were homeless, they lived with the Father and + served him, paying him at the same time a small fee, in + consideration of which, if they fell sick or into misfortune, + he took charge of them and assisted them.</p> + + <p>The Father of the Otokodaté pursued the calling of + farming out coolies to the Daimios and great personages for + their journeys to and from Yedo, and in return for this + received from them rations in rice. He had more influence with + the lower classes even than the officials; and if the coolies + had struck work or refused to accompany a Daimio on his + journey, a word from the Father would produce as many men as + might be required. When Prince Tokugawa Iyémochi, the + last but one of the Shoguns, left Yedo for Kiôto, one + Shimmon Tatsugorô, chief of the Otokodaté, + undertook the management of his journey, and some three or four + years ago was raised to the dignity of Hatamoto for many + faithful services. After the battle of Fushimi, and the + abolition of the Shogunate, he accompanied the last of the + Shoguns in his retirement.</p> + + <p>In old days there were also Otokodaté among the + Hatamotos; this was after the civil wars of the time of + Iyéyasu, when, though the country was at peace, the + minds of men were still in a state of high excitement, and + could not be reconciled to the dulness of a state of rest; it + followed that broils and faction fights were continually taking + place among the young men of the Samurai class, and that those + who distinguished themselves by their + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page55" + id="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> personal strength and valour + were looked up to as captains. Leagues after the manner of + those existing among the German students were formed in + different quarters of the city, under various names, and + used to fight for the honour of victory. When the country + became more thoroughly tranquil, the custom of forming these + leagues amongst gentlemen fell into disuse.</p> + + <p>The past tense is used in speaking even of the + Otokodaté of the lower classes; for although they + nominally exist, they have no longer the power and importance + which they enjoyed at the time to which these stories belong. + They then, like the 'prentices of Old London, played a + considerable part in the society of the great cities, and that + man was lucky, were he gentle Samurai or simple wardsman, who + could claim the Father of the Otokodaté for his + friend.</p> + + <p>The word, taken by itself, means a manly or plucky + fellow.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Chôbei of Bandzuin was the chief of the + Otokodaté of Yedo. He was originally called Itarô, + and was the son of a certain Rônin who lived in the + country. One day, when he was only ten years of age, he went + out with a playfellow to bathe in the river; and as the two + were playing they quarrelled over their game, and Itarô, + seizing the other boy, threw him into the river and drowned + him.</p> + + <p>Then he went home, and said to his father—</p> + + <p>"I went to play by the river to-day, with a friend; and as + he was rude to me, I threw him into the water and killed + him."</p> + + <p>When his father heard him speak thus, quite calmly, as if + nothing had happened, he was thunderstruck, and said—</p> + + <p>"This is indeed a fearful thing. Child as you are, you will + have to pay the penalty of your deed; so to-night you must fly + to Yedo in secret, and take service with some noble Samurai, + and perhaps in time you may become a soldier yourself."</p> + + <p>With these words he gave him twenty ounces of silver and a + fine sword, made by the famous swordsmith Rai Kunitoshi, and + sent him out of the province with all dispatch. The following + morning the parents of the murdered child came to claim that + Itarô should be given up to their vengeance; but it was + too late, and all they could do was to bury their child and + mourn for his loss.</p> + + <p>Itarô made his way to Yedo in hot haste, and there + found employment as a shop-boy; but soon tiring of that sort of + life, and burning to become a soldier, he found means at last + to enter the service of a certain Hatamoto called Sakurai + Shôzayémon, and changed his name to + Tsunéhei. Now this Sakurai Shôzayémon had a + son, called Shônosuké, a young man in his + seventeenth year, who grew so fond of Tsunéhei that he + took him with him wherever he went, and treated him in all ways + as an equal.</p> + + <p>When Shônosuké went to the fencing-school + Tsunéhei would accompany him, and thus, as he was by + nature strong and active, soon became a good + swordsman.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page56" + id="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> + + <p>One day, when Shôzayémon had gone out, his son + Shônosuké said to Tsunéhei—</p> + + <p>"You know how fond my father is of playing at football: it + must be great sport. As he has gone out to-day, suppose you and + I have a game?"</p> + + <p>"That will be rare sport," answered Tsunéhei. "Let us + make haste and play, before my lord comes home."</p> + + <p>So the two boys went out into the garden, and began trying + to kick the football; but, lacking skill, do what they would, + they could not lift it from the ground. At last + Shônosuké, with a vigorous kick, raised the + football; but, having missed his aim, it went tumbling over the + wall into the next garden, which belonged to one Hikosaka + Zempachi, a teacher of lance exercise, who was known to be a + surly, ill-tempered fellow.</p> + + <p>"Oh, dear! what shall we do?" said Shônosuké. + "We have lost my father's football in his absence; and if we go + and ask for it back from that churlish neighbour of ours, we + shall only be scolded and sworn at for our pains."</p> + + <p>"Oh, never mind," answered Tsunéhei; "I will go and + apologize for our carelessness, and get the football back."</p> + + <p>"Well, but then you will be chidden, and I don't want + that."</p> + + <p>"Never mind me. Little care I for his cross words." So + Tsunéhei went to the next-door house to reclaim the + ball.</p> + + <p>Now it so happened that Zempachi, the surly neighbour, had + been walking in his garden whilst the two youths were playing; + and as he was admiring the beauty of his favourite + chrysanthemums, the football came flying over the wall and + struck him full in the face. Zempachi, not used to anything but + flattery and coaxing, flew into a violent rage at this; and + while he was thinking how he would revenge himself upon any one + who might be sent to ask for the lost ball, Tsunéhei + came in, and said to one of Zempachi's servants—</p> + + <p>"I am sorry to say that in my lord's absence I took his + football, and, in trying to play with it, clumsily kicked it + over your wall. I beg you to excuse my carelessness, and to be + so good as to give me back the ball."</p> + + <p>The servant went in and repeated this to Zempachi, who + worked himself up into a great rage, and ordered + Tsunéhei to be brought before him, and said—</p> + + <p>"Here, fellow, is your name Tsunéhei?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, sir, at your service. I am almost afraid to ask pardon + for my carelessness; but please forgive me, and let me have the + ball."</p> + + <p>"I thought your master, Shôzayémon, was to + blame for this; but it seems that it was you who kicked the + football."</p> + + <p>"Yes, sir. I am sure I am very sorry for what I have done. + Please, may I ask for the ball?" said Tsunéhei, bowing + humbly.</p> + + <p>For a while Zempachi made no answer, but at length he + said—</p> + + <p>"Do you know, villain, that your dirty football struck me in + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page57" + id="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span> the face? I ought, by rights, + to kill you on the spot for this; but I will spare your life + this time, so take your football and be off." And with that + he went up to Tsunéhei and beat him, and kicked him + in the head, and spat in his face.</p> + + <p>Then Tsunéhei, who up to that time had demeaned + himself very humbly, in his eagerness to get back the football, + jumped up in a fury, and said—</p> + + <p>"I made ample apologies to you for my carelessness, and now + you have insulted and struck me. Ill-mannered ruffian! take + back the ball,—I'll none of it;" and he drew his dirk, + and cutting the football in two, threw it at Zempachi, and + returned home.</p> + + <p>But Zempachi, growing more and more angry, called one of his + servants, and said to him—</p> + + <p>"That fellow, Tsunéhei, has been most insolent: go + next door and find out Shôzayémon, and tell him + that I have ordered you to bring back Tsunéhei, that I + may kill him."</p> + + <p>So the servant went to deliver the message.</p> + + <p>In the meantime Tsunéhei went back to his master's + house; and when Shônosuké saw him, he + said—</p> + + <p>"Well, of course you have been ill treated; but did you get + back the football?"</p> + + <p>"When I went in, I made many apologies; but I was beaten, + and kicked in the head, and treated with the greatest + indignity. I would have killed that wretch, Zempachi, at once, + but that I knew that, if I did so while I was yet a member of + your household, I should bring trouble upon your family. For + your sake I bore this ill-treatment patiently; but now I pray + you let me take leave of you and become a Rônin, that I + may be revenged upon this man."</p> + + <p>"Think well what you are doing," answered + Shônosuké. "After all, we have only lost a + football; and my father will not care, nor upbraid us."</p> + + <p>But Tsiméhei would not listen to him, and was bent + upon wiping out the affront that he had received. As they were + talking, the messenger arrived from Zempachi, demanding the + surrender of Tsunéhei, on the ground that he had + insulted him: to this Shônosuké replied that his + father was away from home, and that in his absence he could do + nothing.</p> + + <p>At last Shôzayémon came home; and when he heard + what had happened he was much grieved, and at a loss what to + do, when a second messenger arrived from Zempachi, demanding + that Tsunéhei should be given up without delay. Then + Shôzayémon, seeing that the matter was serious, + called the youth to him, and said—</p> + + <p>"This Zempachi is heartless and cruel, and if you go to his + house will assuredly kill you; take, therefore, these fifty + riyos, and fly to Osaka or Kiôto, where you may safely + set up in business."</p> + + <p>"Sir," answered Tsunéhei, with tears of gratitude for + his lord's kindness, "from my heart I thank you for your great + goodness; <span class="pagenum"><a name="page58" + id="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span> but I have been insulted and + trampled upon, and, if I lay down my life in the attempt, I + will repay Zempachi for what he has this day done."</p> + + <p>"Well, then, since you needs must be revenged, go and fight, + and may success attend you! Still, as much depends upon the + blade you carry, and I fear yours is likely to be but a sorry + weapon, I will give you a sword;" and with this he offered + Tsunéhei his own.</p> + + <p>"Nay, my lord," replied Tsunéhei; "I have a famous + sword, by Rai Kunitoshi, which my father gave me. I have never + shown it to your lordship, but I have it safely stowed away in + my room."</p> + + <p>When Shôzayémon saw and examined the sword, he + admired it greatly, and said, "This is indeed a beautiful + blade, and one on which you may rely. Take it, then, and bear + yourself nobly in the fight; only remember that Zempachi is a + cunning spearsman, and be sure to be very cautious."</p> + + <p>So Tsunéhei, after thanking his lord for his manifold + kindnesses, took an affectionate leave, and went to Zempachi's + house, and said to the servant—</p> + + <p>"It seems that your master wants to speak to me. Be so good + as to take me to see him."</p> + + <p>So the servant led him into the garden, where Zempachi, + spear in hand, was waiting to kill him. When Zempachi saw him, + he cried out—</p> + + <p>"Ha! so you have come back; and now for your insolence, this + day I mean to kill you with my own hand."</p> + + <p>"Insolent yourself!" replied Tsunéhei. "Beast, and no + Samurai! Come, let us see which of us is the better man."</p> + + <p>Furiously incensed, Zempachi thrust with his spear at + Tsunéhei; but he, trusting to his good sword, attacked + Zempachi, who, cunning warrior as he was, could gain no + advantage. At last Zempachi, losing his temper, began fighting + less carefully, so that Tsunéhei found an opportunity of + cutting the shaft of his spear. Zempachi then drew his sword, + and two of his retainers came up to assist him; but + Tsunéhei killed one of them, and wounded Zempachi in the + forehead. The second retainer fled affrighted at the youth's + valour, and Zempachi was blinded by the blood which flowed from + the wound on his forehead. Then Tsunéhei said—</p> + + <p>"To kill one who is as a blind man were unworthy a soldier. + Wipe the blood from your eyes, Sir Zempachi, and let us fight + it out fairly."</p> + + <p>So Zempachi, wiping away his blood, bound a kerchief round + his head, and fought again desperately. But at last the pain of + his wound and the loss of blood overcame him, and + Tsunéhei cut him down with a wound in the shoulder and + easily dispatched him.</p> + + <p>Then Tsunéhei went and reported the whole matter to + the Governor of Yedo, and was put in prison until an inquiry + could be made. But the Chief Priest of Bandzuin, who had heard + of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page59" + id="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> the affair, went and told the + governor all the bad deeds of Zempachi, and having procured + Tsunéhei's pardon, took him home and employed him as + porter in the temple. So Tsunéhei changed his name to + Chôbei, and earned much respect in the neighbourhood, + both for his talents and for his many good works. If any man + were in distress, he would help him, heedless of his own + advantage or danger, until men came to look up to him as to + a father, and many youths joined him and became his + apprentices. So he built a house at Hanakawado, in Asakusa, + and lived there with his apprentices, whom he farmed out as + spearsmen and footmen to the Daimios and Hatamotos, taking + for himself the tithe of their earnings. But if any of them + were sick or in trouble, Chôbei would nurse and + support them, and provide physicians and medicine. And the + fame of his goodness went abroad until his apprentices were + more than two thousand men, and were employed in every part + of the city. But as for Chôbei, the more he prospered, + the more he gave in charity, and all men praised his good + and generous heart.</p> + + <p>This was the time when the Hatamotos had formed themselves + into bands of Otokodaté,<a id="footnotetag21" + name="footnotetag21"></a><a href="#footnote21"><sup>21</sup></a> + of which Midzuno Jiurozayémon, Kondô + Noborinosuké, and Abé Shirogorô were the + chiefs. And the leagues of the nobles despised the leagues + of the wardsmen, and treated them with scorn, and tried to + put to shame Chôbei and his brave men; but the nobles' + weapons recoiled upon themselves, and, whenever they tried + to bring contempt upon Chôbei, they themselves were + brought to ridicule. So there was great hatred on both + sides.</p> + + <p>One day, that Chôbei went to divert himself in a + tea-house in the Yoshiwara, he saw a felt carpet spread in an + upper room, which had been adorned as for some special + occasion; and he asked the master of the house what guest of + distinction was expected. The landlord replied that my Lord + Jiurozayémon, the chief of the Otokodaté of the + Hatamotos, was due there that afternoon. On hearing this, + Chôbei replied that as he much wished to meet my Lord + Jiurozayémon, he would lie down and await his coming. + The landlord was put out at this, and knew not what to say; but + yet he dare not thwart Chôbei, the powerful chief of the + Otokodaté. So Chôbei took off his clothes and laid + himself down upon the carpet. After a while my Lord + Jiurozayémon arrived, and going upstairs found a man of + large stature lying naked upon the carpet which had been spread + for him.</p> + + <p>"What low ruffian is this?" shouted he angrily to the + landlord.</p> + + <p>"My lord, it is Chôbei, the chief of the + Otokodaté," answered the man, trembling.</p> + + <p>Jiurozayémon at once suspected that Chôbei was + doing this to insult him; so he sat down by the side of the + sleeping man, and lighting his pipe began to smoke. When he had + finished his pipe, he emptied the burning ashes into + Chôbei's navel; but Chôbei, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page60" + id="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span> patiently bearing the pain, + still feigned sleep. Ten times did Jiurozayémon fill + his pipe,<a id="footnotetag22" + name="footnotetag22"></a><a href="#footnote22"><sup>22</sup></a> + and ten times he shook out the burning ashes on to + Chôbei's navel; but he neither stirred nor spoke. Then + Jiurozayémon, astonished at his fortitude, shook him, + and roused him, saying—</p> + + <p>"Chôbei! Chôbei! wake up, man."</p> + + <p>"What is the matter?" said Chôbei, rubbing his eyes as + though he were awaking from a deep sleep; then seeing + Jiurozayémon, he pretended to be startled, and said, + "Oh, my lord, I know not who you are; but I have been very rude + to your lordship. I was overcome with wine, and fell asleep: I + pray your lordship to forgive me."</p> + + <p>"Is your name Chôbei?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, my lord, at your service. A poor wardsman, and + ignorant of good manners, I have been very rude; but I pray + your lordship to excuse my ill-breeding."</p> + + <p>"Nay, nay; we have all heard the fame of Chôbei, of + Bandzuin, and I hold myself lucky to have met you this day. Let + us be friends."</p> + + <p>"It is a great honour for a humble wardsman to meet a + nobleman face to face."</p> + + <p>As they were speaking, the waitresses brought in fish and + wine, and Jiurozayémon pressed Chôbei to feast + with him; and thinking to annoy Chôbei, offered him a + large wine-cup,<a id="footnotetag23" + name="footnotetag23"></a><a href="#footnote23"><sup>23</sup></a> + which, however, he drank without shrinking, and then + returned to his entertainer, who was by no means so well + able to bear the fumes of the wine. Then Jiurozayémon + hit upon another device for annoying Chôbei, and, + hoping to frighten him, said—</p> + + <p>"Here, Chôbei, let me offer you some fish;" and with + those words he drew his sword, and, picking up a cake of baked + fish upon the point of it, thrust it towards the wardsman's + mouth. Any ordinary man would have been afraid to accept the + morsel so roughly offered; but Chôbei simply opened his + mouth, and taking the cake off the sword's point ate it without + wincing. Whilst Jiurozayémon was wondering in his heart + what manner of man this was, that nothing could daunt, + Chôbei said to him—</p> + + <p>"This meeting with your lordship has been an auspicious + occasion to me, and I would fain ask leave to offer some humble + gift to your lordship in memory of it.<a id="footnotetag24" + name="footnotetag24"></a><a href="#footnote24"><sup>24</sup></a> + Is there anything which your lordship would specially + fancy?"</p> + + <p>"I am very fond of cold macaroni."</p> + + <p>"Then I shall have the honour of ordering some for your + lordship;" and with this Chôbei went downstairs, and + calling one <span class="pagenum"><a name="page61" + id="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span> of his apprentices, named + Tôken Gombei,<a id="footnotetag25" + name="footnotetag25"></a><a href="#footnote25"><sup>25</sup></a> + who was waiting for him, gave him a hundred riyos (about + £28), and bade him collect all the cold macaroni to be + found in the neighbouring cook-shops and pile it up in front + of the tea-house. So Gombei went home, and, collecting + Chôbei's apprentices, sent them out in all directions + to buy the macaroni. Jiurozayémon all this while was + thinking of the pleasure he would have in laughing at + Chôbei for offering him a mean and paltry present; but + when, by degrees, the macaroni began to be piled + mountain-high around the tea-house, he saw that he could not + make a fool of Chôbei, and went home discomfited.</p> + + <p>It has already been told how Shirai Gompachi was befriended + and helped by Chôbei.<a id="footnotetag26" + name="footnotetag26"></a><a href="#footnote26"><sup>26</sup></a> + His name will occur again in this story.</p> + + <p>At this time there lived in the province of Yamato a certain + Daimio, called Honda Dainaiki, who one day, when surrounded by + several of his retainers, produced a sword, and bade them look + at it and say from what smith's workshop the blade had + come.</p> + + <p>"I think this must be a Masamuné blade," said one + Fuwa Banzayémon.</p> + + <p>"No," said Nagoya Sanza, after examining the weapon + attentively, "this certainly is a + Muramasa."<a id="footnotetag27" + name="footnotetag27"></a><a href="#footnote27"><sup>27</sup></a></p> + + <p>A third Samurai, named Takagi Umanojô, pronounced it + to be <span class="pagenum"><a name="page62" + id="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> the work of Shidzu Kanenji; + and as they could not agree, but each maintained his + opinion, their lord sent for a famous connoisseur to decide + the point; and the sword proved, as Sanza had said, to be a + genuine Muramasa. Sanza was delighted at the verdict; but + the other two went home rather crestfallen. Umanojô, + although he had been worsted in the argument, bore no malice + nor ill-will in his heart; but Banzayémon, who was a + vainglorious personage, puffed up with the idea of his own + importance, conceived a spite against Sanza, and watched for + an opportunity to put him to shame. At last, one day + Banzayémon, eager to be revenged upon Sanza, went to + the Prince, and said, "Your lordship ought to see Sanza + fence; his swordsmanship is beyond all praise. I know that I + am no match for him; still, if it will please your lordship, + I will try a bout with him;" and the Prince, who was a mere + stripling, and thought it would be rare sport, immediately + sent for Sanza and desired he would fence with + Banzayémon. So the two went out into the garden, and + stood up facing each other, armed with wooden swords. Now + Banzayémon was proud of his skill, and thought he had + no equal in fencing; so he expected to gain an easy victory + over Sanza, and promised himself the luxury of giving his + adversary a beating that should fully make up for the + mortification which he had felt in the matter of the dispute + about the sword. It happened, however, that he had + undervalued the skill of Sanza, who, when he saw that his + adversary was attacking him savagely and in good earnest, by + a rapid blow struck Banzayémon so sharply on the + wrist that he dropped the sword, and, before he could pick + it up again, delivered a second cut on the shoulder, which + sent him rolling over in the dust. All the officers present, + seeing this, praised Sanza's skill, and Banzayémon, + utterly stricken with shame, ran away home and hid + himself.</p> + + <p>After this affair Sanza rose high in the favour of his lord; + and Banzayémon, who was more than ever jealous of him, + feigned sickness, and stayed at home devising schemes for + Sanza's ruin.</p> + + <p>Now it happened that the Prince, wishing to have the + Muramasa blade mounted, sent for Sanza and entrusted it to his + care, ordering him to employ the most cunning workmen in the + manufacture of the scabbard-hilt and ornaments; and Sanza, + having received the blade, took it home, and put it carefully + away. When Banzayémon heard of this, he was overjoyed; + for he saw that his opportunity for revenge had come. He + determined, if possible, to kill Sanza, but at any rate to + steal the sword which had been committed to his care by the + Prince, knowing full well that if Sanza lost the sword he and + his family would be ruined. Being a single man, without wife or + child, he sold his furniture, and, turning all his available + property into money, made ready to fly the country. When his + preparations were concluded, he went in the middle of the night + to Sanza's house and tried to get in by stealth; but the doors + and shutters were all carefully bolted from the inside, and + there was no hole by which he could effect + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page63" + id="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> an entrance. All was still, + however, and the people of the house were evidently fast + asleep; so he climbed up to the second storey, and, having + contrived to unfasten a window, made his way in. With soft, + cat-like footsteps he crept downstairs, and, looking into + one of the rooms, saw Sanza and his wife sleeping on the + mats, with their little son Kosanza, a boy of thirteen, + curled up in his quilt between them. The light in the + night-lamp was at its last flicker, but, peering through the + gloom, he could just see the Prince's famous Muramasa sword + lying on a sword-rack in the raised part of the room: so he + crawled stealthily along until he could reach it, and stuck + it in his girdle. Then, drawing near to Sanza, he bestrode + his sleeping body, and, brandishing the sword made a thrust + at his throat; but in his excitement his hand shook, so that + he missed his aim, and only scratched Sanza, who, waking + with a start and trying to jump up, felt himself held down + by a man standing over him. Stretching out his hands, he + would have wrestled with his enemy; when Banzayémon, + leaping back, kicked over the night-lamp, and throwing open + the shutters, dashed into the garden. Snatching up his + sword, Sanza rushed out after him; and his wife, having lit + a lantern and armed herself with a + halberd,<a id="footnotetag28" + name="footnotetag28"></a><a href="#footnote28"><sup>28</sup></a> + went out, with her son Kosanza, who carried a drawn dirk, to + help her husband. Then Banzayémon, who was hiding in + the shadow of a large pine-tree, seeing the lantern and + dreading detection, seized a stone and hurled it at the + light, and, chancing to strike it, put it out, and then + scrambling over the fence unseen, fled into the darkness. + When Sanza had searched all over the garden in vain, he + returned to his room and examined his wound, which proving + very slight, he began to look about to see whether the thief + had carried off anything; but when his eye fell upon the + place where the Muramasa sword had lain, he saw that it was + gone. He hunted everywhere, but it was not to be found. The + precious blade with which his Prince had entrusted him had + been stolen, and the blame would fall heavily upon him. + Filled with grief and shame at the loss, Sanza and his wife + and child remained in great anxiety until the morning broke, + when he reported the matter to one of the Prince's + councillors, and waited in seclusion until he should receive + his lord's commands.</p> + + <p>It soon became known that Banzayémon, who had fled + the province, was the thief; and the councillors made their + report accordingly to the Prince, who, although he expressed + his detestation of the mean action of Banzayémon, could + not absolve Sanza from blame, in that he had not taken better + precautions to insure the safety of the sword that had been + committed to his trust. It was decided, therefore, that Sanza + should be dismissed from his service, and that his goods should + be confiscated; with <span class="pagenum"><a name="page64" + id="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> the proviso that should he be + able to find Banzayémon, and recover the lost + Muramasa blade, he should be restored to his former + position. Sanza, who from the first had made up his mind + that his punishment would be severe, accepted the decree + without a murmur; and, having committed his wife and son to + the care of his relations, prepared to leave the country as + a Rônin and search for Banzayémon.</p> + + <p>Before starting, however, he thought that he would go to his + brother-officer, Takagi Umanojô, and consult with him as + to what course he should pursue to gain his end. But this + Umanojô, who was by nature a churlish fellow, answered + him unkindly, and said—</p> + + <p>"It is true that Banzayémon is a mean thief; but + still it was through your carelessness that the sword was lost. + It is of no avail your coming to me for help: you must get it + back as best you may."</p> + + <p>"Ah!" replied Sanza, "I see that you too bear me a grudge + because I defeated you in the matter of the judgment of the + sword. You are no better than Banzayémon yourself."</p> + + <p>And his heart was bitter against his fellow men, and he left + the house determined to kill Umanojô first and afterwards + to track out Banzayémon; so, pretending to start on his + journey, he hid in an inn, and waited for an opportunity to + attack Umanojô.</p> + + <p>One day Umanojô, who was very fond of fishing, had + taken his son Umanosuké, a lad of sixteen, down to the + sea-shore with him; and as the two were enjoying themselves, + all of a sudden they perceived a Samurai running towards them, + and when he drew near they saw that it was Sanza. + Umanojô, thinking that Sanza had come back in order to + talk over some important matter, left his angling and went to + meet him. Then Sanza cried out—</p> + + <p>"Now, Sir Umanojô, draw and defend yourself. What! + were you in league with Banzayémon to vent your spite + upon me? Draw, sir, draw! You have spirited away your + accomplice; but, at any rate, you are here yourself, and shall + answer for your deed. It is no use playing the innocent; your + astonished face shall not save you. Defend yourself, coward and + traitor!" and with these words Sanza flourished his naked + sword.</p> + + <p>"Nay, Sir Sanza," replied the other, anxious by a soft + answer to turn away his wrath; "I am innocent of this deed. + Waste not your valour on so poor a cause."</p> + + <p>"Lying knave!" said Sanza; "think not that you can impose + upon me. I know your treacherous heart;" and, rushing upon + Umanojô, he cut him on the forehead so that he fell in + agony upon the sand.</p> + + <p>Umanosuké in the meanwhile, who had been fishing at + some distance from his father, rushed up when he saw him in + this perilous situation and threw a stone at Sanza, hoping to + distract his attention; but, before he could reach the spot, + Sanza had delivered the death-blow, and Umanojô lay a + corpse upon the + beach.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page65" + id="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> + + <p>"Stop, Sir Sanza—murderer of my father!" cried + Umanosuké, drawing his sword, "stop and do battle with + me, that I may avenge his death."</p> + + <p>"That you should wish to slay your father's enemy," replied + Sanza, "is but right and proper; and although I had just cause + of quarrel with your father, and killed him, as a Samurai + should, yet would I gladly forfeit my life to you here; but my + life is precious to me for one purpose—that I may punish + Banzayémon and get back the stolen sword. When I shall + have restored that sword to my lord, then will I give you your + revenge, and you may kill me. A soldier's word is truth; but, + as a pledge that I will fulfil my promise, I will give to you, + as hostages, my wife and boy. Stay your avenging hand, I pray + you, until my desire shall have been attained."</p> + + <p>Umanosuké, who was a brave and honest youth, as + famous in the clan for the goodness of his heart as for his + skill in the use of arms, when he heard Sanza's humble + petition, relented, and said—</p> + + <p>"I agree to wait, and will take your wife and boy as + hostages for your return."</p> + + <p>"I humbly thank you," said Sanza. "When I shall have + chastised Banzayémon, I will return, and you shall claim + your revenge."</p> + + <p>So Sanza went his way to Yedo to seek for Banzayémon, + and Umanosuké mourned over his father's grave.</p> + + <p>Now Banzayémon, when he arrived in Yedo, found + himself friendless and without the means of earning his living, + when by accident he heard of the fame of Chôbei of + Bandzuin, the chief of the Otokodaté, to whom he applied + for assistance; and having entered the fraternity, supported + himself by giving fencing-lessons. He had been plying his trade + for some time, and had earned some little reputation, when + Sanza reached the city and began his search for him. But the + days and months passed away, and, after a year's fruitless + seeking, Sanza, who had spent all his money without obtaining a + clue to the whereabouts of his enemy, was sorely perplexed, and + was driven to live by his wits as a fortune-teller. Work as he + would, it was a hard matter for him to gain the price of his + daily food, and, in spite of all his pains, his revenge seemed + as far off as ever, when he bethought him that the Yoshiwara + was one of the most bustling places in the city, and that if he + kept watch there, sooner or later he would be sure to fall in + with Banzayémon. So be bought a hat of plaited bamboo, + that completely covered his face, and lay in wait at the + Yoshiwara.</p> + + <p>One day Banzayémon and two of Chôbei's + apprentices Tôken Gombei and Shirobei, who, from his wild + and indocile nature, was surnamed "the Colt," were amusing + themselves and drinking in an upper storey of a tea-house in + the Yoshiwara, when Tôken Gombei, happening to look down + upon the street below, saw a Samurai pass by, poorly clad in + worn-out old clothes, but whose + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page66" + id="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> poverty-stricken appearance + contrasted with his proud and haughty bearing.</p> + + <p>"Look there!" said Gombei, calling the attention of the + others; "look at that Samurai. Dirty and ragged as his coat is, + how easy it is to see that he is of noble birth! Let us + wardsmen dress ourselves up in never so fine clothes, we could + not look as he does."</p> + + <p>"Ay," said Shirobei, "I wish we could make friends with him, + and ask him up here to drink a cup of wine with us. However, it + would not be seemly for us wardsmen to go and invite a person + of his condition."</p> + + <p>"We can easily get over that difficulty," said + Banzayémon. "As I am a Samurai myself, there will be no + impropriety in my going and saying a few civil words to him, + and bringing him in."</p> + + <p>The other two having joyfully accepted the offer, + Banzayémon ran downstairs, and went up to the strange + Samurai and saluted him, saying—</p> + + <p>"I pray you to wait a moment, Sir Samurai. My name is Fuwa + Banzayémon at your service. I am a Rônin, as I + judge from your appearance that you are yourself. I hope you + will not think me rude if I venture to ask you to honour me + with your friendship, and to come into this tea-house to drink + a cup of wine with me and two of my friends."</p> + + <p>The strange Samurai, who was no other than Sanza, looking at + the speaker through the interstices of his deep bamboo hat, and + recognizing his enemy Banzayémon, gave a start of + surprise, and, uncovering his head, said sternly—</p> + + <p>"Have you forgotten my face, Banzayémon?"</p> + + <p>For a moment Banzayémon was taken aback, but quickly + recovering himself, he replied, "Ah! Sir Sanza, you may well be + angry with me; but since I stole the Muramasa sword and fled to + Yedo I have known no peace: I have been haunted by remorse for + my crime. I shall not resist your vengeance: do with me as it + shall seem best to you; or rather take my life, and let there + be an end of this quarrel."</p> + + <p>"Nay," answered Sanza, "to kill a man who repents him of his + sins is a base and ignoble action. When you stole from me the + Muramasa blade which had been confided to my care by my lord, I + became a disgraced and ruined man. Give me back that sword, + that I may lay it before my lord, and I will spare your life. I + seek to slay no man needlessly."</p> + + <p>"Sir Sanza, I thank you for your mercy. At this moment I + have not the sword by me, but if you will go into yonder + tea-house and wait awhile, I will fetch it and deliver it into + your hands."</p> + + <p>Sanza having consented to this, the two men entered the + tea-house, where Banzayémon's two companions were + waiting for them. But Banzayémon, ashamed of his own + evil deed, still pretended that Sanza was a stranger, and + introduced him as such, + saying—</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page67" + id="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span> + + <p>"Come Sir Samurai, since we have the honour of your company, + let me offer you a wine-cup."</p> + + <p>Banzayémon and the two men pressed the wine-cup upon + Sanza so often that the fumes gradually got into his head and + he fell asleep; the two wardsmen, seeing this, went out for a + walk, and Banzayémon, left alone with the sleeping man, + began to revolve fresh plots against him in his mind. On a + sudden, a thought struck him. Noiselessly seizing Sanza's + sword, which he had laid aside on entering the room, he stole + softly downstairs with it, and, carrying it into the back yard, + pounded and blunted its edge with a stone, and having made it + useless as a weapon, he replaced it in its scabbard, and + running upstairs again laid it in its place without disturbing + Sanza, who, little suspecting treachery, lay sleeping off the + effects of the wine. At last, however, he awoke, and, ashamed + at having been overcome by drink, he said to + Banzayémon—</p> + + <p>"Come, Banzayémon, we have dallied too long; give me + the Muramasa sword, and let me go."</p> + + <p>"Of course," replied the other, sneeringly, "I am longing to + give it back to you; but unfortunately, in my poverty, I have + been obliged to pawn it for fifty ounces of silver. If you have + so much money about you, give it to me and I will return the + sword to you."</p> + + <p>"Wretch!" cried Sanza, seeing that Banzayémon was + trying to fool him, "have I not had enough of your vile tricks? + At any rate, if I cannot get back the sword, your head shall be + laid before my lord in its place. Come," added he, stamping his + foot impatiently, "defend yourself."</p> + + <p>"With all my heart. But not here in this tea-house. Let us + go to the Mound, and fight it out."</p> + + <p>"Agreed! There is no need for us to bring trouble on the + landlord. Come to the Mound of the Yoshiwara."</p> + + <p>So they went to the Mound, and drawing their swords, began + to fight furiously. As the news soon spread abroad through the + Yoshiwara that a duel was being fought upon the Mound, the + people flocked out to see the sight; and among them came + Tôken Gombei and Shirobei, Banzayémon's + companions, who, when they saw that the combatants were their + own friend and the strange Samurai, tried to interfere and stop + the fight, but, being hindered by the thickness of the crowd, + remained as spectators. The two men fought desperately, each + driven by fierce rage against the other; but Sanza, who was by + far the better fencer of the two, once, twice, and again dealt + blows which should have cut Banzayémon down, and yet no + blood came forth. Sanza, astonished at this, put forth all his + strength, and fought so skilfully, that all the bystanders + applauded him, and Banzayémon, though he knew his + adversary's sword to be blunted, was so terrified that he + stumbled and fell. Sanza, brave soldier that he was, scorned to + strike a fallen foe, and bade him rise and fight again. So they + engaged again, and Sanza, who from the beginning had had the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page68" + id="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span> advantage, slipped and fell + in his turn; Banzayémon, forgetting the mercy which + had been shown to him, rushed up, with bloodthirsty joy + glaring in his eyes, and stabbed Sanza in the side as he lay + on the ground. Faint as he was, he could not lift his hand + to save himself; and his craven foe was about to strike him + again, when the bystanders all cried shame upon his + baseness. Then Gombei and Shirobei lifted up their voices + and said—</p> + + <p>"Hold, coward! Have you forgotten how your own life was + spared but a moment since? Beast of a Samurai, we have been + your friends hitherto, but now behold in us the avengers of + this brave man."</p> + + <p>With these words the two men drew their dirks, and the + spectators fell back as they rushed in upon Banzayémon, + who, terror-stricken by their fierce looks and words, fled + without having dealt the death-blow to Sanza. They tried to + pursue him, but he made good his escape, so the two men + returned to help the wounded man. When he came to himself by + dint of their kind treatment, they spoke to him and comforted + him, and asked him what province he came from, that they might + write to his friends and tell them what had befallen him. + Sanza, in a voice faint from pain and loss of blood, told them + his name and the story of the stolen sword, and of his enmity + against Banzayémon. "But," said he, "just now, when I + was fighting, I struck Banzayémon more than once, and + without effect. How could that have been?" Then they looked at + his sword, which had fallen by his side, and saw that the edge + was all broken away. More than ever they felt indignant at the + baseness of Banzayémon's heart, and redoubled their + kindness to Sanza; but, in. spite of all their efforts, he grew + weaker and weaker, until at last his breathing ceased + altogether. So they buried the corpse honourably in an + adjoining temple, and wrote to Sanza's wife and son, describing + to them the manner of his death.</p> + + <p>Now when Sanza's wife, who had long been anxiously expecting + her husband's return, opened the letter and learned the cruel + circumstances of his death, she and her son Kosanza mourned + bitterly over his loss. Then Kosanza, who was now fourteen + years old, said to his mother—</p> + + <p>"Take comfort, mother; for I will go to Yedo and seek out + this Banzayémon, my father's murderer, and I will surely + avenge his death. Now, therefore, make ready all that I need + for this journey."</p> + + <p>And as they were consulting over the manner of their + revenge, Umanosuké, the son of Umanojô, whom Sanza + had slain, having heard of the death of his father's enemy, + came to the house. But he came with no hostile intent. True, + Sanza had killed his father, but the widow and the orphan were + guiltless, and he bore them no ill-will; on the contrary, he + felt that Banzayémon was their common enemy. It was he + who by his evil deeds had been the cause of all the mischief + that had arisen, and now again, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page69" + id="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> by murdering Sanza, he had + robbed Umanosuké of his revenge. In this spirit he + said to Kosanza—</p> + + <p>"Sir Kosanza, I hear that your father has been cruelly + murdered by Banzayémon at Yedo. I know that you will + avenge the death of your father, as the son of a soldier + should: if, therefore, you will accept my poor services, I will + be your second, and will help you to the best of my ability. + Banzayémon shall be my enemy, as he is yours."</p> + + <p>"Nay, Sir Umanosuké, although I thank you from my + heart, I cannot accept this favour at your hands. My father + Sanza slew your noble father: that you should requite this + misfortune thus is more than kind, but I cannot think of + suffering you to risk your life on my behalf."</p> + + <p>"Listen to me," replied Umanosuké, smiling, "and you + will think it less strange that I should offer to help you. + Last year, when my father lay a bleeding corpse on the + sea-shore, your father made a covenant with me that he would + return to give me my revenge, so soon as he should have + regained the stolen sword. Banzayémon, by murdering him + on the Mound of the Yoshiwara, has thwarted me in this; and now + upon whom can I avenge my father's death but upon him whose + baseness was indeed its cause? Now, therefore, I am determined + to go with you to Yedo, and not before the murders of our two + fathers shall have been fully atoned for will we return to our + own country."</p> + + <p>When Kosanza heard this generous speech, he could not + conceal his admiration; and the widow, prostrating herself at + Umanosuké's feet, shed tears of gratitude.</p> + + <p>The two youths, having agreed to stand by one another, made + all ready for their journey, and obtained leave from their + prince to go in search of the traitor Banzayémon. They + reached Yedo without meeting with any adventures, and, taking + up their abode at a cheap inn, began to make their inquiries; + but, although they sought far and wide, they could learn no + tidings of their enemy. When three months had passed thus, + Kosanza began to grow faint-hearted at their repeated failures; + but Umanosuké supported and comforted him, urging him to + fresh efforts. But soon a great misfortune befell them: Kosanza + fell sick with ophthalmia, and neither the tender nursing of + his friend, nor the drugs and doctors upon whom + Umanosuké spent all their money, had any effect on the + suffering boy, who soon became stone blind. Friendless and + penniless, the one deprived of his eyesight and only a clog + upon the other, the two youths were thrown upon their own + resources. Then Umanosuké, reduced to the last extremity + of distress, was forced to lead out Kosanza to Asakusa to beg + sitting by the roadside, whilst he himself, wandering hither + and thither, picked up what he could from the charity of those + who saw his wretched plight. But all this while he never lost + sight of his revenge, and almost thanked the chance which had + made him a beggar, for the opportunity which it gave him of + hunting out strange and hidden haunts of vagabond life into + which in his <span class="pagenum"><a name="page70" + id="page70"></a>[pg 70]</span> more prosperous condition he + could not have penetrated. So he walked to and fro through + the city, leaning on a stout staff, in which he had hidden + his sword, waiting patiently for fortune to bring him face + to face with Banzayémon.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/070.jpg" + name="image070" + target="blank" + id="image070"><img width="100%" + src="images/070.jpg" + alt="TRICKS OF SWORDSMANSHIP AT ASAKUSA." /></a> + TRICKS OF SWORDSMANSHIP AT ASAKUSA. + </div> + + <p>Now Banzayémon, after he had killed Sanza on the + Mound of the Yoshiwara, did not dare to show his face again in + the house of Chôbei, the Father of the Otokodaté; + for he knew that the two men, Tôken Gombei and Shirobei + "the loose Colt," would not only bear an evil report of him, + but would even kill him if he fell into their hands, so great + had been their indignation at his cowardly Conduct; so he + entered a company of mountebanks, and earned his living by + showing tricks of swordsmanship, and selling tooth-powder at + the Okuyama, at Asakusa.<a id="footnotetag29" + name="footnotetag29"></a><a href="#footnote29"><sup>29</sup></a> + One day, as he was going towards Asakusa to ply his trade, + he caught sight of a blind beggar, in whom, in spite of his + poverty-stricken and altered appearance, he recognized the + son of his enemy. Rightly he judged that, in spite of the + boy's apparently helpless condition, the discovery boded no + weal for him; so mounting to the upper storey of a tea-house + hard by, he watched to see who should come to Kosanza's + assistance. Nor had he to wait long, for presently he saw a + second beggar come up and speak words of encouragement and + kindness to the blind youth; and looking attentively, he saw + that the new-comer was Umanosuké. Having thus + discovered who was on his track, he went home and sought + means of killing the two beggars; so he lay in wait and + traced them to the poor hut where they dwelt, and one night, + when he knew <span class="pagenum"><a name="page71" + id="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span> Umanosuké to be + absent, he crept in. Kosanza, being blind, thought that the + footsteps were those of Umanosuké, and jumped up to + welcome him; but he, in his heartless cruelty, which not + even the boy's piteous state could move, slew Kosanza as he + helplessly stretched out his hands to feel for his friend. + The deed was yet unfinished when Umanosuké returned, + and, hearing a scuffle inside the hut, drew the sword which + was hidden in his staff and rushed in; but + Banzayémon, profiting by the darkness, eluded him and + fled from the hut. Umanosuké followed swiftly after + him; but just as he was on the point of catching him, + Banzayémon, making a sweep backwards with his drawn + sword, wounded Umanosuké in the thigh, so that he + stumbled and fell, and the murderer, swift of foot, made + good his escape. The wounded youth tried to pursue him + again, but being compelled by the pain of his wound to + desist, returned home and found his blind companion lying + dead, weltering in his own blood. Cursing his unhappy fate, + he called in the beggars of the fraternity to which he + belonged, and between them they buried Kosanza, and he + himself being too poor to procure a surgeon's aid, or to buy + healing medicaments for his wound, became a cripple.</p> + + <p>It was at this time that Shirai Gompachi, who was living + under the protection of Chôbei, the Father of the + Otokodaté, was in love with Komurasaki, the beautiful + courtesan who lived at the sign of the Three Sea-shores, in the + Yoshiwara. He had long exhausted the scanty supplies which he + possessed, and was now in the habit of feeding his purse by + murder and robbery, that he might have means to pursue his wild + and extravagant life. One night, when he was out on his + cutthroat business, his fellows, who had long suspected that he + was after no good, sent one of their number, named Seibei, to + watch him. Gompachi, little dreaming that any one was following + him, swaggered along the street until he fell in with a + wardsman, whom he cut down and robbed; but the booty proving + small, he waited for a second chance, and, seeing a light + moving in the distance, hid himself in the shadow of a large + tub for catching rain-water till the bearer of the lantern + should come up. When the man drew near, Gompachi saw that he + was dressed as a traveller, and wore a long dirk; so he sprung + out from his lurking-place and made to kill him; but the + traveller nimbly jumped on one side, and proved no mean + adversary, for he drew his dirk and fought stoutly for his + life. However, he was no match for so skilful a swordsman as + Gompachi, who, after a sharp struggle, dispatched him, and + carried off his purse, which contained two hundred riyos. + Overjoyed at having found so rich a prize, Gompachi was making + off for the Yoshiwara, when Seibei, who, horror-stricken, had + seen both murders, came up and began to upbraid him for his + wickedness. But Gompachi was so smooth-spoken and so well liked + by his comrades, that he easily persuaded Seibei to hush the + matter up, and accompany him to the Yoshiwara for a little + diversion. As they were talking by the way, Seibei said to + Gompachi—</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page72" + id="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span> + + <p>"I bought a new dirk the other day, but I have not had an + opportunity to try it yet. You have had so much experience in + swords that you ought to be a good judge. Pray look at this + dirk, and tell me whether you think it good for anything."</p> + + <p>"We'll soon see what sort of metal it is made of," answered + Gompachi. "We'll just try it on the first beggar we come + across."</p> + + <p>At first Seibei was horrified by this cruel proposal, but by + degrees he yielded to his companion's persuasions; and so they + went on their way until Seibei spied out a crippled beggar + lying asleep on the bank outside the Yoshiwara. The sound of + their footsteps aroused the beggar, who seeing a Samurai and a + wardsman pointing at him, and evidently speaking about him, + thought that their consultation could bode him no good. So he + pretended to be still asleep, watching them carefully all the + while; and when Seibei went up to him, brandishing his dirk, + the beggar, avoiding the blow, seized Seibei's arm, and + twisting it round, flung him into the ditch below. Gompachi, + seeing his companion's discomfiture, attacked the beggar, who, + drawing a sword from his staff, made such lightning-swift + passes that, crippled though he was, and unable to move his + legs freely, Gompachi could not overpower him; and although + Seibei crawled out of the ditch and came to his assistance, the + beggar, nothing daunted, dealt his blows about him to such good + purpose that he wounded Seibei in the temple and arm. Then + Gompachi, reflecting that after all he had no quarrel with the + beggar, and that he had better attend to Seibei's wounds than + go on fighting to no purpose, drew Seibei away, leaving the + beggar, who was too lame to follow them, in peace. When he + examined Seibei's wounds, he found that they were so severe + that they must give up their night's frolic and go home. So + they went back to the house of Chôbei, the Father of the + Otokodaté, and Seibei, afraid to show himself with his + sword-cuts, feigned sickness, and went to bed. On the following + morning Chôbei, happening to need his apprentice Seibei's + services, sent for him, and was told that he was sick; so he + went to the room, where he lay abed, and, to his astonishment, + saw the cut upon his temple. At first the wounded man refused + to answer any questions as to how he had been hurt; but at + last, on being pressed by Chôbei, he told the whole story + of what had taken place the night before. When Chôbei + heard the tale, be guessed that the valiant beggar must be some + noble Samurai in disguise, who, having a wrong to avenge, was + biding his time to meet with his enemy; and wishing to help so + brave a man, he went in the evening, with his two faithful + apprentices, Tôken Gombei and Shirobei "the loose Colt," + to the bank outside the Yoshiwara to seek out the beggar. The + latter, not one whit frightened by the adventure of the + previous night, had taken his place as usual, and was lying on + the bank, when Chôbei came up to him, and said—</p> + + <p>"Sir, I am Chôbei, the chief of the Otokodaté, + at your service. I have learnt with deep regret that two of my + men insulted and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page73" + id="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> attacked you last night. + However, happily, even Gompachi, famous swordsman though he + be, was no match for you, and had to beat a retreat before + you. I know, therefore, that you must be a noble Samurai, + who by some ill chance have become a cripple and a beggar. + Now, therefore, I pray you tell me all your story; for, + humble wardsman as I am, I may be able to assist you, if you + will condescend to allow me."</p> + + <p>The cripple at first tried to shun Chôbei's questions; + but at last, touched by the honesty and kindness of his speech, + he replied—</p> + + <p>"Sir, my name is Takagi Umanosuké, and I am a native + of Yamato;" and then he went on to narrate all the misfortunes + which the wickedness of Banzayémon had brought + about.</p> + + <p>"This is indeed a strange story," said Chôbei who had + listened with indignation. "This Banzayémon, before I + knew the blackness of his heart, was once under my protection. + But after he murdered Sanza, hard by here, he was pursued by + these two apprentices of mine, and since that day he has been + no more to my house."</p> + + <p>When he had introduced the two apprentices to + Umanosuké, Chôbei pulled forth a suit of silk + clothes befitting a gentleman, and having made the crippled + youth lay aside his beggar's raiment, led him to a bath, and + had his hair dressed. Then he bade Tôken Gombei lodge him + and take charge of him, and, having sent for a famous + physician, caused Umanosuké to undergo careful treatment + for the wound in his thigh. In the course of two months the + pain had almost disappeared, so that he could stand easily; and + when, after another month, he could walk about a little, + Chôbei removed him to his own house, pretending to his + wife and apprentices that he was one of his own relations who + had come on a visit to him.</p> + + <p>After a while, when Umanosuké had become quite cured, + he went one day to worship at a famous temple, and on his way + home after dark he was overtaken by a shower of rain, and took + shelter under the eaves of a house, in a part of the city + called Yanagiwara, waiting for the sky to clear. Now it + happened that this same night Gompachi had gone out on one of + his bloody expeditions, to which his poverty and his love for + Komurasaki drove him in spite of himself, and, seeing a Samurai + standing in the gloom, he sprang upon him before he had + recognized Umanosuké, whom he knew as a friend of his + patron Chôbei. Umanosuké drew and defended + himself, and soon contrived to slash Gompachi on the forehead; + so that the latter, seeing himself overmatched, fled under the + cover of the night. Umanosuké, fearing to hurt his + recently healed wound, did not give chase, and went quietly + back to Chôbei's house. When Gompachi returned home, he + hatched a story to deceive Chôbei as to the cause of the + wound on his forehead. Chôbei, however, having overheard + Umanosuké reproving Gompachi for his wickedness, soon + became aware of the truth; and not caring to keep a robber and + murderer <span class="pagenum"><a name="page74" + id="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span> near him, gave Gompachi a + present of money, and bade him return to his house no + more.</p> + + <p>And now Chôbei, seeing that Umanosuké had + recovered his strength, divided his apprentices into bands, to + hunt out Banzayémon, in order that the vendetta might be + accomplished. It soon was reported to him that + Banzayémon was earning his living among the mountebanks + of Asakusa; so Chôbei communicated this intelligence to + Umanosuké, who made his preparations accordingly; and on + the following morning the two went to Asakusa, where + Banzayémon was astonishing a crowd of country boors by + exhibiting tricks with his sword.</p> + + <p>Then Umanosuké, striding through the gaping rabble, + shouted out—</p> + + <p>"False, murderous coward, your day has come! I, + Umanosuké, the son of Umanojô, have come to demand + vengeance for the death of three innocent men who have perished + by your treachery. If you are a man, defend yourself. This day + shall your soul see hell!"</p> + + <p>With these words he rushed furiously upon Banzayémon, + who, seeing escape to be impossible, stood upon his guard. But + his coward's heart quailed before the avenger, and he soon lay + bleeding at his enemy's feet.</p> + + <p>But who shall say how Umanosuké thanked Chôbei + for his assistance; or how, when he had returned to his own + country, he treasured up his gratitude in his heart, looking + upon Chôbei as more than a second father?</p> + + <p>Thus did Chôbei use his power to punish the wicked, + and to reward the good—giving of his abundance to the + poor, and succouring the unfortunate, so that his name was + honoured far and near. It remains only to record the tragical + manner of his death.</p> + + <p>We have already told how my lord Midzuno + Jiurozayémon, the chief of the associated nobles, had + been foiled in his attempts to bring shame upon Chôbei, + the Father of the Otokodaté; and how, on the contrary, + the latter, by his ready wit, never failed to make the proud + noble's weapons recoil upon him. The failure of these attempts + rankled in the breast of Jiurozayémon, who hated + Chôbei with an intense hatred, and sought to be revenged + upon him. One day he sent a retainer to Chôbei's house + with a message to the effect that on the following day my lord + Jiurozayémon would be glad to see Chôbei at his + house, and to offer him a cup of wine, in return for the cold + macaroni with which his lordship had been feasted some time + since. Chôbei immediately suspected that in sending this + friendly summons the cunning noble was hiding a dagger in a + smile; however, he knew that if he stayed away out of fear he + would be branded as a coward, and made a laughing-stock for + fools to jeer at. Not caring that Jiurozayémon should + succeed in his desire to put him to shame, he sent for his + favourite apprentice, Tôken Gombei, and said to + him—</p> + + <p>"I have been invited to a drinking-bout by Midzuno + Jiurozayémon. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page75" + id="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> I know full well that this is + but a stratagem to requite me for having fooled him, and + maybe his hatred will go the length of killing me. However, + I shall go and take my chance; and if I detect any sign of + foul play, I'll try to serve the world by ridding it of a + tyrant, who passes his life in oppressing the helpless + farmers and wardsmen. Now as, even if I succeed in killing + him in his own house, my life must pay forfeit for the deed, + do you come to-morrow night with a + burying-tub,<a id="footnotetag30" + name="footnotetag30"></a><a href="#footnote30"><sup>30</sup></a> + and fetch my corpse from this Jiurozayémon's + house."</p> + + <p>Tôken Gombei, when he heard the "Father" speak thus, + was horrified, and tried to dissuade him from obeying the + invitation. But Chôbei's mind was fixed, and, without + heeding Gombei's remonstrances, he proceeded to give + instructions as to the disposal of his property after his + death, and to settle all his earthly affairs.</p> + + <p>On the following day, towards noon, he made ready to go to + Jiurozayémon's house, bidding one of his apprentices + precede him with a complimentary present.<a id="footnotetag31" + name="footnotetag31"></a><a href="#footnote31"><sup>31</sup></a> + Jiurozayémon, who was waiting with impatience for + Chôbei to come, so soon as he heard of his arrival + ordered his retainers to usher him into his presence; and + Chôbei, having bade his apprentices without fail to + come and fetch him that night, went into the house.</p> + + <p>No sooner had he reached the room next to that in which + Jiurozayémon was sitting than he saw that his suspicions + of treachery were well founded; for two men with drawn swords + rushed upon him, and tried to cut him down. Deftly avoiding + their blows, however, he tripped up the one, and kicking the + other in the ribs, sent him reeling and breathless against the + wall; then, as calmly as if nothing had happened he presented + himself before Jiurozayémon, who, peeping through a + chink in the sliding-doors, had watched his retainers' + failure.</p> + + <p>"Welcome, welcome, Master Chôbei," said he. "I always + had heard that you were a man of mettle, and I wanted to see + what stuff you were made of; so I bade my retainers put your + courage to the test. That was a masterly throw of yours. Well, + you must excuse this churlish reception: come and sit down by + me."</p> + + <p>"Pray do not mention it, my lord," said Chôbei, + smiling rather scornfully. "I know that my poor skill is not to + be measured <!--blank page 76--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page77" + id="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> with that of a noble Samurai; + and if these two good gentlemen had the worst of it just + now, it was mere luck—that's all."</p> + + <p>So, after the usual compliments had been exchanged, + Chôbei sat down by Jiurozayémon, and the + attendants brought in wine and condiments. Before they began to + drink, however, Jiurozayémon said—</p> + + <p>"You must be tired and exhausted with your walk this hot + day, Master Chôbei. I thought that perhaps a bath might + refresh you, so I ordered my men to get it ready for you. Would + you not like to bathe and make yourself comfortable?"</p> + + <p>Chôbei suspected that this was a trick to strip him, + and take him unawares when he should have laid aside his dirk. + However, he answered cheerfully—</p> + + <p>"Your lordship is very good. I shall be glad to avail myself + of your kind offer. Pray excuse me for a few moments."</p> + + <p>So he went to the bath-room, and, leaving his clothes + outside, he got into the bath, with the full conviction that it + would be the place of his death. Yet he never trembled nor + quailed, determined that, if he needs must die, no man should + say he had been a coward. Then Jiurozayémon, calling to + his attendants, said—</p> + + <p>"Quick! lock the door of the bath-room! We hold him fast + now. If he gets out, more than one life will pay the price of + his. He's a match for any six of you in fair fight. Lock the + door, I say, and light up the fire under the + bath;<a id="footnotetag32" + name="footnotetag32"></a><a href="#footnote32"><sup>32</sup></a> + and we'll boil him to death, and be rid of him. Quick, men, + quick!"</p> + + <p>So they locked the door, and fed the fire until the water + hissed and bubbled within; and Chôbei, in his agony, + tried to burst open the door, but Jiurozayémon ordered + his men to thrust their spears through the partition wall and + dispatch him. Two of the spears Chôbei clutched and broke + short off; but at last he was struck by a mortal blow under the + ribs, and died a brave man by the hands of cowards.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/076.jpg" + name="image076" + target="blank" + id="image076"><img width="100%" + src="images/076.jpg" + alt="THE DEATH OF CHÔBEI OF BANDZUIN." /></a> + THE DEATH OF CHÔBEI OF BANDZUIN. + </div> + + <p>That evening Tôken Gombei, who, to the astonishment of + Chôbei's wife, had bought a burying-tub, came, with seven + other apprentices, to fetch the Father of the Otokodaté + from Jiurozayémon's house; and when the retainers saw + them, they mocked at them, and said—</p> + + <p>"What, have you come to fetch your drunken master home in a + litter?"</p> + + <p>"Nay," answered Gombei, "but we have brought a coffin for + his dead body, as he bade us."</p> + + <p>When the retainers heard this, they marvelled at the courage + of Chôbei, who had thus wittingly come to meet his fate. + So <span class="pagenum"><a name="page78" + id="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span> Chôbei's corpse was + placed in the burying-tub, and handed over to his + apprentices, who swore to avenge his death. Far and wide, + the poor and friendless mourned for this good man. His son + Chômatsu inherited his property; and his wife remained + a faithful widow until her dying day, praying that she might + sit with him in paradise upon the cup of the same + lotus-flower.</p> + + <p>Many a time did the apprentices of Chôbei meet + together to avenge him; but Jiurozayémon eluded all + their efforts, until, having been imprisoned by the Government + in the temple called Kanyeiji, at Uyéno, as is related + in the story of "Kazuma's Revenge," he was placed beyond the + reach of their hatred.</p> + + <p>So lived and so died Chôbei of Bandzuin, the Father of + the Otokodaté of Yedo.</p> + + <h3>NOTE ON ASAKUSA</h3> + + <p><i>Translated from a native book called the "Yedo + Hanjôki," or Guide to the prosperous City of Yedo, and + other sources.</i></p> + + <p>Asakusa is the most bustling place in all Yedo. It is famous + for the Temple Sensôji, on the hill of Kinriu, or the + Golden Dragon, which from morning till night is thronged with + visitors, rich and poor, old and young, flocking in sleeve to + sleeve. The origin of the temple was as follows:—In the + days of the Emperor Suiko, who reigned in the thirteenth + century A.D., a certain noble, named Hashi no Nakatomo, fell + into disgrace and left the Court; and having become a + Rônin, or masterless man, he took up his abode on the + Golden Dragon Hill, with two retainers, being brothers, named + Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takénari. These three men + being reduced to great straits, and without means of earning + their living, became fishermen. Now it happened that on the 6th + day of the 3rd month of the 36th year of the reign of the + Emperor Suiko (A.D. 1241), they went down in the morning to the + Asakusa River to ply their trade; and having cast their nets + took no fish, but at every throw they pulled up a figure of the + Buddhist god Kwannon, which they threw into the river again. + They sculled their boat away to another spot, but the same luck + followed them, and nothing came to their nets save the figure + of Kwannon. Struck by the miracle, they carried home the image, + and, after fervent prayer, built a temple on the Golden Dragon + Hill, in which they enshrined it. The temple thus founded was + enriched by the benefactions of wealthy and pious persons, + whose care raised its buildings to the dignity of the first + temple in Yedo. Tradition says that the figure of Kwannon which + was fished up in the net was one inch and eight-tenths in + height.</p> + + <p>The main hall of the temple is sixty feet square, and is + adorned with much curious workmanship of gilding and of + silvering, so that no place can be more excellently beautiful. + There are two gates in front of it. The first is called the + Gate of the Spirits of the Wind and of the Thunder, and is + adorned with figures of those two gods. The Wind-god, whose + likeness is that of a devil, carries the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page79" + id="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> wind-bag; and the + Thunder-god, who is also shaped like a devil, carries a drum + and a drumstick.<a id="footnotetag33" + name="footnotetag33"></a><a href="#footnote33"><sup>33</sup></a> + The second gate is called the Gate of the gods Niô, or + the Two Princes, whose colossal statues, painted red, and + hideous to look upon, stand on either side of it. Between + the gates is an approach four hundred yards in length, which + is occupied by the stalls of hucksters, who sell toys and + trifles for women and children, and by foul and loathsome + beggars. Passing through the gate of the gods Niô, the + main hall of the temple strikes the eye. Countless niches + and shrines of the gods stand outside it, and an old woman + earns her livelihood at a tank filled with water, to which + the votaries of the gods come and wash themselves that they + may pray with clean hands. Inside are the images of the + gods, lanterns, incense-burners, candlesticks, a huge + moneybox, into which the offerings of the pious are thrown, + and votive tablets<a id="footnotetag34" + name="footnotetag34"></a><a href="#footnote34"><sup>34</sup></a> + representing the famous gods and goddesses, heroes and + heroines, of old. Behind the chief building is a broad space + called the <i>okuyama</i>, where young and pretty + waitresses, well dressed and painted, invite the weary + pilgrims and holiday-makers to refresh themselves with tea + and sweetmeats. Here, too, are all sorts of sights to be + seen, such as wild beasts, performing monkeys, automata, + conjurers, wooden and paper figures, which take the place of + the waxworks of the West, acrobats, and jesters for the + amusement of women and children. Altogether it is a lively + and a joyous scene; there is not its equal in the city.</p> + + <p>At Asakusa, as indeed all over Yedo, are to be found + fortunetellers, who prey upon the folly of the superstitious. + With a treatise on physiognomy laid on a desk before them, they + call out to this man that he has an ill-omened forehead, and to + that man that the space between his nose and his lips is + unlucky. Their tongues wag like flowing water until the + passers-by are attracted to their stalls. If the seer finds a + customer, he closes his eyes, and, lifting the divining-sticks + reverently to his forehead, mutters incantations between his + teeth. Then, suddenly parting the sticks in two bundles, he + prophesies good or evil, according to the number in each. With + a magnifying-glass he examines his dupe's face and the palms of + his hands. By the fashion of his clothes and his general manner + the prophet sees whether he is a countryman or from the city. + "I am afraid, sir," says he, "you have not been altogether + fortunate in life, but I foresee that great luck awaits you in + two or three months;" or, like a clumsy doctor who makes his + diagnosis according to his patient's fancies, if he sees his + customer frowning and anxious, he adds, "Alas! in seven or + eight months you must beware of great misfortune. But I cannot + tell you all about it for a slight fee:" with a long sigh he + lays down the divining-sticks on + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page80" + id="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span> the desk, and the frightened + boor pays a further fee to hear the sum of the misfortune + which threatens him, until, with three feet of bamboo slips + and three inches of tongue, the clever rascal has made the + poor fool turn his purse inside out.</p> + + <p>The class of diviners called <i>Ichiko</i> profess to give + tidings of the dead, or of those who have gone to distant + countries. The Ichiko exactly corresponds to the spirit medium + of the West. The trade is followed by women, of from fifteen or + sixteen to some fifty years of age, who walk about the streets, + carrying on their backs a divining-box about a foot square; + they have no shop or stall, but wander about, and are invited + into their customers' houses. The ceremony of divination is + very simple. A porcelain bowl filled with water is placed upon + a tray, and the customer, having written the name of the person + with whom he wishes to hold communion on a long slip of paper, + rolls it into a spill, which he dips into the water, and thrice + sprinkles the Ichiko, or medium. She, resting her elbow upon + her divining-box, and leaning her head upon her hand, mutters + prayers and incantations until she has summoned the soul of the + dead or absent person, which takes possession of her, and + answers questions through her mouth. The prophecies which the + Ichiko utters during her trance are held in high esteem by the + superstitious and vulgar.</p> + + <p>Hard by Asakusa is the theatre street. The theatres are + called <i>Shiba-i</i>,<a id="footnotetag35" + name="footnotetag35"></a><a href="#footnote35"><sup>35</sup></a> + "turf places," from the fact that the first theatrical + performances were held on a turf plot. The origin of the + drama in Japan, as elsewhere, was religious. In the reign of + the Emperor Heijô (A.D. 805), there was a sudden + volcanic depression of the earth close by a pond called + Sarusawa, or the Monkey's Marsh, at Nara, in the province of + Yamato, and a poisonous smoke issuing from the cavity struck + down with sickness all those who came within its baneful + influence; so the people brought quantities of firewood, + which they burnt in order that the poisonous vapour might be + dispelled. The fire, being the male influence, would + assimilate with and act as an antidote upon the mephitic + smoke, which was a female influence.<a id="footnotetag36" + name="footnotetag36"></a><a href="#footnote36"><sup>36</sup></a> + Besides this, as a further charm to exorcise the portent, + the dance called Sambasô, which is still performed as + a prelude to theatrical exhibitions by an actor dressed up + as a venerable old man, emblematic of long life and + felicity, was danced on a plot of turf in front of the + Temple Kofukuji. By these means the smoke was dispelled, and + the drama was originated. The story is to be found in the + <i>Zoku Nihon Ki</i>, or supplementary history of Japan.</p> + + <p>Three centuries later, during the reign of the Emperor Toba + (A.D. 1108), there lived a woman called Iso no Zenji, who is + looked upon as the mother of the Japanese drama. Her + performances, however, seem only to have consisted in dancing + or posturing dressed up in the costume of the nobles of the + Court, from which fact her dance was called Otoko-mai, or the + man's dance. Her name is only + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page81" + id="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> worth mentioning on account + of the respect in which her memory is held by actors.</p> + + <p>It was not until the year A.D. 1624 that a man named + Saruwaka Kanzaburô, at the command of the Shogun, opened + the first theatre in Yedo in the Nakabashi, or Middle Bridge + Street, where it remained until eight years later, when it was + removed to the Ningiyô, or Doll Street. The company of + this theatre was formed by two families named Miako and + Ichimura, who did not long enjoy their monopoly, for in the + year 1644 we find a third family, that of Yamamura, setting up + a rival theatre in the Kobiki, or Sawyer Street.</p> + + <p>In the year 1651, the Asiatic prejudice in favour of keeping + persons of one calling in one place exhibited itself by the + removal of the playhouses to their present site, and the street + was called the Saruwaka Street, after Saruwaka Kanzaburô, + the founder of the drama in Yedo.</p> + + <p>Theatrical performances go on from six in the morning until + six in the evening. Just as the day is about to dawn in the + east, the sound of the drum is heard, and the dance + Sambasô is danced as a prelude, and after this follow the + dances of the famous actors of old; these are called the extra + performances (<i>waki kiyôgen</i>).</p> + + <p>The dance of Nakamura represents the demon Shudendôji, + an ogre who was destroyed by the hero Yorimitsu according to + the following legend:—At the beginning of the eleventh + century, when Ichijô the Second was Emperor, lived the + hero Yorimitsu. Now it came to pass that in those days the + people of Kiôto were sorely troubled by an evil spirit, + which took up its abode near the Rashô gate. One night, + as Yorimitsu was making merry with his retainers, he said, "Who + dares go and defy the demon of the Rashô gate, and set up + a token that he has been there?" "That dare I," answered Tsuna, + who, having donned his coat of mail, mounted his horse, and + rode out through the dark bleak night to the Rashô gate. + Having written his name upon the gate, he was about to turn + homewards when his horse began to shiver with fear, and a huge + hand coming forth from the gate seized the back of the knight's + helmet. Tsuna, nothing daunted, struggled to get free, but in + vain, so drawing his sword he cut off the demon's arm, and the + spirit with a howl fled into the night. But Tsuna carried home + the arm in triumph, and locked it up in a box. One night the + demon, having taken the shape of Tsuna's aunt, came to him and + said, "I pray thee show me the arm of the fiend." Tsuna + answered, "I have shown it to no man, and yet to thee I will + show it." So he brought forth the box and opened it, when + suddenly a black cloud shrouded the figure of the supposed + aunt, and the demon, having regained its arm, disappeared. From + that time forth the people were more than ever troubled by the + demon, who carried off to the hills all the fairest virgins of + Kiôto, whom he ravished and ate, so that there was scarce + a beautiful damsel left in the city. Then was the Emperor very + sorrowful, and he commanded Yorimitsu to destroy the monster; + and the hero, having made ready, went forth with four trusty + knights and another great captain to search among the hidden + places of the mountains. One day as they were journeying far + from the haunts of men, they fell in with an old man, who, + having bidden them to enter his dwelling, treated them kindly, + and set before them wine to drink; and when they went away, and + took their <span class="pagenum"><a name="page82" + id="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span> leave of him, he gave them a + present of more wine to take away with them. Now this old + man was a mountain god. As they went on their way they met a + beautiful lady, who was washing blood-stained clothes in the + waters of the valley, weeping bitterly the while. When they + asked her why she shed tears, she answered, "Sirs, I am a + woman from Kiôto, whom the demon has carried off; he + makes me wash his clothes, and when he is weary of me, he + will kill and eat me. I pray your lordships to save me." + Then the six heroes bade the woman lead them to the ogre's + cave, where a hundred devils were mounting guard and waiting + upon him. The woman, having gone in first, told the fiend of + their coming; and he, thinking to slay and eat them, called + them to him; so they entered the cave, which reeked with the + smell of the flesh and blood of men, and they saw + Shudendôji, a huge monster with the face of a little + child. The six men offered him the wine which they had + received from the mountain god, and he, laughing in his + heart, drank and made merry, so that little by little the + fumes of the wine got into his head, and he fell asleep. The + heroes, themselves feigning sleep, watched for a moment when + the devils were all off their guard to put on their armour + and steal one by one into the demon's chamber. Then + Yorimitsu, seeing that all was still, drew his sword, and + cut off Shudendôji's head, which sprung up and bit at + his head; luckily, however, Yorimitsu had put on two + helmets, the one over the other, so he was not hurt. When + all the devils had been slain, the heroes and the woman + returned to Kiôto carrying with them the head of + Shudendôji, which was laid before the Emperor; and the + fame of their action was spread abroad under heaven.</p> + + <p>This Shudendôji is the ogre represented in the + Nakamura dance. The Ichimura dance represents the seven gods of + wealth; and the Morita dance represents a large ape, and is + emblematical of drinking wine.</p> + + <p>As soon as the sun begins to rise in the heaven, sign-boards + all glistening with paintings and gold are displayed, and the + playgoers flock in crowds to the theatre. The farmers and + country-folk hurry over their breakfast, and the women and + children, who have got up in the middle of the night to paint + and adorn themselves, come from all the points of the compass + to throng the gallery, which is hung with curtains as bright as + the rainbow in the departing clouds. The place soon becomes so + crowded that the heads of the spectators are like the scales on + a dragon's back. When the play begins, if the subject be tragic + the spectators are so affected that they weep till they have to + wring their sleeves dry. If the piece be comic they laugh till + their chins are out of joint. The tricks and stratagems of the + drama baffle description, and the actors are as graceful as the + flight of the swallow. The triumph of persecuted virtue and the + punishment of wickedness invariably crown the story. When a + favourite actor makes his appearance, his entry is hailed with + cheers. Fun and diversion are the order of the day, and rich + and poor alike forget the cares which they have left behind + them at home; and yet it is not all idle amusement, for there + is a moral taught, and a practical sermon preached in every + play.</p> + + <p>The subjects of the pieces are chiefly historical, feigned + names being substituted for those of the real heroes. Indeed, + it is in the popular tragedies that we must seek for an account + of many of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page83" + id="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> the events of the last two + hundred and fifty years; for only one very bald + history<a id="footnotetag37" + name="footnotetag37"></a><a href="#footnote37"><sup>37</sup></a> + of those times has been published, of which but a limited + number of copies were struck off from copper plates, and its + circulation was strictly forbidden by the Shogun's + Government. The stories are rendered with great minuteness + and detail, so much so, that it sometimes takes a series of + representations to act out one piece in its entirety. The + Japanese are far in advance of the Chinese in their scenery + and properties, and their pieces are sometimes capitally got + up: a revolving stage enables them to shift from one scene + to another with great rapidity. First-rate actors receive as + much as a thousand riyos (about £300) as their yearly + salary. This, however, is a high rate of pay, and many a man + has to strut before the public for little more than his + daily rice; to a clever young actor it is almost enough + reward to be allowed to enter a company in which there is a + famous star. The salary of the actor, however, may depend + upon the success of the theatre; for dramatic exhibitions + are often undertaken as speculations by wealthy persons, who + pay their company in proportion to their own profit. Besides + his regular pay, a popular Japanese actor has a small mine + of wealth in his patrons, who open their purses freely for + the privilege of frequenting the greenroom., The women's + parts are all taken by men, as they used to be with us in + ancient days. Touching the popularity of plays, it is + related that in the year 1833, when two actors called + Bandô Shuka and Segawa Rokô, both famous players + of women's parts, died at the same time, the people of Yedo + mourned to heaven and to earth; and if a million riyos could + have brought back their lives, the money would have been + forthcoming. Thousands flocked to their funeral, and the + richness of their coffins and of the clothes laid upon them + was admired by all.</p> + + <p>"When I heard this," says Terakado Seiken, the author of the + <i>Yedo Hanjôki</i>, "I lifted my eyes to heaven and + heaved a great sigh. When my friend Saitô Shimei, a + learned and good man, died, there was barely enough money to + bury him; his needy pupils and friends subscribed to give him a + humble coffin. Alas! alas! here was a teacher who from his + youth up had honoured his parents, and whose heart know no + guile: if his friends were in need, he ministered to their + wants; he grudged no pains to teach his fellow-men; his + good-will and charity were beyond praise; under the blue sky + and bright day he never did a shameful deed. His merits were as + those of the sages of old; but because he lacked the cunning of + a fox or badger he received no patronage from the wealthy, and, + remaining poor to the day of his death, never had an + opportunity of making his worth known. Alas! alas!"</p> + + <p>The drama is exclusively the amusement of the middle and + lower classes. Etiquette, sternest of tyrants, forbids the + Japanese of high rank to be seen at any public exhibition, + wrestling-matches alone excepted. Actors are, however, + occasionally engaged to play in private for the edification of + my lord and his ladies; and there is a kind of classical opera, + called Nô, which is performed on stages specially built + for the purpose in the palaces of the principal nobles. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page84" + id="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> These Nô represent the + entertainments by which the Sun Goddess was lured out of the + cave in which she had hidden, a fable said to be based upon + an eclipse. In the reign of the Emperor Yômei (A.D. + 586-593), Hada Kawakatsu, a man born in Japan, but of + Chinese extraction, was commanded by the Emperor to arrange + an entertainment for the propitiation of the gods and the + prosperity of the country. Kawakatsu wrote thirty-three + plays, introducing fragments of Japanese poetry with + accompaniments of musical instruments. Two performers, named + Takéta and Hattori, having especially distinguished + themselves in these entertainments, were ordered to prepare + other similar plays, and their productions remain to the + present day. The pious intention of the Nô being to + pray for the prosperity of the country, they are held in the + highest esteem by the nobles of the Court, the Daimios, and + the military class: in old days they alone performed in + these plays, but now ordinary actors take part in them.</p> + + <p>The Nô are played in sets. The first of the set is + specially dedicated to the propitiation of the gods; the second + is performed in full armour, and is designed to terrify evil + spirits, and to insure the punishment of malefactors; the third + is of a gentler intention, and its special object is the + representation of all that is beautiful and fragrant and + delightful. The performers wear hideous wigs and masks, not + unlike those of ancient Greece, and gorgeous brocade dresses. + The masks, which belong to what was the private company of the + Shogun, are many centuries old, and have been carefully + preserved as heirlooms from generation to generation; being + made of very thin wood lacquered over, and kept each in a + silken bag, they have been uninjured by the lapse of time.</p> + + <p>During the Duke of Edinburgh's stay in Yedo, this company + was engaged to give a performance in the Yashiki of the Prince + of Kishiu, which has the reputation of being the handsomest + palace in all Yedo. So far as I know, such an exhibition had + never before been witnessed by foreigners, and it may be + interesting to give an account of it. Opposite the principal + reception-room, where his Royal Highness sat, and separated + from it by a narrow courtyard, was a covered stage, approached + from the greenroom by a long gallery at an angle of forty-five + degrees. Half-a-dozen musicians, clothed in dresses of + ceremony, marched slowly down the gallery, and, having squatted + down on the stage, bowed gravely. The performances then began. + There was no scenery, nor stage appliances; the descriptions of + the chorus or of the actors took their place. The dialogue and + choruses are given in a nasal recitative, accompanied by the + mouth-organ, flute, drum, and other classical instruments, and + are utterly unintelligible. The ancient poetry is full of puns + and plays upon words, and it was with no little difficulty + that, with the assistance of a man of letters, I prepared + beforehand the arguments of the different pieces.</p> + + <p>The first play was entitled <i>Hachiman of the Bow</i>. + Hachiman is the name under which the Emperor Ojin (A.C. + 270-312) was deified as the God of War. He is specially + worshipped on account of his miraculous birth; his mother, the + Empress Jingo, having, by the virtue of a magic stone which she + wore at her girdle, borne him in her womb for three years, + during which she made war upon and conquered the Coreans. The + time of the plot is laid in the reign of the Emperor Uda the + Second (A.D. 1275-1289). In the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page85" + id="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> second month of the year + pilgrims are flocking to the temple of Hachiman at Mount + Otoko, between Osaka and Kiôto. All this is explained + by the chorus. A worshipper steps forth, sent by the + Emperor, and delivers a congratulatory oration upon the + peace and prosperity of the land. The chorus follows in the + same strain: they sing the praises of Hachiman and of the + reigning Emperor. An old man enters, bearing something which + appears to be a bow in a brocade bag. On being asked who he + is, the old man answers that he is an aged servant of the + shrine, and that he wishes to present his mulberry-wood bow + to the Emperor; being too humble to draw near to his Majesty + he has waited for this festival, hoping that an opportunity + might present itself. He explains that with this bow, and + with certain arrows made of the Artemisia, the heavenly gods + pacified the world. On being asked to show his bow, he + refuses; it is a mystic protector of the country, which in + old days was overshadowed by the mulberry-tree. The peace + which prevails in the land is likened to a calm at sea. The + Emperor is the ship, and his subjects the water. The old man + dwells upon the ancient worship of Hachiman, and relates how + his mother, the Empress Jingo, sacrificed to the gods before + invading Corea, and how the present prosperity of the + country is to be attributed to the acceptance of those + sacrifices. After having revealed himself as the god + Hachiman in disguise, the old man disappears. The + worshipper, awe-struck, declares that he must return to + Kiôto and tell the Emperor what he has seen. The + chorus announces that sweet music and fragrant perfumes + issue from the mountain, and the piece ends with + felicitations upon the visible favour of the gods, and + especially of Hachiman.</p> + + <p>The second piece was <i>Tsunémasa</i>. + Tsunémasa was a hero of the twelfth century, who died in + the civil wars; he was famous for his skill in playing on the + <i>biwa</i>, a sort of four-stringed lute.</p> + + <p>A priest enters, and announces that his name is + Giyôkei, and that before he retired from the world he + held high rank at Court. He relates how Tsunémasa, in + his childhood the favourite of the Emperor, died in the wars by + the western seas. During his lifetime the Emperor gave him a + lute, called Sei-zan, "the Azure Mountain"; this lute at his + death was placed in a shrine erected to his honour, and at his + funeral music and plays were performed during seven days within + the palace, by the special grace of the Emperor. The scene is + laid at the shrine. The lonely and awesome appearance of the + spot is described. Although the sky is clear, the wind rustles + through the trees like the sound of falling rain; and although + it is now summer-time, the moonlight on the sand looks like + hoar-frost. All nature is sad and downcast. The ghost appears, + and sings that it is the spirit of Tsunémasa, and has + come to thank those who have piously celebrated his obsequies. + No one answers him, and the spirit vanishes, its voice becoming + fainter and fainter, an unreal and illusory vision haunting the + scenes amid which its life was spent. The priest muses on the + portent. Is it a dream or a reality? Marvellous! The ghost, + returning, speaks of former days, when it lived as a child in + the palace, and received the Azure Mountain lute from the + Emperor—that lute with the four strings of which its hand + was once so familiar, and the attraction of which now draws it + from the grave. The chorus recites the virtues of + Tsunémasa—his benevolence, justice, humanity, + talents, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page86" + id="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> and truth; his love of poetry + and music; the trees, the flowers, the birds, the breezes, + the moon—all had a charm for him. The ghost begins to + play upon the Azure Mountain lute, and the sounds produced + from the magical instrument are so delicate, that all think + it is a shower falling from heaven. The priest declares that + it is not rain, but the sound of the enchanted lute. The + sound of the first and second strings is as the sound of + gentle rain, or of the wind stirring the pine-trees; and the + sound of the third and fourth strings is as the song of + birds and pheasants calling to their young. A rhapsody in + praise of music follows. Would that such strains could last + for ever! The ghost bewails its fate that it cannot remain + to play on, but must return whence it came. The priest + addresses the ghost, and asks whether the vision is indeed + the spirit of Tsunémasa. Upon this the ghost calls + out in an agony of sorrow and terror at having been seen by + mortal eyes, and bids that the lamps be put out: on its + return to the abode of the dead it will suffer for having + shown itself: it describes the fiery torments which will be + its lot. Poor fool! it has been lured to its destruction, + like the insect of summer that flies into the flame. + Summoning the winds to its aid, it puts out the lights, and + disappears.</p> + + <p><i>The Suit of Feathers</i> is the title of a very pretty + conceit which followed. A fisherman enters, and in a long + recitative describes the scenery at the sea-shore of Miwo, in + the province of Suruga, at the foot of Fuji-Yama, the Peerless + Mountain. The waves are still, and there is a great calm; the + fishermen are all out plying their trade. The speaker's name is + Hakuriyô, a fisherman living in the pine-grove of Miwo. + The rains are now over, and the sky is serene; the sun rises + bright and red over the pine-trees and rippling sea; while last + night's moon is yet seen faintly in the heaven. Even he, humble + fisher though he be, is softened by the beauty of the nature + which surrounds him. A breeze springs up, the weather will + change; clouds and waves will succeed sunshine and calm; the + fishermen must get them home again. No; it is but the gentle + breath of spring, after all; it scarcely stirs the stout + fir-trees, and the waves are hardly heard to break upon the + shore. The men may go forth in safety. The fisherman then + relates how, while he was wondering at the view, flowers began + to rain from the sky, and sweet music filled the air, which was + perfumed by a mystic fragrance. Looking up, he saw hanging on a + pine-tree a fairy's suit of feathers, which he took home, and + showed to a friend, intending to keep it as a relic in his + house. A heavenly fairy makes her appearance, and claims the + suit of feathers; but the fisherman holds to his treasure + trove. She urges the impiety of his act—a mortal has no + right to take that which belongs to the fairies. He declares + that he will hand down the feather suit to posterity as one of + the treasures of the country. The fairy bewails her lot; + without her wings how can she return to heaven? She recalls the + familiar joys of heaven, now closed to her; she sees the wild + geese and the gulls flying to the skies, and longs for their + power of flight; the tide has its ebb and its flow, and the + sea-breezes blow whither they list: for her alone there is no + power of motion, she must remain on earth. At last, touched by + her plaint, the fisherman consents to return the feather suit, + on condition that the fairy shall dance and play heavenly music + for him. She consents, but must first obtain the feather suit, + without which she cannot dance. The fisherman + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page87" + id="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> refuses to give it up, lest + she should fly away to heaven without redeeming her pledge. + The fairy reproaches him for his want of faith: how should a + heavenly being be capable of falsehood? He is ashamed, and + gives her the feather suit, which she dons, and begins to + dance, singing of the delights of heaven, where she is one + of the fifteen attendants who minister to the moon. The + fisherman is so transported with joy, that he fancies + himself in heaven, and wishes to detain the fairy to dwell + with him for ever. A song follows in praise of the scenery + and of the Peerless Mountain capped with the snows of + spring. When her dance is concluded, the fairy, wafted away + by the sea-breeze, floats past the pine-grove to Ukishima + and Mount Ashidaka, over Mount Fuji, till she is seen dimly + like a cloud in the distant sky, and vanishes into thin + air.</p> + + <p>The last of the Nô was <i>The Little Smith</i>, the + scene of which is laid in the reign of the Emperor Ichijô + (A.D. 987—1011). A noble of the court enters, and + proclaims himself to be Tachibana Michinari. He has been + commanded by the Emperor, who has seen a dream of good omen on + the previous night, to order a sword of the smith + Munéchika of Sanjô. He calls Munéchika, who + comes out, and, after receiving the order, expresses the + difficulty he is in, having at that time no fitting mate to + help him; he cannot forge a blade alone. The excuse is not + admitted; the smith pleads hard to be saved from the shame of a + failure. Driven to a compliance, there is nothing left for it + but to appeal to the gods for aid. He prays to the patron god + of his family, Inari Sama.<a id="footnotetag38" + name="footnotetag38"></a><a href="#footnote38"><sup>38</sup></a> + A man suddenly appears, and calls the smith; this man is the + god Inari Sama in disguise. The smith asks who is his + visitor, and how does he know him by name. The stranger + answers, "Thou hast been ordered to make a blade for the + Emperor." "This is passing strange," says the smith. "I + received the order but a moment since; how comest thou to + know of it?" "Heaven has a voice which is heard upon the + earth. Walls have ears, and stones tell + tales.<a id="footnotetag39" + name="footnotetag39"></a><a href="#footnote39"><sup>39</sup></a> + There are no secrets in the world. The flash of the blade + ordered by him who is above the clouds (the Emperor) is + quickly seen. By the grace of the Emperor the sword shall be + quickly made." Here follows the praise of certain famous + blades, and an account of the part they played in history, + with special reference to the sword which forms one of the + regalia. The sword which the Emperor has sent for shall be + inferior to none of these; the smith may set his heart at + rest. The smith, awe-struck, expresses his wonder, and asks + again who is addressing him. He is bidden to go and deck out + his anvil, and a supernatural power will help him. The + visitor disappears in a cloud. The smith prepares his anvil, + at the four corners of which he places images of the gods, + while above it he stretches the straw rope and paper + pendants hung up in temples to shut out foul or ill-omened + influences. He prays for strength to make the blade, not for + his own glory, but for the honour of the Emperor. A young + man, a fox in disguise, appears, and helps Munéchika + to forge the steel. The noise of the anvil resounds to + heaven and over the earth. The chorus announces that the + blade is <span class="pagenum"><a name="page88" + id="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> finished; on one side is the + mark of Munéchika, on the other is graven "The Little + Fox" in clear characters.</p> + + <p>The subjects of the Nô are all taken from old legends + of the country; a shrine at Miwo, by the sea-shore, marks the + spot where the suit of feathers was found, and the miraculously + forged sword is supposed to be in the armoury of the Emperor to + this day. The beauty of the poetry—and it is very + beautiful—is marred by the want of scenery and by the + grotesque dresses and make-up. In the <i>Suit of Feathers</i>, + for instance, the fairy wears a hideous mask and a wig of + scarlet elf locks: the suit of feathers itself is left entirely + to the imagination; and the heavenly dance is a series of + whirls, stamps, and jumps, accompanied by unearthly yells and + shrieks; while the vanishing into thin air is represented by + pirouettes something like the motion of a dancing dervish. The + intoning of the recitative is unnatural and unintelligible, so + much so that not even a highly educated Japanese could + understand what is going on unless he were previously + acquainted with the piece. This, however, is supposing that + which is not, for the Nô are as familiarly known as the + masterpieces of our own dramatists.</p> + + <p>The classical severity of the Nô is relieved by the + introduction between the pieces of light farces called + Kiyôgen. The whole entertainment having a religious + intention, the Kiyôgen stand to the Nô in the same + relation as the small shrines to the main temple; they, too, + are played for the propitiation of the gods, and for the + softening of men's hearts. The farces are acted without wigs or + masks; the dialogue is in the common spoken language, and there + being no musical accompaniment it is quite easy to follow. The + plots of the two farces which were played before the Duke of + Edinburgh are as follows:—</p> + + <p>In the <i>Ink Smearing</i> the hero is a man from a distant + part of the country, who, having a petition to prefer, comes to + the capital, where he is detained for a long while. His suit + being at last successful, he communicates the joyful news to + his servant, Tarôkaja (the conventional name of the + Leporello of these farces). The two congratulate one another. + To while away his idle hours during his sojourn at the capital + the master has entered into a flirtation with a certain young + lady: master and servant now hold a consultation as to whether + the former should not go and take leave of her. Tarôkaja + is of opinion that as she is of a very jealous nature, his + master ought to go. Accordingly the two set out to visit her, + the servant leading the way. Arrived at her house, the + gentleman goes straight in without the knowledge of the lady, + who, coming out and meeting Tarôkaja, asks after his + master. He replies that his master is inside the house. She + refuses to believe him, and complains that, for some time past, + his visits have been few and far between. Why should he come + now? Surely Tarôkaja is hoaxing her. The servant protests + that he is telling the truth, and that his master really has + entered the house. She, only half persuaded, goes in, and finds + that my lord is indeed there. She welcomes him, and in the same + breath upbraids him. Some other lady has surely found favour in + his eyes. What fair wind has wafted him back to her? He replies + that business alone has kept him from her; he hopes that all is + well with her. With her, indeed, all is well, and there is no + change; but she fears that his heart is changed. Surely, surely + he has found mountains upon + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page89" + id="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> mountains of joy elsewhere, + even now, perhaps, he is only calling on his way homeward + from some haunt of pleasure. What pleasure can there be away + from her? answers he. Indeed, his time has not been his own, + else he would have come sooner. Why, then, did he not send + his servant to explain? Tarôkaja here puts in his oar, + and protests that, between running on errands and dancing + attendance upon his lord, he has not had a moment to + himself. "At any rate," says the master, "I must ask for + your congratulations; for my suit, which was so important, + has prospered." The lady expresses her happiness, and the + gentleman then bids his servant tell her the object of their + visit. Tarôkaja objects to this; his lord had better + tell his own story. While the two are disputing as to who + shall speak, the lady's curiosity is aroused. "What terrible + tale is this that neither of you dare tell? Pray let one or + other of you speak." At last the master explains that he has + come to take leave of her, as he must forthwith return to + his own province. The girl begins to weep, and the gentleman + following suit, the two shed tears in concert. She uses all + her art to cajole him, and secretly produces from her sleeve + a cup of water, with which she smears her eyes to imitate + tears. He, deceived by the trick, tries to console her, and + swears that as soon as he reaches his own country he will + send a messenger to fetch her; but she pretends to weep all + the more, and goes on rubbing her face with water. + Tarôkaja, in the meanwhile, detects the trick, and, + calling his master on one side, tells him what she is doing. + The gentleman, however, refuses to believe him, and scolds + him right roundly for telling lies. The lady calls my lord + to her, and weeping more bitterly than ever, tries to coax + him to remain. Tarôkaja slyly fills another cup, with + ink and water, and substitutes it for the cup of clear + water. She, all unconcerned, goes on smearing her face. At + last she lifts her face, and her lover, seeing it all black + and sooty, gives a start. What can be the matter with the + girl's face? Tarôkaja, in an aside, explains what he + has done. They determine to put her to shame. The lover, + producing from his bosom a box containing a mirror, gives it + to the girl, who, thinking that it is a parting gift, at + first declines to receive it. It is pressed upon her; she + opens the box and sees the reflection of her dirty face. + Master and man burst out laughing. Furious, she smears + Tarôkaja's face with the ink; he protests that he is + not the author of the trick, and the girl flies at her lover + and rubs his face too. Both master and servant run off, + pursued by the girl.</p> + + <p>The second farce was shorter than the first, and was called + <i>The Theft of the Sword</i>. A certain gentleman calls his + servant Tarôkaja, and tells him that he is going out for + a little diversion. Bidding Tarôkaja follow him, he sets + out. On their way they meet another gentleman, carrying a + handsome sword in his hand, and going to worship at the Kitano + shrine at Kiôto. Tarôkaja points out the beauty of + the sword to his master, and says what a fine thing it would be + if they could manage to obtain possession of it. Tarôkaja + borrows his master's sword, and goes up to the stranger, whose + attention is taken up by looking at the wares set out for sale + in a shop. Tarôkaja lays his hand on the guard of the + stranger's sword; and the latter, drawing it, turns round, and + tries to cut the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page90" + id="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> thief down. Tarôkaja + takes to his heels, praying hard that his life may be + spared. The stranger takes away the sword which + Tarôkaja has borrowed from his master, and goes on his + way to the shrine, carrying the two swords. Tarôkaja + draws a long breath of relief when he sees that his life is + not forfeited; but what account is he to give of his + master's sword which he has lost. There is no help for it, + he must go back and make a clean breast of it. His master is + very angry; and the two, after consulting together, await + the stranger's return from the shrine. The latter makes his + appearance and announces that he is going home. + Tarôkaja's master falls upon the stranger from behind, + and pinions him, ordering Tarôkaja to fetch a rope and + bind him. The knave brings the cord; but, while he is + getting it ready, the stranger knocks him over with his + sword. His master calls out to him to get up quickly and + bind the gentleman from behind, and not from before. + Tarôkaja runs behind the struggling pair, but is so + clumsy that he slips the noose over his master's head by + mistake, and drags him down. The stranger, seeing this, runs + away laughing with the two swords. Tarôkaja, + frightened at his blunder, runs off too, his master pursuing + him off the stage. A general run off, be it observed, + something like the "spill-and-pelt" scene in an English + pantomime, is the legitimate and invariable termination of + the Kiyôgen.</p> + + <h3>NOTE ON THE GAME OF FOOTBALL.</h3> + + <p>The game of football is in great favour at the Japanese + Court. The days on which it takes place are carefully noted in + the "Daijôkwan Nishi," or Government Gazette. On the 25th + of February, 1869, for instance, we find two entries: "The + Emperor wrote characters of good omen," and "The game of + football was played at the palace." The game was first + introduced from China in the year of the Empress + Kôkiyoku, in the middle of the seventh century. The + Emperor Mommu, who reigned at the end of the same century, was + the first emperor who took part in the sport. His Majesty Toba + the Second became very expert at it, as also did the noble + Asukai Chiujo, and from that time a sort of football club was + formed at the palace. During the days of the extreme poverty of + the Mikado and his Court, the Asukai family, notwithstanding + their high rank, were wont to eke out their scanty income by + giving lessons in the art of playing + football.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page91" + id="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span> + + <h2>THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF FUNAKOSHI JIUYÉMON</h2> + + <p>The doughty deeds and marvellous experiences of Funakoshi + Jiuyémon are perhaps, like those of Robin Hood and his + Merry Men, rather traditional than historical; but even if all + or part of the deeds which popular belief ascribes to him be + false, his story conveys a true picture of manners and customs. + Above all, the manner of the vengeance which he wreaked upon + the wife who had dishonoured him, and upon her lover, shows the + high importance which the Japanese attach to the sanctity of + the marriage tie.</p> + + <p>The 50th and 51st chapters of the "Legacy of + Iyéyasu," already quoted, say: "If a married woman of + the agricultural, artisan, or commercial class shall secretly + have intercourse with another man, it is not necessary for the + husband to enter a complaint against the persons thus confusing + the great relation of mankind, but he may put them both to + death. Nevertheless, should he slay one of them and spare the + other, his guilt is the same as that of the unrighteous + persons.</p> + + <p>"In the event, however, of advice being sought, the parties + not having been slain, accede to the wishes of the complainant + with, regard to putting them to death or not.</p> + + <p>"Mankind, in whose bodies the male and female elements + induce a natural desire towards the same object, do not look + upon such practices with aversion; and the adjudication of such + cases is a matter of special deliberation and consultation.</p> + + <p>"Men and women of the military class are expected to know + better than to occasion disturbance by violating existing + regulations; and such an one breaking the regulations by lewd, + trifling, or illicit intercourse shall at once be punished, + without deliberation or consultation. It is not the same in + this case as in that of agriculturists, artisans, and + traders."</p> + + <p>As a criminal offence, adultery was, according to the + ancient laws of Japan, punished by crucifixion. In more modern + times it has been punished by decapitation and the disgraceful + exposure of the head after death; but if the murder of the + injured husband accompany the crime of adultery, then the + guilty parties are crucified to this day. At the present time + the husband is no longer allowed to take the law into his own + hands: he must report the matter to the Government, and trust + to the State to avenge his honour.</p> + + <p>Sacred as the marriage tie is so long as it lasts, the law + which <span class="pagenum"><a name="page92" + id="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> cuts it is curiously facile, + or rather there is no law: a man may turn his wife out of + doors, as it may suit his fancy. An example of this practice + was shown in the story of "The Forty-seven Rônins." A + husband has but to report the matter to his lord, and the + ceremony of divorce is completed. Thus, in the days of the + Shoguns' power, a Hatamoto who had divorced his wife + reported the matter to the Shogun. A Daimio's retainer + reports the matter to his Prince.</p> + + <p>The facility of divorce, however, seems to be but rarely + taken advantage of: this is probably owing to the practice of + keeping concubines. It has often been asked, Are the Japanese + polygamists? The answer is, Yes and no. They marry but one + wife; but a man may, according to his station and means, have + one or more concubines in addition. The Emperor has twelve + concubines, called Kisaki; and Iyéyasu, alluding + forcibly to excess in this respect as <i>teterrima belli + causa</i>, laid down that the princes might have eight, high + officers five, and ordinary Samurai two handmaids. "In the + olden times," he writes, "the downfall of castles and the + overthrow of kingdoms all proceeded from this alone. Why is not + the indulgence of passions guarded against?"</p> + + <p>The difference between the position of the wife and that of + the concubine is marked. The legitimate wife is to the handmaid + as a lord is to his vassal. Concubinage being a legitimate + institution, the son of a handmaid is no bastard, nor is he in + any way the child of shame; and yet, as a general rule, the son + of the bondwoman is not heir with the son of the free, for the + son of the wife inherits before the son of a concubine, even + where the latter be the elder; and it frequently happens that a + noble, having children by his concubines but none by his wife, + selects a younger brother of his own, or even adopts the son of + some relative, to succeed him in the family honours. The family + line is considered to be thus more purely preserved. The law of + succession is, however, extremely lax. Excellent personal + merits will sometimes secure to the left-handed son the + inheritance of his ancestors; and it often occurs that the son + of a concubine, who is debarred from succeeding to his own + father, is adopted as the heir of a relation or friend of even + higher rank. When the wife of a noble has a daughter but no + son, the practice is to adopt a youth of suitable family and + age, who marries the girl and inherits as a son.</p> + + <p>The principle of adoption is universal among all classes, + from the Emperor down to his meanest subject; nor is the family + line considered to have been broken because an adopted son has + succeeded to the estates. Indeed, should a noble die without + heir male, either begotten or adopted, his lands are forfeited + to the State. It is a matter of care that the person adopted + should be himself sprung from a stock of rank suited to that of + the family into which he is to be received.</p> + + <p>Sixteen and upwards being considered the marriageable age + for a man, it is not usual for persons below that age to adopt + an heir; <span class="pagenum"><a name="page93" + id="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> yet an infant at the point of + death may adopt a person older than himself, that the family + line may not become extinct.</p> + + <p>An account of the marriage ceremony will be found in the + Appendix upon the subject.</p> + + <p>In the olden time, in the island of + Shikoku<a id="footnotetag40" + name="footnotetag40"></a><a href="#footnote40"><sup>40</sup></a> + there lived one Funakoshi Jiuyémon, a brave Samurai + and accomplished man, who was in great favour with the + prince, his master. One day, at a drinking-bout, a quarrel + sprung up between him and a brother-officer, which resulted + in a duel upon the spot, in which Jiuyémon killed his + adversary. When Jiuyémon awoke to a sense of what he + had done, he was struck with remorse, and he thought to + disembowel himself; but, receiving a private summons from + his lord, he went to the castle, and the prince said to + him—</p> + + <p>"So it seems that you have been getting drunk and + quarrelling, and that you have killed one of your friends; and + now I suppose you will have determined to perform + <i>hara-kiri</i>. It is a great pity, and in the face of the + laws I can do nothing for you openly. Still, if you will escape + and fly from this part of the country for a while, in two + years' time the affair will have blown over, and I will allow + you to return."</p> + + <p>And with these words the prince presented him with a fine + sword, made by Sukésada,<a id="footnotetag41" + name="footnotetag41"></a><a href="#footnote41"><sup>41</sup></a> + and a hundred ounces of silver, and, having bade him + farewell, entered his private apartments; and + Jiuyémon, prostrating himself, wept tears of + gratitude; then, taking the sword and the money, he went + home and prepared to fly from the province, and secretly + took leave of his relations, each of whom made him some + parting present. These gifts, together with his own money, + and what he had received from the prince, made up a sum of + two hundred and fifty ounces of silver, with which and his + Sukésada sword he escaped under cover of darkness, + and went to a sea-port called Marugamé, in the + province of Sanuki, where he proposed to wait for an + opportunity of setting sail for Osaka. As ill luck would + have it, the wind being contrary, he had to remain three + days idle; but at last the wind changed; so he went down to + the beach, thinking that he should certainly find a junk + about to sail; and as he was looking about him, a sailor + came up, and said—</p> + + <p>"If your honour is minded to take a trip to Osaka, my ship + is bound thither, and I should be glad to take you with me as + passenger."</p> + + <p>"That's exactly what I wanted. I will gladly take a + passage," replied Jiuyémon, who was delighted at the + chance.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page94" + id="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> + + <p>"Well, then, we must set sail at once, so please come on + board without delay."</p> + + <p>So Jiuyémon went with him and embarked; and as they + left the harbour and struck into the open sea, the moon was + just rising above the eastern hills, illumining the dark night + like a noonday sun; and Jiuyémon, taking his place in + the bows of the ship, stood wrapt in contemplation of the + beauty of the scene.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/094.jpg" + name="image094" + target="blank" + id="image094"><img width="100%" + src="images/094.jpg" + alt="JIUYÉMON ON BOARD THE PIRATE SHIP." /></a> + JIUYÉMON ON BOARD THE PIRATE SHIP. + </div> + + <p>Now it happened that the captain of the ship, whose name was + Akagôshi Kuroyémon, was a fierce pirate who, + attracted by Jiuyémon's well-to-do appearance, had + determined to decoy him on board, that he might murder and rob + him; and while Jiuyémon was looking at the moon, the + pirate and his companions were collected in the stern of the + ship, taking counsel together in whispers as to how they might + slay him. He, on the other hand, having for some time past + fancied their conduct somewhat strange, bethought him that it + was not prudent to lay aside his sword, so he went towards the + place where he had been sitting, and had left his weapon lying, + to fetch it, when he was stopped by three of the pirates, who + blocked up the gangway, saying—</p> + + <p>"Stop, Sir Samurai! Unluckily for you, this ship in which + you have taken a passage belongs to the pirate Akagôshi + Kuroyémon. Come, sir! whatever money you may chance to + have about you is our + prize."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page95" + id="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> + + <p>When Jiuyémon heard this he was greatly startled at + first, but soon recovered himself, and being an expert + wrestler, kicked over two of the pirates, and made for his + sword; but in the meanwhile Shichirohei, the younger brother of + the pirate captain, had drawn the sword, and brought it towards + him, saying—</p> + + <p>"If you want your sword, here it is!" and with that he cut + at him; but Jiuyémon avoided the blow, and closing with + the ruffian, got back his sword. Ten of the pirates then + attacked him with spear and sword; but he, putting his back + against the bows of the ship, showed such good fight that he + killed three of his assailants, and the others stood off, not + daring to approach him. Then the pirate captain, Akagôshi + Kuroyémon, who had been watching the fighting from the + stern, seeing that his men stood no chance against + Jiuyémon's dexterity, and that he was only losing them + to no purpose, thought to shoot him with a matchlock. Even + Jiuyémon, brave as he was, lost heart when he saw the + captain's gun pointed at him, and tried to jump into the sea; + but one of the pirates made a dash at him with a boat-hook, and + caught him by the sleeve; then Jiuyémon, in despair, + took the fine Sukésada sword which he had received from + his prince, and throwing it at his captor, pierced him through + the breast so that he fell dead, and himself plunging into the + sea swam for his life. The pirate captain shot at him and + missed him, and the rest of the crew made every endeavour to + seize him with their boat-hooks, that they might avenge the + death of their mates; but it was all in vain, and + Jiuyémon, having shaken off his clothes that he might + swim the better, made good his escape. So the pirates threw the + bodies of their dead comrades into the sea, and the captain was + partly consoled for their loss by the possession of the + Sukésada sword with which one of them had been + transfixed.</p> + + <p>As soon as Jiuyémon jumped over the ship's side, + being a good swimmer, he took a long dive, which carried him + well out of danger, and struck out vigorously; and although he + was tired and distressed by his exertions, he braced himself up + to greater energy, and faced the waves boldly. At last, in the + far distance, to his great joy, he spied a light, for which he + made, and found that it was a ship carrying lanterns marked + with the badge of the governor of Osaka; so he hailed her, + saying—</p> + + <p>"I have fallen into great trouble among pirates: pray rescue + me."</p> + + <p>"Who and what are you?" shouted an officer, some forty years + of age.</p> + + <p>"My name is Funakoshi Jiuyémon, and I have + unwittingly fallen in with pirates this night. I have escaped + so far: I pray you save me, lest I die."</p> + + <p>"Hold on to this, and come up," replied the other, holding + out the butt end of a spear to him, which he caught hold of and + clambered up the ship's side. When the officer saw before him a + handsome gentleman, naked all but his loincloth, and with his + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page96" + id="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span> hair all in disorder, he + called to his servants to bring some of his own clothes, + and, having dressed him in them, said—</p> + + <p>"What clan do you belong to, sir?"</p> + + <p>"Sir, I am a Rônin, and was on my way to Osaka; but + the sailors of the ship on which I had embarked were pirates;" + and so he told the whole story of the fight and of his + escape.</p> + + <p>"Well done, sir!" replied the other, astonished at his + prowess. "My name is Kajiki Tozayémon, at your service. + I am an officer attached to the governor of Osaka. Pray, have + you any friends in that city?"</p> + + <p>"No, sir, I have no friends there; but as in two years I + shall be able to return to my own country, and re-enter my + lord's service, I thought during that time to engage in trade + and live as a common wardsman."</p> + + <p>"Indeed, that's a poor prospect! However, if you will allow + me, I will do all that is in my power to assist you. Pray + excuse the liberty I am taking in making such a proposal."</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon warmly thanked Kajiki Tozayémon for + his kindness; and so they reached Osaka without further + adventures.</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon, who had secreted in his girdle the two + hundred and fifty ounces which he had brought with him from + home, bought a small house, and started in trade as a vendor of + perfumes, tooth-powder, combs, and other toilet articles; and + Kajiki Tozayémon, who treated him with great kindness, + and rendered him many services, prompted him, as he was a + single man, to take to himself a wife. Acting upon this advice, + he married a singing-girl, called O + Hiyaku.<a id="footnotetag42" + name="footnotetag42"></a><a href="#footnote42"><sup>42</sup></a></p> + + <p>Now this O Hiyaku, although at first she seemed very + affectionately disposed towards Jiuyémon, had been, + during the time that she was a singer, a woman of bad and + profligate character; and at this time there was in Osaka a + certain wrestler, named Takaségawa Kurobei, a very + handsome man, with whom O Hiyaku fell desperately in love; so + that at last, being by nature a passionate woman, she became + unfaithful to Jiuyémon. The latter, little suspecting + that anything was amiss, was in the habit of spending his + evenings at the house of his patron Kajiki Tozayémon, + whose son, a youth of eighteen, named Tônoshin, conceived + a great friendship for Jiuyémon, and used constantly to + invite him to play a game at checkers; and it was on these + occasions that O Hiyaku, profiting by her husband's absence, + used to arrange her meetings with the wrestler + Takaségawa.</p> + + <p>One evening, when Jiuyémon, as was his wont, had gone + out to play at checkers with Kajiki Tônoshin, O Hiyaku + took advantage of the occasion to go and fetch the wrestler, + and invite him to a little feast; and as they were enjoying + themselves over their wine, O Hiyaku said to him—</p> + + <p>"Ah! Master Takaségawa, how wonderfully chance + favours us! and how pleasant these stolen interviews are! How + much nicer <span class="pagenum"><a name="page97" + id="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span> still it would be if we could + only be married. But, as long as Jiuyémon is in the + way, it is impossible; and that is my one cause of + distress."</p> + + <p>"It's no use being in such a hurry. If you only have + patience, we shall be able to marry, sure enough. What you have + got to look out for now is, that Jiuyémon does not find + out what we are about. I suppose there is no chance of his + coming home to-night, is there?"</p> + + <p>"Oh dear, no! You need not be afraid. He is gone to Kajiki's + house to play checkers; so he is sure to spend the night + there."</p> + + <p>And so the guilty couple went on gossiping, with their minds + at ease, until at last they dropped off asleep.</p> + + <p>In the meanwhile Jiuyémon, in the middle of his game + at checkers, was seized with a sudden pain in his stomach, and + said to Kajiki Tônoshin, "Young sir, I feel an + unaccountable pain in my stomach. I think I had better go home, + before it gets worse."</p> + + <p>"That is a bad job. Wait a little, and I will give you some + physic; but, at any rate, you had better spend the night + here."</p> + + <p>"Many thanks for your kindness," replied Jiuyémon; + "but I had rather go home."</p> + + <p>So he took his leave, and went off to his own house, bearing + the pain as best he might. When he arrived in front of his own + door, he tried to open it; but the lock was fastened, and he + could not get in, so he rapped violently at the shutters to try + and awaken his wife. When O Hiyaku heard the noise, she woke + with a start, and roused the wrestler, saying to him in a + whisper—</p> + + <p>"Get up! get up! Jiuyémon has come back. You must + hide as fast as possible."</p> + + <p>"Oh dear! oh dear!" said the wrestler, in a great fright; + "here's a pretty mess! Where on earth shall I hide myself?" and + he stumbled about in every direction looking for a + hiding-place, but found none.</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon, seeing that his wife did not come to open + the door, got impatient at last, and forced it open by unfixing + the sliding shutter and, entering the house, found himself face + to face with his wife and her lover, who were both in such + confusion that they did not know what to do. Jiuyémon, + however, took no notice of them, but lit his pipe and sat + smoking and watching them in silence. At last the wrestler, + Takaségawa, broke the silence by saying—</p> + + <p>"I thought, sir, that I should be sure to have the pleasure + of finding you at home this evening, so I came out to call upon + you. When I got here, the Lady O Hiyaku was so kind as to offer + me some wine; and I drank a little more than was good for me, + so that it got into my head, and I fell asleep. I must really + apologize for having taken such a liberty in your absence; but, + indeed, although appearances are against us, there has been + nothing wrong."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page98" + id="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span> + + <p>"Certainly," said O Hiyaku, coming to her lover's support, + "Master Takaségawa is not at all to blame. It was I who + invited him to drink wine; so I hope you will excuse him."</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon sat pondering the matter over in his mind + for a moment, and then said to the wrestler, "You say that you + are innocent; but, of course, that is a lie. It's no use trying + to conceal your fault. However, next year I shall, in all + probability, return to my own country, and then you may take O + Hiyaku and do what you will with her: far be it from me to care + what becomes of a woman with such a stinking heart."</p> + + <p>When the wrestler and O Hiyaku heard Jiuyémon say + this quite quietly, they could not speak, but held their peace + for very shame.</p> + + <p>"Here, you Takaségawa," pursued he; "you may stop + here to-night, if you like it, and go home to-morrow."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, sir," replied the wrestler, "I am much obliged + to you; but the fact is, that I have some pressing business in + another part of the town, so, with your permission, I will take + my leave;" and so he went out, covered with confusion.</p> + + <p>As for the faithless wife, O Hiyaku, she was in great + agitation, expecting to be severely reprimanded at least; but + Jiuyémon took no notice of her, and showed no anger; + only from that day forth, although she remained in his house as + his wife, he separated himself from her entirely.</p> + + <p>Matters went on in this way for some time, until at last, + one fine day, O Hiyaku, looking out of doors, saw the wrestler + Takaségawa passing in the street, so she called out to + him—</p> + + <p>"Dear me, Master Takaségawa, can that be you! What a + long time it is since we have met! Pray come in, and have a + chat."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, I am much obliged to you; but as I do not like + the sort of scene we had the other day, I think I had rather + not accept your invitation."</p> + + <p>"Pray do not talk in such a cowardly manner. Next year, when + Jiuyémon goes back to his own country, he is sure to + give me this house, and then you and I can marry and live as + happily as possible."</p> + + <p>"I don't like being in too great a hurry to accept fair + offers."<a id="footnotetag43" + name="footnotetag43"></a><a href="#footnote43"><sup>43</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Nonsense! There's no need for showing such delicacy about + accepting what is given you."</p> + + <p>And as she spoke, she caught the wrestler by the hand and + led him into the house. After they had talked together for some + time, she said:—</p> + + <p>"Listen to me, Master Takaségawa. I have been + thinking over all this for some time, and I see no help for it + but to kill Jiuyémon and make an end of him."</p> + + <p>"What do you want to do that for?"</p> + + <p>"As long as he is alive, we cannot be married. What I + propose is that you should buy some poison, and I will put it + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page99" + id="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span> secretly into his food. When + he is dead, we can be happy to our hearts' content."</p> + + <p>At first Takaségawa was startled and bewildered by + the audacity of their scheme; but forgetting the gratitude + which he owed to Jiuyémon for sparing his life on the + previous occasion, he replied:—</p> + + <p>"Well, I think it can be managed. I have a friend who is a + physician, so I will get him to compound some poison for me, + and will send it to you. You must look out for a moment when + your husband is not on his guard, and get him to take it."</p> + + <p>Having agreed upon this, Takaségawa went away, and, + having employed a physician to make up the poison, sent it to O + Hiyaku in a letter, suggesting that the poison should be mixed + up with a sort of macaroni, of which Jiuyémon was very + fond. Having read the letter, she put it carefully away in a + drawer of her cupboard, and waited until Jiuyémon should + express a wish to eat some macaroni.</p> + + <p>One day, towards the time of the New Year, when O Hiyaku had + gone out to a party with a few of her friends, it happened that + Jiuyémon, being alone in the house, was in want of some + little thing, and, failing to find it anywhere, at last + bethought himself to look for it in O Hiyaku's cupboard; and as + he was searching amongst the odds and ends which it contained, + he came upon the fatal letter. When he read the scheme for + putting poison in his macaroni, he was taken aback, and said to + himself, "When I caught those two beasts in their wickedness I + spared them, because their blood would have defiled my sword; + and now they are not even grateful for my mercy. Their crime is + beyond all power of language to express, and I will kill them + together."</p> + + <p>So he put back the letter in its place, and waited for his + wife to come home. So soon as she made her appearance he + said—</p> + + <p>"You have come home early, O Hiyaku. I feel very dull and + lonely this evening; let us have a little wine."</p> + + <p>And as he spoke without any semblance of anger, it never + entered O Hiyaku's mind that he had seen the letter; so she + went about her household duties with a quiet mind.</p> + + <p>The following evening, as Jiuyémon was sitting in his + shop casting up his accounts, with his + counting-board<a id="footnotetag44" + name="footnotetag44"></a><a href="#footnote44"><sup>44</sup></a> + in his hand, Takaségawa passed by, and + Jiuyémon called out to him, saying:—</p> + + <p>"Well met, Takaségawa! I was just thinking of + drinking a cup of wine to-night; but I have no one to keep me + company, and it is dull work drinking alone. Pray come in, and + drink a bout with me."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, sir, I shall have much pleasure," replied the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page100" + id="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> wrestler, who little + expected what the other was aiming at; and so he went in, + and they began to drink and feast.</p> + + <p>"It's very cold to-night," said Jiuyémon, after a + while; "suppose we warm up a little macaroni, and eat it nice + and hot. Perhaps, however, you do not like it?"</p> + + <p>"Indeed, I am very fond of it, on the contrary."</p> + + <p>"That is well. O Hiyaku, please go and buy a little for + us."</p> + + <p>"Directly," replied his wife, who hurried off to buy the + paste, delighted at the opportunity for carrying out her + murderous design upon her husband. As soon she had prepared it, + she poured it into bowls and set it before the two men; but + into her husband's bowl only she put poison. Jiuyémon, + who well knew what she had done, did not eat the mess at once, + but remained talking about this, that, and the other; and the + wrestler, out of politeness, was obliged to wait also. All of a + sudden, Jiuyémon cried out—</p> + + <p>"Dear me! whilst we have been gossiping, the macaroni has + been getting cold. Let us put it all together and warm it up + again. As no one has put his lips to his bowl yet, it will all + be clean; so none need be wasted." And with these words he took + the macaroni that was in the three bowls, and, pouring it + altogether into an iron pot, boiled it up again. This time + Jiuyémon served out the food himself, and, setting it + before his wife and the wrestler, said—</p> + + <p>"There! make haste and eat it up before it gets cold."</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon, of course, did not eat any of the mess; and + the would-be murderers, knowing that sufficient poison had been + originally put into Jiuyémon's bowl to kill them all + three, and that now the macaroni, having been well mixed up, + would all be poisoned, were quite taken aback, and did not know + what to do.</p> + + <p>"Come! make haste, or it will be quite cold. You said you + liked it, so I sent to buy it on purpose. O Hiyaku! come and + make a hearty meal. I will eat some presently."</p> + + <p>At this the pair looked very foolish, and knew not what to + answer; at last the wrestler got up and said—</p> + + <p>"I do not feel quite well. I must beg to take my leave; and, + if you will allow me, I will come and accept your hospitality + to-morrow instead."</p> + + <p>"Dear me! I am sorry to hear you are not well. However, O + Hiyaku, there will be all the more macaroni for you."</p> + + <p>As for O Hiyaku, she put a bold face upon the matter, and + replied that she had supped already, and had no appetite for + any more.</p> + + <p>Then Jiuyémon, looking at them both with a scornful + smile, said—</p> + + <p>"It seems that you, neither of you, care to eat this + macaroni; however, as you, Takaségawa, are unwell, I + will give you some excellent medicine;" and going to the + cupboard, he drew out the letter, and laid it before the + wrestler. When O Hiyaku and <!--blank page 101--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page102" + id="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> the wrestler saw that their + wicked schemes had been brought to light, they were struck + dumb with shame.</p> + + <p>Takaségawa, seeing that denial was useless, drew his + dirk and cut at Jiuyémon; but he, being nimble and + quick, dived under the wrestler's arm, and seizing his right + hand from behind, tightened his grasp upon it until it became + numbed, and the dirk fell to the ground; for, powerful man as + the wrestler was, he was no match for Jiuyémon, who held + him in so fast a grip that he could not move. Then + Jiuyémon took the dirk which had fallen to the ground, + and said:—</p> + + <p>"Oh! I thought that you, being a wrestler, would at least be + a strong man, and that there would be some pleasure in fighting + you; but I see that you are but a poor feckless creature, after + all. It would have defiled my sword to have killed such an + ungrateful hound with it; but luckily here is your own dirk, + and I will slay you with that."</p> + + <p>Takaségawa struggled to escape, but in vain; and O + Hiyaku, seizing a large kitchen knife, attacked + Jiuyémon; but he, furious, kicked her in the loins so + violently that she fell powerless, then brandishing the dirk, + he cleft the wrestler from the shoulder down to the nipple of + his breast, and the big man fell in his agony. O Hiyaku, seeing + this, tried to fly; but Jiuyémon, seizing her by the + hair of the head, stabbed her in the bosom, and, placing her by + her lover's side, gave her the death-blow.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/101.jpg" + name="image101" + target="blank" + id="image101"><img width="100%" + src="images/101.jpg" + alt="JIUYÉMON PUNISHES HIS WIFE AND THE WRESTLER." /> + </a> JIUYÉMON PUNISHES HIS WIFE AND THE WRESTLER. + </div> + + <p>On the following day, he sent in a report of what he had + done to the governor of Osaka, and buried the corpses; and from + that time forth he remained a single man, and pursued his trade + as a seller of perfumery and such-like wares; and his leisure + hours he continued to spend as before, at the house of his + patron, Kajiki Tozayémon.</p> + + <p>One day, when Jiuyémon went to call upon Kajiki + Tozayémon, he was told by the servant-maid, who met him + at the door, that her master was out, but that her young + master, Tônoshin, was at home; so, saying that he would + go in and pay his respects to the young gentleman, he entered + the house; and as he suddenly pushed open the sliding-door of + the room in which Tônoshin was sitting, the latter gave a + great start, and his face turned pale and ghastly.</p> + + <p>"How now, young sir!" said Jiuyémon, laughing at him, + "surely you are not such a coward as to be afraid because the + sliding-doors are opened? That is not the way in which a brave + Samurai should behave."</p> + + <p>"Really I am quite ashamed of myself," replied the other, + blushing at the reproof; "but the fact is that I had some + reason for being startled. Listen to me, Sir Jiuyémon, + and I will tell you all about it. To-day, when I went to the + academy to study, there were a great number of my + fellow-students gathered together, and one of them said that a + ruinous old shrine, about two miles and a half to the east of + this place, was the nightly resort of all sorts of hobgoblins, + who have been playing pranks and <!--blank page 103--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page104" + id="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> bewitching the people for + some time past; and he proposed that we should all draw + lots, and that the one upon whom the lot fell should go + to-night and exorcise those evil beings; and further that, + as a proof of his having gone, he should write his name upon + a pillar in the shrine. All the rest agreed that this would + be very good sport; so I, not liking to appear a coward, + consented to take my chance with the rest; and, as ill luck + would have it, the lot fell upon me. I was thinking over + this as you came in, and so it was that when you suddenly + opened the door, I could not help giving a start."</p> + + <p>"If you only think for a moment," said Jiuyémon, "you + will see that there is nothing to fear. How can + beasts<a id="footnotetag45" + name="footnotetag45"></a><a href="#footnote45"><sup>45</sup></a> + and hobgoblins exercise any power over men? However, do not + let the matter trouble you. I will go in your place + to-night, and see if I cannot get the better of these + goblins, if any there be, having done which, I will write + your name upon the pillar, so that everybody may think that + you have been there."</p> + + <p>"Oh! thank you: that will indeed be a service. You can dress + yourself up in my clothes, and nobody will be the wiser. I + shall be truly grateful to you."</p> + + <p>So Jiuyémon having gladly undertaken the job, as soon + as the night set in made his preparations, and went to the + place indicated—an uncanny-looking, tumble-down, lonely + old shrine, all overgrown with moss and rank vegetation. + However, Jiuyémon, who was afraid of nothing, cared + little for the appearance of the place, and having made himself + as comfortable as he could in so dreary a spot, sat down on the + floor, lit his pipe, and kept a sharp look-out for the goblins. + He had not been waiting long before he saw a movement among the + bushes; and presently he was surrounded by a host of + elfish-looking creatures, of all shapes and kinds, who came and + made hideous faces at him. Jiuyémon quietly knocked the + ashes out of his pipe, and then, jumping up, kicked over first + one and then another of the elves, until several of them lay + sprawling in the grass; and the rest made off, greatly + astonished at this unexpected reception. When Jiuyémon + took his lantern and examined the fallen goblins attentively, + he saw that they were all Tônoshin's fellow-students, who + had painted their faces, and made themselves hideous, to + frighten their companion, whom they knew to be a coward: all + they got for their pains, however, was a good kicking from + Jiuyémon, who left them groaning over their sore bones, + and went home chuckling to himself at the result of the + adventure.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/103.jpg" + name="image103" + target="blank" + id="image103"><img width="100%" + src="images/103.jpg" + alt="FUNAKOSHI JIUYÉMON AND THE GOBLINS." /> + </a> FUNAKOSHI JIUYÉMON AND THE GOBLINS. + </div> + + <p>The fame of this exploit soon became noised about Osaka, so + that all men praised Jiuyémon's courage; and shortly + after this he was elected chief of the + Otokodaté,<a id="footnotetag46" + name="footnotetag46"></a><a href="#footnote46"><sup>46</sup></a> + or friendly society of the wardsmen, and busied himself no + longer with his trade, but lived on the contributions of his + numerous apprentices.</p> + + <p>Now Kajiki Tônoshin was in love with a singing girl + named <span class="pagenum"><a name="page105" + id="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> Kashiku, upon whom he was + in the habit of spending a great deal of money. She, + however, cared nothing for him, for she had a sweetheart + named Hichirobei, whom she used to contrive to meet + secretly, although, in order to support her parents, she was + forced to become the mistress of Tônoshin. One + evening, when the latter was on guard at the office of his + chief, the Governor of Osaka, Kashiku sent word privately to + Hichirobei, summoning him to go to her house, as the coast + would be clear.</p> + + <p>While the two were making merry over a little feast, + Tônoshin, who had persuaded a friend to take his duty for + him on the plea of urgent business, knocked at the door, and + Kashiku, in a great fright, hid her lover in a long + clothes-box, and went to let in Tônoshin, who, on + entering the room and seeing the litter of the supper lying + about, looked more closely, and perceived a man's sandals, on + which, by the light of a candle, he saw the figure + seven.<a id="footnotetag47" + name="footnotetag47"></a><a href="#footnote47"><sup>47</sup></a> + Tônoshin had heard some ugly reports of Kashiku's + proceedings with this man Hichirobei, and when he saw this + proof before his eyes he grew very angry; but he suppressed + his feelings, and, pointing to the wine-cups and bowls, + said:—</p> + + <p>"Whom have you been feasting with to-night?"</p> + + <p>"Oh!" replied Kashiku, who, notwithstanding her distress, + was obliged to invent an answer, "I felt so dull all alone + here, that I asked an old woman from next door to come in and + drink a cup of wine with me, and have a chat."</p> + + <p>All this while Tônoshin was looking for the hidden + lover; but, as he could not see him, he made up his mind that + Kashiku must have let him out by the back door; so he secreted + one of the sandals in his sleeve as evidence, and, without + seeming to suspect anything, said:—</p> + + <p>"Well, I shall be very busy this evening, so I must go + home."</p> + + <p>"Oh! won't you stay a little while? It is very dull here, + when I am all alone without you. Pray stop and keep me + company."</p> + + <p>But Tônoshin made no reply, and went home. Then + Kashiku saw that one of the sandals was missing, and felt + certain that he must have carried it off as proof; so she went + in great trouble to open the lid of the box, and let out + Hichirobei. When the two lovers talked over the matter, they + agreed that, as they both were really in love, let + Tônoshin kill them if he would, they would gladly die + together: they would enjoy the present; let the future take + care of itself.</p> + + <p>The following morning Kashiku sent a messenger to + Tônoshin to implore his pardon; and he, being infatuated + by the girl's charms, forgave her, and sent a present of thirty + ounces of silver to her lover, Hichirobei, on the condition + that he was never to see her again; but, in spite of this, + Kashiku and Hichirobei still continued their secret + meetings.</p> + + <p>It happened that Hichirobei, who was a gambler by + profession, had an elder brother called Chôbei, who kept + a wine-shop <span class="pagenum"><a name="page106" + id="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> in the Ajikawa Street, at + Osaka; so Tônoshin thought that he could not do better + than depute Jiuyémon to go and seek out this man + Chôbei, and urge him to persuade his younger brother + to give up his relations with Kashiku; acting upon this + resolution, he went to call upon Jiuyémon, and said + to him—</p> + + <p>"Sir Jiuyémon, I have a favour to ask of you in + connection with that girl Kashiku, whom you know all about. You + are aware that I paid thirty ounces of silver to her lover + Hichirobei to induce him to give up going to her house; but, in + spite of this, I cannot help suspecting that they still meet + one another. It seems that this Hichirobei has an elder + brother—one Chôbei; now, if you would go to this + man and tell him to reprove his brother for his conduct, you + would be doing me a great service. You have so often stood my + friend, that I venture to pray you to oblige me in this matter, + although I feel that I am putting you to great + inconvenience."</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon, out of gratitude for the kindness which he + had received at the hands of Kajiki Tozayémon, was + always willing to serve Tônoshin; so he went at once to + find out Chôbei, and said to him—</p> + + <p>"My name, sir, is Jiuyémon, at your service; and I + have come to beg your assistance in a matter of some + delicacy."</p> + + <p>"What can I do to oblige you, sir?" replied Chôbei, + who felt bound to be more than usually civil, as his visitor + was the chief of the Otokodaté.</p> + + <p>"It is a small matter, sir," said Jiuyémon. "Your + younger brother Hichirobei is intimate with a woman named + Kashiku, whom he meets in secret. Now, this Kashiku is the + mistress of the son of a gentleman to whom I am under great + obligation: he bought her of her parents for a large sum of + money, and, besides this, he paid your brother thirty ounces of + silver some time since, on condition of his separating himself + from the girl; in spite of this, it appears that your brother + continues to see her, and I have come to beg that you will + remonstrate with your brother on his conduct, and make him give + her up."</p> + + <p>"That I certainly will. Pray do not be uneasy; I will soon + find means to put a stop to my brother's bad behaviour."</p> + + <p>And so they went on talking of one thing and another, until + Jiuyémon, whose eyes had been wandering about the room, + spied out a very long dirk lying on a cupboard, and all at once + it occurred to him that this was the very sword which had been + a parting gift to him from his lord: the hilt, the mountings, + and the tip of the scabbard were all the same, only the blade + had been shortened and made into a long dirk. Then he looked + more attentively at Chôbei's features, and saw that he + was no other than Akagôshi Kuroyémon, the pirate + chief. Two years had passed by, but he could not forget that + face.</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon would have liked to have arrested him at + once; but thinking that it would be a pity to give so vile a + robber a chance of escape, he constrained himself, and, taking + his leave, went <span class="pagenum"><a name="page107" + id="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span> straightway and reported + the matter to the Governor of Osaka. When the officers of + justice heard of the prey that awaited them, they made their + preparations forthwith. Three men of the secret police went + to Chôbei's wine-shop, and, having called for wine, + pretended to get up a drunken brawl; and as Chôbei + went up to them and tried to pacify them, one of the + policemen seized hold of him, and another tried to pinion + him. It at once flashed across Chôbei's mind that his + old misdeeds had come to light at last, so with a desperate + effort he shook off the two policemen and knocked them down, + and, rushing into the inner room, seized the famous + Sukésada sword and sprang upstairs. The three + policemen, never thinking that he could escape, mounted the + stairs close after him; but Chôbei with a terrible cut + cleft the front man's head in sunder, and the other two fell + back appalled at their comrade's fate. Then Chôbei + climbed on to the roof, and, looking out, perceived that the + house was surrounded on all sides by armed men. Seeing this, + he made up his mind that his last moment was come, but, at + any rate, he determined to sell his life dearly, and to die + fighting; so he stood up bravely, when one of the officers, + coming up from the roof of a neighbouring house, attacked + him with a spear; and at the same time several other + soldiers clambered up. Chôbei, seeing that he was + overmatched, jumped down, and before the soldiers below had + recovered from their surprise he had dashed through their + ranks, laying about him right and left, and cutting down + three men. At top speed he fled, with his pursuers close + behind him; and, seeing the broad river ahead of him, jumped + into a small boat that lay moored there, of which the + boatmen, frightened at the sight of his bloody sword, left + him in undisputed possession. Chôbei pushed off, and + sculled vigorously into the middle of the river; and the + officers—there being no other boat near—were for + a moment baffled. One of them, however, rushing down the + river bank, hid himself on a bridge, armed with. a spear, + and lay in wait for Chôbei to pass in his boat; but + when the little boat came up, he missed his aim, and only + scratched Chôbei's elbow; and he, seizing the spear, + dragged down his adversary into the river, and killed him as + he was struggling in the water; then, sculling for his life, + he gradually drew near to the sea. The other officers in the + mean time had secured ten boats, and, having come up with + Chôbei, surrounded him; but he, having formerly been a + pirate, was far better skilled in the management of a boat + than his pursuers, and had no great difficulty in eluding + them; so at last he pushed out to sea, to the great + annoyance of the officers, who followed him closely.</p> + + <p>Then Jiuyémon, who had come up, said to one of the + officers on the shore—</p> + + <p>"Have you caught him yet?"</p> + + <p>"No; the fellow is so brave and so cunning that our men can + do nothing with him."</p> + + <p>"He's a determined ruffian, certainly. However, as the + fellow <span class="pagenum"><a name="page108" + id="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> has got my sword, I mean to + get it back by fair means or foul: will you allow me to + undertake the job of seizing him?"</p> + + <p>"Well, you may try; and you will have officers to assist + you, if you are in peril."</p> + + <p>Jiuyémon, having received this permission, stripped + off his clothes and jumped into the sea, carrying with him a + policeman's mace, to the great astonishment of all the + bystanders. When he got near Chôbei's boat, he dived and + came up alongside, without the pirate perceiving him until he + had clambered into the boat. Chôbei had the good + Sukésada sword, and Jiuyémon was armed with + nothing but a mace; but Chôbei, on the other hand, was + exhausted with his previous exertions, and was taken by + surprise at a moment when he was thinking of nothing but how he + should scull away from the pursuing boats; so it was not long + before Jiuyémon mastered and secured him.</p> + + <p>For this feat, besides recovering his Sukésada sword, + Jiuyémon received many rewards and great praise from the + Governor of Osaka. But the pirate Chôbei was cast into + prison.</p> + + <p>Hichirobei, when he heard of his brother's capture, was away + from home; but seeing that he too would be sought for, he + determined to escape to Yedo at once, and travelled along the + Tôkaidô, the great highroad, as far as Kuana. But + the secret police had got wind of his movements, and one of + them was at his heels disguised as a beggar, and waiting for an + opportunity to seize him.</p> + + <p>Hichirobei in the meanwhile was congratulating himself on + his escape; and, little suspecting that he would be in danger + so far away from Osaka, he went to a house of pleasure, + intending to divert himself at his ease. The policeman, seeing + this, went to the master of the house and said—</p> + + <p>"The guest who has just come in is a notorious thief, and I + am on his track, waiting to arrest him. Do you watch for the + moment when he falls asleep, and let me know. Should he escape, + the blame will fall upon you."</p> + + <p>The master of the house, who was greatly taken aback, + consented of course; so he told the woman of the house to hide + Hichirobei's dirk, and as soon as the latter, wearied with his + journey, had fallen asleep, he reported it to the policeman, + who went upstairs, and having bound Hichirobei as he lay + wrapped up in his quilt, led him back to Osaka to be imprisoned + with his brother.</p> + + <p>When Kashiku became aware of her lover's arrest, she felt + certain that it was the handiwork of Jiuyémon; so she + determined to kill him, were it only that she might die with + Hichirobei. So hiding a kitchen knife in the bosom of her + dress, she went at midnight to Jiuyémon's house, and + looked all round to see if there were no hole or cranny by + which she might slip in unobserved; but every door was + carefully closed, so she was obliged to knock at the door and + feign an excuse.</p> + + <p>"Let me in! let me in! I am a servant-maid in the house of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page109" + id="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span> Kajiki Tozayémon, + and am charged with a letter on most pressing business to + Sir Jiuyémon."</p> + + <p>Hearing this, one of Jiuyémon's servants, thinking + her tale was true, rose and opened the door; and Kashiku, + stabbing him in the face, ran past him into the house. Inside + she met another apprentice, who had got up, aroused by the + noise; him too she stabbed in the belly, but as he fell he + cried out to Jiuyémon, saying:—</p> + + <p>"Father, father!<a id="footnotetag48" + name="footnotetag48"></a><a href="#footnote48"><sup>48</sup></a> + take care! Some murderous villain has broken into the + house."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/109.jpg" + name="image109" + target="blank" + id="image109"><img width="100%" + src="images/109.jpg" + alt="GOKUMON." /></a> "GOKUMON." + </div> + + <p>And Kashiku, desperate, stopped his further utterance by + cutting his throat. Jiuyémon, hearing his apprentice cry + out, jumped up, and, lighting his night-lamp, looked about him + in the half-gloom, and saw Kashiku with the bloody knife, + hunting for him that she might kill him. Springing upon her + before she saw him, he clutched her right hand, and, having + secured her, bound her with cords so that she could not move. + As soon as he had recovered from his surprise, he looked about + him, and searched the house, when, to his horror, he found one + of his apprentices dead, and the other lying bleeding from a + frightful gash across the face. With the first dawn of day, he + reported the affair to the proper authorities, and gave Kashiku + in custody. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page110" + id="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> So, after due examination, + the two pirate brothers and the girl Kashiku were executed, + and their heads were exposed together.<a id="footnotetag49" + name="footnotetag49"></a><a href="#footnote49"><sup>49</sup></a></p> + + <p>Now the fame of all the valiant deeds of Jiuyémon + having reached his own country, his lord ordered that he should + be pardoned for his former offence, and return to his + allegiance; so, after thanking Kajiki Tozayémon for the + manifold favours which he had received at his hands, he went + home, and became a Samurai as before.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The fat wrestlers of Japan, whose heavy paunches and + unwieldy, puffy limbs, however much they may be admired by + their own country people, form a striking contrast to our + Western notions of training, have attracted some attention from + travellers; and those who are interested in athletic sports may + care to learn something about them.</p> + + <p>The first historical record of wrestling occurs in the sixth + year of the Emperor Suinin (24 B.C.), when one Taima no + Kéhaya, a noble of great stature and strength, boasting + that there was not his match under heaven, begged the Emperor + that his strength might be put to the test. The Emperor + accordingly caused the challenge to be proclaimed; and one Nomi + no Shikuné answered it, and having wrestled with + Kéhaya, kicked him in the ribs and broke his bones, so + that he died. After this Shikuné was promoted to high + office, and became further famous in Japanese history as having + substituted earthen images for the living men who, before his + time, used to be buried with the coffin of the Mikado.</p> + + <p>In the year A.D. 858 the throne of Japan was wrestled for. + The Emperor Buntoku had two sons, called Koréshito and + Korétaka, both of whom aspired to the throne. Their + claims were decided in a wrestling match, in which one + Yoshirô was the champion of Koréshito, and Natora + the champion of Korétaka. Natora having been defeated, + Koréshito ascended his father's throne under the style + of Seiwa.</p> + + <p>In the eighth century, when Nara was the capital of Japan, + the Emperor Shômu instituted wrestling as part of the + ceremonies of the autumn festival of the Five Grains, or + Harvest Home; and as the year proved a fruitful one, the custom + was continued as auspicious. The strong men of the various + provinces were collected, and one Kiyobayashi was proclaimed + the champion of Japan. Many a brave and stout man tried a throw + with him, but none could master him. Rules of the ring were now + drawn up; and in order to prevent disputes, Kiyobayashi was + appointed by the Emperor to be the judge of wrestling-matches, + and was presented, as a badge of his office, with a fan, upon + which were inscribed the words the "Prince of + Lions."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page111" + id="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> + + <p>The wrestlers were divided into wrestlers of the eastern and + of the western provinces, Omi being taken as the centre + province. The eastern wrestlers wore in their hair the badge of + the hollyhock; the western wrestlers took for their sign the + gourd-flower. Hence the passage leading up to the + wrestling-stage was called the "Flower Path." Forty-eight + various falls were fixed upon as fair—twelve throws, + twelve lifts, twelve twists, and twelve throws over the back. + All other throws not included in these were foul, and it was + the duty of the umpire to see that no unlawful tricks were + resorted to. It was decided that the covered stage should be + composed of sixteen rice-bales, in the shape of one huge bale, + supported by four pillars at the four points of the compass, + each pillar being painted a different colour, thus, together + with certain paper pendants, making up five colours, to + symbolize the Five Grains.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/111.jpg" + name="image111" + target="blank" + id="image111"><img width="100%" + src="images/111.jpg" + alt="CHAMPION WRESTLER." /></a> CHAMPION WRESTLER. + </div> + + <p>The civil wars by which the country was disturbed for a + while put a stop to the practice of wrestling; but when peace + was restored it was proposed to re-establish the athletic + games, and the umpire Kiyobayashi, the "Prince of Lions," was + sought for; but he had died or disappeared, and could not be + found, and there was no umpire forthcoming. The various + provinces were searched for a man who might fill his place, and + one Yoshida Iyétsugu, a Rônin of the province of + Echizen, being reported to be well versed in the noble science, + was sent for to the capital, and proved to be a pupil of + Kiyobayashi. The Emperor, having approved him, ordered that the + fan of the "Prince of Lions" should be made over to him, and + gave him the title of Bungo no Kami, and commanded that his + name in the ring should be Oi-Kazé, the "Driving Wind." + Further, as a sign that there should + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page112" + id="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> not be two styles of + wrestling, a second fan was given to him bearing the + inscription, "A single flavour is a beautiful custom." The + right of acting as umpire in wrestling-matches was vested in + his family, that the "Driving Wind" might for future + generations preside over athletic sports. In ancient days, + the prizes for the three champion wrestlers were a bow, a + bowstring, and an arrow: these are still brought into the + ring, and, at the end of the bout, the successful + competitors go through a variety of antics with them.</p> + + <p>To the champion wrestlers—to two or three men only in + a generation—the family of the "Driving Wind" awards the + privilege of wearing a rope-girdle. In the time of the + Shogunate these champions used to wrestle before the + Shogun.</p> + + <p>At the beginning of the 17th century (A.D. 1606) + wrestling-matches, as forming a regular part of a religious + ceremony, were discontinued. They are still held, however, at + the shrines of Kamo, at Kiôto, and of Kasuga, in Yamato. + They are also held at Kamakura every year, and at the shrines + of the patron saints of the various provinces, in imitation of + the ancient customs.</p> + + <p>In the year 1623 one Akashi Shiganosuké obtained + leave from the Government to hold public wrestling-matches in + the streets of Yedo. In the year 1644 was held the first + wrestling-match for the purpose of raising a collection for + building a temple. This was done by the priests of Kofukuji, in + Yamashiro. In the year 1660 the same expedient was resorted to + in Yedo, and the custom of getting up wrestling-matches for the + benefit of temple funds holds good to this day.</p> + + <p>The following graphic description of a Japanese + wrestling-match is translated from the "Yedo + Hanjôki":—</p> + + <p>"From daybreak till eight in the morning a drum is beaten to + announce that there will be wrestling. The spectators rise + early for the sight. The adversaries having been settled, the + wrestlers enter the ring from the east and from the west. Tall + stalwart men are they, with sinews and bones of iron. Like the + Gods Niô,<a id="footnotetag50" + name="footnotetag50"></a><a href="#footnote50"><sup>50</sup></a> + they stand with their arms akimbo, and, facing one another, + they crouch in their strength. The umpire watches until the + two men draw their breath at the same time, and with his fan + gives the signal. They jump up and close with one another, + like tigers springing on their prey, or dragons playing with + a ball. Each is bent on throwing the other by twisting or by + lifting him. It is no mere trial of brute strength; it is a + tussle of skill against skill. Each of the forty-eight + throws is tried in turn. From left to right, and from right + to left, the umpire hovers about, watching for the victory + to declare itself. Some of the spectators back the east, + others back the west. The patrons of the ring are so excited + that they feel the strength tingling within them; they + clench their fists, and watch their men, without so much as + blinking their eyes. At last one man, <!--blank page 113--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page114" + id="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> east or west, gains the + advantage, and the umpire lifts his fan in token of victory. + The plaudits of the bystanders shake the neighbourhood, and + they throw their clothes or valuables into the ring, to be + redeemed afterwards in money; nay, in his excitement, a man + will even tear off his neighbour's jacket and throw it + in."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/113.jpg" + name="image113" + target="blank" + id="image113"><img width="100%" + src="images/113.jpg" + alt="A WRESTLING MATCH." /></a> A WRESTLING MATCH. + </div> + + <p>Before beginning their tussle, the wrestlers work up their + strength by stamping their feet and slapping their huge thighs. + This custom is derived from the following tale of the heroic or + mythological age:—</p> + + <p>After the seven ages of the heavenly gods came the reign of + Tensho Daijin, the Sun Goddess, and first Empress of Japan. Her + younger brother, Sosanöô no Mikoto, was a mighty and + a brave hero, but turbulent, and delighted in hunting the deer + and the boar. After killing these beasts, he would throw their + dead bodies into the sacred hall of his sister, and otherwise + defile her dwelling. When he had done this several times, his + sister was angry, and hid in the cave called the Rock Gate of + Heaven; and when her face was not seen, there was no difference + between the night and the day. The heroes who served her, + mourning over this, went to seek her; but she placed a huge + stone in front of the cave, and would not come forth. The + heroes, seeing this, consulted together, and danced and played + antics before the cave to lure her out. Tempted by curiosity to + see the sight, she opened the gate a little and peeped out. + Then the hero Tajikaraô, or "Great Strength," clapping + his hands and stamping his feet, with a great effort grasped + and threw down the stone door, and the heroes fetched back the + Sun Goddess.<a id="footnotetag51" + name="footnotetag51"></a><a href="#footnote51"><sup>51</sup></a> + As Tajikaraô is the patron god of Strength, wrestlers, + on entering the ring, still commemorate his deed by clapping + their hands and stamping their feet as a preparation for + putting forth their strength.</p> + + <p>The great Daimios are in the habit of attaching wrestlers to + their persons, and assigning to them a yearly portion of rice. + It is usual for these athletes to take part in funeral or + wedding processions, and to escort the princes on journeys. The + rich wardsmen or merchants give money to their favourite + wrestlers, and invite them to their houses to drink wine and + feast. Though low, vulgar fellows, they are allowed something + of the same familiarity which is accorded to prize-fighters, + jockeys, and the like, by their patrons in our own country.</p> + + <p>The Japanese wrestlers appear to have no regular system of + training; they harden their naturally powerful limbs by much + beating, and by butting at wooden posts with their shoulders. + Their diet is stronger than that of the ordinary Japanese, who + rarely touch meat.