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margin:auto; font-size: 14pt; } - .tnbox {background-color:#E3E4FA;border:1px solid silver;padding: 0.5em; - margin:2em 10% 0 10%; } - .box1 {border-style: solid; border-width:thick; padding: 1em; margin: 0 10% 0 10% } - h1 {font-size: 2em } - h2 {font-size: 1.5em } - .sans {font-family: "Ariel", sans-serif; } - .blackletter {font-family: "Old English Text MT", Gothic, serif; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Kibun Daizin, by Gensai Murai</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<table style='min-width:0; padding:0; margin-left:0; border-collapse:collapse'> - <tr><td>Title:</td><td>Kibun Daizin</td></tr> - <tr><td></td><td>From Shark-Boy to Merchant Prince</td></tr> -</table> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Gensai Murai</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: Masao Yoshida</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: George Varian</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: May 14, 2021 [eBook #65320]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Mary Glenn Krause, Charlene Taylor, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KIBUN DAIZIN ***</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>KIBUN DAIZIN</h1> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div id='i004' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i004.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“As the two boys were steadily gazing, up came the shark”</p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='c004'>KIBUN DAIZIN</span></div> - <div class='c000'>OR</div> - <div class='c000'><em class='gesperrt'><span class='c005'>FROM SHARK-BOY TO</span></em></div> - <div><em class='gesperrt'><span class='c005'>MERCHANT PRINCE</span></em></div> - <div class='c000'>BY</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='c006'>GENSAI MURAI</span></div> - <div class='c000'>TRANSLATED BY MASAO YOSHIDA</div> - <div class='c007'>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS</div> - <div>BY GEORGE VARIAN</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/publogo.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>NEW YORK</div> - <div><span class="blackletter"><span class='xlarge'>The Century Co.</span></span></div> - <div>1904</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>Copyright, 1904, by</div> - <div><span class='sc'>The Century Co.</span></div> - <div>────</div> - <div><i>Published October, 1904.</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sans'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='c008'><span class='sc'>The DeVinne Press.</span></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span> - <h2 class='c009'>PUBLISHERS’ NOTE</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>The Century Co.</span> counts itself fortunate -in being able to present to young readers an -admirable story from the Japanese, written by -one of Japan’s most popular novelists and -filled with the spirit of that great Oriental -nation. The author of this story, Gensai Murai, -was once a student of the Waseda School, -founded by Count Okuma, leader of the Progressive -Party in Japan. There he studied -English Literature as well as Japanese, and -after completing his course of study he was -employed by one of the well-known Tokio -daily papers, called the “Hochi,” to write stories -for it. His writings soon arrested the attention -of the reading circles in Japan. Several of his -novels went through as many as ten editions -within two years.</p> -<p class='c011'>This story of Kibun Daizin is founded upon -the life of Bunzayemon Kinokuniya, a Japanese -merchant of the eighteenth century, whose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>pluck, wisdom, and enterprising spirit made him -one of the most prosperous and respected men -of his time. He is much admired by his countrymen, -and is talked of familiarly, even to this -day, by the Japanese, under the nickname of -“Kibun Daizin.” “Ki” and “Bun” stand for -the initials of his personal and family names, -while “Daizin” means “the wealthiest man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The shrewdness and dauntless ambition of -the young hero of this story will commend him -to the admiration of American boys, and in -Kibun Daizin, as here pictured, they will find -a true representative of the wonderful nation -which, within thirty years, has entirely changed -the modes of life that it had followed for more -than twenty centuries, and has suddenly fallen -into line with the most civilized countries of the -world.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The story was translated especially for <span class='sc'>St. -Nicholas</span>, and many quaint terms and expressions -have been purposely retained, although -the pronunciation and meaning of the Japanese -words are given wherever necessary.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='8%' /> -<col width='80%' /> -<col width='10%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></td> - <td class='c013'> </td> - <td class='c014'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>I</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>An Ambitious Boy</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>II</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>Bunkichi Plans to Kill the Shark</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_23'>23</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>III</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>A Boat Capsized—A Hairbreadth Escape</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_37'>37</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>IV</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>The Tables Turned</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_54'>54</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>V</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>The Battle of Stone Missiles—The Monkeys’ Panic</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>VI</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>The Great Hazard—A Perilous Voyage</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_91'>91</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>VII</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>The Sea-Giant Appears</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_103'>103</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>VIII</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>An Eccentric Fellow</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>IX</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>The Great Conflagration—The Charity “Bento”</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='fss'>X</span></td> - <td class='c013'><span class='sc'>Ambition Satisfied—The Merchant Prince</span></td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#Page_151'>151</a></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span> - <h2 class='c009'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='89%' /> -<col width='10%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c013'> </td> - <td class='c014'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>As the two boys were steadily gazing, up came the shark</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i004'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>“If you please, sir, are you the head of the Daikokuya?”</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i019'>5</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>“Why, it’s just like a real dragon-fly!” she cried, with delight</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i031'>17</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>The lad was in the air, suspended by the rope</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i063'>49</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>Putting a rope round the body of the shark</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i071'>57</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>As though they were stricken by thunder at the boy’s words, down they tumbled on the ground</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i083'>69</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>Giving him a helping hand, Bunkichi led the man along to the next village</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i091'>77</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>Hundreds of monkeys had drawn a circle around three men, whom they were pelting with a shower of stones</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i097'>83</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>He drew his sword and ran toward the monster</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i125'>111</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>Bunzayemon then put on a lordly air</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i143'>129</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>Matahachi in the great fire at Yedo</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i157'>143</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c013'>“I have no words in which to express my thanks to you”</td> - <td class='c014'><a href='#i173'>159</a></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>KIBUN DAIZIN</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c007'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span><span class='c015'>KIBUN DAIZIN</span></div> - <div class='c000'>OR</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>FROM SHARK-BOY TO MERCHANT PRINCE</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER I<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>AN AMBITIOUS BOY</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-i.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -“IF you please, sir,—”</p> - -<p class='c011'>And, attracted by a voice -behind him, a well-dressed -gentleman turned round and -saw a boy of about thirteen or fourteen -hurrying toward him,—“if you please, -sir, are you the head of the Daikokuya<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c018'><sup>[1]</sup></a>?”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f1'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. </span>Pronounced Dy-ko-koo’ya, meaning “dry-goods house.”</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, I am,” answered the gentleman, -eying the boy with surprise. “What can -I do for you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I come from Kada-no-Ura,” said the -boy, making a polite bow, “and I wish to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>ask you a great favor. Will you please -take me into your shop as an apprentice?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Your request is rather a strange one,” -said the gentleman, smiling. “Pray tell -me why it is that you wish to come to me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The boy raised his head. “Oh, sir, -yours is the chief business house in Kumano, -and I would be so glad if I might -learn under you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You wish to become a business man, -do you?” said the gentleman, with a -friendly nod; upon which the boy drew -himself up and exclaimed, “Yes; I mean, -if I can, to become the leading merchant -in Japan!”</p> - -<div id='i019' class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span> -<img src='images/i019.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“‘If you please, sir, are you the head of the Daikokuya?’”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The master of the Daikokuya instinctively -studied the boy’s face. There was a -certain nobleness and intelligence about it; -he had well-cut features, a firmness about -the lips, and quick-glancing eyes, and, -although his clothing showed poverty, his -bearing was quiet and his speech refined. -These things confirmed the gentleman in -the opinion that the boy was not the son -of any common man; and having, as the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>employer of many hands, a quick eye to -read character, he said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Very good, my boy! So you mean -to become the leading merchant in Japan? -A fine notion, to be sure. However, before -I engage a boy, you know, I must -have somebody to recommend him, and he -must give me references. Have you any -relatives in this place?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, sir; I know no one,” answered the -boy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, where have you been until -now?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I have only just come from my country. -The fact is, I heard your name, sir, -some time ago, and being very anxious to -enter your service, I left my country all by -myself to come to Kumano. But I have -not a single acquaintance here, nor anybody -to whom I can turn. My only object -was to come straight to you; and I was -asking a man on the road if he could direct -me to your house, when the man pointed -to you and said, ‘Why, that gentleman -just ahead of us is the master of the Daikokuya.’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>And that is how it comes that -I ran up to you all of a sudden in this rude -way.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>There was a charm in the free utterance -with which the boy told his story, and, having -listened to it, the gentleman said: “I -understand. It is all right. As you have -no friends here, I will do without a recommendation, -and you shall come just as you -are”; and, saying this, he brought the lad -back with him to his house.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The Daikokuya, you must know, was -the chief clothing establishment, or “dry-goods -house,” in Kumano, and did a larger -business than any other in the town. On -arriving there, the master took the boy -with him into an inner room, and, telling -his wife what had taken place, called the -boy to his side. “Tell me, my boy, what -is your name?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My name is Bunkichi.”<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c018'><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f2'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. </span>Pronounced Boon-kee’chee.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Are your parents living?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>At this question the boy hung his head -sorrowfully. “I have neither father nor -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>mother,” he answered, with a choking -voice and eyes filled with tears.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Filled with pity, the others asked him -how long he had been left alone in the -world.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I lost my mother,” he said, “more -than three years ago, and my father only -quite recently.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And what was your family? Were -you farmers or tradesmen?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Neither one nor the other. My father -formerly served under the Lord of Wakayama, -and received an allowance of eight -hundred <i>koku</i><a id='r3' /><a href='#f3' class='c018'><sup>[3]</sup></a> of rice. His name was -Igarashi Bunzayemon;<a id='r4' /><a href='#f4' class='c018'><sup>[4]</sup></a> but, losing his -position, he came to Kada-no-Ura, where -we had to live in a very poor way. My -father, however, would never allow me to -forget that the ancestor of our house was -Igarashi Kobunji,<a id='r5' /><a href='#f5' class='c018'><sup>[5]</sup></a> who served in old days -at Kamakura, and gained a name for himself -as a brave warrior. ‘And when you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>become a man,’ my father used to say, -‘you must win your way to fame, and so -uphold the honor of the family; but, unlike -the past, our lot to-day is cast in peaceful -times when there is little chance of winning -distinction in arms; but become, if -you can, the leading merchant in Japan, -and you will bring honor to our house.’ -Such was my father’s counsel to me, and -not long since he was taken with a severe -illness and died. And now, if you please, -I wish to learn the ways of business, that -I may become a merchant, and I have journeyed -to Kumano to throw myself on your -kindness.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f3'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. </span>One <i>koku</i> equals about five bushels.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f4'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. </span>Pronounced Ee-gar-ash’ee Boon-zy’e-mon.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f5'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. </span>Pronounced Ee-gar-ash’ee Ko-boon’jee.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The gentleman listened to the boy’s -clear account of himself and expressed his -admiration. “Ah! I was right, I see, -when I thought you were not the son of -an ordinary man. Your ambition to become -the chief merchant in Japan is a -high one, certainly; but the proverb says, -‘Ants aspire to the skies,’ and anything -is possible to a man who puts his whole -heart into his work. You are still quite -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>young, I should say, though you have -come all the way from Kada-no-Ura by -yourself, and though you talk of your affairs -in a manner that would reflect credit -on a grown-up man. Come, tell me, how -old are you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I am fourteen,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What, not more than that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>And the master’s wife, who was by his -side, could not repress her surprise, either.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At this point the <i>shoji</i>, or paper sliding -doors, opened, and in ran a pretty little -girl of about eleven. Her hair was drawn -up into a little butterfly device on the top -of her head, which shook to and fro as she -ran up to her mother. Stretching out a -small maple-leaf hand, with a winsome -look, she said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Mother, please give me a cake.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, my dear, where are your manners? -What will our young friend here -think of you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>At this the child looked around, and, for -the first time becoming aware of the boy’s -presence, turned shy and sat down. Looking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>gently in her face, her mother then -asked her what she had been doing. -Afraid of the stranger, she whispered in -her mother’s ear: “I have been playing -<i>oni</i><a id='r6' /><a href='#f6' class='c018'><sup>[6]</sup></a> with Sadakichi in the garden. But -I don’t like Sadakichi. When he was the -<i>oni</i> he just caught me at once.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f6'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. </span>A play similar to tag or prisoner’s base.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“But that often happens in playing -<i>oni</i>,” said the mother, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, but he does it too much; he has -no right to catch people in the way he does, -and I don’t wish to play with him any -more.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, if that is so, how would you like -to play with Bunkichi here instead?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Accepting it as one of the duties that -might fall to him, to act as the child’s companion -and caretaker, Bunkichi, rather -pleased than otherwise, offered to go out -and try to amuse her. The little girl -looked into her mother’s face, and then at -Bunkichi. “Mama, how long has he been -here?” she asked in a low voice.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He only came to-day, but he’s a fine -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>boy, and I hope you’ll be a good little girl -and show him the garden.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But the child’s thoughts seemed suddenly -to take a new turn, and, sidling up -to her mother, she begged to be given a -cake. The mother opened the little drawer -of the <i>hibachi</i>,<a id='r7' /><a href='#f7' class='c018'><sup>[7]</sup></a> and, taking out two or -three sugar-plums, put them into her hand. -The child then, with barely a glance at -Bunkichi, ran through the <i>shoji</i> out of -doors.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f7'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. </span>Pronounced he-bah’chee. A wooden fire-box where a -charcoal fire is kept for warming the hands.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Take care and don’t stumble,” her -mother called out. “Do you mind just seeing -after her?” she said to Bunkichi, who -at once got up and went out on the veranda.</p> - -<p class='c011'>No sooner was Chocho Wage,<a id='r8' /><a href='#f8' class='c018'><sup>[8]</sup></a> or -“Butterfly Curls” (so named from the -way in which her hair was dressed), outside -in the garden than she began quarreling -with the boy from the shop. “No, -Sadakichi; I’m not going to play with you. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>Mama says that the other boy who has -just come is a fine boy, and I’m going to -play with him.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f8'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. </span>Pronounced Cho’cho Wah’gay.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“What! another boy has come, has -he?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes; there he is. Go and fetch him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sadakichi called to Bunkichi, “You will -find some <i>geta</i><a id='r9' /><a href='#f9' class='c018'><sup>[9]</sup></a> there, if you will come -out.