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page115" + id="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> + + <h2>THE ETA MAIDEN AND THE HATAMOTO</h2> + + <p>It will be long before those who were present at the newly + opened port of Kôbé on the 4th of February, 1868, + will forget that day. The civil war was raging, and the foreign + Legations, warned by the flames of burning villages, no less + than by the flight of the Shogun and his ministers, had left + Osaka, to take shelter at Kôbé, where they were + not, as at the former place, separated from their ships by more + than twenty miles of road, occupied by armed troops in a high + state of excitement, with the alternative of crossing in + tempestuous weather a dangerous bar, which had already taken + much valuable life. It was a fine winter's day, and the place + was full of bustle, and of the going and coming of men busy + with the care of housing themselves and their goods and + chattels. All of a sudden, a procession of armed men, belonging + to the Bizen clan, was seen to leave the town, and to advance + along the high road leading to Osaka; and without apparent + reason—it was said afterwards that two Frenchmen had + crossed the line of march—there was a halt, a stir, and a + word of command given. Then the little clouds of white smoke + puffed up, and the sharp "ping" of the rifle bullets came + whizzing over the open space, destined for a foreign + settlement, as fast as the repeating breech-loaders could be + discharged. Happily, the practice was very bad; for had the men + of Bizen been good shots, almost all the principal foreign + officials in the country, besides many merchants and private + gentlemen, must have been killed: as it was, only two or three + men were wounded. If they were bad marksmen, however, they were + mighty runners; for they soon found that they had attacked a + hornets' nest. In an incredibly short space of time, the guards + of the different Legations and the sailors and marines from the + ships of war were in hot chase after the enemy, who were + scampering away over the hills as fast as their legs could + carry them, leaving their baggage ingloriously scattered over + the road, as many a cheap lacquered hat and flimsy paper + cartridge-box, preserved by our Blue Jackets as trophies, will + testify. So good was the stampede, that the enemy's loss + amounted only to one aged coolie, who, being too decrepit to + run, was taken prisoner, after having had seventeen revolver + shots fired at him without effect; and the only injury that our + men inflicted was upon a solitary old woman, who was accidently + shot through the leg.</p> + + <p>If it had not been for the serious nature of the offence + given, which was an attack upon the flags of all the treaty + Powers, and for the terrible retribution which was of necessity + exacted, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page116" + id="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span> the whole affair would have + been recollected chiefly for the ludicrous events which it + gave rise to. The mounted escort of the British Legation + executed a brilliant charge of cavalry down an empty road; a + very pretty line of skirmishers along the fields fired away + a great deal of ammunition with no result; earthworks were + raised, and Kôbé was held in military + occupation for three days, during which there were alarms, + cutting-out expeditions with armed boats, steamers seized, + and all kinds of martial effervescence. In fact, it was like + fox-hunting: it had "all the excitement of war, with only + ten per cent. of the danger."</p> + + <p>The first thought of the kind-hearted doctor of the British + Legation was for the poor old woman who had been wounded, and + was bemoaning herself piteously. When she was carried in, a + great difficulty arose, which, I need hardly say, was overcome; + for the poor old creature belonged to the Etas, the Pariah + race, whose presence pollutes the house even of the poorest and + humblest Japanese; and the native servants strongly objected to + her being treated as a human being, saying that the Legation + would be for ever defiled if she were admitted within its + sacred precincts. No account of Japanese society would be + complete without a notice of the Etas; and the following story + shows well, I think, the position which they hold.</p> + + <p>Their occupation is to slay beasts, work leather, attend + upon criminals, and do other degrading work. Several accounts + are given of their origin; the most probable of which is, that + when Buddhism, the tenets of which forbid the taking of life, + was introduced, those who lived by the infliction of death + became accursed in the land, their trade being made hereditary, + as was the office of executioner in some European countries. + Another story is, that they are the descendants of the Tartar + invaders left behind by Kublai Khan. Some further facts + connected with the Etas are given in a note at the end of the + tale.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Once upon a time, some two hundred years ago, there lived at + a place called Honjô, in Yedo, a Hatamoto named Takoji + Genzaburô; his age was about twenty-four or twenty-five, + and he was of extraordinary personal beauty. His official + duties made it incumbent on him to go to the Castle by way of + the Adzuma Bridge, and here it was that a strange adventure + befel him. There was a certain Eta, who used to earn his living + by going out every day to the Adzuma Bridge, and mending the + sandals of the passers-by. Whenever Genzaburô crossed the + bridge, the Eta used always to bow to him. This struck him as + rather strange; but one day when Genzaburô was out alone, + without any retainers following him, and was passing the Adzuma + Bridge, the thong of his sandal suddenly broke: this annoyed + him very much; however, he recollected the Eta cobbler who + always used to bow to him so regularly, so he went to the place + where he usually sat, and ordered him to mend his sandal, + saying to him: <!--blank page 117--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page118" + id="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> "Tell me why it is that + every time that I pass by this bridge, you salute me so + respectfully."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/117.jpg" + name="image117" + target="blank" + id="image117"><img width="100%" + src="images/117.jpg" + alt="GENZABURÔ'S MEETING WITH THE ETA MAIDEN." /> + </a> GENZABURÔ'S MEETING WITH THE ETA MAIDEN. + </div> + + <p>When the Eta heard this, he was put out of countenance, and + for a while he remained silent; but at last taking courage, he + said to Genzaburô, "Sir, having been honoured with your + commands, I am quite put to shame. I was originally a gardener, + and used to go to your honour's house and lend a hand in + trimming up the garden. In those days your honour was very + young, and I myself little better than a child; and so I used + to play with your honour, and received many kindnesses at your + hands. My name, sir, is Chokichi. Since those days I have + fallen by degrees info dissolute habits, and little by little + have sunk to be the vile thing that you now see me."</p> + + <p>When Genzaburô heard this he was very much surprised, + and, recollecting his old friendship for his playmate, was + filled with pity, and said, "Surely, surely, you have fallen + very low. Now all you have to do is to presevere and use your + utmost endeavours to find a means of escape from the class into + which you have fallen, and become a wardsman again. Take this + sum: small as it is, let it be a foundation for more to you." + And with these words he took ten riyos out of his pouch and + handed them to Chokichi, who at first refused to accept the + present, but, when it was pressed upon him, received it with + thanks. Genzaburô was leaving him to go home, when two + wandering singing-girls came up and spoke to Chokichi; so + Genzaburô looked to see what the two women were like. One + was a woman of some twenty years of age, and the other was a + peerlessly beautiful girl of sixteen; she was neither too fat + nor too thin, neither too tall nor too short; her face was + oval, like a melon-seed, and her complexion fair and white; her + eyes were narrow and bright, her teeth small and even; her nose + was aquiline, and her mouth delicately formed, with lovely red + lips; her eyebrows were long and fine; she had a profusion of + long black hair; she spoke modestly, with a soft sweet voice; + and when she smiled, two lovely dimples appeared in her cheeks; + in all her movements she was gentle and refined. + Genzaburô fell in love with her at first sight; and she, + seeing what a handsome man he was, equally fell in love with + him; so that the woman that was with her, perceiving that they + were struck with one another, led her away as fast as + possible.</p> + + <p>Genzaburô remained as one stupefied, and, turning to + Chokichi, said, "Are you acquainted with those two women who + came up just now?"</p> + + <p>"Sir," replied Chokichi, "those are two women of our people. + The elder woman is called O Kuma, and the girl, who is only + sixteen years old, is named O Koyo. She is the daughter of one + Kihachi, a chief of the Etas. She is a very gentle girl, + besides being so exceedingly pretty; and all our people are + loud in her praise."</p> + + <p>When he heard this, Genzaburô remained lost in thought + for a while, and then said to Chokichi, "I want you to do + something <span class="pagenum"><a name="page119" + id="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> for me. Are you prepared to + serve me in whatever respect I may require you?"</p> + + <p>Chokichi answered that he was prepared to do anything in his + power to oblige his honour. Upon this Genzaburô smiled + and said, "Well, then, I am willing to employ you in a certain + matter; but as there are a great number of passers-by here, I + will go and wait for you in a tea-house at Hanakawado; and when + you have finished your business here, you can join me, and I + will speak to you." With these words Genzaburô left him, + and went off to the tea-house.</p> + + <p>When Chokichi had finished his work, he changed his clothes, + and, hurrying to the tea-house, inquired for Genzaburô, + who was waiting for him upstairs. Chokichi went up to him, and + began to thank him for the money which he had bestowed upon + him. Genzaburô smiled, and handed him a wine-cup, + inviting him to drink, and said—</p> + + <p>"I will tell you the service upon which I wish to employ + you. I have set my heart upon that girl O Koyo, whom I met + to-day upon the Adzuma Bridge, and you must arrange a meeting + between us."</p> + + <p>When Chokichi heard these words, he was amazed and + frightened, and for a while he made no answer. At last he + said—-</p> + + <p>"Sir, there is nothing that I would not do for you after the + favours that I have received from you. If this girl were the + daughter of any ordinary man, I would move heaven and earth to + comply with your wishes; but for your honour, a handsome and + noble Hatamoto, to take for his concubine the daughter of an + Eta is a great mistake. By giving a little money you can get + the handsomest woman in the town. Pray, sir, abandon the + idea."</p> + + <p>Upon this Genzaburô was offended, and said—</p> + + <p>"This is no matter for you to give advice in. I have told + you to get me the girl, and you must obey."</p> + + <p>Chokichi, seeing that all that he could say would be of no + avail, thought over in his mind how to bring about a meeting + between Genzaburô and O Koyo, and replied—</p> + + <p>"Sir, I am afraid when I think of the liberty that I have + taken. I will go to Kihachi's house, and will use my best + endeavours with him that I may bring the girl to you. But for + to-day, it is getting late, and night is coming on; so I will + go and speak to her father to-morrow."</p> + + <p>Genzaburô was delighted to find Chokichi willing to + serve him.</p> + + <p>"Well," said he, "the day after to-morrow I will await you + at the tea-house at Oji, and you can bring O Koyo there. Take + this present, small as it is, and do your best for me."</p> + + <p>With this he pulled out three riyos from his pocket and + handed them to Chokichi. who declined the money with thanks, + saying that he had already received too much, and could accept + no more; but Genzaburô pressed him, adding, that if the + wish of his <span class="pagenum"><a name="page120" + id="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> heart were accomplished he + would do still more for him. So Chokichi, in great glee at + the good luck which had befallen him, began to revolve all + sorts of schemes in his mind; and the two parted.</p> + + <p>But O Koyo, who had fallen in love at first sight with + Genzaburô on the Adzuma Bridge, went home and could think + of nothing but him. Sad and melancholy she sat, and her friend + O Kuma tried to comfort her in various ways; but O Koyo + yearned, with all her heart, for Genzaburô; and the more + she thought over the matter, the better she perceived that she, + as the daughter of an Eta, was no match for a noble Hatamoto. + And yet, in spite of this, she pined for him, and bewailed her + own vile condition.</p> + + <p>Now it happened that her friend O Kuma was in love with + Chokichi, and only cared for thinking and speaking of him; one + day, when Chokichi went to pay a visit at the house of Kihachi + the Eta chief, O Kuma, seeing him come, was highly delighted, + and received him very politely; and Chokichi, interrupting her, + said—</p> + + <p>"O Kuma, I want you to answer me a question: where has O + Koyo gone to amuse herself to-day?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, you know the gentleman who was talking with you the + other day, at the Adzuma Bridge? Well, O Koyo has fallen + desperately in love with him, and she says that she is too + low-spirited and out of sorts to get up yet."</p> + + <p>Chokichi was greatly pleased to hear this, and said to O + Kuma—</p> + + <p>"How delightful! Why, O Koyo has fallen in love with the + very gentleman who is burning with passion for her, and who has + employed me to help him in the matter. However, as he is a + noble Hatamoto, and his whole family would be ruined if the + affair became known to the world, we must endeavour to keep it + as secret as possible."</p> + + <p>"Dear me!" replied O Kuma; "when O Koyo hears this, how + happy she will be, to be sure! I must go and tell her at + once."</p> + + <p>"Stop!" said Chokichi, detaining her; "if her father, Master + Kihachi, is willing, we will tell O Koyo directly. You had + better wait here a little until I have consulted him;" and with + this he went into an inner chamber to see Kihachi; and, after + talking over the news of the day, told him how Genzaburô + had fallen passionately in love with O Koyo, and had employed + him as a go-between. Then he described how he had received + kindness at the hands of Genzaburô when he was in better + circumstances, dwelt on the wonderful personal beauty of his + lordship, and upon the lucky chance by which he and O Koyo had + come to meet each other.</p> + + <p>When Kihachi heard this story, he was greatly flattered, and + said—</p> + + <p>"I am sure I am very much obliged to you. For one of our + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page121" + id="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> daughters, whom even the + common people despise and shun as a pollution, to be chosen + as the concubine of a noble Hatamoto—what could be a + greater matter for congratulation!"</p> + + <p>So he prepared a feast for Chokichi, and went off at once to + tell O Koyo the news. As for the maiden, who had fallen over + head and ears in love, there was no difficulty in obtaining her + consent to all that was asked of her.</p> + + <p>Accordingly Chokichi, having arranged to bring the lovers + together on the following day at Oji, was preparing to go and + report the glad tidings to Genzaburô; but O Koyo, who + knew that her friend O Kuma was in love with Chokichi, and + thought that if she could throw them into one another's arms, + they, on their side, would tell no tales about herself and + Genzaburô, worked to such good purpose that she gained + her point. At last Chokichi, tearing himself from the embraces + of O Kuma, returned to Genzaburô, and told him how he had + laid his plans so as, without fail, to bring O Koyo to him, the + following day, at Oji, and Genzaburô, beside himself with + impatience, waited for the morrow.</p> + + <p>The next day Genzaburô, having made his preparations, + and taking Chokichi with him, went to the tea-house at Oji, and + sat drinking wine, waiting for his sweetheart to come.</p> + + <p>As for O Koyo, who was half in ecstasies, and half shy at + the idea of meeting on this day the man of her heart's desire, + she put on her holiday clothes, and went with O Kuma to Oji; + and as they went out together, her natural beauty being + enhanced by her smart dress, all the people turned round to + look at her, and praise her pretty face. And so after a while, + they arrived at Oji, and went into the tea-house that had been + agreed upon; and Chokichi, going out to meet them, + exclaimed—</p> + + <p>"Dear me, Miss O Koyo, his lordship has been all impatience + waiting for you: pray make haste and come in."</p> + + <p>But, in spite of what he said, O Koyo, on account of her + virgin modesty, would not go in. O Kuma, however, who was not + quite so particular, cried out—</p> + + <p>"Why, what is the meaning of this? As you've come here, O + Koyo, it's a little late for you to be making a fuss about + being shy. Don't be a little fool, but come in with me at + once." And with these words she caught fast hold of O Koyo's + hand, and, pulling her by force into the room, made her sit + down by Genzaburô.</p> + + <p>When Genzaburô saw how modest she was, he reassured + her, saying—</p> + + <p>"Come, what is there to be so shy about? Come a little + nearer to me, pray."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, sir. How could I, who am such a vile thing, + pollute your nobility by sitting by your side?" And, as she + spoke, the blushes mantled over her face; and the more + Genzaburô looked at her, the more beautiful she appeared + in his eyes, and the more deeply he became enamoured of her + charms. In the meanwhile he called for wine and fish, and all + four together <span class="pagenum"><a name="page122" + id="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> made a feast of it. When + Chokichi and O Kuma saw how the land lay, they retired + discreetly into another chamber, and Genzaburô and O + Koyo were left alone together, looking at one another.</p> + + <p>"Come," said Genzaburô, smiling, "hadn't you better + sit a little closer to me?"</p> + + <p>"Thank you, sir; really I'm afraid."</p> + + <p>But Genzaburô, laughing at her for her idle fears, + said—</p> + + <p>"Don't behave as if you hated me."</p> + + <p>"Oh, dear! I'm sure I don't hate you, sir. That would be + very rude; and, indeed, it's not the case. I loved you when I + first saw you at the Adzuma Bridge, and longed for you with all + my heart; but I knew what a despised race I belonged to, and + that I was no fitting match for you, and so I tried to be + resigned. But I am very young and inexperienced, and so I could + not help thinking of you, and you alone; and then Chokichi + came, and when I heard what you had said about me, I thought, + in the joy of my heart, that it must be a dream of + happiness."</p> + + <p>And as she spoke these words, blushing timidly, + Genzaburô was dazzled with her beauty, and + said—-</p> + + <p>"Well, you're a clever child. I'm sure, now, you must have + some handsome young lover of your own, and that is why you + don't care to come and drink wine and sit by me. Am I not + right, eh?"</p> + + <p>"Ah, sir, a nobleman like you is sure to have a beautiful + wife at home; and then you are so handsome that, of course, all + the pretty young ladies are in love with you."</p> + + <p>"Nonsense! Why, how clever you are at flattering and paying + compliments! A pretty little creature like you was just made to + turn all the men's heads—a little witch."</p> + + <p>"Ah! those are hard things to say of a poor girl! Who could + think of falling in love with such a wretch as I am? Now, pray + tell me all about your own sweetheart: I do so long to hear + about her."</p> + + <p>"Silly child! I'm not the sort of man to put thoughts into + the heads of fair ladies. However, it is quite true that there + is some one whom I want to marry."</p> + + <p>At this O Koyo began to feel jealous.</p> + + <p>"Ah!" said she, "how happy that some one must be! Do, pray, + tell me the whole story." And a feeling of jealous spite came + over her, and made her quite unhappy.</p> + + <p>Genzaburô laughed as he answered—</p> + + <p>"Well, that some one is yourself, and nobody else. There!" + and as he spoke, he gently tapped the dimple on her cheek with + his finger; and O Koyo's heart beat so, for very joy, that, for + a little while, she remained speechless. At last she turned her + face towards Genzaburô, and said—</p> + + <p>"Alas! your lordship is only trifling with me, when you know + that what you have just been pleased to propose is the darling + wish of my heart. Would that I could only go into your house + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page123" + id="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> as a maid-servant, in any + capacity, however mean, that I might daily feast my eyes on + your handsome face!"</p> + + <p>"Ah! I see that you think yourself very clever at hoaxing + men, and so you must needs tease me a little;" and, as he + spoke, he took her hand, and drew her close up to him, and she, + blushing again, cried—</p> + + <p>"Oh! pray wait a moment, while I shut the + sliding-doors."</p> + + <p>"Listen to me, O Koyo! I am not going to forget the promise + which I made you just now; nor need you be afraid of my harming + you; but take care that you do not deceive me."</p> + + <p>"Indeed, sir, the fear is rather that you should set your + heart on others; but, although I am no fashionable lady, take + pity on me, and love me well and long."</p> + + <p>"Of course! I shall never care for another woman but + you."</p> + + <p>"Pray, pray, never forget those words that you have just + spoken."</p> + + <p>"And now," replied Genzaburô, "the night is advancing, + and, for to-day, we must part; but we will arrange matters, so + as to meet again in this tea-house. But, as people would make + remarks if we left the tea-house together, I will go out + first."</p> + + <p>And so, much against their will, they tore themselves from + one another, Genzaburô returning to his house, and O Koyo + going home, her heart filled with joy at having found the man + for whom she had pined; and from that day forth they used + constantly to meet in secret at the tea-house; and + Genzaburô, in his infatuation, never thought that the + matter must surely become notorious after a while, and that he + himself would be banished, and his family ruined: he only took + care for the pleasure of the moment.</p> + + <p>Now Chokichi, who had brought about the meeting between + Genzaburô and his love, used to go every day to the + tea-house at Oji, taking with him O Koyo; and Genzaburô + neglected all his duties for the pleasure of these secret + meetings. Chokichi saw this with great regret, and thought to + himself that if Genzaburô gave himself up entirely to + pleasure, and laid aside his duties, the secret would certainly + be made public, and Genzaburô would bring ruin on himself + and his family; so he began to devise some plan by which he + might separate them, and plotted as eagerly to estrange them as + he had formerly done to introduce them to one another.</p> + + <p>At last he hit upon a device which satisfied him. + Accordingly one day he went to O Koyo's house, and, meeting her + father Kihachi, said to him—</p> + + <p>"I've got a sad piece of news to tell you. The family of my + lord Genzaburô have been complaining bitterly of his + conduct in carrying on his relationship with your daughter, and + of the ruin which exposure would bring upon the whole house; so + they have been using their influence to persuade him to hear + reason, and give up the connection. Now his lordship feels + deeply for the damsel, and yet he cannot sacrifice his family + for her sake. For the first time, he has become alive to the + folly of which he has <span class="pagenum"><a name="page124" + id="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> been guilty, and, full of + remorse, he has commissioned me to devise some stratagem to + break off the affair. Of course, this has taken me by + surprise; but as there is no gainsaying the right of the + case, I have had no option but to promise obedience: this + promise I have come to redeem; and now, pray, advise your + daughter to think no more of his lordship."</p> + + <p>When Kihachi heard this he was surprised and distressed, and + told O Koyo immediately; and she, grieving over the sad news, + took no thought either of eating or drinking, but remained + gloomy and desolate.</p> + + <p>In the meanwhile, Chokichi went off to Genzaburô's + house, and told him that O Koyo had been taken suddenly ill, + and could not go to meet him, and begged him to wait patiently + until she should send to tell him of her recovery. + Genzaburô, never suspecting the story to be false, waited + for thirty days, and still Chokichi brought him no tidings of O + Koyo. At last he met Chokichi, and besought him to arrange a + meeting for him with O Koyo.</p> + + <p>"Sir," replied Chokichi, "she is not yet recovered; so it + would be difficult to bring her to see your honour. But I have + been thinking much about this affair, sir. If it becomes + public, your honour's family will be plunged in ruin. I pray + you, sir, to forget all about O Koyo."</p> + + <p>"It's all very well for you to give me advice," answered + Genzaburô, surprised; "but, having once bound myself to O + Koyo, it would be a pitiful thing to desert her; I therefore + implore you once more to arrange that I may meet her."</p> + + <p>However, he would not consent upon any account; so + Genzaburô returned home, and, from that time forth, daily + entreated Chokichi to bring O Koyo to him, and, receiving + nothing but advice from him in return, was very sad and + lonely.</p> + + <p>One day Genzaburô, intent on ridding himself of the + grief he felt at his separation from O Koyo, went to the + Yoshiwara, and, going into a house of entertainment, ordered a + feast to be prepared, but, in the midst of gaiety, his heart + yearned all the while for his lost love, and his merriment was + but mourning in disguise. At last the night wore on; and as he + was retiring along the corridor, he saw a man of about forty + years of age, with long hair, coming towards him, who, when he + saw Genzaburô, cried out, "Dear me! why this must be my + young lord Genzaburô who has come out to enjoy + himself."</p> + + <p>Genzaburô thought this rather strange; but, looking at + the man attentively, recognized him as a retainer whom he had + had in his employ the year before, and said—</p> + + <p>"This is a curious meeting: pray, what have you been about + since you left my service? At any rate, I may congratulate you + on being well and strong. Where are you living now?"</p> + + <p>"Well, sir, since I parted from you I have been earning a + living as a fortune-teller at Kanda, and have changed my name + to Kaji Sazen. I am living in a poor and humble house; but + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page125" + id="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> if your lordship, at your + leisure, would honour me with a visit—"</p> + + <p>"Well, it's a lucky chance that has brought us together, and + I certainly will go and see you; besides, I want you to do + something for me. Shall you be at home the day after + to-morrow?"</p> + + <p>"Certainly, sir, I shall make a point of being at home."</p> + + <p>"Very well, then, the day after to-morrow I will go to your + house."</p> + + <p>"I shall be at your service, sir. And now, as it is getting + late, I will take my leave for to-night."</p> + + <p>"Good night, then. We shall meet the day after to-morrow." + And so the two parted, and went their several ways to rest.</p> + + <p>On the appointed day Genzaburô made his preparations, + and went in disguise, without any retainers, to call upon + Sazen, who met him at the porch of his house, and said, "This + is a great honour! My lord Genzaburô is indeed welcome. + My house is very mean, but let me invite your lordship to come + into an inner chamber."</p> + + <p>"Pray," replied Genzaburô, "don't make any ceremony + for me. Don't put yourself to any trouble on my account."</p> + + <p>And so he passed in, and Sazen called to his wife to prepare + wine and condiments; and they began to feast. At last + Genzaburô, looking Sazen in the face, said, "There is a + service which I want you to render me—a very secret + service; but as if you were to refuse me, I should be put to + shame, before I tell you what that service is, I must know + whether you are willing to assist me in anything that I may + require of you."</p> + + <p>"Yes; if it is anything that is within my power, I am at + your disposal."</p> + + <p>"Well, then," said Genzaburô, greatly pleased, and + drawing ten riyos from his bosom, "this is but a small present + to make to you on my first visit, but pray accept it."</p> + + <p>"No, indeed! I don't know what your lordship wishes of me; + but, at any rate, I cannot receive this money. I really must + beg your lordship to take it back again."</p> + + <p>But Genzaburô pressed it upon him by force, and at + last he was obliged to accept the money. Then Genzaburô + told him the whole story of his loves with O Koyo—how he + had first met her and fallen in love with her at the Adzuma + Bridge; how Chokichi had introduced her to him at the tea-house + at Oji, and then when she fell ill, and he wanted to see her + again, instead of bringing her to him, had only given him good + advice; and so Genzaburô drew a lamentable picture of his + state of despair.</p> + + <p>Sazen listened patiently to his story, and, after reflecting + for a while, replied, "Well, sir, it's not a difficult matter + to set right: and yet it will require some little management. + However, if your lordship will do me the honour of coming to + see me again the day after to-morrow, I will cast about me in + the meanwhile, and will let you know then the result of my + deliberations."</p> + + <p>When Genzaburô heard this he felt greatly relieved, + and, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page126" + id="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> recommending Sazen to do + his best in the matter, took his leave and returned home. + That very night Sazen, after thinking over all that + Genzaburô had told him, laid his plans accordingly, + and went off to the house of Kihachi, the Eta chief, and + told him the commission with which he had been + entrusted.</p> + + <p>Kihachi was of course greatly astonished, and said, "Some + time ago, sir, Chokichi came here and said that my lord + Genzaburô, having been rebuked by his family for his + profligate behaviour, had determined to break off his + connection with my daughter. Of course I knew that the daughter + of an Eta was no fitting match for a nobleman; so when Chokichi + came and told me the errand upon which he had been sent, I had + no alternative but to announce to my daughter that she must + give up all thought of his lordship. Since that time she has + been fretting and pining and starving for love. But when I tell + her what you have just said, how glad and happy she will be! + Let me go and talk to her at once." And with these words, he + went to O Koyo's room; and when he looked upon her thin wasted + face, and saw how sad she was, he felt more and more pity for + her, and said, "Well, O Koyo, are you in better spirits to-day? + Would you like something to eat?"</p> + + <p>"Thank you, I have no appetite."</p> + + <p>"Well, at any rate, I have some news for you that will make + you happy. A messenger has come from my lord Genzaburô, + for whom your heart yearns."</p> + + <p>At this O Koyo, who had been crouching down like a drooping + flower, gave a great start, and cried out, "Is that really + true? Pray tell me all about it as quickly as possible."</p> + + <p>"The story which Chokichi came and told us, that his + lordship wished to break off the connection, was all an + invention. He has all along been wishing to meet you, and + constantly urged Chokichi to bring you a message from him. It + is Chokichi who has been throwing obstacles in the way. At last + his lordship has secretly sent a man, called Kaji Sazen, a + fortune-teller, to arrange an interview between you. So now, my + child, you may cheer up, and go to meet your lover as soon as + you please."</p> + + <p>When O Koyo heard this, she was so happy that she thought it + must all be a dream, and doubted her own senses.</p> + + <p>Kihachi in the meanwhile rejoined Sazen in the other room, + and, after telling him of the joy with which his daughter had + heard the news, put before him wine and other delicacies. "I + think," said Sazen, "that the best way would be for O Koyo to + live secretly in my lord Genzaburô's house; but as it + will never do for all the world to know of it, it must be + managed very quietly; and further, when I get home, I must + think out some plan to lull the suspicions of that fellow + Chokichi, and let you know my idea by letter. Meanwhile O Koyo + had better come home with me to-night: although she is so + terribly out of spirits now, she shall meet Genzaburô the + day after to-morrow."</p> + + <p>Kihachi reported this to O Koyo; and as her pining for + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page127" + id="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> Genzaburô was the + only cause of her sickness, she recovered her spirits at + once, and, saying that she would go with Sazen immediately, + joyfully made her preparations. Then Sazen, having once more + warned Kihachi to keep the matter secret from Chokichi, and + to act upon the letter which he should send him, returned + home, taking with him O Koyo; and after O Koyo had bathed + and dressed her hair, and painted herself and put on + beautiful clothes, she came out looking so lovely that no + princess in the land could vie with her; and Sazen, when he + saw her, said to himself that it was no wonder that + Genzaburô had fallen in love with her; then, as it was + getting late, he advised her to go to rest, and, after + showing her to her apartments, went to his own room and + wrote his letter to Kihachi, containing the scheme which he + had devised. When Kihachi received his instructions, he was + filled with admiration at Sazen's ingenuity, and, putting on + an appearance of great alarm and agitation, went off + immediately to call on Chokichi, and said to him—</p> + + <p>"Oh, Master Chokichi, such a terrible thing has happened! + Pray, let me tell you all about it."</p> + + <p>"Indeed! what can it be?"</p> + + <p>"Oh! sir," answered Kihachi, pretending to wipe away his + tears, "my daughter O Koyo, mourning over her separation from + my lord Genzaburô, at first refused all sustenance, and + remained nursing her sorrows until, last night, her woman's + heart failing to bear up against her great grief, she drowned + herself in the river, leaving behind her a paper on which she + had written her intention."</p> + + <p>When Chokichi heard this, he was thunderstruck, and + exclaimed, "Can this really be true! And when I think that it + was I who first introduced her to my lord, I am ashamed to look + you in the face."</p> + + <p>"Oh, say not so: misfortunes are the punishment due for our + misdeeds in a former state of existence. I bear you no + ill-will. This money which I hold in my hand was my daughter's; + and in her last instructions she wrote to beg that it might be + given, after her death, to you, through whose intervention she + became allied with a nobleman: so please accept it as my + daughter's legacy to you;" and as he spoke, he offered him + three riyos.</p> + + <p>"You amaze me!" replied the other. "How could I, above all + men, who have so much to reproach myself with in my conduct + towards you, accept this money?"</p> + + <p>"Nay; it was my dead daughter's wish. But since you reproach + yourself in the matter when you think of her, I will beg you to + put up a prayer and to cause masses to be said for her."</p> + + <p>At last, Chokichi, after much persuasion, and greatly to his + own distress, was obliged to accept the money; and when Kihachi + had carried out all Sazen's instructions, he returned home, + laughing in his sleeve.</p> + + <p>Chokichi was sorely grieved to hear of O Koyo's death, and + remained thinking over the sad news; when all of a sudden + looking <span class="pagenum"><a name="page128" + id="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> about him, he saw something + like a letter lying on the spot where Kihachi had been + sitting, so he picked it up and read it; and, as luck would + have it, it was the very letter which contained Sazen's + instructions to Kihachi, and in which the whole story which + had just affected him so much was made up. When he perceived + the trick that had been played upon him, he was very angry, + and exclaimed, "To think that I should have been so hoaxed + by that hateful old dotard, and such a fellow as Sazen! And + Genzaburô, too!—out of gratitude for the favours + which I had received from him in old days, I faithfully gave + him good advice, and all in vain. Well, they've gulled me + once; but I'll be even with them yet, and hinder their game + before it is played out!" And so he worked himself up into a + fury, and went off secretly to prowl about Sazen's house to + watch for O Koyo, determined to pay off Genzaburô and + Sazen for their conduct to him.</p> + + <p>In the meanwhile Sazen, who did not for a moment suspect + what had happened, when the day which had been fixed upon by + him and Genzaburô arrived, made O Koyo put on her best + clothes, smartened up his house, and got ready a feast against + Genzaburô's arrival. The latter came punctually to his + time, and, going in at once, said to the fortune-teller, "Well, + have you succeeded in the commission with which I entrusted + you?"</p> + + <p>At first Sazen pretended to be vexed at the question, and + said, "Well, sir, I've done my best; but it's not a matter + which can be settled in a hurry. However, there's a young lady + of high birth and wonderful beauty upstairs, who has come here + secretly to have her fortune told; and if your lordship would + like to come with me and see her, you can do so."</p> + + <p>But Genzaburô, when he heard that he was not to meet O + Koyo, lost heart entirely, and made up his mind to go home + again. Sazen, however, pressed him so eagerly, that at last he + went upstairs to see this vaunted beauty; and Sazen, drawing + aside a screen, showed him O Koyo, who was sitting there. + Genzaburô gave a great start, and, turning to Sazen, + said, "Well, you certainly are a first-rate hand at keeping up + a hoax. However, I cannot sufficiently praise the way in which + you have carried out my instructions."</p> + + <p>"Pray, don't mention it, sir. But as it is a long time since + you have met the young lady, you must have a great deal to say + to one another; so I will go downstairs, and, if you want + anything, pray call me." And so he went downstairs and left + them.</p> + + <p>Then Genzaburô, addressing O Koyo, said, "Ah! it is + indeed a long time since we met. How happy it makes me to see + you again! Why, your face has grown quite thin. Poor thing! + have you been unhappy?" And O Koyo, with the tears starting + from her eyes for joy, hid her face; and her heart was so full + that she could not speak. But Genzaburô, passing his hand + gently over her head and back, and comforting her, said, "Come, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" + id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> sweetheart, there is no + need to sob so. Talk to me a little, and let me hear your + voice."</p> + + <p>At last O Koyo raised her head and said, "Ah! when I was + separated from you by the tricks of Chokichi, and thought that + I should never meet you again, how tenderly I thought of you! I + thought I should have died, and waited for my hour to come, + pining all the while for you. And when at last, as I lay + between life and death, Sazen came with a message from you, I + thought it was all a dream." And as she spoke, she bent her + head and sobbed again; and in Genzaburô's eyes she seemed + more beautiful than ever, with her pale, delicate face; and he + loved her better than before. Then she said, "If I were to tell + you all I have suffered until to-day, I should never stop."</p> + + <p>"Yes," replied Genzaburô, "I too have suffered much;" + and so they told one another their mutual griefs, and from that + day forth they constantly met at Sazen's house.</p> + + <p>One day, as they were feasting and enjoying themselves in an + upper storey in Sazen's house, Chokichi came to the house and + said, "I beg pardon; but does one Master Sazen live here?"</p> + + <p>"Certainly, sir: I am Sazen, at your service. Pray where are + you from?"</p> + + <p>"Well, sir, I have a little business to transact with you. + May I make so bold as to go in?" And with these words, he + entered the house.</p> + + <p>"But who and what are you?" said Sazen.</p> + + <p>"Sir, I am an Eta; and my name is Chokichi. I beg to bespeak + your goodwill for myself: I hope we may be friends."</p> + + <p>Sazen was not a little taken aback at this; however, he put + on an innocent face, as though he had never heard of Chokichi + before, and said, "I never heard of such a thing! Why, I + thought you were some respectable person; and you have the + impudence to tell me that your name is Chokichi, and that + you're one of those accursed Etas. To think of such a shameless + villain coming and asking to be friends with me, forsooth! Get + you gone!—the quicker, the better: your presence pollutes + the house."</p> + + <p>Chokichi smiled contemptuously, as he answered, "So you deem + the presence of an Eta in your house a pollution—eh? Why, + I thought you must be one of us."</p> + + <p>"Insolent knave! Begone as fast as possible."</p> + + <p>"Well, since you say that I defile your house, you had + better get rid of O Koyo as well. I suppose she must equally be + a pollution to it."</p> + + <p>This put Sazen rather in a dilemma; however, he made up his + mind not to show any hesitation, and said, "What are you + talking about? There is no O Koyo here; and I never saw such a + person in my life."</p> + + <p>Chokichi quietly drew out of the bosom of his dress the + letter from Sazen to Kihachi, which he had picked up a few days + before, and, showing it to Sazen, replied, "If you wish to + dispute <span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" + id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> the genuineness of this + paper, I will report the whole matter to the Governor of + Yedo; and Genzaburô's family will be ruined, and the + rest of you who are parties in this affair will come in for + your share of trouble. Just wait a little."</p> + + <p>And as he pretended to leave the house, Sazen, at his wits' + end, cried out, "Stop! stop! I want to speak to you. Pray, stop + and listen quietly. It is quite true, as you said, that O Koyo + is in my house; and really your indignation is perfectly just. + Come! let us talk over matters a little. Now you yourself were + originally a respectable man; and although you have fallen in + life, there is no reason why your disgrace should last for + ever. All that you want in order to enable you to escape out of + this fraternity of Etas is a little money. Why should you not + get this from Genzaburô, who is very anxious to keep his + intrigue with O Koyo secret?"</p> + + <p>Chokichi laughed disdainfully. "I am ready to talk with you; + but I don't want any money. All I want is to report the affair + to the authorities, in order that I may be revenged for the + fraud that was put upon me."</p> + + <p>"Won't you accept twenty-five riyos?"</p> + + <p>"Twenty-five riyos! No, indeed! I will not take a fraction + less than a hundred; and if I cannot get them I will report the + whole matter at once."</p> + + <p>Sazen, after a moment's consideration, hit upon a scheme, + and answered, smiling, "Well, Master Chokichi, you're a fine + fellow, and I admire your spirit. You shall have the hundred + riyos you ask for; but, as I have not so much money by me at + present, I will go to Genzaburô's house and fetch it. + It's getting dark now, but it's not very late; so I'll trouble + you to come with me, and then I can give you the money + to-night."</p> + + <p>Chokichi consenting to this, the pair left the house + together.</p> + + <p>Now Sazen, who as a Rônin wore a long dirk in his + girdle, kept looking out for a moment when Chokichi should be + off his guard, in order to kill him; but Chokichi kept his eyes + open, and did not give Sazen a chance. At last Chokichi, as + ill-luck would have it, stumbled against a stone and fell; and + Sazen, profiting by the chance, drew his dirk and stabbed him + in the side; and as Chokichi, taken by surprise, tried to get + up, he cut him severely over the head, until at last he fell + dead. Sazen then looking around him, and seeing, to his great + delight, that there was no one near, returned home. The + following day, Chokichi's body was found by the police; and + when they examined it, they found nothing upon it save a paper, + which they read, and which proved to be the very letter which + Sazen had sent to Kihachi, and which Chokichi had picked up. + The matter was immediately reported to the governor, and, Sazen + having been summoned, an investigation was held. Sazen, cunning + and bold murderer as he was, lost his self-possession when he + saw what a fool he had been not to get back from Chokichi the + letter which he had written, and, when he was put to a rigid + examination under torture, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" + id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> confessed that he had + hidden O Koyo at Genzaburô's instigation, and then + killed Chokichi, who had found out the secret. Upon this the + governor, after consulting about Genzaburô's case, + decided that, as he had disgraced his position as a Hatamoto + by contracting an alliance with the daughter of an Eta, his + property should be confiscated, his family blotted out, and + himself banished. As for Kihachi, the Eta chief, and his + daughter O Koyo, they were handed over for punishment to the + chief of the Etas, and by him they too were banished; while + Sazen, against whom the murder of Chokichi had been fully + proved, was executed according to law.</p> + + <h3>NOTE</h3> + + <p>At Asakusa, in Yedo, there lives a man called + Danzayémon, the chief of the Etas. This man traces his + pedigree back to Minamoto no Yoritomo, who founded the + Shogunate in the year A.D. 1192. The whole of the Etas in Japan + are under his jurisdiction; his subordinates are called + Koyagashira, or "chiefs of the huts"; and he and they + constitute the government of the Etas. In the "Legacy of + Iyéyasu," already quoted, the 36th Law provides as + follows:—"All wandering mendicants, such as male + sorcerers, female diviners, hermits, blind people, beggars, and + tanners (Etas), have had from of old their respective rulers. + Be not disinclined, however, to punish any such who give rise + to disputes, or who overstep the boundaries of their own + classes and are disobedient to existing laws."</p> + + <p>The occupation of the Etas is to kill and flay horses, oxen, + and other beasts, to stretch drums and make shoes; and if they + are very poor, they wander from house to house, working as + cobblers, mending old shoes and leather, and so earn a scanty + livelihood. Besides this, their daughters and young married + women gain a trifle as wandering minstrels, called Torioi, + playing on the <i>shamisen</i>, a sort of banjo, and singing + ballads. They never marry out of their own fraternity, but + remain apart, a despised and shunned race.</p> + + <p>At executions by crucifixion it is the duty of the Etas to + transfix the victims with spears; and, besides this, they have + to perform all sorts of degrading offices about criminals, such + as carrying sick prisoners from their cells to the hall of + justice, and burying the bodies of those that have been + executed. Thus their race is polluted and accursed, and they + are hated accordingly.</p> + + <p>Now this is how the Etas came to be under the jurisdiction + of Danzayémon:—</p> + + <p>When Minamoto no Yoritomo was yet a child, his father, + Minamoto no Yoshitomo, fought with Taira no Kiyomori, and was + killed by treachery: so his family was ruined; and Yoshitomo's + concubine, whose name was Tokiwa, took her children and fled + from the house, to save her own and their lives. But Kiyomori, + desiring to destroy the family of Yoshitomo root and branch, + ordered his retainers to divide themselves into bands, and seek + out the children. At last they were found; but Tokiwa was so + exceedingly beautiful that Kiyomori was inflamed with love for + her, and desired her to become his own concubine. Then Tokiwa + told Kiyomori that if <span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" + id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> he would spare her little + ones she would share his couch; but that if he killed her + children she would destroy herself rather than yield to his + desire. When he heard this, Kiyomori, bewildered by the + beauty of Tokiwa, spared the lives of her children, but + banished them from the capital.</p> + + <p>So Yoritomo was sent to Hirugakojima, in the province of + Idzu; and when he grew up and became a man, he married the + daughter of a peasant. After a while Yoritomo left the + province, and went to the wars, leaving his wife pregnant; and + in due time she was delivered of a male child, to the delight + of her parents, who rejoiced that their daughter should bear + seed to a nobleman; but she soon fell sick and died, and the + old people took charge of the babe. And when they also died, + the care of the child fell to his mother's kinsmen, and he grew + up to be a peasant.</p> + + <p>Now Kiyomori, the enemy of Yoritomo, had been gathered to + his fathers; and Yoritomo had avenged the death of his father + by slaying Munémori, the son of Kiyomori; and there was + peace throughout the land. And Yoritomo became the chief of all + the noble houses in Japan, and first established the government + of the country. When Yoritomo had thus raised himself to power, + if the son that his peasant wife had born to him had proclaimed + himself the son of the mighty prince, he would have been made + lord over a province; but he took no thought of this, and + remained a tiller of the earth, forfeiting a glorious + inheritance; and his descendants after him lived as peasants in + the same village, increasing in prosperity and in good repute + among their neighbours.</p> + + <p>But the princely line of Yoritomo came to an end in three + generations, and the house of Hôjô was all-powerful + in the land.</p> + + <p>Now it happened that the head of the house of + Hôjô heard that a descendant of Yoritomo was living + as a peasant in the land, so he summoned him and + said:—</p> + + <p>"It is a hard thing to see the son of an illustrious house + live and die a peasant. I will promote you to the rank of + Samurai."</p> + + <p>Then the peasant answered, "My lord, if I become a Samurai, + and the retainer of some noble, I shall not be so happy as when + I was my own master. If I may not remain a husbandman, let me + be a chief over men, however humble they may be."</p> + + <p>But my lord Hôjô was angry at this, and, + thinking to punish the peasant for his insolence, + said:—</p> + + <p>"Since you wish to become a chief over men, no matter how + humble, there is no means of gratifying your strange wish but + by making you chief over the Etas of the whole country. So now + see that you rule them well."</p> + + <p>When he heard this, the peasant was afraid; but because he + had said that he wished to become a chief over men, however + humble, he could not choose but become chief of the Etas, he + and his children after him for ever; and Danzayémon, who + rules the Etas at the present time, and lives at Asakusa, is + his lineal + descendant.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" + id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> + + <h1>FAIRY TALES</h1><span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" + id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> + + <h2>FAIRY TALES</h2> + + <p>I think that their quaintness is a sufficient apology for + the following little children's stories. With the exception of + that of the "Elves and the Envious Neighbour," which comes out + of a curious book on etymology and proverbial lore, called the + Kotowazagusa, these stories are found printed in little + separate pamphlets, with illustrations, the stereotype blocks + of which have become so worn that the print is hardly legible. + These are the first tales which are put into a Japanese child's + hands; and it is with these, and such as these, that the + Japanese mother hushes her little ones to sleep. Knowing the + interest which many children of a larger growth take in such + Baby Stories, I was anxious to have collected more of them. I + was disappointed, however, for those which I give here are the + only ones which I could find in print; and if I asked the + Japanese to tell me others, they only thought I was laughing at + them, and changed the subject. The stories of the Tongue-cut + Sparrow, and the Old Couple and their Dog, have been + paraphrased in other works upon Japan; but I am not aware of + their having been literally translated + before.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page135" + id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> + + <h3>THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW</h3> + + <p>Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman. + The old man, who had a kind heart, kept a young sparrow, which + he tenderly nurtured. But the dame was a cross-grained old + thing; and one day, when the sparrow had pecked at some paste + with which she was going to starch her linen, she flew into a + great rage, and cut the sparrow's tongue and let it loose. When + the old man came home from the hills and found that the bird + had flown, he asked what had become of it; so the old woman + answered that she had cut its tongue and let it go, because it + had stolen her starching-paste. Now the old man, hearing this + cruel tale, was sorely grieved, and thought to himself, "Alas! + where can my bird be gone? Poor thing! Poor little tongue-cut + sparrow! where is your home now?" and he wandered far and wide, + seeking for his pet, and crying, "Mr. Sparrow! Mr. Sparrow! + where are you living?"</p> + + <p>One day, at the foot of a certain mountain, the old man fell + in with the lost bird; and when they had congratulated one + another on their mutual safety, the sparrow led the old man to + his home, and, having introduced him to his wife and chicks, + set before him all sorts of dainties, and entertained him + hospitably.</p> + + <p>"Please partake of our humble fare," said the sparrow; "poor + as it is, you are very welcome."</p> + + <p>"What a polite sparrow!" answered the old man, who remained + for a long time as the sparrow's guest, and was daily feasted + right royally. At last the old man said that he must take his + leave and return home; and the bird, offering him two wicker + baskets, begged him to carry them with him as a parting + present. One of the baskets was heavy, and the other was light; + so the old man, saying that as he was feeble and stricken in + years he would only accept the light one, shouldered it, and + trudged off home, leaving the sparrow-family disconsolate at + parting from him.</p> + + <p>When the old man got home, the dame grew very angry, and + began to scold him, saying, "Well, and pray where have you been + this many a day? A pretty thing, indeed, to be gadding about at + your time of life!"</p> + + <p>"Oh!" replied he, "I have been on a visit to the sparrows; + and when I came away, they gave me this wicker basket as a + parting gift." Then they opened the basket to see what was + inside, and, lo and behold! it was full of gold and silver and + precious things. When the old woman, who was as greedy as she + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" + id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> was cross, saw all the + riches displayed before her, she changed her scolding + strain, and could not contain herself for joy.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/136.jpg" + name="image136" + target="blank" + id="image136"><img width="100%" + src="images/136.jpg" + alt="THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW." /></a> THE TONGUE-CUT + SPARROW. + </div> + + <p>"I'll go and call upon the sparrows, too," said she, "and + get a pretty present." So she asked the old man the way to the + sparrows' house, and set forth on her journey. Following his + directions, she at last met the tongue-cut sparrow, and + exclaimed—</p> + + <p>"Well met! well met! Mr. Sparrow. I have been looking + forward to the pleasure of seeing you." So she tried to flatter + and cajole the sparrow by soft + speeches.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page137" + id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> + + <p>The bird could not but invite the dame to its home; but it + took no pains to feast her, and said nothing about a parting + gift. She, however, was not to be put off; so she asked for + something to carry away with her in remembrance of her visit. + The sparrow accordingly produced two baskets, as before, and + the greedy old woman, choosing the heavier of the two, carried + it off with her. But when she opened the basket to see what was + inside, all sorts of hobgoblins and elves sprang out of it, and + began to torment her.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/137.jpg" + name="image137" + target="blank" + id="image137"><img width="100%" + src="images/137.jpg" + alt="THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW. (2)" /></a> THE + TONGUE-CUT SPARROW. (2) + </div> + + <p>But the old man adopted a son, and his family grew rich and + prosperous. What a happy old + man!</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page138" + id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> + + <h3>THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE</h3> + + <p>A long time ago, at a temple called Morinji, in the province + of Jôshiu, there was an old tea-kettle. One day, when the + priest of the temple was about to hang it over the hearth to + boil the water for his tea, to his amazement, the kettle all of + a sudden put forth the head and tail of a badger. What a + wonderful kettle, to come out all over fur! The priest, + thunderstruck, called in the novices of the temple to see the + sight; and whilst they were stupidly staring, one suggesting + one thing and another, the kettle, jumping up into the air, + began flying about the room. More astonished than ever, the + priest and his pupils tried to pursue it; but no thief or cat + was ever half so sharp as this wonderful badger-kettle. At + last, however, they managed to knock it down and secure it; + and, holding it in with their united efforts, they forced it + into a box, intending to carry it off and throw it away in some + distant place, so that they might be no more plagued by the + goblin. For this day their troubles were over; but, as luck + would have it, the tinker who was in the habit of working for + the temple called in, and the priest suddenly bethought him + that it was a pity to throw the kettle away for nothing, and + that he might as well get a trifle for it, no matter how small. + So he brought out the kettle, which had resumed its former + shape and had got rid of its head and tail, and showed it to + the tinker. When the tinker saw the kettle, he offered twenty + copper coins for it, and the priest was only too glad to close + the bargain and be rid of his troublesome piece of furniture. + But the tinker trudged off home with his pack and his new + purchase. That night, as he lay asleep, he heard a strange + noise near his pillow; so he peeped out from under the + bedclothes, and there he saw the kettle that he had bought in + the temple covered with fur, and walking about on four legs. + The tinker started up in a fright to see what it could all + mean, when all of a sudden the kettle resumed its former shape. + This happened over and over again, until at last the tinker + showed the tea-kettle to a friend of his, who said, "This is + certainly an accomplished and lucky tea-kettle. You should take + it about as a show, with songs and accompaniments of musical + instruments, and make it dance and walk on the tight rope."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/139.jpg" + name="image139" + target="blank" + id="image139"><img width="100%" + src="images/139.jpg" + alt="THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE." /></a> + THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE. + </div> + + <p>The tinker, thinking this good advice, made arrangements + with a showman, and set up an exhibition. The noise of the + kettle's performances soon spread abroad, until even the + princes of the land sent to order the tinker to come to them; + and he grew rich <!--blank page 139--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" + id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> beyond all his + expectations. Even the princesses, too, and the great ladies + of the court, took great delight in the dancing kettle, so + that no sooner had it shown its tricks in one place than it + was time for them to keep some other engagement. At last the + tinker grew so rich that he took the kettle back to the + temple, where it was laid up as a precious treasure, and + worshipped as a saint.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/140.jpg" + name="image140" + target="blank" + id="image140"><img width="100%" + src="images/140.jpg" + alt="THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE. (2)" /> + </a> THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEA-KETTLE. (2) + </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" + id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> + + <h3>THE CRACKLING MOUNTAIN</h3> + + <p>Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman, + who kept a pet white hare, by which they set great store. One + day, a badger, that lived hard by, came and ate up the food + which had been put out for the hare; so the old man, flying + into a great rage, seized the badger, and, tying the beast up + to a tree, went off to the mountain to cut wood, while the old + woman stopped at home and ground the wheat for the evening + porridge. Then the badger, with tears in his eyes, said to the + old woman—</p> + + <p>"Please, dame, please untie this rope!"</p> + + <p>The dame, thinking that it was a cruel thing to see a poor + beast in pain, undid the rope; but the ungrateful brute was no + sooner loose, than he cried out—</p> + + <p>"I'll be revenged for this," and was off in a trice.</p> + + <p>When the hare heard this, he went off to the mountain to + warn the old man; and whilst the hare was away on this errand, + the badger came back, and killed the dame. Then the beast, + having assumed the old woman's form, made her dead body into + broth, and waited for the old man to come home from the + mountain. When he returned, tired and hungry, the pretended old + woman said—</p> + + <p>"Come, come; I've made such a nice broth of the badger you + hung up. Sit down, and make a good supper of it."</p> + + <p>With these words she set out the broth, and the old man made + a hearty meal, licking his lips over it, and praising the + savoury mess. But as soon as he had finished eating, the + badger, reassuming its natural shape, cried out—</p> + + <p>"Nasty old man! you've eaten your own wife. Look at her + bones, lying in the kitchen sink!" and, laughing + contemptuously, the badger ran away, and disappeared.</p> + + <p>Then the old man, horrified at what he had done, set up a + great lamentation; and whilst he was bewailing his fate, the + hare came home, and, seeing how matters stood, determined to + avenge the death of his mistress. So he went back to the + mountain, and, falling in with the badger, who was carrying a + faggot of sticks on his back, he struck a light and set fire to + the sticks, without letting the badger see him. When the badger + heard the crackling noise of the faggot burning on his back, he + called out—</p> + + <p>"Holloa! what is that noise?"</p> + + <p>"Oh!" answered the hare, "this is called the Crackling + Mountain. There's always this noise + here."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" + id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> + + <p>And as the fire gathered strength, and went pop! pop! pop! + the badger said again—</p> + + <p>"Oh dear! what can this noise be?"</p> + + <p>"This is called the 'Pop! Pop! Mountain,'" answered the + hare.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/142.jpg" + name="image142" + target="blank" + id="image142"><img width="100%" + src="images/142.jpg" + alt="THE HARE AND THE BADGER." /></a> THE HARE AND THE + BADGER. + </div> + + <p>All at once the fire began to singe the badger's back, so + that he fled, howling with pain, and jumped into a river hard + by. But, although the water put out the fire, his back was + burnt as black as a cinder. The hare, seeing an opportunity for + torturing the badger to his heart's content, made a poultice of + cayenne <span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" + id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> pepper, which he carried to + the badger's house, and, pretending to condole with him, and + to have a sovereign remedy for burns, he applied his hot + plaister to his enemy's sore back. Oh! how it smarted and + pained! and how the badger yelled and cried!</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/143.jpg" + name="image143" + target="blank" + id="image143"><img width="100%" + src="images/143.jpg" + alt="THE HARE AND THE BADGER. (2)" /></a> THE HARE AND + THE BADGER. (2) + </div> + + <p>When, at last, the badger got well again, he went to the + hare's house, thinking to reproach him for having caused him so + much pain. When he got there, he found that the hare had built + himself a boat.</p> + + <p>"What have you built that boat for, Mr. Hare?" said the + badger. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" + id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> "I'm going to the capital + of the moon,"<a id="footnotetag52" + name="footnotetag52"></a><a href="#footnote52"><sup>52</sup></a> + answered the hare; "won't you come with me?"</p> + + <p>"I had enough of your company on the Crackling Mountain, + where you played me such tricks. I'd rather make a boat for + myself," replied the badger, who immediately began building + himself a boat of clay.</p> + + <p>The hare, seeing this, laughed in his sleeve; and so the two + launched their boats upon the river. The waves came plashing + against the two boats; but the hare's boat was built of wood, + while that of the badger was made of clay, and, as they rowed + down the river, the clay boat began to crumble away; then the + hare, seizing his paddle, and brandishing it in the air, struck + savagely at the badger's boat, until he had smashed it to + pieces, and killed his enemy.</p> + + <p>When the old man heard that his wife's death had been + avenged, he was glad in his heart, and more than ever petted + and loved the hare, whose brave deeds had caused him to welcome + the returning + spring.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" + id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> + + <h3>THE STORY OF THE OLD MAN WHO MADE WITHERED TREES TO + BLOSSOM</h3> + + <p>In the old, old days, there lived an honest man with his + wife, who had a favourite dog, which they used to feed with + fish and titbits from their own kitchen. One day, as the old + folks went out to work in their garden, the dog went with them, + and began playing about. All of a sudden, the dog stopped + short, and began to bark, "Bow, wow, wow!" wagging his tail + violently. The old people thought that there must be something + nice to eat under the ground, so they brought a spade and began + digging, when, lo and behold! the place was full of gold pieces + and silver, and all sorts of precious things, which had been + buried there. So they gathered the treasure together, and, + after giving alms to the poor, bought themselves rice-fields + and corn-fields, and became wealthy people.</p> + + <p>Now, in the next house there dwelt a covetous and stingy old + man and woman, who, when they heard what had happened, came and + borrowed the dog, and, having taken him home, prepared a great + feast for him, and said—</p> + + <p>"If you please, Mr. Dog, we should be much obliged to you if + you would show us a place with plenty of money in it."</p> + + <p>The dog, however, who up to that time had received nothing + but cuffs and kicks from his hosts, would not eat any of the + dainties which they set before him; so the old people began to + get cross, and, putting a rope round the dog's neck, led him + out into the garden. But it was all in vain; let them lead him + where they might, not a sound would the dog utter: he had no + "bow-wow" for them. At last, however, the dog stopped at a + certain spot, and began to sniff; so, thinking that this must + surely be the lucky place, they dug, and found nothing but a + quantity of dirt and nasty offal, over which they had to hold + their noses. Furious at being disappointed, the wicked old + couple seized the dog, and killed him.</p> + + <p>When the good old man saw that the dog, whom he had lent, + did not come home, he went next door to ask what had become of + him; and the wicked old man answered that he had killed the + dog, and buried him at the root of a pine-tree; so the good old + fellow, with, a heavy heart, went to the spot, and, having set + out a tray with delicate food, burnt incense, and adorned the + grave with flowers, as he shed tears over his lost pet.</p> + + <p>But there was more good luck in store yet for the old + people—the reward of their honesty and virtue. How do you + think that <span class="pagenum"><a name="page146" + id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> happened, my children? It + is very wrong to be cruel to dogs and cats.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/146.jpg" + name="image146" + target="blank" + id="image146"><img width="100%" + src="images/146.jpg" + alt="THE OLD MAN WHO CAUSED WITHERED TREES TO FLOWER." /> + </a> THE OLD MAN WHO CAUSED WITHERED TREES TO FLOWER. + </div> + + <p>That night, when the good old man was fast asleep in bed, + the dog appeared to him, and, after thanking him for all his + kindness, said—</p> + + <p>"Cause the pine-tree, under which, I am buried, to be cut + down and made into a mortar, and use it, thinking of it as if + it were myself."</p> + + <p>The old man did as the dog had told him to do, and made a + mortar out of the wood of the pine-tree; but when he ground his + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page147" + id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> rice in it, each grain of + rice was turned into some rich treasure. When the wicked old + couple saw this, they came to borrow the mortar; but no + sooner did they try to use it, than all their rice was + turned into filth; so, in a fit of rage, they broke up the + mortar and burnt it. But the good old man, little suspecting + that his precious mortar had been broken and burnt, wondered + why his neighbours did not bring it back to him.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/147.jpg" + name="image147" + target="blank" + id="image147"><img width="100%" + src="images/147.jpg" + alt="THE OLD MAN WHO CAUSED WITHERED TREES TO FLOWER. (2)" /> + </a> THE OLD MAN WHO CAUSED WITHERED TREES TO FLOWER. (2) + </div> + + <p>One night the dog appeared to him again in a dream, and told + him what had happened, adding that if he would take the ashes + of the burnt mortar and sprinkle them on withered trees, the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" + id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> trees would revive, and + suddenly put out flowers. After saying this the dream + vanished, and the old man, who heard for the first time of + the loss of his mortar, ran off weeping to the neighbours' + house, and begged them, at any rate, to give him back the + ashes of his treasure. Having obtained these, he returned + home, and made a trial of their virtues upon a withered + cherry-tree, which, upon being touched by the ashes, + immediately began to sprout and blossom. When he saw this + wonderful effect, he put the ashes into a basket, and went + about the country, announcing himself as an old man who had + the power of bringing dead trees to life again.</p> + + <p>A certain prince, hearing of this, and thinking it a mighty + strange thing, sent for the old fellow, who showed his power by + causing all the withered plum and cherry-trees to shoot out and + put forth flowers. So the prince gave him a rich reward of + pieces of silk and cloth and other presents, and sent him home + rejoicing.</p> + + <p>So soon as the neighbours heard of this they collected all + the ashes that remained, and, having put them in a basket, the + wicked old man went out into the castle town, and gave out that + he was the old man who had the power of reviving dead trees, + and causing them to flower. He had not to wait long before he + was called into the prince's palace, and ordered to exhibit his + power. But when he climbed up into a withered tree, and began + to scatter the ashes, not a bud nor a flower appeared; but the + ashes all flew into the prince's eyes and mouth, blinding and + choking him. When the prince's retainers saw this, they seized + the old man, and beat him almost to death, so that he crawled + off home in a very sorry plight. When he and his wife found out + what a trap they had fallen into, they stormed and scolded and + put themselves into a passion; but that did no good at all.</p> + + <p>The good old man and woman, so soon as they heard of their + neighbours' distress, sent for them, and, after reproving them + for their greed and cruelty, gave them a share of their own + riches, which, by repeated strokes of luck, had now increased + to a goodly sum. So the wicked old people mended their ways, + and led good and virtuous lives ever + after.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" + id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> + + <h3>THE BATTLE OF THE APE AND THE CRAB</h3> + + <p>If a man thinks only of his own profit, and tries to benefit + himself at the expense of others, he will incur the hatred of + Heaven. Men should lay up in their hearts the story of the + Battle of the Ape and Crab, and teach it, as a profitable + lesson, to their children.</p> + + <p>Once upon a time there was a crab who lived in a marsh in a + certain part of the country. It fell out one day that, the crab + having picked up a rice cake, an ape, who had got a nasty hard + persimmon-seed, came up, and begged the crab to make an + exchange with him. The crab, who was a simple-minded creature, + agreed to this proposal; and they each went their way, the ape + chuckling to himself at the good bargain which he had made.</p> + + <p>When the crab got home, he planted the persimmon-seed in his + garden, and, as time slipped by, it sprouted, and by degrees + grew to be a big tree. The crab watched the growth of his tree + with great delight; but when the fruit ripened, and he was + going to pluck it, the ape came in, and offered to gather it + for him. The crab consenting, the ape climbed up into the tree, + and began eating all the ripe fruit himself, while he only + threw down the sour persimmons to the crab, inviting him, at + the same time, to eat heartily. The crab, however, was not + pleased at this arrangement, and thought that it was his turn + to play a trick upon the ape; so he called out to him to come + down head foremost. The ape did as he was bid; and as he + crawled down, head foremost, the ripe fruit all came tumbling + out of his pockets, and the crab, having picked up the + persimmons, ran off and hid himself in a hole. The ape, seeing + this, lay in ambush, and as soon as the crab crept out of his + hiding-place gave him a sound drubbing, and went home. Just at + this time a friendly egg and a bee, who were the apprentices of + a certain rice-mortar, happened to pass that way, and, seeing + the crab's piteous condition, tied up his wounds, and, having + escorted him home, began to lay plans to be revenged upon the + cruel ape.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/150.jpg" + name="image150" + target="blank" + id="image150"><img width="100%" + src="images/150.jpg" + alt="THE APE AND THE CRAB." /></a> THE APE AND THE + CRAB. + </div> + + <p>Having agreed upon a scheme, they all went to the ape's + house, in his absence; and each one having undertaken to play a + certain part, they waited in secret for their enemy to come + home. The ape, little dreaming of the mischief that was + brewing, returned home, and, having a fancy to drink a cup of + tea, began lighting the fire in the hearth, when, all of a + sudden, the egg, which was hidden in the ashes, burst with. the + heat, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" + id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> bespattered the frightened + ape's face, so that he fled, howling with pain, and crying, + "Oh! what an unlucky beast I am!" Maddened with the heat of + the burst egg, he tried to go to the back of the house, when + the bee darted out of a cupboard, and a piece of seaweed, + who had joined the party, coming up at the same time, the + ape was surrounded by enemies. In despair, he seized the + clothes-rack, and fought valiantly for awhile; but he was no + match for so many, and was obliged to run away, with the + others in hot pursuit after him. Just as he was making his + escape by a back door, however, the piece of seaweed tripped + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" + id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> him up, and the + rice-mortar, closing with him from behind, made an end of + him.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/151.jpg" + name="image151" + target="blank" + id="image151"><img width="100%" + src="images/151.jpg" + alt="THE APE AND THE CRAB. (2)" /></a> THE APE AND THE + CRAB. (2) + </div> + + <p>So the crab, having punished his enemy, went home in + triumph, and lived ever after on terms of brotherly love with + the seaweed and the mortar. Was there ever such a fine piece of + fun!</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" + id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> + + <h3>THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE PEACHLING</h3> + + <p>Many hundred years ago there lived an honest old wood-cutter + and his wife. One fine morning the old man went off to the + hills with his billhook, to gather a faggot of sticks, while + his wife went down to the river to wash the dirty clothes. When + she came to the river, she saw a peach floating down the + stream; so she picked it up, and carried it home with her, + thinking to give it to her husband to eat when he should come + in. The old man soon came down from the hills, and the good + wife set the peach before him, when, just as she was inviting + him to eat it, the fruit split in two, and a little puling baby + was born into the world. So the old couple took the babe, and + brought it up as their own; and, because it had been born in a + peach, they called it + <i>Momotarô</i>,<a id="footnotetag53" + name="footnotetag53"></a><a href="#footnote53"><sup>53</sup></a> + or Little Peachling.</p> + + <p>By degrees Little Peachling grew up to be strong and brave, + and at last one day he said to his old + foster-parents—</p> + + <p>"I am going to the ogres' island to carry off the riches + that they have stored up there. Pray, then, make me some millet + dumplings for my journey."</p> + + <p>So the old folks ground the millet, and made the dumplings + for him; and Little Peachling, after taking an affectionate + leave of them, cheerfully set out on his travels.</p> + + <p>As he was journeying on, he fell in with an ape, who + gibbered at him, and said, "Kia! kia! kia! where are you off + to, Little Peachling?"</p> + + <p>"I'm going to the ogres' island, to carry off their + treasure," answered Little Peachling.</p> + + <p>"What are you carrying at your girdle?"</p> + + <p>"I'm carrying the very best millet dumplings in all + Japan."</p> + + <p>"If you'll give me one, I will go with you," said the + ape.</p> + + <p>So Little Peachling gave one of his dumplings to the ape, + who received it and followed him. When he had gone a little + further, he heard a pheasant calling—</p> + + <p>"Ken! ken! ken!<a id="footnotetag54" + name="footnotetag54"></a><a href="#footnote54"><sup>54</sup></a> + where are you off to, Master Peachling?"</p> + + <p>Little Peachling answered as before; and the pheasant, + having begged and obtained a millet dumpling, entered his + service, and followed him. A little while after this, they met + a dog, who + cried—</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" + id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> + + <p>"Bow! wow! wow! whither away, Master Peachling?"</p> + + <p>"I'm going off to the ogres' island, to carry off their + treasure."</p> + + <p>"If you will give me one of those nice millet dumplings of + yours, I will go with you," said the dog.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/153.jpg" + name="image153" + target="blank" + id="image153"><img width="100%" + src="images/153.jpg" + alt="LITTLE PEACHLING." /></a> LITTLE PEACHLING. + </div> + + <p>"With all my heart," said Little Peachling. So he went on + his way, with the ape, the pheasant, and the dog following + after him.</p> + + <p>When they got to the ogres' island, the pheasant flew over + the castle gate, and the ape clambered over the castle wall, + while Little Peachling, leading the dog, forced in the gate, + and got into the castle. Then they did battle with the ogres, + and put <span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" + id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> them to flight, and took + their king prisoner. So all the ogres did homage to Little + Peachling, and brought out the treasures which they had laid + up. There were caps and coats that made their wearers + invisible, jewels which governed the ebb and flow of the + tide, coral, musk, emeralds, amber, and tortoiseshell, + besides gold and silver. All these were laid before Little + Peachling by the conquered ogres.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/154.jpg" + name="image154" + target="blank" + id="image154"><img width="100%" + src="images/154.jpg" + alt="LITTLE PEACHLING. (2)" /></a> LITTLE PEACHLING. + (2) + </div> + + <p>So Little Peachling went home laden with riches, and + maintained his foster-parents in peace and plenty for the + remainder of their + lives.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" + id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> + + <h3>THE FOXES' WEDDING</h3> + + <p>Once upon a time there was a young white fox, whose name was + Fukuyémon. When he had reached the fitting age, he + shaved off his forelock<a id="footnotetag55" + name="footnotetag55"></a><a href="#footnote55"><sup>55</sup></a> + and began to think of taking to himself a beautiful bride. + The old fox, his father, resolved to give up his inheritance + to his son,<a id="footnotetag56" + name="footnotetag56"></a><a href="#footnote56"><sup>56</sup></a> + and retired into private life; so the young fox, in + gratitude for this, laboured hard and earnestly to increase + his patrimony. Now it happened that in a famous old family + of foxes there was a beautiful young lady-fox, with such + lovely fur that the fame of her jewel-like charms was spread + far and wide. The young white fox, who had heard of this, + was bent on making her his wife, and a meeting was arranged + between them. There was not a fault to be found on either + side; so the preliminaries were settled, and the wedding + presents sent from the bridegroom to the bride's house, with + congratulatory speeches from the messenger, which were duly + acknowledged by the person deputed to receive the gifts; the + bearers, of course, received the customary fee in copper + cash.</p> + + <p>When the ceremonies had been concluded, an auspicious day + was chosen for the bride to go to her husband's house, and she + was carried off in solemn procession during a shower of rain, + the sun shining all the while.<a id="footnotetag57" + name="footnotetag57"></a><a href="#footnote57"><sup>57</sup></a> + After the ceremonies of drinking wine had been gone through, + the bride changed her dress, and the wedding was concluded, + without let or hindrance, amid singing and dancing and + merry-making.</p> + + <p>The bride and bridegroom lived lovingly together, and a + litter of little foxes were born to them, to the great joy of + the old grandsire, who treated the little cubs as tenderly as + if they had been butterflies or flowers. "They're the very + image of their old grandfather," said he, as proud as possible. + "As for medicine, bless them, they're so healthy that they'll + never need a copper coin's worth!"</p> + + <p>As soon as they were old enough, they were carried off to + the temple of Inari Sama, the patron saint of foxes, and the + old grand-parents prayed that they might be delivered from dogs + and all the other ills to which fox flesh is heir.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/156.jpg" + name="image156" + target="blank" + id="image156"><img width="100%" + src="images/156.jpg" + alt="THE FOXES' WEDDING." /></a> THE FOXES' WEDDING. + </div> + + <p>In this way the white fox by degrees waxed old and + prosperous, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" + id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> and his children, year by + year, became more and more numerous around him; so that, + happy in his family and his business, every recurring spring + brought him fresh cause for joy. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" + id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span></p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/157.jpg" + name="image157" + target="blank" + id="image157"><img width="100%" + src="images/157.jpg" + alt="THE FOXES' WEDDING. (2)" /></a> THE FOXES' + WEDDING. (2) + </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page158" + id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> + + <h2>THE HISTORY OF SAKATA KINTOKI</h2> + + <p>A long time ago there was an officer of the Emperor's + body-guard, called Sakata Kurando, a young man who, although he + excelled in valour and in the arts of war, was of a gentle and + loving disposition. This young officer was deeply enamoured of + a fair young lady, called Yaégiri, who lived at + Gojôzaka, at Kiyôto. Now it came to pass that, + having incurred the jealousy of certain other persons, Kurando + fell into disgrace with the Court, and became a Rônin, so + he was no longer able to keep up any communication with his + love Yaégiri; indeed, he became so poor that it was a + hard matter for him to live. So he left the place and fled, no + one knew whither. As for Yaégiri, lovesick and lorn, and + pining for her lost darling, she escaped from the house where + she lived, and wandered hither and thither through the country, + seeking everywhere for Kurando.</p> + + <p>Now Kurando, when he left the palace, turned tobacco + merchant, and, as he was travelling about hawking his goods, it + chanced that he fell in with Yaégiri; so, having + communicated to her his last wishes, he took leave of her and + put an end to his life.</p> + + <p>Poor Yaégiri, having buried her lover, went to the + Ashigara Mountain, a distant and lonely spot, where she gave + birth to a little boy, who, as soon as he was born, was of such + wonderful strength that he walked about and ran playing all + over the mountain. A woodcutter, who chanced to see the marvel, + was greatly frightened at first, and thought the thing + altogether uncanny; but after a while he got used to the child, + and became quite fond of him, and called him "Little Wonder," + and gave his mother the name of the "Old Woman of the + Mountain."</p> + + <p>One day, as "Little Wonder" was playing about, he saw that + on the top of a high cedar-tree there was a tengu's + nest;<a id="footnotetag58" + name="footnotetag58"></a><a href="#footnote58"><sup>58</sup></a> + so he began shaking the tree with all his might, until at + last the tengu's nest came tumbling down.</p> + + <p>As luck would have it, the famous hero, Minamoto no + Yorimitsu, with his retainers, Watanabé Isuna, Usui + Sadamitsu, and several others, had come to the mountain to + hunt, and seeing the feat which "Little Wonder" had performed, + came to the conclusion that he could be no ordinary child. + Minamoto no Yorimitsu ordered Watanabé Isuna to find out + the child's name and parentage. The Old Woman of the Mountain, + on being <span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" + id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> asked about him, answered + that she was the wife of Kurando, and that "Little Wonder" + was the child of their marriage. And she proceeded to relate + all the adventures which had befallen her.</p> + + <p>When Yorimitsu heard her story, he said, "Certainly this + child does not belie his lineage. Give the brat to me, and I + will make him my retainer." The Old Woman of the Mountain + gladly consented, and gave "Little Wonder" to Yorimitsu; but + she herself remained in her mountain home. So "Little Wonder" + went off with the hero Yorimitsu, who named him Sakata Kintoki; + and in aftertimes he became famous and illustrious as a + warrior, and his deeds are recited to this day. He is the + favourite hero of little children, who carry his portrait in + their bosom, and wish that they could emulate his bravery and + strength.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" + id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> + + <h2>THE ELVES AND THE ENVIOUS NEIGHBOUR</h2> + + <p>Once upon a time there was a certain man, who, being + overtaken by darkness among the mountains, was driven to seek + shelter in the trunk of a hollow tree. In the middle of the + night, a large company of elves assembled at the place; and the + man, peeping out from his hiding-place, was frightened out of + his wits. After a while, however, the elves began to feast and + drink wine, and to amuse themselves by singing and dancing, + until at last the man, caught by the infection of the fun, + forgot all about his fright, and crept out of his hollow tree + to join in the revels. When the day was about to dawn, the + elves said to the man, "You're a very jolly companion, and must + come out and have a dance with us again. You must make us a + promise, and keep it." So the elves, thinking to bind the man + over to return, took a large wen that grew on his forehead and + kept it in pawn; upon this they all left the place, and went + home. The man walked off to his own house in high glee at + having passed a jovial night, and got rid of his wen into the + bargain. So he told the story to all his friends, who + congratulated him warmly on being cured of his wen. But there + was a neighbour of his who was also troubled with a wen of long + standing, and, when he heard of his friend's luck, he was + smitten with envy, and went off to hunt for the hollow tree, in + which, when he had found it, he passed the night.</p> + + <p>Towards midnight the elves came, as he had expected, and + began feasting and drinking, with songs and dances as before. + As soon as he saw this, he came out of his hollow tree, and + began dancing and singing as his neighbour had done. The elves, + mistaking him for their former boon-companion, were delighted + to see him, and said—</p> + + <p>"You're a good fellow to recollect your promise, and we'll + give you back your pledge;" so one of the elves, pulling the + pawned wen out of his pocket, stuck it on to the man's + forehead, on the top of the other wen which he already bad. So + the envious neighbour went home weeping, with two wens instead + of one. This is a good lesson to people who cannot see the good + luck of others, without coveting it for + themselves.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page161" + id="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> + + <h2>THE GHOST OF SAKURA</h2> + + <p>The misfortunes and death of the farmer Sôgorô, + which, although the preternatural appearances by which they are + said to have been followed may raise a smile, are matters of + historic notoriety with which every Japanese is familiar, + furnish a forcible illustration of the relations which exist + between the tenant and the lord of the soil, and of the + boundless power for good or for evil exercised by the latter. + It is rather remarkable that in a country where the + peasant—placed as he is next to the soldier, and before + the artisan and merchant, in the four classes into which the + people are divided—enjoys no small consideration, and + where agriculture is protected by law from the inroads of wild + vegetation, even to the lopping of overshadowing branches and + the cutting down of hedgerow timber, the lord of the manor + should be left practically without control in his dealings with + his people.</p> + + <p>The land-tax, or rather the yearly rent paid by the tenant, + is usually assessed at forty per cent. of the produce; but + there is no principle clearly defining it, and frequently the + landowner and the cultivator divide the proceeds of the harvest + in equal shapes. Rice land is divided into three classes; and, + according to these classes, it is computed that one <i>tan</i> + (1,800 square feet) of the best land should yield to the owner + a revenue of five bags of rice per annum; each of these bags + holds four tô (a tô is rather less than half an + imperial bushel), and is worth at present (1868) three riyos, + or about sixteen shillings; land of the middle class should + yield a revenue of three or four bags. The rent is paid either + in rice or in money, according to the actual price of the + grain, which varies considerably. It is due in the eleventh + month of the year, when the crops have all been gathered, and + their market value fixed.</p> + + <p>The rent of land bearing crops other than rice, such as + cotton, beans, roots, and so forth, is payable in money during + the twelfth month. The choice of the nature of the crops to be + grown appears to be left to the tenant.</p> + + <p>The Japanese landlord, when pressed by poverty, does not + confine himself to the raising of his legitimate rents: he can + always enforce from his needy tenantry the advancement of a + year's rent, or the loan of so much money as may be required to + meet his immediate necessities. Should the lord be just, the + peasant is repaid by instalments, with interest, extending over + ten or twenty years. But it too often happens that unjust and + merciless lords <span class="pagenum"><a name="page162" + id="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span> do not repay such loans, + but, on the contrary, press for further advances. Then it is + that the farmers, dressed in their grass rain-coats, and + carrying sickles and bamboo poles in their hands, assemble + before the gate of their lord's palace at the capital, and + represent their grievances, imploring the intercession of + the retainers, and even of the womankind who may chance to + go forth. Sometimes they pay for their temerity by their + lives; but, at any rate, they have the satisfaction of + bringing shame upon their persecutor, in the eyes of his + neighbours and of the populace.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/162.jpg" + name="image162" + target="blank" + id="image162"><img width="100%" + src="images/162.jpg" + alt="THE DEPUTATION OF PEASANTS AT THEIR LORD'S GATE." /> + </a> THE DEPUTATION OF PEASANTS AT THEIR LORD'S GATE. + </div> + + <p>The official reports of recent travels in the interior of + Japan have fully proved the hard lot with which the peasantry + had to put up during the government of the Tycoons, and + especially under the Hatamotos, the created nobility of the + dynasty. In one province, where the village mayors appear to + have seconded the extortions of their lord, they have had to + flee before an exasperated population, who, taking advantage of + the revolution, laid waste and pillaged their houses, loudly + praying for a new and just assessment of the land; while, + throughout the country, the farmers have hailed with + acclamations the resumption of the sovereign power by the + Mikado, and the abolition of the petty nobility who exalted + themselves upon the misery of their dependants. Warming + themselves in the sunshine of the court at Yedo, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page163" + id="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span> the Hatamotos waxed fat and + held high revel, and little cared they who groaned or who + starved. Money must be found, and it was found.</p> + + <p>It is necessary here to add a word respecting the position + of the village mayors, who play so important a part in the + tale.</p> + + <p>The peasants of Japan are ruled by three classes of + officials: the Nanushi, or mayor; the Kumigashira, or chiefs of + companies; and the Hiyakushôdai, or farmers' + representatives. The village, which is governed by the Nanushi, + or mayor, is divided into companies, which, consisting of five + families each, are directed by a Kumigashira; these companies, + again, are subdivided into groups of five men each, who choose + one of their number to represent them in case of their having + any petition to present, or any affairs to settle with their + superiors. This functionary is the Hiyakushôdai. The + mayor, the chief of the company, and the representative keep + registers of the families and people under their control, and + are responsible for their good and orderly behaviour. They pay + taxes like the other farmers, but receive a salary, the amount + of which depends upon the size and wealth of the village. Five + per cent. of the yearly land tax forms the salary of the mayor, + and the other officials each receive five per cent. of the tax + paid by the little bodies over which they respectively + rule.</p> + + <p>The average amount of land for one family to cultivate is + about one chô, or 9,000 square yards; but there are + farmers who have inherited as much as five or even six + chô from their ancestors. There is also a class of + farmers called, from their poverty, "water-drinking farmers," + who have no land of their own, but hire that of those who have + more than they can keep in their own hands. The rent so paid + varies; but good rice land will bring in as high a rent as + from £1 18s. to £2 6s. per tan (1,800 square + feet).</p> + + <p>Farm labourers are paid from six or seven riyos a year to as + much as thirty riyos (the riyo being worth about 5s. 4d.); + besides this, they are clothed and fed, not daintily indeed, + but amply. The rice which they cultivate is to them an almost + unknown luxury: millet is their staple food, and on high days + and holidays they receive messes of barley or buckwheat. Where + the mulberry-tree is grown, and the silkworm is "educated," + there the labourer receives the highest wage.</p> + + <p>The rice crop on good land should yield twelve and a half + fold, and on ordinary land from six to seven fold only. + Ordinary arable land is only half as valuable as rice land, + which cannot be purchased for less than forty riyos per tan of + 1,800 square feet. Common hill or wood land is cheaper, again, + than arable land; but orchards and groves of the Pawlonia are + worth from fifty to sixty riyos per tan.</p> + + <p>With regard to the punishment of crucifixion, by which + Sôgorô was put to death, it is inflicted for the + following offences:—parricide (including the murder or + striking of parents, uncles, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page164" + id="page164"></a>[pg 164]</span> aunts, elder brothers, + masters, or teachers) coining counterfeit money, and passing + the barriers of the Tycoon's territory without a + permit.<a id="footnotetag59" + name="footnotetag59"></a><a href="#footnote59"><sup>59</sup></a> + The criminal is attached to an upright post with two cross + bars, to which his arms and feet are fastened by ropes. He + is then transfixed with spears by men belonging to the Eta + or Pariah class. I once passed the execution-ground near + Yedo, when a body was attached to the cross. The dead man + had murdered his employer, and, having been condemned to + death by crucifixion, had died in prison before the sentence + could be carried out. He was accordingly packed, in a + squatting position, in a huge red earthenware jar, which, + having been tightly filled up with. salt, was hermetically + sealed. On the anniversary of the commission of the crime, + the jar was carried down to the execution-ground and broken, + and the body was taken out and tied to the cross, the joints + of the knees and arms having been cut, to allow of the + extension of the stiffened and shrunken limbs; it was then + transfixed with spears, and allowed to remain exposed for + three days. An open grave, the upturned soil of which seemed + almost entirely composed of dead men's remains, waited to + receive the dishonoured corpse, over which three or four + Etas, squalid and degraded beings, were mounting guard, + smoking their pipes by a scanty charcoal fire, and bandying + obscene jests. It was a hideous and ghastly warning, had any + cared to read the lesson; but the passers-by on the high + road took little or no notice of the sight, and a group of + chubby and happy children were playing not ten yards from + the dead body, as if no strange or uncanny thing were near + them.</p> + + <h3>THE GHOST OF SAKURA.<a id="footnotetag60" + name="footnotetag60"></a><a href="#footnote60"><sup>60</sup></a></h3> + + <p>How true is the principle laid down by Confucius, that the + benevolence of princes is reflected in their country, while + their wickedness causes sedition and confusion!</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/165.jpg" + name="image165" + target="blank" + id="image165"><img width="100%" + src="images/165.jpg" + alt="THE GHOST OF SAKURA." /></a> THE GHOST OF SAKURA. + </div> + + <p>In the province of Shimôsa, and the district of + Sôma, Hotta Kaga no Kami was lord of the castle of + Sakura, and chief of a family which had for generations + produced famous warriors. When Kaga no Kami, who had served in + the Gorôjiu, the cabinet of the Shogun, died at the + castle of Sakura, his eldest son Kôtsuké no + Suké Masanobu inherited his estates and honours, and was + appointed to a seat in the Gorôjiu; but he was a + different man from the lords who had preceded him. He treated + the farmers and peasants unjustly, imposing additional and + grievous taxes, so that the tenants on his estates were driven + to the last extremity of poverty; and although year after year, + and month <span class="pagenum"><a name="page165" + id="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page166" + id="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span> after month, they prayed + for mercy, and remonstrated against this injustice, no heed + was paid to them, and the people throughout the villages + were reduced to the utmost distress. Accordingly, the chiefs + of the one hundred and thirty-six villages, producing a + total revenue of 40,000 kokus of rice, assembled together in + council and determined unanimously to present a petition to + the Government, sealed with their seals, stating that their + repeated remonstrances had been taken no notice of by their + local authorities. Then they assembled in numbers before the + house of one of the councillors of their lord, named + Ikéura Kazuyé, in order to show the petition + to him first, but even then no notice was taken of them; so + they returned home, and resolved, after consulting together, + to proceed to their lord's yashiki, or palace, at Yedo, on + the seventh day of the tenth month. It was determined, with + one accord, that one hundred and forty-three village chiefs + should go to Yedo; and the chief of the village of Iwahashi, + one Sôgorô, a man forty-eight years of age, + distinguished for his ability and judgment, ruling a + district which produced a thousand kokus, stepped forward, + and said—</p> + + <p>"This is by no means an easy matter, my masters. It + certainly is of great importance that we should forward our + complaint to our lord's palace at Yedo; but what are your + plans? Have you any fixed intentions?"</p> + + <p>"It is, indeed, a most important matter," rejoined the + others; but they had nothing further to say. Then + Sôgorô went on to say—</p> + + <p>"We have appealed to the public office of our province, but + without avail; we have petitioned the Prince's councillors, + also in vain. I know that all that remains for us is to lay our + case before our lord's palace at Yedo; and if we go there, it + is equally certain that we shall not be listened to—on + the contrary, we shall be cast into prison. If we are not + attended to here, in our own province, how much less will the + officials at Yedo care for us. We might hand our petition into + the litter of one of the Gorôjiu, in the public streets; + but, even in that case, as our lord is a member of the + Gorôjiu, none of his peers would care to examine into the + rights and wrongs of our complaint, for fear of offending him, + and the man who presented the petition in so desperate a manner + would lose his life on a bootless errand. If you have made up + your minds to this, and are determined, at all hazards, to + start, then go to Yedo by all means, and bid a long farewell to + parents, children, wives, and relations. This is my + opinion."</p> + + <p>The others all agreeing with what Sôgorô said, + they determined that, come what might, they would go to Yedo; + and they settled to assemble at the village of Funabashi on the + thirteenth day of the eleventh month.</p> + + <p>On the appointed day all the village officers met at the + place agreed upon,—Sôgorô, the chief of the + village of Iwahashi, alone being missing; and as on the + following day Sôgorô had not yet arrived, they + deputed one of their number, named Rokurobei, to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page167" + id="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> inquire the reason. + Rokurobei arrived at Sôgorô's house towards four + in the afternoon, and found him warming himself quietly over + his charcoal brazier, as if nothing were the matter. The + messenger, seeing this, said rather testily—</p> + + <p>"The chiefs of the villages are all assembled at Funabashi + according to covenant, and as you, Master Sôgorô, + have not arrived, I have come to inquire whether it is sickness + or some other cause that prevents you."</p> + + <p>"Indeed," replied Sôgorô, "I am sorry that you + should have had so much trouble. My intention was to have set + out yesterday; but I was taken with a cholic, with which I am + often troubled, and, as you may see, I am taking care of + myself; so for a day or two I shall not be able to start. Pray + be so good as to let the others know this."</p> + + <p>Rokurobei, seeing that there was no help for it, went back + to the village of Funabashi and communicated to the others what + had occurred. They were all indignant at what they looked upon + as the cowardly defection of a man who had spoken so fairly, + but resolved that the conduct of one man should not influence + the rest, and talked themselves into the belief that the affair + which they had in hand would be easily put through; so they + agreed with one accord to start and present the petition, and, + having arrived at Yedo, put up in the street called + Bakurochô. But although they tried to forward their + complaint to the various officers of their lord, no one would + listen to them; the doors were all shut in their faces, and + they had to go back to their inn, crestfallen and without + success.</p> + + <p>On the following day, being the 18th of the month, they all + met together at a tea-house in an avenue, in front of a shrine + of Kwannon Sama;<a id="footnotetag61" + name="footnotetag61"></a><a href="#footnote61"><sup>61</sup></a> + and having held a consultation, they determined that, as + they could hit upon no good expedient, they would again send + for Sôgorô to see whether he could devise no + plan. Accordingly, on the 19th, Rokurobei and one + Jiuyémon started for the village of Iwahashi at noon, + and arrived the same evening.</p> + + <p>Now the village chief Sôgorô, who had made up + his mind that the presentation of this memorial was not a + matter to be lightly treated, summoned his wife and children + and his relations, and said to them—</p> + + <p>"I am about to undertake a journey to Yedo, for the + following reasons:—Our present lord of the soil has + increased the land-tax, in rice and the other imposts, more + than tenfold, so that pen and paper would fail to convey an + idea of the poverty to which the people are reduced, and the + peasants are undergoing the tortures of hell upon earth. Seeing + this, the chiefs of the various villages have presented + petitions, but with what result is doubtful. My earnest desire, + therefore, is to devise some means of escape from this cruel + persecution. If my ambitious scheme does not succeed, then + shall I return home no more; and even + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page168" + id="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> should I gain my end, it is + hard to say how I may be treated by those in power. Let us + drink a cup of wine together, for it may be that you shall + see my face no more. I give my life to allay the misery of + the people of this estate. If I die, mourn not over my fate; + weep not for me."</p> + + <p>Having spoken thus, he addressed his wife and his four + children, instructing them carefully as to what he desired to + be done after his death, and minutely stating every wish of his + heart. Then, having drunk a parting cup with them, he + cheerfully took leave of all present, and went to a tea-house + in the neighbouring village of Funabashi, where the two + messengers, Rokurobei and Jiuyémon, were anxiously + awaiting his arrival, in order that they might recount to him + all that had taken place at Yedo.</p> + + <p>"In short," said they, "it appears to us that we have failed + completely; and we have come to meet you in order to hear what + you propose. If you have any plan to suggest, we would fain be + made acquainted with it."</p> + + <p>"We have tried the officers of the district," replied + Sôgorô, "and we have tried my lord's palace at + Yedo. However often we might assemble before my lord's gate, no + heed would be given to us. There is nothing left for us but to + appeal to the Shogun."</p> + + <p>So they sat talking over their plans until the night was far + advanced, and then they went to rest. The winter night was + long; but when the cawing of the crows was about to announce + the morning, the three friends started on their journey for the + tea-house at Asakusa, at which, upon their arrival, they found + the other village elders already assembled.</p> + + <p>"Welcome, Master Sôgorô," said they. "How is it + that you have come so late? We have petitioned all the officers + to no purpose, and we have broken our bones in vain. We are at + our wits' end, and can think of no other scheme. If there is + any plan which seems good to you, we pray you to act upon + it."</p> + + <p>"Sirs," replied Sôgorô, speaking very quietly, + "although we have met with no better success here than in our + own place, there is no use in grieving. In a day or two the + Gorôjiu will be going to the castle; we must wait for + this opportunity, and following one of the litters, thrust in + our memorial. This is my opinion: what think you of it, my + masters?"</p> + + <p>One and all, the assembled elders were agreed as to the + excellence of this advice; and having decided to act upon it, + they returned to their inn.</p> + + <p>Then Sôgorô held a secret consultation with + Jiuyémon, Hanzô, Rokurobei, Chinzô, and + Kinshirô, five of the elders, and, with their assistance, + drew up the memorial; and having heard that on the 26th of the + month, when the Gorôjiu should go to the castle, + Kuzé Yamato no Kami would proceed to a palace under the + western enclosure of the castle, they kept watch in a place + hard by. As soon as they saw the litter of the Gorôjiu + approach, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page169" + id="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span> they drew near to it, and, + having humbly stated their grievances, handed in the + petition; and as it was accepted, the six elders were + greatly elated, and doubted not that their hearts' desire + would be attained; so they went off to a tea-house at + Riyôgoku, and Jiuyémon said—</p> + + <p>"We may congratulate ourselves on our success. We have + handed in our petition to the Gorôjiu, and now we may set + our minds at rest; before many days have passed, we shall hear + good news from the rulers. To Master Sôgorô is due + great praise for his exertions."</p> + + <p>Sôgorô, stepping forward, answered, "Although we + have presented our memorial to the Gorôjiu, the matter + will not be so quickly decided; it is therefore useless that so + many of us should remain here: let eleven men stay with me, and + let the rest return home to their several villages. If we who + remain are accused of conspiracy and beheaded, let the others + agree to reclaim and bury our corpses. As for the expenses + which we shall incur until our suit is concluded, let that be + according to our original covenant. For the sake of the hundred + and thirty-six villages we will lay down our lives, if needs + must, and submit to the disgrace of having our heads exposed as + those of common malefactors."</p> + + <p>Then they had a parting feast together, and, after a sad + leave-taking, the main body of the elders went home to their + own country; while the others, wending their way to their + quarters waited patiently to be summoned to the Supreme Court. + On the 2d day of the 12th month, Sôgorô, having + received a summons from the residence of the Gorôjiu + Kuzé Yamato no Kami, proceeded to obey it, and was + ushered to the porch of the house, where two councillors, named + Aijima Gidaiyu and Yamaji Yôri, met him, and + said—</p> + + <p>"Some days since you had the audacity to thrust a memorial + into the litter of our lord Yamato no Kami. By an extraordinary + exercise of clemency, he is willing to pardon this heinous + offence; but should you ever again endeavour to force your + petitions; upon him, you will be held guilty of riotous + conduct;" and with this they gave back the memorial.</p> + + <p>"I humbly admit the justice of his lordship's censure. But + oh! my lords, this is no hasty nor ill-considered action. Year + after year, affliction upon affliction has been heaped upon us, + until at last the people are without even the necessaries of + life; and we, seeing no end to the evil, have humbly presented + this petition. I pray your lordships of your great mercy to + consider our case" and deign to receive our memorial. Vouchsafe + to take some measures that the people may live, and our + gratitude for your great kindness will know no bounds."</p> + + <p>"Your request is a just one," replied the two councillors + after hearing what he said; "but your memorial cannot be + received: so you must even take it back."</p> + + <p>With this they gave back the document, and wrote down the + names of Sôgorô and six of the elders who had + accompanied him. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page170" + id="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span> There was no help for it: + they must take back their petition, and return to their inn. + The seven men, dispirited and sorrowful, sat with folded + arms considering what was best to be done, what plan should + be devised, until at last, when they were at their wits' + end, Sôgorô said, in a whisper—</p> + + <p>"So our petition, which we gave in after so much pains, has + been returned after all! With what f ace can we return to our + villages after such a disgrace? I, for one, do not propose to + waste my labour for nothing; accordingly, I shall bide my time + until some day, when the Shogun shall go forth from the castle, + and, lying in wait by the roadside, I shall make known our + grievances to him, who is lord over our lord. This is our last + chance."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:75%;"> + <a href="images/170.jpg" + name="image170" + target="blank" + id="image170"><img width="100%" + src="images/170.jpg" + alt="SÔGORÔ THRUSTING THE PETITION INTO THE SHOGUN'S LITTER." /> + </a> SÔGORÔ THRUSTING THE PETITION INTO THE + SHOGUN'S LITTER. + </div> + + <p>The others all applauded this speech, and, having with one + accord hardened their hearts, waited for their opportunity.</p> + + <p>Now it so happened that, on the 20th day of the 12th month, + the then Shogun, Prince Iyémitsu, was pleased to worship + at the tombs of his ancestors at + Uyéno;<a id="footnotetag62" + name="footnotetag62"></a><a href="#footnote62"><sup>62</sup></a> + and Sôgorô and the other elders, hearing this, + looked upon it as a special favour from the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page171" + id="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> gods, and felt certain that + this time they would not fail. So they drew up a fresh + memorial, and at the appointed time Sôgorô hid + himself under the Sammayé Bridge, in front of the + black gate at Uyéno. When Prince Iyémitsu + passed in his litter, Sôgorô clambered up from + under the bridge, to the great surprise of the Shogun's + attendants, who called out, "Push the fellow on one side;" + but, profiting by the confusion, Sôgorô, raising + his voice and crying, "I wish to humbly present a petition + to his Highness in person," thrust forward his memorial, + which he had tied on to the end of a bamboo stick six feet + long, and tried to put it into the litter; and although + there were cries to arrest him, and he was buffeted by the + escort, he crawled up to the side of the litter, and the + Shogun accepted the document. But Sôgorô was + arrested by the escort, and thrown into prison. As for the + memorial, his Highness ordered that it should be handed in + to the Gorôjiu Hotta Kôtsuké no + Suké, the lord of the petitioners.</p> + <p>When Hotta Kôtsuké no Suké had + returned home and read the memorial, he summoned his + councillor, Kojima Shikibu, and said—</p> + + <p>"The officials of my estate are mere bunglers. When the + peasants assembled and presented a petition, they refused to + receive it, and have thus brought this trouble upon me. Their + folly has been beyond belief; however, it cannot be helped. We + must remit all the new taxes, and you must inquire how much was + paid to the former lord of the castle. As for this + Sôgorô, he is not the only one who is at the bottom + of the conspiracy; however, as this heinous offence of his in + going out to lie in wait for the Shogun's procession is + unpardonable, we must manage to get him given up to us by the + Government, and, as an example for the rest of my people, he + shall be crucified—he and his wife and his children; and, + after his death, all that he possesses shall be confiscated. + The other six men shall be banished; and that will + suffice."</p> + + <p>"My lord," replied Shikibu, prostrating himself, "your + lordship's intentions are just. Sôgorô, indeed, + deserves any punishment for his outrageous crime. But I humbly + venture to submit that his wife and children cannot be said to + be guilty in the same degree: I implore your lordship + mercifully to be pleased to absolve them from so severe a + punishment."</p> + + <p>"Where the sin of the father is great, the wife and children + cannot be spared," replied Kôtsuké no Suké; + and his councillor, seeing that his heart was hardened, was + forced to obey his orders without further remonstrance.</p> + + <p>So Kôtsuké no Suké, having obtained that + Sôgorô should be given up to him by the Government, + caused him to be brought to his estate of Sakura as a criminal, + in a litter covered with nets, and confined him in prison. When + his case had been inquired into, a decree was issued by the + Lord Kôtsuké no Suké that he should be + punished for a heinous crime; and on the 9th day of the 2d + month of the second year of the period styled Shôhô + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page172" + id="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> (A.D. 1644) he was + condemned to be crucified. Accordingly Sôgorô, + his wife and children, and the elders of the hundred and + thirty-six villages were brought before the Court-house of + Sakura, in which were assembled forty-five chief officers. + The elders were then told that, yielding to their petition, + their lord was graciously pleased to order that the + oppressive taxes should be remitted, and that the dues + levied should not exceed those of the olden time. As for + Sôgorô and his wife, the following sentence was + passed upon them:—</p> + + <p>"Whereas you have set yourself up as the head of the + villagers; whereas, secondly, you have dared to make light of + the Government by petitioning his Highness the Shogun directly, + thereby offering an insult to your lord; and whereas, thirdly, + you have presented a memorial to the Gorôjiu; and, + whereas, fourthly, you were privy to a conspiracy: for these + four heinous crimes you are sentenced to death by crucifixion. + Your wife is sentenced to die in like manner; and your children + will be decapitated.</p> + + <p>"This sentence is passed upon the following + persons:—</p> + + <p>"Sôgorô, chief of the village of Iwahashi, aged + 48.</p> + + <p>"His wife, Man, aged 38.</p> + + <p>"His son, Gennosuké, aged 13.</p> + + <p>"His son, Sôhei, aged 10.</p> + + <p>"His son, Kihachi, aged 7."</p> + + <p>The eldest daughter of Sôgorô, named Hatsu, + nineteen years of age, was married to a man named + Jiuyémon, in the village of Hakamura, in Shitachi, + beyond the river, in the territory of Matsudaira Matsu no Kami + (the Prince of Sendai). His second daughter, whose name was + Saki, sixteen years of age, was married to one + Tôjiurô, chief of a village on the property of my + lord Naitô Geki. No punishment was decreed against these + two women.</p> + + <p>The six elders who had accompanied Sôgorô were + told that although by good rights they had merited death, yet + by the special clemency of their lord their lives would be + spared, but that they were condemned to banishment. Their wives + and children would not be attainted, and their property would + be spared. The six men were banished to Oshima, in the province + of Idzu.</p> + + <p>Sôgorô heard his sentence with pure courage.</p> + + <p>The six men were banished; but three of them lived to be + pardoned on the occasion of the death of the Shogun, Prince + Genyuin,<a id="footnotetag63" + name="footnotetag63"></a><a href="#footnote63"><sup>63</sup></a> + and returned to their country.</p> + + <p>According to the above decision, the taxes were remitted; + and men and women, young and old, rejoiced over the advantage + that had been gained for them by Sôgorô and by the + six elders, and there was not one that did not mourn for their + fate.</p> + + <p>When the officers of the several villages left the + Court-house, one Zembei, the chief of the village of Sakato, + told the others that he had some important subjects to speak to + them upon, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page173" + id="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> begged them to meet him in + the temple called Fukushôin. Every man having + consented, and the hundred and thirty-six men having + assembled at the temple, Zembei addressed them as + follows:—</p> + + <p>"The success of our petition, in obtaining the reduction of + our taxes to the same amount as was levied by our former lord, + is owing to Master Sôgorô, who has thus thrown away + his life for us. He and his wife and children are now to suffer + as criminals for the sake of the one hundred and thirty-six + villages. That such a thing should take place before our very + eyes seems to me not to be borne. What say you, my + masters?"</p> + + <p>"Ay! ay! what you say is just from top to bottom," replied + the others. Then Hanzayémon, the elder of the village of + Katsuta, stepped forward and said—</p> + + <p>"As Master Zembei has just said, Sôgorô is + condemned to die for a matter in which all the village elders + are concerned to a man. We cannot look on unconcerned. Full + well I know that it is useless our pleading for + Sôgorô; but we may, at least, petition that the + lives of his wife and children may be spared."</p> + + <p>The assembled elders having all applauded this speech, they + determined to draw up a memorial; and they resolved, should + their petition not be accepted by the local authorities, to + present it at their lord's palace in Yedo, and, should that + fail, to appeal to the Government. Accordingly, before noon on + the following day, they all affixed their seals to the + memorial, which four of them, including Zembei and + Hanzayémon, composed, as follows:—</p> + + <p>"With deep fear we humbly venture to present the following + petition, which the elders of the one hundred and thirty-six + villages of this estate have sealed with their seals. In + consequence of the humble petition which we lately offered up, + the taxes have graciously been reduced to the rates levied by + the former lord of the estate, and new laws have been + vouchsafed to us. With reverence and joy the peasants, great + and small, have gratefully acknowledged these favours. With + regard to Sôgorô, the elder of the village of + Iwahashi, who ventured to petition his highness the Shogun in + person, thus being guilty of a heinous crime, he has been + sentenced to death in the castle-town. With fear and trembling + we recognize the justice of his sentence. But in the matter of + his wife and children, she is but a woman, and they are so + young and innocent that they cannot distinguish the east from + the west: we pray that in your great clemency you will remit + their sin, and give them up to the representatives of the one + hundred and thirty-six villages, for which we shall be ever + grateful. We, the elders of the villages, know not to what + extent we may be transgressing in presenting this memorial. We + were all guilty of affixing our seals to the former petition; + but Sôgorô, who was chief of a large district, + producing a thousand kokus of revenue, and was therefore a man + of experience, acted for the others; and we grieve that he + alone should suffer <span class="pagenum"><a name="page174" + id="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> for all. Yet in his case we + reverently admit that there can be no reprieve. For his wife + and children, however, we humbly implore your gracious mercy + and consideration.</p> + + <p>"Signed by the elders of the villages of the estate, the 2d + year of Shôhô, and the 2d month."</p> + + <p>Having drawn up this memorial, the hundred and thirty-six + elders, with Zembei at their head, proceeded to the Court-house + to present the petition, and found the various officers seated + in solemn conclave. Then the clerk took the petition, and, + having opened it, read it aloud; and the councillor, + Ikéura Kazuyé, said—</p> + + <p>"The petition which you have addressed to us is worthy of + all praise. But you must know that this is a matter which is no + longer within our control. The affair has been reported to the + Government; and although the priests of my lord's ancestral + temple have interceded for Sôgorô, my lord is so + angry that he will not listen even to them, saying that, had he + not been one of the Gorôjiu, he would have been in danger + of being ruined by this man: his high station alone saved him. + My lord spoke so severely that the priests themselves dare not + recur to the subject. You see, therefore, that it will be no + use your attempting to take any steps in the matter, for most + certainly your petition will not be received. You had better, + then, think no more about it." And with these words he gave + back the memorial.</p> + + <p>Zembei and the elders, seeing, to their infinite sorrow, + that their mission was fruitless, left the Court-house, and + most sorrowfully took counsel together, grinding their teeth in + their disappointment when they thought over what the councillor + had said as to the futility of their attempt. Out of grief for + this, Zembei, with Hanzayémon and Heijiurô, on the + 11th day of the 2d month (the day on which Sôgorô + and his wife and children suffered), left Ewaradai, the place + of execution, and went to the temple Zenkôji, in the + province of Shinshiu, and from thence they ascended Mount + Kôya in Kishiu, and, on the 1st day of the 8th month, + shaved their heads and became priests; Zembei changed his name + to Kakushin, and Hanzayémon changed his to Zenshô: + as for Heijiurô, he fell sick at the end of the 7th + month, and on the 11th day of the 8th month died, being + forty-seven years old that year. These three men, who had loved + Sôgorô as the fishes love water, were true to him + to the last. Heijiurô was buried on Mount Kôya. + Kakushin wandered through the country as a priest, praying for + the entry of Sôgorô and his children into the + perfection of paradise; and, after visiting all the shrines and + temples, came back at last to his own province of + Shimôsa, and took up his abode at the temple Riukakuji, + in the village of Kano, and in the district of Imban, praying + and making offerings on behalf of the souls of + Sôgorô, his wife and children. Hanzayémon, + now known as the priest Zenshô, remained at Shinagawa, a + suburb of Yedo, and, by the charity of good people, collected + enough money to erect six + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page175" + id="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> bronze Buddhas, which + remain standing to this day. He fell sick and died, at the + age of seventy, on the 10th day of the 2d month of the 13th + year of the period styled Kambun. Zembei, who, as a priest, + had changed his name to Kakushin, died, at the age of + seventy-six, on the 17th day of the 10th month of the 2d + year of the period styled Empô. Thus did those men, + for the sake of Sôgorô and his family, give + themselves up to works of devotion; and the other villagers + also brought food to soothe the spirits of the dead, and + prayed for their entry into paradise; and as litanies were + repeated without intermission, there can be no doubt that + Sôgorô attained salvation.</p> + + <p>"In paradise, where the blessings of God are distributed + without favour, the soul learns its faults by the measure of + the rewards given. The lusts of the flesh are abandoned; and + the soul, purified, attains to the glory of + Buddha."<a id="footnotetag64" + name="footnotetag64"></a><a href="#footnote64"><sup>64</sup></a></p> + + <p>On the 11th day of the 2d month of the 2d year of + Shôhô, Sôgorô having been convicted of + a heinous crime, a scaffold was erected at Ewaradai, and the + councillor who resided at Yedo and the councillor who resided + on the estate, with the other officers, proceeded to the place + in all solemnity. Then the priests of Tôkôji, in + the village of Sakénaga, followed by coffin-bearers, + took their places in front of the councillors, and + said—</p> + + <p>"We humbly beg leave to present a petition."</p> + + <p>"What have your reverences to say?"</p> + + <p>"We are men who have forsaken the world and entered the + priesthood," answered the monks, respectfully; "and we would + fain, if it be possible, receive the bodies of those who are to + die, that we may bury them decently. It will be a great joy to + us if our humble petition be graciously heard and granted."</p> + + <p>"Your request shall be granted; but as the crime of + Sôgorô was great, his body must be exposed for + three days and three nights, after which the corpse shall be + given to you."</p> + + <p>At the hour of the snake (10 A.M.), the hour appointed for + the execution, the people from the neighbouring villages and + the castle-town, old and young, men and women, flocked to see + the sight: numbers there were, too, who came to bid a last + farewell to Sôgorô, his wife and children, and to + put up a prayer for them. When the hour had arrived, the + condemned were dragged forth bound, and made to sit upon coarse + mats. Sôgorô and his wife closed their eyes, for + the sight was more than they could bear; and the spectators, + with heaving breasts and streaming eyes, cried "Cruel!" and + "Pitiless!" and taking sweetmeats and cakes from the bosoms of + their dresses threw them to the children. At noon precisely + Sôgorô and his wife were bound to the crosses, + which were then set upright and fixed in the ground. When this + had been done, their eldest son Gennosuké was led + forward to the scaffold, in front of the two parents. Then + Sôgorô cried out—</p> + + <p>"Oh! cruel, cruel! what crime has this poor child committed + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page176" + id="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> that he is treated thus? As + for me, it matters not what becomes of me." And the tears + trickled down his face.</p> + + <p>The spectators prayed aloud, and shut their eyes; and the + executioner himself, standing behind the boy, and saying that + it was a pitiless thing that the child should suffer for the + father's fault, prayed silently. Then Gennosuké, who had + remained with his eyes closed, said to his parents—</p> + + <p>"Oh! my father and mother, I am going before you to + paradise, that happy country, to wait for you. My little + brothers and I will be on the banks of the river + Sandzu,<a id="footnotetag65" + name="footnotetag65"></a><a href="#footnote65"><sup>65</sup></a> + and stretch out our hands and help you across. Farewell, all + you who have come to see us die; and now please cut off my + head at once."</p> + + <p>With this he stretched out his neck, murmuring a last + prayer; and not only Sôgorô and his wife, but even + the executioner and the spectators could not repress their + tears; but the headsman, unnerved as he was, and touched to the + very heart, was forced, on account of his office, to cut off + the child's head, and a piteous wail arose from the parents and + the spectators.</p> + + <p>Then the younger child Sôhei said to the headsman, + "Sir, I have a sore on my right shoulder: please, cut my head + off from the left shoulder, lest you should hurt me. Alas! I + know not how to die, nor what I should do."</p> + + <p>When the headsman and the officers present heard the child's + artless speech, they wept again for very pity; but there was no + help for it, and the head fell off more swiftly than water is + drunk up by sand. Then little Kihachi, the third son, who, on + account of his tender years, should have been spared, was + butchered as he was in his simplicity eating the sweetmeats + which had been thrown to him by the spectators.</p> + + <p>When the execution of the children was over, the priests of + Tôkôji took their corpses, and, having placed them + in their coffins, carried them away, amidst the lamentations of + the bystanders, and buried them with great solemnity.</p> + + <p>Then Shigayémon, one of the servants of + Danzayémon, the chief of the Etas, who had been engaged + for the purpose, was just about to thrust his spear, when O + Man, Sôgorô's wife, raising her voice, + said—</p> + + <p>"Remember, my husband, that from the first you had made up + your mind to this fate. What though our bodies be disgracefully + exposed on these crosses?—we have the promises of the + gods before us; therefore, mourn not. Let us fix our minds upon + death: we are drawing near to paradise, and shall soon be with + the saints. Be calm, my husband. Let us cheerfully lay down our + single lives for the good of many. Man lives but for one + generation; his name, for many. A good name is more to be + prized than life."</p> + + <p>So she spoke; and Sôgorô on the cross, laughing + gaily, + answered—</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page177" + id="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span> + + <p>"Well said, wife! What though we are punished for the many? + Our petition was successful, and there is nothing left to wish + for. Now I am happy, for I have attained my heart's desire. The + changes and chances of life are manifold. But if I had five + hundred lives, and could five hundred times assume this shape + of mine, I would die five hundred times to avenge this + iniquity. For myself I care not; but that my wife and children + should be punished also is too much. Pitiless and cruel! Let my + lord fence himself in with iron walls, yet shall my spirit + burst through them and crush his bones, as a return for this + deed."</p> + + <p>And as he spoke, his eyes became vermilion red, and flashed + like the sun or the moon, and he looked like the demon + Razetsu.<a id="footnotetag66" + name="footnotetag66"></a><a href="#footnote66"><sup>66</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Come," shouted he, "make haste and pierce me with the + spear."</p> + + <p>"Your wishes shall be obeyed," said the Eta, + Shigayémon, and thrust in a spear at his right side + until it came out at his left shoulder, and the blood streamed + out like a fountain. Then he pierced the wife from the left + side; and she, opening her eyes, said in a dying + voice—</p> + + <p>"Farewell, all you who are present. May harm keep far from + you. Farewell! farewell!" and as her voice waxed faint, the + second spear was thrust in from her right side, and she + breathed out her spirit. Sôgorô, the colour of his + face not even changing, showed no sign of fear, but opening his + eyes wide, said—</p> + + <p>"Listen, my masters! all you who have come to see this + sight. Recollect that I shall pay my thanks to my lord + Kôtsuké no Suké for this day's work. You + shall see it for yourselves, so that it shall be talked of for + generations to come. As a sign, when I am dead, my head shall + turn and face towards the castle. When you see this, doubt not + that my words shall come true."</p> + + <p>When he had spoken thus, the officer directing the execution + gave a sign to the Eta, Shigayémon, and ordered him to + finish the execution, so that Sôgorô should speak + no more. So Shigayémon pierced him twelve or thirteen + times, until he died. And when he was dead, his head turned and + faced the castle. When the two councillors beheld this miracle, + they came down from their raised platform, and knelt down + before Sôgorô's dead body and said—</p> + + <p>"Although you were but a peasant on this estate, you + conceived a noble plan to succour the other farmers in their + distress. You bruised your bones, and crushed your heart, for + their sakes. Still, in that you appealed to the Shogun in + person, you committed a grievous crime, and made light of your + superiors; and for this it was impossible not to punish you. + Still we admit that to include your wife and children in your + crime, and kill them before your eyes, was a cruel deed. What + is done, is done, and regret is of no avail. However, honours + shall be paid to your <span class="pagenum"><a name="page178" + id="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> spirit: you shall be + canonized as the Saint Daimiyô, and you shall be + placed among the tutelar deities of my lord's family."</p> + + <p>With these words the two councillors made repeated + reverences before the corpse; and in this they showed their + faithfulness to their lord. But he, when the matter was + reported to him, only laughed scornfully at the idea that the + hatred of a peasant could affect his feudal lord; and said that + a vassal who had dared to hatch a plot which, had it not been + for his high office, would have been sufficient to ruin him, + had only met with his deserts. As for causing him to be + canonized, let him be as he was. Seeing their lord's anger, his + councillors could only obey. But it was not long before he had + cause to know that, though Sôgorô was dead, his + vengeance was yet alive.</p> + + <p>The relations of Sôgorô and the elders of the + villages having been summoned to the Court-house, the following + document was issued:—</p> + + <p>"Although the property of Sôgorô, the elder of + the village of Iwahashi, is confiscated, his household + furniture shall be made over to his two married daughters; and + the village officials will look to it that these few poor + things be not stolen by lawless and unprincipled men.</p> + + <p>"His rice-fields and corn-fields, his mountain land and + forest land, will be sold by auction. His house and grounds + will be given over to the elder of the village. The price + fetched by his property will be paid over to the lord of the + estate.</p> + + <p>"The above decree will be published, in full, to the + peasants of the village; and it is strictly forbidden to find + fault with this decision.</p> + + <p>"The 12th day of the 2d month, of the 2d year of the period + Shôhô."</p> + + <p>The peasants, having heard this degree with all humility, + left the Court-house. Then the following punishments were + awarded to the officers of the castle, who, by rejecting the + petition of the peasants in the first instance, had brought + trouble upon their lord:—</p> + + <p>"Dismissed from their office, the resident councillors at + Yedo and at the castle-town.</p> + + <p>"Banished from the province, four district governors, and + three bailiffs, and nineteen petty officers.</p> + + <p>"Dismissed from office, three metsukés, or censors, + and seven magistrates.</p> + + <p>"Condemned to <i>hara-kiri</i>, one district governor and + one Yedo bailiff.</p> + + <p>"The severity of this sentence is owing to the injustice of + the officials in raising new and unprecedented taxes, and + bringing affliction upon the people, and in refusing to receive + the petitions of the peasants, without consulting their lord, + thus driving them to appeal to the Shogun in person. In their + avarice they looked not to the future, but laid too heavy a + burden on the peasants, so that they made an appeal to a higher + power, endangering the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page179" + id="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> honour of their lord's + house. For this bad government the various officials are to + be punished as above."</p> + + <p>In this wise was justice carried out at the palace at Yedo + and at the Court-house at home. But in the history of the + world, from the dark ages down to the present time, there are + few instances of one man laying down his life for the many, as + Sôgorô did: noble and peasant praise him alike.</p> + + <p>As month after month passed away, towards the fourth year of + the period Shôhô, the wife of my lord + Kôtsuké no Suké, being with child, was + seized with violent pains; and retainers were sent to all the + different temples and shrines to pray by proxy, but all to no + purpose: she continued to suffer as before. Towards the end of + the seventh month of the year, there appeared, every night, a + preternatural light above the lady's chamber; this was + accompanied by hideous sounds as of many people laughing + fiendishly, and sometimes by piteous wailings, as though + myriads of persons were lamenting. The profound distress caused + by this added to her sufferings; so her own privy councillor, + an old man, took his place in the adjoining chamber, and kept + watch. All of a sudden, he heard a noise as if a number of + people were walking on the boards of the roof of my lady's + room; then there was a sound of men and women weeping; and + when, thunderstruck, the councillor was wondering what it could + all be, there came a wild burst of laughter, and all was + silent. Early the following morning, the old women who had + charge of my lady's household presented themselves before my + lord Kôtsuké no Suké, and said—</p> + + <p>"Since the middle of last month, the waiting-women have been + complaining to us of the ghostly noises by which my lady is + nightly disturbed, and they say that they cannot continue to + serve her. We have tried to soothe them, by saying that the + devils should be exorcised at once, and that there was nothing + to be afraid of. Still we feel that their fears are not without + reason, and that they really cannot do their work; so we beg + that your lordship will take the matter into your + consideration."</p> + + <p>"This is a passing strange story of yours; however, I will + go myself to-night to my lady's apartments and keep watch. You + can come with me."</p> + + <p>Accordingly, that night my lord Kôtsuké no + Suké sat up in person. At the hour of the rat (midnight) + a fearful noise of voices was heard, and Sôgorô and + his wife, bound to the fatal crosses, suddenly appeared; and + the ghosts, seizing the lady by the hand, said—</p> + + <p>"We have come to meet you. The pains you are suffering are + terrible, but they are nothing in comparison with those of the + hell to which we are about to lead you."</p> + + <p>At these words, Kôtsuké no Suké, seizing + his sword, tried to sweep the ghosts away with a terrific cut; + but a loud peal of laughter was heard, and the visions faded + away. Kôtsuké no Suké, terrified, sent his + retainers to the temples and shrines to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page180" + id="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> pray that the demons might + be cast out; but the noises were heard nightly, as before. + When the eleventh month of the year came round, the + apparitions of human forms in my lady's apartments became + more and more frequent and terrible, all the spirits railing + at her, and howling out that they had come to fetch her. The + women would all scream and faint; and then the ghosts would + disappear amid yells of laughter. Night after night this + happened, and even in the daytime the visions would manifest + themselves; and my lady's sickness grew worse daily, until + in the last month of the year she died, of grief and terror. + Then the ghost of Sôgorô and his wife crucified + would appear day and night in the chamber of + Kôtsuké no Suké, floating round the + room, and glaring at him with red and flaming eyes. The hair + of the attendants would stand on end with terror; and if + they tried to cut at the spirits, their limbs would be + cramped, and their feet and hands would not obey their + bidding. Kôtsuké no Suké would draw the + sword that lay by his bedside; but, as often as he did so, + the ghosts faded away, only to appear again in a more + hideous shape than before, until at last, having exhausted + his strength and spirits, even he became terror-stricken. + The whole household was thrown into confusion, and day after + day mystic rites and incantations were performed by the + priests over braziers of charcoal, while prayers were + recited without ceasing; but the visions only became more + frequent, and there was no sign of their ceasing. After the + 5th year of Shôhô, the style of the years was + changed to Keian; and during the 1st year of Keian the + spirits continued to haunt the palace; and now they appeared + in the chamber of Kôtsuké no Suké's + eldest son, surrounding themselves with even more terrors + than before; and when Kôtsuké no Suké + was about to go to the Shogun's castle, they were seen + howling out their cries of vengeance in the porch of the + house. At last the relations of the family and the members + of the household took counsel together, and told + Kôtsuké no Suké that without doubt no + ordinary means would suffice to lay the ghosts; a shrine + must be erected to Sôgorô, and divine honours + paid to him, after which the apparitions would assuredly + cease. Kôtsuké no Suké having carefully + considered the matter and given his consent, + Sôgorô was canonized under the name of + Sôgo Daimiyô, and a shrine was erected in his + honour. After divine honours had been paid to him, the awful + visions were no more seen, and the ghost of + Sôgorô was laid for ever.</p> + + <p>In the 2d year of the period Keian, on the 11th day of the + 10th month, on the occasion of the festival of first lighting + the fire on the hearth, the various Daimios and Hatamotos of + distinction went to the castle of the Shogun, at Yedo, to offer + their congratulations on this occasion. During the ceremonies, + my lord Hotta Kôtsuké no Suké and Sakai + Iwami no Kami, lord of the castle of Matsumoto, in the province + of Shinshiu, had a quarrel, the origin of which was not made + public; and Sakai Iwami no Kami, although he came of a brave + and noble family, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page181" + id="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> received so severe a wound + that he died on the following day, at the age of + forty-three; and in consequence of this, his family was + ruined and disgraced.<a id="footnotetag67" + name="footnotetag67"></a><a href="#footnote67"><sup>67</sup></a> + My lord Kôtsuké no Suké, by great good + fortune, contrived to escape from the castle, and took + refuge in his own house, whence, mounting a famous horse + called Hira-Abumi,<a id="footnotetag68" + name="footnotetag68"></a><a href="#footnote68"><sup>68</sup></a> + he fled to his castle of Sakura, in Shimôsa, + accomplishing the distance, which is about sixty miles, in + six hours. When he arrived in front of the castle, he called + out in a loud voice to the guard within to open the gate, + answering, in reply to their challenge, that he was + Kôtsuké no Suké, the lord of the castle. + The guard, not believing their ears, sent word to the + councillor in charge of the castle, who rushed out to see if + the person demanding admittance were really their lord. When + he saw Kôtsuké no Suké, he caused the + gates to be opened, and, thinking it more than strange, + said—</p> + + <p>"Is this indeed you, my lord? What strange chance brings + your lordship hither thus late at night, on horseback and + alone, without a single follower?"</p> + + <p>With these words he ushered in Kôtsuké no + Suké, who, in reply to the anxious inquiries of his + people as to the cause of his sudden appearance, + said—</p> + + <p>"You may well be astonished. I had a quarrel to-day in the + castle at Yedo, with Sakai Iwami no Kami, the lord of the + castle of Matsumoto, and I cut him down. I shall soon be + pursued; so we must strengthen the fortress, and prepare for an + attack."</p> + + <p>The household, hearing this, were greatly alarmed, and the + whole castle was thrown into confusion. In the meanwhile the + people of Kôtsuké no Suké's palace at Yedo, + not knowing whether their lord had fled, were in the greatest + anxiety, until a messenger came from Sakura, and reported his + arrival there.</p> + + <p>When the quarrel inside the castle of Yedo and + Kôtsuké no Suké's flight had been taken + cognizance of, he was attainted of treason, and soldiers were + sent to seize him, dead or alive. Midzuno Setsu no Kami and + Gotô Yamato no Kami were charged with the execution of + the order, and sallied forth, on the 13th day of the 10th + month, to carry it out. When they arrived at the town of Sasai, + they sent a herald with the following message—</p> + + <p>"Whereas Kôtsuké no Suké killed Sakai + Iwami no Kami inside the castle of Yedo, and has fled to his + own castle without leave, he is attainted of treason; and we, + being connected with him by ties of blood and of friendship, + have been charged to seize him."</p> + + <p>The herald delivered this message to the councillor of + Kôtsuké no Suké, who, pleading as an excuse + that his lord was mad, begged the two nobles to intercede for + him. Gotô Yamato no Kami upon this called the councillor + to him, and spoke privately + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page182" + id="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> to him, after which the + latter took his leave and returned to the castle of + Sakura.</p> + + <p>In the meanwhile, after consultation at Yedo, it was decided + that, as Gotô Yamato no Kami and Midzuno Setsu no Kami + were related to Kôtsuké no Suké, and might + meet with difficulties for that very reason, two other nobles, + Ogasawara Iki no Kami and Nagai Hida no Kami, should be sent to + assist them, with orders that should any trouble arise they + should send a report immediately to Yedo. In consequence of + this order, the two nobles, with five thousand men, were about + to march for Sakura, on the 15th of the month, when a messenger + arrived from that place bearing the following despatch for the + Gorôjiu, from the two nobles who had preceded + them—</p> + + <p>"In obedience to the orders of His Highness the Shogun, we + proceeded, on the 13th day of this month, to the castle of + Sakura, and conducted a thorough investigation of the affair. + It is true that Kôtsuké no Suké has been + guilty of treason, but he is out of his mind; his retainers + have called in physicians, and he is undergoing treatment by + which his senses are being gradually restored, and his mind is + being awakened from its sleep. At the time when he slew Sakai + Iwami no Kami he was not accountable for his actions, and will + be sincerely penitent when he is aware of his crime. We have + taken him prisoner, and have the honour to await your + instructions; in the meanwhile, we beg by these present to let + you know what we have done.</p> + <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> + <p class="author"> + "(Signed) GOTÔ YAMATO NO KAMI.<br /> + MIDZUNO SETSU NO KAMI.</p> + <p><i>To the Gorôjiu, 2d year of Keian, 2d month, 14th + day</i>."</p> + </div> </div> + <br /> + <p>This despatch reached Yedo on the 16th of the month, and was + read by the Gorôjiu after they had left the castle; and + in consequence of the report of Kôtsuké no + Suké's madness, the second expedition was put a stop to, + and the following instructions were sent to Gotô Yamato + no Kami and Midzuno Setsu no Kami—</p> + + <p>"With reference to the affair of Hotta Kôtsuké + no Suké, lord of the castle of Sakura, in Shimôsa, + whose quarrel with Sakai Iwami no Kami within the castle of + Yedo ended in bloodshed. For this heinous crime and disregard + of the sanctity of the castle, it is ordered that + Kôtsuké no Suké be brought as a prisoner to + Yedo, in a litter covered with nets, that his case may be + judged.</p> + <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> + <p>"2d year of Keian, 2d month.</p> + <p class="author">(<i>Signed by the Gorôjiu</i>) + + INABA MINO NO KAMI.<br /> + INOUYE KAWACHI NO KAMI.<br /> + KATÔ ECCHIU NO KAMI."</p> + </div> </div> + <br /> + + <p>Upon the receipt of this despatch, Hotta + Kôtsuké nô Suké was immediately + placed in a litter covered with a net of green silk, and + conveyed to Yedo, strictly guarded by the retainers of the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page183" + id="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> two nobles; and, having + arrived at the capital, was handed over to the charge of + Akimoto Tajima no Kami. All his retainers were quietly + dispersed; and his empty castle was ordered to be thrown + open, and given in charge to Midzuno Iki no Kami.</p> + + <p>At last Kôtsuké no Suké began to feel + that the death of his wife and his own present misfortunes were + a just retribution for the death of Sôgorô and his + wife and children, and he was as one awakened from a dream. + Then night and morning, in his repentance, he offered up + prayers to the sainted spirit of the dead farmer, and + acknowledged and bewailed his crime, vowing that, if his family + were spared from ruin and re-established, intercession should + be made at the court of the Mikado,<a id="footnotetag69" + name="footnotetag69"></a><a href="#footnote69"><sup>69</sup></a> + at Kiyôto, on behalf of the spirit of + Sôgorô, so that, being worshipped with even + greater honours than before, his name should be handed down + to all generations.</p> + + <p>In consequence of this it happened that the spirit of + Sôgorô having relaxed in its vindictiveness, and + having ceased to persecute the house of Hotta, in the 1st month + of the 4th year of Keian, Kôtsuké no Suké + received a summons from the Shogun, and, having been forgiven, + was made lord of the castle of Matsuyama, in the province of + Déwa, with a revenue of twenty thousand kokus. In the + same year, on the 20th day of the 4th month, the Shogun, Prince + Iyémitsu, was pleased to depart this life, at the age of + forty-eight; and whether by the forgiving spirit of the prince, + or by the divine interposition of the sainted + Sôgorô, Kôtsuké no Suké was + promoted to the castle of Utsu no Miya, in the province of + Shimotsuké, with a revenue of eighty thousand kokus; and + his name was changed to Hotta Hida no Kami. He also received + again his original castle of Sakura, with a revenue of twenty + thousand kokus: so that there can be no doubt that the saint + was befriending him. In return for these favours, the shrine of + Sôgorô was made as beautiful as a gem. It is + needless to say how many of the peasants of the estate flocked + to the shrine: any good luck that might befall the people was + ascribed to it, and night and day the devout worshipped at + it.</p> + + <p>Here follows a copy of the petition which Sôgorô + presented to the Shogun—</p> + + <p>"We, the elders of the hundred and thirty-six villages of + the district of Chiba, in the province of Shimôsa, and of + the district of Buji, in the province of Kadzusa, most + reverently offer up this our humble petition.</p> + + <p>"When our former lord, Doi Shosho, was transferred to + another castle, in the 9th year of the period Kanyé, + Hotta Kaga no Kami became lord of the castle of Sakura; and in + the 17th year of the same period, my lord Kôtsuké + no Suké succeeded him. Since + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page184" + id="page184"></a>[pg 184]</span> that time the taxes laid + upon us have been raised in the proportion of one tô + and two sho to each koku.<a id="footnotetag70" + name="footnotetag70"></a><a href="#footnote70"><sup>70</sup></a> + </p> + + <p>"<i>Item</i>.—At the present time, taxes are raised on + nineteen of our articles of produce; whereas our former lord + only required that we should furnish him with pulse and + sesamum, for which he paid in rice.</p> + + <p>"<i>Item</i>.—Not only are we not paid now for our + produce, but, if it is not given in to the day, we are driven + and goaded by the officials; and if there be any further delay, + we are manacled and severely reprimanded; so that if our own + crops fail, we have to buy produce from other districts, and + are pushed to the utmost extremity of affliction.</p> + + <p>"<i>Item</i>.—We have over and over again prayed to be + relieved from these burthens, but our petitions are not + received. The people are reduced to poverty, so that it is hard + for them to live under such grievous taxation. Often they have + tried to sell the land which they till, but none can be found + to buy; so they have sometimes given over their land to the + village authorities, and fled with their wives to other + provinces, and seven hundred and thirty men or more have been + reduced to begging, one hundred and eighty-five houses have + fallen into ruins; land producing seven thousand kokus has been + given up, and remains untilled, and eleven temples have fallen + into decay in consequence of the ruin of those upon whom they + depended.</p> + + <p>"Besides this, the poverty-stricken farmers and women, + having been obliged to take refuge in other provinces, and + having no abiding-place, have been driven to evil courses and + bring men to speak ill of their lord; and the village + officials, being unable to keep order, are blamed and reproved. + No attention has been paid to our repeated representations upon + this point; so we were driven to petition the Gorôjiu + Kuzé Yamato no Kami as he was on his way to the castle, + but our petition was returned to us. And now, as a last + resource, we tremblingly venture to approach his Highness the + Shogun in person.</p> + + <p>"The 1st year of the period Shôhô, 12th month, + 20th day.</p> + + <table summary="seal" + align="center"> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/seal.jpg" + width="50" + height="37" + alt="seal" /></td> + + <td>"The seals of the elders of the 136 villages."</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <p>The Shogun at that time was Prince Iyémitsu, the + grandson of Iyéyasu. He received the name of Dai-yu-In + after his death.</p> + + <p>The Gorôjiu at that time were Hotta + Kôtsuké no Suké, Sakai Iwami no Kami, Inaba + Mino no Kami, Katô Ecchiu no Kami, Inouyé Kawachi + no Kami.</p> + + <p>The Wakadoshiyôri (or 2d council) were Torii Wakasa no + Kami, Tsuchiya Dewa no Kami, and Itakura Naizen no Sho.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The belief in ghosts appears to be as universal as that in + the immortality of the soul, upon which it depends. Both in + China <span class="pagenum"><a name="page185" + id="page185"></a>[pg 185]</span> and Japan the departed + spirit is invested with the power of revisiting the earth, + and, in a visible form, tormenting its enemies and haunting + those places where the perishable part of it mourned and + suffered. Haunted houses are slow to find tenants, for + ghosts almost always come with revengeful intent; indeed, + the owners of such houses will almost pay men to live in + them, such is the dread which they inspire, and the anxiety + to blot out the stigma.</p> + + <p>One cold winter's night at Yedo, as I was sitting, with a + few Japanese friends, huddled round the imperfect heat of a + brazier of charcoal, the conversation turned upon the story of + Sôgorô and upon ghostly apparitions in general. + Many a weird tale was told that evening, and I noted down the + three or four which follow, for the truth of which the + narrators vouched with the utmost confidence.</p> + + <p>About ten years ago there lived a fishmonger, named Zenroku, + in the Mikawa-street, at Kanda, in Yedo. He was a poor man, + living with his wife and one little boy. His wife fell sick and + died, so he engaged an old woman to look after his boy while he + himself went out to sell his fish. It happened, one day, that + he and the other hucksters of his guild were gambling; and this + coming to the ears of the authorities, they were all thrown + into prison. Although their offence was in itself a light one, + still they were kept for some time in durance while the matter + was being investigated; and Zenroku, owing to the damp and foul + air of the prison, fell sick with fever. His little child, in + the meantime, had been handed over by the authorities to the + charge of the petty officers of the ward to which his father + belonged, and was being well cared for; for Zenroku was known + to be an honest fellow, and his fate excited much compassion. + One night Zenroku, pale and emaciated, entered the house in + which his boy was living; and all the people joyfully + congratulated him on his escape from jail. "Why, we heard that + you were sick in prison. This is, indeed, a joyful return." + Then Zenroku thanked those who had taken care of the child, + saying that he had returned secretly by the favour of his + jailers that night; but that on the following day his offence + would be remitted, and he should be able to take possession of + his house again publicly. For that night, he must return to the + prison. With this he begged those present to continue their + good offices to his babe; and, with a sad and reluctant + expression of countenance, he left the house. On the following + day, the officers of that ward were sent for by the prison + authorities. They thought that they were summoned that Zenroku + might be handed back to them a free man, as he himself had said + to them; but to their surprise, they were told that he had died + the night before in prison, and were ordered to carry away his + dead body for burial. Then they knew that they had seen + Zenroku's ghost; and that when he said that he should be + returned to them on the morrow, he had alluded to his corpse. + So they buried him decently, and brought up his son, who is + alive to this day.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page186" + id="page186"></a>[pg 186]</span> + + <p>The next story was told by a professor in the college at + Yedo, and, although it is not of so modern a date as the last, + he stated it to be well authenticated, and one of general + notoriety.</p> + + <p>About two hundred years ago there was a chief of the police, + named Aoyama Shuzen, who lived in the street called Bancho, at + Yedo. His duty was to detect thieves and incendiaries. He was a + cruel and violent man, without heart or compassion, and thought + nothing of killing or torturing a man to gratify spite or + revenge. This man Shuzen had in his house a servant-maid, + called O Kiku (the Chrysanthemum), who had lived in the family + since her childhood, and was well acquainted with her master's + temper. One day O Kiku accidentally broke one of a set of ten + porcelain plates, upon which he set a high value. She knew that + she would suffer for her carelessness; but she thought that if + she concealed the matter her punishment would be still more + severe; so she went at once to her master's wife, and, in fear + and trembling, confessed what she had done. When Shuzen came + home, and heard that one of his favourite plates was broken, he + flew into a violent rage, and took the girl to a cupboard, + where he left her bound with cords, and every day cut off one + of her fingers. O Kiku, tightly bound and in agony, could not + move; but at last she contrived to bite or cut the ropes + asunder, and, escaping into the garden, threw herself into a + well, and was drowned. From that time forth, every night a + voice was heard coming from the well, counting one, two, three, + and so on up to nine—the number of the plates that + remained unbroken—and then, when the tenth plate should + have been counted, would come a burst of lamentation. The + servants of the house, terrified at this, all left their + master's service, until Shuzen, not having a single retainer + left, was unable to perform his public duties; and when the + officers of the government heard of this, he was dismissed from + his office. At this time there was a famous priest, called + Mikadzuki Shônin, of the temple Denzuin, who, having been + told of the affair, came one night to the house, and, when the + ghost began to count the plates, reproved the spirit, and by + his prayers and admonitions caused it to cease from troubling + the living.</p> + + <p>The laying of disturbed spirits appears to form one of the + regular functions of the Buddhist priests; at least, we find + them playing a conspicuous part in almost every + ghost-story.</p> + + <p>About thirty years ago there stood a house at + Mitsumé, in the Honjô of Yedo, which was said to + be nightly visited by ghosts, so that no man dared to live in + it, and it remained untenanted on that account. However, a man + called Miura Takéshi, a native of the province of Oshiu, + who came to Yedo to set up in business as a fencing-master, but + was too poor to hire a house, hearing that there was a haunted + house, for which no tenant could be found, and that the owner + would let any man live in it rent free, said that he feared + neither man nor devil, and obtained leave to occupy the house. + So he hired a fencing-room, in which he gave + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page187" + id="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span> his lessons by day, and + after midnight returned to the haunted house. One night, his + wife, who took charge of the house in his absence, was + frightened by a fearful noise proceeding from a pond in the + garden, and, thinking that this certainly must be the ghost + that she had heard so much about, she covered her head with + the bed-clothes and remained breathless with terror. When + her husband came home, she told him what had happened; and + on the following night he returned earlier than usual, and + waited for the ghostly noise. At the same time as before, a + little after midnight, the same sound was heard—as + though a gun had been fired inside the pond. Opening the + shutters, he looked out, and saw something like a black + cloud floating on the water, and in the cloud was the form + of a bald man. Thinking that there must be some cause for + this, he instituted careful inquiries, and learned that the + former tenant, some ten years previously, had borrowed money + from a blind shampooer,<a id="footnotetag71" + name="footnotetag71"></a><a href="#footnote71"><sup>71</sup></a> + and, being unable to pay the debt, had murdered his + creditor, who began to press him for his money, and had + thrown his head into the pond. The fencing-master + accordingly collected his pupils and emptied the pond, and + found a skull at the bottom of it; so he called in a priest, + and buried the skull in a temple, causing prayers to be + offered up for the repose of the murdered man's soul. Thus + the ghost was laid, and appeared no more.</p> + + <p>The belief in curses hanging over families for generations + is as common as that in ghosts and supernatural apparitions. + There is a strange story of this nature in the house of Asai, + belonging to the Hatamoto class. The ancestor of the present + representative, six generations ago, had a certain concubine, + who was in love with a man who frequented the house, and wished + in her heart to marry him; but, being a virtuous woman, she + never thought of doing any evil deed. But the wife of my lord + Asai was jealous of the girl, and persuaded her husband that + her rival in his affections had gone astray; when he heard this + he was very angry, and beat her with a candlestick so that he + put out her left eye. The girl, who had indignantly protested + her innocence, finding herself so cruelly handled, pronounced a + curse against the house; upon which, her master, seizing the + candlestick again, dashed out her brains and killed her. + Shortly afterwards my lord Asai lost his left eye, and fell + sick and died; and from that time forth to this day, it is said + that the representatives of the house have all lost their left + eyes after the age of forty, and shortly afterwards they have + fallen sick and died at the same age as the cruel lord who + killed his + concubine.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page188" + id="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> + + <h3>NOTE.</h3> + + <p>Of the many fair scenes of Yedo, none is better worth + visiting than the temple of Zôjôji, one of the two + great burial-places of the Shoguns; indeed, if you wish to see + the most beautiful spots of any Oriental city, ask for the + cemeteries: the homes of the dead are ever the loveliest + places. Standing in a park of glorious firs and pines + beautifully kept, which contains quite a little town of neat, + clean-looking houses, together with thirty-four temples for the + use of the priests and attendants of the shrines, the main + temple, with its huge red pillars supporting a heavy Chinese + roof of grey tiles, is approached through a colossal open hall + which leads into a stone courtyard. At one end of this + courtyard is a broad flight of steps—the three or four + lower ones of stone, and the upper ones of red wood. At these + the visitor is warned by a notice to take off his boots, a + request which Englishmen, with characteristic disregard of the + feelings of others, usually neglect to comply with. The main + hall of the temple is of large proportions, and the high altar + is decorated with fine bronze candelabra, incense-burners, and + other ornaments, and on two days of the year a very curious + collection of pictures representing the five hundred gods, + whose images are known to all persons who have visited Canton, + is hung along the walls. The big bell outside the main hall is + rather remarkable on account of the great beauty of the deep + bass waves of sound which it rolls through the city than on + account of its size, which is as nothing when compared with + that of the big bells of Moscow and Peking; still it is not to + be despised even in that respect, for it is ten feet high and + five feet eight inches in diameter, while its metal is a foot + thick: it was hung up in the year 1673. But the chief objects + of interest in these beautiful grounds are the chapels attached + to the tombs of the Shoguns.</p> + + <p>It is said that as Prince Iyéyasu was riding into + Yedo to take possession of his new castle, the Abbot of + Zôjôji, an ancient temple which then stood at + Hibiya, near the castle, went forth and waited before the gate + to do homage to the Prince. Iyéyasu, seeing that the + Abbot was no ordinary man, stopped and asked his name, and + entered the temple to rest himself. The smooth-spoken monk soon + found such favour with Iyéyasu, that he chose + Zôjôji to be his family temple; and seeing that its + grounds were narrow and inconveniently near the castle, he + caused it to be removed to its present site. In the year 1610 + the temple was raised, by the intercession of Iyéyasu, + to the dignity of the Imperial Temples, which, until the last + revolution, were presided over by princes of the blood; and to + the Abbot was granted the right, on going to the castle, of + sitting in his litter as far as the entrance-hall, instead of + dismounting at the usual place and proceeding on foot through + several gates and courtyards. Nor were the privileges of the + temple confined to barren honours, for it was endowed with + lands of the value of five thousand kokus of rice yearly.</p> + + <p>When Iyéyasu died, the shrine called Antoku In was + erected in his honour to the south of the main temple. Here, on + the seventeenth day of the fourth month, the anniversary of his + death, ceremonies are held in honour of his spirit, deified as + Gongen Sama, and the place is thrown open to all who may wish + to come and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page189" + id="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> pray. But Iyéyasu is + not buried here; his remains lie in a gorgeous shrine among + the mountains some eighty miles north of Yedo, at + Nikkô, a place so beautiful that the Japanese have a + rhyming proverb which says, that he who has not seen + Nikkô should never pronounce the word Kekkô + (charming, delicious, grand, beautiful).