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f9'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. </span>Pronounced gay’tah. Foot-wear or wooden clogs.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>So Bunkichi came out to the garden.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was not a very large one, but it was -a pretty spot, for beyond it sparkled the -bay that lay at the back of Kumano. Bunkichi -had soon joined the two others, and -Sadakichi, turning to the little child, said, -“Well, shall we three play at <i>oni</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No,” she answered; “you are always -catching me, and I don’t care to play.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I won’t catch you, then, Chocho, if you -don’t like it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“All the same, I’d rather not.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>A thought struck Bunkichi, and, addressing -himself to the child, he said: -“Would you like me to make you something? -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>I would if I only had a knife and -some bamboo.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The child was at once interested, and -told Sadakichi to go and get what was -wanted. So Sadakichi strolled off and -brought a knife and some bamboo chips. -“Now, then, what are you going to -make?” said he.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“A nice bamboo dragon-fly,” Bunkichi -answered; and, taking the knife, he split a -bit of the bamboo, shaved it fine and -smooth, and fixed a little peg in the middle -of it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sadakichi, quickly guessing what it was, -said: “Ah, it’s a dragon-fly. I know! I -once went with the <i>banto</i><a id='r10' /><a href='#f10' class='c018'><sup>[10]</sup></a> to Kada-no-Ura, -and every one there was flying those -dragon-flies, and, now I think of it, the -boy who was selling them looked just like -you.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f10'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. </span>Clerk.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Not a bit disconcerted, Bunkichi replied: -“Yes, you are quite right. I was -the boy who made them and was selling -them.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>“Bah! Mr. Dragon-fly-seller!” blustered -out Sadakichi, with a face of disgust.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t speak like that,” said the little -girl, turning sharply upon him, and then -to Bunkichi: “What made you sell -them?” she asked, speaking out to him for -the first time.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My father was ill in bed,” he answered, -continuing to scrape the bamboo, -“and, as our family was poor, I managed -to buy him rice and medicine by selling -these dragon-flies.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Child as she was, this touching story of -filial piety made her respect Bunkichi all -the more.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, wasn’t that good of him!” she -said, turning to Sadakichi. “Do you -think you could have done it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I—yes; only there would have been -no need for me to sell dragon-flies. I -should have sold the wearing-things in -our shop,” he answered, arrogantly.</p> - -<div id='i031' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i031.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“‘Why, it’s just like a real dragon-fly!’ she cried, with delight”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi had now finished making the -dragon-fly, and, holding it between his -hands, he spun it round, and up it went into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>the air with a whirring sound, and lighted -on the ground again some five or six paces -away.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, it’s just like a real dragon-fly!” -cried the child, with delight. “Do let me -have it!” And, taking it in her hands, she -tried to set it flying, but she could only -make it go up a little way.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then Sadakichi, wishing to try his -hand, pushed forward. “Let me have it,” -he said, “and I’ll show you how well I -can do it”; and, seizing hold of it, with the -force of both hands he sent it flying high -into the air. “There, now—see how it -goes!” and, while the little girl was watching -it with delight, the dragon-fly flew -over the wall fence and dropped into the -water beyond.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The little child ran after it, followed by -Sadakichi and Bunkichi. There was a little -gate in the garden, opening on a jetty. -Through this they passed and stood together -on the plank, watching the dragon-fly -tossing about on the water.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, I wish we could get it,” said the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>little girl, looking at it wistfully; “if it -would only come just in front of us!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Take care,” said Sadakichi, holding -her back, while the dragon-fly, bobbing up -and down among the ripples, gradually -drifted farther off.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Now Bunkichi, seeing there was a small -boat lying alongside the jetty, had said to -Sadakichi, “Let me row out and get it,” -and was drawing the boat toward him, -when he was abruptly stopped by Sadakichi. -“No, no; you mustn’t think of putting -out from the shore. If you do, you -are certain to be eaten up by the <i>wanizame</i>.”<a id='r11' /><a href='#f11' class='c018'><sup>[11]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f11'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. </span>Pronounced wah-ne-zah’may, meaning a huge shark.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, it’s quite true,” chimed in the -little girl. “There’s a horrid <i>wanizame</i> -that prevents any one going on the sea. -Only yesterday it captured somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes—a young man from the brewery,” -said Sadakichi. “He had some barrels -in his boat, and he had gone only two -or three hundred yards when the shark -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>came up and overturned his boat and -seized him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It doesn’t matter about the dragon-fly; -I don’t want it; let us go back to the -house.” And the little child, frightened in -good earnest, took hold of Bunkichi’s arm.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was the first time Bunkichi had heard -about the <i>wanizame</i>. “Is it really true, -miss, that there is a <i>wanizame</i> in the -bay?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes; I can tell you it’s very serious. -I don’t know how many people it has eaten -in the last month.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Really! But how big is it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t know what you would call -big,” broke in Sadakichi. “But it’s about -as big as this house. If it sees a small -boat, it overtakes it in no time and topples -it over, and if it is a big boat it gets -in the way and stops it so that it can’t -move, and so the fishermen can’t go out, -and no cargo can come into the port. I -suppose it must be want of food that has -brought it into this harbor; but, however -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>that may be, it thinks nothing of upsetting -the small craft, so that for a month no one -has ventured out at all. Well, there was -the brewer’s man. Yesterday he thought -it would be safe to go just a short distance, -but he very soon got swallowed up. -And what is the consequence? Why, the -fishing is stopped, and there’s no trade, -and the place is going to ruin. The fishermen -and hunters have tried over and over -again to kill it with spikes and guns and -with all kinds of things. But what is the -use? Their weapons only snap in two or -glance off its back, and they only get killed -themselves. So they have given up trying.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi listened to every word, and -then suddenly went into the house and -stood before the master.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER II<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>BUNKICHI PLANS TO KILL THE SHARK</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-t.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -THE master and his wife were -engaged in conversation, but -on seeing Bunkichi the merchant -said, “Well, have you -been to see the garden?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thank you, I have enjoyed it very -much,” answered Bunkichi, politely.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, bless me, he has all the manners -of a little <i>samurai</i><a id='r12' /><a href='#f12' class='c018'><sup>[12]</sup></a>!” exclaimed the master -to his wife. “There is no comparison -between him and the other boys. But -dancing attendance on a little girl is not -the sort of employment for a lad who has -the ambition to become the leading merchant -in Japan. No, no; he wants to get -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>into the shop as soon as he can and learn -the ways of business—eh, my boy?”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f12'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. </span>Pronounced sahm’oo-rye. The <i>samurai</i> were the military -class of Japan, corresponding to the knights of the middle -ages in European countries.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The master exactly interpreted Bunkichi’s -wishes, and Bunkichi felt very grateful -to him, but he only answered: “I shall -esteem it a great favor to be allowed to -serve you in any way. But, master, with -your leave, I would ask you: Is it true, -as I hear, that there is a <i>wanizame</i> lately -come into this bay, and that people are -suffering a lot of harm from it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ah, me! Yes, it’s a sore trouble, that -<i>wanizame</i>; our fishermen are doing nothing, -our boat traffic is stopped, and if -things go on in this way the place will be -ruined. All sorts of attempts have been -made to kill it, but, alas! all to no purpose.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then respectfully, in a kneeling posture, -approaching nearer, Bunkichi thus addressed -his master: “Master, in the request -I am now going to make of you, I -fear you will put me down as a child with -a vain, childish notion of doing great -things; none the less, I am bold to ask you, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>in all seriousness, will you give me leave -to attempt the destruction of this <i>wanizame</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master exclaimed in astonishment: -“What! You think that you are going -to kill the <i>wanizame</i>? It would be the -greatest thing in the world if you could, -but already every means has been tried. -Whaling-men have tried to kill it with -their harpoons, the hunters of wild game -on the mountains have tried to shoot it -with their guns; but the <i>wanizame</i> has -defeated all their schemes, and, to say -nothing of the money it has cost, several -men have lost their lives in their attempts -to kill it, and our citizens have given it -up as hopeless. Son of a <i>samurai</i> though -you may be, this is no task for a boy of -thirteen or fourteen. No; you may have -seen in the seas around Kada-no-Ura -sharks of four or five feet in length, but -just go out to the hill above the town and -look over the bay until you catch sight of -our monster. The very sight of it is -enough to terrify most people.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>“You mistake me, master,” said Bunkichi, -sitting up straight. “I have no -thought of trying my strength against the -<i>wanizame</i>. But I have a trick in my mind -I should like to play, if you would allow -me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, it’s a trick, is it? And what is -the trick our crafty youngster is going to -propose for killing the <i>wanizame</i>, I should -like to know?” said the master, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The plan I have is simply this: First, -to make a straw figure and to fill up the -inside with poison. Then I shall dress it -in a man’s clothes and take it out into -the bay, and, when we see the shark coming, -throw it out to him to eat. Sharks -are senseless creatures and ready to eat -anything, so he is sure to swallow the -straw man, and if he does the poison will -at once take effect and kill him. That’s -my plan; what do you think of it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes; I think your plan of making a -straw man is not at all a bad one, and I -have little doubt, as you say, that the shark -would swallow it. In that case it would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>certainly die and we should be free at -last from our great calamity. But wait -a minute; I am afraid, when the doll is -made, there is nobody who will venture to -take it out to the sea. People have had so -many bitter lessons from trying to kill this -shark that, however much money you offer, -no one, I fear, will agree to take it -out into the bay.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi without any hesitation replied: -“I will undertake the task of taking -the doll out for the shark to swallow. -As I grew up by the seaside at Kada-no-Ura, -I can row a boat well and can swim -better than most people. I saw a boat just -now fastened at the jetty in your garden. -Please lend it to me and I will go out alone -upon the bay.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Astonished by the audaciousness of the -lad, the master said: “It is too wild an -idea, my boy. What if the shark upsets -your boat? He will swallow you up in an -instant.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“As to what you say about drowning, -that doesn’t disturb me at all. Suppose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>I have no luck and lose my life, there is -nothing to be regretted if by my death I -succeed in removing the great calamity -under which many are now suffering. -And, as I said before, it is my determination -to become the leading merchant of -Japan; but if I am to realize my ambition -I must be prepared to run many risks. If -fortune favors me I shall come safe -through them and attain my object; if, -however, this first venture goes against -me, and I go out to sea and fall a prey to -the <i>wanizame</i>, it simply means that I must -accept it as the decree of fate, and, as far -as my life is concerned, I am quite ready -to risk it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master, who was much struck by -his fearless determination, worthy of the -boy’s descent, said to him, “Indeed, your -magnanimity is greater than ours, but for -that very reason we should be all the more -sorry to lose you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Saying this, he turned round to his wife, -who whispered in his ear: “I quite agree -with you: if he be swallowed up by the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>shark, we couldn’t possibly get another -like him; send some other one instead!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Just then in came the girl, attended by -Sadakichi, who had long been waiting for -the boy, and said, “Bunkichi, please be -quick and make me another dragon-fly.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Her mother, however, at once stopped -the girl, saying: “Come, come; Bunkichi -has something else to think about besides -dragon-flies: he’s just saying that he -wants to go out to sea and kill the <i>wanizame</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The girl was startled, for she was only -a child. “Does he go alone?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, that is what he says he will do.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t, please, mother; I don’t like your -sending him to sea.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, my child?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I want him to make me a bamboo -dragon-fly.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>His curiosity aroused at hearing the little -girl speak of the dragon-fly, the father -said, “What do you wish him to make for -you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, father, it’s a bamboo dragon-fly—an -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>amusing toy which flies up high, -whizzing,” was her confident answer.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ah, I see,” he remarked, as he understood -the girl’s request; “that flying bamboo -thing I often see when I go out on -the streets. The toy, I remember, was first -made by a boy of great filial virtue in a -certain country district, and even here they -talk about him; it is clever of you, Bunkichi, -to have learned how to make them.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then Sadakichi interrupted, saying: -“No wonder! Why, he was the hawker -of the toy; I know all about it, as I saw -him selling it at Kada-no-Ura.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Are you, then, the inventor of the -toy?” asked the master, to whom the boy -at once replied in the affirmative. The -master, who was more than ever struck -by the boy’s character, said, “Are you, -then, the same boy whom all the people -talk about and praise for his devotion to -his parent?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then the girl, who remembered what -had been told her a little while before, said: -“Father, his family was very poor, and, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>as his father was laid up on his sick-bed, -he sold those dragon-flies and bought -medicine or a little rice for the family. -He told me so.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As she was listening to this conversation, -tears stood in the mother’s eyes, and -she said: “He is really a model boy, is he -not? I can’t possibly let him go to sea.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master, who was much of the same -way of thinking as his wife, answered, -“Of course, I have been persuading him -to give up his idea”; and, turning to Bunkichi, -said, “Yes, do give it up, my boy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>And the girl, seemingly with the intention -of inspiring the boy with dread and -deterring him from his purpose, remarked -solemnly, “Oh, it is dreadful to be swallowed -by the shark on going to sea!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, having once determined, was -immovable. “Sir, trading to a merchant -is the same that fighting is to a knight. It -has been ever regarded honorable in a -knight that he should hazard his life many -a time, even in his early youth. If fate be -against him, he will be put to death by his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>enemy. The knights of old faced the dangerous -issues of life or death as often as -they went out to battle. As they attained -to renown by passing through these ordeals, -so, too, must the merchant who -aspires after a leading position not shrink -from braving many dangers in his life. -Sir, methinks the present is the opportunity -given me to try my hand; and if fate -sides with me and I succeed in killing the -<i>wanizame</i>, in future I shall have courage -to venture out on other great undertakings. -If one begins to be nervous at the -outset, one will go on being nervous forever; -but there is no fear, I think, for a -man who is ready to sacrifice even his own -life.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master, meeting with such unflinching -determination, knew not how to -stop him, but said: “I must confess you -have more in you than I thought. I am -ashamed of myself to be thus taught by -you the secret of success in trade when I -should be in a position to teach you. Well -said, my boy; trading is to a business man -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>what fighting is to a knight. If you begin -by being weak and timid, you will never -be capable of bold enterprise. If you have -a mind to divine your future by embarking -on this exploit, go in for it with all your -might. As to the preparations for making -the straw man, as far as buying the -poison is concerned, I will do it all for you. -You had better go up to the mountain -yonder, and ascertain the place where the -shark is generally to be seen coming up -to the surface. You, Sadakichi, had better -take him up to the Sumiyoshi<a id='r13' /><a href='#f13' class='c018'><sup>[13]</sup></a> bluff, -and point him out the monster if it should -come up and show itself on the surface of -the water in the mouth of the harbor.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f13'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. </span>Pronounced Soo-mee-yo’shee.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, who was much delighted at -having gained his wish, said: “Then, sir, -please let an apothecary prepare a lot of -drugs which are likely to be the best poison -for a <i>wanizame</i>, and I will go and have a -lookout for the appearance of the monster.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As he was about to start, the girl asked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>him, in a little voice of remonstrance, -“But when will you make a dragon-fly for -me, Bunkichi?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“When I come back, miss,” was his reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Come, come; he can’t be bothered -about such a trifle now,” said her mother.