</p> + + <p>Hidétada, the son and successor of Iyéyasu, + together with Iyénobu, Iyétsugu, + Iyéshigé, Iyéyoshi, and Iyémochi, + the sixth, seventh, ninth, twelfth, and fourteenth Shoguns of + the Tokugawa dynasty, are buried in three shrines attached to + the temple; the remainder, with the exception of + Iyémitsu, the third Shogun, who lies with his + grandfather at Nikkô, are buried at Uyéno.</p> + + <p>The shrines are of exceeding beauty, lying on one side of a + splendid avenue of Scotch firs, which border a broad, well-kept + gravel walk. Passing through a small gateway of rare design, we + come into a large stone courtyard, lined with a long array of + colossal stone lanterns, the gift of the vassals of the + departed Prince. A second gateway, supported by gilt pillars + carved all round with figures of dragons, leads into another + court, in which are a bell tower, a great cistern cut out of a + single block of stone like a sarcophagus, and a smaller number + of lanterns of bronze; these are given by the Go San Ké, + the three princely families in which the succession to the + office of Shogun was vested. Inside this is a third court, + partly covered like a cloister, the approach to which is a + doorway of even greater beauty and richness than the last; the + ceiling is gilt, and painted with arabesques and with heavenly + angels playing on musical instruments, and the panels of the + walls are sculptured in high relief with admirable + representations of birds and flowers, life-size, life-like, all + being coloured to imitate nature. Inside this enclosure stands + a shrine, before the closed door of which a priest on one side, + and a retainer of the house of Tokugawa on the other, sit + mounting guard, mute and immovable as though they themselves + were part of the carved ornaments. Passing on one side of the + shrine, we come to another court, plainer than the last, and at + the back of the little temple inside it is a flight of stone + steps, at the top of which, protected by a bronze door, stands + a simple monumental urn of bronze on a stone pedestal. Under + this is the grave itself; and it has always struck me that + there is no small amount of poetical feeling in this simple + ending to so much magnificence; the sermon may have been + preached by design, or it may have been by accident, but the + lesson is there.</p> + + <p>There is little difference between the three shrines, all of + which are decorated in the same manner. It is very difficult to + do justice to their beauty in words. Writing many thousand + miles away from them, I have the memory before me of a place + green in winter, pleasant and cool in the hottest summer; of + peaceful cloisters, of the fragrance of incense, of the subdued + chant of richly robed priests, and the music of bells; of + exquisite designs, harmonious colouring, rich gilding. The hum + of the vast city outside is unheard here: Iyéyasu + himself, in the mountains of Nikkô, has no quieter + resting-place than his descendants in the heart of the city + over which they ruled.</p> + + <p>Besides the graves of the Shoguns, Zôjôji + contains other lesser shrines, in which are buried the wives of + the second, sixth, and eleventh Shoguns, and the father of + Iyénobu, the sixth Shogun, who succeeded to the office + by adoption. There is also a holy place called + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page190" + id="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span> the Satsuma Temple, which + has a special interest; in it is a tablet in honour of + Tadayoshi, the fifth son of Iyéyasu, whose title was + Matsudaira Satsuma no Kami, and who died young. At his + death, five of his retainers, with one Ogasasawara Kemmotsu + at their head, disembowelled themselves, that they might + follow their young master into the next world. They were + buried in this place; and I believe that this is the last + instance on record of the ancient Japanese custom of + <i>Junshi</i>, that is to say, "dying with the master."</p> + + <p>There are, during the year, several great festivals which + are specially celebrated at Zôjoji; the chief of these + are the Kaisanki, or founder's day, which is on the eighteenth + day of the seventh month; the twenty-fifth day of the first + month, the anniversary of the death of the monk Hônen, + the founder of the Jôdo sect of Buddhism (that to which + the temple belongs); the anniversary of the death of Buddha, on + the fifteenth of the second month; the birthday of Buddha, on + the eighth day of the fourth month; and from the sixth to the + fifteenth of the tenth month.</p> + + <p>At Uyéno is the second of the burial-grounds of the + Shoguns. The Temple Tô-yei-zan, which stood in the + grounds of Uyéno, was built by Iyémitsu, the + third of the Shoguns of the house of Tokugawa, in the year + 1625, in honour of Yakushi Niôrai, the Buddhist + Æsculapius. It faces the Ki-mon, or Devil's Gate, of the + castle, and was erected upon the model of the temple of + Hi-yei-zan, one of the most famous of the holy places of + Kiyôto. Having founded the temple, the next care of + Iyémitsu was to pray that Morizumi, the second son of + the retired emperor, should come and reside there; and from + that time until 1868, the temple was always presided over by a + Miya, or member of the Mikado's family, who was specially + charged with the care of the tomb of Iyéyasu at + Nikkô, and whose position was that of an ecclesiastical + chief or primate over the east of Japan.</p> + + <p>The temples in Yedo are not to be compared in point of + beauty with those in and about Peking; what is marble there is + wood here. Still they are very handsome, and in the days of its + magnificence the Temple of Uyéno was one of the finest. + Alas! the main temple, the hall in honour of the sect to which + it belongs, the hall of services, the bell-tower, the + entrance-hall, and the residence of the prince of the blood, + were all burnt down in the battle of Uyéno, in the + summer of 1868, when the Shogun's men made their last stand in + Yedo against the troops of the Mikado. The fate of the day was + decided by two field-pieces, which the latter contrived to + mount on the roof of a neighbouring tea-house; and the Shogun's + men, driven out of the place, carried off the Miya in the vain + hope of raising his standard in the north as that of a rival + Mikado. A few of the lesser temples and tombs, and the + beautiful park-like grounds, are but the remnants of the former + glory of Uyéno. Among these is a temple in the form of a + roofless stage, in honour of the thousand-handed Kwannon. In + the middle ages, during the civil wars between the houses of + Gen and Hei, one Morihisa, a captain of the house of Hei, after + the destruction of his clan, went and prayed for a thousand + days at the temple of the thousand-handed Kwannon at Kiyomidzu, + in Kiyôto. His retreat having been discovered, he was + seized and brought bound to Kamakura, the chief town of the + house of Gen. Here he was condemned to die at a place called + Yui, by the sea-shore; but every time that the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page191" + id="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span> executioner lifted his + sword to strike, the blade was broken by the god Kwannon, + and at the same time the wife of Yoritomo, the chief of the + house of Gen, was warned in a dream to spare Morihisa's + life. So Morihisa was reprieved, and rose to power in the + state; and all this was by the miraculous intervention of + the god Kwannon, who takes such good care of his faithful + votaries. To him this temple is dedicated. A colossal bronze + Buddha, twenty-two feet high, set up some two hundred years + ago, and a stone lantern, twenty feet high, and twelve feet + round at the top, are greatly admired by the Japanese. There + are only three such lanterns in the empire; the other two + being at Nanzenji—a temple in Kiyôto, and + Atsura, a shrine in the province of Owari. All three were + erected by the piety of one man, Sakuma Daizen no + Suké, in the year A.D. 1631.</p> + + <p>Iyémitsu, the founder of the temple, was buried with + his grandfather, Iyéyasu, at Nikkô; but both of + these princes are honoured with shrines here. The Shoguns who + are interred at Uyéno are Iyétsuna, Tsunayoshi, + Yoshimuné, Iyéharu, Iyénori, and + Iyésada, the fourth, fifth, eighth, tenth, eleventh, and + thirteenth Princes of the Line. Besides them, are buried five + wives of the Shoguns, and the father of the eleventh + Shogun.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page192" + id="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> + + <h2>HOW TAJIMA SHUMÉ WAS TORMENTED BY A DEVIL OF HIS OWN + CREATION</h2> + + <p>Once upon a time, a certain Rônin, Tajima Shumé + by name, an able and well-read man, being on his travels to see + the world, went up to Kiyôto by the + Tôkaidô.<a id="footnotetag72" + name="footnotetag72"></a><a href="#footnote72"><sup>72</sup></a> + One day, in the neighbourhood of Nagoya, in the province of + Owari, he fell in with a wandering priest, with whom he + entered into conversation. Finding that they were bound for + the same place, they agreed to travel together, beguiling + their weary way by pleasant talk on divers matters; and so + by degrees, as they became more intimate, they began to + speak without restraint about their private affairs; and the + priest, trusting thoroughly in the honour of his companion, + told him the object of his journey.</p> + + <p>"For some time past," said he, "I have nourished a wish that + has engrossed all my thoughts; for I am bent on setting up a + molten image in honour of Buddha; with this object I have + wandered through various provinces collecting alms and (who + knows by what weary toil?) we have succeeded in amassing two + hundred ounces of silver—enough, I trust, to erect a + handsome bronze figure."</p> + + <p>What says the proverb? "He who bears a jewel in his bosom + bears poison." Hardly had the Rônin heard these words of + the priest than an evil heart arose within him, and he thought + to himself, "Man's life, from the womb to the grave, is made up + of good and of ill luck. Here am I, nearly forty years old, a + wanderer, without a calling, or even a hope of advancement in + the world. To be sure, it seems a shame; yet if I could steal + the money this priest is boasting about, I could live at ease + for the rest of my days;" and so he began casting about how + best he might compass his purpose. But the priest, far from + guessing the drift of his comrade's thoughts, journeyed + cheerfully on, till they reached the town of Kuana. Here there + is an arm of the sea, which is crossed in ferry-boats, that + start as soon as some twenty or thirty passengers are gathered + together; and in one of these boats the two travellers + embarked. About half-way across, the priest was taken with a + sudden necessity to go to the side of the boat; and the + Rônin, following him, tripped him up whilst no one was + looking, and flung him into the sea. When the boatmen and + passengers heard the splash, and saw the priest + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page193" + id="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span> struggling in the water, + they were afraid, and made every effort to save him; but the + wind was fair, and the boat running swiftly under the + bellying sails, so they were soon a few hundred yards off + from the drowning man, who sank before the boat could be + turned to rescue him.</p> + + <p>When he saw this, the Rônin feigned the utmost grief + and dismay, and said to his fellow-passengers, "This priest, + whom we have just lost, was my cousin: he was going to + Kiyôto, to visit the shrine of his patron; and as I + happened to have business there as well, we settled to travel + together. Now, alas! by this misfortune, my cousin is dead, and + I am left alone."</p> + + <p>He spoke so feelingly, and wept so freely, that the + passengers believed his story, and pitied and tried to comfort + him. Then the Rônin said to the boatmen—</p> + + <p>"We ought, by rights, to report this matter to the + authorities; but as I am pressed for time, and the business + might bring trouble on yourselves as well, perhaps we had + better hush it up for the present; and I will at once go on to + Kiyôto and tell my cousin's patron, besides writing home + about it. What think you, gentlemen?" added he, turning to the + other travellers.</p> + + <p>They, of course, were only too glad to avoid any hindrance + to their onward journey, and all with one voice agreed to what + the Rônin had proposed; and so the matter was settled. + When, at length, they reached the shore, they left the boat, + and every man went his way; but the Rônin, overjoyed in + his heart, took the wandering priest's luggage, and, putting it + with his own, pursued his journey to Kiyôto.</p> + + <p>On reaching the capital, the Rônin changed his name + from Shumé to Tokubei, and, giving up his position as a + Samurai, turned merchant, and traded with the dead man's money. + Fortune favouring his speculations, he began to amass great + wealth, and lived at his ease, denying himself nothing; and in + course of time he married a wife, who bore him a child.</p> + + <p>Thus the days and months wore on, till one fine summer's + night, some three years after the priest's death, Tokubei + stepped out on to the verandah of his house to enjoy the cool + air and the beauty of the moonlight. Feeling dull and lonely, + he began musing over all kinds of things, when on a sudden the + deed of murder and theft, done so long ago, vividly recurred to + his memory, and he thought to himself, "Here am I, grown rich + and fat on the money I wantonly stole. Since then, all has gone + well with me; yet, had I not been poor, I had never turned + assassin nor thief. Woe betide me! what a pity it was!" and as + he was revolving the matter in his mind, a feeling of remorse + came over him, in spite of all he could do. While his + conscience thus smote him, he suddenly, to his utter amazement, + beheld the faint outline of a man standing near a fir-tree in + the garden: on looking more attentively, he perceived that the + man's whole body was thin and worn and the eyes sunken and dim; + and in the poor ghost that was before him he recognized the + very priest whom he <span class="pagenum"><a name="page194" + id="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span> had thrown into the sea at + Kuana. Chilled with horror, he looked again, and saw that + the priest was smiling in scorn. He would have fled into the + house, but the ghost stretched forth its withered arm, and, + clutching the back of his neck, scowled at him with a + vindictive glare, and a hideous ghastliness of mien, so + unspeakably awful that any ordinary man would have swooned + with fear. But Tokubei, tradesman though he was, had once + been a soldier, and was not easily matched for daring; so he + shook off the ghost, and, leaping into the room for his + dirk, laid about him boldly enough; but, strike as he would, + the spirit, fading into the air, eluded his blows, and + suddenly reappeared only to vanish again: and from that time + forth Tokubei knew no rest, and was haunted night and + day.</p> + + <p>At length, undone by such ceaseless vexation, Tokubei fell + ill, and kept muttering, "Oh, misery! misery!—the + wandering priest is coming to torture me!" Hearing his moans + and the disturbance he made, the people in the house fancied he + was mad, and called in a physician, who prescribed for him. But + neither pill nor potion could cure Tokubei, whose strange + frenzy soon became the talk of the whole neighbourhood.</p> + + <p>Now it chanced that the story reached the ears of a certain + wandering priest who lodged in the next street. When he heard + the particulars, this priest gravely shook his head, as though + he knew all about it, and sent a friend to Tokubei's house to + say that a wandering priest, dwelling hard by, had heard of his + illness, and, were it never so grievous, would undertake to + heal it by means of his prayers; and Tokubei's wife, driven + half wild by her husband's sickness, lost not a moment in + sending for the priest, and taking him into the sick man's + room.</p> + + <p>But no sooner did Tokubei see the priest than he yelled out, + "Help! help! Here is the wandering priest come to torment me + again. Forgive! forgive!" and hiding his head under the + coverlet, he lay quivering all over. Then the priest turned all + present out of the room, put his mouth to the affrighted man's + ear, and whispered—</p> + + <p>"Three years ago, at the Kuana ferry, you flung me into the + water; and well you remember it."</p> + + <p>But Tokubei was speechless, and could only quake with + fear.</p> + + <p>"Happily," continued the priest, "I had learned to swim and + to dive as a boy; so I reached the shore, and, after wandering + through many provinces, succeeded in setting up a bronze figure + to Buddha, thus fulfilling the wish of my heart. On my journey + homewards, I took a lodging in the next street, and there heard + of your marvellous ailment. Thinking I could divine its cause, + I came to see you, and am glad to find I was not mistaken. You + have done a hateful deed; but am I not a priest, and have I not + forsaken the things of this world? and would it not ill become + me to bear malice? Repent, therefore, and abandon your evil + ways. To see you do so I should esteem the height of happiness. + Be of good cheer, now, and look me in the face, and you will + see that <span class="pagenum"><a name="page195" + id="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> I am really a living man, + and no vengeful goblin come to torment you."</p> + + <p>Seeing he had no ghost to deal with, and overwhelmed by the + priest's kindness, Tokubei burst into tears, and answered, + "Indeed, indeed, I don't know what to say. In a fit of madness + I was tempted to kill and rob you. Fortune befriended me ever + after; but the richer I grew, the more keenly I felt how wicked + I had been, and the more I foresaw that my victim's vengeance + would some day overtake me. Haunted by this thought, I lost my + nerve, till one night I beheld your spirit, and from that time + forth fell ill. But how you managed to escape, and are still + alive, is more than I can understand."</p> + + <p>"A guilty man," said the priest, with a smile, "shudders at + the rustling of the wind or the chattering of a stork's beak: a + murderer's conscience preys upon his mind till he sees what is + not. Poverty drives a man to crimes which he repents of in his + wealth. How true is the doctrine of + Môshi,<a id="footnotetag73" + name="footnotetag73"></a><a href="#footnote73"><sup>73</sup></a> + that the heart of man, pure by nature, is corrupted by + circumstances."</p> + + <p>Thus he held forth; and Tokubei, who had long since repented + of his crime, implored forgiveness, and gave him a large sum of + money, saying, "Half of this is the amount I stole from you + three years since; the other half I entreat you to accept as + interest, or as a gift."</p> + + <p>The priest at first refused the money; but Tokubei insisted + on his accepting it, and did all he could to detain him, but in + vain; for the priest went his way, and bestowed the money on + the poor and needy. As for Tokubei himself, he soon shook off + his disorder, and thenceforward lived at peace with all men, + revered both at home and abroad, and ever intent on good and + charitable deeds. + <!--blank page 196--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page197" + id="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span></p> + + <h1>CONCERNING CERTAIN SUPERSTITIONS</h1><!--blank page 198--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page199" + id="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span> + + <h2>CONCERNING CERTAIN SUPERSTITIONS</h2> + + <p>Cats, foxes, and badgers are regarded with superstitious awe + by the Japanese, who attribute to them the power of assuming + the human shape in order to bewitch mankind. Like the fairies + of our Western tales, however, they work for good as well as + for evil ends. To do them a good turn is to secure powerful + allies; but woe betide him who injures them!—he and his + will assuredly suffer for it. Cats and foxes seem to have been + looked upon as uncanny beasts all the world over; but it is new + to me that badgers should have a place in fairy-land. The + island of Shikoku, the southernmost of the great Japanese + islands, appears to be the part of the country in which the + badger is regarded with the greatest veneration. Among the many + tricks which he plays upon the human race is one, of which I + have a clever representation carved in ivory. Lying in wait in + lonely places after dusk, the badger watches for benighted + wayfarers: should one appear, the beast, drawing a long breath, + distends his belly and drums delicately upon it with his + clenched fist, producing such entrancing tones, that the + traveller cannot resist turning aside to follow the sound, + which, Will-o'-the-wisp-like, recedes as he advances, until it + lures him on to his destruction. Love is, however, the most + powerful engine which the cat, the fox, and the badger alike + put forth for the ruin of man. No German poet ever imagined a + more captivating water-nymph than the fair virgins by whom the + knight of Japanese romance is assailed: the true hero + recognizes and slays the beast; the weaker mortal yields and + perishes.</p> + + <p>The Japanese story-books abound with tales about the pranks + of these creatures, which, like ghosts, even play a part in the + histories of ancient and noble families. I have collected a few + of these, and now beg a hearing for a distinguished and + two-tailed<a id="footnotetag74" + name="footnotetag74"></a><a href="#footnote74"><sup>74</sup></a> + connection of Puss in Boots and the Chatte + Blanche.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page200" + id="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> + + <h3>THE VAMPIRE CAT OF NABÉSHIMA</h3> + + <p>There is a tradition in the + Nabéshima<a id="footnotetag75" + name="footnotetag75"></a><a href="#footnote75"><sup>75</sup></a> + family that, many years ago, the Prince of Hizen was + bewitched and cursed by a cat that had been kept by one of + his retainers. This prince had in his house a lady of rare + beauty, called O Toyo: amongst all his ladies she was the + favourite, and there was none who could rival her charms and + accomplishments. One day the Prince went out into the garden + with O Toyo, and remained enjoying the fragrance of the + flowers until sunset, when they returned to the palace, + never noticing that they were being followed by a large cat. + Having parted with her lord, O Toyo retired to her own room + and went to bed. At midnight she awoke with a start, and + became aware of a huge cat that crouched watching her; and + when she cried out, the beast sprang on her, and, fixing its + cruel teeth in her delicate throat, throttled her to death. + What a piteous end for so fair a dame, the darling of her + prince's heart, to die suddenly, bitten to death by a cat! + Then the cat, having scratched out a grave under the + verandah, buried the corpse of O Toyo, and assuming her + form, began to bewitch the Prince.</p> + + <p>But my lord the Prince knew nothing of all this, and little + thought that the beautiful creature who caressed and fondled + him was an impish and foul beast that had slain his mistress + and assumed her shape in order to drain out his life's blood. + Day by day, as time went on, the Prince's strength dwindled + away; the colour of his face was changed, and became pale and + livid; and he was as a man suffering from a deadly sickness. + Seeing this, his councillors and his wife became greatly + alarmed; so they summoned the physicians, who prescribed + various remedies for him; but the more medicine he took, the + more serious did his illness appear, and no treatment was of + any avail. But most of all did he suffer in the night-time, + when his sleep would be troubled and disturbed by hideous + dreams. In consequence of this, his councillors nightly + appointed a hundred of his retainers to sit up and watch over + him; but, strange to say, towards ten o'clock on the very first + night that the watch was set, the guard were seized with a + sudden and unaccountable drowsiness, which they could not + resist, until one by one every man had fallen asleep. Then the + false O Toyo came in and harassed the Prince until morning. The + following night the same thing occurred, and the Prince was + subjected to the imp's tyranny, <!--blank page 201--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page202" + id="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> while his guards slept + helplessly around him. Night after night this was repeated, + until at last three of the Prince's councillors determined + themselves to sit up on guard, and see whether they could + overcome this mysterious drowsiness; but they fared no + better than the others, and by ten o'clock were fast asleep. + The next day the three councillors held a solemn conclave, + and their chief, one Isahaya Buzen, said—</p> + + <p>"This is a marvellous thing, that a guard of a hundred men + should thus be overcome by sleep. Of a surety, the spell that + is upon my lord and upon his guard must be the work of + witchcraft. Now, as all our efforts are of no avail, let us + seek out Ruiten, the chief priest of the temple called + Miyô In, and beseech him to put up prayers for the + recovery of my lord."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/201.jpg" + name="image201" + target="blank" + id="image201"><img width="100%" + src="images/201.jpg" + alt="THE CAT OF NABÉSHIMA." /></a> THE CAT OF + NABÉSHIMA. + </div> + + <p>And the other councillors approving what Isahaya Buzen had + said, they went to the priest Ruiten and engaged him to recite + litanies that the Prince might be restored to health.</p> + + <p>So it came to pass that Ruiten, the chief priest of + Miyô In, offered up prayers nightly for the Prince. One + night, at the ninth hour (midnight), when he had finished his + religious exercises and was preparing to lie down to sleep, he + fancied that he heard a noise outside in the garden, as if some + one were washing himself at the well. Deeming this passing + strange, he looked down from the window; and there in the + moonlight he saw a handsome young soldier, some twenty-four + years of age, washing himself, who, when he had finished + cleaning himself and had put on his clothes, stood before the + figure of Buddha and prayed fervently for the recovery of my + lord the Prince. Ruiten looked on with admiration; and the + young man, when he had made an end of his prayer, was going + away; but the priest stopped him, calling out to him—</p> + + <p>"Sir, I pray you to tarry a little: I have something to say + to you."</p> + + <p>"At your reverence's service. What may you please to + want?"</p> + + <p>"Pray be so good as to step up here, and have a little + talk."</p> + + <p>"By your reverence's leave;" and with this he went + upstairs.</p> + + <p>Then Ruiten said—</p> + + <p>"Sir, I cannot conceal my admiration that you, being so + young a man, should have so loyal a spirit. I am Ruiten, the + chief priest of this temple, who am engaged in praying for the + recovery of my lord. Pray what is your name?"</p> + + <p>"My name, sir, is Itô Sôda, and I am serving in + the infantry of Nabéshima. Since my lord has been sick, + my one desire has been to assist in nursing him; but, being + only a simple soldier, I am not of sufficient rank to come into + his presence, so I have no resource but to pray to the gods of + the country and to Buddha that my lord may regain his + health."</p> + + <p>When Ruiten heard this, he shed tears in admiration of the + fidelity of Itô Sôda, and said—</p> + + <p>"Your purpose is, indeed, a good one; but what a strange + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page203" + id="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span> sickness this is that my + lord is afflicted with! Every night he suffers from horrible + dreams; and the retainers who sit up with him are all seized + with a mysterious sleep, so that not one can keep awake. It + is very wonderful."</p> + + <p>"Yes," replied Sôda, after a moment's reflection, + "this certainly must be witchcraft. If I could but obtain leave + to sit up one night with the Prince, I would fain see whether I + could not resist this drowsiness and detect the goblin."</p> + + <p>At last the priest said, "I am in relations of friendship + with Isahaya Buzen, the chief councillor of the Prince. I will + speak to him of you and of your loyalty, and will intercede + with him that you may attain your wish."</p> + + <p>"Indeed, sir, I am most thankful. I am not prompted by any + vain thought of self-advancement, should I succeed: all I wish + for is the recovery of my lord. I commend myself to your kind + favour."</p> + + <p>"Well, then, to-morrow night I will take you with me to the + councillor's house."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, sir, and farewell." And so they parted.</p> + + <p>On the following evening Itô Sôda returned to + the temple Miyô In, and having found Ruiten, accompanied + him to the house of Isahaya Buzen: then the priest, leaving + Sôda outside, went in to converse with the councillor, + and inquire after the Prince's health.</p> + + <p>"And pray, sir, how is my lord? Is he in any better + condition since I have been offering up prayers for him?"</p> + + <p>"Indeed, no; his illness is very severe. We are certain that + he must be the victim of some foul sorcery; but as there are no + means of keeping a guard awake after ten o'clock, we cannot + catch a sight of the goblin, so we are in the greatest + trouble."</p> + + <p>"I feel deeply for you: it must be most distressing. + However, I have something to tell you. I think that I have + found a man who will detect the goblin; and I have brought him + with me."</p> + + <p>"Indeed! who is the man?"</p> + + <p>"Well, he is one of my lord's foot-soldiers, named Itô + Sôda, a faithful fellow, and I trust that you will grant + his request to be permitted to sit up with my lord."</p> + + <p>"Certainly, it is wonderful to find so much loyalty and zeal + in a common soldier," replied Isahaya Buzen, after a moment's + reflection; "still it is impossible to allow a man of such low + rank to perform the office of watching over my lord."</p> + + <p>"It is true that he is but a common soldier," urged the + priest; "but why not raise his rank in consideration of his + fidelity, and then let him mount guard?"</p> + + <p>"It would be time enough to promote him after my lord's + recovery. But come, let me see this Itô Sôda, that + I may know what manner of man he is: if he pleases me, I will + consult with the other councillors, and perhaps we may grant + his request." <span class="pagenum"><a name="page204" + id="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span> "I will bring him in + forthwith," replied Ruiten, who thereupon went out to fetch + the young man.</p> + + <p>When he returned, the priest presented Itô Sôda + to the councillor, who looked at him attentively, and, being + pleased with his comely and gentle appearance, said—</p> + + <p>"So I hear that you are anxious to be permitted to mount + guard in my lord's room at night. Well, I must consult with the + other councillors, and we will see what can be done for + you."</p> + + <p>When the young soldier heard this he was greatly elated, and + took his leave, after warmly thanking Buiten, who had helped + him to gain his object. The next day the councillors held a + meeting, and sent for Itô Sôda, and told him that + he might keep watch with the other retainers that very night. + So he went his way in high spirits, and at nightfall, having + made all his preparations, took his place among the hundred + gentlemen who were on duty in the prince's bed-room.</p> + + <p>Now the Prince slept in the centre of the room, and the + hundred guards around him sat keeping themselves awake with + entertaining conversation and pleasant conceits. But, as ten + o'clock approached, they began to doze off as they sat; and in + spite of all their endeavours to keep one another awake, by + degrees they all fell asleep. Itô Sôda all this + while felt an irresistible desire to sleep creeping over him, + and, though he tried by all sorts of ways to rouse himself, he + saw that there was no help for it, but by resorting to an + extreme measure, for which he had already made his + preparations. Drawing out a piece of oil paper which he had + brought with him, and spreading it over the mats, he sat down + upon it; then he took the small knife which he carried in the + sheath of his dirk, and stuck it into his own thigh. For awhile + the pain of the wound kept him awake; but as the slumber by + which he was assailed was the work of sorcery, little by little + he became drowsy again. Then he twisted the knife round and + round in his thigh, so that the pain becoming very violent, he + was proof against the feeling of sleepiness, and kept a + faithful watch. Now the oil paper which he had spread under his + legs was in order to prevent the blood, which might spurt from + his wound, from defiling the mats.</p> + + <p>So Itô Sôda remained awake, but the rest of the + guard slept; and as he watched, suddenly the sliding-doors of + the Prince's room were drawn open, and he saw a figure coming + in stealthily, and, as it drew nearer, the form was that of a + marvellously beautiful woman some twenty-three years of age. + Cautiously she looked around her; and when she saw that all the + guard were asleep, she smiled an ominous smile, and was going + up to the Prince's bedside, when she perceived that in one + corner of the room there was a man yet awake. This seemed to + startle her, but she went up to Sôda and said—</p> + + <p>"I am not used to seeing you here. Who are you?"</p> + + <p>"My name is Itô Sôda, and this is the first + night that I have been on + guard."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page205" + id="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span> + + <p>"A troublesome office, truly! Why, here are all the rest of + the guard asleep. How is it that you alone are awake? You are a + trusty watchman."</p> + + <p>"There is nothing to boast about. I'm asleep myself, fast + and sound."</p> + + <p>"What is that wound on your knee? It is all red with + blood."</p> + + <p>"Oh! I felt very sleepy; so I stuck my knife into my thigh, + and the pain of it has kept me awake."</p> + + <p>"What wondrous loyalty!" said the lady.</p> + + <p>"Is it not the duty of a retainer to lay down his life for + his master? Is such a scratch as this worth thinking + about?"</p> + + <p>Then the lady went up to the sleeping prince and said, "How + fares it with my lord to-night?" But the Prince, worn out with + sickness, made no reply. But Sôda was watching her + eagerly, and guessed that it was O Toyo, and made up his mind + that if she attempted to harass the Prince he would kill her on + the spot. The goblin, however, which in the form of O Toyo had + been tormenting the Prince every night, and had come again that + night for no other purpose, was defeated by the watchfulness of + Itô Sôda; for whenever she drew near to the sick + man, thinking to put her spells upon him, she would turn and + look behind her, and there she saw Itô Sôda glaring + at her; so she had no help for it but to go away again, and + leave the Prince undisturbed.</p> + + <p>At last the day broke, and the other officers, when they + awoke and opened their eyes, saw that Itô Sôda had + kept awake by stabbing himself in the thigh; and they were + greatly ashamed, and went home crestfallen.</p> + + <p>That morning Itô Sôda went to the house of + Isahaya Buzen, and told him all that had occurred the previous + night. The councillors were all loud in their praises of + Itô Sôda's behaviour, and ordered him to keep watch + again that night. At the same hour, the false O Toyo came and + looked all round the room, and all the guard were asleep, + excepting Itô Sôda, who was wide awake; and so, + being again frustrated, she returned to her own apartments.</p> + + <p>Now as since Sôda had been on guard the Prince had + passed quiet nights, his sickness began to get better, and + there was great joy in the palace, and Sôda was promoted + and rewarded with an estate. In the meanwhile O Toyo, seeing + that her nightly visits bore no fruits, kept away; and from + that time forth the night-guard were no longer subject to fits + of drowsiness. This coincidence struck Sôda as very + strange, so he went to Isahaya Buzen and told him that of a + certainty this O Toyo was no other than a goblin. Isahaya Buzen + reflected for a while, and said—</p> + + <p>"Well, then, how shall we kill the foul thing?"</p> + + <p>"I will go to the creature's room, as if nothing were the + matter, and try to kill her; but in case she should try to + escape, I will beg you to order eight men to stop outside and + lie in wait for + her."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page206" + id="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span> + + <p>Having agreed upon this plan, Sôda went at nightfall + to O Toyo's apartment, pretending to have been sent with a + message from the Prince. When she saw him arrive, she + said—</p> + + <p>"What message have you brought me from my lord?"</p> + + <p>"Oh! nothing in particular. Be so look as to look at this + letter;" and as he spoke, he drew near to her, and suddenly + drawing his dirk cut at her; but the goblin, springing back, + seized a halberd, and glaring fiercely at Sôda, + said—</p> + + <p>"How dare you behave like this to one of your lord's ladies? + I will have you dismissed;" and she tried to strike Sôda + with the halberd. But Sôda fought desperately with his + dirk; and the goblin, seeing that she was no match for him, + threw away the halberd, and from a beautiful woman became + suddenly transformed into a cat, which, springing up the sides + of the room, jumped on to the roof. Isahaya Buzen and his eight + men who were watching outside shot at the cat, but missed it, + and the beast made good its escape.</p> + + <p>So the cat fled to the mountains, and did much mischief + among the surrounding people, until at last the Prince of Hizen + ordered a great hunt, and the beast was killed.</p> + + <p>But the Prince recovered from his sickness; and Itô + Sôda was richly + rewarded.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page207" + id="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> + + <h3>THE STORY OF THE FAITHFUL CAT</h3> + + <p>About sixty years ago, in the summertime, a man went to pay + a visit at a certain house at Osaka, and, in the course of + conversation, said—</p> + + <p>"I have eaten some very extraordinary cakes to-day," and on + being asked what he meant, he told the following + story:—</p> + + <p>"I received the cakes from the relatives of a family who + were celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the death of a + cat that had belonged to their ancestors. When I asked the + history of the affair, I was told that, in former days, a young + girl of the family, when she was about sixteen years old, used + always to be followed about by a tom-cat, who was reared in the + house, so much so that the two were never separated for an + instant. When her father perceived this, he was very angry, + thinking that the tom-cat, forgetting the kindness with which + he had been treated for years in the house, had fallen in love + with his daughter, and intended to cast a spell upon her; so he + determined that he must kill the beast. As he was planning this + in secret, the cat overheard him, and that night went to his + pillow, and, assuming a human voice, said to him—</p> + + <p>"'You suspect me of being in love with your daughter; and + although you might well be justified in so thinking, your + suspicions are groundless. The fact is this:—There is a + very large old rat who has been living for many years in your + granary. Now it is this old rat who is in love with my young + mistress, and this is why I dare not leave her side for a + moment, for fear the old rat should carry her off. Therefore I + pray you to dispel your suspicions. But as I, by myself, am no + match for the rat, there is a famous cat, named Buchi, at the + house of Mr. So-and-so, at Ajikawa: if you will borrow that + cat, we will soon make an end of the old rat.'</p> + + <p>"When the father awoke from his dream, he thought it so + wonderful, that he told the household of it; and the following + day he got up very early and went off to Ajikawa, to inquire + for the house which the cat had indicated, and had no + difficulty in finding it; so he called upon the master of the + house, and told him what his own cat had said, and how he + wished to borrow the cat Buchi for a little while.</p> + + <p>"'That's a very easy matter to settle,' said the other: + 'pray take him with you at once;' and accordingly the father + went home with the cat Buchi in charge. That night he put the + two cats into the granary; and after a little while, a + frightful clatter was heard, and then all was still again; so + the people of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page208" + id="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> house opened the door, and + crowded out to see what had happened; and there they beheld + the two cats and the rat all locked together, and panting + for breath; so they cut the throat of the rat, which was as + big as either of the cats: then they attended to the two + cats; but, although they gave them + ginseng<a id="footnotetag76" + name="footnotetag76"></a><a href="#footnote76"><sup>76</sup></a> + and other restoratives, they both got weaker and weaker, + until at last they died. So the rat was thrown into the + river; but the two cats were buried with all honours in a + neighbouring + temple."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page209" + id="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span> + + <h3>HOW A MAN WAS BEWITCHED AND HAD HIS HEAD SHAVED BY THE + FOXES</h3> + + <p>In the village of Iwahara, in the province of Shinshiu, + there dwelt a family which had acquired considerable wealth in + the wine trade. On some auspicious occasion it happened that a + number of guests were gathered together at their house, + feasting on wine and fish; and as the wine-cup went round, the + conversation turned upon foxes. Among the guests was a certain + carpenter, Tokutarô by name, a man about thirty years of + age, of a stubborn and obstinate turn, who said—</p> + + <p>"Well, sirs, you've been talking for some time of men being + bewitched by foxes; surely you must be under their influence + yourselves, to say such things. How on earth can foxes have + such power over men? At any rate, men must be great fools to be + so deluded. Let's have no more of this nonsense."</p> + + <p>Upon this a man who was sitting by him answered—</p> + + <p>"Tokutarô little knows what goes on in the world, or + he would not speak so. How many myriads of men are there who + have been bewitched by foxes? Why, there have been at least + twenty or thirty men tricked by the brutes on the Maki Moor + alone. It's hard to disprove facts that have happened before + our eyes."</p> + + <p>"You're no better than a pack of born idiots," said + Tokutarô. "I will engage to go out to the Maki Moor this + very night and prove it. There is not a fox in all Japan that + can make a fool of Tokutarô."</p> + + <p>"Thus he spoke in his pride; but the others were all angry + with him for boasting, and said—</p> + + <p>"If you return without anything having happened, we will pay + for five measures of wine and a thousand copper cash worth of + fish; and if you are bewitched, you shall do as much for + us."</p> + + <p>Tokutarô took the bet, and at nightfall set forth for + the Maki Moor by himself. As he neared the moor, he saw before + him a small bamboo grove, into which a fox ran; and it + instantly occurred to him that the foxes of the moor would try + to bewitch him. As he was yet looking, he suddenly saw the + daughter of the headman of the village of Upper + Horikané, who was married to the headman of the village + of Maki.</p> + + <p>"Pray, where are you going to, Master Tokutarô?" said + she.</p> + + <p>"I am going to the village hard by."</p> + + <p>"Then, as you will have to pass my native place, if you will + allow me, I will accompany you so far."</p> + + <p>Tokutarô thought this very odd, and made up his mind + that it was a fox trying to make a fool of him; he accordingly + determined to turn the tables on the fox, and answered— + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page210" + id="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> "It is a long time since I + have had the pleasure of seeing you; and as it seems that + your house is on my road, I shall be glad to escort you so + far."</p> + + <p>With this he walked behind her, thinking he should certainly + see the end of a fox's tail peeping out; but, look as he might, + there was nothing to be seen. At last they came to the village + of Upper Horikané; and when they reached the cottage of + the girl's father, the family all came out, surprised to see + her.</p> + + <p>"Oh dear! oh dear! here is our daughter come: I hope there + is nothing the matter."</p> + + <p>And so they went on, for some time, asking a string of + questions.</p> + + <p>In the meanwhile, Tokutarô went round to the kitchen + door, at the back of the house, and, beckoning out the master + of the house, said—</p> + + <p>"The girl who has come with me is not really your daughter. + As I was going to the Maki Moor, when I arrived at the bamboo + grove, a fox jumped up in front of me, and when it had dashed + into the grove it immediately took the shape of your daughter, + and offered to accompany me to the village; so I pretended to + be taken in by the brute, and came with it so far."</p> + + <p>On hearing this, the master of the house put his head on one + side, and mused a while; then, calling his wife, he repeated + the story to her, in a whisper.</p> + + <p>But she flew into a great rage with Tokutarô, and + said—</p> + + <p>"This is a pretty way of insulting people's daughters. The + girl is our daughter, and there's no mistake about it. How dare + you invent such lies?"</p> + + <p>"Well," said Tokutarô, "you are quite right to say so; + but still there is no doubt that this is a case of + witchcraft."</p> + + <p>Seeing how obstinately he held to his opinion, the old folks + were sorely perplexed, and said—</p> + + <p>"What do you think of doing?"</p> + + <p>"Pray leave the matter to me: I'll soon strip the false skin + off, and show the beast to you in its true colours. Do you two + go into the store-closet, and wait there."</p> + + <p>With this he went into the kitchen, and, seizing the girl by + the back of the neck, forced her down by the hearth.</p> + + <p>"Oh! Master Tokutarô, what means this brutal violence? + Mother! father! help!"</p> + + <p>So the girl cried and screamed; but Tokutarô only + laughed, and said—</p> + + <p>"So you thought to bewitch me, did you? From the moment you + jumped into the wood, I was on the look-out for you to play me + some trick. I'll soon make you show what you really are;" and + as he said this, he twisted her two hands behind her back, and + trod upon her, and tortured her; but she only wept, and + cried—</p> + + <p>"Oh! it hurts, it hurts!"</p> + + <p>"If this is not enough to make you show your true form, I'll + roast you to death;" and he piled firewood on the hearth, and, + tucking up her dress, scorched her + severely.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page211" + id="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> + + <p>"Oh! oh! this is more than I can bear;" and with this she + expired.</p> + + <p>The two old people then came running in from the rear of the + house, and, pushing aside Tokutarô, folded their daughter + in their arms, and put their hands to her mouth to feel whether + she still breathed; but life was extinct, and not the sign of a + fox's tail was to be seen about her. Then they seized + Tokutarô by the collar, and cried—</p> + + <p>"On pretence that our true daughter was a fox, you have + roasted her to death. Murderer! Here, you there, bring ropes + and cords, and secure this Tokutarô!"</p> + + <p>So the servants obeyed, and several of them seized + Tokutarô and bound him to a pillar. Then the master of + the house, turning to Tokutarô, said—</p> + + <p>"You have murdered our daughter before our very eyes. I + shall report the matter to the lord of the manor, and you will + assuredly pay for this with your head. Be prepared for the + worst."</p> + + <p>And as he said this, glaring fiercely at Tokutarô, + they carried the corpse of his daughter into the store-closet. + As they were sending to make the matter known in the village of + Maki, and taking other measures, who should come up but the + priest of the temple called Anrakuji, in the village of + Iwahara, with an acolyte and a servant, who called out in a + loud voice from the front door—</p> + + <p>"Is all well with the honourable master of this house? I + have been to say prayers to-day in a neighbouring village, and + on my way back I could not pass the door without at least + inquiring after your welfare. If you are at home, I would fain + pay my respects to you."</p> + + <p>As he spoke thus in a loud voice, he was heard from the back + of the house; and the master got up and went out, and, after + the usual compliments on meeting had been exchanged, + said—</p> + + <p>"I ought to have the honour of inviting you to step inside + this evening; but really we are all in the greatest trouble, + and I must beg you to excuse my impoliteness."</p> + + <p>"Indeed! Pray, what may be the matter?" replied the priest. + And when the master of the house had told the whole story, from + beginning to end, he was thunderstruck, and said—</p> + + <p>"Truly, this must be a terrible distress to you." Then the + priest looked on one side, and saw Tokutarô bound, and + exclaimed, "Is not that Tokutarô that I see there?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, your reverence," replied Tokutarô, piteously, "it + was this, that, and the other: and I took it into my head that + the young lady was a fox, and so I killed her. But I pray your + reverence to intercede for me, and save my life;" and as he + spoke, the tears started from his eyes.</p> + + <p>"To be sure," said the priest, "you may well bewail + yourself; however, if I save your life, will you consent to + become my disciple, and enter the priesthood?"</p> + + <p>"Only save my life, and I'll become your disciple with all + my heart."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page212" + id="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> + + <p>When the priest heard this, he called out the parents, and + said to them—</p> + + <p>"It would seem that, though I am but a foolish old priest, + my coming here to-day has been unusually well timed. I have a + request to make of you. Your putting Tokutarô to death + won't bring your daughter to life again. I have heard his + story, and there certainly was no malice prepense on his part + to kill your daughter. What he did, he did thinking to do a + service to your family; and it would surely be better to hush + the matter up. He wishes, moreover, to give himself over to me, + and to become my disciple."</p> + + <p>"It is as you say," replied the father and mother, speaking + together. "Revenge will not recall our daughter. Please dispel + our grief, by shaving his head and making a priest of him on + the spot."</p> + + <p>"I'll shave him at once, before your eyes," answered the + priest, who immediately caused the cords which bound + Tokutarô to be untied, and, putting on his priest's + scarf, made him join his hands together in a posture of prayer. + Then the reverend man stood up behind him, razor in hand, and, + intoning a hymn, gave two or three strokes of the razor, which + he then handed to his acolyte, who made a clean shave of + Tokutarô's hair. When the latter had finished his + obeisance to the priest, and the ceremony was over, there was a + loud burst of laughter; and at the same moment the day broke, + and Tokutarô found himself alone, in the middle of a + large moor. At first, in his surprise, he thought that it was + all a dream, and was much annoyed at having been tricked by the + foxes. He then passed his hand over his head, and found that he + was shaved quite bald. There was nothing for it but to get up, + wrap a handkerchief round his head, and go back to the place + where his friends were assembled.</p> + + <p>"Hallo, Tokutarô! so you've come back. Well, how about + the foxes?"</p> + + <p>"Really, gentlemen," replied he, bowing, "I am quite ashamed + to appear before you."</p> + + <p>Then he told them the whole story, and, when he had + finished, pulled off the kerchief, and showed his bald + pate.</p> + + <p>"What a capital joke!" shouted his listeners, and amid roars + of laughter, claimed the bet of fish, and wine. It was duly + paid; but Tokutarô never allowed his hair to grow again, + and renounced the world, and became a priest under the name of + Sainen.</p> + + <p>There are a great many stories told of men being shaved by + the foxes; but this story came under the personal observation + of Mr. Shôminsai, a teacher of the city of Yedo, during a + holiday trip which he took to the country where the event + occurred; and I<a id="footnotetag77" + name="footnotetag77"></a><a href="#footnote77"><sup>77</sup></a> + have recorded it in the very selfsame words in which he told + it to me.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page213" + id="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> + + <h3>THE GRATEFUL FOXES</h3> + + <p>One fine spring day, two friends went out to a moor to + gather fern, attended by a boy with a bottle of wine and a box + of provisions. As they were straying about, they saw at the + foot of a hill a fox that had brought out its cub to play; and + whilst they looked on, struck by the strangeness of the sight, + three children came up from a neighbouring village with baskets + in their hands, on the same errand as themselves. As soon as + the children saw the foxes, they picked up a bamboo stick and + took the creatures stealthily in the rear; and when the old + foxes took to flight, they surrounded them and beat them with + the stick, so that they ran away as fast as their legs could + carry them; but two of the boys held down the cub, and, seizing + it by the scruff of the neck, went off in high glee.</p> + + <p>The two friends were looking on all the while, and one of + them, raising his voice, shouted out, "Hallo! you boys! what + are you doing with that fox?"</p> + + <p>The eldest of the boys replied, "We're going to take him + home and sell him to a young man in our village. He'll buy him, + and then he'll boil him in a pot and eat him."</p> + + <p>"Well," replied the other, after considering the matter + attentively, "I suppose it's all the same to you whom you sell + him to. You'd better let me have him."</p> + + <p>"Oh, but the young man from our village promised us a good + round sum if we could find a fox, and got us to come out to the + hills and catch one; and so we can't sell him to you at any + price."</p> + + <p>"Well, I suppose it cannot be helped, then; but how much + would the young man give you for the cub?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, he'll give us three hundred cash at least."</p> + + <p>"Then I'll give you half a bu;<a id="footnotetag78" + name="footnotetag78"></a><a href="#footnote78"><sup>78</sup></a> + and so you'll gain five hundred cash by the + transaction."</p> + + <p>"Oh, we'll sell him for that, sir. How shall we hand him + over to you?"</p> + + <p>"Just tie him up here," said the other; and so he made fast + the cub round the neck with the string of the napkin in which + the luncheon-box was wrapped, and gave half a bu to the three + boys, who ran away + delighted.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page214" + id="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> + + <p>The man's friend, upon this, said to him, "Well, certainly + you have got queer tastes. What on earth are you going to keep + the fox for?"</p> + + <p>"How very unkind of you to speak of my tastes like that. If + we had not interfered just now, the fox's cub would have lost + its life. If we had not seen the affair, there would have been + no help for it. How could I stand by and see life taken? It was + but a little I spent—only half a bu—to save the + cub, but had it cost a fortune I should not have grudged it. I + thought you were intimate enough with me to know my heart; but + to-day you have accused me of being eccentric, and I see how + mistaken I have been in you. However, our friendship shall + cease from this day forth."</p> + + <p>And when he had said this with a great deal of firmness, the + other, retiring backwards and bowing with his hands on his + knees, replied—</p> + + <p>"Indeed, indeed, I am filled with admiration at the goodness + of your heart. When I hear you speak thus, I feel more than + ever how great is the love I bear you. I thought that you might + wish to use the cub as a sort of decoy to lead the old ones to + you, that you might pray them to bring prosperity and virtue to + your house. When I called you eccentric just now, I was but + trying your heart, because I had some suspicions of you; and + now I am truly ashamed of myself."</p> + + <p>And as he spoke, still bowing, the other replied, "Really! + was that indeed your thought? Then I pray you to forgive me for + my violent language."</p> + + <p>When the two friends had thus become reconciled, they + examined the cub, and saw that it had a slight wound in its + foot, and could not walk; and while they were thinking what + they should do, they spied out the herb called "Doctor's + Nakasé," which was just sprouting; so they rolled up a + little of it in their fingers and applied it to the part. Then + they pulled out some boiled rice from their luncheon-box and + offered it to the cub, but it showed no sign of wanting to eat; + so they stroked it gently on the back, and petted it; and as + the pain of the wound seemed to have subsided, they were + admiring the properties of the herb, when, opposite to them, + they saw the old foxes sitting watching them by the side of + some stacks of rice straw.</p> + + <p>"Look there! the old foxes have come back, out of fear for + their cub's safety. Come, we will set it free!" And with these + words they untied the string round the cub's neck, and turned + its head towards the spot where the old foxes sat; and as the + wounded foot was no longer painful, with one bound it dashed to + its parents' side and licked them all over for joy, while they + seemed to bow their thanks, looking towards the two friends. + So, with peace in their hearts, the latter went off to another + place, and, choosing a pretty spot, produced the wine bottle + and ate their noon-day meal; and after a pleasant day, they + returned to their homes, and became firmer friends than + ever.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page215" + id="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> + + <p>Now the man who had rescued the fox's cub was a tradesman in + good circumstances: he had three or four agents and two + maid-servants, besides men-servants; and altogether he lived in + a liberal manner. He was married, and this union had brought + him one son, who had reached his tenth year, but had been + attacked by a strange disease which defied all the physician's + skill and drugs. At last a famous physician prescribed the + liver taken from a live fox, which, as he said, would certainly + effect a cure. If that were not forthcoming, the most expensive + medicine in the world would not restore the boy to health. When + the parents heard this, they were at their wits' end. However, + they told the state of the case to a man who lived on the + mountains. "Even though our child should die for it," they + said, "we will not ourselves deprive other creatures of their + lives; but you, who live among the hills, are sure to hear when + your neighbours go out fox-hunting. We don't care what price we + might have to pay for a fox's liver; pray, buy one for us at + any expense." So they pressed him to exert himself on their + behalf; and he, having promised faithfully to execute the + commission, went his way.</p> + + <p>In the night of the following day there came a messenger, + who announced himself as coming from the person who had + undertaken to procure the fox's liver; so the master of the + house went out to see him.</p> + + <p>"I have come from Mr. So-and-so. Last night the fox's liver + that you required fell into his hands; so he sent me to bring + it to you." With these words the messenger produced a small + jar, adding, "In a few days he will let you know the + price."</p> + + <p>When he had delivered his message, the master of the house + was greatly pleased, and said, "Indeed, I am deeply grateful + for this kindness, which will save my son's life."</p> + + <p>Then the goodwife came out, and received the jar with every + mark of politeness.</p> + + <p>"We must make a present to the messenger."</p> + + <p>"Indeed, sir, I've already been paid for my trouble."</p> + + <p>"Well, at any rate, you must stop the night here."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, sir: I've a relation in the next village whom I + have not seen for a long while, and I will pass the night with + him;" and so he took his leave, and went away.</p> + + <p>The parents lost no time in sending to let the physician + know that they had procured the fox's liver. The next day the + doctor came and compounded a medicine for the patient, which at + once produced a good effect, and there was no little joy in the + household. As luck would have it, three days after this the man + whom they had commissioned to buy the fox's liver came to the + house; so the goodwife hurried out to meet him and welcome + him.</p> + + <p>"How quickly you fulfilled our wishes, and how kind of you + to send at once! The doctor prepared the medicine, and now our + boy can get up and walk about the room; and it's all owing to + your goodness."</p> + + <p>"Wait a bit!" cried the guest, who did not know what to make + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page216" + id="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> of the joy of the two + parents. "The commission with which you entrusted me about + the fox's liver turned out to be a matter of impossibility, + so I came to-day to make my excuses; and now I really can't + understand what you are so grateful to me for."</p> + + <p>"We are thanking you, sir," replied the master of the house, + bowing with his hands on the ground, "for the fox's liver which + we asked you to procure for us."</p> + + <p>"I really am perfectly unaware of having sent you a fox's + liver: there must be some mistake here. Pray inquire carefully + into the matter."</p> + + <p>"Well, this is very strange. Four nights ago, a man of some + five or six and thirty years of age came with a verbal message + from you, to the effect that you had sent him with a fox's + liver, which you had just procured, and said that he would come + and tell us the price another day. When we asked him to spend + the night here, he answered that he would lodge with a relation + in the next village, and went away."</p> + + <p>The visitor was more and more lost in amazement, and; + leaning his head on one side in deep thought, confessed that he + could make nothing of it. As for the husband and wife, they + felt quite out of countenance at having thanked a man so warmly + for favours of which he denied all knowledge; and so the + visitor took his leave, and went home.</p> + + <p>That night there appeared at the pillow of the master of the + house a woman of about one or two and thirty years of age, who + said, "I am the fox that lives at such-and-such a mountain. + Last spring, when I was taking out my cub to play, it was + carried off by some boys, and only saved by your goodness. The + desire to requite this kindness pierced me to the quick. At + last, when calamity attacked your house, I thought that I might + be of use to you. Your son's illness could not be cured without + a liver taken from a live fox, so to repay your kindness I + killed my cub and took out its liver; then its sire, disguising + himself as a messenger, brought it to your house."</p> + + <p>And as she spoke, the fox shed tears; and the master of the + house, wishing to thank her, moved in bed, upon which his wife + awoke and asked him what was the matter; but he too, to her + great astonishment, was biting the pillow and weeping + bitterly.</p> + + <p>"Why are you weeping thus?" asked she.</p> + + <p>At last he sat up in bed, and said, "Last spring, when I was + out on a pleasure excursion, I was the means of saving the life + of a fox's cub, as I told you at the time. The other day I told + Mr. So-and-so that, although my son were to die before my eyes, + I would not be the means of killing a fox on purpose; but asked + him, in case he heard of any hunter killing a fox, to buy it + for me. How the foxes came to hear of this I don't know; but + the foxes to whom I had shown kindness killed their own cub and + took out the liver; and the old dog-fox, disguising himself as + a messenger from the person to whom we had confided the + commission, came here with it. His mate has just been at my + pillow-side and <!--blank page 217--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page218" + id="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span> told me all about it; hence + it was that, in spite of myself, I was moved to tears."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:75%;"> + <a href="images/217.jpg" + name="image217" + target="blank" + id="image217"><img width="100%" + src="images/217.jpg" + alt="THE FEAST OF INARI SAMA." /></a> THE FEAST OF + INARI SAMA. + </div> + + <p>When she heard this, the goodwife likewise was blinded by + her tears, and for a while they lay lost in thought; but at + last, coming to themselves, they lighted the lamp on the shelf + on which the family idol stood, and spent the night in reciting + prayers and praises, and the next day they published the matter + to the household and to their relations and friends. Now, + although there are instances of men killing their own children + to requite a favour, there is no other example of foxes having + done such a thing; so the story became the talk of the whole + country.</p> + + <p>Now, the boy who had recovered through the efficacy of this + medicine selected the prettiest spot on the premises to erect a + shrine to Inari Sama,<a id="footnotetag79" + name="footnotetag79"></a><a href="#footnote79"><sup>79</sup></a> + the Fox God, and offered sacrifice to the two old foxes, for + whom he purchased the highest rank at the court of the + Mikado.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The passage in the tale which speaks of rank being purchased + for the foxes at the court of the Mikado is, of course, a piece + of nonsense. "The saints who are worshipped in Japan," writes a + native authority, "are men who, in the remote ages, when the + country was developing itself, were sages, and by their great + and virtuous deeds having earned the gratitude of future + generations, received divine honours after their death. How can + the Son of Heaven, who is the father and mother of his people, + turn dealer in ranks and honours? If rank were a matter of + barter, it would cease to be a reward to the virtuous."</p> + + <p>All matters connected with the shrines of the Shintô, + or indigenous religion, are confided to the superintendence of + the families of Yoshida and Fushimi, Kugés or nobles of + the Mikado's court at Kiyôto. The affairs of the Buddhist + or imported religion are under the care of the family of + Kanjuji. As it is necessary that those who as priests perform + the honourable office of serving the gods should be persons of + some standing, a certain small rank is procured for them + through the intervention of the representatives of the above + noble families, who, on the issuing of the required + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page219" + id="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> patent, receive as their + perquisite a fee, which, although insignificant in itself, + is yet of importance to the poor Kugés, whose + penniless condition forms a great contrast to the wealth of + their inferiors in rank, the Daimios. I believe that this is + the only case in which rank can be bought or sold in Japan. + In China, on the contrary, in spite of what has been written + by Meadows and other admirers of the examination system, a + man can be what he pleases by paying for it; and the coveted + button, which is nominally the reward of learning and + ability, is more often the prize of wealthy ignorance.</p> + + <p>The saints who are alluded to above are the saints of the + whole country, as distinct from those who for special deeds are + locally worshipped. To this innumerable class frequent allusion + is made in these Tales.</p> + + <p>Touching the remedy of the fox's liver, prescribed in the + tale, I may add that there would be nothing strange in this to + a person acquainted with the Chinese pharmacopoeia, which the + Japanese long exclusively followed, although they are now + successfully studying the art of healing as practised in the + West. When I was at Peking, I saw a Chinese physician prescribe + a decoction of three scorpions for a child struck down with + fever; and on another occasion a groom of mine, suffering from + dysentery, was treated with acupuncture of the tongue. The art + of medicine would appear to be at the present time in China + much in the state in which it existed in Europe in the + sixteenth century, when the excretions and secretions of all + manner of animals, saurians, and venomous snakes and insects, + and even live bugs, were administered to patients. "Some + physicians," says Matthiolus, "use the ashes of scorpions, + burnt alive, for retention caused by either renal or vesical + calculi. But I have myself thoroughly experienced the utility + of an oil I make myself, whereof scorpions form a very large + portion of the ingredients. If only the region of the heart and + all the pulses of the body be anointed with it, it will free + the patients from the effects of all kinds of poisons taken by + the mouth, corrosive ones excepted." Decoctions of Egyptian + mummies were much commended, and often prescribed with due + academical solemnity; and the bones of the human skull, + pulverized and administered with oil, were used as a specific + in cases of renal calculus. (See Petri Andreæ Matthioli + Opera, 1574.)</p> + + <p>These remarks were made to me by a medical gentleman to whom + I mentioned the Chinese doctor's prescription of scorpion tea, + and they seem to me so curious that I insert them for + comparison's sake.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page220" + id="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> + + <h3>THE BADGER'S MONEY</h3> + + <p>It is a common saying among men, that to forget favours + received is the part of a bird or a beast: an ungrateful man + will be ill spoken of by all the world. And yet even birds and + beasts will show gratitude; so that a man who does not requite + a favour is worse even than dumb brutes. Is not this a + disgrace?</p> + + <p>Once upon a time, in a hut at a place called + Namékata, in Hitachi, there lived an old priest famous + neither for learning nor wisdom, but bent only on passing his + days in prayer and meditation. He had not even a child to wait + upon him, but prepared his food with his own hands. Night and + morning he recited the prayer "Namu Amida + Butsu,"<a id="footnotetag80" + name="footnotetag80"></a><a href="#footnote80"><sup>80</sup></a> + intent upon that alone. Although the fame of his virtue did + not reach far, yet his neighbours respected and revered him, + and often brought him food and raiment; and when his roof or + his walls fell out of repair, they would mend them for him; + so for the things of this world he took no thought.</p> + + <p>One very cold night, when he little thought any one was + outside, he heard a voice calling "Your reverence! your + reverence!" So he rose and went out to see who it was, and + there he beheld an old badger standing. Any ordinary man would + have been greatly alarmed at the apparition; but the priest, + being such as he has been described above, showed no sign of + fear, but asked the creature its business. Upon this the badger + respectfully bent its knees, and said—</p> + + <p>"Hitherto, sir, my lair has been in the mountains, and of + snow or frost I have taken no heed; but now I am growing old, + and this severe cold is more than I can bear. I pray you to let + me enter and warm myself at the fire of your cottage, that I + may live through this bitter night."</p> + + <p>When the priest heard what a helpless state the beast was + reduced to, he was filled with pity, and said—</p> + + <p>"That's a very slight matter: make haste and come in and + warm yourself."</p> + + <p>The badger, delighted with so good a reception, went into + the hut, and squatting down by the fire began to warm itself; + and the priest, with renewed fervour, recited his prayers and + struck his bell before the image of Buddha, looking straight + before him. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page221" + id="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span> After two hours the badger + took its leave, with profuse expressions of thanks, and went + out; and from that time forth it came every night to the + hut. As the badger would collect and bring with it dried + branches and dead leaves from the hills for firewood, the + priest at last became very friendly with it, and got used to + its company; so that if ever, as the night wore on, the + badger did not arrive, he used to miss it, and wonder why it + did not come. When the winter was over, and the spring-time + came at the end of the second month, the Badger gave up its + visits, and was no more seen; but, on the return of the + winter, the beast resumed its old habit of coming to the + hut. When this practice had gone on for ten years, one day + the badger said to the priest, "Through your reverence's + kindness for all these years, I have been able to pass the + winter nights in comfort. Your favours are such, that during + all my life, and even after my death, I must remember them. + What can I do to requite them? If there is anything that you + wish for, pray tell me."</p> + + <p>The priest, smiling at this speech, answered, "Being such as + I am, I have no desire and no wishes. Glad as I am to hear your + kind intentions, there is nothing that I can ask you to do for + me. You need feel no anxiety on my account. As long as I live, + when the winter comes, you shall be welcome here." The badger, + on hearing this, could not conceal its admiration of the depth + of the old man's benevolence; but having so much to be grateful + for, it felt hurt at not being able to requite it. As this + subject was often renewed between them, the priest at last, + touched by the goodness of the badger's heart, said, "Since I + have shaven my head, renounced the world, and forsaken the + pleasures of this life, I have no desire to gratify, yet I own + I should like to possess three riyos in gold. Food and raiment + I receive by the favour of the villagers, so I take no heed for + those things. Were I to die to-morrow, and attain my wish of + being born again into the next world, the same kind folk have + promised to meet and bury my body. Thus, although I have no + other reason to wish for money, still if I had three riyos I + would offer them up at some holy shrine, that masses and + prayers might be said for me, whereby I might enter into + salvation. Yet I would not get this money by violent or + unlawful means; I only think of what might be if I had it. So + you see, since you have expressed such kind feelings towards + me, I have told you what is on my mind." When the priest had + done speaking, the badger leant its head on one side with a + puzzled and anxious look, so much so that the old man was sorry + he had expressed a wish which seemed to give the beast trouble, + and tried to retract what he had said. "Posthumous honours, + after all, are the wish of ordinary men. I, who am a priest, + ought not to entertain such thoughts, or to want money; so pray + pay no attention to what I have said;" and the badger, feigning + assent to what the priest had impressed upon it, returned to + the hills as usual.</p> + + <p>From that time forth the badger came no more to the hut. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page222" + id="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> The priest thought this + very strange, but imagined either that the badger stayed + away because it did not like to come without the money, or + that it had been killed in an attempt to steal it; and he + blamed himself for having added to his sins for no purpose, + repenting when it was too late: persuaded, however, that the + badger must have been killed, he passed his time in putting + up prayers upon prayers for it.</p> + + <p>After three years had gone by, one night the old man heard a + voice near his door calling out, "Your reverence! your + reverence!"</p> + + <p>As the voice was like that of the badger, he jumped up as + soon as he heard it, and ran out to open the door; and there, + sure enough, was the badger. The priest, in great delight, + cried out, "And so you are safe and sound, after all! Why have + you been so long without coming here? I have been expecting you + anxiously this long while."</p> + + <p>So the badger came into the hut, and said, "If the money + which you required had been for unlawful purposes, I could + easily have procured as much as ever you might have wanted; but + when I heard that it was to be offered to a temple for masses + for your soul, I thought that, if I were to steal the hidden + treasure of some other man, you could not apply to a sacred + purpose money which had been obtained at the expense of his + sorrow. So I went to the island of Sado,<a id="footnotetag81" + name="footnotetag81"></a><a href="#footnote81"><sup>81</sup></a> + and gathering the sand and earth which had been cast away as + worthless by the miners, fused it afresh in the fire; and at + this work I spent months and days." As the badger finished + speaking, the priest looked at the money which it had + produced, and sure enough he saw that it was bright and new + and clean; so he took the money, and received it + respectfully, raising it to his head.</p> + + <p>"And so you have had all this toil and labour on account of + a foolish speech of mine? I have obtained my heart's desire, + and am truly thankful."</p> + + <p>As he was thanking the badger with great politeness and + ceremony, the beast said, "In doing this I have but fulfilled + my own wish; still I hope that you will tell this thing to no + man."</p> + + <p>"Indeed," replied the priest, "I cannot choose but tell this + story. For if I keep this money in my poor hut, it will be + stolen by thieves: I must either give it to some one to keep + for me, or else at once offer it up at the temple. And when I + do this, when people see a poor old priest with a sum of money + quite unsuited to his station, they will think it very + suspicious, and I shall have to tell the tale as it occurred; + but as I shall say that the badger that gave me the money has + ceased coming to my hut, you need not fear being waylaid, but + can come, as of old, and shelter yourself from the cold." To + this the badger nodded assent; and as long as the old priest + lived, it came and spent the winter nights with him.</p> + + <p>From this story, it is plain that even beasts have a sense + of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page223" + id="page223"></a>[pg 223]</span> gratitude: in this quality + dogs excel all other beasts. Is not the story of the dog of + Totoribé Yorodzu written in the Annals of Japan? + I<a id="footnotetag82" + name="footnotetag82"></a><a href="#footnote82"><sup>82</sup></a> + have heard that many anecdotes of this nature have been + collected and printed in a book, which I have not yet seen; + but as the facts which I have recorded relate to a badger, + they appear to me to be passing + strange.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page224" + id="page224"></a>[pg 224]</span> + + <h3>THE PRINCE AND THE BADGER</h3> + + <p>In days of yore there lived a forefather of the Prince of + Tosa who went by the name of Yamanouchi Kadzutoyo. At the age + of fourteen this prince was amazingly fond of fishing, and + would often go down to the river for sport. And it came to pass + one day that he had gone thither with but one retainer, and had + made a great haul, that a violent shower suddenly came on. Now, + the prince had no rain-coat with him, and was in so sorry a + plight that he took shelter under a willow-tree and waited for + the weather to clear; but the storm showed no sign of abating, + and there was no help for it, so he turned to the retainer and + said—</p> + + <p>"This rain is not likely to stop for some time, so we had + better hurry home."</p> + + <p>As they trudged homeward, night fell, and it grew very dark; + and their road lay over a long bank, by the side of which they + found a girl, about sixteen years old, weeping bitterly. Struck + with wonder, they looked steadfastly at her, and perceived that + she was exceedingly comely. While Kadzutoyo stood doubting what + so strange a sight could portend, his retainer, smitten with + the girl's charms, stepped up to her and said—</p> + + <p>"Little sister, tell us whose daughter you are, and how it + comes that you are out by yourself at night in such a storm of + rain. Surely it is passing strange."</p> + + <p>"Sir," replied she, looking up through her tears, "I am the + daughter of a poor man in the castle town. My mother died when + I was seven years old, and my father has now wedded a shrew, + who loathes and ill-uses me; and in the midst of my grief he is + gone far away on his business, so I was left alone with my + stepmother; and this very night she spited and beat me till I + could bear it no longer, and was on my way to my aunt's, who + dwells in yonder village, when the shower came on; but as I lay + waiting for the rain to stop, I was seized with a spasm, to + which I am subject, and was in great pain, when I had the good + luck to fall in with your worships."</p> + + <p>As she spoke, the retainer fell deeply in love with her + matchless beauty, whilst his lord Kadzutoyo, who from the + outset had not uttered a word, but stood brooding over the + matter, straightway drew his sword and cut off her head. But + the retainer stood aghast, and cried out—</p> + + <p>"Oh! my young lord, what wicked deed is this that you've + done? The murder of a man's daughter will bring trouble upon + us, for you may rely on the business not ending here."</p> + + <p>"You don't know what you're talking about," answered + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page225" + id="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span> Kadzutoyo: "only don't tell + any one about it, that is all I ask;" and so they went home + in silence.</p> + + <p>As Kadzutoyo was very tired, he went to bed, and slept + undisturbed by any sense of guilt; for he was brave and + fearless. But the retainer grew very uneasy, and went to his + young lord's parents and said—</p> + + <p>"I had the honour of attending my young lord out fishing + to-day, and we were driven home by the rain. And as we came + back by the bank, we descried a girl with a spasm in her + stomach, and her my young lord straightway slew; and although + he has bidden me tell it to no one, I cannot conceal it from my + lord and my lady."</p> + + <p>Kadzutoyo's parents were sore amazed, bewailing their son's + wickedness, and went at once to his room and woke him; his + father shed tears and said—</p> + + <p>"Oh! dastardly cut-throat that you are! how dare you kill + another man's daughter without provocation? Such unspeakable + villany is unworthy a Samurai's son. Know, that the duty of + every Samurai is to keep watch over the country, and to protect + the people; and such is his daily task. For sword and dirk are + given to men that they may slay rebels, and faithfully serve + their prince, and not that they may go about committing sin and + killing the daughters of innocent men. Whoever is fool enough + not to understand this will repeat his misdeed, and will + assuredly bring shame on his kindred. Grieved as I am that I + should take away the life which I gave you, I cannot suffer you + to bring dishonour on our house; so prepare to meet your + fate!"</p> + + <p>With these words he drew his sword; but Kadzutoyo, without a + sign of fear, said to his father—</p> + + <p>"Your anger, sir, is most just; but remember that I have + studied the classics and understand the laws of right and + wrong, and be sure I would never kill another man without good + cause. The girl whom I slew was certainly no human being, but + some foul goblin: feeling certain of this, I cut her down. + To-morrow I beg you will send your retainers to look for the + corpse; and if it really be that of a human being, I shall give + you no further trouble, but shall disembowel myself."</p> + + <p>Upon this the father sheathed his sword, and awaited + daybreak. When the morning came, the old prince, in sad + distress, bade his retainers lead him to the bank; and there he + saw a huge badger, with his head cut off, lying dead by the + roadside; and the prince was lost in wonder at his son's + shrewdness. But the retainer did not know what to make of it, + and still had his doubts. The prince, however, returned home, + and sending for his son, said to him—</p> + + <p>"It's very strange that the creature which appeared to your + retainer to be a girl, should have seemed to you to be a + badger."</p> + + <p>"My lord's wonder is just," replied Kadzutoyo, smiling: "she + appeared as a girl to me as well. But here was a young girl, at + night, far from any inhabited place. Stranger still was her + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page226" + id="page226"></a>[pg 226]</span> wondrous beauty; and + strangest of all that, though it was pouring with rain, + there was not a sign of wet on her clothes; and when my + retainer asked how long she had been there, she said she had + been on the bank in pain for some time; so I had no further + doubt but that she was a goblin, and I killed her."</p> + + <p>"But what made you think she must be a goblin because her + clothes were dry?"</p> + + <p>"The beast evidently thought that, if she could bewitch us + with her beauty, she might get at the fish my retainer was + carrying; but she forgot that, as it was raining, it would not + do for her clothes not to be wet; so I detected and killed + her."</p> + + <p>When the old prince heard his son speak thus, he was filled + with admiration for the youth's sagacity; so, conceiving that + Kadzutoyo had given reliable proof of wisdom and prudence, he + resolved to abdicate;<a id="footnotetag83" + name="footnotetag83"></a><a href="#footnote83"><sup>83</sup></a> + and Kadzutoyo was proclaimed Prince of Tosa in his + stead.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page227" + id="page227"></a>[pg 227]</span> + + <h1>JAPANESE + SERMONS</h1><span class="pagenum"><a name="page228" + id="page228"></a>[pg 228]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/228.jpg" + name="image228" + target="blank" + id="image228"><img width="100%" + src="images/228.jpg" + alt=" A JAPANESE SERMON." /></a> A JAPANESE SERMON. + </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page229" + id="page229"></a>[pg 229]</span> + + <h2>JAPANESE SERMONS</h2> + + <p>"Sermons preached here on 8th, 18th, and 28th days of every + month." Such was the purport of a placard, which used to tempt + me daily, as I passed the temple Chô-ô-ji. Having + ascertained that neither the preacher nor his congregation + would have any objection to my hearing one of these sermons, I + made arrangements to attend the service, accompanied by two + friends, my artist, and a scribe to take notes.</p> + + <p>We were shown into an apartment adjoining a small + chapel—a room opening on to a tastily arranged garden, + wealthy in stone lanterns and dwarfed trees. In the portion of + the room reserved for the priest stood a high table, covered + with a cloth of white and scarlet silk, richly embroidered with + flowers and arabesques; upon this stood a bell, a tray + containing the rolls of the sacred books, and a small + incense-burner of ancient Chinese porcelain. Before the table + was a hanging drum, and behind it was one of those high, + back-breaking arm-chairs which adorn every Buddhist temple. In + one corner of the space destined for the accommodation of the + faithful was a low writing-desk, at which sat, or rather + squatted, a lay clerk, armed with a huge pair of horn + spectacles, through which he glared, goblin-like, at the + people, as they came to have their names and the amount of + their offerings to the temple registered. These latter must + have been small things, for the congregation seemed poor + enough. It was principally composed of old women, nuns with + bald shiny pates and grotesque faces, a few petty tradesmen, + and half-a-dozen chubby children, perfect little models of + decorum and devoutness. One lady there was, indeed, who seemed + a little better to do in the world than the rest; she was + nicely dressed, and attended by a female servant; she came in + with a certain little consequential rustle, and displayed some + coquetry, and a very pretty bare foot, as she took her place, + and, pulling out a dandy little pipe and tobacco-pouch, began + to smoke. Fire-boxes and spittoons, I should mention, were + freely handed about; so that half-an-hour which passed before + the sermon began was agreeably spent. In the meanwhile, mass + was being celebrated in the main hall of the temple, and the + monotonous nasal drone of the plain chant was faintly heard in + the distance. So soon as this was over, the lay clerk sat + himself down by the hanging drum, and, to its accompaniment, + began intoning the prayer, "Na Mu Miyô Hô Ren Go + Kiyô," the congregation fervently joining in unison with + him. These words, repeated over and over again, are the + distinctive prayer of the Buddhist sect of Nichiren, to which + the temple <span class="pagenum"><a name="page230" + id="page230"></a>[pg 230]</span> Chô-ô-ji is + dedicated. They are approximations to Sanscrit sounds, and + have no meaning in Japanese, nor do the worshippers in using + them know their precise value.</p> + + <p>Soon the preacher, gorgeous in red and white robes, made his + appearance, following an acolyte, who carried the sacred book + called <i>Hokké</i> (upon which the sect of Nichiren is + founded) on a tray covered with scarlet and gold brocade. + Having bowed to the sacred picture which hung over the + <i>tokonoma</i>—that portion of the Japanese room which + is raised a few inches above the rest of the floor, and which + is regarded as the place of honour—his reverence took his + seat at the table, and adjusted his robes; then, tying up the + muscles of his face into a knot, expressive of utter + abstraction, he struck the bell upon the table thrice, burnt a + little incense, and read a passage from the sacred book, which + he reverently lifted to his head. The congregation joined in + chorus, devout but unintelligent; for the Word, written in + ancient Chinese, is as obscure to the ordinary Japanese + worshipper as are the Latin liturgies to a high-capped Norman + peasant-woman. While his flock wrapped up copper cash in paper, + and threw them before the table as offerings, the priest next + recited a passage alone, and the lay clerk irreverently entered + into a loud dispute with one of the congregation, touching some + payment or other. The preliminary ceremonies ended, a small + shaven-pated boy brought in a cup of tea, thrice afterwards to + be replenished, for his reverence's refreshment; and he, having + untied his face, gave a broad grin, cleared his throat, + swallowed his tea, and beamed down upon us, as jolly, rosy a + priest as ever donned stole or scarf. His discourse, which was + delivered in the most familiar and easy manner, was an + <i>extempore</i> dissertation on certain passages from the + sacred books. Whenever he paused or made a point, the + congregation broke in with a cry of "Nammiyô!" a + corruption of the first three words of the prayer cited above, + to which they always contrived to give an expression or + intonation in harmony with the preacher's meaning.</p> + + <p>"It is a matter of profound satisfaction to me," began his + reverence Nichirin, smiling blandly at his audience, "to see so + many gentlemen and ladies gathered together here this day, in + the fidelity of their hearts, to do honour to the feast of + Kishimojin."<a id="footnotetag84" + name="footnotetag84"></a><a href="#footnote84"><sup>84</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Nammiyô! nammiyô!" self-depreciatory, from the + congregation.</p> + + <p>"I feel certain that your piety cannot fail to find favour + with Kishimojin. Kishimojin ever mourns over the tortures of + mankind, who are dwelling in a house of fire, and she ever + earnestly strives to find some means of delivering them.</p> + + <p>"Nammiyô! nammiyô!" grateful and + reverential.</p> + + <p>"Notwithstanding this, it is useless your worshipping + Kishimojin, and professing to believe in her, unless you have + truth in your hearts; for she will not receive your offerings. + Man, from <span class="pagenum"><a name="page231" + id="page231"></a>[pg 231]</span> his very birth, is a + creature of requirements; he is for ever seeking and + praying. Both you who listen, and I who preach, have all of + us our wants and wishes. If there be any person here who + flatters himself that he has no wishes and no wants, let him + reflect. Does not every one wish and pray that heaven and + earth may stand for ever, that his country and family may + prosper, that there may be plenty in the land, and that the + people may be healthy and happy? The wishes of men, however, + are various and many; and these wishes, numberless as they + are, are all known to the gods from the beginning. It is no + use praying, unless you have truth in your heart. For + instance, the prayer <i>Na Mu</i> is a prayer committing + your bodies to the care of the gods; if, when you utter it, + your hearts are true and single, of a surety your request + will be granted. Now, this is not a mere statement made by + Nichiren, the holy founder of this sect; it is the sacred + teaching of Buddha himself, and may not be doubted."</p> + + <p>"Nammiyô! nammiyô!" with profound + conviction.</p> + + <p>"The heart of man is, by nature, upright and true; but there + are seven passions<a id="footnotetag85" + name="footnotetag85"></a><a href="#footnote85"><sup>85</sup></a> + by which it is corrupted. Buddha is alarmed when he sees the + fires by which the world is being consumed. These fires are + the five lusts of this sinful world; and the five lusts are, + the desire for fair sights, sweet sounds, fragrant smells, + dainty meats, and rich trappings. Man is no sooner endowed + with a body than he is possessed by these lusts, which + become his very heart; and, it being a law that every man + follows the dictates of his heart, in this way the body, the + lusts of the flesh, the heart, and the dictates of the + heart, blaze up in the consuming fire. 'Alas! for this + miserable world!' said the divine Buddha."</p> + + <p>"Nammiyô! nammiyô!" mournful, and with much + head-shaking.</p> + + <p>"There is not so foul thing under heaven as the human body. + The body exudes grease, the eyes distil gums, the nose is full + of mucus, the mouth of slobbering spittle; nor are these the + most impure secretions of the body. What a mistake it is to + look upon this impure body as clean and perfect! Unless we + listen to the teachings of Buddha, how shall we be washed and + purified?"</p> + + <p>"Nammiyô, nammiyô!" from an impure and very + miserable sinner, under ten years of age.</p> + + <p>"The lot of man is uncertain, and for ever running out of + the beaten track. Why go to look at the flowers, and take + delight in their beauty? When you return home, you will see the + vanity of your pleasure. Why purchase fleeting joys of loose + women? How long do you retain the delicious taste of the + dainties you feast upon? For ever <i>wishing</i> to do this, + <i>wishing</i> to see that, <i>wishing</i> to eat rare dishes, + <i>wishing</i> to wear fine clothes, you pass a lifetime in + fanning the flames which consume you. What terrible matter for + thought is this! In the poems of the priest Saigiyo it is + written, 'Verily I have been familiar with the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page232" + id="page232"></a>[pg 232]</span> flowers; yet are they + withered and scattered, and we are parted. How sad!' The + beauty of the convolvulus, how bright it is!—and yet + in one short morning it closes its petals and fades. In the + book called <i>Rin Jo Bo Satsu</i><a id="footnotetag86" + name="footnotetag86"></a><a href="#footnote86"><sup>86</sup></a> + we are told how a certain king once went to take his + pleasure in his garden, and gladden his eyes with the beauty + of his flowers. After a while he fell asleep; and as he + slumbered, the women of his train began pulling the flowers + to pieces. When the king awoke, of all the glory of his + flowers there remained but a few torn and faded petals. + Seeing this, the king said, 'The flowers pass away and die; + so is it with mankind: we are born, we grow old, we sicken + and die; we are as fleeting as the lightning's flash, as + evanescent as the morning dew.' I know not whether any of + you here present ever fix your thoughts upon death; yet it + is a rare thing for a man to live for a hundred years. How + piteous a thing it is that in this short and transient life + men should consume themselves in a fire of lust! and if we + think to escape from this fire, how shall we succeed save + only by the teaching of the divine Buddha?"</p> + + <p>"Nammiyô! nammiyô!" meekly and entreatingly.</p> + + <p>"Since Buddha himself escaped from the burning flames of the + lusts of the flesh, his only thought has been for the salvation + of mankind. Once upon a time there was a certain heretic, + called Rokutsuponji, a reader of auguries, cunning in astrology + and in the healing art. It happened, one day, that this + heretic, being in company with Buddha, entered a forest, which + was full of dead men's skulls. Buddha, taking up one of the + skulls and tapping it thus" (here the preacher tapped the + reading-desk with his fan), "said, 'What manner of man was this + bone when alive?—and, now that he is dead, in what part + of the world has he been born again?' The heretic, auguring + from the sound which the skull, when struck, gave forth, began + to tell its past history, and to prophesy the future. Then + Buddha, tapping another skull, again asked the same question. + The heretic answered—</p> + + <p>"'Verily, as to this skull, whether it belonged to a man or + a woman, whence its owner came or whither he has gone, I know + not. What think you of it?"</p> + + <p>"'Ask me not,' answered Buddha. But the heretic pressed him, + and entreated him to answer; then Buddha said, 'Verily this is + the skull of one of my disciples, who forsook the lusts of the + flesh.'</p> + + <p>"Then the heretic wondered, and said—</p> + + <p>"'Of a truth, this is a thing the like of which no man has + yet seen. Here am I, who know the manner of the life and of the + death even of the ants that creep. Verily, I thought that no + thing could escape my ken; yet here lies one of your disciples, + than whom there lives no nobler thing, and I am at fault. From + this day forth I will enter your sect, praying only that I may + receive your teaching.'</p> + + <p>"Thus did this learned heretic become a disciple of Buddha. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page233" + id="page233"></a>[pg 233]</span> If such an one as he was + converted, how much the more should after-ages of ordinary + men feel that it is through. Buddha alone that they can hope + to overcome the sinful lusts of the flesh! These lusts are + the desires which agitate our hearts: if we are free from + these desires, our hearts will be bright and pure, and there + is nothing, save the teaching of Buddha, which can ensure us + this freedom. Following the commands of Buddha, and + delivered by him from our desires, we may pass our lives in + peace and happiness."</p> + + <p>"Nammiyô! nammiyô!" with triumphant + exultation.</p> + + <p>"In the sacred books we read of conversion from a state of + sin to a state of salvation. Now this salvation is not a + million miles removed from us; nor need we die and be born + again into another world in order to reach it. He who lays + aside his carnal lusts and affections, at once and of a + certainty becomes equal to Buddha. When we recite the prayer + <i>Na Mu Miyô Hô Ren Go Kiyô</i>, we are + praying to enter this state of peace and happiness. By what + instruction, other than that of Nichiren, the holy founder of + this sect, can we expect to attain this end? If we do attain + it, there will be no difference between our state and that of + Buddha and of Nichiren. With this view we have learnt from the + pious founder of our sect that we must continually and + thankfully repeat the prayer <i>Na Mu Miyô Hô Ren + Go Kiyô</i>, turning our hearts away from lies, and + embracing the truth."</p> + + <p>Such were the heads of the sermon as they were taken down by + my scribe. At its conclusion, the priest, looking about him + smiling, as if the solemn truths he had been inculcating were + nothing but a very good joke, was greeted by long and loud + cries of "Nammiyô! nammiyô!" by all the + congregation. Then the lay clerk sat himself down again by the + hanging drum; and the service ended as it had begun, by prayer + in chorus, during which the priest retired, the sacred book + being carried out before him by his acolyte.</p> + + <p>Although occasionally, as in the above instance, sermons are + delivered as part of a service on special days of the month, + they are more frequently preached in courses, the delivery + occupying about a fortnight, during which two sermons are given + each day. Frequently the preachers are itinerant priests, who + go about the towns and villages lecturing in the main hall of + some temple or in the guest-room of the resident priest.</p> + + <p>There are many books of sermons published in Japan, all of + which have some merit and much quaintness: none that I have + seen are, however, to my taste, to be compared to the + "Kiu-ô Dô-wa," of which the following three sermons + compose the first volume. They are written by a priest + belonging to the Shingaku sect—a sect professing to + combine all that is excellent in the Buddhist, Confucian, and + Shin Tô teaching. It maintains the original goodness of + the human heart; and teaches that we have only to follow the + dictates of the conscience implanted in us at our birth, in + order to steer in the right path. The texts are taken + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page234" + id="page234"></a>[pg 234]</span> from the Chinese classical + books, in the same way as our preachers take theirs from the + Bible. Jokes, stories which are sometimes untranslatable + into our more fastidious tongue, and pointed applications to + members of the congregation, enliven the discourses; it + being a principle with the Japanese preacher that it is not + necessary to bore his audience into + virtue.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page235" + id="page235"></a>[pg 235]</span> + + <h3>SERMON I</h3> + + <h4>(THE SERMONS OF KIU-Ô, VOL. I)</h4> + + <p>Môshi<a id="footnotetag87" + name="footnotetag87"></a><a href="#footnote87"><sup>87</sup></a> + says, "Benevolence is the heart of man; righteousness is the + path of man. How lamentable a thing is it to leave the path + and go astray, to cast away the heart and not know where to + seek for it!"</p> + + <p>The text is taken from the first chapter of Kôshi (the + commentator), on Môshi.</p> + + <p>Now this quality, which we call benevolence, has been the + subject of commentaries by many teachers; but as these + commentaries have been difficult of comprehension, they are too + hard to enter the ears of women and children. It is of this + benevolence that, using examples and illustrations, I propose + to treat.</p> + + <p>A long time ago, there lived at Kiôto a great + physician, called Imaôji—I forget his other name: + he was a very famous man. Once upon a time, a man from a place + called Kuramaguchi advertised for sale a medicine which he had + compounded against the cholera, and got Imaôji to write a + puff for him. Imaôji, instead of calling the medicine in + the puff a specific against the cholera, misspelt the word + cholera so as to make it simpler. When the man who had employed + him went and taxed him with this, and asked him why he had done + so, he answered, with a smile—</p> + + <p>"As Kuramaguchi is an approach to the capital from the + country, the passers-by are but poor peasants and woodmen from + the hills: if I had written 'cholera' at length, they would + have been puzzled by it; so I wrote it in a simple way, that + should pass current with every one. Truth itself loses its + value if people don't understand it. What does it signify how I + spelt the word cholera, so long as the efficacy of the medicine + is unimpaired?"</p> + + <p>Now, was not that delightful? In the same way the doctrines + of the sages are mere gibberish to women and children who + cannot understand them. Now, my sermons are not written for the + learned: I address myself to farmers and tradesmen, who, hard + pressed by their daily business, have no time for study, with + the wish to make known to them the teachings of the sages; and, + carrying out the ideas of my teacher, I will make my meaning + pretty plain, by bringing forward examples and quaint stories. + Thus, by blending together the doctrines of the Shintô, + Buddhist, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page236" + id="page236"></a>[pg 236]</span> and other schools, we shall + arrive at something near the true principle of things. Now, + positively, you must not laugh if I introduce a light story + now and then. Levity is not my object: I only want to put + things in a plain and easy manner.</p> + + <p>Well, then, the quality which we call benevolence is, in + fact, a perfection; and it is this perfection which Môshi + spoke of as the heart of man. With this perfect heart, men, by + serving their parents, attain to filial piety; by serving their + masters they attain to fidelity; and if they treat their wives, + their brethren, and their friends in the same spirit, then the + principles of the five relations of life will harmonize without + difficulty. As for putting perfection into practice, parents + have the special duties of parents; children have the special + duties of children; husbands have the special duties of + husbands; wives have the special duties of wives. It is when + all these special duties are performed without a fault that + true benevolence is reached; and that again is the true heart + of man.</p> + + <p>For example, take this fan: any one who sees it knows it to + be a fan; and, knowing it to be a fan, no one would think of + using it to blow his nose in. The special use of a fan is for + visits of ceremony; or else it is opened in order to raise a + cooling breeze: it serves no other purpose. In the same way, + this reading-desk will not do as a substitute for a shelf; + again, it will not do instead of a pillow: so you see that a + reading-desk also has its special functions, for which you must + use it. So, if you look at your parents in the light of your + parents, and treat them with filial piety, that is the special + duty of children; that is true benevolence; that is the heart + of man. Now although you may think that, when I speak in this + way, I am speaking of others, and not of yourselves, believe me + that the heart of every one of you is by nature pure + benevolence. I am just taking down your hearts as a shopman + does goods from his shelves, and pointing out the good and bad + qualities of each; but if you will not lay what I say to your + own accounts, but persist in thinking that it is all anybody's + business but yours, all my labour will be lost.</p> + + <p>Listen! You who answer your parents rudely, and cause them + to weep; you who bring grief and trouble on your masters; you + who cause your husbands to fly into passions; you who cause + your wives to mourn; you who hate your younger brothers, and + treat your elder brothers with contempt; you who sow sorrow + broadcast over the world;—what are you doing but blowing + your noses in fans, and using reading-desks as pillows? I don't + mean to say that there are any such persons here; still there + are plenty of them to be found—say in the back streets in + India, for instance. Be so good as to mind what I have + said.</p> + + <p>Consider, carefully, if a man is born with a naturally bad + disposition, what a dreadful thing that is! Happily, you and I + were born with perfect hearts, which we would not change for a + thousand—no, not for ten thousand pieces of gold: is not + this something to be thankful + for?</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page237" + id="page237"></a>[pg 237]</span> + + <p>This perfect heart is called in my discourses, "the original + heart of man." It is true that benevolence is also called the + original heart of man; still there is a slight difference + between the two. However, as the inquiry into this difference + would be tedious, it is sufficient for you to look upon this + original heart of man as a perfect thing, and you will fall + into no error. It is true that I have not the honour of the + personal acquaintance of every one of you who are present: + still I know that your hearts are perfect. The proof of this, + that if you say that which you ought not to say, or do that + which you ought not to do, your hearts within you are, in some + mysterious way, immediately conscious of wrong. When the man + that has a perfect heart does that which is imperfect, it is + because his heart has become warped and turned to evil. This + law holds good for all mankind. What says the old + song?—"When the roaring waterfall is shivered by the + night-storm, the moonlight is reflected in each scattered + drop."<a id="footnotetag88" + name="footnotetag88"></a><a href="#footnote88"><sup>88</sup></a> + Although there is but one moon, she suffices to illuminate + each little scattered drop. Wonderful are the laws of + Heaven! So the principle of benevolence, which is but one, + illumines all the particles that make up mankind. Well, + then, the perfection of the human heart can be calculated to + a nicety, So, if we follow the impulses of our perfect heart + in whatever we undertake, we shall perform our special + duties, and filial piety and fidelity will come to us + spontaneously. You see the doctrines of this school of + philosophy are quickly learnt. If you once thoroughly + understand this, there will be no difference between your + conduct and that of a man who has studied a hundred years. + Therefore I pray you to follow the impulses of your natural + heart; place it before you as a teacher, and study its + precepts. Your heart is a convenient teacher to employ too: + for there is no question of paying fees; and no need to go + out in the heat of summer, or the cold of winter, to pay + visits of ceremony to your master to inquire after his + health. What admirable teaching this is, by means of which + you can learn filial piety and fidelity so easily! Still, + suspicions are apt to arise in men's minds about things that + are seen to be acquired too cheaply; but here you can buy a + good thing cheap, and spare yourselves the vexation of + having paid an extravagant price for it. I repeat, follow + the impulses of your hearts with all your might. In the + <i>Chin-yo</i>, the second of the books of Confucius, it is + certified beyond a doubt that the impulses of nature are the + true path to follow; therefore you may set to work in this + direction with your minds at ease.</p> + + <p>Righteousness, then, is the true path, and righteousness is + the avoidance of all that is imperfect. If a man avoids that + which is imperfect, there is no need to point out how dearly he + will be beloved by all his fellows. Hence it is that the + ancients have defined righteousness as that which ought to + be—that which is fitting. If a man be a retainer, it is + good that he should <span class="pagenum"><a name="page238" + id="page238"></a>[pg 238]</span> perform his service to his + lord with all his might. If a woman be married, it is good + that she should treat her parents-in-law with filial piety, + and her husband with reverence. For the rest, whatever is + good, that is righteousness and the true path of man.</p> + + <p>The duty of man has been compared by the wise men of old to + a high road. If you want to go to Yedo or to Nagasaki, if you + want to go out to the front of the house or to the back of the + house, if you wish to go into the next room or into some closet + or other, there is a right road to each of these places: if you + do not follow the right road, scrambling over the roofs of + houses and through ditches, crossing mountains and desert + places, you will be utterly lost and bewildered. In the same + way, if a man does that which is not good, he is going astray + from the high road. Filial piety in children, virtue in wives, + truth among friends—but why enumerate all these things, + which are patent?—all these are the right road, and good; + but to grieve parents, to anger husbands, to hate and to breed + hatred in others, these are all bad things, these are all the + wrong road. To follow these is to plunge into rivers, to run on + to thorns, to jump into ditches, and brings thousands upon ten + thousands of disasters. It is true that, if we do not pay great + attention, we shall not be able to follow the right road. + Fortunately, we have heard by tradition the words of the + learned Nakazawa Dôni: I will tell you about that, all in + good time.</p> + + <p>It happened that, once, the learned Nakazawa went to preach + at Ikéda, in the province of Sesshiu, and lodged with a + rich family of the lower class. The master of the house, who + was particularly fond of sermons, entertained the preacher + hospitably, and summoned his daughter, a girl some fourteen or + fifteen years old, to wait upon him at dinner. This young lady + was not only extremely pretty, but also had charming manners; + so she arranged bouquets of flowers, and made tea, and played + upon the harp, and laid herself out to please the learned man + by singing songs. The preacher thanked her parents for all + this, and said—</p> + + <p>"Really, it must be a very difficult thing to educate a + young lady up to such a pitch as this."</p> + + <p>The parents, carried away by their feelings, + replied—</p> + + <p>"Yes; when she is married, she will hardly bring shame upon + her husband's family. Besides what she did just now, she can + weave garlands of flowers round torches, and we had her taught + to paint a little;" and as they began to show a little conceit, + the preacher said—</p> + + <p>"I am sure this is something quite out of the common run. Of + course she knows how to rub the shoulders and loins, and has + learnt the art of shampooing?"</p> + + <p>The master of the house bristled up at this and + answered—</p> + + <p>"I may be very poor, but I've not fallen so low as to let my + daughter learn shampooing."</p> + + <p>The learned man, smiling, replied, "I think you are making a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page239" + id="page239"></a>[pg 239]</span> mistake when you put + yourself in a rage. No matter whether her family be rich or + poor, when a woman is performing her duties in her husband's + house, she must look upon her husband's parents as her own. + If her honoured father-in-law or mother-in-law fall ill, her + being able to plait flowers and paint pictures and make tea + will be of no use in the sick-room. To shampoo her + parents-in-law, and nurse them affectionately, without + employing either shampooer or servant-maid, is the right + path of a daughter-in-law. Do you mean to say that your + daughter has not yet learnt shampooing, an art which is + essential to her following the right path of a wife? That is + what I meant to ask just now. So useful a study is very + important."</p> + + <p>At this the master of the house was ashamed, and blushing + made many apologies, as I have heard. Certainly, the harp and + guitar are very good things in their way; but to attend to + nursing their parents is the right road of children. Lay this + story to heart, and consider attentively where the right road + lies. People who live near haunts of pleasure become at last so + fond of pleasure, that they teach their daughters nothing but + how to play on the harp and guitar, and train them up in the + manners and ways of singing-girls, but teach them next to + nothing of their duties as daughters; and then very often they + escape from their parents' watchfulness, and elope. Nor is this + the fault of the girls themselves, but the fault of the + education which they have received from their parents. I do not + mean to say that the harp and guitar, and songs and dramas, are + useless things. If you consider them attentively, all our songs + incite to virtue and condemn vice. In the song called "The Four + Sleeves," for instance, there is the passage, "If people knew + beforehand all the misery that it brings, there would be less + going out with young ladies, to look at the flowers at night." + Please give your attention to this piece of poetry. This is the + meaning of it:—When a young man and a young lady set up a + flirtation without the consent of their parents, they think + that it will all be very delightful, and find themselves very + much deceived. If they knew what a sad and cruel world this is, + they would not act as they do. The quotation is from a song of + remorse. This sort of thing but too often happens in the + world.</p> + + <p>When a man marries a wife, he thinks how happy he will be, + and how pleasant it will be keeping house on his own account; + but, before the bottom of the family kettle has been scorched + black, he will be like a man learning to swim in a field, with + his ideas all turned topsy-turvy, and, contrary to all his + expectations, he will find the pleasures of housekeeping to be + all a delusion. Look at that woman there. Haunted by her cares, + she takes no heed of her hair, nor of her personal appearance. + With her head all untidy, her apron tied round her as a girdle, + with a baby twisted into the bosom of her dress, she carries + some wretched bean sauce which she has been out to buy. What + sort of creature is this? This all comes of not listening to + the warnings <span class="pagenum"><a name="page240" + id="page240"></a>[pg 240]</span> of parents, and of not + waiting for the proper time, but rushing suddenly into + housekeeping. And who is to blame in the matter? Passion, + which does not pause to reflect. A child of five or six + years will never think of learning to play the guitar for + its own pleasure. What a ten-million times miserable thing + it is, when parents, making their little girls hug a great + guitar, listen with pleasure to the poor little things + playing on instruments big enough for them to climb upon, + and squeaking out songs in their shrill treble voices! Now I + must beg you to listen to me carefully. If you get confused + and don't keep a sharp look-out, your children, brought up + upon harp and guitar playing, will be abandoning their + parents, and running away secretly. Depend upon it, from all + that is licentious and meretricious something monstrous will + come forth. The poet who wrote the "Four Sleeves" regarded + it as the right path of instruction to convey a warning + against vice. But the theatre and dramas and fashionable + songs, if the moral that they convey is missed, are a very + great mistake. Although you may think it very right and + proper that a young lady should practise nothing but the + harp and guitar until her marriage, I tell you that it is + not so; for if she misses the moral of her songs and music, + there is the danger of her falling in love with some man and + eloping. While on this subject, I have an amusing story to + tell you.</p> + + <p>Once upon a time, a frog, who lived at Kiôto, had long + been desirous of going to see Osaka. One spring, having made up + his mind, he started off to see Osaka and all its famous + places. By a series of hops on all-fours he reached a temple + opposite Nishi-no-oka, and thence by the western road he + arrived at Yamazaki, and began to ascend the mountain called + Tenôzan. Now it so happened that a frog from Osaka had + determined to visit Kiôto, and had also ascended + Tenôzan; and on the summit the two frogs met, made + acquaintance, and told one another their intentions. So they + began to complain about all the trouble they had gone through, + and had only arrived half-way after all: if they went on to + Osaka and Kiôto, their legs and loins would certainly not + hold out. Here was the famous mountain of Tenôzan, from + the top of which the whole of Kiôto and Osaka could be + seen: if they stood on tiptoe and stretched their backs, and + looked at the view, they would save themselves from stiff legs. + Having come to this conclusion, they both stood up on tiptoe, + and looked about them; when the Kiôto frog + said—</p> + + <p>"Really, looking at the famous places of Osaka, which I have + heard so much about, they don't seem to me to differ a bit from + Kiôto. Instead of giving myself any further trouble to go + on, I shall just return home."</p> + + <p>The Osaka frog, blinking with his eyes, said, with a + contemptuous smile, "Well, I have heard a great deal of talk + about this Kiôto being as beautiful as the flowers, but + it is just Osaka over again. We had better go home."</p> + + <p>And so the two frogs, politely bowing to one another, hopped + off home with an important + swagger.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page241" + id="page241"></a>[pg 241]</span> + + <p>Now, although this is a very funny little story, you will + not understand the drift of it at once. The frogs thought that + they were looking in front of them; but as, when they stood up, + their eyes were in the back of their heads, each was looking at + his native place, all the while that he believed himself to be + looking at the place he wished to go to. The frogs stared to + any amount, it is true; but then they did not take care that + the object looked at was the right object, and so it was that + they fell into error. Please, listen attentively. A certain + poet says—</p> + + <p>"Wonderful are the frogs! Though they go on all-fours in an + attitude of humility, their eyes are always turned ambitiously + upwards."</p> + + <p>A delightful poem! Men, although they say with their mouths, + "Yes, yes, your wishes shall be obeyed,—certainly, + certainly, you are perfectly right," are like frogs, with their + eyes turned upwards. Vain fools! meddlers ready to undertake + any job, however much above their powers! This is what is + called in the text, "casting away your heart, and not knowing + where to seek for it." Although these men profess to undertake + any earthly thing, when it comes to the point, leave them to + themselves, and they are unequal to the task; and if you tell + them this, they answer—</p> + + <p>"By the labour of our own bodies we earn our money; and the + food of our mouths is of our own getting. We are under + obligation to no man. If we did not depend upon ourselves, how + could we live in the world?"</p> + + <p>There are plenty of people who use these words, + <i>myself</i> and <i>my own</i>, thoughtlessly and at random. + How false is this belief that they profess! If there were no + system of government by superiors, but an anarchy, these + people, who vaunt themselves and their own powers, would not + stand for a day. In the old days, at the time of the war at + Ichi-no-tani, Minamoto no + Yoshitsuné<a id="footnotetag89" + name="footnotetag89"></a><a href="#footnote89"><sup>89</sup></a> + left Mikusa, in the province of Tamba, and attacked Settsu. + Overtaken by the night among the mountains, he knew not what + road to follow; so he sent for his retainer, Benkei, of the + Temple called Musashi, and told him to light the big torches + which they had agreed upon. Benkei received his orders and + transmitted them to the troops, who immediately dispersed + through all the valleys, and set fire to the houses of the + inhabitants, so that one and all blazed up, and, thanks to + the light of this fire, they reached Ichi-no-tani, as the + story goes. If you think attentively, you will see the + allusion. Those who boast about <i>my</i> warehouse, + <i>my</i> house, <i>my</i> farm, <i>my</i> daughter, + <i>my</i> wife, hawking about this "<i>my</i>" of theirs + like pedlers, let there once come trouble and war in the + world, and, for all their vain-gloriousness, they will be as + helpless as turtles. Let them be thankful that peace is + established throughout the world. The humane Government + reaches to every frontier: the officials of every department + keep watch <span class="pagenum"><a name="page242" + id="page242"></a>[pg 242]</span> night and day. When a man + sleeps under his roof at night, how can he say that it is + thanks to himself that he stretches his limbs in slumber? + You go your rounds to see whether the shutters are closed + and the front door fast, and, having taken every precaution, + you lay yourself down to rest in peace: and what a + precaution after all! A board, four-tenths of an inch thick, + planed down front and rear until it is only two-tenths of an + inch thick. A fine precaution, in very truth!—a + precaution which may be blown down with a breath. Do you + suppose such a thing as that would frighten a thief from + breaking in? This is the state of the case. Here are men + who, by the benevolence and virtue of their rulers, live in + a delightful world, and yet, forgetting the mysterious + providence that watches over them, keep on singing their own + praises. Selfish egotists!</p> + + <p>"My property amounts to five thousand ounces of silver. I + may sleep with my eyes turned up, and eat and take my pleasure, + if I live for five hundred or for seven hundred years. I have + five warehouses and twenty-five houses. I hold other people's + bills for fifteen hundred ounces of silver." So he dances a + fling<a id="footnotetag90" + name="footnotetag90"></a><a href="#footnote90"><sup>90</sup></a> + for joy, and has no fear lest poverty should come upon him + for fifty or a hundred years. Minds like frogs, with eyes in + the middle of their backs! Foolhardy thoughts! A trusty + castle of defence indeed! How little can it be depended + upon! And when such men are sleeping quietly, how can they + tell that they may not be turned into those big torches we + were talking about just now, or that a great earthquake will + not be upheaved? These are the chances of this fitful world. + With regard to the danger of too great reliance, I have a + little tale to tell you. Be so good as to wake up from your + drowsiness, and listen attentively.</p> + + <p>There is a certain powerful shell-fish, called the + Sazayé, with a very strong operculum. Now this creature, + if it hears that there is any danger astir, shuts up its shell + from within, with a loud noise, and thinks itself perfectly + safe. One day a Tai and another fish, lost in envy at this, + said—</p> + + <p>"What a strong castle this is of yours, Mr. Sazayé! + When you shut up your lid from within, nobody can so much as + point a finger at you. A capital figure you make, sir."</p> + + <p>When he heard this, the Sazayé, stroking his beard, + replied—</p> + + <p>"Well, gentlemen, although you are so good as to say so, + it's nothing to boast of in the way of safety; yet I must admit + that, when I shut myself up thus, I do not feel much + anxiety."</p> + + <p>And as he was speaking thus, with the pride that apes + humility, there came the noise of a great splash; and the + shell-fish, shutting up his lid as quickly as possible, kept + quite still, and thought to himself, what in the world the + noise could be. Could it be a net? Could it be a fish-hook? + What a bore it was, always having to keep such a sharp + look-out! Were the Tai and the other fish caught, he wondered; + and he felt quite anxious about them: however, at any rate, he + was safe. And so the time + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page243" + id="page243"></a>[pg 243]</span> passed; and when he thought + all was safe, he stealthily opened his shell, and slipped + out his head and looked all round him, and there seemed to + be something wrong—something with which he was not + familiar. As he looked a little more carefully, lo and + behold there he was in a fishmonger's shop, and with a card + marked "sixteen cash" on his back.</p> + + <p>Isn't that a funny story? And so, at one fell swoop, all + your boasted wealth of houses and warehouses, and cleverness + and talent, and rank and power, are taken away. Poor + shell-fish! I think there are some people not unlike them to be + found in China and India. How little self is to be depended + upon! There is a moral poem which says, "It is easier to ascend + to the cloudy heaven without a ladder than to depend entirely + on oneself." This is what is meant by the text, "If a man casts + his heart from him, he knows not where to seek for it." Think + twice upon everything that you do. To take no care for the + examination of that which relates to yourself, but to look only + at that which concerns others, is to cast your heart from you. + Casting your heart from you does not mean that your heart + actually leaves you: what is meant is, that you do not examine + your own conscience. Nor must you think that what I have said + upon this point of self-confidences applies only to wealth and + riches. To rely on your talents, to rely on the services you + have rendered, to rely on your cleverness, to rely on your + judgment, to rely on your strength, to rely on your rank, and + to think yourself secure in the possession of these, is to + place yourselves in the same category with the shell-fish in + the story. In all things examine your own consciences: the + examination of your own hearts is above all things + essential.</p> + + <p>(The preacher leaves his + place.)</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page244" + id="page244"></a>[pg 244]</span> + + <h3>SERMON II</h3> + + <h4>(THE SERMONS OF KIU-Ô, VOL. I)</h4> + + <p>"If a man loses a fowl or a dog, he knows how to reclaim it. + If he loses his soul, he knows not how to reclaim it. The true + path of learning has no other function than to teach us how to + reclaim lost souls." This parable has been declared to us by + Môshi. If a dog, or a chicken, or a pet cat does not come + home at the proper time, its master makes a great fuss about + hunting for it, and wonders can it have been killed by a dog or + by a snake, or can some man have stolen it; and ransacking the + three houses opposite, and his two next-door neighbours' + houses, as if he were seeking for a lost child, cries, "Pray, + sir, has my tortoiseshell cat been with you? Has my pet chicken + been here?" That is the way in which men run about under such + circumstances. It's a matter of the utmost importance.</p> + + <p>And yet to lose a dog or a tame chicken is no such terrible + loss after all. But the soul, which is called the lord of the + body, is the master of our whole selves. If men part with this + soul for the sake of other things, then they become deaf to the + admonitions of their parents, and the instructions of their + superiors are to them as the winds of heaven. Teaching is to + them like pouring water over a frog's face; they blink their + eyes, and that is all; they say, "Yes, yes!" with their mouths, + but their hearts are gone, and, seeing, they are blind, + hearing, they are deaf. Born whole and sound, by their own + doing they enter the fraternity of cripples. Such are all those + who lose their souls. Nor do they think of inquiring or looking + for their lost soul. "It is my parents' fault; it is my + master's fault; it is my husband's fault; it is my elder + brother's fault; it is Hachibei who is a rogue; it is 0 Matsu + who is a bad woman." They content themselves with looking at + the faults of others, and do not examine their own consciences, + nor search their own hearts. Is not this a cruel state of + things? They set up a hue and cry for a lost dog or a pet + chicken, but for this all-important soul of theirs they make no + search. What mistaken people! For this reason the sages, + mourning over such a state of things, have taught us what is + the right path of man; and it is the receiving of this teaching + that is called learning. The main object of learning is the + examination and searching of our own hearts; therefore the text + says, "The true path of learning has no other function than to + teach us how to reclaim lost souls." This is an exhaustive + exposition of the functions of learning. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page245" + id="page245"></a>[pg 245]</span> That learning has no other + object, we have this gracious pledge and guarantee from the + sage. As for the mere study of the antiquities and annals of + China and Japan, and investigation into literature, these + cannot be called learning, which is above all things an + affair of the soul. All the commentaries and all the books + of all the teachers in the world are but so many directories + by which to find out the whereabouts of our own souls. This + search after our own souls is that which I alluded to just + now as the examination of our consciences. To disregard the + examination of our consciences is a terrible thing, of which + it is impossible to foresee the end; on the other hand, to + practise it is most admirable, for by this means we can on + the spot attain filial piety and fidelity to our masters. + Virtue and vice are the goals to which the examination and + non-examination of our consciences lead. As it has been + rightly said, benevolence and malice are the two roads which + man follows. Upon this subject I have a terrible and yet a + very admirable story to tell you. Although I dare say you + are very drowsy, I must beg you to listen to me.</p> + + <p>In a certain part of the country there was a well-to-do + farmer, whose marriage had brought him one son, whom he petted + beyond all measure, as a cow licks her calf. So by degrees the + child became very sly: he used to pull the horses' tails, and + blow smoke into the bulls' nostrils, and bully the neighbours' + children in petty ways and make them cry. From a peevish child + he grew to be a man, and unbearably undutiful to his parents. + Priding himself on a little superior strength, he became a + drunkard and a gambler, and learned to wrestle at fairs. He + would fight and quarrel for a trifle, and spent his time in + debauchery and riotous living. If his parents remonstrated with + him, he would raise his voice and abuse them, using scurrilous + language. "It's all very well your abusing me for being + dissolute and disobedient. But, pray, who asked you to bring me + into the world? You brought me into the world, and I have to + thank you for its miseries; so now, if you hate dissolute + people, you had better put me back where I came from, and I + shall be all right again." This was the sort of insolent answer + he would give his parents, who, at their wits' end, began to + grow old in years. And as he by degrees grew more and more of a + bully, unhappy as he made them, still he was their darling, and + they could not find it in their hearts to turn him out of the + house and disinherit him. So they let him pursue his selfish + course; and he went on from worse to worse, knocking people + down, breaking their arms, and getting up great disturbances. + It is unnecessary to speak of his parents' feelings. Even his + relations and friends felt as if nails were being hammered into + their breasts. He was a thoroughly wicked man.</p> + + <p>Now no one is from his mother's womb so wicked as this; but + those who persist in selfishness lose their senses, and + gradually reach this pitch of wickedness. What a terrible thing + is this throwing away of our hearts!</p> + + <p>Well, this man's relations and friends very properly urged + his <span class="pagenum"><a name="page246" + id="page246"></a>[pg 246]</span> parents to disown him; but + he was an only child, and so his parents, although they + said, "To-day we really will disinherit him," or "To-morrow + we really will break off all relations with him," still it + was all empty talk; and the years and months passed by, + until the scapegrace reached his twenty-sixth year, having + heaped wickedness upon wickedness; and who can tell how much + trouble he brought upon his family, who were always afraid + of hearing of some new enormity? At last they held a family + council, and told the parents that matters had come to such + a pass that if they did not disown their son the rest of the + family must needs break off all communication with them: if + he were allowed to go on in his evil courses, the whole + village, not to speak of his relations, would be disgraced; + so either the parents, against whom, however, there was no + ill-will felt, must be cut by the family, or they must + disinherit their son: to this appeal they begged to have a + distinct answer. The parents, reflecting that to separate + themselves from their relations, even for the sake of their + own son, would be an act of disrespect to their ancestors, + determined to invite their relations to assemble and draw up + a petition to the Government for leave to disinherit their + son, to which petition the family would all affix their + seals according to form; so they begged them to come in the + evening, and bring their seals with them. This was their + answer.</p> + + <p>There is an old saw which says, "The old cow licks her calf, + and the tigress carries her cub in her mouth." If the instinct + of beasts and birds prompt them to love their young, how much + the more must it be a bitter thing for a man to have to disown + his own son! All this trouble was the consequence of this youth + casting his heart from him. Had he examined his own conscience, + the storm of waves and of wind would not have arisen, and all + would have been calm. But as he refused to listen to his + conscience, his parents, much against their will, were forced + to visit him with the punishment of disinheritance, which he + had brought upon himself. A sad thing indeed! In the poems of + his Reverence Tokuhon, a modern poet, there is the following + passage: "Since Buddha thus winds himself round our hearts, let + the man who dares to disregard him fear for his life." The + allusion is to the great mercy and love of the gods. The gods + wish to make men examine their consciences, and, day and night, + help men to discern that which is evil; but, although they + point out our desires and pleasures, our lusts and passions, as + things to be avoided, men turn their backs upon their own + consciences. The love of the gods is like the love of parents + for their children, and men treat the gods as undutiful + children treat their parents. "Men who dare to disregard the + gods, let them fear for their lives." I pray you who hear me, + one and all, to examine your own consciences and be saved.</p> + + <p>To return to the story of the vagabond son. As it happened, + that day he was gambling in a neighbouring village, when a + friend from his own place came up and told him that his + relations had <span class="pagenum"><a name="page247" + id="page247"></a>[pg 247]</span> met together to disinherit + him; and that, fine fellow as he was, he would find it a + terrible thing to be disowned. Before he had heard him half + out, the other replied in a loud voice—</p> + + <p>"What, do you mean to say that they are holding a family + council to-night to disinherit me? What a good joke! I'm sure I + don't want to be always seeing my father's and mother's + blubbering faces; it makes me quite sick to think of them: it's + quite unbearable. I'm able to take care of myself; and, if I + choose to go over to China, or to live in India, I should like + to know who is to prevent me? This is the very thing above all + others for me. I'll go off to the room where they are all + assembled, and ask them why they want to disinherit me. I'll + just swagger like Danjurô <a id="footnotetag91" + name="footnotetag91"></a><a href="#footnote91"><sup>91</sup></a> + the actor, and frighten them into giving me fifty or + seventy ounces of silver to get rid of me, and put the money + in my purse, and be off to Kiôto or Osaka, where I'll + set up a tea-house on my own account; and enjoy myself to my + heart's content! I hope this will be a great night for me, + so I'll just drink a cup of wine for luck beforehand."</p> + + <p>And so, with a lot of young devils of his own sort, be fell + to drinking wine in teacups,<a id="footnotetag92" + name="footnotetag92"></a><a href="#footnote92"><sup>92</sup></a> + so that before nightfall they were all as drunk as mud. + Well, then, on the strength of this wine, as he was setting + out for his father's house, he said, "Now, then, to try my + luck," and stuck a long dirk in his girdle. He reached his + own village just before nightfall, thinking to burst into + the place where he imagined his relations to be gathered + together, turning their wisdom-pockets inside out, to shake + out their small provision of intelligence in consultation; + and he fancied that, if he blustered and bullied, he would + certainly get a hundred ounces of silver out of them. Just + as he was about to enter the house, he reflected—</p> + + <p>"If I show my face in the room where my relations are + gathered together, they will all look down on the ground and + remain silent; so if I go in shouting and raging, it will be + quite out of harmony; but if they abuse me, then I shall be in + the right if I jump in on them and frighten them well. The best + plan will be for me to step out of the bamboo grove which is + behind the house, and to creep round the verandah, and I can + listen to these fellows holding their consultation: they will + certainly be raking up all sorts of scandal about me. It will + be all in harmony, then, if I kick down the shutters and + sliding-doors with a noise like thunder. And what fun it will + be!"</p> + + <p>As he thought thus to himself, he pulled off his iron-heeled + sandals, and stuck them in his girdle, and, girding up his + dress round his waist, left the bamboo grove at the back of the + house, and, jumping over the garden wicket, went round the + verandah and looked in. Peeping through a chink in the + shutters, he could <span class="pagenum"><a name="page248" + id="page248"></a>[pg 248]</span> see his relations gathered + together in council, speaking in whispers. The family were + sitting in a circle, and one and all were affixing their + seals to the petition of disinheritance. At last, having + passed from hand to hand, the document came round to where + the two parents were sitting. Their son, seeing this, + said—</p> + + <p>"Come, now, it's win or lose! My parents' signing the paper + shall be the sign for me to kick open the door and jump into + the middle of them."</p> + + <p>So, getting ready for a good kick, he held his breath and + looked on.</p> + + <p>What terrible perversion man can allow his heart to come to! + Môshi has said that man by nature is good; but although + not a particle of fault can be found with what he has said, + when the evil we have learned becomes a second nature, men + reach this fearful degree of wickedness. When men come to this + pass, Kôshi<a id="footnotetag93" + name="footnotetag93"></a><a href="#footnote93"><sup>93</sup></a> + and Môshi themselves might preach to them for a + thousand days, and they would not have strength to reform. + Such hardened sinners deserve to be roasted in iron pots in + the nethermost hell. Now, I am going to tell you how it came + about that the vagabond son turned over a new leaf and + became dutiful, and finally entered paradise. The poet says, + "Although the hearts of parents are not surrounded by dark + night, how often they stray from the right road in their + affection for their children!"</p> + + <p>When the petition of disinheritance came round to the place + where the two parents were sitting, the mother lifted up her + voice and wept aloud; and the father, clenching his toothless + gums to conceal his emotion, remained with his head bent down: + presently, in a husky voice, he said, "Wife, give me the + seal!"</p> + + <p>But she returned no answer, and with tears in her eyes took + a leather purse, containing the seal, out of a drawer of the + cupboard and placed it before her husband. All this time the + vagabond son, holding his breath, was peeping in from outside + the shutters. In the meanwhile, the old man slowly untied the + strings of the purse, and took out the seal, and smeared on the + colouring matter. Just as he was about to seal the document, + his wife clutched at his hand and said, "Oh, pray wait a + little."</p> + + <p>The father replied, "Now that all our relations are looking + on, you must not speak in this weak manner."</p> + + <p>But she would not listen to what he said, but went + on—</p> + + <p>"Pray listen to what I have to say. It is true that if we + were to give over our house to our undutiful son, in less than + three years the grass would be growing in its place, for he + would be ruined. Still, if we disinherit our child—the + only child that we have, either in heaven or upon + earth—we shall have to adopt another in his place. + Although, if the adopted son turned out honest and dutiful, and + inherited our property, all would be well; still, what + certainty is there of his doing so? If, on the other hand, the + adopted son turned out to be a prodigal, and laid waste + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page249" + id="page249"></a>[pg 249]</span> our house, what unlucky + parents we should be! And who can say that this would not be + the case? If we are to be ruined for the sake of an equally + wicked adopted son, I had rather lose our home for the sake + of our own son, and, leaving out old familiar village as + beggars, seek for our lost boy on foot. This is my fervent + wish. During fifty years that we have lived together, this + has been the only favour that I have ever asked of you. Pray + listen to my prayer, and put a stop to this act of + disinheritance. Even though I should become a beggar for my + son's sake, I could feel no resentment against him."</p> + + <p>So she spoke, sobbing aloud. The relations, who heard this, + looked round at one another, and watched the father to see what + he would do; and he (who knows with what thoughts in his head?) + put back the seal into the leather purse, and quickly drew the + strings together, and pushed back the petition to the + relations.</p> + + <p>"Certainly," said he, "I have lost countenance, and am + disgraced before all my family; however, I think that what the + good wife has just said is right and proper, and from + henceforth I renounce all thoughts of disinheriting my son. Of + course you will all see a weakness of purpose in what I say, + and laugh at me as the cause of my son's undutiful conduct. But + laugh away: it won't hurt me. Certainly, if I don't disinherit + this son of mine, my house will be ruined before three years + are over our heads. To lay waste the house of generations upon + generations of my ancestors is a sin against those ancestors; + of this I am well aware. Further, if I don't disinherit my son, + you gentlemen will all shun me. I know that I am cutting myself + off from my relations. Of course you think that when I leave + this place I shall be dunning you to bestow your charity upon + me; and that is why you want to break off relations with me. + Pray don't make yourselves uneasy. I care no more for my duties + to the world, for my impiety to my ancestors, or for my + separation from my family. Our son is our only darling, and we + mean to go after him, following him as beggars on foot. This is + our desire. We shall trouble you for no alms and for no + charity. However we may die, we have but one life to lose. For + our darling son's sake, we will lay ourselves down and die by + the roadside. There our bodies shall be manure for the trees of + the avenue. And all this we will endure cheerfully, and not + utter a complaint. Make haste and return home, therefore, all + of you. From to-morrow we are no longer on speaking terms. As + for what you may say to me on my son's account, I do not + care."</p> + + <p>And as his wife had done, he lifted up his voice and wept, + shedding manly tears. As for her, when she heard that the act + of disinheritance was not to be drawn up, her tears were + changed to tears of joy. The rest of the family remained in + mute astonishment at so unheard-of a thing, and could only + stare at the faces of the two old people.</p> + + <p>You see how bewildered parents must be by their love for + their children, to be so merciful towards them. As a cat + carrying her <span class="pagenum"><a name="page250" + id="page250"></a>[pg 250]</span> young in her mouth screens + it from the sun at one time and brings it under the light at + another, so parents act by their children, screening their + bad points and bringing out in relief their good qualities. + They care neither for the abuse of others, nor for their + duties to their ancestors, nor for the wretched future in + store for themselves. Carried away by their infatuation for + their children, and intoxicated upon intoxication, the + hearts of parents are to be pitied for their pitifulness. It + is not only the two parents in my story who are in this + plight; the hearts of all parents of children all over the + world are the same. In the poems of the late learned Ishida + it is written, "When I look round me and see the hearts of + parents bewildered by their love for their children, I + reflect that my own father and mother must be like them." + This is certainly a true saying.</p> + + <p>To return to the story: the halo of his parents' great + kindness and pity penetrated the very bowels of the prodigal + son. What an admirable thing! When he heard it, terrible and + sly devil as he had been, he felt as if his whole body had been + squeezed in a press; and somehow or other, although the tears + rose in his breast, he could not for shame lift up his voice + and weep. Biting the sleeve of his dress, he lay down on the + ground and shed tears in silence. What says the verse of the + reverend priest Eni? "To shed tears of gratitude one knows not + why." A very pretty poem indeed! So then the vagabond son, in + his gratitude to his parents, could neither stand nor sit. You + see the original heart of man is by nature bright virtue, but + by our selfish pursuit of our own inclinations the brilliancy + of our original virtue is hidden.</p> + + <p>To continue: the prodigal was pierced to the core by the + great mercy shown by his parents, and the brilliancy of his own + original good heart was enticed back to him. The sunlight came + forth, and what became of all the clouds of self-will and + selfishness? The clouds were all dispelled, and from the bottom + of his soul there sprang the desire to thank his parents for + their goodness. We all know the story of the rush-cutter who + saw the moon rising between the trees on a moorland hill so + brightly, that he fancied it must have been scoured with the + scouring-rush which grew near the spot. When a man, who has + been especially wicked, repents and returns to his original + heart, he becomes all the more excellent, and his brightness is + as that of the rising moon scoured. What an admirable thing + this is! So the son thought to enter the room at once and beg + his parents' forgiveness; but he thought to himself, "Wait a + bit. If I burst suddenly into the room like this, the relations + will all be frightened and not know what to make of it, and + this will be a trouble to my parents. I will put on an innocent + face, as if I did not know what has been going on, and I'll go + in by the front door, and beg the relations to intercede for me + with my parents." With stealthy step he left the back of the + house, and went round to the front. When he arrived there, he + purposely made a great noise with his iron-heeled sandals, and + gave a loud cough to clear his throat, and entered + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page251" + id="page251"></a>[pg 251]</span> the room. The relations + were all greatly alarmed; and his parents, when they saw the + face of their wicked son, both shed tears. As for the son, + he said not a word, but remained weeping, with his head bent + down. After a while, he addressed the relations and said, + "Although I have frequently been threatened with + disinheritance, and although in those days I made light of + it, to-night, when I heard that this family council had + assembled, I somehow or other felt my heart beset by anxiety + and grief. However I may have heaped wickedness upon + wickedness up to the present moment, as I shall certainly + now mend my ways, I pray you to delay for a while to-night's + act of disinheritance. I do not venture to ask for a long + delay,—I ask but for thirty days; and if within that + time I shall not have given proofs of repentance, disinherit + me: I shall not have a word to say. I pray you, gentlemen, + to intercede with my parents that they may grant this delay + of thirty days, and to present them my humble apologies." + With this he rubbed his head on the mat, as a humble + suppliant, in a manner most foreign to his nature.</p> + + <p>The relations, after hearing the firm and resolute answer of + the parents, had shifted about in their places; but, although + they were on the point of leaving the house, had remained + behind, sadly out of harmony; when the son came in, and happily + with a word set all in tune again. So the relations addressed + the parents, and said, "Pray defer to-night's affair;" and laid + the son's apologies at their feet. As for the parents, who + would not have disinherited their son even had he not repented, + how much the more when they heard what he said did they weep + for joy; and the relations, delighted at the happy event, + exhorted the son to become really dutiful; and so that night's + council broke up. So this son in the turn of a hand became a + pious son, and the way in which he served his parents was that + of a tender and loving child. His former evil ways he + extinguished utterly.</p> + + <p>The fame of this story rose high in the world; and, before + half a year had passed, it reached the ears of the lord of the + manor, who, when he had put on his noble spectacles and + investigated the case, appointed the son to be the head man of + his village. You may judge by this what this son's filial piety + effected. Three years after these events, his mother, who was + on her death-bed, very sick, called for him and said, "When + some time since the consultation was being held about + disinheriting you, by some means or other your heart was + turned, and since then you have been a dutiful son above all + others. If at that time you had not repented, and I had died in + the meanwhile, my soul would have gone to hell without fail, + because of my foolish conduct towards you. But, now that you + have repented, there is nothing that weighs upon me, and there + can be no mistake about my going to paradise. So the fact of my + becoming one of the saints will all be the work of your filial + piety." And the story goes, that with these words the mother, + lifting up her hands in prayer, died.</p> + + <p>To be sure, by the deeds of the present life we may obtain a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page252" + id="page252"></a>[pg 252]</span> glimpse into the future. If + a man's heart is troubled by his misdeeds in this life, it + will again be tortured in the next. The troubled heart is + hell. The heart at rest is paradise. The trouble or peace of + parents depends upon their children. If their children are + virtuous, parents are as the saints: if their children are + wicked, parents suffer the tortures of the damned. If once + your youthful spirits, in a fit of heedlessness, have led + you to bring trouble upon your parents and cause them to + weep, just consider the line of argument which I have been + following. From this time forth repent and examine your own + hearts. If you will become dutiful, your parents from this + day will live happy as the saints. But if you will not + repent, but persist in your evil ways, your parents will + suffer the pains of hell. Heaven and hell are matters of + repentance or non-repentance. Repentance is the finding of + the lost heart, and is also the object of learning. I shall + speak to you further upon this point to-morrow + evening.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page253" + id="page253"></a>[pg 253]</span> + + <h3>SERMON III</h3> + + <h4>(THE SERMONS OF KIU-Ô, VOL. 1)</h4> + + <p>Môshi has said, "There is the third finger. If a man's + third or nameless finger be bent, so that he cannot straighten + it, although his bent finger may cause him no pain, still if he + hears of some one who can cure it, he will think nothing of + undertaking a long journey from <i>Shin</i> to + <i>So</i><a id="footnotetag94" + name="footnotetag94"></a><a href="#footnote94"><sup>94</sup></a> + to consult him upon this deformed finger; for he knows it is + to be hateful to have a finger unlike those of other men. + But he cares not a jot if his heart be different to that of + other men; and this is how men disregard the true order of + things."</p> + + <p>Now this is the next chapter to the one about benevolence + being the true heart of man, which I expounded to you the other + night. True learning has no other aim than that of reclaiming + lost souls; and, in connection with this, Môshi has thus + again declared in a parable the all-importance of the human + heart.</p> + + <p>The nameless finger is that which is next to the little + finger. The thumb is called the parent-finger; the first finger + is called the index; the long is called the middle finger; but + the third finger has no name. It is true that it is sometimes + called the finger for applying rouge; but that is only a name + given it by ladies, and is not in general use. So, having no + name, it is called the nameless finger. And how comes it to + have no name? Why, because it is of all the fingers the least + useful. When we clutch at or grasp things, we do so by the + strength of the thumb and little finger. If a man scratches his + head, he does it with the forefinger; if he wishes to test the + heat of the wine<a id="footnotetag95" + name="footnotetag95"></a><a href="#footnote95"><sup>95</sup></a> + in the kettle, he uses the little finger. Thus, although + each finger has its uses and duties, the nameless finger + alone is of no use: it is not in our way if we have it, and + we do not miss it if we lose it. Of the whole body it is the + meanest member: if it be crooked so that we cannot + straighten it, it neither hurts nor itches; as Môshi + says in the text, it causes no pain; even if we were without + it, we should be none the worse off. Hence, what though it + should be bent, it would be better, since it causes no pain, + to leave it as it is. Yet if a person, having such a crooked + finger, hears of a clever doctor who can set it straight, no + matter at how great a distance he may be, he will be off to + consult this doctor. And pray why? Because he feels ashamed + of having <span class="pagenum"><a name="page254" + id="page254"></a>[pg 254]</span> a finger a little different + from the rest of the world, and so he wants to be cured, and + will think nothing of travelling from Shin to So—a + distance of a thousand miles—for the purpose. To be + sure, men are very susceptible and keenly alive to a sense + of shame; and in this they are quite right. The feeling of + shame at what is wrong is the commencement of virtue. The + perception of shame is inborn in men; but there are two ways + of perceiving shame. There are some men who are sensible of + shame for what regards their bodies, but who are ignorant of + shame for what concerns their hearts; and a terrible mistake + they make. There is nothing which can be compared in + importance to the heart. The heart is said to be the lord of + the body, which it rules as a master rules his house. Shall + the lord, who is the heart, be ailing and his sickness be + neglected, while his servants, who are the members only, are + cared for? If the knee be lacerated, apply tinder to stop + the bleeding; if the moxa should suppurate, spread a + plaster; if a cold be caught, prepare medicine and garlic + and gruel, and ginger wine! For a trifle, you will doctor + and care for your bodies, and yet for your hearts you will + take no care. Although you are born of mankind, if your + hearts resemble those of devils, of foxes, of snakes, or of + crows, rather than the hearts of men, you take no heed, + caring for your bodies alone. Whence can you have fallen + into such a mistake? It is a folly of old standing too, for + it was to that that Môshi pointed when he said that to + be cognizant of a deformed finger and ignore the deformities + of the soul was to disregard the true order of things. This + is what it is, not to distinguish between that which is + important and that which is unimportant—to pick up a + trifle and pass by something of value. The instinct of man + prompts him to prefer the great to the small, the important + to the unimportant.</p> + + <p>If a man is invited out to a feast by his relations or + acquaintances, when the guests are assembled and the principal + part of the feast has disappeared, he looks all round him, with + the eyeballs starting out of his head, and glares at his + neighbours, and, comparing the little titbits of roast fowl or + fish put before them, sees that they are about half an inch + bigger than those set before him; then, blowing out his belly + with rage, he thinks, "What on earth can the host be about? + Master Tarubei is a guest, but so am I: what does the fellow + mean by helping me so meanly? There must be some malice or + ill-will here." And so his mind is prejudiced against the host. + Just be so good as to reflect upon this. Does a man show his + spite by grudging a bit of roast fowl or meat? And yet even in + such trifles as these do men show how they try to obtain what + is great, and show their dislike of what is small. How can men + be conscious of shame for a deformed finger, and count it as no + misfortune that their hearts are crooked? That is how they + abandon the substance for the shadow.</p> + + <p>Môshi severely censures the disregard of the true + order of things. What mistaken and bewildered creatures men + are! <span class="pagenum"><a name="page255" + id="page255"></a>[pg 255]</span> What says the old song? + "Hidden far among the mountains, the tree which seems to be + rotten, if its core be yet alive, may be made to bear + flowers." What signifies it if the hand or the foot be + deformed? The heart is the important thing. If the heart be + awry, what though your skin be fair, your nose aquiline, + your hair beautiful? All these strike the eye alone, and are + utterly useless. It is as if you were to put horse-dung into + a gold-lacquer luncheon-box. This is what is called a fair + outside, deceptive in appearance.</p> + + <p>There's the scullery-maid been washing out the pots at the + kitchen sink, and the scullion Chokichi comes up and says to + her, "You've got a lot of charcoal smut sticking to your nose," + and points out to her the ugly spot. The scullery-maid is + delighted to be told of this, and answers, "Really! whereabouts + is it?" Then she twists a towel round her finger, and, bending + her head till mouth and forehead are almost on a level, she + squints at her nose, and twiddles away with her fingers as if + she were the famous Gotô<a id="footnotetag96" + name="footnotetag96"></a><a href="#footnote96"><sup>96</sup></a> + at work, carving the ornaments of a sword-handle. "I say, + Master Chokichi, is it off yet?" "Not a bit of it. You've + smeared it all over your cheeks now." "Oh dear! oh dear! + where can it be?" And so she uses the water-basin as a + looking-glass, and washes her face clean; then she says to + herself, "What a dear boy Chokichi is!" and thinks it + necessary, out of gratitude, to give him relishes with his + supper by the ladleful, and thanks him over and over again. + But if this same Chokichi were to come up to her and say, + "Now, really, how lazy you are! I wish you could manage to + be rather less of a shrew," what do you think the + scullery-maid would answer then? Reflect for a moment. "Drat + the boy's impudence! If I were of a bad heart or an angular + disposition, should I be here helping him? You go and be + hung! You see if I take the trouble to wash your dirty + bedclothes for you any more." And she gets to be a perfect + devil, less only the horns.</p> + + <p>There are other people besides the poor scullery-maid who + are in the same way. "Excuse me, Mr. Gundabei, but the + embroidered crest on your dress of ceremony seems to be a + little on one side." Mr. Gundabei proceeds to adjust his dress + with great precision. "Thank you, sir. I am ten million times + obliged to you for your care. If ever there should be any + matter in which I can be of service to you, I beg that you will + do me the favour of letting me know;" and, with a beaming face, + he expresses his gratitude. Now for the other side of the + picture. "Really, Mr. Gundabei, you are very foolish; you don't + seem to understand at all. I beg you to be of a frank and + honest heart: it really makes me quite sad to see a man's heart + warped in this way." What is his answer? He turns his sword in + his girdle ready to draw, and plays the devil's tattoo upon the + hilt: it looks as if it must end in a fight + soon.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page256" + id="page256"></a>[pg 256]</span> + + <p>In fact, if you help a man in anything which has to do with + a fault of the body, he takes it very kindly, and sets about + mending matters. If any one helps another to rectify a fault of + the heart, he has to deal with a man in the dark, who flies in + a rage, and does not care to amend. How out of tune all this + is! And yet there are men who are bewildered up to this point. + Nor is this a special and extraordinary failing. This mistaken + perception of the great and the small, of colour and of + substance, is common to us all—to you and to me.</p> + + <p>Please give me your attention. The form strikes the eye; but + the heart strikes not the eye. Therefore, that the heart should + be distorted and turned awry causes no pain. This all results + from the want of sound judgment; and that is why we cannot + afford to be careless.</p> + + <p>The master of a certain house calls his servant Chokichi, + who sits dozing in the kitchen. "Here, Chokichi! The guests are + all gone; come and clear away the wine and fish in the back + room."</p> + + <p>Chokichi rubs his eyes, and with a sulky answer goes into + the back room, and, looking about him, sees all the nice things + paraded on the trays and in the bowls. It's wonderful how his + drowsiness passes away: no need for any one to hurry him now. + His eyes glare with greed, as he says, "Hullo! here's a lot of + tempting things! There's only just one help of that omelette + left in the tray. What a hungry lot of guests! What's this? It + looks like fish rissoles;" and with this he picks out one, and + crams his mouth full; when, on one side, a mess of young + cuttlefish, in a Chinese<a id="footnotetag97" + name="footnotetag97"></a><a href="#footnote97"><sup>97</sup></a> + porcelain bowl, catches his eyes. There the little beauties + sit in a circle, like Buddhist priests in religious + meditation! "Oh, goodness! how nice!" and just as he is + dipping his finger and thumb in, he hears his master's + footstep; and knowing that he is doing wrong, he crams his + prize into the pocket of his sleeve, and stoops down to take + away the wine-kettle and cups; and as he does this, out + tumble the cuttlefish from his sleeve. The master sees + it.</p> + + <p>"What's that?"</p> + + <p>Chokichi, pretending not to know what has happened, beats + the mats, and keeps on saying, "Come again the day before + yesterday; come again the day before + yesterday."<a id="footnotetag98" + name="footnotetag98"></a><a href="#footnote98"><sup>98</sup></a></p> + + <p>But it's no use his trying to persuade his master that the + little cuttlefish are spiders, for they are not the least like + them. It's no use hiding things,—they are sure to come to + light; and so it is with the heart,—its purposes will + out. If the heart is enraged, the dark veins stand out on the + forehead; if the heart is grieved, tears rise to the eyes; if + the heart is joyous, dimples appear in + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page257" + id="page257"></a>[pg 257]</span> the cheeks; if the heart is + merry, the face smiles: thus it is that the face reflects + the emotions of the heart. It is not because the eyes are + filled with tears that the heart is sad; nor because the + veins stand out on the forehead that the heart is enraged. + It is the heart which leads the way in everything. All the + important sensations of the heart are apparent in the + outward appearance. In the "Great Learning" of Kôshi + it is written, "The truth of what is within appears upon the + surface." How then is the heart a thing which can be hidden? + To answer when reproved, to hum tunes when scolded, show a + diseased heart; and if this disease is not quickly taken in + hand, it will become chronic, and the remedy become + difficult: perhaps the disease may be so virulent that even + Giba and Henjaku<a id="footnotetag99" + name="footnotetag99"></a><a href="#footnote99"><sup>99</sup></a> + in consultation could not effect a cure. So, before the + disease has gained strength, I invite you to the study of + the moral essays entitled <i>Shin-gaku</i> (the Learning of + the Heart). If you once arrive at the possession of your + heart as it was originally by nature, what an admirable + thing that will be! In that case your conscience will point + out to you even the slightest wrong bias or selfishness.</p> + + <p>While upon this subject, I may tell you a story which was + related to me by a friend of mine. It is a story which the + master of a certain money-changer's shop used to be very fond + of telling. An important part of a money-changer's business is + to distinguish between good and bad gold and silver. In the + different establishments, the ways of teaching the apprentices + this art vary; however, the plan adopted by the money-changer + was as follows:—At first he would show them no bad + silver, but would daily put before them good money only; when + they had become thoroughly familiar with the sight of good + money, if he stealthily put a little base coin among the good, + he found that they would detect it immediately,—they saw + it as plainly as you see things when you throw light on a + mirror. This faculty of detecting base money at a glance was + the result of having learned thoroughly to understand good + money. Having once been taught in this way, the apprentices + would not make a mistake about a piece of base coin during + their whole lives, as I have heard. I can't vouch for the truth + of this; but it is very certain that the principle, applied to + moral instruction, is an excellent one,—it is a most safe + mode of study. However, I was further told that if, after + having thus learned to distinguish good money, a man followed + some other trade for six months or a year, and gave up handling + money, he would become just like any other inexperienced + person, unable to distinguish the good from the base.</p> + + <p>Please reflect upon this attentively. If you once render + yourself familiar with the nature of the uncorrupted heart, + from that time forth you will be immediately conscious of the + slightest inclination towards bias or selfishness. And why? + Because the natural heart is illumined. When a man has once + learned that which is perfect, he will never consent to accept + that which is <span class="pagenum"><a name="page258" + id="page258"></a>[pg 258]</span> imperfect; but if, after + having acquired this knowledge, he again keeps his natural + heart at a distance, and gradually forgets to recognize that + which is perfect, he finds himself in the dark again, and + that he can no longer distinguish base money from good. I + beg you to take care. If a man falls into bad habits, he is + no longer able to perceive the difference between the good + impulses of his natural heart and the evil impulses of his + corrupt heart. With this benighted heart as a + starting-point, he can carry out none of his intentions, and + he has to lift his shoulders sighing and sighing again. A + creature much to be pitied indeed! Then he loses all + self-reliance, so that, although it would be better for him + to hold his tongue and say nothing about it, if he is in the + slightest trouble or distress, he goes and confesses the + crookedness of his heart to every man he meets. What a + wretched state for a man to be in! For this reason, I beg + you to learn thoroughly the true silver of the heart, in + order that you may make no mistake about the base coin. I + pray that you and I, during our whole lives, may never leave + the path of true principles.</p> + + <p>I have an amusing story to tell you in connection with this, + if you will be so good as to listen.