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Meanwhile the two lads, Bunkichi and -Sadakichi, hand in hand, went up to the -Sumiyoshi bluff, which stood just outside -the town on the eastern side of Kumano -Bay. The mountain rose precipitously -from the sea, whose fathomless water -washed its southern base. A thick forest -of pines covered the mountain, and the -vibrating of their needle foliage in the -breeze added a strange harp-like accompaniment -to the perpetual roaring of the -waves below. On reaching the summit, -Bunkichi threw himself down on a knotty -root of pine near the edge of a precipice -and gazed out on the broad expanse -of Kumano Bay. As far as his view -reached, no shore could be descried; only -the line where the dome of the azure sky -circled the deep blue of the ocean.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>After sitting thus in silent contemplation -for a few minutes, Bunkichi suddenly -turned round and said to Sadakichi: “Sea -scenery is always fine to look at, isn’t it? -I am fond of this sort of rough sea. I -should like to have a swim in it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t talk such nonsense; you would -no sooner get into it than you would be -swamped,” was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s just what I like. I should dive -deep down into the water and get out of -the whirlpool. And now, tell me where it -is the <i>wanizame</i> generally pops out its -head.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It generally comes out just below this -headland,” the other answered, “at the -mouth of the harbor.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the two boys were steadily gazing on -the surface of the water, sure enough, up -came the shark, and startled Sadakichi by -cleaving the water with its back. Whether -it was in frolic or in quest of prey, the -monster swam to and fro, now showing its -head and now its tail. Its rock-like back -and its iron-like fins were horrible enough -to inspire even men with awe.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>Sadakichi, feeling nervous at the sight, -said to his companion, “Bunkichi San, -now you see the monster, you will be for -giving up your grand job, I fancy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What! You don’t suppose I’m frightened, -do you,” was his scornful retort, “at -the sight of such a little fish?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What do you say?” said the other.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, if the chance came in my way, I -might even kill a leviathan or a crocodile!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As these two were thus talking, a gust -of wind from the high Nachi Mountain -swept down on the forest of Sumiyoshi -and awakened the myriad tiny harps of the -pines, while the waves rolled one after -another against the rocks below. These -sounds combined to drown the voices of the -lads, one of whom seemed to be persuading -the other that it was time to go back, while -the other seemed to be insisting on staying -a little longer to enjoy the wild scenery -and to think over the issues of his scheme.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER III<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>A BOAT CAPSIZED—A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-t.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -THE master of the Daikokuya, -who had been much struck by -the wisdom and courage of -Bunkichi, lost no time in -going to an apothecary to get plenty of -the poisonous stuff for the <i>wanizame</i>, -while he ordered some of his men to prepare -the straw dummy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In course of time the two lads, Bunkichi -and Sadakichi, came back from Sumiyoshi -bluff. The master welcomed them -into his own room, and said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How now, Bunkichi? Did you see -the shark?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir, I saw it,” was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And now that you have seen the monster -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>are you less disposed to go out to -sea?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No; on the contrary,” replied the lad, -“I am the more ready to go.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Isn’t that obstinacy on your part?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not in the least, sir,” the lad said, as -he drew himself up; “the greater the opponent, -the greater the interest and -strength that are called for; and I am -about to do this at the risk of my life. I -well observed the spot where the shark -comes up, and noticed a large pine-tree -which projects over the sea from the -precipice. If some one will let fall a stout -rope from one of its branches, I will row -over to it, and there I shall entice the -shark to swallow the straw dummy; then -if the shark, in plunging about, should -upset my boat, I shall take hold of the -rope and climb or be hauled up the precipice.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master, who was once more struck -by words which showed so much sagacity -as well as courage, said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s a very good idea of yours. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>Then this is what we shall decide to do, -is it? I shall send out some of my young -men to the Sumiyoshi bluff to fix a rope -to the pine branch from the precipice, and -you will tie the rope to your waist before -you go out on your venture. I and others -will stand upon the cliff and watch you, -and should you be in danger of being -swallowed by the monster, we shall lose -no time in hauling you up. Is that to be -our plan of action?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, that’s the plan,” was the boy’s -reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, then, I have bought the poison, -and can soon have ready as many as three -dummies. When do you think of setting -out?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now, at once,” answered Bunkichi.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That is rushing it too quickly, my lad. -Wouldn’t it be better for you to wait -till to-morrow?” remonstrated the master.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Unless things of this kind are done -quickly and made easy work of, some obstacles -may arise and frustrate our plans; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>so I will just do it with as little concern as -you snap your fingers,” said the lad.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You can’t do things so lightly as you -say,” was the master’s reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>And his wife, who had been listening, -and who regretted having given her consent -to the boy’s rash project, added: -“Bunkichi, do stay at home to-day and -spend it in preparation and do the work -to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>And the little girl also said: “I don’t -care for your going to sea.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But Bunkichi, having once made up his -mind in the matter, was not to be moved -by any one’s entreaties.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then, by your leave, sir,” he said, -“I will take that little boat at the jetty.” -And without more delay he rose up to -go.</p> - -<p class='c011'>His master knew not how to stop him, -but said: “No, no; that small boat is dangerous; -and, if you must go, you had better -go out in the <i>temmabune</i>.”<a id='r14' /><a href='#f14' class='c018'><sup>[14]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f14'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. </span>Pronounced Tem-mah-bonn’ay. A larger boat.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“No, sir,” said the lad; “the <i>temmabune</i> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>is too big for me to row alone, so I -prefer the small one.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But I am in great concern about your -personal safety if you go alone,” said the -master. “I will give ten <i>rio</i> to any one -who will go with you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Though he quickly made known this -offer to the members of his household as -well as among his neighbors, no one ventured -to offer himself on account of the -people’s repeated and terrible experiences. -Bunkichi soothed his master, saying that -he was much freer if left to act by himself -than he would be if there were others -with him. Quickly putting the three dummies -into the small boat outside the garden -gate, with marvelous coolness, as if -he were going out for pleasure, he said: -“Good-by, everybody; I will go now, and -be back again soon.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master, who was first to stir, led -out to the jetty some of his young men -as well as some strong coolies. Three or -four big ropes having been made ready, -he said:</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>“Now, Bunkichi, tie one of these to -your waist.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s no use, sir, till I get near the -mountain,” replied the lad, but the master -said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But just think, if on your way out -the shark should turn up! We shall pull -you along the coast while you will row -as near as you can to the land.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, who couldn’t resist the master’s -persuasion, let him tie the rope round -his waist, and the master himself took -hold of the end of it and together with -others went along the shore toward Sumiyoshi -bluff.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, having been brought up at -the seaside, was an excellent rower, but -as they pulled along the rope he rowed -but slightly. Suddenly he took out a dagger -which had been handed down from -his ancestors and unsheathed it, smiling as -he noted the temper of the steel.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Who spread the news no one knew, yet -the people in the town came out in a -crowd, and every one was surprised to see -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>a boy, alone in a boat, sallying forth to kill -the monster.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Isn’t he a wonderfully courageous -boy!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He is no common boy. Perhaps he -may yet be as famous as our great hero -Kato Kiyomasa.”<a id='r15' /><a href='#f15' class='c018'><sup>[15]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f15'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. </span>The conqueror of Korea in 594 <span class='fss'>A.D.</span></p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Isn’t he cool!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hasn’t he wonderful presence of -mind!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Such expressions as these escaped from -everybody’s lips. Thus praising him as -they went along, the crowd followed the -master.</p> - -<p class='c011'>From among the crowd an old woman -stepped out with a rosary in one -hand and said to the master:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sir, please let me hold the rope, -<i>Namu-Ami-Dabutsu</i>.”<a id='r16' /><a href='#f16' class='c018'><sup>[16]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f16'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. </span>An expression used in one of the Buddhistic prayers. -Among a certain class of Japanese it was believed that by repeating -this phrase frequently their chances of going to heaven -were increased.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The young men turned to her and said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ill omen! Don’t say such a thing as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span><i>Namu-Ami-Dabutsu</i>. This is not the -rope for you to pull.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In spite of the taunt she still muttered -the sacred charm of the Buddha sect, saying:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But do let me hold it. I am the leader -in pulling timbers for the repairing of the -Hongwanzi<a id='r17' /><a href='#f17' class='c018'><sup>[17]</sup></a> temple. Yet I must have -my share, because I am sure that the lad -is a hero sent by Buddha himself to save -us from our troubles. <i>Namu-Ami-Dabutsu</i>,” -repeated the woman.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f17'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r17'>17</a>. </span>The headquarters of the Buddhist religion in Kioto.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Just then a maid-servant carrying a little -girl on her back came along the shore -after the woman. The latter turned to the -little girl and said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ah, you are the daughter of the Daikokuya. -Do you want to pull this rope, -too? <i>Namu-Ami-Da—</i>”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The girl wouldn’t listen to her words, -but, looking intently at the boat in the distance, -called out aloud, “Bunkichi!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The other bystanders, who heard the -name for the first time, said: “Ah, his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>name is Bunkichi, is it?” and at once -shouted, “Bunkichi Daimiozin,” which is -a title they give to the gods.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The lad, taking little notice of the stir -on the shore, soon came to the foot of the -bluff. The master and others went up -the hillside along the edge of the precipice, -while the lad began to prepare for -his task.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The long summer day was already declining -and a cool breeze from the far -ocean blew about his broad sleeves, and -the voice of the crowd grew fainter and -fainter as, hidden by the pine-trees, they -wound their way up to the top of the hill. -Yet now and then Bunkichi heard his -master’s voice faintly calling to him, to -which he made reply to assure him of his -safety. Looking out toward the ocean -there was no sail or boat to be seen, probably -owing to the people’s fear of meeting -the shark. A checkered bank of white -and dark clouds was massed on the sky -above the horizon, while the waves chased -one another below.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>Any ordinary man would have quailed -at such a scene as this; but Bunkichi, with -no sign of nervousness, put the straw -figures in the bow of the boat and proceeded -toward the place where the shark -usually made its appearance. He could -now see the master and others above the -precipice as they began attaching the rope -to a strong limb of the sturdy pine which -projected seaward. Thus all the preparations -were made for hauling him up -at the given signal, while the lad was also -preparing himself for the encounter and -reconnoitering the scene from his boat.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At last the iron-like fin of the monster -was seen to cleave the water. Apparently -rejoiced at the sight of a man, as Bunkichi’s -figure must have been now and then -reflected on the water, the shark in quest -of prey raised its head above the water -and made for the boat.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Come on, you villain,” muttered the -lad, who stood up in the bow with the -dummy in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The terror-stricken young men at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>top of the precipice no sooner saw the -monster than they were on the point of -pulling up the rope; but the master stayed -them, saying: “Steady, men, steady! -Wait till he gives us a signal.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master anxiously watched the lad’s -action, while the crowd hardly breathed -as they stood still with hands clenched.</p> - -<p class='c011'>With a splash, Bunkichi threw the figure -in the way of the <i>wanizame</i>; the -shark turned over, the white portion of -its body gleamed, and it snapped the -stuffed figure, drawing it under the water. -Up it came again, and the lad threw out -the second dummy; but the monster did -not take any notice of it, but made straight -for the lad. Above, on the top of the precipice, -the master awaited Bunkichi’s signal -with breathless interest, but no signal was -given yet. With his dagger drawn in one -hand and raising the third straw figure in -the other, Bunkichi threw it at the enemy’s -head. Whether it was that the poison -was already taking effect or that the -charm of the noted sword frightened the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>monster, it turned back on a sudden and -retreated a few yards. Before the anxious -crowd could divine the next movements -of the shark, it began to plunge -about in and out of the water on the farther -side of the boat. Then, seemingly -in agony, it swam about with almost lightning -speed, now toward the shore and now -toward the ocean, and the sea became like -a boiling whirlpool in which the little boat -seemed every moment in danger of being -overwhelmed.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, who saw his plan had succeeded, -at once began to row back. At -this juncture, as fate would have it, the -monster made a sudden dash at the boat, -which was at once overturned. The signal -had hardly been given when, after a -moment of awful anxiety, the lad was in -the air, suspended by the rope. The monster -again made a mad rush, only to bruise -its head against a rock, and with weakened -strength returned toward the deep, -riding on the retreating tide.</p> - -<div id='i063' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i063.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“The lad was in the air, suspended by the rope”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>As for Bunkichi, the rope was drawn -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>up steadily and with care, and he soon -found himself safely perched on the stout -branch of the pine.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master of the Daikokuya, when he -saw Bunkichi once again on solid ground, -never uttered a word, but took his hand -and put it on his forehead in token of his -unutterable gratitude, while tears of joy -flowed from his eyes. The others knew -not how to do otherwise on the sudden -alternation from dread to joy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After a while Bunkichi left the crowd -and went to the most commanding position -on the precipice and gazed down -upon the sea, and saw the shark on its -back floating to and fro, the sport of the -waves. His joy knew no bounds, and he -said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I thank you all; I have been saved by -your help. The shark now seems to be -dead.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>These words he uttered with his customary -coolness, showing that he had not -been at all frightened by the terrible experience -he had passed through, while -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>the others could hardly yet shake off the -dread they had felt.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Addressed thus by the lad, the master -now recovered his speech, and said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No; it isn’t <i>you</i> who have been saved -by <i>us</i>, but <i>we</i> who have all been saved by -<i>you</i>. The shark dies and the people live, -or the shark lives and the people must die. -I have no words to express my gratitude -to you. And now we must get back as -soon as possible and let the people know -the joyous news.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>While the master thus hurried the -others to go back, Bunkichi stopped him -and said: “Sir, if we leave the shark as -it is, it may revive. It is a pity to leave -it, now that it is as good as killed. Let us -haul it up by the aid of the rope. It -seems that the boat, which was upset, has -drifted to the base of the bluff. Let some -of us get down and bail the water out of -it, and I will, with the help of you all, try -to secure the shark.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master agreed to the proposal and -called for volunteers, but in vain. Some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>young fellows pretended to be ill, and -others suspected the shark might yet be -alive and swallow them if they went near -it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At last, however, the master prevailed -on a few of them to go down with the -lad to help him.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER IV<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>THE TABLES TURNED</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-b.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -BUNKICHI, with the help of a -few others, set the boat up, -and, bailing the water out, -got in and went out again -to sea. Putting a rope round the body of -the shark, which was being tossed about -by the waves, they drew it close to the foot -of the bluff. While Bunkichi by himself -rowed back home, the young men dragged -the dead monster along the coast toward -the Daikokuya. The crowd on the bank -applied themselves as one man to the task, -and got hold of the rope, and the shark -was finally landed. Amusing it was to -see that old woman pull hard along with -the rest.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After this heroic deed the reputation of -Bunkichi spread through the length and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>breadth of Kumano town, and he was -nicknamed as the <i>Wanizame-Kozo</i>, or -Shark-Boy; but who started the name no -one can tell. His exploit, however, was -soon carried to the ear of <i>Odaikan</i>,<a id='r18' /><a href='#f18' class='c018'><sup>[18]</sup></a> and -this great person himself came down to -the shore and made a thorough inspection -of the monster. Ten pieces of silver were -awarded by the lord of the province to -Bunkichi in recognition of his noble services -in putting a stop to the scourge of -the town. The master was proud of Bunkichi, -and the town people rejoiced at his -good fortune.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f18'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r18'>18</a>. </span>The name given to the local magistrate in olden days.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The size of the shark which the lad -killed was more than three <i>ken</i>, or some -eighteen feet in length, and its skin was so -hard that the sharpest sword could not -pierce it. The dealers in swords vied with -one another in the offers they made the -master for the skin, for they knew it -would make an excellent binding for -sword-hilts. Bunkichi asked his master -to sell it, and the transaction was soon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>made, and the master handed over the -whole of the price to Bunkichi as the -fruit of his brave deed. The lad would -not even touch it. He had heard, he said, -that the fishermen in the neighborhood, -from not being able to go out as hitherto -on account of the shark, were in great -straits even for their daily food, and -therefore he wished to distribute the -money among them. The proposal was -at once accepted, and the money was -divided either among the people who had -suffered on account of the shark, or -among the bereaved families whose members -had fallen victims to its voracity.</p> - -<p class='c011'>That Bunkichi was possessed of courage, -his actions had abundantly proved; -the people were now profoundly struck -by his moral virtue since they had received -his alms. The name of <i>Wanizame-Kozo</i> -soon got its suffix <i>Sama</i>, or its -equivalent in English of “Mr.,” and whenever -he appeared in the streets everybody, -whether personally known to him or not, -seemed to thank him by making him the -most courteous obeisances.</p> - -<div id='i071' class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span> -<img src='images/i071.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“Putting a rope round the body of the shark”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>In course of time, as the people in remote -country places came to hear of Bunkichi’s -exploit, they pressed in large numbers -to the shop of the Daikokuya, not so -much to buy clothing as for the purpose -of seeing the little hero’s face. From that -day the master doubled the amount of his -daily receipts, as his trade prospered. Because -of the prosperity brought to the -house by the lad, the household of the -Daikokuya accorded him special treatment, -quite different from that given -the other boys in the shop; in fact, he -was treated as if he were the son of the -family. But Bunkichi, on his part, served -his master better than the other boys were -able or willing to. In spite of his master’s -forbidding him, he was first on the scene -in the morning to sweep the street in -front of the shop and to put the shop in -order and to sell goods to customers however -early they might come. Then, having -carefully settled accounts at the close -of the day, he would devote his evenings -to the mastery of the abacus and to writing -Chinese characters. His praiseworthy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>behavior impressed everybody -who saw or heard him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Two or three months passed in this -way, and the lad’s fame became ever -greater, and further prosperity was -brought to the house. Then the master -took counsel of his wife:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“As we haven’t any boys, Chocho being -the only child we have, sooner or later -we shall have to adopt a son. I don’t care -to have any one of whose intentions and -character I know nothing. Rather it -would please me to have Bunkichi as our -foster-son. What do you think about -this?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>His wife said gladly:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I agree with you, my husband; he -would be just the one to whom to leave -the conduct of the business, and if we -could make him our adopted son, what a -pleasure it would be! You had better do -it quickly.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master pondered awhile and then -said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But, you see, he hopes to become the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>leading merchant in Japan, and thereby -to raise the name of his ancestors; therefore -he would not like to be adopted into -another family. This would be the first -hitch in the arrangement, I fancy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, my dear; our intention, of course, -is to give him the whole of this our property—and -that certainly should be sufficient -inducement to any one.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, I think not,” said the other, as he -put his head on one side in contemplation; -“he is not the boy who will prize such a -small property as ours. I don’t care to -run the risk of humbling myself by speaking -to him rashly. What I want is to ascertain -his intention at some opportune -moment.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sadakichi, who had been playing in -company with the little girl on the veranda -outside the <i>shoji</i>, first heard this conversation, -and one day told Bunkichi about -it. The latter said to himself:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My intention has been to win fame -and thereby to raise our ancestors’ name, -so it would never do for me to be adopted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>into another family. Trouble will come -if I stay here any longer, and I shall be -put in such a strait that I shall feel obliged -to fall in with this proposal.” So he -thought he would do best to leave the -house quickly and try his hand independently -at some trade.</p> - -<p class='c011'>One evening he sought his master and -said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sir, it is rather an abrupt request to -make of you, but I have conceived a plan -by which I can earn money; so please let -me trade by myself. As capital to start -with, it will be sufficient for me to employ -those silver coins which I received for -reward and which you have kept for me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master, without knowing the lad’s -secret intention, said: “If you wish to -trade on your own account, I will lend -you capital or give you any help you want; -but what is the plan you have in mind?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s simply this, sir. Since the disappearance -of the <i>wanizame</i> the people -nowadays get an abundant catch of fish, -and in consequence I hear there is a scarcity -of fishing-tackle, nets, and their belongings. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>So I wish to go up to Osaka -and get a supply.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master made one clap with his -hands in token of his approval, and said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well thought of, my lad! If you get -a supply from Osaka now, you are sure to -reap a good profit. Besides, all the fishermen -round about here received your alms -and regard you as one of the gods. If -they hear of your selling fishing-tackle, -they will gladly come to purchase of you. -But you cannot transact the business by -yourself alone, so I will send some one to -assist you, and also I will lend you as -much capital as you wish. Therefore, go -and make whatever investment you think -necessary.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi did not wish to receive this -favor, as he intended trading without the -help of any one.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sir, let me trade with my own capital -alone without any other help in this instance,” -he replied. “Only, when the -cargo comes, will you please give it storeroom -for me?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the master knew Bunkichi would not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>be induced to accept others’ advice when -he had definitely made up his mind, he -said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Very well, then; you may try to -manage for yourself. No other boy of -your age could transact the business, but -probably you may succeed.” Thus saying, -he went himself and brought a packet -of money.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“This is the money I have been keeping -for you.” And then he produced another -packet which contained fifty pieces -of silver, saying:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“This is only a trifling recognition of -your services in the shop, by which we -have enjoyed much prosperity; I hope you -will accept it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi again and again refused to -accept this additional gift, but in vain, for -the master almost forced him to receive -it, and said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“When you come back from Osaka, -you will stay again with us, won’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi hesitated and stammered out: -“Yes, sir; I might trouble you again, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>though I intend to continue in some trade -of my own.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course you may go in for whatever -trade you like, and if you can conveniently -carry on your trade while you stay -at my house, please make yourself at home -in it, and do not think that you need help -in my shop on that account.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As Bunkichi had no other home, he accepted -this kind offer for his future protection -after his return, and the next day, -when he had prepared himself for the -journey, he left the Daikokuya for Osaka.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Though he was a boy in appearance, -his mind was equal to that of a full-grown -man. At the time of his leave-taking, the -master was insisting on getting him a -through <i>kago</i>, or Japanese palanquin, to -Osaka, which he had refused as unnecessary. -In his courageous onward march -he came to a lonely part of the road; he -was, however, well used to traveling, -owing to those early days of wandering -when he sold the dragon-flies for the support -of his family, and by the experience -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>of his lonely journey to Kumano. But in -this present journey, as he carried with -him a great sum of money in his pocket, -he felt somewhat encumbered and could -not walk as lightly as he wished.</p> - -<p class='c011'>On the afternoon of the day when he -came to the mountainous region he was -well-nigh tired out, and he hired a <i>kago</i> to -carry him. The coolies no sooner put him -into the palanquin than they started off at -almost a running pace, and after a short -time they turned off from the highway -into a bypath. The lad called out, in suspicion:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Aren’t you taking a rather strange -road?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Both coolies answered in one voice:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“This is a short cut, lad.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As they went on they got more and -more into the wilds of the mountains, and -Bunkichi thought to himself that they -might belong to that class of rascals who -prey on the traveler’s pockets. Nevertheless -it was too late to do anything against -them, so he kept himself in perfect peace -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>by determining not to show that he suspected -them.</p> - -<p class='c011'>When the coolies were come to a trackless -thicket, they put the <i>kago</i> down, and, -thinking to pull out the boy, looked in and -found him fast asleep.</p> - -<p class='c011'>They stared at one another in astonishment -and said: “Why, he is sleeping! -The fellow takes life easy, eh? Come, my -boy, get up! get up!” and one of them -poked him on the shoulder, and the other, -taking hold of his foot, pulled him out.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi rubbed his eyes and yawned -twice or thrice.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, Mr. Coolie,—I mean you two,—what’s -the matter?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The coolies said somewhat fiercely: -“Look here; you’ve got some money with -you, haven’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He answered in perfect coolness, as if -nothing had happened, “Yes, I have.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>They thought more and more the lad -was a pretty easy simpleton to deal with, -and said: “We knew you had some fifty -or sixty <i>rio</i>, and that is why we brought -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>you here. Come, now, hand out all you’ve -got, for if you refuse you’ll suffer for it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The lad burst out into laughter, saying: -“If you want the money you shall have -it”; and he took out the wrapped package -of money and threw it down in front of -them.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The coolies, seeing the perfect composure -of the lad, wondered who this boy -could be, and they began to grow nervous, -and one of them said in a whisper to the -other: “May he not be a fox?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We don’t know but what this money -may turn into tree-leaves,” was the answer, -and both looked into the boy’s face.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The boy said, as he smiled: “You cowardly -thieves, are you afraid?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He stepped out a pace before them, -while they stepped back a little and said, -“We are not afraid,” visibly suppressing -their fear.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The lad peered into their faces. “If -you aren’t afraid, why do you tremble -so?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’re cold; that is why.”</p> - -<div id='i083' class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span> -<img src='images/i083.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“As though they were stricken by thunder at the boy’s words, down they tumbled on the ground”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>“You cowards! Take the money and -be gone!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The coolies looked at each other, and -wouldn’t take the money up into their -hands, while the lad stood firmly grasping -the hilt of the dagger of Kiku-ichi-monji -within his pocket, ready to fight it -out in case they might treat him roughly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>They were thoroughly outwitted by the -audacity of the lad, and said: “Where -have you come from?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Kumano is my home.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>One of them turned pale. “Why, maybe -he is the Shark-Boy!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, I am that very boy,” retorted the -lad.</p> - -<p class='c011'>No sooner did the coolies hear this than -they cried with one voice: “Let us up and -be gone!” As they were about to turn -on their heels, Bunkichi said, as he drew -his dagger:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you run off I will cut you in two.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As though they were stricken by thunder -at the boy’s words, down they tumbled -on the ground, and could not rise in spite -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>of themselves. “Only spare our lives, if -you please!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As they begged for mercy, the lad -coldly smiled, saying: “What is it you -fear?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Please spare us! We cannot bear the -thought that you will finish us off as you -did the <i>wanizame</i>,” they gasped in a -trembling voice. These coolies had heard -of his brave deed in killing the shark, and -they thought that he had killed it by a feat -of swordsmanship, and that he was a warrior -general like him of Ushiwaka-maru<a id='r19' /><a href='#f19' class='c018'><sup>[19]</sup></a> -of old. He at once perceived what was -the cause of their fear, and said:</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f19'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r19'>19</a>. </span>A boy hero who learned fencing from a mountain elf -in the wilderness of Atago.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Are you weaker than the <i>wani</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, sir; we sha’n’t be beaten by the -<i>wani</i>,”—though they still trembled.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi resheathed his short sword as -he said: “Then take me to where we -agreed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With a prompt “Yes, sir,” they rose up, -while the lad got into the palanquin. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>took up the money and nervously brought -it to the lad, who said as he glanced at it:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Put it on the top of the <i>kago</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’re afraid it may drop down unnoticed,” -was their answer.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s too heavy for me to carry; tie -it somewhere where it will be safe.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then the coolies tightly tied the package -to the pole by which the <i>kago</i> was carried. -He did not take the money with him -again, for fear that they might harm him -in case their avaricious temper got the upper -hand and they should make off with it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The coolies, however, had no courage -left to renew their attempt; but they went -on most solemnly and steadily, as though -they were carrying the <i>tengu</i>.<a id='r20' /><a href='#f20' class='c018'><sup>[20]</sup></a> Bunkichi, -finding the situation rather too quiet and -tame, addressed them: “Do you often -play the part of villains?”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f20'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r20'>20</a>. </span>A mountain elf.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“No, sir. It was the first time, sir. -We were tempted to the wickedness when -we saw you were carrying a lot of money; -we knew it by your manner of walking.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>“I don’t believe you. I suspect you -have committed villainous acts a good -many times, but henceforth there must be -an end of them.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir; we have had a lesson and -sha’n’t try that game again!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The lad laughed and said: “That is interesting!” -This was a peculiar exclamation -he used often to make.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Meanwhile Bunkichi came to a certain -station where he got out of the <i>kago</i>. He -gave the coolies something extra to their -fare, while warning them against the continuance -of their evil practices.</p> - -<p class='c011'>No sooner had they got their money -than they slunk away as quickly as they -could.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER V<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>THE BATTLE OF STONE MISSILES—THE MONKEYS’ PANIC</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-h.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -HAVING stayed that night at -an inn, Bunkichi hastened on -his way along the Hama-Kaido, -or the “shore road.” -When he came to a lonely spot in the road, -he saw a man in the distance, scantily clad, -apparently making preparations for hanging -himself. On ran Bunkichi and caught -hold of the man, asking him at the same -time why he had come to such a pass as to -attempt suicide.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I am a certain Kichidayu, a native of -Sakai in Izumi Province, and a sailor,” -answered the man, while tears stood in his -eyes as he spoke. “I was in charge of a -ship of one thousand <i>koku</i>,<a id='r21' /><a href='#f21' class='c018'><sup>[21]</sup></a> and on my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>voyage to Yedo with a cargo of <i>sake</i><a id='r22' /><a href='#f22' class='c018'><sup>[22]</sup></a> my -boat was wrecked off this coast and the -crew of eighteen, all told, as well as the -whole of the cargo, were lost. Fortunately -I was washed up on the coast while -I was holding fast to a piece of board, but -having been terribly knocked about, I can -hardly drag myself along. Besides, the -loss of the ship, the cargo as well as the -crew, overpowers me with such a sense of -disgrace and wretchedness that I thought -I would rather die than go back to my -native town.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f21'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r21'>21</a>. </span>Forty thousand gallons.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f22'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r22'>22</a>. </span>A kind of Japanese liquor.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, while he was listening to the -sad account of the wreck, surveyed the -man from head to foot, and perceived -many severe bruises, which—with his -honest manner of speaking—seemed to -prove the truth of his words.</p> - -<div id='i091' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i091.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“Giving him a helping hand, Bunkichi led the man along to the next village”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“I quite sympathize with you in your -misfortune,” said he, “but, my man, your -dying will not bring back the ship which -was wrecked nor the men who were lost; -so I think it would be better for you to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>keep yourself alive and atone for your loss -by succeeding with your next venture. -But without money you can’t even go to -a doctor. So allow me—”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Taking out five pieces of silver and putting -them in the hand of the sailor, he continued, -kindly and soothingly, “With -these get a doctor at once, my man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The captain, as he looked into Bunkichi’s -face with an expression almost of -worship, said: “You are the kindest man -I ever came across, in spite of your apparent -youthfulness. As long as I live I shall -not forget you, and some day, perhaps, -I may have an opportunity to repay you -for your goodness to me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>While he said this, tears rushed from -his eyes—for he was overcome by a sense -of gratitude and joy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, having taken off his <i>haori</i>,<a id='r23' /><a href='#f23' class='c018'><sup>[23]</sup></a> -said to the man: “Put this on, though it -is not sufficient to protect you, and come -on with me to my next stopping-place.” -Though the seaman was reluctant to accept -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>so generous an offer, Bunkichi urged -him, and, giving him a helping hand, led -the man along to the next village, where -they found an inn, into which they went. -There a suit of clothes was purchased for -the sailor, and the lad recounted the story -of the wreck to the old woman, the keeper -of the inn, and asked her to send for a -doctor, who on arrival did whatever he -could for the poor man.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f23'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r23'>23</a>. </span>A Japanese upper garment.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, who thought it likely he -might be of more service to the sailor, -said, in answer to his question: “I have -no house of my own, but you will find me -if you ask for one Bunkichi at the Daikokuya, -a cloth establishment at Kumano. -You, being a sailor, are sure to find any -amount of work if you go there; so please -look me up. I am in a hurry; I cannot -stop here longer. On my way back from -Osaka I shall call upon you. If you are -well before then, you had better go to Kumano -and wait for me there.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Thus kindly holding out hopes of helping -him in the future, he gave the old woman -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>a sum of money for the nursing of -the sailor, and hurried on his way.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Going on from one hotel to another, -and resolving to lose no time, Bunkichi at -last arrived in the city of Osaka. As he -had received a letter of introduction from -his master to a certain wholesale merchant -of the city, with whom the Daikokuya -had dealings, he went to this merchant -and asked for the articles he had been -commissioned to buy. The head of the -house, acquainted with the <i>wanizame</i> affair -by the letter, did everything in his -power to assist Bunkichi, and the transaction -went off smoothly and quickly. After -he had sent off the fishing-tackle to -Kumano on board a ship, he spent a few -days in sight-seeing as well as in observing -the ways in which big merchants carried -on their trade. Having thus spent -four or five days here, Bunkichi once more -took the same road home, and on the way -inquired at the inn after the captain whom -he had left there. To his great joy, the -sailor was well on the way to recovery; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>so he gave the man some more money for -his further needs, and hastened on to -Kumano-Ura, having promised to meet -him again there.</p> - -<p class='c011'>On the day following that on which he -had taken leave of the sailor, he came to -the hilly roads near Kumano. This part -of the country was noted then, as it is to-day, -for the production of oranges. All -over the hills he saw orange-trees in abundance, -and there, strange enough, he -heard a great noise of screaming and -chattering. He hastened his steps in the -direction of the noise. Lo, and behold! -Hundreds of monkeys, uncountable, had -drawn a circle around three men, whom -they were pelting with a shower of stones. -These wretched men, as they were apparently -unable to withstand the stone missiles -of the monkeys, had pulled their over-coats, -or <i>haori</i>, over their heads and were -crouching under an orange-bush, apparently -in despair, for they were doing nothing -but crying for help.</p> - -<div id='i097' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i097.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“Hundreds of monkeys had drawn a circle around three men whom they were pelting with a shower of stones”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>As the animals apparently thought it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>great fun, they kept on showering stones -as quickly as they could pick them up, and -it seemed probable that the three men -would have fallen victims to the monkeys -but for Bunkichi. When he saw how -things were going, quick as thought he -picked up a lot of pebbles from the wayside -and filled both his spacious sleeves -and his front pocket as well. Thus well -armed, on he rushed to the monkey army -and pulled out of his pocket the pebbles, -one after another, throwing them at the -frisky creatures. The monkeys, as they -screamed and chattered, at once confronted -the lad, and, perceiving him pull -out stones from his breast, they tried to do -the same. But of course they had no -pockets with stones in them, while Bunkichi -threw his missiles thick and fast. The -beasts in their rage began to pull off the -hair from their breasts and throw it from -them, while their monkey-chatter grew -louder and louder as their pain increased.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, who could not suppress his -laughter, contrived, as it were, to discharge -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>the missiles from his breast while -actually bringing out the stones from his -sleeves. As the monkeys drew closer to -him, still pulling off their hair, the three -men were now given time to breathe. -They at once came out from their hiding-place, -and, scolding the monkeys, began -to pick up stones to help in their turn their -deliverer in his stand against them.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The youth cried out, as he quickly perceived -their action: “No! No! Don’t -<i>pick up</i> stones! If any of you have the -instruments for striking fire, set fire as -quickly as you can to the dry grass.” The -men did as they were told, and as the wind -fanned the fire the smoke and flames soon -spread over the ground. The army of -monkeys, thinking the day was lost, set -up a great chatter and, jumping from tree -to tree, disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The men now recovered from their -fright, and, having put out the fire, -thanked Bunkichi and said: “We are most -grateful to you, sir. If you had not come -we should almost to a certainty have been -stoned to death by the monkeys.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>“It was a narrow escape, wasn’t it?” -remarked Bunkichi, “but I am curious to -know—did you not throw stones at them -first?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes,” replied the men, with animated -expression.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi could not help smiling as he -thought of how they had acted, and said: -“You know monkeys are foolish animals -and try to imitate whatever others do.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You seem to know everything,” said -the men, who were much struck by his -wisdom. “But where have you come -from?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I live at Kumano,” was the reply, -“but was brought up at Kada-no-Ura; so -I know about monkeys, as we have plenty -of them there.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then the leading one of the three, making -a polite bow, urged Bunkichi, saying: -“I am the owner of this orange farm, and -my home is not far from here. Please -come to my house.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>On the way thither he asked the boy his -name and where his home was.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I am one Bunkichi in the establishment -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>called the Daikokuya, at Kumano,” -was his frank answer.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The host, having well observed the lad’s -face, said: “Ah, that’s why I thought I -had seen you somewhere. Then you are -that widely famed Mr. Wanizame-Kozo, -the Shark-Boy! The people in this neighborhood -owe you a great debt of gratitude, -because all the fruits produced here -in this part, oranges among other things, -when they are sent either to Tokio or to -Osaka, must first be sent to Kumano-Ura -to be shipped to those cities. But ever -since the appearance of that monster in -the harbor, all the shipping trade had come -entirely to a standstill, and we had to send -our fruits to other ports by a roundabout -way, which was a great nuisance to us; -whereas, owing to your wisdom and courage, -we can now send our cargo to Kumano -as we did before.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>After a pleasant visit of an hour or two, -Bunkichi was about to start. The host -stopped him for a minute and brought out -a little packet of money, and, placing it before -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>him, said: “This trifle is only a token -of my gratitude to you. Please take it.” -Looking at it from the outside, it certainly -seemed no trifle; but the lad firmly but politely -declined to accept it, saying: “You -have no need to thank me.” And he would -not take it, in spite of the host’s earnest -entreaty. At last he said: “I don’t wish -to receive any recompense from you; however, -I have one favor to ask if you will -grant it me. I am thinking of trading -on my own account before long in various -articles, and if I come here some day to -buy oranges, will you deal with me?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You make a very modest request,” answered -the host with ready assent. “I -will supply you with a cargo as cheaply as -possible at any moment you send me the -order, and as to the payment, I shall be in -no hurry for it; you may pay me whenever -you like. I can supply you with -thirty thousand boxes of oranges from -my own farm; and there are many more -farmers in the neighborhood who will be -glad to supply you if I let them know that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>you are the Wanizame-Kozo. At least I -can assure you I will fill your order, however -large it may be.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With many thanks, Bunkichi took his -leave and was back in the Daikokuya that -evening.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER VI<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>THE GREAT HAZARD—A PERILOUS VOYAGE</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-t.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -THE cargo of fishing-tackle -which had been sent from -Osaka had already arrived -at Kumano and was awaiting -his return, so Bunkichi took his goods to -the fishing villages round about Kumano -for sale. The people vied with one another -in buying them, on account of their -being sold by Mr. Shark-Boy. Owing to -the price of tackle being then much higher -than at other times, as a result of the -scarcity of the supply, he made such a -good sale that the profit doubled the cost -of his outlay.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Taking care not to waste the money -thus obtained, he next opened a trade in -oranges, buying them at a cheap rate from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>the owner of the orange farm and retailing -them at Kumano when the market -value was high. By this means he made -another good profit; still he stayed on in -the Daikokuya as his temporary home, -and applied himself to business. Thus by -the end of the next year he had saved several -times the amount of his original capital.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Meanwhile Kichidayu, the sailor to -whom he had given kind help, came to him -after he had completely recovered. Bunkichi -asked the master of the Daikokuya -to employ him. He consented, and committed -to him, in the capacity of captain, -the management of a big ship.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Now Kichidayu’s devotion to Bunkichi -was so great that he was ready to sacrifice -his own life for his sake if occasion -should arise. “I admire your determination -immensely, and as I owe my life to -you, you may count on me for any assistance -in my power,” said the sailor to the -boy one day.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi rejoiced on hearing this and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>said, laughingly: “When the time comes -in which I shall make my fortune, such -property as the Daikokuya possesses I will -create in ten days.”</p> - -<hr class='c021' /> - -<p class='c011'>Four years had passed, during which time -Bunkichi had done well in his business, -trading in various articles, and a portion -of his profit he now and then distributed -among the poor people in the district. He -was now eighteen years of age. It was the -autumn of the year, and from the beginning -of the month of October a westerly -wind had been blowing many days. As a -consequence, the shipping trade at Kumano-Ura -was entirely stopped. Yet a cargo -of oranges bound from Kii Province for -Yedo<a id='r24' /><a href='#f24' class='c018'><sup>[24]</sup></a> was accumulating at Kumano-Ura -and beginning to rot away on account of -the warm climate of the province. From -Yedo had been received vain messages, -by the <i>hikiaku</i>, or running postmen, urging -them to send up the oranges, the necessary -fruit for the <i>Fuigo Matsuri</i>, or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>bellows festival, which was then at hand. -Yet the sea became rougher every day as -the wind grew stronger, while the frowning -autumn sky hung overhead. The people -could not possibly put out any ship -nor do anything but stare and grumble -at the rough sea and the lowering clouds.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f24'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r24'>24</a>. </span>The old name of the great Japanese city now called Tokio.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Every day Bunkichi went down to the -seashore also, and looked at the dark sky -as every one else did, yet he alone had a -certain expression of suppressed joy in -his face. The others said, “We hope this -stormy weather will come to an end soon,” -while he answered, “I hope it will do nothing -of the kind.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>They were surprised at this and said, -“Why, what’s the matter with you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Who can tell?” he answered, laughing. -While he was thus engaged in casual -talk, Kichidayu, the sailor, came to -look at the condition of the sea. On seeing -him the lad beckoned him aside by a -tree and said: “Kichidayu San, when do -you suppose this wind will cease?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I wish it would stop soon,” he answered, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>“but it doesn’t look like it, I -fear.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, I shall be greatly disappointed if -it stops within two or three days.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, there’s not much chance of its -doing so,” was the sailor’s answer.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s good,” the boy replied. “Before -it stops what do you say to having -a sail in a boat from here to Yedo? It -would be fine, wouldn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Kichidayu stared at Bunkichi in astonishment -and said: “Don’t joke, please. If -we were to put out a boat in this rough -sea, it would capsize in no time.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s just where the interest lies. -Wouldn’t Kichidayu San like to try it for -once?” said the lad, while the other replied, -laughing, “Don’t carry your joking -too far!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi became serious. “Kichidayu -San, I’m not joking. If it was an east -or a north wind it would be difficult, -of course, but being a west wind, it’s a -fair wind toward Yedo, however strong -it may be, and so there is no reason -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>why we should not be able to get to -Yedo.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Kichidayu, who thought that Bunkichi -was saying rather a strange thing, answered: -“If we should have good luck, -I don’t say that it’s impossible; however, -I do say it could only be a question of good -luck.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s just where the interest lies,” -said the lad again. “One can do anything -that others can do. But it’s a fine thing -for a man to go to a place when others -can’t go. Kichidayu San, the time has -now come to make that fortune of money -of which I told you once, because in Yedo -the price of oranges, which are one of the -necessaries of the bellows festival, has -gone up ten times higher than at other -times, on account of the scarcity of the -fruit. Here, in this port, where the -oranges have accumulated because they -can find no customers, the price has gone -down ten times lower than the rate at -which they usually sell. So, if we can -buy at a price ten times lower than the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>usual rate, and sell at a price ten times -higher than the usual rate, naturally a -hundred <i>rio</i> will make ten thousand <i>rio</i>. -There isn’t likely to come such a good -chance twice in a lifetime. As to the ship, -I will ask the master of the Daikokuya to -let me have a big one, and if he does, will -you captain it for me? I intend to take -out in it a large cargo of oranges to Yedo -while this bad weather prevails.” The -lad thus for the first time revealed his ambitious -scheme.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Kichidayu folded both his arms on his -breast in contemplation. Then, as he -lifted his head, he said: “I will make the -attempt—yes, even to Yedo, for your -sake; I don’t grudge even my life. What -if my ship gets wrecked? I don’t care. -But are you thinking of coming on -board?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course; if I don’t go, the business -can’t be effected,” said Bunkichi. “Trading -is the same as a battle. In one of the -battles of old the warrior Yoshisune set -us an example by attacking the army of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>the Hei clan in the province of Shikoku -by sending out the war vessels from Daimotsuga-Ura -on a stormy night. If we -lose courage in such weather as this, we -cannot possibly accomplish any great -scheme. We shall enter upon it resolutely. -Should we die, let us die together. If I -gain my object, I will handsomely reward -you.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We shall have to offer sailors ten -times their usual pay,” continued Bunkichi; -“you may then, perhaps, find fellows -who will be willing to come. Will -you be responsible for finding them?” -So saying, he gave the captain money for -the purpose, and, having intrusted the -matter to him, at once went home to the -Daikokuya and saw the master.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Danna,” said he, “among your ships -the oldest is that <i>Tenjin-maru</i><a id='r25' /><a href='#f25' class='c018'><sup>[25]</sup></a> of one -thousand <i>koku</i> burthen, is it not?”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f25'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r25'>25</a>. </span>A Japanese junk.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The master, who was somewhat startled -by the abruptness of the question, -said: “Yes, she is getting to be an old -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>vessel now, and I am thinking of breaking -her up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Will you sell her to me?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>To which the master answered: “If -you want her, I don’t mind making you a -present of her; but what use will you put -her to?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m thinking of taking a cargo of -oranges to Yedo,” was the lad’s reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“When the bad weather is over, I suppose?” -said the master.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No; while this stormy weather is prevailing,” -was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master was startled, but gazing on -the boy for a moment, merely remarked: -“What an extraordinary idea!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>After a little hesitation, Bunkichi drew -nearer to the master. “Pray, master, sell -her to me,” said he; “I am again going -out on a trading battle.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then the master understood his real -intention and said: “Well, if you are so -minded, you may not be afraid of this -storm; but the <i>Tenjin-maru</i> is in any case -a dangerous ship for this weather; so I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>will lend you one which is more seaworthy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, thank you, sir; I have no wish -to borrow,” replied the lad. “This undertaking -is a matter of fate. If I am -wrecked on the way out I cannot give you -your ship back again; so I shall not borrow -things of others, for I wish to do -everything on my own capital.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master knew the boy’s nature and -made no further objection, but said: -“Very well, I will sell her to you. You -will surely succeed. Come back again -laden with treasure!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Chocho, the master’s daughter, who -was now sixteen years of age, overheard -the conversation between the two and was -much surprised, and expressed her anxiety -as well as her sorrow in her face, and -said: “Does Bunkichi go to Yedo in this -storm?” The mother, too, longed to stop -him, but could not well interfere, because -her husband had already yielded his sanction -to the boy’s scheme. She only said, -loud enough to be heard by both, as she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>answered her daughter: “Yes, Cho, it is -most dangerous to go out to sea in this -great wind and storm!” To which the -girl responded: “Yes, mother!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, having paid the price of the -<i>Tenjin-maru</i> to his master, went to the -wholesale stores which were best known -to him and bought up their oranges. The -merchants, as they were sore oppressed -by the rotting of the fruit, were in the -state of “panting blue breath,” as they -say. Bunkichi, in a somewhat off-hand -manner, said to one of them: “Do the -oranges rot every day?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, every day we are much troubled -about it; they rot away continually. Already -half of the stock we have is spoiled; -if it goes on at this rate, within another -ten days our whole stock will be lost.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Whereupon the lad said: “Are you -really prepared to sell them at whatever -price you can get for them?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, yes, gladly; for how much better -would it be to sell even at a loss than to -pay for throwing the rotten stuff away!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>To which Bunkichi answered: “If that -is the case, I will buy from you at sixteen -<i>mon</i> per box as much stock as you have.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The merchant was taken aback at the -reply, and said: “Isn’t that <i>too</i> cheap?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But if they rot away, you will get -nothing. I am not over-keen to buy,” said -the lad, coldly; “so if you don’t wish to -sell, we need not have any further talk.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Just wait a minute,” and the merchant -stayed the lad as he was about to leave. -“I will sell at sixteen <i>mon</i> a box if you -will buy up my whole stock.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, the whole lot,” said Bunkichi. -“I will buy as many thousand boxes as I -can put into a large ship.” Thus he -bought up the whole stock of that store -and then went on to another, buying up -the whole stock of each at a very low price. -Then he sent a man to the orange farm -and collected some more. Having procured -a large stock, he put it all on board -the <i>Tenjin-maru</i> so that, albeit the ship -was one of a thousand <i>koku</i> burthen, its -keel sank deep into the water.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER VII<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>THE SEA-GIANT APPEARS</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-a.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -AS Captain Kichidayu sought -for sailors by holding out to -them promise of wages ten -times more than they could -get at other times, he soon picked up six -sturdy fellows who did not set much value -on their lives. Thereupon he reported -his success to Bunkichi, who was rejoiced -over it, and said: “Then all things are -ready now; we shall settle to start in the -morning, and I will send to the ship ten -pieces of long square timbers. You will -place them crosswise on the ship and attach -to their ends heavy stones so that -she will not upset easily,” he continued, -with his usual audacity and resourcefulness. -“For I have heard that ships which -sail about those far-off islands, Hachijo -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>and Oshima, and the like, are fitted out in -this way and sail in safety even in heavy -storms. That is why in Yedo they call -those island-ships ‘sea-sparrows’: the -weight being on both sides of the ship, -they never upset.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Kichidayu was much struck by his keen -observation, and said: “Truly, it didn’t -occur to my mind that those ships are -fitted out as you say, but now I recollect -having seen them off the coast of Izu -Province. As they are thus constructed -they never capsize, however much they -are washed over by waves.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now, Kichidayu San,” Bunkichi said, -“this ship is called the <i>Tenjin-maru</i>, but -our going out to sea this time may mean -going to her destruction, so let us change -her name into <i>Iurei-maru</i>, or ghost-ship, -and let us imagine ourselves to be dead -men by putting on white clothes. Thus -nothing that may occur can scare the -crew; for, being ‘dead’ men, they can -have no fear of death.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>The captain agreed with him, saying: -“That’s a splendid idea.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The captain returned to his abode in -high spirits and told to the six seamen -what the lad had said, and they all readily -agreed to the plan, and were so stirred by -the lad’s courage that they were ready to -face any dangers or fears that might come -to them.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi at once ordered a man to -paint on the sail of the ship: “<i>Iurei-maru</i>” -in large Chinese characters, and -at the cloth establishment of the Daikokuya, -he ordered eight suits of white -clothes.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Bunkichi,” inquired the astonished -master, “what is the use of those eight -suits of white?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi laughed as he answered: -“We may all be dead men before long, if -we go out to sea in this storm. The -chances of surviving are few, so we are -already dead in heart. I have named my -ship <i>Iurei-maru</i>. We are going to dress -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>in white with the <i>zudabukuro</i><a id='r26' /><a href='#f26' class='c018'><sup>[26]</sup></a> and we -shall stick triangular-shaped papers on -our foreheads, as they do for the dead.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f26'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r26'>26</a>. </span>The purse tied round the neck of the dead at a burial -service in Japan.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“What horrible things you do!” exclaimed -the wife, while the daughter, Chocho, -with sudden inspiration, said: “I -will sew your white suit for you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I am most grateful,” replied the lad, -“but I have already ordered others to do -it for me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Please let me do it,” said the girl. -“It may be the last—” and at this Bunkichi -consented with thanks.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master, who seemed to have prepared -beforehand, ordered <i>sake</i> and a set -of little dishes of eatables to be brought -forth, and then remarked: “As you have -settled to start to-morrow I intend to -offer you a congratulatory feast in advance, -hoping that you may arrive at -Yedo and have good luck and make a -great profit.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>At last the morrow came, and early in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>the morning Bunkichi bade farewell to the -men of the Daikokuya and put on his -white suit, which was made by the daughter -of the house, and went out to the seashore. -The master, as well as his wife, -with their daughter, Chocho, and all the -employees in the shop, followed him in -order to see him off. Having heard of his -departure, some of the townspeople with -whom he was acquainted, and those poor -people who had received his alms, flocked -together from the four corners of the -town to bid him good-by.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Having bade farewell to the people, -Bunkichi entered a small boat and soon -got on board of the <i>Iurei-maru</i>. Those -who came to see him off, as they stood -around the shore, raised their voices, calling -out for Bunkichi, lamenting his departure. -Bunkichi gave a signal for the -anchor to be weighed and the sail to be -hoisted; then the ship soon stood out to -sea. Both the men on the shore and those -on board the ship waved their hands till -their forms had become indiscernible, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>while the ship, driven by the strong west -wind, soon became lost to sight among -the big waves.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Though the <i>Iurei-maru</i> had her sail up -only seven tenths of its whole length, she -sailed on eastward with the speed of an -arrow, owing to the strong wind. In a -very short time she passed the Sea of Kumano, -and then soon was in the Sea of Isè. -As she came to the noted Yenshiu-nada -on the evening of that day, the wind grew -stronger and the rain came down in torrents. -As the huge waves, mountain-high, -came rushing from the far ocean -and the ship was tossed like a tree-leaf, -the crew felt as if they were flung down -into the abyss of darkness when she got -into the trough of the waves. Those six -robust men, who had hitherto worked -with steady and fearless courage, suddenly -gave in before this state of the sea -and lost all heart for labor. Nevertheless -Captain Kichidayu, as steady as ever, ran -about here and there, stirring the crew up -to their work.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>Among the eight men all told, the one -most unaffected by the dreadful state of -the sea was Bunkichi, the <i>Wanizame-Kozo</i>, -and he, with the captain, lent a -helping hand to the tired crew, calling out -occasionally: “Hurrah! This is fine! -We shall get to Yedo within the next day. -Work hard, all of you, and you sha’n’t -want for pay!” And then he doled out -money to the crew, who were encouraged -by this and braced themselves up and labored -their best.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Meanwhile night fell and the storm continued. -Though nothing was visible to -the eyes, the awful sound of the waves, -and the wind, which shook masts and rigging, -deafened the ears; and the heaven -and the earth seemed to be swallowed up -by the waters.</p> - -<p class='c011'>By degrees the crew’s courage began -again to fail and one of them muttered: -“This is just the sort of night for some -big monster like a <i>wanizame</i> to appear!” -To which another said: “Yes; I feel a bit -nervous, too.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>“Come, men; a little more perseverance!” -shouted out Bunkichi. So saying, -he again gave them an extra wage -and continued: “You fear the <i>wanizame</i>, -do you? I rather think the <i>wanizame</i> will -be afraid of me because I’m the <i>Wanizame-Kozo</i>. -Take heart, all of you! -Don’t be afraid!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The men were cheered up and said: -“Truly enough, you once killed the <i>wanizame</i>. -We needn’t be afraid! Now, all -right, sir; we’re rid of our fears!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>However, their courage was of but -short duration; when they gazed at the -dark, angry sea they again lost heart, -saying: “But, sir, what shall we do if the -<i>umi-bozu</i><a id='r27' /><a href='#f27' class='c018'><sup>[27]</sup></a> comes up—if it is true, as the -people say, the monster lives in this -ocean?”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f27'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r27'>27</a>. </span>An imaginary giant of the sea.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, as he gave them a scornful -smile, stood up with his dagger in his hand -and said: “I’ll sweep him down with this -sword if any such creature makes his appearance.”</p> - -<div id='i125' class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span> -<img src='images/i125.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“He drew his sword and ran toward the monster”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>Just then the man on watch suddenly -shrieked: “Ah! the sea-giant has come!” -And he ran back toward the stern while -the others were frightened out of their -wits and ran down into the cabin where -they drew their heads back between their -shoulders and held their breath in fear. -Bunkichi looked toward the bow. Sure -enough, a big undefined dark form rose -at the front of the ship, about ten feet in -height. He drew his sword and ran toward -the monster. As he swept the giant -down with his sharp weapon, he laughingly -returned toward Kichidayu, who -stood by the mast.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What was that?” Kichidayu asked -Bunkichi, who answered, still smiling: -“It <i>did</i> look like a round-headed giant, -but really it was only a column of mist -which came floating in our way. That’s -what they call the ‘sea-giant,’ I suppose, -and in their fright they fancied it was -coming on board to seize them.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Kichidayu, who was much surprised at -Bunkichi’s courage, said: “Indeed! I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>understand now how you could kill the -<i>wanizame</i>, by the courage you have just -shown, and which I cannot but admire. -To speak the truth, I didn’t feel very -bold myself when I saw that big dark -form, but I screwed my courage up so as -not to be laughed at by you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the crew had not yet come out of -their cabin, Kichidayu called out: “Now, -men, come up; your master has killed the -giant. Come quick, quick!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The crew trooped out at this, and said: -“Truly we heard a shriek a little while -ago!” At which Kichidayu muttered, -“Fools!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>During the night, however, they got -over the Sea of Yenshiu in this manner, -and in the very early morning of the third -day they were entering the Bay of Yedo. -Gradually the sea was becoming much -smoother.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We are safe, master. We can, too, be -quite at ease in our hearts!” said one of -the men. “Ah! I see the headland of -Haneda there. Beyond that there’s the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>Bay of Shinagawa. If we go forward at -this rate we shall be at Yedo by dawn: -I feel safe now. But I felt that I would -be eaten alive when I saw the <i>umi-bozu</i> -at the Yenshiu-nada Sea.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then Bunkichi said, as he laughed: -“You don’t know what you are saying. -We have been all along dead men in white -suits, and for dead men to have been alive -is an absurdity!” Then all, for the first -time, burst out into merry, hearty laughter.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Captain Kichidayu turned to Bunkichi, -saying: “Master, what a voyage! In a -couple of days and nights we sailed the -distance which takes about ten days at -other times. That we have come here -safely through this storm is due to your -contrivance of laying the timbers crosswise -on the boat; but for that we should -certainly have capsized.” Then he turned -to the sailors and added: “What say you, -my men? Is there any one who could -beat him in wit or in courage?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, there’s not another like him,” all -replied in one voice. “He killed the <i>wanizame</i> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>as well as the <i>umi-bozu</i>, and so long -as we are with him there is nothing on -earth to be dreaded. Please, sir, employ -us under you for years to come. We shall -never again play cowards as we did, sir!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi replied: “I fear you would -never face the <i>umi-bozu</i>.” To which they -could say nothing, but scratched their -heads in silence.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Though the wind was still high, after -the storm through which they had fought -their way out, the inland seas seemed to -them “as smooth as matting,” as the saying -is, and soon after dawn all hands on -board the <i>Iurei-maru</i> arrived safely at -Yedo.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At that time in Yedo the orange merchants, -in spite of the stress of weather, -had been eagerly awaiting orange-ships -from Kishu Province every day, on account -of the nearness of the bellows festival. -And this was the only ship that did -not disappoint their expectations. When -the ship’s arrival was known, the joy of -the merchants was beyond description, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>and soon this popular song immortalized -the happy welcome of the orange-ship:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c022'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>On the dark sea beholden</div> - <div class='line in2'>A sail, a white sail!</div> - <div class='line in2'>Whence does it hail?</div> - <div class='line'>From Kishu’s far shore</div> - <div class='line'>It brings precious store</div> - <div class='line'>Of oranges golden.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER VIII<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>AN ECCENTRIC FELLOW</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-w.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -WHEN all the wholesale dealers -in oranges in the vast city of -Yedo heard that an orange-ship -had at last arrived from -Kishu, they vied with one another in coming -to Bunkichi’s ship and buying up his -oranges. The inevitable result of the rise -in the price of oranges was to make him -a gainer of more than fifty thousand <i>rio</i>.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunkichi, after this, carefully reasoned -out that on account of the recent continuance -of the west wind no ship could possibly -have sailed from Yedo to Osaka, so -that there must be a scarcity of salted -salmon in that city, while there was now -an abundant and specially cheap supply -of them in Yedo. So he thought he would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>take a supply over to Osaka and make -another great profit.</p> - -<p class='c011'>When he spoke of this plan to his men -they were ready to go, for his sake. -Thereupon Bunkichi bought up a cargo -of salted salmon, and, putting it on board, -waited for the return of better weather. -Nor had he long to wait. As a reaction, -as it were, to the stormy westerly wind, -in a few days an east wind began to blow, -and, availing himself of the first opportunity, -he hoisted sail. He soon entered the -harbor of Osaka, and there he again made -a profit of tens of thousands of <i>rio</i>.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Every speculation he had planned was -crowned with success, and in little more -than a month he had amassed the enormous -sum of near upon a hundred thousand -<i>rio</i>. He was aided in this success -largely by the exertions of Kichidayu, -and gave him one thousand <i>rio</i> out of the -profit, while he handsomely rewarded -every one of the crew, who were all -greatly delighted at their good fortune.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Captain Kichidayu, taking his money -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>with him as a present to his family, returned -to Sakai, his native town, where -he met again his dear wife and children -after his long absence, and then went -back to Osaka. Thence he accompanied -Bunkichi to Kumano-Ura.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At Kumano the news of his safe arrival -at Yedo had been received at the Daikokuya -and by the townspeople with the -liveliest satisfaction. They had been -waiting eagerly for his return. Sure -enough, Bunkichi had come back on board -that very <i>Iurei-maru</i>, and the people, -whether they were personally known to -him or not, flocked round him with their -congratulations.</p> - -<p class='c011'>From that day the master of the Daikokuya -treated him as his guest, while -the people of the town respected him as a -gentleman, and no one called him the -Wanizame-Kozo any more.</p> - -<p class='c011'>On his arrival home Bunkichi recounted -all his transactions to the master of the -Daikokuya, and then went at once to the -merchants from whom he had bought the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>fruit that he sold in Yedo. “I thank you -for the cargo of oranges you sold me some -time ago at such a cheap price,” said he. -“I made a great profit by that cargo, but -I don’t like to be only a gainer myself -while you all are losing your money, so -I’ll give you double what I then paid you -for the oranges.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>On account of this unexpected liberality -they were very grateful to him, and his -fame went abroad all over the province of -Kii, and everybody began to know him, -and whenever he wanted to invest in any -goods, he had no difficulty in getting all he -wished.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The day came at last when Bunkichi -determined to go up to the great city of -Yedo to make his name famous in the -whole of Japan by trading on a large scale. -With this resolve, he negotiated with some -of the big merchants of Kumano as to -whether they would make a contract with -him to send up all their oranges and timber -to his shop as their only agency in -Yedo. As they were already under a debt -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>of obligation to him, every one of them -agreed to do his best to keep Bunkichi’s -store in Yedo well supplied. Bunkichi was -greatly rejoiced, and, on this occasion traveling -overland, he arrived at Yedo in due -time and established himself in the Hatcho-bori -district, under the name of Kinokuniya.<a id='r28' /><a href='#f28' class='c018'><sup>[28]</sup></a> -This happened in the second year of -the Sho-o era (1653 <span class='fss'>A.D.</span>), when he was -nineteen years of age. Then he changed -his name Bunkichi into Bunzayemon (his -father’s name), and began to trade on a -large scale in timber and oranges from -Kishu, selling them to the whole city of -Yedo. Thus his prosperity increased.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f28'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r28'>28</a>. </span>House of the Kino Kuni (country of Kii).</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>One day a master carpenter, who had -the entrée to the house, came to see Bunzayemon, -saying: “I have come to consult -with you on a rather strange matter. How -would you like to engage a man for your -business?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, it all depends on what kind of a -man he is,” was the reply.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He is rather an eccentric sort of fellow. -If I tell you plainly about him there -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>will be little chance of your employing -him; but the strange thing is that he -wishes me to do so. ‘If Bunzayemon will -employ me, good; if he will not employ me, -he is a fool, and I don’t want to be employed.’ -Those were the very words he -said to me, and added, to my surprise: -‘As for you, if he hasn’t the sense to engage -me, you needn’t regret losing such a -customer as he is.’”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t wonder you were surprised,” -replied Bunzayemon; “but what has he -been hitherto?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>To this question the carpenter replied: -“He is the second son in a warrior family; -but as far as I can see he is an idle, lazy -man. There are many of his kind in the -world, as you know; but he is rather an -extreme type of the class. He doesn’t -like to get up early nor to move about at -any time. In spite of his being dependent -on me for his support, he doesn’t hesitate -to demand to live in luxury. And then he -has the impudence to request me to recommend -him to you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon meditated awhile and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>then said: “It’s rather interesting, what -you tell me. At all events, bring him -here.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Do you really mean to engage him? -You had better give him up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>To which the merchant replied: “When -I see him I shall decide whether I shall -engage him or not. Bring him here -first!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then Seihachi, the carpenter, went -home, fearing inwardly lest he should lose -his customer by bringing this man to Bunzayemon’s -notice, though he could not help -acceding to the man’s request.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After a time Bunzayemon heard high -words in the front of the shop. One of -the voices he recognized as that of Seihachi, -who was exclaiming: “Chobei San, -you ought not to go in by the front door; -manners should compel you to go to the -back door. And don’t give yourself airs -here; if you do I shall be disgraced.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>To this the other replied: “What are -you talking about? We are not dogs; why -should we go round to the kitchen?” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>And so saying, the young man stalked up -to the shop called Kinokuniya, in spite of -Seihachi’s remonstrance, and asked somewhat -loudly: “Is the master at home?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hearing him, Bunzayemon entered the -shop from the inner room.</p> - -<p class='c011'>No sooner did Seihachi see him than he -began to apologize: “Master, I am more -sorry than I can tell you, and I beg your -pardon for this fellow’s rudeness.” As -he spoke he was holding Chobei by the -sleeve.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon, without heeding the -apology, civilly welcomed the strange -guest, saying: “Come in, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The young man stalked into the inner -room, while Seihachi, feeling like a fish -out of water, followed him. Bunzayemon -ushered the guests into one of the finest -rooms in his house. Seihachi was troubled -at heart, for the man’s clothes were -muddy, and said: “Sir, I fear we shall -soil your floor.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Without even listening to Seihachi’s -words, or showing that he had heard -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>them, the host courteously said: “I am -Bunzayemon of the Kinokuniya; and what -is your name?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My name is Chobei,” answered the -youth somewhat haughtily.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m glad to make your acquaintance.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Seihachi kept making signs to Chobei -as to his behavior, but the latter did not -take the least notice.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Seihachi in his distress said to Bunzayemon: -“Please, sir, I beg your pardon -for his unmannerly behavior. I think he -must be a little out of his mind. I’m -sorry to have brought such a fellow.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Meanwhile Bunzayemon and Chobei sat -with the <i>tabakobon</i><a id='r29' /><a href='#f29' class='c018'><sup>[29]</sup></a> between them and -looked into each other’s face. For a -while neither of them spoke, while Seihachi, -whose trouble of mind was increased -by this state of affairs, tried to extricate -himself from this uncomfortable position -and said:</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f29'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r29'>29</a>. </span>A tobacco-tray.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Chobei San, we had better take our -leave now.” Then, turning to the host, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>“Sir, you won’t engage him after all, will -you, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>At this Bunzayemon, speaking somewhat -loudly, said: “Oh, yes, I’ll engage -you, Chobei San, and take you on as one -of my men, if that is your wish.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then do you really engage me?” -And as he spoke Chobei quickly moved -backward a little and bowed to the floor, -in the act of showing respect and thanks -to his superior.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon then put on a lordly air -and asked him: “Chobei, are you skilled in -working the abacus?”<a id='r30' /><a href='#f30' class='c018'><sup>[30]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f30'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r30'>30</a>. </span>The Chinese reckoning-board, consisting of beads or balls -strung on wires or rods set in a frame.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t know much about it,” he replied, -as he placed both his hands on the -matting in the attitude of respect, “because -I was bred in a warrior family.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If that is so you’ll be of no use in the -shop,” said the master, scornfully. “What -can you do, then?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>To which Chobei answered, “I know -how to turn a lot of money, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>“That’s interesting!” replied the master.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The carpenter, stricken dumb with astonishment -while the negotiation was going -on, said at last, when Chobei had gone, -“Sir, have you really engaged him? I -can’t tell you how relieved I am. I’ve -been greatly troubled by the thought that -I should be disgraced on account of him. -Please tell me why were you so civil to him -at first?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You don’t understand, I see,” said -Bunzayemon, laughing. “Before I engaged -him he was my guest, and as he -belongs to the warrior class, his social -rank is entitled to consideration. But -when I have once engaged him, then I am -his master, and he is my servant, and I -must treat him accordingly.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I see, I see,” said the carpenter. -“That is a fine way of looking at it. Well, -then, suppose I go to another man’s house, -I may act in a like haughty manner myself -before I get engaged!”</p> - -<div id='i143' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i143.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“Bunzayemon then put on a lordly air”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“Certainly; but if you do, you may get -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>disliked instead of engaged”; at which reply -the carpenter was profoundly puzzled.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Early the next day the new employee -begged his master to advance him some -pocket money, which was promptly given -him; and having got it, off he went, no -one knew whither, and did not return even -for the midday meal.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then the other employees warned their -master, saying: “Sir, what is the use of -that sort of man? We don’t know where -he has come from. It’s really unsafe to -have that sort of fellow about the house, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But the master paid no heed to their -warnings. “Not a bit of it! No matter -where his birthplace is, so long as the man -is worth having, my purpose is served. I -can see he has plenty of common sense, -and I’ll warrant he’ll be of good service -some day. Whenever you plan on a large -scale you must have good assistants: there -were four kindly men under Yoshisune, -the great general, and twenty-eight generals -under Shingen, the great lord of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>middle ages. Such men we look to for our -examples. Since the days of old every distinguished -man has attached to himself -able supporters. Merchants should do the -same, and, as certain as the day dawns, -success will come to the business man who -employs many good hands under him. -Wait and see. Chobei will do some noteworthy -things!” Thus he instructed his -servants in his principles.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Toward the evening of that day Chobei -came back, but with a downcast countenance. -Bunzayemon did not ask where he -had been, nor did Chobei volunteer any information. -The next day again, and the -next, he asked for more money, and went -out early in the morning, coming back late -at night. He continued in this way for -about half a month. The others once more -warned their master, but he still refused -to listen to them.</p> - -<p class='c011'>One day Chobei came to his master and -said: “Sir, you import a lot of timber -from Kii Province and try to sell it at once -among the people of this city. But Yedo -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>is a place where fires are so frequent that, -if you buy up a lot of timber at a time when -the price is low and keep it, it’s certain -you will make a great profit when some -big fire occurs. But to find a good place -for keeping timber,” he went on, “is one -of the chief difficulties, because, as you are -well aware, if you keep it near at hand, in -the heart of the city, there’s danger of its -being destroyed by fire, and if you keep it -in a river or the sea, either it rots or is eaten -by worms. Now, every day I have been -going about looking for a good place to -keep it, and at last I have found one at -Kiba in Fukagawa. Keep timber in the -water of that place, and, on account of the -quality of the water, worms will not eat it, -but the wood will become shiny and improve -by keeping. Besides, no danger will -come to it from fire.” And he concluded -his far-sighted plan with, “For these reasons, -I hope you will soon construct a reservoir -for timber in that place.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The master clapped his hands in admiration -and joy, saying: “Upon my word, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>that’s a capital idea! I thought you must -have been planning something, but I never -thought you were looking out for a place -to keep timber. I myself had turned the -matter over in my mind some time ago, -but on account of my many other duties I -hadn’t the time to see to it myself, and I -thank you for undertaking it for me.” -And then and there he intrusted the building -of the timber reservoir to Chobei.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Chobei lost no time in going to Fukagawa -and buying ten thousand <i>tsubo</i>, or -about forty thousand square yards, of -ground near the temple of Susaki. He -built a large reservoir there and removed -to it all the timber imported by his master -from Kii Province. Besides, Chobei got -his master’s permission to send out men to -the neighboring mountains to buy up timber -where it could be got cheap, and having -deposited it all at Fukagawa, waited -contentedly for the time to sell.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER IX<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—THE CHARITY “BENTO”</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-i.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -IT was on the 18th of January -in the third year of the Meireki -era (1657 <span class='fss'>A.D.</span>) that a -bitterly cold north wind, much -colder than usual, was blowing hard. As -the wind increased in strength, the foot-passengers, -even in the busy streets, became -fewer. From the hour of <i>ne</i>, or the -snake, which is the same as ten o’clock -<span class='fss'>A.M.</span> in our modern reckoning, it had become -a regular hurricane, raising clouds -of dust and even whirling pebbles into the -air. It seemed as if the heavens and the -earth were creaking and shaking under -the rage of it. At this juncture the people -of the city were alarmed by the repeated -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>hasty ringing of several fire-bells in the -direction of the Hongo district, the northern -part of the city. Everybody went up -to his fire-lookout and saw the ominous -black smoke rising in the shape of a vast -eddying cloud over the part of the city -called Maruyama in Hongo.<a id='r31' /><a href='#f31' class='c018'><sup>[31]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f31'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r31'>31</a>. </span>Hongo precinct of the Maruyama Mountain.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>It happened that, a few days before, Bunzayemon, -with five or six young men and -a plentiful supply of money, had gone into -the mountains of the neighboring country -to buy lumber, leaving the management of -his affairs, in his absence, entirely to Chobei -San.</p> - -<p class='c011'>So when Chobei hurried up to the lookout -to ascertain where it was that the fire -had broken out, he glanced up to the heavens -and said to himself: “From the appearance -of the sky this wind will not fall -for some time, and in all probability the -whole city will be burned down, because -the houses are quite dried up by the continued -fine weather we have been having -lately. This is the time to save many people, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>and it is also a very good time to make -a great deal of profit!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Saying this, Chobei made for the shop -and issued orders in excited haste to the -men. “Now, you men must form yourselves -into two bands: one to go straight -to Fukagawa and get a huge iron pot and -a quantity of rice to be boiled, and make -preparations for a charity lunch for the -poor; the other to stay here and put together -all the goods in the shop that we -may transfer them without loss of time -to Fukagawa.” Though the men complained -against his hasty decision to retreat -before the distant fire, they could not -resist the order of the chief man in the shop, -so they reluctantly began to pack up the -goods in preparation for departure, though -they thought it would only prove necessary -in the end to brush the dust and soot from -off them. Seeing how they were employed, -the neighbors, too, jeered at the hurry they -were in; but consternation soon spread -even among these neighbors when the -sparks, carried and fanned by the wind, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>had started fresh fires—one at Kanda<a id='r32' /><a href='#f32' class='c018'><sup>[32]</sup></a> -and another at Nihonbashi, the business -part of the city.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f32'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r32'>32</a>. </span>A precinct of Yedo.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>By this time Chobei had already closed -the shop and sent off some valuables and -some furniture on carts to Fukagawa, escorted -by the men of the shop, while he -had all the timber floated down the river -to the same place, to be put with the other -timber which had already been stored -there. Chobei was much delighted to find -that all the preparations for the charity -luncheon for the destitute had been carried -out by those who had gone before them. -“For our first work is the saving of the -people,” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c011'>So saying, he engaged a few coolies to -assist the men in boiling the rice and so -forth. Having wrapped the boiled rice in -broad bamboo leaves, together with pickled -<i>daikon</i>,<a id='r33' /><a href='#f33' class='c018'><sup>[33]</sup></a> he contrived a luncheon for -many thousands of the poor in no time.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f33'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r33'>33</a>. </span>Large white radishes.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The stronger the wind grew the farther -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>the fire spread: it devastated the city -with such rapidity that noontide of that -day saw even the districts of Hachobori -and Shiba reduced to heaps of smoldering -ashes. Those who were burned out had -not had time to put away their furniture, -but only escaped with their lives, and -were seeking in vain to find shelter in the -houses of their relatives, who had suffered -a like fate with them and could not assist -them. Not knowing where to turn, they -wandered about in terror the whole day, -and their misery was such that they -could not even get themselves food.</p> - -<p class='c011'>While this was the state of things, a -band of coolies came among them with a -rectangular bamboo basket with <i>bento</i><a id='r34' /><a href='#f34' class='c018'><sup>[34]</sup></a> in -it, and one of them held aloft a paper flag -with huge characters on it, which read -as follows: “Kinokuniya Bunzayemon’s -Charity Luncheon!”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f34'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r34'>34</a>. </span>Luncheon.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>The coolies distributed this <i>bento</i> -among the men and women who were in -distress. Every man and woman, therefore, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>whether young or old, who was sore -oppressed by hunger, was glad to get hold -of this food and was relieved by it, though -it was only for a time. With admirable -sagacity Chobei quickly hired many more -coolies and prepared more luncheons, -sending them to every quarter of the city; -and so wherever men went they saw the -selfsame flag flying for charity, and the -whole city was surprised, and praised the -generosity of this Kinokuniya Bunzayemon.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In this great fire even those large palaces -of the <i>daimios</i>,<a id='r35' /><a href='#f35' class='c018'><sup>[35]</sup></a> which stood in the -line of the fire and which could in ordinary -days call up many hands to keep the fire -off, were not able to escape from the disaster. -Even the nobles of high rank and -their retainers knew not where to find -shelter, but stood bewildered in the corners -of their big gardens and waited for help, -but in vain. For such personages Chobei -ordered men to prepare <i>bento</i> in nice packages -of <i>sasaori</i><a id='r36' /><a href='#f36' class='c018'><sup>[36]</sup></a> and to present it to those -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>nobles and their households in the name -of Kinokuniya Bunzayemon. In consequence, -even the servants of these nobles -were grateful to the coolies, and received -the presents on behalf of their masters.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f35'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r35'>35</a>. </span>Feudal lords, or the nobility of Japan.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f36'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r36'>36</a>. </span>Boxes made with bamboo leaves.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Then, too, Chobei ordered the men of -Kinokuniya to put up wooden inclosures -round about the grounds of those nobles -to protect them from robbery or trespass.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The fire raged through the whole night -of the 18th and through the whole of the -next day, so Chobei engaged yet more -coolies, and ordered them to make more -charity <i>bento</i> for the relief of the poor.</p> - -<p class='c011'>There was a certain man named Kamada -Matahachi, who was well known for -his physical strength. He had always kept -a large portable closet, about six feet by -three, and five feet seven inches in height, -in which to carry his furniture in case of -fire. When he thought his house was in -danger, he put all his belongings into this -box, placed a sheet of matting on the top, -and carried all these on his back by the -means of a rope specially prepared for the -purpose. Carrying a long, heavy stick in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>his hand, he walked unconcernedly and -steadily among the crowd like an elephant -among dogs. Every one marveled at his -size and strength, and was forced to make -room for him to go by. When he came to -Fukagawa to escape from the fire, he saw -there a large sign which read:</p> - -<p class='c023'>Day laborers are wanted for carrying the -charity <i>bento</i>. Let all who wish to be engaged -call at the timber reservoir of Kinokuniya Bunzayemon -at Fukagawa. Three meals will be -given, and one <i>kwan mon</i><a id='r37' /><a href='#f37' class='c018'><sup>[37]</sup></a> will be paid daily -for wages.</p> - -<div class='footnote c024' id='f37'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r37'>37</a>. </span>A sum about equal to one dollar.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>As he had nowhere to go at the time, -he was glad to find some work. He -went to the timber reservoir of Bunzayemon, -where he found a bustle and hurry -of men and women, hundreds in number, -for the preparation of luncheon. Some -were preparing a quantity of rice in large -iron pots, others were cutting up some -pickles, while a third set of men were -wrapping these up in bamboo leaves.</p> - -<div id='i157' class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span> -<img src='images/i157.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Matahachi in the great fire at Yedo</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>Many bands of coolies with their paper -flags were carrying out the luncheons in -the baskets, while others were coming -back with empty ones.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Matahachi, with that big closet on his -back, drew near to the place and thundered -out: “Is this the place where hands are -wanted?” The people turned, and without -giving any answer simply looked at -one another in astonishment at his curious -appearance.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Once more he called out: “I’m one -Kamada Matahachi; I come to assist your -charity work for the rescue of the people.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The voice apparently penetrated even to -the inner room, for Chobei came out and -was also surprised by the man’s appearance, -but said: “Nothing can be more fortunate -for us than to have the assistance -of Mr. Matahachi, who is noted in the -whole of Yedo for his physical strength. -Please help us in our work by distributing -the <i>bento</i> in this big, light-wood chest.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With ready acquiescence Matahachi -laid aside the heavy baggage on his back. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>“This is my furniture,” he said; “please -keep it for me.” The rattling sound of -iron and china in the chest made those -near by wonder at the forethought with -which he had made provision against the -contingency of a fire, and by which he -had been enabled to move away at once -with all his household goods.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Having safely stowed away his possessions, -Matahachi lifted the big wooden -chest, now packed with <i>bento</i>, and by -means of a rope put it on his back, and, -holding the big pole of hard oak-wood -in his right hand and the paper flag in his -left, started forth to the scene of ruin, with -one coolie to assist him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>As he called out in a loud, deep tone of -voice to announce the charity, the people -turned to him in astonishment and soon -came flocking around him. The attendant -coolie, standing behind, distributed -the <i>bento</i> from the chest on Matahachi’s -back with no inconvenience. So these two -finished their task in less time than it -would have taken five or six men to do -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>it with ordinary methods. On their way -back to Kinokuniya, when they came to -a crowded place Matahachi put forth his -staff, and by pushing the crowd to one side -made his way through without any hindrance.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In one of those crowded places he heard -the shrieking cry of a girl. Forcing his -way to the spot, he found a girl of twelve -or thirteen years of age who could not get -up on account of being trodden down by -the crowd. Being naturally of a chivalrous -character, he soon helped the girl up -and asked whether she had not her parents -with her.</p> - -<p class='c011'>She sobbed, and said: “We all ran -away when the fire broke out, and I became -separated from my parents!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As he could not leave her there, he said: -“That cannot be helped. If you wander -about here you may be trampled to death. -I will take you to a better place if you will -get into my empty chest.” So the coolie -helped her in, and they hastened on to Fukagawa.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>At another time he saw an old woman -of about threescore years, half dead, lying -by the wayside with her dress partly -burned. He felt he could not leave her -behind in such a state, so she, too, was put -into the bamboo basket by the side of the -girl.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Having got back to Fukagawa, he said -to Chobei: “I rescued these two on the -way home. Give them the treatment which -is suited to their need.” He handed them -over to the acting master, who thanked -Matahachi, and thus addressed the other -bands of coolies: “To give away the -<i>bento</i> alone does not cover the whole work -of charity; whenever any of you are -coming back with empty chests, you, too, -had better bring people home, if such help -is needed as these two received.” And a -cordial reception was given to the old woman -as well as to the young girl.</p> - -<p class='c011'>During such a fire there were naturally -many lost children and aged persons who -might have been trodden down under foot. -Having understood Chobei’s instructions, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>the other bands from that time were sure -to bring back two or three who needed -help. To any who were thus brought in -Chobei gave proper treatment, and as he -gave the coolies prizes they worked with -great zeal and diligence. Kamada Matahachi -went in and out of the fire ruins -many times a day and repeated the same -charitable work. The five or six hundred -coolies did their best, also, and, in consequence, -at the reservoir there was a continuous -trooping out with the <i>bento</i> and -trooping in of the people; and by the night -of the 19th there were 2800 rescued persons, -old and young, all told, who had -been brought to this temporary shelter.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Even on the night of the 19th there was -no sign of the abating of the fire. The -strong northwest wind was still raging, -and within two days, the Hongo, Kanda, -Nihonbashi, Kyobashi, and Shiba districts -were all swept by the fire. And now the -fire was burning down Takanawa with -such terrific force that the very sea-line -seemed to recede before it. But that night -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>the wind suddenly changed to the south-east, -and the fire turned backward and -licked up all the houses on both sides of the -great river Sumida and those that had survived -at first in Asakusa and round about -Yushima. Then at last it was got under -control near to Senju about noonday on the -20th. And since the morning of the 18th, -within three days and two nights, the -whole city of Yedo had been reduced to -ashes and as many as 108,000 people were -lost. It was one of the most terrible of -fires.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Indeed, such a disastrous fire had never -before and has never since occurred in -Yedo, and even now it is sadly referred to -by the people as the “Furisode-Kwaji”—the -long-sleeved fire—quite as often as it -is called the great fire of Hongo-Maruyama.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c007' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER X<br /> <br /><span class='c016'>AMBITION SATISFIED—THE MERCHANT PRINCE</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='c017'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/di-k.jpg' width='100' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -KINOKUNIYA BUNZAYEMON, -who unknowingly had -left such a big fire behind him -and sought the mountainous -districts of the neighboring provinces as -his field of action, went over to Sagami -Province the same day, and negotiated -with the chief owners of forests there and -made a contract with them, paying them -guaranty money in advance. The next day -he crossed over to Awa Province and visited -in turn the owners of mountain forests -in Kazusa, Shimo-osa, and Musashi, and -struck bargains with them to buy all their -salable timber. Four or five days only -were occupied in these rapid negotiations, -at the end of which time, as the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>rumor of the big fire of Yedo had got -abroad to these neighboring provinces, -Kibun hastened on his way back to -Yedo. As he was passing amidst the -smoldering ruins on the way to his depot -at Fukagawa, he continually heard the -people talking of himself. Every time he -stopped and listened. “Well, Genbei San, -Kinokuniva Bunzayemon is a fine fellow, -isn’t he? One would think he had foreseen -the fire and prepared that enormous -amount of <i>bento</i> beforehand; otherwise -he could not possibly have given it out to -the people so readily. I and others had nowhere -to find food, so we supported ourselves -for three days on that <i>bento</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Is that so, Hachibei San? I also received -it every day. For three days, -wherever one went among the ruins one -was met with his charity. It’s said that -within three days no less than two thousand -<i>koku</i><a id='r38' /><a href='#f38' class='c018'><sup>[38]</sup></a> of rice were given away. -Had it not been for that charity nearly -the whole population of the city would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>have famished. Moreover, Genbei San, -the charity was extended even to the mansions -of many <i>daimios</i>, and the nobles and -their families ate of his <i>bento</i>.”</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f38'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r38'>38</a>. </span>Ten thousand bushels.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“To be sure. Even the nobles with -their heaps of gold and all their power -couldn’t buy a single grain in the general -consternation! Really that Kibun, whoever -he may be, is a sagacious fellow!” -Thus the men talked who had received his -alms.</p> - -<p class='c011'>While Bunzayemon, who listened to this -current talk, was inwardly rejoicing that -Chobei had managed his affairs so admirably, -he passed two women who were -talking.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, Haru San, when I lost sight of -my child in the crowd,” one of them was -saying, “I became almost mad in my -search for her; but as I could not find her -in the hurry and bustle, I gave her up for -being trodden to death or else for being -suffocated in the heat. In my grief I lost -all care for my own life. But then I heard -the people say that some thousands of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>strayed children had been taken to Kibun’s -country place at Fukagawa. I ran there -at once, and lo! I found my little girl there -among the children. My joy, of course, -knew no bounds. Let people say what they -wish, Kibun must be a merciful man; in -such a fire as this naturally there are a lot -of strayed children, and therefore he sent -out his men to every quarter of the city, -ordering them to bring such to his house. -In three days a thousand or more people -were rescued, they say. Henceforth I will -always have a niche for Kibun Sama in my -heart.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I will, too. Your case was not so bad -as mine. For my part, when I lost sight of -my mother, no words could express my -anxiety. If she had been in sound health, I -would have felt a little easier, but she has -been laid up since last winter on account of -her great age. At first we thought we were -safe from the conflagration, as the fire -had passed by us toward Takanawa; but -then by the change of wind the sparks -started the fire afresh at the very next door -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>to our own. The men belonging to the -house had gone to Takanawa to help a -relative of ours there, and I thought it -would be a shame to me if by my indecision -the fire should cause the death of my -mother; so, holding mother’s hand, I -dragged her from the house.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“After two or three <i>chos’</i><a id='r39' /><a href='#f39' class='c018'><sup>[39]</sup></a> run, mother -was out of breath and consequently -couldn’t walk a step farther. I put her on -my back and ran on, but we were both soon -suffocated by the smoke, and then I tumbled -down. I couldn’t get up for some -time because other people who were running -to escape from the flames trod on me.</p> - -<div class='footnote c019' id='f39'> -<p class='c020'><span class='label'><a href='#r39'>39</a>. </span>One <i>cho</i> equals about one hundred and twenty yards.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>“In another minute the sparks set fire -to my dress and my whole body was nearly -burned. However, I braced myself up -and got on my feet, being very anxious -about my mother. I looked round, and she -was not there. I knew she couldn’t possibly -have run away, owing to her helplessness; -so I looked around me, being -sure she must be either in a ditch or stupefied -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>by the smoke. The fire, however, -was too quick for me. I couldn’t stay to -make further search, so I ran away. I -have been weeping since at the thought -of mother’s death, when yesterday I heard -a report that mother was safe at Fukagawa. -I flew to the place and met her. -When I asked how she had got there she -told me that she had been rescued by the -coolies of a certain Kibun, and after being -brought there had received the most kind -treatment. Henceforth I’ll not sleep with -my feet toward Fukagawa.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hearing this, Bunzayemon was further -struck by the excellent management of -Chobei. On his way home through the -desolation and ruin he also passed by many -of the <i>daimios’</i> palace-grounds, when he -saw his own trade-mark on all the boardings -put up as temporary inclosures.</p> - -<p class='c011'>As he was wondering at this new proof -of Chobei’s energy and wisdom, two <i>samurai</i>, -or retainers, came by talking.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look, my friend! The inclosure of -this mansion, too, seems to have been put -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>up by Kibun’s people. The man is wonderfully -ready for everything! And no -doubt the fact that he has put up the temporary -inclosure means that the rebuilding -will be put into his hands, and no better -man could probably be found.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You are right. If we employ him he’s -certain to lose no time about it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon, who overheard this conversation, -clapped his hands in admiration, -and, turning to his attendants, said: -“How now, my fellows! You didn’t -think much of Chobei at first, did you? -Well, what do you think of him now?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The attendants looked at one another -and said: “Really, he is very clever—even -more clever than you, sir! Yes, unless a -man employs some men cleverer than himself -he can never become great!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With unbounded joy Bunzayemon soon -arrived at his depot at Fukagawa. No -sooner did he catch sight of Chobei than -he held out his hand to him, saying: “Ah! -I have no words in which to express my -thanks to you. I have been hearing from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>the chance talk of the people on my way -home of all you have been doing in my absence, -and have been much struck by your -sagacity. Indeed, I have never felt so -much joy as I experience to-day!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon, who was not accustomed -to show joy or sorrow in his face, could -not suppress his emotion on that day.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Almost all the houses in the city of Yedo -were destroyed by the fire. Warriors and -merchants had to build their abodes -afresh, and because all the timber in the -city was reduced to ashes, the price at once -went up tenfold. Now Kibun alone, at -this juncture, had already a great stock -of timber on hand at his depot at Fukagawa, -and he had fresh supplies constantly -being sent in from the mountains in the -near-by country, being the timber he had -lately bought. The profit which he -gained by selling all this material was -something enormous.</p> - -<div id='i173' class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span> -<img src='images/i173.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>“‘I have no words in which to express my thanks to you’”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Moreover, on account of his alms and -the inclosures he had put up for various -great feudal lords, they too became his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>customers and asked him to rebuild their -mansions. By these orders he again made -a great profit. He ascribed this good fortune -entirely to Chobei, to whom he gave -a great sum of money as a token of -appreciation of his services. Besides, he -handsomely rewarded the other men and -boys in his employ.</p> - -<p class='c011'>He also sent for that chief carpenter, -Seihachi.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, Seihachi, this is the prize which -I give you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Thus saying, he put a box which contained -one thousand <i>rio</i> in front of him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The other was frightened out of his -wits.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh! do you say there’s a gift of a -thousand <i>rio</i> for me in this packet? Isn’t -it empty?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, it’s not empty. Lift it and see.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Whereupon Seihachi tried to lift it and -said: “Truly, it’s too heavy; I can’t lift -it! Isn’t this a dream?” said he, as he -pinched his knee.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon laughed. “It is not a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>dream. It’s a reward to you, sure and -certain, and you had better take it home -with you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Really, I thank you, sir. In the time -of the fire I carried charity <i>bento</i> only -three times, for I was working at other -things; therefore I’m not worthy of so -great a reward!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It isn’t a reward for that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then for the inclosure which I did for -Sendai Sama, the <i>daimio</i>; for that work -my assistants came late, so I couldn’t finish -it till late in the evening. The work -ought to have been finished much earlier.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It isn’t for that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not for that, either? For what is it, -then, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon pointed to Chobei, who -was then in the shop, and said: “You -brought me that excellent article, there. -It’s for that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The carpenter misunderstood him and -said: “Is that so? I see, for that article. -That’s an article rarely found, and I -thought it would be a great loss if it was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>burnt, so before other things I sent it -down on a raft from Hachobori to Fukagawa. -Then on the way it collided with a -ship and the raft was nearly broken to -pieces.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What are you talking about?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You mean that hinoki plank, do you -not, of eight inches both in breadth and -thickness?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No; you don’t understand me, yet. It -is your prize for bringing Chobei to me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You mean Chobei San. Ah, I see, I -see! I did not understand you. I wondered -why you gave me such a handsome -reward. But Chobei San has certainly -proved to be an excellent man. I thought -he was a hopeless fellow. Shall I bring -you another Chobei San? I have a lot -more.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What sort of Chobei is he?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The next idlest fellow who depends -on me for support.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bunzayemon laughed, saying, “No, -thank you; I don’t want another Chobei -of that kind.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>In this wise, Bunzayemon, by the help -of Chobei, undertook various important -schemes and accumulated great wealth. -Thus in time his fame had sounded -through the whole of Japan and he had -built a big establishment at Honhachobori,—a -street in Tokio, near the heart of the -city,—which covered one <i>cho</i> square. Always -strenuously pushing forward his -business, he at last, as had been his ambition, -became the leading merchant in the -whole of Japan. 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