</p> + + <p>Once upon a time, when the autumn nights were beginning to + grow chilly, five or six tradesmen in easy circumstances had + assembled together to have a chat; and, having got ready their + picnic box and wine-flask, went off to a temple on the hills, + where a friendly priest lived, that they might listen to the + stags roaring. With this intention they went to call upon the + priest, and borrowed the guests' + apartments<a id="footnotetag100" + name="footnotetag100"></a><a href="#footnote100"><sup>100</sup></a> + of the monastery; and as they were waiting to hear the deer + roar, some of the party began to compose poetry. One would + write a verse of Chinese poetry, and another would write a + verse of seventeen syllables; and as they were passing the + wine-cup the hour of sunset came, but not a deer had uttered + a call; eight o'clock came, and ten o'clock came; still not + a sound from the deer.</p> + + <p>"What can this mean?" said one. "The deer surely ought to be + roaring."</p> + + <p>But, in spite of their waiting, the deer would not roar. At + last the friends got sleepy, and, bored with writing songs and + verses, began to yawn, and gave up twaddling about the woes and + troubles of life; and as they were all silent, one of them, a + man fifty years of age, stopping the circulation of the + wine-cup, said—</p> + + <p>"Well, certainly, gentlemen, thanks to you, we have spent + the evening in very pleasant conversation. However, although I + am enjoying myself mightily in this way, my people at home must + be getting anxious, and so I begin to think that we ought to + leave off drinking."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page259" + id="page259"></a>[pg 259]</span> + + <p>"Why so?" said the others.</p> + + <p>"Well, I'll tell you. You know that my only son is + twenty-two years of age this year, and a troublesome fellow be + is, too. When I'm at home, he lends a hand sulkily enough in + the shop: but as soon as he no longer sees the shadow of me, he + hoists sail and is off to some bad haunt. Although our + relations and connections are always preaching to him, not a + word has any more effect that wind blowing into a horse's ear. + When I think that I shall have to leave my property to such a + fellow as that, it makes my heart grow small indeed. Although, + thanks to those to whom I have succeeded, I want for nothing, + still, when I think of my son, I shed tears of blood night and + day."</p> + + <p>And as he said this with a sigh, a man of some forty-five or + forty-six years said—</p> + + <p>"No, no; although you make so much of your misfortunes, your + son is but a little extravagant after all. There's no such + great cause for grief there. I've got a very different story to + tell. Of late years my shopmen, for one reason or another, have + been running me into debt, thinking nothing of a debt of fifty + or seventy ounces; and so the ledgers get all wrong. Just think + of that. Here have I been keeping these fellows ever since they + were little children unable to blow their own noses, and now, + as soon as they come to be a little useful in the shop, they + begin running up debts, and are no good whatever to their + master. You see, you only have to spend your money upon your + own son."</p> + + <p>Then another gentleman said—</p> + + <p>"Well, I think that to spend money upon your shop-people is + no such great hardship after all. Now I've been in something + like trouble lately. I can't get a penny out of my customers. + One man owes me fifteen ounces; another owes me twenty-five + ounces. Really that is enough to make a man feel as if his + heart was worn away."</p> + + <p>When he had finished speaking, an old gentleman, who was + sitting opposite, playing with his fan, said—</p> + + <p>"Certainly, gentlemen, your grievances are not without + cause; still, to be perpetually asked for a little money, or to + back a bill, by one's relations or friends, and to have a lot + of hangers-on dependent on one, as I have, is a worse case + still."</p> + + <p>But before the old gentleman had half finished speaking, his + neighbour called out—</p> + + <p>"No, no; all you gentlemen are in luxury compared to me. + Please listen to what I have to suffer. My wife and my mother + can't hit it off anyhow. All day long they're like a couple of + cows butting at one another with their horns. The house is as + unendurable as if it were full of smoke. I often think it would + be better to send my wife back to her village; but then I've + got two little children. If I interfere and take my wife's + part, my mother gets low-spirited. If I scold my wife, she says + that I treat her so brutally because she's not of the same + flesh and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page260" + id="page260"></a>[pg 260]</span> blood; and then she hates + me. The trouble and anxiety are beyond description: I'm like + a post stuck up between them."</p> + + <p>And so they all twaddled away in chorus, each about his own + troubles. At last one of the gentlemen, recollecting himself, + said—</p> + + <p>"Well, gentlemen, certainly the deer ought to be roaring; + but we've been so engrossed with our conversation, that we + don't know whether we have missed hearing them or not."</p> + + <p>With this he pulled aside the sliding-door of the verandah + and looked out, and, lo and behold! a great big stag was + standing perfectly silent in front of the garden.</p> + + <p>"Hullo!" said the man to the deer, "what's this? Since + you've been there all the time, why did you not roar?"</p> + + <p>Then the stag answered, with an innocent face—</p> + + <p>"Oh, I came here to listen to the lamentations of you + gentlemen."</p> + + <p>Isn't that a funny story?</p> + + <p>Old and young, men and women, rich and poor, never cease + grumbling from morning till night. All this is the result of a + diseased heart. In short, for the sake of a very trifling + inclination or selfish pursuit, they will do any wrong in order + to effect that which is impossible. This is want of judgment, + and this brings all sorts of trouble upon the world. If once + you gain possession of a perfect heart, knowing that which is + impossible to be impossible, and recognizing that that which is + difficult is difficult, you will not attempt to spare yourself + trouble unduly. What says the Chin-Yo?<a id="footnotetag101" + name="footnotetag101"></a><a href="#footnote101"><sup>101</sup></a> + The wise man, whether his lot be cast amongst rich or poor, + amongst barbarians or in sorrow, understands his position by + his own instinct. If men do not understand this, they think + that the causes of pain and pleasure are in the body. + Putting the heart on one side, they earnestly strive after + the comforts of the body, and launch into extravagance, the + end of which is miserly parsimony. Instead of pleasure they + meet with grief of the heart, and pass their lives in + weeping and wailing. In one way or another, everything in + this world depends upon the heart. I implore every one of + you to take heed that tears fall not to your + lot.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page261" + id="page261"></a>[pg 261]</span> + + <h1>APPENDICES</h1><!--blank page 262--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page263" + id="page263"></a>[pg 263]</span> + + <h2>APPENDIX A</h2> + + <h3>AN ACCOUNT OF THE HARA-KIRI</h3> + + <h4>(FROM A RARE JAPANESE MS.)</h4> + + <p>Seppuku <i>(hara-kiri)</i> is the mode of suicide adopted + amongst Samurai when they have no alternative but to die. Some + there are who thus commit suicide of their own free will; + others there are who, having committed some crime which does + not put them outside the pale of the privileges of the Samurai + class, are ordered by their superiors to put an end to their + own lives. It is needless to say that it is absolutely + necessary that the principal, the witnesses, and the seconds + who take part in the affair should be acquainted with all the + ceremonies to be observed. A long time ago, a certain Daimio + invited a number of persons, versed in the various ceremonies, + to call upon him to explain the different forms to be observed + by the official witnesses who inspect and verify the head, + &c., and then to instruct him in the ceremonies to be + observed in the act of suicide; then he showed all these rites + to his son and to all his retainers. Another person has said + that, as the ceremonies to be gone through by principal, + witnesses, and seconds are all very important matters, men + should familiarize themselves with a thing which is so + terrible, in order that, should the time come for them to take + part in it, they may not be taken by surprise.</p> + + <p>The witnesses go to see and certify the suicide. For + seconds, men are wanted who have distinguished themselves in + the military arts. In old days, men used to bear these things + in mind; but now-a-days the fashion is to be ignorant of such + ceremonies, and if upon rare occasions a criminal is handed + over to a Daimio's charge, that he may perform + <i>hara-kiri,</i> it often happens, at the time of execution, + that there is no one among all the prince's retainers who is + competent to act as second, in which case a man has to be + engaged in a hurry from some other quarter to cut off the head + of the criminal, and for that day he changes his name and + becomes a retainer of the prince, either of the middle or + lowest class, and the affair is entrusted to him, and so the + difficulty is got over: nor is this considered to be a + disgrace. It is a great breach of decorum if the second, who is + a most important officer, commits any mistake (such as not + striking off the head at a blow) in the presence of the + witnesses sent by the Government. On this account a skilful + person must be employed; and, to hide the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page264" + id="page264"></a>[pg 264]</span> unmanliness of his own + people, a prince must perform the ceremony in this imperfect + manner. Every Samurai should be able to cut off a man's + head: therefore, to have to employ a stranger to act as + second is to incur the charge of ignorance of the arts of + war, and is a bitter mortification. However, young men, + trusting to their youthful ardour, are apt to be careless, + and are certain to make a mistake. Some people there are + who, not lacking in skill on ordinary occasions, lose their + presence of mind in public, and cannot do themselves + justice. It is all the more important, therefore, as the act + occurs but rarely, that men who are liable to be called upon + to be either principals or seconds or witnesses in the + <i>hara-kiri</i> should constantly be examined in their + skill as swordsmen, and should be familiar with all the + rites, in order that when the time comes they may not lose + their presence of mind.</p> + + <p>According to one authority, capital punishment may be + divided into two kinds—beheading and strangulation. The + ceremony of <i>hara-kiri</i> was added afterwards in the case + of persons belonging to the military class being condemned to + death. This was first instituted in the days of the + Ashikaga<a id="footnotetag102" + name="footnotetag102"></a><a href="#footnote102"><sup>102</sup></a> + dynasty. At that time the country was in a state of utter + confusion; and there were men who, although fighting, were + neither guilty of high treason nor of infidelity to their + feudal lords, but who by the chances of war were taken + prisoners. To drag out such men as these, bound as + criminals, and cut their heads off, was intolerably cruel; + accordingly, men hit upon a ceremonious mode of suicide by + disembowelling, in order to comfort the departed spirit. + Even at present, where it becomes necessary to put to death + a man who has been guilty of some act not unworthy of a + Samurai, at the time of the execution witnesses are sent to + the house; and the criminal, having bathed and put on new + clothes, in obedience to the commands of his superiors, puts + an end to himself, but does not on that account forfeit his + rank as a Samurai. This is a law for which, in all truth, + men should be grateful.</p> + + <h4>ON THE PREPARATION OF THE PLACE OF EXECUTION</h4> + + <p>In old days the ceremony of <i>hara-kiri</i> used to be + performed in a temple. In the third year of the period called + Kan-yei (A.D. 1626), a certain person, having been guilty of + treason, was ordered to disembowel himself, on the fourteenth + day of the first month, in the temple of Kichijôji, at + Komagomé, in Yedo. Eighteen years later, the retainer of + a certain Daimio, having had a dispute with a sailor belonging + to an Osaka coasting-ship, killed the sailor; and, an + investigation having been made into the matter by the Governor + of Osaka, the retainer was ordered to perform + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page265" + id="page265"></a>[pg 265]</span> <i>hara-kiri</i>, on the + twentieth day of the sixth month, in the temple called + Sokusanji, in Osaka. During the period Shôhô + (middle of seventeenth century), a certain man, having been + guilty of heinous misconduct, performed <i>hara-kiri</i> in + the temple called Shimpukuji, in the Kôji-street of + Yedo. On the fourth day of the fifth month of the second + year of the period Meiréki (A.D. 1656), a certain + man, for having avenged the death of his cousin's husband at + a place called Shimidzudani, in the Kôji-street, + disembowelled himself in the temple called Honseiji. On the + twenty-sixth day of the sixth month of the eighth year of + the period Yempô (A.D. 1680), at the funeral + ceremonies in honour of the anniversary of the death of + Genyuin Sama, a former Shogun, Naitô Idzumi no Kami, + having a cause of hatred against Nagai Shinano no Kami, + killed him at one blow with a short sword, in the main hall + of the temple called Zôjôji (the burial-place of + the Shoguns in Yedo). Idzumi no Kami was arrested by the + officers present, and on the following day performed + <i>hara-kiri</i> at Kiridôshi, in the temple called + Seiriuji.</p> + + <p>In modern times the ceremony has taken place at night, + either in the palace or in the garden of a Daimio, to whom the + condemned man has been given in charge. Whether it takes place + in the palace or in the garden depends upon the rank of the + individual. Daimios and Hatamotos, as a matter of course, and + the higher retainers of the Shogun, disembowel themselves in + the palace: retainers of lower rank should do so in the garden. + In the case of vassals of feudatories, according to the rank of + their families, those who, being above the grade of captains, + carry the bâton,<a id="footnotetag103" + name="footnotetag103"></a><a href="#footnote103"><sup>103</sup></a> + should perform <i>hara-kiri</i> in the palace; all others in + the garden. If, when the time comes, the persons engaged in + the ceremony are in any doubt as to the proper rules to be + followed, they should inquire of competent persons, and + settle the question. At the beginning of the eighteenth + century, during the period Genroku, when Asano Takumi no + Kami<a id="footnotetag104" + name="footnotetag104"></a><a href="#footnote104"><sup>104</sup></a> + disembowelled himself in the palace of a Daimio called + Tamura, as the whole thing was sudden and unexpected, the + garden was covered with matting, and on the top of this + thick mats were laid and a carpet, and the affair was + concluded so; but there are people who say that it was wrong + to treat a Daimio thus, as if he had been an ordinary + Samurai. But it is said that in old times it was the custom + that the ceremony should take place upon a leather carpet + spread in the garden; and further, that the proper place is + inside a picket fence tied together in the garden: so it is + wrong for persons who are only acquainted with one form of + the ceremony to accuse Tamura of having acted improperly. + If, however, the object was to save the house from the + pollution of blood, then the accusation of ill-will may well + be brought; for the preparation of the place is of great + importance.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page266" + id="page266"></a>[pg 266]</span> + + <p>Formerly it was the custom that, for personages of + importance, the enclosure within the picket fence should be of + thirty-six feet square. An entrance was made to the south, and + another to the north: the door to the south was called + <i>Shugiyômon</i> ("the door of the practice of virtue"); + that to the north was called <i>Umbanmon</i> ("the door of the + warm basin"<a id="footnotetag105" + name="footnotetag105"></a><a href="#footnote105"><sup>105</sup></a>). + Two mats, with white binding, were arranged in the shape of + a hammer, the one at right angles to the other; six feet of + white silk, four feet broad, were stretched on the mat, + which was placed lengthwise; at the four corners were + erected four posts for curtains. In front of the two mats + was erected a portal, eight feet high by six feet broad, in + the shape of the portals in front of temples, made of a fine + sort of bamboo wrapped in white<a id="footnotetag106" + name="footnotetag106"></a><a href="#footnote106"><sup>106</sup></a> + silk. White curtains, four feet broad, were hung at the four + corners, and four flags, six feet long, on which should be + inscribed four quotations from the sacred books. These + flags, it is said, were immediately after the ceremony + carried away to the grave. At night two lights were placed, + one upon either side of the two mats. The candles were + placed in saucers upon stands of bamboo, four feet high, + wrapped in white silk. The person who was to disembowel + himself, entering the picket fence by the north entrance, + took his place upon the white silk upon the mat facing the + north. Some there were, however, who said that he should sit + facing the west: in that case the whole place must be + prepared accordingly. The seconds enter the enclosure by the + south entrance, at the same time as the principal enters by + the north, and take their places on the mat that is placed + crosswise.</p> + + <p>Nowadays, when the <i>hara-kiri</i> is performed inside the + palace, a temporary place is made on purpose, either in the + garden or in some unoccupied spot; but if the criminal is to + die on the day on which he is given in charge, or on the next + day, the ceremony, having to take place so quickly, is + performed in the reception-room. Still, even if there is a + lapse of time between the period of giving the prisoner in + charge and the execution, it is better that the ceremony should + take place in a decent room in the house than in a place made + on purpose. If it is heard that, for fear of dirtying his + house, a man has made a place expressly, he will be blamed for + it. It surely can be no disgrace to the house of a soldier that + he was ordered to perform the last offices towards a Samurai + who died by <i>hara-kiri</i>. To slay his enemy against whom he + has cause of hatred, and then to kill himself, is the part of a + noble Samurai; and it is sheer nonsense to look upon the place + where he has disembowelled himself as polluted. In the + beginning of the eighteenth century, seventeen of the retainers + of Asano Takumi no Kami performed <i>hara-kiri</i> in the + garden of a palace at Shirokané, in Yedo. When it was + over, the people of the palace called upon the priests of a + sect named Shugenja to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page267" + id="page267"></a>[pg 267]</span> come and purify the place; + but when the lord of the palace heard this, he ordered the + place to be left as it was; for what need was there to + purify a place where faithful Samurai had died by their own + hand? But in other palaces to which the remainder of the + retainers of Takumi no Kami were entrusted, it is said that + the places of execution were purified. But the people of + that day praised Kumamoto Ko (the Prince of Higo), to whom + the palace at Shirokané belonged. It is a currish + thing to look upon death in battle or by <i>hara-kiri</i> as + a pollution: this is a thing to bear in mind. In modern + times the place of <i>hara-kiri</i> is eighteen feet square + in all cases; in the centre is a place to sit upon, and the + condemned man is made to sit facing the witnesses; at other + times he is placed with his side to the witnesses: this is + according to the nature of the spot. In some cases the + seconds turn their backs to the witnesses. It is open to + question, however, whether this is not a breach of + etiquette. The witnesses should be consulted upon these + arrangements. If the witnesses have no objection, the + condemned man should be placed directly opposite to them. + The place where the witnesses are seated should be removed + more than twelve or eighteen feet from the condemned man. + The place from which the sentence is read should also be + close by. The writer has been furnished with a plan of the + <i>hara-kiri</i> as it is performed at present. Although the + ceremony is gone through in other ways also, still it is + more convenient to follow the manner indicated.</p> + + <p>If the execution takes place in a room, a kerchief of five + breadths of white cotton cloth or a quilt should be laid down, + and it is also said that two mats should be prepared; however, + as there are already mats in the room, there is no need for + special mats: two red rugs should be spread over all, sewed + together, one on the top of the other; for if the white cotton + cloth be used alone, the blood will soak through on to the + mats; therefore it is right the rugs should be spread. On the + twenty-third day of the eighth month of the fourth year of the + period Yenkiyô (A.D. 1740), at the <i>hara-kiri</i> of a + certain person there were laid down a white cloth, eight feet + square, and on that a quilt of light green cotton, six feet + square, and on that a cloth of white hemp, six feet square, and + on that two rugs. On the third day of the ninth month of the + ninth year of the period Tempô (A.D. 1838), at the + <i>hara-kiri</i> of a certain person it is said that there were + spread a large double cloth of white cotton, and on that two + rugs. But, of these two occasions, the first must be commended + for its careful preparation. If the execution be at night, + candlesticks of white wood should be placed at each of the four + corners, lest the seconds be hindered in their work. In the + place where the witnesses are to sit, ordinary candlesticks + should be placed, according to etiquette; but an excessive + illumination is not decorous. Two screens covered with white + paper should be set up, behind the shadow of which are + concealed the dirk upon a tray, a bucket to hold the head after + it has been cut off, an incense-burner, a pail of water, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page268" + id="page268"></a>[pg 268]</span> and a basin. The above + rules apply equally to the ceremonies observed when the + <i>hara-kiri</i> takes place in a garden. In the latter case + the place is hung round with a white curtain, which need not + be new for the occasion. Two mats, a white cloth, and a rug + are spread. If the execution is at night, lanterns of white + paper are placed on bamboo poles at the four corners. The + sentence having been read inside the house, the persons + engaged in the ceremony proceed to the place of execution; + but, according to circumstances, the sentence may be read at + the place itself. In the case of Asano Takumi no Kami, the + sentence was read out in the house, and he afterwards + performed <i>hara-kiri</i> in the garden. On the third day + of the fourth month of the fourth year of the period Tenmei + (A.D. 1784), a Hatamoto named Sano, having received his + sentence in the supreme court-house, disembowelled himself + in the garden in front of the prison. When the ceremony + takes place in the garden, matting must be spread all the + way to the place, so that sandals need not be worn. The + reason for this is that some men in that position suffer + from a rush of blood to the head, from nervousness, so their + sandals might slip off their feet without their being aware + of their loss; and as this would have a very bad appearance, + it is better to spread matting. Care must be taken lest, in + spreading the matting, a place be left where two mats join, + against which the foot might trip. The white screens and + other things are prepared as has been directed above. If any + curtailment is made, it must be done as well as + circumstances will permit. According to the crime of which a + man who is handed over to any Daimio's charge is guilty, it + is known whether he will have to perform <i>hara-kiri</i>; + and the preparations should be made accordingly. Asano + Takumi no Kami was taken to the palace of Tamura Sama at the + hour of the monkey (between three and five in the + afternoon), took off his dress of ceremony, partook of a + bowl of soup and five dishes, and drank two cups of warm + water, and at the hour of the cock (between five and seven + in the evening) disembowelled himself. A case of this kind + requires much attention; for great care should be taken that + the preparations be carried on without the knowledge of the + principal. If a temporary room has been built expressly for + the occasion, to avoid pollution to the house, it should be + kept a secret. It once happened that a criminal was received + in charge at the palace of a certain nobleman, and when his + people were about to erect a temporary building for the + ceremony, they wrote to consult some of the parties + concerned; the letter ran as follows—</p> + + <p>"The house in which we live is very small and inconvenient + in all respects. We have ordered the guard to treat our + prisoner with all respect; but our retainers who are placed on + guard are much inconvenienced for want of space; besides, in + the event of fire breaking out or any extraordinary event + taking place, the place is so small that it would be difficult + to get out. We are thinking, therefore, of adding an apartment + to the original building, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page269" + id="page269"></a>[pg 269]</span> so that the guard may be + able at all times to go in and out freely, and that if, in + case of fire or otherwise, we should have to leave the + house, we may do so easily. We beg to consult you upon this + point."</p> + + <p>When a Samurai has to perform <i>hara-kiri</i> by the + command of his own feudal lord, the ceremony should take place + in one of the lesser palaces of the clan. Once upon a time, a + certain prince of the Inouyé clan, having a just cause + of offence against his steward, who was called Ishikawa + Tôzayémon, and wishing to punish him, caused him + to be killed in his principal palace at Kandabashi, in Yedo. + When this matter was reported to the Shogun, having been + convicted of disrespect of the privileges of the city, he was + ordered to remove to his lesser palace at Asakusa. Now, + although the <i>hara-kiri</i> cannot be called properly an + execution, still, as it only differs from an ordinary execution + in that by it the honour of the Samurai is not affected, it is + only a question of degree; it is a matter of ceremonial. If the + principal palace<a id="footnotetag107" + name="footnotetag107"></a><a href="#footnote107"><sup>107</sup></a> + is a long distance from the Shogun's castle, then the + <i>hara-kiri</i> may take place there; but there can be no + objection whatever to its taking place in a minor palace. + Nowadays, when a man is condemned to <i>hara-kiri</i> by a + Daimio, the ceremony usually takes place in one of the + lesser palaces; the place commonly selected is an open space + near the horse-exercising ground, and the preparations which + I have described above are often shortened according to + circumstances.</p> + + <p>When a retainer is suddenly ordered to perform + <i>hara-kiri</i> during a journey, a temple or shrine should be + hired for the occasion. On these hurried occasions, coarse + mats, faced with finer matting or common mats, may be used. If + the criminal is of rank to have an armour-bearer, a carpet of + skin should be spread, should one be easily procurable. The + straps of the skin (which are at the head) should, according to + old custom, be to the front, so that the fur may point + backwards. In old days, when the ceremony took place in a + garden, a carpet of skin was spread. To hire a temple for the + purpose of causing a man to perform <i>hara-kiri</i> was of + frequent occurrence: it is doubtful whether it may be done at + the present time. This sort of question should be referred + beforehand to some competent person, that the course to be + adopted may be clearly understood.</p> + + <p>In the period Kambun (A.D. 1661-1673) a Prince Sakai, + travelling through the Bishiu territory, hired a temple or + shrine for one of his retainers to disembowel himself in; and + so the affair was + concluded.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page270" + id="page270"></a>[pg 270]</span> + + <h4>ON THE CEREMONIES OBSERVED AT THE HARA-KIRI OF A PERSON + GIVEN IN CHARGE TO A DAIMIO.</h4> + + <p>When a man has been ordered by the Government to disembowel + himself, the public censors, who have been appointed to act as + witnesses, write to the prince who has the criminal in charge, + to inform them that they will go to his palace on public + business. This message is written directly to the chief, and is + sent by an assistant censor; and a suitable answer is returned + to it. Before the ceremony, the witnesses send an assistant + censor to see the place, and look at a plan of the house, and + to take a list of the names of the persons who are to be + present; he also has an interview with the <i>kaishaku</i>, or + seconds, and examines them upon the way of performing the + ceremonies. When all the preparations have been made, he goes + to fetch the censors; and they all proceed together to the + place of execution, dressed in their hempen-cloth dress of + ceremony. The retainers of the palace are collected to do + obeisance in the entrance-yard; and the lord, to whom the + criminal has been entrusted, goes as far as the front porch to + meet the censors, and conducts them to the front + reception-room. The chief censor then announces to the lord of + the palace that he has come to read out the sentence of such an + one who has been condemned to perform <i>hara-kiri</i>, and + that the second censor has come to witness the execution of the + sentence. The lord of the palace then inquires whether he is + expected to attend the execution in person, and, if any of the + relations or family of the criminal should beg to receive his + remains, whether their request should be complied with; after + this he announces that he will order everything to be made + ready, and leaves the room. Tea, a fire-box for smoking, and + sweetmeats are set before the censors; but they decline to + accept any hospitality until their business shall have been + concluded. The minor officials follow the same rule. If the + censors express a wish to see the place of execution, the + retainers of the palace show the way, and their lord + accompanies them; in this, however, he may be replaced by one + of his <i>karô</i> or councillors. They then return, and + take their seats in the reception-room. After this, when all + the preparations have been made, the master of the house leads + the censors to the place where the sentence is to be read; and + it is etiquette that they should wear both sword and + dirk.<a id="footnotetag108" + name="footnotetag108"></a><a href="#footnote108"><sup>108</sup></a> + The lord of the palace takes his place on one side; the + inferior censors sit on either side in a lower place. The + councillors and other officers of the palace also take their + places. One of the councillors present, addressing the + censors without moving from his place, asks whether he shall + bring forth the prisoner.</p> + + <p>Previously to this, the retainers of the palace, going to + the room where the prisoner is confined, inform him that, as + the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page271" + id="page271"></a>[pg 271]</span> censors have arrived, he + should change his dress, and the attendants bring out a + change of clothes upon a large tray: it is when he has + finished his toilet that the witnesses go forth and take + their places in the appointed order, and the principal is + then introduced. He is preceded by one man, who should be of + the rank of <i>Mono-gashira</i> (retainer of the fourth + rank), who wears a dirk, but no sword. Six men act as + attendants; they should be of the fifth or sixth rank; they + walk on either side of the principal. They are followed by + one man who should be of the rank of <i>Yônin</i> + (councillor of the second class). When they reach the place, + the leading man draws on one side and sits down, and the six + attendants sit down on either side of the principal. The + officer who follows him sits down behind him, and the chief + censor reads the sentence.</p> + + <p>When the reading of the sentence is finished, the principal + leaves the room and again changes his clothes, and the chief + censor immediately leaves the palace; but the lord of the + palace does not conduct him to the door. The second censor + returns to the reception-room until the principal has changed + his clothes. When the principal has taken his seat at the place + of execution, the councillors of the palace announce to the + second censor that all is ready; he then proceeds to the place, + wearing his sword and dirk. The lord of the palace, also + wearing his sword and dirk, takes his seat on one side. The + inferior censors and councillors sit in front of the censor: + they wear the dirk only. The assistant second brings a dirk + upon a tray, and, having placed it in front of the principal, + withdraws on one side: when the principal leans his head + forward, his chief second strikes off his head, which is + immediately shown to the censor, who identifies it, and tells + the master of the palace that he is satisfied, and thanks him + for all his trouble. The corpse, as it lies, is hidden by a + white screen which is set up around it, and incense is brought + out. The witnesses leave the place. The lord of the palace + accompanies them as far as the porch, and the retainers + prostrate themselves in the yard as before. The retainers who + should be present at the place of execution are one or two + councillors (<i>Karô</i>), two or three second + councillors (<i>Yônin</i>), two or three + <i>Mono-gashira</i>, one chief of the palace (<i>Rusui</i>), + six attendants, one chief second, two assistant seconds, one + man to carry incense, who need not be a person of + rank—any Samurai will do. They attend to the setting up + of the white screen.</p> + + <p>The duty of burying the corpse and of setting the place in + order again devolves upon four men; these are selected from + Samurai of the middle or lower class; during the performance of + their duties, they hitch up their trousers and wear neither + sword nor dirk. Their names are previously sent in to the + censor, who acts as witness; and to the junior censors, should + they desire it. Before the arrival of the chief censor, the + requisite utensils for extinguishing a fire are prepared, + firemen are <span class="pagenum"><a name="page272" + id="page272"></a>[pg 272]</span> + engaged,<a id="footnotetag109" + name="footnotetag109"></a><a href="#footnote109"><sup>109</sup></a> + and officers constantly go the rounds to watch against fire. + From the time when the chief censor comes into the house + until he leaves it, no one is allowed to enter the premises. + The servants on guard at the entrance porch should wear + their hempen dresses of ceremony. Everything in the palace + should be conducted with decorum, and the strictest + attention paid in all things.</p> + + <p>When any one is condemned to <i>hara-kiri</i>, it would be + well that people should go to the palace of the Prince of Higo, + and learn what transpired at the execution of the Rônins + of Asano Takumi no Kami. A curtain was hung round the garden in + front of the reception-room; three mats were laid down, and + upon these was placed a white cloth. The condemned men were + kept in the reception-room, and summoned, one by one; two men, + one on each side, accompanied them; the second, followed + behind; and they proceeded together to the place of execution. + When the execution was concluded in each case, the corpse was + hidden from the sight of the chief witness by a white screen, + folded up in white cloth, placed on a mat, and carried off to + the rear by two foot-soldiers; it was then placed in a coffin. + The blood-stained ground was sprinkled with sand, and swept + clean; fresh mats were laid down, and the place prepared anew; + after which the next man was summoned to come forth.</p> + + <h4>ON CERTAIN THINGS TO BE BORNE IN MIND BY THE + WITNESSES.</h4> + + <p>When a clansman is ordered by his feudal lord to perform + <i>hara-kiri</i>, the sentence must be read out by the censor + of the clan, who also acts as witness. He should take his place + in front of the criminal, at a distance of twelve feet; + according to some books, the distance should be eighteen feet, + and he should sit obliquely, not facing the criminal; he should + lay his sword down by his side, but, if he pleases, he may wear + it in his girdle; he must read out the sentence distinctly. If + the sentence be a long document, to begin reading in a very + loud voice and afterwards drop into a whisper has an appearance + of faint-heartedness; but to read it throughout in a low voice + is worse still: it should be delivered clearly from beginning + to end. It is the duty of the chief witness to set an example + of fortitude to the other persons who are to take part in the + execution. When the second has finished his work, he carries + the head to the chief witness, who, after inspecting it, must + declare that he has identified it; he then should take his + sword, and leave his place. It is sufficient, however, that the + head should be struck off without being carried to the chief + witness; in that case, the second receives his instructions + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page273" + id="page273"></a>[pg 273]</span> beforehand. On rising, the + chief witness should step out with his left foot and turn to + the left. If the ceremony takes place out of doors, the + chief witness, wearing his sword and dirk, should sit upon a + box; he must wear his hempen dress of ceremony; he may hitch + his trousers up slightly; according to his rank, he may wear + his full dress—that is, wings over his full dress. It + is the part of the chief witness to instruct the seconds and + others in the duties which they have to perform, and also to + preconcert measures in the event of any mishap + occurring.</p> + + <p>If whilst the various persons to be engaged in the ceremony + are rubbing up their military lore, and preparing themselves + for the event, any other person should come in, they should + immediately turn the conversation. Persons of the rank of + Samurai should be familiar with all the details of the + <i>hara-kiri</i>; and to be seen discussing what should be done + in case anything went wrong, and so forth, would have an + appearance of ignorance. If, however, an intimate friend should + go to the place, rather than have any painful concealment, he + may be consulted upon the whole affair.</p> + + <p>When the sentence has been read, it is probable that the + condemned man will have some last words to say to the chief + witness. It must depend on the nature of what he has to say + whether it will be received or not. If he speaks in a confused + or bewildered manner, no attention is paid to it: his second + should lead him away, of his own accord or at a sign from the + chief witness.</p> + + <p>If the condemned man be a person who has been given in + charge to a prince by the Government, the prince after the + reading of the sentence should send his retainers to the + prisoner with a message to say that the decrees of the + Government are not to be eluded, but that if he has any last + wishes to express, they are ordered by their lord to receive + them. If the prisoner is a man of high rank, the lord of the + palace should go in person to hear his last wishes.</p> + + <p>The condemned man should answer in the following + way—</p> + + <p>"Sir, I thank you for your careful consideration, but I have + nothing that I wish to say. I am greatly indebted to you for + the great kindness which I have received since I have been + under your charge. I beg you to take my respects to your lord + and to the gentlemen of your clan who have treated me so well." + Or he may say, "Sirs, I have nothing to say; yet, since you are + so kind as to think of me, I should be obliged if you would + deliver such and such a message to such an one." This is the + proper and becoming sort of speech for the occasion. If the + prisoner entrusts them with any message, the retainers should + receive it in such a manner as to set his mind at rest. Should + he ask for writing materials in order to write a letter, as + this is forbidden by the law, they should tell him so, and not + grant his request. Still they must feel that it is painful to + refuse the request of a dying man, and must do their best to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page274" + id="page274"></a>[pg 274]</span> assist him. They must + exhaust every available kindness and civility, as was done + in the period Genroku, in the case of the Rônins of + Asano Takumi no Kami. The Prince of Higo, after the sentence + had been read, caused paper and writing materials to be + taken to their room. If the prisoner is light-headed from + excitement, it is no use furnishing him with writing + materials. It must depend upon circumstances; but when a man + has murdered another, having made up his mind to abide by + the consequences, then that man's execution should be + carried through with all honour. When a man kills another on + the spot, in a fit of ungovernable passion, and then is + bewildered and dazed by his own act, the same pains need not + be taken to conduct matters punctiliously. If the prisoner + be a careful man, he will take an early opportunity after he + has been given in charge to express his wishes. To carry + kindness so far as to supply writing materials and the like + is not obligatory. If any doubt exists upon the point, the + chief witness may be consulted.</p> + + <p>After the Rônins of Asano Takumi no Kami had heard + their sentence in the palace of Matsudaira Oki no Kami, that + Daimio in person went and took leave of them, and calling Oishi + Chikara,<a id="footnotetag110" + name="footnotetag110"></a><a href="#footnote110"><sup>110</sup></a> + the son of their chief, to him, said, "I have heard that + your mother is at home in your own country; how she will + grieve when she hears of your death and that of your father, + I can well imagine. If you have any message that you wish to + leave for her, tell me, without standing upon ceremony, and + I will transmit it without delay." For a while Chikara kept + his head bent down towards the ground; at last he drew back + a little, and, lifting his head, said, "I humbly thank your + lordship for what you have been pleased to say. My father + warned me from the first that our crime was so great that, + even were we to be pardoned by a gracious judgment upon one + count, I must not forget that there would be a hundred + million counts against us for which we must commit suicide: + and that if I disregarded his words his hatred would pursue + me after death. My father impressed this upon me at the + temple called Sengakuji, and again when I was separated from + him to be taken to the palace of Prince Sengoku. Now my + father and myself have been condemned to perform + <i>hara-kiri</i>, according to the wish of our hearts. Still + I cannot forget to think of my mother. When we parted at + Kiyôto, she told me that our separation would be for + long, and she bade me not to play the coward when I thought + of her. As I took a long leave of her then, I have no + message to send to her now." When he spoke thus, Oki no Kami + and all his retainers, who were drawn up around him, were + moved to tears in admiration of his heroism.</p> + + <p>Although it is right that the condemned man should bathe and + partake of wine and food, these details should be curtailed. + Even should he desire these favours, it must depend upon his + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page275" + id="page275"></a>[pg 275]</span> conduct whether they be + granted or refused. He should be caused to die as quickly as + possible. Should he wish for some water to drink, it should + be given to him. If in his talk he should express himself + like a noble Samurai, all pains should be exhausted in + carrying out his execution. Yet however careful a man he may + be, as he nears his death his usual demeanour will undergo a + change. If the execution is delayed, in all probability it + will cause the prisoner's courage to fail him; therefore, as + soon as the sentence shall have been passed, the execution + should be brought to a conclusion. This, again, is a point + for the chief witness to remember.</p> + + <h4>CONCERNING SECONDS (KAISHAKU).</h4> + + <p>When the condemned man is one who has been given in charge + for execution, six attendants are employed; when the execution + is within the clan, then two or three attendants will suffice; + the number, however, must depend upon the rank of the + principal. Men of great nerve and strength must be selected for + the office; they must wear their hempen dress of ceremony, and + tuck up their trousers; they must on no account wear either + sword or dirk, but have a small poniard hidden in their bosom: + these are the officers who attend upon the condemned man when + he changes his dress, and who sit by him on the right hand and + on the left hand to guard him whilst the sentence is being + read. In the event of any mistake occurring (such as the + prisoner attempting to escape), they knock him down; and should + he be unable to stand or to walk, they help to support him. The + attendants accompanying the principal to the place of + execution, if they are six in number, four of them take their + seats some way off and mount guard, while the other two should + sit close behind the principal. They must understand that + should there be any mistake they must throw the condemned man, + and, holding him down, cut off his head with their poniard, or + stab him to death. If the second bungles in cutting off the + head and the principal attempts to rise, it is the duty of the + attendants to kill him. They must help him to take off his + upper garments and bare his body. In recent times, however, + there have been cases where the upper garments have not been + removed: this depends upon circumstances. The setting up of the + white screen, and the laying the corpse in the coffin, are + duties which, although they may be performed by other officers, + originally devolved upon the six attendants. When a common man + is executed, he is bound with cords, and so made to take his + place; but a Samurai wears his dress of ceremony, is presented + with a dagger, and dies thus. There ought to be no anxiety lest + such a man should attempt to escape; still, as there is no + knowing what these six attendants may be called upon to do, men + should be selected who thoroughly understand their + business.</p> + + <p>The seconds are three in number—the chief second, the + assistant <span class="pagenum"><a name="page276" + id="page276"></a>[pg 276]</span> second, and the inferior + second. When the execution is carried out with proper + solemnity, three men are employed; still a second and + assistant second are sufficient. If three men serve as + seconds, their several duties are as follows:—The + chief second strikes off the head; that is his duty: he is + the most important officer in the execution by + <i>hara-kiri.</i> The assistant second brings forward the + tray, on which is placed the dirk; that is his duty: he must + perform his part in such a manner that the principal second + is not hindered in his work. The assistant second is the + officer of second importance in the execution. The third or + inferior second carries the head to the chief witness for + identification; and in the event of something suddenly + occurring to hinder either of the other two seconds, he + should bear in mind that he must be ready to act as his + substitute: his is an office of great importance, and a + proper person must be selected to fill it.</p> + + <p>Although there can be no such thing as a <i>kaishaku</i> + (second) in any case except in one of <i>hara-kiri,</i> still + in old times guardians and persons who assisted others were + also called <i>kaishaku</i>: the reason for this is because the + <i>kaishaku</i>, or second, comes to the assistance of the + principal. If the principal were to make any mistake at the + fatal moment, it would be a disgrace to his dead body: it is in + order to prevent such mistakes that the <i>kaishaku,</i> or + second, is employed. It is the duty of the <i>kaishaku</i> to + consider this as his first duty.</p> + + <p>When a man is appointed to act as second to another, what + shall be said of him if he accepts the office with a smiling + face? Yet must he not put on a face of distress. It is as well + to attempt to excuse oneself from performing the duty. There is + no heroism in cutting a man's head off well, and it is a + disgrace to do it in a bungling manner; yet must not a man + allege lack of skill as a pretext for evading the office, for + it is an unworthy thing that a Samurai should want the skill + required to behead a man. If there are any that advocate + employing young men as seconds, it should rather be said that + their hands are inexpert. To play the coward and yield up the + office to another man is out of the question. When a man is + called upon to perform the office, he should express his + readiness to use his sword (the dirk may be employed, but the + sword is the proper weapon). As regards the sword, the second + should borrow that of the principal: if there is any objection + to this, he should receive a sword from his lord; he should not + use his own sword. When the assistant seconds have been + appointed, the three should take counsel together about the + details of the place of execution, when they have been + carefully instructed by their superiors in all the ceremonies; + and having made careful inquiry, should there be anything + wrong, they should appeal to their superiors for instruction. + The seconds wear their dresses of ceremony when the criminal is + a man given in charge by the Government: when he is one of + their own clan, they need only wear the trousers of the + Samurai. In old days it is said that they were dressed in the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page277" + id="page277"></a>[pg 277]</span> same way as the principal; + and some authorities assert that at the <i>hara-kiri</i> of + a nobleman of high rank the seconds should wear white + clothes, and that the handle of the sword should be wrapped + in white silk. If the execution takes place in the house, + they should partially tuck up their trousers; if in the + garden, they should tuck them up entirely.</p> + + <p>The seconds should address the principal, and say, "Sir, we + have been appointed to act as your seconds; we pray you to set + your mind at rest," and so forth; but this must depend upon the + rank of the criminal. At this time, too, if the principal has + any last wish to express, the second should receive it, and + should treat him with every consideration in order to relieve + his anxiety. If the second has been selected by the principal + on account of old friendship between them, or if the latter, + during the time that he has been in charge, has begged some + special retainer of the palace to act as his second in the + event of his being condemned to death, the person so selected + should thank the principal for choosing so unworthy a person, + and promise to beg his lord to allow him to act as second: so + he should answer, and comfort him, and having reported the + matter to his lord, should act as second. He should take that + opportunity to borrow his principal's sword in some such terms + as the following: "As I am to have the honour of being your + second, I would fain borrow your sword for the occasion. It may + be a consolation to you to perish by your own sword, with which + you are familiar." If, however, the principal declines, and + prefers to be executed with the second's sword, his wish must + be complied with. If the second should make an awkward cut with + his own sword, it is a disgrace to him; therefore he should + borrow some one else's sword, so that the blame may rest with + the sword, and not with the swordsman. Although this is the + rule, and although every Samurai should wear a sword fit to cut + off a man's head, still if the principal has begged to be + executed with the second's own sword, it must be done as he + desires.</p> + + <p>It is probable that the condemned man will inquire of his + second about the arrangements which have been made: he must + attend therefore to rendering himself capable of answering all + such questions. Once upon a time, when the condemned man + inquired of his second whether his head would be cut off at the + moment when he received the tray with the dirk upon it, "No," + replied the second; "at the moment when you stab yourself with + the dirk your head will be cut off." At the execution of one + Sanô, he told his second that, when he had stabbed + himself in the belly, he would utter a cry; and begged him to + be cool when he cut off his head. The second replied that he + would do as he wished, but begged him in the meantime to take + the tray with the dirk, according to proper form. When + Sanô reached out his hand to take the tray, the second + cut off his head immediately. Now, although this was not + exactly right, still as the second acted so in order to save a + Samurai from the disgrace of performing + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page278" + id="page278"></a>[pg 278]</span> the <i>hara-kiri</i> + improperly (by crying out), it can never be wrong for a + second to act kindly, If the principal urgently requests to + be allowed really to disembowel himself, his wish may, + according to circumstances, be granted; but in this case + care must be taken that no time be lost in striking off the + head. The custom of striking off the head, the prisoner only + going through the semblance of disembowelling himself, dates + from the period Yempô (about 190 years ago).</p> + + <p>When the principal has taken his place, the second strips + his right shoulder of the dress of ceremony, which he allows to + fall behind his sleeve, and, drawing his sword, lays down the + scabbard, taking care that his weapon is not seen by the + principal; then he takes his place on the left of the principal + and close behind him. The principal should sit facing the west, + and the second facing the north, and in that position should he + strike the blow. When the second perceives the assistant second + bring out the tray on which is laid the dirk, he must brace up + his nerves and settle his heart beneath his navel: when the + tray is laid down, he must put himself in position to strike + the blow. He should step out first with the left foot, and then + change so as to bring his right foot forward: this is the + position which he should assume to strike; he may, however, + reverse the position of his feet. When the principal removes + his upper garments, the second must poise his sword: when the + principal reaches out his hand to draw the tray towards him, as + he leans his head forward a little, is the exact moment for the + second to strike. There are all sorts of traditions about this. + Some say that the principal should take the tray and raise it + respectfully to his head, and set it down; and that this is the + moment to strike. There are three rules for the time of cutting + off the head: the first is when the dirk is laid on the tray; + the second is when the principal looks at the left side of his + belly before inserting the dirk; the third is when he inserts + the dirk. If these three moments are allowed to pass, it + becomes a difficult matter to cut off the head: so says + tradition. However, four moments for cutting are also recorded: + first, when the assistant second retires after having laid down + the stand on which is the dirk; second, when the principal + draws the stand towards him; third, when he takes the dirk in + his hand; fourth, when he makes the incision into the belly. + Although all four ways are approved, still the first is too + soon; the last three are right and proper. In short, the blow + should be struck without delay. If he has struck off the head + at a blow without failure, the second, taking care not to raise + his sword, but holding it point downwards, should retire + backward a little and wipe his weapon kneeling; he should have + plenty of white paper ready in his girdle or in his bosom to + wipe away the blood and rub up his sword; having replaced his + sword in its scabbard, he should readjust his upper garments + and take his seat to the rear. When the head has fallen, the + junior second should enter, and, taking up the head, present it + to the witness for inspection. When he + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page279" + id="page279"></a>[pg 279]</span> has identified it, the + ceremony is concluded. If there is no assistant or junior + second, the second, as soon as he has cut off the head, + carrying his sword reversed in his left hand, should take + the head in his right hand, holding it by the top-knot of + hair, should advance towards the witness, passing on the + right side of the corpse, and show the right profile of the + head to the witness, resting the chin of the head upon the + hilt of his sword, and kneeling on his left knee; then + returning again round by the left of the corpse, kneeling on + his left knee, and carrying the head in his left hand and + resting it on the edge of his sword, he should again show + the left profile to the witness. It is also laid down as + another rule, that the second, laying down his sword, should + take out paper from the bosom of his dress, and placing the + head in the palm of his left hand, and taking the top-knot + of hair in his right hand, should lay the head upon the + paper, and so submit it for inspection. Either way may be + said to be right.</p> + + <p>NOTE.—To lay down thick paper, and place the head on + it, shows a disposition to pay respect to the head; to place it + on the edge of the sword is insulting: the course pursued must + depend upon the rank of the person. If the ceremony is to be + curtailed, it may end with the cutting off of the head: that + must be settled beforehand, in consultation with the witness. + In the event of the second making a false cut, so as not to + strike off the head at a blow, the second must take the head by + the top-knot, and, pressing it down, cut it off. Should he take + bad aim and cut the shoulder by mistake, and should the + principal rise and cry out, before he has time to writhe, he + should hold him down and stab him to death, and then cut off + his head, or the assistant seconds, who are sitting behind, + should come forward and hold him down, while the chief second + cuts off his head. It may be necessary for the second, after he + has cut off the head, to push down the body, and then take up + the head for inspection. If the body does not fall at once, + which is said to be sometimes the case, the second should pull + the feet to make it fall.</p> + + <p>There are some who say that the perfect way for the second + to cut off the head is not to cut right through the neck at a + blow, but to leave a little uncut, and, as the head hangs by + the skin, to seize the top-knot and slice it off, and then + submit it for inspection. The reason of this is, lest, the head + being struck off at a blow, the ceremony should be confounded + with an ordinary execution. According to the old authorities, + this is the proper and respectful manner. After the head is cut + off, the eyes are apt to blink, and the mouth to move, and to + bite the pebbles and sand. This being hateful to see, at what + amongst Samurai is so important an occasion, and being a + shameful thing, it is held to be best not to let the head fall, + but to hold back a little in delivering the blow. Perhaps this + may be right; yet it is a very difficult matter to cut so as to + leave the head hanging by a little flesh, and there is the + danger of missing the cut; and as any mistake in the cut is + most horrible to see, it is better to strike a fair blow at + once. Others say that, even when the head is struck off at a + blow, the semblance of slicing it off should be gone through + afterwards; yet be it borne in mind that; this is + unnecessary.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page280" + id="page280"></a>[pg 280]</span> + + <p>Three methods of carrying the sword are recognized amongst + those skilled in swordsmanship. If the rank of the principal be + high, the sword is raised aloft; if the principal and second + are of equal rank, the sword is carried at the centre of the + body; if the principal be of inferior rank, the sword is + allowed to hang downwards. The proper position for the second + to strike from is kneeling on one knee, but there is no harm in + his standing up: others say that, if the execution takes place + inside the house, the second should kneel; if in the garden, he + should stand. These are not points upon which to insist + obstinately: a man should strike in whatever position is most + convenient to him.</p> + + <p>The chief duty for the assistant second to bear in mind is + the bringing in of the tray with the dirk, which should be + produced very quietly when the principal takes his place: it + should be placed so that the condemned man may have to stretch + his hand well out in order to reach it.<a id="footnotetag111" + name="footnotetag111"></a><a href="#footnote111"><sup>111</sup></a> + The assistant second then returns to his own place; but if + the condemned man shows any signs of agitation, the + assistant second must lend his assistance, so that the head + may be properly cut off. It once happened that the condemned + man, having received the tray from the assistant second, + held it up for a long time without putting it down, until + those near him had over and over again urged him to set it + down. It also happens that after the tray has been set down, + and the assistant second has retired, the condemned man does + not put out his hand to take it; then must the assistant + second press him to take it. Also the principal may ask that + the tray be placed a little nearer to him, in which case his + wish must be granted. The tray may also be placed in such a + way that the assistant second, holding it in his left hand, + may reach the dirk to the condemned man, who leans forward + to take it. Which is the best of all these ways is + uncertain. The object to aim at is, that the condemned man + should lean forward to receive the blow. Whether the + assistant second retires, or not, must depend upon the + attitude assumed by the condemned man.</p> + + <p>If the prisoner be an unruly, violent man, a fan, instead of + a dirk, should be placed upon the tray; and should he object to + this, he should be told, in answer, that the substitution of + the fan is an ancient custom. This may occur sometimes. It is + said that once upon a time, in one of the palaces of the + Daimios, a certain brave matron murdered a man, and having been + allowed to die with all the honours of the <i>hara-kiri,</i> a + fan was placed upon the tray, and her head was cut off. This + may be considered right and proper. If the condemned man + appears inclined to be turbulent, the seconds, without showing + any sign of alarm, should hurry to his side, and, urging him to + get ready, quickly cause him to make all his preparations with + speed, and to sit down in his place; the chief second, then + drawing his sword, should get ready to strike, and, ordering + him to proceed as fast as possible with the ceremony of + receiving the tray, should perform his duty without appearing + to be afraid.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page281" + id="page281"></a>[pg 281]</span> + + <p>A certain Prince Katô, having condemned one of his + councillors to death, assisted at the ceremony behind a curtain + of slips of bamboo. The councillor, whose name was Katayama, + was bound, and during that time glared fiercely at the curtain, + and showed no signs of fear. The chief second was a man named + Jihei, who had always been used to treat Katayama with great + respect. So Jihei, sword in hand, said to Katayama, "Sir, your + last moment has arrived: be so good as to turn your cheek so + that your head may be straight." When Katayama heard this, he + replied, "Fellow, you are insolent;" and as he was looking + round, Jihei struck the fatal blow. The lord Katô + afterwards inquired of Jihei what was the reason of this; and + he replied that, as he saw that the prisoner was meditating + treason, he determined to kill him at once, and put a stop to + this rebellious spirit. This is a pattern for other seconds to + bear in mind.</p> + + <p>When the head has been struck off, it becomes the duty of + the junior second to take it up by the top-knot, and, placing + it upon some thick paper laid over the palm of his hand, to + carry it for inspection by the witness. This ceremony has been + explained above. If the head be bald, he should pierce the left + ear with the stiletto carried in the scabbard of his dirk, and + so carry it to be identified. He must carry thick paper in the + bosom of his dress. Inside the paper he shall place a bag with + rice bran and ashes, in order that he may carry the head + without being sullied by the blood. When the identification of + the head is concluded, the junior second's duty is to place it + in a bucket.</p> + + <p>If anything should occur to hinder the chief second, the + assistant second must take his place. It happened on one + occasion that before the execution took place the chief second + lost his nerve, yet he cut off the head without any difficulty; + but when it came to taking up the head for inspection, his + nervousness so far got the better of him as to be extremely + inconvenient. This is a thing against which persons acting as + seconds have to guard.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>As a corollary to the above elaborate statement of the + ceremonies proper to be observed at the <i>hara-kiri</i>, I may + here describe an instance of such an execution which I was sent + officially to witness. The condemned man was Taki + Zenzaburô, an officer of the Prince of Bizen, who gave + the order to fire upon the foreign settlement at Hiogo in the + month of February 1868,—an attack to which I have alluded + in the preamble to the story of the Eta Maiden and the + Hatamoto. Up to that time no foreigner had witnessed such an + execution, which was rather looked upon as a traveller's + fable.</p> + + <p>The ceremony, which was ordered by the Mikado himself, took + place at 10.30 at night in the temple of Seifukuji, the + headquarters of the Satsuma troops at Hiogo. A witness was sent + from each of the foreign legations. We were seven foreigners in + all.</p> + + <p>We were conducted to the temple by officers of the Princes + of Satsuma and Choshiu. Although the ceremony was to be + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page282" + id="page282"></a>[pg 282]</span> conducted in the most + private manner, the casual remarks which we overheard in the + streets, and a crowd lining the principal entrance to the + temple, showed that it was a matter of no little interest to + the public. The courtyard of the temple presented a most + picturesque sight; it was crowded with soldiers standing + about in knots round large fires, which threw a dim + flickering light over the heavy eaves and quaint gable-ends + of the sacred buildings. We were shown into an inner room, + where we were to wait until the preparation for the ceremony + was completed: in the next room to us were the high Japanese + officers. After a long interval, which seemed doubly long + from the silence which prevailed, Itô Shunské, + the provisional Governor of Hiogo, came and took down our + names, and informed us that seven <i>kenshi</i>, sheriffs or + witnesses, would attend on the part of the Japanese. He and + another officer represented the Mikado; two captains of + Satsuma's infantry, and two of Choshiu's, with a + representative of the Prince of Bizen, the clan of the + condemned man, completed the number, which was probably + arranged in order to tally with that of the foreigners. + Itô Shunské further inquired whether we wished + to put any questions to the prisoner. We replied in the + negative.</p> + + <p>A further delay then ensued, after which we were invited to + follow the Japanese witnesses into the <i>hondo</i> or main + hall of the temple, where the ceremony was to be performed. It + was an imposing scene. A large hall with a high roof supported + by dark pillars of wood. From the ceiling hung a profusion of + those huge gilt lamps and ornaments peculiar to Buddhist + temples. In front of the high altar, where the floor, covered + with beautiful white mats, is raised some three or four inches + from the ground, was laid a rug of scarlet felt. Tall candles + placed at regular intervals gave out a dim mysterious light, + just sufficient to let all the proceedings be seen. The seven + Japanese took their places on the left of the raised floor, the + seven foreigners on the right. No other person was present.</p> + + <p>After an interval of a few minutes of anxious suspense, Taki + Zenzaburô, a stalwart man, thirty-two years of age, with + a noble air, walked into the hall attired in his dress of + ceremony, with the peculiar hempen-cloth wings which are worn + on great occasions. He was accompanied by a <i>kaishaku</i> and + three officers, who wore the <i>jimbaori</i> or war surcoat + with gold-tissue facings. The word <i>kaishaku</i>, it should + be observed, is one to which our word <i>executioner</i> is no + equivalent term. The office is that of a gentleman: in many + cases it is performed by a kinsman or friend of the condemned, + and the relation between them is rather that of principal and + second than that of victim and executioner. In this instance + the <i>kaishaku</i> was a pupil of Taki Zenzaburô, and + was selected by the friends of the latter from among their own + number for his skill in swordsmanship.</p> + + <p>With the <i>kaishaku</i> on his left hand, Taki + Zenzaburô advanced slowly towards the Japanese witnesses, + and the two bowed before + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page283" + id="page283"></a>[pg 283]</span> them, then drawing near to + the foreigners they saluted us in the same way, perhaps even + with more deference: in each case the salutation was + ceremoniously returned. Slowly, and with great dignity, the + condemned man mounted on to the raised floor, prostrated + himself before the high altar twice, and + seated<a id="footnotetag112" + name="footnotetag112"></a><a href="#footnote112"><sup>112</sup></a> + himself on the felt carpet with his back to the high altar, + the <i>kaishaku</i> crouching on his left-hand side. One of + the three attendant officers then came forward, bearing a + stand of the kind used in temples for offerings, on which, + wrapped in paper, lay the <i>wakizashi</i>, the short sword + or dirk of the Japanese, nine inches and a half in length, + with a point and an edge as sharp as a razor's. This he + handed, prostrating himself, to the condemned man, who + received it reverently, raising it to his head with both + hands, and placed it in front of himself.</p> + + <p>After another profound obeisance, Taki Zenzaburô, in a + voice which betrayed just so much emotion and hesitation as + might be expected from a man who is making a painful + confession, but with no sign of either in his face or manner, + spoke as follows:—</p> + + <p>"I, and I alone, unwarrantably gave the order to fire on the + foreigners at Kôbé, and again as they tried to + escape. For this crime I disembowel myself, and I beg you who + are present to do me the honour of witnessing the act."</p> + + <p>Bowing once more, the speaker allowed his upper garments to + slip down to his girdle, and remained naked to the waist. + Carefully, according to custom, he tucked his sleeves under his + knees to prevent himself from falling backwards; for a noble + Japanese gentleman should die falling forwards. Deliberately, + with a steady hand, he took the dirk that lay before him; he + looked at it wistfully, almost affectionately; for a moment he + seemed to collect his thoughts for the last time, and then + stabbing himself deeply below the waist on the left-hand side, + he drew the dirk slowly across to the right side, and, turning + it in the wound, gave a slight cut upwards. During this + sickeningly painful operation he never moved a muscle of his + face. When he drew out the dirk, he leaned forward and + stretched out his neck; an expression of pain for the first + time crossed his face, but he uttered no sound. At that moment + the <i>kaishaku</i>, who, still crouching by his side, had been + keenly watching his every movement, sprang to his feet, poised + his sword for a second in the air; there was a flash, a heavy, + ugly thud, a crashing fall; with one blow the head had been + severed from the body.</p> + + <p>A dead silence followed, broken only by the hideous noise of + the blood throbbing out of the inert heap before us, which but + a moment before had been a brave and chivalrous man. It was + horrible.</p> + + <p>The <i>kaishaku</i> made a low bow, wiped his sword with a + piece of paper which he had ready for the purpose, and retired + from <span class="pagenum"><a name="page284" + id="page284"></a>[pg 284]</span> the raised floor; and the + stained dirk was solemnly borne away, a bloody proof of the + execution.</p> + + <p>The two representatives of the Mikado then left their + places, and, crossing over to where the foreign witnesses sat, + called us to witness that the sentence of death upon Taki + Zenzaburô had been faithfully carried out. The ceremony + being at an end, we left the temple.</p> + + <p>The ceremony, to which the place and the hour gave an + additional solemnity, was characterized throughout by that + extreme dignity and punctiliousness which are the distinctive + marks of the proceedings of Japanese gentlemen of rank; and it + is important to note this fact, because it carries with it the + conviction that the dead man was indeed the officer who had + committed the crime, and no substitute. While profoundly + impressed by the terrible scene it was impossible at the same + time not to be filled with admiration of the firm and manly + bearing of the sufferer, and of the nerve with which the + <i>kaishaku</i> performed his last duty to his master. Nothing + could more strongly show the force of education. The Samurai, + or gentleman of the military class, from his earliest years + learns to look upon the <i>hara-kiri</i> as a ceremony in which + some day he may be called upon to play a part as principal or + second. In old-fashioned families, which hold to the traditions + of ancient chivalry, the child is instructed in the rite and + familiarized with the idea as an honourable expiation of crime + or blotting out of disgrace. If the hour comes, he is prepared + for it, and gravely faces an ordeal which early training has + robbed of half its horrors. In what other country in the world + does a man learn that the last tribute of affection which he + may have to pay to his best friend may be to act as his + executioner?</p> + + <p>Since I wrote the above, we have heard that, before his + entry into the fatal hall, Taki Zenzaburô called round + him all those of his own clan who were present, many of whom + had carried out his order to fire, and, addressing them in a + short speech, acknowledged the heinousness of his crime and the + justice of his sentence, and warned them solemnly to avoid any + repetition of attacks upon foreigners. They were also addressed + by the officers of the Mikado, who urged them to bear no + ill-will against us on account of the fate of their + fellow-clansman. They declared that they entertained no such + feeling.</p> + + <p>The opinion has been expressed that it would have been + politic for the foreign representatives at the last moment to + have interceded for the life of Taki Zenzaburô. The + question is believed to have been debated among the + representatives themselves. My own belief is that mercy, + although it might have produced the desired effect among the + more civilized clans, would have been mistaken for weakness and + fear by those wilder people who have not yet a personal + knowledge of foreigners. The offence—an attack upon the + flags and subjects of all the Treaty Powers, which lack of + skill, not of will, alone prevented from ending in a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page285" + id="page285"></a>[pg 285]</span> universal + massacre—was the gravest that has been committed upon + foreigners since their residence in Japan. Death was + undoubtedly deserved, and the form chosen was in Japanese + eyes merciful and yet judicial. The crime might have + involved a war and cost hundreds of lives; it was wiped out + by one death. I believe that, in the interest of Japan as + well as in our own, the course pursued was wise, and it was + very satisfactory to me to find that one of the ablest + Japanese ministers, with whom I had a discussion upon the + subject, was quite of my opinion.</p> + + <p>The ceremonies observed at the <i>hara-kiri</i> appear to + vary slightly in detail in different parts of Japan; but the + following memorandum upon the subject of the rite, as it used + to be practised at Yedo during the rule of the Tycoon, clearly + establishes its judicial character. I translated it from a + paper drawn up for me by a Japanese who was able to speak of + what he had seen himself. Three different ceremonies are + described:—</p> + + <p>1st. <i>Ceremonies observed at the "hara-kiri" of a Hatamoto + (petty noble of the Tycoon's court) in prison.</i>—This + is conducted with great secrecy. Six mats are spread in a large + courtyard of the prison; an <i>ometsuké</i> (officer + whose duties appear to consist in the surveillance of other + officers), assisted by two other <i>ometsukés</i> of the + second and third class, acts as <i>kenshi</i> (sheriff or + witness), and sits in front of the mats. The condemned man, + attired in his dress of ceremony, and wearing his wings of + hempen cloth, sits in the centre of the mats. At each of the + four corners of the mats sits a prison official. Two officers + of the Governor of the city act as <i>kaishaku</i> + (executioners or seconds), and take their place, one on the + right hand and the other on the left hand of the condemned. The + <i>kaishaku</i> on the left side, announcing his name and + surname, says, bowing, "I have the honour to act as + <i>kaishaku</i> to you; have you any last wishes to confide to + me?" The condemned man thanks him and accepts the offer or not, + as the case may be. He then bows to the sheriff, and a wooden + dirk nine and a half inches long is placed before him at a + distance of three feet, wrapped in paper, and lying on a stand + such as is used for offerings in temples. As he reaches forward + to take the wooden sword, and stretches out his neck, the + <i>kaifihaku</i> on his left-hand side draws his sword and + strikes off his head. The <i>kaishaku</i> on the right-hand + side takes up the head and shows it to the sheriff. The body is + given to the relations of the deceased for burial. His property + is confiscated.</p> + + <p>2nd. <i>The ceremonies observed at the "hara-kiri" of a + Daimio's retainer.</i>—When the retainer of a Daimio is + condemned to perform the <i>hara-kiri,</i> four mats are placed + in the yard of the <i>yashiki</i> or palace. The condemned man, + dressed in his robes of ceremony and wearing his wings of + hempen cloth, sits in the centre. An officer acts as chief + witness, with a second witness under him. Two officers, who act + as <i>kaishaku</i>, are on the right and left of the condemned + man; four officers are placed at the corners of the mats. The + <i>kaishaku</i>, as in the former case, offers to execute + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page286" + id="page286"></a>[pg 286]</span> the last wishes of the + condemned. A dirk nine and a half inches long is placed + before him on a stand. In this case the dirk is a real dirk, + which the man takes and stabs himself with on the left side, + below the navel, drawing it across to the right side. At + this moment, when he leans forward in pain, the + <i>kaishaku</i> on the left-hand side cuts off the head. The + <i>kaishaku</i> on the right-hand side takes up the head, + and shows it to the sheriff. The body is given to the + relations for burial. In most cases the property of the + deceased is confiscated.</p> + + <p>3rd. <i>Self-immolation of a Daimio on account of + disgrace</i>.—When a Daimio had been guilty of treason or + offended against the Tycoon, inasmuch as the family was + disgraced, and an apology could neither be offered nor + accepted, the offending Daimio was condemned to + <i>hara-kiri</i>. Calling his councillors around him, he + confided to them his last will and testament for transmission + to the Tycoon. Then, clothing himself in his court dress, he + disembowelled himself, and cut his own throat. His councillors + then reported the matter to the Government, and a coroner was + sent to investigate it. To him the retainers handed the last + will and testament of their lord, and be took it to the + Gorôjiu (first council), who transmitted it to the + Tycoon. If the offence was heinous, such as would involve the + ruin of the whole family, by the clemency of the Tycoon, half + the property might be confiscated, and half returned to the + heir; if the offence was trivial, the property was inherited + intact by the heir, and the family did not suffer.</p> + + <p>In all cases where the criminal disembowels himself of his + own accord without condemnation and without investigation, + inasmuch as he is no longer able to defend himself, the offence + is considered as non-proven, and the property is not + confiscated. In the year 1869 a motion was brought forward in + the Japanese parliament by one Ono Seigorô, clerk of the + house, advocating the abolition of the practice of + <i>hara-kiri</i>. Two hundred members out of a house of 209 + voted against the motion, which was supported by only three + speakers, six members not voting on either side. In this debate + the <i>seppuku, or hara-kiri</i>, was called "the very shrine + of the Japanese national spirit, and the embodiment in practice + of devotion to principle," "a great ornament to the empire," "a + pillar of the constitution," "a valuable institution, tending + to the honour of the nobles, and based on a compassionate + feeling towards the official caste," "a pillar of religion and + a spur to virtue." The whole debate (which is well worth + reading, and an able translation of which by Mr. Aston has + appeared in a recent Blue Book) shows the affection with which + the Japanese cling to the traditions of a chivalrous past. It + is worthy of notice that the proposer, Ono Seigorô, who + on more than one occasion rendered himself conspicuous by + introducing motions based upon an admiration of our Western + civilization, was murdered not long after this debate took + place.</p> + + <p>There are many stories on record of extraordinary heroism + being <span class="pagenum"><a name="page287" + id="page287"></a>[pg 287]</span> displayed in the + <i>hara-kiri.</i> The case of a young fellow, only twenty + years old, of the Choshiu clan, which was told me the other + day by an eye-witness, deserves mention as a marvellous + instance of determination. Not content with giving himself + the one necessary cut, he slashed himself thrice + horizontally and twice vertically. Then he stabbed himself + in the throat until the dirk protruded on the other side, + with its sharp edge to the front; setting his teeth in one + supreme effort, he drove the knife forward with both hands + through his throat, and fell dead.</p> + + <p>One more story and I have done. During the revolution, when + the Tycoon, beaten on every side, fled ignominiously to Yedo, + he is said to have determined to fight no more, but to yield + everything. A member of his second council went to him and + said, "Sir, the only way for you now to retrieve the honour of + the family of Tokugawa is to disembowel yourself; and to prove + to you that I am sincere and disinterested in what I say, I am + here ready to disembowel myself with you." The Tycoon flew into + a great rage, saying that he would listen to no such nonsense, + and left the room. His faithful retainer, to prove his honesty, + retired to another part of the castle, and solemnly performed + the + <i>hara-kiri.</i></p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page288" + id="page288"></a>[pg 288]</span> + + <h2>APPENDIX B</h2> + + <h3>THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY</h3> + + <h4>(FROM THE "SHO-REI HIKKI"—RECORD OF CEREMONIES.)</h4> + + <p>The ceremonies observed at marriages are various, and it is + not right for a man, exceeding the bounds of his condition in + life, to transgress against the rules which are laid down. When + the middle-man has arranged the preliminaries of the marriage + between the two parties, he carries the complimentary present, + which is made at the time of betrothal, from the future + bridegroom to his destined bride; and if this present is + accepted, the lady's family can no longer retract their + promise. This is the beginning of the contract. The usual + betrothal presents are as follows. Persons of the higher + classes send a robe of white silk; a piece of gold embroidery + for a girdle; a piece of silk stuff; a piece of white silk, + with a lozenge pattern, and other silk stuffs (these are made + up into a pile of three layers); fourteen barrels of wine, and + seven sorts of condiments. Persons of the middle class send a + piece of white silk stuff; a piece of gold embroidery for a + girdle; a piece of white silk, with a lozenge pattern, and + other silk stuffs (these are made up into a pile of two + layers); ten barrels of wine, and five sorts of condiments. The + lower classes send a robe of white silk, a robe of coloured + silk, in a pile of one layer, together with six barrels of wine + and three sorts of condiments. To the future father-in-law is + sent a sword, with a scabbard for slinging, such as is worn in + war-time, together with a list of the presents; to the + mother-in-law, a silk robe, with wine and condiments. Although + all these presents are right and proper for the occasion, still + they must be regulated according to the means of the persons + concerned. The future father-in-law sends a present of equal + value in return to his son-in-law, but the bride elect sends no + return present to her future husband; the present from the + father-in-law must by no means be omitted, but according to his + position, if he be poor, he need only send wine and + condiments.</p> + + <p>In sending the presents care must be taken not to fold the + silk robe. The two silk robes that are sent on the marriage + night must be placed with the collars stitched together in a + peculiar fashion.</p> + + <p>The ceremonies of sending the litter to fetch the bride on + the wedding night are as follows. In families of good position, + one <span class="pagenum"><a name="page289" + id="page289"></a>[pg 289]</span> of the principal retainers + on either side is deputed to accompany the bride and to + receive her. Matting is spread before the entrance-door, + upon which the bride's litter is placed, while the two + principal retainers congratulate one another, and the + officers of the bridegroom receive the litter. If a bucket + containing clams, to make the wedding broth, has been sent + with the bride, it is carried and received by a person of + distinction. Close by the entrance-door a fire is lighted on + the right hand and on the left. These fires are called + garden-torches. In front of the corridor along which the + litter passes, on the right hand and on the left, two men + and two women, in pairs, place two mortars, right and left, + in which they pound rice; as the litter passes, the pounded + rice from the left-hand side is moved across to the right, + and the two are mixed together into one. This is called the + blending of the rice-meal.<a id="footnotetag113" + name="footnotetag113"></a><a href="#footnote113"><sup>113</sup></a> + Two candles are lighted, the one on the right hand and the + other on the left of the corridor; and after the litter has + passed, the candle on the left is passed over to the right, + and, the two wicks being brought together, the candles are + extinguished. These last three ceremonies are only performed + at the weddings of persons of high rank; they are not + observed at the weddings of ordinary persons. The bride + takes with her to her husband's house, as presents, two + silken robes sewed together in a peculiar manner, a dress of + ceremony with wings of hempen cloth, an upper girdle and an + under girdle, a fan, either five or seven pocket-books, and + a sword: these seven presents are placed on a long tray, and + their value must depend upon the means of the family.</p> + + <p>The dress of the bride is a white silk robe with a lozenge + pattern, over an under-robe, also of white silk. Over her head + she wears a veil of white silk, which, when she sits down, she + allows to fall about her as a mantle.</p> + + <p>The bride's furniture and effects are all arranged for her + by female attendants from her own house on a day previous to + the wedding; and the bridegroom's effects are in like manner + arranged by the women of his own house.</p> + + <p>When the bride meets her husband in the room where the + relations are assembled, she takes her seat for this once in + the place of honour, her husband sitting in a lower place, not + directly opposite to her, but diagonally, and discreetly + avoiding her glance.</p> + + <p>On the raised part of the floor are laid out beforehand two + trays, the preparations for a feast, a table on which are two + wagtails,<a id="footnotetag114" + name="footnotetag114"></a><a href="#footnote114"><sup>114</sup></a> + a second table with a representation of Elysium, fowls, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page290" + id="page290"></a>[pg 290]</span> fish, two wine-bottles, + three wine-cups, and two sorts of kettles for warming wine. + The ladies go out to meet the bride, and invite her into a + dressing-room, and, when she has smoothed her dress, bring + her into the room, and she and the bridegroom take their + seats in the places appointed for them. The two trays are + then brought out, and the ladies-in-waiting, with + complimentary speeches, hand dried fish and seaweed, such as + accompany presents, and dried chestnuts to the couple. Two + married ladies then each take one of the wine-bottles which + have been prepared, and place them in the lower part of the + room. Then two handmaids, who act as wine-pourers, bring the + kettles and place them in the lower part of the room. The + two wine-bottles have respectively a male and female + butterfly, made of paper, attached to them. The female + butterfly is laid on its back, and the wine is poured from + the bottle into the kettle. The male butterfly is then taken + and laid on the female butterfly, and the wine from the + bottle is poured into the same kettle, and the whole is + transferred with due ceremony to another kettle of different + shape, which the wine-pourers place in front of themselves. + Little low dining-tables are laid, one for each person, + before the bride and bridegroom, and before the bride's + ladies-in-waiting; the woman deputed to pour the wine takes + the three wine-cups and places them one on the top of the + other before the bridegroom, who drinks two + cups<a id="footnotetag115" + name="footnotetag115"></a><a href="#footnote115"><sup>115</sup></a> + from the upper cup, and pours a little wine from the full + kettle into the empty kettle. The pouring together of the + wine on the wedding night is symbolical of the union that is + being contracted. The bridegroom next pours out a third cup + of wine and drinks it, and the cup is carried by the ladies + to the bride, who drinks three cups, and pours a little wine + from one kettle into the other, as the bridegroom did. A cup + is then set down and put on the other two, and they are + carried back to the raised floor and arranged as before. + After this, condiments are set out on the right-hand side of + a little table, and the wine-pourers place the three cups + before the bride, who drinks three cups from the second cup, + which is passed to the bridegroom; he also drinks three cups + as before, and the cups are piled up and arranged in their + original place, by the wine-pourers. A different sort of + condiment is next served on the left-hand side; and the + three cups are again placed before the bridegroom, who + drinks three cups from the third cup, and the bride does the + same. When the cups and tables have been put back in their + places, the bridegroom, rising + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page291" + id="page291"></a>[pg 291]</span> from his seat, rests + himself for a while. During this time soup of fishes' fins + and wine are served to the bride's ladies-in-waiting and to + the serving-women. They are served with a single wine-cup of + earthenware, placed upon a small square tray, and this again + is set upon a long tray, and a wine-kettle with all sorts of + condiments is brought from the kitchen. When this part of + the feast is over, the room is put in order, and the bride + and bridegroom take their seats again. Soups and a + preparation of rice are now served, and two earthenware + cups, gilt and silvered, are placed on a tray, on which + there is a representation of the island of + Takasago.<a id="footnotetag116" + name="footnotetag116"></a><a href="#footnote116"><sup>116</sup></a> + This time butterflies of gold and silver paper are attached + to the wine-kettles. The bridegroom drinks a cup or two, and + the ladies-in-waiting offer more condiments to the couple. + Rice, with hot water poured over it, according to custom, + and carp soup are brought in, and, the wine having been + heated, cups of lacquer ware are produced; and it is at this + time that the feast commences. (Up to now the eating and + drinking has been merely a form.) Twelve plates of + sweetmeats and tea are served; and the dinner consists of + three courses, one course of seven dishes, one of five + dishes, and one of three dishes, or else two courses of five + dishes and one of three dishes, according to the means of + the family. The above ceremonies are those which are proper + only in families of the highest rank, and are by no means + fitting for the lower classes, who must not step out of the + proper bounds of their position.</p> + + <p>There is a popular tradition that, in the ceremony of + drinking wine on the wedding night, the bride should drink + first, and then hand the cup to the bridegroom; but although + there are some authorities upon ceremonies who are in favour of + this course, it is undoubtedly a very great mistake. In the + "Record of Rites," by Confucius, it is written, "The man stands + in importance before the woman: it is the right of the strong + over the weak. Heaven ranks before earth; the prince ranks + before his minister. This law of honour is one." Again, in the + "Book of History," by Confucius, it is written, "The hen that + crows in the morning brings misfortune." In our own literature + in the Jusho (Book of the Gods), "When the goddesses saw the + gods for the first time, they were the first to cry cut, 'Oh! + what beautiful males!' But the gods were greatly displeased, + and said, 'We, who are so strong and powerful, should by rights + have been the first to speak; how is it that, on the contrary, + these females speak first? This is indeed vulgar.'" Again it is + written, "When the gods brought forth the cripple Hiruko, the + Lord of Heaven, answering, said that his misfortune was a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page292" + id="page292"></a>[pg 292]</span> punishment upon the + goddesses who had presumed to speak first." The same rule + therefore exists in China and in Japan, and it is held to be + unlucky that the wife should take precedence: with this + warning people should be careful how they commit a breach of + etiquette, although it may be sanctioned by the vulgar.</p> + + <p>At the wedding of the lower classes, the bride and her + ladies and friends have a feast, but the bridegroom has no + feast; and when the bride's feast is over, the bridegroom is + called in and is presented with the bride's wine-cup; but as + the forms observed are very vulgar, it is not worth while to + point out the rules which guide them. As this night is + essentially of importance to the married couple only, there are + some writers on ceremonies who have laid down that no feast + need be prepared for the bride's ladies, and in my opinion they + are right: for the husband and wife at the beginning of their + intercourse to be separated, and for the bride alone to be + feasted like an ordinary guest, appears to be an inauspicious + opening. I have thus pointed out two ill-omened customs which + are to be avoided.</p> + + <p>The ceremonies observed at the weddings of persons of + ordinary rank are as follows:—The feast which is prepared + is in proportion to the means of the individuals. There must be + three wine-cups set out upon a tray. The ceremony of drinking + wine three times is gone through, as described above, after + which the bride changes her dress, and a feast of three courses + is produced—two courses of five dishes and one of three + dishes, or one course of five dishes, one of three, and one of + two, according to the means of the family. A tray, with a + representation of the island of Takasago, is brought out, and + the wine is heated; sweetmeats of five or seven sorts are also + served in boxes or trays; and when the tea comes in, the + bridegroom gets up, and goes to rest himself. If the wine + kettles are of tin, they must not be set out in the room: they + must be brought in from the kitchen; and in that case the paper + butterflies are not attached to them.</p> + + <p>In old times the bride and bridegroom used to change their + dress three or five times during the ceremony; but at the + present time, after the nine cups of wine have been drunk, in + the manner recorded above, the change of dress takes place + once. The bride puts on the silk robe which she has received + from the bridegroom, while he dons the dress of ceremony which + has been brought by the bride.</p> + + <p>When these ceremonies have been observed, the bride's ladies + conduct her to the apartments of her parents-in-law. The bride + carries with her silk robes, as presents for her parents and + brothers and sister-in-law. A tray is brought out, with three + wine-cups, which are set before the parents-in-law and the + bride. The father-in-law drinks three cups and hands the cup to + the bride, who, after she has drunk two cups, receives a + present from her father-in-law; she then drinks a third cup, + and returns <span class="pagenum"><a name="page293" + id="page293"></a>[pg 293]</span> the cup to her + father-in-law, who again drinks three cups. Fish is then + brought in, and, in the houses of ordinary persons, a + preparation of rice. Upon this the mother-in-law, taking the + second cup, drinks three cups and passes the cup to the + bride, who drinks two cups and receives a present from her + mother-in-law: she then drinks a third cup and gives back + the cup to the mother-in-law, who drinks three cups again. + Condiments are served, and, in ordinary houses, soup; after + which the bride drinks once from the third cup and hands it + to her father-in-law, who drinks thrice from it; the bride + again drinks twice from it, and after her the mother-in-law + drinks thrice. The parents-in-law and the bride thus have + drunk in all nine times. If there are any brothers or + sisters-in-law, soup and condiments are served, and a single + porcelain wine-cup is placed before them on a tray, and they + drink at the word of command of the father-in-law. It is not + indispensable that soup should be served upon this occasion. + If the parents of the bridegroom are dead, instead of the + above ceremony, he leads his bride to make her obeisances + before the tablets on which their names are inscribed.</p> + + <p>In old days, after the ceremonies recorded above had been + gone through, the bridegroom used to pay a visit of ceremony to + the bride's parents; but at the present time the visit is paid + before the wedding, and although the forms observed on the + occasion resemble those of the ancient times, still they are + different, and it would be well that we should resume the old + fashion. The two trays which had been used at the wedding + feast, loaded with fowl and fish and condiments neatly + arranged, used to be put into a long box and sent to the + father-in-law's house. Five hundred and eighty cakes of rice in + lacquer boxes were also sent. The modern practice of sending + the rice cakes in a bucket is quite contrary to etiquette: no + matter how many lacquer boxes may be required for the purpose, + they are the proper utensils for sending the cakes in. Three, + five, seven, or ten men's loads of presents, according to the + means of the family, are also offered. The son-in-law gives a + sword and a silk robe to his father-in-law, and a silk robe to + his mother-in-law, and also gives presents to his brothers and + sisters-in-law. (The ceremony of drinking wine is the same as + that which takes place between the bride and her + parents-in-law, with a very slight deviation: the bridegroom + receives no presents from his mother-in-law, and when the third + cup is drunk the son-in-law drinks before the father-in-law). A + return visit is paid by the bride's parents to the bridegroom, + at which similar forms are observed.</p> + + <p>At the weddings of the great, the bridal chamber is composed + of three rooms thrown into one,<a id="footnotetag117" + name="footnotetag117"></a><a href="#footnote117"><sup>117</sup></a> + and newly decorated. If there are only two rooms available, + a third room is built for the occasion. The presents, which + have been mentioned above, are set + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page294" + id="page294"></a>[pg 294]</span> out on two trays. Besides + these, the bridegroom's clothes are hung up upon + clothes-racks. The mattress and bedclothes are placed in a + closet. The bride's effects must all be arranged by the + women who are sent on a previous day for the purpose, or it + may be done whilst the bride is changing her clothes. The + shrine for the image of the family god is placed on a shelf + adjoining the sleeping-place. There is a proper place for + the various articles of furniture. The + <i>kaioké</i><a id="footnotetag118" + name="footnotetag118"></a><a href="#footnote118"><sup>118</sup></a> + is placed on the raised floor; but if there be no raised + floor, it is placed in a closet with the door open, so that + it may be conspicuously seen. The books are arranged on a + book-shelf or on a cabinet; if there be neither shelf nor + cabinet, they are placed on the raised floor. The bride's + clothes are set out on a clothes-rack; in families of high + rank, seven robes are hung up on the rack; five of these are + taken away and replaced by others, and again three are taken + away and replaced by others; and there are either two or + three clothes-racks: the towel-rack is set up in a place of + more honour than the clothes-racks. If there is no + dressing-room, the bride's bedclothes and dressing furniture + are placed in the sleeping-room. No screens are put up on + the bridal night, but a fitting place is chosen for them on + the following day. All these ceremonies must be in + proportion to the means of the family.</p> + + <h3>NOTE.</h3> + + <p>The author of the "Sho-rei Hikki" makes no allusion to the + custom of shaving the eyebrows and blackening the teeth of + married women, in token of fidelity to their lords. In the + upper classes, young ladies usually blacken their teeth before + leaving their father's house to enter that of their husbands, + and complete the ceremony by shaving their eyebrows immediately + after the wedding, or, at any rate, not later than upon the + occasion of their first pregnancy.</p> + + <p>The origin of the fashion is lost in antiquity. As a proof + that it existed before the eleventh century, A.D., a curious + book called "Teijô Zakki," or the Miscellaneous Writings + of Teijô, cites the diary of Murasaki Shikibu, the + daughter of one Tamésoki, a retainer of the house of + Echizen, a lady of the court and famous poetess, the authoress + of a book called "Genji-mono-gatari," and other works. In her + diary it is written that on the last night of the fifth year of + the period Kankô (A.D. 1008), in order that she might + appear to advantage on New Year's Day, she retired to the + privacy of her own apartment, and repaired the deficiencies of + her personal appearance by re-blackening her teeth, and + otherwise adorning herself. Allusion is also made to the custom + in the "Yeiga-mono-gatari," an ancient book by the same + authoress.</p> + + <p>The Emperor and nobles of his court are also in the habit of + blackening their teeth; but the custom is gradually dying out + in their case. It is said to have originated with one Hanazono + Arishito, who held the high rank of <i>Sa-Daijin,</i> or + "minister of the left," at the commencement of the twelfth + century, in the reign of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page295" + id="page295"></a>[pg 295]</span> the Emperor Toba. Being a, + man of refined and sensual tastes, this minister plucked out + his eyebrows, shaved his beard, blackened his teeth, + powdered his face white, and rouged his lips in order to + render himself as like a woman as possible. In the middle of + the twelfth century, the nobles of the court, who went to + the wars, all blackened their teeth; and from this time + forth the practice became a fashion of the court. The + followers of the chiefs of the Hôjô dynasty also + blackened their teeth, as an emblem of their fidelity; and + this was called the Odawara fashion, after the castle town + of the family. Thus a custom, which had its origin in a love + of sensuality and pleasure, became mistaken for the sign of + a good and faithful spirit.</p> + + <p>The fashion of blackening the teeth entails no little + trouble upon its followers, for the colour must be renewed + every day, or at least every other day. Strange and repelling + as the custom appears at first, the eye soon learns to look + without aversion upon a well-blacked and polished set of teeth; + but when the colour begins to wear away, and turns to a dullish + grey, streaked with black, the mouth certainly becomes most + hideous. Although no one who reads this is likely to put a + recipe for blackening the teeth to a practical test, I append + one furnished to me by a fashionable chemist and druggist in + Yedo:—</p> + + <p>"Take three pints of water, and, having warmed it, add half + a teacupful of wine. Put into this mixture a quantity of + red-hot iron; allow it to stand for five or six days, when + there will be a scum on the top of the mixture, which should + then be poured into a small teacup and placed near a fire. When + it is warm, powdered gallnuts and iron filings should be added + to it, and the whole should be warmed again. The liquid is then + painted on to the teeth by means of a soft feather brush, with + more powdered gallnuts and iron, and, after several + applications, the desired colour will be obtained."</p> + + <p>The process is said to be a preservative of the teeth, and I + have known men who were habitual sufferers from toothache to + prefer the martyrdom of ugliness to that of pain, and apply the + black colouring when the paroxysms were severe. One man told me + that he experienced immediate relief by the application, and + that so long as he blackened his teeth he was quite free from + pain.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page296" + id="page296"></a>[pg 296]</span> + + <h3>ON THE BIRTH AND BEARING OF CHILDREN</h3> + + <h4>(FROM THE "SHO-REI HIKKI.")</h4> + + <p>In the fifth month of a woman's pregnancy, a very lucky day + is selected for the ceremony of putting on a girdle, which is + of white and red silk, folded, and eight feet in length. The + husband produces it from the left sleeve of his dress; and the + wife receives it in the right sleeve of her dress, and girds it + on for the first time. This ceremony is only performed once. + When the child is born, the white part of the girdle is dyed + sky-blue, with a peculiar mark on it, and is made into clothes + for the child. These, however, are not the first clothes which + it wears. The dyer is presented with wine and condiments when + the girdle is entrusted to him. It is also customary to beg + some matron, who has herself had an easy confinement, for the + girdle which she wore during her pregnancy; and this lady is + called the girdle-mother. The borrowed girdle is tied on with + that given by the husband, and the girdle-mother at this time + gives and receives a present.</p> + + <p>The furniture of the lying-in chamber is as + follows:—Two tubs for placing under-petticoats in; two + tubs to hold the placenta; a piece of furniture like an + arm-chair, without legs, for the mother to lean + against;<a id="footnotetag119" + name="footnotetag119"></a><a href="#footnote119"><sup>119</sup></a> + a stool, which is used by the lady who embraces the loins of + the woman in labour to support her, and which is afterwards + used by the midwife in washing the child; several pillows of + various sizes, that the woman in child-bed may ease her head + at her pleasure; new buckets, basins, and ladles of various + sizes. Twenty-four baby-robes, twelve of silk and twelve of + cotton, must be prepared; the hems must be dyed + saffron-colour. There must be an apron for the midwife, if + the infant is of high rank, in order that, when she washes + it, she may not place it immediately on her own knees: this + apron should be made of a kerchief of cotton. When the child + is taken out of the warm water, its body must be dried with + a kerchief of fine cotton, unhemmed.</p> + + <p>On the seventy-fifth or hundred and twentieth day after its + birth, the baby leaves off its baby-linen; and this day is kept + as <span class="pagenum"><a name="page297" + id="page297"></a>[pg 297]</span> a holiday. Although it is + the practice generally to dress up children in various kinds + of silk, this is very wrong, as the two principles of life + being thereby injured, the child contracts disease; and on + this account the ancients strictly forbade the practice. In + modern times the child is dressed up in beautiful clothes; + but to put a cap on its head, thinking to make much of it, + when, on the contrary, it is hurtful to the child, should be + avoided. It would be an excellent thing if rich people, out + of care for the health of their children, would put a stop + to a practice to which fashion clings.</p> + + <p>On the hundred and twentieth day after their birth children, + whether male or female, are weaned.<a id="footnotetag120" + name="footnotetag120"></a><a href="#footnote120"><sup>120</sup></a> + This day is fixed, and there is no need to choose a lucky + day. If the child be a boy, it is fed by a gentleman of the + family; if a girl, by a lady. The ceremony is as + follows:—The child is brought out and given to the + weaning father or sponsor. He takes it on his left knee. A + small table is prepared. The sponsor who is to feed the + child, taking some rice which has been offered to the gods, + places it on the corner of the little table which is by him; + He dips his chop-sticks thrice in this rice, and very + quietly places them in the mouth of the child, pretending to + give it some of the juice of the rice. Five cakes of rice + meal are also placed on the left side of the little table, + and with these he again pretends to feed the child three + times. When this ceremony is over, the child is handed back + to its guardian, and three wine-cups are produced on a tray. + The sponsor drinks three cups, and presents the cup to the + child. When the child has been made to pretend to drink two + cups, it receives a present from its sponsor, after which + the child is supposed to drink a third time. Dried fish is + then brought in, and the baby, having drunk thrice, passes + the cup to its sponsor, who drinks thrice. More fish of a + different kind is brought in. The drinking is repeated, and + the weaning father receives a present from the child. The + guardian, according to rules of propriety, should be near + the child. A feast should be prepared, according to the + means of the family. If the child be a girl, a weaning + mother performs this ceremony, and suitable presents must be + offered on either side. The wine-drinking is gone through as + above.</p> + + <p>On the fifteenth day of the eleventh month of the child's + third year, be the child boy or girl, its hair is allowed to + grow. (Up to this time the whole head has been shaven: now + three patches are allowed to grow, one on each side and one at + the back of the head.) On this occasion also a sponsor is + selected. A large tray, on which are a comb, scissors, paper + string, a piece of string for tying the hair in a knot, cotton + wool, and the bit of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page298" + id="page298"></a>[pg 298]</span> dried fish or seaweed which + accompanies presents, one of each, and seven rice + straws—these seven articles must be + prepared.<a id="footnotetag121" + name="footnotetag121"></a><a href="#footnote121"><sup>121</sup></a></p> + + <p>The child is placed facing the point of the compass which is + auspicious for that year, and the sponsor, if the child be a + boy, takes the scissors and gives three snips at the hair on + the left temple, three on the right, and three in the centre. + He then takes the piece of cotton wool and spreads it over the + child's head, from the forehead, so as to make it hang down + behind his neck, and he places the bit of dried fish or seaweed + and the seven straws at the bottom of the piece of cotton wool, + attaching them to the wool, and ties them in two loops, like a + man's hair, with a piece of paper string; he then makes a + woman's knot with two pieces of string. The ceremony of + drinking wine is the same as that gone through at the weaning. + If the child is a girl, a lady acts as sponsor; the + hair-cutting is begun from the right temple instead of from the + left. There is no difference in the rest of the ceremony.</p> + + <p>On the fifth day of the eleventh month of the child's fourth + year he is invested with the <i>hakama</i>, or loose trousers + worn by the Samurai. On this occasion again a sponsor is called + in. The child receives from the sponsor a dress of ceremony, on + which are embroidered storks and tortoises (emblems of + longevity—the stork is said to live a thousand years, the + tortoise ten thousand), fir-trees (which, being evergreen, and + not changing their colour, are emblematic of an unchangingly + virtuous heart), and bamboos (emblematic of an upright and + straight mind). The child is placed upright on a chequer-board, + facing the auspicious point of the compass, and invested with + the dress of ceremony. It also receives a sham sword and dirk. + The usual ceremony of drinking wine is observed.</p> + + <p>NOTE.—In order to understand the following ceremony, + it is necessary to recollect that the child at three years of + age is allowed to grow its hair in three patches. By degrees + the hair is allowed to grow, the crown alone being shaved, and + a forelock left. At ten or eleven years of age the boy's head + is dressed like a man's, with the exception of this + forelock.</p> + + <p>The ceremony of cutting off the forelock used in old days to + include the ceremony of putting on the noble's cap; but as this + has gone out of fashion, there is no need to treat of it.</p> + + <p>Any time after the youth has reached the age of fifteen, + according to the cleverness and ability which he shows, a lucky + day is chosen for this most important ceremony, after which the + boy takes his place amongst full-grown men. A person of + virtuous character is chosen as sponsor or "cap-father." + Although the man's real name (that name which is only known to + his intimate relations and friends, not the one by which he + usually goes in society) is usually determined before this + date, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page299" + id="page299"></a>[pg 299]</span> if it be not so, he + receives his real name from his sponsor on this day. In old + days there used to be a previous ceremony of cutting the + hair off the forehead in a straight line, so as to make two + angles: up to this time the youth wore long sleeves like a + woman, and from that day he wore short sleeves. This was + called the "half cutting." The poorer classes have a habit + of shortening the sleeves before this period; but that is + contrary to all rule, and is an evil custom.</p> + + <p>A common tray is produced, on which is placed an earthenware + wine-cup. The sponsor drinks thrice, and hands the cup to the + young man, who, having also drunk thrice, gives back the cup to + the sponsor, who again drinks thrice, and then proceeds to tie + up the young man's hair.</p> + + <p>There are three ways of tying the hair, and there is also a + particular fashion of letting the forelock grow long; and when + this is the case, the forelock is only clipped. (This is + especially the fashion among the nobles of the Mikado's court.) + This applies only to persons who wear the court cap, and not to + gentlemen of lower grade. Still, these latter persons, if they + wish to go through the ceremony in its entirety, may do so + without impropriety. Gentlemen of the Samurai or military class + cut off the whole of the forelock. The sponsor either ties up + the hair of the young man, or else, placing the forelock on a + willow board, cuts it off with a knife, or else, amongst + persons of very high rank, he only pretends to do so, and goes + into another room whilst the real cutting is going on, and then + returns to the same room. The sponsor then, without letting the + young man see what he is doing, places the lock which has been + cut into the pocket of his left sleeve, and, leaving the room, + gives it to the young man's guardians, who wrap it in paper and + offer it up at the shrine of the family gods. But this is + wrong. The locks should be well wrapped up in paper and kept in + the house until the man's death, to serve as a reminder of the + favours which a man receives from his father and mother in his + childhood; when he dies, it should be placed in his coffin and + buried with him. The wine-drinking and presents are as + before.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>In the "Sho-rei Hikki," the book from which the above is + translated, there is no notice of the ceremony of naming the + child: the following is a translation from a Japanese + MS.:—</p> + + <p>"On the seventh day after its birth, the child receives its + name; the ceremony is called the congratulations of the seventh + night. On this day some one of the relations of the family, who + holds an exalted position, either from his rank or virtues, + selects a name for the child, which name he keeps until the + time of the cutting of the forelock, when he takes the name + which he is to bear as a man. This second name is called + <i>Yeboshina</i>,<a id="footnotetag122" + name="footnotetag122"></a><a href="#footnote122"><sup>122</sup></a> + the cap-name, which is compounded of syllables taken from an + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page300" + id="page300"></a>[pg 300]</span> old name of the family and + from the name of the sponsor. If the sponsor afterwards + change his name, his name-child must also change his name. + For instance, Minamoto no Yoshitsuné, the famous + warrior, as a child was called Ushiwakamaru; when he grew up + to be a man, he was called Kurô; and his real name was + Yoshitsuné."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page301" + id="page301"></a>[pg 301]</span> + + <h3>FUNERAL RITES</h3> + + <h4>(FROM THE "SHO-REI HIKKI.")</h4> + + <p>On the death of a parent, the mourning clothes worn are made + of coarse hempen cloth, and during the whole period of mourning + these must be worn night and day. As the burial of his parents + is the most important ceremony which a man has to go through + during his whole life, when the occasion comes, in order that + there be no confusion, he must employ some person to teach him + the usual and proper rites. Above all things to be reprehended + is the burning of the dead: they should be interred without + burning.<a id="footnotetag123" + name="footnotetag123"></a><a href="#footnote123"><sup>123</sup></a> + The ceremonies to be observed at a funeral should by rights + have been learned before there is occasion to put them in + practice. If a man have no father or mother, he is sure to + have to bury other relations; and so he should not disregard + this study. There are some authorities who select lucky days + and hours and lucky places for burying the dead, but this is + wrong; and when they talk about curses being brought upon + posterity by not observing these auspicious seasons and + places, they make a great mistake. It is a matter of course + that an auspicious day must be chosen so far as avoiding + wind and rain is concerned, that men may bury their dead + without their minds being distracted; and it is important to + choose a fitting cemetery, lest in after days the tomb + should be damaged by rain, or by men walking over it, or by + the place being turned into a field, or built upon. When + invited to a friend's or neighbour's funeral, a man should + avoid putting on smart clothes and dresses of ceremony; and + when he follows the coffin, he should not speak in a loud + voice to the person next him, for that is very rude; and + even should he have occasion to do so, he should avoid + entering wine-shops or tea-houses on his return from the + funeral.</p> + + <p>The list of persons present at a funeral should be written + on slips of paper, and firmly bound together. It may be written + as any other list, only it must not be written beginning at the + right hand, as is usually the case, but from the left hand (as + is the case in European books).</p> + + <p>On the day of burial, during the funeral service, incense is + burned in the temple before the tablet on which is inscribed + the name under which the dead person enters + salvation.<a id="footnotetag124" + name="footnotetag124"></a><a href="#footnote124"><sup>124</sup></a> + The <span class="pagenum"><a name="page302" + id="page302"></a>[pg 302]</span> incense-burners, having + washed their hands, one by one, enter the room where the + tablet is exposed, and advance half-way up to the tablet, + facing it; producing incense wrapped in paper from their + bosoms, they hold it in their left hands, and, taking a + pinch with the right hand, they place the packet in their + left sleeve. If the table on which the tablet is placed be + high, the person offering incense half raises himself from + his crouching position; if the table be low, he remains + crouching to burn the incense, after which he takes three + steps backwards, with bows and reverences, and retires six + feet, when he again crouches down to watch the + incense-burning, and bows to the priests who are sitting in + a row with their chief at their head, after which he rises + and leaves the room. Up to the time of burning the incense + no notice is taken of the priest. At the ceremony of burning + incense before the grave, the priests are not saluted. The + packet of incense is made of fine paper folded in three, + both ways.</p> + + <h3>NOTE.</h3> + + <p>The reason why the author of the "Sho-rei Hikki" has treated + so briefly of the funeral ceremonies is probably that these + rites, being invariably entrusted to the Buddhist priesthood, + vary according to the sect of the latter; and, as there are no + less than fifteen sects of Buddhism in Japan, it would be a + long matter to enter into the ceremonies practised by each. + Should Buddhism be swept out of Japan, as seems likely to be + the case, men will probably return to the old rites which + obtained before its introduction in the sixth century of our + era. What those rites were I have been unable to learn.</p> + + <h2>THE END</h2> + <hr class="full" /> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" + name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + + <p>According to Japanese tradition, in the fifth year of the + Emperor Kôrei (286 B.C.), the earth opened in the + province of Omi, near Kiôto, and Lake Biwa, sixty + miles long by about eighteen broad, was formed in the shape + of a <i>Biwa</i>, or four-stringed lute, from which it + takes its name. At the same time, to compensate for the + depression of the earth, but at a distance of over three + hundred miles from the lake, rose Fuji-Yama, the last + eruption of which was in the year 1707. The last great + earthquake at Yedo took place about fifteen years ago. + Twenty thousand souls are said to have perished in it, and + the dead were carried away and buried by cartloads; many + persons, trying to escape from their falling and burning + houses, were caught in great clefts, which yawned suddenly + in the earth, and as suddenly closed upon the victims, + crushing them to death. For several days heavy shocks + continued to be felt, and the people camped out, not daring + to return to such houses as had been spared, nor to build + up those which lay in ruins.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" + name="footnote2"></a><b>Footnote 2:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + + <p>The word <i>Rônin</i> means, literally, a + "wave-man"; one who is tossed about hither and thither, as + a wave of the sea. It is used to designate persons of + gentle blood, entitled to bear arms, who, having become + separated from their feudal lords by their own act, or by + dismissal, or by fate, wander about the country in the + capacity of somewhat disreputable knights-errant, without + ostensible means of living, in some cases offering + themselves for hire to new masters, in others supporting + themselves by pillage; or who, falling a grade in the + social scale, go into trade, and become simple wardsmen. + Sometimes it happens that for political reasons a man will + become Rônin, in order that his lord may not be + implicated in some deed of blood in which he is about to + engage. Sometimes, also, men become Rônins, and leave + their native place for a while, until some scrape in which + they have become entangled shall have blown over; after + which they return to their former allegiance. Nowadays it + is not unusual for men to become Rônins for a time, + and engage themselves in the service of foreigners at the + open ports, even in menial capacities, in the hope that + they may pick up something of the language and lore of + Western folks. I know instances of men of considerable + position who have adopted this course in their zeal for + education.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" + name="footnote3"></a><b>Footnote 3:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + + <p>The full title of the Tycoon was Sei-i-tai-Shogun, + "Barbarian-repressing Commander-in-chief." The style Tai + Kun, Great Prince, was borrowed, in order to convey the + idea of sovereignty to foreigners, at the time of the + conclusion of the Treaties. The envoys sent by the Mikado + from Kiôto to communicate to the Shogun the will of + his sovereign were received with Imperial honours, and the + duty of entertaining them was confided to nobles of rank. + The title Sei-i-tai-Shogun was first borne by Minamoto no + Yoritomo, in the seventh month of the year A.D. 1192.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" + name="footnote4"></a><b>Footnote 4:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + + <p>Councillor, lit. "elder." The councillors of daimios + were of two classes: the <i>Karô</i>, or "elder," an + hereditary office, held by cadets of the Prince's family, + and the <i>Yônin</i>, or "man of business," who was + selected on account of his merits. These "councillors" play + no mean part in Japanese history.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote5" + name="footnote5"></a><b>Footnote 5:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag5">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Samurai</i>, a man belonging to the + <i>Buké</i> or military class, entitled to bear + arms.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote6" + name="footnote6"></a><b>Footnote 6:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag6">(return)</a> + + <p>It is usual for a Japanese, when bent upon some deed of + violence, the end of which, in his belief, justifies the + means, to carry about with him a document, such as that + translated above, in which he sets forth his motives, that + his character may be cleared after death.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote7" + name="footnote7"></a><b>Footnote 7:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag7">(return)</a> + + <p>The dirk with which Asano Takumi no Kumi disembowelled + himself and with which Oishi Kuranosuké cut off + Kôtsuké no Suké's head.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote8" + name="footnote8"></a><b>Footnote 8:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag8">(return)</a> + + <p>A purist in Japanese matters may object to the use of + the words <i>hara-kiri</i> instead of the more elegant + expression <i>Seppuku</i>. I retain the more vulgar form as + being better known, and therefore more convenient.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote9" + name="footnote9"></a><b>Footnote 9:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag9">(return)</a> + + <p>The Chinese, and the Japanese following them, divide the + day of twenty-four hours into twelve periods, each of which + has a sign something like the signs of the + Zodiac:—</p> + <pre> + Midnight until two in the morning is represented by the rat. + 2 a.m. " 4 a.m. " " ox. + 4 a.m. " 6 a.m. " " tiger. + 6 a.m. " 8 a.m. " " hare. + 8 a.m. " 10 a.m. " " dragon. + 10 a.m. " 12 noon " " snake. + 12 noon " 2 p.m. " " horse. + 2 p.m. " 4 p.m. " " ram. + 4 p.m. " 6 p.m. " " ape. + 6 p.m. " 8 p.m. " " cock. + 8 p.m. " 10 p.m. " " hog. + 10 p.m. " Midnight " " fox. +</pre> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote10" + name="footnote10"></a><b>Footnote 10:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag10">(return)</a> + + <p>Fudô, literally "the motionless": Buddha in the + state called Nirvana.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote11" + name="footnote11"></a><b>Footnote 11:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag11">(return)</a> + + <p>It will be readily understood that the customs and + ceremonies to which I have alluded belong only to the gross + superstitions with which ignorance has overlaid that pure + Buddhism of which Professor Max Müller has pointed out + the very real beauties.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote12" + name="footnote12"></a><b>Footnote 12:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag12">(return)</a> + + <p>Japanese cities are divided into wards, and every + tradesman and artisan is under the authority of the chief + of the ward in which he resides. The word + <i>chônin</i>, or wardsman, is generally used in + contradistinction to the word <i>samurai</i>, which has + already been explained as denoting a man belonging to the + military class.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote13" + name="footnote13"></a><b>Footnote 13:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag13">(return)</a> + + <p>The name Yoshiwara, which is becoming generic for + "Flower Districts,"—<i>Anglicé</i>, quarters + occupied by brothels,—is sometimes derived from the + town Yoshiwara, in Sunshine, because it was said that the + women of that place furnished a large proportion of the + beauties of the Yedo Yoshiwara. The correct derivation is + probably that given below.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote14" + name="footnote14"></a><b>Footnote 14:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag14">(return)</a> + + <p>Those who are interested in this branch of social + science, will find much curious information upon the + subject of prostitution in Japan in a pamphlet published at + Yokohama, by Dr. Newton, R.N., a philanthropist who has + been engaged for the last two years in establishing a Lock + Hospital at that place. In spite of much opposition, from + prejudice and ignorance, his labours have been crowned by + great success.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote15" + name="footnote15"></a><b>Footnote 15:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag15">(return)</a> + + <p><i>The Legacy of Iyéyasu</i>, translated by F. + Lowder. Yokohama, 1868. (Printed for private + circulation.)</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote16" + name="footnote16"></a><b>Footnote 16:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag16">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Hatamotos.</i> The Hatamotos were the feudatory + nobles of the Shogun or Tycoon. The office of Taikun having + been abolished, the Hatamotos no longer exist. For further + information respecting them, see the note at the end of the + story.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote17" + name="footnote17"></a><b>Footnote 17:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag17">(return)</a> + + <p>The first Council of the Shogun's ministers; literally, + "assembly of imperial elders."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote18" + name="footnote18"></a><b>Footnote 18:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag18">(return)</a> + + <p>A physician attending a personage of exalted rank has + always to drink half the potion he prescribes as a test of + his good faith.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote19" + name="footnote19"></a><b>Footnote 19:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag19">(return)</a> + + <p>Goddess of the sun, and ancestress of the Mikados.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote20" + name="footnote20"></a><b>Footnote 20:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag20">(return)</a> + + <p>"In respect to revenging injury done to master or + father, it is granted by the wise and virtuous (Confucius) + that you and the injurer cannot live together under the + canopy of heaven.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote21" + name="footnote21"></a><b>Footnote 21:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag21">(return)</a> + + <p>See the story of Kazuma's Revenge.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote22" + name="footnote22"></a><b>Footnote 22:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag22">(return)</a> + + <p>The tiny Japanese pipe contains but two or three whiffs; + and as the tobacco is rolled up tightly in the fingers + before it is inserted, the ash, when shaken out, is a + little fire-ball from which a second pipe is lighted.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote23" + name="footnote23"></a><b>Footnote 23:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag23">(return)</a> + + <p>It is an act of rudeness to offer a large wine-cup. As, + however, the same cup is returned to the person who has + offered it, the ill carries with it its own remedy. At a + Japanese feast the same cup is passed from hand to hand, + each person rinsing it in a bowl of water after using it, + and before offering it to another.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote24" + name="footnote24"></a><b>Footnote 24:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag24">(return)</a> + + <p>The giving of presents from inferiors to superiors is a + common custom.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote25" + name="footnote25"></a><b>Footnote 25:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag25">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Tôken</i>, a nickname given to Gombei, after a + savage dog that he killed. As a Chônin, or wardsman, + he had no surname.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote26" + name="footnote26"></a><b>Footnote 26:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag26">(return)</a> + + <p>See the story of Gompachi and Komurasaki.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote27" + name="footnote27"></a><b>Footnote 27:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag27">(return)</a> + + <p>The swords of Muramasa, although so finely tempered that + they are said to cut hard iron as though it were a melon, + have the reputation of being unlucky: they are supposed by + the superstitious to hunger after taking men's lives, and + to be unable to repose in their scabbards. The principal + duty of a sword is to preserve tranquillity in the world, + by punishing the wicked and protecting the good. But the + bloodthirsty swords of Muramasa rather have the effect of + maddening their owners, so that they either kill others + indiscriminately or commit suicide. At the end of the + sixteenth century Prince Tokugawa Iyéyasu was in the + habit of carrying a spear made by Muramasa, with which he + often scratched or cut himself by mistake. Hence the + Tokugawa family avoid girding on Muramasa blades, which are + supposed to be specially unlucky to their race. The murders + of Gompachi, who wore a sword by this maker, also + contributed to give his weapons a bad name.</p> + + <p>The swords of one Tôshirô Yoshimitsu, on the + other hand, are specially auspicious to the Tokugawa + family, for the following reason. After Iyéyasu had + been defeated by Takéta Katsuyori, at the battle of + the river Tenrin, he took refuge in the house of a village + doctor, intending to put an end to his existence by + <i>hara-kiri,</i> and drawing his dirk, which was made by + Yoshimitsu, tried to plunge it into his belly, when, to his + surprise, the blade turned. Thinking that the dirk must be + a bad one, he took up an iron mortar for grinding medicines + and tried it upon that, and the point entered and + transfixed the mortar. He was about to stab himself a + second time, when his followers, who had missed him, and + had been searching for him everywhere, came up, and seeing + their master about to kill himself, stayed his hand, and + took away the dirk by force. Then they set him upon his + horse and compelled him to fly to his own province of + Mikawa, whilst they kept his pursuers at bay. After this, + when, by the favour of Heaven, Iyéyasu became + Shogun, it was considered that of a surety there must have + been a good spirit in the blade that refused to drink his + blood; and ever since that time the blades of Yoshimitsu + have been considered lucky in his family.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote28" + name="footnote28"></a><b>Footnote 28:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag28">(return)</a> + + <p>The halberd is the special arm of the Japanese woman of + gentle blood. That which was used by Kasa Gozen, one of the + ladies of Yoshitsuné, the hero of the twelfth + century, is still preserved at Asakusa. In old-fashioned + families young ladies are regularly instructed in fencing + with the halberds.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote29" + name="footnote29"></a><b>Footnote 29:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag29">(return)</a> + + <p>See Note at end of story.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote30" + name="footnote30"></a><b>Footnote 30:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag30">(return)</a> + + <p>The lowest classes in Japan are buried in a squatting + position, in a sort of barrel. One would have expected a + person of Chôbei's condition and means to have + ordered a square box. It is a mistake to suppose the + burning of the dead to be universal in Japan: only about + thirty per cent of the lower classes, chiefly belonging to + the Montô sect of Buddhism, are burnt. The rich and + noble are buried in several square coffins, one inside the + other, in a sitting position; and their bodies are + partially preserved from decay by filling the nose, ears, + and mouth with vermilion. In the case of the very wealthy, + the coffin is completely filled in with vermilion. The + family of the Princes of Mito, and some other nobles, bury + their dead in a recumbent position.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote31" + name="footnote31"></a><b>Footnote 31:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag31">(return)</a> + + <p>It is customary, on the occasion of a first visit to a + house, to carry a present to the owner, who gives something + of equal value on returning the visit.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote32" + name="footnote32"></a><b>Footnote 32:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag32">(return)</a> + + <p>This sort of bath, in which the water is heated by the + fire of a furnace which is lighted from outside, is called + <i>Goyémon-buro,</i> or Goyémon's bath, after + a notorious robber named Goyémon, who attempted the + life of Taiko Sama, the famous general and ruler of the + sixteenth century, and suffered for his crimes by being + boiled to death in oil—a form of execution which is + now obsolete.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote33" + name="footnote33"></a><b>Footnote 33:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag33">(return)</a> + + <p>This gate was destroyed by fire a few years since.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote34" + name="footnote34"></a><b>Footnote 34:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag34">(return)</a> + + <p>Sir Rutherford Alcock, in his book upon Japan, states + that the portraits of the most famous courtesans of Yedo + are yearly hung up in the temple at Asakusa. No such + pictures are to be seen now, and no Japanese of whom I have + made inquiries have heard of such a custom. The priests of + the temple deny that their fane was ever so polluted, and + it is probable that the statement is but one of the many + strange mistakes into which an imperfect knowledge of the + language led the earlier travellers in Japan. In spite of + all that has been said by persons who have had no + opportunity of associating and exchanging ideas with the + educated men of Japan, I maintain that in no country is the + public harlot more abhorred and looked down upon.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote35" + name="footnote35"></a><b>Footnote 35:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag35">(return)</a> + + <p>In Dr. Hepburn's Dictionary of the Japanese language, + the Chinese characters given for the word <i>Shiba-i</i> + are <i>chi chang</i> (<i>keih chang</i>, Morrison's + Dictionary), "theatrical arena." The characters which are + usually written, and which are etymologically correct, are + <i>chih chü</i> (<i>che keu</i>, Morrison), "the place + of plants or turf plot."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote36" + name="footnote36"></a><b>Footnote 36:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag36">(return)</a> + + <p>This refers to the Chinese doctrine of the Yang and Yin, + the male and female influences pervading all creation.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote37" + name="footnote37"></a><b>Footnote 37:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag37">(return)</a> + + <p>I allude to the <i>Tai Hei Nem-piyô,</i> or Annals + of the Great Peace, a very rare work, only two or three + copies of which have found their way into the libraries of + foreigners.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote38" + name="footnote38"></a><b>Footnote 38:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag38">(return)</a> + + <p>The note at the end of the Story of the Grateful Foxes + contains an account of Inari Sama, and explains how the + foxes minister to him.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote39" + name="footnote39"></a><b>Footnote 39:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag39">(return)</a> + + <p>This is a literal translation of a Japanese proverb.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote40" + name="footnote40"></a><b>Footnote 40:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag40">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Shikoku</i>, one of the southern islands separated + from the chief island of Japan by the beautiful "Inland + Sea;" it is called <i>Shikoku</i>, or the "Four Provinces," + because it is divided into the four provinces, <i>Awa, + Sanuki, Iyo,</i> and <i>Tosa</i>.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote41" + name="footnote41"></a><b>Footnote 41:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag41">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Sukésada</i>, a famous family of swordsmiths, + belonging to the Bizen clan. The Bizen men are notoriously + good armourers, and their blades fetch high prices. The + sword of Jiuyémon is said to have been made by one + of the Sukésada who lived about 290 years ago.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote42" + name="footnote42"></a><b>Footnote 42:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag42">(return)</a> + + <p>The O before women's names signifies "<i>Imperial</i>," + and is simply an honorific.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote43" + name="footnote43"></a><b>Footnote 43:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag43">(return)</a> + + <p>The original is a proverbial expression like "Timeo + Danaos et dona ferentes."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote44" + name="footnote44"></a><b>Footnote 44:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag44">(return)</a> + + <p>The <i>abacus</i>, or counting-board, is the means of + calculation in use throughout the Continent from St. + Petersburg to Peking, in Corea, Japan, and the Liukiu + Islands.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote45" + name="footnote45"></a><b>Footnote 45:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag45">(return)</a> + + <p>Foxes, badgers, and cats. See the stories respecting + their tricks.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote46" + name="footnote46"></a><b>Footnote 46:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag46">(return)</a> + + <p>See the Introduction to the Story of Chôbei of + Bandzuin.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote47" + name="footnote47"></a><b>Footnote 47:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag47">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Hichi</i>, the first half of <i>Hichirobei</i>, + signifies seven.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote48" + name="footnote48"></a><b>Footnote 48:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag48">(return)</a> + + <p>The apprentice addresses his patron as "father."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote49" + name="footnote49"></a><b>Footnote 49:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag49">(return)</a> + + <p>The exposure of the head, called <i>Gokumon</i>, is a + disgraceful addition to the punishment of beheading. A + document, placed on the execution-ground, sets forth the + crime which has called forth the punishment.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote50" + name="footnote50"></a><b>Footnote 50:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag50">(return)</a> + + <p>The Japanese Gog and Magog.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote51" + name="footnote51"></a><b>Footnote 51:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag51">(return)</a> + + <p>The author of the history called "Kokushi Riyaku" + explains this fable as being an account of the first + eclipse.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote52" + name="footnote52"></a><b>Footnote 52:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag52">(return)</a> + + <p>The mountains in the moon are supposed to resemble a + hare in shape. Hence there is a fanciful connection between + the hare and the moon.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote53" + name="footnote53"></a><b>Footnote 53:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag53">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Momo</i> means a peach, and <i>Tarô</i> is the + termination of the names of eldest sons, + as <i>Hikotarô</i>, <i>Tokutarô</i>, &c. In + modern times, however, the termination has been applied + indifferently to any male child.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote54" + name="footnote54"></a><b>Footnote 54:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag54">(return)</a> + + <p>The country folk in Japan pretend that the pheasant's + call is a sign of an approaching earthquake.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote55" + name="footnote55"></a><b>Footnote 55:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag55">(return)</a> + + <p>See the Appendix on "Ceremonies."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote56" + name="footnote56"></a><b>Footnote 56:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag56">(return)</a> + + <p>See the note on the word Inkiyô, in the story of the + "Prince and the Badger."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote57" + name="footnote57"></a><b>Footnote 57:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag57">(return)</a> + + <p>A shower during sunshine, which we call "the devil + beating his wife," is called in Japan "the fox's bride + going to her husband's house."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote58" + name="footnote58"></a><b>Footnote 58:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag58">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Tengu</i>, or the Heavenly Dog, a hobgoblin who + infests desert places, and is invoked to frighten naughty + little children.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote59" + name="footnote59"></a><b>Footnote 59:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag59">(return)</a> + + <p>This last crime is, of course, now obsolete.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote60" + name="footnote60"></a><b>Footnote 60:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag60">(return)</a> + + <p>The story, which also forms the subject of a play, is + published, but with altered names, in order that offence + may not be given to the Hotta family. The real names are + preserved here. The events related took place during the + rule of the Shogun Iyémitsu, in the first half of + the seventeenth century.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote61" + name="footnote61"></a><b>Footnote 61:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag61">(return)</a> + + <p>A Buddhist deity.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote62" + name="footnote62"></a><b>Footnote 62:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag62">(return)</a> + + <p>Destroyed during the revolution, in the summer of 1868, + by the troops of the Mikado. See note on the tombs of the + Shoguns, at the end of the story.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote63" + name="footnote63"></a><b>Footnote 63:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag63">(return)</a> + + <p>The name assigned after death to Iyétsuna, the + fourth of the dynasty of Tokugawa, who died on the 8th day + of the 5th month of the year A.D. 1680.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote64" + name="footnote64"></a><b>Footnote 64:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag64">(return)</a> + + <p>Buddhist text.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote65" + name="footnote65"></a><b>Footnote 65:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag65">(return)</a> + + <p>The Buddhist Styx, which separates paradise from hell, + across which the dead are ferried by an old woman, for whom + a small piece of money is buried with them.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote66" + name="footnote66"></a><b>Footnote 66:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag66">(return)</a> + + <p>A Buddhist fiend.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote67" + name="footnote67"></a><b>Footnote 67:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag67">(return)</a> + + <p>In the old days, if a noble was murdered, and died + outside his own house, he was disgraced, and his estates + were forfeited. When the Regent of the Shogun was murdered, + some years since, outside the castle of Yedo, by a legal + fiction it was given out that he had died in his own + palace, in order that his son might succeed to his + estates.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote68" + name="footnote68"></a><b>Footnote 68:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag68">(return)</a> + + <p>Level stirrups.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote69" + name="footnote69"></a><b>Footnote 69:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag69">(return)</a> + + <p>In the days of Shogun's power, the Mikado remained the + Fountain of Honour, and, as chief of the national religion + and the direct descendant of the gods, dispensed divine + honours.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote70" + name="footnote70"></a><b>Footnote 70:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag70">(return)</a> + + <table summary="sho and koku" + align="center"> + <tr> + <td>10 Sho = 1 Tô.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>10 Tô = 1 Koku.</td> + </tr> + </table> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote71" + name="footnote71"></a><b>Footnote 71:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag71">(return)</a> + + <p>The apparently poor shaven-pated and blind shampooers of + Japan drive a thriving trade as money-lenders. They give + out small sums at an interest of 20 per cent. per + month—210 per cent. per annum—and woe betide + the luckless wight who falls into their clutches.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote72" + name="footnote72"></a><b>Footnote 72:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag72">(return)</a> + + <p>The road of the Eastern Sea, the famous high-road + leading from Kiyôto to Yedo. The name is also used to + indicate the provinces through which it runs.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote73" + name="footnote73"></a><b>Footnote 73:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag73">(return)</a> + + <p>Mencius.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote74" + name="footnote74"></a><b>Footnote 74:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag74">(return)</a> + + <p>Cats are found in Japan, as in the Isle of Man, with + stumps, where they should have tails. Sometimes this is the + result of art, sometimes of a natural shortcoming. The cats + of Yedo are of bad repute as mousers, their energies being + relaxed by much petting at the hands of ladies. The Cat of + Nabéshima, so says tradition, was a monster with two + tails.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote75" + name="footnote75"></a><b>Footnote 75:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag75">(return)</a> + + <p>The family of the Prince of Hizen, one of the eighteen + chief Daimios of Japan.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote76" + name="footnote76"></a><b>Footnote 76:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag76">(return)</a> + + <p>A restorative in high repute. The best sorts are brought + from Corea.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote77" + name="footnote77"></a><b>Footnote 77:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag77">(return)</a> + + <p>The author of the "Kanzen-Yawa," the book from which the + story is taken.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote78" + name="footnote78"></a><b>Footnote 78:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag78">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Bu</i>. This coin is generally called by foreigners + "ichibu," which means "one bu." To talk of "<i>a hundred + ichibus</i>" is as though a Japanese were to say "<i>a + hundred one shillings."</i> Four bus make a + <i>riyo>,</i> or ounce; and any sum above three bus is + spoken of as so many riyos and bus—as 101 riyos and + three bus equal 407 bus. The bu is worth about 1s. 4d.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote79" + name="footnote79"></a><b>Footnote 79:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag79">(return)</a> + + <p>Inari Sama is the title under which was deified a + certain mythical personage, called Uga, to whom tradition + attributes the honour of having first discovered and + cultivated the rice-plant. He is represented carrying a few + ears of rice, and is symbolized by a snake guarding a bale + of rice grain. The foxes wait upon him, and do his bidding. + Inasmuch as rice is the most important and necessary + product of Japan, the honours which Inari Sama receives are + extraordinary. Almost every house in the country contains + somewhere about the grounds a pretty little shrine in his + honour; and on a certain day of the second month of the + year his feast is celebrated with much beating of drums and + other noises, in which the children take a special delight. + "On this day," says the Ô-Satsuyô, a Japanese + cyclopædia, "at Yedo, where there are myriads upon + myriads of shrines to Inari Sama, there are all sorts of + ceremonies. Long banners with inscriptions are erected, + lamps and lanterns are hung up, and the houses are decked + with various dolls and figures; the sound of flutes and + drums is heard, the people dance and make holiday according + to their fancy. In short, it is the most bustling festival + of the Yedo year."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote80" + name="footnote80"></a><b>Footnote 80:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag80">(return)</a> + + <p>A Buddhist prayer, in which something approaching to the + sounds of the original Sanscrit has been preserved. The + meaning of the prayer is explained as, "Save us, eternal + Buddha!" Many even of the priests who repeat it know it + only as a formula, without understanding it.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote81" + name="footnote81"></a><b>Footnote 81:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag81">(return)</a> + + <p>An island on the west coast of Japan, famous for its + gold mines.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote82" + name="footnote82"></a><b>Footnote 82:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag82">(return)</a> + + <p>The author of the tale.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote83" + name="footnote83"></a><b>Footnote 83:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag83">(return)</a> + + <p><i>Inkiyô</i>, abdication. The custom of + abdication is common among all classes, from the Emperor + down to his meanest subject. The Emperor abdicates after + consultation with his ministers: the Shogun has to obtain + the permission of the Emperor; the Daimios, that of the + Shogun. The abdication of the Emperor was called + <i>Sentô</i>; that of the Shogun, + <i>Oyoshô</i>; in all other ranks it is called + <i>Inkiyô</i>. It must be remembered that the princes + of Japan, in becoming Inkiyô, resign the semblance + and the name, but not the reality of power. Both in their + own provinces and in the country at large they play a most + important part. The ex-Princes of Tosa, Uwajima and Owari, + are far more notable men in Japan than the actual holders + of the titles.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote84" + name="footnote84"></a><b>Footnote 84:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag84">(return)</a> + + <p>Kishimojin, a female deity of the Buddhists.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote85" + name="footnote85"></a><b>Footnote 85:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag85">(return)</a> + + <p>The seven passions are joy, anger, sadness, fear, love, + hatred, and desire.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote86" + name="footnote86"></a><b>Footnote 86:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag86">(return)</a> + + <p>One of the Buddhist classics.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote87" + name="footnote87"></a><b>Footnote 87:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag87">(return)</a> + + <p>Môshi, the Japanese pronunciation of the name of + the Chinese philosopher Mêng Tse, whom Europeans call + Mencius.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote88" + name="footnote88"></a><b>Footnote 88:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag88">(return)</a> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"The moon looks on many brooks;</p> + + <p class="i2">The brooks see but one + moon."—T. MOORE.</p> + </div> + </div> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote89" + name="footnote89"></a><b>Footnote 89:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag89">(return)</a> + + <p>The younger brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who first + established the government of the Shoguns. The battle of + Ichi-no-tani took place in the year A.D. 1184.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote90" + name="footnote90"></a><b>Footnote 90:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag90">(return)</a> + + <p>Literally, "a dance of the Province of Tosa."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote91" + name="footnote91"></a><b>Footnote 91:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag91">(return)</a> + + <p>A famous actor of Yedo, who lived 195 years ago. He was + born at Sakura, in Shimôsa.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote92" + name="footnote92"></a><b>Footnote 92:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag92">(return)</a> + + <p>The ordinary wine-cup holding only a thimbleful, to + drink wine out of teacups is a great piece of + debauchery—like drinking brandy in tumblers.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote93" + name="footnote93"></a><b>Footnote 93:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag93">(return)</a> + + <p>Kôshi is the Japanese pronunciation of the name of + the Chinese philosopher Kung Tsū, or Kung Fu Tsū, + whom we call Confucius.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote94" + name="footnote94"></a><b>Footnote 94:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag94">(return)</a> + + <p>Ancient divisions of China.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote95" + name="footnote95"></a><b>Footnote 95:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag95">(return)</a> + + <p>Wine is almost always drunk hot.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote96" + name="footnote96"></a><b>Footnote 96:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag96">(return)</a> + + <p>A famous gold- and silver-smith of the olden time. A + Benvenuto Cellini among the Japanese. His mark on a piece + of metal work enhances its value tenfold.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote97" + name="footnote97"></a><b>Footnote 97:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag97">(return)</a> + + <p>Curiosities, such as porcelain or enamel or carved jade + from China, are highly esteemed by the Japanese. A great + quantity of the porcelain of Japan is stamped with + counterfeit Chinese marks of the Ming dynasty.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote98" + name="footnote98"></a><b>Footnote 98:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag98">(return)</a> + + <p>An incantation used to invite spiders, which are + considered unlucky by the superstitious, to come again at + the Greek Kalends.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote99" + name="footnote99"></a><b>Footnote 99:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag99">(return)</a> + + <p>Two famous Indian and Chinese physicians.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote100" + name="footnote100"></a><b>Footnote 100:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag100">(return)</a> + + <p>All the temples in China and Japan have guests' + apartments, which may be secured for a trifle, either for a + long or short period. It is false to suppose that there is + any desecration of a sacred shrine in the act of using it + as a hostelry; it is the custom of the country.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote101" + name="footnote101"></a><b>Footnote 101:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag101">(return)</a> + + <p>The second book of Confucius.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote102" + name="footnote102"></a><b>Footnote 102:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag102">(return)</a> + + <p>Ashikaga, third dynasty of Shoguns, flourished from A.D. + 1336 to 1568. The practice of suicide by disembowelling is + of great antiquity. This is the time when the ceremonies + attending it were invented.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote103" + name="footnote103"></a><b>Footnote 103:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag103">(return)</a> + + <p>A bâton with a tassel of paper strips, used for + giving directions in war-time.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote104" + name="footnote104"></a><b>Footnote 104:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag104">(return)</a> + + <p>See the story of the Forty-seven Rônins.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote105" + name="footnote105"></a><b>Footnote 105:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag105">(return)</a> + + <p>No Japanese authority that I have been able to consult + gives any explanation of this singular name.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote106" + name="footnote106"></a><b>Footnote 106:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag106">(return)</a> + + <p>White, in China and Japan, is the colour of + mourning.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote107" + name="footnote107"></a><b>Footnote 107:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag107">(return)</a> + + <p>The principal yashikis (palaces) of the nobles are for + the most part immediately round the Shogun's castle, in the + enclosure known as the official quarter. Their proximity to + the palace forbids their being made the scenes of + executions.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote108" + name="footnote108"></a><b>Footnote 108:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag108">(return)</a> + + <p>A Japanese removes his sword on entering a house, + retaining only his dirk.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote109" + name="footnote109"></a><b>Footnote 109:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag109">(return)</a> + + <p>In Japan, where fires are of daily occurrence, the + fire-buckets and other utensils form part of the gala dress + of the house of a person of rank.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote110" + name="footnote110"></a><b>Footnote 110:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag110">(return)</a> + + <p>Oishi Chikara was separated from his father, who was one + of the seventeen delivered over to the charge of the Prince + of Higo.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote111" + name="footnote111"></a><b>Footnote 111:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag111">(return)</a> + + <p>It should be placed about three feet away from him.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote112" + name="footnote112"></a><b>Footnote 112:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag112">(return)</a> + + <p>Seated himself—that is, in the Japanese fashion, + his knees and toes touching the ground, and his body + resting on his heels. In this position, which is one of + respect, he remained until his death.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote113" + name="footnote113"></a><b>Footnote 113:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag113">(return)</a> + + <p>Cf. Gibbon on Roman Marriages, <i>Decline and Fall of + the Roman Empire</i>, vol. iv. p. 345: "The contracting + parties were seated on the same sheepskin; they tasted a + salt cake of <i>far</i>, or rice; and this + <i>confarreation</i>, which denoted the ancient food of + Italy, served as an emblem of their mystic union of mind + and body."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote114" + name="footnote114"></a><b>Footnote 114:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag114">(return)</a> + + <p>The god who created Japan is called Kunitokodachi no + Mikoto. Seven generations of gods after his time existed + Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto—the first a + god, the second a goddess. As these two divine beings were + standing upon the floating bridge of heaven, two wagtails + came; and the gods, watching the amorous dalliance of the + two birds, invented the art of love. From their union thus + inaugurated sprang the mountains, the rivers, the grass, + the trees, the remainder of the gods, and mankind. Another + fable is, that as the two gods were standing on the + floating bridge of heaven, Izanagi no Mikoto, taking the + heavenly jewelled spear, stirred up the sea, and the drops + which fell from the point of it congealed and became an + island, which was called <i>Onokoro-jima</i>, on which the + two gods, descending from heaven, took up their abode.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote115" + name="footnote115"></a><b>Footnote 115:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag115">(return)</a> + + <p>Each cup contains but a sip.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote116" + name="footnote116"></a><b>Footnote 116:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag116">(return)</a> + + <p>In the island of Takasago, in the province of Harima, + stands a pine-tree, called the "pine of mutual old age." At + the root the tree is single, but towards the centre it + springs into two stems—an old, old pine, models of + which are used at weddings as a symbol that the happy pair + shall reach old age together. Its evergreen leaves are an + emblem of the unchanging constancy of the heart. Figures of + an old man and woman under the tree are the spirits of the + old pine.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote117" + name="footnote117"></a><b>Footnote 117:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag117">(return)</a> + + <p>The partitions of a Japanese suite of apartments being + merely composed of paper sliding-screens, any number of + rooms, according to the size of the house, can be thrown + into one at a moment's notice.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote118" + name="footnote118"></a><b>Footnote 118:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag118">(return)</a> + + <p>A <i>kaioké</i> is a kind of lacquer basin for + washing the hands and face.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote119" + name="footnote119"></a><b>Footnote 119:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag119">(return)</a> + + <p>Women in Japan are delivered in a kneeling position, and + after the birth of the child they remain night and day in a + squatting position, leaning back against a support, for + twenty-one days, after which they are allowed to recline. + Up to that time the recumbent position is supposed to + produce a dangerous rush of blood to the head.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote120" + name="footnote120"></a><b>Footnote 120:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag120">(return)</a> + + <p>This is only a nominal weaning. Japanese children are + not really weaned until far later than is ordinary in + Europe; and it is by no means uncommon to see a mother in + the poorer classes suckling a hulking child of from five to + seven years old. One reason given for this practice is, + that by this means the danger of having to provide for + large families is lessened.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote121" + name="footnote121"></a><b>Footnote 121:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag121">(return)</a> + + <p>For a few days previous to the ceremony the child's head + is not shaved.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote122" + name="footnote122"></a><b>Footnote 122:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag122">(return)</a> + + <p>From <i>Yeboshi</i>, a court cap, and <i>Na</i>, a + name.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote123" + name="footnote123"></a><b>Footnote 123:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag123">(return)</a> + + <p>On the subject of burning the dead, see a note to the + story of Chôbei of Bandzuin.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote124" + name="footnote124"></a><b>Footnote 124:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag124">(return)</a> + + <p>After death a person receives a new name. For instance, + the famous Prince Tokugawa Iyéyasu entered salvation + as Gongen Sama. This name is called <i>okurina</i>, or the + accompanying name.</p> + </blockquote> + <br /> + <br /> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13015 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |