J A P A N E S E

Pantkcon Fairy Xale an J Folklore Litrary

P A N T H E O N B O O K S

NEW Y O R K
 Copyright © 1987 by Royal! Tyler

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright

Conventions. Published in the United States by Pantheon Books, a
division of Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in
Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto. Originally
published in hardcover by Pantheon Books, a division of
Random House, Inc., in 1987.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Japanese Tales.
(Pantheon fairy tale and folklore library)
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
I. Tales—Japan. I. Tyler, Royall. II. Series: Pantheon fairy
tale & folklore library.
GR340.J33 1987 398.2'0952 86-17017
ISBN 0-394-52190-0
0-394-75656-8 (pbk.)

Book design by Susan Mitchell

Manufactured in the United States of America

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
F O R L I Z
 C O N T E N T S

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S XVI

A NOTE ON P R O N U N C I A T I O N xvii

I N T R O D U C T I O N XLX

OAK, M E L O N , G O U R D , A N G E L , FLEA

l. The Giant Oak 3

a. Melon Magic 3
3. The Sparrows' Gifts A
4 The Maiden from the Sky 7
5. The Flea 9

S U R P R I S E S

6. The Little Spicier 9

j. A Flash in the Palace 10
8. Salt Fish and Doctored Wine 10
o,. The Tapeworm's Sad End 14
10. A Toad to Reckon With 15

H A U N T S

11. Better Late Than Early 16

is. The Ravenous Storehouse 17
13. The Grisly Box 18
14. The Bridge 19
15. The Rooted Corpse 22
16. An Old, Old Ghost 23

MONK JOKES

17. Syrup 24
18. Not Quite the Right Robe 25
v i i i

1 . The Nose
9 25
20. T w o B u c k e t s o f M a r i t a l Bliss 27
at. H o m e in a C h e s t 29

B U D D H I S T B E G I N N I N G S

aa. T h e E m p e r o r ' s F i n g e r 30
a3. J a p a n ' s F i r s t G o l d 31
a<f. G y o g i a n d B a r a m o n 33
a5. T h e O l d M a c k e r e l P e d d l e r 34
a6. K o b o D a i s h i 35
37. T h e K a n n o n i n t h e P i n e 37

G O D S

»8. V e r y K i n d o f H i m , N o D o u b t 38
a . The D o g and His Wife
9 39
30. A n O l d G o d R e n e w e d 40
31. C o m e t o M y K a s u g a M o u n t a i n ! 42
3a. P r i n c e s s G l o r y 46

T E N G U AND D R A G O N S

33. T h e M u r m u r i n g o f t h e S e a 47
34. J a p a n M e a n s T r o u b l e ! 48
35. T h e I n v i n c i b l e P a i r 52
36. R a i n 53
37. N o D r a g o n 55

P U R E H E A R T S

38. T h i n g s A s T h e y A r e 56
3 . The Portrait
9 57
40. W h a t t h e B e a n s W e r e S a y i n g 57
41. M e r c y 58
4a. A m o n g t h e F l o w e r s 59

M U S I C AND D A N C E

43. F o r L o v e o f S o n g 60
44. T h r e e A n g e l s 61
 45. G i v e M e M u s i c ! 61
46. T h e W e i g h t o f T r a d i t i o n 62
47. T h e G o d o f G o o d F o r t u n e 63
48. D i v i n e A p p l a u s e 67

MAGIC

45. B r i n g B a c k T h a t F e r r y ! 67
50. T h e M a n - M a d e F r i e n d 68
51. T h e L a u g h i n g F i t 70
5a. S m a l l - T i m e M a g i c 72
53. T h e L i t t l e O i l J a r 75

THE SEXES

54. A H a r d M o m e n t 76
55. A N i c e M u g o f M o l t e n C o p p e r 77
56. T h e L i t t l e B o t t l e o f T e a r s 78
57. E l i m i n a t i o n 78
58. B u t S h e C o u l d n ' t H e l p I t ! 81

Y I N . Y A N G W I Z A R D R Y

5 . The Genie
9 82
60. O n e F r o g L e s s 83
61. T h e S p e l l b o u n d P i r a t e s 83
6». T h e T e s t 84
63. M a n ' s B e s t F r i e n d 85

R O B B E R S

64. G e n j o 87
65. T h e R a s h o G a t e 88
66. T h e Selfless T h i e f 89
67. A u t h o r i t y 90
68. T h e W r e s t l e r ' s S i s t e r 92
65. T o S o o t h t h e S a v a g e B r e a s t 93

H E A L I N G

70. T h e B u d d h a w i t h L o t s o f H a n d s 94
71. T h e P r o t e c t o r S p i r i t 94
X

72. T h e F l y i n g S t o r e h o u s e 95
7 3 . No Respect 97
74 T h e Invisible M a n 99

E S C A P E S

75. D y e i n g C a s t l e 102
76. T a k e n In 104
77. T h e S a c r i f i c e 107
78. T h e L u r e 110
79. J u s t L i k e a B i r d 113

FOXES

80. E n o u g h I s E n o u g h ! 114
81. T h e L o v i n g F o x 115
82. T o u c h e d i n t h e H e a d 116
83. Y a m S o u p 118
84 T h e Eviction 122

A S C E T I C S

85. I n c e n s e S m o k e 124
86. T h e B l e s s i n g 125
87. A n o t h e r F l y i n g J a r 126
88. T h e W i z a r d o f t h e M o u n t a i n s 127
89. A n A w f u l F a l l 130
90. T h e R i c e p o o p S a i n t 131

O D D I T I E S

91. W h a t t h e S t o r m W a s h e d I n 132
92. S e a D e v i l s 133
93. T h e D a n c i n g M u s h r o o m 134
94 The Best-Laid Plans . . . 135
9 5 . Real Flames at Last! 136
96. T h e P a i n t e d H o r s e 137

G O L D E N PEAK AND THE OMINE M O U N T A I N S

97. A M o d e l D e m o n 137
98. T h e R i v e r o f S n a k e s 138
 99- T h e W i n e S p r i n g 139
100. V e r y H i g h in t h e M o u n t a i n s 1-41
101. T h e G o d o f F i r e a n d T h u n d e r 144
102. T h e G o l d o f G o l d e n P e a k 149

T U R T L E S AND A CRAB

103. T h e T h u n d e r T u r t l e 150
104 T h e C a t c h 151
,o5. T h e G r a t e f u l T u r t l e 152
106. U r a s h i m a t h e F i s h e r m a n 154
107. T h e G r a t e f u l C r a b 156

D E S I R E

«o8. Y o u n g L u s t 157
. o . The Pretty Girl
9 158
no. Mesmerized 159
111. R e d H e a t 160
11a. L o v e s i c k 162

P A R A D I S E

u3. G o n e , B o d y a n d S o u l 163
114. P a r a d i s e i n t h e P a l m o f t h e H a n d 164
u5. N o C o m p r o m i s e 165
6. T h e Failure 168
117. L e t t e r s f r o m P a r a d i s e 169
118. N o t E x a c t l y t h e L a n d o f Bliss 171

TENGU, BOAR, AND B A D G E R

119. O n e L a s t S h o w e r o f P e t a l s 172
iao. I n s p i r i n g , U n f o r t u n a t e l y 173
131. N o F o o l , t h e H u n t e r 174
122. T h e H a i r y A r m 176
»23. E x p e r t H e l p 176

H E A L I N G II

124 R i c e C a k e s 177
u5. A Memorable Empress 178
 x i i

u6. Quite a Stink 181

ia . The Master
7 182
138. A S i m p l e C u r e 184

L O V E AND LOSS

139. A B e l o v e d W i f e , a B o w , a W h i t e B i r d 185
130. T h e U n k n o w n T h i r d 186
131. An I m a g e in a F l a m e 187
i33. The Forsaken Lady 188
i33. She Died Long Ago 190
134. I S a w It in a D r e a m 191

S N A K E S

135. T h e S n a k e C h a r m e r 193
136. T h e T u g - o f - W a r 194
13 . As D e e p As the Sea
7 195
138. W h a t t h e S n a k e H a d i n M i n d 196
13 . Red Plum Blossoms
9 198

R O B B E R S II

140. T h e E n i g m a 199
141. W a s p s 200
143. W i t h o u t E v e n a F i g h t 202
.43. T h e T e m p l e Bell 203
144. T h e D e a d M a n W a k e s 205
145. C o w e d 206

L O T U S TALES

.46. T h e B l o o d y S w o r d 207
Ug. A P l e a f r o m H e l l 208
148. T h e V o i c e f r o m t h e C a v e 209
149. I n c o r r i g i b l e 211
150. T h e P i r a t e ' s S t o r y 215
151. A L i t t l e L e s s o n 217
 B O Y S

i5a. H e r o i c P a t i e n c e , A l m o s t 218
i53. T h e P o t - H e a d e d D e m o n 219
154 R i o t o u s L i v i n g 220
155. T h e B o y W h o L a i d t h e G o l d e n S t o n e 221
156. C h e r r y B l o s s o m s 224

P A R A D I S E II

1 5 . T h e T h i r s t for P a r a d i s e
7 224
158. T h e C h a n t i n g S k u l l 225
1 5 . T h e N i c e Little G o d Sails A w a y
9 226
160. T h e U n e a r t h l y F r a g r a n c e 228
A T w i n g e of R e g r e t 229

YIN-YANG W I Z A R D R Y II

.62. D a d d y , W h o W e r e T h o s e P e o p l e ? 230
.63. T h e C u r s e 231
164 T h e H a r m l e s s H a u n t 232
165. I n t h e N i c k o f T i m e 233
166. A s t r i d e t h e C o r p s e 235

D E M O N S

167. T w i n l e a f 236
168. N o N i g h t t o B e O u t C o u r t i n g 237
169. L u m p Off, L u m p O n 239
170. T a k e a G o o d L o o k ! 241

PLENTY

171. C h e r i s h - t h e - A g e d S p r i n g 242
172. T h e B o t t o m l e s s S a c k 242
1 3. T h e Solid Gold C o r p s e
7 244
174 A F o r t u n e f r o m a W i s p o f S t r a w 246
i 5 . " D o g ' s H e a d " Silk
7 250
 x i v

O D D PATHS TO S A L V A T I O N

176. A V e r y S u r p r i s e d B o d h i s a t t v a 251
177. T h e A w a k e n i n g 252
,78. T h e L i t t l e G o d ' s B i g C h a n c e 258
179. P i o u s A n t i c s 258
180. T h e R e p r i e v e 262

WATER

181. T h e W a t e r S p i r i t 264
182. T h e M a s t e r o f S t r e a m s a n d F a l l s 265
183. T h e D r a g o n C a v e 266
184 G o l d from t h e D r a g o n P a l a c e 267
, 8 5 . T h e P o n d G o d Takes a Wife 269

C L O S E D W O R L D S

.86. T h e Isle o f M a n a n d M a i d 270

187. T h e S n a k e a n d t h e C e n t i p e d e 271
188. T h r o u g h t h e W a t e r C u r t a i n 274
189. C a n n i b a l I s l a n d 281

H A U N T S II

190. N o N o n s e n s e ! 282
191. Q u i t e a Bit o f N o n s e n s e 283
192. O n e M o u t h f u l 283
193. S u d d e n l y , H o r s e D u n g 284
» 4 The M o n k in White Armor
9 285

D R E A M S

i 5 . Little W h i t e H a i r s
9 286
,96. T h e M a n W h o S t o l e a D r e a m 286
.97. T h e B u d d h a - O x 287
198. T h e F a l c o n e r ' s D r e a m 290
,99. P o v e r t y 292
 SCARES AND N I G H T M A R E S

aoo. T h e N i g h t m a r e 292
201. T h e D o u b l e 294
202. B e w i t c h e d 294
The Funeral 296
The Grinning Face of an Old W o m a n 297

FOXES II

ao5. F o x A r s o n 298
ao6. T h e F o x ' s Ball 299
207. S i n g e d F u r 300
ao8. N o t R e a l l y a T r e e a t All 303
209. T h e W h i t e F o x : F o u r D r e a m s 304

B E Y O N D THE RULES

a.o. T h e T e l l t a l e F i s h 305
a n . A T a s t e for F i s h 305
aia. T h e P r o m i s e 306
ai3. T h e J e l l y f i s h ' s B o n e s 307
314. T h e S t i n k i n g H u t 310

P A R E N T AND C H I L D

ai5. B e G o o d t o Y o u r M o t h e r a n d F a t h e r ! 312
a.6. H e l l i n B r o a d D a y 313
217. T h e O l d W o m a n o n t h e M o u n t a i n 315
ai8. M o t h e r 316
219. P e r i l o u s G r a t i t u d e 317
aao. T h e U g l y S o n 319

S O U R C E S AND N O T E S 321

THE WORKS THESE TALES COME FROM 325

TALES C L A S S I F I E D BY S O U R C E S 327

B I B L I O G R A P H Y 331

INDEX 333
 A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S

J o h n D o w e r introduced me to Pantheon and so began the book. Susan

Tyler, m y wife, r e a d a n d r e r e a d m y drafts, continually m a k i n g sugges-
tions; discussed countless questions of form a n d content with me, always
offering wise a n d well-informed advice; a n d k e p t me going with b a t c h e s
o f c o o k i e s . W e n d y Wolf, m y e d i t o r , w a s a l w a y s q u i c k a n d h e l p f u l . H o w
can I t h a n k them enough?
A N O T E

O N

P R O N U N C I A T I O N

J a p a n e s e i s e a s y t o p r o n o u n c e . T h e c o n s o n a n t s w o r k w h e n s p o k e n just
a s t h e y a r e w r i t t e n i n t h i s b o o k . T h e v o w e l s s o u n d r o u g h l y a s i n Italian.
E a c h syllable in J a p a n e s e gets equal stress (quite unlike Italian) and in
principle each vowel is a separate syllable. F o r example, the n a m e Tadaie
is p r o n o u n c e d tah-dah-ee-ay.
O ' s a n d Us w i t h a m a c r o n or long m a r k over t h e m (6 or u) are
s u p p o s e d to last twice as long as plain o n e s — the difference b e t w e e n sOft
a n d sOfa. F o r example, the n a m e Soo is p r o n o u n c e d , not " S u e , " but
m o r e like " S O , O m a g n i f i c e n t o n e , I h a v e a h u m b l e s u g g e s t i o n . "
A f e w n a m e s , like U r i n ' i n , have an internal apostrophe which the
r e a d e r c a n i g n o r e s i n c e i t h a r d l y affects p r o n u n c i a t i o n .
 I N T R O D U C T I O N

T h e s e tales from medieval J a p a n a r e b y t u r n s curious, touching, d i s t u r b -

ing, f u n n y , g r o s s , a n d s u b l i m e . N o d o u b t t h e y will g i v e e v e r y o n e w h o
r e a d s t h e m a d i f f e r e n t i m p r e s s i o n , b u t I t h i n k first o f h o w civilized t h e y
are. T h e r e have never been better losers than the Palace G u a r d s in no. 8,
w h o laugh w h o l e h e a r t e d l y a t their o w n awful discomfiture; a n d n o w a r -
rior w a s ever wiser t h a n the hero of no. 67. M o s t people in the stories
a r e q u i c k t o l a u g h o r c r y b u t s l o w t o kill o r s e e k r e v e n g e , a n d t h e i r g o d s
( w i t h a few local e x c e p t i o n s ) a r e k i n d .
N e a r l y all t h e s t o r i e s c o m e from t a l e c o l l e c t i o n s p u t t o g e t h e r b e t w e e n
a b o u t A . D . 1100 a n d 1 3 5 0 , t h o u g h t h e e a r l i e s t ( n o . 1 0 6 ) w a s w r i t t e n
d o w n i n t h e e a r l y 7 0 0 s a n d t h e m o s t r e c e n t ( n o . 2 0 9 ) i n 1 5 7 8 . M o s t tell
a b o u t things t h a t h a p p e n e d i n the t w o centuries b e t w e e n 850 a n d 1050,
a c l a s s i c p e r i o d in J a p a n e s e c i v i l i z a t i o n .

THE W O R L D OF THE TALES

N o w a d a y s w e associate tales mainly with c o u n t r y people. N o d o u b t

villagers told tales in J a p a n a t h o u s a n d y e a r s ago too, but if the aristoc-
racy h a d not been equally fond of stories, the ones in this book w o u l d
never have been written d o w n . People's ideas about the world then w e r e
r a t h e r d i f f e r e n t f r o m o u r s , a n d from t h o s e o l t h e m o d e r n J a p a n e s e . I t i s
t r u e , for e x a m p l e , t h a t fox l o r e still s u r v i v e s i n J a p a n , a n d t h a t p o s s e s s i o n
by fox s p i r i t s is still a f a c t o r in a v e r y f e w p e o p l e ' s lives; b u t it h a s b e e n
a l o n g t i m e s i n c e s o m e o n e like a r e g e n t c o u l d e n c o u r a g e s u c h g o i n g s - o n
a s t h o s e i n n o . 4 7 . T h e r u m o r o f a m o d e r n p r i m e m i n i s t e r p r a c t i c i n g fox
magic would be too weird to m a k e sense.
E v e n time w a s different t h e n . D a y a n d night w e r e each divided into
six " h o u r s ' ' w h i c h e x p a n d e d a n d c o n t r a c t e d a s t h e s e a s o n s t u r n e d . S i n c e
t h e c a l e n d a r w a s l u n a r , i n s t e a d o f s o l a r like t h e m o d e r n w o r l d ' s , t h e
" m o n t h s " followed the m o o n ' s phases. T h a t is w h y in this book I use the
w o r d " m o o n " i n s t e a d o f " m o n t h , " for a " m o o n " a n d a s o l a r m o n t h a r e
n o t t h e s a m e . T h e N e w Y e a r c a m e s o m e t i m e i n o u r F e b r u a r y , a s i t still
does in the Chinese calendar today.
T h e r e w a s n o fixed r e f e r e n c e p o i n t i n J a p a n e s e h i s t o r y c o m p a r a b l e t o
X X

the birth of Christ or the Hegira. I n s t e a d , t h e flow o f t h e y e a r s w a s

d i v i d e d i n t o " y e a r p e r i o d s , " w h i c h m i g h t r a n g e i n l e n g t h from a y e a r o r
t w o to a b o u t t w e n t y . Y e a r periods did not c o r r e s p o n d to the reign of an
e m p e r o r o r t o a n y t h i n g else easy t o d e s c r i b e , a n d t h e y could start o r stop
a t a n y t i m e . E a c h h a d its o w n n a m e : for e x a m p l e , S h o t a i ( 8 9 8 - 9 0 1 ) a n d
E n g i ( 9 0 1 - 9 2 3 ) . N o . 171 tells h o w Y o r o ( 7 1 7 - 7 2 4 ) g o t its n a m e . T h e
p e o p l e i n c h a r g e o f d e c i d i n g y e a r p e r i o d s , a n d o f all m a t t e r s r e l a t i n g t o
t h e c a l e n d a r , w e r e t o p y i n - y a n g d i v i n e r s ( s e e b e l o w ) like t h e K a m o n o
T a d a y u k i o f n o s . 162 a n d 1 6 5 . O f c o u r s e , all d a t e s i n t h i s b o o k h a v e b e e n
converted to the modern Western calendar.
People's names, then as n o w in J a p a n , were written with the surname
first, b u t t h e y w e r e a little d i f f e r e n t i n o t h e r w a y s f r o m t h e i r m o d e r n
c o u n t e r p a r t s . F o r e x a m p l e , t h e full n a m e o f t h e r e g e n t i n n o . 4 7 i s Fuji-
w a r a n o T a d a z a n e . " F u j i w a r a " i s h i s family o r c l a n n a m e ; " n o " i s a
p a r t i c l e like t h e F r e n c h <)e o r t h e G e r m a n von; a n d " T a d a z a n e " i s his
personal name. In other words, Fujiwara no Tadazane means "Tadazane
of the Fujiwara [ c l a n ] . " Similar names are M i n a m o t o no Yorinobu (no.
6 7 ) a n d T s u n e z u m i n o Y a s u n a g a ( n o . 1 3 0 ) . N a m e s like t h e s e h a v e a b o u t
a s m u c h m e a n i n g a s o u r s d o — u s u a l l y r a t h e r little.
T h e n a m e s of B u d d h i s t m o n k s a n d n u n s are distinctive. In these stories
a m o n k has only one name, usually the one he acquired on entering
religion. B u d d h i s t n a m e s often have s o m e sort of fortunate m e a n i n g . In
n o . 1 0 1 , for i n s t a n c e , D o k e n ( " W i s e a b o u t t h e W a y " ) r e c e i v e s i n a v i s i o n
t h e n e w n a m e N i c h i z o ( " S u n - s t o r e " ) . M o n k s ' n a m e s s o u n d q u i t e differ-
ent from laymen's n a m e s , although both are written with Chinese char-
acters, because they are p r o n o u n c e d according to entirely different
principles.

THE C A P I T A L AND THE P R O V I N C E S

T h e c e n t e r o f J a p a n , a b o u t t h e y e a r 1000, w a s "the C a p i t a l " : the city

n o w k n o w n as Kyoto. It s p r a n g up in 794 w h e n the emperor moved to
t h e s i t e f r o m N a r a ( s e e b e l o w ) , a n d for c e n t u r i e s w a s p r a c t i c a l l y t h e o n l y
c i t y i n t h e l a n d . A m o n g its r o u g h l y 100,000 inhabitants, those w h o
"really mattered," both men and women, probably numbered no more
t h a n a f e w t h o u s a n d , b u t t h e y g a v e a s o r t o f g l o w t o all t h e r e s t . T h a n k s
to t h e m t h e Capital, seen from the p r o v i n c e s , w a s a sort of P a r n a s s u s :
t h e h o m e o f e l e g a n c e , w i t , r o m a n c e , l e a r n i n g , t h e a r t s — i n s h o r t , o f all
civilization. T h e rest of the population consisted of the lower aristocracy
a n d officialdom, s e r v a n t s of m a n y degrees, craftsmen, petty merchants,
g u a r d s , priests, B u d d h i s t m o n k s o f v a r i o u s kinds, etc. T h e r e seems also
to have been a twilight zone, not outstandingly large, of assorted ne'er-
d o - w e l l s a n d t h i e v e s . G o v e r n m e n t i n c o m e c a m e from d w i n d l i n g c r o w n
l a n d s ; t h e a r i s t o c r a c y lived off t h e i n c o m e from t h e i r g r o w i n g p r i v a t e
e s t a t e s ; a n d r e l i g i o u s i n s t i t u t i o n s p r o s p e r e d from p i o u s d o n a t i o n s a n d
from t h e i r o w n l a n d h o l d i n g s . N o t h i n g like a m i d d l e c l a s s d e v e l o p e d u n t i l
centuries later.
T h e s t r e e t s o f t h e C a p i t a l w e r e laid o u t i n t h e s a m e r e g u l a r g r i d p a t t e r n
a s t h e C h i n e s e c a p i t a l o f t h e t i m e . ( M o d e r n K y o t o i s still p a t t e r n e d t h i s
way, although n o n e of the buildings mentioned in these stories survive.)
T h e major east-west avenues w e r e n u m b e r e d (First Avenue, Second
Ave., etc.), while the north-south ones were named (East O m i y a Ave-
n u e ) . Smaller, intermediate streets w e r e also n a m e d ( H o r i k a w a Street).
The central north-south thoroughfare was Suzaku Avenue. It began at
the S u z a k u G a t e , the central gate in the south wall of the palace c o m -
pound, a n d ran d o w n to the Rasho Gate, the central, southern gate into
t h e c i t y itself. T h e f l u t e - p l a y i n g d e m o n o f n o . 1 6 7 lived h i g h i n t h e
structure ot the Suzaku Gate, and the Rasho Gate sheltered the equally
m u s i c a l d e m o n - t h i e f of n o . 64.
Naturally the Imperial Palace occupied a c o m m a n d i n g position in the
city. Located at the north end of Suzaku Avenue, it w a s actually a
complex of buildings inside a large, rectangular walled c o m p o u n d that
occupied about three h u n d r e d acres. Within the c o m p o u n d w e r e several
h u n d r e d buildings including the e m p e r o r ' s personal residence ( in a s u b -
c o m p o u n d o f its o w n ) , t h e v a r i o u s h a l l s o f g o v e r n m e n t , a n d m a n y o t h e r
s t r u c t u r e s e i t h e r f u n c t i o n a l o r c e r e m o n i a l . N o . 5 9 , for e x a m p l e , s t a r t s
w i t h a s c e n e o f g e n t l e m e n a r r i v i n g a t t h e p a l a c e , a p p a r e n t l y for a c o u n c i l
to be held near the G r e a t Hall of State. In no. 207, a w a r r i o r of the
Palace G u a r d a r r a n g e s to meet his colleagues by a gate at the northeast
corner of the palace c o m p o u n d , while at the next gate south lurks the
d a s t a r d l y t o a d o f n o . 10.
R i v e r s flow o n e i t h e r s i d e o f K y o t o , e a s t a n d w e s t . T o t h e e a s t i s t h e
Kamo, w h i c h every visitor has seen. Riverside Palace ( K a w a r a - n o - i n ) ,
w h e r e R e t i r e d E m p e r o r U d a m e t t h e g h o s t ( n o s . 190, 1 9 1 ) , w a s o n t h e
west b a n k of the K a m o . To the west flows the deeper Katsura River,
w h e r e t w o h o l y m e n ( n o s . 116, 1 6 1 ) c a m e t o grief.
T h e c i t y lies i n a b a s i n s u r r o u n d e d o n t h r e e s i d e s b y m o u n t a i n s . T h i s
makes it miserably hot in s u m m e r , which is w h y the empress w a s wearing
" a n e a r l y t r a n s p a r e n t g o w n " w h e n t h e h e r m i t first g l i m p s e d h e r i n n o .
1 2 5 . L a d i e s often d r e s s e d t h a t l i g h t l y i n s u m m e r , a t l e a s t i n p r i v a t e . T o
t h e n o r t h w e s t r i s e s M o u n t A t a g o , w h e r e a n o t h e r h e r m i t h a d h i s false
vision ( n o . 121); to t h e n o r t h stretches a r a n g e w h e r e a m a n met a
x x i i

m o u n t a i n g o d in the form of a w h i t e d o g ( n o . 129); and to the northeast

t o w e r s M o u n t H i e i , w h e r e all s o r t s o f c u r i o u s t h i n g s w e n t o n ( n o s . 3 3 ,
34, a n d others).
A b o u t t h i r t y m i l e s s o u t h o f K y o t o i s N a r a , w h i c h b e c a m e J a p a n ' s first
" p e r m a n e n t " capital in 710. (Before then the imperial residence had
m o v e d e v e r y t i m e a n e m p e r o r d i e d . ) N a r a a p p e a r s often i n t h e s e t a l e s
b e c a u s e the eighth c e n t u r y w a s such a crucial period in the development
of J a p a n e s e civilization, a n d b e c a u s e t h e religious institutions founded
t h e r e r e m a i n e d i m p o r t a n t l a t e r o n . T o d a i j i , n o d o u b t t h e single m o s t
f a m o u s B u d d h i s t t e m p l e i n J a p a n a n d a m u s t for e v e r y t o u r i s t , a p p e a r s
in nos. 2 3 , 24, a n d 25; while the great Shinto shrine of Kasuga (nos. 3 1 ,
4 5 ) still p r e s e r v e s t h e m u s i c a n d d a n c e t r a d i t i o n h o n o r e d b y hell itself i n
no. 46.
T h e rest of J a p a n consisted of sixty-six provinces, w h o s e names and
b o u n d a r i e s w e r e different from those of the m o d e r n J a p a n e s e prefec-
t u r e s . T h o s e m e n t i o n e d m o s t often a r e t h e o n e s c l o s e s t t o t h e C a p i t a l ,
like O m i a r o u n d t h e s o u t h e r n e n d o f L a k e Biwa; Y a m a t o , w h e r e N a r a i s
l o c a t e d ; a n d H a r i m a , w h i c h i n c l u d e d t h e site o f m o d e r n K o b e . F o r a
courtier, the ends of the earth w e r e represented by the nine provinces of
K y u s h u , such as Hizen, w h e r e Nagasaki eventually grew up; and Mutsu
a n d D e w a i n t h e far n o r t h o f H o n s h u . O f t h e s t o r i e s t h a t t a k e p l a c e i n
t h e s e m o r e r e m o t e r e g i o n s , m a n y i n v o l v e v i s i t o r s from t h e C a p i t a l o r
p e r s o n s b o u n d for t h e C a p i t a l .

E M P E R O R S , M I N I S T E R S . O F F I C I A L S ,

S E R V A N T S

T h e great nobles of this court-centered world, men whose birth destined

t h e m for t h e t o p r a n k s a n d p o s t s i n t h e g o v e r n m e n t , figure p r o m i n e n t l y
in t h e tales. N a t u r a l l y t h e e m p e r o r h a d a s p e c i a l a u r a , e v e n for t h e
m e m b e r s of the nobility; but it is touching to glimpse (nos. 32, 67) h o w
i m p r e s s i v e e v e n a p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n o r c o u l d l o o k i n his o w n p r o v i n c e .
P r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n o r s w e r e a p p o i n t e d a n d s e n t o u t from t h e C a p i t a l ,
a l t h o u g h sometimes (no. 8) they stayed in the Capital a n d had their
p r o v i n c e s r u n by s u b o r d i n a t e s on location. Dazzling in the hinterland, at
c o u r t t h e y i m p r e s s e d n o o n e b e c a u s e t h e y c a m e t o o l o w i n t h e official
h i e r a r c h y . A special provincial post, however, w a s that of viceroy of
Kyushu. T h e viceroy was normally of considerable rank, but no one
c o v e t e d h i s office s i n c e K y u s h u w a s s o far a w a y . I n fact, a p p o i n t m e n t a s
viceroy of K y u s h u could a m o u n t to exile. Fujiwara no Y a m a k a g e (no.
105) seems not to h a v e m i n d e d too much, but S u g a w a r a no Michizane's
a p p o i n t m e n t a s v i c e r o y o f K y u s h u m e a n t his d o w n f a l l a n d led t o h i s
becoming a vengeful god (nos. 101, 103).
T h e e m p e r o r w a s of course s u p p o s e d to rule J a p a n , a n d these stories
a s s u m e t h a t h e r e a l l y d i d . B u t i t i s r e m a r k a b l e h o w often, i n J a p a n e s e
h i s t o r y , r e a l p o w e r h a s b e e n h e l d n o t b y t h e figure w i t h t h e g r e a t title,
b u t b y s o m e o n e w h o i s olficially h i s s u b o r d i n a t e . T h e g r e a t s h o g u n w h o
unified J a p a n i n 1 6 0 0 a f t e r a c e n t u r y o f w a r l e g i t i m i z e d his p o w e r w i t h
t h e fiction t h a t h e w a s r u l i n g for t h e e m p e r o r a t t h e e m p e r o r ' s r e q u e s t .
History provides many other such examples. No doubt it is natural that
effective p o w e r s h o u l d h a v e p a s s e d from office t o office, f r o m c l a n t o
clan, a n d even from class to class o v e r time. W h a t is m o r e surprising is
that the emperor should never have been deposed, and should always
h a v e r e m a i n e d t h e u l t i m a t e s o u r c e o f l e g i t i m a t e political a u t h o r i t y .
I n t h e t i m e o f t h e s e s t o r i e s , real p o w e r h a d b e e n c a p t u r e d b y t h e
Fujiwara clan, h e a d e d by a regent w h o s e position w a s hereditary in one
F u j i w a r a l i n e . T h e F u j i w a r a w e r e w e a l t h i e r t h a n t h e i m p e r i a l family, a n d
their "private'' house administration rivaled the " p u b l i c " (imperial) gov-
e r n m e n t nominally h e a d e d by the e m p e r o r , especially since so m a n y of
the top posts in the " p u b l i c " g o v e r n m e n t w e r e inevitably held by the top
Fujiwaras. Since most of the great lords belonged to the Fujiwara clan,
t h i s b o o k i s full o f F u j i w a r a s g r e a t a n d s m a l l . T a d a z a n e h a s a l r e a d y b e e n
mentioned, but the ultimate Fujiwara potentate was the Regent Michi-
n a g a ( 9 6 6 - 1 0 2 7 ) , w h o s e little d o g s a v e s h i m from h o s t i l e m a g i c i n n o .
6 3 . O f t h e r e s t , m o s t b o r e t h e s u r n a m e M i n a m o t o . T o m ( n o s . 190, 191)
w a s an illustrious M i n a m o t o .
T h e r e g e n t ' s s t a n d i n g i l l u s t r a t e s t h i s s t a t e o f affairs p e r f e c t l y , for a l -
t h o u g h t h e r e w a s n o slot a t all for a r e g e n t i n t h e g o v e r n m e n t ' s official
t a b l e o f o r g a n i z a t i o n , h e o u t r a n k e d e v e r y o t h e r official a t c o u r t e v e n i f
h e h e l d n o o t h e r office. N o r m a l l y his d a u g h t e r w a s t h e e m p e r o r ' s w i f e
(no. 125), a n d therefore the m o t h e r of the next e m p e r o r . ( N o w o m a n
w a s allowed to s u c c e e d to the t h r o n e b e t w e e n 770 a n d 1630.) M i c h i n a g a
h a d t h r e e e m p e r o r s a s h i s s o n s - i n - l a w a n d f o u r a s his g r a n d s o n s .
U n d e r t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s e m p e r o r s w e r e often c h i l d r e n , o r a t least
very y o u n g , and usually abdicated early. A retired e m p e r o r enjoyed a
good deal m o r e freedom t h a n a reigning one. Retired E m p e r o r Kazan
( n o . 3 9 ) , f o r c e d t o a b d i c a t e b y t h e F u j i w a r a , e n d e d u p l e a d i n g a life o f
B u d d h i s t p r a c t i c e . A s a r e i g n i n g e m p e r o r h e c o u l d n e v e r h a v e left K y o t o
on pilgrimage to see a holy m a n , as he d o e s in t h e story. Retired e m p e r o r s
could e v e n wield real influence. In the twelfth c e n t u r y they c a m e to
c o m p e t e w i t h t h e r e g e n t s for p o w e r a t c o u r t , l e a v i n g t h e r e i g n i n g e m -
peror, as usual, to play a largely ceremonial role.
x x i v

T h e highest formal post in t h e g o v e r n m e n t w a s t h a t of chancellor, the

s e n i o r m i n i s t e r o f s t a t e . A n y o n e w e e p i n g w i t h j o y t o see a n o x eat a
handful of g r a s s w o u l d be b o u n d to raise a smile, b u t he is particularly
a m u s i n g w h e n he is a chancellor ( n o . 197). Below the chancellor came
t h e M i n i s t e r o f t h e Left, t h e n t h e M i n i s t e r o f t h e R i g h t . M i n a m o t o n o
M a k o t o , v i s i t e d b y a n g e l s i n n o . 4 4 , w a s a M i n i s t e r o f t h e Left; w h i l e t h e
"Sage Minister" of the Right, Fujiwara no Sanesuke, appears in no. 53
and elsewhere.
In theory the chancellor was to be a man of outstanding character w h o
c o u l d s e r v e a s a n e x a m p l e for t h e e m p e r o r a n d t h e officials. T h e office
w a s n o t s u p p o s e d t o b e filled u n l e s s a s u i t a b l y s u p e r i o r c a n d i d a t e w a s
a v a i l a b l e . I n fact t h e c h a n c e l l o r ' s a p p o i n t m e n t d e p e n d e d l a r g e l y o n his
s t a n d i n g i n t h e F u j i w a r a c l a n . I n a n y c a s e , s i n c e t h e office c a r r i e d little
r e a l p o w e r , e l i g i b l e c a n d i d a t e s often d e c l i n e d t h e h o n o r — o n e r e a s o n w h y
t h e p o s t w a s o f t e n v a c a n t . T h e M i n i s t e r o f t h e Left h a d far m o r e g e n u i n e
a u t h o r i t y s i n c e h e w a s t h e legal h e a d o f t h e g o v e r n m e n t , a n d r e s p o n s i b l e
for t h e w o r k i n g o f t h e C o u n c i l o f S t a t e ( n o . 11). T h e M i n i s t e r of the
R i g h t c o u l d s u b s t i t u t e for h i m a s n e e d e d , a n d d i d s o a s a m a t t e r o f c o u r s e
w h e n t h e M i n i s t e r o f t h e Left s e r v e d c o n c u r r e n t l y a s r e g e n t .
Below the ministers were three grades of counselors. (Major Coun-
selor Y a s u m i c h i a n d his fox-infested m a n s i o n a p p e a r in no. 80.) T h e t w o
t o p g r a d e s b e l o n g e d , like t h e m i n i s t e r s , t o t h e C o u n c i l o f S t a t e . A m o n g
t h e m a n y o t h e r , l o w e r offices w e r e t h o s e o f c o n t r o l l e r ( n o . 11) a n d c h a m -
b e r l a i n . T h e c o n t r o l l e r s ( t h e r e w e r e b e t w e e n six a n d n i n e o f t h e m ) s u p e r -
vised essential a d m i n i s t r a t i v e activities w h i c h linked the Council of State
with the central a n d provincial bureaucracies. Chamberlains were gen-
e r a l l y y o u n g e r a n d o f m u c h l o w e r r a n k t h a n t h e officials j u s t d e s c r i b e d ,
b u t t h e i r office w a s u n u s u a l l y g l a m o r o u s b e c a u s e a t least s o m e o f t h e m ,
being private secretaries to the e m p e r o r , had frequent access to him. O n e
c h a m b e r l a i n is t h e v i c t i m of a n a u g h t y j o k e in n o . 7, a n d a n o t h e r h a s a
strange dream in no. 56.
Several stories concern m e m b e r s of the Palace G u a r d s a n d the Impe-
rial P o l i c e . Both w e r e n e e d e d . Security in the Capital w a s doubtful,
especially at night, even w i t h o u t the p a r a d e s of demons that people oc-
casionally met in the dark, deserted streets (see below). Robberies were
not u n c o m m o n , a n d passersby could be m u r d e r e d u n d e r the very walls
of the palace c o m p o u n d . It is p r o b a b l y only since the seventeenth century
t h a t K y o t o h a s b e e n a s safe a s i t a n d o t h e r J a p a n e s e cities a r e n o w .
T h e Palace G u a r d s consisted of Gate G u a r d s , Military Guards, and
I n n e r G u a r d s , e a c h d i v i d e d i n t o Left a n d R i g h t c o n t i n g e n t s . All six
contingents besiege a mansion in no. 8, but only the Inner G u a r d s come
t o grief. S i n c e t h e I n n e r G u a r d s s e r v e d p h y s i c a l l y c l o s e r t o t h e e m p e r o r
a n d w e r e t h e r e f o r e g r a n d e r t h a n t h e o t h e r s , t h e i r u n d o i n g i n n o . 8 i s all
t h e f u n n i e r . T h e l e a d i n g officers o f t h e g u a r d s w e r e c a p t a i n s o f v a r i o u s
g r a d e s , like t h e g a l l a n t y o u n g m a n o f n o . 7 8 . I n fact t h e p o s t o f s e n i o r
c a p t a i n o f t h e I n n e r G u a r d s ( e i t h e r c o n t i n g e n t w o u l d d o , b u t Left w a s
preferable since it meant higher prestige) w a s one of the most desirable
o f all for a v e r y h i g h - b o r n y o u n g m a n ( n o . 1 6 8 ) .
T h e Imperial Police h a d their h e a d q u a r t e r s just outside the palace
c o m p o u n d . T h e i r chief ( n o . 1 0 2 ) w a s n o r m a l l y a c o u n s e l o r a n d h a d d i r e c t
access to the emperor. T h e y could be brave (no. 79) and they could be
r o u g h . F o r t h e i r d i r t y w o r k t h e y r o u t i n e l y u s e d freed c o n v i c t s like t h e
o n e s i n n o . 1 7 3 w h o force a p o o r y o u n g m a n t o c a r r y a s t r a n g e l y h e a v y
corpse.
B e l o w all t h e s e c a m e t h e h u m b l e p e o p l e w h o m a d e u p t h e b u l k o f t h e
Capital's population. W h e n they a p p e a r in these stories they are n a m e -
less. T h e m e n s e e m u s u a l l y t o b e jaburai, o r c a p a b l e o f b e i n g daburai i f
o n l y t h e y c o u l d find a j o b . T h e h e r o e s o f n o s . 7 4 a n d 174 a r e t h a t s o r t o f
person. The w o r d meant "servant," someone w h o served a nobleman in
a n y o n e of m a n y capacities. It c o m e s from t h e s a m e v e r b as t h e familiar
jamurai, o r " w a r r i o r , " b u t i n t h o s e d a y s its m e a n i n g w a s less s p e c i a l i z e d .
T h e a s s u m p t i o n that a y o u n g m a n of h u m b l e station w a s or should be a
aaburai i l l u s t r a t e s t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e a r i s t o c r a c y i n t h e
life of t h e C a p i t a l .

H O U S E S

E m p e r o r o r c o m m o n e r , p e o p l e lived i n s i n g l e - s t o r y h o u s e s w h e r e t h e y
s a t a n d s l e p t o n t h e floor, a s m a n y J a p a n e s e still d o . " B e d " i n t h i s b o o k
refers only to a sleeping-place, not to a piece of furniture or to a n y o t h e r
s t r u c t u r e . C o v e r s w e r e o f t e n j u s t a l a y e r o f r o b e s . Tatami, t h e t h i c k s t r a w
f l o o r i n g for w h i c h " t r a d i t i o n a l " J a p a n e s e h o u s e s a r e n o w f a m o u s , h a d
not y e t been invented. Floors w e r e polished b o a r d s spread with s t r a w
mats. H a v i n g n o p e r m a n e n t outside wall, rooms h a d n o w i n d o w s a n d
generally no outside d o o r . Interior d o o r s w e r e sliding panels.
T h e b o u n d a r y b e t w e e n outside a n d inside w a s a sort of c o n t i n u o u s
s h e l f a f e w feet w i d e w h i c h r a n all a r o u n d t h e h o u s e . " V e r a n d a " i s t h e
w o r d for i t i n t h e s e s t o r i e s , a l t h o u g h i t w a s n o t r e a l l y a v e r a n d a a t all.
T h e o u t s i d e r o o m s o p e n e d o n t o t h i s shelf. A g e n t l e m a n m i g h t sit o n t h e
v e r a n d a t o t a l k w i t h a l a d y i n s i d e , t h e t w o often b e i n g s e p a r a t e d b y a
hanging blind. In one episode (no. 213), a holy m o n k steps straight out
x x v i

of t h e e m p r e s s ' s r o o m o n t o t h e v e r a n d a a n d does s o m e t h i n g quite dis-

gusting.
T h e r o o m s a l o n g t h e v e r a n d a c o u l d b e c l o s e d off b y l a t t i c e w o r k s h u t -
ters, w h i c h w e r e b a c k e d b y b o a r d s a n d divided horizontally into u p p e r
a n d lower panels. W h e n both panels w e r e in place the room w a s sup-
p o s e d t o b e s e c u r e from s u n , w i n d , r a i n , a n d p r y i n g e y e s . H o w e v e r , t h e
u p p e r panel could s w i n g up a n d o u t w a r d , horizontally, leaving the room
o p e n . I n n o . 4 4 a g e n t l e m a n finds t h r e e little a n g e l s d a n c i n g o n a n o p e n
shutter panel.
T h e elaborate mansions of the great lords were composed of separate
pavilions (sometimes referred to as "wings") linked by covered, open-
sided galleries. T h e r e w a s a large g a r d e n a r o u n d them, and a pond in
f r o n t w i t h a n i s l a n d i n it. N o . 139 g i v e s a n i d e a l i z e d d e s c r i p t i o n o f s u c h
a g a r d e n . T h e m a n s i o n f a c e d s o u t h . O n its e a s t a n d w e s t s i d e s i t h a d a n
e n t r a n c e , a n d just inside each entrance a "middle g a t e " which gave access
to t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g " w i n g " of the mansion proper. In no. 71 a devoted
m o n k s i t s b y a m i d d l e g a t e o f t h e c h a n c e l l o r ' s m a n s i o n t o p r a y for t h e
chancellor's recovery.

M E N , W O M E N , A N D M A N N E R S

Y o u w o u l d not g u e s s from these stories that a court lady of M i c h i n a g a ' s

time w r o t e one of the world's greatest novels, though the Jiju of no. 57
does seem capable of practically any stroke of genius. W o m e n played a
m a j o r r o l e i n c u l t u r a l life, b u t t h e i r p r e s e n c e h e r e i s s u b d u e d . I n fact, t h e
b o o k contains not a single w o m a n ' s n a m e . " J i j u " and the o t h e r seeming
n a m e s a r e actually n i c k n a m e s . W o m e n did not use their personal names
in public. T w o w o m a n writers of the age are known only as "Michi-
tsuna's m o t h e r " a n d " T a k a s u e ' s d a u g h t e r . " "Mitsuto's sister" is another
e x a m p l e . A l t h o u g h no. 68 is really about her, not her brother, the story
n a m e s a n d describes her brother before ever mentioning her, and never
n a m e s h e r a t all.
P r o p e r w o m e n s t a y e d h i d d e n , p h y s i c a l l y a s w e l l a s figuratively, t h o u g h
p e a s a n t w o m e n m u s t h a v e b e e n too active t o imitate t h e m . N o t that
w o m e n never went outside. But a m o n g the aristocracy, a gentleman
s e l d o m s a w a l a d y ' s face p l a i n l y i n b r o a d d a y l i g h t . T h e r e w a s u s u a l l y a
c u r t a i n b e t w e e n t h e m , a n d even w h e n t h e y w e r e in bed t o g e t h e r it w a s
d a r k or at best dim.
This is o b v i o u s in n o . 177. W h e n the y o u n g monk, newly arrived in
t h e lady's h o u s e , h e a r s rustling in a r o o m nearby, he k n o w s right a w a y
w h a t is going on: curtains on a portable frame are being moved in so that
t h e l a d y c a n t a l k t o h i m f r o m b e h i n d t h e m . H e will n o t a c t u a l l y s e e h e r .
This movable, c u r t a i n e d enclosure, forming a tiny r o o m inside a room,
plays a role in several stories ( n o s . 58, 73, 125).
T h e m o n k d o e s not see the lady until he t a k e s a w a l k outside a n d spots
a h o l e i n o n e o f t h e s h u t t e r s t h a t e n c l o s e h e r r o o m for t h e n i g h t . ( T h e
l i t e r a t u r e o f t h e t i m e i s full o f m e n p e e r i n g t h r o u g h s u c h c r a c k s a n d
h o l e s . ) N a t u r a l l y h e falls i n l o v e . L a t e r o n , w h e n s h e a l l o w s h i m i n t o h e r
r o o m k n o w i n g t h a t h e will b e j o i n i n g h e r i n b e d , s h e still h a s a c u s h i o n
laid for h i m outside h e r c u r t a i n s . T h e o n l y light in t h e r o o m is from a d i m
l a m p b e h i n d a s c r e e n . N o d o u b t t h e l a m p i s o u t a n d h e r m a i d s all a s l e e p
w h e n h e finally lies d o w n b e s i d e h e r . S h e n e v e r sits s i m p l y t a l k i n g w i t h
h i m face t o l a c e .
C o u r t i n g m e n w e r e like b e e s v i s i t i n g s h y f l o w e r s , a n d c o u r t s h i p t o o k
place largely in the dark. H e i c h u (no. 57) has never seen the lady he is so
d e s p e r a t e t o m a k e l o v e t o , a n d w h e n h e finally g e t s i n t o h e r r o o m i t i s
naturally pitch d a r k . He can only a s s u m e that the w o m a n lying there is
t h e o n e h e i s c o u r t i n g ; i n fact, h e m u s t c h e c k w h e t h e r s h e i s a w o m a n a t
all b y feeling o v e r h e r face a n d h e r l o n g , cool h a i r .
B o t h m e n a n d w o m e n s e e m t o h a v e w e p t freely a n d often i n r e s p o n s e
to emotion. C o u r t s h i p always involved tears. W h e n y o u wept y o u dried
y o u r eyes w i t h y o u r sleeves, a n d i f y o u r grief w a s d e e p e n o u g h y o u r
sleeves got p r e t t y w e t . A m a n with conspicuously d r y sleeves might
a p p e a r i n s i n c e r e . H e i c h u ( n o . 5 6 ) k n e w t h i s s o w e l l t h a t h e t o o k a little
bottle of w a t e r with him w h e n he w e n t courting, to d a m p e n himself as
needed.
T h e transition from lover to h u s b a n d w a s a passage from d a r k n e s s a n d
secrecy to daylight a n d public recognition. N o . 220 summarizes this
process. T h e b r i d e g r o o m s p e n d s t w o nights with the bride, leaving while
i t i s still d a r k . O n t h e t h i r d n i g h t h e s t a y s i n b e d w i t h h e r o n i n t o t h e
m o r n i n g , for h e r p a r e n t s a n d h o u s e h o l d , a n d i n fact for h e r , t o s e e . W a s
t h e r e n o t h i n g else t o g e t t i n g m a r r i e d i n t h o s e d a y s ? O f c o u r s e t h e r e w a s ,
b u t t h i s , t o g e t h e r w i t h s o m e d i s c r e e t r i t u a l s , w a s t h e gist o f t h e " w e d -
d i n g . " M o r e o v e r , aristocratic h u s b a n d s , w h o might have lesser wives a n d
c o n c u b i n e s a s w e l l a s a p r i n c i p a l w i f e , d i d n o t n o r m a l l y live w i t h t h e i r
w i v e s b u t o n l y v i s i t e d t h e m . T h e w i f e i n n o . 5 4 lives w i t h h e r p a r e n t s i n
a great lord's mansion, a n d her h u s b a n d just spends the night with her.
T h e e m p e r o r d i d n o t live w i t h his p r i n c i p a l c o n s o r t e i t h e r ( n o . 1 2 5 ) . I n
t h i s s e n s e , m o r e m o d e s t p e o p l e lived w h a t s e e m m o r e n o r m a l lives. T h e
h u s b a n d a n d w i f e o f n o . 130 o b v i o u s l y live t o g e t h e r ; a n d t h e h u s b a n d o f
n o . 134 i s a f r a i d o f h i s w i f e i n a m a n n e r r e c o g n i z a b l e t h e w o r l d o v e r .
O n l y w o m e n used the portable c i y t a i n s just described, but in formal
c i r c u m s t a n c e s h i g h - r a n k i n g m e n t o o m i g h t s p e a k from b e h i n d b l i n d s .
T h e g o v e r n o r i n n o . 8 d o e s j u s t t h i s w h e n h e finally a d m i t s h i s v i c t i m s t o
his mansion. T h e e m p e r o r n o r m a l l y s p o k e o r w a t c h e d from b e h i n d
blinds. Being m a d e of thin b a m b o o or rush strips, blinds w e r e more or
less t r a n s p a r e n t t o s o m e o n e i n a d i m s p a c e l o o k i n g o u t a t a b r i g h t s c e n e .
O f t e n r o o m s w e r e s c r e e n e d f r o m t h e o u t s i d e o n l y b y b l i n d s , like t h e
residence of the D r a g o n King in no. 183.
T h e t e n d e n c y to avoid face-to-face contact also e n c o u r a g e d conversa-
tions c o n d u c t e d not directly b u t t h r o u g h servants. It w a s beneath a lord
or lady's dignity to speak directly to a h u m b l e person, even through a
c u r t a i n o r b l i n d , a n d a s e r v a n t w o u l d c a r r y m e s s a g e s b a c k a n d forth
instead. A p p r o x i m a t e equals w o u l d likewise become acquainted through
letters a n d messages carried by intermediaries. This w a s possible because
people had so many servants.
I t i s difficult for u s n o w t o i m a g i n e a life s o p e o p l e d b y s e r v a n t s o f all
d e g r e e s . I n n o . 133 a m a n g o e s b a c k t o s e e t h e w i f e h e left m a n y y e a r s
a g o . I t s a d d e n s h i m t o find t h e h o u s e falling t o r u i n , b u t his w i f e ' s p l i g h t
a n d t h e force of his o w n cruelty only sink in w h e n he discovers that she
h a s b e e n too p o o r to k e e p a single servant. E v e n the starving y o u n g man
o f n o . 172 h a s a s e r v a n t t o o p e n t h e d o o r for h i m . T h e p o o r w o m a n i n
n o . 1 7 5 , a b a n d o n e d b y h e r h u s b a n d , i s r e d u c e d t o l i v i n g " a s a d life i n h e r
p o o r , d r e a r y h o u s e , a l o n e b u t for a p a i r o f m a i d s . " B e t t e r - o f f p e o p l e h a d
s e r v a n t s a n d " r e t a i n e r s " o f all s o r t s .
As a result, a man's " h o u s e h o l d " was m u c h larger than w h a t we would
call h i s " f a m i l y , " a n d w h a t e v e r h a p p e n e d t o h i m a f f e c t e d t h i s l a r g e r
g r o u p . T h e fox-girl of n o . 82 t a k e s the r a n d y h e r o h o m e to a beautiful
h o u s e b u s t l i n g w i t h s e r v a n t s w h o w e l c o m e h e r effusively. I n fact, t o
e v o k e a fine, p r o s p e r o u s r e s i d e n c e , i t w a s n o t e n o u g h t o p r a i s e t h e size
or l u x u r y of the building. T h e place had also to be " b u s t l i n g , " w h i c h
m e a n t t h a t it h a d lots of s e r v a n t s a n d visitors. If it w a s not " b u s t l i n g , " it
l o o k e d f o r l o r n a n d g a v e t h e i m p r e s s i o n t h a t t h e o c c u p a n t , w h a t e v e r his
o r h e r m e a n s , h a d little r e a l s t a n d i n g i n t h e w o r l d .
W i t h so m a n y s e r v a n t s , p e o p l e w e r e seldom, if ever, alone in o u r sense
o f t h e w o r d . A l a d y like t h e o n e i n n o . 1 7 7 m a y h a v e s l e p t w i t h i n h e r
c u r t a i n s , b u t several m a i d s slept in t h e s a m e room. S o m e o n e w a s always
w i t h i n e a r s h o t , i f n o t w i t h i n s i g h t . T h e w r i t e r s o f t h e t i m e d i d n o t insist
on this since it w a s o b v i o u s to t h e m a n d their readers, a n d since in any
case s e r v a n t s did not really " c o u n t " in relation to their masters; but we
n e e d to be r e m i n d e d . No one of the slightest standing w e n t a n y w h e r e
entirely a l o n e . E v e n t h e w a n d e r e r of n o . 127 h a s a servant with him on
h i s t r a v e l s , a n d s o d o e s t h e t h r e a d b a r e m o n k o f n o . 155.
 J A P A N E

M A G I C . HEALING, AND R E L I G I O N

O n e t h i n g t h a t m a k e s t h e s e t a l e s u n l i k e r e c e n t l y c o l l e c t e d J a p a n e s e folk-
tales, despite the c o n t i n u i t y of m a n y motifs, is religion. M e d i e v a l J a p a n
w a s as s t e e p e d in religion as medieval E u r o p e , a n d people t h o u g h t in
r e l i g i o u s t e r m s far m o r e o f t e n t h a n n o w a d a y s . B u d d h i s m w a s d o m i n a n t ,
but other religious or magical traditions w e r e important too. N o n e w e r e
m u t u a l l y exclusive, at least not in a n y sense that might s o u n d serious to
a C h r i s t i a n or a M o s l e m .
T h e m a g i c a n d r e l i g i o n i n t h e s e s t o r i e s fall i n t o f o u r m a i n c a t e g o r i e s :
y i n - y a n g lore, C h i n e s e y o g a , the cults of the native J a p a n e s e gods, a n d
B u d d h i s m . T h e first t w o c a n b e d e a l t w i t h fairly q u i c k l y . T h e n a t i v e
g o d s , h o w e v e r , will r e q u i r e fuller t r e a t m e n t , t o g e t h e r w i t h s u c h p r e o c -
c u p a t i o n s a s s p i r i t p o s s e s s i o n , d r e a m s , h e a l i n g , a n d t h e fear o f p o l l u t i o n .
I will s a v e B u d d h i s m till last, e v e n t h o u g h I will h a v e to r e f e r to it often
before t h e n , just b e c a u s e B u d d h i s m looms so large. M a g i c , spirit p o w e r s ,
h e a l i n g , e t c . a r e , a f t e r all, s u b j e c t s f a m i l i a r t o u s i n a g e n e r a l w a y f r o m
m a n y c u l t u r e s ; a n d s o i s t h e q u e s t for r i g h t c o n d u c t a n d s a l v a t i o n w h i c h
finds its e x p r e s s i o n i n B u d d h i s m a s i n o t h e r r e l i g i o n s . B u t B u d d h i s t i d e a s ,
the n a m e s a n d roles of B u d d h i s t divinities, a n d the other t r a p p i n g s of the
B u d d h i s t faith a r e t o o c o m p l e x t o t r e a t c o n s e c u t i v e l y u n t i l t h e o t h e r ,
l e s s e r t o p i c s a r e safely o u t o f t h e w a y .

YIN-YANG LORE

T h e y i n - y a n g t r a d i t i o n c a m e t o J a p a n from C h i n a . I n the W e s t , most

people k n o w n o w that " y i n " m e a n s the d a r k , moist, cold, passive, female
principle of the universe, while " y a n g " m e a n s the bright, dry, hot, active,
male principle. T h i s is not w r o n g , of c o u r s e , but it r e p r e s e n t s such a high
level o f p h i l o s o p h i c a l a b s t r a c t i o n t h a t i t h a s little t o d o w i t h y i n - y a n g l o r e
as it figures in these stories. Y i n - y a n g k n o w l e d g e , intricate a n d practical,
i n v o l v e d a s t r o l o g y , g e o m a n c y , p u r i f i c a t i o n , d i v i n a t i o n , a n d offensive o r
defensive magic.
I have called the y i n - y a n g m a s t e r s in this book " d i v i n e r s " b e c a u s e t h e y
a p p e a r m o s t c o m m o n l y i n t h a t r o l e . T h e y w e r e often c a l l e d i n t o f a t h o m
the meaning of puzzling events a n d to prescribe appropriate action (nos.
63, 164). T h e y could also be asked to d e t e r m i n e auspicious or inauspi-
c i o u s d a y s a n d t o i n t e r p r e t d r e a m s . P u r i f i c a t i o n r i t e s c o m e u p i n n o s . 162
a n d 179. B o t h t h e g o v e r n m e n t a n d p r i v a t e p a t r o n s c o n s i d e r e d s u c h f u n c -
tions essential. T h e g o v e r n m e n t ' s table of organization included a B u r e a u
X X X

o f D i v i n a t i o n , w h i c h e m p l o y e d t h e t o p m e m b e r s o f t h e p r o f e s s i o n like
A b e no Seimei ( n o s . 59, 60, a n d . o t h e r s ) a n d K a m o no T a d a y u k i (nos.
162, 1 6 5 ) . A l t h o u g h h e r e d i t a r y i n c e r t a i n families, t h e p r o f e s s i o n r e -
q u i r e d l o n g t r a i n i n g . As a l r e a d y n o t e d , s u c h m e n also played a key role
i n t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f t h e official c a l e n d a r .
Y i n - y a n g diviners practiced magic at the request of their patrons. In
n o . 5 9 , for e x a m p l e , S e i m e i d e f e n d s a y o u n g g e n t l e m a n a g a i n s t a h i r e d
diviner's curse. S u c h magic w a s lethal (no. 163). A c o m m o n countermea-
s u r e against curses a n d o t h e r misfortunes, foreseen by the diviner thanks
to his art, w a s seclusion. T h e potential victim h a d to shut himself up
strictly at home, admitting no one a n d talking to no outsider. N o . 14
describes the particularly horrid w a y a demon broke through a man's
seclusion, sensibly o r d e r e d by a diviner.

CHINESE YOGA

T h e C h i n e s e tradition of ascetic self-cultivation entered J a p a n early, but

w a s t h e n o v e r w h e l m e d b y B u d d h i s m . I t i s r e p r e s e n t e d h e r e b y a few old
stories. T h e ascetic's goal w a s t h e eternal o n e of freedom from mortality
a n d from the constraints of the b o d y . A truly accomplished ascetic could
shed his g r o s s physicality a n d t a k e on a new, spiritual b o d y as an Immor-
t a l ; a n d o n e n i c e t h i n g a b o u t b e i n g a n I m m o r t a l w a s t h a t y o u c o u l d fly.
O n e a s c e t i c w h o t h o u g h t h e c o u l d fly m a d e a b i g m i s t a k e ( n o . 9 0 ) , b u t
the w i z a r d of no. 88 m a n a g e d beautifully. (This wizard is k n o w n to have
m a s t e r e d C h i n e s e y o g a , b u t it is true that he mixed B u d d h i s t esoteric
p r a c t i c e s w i t h it.)
In time the idea of the Immortal came, u n d e r Buddhist influence, to be
associated with certain ascetic m o n k s w h o were devoted to the Lotus
S u t r a (see below).

THE N A T I V E GODS

J a p a n h a s a l w a y s b e e n full o f g o d s . T h e r e a r e n o w s h r i n e s t o t h e m e v e n
on t h e roofs of d e p a r t m e n t s t o r e s . In medieval times people often t h o u g h t
o f J a p a n a s t h e " l a n d o f t h e g o d s , " t h u s e x p r e s s i n g a n a t u r a l l o v e for t h e
beautiful J a p a n e s e islands and their h u m a n community.
In the centuries covered by these stories there were countless cults to
these gods, and some were very strong. On the whole, though, the wor-
s h i p of t h e native J a p a n e s e g o d s did not constitute a clear-cut religion.
We a r e often told t h a t the t w o main religions of J a p a n are B u d d h i s m
a n d Shinto, and that Shinto ("the W a y of the Gods") is the "native
r e l i g i o n o f J a p a n . " B u t S h i n t o h a s o n l y e x i s t e d a s a s e l f - c o n s c i o u s reli-
gion since the late nineteenth century, w h e n it developed in response to
a m o v e m e n t of political a n d religious ideas w h i c h is foreign to the w o r l d
o f t h e s e tale's. T h e e a r l i e r c u l t s o f local, r e g i o n a l , o r e v e n n a t i o n a l signif-
icance celebrated a great variety of divine presences in symbiosis with
Buddhism.
P h i l o s o p h i c a l l y a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l l y , B u d d h i s m w a s far m o r e h i g h l y
developed. A handful of i m p o r t a n t shrines tried w i t h limited success to
keep Buddhism at arm's length, but most were as much dominated by
their associated Buddhist temples as the e m p e r o r w a s by the Fujiwara
r e g e n t . N o t t h a t t h i s d o m i n a t i o n i n v o l v e d f o r c e . M a n y l e g e n d s tell h o w
t h e n a t i v e g o d s a c c e p t e d B u d d h i s m g l a d l y , l i s t e n e d e a g e r l y t o its t e a c h -
ing, a n d s o m e t i m e s e v e n c l a i m e d B u d d h i s t - s o u n d i n g titles.
All t h i s h e l p s t o e x p l a i n w h y t h e s t o r i e s t a l k m o r e a b o u t B u d d h i s t
divinities t h a n a b o u t the native g o d s . Although the court h o n o r e d the
gods, it w a s so steeped in B u d d h i s m that it did not think deeply about
t h e m . T h e K a s u g a G o d , the clan god of the Fujiwara, upheld B u d d h i s m
w i t h a f f e c t i n g c o n v i c t i o n ( n o . 3 1 ) . I n fact, his s h r i n e w a s t h o r o u g h l y
d o m i n a t e d by Kofukuji ( n o . 45 a n d others), the oldest ancestral temple
of t h e s a m e F u j i w a r a clan. T h e G o d of Fire a n d T h u n d e r ( n o . 101) is
v e r y d i f f e r e n t , b u t h e still i n s i s t s t h a t B u d d h i s m m o v e s h i m d e e p l y a n d
h a s s o far d e t e r r e d h i m f r o m d e s t r o y i n g J a p a n c o m p l e t e l y .
T h e Kasuga G o d a n d the G o d of Fire and T h u n d e r w e r e major divin-
ities. S o w a s t h e d i v i n e p r e s e n c e a t K u m a n o , a g r e a t p i l g r i m a g e c e n t e r
w h o s e n a m e alone a p p e a r s in these stories. O t h e r s were more remote.
N o . 30 shows h o w gentlemanly a provincial god could be, but the m o u n -
tain g o d s K 6 y a a n d Nifu, eager to help found a great B u d d h i s t temple,
are impressively rugged (no. 26). T h e w a r between the mountain god
and the wizard (no. 88) is one of J a p a n ' s most famous legends. Nos. 77
a n d 1 8 8 , w i t h t h e i r l e g e n d s o f h u m a n sacrifices offered t o m o n k e y g o d s ,
conjure up a world that must have seemed almost as strange to the
original r e a d e r s of these stories as it does to us.
S o m e g o d s had animal forms. In addition to monkeys, these stories
include a dog (no. 29) and a snake and centipede (no. 187). Animals
c o u l d a l s o b e d i v i n e m e s s e n g e r s : t h e d e e r for t h e K a s u g a G o d ; t h e m o n -
k e y for t h e H i e G o d ( n o . 4 1 ) . T h e fox i s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h I n a r i , a g o d o f
p l e n t y , a n d t h a t i s p r o b a b l y h o w t h e fox g e t s i n t o t h e r i t e t h a t s t a r t s n o .
4 7 . L a t e r i n t h e s a m e s t o r y , t h e fox itself i s a g o d . ( F o x s p i r i t s , w h o
o c c u p y a l o w e r level t h a n g o d s , a r e d i s c u s s e d b e l o w . )
H u m b l e s t o f all, p e r h a p s , w e r e t h e r o a d g o d s ( n o s . 159, 1 7 8 ) . T h e i r
d i r e c t d e s c e n d a n t s c a n still b e s e e n a l o n g t h e r o a d s i n s o m e p a r t s o f
J a p a n . N o w as then, most road gods "have a man part and a woman
p a r t , " a s n o . 159 p u t s it. T h e r o a d g o d i n b o t h s t o r i e s a p p e a r s a s a n o l d
m a n , t h e s i n g l e m o s t l i k e l y f o r m for a n a t i v e g o d t o t a k e w h e n a p p e a r i n g
to a h u m a n .
All t h e g o d s t h r i v e d o n h u m a n a t t e n t i o n a n d i n fact r e q u i r e d it. N a t u -
r a l l y t h e y r e c e i v e d o f f e r i n g s o f f o o d a n d d r i n k , a s w e l l a s r i t e s a n d festival
o b s e r v a n c e s . B u t in these stories t h e g o d s especially enjoy music a n d
d a n c e . T h e d i v i n e a p p l a u s e d e s c r i b e d i n n o . 4 8 w a s o n e a c c e p t e d sign o f
a g o d ' s p l e a s u r e . T h e G o d o f G o o d F o r t u n e ' s lust for m u s i c ( n o . 4 7 )
s e e m s d e m e n t e d ; b u t t h e K a s u g a G o d nicely disposes of the idea that
m u s i c h a s n o t h i n g , o r n o t h i n g i m p o r t a n t , t o d o w i t h g e n u i n e religion ( n o .
45).

C O M M U N I C A T I N G WITH THE G O D S

N o t only did h u m a n beings address the gods, but the gods spoke to
h u m a n s . S h a m a n i s t i c p o s s e s s i o n i s n o w b a n i s h e d from t h e religion that
i d e n t i f i e s itself a s S h i n t o , b u t i n t h e w o r l d o f t h e s e s t o r i e s i t w a s q u i t e
normal. So w a s a keen interest in divinely inspired dreams.
A g o d might deliver an oracle through a h u m a n medium. Hitokotonu-
shi, the n a m e of the g o d w h o o p p o s e s the w i z a r d in no. 88, m e a n s
" M a s t e r of the Single W o r d " and suggests the practice of giving one-
w o r d oracles, y e s or no. In the story, though, Hitokotonushi accuses the
w i z a r d at length t h r o u g h o n e of the e m p e r o r ' s o w n attendants. This sort
of s p o n t a n e o u s possession of a h o u s e h o l d m e m b e r by a god occurs in no.
3 1 , a n d also in no. 163 w h e r e a m a n discovers, t h a n k s to "an oracle
d e l i v e r e d i n h i s o w n h o m e , " t h a t a n e n e m y i s p l o t t i n g t o kill h i m . H o w -
ever, there w e r e plenty of professional mediums, too. Some w o r k e d in
healing, as explained below u n d e r that topic. O t h e r s belonged to the
staffs o f m a j o r s h r i n e s like t h o s e o f K a s u g a o r H i e . I n n o . 4 1 a H i e S h r i n e
m e d i u m is seen delivering oracles to a c r o w d of pilgrims.
S h r i n e m e d i u m s w e r e w o m e n , a s w e r e most o t h e r professional o r spon-
t a n e o u s m e d i u m s . Y o u n g boys sometimes gave oracles, though none do
i n t h i s b o o k . O f s h a m a n i c m e n , m o s t s e e m t o h a v e b e e n m o n k s like t h e
o n e w h o h a s t h e g r e a t v i s i o n i n n o . 1 0 1 , o r like t h e m o n k d e s c r i b e d i n
n o . 88 as " t h e vessel of the G o d of H a k u s a n . " M a n y m o n k s w e r e involved
w i t h spirit possession as healers, often a c t i n g in p a r t n e r s h i p with a
woman medium.
An absorbing or outstandingly apt oracle w a s u n c o m m o n . W h a t people
sought instead, at both shrines a n d Buddhist temples, was dreams. The
Buddhist divinities did not possess mediums, but they and the gods could
speak or otherwise signify their will in dreams.
The common procedure was to do a seven-day retreat at a temple or
shrine, in the hope of getting a sign from the divinity in the form of a
dream. If none came, you could do a second seven-day period or even a
third. The dream seems always to come just before the last dawn of the
retreat (no. 45). In no. 174, a y o u n g man prays at a temple for relief from
poverty, and by acting on his dream message he becomes rich.
A medieval Japanese story may not identify a communication from a
god or a Buddhist divinity as a dream, but may describe it instead as
though it were a normal, waking event. (In most such instances the
circumstances still make it clear that the communication is a dream, and
sometimes another version of the story may say so plainly.) This suggests
that dream experience and waking experience were not always sharply
distinguished from each other, and that dream experience could be ac-
cepted as perfectly authentic. Some sacred dreams, although unsought,
carried great weight. In a fascinating example (no. 197), a monk dreams
that a certain temple has a black ox and that this ox is actually a buddha.
The dream starts a mass pilgrimage (it really happened) to worship the
Buddha-Ox.
Besides sacred dreams, these tales contain other kinds of dreams which
show how fascinating people found the theme. Examples are the comple-
mentary dreams dreamed simultaneously by both members of a couple
(nos. 130, 134), and the extraordinary Buddhist morality dream of no.
198.

H E A L I N G

The literature of the time rarely acknowledges that the Japanese had
acquired from China (as well as undoubtedly developed also on their
own) knowledge ol medicine and drugs. The physician who appears
briefly in no. 125 must have known about such things, but his treatment
is not even mentioned. Instead, the emphasis is on spiritual rather than
physical processes, and especially on exorcism.
Several stories contain a passage like this one (no. 72): "Then Emperor
Daigo happened to become very ill. All sorts of prayers and rites tried on
his behalf brought him no relief. Finally an official remembered the holy
man of Mount Shigi . . ." The first thing to do, apparently, was to bring
in one or more Buddhist monks (depending on the patient's means) to
perform rites and chant sacred texts. A rite alone could work, for a healer
once cleansed an entire province of an epidemic with his masterful per-
f o r m a n c e of an e l a b o r a t e ritual ( n o . 127). Usually c h a n t i n g w a s essential
t o o . W h e n t h e c h a n c e l l o r w a s ill ( n o . 7 1 ) , "all t h e b e s t - k n o w n m o n k s
c r o w d e d into his m a n s i o n , w h i c h r a n g w i t h the din of their c h a n t i n g . "
In most cases, spirits are involved on both sides of the struggle between
the healer a n d the sickness. In n o . 70 a Buddhist divinity, invoked by
chanting monks, drives a w a y a h o r d e of nasty spirit-children. More
often, t h o u g h , t h e healing spirit is not a s t a n d a r d divinity but a p r o t e c t o r
spirit personally linked to the healer. A famous example is the S w o r d
G u a r d i a n ( n o . 72), a spirit controlled by the holy m a n of M o u n t Shigi.
A s for t h e evil s p i r i t s w h o c a u s e s i c k n e s s , t h e i r n a t u r e a n d m o t i v a t i o n
are usually s h a d o w y . Although one story (no. 74) features a remarkable
a c c o u n t o f a h e a l i n g s e s s i o n f r o m t h e afflicting s p i r i t ' s s t a n d p o i n t , w e
l e a r n n o t h i n g a b o u t w h y t h e p a t i e n t s h o u l d h a v e b e e n s i n g l e d o u t for
t o r m e n t . T h e afflicting spirit h a s only b e e n d r a g o o n e d into service by a
m i n o r g o d , a n d t h e m i n o r g o d i s a p p a r e n t l y a c t i n g o n behalf o f a b i g g e r
g o d w h o s e r e a s o n s are unfathomable. In these stories, the only kind of
a f f l i c t i n g s p i r i t w i t h a r e l a t i v e l y c l e a r i d e n t i t y is a fox.
F o x s p i r i t s still m a k e p e o p l e ill i n J a p a n . T h e r e a s o n s w h y t h e y p o s s e s s
p e o p l e m a y be h a r d to m a k e out, especially w h e n y o u d o u b t (as a m o d e r n
r e a d e r o r o b s e r v e r c a n h a r d l y h e l p d o i n g ) t h a t foxes r e a l l y a r e a u t o n o -
m o u s entities, external to the possessed person, w h o just move in w h e n
t h e y feel like it. I n t h e s e t a l e s , t w o m o t i v e s a r e g i v e n . T h e first i s e x c e p -
t i o n a l : a m a n s e n d s a fox t o d e l i v e r a m e s s a g e t o his h o u s e h o l d , a n d t h e
fox o b e y s b y p o s s e s s i n g t h e m a n ' s w i f e a n d s p e a k i n g t h r o u g h h e r m o u t h
( n o . 8 3 ) . T h e s e c o n d i s m o r e c o m m o n : t h e fox e x p l a i n s t h a t i t h a s p o s -
s e s s e d t h e p a t i e n t o n l y b e c a u s e i t h o p e s t o b e g i v e n s o m e food ( n o s . 124,
206).
T h e s e last t w o s t o r i e s s h o w c l e a r l y h o w a m o n k a n d a w o m a n m e d i u m
w o r k e d t o g e t h e r . A s t h e m o n k c h a n t e d s a c r e d texts a n d spells, t h e m e -
d i u m w e n t i n t o a t r a n c e . M e a n w h i l e t h e p r o t e c t o r spirit o r s p i r i t s w h o
s e r v e d t h e m o n k w o u l d f o r c e t h e afflicting p o w e r t o m o v e i n t o t h e m e -
d i u m , w h e r e t h e m o n k c o u l d q u e s t i o n it. A f t e r a s k i n g w h a t i t w a s a n d
w h y i t w a s t h e r e , h e m i g h t g o o n t o s c o l d i t for its mischief. F i n a l l y h e
would send it a w a y and the medium would regain consciousness.

AFTER DEATH

I f h e a l i n g fails, t h e p a t i e n t m a y d i e . T h e r e a r e s e v e r a l d e a t h s a n d c o r p s e s
in these stories, a l t h o u g h no births. A corpse m a y pollute the place w h e r e
i t lies a n d t h e p e o p l e w h o c o m e i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h it, a n d t h e spirit o f t h e
deceased may a p p e a r as a ghost.
 J A P A N E

P r o p e r t r e a t m e n t o f t h e d e a d h a s a l w a y s b e e n vital i n J a p a n e s e reli-
g i o n . F i r s t , t h e b o d y h a d t o b e p r o p e r l y d i s p o s e d of. ( N o . 133 e v o k e s
h o r r i b l y t h e fate o f a n u n t e n d e d c o r p s e . ) T h i s c o u l d b e d o n e b y c r e m a t i o n
or by disposing in one w a y or another of the whole body. Toribeno, the
C a p i t a l ' s m a j o r b u r n i n g g r o u n d , a p p e a r s i n s e v e r a l s t o r i e s ( n o s . 15, 1 3 1 ) .
In other instances the corpse w a s carried to a charnel g r o u n d , olten a
r a v i n e n e a r t h e foot o f t h e m o u n t a i n s w h e r e i t m i g h t b e a b a n d o n e d , o r a t
best buried in a shallow g r a v e . In t w o stories (nos. 27, 4 6 ) the b o d y is
h u n g in a t r e e . It c o u l d a l s o be left in a c a v e ( t h e s a v i n g s p i r i t in n o . 148
s p e a k s f r o m s u c h a c a v e ) o r e v e n o n t h e t o p floor o f a city g a t e ( n o . 6 5 ) .
F o r t h e living, t h e s e s p o t s b e l o n g e d t o a n o t h e r , a l i e n w o r l d o f w h i c h t h e
hellish, volcanic l a n d s c a p e of T a t e y a m a (nos. 147, 2 1 6 ) i s a n e x t r e m e
example.
P r o p e r c a r e of the spirit took m o r e devotion than disposal of the body.
B u d d h i s t r i t e s h a d t o b e p e r f o r m e d d a i l y for t h e first s e v e n d a y s a f t e r
d e a t h ( n o . 2 1 6 ) , t h e n e v e r y s e v e n t h d a y thereafter until the lorty-ninth
d a y . T h e s c h e d u l e o f o b s e r v a n c e s t h i n n e d o u t after t h a t , b u t i t r a n o n
a n o t h e r y e a r o r t w o for t h e i n d i v i d u a l s p i r i t . W h e n i t w a s o v e r , t h e s p i r i t
joined a family's collective ancestors, w h o w e r e h o n o r e d jointly.
W i t h o u t this care spirits w e r e miserable, a n d could easily linger on as
harmful or u n h a p p y ghosts. In a n y case, people w h o died violently or in
a c u t e distress w e r e likely to b e c o m e g h o s t s ( n o . 133). In e x t r e m e cases,
an u n h a p p y ghost could become a harmful god (no. 28). T h e G o d of Fire
and Thunder (nos. 101, 103), a model of this kind, w a s originally
the statesman S u g a w a r a no M i c h i z a n e . Michizane died heartbroken, in
u n j u s t e x i l e . W h e n h i s g h o s t s t a r t e d c a u s i n g d i s a s t e r s , h e w a s first p o s t -
h u m o u s l y p r o m o t e d in rank, then a major shrine to him w a s built in
K y o t o a n d his w o r s h i p developed into a w i d e s p r e a d cult.
D e a t h w a s a difficult i s s u e for m o s t n a t i v e g o d s , w h o a b h o r r e d a n y
taint of blood, sickness, or death. No d o u b t the people of pre-Buddhist
J a p a n found w a y s to deal with this p r o b l e m . B u d d h i s m seems to have
m e t a n e e d , h o w e v e r , s i n c e s o m u c h o f its t e a c h i n g w a s c o n c e r n e d w i t h
t h e fate o f t h e s o u l a f t e r d e a t h , a n d s i n c e i n p r i n c i p l e its d i v i n i t i e s felt n o
s u c h r e v u l s i o n . I n fact, t h e c a r e o f t h e d e a d b e c a m e i n t i m e t h e f u n d a -
mental task of B u d d h i s m in J a p a n e s e society. Buddhist m o n k s c o n d u c t e d
m o r t u a r y rites, B u d d h i s t ascetics practiced in the mountains w h i c h w e r e
the " o t h e r w o r l d " of the ancestral spirits, a n d Buddhist temples g r e w up
in association with the places w h e r e the dead were disposed oh In no. 46
a w o o d c u t t e r h e a r s g r o a n s f r o m a coffin h a n g i n g in a t r e e a n d g o e s to
w a r n "the priests of the temple n e a r b y . " T h e temple m a y have had this
sort of connection with the place.
X X X V 1

T h e native g o d s ' attitude t o w a r d d e a t h is beautifully illustrated in no.

4 1 . A m o n k i s m a k i n g d a i l y p i l g r i m a g e s from K y o t o t o t h e H i e S h r i n e ,
o v e r a l o w m o u n t a i n p a s s t o t h e e a s t o f t h e city. O n h i s w a y h o m e o n e
d a y he finds a y o u n g w o m a n w e e p i n g because she cannot dispose of the
c o r p s e o f h e r m o t h e r w h o h a s j u s t d i e d . T h e v i l l a g e r s will n o t h e l p h e r
b e c a u s e t h e y a r e b u s y w i t h p r e p a r a t i o n s for a festival i n h o n o r o f t h e i r
local g o d ; i f t h e y t o u c h t h e c o r p s e , t h e g o d will b e a n g r y a n d m i s f o r t u n e
will s t r i k e t h e w h o l e v i l l a g e . T h e m o n k g e n e r o u s l y h e l p s c a r r y t h e b o d y
a w a y . N o w , h o w e v e r , h e i s p o l l u t e d h i m s e l f a n d m u s t e i t h e r b r e a k off h i s
p i l g r i m a g e s o r r i s k t h e H i e G o d ' s w r a t h . T h o u g h afraid, h e d e c i d e s t h e
n e x t m o r n i n g t o m a k e his p i l g r i m a g e a s u s u a l . O n a r r i v a l h e k e e p s well
a w a y from the s a n c t u a r y building. W h e n the g o d nonetheless o r d e r s him
( t h r o u g h a m e d i u m ) t o a p p r o a c h , h e i s s o t e r r i f i e d t h a t h e a l m o s t faints.
This fear of pollution w a s so deeply ingrained in the J a p a n e s e that it
influenced the Buddhist establishments themselves, even though it had
no canonical basis in Buddhist teaching. W h e n thieves manage to rob a
t e m p l e o f its b i g b r o n z e bell ( n o . 1 4 3 ) , t h e k e y t o t h e i r s u c c e s s i s t h e i r
c e r t a i n t y t h a t t h e m o n k s o f t h e t e m p l e will n o t g o n e a r a d e a d b o d y .
L i k e w i s e , t h e t e m p l e m o n k s i n n o . 174 a r e afraid t h a t t h e h e r o o f t h e
s t o r y will d i e o f s t a r v a t i o n r i g h t b e f o r e t h e i r a l t a r a n d i n s o d o i n g p o l l u t e
t h e t e m p l e . T h i s f e a r w a s n o t c o n f i n e d t o s h r i n e s a n d t e m p l e s , for a
courtier polluted by direct contact with death could not a p p e a r at court,
a s n o . 132 s u g g e s t s .

B U D D H I S M

B u d d h i s m b e g a n i n I n d i a a b o u t 5 0 0 B . C . , a n d f i r s t c a m e officially t o t h e
J a p a n e s e court's attention in the mid-sixth century A.D. In between it
h a d p e r m e a t e d S o u t h e a s t Asia, C e n t r a l Asia, China, a n d Korea, a n d gone
t h r o u g h a t h o u s a n d y e a r s o f e v o l u t i o n . I n t i m e i t all b u t v a n i s h e d from
India a n d faded in China. D u r i n g the thirteenth century, certain J a p a -
nese Buddhists even began claiming that the center of Buddhism was
now Japan.
So old, c o m p l e x , a n d sophisticated a religion is h a r d to s u m m a r i z e ,
e v e n for t h e l i m i t e d p u r p o s e o f i n t r o d u c i n g t h e s e s t o r i e s . P e r h a p s i t i s
best to begin with some basic terms.
T h i s b o o k i s full o f B u d d h i s t " m o n k s , ' ' w i t h a few " p r i e s t s " s c a t t e r e d
h e r e a n d t h e r e . S o m e w e r e saintly, s o m e frivolous, some w o r l d l y a n d
rich. T h e religious or quasi-religious population w a s large, as in medieval
E u r o p e , a n d m a n y m o n k s w h o a p p e a r in these stories w e r e sons of great
f a m i l i e s . S u b c l a s s e s o f v a r y i n g s t a n d i n g a n d o u t l o o k m a d e u p t h e reli-
gious population, but I have not tried to distinguish them in translation.
Instead, I have called e v e r y o n e a m o n k unless he is obviously ministering
to t h e laity; t h e n I h a v e c a l l e d h i m a p r i e s t . I h a v e left o u t all e c c l e s i a s t i c a l
titles.
M o n k s h a d b o y s o f v a r y i n g a g e s ( a c o l y t e s ) t o s e r v e t h e m , a n d often
disciples s t u d y i n g u n d e r t h e m . In their all-male society, t h e r e naturally
o c c u r r e d c e r t a i n t h i n g s t h a t a r e m a d e q u i t e e x p l i c i t i n n o s . 154 a n d 1 5 5 .
M o n k s w e r e a t t a c h e d m o r e o r less c l o s e l y t o r e l i g i o u s e s t a b l i s h m e n t s
conventionally called " t e m p l e s " in English, although in m a n y cases the
w o r d " m o n a s t e r y " m i g h t d o a s w e l l . ( I t i s a l s o s i m p l y a useful c o n v e n t i o n
t o call t h e n a t i v e g o d s ' h o l y p l a c e s " s h r i n e s . " ) T y p i c a l t e m p l e n a m e s a r e
Todaiji, K o f u k u j i , a n d T e n n o j i , w h e r e t h e e l e m e n t -ji m e a n s " t e m p l e . "
A n o t h e r p r o n u n c i a t i o n o f t h e s a m e -ji e l e m e n t i s -dera, w h i c h o c c u r s i n
such temple names as Shigadera, Koyadera, and M i d e r a . Two other
e n d i n g s t h a t for o u r p u r p o s e s a l s o m e a n " t e m p l e " a r e -in ( U r i n ' i n ) a n d
-do ( R o k k a k u d o ) . N o s . 2 2 t h r o u g h 2 6 a r e a t i n y s a m p l i n g o f J a p a n ' s
m a n y temple origin legends.
I m p o r t a n t t e m p l e s w e r e large a n d c o m p l e x c o m m u n i t i e s . Kofukuji a n d
Todaiji in N a r a , M o u n t Hiei near Kyoto, a n d the M o u n t K o y a of no. 26
each h a d a total population of m a n y thousands, a n d consisted of countless
buildings g r e a t a n d small. T h e y also h a d vast, widely scattered estates
w h i c h s u p p o r t e d their activities. T h e most p r o m i n e n t temple complex in
t h e s e s t o r i e s i s M o u n t H i e i . M o u n t H i e i i s first o f all a m o u n t a i n a b o u t
3 , 0 0 0 feet h i g h t h a t r i s e s n e a r t h e n o r t h w e s t c o r n e r o f K y o t o . T h e t e m p l e
c o m p l e x that g r e w up t h e r e after a b o u t A.D. 800 c a m e to wield e n o r m o u s
r e l i g i o u s , p o l i t i c a l , a n d e v e n m i l i t a r y p o w e r . S i n c e its d o i n g s w e r e o f
s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t t o t h e n o b l e s , a l m o s t all o f w h o m h a d r e l a t i v e s o n t h e
m o u n t a i n , t h e r e w a s a lot o f traffic, m a t e r i a l a n d i n t e l l e c t u a l , b e t w e e n
Kyoto and M o u n t Hiei.
Buddhist scriptures are called sutras. T h e one most c o m m o n l y men-
t i o n e d h e r e i s t h e L o t u s S u t r a , b u t t h e H e a r t S u t r a ( n o s . 74, 1 8 2 ) , t h e
S u t r a o f G o l d e n Light ( n o . 149), the D i a m o n d W i s d o m S u t r a ( n o . 151),
and others also a p p e a r . " S u t r a , " a Sanskrit w o r d , means a text accepted
by the tradition as having been spoken by the Buddha. The J a p a n e s e
used Chinese translations.
S h a k y a m u n i , t h e historical B u d d h a , w a s called S h a k a i n J a p a n . S h a k a
w a s a m a n a n d t a u g h t as a man, w i t h o u t claiming to be a god or to share
in any divine nature. His aim w a s simply to teach the w a y things are.
O n e w h o u n d e r s t o o d h i s m e s s a g e w o u l d b e free from b o n d a g e t o t h e
complex seductions of the physical and mental realms, characterized
a b o v e all b y t h e r o u n d o f b i r t h a n d d e a t h . T h i s t h e m e r e m a i n e d vital
t h r o u g h o u t B u d d h i s t history, a n d t h e J a p a n e s e m o n k s followed t h r o u g h
on it as thoroughly as anyone. Although the Buddhist cosmos became
filled w i t h d i v i n e b e i n g s , B u d d h i s t philosophy continued to hold that
t h e s e divinities h a d no ultimate existence, b u t only pointed to, or acted
from, a reality b e y o n d n a m e or d e s c r i p t i o n : t h e w a y s things really a r e .
Since " t h e w a y things really a r e " obviously does not exclude the r o u n d
o f b i r t h a n d d e a t h ( w e a r e all b o r n a n d w e all d i e ) , m e d i e v a l J a p a n e s e
B u d d h i s m taught routinely that enlightenment and the world which en-
s l a v e s u s a r e n o t d i f f e r e n t f r o m e a c h o t h e r . I t w o u l d b e foolish e v e n t o
try e x p l a i n i n g this p a r a d o x further, b u t I mention it because it underlies
n o . 38, t h e story of a saint a n d a prostitute. It d e m o n s t r a t e s that to the
e n l i g h t e n e d e y e ( t h e s a i n t ' s ) , all t h i n g s , e v e n t h e i n c a r n a t i o n o f b a s e ,
enslaving desire (the prostitute), speak of their true nature, which is
freedom and enlightenment.
T h e effort t o r e a l i z e o r , b e t t e r , t o e m b o d y t h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g h a d
profound consequences in Buddhist thought and practice. O n e approach
h e l d t h a t t h e p a t h t o w a r d f r e e i n g o n s e l f from s l a v e r y ( t h a t is, t o w a r d
o p e n i n g t h e e y e o f e n l i g h t e n m e n t ) w e n t t h r o u g h close e m b r a c e w i t h t h i s
a p p a r e n t l y enslaving world. Since the detailed Buddhist code of conduct
for m o n k s i s d e s i g n e d p r e c i s e l y t o d i s c o u r a g e a n y t h i n g o f t h e k i n d , t h o s e
w h o t o o k this a p p r o a c h w e r e likely to b r e a k v a r i o u s rules. T r a c e s of a
line o f a d e p t s w h o d o s e e m t o h a v e lived b e y o n d t h e r u l e s m a y b e s e e n i n
n o s . 182 a n d 2 1 1 , a n d p e r h a p s i n n o . 2 1 2 . All t h r e e m o n k s w e r e from t h e
s a m e t e m p l e i n N a r a , a n d a t least t h e first t w o w e r e from t h e s a m e
l i n e a g e ; t h e v i s i o n a r y o f n o . 101 m a y h a v e b e e n c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e m .
M e a n w h i l e , t h e m o n k ' s life t o l d i n n o . 2 1 3 i s a g a r l a n d o f t r i u m p h a n t
affronts to respectability.
A related a p p r o a c h avoided rule-breaking, upholding instead o r t h o d o x
c o n d u c t to achieve the same enlightened embrace of the world of birth
a n d death. This w a s the tradition founded in J a p a n by Kobo Daishi, w h o
i s still a p o w e r f u l p r e s e n c e i n J a p a n e s e B u d d h i s m . K o b o D a i s h i t a u g h t
t h a t all o b j e c t s o f s e n s e a n d t h o u g h t a r e t h e " p r e a c h i n g " o f t h e C o s m i c
B u d d h a , a n d s t r e s s e d for e v e r y o n e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f e n l i g h t e n m e n t i n this
body. H i s o w n l e g e n d n a t u r a l l y e x e m p l i f i e s t h i s a c h i e v e m e n t , for h e d i d
n o t d i e ( n o . 2 6 ) . I n s t e a d , h e e n t e r e d e t e r n a l m e d i t a t i o n o n his m o u n t a i n .
K o b o D a i s h i a n d t h e o t h e r s all p r a c t i c e d o n e v a r i e t y o r a n o t h e r o f t h e
Esoteric B u d d h i s m that underlies the B u d d h i s m of these stories. O n e or
t w o t e r m s f r o m t h i s t r a d i t i o n n e e d e x p l a i n i n g . N o s . 2 6 , 8 7 , 8 8 , a n d 101
m e n t i o n t h e v a j r a ( a S a n s k r i t w o r d ) , w h i c h i s a r i t u a l a s well a s a s y m -
bolic i m p l e m e n t . " V a j r a " is variously translated " d i a m o n d " or " t h u n d e r -
bolt," and refers to spiritual p o w e r . The Vajra-Bearer (no. 101) is
therefore a being of p u r e power. T h e Vajra-Realm M a n d a l a is paired
(nos. 101, 127)) with the W o m b - R e a l m M a n d a l a : both complementary
diagrams of the cosmos sum up a vast and complex understanding of "the
w a y s t h i n g s a r e . " T h e healing d e s c r i b e d i n no. 127 w o r k s b e c a u s e the
h e a l e r e n d o w s t h e m a n d a l a s w i t h living p o t e n c y a n d s o briefly t r a n s f o r m s
the area a r o u n d him into a perfect realm w h e r e sickness is impossible.

B U D D H I S T D I V I N I T I E S

S h a k a m u s t h a v e s e e m e d m o r e t h a n h u m a n t o his d i s c i p l e s , t h o u g h h e
p r e a c h e d p u r e l y a s a m a n , for p e o p l e ' s t e n d e n c y t o deify g r e a t b e i n g s a n d
principles is very strong. In any case, as Buddhism developed and spread
it w a s influenced in m a n y w a y s by other, theistic religions. By the time it
r e a c h e d J a p a n it w a s rich in divinities, having even a b s o r b e d the H i n d u
gods I n d r a a n d B r a h m a , w h o a p p e a r in these stories respectively as
T a i s h a k u ( n o s . 11, 147) a n d B o n d e n ( n o . 36). O f course the B u d d h i s t
d i v i n i t i e s h a v e S a n s k r i t n a m e s , b u t I will u s e t h e i r J a p a n e s e n a m e s a s
t h e y a p p e a r i n t h e s e t a l e s . I h a v e r e t a i n e d t w o S a n s k r i t titles, t h o u g h ,
because they are so well k n o w n in English: b u d d h a a n d bodhisattva.

Buddhcu. " B u d d h a " m e a n s a fully e n l i g h t e n e d b e i n g . N a t u r a l l y t h e title

a p p l i e s t o S h a k a himself, w h o i s m e n t i o n e d h e r e o n c e a s a d i v i n i t y ( n o .
101) a n d o n c e as a m o u n t a i n ( n o . 8 8 ) . But it also applies to o t h e r divini-
ties w h o r e p r e s e n t o n e a s p e c t o r a n o t h e r o f t h e t i m e l e s s , u n i v e r s a l c h a r -
acter of enlightenment.
B u d d h i s m c a m e to teach that Shaka, the b u d d h a of our age, w a s one
o f a line o f b u d d h a s e x t e n d i n g o u t o f t h e r e m o t e p a s t a n d i n t o t h e indefi-
nite future. T w o o f t h e past b u d d h a s , Bibashi a n d Kasho, a p p e a r here
( n o s . 101, 197). T h e n e x t b u d d h a after S h a k a is M i r o k u , w h o at p r e s e n t
i s still t e c h n i c a l l y a b o d h i s a t t v a . H e will d e s c e n d i n t o o u r w o r l d e o n s
from n o w , a s n o . 8 8 e x p l a i n s . A c c o r d i n g t o a J a p a n e s e l e g e n d ( n o s . 2 2 ,
8 8 , 1 0 2 ) , t h e e a r t h will t h e n b e c o v e r e d w i t h g o l d . T h i s n o d o u b t m e a n s
t h a t t h e e a r t h will b e m a d e n e w , s i n c e M i r o k u h a s a t t i m e s b e e n w o r -
shipped in J a p a n as a deity of w o r l d renewal. In the meantime he waits
in the Inner S a n c t u m of the Tosotsu H e a v e n (nos. 73, 86), which is a
kind of paradise w h e r e certain earnest practitioners longed to go. O n e
m o n k ( n o . 7 3 ) r e a c h e d t h e g a t e b u t u n f o r t u n a t e l y c o u l d n o t g e t in. T h e
Tosotsu H e a v e n w a s associated with salvation achieved t h r o u g h the
Lotus Sutra (nos. 73, 111).
Dainichi ( " G r e a t S u n " ) , described as "the Cosmic B u d d h a " in no. 101,
X 1

is associated especially with K o b o Daishi's teaching. He is philosophi-

cally interesting, but too a b s t r u s e ever to have been popular.
N o b u d d h a r e q u i r e d sole a l l e g i a n c e , b u t m a n y p e o p l e ( l i k e t h e n u n i n
no. 160) centered their devotion by choice on Amida, w h o m the J a p a n e s e
imagined a n d depicted as a simple b u d d h a in meditation. Amida is the
loftiest s a v i o r f i g u r e i n t h e J a p a n e s e B u d d h i s t p a n t h e o n . H i s n a m e m e a n s
both "Infinite L i g h t " a n d "Infinite Life." In the thirteenth century there
e m e r g e d a t r e n d t o w a r d e x c l u s i v e faith i n A m i d a , but this develop-
m e n t lies o u t s i d e t h e w o r l d o f t h e s e s t o r i e s .
A m i d a p r e s i d e s o v e r a p a r a d i s e t h a t lies a v a s t d i s t a n c e a w a y from o u r
w o r l d , t o w a r d t h e w e s t . T h i s p a r a d i s e i s s o m e t i m e s called the P u r e L a n d
a n d s o m e t i m e s t h e L a n d o f Bliss. A m i d a e s t a b l i s h e d i t for all t h o s e w h o
h a v e faith i n h i m , a n d h e v o w e d t h a t w h o e v e r calls h i s n a m e s i n c e r e l y
s h a l l b e r e b o r n t h e r e . T h a t i s w h y t h e k e y p r a c t i c e for t h e A m i d a d e v o t e e
is simply to chant Amida's N a m e , " N a m u Amida B u t s u " ("Hail Amida
B u d d h a ! " ) . M a n y p e o p l e i n t h e s e s t o r i e s call o n A m i d a , b u t n o n e s o
u r g e n t l y a s t h e r o b b e r w h o a c t u a l l y h e a r s A m i d a a n s w e r h i m from t h e
d e p t h s of t h e sea ( n o . 115). Calling the N a m e w a s also a c o m m o n practice
a t f u n e r a l s , for t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e d e c e a s e d ( n o s . 143, 2 0 3 ) .
Unlike the " e n l i g h t e n m e n t in this b o d y " a p p r o a c h just described,
A m i d a faith w a s a l m o s t e n t i r e l y c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e life t o c o m e . A t t h e
m o m e n t o f d e a t h , A m i d a w o u l d c o m e d o w n from his p a r a d i s e i n a b l a z e
of glory, p r e c e d e d by t h e t w o B o d h i s a t t v a s K a n n o n and Seishi, a n d by a
j o y o u s h o s t o l m u s i c i a n s a n d s a i n t s , t o w e l c o m e t h e soul i n t o t h e L a n d o f
Bliss ( n o s . 1 1 8 , 1 1 9 ) . T h e p e o p l e a r o u n d t h e d y i n g p e r s o n w o u l d n o t see
t h i s v i s i o n , b u t t h e y w o u l d k n o w b y c e r t a i n s i g n s t h a t t h e soul h a d g o n e
t o g l o r y : t h e y w o u l d h e a r s t r a i n s o f celestial m u s i c , smell a n i n d e s c r i b a b l y
s w e e t f r a g r a n c e o n t h e a i r , a n d s e e a p u r p l e c l o u d t r a i l i n g a w a y from t h e
spot in t h e direction of t h e w e s t ( n o s . 113, 160).
V o l u n t a r y renunciation of the b o d y ( r a t h e r than "suicide") is an iden-
tifiable s t r a i n in J a p a n e s e spiritual endeavor, especially in medieval
t i m e s . A f e w p e o p l e t h i r s t e d s o s t r o n g l y for p a r a d i s e t h a t t h e y s o u g h t
d e a t h to hasten their journey there. T h e w a y to seek Amida's paradise in
t h i s m a n n e r w a s b y d r o w n i n g . T h e s e a off T e n n o j i ( m e n t i o n e d i n n o . 4 3 )
w a s a w e l l - k n o w n p l a c e for t h i s , b u t t h e t w o s t o r i e s o n t h e t h e m e h e r e
(nos. 116, 161) involve the K a t s u r a River n e a r Kyoto. Both s h o w in
different w a y s h o w d a n g e r o u s the practice w a s , a n d h o w complex piety
could be.

Bodhutattvaj. A b o d h i s a t t v a is, in t h e o r y , a b e i n g w h o h a s v o w e d n o t to
e n t e r final N i r v a n a ( e n l i g h t e n m e n t ) u n t i l all b e i n g s i n t h e w o r l d c a n e n t e r
i t w i t h h i m , a n d w h o i n t h e m e a n t i m e h e l p s a n d s a v e s all t h o s e w h o a r e
caught in the r o u n d of birth a n d death. For example Amida, as a b u d d h a ,
d o e s not i n t e r v e n e directly in this w o r l d , a l t h o u g h he w e l c o m e s to his
far-off p a r a d i s e t h e s o u l o f a n y o n e w h o calls h i s N a m e w i t h faith. O n t h e
other h a n d K a n n o n , as a bodhisattva, w o r k s actively in the world to save
those in distress.
T h e Bodhisattva K a n n o n , together with the relatively o b s c u r e Seishi,
a c c o m p a n i e d A m i d a t o w e l c o m e t h e s o u l i n t o t h e L a n d o f Bliss. B u t
K a n n o n ' s religious role i n J a p a n w a s m u c h b r o a d e r a n d m o r e a u t o n o -
mous than that of an attendant to Amida. It w a s based partly on the
" K a n n o n Sutra," actually a chapter of the much longer Lotus Sutra,
w h e r e A m i d a is only briefly m e n t i o n e d , a n d partly on o t h e r s c r i p t u r e s
and traditions.
K a n n o n i s often i d e n t i f i e d a s t h e " G o d d e s s o f M e r c y . " T h e " m e r c y " i s
q u i t e r i g h t , b u t for J a p a n t h e " g o d d e s s " p a r t i s d o u b t f u l , i f o n l y b e c a u s e
in t e r m s of the L o t u s S u t r a a female b o d h i s a t t v a is impossible. Sexually
specific d e p i c t i o n s o f K a n n o n a r e all m a l e . I n a n y c a s e , t h e v a r i e t y o f
K a n n o n ' s f o r m s m a k e s t h e q u e s t i o n less i n t e r e s t i n g t h a n i t m i g h t s o u n d .
T h e " K a n n o n S u t r a " tells h o w K a n n o n m a y t a k e a n y c o n c e i v a b l e f o r m
t o s a v e b e i n g s from a n y c o n c e i v a b l e p e r i l . ( I n n o . 137, for e x a m p l e ,
he appears as a huge snake.) Moreover, Nyoirin Kannon (no. 23),
T h o u s a n d - A r m e d K a n n o n (nos. 70, 98, a n d others), a n d E l e v e n - H e a d e d
K a n n o n (nos. 27, 82, a n d others) are only some of the forms of K a n n o n
that are depicted in religious art.
The main image on the altar of a temple dedicated to Kannon would
b e a specific f o r m s u c h a s E l e v e n - H e a d e d K a n n o n , a n d t h a t f o r m a l o n e
w o u l d b e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h a t t e m p l e . N y o i r i n K a n n o n u s u a l l y h a s six
a r m s , E l e v e n - H e a d e d K a n n o n l o o k s q u i t e n o r m a l e x c e p t for a s o r t o f
c r o w n f o r m e d o f faces w i t h d i f f e r e n t e x p r e s s i o n s , a n d T h o u s a n d - A r m e d
K a n n o n h a s a b o u t t h a t n u m b e r o f a r m s . T h e t h o u s a n d - a r m e d form s i m -
p l y s h o w s g r a p h i c a l l y t h e c o u n t l e s s w a y s K a n n o n s a v e s b e i n g s from
d a n g e r ( s i c k n e s s i n n o . 7 0 , a frightful s n a k e i n n o . 9 8 ) , b u t t h e r e a s o n s
for t h e o t h e r f o r m s a r e m o r e c o m p l i c a t e d . All w i e l d s a v i n g p o w e r .
K a n n o n h a s a p a r a d i s e c a l l e d F u d a r a k u i n J a p a n e s e . P o t a l a k a , its
Sanskrit n a m e , is visibly the s a m e as that of the famous Potala Palace in
Lhasa, until recently t h e h o m e of the Dalai L a m a . ( F o r the Tibetans, the
Dalai Lama is an incarnation of Kannon.) Some mountains in J a p a n
w e r e thought of as F u d a r a k u , but the J a p a n e s e k n e w that Buddhist texts
i d e n t i f y it as a m o u n t a i n at t h e s o u t h e r n t i p of I n d i a .
To the J a p a n e s e , the location of F u d a r a k u meant that K a n n o n ' s para-
dise, unlike A m i d a ' s , w a s in o u r o w n w o r l d a n d that in principle it could
x 1 i i

b e r e a c h e d i n t h i s b o d y . A f e w p e o p l e , like t h e m a n i n n o . 157, t r i e d t o
sail t h e r e . B u t a l t h o u g h F u d a r a k u w a s a g e o g r a p h i c a l l y real p l a c e , i t w a s
so r e m o t e from J a p a n that t h e j o u r n e y t h e r e w a s actually impossible. In
o t h e r w o r d s , t o set o u t for F u d a r a k u m e a n t t o r e n o u n c e o n e ' s b o d y .
( P e r h a p s t h e idea of sailing to F u d a r a k u w a s colored by legends of island
p a r a d i s e s i n t h e s e a , a s i n n o s . 106 a n d 1 8 6 . ) T h e d e v o t e e s w h o d i d s o
c a n h a v e h a d little d o u b t a b o u t t h i s . T h e y h a d t h e m s e l v e s c a s t adrift from
s o m e w h e r e o n t h e Pacific c o a s t o f J a p a n , s o m e t i m e s s e a l e d i n a c a b i n
a b o a r d a r u d d e r l e s s b o a t . O n l y a s t o r y like t h a t o f t h e nice little r o a d g o d
w h o sailed t o F u d a r a k u ( n o . 159) can m a k e the t h e m e bearable.
P e o p l e c o u l d h a r d l y i m a g i n e p a r a d i s e w i t h o u t i m a g i n i n g hell. M e d i e v a l
J a p a n i m a g i n e d hell v i v i d l y . W h e r e a s K a n n o n n o r m a l l y s a v e d p e o p l e
from e a r t h l y d a n g e r s , t h e B o d h i s a t t v a J i z o s p e c i a l i z e d i n s a v i n g p e o p l e
from hell. He w a s naturally v e r y p o p u l a r . T h e K a s u g a G o d in no. 215
w a s i d e n t i f i e d w i t h J i z o , a m o n g o t h e r B u d d h i s t d i v i n i t i e s . J i z o l o o k s like
a m i l d little m o n k ( n o s . 104, 1 8 0 ) . T h e w i z a r d o f t h e m o u n t a i n s ( n o . 8 8 )
rejected him on t h e g r o u n d s that he did not look tough e n o u g h to keep
t h e u n r u l y J a p a n e s e p e o p l e i n line, a n d p e r h a p s t h e w i z a r d w a s r i g h t ;
b u t m a n y m i r a c l e s t o r i e s s h o w w h a t a t i r e l e s s s a v i o r J i z o is.
T h e B o d h i s a t t v a s M o n j u a n d F u g e n a r e closely a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e
B u d d h a Shaka, especially in connection with Shaka's preaching of the
L o t u s S u t r a . O n e m o n k sees, in a vision of this preaching, "the B u d d h a ,
f l a n k e d b y M o n j u a n d F u g e n , [ s i t t i n g ] b e f o r e h i m o n his Lion T h r o n e "
(no. 120). Monju embodies the Buddha's wisdom. In no. 24 an Indian
m o n k recognizes a J a p a n e s e saint as an incarnation of Monju.
F u g e n e m b o d i e s the B u d d h a ' s T e a c h i n g a n d rides a white elephant
( n o s . 3 8 , 121). Since he plays a major role in the Lotus Sutra, he s h a r e d
particularly in t h e S u t r a ' s p o p u l a r i t y . T h e t o u c h i n g idea that F u g e n could
manifest himself as a w o m a n of pleasure (no. 38) got sympathetic re-
s p o n s e , for a m a j o r m e d i e v a l p l a y i s b a s e d o n it, a n d t h e t h e m e lived o n
in later w o o d b l o c k prints.
T h e B o d h i s a t t v a K o k u z o h a d no p o p u l a r cult in J a p a n , but some
s c h o l a r - m o n k s h o n o r e d him because invoking K o k u z o could dramatically
i m p r o v e one's p o w e r t o u n d e r s t a n d a n d r e m e m b e r sacred texts ( n o . 177).
K o k u z o ' s decision to manifest himself as a beautiful w o m a n (also no.
177) is a k i n to F u g e n ' s a p p e a r i n g as a prostitute. It illustrates perfectly
the enlightened tactic of using people's o w n weaknesses and desires to
d r a w them t o w a r d the true goal.

Lower Buddhi.it Divinities. A t h i r d c l a s s of B u d d h i s t d i v i n i t i e s h a s a less

exalted s t a n d i n g t h a n the b u d d h a s a n d bodhisattvas, but includes divini-
t i e s w h o a r e p r o m i n e n t i n t h e s e s t o r i e s . T h e r e a r e , f i r s t o f all, t h e p r o t e c -
tors. T h e protective attitude of the native gods t o w a r d Buddhism has
already been noted, but B u d d h i s m h a d a c o r p s o f official p r o t e c t o r s
before it even reached J a p a n . T h e y guard the b u d d h a s , the bodhisattvas,
a n d the d e v o t e e as well. T h e only one w h o figures here is Bishamon.
I m a g e s o f s u c h d i v i n i t i e s s h o w t h e m a s w a r r i o r s , often t r a m p l i n g d e m o n s
u n d e r f o o t , a n d t h a t i s w h y B i s h a m o n w i e l d s his s p e a r s o effectively ( n o .
1-46). H e c o u l d a l s o d i s p e n s e w e a l t h ( n o . 1 5 5 ) .
A class of wrathful divinities, associated especially with Esoteric Bud-
dhism, represent energy-in-action, destroying whatever impedes en-
lightenment. E v e n important, peaceful divinities can take on a wrathful
a p p e a r a n c e . K a n n o n , lor instance, has at times a terrifying form that is
visualized s u r r o u n d e d by flames. F u d o ("The U n m o v i n g " ) , the wrathful
e m a n a t i o n o f D a i n i c h i , a p p e a r s i n s e v e r a l s t o r i e s , a n d i s still p o p u l a r . H e
is especially to be l o u n d on m o u n t a i n s , near a waterfall. Usually blue-
b l a c k i n c o l o r , F u d o sits o r s t a n d s o n a r o c k a n d i s s u r r o u n d e d b y f l a m e s
( n o . 9 5 ) . P r a c t i c e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h h i m i n v o l v e t h e e n e r g y o f fire ( n o .
34). Sometimes this energy is t u r n e d to the purpose of healing (nos. 74,
126). T h e fierce ascetic of no. 73 is also a powerful healer, a n d it is F u d o
w h o carries him up to the Tosotsu Heaven.
T w o stories feature a g o r g e o u s feminine divinity n a m e d Kichijoten,
probably descended from t h e Indian goddess Lakshmi. T h o u g h well
k n o w n a s a n o b j e c t for a m o n k ' s s e x u a l f a n t a s i e s ( n o . 2 0 ) , s h e w a s
a c t u a l l y o n e o f m a n y d i v i n i t i e s y o u c o u l d p r a y t o for w e a l t h ( n o . 1 7 2 ) .
T h e r e i s a l s o t h e k i n g o f hell. I n B u d d h i s m t h e r e a r e m u l t i p l e hells,
just as t h e r e are multiple paradises a n d heavens. In these stories, t h o u g h ,
hell i s n o t t o o c o m p l i c a t e d . N o . 149 e v o k e s i t n i c e l y . E m m a , t h e k i n g o f
hell a n d j u d g e o f t h e d e a d , a p p e a r s i n n o s . 4 6 , 149, a n d 2 1 5 . H e w a s
usually imagined in J a p a n as a Chinese magistrate, aided by a w h o l e
b u r e a u c r a c y o f a s s i s t a n t s , officials, bailiffs, e t c . F o r t u n a t e l y , h e c o u l d b e
i n f l u e n c e d b y s a v i o r f i g u r e s like J i z o .

R E L I C S A N D I M A G E S

F a i t h i n t h e m i r a c u l o u s p o w e r s o f r e l i c s a n d o f specific h o l y i m a g e s w a s
c o m m o n in J a p a n . "Relics" w e r e not the bones of saints, however, as in
the Christian world, but w e r e certain hard bone fragments or mineral
particles (perhaps gallstones) that survived cremation and that were be-
lieved t o c o m e from t h e B u d d h a S h a k a . T h e relics m e n t i o n e d i n n o . 4 3
are of this kind, a n d so a r e the d r e a m e d ones in no. 209. Relics w e r e
thought to be filled with divine power.
x 1 i v

B o o n s , m i r a c l e s , or spiritual p o w e r did not a l w a y s c o m e from a divinity

g e n e r a l l y c o n c e i v e d , b u t w e r e s o m e t i m e s g r a n t e d b y specific i c o n s ( s t a t -
u e s or p a i n t i n g s ) . N o . 27, w h i c h relates the miraculous origin of a partic-
ular image of Eleven-Headed Kannon, s h o w s h o w special a p e r s o n ' s
relationship with such an image could be. Appeals to the Kannon of
H a s e d e r a ( n o s . 76, 173, 174) w e r e a d d r e s s e d not to K a n n o n in general
but to the image of Eleven-Headed Kannon enshrined at that temple.
T h e F u d o w h o takes a m o n k up to the Tosotsu H e a v e n (no. 73) is "the
o n e [ t h e m o n k ] h i m s e l f h a d m a d e , life-size, a n d e n s h r i n e d i n his t e m p l e " ;
a n d t h e w i z a r d i n n o . 8 8 r e c e i v e s a n i m p o r t a n t d r e a m m e s s a g e from t h e
M i r o k u that he himself had made and enshrined.

B U D D H I S T TEXTS

S u t r a s a r e o f c o u r s e full o f p h i l o s o p h y , a n d B u d d h i s t p h i l o s o p h y i s fas-
c i n a t i n g . B u t i t c a n b e s a i d t o o t h a t n o t all s u t r a s c o n v e y t h e i r p h i l o s o p h -
ical message economically; that the point of some sutras is not
philosophical; a n d that some do not even m a k e sense unless y o u are an
a d v a n c e d initiate. In a n y case, the Chinese versions used in J a p a n are
difficult for t h e p o o r l y e d u c a t e d t o u n d e r s t a n d ; a n d b e i n g C h i n e s e r a t h e r
t h a n J a p a n e s e , they are unintelligible as language w h e n spoken aloud or
c h a n t e d . An i m p o r t a n t aspect of the sutras has always been outside their
m e a n i n g , for t h e i r s o u n d a l o n e , w h e n t h e y a r e c h a n t e d , c a r r i e s p o w e r .
E x a m p l e s h e r e include t h e m o n k w h o h a s dedicated himself t o c h a n t i n g
t h e S u t r a o f D i a m o n d W i s d o m ( n o . 151), a n d the m o n k w h o heals t h e
c h a n c e l l o r by c h a n t i n g the S u t r a of G o l d e n Light ( n o . 149). H o w e v e r ,
t h e issue w o u l d be a m i n o r o n e w i t h o u t t h e L o t u s S u t r a , w h i c h figures in
t w e n t y - n i n e tales a n d is the s u p r e m e p o w e r text in the world of these
stories.

The Lotiu Sutra. T h e L o t u s S u t r a is p r o b a b l y t h e single most i m p o r t a n t

s u t r a i n J a p a n e s e B u d d h i s m . I t s i m p r e s s i v e p a r a b l e s , its a w e s o m e v i s i o n ,
a n d its f e r v e n t l y p u t m e s s a g e o f u n i v e r s a l s a l v a t i o n g i v e i t e n d l e s s a p p e a l .
T h e S u t r a ' s full t i t l e i s " S u t r a o f t h e L o t u s o f t h e W o n d e r f u l T e a c h i n g , "
a n d i n C h i n e s e , " W o n d e r f u l " i s t h e t i t l e ' s first w o r d . T h i s " W o n d e r f u l , "
w r i t t e n o n t h e o n l y s c r a p o f p a p e r left f r o m a n a n c i e n t c o p y o f t h e S u t r a ,
saves a m a n from a d e m o n in n o . 148: such w a s the L o t u s Sutra's p o w e r .
I n o n e b r a n c h o f J a p a n e s e B u d d h i s m , c h a n t i n g t h e title a l o n e b e c a m e a
f u n d a m e n t a l o b s e r v a n c e t h a t m a n y p e o p l e still d o t o d a y .
T h e Lotus S u t r a states that it w a s preached by the Buddha S h a k a on
V u l t u r e P e a k , a real m o u n t a i n in India. T h e m o u n t a i n ' s Chinese n a m e
w a s a p p l i e d t o a g o o d m a n y hills a n d m o u n t a i n s i n J a p a n , a n d t h e i m a g e
of the B u d d h a preaching the Lotus Sutra on Vulture Peak became in
J a p a n an image of p a r a d i s e ( n o . 120).
A t t h e t i m e o f t h e s e s t o r i e s , s t u d y o f t h e L o t u s S u t r a w a s b a s i c for a
great m a n y m o n k s , especially those on M o u n t Hiei (no. 177). T e m p l e s
m i g h t s p o n s o r l e c t u r e s o n i t for t h e laity ( n o . 1 3 8 ) , a n d l a y p a t r o n s often
h a d m o n k s l e c t u r e o n i t i n o r d e r t o g a i n s p i r i t u a l m e r i t for t h e m s e l v e s o r
o t h e r s ( n o . 1 3 9 ) . I n fact, t h e S u t r a itself d e s c r i b e s t h e e n o r m o u s m e r i t t o
b e g a i n e d f r o m h o n o r i n g it. A n o t h e r w a y t o a c q u i r e t h i s m e r i t w a s t o
c o p y o u t t h e t e x t . N o o n e h e r e c o p i e s t h e S u t r a for himself, a l t h o u g h
p e o p l e c e r t a i n l y d i d s o ; b u t t h e h e r o o f n o . 149 c o p i e s it, like a s o r t o f
s c r i b e , for p a t r o n s w h o t h i n k h i s b e a u t i f u l w r i t i n g will b r i n g t h e m still
m o r e merit than if they copied it on their o w n . Often people copied the
S u t r a i n t e n t i o n a l l y for t h e b e n e f i t o f s o m e o n e else, e s p e c i a l l y for t h e d e a d
(nos. 8 1 , 216, and others).
C h a n t i n g t h e S u t r a w o r k e d m u c h t h e s a m e w a y a s c o p y i n g it. Y o u
c o u l d c h a n t i t a s a r e g u l a r p r a c t i c e o n y o u r o w n behalf. A h o l y m a n c o u l d
also heal s o m e o n e by c h a n t i n g it ( n o . 128), a n d a saint ( n o . 6 6 ) gets
h i m s e l f t h r o w n i n jail s o t h a t h e c a n c h a n t t h e S u t r a for t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e
p r i s o n e r s . T h e d e a d p a r t i c u l a r l y v a l u e d h e a r i n g t h e S u t r a c h a n t e d for
them because it helped to dissolve their lingering attachment to the earth.
I n n o . 159 a g o d g o e s t o p a r a d i s e t h a n k s t o a m o n k ' s c h a n t i n g o f t h e
L o t u s , a n d i n n o . 2 1 6 t h e f l a m e s o f hell d i m a t t h e s o u n d .
T h e L o t u s S u t r a ' s s a v i n g p o w e r d i d not t a k e the spirit t o a n y o n e
paradise, the way devotion to Amida always meant rebirth in the Land
o f Bliss. B u t i t w a s often l i n k e d t o r e b i r t h i n t h e T o s o t s u H e a v e n , w h e r e
M i r o k u , the F u t u r e B u d d h a , waits to be born into our world (no. 111).
For w o m e n , though, there w a s a catch. Apparently the Tosotsu H e a v e n
w a s t o o lofty for t h e m . I n t h e s e s t o r i e s , all t h e w o m e n a r e r e b o r n i n t o t h e
Tori H e a v e n , a lower realm presided over by the deity Taishaku (nos.
8 1 , 111, 147). S t a n d a r d B u d d h i s t teaching defined w o m e n as spritually
inferior to m e n . I n t h e L o t u s S u t r a a y o u n g girl d r a m a t i c a l l y a t t a i n s
enlightenment, t h u s g i v i n g h o p e t o all w o m e n ; but she has to pass
t h r o u g h a m a l e i n c a r n a t i o n , h o w e v e r briefly, i n o r d e r t o d o s o .
M a n y m o n k s c h a n t e d the S u t r a in o r d e r to purify themselves spiri-
t u a l l y . T h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u l o f t h e m m e m o r i z e d it, a s t h e m o n k i n n o . 1 7 7
finally m a n a g e s t o d o . S i n g l e m i n d e d c h a n t i n g o f t h e L o t u s , a c o m m o n
ascetic practice, could e n d o w o n e with miraculous p o w e r s ( n o . 151), the
g r e a t e s t o f w h i c h w a s s i m p l y e n d l e s s life ( n o s . 8 5 , 8 6 , 1 0 0 ) . W i t h his
p o w e r of flight, t h e I m m o r t a l of n o . 85 closely r e s e m b l e s the C h i n e s e -
style I m m o r t a l s d i s c u s s e d earlier.
As with the A m i d a a n d K a n n o n cults, devotion to the Lotus S u t r a
c o u l d l e a d t o r e n u n c i a t i o n o f t h e b o d y . T h e S u t r a itself c o n t a i n s a c l e a r
x 1 v i

m o d e l o f s u c h a c t i o n : a b o d h i s a t t v a w h o b u r n s his o w n b o d y a s a n
offering to the B u d d h a . Self-immolation in the Lotus tradition was done
b y fire ( n o . 1 5 7 ) . I n n o . 2 2 t h e e m p e r o r h i m s e l f follows t h i s e x a m p l e o n
a small scale by lighting a flame on his o w n finger ( n o d o u b t d i p p e d in
p e r f u m e d oil) a n d t h e n c u t t i n g off t h e f i n g e r a s a n o f f e r i n g . T h e L o t u s
a s c e t i c o f n o . 1 5 8 c h o o s e s a n o t h e r , b u t n o less d i s t r e s s i n g w a y .

Mantrcu and Daranif. Besides the sutra texts there were much shorter
f o r m u l a s w h i c h c a r r i e d c o n c e n t r a t e d p o w e r . S o m e w e r e called m a n t r a s
and others daranis. For " m a n t r a " I use the Sanskrit w o r d because it is
relatively familiar in English. " D a r a n i ' ' is the J a p a n e s e version of the
Sanskrit word properly written "dharani" in our alphabet.
M a n y m a n t r a s i n v o k e specific d i v i n i t i e s . T h e N a m e o f A m i d a , a l r e a d y
e x p l a i n e d , i s a k i n d o f m a n t r a ; s o i s t h e title o f t h e L o t u s S u t r a . B u t t h e
M a n t r a of F u d o and the M a n t r a of Fire (no. 34) are better examples.
Both illustrate a peculiarity of most m a n t r a s : they are not even in Chinese
b u t in hopelessly distorted Sanskrit. In o t h e r w o r d s , t h e y are unintelligi-
ble not only as s p o k e n b u t also as written text. T h e u n u s u a l Chinese
c h a r a c t e r s used to write t h e m convey only sound, not meaning. Buddhist
mantras in J a p a n are "mystical" indeed.
T h e same is true of the generally longer formulas k n o w n as daranis.
S o m e sutras give daranis that are described as summing up the deep
m e a n i n g of the w h o l e text, h o w e v e r long. T h e Sonsho Darani, a greatly
r e v e r e d e x a m p l e of the genre, occurs three times in these stories as an
e x t r a o r d i n a r i l y p o w e r f u l p r o t e c t i v e spell ( n o s . 8 5 , 108, 1 6 8 ) .

S A C R E D M O U N T A I N S

For reasons connected as much with Chinese, Buddhist, and pre-

B u d d h i s t ideas as with J a p a n ' s nebulous "love of n a t u r e , " landscape
figured p r o m i n e n t l y in medieval J a p a n e s e religion. " L a n d s c a p e " m e a n s
m o u n t a i n s , for i n J a p a n m o s t l a n d s c a p e u m o u n t a i n s a n d v a l l e y s . T h e r e
w a s a t e n d e n c y in J a p a n e s e B u d d h i s m to affirm that mountains, valleys,
r i v e r s , e t c . ( i n o t h e r w o r d s , all o f n a t u r e ) d i d n o t j u s t s y m b o l i z e b u t were
enlightenment (no. 38).
B u d d h i s t i d e a s o f p a r a d i s e a n d hell w e r e p r o j e c t e d o n t o c o u n t l e s s -
m o u n t a i n s . In standard J a p a n e s e Buddhist cosmology, a great mountain
n a m e d S h u m i s e n s t a n d s a t t h e c e n t e r o f t h e u n i v e r s e . A b o v e its s u m m i t ,
w h i c h i s t h e T o r i H e a v e n , rise level a l t e r level o f i n c r e a s i n g l y e t h e r e a l
h e a v e n s , w h i l e o n t h e e a r t h b e n e a t h i t a r e m u l t i p l e levels o f h e l l s . J a p a -
nese mountains could easily s u p p o r t several paradises. The Kasuga
M o u n t a i n (no. 31) w a s associated with Kannon s Fudaraku paradise.
Vulture Peak where the Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra, and others.
I t a l s o h a d a h e l l . S o d i d M o u n t H i e i . M o u n t Fuji ( n o . 3 2 ) w a s c r o w n e d
w i t h all s o r t s o f p a r a d i s e s , a n d its hell b e c a m e f a m o u s after t h e t h i r t e e n t h
c e n t u r y . T h e v o l c a n i c h e l l s o f T a t e y a m a a r e v i v i d l y d e s c r i b e d i n n o s . 147
and 216.
M o s t p r o m i n e n t o f all, i n t h e s e s t o r i e s , a r e t h e m o u n t a i n s o f t h e O m i n e
r a n g e s o u t h of N a r a . T h e y h a v e been revered since the earliest times, a n d
t h e i r s a c r e d c h a r a c t e r still l i n g e r s o n t o d a y . G o l d e n P e a k ( n o w S a n j o - g a -
t a k e o n J a p a n e s e m a p s ) i s t h e c h i e f p e a k o f t h e r a n g e . N o . 101 d e s c r i b e s
b o t h its p a r a d i s e a n d its hell. N o . 8 8 p a s s e s o n t h e s h a m e l e s s l y tall t a l e
that Golden Peak w a s originally a c o r n e r of Vulture Peak in India and
flew t o J a p a n i n A . D . 5 5 2 , w h i c h m e a n s t h a t t h e m o u n t a i n i s n o t h i n g less
t h a n t h e B u d d h i s t T e a c h i n g itself. N o s . 2 3 a n d 102 b o t h i n v o l v e t h e
l e g e n d t h a t G o l d e n P e a k i s full o f g o l d , a l t h o u g h t h e r e a c t u a l l y i s n o g o l d
in the O m i n e M o u n t a i n s . Small gold b u d d h a s recently discovered at the
t e m p l e site o n G o l d e n P e a k m a y h a v e b e e n offered t h e r e b y E m p e r o r
U d a ( n o s . 190, 1 9 1 ) i n 9 0 0 ; a n d L o r d M i c h i n a g a ( n o . 6 3 ) m a d e a g r a n d
pilgrimage t h e r e in 1007.
A p a r t f r o m b e i n g B u d d h i s t p a r a d i s e s o r hells, s a c r e d m o u n t a i n s i n
J a p a n a l s o h a d local g o d s o f t h e i r o w n . Z a o G o n g e n , t h e g o d o f t h e
O m i n e M o u n t a i n s , w a s especially famous: the w i z a r d E n n o Gyoja called
h i m i n t o e x i s t e n c e a s a s o r t o f g u i d e for t h e p e o p l e o f J a p a n ( n o . 8 8 ) .
Z a o G o n g e n i s c l o s e l y r e l a t e d t o w r a t h f u l B u d d h i s t d i v i n i t i e s like F u d o
a n d l o o k s v e r y fierce i n d e e d . H e b e c a m e t h e p a t r o n g o d o f t h e m o u n t a i n
ascetic tradition, founded by En no Gyoja, a n d images of him can n o w
be found on m a n y J a p a n e s e mountains.

S U P E R N A T U R A L M O N S T E R S A N D B E A S T S

T h e s u p e r n a t u r a l monsters and beasts in these stories include d e m o n s ,

t e n g u , f o x e s , b a d g e r s , d r a g o n s , t u r t l e s , s n a k e s , a n d a b o a r . All c a n b e
f o u n d i n r e c e n t l y c o l l e c t e d J a p a n e s e folktales, b u t n o t a s d e e p l y c o l o r e d
by Buddhism as they are here.
D e m o n s a r e a m o t l e y c r e w . A s n o . 169 p u t s it, " s o m e w e r e r e d d r e s s e d
in green, s o m e w e r e black with a red loincloth, some h a d one eye or no
m o u t h , a n d most w e r e just i n d e s c r i b a b l e . " T h e y are also terrifying. In
n o . 1 4 a r i d e r s e e s b e h i n d h i m " a r e d face w i t h o n e a m b e r - y e l l o w e y e a s
h u g e a n d r o u n d a s a c u s h i o n . T h e t h i n g w a s g r e e n i s h a n d n i n e feet tall.
T h e t h r e e f i n g e r s o n e a c h h a n d h a d five-inch, k n i f e l i k e nails, a n d t h e h a i r
w a s like a s n a r l of w e e d s . " S i n c e t h e y a r e c a l l e d oni in J a p a n e s e , I h a v e
consistently translated them as " d e m o n s , " with two exceptions: in no. 92
x I v i i

t h e y a r e " d e v i l s " a n d i n n o . 169 t h e y a r e " m o n s t e r s . " ( A c t u a l l y , t h e oni

of n o . 92 seem to be exotic h u m a n s . )
Demons frequent abandoned storehouses o r isolated chapels, the
u p p e r stories of city gates, m o u n t a i n clearings, bridges, and other ob-
viously twilight-zone places. A h u m a n w h o detects one nearby expects to
b e e a t e n , a n d w i t h g o o d r e a s o n , for s o m e p e o p l e d o g e t e a t e n ( n o s . 1 1 ,
12, 146). Fortunately, though, d e m o n s are not always so murderous.
T h e y l i k e p a r t i e s ( n o . 1 6 9 ) , a n d s o m e s e e m t o like p l a y i n g m u s i c ( n o s .
64, 167). At times t h e y c a n n o t be b o t h e r e d to h a r m a h u m a n seriously
( n o s . 7 4 , 1 7 0 ) , t h o u g h t h e least t h e i r m e r e p r e s e n c e will d o i s f r i g h t e n
s o m e o n e half to d e a t h .
A r e c u r r i n g motif is that of the " d e m o n s ' night procession." O n e night
each m o n t h (clearly indicated on y o u r calendar, as long as y o u took the
t r o u b l e to consult it) the d e m o n s w o u l d p a r a d e t h r o u g h the streets of
K y o t o , a n d y o u r i s k e d y o u r life i f y o u w e n t o u t o f d o o r s . H a v i n g o t h e r
things on his mind, o n e y o u n g m a n r u n s straight into t h e m a n d is lucky
t o g e t off w i t h n o t h i n g w o r s e t h a n a few d a y s o f f e v e r ( n o . 1 6 8 ) . I n n o .
7 4 t h e d e m o n s s p i t o n a m a n t h e y find c o w e r i n g u n d e r a b r i d g e , a n d h e
d i s c o v e r s to his h o r r o r t h a t t h e y h a v e m a d e him invisible.
In so Buddhist a land as medieval J a p a n , even d e m o n s w e r e bound
s o m e t i m e s t o b e r e l i g i o u s . I n m o s t d e m o n s t o r i e s , d e m o n s s i m p l y exist;
there is no speculation a b o u t h o w they got that way. N o . 97, however,
presents a B u d d h i s t morality d e m o n : he used to be a h u m a n being, but
s i n g l e m i n d e d h a t e t u r n e d him into a d e m o n a n d got him stuck in that
form forever. S o m e d e m o n s actually serve B u d d h i s t divinities o r a r e
B u d d h i s t d i v i n i t i e s i n d i s g u i s e ( n o s . 9 8 , 1 7 2 ) . Still o t h e r s a r e p i o u s d e -
v o t e e s , h u n g r y o n l y for t h e m y s t i c s o u n d o f t h e L o t u s S u t r a ( n o . 1 0 0 ) .
T e n g u , a n o t h e r kind of troublesome creature, play tricks on h u m a n s .
T h e y a r e s h a p e - c h a n g e r s . T e n g u live i n t h e m o u n t a i n s — n o t i n t h e w h o l l y
d e s e r t e d m o u n t a i n w i l d e r n e s s , b u t c l o s e r t o w h e r e p e o p l e , for i n s t a n c e
m o n k s , live o r p a s s b y . M a n y s a c r e d m o u n t a i n s h a d t h e i r t e n g u , i n c l u d -
ing M o u n t I b u k i ( n o . 118) a n d M o u n t H i r a (no. 3 5 ) . M o u n t Hiei (nos.
34, 120) s e e m s to h a v e t e e m e d w i t h t h e m . Several stories even have t h e m
v i s i t i n g t h e C a p i t a l ( n o s . 3 5 , 119, 1 2 0 ) .
I n t h e s e s t o r i e s t e n g u a p p e a r a s a k i t e ( n o s . 3 5 , 120), a k e s t r e l ( n o .
119), a w a r r i o r - m o n k ( n o . 3 5 ) , a d e c r e p i t old m o n k ( n o s . 34, 120), a
c h e e r f u l , w e l l - f e d m o n k ( n o . 1 2 3 ) , t h e B u d d h a S h a k a ( n o . 120), a n d t h e
B u d d h a A m i d a ( n o . 1 1 8 ) . I n effect, t h e y often p a r o d y t h e s o l e m n B u d -
d h i s t w o r l d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e f o r m m o s t familiar i n a r t a n d i l l u s t r a t i o n
( t h a t of a long-nosed, w i n g e d m o u n t a i n ascetic) does not a p p e a r here,
p e r h a p s b e c a u s e t h e image d e v e l o p e d relatively late. As birds of prey,
t h e y a r e n a t u r a l e n e m i e s o f s n a k e s ( n o . 3 5 ) a n d m a y e v e n c a r r y off a
m o n k ( n o s . 3 5 , 1 1 8 ) . T h e y a l s o a r e k n o w n t o c a r r y off c h i l d r e n .
A tengu's greatest pleasure seems to be tormenting pious monks (nos.
3 3 , 3 4 ) . N o d o u b t a n y o n e l e a d i n g a life o f r e l i g i o u s p r a c t i c e , i n a n y
tradition, has to distinguish at times between true inspirations a n d those
t h a t " c o m e from t h e d e v i l . " J a p a n e s e m o n k s h a d t o l o o k o u t n o t o n l y for
t e n g u t a l o n s b u t for t e n g u v i s i o n s , s i n c e t e n g u c o u l d c r e a t e o u t r a g e o u s l y
c o n v i n c i n g h a l l u c i n a t i o n s . O n e u n h a p p y a s c e t i c i s d o n e i n b y a fake
A m i d a w i t h all h i s s a i n t s ( n o . 1 1 8 ) , w h i l e i n n o . 120 a t e n g u ' s L o t u s S u t r a
s h o w w o r k s all t o o w e l l , e v e n t h o u g h t h e t e n g u h i m s e l f h a s w a r n e d h i s
s p e c t a t o r n o t t o b e l i e v e it.
T h e b a d g e r a n d the b o a r too can conjure up deceptive visions, h o w e v e r
m u c h t h e y m a y s o u n d like " r e a l " a n i m a l s . O n e b a d g e r p u t s o n a w o n d e r -
ful s h o w a s t h e B o d h i s a t t v a F u g e n ( n o . 1 2 1 ) a n d a n o t h e r h a u n t s a c h a p e l
i n t h e f o r m o f a n a b s u r d l y tall m o n k ( n o . 1 2 2 ) . T h e o n e b o a r i n t h i s b o o k
s t a g e s a f a k e f u n e r a l for t h e b e n e f i t o f a l o n e l y t r a v e l e r ( n o . 5 2 ) . H o w -
e v e r , all t h e s e t r i c k s e n d i n t h e t r i c k s t e r ' s d e a t h , w h e r e a s t e n g u d o n o t
get killed.
A f a r g r e a t e r t r i c k s t e r i s t h e fox. I n t h e s e s t o r i e s foxes l e a v e m o n k s
alone, instead p e s t e r i n g l a y m e n with confusing visions a n d illusions ( n o .
208). P e r h a p s the foxes' lack of interest in m o n k s has to do with their
relatively m o r e familiar p r e s e n c e in the e v e r y d a y h u m a n w o r l d . It w a s a
c o m m o n p l a c e t h a t a n a b a n d o n e d m a n s i o n , like t h e o n e i n n o . 8 4 , s o o n
b e c a m e a f o x e s ' lair; a n d e v e n a n i n h a b i t e d m a n s i o n c o u l d b e i n f e s t e d
w i t h f o x e s ( n o . 8 0 ) . A p p a r e n t l y foxes c o u l d m o v e i n t o a h o u s e j u s t t h e
w a y raccoons and even skunks do in the United States, but I w o n d e r
w h e t h e r a r a c c o o n family h a s e v e r c a r r i e d o n t h e w a y t h e s e foxes d o .
S o m e fox t r i c k s a r e s i m p l e mischief. W h e r e a s t e n g u a n d t h e i r c o l -
l e a g u e s l i k e t o p l a y o n r e l i g i o u s feelings, foxes p l a y e s p e c i a l l y o n s e x u a l
d e s i r e . T h e fox c o u n t e r p a r t t o t h e t e n g u v i s i o n o f A m i d a a n d h i s s a i n t s
(no. 118) is the d r e a m - m a r r i a g e of the fox-enchanted hero in no. 8 2 .
F o x e s a r e f a m o u s i n J a p a n for m a s q u e r a d i n g a s b e a u t i f u l w o m e n — s o
m u c h s o t h a t i f a m a n r u n s a c r o s s a p r e t t y girl a l o n e , e s p e c i a l l y a t t w i l i g h t
or in t h e e v e n i n g , he is a fool if he d o e s n o t s u s p e c t h e r of b e i n g a fox. In
o t h e r w o r d s , e n c h a n t r e s s e s a r e , literally, foxy l a d i e s . T h e s t u n n i n g fox-
w o m a n of no. 47 is a n o t h e r e x a m p l e . She does not exactly mislead the
r e g e n t w h o s e e s h e r , b u t s h e c e r t a i n l y p l a y s o n his m a l e n e s s .
Foxes do not a p p e a r to w o m e n as handsome men, but possess them
i n s t e a d a s s p i r i t s . N o t t h a t a fox s p e a k i n g t h r o u g h a w o m a n ' s m o u t h t a l k s
a b o u t a n y t h i n g r o m a n t i c . O f t e n , all t h e fox w a n t s i s food ( n o s . 124, 2 0 6 ) .
I n t h e e n d , t h o u g h , s o m e t h i n g else s e e m s t o b e g o i n g o n — s o m e t h i n g t h a t
has as m u c h to do with the w o m a n as the fox-bewitched man's infatuation
h a s t o d o w i t h himself. N o . 125 s e e m s t o s u p p o r t t h i s i m p r e s s i o n . A t t h e
b e g i n n i n g o f t h e s t o r y , t h e e m p r e s s i s p o s s e s s e d b y a fox w h i c h t h e h e a l e r
m a n a g e s to transfer to a medium and then capture. Next, the empress is
o v e r w h e l m e d t o t h e p o i n t o f i n s a n i t y b y t h e h e a l e r ' s o w n lust. I t i s h a r d
t o b e l i e v e t h a t t h e o r i g i n a l fox h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h h e r s u s c e p t i b i l i t y .
T h e D a k i n i rite of n o . 47 involves foxes in s o m e sort of m e s s e n g e r role.
" D a k i n i " refers to a triad of d e m o n i c figures w h o w e r e a b s o r b e d into
Esoteric B u d d h i s m , a n d w h o b e c a m e associated in J a p a n with the god
I n a r i , w h o g r a n t s a b u n d a n c e a n d w h o s e m e s s e n g e r i s t h e fox. T h e s t o r y ' s
G o d o f G o o d F o r t u n e , a b y - p r o d u c t o f t h e D a k i n i rite, i s s o foxy t h a t h e
e v e n s m e l l s like a fox.
T h e fox i n n o . 2 0 9 i s p r o b a b l y a m e s s e n g e r t o o , s i g n i f y i n g t h a t a m a g i c
c h a n n e l o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n the d r e a m e r a n d the h i g h e r divinities
s t a n d s o p e n . ( T h e a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e g o l d e n relics s e e m s t o c o n f i r m t h i s . )
A l t h o u g h I d o n o t k n o w j u s t w h y t h e w h i t e fox s h o u l d h a v e a s k e d t h e
d r e a m e r to w e a r red, the image is fascinating.
D r a g o n s a n d s n a k e s constitute an entirely different class of c r e a t u r e s .
B o t h a r e c l o s e l y a s s o c i a t e d , i n all J a p a n e s e folklore, a r t , a n d l i t e r a t u r e
(including these stories), with water. Related associations are with thun-
d e r a n d l i g h t n i n g o n t h e o n e h a n d a n d w i t h lust o n t h e o t h e r — i n o t h e r
w o r d s , w i t h p r i m o r d i a l m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f e n e r g y a n d vitality. T h e b o u n d -
a r y b e t w e e n d r a g o n s a n d s n a k e s i s often v a g u e , b u t o n t h e w h o l e d r a g o n s
a r e n o b l e r a n d a r e m o r e likely t o b e t h u n d e r - b e i n g s t h a n s n a k e s , w h i l e
s n a k e s a r e m o r e l i k e l y t h a n d r a g o n s t o s t a n d p l a i n l y for lust. N e i t h e r i s
g i v e n t o g r a t u i t o u s mischief, b u t s n a k e s c a n s o m e t i m e s b e d e s t r u c t i v e .
J a p a n e s e d r a g o n s have distinguished continental ancestors. In the
B u d d h i s t sutras they a p p e a r as spirits of the cosmic waters w h o h o n o r
a n d protect the Teaching, while imperial imagery in the S i n o - J a p a n e s e
t r a d i t i o n i s full o f d r a g o n s . F o r i n s t a n c e , t h e e m p e r o r ' s face i s " t h e
d r a g o n v i s a g e , " a n d a n a n g r y e m p e r o r h a s "ruffled s c a l e s . "
P e r h a p s the d r a g o n is best thought of as the energy of the water cycle:
rain, river, sea, v a p o r , a n d rain again. T h e image of a dragon sporting
a m o n g t h e c l o u d s , o b v i o u s l y r e p r e s e n t i n g r a i n a n d t h e b l e s s i n g its b r i n g s ,
i s s o c o m m o n i n E a s t A s i a n p a i n t i n g t h a t i t i s familiar t o m a n y i n t h e
W e s t . T h e d r a g o n of n o . 36, a L o t u s S u t r a devotee, makes rain, a n d
d r a g o n g o d s w e r e n o r m a l l y i n v o k e d i n r a i n m a k i n g rites ( n o . 1 8 3 ) . T h e
e m p e r o r , w h o b l e s s e s h i s p e o p l e from h i g h a t o p a m e t a p h o r i c a l m o u n t a i n ,
i s d r a g o n l i k e b e c a u s e i t i s f r o m m o u n t a i n s t h a t t h e life-giving w a t e r s flow
d o w n to the plain. D r a g o n (or snake) shrines are common on watershed
s u m m i t s a n d r i d g e s for t h i s r e a s o n .
Practically any b o d y of w a t e r in J a p a n may harbor a Dragon King.
M a n o Pond (no. 35) may be imposing; but S a r u s a w a Pond (nos. 37,
183), w h i c h p r a c t i c a l l y e v e r y v i s i t o r t o N a r a h a s s e e n , i s u n i m p r e s s i v e ;
a n d t h e p o o l a t K o z e n ( n o . 1 8 3 ) , t h e site o f r a i n m a k i n g r i t e s e v e n i n t o
t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y , i s t i n y . I n fact t h e D r a g o n K i n g o f n o . 183 lives i n
a cave on a mountainside, w h e r e the w a t e r s begin their journey to the
fields b e l o w .
A p r o p e r D r a g o n K i n g lives i n a s p l e n d i d p a l a c e . T h e d r a g o n o f n o .
183 h a s his i n s i d e a c a v e , b u t a d r a g o n w i t h a p o n d will h a v e his p a l a c e
a t t h e b o t t o m o f t h e p o n d . N o . 18-4 p r o v i d e s a fine e x a m p l e . T h e D r a g o n
Palace at the b o t t o m of the sea, well k n o w n in J a p a n e s e lore, d o e s not
figure d i r e c t l y i n t h e s e s t o r i e s , b u t i t i s p r o b a b l y r e l a t e d t o t h e E t e r n a l
M o u n t a i n o f n o . 106.
S n a k e s , t h e m o s t a m b i g u o u s o f all " r e a l " c r e a t u r e s , c a n b e g o d s o r a t
least s u p e r n a t u r a l p o w e r s ; c a n e m b o d y sinful, e s p e c i a l l y lustful t h o u g h t s ;
a n d can be a form of K a n n o n ( n o . 137). T h e i r lack of dignity in c o m p a r -
ison w i t h d r a g o n s n o d o u b t h a s t o d o w i t h t h e i r f a m i l i a r i t y i n n o r m a l life.
N o . 187 features a s n a k e g o d w h o resembles a d r a g o n in m a n y w a y s ,
but w h o lacks a d r a g o n ' s philosophical or poetic aura. He controls a
fruitful i s l a n d , a n d lives h i g h u p o n t h e i s l a n d for t h e s a m e r e a s o n t h a t
d r a g o n s often live o n m o u n t a i n s . ( A r e l a t e d g o d still lives h i g h o n a s m a l l
sacred island in L a k e Biwa.) T h e snakes of several other stories are m o r e
p l a i n l y w a t e r - b e i n g s . I n n o . 9 8 a m a s s o f s n a k e s e v e n l o o k s like w a t e r ,
a n d i n n o . 136 a s n a k e t r i e s for n o p a r t i c u l a r r e a s o n t o d r a g a w r e s t l e r
into a d e e p pool.
S n a k e s a r e e a s i l y r e c o g n i z a b l e e v e n t o u s a s a n i m a g e for evil, d e l u d e d ,
o r lustful t h o u g h t s . I n t h e s e s t o r i e s a s n a k e s e e m s s o m e t i m e s t o b e l u s t
itself. T h e w o m a n i n n o . I l l , f r a n t i c w i t h f r u s t r a t e d s e x u a l d e s i r e , t u r n s
i n t o a h u g e s n a k e a n d p u r s u e s t h e m a n s h e w a n t s . I n n o . 109 a y o u n g
m a n d r e a m s a girl m a k e s l o v e t o h i m , t h e n w a k e s u p t o d i s c o v e r t h a t a
s n a k e h a s m a d e h i m e j a c u l a t e ; w h i l e i n n o . 110 a y o u n g w o m a n e n d s u p
m e s m e r i z e d by a s n a k e t h a t h a s accidentally seen b e t w e e n h e r legs. F o u r
stories associate the s n a k e motif with a y o u n g girl's sexual fantasies (nos.
107, 108, 112, a n d 1 8 5 ) .
A n a v o w e d l y B u d d h i s t c o n t e x t m a y g i v e s n a k e s a w i d e r , m o r a l signif-
icance. In n o . 139, a y o u n g g i r l ' s o n l y sin i s t o l o v e h e r p l u m t r e e ' s
b l o s s o m s s o m u c h t h a t s h e c a n n o t forget t h e m e v e n a f t e r d e a t h . A s a
r e s u l t o f t h i s c l i n g i n g t o t h e p l e a s u r e s o f h e r p a s t life, s h e i s r e b o r n a s a
little s n a k e t h a t w r a p s itself a r o u n d t h e p l u m t r e e . T h e s t o r y m a k e s a
pretty B u d d h i s t s e r m o n againt a t t a c h m e n t to the things of this world, but
it too, of course, m a y allude silently to sexual fantasies.
T h e last a n i m a l t o m e n t i o n i s t h e t u r t l e . T h e i m m o r t a l l a d y o f n o . 106
i s a t u r t l e . M a r i n e t u r t l e s a r e m a g i c c r e a t u r e s w h o s t a n d for i m m o r t a l i t y
I i i

a n d w h o s e e m r e l a t e d , like d r a g o n s a n d s n a k e s , t o i d e a s o f s p i r i t u a l
t r a n s f o r m a t i o n ( n o s . 1 0 3 , 104, a n d 1 0 5 ) .

THE S O U R C E S

J a p a n e s e s c h o l a r s d i s t i n g u i s h a b o d y of w r i t i n g t h e y call sctduwa bungaku.

T h e t e r m j u s t m e a n s " t a l e l i t e r a t u r e , " b u t i t r e f e r s specifically t o a b o u t
forty-five collections ( t h e y v a r y g r e a t l y in l a n g u a g e , quality, a n d intent)
p u t t o g e t h e r b e t w e e n A.D. 8 2 2 a n d r o u g h l y 1350. Of the 220 stories in
this b o o k , 210 c o m e from ten of the m o r e i m p o r t a n t of these medieval
collections, while t h e r e m a i n i n g 10 are from o t h e r medieval w o r k s out-
s i d e " t a l e l i t e r a t u r e . " (All t h e s o u r c e s a r e listed i n " T h e W o r k s T h e s e
T a l e s C o m e F r o m , " i n t h e b a c k o f t h e b o o k . ) H o w e v e r , 165 o f t h e s t o r i e s ,
far m o r e t h a n a t w o - t h i r d s m a j o r i t y , a r e from t w o c o l l e c t i o n s , t h e m a s t e r -
pieces of t h e g e n r e : Ujishutmonogatari("'A L a t e r C o l l e c t i o n o f Uji T a l e s , "
e a r l y t h i r t e e n t h c e n t u r y ) w i t h 5 4 , a n d Konjaku monogatari dhu ( " T a l e s of
T i m e s N o w P a s t , " ca. 1100) with 111.
W h a t are the subjects of "tale literature"? O n e category of stories deals
w i t h C h i n a a n d I n d i a . Konjaku, for i n s t a n c e , d e v o t e s t h e first 185 of its
m o r e t h a n 1,000 t a l e s t o I n d i a , a n d t h e s e c o n d 181 t o C h i n a . N e e d l e s s t o
s a y , I left s u c h t a l e s o u t b e c a u s e t h e y a r e a b o u t t h e w r o n g c o u n t r y .
T h e s e c o n d a n d b y far t h e l a r g e s t c a t e g o r y d e a l s w i t h B u d d h i s t t o p i c s .
If I h a d k e p t the s a m e p r o p o r t i o n of Buddhist stories as in my sources,
Japanese Tales w o u l d be a far m o r e p i o u s b o o k , for t h e m e d i e v a l c o l l e c -
tions include m a n y m o r e Buddhist stories than any other kind. A good
m a n y , like n o s . 1 1 5 a n d 137, m u s t h a v e b e e n u s e d i n p r e a c h i n g ; w h i l e
others evoke the miraculous origins of famous temples (no. 26) or images
( n o . 2 7 ) , o r t h e d e e d s o f g r e a t m o n k s ( n o s . 182, 2 1 3 ) .
T h e t h i r d c a t e g o r y o f s t o r i e s c o n c e r n s t h e c o u r t a n d its w o r l d . S o m e
o f t h e s e t a l e s a r e v e r y g o o d ( n o s . 7 a n d 1 9 1 , for e x a m p l e ) , b u t I f o u n d
m a n y o t h e r s unsuitable: brief items a b o u t court m a n n e r s or about the
d o i n g s o f g r e a t l o r d s ; s c e n e s o f c o u r t life i n t e r e s t i n g o n l y t o t h e i n i t i a t e d ;
c u r i o u s i n c i d e n t s i n h i s t o r y a n d p o l i t i c s ; a few a c c o u n t s o f b a t t l e s ; m o -
m e n t s o f t r i u m p h for m a s t e r a r t i s t s , c r a f t s m e n , h o r s e m e n , w r e s t l e r s , p l a y -
ers of court football (kemari), etc.; and numerous anecdotes about
particularly successful, moving, or unusual p o e m s . M a n y of these items
c a n h a r d l y b e c a l l e d s t o r i e s a t all. T h e y i n t e r e s t e d c o m p i l e r s a n d r e a d e r s
l e s s a s e n t e r t a i n m e n t t h a n a s e x a m p l e s o f c o n d u c t , j u d g m e n t , o r skill.
T h e fourth c a t e g o r y , from w h i c h I h a v e d r a w n the most heavily, con-
sists of l e g e n d s a n d p o p u l a r tales. H o w e v e r , this c a t e g o r y is the smallest
of t h e f o u r , a n d for t h i s r e a s o n a l o n e Uji abui, Konjaku, a n d t h e o t h e r
s o u r c e s s h o u l d n o t b e t h o u g h t o f p r i m a r i l y a s folktale c o l l e c t i o n s .
 W h a t is the relationship b e t w e e n "tale literature" and the m o d e r n
folktale? A comparison w i t h Ancient Tales in Modern Japan, a recently
published v o l u m e of folktales told by village storytellers in the twentieth
c e n t u r y (see Bibliography), can serve as an illustration. F a n n y Hagin
M a y e r ' s w o r k s h a r e s f i v e s t o r i e s w i t h Japanese Tales: n o . 127 ( m y n o . 3 ) ;
n o . 183j ( m y n o . 1 7 ) ; n o . 140 ( m y n o . 1 6 9 ) ; n o . 6 9 ( m y n o . 1 7 4 ) ; a n d n o .
164 ( m y n o . 2 1 7 ) . A f e w of its s t o r i e s a l s o i n c l u d e p a r t s of t a l e s p r e s e n t
i n t h i s b o o k — for e x a m p l e , n o . 9 9 ( m y n o . 7 5 ) , n o . 3 0 ( m y n o . 1 0 7 ) , a n d
no. 311 ( m y no. 2 1 9 ) . T h e t w o w o r k s also s h a r e various motifs. This is
r e m a r k a b l e i n a w a y , s i n c e six h u n d r e d t o e i g h t h u n d r e d y e a r s s e p a r a t e
t h e s o u r c e s for e a c h . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , Ancient Tales in Modern Japan
r e p r e s e n t s fairly t h e r a n g e o f t h e m o d e r n J a p a n e s e folktale, w h e r e a s
Japanese Tales e x a g g e r a t e s t h e folktale c o n t e n t of t h e m e d i e v a l c o l l e c t i o n s .
S e e n i n t h i s light, t h e r e s e m b l a n c e s a r e n o t n e c e s s a r i l y i m p r e s s i v e . H o w -
ever ancient t h e recently collected folktales m a y be, m a n y things h a v e
c h a n g e d i n t h e last e i g h t h u n d r e d y e a r s . F o r i n s t a n c e , n o s . 3 a n d 169 i n
t h i s b o o k follow t h e s y m m e t r i c a l " g o o d o l d m a n / b a d o l d m a n " p a t t e r n
well k n o w n i n m o d e r n f o l k t a l e s , a n d w e l l r e p r e s e n t e d i n F a n n y H a g i n
M a y e r ' s b o o k ; y e t t h e y a r e t h e o n l y e x a m p l e s o f t h i s p a t t e r n i n all m y
s o u r c e s . T h e kappa, a w a t e r - g o b l i n t h a t h a s b e c o m e a l m o s t t h e e m b l e m
of J a p a n e s e f o l k l o r e , is n o t to be f o u n d in m e d i e v a l t a l e l i t e r a t u r e at all.
A b o v e all, f a r m e r s a n d t h e i r p r e o c c u p a t i o n s , s o b a s i c t o t h e m o d e r n
folktale, a r e r a r e in t h e o l d e r literature.
A l t h o u g h they do include p o p u l a r elements, the medieval collections
a r e n o t folk l i t e r a t u r e . T h e c o m p i l e r s a n d t h e i r r e a d e r s w e r e h i g h l y liter-
ate, a n d particularly conscious of history. Of course educated people
were b o u n d to be interested in history anyway, but the Chinese tradition
of meticulous r e c o r d - k e e p i n g influenced the J a p a n e s e , w h o also valued
detailed r e c o r d s . In this spirit, m a n y stories give precise information by
which they can be dated. (I have indicated these dates w h e n e v e r possible
in the notes, usually with the help of the modern J a p a n e s e commenta-
tors.) T h e compilers' interest in a c c u r a c y is only emphasized by occa-
s i o n a l g a p s i n t h e s o u r c e s , e s p e c i a l l y i n Konjaku. H e r e t h e c o m p i l e r s e e m s
t o h a v e left a b l a n k w h e n h e f o u n d h e w a s m i s s i n g a n a m e , s o t h a t h e
could fill it in later. T h e stories w e r e s u p p o s e d to be true, a n d it w a s the
t r a n s m i t t e r ' s responsibility to situate t h e m correctly in his a n d his r e a d -
er's world.
W h e r e d i d t h e c o m p i l e r s g e t t h e i r t a l e s ? T h e p r e f a c e to Uji shui mono-
gatari g i v e s a f a s c i n a t i n g g l i m p s e of a c o m p i l e r at w o r k on an i m p o r t a n t
collection, n o w u n f o r t u n a t e l y lost. T h i s w a s Uji no Dainaaon monogatart
( " T h e Uji M a j o r C o u n s e l o r ' s T a l e s " ) , p u t t o g e t h e r b y a h i g h - r a n k i n g
courtier named M i n a m o t o no T a k a k u n i (d. 1 0 7 7 ) w h o r e t i r e d t o Uji,
1 i

b e t w e e n K y o t o a n d N a r a . T h e r e h e w o u l d " e n j o y t h e cool r e c l i n i n g o n a
m a t a n d f a n n i n g h i m s e l f w i t h a g r e a t b i g fan. H e w o u l d call o v e r a n y
p a s s e r b y , h i g h o r l o w , a n d g e t t h e p e r s o n t o tell h i m a s t o r y , w h i c h h e
w o u l d t a k e d o w n i n a b i g n o t e b o o k , s t r a i g h t from t h e t e l l e r ' s l i p s . " T h e
a n o n y m o u s a u t h o r o f t h e p r e f a c e s u r m i s e s t h a t t h e e q u a l l y u n k n o w n Uji
sht'ti c o m p i l e r m e a n t t o c o n t i n u e T a k a k u n i ' s w o r k .
P e r h a p s T a k a k u n i used written sources as well; later compilers surely
did. A n y w a y , written a n d oral sources p r o b a b l y did not exclude each
o t h e r e v e n for a s i n g l e t a l e . I n c a s e s w h e r e a n e a r l i e r , w r i t t e n v e r s i o n
c e r t a i n l y e x i s t e d , a c o m p i l e r still m i g h t n o t u s e it, at least n o t d i r e c t l y .
H e m i g h t r e l y i n s t e a d o n a n i n t e r m e d i a t e w r i t t e n v e r s i o n ; o n his o w n
f a m i l i a r i t y w i t h s e v e r a l v e r s i o n s , w r i t t e n o r o r a l ; o r o n s o m e o n e else's
t e l l i n g . I n fact t h e d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n " w r i t t e n " a n d " o r a l " m a y n o t b e
v e r y u s e f u l for Japanese Tales. T a k e t h e e x a m p l e o l T a k a k u n i n o t i n g d o w n
tales from " a n y p a s s e r b y , high or l o w . " A " h i g h " p a s s e r b y w o u l d have been
s o m e o n e w h o s e t h i n k i n g had been formed largely by the written word,
w h e t h e r p o e t r y ( w h i c h w a s essential t h e n ) o r prose; a n d T a k a k u n i would
still h a v e e d i t e d h i s t e l l i n g . A " l o w " p a s s e r b y m i g h t h a v e b e e n illiterate
o r s e m i l i t e r a t e , a n d T a k a k u n i w o u l d h a v e t i d i e d u p his w o r d s e v e n m o r e .
E v e r y c o m p i l e r p u t h i s m a r k o n his w o r k . S o m e s e e m t o h a v e r e d u c e d
a lot o f m a t e r i a l t o s k e l e t o n n o t e s , w h i l e o t h e r s d e v e l o p e d s t o r i e s l o v i n g l y .
A t t h e v e r y least, t h e r e w a s t h e q u e s t i o n o f c h o o s i n g t h e k i n d o f l a n g u a g e
t o w r i t e in.
W r i t i n g i n m e d i e v a l J a p a n c o u l d v a r y b e t w e e n classical C h i n e s e a n d
p u r e , n a t u r a l J a p a n e s e . T h e s e a n d m a n y t r a n s i t i o n a l styles a r e p r e s e n t
in "tale literature." (People then wrote in Chinese rather as the medieval
E u r o p e a n s w r o t e i n L a t i n , t h o u g h t h e y c o u l d n o t s p e a k it.) W r i t t e n
l a n g u a g e w a s n o t t h e s a m e a s s p e e c h . E v e n t h e p u r e J a p a n e s e o f Ujishui
p r o b a b l y d o e s n o t s i m p l y t r a n s c r i b e s p e e c h , for J a p a n e s e w a s a l i t e r a r y
l a n g u a g e t o o , w i t h m a n y m a s t e r p e i c e s t o its c r e d i t b y t h e t i m e t h e Uji
shui c o m p i l e r l i v e d . His stories evoke natural speech thanks to the
w r i t e r ' s craft, a n d t h e i r c o n s i s t e n c y o f t o n e c o u l d o n l y h a v e b e e n i m p o s e d
o n t h e m b y a fine w r i t e r .
W h o w e r e t h e " c o m p i l e r s " I keep mentioning? T h e r e is not m u c h to
s a y a b o u t t h e m . M o s t c o l l e c t i o n s , like Uji shut, a r e a n o n y m o u s . N o o n e
k n o w s w h o p u t t o g e t h e r Konjaku, a l t h o u g h s c h o l a r s m a k e o n e c o n j e c t u r e
or a n o t h e r . P e r h a p s t h e m a n w a s a m o n k ; a n d p e r h a p s several people
w o r k e d o n it. A t a n y r a t e all t h e c o m p i l e r s , w h e t h e r m o n k s o r l a y m e n ,
m u s t h a v e b e e n e d u c a t e d m e n with some k n o w l e d g e of court society.
T a k a k u n i , for h i s p a r t , w a s a f o r m e r m e m b e r o f t h e C o u n c i l o l S t a t e .
A m o n g m y t e n s o u r c e c o l l e c t i o n s n o r m a l l y classified a s " t a l e l i t e r a t u r e , "
t h e c o m p i l e r s a r e k n o w n o n l y for t h e f o l l o w i n g w o r k s , from w h i c h I g o t
t h i r t y t a l e s : HoMhimhu ( " T h o s e W h o A w o k e t o F a i t h , " e a r l y t h i r t e e n t h
century); Kojidan ("Anecdotes of t h e Past," ca. 1215); Kokonchomonju
( " T h i n g s S e e n a n d H e a r d , O l d a n d N e w , " 1 2 5 4 ) ; Shcmekuhu ( " A B o o k
of S a n d a n d P e b b l e s , " 1 2 8 7 ) ; a n d Tjurezuregiua ( " E s s a y s i n I d l e n e s s , "
ca. 1 3 3 0 ) . T h r e e m o r e t a l e s a r e from Kaluga Gongen genki ( " T h e M i r a c l e s
of the K a s u g a G o d , " 1309), which, t h o u g h not c o u n t e d as part of "tale
l i t e r a t u r e , " i s a fine c o l l e c t i o n o f m i r a c l e s t o r i e s . S o m e o f t h e s e c o m p i l e r s
were monks and some laymen, a n d all e x c e p t p e r h a p s t h e Sbadekifbu
compiler w e r e of distinguished birth a n d k n e w the world of the Capital.
I name and describe them in " T h e W o r k s These Tales C o m e F r o m . "

T R A N S L A T I O N A N D E D I T I N G

All m y t r a n s l a t i o n s a r e e d i t e d , m o r e o r less s o d e p e n d i n g o n t h e c h a r a c t e r
o f t h e o r i g i n a l . O f c o u r s e s t u d i o u s l y faithful t r a n s l a t i o n s a r e v a l u a b l e ,
b u t I felt t h e y w o u l d b e o u t o f p l a c e i n t h i s b o o k . T h e s e a r e v e r y o l d
s t o r i e s , a f t e r all, f r o m a d i s t a n t c o u n t r y . I f t h e i r g e n i u s i s t o s h i n e for u s ,
i n o u r t i m e , t h e y n e e d a little c o m b i n g a n d b r u s h i n g t o rid t h e m o f s m a l l
i d i o s y n c r a s i e s w h i c h m i g h t t u r n o u r a t t e n t i o n from w h a t m a t t e r s . I h a v e
taken no casual liberties, h o w e v e r , a n d have not d e n a t u r e d the stories in
a n y w a y . It is t r u e , t h o u g h , t h a t in a few instances I c o m b i n e d e l e m e n t s
from d i f f e r e n t s o u r c e s i n t o a s i n g l e t a l e — t h e o u t s t a n d i n g e x a m p l e i s n o .
2 1 3 . T h r o u g h o u t , I w o r k e d e s p e c i a l l y o n f o u r p r o b l e m s : t h e titles o f t h e
stories, their style, the large a m o u n t of unfamiliar information m a n y
contain, a n d their form.
A l t h o u g h n e a r l y e v e r y t a l e h a s a title i n t h e o r i g i n a l , I m a d e u p all t h e
titles i n t h i s b o o k . T h e o l d o n e s s o u n d like t h i s : " H o w R e t i r e d E m p e r o r
U d a R e v e a l e d t h e G h o s t o f M i n i s t e r o f t h e Left T o r u , o f R i v e r s i d e P a l -
a c e " ( n o . 190), a n d this: " H o w t h e F o x of Koya River C h a n g e d into a
W o m a n and Rode on the Croups of Horses" (no. 207). Old-fashioned
titles l i k e t h e s e a r e u s e f u l l y d e s c r i p t i v e , b u t t h e y s e e m a w f u l l y p o k e r - f a c e d .
A s for s t y l e , I have already noted the variety of languages in the
s o u r c e s . C l a s s i c a l C h i n e s e ( n o . 1 0 1 ) p r o d u c e s a v e r y d i f f e r e n t effect f r o m
pure conversational J a p a n e s e (no. 150). T h e r e are also differences of
t o n e , s i n c e s o m e o r i g i n a l s s o u n d light, o t h e r s s e r i o u s o r stiff. T h e s t y l e o f
Konjaku is often r a t h e r p l o d d i n g . I t r i e d to b l e n d all t h e s e v a r i a t i o n s i n t o
a b o u t the same sort of English. Occasionally I found I had to c h a n g e the
order of the statements in the narration so as to make a story sound
natural in English — an interesting discovery. T h e medieval J a p a n e s e did
not value forward movement in a story as much as we do.
1 V i

T h e o r i g i n a l s o f t e n s u p p l y i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t for t h e u n i n i t i a t e d m o d e r n
r e a d e r m a k e s t h e t e x t u n n e c e s s a r i l y o b s c u r e . N a m e s a n d titles o f h i s t o r i -
cal p e o p l e , a n d t h e n a m e s o f p r e c i s e l o c a t i o n s , a r e d i s p l a y e d p r o m i n e n t l y ;
while e l s e w h e r e details of architecture, costume, equipment, etc. are
carefully r e c o r d e d . I h a v e t o n e d d o w n the identifications of people and
places, often simplifying a n d occasionally even suppressing t h e m ; a n d I
h a v e also simplified s o m e d e s c r i p t i o n s , or replaced technical t e r m s with
m o r e f a m i l i a r a p p r o x i m a t i o n s — like " v e r a n d a . " S o m e t i m e s I h a v e in-
serted short definitions or explanations into the text.
T h e problem of form has to do with the beginnings and the endings of
t h e stories. First, w h i l e most collections set t h e tales out p r e t t y plainly,
t h e Konjaku c o m p i l e r c a r e f u l l y b e g a n e a c h t a l e w i t h a s e t f o r m u l a r e s e m -
b l i n g " o n c e u p o n a t i m e , " a n d e n d e d i t w i t h a n e d i t o r i a l c o m m e n t , a little
m o r a l o r b i t o f s a g e a d v i c e , a n d a s e t c l o s i n g f o r m u l a . I left o u t all t h e s e
formulas a n d kept parts of the c o m m e n t s only w h e n I thought they were
a m u s i n g or particularly appropriate. Beginnings could present another
sort of p r o b l e m . This is w h e r e m a n y stories cram in a particularly large
a m o u n t of b a c k g r o u n d information, and sometimes rhetorical ornaments
t h a t t h e m o d e r n r e a d e r m a y n o t a d m i r e . I n s u c h c a s e s , I simplified.
T h e c o n c l u s i o n s o f t h e s t o r i e s a r e t h e last t h i n g t o m e n t i o n . J a p a n e s e
w r i t i n g has a l w a y s avoided s n a p p y endings. Even modern novels may
s e e m t o f a d e o u t g r a d u a l l y , o r e v e n t o b r e a k off i n m i d - t h o u g h t . M o s t o f
t h e s e t a l e s e n d softly, t o o . T h i s a p p r o a c h d o e s n o t p r o d u c e p u n c h l i n e s ,
b u t i t h a s its o w n v i r t u e s a n d I h a v e n o t t r i e d t o c h a n g e it.

THE PATTERN OF THE BOOK

T h e 2 2 0 t a l e s a r e g r o u p e d i n s e t s o f five, w i t h a f e w i r r e g u l a r s e t s o f f o u r
o r s i x , a n d e a c h s e t h a s its o w n t h e m a t i c h e a d i n g . T h i s a r r a n g e m e n t i s
m e a n t t o m a k e c o n v e n i e n t u n i t s for r e a d i n g a n d t o a l l o w i n t e r e s t i n g
j u x t a p o s i t i o n s o f s t o r i e s . T h e n o r m a l p a t t e r n for a set — a n d t h e r e a r e
m a n y e x c e p t i o n s — is to start w i t h a short tale, continue with t w o of
m e d i u m l e n g t h , feature a l o n g e r s t o r y in fourth position, a n d close w i t h
another short piece.
D o n o t b e h e l d b a c k b y t h e t h e m e s s u g g e s t e d . S o m e a r e v e r y specific,
o t h e r s catch-all. M o s t stories could easily h a v e b e e n p u t u n d e r o t h e r
h e a d i n g s , i n c l u d i n g o n e s I d i d n o t m e n t i o n a t all. I n a n y c a s e , few h e a d -
i n g s e x h a u s t t h e i r a n n o u n c e d s u b j e c t . T h e p r e s e n c e o f t w o s e t s o n foxes,
for e x a m p l e , d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t a r e n o fox s t o r i e s i n o t h e r s e t s ; a n d t h e
b o o k i s e v e n m o r e full o f s n a k e s t h a n o f f o x e s , t h o u g h t h e r e i s o n l y o n e
set entitled " S n a k e s . "
In Kurita county of O m i province there once g r e w a giant oak tree. Since
t h e t r u n k w a s five h u n d r e d f a t h o m s a r o u n d , t h e h e i g h t a n d t h e s p r e a d o f
its b r a n c h e s c a n e a s i l y b e i m a g i n e d . I n t h e m o r n i n g its s h a d e r e a c h e d
T a m b a p r o v i n c e , a n d lay o v e r Ise i n t h e a f t e r n o o n . N o s t o r m c o u l d m o v e
i t a n d n o t y p h o o n c o u l d set i t s w a y i n g .
On the other hand, the farmers of Shiga, Kurita, and Koga counties
c o u l d n o t g r o w a n y t h i n g b e c a u s e t h e t r e e b l o c k e d t h e s u n s h i n e from t h e i r
fields. T h e y p r e s e n t e d a c o m p l a i n t t o t h e e m p e r o r , w h o s e n t a p a r t y t o
cut the oak d o w n . T h e farmers got good harvests once it w a s gone, and
t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s a r e w o r k i n g t h o s e fields still.

2 .

MELON MAGIC

L a t e o n e s u m m e r a t r a i n o f p a c k h o r s e s w a s o n its w a y u p from Y a m a t o
p r o v i n c e t o w a r d t h e C a p i t a l , l o a d e d w i t h m e l o n s . N o r t h o f Uji t h e d r i v -
ers s t o p p e d to rest u n d e r a p e r s i m m o n tree. T h e y took the melon b a s k e t s
4

off t h e h o r s e s a n d loafed i n t h e s h a d e , e a t i n g s o m e m e l o n s o f t h e i r o w n
which they had brought along.
An old m a n shuffled up to t h e m , leaning on a cane, a n d stood there
w h i l e t h e y a t e , w e a k l y f a n n i n g himself a n d s t a r i n g g r e e d i l y a t t h e i r mel-
o n s . F i n a l l y h e s a i d h e w a s t h i r s t y a n d a s k e d for o n e . T h e d r i v e r s said h e
w o u l d be w e l c o m e to a melon b u t u n f o r t u n a t e l y the ones in their load
w e r e n ' t t h e i r s t o g i v e a w a y — t h e y w e r e j u s t d e l i v e r i n g t h e m t o t h e city.
" Y o u boys are m e a n , " the old m a n complained. "You should be kinder
t o o l d p e o p l e . W e l l , all r i g h t , I'll g r o w m y o w n . "
W h i l e t h e d r i v e r s l a u g h e d , t h e old m a n p i c k e d u p a stick a n d b e g a n t o
w o r k a t i n y p a t c h o f e a r t h i n t o a m i n i a t u r e field. N e x t h e p l a n t e d s o m e
melon seeds the drivers had scattered. The drivers looked on with grow-
ing a m a z e m e n t as the seeds sprouted before their eyes and melon vines
b e g a n s n a k i n g e v e r y w h e r e . S o o n t h e f l o w e r s h a d b l o o m e d a n d t h e fruit
swelled into big, ripe melons.
B y n o w a d r e a d h a d c o m e o v e r t h e d r i v e r s — t h e old m a n s u r e l y m u s t
b e a g o d . T h e o l d m a n h e l p e d himself t o a m e l o n . " S e e ? " h e s a i d . " T h e
melons y o u w o u l d n ' t share have g r o w n me my o w n ! " He passed out
m e l o n s t o all t h e d r i v e r s a n d e v e n t o p e o p l e p a s s i n g b y . W h e n all t h e
m e l o n s h a d b e e n e a t e n h e g o t u p . " W e l l , I'll b e g o i n g n o w , " h e said a n d
w a n d e r e d out of sight.
I t w a s t i m e t o l o a d t h e b a s k e t s b a c k o n t h e h o r s e s a n d get g o i n g , b u t
the baskets w e r e empty. T h e melons were gone! The drivers decided that
t h e o l d m a n h a d s o m e h o w c o n f u s e d t h e i r v i s i o n a n d g o t t e n all t h e m e l o n s
o u t o f t h e b a s k e t s w i t h o u t b e i n g s e e n . T h e y w e r e f u r i o u s . All t h e y c o u l d
do was turn around, m u c h t o t h e o n l o o k e r s ' a m u s e m e n t , a n d set off
lamely back to Y a m a t o .

3 .

THE SPARROWS' GIFTS

O n e w a r m s p r i n g d a y a n o l d w o m a n w a s s i t t i n g a t h o m e p i c k i n g lice
w h i l e a s p a r r o w h o p p e d a b o u t i n h e r g a r d e n . T h e n a little b o y t h r e w a
s t o n e a t t h e s p a r r o w a n d b r o k e its leg. A s t h e s p a r r o w f l u t t e r e d h e l p l e s s l y
along the g r o u n d , a c r o w c a m e circling o v e r h e a d . " T h e poor t h i n g ! "
t h o u g h t t h e o l d w o m a n . " T h e crow'11 g e t i t ! " S h e p i c k e d t h e s p a r r o w
u p , b r e a t h e d on it, fed it, a n d p u t it in a little t u b to k e e p it safe for t h e
night.
I n t h e m o r n i n g s h e fed t h e s p a r r o w r i c e m i x e d w i t h p o w d e r e d c o p p e r
t o m a k e i t b e t t e r . H e r c h i l d r e n a n d g r a n d c h i l d r e n m a d e fun o f h e r . " S i l l y
old t h i n g , " t h e y s a i d , " n o w y o u ' r e b a b y i n g s p a r r o w s ! "
S h e t e n d e d t h e s p a r r o w for a m o n t h o r t w o till i t c o u l d h o p a g a i n , a n d
the s p a r r o w w a s as h a p p y as could be. If she w e n t out she m a d e someone
w a t c h a n d feed i t for h e r . T h e family k e p t t e a s i n g h e r u n k i n d l y . " W h a t ' s
all t h i s fuss o v e r a s p a r r o w ? " t h e y g r u m b l e d .
" I t ' s s u c h a d e a r little t h i n g , y o u s e e ! " s h e a n s w e r e d .
A t last t h e s p a r r o w s e e m e d m e n d e d . " T h e c r o w s ' l l n e v e r g e t y o u n o w ! "
s h e s a i d , t a k i n g i t o u t s i d e a n d lifting i t o n h e r o p e n p a l m . " L e t ' s s e e h o w
y o u f l y ! " T h e s p a r r o w w o b b l e d i n t o t h e a i r a n d flew a w a y .
H a v i n g spent so long lussing over the s p a r r o w , feeding it every d a y
and putting it to bed, she missed it very much. Sometimes she talked
about it and even w o n d e r e d aloud w h e t h e r it might come back. M o c k i n g
l a u g h t e r w a s all s h e g o t i n r e t u r n .
T h r e e w e e k s or so later she heard a s p a r r o w cheeping loudly nearby.
Sure e n o u g h , it w a s her s p a r r o w back again. " H o w lovely!" she cried.
"You haven't forgotten m e ! " T h e s p a r r o w cocked an eye at her, d r o p p e d
s o m e t h i n g t i n y from its b e a k , a n d f l e w olf. I t w a s a s i n g l e g o u r d s e e d .
She kept it because the s p a r r o w had brought it to her.
H e r c h i l d r e n j e e r e d a t h e r l o r b e i n g s o h a p p y a b o u t a p r e s e n t from a
silly s p a r r o w , b u t s h e h a d t o p l a n t t h e s e e d t o s e e h o w i t w o u l d g r o w . B y
tall t h e v i n e w a s h u g e a n d l a d e n w i t h l a r m o r e fruit t h a n a n y o r d i n a r y
g o u r d vine. T h e old w o m a n w a s v e r y pleased. T h o u g h she g a v e g o u r d s
a w a y t o all t h e n e i g h b o r s t h e r e w e r e a l w a y s p l e n t y m o r e . T h e family w h o
h a d m o c k e d h e r n o w a t e g o u r d for e v e r y m e a l . F i n a l l y , s h e s h a r e d o u t
t h e g o u r d s w i t h t h e w h o l e village, t h e n h u n g s e v e n o r e i g h t o f t h e v e r y
biggest up inside to dry.
M o n t h s later, w h e n the g o u r d s w e r e ready, she b e g a n t a k i n g t h e m
d o w n . H o w h e a v y t h e y w e r e ! S h e c u t t h e t o p off o n e t o m a k e a s t o r -
age container, a n d on f i n d i n g t h e g o u r d w a s full s h e p o u r e d o u t a
little o f w h a t w a s i n s i d e it. I t w a s w h i t e r i c e ! A f t e r s h e h a d e m p t i e d w h a t
s e e m e d like a w h o l e g o u r d f u l i n t o a b u c k e t , t h e g o u r d w a s still as full as
before.
I t w a s t h e s p a r r o w s h e h a d t o t h a n k for t h i s m i r a c l e ! She w a s in
r a p t u r e . T h e o t h e r g o u r d s w e r e j u s t a s full, a n d n o m a t t e r h o w m u c h s h e
p o u r e d o u t t h e r e w a s a l w a y s m o r e left t h a n s h e k n e w w h a t t o d o w i t h .
H e r family g r e w r i c h .
T h e neighbors could not believe their eyes a n d w e r e terribly jealous.
6

" W h a t m a k e s y o u a n d h e r s o d i f f e r e n t ? " t h e y c o m p l a i n e d t o t h e i r old

w o m a n . " S h e ' s m a d e t h e m r i c h . W e d o n ' t s e e y o u d o i n g t h a t for uA"
T h e w o m a n w e n t t o h e r s u c c c e s s f u l n e i g h b o r t o find o u t h o w s h e h a d
d o n e it. " I g a t h e r i t h a d s o m e t h i n g t o d o w i t h a s p a r r o w , " s h e said, " b u t
I d o n ' t q u i t e u n d e r s t a n d . P l e a s e tell m e t h e w h o l e s t o r y ! " T h e first o l d
w o m a n a d m i t t e d c a u t i o u s l y t h a t i t h a d all s t a r t e d w i t h a s e e d a s p a r r o w
h a d b r o u g h t h e r , b u t w h e n p r e s s e d for d e t a i l s s h e t h o u g h t i t w o u l d b e
p e t t y o f h e r n o t t o tell all. S h e e x p l a i n e d h o w s h e h a d c a r e d for t h e
s p a r r o w w i t h t h e b r o k e n leg, a n d h o w s h e h a d p l a n t e d t h e g r a t e f u l
s p a r r o w ' s s e e d . T h e n e i g h b o r b e g g e d for j u s t o n e s e e d from t h e b o u n t i f u l
v i n e , b u t t h e first o l d w o m a n s a i d n o , s h e r e a l l y c o u l d n o t g i v e o u t t h e
s e e d s . S h e o f f e r e d rice from t h e g o u r d s i n s t e a d .
T h e d i s a p p o i n t e d n e i g h b o r decided she w o u l d find her o w n injured
s p a r r o w a n d k e p t a s h a r p e y e o u t for o n e , b u t i n v a i n . T h e n s h e n o t i c e d
t h e s p a r r o w s h o p p i n g a b o u t at her b a c k d o o r each m o r n i n g , feeding on
the rice g r a i n s scattered there, a n d she tried t h r o w i n g stones at them.
T h e r e w e r e s o m a n y s p a r r o w s a n d she t h r e w s o m a n y stones that she
finally managed to stun one.
I n g l e e s h e b r o k e its leg p r o p e r l y , t h e n fed i t food a n d m e d i c i n e . A s far
as s h e could see, if o n e w o u l d m a k e h e r rich then m o r e w o u l d m a k e h e r
r i c h e r , a n d s h e w o u l d g e t still m o r e p r a i s e from h e r c h i l d r e n t h a n t h a t
n e i g h b o r w o m a n h a d g o t t e n f r o m h e r s . S o s h e s c a t t e r e d m o r e rice a n d
t h r e w m o r e s t o n e s a t t h e s p a r r o w s till s h e h a d hit t h r e e . T h a t s e e m e d
e n o u g h . S h e p u t t h e m i n a t u b a n d l o o k e d a f t e r t h e m for a few m o n t h s
till t h e y w e r e b e t t e r , t h e n m e r r i l y t o o k t h e m o u t s i d e a n d w a t c h e d t h e m
f l u t t e r a w a y . S h e w a s e v e r s o p l e a s e d w i t h herself. T h e s p a r r o w s , o n t h e
o t h e r h a n d , w e r e v e r y u n h a p p y t o h a v e h a d t h e i r legs b r o k e n a n d t o h a v e
b e e n s h u t u p for m o n t h s .
In ten days the three sparrows came back, and the woman peered
e a g e r l y a t t h e i r b e a k s . E a c h d r o p p e d a g o u r d s e e d a n d flew off.
" T h e r e ! " s h e c h o r t l e d , a n d p l a n t e d the seeds. T h e vines g r e w faster
t h a n n o r m a l a n d b e c a m e v e r y large, b u t they did not b e a r m a n y g o u r d s
— seven or eight p e r vine, no m o r e . T h e w o m a n looked on with a big
g r i n . " Y o u t o l d m e I w a s u s e l e s s , " s h e said t o h e r c h i l d r e n , " b u t I'm
doing better than that w o m a n next d o o r ! " H o w the children hoped she
w a s right!
S i n c e t h e r e w e r e s o few g o u r d s t h e y g a v e n o n e a w a y a n d did not even
eat a n y themselves. T h e y r e m e m b e r e d , though, that the neighbor w o m a n
h a d s h a r e d h e r g o u r d s with the w h o l e village, a n d given them some as
w e l l . P e r h a p s t h e y s h o u l d offer s o m e t o o t h e r p e o p l e , s i n c e t h e y h a d
t h r e e vines. T h e old w o m a n a g r e e d t o give their nearest n e i g h b o r s some
g o u r d s , a n d e v e n s a t d o w n t o a m e a l o f g o u r d w i t h h e r family. E v e r y o n e
took a liberal portion, b u t the g o u r d s t u r n e d out to be horribly bitter,
and whoever ate any threw up.
The neighbors they had been so generous to besieged the house, shout-
i n g , " W h a t k i n d o f stuff w a s that y o u g a v e u s ? Everyone who's even
t o u c h e d i t i s n e a r l y d e a d from n a u s e a a n d v o m i t i n g ! " B u t t h e old w o m a n
a n d h e r c h i l d r e n , w r i t h i n g o n t h e floor a n d r e t c h i n g h e l p l e s s l y , w e r e i n
no condition to a n s w e r . F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e victims r e c o v e r e d in a few d a y s .
W h a t a disaster! T h e old w o m a n d e c i d e d she h a d been o v e r e a g e r a n d
o u g h t t o h a v e w a i t e d l o n g e r for t h e g o u r d s t o t u r n i n t o rice, s o s h e h u n g
up t h e rest to d r y . M o n t h s later, w h e n she j u d g e d they w e r e d o n e , she
got t o g e t h e r e n o u g h c o n t a i n e r s t o hold h e r harvest. H e r toothless old
mouth gaped wide in a shameless grin as she took d o w n the gourds. Then
she p o u r e d . O u t c a m e horseflies, w a s p s , centipedes, lizards, a n d snakes
which battened onto her eyes, her ears, and every part of her body a n d
s t u n g h e r w i t h o u t pity. But she w a s so sure she w a s p o u r i n g out rice that
s h e n e v e r felt a t h i n g . S h e j u s t k e p t m u t t e r i n g , " J u s t y o u w a i t , y o u little
s p a r r o w s , I'll g e t s o m e f r o m e a c h o f y o u ! "
S w a r m s o f v e n o m o u s s n a k e s from t h e g o u r d s bit t h e c h i l d r e n a n d
stung the old w o m a n herself to death. Those three s p a r r o w s h a d enlisted
the help of every nasty creepy-crawly in the world and put them in the
gourds.
E n v y is something to avoid.

4 •
THE MAIDEN FROM THE SKY

O n e d a y long a g o a n old m a n w h o m a d e b a m b o o baskets w e n t t o the

b a m b o o grove to cut some more b a m b o o and saw that one of the b a m b o o
s t e m s w a s s h i n i n g . I n s i d e t h e s t e m h e f o u n d a b a b y girl o n l y t h r e e i n c h e s
long.
N e v e r h a v i n g c o m e a c r o s s a n y t h i n g like that b e f o r e , h e h u r r i e d h o m e
t o h i s wife w i t h t h e little girl i n o n e h a n d a n d his b u n d l e o f b a m b o o i n
the o t h e r . He a n d his wife w e r e v e r y h a p p y . T h e y p u t the tiny b a b y in a
b a s k e t a n d c a r e d for h e r t e n d e r l y . I n t h r e e m o n t h s s h e w a s a n o r m a l size
for a c h i l d , a n d t h e b i g g e r s h e g r e w , t h e l o v e l i e r s h e b e c a m e . M e a n w h i l e
8

t h e o l d m a n k e p t g o i n g for m o r e b a m b o o , a n d e a c h t i m e h e f o u n d g o l d i n
the stems he cut.
S o o n h e w a s r i c h . H e b u i l t a p a l a t i a l h o m e p e o p l e d b y flocks o f ser-
v a n t s a n d r e t a i n e r s , a n d his s t o r e h o u s e o v e r f l o w e d w i t h t r e a s u r e s o f all
k i n d s . He a n d his wife, w h o n o w h a d their heart's desire in everything,
c o n t i n u e d to lavish love on their d a u g h t e r .
S h e w a s so dazzling that it w a s h a r d to believe she belonged to this
w o r l d . R u m o r s a b o u t her b e a u t y b e g a n to get a r o u n d and soon m a n y
lords w e r e courting her, but she w o u l d have nothing to do with them.
W h e n t h e y s h o w e r e d h e r w i t h love letters a n y w a y , she tried t o p u t t h e m
off b y s e t t i n g t h e m h o p e l e s s t a s k s . " I ' m y o u r s , " s h e w r o t e t o o n e , "if
y o u ' l l b r i n g m e t h e t h u n d e r from t h e s k y . " S h e t o l d o t h e r s s h e w a n t e d
the flower that g r o w s in paradise, or the d r u m that sounds without being
b e a t e n . But her b e a u t y h a d so intoxicated the suitors that they did their
best to o b e y . Off t h e y w e n t to ask people wise in old lore w h e r e they
s h o u l d l o o k for s u c h t h i n g s . S o m e e n d e d u p r o a m i n g t h e b e a c h e s like
vagabonds, while others w a n d e r e d homeless through the mountains.
S o m e died, others never returned.
Finally even t h e e m p e r o r h e a r d she w a s the most beautiful w o m a n in
t h e w o r l d , a n d h e d e c i d e d t o g o a n d s e e h e r for himself. " I f it's t r u e , " h e
t h o u g h t , " I ' l l m a k e h e r m y e m p r e s s . " H e set o u t w i t h all his m i n i s t e r s
a n d officials a n d w a s s u r p r i s e d t o find, w h e n h e r e a c h e d t h e h o u s e , t h a t
i t w a s fit for a k i n g . T h e girl c a m e t o h i m w h e n h e c a l l e d h e r . N o , t h e r e
w a s n o o n e like h e r i n all t h e w o r l d . W h y , s h e m u s t h a v e r e f u s e d e v e r y -
o n e j u s t s o a s t o k e e p h e r s e l f for h i m !
" F i n e ! " he said happily. "We'll go b a c k to my palace and you'll be my
empress."
" T h a t w o u l d please m e v e r y m u c h , Y o u r Majesty," she replied, " b u t
y o u see, I'm not actually h u m a n . "
"Well, w h a t are y o u then? A demon or a g o d ? "
" N e i t h e r , Y o u r M a j e s t y . B u t t h e y ' l l s o o n b e c o m i n g from t h e s k y t o
take me away. You should go home now."
T h e e m p e r o r hardly k n e w h o w to take this. " W h a t ' s she talking
a b o u t ? " h e w o n d e r e d . " N o b o d y ' s c o m i n g d o w n from t h e s k y t o g e t h e r !
S h e ' s j u s t s a y i n g t h a t t o g e t rid o f m e ! "
B u t a t h r o n g soon did d e s c e n d from the heavens, a n d they carried the
maiden away. They looked quite unlike the people of our world.
Well, it h a d been t r u e . S h e h a d not been of this earth. T h e h e a r t b r o k e n
e m p e r o r n e v e r f o r g o t h e r , b u t n o t e v e n h e c o u l d follow h e r t o h e r h o m e .
W h a t k i n d o f b e i n g bad s h e b e e n , t h o u g h ? A n d w h y h a d s h e b e c o m e
t h e o l d c o u p l e ' s d a u g h t e r ? It's all a m y s t e r y .
THE FLEA

A wife a n d h e r lover w e r e o n c e in b e d w h e n the h u s b a n d c a m e h o m e .

Since the lover h a d no time to r u n or hide, the w o m a n rolled him up in a
straw mat, marched out with the mat under her arm, and announced that
s h e w a s g o i n g t o k n o c k t h e fleas o u t o f it. A s s h e j u m p e d o v e r t h e h e a r t h ,
t h e n a k e d l o v e r slid o u t a n d fell t h u m p i n t o t h e a s h e s . T h e h u s b a n d ' s
e y e s w i d e n e d . " B i g g e s t flea I e v e r s a w ! " h e e x c l a i m e d . H e s e e m e d t o
register n o t h i n g else.
T h e b i g flea fled o n all f o u r s .

S U R P R I S E S

THE LITTLE SPIDER

A sho i> a sort of bamboo mouth organ.

O n c e t h e r e w a s n o o n e t o p l a y t h e oho for t h e e m p e r o r , a n d s o K a n e t o s h i ,
the former g o v e r n o r of C h i k u z e n province, w a s g r a n t e d special p e r m i s -
sion t o a u d i t i o n a t t h e p a l a c e . H e p u t t h e priceless i n s t r u m e n t t h e y g a v e
h i m r i g h t t o h i s lips a n d b e g a n t o b l o w . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e i m p e r i a l obo
h a d a little s p i d e r i n s i d e it. T h e n e x t t i m e h e i n h a l e d , t h e s p i d e r s h o t
s t r a i g h t t o t h e b a c k o f h i s t h r o a t . T h e c o u g h i n g a n d c h o k i n g fit t h a t
s e i z e d h i m t h e n m a d e t h e e m p e r o r a n d h i s officials a l m o s t split t h e i r s i d e s
l a u g h i n g . H a v i n g m a d e a t e r r i b l e fool o f himself, t h e p o o r m a n w a s n e v e r
asked to the palace again. He should have realized that an imperial
t r e a s u r e like t h a t i s s e l d o m p l a y e d a n d t r i e d i t o u t c a u t i o u s l y first.
I 0

7 •

A FLASH IN THE PALACE

E a r l y in his c a r e e r L o r d F u j i w a r a no N o r i k u n i w a s a c h a m b e r l a i n of the
fifth r a n k . O n e d a y w h e n h e w a s o n d u t y h e h a d t o g o i n t o t h e P a l a c e
C o u n c i l C h a m b e r t o r e c e i v e a n i m p e r i a l d e c r e e from M i n i s t e r o f t h e
R i g h t S a n e s u k e , t o g e t h e r w i t h s o m e i n s t r u c t i o n s o n w h e r e t o t a k e it.
T h e room w a s open to the breezes. As Norikuni a p p r o a c h e d the min-
ister, he g l a n c e d t o w a r d the next building ( t h e G r e a t Hall of State) a n d
s p o t t e d L o r d M i n a m o t o no A k i s a d a , a lieutenant in the Imperial Police,
o n t h e v e r a n d a o f t h e h a l l . A k i s a d a h a d j u s t w h i p p e d o u t his t o o l . T h e
m i n i s t e r w a s t o o far i n s i d e t h e r o o m t o s e e h i m , b u t N o r i k u n i , w h o h a d a
perfect view, could not help bursting out laughing.
" I t a k e i t y o u r e a l i z e t h i s i s a p r o c l a m a t i o n f r o m H i s M a j e s t y , " said t h e
m i n i s t e r s h a r p l y . " I fail t o u n d e r s t a n d w h y y o u find i t s o a m u s i n g . " H e
reported Norikuni's mirth to the emperor immediately. T h o u g h desper-
a t e l y f r i g h t e n e d , p o o r N o r i k u n i c o u l d n o t v e r y well e x p l a i n h i s l a u g h t e r
by r e v e a l i n g t h a t L o r d A k i s a d a h a d e x p o s e d his penis at the palace.
A k i s a d a m u s t h a v e b e e n v e r y p l e a s e d w i t h his j o k e .

8 .

SALT FISH
AND DOCTORED WINE

W h i l e g o v e r n o r o f E c h i z e n ( t h o u g h h e a c t u a l l y lived i n K y o t o ) , L o r d
F u j i w a r a n o T a m e m o r i failed t o c o n t r i b u t e h i s s h a r e o f t h e rice s t i p e n d
d u e t h e P a l a c e G u a r d s . T h e six c o n t i n g e n t s o f t h e g u a r d s r e s p o n d e d b y
rising up as one man a n d m a r c h i n g to Lord Tamemori's residence w h e r e
t h e y lined u p s h o u l d e r t o shoulder, seated o n c a m p stools, u n d e r a w n i n g s
they had thoughtfully brought with them. They had the house blockaded,
a n d r e f u s e d t o let a n y o n e i n o r o u t .
It w a s the sixth moon, and the days w e r e long and very hot. T h e
g u a r d s h a d been t h e r e since early m o r n i n g . By m i d d a y they were roast-
ing, b u t t h e y m a n a g e d t o h a n g o n b y r e m i n d i n g t h e m s e l v e s that t h e y
could not leave w i t h o u t satisfaction. T h e n the gate o p e n e d a crack a n d a
senior r e t a i n e r s t u c k his h e a d out.
"His Excellency the G o v e r n o r has asked me to speak to y o u , " the
r e t a i n e r a n n o u n c e d . " H e s a y s h e w o u l d like t o m e e t y o u i m m e d i a t e l y ,
but unfortunately that is impossible because y o u r presence has terribly
f r i g h t e n e d all t h e w o m e n a n d c h i l d r e n . H e d o e s r e a l i z e , t h o u g h , t h a t i n
t h i s h e a t y o u m u s t all b e t h i r s t y , a n d h e t h i n k s h e m i g h t d i s c u s s t h i n g s
with y o u inside, t h r o u g h a screen, as long as y o u don't mind c o m i n g in
i n s m a l l p a r t i e s . H e s u g g e s t s s o m e r e f r e s h m e n t s . W e m i g h t first h a v e t h e
Left a n d R i g h t I n n e r G u a r d s , i f y o u h a v e n o o b j e c t i o n . T h e o t h e r c o n t i n -
g e n t s c a n follow. H i s E x c e l l e n c y k n o w s h e o u g h t t o h a v e y o u all c o m e i n
at o n c e , b u t u n h a p p i l y his residence is too small a n d p o o r to allow that.
So please be patient, the rest of y o u . Will the I n n e r G u a r d s n o w be g o o d
e n o u g h t o c o m e i n ? H i s E x c e l l e n c y will r e c e i v e y o u . "
T h e g u a r d s c e r t a i n l y were t h i r s t y , a n d t h e t h o u g h t o f g e t t i n g n o t o n l y a
drink b u t a c h a n c e to say their piece pleased them very much. " H o w
kind of h i m ! " they replied. "We'll be h a p p y to go in and explain to him
why we're here."
" F i n e ! " s a i d t h e r e t a i n e r a n d o p e n e d t h e g a t e . T h e m e n o f t h e Left a n d
R i g h t I n n e r G u a r d s q u i c k l y g a t h e r e d b e f o r e it.
L o n g m a t s h a d b e e n laid o u t i n t h e g a l l e r y n o r t h o f t h e m i d d l e g a t e ,
a n d on t h e m stood several d o z e n individual tables a r r a n g e d facing each
o t h e r i n t w o r o w s . T h e t a b l e s w e r e p i l e d h i g h w i t h sliced s e a b r e a m ,
d r i e d a n d w e l l s a l t e d ; slices o f v e r y s a l t y - l o o k i n g salt s a l m o n ; s a l t e d h o r s e
m a c k e r e l ; a n d s e a b r e a m p i c k l e d i n muw. F o r fruit t h e r e w e r e t e n g r e a t
l a c q u e r e d b o w l s h e a p e d w i t h nicely ripened p u r p l e p l u m s .
" T h i s w a y , p l e a s e ! " c r i e d t h e r e t a i n e r . " J u s t t h e Inner G u a r d s n o w , i f
you don't mind!"
In they trooped: K a n e t o k i from O w a r i p r o v i n c e a n d A t s u y u k i f r o m
S h i m o s a first, f o l l o w e d b y all t h e o l d e s t a n d m o s t s e n i o r officers. " T h e
o t h e r c o n t i n g e n t s will all h a v e t h e i r t u r n ! " c a l l e d t h e r e t a i n e r t o t h o s e left
outside, then locked the gate behind him and kept the key.
T h e retainer pressed the g u a r d s politely to step up into the gallery a n d
t a k e t h e i r s e a t s , w h i c h t h e y d i d . W h e n t h e y w e r e all i n p l a c e , i n t w i n
r o w s , t h e r e t a i n e r c a l l e d for w i n e . I n fact, t h o u g h , t h e w i n e w a s s l o w t o
appear, and in the meantime the hungry guards quickly picked up their
chopsticks a n d helped themselves to the victuals.
" W h a t can h a v e h a p p e n e d t o t h e w i n e ? " t h e r e t a i n e r k e p t m u t t e r i n g ,
b u t still i t d i d n o t c o m e . A t l a s t i t w a s a n n o u n c e d t h a t a l t h o u g h t h e
governor did so m u c h w a n t to meet with the guards, he w a s just n o w
 1 2

suffering from a b o u t of s o m e s t o m a c h ailment a n d could not be with

t h e m q u i t e y e t . H e w o u l d b e o u t w h e n t h e y h a d finished t h e i r r e f r e s h -
ments.
F i n a l l y t h e w i n e c a m e . T w o y o u n g m e n b r o u g h t i n a p a i r o f big c u p s
o n t r a y s a n d set t h e m d o w n b e f o r e K a n e t o k i a n d A t s u y u k i , w h o w e r e
o p p o s i t e e a c h o t h e r . W i t h g e n e r o u s l a d l e s t h e y t h e n filled t h e c u p s full.
K a n e t o k i a n d A t s u y u k i p i c k e d t h e m u p a n d d r a n k g r e e d i l y till w i n e
d r i b b l e d d o w n t h e i r c h i n s . T h e w i n e w a s a bit c l o u d y a n d s o u r , b u t
h a v i n g broiled so long in the sun the m e n had a powerful thirst, a n d they
k e p t p o u r i n g i t d o w n . I n fact, t h e i r c u p s h a d t o b e refilled t w i c e b e f o r e
t h e y w o u l d p a s s t h e m on to the next in line.
T u r n b y t u r n t h e m e n all d r a n k t h e i r fill w h i c h , p a r c h e d a s t h e y w e r e ,
w a s for s o m e a s m a n y a s five c u p s . N e x t t h e y h a d t h e p l u m s . S o o n t h e
wine w a s back again and kept coming round (with plums in between)
until e v e r y o n e h a d w e t his whistle half a d o z e n times.
O n l y n o w d i d t h e g o v e r n o r e m e r g e a n d s e a t h i m s e l f o n t h e o t h e r side
o f t h e b l i n d s w h i c h s c r e e n e d t h e g a l l e r y from t h e i n t e r i o r o f t h e h o u s e .
" A h , g e n t l e m e n , " h e b e g a n , " I n e v e r i m a g i n e d t h a t a n y failure o f g e n -
e r o s i t y o n m y p a r t w o u l d set y o u a g a i n s t m e t h i s w a y a n d h o l d m e u p t o
s h a m e b e f o r e all t h e w o r l d ! T h e r e ' s b e e n a d r o u g h t i n m y p r o v i n c e e v e r
s i n c e last y e a r , y o u s e e , a n d w e ' v e t a k e n i n n o t h i n g , n o t h i n g a t all! A t
least, t h e t i n y a m o u n t w e did h a r v e s t w a s c l a i m e d q u i t e p e r s u a s i v e l y b y
T h e i r E x c e l l e n c i e s a t c o u r t . T h e y t o o k e v e r y t h i n g , I'm a f r a i d . T h e r e ' s
n o t a g r a i n left. M y o w n h o u s e h o l d i s o u t o f food, a n d t h e s e r v i n g - g i r l s
a r e g o i n g h u n g r y . W e l l , I s u p p o s e I d e s e r v e d it. B u t , g e n t l e m e n , p l e a s e
u n d e r s t a n d t h a t I c a n ' t offer y o u a s i n g l e m i s e r a b l e potful of r i c e . It's t h i s
a w f u l k a r m a o f m i n e t h a t k e p t m e for y e a r s f r o m a n y official a p p o i n t -
ment, a n d that n o w has gotten me a hopeless province so poor that it
y i e l d s me n o t h i n g but e m b a r r a s s m e n t . I c e r t a i n l y d o n ' t b l a m e you for
a n y t h i n g , I a s s u r e y o u ! N o , I'm o n l y g e t t i n g w h a t w a s c o m i n g t o m e ! "
The governor sobbed aloud.
K a n e t o k i a n d A t s u y u k i r e a s s u r e d h i m t h a t t h e y q u i t e u n d e r s t o o d his
p r e d i c a m e n t , b u t t h e y r e m i n d e d him too that they did not represent only
themselves. " W e have nothing at the g u a r d s ' headquarters either," they
w e n t o n , " a n d t h e m e n a r e v e r y u n h a p p y . T h a t ' s w h y w e ' r e all h e r e : t h e
p r o b l e m affects u s all. N a t u r a l l y w e feel for y o u , sir, a n d w e ' r e s o r r y t o
p r e s s u r e y o u like t h i s , b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e w e c e r t a i n l y w o u l d n ' t h a v e
c o m e i f w e h a d n ' t felt w e h a d v e r y g o o d r e a s o n . . . "
Their stomachs r u m b l e d shamelessly as they spoke, which was partic-
ularly e m b a r r a s s i n g since t h e y w e r e so close to the g o v e r n o r . F o r a time
s o m e t r i e d c o v e r i n g t h e s q u a w k s a n d g u r g l e s b y t a p p i n g t h e i r formal
b a t o n s against their tables, while o t h e r s tried different d o d g e s to distract T
a t t e n t i o n f r o m t h e i r p r o b l e m . B u t t h e g o v e r n o r b e h i n d his b l i n d c o u l d
h e a r t h a t b o w e l s w e r e i n l o u d r e b e l l i o n all d o w n t h e line a n d c o u l d s e e
L
perfectly well that t h e m e n w e r e d o u b l i n g up with c r a m p s .
" E x c u s e me a m o m e n t ! " exclaimed Kanetoki, and he bolted out. E

E v e r y o n e else l e a p e d u p a n d p e l t e d h e l t e r - s k e l t e r a f t e r h i m . S o m e c u t
l o o s e r i g h t o n t h e e d g e o f t h e g a l l e r y , e v e n a s t h e y w e r e j u m p i n g off.
S o m e m a d e it to the carriage house a n d burst before they got their
t r o u s e r s off. O t h e r s g o t t h e i r t r o u s e r s off a n d s q u i r t e d like n o z z l e s . T h e n
t h e r e w e r e t h o s e w h o d i d n o t e v e n l o o k for a p l a c e t o h i d e b u t s h a t ,
o b l i v i o u s t o all e l s e , w h e r e v e r t h e y h a p p e n e d t o b e . All t h e w h i l e t h e y
w e r e l a u g h i n g t h e i r h e a d s off. " I k n e w t h e o l d b o y w o u l d pull s o m e -
thing!" they chortled. " N o , no, we've got no complaint! It's o u r o w n
fault. W e w e r e t o o g r e e d y for t h a t w i n e ! " A n d l a u g h i n g still, b e l l y a c h e
a n d all, t h e y s h a t o n i n c h o r u s .
Meanwhile, the retainer opened the gate again. "Very well," he an-
n o u n c e d , "you gentlemen may leave. Could we have the next contingent,
please?"
" O h y e s , " t h e m e n c h u c k l e d a s t h e y left, " b y all m e a n s g e t e m i n h e r e
a n d t r e a t ' e m t o a g o o d shit t h e w a y y o u d i d u s ! "
T h e w e r e w i p i n g a t t h e i r filthy t r o u s e r s a s t h e y e m e r g e d . T h e m e n o f
t h e o t h e r f o u r c o n t i n g e n t s b u r s t i n t o l a u g h t e r a t t h e s i g h t a n d fled.
It had gone exactly as Lord Tamemori had planned. The day was good
a n d h o t . H e w o u l d let t h e m s t e w for h o u r s u n d e r t h e i r a w n i n g s , t h e n
b r i n g t h e m i n p a r c h e d , stuff t h e i r e m p t y s t o m a c h s w i t h salt fish a n d
p l u m s , a n d w a s h i t all d o w n for t h e m w i t h p l e n t y o f s o u r , c l o u d y w i n e —
w i n e l i b e r a l l y fortified w i t h t h a t t r u s t y m e d i c i n e for i n n a r d s i n n e e d o f
encouragement, ground morning-glory seeds. Oh yes, those rascals
w o u l d shit all r i g h t !
A c t u a l l y , L o r d T a m e m o r i w a s a c a g e y old s c a m p a n d a w h i z a t m a k i n g
p e o p l e l a u g h . T h i s w a s j u s t his s o r t o f t h i n g . T h e w h o l e c o u r t e n j o y e d
t h e i n c i d e n t h u g e l y . T h o s e g u a r d s h a d p i c k e d a s l i p p e r y fellow t o t a n g l e
with!
P e r h a p s the g u a r d s learned their lesson, too, because t h e y never again
d e s c e n d e d o n a p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n o r w h o failed t o m a k e his c o n t r i b u t i o n .
T a m e m o r i w a s very clever to catch them out the w a y he did. He could
n e v e r h a v e g o t t e n rid o f t h e m b y m a i n f o r c e .
1 A

9 •

THE TAPEWORM'S SAD END

Walnuts are still recommended in Japan

against intestinal worms.

O n c e a w o m a n w h o h a d a t a p e w o r m inside her married, conceived, and

b o r e a son. W h e n the son g r e w up, he began a g o v e r n m e n t career which
c u l m i n a t e d in his a p p o i n t m e n t as g o v e r n o r of S h i n a n o province.
On arrival in Shinano the n e w governor was met at the border by the
representatives of the province, as custom required, and welcomed with
a b a n q u e t . T o g e t h e r , t h e g o v e r n o r ' s o w n m e n a n d t h e t h r o n g o f local
people m a d e a large party.
G a z i n g o u t o v e r t h e g a t h e r i n g , t h e g o v e r n o r noticed that e v e r y single
table, his o w n included, w a s liberally h e a p e d with w a l n u t s . T h e sight
bothered him intensely. He felt somehow as though he was being
s q u e e z e d d r y . On asking w h y the guests should be given so m a n y wal-
n u t s , h e w a s t o l d t h a t s i n c e w a l n u t t r e e s g r e w all o v e r t h e p r o v i n c e ,
w a l n u t s w e r e r o u t i n e a t e v e r y m e a l . T h i s n e w s m a d e h i m feel still w o r s e
and the squeezing sensation continued.
He w a s getting desperate. This w a s not missed by the deputy gover-
n o r , a s e a s o n e d o l d h a n d w h o f o u n d his n e w s u p e r i o r ' s b e h a v i o r c u r i o u s
— s o o d d , i n fact, t h a t h e w o n d e r e d w h e t h e r t h e g o v e r n o r m i g h t n o t
a c t u a l l y b e a t a p e w o r m w h i c h h a d m a n a g e d t o g e t itself b o r n a s a h u m a n .
T h e t h o u g h t i n s p i r e d h i m t o t r y a little e x p e r i m e n t .
T h e d e p u t y mixed plenty of g r o u n d w a l n u t meat into some aged wine
a n d h e a t e d t h e w i n e w e l l i n a j a r . T h e n h e p u t t h e c u p o n a t r a y , lifted
t h e t r a y respectfully a b o v e his h e a d , a n d w e n t to p r e s e n t it to the gover-
n o r . W h e n t h e g o v e r n o r t o o k t h e c u p , his d e p u t y p r o m p t l y f i l l e d i t w i t h
wine, which the g r o u n d walnut made a cloudy white.
T h e sight m a d e the g o v e r n o r v e r y nervous. "This wine looks strange,"
h e s a i d . " W h y ' s i t all c l o u d y ? "
" I t ' s a n o l d c u s t o m o f o u r s , sir, t h a t w h e n w e w e l c o m e a n e w g o v e r n o r
w e offer h i m w i n e a g e d t h r e e y e a r s a n d m i x e d w i t h g r o u n d w a l n u t . T h e n
the n e w g o v e r n o r d r i n k s the w i n e . " T h e d e p u t y ' s tone of voice suggested
t h a t t h e c u s t o m w a s not lightly to be ignored.
T h e n e w g o v e r n o r l o o k e d e v e n m o r e ill t h a n b e f o r e a n d t r e m b l e d
uncontrollably.
" Y o u m u s t d r i n k it, s i r , " t h e d e p u t y i n s i s t e d .
S h a k i n g v i o l e n t l y , t h e g o v e r n o r b r o u g h t t h e c u p t o his lips. " I ' m really
a t a p e w o r m ! " h e b l u r t e d . " I c a n ' t t a k e t h i s stuff!" T h e n h e t u r n e d t o
w a t e r , s l u m p e d t o t h e floor, a n d f l o w e d a w a y . T h e r e w a s n o b o d y a t all.
The governor's retainers w e r e overcome by confusion a n d dismay.
" Y o u n e v e r realized, did y o u ? " said t h e d e p u t y . H e a n d the rest o f the
p a r t y from S h i n a n o p a c k e d u p a n d w e n t h o m e .
The governor's men could only return to the Capital and report w h a t
h a d h a p p e n e d . T h e g o v e r n o r ' s wife, children, a n d h o u s e h o l d w e r e v e r y
surprised, but everyone w h o heard the story got a good laugh.

1 o .

A TOAD TO RECKON WITH

O n c e a big toad lived in t h e so-called G u a r d s ' G a t e into t h e palace

c o m p o u n d a n d used to trip people u p . Every evening at twilight it w o u l d
c o m e o u t a n d sit t h e r e l o o k i n g like a l o w r o c k . N o o n e h e a d i n g i n t o w a r d
t h e p a l a c e w o u l d fail t o s t e p o n i t a n d fall flat, a s t h e t o a d h o p p e d off i n t o
t h e g l o o m . T h e v i c t i m m i g h t l e a r n his l e s s o n a n d l o o k o u t n e x t t i m e , b u t
for s o m e r e a s o n h e w o u l d a l w a y s s t e p o n t h e t o a d a g a i n a n y w a y a n d t a k e
the same tumble.
N o w a c e r t a i n s t u d e n t a t t h e A c a d e m y w a s a g r e a t fool, a l w a y s b r a y i n g
with laughter or spouting loud abuse. In time he heard about the toad
a n d allowed that it might get him once, p e r h a p s , b u t not a second time —
no indeed, not even if s o m e o n e w e r e lurking in the s h a d o w s to help it
with a push.
D a r k n e s s w a s falling. A s t h e s t u d e n t left t h e A c a d e m y , h e r e m a r k e d
t h a t h e w a s off t o s e e a l a d y w h o lived o n t h e p a l a c e g r o u n d s . W i t h i n t h e
G u a r d s ' G a t e sat t h e t o a d .
" O h , there y o u are, are y o u ? " the student sneered. "Well, y o u may get
o t h e r p e o p l e b u t y o u w o n ' t g e t me\" A s h e j u m p e d o v e r t h e t o a d h i s h a t
u n f o r t u n a t e l y s l i p p e d off, h i t t i n g h i s foot as it fell.
" S o y o u ' d like t o t r i p m e , w o u l d y o u ? " t h e s t u d e n t b e l l o w e d . " W e ' l l
s e e a b o u t tkat\" H e s t a m p e d v i o l e n t l y o n t h i s t o a d o f his, b u t t h e h a t w a s
the stiff, lacquered kind worn by the gentry, and it resisted being
crushed. " D a m n e d toad! Stupid toad! Think you're so tough, h u h ? " The
s t u d e n t s u m m o n e d all h i s pitiful s t r e n g t h a n d s t a m p e d like o n e p o s s e s s e d .
S o m e gentlemen c a m e out to see w h a t the commotion w a s about,
s e n d i n g s e r v a n t s a h e a d t o light t h e w a y . T h e s t u d e n t k n e l t a c c o r d i n g t o
etiquette as the servants approached.
 C o m i n g u p o n a disheveled y o u n g m a n , t h e y a s k e d him w h a t he w a s
d o i n g t h e r e . T h e s t u d e n t identified himself in the tone of a w a r r i o r on the
field o f b a t t l e . " Y o u h a v e s u r e l y h e a r d o f m e ! " h e d e c l a i m e d . " I a m a
history student at the Academy, Fujiwara no Thingamajig by name, and
c o n c u r r e n t l y c h a r g e d with visiting justice upon this toad which trips
people up at the Guards' G a t e ! "
" W h a t in the world is he talking a b o u t ? " laughed the servants. "Get
him u p . Let's have a look!"
T h e y p u l l e d h i m r o u g h l y t o h i s feet, t e a r i n g h i s c l o a k a n d w o u n d i n g
h i s d i g n i t y i n t h e p r o c e s s . W h e n h e felt o v e r h i s h e a d , h e l o u n d his h a t
w a s g o n e . T h e s e r v a n t s m u s t h a v e t a k e n it. " W h a t d i d y o u steal m y h a t
f o r ? " he r o a r e d . " G i v e it back this minute! Give it b a c k ! "
T h e s e r v a n t s l u n g e d a t h i m a n d c h a s e d h i m a w a y . A s h e fled d o w n t h e
a v e n u e o u t s i d e , h e fell flat a n d s c r a p e d h i s face all b l o o d y , b u t h e p i c k e d
h i m s e l f u p a n d r a n o n , h i d i n g h i s face b e h i n d his s l e e v e , till h e w a s q u i t e
lost. F i n a l l y he g l i m p s e d a l i g h t . It w a s a little h o u s e . A l a s , d e s p i t e all his
k n o c k i n g at the d o o r the people inside naturally refused to open u p . By
n o w i t w a s s o l a t e t h a t all h e c o u l d d o w a s lie d o w n b y t h e d i t c h till
morning.
W h e n t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d a w o k e at d a w n they found him t h e r e in his
sad state a n d cried out with surprise. It w a s only by asking constantly
for d i r e c t i o n s t h a t h e m a n a g e d t o find his w a y h o m e .
T h e r e r e a l l y u s e d t o b e fools like t h a t i n t h e o l d d a y s — e v e n i n t h e
A c a d e m y , a p p a r e n t l y , s i n c e t h e fellow w a s a s t u d e n t t h e r e . H o w o d d t h a t
he should have been so hopeless, y e t so clever in school!

H A U N T S

11

BETTER LATE THAN EARLY

T h e staff o f t h e C o u n c i l o f S t a t e u s e d t o h o l d w h a t w e r e c a l l e d " m o r n i n g
sessions," w h i c h took place before d a w n . The participants would arrive
carrying torches.
 O n c e a certain s e c r e t a r y a r r i v e d after the controller, w h o o u t r a n k e d
h i m , h a d a l r e a d y t a k e n his s e a t . T h e s e c r e t a r y h a d b e e n a f r a i d t h i s m i g h t
h a p p e n , a n d his fears w e r e confirmed w h e n h e got t h e r e a n d s a w t h e
controller's carriage by the gate. R u s h i n g to the council building he found
t h e c o n t r o l l e r ' s s e r v a n t s w a i t i n g for t h e i r m a s t e r b y t h e w a l l . N e x t , h e
ran in panic to the d o o r of the East Council C h a m b e r and peered cau-
tiously into the hall. T h e l a m p s w e r e out. N o o n e w a s t h e r e .
TbL< w a s a s u r p r i s e . B a c k h e w e n t t o t h e c o n t r o l l e r ' s s e r v a n t s , w h o
c o u l d o n l y tell h i m t h a t t h e i r m a s t e r w a s a l r e a d y i n s i d e . T h e s e c r e t a r y
c a l l e d a g u a r d w i t h a t o r c h a n d h a d h i m light t h e w a y i n t o t h e c h a m b e r .
At the controller's seat there w a s only a bloody head. T h e hair w a s
s c a t t e r e d far a n d w i d e . N e a r b y l a y a c e r e m o n i a l b a t o n , a b l o o d y p a i r o f
s h o e s , a n d a fan o n w h i c h t h e c o n t r o l l e r h a d w r i t t e n t h e p r o c e d u r e for
the meeting. T h e m a t t i n g w a s s o a k e d with blood. T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g else.
The horror of the scene can scarcely be described. At d a w n an excited
c r o w d g a t h e r e d w h i l e t h e c o n t r o l l e r ' s s e r v a n t s left w i t h t h e i r m a s t e r ' s
head.
After that, t h e m o r n i n g sessions w e r e no longer held in t h e East C h a m -
ber, b u t w e r e shifted to t h e W e s t .

1 2 .

THE RAVENOUS STOREHOUSE

T h e great lover A r i w a r a no Narihira made sure he courted every w o m a n

k n o w n to be a beauty, w h e t h e r palace lady or c o m m o n gentleman's
d a u g h t e r . H e b e c a m e e s p e c i a l l y f a s c i n a t e d w i t h o n e girl w h o w a s s u p -
posed to be lovely b e y o n d imagining, but unfortunately h e r p a r e n t s h a d
t h e i r h e a r t s set o n g e t t i n g h e r a far m o r e e x a l t e d h u s b a n d t h a n N a r i h i r a .
He w a s not even in the r u n n i n g . S o m e h o w , though, he m a n a g e d to
p e r s u a d e h e r t o r u n off w i t h h i m .
But n o w that he h a d her, w h e r e w a s he going to hide her? Finally, he
remembered an abandoned, tumbledown mansion in the mountains. The
d o o r on the big s t o r e h o u s e w a s lying b r o k e n on the g r o u n d , but since the
h o u s e n o l o n g e r h a d a floor, h e s p r e a d a m a t i n t h e s t o r e h o u s e a f t e r all.
H e h a d j u s t lain d o w n o n i t w i t h t h e girl w h e n l i g h t n i n g f l a s h e d a n d
t h e r e w a s a c r a s h o f t h u n d e r . D r a w i n g his s w o r d , h e g o t t h e girl b e h i n d
h i m a n d k e p t w a t c h t h r o u g h t h e s t o r m . A t d a w n i t finally p a s s e d .
I 8

P u z z l e d to h e a r no s o u n d from the girl, N a r i h i r a glanced b e h i n d him.

S h e w a s g o n e . N o t h i n g w a s left o f h e r b u t h e r c l o t h e s a n d h e r h a i r . H e
fled, t e r r i f i e d .
L a t e r h e l e a r n e d t h a t t h a t s t o r e h o u s e w a s k n o w n t o eat p e o p l e . I t w a s
n o t t h e t h u n d e r t h a t h a d g o t t e n h e r a f t e r all, b u t t h e d e m o n i n t h e
building.
It just goes to s h o w that y o u shouldn't go near a place y o u don't know.
A n d a s for s p e n d i n g t h e n i g h t t h e r e , y o u s h o u l d n ' t e v e n c o n s i d e r it!

i 3 .

THE GRISLY BOX

Ki no T o s u k e lived on an estate the regent o w n e d in M i n o p r o v i n c e .

W h e n t h e r e g e n t s e n t a g e n t l e m a n t o l o o k after t h e e s t a t e , t h i s g e n t l e m a n
c a m e t o r e l y o n T o s u k e a b o v e all; a n d i t w a s T o s u k e w h o w a s s e n t t o
serve the regent d u r i n g a lengthy period w h e n the regent was on duty at
the palace.
Finally T o s u k e got leave to r e t u r n h o m e . On the w a y he naturally
c r o s s e d t h e b r i d g e a t S e t a w h e r e t h e r i v e r flows from t h e s o u t h e r n e n d
of L a k e Biwa. A w o m a n w a s standing there on the bridge, holding her
skirt in h e r hand, a n d T o s u k e as he passed t h o u g h t she looked rather
odd. J u s t then she hailed him.
" W h e r e are y o u g o i n g ? " she asked.
He d i s m o u n t e d politely. "I'm on my w a y to M i n o , " he replied.
" I ' d a p p r e c i a t e i t s o m u c h i f y o u ' d t a k e s o m e t h i n g t h e r e for m e . W o u l d
you do that?"
"Certainly."
" O h , t h a n k y o u ! " s a i d t h e w o m a n , d r a w i n g a s i l k - w r a p p e d b o x from
t h e i n n e r fold o f h e r r o b e . " P l e a s e t a k e t h i s t o M o r o k o s h i village i n M i n o .
Y o u ' l l find a w o m a n a t t h e w e s t e r n e n d o f t h e b r i d g e t h e r e . G i v e t h i s b o x
to her."
By n o w T o s u k e w a s uncomfortable about the whole thing. Not that
t h e r e q u e s t itself w a s difficult, b u t t h e w o m a n w a s a w f u l l y s t r a n g e . I n
the end, t h o u g h , he found it impossible to refuse. " W h a t ' s the name of
t h i s w o m a n ? " h e a s k e d . " W h e r e d o e s s h e live? W h e r e s h o u l d I l o o k for
h e r i f s h e i s n ' t o n t h e b r i d g e ? A n d w h o s h o u l d I tell h e r t h i s i s f r o m ? "
 " D o n ' t w o r r y , " the w o m a n answered. " J u s t go to the end of the bridge
a n d she'll c o m e , y o u c a n c o u n t o n t h a t . All y o u n e e d d o i s w a i t . I h a v e t o
tell y o u , t h o u g h , t h a t y o u a b s o l u t e l y m u s t n o t open t h e b o x . "
M e a n w h i l e T o s u k e s servants, w h o s a w n o w o m a n , could not imagine
what their master w a s doing. Tosuke took the box and the w o m a n
w a l k e d off.
H e r o d e o n t o M i n o b u t f o r g o t all a b o u t t h e b o x until h e w a s h o m e ,
even though he actually crossed the bridge w h e r e he w a s supposed to
m a k e t h e d e l i v e r y . T h i s slip b o t h e r e d h i m a g o o d d e a l w h e n h e n o t i c e d
it, a n d h e d e c i d e d t o m a k e a s p e c i a l t r i p b a c k t o t h e b r i d g e . B u t s i n c e h e
c o u l d n o t g o r i g h t a w a y , h e h u n g t h e b o x for t h e t i m e b e i n g h i g h u p i n
an outbuilding.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , his wife, a jealous w o m a n , spotted him hiding the p a c k -
a g e . S h e a s s u m e d i m m e d i a t e l y t h a t i t w a s a p r e s e n t for s o m e m i s t r e s s ,
a n d a s s o o n a s h e w a s g o n e s h e t o o k i t d o w n a n d o p e n e d it. I t w a s full o f
g o u g e d - o u t h u m a n e y e s a n d s e v e r e d m a l e m e m b e r s w i t h t h e h a i r still o n
them.
H e r scream brought Tosuke running. Remembering with horror what
t h e w o m a n h a d s a i d a b o u t o p e n i n g t h e b o x , h e frantically p u t t h e lid
back on and w r a p p e d the box up again. Then he took it straight to the
bridge and waited. Sure enough, a w o m a n appeared. He handed her the
p a c k a g e w i t h a s h o r t e x p l a n a t i o n o f h o w h e h a d c o m e b y it.
"This box has been opened and looked into," the w o m a n observed as
s h e t o o k it.
" N o , no it hasn't!" Tosuke protested, "I assure y o u ! "
T h e w o m a n ' s expression became dreadful. "You've d o n e a terrible
t h i n g , " s h e said, but accepted the b o x nonetheless. His mission com-
pleted, T o s u k e hurried home.
Ill n o w , h e t o o k t o h i s b e d . H i s wife b i t t e r l y r e g r e t t e d o p e n i n g t h e b o x ,
but it w a s too late. Shortly he w a s dead.

1
4 •
THE BRIDGE

A g o v e r n o r o f O m i p r o v i n c e h a d m a n y b r a v e y o u n g m e n i n his s e r v i c e .
O n e morning they were amusing themselves playing games, drinking,
a n d t e l l i n g s t o r i e s w h e n o n e o f t h e m said, " H a v e y o u e v e r h e a r d o f A g i
2 0

B r i d g e ? I t ' s r i g h t h e r e i n O m i . P e o p l e u s e d t o u s e i t all t h e t i m e , b u t n o w
t h e y s a y n o o n e c a n c r o s s it, s o n o b o d y t a k e s t h a t w a y a n y m o r e . ' '
O n e of his listeners s e e m e d to h a v e h e a r d of the bridge already (or
p e r h a p s he simply did not believe the story) because he quickly declared
that he w o u l d cross the bridge. "I don't care w h a t kind of d e m o n is
b l o c k i n g i t , " h e c o n t i n u e d , "I'll g e t a c r o s s a s l o n g a s I'm r i d i n g H i s
Lordship's best horse, the roan."
T h e o t h e r s t h o u g h t t h i s a fine i d e a . "All r i g h t , let's find o u t ! " t h e y
cried. "Let's see w h a t sort of c o u r a g e y o u ' v e g o t ! " T h e gathering got
q u i t e r o w d y w h i l e t h e y e g g e d h i m o n , till t h e g o v e r n o r himself h e a r d t h e
n o i s e a n d w a n t e d t o k n o w w h a t i t w a s all a b o u t . W h e n h e f o u n d o u t h e
w a s not i m p r e s s e d w i t h the d e m o n - b a i t e r ' s g o o d sense, but he did not
object to the use of his h o r s e .
" T h i s is c r a z y ! " the daredevil exclaimed. "I'm sorry I ever b r o u g h t it
up!"
"Shame, shame!" the others shouted. "Coward!"
" G e t t i n g across the bridge is nothing," the man went on. " W h a t makes
me s o r r y is that I s h o u l d ever have seemed to covet His Lordship's
horse!"
L o u d voices objected that the s u n w a s a l r e a d y high a n d that they w e r e
wasting time. The roan w a s saddled.
T h o u g h h e w i s h e d h e h a d n e v e r o p e n e d his m o u t h , t h e m a n w a s
d e t e r m i n e d t o see t h e t h i n g t h r o u g h . H e s m e a r e d the horse's h i n d q u a r -
t e r s l i b e r a l l y w i t h g r e a s e , c i n c h e d t h e s a d d l e o n t i g h t , a n d l i g h t e n e d his
clothing, t h e n slipped his wrist t h r o u g h the loop on the w h i p handle so
t h a t h e c o u l d n o t d r o p i t a n d r o d e off. B y t h e t i m e h e r e a c h e d t h e b r i d g e
h i s h e a r t w a s p o u n d i n g a n d h e w a s f r i g h t e n e d half t o d e a t h , b u t t h e r e
was no turning back.
T h e sun was sinking toward the mountains and the deserted landscape
l o o k e d i n d e f i n a b l y b l e a k . W i s p s o f s m o k e r o s e from t h e h o u s e s o f a
d i s t a n t v i l l a g e . H e g r i t t e d his t e e t h a n d p r e s s e d o n . H a l f w a y a c r o s s t h e
b r i d g e a w o m a n w a s l e a n i n g a g a i n s t t h e r a i l i n g , t h o u g h from f u r t h e r off
she had not seemed to be there.
T h i s n o d o u b t w a s t h e d e m o n . H e l o o k e d h e r o v e r w i t h d e e p misgiv-
ing. U n d e r h e r pale cloak she h a d on a d a r k g o w n a n d a long red trouser-
skirt, a n d she w a s holding h e r sleeve over h e r m o u t h . She looked so
p a t h e t i c t h a t a t first g l a n c e i t w a s h a r d n o t t o feel s o r r y for h e r . S h e
might have just been a b a n d o n e d there.
T h e d e m o n w a t c h e d him coming with signs of mingled e m b a r r a s s m e n t
a n d p l e a s u r e , a n d for a m o m e n t h e c o u l d t h i n k o f n o t h i n g b u t t h e d e s i r e
t o lift h e r u p o n h i s h o r s e a n d t a k e h e r a w a y ; b u t t h e t h o u g h t t h a t s h e
h a d n o b u s i n e s s b e i n g t h e r e let h i m steel h i m s e l f t o r i d e o n b y . S h e c l e a r l y
e x p e c t e d him to stop, a n d w h e n instead he galloped past w i t h his eyes
tightly s h u t she s h o u t e d , " S a y , are y o u just going to leave me h e r e ? I
d i d n ' t ask t o b e d r o p p e d h e r e i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h i s b r i d g e ! Y o u c o u l d a t
least t a k e m e o n t o t h e n e x t v i l l a g e ! "
H e r hair s e e m e d t o swell a n d thicken a s she s p o k e . H e only w h i p p e d
his h o r s e o n h a r d e r . " Y o u b r u t e ! " she s c r e a m e d , a n d the e a r t h s h o o k .
N o w she w a s alter him. " S u r e e n o u g h ! " he thought, and prayed to
Kannon to save him. Despite the horse's t r e m e n d o u s speed the demon
caught up, b u t t h e h o r s e ' s r u m p w a s t o o t h o r o u g h l y g r e a s e d for its
c l u t c h i n g h a n d s t o find a h o l d .
Glancing back, he s a w a red lace with one amber-yellow eye as huge
a n d r o u n d a s a c u s h i o n . T h e t h i n g w a s g r e e n i s h a n d n i n e feet tall. T h e
t h r e e f i n g e r s o n e a c h h a n d h a d f i v e - i n c h , k n i f e l i k e nails, a n d t h e h a i r w a s
like a s n a r l o f w e e d s . M a d d e n e d n o w w i t h fear h e g a l l o p e d o n , c a l l i n g o n
K a n n o n w i t h m i g h t a n d m a i n , till a t last h e r e a c h e d t h e v i l l a g e .
"All r i g h t , I'll g e t y o u n e x t t i m e ! " s a i d t h e d e m o n , a n d s u d d e n l y v a n -
ished.
P a n t i n g a n d e x h a u s t e d , t h e m a n d r a g g e d h i m s e l f b a c k a s fast a s h e
could t o his lord's m a n s i o n a n d a r r i v e d a t twilight. H e w a s too w e a k t o
a n s w e r t h e b a r r a g e o f q u e s t i o n s t h a t g r e e t e d h i m . All t h e h o u s e h o l d c o u l d
do w a s try to bring him round. But w h e n the governor, w h o had been
c o n c e r n e d all a l o n g , finally a s k e d h i m t o tell his s t o r y h e d i d s o . T h e
g o v e r n o r s c o l d e d h i m for h a v i n g r i s k e d his life o v e r a trifling w a g e r , t h e n
g a v e h i m t h e h o r s e . T h e m a n w e n t h o m e well satisfied a n d told t h e t a l e
a g a i n t o h i s h o r r i f i e d family a n d s e r v a n t s .
A spirit b e g a n to h a u n t t h e h o u s e after that, a n d the m a n called in a
y i n - y a n g d i v i n e r t o find o u t w h a t t h e t r o u b l e w a s . T h e d i v i n e r told h i m
to be very careful the next time the d a y w h e n he had t h w a r t e d the d e m o n
c a m e r o u n d . W h e n t h e d a y d i d c o m e , t h e m a n s h u t h i s g a t e t o all c o m e r s .
N o w , h e h a p p e n e d t o h a v e a y o u n g e r b r o t h e r w h o h a d g o n e off w i t h
their mother to M u t s u , in the provincial governor's entourage. This w a s
the day w h e n the y o u n g e r b r o t h e r came back and knocked at the gate.
His older b r o t h e r refused to talk with him except through a servant, a n d
t h e o n l y r e p l y h e g o t w a s , " I ' m i n s t r i c t s e c l u s i o n . I'll see y o u t o m o r r o w .
T r y s o m e w h e r e else i n t h e m e a n t i m e . "
" W h a t d o y o u m e a n ? " the y o u n g e r brother protested. " T h e sun has
a l r e a d y set! / c a n g o s o m e w h e r e else, I s u p p o s e , s i n c e I'm a l o n e . B u t
w h a t am I going to do with my b a g g a g e ? I only just m a n a g e d to c o m e at
all, a n d t o d a y w a s t h e o n l y d a y I c o u l d find. O u r m o t h e r h a s p a s s e d
a w a y , y o u s e e , a n d I w a n t e d t o tell y o u myself."
2 2

T h e o l d e r b r o t h e r h a d b e e n w o r r y i n g a b o u t h i s m o t h e r for y e a r s , b o t h
b e c a u s e s h e w a s old a n d b e c a u s e h e loved h e r dearly. W h e n this n e w s
w a s r e l a y e d t o h i m , h e b r o k e d o w n a n d i n t e a r s h a d h i s b r o t h e r let in.
T h e y o u n g e r b r o t h e r e n t e r e d , all i n b l a c k , a n d first h a d s o m e t h i n g t o
eat on t h e v e r a n d a . T h e n the older b r o t h e r c a m e out to talk to him. Both
w e p t . T h e o l d e r b r o t h e r ' s wife stayed b e h i n d t h e blinds that c u r t a i n e d
t h e v e r a n d a off f r o m t h e h o u s e p r o p e r a n d l i s t e n e d t o t h e t w o m e n ' s
conversation.
S u d d e n l y , for n o r e a s o n s h e c o u l d s e e , t h e b r o t h e r s fell t o g r a p p l i n g
f i e r c e l y a n d c r a s h e d o v e r a n d o v e r , l o c k e d t o g e t h e r , o n t h e floor. S h e
s h o u t e d a t t h e m t o s t o p . W h e n h e r h u s b a n d g o t his y o u n g e r b r o t h e r
u n d e r him, h e d e m a n d e d t h e s w o r d h e k e p t b y his pillow. S h e a n s w e r e d
that he m u s t have g o n e m a d a n d refused to b u d g e .
"Give it to m e ! " he barked. " D o y o u w a n t to get me killed?"
J u s t t h e n the y o u n g e r b r o t h e r t u r n e d the tables, got on top, a n d with
o n e c r u n c h b i t off h i s o l d e r b r o t h e r ' s h e a d . A s h e fled h e t u r n e d b a c k t o
g l a n c e a t t h e w i f e . "That's b e t t e r n o w ! " h e e x u l t e d . H i s face w a s t h e
demon's. Then he vanished.
T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g t h e d i s t r a u g h t h o u s e h o l d c o u l d d o . A s for t h e a w f u l
i n t r u d e r ' s b a g g a g e , it t u r n e d out to contain only animal bones a n d skulls.
S o t h e m a n d i e d for a p e t t y w a g e r a n d e v e r y o n e w h o h e a r d t h e s t o r y
c a l l e d h i m a fool.
After playing a few m o r e tricks, the d e m o n disappeared.

i 5 .

THE ROOTED CORPSE

T h e e l d e r o f t w o s i s t e r s w a s m a r r i e d a n d lived i n t h e m i s t r e s s ' s a p a r t m e n t
t o w a r d t h e b a c k o f h e r l a t e f a t h e r ' s m a n s i o n . T h e y o u n g e r h a d s e r v e d for
a time in a n o b l e h o u s e h o l d b u t n o w lived at h o m e . S h e had no h u s b a n d
or a c c e p t e d lover, only occasional, casual visitors w h o m she saw in her
r o o m at the front of the house, by the double doors in the west wing. The
h o u s e w a s n e a r t h e crossing of Takatsuji a n d M u r o m a c h i streets in
Kyoto.
A t t h e a g e o f t w e n t y - s e v e n t h e y o u n g e r s i s t e r fell ill a n d d i e d . H e r
b o d y w a s left i n h e r r o o m , s i n c e t h e r e s e e m e d t o b e n o w h e r e else for h e r
i n t h e h o u s e , till h e r o l d e r s i s t e r a n d t h e r e s t o f t h e h o u s e h o l d t o o k h e r
off t o t h e b u r n i n g g r o u n d a t T o r i b e n o .
 T h e y w e r e a b o u t t o u n l o a d t h e coffin from t h e c a r r i a g e , i n p r e p a r a t i o n
for t h e u s u a l f u n e r a l r i t e s , w h e n t h e y n o t i c e d t h a t i t w a s o d d l y light a n d
t h a t t h e lid w a s a j a r . W h y , t h e b o d y w a s g o n e ! T h i s w a s a s h o c k i n g
d i s c o v e r y . T h e b o d y c o u l d n o t p o s s i b l y h a v e fallen o u t o n t h e w a y , b u t
they retraced their steps to m a k e sure. Of course, they found nothing.
But on r e a c h i n g t h e h o u s e t h e y t h o u g h t they might as well check t h e
room by the double doors. T h e r e she w a s , lying there as t h o u g h she had
never been moved!
T h e night w o r e on while the m o u r n e r s discussed anxiously w h a t to do.
A t d a w n t h e y p u t t h e b o d y b a c k i n t h e coffin a n d c a r e f u l l y s e a l e d t h e lid,
t h e n w a i t e d for n i g h t a n d a n o t h e r c h a n c e t o p r o c e e d w i t h t h e c r e m a t i o n .
B u t a t nightfall t h e y a g a i n f o u n d t h e coffin o p e n a n d w e r e r e a l l y t e r r i f i e d
this time. T h e b o d y w a s lying as before by the double doors, a n d it
defeated every attempt to get it back w h e r e it belonged. They simply
c o u l d n o t b u d g e it. T h e y m i g h t a s w e l l h a v e t r i e d t o m o v e a r o o t e d t r e e .
T h e r e she was, and apparently that w a s w h e r e she meant to stay.
" T h a t ' s w h a t y o u w a n t , i s i t ? " o n e l e v e l - h e a d e d m o u r n e r finally s a i d t o
t h e c o r p s e . " Y o u like i t h e r e ? All r i g h t , t h i s i s w h e r e w e ' l l l e a v e y o u . B u t
w e are g o i n g t o h a v e t o g e t y o u o u t o f s i g h t , y o u k n o w ! "
T h e y t o o k u p t h e floor, a n d s h e w a s a s light a s a f e a t h e r w h e n t h e y
lowered her t h r o u g h the hole. So they buried her u n d e r the floor a n d
b u i l t a g o o d - s i z e d m o u n d o v e r h e r . T h e n t h e family a n d s e r v a n t s all
moved a w a y , since no one w a n t e d to stay on in the same house with a
c o r p s e . O v e r t h e y e a r s t h e h o u s e fell t o r u i n a n d e v e n t u a l l y d i s a p p e a r e d .
F o r some reason, not even the c o m m o n people seemed to be able to
live n e a r t h e m o u n d . P e o p l e c l a i m e d t h a t a w f u l t h i n g s h a p p e n e d t h e r e .
A s a r e s u l t , t h e m o u n d s t o o d all a l o n e , w i t h o u t a s i n g l e h u t for f o r t y o r
fifty feet a r o u n d it. I n t i m e a s h r i n e w a s b u i l t o n t o p o f it, for o n e r e a s o n
o r a n o t h e r , a n d t h e y s a y t h e s h r i n e i s still t h e r e .

AN OLD, OLD GHOST

D e m o n Hall is in t h e Capital, n o r t h of T h i r d A v e n u e a n d east of t h e E a s t

Toin Palace. T h e place is haunted.
Long ago, before the Capital ever g r e w up, there was a great pine tree
at the site. An a r m e d rider p a s s i n g by got c a u g h t in a violent t h u n d e r -
s t o r m , so he d i s m o u n t e d a n d led his h o r s e u n d e r the tree to seek shelter
2 4

f r o m t h e d o w n p o u r . A l i g h t n i n g b o l t split h i m a n d his m o u n t i n t w o a n d
killed t h e m . T h a t r i d e r is the g h o s t .
L a t e r o n , t h e C a p i t a l c a m e a n d p e o p l e b u i l t h o u s e s all o v e r t h e a r e a ,
b u t t h e g h o s t r e f u s e d t o l e a v e . T h e y s a y it's still a r o u n d a n d t h a t t h a t ' s
w h y a w f u l t h i n g s h a v e often h a p p e n e d t h e r e . I t c e r t a i n l y i s a n old g h o s t !

T h e stingy senior m o n k of a m o u n t a i n temple made a batch of sweet

s y r u p , g u z z l e d s o m e all a l o n e , t h e n c a r e f u l l y p u t t h e j u g u p o n a shelf.
H i s little a c o l y t e g o t n o n e . I n fact, h e w a r n e d t h e a c o l y t e t h a t t h e stuff
w o u l d kill y o u i f y o u a t e it.
T h e b o y b a d l y w a n t e d s o m e t o o , a n d o n e d a y w h e n his m a s t e r w a s o u t
he got t h e j u g d o w n . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , he spilled some s y r u p in the process
a n d g o t i t all o v e r h i s r o b e a n d h a i r , b u t t h i s d i d n o t d i s c o u r a g e h i m from
g u l p i n g s e v e r a l m o u t h f u l s . W h e n h e w a s d o n e , h e s m a s h e d his m a s t e r ' s
p r e c i o u s j u g to bits on a rock outside.
T h e m o n k c a m e b a c k t o find t h e b o y c r y i n g a s t h o u g h his h e a r t w o u l d
break. " W h a t ' s the matter?" he asked.
" Y o u r j u g ! " sobbed the boy. "I broke y o u r good jug by mistake and I
j u s t d i d n ' t k n o w what y o u ' d d o t o m e , s o I d e c i d e d I'd b e b e t t e r off d e a d
a n d I a t e a b i g m o u t h f u l o f t h a t stuff y o u t o l d m e w a s p o i s o n , b u t i t d i d n ' t
w o r k . I a t e m o r e a n d w h e n that d i d n ' t w o r k I t r i e d s m e a r i n g i t all o v e r
m y r o b e a n d h a i r b u t I'm still n o t d e a d ! "
T h e m o n k g o t n o m o r e o f h i s s y r u p , a n d h e lost h i s n i c e j u g , t o o . W h a t
a c l e v e r b o y ! H e ' d n o d o u b t h a v e m a d e a fine s c h o l a r .
i 8 .

N O T QUITE THE RIGHT ROBE

O n c e a v e r y g r e a t m o n k w a s m a k i n g c l a n d e s t i n e visits t o a n e x a l t e d
g e n t l e m a n ' s r e s i d e n c e . T h e g e n t l e m a n k n e w n o t h i n g o f t h e affair u n t i l
one day, late in the t h i r d m o o n , w h e n he w e n t to t h e palace.
W h i l e he w a s g o n e , the m o n k got in a n d m a d e himself at h o m e with
t h e g e n t l e m a n ' s w i f e . A l a d y - i n - w a i t i n g h u n g his n i c e , soft r o b e r i g h t o n
her master's clothes rack. M e a n w h i l e the gentleman sent a servant back
from t h e p a l a c e t o fetch h i m a less f o r m a l outfit t h a n t h e o n e h e h a d o n ,
s i n c e h e w a s n o w off t o h a v e a g o o d t i m e w i t h a b a n d o f c o u r t i e r s . " B r i n g
me my hat and my hunting cloak," he ordered.
T h e l a d y - i n - w a i t i n g t o o k t h e h a n g i n g c l o a k from t h e r a c k , p u t i t i n a
b a g w i t h t h e h a t , a n d s e n t i t off. B y t h e t i m e t h e s e r v a n t c a u g h t u p w i t h
the g e n t l e m a n , h e a n d his friends h a d already g o t t e n w h e r e t h e y w e r e
going. T h e gentleman opened the bag. There was the hat. But where was
the cloak? He took out instead a rumpled, brownish robe.
H e u n d e r s t o o d i m m e d i a t e l y . O f c o u r s e , all h i s c o m p a n i o n s s a w t h e
robe too, and he w a s as embarrassed as he was angry. There was nothing
h e c o u l d d o , t h o u g h . H e s i m p l y folded t h e r o b e u p , p u t i t b a c k i n t h e
b a g , a n d r e t u r n e d i t w i t h a c u r t v e r s e t h a t let h i s w i f e k n o w h e n o w
k n e w . H e n e v e r w e n t b a c k t o his h o u s e again.
T h e l a d y - i n - w a i t i n g w a s a silly w o m a n , a n d t h e r o o m h a d b e e n d a r k .
In her haste she had taken the monk's robe instead of the lord's hunting
c l o a k , s i n c e b o t h w e r e o n t h e s a m e r a c k a n d felt e q u a l l y soft.
W h e n t h e wife s a w h e r h u s b a n d ' s letter she w a s distraught, b u t there
w a s n o t h i n g she c o u l d d o e i t h e r .

i 9 .

THE NOSE

T h e m o n k Z e n c h i n w a s s o l e a r n e d a n d h o l y t h a t p e o p l e often c o m m i s -
sioned p r a y e r s from him, w h i c h m a d e him quite comfortably w e a l t h y a n d
well a b l e t o k e e p h i s c h a p e l a n d h i s o w n l o d g i n g i n v e r y g o o d r e p a i r .
2 6

T h e r e w e r e a l w a y s offerings on his altar, the altar lamps w e r e always

b u r n i n g , a n d t h e s m a l l c r o w d o f m o n k s w h o lived a r o u n d h i m k e p t t h e
p l a c e lively. T h e b a t h w a s h e a t e d e v e r y d a y , a n d t h e b a t h h o u s e r e -
s o u n d e d with cheerful voices. W h e n laymen added their houses to the
c o m m u n i t y , a b u s t l i n g village g r e w u p .
Z e n c h i n h a d a l o n g n o s e . Its five o r six i n c h e s , r e d d i s h - p u r p l e w i t h a
p i m p l y s u r f a c e like a m a n d a r i n o r a n g e , d a n g l e d b e l o w his c h i n a n d i t c h e d
t e r r i b l y . Z e n c h i n h a d a h o l e m a d e i n a s q u a r e t r a y , j u s t big e n o u g h t o
p u t t h e n o s e t h r o u g h , t o p r o t e c t h i s face f r o m t h e fire w h i l e h e b o i l e d t h e
nose in a pot of water. W h e n done the nose would be a dark purple.
N e x t , Z e n c h i n w o u l d l a y i t o u t flat o n a p a d a n d h a v e s o m e o n e t r a m p l e
it. A v a p o r i s h s o r t o f stuff w o u l d p u f f o u t from e a c h p i m p l e , a n d w i t h
d i l i g e n t p r e s s i n g a w h i t e w o r m w o u l d o o z e from e a c h p o r e . E a c h p o r e
w o u l d y i e l d t o t h e t w e e z e r s half a n i n c h o f w o r m . T h e n Z e n c h i n w o u l d
p u t h i s n o s e b a c k i n t h e p o t a n d b r i n g t h e w a t e r b a c k u p t o a g o o d boil.
S o o n h i s n o s e w o u l d s h r i n k t o a b o u t t h e size o f a n y o n e else's, b u t i n t w o
or three d a y s it w o u l d be as bad as ever.
So m o s t d a y s Z e n c h i n s nose w a s big, a n d to eat he w o u l d h a v e to
h a v e an a c o l y t e sit o p p o s i t e h i m w i t h a s o r t of p a d d l e , a foot l o n g a n d an
i n c h w i d e , t o lift h i s n o s e u p a n d o u t o f t h e w a y till h e w a s f i n i s h e d . S o m e
w h o d i d t h i s for h i m lifted w i t h a bit t o o m u c h e n t h u s i a s m , a n d t h e n h e
w o u l d get a n g r y a n d not eat. T h a t is w h y he m a d e sure that the one
acolyte w h o did it right w a s always there to help him.
O n e d a y t h i s a c o l y t e w a s ill a n d failed t o a p p e a r for his u s u a l d u t y .
Z e n c h i n w a n t e d h i s b r e a k f a s t b u t t h e r e w a s n o o n e t o h o l d u p his n o s e .
W h a t a p i c k l e ! F i n a l l y o n e o f t h e s e r v a n t b o y s p i p e d u p , " / ' / / h o l d u p his
nose! I can do it just as well as that o t h e r fellow!" An older servant
r e p o r t e d t h i s t o Z e n c h i n , w h o d e c i d e d h e l i k e d t h e b o y well e n o u g h a n d
w o u l d g i v e h i m a t r y . H e c a l l e d t h e b o y in. T h e b o y p i c k e d u p t h e n o s e
p a d d l e , sat v e r y n i c e l y o p p o s i t e Z e n c h i n , a n d h e l d u p his n o s e j u s t r i g h t ,
neither too high nor too low. " H e ' s wonderful!" thought Zenchin as he
s i p p e d his g r u e l . " E v e n b e t t e r t h a n the o t h e r o n e ! "
Alas, t h e b o y felt a s n e e z e c o m i n g o n , t u r n e d a s i d e , a n d let o u t
a good a-choo. H i s h a n d shook, the p a d d l e quivered, and the nose
s l i p p e d off a n d p l o p p e d i n t o t h e g r u e l . G r u e l s p l a s h e d all o v e r Z e n -
chin's face and the boy's. Zenchin was furious. "You rascal!" he
b e l l o w e d a s h e w i p e d g r u e l off h i s face a n d p a t e . " A n a s t y little b e g g a r
is just w h a t y o u are! You wouldn't have done that if you'd gone to
h o l d u p t h e n o s e o f s o m e fine g e n t l e m a n ! D i s g u s t i n g little i d i o t ! G e t o u t !
Get out!"
T h e b o y g o t o u t , b u t o n his w a y h e l o o s e d a p a r t i n g s h o t . " I c e r t a i n l y
woti/t) g o h o l d u p s o m e fine g e n t l e m a n ' s n o s e , ' ' h e r e t o r t e d , "if a n y g e n t l e -
m a n i n all t h e w o r l d e v e r h a d a n o s e like y o u r s ! "
Zenchin's students had to dive for cover before they exploded
laughing.

2 O .

TWO BUCKETS
OF MARITAL BLISS

A t a t e m p l e i n I z u m i p r o v i n c e , e a c h t r i p t o t h e bell t o w e r t o o k t h e bell-
ringer m o n k past a statue of Kichijoten. E v e r y o n e k n o w s h o w beautiful
t h i s g o d d e s s is. S e e i n g h e r d a y a f t e r d a y w a s q u i t e e n o u g h t o d r i v e e v e r y
o t h e r t h o u g h t from the m o n k ' s mind. He took to h u g g i n g the statue,
p i n c h i n g it, o r e v e n g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e m o t i o n s o f k i s s i n g it.
In time he d r e a m e d he w a s fondling Kichijoten as usual, on his w a y to
r i n g t h e bell, w h e n s h e s u d d e n l y m o v e d .
" M y d e a r , " s a i d s h e , " I ' m t o u c h e d b y y o u r l o v i n g a t t e n t i o n s . I'm g o i n g
to be y o u r wife. Go to I n a m i n o in H a r i m a on s u c h - a n d - s u c h a date a n d
I'll m e e t y o u t h e r e . "
T h e bell r i n g e r a w o k e blissfully h a p p y . H e c o u l d still s e e h e r l o v e l y
face b e f o r e h i m . T h e d a y s h e h a d m e n t i o n e d s e e m e d s o far a w a y !
Feverish with anticipation, he could hardly believe the d a y w o u l d ever
arrive; b u t w h e n it did, there he w a s at Inamino, pacing impatiently up
a n d d o w n . A t last h e s a w a r a d i a n t l y b e a u t i f u l w o m a n c o m i n g t o w a r d
him, dressed in brilliant colors. Could she be the one? He w a s trembling
a n d c o u l d n o t b r i n g h i m s e l f t o hail h e r .
" H o w nice t o see y o u h e r e ! " she said w h e n she got t o him. " N o w ,
m a k e us a h o u s e ! "
" H o w am I supposed to do that?"
" W h y , t h e r e ' s n o t h i n g t o it. Y o u j u s t g e t t o w o r k ! "
A man came up to them. " W h o are y o u ? " he asked, " W h a t are you
doing out here in the fields?"
" W e ' r e p l a n n i n g t o live h e r e , " a n s w e r e d t h e m o n k , " b u t w e h a v e n o
h o u s e a n d I d o n ' t q u i t e k n o w w h e r e w e ' r e g o i n g t o g e t o n e from, e i t h e r .
I'm w o n d e r i n g w h a t t o d o . "
2 8

" S a y n o m o r e ! Y o u ' v e n o t h i n g t o w o r r y a b o u t a s l o n g a s I'm h e r e . / ' / /

g e t y o u y o u r h o u s e b u i l t . W a i t a n d I'll b r i n g s o m e m e n . "
T h e man w a s soon back with a good crew ol workers. Each brought a
joist o r a b e a m , a n d e v e r y t h i n g else t h e y n e e d e d j u s t k e p t c o m i n g w h i l e
they w o r k e d . Some ol the materials apparently belonged to the w o r k m e n
t h e m s e l v e s , while some seemed to have been p u r c h a s e d by the lady. At
all e v e n t s , a b e a u t i f u l h o u s e q u i c k l y r o s e o n t h e s p o t . B e s i d e h i m s e l f w i t h
j o y , t h e m o n k led h i s l a d y i n a n d lay d o w n w i t h h e r .
" I ' m y o u r w i l e n o w , " t h e g o d d e s s r e m i n d e d h i m . " I f y o u love me, y o u
m u s t n ' t g e t i n v o l v e d w i t h a n y o n e else. F o r y o u , I'm t h e o n l y o n e . R e -
member that."
E v e n if she had been a perfectly ordinary w o m a n he h a p p e n e d to be
f o n d of, h e w o u l d h a r d l y h a v e o b j e c t e d ; b u t u n d e r t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s h e
a g r e e d w i t h all h i s h e a r t . " O f c o u r s e ! " h e p r o m i s e d . " I w o u l d n ' t d r e a m
o f w a n d e r i n g a w a y from y o u ! "
" T h a n k y o u , m y d e a r , " said the g o d d e s s .
H e b e g a n g r o w i n g r i c e a n d f o u n d t h a t t h e least p l o t h e w o r k e d g a v e
m o r e t h a n a n y o n e e l s e ' s w h o l e f a r m . E v e r y c o m f o r t w a s his n o w , a n d i n
fact h e w a s t h e r i c h e s t m a n i n t h e w h o l e c o u n t y . P e o p l e c a m e from far
a w a y j u s t t o a s k for h i s h e l p , a n d h e a l w a y s g a v e t h e m w h a t t h e y w a n t e d .
His h e r d s of horses a n d cattle w e r e vast. Finally even the governor of the
p r o v i n c e b e g a n t o d e f e r t o h i m a n d listen t o his a d v i c e .
A f t e r s e v e r a l y e a r s of t h i s p l e a s a n t life, he h a d to go off for a few d a y s
o n b u s i n e s s t o a n o t h e r c o u n t y . W h i l e h e w a s t h e r e , a r e t a i n e r o f his j u s t
h a p p e n e d t o m e n t i o n a v e r y n i c e girl h e k n e w of. " Y o u c o u l d h a v e h e r
c o m e a n d m a s s a g e y o u r feet o r s o m e t h i n g , s i r , " t h e r e t a i n e r s u g g e s t e d .
" W e l l , " t h o u g h t t h e g o d d e s s ' s h u s b a n d , "even if I start getting ideas, I
s u p p o s e it d o e s n ' t r e a l l y m a t t e r as l o n g as I d o n ' t a c t u a l l y do a n y t h i n g
with her."
" F i n e ! " h e s a i d . "I'll t r y h e r . "
T h e girl a r r i v e d , d r e s s e d t o kill. H e h a d h e r b e g i n w o r k i n g o n his feet,
b u t o n e t h i n g l e d t o a n o t h e r a n d s o o n t h e y w e r e a lot m o r e i n t i m a t e t h a n
t h a t . N o t t h a t h e h a d fallen i n l o v e w i t h h e r , b u t h e d i d k e e p h e r b y h i m
as long as his trip lasted.
H i s b u s i n e s s o v e r , h e g o t b a c k h o m e t o find his wife l o o k i n g v e r y p u t
out.
" Y o u s w o r e y o u w o u l d n ' t , " s h e said, " a n d n o w y o u ' v e g o n e a n d d o n e
it! O h , h o w could y o u ? I'm l e a v i n g . I c a n ' t s t a y h e r e a n y m o r e . "
He started justifying himself and making excuses, assuring her that
s h e w a s still h i s o n l y l o v e . S h e , m e a n w h i l e , w e n t t o fetch t w o big b u c k e t s
of whitish liquid.
 " H e r e , " s h e s a i d , " I ' v e s a v e d i t all s i n c e w e ' v e b e e n t o g e t h e r . Y o u c a n
keep it!" Then she vanished.
I t w a s , o f c o u r s e , all t h e s e m e n h e h a d e j a c u l a t e d i n t o his h e a v e n l y
wife.
Life w a s n e v e r q u i t e t h e s a m e for h i m after t h a t , b u t h e w a s still far
from p o o r . S o h e g a v e u p b e i n g a m o n k for g o o d a n d lived o n s i m p l y a s
a prosperous farmer.

2 1 .

HOME IN A CHEST

A t o n e t i m e K a i s h u , t h e a b b o t o f G i o n t e m p l e , w a s p a y i n g s e c r e t visits t o
a mansion w h i c h belonged to one of the Capital's most prominent provin-
cial g o v e r n o r s . T h e g o v e r n o r c a u g h t w i n d o f t h e affair b u t for s o m e t i m e
p r e t e n d e d not to notice.
O n c e while the g o v e r n o r w a s out, Kaishu slipped into the house a n d
m a d e himself r i g h t a t h o m e . W h e n t h e g o v e r n o r c a m e b a c k , h e n o t i c e d
t h a t h i s w i f e a n d t h e o t h e r w o m e n s e e m e d a bit f l u s t e r e d , a n d h e u n d e r -
stood right a w a y w h a t the trouble must be. In the w o m e n ' s part of the
house he noted that a long storage chest which normally stood open w a s
n o w c l o s e d a n d l o c k e d . O b v i o u s l y t h a t w a s w h e r e t h e y h a d t h e fellow
h i d d e n . T h e g o v e r n o r called a senior retainer a n d had him s u m m o n t w o
w o r k m e n . T h e n he ordered the chest carried immediately to Gion as a
fee for h a v i n g s o m e s u t r a s c h a n t e d t h e r e . O f f t h e c h e s t w e n t o n t h e
w o r k m e n ' s s h o u l d e r s , a c c o m p a n i e d by the retainer bearing a formal note.
T h o u g h horrified, t h e wife a n d h e r w o m e n kept quiet.
T h e G i o n m o n k s c a m e o u t t o receive the chest a n d w e r e m u c h im-
pressed with the d o n o r ' s generosity. " G o get the a b b o t ! " they said to
each other. " W e can't v e r y well o p e n it without h i m . " But the one w h o
w e n t c a m e back, after a long delay, to report that the abbot w a s n o w h e r e
t o b e f o u n d . T h e r e t a i n e r c o m p l a i n e d t h a t h e h a d n o t i m e t o w a i t . "I'm
h e r e , " he insisted. " N o b o d y ' s g o i n g to accuse y o u of anything. J u s t go
a h e a d a n d o p e n it. I'm i n a h u r r y . "
T h e m o n k s w e r e still w o n d e r i n g w h a t t o d o w h e n a doleful little v o i c e
from i n s i d e t h e c h e s t p i p e d u p , "Any m o n k will d o , y o u k n o w ! " T h e
m o n k s could hardly believe their ears, but very gingerly they opened the
3 0

c h e s t . O u t p o p p e d t h e h e a d o f t h e i r a b b o t . T h e sight s o a l a r m e d t h e m
t h a t t h e y all fled, a n d s o d i d t h e r e t a i n e r . M e a n w h i l e t h e a b b o t e x t r a c t e d
himself from the chest and ran to hide.
Of c o u r s e t h e g o v e r n o r could h a v e h a u l e d Kaishu straight out of the
c h e s t a n d g i v e n h i m a f e w g o o d , swift k i c k s , b u t t h i s w o u l d n o t h a v e
looked v e r y g o o d . It w a s wise of him to s h a m e the man instead. Kaishu
w a s a l w a y s a fast t a l k e r , a n d e v e n i n t h e c h e s t h e h a d s o m e t h i n g t o s a y .

W h i l e visiting a certain shrine at A w a z u in Shiga county of the province

of O m i , E m p e r o r Tenji d e c i d e d to build a temple. This w a s about the
y e a r 6 6 5 . B u t w h e r e s h o u l d t h e t e m p l e s t a n d ? T h e e m p e r o r p r a y e d for
help. T h a t night he d r e a m e d a m o n k came to him and a n n o u n c e d that
t h e r e w a s an excellent spot to the n o r t h w e s t . T h e m o n k said he should
look that w a y right n o w .
W a k i n g u p , t h e e m p e r o r s a w a light i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n . T h e n e x t m o r n -
i n g h e s e n t s o m e o n e t o i n v e s t i g a t e , a n d t h e m e s s e n g e r , still f o l l o w i n g t h e
g l o w , c a m e t o t h e foot o f M o u n t S a s a n a m i . F a r u p a r a v i n e h e c a m e t o a
d e e p c a v e u n d e r a r o c k face a n d p e e r e d i n s i d e . H e w a s l a c e t o face w i t h
a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y o l d m a n w h o s e e m e d infinitely h o l y a n d w i s e . T h e
m e s s e n g e r a n n o u n c e d t h a t t h e e m p e r o r h a d s e n t h i m t o find o u t w h y
t h e m o u n t a i n w a s s h i n i n g , a n d a s k e d t h e old m a n p o l i t e l y w h o h e w a s .
T h e old m a n ignored him. T h e messenger w a s upset, but went back to
His Majesty to report.
"I'll h a v e t o g o t h e r e a n d q u e s t i o n h i m myself," said t h e e m p e r o r a n d
set o u t . H i s b e a r e r s b r o u g h t h i s p a l a n q u i n a s c l o s e t o t h e c a v e a s t h e y
c o u l d , a n d h e w a l k e d t h e r e s t o f t h e w a y . T h e o l d m a n w a s still t h e r e .
H e h a d o n a b r o c a d e h a t a n d a p a l e violet r o b e a n d l o o k e d m o r e like a
g o d t h a n a m a n . A p p a r e n t l y t h e e m p e r o r did not impress him a bit.
" W h o are y o u , and w h a t are y o u doing h e r e ? " the emperor asked.
 T h e o l d m a n b r o u g h t h i s s l e e v e s t o g e t h e r a little, m a d e a slight g e s t u r e
o f d e f e r e n c e , a n d s a i d , " I m m o r t a l s h a v e a l w a y s lived i n t h i s c a v e . " T h e n ,
after a few m o r e cryptic w o r d s , he v a n i s h e d .
T h e e m p e r o r decided this w a s a very holy spot indeed, a n d certainly a
g o o d p l a c e for t h e t e m p l e .
T h e temple, S h i g a d e r a , w a s built the next y e a r , with a sixteen-foot-
high statue of M i r o k u . While the construction w a s u n d e r way, the w o r k -
m e n d u g up a miniature p a g o d a that obviously w a s not J a p a n e s e . It
could only have been one of the 84,000 pagodas distributed throughout
t h e w o r l d , e a c h w i t h a relic o f t h e B u d d h a i n s i d e it, b y t h e g r e a t I n d i a n
king Asoka some nine h u n d r e d y e a r s before.
In front of t h e t e m p l e stood a g r e a t l a n t e r n . F o r the c o n s e c r a t i o n of
t h e t e m p l e t h e e m p e r o r k i n d l e d a flame o n t h e t i p o f his o w n r i g h t r i n g
finger a n d lit t h e l a n t e r n w i t h it. T h e n h e c u t off t h e f i n g e r a n d b u r i e d i t
u n d e r the lantern, in a s t o n e box, as an offering to M i r o k u .
H a v i n g c o n s i d e r a b l e p o w e r , t h e e m p e r o r ' s finger w o u l d s e n d a n y visi-
t o r w h o w a s t h e least u n c l e a n t u m b l i n g d o w n i n t o t h e n e i g h b o r i n g r a v i n e .
This discouraged pilgrims completely, and a priest w h o took over the
temple m u c h later got bored with having no visitors. T h e problem w a s
t h a t f i n g e r . T h e p r i e s t d e c i d e d t o d i g i t u p a n d g e t rid o f it.
A s s o o n a s t h e w o r k m e n b e g a n , a frightful s t o r m b r o k e , w i t h t h u n d e r ,
lightning, rain, a n d violent wind. This just m a d e the priest angrier than
e v e r , a n d h e k e p t h i s m e n d i g g i n g till t h e y g o t t o t h e b o x . T h e finger
l o o k e d p e r f e c t l y fresh a n d g a v e off a p a l e g l o w , b u t i t s o o n t u r n e d t o
liquid a n d d i s a p p e a r e d .
Soon the priest w e n t mad and died.

2 3 .

JAPAN'S FIRST GOLD

Todaiji in Nara u a mii.it for every touri.il,

and it.i Great Buddha Li famous. The original Great

Buddha wa.i dedicated in 752, in a magnificent ceremony

attended by monk.t from all over A)ia.

W h e n E m p e r o r S h o m u b u i l t T o d a i j i , l o n g a g o , h e h a d his w o r k m e n c a s t
a huge, seated b r o n z e image of the Cosmic Buddha, a n d he enshrined it
in a c o r r e s p o n d i n g l y vast hall. This statue w a s the original of the G r e a t
Todaiji B u d d h a w e k n o w today.
3 2

F o r t h e e m p e r o r , this G r e a t B u d d h a w a s the priceless jewel that w a s

t o d r a w o u r l a n d t o g e t h e r i n t h e B u d d h i s t faith, a n d h e g a v e h i m s e l f t o
t h e p r o j e c t h e a r t a n d s o u l . W h e n t h e t i m e c a m e t o b u i l d t h e d a i s for t h e
B u d d h a t o r e s t o n ( t h e d a i s w o u l d l o o k like a l o t u s f l o w e r ) , t h e e m p e r o r
d u g t h e first s p a d e f u l s o f e a r t h himself, a n d h i s e m p r e s s c a r r i e d t h e e a r t h
a w a y in the long sleeves of her robe.
T h e t e m p l e w a s q u i c k l y built, w i t h w i l l i n g s u p p o r t from all, a n d t h e
G r e a t B u d d h a w a s cast. T h e next thing w a s to get t h o u s a n d s of sheets of
g o l d foil t o gild t h e B u d d h a w i t h . B u t w h e r e w e r e t h e y t o c o m e f r o m ?
J a p a n had never had any gold. The e m p e r o r sent an envoy to China,
laden w i t h treasure, to b u y the gold required, a n d the next spring the
envoy returned. Craftsmen were assembled and started work, but the
c o l o r o f t h e g o l d w a s w r o n g , a n d b e s i d e s , t h e r e still w a s n o t e n o u g h o f i t
e v e n for t h e G r e a t B u d d h a , let a l o n e t h e m a n y s m a l l e r i m a g e s i n t h e
other, lesser halls of the temple.
I n t h i s d e s p e r a t e s i t u a t i o n t h e e m p e r o r called i n t h e g r e a t e s t m o n k s o f
the time to ask their advice. T h e y told him a b o u t Golden Peak, a m o u n -
t a i n i n Y o s h i n o c o u n t y o f Y a m a t o p r o v i n c e , a n d said t h i s m o u n t a i n w a s
b o u n d to have gold. But they reminded His Majesty that a powerful god
w a t c h e d o v e r G o l d e n Peak, a n d r e c o m m e n d e d that before taking a n y
gold H i s Majesty should first speak to this god.
T h e e m p e r o r o r d e r e d R o b e n , the m o n k in c h a r g e of the whole project,
t o b e g t h e g o d r e s p e c t f u l l y for s o m e o f his g o l d . A f t e r p r a y i n g for s e v e n
days and nights, Roben had a dream. The god appeared as a monk and
said to him, " T h e gold of my mountain w a s placed here by M i r o k u , the
F u t u r e B u d d h a . I t will b e g i v e n o u t w h e n M i r o k u c o m e s i n t o t h e w o r l d ,
a n d m u s t b e k e p t till t h e n . M y r o l e i s o n l y t o g u a r d it. B u t I will tell y o u
w h a t to d o . In Shiga c o u n t y of O m i province, along the river that runs
into L a k e Biwa, t h e r e is a spot called T a g a m i . N e a r b y is a low, isolated
hill w h o s e e a s t e r n s p u r f o r m s T s u b a k i P o i n t . Y o u will f i n d t h e r e a g r o u p
o f s t a n d i n g r o c k s . T h e r e a l w a y s u s e d t o b e a n old m a n fishing from o n e
of t h e m . Build a chapel on that rock and enshrine Nyoirin Kannon, then
p r a y t h e r e for y o u r g o l d . Y o u will g e t it, I p r o m i s e . "
R o b e n r e p o r t e d h i s d r e a m a n d t h e e m p e r o r s e n t h i m s t r a i g h t off t o
O m i . T h e hill w a s t h e r e a n d T s u b a k i P o i n t h a d t h e s t r a n g e r o c k s t h e g o d
h a d m e n t i o n e d . A m o n g t h e m w a s t h e o n e t h e old m a n h a d fished from.
R o b e n h a d soon m a d e a N y o i r i n K a n n o n a n d built the chapel, and he
p r a y e d t h e r e for g o l d .
S h o r t l y M u t s u a n d S h i m o t s u k e p r o v i n c e s i n t h e n o r t h s e n t a gift t o t h e
e m p e r o r in the form of some gold-colored sand. Met al w o rk ers s u m m o n e d
to melt it found that it really w a s the most beautifully yellow gold. T h e
d e l i g h t e d e m p e r o r s e n t for m o r e , a n d i t q u i c k l y a r r i v e d . S o m u c h w a s
left o v e r f r o m g i l d i n g t h e G r e a t B u d d h a t h a t t h e r e w a s p l e n t y for all t h e
other B u d d h a s too.
T h a t w a s h o w g o l d w a s first f o u n d i n J a p a n .

a 4 .
GYOGI AND BARAMON
Baramon '•< name is simply a japanization of

"brahman, " meaning an Indian of high caste.

Long ago E m p e r o r S h o m u invited Gyogi to preside at the consecration

c e r e m o n y for t h e G r e a t B u d d h a o f T o d a i j i . T h i s w a s n a t u r a l b e c a u s e
Gyogi w a s a beloved saint: a great teacher, preacher, and builder w h o s e
w o r k helped everyone throughout the land.
B u t G y o g i declined. " N o , Y o u r M a j e s t y , " h e said, " I ' m not w o r t h y .
T h e m a n y o u n e e d i s o n his w a y h e r e from a c r o s s t h e s e a . " H i s M a j e s t y
let G y o g i l e a d a h u n d r e d m o n k s a n d a b a n d o f c o u r t m u s i c i a n s t o N a n i w a
i n S e t t s u p r o v i n c e , w h e r e t h e y w a i t e d o n t h e s h o r e t o w e l c o m e t h e for-
eign m o n k .
T h e m o n k G y o g i m e a n t w a s B a r a m o n , a n I n d i a n from K a b i r a e w h e r e
the B u d d h a himself w a s born. Baramon, w h o longed to meet the Bodhi-
s a t t v a M o n j u i n p e r s o n , h a d l e a r n e d i n a d r e a m t h a t M o n j u lived o n a
C h i n e s e m o u n t a i n n a m e d G o d a i s a n . H e left for G o d a i s a n i m m e d i a t e l y ,
b u t a n o l d m a n h e m e t o n t h e w a y t o l d h i m t h a t for t h e b e n e f i t o f all
sentient beings there, Monju had n o w been born again in J a p a n . So
Baramon w e n t on to J a p a n . T h a n k s to divine inspiration, Gyogi k n e w
he was coming.
W h e n B a r a m o n failed t o a r r i v e a t N a n i w a , G y o g i set a b o w l o f h o l y
w a t e r afloat i n t h e s e a . T h e b o w l s a i l e d off w e s t w a r d , u n d i s t u r b e d b y t h e
w a v e s , till i t v a n i s h e d f r o m s i g h t . T h e n i t r e a p p e a r e d , s a i l i n g l a n d w a r d
this time in front of B a r a m o n ' s s h i p . B a r a m o n k n e w a b o u t t h e consecra-
tion a n d h o p e d he w o u l d be in time.
B a r a m o n a n d G y o g i joyfully t o o k each o t h e r ' s h a n d s . It w a s a w o n d e r
h o w t h e J a p a n e s e a n d t h e I n d i a n s e e m e d t o h a v e k n o w n e a c h o t h e r all
t h e i r lives a n d t a l k e d t o g e t h e r l i k e t h e b e s t o f f r i e n d s . G y o g i s a i d i n v e r s e ,
3 4

" T h e love we pledged each o t h e r as b r o t h e r s in truth, before S h a k a on

V u l t u r e P e a k , i s still a l i v e ; a n d s o w e m e e t a g a i n ! " A n d B a r a m o n , w h o
recognized in Gyogi the b o d h i s a t t v a he sought, answered, " H o w rightly
w e p l e d g e d e a c h o t h e r l o v e i n K a b i r a e , for n o w a t last I see M o n j u ' s
face!"
T h a t w a s h o w we in J a p a n found out that Gyogi w a s actually an
incarnation of Monju.
Gyogi b r o u g h t B a r a m o n to the e m p e r o r , w h o w a s very h a p p y to meet
him and immediately appointed him to preside over the consecration. It
w e n t off b e a u t i f u l l y .

2 5 .

THE OLD MACKEREL PEDDLER

W h e n Todaiji h a d been built a n d the G r e a t B u d d h a w a s r e a d y t o b e

c o n s e c r a t e d , E m p e r o r S h o m u a p p o i n t e d the Indian m o n k B a r a m o n , re-
cently arrived in J a p a n , to preside over the ceremony. But w h o should
B a r a m o n ' s assistant be? T h e e m p e r o r could not decide, and he worried
till h e h a d a d r e a m i n w h i c h a h o l y b e i n g c a m e t o h i m a n d said, " Y o u
m u s t a p p o i n t a s a s s i s t a n t t h e first m a n t o p a s s t h e t e m p l e o n t h e d a y o f
t h e c o n s e c r a t i o n . N e v e r m i n d w h e t h e r he is a m o n k , or a layman, or a
noble, or a n o b o d y . "
T h e c o n s e c r a t i o n w a s set for t h e f o u r t e e n t h d a y o f t h e t h i r d m o o n o f
7 5 2 . T h e e m p e r o r m a d e u p h i s m i n d t o d o e x a c t l y a s h e h a d b e e n told
a n d posted g u a r d s at the appropriate time to keep watch. Along came an
o l d m a n c a r r y i n g a b a s k e t o f m a c k e r e l o v e r his s h o u l d e r o n a p o l e . T h e
g u a r d s w h i s k e d h i m s t r a i g h t off t o t h e e m p e r o r , w h o d r e s s e d h i m i n
p r i e s t l y r o b e s a n d h a d a l m o s t a p p o i n t e d h i m w h e n t h e old m a n finally
p r o t e s t e d , " D e a r m e , Y o u r M a j e s t y , I'm n o t a t all t h e m a n y o u ' r e l o o k i n g
for! I ' m j u s t a n o l d m a c k e r e l p e d d l e r ! " B u t t h e e m p e r o r i g n o r e d h i m .
S o o n i t w a s t i m e for t h e c e r e m o n y , a n d t h e o l d m a n w a s i n s t a l l e d o n a
t h r o n e r i g h t n e x t t o B a r a m o n w i t h his b a s k e t o f m a c k e r e l b e s i d e h i m .
H i s pole w a s s t u c k in the g r o u n d east of the e n t r a n c e to the hall. W h e n
t h e r i t e w a s o v e r , B a r a m o n c a m e d o w n from his t h r o n e a n d t h e old m a n
just vanished.
" I t h o u g h t s o ! " s a i d t h e e m p e r o r t o himself. " H e uvw m a g i c ! " T h e n h e
h a d a look at t h e b a s k e t . T h o s e h a d definitely b e e n m a c k e r e l in there,
but n o w they w e r e the eighty scrolls of the K e g o n Sutra. T h e e m p e r o r
w e p t a n d prostrated himself in a w e . His v o w to build the temple had
been well conceived a n d a b u d d h a had come to help him!
T h e m a c k e r e l p e d d l e r ' s p o l e i s still b y t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e h a l l . I t h a s n ' t
g r o w n , or b u r s t into b l o o m , or d o n e a n y t h i n g in particular. It's just t h e r e .

a 6 .

KOBO DALSHI
Kobo Dauhi (Daishi meaiu<"Grcat Teacher")

is credited with many extraordinary

accompluihments including the invention of the Japanese

phonetic script, and his temple on Mount Koya L>

still an important pdgrunagc center. Women have been

allowed there only since the late nineteenth century.

A vajra i< a key ritual implement in Esoteric Buddhism.

The term means "diamond"or "thunderbolt"in Sanskrit.

Long ago Kobo Daishi braved the voyage to China to study the Teaching
a n d b r o u g h t b a c k t h e E s o t e r i c B u d d h i s m w h i c h h e t h e n s p r e a d far a n d
w i d e . W h e n h e w a s g e t t i n g old, h e g a t h e r e d his disciples t o g e t h e r a n d
distributed a m o n g them the m a n y temples he had founded. But there w a s
o n e t e m p l e , t h e g r e a t e s t o f all, w h i c h h e h a d y e t t o f o u n d b e c a u s e h e still
d i d n o t k n o w w h e r e t o b u i l d it. T h i s w a s t h e o n e o n M o u n t K o y a .
K o b o Daishi had planned this temple even in China. T h e day before
h e left C h i n a , h e s t o o d o n a cliff o v e r l o o k i n g t h e s e a a n d h u r l e d a t h r e e -
p r o n g e d vajra t o w a r d J a p a n . A s h e did so, h e p r a y e d that the vajra
s h o u l d l a n d at t h e r i g h t p l a c e for a t e m p l e — a t e m p l e t h a t w o u l d last till
M i r o k u comes into the w o r l d . T h e vajra soared high up a n d disappeared
into the clouds.
N o w t h a t h i s d i s c i p l e s w e r e p r o v i d e d for, K o b o D a i s h i d e c i d e d t o g o
l o o k i n g for t h e v a j r a . H e set o u t from t h e C a p i t a l i n t h e s i x t h m o o n o f
816. Finally, in Uchi c o u n t y of Y a m a t o province, he met a hunter, an
i m m e n s e l y p o w e r f u l , r e d - f a c e d m a n e i g h t feet tall, w e a r i n g a g r e e n i s h
coat and armed with a b o w and arrows. T h e hunter had two black dogs,
3 6

o n e b i g a n d o n e little. H e a s k e d K o b o D a i s h i w h e r e h e w a s g o i n g a n d
K o b o D a i s h i e x p l a i n e d a b o u t h i s v a j r a . " I p r a y e d for i t t o l a n d o n a
m o u n t a i n g o o d for m e d i t a t i o n , " h e w e n t o n , " a n d n o w I'm l o o k i n g for i t . "
"I'm a h u n t e r from M o u n t K o y a , " the h u n t e r replied. "I k n o w w h e r e
y o u r v a j r a is. L e t m e tell y o u t h e w a y . " H e l o o s e d his d o g s a n d t h e y
quickly disappeared.
K o b o D a i s h i f o l l o w e d t h e h u n t e r ' s d i r e c t i o n s till h e r e a c h e d a l a r g e
r i v e r o n t h e b o r d e r b e t w e e n Y a m a t o a n d t h e p r o v i n c e o f Kii. T h e r e h e
m e t a m o u n t a i n m a n , w h o told him that the place he w a n t e d w a s a basin
in the mountains some w a y to the south. The man went with Kobo
Daishi. " I ' m the M o u n t a i n K i n g , " he told K o b o Daishi as they walked
a l o n g . "All t h i s l a n d i s m y gift t o y o u . "
T h e y g o t t o a p l a c e t h a t w a s j u s t like a b o w l , w i t h e i g h t p e a k s all
a r o u n d it. H u g e c y p r e s s e s t o w e r e d t h e r e , a s d e n s e a n d s t r a i g h t a s b a m -
b o o s . O n e o f t h e t r e e s w a s f o r k e d , a n d i n t h e fork w a s t h e v a j r a . K o b o
D a i s h i w a s o v e r j o y e d . H e a s k e d t h e g o d his n a m e a n d l e a r n e d i t w a s
N i f u n o M y o j i n . " A n d t h e h u n t e r y o u m e t , " t h e g o d w e n t o n , "is K o y a
no Myojin." Then he vanished.
K o b o D a i s h i w e n t b a c k t o t h e C a p i t a l , r e s i g n e d all his o f f i c e s , a n d
s e t t l e d h i s affairs. T h e n h e r e t u r n e d t o M o u n t K o y a , w h e r e h e b u i l t t h e
t e m p l e a n d n a m e d it, b y i m p e r i a l w i s h , K o n g o b u j i , T e m p l e o f t h e V a j r a
P e a k . Finally he p r e p a r e d the place for his o w n passing.
O n t h e t w e n t y - f i r s t d a y o f t h e t h i r d m o o n o f 8 3 5 , h e sat i n a c a v e , i n
l o t u s p o s t u r e , a n d p a s s e d i n t o e t e r n a l m e d i t a t i o n a s his d i s c i p l e s a r o u n d
him chanted the name of the B u d d h a M i r o k u .
L o n g a f t e r w a r d s h i s d i s c i p l e s o p e n e d t h e c a v e , s h a v e d his h e a d (for
his h a i r h a d c o n t i n u e d to g r o w ) , a n d c h a n g e d his clothes. But they never
c a m e back, a n d it w a s only m u c h later that someone opened the cave
again. T h i s w a s K a n k e n , a s t u d e n t of one of K o b o Daishi's disciples and
a high-ranking m o n k on the mountain.
W h e n K a n k e n o p e n e d the cave, he w a s met by a thick cloud of dust.
W h e n t h e d u s t c l e a r e d , h e s a w t h a t i t h a d b e e n from K o b o D a i s h i ' s r o b e ,
w h i c h had disintegrated and been swept up by the wind as he opened the
c a v e . K o b o D a i s h i ' s h a i r w a s a foot l o n g . K a n k e n , w h o h a d w a s h e d a n d
p u t o n a fresh r o b e b e f o r e h a n d , s h a v e d t h e s a i n t ' s h e a d o n c e m o r e w i t h
a n e w razor. T h e cord of the saint's crystal rosary had rotted away, a n d
the b e a d s lay scattered before him. K a n k e n g a t h e r e d them up, strung
t h e m on a n e w cord, a n d put the rosary back in Kobo Daishi's hand.
F i n a l l y h e d r e s s e d t h e s a i n t i n a n e w r o b e . A s h e left t h e c a v e h e w e p t ,
o v e r c o m e b y a f e e l i n g o f d e e p p e r s o n a l loss.
No o n e has ever o p e n e d t h e cave again, but w h e n a pilgrim comes
t h e r e t h e d o o r s of t h e chapel built against it o p e n of themselves, and the
m o u n t a i n is h e a r d to r u m b l e . S o m e t i m e s people h e a r t h e s o u n d of a small
gong. It is also r e m a r k a b l e that here, so d e e p in the mountains that even
b i r d s o n g i s r a r e , n o o n e e v e r feels a f r a i d .
T h e t w o g o d s , Nifu a n d K o y a , h a v e their shrines side b y side b e l o w
t h e m o u n t a i n a n d still p r o t e c t i t a s t h e y v o w e d t o d o s o l o n g a g o . C o u n t -
less p i l g r i m s still visit M o u n t K o y a , all m e n . W o m e n h a v e n e v e r b e e n
allowed on the mountain.

2
7 •

THE KANNON IN THE PINE

O n e hall a t K o f u k u j i , t h e g r e a t t e m p l e i n N a r a , e n s h r i n e s a m i r a c u l o u s
statue of Eleven-Headed Kannon. This is how the statue came to be
there.
O n t h e v e r y first d a y o f 1007, a m o n k n a m e d C h o k o n w a s o n h i s w a y
b a c k t o t h e p l a c e c a l l e d D e e r P a r k , a little w a y s o u t h o f t h e t e m p l e , w h e n
a small b o y c a m e up to him, a s k i n g to go h o m e with him a n d serve him.
C h o k o n readily agreed.
S i x y e a r s l a t e r , i n 1 0 1 3 , t h e b o y l a y d y i n g . " I w o n ' t last m u c h l o n g e r , "
h e told C h o k o n . " W h e n m y b r e a t h i n g stops, don't d i s t u r b m y b o d y i n
a n y w a y . P u t m e e x a c t l y a s I a m i n a coffin, t h e n h a n g t h e coffin i n t h e
p i n e t r e e a t D e e r P a r k w h e r e w e first m e t . A f t e r s e v e n d a y s , b u t n o t
e a r l i e r , y o u m a y o p e n t h e coffin a n d l o o k a t m e . " T h e n h e d i e d a s t h o u g h
falling a s l e e p .
W e e p i n g , C h o k o n followed the boy's instructions and h u n g him in the
p i n e . H e w a l k e d o n from t h e r e s e v e r a l h o u r s t o H a s e d e r a a n d w e n t i n t o
retreat before that temple's o w n most holy E l e v e n - H e a d e d K a n n o n . N o w
a n d a g a i n h e c o u l d n o t h e l p b e w a i l i n g his a d v a n c i n g a g e a n d c h a r g i n g
Kannon with having neglected him.
S e v e n d a y s l a t e r h e h e a d e d b a c k t o N a r a . A d e l i c i o u s f r a g r a n c e filled
t h e a i r a r o u n d t h e p i n e a t D e e r P a r k , a n d w h e n h e o p e n e d t h e coffin a
b l a z e of light b u r s t f o r t h . I n s i d e w a s a life-sized s t a t u e of E l e v e n - H e a d e d
K a n n o n . A s t o n i s h e d a n d o v e r j o y e d , C h o k o n r e g r e t t e d all h i s c o m p l a i n t s .
H e c a r r i e d t h e s t a t u e o n h i s b a c k t o K o f u k u j i a n d e n s h r i n e d i t i n its
p r e s e n t hall.
After he died an oracle revealed that he had passed on to F u d a r a k u ,
Kannon's paradise.
3 8

An epidemic sickness that caused a terrible cough was once going round,
a n d e v e r y o n e from p e a s a n t t o e m p e r o r c a u g h t it.
A c o o k h a d f i n i s h e d w o r k i n g i n his e m p l o y e r ' s k i t c h e n a n d left for
h o m e late in t h e e v e n i n g after the h o u s e h o l d had retired. At the gate he
m e t a h a u g h t y , frightening g e n t l e m a n in a red cloak a n d formal head-
d r e s s . T h e c o o k h a d n o idea w h o the g e n t l e m a n w a s , b u t since t h e r e w a s
n o d o u b t i n g his q u a l i t y h e knelt a n d b o w e d .
" D o y o u k n o w w h o I a m ? " the gentleman asked.
" N o , sir."
"I used to be a major counselor n a m e d Ban no Yoshio, and I died in
e x i l e i n I y o p r o v i n c e . T h e n I b e c a m e a g o d o f p e s t i l e n c e a n d d i s e a s e . I'd
c o m m i t t e d a s e r i o u s offense a g a i n s t H i s M a j e s t y , y o u see, a n d I w a s q u i t e
j u s t l y p u n i s h e d . B u t I o w e m y c o u n t r y a g r e a t d e a l for t h e f a v o r I e n j o y e d
w h i l e I still s e r v e d a t c o u r t , a n d w h e n i t t u r n e d o u t t h a t t h i s y e a r t h e r e
w a s t o b e a w a v e o f s i c k e n s s w h i c h w o u l d kill e v e r y o n e , I p e t i t i o n e d t o
have the epidemic c o m m u t e d instead to coughing. That's w h y everyone
i s d o w n w i t h a c o u g h . I w a s w a i t i n g h e r e b e c a u s e I w a n t e d t o let p e o p l e
k n o w . Don't be afraid." W h e n he had spoken, he vanished.
T h e c o o k fearfully c o n t i n u e d o n h i s w a y a n d t o l d o t h e r s w h a t h e h a d
seen a n d h e a r d . T h a t w a s h o w people found out that Ban no Yoshio w a s
n o w a g o d of pestilence.
But w h y did Ban choose that cook to talk to? He could have chosen
a n y o n e e l s e . W e l l , n o d o u b t h e h a d his r e a s o n s .
2
9 •

THE DOG AND HIS WIFE

A y o u n g m a n o f t h e C a p i t a l o n c e w e n t for a w a l k i n t h e m o u n t a i n s t h a t
rise s o a t t r a c t i v e l y n o r t h o f t h e c i t y . A s t h e s u n s a n k i n t h e s k y , h e
b e c a m e m o r e a n d m o r e lost a n d e n d e d u p w i t h n o idea h o w t o g e t b a c k .
There seemed to be no shelter a n y w h e r e , a problem which worried him
g r e a t l y till at last he g l i m p s e d a h u t l a r d o w n in a h o l l o w . It w a s a h u m a n
d w e l l i n g , a t least, a n d h e g r a t e f u l l y m a d e his w a y t o it.
A p r e t t y girl o f t w e n t y c a m e o u t w h e n s h e h e a r d h i m , a n d t h e s i g h t o f
h e r g l a d d e n e d h i s h e a r t still m o r e . S h e , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , s e e m e d t r o u -
b l e d a n d a s k e d w h a t h e w a s d o i n g t h e r e . H e e x p l a i n e d . " I c o u l d n ' t find
a n y s h e l t e r for t h e n i g h t , " h e s a i d , " a n d I w a s v e r y g l a d t o see y o u r
place!"
" N o o n e e v e r c o m e s h e r e , " s h e a n s w e r e d . " T h e m a s t e r will b e b a c k
s o o n , a n d w h e n h e f i n d s y o u he'll b e s u r e y o u ' r e s o m e b o y f r i e n d o f m i n e .
What'11 y o u d o t h e n ? "
"I'll t h i n k o l s o m e t h i n g . T h e t h i n g i s t h a t I c a n ' t p o s s i b l y get h o m e
tonight. I just h a v e to s t a y . "
"All r i g h t , i f y o u m u s t . I'll tell h i m y o u ' r e a n o l d e r b r o t h e r I h a v e n ' t
s e e n for y e a r s . Y o u w e r e w a l k i n g i n t h e m o u n t a i n s w h e n y o u g o t lost
a n d c a m e h e r e by c h a n c e . R e m e m b e r that. A n d w h e n y o u get back to
t o w n , d o n ' t tell a n y o n e a b o u t u s . "
"I u n d e r s t a n d , " said the y o u n g man. " T h a n k y o u very m u c h . I w o n ' t
tell a s o u l , i f t h a t ' s t h e w a y y o u w a n t i t . "
S h e led h i m i n s i d e a n d s p r e a d h i m a m a t t o sit o n . T h e n s h e c a m e v e r y
c l o s e . " A c t u a l l y , " s h e w h i s p e r e d , " I ' m a g e n t l e m a n ' s d a u g h t e r from t h e
C a p i t a l . T h i s c r e a t u r e s t o l e m e , a n d for y e a r s n o w h e ' s d o n e w i t h m e a s
he pleases. He'll be b a c k a n y m i n u t e . You'll see w h a t I m e a n . N o t that
he doesn't give me e v e r y t h i n g I n e e d . " S h e s o b b e d pathetically.
A s far a s t h e y o u n g m a n c o u l d tell, t h i s " c r e a t u r e " o f h e r s m u s t b e
s o m e s o r t o f d e m o n . H e w a s t e r r i f i e d . N i g h t fell. O u t s i d e , s o m e t h i n g
howled.
W h i l e t h e y o u n g m a n ' s i n s i d e s c h u r n e d w i t h fear, t h e girl w e n t t o o p e n
t h e d o o r . I n c a m e a n e n o r m o u s w h i t e d o g . W h y , t h e girl w a s his w i f e !
At the sight of the visitor the d o g s t o p p e d short and howled again. T h e
girl h a s t e n e d t o tell h e r s t o r y a b o u t t h e y o u n g m a n b e i n g h e r b r o t h e r .
" I ' m so h a p p y to see h i m ! " she cried a n d burst into tears. T h e d o g seemed
t o l i s t e n . T h e n h e c a m e i n a n d lay d o w n b y t h e fire w h i l e t h e girl sat
4 0

b e s i d e h i m s p i n n i n g h e m p . S h o r t l y s h e s e r v e d a v e r y nice m e a l . W h e n i t
w a s over, the y o u n g m a n lay d o w n t o sleep while the d o g retired t o a n
inner r o o m a n d w e n t to b e d with the girl.
T h e n e x t m o r n i n g t h e girl b r o u g h t t h e y o u n g m a n b r e a k f a s t a n d w h i s -
p e r e d t o h i m a g a i n t h a t h e m u s t n e v e r tell a n y o n e . " C o m e b a c k s o m e t i m e ,
t h o u g h , " s h e s a i d , " n o w h e b e l i e v e s y o u ' r e m y b r o t h e r . I'll g l a d l y d o
a n y t h i n g I c a n for y o u . " T h e y o u n g m a n p r o m i s e d s i l e n c e a n d said h e
w o u l d r e t u r n . T h e n h e f i n i s h e d h i s b r e a k f a s t a n d set off t o t o w n .
He had no sooner arrived than he began blabbing the story to every-
o n e . T h e w o r d s p r e a d , a n d s o m e s p i r i t e d b r a v e s w a n t e d r i g h t off t o g o
a n d s h o o t t h e d o g a n d b r i n g his w o m a n b a c k . T h e y g o t t h e y o u n g m a n
to guide them.
A c o u p l e o f h u n d r e d set off, e a c h w e l l a r m e d w i t h b o w , a r r o w s , a n d
club. T h e y reached the place soon enough and spotted the hut down in
the hollow.
" T h e r e i t i s ! " t h e y s h o u t e d . T h e d o g h e a r d t h e m , c a m e o u t t o see, a n d
r e c o g n i z e d t h e y o u n g m a n . D a r t i n g b a c k inside, he r e e m e r g e d in a mo-
m e n t , d r i v i n g t h e girl b e f o r e h i m . B o t h fled d e e p e r i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s .
T h e i n t r u d e r s s h o t m a n y a r r o w s a t t h e m but scored n o hits. N e x t they
t r i e d p u r s u i t , b u t t h e d o g a n d t h e girl fairly flew, u n t i l t h e y o u t h s d e c i d e d
they must be supernatural and gave up.
O n c e b a c k i n t o w n , t h e m a n w h o h a d s t a r t e d all t h e t r o u b l e felt ill a n d
lay d o w n . In t w o or t h r e e d a y s he w a s dead.
T h e d o g w a s surely a god, a n d t h e m a n w h o told a b o u t him w a s very
foolish i n d e e d . N o o n e e v e r s a w t h e d o g a g a i n .

3 o .

AN OLD GOD RENEWED

As soon as Taira no K o r e n o b u reached M u t s u as the province's new

g o v e r n o r , h e w e n t a r o u n d g r e e t i n g all t h e local g o d s . B y t h e r o a d s i d e o n e
d a y h e c a m e a c r o s s a s p a r s e little g r o v e w i t h a s m a l l s h r i n e i n s i d e it.
T h e r e w a s n o sign that a n y o n e ever c a m e there.
K o r e n o b u a s k e d t h e local officials w i t h h i m w h e t h e r a n y g o d w a s
p r e s e n t here, a n d an old m a n w h o looked as t h o u g h he might k n o w m a n y
a t a l e r e p l i e d , " Y e s , sir, t h e r e u s e d t o b e . H e w a s p o w e r f u l , t o o . B u t
w h e n G e n e r a l T a m u r a w a s governor, a violent quarrel broke out a m o n g
t h e s h r i n e p r i e s t s . I t g o t s o b a d t h a t e v e n t h e c o u r t h e a r d a b o u t it. A s a
result the g o v e r n o r s t o p p e d s e n d i n g his m o n t h l y offerings, a n d n e w gov-
e r n o r s n e v e r c a m e t o g r e e t t h e g o d a g a i n . T h e s h r i n e fell t o p i e c e s , a n d
pilgrims practically d i s a p p e a r e d . That's w h a t my g r a n d f a t h e r told me he
had heard, and he was eighty at the time. It must have happened a good
two hundred years ago.''
T h i s w a s s a d n e w s . T h e q u a r r e l h a d n o t b e e n t h e g o d ' s fault, a f t e r all.
K o r e n o b u d e c l a r e d t h a t from n o w o n h e w o u l d h o n o r the g o d just a s
p e o p l e h a d d o n e l o n g a g o . H e l i n g e r e d till t h e w e e d s c o u l d b e c l e a r e d
a n d t h e p l a c e t i d i e d u p , t h e n left o r d e r s w i t h t h e c o u n t y a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
t h a t the shrine should be rebuilt on a g e n e r o u s scale. He h a d the shrine's
n a m e i n s c r i b e d o n t h e official r e g i s t e r o f t h e s a n c t u a r i e s o f t h e p r o v i n c e ,
a n d he sent formal offerings every m o n t h . He w a s sure the god w o u l d be
p l e a s e d b y all t h i s a t t e n t i o n , b u t d u r i n g h i s t e r m o f office h e n o t i c e d n o
special sign a n d h a d no special d r e a m s .
W h e n h i s t e r m w a s o v e r , h e s t a r t e d b a c k t o K y o t o . A few d a y s l a t e r
t h e official w h o h a d t o l d h i m a b o u t t h e g o d i n t h e first p l a c e d i d h a v e a
d r e a m . S o m e o n e u n k n o w n t o him entered his house a n d a n n o u n c e d , " H e
is outside the gate a n d s u m m o n s y o u to attend him. Go n o w . " T h e old
man w o n d e r e d w h o on earth could be " s u m m o n i n g " him n o w that the
g o v e r n o r w a s g o n e , s i n c e n o o n e else i n t h e p r o v i n c e c o u l d p o s s i b l y
" s u m m o n " s o m e o n e like himself. T h e w h o l e t h i n g s e e m e d s o o d d t h a t a t
first h e d i d n o t m o v e , b u t t h e v i s i t o r i n s i s t e d till t h e d r e a m e r d e c i d e d t h a t
he would j u s t h a v e a l o o k .
A b i g , b e a u t i f u l c e r e m o n i a l c a r r i a g e , fit for an e m p e r o r , s t o o d at his
gate, a n d the gentleman inside it looked extremely distinguished. R o w s
of attendants stood nearby.
" P e r h a p s t h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g t o all t h i s ! " t h o u g h t t h e old official a s h e
knelt in a w e d greeting.
" Y o u , my m a n , c o m e h e r e ! " called the gentleman in the carriage. T h e
f r i g h t e n e d d r e a m e r f r o z e for a m o m e n t , b u t w h e n t h e g e n t l e m a n c a l l e d
again he forced himself to obey.
T h e g e n t l e m a n m o v e d t h e carriage blinds slightly aside. " D o y o u k n o w
w h o I a m ? " he asked.
" H o w could I k n o w Your W o r s h i p ? "
" I ' m t h e g o d w h o w a s a b a n d o n e d all t h o s e y e a r s . T h e g o v e r n o r g a v e
m e s u c h j o y t h a t I ' m s e e i n g h i m b a c k t o t h e C a p i t a l . W h e n h e ' s safely
t h e r e I'll r e t u r n , o f c o u r s e , b u t n o t b e f o r e I've m a d e s u r e h e g e t s a n o t h e r
g o o d p o s t . I n t h e m e a n t i m e I'll b e a w a y . I ' m l e t t i n g y o u k n o w b e c a u s e i t
occurs to me that y o u ' r e the o n e w h o originally told him a b o u t m e . "
T h e o l d official s a w t h e c a r r i a g e m o v e off t o w a r d K y o t o a n d a w o k e i n
a s w e a t . W h e n h e r e a l i z e d i t h a d b e e n a d r e a m , h e w a s filled w i t h g r a t i -
A 2

t u d e t o w a r d t h e g o d , a n d all t h o s e w h o h e a r d h i m tell t h e d r e a m w e r e
similarly moved.
I n t i m e t h e n e w g o v e r n o r a r r i v e d , a n d i n t h e c o m m o t i o n t h e old official
f o r g o t all a b o u t h i s d r e a m . Y e a r s l a t e r h e d r e a m e d a g a i n t h a t " h e " w a s a t
the gate a n d s u m m o n i n g him. He hurried out, w o n d e r i n g w h e t h e r it w a s
t h e s a m e g o d as before. S u r e enough, he saw the same ceremonial car-
r i a g e . T h i s t i m e i t s e e m e d s o m e h o w less a l a r m i n g l y a w e s o m e a n d s o d i d
t h e g o d . T h e official k n e l t a s h e h a d y e a r s a g o a n d r e c e i v e d t h e s a m e
summons to approach.
" D o y o u r e m e m b e r m e ? " the god asked.
"I haven't forgotten you, Y o u r W o r s h i p . "
" V e r y w e l l . F o r t h e l a s t f e w y e a r s I've b e e n w i t h t h e f o r m e r g o v e r n o r
in t h e Capital, a n d I've b e e n able to have him a p p o i n t e d g o v e r n o r of
H i t a c h i . N o w I ' m b a c k a g a i n . I j u s t t h o u g h t I s h o u l d let y o u k n o w . "
T h e o l d official t o l d t h e s a m e c o l l e a g u e s a s b e f o r e a b o u t his d r e a m ,
and they were impressed with the god's kindness and power. Meanwhile
t h e list o f t h a t y e a r ' s official a p p o i n t m e n t s r e a c h e d t h e p r o v i n c e from
Kyoto, and the former governor had indeed been posted to Hitachi.
After that the people of the province served the god with increasing
d e v o t i o n , a n d t h e god, w h o w a s t h e soul o f gratitude, r e w a r d e d t h e m
r i c h l y . T h e w o n d e r s h e w o r k e d w e r e m a n y , a n d t h e o l d official p r o s p e r e d
too.

3 i .

COME TO MY KASUGA MOUNTAIN!

The god in tb'is story u definitely male,

but the intensely feminine quality of the medium

makes thu< hard to remember.

T h e V e n e r a b l e M y o e h a d a g e n i u s for c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h t h e d i v i n e ,
a n d his link w i t h t h e K a s u g a G o d w a s truly exceptional. H e w a s staying
w i t h r e l a t i v e s i n t h e p r o v i n c e o f Kii w h e n h e d e c i d e d t h a t t h i s w a s t h e
t i m e t o a c t a t l a s t o n h i s lifelong w i s h t o visit I n d i a , w h e r e t h e B u d d h a
lived a n d t a u g h t .
This w a s a b r a v e idea. Travel to China is d a n g e r o u s enough, but India
i s s o f a r f r o m J a p a n , a n d t h e difficulties o f t h e j o u r n e y a r e s o i m m e n s e ,
t h a t f e w J a p a n e s e c a n h a v e r e a c h e d i t a n d f e w e r still, i f a n y , h a v e e v e r
returned. M y o e k n e w this, and he must have k n o w n too that the Bud-
d h a ' s T e a c h i n g i s a l m o s t d e a d , a l a s , i n t h e l a n d o f its b i r t h . B u t his o n l y
thought w a s to seek out a n d h o n o r the source of the Teaching, at what-
e v e r r i s k t o himself.
I n t h e first m o o n o ( 1 2 0 2 , o n t h e n i n e t e e n t h d a y , his u n c l e s w i l e b e g a n
a t o t a l fast. S h e e v e n s t o p p e d d r i n k i n g . A l t h o u g h t h e family f e a r e d s h e
w a s ill, s h e l o o k e d i f a n y t h i n g m o r e r a d i a n t l y h e a l t h y t h a n b e f o r e . E v e r y
d a y she b a t h e d , r e a d the sutras, a n d called the B u d d h a ' s holy N a m e . S h e
c o u l d g i v e n o s p e c i a l r e a s o n w h y s h e w a s d o i n g t h i s . " I t ' s j u s t t h a t I'm s o
lull o l t h e p e r f e c t i o n o f t h e T e a c h i n g ! " s h e s a i d . " T h e t h i n g s o f t h i s w o r l d
no longer touch me at all."
At noon on the twenty-sixth, she threw a n e w mat over the beam
u n d e r t h e c e i l i n g o f h e r r o o m , t h e n r o s e a n d sat o n t h e b e a m .
" I a m t h e K a s u g a G o d , " s h e said, a d d r e s s i n g M y o e . " G o o d m o n k , I ' m
s o s o r r y a b o u t t h e t r i p y o u ' r e p l a n n i n g t h a t I've c o m e t o a s k y o u n o t t o
g o . Y o u ' r e s o m u c h w i s e r t h a n all t h e o t h e r s , y o u s e e , t h a t I p r o t e c t
e v e r y o n e w h o h a s faith i n y o u . P l e a s e visit m e s o m e t i m e s ! M y h o m e i s i n
Nara."
"I'll g i v e u p m y p i l g r i m a g e , t h e n , " a n s w e r e d t h e a w e d M y o e .
A l t h o u g h p r e g n a n t the lady descended, as she had risen, with the
g r e a t e s t o l e a s e , like a m o t h f l u t t e r i n g its w i n g s .
T h r e e d a y s l a t e r s h e b e g a n f a s t i n g a n d p u r i f y i n g herself a s b e f o r e , t h e n
s h u t h e r s e l f i n h e r r o o m , from w h e r e a m a r v e l o u s f r a g r a n c e s p r e a d t o fill
t h e w h o l e g a r d e n . M y o e slid o p e n h e r d o o r a n d f o u n d h e r l y i n g d o w n
w i t h t h e c o v e r s o v e r h e r face. S h e lifted h e r h e a d a n d s m i l e d a t h i m . H e
asked about the fragrance.
"I don't k n o w w h a t it is either," she replied, "but w h e n I noticed it
w a s c o m i n g from m e I g o t r e a d y t o r e c e i v e y o u . N o w I w a n t t o sit u p
h i g h a g a i n . P l e a s e l e a v e a m o m e n t a n d close t h e d o o r . "
M y o e did so. W h e n he o p e n e d the d o o r again, there she w a s up n e a r
t h e c e i l i n g . A c e i l i n g p l a n k h a d b e e n r e m o v e d s o t h a t s h e c o u l d sit c o m -
fortably. T h e fragrance w a s s t r o n g e r t h a n ever. H e a n d his a t t e n d a n t s
prostrated themselves, saying, "Hail to the Kasuga G o d ! "
T h e lady b e g a n in a kind a n d gentle voice. "It's r u d e of me, I k n o w , to
set myself a b o v e y o u b y s p e a k i n g from h e r e , " s h e a p o l o g i z e d , " b u t I'm
a f r a i d I'm s o u s e d t o b e i n g h i g h u p t h a t I've t a k e n t h e l i b e r t y o f r a i s i n g
t h e w o m a n I'm a d d r e s s i n g y o u t h r o u g h . A f t e r y o u ' v e h e a r d w h a t I h a v e
t o s a y , I'll b e h a p p y t o c o m e d o w n . I'm h e r e , y o u see, b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t
s e e m t o b e q u i t e s u r e y o u b e l i e v e w h a t h a p p e n e d a t o u r last m e e t i n g . "
"You mudt stop prostrating yourselves to m e ! " she interrupted herself
to protest, but M y o e a n d the o t h e r s c o n t i n u e d nonetheless. She insisted
t h a t t h e i r m a n n e r s left m u c h t o b e d e s i r e d .
A A

"All t h e g o d s p r o t e c t y o u , g o o d m o n k , " s h e t h e n w e n t o n , " e s p e c i a l l y

t h e S u m i y o s h i G o d a n d I . I'm a l w a y s w i t h y o u , y o u k n o w , d e e p i n s i d e
y o u , so even if y o u do go to India we won't be parted and I won't
p e r s o n a l l y m i n d . B u t I c a n ' t t h i n k o f y o u r t r i p w i t h o u t feeling s o r r y for
all t h e p e o p l e h e r e i n J a p a n w h o m y o u m i g h t h a v e i n s p i r e d t o faith! I
l o v e all t h o s e w h o h o n o r t h e B u d d h a ' s T e a c h i n g , o f c o u r s e , b u t t h e r e ' s
no o n e I love quite as I do y o u ! "
W h e n she w a s finished, she c a m e d o w n as silently as a s w a n ' s feather
falling. T h e f r a g r a n c e w a s m o r e p r o n o u n c e d t h a n e v e r . I t w a s n o t m u s k
or a n y other such perfume of the h u m a n world, however rare, but it was
v e r y fine a n d r i c h .
T h e p e o p l e p r e s e n t w e r e i n e c s t a s y . T h e y p r e s s e d i n t o lick h e r h a n d s
a n d feet, w h i c h w e r e d e l i c i o u s l y s w e e t . ( O n e w o m a n ' s m o u t h h a d b e e n
h u r t i n g for d a y s , b u t w h e n s h e l i c k e d h e r t h e p a i n w a s g o n e . ) S h e d i d
n o t r e s i s t . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , s h e s t a y e d p e r f e c t l y still w i t h a n e x p r e s s i o n
o f p u r e l o v e o n h e r face. T h o u g h h e r e y e s w e r e w i d e o p e n , rolled u p t o
s h o w far less p u p i l t h a n w h i t e , s h e n e v e r e v e n b l i n k e d . I n fact, n o t h i n g
a b o u t h e r w a s o r d i n a r y in a n y w a y . S h e w a s as clear and bright as
crystal.
" I ' v e n e v e r c o m e d o w n into h u m a n p r e s e n c e this w a y before, in my
t r u e f o r m , " s h e n o w c o n t i n u e d , " a n d I n e v e r will a g a i n . O n l y m y love for
y o u , g o o d m o n k , c o u l d h a v e m a d e m e d o it! It's a w o n d e r f u l t h i n g , o f
c o u r s e , for y o u r o w n s p i r i t u a l d e v e l o p m e n t , t h a t y o u s h o u l d h a v e y o u r
h e a r t set o n t h i s g r e a t p i l g r i m a g e o f y o u r s . B u t w h e n y o u ' r e g o n e , y o u
s e e , t h o s e y o u ' d o t h e r w i s e h a v e a c h a n c e t o t o u c h will lose t h e i r o p p o r -
t u n i t y t o c o n c e i v e , t h r o u g h y o u , t h e i r o w n faith i n e n l i g h t e n m e n t . T h a t ' s
w h a t I find s o s a d ! " S h e c o n t i n u e d i n t h i s v e i n for s o m e t i m e .
" T h i s h a s b e e n a l o n g m e e t i n g ! " s h e finally s a i d . " I ' d m e a n t t o leave
e a r l i e r , b u t I w a s s o h a p p y t o b e w i t h y o u t h a t I c o u l d n ' t b r i n g myself t o
g o . " S h e pressed h e r palms together a n d b o w e d to M y o e . M y o e tried to
avoid a c c e p t i n g this h o m a g e , but she b o w e d to him again a n y w a y . Then
s h e s p o k e b r i e f l y o f a n o t h e r m o n k t h e g o d l o v e d , a n o l d e r friend o f
M y o e ' s . " I t ' s e x t r a o r d i n a r y h o w m u c h I c a r e for h i m t o o , " s h e said, " b u t
I c a n ' t a c c e p t h i s l i v i n g a s a h e r m i t . P l e a s e tell h i m s o from m e ! "
" A h , b u t youl" s h e w e n t o n a g a i n . " Y o u r a r d o r t o a d o r e t h e B u d d h a i n
t h e l a n d w h e r e h e a c t u a l l y lived m a k e s y o u u n i q u e i n all t h e w o r l d , a n d
g i v e s m e s u c h j o y ! I l o v e y o u m o r e t h a n a n y p a r e n t loves a n o n l y s o n .
B u t I must g o n o w . C o m e t o m y K a s u g a m o u n t a i n ! Y o u w o n ' t see m e ,
b u t y o u c a n b e s u r e I'll b e t h e r e a n d will c o m e t o g r e e t y o u . O h , it's s o
late! G o o d - b y e , g o o d - b y e ! "
S h e d r e w M y o e ' s h a n d s t o h e r , a n d h e r f r a g r a n c e g r e w still m o r e
intense. Everyone, including Myoe, was crying.
 " D o n ' t be s a d ! " she said. " T h e world has come into a d e g e n e r a t e age
w h e n n o o n e follows t h e B u d d h a ' s p a t h heart a n d soul. N o w that p e o p l e
l o v e e v e r y t h i n g b u t t h e T e a c h i n g , t h e r e ' s little h o p e t h a t t r u t h c a n p r e -
v a i l . P l e a s e d o n ' t let t i m e slip w a s t e f u l l y b y ! S t u d y t h e s a c r e d w r i t i n g s
till y o u g r a s p t h e i r d e e p e s t m e a n i n g . G o o d m o n k , y o u r w i s d o m i s o f t h e
h i g h e s t , b u t y o u r l e a r n i n g i s still n o t q u i t e m a t u r e . I f y o u 1 1 s t o p a l l o w i n g
y o u r e n e r g y t o b e scattered hither a n d y o n into this w o r t h y task a n d that,
and keep y o u r eyes on the Teaching alone, then you'll come to k n o w
w h a t the B u d d h a k n e w . Be willing to take on m a n y students, a h u n d r e d
o r a t h o u s a n d o f t h e m , e v e n i f all t h e y m e a n t o g a i n from t h e i r s t u d y i s
f o r t u n e a n d f a m e ! A n d for y o u r s e l f , s i m p l y w e e p t h a t h e a r t s c a n ' t h e l p
being base in this present a g e ! " T h e god's grief a n d pain showed plainly
in the tears t h a t ran d o w n her c h e e k s . S h e w a s p u r e c o m p a s s i o n in visible
form.

A f t e r a m o m e n t of s i l e n c e s h e lifted h e r h e a d a g a i n . " N o w I am g o i n g , "

s h e s a i d , " b u t I'll l e a v e m y f r a g r a n c e b e h i n d t o r e m i n d y o u o f m e . Y o u
m u s t all t a k e c o m f o r t from it. G o o d m o n k , c o m e s o o n t o m y K a s u g a
mountain! A n d I promise y o u this. If you'll gather people together each
y e a r o n t h i s s a m e n i g h t , a n d p a s s o n t o t h e m t h e B u d d h a ' s m e s s a g e , I'll
come d o w n to be with y o u , w h e r e v e r the place may b e . "
O f c o u r s e M y o e n e v e r set off for I n d i a . I n s t e a d , h e w e n t t o t h e K a s u g a
Shrine, which is below the god's mountain. W h e n he rode up, several
d o z e n o f t h e t a m e d e e r t h a t r o a m t h e r e b e n t t h e i r forelegs t o k n e e l b e f o r e
him a n d b o w e d their heads; a n d once again that marvelous fragrance
floated o n t h e a i r .
W h e n h e r e t u r n e d t o Kii, h e l e a r n e d t h r o u g h t h e s a m e m e d i u m a s
before w h a t had actually h a p p e n e d . " Y o u k n o w , " r e m a r k e d the god in
the c o u r s e of a c o n v e r s a t i o n , " t h e d e e r d i d n ' t really b o w to y o u , b u t to
me. I w a s i n t h e a i r o v e r y o u r h e a d , y o u s e e . Y o u d i d n ' t k n o w it, b u t t h e y
did."
" I h a d n o i d e a ! " a n s w e r e d M y o e . "If I'd r e a l i z e d w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g
I'd h a v e d i s m o u n t e d . I t w a s v e r y r u d e o f m e n o t t o . I'm s o s o r r y ! "
4 6

" N e v e r m i n d , " t h e g o d c o n s o l e d h i m . " T h e y s a y a b e l o v e d child c a n

d o n o w r o n g . I c e r t a i n l y n e v e r t h o u g h t o f s c o l d i n g y o u for it. A n y w a y ,
there w a s no h a r m done since I w a s already higher than y o u ! "
M y o e d i d h o l d t h e m e e t i n g s t h e g o d h a d a s k e d for. M u c h g i v e n t o
d r e a m s a n d v i s i o n s , a n d t o i n t e n s e s p i r i t u a l s t r u g g l e , h e led a n e x e m p l a r y
life a n d b e c a m e o n e o f t h e g r e a t figures o f his t i m e .

3 2 .

PRINCESS GLORY

I n t h e r e i g n o f E m p e r o r Y u r y a k u a n o l d c o u p l e lived a t t h e foot o f M o u n t
F u j i . H a v i n g n o c h i l d m a d e t h e m s a d . T h e n o n e d a y t h e old m a n f o u n d a
b e a u t i f u l little girl i n t h e b a m b o o g r o v e b e h i n d t h e i r h o u s e . S h e s e e m e d
t o h a v e c o m e from n o w h e r e . H e a n d his wife w e r e v e r y h a p p y , a n d since
s h e s h o n e w i t h a lovely light t h e y called h e r K a g u y a - h i m e , Princess
Glory.
Princess G l o r y g r e w up to be so beautiful that even the g o v e r n o r of
t h a t p r o v i n c e c o u r t e d h e r , a n d t h e t w o w e r e m a r r i e d . W h e n t h e old
c o u p l e finally p a s s e d a w a y , s h e c o n f e s s e d t o h e r h u s b a n d t h a t s h e w a s
n o t r e a l l y f r o m t h i s e a r t h a t all. " I ' m a c t u a l l y t h e I m m o r t a l L a d y o f
M o u n t Fuji," she explained, "and I only came d o w n in a n s w e r to the
d e a r o l d p e o p l e ' s p r a y e r s . N o w I'm n o l o n g e r tied t o t h e m , a n d I m u s t g o
home to my palace."
T h e g o v e r n o r w a s distraught, but she did her best to comfort him.
" Y o u ' l l find m e o n t h e t o p o f M o u n t F u j i , " s h e s a i d . " C o m e t h e r e w h e n
y o u miss me, or look into this b o x . " A n d she gave him a box of the magic
incense called Incense to Recall the Soul. T h e n she vanished.
H e a r t b r o k e n now, he missed her so badly that he soon opened the
b o x , b u t all h e c o u l d s e e t h r o u g h t h e s m o k e w a s a s h a d o w y w r a i t h t h a t
s o m e t i m e s f a d e d a l t o g e t h e r . I n d e s p a i r h e c l i m b e d M o u n t Fuji a s s h e h a d
i n v i t e d h i m t o d o . A t t h e t o p h e f o u n d a l a r g e p o n d w i t h a n island i n t h e
m i d d l e . T h e i s l a n d s e e m e d t o h a v e a p a l a c e o n it, b u t t h r o u g h t h e v a p o r
t h a t r o s e from t h e w a t e r h e c o u l d o n l y b a r e l y m a k e o u t P r i n c e s s G l o r y ' s
f o r m . B i t t e r l y d i s a p p o i n t e d , h e p r e s s e d t h e b o x o f i n c e n s e t o his h e a r t ,
j u m p e d from a precipice, a n d died.
 T h e h e a t o f h i s b u r n i n g l o v e set t h e b o x a f l a m e , a n d t h e s m o k e f r o m
t h i s fire i s t h e s m o k e o f Fuji t h a t s o m a n y p e o p l e h a v e p u t i n t h e i r p o e m s
a b o u t love a n d longing. L a t e r o n h e a n d Princess G l o r y b o t h a p p e a r e d
as the god of the mountain. T h e god is one, but m a y be seen as either a
m a n or a w o m a n .

O n c e a n I n d i a n t e n g u set off t o visit C h i n a , a n d o n t h e w a y h e a r d t h e s e

lines in t h e m u r m u r i n g of t h e sea:

All things pass:

this is the law

of birth and death.

Once birth and death

likewise have passed,

that peace is bliss.

T h e astonished t e n g u w o n d e r e d h o w in the world the sea could be m u r -

m u r i n g this deepest expression of the B u d d h a ' s Teaching, a n d he deter-
m i n e d t o find o u t w h a t set t h e s e a t a l k i n g t h a t w a y . " A n d w h e n I d o , " h e
p r o m i s e d himself, "I'll g i v e i t a g o o d d o s e o f t r o u b l e ! "
H e f o l l o w e d t h e m u r m u r i n g all t h e w a y t o C h i n a , b u t s i n c e t h e s e a
t h e r e w a s still m u r m u r i n g h e w e n t r i g h t b y a n d o n t o t h e s e a off J a p a n .
T h e s e a w a s still m u r m u r i n g . H e f l e w o v e r t h e p o r t o f H a k a t a i n K y u s h u ,
a n d at the strait b e t w e e n K y u s h u a n d H o n s h u he listened again. T h e
m u r m u r i n g w a s a little l o u d e r . M o r e a s t o n i s h e d t h a n e v e r , h e flew o n
over province after province until he r e a c h e d the m o u t h of the Y o d o
4 8

River, the river t h a t flows from near the Capital into the Inland Sea. Up
t h e r i v e r h e f l e w , a n d t h e m u r m u r g r e w l o u d e r still. T h e Y o d o n a r r o w e d
t o t h e Uji R i v e r , a n d t h e t e n g u s o a r e d o n u p t o w h e r e t h e Uji e m p t i e s
out of L a k e Biwa. H e r e the r u m o r of the w a t e r s w a s distinctly loud. He
p r e s s e d o n o v e r t h e l a k e t o w h e r e a b r o o k c a m e t u m b l i n g d o w n from
Y o k a w a on M o u n t Hiei. H e r e the voice of the waters chanting the sacred
verse rose to a roar, a n d he s a w u p s t r e a m the F o u r Heavenly Kings a n d
countless other glorious G u a r d i a n s of the Teaching watching over the
b r o o k . A w e d a n d a m a z e d , h e d a r e d n o t g o f u r t h e r , b u t h e c o u l d n o t resist
h i d i n g a w h i l e t o s e e w h e t h e r h e c o u l d find o u t w h a t t h i s p l a c e w a s .
W h e n a lesser celestial spirit h a p p e n e d past, the tengu plucked up
e n o u g h c o u r a g e to ask, " W h y is the w a t e r chanting this deepest expres-
sion of t h e noble T e a c h i n g ? "
" T h e r e a r e a lot o f l e a r n e d m o n k s u p o n t h e m o u n t a i n , " t h e s p i r i t
r e p l i e d , " a n d t h i s b r o o k r u n s t h r o u g h t h e i r p r i v y . T h a t ' s w h y its w a t e r s
proclaim the noble truth, a n d w h y we spirits g u a r d it."
T h e t e n g u f o r g o t all t h o u g h t o f mischief. " I f e v e n t h e s t r e a m t h a t
flushes t h e i r p r i v y p r o c l a i m s t h e d e e p e s t t r u t h , " he reflected, " t h e n the
m o n k s o f t h i s m o u n t a i n m u s t b e m o r e h o l y t h a n I c o u l d e v e r i m a g i n e ! I'll
b e c o m e a m o n k on M o u n t H i e i ! " A n d as he m a d e this v o w he passed
away.
N e x t h e l o d g e d i n t h e w o m b o f a v e r y g r e a t l a d y , t h e wife o f P r i n c e
Ariake w h o w a s a son of E m p e r o r Uda, and he w a s born as the prince's
son. In time he did b e c o m e a m o n k on M o u n t Hiei and acquired a great
r e p u t a t i o n for l e a r n i n g a n d s a n c t i t y .

JAPAN MEANS TROUBLE!

A p o w e r f u l C h i n e s e t e n g u n a m e d Chirayoju once c a m e to J a p a n a n d met

o n e o f o u r l o c a l t e n g u . " I n m y c o u n t r y , " h e b o a s t e d , " t h e r e a r e lots o f
r o u g h , t o u g h w a r r i o r - m o n k s , b u t n o w t h a t I've g o t t h e m all e a t i n g o u t o f
m y h a n d I t h o u g h t I'd c o m e a n d h a v e a l o o k a r o u n d J a p a n . T h e y s a y
t h e r e a r e s o m e p r e t t y p o t e n t a s c e t i c s h e r e . P e r h a p s I m i g h t see w h a t I
can do with them. W h a t do you think?"
T h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u t h o r o u g h l y a p p r o v e d . " I ' v e g o t all t h e g o o d , b r a v e
m o n k s o f tbii c o u n t r y e a t i n g o u t o f m y h a n d , " h e a n s w e r e d , " b u t i f y o u
w a n t t o g i v e t h e m a b a d t i m e , g o a h e a d . O n e ' s j u s t a s k i n g for it, i n fact.
I'll s h o w y o u . C o m e o n . "
O f f h e w e n t w i t h t h e C h i n e s e t e n g u i n t o w . T h e y flew u p t o t h e s t o n e
tower on the main peak of M o u n t Hiei a n d stood together beside the
trail.
" P e o p l e here k n o w m e , " said the J a p a n e s e t e n g u . "I'd better not s h o w
myself. I'll j u s t h i d e d o w n t h e hill a little. T u r n y o u r s e l f i n t o a n o l d m o n k
and wait. M a k e sure y o u take care of anyone w h o comes b y ! "
T h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u hid in a thicket a n d from t h e r e k e p t an eye on his
C h i n e s e c o l l e a g u e , w h o t u r n e d i n t o a p e r f e c t , b e n t old m o n k . T h e w e i r d
gleam i n his eye s h o w e d h e w a s p l a n n i n g s o m e t h i n g g o o d , a n d the J a p -
anese tengu looked forward with pleasure to w h a t would come next.
A l o n g c a m e a p a l a n q u i n from h i g h e r u p t h e m o u n t a i n . I n s i d e i t r o d e
Y o k y o , a m o n k o f r a n k a n d r e p u t a t i o n w h o w a s o n his w a y d o w n t o t h e
Capital. W h e n he reached the tower, the J a p a n e s e tengu glanced over to
c h e c k on the old m o n k . He w a s g o n e . Y o k y o a n d a c r o w d of disciples
passed by in peace.
T h o r o u g h l y p u z z l e d , t h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u w e n t l o o k i n g for h i s C h i n e s e
c o l l e a g u e a n d found him c o w e r i n g d o w n in the ravine w i t h his b e h i n d in
t h e air.
" W h y are y o u hiding?" asked the J a p a n e s e tengu.
" W h o was that monk w h o went b y ? "
" T h a t w a s Y o k y o , a f a m o u s w o n d e r - w o r k e r . H e ' s o n his w a y d o w n t o
t h e p a l a c e for a s p e c i a l r i t e . H e ' s s o h o l y I t h o u g h t y o u ' d s h o w h i m u p a
bit, b u t y o u j u s t let h i m g o . T o o b a d . "
"Right, right, I could see he w a s very holy and I k n e w he must be the
o n e y o u w e r e t a l k i n g a b o u t . W e l l , t h a t w a s fine, a n d I w a s j u s t g o i n g t o
have at him w h e n he d i s a p p e a r e d . Instead t h e r e w a s a c o l u m n of flame
r i s i n g from h i s p a l a n q u i n . I c o u l d s e e I'd g e t b u r n e d if I g o t t o o c l o s e , so
I t h o u g h t , w e l l , I'll j u s t p a s s o n t h i s o n e . T h e n I s o r t o f g o t m y s e l f o u t o f
sight."
T h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u l a u g h e d m o c k i n g l y . " H e r e y o u fly i n all t h e w a y
from C h i n a , " h e s a i d , " a n d y o u c a n ' t e v e n roll a fellow like t h a t o v e r a
f e w t i m e s ? Y o u j u s t let h i m b y ? I'd s a y y o u ' r e p a t h e t i c . N e x t t i m e , s t o p
y o u r man and do something to him!"
" A b s o l u t e l y ! " s a i d t h e C h i n e s e t e n g u . " J u s t y o u w a t c h ! " H e set h i m -
self t o w a i t a s b e f o r e b y t h e s t o n e t o w e r w h i l e t h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u
c r o u c h e d in a t h i c k e t .
A noisy b a n d came d o w n the p a t h . It w a s the great prelate J i n z e n
h e a d i n g off t o t o w n w i t h a c o l y t e s r u n n i n g a h e a d o f his p a l a n q u i n t o c l e a r
5 0

t h e w a y . W h e n the acolytes got t o the old t e n g u m o n k , they just h e r d e d

h i m o n a h e a d w i t h m e r r y w h a c k s o f t h e i r s t i c k s . T h e o l d m o n k p u t his
a r m s up to protect his head and cleared out. He obviously was going to
g e t n o w h e r e n e a r t h e p a l a n q u i n . T h o s e a c o l y t e s h a d g o t t e n rid o f h i m i n
no time.
T h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u w e n t after him a n d h e a p e d ridicule o n him again.
T h e C h i n e s e t e n g u p r o t e s t e d . " W i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , " h e c o m p l a i n e d ,
" y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h a t y o u ' r e s a y i n g ! I w a s n ' t g o i n g t o g e t close t o t h o s e
a c o l y t e s , n o t t h e w a y they l o o k e d , a n d I t h o u g h t I'd b e t t e r g e t o u t b e f o r e
t h e y c a u g h t m e a n d c r a c k e d m y s k u l l . S o y e s , I let t h a t m o n k b y . I c a n
fly h e r e f r o m C h i n a i n a flash, b u t t h o s e a c o l y t e s w e r e t o o fast for me. N o
sir, I h i d i n s t e a d ! "
" W e l l , for p i t y ' s s a k e d o s o m e t h i n g t o t h e next o n e a t l e a s t ! Y o u c a n ' t
c o m e all t h e w a y h e r e a n d d o n o t h i n g ! W h y , y o u ' l l b e a n e m b a r r a s s m e n t
t o y o u r c o u n t r y ! " H a v i n g t r i e d a g a i n t o s h a m e his c o l l e a g u e i n t o a c t i o n ,
t h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u w e n t off t o h i d e .
S o o n a b a b b l e o f v o i c e s r o s e t o w a r d t h e m from a p a r t y o n its w a y u p .
A m o n k w i t h a r e d s t o l e a p p e a r e d first, c l e a r i n g t h e p a t h , a n d b e h i n d
him y o u n g m o n k s b o r e a ceremonial chest containing the illustrious trav-
eler's monastic robes. T h e p a l a n q u i n behind them carried J i e of Y o k a w a ,
the a b b o t of the entire temple c o m p l e x on the m o u n t a i n . "Will they get
h i m ? " w o n d e r e d the J a p a n e s e tengu, as t w o dozen boy acolytes passed
b y o n e i t h e r s i d e o f t h e p a l a n q u i n . B u t t h e old m o n k w a s g o n e . H e h a d
hidden again.
"I noticed a suspicious c h a r a c t e r a r o u n d h e r e , " said one of the boys.
" L e t ' s s p r e a d out a n d l o o k ! " T h e fierce boys dispersed on either side of
t h e p a t h , b r a n d i s h i n g sticks, a n d the J a p a n e s e t e n g u p r u d e n t l y stole
further d o w n the slope into a deeper thicket.
" H e r e h e is! G e t h i m ! " s h o u t e d a b o y ' s v o i c e .
"What?"yelled an answering chorus.
" T h e r e ' s this old m o n k hiding h e r e ! H e doesn't look right!"
" H o l d h i m ! D o n ' t let h i m g e t a w a y ! " T h e o t h e r s d a s h e d off t o p r o v i d e
reinforcements.
"How awful!" the Japanese tengu groaned, but he was far t o o
f r i g h t e n e d t o d o a n y t h i n g b u t b u r r o w d e e p e r i n t o h i s t h i c k e t a n d flatten
h i m s e l f t o t h e g r o u n d . P e e r i n g fearfully o u t , h e s a w a d o z e n b o y s d r a g
the old m o n k to t h e stone tower, beat a n d kick him, a n d give him a very
b a d t i m e i n d e e d . T h e o l d m o n k b e l l o w e d a n d r o a r e d , b u t i t d i d h i m little
good.
" W h o are y o u , y o u old m o n k ? " the boys shouted, w h a c k i n g him a s
t h e y s p o k e . " T e l l u s ! Tell u s ! "
 " I ' m j u s t a p o o r t e n g u from C h i n a , y o u n g m a s t e r s ! I t h o u g h t I'd h a v e
a look at the m o n k s passing by. But the first w a s Y o k y o , a n d he w a s
r e c i t i n g t h e M a n t r a o f F i r e s o t h e r e w a s a h u g e flame i n h i s p a l a n q u i n ;
the next w a s J i n z e n , w h o w a s doing the M a n t r a of F u d o so that Fudo's
o w n m i n i o n s w e r e g u a r d i n g h i m w i t h t h e i r i r o n staffs; a n d t h e t h i r d , t h e
abbot, w a s p o n d e r i n g Perfect Meditation. The first t w o frightened me so
I h i d , b u t t h e a b b o t d i d n ' t s e e m f r i g h t e n i n g a t all a n d I w a s c a r e l e s s .
That's h o w I got c a u g h t ! "
T h e boys could not see that he w a s m u c h of a threat, so they decided
j u s t t o let h i m g o , b u t n o t b e f o r e e a c h h a d f i l e d p a s t a n d g i v e n h i m a
swift k i c k i n t h e b e h i n d .
O n c e t h e a b b o t w a s b y , t h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u c r a w l e d u p from t h e
b o t t o m o f t h e r a v i n e a n d w e n t t o f i n d t h e old m o n k w h e r e h e lay all b a t -
t e r e d a n d b r u i s e d . " H o w ' d i t g o thit t i m e ? " h e a s k e d . " D i d y o u g e t h i m ? "
" S h u t u p . J u s t l a y off m e , " t h e C h i n e s e t e n g u g r o w l e d . " I c a m e h e r e
all t h e w a y f r o m C h i n a , i n n o c e n t l y b e l i e v i n g I'd g e t a little c o o p e r a t i o n
from t h e l i k e s o f y o u , b u t y o u w o u l d n ' t g i v e m e a n y s t r a i g h t h e l p , n o ,
y o u h a d t o p u t m e u p a g a i n s t m e n like living B u d d h a s , a n d all I've g o t
for m y t r o u b l e i s a b r u i s e d b a c k s i d e a n d a g o o d b e a t i n g ! " A n d h e b u r s t
into tears.
"I don't blame y o u , " the J a p a n e s e tengu replied consolingly, " b u t y o u
see, y o u ' r e a t e n g u from a g r e a t big country, and I t h o u g h t y o u ' d be able
t o t a k e c a r e o f a n y o n e f r o m a s m a l l c o u n t r y like m i n e . I'm s o r r y y o u g o t
y o u r b e h i n d k i c k e d ! " H e t o o k t h e C h i n e s e t e n g u t o a nice p l a c e i n t h e
m o u n t a i n s w h e r e t h e p o o r fellow c o u l d s o a k t h e s o r e p a r t i n a h o t b a t h
a n d m a k e i t feel b e t t e r , a n d t h e n h e p a c k e d t h e v i s i t o r b a c k off t o C h i n a .

W h i l e t h e t w o w e r e b a t h i n g , a c o u p l e o f s e r v a n t s from t h e city c a m e
i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s t o fetch f i r e w o o d . P a s s i n g t h e b a t h s h e d , t h e y n o t i c e d
s m o k e rising from t h e c h i m n e y , a n d decided that as long as s o m e o n e w a s
already h e a t i n g w a t e r t h e y might as well go in and have a soak t h e m -
selves. T h e y p u t d o w n their loads a n d w e n t in to find t w o old m o n k s in
the big t u b . O n e of t h e m s e e m e d to h a v e some sort of pain in his butt.
T h e m o n k s w a n t e d t o k n o w w h o t h e t w o m e n w e r e , b u t t h e m e n , for
their part, noticed that the bath shed stank to high heaven — so horribly,
5 2

i n fact, t h a t t h e y b o t h i n s t a n t l y g o t a s p l i t t i n g h e a d a c h e . T e r r i f i e d , t h e y
e s c a p e d a s fast a s t h e y c o u l d .
L a t e r o n t h e J a p a n e s e t e n g u p o s s e s s e d s o m e o n e a n d told t h e w h o l e
story.

3 5 .

THE INVINCIBLE PAIR

I n S a n u k i p r o v i n c e t h e r e still i s a l a r g e b o d y o f w a t e r n a m e d M a n o P o n d
t h a t K o b o D a i s h i m a d e o u t o f k i n d n e s s t o w a r d t h e p e o p l e w h o live
n e a r b y . It is so big, a n d t h e dikes a r o u n d it are so high, that it looks m o r e
like a l a k e t h a n a p o n d . Its d e e p w a t e r s h a r b o r c o u n t l e s s fish g r e a t a n d
s m a l l , a n d a t t h e b o t t o m t h e r e o n c e lived a d r a g o n .
O n e d a y t h i s d r a g o n c a m e o u t o f t h e w a t e r t o s u n himself, a n d slith-
e r e d a r o u n d o n a n i s o l a t e d s e c t i o n o f t h e d i k e i n t h e s h a p e o f a little
s n a k e . J u s t t h e n t h e t e n g u o f M o u n t H i r a , far off i n O m i p r o v i n c e , f l e w
o v e r i n t h e f o r m o f a k i t e . H e d o v e a t t h e little s n a k e , c a u g h t h i m i n his
talons, a n d soared up again into the sky.
A d r a g o n is, o f c o u r s e , i m m e n s e l y s t r o n g , b u t t h i s o n e h a d b e e n t a k e n
s o s u d d e n l y t h a t all h e c o u l d d o w a s h a n g i n t h e t e n g u s c l a w s . T h e t e n g u
for h i s p a r t m e a n t t o c r u s h t h e s n a k e a n d eat h i m , b u t t h a t t u r n e d o u t t o
b e i m p o s s i b l e s i n c e , a f t e r all, i t w a s a m i g h t y d r a g o n h e h a d s e i z e d a n d
n o w e a k l i n g s e r p e n t . N o t k n o w i n g q u i t e w h a t else t o d o , t h e t e n g u t o o k
t h e d r a g o n b a c k t o h i s lair o n M o u n t H i r a a n d stuffed h i m i n t o a h o l e i n
t h e r o c k s s o small that t h e d r a g o n could hardly m o v e . T h e p o o r d r a g o n
w a s miserable. N o t having a d r o p of w a t e r he could not fly away, a n d
for s e v e r a l d a y s h e lay t h e r e w a i t i n g t o d i e .
M e a n w h i l e t h e t e n g u w a s p l a n n i n g a little f o r a y t o M o u n t Hiei t o
c a t c h h i m s e l f a n i c e fat m o n k . T h a t n i g h t h e p e r c h e d i n a tall t r e e a n d
k e p t h i s e y e s o n t h e d o r m i t o r y a c r o s s t h e v a l l e y o n t h e s i d e o f t h e hill. A
m o n k c a m e o u t o n t h e v e r a n d a t o r e l i e v e himself. W h e n h e p i c k e d u p t h e
w a t e r j a r to w a s h his h a n d s , the t e n g u p o u n c e d , seized him, a n d carried
h i m off t o M o u n t H i r a , w h e r e h e stuffed h i m i n t o t h e h o l e w i t h t h e
d r a g o n . T h e t e r r i f i e d m o n k t h o u g h t h e w a s d o n e for, b u t t h e t e n g u w e n t
off a g a i n .
F r o m out o f t h e d a r k n e s s a voice a s k e d , " W h o are y o u ? W h e r e did
y o u come from?" The monk explained what had happened —so suddenly
t h a t h e still h a d his w a t e r j a r — a n d a s k e d w h o h a d s p o k e n . T h e d r a g o n
i n t r o d u c e d himself a n d told his o w n story. "It's v e r y tight in this hole,
y o u k n o w , " he g r o a n e d , " b u t I can't fly a w a y because I haven't a d r o p of
water!
" M a y b e t h e r e ' s s o m e left i n t h i s j a r , " s u g g e s t e d t h e m o n k .
" O h , h o w w o n d e r f u l ! W h a t l u c k y o u ' r e h e r e ! I f t h e r e is, I c a n s a v e u s
b o t h . I'll t a k e y o u b a c k h o m e ! "
With joyous anticipation the m o n k turned the jar upside d o w n over
t h e d r a g o n a n d a d r o p o f w a t e r fell o u t . T h e d r a g o n w a s w e t .
"All r i g h t , " s a i d t h e d r a g o n , " d o n ' t b e a f r a i d . J u s t close y o u r e y e s a n d
sit o n m y b a c k . I'll n e v e r f o r g e t w h a t I o w e y o u . "
T h e d r a g o n t u r n e d i n t o a s m a l l b o y , t o o k t h e m o n k o n his b a c k ,
s m a s h e d the r o c k walls of their hole, a n d b u r s t forth amid t h u n d e r c l a p s
a n d bolts of lightning. H u g e clouds gathered in the sky and heavy rain
fell. T h e m o n k w a s f r i g h t e n e d b u t t r u s t e d t h e d r a g o n e n o u g h t o h a n g o n .
He was deposited instantly right w h e r e he had started, on the v e r a n d a of
h i s d o r m i t o r y o n M o u n t H i e i . T h e d r a g o n f l e w off.
W i t h all t h e c r a s h i n g a n d r o a r i n g , t h e o t h e r r e s i d e n t s o f t h e d o r m i t o r y
w e r e sure that a n y second a bolt w o u l d destroy them. T h e n suddenly the
t h u n d e r s t o p p e d a n d b l a c k n e s s fell. W h e n t h e s k y c l e a r e d , t h e y d i s c o v -
ered their colleague w h o h a d vanished the other night, a n d he a n s w e r e d
their a s t o n i s h e d q u e s t i o n s by telling t h e m his story.
The dragon p u r s u e d the tengu everywhere in search of revenge. At
last w h e n t h e t e n g u w a s c r u i s i n g t h e s t r e e t s o f t h e C a p i t a l , d i s g u i s e d a s a
w a r r i o r - m o n k s o l i c i t i n g d o n a t i o n s for h i s t e m p l e , t h e d r a g o n s w o o p e d
d o w n a n d killed h i m w i t h o n e b l o w . S u d d e n l y t h e t e n g u w a s a k e s t r e l
with a broken wing, and he w a s trampled underfoot by the passersby.
O n M o u n t H i e i t h e m o n k r e p a i d his d e b t b y r e a d i n g t h e s u t r a s faith-
fully o n behalf o f h i s f r i e n d t h e d r a g o n . E a c h h a d s a v e d t h e o t h e r ' s life —
s u r e l y t h e r e s u l t o f a d e e p k a r m i c b o n d b e t w e e n t h e m i n lives g o n e b y .

RAIN

In N a r a t h e r e used to be a t e m p l e called Ryuenji, or T e m p l e of the

Dragon Garden. T h e s i n g l e m o n k w h o lived t h e r e s e r v e d t h e L o t u s
S u t r a , e x p o u n d i n g a c h a p t e r a d a y a n d c h a n t i n g its t e x t . A d r a g o n ,
5 A

m o v e d b y t h e c h a n t i n g , w o u l d c o m e i n h u m a n Form e v e r y d a y t o listen,
a n d w h e n t h e m o n k f o u n d o u t w h o his v i s i t o r w a s t h e t w o b e c a m e fast
friends.
T h e n a d r o u g h t s t r u c k . W i t h o u t r a i n t h e c r o p s w i t h e r e d a n d d i e d , till
n o b l e s a n d c o m m o n e r s a l i k e faced t e r r i b l e s u f f e r i n g . T h e e m p e r o r g o t a
p e t i t i o n r e m i n d i n g h i m a b o u t t h e m o n k a n d t h e d r a g o n (for t h e i r friend-
ship h a d b e c o m e widely k n o w n ) a n d suggesting that the monk be com-
m a n d e d to have the dragon make rain.
T h e e m p e r o r c a l l e d i n t h e m o n k a n d m a d e h i m a little s p e e c h a t t h e
e n d o f w h i c h h e g a v e his o r d e r . " W h e n t h e d r a g o n c o m e s f o r y o u r d a i l y
s e r m o n , " h e s a i d , " y o u ' r e g o i n g t o d i r e c t h i m t o m a k e r a i n . I'll b a n i s h
y o u from J a p a n forever if y o u d o n ' t . "
T h e m o n k w a s very upset. W h e n he got h o m e he explained the situa-
tion t o t h e d r a g o n , w h o s a i d h e w o u l d g l a d l y g i v e his life for his friend i n
t h a n k s for all t h e S u t r a h a d d o n e f o r h i m o v e r t h e y e a r s . " B u t / d o n ' t
g o v e r n the rain," he w e n t on. " K i n g B o n d e n decides these things. If I
o p e n t h e g a t e o f t h e r a i n s m y h e a d will f l y . I'll d o it, t h o u g h . R a i n will
fall t h r e e d a y s f r o m n o w , a n d I'll b e killed. P l e a s e , p i c k u p m y b o d y ,
b u r y it, a n d b u i l d a t e m p l e o v e r it. Y o u ' l l find it in t h e p o n d w h i c h is up
i n t h e hills i n t h e w e s t e r n p a r t o f H e g u r i c o u n t y . A n d t h e r e a r e t h r e e
o t h e r p l a c e s I'll visit o n m y w a y t h e r e . B u i l d a t e m p l e i n e a c h o n e . "
D e s p i t e his s o r r o w , t h e m o n k c o u l d n o t i g n o r e t h e i m p e r i a l o r d e r . H e
a g r e e d t o t h e d r a g o n ' s last r e q u e s t , a n d t h e t w o p a r t e d i n t e a r s .
O n l e a r n i n g w h a t the d r a g o n had said, His Majesty looked forward
w i t h relief t o r a i n . S u r e e n o u g h , o n t h e p r o m i s e d d a y t h e s k y c l o u d e d
o v e r , t h e r e w a s t h u n d e r a n d l i g h t n i n g , a n d h e a v y rain fell f o r t h r e e d a y s
a n d nights. N o w that there w a s plenty of w a t e r again the crops ripened
a n d all w a s w e l l . T h e e m p e r o r a n d his p e o p l e w e r e v e r y h a p p y .
T h e m o n k f o u n d t h e p o n d i n t h e hills w h e r e h e h a d b e e n told t o l o o k .
T h e f r a g m e n t s o f t h e d r a g o n ' s d i s m e m b e r e d b o d y f l o a t e d i n its r e d d e n e d
w a t e r s . W e e p i n g , t h e m o n k b u r i e d t h e m a n d built o v e r t h e m a t e m p l e
called Ryukaiji, or T e m p l e of the D r a g o n Lake; and he e x p o u n d e d the
L o t u s S u t r a t h e r e d a i l y f o r h i s f r i e n d . W i t h t h e e m p e r o r ' s h e l p h e built
three o t h e r t e m p l e s too, as he had p r o m i s e d to do. These w e r e Ryushinji,
T e m p l e of the D r a g o n M i n d ; Ryutenji, Temple of the D r a g o n Heaven;
a n d Ryuoji, Temple of the D r a g o n K i n g . A n d all his life t h e m o n k
c h a n t e d t h e S u t r a f o r t h e d r a g o n ' s final e n l i g h t e n m e n t .
3 7 •

NO DRAGON

Ein, a m o n k in N a r a , h a d a big, red nose. At first people called him " E i n

the R e d - N o s e d Cleric," but s h o r t e n e d it later to "Ein R e d - N o s e " a n d
finally to just " T h e N o s e . "
L e g e n d h a s i t t h a t a d r a g o n lives i n S a r u s a w a P o n d , b y K o f u k u j i ' s
G r e a t S o u t h G a t e r i g h t o n t h e e d g e o f N a r a . I n his y o u t h T h e N o s e
posted a notice beside the p o n d , a n n o u n c i n g that on s u c h - a n d - s u c h a
d a t e t h e d r a g o n w o u l d rise from t h e p o n d i n b r o a d d a y l i g h t . T h e p a s -
sersby w h o read it w e r e intrigued, a n d the w o r d began to get a r o u n d .
T h e r e s u l t i n g r u m o r g r e a t l y t i c k l e d T h e N o s e , w h o a f t e r all h a d s t a r t e d
i t himself, a n d h e w a s a m u s e d a t p e o p l e ' s f o o l i s h n e s s . R e s o l v i n g t o s e e
the joke through, he w e n t on pretending he k n e w nothing about the
notice.
As the day d r e w near, the r u mo r about the dragon attracted crowds
not only from n e a r b y but even from the neighboring provinces. T h e N o s e
w a s i m p r e s s e d . " W h a t are t h e y all h e r e f o r ? " h e w o n d e r e d . " H o w v e r y
s t r a n g e ! P e r h a p s s o m e t h i n g r e a l l y will h a p p e n ! " B u t h e w e n t o n l o o k i n g
as innocent as ever.
On the day, the streets w e r e so j a m m e d that even T h e N o s e began to
t a k e t h e s t o r y s e r i o u s l y . S i n c e a p p a r e n t l y t h e d r a g o n uw.i g o i n g t o rise,
he w a n t e d to go a n d w a t c h . Of c o u r s e it w a s impossible to get a n y w h e r e
near the pond, so instead he climbed up on the foundations of the Great
S o u t h G a t e , w h i c h s t a n d s on a high e m b a n k m e n t . G a z i n g out over the
p o n d a n d t h e w h o l e e n o r m o u s t h r o n g , h e w a i t e d e a g e r l y for t h e d r a g o n
to appear.
T h e v e r y i d e a ! B y s u n s e t t h e r e w a s still n o d r a g o n . W h e n n i g h t fell,
T h e N o s e h a d t o g i v e u p . H e w a s c r o s s i n g a little b r i d g e o n t h e w a y
h o m e w h e n he nearly b u m p e d into a blind man. " G o o d n e s s , " he ex-
c l a i m e d , " y o u s h o u l d n ' t b e o u t i n t h e d a r k like t h i s ! W h y , y o u c a n ' t s e e
the h a n d in front of y o u r f a c e ! "
" T h e n o s e , " t h e b l i n d m a n c o r r e c t e d h i m , " Y o u m e a n y o u c a n ' t see t h e
node."
It had not been T h e Nose's day.
5 6

P U R E

H E A R T S

3 8 .

THINGS AS THEY ARE

T h e Venerable Shoku of M o u n t Shosha had founded a great temple and

i n s p i r e d c o u n t l e s s p e o p l e t o faith. H e w a s i n fact a s a i n t , a n d b y c h a n t i n g
t h e L o t u s S u t r a h a d g a i n e d a w o n d e r f u l freedom from t h e t y r a n n y of the
senses. But the thought of the Bodhisattva Fugen, w h o plays in the Sutra
s o g r a n d a r o l e , still f i l l e d h i s m i n d , a n d h e k n e w h e w o u l d h a v e n o p e a c e
until his o w n eyes h a d seen F u g e n in the flesh.
A f t e r s e v e n d a y s s p e n t p r a y i n g for t h i s b o o n , h e f i n a l l y s a w , a t d a w n
on t h e last day, a divine b o y w h o told him, " L o o k at t h e chief harlot of
M u r o . She is the true Fugen."
T h i s n e w s a s t o n i s h e d S h o k u , b u t h e h u r r i e d t o t h e little p o r t w h i c h , a s
h e w e l l k n e w , w a s f a m o u s for its w h o r e s . I t w o u l d b e o d d , t h o u g h , for a
m o n k i n h i s b l a c k r o b e t o e n t e r a b r o t h e l , s o h e c h a n g e d i n t o a plain
w h i t e g a r m e n t . In M u r o he found the house, a n d the harlot came out to
greet him. T h e n she p o u r e d him w i n e a n d d a n c e d to a singing-girl's song:

Down in Suo

among the marshes

of Mitarashi

the swift winds blow

she sang, a n d h e r girls took up the refrain,

and waves are (lancing,

look!

the pretty waves!

" S o t h i s i s t h e l i v i n g F u g e n ! " t h o u g h t S h o k u . C l o s i n g his e y e s t o

c o n t e m p l a t e quietly t h e p r e s e n c e of his b e l o v e d bodhisattva, he n o w s a w
F u g e n perfectly real before him, exquisitely a d o r n e d , radiating wisdom
a n d k i n d n e s s , a n d m o u n t e d o n his c u s t o m a r y w h i t e e l e p h a n t . F u g e n w a s
singing:

On the great jea of truth unsullied,

how brightly the moon of pure insight shines!

W h e n h e o p e n e d his eyes again, t h e r e w a s the harlot singing a b o u t

w a v e s d a n c i n g in the w i n d ; w h e n he closed them, there w a s F u g e n .
D e e p l y a w e d , h e finally t o o k h i s l e a v e .
He had not gone more than a h u n d r e d y a r d s w h e n the harlot died.

3 9 .

THE PORTRAIT

Retired E m p e r o r Kazan thought so much of the Venerable Shoku that

he once took a painter with him to M o u n t Shosha. The painter w a s
s u p p o s e d to hide w h e r e he could get a good look at the holy m a n , then
p a i n t his p o r t r a i t while h e a n d K a z a n talked. A s t h e p a i n t e r w o r k e d , t h e
mountain rumbled and shook — in response, as the astonished Kazan
i m m e d i a t e l y realized. K a z a n confessed his plan t o S h o k u a n d r e v e r e d
him even m o r e after that.
N o w , t h e p a i n t e r h a d n e g l e c t e d to p u t in a few moles on Shokii's face.
O n e t r e m o r , w h i c h almost m a d e him d r o p his b r u s h , s h o o k several d r o p s
o f i n k off o n t o t h e p o r t r a i t . T o e v e r y o n e ' s a m a z e m e n t t h e y c o r r e s p o n d e d
precisely to the moles.
T h e p o r t r a i t i s still i n M o u n t S h o s h a ' s t r e a s u r e h a l l .

A o •

WHAT THE BEANS WERE SAYING

Shoku, the holy m a n of M o u n t Shosha, had achieved the highest sanctity

b y c o n t i n u a l l y c h a n t i n g t h e L o t u s S u t r a , a n d h e t o o k i n t h r o u g h all h i s
senses t h i n g s t h a t o r d i n a r y p e o p l e n e v e r perceive. O n c e in his travels he
5 8

h e a r d a pot of b e a n s b u b b l i n g over a fire of bean husks. "Brutes, b r u t e s , "

t h e b e a n s i n t h e p o t w e r e s a y i n g , " y o u ' r e b r u t e s t o boil u s , for w e ' r e
beans t o o ! " But the husks w e r e crackling back, " W e hate to do it but we
must! It hurts us so! O h , don't blame u s ! "

4»•
MERCY

O n c e a q u i t e o r d i n a r y m o n k , t i r e d o f life i n t h e C a p i t a l , v o w e d t o m a k e
a h u n d r e d p i l g r i m a g e s ( o n e e a c h d a y ) from K y o t o t o t h e H i e S h r i n e a n d
b a c k . O n his w a y h o m e o n the eightieth day, h e passed a y o u n g w o m a n
s o b b i n g a s t h o u g h h e r heart w o u l d b r e a k . H e r violent s o r r o w m o v e d him
to ask her w h a t w a s the matter.
" N o , n o , I c a n s e e y o u ' r e a p i l g r i m ! " s h e c r i e d . " I c a n ' t tell y o u , I
really c a n ' t ! "
H e i n s i s t e d s o k i n d l y t h a t s h e s p o k e a t last. " M y m o t h e r w a s sick for
so l o n g , " she said, " a n d this m o r n i n g she finally died. That's bad enough,
b u t t h e w o r s t i s t h a t I've n o i d e a w h a t I'm g o i n g t o d o w i t h h e r b o d y . I'm
a w i d o w , y o u s e e , a n d I've n o o n e t o a s k for h e l p . B e i n g a w o m a n , I'm
not s t r o n g e n o u g h t o m a n a g e i t alone. M y n e i g h b o r s talk a b o u t h o w
s o r r y t h e y a r e , b u t t h e y ' r e s o b u s y n o w w i t h festivals for t h e g o d s t h a t
I'm s u r e they w o n ' t really do a n y t h i n g . I just don't k n o w w h e r e to t u r n ! "
S h e b u r s t i n t o fresh w e e p i n g .
T h e m o n k u n d e r s t o o d , a n d felt s o m u c h for h e r t h a t h e t o o h a d t e a r s
in his eyes. He k n e w the g o d s e n t e r this d i n g y w o r l d of o u r s only b e c a u s e
t h e y t a k e p i t y o n u s , a n d h e d i d n o t see h o w h e c o u l d s i m p l y i g n o r e h e r
plight. " I ' v e n e v e r d o n e m u c h in the w a y of g o o d d e e d s , " he reflected.
" L o o k u p o n m e , O b u d d h a s ! O y o u g o d s , forgive m e n o w ! " A n d t o t h e
girl h e c o n t i n u e d a l o u d , " D o n ' t b e s o s a d . I'll h e l p y o u a s b e s t I c a n . W e
should go inside, people may w o n d e r about u s . " T h r o u g h her tears the
y o u n g w o m a n smiled assent.
T h a t night, in the dark, they took the body w h e r e it had to go. But
w h e n t h e deed w a s done, the m o n k could not get to sleep. He kept
thinking about the eighty days of pilgrimage he had thrown away, and
a b o u t w h a t a pity it w a s to have to stop now. Well, he had never meant
t o g a i n a n y t h i n g s p e c i a l b y h i s h u n d r e d d a y s a n y w a y , s o h e m i g h t a s well
g o b a c k t o t h e s h r i n e a n d s e e h o w t h e g o d felt a b o u t it. T h e p o l l u t i o n o f
b i r t h o r d e a t h w a s s u p e r f i c i a l e n o u g h , a f t e r all, a n d n o t m u c h c o n n e c t e d
w i t h o n e ' s r e a l s t a t e o f m i n d . S o t h e n e x t m o r n i n g h e w a s h e d a n d set o u t
for t h e s h r i n e . All t h e w a y t h e r e h i s h e a r t b e a t fast b e c a u s e a c t u a l l y h e
w a s afraid.
A large c r o w d before the shrine w a s listening to a m e d i u m deliver
o r a c l e s from t h e g o d . N o t d a r i n g t o g o n e a r , t h e p o l l u t e d m o n k h i d
i n s t e a d s o m e d i s t a n c e a w a y t o pray o n h i s o w n . H e w a s g l a d a t least t o
have come and not missed a day.
T h e m e d i u m spotted him leaving. " Y o u m o n k there, come h e r e ! " she
called.
I t w a s a n a w f u l s h o c k , b u t t h e r e w a s n o e s c a p e for h i m n o w . S h i v e r i n g
with dread he obeyed, u n d e r the suspicious gaze of the whole crowd.
T h e m e d i u m b r o u g h t h i m v e r y c l o s e . " I s a w w h a t y o u d i d last n i g h t ! "
she w h i s p e r e d .
T h e h a i r s t o o d o n e n d all o v e r h i s b o d y a n d h e t h o u g h t h e w a s g o i n g
t o faint.
" D o n ' t be afraid," she w e n t on. "I t h o u g h t it w a s wonderful! I'm not
really o n l y a g o d , y o u k n o w . It's c o m p a s s i o n t h a t b r o u g h t m e h e r e . I w a n t
p e o p l e t o b e l i e v e t h e T e a c h i n g . T a b o o s a r e j u s t a w a y o f g o i n g a b o u t it,
a s a n y o n e e n l i g h t e n e d k n o w s . D o n ' t tell a n y o n e else, t h o u g h . P e o p l e a r e
s o foolish. T h e y w o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d t h a t y o u r e a l l y a c t e d from d e e p m e r c y ,
they'll t h i n k t h e y t o o c a n b r e a k t h e t a b o o w h e n e v e r t h e y w a n t , w h i c h
m e a n s t h a t t h e y ' l l j u s t g e t all m i x e d u p a n d r u i n t h e t i n y bit o f faith t h e y
h a v e . I t ' s n o t t h e r u l e s t h a t r e a l l y c o u n t , it's t h e p e r s o n . "
T h e m o n k w a s m o v e d t o t e a r s , a n d a f t e r t h a t w a s often i n s p i r e d t o a c t s
of special k i n d n e s s .

4*•
AMONG THE FLOWERS

Saigyo, a m o n k a n d a wonderful poet, w a s roaming the East w h e n one

night in brilliant moonlight he crossed M u s a s h i n o Plain. T h e carpet of
f l o w e r s h e trod w a s s p a r k l i n g w i t h d e w , a n d insect m u r m u r s mingled
with the sighing of the wind. F a r out on the moor he heard a chanting
voice.
 6 0

H e a d i n g that w a y , he c a m e to a hut hedged with pink, nodding bagi

a n d y e l l o w valerian, a n d charmingly thatched with p a m p a s grass, plume
g r a s s , a n d r e e d s . I n s i d e a h o a r s e - v o i c e d old m a n w a s c h a n t i n g t h e L o t u s
Sutra.
Saigyo asked him w h o he w a s .
" I u s e d t o s e r v e E m p e r o r S h i r a k a w a ' s y o u n g e s t d a u g h t e r , " t h e old
m a n r e p l i e d . " S h e w a s o n l y t w e n t y w h e n s h e d i e d , a n d after t h a t I felt I
w a n t e d n o m o r e o f t h e w o r l d . I t o o k u p a life o f r e l i g i o n . L o n g i n g t o live
w h e r e n o o n e w o u l d f i n d m e , I w a n d e r e d off w i t h o u t a n y goal till I c a m e
here, a n d the flowers w e r e so beautiful that I stayed. That was many
y e a r s a g o . T h e f l o w e r s o f fall, m y f a v o r i t e s , l i n g e r i n m y m i n d w h e n all
t h e f l o w e r s a r e g o n e . Y e s , I l o v e t h e f l o w e r s s o m u c h t h a t I'd s a y I h a v e
no cares!
Tears s p r a n g to Saigyo's eyes. "But h o w do y o u live?" he asked.
" O h , I d o n ' t w a s t e my time g o i n g r o u n d the villages begging. People
b r i n g m e f o o d i f t h e y w a n t t o . S o m e t i m e s I g o w i t h o u t for d a y s a t a t i m e .
I w o u l d n ' t w a n t to m a k e a fire h e r e a m o n g the flowers, so y o u couldn't
call w h a t I e a t p r o p e r m e a l s a t a l l . "
W a s ever a man's heart more wonderfully pure?

M U S I C A N D D A N C E

4 3 .

FOR LOVE OF SONG

O n a festival d a y a t T e n n o j i a r o u n d 1202, w h e n t h e t e m p l e ' s f a m o u s

r e l i c s o f t h e B u d d h a w e r e t o b e b r o u g h t o u t a s u s u a l for t h e p i l g r i m s , t h e
d i v i n e p o w e r s r e f u s e d t o let t h e d o o r s o f t h e r e l i q u a r y o p e n . A p p a r e n t l y
s o m e o n e in the crowd w a s unclean. T h e priests had the people step back
a little, b u t still t h e d o o r s c o u l d n o t b e b u d g e d .
 " I s a n y o n e h e r e a g o o d s i n g e r o r d a n c e r ? " c r i e d a n old p r i e s t . " I f s o ,
n o w ' s t h e t i m e t o s h o w off y o u r a r t ! "
M i d d l e C a p t a i n M o r i m i c h i c a m e f o r w a r d a n d s a n g a kagura s o n g , t h e
k i n d s o often o f f e r e d t o t h e g o d s . T h e r e l i q u a r y d o o r s o p e n e d i m m e d i -
a t e l y . I t w a s s o like t h e t i m e w h e n t h e S u n G o d d e s s p u s h e d o p e n t h e
d o o r o f h e r H e a v e n l y R o c k C a v e , a n d light a g a i n b u r s t u p o n t h e w o r l d !

4 4 •
THREE ANGELS

T h e versatile M a k o t o , a son of E m p e r o r Saga a n d the Minister of the

Left, w a s a n e s p e c i a l l y fine m u s i c i a n . O n t h e l o n g , mellow-sounding
z i t h e r c a l l e d t h e koto, n o o n e c o u l d c o m p a r e w i t h h i m . O n e e v e n i n g h e
b e c a m e s o a b s o r b e d i n h i s p l a y i n g t h a t h e w e n t o n all n i g h t , n e v e r e v e n
closing the latticework shutters that s w u n g up horizontally to open onto
t h e g a r d e n . F i n a l l y , n e a r d a w n , h e b e g a n a r a r e a n d difficult p i e c e . H i s
own heart swelled with the w o n d e r and beauty of the music. Noticing a
light o v e r o n e o f t h e s h u t t e r s h e s t o l e o u t , mystified, for a l o o k . T h r e e
a n g e l s , e a c h a foot tall, w e r e d a n c i n g o n t h e s h u t t e r a n d t h e light w a s
their shining presence. T h e y had come down to hear him! He was filled
with a tender awe.
W h a t a lovely t h i n g to h a v e h a p p e n !

4 5 .

GIVE ME MUSIC!

T h e m o n k R i n ' e lived i n N a r a i n E m p e r o r Ichijo's t i m e . T h e g o d w h o

p r o t e c t e d his temple, Kofukuji, w a s at t h e K a s u g a S h r i n e n e a r b y .
O n e d a y , a f t e r p r e s i d i n g o v e r a n e s p e c i a l l y s o l e m n rite, R i n ' e c a m e t o
t h e s h r i n e a n d m e d i t a t e d a w h i l e . H e r e v i e w e d i n his m i n d a s h e d i d s o
t h e full r a n g e o f his s a c r e d l e a r n i n g a n d offered i t all t o t h e g o d w h o , h e
was sure, could only be pleased.
6 2

S u d d e n l y t h e s h r i n e a t t e n d a n t s b e g a n m a k i n g m u s i c for t h e g o d w i t h
d r u m s a n d b e l l s . R i n ' e f r o w n e d . " T h i s i s all v e r y w e l l , " h e t h o u g h t , " b u t
I c a n ' t h a v e t h e m m a k i n g s u c h a r a c k e t w h i l e I'm o f f e r i n g t h e g o d t h e
B u d d h a ' s o w n w i s d o m . I f I e v e r g e t t o b e a b b o t , I'll s e e t h a t t h i s s o r t o f
thing doesn't happen again."
W h e n Rin'e did b e c o m e a b b o t he silenced the music, a n d the shrine
b e c a m e s o c o l d a n d lifeless t h a t p e o p l e w e r e afraid t o c o m e n e a r it. N o
one complained because Rin'e w a s so powerful.
H a v i n g r e a c h e d t h e p i n n a c l e of g l o r y in thii life, R i n ' e finally b e g a n a
s e v e n - d a y r e t r e a t a t t h e s h r i n e t o p r a y , w i t h m a n y a h e a r t f e l t t e a r , for t h e
g o d ' s p r o t e c t i o n o n t h e p a t h t o e n l i g h t e n m e n t i n t h e life t o c o m e . W h e n
t h e g o d g a v e no a n s w e r i n g sign, he stayed on a n o t h e r seven days.
A t d a w n o n t h e last d a y h e d o z e d off a m o m e n t a n d s a w a g e n t l e m a n
in formal court dress e m e r g e from the sanctuary. Tears of gratitude
s p r a n g to Rin'e s eyes because this w a s surely the god coming to grant
h i m h i s p r a y e r . B u t w h e n t h e g e n t l e m a n h a d c o m e far e n o u g h d o w n t h e
s a n c t u a r y s t e p s for R i n ' e t o s e e h i s face, h i s e x p r e s s i o n t u r n e d o u t t o b e
a n a n g r y s c o w l . A f r a i d n o w , R i n ' e h u r r i e d l y r e m i n d e d t h e g o d o f his
b l a m e l e s s life a n d h i s c o u n t l e s s m e r i t s , a n d h e p r o t e s t e d b e w i l d e r m e n t a t
this display of divine w r a t h .
For some time the god just glared at him. T h e n he said:

The drums' lively beat resounds in the palace of truth.

In wisdom \i mirror may be seen the lightly shaken bells.

And he vanished.
T h e h o r r i f i e d R i n ' e r u e d h i s folly. B e f o r e l e a v i n g , h e c a r e f u l l y o r d e r e d
t h a t t h e d r u m s a n d b e l l s s h o u l d n e v e r a g a i n b e s i l e n c e d for a n y r e a s o n
whatsoever.

A6•
THE WEIGHT OF TRADITION

H a r u t o , a d a n c e r f r o m N a r a , b e l o n g e d t o a family t h a t h a d s p e c i a l i z e d
generation after generation in performing the n o b l e d a n c e Genjoraku.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , h e fell ill a n d d i e d b e f o r e h e c o u l d t e a c h t h e d a n c e t o his
successor.
 S i n c e i t w a s l a t e s u m m e r a n d still h o t , his coffin w a s h u n g i n a t r e e i n
H a h a s o W o o d . T w o or t h r e e d a y s later, a w o o d c u t t e r passing that w a y
h e a r d g r o a n s from t h e tree a n d r e p o r t e d this d i s t u r b i n g incident to t h e
priests of the nearby temple.
F i n d i n g t h a t h e h a d c o m e b a c k t o life, H a r u t o ' s family t o o k h i m h o m e
a n d looked after h i m . T h i s is w h a t he told t h e m w h e n he r e g a i n e d his
senses.
" I w e n t t o K i n g E m m a ' s p a l a c e i n hell, a n d w h i l e I w a s b e i n g j u d g e d
o n e o f t h e k i n g ' s officials o b s e r v e d , ' T h e d a n c e r H a r u t o , from J a p a n , h a s
b e e n c a l l e d h e r e b e f o r e h e c o u l d p a s s o n Genjdraku. T h a t m e a n s t h a t t h e
d a n c e will n o w d i e o u t i n h i s c o u n t r y . W e s h o u l d s e n d h i m b a c k a n d call
him in again w h e n he's b e e n able to teach it to his s u c c e s s o r . ' T h e o t h e r
officials a g r e e d , a n d I r e a l i z e d I w a s t o b e s e n t h o m e . T h e n I c a m e t o . "
O n c e H a r u t o h a d t a u g h t t h e d a n c e t o his successor, S u e t a k a , h e died
again.
T h e f o u n d e r o f H a r u t o ' s line o r i g i n a l l y g o t t h e m a s k for Genjdraku
d i r e c t l y f r o m h e a v e n . T h e m a s k ' s n a m e i s I b u r i , a n d t h e y s a y it's n o w
o n e o f t h e t r e a s u r e s o f N a r a . I b u r i t o o , like t h e d a n c e itself, i s p a s s e d o n
from g e n e r a t i o n t o g e n e r a t i o n . H o w w o n d e r f u l that H a r u t o ' s tradition
s h o u l d a l s o b e p r i z e d a t K i n g E m m a ' s r o y a l p a l a c e i n hell!

4 7 •

THE GOD OF GOOD FORTUNE

The biwa u the East Asian coiuiin of the lute.

Lord T a d a z a n e w a n t e d so desperately to be appointed regent that he sent

for a m o n k , a w o n d e r - w o r k e r , t o d o t h e D a k i n i r i t e , h o p i n g its m a g i c
would get him the prize. He told the m o n k he needed results by a certain
date.
" D o n ' t w o r r y , Y o u r E x c e l l e n c y , " replied the m o n k , "the rite has n e v e r
failed m e y e t . I'll h a v e r e s u l t s for y o u w i t h i n s e v e n d a y s , a n d i f I d o n ' t
I'll g o o n a n o t h e r s e v e n . I f i t h a s n ' t w o r k e d b y t h e n , Y o u r E x c e l l e n c y ,
y o u can send me straight into exile."
L o r d T a d a z a n e p r o v i d e d all t h e o f f e r i n g s a n d o t h e r n e c e s s i t i e s , a n d
t h e m o n k b e g a n . A f t e r s e v e n d a y s n o t h i n g h a d h a p p e n e d , a n d h e let t h e
monk know he was worried.
6 4

" S e n d s o m e o n e t o o b s e r v e t h e rite, Y o u r E x c e l l e n c y ! " the m o n k an-

s w e r e d . " I t h i n k y o u r m a n will find t h e r e ' s g o o d r e a s o n t o b e o p t i m i s t i c . "
L o r d T a d a z a n e ' s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a w a fox, c o m p l e t e l y u n a f r a i d o f t h e
p e o p l e p r e s e n t , c o m e a n d e a t all t h e o f f e r i n g s . S i n c e t h e D a k i n i rite
i n v o l v e d fox m a g i c , t h i s w a s i n d e e d a h o p e f u l s i g n .
T h e m o n k started another seven-day period, as he had promised to do.
O n t h e c l o s i n g d a y T a d a z a n e d o z e d off for a m o m e n t a n d s a w a w o m a n
w a l k b y h i m w i t h t h r e e feet o f h e r m a g n i f i c e n t l y l o n g h a i r t r a i l i n g b e h i n d
h e r a l o n g t h e floor. S h e w a s so beautiful that w i t h o u t thinking he reached
out a n d g r a b b e d her hair.
" D o n ' t d o t h a t ! " she cried, t u r n i n g back t o look a t him. " W h a t d o y o u
w a n t w i t h m e ? " H e r face a n d v o i c e m i g h t j u s t a s well h a v e b e e n a n
angel's, a n d t h e enthralled T a d a z a n e only held on h a r d e r . W i t h a s h a r p
toss of h e r h e a d s h e freed herself a n d p a s s e d on. T a d a z a n e w a s horrified
t o find t h a t h e still h a d h e r h a i r . T h e n h e w o k e u p . H i s h a n d w a s g r i p p i n g
a fox's tail.
Astonished, h e called the m o n k a n d described w h a t had h a p p e n e d .
"I told y o u , Y o u r Excellency, I told y o u ! " the m o n k burbled. " O h , I
n e v e r d o u b t e d t h e r i t e w o u l d w o r k , b u t I m u s t s a y , i n all m y y e a r s o f
e x p e r i e n c e it's n e v e r w o r k e d q u i t e like t h i s ! Y o u ' l l h a v e w h a t y o u w a n t
at midday tomorrow. P e r h a p s y o u w o n ' t h a v e t o exile m e after a l l ! "
T a d a z a n e lost n o t i m e i n m a k i n g h i m t h e h a n d s o m e p r e s e n t o f a w o m a n ' s
robe.
The next day at noon Lord Tadazane's appointment was announced.
H e m a d e i t h i s f i r s t official a c t a s r e g e n t t o n a m e t h e m o n k t o a d i s t i n -
g u i s h e d e c c l e s i a s t i c a l p o s t . A s for t h e fox's tail, h e c a r e f u l l y p u t i t a w a y .
T h e n h e s e t a b o u t l e a r n i n g t h e D a k i n i rite h i m s e l f a n d p e r f o r m e d i t
w h e n e v e r h e h a d a s p e c i a l w i s h . T h e y s a y i t w o r k e d b e a u t i f u l l y for h i m .
E v e n t u a l l y T a d a z a n e e n s h r i n e d t h e tail i n a hall o n M o u n t H i e i , o n e
a l r e a d y d e d i c a t e d to a healing spirit. B u t for o n e r e a s o n o r a n o t h e r
( p e r h a p s b e c a u s e t h i s s h a r i n g o f t h e hall w a s n o t a g o o d i d e a ) a special
s h r i n e w a s e v e n t u a l l y b u i l t for t h e tail d o w n i n t h e city. T h e g o d w a s
given the n a m e F u k u t e n j i n , or Celestial G o d of G o o d F o r t u n e . T h e
s h r i n e i s still t h e r e .
T h e m o s t c u r i o u s of F u k u t e n j i n s m a n y w o n d e r s o c c u r r e d in 1229. It
i n v o l v e d a m a n k n o w n a s S a e m o n n o J o , t h e s o n o f a f o r m e r official i n
Echizen province.
O n e e v e n i n g a t t w i l i g h t S a e m o n n o J o h a d j u s t left his m a s t e r ' s r e s i -
dence w h e n at a n e a r b y crossroads he stopped and exclaimed, " O h , what
b e a u t i f u l koto m u s i c ! " T h e n h e j u s t s t o o d t h e r e l i s t e n i n g . T h e m a n w i t h
him said he h e a r d n o t h i n g . " W h a t a p i t y ! " said S a e m o n no J o , rooted to
the spot in fascination.
 A s soon a s S a e m o n n o J o got h o m e , s o m e t h i n g w e n t v e r y w r o n g i n his
c h e s t , a n d h e b e c a m e t e r r i b l y ill. H e a l s o w e n t c o m p l e t e l y m a d a n d t r i e d
t o r u s h off w e s t w a r d . I t t o o k s i x s t r o n g m e n t o s t o p h i m . T h e n h e l e a p t
h i g h i n t h e a i r , c a m e d o w n h e a d first, a n d hit t h e floor s o h a r d w i t h h i s
shoulders that it looked as t h o u g h he w o u l d dash himself to pieces.
A gentleman n a m e d T a k a t o k i w a s then renting part of a mansion just
east o f the sick m a n ' s h o u s e . W h e n S a e m o n n o J o n o w pointed i n that
d i r e c t i o n a n d a g a i n s t r a i n e d t o r u s h off, his f a t h e r d e m a n d e d t o k n o w
where he wanted to go. "Is it Takatoki you want to see?" he asked. The
sick m a n n o d d e d y e s . " T h e n w h y n o t j u s t let m e call h i m o v e r ? " T h e s i c k
man looked pleased and again n o d d e d yes.
T h e father w e n t over to Takatoki's place, explained the strange situa-
tion to him, a n d b r o u g h t him b a c k . As soon as the sick m a n s a w T a k a -
t o k i , h e left off r a v i n g . V e r y q u i e t n o w , h e p i c k e d u p a f o r m a l h a t , p u t i t
on (he wanted to be properly dressed), and bowed deeply to Takatoki.
Next, he glared meaningfully at the half-dozen men w h o w e r e stationed
a r o u n d him. T h e y took the hint a n d w i t h d r e w . T h e father m a d e himself
a s i n c o n s p i c u o u s a s h e c o u l d i n a c o r n e r , b u t w h e n t h e sick m a n g l a r e d
a t h i m i n t h e s a m e w a y , h e left t o o . T h e sick m a n a n d T a k a t o k i w e r e
alone together.
T h e sick m a n looked perfectly h a p p y a n d w e n t o n b o w i n g t o T a k a t o k i .
" W e l l ? " s a i d T a k a t o k i . " W h a t i s t h i s all a b o u t ? "
T h e sick m a n b o w e d e v e n m o r e d e e p l y t h a n b e f o r e . " Y o u ' r e a n e i g h -
bor, y o u see, a n d I s o m u c h w a n t e d y o u r c o m p a n y ! "
" S o h e r e I a m . Tell m e f r a n k l y w h a t I c a n d o for y o u . "
" I intuit h e a r y o u s i n g , a n d p l a y t h e koto a n d biwa."
" W h y , o f c o u r s e , I'll b e h a p p y t o m a k e m u s i c for y o u a s l o n g a s it'll
cheer you u p ! "
T a k a t o k i h a d a biwa b r o u g h t o v e r a n d b e g a n t o p l a y . T h e sick m a n
n o d d e d o n a n d o n a s h e l i s t e n e d , a n d r o c k e d from s i d e t o s i d e . H e l o o k e d
a s blissful a s w h e n h e h a d s t o o d l i s t e n i n g t o t h e m u s i c a t t h e c r o s s r o a d s .
T a k a t o k i w e n t o n t o s i n g all s o r t s o f s o n g s a s t h e sick m a n r e q u e s t e d
t h e m , a n d t h e sick m a n w a s i n e c s t a s y .
" W e l l , n o w I've p l a y e d o r s u n g for y o u p r a c t i c a l l y e v e r y t h i n g I k n o w , "
T a k a t o k i finally d e c l a r e d . " D o n ' t h e s i t a t e t o tell m e w h e n y o u ' d like t o
h e a r m e a g a i n , b e c a u s e I'll h a p p i l y o b l i g e . T h e r e ' s n o n e e d t o c a r r y o n
the w a y y o u did. N e x t time, just ask quietly!"
T h e sick m a n s t a r t e d b o w i n g a g a i n . " O h , I w o u l d n ' t p r e s u m e t o a s k
y o u o v e r a g a i n till I'm b e t t e r ! " h e p r o t e s t e d .
" F i n e . T h e n I'll b e g o i n g . B u t first I'd like t o see y o u e a t s o m e t h i n g . "
W h e n t h e sick m a n a g r e e d , T a k a t o k i h a d h i m b r o u g h t s o m e r i c e a n d
d r i e d a b a l o n e . T h e s i c k m a n g o b b l e d u p t h e rice w i t h a g r e a t c l i c k i n g o f
6 6

teeth, then scraped the abalone into a pile which he swallowed easily in
a couple of mouthfuls. His manners were not exactly normal. Next,
Takatoki offered him wine. Normally Saemon no Jo barely drank at all,
but now he downed two large cupfuls in quick succession, then disposed
willingly of a third.
"All right, I'll be going now!" Takatoki announced. "Good-bye!"
Near dawn the sick man's father came for Takatoki again. "He went
back to raving once you were gone," he explained. "Could you possibly
come?" Takatoki arrived to find the sick man in a terrifying frenzy.
"All right," he said firmly, "what's this act you're putting on? I did
everything you asked, and I played you all my music. You should have
been fine then. What do you mean by carrying on like this instead?"
"Well, you see," the sick man replied, "you didn't do everything I
wanted! There's that wonderful te style on the biwa, and I wanted to hear
that, too!"
"Fine! Why didn't you tell me in the first place?" Takatoki played a
couple of pieces like that and the sick man listened attentively, nodding
as usual.
"All right, you've played the biwa for me," he said. "How about some
koto n o w ? "
"Certainly, if that's what you want." Takatoki played a couple of
pieces while the sick man listened again in rapture.
Finally day came and sunlight streamed in through a hole in the wall.
When a dog's nose suddenly appeared in the hole, sniffing vigorously,
the sick man straightened up, paled, and showed every sign of terror.
His father and Takatoki realized that the dog must have smelled a fox,
and it dawned on them that the cause of all the trouble was Fukutenjin.
They chased the dog away.
"Well, I'm sure you feel fine now," said Takatoki, speaking quite
consciously to the god. "I think I'll be going. Thank you very much for
having had me to play for you! I promise you music at your shrine, too."
Saemon no Jo lay unconscious till late afternoon while Takatoki, very
upset over what had happened, took his two sisters to the Fukutenjin
Shrine and went on playing the koto and biwa with them, for the pleasure
of the god.
 E

4 8 •

DIVINE APPLAUSE

Three master dancers named Noritaka, Masasuke, and Tokisuke accom-

p a n i e d t h e n e w g o v e r n o r o f B i t c h u w h e n h e w e n t d o w n t o his p r o v i n c e t o
s a l u t e its g o d s . T h e y d a n c e d t h e t r a d i t i o n a l o f f e r i n g d a n c e s a t e a c h s h r i n e .
When N o r i t a k a p e r f o r m e d Rydd ( a l w a y s a f a v o r i t e ) a t t h e Kibitsu
Shrine, the sanctuary creaked and shook. The crowd was amazed. M a -
sasuke a n d T o k i s u k e w e r e equally startled, but glad, too, that the god
was so pleased. Then the god threw open the sanctuary doors, though of
c o u r s e h e still c o u l d n o t b e s e e n , a n d t h e c r o w d w a s t r a n s p o r t e d w i t h j o y
and awe.
Soon it would be Masasuke and Tokisuke's turn to dance. H o w em-
b a r r a s s e d t h e y w o u l d b e i f t h e g o d g a v e them n o s u c h s i g n ! B o t h t u r n e d
toward the sanctuary a n d prayed, in tears, that their art should be just as
enjoyable.
W h e n t h e t i m e c a m e , t h e y b e g a n Raktuon. I n a m o m e n t t h e s a n c t u a r y
was shaking so violently that it w a s quite alarming!

M A G I C

4 9 •

BRING BACK THAT FERRY!

A little c r o w d o f p e o p l e w a i t i n g for t h e f e r r y a t K o r a k i i n E c h i z e n p r o v -
ince w e r e j o i n e d b y a m o u n t a i n a s c e t i c n a m e d K e i t o b o — a fellow w h o
had done the pilgrimages to Golden Peak, to Kumano, and to every other
sacred mountain of a n y i m p o r t a n c e in the land.
W h e n t h e f e r r y a r r i v e d , t h e p e o p l e p a i d t h e i r fare a n d w e n t a b o a r d ,
b u t K e i t o b o d e m a n d e d t o b e t a k e n a c r o s s free. T h e f e r r y m a n r e f u s e d a n d
c a s t off. " H o w c a n y o u d o t h i s t o m e ? " K e i t o b o s h o u t e d , b u t t h e f e r r y -
man ignored him a n d r o w e d a w a y .
6 8

K e i t o b o c l e n c h e d his t e e t h a n d b e g a n r u b b i n g t h e b e a d s o f his r o s a r y
i n t e n t l y t o g e t h e r , m a k i n g a b u z z i n g s o u n d . H e w a s c a s t i n g spells, a s
a n y o n e c o u l d tell. T h e f e r r y m a n g l a n c e d b a c k a t h i m from a few h u n d r e d
y a r d s o f f s h o r e , s h o w i n g p l a i n l y e n o u g h b y his l o o k t h a t h e t h o u g h t Kei-
t o b o a p a t h e t i c fool.
K e i t o b o s t a r e d a f t e r h i m a n d s t a m p e d h i s feet i n t o t h e s a n d h a l f w a y
up his shins. T h e n , g l a r i n g r e d - e y e d at t h e ferry a n d almost demolishing
his r o s a r y w i t h t h e fury of his r u b b i n g , he b e g a n to shout, " B r i n g it b a c k !
Bring it b a c k ! "
T h e boat kept going. Keitobo strode to the water's edge. "Guardian
s p i r i t , " h e t h u n d e r e d , " b r i n g t h a t ferry b a c k ! I'm t h r o u g h with the B u d -
d h a f o r e v e r i f y o u d o n ' t ! " N e x t , h e t h r e a t e n e d t o t h r o w his p r i e s t l y stole
into the sea. T h e b y s t a n d e r s t u r n e d pale w h e n they saw w h a t he w a s
doing.
T h e boat began gliding back toward the shore even though there was
n o w i n d . " T h a t ' s it, t h a t ' s i t ! " K e i t o b o r o a r e d . " H u r r y , h u r r y , b r i n g i t
i n ! " T h e o n l o o k e r s t u r n e d p a l e r still.
" F i n e ! " h e b e l l o w e d w h e n t h e f e r r y w a s less t h a n a h u n d r e d y a r d s
o f f s h o r e . " N o w , roll i t o v e r , c a p s i z e i t ! "
This time the onlookers cried out in protest. " W h a t a horrible thing to
w i s h ! Y o u b r u t e ! W h y can't y o u leave t h e m a l o n e ! "
K e i t o b o o n l y r o s e t o a still h i g h e r p i t c h o f f e r o c i t y . " T u r n t h a t ferry
o v e r / M » ' ! " h e t h u n d e r e d . T h e r e w a s a h u g e s p l a s h a s t h e ferry c a p s i z e d
a n d t h e t w o d o z e n p a s s e n g e r s w e r e pitched into the sea.
K e i t o b o w i p e d t h e s w e a t f r o m his b r o w . " T h e i d i o t s ! " h e m u t t e r e d .
" W h e n will t h e y e v e r l e a r n ? " A n d h e s t a l k e d off.

5 o .

THE MAN-MADE FRIEND

S a i g y o , t h e p o e t a n d w a n d e r i n g m o n k , w a s living o n M o u n t Koya w h e n
h e r a n i n t o a n a c q u a i n t a n c e o f h i s , a fellow r e l i g i o u s w a n d e r e r w h o w a s
staying on the mountain too. T h e y met on a bridge and paused there to
c h a t a n d a d m i r e t h e b r i l l i a n c e o f t h e m o o n . S a i g y o ' s friend r e m a r k e d t h a t
h e w a s off t o t h e C a p i t a l .
S a i g y o w a s s a d t o l o s e t h i s c o m p a n i o n a n d f o u n d h i m s e l f l o n g i n g for
s o m e o n e else t o s h a r e h i s p l e a s u r e i n m o o n l i g h t a n d f l o w e r s . T h e n h e
heard a m a n w h o s e knowledge he respected describe h o w a d e m o n can
collect h u m a n b o n e s a n d m a k e t h e m i n t o a h u m a n b e i n g .
H e w e n t s t r a i g h t t o a w i l d m o o r w h e r e p e o p l e left t h e d e a d , p u t b o n e s
t o g e t h e r , a n d m a d e a m a n himself. At least, it l o o k e d like a m a n , b u t it
h a d p o o r c o l o r a n d n o h e a r t o r s p a r k o f life. Its v o i c e ( f o r i t h a d o n e )
s o u n d e d like a m u s i c a l i n s t r u m e n t . It is t h e h e a r t w h i c h is e s s e n t i a l in
man, h o w e v e r pleasing the voice may be. H a v i n g nothing more than a
v o i c e , t h e t h i n g h e h a d m a d e w a s like a d a m a g e d flute.
Still, i t w a s a s t o n i s h i n g t h a t h e h a d c o m e s o close, a n d h e h a r d l y k n e w
w h a t to do w i t h his creation. He c o n s i d e r e d b r e a k i n g it up again, but
that might be murder. Of course it had no consciousness, and in that
s e n s e w a s j u s t like a p l a n t . Y e t it d i d look h u m a n . He left it in a d e s e r t e d
spot. No d o u b t a n y o n e w h o found it w o u l d be frightened and think it
s o m e s o r t of a p p a r i t i o n .
P e r p l e x e d a s h e w a s , S a i g y o set off for t h e C a p i t a l t o o , t o s e e L o r d
T o k u d a i j i , from w h o m h e h a d l e a r n e d m a n y t h i n g s i n t h e p a s t . U n f o r t u -
n a t e l y , L o r d T o k u d a i j i w a s a w a y a t t h e p a l a c e . S a i g y o d e c i d e d t o visit
Lord M o r o n a k a instead.
H e e x p l a i n e d h o w his e x p e r i m e n t h a d t u r n e d out, a n d L o r d M o r o n a k a
asked him exactly w h a t he had done.
" I w e n t i n t o t h e w i l d s w h e r e n o o n e c o u l d see m e , " S a i g y o e x p l a i n e d ,
" a n d put h u m a n bones together to m a k e a complete skeleton. Then I
painted the bones with arsenic, and crumbled snake-strawberry and
c h i c k w e e d l e a v e s o v e r t h e m . N e x t I tied t h e b o n e s t o g e t h e r w i t h t h r e a d
a n d vines, a n d w a s h e d t h e m i n m a n y w a t e r s . O n t h e skull, w h e r e the
h a i r w o u l d b e g r o w i n g , I r u b b e d a s h e s from t h e l e a v e s o f saikai a n d r o s e
o f S h a r o n . F i n a l l y I s p r e a d a m a t o n t h e g r o u n d , laid t h e b o n e s o n it, a n d
w r a p p e d t h e m securely so the w i n d couldn't get at them. Fourteen days
later I c a m e back. I b u r n e d m u s k a n d regular incense a n d did the Secret
Rite of the Soul's Recall."
" T h a t w a s a b o u t right," said M o r o n a k a , " b u t y o u did the Rite of the
S o u l ' s R e c a l l a bit s o o n . F o r myself, i t h a p p e n s t h a t I've m a d e p e o p l e b y
t h e S h i j o m a j o r c o u n s e l o r ' s m e t h o d , b u t I'm afraid I c a n ' t tell y o u t h e
m e t h o d b e c a u s e i f I d i d , t h e p e o p l e a n d o t h e r t h i n g s I've m a d e w o u l d all
v a n i s h . Y o u d o k n o w a g o o d d e a l , t h o u g h , s o I'll h e l p y o u . F o r o n e t h i n g ,
d o n ' t b u r n i n c e n s e . I t ' s a n g e l i c b e i n g s , y o u see, n o t d e v i l i s h o n e s w h o a r e
attracted to incense. A n d since angelic beings have a deep horror of the
r o u n d of birth a n d d e a t h , y o u a r e n ' t g o i n g to get a n y life-spark into y o u r
c r e a t u r e that w a y . Y o u ' d d o better t o b u r n m u s k a n d milk. A n d then,
a n y o n e w h o d o e s t h e S e c r e t R i t e o f t h e S o u l ' s R e c a l l s h o u l d h a v e fasted
7 0

for s e v e n d a y s . I f y o u follow t h o s e d i r e c t i o n s , I g u a r a n t e e it'll w o r k .

You'll see."
But Saigyo thought better of the whole thing and decided to go no
further.

5 i .

THE LAUGHING FIT

W h e n T a k a s h i n a S h u m p e i w a s s e n t d o w n o n a n official a s s i g n m e n t t o
K y u s h u , his y o u n g e r brother, w h o had no g o v e r n m e n t post, w e n t with
h i m . S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r s o o n m e t a n e w l y a r r i v e d C h i n e s e m a s t e r o f dan
m a g i c . T h e m e t h o d i n v o l v e d m a n i p u l a t i n g t h e h e x a g r a m s o f t h e Book o f
Changed b y m e a n s o f six w o o d e n s t i c k s a b o u t t h r e e i n c h e s l o n g a n d s q u a r e
i n s e c t i o n . T h e s e w e r e c a l l e d dan.
S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r w a n t e d t o l e a r n dan m a g i c t o o . A t first t h e C h i n e s e
r e f u s e d t o t e a c h h i m , b u t r e a l i z e d w h e n h e t r i e d h i m o u t a little t h a t h e
actually had a r e m a r k a b l e talent. "There's no point in y o u r staying here,
t h o u g h , " t h e C h i n e s e w a r n e d . " J a p a n i s h o p e l e s s for w o r k i n g t h e dan.
I'll t e a c h y o u i f y o u 1 1 c o m e b a c k w i t h m e t o C h i n a . "
S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r agreed right away, promising that he would happily
d o a n y t h i n g t o m a s t e r t h e a r t . "I'll b e g l a d t o g o t o C h i n a w i t h y o u a s
long as I can serve y o u , " he assured the man. So the Chinese began
giving him lessons.
H e l e a r n e d w i t h a m a z i n g s p e e d , w h i c h p l e a s e d his t e a c h e r g r e a t l y .
" T h e r e a r e m a n y dan m a s t e r s i n m y c o u n t r y , " h e s a i d , " b u t n o n e o f t h e m
u n d e r s t a n d t h e dan t h e w a y y o u d o . Y e s , y o u mudt c o m e b a c k w i t h m e t o
China!"
" O f c o u r s e I will," his s t u d e n t a n s w e r e d . " A n y t h i n g y o u say."
" I n t h e a r t o f t h e dan, " t h e C h i n e s e c o n t i n u e d , " t h e r e a r e m e t h o d s for
h e a l i n g t h e s i c k , a s t h e r e a r e a l s o m e t h o d s for k i l l i n g i n s t a n t l y a n y o n e
y o u m a y h a v e c a u s e t o d i s l i k e . I'll g i v e y o u full k n o w l e d g e o f t h e m all.
O n l y jwear t h a t y o u ' l l c o m e b a c k t o m y c o u n t r y w i t h m e . "
S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r s w o r e , but not quite w h o l e h e a r t e d l y . This did not
escape the Chinese, w h o taught him m a n y things but withheld the tech-
n i q u e for k i l l i n g . "I'll t e a c h y o u h o w t o kill p e o p l e w h e n w e ' r e o n t h e
b o a t , " he said.
 O n e d a y T a k a s h i n a S h u m p e i h a d t o l e a v e for t h e C a p i t a l o n u r g e n t
business, a n d his b r o t h e r p r e p a r e d t o g o with him. T h e C h i n e s e p r o -
tested, but S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r refused to stay behind. " T h e idea!" he
e x c l a i m e d . " I c a n ' t j u s t let h i m g o b y himself! B u t I'll k e e p m y p r o m i s e ,
don't w o r r y ! "
"All r i g h t , " a g r e e d t h e C h i n e s e , " b u t c o m e b a c k ! I've b e e n p l a n n i n g t o
l e a v e for C h i n a a n y d a y n o w . W e ' l l g o t o g e t h e r w h e n y o u r e t u r n . "
W i t h t h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g c o n c l u d e d , S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r left for K y o t o .
H e w a s t h i n k i n g h e m i g h t r e a l l y g o t o C h i n a a f t e r all, b u t h i s r e l a t i o n s ,
as o n e might well imagine, p e r s u a d e d him to stay on in t h e Capital
instead. T h e n S h u m p e i himself got w i n d of his b r o t h e r ' s plans a n d p u t a
stop to the w h o l e idea. His b r o t h e r never w e n t back to Kyushu.
T h e C h i n e s e w a i t e d , a n d w h e n h e h e a r d n o t h i n g from h i s s t u d e n t
b e g a n t o s e n d h i m a c c u s i n g m e s s a g e s . All h e g o t b a c k w e r e e x c u s e s a b o u t
" m y aged p a r e n t s , " a n d a b o u t w a n t i n g t o see t h e m t h r o u g h t o the e n d o f
t h e i r lives b e f o r e u n d e r t a k i n g s o l o n g a j o u r n e y . T h e C h i n e s e r e a l i z e d
t h a t his s t u d e n t h a d n e v e r m e a n t to k e e p his promise, a n d he sailed to
China alone.
B u t b e f o r e h e left h e laid a t h o r o u g h c u r s e o n t h e m i s c r e a n t . S h u m p e i ' s
b r o t h e r had a l w a y s been highly intelligent but now, u n d e r the influence
o f t h e c u r s e , h e g r e w v a g u e , forgetful, a n d s t u p i d . I n t h e e n d h e c o u l d
only m a k e himself into a sort of m o n k at a mountain temple, a n d he spent
h i s life t r u d g i n g b a c k a n d f o r t h b e t w e e n t h i s t e m p l e a n d S h u m p e i ' s r e s i -
d e n c e . H e h a d b e c o m e a u s e l e s s fool.
He w a s once at Shumpei's house on the night of the monthly Koshin
vigil, w h e n e v e r y o n e h a s t o s t a y a w a k e till d a w n o n p a i n o f s u f f e r i n g
some calamity. The y o u n g w o m e n of the household had gathered to while
a w a y the night together, a n d in the small hours, w h e n they w e r e begin-
n i n g t o feel a w f u l l y s l e e p y , t h e y n o t i c e d t h e i r m a s t e r ' s b r o t h e r o v e r i n a
c o r n e r , l o o k i n g a s w i t l e s s a s e v e r . " H o w a b o u t hini\" c r i e d a p a r t i c u l a r l y
high-spirited lady. " M a y b e he k n o w s a good story or t w o ! Come, sir,"
s h e c a l l e d t o h i m , "tell u s a s t o r y a n d m a k e u s l a u g h ! L a u g h i n g will k e e p
us awake!"
" I c a n ' t t a l k v e r y w e l l , " t h e p o o r fool a n s w e r e d , " a n d I d o n ' t k n o w a n y
funny stories. But if y o u just w a n t to laugh, yes, I can make y o u laugh, I
certainly c a n ! "
" Y o u w o n ' t tell u s a s t o r y b u t y o u ' l l m a k e u s l a u g h a n y w a y ? W h a t a r e
you going to do? D a n c e , p e r h a p s ? O h , that'll be even better t h a n a
story!" The lady laughed at the very thought.
" N o , n o , I'm j u s t g o i n g t o m a k e y o u l a u g h . "
" W e l l , how? C o m e t h e n , s h o w u s ! "
7 2

T h e w o m e n watched eagerly as Shumpei's brother moved up to the

lamp, untied the bag that held his <tan, a n d e m p t i e d t h e s t i c k s o n t h e floor.
" W h a t ' s funny about those things?" the w o m e n complained. "Why,
n o t h i n g a t all! C o m e , c o m e , w e w a n t t o l a u g h ! "
Shumpei's brother ignored them. Instead, he began making passes
with the sticks a n d arranging them in patterns.
W h e n h e w a s f i n i s h e d , h e h a d o n e left o v e r , a n d h e h e l d i t u p b e f o r e
t h e m . " N o w , l a d i e s , " h e said, " y o u ' r e g o i n g t o l a u g h , a n d let's h o p e i t
doesn't h u r t too badly. Yes indeed, y o u ' r e going to laugh!"
" H o w stupid can y o u b e ? " the w o m e n muttered. " H o w could laughing
hurt?"
S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r a d d e d t h e last s t i c k t o t h e p a t t e r n . A s p a s m o f m i r t h
a b r u p t l y s e i z e d all t h e w o m e n . T h e y l a u g h e d a n d l a u g h e d a n d s i m p l y
c o u l d n o t s t o p . T e a r s p o u r e d f r o m t h e i r e y e s , t h e i r s i d e s felt a s t h o u g h
t h e y w e r e literally splitting, a n d t h e y t h o u g h t t h e y w e r e going to die.
U n a b l e even to speak, they w r u n g their h a n d s before the t o r m e n t o r w h o
just n o w h a d been their victim, begging him to desist.
" I told y o u ! " h e said. " H a v e y o u had e n o u g h ? "
T h e y n o d d e d frantically, rolling a r o u n d t h e f l o o r a n d l a u g h i n g hilar-
iously even a s t h e y p l e a d e d . W h e n h e t h o u g h t t h e y h a d suffered e n o u g h ,
he b r o k e up t h e p a t t e r n . T h e r e w a s a s u d d e n , d a z e d silence. "I'd have
b e e n d e a d i f t h a t h a d g o n e o n m u c h l o n g e r , " o n e w o m a n finally g a s p e d .
" I ' v e n e v e r h a d s u c h a n a w f u l e x p e r i e n c e i n m y l i f e ! " T h e y w e r e all l y i n g
in a h e a p , p r a c t i c a l l y ill w i t h e x h a u s t i o n .
People said it w a s a g o o d thing that S h u m p e i ' s b r o t h e r had never been
t a u g h t h o w t o kill p e o p l e w i t h t h e san. I f h e h a d , s o m e t h i n g really awful
might have happened.

5 2 .

SMALL-TIME MAGIC

L o n g ago E m p e r o r Yozei sent Michinori, an imperial guard, d o w n to the

e a s t t o c o l l e c t t a x r e v e n u e s . O n t h e w a y M i c h i n o r i s t o p p e d off i n S h i n a n o
p r o v i n c e at the h o u s e of a c o u n t y magistrate, w h o entertained him very
civilly b e f o r e r e t i r i n g w i t h h i s r e t a i n e r s for t h e n i g h t .
U n a b l e to sleep, Michinori quietly got up again and began poking
a b o u t t h e h o u s e . H e s o o n f o u n d a b e a u t i f u l r o o m w i t h fine n e w m a t t i n g
on the floor and a screened-off space inside. A lamp w a s b u r n i n g within
the screens, a n d a delicious fragrance floated on the air. P e e k i n g curi-
ously b e t w e e n t w o screens, he s a w a w o m a n in h e r late twenties, e x q u i -
sitely l o v e l y i n face a n d f i g u r e , l y i n g t h e r e all a l o n e .
T h e m o r e h e l o o k e d t h e less h e felt like l e a v i n g . N o o n e w a s a r o u n d .
He t h o u g h t it over. T h e magistrate h a d been very kind, a n d if this w a s
his w i f e , h e o u g h t n o t t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f h e r . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , h e
c o u l d n o t r e s i s t t r y i n g his l u c k . H e slid i n t o b e d b e s i d e h e r .
T h e w o m a n just smiled. Michinori w a s as pleased as p u n c h . H e r scent
w a s d e l i c i o u s . S i n c e i t w a s e a r l y fall a n d t h e w e a t h e r still w a r m , n e i t h e r
o f t h e m h a d m u c h o n . H e u n d r e s s e d . W h e n h e slid h i s h a n d s u n d e r h e r
shift, s h e p u t u p o n l y t o k e n r e s i s t a n c e a n d let h i m f o n d l e h e r a s h e
pleased.
F e e l i n g a s u d d e n t i c k l e b e t w e e n h i s legs, M i c h i n o r i r e a c h e d for h i s
m e m b e r . I t w a s n o t t h e r e . H e g r o p e d a r o u n d f e v e r i s h l y like a m a n t r y i n g
to c a t c h a b u g in his b e a r d , b u t it w a s g o n e as t h o u g h it h a d n e v e r b e e n .
All t h o u g h t o f t h e w o m a n , w h o l a y t h e r e s m i l i n g e n i g m a t i c a l l y , v a n i s h e d
from his m i n d . Finally he got u p , w e n t b a c k to his o w n b e d completely
confused, a n d m a d e another minute inspection. It w a s hopeless.
M i c h i n o r i w a s not t o o p a n i c k e d to use his head. He called o n e of his
men, told him a b o u t the s t u n n i n g w o m a n he h a d found, a n d m e n t i o n e d
t h a t s h e w a s a v a i l a b l e . T h e m a n w h o w e n t off w i t h h i g h h o p e s s o o n c a m e
back looking deeply disturbed. " H e got it t o o ! " thought Michinori, a n d
p a s s e d t h e t i p o n t o t h e n e x t v i c t i m , w h o c a m e b a c k i n his t u r n w i t h
a n g u i s h w r i t t e n all o v e r h i s face. M i c h i n o r i s e n t all e i g h t o f his m e n t o
t h e w o m a n , a n d t h e y all l o o k e d t h e s a m e w a y w h e n t h e y c a m e o u t .
T h e sky paled with the coming of d a w n . Considering the night's disas-
ter, M i c h i n o r i p r e f e r r e d to leave as q u i c k l y as possible, despite his host's
k i n d w e l c o m e , a n d h e a n d h i s m e n h u r r i e d off b e f o r e i t w a s fully l i g h t .
T h e y h a d not g o n e m o r e t h a n a q u a r t e r of a mile w h e n a m a n galloped
up behind them, h a i l i n g t h e m u r g e n t l y a n d h o l d i n g aloft a p a c k a g e
w r a p p e d in white paper. T h e rider was one of their host's retainers.
" T h e m a g i s t r a t e t o l d m e t o d e l i v e r t h e s e t o y o u , " h e s a i d . " H o w could
y o u h a v e left t h e m b e h i n d ? W e h a d y o u r b r e a k f a s t all r e a d y , b u t y o u
w e r e in such a r u s h that y o u m u s t have just forgotten t h e m . A n y w a y , we
p i c k e d t h e m u p for y o u a n d h e r e t h e y a r e . " M i c h i n o r i a n d his p a r t y
wondered what he was talking about.
T h e p a c k e t c o n t a i n e d a h e a p o f m a l e o r g a n s ; t h e y l o o k e d r a t h e r like
m u s h r o o m s . D u m b f o u n d e d , t h e m e n inspected t h e m o n e after a n o t h e r ,
each counting nine. S u d d e n l y the organs vanished, a n d the messenger
w h e e l e d his h o r s e a r o u n d a n d galloped a w a y . M i c h i n o r i a n d his men
s h o u t e d for j o y , " I t ' s b a c k ! I t ' s b a c k ! "
7 4

On his r e t u r n j o u r n e y M i c h i n o r i s t o p p e d again at the magistrate's

h o u s e a n d m a d e h i m a g e n e r o u s gift o f g o l d , h o r s e s , e a g l e f e a t h e r s , a n d
the like. He explained to the puzzled magistrate that he hoped to learn
j u s t w h a t h a d b e e n d o n e t o h i m d u r i n g h i s last visit. T h e m a g i s t r a t e felt
h e c o u l d h a r d l y r e f u s e . H e t o l d M i c h i n o r i h o w i n his y o u t h h e h a d h a d
a n affair w i t h t h e y o u n g wife o f t h e m a g i s t r a t e o f a n o t h e r c o u n t y , h i m s e l f
a n old m a n , a n d h o w s u d d e n l y his m e m b e r too h a d d i s a p p e a r e d . H e h a d
d o n e his best to be very, v e r y nice to t h e old magistrate until he h a d
s u c c e e d e d in getting himself t a u g h t the same magic. But he reminded
M i c h i n o r i that Michinori w a s presently traveling on imperial business. If
he w a n t e d to learn the magic too, he should go straight back to the
Capital, c o n c l u d e his mission, a n d t h e n c o m e b a c k privately. M i c h i n o r i
r e a d i l y a g r e e d , a n d set off.
W h e n he c a m e again he b r o u g h t this magistrate a n o t h e r suitable pres-
e n t , a n d t h e m a g i s t r a t e c h e e r f u l l y u n d e r t o o k t o t e a c h h i m all h e k n e w .
" H o w e v e r , " he cautioned, "you don't learn this sort of thing casually.
First you'll h a v e to s p e n d seven d a y s fasting a n d purifying y o u r s e l f with
cold w a t e r . "
M i c h i n o r i did as he w a s told, a n d on the a p p o i n t e d day the magistrate
t o o k h i m far u p i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s . T h e y c a m e t o a s t r e a m b e s i d e w h i c h
the magistrate w e n t t h r o u g h various ritual p r o c e d u r e s a n d m a d e Michi-
n o r i s w e a r a t e r r i b l y sinful o a t h . T h e n t h e m a g i s t r a t e set off u p s t r e a m .
" N o matter w h a t comes d o w n the stream," he warned, "grab it in y o u r
a r m s . Devil or d e m o n , I don't care, just t h r o w y o u r arms r o u n d it!"
S o o n a h e a v y r a i n s t o r m b l e w i n from u p s t r e a m . T h e s k y b l a c k e n e d
a n d t h e w a t e r r o s e . D o w n t h e s t r e a m c a m e a c o l o s s a l s n a k e . Its h e a d
a l o n e w a s b i g e n o u g h t o fill a m a n ' s a r m s a n d its e y e s w e r e like g r e a t
b r o n z e b o w l s . T h e s n a k e ' s b a c k w a s a d e e p b l u e a n d its belly w a s r e d .
M i c h i n o r i k n e w well e n o u g h t h a t h e w a s s u p p o s e d t o t h r o w his a r m s
a r o u n d it b u t instead w a s so terrified that he collapsed on the spot.
T h e m a g i s t r a t e q u i c k l y r e t u r n e d . " H o w did i t g o ? " h e a s k e d . " D i d y o u
h o l d o n t o i t ? " M i c h i n o r i r e p o r t e d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . " T o o b a d ! " said
t h e m a g i s t r a t e . " Y o u w o n ' t b e a b l e t o l e a r n . W e l l , a n y w a y , let's t r y
a g a i n . " A n d off h e w e n t .
I n n o t i m e a n e n o r m o u s b o a r c a m e h u r t l i n g d o w n , b r i s t l i n g w i t h fury,
c r u s h i n g g r e a t b o u l d e r s , a n d b e l c h i n g fire. O n c e a g a i n M i c h i n o r i w a s
terrified, b u t h e d e s p e r a t e l y s c r e w e d u p his c o u r a g e a n d d a s h e d forward
t o c l a s p i t i n h i s a r m s . I t t u r n e d o u t t o b e a bit o f o l d log. H e w a s t e r r i b l y
let d o w n , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n h e r e a l i z e d t h a t t h e s n a k e t o o m u s t h a v e b e e n
a l o g . H e w a s k i c k i n g h i m s e l f for n o t h a v i n g g o n e a f t e r t h e s n a k e w h e n
the magistrate reappeared.
 Michinori told him h o w it had gone this time. " W e l l , " replied the
m a g i s t r a t e , " y o u lost y o u r first c h a n c e a n d t h a t m e a n s y o u c a n ' t l e a r n
w h a t y o u w a n t e d . B u t I t h i n k y o u c o u l d m a n a g e s o m e o t h e r little a m u s e -
m e n t . I'll t e a c h y o u o n e . " M i c h i n o r i l e a r n e d w h a t h e c o u l d a n d r e t u r n e d
disappointed to the Capital.
B a c k a t t h e p a l a c e h e b e t h i s fellow g u a r d s t h a t h e c o u l d t u r n all t h e i r
s h o e s i n t o p u p p i e s , t h e n d i d it, a n d t h e p u p p i e s s c r a m b l e d a r o u n d all
o v e r t h e place, y a p p i n g m a d l y ; a n d he t u r n e d an old s t r a w sandal into a
great big carp flopping a r o u n d on a dinner tray. W h e n the e m p e r o r heard
about these goings-on, he s u m m o n e d Michinori a n d got himself taught
magic too. His Majesty used it to m a k e the g r a n d procession of the K a m o
festival g o b y o v e r t h e s c r e e n h e a l w a y s s a t b e h i n d .
People deeply d i s a p p r o v e d of the e m p e r o r himself learning an art
which offended the B u d d h a ' s way, a n d one has to agree that not only
w a s M i c h i n o r i ( w h o a f t e r all w a s a n o b o d y ) v e r y w r o n g t o t e a c h h i m ,
but that h o w e v e r rare these sort of tengu tricks may be, His Majesty w a s
a bit c r a z y t o w a n t t o l e a r n .

5 3 .

THE LITTLE OIL JAR

Sanesuke, the M n i s t e r of the Right, w a s traveling up O m i y a Avenue

o n e d a y o n h i s w a y t o t h e p a l a c e w h e n h e s a w a little oil j a r r o l l i n g a n d
h o p p i n g a l o n g i n f r o n t o f his c a r r i a g e . T h i s w a s s o o d d t h a t h e g u e s s e d a
s p i r i t m u s t b e a t w o r k . E v e n t u a l l y t h e j a r t u r n e d w e s t off O m i y a , a n d
a f t e r still a n o t h e r t u r n r o l l e d u p t o a c e r t a i n g a t e . T h e g a t e w a s l o c k e d ,
a n d t h e j a r b e g a n j u m p i n g a g a i n s t i t i n a n o b v i o u s effort t o g e t i n t h r o u g h
t h e k e y h o l e . A f t e r m i s s i n g t i m e a f t e r t i m e , i t finally s u c c e e d e d , a n d i n
through the keyhole it went.
S a n e s u k e left n o w , b u t h e i d e n t i f i e d t h e h o u s e t o o n e o f h i s s e r v a n t s
a n d h a d t h e m a n find o u t a s d i s c r e e t l y a s p o s s i b l e w h e t h e r a n y t h i n g
unusual had happened there. The man came back to report that the
d a u g h t e r o f t h e h o u s e , w h o h a d b e e n ill for s o m e t i m e , h a d j u s t d i e d .
S a n e s u k e realized t h a t t h e j a r h a d indeed been a spirit, a n d that it h a d
killed t h e girl o n c e i t g o t i n .
His cleverness greatly impressed everyone w h o k n e w him.
7 6

T H E S E X E S

5 4 .
A HARD MOMENT

K o t o d a l i v e d w i t h h i s wife a n d d a u g h t e r i n t h e m a n s i o n o f L o r d S a d a -
fusa, for all t h r e e w e r e i n S a d a f u s a ' s s e r v i c e . H e w a s v e r y p r o u d o f t h e
e x p e r t w a y h e s a w t o all h i s m a s t e r ' s affairs, a n d h e h a d t a k e n c a r e t o
p r o v i d e h i s d a u g h t e r w i t h a v e r y fine h u s b a n d .
H a v i n g just spent the night with Kotoda's daughter, the y o u n g man
w o k e u p o n e m o r n i n g t o find t h a t i t w a s p o u r i n g w i t h r a i n ; s o i n s t e a d o f
leaving as usual, he stayed w h e r e he was. M e a n w h i l e the daughter went
to look a l t e r h e r mistress, leaving the y o u n g m a n lying in their bed
c o m p l e t e l y s u r r o u n d e d b y s c r e e n s . T h e s p r i n g rain s h o w e d n o sign o f
letting u p .
I n t i m e K o t o d a d e c i d e d t h a t his s o n - i n - l a w m u s t b e g e t t i n g r a t h e r
b o r e d . W i t h a t r a y of s n a c k s in o n e h a n d a n d a g o u r d of w i n e in the
o t h e r , h e h e a d e d for t h e y o u n g c o u p l e ' s r o o m . D i s c r e t i o n p r o m p t e d him
t o e n t e r n o t f r o m t h e g a r d e n , a s h e w o u l d n o r m a l l y h a v e d o n e , b u t from
inside the house.
N a k e d u n d e r t h e c o v e r s , his s o n - i n - l a w w a s l y i n g s t a r i n g u p a t t h e
c e i l i n g , h o t for h i s w i f e . T h a t s o u n d o f a d o o r i n t h e h o u s e s l i d i n g o p e n
o b v i o u s l y m e a n t t h a t s h e w a s finally b a c k from H e r L a d y s h i p ' s . W h i s k -
i n g t h e c o v e r s o v e r h i s face a n d off e v e r y t h i n g else, h e r u b b e d u p a g o o d
h a r d - o n a n d a r c h e d his b a c k t o d i s p l a y it. T h e s c r e e n s p a r t e d .
K o t o d a ' s s h o c k e d r e c o i l s e n t food a n d d r i n k f l y i n g . H e fell f l a t o n his
b a c k w i t h h i s b e a r d i n t h e a i r a n d hit his h e a d s o h a r d h e s a w s t a r s .
 K

5 5 . T

A NICE MUG
OF MOLTEN COPPER
E

S
A chamberlain courting the d a u g h t e r of the abbot of Daianji in N a r a w a s
s o m u c h i n l o v e w i t h t h e girl t h a t s o m e t i m e s h e d i d n o t e v e n l e a v e h e r a t
dawn, as he should have, but stayed on into the day. On one such
occasion he w a s n a p p i n g in her room w h e n he d r e a m e d he heard the
whole household weeping and wailing.
H e w e n t t o s e e w h a t w a s t h e m a t t e r a n d f o u n d t h e m all, from t h e
a b b o t a n d his wife ( n o w a n u n ) o n d o w n , h o l d i n g m u g s a n d s o b b i n g .
T h i s s e e m e d v e r y o d d till h e r e a l i z e d t h a t t h e m u g s w e r e full o f m o l t e n
c o p p e r . T h e m o s t fearful d e m o n c o u l d h a r d l y force a n y o n e t o t a k e s o
gruesome a refreshment but, tears or no tears, these people were drinking
it; a n d w h e n i n a g o n y t h e y h a d e m p t i e d o n e m u g , s o m e w e r e e v e n a s k i n g
for m o r e . T h e s e r v a n t s w e r e d r i n k i n g u p t o o , e v e r y o n e o f t h e m .
W h e n a m a i d c a m e t o call t h e c h a m b e r l a i n ' s s w e e t h e a r t , s h e g o t o u t o f
b e d a n d w e n t . I n h o r r o r h e w a t c h e d t h e m a i d fill a silver m u g w i t h m o l t e n
c o p p e r a n d g i v e i t t o h i s B e l o v e d . T h e girl t o o k it, u t t e r e d a h e a r t - r e n d i n g
little c r y , a n d d o w n e d t h e l i q u i d m e t a l , w h i m p e r i n g p a t h e t i c a l l y . S m o k e
p o u r e d from h e r e y e s a n d n o s e .
" S e r v e o u r g u e s t ! " c o m m a n d e d the abbot, and the maid approached
t h e c h a m b e r l a i n w i t h a c u p on a tray. " A m I going to have to d r i n k it
t o o ? " he w o n d e r e d in terror, and woke up.
O n o p e n i n g his eyes h e s a w t h a t the maid h a d b r o u g h t lunch, a n d h e
h e a r d l o u d s l u r p i n g a n d c h e w i n g from his f u t u r e f a t h e r - i n - l a w ' s r o o m .
C l e a r l y t h e m o n k w a s i n fact g u i l t y o f a g r a v e sin: h e w a s e a t i n g u p w h a t
r i g h t f u l l y b e l o n g e d t o t h e t e m p l e . S a d d e n e d b y his d i s c o v e r y , t h e y o u n g
c h a m b e r l a i n w a n t e d n o m o r e t o d o w i t h t h e family, a n d h i s l o v e for t h e
girl e v a p o r a t e d . H e e x c u s e d h i m s e l f w i t h t h e p l e a t h a t h e felt u n w e l l , left
without eating a bite, a n d never c a m e back.
7 8

5 6" .
THE LITTLE BOTTLE OF TEARS

H e i c h u , t h e g r e a t l o v e r , w a s q u i t e p r e p a r e d t o feign d r a m a t i c s o b s w h e n
r e j e c t e d , e v e n i f h e d i d n o t r e a l l y c a r e for t h e w o m a n t h a t m u c h ; a n d h e
w e n t c o u r t i n g w i t h a little b o t t l e o f w a t e r f a s t e n e d t o h i s a r m s o t h a t h e
could p r o d u c e tears a n d w e t sleeves w h e n e v e r he needed them.
O n e d a y H e i c h u ' s w i f e n o t i c e d h i m slip s o m e t h i n g u p o n t o p o f a b e a m
in their house, and the next time he stepped out she took it d o w n . It w a s
a little b o t t l e o f w a t e r a n d a p a c k e t o f t h e t i n y d r i e d f l o w e r b u d s t h a t
p e o p l e c h e w t o m a k e t h e i r b r e a t h smell n i c e . S h e e m p t i e d o u t t h e w a t e r ,
filled t h e b o t t l e w i t h r i c h b l a c k i n k , s w i t c h e d t h e f l o w e r b u d s for m o u s e
t u r d s , then put the bottle a n d packet back on the beam.
H e i c h u w e n t off t h a t n i g h t a s h e a l w a y s d i d . H e c a m e b a c k a t d a w n i n
a v e r y s o u r m o o d a n d s p a t vigorously as he lay d o w n . " M u s t be some
g o b l i n g o t i n t o t h a t p a c k e t ! " h e m u t t e r e d . B y d a y l i g h t h e n o t i c e d his
s l e e v e s w e r e all b l a c k . T h e n h e l o o k e d i n t h e m i r r o r . H i s s m u d g y , b l a c k
f a c e , a l m o s t i n v i s i b l e b u t for t w o e y e s s h i n i n g o u t o f t h e d a r k n e s s , g a v e
h i m q u i t e a t u r n . N e x t h e c h e c k e d t h e little b o t t l e . Y e s , t h a t w a s i n k i n
t h e r e , all r i g h t ; a n d h e k n e w a m o u s e t u r d w h e n h e s a w o n e .
D e e p l y m o r t i f i e d , H e i c h u g a v e u p h i s fake t e a r s a n d his f l o w e r b u d s .

5 7 .

ELIMINATION

Taira no Sadafun, commonly k n o w n as Heichu, was the deputy com-

m a n d e r of the Palace G u a r d s . He was a man of respectable rank, hand-
s o m e a n d elegant, a n d in e v e r y t h i n g he did or said the most a m u s i n g
fellow of his time. N a t u r a l l y he c o u r t e d every wife, e v e r y d a u g h t e r , a n d
a b o v e all, e v e r y l a d y - i n - w a i t i n g w i t h i n r e a c h .
A c e r t a i n minister h a d in his h o u s e h o l d as lovely a n d as witty a y o u n g
lady as ever there was, and her name was Jiju. Heichu knew about her
s i n c e h e o f t e n v i s i t e d t h e m i n i s t e r , a n d i n fact h a d b e e n p u r s u i n g h e r for
a g e s , b u t s h e h a d n o t d e i g n e d t o a n s w e r a s i n g l e o n e o f his l e t t e r s .
 M u c h p u t o u t , H e i c h u f i n a l l y t r i e d a n o t e t h a t b e g g e d h e r a t least t o
a n s w e r t h e o n e w o r d " a c k n o w l e d g e d " ; a n d h e e n d e d it, " Y o u r s i n c e a s e -
less t e a r s . " W h e n h e s a w t h e m e s s e n g e r r e t u r n a c t u a l l y c a r r y i n g a r e p l y ,
he ran out a n d o p e n e d it feverishly. T h e lady had torn the " a c k n o w l -
e d g e d " o u t of his o w n letter, s t u c k it on a n o t h e r piece of p a p e r , a n d sent
it right back to him.
H e i c h u w e n t w i l d . "All r i g h t , t h a t ' s e n o u g h ! " h e s w o r e t o himself. " I
give u p . "
T h a t w a s o n t h e last d a y o f t h e s e c o n d m o o n . H e i c h u s e n t J i j u n o t h i n g
b e t w e e n t h e n a n d well into t h e fifth m o o n w h e n , on a d a r k a n d dismally
rainy night, he found himself b r o o d i n g o v e r h e r again.
" I f I w e n t t o n i g h t i t ' d s u r e l y d o something t o h e r , " h e r u m i n a t e d , " e v e n
if she's got a heart of s t o n e . " T h e h o u r w a s late, t h e rain w a s b e a t i n g
d o w n interminably, a n d the blackness of the night w a s final. The helpless
H e i c h u f o u n d h i s w a y t o t h e m i n i s t e r ' s r e s i d e n c e a n d c a l l e d for a little
m a i d w h o h a d p a s s e d m e s s a g e s for h i m b e f o r e .
" H e r e I am. I can't stand it any m o r e . " That w a s w h a t he sent the maid
off t o tell J i j u . T h e m a i d w a s s o o n b a c k w i t h w o r d t h a t J i j u w a s p r e s e n t l y
a t t e n d i n g His Excellency a n d H e r Ladyship, and couldn't retire just y e t
b e c a u s e t h e h o u s e h o l d w a s still u p . " W a i t a b i t , " J i j u ' s m e s s a g e c o n -
c l u d e d . "I'll t a l k t o y o u i n p r i v a t e l a t e r o n . "
H e i c h u ' s h e a r t b e a t fast. " W e l l , w e l l , " t h o u g h t h e , " s h e r e a l l y c o u l d n ' t
t u r n a fellow a w a y on a n i g h t like t h i s ! I'm so g l a d I c a m e ! "
H e w a i t e d b y t h e d a r k e n e d d o o r for w h a t s e e m e d like y e a r s . A n h o u r
or m o r e later he h e a r d the s o u n d s of people going to bed. T h e n someone
c a m e t o his d o o r a n d q u i e t l y o p e n e d t h e latch. W i t h b a t e d b r e a t h h e
t e s t e d it: i t slid e a s i l y a s i d e . H e w o n d e r e d w h e t h e r h e w a s d r e a m i n g . I n
fact h e w a s s h a k i n g w i t h j o y , b u t h e m a n a g e d t o c a l m d o w n e n o u g h t o
steal inside.
A sweet fragrance of incense filled t h e r o o m . H e i c h u g r o p e d his w a y
t o w a r d w h e r e he k n e w the bed m u s t be a n d found someone w a s lying
t h e r e . Y e s , i t w a s a w o m a n a n d s h e h a d o n l y o n e r o b e o n . H e felt o v e r
her head a n d shoulders. H e r features w e r e fine, a n d the hair streaming
o u t a l o n g t h e floor w a s a s s m o o t h a n d cool t o t h e t o u c h a s ice. All b u t
delirious now, H e i c h u w a s temporarily deprived of speech by a fit of
trembling.
" O h d e a r , " e x c l a i m e d the w o m a n , " I ' v e forgotten s o m e t h i n g v e r y im-
p o r t a n t ! I d i d n ' t l o c k t h e d o o r i n t o t h i s p a r t o f t h e h o u s e . I'll b e r i g h t
back."
T h a t s o u n d e d all r i g h t t o H e i c h u . " D o n ' t b e l o n g ! " h e c a l l e d a f t e r h e r .
S h e got u p a n d w e n t just a s she w a s , while H e i c h u u n d r e s s e d a n d lay
8 0

d o w n . A lock clicked. A n y m o m e n t she would be back. But no, the

footsteps faded out deeper into the house. Time passed. With grave
m i s g i v i n g H e i c h u w e n t t o c h e c k t h e d o o r . I t w a s l o c k e d , all r i g h t — from
t h e o t h e r side. H e d a n c e d u p a n d d o w n a n d w e p t w i t h rage, then just
stood there in a daze, against the door, pouring as m a n y tears as the
r a i n y s k i e s o u t s i d e . " W h a t a t r a p s h e led m e i n t o ! " h e g r o a n e d . " O h , t h i s
is awful! It I'd only realized, I could h a v e stayed with her w h e n she w e n t
t o l o c k t h e d o o r ! I s u p p o s e s h e w a n t s t o s e e h o w far s h e c a n p u s h m e .
S h e m u s t think me a perfect idiot!" This thought, even more than the
m i s s e d o p p o r t u n i t y , b r o u g h t H e i c h u t o t h e last p i t c h o f d e s p a i r .
" W e l l , let t h e d a y d a w n ! " h i s m i n d r a n o n . " I d o n ' t c a r e , I'm g o i n g t o
s l e e p r i g h t h e r e , a n d i f t h e y c o m e i n a n d find m e , s o m u c h t h e b e t t e r ! "
But as d a w n actually approached and he heard the household waking up,
he decided that discretion was the better part of valor and sneaked
q u i c k l y off w h i l e i t w a s still d a r k .
F o r e v e r after, Heichu longed to hear some r u m o r about Jiju that
w o u l d r e a l l y p u t h i m off h e r , b u t s i n c e h e n e v e r d i d h e w e n t o n b u r n i n g
for h e r i n s t e a d . T h e n o n e d a y h e h a d a n i d e a . F o r all J i j u ' s b e a u t y a n d
wit, the matter she deposited in her c h a m b e r pot w a s bound to be the
s a m e a s w h a t h e left i n h i s o w n . I f b y h o o k o r c r o o k h e c o u l d g e t h o l d o f
s o m e o f that, that o u g h t t o c u r e h i m ! "I'll a m b u s h h e r m a i d w h e n s h e
g o e s t o w a s h t h e p o t , I'll s t e a l it, a n d I'll h a v e a g o o d l o o k i n s i d e ! " h e
p r o m i s e d himself.
H e i c h u w e n t s t r a i g h t off t o l u r k ( a s i n n o c e n t l y a s p o s s i b l e ) o u t s i d e
Jiju's r o o m . O u t came a smart y o u n g maid with hair d o w n almost to the
h e m of her pink a n d green jacket, which she w o r e over a purple trouser-
skirt casually t u c k e d u p . S h e w a s c a r r y i n g a pot (a box, actually, as w a s
t h e c u s t o m t h e n ) w r a p p e d i n filmy, l i g h t - o r a n g e silk, d i s c r e e t l y s c r e e n i n g
i t f r o m v i e w w i t h a r e d p a p e r fan t h a t h a d s o m e s c e n e o r o t h e r p a i n t e d
o n it. S h e m a d e a v e r y s t y l i s h p i c t u r e . H e i c h u s h a d o w e d h e r till s h e w a s
out of sight of the house, then charged up a n d snatched the box. She
b u r s t i n t o t e a r s a n d r e f u s e d t o let g o , b u t H e i c h u t o r e i t r u t h l e s s l y from
h e r g r a s p , fled i n t o a d e s e r t e d b u i l d i n g , a n d l o c k e d t h e d o o r from t h e
i n s i d e . T h e m a i d w a s left c r y i n g o u t s i d e .
H e i c h u e x a m i n e d the b o x . It w a s beautifully lacquered — so pretty, in
fact, t h a t h e h a t e d t o g o f u r t h e r . T h e c o n t e n t s w e r e o n e t h i n g , b u t for a
c h a m b e r pot this w a s a u n i q u e w o r k of art. To think he was going to
o p e n i t a n d d e s t r o y f o r e v e r his f o n d v i s i o n s o f its o w n e r ! H e c o u l d n o t
b e a r t h e i d e a , a n d for a w h i l e j u s t s t a r e d a t t h e b o x i n s t e a d .
Still, t h i s w a s n o t i m e t o t u r n b a c k . T r e m u l o u s l y h e r e m o v e d t h e lid. A
rich fragrance of incense p e r f u m e d the air. W h a t on e a r t h ? Golden w a t e r
half filled t h e b o x , a n d i n i t s w a m t h r e e b r o w n i s h , c y l i n d r i c a l o b j e c t s
about the thickness of a t h u m b . "Well," thought Heichu, "there they
a r e ! " B u t t h i s h e a v e n l y s c e n t w a s n o t e x a c t l y w h a t h e e x p e c t e d from
t h e m . H e s p e a r e d o n e w i t h a slip o f w o o d a n d h e l d i t g i n g e r l y t o h i s n o s e .
M u s k , clove, s a n d a l w o o d : these perfumes a n d m o r e mingled in an exqui-
site b l e n d w h i c h f l o a t e d i n t o h i s n o s t r i l s like a g i d d y i n g c a r e s s .
He w a s out of his d e p t h . T h i s w o m a n w a s not of the s a m e o r d e r as a
c o m m o n mortal. W i t h awful certainty he s a w that the very idea of bring-
i n g h e r r o u n d w a s a b s u r d . H e d r e w t h e b o x t o h i s lips a n d s i p p e d t h e
golden w a t e r : it w a s redolent of cloves. He licked the tip of the r o u n d
b r o w n object he had speared: both bitter and sweet, it w a s endlessly
fragrant.
H e i c h u w a s clever too, a n d h e could see perfectly w h a t J i j u h a d d o n e .
F o r t h e u r i n e s h e h a d s i m p l y b o i l e d c l o v e s a n d d r a w n off t h e w a t e r . F o r
the other matter she had ground together y a m s , incense spices, a n d
sweetvine, and molded the m i x t u r e in the cover of a large writing brush.
A n y o n e c o u l d d o t h a t , o f c o u r s e . B u t for h e r t o h a v e d i v i n e d t h a t h e
w o u l d w a n t t o c o n t e m p l a t e t h e c o n t e n t s o f h e r c h a m b e r p o t — that w a s
b e y o n d a n y t h i n g . A g e n i u s like J i j u w a s j u s t n o t o f t h i s w o r l d .
W i t h t h e s e t h o u g h t s w h i r l i n g deliriously t h r o u g h his head, Heichu
sickened, suffered awhile, a n d died.

5 8 .

BUT 5HE COULDN'T HELP IT!

Late one evening the future Major Counselor Tadaie w a s courting a coy
a n d beautiful lady. S h e w a s sitting d e m u r e l y in her room, behind her
curtains, while he talked to h e r from t h e v e r a n d a . T h e moonlight w a s
b r i g h t e r t h a n d a y . F i n a l l y T a d a i e c o u l d n o l o n g e r s t a n d it. H e c r a w l e d
u n d e r the curtains, took her shoulders, a n d tried to d r a w her to him.
" O h , d o n ' t ! " she cried, hiding u n d e r her long hair and struggling to
escape.
I n d o i n g s o s h e let o u t a l o u d fart. T h e r e w a s d e a d s i l e n c e . S h e lay
v e r y still.
" O h n o ! " g r o a n e d T a d a i e . " T h i s i s t h e e n d ! H o w c a n I face t h e w o r l d
a g a i n ? I'll h a v e t o e n t e r r e l i g i o n ! " D u c k i n g b a c k o u t u n d e r t h e c u r t a i n s
8 2

he s n e a k e d off, fully i n t e n d i n g to m a k e h i m s e l f i n t o a m o n k . B u t in a
m o m e n t h e b e g a n t o w o n d e r w h y h e s h o u l d h a v e t o e n t e r religion j u s t
b e c a u s e s o m e w o m a n h a d d i s g r a c e d herself, a n d i n s t e a d s i m p l y g o t o u t
o f t h e r e a s fast a s h e c o u l d .
N o one k n o w s w h a t h a p p e n e d t o the lady.

THE GENIE

O n c e the famous y i n - y a n g diviner Seimei w a s watching the parade of

g e n t l e m e n a r r i v i n g a t t h e p a l a c e i n f a s h i o n a b l y o s t e n t a t i o u s style w h e n
h e n o t i c e d a h a n d s o m e a n d e l e g a n t y o u n g c h a m b e r l a i n a l i g h t i n g from his
carriage. T h e c h a m b e r l a i n had hardly started t o w a r d the Great Hall
w h e n a p a s s i n g c r o w d r o p p e d filth o n h i m . " O h d e a r , " t h o u g h t S e i m e i ,
" h e ' s so y o u n g a n d h a n d s o m e , a n d so well received by e v e r y o n e ! W h a t a
p i t y t h a t g e n i e g o t h i m — b e c a u s e t h a t b i r d c e r t a i n l y wad a g e n i e . S o m e -
t h i n g a w f u l s e e m s t o b e i n s t o r e for h i m ! "
H e felt s o s o r r y for t h e y o u n g m a n t h a t h e w e n t o v e r t o t a l k t o h i m .
"Are y o u on y o u r w a y to His Majesty?" he asked. "It's forward of me to
s p e a k , I k n o w , b u t I w o n d e r w h a t y o u r p u r p o s e is, b e c a u s e , y o u see, y o u
m u s t n ' t s p e n d the night in the palace. That's quite clear. N o , come with
m e i n s t e a d . I'll h e l p y o u a s b e s t a s I c a n . "
It w a s a b o u t four in the afternoon. T h e t w o w e n t to the chamberlain's
h o u s e i n h i s c a r r i a g e , a n d all t h e w a y t h e c h a m b e r l a i n t r e m b l e d a n d
b e g g e d Seimei to save h i m . After sunset Seimei k e p t his a r m s tight
a r o u n d t h e c h a m b e r l a i n a n d laid p r o t e c t i v e s p e l l s . H e s p e n t t h e n i g h t i n
endless, unintelligible muttering.
T h e fall n i g h t w a s l o n g . A t d a w n t h e r e w a s a k n o c k o n t h e d o o r , a n d
Seimei had the chamberlain send someone to answer. It was a messenger
f r o m t h e e n e m y d i v i n e r . T h e c h a m b e r l a i n ' s b r o t h e r - i n - l a w , w h o lived i n
another part of the house, w a s so jealous of the chamberlain that he had
h a d t h i s d i v i n e r set a g e n i e o n t h e c h a m b e r l a i n t o kill h i m . S e i m e i h a d
spotted the genie. "The gentleman was so strongly protected," the mes-
s e n g e r l o u d l y a n n o u n c e d , " t h a t t h e g e n i e c a m e b a c k a n d killed m y m a s t e r
instead!"
" Y o u s e e ? " said Seimei.
T h e f a t h e r - i n - l a w d r o v e t h e villain o u t o f t h e h o u s e , a n d t h e g r a t e f u l
c h a m b e r l a i n g a v e Seimei a rich r e w a r d .

b~ o .

ONE FROG LESS

Seimei w a s visiting a great prelate he k n e w w h e n a y o u n g m o n k in the

prelate's e n t o u r a g e said he h a d h e a r d that Seimei kept genies, a n d asked
S e i m e i w h e t h e r h e c o u l d kill a m a n easily. " N o t easily, n o , " S e i m e i
r e p l i e d . " I t w o u l d t a k e a b i g effort. I s u p p o s e I c o u l d kill a small c r e a t u r e
readily e n o u g h , b u t I can't see a n y point in d o i n g so. Since I w o u l d n ' t
k n o w h o w t o b r i n g i t b a c k t o life, I'd j u s t e n d u p c o m m i t t i n g a s i n . "
J u s t t h e n s o m e frogs s t a r t e d j u m p i n g a c r o s s t h e g a r d e n t o w a r d t h e
p o n d . " T r y k i l l i n g o n e o f t h o s e for u s , " s a i d t h e m o n k .
" Y o u ' r e w i c k e d , aren't y o u ! " Seimei replied. "A challenge is a chal-
lenge, t h o u g h . " He picked up a blade of grass, muttered something, a n d
t o s s e d t h e g r a s s a t a frog. T h e g r a s s c r u s h e d t h e frog a n d killed i t in-
s t a n t l y . T h e m o n k s l o o k i n g o n t u r n e d p a l e w i t h fear.

b~ i .

THE SPELLBOUND PIRATES

C h i t o k u , a m o n k a n d a p r o f e s s i o n a l y i n - y a n g d i v i n e r , lived i n H a r i m a
province. He was an unusual man.
O n e d a y a ship came sailing up the H a r i m a coast t o w a r d the Capital,
8 A

l a d e n w i t h a r i c h c a r g o . J u s t off A k a s h i i t w a s b o a r d e d b y p i r a t e s , w h o
s t o l e e v e r y t h i n g o n b o a r d a n d killed m o s t o f t h e c r e w . T h e o n l y s u r v i v o r s
w e r e t h e v e s s e l ' s o w n e r a n d a c o u p l e o f his s e r v a n t s , w h o p l u n g e d i n t o
the sea a n d m a n a g e d to d r a g themselves, weeping, up on the shore. W h e n
C h i t o k u h a p p e n e d b y , l e a n i n g o n his staff, h e a s k e d t h e m w h a t t h e m a t t e r
w a s . T h e o w n e r t o l d h i m h o w t h e d a y b e f o r e t h e y h a d b e e n set u p o n b y
pirates.
" W h y , t h a t ' s t e r r i b l e ! " C h i t o k u e x p l a i n e d . "I'll b r i n g t h e m t o j u s t i c e
a n d g e t y o u r t h i n g s b a c k for y o u ! "
T h e o w n e r did not take him seriously, but he h u m o r e d Chitoku enough
to say, t h r o u g h his tears, "I'd be v e r y grateful if y o u w o u l d ! "
" W h a t time yesterday did it h a p p e n ? " Chitoku asked, and the owner
told him.
C h i t o k u took the o w n e r out in a small boat to precisely w h e r e the
attack had occurred, then wrote things on the water and read words
a l o u d over the sea. B a c k on land he posted w a r r i o r g u a r d s just as t h o u g h
he meant to arrest someone w h o was actually present.
O n t h e s e v e n t h d a y a f t e r t h e a t t a c k , a s h i p c a m e d r i f t i n g i n from
n o w h e r e , full o f a r m e d m e n . T h e g u a r d s r o w e d o u t t o m e e t it, b u t t h e
men, w h o looked as though they were dead drunk, made no attempt to
get a w a y . I t w a s t h e pirate ship. E v e r y t h i n g the pirates h a d stolen w a s
still o n b o a r d , a n d t h e c a r g o w a s n o w u n l o a d e d a n d r e t u r n e d t o its
r i g h t f u l o w n e r . T h e local p e o p l e w a n t e d t o seize t h e p i r a t e s t h e m s e l v e s ,
b u t C h i t o k u h a d t h e m t u r n e d over to him instead. " D o n ' t y o u ever do
that a g a i n ! " he w a r n e d t h e m . " B y rights y o u should be executed, but
t h a t w o u l d j u s t b e a n o t h e r sin. R e m e m b e r , t h e r e ' s a n old m o n k i n this
province that y o u ' d better not c r o s s ! " A n d he sent them packing.
S o o n t h e s h i p o w n e r w a s a b l e t o b e g i n fitting o u t a n o t h e r s h i p .

THE TEST

M a n y y e a r s a g o a d o d d e r i n g old m o n k s h o w e d up at Seimei s house on

T s u c h i m i k a d o A v e n u e in Kyoto in the company of t w o ten-year-old boys.
S e i m e i a s k e d h i m w h o h e w a s . H e a n s w e r e d t h a t h e w a s from H a r i m a
province a n d that he w a n t e d to learn divination. He had come because
S e i m e i w a s s u p p o s e d t o b e a real e x p e r t .
 S e i m e i g u e s s e d t h a t t h e o l d fellow k n e w m o r e t h a n h e let o n a n d h a d
a c t u a l l y c o m e t o t e s t h i m . O n h i s m e t t l e n o w , h e d e c i d e d t o h a v e a bit o f
fun himself. T h e t w o b o y s s e e m e d t o b e g e n i e s . S e i m e i p r a y e d s i l e n t l y
t h a t i f t h e y w e r e , t h e y s h o u l d v a n i s h ; a n d h e s e c r e t l y c a s t a spell a n d
m a d e t h e a p p r o p r i a t e p a s s e s u n d e r his s l e e v e s . T h e n h e p r o m i s e d t h e
monk that he would teach him whatever he w a n t e d if he came back on
some other, m o r e auspicious day. T h e m o n k t h a n k e d him, b o w e d , a n d
left.
He w a s nearly out the gate w h e n he stopped and began poking about
a m o n g the carriages p a r k e d there. T h e n he came back to Seimei. "Those
t w o boys I had with me have d i s a p p e a r e d , sir," he said. "I'd appreciate
y o u r returning them before I g o . "
" I ' m afraid I don't k n o w w h a t y o u m e a n , " Seimei replied. "Why
should I have taken y o u r boys?"
" I s e e w h a t y o u m e a n , sir, b u t n o n e t h e l e s s , p l e a s e a c c e p t m y a p o l o g y . "
"Very well. You had me worried a moment, coming a r o u n d with t w o
genies to test me, b u t I advise y o u to do y o u r testing elsewhere. Y o u
w o n ' t c a t c h m e like t h a t . " T h e n h e m u r m u r e d a spell, a n d s h o r t l y t h e t w o
b o y s c a m e r u n n i n g u p t o t h e i r m a s t e r from s o m e w h e r e o u t s i d e .
" I t ' s t r u e , s i r , " t h e m o n k s a i d , " I d i d m e a n t o t e s t y o u . It's e a s y t o k e e p
genies, b u t I c o u l d n ' t possibly m a k e s o m e o n e else's genies d i s a p p e a r .
P l e a s e let m e b e y o u r d i s c i p l e . "
Seimei accepted him on the spot.

6 3 .

MAN'S BEST FRIEND

A l o n g t i m e a g o t h e R e g e n t F u j i w a r a n o M i c h i n a g a built Hojoji i n K y o t o ,
a n d after t h a t m a d e a habit of visiting the temple daily. He always
b r o u g h t w i t h h i m a w h i t e d o g h e p a r t i c u l a r l y l i k e d . O n e d a y his c a r r i a g e
w a s about to pass through the gate as usual w h e n the dog darted ahead,
s t o o d i n t h e g a t e w a y , a n d s t o p p e d t h e c a r r i a g e . Its b e h a v i o r s e e m e d v e r y
strange. Michinaga alighted and tried walking through, but the dog
c a u g h t t h e h e m o f his r o b e i n its t e e t h a n d h e l d h i m b a c k . C l e a r l y t h e
d o g h a d a r e a s o n for a c t i n g t h i s w a y . I n s t e a d o f i n s i s t i n g , M i c h i n a g a sat
d o w n o n a shaft o f h i s c a r r i a g e a n d c a l l e d for S e i m e i , t h e d i v i n e r . S e i m e i
soon arrived.
8 6

L o r d M i c h i n a g a a s k e d h i m w h a t h e c o u l d m a k e o f all t h i s . S e i m e i w e n t
through a divination procedure and announced that someone w h o wished
M i c h i n a g a ill h a d b u r i e d u n d e r t h e p a t h , i n t h e t e m p l e g r o u n d s , a n object
d e s i g n e d to p u t a c u r s e on H i s E x c e l l e n c y . " I f y o u w e r e to walk over it,"
S e i m e i e x p l a i n e d , " s o m e t h i n g t e r r i b l e w o u l d h a p p e n . Y o u r d o g ' s special
powers enabled it to warn you."
" W h e r e ' s this thing b u r i e d ? " Michinaga d e m a n d e d to know. " S h o w it
to m e ! "
"Certainly, Y o u r Excellency." Seimei performed another divination.
" H e r e it i s , " he said, p o i n t i n g to a precise spot.
S o m e t h i n g w<u b u r i e d t h e r e , five feet d o w n . I t c o n s i s t e d o f t w o u n -
g l a z e d c u p s b o u n d t o g e t h e r , lip t o lip, w i t h s t r i n g m a d e o f t w i s t e d y e l l o w
p a p e r . T h e string w a s tied in a cross. T h e object t u r n e d out to be e m p t y
e x c e p t for t h e c h a r a c t e r " o n e " w r i t t e n i n c i n n a b a r o n t h e b o t t o m o f e a c h
cup.
" I ' m t h e o n l y o n e w h o k n o w s t h i s k i n d o f m a g i c , " said S e i m e i . " I
w o n d e r w h e t h e r i t c o u l d b e t h a t f o r m e r s t u d e n t o f m i n e , D o m a . W e l l , I'll
find o u t . " H e t o o k o u t a s h e e t o f p a p e r w h i c h h e folded i n t o t h e s h a p e o f
a b i r d , p r o n o u n c e d a spell, a n d t o s s e d t h e p a p e r i n t o t h e air. I t t u r n e d
i n t o a w h i t e h e r o n a n d f l e w off t o w a r d t h e s o u t h . S e i m e i o r d e r e d t w o
u n d e r l i n g s t o m a r k w h e r e i t c a m e d o w n , a n d t h e y r a n after it.
T h e place w a s a n old m o n k ' s h o u s e . T h e m o n k w a s s u m m a r i l y arrested
a n d b r o u g h t before His Excellency. He confessed u n d e r interrogation
t h a t h e h a d b e e n c o m m i s s i o n e d t o lay a c u r s e o n t h e r e g e n t b y L o r d
A k i m i t s u , t h e M n i s t e r o f t h e Left. M c h i n a g a felt h e r e a l l y s h o u l d s e n d
t h e f e l l o w i n t o d i s t a n t exile, b u t i n s t e a d h e j u s t p a c k e d h i m b a c k t o
H a r i m a p r o v i n c e , w h e r e h e w a s from, w i t h a w a r n i n g n e v e r t o d o i t
again.
After L o r d Akimitsu died, he b e c a m e a vengeful ghost w h o s e further
a t t e m p t s to curse M i c h i n a g a e a r n e d him the nickname " G h o u l of the
L e f t . " A s for t h e d o g , L o r d M i c h i n a g a l o v e d i t e v e n m o r e after t h a t .
 R O B B E R S

6 4 •

GENJO

In E m p e r o r M u r a k a m i ' s r e i g n t h e biwa G e n j o s u d d e n l y d i s a p p e a r e d .
S i n c e t h e m u s i c a l i n s t r u m e n t w a s o n e o f t h e i m p e r i a l family's g r e a t e s t
t r e a s u r e s , t h e e m p e r o r t o o k its loss v e r y h a r d . T o t h i n k t h a t G e n j o h a d
v a n i s h e d d u r i n g hu< r e i g n ! P e r h a p s i t h a d b e e n s t o l e n , b u t i f so, t h e t h i e f
w o u l d n e v e r b e a b l e t o k e e p it. N o , n o o n e w o u l d h a v e t a k e n t h e i n s t r u -
m e n t unless he h a d a special g r u d g e against the e m p e r o r a n d w a n t e d
o n l y t o d a m a g e o r d e s t r o y it.
H a k u g a n o S a m m i , t h e r e n o w n e d m u s i c i a n , w a s still g r i e v i n g o v e r
Genjo's d i s a p p e a r a n c e w h e n , late o n e night at the palace after e v e r y o n e
had gone to bed, he heard it being played somewhere to the south. H o w
extraordinary! H e t h o u g h t his ears m u s t b e playing tricks o n him a n d
l i s t e n e d a g a i n . N o , i t w a s c e r t a i n l y G e n j o . S a m m i c o u l d h a r d l y b e l i e v e it.
W i t h o u t a w o r d t o a n y o n e , h e set o u t w i t h a s i n g l e p a g e , p a s s e d t h e
G a t e G u a r d s ' h e a d q u a r t e r s , a n d left t h e p a l a c e g r o u n d s b y t h e S u z a k u
G a t e . G e n j o w a s still s o m e w h e r e i n f r o n t o f h i m . H e s t a r t e d d o w n S u -
z a k u A v e n u e . I t s o u n d e d a s t h o u g h t h e t h i e f m u s t b e p l a y i n g for h i s o w n
p l e a s u r e i n t h e l o o k o u t t o w e r f u r t h e r o n , b u t n o , t h a t w a s still n o t it. A t
last S a m m i s t o p p e d u n d e r t h e R a s h o G a t e a t t h e o t h e r e n d o f t h e a v e n u e .
S o m e o n e w a s playing Genjo in the gate's u p p e r story. This w a s an-
o t h e r m y s t e r y , b e c a u s e i n a p l a c e like t h a t t h e p l a y e r c o u l d h a r d l y b e
h u m a n . W h y , it must be a d e m o n ! The music stopped, then began again.
" W h o ' s that u p t h e r e p l a y i n g G e n j o ? " called S a m m i . " H i s Majesty's
b e e n l o o k i n g for i t e v e r s i n c e i t w a s m i s s e d , a n d t o n i g h t I h e a r d i t all t h e
w a y u p a t t h e p a l a c e . I've c o m e t o g e t i t ! "
T h e playing stopped again, then with a start Sammi noticed something
c o m i n g d o w n from up t h e r e . It w a s Genjo, being l o w e r e d at the e n d of a
rope. Sammi nervously caught it and took it back to the palace.
T h e e m p e r o r w a s t r e m e n d o u s l y relieved, but he certainly found it
8 8

a l a r m i n g t h a t G e n j o s h o u l d h a v e b e e n s t o l e n b y a d e m o n . A s for S a m m i ,
everyone w a s very impressed with what he had done.
G e n j o is still an i m p e r i a l t r e a s u r e . It is like a living t h i n g , for w h e n
b a d l y p l a y e d or allowed to g a t h e r d u s t it gets a n g r y a n d refuses to s o u n d .
A n d o n c e , w h e n t h e p a l a c e b u r n e d d o w n a n d n o b o d y r e s c u e d it, G e n j o
g o t o u t i n t o t h e g a r d e n a w a y f r o m t h e f l a m e s all b y itself.

b~ 5 .

THE RASHO GATE

O n c e a m a n c a m e up from Settsu province to the Capital in order to

s t e a l . S i n c e i t w a s still d a y l i g h t w h e n h e a r r i v e d , h e h i d o u t u n d e r t h e
R a s h o G a t e , t h e s o u t h e r n g a t e t o the city. N o r t h w a r d , straight t o w a r d
t h e p a l a c e c o m p o u n d , s t r e t c h e d S u z a k u A v e n u e . A t t h i s h o u r i t w a s still
b u s t l i n g w i t h p e o p l e , a n d t h e m a n w a i t e d p a t i e n t l y u n d e r t h e g a t e for t h e
city to quiet d o w n . T h e n he h e a r d a large g r o u p a p p r o a c h i n g the gate
from t h e s o u t h . T o avoid b e i n g seen, h e stole u p t o the gate's t o p story,
which formed a room.
A d i m light w a s b u r n i n g in the gloom. S t r a n g e ! He peered in t h r o u g h
the latticework w i n d o w s a n d saw stretched before him the corpse of a
y o u n g w o m a n . T h e light w a s b y h e r h e a d w h e r e a n ancient crone w a s
roughly picking out the corpse's hair.
F o r all t h e f r i g h t e n e d t h i e f k n e w , t h e c r o n e c o u l d b e a d e m o n o r a
g h o s t , b u t h e d e c i d e d t o t r y g i v i n g h e r a s c a r e . H e o p e n e d t h e d o o r softly,
d r e w h i s d a g g e r , a n d c h a r g e d i n w i t h a s h o u t . T h e terrified c r o n e w r u n g
h e r h a n d s i n a f r a n t i c p l e a for m e r c y .
" W h o a r e y o u , old w o m a n , a n d w h a t are y o u doing h e r e ? " snarled the
thief.
" M y m i s t r e s s d i e d , sir, a n d t h e r e w a s n o o n e t o d o t h e needful for h e r ,
s o I b r o u g h t h e r u p h e r e . Y o u s e e , sir, h e r h a i r i s l o n g e r t h a n s h e w a s
tall, a n d I ' m p i c k i n g i t o u t t o m a k e a w i g . P l e a s e , sir, d o n ' t kill m e ! "
T h e thief t o o k the c o r p s e ' s clothes a n d the old w o m a n ' s , picked u p the
p i l e o f l o o s e h a i r , d a s h e d b a c k d o w n , a n d fled.
Y e s , t h e u p p e r s t o r y o f t h e R a s h o G a t e u s e d t o b e full o f h u m a n
skeletons. If p e o p l e couldn't provide a p r o p e r funeral they w o u l d some-
times just leave the corpse up there instead.
6Q .
THE SELFLESS THIEF

H a v i n g n o s e t t l e d p l a c e t o live, a L o t u s S u t r a d e v o t e e n a m e d S h u n c h o
w a n d e r e d h e r e a n d t h e r e a s the spirit m o v e d him. W h e n h e s a w s o m e o n e
in pain, t h a t pain b e c a m e his o w n ; a n d the s a m e w i t h a n o t h e r ' s joy.
T h e s i g h t o f t h e C a p i t a l ' s t w o p r i s o n s , o n e i n t h e e a s t o f t h e city a n d
one in the west, caused S h u n c h o deep sorrow. He understood that the
p r i s o n e r s h a d b e e n s e n t e n c e d for t h e i r c r i m e s , b u t h e still w a n t e d t o h e l p
them by planting in them the seed of future b u d d h a h o o d . Otherwise, if
they died in prison, they would be reborn a m o n g the beasts or the starv-
i n g g h o s t s , o r e v e n w o r s e , s q u a r e l y i n hell. H e w o u l d h a v e t o c o m m i t a
c r i m e t o g e t h i m s e l f a r r e s t e d a n d s e n t t o jail s o t h a t h e c o u l d c h a n t t h e
S u t r a for t h e p r i s o n e r s .
S h u n c h o b r o k e into a m a n s i o n , stole a golden bowl, a n d w e n t straight
t o a g a m b l i n g d e n t o s h o w t h e b o w l off. T h e g a m b l e r s w e r e s u r p r i s e d t o
recognize it as o n e that h a d just been reported stolen, a n d the tip soon
reached the authorities. S h u n c h o was arrested, interrogated, and thrown
i n jail. O f c o u r s e t h i s w a s j u s t w h a t h e w a n t e d . H e s t a r t e d r i g h t i n
c h a n t i n g S u t r a for t h e i n m a t e s , w h o w e p t t o h e a r h i m a n d r e v e r e n t l y
touched their foreheads to the ground.
W h e n w o r d o f his i m p r i s o n m e n t r e a c h e d the lords a n d ladies o f t h e
court, t h e y informed the chief of the Imperial Police that S h u n c h o w a s a
h o l y m a n a n d u r g e d h i s r e l e a s e . T h e c h i e f o f p o l i c e , for his p a r t , h a d a
dream. T h e Bodhisattva Fugen, shining and riding a white elephant,
c a m e to the prison w i t h a bowl of rice. He told the g u a r d s that he w a s
bringing rice, as he did every day, to S h u n c h o w h o w a s imprisoned there.
On a w a k i n g , the chief of police had S h u n c h o released immediately.
A l t h o u g h h e g o t h i m s e l f i n t o jail h a l f a d o z e n t i m e s , S h u n c h o n e v e r
m a n a g e d to stay there long. T h e n one d a y the police caught him again,
a n d this time had a m e e t i n g a b o u t him. T h e y w e r e sure by n o w that he
w a s a h a r d e n e d criminal a n d that t h a n k s to repeated release he w a s
s i m p l y e n j o y i n g free l i c e n s e t o s t e a l . H e w o u l d h a v e t o b e d e a l t w i t h m o r e
s e v e r e l y . T h e y d e c i d e d t o c u t off h i s k n e e c a p s a n d m a k e s u r e h e s e r v e d
a g o o d l o n g s e n t e n c e . A c o r p s o f officers m a r c h e d S h u n c h o off t o o n e o f
the imperial riding g r o u n d s to execute the punishment, but S h u n c h o
c h a n t e d t h e L o t u s S u t r a s o m o v i n g l y t h a t t h e y d i s s o l v e d i n t e a r s a n d let
him go.
Again the chief of police h a d a d r e a m . A beautiful b o y in court dress
9 0

t o l d h i m t h a t S h u n c h o s t o l e o n l y i n o r d e r t o g e t i n t o jail a n d s a v e t h e
prisoners there. "This i s his s e v e n t h a r r e s t , " t h e b o y r e m i n d e d t h e
d r e a m e r . " H e m i g h t as well be t h e B u d d h a himself!" T h e chief of police
w a s even more deeply impressed than before.
I n t i m e S h u n c h o d i e d b y t h e h o r s e stalls o n t h e s a m e r i d i n g g r o u n d
w h e r e h e h a d o n c e n e a r l y c o m e t o grief. S i n c e t h e r e w a s n o o n e t o
look after him, his b o d y lay t h e r e u n t e n d e d , b u t the n e i g h b o r h o o d be-
gan to hear every night a voice chanting the Lotus Sutra. N o b o d y k n e w
w h e r e it w a s c o m i n g from. T h e n a n o t h e r holy m a n took S h u n c h o ' s
skeleton a w a y d e e p into the m o u n t a i n s , a n d the voice w a s never heard
again.

6 7 .
AUTHORITY

T h e s e a s o n e d w a r r i o r F u j i w a r a n o C h i k a t a k a lived i n K o z u k e p r o v i n c e .
O n c e a r o b b e r got caught in C h i k a t a k a ' s house and w a s clapped in irons
o n t h e s p o t . T h e n h e s l i p p e d free s o m e h o w , a n d s i n c e e s c a p e w a s i m p o s -
s i b l e , h e t o o k C h i k a t a k a ' s little s o n h o s t a g e , d a s h e d i n t o a r o o m , p i n n e d
t h e b o y t o t h e floor, a n d w a i t e d w i t h his d a g g e r p o i s e d a t t h e c h i l d ' s
stomach.
C h i k a t a k a w a s at home at the time. " H e ' s taken the y o u n g master
hostage, sir!" cried the retainer w h o r u s h e d to him with the report.
W h e n C h i k a t a k a s a w w i t h his o w n eyes h o w t r u e this w a s , his sight
d i m m e d a n d h e t h o u g h t all w a s lost. I f o n l y h e c o u l d g e t t h e d a g g e r a w a y
from t h e m a n ! B u t t h e r o b b e r h a d the glittering blade pressed to his son's
s k i n . " Y o u g e t a n y c l o s e r a n d I'll r u n h i m t h r o u g h ! " h e s n a r l e d . I t w a s
not w o r t h t h e risk, n o indeed!
" S t a y a w a y ! " C h i k a t a k a o r d e r e d his retainers. " J u s t k e e p a n eye o n
h i m f r o m a d i s t a n c e ! I'll g o a n d i n f o r m t h e g o v e r n o r . "
T h e g o v e r n o r w a s M i n a m o t o n o Y o r i n o b u , a v e r y o l d friend i n d e e d
since Chikataka's mother had been Yorinobu's wet nurse. H e lived
n e a r b y . C h i k a t a k a burst in on him in a panic, blurted out the story, a n d
wept.
Y o r i n o b u s m i l e d . " I u n d e r s t a n d h o w y o u f e e l , " h e said, " b u t t h i s i s n o
t i m e for t e a r s . Y o u s h o u l d b e s t a n d i n g u p t o t h i s fellow, n e v e r m i n d
w h e t h e r he's a m a n , a god, or a d e m o n . D o n ' t y o u realize y o u look an
a w f u l fool, c a r r y i n g o n t h i s w a y like a b a b y ? H e ' s o n l y a little b o y , y o u
k n o w ! L e t h i m b e k i l l e d ! That's t h e w a y a w a r r i o r t h i n k s . All t h i s t e n d e r
love for w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n j u s t d r a g s a m a n d o w n . B e i n g f e a r l e s s m e a n s
n o t c a r i n g a b o u t y o u r o w n life o r y o u r f a m i l y ' s . B u t a n y w a y , I'll g o a n d
have a look."
W i t h h i s s w o r d a t h i s s i d e , Y o r i n o b u s t r o d e off t o w a r d C h i k a t a k a ' s
house. T h e r o b b e r recognized him w h e n he looked into the room. F a r
from t h r e a t e n i n g h i m a s h e h a d C h i k a t a k a , t h e r o b b e r s i m p l y g l o w e r e d
t o w a r d t h e floor, p o k e d h i s d a g g e r a t t h e b o y a little h a r d e r , a n d m a d e i t
plain that if the g o v e r n o r c a m e a n y closer the boy ( w h o w a s bawling
lustily) w o u l d die.
" W e l l ? D i d y o u t a k e h i m h o s t a g e t o k e e p y o u r s e l f alive, o r d o y o u
p l a n t o kill h i m ? " Y o r i n o b u a s k e d . " A n s w e r m e ! "
" H o w c o u l d I p o s s i b l y mean t o kill h i m , s i r ? " r e p l i e d t h e r o b b e r g l o o m -
ily. " B u t I d o n ' t w a n t t o d i e myself. I t h o u g h t t a k i n g h i m m i g h t h e l p m e
stay alive."
" I s e e . T h e n g e t r i d o f t h a t d a g g e r ! Y o u ' l l d o t h a t for m e , w o n ' t y o u ?
I d o n ' t w a n t t o s e e y o u h a v e t o kill a c h i l d . Y o u k n o w t h e k i n d o f m a n I
a m , I'm s u r e . N o w , d r o p i t ! "
T h e r o b b e r t h o u g h t for a m o m e n t . " T h a n k y o u , s i r , " h e s a i d . " I r e a l l y
h a v e n o c h o i c e , d o I ? " H e t h r e w t h e d a g g e r a c r o s s t h e r o o m , lifted t h e
b o y t o h i s feet, a n d let h i m g o . T h e b o y r a n off.
Y o r i n o b u s t e p p e d b a c k into t h e g a r d e n while o n e of his m e n d r a g g e d
the r o b b e r out by the collar. C h i k a t a k a assumed the g o v e r n o r w o u l d
e x e c u t e t h e f e l l o w o n t h e s p o t a n d let t h e d o g s h a v e his b o d y .
" F i n e , " s a i d Y o r i n o b u . " H e let his h o s t a g e g o v e r y n i c e l y . P o v e r t y
m a d e him steal, a n d he t o o k a hostage only to survive. We needn't hold
a n y o f t h a t a g a i n s t h i m . W h e n I t o l d h i m t o r e l e a s e his h o s t a g e , h e d i d .
H e ' s n o fool. L e t h i m g o . "
" N o w t h e n , " h e w e n t o n t o t h e r o b b e r , "tell m e w h a t y o u n e e d . " T h e
robber w a s too dissolved in tears to answer.
"Give him some food," Y o r i n o b u ordered. " H e ' s already committed
c r i m e s , a n d h e m a y e n d u p k i l l i n g s o m e o n e a f t e r all. G e t a g o o d s t r o n g
w o r k h o r s e o u t o f t h e s t a b l e s , p u t a c h e a p s a d d l e o n it, a n d b r i n g i t h e r e . "
S o m e o n e w e n t for t h e h o r s e w h i l e Y o r i n o b u s e n t s o m e o n e else for a n o l d
b o w and quiver. W h e n the things arrived, Yorinobu put the quiver on
t h e m a n ' s b a c k a n d set h i m o n t h e h o r s e , w i t h t e n d a y s ' w o r t h o f p a r c h e d
rice in a b a g s l u n g from his w a i s t .
" N o w get out of h e r e ! " he c o m m a n d e d . T h e m a n galloped a w a y at top
speed.
 G 8 .

THE WRESTLER'S SISTER

O i M i t s u t o , a w r e s t l e r w h o lived i n t h e p r o v i n c e o f K a i , w a s s t o c k y a n d
fierce, i m m e n s e l y s t r o n g , a n d w o n d e r f u l l y swift o f foot. I n c h a r a c t e r a n d
p h y s i q u e h e w a s a m o d e l for h i s p r o f e s s i o n .
M i t s u t o ' s y o u n g e r s i s t e r , a s l e n d e r , p r e t t y w o m a n i n h e r late t w e n t i e s ,
l i v e d a s h o r t w a y f r o m h e r b r o t h e r . O n c e a fleeing r o b b e r s t o r m e d i n t o
h e r h o u s e , d r e w his d a g g e r , a n d took her hostage.
A servant ran with the news to Mitsuto, w h o remained untroubled.
" H e m u s t b e a r e a l c h a m p i o n t o h a v e t a k e n her h o s t a g e , " w a s all h e
would say. The puzzled servant ran back to the house and peered in
t h r o u g h a c r a c k . T h e r e lay h i s m i s t r e s s d r e s s e d i n a t h i n m a u v e r o b e a n d
a p i n k trouser-skirt lined with green. T h e m a n , h u g e a n d terrible, had
h e r c l a m p e d b e t w e e n h i s legs f r o m b e h i n d a n d w a s h o l d i n g t h e p o i n t o f
h i s g r e a t d a g g e r t o h e r s t o m a c h . H e r left h a n d w a s o v e r h e r face a n d s h e
w a s c r y i n g . H e r r i g h t h a n d w a s t o y i n g w i t h s o m e a r r o w shafts w h i c h lay
s c a t t e r e d o n t h e floor. W h e n s h e p i c k e d u p a t o u g h b a m b o o shaft a n d
r a n its e n d a l o n g t h e b o a r d s , t h e shaft w o u l d b r e a k like r o t t e n w o o d . T h e
r o b b e r d o u b t e d t h a t M i t s u t o h i m s e l f c o u l d b r e a k a n a r r o w shaft like t h a t ,
even if he b a s h e d at it with an iron h a m m e r . Afraid he might be torn to
pieces too, he t i m e d his m o v e as best he could a n d fled, only to be caught,
b o u n d , a n d h a u l e d off t o M i t s u t o .
M i t s u t o asked him w h y he had run and laughed when he heard the
story. " Y o u ' d n e v e r h a v e g o t t e n y o u r d a g g e r into h e r , " h e said. " S h e ' d
h a v e t o r n y o u r a r m off. Y o u w e r e l u c k y s h e d i d n ' t . E v e n I c o u l d h a n d l e
y o u w i t h e a s e , b u t s h e ' s a s s t r o n g a s t w o o f m e . S h e l o o k s like a p r e t t y
slip of a t h i n g , y e s , b u t I'll n e v e r b e a t h e r . It's a s h a m e s h e ' s a w o m a n , it
r e a l l y is. I f s h e w e r e a m a n , n o b o d y w o u l d s t a n d a c h a n c e a g a i n s t h e r . "
T h e r o b b e r almost died. He had picked quite a hostage.
" I s u p p o s e I o u g h t t o kill y o u , " M i t s u t o w e n t o n , " a n d I w o u l d i f y o u ' d
e v e r b e e n a real d a n g e r to my sister. H o w right y o u w e r e to get out! S h e
c a n b r e a k a s t a g ' s a n t l e r s o v e r h e r k n e e , y o u k n o w , like a d e a d t w i g . "
M i t s u t o brusquely t h r e w the robber out the door.
6 9 .

TO SOOTHE THE SAVAGE BREAST

A hichiriki L< a .una// /'til .nirpruungty lota) reet) iiLUrnmenl math of bamboo.

A musician named Mochimitsu was on his way home from a trip to Tosa
province when, at a harbor in Aki, he was attacked by pirates. Having
no skill at arms, he was quite unable to defend himself and was sure he
was going to be killed.
He had taken refuge on top of his ship's cabin. At the last moment he
took out his hichirikiand shouted, "You pirates, listen to me! I'm defense-
less, as you can see. Help yourselves to anything you want! But I'd just
like you to hear this piece on the hichiriki. I've been working on it for
years. It'll be something for you to remember today by!"
"All right, men!" shouted the pirates' leader. "Hold it! We're going to
listen to some music!"
When the pirates had quieted down, the weeping Mochimitsu began
to play. This was the last time he would ever make music, and he poured
his whole soul into the piece. The beautiful sound of his instrument
floated far out over the waves and filled the bay where the ship was
moored. It was just like a scene in an old tale.
The pirates listened in perfect silence. When the music was over, their
leader loudly declared, "I came because I wanted your ship, but your
playing has brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't possibly harm you now! "
The pirates rowed away.
9 4

7 ° •

THE BUDDHA WITH LOTS

OF HANDS

In t h e s u m m e r of 1278 an epidemic struck the East a n d m a n y people

d i e d . A b o y I k n e w w e l l c a u g h t t h e s i c k n e s s . A s h e lay t h e r e h e c r i e d o u t
t h a t s o m e c h i l d r e n w e r e t o r m e n t i n g h i m , a n d c o m p l a i n e d t h a t h e felt
awful. Several m o n k s then chanted the Darani of T h o u s a n d - A r m e d Kan-
n o n for h i m . T h e y h a d o n l y r e p e a t e d i t t w e n t y - o n e t i m e s w h e n h e e x -
c l a i m e d , " A b u d d h a w i t h lots o f h a n d s c a m e o u t o f t h e t e m p l e a n d hit
those children on the head! They ran a w a y to the north, and they were
a n g r y a n d c r y i n g . T h e b u d d h a c h a s e d t h e m a w a y ! " T h e n h e w a s well
again.
I saw this with my o w n eyes.

1
7 •

THE PROTECTOR SPIRIT

L o r d M o t o t s u n e , t h e c h a n c e l l o r , o n c e c a u g h t a n illness t h a t w a s g o i n g
r o u n d a n d h a d h e a l i n g r i t e s d o n e for himself. All t h e b e s t - k n o w n m o n k s
c r o w d e d into his mansion, w h i c h r a n g with the din of their chanting.
No monk from Gokurakuji was called, though his lordship had
f o u n d e d t h e t e m p l e himself; b u t o n e G o k u r a k u j i m o n k w h o k n e w h o w
m u c h h e o w e d M o t o t s u n e , a n d w h a t a fix h e w o u l d b e i n s h o u l d M o t o -
t s u n e die, w e n t to the mansion a n y w a y with the S u t r a of the Benevolent
K i n g . F i n d i n g t h e p l a c e c r o w d e d a n d n o i s y , h e sat off i n a d i s t a n t c o r r i -
d o r a n d b e g a n c h a n t i n g the sacred text. No one paid any attention to
him.
 F o u r h o u r s l a t e r H i s L o r d s h i p a s k e d for t h e m o n k b y n a m e a n d w a s
told yes, he h a d been seen out by the middle gate. W h e n M o t o t s u n e
a c t u a l l y s e n t for h i m , h i s a t t e n d a n t s w o n d e r e d w h a t h e c o u l d p o s s i b l y
want with such a nobody.
T h e G o k u r a k u j i m o n k c a m e in a n d sat at the edge of the room, b e h i n d
the rows of prelates, b u t M o t o t s u n e w a s n o t c o n t e n t till h e h a d t h e
G o k u r a k u j i m o n k b y h i m . S i n c e s o far h e h a d b e e n t o o w e a k e v e n t o
speak, his a t t e n d a n t s w e r e a m a z e d to see him go to so m u c h t r o u b l e .
" I d r e a m e d t h a t f i e n d s w e r e a f t e r m e , " M o t o t s u n e t o l d t h e m o n k , "till
a y o u n g b o y c a m e f r o m t h e m i d d l e g a t e a n d b e a t t h e m off w i t h h i s staff.
T h e y all fled. T h e b o y s a i d h e w a s a p r o t e c t o r s p i r i t w h o s e r v e d you, a n d
h e t o l d m e y o u ' d b e e n c h a n t i n g t h e S u t r a o f t h e B e n e v o l e n t K i n g for m e .
I w o k e u p feeling m u c h b e t t e r a n d I w a n t e d t o t h a n k y o u p e r s o n a l l y . "
M o t o t s u n e b o w e d t o t h e m o n k , c a l l e d for a r o b e from a r a c k n e a r b y , a n d
put i t o v e r the m o n k ' s s h o u l d e r s w i t h his o w n h a n d s . " B e s u r e y o u k e e p
p r a y i n g for m e w h e n y o u g e t h o m e ! " h e b e g g e d .
The monk, w h o m no one had noticed while he chanted so devotedly in
h i s r e m o t e c o r r i d o r , w i t h d r e w from t h e m a n s i o n c o v e r e d w i t h g l o r y .

2
7 •

THE FLYING STOREHOUSE

O n c e a m o n k from a r e m o t e p a r t of J a p a n w e n t to get p r o p e r l y o r d a i n e d
at Todaiji in N a r a . A f t e r w a r d s he decided to stay on, rather than return
t o his p r i m i t i v e h i n t e r l a n d , a n d p r a y e d t o t h e G r e a t B u d d h a o f T o d a i j i t o
h e l p h i m c h o o s e w h e r e t o live. A t t h a t m o m e n t h e n o t i c e d M o u n t S h i g i
looming in the distance t o w a r d the southwest. He settled there, built a
little c h a p e l , a n d t o o k u p t h e a s c e t i c life. S o o n a fine little i m a g e o f
B i s h a m o n m a t e r i a l i z e d for h i s m o d e s t a l t a r .
T h e m o n k ' s b e g g i n g b o w l w o u l d fly d o w n e v e r y d a y for a l m s t o a r i c h
m a n w h o l i v e d b e l o w t h e m o u n t a i n , a n d e v e r y d a y t h e rich m a n w o u l d
fill it. B u t o n e d a y t h e r i c h m a n h a p p e n e d t o b e w o r k i n g i n h i s b i g
storehouse w h e n the begging bowl arrived. "Bother that greedy b o w l ! "
h e m u t t e r e d , a n d i n s t e a d o f filling it, t o s s e d i t i n t o a c o r n e r . T h e b o w l
w a i t e d p a t i e n t l y , b u t e v e n t u a l l y t h e m a n t i d i e d u p a n d left, l o c k i n g t h e
s t o r e h o u s e d o o r b e h i n d h i m . H e h a d f o r g o t t e n all a b o u t t h e b o w l .
The storehouse began to tremble and shake, much to the household's
9 6

a m a z e m e n t , till it s h o o k itself l o o s e a n d h o v e r e d , v i b r a t i n g , a foot off t h e

g r o u n d . " O f c o u r s e ! " the rich m a n realized. " O f course! It must be that
b o w l ! I left i t i n t h e r e ! " M e a n w h i l e t h e b o w l s q u e e z e d its w a y o u t , g o t
u n d e r t h e s t o r e h o u s e , a n d c a r r i e d i t off a h u n d r e d feet u p i n t h e a i r .
T h e r e w a s a n u p r o a r b e l o w . T h e r i c h m a n c o u l d o n l y follow t o see
w h e r e h i s s t o r e h o u s e w o u l d g o , a n d e v e r y o n e else t r o o p e d i n c o n f u s i o n
a f t e r h i m . T h e s t o r e h o u s e flew t o t h e t o p o f t h e m o u n t a i n a n d c a m e d o w n
with a t h u d next to the monk's hut.
T h e r i c h m a n w a s c e r t a i n l y a w e d , b u t h e still felt h e s h o u l d s a y s o m e -
t h i n g . H e r e m i n d e d t h e m o n k h o w faithfully h e n o r m a l l y filled t h e b o w l
a n d explained h o w t o d a y he just h a p p e n e d to have shut it thoughtlessly
i n t h e s t o r e h o u s e . H e e n d e d w i t h a p l e a for t h e r e t u r n o f h i s p r o p e r t y .
" T h i s i s all v e r y s t r a n g e , " t h e m o n k r e p l i e d , " b u t n o w t h e s t o r e h o u s e
is h e r e I d o n ' t s e e h o w I can g i v e it b a c k . I h a v e n o t h i n g like it m y s e l f
a n d I c a n c e r t a i n l y u s e it. B u t y o u ' r e w e l c o m e t o t h e c o n t e n t s . "
" H o w a m I g o i n g t o g e t all t h a t r i c e b a c k d o w n t h e m o u n t a i n ? T h e r e
are a t h o u s a n d sacks in t h e r e ! "
" T h a t ' s e a s y . I'll d o i t for y o u . "
T h e m o n k h a d a sack loaded onto the bowl, then sent the bowl flying
i n t o t h e a i r . All t h e o t h e r s a c k s f o l l o w e d a f t e r i t like a f l o c k o f g e e s e .
" W a i t ! " c r i e d t h e r i c h m a n . " D o n ' t r e t u r n t h e m all! K e e p a c o u p l e o f
h u n d r e d for y o u r s e l f ! "
T h e m o n k refused on the g r o u n d s that he would not k n o w w h a t to do
with so m u c h rice.
" T h e n k e e p a couple of d o z e n sacks a n y w a y , " the rich m a n pleaded,
"as m u c h as y o u can use! They're y o u r s ! "
T h e m o n k s a i d t h i s w a s still far t o o m u c h a n d r e f u s e d a g a i n . E v e r y
s i n g l e s a c k a r r i v e d i n g o o d o r d e r b a c k a t t h e rich m a n ' s h o u s e . T h e
m o n k ' s f a m e s p r e a d far a n d w i d e .
A b o u t t h a t t i m e E m p e r o r D a i g o h a p p e n e d t o b e c o m e v e r y ill. All s o r t s
o f p r a y e r s a n d r i t e s t r i e d o n h i s b e h a l f b r o u g h t h i m n o relief. F i n a l l y a n
official t h o u g h t o f t h e h o l y m a n o f M o u n t S h i g i . " H e n e v e r c o m e s d o w n
f r o m h i s m o u n t a i n a t a l l , " t h e official r e p o r t e d . " H e h a s s u c h e x t r a o r d i -
n a r y p o w e r s , y o u s e e , t h a t h e c a n h a v e h i s b e g g i n g b o w l fly d o w n b y
itself t o g e t h i m f o o d , s o h e h a s w h a t h e n e e d s w i t h o u t g o i n g a n y w h e r e .
I f y o u s u m m o n h i m , Y o u r M a j e s t y , I t h i n k y o u will find t h a t h e c a n c u r e
y o u . " T h e e m p e r o r a g r e e d a n d s e n t for t h e h o l y m a n .
T h e m e s s e n g e r w a s a w e d , too, w h e n h e delivered the imperial s u m -
m o n s . T h e m o n k j u s t a s k e d w h a t H i s M a j e s t y w a n t e d h i m for a n d g a v e
n o s i g n o f m o v i n g . T h e m e s s e n g e r e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e e m p e r o r w a s ill a n d
t h a t his p r a y e r s w e r e r e q u i r e d .
 "I d o n ' t h a v e to go to h i m , " the m o n k said. "I can heal him perfectly
well from h e r e ! "
" B u t i f y o u d o , h o w will h e k n o w y o u ' r e t h e o n e h e h a s t o t h a n k ? "
" W h a t difference d o e s it m a k e w h e t h e r or not he k n o w s w h o cured
h i m ? A s l o n g a s h e ' s c u r e d , t h a t ' s all t h a t m a t t e r s . "
" S t i l l , " t h e m e s s e n g e r i n s i s t e d , " t h e r e a r e a lot o f p e o p l e p r a y i n g for
him a n d it w o u l d be better to be clear a b o u t w h o s e prayers w o r k e d . "
"All r i g h t , t h e n , " t h e m o n k c o n c e d e d . "I'll s e n d m y s p i r i t - h e l p e r , t h e
S w o r d G u a r d i a n . I f H i s M a j e s t y s e e s t h e s p i r i t i n a d r e a m o r v i s i o n , he'll
k n o w that he c o m e s from m e . T h e S w o r d G u a r d i a n w e a r s a cloak w o v e n
o f s w o r d s . A s for m e , I'm s t a y i n g h e r e . "
T h e messenger r e t u r n e d to the Capital a n d reported w h a t the holy m a n
h a d said. T h r e e d a y s later the e m p e r o r w a s n a p p i n g in b r o a d daylight
w h e n he saw s o m e t h i n g glitter. He realized it must be the holy m a n ' s
g u a r d i a n s p i r i t . I n s t a n t l y h e felt p e r f e c t l y w e l l . T h e c o u r t w a s i m m e n s e l y
relieved a n d impressed with the evidence of the m o n k ' s p o w e r s .
O n c e again a n imperial m e s s e n g e r m a d e his w a y t o M o u n t Shigi, this
t i m e w i t h t h e offer o f r i c h r e w a r d s . " W o u l d y o u like t o b e a b i s h o p o r a n
a r c h b i s h o p ? " t h e e m p e r o r ' s m e s s a g e r a n . " W o u l d y o u like a n e s t a t e t o
p r o v i d e i n c o m e for y o u r t e m p l e ? " B u t t h e m o n k s a i d h e h a d n o u s e for
t i t l e s a n d p r o t e s t e d t h a t a n e s t a t e w o u l d b e far m o r e t r o u b l e t h a n i t w a s
w o r t h . "I'll j u s t s t a y a s I a m , " h e d e c l a r e d , till t h e m e s s e n g e r g a v e u p a n d
went away.
All t h a t w a s m a n y y e a r s a g o . T h e h o l y m a n ' s flying s t o r e h o u s e i s still
o n t h e m o u n t a i n , w i t h relics o f h i m still i n s i d e , t h o u g h n o w i t i s c r u m b l i n g
w i t h a g e . T h o s e w h o a r e b l e s s e d t o o b t a i n t h e s m a l l e s t f r a g m e n t o f its
w o o d m a k e i t i n t o a b u d d h a like t h e m o n k ' s o w n , a n d a r e s u r e t o e n j o y
g o o d f o r t u n e , p e a c e , a n d e a s e . T h e m o n k ' s B i s h a m o n , t o o , i s still o n t h e
mountain, and countless pilgrims pay homage to it there.

7 3 •

NO RESPECT

Soo, of M u d o j i on M o u n t Hiei, used to practice regularly at a triple

w a t e r f a l l j u s t n o r t h o f t h e m o u n t a i n , i n v o k i n g t h e r e t h e fiery F u d o . O n c e
he prayed to Lord F u d o : "Put me on y o u r back, take me to the Tosotsu
9 8

H e a v e n w h e r e M i r o k u , t h e F u t u r e B u d d h a , lives! B r i n g m e t o t h e I n n e r
S a n c t u m f r o m w h e r e , i n t h e f u l l n e s s o f t i m e , M i r o k u will b e b o r n i n t o
this w o r l d to save u s ! "
" T h a t ' s n o t e a s y , " F u d o a n s w e r e d , " b u t I'll t a k e y o u t h e r e i f y o u insist.
First, w a s h y o u r butt."
S o o d u c k e d u n d e r t h e w a t e r f a l l , m a d e s u r e his b u t t w a s c l e a n , g o t u p
o n F u d o ' s h e a d , a n d flew off t o t h e T o s o t s u H e a v e n . W h e n t h e y r e a c h e d
the gate to the Inner Sanctum, he saw above it the words, "Lotus of the
Wonderful Teaching."
"People go in chanting the S u t r a , " F u d o reminded him. "The Lotus
Sutra, y o u know, the Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonderful Teaching. You
can't get in if y o u ' r e not c h a n t i n g it."
S o o lifted h i s e y e s t o t h e b o u n d l e s s h e a v e n s . " D r a t ! " h e e x c l a i m e d . " I
read t h e S u t r a , of c o u r s e , b u t I c a n ' t c h a n t it n o w b e c a u s e I still d o n ' t
k n o w it by heart!"
" O h . T h a t ' s t o o b a d . T h e n I s u p p o s e y o u c a n ' t g o in. I'll j u s t h a v e t o
take y o u h o m e again. We'll come back when you have the Sutra d o w n . "
L o r d F u d o d r o p p e d S o o off a g a i n b y t h e w a t e r f a l l .
S o o w a s terribly d i s a p p o i n t e d , but they say he did m a s t e r t h e S u t r a in
the end a n d got into the Inner Sanctum. The F u d o w h o took him was, to
b e p r e c i s e , t h e o n e h e h i m s e l f h a d m a d e , life-sized, a n d e n s h r i n e d i n his
temple.
S o o w a s k n o w n for h i s m i r a c l e s . O n e d a y t h e S o m e d o n o E m p r e s s fell
ill, t o r m e n t e d b y a n evil s p i r i t . W h e n s o m e o n e s u g g e s t e d S o o a s a n
o u t s t a n d i n g h e a l e r ( " a d i s c i p l e o f t h e g r e a t E n n i n , y o u k n o w — h e lives
o n M o u n t H i e i " ) , t h e e m p r e s s s e n t a m e s s e n g e r t o fetch h i m .
W h e n S o o a r r i v e d , h e w a i t e d a t t h e m i d d l e g a t e o f t h e m a n s i o n : a tall
m o n k m o r e like a d e m o n t h a n a m a n , w e a r i n g r o u g h c l o g s a n d a b a r k -
fiber h a b i t a n d c a r r y i n g a r o s a r y o f b i g s e e d s . T h e e m p r e s s ' s a t t e n d a n t s
found him there. " G o o d n e s s ! " they whispered to each other. " W h a t a
t r a m p ! W e c a n ' t p o s s i b l y let h i m i n t o H e r M a j e s t y ' s p r e s e n c e ! " T h e y
told him he w o u l d h a v e to p r a y from the v e r a n d a outside the empress's
r o o m , a n d w o r d d i r e c t l y from H e r M a j e s t y i m m e d i a t e l y c o n f i r m e d t h e
order.
S i n c e t h e e m p r e s s w a s s o m e d i s t a n c e a w a y , all S o o a c t u a l l y h a d o f h e r
w a s t h e g r o a n i n g t h a t c a m e t h r o u g h her curtains. O n hearing her, h e
b e g a n loudly w o r k i n g his rites. L o r d F u d o himself s e e m e d present, a n d
a shiver of a w e g a v e t h e a t t e n d a n t s gooseflesh. S u d d e n l y the empress
s h o t t h r o u g h h e r c u r t a i n s , all w r a p p e d u p a s s h e w a s i n t w o p i n k r o b e s ,
a n d c a m e rolling out to Soo on the veranda.
T h e r e w a s a n u p r o a r . " O h ! M y lady! H o w awful! O h please, Y o u r
Grace, please put her back! Y o u can go right up to her curtains, of course
you can!"
Soo w o u l d not b u d g e . " W h y , I w o u l d n ' t think of it!" he said. "A poor
b e g g a r like m e w o u l d n ' t d a r e a p p r o a c h H e r M a j e s t y ! " F u r i o u s a t h a v i n g
b e e n d e n i e d d i r e c t a c c e s s t o t h e e m p r e s s i n t h e first p l a c e , h e h a d n o
intention of moving. On the contrary, right out there on the v e r a n d a he
r a i s e d H e r M a j e s t y f o u r o r five feet i n t o t h e a i r a n d g a v e h e r a g o o d
w h a c k . Panic-stricken, her attendants hustled the curtains over to hide
h e r , w h i l e a t t h e s a m e t i m e c h a s i n g all t h e b y s t a n d e r s t h e y c o u l d g e t a t
— p a s s i n g s e r v a n t s , ladies-in-waiting, g e n t l e m e n of the c o u r t — out of
sight. Alas, the d a m a g e w a s already d o n e . E v e r y o n e had seen the em-
press as plain as plain could be.
S o o g a v e h e r a few m o r e w h a c k s a n d s c o o t e d h e r b a c k to w h e r e she
h a d s t a r t e d o u t f r o m , s o d e c o r o u s l y c o n c e a l e d . T h e n h e left. " O h , d o
wait a m o m e n t ! " the empress's a t t e n d a n t s cried out, but he ignored t h e m .
"I've been standing a r o u n d too long as it is," he grumbled, "and my back
hurts."
T h e e m p r e s s f o u n d t h a t t h e evil s p i r i t w a s n o w g o n e a n d t h a t s h e felt
perfectly well. Soo h a d been so impressive that he soon got an imperial
p r o c l a m a t i o n a p p o i n t i n g h i m a b i s h o p . " N o w w h a t ' s a b e g g a r like m e t o
d o w i t h a f a n c y title like t h a t ? " h e m u t t e r e d , a n d s e n t t h e m e s s e n g e r
packing.
After that, S o o w a s c o n s t a n t l y being called to heal p e o p l e in K y o t o ,
but he refused to go. He would always complain that in the Capital y o u
don't get a n y respect.

7 4 •
THE INVISIBLE MAN

T h e r e o n c e lived i n t h e C a p i t a l , n o o n e r e m e m b e r s j u s t w h e n , a h u m b l e
man w h o w a s devoted to R o k k a k u d o , a holy temple dedicated to Kan-
n o n . H e often w e n t t h e r e o n p i l g r i m a g e .
O n t h e last n i g h t o f t h e y e a r h e w e n t o u t a l o n e o n a visit a n d c a m e
h o m e late. J u s t as he w a s crossing the H o r i k a w a Bridge w e s t w a r d , along
First A v e n u e , he saw a t r o u p e of people a p p r o a c h i n g with torches. No
d o u b t a g r e a t lord w a s on his w a y s o m e w h e r e . T h e m a n q u i c k l y hid
1 0 0

u n d e r the bridge a n d s n e a k e d a look as the c r o w d passed overhead. They

w e r e n o t h u m a n s a t all b u t frightful d e m o n s ! S o m e h a d a single e y e ,
s o m e h a d h o r n s , s o m e h a d lots of a r m s , a n d some h o p p e d along on only
o n e leg.
T h e m a n forgot w h e t h e r h e w a s alive o r d e a d a n d stood rooted, witless,
t o t h e s p o t . M e a n w h i l e t h e d e m o n s p a s s e d b y — all b u t o n e w h o w a s
trailing behind a n d w h o muttered, "There's a man around here! " Another
d e m o n s a i d t h a t h e d i d n ' t dee a n y m a n . " G e t h i m ! " s h o u t e d a t h i r d , a n d
t h e m a n t h o u g h t h e w a s lost.
O n e d e m o n charged, c a u g h t him, a n d d r a g g e d him u p . T h e others
a g r e e d t h a t h e h a d d o n e n o t h i n g m u c h w r o n g a n d d e c i d e d t o let h i m g o ,
b u t first f o u r o r five o f t h e d e m o n s s p a t i n his face. T h e n t h e y w e n t t h e i r
way.
T h e m a n w a s h a p p y j u s t n o t t o h a v e b e e n killed. H i s h e a d a c h e d n o w
a n d h e felt r a t h e r s t r a n g e , b u t h e w a s s o e a g e r t o g e t h o m e a n d tell his
w i f e all a b o u t i t t h a t h e w e n t o n a s fast a s h e c o u l d . W h e n h e e n t e r e d his
h o u s e , his family n e v e r said a w o r d to him, t h o u g h they looked straight
at him, a n d they did not a n s w e r w h e n he spoke to them. Even when he
w e n t r i g h t u p t o t h e m t h e y s e e m e d n o t t o k n o w a n y o n e w a s t h e r e . A t last
h e u n d e r s t o o d . T h e d e m o n s ' spit h a d m a d e him invisible.
W h a t a d i s a s t e r ! H e c o u l d s e e a n d h e a r a s well a s e v e r , b u t n o o n e
c o u l d s e e o r h e a r him. H e e v e n t r i e d e a t i n g s o m e o f t h e food h i s family
h a d left o u t , b u t n o o n e n o t i c e d . T h e y , for t h e i r p a r t , w e r e s u r e b y t h e
time d a w n came that he had been murdered the previous night.
S e v e r a l d a y s l a t e r t h e r e w a s still n o i m p r o v e m e n t . T h e m a n s t a y e d a t
R o k k a k u d o a n d b e g g e d K a n n o n for h e l p . " Y e a r a f t e r y e a r I've v i s i t e d
y o u a n d p u t m y trust i n y o u , " h e p r a y e d . " N o w , please, g r a n t m e this
b o o n : m a k e m e v i s i b l e a s I u s e d t o b e ! " H e fed h i m s e l f f r o m t h e m e a l s o f
t h e o t h e r s o n r e t r e a t t h e r e a n d from t h e o f f e r i n g s t h e y m a d e t o K a n n o n ,
y e t e v e n s o m e o n e r i g h t n e x t t o h i m w o u l d n e v e r r e a l i z e h e w a s d o i n g so.
After t w o r e t r e a t p e r i o d s (seven days e a c h ) , he d r e a m e d one night,
t o w a r d d a w n , that a holy m o n k stood beside him. "Leave here early in
t h e m o r n i n g a n d d o a s t h e f i r s t p e r s o n y o u m e e t tells y o u , " t h e m o n k
ordered. Then the man woke up.
H e left a t d a w n a n d m e t a t t h e g a t e a w e i r d o x h e r d w i t h a h u g e o x .
" H e y , y o u ! " t h e o x h e r d called. " C o m e with m e ! " T h e m a n w a s relieved
to g a t h e r t h a t he w a s visible again a n d gladly followed the o x h e r d as the
d r e a m h a d i n s t r u c t e d h i m t o d o . A f t e r h a l f a m i l e o r so, t h e y c a m e t o a n
i m p o s i n g g a t e . I t w a s c l o s e d , b u t t h e o x h e r d t e t h e r e d his o x a n d s t a r t e d
t h r o u g h the crack b e t w e e n the leaves of the gate — a crack much too
s m a l l for a n y o n e t o g e t t h r o u g h . " C o m e o n ! " h e o r d e r e d . " Y o u t o o ! "
 " H o w am I s u p p o s e d t o g e t t h r o u g h a c r a c k like t h a t ? " t h e m a n
protested.
" J u s t d o it!" T h e o x h e r d took his h a n d a n d pulled him t h r o u g h . T h e y
w e r e on the g r o u n d s of a big, p r o s p e r o u s mansion.
T h e y w a l k e d i n t o t h e h o u s e u n c h a l l e n g e d . I n a n i n n e r r o o m a girl w a s
l y i n g ill, w i t h w o m e n s i t t i n g a t t h e h e a d a n d foot o f h e r b e d w a t c h i n g
o v e r h e r . T h e o x h e r d g a v e t h e m a n a s m a l l mallet, sat h i m d o w n b y t h e
girl, a n d h a d h i m h a m m e r h e r o n t h e h e a d a n d h i p s . A s h e d i d s o , t h e
girl h a l f sat u p i n a g o n y . H e r p a r e n t s , w h o w e r e t h e r e t o o , t o l d e a c h
other the end w a s near a n d wept. Someone was chanting a sutra.
A s e r v a n t w e n t t o call a f a m o u s h e a l e r w h o s h o r t l y a r r i v e d , sat d o w n
b e s i d e t h e g i r l , a n d i n t o n e d t h e H e a r t S u t r a . A t t h e s o u n d o f his v o i c e ,
the hair rose on the man's head and he shivered with awe. T h e oxherd,
m e a n w h i l e , e s c a p e d a s fast a s h e c o u l d a n d d i s a p p e a r e d .
Next, the healer chanted Fudo's Fire Darani. T h e man screamed and
h i s c l o t h e s b u r s t i n t o f l a m e s . S u d d e n l y h e w a s p l a i n l y v i s i b l e a g a i n for
the w h o l e household to see: a miserable wretch seated right beside the
patient. He w a s q u i c k l y seized, hustled outside, a n d questioned; he told
his s t o r y a s b e s t h e c o u l d . T h e h o u s e h o l d h a d difficulty b e l i e v i n g h i m .
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e y w e r e v e r y h a p p y t o f i n d t h a t t h e girl w a s n o w
perfectly well.
The healer assured them that the man was not to blame, and that on
the c o n t r a r y he h a d just b e e n mercifully blessed by the K a n n o n of R o k -
k a k u d o . T h e y w e r e t o let h i m g o . S o t h e y d r o v e t h e m a n from t h e i r d o o r ,
a n d h e r e t u r n e d h o m e t o tell h i s family t h e w h o l e a d v e n t u r e . T h o u g h
d i s t u r b e d b y it, h i s w i f e w a s a w f u l l y g l a d t o h a v e h i m b a c k .
T h e o x h e r d h a d been the follower of some god, a n d it w a s he w h o had
b e e n p e r s u a d e d s o m e h o w t o p o s s e s s t h e girl a n d t o r t u r e h e r . B o t h s h e
a n d the m a n enjoyed perfect health after that. H o w powerful the Fire
D a r a n i is!
Long ago the great master Ennin went to study the Buddha's Teaching
i n C h i n a , s o a s t o p a s s i t o n t o o u r o w n l a n d . I n 845 h e e n c o u n t e r e d
E m p e r o r Wu-tsung's terrible persecution of Buddhism. Temples were
b e i n g r a z e d , a n d m o n k s a n d n u n s w e r e b e i n g s e i z e d a n d killed o r f o r c e d
b a c k i n t o l a y life.
E n n i n w a s a l m o s t c a u g h t , t o o , w h e n h e f l e d i n t o a hall o f t h e t e m p l e
w h e r e h e w a s s t a y i n g . S o l d i e r s w e n t i n a f t e r h i m . D e s p e r a t e , h e hid
a m o n g t h e s a c r e d i m a g e s , a n d t h e s o l d i e r s w e r e s u r p r i s e d t o find a n e w
F u d o a m o n g the b u d d h a s o n the altar. T h e y w e r e also suspicious, how-
e v e r , a n d w h e n t h e y lifted t h e F u d o d o w n i t t u r n e d b a c k i n t o E n n i n .
T h e y reported this alarming transformation to the emperor w h o decided
t h a t b e i n g a f o r e i g n m o n k , E n n i n s h o u l d s i m p l y b e e x p e l l e d from C h i n a .
G r e a t l y r e l i e v e d , E n n i n f l e d for t h e b o r d e r . B e y o n d t h e d i s t a n t m o u n -
t a i n s h e c a m e t o a n i s o l a t e d c o m p o u n d w i t h a h i g h w a l l a r o u n d it, p i e r c e d
b y a s i n g l e g a t e . I t w a s g o o d t o s e e a h u m a n d w e l l i n g . H e l e a r n e d from
t h e g a t e k e e p e r t h a t t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t b e l o n g e d t o a c e r t a i n rich m a n . T h e
gatekeeper asked Ennin who he was.
"I'm a J a p a n e s e m o n k and I came to China to study the Buddha's
T e a c h i n g , " E n n i n r e p l i e d . " B u t n o w I'm t r y i n g t o e s c a p e this t e r r i b l e
persecution."
T h e m a n r e m a r k e d that hardly a n y o n e ever came there. " W h y not stay
a w h i l e ? " he suggested. " W h e n things have quieted d o w n y o u can go
back to studying."
E n n i n a c c e p t e d gladly. T h e g a t e k e e p e r locked the gate b e h i n d him and
led h i m i n t o a b u s t l i n g c o m p o u n d filled w i t h b u i l d i n g s . H e w a s g i v e n a
r o o m off t o o n e s i d e .
N e x t , h e w e n t l o o k i n g for a g o o d p l a c e t o p r a c t i c e his d e v o t i o n s . H e
found no sign of B u d d h i s m or of m o n k s , but in the back, t o w a r d the
m o u n t a i n s , h e h e a r d pitiful h u m a n g r o a n s c o m i n g from a b u i l d i n g . P e e r -
ing a n x i o u s l y t h r o u g h a c r a c k i n t h e f e n c e r o u n d t h e p l a c e , h e s a w p e o p l e
tied up a n d h u n g in mid-air, with jars below t h e m to catch their d r i p p i n g
blood. Horrified, he called to ask t h e m w h y they w e r e being tortured,
but got no reply. T h e n he tried another spot and heard an answering
groan.
B e y o n d the fence people w e r e lying on the g r o u n d , deathly pale a n d
emaciated. Ennin beckoned to one and asked again w h a t had brought
t h e m t o this p a s s . T h e victim slipped his w a s t e d a r m t h r o u g h the fence
a n d w i t h a bit o f w o o d t r a c e d t h e f o l l o w i n g m e s s a g e o n t h e g r o u n d .
"This is D y e i n g Castle," the victim w r o t e . "People w h o come here are
f i r s t g i v e n a d r u g w h i c h d e p r i v e s t h e m o f s p e e c h , t h e n fed a n o t h e r w h i c h
f a t t e n s t h e m . A f t e r t h a t t h e y a r e h u n g u p a n d t h e i r s k i n slit all o v e r s o
t h a t t h e i r b l o o d d r i p s o u t . T h e b l o o d i s u s e d t o d y e t i e - d y e d stuffs, w h i c h
a r e s o l d . All o f u s a r e b e i n g t o r t u r e d t h i s w a y b e c a u s e w e d i d n o t k n o w
a b o u t t h e t r a p . Y o u will f i n d i n y o u r f o o d d a r k g r a i n s like s e s a m e s e e d s .
T h e s e a r e t h e d r u g t h a t r o b s y o u o f s p e e c h . I f t h e y t r y t o feed t h e m t o
y o u , only p r e t e n d to eat t h e m . G e t rid of them, a n d g r o a n if a n y o n e talks
t o y o u . T h e n e s c a p e a s fast a s y o u c a n , b u t n o t t h r o u g h t h e g a t e b e c a u s e
it is locked a n d i m p a s s a b l e . "
E n n i n r e t u r n e d to his r o o m , a n d a meal w a s soon b r o u g h t him. In t h e
f o o d t h e r e w e r e b l a c k g r a i n s , w h i c h h e s l i p p e d i n t o t h e fold o f h i s r o b e
and later t h r e w a w a y . W h e n a servant spoke to him, he only groaned in
reply. T h e s e r v a n t w a s deceived a n d g a v e E n n i n next the d r u g t o fatten
him. E n n i n p r e t e n d e d to eat this too, b u t did not. W h e n he w a s alone
again, he t u r n e d to the northeast and prayed with desperate intensity to
all t h e g o o d p o w e r s o f H i e i , h i s h o m e m o u n t a i n a n d m o n a s t e r y i n J a p a n .
S u d d e n l y a large b l a c k d o g a p p e a r e d , c a u g h t E n n i n ' s sleeve in his
j a w s , a n d t u g g e d . E n n i n t h o u g h t i t b e s t t o follow. T h e d o g l e d h i m t o
w h e r e a b r o o k entered the c o m p o u n d , a place he w o u l d never have found
o n his o w n . O n c e h e w a s outside, the d o g v a n i s h e d .
H e r a n w h e r e v e r h i s legs w o u l d c a r r y h i m till h e c a m e t o a v i l l a g e
b e y o n d the m o u n t a i n s a n d d e s c r i b e d to a curious villager w h o he w a s
a n d w h e r e h e h a d b e e n . " H o w a w f u l ! " exclaimed t h e villager. " T h a t ' s
Dyeing Castle! No one w h o goes in there ever returns. O n l y the Bud-
dha's aid could possibly have gotten y o u out! Y o u must be a saint!" He
immediately p r o s t r a t e d himself before E n n i n .
A t last E n n i n m a d e h i s w a y s e c r e t l y b a c k t o t h e C a p i t a l , a n d i n 8 4 6
E m p e r o r W u - t s u n g died. The next emperor halted the persecution, so
that E n n i n w a s able t o c o m p l e t e his stay i n C h i n a profitably a n d r e t u r n
to J a p a n with a rich store of holy w i s d o m .
1 0 4

7 ^ •

TAKEN IN

A newly a p p o i n t e d d e p u t y viceroy of Kyushu had m a n y children, but the

last of t h e m w a s his favorite: a bright a n d h a n d s o m e son n o w t w e n t y
y e a r s o l d . T h o u g h n o t f r o m a w a r l i k e family, t h e y o u n g m a n w a s r e m a r k -
ably s t r o n g a n d b r a v e , a n d his p a r e n t s w e r e s o fond o f him that t h e y took
him d o w n t o K y u s h u w i t h t h e m . M e a n w h i l e the d e p u t y viceroy's assis-
tant, t h e g o v e r n o r of C h i k u z e n , h a d a lovely t e e n a g e d a u g h t e r w h o m he
a n d his wife loved so m u c h that they h a d taken h e r d o w n to K y u s h u , too.
T h e d e p u t y v i c e r o y w a s s o e a g e r for t h e t w o t o m a r r y t h a t h i s a s s i s t a n t
could h a r d l y refuse, a n d on an auspicious d a y the pair w e r e happily
united. But the groom had always aspired to a government career, and
h e n o w p l a n n e d t o g o u p t o t h e C a p i t a l . P a r t i n g from h i s w i f e w a s o u t o f
t h e q u e s t i o n , so he d e c i d e d to t a k e h e r with him — by land, since t h e sea
r o u t e s e e m e d a b i t r i s k y . H e s e t off w i t h a p a r t y o f t w e n t y p i c k e d r e t a i n -
e r s , a n d w i t h a t r a i n o f p a c k h o r s e s a n d o f s e r v a n t s o n foot.
They were making good time w h e n they reached Inamino in Harima
p r o v i n c e , l a t e o n a J a n u a r y a f t e r n o o n . A stiff w i n d w a s b l o w i n g , m i x e d
with snow. F r o m the mountains to the north a monk rode toward them,
an i m p o s i n g fellow in a r e d r o b e , violet t r o u s e r s , a n d s t r a w boots, carry-
i n g a l a c q u e r e d w h i p . T h e s a d d l e o n h i s s p i r i t e d h o r s e w a s inlaid w i t h
mother-of-pearl.
He d i s m o u n t e d a n d b o w e d respectfully to the y o u n g man. "I have long
s e r v e d H i s E x c e l l e n c y t h e g o v e r n o r of C h i k u z e n , " he said. "I h a p p e n e d
t o h e a r , sir, t h a t y o u w e r e o n y o u r w a y t o t h e C a p i t a l , a n d s i n c e I live i n
t h e m o u n t a i n s n o r t h o f h e r e I c a m e t o offer m y h o s p i t a l i t y , i f y o u d o n o t
mind r o u g h i n g it a bit." He w a s ever so polite.
T h e y o u n g m a n ' s r e t a i n e r s all d i s m o u n t e d i n t u r n w h i l e t h e y o u n g m a n
r e i n e d in his h o r s e . " I t ' s v e r y k i n d of y o u , " he replied, " b u t I w a n t to get
t o K y o t o a s fast a s I c a n . I m a y r e t u r n t o K y u s h u n e x t y e a r , t h o u g h , a n d
I'll b e h a p p y t o visit y o u t h e n . "
B u t t h e m o n k w o u l d n o t t a k e n o for a n a n s w e r . T h e s u n h a d a l m o s t
s u n k behind the m o u n t a i n s by now, and the retainers w e r e so obviously
e a g e r t o a c c e p t t h a t a t l a s t t h e y o u n g m a n y i e l d e d . T h e m o n k led t h e w a y
w i t h a s a t i s f i e d a i r , a s s u r i n g h i s g u e s t s t h a t t h e y h a d n o t far t o g o .
T w o or t h r e e miles b r o u g h t t h e m to a c o m p o u n d entirely s u r r o u n d e d
by a high wall. T h e m o n k took the y o u n g couple straight in to w h a t
a p p e a r e d to be living q u a r t e r s on t h e south side of the c o m p o u n d , a n d
had r e f r e s h m e n t s served t h e m while the horses w e r e foddered. T h e ser-
v a n t s a n d r e t a i n e r s , m e a n w h i l e , w e r e g i v e n l o d g i n g s a g o o d w a y off.
A f t e r a lively a n d l u x u r i o u s feast t h e c o u p l e , a l o n e b u t for a m a i d o r
t w o , loosened their clothes a n d lay d o w n . T h e maids h a d enjoyed t h e m -
s e l v e s freely a n d w e r e n o w a s l e e p , b u t t h e c o u p l e w e r e w i d e a w a k e .
S o m e h o w ill a t e a s e , t h e y h a d h a r d l y e a t e n o r d r u n k . A s t h e y c h a t t e d
they assured each o t h e r t e n d e r l y of their love a n d w o n d e r e d , in a
strangely gloomy mood, w h a t their journey would yet bring them. Slowly
the hours passed.
In the small h o u r s t h e y h e a r d w i t h misgiving footsteps a p p r o a c h i n g
from w i t h i n t h e h o u s e . S u d d e n l y t h e d o o r b y t h e h e a d o f t h e i r b e d slid
open. T h e y o u n g m a n j u m p e d u p but w a s seized b y the hair a n d d r a g g e d
a w a y . S t r o n g t h o u g h h e w a s , i t h a d all h a p p e n e d t o o fast. H e h a d n o t
even b e e n able to pick up t h e s w o r d he k e p t by his pillow.
T h e assailant k n o c k e d a shutter open a n d hauled him out of the room.
" K a n e o m a r u ! " he called. " A r e y o u r e a d y ? See that y o u take care of the
usual!"
" R i g h t ! " a n s w e r e d a nasty voice. H a n d s seized the y o u n g m a n ' s collar
a n d h u s t l e d h i m off.
There w a s a fenced area in one corner of the compound, and the gate
i n t h e f e n c e o p e n e d o n t o a p i t t h i r t y feet d e e p w i t h h u n d r e d s o f s h a r p -
e n e d b a m b o o s t a k e s p l a n t e d a t t h e b o t t o m . Y e a r a f t e r y e a r t r a v e l e r s like
the y o u n g m a n , o n their w a y b a c k a n d forth t o the Capital, w e r e l u r e d
in, g i v e n w i n e t h a t left t h e m d e a d - d r u n k , t h e n t h r o w n i n t o t h e pit w h i l e
their similarly d r u n k retainers w e r e stripped of everything they o w n e d .
S o m e r e t a i n e r s w e r e killed, w h i l e o t h e r s , t h e m o r e p r o m i s i n g o n e s , w e r e
p r e s s e d into service. T h i s w a s t h e t r a p the y o u n g m a n a n d his p a r t y h a d
fallen i n t o .
K a n e o m a r u d r a g g e d t h e y o u n g m a n t o t h e fence, o p e n e d t h e gate, a n d
p r o p e l l e d h i m t h r o u g h it, b u t t h e y o u n g m a n c l u n g t o a g a t e p o s t a n d
could not be b u d g e d further. K a n e o m a r u g o t o n t h e pit s i d e o f h i m
a n d pulled. T h e r e w a s a slight incline d o w n from the gate. T h e y o u n g
m a n shifted his w e i g h t a n d g a v e a powerful s h o v e w h i c h sent K a n e o m a r u
h u r t l i n g into the pit. T h e n h e closed the gate a n d stole u n d e r the v e r a n d a
of the house.
A t last h e w a s a b l e t o t h i n k . H e c o u l d t r y t o a r o u s e h i s r e t a i n e r s , b u t
they w e r e unconscious with drink, and besides, there w a s a moat between
him a n d them a n d the bridge w a s d r a w n . Instead, he crept u n d e r the
floor o f t h e r o o m w h e r e h e h a d j u s t b e e n . H e h e a r d t h e m o n k c o m e i n t o
his w i f e .
" N o d o u b t you'll be s h o c k e d to h e a r me confess it," said the m o n k ,
1 0 6

" b u t i n t h e d a y l i g h t , w h e n t h e w i n d b l e w y o u r veil a s i d e , I c a u g h t a
g l i m p s e o f y o u r face a n d n o w I c a n t h i n k o n l y o f y o u . F o r g i v e m e . " H e
slid i n t o b e d b e s i d e h e r .
" B e f o r e I s t a r t e d u p t o t h e C a p i t a l , I m a d e a v o w t o a b s t a i n for o n e
h u n d r e d d a y s , " t h e w i f e r e p l i e d . " T h e r e a r e j u s t t h r e e d a y s left. W h e n
t h o s e t h r e e d a y s a r e o v e r , I'll d o a n y t h i n g y o u s a y . "
" W h a t I h a v e i n m i n d will b r i n g y o u far m o r e m e r i t t h a n t h a t ! "
" T h e m a n w h o w a s e v e r y t h i n g to me has vanished before my eyes, a n d
I c a n ' t p r e v e n t y o u d o i n g w h a t e v e r y o u w a n t w i t h m e . I c a n ' t refuse y o u
in the end, y o u k n o w that. You've no need to be so impatient." She was
h o l d i n g h i m off.
C o n c e d i n g she had a point, the monk went away.
" T h a t h u s b a n d of mine w o n ' t die a shameful d e a t h ! " the w o m a n mur-
m u r e d t o herself, a n d t h e y o u n g m a n u n d e r t h e floor, r a g i n g , h e a r d h e r .
He p u s h e d a sliver of w o o d up t h r o u g h a crack b e t w e e n the floorboards,
right in front of her, a n d w h e n she s a w it she k n e w she had been right.
S h e w a g g l e d the sliver a n d h e k n e w she h a d u n d e r s t o o d .
T h e m o n k kept c o m i n g back to try again, but she always m a n a g e d to
p u t h i m off. W h e n h e w a s finally g o n e , t h e wife silently o p e n e d a s h u t t e r
a n d h e r h u s b a n d c a m e o u t f r o m u n d e r t h e floor i n t o t h e r o o m . B o t h b u r s t
into t e a r s a n d p r o m i s e d each o t h e r t h a t if t h e y w e r e to die t h e y should
d i e t o g e t h e r . T h e y o u n g m a n a s k e d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d t o his s w o r d . " I
hid it u n d e r the matting w h e n y o u w e r e dragged a w a y , " she answered,
a n d b r o u g h t i t o u t . I t w a s a r a y o f h o p e a t last.
S w o r d i n h a n d , t h e y o u n g m a n s t e a l t h i l y m a d e his w a y t o w a r d his
r e t a i n e r s . S e v e n o r e i g h t c a r v i n g b l o c k s s t o o d b e s i d e a l o n g fire pit a n d
the m o n k ' s m e n w e r e sprawled nearby amid the scattered remains of
their dinner, with their b o w s , quivers, armor, daggers, and s w o r d s beside
t h e m . T h e m o n k himself w a s asleep on his a r m r e s t . A pair of tables before
h i m b o r e s i l v e r v e s s e l s full o f t h e l e a v i n g s from his m e a l .
" H e l p me now, O Kannon of Hasedera!" the young man prayed. "Let
me see my p a r e n t s a g a i n ! " Since the m o n k w a s so unexpectedly sleeping,
h e d e c i d e d t o a t t a c k s t r a i g h t off, c u t off t h e m o n k ' s h e a d , a n d d i e , for h e
s a w no c h a n c e of escape. At the first blow the m o n k cried out a n d raised
h i s a r m s i n fright, b u t t h e n e x t b l o w killed h i m .
T h e m o n k ' s m e n w e r e certainly m a n y , but K a n n o n must really have
protected the y o u n g man because w h e n they saw their leader dead they
t h o u g h t t h e y h a d b e e n i n v a d e d b y a l a r g e force. B e s i d e s , t h e y t h e m s e l v e s
h a d all b e e n c a u g h t a n d f o r c e d i n t o s e r v i c e b y t h e m a n , a n d t h e y h a d n o
w i s h t o f i g h t for h i m . N o w h e w a s d e a d , i t d i d n o t o c c u r t o t h e m t o resist.
I n s t e a d , t h e y all b l u r t e d a t o n c e , " / d i d n ' t d o a n y t h i n g w r o n g ! I u s e d t o
s e r v e L o r d S o - a n d - S o b e f o r e I fell i n t o t h i s t r a p ! " T h e y o u n g m a n p u t
on a good s h o w of having ample reinforcements behind him, herded t h e m
all off, a n d l o c k e d t h e m u p .
I t w a s a l o n g w a i t till d a w n . W h e n d a y c a m e a t last, h e a r o u s e d h i s
o w n retainers, w h o c a m e out d a z e d a n d r u b b i n g their eyes to clear a w a y
t h e f u m e s o f last n i g h t ' s w i n e . T h e y s o b e r e d u p r i g h t a w a y w h e n t h e y
h e a r d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d a n d w e n t t o look a t the pit. T h e b a m b o o stakes
d o w n a t the b o t t o m bristled u p t h r o u g h corpses n e w a n d old. K a n e o -
m a r u , a l a n k y y o u t h clad in a single miserable w r a p a n d w i t h the clogs
still o n his feet, l a y t h e r e i m p a l e d , still t w i t c h i n g a little. T h e s c e n e m i g h t
as well h a v e b e e n from hell.
N o w the y o u n g m a n called the m o n k ' s servants out again, a n d they
c o n f e s s e d all t h e t e r r i b l e t h i n g s t h e y h a d b e e n m a d e t o d o o v e r t h e y e a r s .
T h e y w e r e not p u n i s h e d since they themselves w e r e not responsible. A
m e s s e n g e r w a s s e n t w i t h a r e p o r t for t h e e m p e r o r , w h o w a s g r e a t l y
impressed with the y o u n g man's deed.
Finally the y o u n g m a n himself w e n t on up to Kyoto, received an
official p o s t , a n d f o u n d t h a t e v e r t h i n g w e n t for h i m j u s t a s h e h a d a l w a y s
h o p e d . H e a n d h i s w i f e s t a y e d w i t h e a c h o t h e r t h r o u g h all t h e t r i a l s a n d
j o y s t h a t c a m e t h e i r w a y , a n d m u s t often h a v e t a l k e d o v e r t h e i r m e m o r i e s
of t h a t awful night. No o n e ever discovered a n y relative or other c o n n e c -
t i o n o f t h e r o b b e r m o n k , s o for h i m t h e m a t t e r w a s c l o s e d .
It took a wise a n d p r u d e n t man to do w h a t the y o u n g man did! Anyone
w h o h e a r s this story s h o u l d consider himself w a r n e d not to s p e n d the
night in a place he doesn't k n o w . Note, too, that the y o u n g man could
have done nothing without Kannon's help. Not that Kannon ever wishes
t o kill, b u t a f t e r all, t h e r o b b e r h a d killed m a n y p e o p l e himself, a n d
Kannon could hardly approve!

7 7 •

THE SACRIFICE

In the province of M i m a s a k a there are two gods, Chusan and Koya.

Koya is a snake a n d C h u s a n a monkey. Each year, during the annual
festival, t h e s e g o d s u s e d t o b e offered a live h u m a n , a n d t h e y h a d a l w a y s
g o t t e n t h e sacrifice t h e y r e q u i r e d : a p r e t t y girl w i t h a h a n d s o m e figure,
l o n g h a i r , a n d fine w h i t e s k i n .
O n e y e a r t h e c h o i c e fell o n t h e d a u g h t e r o f a c e r t a i n h o u s e h o l d . H e r
1 0 8

p a r e n t s w e r e h e a r t b r o k e n . A f t e r all, t h e tie o f p a r e n t t o c h i l d s p r i n g s
f r o m a k a r m i c b o n d a l r e a d y l o n g e s t a b l i s h e d i n lives g o n e b y , a n d e v e n
a n i l l - f a v o r e d c h i l d will a l w a y s b e d e a r , let a l o n e o n e a s lovely i n e v e r y
w a y a s t h i s g i r l . T h e g i r l , for h e r p a r t , k n e w t h a t s o o n s h e w o u l d n e v e r
see her m o t h e r a n d father again, and she spent her days and nights in
tears.
T h e n a h u n t e r from t h e east p a s s e d t h r o u g h the village. A strange,
fierce m a n , h e w a s s o i m m e n s e l y s t r o n g t h a t h i s a c c u s t o m e d p r e y w e r e
w i l d b o a r , w h i c h h e k i l l e d a n d a t e a t will, t h i n k i n g n o t h i n g o f it, t h o u g h
to o r d i n a r y people an a n g r y b o a r is terrifying. T h e h u n t e r h a p p e n e d to
s t o p a t t h e g i r l ' s h o u s e , a n d h e r f a t h e r m e n t i o n e d w h y t h e family w a s s o
sad. " W h a t did she do in past lives," he groaned, "to have been born here
for t h i s ? W h a t a h o r r i b l e f a t e ! A n d I d o n ' t s a y s o j u s t b e c a u s e s h e ' s m y
own daughter, you know. She's so very pretty!"
T h e h u n t e r t o o k all t h i s in. " T h e g o d s a r e h a r s h , " h e s a i d . " B u t d o n ' t
offer h e r a t t h e festival. L e t m e t a k e c a r e o f h e r i n s t e a d . She'll d i e o t h e r -
w i s e . Y o u d o n ' t w a n t y o u r o n l y d a u g h t e r c u t u p alive a n d set a s m e a t
before the god, that w o u l d be too awful. Give her to m e ! "
T h e father w a s convinced. A n y t h i n g , after all, r a t h e r t h a n let his
d a u g h t e r d i e s o g h a s t l y a d e a t h . S o t h e h u n t e r w e n t t o t h e girl. S h e w a s
p r a c t i c i n g c a l l i g r a p h y , b u t w i t h a v e r y s o r r o w f u l air, a n d h e r s l e e v e s
w e r e v i s i b l y w e t f r o m w e e p i n g . W h e n s h e t u r n e d a s i d e a t his a p p r o a c h
a n d h i d h e r face m o d e s t l y b e h i n d h e r h a i r , h e s a w t h a t i t t o o w a s w e t
w i t h t e a r s . H o w lovely she w a s ! S h e looked so distinguished that it w a s
h a r d t o b e l i e v e s h e w a s j u s t a v i l l a g e r ' s c h i l d . H e fell i n l o v e w i t h h e r a n d
d e c i d e d t o t a k e h e r p l a c e a t t h e sacrifice, t h o u g h i t m i g h t m e a n his o w n
life.
"I h a v e a p l a n , " he told the girl's p a r e n t s . " W o u l d y o u be s o r r y to die
for y o u r d a u g h t e r ? "
" O f c o u r s e n o t , " t h e y a n s w e r e d . " W h a t g o o d i s life t o u s w i t h o u t h e r ?
Please do as y o u think best."
" I n t h a t c a s e , s t r e t c h a s a c r e d r o p e r o u n d y o u r h o u s e a n d tell p e o p l e
y o u ' v e b e g u n p u r i f y i n g y o u r d a u g h t e r for t h e festival. D o n ' t let a n y o n e
in, a n d b e q u i t e s u r e a l s o t o tell n o o n e I'm h e r e . "
H e s p e n t t h e n e x t f e w d a y s v e r y h a p p i l y w i t h t h e girl. M e a n w h i l e h e
c h o s e t h e t w o c l e v e r e s t o f h i s d o g s , w h i c h h a d all s e r v e d h i m well i n t h e
m o u n t a i n s for y e a r s , a n d t r a i n e d t h e m b y s e t t i n g t h e m d a y i n a n d d a y
out to catch a n d eat m o n k e y s . Since dogs and monkeys are natural
e n e m i e s , t h e t w o w o u l d s o o n a t t a c k a n d kill a n y m o n k e y t h e y s a w , a n d
i n fact t h e y d e s t r o y e d a g r e a t m a n y . T h e h u n t e r for h i s p a r t s p e n t a lot
of time s h a r p e n i n g his m u r d e r o u s d a g g e r a n d s w o r d . Often he sighed to
t h e g i r l , " A h , w h a t l i n k from p a s t lives c a n h a v e b r o u g h t u s t o g e t h e r , t o
m a k e m e n o w offer m y lite for y o u r s ? I'm h a p p y t o d o it, b u t t h e t h o u g h t
o f p a r t i n g f r o m y o u m a k e s m e s a d . " T h e girl a n s w e r e d i n w o r d s o f
g r a t i t u d e a n d affection.
A t last t h e festival d a y c a m e , a n d t h e p r i e s t s a r r i v e d a t t h e h e a d o f a
large t h r o n g to take c h a r g e of the victim. T h e y b r o u g h t a long chest,
n e w l y m a d e , w h i c h t h e y slid i n t o t h e g i r l ' s r o o m . " P u t t h e o f f e r i n g i n s i d e
as usual," they ordered, "and send her out to the god."
I n s t e a d , i t w a s t h e h u n t e r w h o g o t in, w i t h his d o g s . " L i s t e n , y o u t w o , "
h e said, " I ' v e g i v e n y o u a g o o d life l a t e l y a n d n o w it's y o u r t u r n t o l o o k
o u t for mt. U n d e r s t a n d ? " H e p a t t e d t h e i r h e a d s a n d t h e y w h i n e d b a c k ,
t h e n lay d o w n o n e i t h e r s i d e o f h i m . N e x t h e h a d t h e w e a p o n s h e h a d s o
c a r e f u l l y s h a r p e n e d laid i n t h e c h e s t t o o . F i n a l l y t h e lid w a s s e c u r e d w i t h
strips of cloth, and the knots w e r e sealed. W i t h an expression of suitable
g r i e f o n h i s face, t h e f a t h e r slid t h e c h e s t o u t a g a i n , a n d t h e p r i e s t s t o o k
it. T h e p r o c e s s i o n set off w i t h a g r e a t s h a k i n g o f s p e a r s , bells, a n d
b r a n c h e s o f t h e jakaki t r e e d e a r t o t h e g o d s , a n d w i t h a g r e a t c l a m o r
from t h o s e w h o w e n t c e r e m o n i a l l y b e f o r e i t t o c l e a r t h e r o a d .
T h e girl l i s t e n e d t o t h e c o m m o t i o n a n d t h o u g h t o n c e m o r e o f t h e m a n
w h o h a d t a k e n h e r p l a c e i n t h e c h e s t . S h e w o n d e r e d fearfully w h a t h e r
parents w o u l d do if a n y t h i n g w e n t w r o n g . But they assured her that in
t h e face o f t h e g o d ' s h a r s h c o m m a n d t h e y t h e m s e l v e s w e r e q u i t e p r e p a r e d
t o d i e , a n d t h a t t h e y f e a r e d n o t h i n g a t all.
T h e o f f e r i n g w a s c a r r i e d t o t h e s h r i n e . All t h e p r i e s t s l i n e d u p i n f r o n t
o f it, i n o r d e r o f p r e c e d e n c e , a n d t h e c h i e f p r i e s t s o l e m n l y i n t o n e d t h e
d i v i n e i n v o c a t i o n . T h e n h e o p e n e d t h e s a n c t u a r y d o o r s , slid t h e c h e s t
inside, a n d closed the d o o r s again.
T h e h u n t e r , meanwhile, had carefully pierced a peephole in the chest
w i t h his d a g g e r . He n o w s a w before him, in the seat of h o n o r , a giant
m o n k e y e i g h t feet tall w i t h a r e d face a n d b u t t o c k s , a n d l o n g , g l o s s y
w h i t e fur. T w o h u n d r e d l e s s e r m o n k e y s c r o w d e d a r o u n d i t o n e i t h e r s i d e ,
s o m e w i t h f l u s h e d faces, s o m e w i t h e y e b r o w s e x c i t e d l y r a i s e d , a n d all
b a r k i n g a n d c h a t t e r i n g madly. A h u g e carving b o a r d a n d a long, long
knife lay b e f o r e t h e m ; a n d a r o u n d t h e b o a r d s t o o d j a r s full o f salt, v i n e -
gar, and wine.
W h i l e t h e o t h e r s all c l u s t e r e d r o u n d , t h e g i a n t m o n k e y a p p r o a c h e d t h e
chest and undid the knots.
" G e t ' e m ! " t h e h u n t e r s h o u t e d . H i s d o g s b u r s t from t h e c h e s t , set t h e i r
t e e t h i n t h e g i a n t , g o t h i m d o w n , a n d d r a g g e d h i m a l o n g t h e floor. O u t
l e a p e d t h e h u n t e r r i g h t b e h i n d t h e m , his b l a d e g l i t t e r i n g like ice. H e
h a u l e d t h e g i a n t o n t o t h e c a r v i n g b o a r d , p u t t h e s w o r d t o his n e c k , a n d
r o a r e d : " S c u m , t h i s i s w h a t y o u g e t for killing a n d e a t i n g p e o p l e ! Y o u
listen t o m e ! I'm g o i n g t o c u t off y o u r filthy h e a d a n d feed i t t o m y d o g s ! "
1 1 0

T h e g i a n t m o n k e y ' s r e d face g o t e v e n r e d d e r . H e b l i n k e d a n d g r e a t
t e a r s r o l l e d f r o m h i s e y e s , w h i l e his lips d r e w b a c k t o e x p o s e g l e a m i n g
t e e t h . T h o u g h he r u b b e d his h a n d s t o g e t h e r in abject entreaty, with a
g h a s t l y e x p r e s s i o n , t h e h u n t e r g a v e h i m n o q u a r t e r . "All t h e s e y e a r s
y o u ' v e b e e n e a t i n g y o u n g w o m e n a n d leaving people childless!" h e bel-
l o w e d . " N o w y o u r h e a d ' s c o m i n g off for it! J u s t y o u t r y e a t i n g me\" H e
s t r u c k a s a v a g e b l o w , b u t t h e g i a n t m o n k e y ' s h e a d d i d n o t roll q u i t e s o
easily. M e a n w h i l e the t w o d o g s h a d chased the others into the trees,
w h e r e t h e y sat s h r i e k i n g so frantically that the m o u n t a i n s r a n g and the
e a r t h s e e m e d r e a d y t o split.
Next, the god possessed one of the shrine priests. "Never, never make
m e a live o f f e r i n g a g a i n ! " h e h o w l e d . " T h e p r a c t i c e m u s t s t o p ! I've
l e a r n e d , o h h o w I ' v e l e a r n e d n o t t o kill h u m a n s ! A n d d o n ' t h a r m t h e m a n
w h o d i d t h i s t o m e o r p u n i s h t h e family t h a t w a s s u p p o s e d t o p r o v i d e t h e
offering! I'll p r o t e c t t h e m a n d t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s f o r e v e r ! But quickly
n o w , p l e a s e , b e g t h i s m a n for m y life! I ' m i n t e r r i b l e d a n g e r ! "
T h e priests a n d their followers r u s h e d into the sanctuary a n d pleaded
w i t h the h u n t e r to desist. " W e u n d e r s t a n d , " they cried, " b u t please,
please release the god! H e ' s promised not to do it a g a i n ! "
" D o n ' t j u s t let h i m g o ! " t h e h u n t e r r e t o r t e d . " H e ' s a m u r d e r e r , a n d
I'm g o i n g to teach him a t h i n g or t w o a b o u t suffering!" As he s h o w e d no
s i g n o f r e l e n t i n g , t h e m o n k e y ' s h e a d s e e m e d a s g o o d a s off. T h e c h i e f
priest m a d e every promise he could think of a n d the god swore that he
would never, never do it again.
A t l a s t t h e h u n t e r g a v e i n . "All r i g h t , all r i g h t , " h e said, " j u s t m a k e
s u r e y o u d o n ' t ! " T h e m o n k e y w e n t free.
W h e n i t w a s all o v e r , t h e h u n t e r r e t u r n e d t o t h e g i r l ' s h o u s e a n d lived
on happily as h e r h u s b a n d . Since he w a s actually of noble stock, he m a d e
an excellent match.
A f t e r t h a t , i t w a s b o a r o r d e e r w h i c h s e r v e d a s live o f f e r i n g s t o t h e
god.

7 8 •

THE LURE

A fine y o u n g m a n of the highest birth (a captain of the Palace Guards,

let u s s a y ) o n c e m a d e a s e c r e t p i l g r i m a g e t o K i y o m i z u , w h e r e h e s p o t t e d
a v e r y p r e t t y girl. S h e w a s beautifully dressed, a n d to the captain she
w a s obviously of gentle birth. She too seemed to be there on a secret
pilgrimage.
He w a t c h e d her w o r s h i p innocently before the altar. In her early
t w e n t i e s , s h e w a s b y far t h e l o v e l i e s t y o u n g w o m a n h e h a d e v e r s e e n .
W h o could she be? He w a s going to be courting her, there w a s no d o u b t
a b o u t t h a t , a n d w a s a l r e a d y d e e p l y i n l o v e . W h e n s h e left t h e t e m p l e , h e
h a d a p a g e follow h e r .
The captain w a s h o m e again w h e n the page returned to report. "I
f o u n d o u t w h e r e s h e lives, s i r , " h e s a i d . " T h e h o u s e i s n ' t i n t h e city a t all,
b u t i n t h e hills s o u t h o f K i y o m i z u , j u s t n o r t h o f M o u n t A m i d a . It's a fine,
prosperous-looking place. T h e w o m a n with her noticed me behind them
a n d a s k e d w h a t I t h o u g h t I w a s doing. I told her I w a s just obeying my
m a s t e r , b e c a u s e h e ' d s e e n h e r l a d y a t t h e t e m p l e a n d h a d t o l d m e t o find
out w h e r e she lived. T h e w o m a n said n e x t time I c a m e that w a y I should
be sure to stop by."
G r e a t l y e n c o u r a g e d , t h e c a p t a i n s e n t a l e t t e r t o w h i c h t h e girl r e p l i e d
v e r y s w e e t l y . S e v e r a l s u c h e x c h a n g e s f o l l o w e d , a n d i n o n e l e t t e r t h e girl
w r o t e that living as s h e did b a c k in the m o u n t a i n s she really could not go
into the city. " B u t d o c o m e h e r e , " she a d d e d . "I'm sure there's n o h a r m
in o u r talking t h r o u g h a s c r e e n . "
D e s p e r a t e t o s e e h e r a g a i n , t h e c a p t a i n r o d e off g a i l y a t d u s k w i t h j u s t
t w o a t t e n d a n t s : a g r o o m a n d t h e usual p a g e . Needless to say, he did not
a d v e r t i s e his d e p a r t u r e .
W h e n they arrived, the page a n n o u n c e d them and the older w o m a n
invited t h e m to follow h e r in. The compound was surrounded by a
stout earthen wall pierced by high gates and divided by a deep trench
w i t h a b r i d g e o v e r it. The w o m a n had the captain's attendants and
h o r s e s s t o p a t a l o d g e s h o r t o f t h e b r i d g e , t h e n led t h e c a p t a i n h i m -
self o n a c r o s s . A m o n g t h e m a n y b u i l d i n g s o n t h e o t h e r s i d e w a s w h a t
s e e m e d t o b e a g u e s t p a v i l i o n . T h e c a p t a i n e n t e r e d t o find h i m s e l f i n
a beautifully a p p o i n t e d a p a r t m e n t , complete with folding screens, a
c u r t a i n o f s t a t e , v e r y n i c e m a t s o n t h e floor, a n d b l i n d s d i v i d i n g off
the main r o o m . F o r a m o u n t a i n retreat, the place w a s t h o r o u g h l y im-
pressive.
T h e e v e n i n g w a s w e l l a l o n g b y n o w a n d t h e girl h e r s e l f a p p e a r e d . T h e
c a p t a i n w e n t s t r a i g h t i n b e h i n d h e r c u r t a i n s a n d lay d o w n w i t h h e r . B y
t h e t i m e t h e y h a d m a d e l o v e h e k n e w s h e w a s infinitely m o r e b e a u t i f u l i n
his a r m s t h a n s h e e v e r h a d b e e n a t a d i s t a n c e .
A s t h e y t a l k e d , t h e c a p t a i n let h e r k n o w h o w m u c h h e l o v e d h e r . B u t
she seemed very d o w n c a s t a n d a p p a r e n t l y w a s even weeping, though she
t r i e d t o h i d e it. N o t u n d e r s t a n d i n g , h e a s k e d h e r w h y . S h e o n l y a n s w e r e d
that she h a d just t h o u g h t of something sad, which puzzled the captain
1 1 2

still m o r e . " B u t w e l o v e e a c h o t h e r n o w ! " h e s a i d . " Y o u s h o u l d n ' t h i d e

things from m e ! W h a t ' s the matter? W h a t is i t ? "
" I t i s n ' t t h a t I d o n ' t want t o tell y o u , " s h e r e p l i e d , " b u t o h , I c a n ' t b e a r
t o ! " S h e w e p t all t h e m o r e .
" S p e a k ! Tell m e ! A m I g o i n g t o d i e s o m e h o w ? "
" O h , I miutt tell y o u ! Y o u s e e , I ' m t h e d a u g h t e r o f s o - a n d - s o w h o u s e d
t o live i n t h e C a p i t a l . W h e n m y p a r e n t s d i e d I w a s left a n o r p h a n . T h e
m a s t e r of this h o u s e is a b e g g a r outcaste w h o m a t r e m e n d o u s stroke of
f o r t u n e h a d a l r e a d y b r o u g h t t o live h e r e . H e a b d u c t e d m e , a n d n o w h e
sees to my e v e r y need a n d dresses me in the best. F r o m time to time he
s e n d s m e off o n p i l g r i m a g e t o K i y o m i z u , w h e r e m e n s e e m e a n d fall i n
love with me just as y o u did. I lure these men here as I did y o u , a n d
w h i l e I s l e e p t h e o u t c a s t e t h r u s t s a s p e a r d o w n from t h e c e i l i n g . I g u i d e
t h e point to the m a n ' s chest a n d the spear runs him t h r o u g h . W h e n he's
d e a d , he's s t r i p p e d of his clothes. H i s a t t e n d a n t s in the lodge on the o t h e r
s i d e o f t h e m o a t a r e all m u r d e r e d a n d s t r i p p e d t o o , a n d t h e h o r s e s a r e
s t o l e n . I've d o n e t h i s t w i c e a l r e a d y , a n d all I h a v e t o l o o k f o r w a r d t o i s
m o r e o f t h e s a m e . S o t h i s t i m e I'm g o i n g t o t a k e t h e s p e a r p o i n t i n s t e a d
o f y o u a n d d i e myself. R u n a w a y ! I'm s u r e y o u r a t t e n d a n t s a r e d e a d . O h ,
t o t h i n k t h a t I'll n e v e r s e e y o u a g a i n ! " S h e s o b b e d a s t h o u g h h e r h e a r t
would break.
T h e captain's mind reeled, but he m a n a g e d to gather enough wits to
s a y , " H o w h o r r i b l e ! A n d y o u t a l k o f d y i n g for m e ! N o , n o , t h a n k y o u ,
b u t I can't escape by myself a n d leave y o u behind! We'll go together!"
" Y e s , I ' v e l o n g e d for t h a t t o o , m a n y t i m e s . B u t i f h e d o e s n ' t feel flesh
u n d e r h i s s p e a r he'll b e d o w n i n s t a n t l y t o see w h a t ' s w r o n g . I f w e ' r e b o t h
g o n e , we'll b o t h b e c a u g h t a n d killed. N o , please, save yourself a n d d o
p i o u s w o r k s for t h e g o o d o f m y s o u l . I c a n ' t g o o n c o m m i t t i n g t h e s e
monstrous crimes!"
" H o w c a n m y g o o d w o r k s e v e r r e p a y t h e d e b t I'll o w e y o u ? B u t all
r i g h t , I'll g o . "
" T h e y ' l l h a v e t a k e n u p t h e b r i d g e o v e r t h e t r e n c h after y o u c r o s s e d it.
Go out the d o o r there a n d m a k e y o u r w a y along the n a r r o w bank beyond
t h e t r e n c h till y o u g e t t o a little o p e n i n g i n t h e o u t e r w a l l , w h e r e t h e
b r o o k c o m e s i n . Y o u c a n s q u e e z e o u t t h r o u g h t h a t . A h , it's t i m e ! W h e n
t h e s p e a r c o m e s d o w n , I'll p u t i t t o m y o w n c h e s t a n d let i t s t a b m e t o
death."
Already the s o u n d of voices, terrifying now beyond description, could
be h e a r d e l s e w h e r e in t h e h o u s e . W e e p i n g , the captain d r e w on a single
r o b e , t u c k e d t h e s k i r t s u p i n t o h i s b e l t for e a s e o f m o v e m e n t , a n d stole
o u t t h e d o o r . H e g o t a l o n g t h e b a n k a n d o u t t h r o u g h t h e o p e n i n g . S o far,
so good. But w h e r e w a s he to head n o w ? He simply ran in the direction
he h a p p e n e d to be facing, a n d as he did so he h e a r d footsteps r u n n i n g
b e h i n d him. T h e y w e r e after h i m ! He g l a n c e d b a c k in panic. It w a s his
page.
" W h e r e d i d you c o m e f r o m ? " h e c r i e d i n relief.
"As soon as y o u w e r e gone they took a w a y the bridge, sir," the boy
replied. " T h a t w a s a b a d sign, so I got out over the wall. W h e n I g a t h e r e d
t h e y ' d killed t h e g r o o m , I w o n d e r e d w h a t t h e y m i g h t h a v e d o n e w i t h you,
so instead of g e t t i n g a w a y I hid in a thicket to see w h a t might h a p p e n .
W h e n I h e a r d s o m e o n e r u n n i n g , I h o p e d i t m i g h t b e y o u , sir, a n d I
followed to m a k e s u r e . "
"I had no idea such a h o r r o r w a s possible, I just had no idea!" the
c a p t a i n g r o a n e d a s t h e y r a n o n t o g e t h e r t o w a r d t h e city.
O n r e a c h i n g t h e r i v e r a t a b o u t t h e level o f Fifth A v e n u e , t h e y l o o k e d
b a c k a n d s a w a g r e a t fire. H a v i n g t h r u s t d o w n his s p e a r , t h e o u t c a s t e
h a d a s s u m e d h e h a d k i l l e d h i s i n t e n d e d v i c t i m . B u t h e e x p e c t e d t h e girl
t h e n to say s o m e t h i n g . A l a r m e d by h e r silence, he c a m e d o w n to see w h a t
w a s w r o n g . H e f o u n d t h e girl d e a d a n d t h e m a n g o n e . O b v i o u s l y t h e r e
w o u l d s o o n b e p e o p l e t h e r e t o a r r e s t h i m , s o h e h a d set fire t o all t h e
b u i l d i n g s a n d fled.
O n c e b a c k a t h o m e t h e c a p t a i n s w o r e his p a g e t o s i l e n c e a n d n e v e r
breathed a word ol what had happened. Every year he commissioned
s o l e m n B u d d h i s t r i t e s , a n d t h o u g h h e n e v e r r e v e a l e d w h o t h e y w e r e for
t h e y m u s t h a v e b e e n for t h e girl w h o h a d d i e d t o s a v e h i m .
In the end, r u m o r of t h e incident did get out a n d s o m e o n e built a
t e m p l e w h e r e t h e h o u s e h a d s t o o d ; i n fact, it's still t h e r e .
I t all g o e s t o s h o w t h a t y o u s h o u l d n ' t let a l o v e l y w o m a n s w e e p y o u
of! s o m e w h e r e y o u d o n ' t k n o w .

7 9 •

JUST LIKE A BIRD

A s a y o u n g m a n T a d a a k i r a , a n officer o f t h e I m p e r i a l P o l i c e , q u a r r e l e d
w i t h s o m e local t o u g h s b e l o w K i y o m i z u T e m p l e . T h e t o u g h s h a d t h e i r
s w o r d s d r a w n a n d w e r e o u t t o s u r r o u n d a n d kill T a d a a k i r a i f t h e y c o u l d .
H e t o o b a r e d h i s s w o r d a n d b r o k e a w a y u p t o t h e m a i n h a l l . W h e n still
m o r e t o u g h s c a m e a f t e r h i m , h e fled i n t o t h e h a l l .
1 1 A

N o w K i y o m i z u T e m p l e i s b u i l t o u t from a s t e e p hillside a n d s t a n d s o n
a s t r u c t u r e of h u g e w o o d e n pillars. F r o m the open platform before the
t e m p l e y o u look out over t h e t r e e t o p s . T a d a a k i r a seized one of the great
s h u t t e r s t h a t p r o t e c t t h e t e m p l e from w i n d a n d rain, d a s h e d out clutching
i t u n d e r h i s a r m , a n d h u r l e d h i m s e l f off i n t o t h e v a l l e y b e l o w . T h e w i n d
c a u g h t t h e s h u t t e r . H e s a i l e d like a b i r d d o w n t o a g e n t l e l a n d i n g a n d
d i s a p p e a r e d w i t h all p o s s i b l e s p e e d .
T h e t o u g h s w a t c h e d in a r o w from the railing a b o v e . T h e y could not
believe their eyes. _

F O X E S

8 o .

ENOUGH LS ENOUGH!

T h e foxes w h i c h infested the h o u s e a n d g r o u n d s of M a j o r C o u n s e l o r

Y a s u m i c h i ' s o l d m a n s i o n w e r e a l w a y s m a k i n g mischief, b u t s i n c e t h e y
n e v e r r e a l l y d i d a n y h a r m Y a s u m i c h i let t h e m a t t e r p a s s . T h e y g o t n a u g h -
t i e r a n d n a u g h t i e r a s t h e y e a r s w e n t b y , t h o u g h , until o n e d a y h e a n g r i l y
d e c i d e d t h a t e n o u g h w a s e n o u g h . T h o s e foxes w o u l d h a v e t o g o .
H e a n n o u n c e d a g r a n d fox h u n t t o h i s h o u s e h o l d , for t h e n e x t d a y .
T h e s e r v a n t s w e r e t o b r i n g b o w s a n d a r r o w s , sticks, o r w h a t e v e r w e a p -
o n s t h e y c o u l d d e v i s e , a n d flush o u t e v e r y last o n e . T h e y w o u l d s u r r o u n d
t h e h o u s e , a n d m e n w o u l d b e p o s t e d n o t o n l y o n t h e g a r d e n wall b u t o n
t h e roof as well, a n d even in t h e s p a c e b e t w e e n the ceiling of the r o o m s
a n d t h e roof. E v e r y fox t h a t s h o w e d itself w o u l d b e killed.
N e a r d a w n o n t h e fateful d a y Y a s u m i c h i h a d a d r e a m . A w h i t e - h a i r e d
o l d m a n , l o o k i n g r a t h e r like a n a g e d m e n i a l , w a s k n e e l i n g u n d e r t h e
t a n g e r i n e tree in the g a r d e n , b o w i n g respectfully to him.
" W h o are y o u ? " asked Yasumichi.
" S o m e o n e w h o h a s l i v e d h e r e i n t h i s m a n s i o n for m a n y y e a r s , s i r , " t h e
o l d m a n a n s w e r e d n e r v o u s l y . " M y f a t h e r lived h e r e b e f o r e m e , sir, a n d
b y n o w I h a v e m a n y c h i l d r e n a n d g r a n d c h i l d r e n . T h e y g e t i n t o a lot o f
mischief, I ' m a f r a i d , a n d I'm a l w a y s after t h e m t o s t o p , b u t t h e y n e v e r
listen. A n d n o w , sir, y o u ' r e u n d e r s t a n d a b l y fed u p w i t h u s . I g a t h e r t h a t
y o u ' r e g o i n g t o kill u s all. B u t I j u s t w a n t y o u t o k n o w , sir, h o w s o r r y I
a m t h a t t h i s i s o u r last n i g h t o f life. W o n ' t y o u p a r d o n u s , o n e m o r e t i m e ?
If we ever m a k e trouble again, then of course y o u must act as y o u think
b e s t . B u t t h e y o u n g o n e s , s i r — I'm jure t h e y ' l l u n d e r s t a n d w h e n I e x p l a i n
to them w h y y o u ' r e so upset. We'll do everything we can to protect y o u
from n o w o n , i f o n l y y o u ' l l f o r g i v e u s , a n d w e ' l l b e s u r e t o let y o u k n o w
when anything good is going to happen!"
T h e old m a n b o w e d again a n d Y a s u m i c h i a w o k e . W h e n the sky h a d
lightened, he got up a n d looked outside. U n d e r t h e tangerine tree sat a
h a i r l e s s o l d fox w h i c h , a t t h e s i g h t o f h i m , s l u n k u n d e r t h e h o u s e .
T h e p e r p l e x e d Y a s u m i c h i g a v e u p h i s fox h u n t . T h e r e w a s n o m o r e
t r o u b l e s o m e mischief, a n d e v e r y h a p p y e v e n t a r o u n d t h e h o u s e w a s a n -
n o u n c e d b y a fox's s h a r p b a r k .

8 i .

THE LOVING FOX

A m a n w a s once w a l k i n g at twilight along S u z a k u Avenue in Kyoto w h e n

he met an extraordinarily beautiful w o m a n . S h e seemed h a p p y e n o u g h
t o let h i m s t r i k e u p a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h h e r , a n d from close u p h e f o u n d
h e r even m o r e alluring. U n a b l e even to imagine letting the o p p o r t u n i t y
p a s s , h e filled h e r e a r s w i t h s o m a n y s w e e t n o t h i n g s t h a t h e s o o n v e r y
n e a r l y h a d w h a t h e b u r n e d for.
T h e w o m a n t r i e d t o h o l d h i m off. " N o w t h a t w e ' v e g o t t e n t h i s f a r , "
s h e s a i d , " I ' d like s o m u c h t o g o all t h e w a y ! B u t y o u s e e , i f w e d o y o u ' l l
die."
M u c h t o o e x c i t e d t o listen, t h e m a n k e p t p r e s s i n g h i m s e l f o n h e r u n t i l
s h e g a v e in. " I r e a l l y c a n ' t r e f u s e y o u , " s h e s a i d , " s i n c e y o u insist s o
u r g e n t l y . V e r y w e l l t h e n , I'll d o w h a t e v e r y o u w i s h a n d d i e i n y o u r p l a c e .
If y o u want to show me gratitude, copy the Lotus Sutra and dedicate it
for m e . "
T h e m a n s e e m e d n o t t o t a k e h e r s e r i o u s l y , a n d h e finally c o n s u m m a t e d
his d e s i r e . T h e y l a y i n e a c h o t h e r ' s a r m s all n i g h t l o n g , c h a t t i n g like o l d
l o v e r s . A t d a w n t h e w o m a n g o t u p a n d a s k e d t h e m a n for h i s fan. " I
m e a n t w h a t I said, y o u k n o w , " she told him, " I ' m going to die instead of
1 1 6

y o u . I f y o u w a n t proof, g o i n t o t h e p a l a c e g r o u n d s a n d look a r o u n d t h e
B u t o k u H a l l . Y o u ' l l s e e . " T h e n s h e left.
A t d a y l i g h t t h e m a n w e n t t o t h e B u t o k u H a l l a n d f o u n d t h e r e a fox
l y i n g d e a d w i t h h i s fan o v e r its face. H e w a s v e r y s o r r y . E v e r y s e v e n
d a y s a f t e r t h a t h e f i n i s h e d a c o p y o f t h e L o t u s S u t r a a n d d e d i c a t e d i t for
t h e fox's s o u l . O n t h e n i g h t f o l l o w i n g t h e f o r t y - n i n t h d a y h e d r e a m e d
t h a t s h e c a m e t o h i m , s u r r o u n d e d b y a n g e l s , a n d told h i m t h a t t h a n k s t o
the p o w e r of the T e a c h i n g she w a s to be born into the Tori Heaven.

8 2 .

TOUCHED IN THE HEAD

K a y a n o Yoshifuji l i v e d i n t h e v i l l a g e o f A s h i m o r i i n B i t c h u p r o v i n c e . H e
had m a d e a fortune trading in imported Chinese coins.
I n t h e fall o f 8 9 6 , Y o s h i f u j i ' s w i f e w e n t u p t o t h e C a p i t a l , l e a v i n g h i m
all a l o n e . H e w a s far t o o r a n d y a fellow t o s t a n d t h i s for l o n g . O n e
e v e n i n g a t t w i l i g h t , h e w a s o u t for a stroll w h e n h e s p o t t e d a lovely y o u n g
girl h e h a d n o t s e e n b e f o r e , a n d w a n t e d h e r r i g h t a w a y . S h e t r i e d t o r u n
w h e n he g r a b b e d at her, but he caught her a n d asked w h o she was. Very
sweetly, she answered, " N o b o d y . "
" C o m e t o m y p l a c e , " said Y o s h i f u j i .
" O h n o , sir, I c o u l d n ' t ! " S h e t r i e d a g a i n t o pull a w a y .
" T h e n w h e r e d o y o u live? I'll g o h o m e w i t h y o u . "
" O v e r t h e r e . " S h e set off w i t h Yoshifuji b e s i d e h e r , k e e p i n g a g o o d
h o l d o n h e r . I t w a s n o t far, a n d t h e h o u s e w a s lovely. W h a t a s u r p r i s e t o
find a p l a c e like t h i s s o c l o s e b y ! M a l e a n d female s e r v a n t s c l u s t e r e d
r o u n d t o g r e e t t h e i r m i s t r e s s , a n d Yoshifuji r e a l i z e d t h a t t h e girl w a s t h e
daughter of the house.
T h e t w o s l e p t t o g e t h e r t h a t n i g h t , t o Yoshifuji's d e l i g h t . T h e n e x t
m o r n i n g a m a n w h o m Y o s h i f u j i u n d e r s t o o d t o b e t h e girl's f a t h e r c a m e
i n . " Y o u w e r e a l w a y s m e a n t t o c o m e h e r e , " h e said, " a n d n o w y o u m u s t
s t a y ! " T h e girl w a s e v e r s o n i c e t o h i m , a n d h e w a s s o t a k e n w i t h h e r
t h a t h e f o r g o t all a b o u t h i s w i f e . A s for h i s h o u s e a n d c h i l d r e n , h e n e v e r
g a v e t h e m a t h o u g h t . H e a n d t h e girl p l e d g e d e a c h o t h e r e t e r n a l l o v e .
Y o s h i f u j i ' s h o u s e h o l d a s s u m e d , w h e n h e first d i s a p p e a r e d , t h a t h e w a s
j u s t c a t t i n g a r o u n d a s u s u a l ; b u t a s t h e h o u r s p a s s e d a n d h e failed t o
return, they began to worry. " W h a t a lunatic!" they grumbled. "We'll
h a v e to look lor h i m ! " S e r v a n t s sent in t h e middle of the night to c o m b
t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d t u r n e d u p n o t h i n g . Y e t Yoshifuji c o u l d n o t h a v e g o n e
far s i n c e h e h a d b e e n d r e s s e d o n l y c a s u a l l y a n d all his c l o t h e s w e r e still
at h o m e . By d a y b r e a k e v e r y likely place h a d b e e n s e a r c h e d in vain. T h e
h o u s e h o l d w a s at a loss. If he w e r e y o u n g , he might h a v e b e c o m e a m o n k
in a m o m e n t of folly, or e v e n killed himself, b u t s u r e l y n o t at h i s a g e . It
was very strange.
M e a n w h i l e Yoshifuji w a s c o m f o r t a b l y i n s t a l l e d i n his n e w h o m e a n d
his l a d y w a s p r e g n a n t . A f t e r s h e h a d a n e a s y d e l i v e r y , t h e t w o g r e w
c l o s e r t h a n e v e r . T i m e flew b y . Yoshifuji h a d n o t a c a r e i n t h e w o r l d .
B a c k a t his o l d h o m e , t h e y n e v e r f o u n d h i m . H i s b r o t h e r s a n d h i s o n l y
s o n T a d a s a d a , a f f l u e n t m e n all, w e r e v e r y u p s e t , a n d w a n t i n g a t least t o
find his b o d y t h e y b a n d e d t o g e t h e r , felled a t r e e , a n d c a r v e d a n i m a g e o f
Eleven-Headed K a n n o n just Yoshifuji's height. W h e n the statue w a s
d o n e , t h e y p r o s t r a t e d t h e m s e l v e s b e f o r e i t a n d p r a y e d t o find t h e c o r p s e .
B e i t n o t e d , t o o , t h a t from t h e d a y o f Y o s h i f u j i ' s d i s a p p e a r a n c e t h e y h a d
been calling the B u d d h a ' s N a m e a n d r e a d i n g sutras t o guide Yoshifuji's
s o u l t o w a r d t h e n e x t life.
S u d d e n l y a m a n w i t h a s t i c k a r r i v e d a t Yoshifuji's n e w h o u s e . W h i l e
t h e w h o l e h o u s e h o l d fled i n t e r r o r , t h e m a n p o k e d his stick i n t o Y o s h i -
fuji's b a c k a n d d r o v e h i m t h r o u g h a t i g h t p a s s a g e w a y t o t h e o u t s i d e .
T h i s w a s t h e t h i r t e e n t h e v e n i n g a f t e r Yoshifuji's d i s a p p e a r a n c e . T h e
p e o p l e a t h i s o l d h o m e w e r e still s h a k i n g t h e i r h e a d s o v e r w h a t h a d
h a p p e n e d w h e n a s t r a n g e l y d a r k , m o n k e y l i k e c r e a t u r e c r a w l e d o u t from
u n d e r the storehouse nearby. W h a t could it be? Through the jabber of
the excited o n l o o k e r s c a m e a voice saying, "It's m e ! " It w a s Yoshifuji.
E v e n T a d a s a d a found it h a r d to believe, b u t there w a s no d o u b t a b o u t
t h e v o i c e . T a d a s a d a j u m p e d d o w n from t h e v e r a n d a a n d b r o u g h t h i s
father up into the house.
Yoshifuji e x p l a i n e d h o w d e s p e r a t e h e h a d b e e n for a w o m a n w h i l e h i s
wife w a s g o n e a n d h o w h e h a d m a r r i e d a fine g e n t l e m a n ' s d a u g h t e r . N o w
h e h a d a little b o y . " H e ' s s o p r e t t y I c a r r y h i m i n m y a r m s all t h e t i m e ! "
Yoshifuji d e c l a r e d . " H e ' s m y h e i r , y o u k n o w . Y o u ' r e o n l y n u m b e r t w o
from n o w o n , T a d a s a d a . T h a t ' s b e c a u s e I t h i n k s o m u c h o f his m o t h e r . "
" W h e r e u t h i s little b o y ? " a s k e d T a d a s a d a .
" W h y , o v e r t h e r e , " Yoshifuji a n s w e r e d , p o i n t i n g a t t h e s t o r e h o u s e .
T h i s w a s s t r a n g e n e w s . Yoshifuji l o o k e d t e r r i b l y t h i n a n d sick, a n d h e
h a d on t h e s a m e clothes as w h e n he h a d v a n i s h e d . A s e r v a n t sent to look
u n d e r t h e s t o r e h o u s e f o u n d lots o f foxes, w h i c h fled i n all d i r e c t i o n s .
T h a t w a s w h e r e Yoshifuji h a d b e e n . O b v i o u s l y a fox h a d t r i c k e d h i m .
H e h a d m a r r i e d t h e fox a n d w a s n o l o n g e r i n his r i g h t m i n d .
A holy m o n k a n d a y i n - y a n g diviner w e r e called immediately to purify
 1 1 8

Y o s h i f u j i , b u t a f t e r r e p e a t e d a b l u t i o n s h e still w a s n o t t h e m a n h e h a d
o n c e b e e n . I t w a s o n l y l a t e r t h a t h e finally c a m e b a c k t o himself, a n d h e
w a s horribly embarrassed. T h e thirteen days he had spent under the
s t o r e h o u s e h a d s e e m e d t o h i m like t h i r t e e n y e a r s , a n d t h e few i n c h e s o f
c l e a r a n c e b e t w e e n t h e g r o u n d a n d t h e floor o f t h e b u i l d i n g h a d l o o k e d t o
h i m l i k e a s t a t e l y h o m e . T h e f o x e s h a d d o n e all t h i s . T h e m a n w i t h t h e
s t i c k w a s a n e m a n a t i o n o f t h e K a n n o n Yoshifuji's b r o t h e r s a n d s o n h a d
carved.
Y o s h i f u j i l i v e d o n i n g o o d h e a l t h a n o t h e r d e c a d e a n d d i e d i n his s i x t y -
first y e a r .

8 3 .

YAM SOUP

In his y o u t h G e n e r a l Toshihito belonged to the regent's household. O n e

y e a r , after the regent's N e w Y e a r banquet, h e a n d the others w h o had
s e r v e d t h e b a n q u e t w e r e a l l o w e d t o e a t u p all t h e l e a v i n g s . S i r G o i , a
g e n t l e m a n i n t h e r e g e n t ' s s e r v i c e , s a t w i t h t h e m s l u r p i n g leftover y a m
s o u p . T h o u g h t h e fifth r a n k (go-i) h e b o r e w a s n o t m u c h t o b o a s t of, S i r
G o i t h o u g h t i t v e r y fine. " A h , " h e s i g h e d , s m a c k i n g his lips, " I c a n n e v e r
get e n o u g h of t h a t stuff!"
" R e a l l y ? " s a i d T o s h i h i t o . " Y o u still h a v e n ' t h a d e n o u g h ? "
"No indeed!"
" T h e n I'll s e e t h a t y o u g e t y o u r fill."
" T h a n k y o u , " m u r m u r e d Sir Goi.
A few d a y s later T o s h i h i t o a p p e a r e d at Sir Goi's lodging a n d invited
h i m for a b a t h .
Sir Goi a c c e p t e d , "I am a bit itchy this e v e n i n g , " he admitted. " B u t
I've n o c o n v e y a n c e . "
" D o n ' t w o r r y , " said Toshihito, "I've b r o u g h t y o u a nag to ride."
"Wonderful, w o n d e r f u l ! " Sir Goi rose to go. He had on a tattered
l i g h t - b l u e outfit w i t h r e n t s a n d g a p s h e r e a n d t h e r e , a n d n o t e v e n p r o p e r
u n d e r w e a r u n d e r h i s t r o u s e r s . T h e e n d o f his s h a r p n o s e w a s r e d , a n d
t h e d r o p q u i v e r i n g t h e r e s h o w e d t h a t h e h a d n o t w i p e d i t for s o m e t i m e .
T h o u g h h i s s a s h d a n g l e d r a g g e d l y f r o m u n d e r t h e b a c k o f his o u t e r r o b e ,
h e m a d e n o a t t e m p t t o fix it. All i n all h e w a s q u i t e a s i g h t .
 T h e incongruous pair rode e a s t w a r d t o w a r d the K a m o River. Sir Goi
did not have a single miserable boy with him, but Toshihito had three:
one to c a r r y his w e a p o n s , o n e to lead his horse, a n d o n e to do w h a t e v e r
else w a s n e e d e d . T h e y h a d c r o s s e d t h e r i v e r a n d w e r e n e a r i n g t h e foot o f
the pass over into O m i w h e n Sir Goi finally asked w h e r e they w e r e going.
T o s h i h i t o a s s u r e d h i m t h a t t h e y h a d n o t far t o g o a n d k e p t r e p e a t i n g
these assurances as they passed Yamashina.
" W h a t ' s g o i n g o n ? " S i r G o i i n s i s t e d , baffled. " Y o u k e e p t e l l i n g m e it's
just ahead and here we are past Y a m a s h i n a ! "
" J u s t a little f u r t h e r ! It's o n j u s t a l i t t l e ! " a n s w e r e d T o s h i h i t o a s t h e y
crossed the pass.
Sir Goi h a d o n c e b e e n to see a m o n k w h o m Toshihito k n e w out that
way, at Miidera, and he thought p e r h a p s they were to have their bath
t h e r e . B u t i t w a s c r a z y t o c o m e s o far for a b a t h , a n d b e s i d e s , t h e y w e r e
n o w h e r e near a bath a n y w a y . " W h e r e is this bath of y o u r s ? " Sir Goi
demanded to know.
" T o tell t h e t r u t h , " T o s h i h i t o c o n f e s s e d , " I ' m t a k i n g y o u u p t o t h e
J a p a n Sea coast, to T s u r u g a . "
"You're mad! I f y o u ' d t o l d m e from t h e s t a r t I'd a t least h a v e t a k e n
some men with m e ! "
"You've as good as a thousand m e n , " laughed Toshihito, "as long as
y o u h a v e me I "
O n t h e s h o r e o f L a k e B i w a T o s h i h i t o s p i e d a fox. " T h e r e ' s m y m e s s e n -
g e r ! " h e c r i e d a n d g a v e c h a s e . T h e fox r a n h a r d , b u t T o s h i h i t o g o t i t
c o r n e r e d , t h e n d o v e a t i t a n d c a u g h t its h i n d l e g s . H i s h o r s e d i d n o t l o o k
like m u c h b u t i t w a s a r e m a r k a b l e a n i m a l . I t h a d n o t t a k e n l o n g t o c a t c h
t h a t fox.
T o s h i h i t o h e l d t h e fox d a n g l i n g i n front o f h i m , a n d S i r G o i m a n a g e d
t o c a t c h u p i n t i m e t o h e a r h i m say, " F o x , y o u ' r e g o i n g u p t o T o s h i h i t o ' s
house in T s u r u g a tonight a n d y o u re going to say: 'The master is bringing
a s u r p r i s e g u e s t h o m e from t h e C a p i t a l . H e w a n t s his m e n t o m e e t h i m a t
ten t o m o r r o w morning at Takashima. They're to bring two saddled
horses.' If y o u don't deliver that message, you'll be sorry. You've got
magic p o w e r s , I k n o w , a n d y o u ' d better get yourself there right a w a y ! "
T h e n T o s h i h i t o let t h e fox g o .
" W h a t a n o d d m e s s e n g e r ! " r e m a r k e d Sir Goi.
" J u s t y o u w a t c h , " Toshihito said. "He'll g o . "
S u r e e n o u g h , t h e fox r a n s t r a i g h t off, g l a n c i n g b a c k a g a i n a n d a g a i n .
" T h e r e h e g o e s ! " c r i e d T o s h i h i t o , a n d t h e fox v a n i s h e d a s h e s p o k e .
T h e y s t o p p e d t h a t n i g h t o n t h e r o a d a n d set off a g a i n f i r s t t h i n g t h e
next m o r n i n g . At ten they s a w thirty riders a p p r o a c h i n g . Sir Goi w a s
I 2 0

w o r r i e d , b u t T o s h i h i t o a s s u r e d h i m t h e y w e r e his m e n . F o r S i r G o i , i t
w a s all a m y s t e r y .
T h e r i d e r s d i s m o u n t e d b e f o r e t h e m . " Y o u s e e ? " t h e y said t o e a c h
other. " O u r master's really c o m i n g ! "
Toshihito g r i n n e d a n d asked h o w they had found out.
"In a very strange way, sir," the senior retainer answered.
"Did you bring the horses?"
" Y e s , sir, b o t h o f t h e m . "
S i n c e t h e m e n h a d food, T o s h i h i t o a n d S i r G o i d i s m o u n t e d t o o a n d
ate. T h e senior retainer told t h e m a b o u t the previous evening.
" A r o u n d e i g h t o ' c l o c k , sir, H e r L a d y s h i p felt a s h a r p p a i n i n h e r c h e s t .
S h e w a s v e r y a g i t a t e d a n d w a n t e d t o call a h e a l e r . T h e n s h e s u d d e n l y
s a i d , ' D o n ' t w o r r y , m a d a m , I'm j u s t a fox. I m e t H i s L o r d s h i p t o d a y o n
t h e s h o r e o f L a k e B i w a , o n h i s w a y from K y o t o . I t r i e d t o r u n a w a y b u t
h e c a u g h t m e a n d s a i d t o tell y o u he'll b e h e r e t o m o r r o w w i t h a g u e s t .
He w a n t s his m e n to meet him with t w o saddled horses at ten t o m o r r o w
m o r n i n g at T a k a s h i m a . He t h r e a t e n e d me if I didn't get here before the
d a y w a s o v e r . I h o p e t h e m e n will l e a v e r i g h t a w a y ! I f t h e y ' r e late, I'll
s u f f e r for it.' S h e w a s t e r r i b l y u p s e t , sir, b u t o n c e s h e h a d g i v e n t h e
m e s s a g e s h e c a m e b a c k t o herself. W e left r i g h t a w a y a n d c a m e a s fast a s
we could."
T o s h i h i t o s m i l e d a n d g l a n c e d a t S i r G o i , w h o w a s feeling t e r r i b l y
confused. T h e n they hurried on and arrived at dusk. The household was
a m a z e d . S i r G o i g o t off h i s h o r s e a n d h a d a l o o k a t t h e h o u s e . I t w a s
v e r y n i c e . T o s h i h i t o h a d a l r e a d y g i v e n h i m a g o o d r o b e t o w e a r o v e r his
t h i n c l o t h i n g , b u t still h e w a s a w f u l l y h u n g r y a n d c o l d . N o w t h e r e w a s a
b i g w a r m f i r e , a n d soft m a t s t o sit o n . W h e n r e f r e s h m e n t s w e r e s e r v e d ,
S i r G o i felt e n t i r e l y c o m f o r t a b l e . T h e n h e w a s b r o u g h t t h r e e p a l e - y e l l o w
silk r o b e s , l u x u r i o u s l y p a d d e d , a n d a s k e d s o l i c i t o u s l y w h e t h e r h e h a d n o t
b e e n c o l d o n t h e r o a d . H e w a s fairly s w e p t a w a y .
After e v e r y o n e had eaten a n d settled d o w n , Toshihito's father-in-law
c a m e in. " W h a t a w a y t o a r r i v e ! " h e c o m p l a i n e d . " T h e m e s s e n g e r y o u
s e n t w a s i n s a n e , a n d y o u r w i f e w a s v e r y ill. Y o u ' r e m a d ! "
T o s h i h i t o l a u g h e d . " I just w a n t e d t o see w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n , " h e
a n s w e r e d . " T h e fox d i d c o m e , d i d n ' t h e ! "
" M a d ! " t h e father-in-law r e p e a t e d with a chuckle. "Is this the gentle-
man you brought with y o u ? "
" Y e s . H e s a y s h e ' s n e v e r h a d h i s f i l l o f y a m s o u p , s o I've b r o u g h t h i m
here to m a k e sure he gets it."
" I m a g i n e n e v e r h a v i n g g o t t e n e n o u g h o f a s i m p l e t h i n g like t h a t ! "
joked the father-in-law.
 " H e told me we w e r e just g o i n g to t a k e a b a t h ! " chimed in Sir Goi
lightly.
T h e y c h a t t e d o n till a t last T o s h i h i t o ' s f a t h e r - i n - l a w r e t i r e d for t h e
night.
Sir Goi w e n t to the r o o m w h e r e he g a t h e r e d he w a s to sleep, a n d found
laid o u t for h i m a n i g h t r o b e s e v e r a l i n c h e s t h i c k w i t h p a d d i n g . H i s o w n
t h i n g a r m e n t w a s pitiful b y c o m p a r i s o n , a n d i n a n y c a s e s o m e t h i n g else
s e e m e d t o b e l i v i n g i n i t b e c a u s e h e g o t i t c h y s p o t s e v e r y t i m e h e w o r e it.
S o h e t o o k i t off a n d p u t t h e n i g h t r o b e o n o v e r t h e t h r e e p a l e - y e l l o w
ones. N e v e r h a v i n g k n o w n s u c h c o m f o r t , h e felt a s t h o u g h h e w e r e
floating.
S o o n h e w a s s w e a t i n g . All a t o n c e s o m e o n e m o v e d b e s i d e h i m . W h o
c o u l d it b e ?
" I w a s a s k e d t o r u b y o u r feet, s i r , " s a i d a y o u n g w o m a n ' s v o i c e .
S h e s e e m e d v e r y n i c e , a n d h e c u d d l e d h e r a g a i n s t h i m t o k e e p off a n y
draft.
Suddenly a voice outside shouted, "Listen, y o u peasants! Each of you,
t o m o r r o w m o r n i n g a t six, b r i n g i n a y a m five feet l o n g a n d t h r e e i n c h e s
t h i c k ! " T h e o r d e r s o u n d e d a b s u r d . Sir Goi just snuggled into bed.
A t d a w n h e h e a r d a c o m m o t i o n i n t h e y a r d , a n d w h e n h e finally g o t
u p a n d o p e n e d t h e s h u t t e r s , h e s a w f o u r o r five l a r g e m a t s laid o u t s i d e .
H e c o u l d n o t i m a g i n e w h a t t h e y w e r e for. M e a n w h i l e a p e a s a n t c a m e i n
w i t h w h a t l o o k e d l i k e a l o g o v e r h i s s h o u l d e r a n d laid i t o n t h e g r o u n d .
A n o t h e r peasant right behind him brought the same, and then another.
T h e t h i n g s w e r e t h r e e i n c h e s t h i c k , all r i g h t , a n d b y t e n o ' c l o c k t h e y w e r e
p i l e d a s h i g h a s t h e roof. E v e r y p e a s a n t a r o u n d h a d b r o u g h t i n h i s y a m .
Sir Goi's mind reeled.
N e x t , m e n m a r c h e d in s h o u l d e r i n g half a d o z e n h u g e c a u l d r o n s g o o d
for h u n d r e d s o f g a l l o n s e a c h . T h e y d r o v e s t a k e s i n t o t h e g r o u n d a n d set
the cauldrons up in a row. O n c e more Sir Goi's mind w a s boggled. T h e n
c a m e a c r o w d o f p r e t t y g i r l s , all i n w h i t e silk a n d c a r r y i n g freshly m a d e
w o o d e n b u c k e t s . T h e y emptied their buckets into the cauldrons. W e r e
they going to heat bath w a t e r ? N o , Sir Goi noticed that the buckets held
not w a t e r but sweetvine s y r u p . A dozen y o u n g m e n picked up long
k n i v e s a n d set t o w o r k p e e l i n g a n d s l i c i n g t h e y a m s . S i r G o i g r a s p e d t h a t
t h e y w e r e m a k i n g y a m s o u p , b u t h e d i d n o t w a n t a n y . I n fact, h e d i d n o t
like t h e t h o u g h t o f y a m s o u p a t all.
T h e y a m soup w a s boiling merrily a w a y and the cooks reported it w a s
r e a d y . " S e r v e it up t h e n ! " cried T o s h i h i t o . W i t h a m o n s t r o u s metal ladle
t h e y sloshed a gallon or t w o into a h u g e b o w l a n d with a "Please, sir,"
offered i t t o S i r G o i .
1 2 2

H e c o u l d n o t e v e n g e t t h r o u g h his first s e r v i n g a n d c o n f e s s e d h e h a d
h a d e n o u g h . E v e r y o n e l a u g h e d . " T h a n k s t o y o u , s i r , " t h e y said, " w e ' v e
all h a d l o t s o f y a m s o u p ! "
J u s t t h e n T o s h i h i t o s p o t t e d a fox p e e r i n g a t t h e m r o u n d a c o r n e r .
" L o o k ! " h e e x c l a i m e d . " T h e r e ' s m y m e s s e n g e r ! F e e d h i m ! " S o t h e y fed
t h e fox y a m s o u p t o o , a n d h e a t e u p all h e g o t .
All i n all, T o s h i h i t o c a r r i e d t h r o u g h h i s p r a n k i n a w o n d e r f u l l y o p e n -
h e a r t e d w a y . A m o n t h o r s o l a t e r S i r G o i left a g a i n for t h e C a p i t a l ,
b u r d e n e d t h i s t i m e w i t h r o b e s for b o t h d a i l y a n d formal w e a r , w i t h
l e a t h e r c h e s t s full o f b o l t s o f c o t t o n a n d silk, a n d , n e e d l e s s t o say, w i t h
t h e b e a u t i f u l b e d c l o t h e s h e h a d s l e p t i n t h e first n i g h t . All t h i s w a s
a l r e a d y l o a d e d o n t o h i s s a d d l e d h o r s e w h e n T o s h i h i t o s a w h i m off.
T o s h i h i t o did not h a v e m u c h r a n k , but it just s h o w s h o w well a m a n
c a n d o a n y w a y w h e n h e i s w e l l e s t a b l i s h e d a n d liked i n his o w n locality.

8 4 .

THE EVICTION

T h e M i n i s t e r M i y o s h i no Kiyoyuki, a m a n of e x t r a o r d i n a r y intelligence
a n d l e a r n i n g , w a s e x p e r t e v e n i n y i n - y a n g l o r e . H a v i n g n o h o u s e o f his
o w n , he located a r u i n o u s old mansion that stood near the crossing of
Fifth a n d H o r i k a w a a v e n u e s i n K y o t o a n d b o u g h t the place, even t h o u g h
n o o n e w o u l d live i n i t b e c a u s e i t w a s w e l l k n o w n t o b e h a u n t e d . T h e n ,
over his relatives' s t r e n u o u s objections, he p r e p a r e d to move in on an
astrologically suitable day.
T h e right d a y t u r n e d out to be the t w e n t i e t h of the sixth m o o n . Kiyo-
y u k i b e g a n h i s m o v e i n a n u n u s u a l w a y b y s e t t i n g o u t i n his c a r r i a g e
a b o u t six i n t h e e v e n i n g , t a k i n g o n l y a s t r a w m a t w i t h h i m .
T h e h o u s e w a s s o o l d t h a t y o u c o u l d n ' t e v e n g u e s s its a g e , w h i l e its
g a r d e n w a s full o f p i n e s , m a p l e s , a n d c h e r r y t r e e s s o a n c i e n t t h a t t h e y
certainly m u s t h a v e h a d tree spirits living in t h e m . Vines, n o w just begin-
n i n g t o r e d d e n w i t h fall, c l a m b e r e d e v e r y w h e r e , a n d t h e m o s s t h a t c o v -
e r e d t h e g r o u n d h a d n o t b e e n s w e p t for y e a r s . K i y o y u k i h a d t h e s h u t t e r s
r a i s e d . T h e i n t e r i o r p a r t i t i o n s w e r e all w a r p e d a n d t o r n . H e h a d a c o r n e r
o f t h e floor c l e a n e d u p a n d s p r e a d o u t t h e m a t h e h a d b r o u g h t . T h e n h e
had a lamp lit and lay d o w n on the mat facing s o u t h . When his
c a r r i a g e h a d b e e n p u t a w a y i n t h e c a r r i a g e h o u s e , h e d i s m i s s e d all h i s
servants and ox-drivers with instructions to come back the next day.
K i y o y u k i d o z e d off, still f a c i n g s o u t h . I n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t h e
w a s a w a k e n e d by a sort of rustling in the latticework ceiling a n d s a w a
face s t i c k i n g o u t f r o m e a c h c r o s s i n g o f t h e l a t t i c e . All t h e faces w e r e
different. W h e n h e calmly w e n t o n looking, t h e y d i s a p p e a r e d . N e x t , forty
o r fifty r i d e r s , e a c h a foot tall, c l a t t e r e d a c r o s s t h e floor from w e s t t o e a s t .
Kiyoyuki kept watching.
A closet d o o r o p e n e d a n d out c a m e a v e r y distinguished t h o u g h tiny
l a d y all i n d a r k b r o w n , w i t h h e r h a i r d o w n o v e r h e r s h o u l d e r s . T h e
d e l i c i o u s s c e n t o f m u s k filled t h e a i r a s s h e k n e l t b e f o r e h i m . A r e d fan
h i d m o s t o f h e r face, b u t t h e f o r e h e a d t h a t p e e p e d a b o v e i t w a s w h i t e
and the eyes elegantly long. T h e w a y just the pupils moved as she glanced
to either side w a s b o t h dignified a n d sinister. W a t c h i n g her, he a s s u m e d
t h a t t h e r e s t o f h e r face m u s t b e v e r y p r e t t y , b u t a s s h e p r e p a r e d t o g o
s h e m o v e d t h e fan a s i d e a m o m e n t . L o a n d b e h o l d , h e r n o s e w a s b r i g h t
r e d , a n d c r o s s e d p a i r s o f l o n g s i l v e r f a n g s p r o t r u d e d from t h e c o r n e r s o f
h e r m o u t h ! T h i s d i d g i v e h i m a bit o f a s h o c k , b u t s h e m e a n w h i l e h a d
vanished into the closet a n d closed the door.
It w a s nearly d a w n now, but there was a bright moon. Kiyoyuki was
l y i n g t h e r e a s a l e r t a n d u n t r o u b l e d a s e v e r w h e n a n o l d m a n i n a light-
blue r o b e c a m e in from t h e d i m g a r d e n outside, knelt, b o w e d very low,
and respectfully held a letter forth.
" W h a t have y o u got to say to m e ? " asked Kiyoyuki sharply.
T h e o l d m a n a n s w e r e d i n a little v o i c e , " I ' m h e r e t o let y o u k n o w , sir,
t h a t we c o n s i d e r it v e r y w r o n g of y o u to claim possession of a h o u s e
w h i c h h a s b e e n o u r s for m a n y y e a r s , a n d t h a t w e w i s h t o r e g i s t e r a
vigorous protest."
" Y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h a t y o u ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t . P e o p l e often b u y h o u s e s
f r o m o n e a n o t h e r . I t ' s p e r f e c t l y n o r m a l . B u t you insist o n d i s r u p t i n g t h i s
p r o c e s s b y f r i g h t e n i n g a w a y a n y o n e w h o w a n t s t o live h e r e a n d b y
o c c u p y i n g t h e place y o u r s e l v e s . Y o u should be a s h a m e d . Real d e m o n s
k n o w r i g h t from w r o n g a n d a r e p e r f e c t l y s t r a i g h t a b o u t it. T h a t ' s w h a t
makes them frightening. B u t all y o u d o i s i n v i t e t h e p u n i s h m e n t o f
h e a v e n . W h y , y o u ' r e only a tribe of old foxes! G i v e me a single h a w k or
d o g a n d I'd h a v e h i m e a t y o u all. G o tell t h a t t o y o u r f r i e n d s ! "
" Y o u ' r e p e r f e c t l y r i g h t , sir, p e r f e c t l y r i g h t . B u t w e ' v e lived h e r e s o
l o n g , y o u s e e . W e w a n t e d y o u t o k n o w h o w w e feel. I'm n o t i n t h e h a b i t
o f f r i g h t e n i n g p e o p l e . T h e c u l p r i t s , I'm a f r a i d , a r e a c o u p l e o f y o u n g s t e r s .
I try t o c o n t r o l t h e m , sir, b u t t h e y ' r e a l w a y s u p t o t h e i r t r i c k s . I f y o u ' r e
g o i n g t o m o v e i n h e r e , t h o u g h , sir, I r e a l l y d o n ' t k n o w w h a t w e ' r e t o d o .
1 2 4

W e ' v e n o w h e r e t o g o . O r a t least, t h e o n l y p l a c e i s a v a c a n t lot b y t h e

main gate of the Academy. M a y we have y o u r permission to move there,
sir?"
" T h a t s o u n d s like a v e r y g o o d i d e a , " K i y o y u k i a n s w e r e d . " Y o u m i g h t
as well get s t a r t e d . "
T h e o l d m a n s h o u t e d a n o r d e r a n d forty o r f i f t y v o i c e s s h o u t e d a s s e n t .
A f t e r d a y b r e a k K i y o y u k i ' s h o u s e h o l d c a m e t o fetch h i m h o m e a g a i n .
He then w e n t about the business of having the house remodeled and
m a d e m o r e u p - t o - d a t e . N o t h i n g s p e c i a l h a p p e n e d w h i l e h e lived t h e r e .

8 5 .

INCENSE SMOKE

J o k a n , a h o l y m o n k o n M o u n t H i e i , h a d s p e n t e v e r y n i g h t for y e a r s
c h a n t i n g a n invocation called the S o n s h o D a r a n i . W h o e v e r h e a r d him
was struck with awe.
O n e night an I m m o r t a l n a m e d Y o s h o flew o v e r J o k a n s d w e l l i n g ,
h e a r d J o k a n s v o i c e , a n d c a m e d o w n t o t h e r a i l i n g o u t s i d e his r o o m .
S t a r t l e d , J o k a n a s k e d w h o i t w a s . Y o s h o a n s w e r e d i n a t h i n , r e e d y voice
like a m o s q u i t o ' s b u z z i n g , a n d J o k a n recognized him as a former disciple.
H e o p e n e d t h e d o o r a n d Y o s h o flew i n s i d e .
T h e t w o t a l k e d o v e r o l d t i m e s till t h e I m m o r t a l felt i t w a s t i m e t o l e a v e .
B u t t h e c o m p a n y of a mortal m a n h a d w e i g h e d him d o w n , a n d he found
he could not rise. " W o u l d y o u move the incense b u r n e r over h e r e ? " he
a s k e d , a n d J o k a n d i d s o . Y o s h o m o u n t e d t h e s m o k e a n d sailed u p i n t o
the sky.
J o k a n h a d a l w a y s w o n d e r e d a b o u t his s t u d e n t ' s d i s a p p e a r a n c e , a n d
n o w he u n d e r s t o o d . He w e p t with emotion that Y o s h o should have come
to see him again.
8 6 .

THE BLESSING

A d e v o u t m o n k w h o l i v e d b y t h e K u z u R i v e r , a t t h e foot o f M o u n t H i r a ,
took no grain a n d ate only wild greens. O n c e he d r e a m e d a holy being
told him, " T h e r e ' s a n I m m o r t a l o n M o u n t H i r a a n d h e c h a n t s the L o t u s .
G o a n d get his b l e s s i n g . "
T h o u g h h e c l i m b e d M o u n t H i r a r i g h t a w a y , i t w a s o n l y after d a y s o f
h u n t i n g t h a t h e h e a r d far, far off a c h a n t i n g v o i c e . H e w a s e x h a u s t e d ,
a n d t h e d a y n e a r l y d o n e , w h e n h e finally d i s c o v e r e d a c a v e u n d e r a n
o v e r h a n g i n g c r a g . T h e g r e a t p i n e b e f o r e i t w a s s h a p e d like a b r o a d ,
c o n i c a l h a t . P e e r i n g in, h e s a w t h e I m m o r t a l . H i s b o n e s h a d n o flesh o n
t h e m a n d his only r o b e w a s m o s s .
" W h o are y o u ? " the Immortal asked. " N o one has ever been here
before."
" I live b y t h e K u z u R i v e r , a n d a d r e a m t o l d m e t o g e t y o u r b l e s s i n g . "
" T h e n first k e e p a w a y f r o m m e for a w h i l e . T h e s m o k e o f t h e h u m a n
world m a k e s my eyes sting a n d water. C o m e to me in seven d a y s . "
T h e m o n k r e t r e a t e d t w e n t y y a r d s o r s o from t h e c a v e , w h i l e t h e I m -
mortal c h a n t e d the S u t r a d a y a n d night. His voice w a s deeply moving,
a n d t h e m o n k felt a s t h o u g h all t h e s i n s h e h a d c o m m i t t e d t h r o u g h
beginningless time were melting away. The deer, the bears, the monkeys,
a n d all t h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e s o f f e a t h e r a n d fur b r o u g h t t h e I m m o r t a l n u t s
and seeds, a n d the Immortal had a m o n k e y give the m o n k some, too.
Seven days later the m o n k a p p r o a c h e d the cave.
" I u s e d t o b e a m o n k a n d a s c h o l a r , " t h e I m m o r t a l said, " a n d I d i d m y
best to master the a p p r o v e d doctrines. But I read in the Lotus Sutra, ' H e
will r e g r e t it, w h o d o e s n o t t a k e t h i s S u t r a t o h e a r t , ' a n d I b e l i e v e d it.
T h e S u t r a said to practice in a place apart, so I did. T h e n my k a r m a
led m e t o t h i s c a v e , a n d I left t h e h u m a n w o r l d a l t o g e t h e r . W i t h t h e
e y e o f t h e O n e T e a c h i n g I s e e t h i n g s far off, a n d w i t h t h e e a r o f C o m -
p a s s i o n I h e a r all s o u n d s . I've b e e n t o t h e h e a v e n w h e r e t h e F u t u r e
B u d d h a lives, a n d I've h e a r d t h e B u d d h a s p e a k . T h e p i n e s h e l t e r s m e
from h e a t a n d w i n d . S t a y w i t h m e , s i n c e y o u r o w n k a r m a h a s b r o u g h t
you here!"
T h e a w e d m o n k d e a r l y w a n t e d t o s a y y e s , b u t h e k n e w t h a t a life
like t h a t w a s b e y o n d h i m . Instead, he prostrated himself a n d start-
e d for h o m e . T h e I m m o r t a l ' s p o w e r b r o u g h t h i m t o t h e K u z u R i v e r i n
a day.
1 2 6

8 7 .

ANOTHER FLYING JAR

A h e r m i t o n c e b u i l t a s m a l l h u t o n t h e u p p e r K i y o t a k i R i v e r , n o t far
n o r t h o f K y o t o . W h e n h e w a s t h i r s t y , h e w o u l d s e n d his w a t e r j a r f l y i n g
d o w n t o t h e s t r e a m a n d i t w o u l d b r i n g h i m b a c k all t h e w a t e r h e n e e d e d .
A s t h e y e a r s w e n t b y , h e often t h o u g h t p r o u d l y t o h i m s e l f t h a t t h e r e
could hardly be a more accomplished hermit anywhere.
O n e d a y h e w a s s u r p r i s e d t o s e e a n o t h e r w a t e r j a r f l y d o w n from
u p s t r e a m , d r a w w a t e r , a n d l e a v e , a n d h e w o n d e r e d j e a l o u s l y w h o else
c o u l d b e p e r f o r m i n g t h i s feat. W h e n t h e j a r c a m e a g a i n , h e followed i t a
f e w m i l e s u p s t r e a m to a h u t — q u i t e a l a r g e o n e , w i t h a nice little c h a p e l
o f its o w n . T h e p l a c e b r e a t h e d p u r i t y , h o l i n e s s , a n d p e a c e . B e f o r e t h e h u t
w a s a n o r a n g e t r e e w i t h a p a t h r o u n d it, w o r n b y t h e i n h a b i t a n t a s h e
circled t h e t r e e c h a n t i n g his s u t r a s .
Peering in t h r o u g h the window, the hermit saw a desk strewn with
s u t r a s c r o l l s a n d a r o o m filled w i t h t h e s m o k e o f p e r p e t u a l i n c e n s e . A
s a i n t l y - l o o k i n g m o n k a t least s e v e n t y y e a r s o l d w a s s l e e p i n g p r o p p e d o n
an a r m r e s t , w i t h a five-pronged vajra in his h a n d .
T o t e s t t h i s v e n e r a b l e o l d m a n , t h e h e r m i t b e g a n t h e Spell o f t h e F i r e
R e a l m . F l a m e s i n s t a n t l y s p r a n g u p a n d l i c k e d a t t h e h u t . Still a s l e e p , t h e
old m a n picked up a w a n d a n d sprinkled the four directions with holy
w a t e r . T h e flames w e n t out, b u t by n o w the hermit's own robe w a s
b u r n i n g fiercely a n d h e h o w l e d i n t e r r o r , a t w h i c h t h e old m a n o p e n e d
his eyes a n d sprinkled his visitor as well. T h e flames vanished.
" W h a t h a p p e n e d ? " t h e old m a n a s k e d .
T h e h e r m i t e x p l a i n e d h i m s e l f a n d d e s c r i b e d his little t e s t . " P l e a s e for-
g i v e m e ! " h e b e g g e d . "I'll s e r v e y o u f o r e v e r a s y o u r d i s c i p l e ! " B u t t h e
old m a n seemed to h a v e no idea w h a t he w a s talking about.
T h e h e r m i t h a d b e c o m e puffed u p with p r i d e a n d the B u d d h a , dis-
p l e a s e d , h a d s h o w n h i m for h i s e d i f i c a t i o n a l a r h o l i e r s a i n t — o r s o a t
least people say.
8 8 .

THE WIZARD OF THE MOUNTAINS

En no Gydja founded Japan \i mountain ajcetk

tradition. The Peacock King u< an Esoteric Buddhuit deity.

E n n o G y o j a , o r E n t h e A s c e t i c , lived i n E m p e r o r M o m m u ' s r e i g n . H e
w a s from t h e K a t s u r a g i r e g i o n o f Y a m a t o p r o v i n c e .
H e lost h i s f a t h e r w h e n h e w a s t w o a n d w a s b r o u g h t u p e n t i r e l y b y h i s
m o t h e r a t t h e i r family h o m e . A t t h e a g e o f t h i r t y - f o u r , h e t u r n e d t h e
house into a t e m p l e a n d respectfully e n s h r i n e d there an eight-foot-tall
image of M i r o k u w h i c h he himself h a d m a d e out of earth. T h e n he gave
t h e t e m p l e t o t h e c o u r t a n d w e n t t o live i n a c a v e i n t h e K a t s u r a g i
Mountains, wearing clothes made of b a r k and eating pine needles.
T h o u g h he never w e n t into the world or mixed with people, he practiced
nonetheless as a l a y m a n r a t h e r t h a n as a m o n k .
F r o m the Katsuragi M o u n t a i n s y o u can look southeast across to the
O m i n e range. En no Gyoja roamed there, too. O n e day in O m i n e he
g l i m p s e d S h a k a P e a k f r o m far off a n d w a s s t r u c k b y its u n u s u a l f o r m .
T h e m o u n t a i n clearly h a d p o w e r . Up close it w a s even m o r e impressive.
E n n o G y o j a f o u n d t h e r e , h a n g i n g from a t r e e , a n i n e - f o o t - t a l l s k e l e t o n
w i t h a bell in its left h a n d a n d a s i n g l e - p r o n g e d v a j r a in its r i g h t . T h e
s k e l e t o n ' s g r i p o n t h e s e t w o i m p l e m e n t s w a s like i r o n , a n d E n n o G y o j a
w a s u n a b l e to p r y t h e m loose.
S o s t r a n g e a d i s c o v e r y i n s p i r e d h i m t o v i g o r o u s faith. T h a t n i g h t h e
d r e a m e d t h a t t h e M i r o k u h e s o d e e p l y r e v e r e d ( t h e o n e h e h a d m a d e for
h i s t e m p l e ) s a i d t o h i m , " F o r s e v e n o f y o u r p a s t lives y o u w e r e a n a s c e t i c
on this mountain. T h e skeleton y o u found is y o u r o w n . If y o u w a n t the
bell a n d t h e v a j r a , c h a n t t h e M a n t r a o f t h e P e a c o c k K i n g . "
En no Gyoja went a w a y to learn the mantra, and acquired s u p e r h u m a n
p o w e r s a s s o o n a s h e b e g a n c h a n t i n g it. H e c o u l d n o w fly t h r o u g h s p a c e
wherever he w a n t e d on a five-colored cloud. W h e n he returned to Shaka
P e a k , h e f o u n d t h e bell a n d v a j r a o n t h e g r o u n d b e l o w t h e t r e e . T h e
skeleton w a s gone.
N o r t h of S h a k a P e a k , in the s a m e r a n g e , rises G o l d e n Peak. This
sacred mountain is actually the northeast corner of Vulture Peak in India
w h e r e the B u d d h a p r e a c h e d the Lotus S u t r a . In 552, d u r i n g the reign of
E m p e r o r K i m m e i , i t b r o k e off a n d flew t h o u s a n d s o f l e a g u e s o n a w h i t e
cloud to land here in J a p a n . W h e n M i r o k u comes into our world as the
1 2 8

n e x t b u d d h a , 5 , 6 7 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 y e a r s f r o m n o w , t h e e a r t h will b e c o v e r e d
w i t h g o l d ; a n d all t h e g o l d for t h i s p u r p o s e i s s t o r e d i n G o l d e n P e a k .
T h a t is w h y t h e m o u n t a i n ' s gravel a n d rocks are gold, and w h y the
mountain bears that name.
Seeing h o w powerful Golden Peak was, En no Gyoja wanted it to have
a g o d w h o could help sentient beings t o w a r d salvation. After he had
p r a y e d for a t h o u s a n d d a y s , Z a o G o n g e n r o s e from t h e e a r t h . S i n c e Z a o
G o n g e n l o o k e d r a t h e r like t h e B o d h i s a t t v a J i z o , v e r y q u i e t a n d k i n d , E n
n o G y o j a w o n d e r e d h o w a g o d like t h a t c o u l d p o s s i b l y s a v e d e l u d e d
b e i n g s i n t h e sinful a g e s t o c o m e . A s t h e t h o u g h t c r o s s e d his m i n d , t h e
peaceful, J i z o - l i k e figure d i s a p p e a r e d into t h e sky.
E n n o G y o j a p r a y e d a n e w , a n d t h i s t i m e Z a o G o n g e n b u r s t forth i n a
w r a t h f u l f o r m , b r a n d i s h i n g a t h r e e - p r o n g e d v a j r a i n his r i g h t h a n d , a n d
s t a n d i n g i n t h e fierce p o s e o f c r u s h i n g d e m o n s . F i n a l l y i m p r e s s e d , E n n o
Gyoja m a d e an image of him a n d enshrined it on the mountain. In time
Z a o G o n g e n a p p e a r e d like t h i s o n m o u n t a i n s t h r o u g h o u t J a p a n . H o w
g r e a t a g o d En no G y o j a h a d called forth!
N e x t , En no Gyoja w e n t into retreat in a cave in these same mountains,
a n d his magic b r o u g h t s u p e r n a t u r a l beings to serve him a n d bring him
w a t e r a n d firewood. H e also spent y e a r s g o i n g r o u n d J a p a n , visiting
M o u n t Fuji, M o u n t A s a m a , a n d all t h e o t h e r s a c r e d m o u n t a i n s . S o m e -
times he also visited the Palace of the Immortals a n d r o a m e d the Immor-
tals' marvelous realm.
E v e n t u a l l y E n n o G y o j a d e c i d e d h e w a n t e d a s t o n e b r i d g e from t h e
K a t s u r a g i M o u n t a i n s to G o l d e n P e a k , o n e t h a t his followers could cross;
a n d h e c o m m a n d e d t h e g o d H i t o k o t o n u s h i t o b u i l d it.
S o m e t w o centuries before, w h e n E m p e r o r Y u r y a k u came to Katsuragi
t o h u n t , H i t o k o t o n u s h i h a d r i d d e n b e s i d e h i m all d a y i n t h e g u i s e o f a
lordly m a n ; a n d w h e n t h e e m p e r o r a s k e d his u n k n o w n c o m p a n i o n w h o
he w a s , H i t o k o t o n u s h i replied simply, "the god of Katsuragi," then van-
ished. N o r m a l l y , t h o u g h , the g o d w a s so ugly that he w a s embarrassed
to be seen in daylight, a n d as a result w o u l d w o r k on the bridge only at
night. T h i s m a d e E n n o Gyoja a n g r y . H e insisted that Hitokotonushi
w o r k a l s o d u r i n g t h e d a y . W h e n t h e g o d r e f u s e d , t h e furious G y o j a
b o u n d h i m w i t h a spell a n d left h i m a t t h e b o t t o m o f a r a v i n e . T h a t i s
w h y t h e rock b r i d g e n e v e r w a s built.
Soon afterwards, a y o u n g attendant of Emperor M o m m u began to
s p e a k v o l u b l y a n d s t r a n g e l y u n d e r t h e i n f l u e n c e o f a g o d w h o identified
himself u n d e r questioning as Hitokotonushi of Katsuragi. The god went
on to a c c u s e En no G y o j a of u s i n g his magic p o w e r s to foment rebellion.
" I f h e i s n o t s t o p p e d , " w a r n e d t h e g o d , " t h e r e will b e w a r ! "
T h e astonished e m p e r o r immediately sent the Gyoja an order to a p p e a r
b e f o r e h i m , b u t t h e G y o j a i g n o r e d it. N e x t , t h e e m p e r o r s e n t s o l d i e r s t o
arrest him, but the Gyoja simply flew up a n d disappeared. T h e soldiers
retaliated b y c a p t u r i n g his m o t h e r a n d t a k i n g h e r b a c k t o the e m p e r o r
instead. This b r o u g h t En no Gyoja to the palace right away, a n d his
innocent mother w a s released and sent home.
E n n o G y o j a w a s e x i l e d t o O s h i m a i n t h e p r o v i n c e o f Izu, a l o n g t h e
coast of Sagami Bay. D u r i n g the d a y he b e h a v e d himself a n d stayed
w h e r e he h a d been put, b u t at night he flew t h r o u g h the air a n d r o a m e d
the summit of M o u n t Fuji. H i t o k o t o n u s h i got back at him by again
possessing the imperial attendant and accusing the Gyoja of w a n d e r i n g
w h e r e v e r h e p l e a s e d i n c o n t e m p t o f t h e i m p e r i a l will. H i t o k o t o n u s h i
d e m a n d e d that the Gyoja be put to death.
T h e e m p e r o r took this denunciation seriously and sent a soldier to
e x e c u t e t h e s e n t e n c e . B u t w h e n t h e s o l d i e r r e a c h e d O s h i m a a n d d r e w his
b o w t o s h o o t t h e G y o j a , t h e b o w b r o k e ; a n d w h e n h e lifted h i s s w o r d t o
s t r i k e t h e G y o j a , t h e s w o r d b r o k e t o o . N e x t t h e G y o j a a s k e d for t h e
sword, a n d the soldier gave it to him. Before h a n d i n g it back, the ascetic
licked it three times. T h e soldier n o w read, engraved on the sword, the
n a m e of the g o d of M o u n t Fuji. O v e r c o m e with a w e , he r e t u r n e d to t h e
emperor with his r e p o r t , and the emperor, finally r e a l i z i n g t h a t E n
no Gyoja w a s no o r d i n a r y m a n , p a r d o n e d him a n d recalled him to the
Capital.
By now, though, En no Gyoja no longer k n e w what would happen
n e x t a n d w a s fed u p w i t h J a p a n . S o i n s t e a d , h e p u t h i s m o t h e r i n a b o w l
a n d set off t o C h i n a a c r o s s t e n t h o u s a n d l e a g u e s o f s k y , r i d i n g o n a f i v e -
colored cloud. In China, too, he toured every sacred peak and consorted
w i t h t h e I m m o r t a l s . I n fact, a J a p a n e s e m o n k w h o m t h e e m p e r o r h a d
sent to C h i n a to s t u d y B u d d h i s m ran into him a n d spent some time
talking to him. T h e m o n k r e p o r t e d this meeting w h e n he got back to
J a p a n , m u c h to the a s t o n i s h m e n t of the court since it w a s then almost
i m p o s s i b l e for a n y o n e t o t r a v e l t o C h i n a w i t h o u t i m p e r i a l a u t h o r i z a t i o n .
In the meantime, En no Gyoja's fight with Hitokotonushi was not quite
o v e r . T h e last e p i s o d e i n v o l v e d t h e m o n k T a i c h o from E c h i z e n p r o v i n c e ,
a great ascetic w h o s e p o w e r s w e r e a c k n o w l e d g e d t h r o u g h o u t the realm.
T a i c h o w a s the vessel of the g o d of H a k u s a n , or W h i t e M o u n t a i n , in
K a g a p r o v i n c e ; for t h e g o d o f t e n p o s s e s s e d T a i c h o a n d s p o k e t h r o u g h
him.
T a i c h o t o o set o u t o n a p i l g r i m a g e t o all t h e h o l y m o u n t a i n s o f J a p a n .
Having heard that the Katsuragi and O m i n e ranges were particularly
powerful, he first climbed Katsuragi and spent the night chanting sutras
t h e r e for t h e g o d .
W h e n h e d o z e d off, t h e g o d t o o k t h i s c h a n c e t o s p e a k t o h i m . " E n n o
1 3 0

G y o j a h a s b o u n d m e w i t h a s p e l l , " h e c o m p l a i n e d , " a n d h e ' s left m e a t

t h e b o t t o m o f t h e r a v i n e . I'm s u f f e r i n g h o r r i b l y . P l e a s e , Y o u r G r a c e , u s e
y o u r p o w e r t o free m e a n d h e a l m y p a i n ! " I n his d r e a m T a i c h o s a w t h a t
the g o d w a s imprisoned in a mossy boulder.
On w a k i n g he w e n t straight d o w n into the ravine and found the boul-
der. It w a s tightly imprisoned by wisteria a n d other vines. Taicho could
s e e h o w m u c h t h e g o d m u s t b e s u f f e r i n g , a n d felt s o r r y for h i m . B u t
w h e n h e t r i e d a spell t o l o o s e n t h e v i n e s , t h e G y o j a , w h o m r u m o r p l a c e d
i n C h i n a , s u d d e n l y a p p e a r e d , r o a r i n g a n d g l a r i n g a t h i m i n fury. T h e
f r i g h t e n e d T a i c h o g a v e u p a n d left t h e m o u n t a i n i m m e d i a t e l y .
P e r h a p s En no Gyoja stayed on in Katsuragi. At a n y rate, he w a s
eventually c o m m a n d e d in a d r e a m to go to M o u n t M i n o o in the province
of Settsu w h e r e , high on the m o u n t a i n , there is a magnificent waterfall.
E n n o G y o j a w a s p e r f o r m i n g h i s p r a c t i c e s b y t h i s fall w h e n t h e l e g e n d a r y
B u d d h i s t s a g e N a g a r j u n a , w h o m w e i n J a p a n call R y u j u B o s a t s u , d e -
s c e n d e d from the heavens, gave him the W a t e r of P u r e Knowledge, a n d
sailed up again into the sky again on a cloud. This miracle inspired the
G y o j a to build on the spot a temple, w h i c h he called M i n o o d e r a . He
s t a y e d a t M i n o o a l o n g t i m e , a n d finally r o s e i n t o t h e h e a v e n s a t t h e a g e
of 104.
N o o n e e v e r t r i e d t o free H i t o k o t o n u s h i a g a i n .

8 9 .

AN AWFUL FALL

An ascetic at a m o u n t a i n temple in Y a m a t o province once decided that

from n o w o n h e w o u l d eat only pine needles. H e w a s quite h a p p y t o give
u p r i c e a n d t h e o t h e r g r a i n s , a n d i n fact m u c h p r e f e r r e d t h i s a u s t e r e diet,
b e c a u s e he h a d h e a r d that this w a s the w a y others in the past had made
t h e m s e l v e s i n t o I m m o r t a l s w h o c o u l d fly.
After t w o o r t h r e e y e a r s o f n o t h i n g b u t pine needles, t h e ascetic really
d i d feel v e r y l i g h t . H e b e g a n t e l l i n g h i s d i s c i p l e s t h a t h e w o u l d s o o n b e
an Immortal too, a n d w a s so sure of success that he secretly prepared to
fly u p i n t o t h e s k y . W h e n t h e m o m e n t s e e m e d a t h a n d , h e a n n o u n c e d his
c o m i n g a s c e n s i o n a n d g a v e a w a y h i s h u t a n d all his b e l o n g i n g s .
H e k n e w t h a t w h e n h e t o o k t o t h e a i r h e w o u l d find h i m s e l f c l o t h e d i n
the robe of an Immortal, so he put on nothing but the simplest and most
a b b r e v i a t e d w r a p ; for, h e s a i d , h e n o w n e e d e d n o t h i n g m o r e . T h e n h e
s t r o d e f o r t h w i t h h i s w a t e r j a r ( h i s last a n d m o s t p r i z e d p o s s e s s i o n ) s l u n g
from his waist.
A large c r o w d had gathered to watch him go to the L a n d of the
I m m o r t a l s . W h e n all t h e s p e c t a t o r s w e r e i n p l a c e , h e c l i m b e d t o a s p u r
of rock that jutted from the m o u n t a i n s i d e . " O f course, I'd r a t h e r g o
s t r a i g h t u p , " h e e x p l a i n e d , " b u t s i n c e all t h e s e p e o p l e a r e h e r e I s u p p o s e
I r e a l l y o u g h t to g i v e t h e m a g o o d l o o k at a p r o p e r I m m o r t a l in a c t i o n .
S o first I'll g l i d e d o w n from h e r e t o t h o s e p i n e s a n d l a n d o n a b r a n c h . "
I t w a s f o r t y o r fifty feet d o w n t o t h e t o p s o f t h e p i n e s . T h e a s c e t i c d o v e
off h e a d first a n d t h e c r o w d r o a r e d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , h i s b o d y w a s h e a v i e r
t h a n h e e x p e c t e d , a n d h i s s t r e n g t h far less. M i s s i n g his t a r g e t e n t i r e l y , h e
crashed to the g r o u n d . T h o u g h shaken, the crowd remained confident
( a f t e r all, h e m u s t s u r e l y h a v e k n o w n w h a t h e w a s d o i n g ! ) t h a t a t a n y
m o m e n t he w o u l d rise again into t h e air.
Actually he had smashed into a rock. His water jar w a s in smithereens
a n d so w a s he, or v e r y nearly. His horrified disciples desperately called
his n a m e b u t g o t n o r e p l y . S i n c e h e w a s a t least still b r e a t h i n g , t h o u g h ,
t h e y h a u l e d him b a c k t o his h u t w h i l e the c r o w d dispersed, l a u g h i n g
derisively.
He survived in the end, but was so twisted and broken that he could
hardly even stand. He had to take back the hut and possessions he had
s o b r a v e l y g i v e n a w a y , a n d lived o n c r o o k e d a n d h o p e l e s s .
Not everyone gets to be an Immortal.

9 o .

THE RICEPOOP SAINT

A holy ascetic in the reign of E m p e r o r M o n t o k u h a d long ago given up

all g r a i n , w h i c h w a s a v e r y difficult a n d v i r t u o u s t h i n g t o d o . H e a t e p i n e
needles instead. T h e e m p e r o r h e a r d a b o u t him a n d invited him to c o m e
a n d live i n t h e i m p e r i a l g a r d e n . I n t i m e t h e e m p e r o r c a m e t o r e v e r e t h e
ascetic deeply.
O n e day some brash y o u n g courtiers were joking a m o n g themselves
w h e n they decided to go a n d h a v e a look at this famous ascetic. T h e
1 3 2

fellow certainly looked impressive, a n d the y o u n g lords prostrated them-

selves before him. T h e n they boldly asked him, " H o l y man, h o w many
y e a r s h a s i t b e e n s i n c e y o u g a v e u p e a t i n g g r a i n ? A n d h o w old a r e y o u ,
anyway?"
" I ' m seventy," the ascetic replied, "and I gave up grain in my y o u t h .
T h a t m u s t b e fifty y e a r s a g o o r s o , I s u p p o s e . "
O n e o f t h e y o u n g g e n t l e m e n n o w b e g a n t o w o n d e r w h a t a m a n ' s feces
w o u l d l o o k like i f h e t o o k n o g r a i n . T h e y w o u l d h a v e t o b e a bit u n u s u a l .
H e t o o k h i s f r i e n d s off t o s n e a k a p e e k i n t o t h e a s c e t i c ' s p r i v y . W h a t t h e y
s a w w a s full o f r i c e . H o w c o u l d t h i s b e ?
Back they w e n t to the ascetic's hut, and while he was gone lor moment,
t h e y rolled up t h e m a t he h a d been sitting on. T h e r e w a s a hole in the
floor u n d e r it and the earth below had been disturbed. They were onto
s o m e t h i n g . A little d i g g i n g r e v e a l e d a s a c k o f w h i t e r i c e . " W e l l , w e l l ! "
t h o u g h t the y o u n g lords, putting everything back as it had been.
W h e n the holy m a n returned they broke into broad grins. "Riceshit
s a i n t ! R i c e s h i t s a i n t ! " t h e y c h a n t e d , r o a r i n g w i t h l a u g h t e r . T h e mortified
ascetic fled a n d w a s never heard of again.

O D D I T I E S

1
9 •

WHAT THE STORM WASHED IN

L a t e o n e s p r i n g , i n H i t a c h i p r o v i n c e , t h e r e w a s a terrific s t o r m , a n d i n
the c o u r s e of a furious night a h u m a n corpse w a s w a s h e d up on the
b e a c h . I t w a s m o r e t h a n fifty feet l o n g , a n d e v e n t h o u g h i t w a s half
b u r i e d i n t h e s a n d , all y o u c o u l d s e e o f a r i d e r p a s s i n g b y o n t h e o t h e r
side of it w a s the tip of the rider's b o w . T h e head w a s gone, as w e r e the
r i g h t a r m a n d t h e left leg. N o d o u b t t h e y h a d b e e n e a t e n b y t h e c r e a t u r e s
o f t h e d e e p . W h a t a b e i n g t h i s m u s t h a v e b e e n w h e n alive a n d w h o l e !
S i n c e t h e b o d y l a y o n its f r o n t , i t w a s h a r d t o b e s u r e w h e t h e r i t w a s a
m a n or a w o m a n , but the overall shape suggested a w o m a n .
T h e d i s c o v e r y c r e a t e d a s e n s a t i o n . P e o p l e c a m e from far a w a y t o see
t h e p r o d i g y a n d t o offer o n e t h e o r y o r a n o t h e r a b o u t its o r i g i n . O n e
learned monk declared that there was nothing in the words of the B u d d h a
to suggest that the inhabitants of any of the lands in our world are giants;
he could only s u p p o s e that this impressive specimen must belong to the
r a c e o f W a r r i n g D e m o n s w h o a r e s a i d s o m e t i m e s t o live a t t h e b o t t o m o f
the sea.
M e a n w h i l e the provincial administration had decided they had to re-
p o r t s o u n u s u a l a find t o t h e c o u r t , a n d t h e y w e r e a b o u t t o d o s o w h e n
t h e local p e o p l e p r o t e s t e d . "If w e r e p o r t i t , " t h e y s a i d , " a c o u r t e m i s s a r y
will b e d o w n h e r e for a look, a n d w e ' l l h a v e n o e n d o f t r o u b l e a n d
expense entertaining him. N o , it would be much better to hush the whole
thing u p . " So in the end the governor kept the discovery quiet.
A s t h e d a y s w e n t b y , t h e p r o c e s s e s o f d e c o m p o s i t i o n set i n a n d p e o p l e
for h u n d r e d s o f y a r d s a r o u n d h a d t o e v a c u a t e t h e i r h o u s e s . T h e s t e n c h
w a s just too m u c h .
Of course, the g o v e r n o r told the w h o l e story w h e n he got back to the
Capital.

2
9 •

SEA DEVILS

E i g h t d a y s i n t o t h e s e v e n t h m o o n o f 1171 a s h i p p u t i n t o O k i I s l a n d i n
the p r o v i n c e of Izu. T h e islanders a s s u m e d that it had been blown in by
a s t o r m a n d w e n t to h a v e a look.
T h e ship r o d e seventy or eighty y a r d s offshore. As the islanders
w a t c h e d , t h e d e v i l s o n b o a r d let d o w n r o p e s a n d m o o r e d i t o n all f o u r
sides to rocks on the sea b o t t o m . T h e n eight devils j u m p e d into the sea
a n d s h o r t l y e m e r g e d o n l a n d . T h e i s l a n d e r s offered t h e m food a n d millet
w i n e . T h o u g h t h e y n e v e r s a i d a w o r d , t h e d e v i l s a t e a n d d r a n k like
horses.
T h e d e v i l s w e r e e i g h t o r n i n e feet tall, w i t h w i l d a n d t a n g l e d h a i r .
Their bodies w e r e blackish and hairless, a n d their eyes as r o u n d as
m o n k e y s ' e y e s . A p a r t from s o m e s e a w e e d t h e y h a d w r a p p e d a r o u n d t h e i r
w a i s t s t h e y w e r e n a k e d , b u t all s o r t s o f p i c t u r e s w e r e d r a w n o n t h e i r
s k i n , w i t h a s o r t of o u t l i n e f r a m e a r o u n d e a c h . E a c h d e v i l c a r r i e d a g o o d
l o n g staff.
1 3 4

A devil asked to see o n e of the islanders' b o w and a r r o w s . W h e n the

i s l a n d e r h e s i t a t e d , t h e devil killed h i m w i t h o n e b l o w o l his staff. T h e
d e v i l s t h e n s t r u c k e i g h t o t h e r s , o f w h o m f o u r d i e d w h i l e four, t h o u g h
w o u n d e d , s u r v i v e d . N e x t , t h e d e v i l s b e l c h e d fire from t h e i r s i d e s . T h i n k -
i n g t h e y w e r e all g o i n g t o b e killed, t h e i s l a n d e r s t o o k o u t t h e b o w s a n d
a r r o w s belonging to the god of their shrine and prepared to defend
themselves. At this point the devils w e n t back into the sea a n d swam
u n d e r w a t e r o u t t o t h e i r s h i p . T h e n t h e y sailed a w a y a g a i n s t t h e w i n d .
On t h e fourteenth d a y of the tenth moon, a report on the incident w a s
f o r w a r d e d to the provincial g o v e r n m e n t , together with a sash that one of
the devils h a d d r o p p e d . T h e y say the sash is n o w in the treasury of
Sanjusangendo, the famous temple in Kyoto.

9 3 •

THE DANCING MUSHROOM

F o u r o r five w o o d c u t t e r s from t h e C a p i t a l o n c e w e n t i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s
n o r t h o f t h e c i t y a n d , a s f o r t u n e w o u l d h a v e it, g o t lost. T h e y w e r e
puzzling over w h i c h w a y to go w h e n they heard people coming down the
h i l l s i d e . W h o c o u l d t h e y b e ? F o u r o r five n u n s , s i n g i n g a n d d a n c i n g t h e i r
w a y a l o n g , a s j o l l y a s y o u p l e a s e . T h e w o o d c u t t e r s t o o k fright. Real n u n s
w o u l d n e v e r b e h a v e this w a y ! T h e y couldn't be h u m a n ! N o , they must
be tengu, or d e m o n s of some sort!
T h e n u n s m a d e s t r a i g h t for t h e w o o d c u t t e r s w h o , d e s p i t e t h e i r a l a r m ,
m a n a g e d to ask the estimable ladies w h y they w e r e carrying on that way,
a n d w h y o n t o p o f e v e r y t h i n g else t h e y w e r e c o m i n g d o w n from h i g h o n
the mountain.
" O h d e a r , all o u r d a n c i n g a n d s i n g i n g m u s t h a v e r a t h e r f r i g h t e n e d
y o u ! " t h e n u n s r e p l i e d . " Y o u s e e , w e ' r e n u n s from s u c h - a n d - s u c h a
c o n v e n t . W e all w e n t i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s t o p i c k f l o w e r s for t h e a l t a r a n d
t h e n g o t c o m p l e t e l y lost. W h e n w e n o t i c e d s o m e m u s h r o o m s , w e r e a l i z e d
we w e r e h u n g r y . Of course we realized the m u s h r o o m s might be poison-
ous, b u t we d e c i d e d we might as well go ahead and eat them as starve.
T h e y t a s t e d g o o d . T h e n w e b e g a n d a n c i n g . W e d i d n ' t mean t o d a n c e , y o u
s e e , w e j u s t f o u n d o u r s e l v e s d o i n g it. W e w e r e q u i t e s u r p r i s e d ! "
T h e startled w o o d c u t t e r s n o w noticed how hungry they were. The
n u n s had kept their leftover m u s h r o o m s . " W h y , rather than starve,"
t h o u g h t t h e m e n , " w e m i g h t a s w e l l b e g s o m e off t h e n u n s a n d eat t o o ! "
So they did.
As soon as they had eaten the m u s h r o o m s they found themselves danc-
ing. N u n s a n d w o o d c u t t e r s d a n c e d a n d laughed together, a n d w h e n the
d r u n k e n n e s s passed they w e n t their separate ways, thought by w h a t
p a t h s n o o n e k n o w s . E v e r s i n c e , t h a t m u s h r o o m h a s b e e n c a l l e d maitakc,
the "dancing m u s h r o o m . "
All in all, t h e i n c i d e n t is a bit o d d . We h a v e t h i s maitake t o o , in o u r
o w n time, but the people w h o eat it don't always d a n c e . On balance the
s t o r y i s d u b i o u s , a s e v e n t h e y w h o tell i t r e a d i l y c o n f e s s .

9 A •
THE BEST-LAID PLANS ...

T h e r e o n c e lived a n o l d m o n k w h o w a s t h e a b b o t o f t h e t e m p l e a t G o l d e n
Peak. In those days (although no longer) the senior monk of the m o u n -
tain got a p p o i n t e d a b b o t , a n d this o n e h a d been a m o n k longer t h a n a n y
of his colleagues.
T h e n e x t m o n k i n line often w i s h e d h i s s u p e r i o r w o u l d h u r r y u p a n d
d i e , b u t b e i n g a s t u r d y o l d fellow t h e a b b o t g a v e n o sign o f p o p p i n g off.
I n fact, a t p a s t e i g h t y h e w a s o b v i o u s l y m o r e h a l e a n d h e a r t y t h a n a n y o n e
h a d a r i g h t t o b e e v e n a t s e v e n t y , a n d t h e s u c c e s s o r k n e w all t o o w e l l
t h a t he himself w a s n o w in his seventieth y e a r . " W h y , I could actually
d i e a n d never b e a b b o t ! " t h e s u c c e s s o r g r o a n e d t o himself. " I c a n ' t j u s t
h a v e h i m m u r d e r e d . S o m e o n e w o u l d b e b o u n d t o find o u t . I'll h a v e t o
poison h i m ! "
O f c o u r s e t h e s u c c e s s o r w a s a f r a i d o f h o w t h e B u d d h a m i g h t feel a b o u t
this, but t h e t e m p t a t i o n w a s too great a n d he b e g a n to think a b o u t w h a t
kind o f p o i s o n t o u s e . W h a t p o i s o n w a s r e a l l y d e a d l y ? W e l l , t h e r e w a s a
t o a d s t o o l c a l l e d " g r e a t b e y o n d " t h a t w a s s u r e t o kill a n y o n e w h o a t e it.
He w o u l d g a t h e r plenty of great b e y o n d s , m a k e a really delicious dish of
t h e m , a n d feed t h e m t o t h e a b b o t a s o r d i n a r y m u s h r o o m s . T h a t w o u l d
take care of him. " A n d then /'// be a b b o t , " the successor gloated.
I t w a s fall. H e w e n t s t r a i g h t off b y h i m s e l f i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s , g a t h -
e r e d lots o f g r e a t b e y o n d s , a n d a t d u s k b r o u g h t t h e m b a c k t o his h u t .
I 3 6

T h e n h e c u t t h e m u p i n t o a p o t , s e a s o n e d t h e m nicely, a n d m a d e t h e m u p
into a very attractive stew.
T h e n e w d a y h a d h a r d l y d a w n e d w h e n he sent a disciple to invite the
a b b o t o v e r r i g h t a w a y . T h e a b b o t a r r i v e d , l e a n i n g o n his c a n e . " Y e s t e r -
d a y I w a s given some beautiful m u s h r o o m s , " the successor explained,
" s o I m a d e a s t e w o f t h e m a n d t h o u g h t y o u s h o u l d h a v e s o m e . It's w h e n
y o u ' r e o l d t h a t y o u a p p r e c i a t e d e l i c a c i e s like t h i s ! "
T h e a b b o t s m i l e d , n o d d e d , a n d s a t d o w n . H i s h o s t m a d e rice, h e a t e d
u p t h e g r e a t b e y o n d s t e w , a n d set t h e m b o t h b e f o r e h i m . T h e a b b o t a t e
h e a r t i l y . A s for t h e h o s t , h e a t e m u s h r o o m s h e h a d p r e p a r e d s e p a r a t e l y .
T h e y e n d e d their meal w i t h a hot d r i n k . "Well, that's it," t h o u g h t the
s u c c e s s o r , a n d w a i t e d a n x i o u s l y for t h e old b o y t o s t a r t a c t i n g c r a z y a n d
going mad with a headache. But nothing happened. It was very odd.
T h e n the a b b o t ' s toothless m o u t h b r o k e into a grin. "Best batch of great
b e y o n d s I ever tasted!" he declared.
H e h a d k n o w n ! T h e s u c c e s s o r s t o l e s p e e c h l e s s from t h e r o o m w h i l e
t h e a b b o t w e n t o n h o m e . T h e a b b o t h a d b e e n e n j o y i n g g r e a t b e y o n d s for
y e a r s , t h o u g h of course the successor had not k n o w n this, and had never
been poisoned by them. So the whole clever plan w e n t w r o n g .

q 5 .

REAL FLAMES AT LAST!

W h e n a n e i g h b o r ' s h o u s e c a u g h t fire a n d t h e w i n d t h r e a t e n e d t o c a r r y
t h e flames to his o w n , Y o s h i h i d e , a p a i n t e r of b u d d h a s , r a n out into the
s t r e e t . H e left i n s i d e a p a i n t i n g o f F u d o h e h a d b e e n w o r k i n g o n , n o t t o
m e n t i o n h i s w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n , w h o a t t h e t i m e w e r e n o t e v e n fully
c l o t h e d . H e f o r g o t all a b o u t t h e m a n d w a s q u i t e satisfied t o h a v e g o t t e n
o u t himself.
Y o s h i h i d e ' s o w n h o u s e w a s soon s m o k i n g a n d b u r n i n g , but h e just
w a t c h e d from a c r o s s t h e street, ignoring the neighbors w h o r u s h e d in
h o r r o r t o h e l p h i m . A s h e w a t c h e d his h o u s e g o u p , h e n o d d e d a g r e e m e n t
f r o m t i m e t o t i m e , o r s m i l e d . " W h a t a s i g h t ! All t h e s e y e a r s I've b e e n
p a i n t i n g t h e m w r o n g ! " h e finally m u t t e r e d .
O n e of t h e n e i g h b o r s told him he w a s crazy. " S o m e spirit must have
gotten into y o u ! " he said.
" S p i r i t ? " a n s w e r e d Y o s h i h i d e . " O h n o , it's t h e f l a m e s . F o r y e a r s I've
b e e n p a i n t i n g t h e f l a m e s o f L o r d F u d o ' s h a l o all w r o n g . N o w I s e e h o w
they b u r n . W h a t a sight! You're not a painter so y o u wouldn't under-
stand." He laughed mockingly.
The F u d o he painted next impresses everyone, now as then.

9 6 .

THE PAINTED HORSE

T h e p a i n t e r K a n a o k a m a d e m a n y p i c t u r e s for r e t i r e d E m p e r o r U d a ' s
p a l a c e , a n d t h e b e s t o f all w a s o n e o f a h o r s e p a i n t e d o n a w a l l . T h a t
horse w o u l d get out of t h e p a i n t i n g e v e r y night a n d eat his w a y t h r o u g h
t h e n e i g h b o r i n g fields. N o o n e c o u l d f i g u r e o u t w h a t w a s d o i n g all t h e
d a m a g e u n t i l finally s o m e o n e n o t i c e d t h a t e v e r y d a y t h e r e w a s fresh m u d
on the painted horse's hooves, a n d put t w o and t w o together. K a n a o k a
p r o m p t l y s c r a p e d off t h e h o r s e ' s e y e s . N o t h i n g b o t h e r e d t h e fields a f t e r
that.

G O L D E N P E A K

A N D T H E O M I N E

M O U N T A I N S

9 7 •

A MODEL DEMON

N i c h i z o led t h e life o f a w a n d e r i n g h e r m i t i n t h e O m i n e M o u n t a i n s . O n e
d a y on a r e m o t e trail he met a seven-foot-tall, d a r k - b l u e d e m o n with red
h a i r like flames, a s l e n d e r n e c k , a g r o s s l y p r o t r u d i n g b r e a s t b o n e , a s w o l -
len belly, a n d s k i n n y s h a n k s . T h e d e m o n t u r n e d t o N i c h i z o b e s e e c h i n g l y
and began to weep.
1 3 8

Nichizo asked it how it had gotten that way. "Four or five hundred
y e a r s ago I w a s a m a n , " the d e m o n sobbed, "but then my grudge against
s o m e o n e I h a t e d m a d e m e like t h i s . Y e s , I m u r d e r e d h i m a n d his s o n s ,
his g r a n d s o n s , his g r e a t - g r a n d s o n s , a n d his g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d s o n s too,
a n d n o w t h e r e ' s n o o n e left for m e t o kill. I f o n l y I k n e w w h e r e t h e y w e r e
r e b o r n , I ' d m u r d e r t h e m all o v e r a g a i n . M y r a g e b u r n s a s f i e r c e l y a s e v e r ,
b u t m y e n e m y ' s d e s c e n d a n t s a r e g o n e ! N o w I'm a l o n e w i t h t h e p a i n o f
t h i s f i r e t h a t n o t h i n g will e x t i n g u i s h . I f I'd n e v e r felt t h i s w a y I m i g h t
even have been born into paradise, but hate has brought me an eternity
of s u f f e r i n g . A g r u d g e a g a i n s t s o m e o n e else is j u s t like a g r u d g e a g a i n s t
y o u r s e l f . I w i s h I'd k n o w n , I o n l y w i s h I'd k n o w n ! "
T h e d e m o n ' s t e a r s s w e l l e d t o a flood a s i t s p o k e , a n d flames l e a p e d
f r o m t h e t o p o f its h e a d . S u d d e n l y i t t u r n e d a n d fled f u r t h e r i n t o t h e
mountains.
N i c h i z o felt s o r r y for i t a n d p r a y e d t h e b e s t h e k n e w h o w t h a t i t m i g h t
suffer less.

9 8 .

THE RIVER OF SNAKES

N i c h i z o ' s m a s t e r , like his disciple, practiced in the O m i n e M o u n t a i n s ,

a n d h e n e v e r left h i s r e m o t e r e f u g e t o visit t h e p r o f a n e w o r l d . F o r y e a r s
h e c h a n t e d t h e D a r a n i o f T h o u s a n d - A r m e d K a n n o n i n a d e e p valley
toward the southern end of the range.
He h a d found the valley after a long struggle d o w n slopes thick with
d w a r f b a m b o o . After assuming at first that it w a s waterless, he saw water
a f t e r all; b u t t h e " w a t e r " t h e n t u r n e d o u t t o b e a m a s s o f h u g e s n a k e s
whose undulating backs from a distance resembled a stream. They
seemed to have c a u g h t the intruder's scent on the wind because they
lifted t h e i r h e a d s i n t h e a i r a s h e a p p r o a c h e d .
Their backs w e r e d a r k blue-green and their throats a lustrous crimson,
w h i l e t h e i r e y e s g l i t t e r e d like p o l i s h e d b r o n z e b o w l s a n d t h e i r t o n g u e s
f l i c k e r e d like f l a m e s . T h e a s c e t i c t h o u g h t h e w a s lost a n d s c r a m b l e d b a c k
up the steep slope, pulling himself along as best he could by the tough
d w a r f b a m b o o s t e m s . H e m a d e s u c h s l o w p r o g r e s s t h a t h o t , fetid s e r p e n t
b r e a t h w a s s o o n g u s t i n g u p a t h i m from b e l o w . A n y m o m e n t h e w o u l d
b e d e v o u r e d , i f h e d i d n o t b l a c k o u t f i r s t a n d d i e from t h e h o r r i b l e s m e l l .
S o m e t h i n g w a s c o m i n g d o w n the slope toward him, although he was
t o o d a z e d b y t h e s t e n c h t o b e a b l e t o tell w h a t i t w a s . T h e t h i n g s e i z e d
his a r m a n d s l u n g h i m r o u g h l y a c r o s s its s h o u l d e r s . T e r r i f i e d , h e felt o v e r
t h e c r e a t u r e w i t h h i s free h a n d b u t f o u n d n o t h i n g r e a s s u r i n g . I t w a s
c l e a r l y a d e m o n a n d w o u l d o n l y b e h a u l i n g h i m off t o e a t h i m . H i s last
thought before he passed out w a s that today, one w a y or another, he
would die.
T h e d e m o n r a c e d u p hill a n d d o w n d a l e till i t p u t d o w n its b u r d e n o n
a distant peak. T h e ascetic came to a n d expected the end, but since
nothing h a p p e n e d he asked the d e m o n timidly w h a t it w a s . "I'm the
d e m o n K u h a n d a , " it a n s w e r e d . At last the ascetic o p e n e d his eyes. N a k e d
b u t for a l o i n c l o t h , t h e c r e a t u r e w a s t e n feet tall. Its b l a c k s k i n g l i s t e n e d
like l a c q u e r a n d its r e d h a i r b r i s t l e d s t r a i g h t u p . S u d d e n l y i t t u r n e d a w a y
and vanished.
T h e ascetic realized t h a t his o w n devotion t o T h o u s a n d - A r m e d K a n -
non must have saved him, because only T h o u s a n d - A r m e d K a n n o n could
h a v e c o m e to his aid. T h e t h o u g h t b r o u g h t tears to his eyes a n d he
p r o s t r a t e d himself i n t h a n k s .
H e set off t o w a r d t h e n o r t h e a s t , all t h e w h i l e c h a n t i n g t h e d a r a n i , till
h e c a m e t o a w a t e r f a l l t u m b l i n g a g o o d f i f t y feet from a m o n g t h e c r a g s .
I t w a s s o b e a u t i f u l t h a t h e s t o p p e d a w h i l e t o a d m i r e it. T h e m o s s o n t h e
r o c k s b e s i d e i t w a s e s p e c i a l l y l o v e l y . All a t o n c e a b o u l d e r m a n y y a r d s
a c r o s s r o s e f r o m t h e p o o l a t t h e b a s e o f t h e fall, t h r u s t t w e n t y feet i n t o
the air, t h e n s a n k a g a i n . S h o r t l y it rose a n d subsided as before. T h e
a s c e t i c w a t c h e d t h e c y c l e s e v e r a l t i m e s w i t h m o u n t i n g a s t o n i s h m e n t till
he s a w that the rock w a s actually a h u g e snake which filled the pool a n d
w h i c h w a s lifting its h e a d i n t o t h e p o u n d i n g w a t e r s o f t h e fall. T h e s n a k e
must have been there so long! D e s p i t e his fear a n d l o a t h i n g , h e w a s
t o u c h e d b y c o m p a s s i o n for t h e s n a k e ' s s u f f e r i n g , a n d h e r e c i t e d m a n y
s u t r a s for i t a n d c a l l e d o f t e n o n T h o u s a n d - A r m e d K a n n o n b e f o r e h e w e n t
his w a y .

9 9 •

THE WINE SPRING

O n c e a m o n k p a s s i n g t h o u g h t h e O m i n e M o u n t a i n s lost his w a y a n d
f o u n d himself h e a d i n g d o w n i n t o a t o t a l l y u n k n o w n v a l l e y . I n t h e v a l l e y
w a s a large village.
1 A 0

H e w a s l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o a s k i n g w h e r e h e w a s , b u t first h e c a m e t o
a r o o f e d s p r i n g . T h e g r o u n d all a r o u n d i t w a s p a v e d w i t h s t o n e . W h e n
h e w e n t for a w e l c o m e d r i n k , h e f o u n d t h a t t h e w a t e r w a s all y e l l o w . I t
turned out actually to be wine.
W h i l e he p u z z l e d o v e r this a m a z i n g discovery, a c r o w d of villagers
gathered and w a n t e d to k n o w w h o he was. He explained how he hap-
pened to be there.
" C o m e w i t h m e , " o n e said. T h e m o n k followed unwillingly, w o n d e r i n g
w h e r e t h e y w e r e off t o a n d w h e t h e r h e w o u l d b e killed. T h e y g o t t o a
large, p r o s p e r o u s house a n d a gentleman came out to meet them. He too
a s k e d t h e m o n k t o e x p l a i n h i m s e l f a n d t h e m o n k t o l d his s t o r y a s b e f o r e .
T h e g e n t l e m a n i n v i t e d h i m in, fed h i m , a n d t u r n e d h i m o v e r t o a y o u n g
m a n w h o w a s to escort him to "the usual place." Apparently the gentle-
m a n w a s the mayor. T h e m o n k q u a k e d to imagine w h a t "the usual place"
might be, but there w a s no escape.
T h e y o u n g m a n led h i m to a d e s e r t e d spot in t h e m o u n t a i n s w h e r e he
a n n o u n c e d t h a t h e h a d b r o u g h t h i m t h e r e t o kill h i m . " P e o p l e h a v e
w a n d e r e d into t h e village as y o u did several times in the p a s t , " he ex-
p l a i n e d . " W e ' v e a l w a y s killed t h e m b e c a u s e w e ' r e afraid t h e y ' l l t a l k a b o u t
u s i n t h e w o r l d o u t s i d e . N o o n e o u t t h e r e h a s a n y i d e a o u r village e v e n
exists, y o u see."
T h e m o n k ' s m i n d froze, b u t i n t e a r s h e m a n a g e d t o r e m i n d t h e y o u n g
m a n t h a t b e i n g a m o n k he followed the p a t h of t h e B u d d h a a n d w a s
d e d i c a t e d t o t h e w e l f a r e o f all. That w a s w h y he had been passing
t h r o u g h t h e s e m o u n t a i n s i n t h e first p l a c e . " Y o u h a v e n o i d e a o f t h e
s a c r i f i c e s I've m a d e , o f l a b o r s I've p e r f o r m e d i n p u r s u i t o f m y g o a l ! " h e
w e n t o n . " A n d n o w y o u ' r e g o i n g t o kill m e j u s t b e c a u s e I lost m y w a y !
O f c o u r s e I ' m g o i n g t o d i e i n t h e e n d , I k n o w . E v e r y o n e is. T h a t ' s n o t
w h a t I m i n d . It's j u s t t h a t it's s u c h an a w f u l sin for you to kill a b l a m e l e s s
m o n k ! P l e a s e , p l e a s e , w o n ' t y o u let m e l i v e ? "
" I s e e , " t h e y o u n g m a n r e p l i e d . " Y e s , I'd like t o let y o u g o . B u t I'm s o
afraid of w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n if y o u talked about us outside! "
" O h , b u t I won't t a l k a b o u t y o u , of c o u r s e I w o n ' t . A m a n v a l u e s his
life m o r e t h a n a n y t h i n g a n d h e n e v e r f o r g e t s w h a t h e o w e s s o m e o n e
who's saved him!"
" W e l l , all r i g h t . Y o u ' r e a m o n k . I c a n s e e t h a t . I'll let y o u g o , a s l o n g
as y o u 11 k e e p t h i s k n o w l e d g e to y o u r s e l f . I c a n j u s t p r e t e n d I killed y o u . "
T h e m o n k s w o r e e v e r y w a y h e k n e w h o w t h a t h e w o u l d k e e p his
m o u t h shut, a n d t h e y o u n g m a n , w i t h m a n y repetitions o i his caution,
s h o w e d h i m t h e p a t h b a c k t o t h e o u t s i d e w o r l d . O n e last t i m e t h e m o n k
b o w e d t o h i s b e n e f a c t o r , a s s u r i n g h i m t h a t h e w o u l d n e v e r forget his
k i n d n e s s as long as he lived. T h e n w i t h tears of emotion on both sides
t h e t w o p a r t e d , a n d t h e m o n k f o l l o w e d t h e t r a i l till i t r e j o i n e d t h e n o r m a l
path through the mountains.
In d u e c o u r s e he got b a c k to the village he h a d started from. Of c o u r s e
he had s w o r n himself to silence m a n y times over, but he w a s a great
talker and was soon spouting the whole story to everyone. The general
r e a c t i o n w a s " T e l l m e a n o t h e r ! " b u t h e d e s c r i b e d t h e village a n d t h e
s p r i n g of w i n e in s u c h eloquent detail that some high-spirited y o u t h s
decided to check. It w o u l d be one thing if those villagers w e r e gods or
demons, but apparently they were just people. T h e y could not be as scary
a s all t h a t .
H a l f a d o z e n o f t h e s t r o n g e s t y o u n g b r a v e s set o u t , e a c h a r m e d w i t h a
bow, arrows, a n d a club, and the m o n k w e n t with them. Several older,
more responsible people tried to stop them, w a r n i n g them not to engage
a completely u n k n o w n community on their own ground, but the hotheads
p a i d n o a t t e n t i o n . T h e m o n k ' s e l o q u e n c e h a d fired t h e i r i m a g i n a t i o n s .
The p a r e n t s a n d relatives w h o r e m a i n e d behind were very worried.
T h e p a r t y d i d n o t r e t u r n t h a t d a y o r t h e n e x t . I n fact, t h e y n e v e r c a m e
b a c k a t all. N o o n e v o l u n t e e r e d t o g o a f t e r t h e m . A m i d l a m e n t a t i o n s , t h e
matter was dropped. No d o u b t the whole party had been massacred.
T h a t m o n k h a d r e a l l y d i s t i n g u i s h e d h i m s e l f w i t h all his t a l k . H e w o u l d
h a v e d o n e b e t t e r t o l e a v e w e l l e n o u g h a l o n e , a n d his a u d i e n c e w o u l d
h a v e d o n e b e t t e r still t o i g n o r e h i s p r a t t l e !

1 o o .

VERY HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS

T h e m o n k G i e i s p e n t h i s life r o a m i n g from p r o v i n c e t o p r o v i n c e , v i s i t i n g
e v e r y h o l y site i n t h e l a n d . I n his t r a v e l s h e m a d e a p i l g r i m a g e t o K u m a n o
a n d from t h e r e p a s s e d n o r t h w a r d i n t o t h e O m i n e M o u n t a i n s .
H e w a s h e a d e d for G o l d e n P e a k , b u t g o t s o lost o n t h e w a y t h a t h e
c o u l d n o l o n g e r tell e a s t from w e s t . A g o o d b l a s t o n t h e c o n c h h e h a d
s l u n g a t his w a i s t g o t n o a n s w e r . N e x t h e c l i m b e d a p e a k for a b e t t e r
v i e w , b u t all h e c o u l d s e e f r o m t h e t o p w a s v a l l e y after d i m v a l l e y .
A f t e r t e n d a y s G i e i w a s s o d e s p e r a t e t h a t h e b e g g e d t h e b u d d h a o f his
portable altar to lead him b a c k to civilization. As he p r a y e d he c a m e to a
 1 A 2

h a n d s o m e w o o d w i t h a p r e t t y little h o u s e i n s i d e it, s u r r o u n d e d b y a b r o a d
g a r d e n s t r e w n with w h i t e sand. T h e s h r u b s w e r e as green as green could
be, a n d it w a s a marvel to see flowers blooming e v e r y w h e r e amid a
p r o f u s i o n o f r i p e b e r r i e s a n d fruit.
W h a t a cheering sight! In the house a m o n k no older than twenty was
c h a n t i n g the Lotus S u t r a in a sublime voice that touched the depths of
Giei's b e i n g . E a c h c h a p t e r w a s a s e p a r a t e scroll. As soon as the m o n k
h a d f i n i s h e d o n e a n d laid i t o n h i s d e s k , t h e scroll w o u l d rise i n t o t h e air,
roll itself b a c k u p c o v e r a n d all, tie its o w n c o r d s n e a t l y , a n d settle b a c k
d o w n . S c r o l l b y s c r o l l , t h e m o n k w e n t t h r o u g h t h e w h o l e S u t r a . Giei w a s
a w e d and frightened.
T h e h o l y m a n s t o o d u p . H e d i d n o t h i d e his a s t o n i s h m e n t o n s e e i n g his
visitor. " N o h u m a n h a s ever b e e n here b e f o r e , " he said. " I ' m so high in
t h e m o u n t a i n s that I seldom even h e a r the birds singing in the valleys.
W h o are y o u ? "
G i e i e x p l a i n e d t h a t h e w a s a m o n k a n d lost. T h e h o l y m a n i n v i t e d h i m
in, a n d s o m e b e a u t i f u l a c o l y t e s s e r v e d h i m a d e l i c i o u s m e a l t h a t m a d e
h i m f o r g e t all a b o u t h u n g e r a n d s t a r v a t i o n . H e a s k e d t h e h o l y m a n h o w
long he h a d lived here a n d w h y he lacked nothing.
"I've been h e r e eighty y e a r s , " the holy m a n a n s w e r e d . " O n c e I w a s a
m o n k o n M o u n t H i e i , b u t I'm s o r r y t o s a y t h e r e w a s a little t r o u b l e
b e t w e e n m e a n d m y m a s t e r a n d h e refused t o k e e p m e with him a n y
l o n g e r . I c o u l d n ' t t h i n k o f a n y t h i n g else t o d o b u t g o r o a m i n g . O f c o u r s e
I w a s y o u n g a n d s t r o n g t h e n , a n d I w o r s h i p p e d a t all t h e h o l y p l a c e s .
W h e n I g o t o l d I t o o k r e f u g e i n t h e s e m o u n t a i n s , a n d I've b e e n h e r e e v e r
s i n c e , w a i t i n g for d e a t h . "
Giei listened with g r o w i n g a m a z e m e n t . " Y o u say no one comes here,"
he insisted, " b u t y o u have three beautiful acolytes serving y o u . Surely
y o u can't be serious!"
" T h e S u t r a itself s a y s , ' C e l e s t i a l b o y s will c o m e t o s e r v e t h e o n e w h o
u p h o l d s this Sutra.' Is it really so s t r a n g e ? "
" Y o u s a y y o u ' r e o l d , b u t a s far a s I c a n s e e y o u ' r e i n t h e f l o w e r o f
y o u t h . A r e y o u s u r e y o u ' r e t e l l i n g m e y o u r real a g e ? "
" T h e S u t r a s a y s , ' H e w h o h e a r s t h i s S u t r a will n e v e r b e ill, n o r will h e
g r o w old a n d die.' I'm only telling y o u the t r u t h . "
W h e n t h e h o l y m a n t o l d G i e i i t w a s t i m e for h i m t o l e a v e , Giei s p o k e
of t h e suffering he h a d just g o n e t h r o u g h , a n d reminded the holy man of
his s t a r v e d a n d w e a k e n e d condition. H e a s s u r e d the holy m a n that h e
w a n t e d t o s e r v e h i m for t h e r e s t o f his life.
" I t ' s n o t t h a t I d i s l i k e y o u , " t h e h o l y m a n a n s w e r e d . " B u t I've s p e n t all
t h e s e y e a r s far a w a y f r o m p e o p l e , a n d t h a t ' s w h y I h a v e t o insist t h a t y o u
go. If y o u w a n t to stay one night and no more, y o u must promise me y o u
w o n ' t m o v e or m a k e a s o u n d . ' ' Giei p r o m i s e d a n d got himself out of sight.
S o o n a f t e r d a r k a n e e r i e little b r e e z e s p r a n g u p . F r o m his h i d i n g p l a c e
G i e i w a t c h e d s u p e r n a t u r a l b e i n g s a r r i v e i n all s o r t s o f e x t r a o r d i n a r y
forms. S o m e had the heads of horses, oxen, or birds, while some w e r e
s h a p e d like d e e r . T h e y c r o w d e d i n w i t h o f f e r i n g s o f i n c e n s e , f l o w e r s ,
n u t s , fruit, a n d d r i n k , a n d a f t e r p l a c i n g all t h e s e g o o d t h i n g s b e f o r e t h e
hut they prostrated themselves in perfect o r d e r with palms pressed to-
gether. S u d d e n l y o n e a m o n g t h e m r e m a r k e d , " S t r a n g e ! It's different h e r e
tonight! I smell m a n ! " Giei w a s so upset he m o v e d , but the holy m a n
c a m e t o h i s r e s c u e b y i n t o n i n g t h e S u t r a a n d k e p t i t u p all n i g h t l o n g . A t
d a w n h e e n d e d b y d e d i c a t i n g t h e m e r i t o f h i s c h a n t i n g t o all b e i n g s , a n d
the bizarre company dispersed.
Giei c r e p t o u t a n d a s k e d w h e r e all t h e c r e a t u r e s h a d c o m e f r o m . T h e
holy m a n r e m i n d e d him that the B u d d h a says in the Sutra, "If there is
n o o n e t o h e a r t h e L a w , t h e n I will s e n d c e l e s t i a l b e i n g s , d r a g o n k i n g s ,
earth spirits, a n d d e m o n s to be the congregation."
T h o u g h r e a d y t o l e a v e n o w , G i e i still d i d n o t k n o w t h e w a y . T h e h o l y
m a n told him to go straight south. He put a w a t e r jar outside the house,
a n d i t r o s e i n t o t h e a i r a n d h e a d e d s l o w l y s o u t h w a r d . Giei f o l l o w e d i t for
h o u r s to a m o u n t a i n t o p , w h e r e he l o o k e d d o w n a n d saw a large village
b e l o w him. T h e jar s o a r e d into the sky a n d d i s a p p e a r e d . Giei realized
that h e w a s b a c k w h e r e h e h a d started from. H e told the villagers, with
t e a r s o f e m o t i o n , h o w h e h a d m e t t h e I m m o r t a l , a n d all w h o h e a r d h i m
bowed their heads in awe.
No h u m a n ever found the Immortal's retreat again.
1 A A

1 O 1 .

THE GOD OF FIRE AND THUNDER

This is a true vision. The statesman Sugawara no

Michizane (845-903) was exited unjustly by Emperor

Daigo in 901 and soon died, heartbroken. When

disasters began to oeeur, people believed that hi)

vengefulghost was causing them. Within twenty yean,

Michizane had been posthumously reinstated and promoted,

and in 959 the great Kitano Shrine, even now a Kyoto

landmark, was built for his spirit. The god's name id

still known as Ten/in. Students pray to him

for success in their examinations.

T h i s is w h a t t h e V e n e r a b l e N i c h i z o w r o t e in t h e Account of a Vu<it to the

Afterworld, w h i c h h e set d o w n i n 9 4 1 , s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e e v e n t .

I w a s b o r n in the Capital. Early in 916 I shaved my head a n d took

religious v o w s at a t e m p l e in the O m i n e M o u n t a i n s . I w a s then in my
twelfth y e a r .
F o r s i x y e a r s I l e d a n a s c e t i c life, t a k i n g n o salt o r g r a i n , a n d o n l y left
t h e m o u n t a i n s w h e n I h e a r d m y m o t h e r w a s s u f f e r i n g from a l o n g illness
a n d c a l l i n g c o n s t a n t l y for m e . I w e n t t o K y o t o t o s e e h e r i n t h e s p r i n g o f
9 2 1 , then returned to the mountains. Since then 1 have continued going
into the mountains every spring. This is the twenty-sixth y e a r I have
d o n e so.
M e a n w h i l e m a n y disasters have troubled the realm. I gather that peo-
ple have noted m a n y strange d r e a m s , a n d that things have seldom gone
as t h e y s h o u l d . T h e m o v e m e n t s of the heavenly bodies a n d the signs of
yin a n d y a n g have constantly announced misfortune. That is w h y I de-
cided to seek divine help. I w e n t d e e p e r than ever into the mountain
w i l d e r n e s s a n d r e d o u b l e d m y efforts, for m y o w n s a k e a n d for t h e s a k e
o f t h e p e a c e a n d p r o s p e r i t y o f t h e r e a l m . I v o w e d t o fast, k e e p silent, a n d
c o n t e m p l a t e t h e B u d d h a for t h r e e t i m e s s e v e n d a y s .
At m i d d a y on the first of the eighth moon of 941, while I w a s absorbed
in my rite, I b e g a n to b u r n with heat. My throat a n d tongue dried up and
m y w i n d p i p e c l o s e d . K n o w i n g t h a t I c o u l d n o t s p e a k o r call for h e l p , I
w e p t a n d s i m p l y s t r u g g l e d for b r e a t h . T h e n m y b r e a t h i n g s t o p p e d a n d I
died.
 I left m y c a v e , c a r r y i n g m y s u t r a s c r o l l s a s I a l w a y s d o w h e n I g o i n t o
the mountains, a n d looked a r o u n d to see w h a t direction to take. As I did
so, a h e r m i t m o n k a p p e a r e d in t h e c a v e . He h a d a golden jar a n d p o u r e d
m e s o m e w a t e r f r o m it. T h e w a t e r ' s d e l i c i o u s t a s t e f i l l e d m e .
T h e h e r m i t said, "I am S h u K o n g o Shin, the Divine Vajra-Bearer.
F r o m m y c a v e I g u a r d t h e B u d d h a S h a k a ' s T e a c h i n g . Y o u r d e v o t i o n all
these y e a r s has impressed me, venerable monk, a n d I brought y o u this
w a t e r from t h e H i m a l a y a s . "
T h e c e l e s t i a l a c o l y t e s w i t h h i m b r o u g h t i n all s o r t s o f d e l i c a c i e s , h e a p e d
them o n t o large lotus leaves, a n d served them to me. T h e hermit ex-
plained that the acolytes w e r e the Twenty-Eight Gods w h o protect the
esoteric adept.
J u s t t h e n a noble m o n k d e s c e n d e d from a p e a k to the w e s t a n d held
o u t h i s left h a n d for m e t o t a k e . H e l e d m e s t r a i g h t u p t h e p e a k , w h i c h
w a s t h o u s a n d s o f feet d e e p i n s n o w . F r o m t h e t o p o f t h e m o u n t a i n I s a w
all t h e w o r l d s s p r e a d o u t b e l o w .
T h e m o u n t a i n w a s v e r y b e a u t i f u l . Its flat s u m m i t w a s i m m a c u l a t e , a n d
a golden radiance s h o n e e v e r y w h e r e . To the north rose a golden promi-
n e n c e w i t h a t h r o n e o n i t m a d e o f t h e s e v e n t r e a s u r e s : g o l d , silver, l a p i s
lazuli, r o c k c r y s t a l , j a d e , c o r a l , a n d a g a t e .
T h e m o n k sat on this t h r o n e . "I am Z a o G o n g e n , a form of S h a k a , " he
said. " T h i s is t h e P a r a d i s e of G o l d e n P e a k . Y o u have only a few y e a r s
left t o live. G i v e y o u r all t o b u i l d u p m e r i t ! "
I a n s w e r e d t h a t life itself m e a n t n o t h i n g t o m e . " B u t h a v i n g c h o s e n a
s p o t t o d o j u s t a s y o u s a y , " I c o n t i n u e d , " I n o w f i n d m y life i s n e a r l y o v e r
b e f o r e I ' v e a c h i e v e d m y g o a l ! P l e a s e tell m e h o w m a n y y e a r s I h a v e left.
W h a t b u d d h a should I serve, w h a t rite should I do so as to p r o l o n g my
life?"
T h e m o n k t o o k a t a b l e t , w r o t e e i g h t c h a r a c t e r s o n it, a n d g a v e i t t o
me. I read, SUN STORE NINE NINE YEARS M O N T H S KING
GUARD.
" S o n of t h e B u d d h a , " he s a i d , " y o u r life is like a c l o u d t h a t c a t c h e s a
m o m e n t o n t h e m o u n t a i n , t h e n d r i f t s off a n d m e l t s i n t o t h e s k y . I t i s
easily lost. B u t p r a c t i c e i n t h e m o u n t a i n s will l e n g t h e n it, w h i l e l i v i n g
a m o n g m e n w o u l d m a k e y o u lazy a n d w o u l d cut i t short. S U N a n d
S T O R E ( N I C H I Z O ) m e a n the b u d d h a a n d the rite y o u k n o w . Before,
y o u r name w a s Doken, but now y o u must take y o u r new name, Nichizo,
w h i c h c o m e from t h i s b u d d h a a n d t h i s r i t e . N I N E N I N E i s t h e a g e y o u ' l l
live t o . Y E A R S a n d M O N T H S m e a n t i m e . K I N G a n d G U A R D m e a n
you'll be protected. Y o u r n e w master is G o h o Bosatsu, the Protector of
the Law. You've already vowed before y o u r first teacher to observe the
1 4 6

r u l e s o f B u d d h i s t c o n d u c t , b u t t h e P r o t e c t o r o f t h e L a w will a d m i n i s t e r
the vow to you again."
T h e r e w a s a b r i l l i a n t b u r s t o f r a i n b o w light. T h e m o n k said, " B e h o l d
Daijo Tenjin, the G r e a t Celestial S t a t e s m a n ! "
I n s t a n t l y a n u m b e r l e s s m u l t i t u d e a p p r o a c h e d from t h e v o i d a b o v e t h e
mountains to the west. It might have been an emperor's enthronement
procession. S e r v a n t s a n d retainers of species u n k n o w n , in unheard-of
f o r m s , f l o c k e d e n d l e s s l y p a s t . T e r r i f y i n g t o l o o k at, s o m e r e s e m b l e d v a j r a
guardians, others t h u n d e r gods or d e m o n kings. Each was armed to the
t e e t h w i t h q u i v e r a n d b o w , s p e a r , s c i m i t a r , a n d staff.
Daijo Tenjin w a s going to pass on by w h e n he noticed me. "Come,
g o o d h e r m i t , " h e said t o m e , " I w a n t t o s h o w y o u m y c a s t l e . I'll b r i n g
y o u b a c k h e r e a f t e r w a r d s . W i l l t h a t b e all r i g h t ? "
Z a o G o n g e n s a i d I c o u l d g o . I g o t u p b e h i n d D a i j o T e n j i n o n his w h i t e
horse, a n d after h u n d r e d s of leagues we c a m e to a vast lake. In the middle
of t h e lake w a s a large island a h u n d r e d leagues w i d e , with a s q u a r e dais
on it s i x t e e n feet on a s i d e . A l o t u s f l o w e r r o s e from t h e c e n t e r of t h e
d a i s , a n d a j e w e l - t o w e r a b o v e i t e n s h r i n e d t h e L o t u s S u t r a . T o t h e east
and west h u n g the W o m b - S t o r e Realm and the Vajra-Realm mandalas.
E v e r y t h i n g w a s indescribably beautiful.
T h e n I l o o k e d t o t h e n o r t h a n d s a w a g r e a t c i t a d e l b r i l l i a n t w i t h light.
I t w a s D a i j o T e n j i n ' s c a s t l e . D a i j o T e n j i n ' s c o u n t l e s s t r a i n p o u r e d into i t
and stood guard.
" I a m t h e S u g a w a r a n o M i c h i z a n e w h o o n c e lived i n y o u r l a n d , " D a i j o
Tenjin said to m e . " T h e T h i r t y - T h r e e H e a v e n s k n o w me as N i p p o n Daijo
I t o k u T e n , t h e C e l e s t i a l S t a t e s m a n o f G r e a t M a j e s t y from J a p a n . T h e
p a i n o f p a r t i n g f r o m t h o s e o n e l o v e s , w h e n I first e n c o u n t e r e d it, d i d n o t
leave me u n m o v e d ; and that is w h y I n o w burn to torment the emperor
a n d his ministers, to w o u n d the people, a n d to smite the realm. I govern
all s i c k n e s s e s a n d all c a l a m i t i e s .
" I first t h o u g h t t o t u r n t o t h i s v e n g e f u l p u r p o s e all t h e t e a r s I s h e d
w h i l e I l i v e d , b e c a u s e t h e y w o u l d s u r e l y o v e r w h e l m t h e l a n d a n d leave i t
a faceless o c e a n . After t h i r t y - t w o y e a r s I established my o w n land a n d
b u i l t a c a s t l e for myself. M e a n w h i l e g r e a t s a i n t s w e r e s p r e a d i n g t h e
Esoteric teachings, t e a c h i n g s w h i c h for m e h a v e a l w a y s h a d a g r e a t
a p p e a l , a n d s o t h e r a g e I o n c e felt l a r g e l y r e c e d e d . T h e n all t h e e n -
lightened E m a n a t i o n s a n d Bodhisattvas, in their goodness and mercy,
n a m e d e v e n m e a g o d . S o m e o f t h e s e E m a n a t i o n s live o n m o u n t a i n -
t o p s a n d in forests, others on the b a n k s of rivers or on the shore of
t h e s e a , a n d all b e n t t h e i r s u p e r n a t u r a l w i s d o m t o c a l m i n g a n d c o m -
f o r t i n g m e . T h a t i s w h y I still h a v e n o t v i s i t e d a n y d i r e c a t a s t r o p h e o n
J a p a n . B u t m y f o l l o w e r s , w h o n u m b e r 1 6 8 , 0 0 0 evil d e i t i e s , w o r k t h e i r
mischief e v e r y w h e r e . E v e n I c a n n o t r e s t r a i n t h e m , still less c o u l d a n y
other god."
I said t o h i m , " E v e r y o n e i n m y c o u n t r y calls y o u C e l e s t i a l G o d o f F i r e
a n d T h u n d e r , a n d w e r e v e r e y o u a s w e d o t h e B u d d h a S h a k a himself.
W h y a r e y o u still s o a n g r y ? "
"I am y o u r land's implacable enemy," he answered. " W h o in J a p a n
h o n o r s m e ! T h e n a m e of my m e s s e n g e r is V e n o m o u s King of the Celestial
E s s e n c e s o f F i r e a n d T h u n d e r . N e v e r , n e v e r will I forget, till I m y s e l f
r e a c h e n l i g h t e n m e n t , t h e w r o n g s d o n e m e all t h o s e y e a r s a g o ! I shall s e e
t h a t w h o e v e r h e l d a p o s t a t c o u r t w h i l e I lived i s w o u n d e d a n d s t r u c k
d o w n . But t o d a y I a c k n o w l e d g e y o u my master a n d I m a k e y o u this
p r o m i s e . S h o u l d a n y o n e h a v e faith i n y o u , p a s s o n m y w o r d s , m a k e a n
i m a g e o f m e , call m y n a m e a n d p r a y d e v o u t l y t o m e , t h e n , g o o d m o n k , I
will g r a n t h i s d e s i r e for y o u r s a k e . B u t I s e e t h a t y o u a r e n o t t o live l o n g .
R e d o u b l e y o u r efforts! N e v e r r e l a x ! "
" Z a o G o n g e n g a v e m e t h i s t a b l e t , " I said, " b u t I d o n ' t q u i t e u n d e r s t a n d
it. W o u l d y o u tell m e w h a t i t m e a n s ? "
Daijo Tenjin explained, " S U N ( N I C H I ) means the Cosmic B u d d h a
D a i N I C H I , Great S U N . S T O R E ( Z O ) means the W o m b - S T O R E M a n -
dala. N I N E N I N E m e a n s eighty-one: eighty-one Y E A R S and eighty-
one MONTHS. KING (O) means ZaO Gongen. GUARD means
protection. As long as y o u devote yourself to the Buddha Dainichi
a n d d o t h e g r e a t r i t e o f t h e W o m b - S t o r e M a n d a l a , y o u will live e i g h t y -
o n e y e a r s . I f y o u p r a c t i c e t h e r i t e t r u l y , a s t h e B u d d h a r e a l l y t a u g h t it,
y o u r life will b e f u r t h e r l e n g t h e n e d t o n i n e t y - n i n e y e a r s , w h i l e l a x i t y will
s h o r t e n i t b y n i n e t y - n i n e m o n t h s . A t a n y r a t e , Z a o G o n g e n will w a t c h
over y o u . N o w a d o p t y o u r n e w n a m e , Nichizo, a n d practice with tireless
energy."
W h e n he h a d finished speaking, I w e n t b a c k to G o l d e n Peak a n d told
Z a o G o n g e n w h a t I had seen a n d heard.
Z a o G o n g e n r e p l i e d , " I w a n t e d y o u t o k n o w t h e s o u r c e o f t h e evils
t h a t afflict t h e w o r l d . T h a t ' s w h y I s e n t y o u t h e r e . "
T h e n he w e n t on to repeat that N i p p o n Daijo Tenjin is S u g a w a r a no
Michizane, a n d that Tenjin's followers n u m b e r 168,000. He described
their m a n y noxious forms a n d the w a y they do h a r m everywhere in the
realm. " T h e older gods are powerless to stop them," he continued. "In
the s u m m e r of 930, y o u know, lightning struck the emperor's own palace
a n d killed L o r d M a r e y o a n d s e v e r a l o t h e r s ; a n d i t w a s t h i s m e s s e n g e r ,
t h e V e n o m o u s K i n g o f F i r e a n d T h u n d e r , w h o d i d it. H e r o a s t e d t h e
flesh a n d v i s c e r a o f o u r o w n E m p e r o r D a i g o s o t h a t t h e e m p e r o r d i e d ,
a n d h e set fire t o t e m p l e s like H o r y u j i , T o d a i j i , a n d o t h e r s . Y e s , t h a t t o o
w a s t h e V e n o m o u s K i n g ' s w o r k . A n d all t h o s e c r i m e s t h e evil g o d s c o m -
1 4 8

m i t , all t h a t m u r d e r a n d d e s t r u c t i o n , a r e c h a r g e d t o E m p e r o r D a i g o a l o n e
a s t h o u g h h e w e r e t h e s e a all r i v e r s e m p t y i n t o .
" T h e p o w e r of the King of Fire and T h u n d e r is equal to my own, with
all m y f o l l o w e r s . S o m e t i m e s h e m a k e s m o u n t a i n s c r u m b l e a n d s h a k e s t h e
e a r t h , o r d e s t r o y s f o r t r e s s e s a n d w r e a k s h a v o c far a n d w i d e . S o m e t i m e s
he m a k e s storm w i n d s blow a n d sends d o w n torrential rains which cause
d a m a g e a n d casualties. S o m e t i m e s he creates epidemics and diseases
w h i c h kill p e o p l e b e f o r e t h e i r t i m e , o r f o m e n t s t r e a s o n a n d r e b e l l i o n . B u t
t h e g o d H a c h i m a n a n d I k e e p h i m i n c h e c k , s o t h a t a t least h e c a n ' t d o
exactly as he pleases."
W h e n Z a o G o n g e n h a d finished, h e told m e h o w t o get back again,
a n d I r e t u r n e d to my cave. T h e n I revived. It w a s four in the m o r n n g on
t h e t h i r t e e n t h d a y o f t h e e i g h t h m o o n o f 941. T h i r t e e n d a y s h a d p a s s e d
since I e n t e r e d the gates of d e a t h .
I m u s t a d d , too, t h a t in the vision I h a d while I w a s within those gates,
Z a o G o n g e n s h o w e d m e hell. I c a m e t h e r e t o a n i r o n c a v e w i t h a s h a c k
w o v e n o f g r a s s e s i n s i d e it. T h e f o u r m e n i n t h e s h a c k l o o k e d like a s h e s
a n d e m b e r s . O n e h a d o n a r o b e t h a t b a r e l y c o v e r e d his s h o u l d e r s a n d t h e
o t h e r t h r e e w e r e n a k e d . T h e y w e r e squatting o n glowing coals.
A hell-fiend told me t h a t t h e one with t h e r o b e on w a s E m p e r o r Daigo,
the sovereign of my o w n land, and that the others were the emperor's
ministers. W h e n the e m p e r o r saw me, he beckoned to me.
" I a m E m p e r o r D a i g o o f J a p a n , " h e s a i d . " I suffer i n t h i s iron c a v e
b e c a u s e Daijo Tenjin in his w r a t h b u r n s temples a n d h u r t s sentient
b e i n g s , a n d b e c a u s e t h e r e t r i b u t i o n for all h i s c r i m e s falls o n m e ; for I
m y s e l f a m t h e s o u r c e o f his r a g e . D a i j o T e n j i n , m e a n w h i l e , h a s f o r t u n a t e
k a r m a w h i c h h a s m a d e h i m a g o d . Y e s , t h e r e a r e five m a j o r offenses m y
father a n d I c o m m i t t e d t o w a r d him, a n d countless lesser ones. But a b o v e
all, I a m t h e o n e w h o , b y s e n d i n g h i m u n j u s t l y i n t o exile, a r o u s e d t h e
w r a t h he n o w visits on the w h o l e land. T h a t is w h y my a g o n y is endless.
O p a i n ! O t o r m e n t ! T a k e m y w o r d s b a c k t o J a p a n , tell t h e e m p e r o r
w h a t I am suffering, get him to help m e ! H a v e the regent a n d the minis-
t e r s o r d e r p u r i f i c a t i o n s o n m y behalf, h a v e t h e m e r e c t t e n t h o u s a n d h o l y
i m a g e s for m e ! "

That is the end of the Venerable Nichizo's account. M a n y other wonders

are attributed to him. For example, he once d u g in the earth and found a
v a j r a - h a n d l e d bell w h i c h h e r e c o g n i z e d a s o n e h e h i m s e l f h a d o w n e d i n a
p r e v i o u s life. A n d o n c e h e p r a y e d a t t h e s h r i n e o f t h e g o d o f M a t s u n o o
to k n o w w h i c h B u d d h a t h e god c a m e from. T h e r e w a s a violent t h u n d e r -
s t o r m a n d d a r k n e s s fell. T h e n a v o i c e from i n s i d e t h e s a n c t u a r y said,
" T h e B u d d h a Bibashi." T h e a w e d Nichizo w e n t forward and came before
a n a n c i e n t m a n w h o h a d t h e face o f a c h i l d .
W h e n N i c h i z o d i e d h e left n o b o d y b e h i n d .

1 0 2 .

THE GOLD OF GOLDEN PEAK

A m a n w h o s e t r a d e w a s b e a t i n g g o l d i n t o foil lived o n S e v e n t h A v e n u e
i n K y o t o . O n e d a y h e set off o n p i l g r i m a g e t o G o l d e n P e a k : t h e m o u n t a i n
w h e r e M i r o k u , t h e F u t u r e B u d d h a , i s s a i d t o h a v e s t o r e d all t h e g o l d
t h a t will m a k e t h e w o r l d s h i n e a g a i n w h e n h e c o m e s .
At a place on the m o u n t a i n called Oreslide, he spotted w h a t looked
like a n u g g e t a n d c h e e r f u l l y h i d i t u n d e r h i s c o a t . B a c k a t h o m e h e m e l t e d
it d o w n , a n d since it w a s real gold it glittered a n d gleamed. He w a s
a m a z e d . A s far a s h e k n e w , t h e r e s h o u l d h a v e b e e n t h u n d e r , o r a n
e a r t h q u a k e , o r a t least a c l o u d b u r s t w h e n h e t o o k t h e g o l d , b u t n o t h i n g
h a d h a p p e n e d . " W e l l , " h e t h o u g h t , "I'll u s e i t myself."
T h e gold w e i g h e d nearly t w o pounds, and the craftsman beat it into
s e v e n o r e i g h t t h o u s a n d s h e e t s o f foil. T h e y m a d e a t h i c k roll. H e w a s
l o o k i n g for a b u y e r t o t a k e t h e w h o l e lot w h e n h e h e a r d t h a t a n officer o f
t h e I m p e r i a l P o l i c e w a s p l a n n i n g t o d o n a t e a n e w b u d d h a t o Toji, a n d
w o u l d p r o b a b l y w a n t a lot o f g o l d foil for t h e s t a t u e . S o off h e w e n t w i t h
his gold to the gentleman's house.
T h e g e n t l e m a n w a n t e d t o k n o w h o w m u c h foil his v i s i t o r h a d . " S e v e n
or eight thousand sheets," the craftsman replied.
"Are they with y o u ? "
"Yes, sir."
T h e sheets w e r e perfect a n d their color w a s beautiful. But each one,
w h e n unrolled, turned out to have "Golden P e a k " on it in tiny characters.
" W h a t does this m a r k m e a n ? " the gentleman asked.
" T h e r e ' s n o m a r k o n t h e m , sir. H o w c o u l d t h e r e b e ? "
"But there UK Look h e r e ! "
Indeed there was. The craftsman was speechless.
" S o m e t h i n g ' s not right," said the gentleman. He had an underling
c a r r y t h e g o l d w h i l e h e m a r c h e d t h e c r a f t s m a n off t o t h e c h i e f o f p o l i c e .
T h e chief had the craftsman t a k e n out to the r i v e r b a n k a n d p u t to the
question.
1 5 0

T h e y t i e d h i m t o a p o s t a n d w h i p p e d h i m till his b a c k w a s a s r e d a n d
w e t a s n e w l y w a s h e d r e d silk, t h e n t h r e w h i m i n p r i s o n . I n t e n d a y s h e
w a s d e a d . T h e gold, t h e y say, w a s r e t u r n e d t o G o l d e n Peak a n d put back
w h e r e i t h a d c o m e f r o m . N o o n e e v e r t h o u g h t o f m a k i n g off w i t h i t a g a i n .

I n t h e s p r i n g o f 9 3 0 , t h e m o n k J o s u w a s i n h i s r o o m a t Toji, r e a d i n g a
s u t r a , w h e n a l a r g e t u r t l e c a m e in. J o s u t h o u g h t t h i s o d d , b u t w a s s o
absorbed that he hardly gave the turtle a second glance. Suddenly there
w a s a flash o f l i g h t n i n g a n d a c l a p o f t h u n d e r , a n d t h e t u r t l e r o s e u p i n t o
the sky.
T h e next day the G o d of Fire and T h u n d e r appeared to J o s u . "I
w a n t e d t o talk t o y o u y e s t e r d a y , " h e said, " b u t y o u w o u l d n ' t even look
at me! I w a s quite a n n o y e d . "
"All I s a w y e s t e r d a y w a s a b i g t u r t l e , " a n s w e r e d J o s u . " I h a d n o i d e a
t h e turtle w a s a g o d . I admit, t h o u g h , that I w a s surprised w h e n it rose
into the sky."
" I ' m s u f f e r i n g for m y evil a t t i t u d e i n t h e p a s t , " t h e g o d s a i d . " N o w
look a t m y real f o r m ! "
H e s h o w e d h i m s e l f a s h e r e a l l y w a s . T h e u p p e r p a r t o f his b o d y
p r e c i s e l y r e s e m b l e d t h e t h u n d e r g o d s y o u see i n p a i n t i n g s , b u t from t h e
waist d o w n he w a s a salmon.
" B e l o w t h e w a i s t I a l w a y s feel a s t h o u g h I'm b u r n i n g , " said t h e g o d .
A n d h e a d d e d , " I n t h e s i x t h m o o n I t h i n k I'll g o t o t h e p a l a c e . " T h e n h e
disappeared.
L i g h t n i n g d i d s t r i k e t h e p a l a c e i n t h e s i x t h m o o n o f 9 3 0 a n d killed
several gentlemen.
i o 4 -
THE CATCH

A p o o r m a n f r o m K o g a c o u n t y i n O m i p r o v i n c e h a d n o l i v e l i h o o d a t all,
b u t his w i f e m a n a g e d t o m a k e a l i v i n g b y h i r i n g h e r s e l f o u t a s a w e a v e r .
In t i m e , h a v i n g finally m a n a g e d to w e a v e a b o l t of c l o t h for herself, s h e
told h e r h u s b a n d to t a k e it to Y a b a s e h a r b o r on L a k e Biwa a n d t r a d e it
t h e r e for fish. I n t h e i r o w n v i l l a g e h e w o u l d b e a b l e t o e x c h a n g e t h e fish
for s e e d r i c e . " T h a t w a y , " s h e s a i d , " w e c a n c u l t i v a t e a little l a n d t h i s
year."
T h e man took the cloth to Y a b a s e a n d asked the fishermen to catch
h i m s o m e fish, b u t all t h e y g o t w a s o n e b i g t u r t l e . T h e y w e r e g o i n g t o kill
it, b u t t h e m a n w a s s o r r y for i t a n d a s k e d t o b u y i t i n s t e a d o f t h e fish h e
had ordered. T h e fishermen gladly accepted the bargain.
" T u r t l e s live a l o n g t i m e , " s a i d t h e m a n t o t h e t u r t l e , " a n d like all l i v i n g
t h i n g s , t h e y c e r t a i n l y v a l u e t h e i r lives. I k n o w I'm p o o r , b u t I'm g i v i n g
u p t h i s c l o t h a n y w a y t o s a v e y o u . " T h e n h e let t h e t u r t l e g o i n t h e l a k e .
H e c a m e h o m e e m p t y - h a n d e d , a n d w h e n his wife f o u n d o u t w h y , s h e
s c o l d e d h i m m e r c i l e s s l y . S o o n h e fell ill a n d d i e d , a n d his b o d y w a s
a b a n d o n e d by the roadside. T h r e e days later he revived.
T h e g o v e r n o r of Iga h a p p e n e d to be passing by just then, on his w a y
t o h i s p r o v i n c e . S e e i n g t h e m a n s h o w i n g s i g n s o f life, h e k i n d l y b r o u g h t
him w a t e r a n d p o u r e d it into his m o u t h before g o i n g on. W h e n the m a n ' s
wife h e a r d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d , she c a m e t o c a r r y him b a c k h o m e .
T h i s i s t h e s t o r y h e t o l d . " W h e n I d i e d , " h e s a i d , "officers s e i z e d m e
a n d m a r c h e d m e off t o a b r o a d p l a i n w h e r e w e c a m e t o t h e g a t e o f t h e
officers' h e a d q u a r t e r s . T h e s p a c e i n f r o n t o f t h e b u i l d i n g w a s c r o w d e d
with people, b o u n d and helpless. I w a s terribly frightened. But then a
v e r y n i c e - l o o k i n g little m o n k c a m e o u t . H e said h e w a s J i z o a n d t o l d t h e
officers t h a t h e o w e d m e a d e b t o f g r a t i t u d e . ' T o benefit s e n t i e n t b e i n g s I
w a s i n L a k e B i w a , ' h e s a i d , 'in t h e f o r m o f a l a r g e t u r t l e . A f i s h e r m a n
w h o h a d c a u g h t m e w a s a b o u t t o kill m e w h e n t h i s m a n t o o k p i t y o n m e .
H e b o u g h t m e a n d p u t m e b a c k i n t h e l a k e . Y o u m u s t let h i m g o . ' A n d
they did.
" T h e little m o n k t o l d m e t o g o h o m e n o w , a n d t o d o g o o d a n d s h u n all
evil. W h i l e h e w a s s h o w i n g m e t h e w a y o u t , a v e r y p r e t t y y o u n g w o m a n
stumbled b y with h e r a r m s tied b e h i n d her. T w o d e m o n s w e r e beating
her a n d driving her along. I a s k e d her w h e r e she w a s from. She w e p t as
she told me h e r father w a s the chief priest of a s h r i n e in M u n a k a t a c o u n t y
1 5 2

i n t h e p r o v i n c e o f C h i k u z e n . S h e h a d s u d d e n l y b e e n s e p a r a t e d from h e r
p a r e n t s a n d h a d s t a r t e d all a l o n e d o w n a d a r k p a t h , d r i v e n o n b y d e m o n s .
I t w a s s u c h a s a d s t o r y , a n d I a s k e d t h e little m o n k w h e t h e r s o m e t h i n g
c o u l d n ' t b e d o n e for h e r . ' M y o w n life i s h a l f o v e r , ' I s a i d . ' I d o n ' t h a v e
t o o m a n y y e a r s left. B u t t h i s girl i s still y o u n g a n d h a s a l o n g f u t u r e a h e a d
o f h e r . C a n ' t s h e b e r e l e a s e d i n s t e a d o f m e ? ' T h e little m o n k told m e I
w a s v e r y k i n d t o s a c r i f i c e m y s e l f t h e w a y I d i d for o t h e r s , a n d t h a t i t w a s
a w o n d e r f u l t h i n g . H e s a i d h e w o u l d a s k t o h a v e u s both r e l e a s e d , a n d a t
a w o r d from h i m t h e d e m o n s let t h e girl g o t o o . T h e girl c r i e d for j o y a n d
t h a n k e d me gratefully, then w e n t her w a y . "
S o o n t h e m a n w e n t t o l o o k for t h e y o u n g w o m a n h e h a d m e t i n hell.
He found t h e s h r i n e she h a d m e n t i o n e d , a n d the chief priest really did
have a d a u g h t e r w h o , according to the servants, had recently died and
t h e n c o m e b a c k t o life a g a i n . O n r e c e i v i n g t h e m a n ' s m e s s a g e a b o u t his
e x p e r i e n c e i n hell, s h e c a m e o u t a s fast a s s h e c o u l d . S h e w a s t h e s a m e
girl, a n d she recognized him too. Both w e p t as they talked over their
experience.
T h e m a n w e n t back h o m e then, but both he and the y o u n g w o m a n
c o n t i n u e d to serve J i z o with grateful devotion.

l o 5 .

THE GRATEFUL TURTLE

F u j i w a r a n o Y a m a k a g e , w h o l i v e d i n E m p e r o r D a i g o ' s r e i g n , loved b e s t
a m o n g all h i s c h i l d r e n a b e a u t i f u l little s o n . T h e b o y ' s s t e p m o t h e r s e e m e d
to love him even m o r e t h a n his father did, a n d this pleased Y a m a k a g e so
m u c h t h a t h e o f t e n let h e r t a k e c a r e o f t h e c h i l d .
I n t i m e Y a m a k a g e w a s n a m e d v i c e r o y o f K y u s h u , a n d h e set sail i n a
little c o n v o y o f s h i p s , w i t h all h i s family, t o t a k e u p t h e p o s t . I t d i d n o t
w o r r y him t h a t he a n d the b o y w e r e traveling in different ships since the
b o y w a s w i t h his s t e p m o t h e r . Actually, t h o u g h , the stepmother had been
w o n d e r i n g all a l o n g h o w t o g e t r i d o f t h e c h i l d . A l o n g t h e K y u s h u c o a s t
s h e finally p i c k e d h i m u p , h e l d h i m o v e r t h e g u n w a l e a s t h o u g h t o let h i m
r e l i e v e himself, a n d t h e n , p r e t e n d i n g t o a d j u s t h e r h o l d , d r o p p e d h i m i n t o
t h e s e a . T h e c o n v o y w a s m o v i n g b r i s k l y u n d e r full sail a n d h a d g o n e
s o m e w a y b e f o r e s h e c r i e d o u t t h a t t h e y o u n g m a s t e r h a d fallen o v e r -
board.
 Y a m a k a g e nearly j u m p e d o v e r b o a r d himsell. He sent men in a dinghy
t o l o o k for h i s s o n , t h e n s t o p p e d t h e c o n v o y a n d s w o r e h e w o u l d g o n o
f a r t h e r till h e k n e w w h e t h e r h e w a s t o h a v e t h e b o y b a c k , d e a d o r a l i v e .
T h e m e n r o w e d a b o u t all n i g h t i n v a i n . T h e n a t d a w n , a s light w a s
b e g i n n i n g t o s p r e a d o v e r t h e sea, t h e y s a w s o m e t h i n g s m a l l a n d w h i t e
b o b b i n g far oft o n t h e w a v e s . I t l o o k e d like a g u l l , a n d t h e y w e r e s u r -
prised that it did not fly a w a y as they r o w e d closer. T h e y found it w a s
the boy, riding the back of a huge turtle a n d merrily splashing at the
w a v e s w i t h h i s h a n d s . W i t h s i g h s o f relief t h e y lifted h i m i n t o t h e d i n g h y ,
a n d t h e t o r t o i s e slid i n t o t h e d e e p .
" H e r e ' s the y o u n g master, sir!" they cried in t r i u m p h w h e n they got
b a c k t o Y a m a k a g e ' s s h i p a n d h a n d e d t h e b o y b a c k t o his f a t h e r . Y a m a -
k a g e w e p t for j o y . T h e s t e p m o t h e r w e p t t o o , i n d i s m a y , t h o u g h s h e p u t
o n t h e b e s t s h o w o f h a p p i n e s s s h e c o u l d . S h e d i s g u i s e d h e r feelings s o
well t h a t i t n e v e r e v e n o c c u r r e d t o Y a m a k a g e t o s u s p e c t h e r .
E x h a u s t e d , Y a m a k a g e lay d o w n i n b r o a d d a y w h i l e t h e c o n v o y sailed
o n , a n d d r e a m e d t h a t a h u g e t u r t l e lifted its h e a d from t h e s e a . I t s e e m e d
t o w a n t t o s p e a k t o h i m . W h e n h e r e a c h e d t h e side o f t h e s h i p , i t s a i d ,
" H a v e y o u forgotten? A y e a r or t w o ago a cormorant fisherman caught
m e o n t h e c o a s t n o t far f r o m t h e C a p i t a l , a n d y o u b o u g h t m e from h i m
a n d let m e g o a g a i n . I'd b e e n w o n d e r i n g e v e r s i n c e h o w t o r e p a y y o u r
k i n d n e s s , a n d w h e n y o u s a i l e d I t h o u g h t I m i g h t a t least s e e y o u t o w h e r e
y o u w e r e going. Last night I saw the y o u n g master's stepmother pick him
u p , hold him over t h e railing, a n d d r o p him into the sea. I caught him on
my shell. W a t c h that w o m a n carefully in the f u t u r e ! "
T h e t u r t l e d r e w its h e a d b a c k i n t o t h e w a t e r a n d d i s a p p e a r e d , a n d
Y a m a k a g e w o k e up. He remembered how he had gone on pilgrimage to
the great shrine at Sumiyoshi a n d h a d seen a c o r m o r a n t fisherman com-
ing t o w a r d him in a boat. T h e h e a d of a large turtle had been sticking up
o v e r t h e g u n w a l e a n d the turtle's eyes h a d met his. H e h a d pitied the
c r e a t u r e s o m u c h t h a t h e h a d t r a d e d h i s o w n c l o a k l o r i t a n d let i t g o i n
the sea. This w a s the same turtle! He w a s very touched. T h e n he recalled
w i t h l o a t h i n g h o w t h e s t e p m o t h e r h a d m a d e s u c h a s p e c t a c l e o f h e r grief.
H e h a s t i l y b r o u g h t t h e little b o y a b o a r d his o w n s h i p a n d w a s c a r e f u l
e v e n a f t e r h e a r r i v e d t o k e e p t h e s t e p m o t h e r a w a y from h i m . T h e s t e p -
m o t h e r realized to her s o r r o w that he had understood.
W h e n Y a m a k a g e r e t u r n e d to Kyoto, he m a d e the boy into a m o n k a n d
g a v e h i m t h e r e l i g i o u s n a m e N y o m u , " A s N o t h i n g , " b e c a u s e h a v i n g al-
ready died once, as it were, that w a s w h a t the boy was. N y o m u served
Retired E m p e r o r U d a a n d achieved a high ecclesiastical r a n k . He e n d e d
u p l o o k i n g a f t e r his s t e p m o t h e r , w h o h a d n o s o n o f h e r o w n , for t h e r e s t
o f h e r life. H o w e m b a r r a s s e d s h e m u s t h a v e b e e n !
1 5 A

1 O 6 .
URASHIMA THE FISHERMAN

Y o u n g U r a s h i m a lived i n T a n g o p r o v i n c e , i n t h e village o f T s u t s u g a w a .
O n e d a y i n t h e fall o f 4 7 7 (it w a s E m p e r o r Y u r y a k u ' s r e i g n ) , h e r o w e d
o u t a l o n e o n t h e s e a t o f i s h . A f t e r c a t c h i n g n o t h i n g for t h r e e d a y s a n d
nights, he w a s surprised to find that he had taken a five-colored turtle.
H e g o t t h e t u r t l e i n t o t h e b o a t a n d lay d o w n t o s l e e p .
W h e n t h e t u r t l e c h a n g e d i n t o a d a z z l i n g l y lovely girl, t h e mystified
U r a s h i m a asked her w h o she was.
" I s a w y o u h e r e , a l o n e a t s e a , " s h e a n s w e r e d w i t h a smile, " a n d I
w a n t e d so m u c h to talk to y o u ! I came on the clouds and the w i n d . "
" B u t w h e r e d i d y o u c o m e from, t h e n , o n t h e c l o u d s a n d w i n d ? "
" I ' m a n I m m o r t a l a n d I live i n t h e s k y . D o n ' t d o u b t m e ! O h , b e k i n d
and speak to me tenderly!"
U r a s h i m a u n d e r s t o o d s h e w a s d i v i n e , a n d all his t e a r o f h e r m e l t e d
away.
"I'll l o v e y o u a s l o n g a s t h e s k y a n d e a r t h l a s t , " s h e p r o m i s e d h i m , " a s
l o n g a s t h e r e ' s a s u n a n d a m o o n ! B u t tell m e , will y o u h a v e m e ? "
" Y o u r w i s h i s m i n e , " h e a n s w e r e d . " H o w could I not love y o u ? "
" T h e n lean on y o u r oars, my darling, and take us to my Eternal
Mountain!"
S h e told h i m to close his eyes. In no time they r e a c h e d a large island
with earth like j a d e . W a t c h t o w e r s on it shone darkly, and palaces
g l e a m e d like g e m s . I t w a s a w o n d e r n o e y e h a d s e e n a n d n o e a r h a d e v e r
h e a r d tell o f b e f o r e .
T h e y landed a n d strolled on h a n d in h a n d to a splendid mansion,
w h e r e s h e a s k e d h i m t o w a i t ; t h e n s h e o p e n e d t h e g a t e a n d w e n t in.
S e v e n y o u n g girls soon c a m e out of the gate, telling each o t h e r as they
p a s s e d h i m t h a t h e w a s T u r t l e ' s h u s b a n d ; a n d e i g h t g i r l s w h o c a m e after
them told each other the same. That was h o w he learned her name.
H e m e n t i o n e d t h e girls w h e n she c a m e b a c k out. She said the seven
w e r e the seven stars of the Pleiades, a n d the eight the cluster of Alde-
b a r a n . T h e n she led h i m inside.
H e r f a t h e r a n d m o t h e r g r e e t e d h i m w a r m l y a n d i n v i t e d h i m t o sit
d o w n . T h e y explained the difference between the h u m a n a n d the divine
w o r l d s , a n d t h e y let h i m k n o w h o w g l a d t h i s r a r e m e e t i n g b e t w e e n t h e
g o d s a n d a m a n h a d m a d e t h e m . He tasted a h u n d r e d fragrant delicacies
a n d e x c h a n g e d c u p s o f w i n e w i t h the girl's b r o t h e r s a n d sisters. Y o u n g
g i r l s w i t h g l o w i n g faces f l o c k e d t o t h e h a p p y g a t h e r i n g , w h i l e t h e g o d s
s a n g t h e i r s o n g s s w e e t l y a n d c l e a r l y a n d d a n c e d w i t h fluid g r a c e . T h e
feast w a s a t h o u s a n d t i m e s m o r e b e a u t i f u l t h a n a n y e v e r e n j o y e d b y
m o r t a l s i n t h e i r far-off l a n d .
U r a s h i m a never noticed the sun going d o w n , but as twilight c a m e on
t h e I m m o r t a l s all s l i p p e d a w a y . H e a n d t h e m a i d e n , n o w a l o n e , l a y d o w n
i n e a c h o t h e r ' s a r m s a n d m a d e l o v e . T h e y w e r e m a n a n d w i f e a t last.
F o r t h r e e y e a r s h e f o r g o t his o l d life a n d lived i n p a r a d i s e w i t h t h e
I m m o r t a l s . T h e n o n e d a y h e felt a p a n g o f l o n g i n g for t h e village w h e r e
h e h a d b e e n b o r n a n d t h e p a r e n t s h e h a d left b e h i n d . A f t e r t h a t , h e
missed them more each day.
" D a r l i n g , " s a i d h i s w i f e , " y o u h a v e n ' t l o o k e d y o u r s e l f lately. W o n ' t
y o u tell m e w h a t ' s w r o n g ? "
" T h e y s a y t h e d y i n g fox t u r n s t o w a r d h i s lair a n d t h e l e s s e r m a n l o n g s
t o g o h o m e . I'd n e v e r b e l i e v e d it, b u t n o w I k n o w it's t r u e . "
" D o y o u want to go back?"
" H e r e I a m i n t h e l a n d o f t h e g o d s , far from all m y family a n d f r i e n d s .
I s h o u l d n ' t feel t h i s w a y , I k n o w , b u t I c a n ' t h e l p b e i n g h o m e s i c k for
t h e m . I w a n t so m u c h to go b a c k a n d see my m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r ! "
H i s wife b r u s h e d a w a y h e r t e a r s . " W e g a v e ourselves t o each o t h e r
forever!" she lamented. " W e promised we'd be as true as gold or the
r o c k s o f t h e m o u n t a i n s ! H o w c o u l d a little h o m e s i c k n e s s m a k e y o u w a n t
to leave m e ? "
T h e y w e n t for a w a l k h a n d i n h a n d , s a d l y t a l k i n g i t all o v e r . F i n a l l y
t h e y e m b r a c e d , a n d w h e n t h e y separated their parting w a s sealed.
U r a s h i m a ' s p a r e n t s - i n - l a w w e r e s a d t o s e e h i m g o . H i s wife g a v e h i m
a j e w e l e d b o x . " D e a r e s t , " s h e s a i d , "if y o u d o n ' t forget m e a n d find y o u
w a n t t o c o m e b a c k , t h e n g r i p t h i s b o x h a r d . B u t y o u m u s t n ' t o p e n it,
ever."
He got into his boat a n d t h e y told him to close his eyes. In no time he
w a s a t T s u t s u g a w a , his h o m e . T h e place looked entirely different. H e
r e c o g n i z e d n o t h i n g t h e r e a t all.
" W h e r e ' s U r a s h i m a ' s family — U r a s h i m a t h e f i s h e r m a n ? " h e a s k e d a
villager.
" W h o are y o u ? " the villager a n s w e r e d . " W h e r e are y o u from? W h y
a r e y o u l o o k i n g for a m a n w h o lived l o n g a g o ? Y e s , I've h e a r d o l d p e o p l e
mention someone n a m e d U r a s h i m a . He w e n t out alone on the sea a n d
never came back. That was three hundred years ago. W h a t do you want
with him n o w ? "
B e w i l d e r e d , U r a s h i m a r o a m e d t h e village for t e n d a y s w i t h o u t f i n d i n g
a n y s i g n o f f a m i l y o r o l d f r i e n d s . A t last h e s t r o k e d t h e b o x h i s d i v i n e
1 5 6

l a d y h a d g i v e n h i m a n d t h o u g h t o f h e r ; t h e n , f o r g e t t i n g his r e c e n t p r o m -
ise, h e o p e n e d it. B e f o r e his e y e s h e r f r a g r a n t f o r m , b o r n e b y t h e c l o u d s
a n d the w i n d , floated up a n d vanished into the blue sky. He understood
h e h a d d i s o b e y e d h e r a n d w o u l d n e v e r s e e h e r a g a i n . All h e c o u l d d o w a s
gaze after her, t h e n pace w e e p i n g along the shore.
W h e n h e d r i e d h i s t e a r s , h e s a n g a b o u t h e r far, c l o u d - g i r d l e d r e a l m .
T h e c l o u d s , h e s a n g , w o u l d b r i n g h e r t h e m e s s a g e o f his l o v e . H e r s w e e t
voice a n s w e r e d him, a c r o s s the v a s t n e s s of the sky, entreating him never
t o f o r g e t h e r . T h e n a last s o n g b u r s t from h i m a s h e s t r u g g l e d w i t h his
loss: " M y love, w h e n after a night of longing, d a y d a w n s a n d I stand at
my open door, I h e a r far-off w a v e s b r e a k i n g o n t h e s h o r e s o f y o u r
paradise!"
I f o n l y h e h a d n ' t o p e n e d t h a t j e w e l e d b o x , p e o p l e h a v e said s i n c e , h e
c o u l d h a v e b e e n w i t h h e r a g a i n . B u t t h e c l o u d s hid h e r p a r a d i s e from
h i m a n d left h i m n o t h i n g b u t h i s grief.

1 0 7 .

THE GRATEFUL CRAB

A girl i n Y a m a s h i r o p r o v i n c e h a d s e r v e d K a n n o n faithfully e v e r s i n c e s h e
w a s a child, d e v o u t l y fasting on K a n n o n ' s special d a y (the eighteenth of
each m o o n ) a n d c h a n t i n g the K a n n o n S u t r a . She w a s so sweet and kind
t h a t w h e n s h e s a w a m a n a b o u t t o kill a c r a b s h e t o o k p i t y o n t h e
c r e a t u r e , b o u g h t it, a n d let i t g o .
M e a n w h i l e h e r f a t h e r w e n t o u t t o w o r k h i s field a n d f o u n d a s n a k e
b e g i n n i n g t o s w a l l o w a frog. H e d i d h i s b e s t t o g e t t h e frog a w a y from
t h e s n a k e b u t w a s d i s a p p o i n t e d t o find t h a t h e c o u l d n o t g e t i t o u t o f t h e
s n a k e ' s m o u t h . " L e t t h a t frog g o ! " h e c o m m a n d e d . "I'll g i v e y o u m y
d a u g h t e r if y o u d o ! "
T h e s n a k e l o o k e d h i m i n t h e e y e , t h e n d i s g o r g e d t h e frog, w h i c h
h o p p e d a w a y i n t o t h e b u s h e s . T h e f a r m e r w i s h e d h e h a d k e p t his m o u t h
s h u t , b e c a u s e t h e s n a k e s e e m e d t o h a v e t a k e n h i m a t his w o r d , b u t i t w a s
too late.
T h a t n i g h t a g e n t l e m a n c a m e t o t h e d o o r . " I ' m h e r e ' for w h a t y o u
p r o m i s e d m e this m o r n i n g , " h e said. T h e horrified farmer hardly k n e w
w h a t to say, b u t he m a n a g e d to ask the man to come back in a lew days.
T h e m a n a g r e e d a n d w e n t a w a y . W h e n t h e n the f a r m e r told his d a u g h t e r ,
she w a s so frightened t h a t she hid at the b o t t o m of h e r b e d a n d refused
to come out.
A few d a y s later t h e s n a k e w a s b a c k , this time as a s n a k e a n d not as a
m a n . I t k n e w p e r f e c t l y w e l l w h e r e t h e girl w a s , a n d i t s l i t h e r e d t o h e r
r o o m a n d b e a t o n t h e d o o r w i t h its tail. T h e p o o r girl d e s p e r a t e l y c h a n t e d
t h e K a n n o n S u t r a till a little K a n n o n a foot tall a p p e a r e d t o h e r a n d t o l d
her not to be afraid.
In the middle of the night h u n d r e d s of crabs invaded the house, went
for t h e s n a k e , a n d t o r e i t t o p i e c e s w i t h t h e i r c l a w s . T h e n t h e y v a n i s h e d .
K a n n o n s p r o t e c t i o n h a d a l l o w e d t h e c r a b t h e girl h a d s a v e d t o e x p r e s s
its g r a t i t u d e .

D E S I R E

1 0 8 .

YOUNG LUST

I n O w a r i p r o v i n c e a girl o f e l e v e n o r t w e l v e w a s o u t g a t h e r i n g g r e e n s i n
t h e fields w h e n a f a r m e r w o r k i n g n e a r b y n o t i c e d h e r flat o n t h e g r o u n d .
H e t h o u g h t h e h a d b e t t e r i n v e s t i g a t e . A five-foot s n a k e w a s a b o u t t o
w r a p itself a r o u n d h e r . T h e f a r m e r r a n for h i s h o e t o b e a t i t off w i t h , b u t
I 5 8

the s n a k e , n o w v e r y close to t h e girl's head, s u d d e n l y flinched, slithered

a w a y , a n d v a n i s h e d . W h e n t h e f a r m e r g o t b a c k , t h e girl w a s u n c o n s c i o u s .
H e k e p t c a l l i n g h e r till s h e c a m e t o a n d h e c o u l d a s k w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d .
" S u c h a w o n d e r f u l , h a n d s o m e b o y w a s j u s t h e r e ! " s h e s a i d . " H e told
m e t o lie d o w n a n d I d i d . I'd h a v e d o n e a n y t h i n g h e a s k e d ! B u t t h e n for
some reason he got frightened and ran a w a y . "
T h e farmer w a n t e d to k n o w w h e t h e r she had an amulet on her. She
s a i d n o , b u t h e s e a r c h e d h e r all t h e s a m e . I n t h e e n d h e f o u n d s h e h a d
t i e d u p h e r h a i r w i t h a bit o f p a p e r t h a t h a d t h e S o n s h o D a r a n i o n it.
T h i s i s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e h a p p e n e d i n t h e 1260s o r e a r l y 1270s.

1 0 9 .

THE PRETTY GIRL

A y o u n g m o n k served a very distinguished master. O n e day he went with

his m a s t e r to M i i d e r a , the g r e a t t e m p l e n e a r L a k e Biwa. It w a s a s u m m e r
a f t e r n o o n . H e s o o n felt s l e e p y , a n d i n t h e s p a c i o u s r e s i d e n c e his m a s t e r
w a s v i s i t i n g h e h a d n o t r o u b l e f i n d i n g a q u i e t s p o t for a n a p .
H e d r e a m e d t h a t a b e a u t i f u l girl c a m e a n d m a d e t h e m o s t w o n d e r f u l
l o v e t o h i m . W h e n h e w o k e u p , h e d i s c o v e r e d a five-foot-long s n a k e n e x t
t o h i m , a n d w a s o n h i s feet i n fright b e f o r e h e r e a l i z e d t h e s n a k e w a s
d e a d . Its m o u t h w a s o p e n . N e x t , h e s a w h e w a s w e t i n front w h e r e h e
h a d e j a c u l a t e d . T h e b e a u t i f u l girl w h o h a d m a d e love t o h i m m u s t h a v e
been the s n a k e . Horrified, he peered into the snake's m o u t h and saw
t r a c e s o f t h e s e m e n w h i c h t h e s n a k e h a d a p p a r e n t l y spit o u t .
H e m u s t h a v e h a d a n erection while h e slept, a n d the s n a k e h a d seen
i t a n d t a k e n h i s p e n i s i n its m o u t h . T h a t w a s w h e n h e h a d h a d t h e d r e a m
a b o u t t h e g i r l . H i s e j a c u l a t i o n h a d b e e n t o o m u c h for t h e s n a k e a n d i t
h a d died. W h a t a w e i r d a n d awful thing to have h a p p e n ! He w e n t right
a w a y to w a s h his p e n i s t h o r o u g h l y , in secret.
He w a n t e d to confide in someone, but kept quiet because he k n e w that
if he did he w o u l d e n d up being k n o w n as "the m o n k w h o did it with a
s n a k e . " Still, h e w a s d i s t u r b e d e n o u g h b y t h e i n c i d e n t t o t a l k a b o u t i t t o
a m o n k w h o w a s a c l o s e friend o f h i s . H i s friend w a s v e r y s y m p a t h e t i c .
C l e a r l y y o u s h o u l d n ' t fall a s l e e p w h e r e t h e r e ' s n o o n e else a r o u n d . It's
t r u e , t h o u g h , t h a t n o t h i n g special h a p p e n e d to the m o n k afterwards.
T h e y s a y a c r e a t u r e will d i e i f i t s w a l l o w s a m a n ' s s e m e n , a n d a p p a r e n t l y
it's t r u e . T h e m o n k w a s n o t q u i t e himself, e i t h e r , for s o m e t i m e .
T h e s t o r y w a s p a s s e d o n b y t h e friend t h e m o n k t a l k e d t o .

1 1 o .

MESMERIZED

O n e summer day a y o u n g w o m a n walking west along Konoe Avenue in

K y o t o , o n t h e s o u t h s i d e o f t h e s t r e e t , a p p a r e n t l y felt a s u d d e n u r g e t o
r e l i e v e herself, for s h e s q u a t t e d a g a i n s t t h e e a r t h e n w a l l s h e w a s p a s s i n g
a n d d i d j u s t t h a t . H e r little girl a t t e n d a n t p a u s e d d i s c r e e t l y t o w a i t .
I t w a s fairly e a r l y i n t h e m o r n i n g . T h e little girl k n e w h e r m i s t r e s s
must have finished, b u t time k e p t passing a n d the y o u n g w o m a n n e v e r
m o v e d . A n h o u r w e n t b y . T h e girl c a l l e d t o h e r m i s t r e s s i n v a i n . A n o t h e r
h o u r . T h e s u n w a s c l i m b i n g t o w a r d n o o n . N o t h i n g t h e little girl c o u l d
say got a n y reply. Finally she burst into tears.
A m a n r i d i n g b y w i t h a l a r g e c o m p a n y o f f o l l o w e r s s a w t h e little girl
c r y i n g a n d s e n t s o m e o n e t o a s k h e r w h a t w a s t h e m a t t e r . T h e girl t o l d
h i m , p o i n t i n g t o h e r m i s t r e s s w h o w a s still t h e r e w i t h h e r s k i r t s t u c k e d
up, squatting against the wall.
" H o w l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n h e r e ? " a s k e d t h e r i d e r himself.
" S i n c e e a r l y m o r n i n g , s i r , " t h e girl s o b b e d . " S h e ' s b e e n like t h a t for
hours."
It certainly was strange. The rider dismounted and examined the
y o u n g w o m a n ' s face. S h e w a s a s p a l e a s d e a t h .
" W h a t is i t ? " he asked her. "Are y o u sick? H a s this ever h a p p e n e d to
you before?"
T h e w o m a n s a i d n o t h i n g , b u t t h e girl a s s u r e d h i m t h a t t h i s w a s t h e
first t i m e .
T h e rider could see the w o m a n w a s not of the c o m m o n e s t class, w h i c h
m a d e h i m feel all t h e m o r e s o r r y for h e r . H e t r i e d lifting h e r t o h e r feet,
but she w a s rigid.
H a p p e n i n g to glance o v e r at the wall, the rider noticed just inside a
hole t h e h e a d of a large s n a k e w h i c h w a s staring straight at the w o m a n .
I t m u s t h a v e s e e n h e r r e l i e v i n g herself, felt l u s t for h e r , a n d m e s m e r i z e d
her. That w a s w h y she w a s stuck.
1 6 0

H a v i n g g r a s p e d this, t h e r i d e r d r e w his s w o r d a n d planted it before

t h e h o l e w i t h t h e c u t t i n g e d g e t o w a r d t h e s n a k e . T h e n h e h a d his m e n
pick the w o m a n up bodily and carry her away. Suddenly the snake
h u r l e d itself like a s p e a r f r o m t h e h o l e , c u t a foot of its l e n g t h in t w o on
the sword, a n d died. W h a t strange a n d frightening creatures snakes are!
T h e m a n r e m o u n t e d h i s h o r s e w h i l e a f o l l o w e r r e t r i e v e d his s w o r d .
Still w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e w o m a n , h e a s s i g n e d s o m e o f his m e n t o s t a y w i t h
h e r . I n a little w h i l e s h e b e g a n t o b e a b l e t o w a l k a g a i n , w i t h s o m e o n e
s u p p o r t i n g h e r , j u s t like a p e r s o n w h o h a s b e e n v e r y ill.

i l l .

RED HEAT

A pair of m o n k s , o n e old a n d one y o u n g a n d h a n d s o m e , w e r e on their

w a y t o K u m a n o . O n r e a c h i n g M u r o c o u n t y , n o t far from t h e i r g o a l , t h e y
f o u n d l o d g i n g w i t h a y o u n g w i d o w w h o lived all a l o n e , a s i d e from t h e
c o m p a n y of a few m a i d s .
T h e w i d o w noted the y o u n g e r m o n k ' s good looks, a n d desire m a d e her
treat him well. After d a r k the t w o m o n k s retired, but in the middle of the
n i g h t s h e s t o l e t o t h e y o u n g e r o n e ' s b e d a n d lay d o w n b e s i d e h i m . W h e n
he w o k e up in alarm, she did her best to calm him. "I don't normally
h a v e people to s t a y , " she said, " b u t I k n e w I w a n t e d y o u as soon as I
s a w y o u t o d a y . T h a t ' s w h y I a s k e d y o u i n a n d t h a t ' s w h y I'm h e r e . I'm a
w i d o w , y o u see. Please be nice to m e ! "
T h e m o n k j u m p e d u p , protesting that he had v o w e d long ago to remain
c h a s t e , a n d he r e m i n d e d h e r that he h a d c o m e a long w a y to m a k e this
p i l g r i m a g e . " I f I s u d d e n l y b r e a k m y v o w , w e ' l l b o t h suffer for i t ! " h e
cried. " S t o p ! Please forget y o u r d e s i r e s ! "
H i s r e f u s a l o n l y s t u n g h e r t o a n g e r . All n i g h t s h e t w i n e d h e r s e l f r o u n d
h i m , t h o u g h h e m a n a g e d b o t h t o h u m o r h e r a n d t o p u t h e r off. " I t ' s n o t
t h a t I r e a l l y w a n t t o r e f u s e y o u , " h e e x p l a i n e d . " A s s o o n a s I've s p e n t a
f e w d a y s a t K u m a n o I'll b e b a c k , a n d t h e n I'll d o w h a t e v e r y o u w a n t ,
believe m e ! " Finally s h e a c c e p t e d his p r o m i s e a n d w e n t a w a y . A t d a w n
t h e m o n k a n d h i s c o m p a n i o n s e t off.
T h e love-struck w i d o w c o u n t e d the days a n d p r e p a r e d t o receive the
h a n d s o m e m o n k o n his r e t u r n , b u t h e w a s frightened a n d took care t o g o
b a c k a n o t h e r w a y . S h e g o t w o r r i e d w h e n h e failed t o c o m e a n d b e g a n
q u e s t i o n i n g t h e people p a s s i n g outside on the road. O n e pilgrim said y e s ,
a p a i r o f m o n k s like t h a t , o n e o l d a n d o n e y o u n g , h a d left K u m a n o s e v e r a l
days before. T h e w i d o w panicked w h e n it d a w n e d on her that they had
avoided her house altogether. She rushed h o m e in a rage, shut herself up
in silence in h e r room, a n d quickly died. E v e n as h e r maids w e r e m o u r n -
i n g h e r , a foul s n a k e , i m m e n s e l y l o n g , s u d d e n l y i s s u e d from h e r r o o m ,
left t h e h o u s e , a n d s l i t h e r e d d o w n t h e r o a d a w a y f r o m K u m a n o . T h e
travelers it passed w e r e terrified.
Up ahead, the two monks heard that a huge snake was racing their
w a y o v e r hill a n d d a l e a n d c a t c h i n g u p w i t h t h e m fast. T h e y k n e w r i g h t
a w a y w h o t h e s n a k e r e a l l y w a s , a n d t h e y fled for t h e i r lives t o s e e k r e f u g e
at Dojoji. H a v i n g h e a r d their story, the m o n k s of the temple decided to
h e l p . T h e y h e l d a c o u n c i l , t h e n let d o w n t h e i r bell o v e r t h e y o u n g m o n k
and barred the gate.
T h e s n a k e soon c a m e , got easily o v e r t h e b a r r e d gate, slithered a few
t i m e s a r o u n d t h e c o m p o u n d , t h e n w e n t s t r a i g h t for t h e hall w i t h t h e b e l l .
W h e n t h e d o o r c o l l a p s e d u n d e r its f u r i o u s b l o w s , t h e s n a k e d a r t e d i n s i d e
a n d w r a p p e d itself r o u n d t h e b e l l . I t s t a y e d t h a t w a y for h o u r s , b e a t i n g
o n t h e t o p o l t h e bell w i t h its tail, till d e s p i t e t h e i r fear t h e m o n k s
s u r r o u n d e d t h e h a l l a n d o p e n e d t h e d o o r s o n all f o u r s i d e s t o w a t c h . T h e
s n a k e lifted its h e a d . Its t o n g u e f l i c k e r e d a n d t e a r s o f b l o o d s t r e a m e d
f r o m its e y e s . T h e n i t f l e d i n t h e d i r e c t i o n i t h a d c o m e f r o m . T h e bell
g l o w e d r e d - h o t from its foul, b u r n i n g b r e a t h , a n d t h e m o n k s c o u l d n o t
e v e n g e t n e a r i t till t h e y h a d d a s h e d i t w i t h w a t e r t o cool i t d o w n . W h e n
t h e y finally lifted i t t h e y f o u n d t h a t n o t h i n g , n o t e v e n b o n e s , w a s left o f
t h e m o n k i n s i d e . T h e r e w a s o n l y a little h e a p o f a s h e s . T h e m o n k ' s o l d e r
c o m p a n i o n w e p t as he took his leave.
L a t e r o n , t h e a b b o t o f Dojoji d r e a m e d o f a n e v e n l a r g e r s n a k e . " I a m
t h e m o n k w h o h i d i n t h e b e l l , ' ' i t s a i d . " O n c e t h a t evil w o m a n h a d b e c o m e
a s n a k e s h e t o o k m e p r i s o n e r a n d m a d e m e h e r s . N o w I suffer h o r r i b l y
i n t h i s a w f u l s n a k e b o d y a n d I c a n ' t s a v e m y s e l f from m y p a i n . W h e n I
w a s alive, I d e v o t e d myself to t h e L o t u s S u t r a . Please, Y o u r G r a c e , s h o w
me mercy and put an end to my torment. Purify yourself, c o p y the
'Revelation of the B u d d h a ' s E t e r n a l Life' c h a p t e r of the S u t r a , a n d dedi-
c a t e i t for b o t h o f u s s n a k e s . O h , s a v e u s f r o m t h i s a g o n y ! " T h e s n a k e
then went away and the dreamer awoke.
T h e a b b o t copied t h e c h a p t e r in q u e s t i o n a n d called the m o n k s of the
t e m p l e t o g e t h e r for a d a y - l o n g c e r e m o n y t o d e d i c a t e i t for t h e t w o s n a k e s .
S o o n h e d r e a m e d a g a i n . T h i s t i m e a m o n k a n d a w o m a n c a m e t o Dojoji
t o g e t h e r , all s m i l e s . T h e y p r o s t r a t e d t h e m s e l v e s b e f o r e t h e a b b o t a n d t o l d
1 6 2

h i m t h a t t h a n k s t o h i s k i n d n e s s t h e y w e r e rid n o w o f t h e i r s n a k e b o d i e s
a n d h a p p y a t last. " F o r , " s a i d t h e w o m a n , " I h a v e b e e n b o r n i n t o t h e
Tori H e a v e n . " " A n d I," said t h e m a n , " h a v e g o n e u p t o the Tosotsu
H e a v e n . " A n d w i t h t h e s e w o r d s t h e y flew u p i n t o t h e s k y .
T h e T o r i H e a v e n i s w h e r e t h e g r e a t g o d T a i s h a k u h a s his p a l a c e a t t h e
top of Shumisen, the cosmic mountain; and the Tosotsu Heaven is the
even higher realm w h e r e M i r o k u , the Future Buddha, waits to be born
into our world.

1 1 2 .

LOVESICK

S i c k w i t h l o v e for a b o y , a girl i n K a m a k u r a c o n f e s s e d h e r t r o u b l e t o h e r
mother. The mother, w h o k n e w the boy's parents, immediately arranged
for h i m t o visit h e r d a u g h t e r s o m e t i m e s , b u t h e all b u t i g n o r e d t h e girl
a n d h a r d l y e v e r c a m e . I n t h e e n d t h e girl d i e d . H e r g r i e v i n g p a r e n t s p u t
h e r a s h e s i n a b o x a n d p r e p a r e d t o s e n d t h e m off t o a c e r t a i n t e m p l e i n
Shinano.
N e x t , t h e b o y b e c a m e ill t o o , a n d w e n t s o t h o r o u g h l y m a d t h a t h e h a d
t o b e s h u t u p i n a little r o o m . H e a r i n g h i m t a l k i n t h e r e , his p a r e n t s
p e e k e d in t h r o u g h a crack. He w a s talking to a large snake.
W h e n t h e b o y d i e d , h i s b o d y w a s p l a c e d i n a coffin, for b u r i a l o n t h e
m o u n t a i n n e a r b y . At t h e funeral a large s n a k e w a s found coiled a r o u n d
h i s b o d y , r i g h t i n t h e coffin, a n d t h e t w o w e r e b u r i e d t o g e t h e r .
B e f o r e s e n d i n g t h e i r d a u g h t e r ' s a s h e s t o S h i n a n o , t h e girl's p a r e n t s
opened the b o x to take out some which they w a n t e d to deposit in a temple
in K a m a k u r a . T h e y discovered that their daughter's bones had turned
i n t o little s n a k e s , o r w e r e i n t h e p r o c e s s o f d o i n g s o .
T h e y told the whole story to the priest they asked to pray over the
r e m a i n s , a n d t h e priest p a s s e d it on to his colleagues. It h a p p e n e d in the
1270s, w i t h i n t h e last ten y e a r s . I k n o w the n a m e s of the people involved
but would rather not record them here.
 P A R A D I S E

i i 3 .

GONE, BODY AND SOUL

A m o n k n a m e d Y a k u r e n o n c e lived i n N y o h o j i , a t e m p l e i n S h i n a n o
p r o v i n c e . N o t b e i n g f o r m a l l y o r d a i n e d h e h a d a family, b u t h e still s p e n t
his life c o n t i n u a l l y c h a n t i n g t h e A m i d a S u t r a .
O n e d a y h e told his son a n d d a u g h t e r that h e w o u l d need t o w a s h a n d
put on clean clothes because t o m o r r o w he w a s going to be born into the
L a n d o f B l i s s . T h e c h i l d r e n q u i c k l y g o t t h i n g s r e a d y for h i m a n d a t
n i g h t f a l l , fully p r e p a r e d , h e e n t e r e d h i s c h a p e l a l o n e . " Y o u m a y o p e n t h e
chapel d o o r at daylight t o m o r r o w , " he w a r n e d them, "but not before."
W e e p i n g , t h e y s p e n t t h e n i g h t b y t h e c h a p e l i n vigil. N e a r d a y b r e a k a
m u s i c n o t o f t h i s w o r l d s o u n d e d from w i t h i n t h e c h a p e l , a n d t h e y t h o u g h t
they must be dreaming. W h e n the sky lightened, they opened the door.
T h e i r father's b o d y w a s g o n e a n d s o w a s his c o p y o f the A m i d a S u t r a .
The news brought the neighbors running, and the grieving children
told them a b o u t the music. Finally it d a w n e d on everyone that Y a k u r e n
h a d g o n e t o p a r a d i s e i n h i s o w n b o d y . T h e y all s h e d t e a r s o f j o y a n d a w e .
N o w , r e b i r t h i n t o t h e L a n d o f Bliss i s n o t u n k n o w n , b u t t h o s e w h o
achieve it leave their bodies behind as a sign. Since Y a k u r e n ' s b o d y w a s
g o n e , o n e m i g h t c o n c l u d e t h a t h e h a d j u s t s l i p p e d off t o s o m e m o u n t a i n
t e m p l e ; y e t h i s c h i l d r e n h a d b e e n t h e r e all t h e t i m e a n d c o u l d testify t h a t
the d o o r of the chapel h a d never o p e n e d . In o t h e r w o r d s , Y a k u r e n really
had reached paradise in the flesh, as the unearthly music seemed to
confirm. Some people, though, have w o n d e r e d w h e t h e r the earth gods
d i d n ' t j u s t m a k e off w i t h t h e b o d y o n t h e i r o w n a n d l e a v e i t i n t h e s o r t o f
p u r e spot w h e r e the body of a saint might properly belong.
1 6 A

1 1
4 •
PARADISE IN THE PALM
OF THE HAND

T w o s c h o l a r - m o n k s n a m e d C h i k o a n d R a i k o o n c e lived a t G a n g o j i i n t h e
o l d c a p i t a l o f N a r a . A l t h o u g h t h e y h a d a l w a y s lived a n d w o r k e d t o g e t h e r ,
R a i k o i n t h e e n d s t o p p e d s t u d y i n g a n d n e v e r p i c k e d u p his b o o k s a g a i n .
H e j u s t l a y t h e r e i n s i l e n c e . C h i k o , for his p a r t , w a s a d e e p l y w i s e m a n
w h o l o v e d s c h o l a r s h i p , a n d i n t i m e h i s l e a r n i n g w a s r e c o g n i z e d b y all.
W h e n R a i k o d i e d , C h i k o m o u r n e d his o l d friend. I t d i s t u r b e d h i m t h a t
R a i k o h a d b e e n s i l e n t a n d idle for s o m a n y y e a r s , a n d h e w o n d e r e d w h a t
h i s n e x t life w o u l d b e ; b u t h e w i t h e l d j u d g m e n t o n R a i k o ' s fate b e c a u s e
h e k n e w t h a t g o o d a n d ill a r e h a r d for o u r limited m i n d s t o f a t h o m . I n
t i m e h e d e c i d e d t o t r y t o find o u t w h e r e R a i k o h a d g o n e .
H e d r e a m e d h e f o u n d R a i k o i n a p l a c e s o b e a u t i f u l t h a t i t s e e m e d like
paradise, a n d asked Raiko in surprise w h e r e they were. "This is the Land
of Bliss," Raiko replied. " Y o u r prayers have brought y o u here, but now
t h a t y o u ' v e s e e n m e y o u 1 1 h a v e t o g o b a c k . T h i s i s n o p l a c e for y o u . "
" B u t I w a n t to be born into paradise too," Chiko protested. " W h y
must I go b a c k ? "
"Because you've done nothing to deserve staying."
" Y e t y o u y o u r s e l f , w h e n y o u w e r e alive, d i d n o t h i n g a t all! H o w d i d
you g e t h e r e ? "
" D o n ' t y o u s e e ? " R a i k o e x p l a i n e d . " M y l o n g i n g for b i r t h h e r e w a s
perfectly p u r e . H a v i n g no o t h e r t h o u g h t , I said nothing. In every phase
of daily living I s a w t h e c o u n t e n a n c e of L o r d A m i d a a n d the beauty of
h i s p a r a d i s e , s o I j u s t l a y q u i e t l y , t h i n k i n g o f n o t h i n g else. A n d h e r e I
a m . Y o u k n o w all a b o u t t h e s c r i p t u r e s b u t y o u r m i n d i s i n t u r m o i l a n d
y o u h a r d l y d e s e r v e a b i r t h like t h i s . "
" T h e n w h a t can I do to be sure of p a r a d i s e ? " cried C h i k o in tears.
" I t i s n ' t for m e t o s a y . A s k L o r d A m i d a himself." R a i k o led his friend
before the lord.
C h i k o p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f a n d r e v e r e n t l y r e p e a t e d his q u e s t i o n .
"You must contemplate the Buddha's countenance and the beauty of
p a r a d i s e , " A m i d a said.
" B u t t h e s p l e n d o r o f all I s e e h e r e i s m o r e t h a n m y e y e s o r m y m i n d
can t a k e in! H o w can I c o n t e m p l a t e these things with the eyes of an
ordinary m a n ? "
 L o r d A m i d a lifted h i s r i g h t h a n d , a n d C h i k o s a w i n t h e p a l m a t i n y
paradise. Then he woke up. He immediately had a painter transcribe
w h a t h e h a d s e e n , a n d all h i s life h e c o n t e m p l a t e d t h a t i m a g e till h e t o o
p a s s e d o n t o t h e L a n d o f Bliss. L a t e r , h i s d w e l l i n g w a s r e n a m e d G o k u -
r a k u b o , o r P a r a d i s e H a l l , a n d t h e p a i n t i n g still h a n g s t h e r e i n g r e a t
honor.

i i 5 .
NO COMPROMISE

G e n d a y u , w h o lived i n S a n u k i p r o v i n c e , w a s a fierce h u n t e r a n d killer.

D a w n o r d u s k h e w a s o u t i n t h e w i l d s a f t e r d e e r a n d fowl, o r fishing;
a n d t h e d a y r a r e l y p a s s e d w h e n h e d i d n o t c h o p off s o m e o n e ' s h e a d , a r m ,
o r leg. H e k n e w n o t h i n g a b o u t k a r m a o r r e l i g i o u s faith, a n d n a t u r a l l y
only hated a n d s h u n n e d holy men. In a word, he w a s a menace, a n d
people w e r e terrified of him.
H e w a s c o m i n g h o m e o n e d a y from h u n t i n g d e e r i n t h e m o u n t a i n s w i t h
s o m e o f h i s b a n d w h e n h e n o t i c e d a c r o w d i n front o f a b u i l d i n g a n d
a s k e d w h a t the people w e r e doing. His m e n told him the place w a s a
temple a n d that a m o n k w a s preaching there. " P r e a c h i n g , " they ex-
p l a i n e d , " m e a n s o f f e r i n g t h e b u d d h a s a s e r m o n o n t h e h o l y s u t r a s , for
t h e b e n e f i t o f all b e i n g s . "
" O h y e s , I've h e a r d a b o u t t h a t , " s a i d G e n d a y u , " b u t I've n e v e r a c t u a l l y
s e e n it. I'll g o a n d h e a r w h a t h e ' s g o t t o s a y . Y o u w a i t h e r e . "
H e a n d his m e n d i s m o u n t e d . T h e m e n h a t e d t o imagine w h a t their
master w a s up to a n d w e r e afraid he w a s going to t o r m e n t the p r e a c h e r .
W h e n G e n d a y u c a m e into t h e temple, s o m e of the congregation simply
fled. H e s h o v e d h i s w a y t h r o u g h t h e r e s t , w i t h t h e p e o p l e p a r t i n g b e f o r e
h i m like g r a s s e s i n a g a l e , till h e c a m e t o t h e p r e a c h e r a n d g l a r e d i n t o h i s
eyes.
" P r e a c h e r , " h e said, " I w a n t t o k n o w w h a t y o u ' v e b e e n saying. A n d
talk sense. If y o u don't, you'll wish y o u h a d . " He b r a n d i s h e d his d a g g e r .
T h e f r i g h t e n e d p r e a c h e r t h o u g h t h e w a s lost a n d his m i n d w e n t b l a n k ,
b u t h e w a s w i s e e n o u g h t o call o n t h e B u d d h a for h e l p b e f o r e h e a n -
swered.
" W e s t w a r d from h e r e , " h e a n s w e r e d , " b e y o n d m a n y o t h e r w o r l d s , i s
1 6 6

t h e p l a c e w h e r e a b u d d h a lives. T h i s b u d d h a ' s n a m e i s A m i d a . H i s k i n d -
ness is wide a n d deep. You may have been the worst of sinners, but if
y o u r e p e n t a n d call h i s N a m e j u s t o n c e he'll c o m e t o fetch y o u a n d y o u ' l l
b e r e b o r n i n t o h i s L a n d o f Bliss w h e r e y o u ' l l b e a b u d d h a t o o . "
" I f t h i s b u d d h a o f y o u r s i s a s k i n d a s all t h a t , t h e n I s u p p o s e h e
wouldn't turn me away either."
" O f course not."
" S o i f I call h i s N a m e he'll a n s w e r ? "
" Y e s , i f y o u call h i m s i n c e r e l y . "
" W h a t p e o p l e d o e s t h i s b u d d h a like b e s t ? "
" H e d o e s n ' t reject a n y o n e , b u t p a r e n t s can't help loving their o w n
c h i l d r e n m o s t a n d s o h e d o e s s l i g h t l y p r e f e r his o w n d i s c i p l e s . "
"What's a disciple?"
" A n y m o n k w h o ' s s h a v e d h i s h e a d like m e . L a y m e n a n d l a y w o m e n c a n
b e h i s d i s c i p l e s t o o , b u t it's e v e n b e t t e r i f y o u ' r e a m o n k o r a n u n . "
"Then shave my head," commanded Gendayu.
" O h d e a r ! " t h e p r e a c h e r e x c l a i m e d . " I t ' s w o n d e r f u l t o h e a r y o u say
t h a t , b u t y o u s e e , I c a n ' t j u s t d o i t all o f a s u d d e n . I f y o u ' r e s e r i o u s y o u
s h o u l d first g o h o m e , t a l k i t o v e r w i t h y o u r family, a n d p u t y o u r affairs
in o r d e r . "
" Y o u call y o u r s e l f a d i s c i p l e o f t h i s b u d d h a a n d y o u c l a i m h e tells o n l y
t h e t r u t h , " G e n d a y u g r o w l e d . " Y o u s a y h e l o v e s his d i s c i p l e s . W h a t d o
y o u m e a n b y t u r n i n g a r o u n d n o w a n d t e l l i n g m e t o d o i t later! Y o u d o n ' t
s e e m t o u n d e r s t a n d , d o y o u ? " G e n d a y u d r e w his d a g g e r a n d c u t off his
own topknot at the roots.
T h e p r e a c h e r w a s s p e e c h l e s s a n d a c l a m o r b u r s t from t h e c o n g r e g a -
t i o n . G e n d a y u ' s m e n h e a r d it. O b v i o u s l y t h e i r m a s t e r h a d d o n e s o m e -
t h i n g , a n d t h e y r u s h e d t o t h e t e m p l e r e a d y t o fight. G e n d a y u s t o p p e d
them with a roar.
" H o w dare y o u come between me and paradise!" he bellowed. "This
m o r n i n g a s u s u a l I w a s w a n t i n g m o r e m e n , b u t n o w , a s far a s I ' m c o n -
c e r n e d , y o u c a n all g e t o u t a n d g o w h e r e v e r y o u p l e a s e . I'm n o t k e e p i n g
a n y of y o u ! "
T h e m e n d e c i d e d their m a s t e r h a d g o n e m a d . S o m e spirit m u s t have
p o s s e s s e d h i m . T h e y s o b b e d a n d h o w l e d a n d rolled o n t h e floor, b u t
G e n d a y u q u i c k l y p u t a s t o p t o t h e i r n o i s e . T h e n h e offered h i s t o p k n o t
t o t h e B u d d h a , h e a t e d w a t e r a s fast a s h e c o u l d , w a s h e d h i s h e a d , a n d
came to the preacher again.
" S h a v e me p r o p e r l y ! " he ordered. "You'll be sorry if y o u don't."
" S i n c e y o u i n s i s t , " t h e p r e a c h e r r e p l i e d , " I ' m s u r e I'd b e w r o n g n o t t o
s h a v e y o u . Y e s , i t ' d c e r t a i n l y b e a s i n . " T h o u g h still afraid, h e c a m e d o w n
from h i s s e a t , s h a v e d G e n d a y u ' s h e a d , a n d a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e a p p r o p r i a t e
v o w s . G e n d a y u ' s m e n s h e d u n r e s t r a i n e d t e a r s o f grief.
H a v i n g p u t o n a m o n k ' s s t o l e , G e n d a y u t r a d e d his q u i v e r a n d b o w for
t h e d e v o t e e ' s little g o n g , w h i c h h e h u n g a r o u n d h i s n e c k . " N o w I'm g o i n g
t o g o w e s t , " h e s a i d . "I'll k e e p c a l l i n g A m i d a a n d b e a t i n g t h i s g o n g till h e
a n s w e r s . N o m o o r , n o m o u n t a i n , r i v e r , o r s e a will t u r n m e b a c k . " A n d
off h e w e n t s h o u t i n g , " H e y , A m i d a B u d d h a ! H e y , h e y ! " W h e n h i s m e n
m o v e d t o follow h i m , h e a c c u s e d t h e m o f g e t t i n g i n h i s w a y a n d k e p t
b e a t i n g h i s g o n g till t h e y g a v e u p .
G e n d a y u d i d j u s t w h a t h e said h e w o u l d : h e w e n t s t r a i g h t w e s t , c a l l i n g
A m i d a a n d beating the g o n g . W h e n he c a m e to a river he did not look
for a f o r d , a n d h e d i d n o t t r y t o find a w a y r o u n d w h e n a m o u n t a i n r o s e
i n f r o n t o f h i m . S t u m b l i n g , falling, h e p u s h e d s t r a i g h t a h e a d till a t s u n -
d o w n he reached a temple, w h e r e he explained to the priest w h a t he w a s
d o i n g . " N o w I'm g o i n g o v e r t h o s e m o u n t a i n s t o t h e w e s t , " h e c o n t i n u e d .
" C o m e a n d find m e i n s e v e n d a y s . I'll tie t h e g r a s s e s t o g e t h e r a s I g o t o
m a r k the w a y . Do y o u h a v e a n y t h i n g to eat? If y o u do, just give me a
little."
T h e p r i e s t g a v e h i m p l e n t y o f p a r c h e d rice, b u t G e n d a y u , p r o t e s t i n g
that it w a s too m u c h , took only a tiny amount, which he w r a p p e d in
p a p e r a n d p u t i n t h e fold o f h i s r o b e . T h e n h e s t a r t e d off. " B u t t h e s u n i s
d o w n ! " t h e p r i e s t c a l l e d a f t e r h i m . " S t o p h e r e for t h e n i g h t , a t l e a s t ! "
G e n d a y u seemed not to have heard.
S e v e n d a y s l a t e r t h e p r i e s t set o u t . T h e trail w a s m a r k e d a n d l e d o v e r
t h e m o u n t a i n s , b e y o n d w h i c h r o s e still a n o t h e r r a n g e . L o o k i n g w e s t w a r d
from a p e a k , t h e p r i e s t s a w t h e s e a .
A t last t h e p r i e s t c a m e t o a f o r k e d t r e e o v e r l o o k i n g t h e o c e a n . G e n d a y u
w a s sitting up in the fork, b e a t i n g his g o n g a n d calling, "Hey, A m i d a !
Hey, h e y ! " H e t o l d t h e p r i e s t t h a t h e h a d m e a n t t o g o o n w e s t t o t h e
sea. " B u t A m i d a a n s w e r s me h e r e , " he explained, "so I stayed a n d n o w I
just k e e p calling to h i m . "
" W h a t d o y o u mean, h e a n s w e r s y o u ? " asked the priest, w h o could
m a k e nothing of this.
" W e l l , I'll call. Y o u ' l l h e a r h i m for y o u r s e l f . " A n d G e n d a y u s h o u t e d ,
"Hey, Amida! W h e r e are y o u ? "
" H e r e I a m ! " replied an a w e s o m e voice from the d e p t h s of the sea.
"Did you hear that?"
T h e priest had heard it a n d dissolved, overcome, in tears of joy a n d
a w e . G e n d a y u w e p t t o o . " H u r r y h o m e n o w , " h e said, " a n d c o m e b a c k i n
seven d a y s t o see w h a t ' s h a p p e n e d t o m e . "
"Don't you want anything? I brought y o u some parched rice."
 1 6 8

" N o , n o , t h a n k y o u , I still h a v e t h e r i c e y o u g a v e m e . " T h e p r i e s t c o u l d

i n fact s e e t h e little p a c k e t o f r i c e , w r a p p e d j u s t a s i t h a d b e e n w h e n
G e n d a y u left h i s t e m p l e . H e w e n t a w a y .
W h e n h e c a m e a g a i n , G e n d a y u w a s still i n t h e t r e e facing t h e w e s t ,
b u t t h i s t i m e h e w a s d e a d . A b e a u t i f u l l o t u s f l o w e r h a d b l o o m e d from his
m o u t h , a n d t h e w e e p i n g p r i e s t p i c k e d it. I t o c c u r r e d t o h i m t h a t h e s h o u l d
bury Gendayu, b u t h e d e c i d e d a f t e r all t o l e a v e h i m s i n c e G e n d a y u
p r o b a b l y w o u l d h a v e p r e f e r r e d s i m p l y t o feed t h e b i r d s a n d b e a s t s .
G e n d a y u had certainly gone to paradise.

THE FAILURE

O n c e a h o l y m a n d e c i d e d t o t r a d e his b o d y for p a r a d i s e b y p l u n g i n g i n t o
t h e w a t e r s o f t h e K a t s u r a R i v e r n e a r K y o t o . H e p r e p a r e d h i m s e l f for t h i s
b y d o i n g t h e L o t u s C o n f e s s i o n r i t e for a h u n d r e d d a y s a t G i d a r i n j i , a
t e m p l e i n t h e c i t y . P i l g r i m s f l o c k e d f r o m far a n d n e a r t o w o r s h i p h i m ,
a n d a c o n s t a n t s t r e a m o f g e n t l e w o m e n ' s c a r r i a g e s rolled t o w a r d t h e t e m -
ple past an equally constant stream leaving.
T h e h o l y m a n , a s l i g h t fellow o f a b o u t t h i r t y , w o u l d n o t l o o k a n y o n e
i n t h e e y e . I n s t e a d , h e k e p t his e y e s h a l f - c l o s e d a s t h o u g h falling a s l e e p .
N o w a n d a g a i n h e w o u l d call A m i d a ' s N a m e a l o u d , b u t o t h e r w i s e o n l y
h i s lips m o v e d . A p p a r e n t l y h e w a s r e p e a t i n g t h e N a m e t h e n , t o o . S o m e -
t i m e s h e w o u l d h e a v e a s u d d e n s i g h a n d s w e e p his g a z e o v e r t h e faces
a r o u n d h i m . H a v i n g c o m e p r e c i s e l y i n t h e h o p e o f l o o k i n g i n t o his e y e s ,
t h e pilgrims at s u c h m o m e n t s w o u l d p u s h a n d shove ruthlessly so as not
to miss a n y c h a n c e of d o i n g so.
E a r l y in t h e m o r n i n g on the a p p o i n t e d d a y the holy m a n , w e a r i n g a
p a p e r r o b e a n d s t o l e , e n t e r e d t h e t e m p l e ' s m a i n hall. All t h e m o n k s , w h o
w e r e a l r e a d y i n s i d e , filed o u t a h e a d o f h i m . H e g o t i n t o a w a i t i n g c a r t
a n d t h e p r o c e s s i o n m o v e d off. T h o u g h his lips w e r e m o v i n g , i t w a s
impossible t o m a k e o u t w h a t h e w a s saying. H e would not look a n y o n e
in the eye, a n d from time to time he w o u l d heave a big sigh.
T h e c r o w d a l o n g h i s w a y k e p t s h o w e r i n g h i m w i t h g o o d - l u c k rice,
w h i c h m a d e h i m c r y o u t n o w a n d a g a i n , " O w ! It's g e t t i n g i n m y e y e s
a n d n o s e ! I f y o u w a n t t o b e k i n d , p u t y o u r rice i n a b a g a n d s e n d i t t o
my t e m p l e ! " At this the most ignorant onlookers would rub their hands
i n p i o u s w o r s h i p , b u t t h o s e w i t h a little m o r e w i t w o u l d m u t t e r , " W h a t ' s
h e talki n g a b o u t ? H e ' s a b o u t t o g i v e u p h i s b o d y a n d g o t o p a r a d i s e , a n d
h e ' s c o m p l a i n i n g a b o u t r i c e g e t t i n g i n his e y e s a n d n o s e ? Isn't there
something tunny about that?"
Finally the cart reached the Katsura River. M o r e people had gathered
t o w i t n e s s t h e h o l y m a n ' s p a s s i n g , a n d t o s h a r e its b l e s s i n g , t h a n t h e r e
were stones on the riverbed. The cart d r e w up to the water and stopped.
" W h a t time is i t ? " the holy m a n asked. T h e m o n k s with him told him
i t w a s n e a r l y s i x . " T h e n it's a bit e a r l y for g o i n g t o p a r a d i s e , " t h e h o l y
m a n r e p l i e d . "I'll w a i t till s u n d o w n . "
T h o s e o f t h e s p e c t a t o r s w h o h a d c o m e f r o m t h e f a r t h e s t off c o u l d n o t
w a i t a n d left. T h e c r o w d t h i n n e d o u t . But some were determined to
watch to the end. O n e of them, a m o n k , r e m a r k e d w h a t a strange idea it
w a s t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d b e a n y p r o p e r t i m e for g o i n g t o p a r a d i s e .
F i n a l l y t h e h o l y m a n , n a k e d e x c e p t for a l o i n c l o t h , t u r n e d t o t h e w e s t
and w a l k e d into the river. He instantly tripped on a mooring rope a n d
f l o u n d e r e d a b o u t w i t h o u t e v e n b e i n g a b l e t o p l u n g e all t h e w a y in. W h e n
a disciple disentangled him, he t u m b l e d in head first, m a k i n g desperate
g l u b - g l u b n o i s e s . A m a n s t a n d i n g i n t h e r i v e r himself, t o g e t a b e t t e r
view, seized his h a n d a n d pulled him u p .
T h e h o l y m a n j u s t s t o o d t h e r e , w i p i n g h i s face a n d s p i t t i n g o u t all t h e
w a t e r h e h a d s w a l l o w e d . T h e n h e t u r n e d t o his s a v i o r a n d w r u n g h i s
h a n d s a b j e c t l y . " H o w c a n I e v e r t h a n k y o u ? " h e m u r m u r e d . "I'll s i n g
y o u r praises in paradise!"
W h e n h e c l i m b e d b a c k u p o n t o t h e b a n k , t h e c r o w d a n d all t h e y o u n g
s c a m p s w h o h a d j o i n e d i t p i c k e d u p t h e s t o n e s t h a t lay s o t h i c k l y u n d e r
t h e i r feet a n d b e g a n p e l t i n g h i m w i t h t h e m . Still n a k e d , h e fled d o w n -
s t r e a m , b u t t h e c r o w d p o u r e d a f t e r h i m a n d s t o n e d h i m till h i s h e a d w a s
all b l e e d i n g .

i i 7 .

LETTERS FROM PARADISE

A h o l y m a n i n T a n g o p r o v i n c e d e s i r e d r e b i r t h i n t o t h e L a n d o f Bliss. N o t
that he w a s alone in this wish, but he aspired so fiercely to paradise that
others' piety paled in comparison.
O n t h e last d a y o f t h e y e a r h e w o u l d w r i t e o n a p i e c e o f p a p e r : " C o m e
1 7 0

to me before t h e d a y is over. Do not fail!" T h e n he w o u l d have an acolyte

d e l i v e r t h e l e t t e r t o h i m t h e f o l l o w i n g d a w n , b e f o r e h e g o t u p for t h e
early m o r n i n g litany.
" K n o c k o n m y d o o r , " h e w o u l d tell t h e a c o l y t e . "I'll a s k w h o ' s t h e r e ,
a n d y o u ' l l say, 'A m e s s e n g e r from A m i d a B u d d h a in the L a n d of Perfect
Bliss, w i t h a l e t t e r for y o u ! ' " T h e n h e w o u l d g o t o b e d .
A t d a w n t h e o b e d i e n t a c o l y t e w o u l d k n o c k a t t h e d o o r o f his h u t .
" W h o ' s t h e r e ? " t h e h o l y m a n w o u l d call.
" A m e s s e n g e r from A m i d a B u d d h a i n t h e L a n d o f Bliss, w i t h a l e t t e r
for y o u ! "
T h e holy m a n w o u l d s t u m b l e forth, w e e p i n g with joy. " W h a t does it
s a y ? " he w o u l d cry, a n d reverently inspect the writing. Next he would
collapse, overcome with devout emotion.
T h i s h a p p e n e d e v e r y y e a r . T h e acolyte w h o played the messenger got
quite good at the part.
Eventually a n e w g o v e r n o r w a s posted to the province and came to
r e v e r e t h e h o l y m a n d e e p l y . O n e d a y t h e h o l y m a n v i s i t e d h i m t o enlist
his help in a n e w a n d w o r t h y project: a p a g e a n t of A m i d a ' s w e l c o m e to
the soul. T h e r e would be musicians, and dancers costumed and masked
as Amida, t h e b o d h i s a t t v a s , a n d all t h e s a i n t s . T h e g o v e r n o r g l a d l y
p l e d g e d h i s s u p p o r t , g a i n e d t h e c o o p e r a t i o n o f o t h e r locally influential
p e o p l e , a n d set a b o u t g e t t i n g m u s i c i a n s a n d d a n c e r s from t h e C a p i t a l .
H i s e n t h u s i a s m p l e a s e d t h e h o l y m a n v e r y m u c h . " A t t h e p a g e a n t I'll
r e a l l y b e l i e v e L o r d A m i d a i s c o m i n g for m e , " h e d e c l a r e d , " a n d I'll d i e ! "
" W e l l , w e l l , p e r h a p s y o u will, w h o k n o w s ? " m u r m u r e d t h e g o v e r n o r ,
w h o did not quite k n o w w h a t to say.
T h e d a y c a m e a n d t h e b e a u t i f u l p a g e a n t b e g a n . T h e h o l y m a n himself
lit t h e i n c e n s e . T h e t w o b o d h i s a t t v a s K a n n o n a n d S e i s h i c a m e forth, w i t h
a d r u m m e r b e h i n d t h e m l e a d i n g t h e j o y o u s h o s t o f celestial m u s i c i a n s ,
a n d a p p r o a c h e d t h e h o l y m a n : K a n n o n t o offer his soul a g o l d e n t h r o n e
t o r i d e t o p a r a d i s e o n , a n d S e i s h i t o s h e l t e r t h e soul w i t h a j e w e l e d c a n o p y
o n t h e w a y t h e r e . H e a v e n l y m u s i c filled t h e a i r .
T h e h o l y m a n w a s s e e n t o w e e p a n d call A m i d a ' s h o l y N a m e w h i l e
t h e y c a m e on, b u t w h e n K a n n o n held forth the golden t h r o n e he did not
r e s p o n d . H e s e e m e d t o o o v e r c o m e t o m o v e . Actually, t h o u g h , h e had just
died. Of course the cast did not realize this, w h a t with the music a n d the
e x c i t e m e n t , a n d t h e y w e n t o n vainly offering him t h e c a n o p y a n d the
t h r o n e i n t h e h o p e t h a t h e w o u l d s a y o r d o s o m e t h i n g . W h e n t h e y finally
w e n t a w a y , the holy m a n stayed as motionless as ever. His alarmed
d i s c i p l e s s h o o k h i m a n d f o u n d h e w a s a l r e a d y stiff.
At last e v e r y o n e u n d e r s t o o d that he h a d actually g o n e to rebirth in the
L a n d o f Bliss, a n d t h e y w e p t .
l l 8 .

NOT EXACTLY THE LAND

OF BLISS

A h e r m i t w h o s e o n l y p r a c t i c e w a s c a l l i n g A m i d a ' s N a m e h a d lived for

y e a r s in the Ibuki M o u n t a i n s of M i n o province. He w a s calling the N a m e
o n e n i g h t w h e n h e h e a r d a v o i c e from t h e h e a v e n s s a y i n g , " Y o u h a v e
devoutly trusted me a n d have called my N a m e countless times. Early
t o m o r r o w a f t e r n o o n , a t t h e h o u r o f t h e S h e e p , I p r o m i s e I will c o m e a n d
w e l c o m e y o u into m y W e s t e r n P a r a d i s e . D o not s t o p calling u p o n m e ! "
T h e h e r m i t r e d o u b l e d h i s d e v o t i o n s . H e w a s h e d , lit i n c e n s e , s c a t t e r e d
f l o w e r s , a n d s a t d o w n w i t h h i s d i s c i p l e s f a c i n g t h e w e s t s o t h e y c o u l d all
call o u t t h e N a m e t o g e t h e r .
W h e n the time came, there w a s a gleam in the west. Amida appeared
i n g l o r y like t h e full a u t u m n m o o n b r e a k i n g t h r o u g h c l o u d s , a n d t h e
h e r m i t w a s b a t h e d in t h e s u b l i m e rays t h a t s t r e a m e d from b e t w e e n his
eyebrows. F l o w e r s floated d o w n from t h e sky. T h e hermit p r o s t r a t e d
himself w i t h s u c h fervor t h a t w h e n his forehead t o u c h e d the g r o u n d his
b e h i n d r o s e h i g h i n t h e a i r . T h e c o r d o f h i s r o s a r y all b u t s n a p p e d w i t h
the vigor of his invocations. T h e n K a n n o n advanced a m o n g d o w n y pur-
p l e c l o u d s t o offer h i m a l o t u s t h r o n e . T h e h e r m i t c r e p t r e v e r e n t l y for-
w a r d , m o u n t e d the t h r o n e , a n d sailed a w a y w e s t w a r d . H i s disciples w e p t
with joy and a w e as they w a t c h e d him go.
A w e e k or so later, the s e r v a n t s at the hermitage decided it w a s time
to m a k e the m o n k s a bath a n d w e n t into the mountains to cut firewood.
W h e n they c a m e to a great cryptomeria g r o w i n g over a waterfall, they
h e a r d cries from high in the tree. A m o n k w a s up there, tied n a k e d to a
branch. O n e particularly good climber discovered that the monk w a s
their m a s t e r w h o h a d sailed a w a y t o p a r a d i s e . H e w a s tied t o the tree
with vines.
" M a s t e r ! " the horrified servant cried as he began w o r k i n g on the
vines. " W h a t h a p p e n e d ? "
" H e p r o m i s e d h e ' d b e b a c k for m e a n y m i n u t e , " t h e h e r m i t b a b b l e d ,
" a n d h e told m e t o stay right h e r e ! Don't you go untying m e ! " The
s e r v a n t u n t i e d h i m a n y w a y . " A m i d a B u d d h a ! " his m a s t e r s c r e a m e d , " t h i s
m a n is killing m e ! "
In the end they got him d o w n and took him back to the hermitage. It
w a s a t r a g e d y . H e h a d c o m p l e t e l y lost h i s m i n d , a n d t w o o r t h r e e d a y s
later he died. Simple as he was, a tengu h a d tricked him.
1 7 2

T E N G U ,

B O A R ,

A N D

B A D G E R

i i 9 .

ONE LAST SHOWER OF PETALS

In E m p e r o r Daigo's reign, long ago, there w a s a big persimmon tree near

t h e s h r i n e o n Fifth A v e n u e . W h e n a b u d d h a a p p e a r e d i n t h e t r e e , s h i n i n g
a n d s c a t t e r i n g t h e l o v e l i e s t f l o w e r s , all K y o t o c r o w d e d r o u n d for a l o o k
a n d a reverent b o w . Y o u could not get in one horse, carriage, or spectator
more.
After a w e e k or so, it o c c u r r e d to t h e M i n i s t e r of the Right that no
g e n u i n e b u d d h a w o u l d a p p e a r in these latter, d e g e n e r a t e days. He de-
cided this m u s t be s o m e sort of tengu mischief a n d thought he would
h a v e a l o o k for himself.
H e g o t h i m s e l f u p i n full c o u r t d r e s s a n d w e n t i n a c e r e m o n i a l c a r n a g e
w i t h a w h o l e t r a i n o f a t t e n d a n t s . T h e c r o w d p a r t e d a t his a p p r o a c h . H e
h a d t h e o x u n h i t c h e d a n d t h e c a r r i a g e s h a f t s p r o p p e d u p for a l o n g s t a y ,
t h e n sat t h e r e staring at the b u d d h a ' s b r a n c h . He never blinked or
g l a n c e d a s i d e . A f t e r a c o u p l e o f h o u r s t h e b u d d h a let g o a little s h o w e r
o f f l o w e r p e t a l s a n d a b u r s t o f light, b u t i n t h e e n d t h e m i n i s t e r ' s r e l e n t -
less g a z e w a s t o o m u c h . S u d d e n l y a b i g k e s t r e l w i t h a b r o k e n w i n g fell
off t h e b r a n c h a n d l a y h e l p l e s s l y f l a p p i n g o n t h e g r o u n d . S o m e b o y s
d a s h e d u p a n d k i l l e d it.
" S u r e e n o u g h ! " s a i d t h e m i n i s t e r t o h i m s e l f a s h e left. T h e p e o p l e w e r e
deeply impressed.
1 3 O .

INSPIRING, UNFORTUNATELY

T h e people of E m p e r o r Reizei's reign w e r e b u z z i n g over a spate of tengu

m i s c h i e f w h e n a m o n k f r o m M o u n t H i e i s t a r t e d h o m e after a little t r i p
d o w n t o t h e c i t y . W a l k i n g b a c k t o w a r d t h e m o u n t a i n a l o n g Kitaoji A v e -
nue, he c a m e to a p a c k of b o y s b e a t i n g a fierce-looking old kite t h e y h a d
caught. He scolded them sharply. " W h y do y o u w a n t to hurt the poor
b i r d ? " h e a s k e d . T h e y s a i d t h e y w e r e k i l l i n g i t for its f e a t h e r s .
T h e m o n k felt s o s o r r y for t h e k i t e t h a t h e t r a d e d h i s fan for i t t o t h e
b o y s a n d let i t g o . T h e g o o d d e e d m a d e h i m r a t h e r p l e a s e d w i t h himself.
A bit f a r t h e r o n , w h e r e t h e p a t h s t a r t e d u p t h e m o u n t a i n , a f u n n y ,
m o n k i s h - l o o k i n g old fellow p o p p e d o u t o f t h e b u s h e s a n d c a m e p a n t i n g
after t h e m o n k . T h o u g h t h e m o n k d i d h i s b e s t t o a v o i d h i m , t h e o l d
fellow i n s i s t e d o n a c c o s t i n g h i m a n d t h a n k i n g h i m effusively for h a v i n g
s a v e d his life.
"I don't k n o w w h a t y o u ' r e talking about," the monk answered cau-
tiously. " W h o are y o u ? "
" Y o u r e m e m b e r me, of c o u r s e y o u d o ! I'm the one the boys w e r e b u s y
m u r d e r i n g o n Kitaoji A v e n u e ! H o w c a n I e v e r t h a n k y o u ? I f t h e r e ' s a n y
w i s h o f y o u r s I c a n m a k e c o m e t r u e , a n y little w i s h a t all, j u s t tell m e .
I've g o t a f e w m a g i c p o w e r s , y o u s e e , a n d I'm s u r e I c a n d o s o m e t h i n g
n i c e for y o u ! "
C o n f u s e d b y t h i s a s t o n i s h i n g offer, t h e m o n k h e s i t a t e d , b u t t h e o l d
fellow i n s i s t e d till he finally r e p l i e d , " W e l l , I d o n ' t r e a l l y have a n y s p e c i a l
w i s h e s a n y m o r e , y o u k n o w . I'm s e v e n t y n o w , after all, a n d I've lost a n y
i n t e r e s t i n f a m e o r f o r t u n e . I h a t e t o t h i n k w h e r e I'll b e b o r n n e x t t i m e ,
y e s , b u t I d o n ' t s u p p o s e t h e r e ' s a n y t h i n g y o u c a n d o a b o u t that. S o I
d o n ' t q u i t e k n o w w h a t t o s a y . Still, I often i m a g i n e h o w w o n d e r f u l i t
must have been w h e n the B u d d h a preached the Lotus Sutra on Vulture
Peak, a n d I wish I could have been there too. Could y o u p e r h a p s give
me a v i s i o n of t h e s c e n e ? "
" O f c o u r s e I c a n ! " t h e o l d fellow c r i e d . " I ' m a v e t e r a n a t s h o w s like
t h a t ! " H e led t h e m o n k s o m e d i s t a n c e u p t h e hillside. " N o w , " h e said,
"close y o u r eyes and open them again w h e n y o u hear the B u d d h a preach-
ing. B u t b e c a r e f u l ! D o n ' t g e t c a r r i e d a w a y a n d i m a g i n e t h a t it's all r e a l !
I'll b e i n t e r r i b l e t r o u b l e i f y o u d o . "
T h e old fellow c l i m b e d f a r t h e r u p t h e hill. I n a m o m e n t t h e m o n k
h e a r d t h e B u d d h a ' s v o i c e p r o c l a i m i n g t h e T e a c h i n g a n d o p e n e d his e y e s .
1 7 A

T h e g r o u n d h e s t o o d o n w a s l a p i s lazuli b l u e ; t h e t r e e s w e r e all m a d e o f
g o l d , silver, a n d j e w e l s ; a n d s t r a i g h t i n f r o n t o f h i m sat t h e B u d d h a ,
f l a n k e d b y M o n j u a n d F u g e n , o n h i s L i o n T h r o n e . A n infinite h o s t o f
adoring saints, bodhisattvas, and gods clustered around the Buddha,
b e f o r e w h o m s a t all t h e g r e a t d i s c i p l e s w h o a p p e a r i n t h e s c r i p t u r e s .
Sixteen kings, each the sovereign over a vast realm, w e r e touching their
j e w e l e d c r o w n s t o t h e e a r t h i n h o m a g e , w h i l e f l o w e r s o f four k i n d s
f l o a t e d d o w n f r o m t h e s k y , e x q u i s i t e f r a g r a n c e s p e r f u m e d t h e air, a n d
a n g e l s filled t h e h e a v e n s w i t h celestial m u s i c . T h e T e a c h i n g t h a t p o u r e d
from t h e B u d d h a ' s m o u t h w a s i m m e a s u r a b l y stirring and profound.
A t first t h e m o n k w a s s i m p l y a w e d b y t h e old fellow's a m a z i n g skill;
b u t every w o n d e r , every miraculous touch, conspired to persuade him
t h a t t h i s v i s i o n r e a l l y w a s t h e m o m e n t l o n g a g o w h e n t h e living B u d d h a
p r e a c h e d , a n d h e w a s q u i c k l y s w e p t a w a y . T e a r s o f ecstatic joy s p r a n g
t o h i s e y e s . T h e n , lost i n a d o r a t i o n , h e p r e s s e d h i s p a l m s t o g e t h e r , g r e e t e d
the B u d d h a aloud, a n d t h r e w himself prostrate on the ground.
S u d d e n l y t h e m o u n t a i n r o a r e d , a n d t h e vision v a n i s h e d a s t h o r o u g h l y
as a d r e a m w h e n the d r e a m e r w a k e s . T h e monk, almost in shock, found
h i m s e l f a s b e f o r e o n t h e w i l d m o u n t a i n s i d e . All h e c o u l d d o w a s t o s t a r t
walking again.
H e h a d n o t g o n e far b e f o r e t h e o l d fellow w a s b a c k , complaining
b i t t e r l y . " I told you n o t t o g e t c a r r i e d a w a y ! " h e s c o l d e d . " Y o u promued\
O h , h o w could y o u g o b a c k o n y o u r w o r d like t h a t ? Y o u r faith w a s s o
s t r o n g t h a t i t b r o u g h t all t h e G u a r d i a n s a n d P r o t e c t o r s d o w n , a n d w h e n
t h e y s a w m y s h o w h a d t a k e n i n a t r u e b e l i e v e r t h e y g a v e m e a n awful
b e a t i n g . All m y c o l l e a g u e s w h o w e r e h e l p i n g m e w e r e f r i g h t e n e d t o d e a t h
a n d g o t a w a y a s fast a s t h e y c o u l d . O h , I w i s h I'd j u s t left well e n o u g h
alone!"
Then he disappeared.

1 2 1 .

NO FOOL, THE HUNTER

A s e a s o n e d h e r m i t , d e v o t e d t o t h e L o t u s S u t r a , o n c e lived o n M o u n t
A t a g o j u s t n o r t h w e s t o f K y o t o . T h o u g h h e n e v e r left his h u t , h e d i d n o t
s t a r v e , for a h u n t e r w h o l i v e d n e a r b y a n d r e v e r e d h i m often b r o u g h t h i m
food.
 T h e h u n t e r h a d n o t b e e n a r o u n d for a l o n g t i m e w h e n o n e d a y h e
t u r n e d up with a sack of dried rice, a n d the relieved hermit m e n t i o n e d
that he h a d been g e t t i n g w o r r i e d . T h e n he told the h u n t e r a b o u t s o m e -
t h i n g w o n d e r f u l t h a t h a d b e e n h a p p e n i n g . " P e r h a p s it's b e c a u s e I've b e e n
h o n o r i n g t h e S u t r a s o faithfully all t h e s e y e a r s , I d o n ' t k n o w , " h e said,
" b u t the B o d h i s a t t v a F u g e n has b e e n c o m i n g here every night on his
white elephant. Stay this evening a n d a d o r e him with m e ! "
The h u n t e r w a s impressed e n o u g h to say he would, but he took the
trouble to question the hermit's boy servant. "What's the hermit talking
a b o u t ? " h e asked. " H a v e y o u see F u g e n t o o ? "
" Y e s , certainly, half a d o z e n t i m e s , " the b o y replied.
Waiting eagerly behind the hermit, the hunter wondered whether he
too w o u l d see F u g e n . It w a s the t w e n t i e t h of the ninth m o o n , well into
fall, a n d t h e n i g h t w a s l o n g . A t last, p a s t m i d n i g h t a r a d i a n c e a s o f t h e
r i s i n g m o o n s h o n e o v e r t h e p e a k s t o t h e east, a n e e r i e w i n d b l e w d o w n
t h e m o u n t a i n , a n d t h e h u t w a s filled w i t h light a s t h o u g h i l l u m i n e d b y
r a y s from a f a r . T h e B o d h i s a t t v a F u g e n , m o u n t e d o n his e l e p h a n t , r o d e
t o w a r d them and halted before the hut.
T h e hermit w o r s h i p p e d this vision with tears of joy. " A n d y o u , " he
a s k e d the h u n t e r , " d o y o u see him t o o ? "
" I n d e e d I d o , " replied the hunter, "and so does the boy. This is ex-
traordinary! "
Still t h e h u n t e r w a s p u z z l e d . H e q u i t e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e h e r m i t , w i t h
all h i s y e a r s o f d e v o t i o n t o t h e S u t r a w h e r e F u g e n figures s o p r o m i n e n t l y ,
might be given such a blessing. But he could not u n d e r s t a n d w h y the
b o y , a n d w h y h e h i m s e l f w h o k n e w s o little a b o u t t h e s e t h i n g s a n d w h o
a b o v e all killed a n i m a l s for a living, s h o u l d see t h e v i s i o n t o o . S o h e
d e c i d e d t h e r e w a s n o r e a s o n w h y h e s h o u l d not test this F u g e n .
Fitting an a r r o w to the string, he took aim over the hermit ( w h o w a s
p r o s t r a t e i n a d o r a t i o n ) , d r e w t o t h e full, a n d let fly. T h e a r r o w s e e m e d
t o s t r i k e t h e b o d h i s a t t v a ' s c h e s t a n d t h e light w e n t o u t . S o m e t h i n g w e n t
crashing downhill through the brush.
" W h a t have y o u d o n e ? " cried the hermit in an agony of distress.
T h e h u n t e r e x p l a i n e d . "If it really h a d b e e n F u g e n , " he said, " t h e
arrow couldn't have done any damage. So it must have been some
monster."
A t d a w n t h e y f o l l o w e d a trail o f b l o o d a h u n d r e d y a r d s t o t h e b o t t o m
of the ravine, w h e r e they found a huge b a d g e r lying d e a d with an a r r o w
t h r o u g h its c h e s t .
Saintly t h o u g h he w a s , the hermit w a s ignorant too, and so had been
o p e n t o d e c e p t i o n . T h e h u n t e r , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , h a v i n g his w i t s a b o u t
h i m , h a d killed t h e b a d g e r a n d e x p o s e d its h o a x .
1 7 6

1 2 2 .

THE HAIRY ARM

A m a n n a m e d S u k e y a s u w a s o n h i s w a y d o w n from t h e C a p i t a l t o T a m b a
p r o v i n c e w h e n , a f t e r a d a y o f h u n t i n g , h e s o u g h t s h e l t e r i n a n old c h a p e l .
A villager from n e a r b y w a r n e d him that the chapel w a s h a u n t e d and that
people w h o stayed t h e r e d i s a p p e a r e d , but S u k e y a s u paid no attention
a n d m a d e himself as m u c h at h o m e as he could. W h a t with the blowing
s n o w a n d t h e s p o o k y s t o r y , h o w e v e r , h e d i d n o t feel t o o c o m f o r t a b l e .
T h e r e w a s a b a b b l e of eerie voices outside. P e e r i n g t h r o u g h a hole in
a sliding panel, out into the garden white with snow, he saw the dark,
i n d i s t i n c t s h a p e o f a m o n k a s tall a s t h e roof. T h e n a s k i n n y , h a i r y a r m
s n a k e d i n t h r o u g h t h e h o l e a n d felt o v e r h i s face. S u k e y a s u j u m p e d a n d
the arm withdrew.
S u k e y a s u lay d o w n i n a ball t o w a i t , f a c i n g t h e h o l e . T h e n e x t t i m e t h e
h a i r y a r m c a m e t h r o u g h h e g r a b b e d it, a n d p r o v e d t o o s t r o n g for w h a t -
e v e r w a s n o w s t r u g g l i n g t o g e t its a r m b a c k . Lifting o u t t h e w h o l e p a n e l ,
h e s t e p p e d o u t o n t h e p o r c h o f t h e c h a p e l w i t h t h e p a n e l still b e t w e e n
h i m a n d t h e o w n e r o f t h e a r m . T h e n h e t i p p e d t h e p a n e l a w a y from h i m
a n d j u m p e d o n t o it. T h e c r e a t u r e m a y h a v e l o o k e d a s tall a s t h e roof, b u t
it h a d to be v e r y small indeed to fit u n d e r the panel, especially with
S u k e y a s u s i t t i n g t r i u m p h a n t l y o n t o p o f it! T h e a r m w a s s k i n n i e r t h a n
ever.
F i n a l l y t h e c r e a t u r e let o u t a s q u e a k . S u k e y a s u h a d o n e o f his m e n
s t r i k e a light, a n d h e f o u n d h e h a d c a u g h t a n old b c 4 g e r . H e g a v e i t t o
h i s m e n t o l o o k a f t e r u n t i l h e c o u l d s h o w i t off t o t h e v i l l a g e r s i n t h e
m o r n i n g , b u t t h e m e n j u s t r o a s t e d i t a n d a t e it. B y m o r n i n g o n l y t h e h e a d
w a s left. S u k e y a s u e x h i b i t e d i t t o t h e v i l l a g e r s a n y w a y .
N o t h i n g h a u n t e d the chapel after that.

1 2 3 .

EXPERT HELP

An ascetic traveling in the north once came at s u n d o w n to a mountain

v i l l a g e a n d a s k e d for l o d g i n g . N o o n e w o u l d h a v e h i m , b u t t h e v i l l a g e r s
told hi m a b o u t an old c h a p e l d o w n in the valley w h e r e he could go if he
w a n t e d . " T h e y s a y t e n g u live t h e r e , t h o u g h , " t h e v i l l a g e r s r e m a r k e d .
 Being a m a s t e r of spells, t h e ascetic w a s sure he w o u l d c o m e to no
h a r m a n d w e n t d o w n to the chapel. Actually, t h o u g h , he wcui afraid, a n d
he took care to hide up on the altar behind the b u d d h a . Late that night
he heard people coming d o w n the mountain and was frightened enough
to m a k e the pass of invisibility. T h e n he held his b r e a t h a n d w a t c h e d .
In came two or three dozen y o u n g acolytes carrying a palanquin with
a p l u m p a n d d i s t i n g u i s h e d m o n k i n s i d e . W h e n t h e y o u n g fellows h a d p u t
t h e i r s u p e r i o r d o w n , h e t o l d t h e m t o g o o u t s i d e a n d p l a y . T h e y all c l a t -
t e r e d noisily o u t a n d b e g a n w r e s t l i n g , d a n c i n g , a n d c a v o r t i n g a b o u t .
"Hello there, r e v e r e n d ! " called the m o n k cheerily.
" O h n o ! " g r o a n e d t h e a s c e t i c , for d e s p i t e h i s p a s s o f invisibility h e
o b v i o u s l y c o u l d still b e s e e n .
" Y o u d i d n ' t d o y o u r p a s s r i g h t , I ' m a f r a i d . T h a t ' s w h y I c a n still s e e
y o u . C o m e h e r e . I'll s h o w y o u . "
T h e a s c e t i c c a m e o u t , a t i n y bit r e a s s u r e d , a n d t h e m o n k s h o w e d h i m
h o w t o d o i t p r o p e r l y . " I d i d n ' t w a n t t h o s e i d i o t s t o see t h i s , " h e s a i d ,
"that's w h y I sent them outside."
T h e ascetic w e n t b a c k behind the b u d d h a a n d tried again.
" Y o u ' r e d o i n g fine!" called t h e m o n k . " I can't see y o u a n y m o r e ! " H e
c a l l e d t h e a c o l y t e s b a c k in, a n d t h e y a m u s e d t h e m s e l v e s i n t h e c h a p e l
awhile. T h e n the whole party started back up the mountain.

H E A L I N G I I

1 2 ^ .

RICE CAKES

A healer a n d his m e d i u m w e r e called to t a k e care of s o m e o n e w h o h a d

been possessed by a spirit. As soon as the healer had gotten the spirit
o v e r i n t o t h e m e d i u m , i t e x p l a i n e d , " C u r s e s a r e n ' t r e a l l y m y line a t all!
I'm j u s t a fox w h o h a p p e n e d t o c o m e b y . I live w i t h m y little o n e s o v e r
among the tombs, and they're hungry. I came because I thought you
m i g h t h a v e food h e r e . I f y o u ' l l g i v e m e s o m e r i c e c a k e s I'll b e o n m y
way."
T h e h o u s e h o l d served up a nice platter of rice cakes, w h i c h the me-
1 7 8

d i u m ate with h a p p y exclamations about h o w delicious they were. "That

w o m a n ! " the p e o p l e g r u m b l e d . " S h e just faked the possession to get
those cakes!"
" N o w i f you'11 b e k i n d e n o u g h t o g i v e m e s o m e p a p e r , " t h e fox c o n t i n -
u e d , "I'll w r a p u p t h e r e s t a n d b e off w i t h t h e m t o m y f a m i l y . "
T h e m e d i u m carefully w r a p p e d u p t h e cakes a n d put t h e m into the
f r o n t fold o f h e r r o b e , w h e r e t h e y m a d e a g o o d b u l g e all t h e w a y u p t o
her bosom.
" N o w d i s m i s s m e , " s a i d t h e fox. "I'll b e g o i n g . "
"Be gone then, be g o n e ! " the healer ordered.
T h e m e d i u m stood u p a n d instantly collapsed. W h e n she got u p again
a little l a t e r t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g i n t h e fold o f h e r r o b e .
I t w a s v e r y s t r a n g e h o w t h o s e rice c a k e s h a d d i s a p p e a r e d .

1 2 5 .

A MEMORABLE EMPRESS

T h e exquisitely beautiful S o m e d o n o E m p r e s s w a s the regent's d a u g h t e r

a n d the m o t h e r of E m p e r o r M o n t o k u . At one time she w a s persecuted
a n d m a d e ill b y a n evil s p i r i t , a n d a l t h o u g h t h e h o l i e s t m o n k s a n d m o s t
powerful healers w e r e called in to intervene, n o t h i n g they did b r o u g h t
h e r a n y relief.
N o w a c e r t a i n h e r m i t lived h i g h i n t h e K a t s u r a g i M o u n t a i n s o f Y a m a t o
p r o v i n c e , o n a p e a k n a m e d K o n g o s e n . W h e n h e w a s h u n g r y , h e h a d his
b e g g i n g b o w l f l y d o w n t o t h e foot o f t h e m o u n t a i n t o g e t h i m food, a n d
h e s e n t h i s w a t e r j a r t o t h e s t r e a m t o fill itself w h e n h e w a s t h i r s t y . T h e
w o n d e r s h e w o r k e d s p r e a d h i s f a m e far a n d w i d e till i t r e a c h e d t h e e a r s
of t h e e m p e r o r a n d his father-in-law, t h e regent. T h e y decided that the
h e r m i t s h o u l d p r a y for t h e e m p r e s s a n d i s s u e d a n o r d e r t h a t h e b e
brought to court.
T h e h e r m i t did his best to refuse, but it w a s h a r d to t u r n d o w n a direct
s u m m o n s f r o m t h e e m p e r o r a n d h e finally w e n t . H i s p r a y e r s c e r t a i n l y
w o r k e d , because he had no sooner begun than one of the empress's
ladies-in-waiting w e n t quite m a d a n d began uttering strange cries. Next,
a spirit possessed h e r a n d she ran about screaming. The hermit redoubled
his efforts, b o u n d t h e w o m a n w i t h his spells, a n d t h r e a t e n e d the possess-
i n g p o w e r till a n o l d fox s t a g g e r e d o u t from t h e b r e a s t o f h e r r o b e , i n n o
c o n d i t i o n t o r u n a w a y . T h e h e r m i t h a d t h e fox t i e d u p a n d i n f o r m e d t h e
regent, w h o w a s enormously relieved. In a day or t w o the empress w a s
perfectly well.
T h e regent w a s so pleased that he insisted on having the hermit stay
awhile longer at court. It w a s summer. O n e day w h e n the empress w a s
w e a r i n g n o m o r e t h a n a n e a r l y t r a n s p a r e n t g o w n , a g u s t o f w i n d lifted
h e r c u r t a i n s a n d t h e h e r m i t c a u g h t a brief g l i m p s e o f h e r . T h i s w a s n o t
the sort of sight he w a s used to, a n d the vision of so lovely a w o m a n
m a d e h i s h e a r t p o u n d a n d h i s i n n a r d s c r u m b l e t o d u s t . I n a w o r d , h e fell
hopelessly in love with t h e e m p r e s s .
P a s s i o n b u r n e d i n h i m like fire a n d c a u s e d h i m t e r r i b l e a g o n y . U n a b l e
t o t h i n k o f a n y t h i n g e l s e , h e a t last lost his r e a s o n , s e i z e d a n u n g u a r d e d
m o m e n t , d a r t e d to t h e e m p r e s s t h r o u g h h e r curtains, a n d held her tight.
T h e horrified e m p r e s s b r o k e into a s w e a t of t e r r o r but w a s not s t r o n g
e n o u g h to resist.
W h i l e t h e h e r m i t s t r o v e w i t h m i g h t a n d m a i n t o c o n s u m m a t e h i s of-
fense, t h e l a d i e s - i n - w a i t i n g s a w h i m a n d r a i s e d t h e a l a r m . T h e p h y s i c i a n
a s s i g n e d b y t h e e m p e r o r t o c a r e for h i s w i f e h a p p e n e d t o b e i n a t t e n d a n c e
nearby a n d the clamor brought him running. He arrived just as the
hermit came out again, and caught him. N e x t he informed His Majesty,
w h o of course w a s furious a n d t h r e w the hermit into prison.
T h e p r i s o n e r w o u l d s p e a k w i t h n o o n e . H e o n l y lifted h i s e y e s t o
heaven, sobbing, a n d p r a y e d to die a n d become a d e m o n . "In that form,"
h e c o n t i n u e d , " m a y I a c h i e v e w i t h t h i s e m p r e s s , w h i l e s h e still lives, t h e
intimacy I c r a v e ! " H i s jailers h e a r d him a n d w a r n e d the regent, w h o , in
a fright, r e p o r t e d t h e m a t t e r t o t h e e m p e r o r . H i s M a j e s t y t h o u g h t i t safest
t o p a r d o n t h e h e r m i t a n d s i m p l y r e t u r n h i m t o his m o u n t a i n .
F a r from forgetting his lust, t h e h e r m i t b a c k on K o n g o s e n p l e a d e d
with the b u d d h a s to bring him a n d the empress together. W h e n he real-
ized t h a t s u c h a t h i n g w a s i m p o s s i b l e i n t h i s life, h e r e s o l v e d t o b e c o m e a
d e m o n a f t e r all. A f t e r f a s t i n g for o v e r t e n d a y s , h e d i e d a t last o f s t a r v a -
t i o n . I n s t a n t l y h e c h a n g e d i n t o a d e m o n : n a k e d , b a l d , e i g h t feet tall, a n d
w i t h b l a c k , g l i s t e n i n g s k i n . H i s e y e s w e r e like b r a s s b o w l s a n d his g a p i n g
m o u t h bristled w i t h knifelike teeth, while short tusks crossed each other
from t h e c o r n e r s o f h i s u p p e r a n d l o w e r j a w s . S t u c k i n t h e r e d l o i n c l o t h
that w a s his only g a r m e n t , he c a r r i e d a d e m o n ' s mallet.
In this guise he s u d d e n l y stood by the empress's curtains, in broad
daylight a n d plainly visible to a n y o n e . P e o p l e c o w e r e d in t e r r o r or fled,
while the ladies-in-waiting fainted or simply groveled on the floor and
hid u n d e r their r o b e s .
 M e a n w h i l e he addled the empress's brains so thoroughly that she wel-
c o m e d h i m w i t h s m i l e s a n d led h i m t o lie d o w n w i t h h e r b e h i n d h e r
c u r t a i n s . All t h e l a d i e s - i n - w a i t i n g c o u l d h e a r w a s t h e d e m o n telling t h e i r
m i s t r e s s h o w fiercely h e h a d w a n t e d h e r , a n d t h e i r m i s t r e s s g i g g l i n g i n
r e p l y . T h e n t h e y all r a n a w a y .
W h e n t h e d e m o n left, a r o u n d s u n d o w n , t h e l a d i e s - i n - w a i t i n g r u s h e d
b a c k to their mistress w o n d e r i n g w h a t had b e c o m e of her. She looked
t h e s a m e a s e v e r . I n fact, d e s p i t e t h e o d d g l e a m i n h e r e y e s h e s e e m e d
not t o k n o w that a n y t h i n g special had h a p p e n e d .
O n h e a r i n g o f t h i s fresh i n c i d e n t , H i s M a j e s t y w a s less f r i g h t e n e d b y
t h e d e m o n t h a n w o r r i e d a b o u t w h a t m i g h t h a v e h a p p e n e d t o his wife.
T h e d e m o n n o w c a m e daily in just the same w a y . T h e e m p r e s s never
s h o w e d a n y fear, a l t h o u g h s h e c e r t a i n l y w a s i n n o o r d i n a r y s t a t e o f m i n d ,
a n d s h e t r e a t e d him e a c h time simply as a lover. T h e palace ladies a n d
gentlemen w h o saw what was going on were very sorry.
N e x t , the d e m o n possessed someone to declare that he was "going to
g e t t h a t p h y s i c i a n for w h a t h e d i d t o m e . " T h e terrified p h y s i c i a n s o o n
d r o p p e d d e a d , a n d all f o u r o f h i s s o n s a l s o w e n t m a d a n d d i e d .
By this time the e m p e r o r a n d the regent were beside themselves and
c a l l e d i n t h e h o l i e s t m e n t h e y c o u l d find t o s u b d u e t h e d e m o n . P e r h a p s
t h i s w o r k e d , b e c a u s e for s o m e t i m e t h e d e m o n s t o p p e d c o m i n g a n d t h e
e m p r e s s r e c o v e r e d a little of h e r f o r m e r self.
T h e e m p e r o r w a s of course kept informed, and he was so pleased that
h e d e c i d e d t o g o a n d s e e h e r . S i n c e i t w a s a n u n u s u a l l y t o u c h i n g visit,
t h e w h o l e c o u r t a t t e n d e d h i m a s h e w e n t . H e sat w i t h h e r a n d told h e r ,
i n t e a r s , h o w s o r r y h e w a s a b o u t t h e w h o l e affair. S h e h e r s e l f w a s m o v e d
a n d i n fact s e e m e d q u i t e h e r o l d self.
J u s t t h e n t h e d e m o n b u r s t i n a n d m a d e s t r a i g h t for t h e e m p r e s s ' s
p r i v a t e , c u r t a i n e d e n c l o s u r e . T h e e m p r e s s h u r r i e d t o join h i m a s u s u a l ,
as t h o u g h it w a s the most natural thing in the world. In a moment the
d e m o n r u s h e d out again, striking terror into every minister, noble, and
official p r e s e n t . T h e e m p r e s s f o l l o w e d . A n d t h e r e , i n t h e s i g h t o f t h e m
all, t h e p a i r b r a z e n l y p e r f o r m e d a n u n s p e a k a b l e a c t . W h e n i t w a s o v e r
t h e d e m o n left, a n d t h e e m p r e s s s t o o d u p a n d w i t h d r e w . A t a loss for
w h a t t o t h i n k , s a y , o r d o , t h e e m p e r o r r e t u r n e d t o his p a l a c e .
Let noble ladies t h e n t a k e heed a n d allow no such hermit to a p p r o a c h
t h e m ! T h i s s a d s t o r y s h o u l d s e r v e a s a d i r e w a r n i n g t o all.
126.
QUITE A STINK

E m p e r o r E n ' y u h a d b e e n ill for a l o n g t i m e , a n d s i n c e a s p i r i t w a s c a u s i n g

t h e t r o u b l e , all t h e g r e a t e s t h e a l e r s o f t h e t i m e h a d b e e n c a l l e d i n t o d o
their best. N o t h i n g had w o r k e d , though, a n d the e m p e r o r w a s beginning
to be afraid.
F i n a l l y s o m e o n e t o l d h i m a b o u t a n a s c e t i c w h o h a d b e e n p r a c t i c i n g for
y e a r s o n K o z e n , t h e m o u n t a i n n e a r N a r a . " H e ' s built u p s u c h p o w e r t h a t
he can s t o p wild a n i m a l s in m i d - r u n w i t h his spells, a n d b r i n g d o w n b i r d s
from t h e s k y , " t h e i n f o r m a n t w e n t o n . " S u m m o n h i m , Y o u r M a j e s t y !
He'll help y o u ! "
T h e a s c e t i c c a m e a s fast a s h e c o u l d . All t h e w a y t o Uji, a b o u t half t h e
journey, flowers floated d o w n on him from the sky — a sight that boggled
t h e m i n d o f e v e r y o n e w h o s a w it. ( A f t e r Uji t h e r e w e r e n o m o r e f l o w e r s . )
T h e e m p e r o r called him in as soon as he got to the palace a n d had him
b e g i n h i s i n c a n t a t i o n s . I n a l m o s t n o t i m e H i s M a j e s t y felt p e r f e c t l y w e l l .
S o m e o f t h e g r e a t m o n k s a n d h e a l e r s w h o s e i n t e r v e n t i o n h a d failed
f o u n d t h i s i n s t a n t s u c c e s s a bit o d d . A m o n g t h e d o u b t e r s w e r e five m e n
w h o h a d just w o r k e d t o g e t h e r in a particularly powerful F u d o rite.
" F o r y e a r s w e ' v e t r u s t e d i n t h e B u d d h a a n d p r a c t i c e d his T e a c h i n g , "
o n e o f t h e five c o m p l a i n e d . " D a y a f t e r d a y w e ' v e p r a y e d w i t h h e a r t a n d
s o u l for H i s M a j e s t y , a n d still w e ' v e failed. W h o u < t h i s a s c e t i c ? W h a t ' s
he d o n e to get such q u i c k success? P e r h a p s he really is m o r e powerful
t h a n a n y o n e o f u s , b u t h e c a n ' t b e m o r e p o w e r f u l t h a n all five o f u s p u t
together! It doesn't make sense!"
H a v i n g s o m e m o r e r i t e s t o p e r f o r m , t h e five t o o k t h e o c c a s i o n t o g e t
n e a r the ascetic from K o z e n a n d to direct s o m e special incantations right
at him.
T h e a s c e t i c w a s s e a t e d b y himself, e n t i r e l y s u r r o u n d e d b y c u r t a i n s . I n
a m o m e n t t h e y h e a r d a v i g o r o u s s c r a b b l i n g a n d s c r a t c h i n g n o i s e from
i n s i d e t h e c u r t a i n s , a n d a d i s g u s t i n g s t i n k o f d o g s h i t filled t h e r o o m . T h e
n o b l e s p r e s e n t w e r e h o r r i f i e d , a n d s o w a s H i s M a j e s t y , b u t t h e five
m o n k s c o u l d tell t h a t t h e t r u t h a b o u t t h a t a s c e t i c w a s n o w b e g i n n i n g t o
c o m e out. T h e y r e d o u b l e d their efforts.
S u d d e n l y the ascetic h u r t l e d out t h r o u g h his c u r t a i n s a n d c r a s h e d t o
t h e floor, w h e r e h e l a y s p r a w l e d o n h i s b a c k . " H e l p ! " h e s h r i e k e d . " G o o d
sirs, s a v e m e , p l e a s e ! All t h e s e y e a r s o n K o z e n I've w o r s h i p p e d t h e t e n g u
and prayed to them to make me famous. And it worked, you know,
1 8 2

b e c a u s e I w called h e r e to t h e palace! B u t w h a t a n awful m i s t a k e i t

w a s ! I've l e a r n e d my lesson n o w , y e s I h a v e ! Please save me, oh please!"
T h e five m o n k s w e r e q u i t e satisfied. A s for t h e e m p e r o r , his first
t h o u g h t w a s t o a r r e s t t h e m a n a n d t h r o w h i m i n jail, b u t h e c h a n g e d his
m i n d a n d o n l y o r d e r e d h i m b a n i s h e d from t h e C a p i t a l . T h e a s c e t i c w a s
glad e n o u g h to m a k e himself scarce. S o m e l a u g h e d to w a t c h him go,
while some just w i s h e d they could get their h a n d s on him. He had been
t r e a t e d like a B u d d h a in p e r s o n w h e n he c u r e d the e m p e r o r , but he m a d e
a v e r y s o r r y s i g h t a s h e fled.

1 2 7 .

THE MASTER

T h o u g h e x p e r t i n s c h o l a r s h i p a n d i n t h e m y s t e r i e s o f t h e faith, t h e m o n k
Y o s h i n f r o m M o u n t H i e i f o u n d h i m s e l f p a s s e d o v e r for p r o m o t i o n y e a r
a f t e r y e a r i n f a v o r o f y o u n g e r a n d less e x p e r i e n c e d m o n k s , a n d b e c a m e
s o d i s a p p o i n t e d t h a t h e e v e n t u a l l y left t h e m o u n t a i n a n d w a n d e r e d off
t o w a r d Iyo province. On the w a y he stopped at Akashi, a h a r b o r in
Harima.
A n e p i d e m i c h a d affected e v e r y h o u s e h o l d a r o u n d Akashi. Yoshin
f o u n d t h e villagers s c u r r y i n g a b o u t . T h e y told him a b o u t the sickness,
a n d explained that a m o n k a n d strolling diviner had come by and prom-
i s e d t h e m h e c o u l d s t o p it. T h e y w e r e n o w h u r r y i n g a r o u n d , o n his
instructions, to distribute the things everyone would need to take part in
the rite.
Yoshin w a s shocked that such a charlatan should prey on these poor
g u l l i b l e p e o p l e , b u t h e d e c i d e d t o join t h e m t o s e e w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n .
T h e r i t e w a s t o b e t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . A t d a w n Y o s h i n d r e s s e d i n his
s e r v a n t ' s clothes (for no m o n k of his station w o u l d travel alone) a n d
h e l p e d t h e v i l l a g e r s c a r r y t h e s u p p l i e s t o t h e b e a c h . T h e s e i n c l u d e d half
a d o z e n n e w b u c k e t s , w h i t e a n d g l u t i n o u s rice, s o y b e a n s , c o w p e a s , fruit
a n d n u t s , ginger, small a n d large e a r t h e n w a r e bowls, clean s t r a w mats,
h a n d w o v e n c l o t h , s t o u t c r y p t o m e r i a p o l e s , fine p a p e r , oil, a n d m a n y
o t h e r t h i n g s . W h e n all t h e s u p p l i e s w e r e a t h a n d , t h e d i v i n e r p r e p a r e d
t h e r i t u a l s i t e o n a fine b r o a d s t r e t c h o f s a n d .
He sewed several w i d t h s of cloth into a curtain, which he h u n g on the
p o l e s s o a s t o s c r e e n off a fairly l a r g e s p a c e , t h e n p l a n t e d dhikimi b r a n c h e s
( w h i c h are a l w a y s offered to spirits) a r o u n d the inside of the curtain.
N e x t , h e laid o u t f o u r m a t s i n a s q u a r e s o t h a t t h e y faced i n t h e f o u r
directions, leaving a smaller s q u a r e ol s a n d in t h e middle. After carefully
s m o o t h i n g t h i s s q u a r e h e d r e w o n it, w i t h a l o n g t h i n stick, a b e a u t i f u l
picture of the complicated Womb-Realm Mandala. The earthenware
b o w l s w e r e l i n e d u p o n t h e m a t s , filled w i t h h o l y w a t e r o r h e a p e d w i t h
fruit, n u t s , a n d r i c e . H e e n d e d b y l i g h t i n g l a m p s a t t h e f o u r c o r n e r s o f
the enclosure, cutting p a p e r streamers, a n d attaching eight of t h e m to
e a c h o f t h e e n c l o s u r e ' s f o u r s i d e s . F i n a l l y h e a n d his a s s i s t a n t s p u t o n
p u r e w h i t e ritual r o b e s .
W i t h e v e r y t h i n g n o w r e a d y t h e d i v i n e r b e g a n t h e d e d i c a t i o n rite for
the W o m b - R e a l m . He was very precise. Assuming that no one present
w o u l d u n d e r s t a n d w h a t he w a s doing, he did not b o t h e r to conceal the
officiant's n o r m a l l y s e c r e t h a n d g e s t u r e s , a n d Y o s h i n c o u l d tell h e k n e w
exactly w h a t he w a s doing.
F o r Yoshin, the very existence of such a m a n w a s a revelation. Every
detail w a s perfect. E a c h of t h e h u n d r e d villagers a t t e n d i n g w a s p r o p e r l y
b a t h e d a n d purified. E v e n the children h a d their rosaries a n d w e r e com-
pletely a b s o r b e d in invoking the b u d d h a s . Yoshin had witnessed m a n y
such rites on M o u n t Hiei, b u t he h a d never seen one so meticulously
done. He w a s so fascinated that he decided to become the diviner's
disciple.
W h e n the W o m b - R e a l m dedication w a s over, the diviner g a t h e r e d u p
everything in the enclosure and put it aside, including even the p a p e r
s t r e a m e r s a n d t h e dhikimi, t h e n t o o k a n e w set o f t h e s a m e t h i n g s a n d
m a d e exactly the same preparations as before. On the smoothed central
s q u a r e of sand he d r e w a n o t h e r mandala, this time the Vajra-Realm, a n d
dedicated it just as carefully. At the e n d he dismantled everything includ-
i n g t h e c u r t a i n , h e a p e d i t all o n t h e first pile, a n d set t h e pile o n fire.
Soon even the buckets and water dippers were ashes. There was nothing
left e x c e p t t h e w h i t e g a r m e n t s t h e d i v i n e r a n d his a s s i s t a n t s h a d o n . T h e
a w e d v i l l a g e r s s a w c l e a r l y t h a t t h e d i v i n e r w a n t e d n o t h i n g for himself.
Y o s h i n w a s d e t e r m i n e d t o meet t h e m a n a n d w a i t e d after e v e r y o n e
h a d g o n e for t h e r i g h t m o m e n t t o a p p r o a c h h i m .
H a v i n g finished t i d y i n g u p , the diviner put on a straw cloak and
s t a r t e d off, for h e w a s n o t s t a y i n g i n t h e v i l l a g e . Y o s h i n c h o s e t h a t
moment to accost him and ask him w h o he was.
"I'm not a peasant," the diviner replied, " t h o u g h out here in the c o u n t r y
t h e y all a s s u m e I'm o n e ! " A d i s t u r b e d e x p r e s s i o n c a m e o v e r h i s face a s
h e s p o k e , a n d h e s u d d e n l y t u r n e d a n d fled. I n h i s h u r r y h e e v e n left his
baggage behind.
Y o s h i n w a s v e r y sorry. B a c k in t h e village he found out that as soon
1 8 4

a s t h e r i t e w a s o v e r , e v e r y o n e l y i n g sick i n t h e h o u s e s h a d s h a k e n off t h e
fever a n d r e c o v e r e d . T h e villagers w e r e r u n n i n g a r o u n d excitedly with
t h e n e w s . I n fact, t h e e p i d e m i c d i s a p p e a r e d t h a t d a y n o t o n l y from t h e
village b u t from t h e w h o l e p r o v i n c e . T h e diviner had w o r k e d a miracle.
Y o s h i n h u n t e d for h i m e v e r y w h e r e , b u t n e v e r f o u n d h i m a g a i n .

1 2 8 .

A SIMPLE CURE

L o r d K i n s u e w a s still r e l a t i v e l y j u n i o r a t c o u r t ( t h o u g h l a t e r h e b e c a m e
chancellor) w h e n he w a s stricken with malaria. H a v i n g heard or a Lotus
S u t r a a s c e t i c n a m e d Eijitsu w h o lived n e a r K y o t o a n d w a s said t o b e
e x p e r t a t c u r i n g s u c h f e v e r s , K i n s u e a g r e e d t o g o a n d s e e k his h e l p . A l a s ,
h e h a d n o t q u i t e r e a c h e d E i j i t s u ' s t e m p l e w h e n his fever r e t u r n e d , e a r l i e r
t h a n e x p e c t e d . I t w a s t o o late for h i m t o t u r n b a c k . H e s t r u g g l e d o n ,
b r o u g h t u p h i s c a r r i a g e u n d e r t h e t e m p l e e a v e s , a n d a s k e d t o see t h e
ascetic.
T h r o u g h a n a c o l y t e Eijitsu p r o t e s t e d t h a t h e h a d b e e n e a t i n g a lot o f
garlic lately, b u t K i n s u e a n s w e r e d that he w a n t e d to see the acolyte's
master, garlic or no garlic, a n d that he w a s in no condition to go home.
E i j i t s u h a d h i s s h u t t e r s o p e n e d a n d n e w m a t s s p r e a d o n t h e floor, a n d
K i n s u e w a s led i n s i d e .
M e a n w h i l e E i j i t s u c l e a n s e d h i m s e l f a n d s o o n c a m e forth, tall, g a u n t ,
a n d d i s t i n g u i s h e d , to m e e t his guest. He explained that h a v i n g c a u g h t a
bad cold he w a s eating garlic on a doctor's advice. " B u t the Lotus Sutra
is above considerations of purity or impurity," he added, "so my breath
w o n ' t m a t t e r . I'll c h a n t t h e S u t r a for y o u . Y o u ' l l b e all r i g h t . "
K i n s u e w a s l y i n g d o w n . Eijitsu r u b b e d t h e b e a d s o f his r o s a r y t o g e t h e r
a s h e a p p r o a c h e d h i m , a n d his w h o l e m a n n e r i n s p i r e d c o n f i d e n c e . T h e n
h e t o o k K i n s u e ' s h e a d i n h i s h a n d s , laid i t o n his l a p , a n d b e g a n c h a n t i n g .
K i n s u e w a s a w e d . H e h a d n e v e r k n o w n s o h o l y a feeling. Eijitsu s r e s o -
nant, slightly h o a r s e voice w a s deeply moving, a n d as he chanted great
t e a r s s t r e a m e d f r o m h i s e y e s . K i n s u e ' s fever v a n i s h e d a n d h e felt r e -
n e w e d . B e f o r e h e left h e p l e d g e d Eijitsu e n d u r i n g g r a t i t u d e a n d d e v o t i o n ,
a n d after that Eijitsu's healing p o w e r s acquired w i d e s p r e a d fame.
1 2 9 .

A BELOVED WIFE, A BOW,

A WHITE BIRD
t

O n c e a m a n h a d a k i n d a n d b e a u t i f u l wife w h o m h e l o v e d v e r y m u c h .
O n e n i g h t t h e y w e r e s l e e p i n g s i d e b y s i d e w h e n h e d r e a m e d his d e a r w i f e
said t o h i m , " A f t e r all t h i s t i m e w e ' v e b e e n t o g e t h e r , I'm g o i n g far a w a y
a n d w o n ' t s e e y o u a n y m o r e . B u t I'll l e a v e y o u s o m e t h i n g t o r e m e m b e r
me by. Love it instead of m e ! "
W h e n h e w o k e u p , h e w a s v e r y u p s e t . H i s wife w a s g o n e , really g o n e .
I t w a s a c a t a s t r o p h e . B y h i s p i l l o w lay a b o w w h i c h h a d c e r t a i n l y n o t
b e e n t h e r e b e f o r e . I t m u s t b e t h e m e m e n t o s h e h a d s p o k e n of. W o u l d s h e
ever come back? He waited, but no, she never appeared. H o w he missed
her! A n d the b o w — it might well be s o m e d e m o n in disguise a n d he w a s
afraid o f it. B u t i n t h e e n d h e d e c i d e d h e h a d n o t h i n g t o lose a n d b e g a n
k e e p i n g it by him, s t r o k i n g it as his m e m o r y lingered on his wife.
M o n t h s passed. O n e day the bow, which w a s by him as usual, sud-
d e n l y t u r n e d i n t o a w h i t e b i r d , w h i c h flew a w a y t o w a r d t h e s o u t h . A s t o n -
i s h e d , h e set o u t t o follow i t a s i t s k i m m e d t h e c l o u d s . W h e n h e r e a c h e d
t h e p r o v i n c e o f Kii, t h e b i r d t u r n e d i n t o a h u m a n .
1 8 6

" J u s t a s I t h o u g h t ! " s a i d t h e m a n t o himself. " T h a t w a s n o o r d i n a r y

b o w , it w a s a magic form of s o m e t h i n g else!"
T h e n h e w e n t h o m e a g a i n , w i t h o n his lips a s o n g a b o u t t h e s t r a n g e n e s s
of it all.

I 3 o .

THE UNKNOWN THIRD

T s u n e z u m i n o Y a s u n a g a , w h o served Prince Koretaka, w a s once sent u p

n o r t h t o K o z u k e p r o v i n c e t o c o l l e c t t a x e s from a n e s t a t e t h e p r i n c e o w n e d
t h e r e . M o n t h s later, o n his w a y b a c k t o Kyoto, h e s t o p p e d a t the F u w a
barrier in the province of M i n o .
Y a s u n a g a h a d left h i s y o u n g wife a t h o m e a n d h a d m i s s e d h e r all t h e
t i m e h e w a s g o n e . N o w h e s u d d e n l y y e a r n e d for h e r m o r e s h a r p l y t h a n
ever a n d w o n d e r e d w h e t h e r something might have happened to her.
R e s o l v i n g t o h u r r y o n first t h i n g t h e n e x t m o r n i n g , h e lay d o w n i n t h e
shelter p r o v i d e d at the barrier a n d w e n t to sleep.
H e d r e a m e d h e s a w a m a n o f t h e s e r v a n t c l a s s c o m i n g from t h e d i r e c -
tion of Kyoto, c a r r y i n g a torch. He had a w o m a n with him. W h e n the
p a i r r e a c h e d the shelter, he s a w the w o m a n w a s his wife. W h a t a shock!
T h e r e she w a s on the o t h e r side of the wall.
P e e r i n g t h r o u g h a hole in the wall, he s a w t h e m b r i n g over a kettle,
c o o k r i c e , a n d e a t . H i s w i f e h a d a p p a r e n t l y t a k e n u p w i t h t h i s m a n i n his
a b s e n c e . Y a s u n a g a ' s s t o m a c h c h u r n e d , h i s h e a r t p o u n d e d , a n d his m i n d
w e n t i n t o t u r m o i l , b u t h e k e p t w a t c h i n g . A f t e r t h e i r m e a l t h e y lay d o w n
i n e a c h o t h e r s a r m s a n d b e g a n m a k i n g love. T h e sight d r o v e him wild
a n d h e r u s h e d o u t . T h e r e w a s n o fire. T h e r e w a s n o o n e t h e r e a t all. H e
woke up.
I t h a d b e e n a d r e a m , t h e n . R e a l l y w o r r i e d n o w a b o u t his wife, Y a s u -
n a g a set off a t d a w n w i t h all p o s s i b l e s p e e d . T o his g r e a t relief h e f o u n d
h i s w i f e safe a n d s o u n d a t h o m e .
S h e g r e e t e d h i m w i t h j o y . " Y o u k n o w , " s h e said, " l a s t n i g h t I d r e a m e d
a m a n I'd n e v e r s e e n b e f o r e c a m e a n d t a l k e d m e i n t o g o i n g off w i t h h i m .
I d o n ' t k n o w w h e r e i t w a s w e w e n t , b u t a n y w a y , a t nightfall w e lit a fire
a n d c o o k e d r i c e . A f t e r d i n n e r w e w e n t i n t o s o m e s o r t o f c a b i n a n d lay
d o w n t o g e t h e r . T h e n s u d d e n l y y o u b u r s t in, a n d h e a n d I b o t h p a n -
i c k e d . T h a t w a s w h e n I w o k e u p . I've b e e n w o n d e r i n g a b o u t t h a t d r e a m
ever since, a n d n o w here y o u a r e ! "
Y a s u n a g a t o l d h e r a b o u t hut d r e a m a n d w h a t i t h a d d o n e t o h i m . " Y o u
w o u l d n ' t b e l i e v e h o w fast I g o t h e r e ! " h e s a i d .
H o w extraordinary that they should have dreamed, simultaneously,
complementary dreams!

i 3 i .

AN IMAGE IN A FLAME

Kochujo, a y o u n g lady w h o served the empress, was very pretty a n d

g r a c e f u l , a n d s o n i c e t o o t h a t all t h e o t h e r l a d i e s l o v e d h e r d e a r l y . T h o u g h
she h a d no r e g u l a r g e n t l e m a n friend, Fujiwara no T a k a t s u n e , the gover-
n o r o f M i n o , d i d visit h e r a g o o d d e a l .
O n c e w h i l e K o c h u j o w a s l o o k i n g after t h e e m p r e s s , d r e s s e d i n p a l e
violet o v e r a p i n k u n d e r r o b e , a p r e c i s e i m a g e o f h e r a p p e a r e d i n t h e flame
o f a l a m p n e a r b y . H e r c o s t u m e , h e r h a i r , h e r face, h e r l o o k a s s h e h e l d
h e r h a n d before h e r m o u t h — each detail w a s perfect. T h e o t h e r y o u n g
ladies w e r e a m a z e d at t h e r e s e m b l a n c e a n d clustered r o u n d to c h a t t e r
and stare. Not one of them was experienced enough to know what
needed to be done.
Kochujo took it badly w h e n she w a s told. " U g h ! " she cried. " Y o u
d i d n ' t p u t i t o u t ? Y o u j u s t k e p t s t a r i n g a t it? H o w e m b a r r a s s i n g ! " B u t
w h e n the older ladies of the household found out, they w e r e worried.
T h o s e g i r l s s h o u l d h a v e let s o m e o n e r e s p o n s i b l e k n o w r i g h t a w a y ! In-
s t e a d , t h e y h a d j u s t t r i m m e d t h e l a m p a s u s u a l a n d left i t a t t h a t .
T h r e e w e e k s o r s o l a t e r , for n o a p p a r e n t r e a s o n , K o c h u j o b e g a n t o r u n
a fever. F o r a d a y o r t w o s h e k e p t t o h e r r o o m , t h e n felt s o ill t h a t s h e
went home.
W h e n L o r d T a k a t s u n e c a m e b y t o let h e r k n o w t h a t h e w o u l d b e g o i n g
a w a y briefly, a little k i t c h e n m a i d t o l d h i m w h e r e s h e h a d g o n e . H e w e n t
straight to her house. T h e moon w a s sinking toward the west. W h e n
Kochujo came out to him, he found her curiously pathetic, while she too
s e e m e d c o n s t r a i n e d a n d a c t e d a little d i s t a n t . T a k a t s u n e w e n t i n a n d lay
d o w n w i t h h e r , b u t a c t u a l l y h e felt like l e a v i n g .
T h e y t a l k e d all n i g h t . B y d a w n T a k a t s u n e f o u n d i t h a r d t o s a y g o o d -
1 8 8

b y e , a n d h e w o r r i e d a b o u t h e r all t h e w a y h o m e . A s s o o n a s h e g o t t h e r e ,
h e s e n t h e r a n o t e t o tell h e r h o w c o n c e r n e d h e w a s a n d p r o m i s e d h e
w o u l d b e b a c k t o s e e h e r s o o n . T h e n h e l i n g e r e d t o w a i t for h e r a n s w e r .
H e r reply consisted of one w o r d , " T o r i b e n o . " W h y , that was the name
of the b u r n i n g g r o u n d w h e r e the dead were taken! Deeply troubled,
T a k a t s u n e s l i p p e d t h e n o t e i n u n d e r his c l o t h i n g , a g a i n s t his h e a r t . T h e n
h e s t a r t e d off. H e k e p t t a k i n g o u t t h e n o t e all t h e w a y a l o n g t o e x a m i n e
it. W h a t b e a u t i f u l w r i t i n g s h e h a d ! A f t e r b e i n g d e t a i n e d a t his d e s t i n a t i o n
for s o m e t i m e , h e g o t a w a y a s s o o n a s h e c o u l d a n d h u r r i e d b a c k , t h i n k i n g
of h e r constantly. On reaching the Capital, he w e n t directly to her house.
S h e had died the previous night and they had take her to Toribeno.
L o r d T a k a t s u n e s feelings can easily be imagined.
Y e s , w h e n s o m e o n e ' s i m a g e a p p e a r s i n a flame, t h e t h i n g t o d o i s t o
t r i m off t h a t p a r t o f t h e b u r n e d w i c k a n d h a v e t h e p e r s o n s w a l l o w it.
A n d it's a g o o d t h i n g t o p r a y h a r d , t o o . T h e y o u n g l a d i e s h a d n ' t k n o w n
h o w d a n g e r o u s a sight they had seen, a n d their ignorance caused Kochu-
jo's d e a t h .

1 3 2 .

THE FORSAKEN LADY

Fujiwara no M o r o i e w a s involved with the meekest and sweetest of

l a d i e s . N o r e p r o a c h h e m i g h t h a v e d e s e r v e d e v e r p a s s e d h e r lips. T h o u g h
h e d i d h i s b e s t t o a v o i d h u r t i n g h e r , official d u t i e s s o m e t i m e s k e p t h i m
busy, a n d then there w e r e those inevitable evenings w h e n a passing
affection w o u l d detain h i m . In the e n d he did not actually spend m a n y
nights w i t h her, a n d she c a m e in her i n n o c e n c e to a s s u m e that he did not
really love her. S h e b e g a n k e e p i n g h e r distance, and the more she did so
the m o r e they drifted apart. N o t that they disliked each other, but the
gulf b e t w e e n t h e m k e p t w i d e n i n g until M o r o i e s t o p p e d visiting her alto-
gether.
Six m o n t h s later M o r o i e h a p p e n e d to pass her house. O n e of her
w o m e n , o n h e r w a y b a c k from a n e r r a n d , n o t i c e d him a n d t o l d t h e l a d y
h e h a d j u s t g o n e b y . " A h , w h e n w a s i t t h a t h e u s e d t o visit u s ? " t h e
w o m a n w e n t o n t o m u s e . " I t b r o u g h t b a c k s o m a n y m e m o r i e s t o see
him!"
 T h e l a d y s e n t a m e s s e n g e r a f t e r M o r o i e . " A s k h i m t o c o m e i n for a
m o m e n t , " s h e s a i d . " I h a v e s o m e t h i n g t o tell h i m . "
W h e n he got the message, M o r o i e realized with a start w h e r e he w a s .
H e a l i g h t e d from h i s c a r r i a g e a n d e n t e r e d t h e h o u s e .
T h e lady w a s seated before a b o x of s u t r a scrolls, c h a n t i n g the L o t u s
Sutra. S h e w a s too beautifully dressed to have just tidied herself up in a
h u r r y to receive him. M o r o i e saw her with n e w eyes and could not
imagine w h y he had d r o p p e d her. O h , to make her stop chanting and
w h i s k h e r o i l t o b e d ! B u t t h e m o n t h s o f s e p a r a t i o n h a d m a d e h i m a little
shy, a n d he tried instead to engage her in conversation. She did not
respond, t h o u g h her looks suggested she w o u l d talk with him as m u c h as
h e l i k e d w h e n s h e h a d f i n i s h e d . H e r face w a s s i m p l y e n t r a n c i n g . I f o n l y
he could bring back the past, he t h o u g h t , he w o u l d certainly do so.
Hopelessly in love n o w , a n d s w e a r i n g to himself a t h o u s a n d times over
that he would never neglect her again, Moroie waited. He kept assuring
h e r t h a t h e h a d n e v e r w a n t e d t o lose h e r , b u t s h e still w o u l d n o t a n s w e r .
W h e n s h e g o t t o t h e s e v e n t h scroll, s h e b e g a n r e p e a t i n g t h e M e d i c i n e
King c h a p t e r until she h a d been t h r o u g h it almost three times.
M o r o i e lost p a t i e n c e . " W h a t ' s t h e m e a n i n g o f t h i s ? " h e c o m p l a i n e d .
" B e d o n e w i t h it! I h a v e s o m u c h t o tell y o u ! "
As he spoke she c a m e to the passage that promises salvation to w o m e n ,
e v e n i n t h e s e l a t t e r , u n h a p p y d a y s : " S h e will g o , w h e n h e r life i s o v e r , t o
t h e L a n d o f Bliss w h e r e A m i d a r e i g n s a m o n g his s a i n t s , a n d s h e will
d w e l l i n a b l u e l o t u s , u p o n a j e w e l e d t h r o n e . " T e a r s w e r e s t r e a m i n g from
her eyes.
" W h a t L < t h i s ? " M o r o i e c r i e d . " H a v e y o u g o n e p i o u s o r s o m e t h i n g , like
a nun?"
S h e t u r n e d h e r b r i m m i n g g a z e t o his, a s t h o u g h d e w h a d t o u c h e d h e r
frost, y e t a s h a d o w s e e m e d t o fall b e t w e e n t h e m . H o w c r u e l s h e m u s t
h a v e t h o u g h t h i m all t h e s e m o n t h s ! M o r o i e t o o b r o k e d o w n . W h a t i f h e
s h o u l d n e v e r s e e h e r a g a i n ! C o u l d h e live w i t h o u t h e r ? T h e q u e s t i o n
w o u l d not leave him, a n d he shivered with foreboding.
H e r sutra done, the lady began fingering an aloeswood rosary t r i m m e d
w i t h a m b e r , a n d lost h e r s e l f i n p r a y e r . W h e n s h e lifted h e r h e a d a g a i n ,
s o s t r a n g e a l o o k c a m e o v e r h e r face t h a t M o r o i e f l i n c h e d . " I a s k e d y o u
in," s h e b e g a n , " b e c a u s e I w a n t e d to see y o u o n e m o r e time. N o w my
anger and hurt . . . " H e r voice stopped. She w a s dead.
M o r o i e c o u l d n o t b e l i e v e it. T h e first t i m e h e c a l l e d , n o b o d y h e a r d
him. Finally a maid looked in and asked w h a t w a s the matter. M o r o i e
s i m p l y s a t t h e r e . T h e m a i d q u i c k l y lost h e r c o m p o s u r e t o o , a n d n o w o n -
der. As a single s t r a n d of hair b r e a k s , the lady w a s g o n e . M o r o i e could
not v e r y well stay on b e c a u s e if he w e r e to do so the pollution of death
 1 9 0

w o u l d o b l i g e h i m t o g o i n t o s e c l u s i o n a f t e r w a r d s . A s h e left, h e r face w a s
all h e c o u l d s e e .
It w a s not long before M o r o i e sickened and died. Some supposed it
w a s t h e l a d y ' s g h o s t t h a t t o o k h i m . I n fact, t h o s e close t o M o r o i e m a y
even have had reason to be sure.
O t h e r p e o p l e a s s u m e d t h a t s i n c e t h e l a d y h a d all b u t d i e d w i t h t h e
L o t u s S u t r a o n h e r lips, s h e m u s t h a v e g o n e o n t o p a r a d i s e . B u t it's also
true that she died with d e e p resentment against Moroie in her heart, and
w h i l e l o o k i n g s t r a i g h t a t h i m . S u r e l y t h e sin o f b o t h w a s v e r y g r a v e .

i 3 3 .

5HE DIED LONG AGO

A Kyoto man, too poor to m a k e ends meet, learned one day with surprise
that a g e n t l e m a n he k n e w had been appointed g o v e r n o r of a distant
province. He went straight to the new governor's residence, explained
his situation, a n d offered his services in a n y capacity w h a t e v e r . T h e
g e n t l e m a n w a s pleased to e n g a g e his old a c q u a i n t a n c e on the spot.
T h e m a n a n d his lovely y o u n g wife h a d a l w a y s been inseparable,
despite the hardships of poverty; b u t n o w t h a t h e w a s g o i n g s o far
a w a y h e left h i s w i f e for a n o t h e r , r i c h e r o n e , w h o n o t o n l y p r o v i d e d for
h i s j o u r n e y b u t c a m e w i t h h i m a n d t o o k v e r y g o o d c a r e o f h i m i n his
province.
I n t i m e , h o w e v e r , h e b e g a n t o m i s s h i s f i r s t wife b a d l y . H e c o u l d h a r d l y
s t o p himself from r u s h i n g b a c k to the Capital, a n d he t o r m e n t e d himself
endlessly with speculation about how things might go if he did. M e a n -
w h i l e h i s m a s t e r ' s t e r m o f office e n d e d , a n d h e set o u t w i t h his m a s t e r for
Kyoto.
H o w b i t t e r l y h e n o w r e g r e t t e d h a v i n g left his f i r s t w i f e ! H e p r o m i s e d
h i m s e l f t h a t h e w o u l d g o d i r e c t l y t o h e r w h e n h e r e a c h e d t h e city. T h e
w a y seemed u n b e a r a b l y long. On arrival he rushed to her house, found
t h e g a t e o p e n , a n d w e n t in.
E v e r y t h i n g h a d c h a n g e d . T h e h o u s e s e e m e d u n i n h a b i t e d a n d w a s fall-
ing to r u i n . A w a v e of a n g u i s h s w e p t over him as he gazed at the desola-
t i o n , lit u p a s i t w a s b y a n a u t u m n m o o n j u s t f i v e d a y s off t h e full. T h e
n i g h t w a s c h i l l y , t o o . H e felt v e r y s a d .
 I n t h e h o u s e h e f o u n d his w i f e l y i n g all a l o n e , j u s t w h e r e s h e h a d lain
i n t h e o l d d a y s . S h e s h o w e d n o s i g n o f a n g e r w h e n h e c a m e in, g r e e t i n g
him instead with joy. " H o w did y o u get h e r e ? " she a s k e d . " W h e n did
y o u get b a c k ? "
H e t o l d h e r h o w h e h a d l o n g e d for h e r a n d p r o m i s e d t h a t from n o w
o n t h e y w o u l d live t o g e t h e r a g a i n . "I'll g e t all t h e t h i n g s I've b r o u g h t
w i t h m e d e l i v e r e d h e r e t o m o r r o w , " h e s a i d , " a n d I'll g e t m y m e n m o v e d
h e r e t o o . I j u s t w a n t e d t o let y o u k n o w r i g h t a w a y , t o n i g h t . " S h e l o o k e d
v e r y h a p p y . A f t e r t a l k i n g till l a t e a b o u t t h e p a s t , t h e y finally lay d o w n i n
each other's arms. " H a v e y o u no servant at all?" he asked. She explained
that she h a d been too p o o r t o k e e p o n e . H e k n e w t h a t h e r plight w a s his
fault, a n d p i t y for h e r m i n g l e d i n his t h o u g h t s w i t h d i s g u s t a t w h a t h e
h a d d o n e . I t w a s n e a r l y d a w n w h e n t h e y fell a s l e e p , w i t h t h e s h u t t e r s
still o p e n .
S u n l i g h t s t r e a m i n g full i n t o t h e r o o m w o k e t h e m a n u p . T h e w o m a n i n
his a r m s w a s d r i e d s k i n o v e r d e a d b o n e s . I n h o r r o r h e l e a p e d t o his feet,
desperately h o p i n g it w a s a hallucination. But no: w h a t had once been a
w o m a n was now a long-dead corpse.
H e d r e s s e d i n f r a n t i c h a s t e a n d b u r s t i n t o t h e n e i g h b o r ' s little h o u s e .
" W h e r e ' s t h e w o m a n w h o u s e d t o live n e x t d o o r ? " h e s h o u t e d . " T h e r e ' s
no one there!"
" S h e ? O h , h e r h u s b a n d left h e r a n d w e n t off t o s o m e p r o v i n c e , a n d
she w a s so h u r t she got sick," the neighbor replied. " S h e had no one to
take care of her a n d this past s u m m e r she died. Of course, there w a s no
o n e t o d i s p o s e o f t h e b o d y e i t h e r , s o s h e ' s still t h e r e . P e o p l e a r e a f r a i d t o
g o n e a r t h e p l a c e . T h a t ' s w h y it's e m p t y a n d g o i n g t o r u i n . "
Terrified t h o u g h he w a s , t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g further he could say or do,
a n d h e w e n t his w a y .

i 3 4 .
I SAW IT IN A DREAM

M a g a r i n o T s u n e k a t a lived i n O w a r i p r o v i n c e w i t h his w i f e a n d w a s v e r y
c o m f o r t a b l y off. A f t e r m a n y y e a r s o f m a r r i a g e h e fell i n l o v e w i t h a n o t h e r
w o m a n . H i s wife m a d e q u i t e a fuss a b o u t t h i s , a s a w o m a n m i g h t b e
e x p e c t e d t o d o , b u t h e c o u l d n o t g i v e h i s m i s t r e s s u p . H e t r i e d all s o r t s
1 9 2

o f d o d g e s t o k e e p s e e i n g h e r i n s e c r e t , b u t h i s wife h a d s p i e s o u t after
h i m , a n d a n y r e p o r t t h a t h e w a s w i t h his m i s t r e s s w o u l d literally g i v e h e r
fits.
O n c e T s u n e k a t a had business in the Capital a n d spent some time
p r e p a r i n g for h i s t r i p . T h e d a y b e f o r e h e w a s d u e t o l e a v e h e w a s o v e r -
c o m e b y t h e d e s i r e t o s e e h i s m i s t r e s s . S i n c e his wife's f i e r c e j e a l o u s y
m a d e i t i m p o s s i b l e for h i m t o g o o p e n l y , h e a n n o u n c e d i n s t e a d t h a t h e
w a s w a n t e d by the provincial administration.
At his mistress's h o u s e , he a n d his mistress talked awhile in bed. W h e n
t h e y e v e n t u a l l y fell a s l e e p , h e d r e a m e d t h a t his w i f e b u r s t i n o n t h e m .
" A h , t h e r e y o u a r e w i t h t h a t w o m a n a g a i n ! " s h e s c r e a m e d . " T h a t ' s all
y o u e v e r d o n o w a d a y s , lie a r o u n d w i t h h e r ! Y o u w i t h y o u r i n n o c e n t face
a n d y o u r s m o o t h lies! " S h e w e n t o n like t h a t for a w h i l e , t h e n fell o n h i m
a n d t h r u s t h e r s e l f v i o l e n t l y b e t w e e n h i m a n d his m i s t r e s s . A t t h i s T s u n e -
kata woke up.
F r i g h t e n e d a n d confused, he started h o m e as soon as he could, and
b y d a y b r e a k w a s b a c k w i t h his wife. "It's really too b a d ! " h e com-
p l a i n e d . " H e r e I'm a b o u t t o l e a v e , a n d t h e y h a d t o call m e i n for a
m e e t i n g ! I c o u l d n ' t g e t a w a y a n d s o I h a d n o s l e e p a t all. W h a t a t h i n g
to d o to me! "
" E a t y o u r b r e a k f a s t , " r a s p e d his wife. H e r hair w a s bristling straight
u p , t h e n l y i n g flat, t h e n b r i s t l i n g s k y w a r d a g a i n .
" T h a t ' s sort of scary," he r e m a r k e d .
" Y o u ' r e d i s g u s t i n g ! " his wife r e t o r t e d . " Y o u w e r e over at her place
l a s t n i g h t , l o v i n g h e r u p . It's w r i t t e n all o v e r y o u r f a c e . "
" W h o told y o u t h a t ? "
"I s a w it c l e a r as a bell, y o u p i g . I s a w it in a d r e a m . "
" Y o u did! Y o u s a w wbatl"
" O h , I k n e w w h e n y o u left y e s t e r d a y e v e n i n g t h a t t h a t w a s w h e r e y o u
w e r e headed. D u r i n g the night I dreamed I went to her house. There you
w e r e s n u g g l e d up w i t h her, c h a t t i n g a w a y . I listened. 'So y o u ' v e given
h e r u p , h a v e y o u ? ' I t h o u g h t . ' W e l l t h e n , w h a t a r e y o u d o i n g i n bed w i t h
h e r ? ' Bah! I dove in between y o u and both of y o u jumped up in a panic."
T s u n e k a t a w a s d u m b f o u n d e d . "Well, w h a t did I s a y ? " he asked.
H i s w i f e r e p e a t e d e v e r y w o r d h e h a d s a i d . T s u n e k a t a himself h a d
d r e a m e d t h e w h o l e t h i n g , v e r y p r e c i s e l y . H e w a s t e r r i f i e d . H e k e p t his
o w n d r e a m t o himself, h o w e v e r , a n d o n l y r e v e a l e d t h e w h o l e awful inci-
d e n t later on, to a friend.
J u s t t h i n k w h a t k i n d o f s p i r i t u a l s t a t e t h e wife m u s t h a v e b e e n in!
J e a l o u s y is a v e r y g r a v e sin. S o m e s u p p o s e she must have ended up
t u r n i n g into a snake.
 S N A K E S

i 3 5 .

THE SNAKE CHARMER

T h e m u s i c i a n S u k e m i t s u w a s i m p r i s o n e d for n e g l e c t o f d u t y i n a s t o r e -
h o u s e b e l o n g i n g t o t h e M i n i s t e r o f t h e Left. T h e a s s o r t m e n t o f c r e a t u r e s
a n d creepy-crawlies that inhabited the place frightened Sukemitsu quite
e n o u g h already, but then in the middle of the night (this w a s exactly
w h a t h e h a d b e e n m o s t a f r a i d o f ) a h u g e s n a k e a p p e a r e d . Its h e a d w a s
like a l i o n ' s , its e y e s w e r e l i k e b r o n z e b o w l s , a n d its t o n g u e , t h r e e feet
long, flickered menacingly. A l r e a d y the snake's vast jaws w e r e y a w n i n g
w i d e t o s w a l l o w h i m w h e n , h a l f d e a d w i t h fear, h e m a n a g e d t o p u l l o u t
his flute a n d p l a y a p a s s a g e from t h e d a n c e Genjoraku.
T h e s n a k e s t o p p e d , lifted its h e a d h i g h i n t h e air, a n d l i s t e n e d a w h i l e .
T h e n it slithered a w a y .
1 9 A

i 3 6 .
THE TUG-OF-WAR

T h e w r e s t l e r A m a n o T s u n e y o lived i n T a n g o p r o v i n c e . I n t h e s u m m e r
h e l i k e d t o s t r o l l b y t h e r i v e r t h a t r a n n e a r his h o u s e , a n d w a s d o i n g s o
o n e day, w i t h a small boy beside him, w h e n he paused u n d e r a tree by a
deep pool.
T h e p o o l w a s b l u e - g r e e n a n d f r i g h t e n i n g b e c a u s e y o u c o u l d n o t see
the bottom. T s u n e y o w a s gazing at the rushes a r o u n d it w h e n he noticed
a large ripple d a r t from the opposite b a n k straight t o w a r d him. W h a t
c o u l d i t p o s s i b l y b e ? W h e n t h e r i p p l e r e a c h e d h i s s i d e , a s n a k e lifted its
h e a d f r o m t h e w a t e r . I t w a s a v e r y b i g o n e i n d e e d , j u d g i n g r r o m t h e size
of the head, and it stared at Tsuneyo so hard that he nervously stepped
b a c k a little. T h e n i t v a n i s h e d a g a i n i n t o t h e p o o l .
T h e r i p p l e d a r t e d off t o t h e far s i d e a n d a swell o f w a t e r c a m e r o l l i n g
b a c k . T h e s n a k e ' s tail r o s e f r o m t h e p o o l a n d t h r a s h e d its w a y t o w a r d
T s u n e y o , w h o w a i t e d , calmly n o w , to see w h a t it w o u l d do. W h e n the
tail h a d w r a p p e d itself t w i c e a r o u n d his legs, t h e s n a k e b e g a n t o p u l l . I t
w a n t e d t o d r a g h i m i n t o t h e p o o l ! T s u n e y o p l a n t e d his feet m o r e firmly,
b u t t h e s n a k e w a s s o s t r o n g t h a t t h e t e e t h o f his h i g h c l o g s b r o k e a n d h e
felt s u r e h e w o u l d b e d r a g g e d d o w n . O n c e m o r e h e d u g i n his feet, b u t
the snake tugged so hard that they simply plowed through the earth,
l e a v i n g a f u r r o w s e v e r a l i n c h e s d e e p . T s u n e y o w a s j u s t p u t t i n g u p a last,
d e s p e r a t e effort, w h e n t h e s n a k e s n a p p e d i n t w o a n d b l o o d s t a i n e d t h e
s u r f a c e o f t h e p o o l . H e p u l l e d u p t h e tail half, u n w o u n d it, a n d w a s h e d
h i s l e g s i n t h e p o o l . T h e a t t a c k h a d left i n d e l i b l e m a r k s .
By this time Tsuneyo's servants had rushed up, and he had them wash
t h e w o u n d s w i t h w i n e . T h e n t h e y i n s p e c t e d t h e s n a k e ' s tail half. H u g e
w a s t h e o n l y w o r d for t h e c r e a t u r e . T h e b o d y w a s a g o o d foot t h i c k
w h e r e i t h a d b r o k e n . I t t u r n e d o u t t h a t t h e s n a k e h a d w r a p p e d its h e a d
e n d , o n t h e o p p o s i t e b a n k , a r o u n d a t h i c k t i e e - r o o t t o g i v e itself a b e t t e r
hold. Even so T s u n e y o had proved the stronger, and the snake had
s n a p p e d i n s t e a d . T h e h e a d e n d , still c l i n g i n g a s t i g h t l y a s e v e r t o t h e r o o t ,
seemed not to have realized w h a t had happened. Imagine h o w it must
h a v e been feeling!
B u t h o w s t r o n g h a d t h e s n a k e really b e e n ? T s u n e y o s m e n tied a rope
r o u n d t h e i r m a s t e r ' s l e g s a n d t e n o f t h e m p u l l e d o n it. T s u n e y o said t h e
s n a k e h a d t u g g e d h a r d e r t h a n t h a t . T h r e e m e n w e r e a d d e d , t h e n five, b u t
t h e y still w e r e n o t e n o u g h . F i n a l l y s i x t y m e n t o o k t h e r o p e , a n d T s u n e y o
decided that yes, that w a s h o w the snake had pulled. In other words
( c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t T s u n e y o h a d not b e e n d r a g g e d d o w n b y t h e s n a k e )
Tsuneyo had the strength of about a h u n d r e d men.
That w a s t h e k i n d o f w r e s t l e r w e u s e d t o h a v e i n t h e o l d d a y s .

i 5 7 .
AS DEEP AS THE SEA

A professional k e e p e r of h a w k s o n c e followed an escaped bird d e e p into

t h e m o u n t a i n s till he s p i e d a h a w k ' s n e s t in a tall t r e e . T h i s w a s a w e l c o m e
find. H e m a r k e d t h e p l a c e , w e n t h o m e a g a i n , a n d r e t u r n e d a t t h e r i g h t
time to get the y o u n g h a w k s .
It w a s a wild a n d desolate spot, a n d the tree leaned over a bottomless
r a v i n e . T h e n e s t o f y o u n g h a w k s w a s h i g h i n its b r a n c h e s , a n d t h e
p a r e n t s w e r e c i r c l i n g r o u n d it. W h a t s p e c i m e n s t h e p a r e n t s w e r e ! No
d o u b t the y o u n g w o u l d be just as impressive. Bent on catching them, the
man hardly even k n e w he w a s climbing the tree.
J u s t s h o r t of the nest, a b r a n c h b r o k e u n d e r him a n d he p l u m m e t e d
i n t o a n o t h e r t r e e g r o w i n g s t r a i g h t o u t o f t h e cliff b e l o w . H e h u n g o n
there, m o r e d e a d t h a n alive, b e t w e e n a y a w n i n g c h a s m a n d a s h e e r wall
of rock.
T h o u g h his s e r v a n t s a s s u m e d h e h a d fallen i n t o t h e r a v i n e a n d b e e n
killed, t h e y t h o u g h t t h e y h a d b e t t e r m a k e s u r e . C l i n g i n g p r e c a r i o u s l y t o
t h e e d g e o f t h e cliff, t h e y p e e r e d o v e r i n t o t h e d e p t h s . All t h e l e a v e s i n
t h e w a y h i d t h e i r m a s t e r from t h e m , a n d t h e y g o t n o t h i n g for t h e i r
t r o u b l e b u t a spell o f d i z z i n e s s . T h e y c o u l d o n l y g o h o m e a n d i n f o r m
t h e i r m a s t e r ' s w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n , w h o w e p t a t t h e n e w s . T h e family
w a n t e d a t least t o s e e for t h e m s e l v e s w h e r e t h e b o d y lay, b u t t h e s e r v a n t s
c r i e d , " N o , n o , w e c a n ' t e v e n r e m e m b e r t h e w a y , a n d b e s i d e s , it's n o u s e
y o u r g o i n g ! G o o d n e s s k n o w s h o w d e e p t h a t r a v i n e is! W e d i d o u r b e s t
t o find h i m d o w n t h e r e , b u t w e c o u l d n ' t s e e a n y t h i n g a t a l l ! " S o n o o n e
even w e n t back to look.
T h e m a n s a t o n a t i n y l e d g e a b o u t t h e size o f a d i n n e r t r a y , c l i n g i n g t o
t h e t r e e a n d k e e p i n g v e r y still. T h e s l i g h t e s t m o v e m e n t , a n d h e w o u l d b e
dashed to pieces on the rocks below. There w a s nothing he could do. But
a l t h o u g h his b u s i n e s s w a s r a i s i n g h a w k s , h e h a d c h a n t e d t h e K a n n o n
S u t r a e v e r since his c h i l d h o o d a n d h e t r u s t e d i n K a n n o n ' s m e r c y . N o w
he called on K a n n o n to save him a n d b e g a n to c h a n t .
1 9 6

W h e n he got to the p a s s a g e , " H i s v o w to save suffering beings is as

d e e p a s t h e s e a , " h e t h o u g h t h e h e a r d s o m e t h i n g r u s t l i n g u p from t h e
b o t t o m o f t h e r a v i n e . W h a t c o u l d i t b e ? W i t h infinite c a u t i o n h e p e e r e d
d o w n a n d s a w a n e n o r m o u s s n a k e a t least t w e n t y feet l o n g s l i t h e r i n g
s t r a i g h t u p t o w a r d h i m . I t w a s g o i n g t o e a t h i m , o r a t least t h a t w a s t h e
only explanation that made sense. N o w he w a s really frightened, a n d
b e g g e d K a n n o n f r o m t h e b o t t o m o f h i s h e a r t t o s a v e h i m from t h i s awful
danger.
T h e s n a k e m a d e n o a t t e m p t t o s w a l l o w h i m w h e n i t r e a c h e d his s e a t .
O n t h e c o n t r a r y , i t j u s t k e p t g o i n g . Its o n l y t h o u g h t s e e m e d t o b e t o
climb up and out of the ravine. P e r h a p s he could hang on to it somehow
a n d g o u p w i t h it! H e d r e w t h e d a g g e r from his belt, p l u n g e d i t i n t o t h e
s n a k e t o m a k e a h a n d h o l d , a n d let h i m s e l f b e d r a w n u p a n d o v e r t h e
e d g e o f t h e cliff. A s h e slid off h e t r i e d t o t a k e o u t t h e d a g g e r , b u t i t w a s
t o o f i r m l y p l a n t e d . T h e s n a k e p u l l e d a w a y from h i m a n d s l i t h e r e d off
t o w a r d t h e n e x t r a v i n e w i t h t h e d a g g e r still s t u c k i n its b a c k .
D e l i r i o u s w i t h relief, t h e m a n t r i e d t o r u n h o m e , b u t s i t t i n g m o t i o n l e s s
for s e v e r a l d a y s , w i t h o u t f o o d o r w a t e r , h a d m a d e h i m s o w e a k t h a t i n
fact h e c o u l d o n l y b a r e l y d r a g h i m s e l f b a c k t o his h o u s e . T h e h o u s e h o l d
w a s i n t h e m i d d l e o f a m e m o r i a l rite l o r h i m w h e n h e s t a g g e r e d in,
c a u s i n g m o m e n t a r y p a n d e m o n i u m . H e w e p t a s h e t o l d t h e m his e x t r a o r -
d i n a r y e x p e r i e n c e . T h e n he ate a n d slept soundly.
T h e n e x t m o r n i n g h e g o t u p e a r l y , w a s h e d his h a n d s , a n d o p e n e d t h e
text of the K a n n o n S u t r a he always read. His dagger, the one he had
p l u n g e d into t h e b a c k of the s n a k e , w a s planted in the text at the w o r d s
" H i s v o w to save suffering beings is as d e e p as the sea."

i 3 8 .

WHAT THE SNAKE HAD IN MIND

A w o m a n on her w a y up to hear the monthly preaching at Urin'in, a

t e m p l e in n o r t h e r n K y o t o , h a d c o m e to a s t o n e b r i d g e — j u s t a small s l a b
over a tiny b r o o k — w h e n a n o t h e r , y o u n g e r w o m a n w a l k i n g along the
b r o o k s t e p p e d o n t h e s l a b a s s h e c r o s s e d a n d o v e r t u r n e d it. W h e r e i t h a d
b e e n t h e first w o m a n w a s s u r p r i s e d t o see, all c o i l e d u p , a little s p o t t e d
snake.
T h e s n a k e s l o w l y u n w o u n d itself a n d set off a f t e r t h e y o u n g w o m a n
w h o h a d o v e r t u r n e d its s t o n e . T h i s w a s i n t r i g u i n g . P e r h a p s t h e s n a k e
w a s a n g r y at having been disturbed a n d w a n t e d to get even. T h e older
w o m a n w a s c u r i o u s e n o u g h t o set o u t a f t e r it.
T h e y o u n g w o m a n the s n a k e w a s following did look r o u n d sometimes,
but seemed to suspect nothing. No one passing by did either. Apparently
only the older w o m a n could see the s n a k e .
In time they reached Urin'in. T h e y o u n g w o m a n climbed the steps a n d
sat d o w n o n t h e w o o d e n floor w h i l e t h e s n a k e t o o g o t u p t h e s t e p s a n d
w r i g g l e d t o h e r s i d e . Still n o o n e s a w i t o r r a i s e d t h e a l a r m .
W h e n t h e p r e a c h i n g w a s o v e r t h e y o u n g w o m a n left, a n d t h e s n a k e
with her. T h e older w o m a n stayed behind them on the way back. In the
s o u t h e r n district of t h e city the w o m a n e n t e r e d a house that seemed to
be hers, a n d the s n a k e followed.
T h e snake w a s unlikely to do anything during the day, but the older
w o m a n w a s d e t e r m i n e d t o b e o n h a n d for w h a t e v e r m i g h t h a p p e n t h a t
n i g h t . S h e w e n t u p t o t h e h o u s e , e x p l a i n e d t h a t s h e h a d j u s t a r r i v e d from
t h e c o u n t r y a n d h a d n o w h e r e t o s t a y , a n d b e g g e d for a n i g h t ' s l o d g i n g .
S h e h a d a s s u m e d all a l o n g t h a t t h e y o u n g w o m a n w a s t h e o w n e r , b u t i n
fact i t w a s a n o l d l a d y w h o i n v i t e d h e r in. S h e f o u n d t h e y o u n g w o m a n
s i t t i n g o n t h e r a i s e d floor w i t h t h e s n a k e c o i l e d a t t h e foot o f a pillar,
gazing at her. The y o u n g w o m a n was talking about "the mansion," a n d
it seemed clear that she w a s in service somewhere.
W h e n t h e s u n set a n d d a r k n e s s fell, t h e v i s i t o r c o u l d n o l o n g e r s e e t h e
s n a k e , s o s h e p r o p o s e d s p i n n i n g h e m p i n e x c h a n g e for t h e o l d l a d y ' s
h o s p i t a l i t y . F o r t h i s s h e w o u l d n e e d light. T h e old l a d y g l a d l y a c c e p t e d
h e r offer a n d lit a l a m p . A s t h e v i s i t o r s p u n , s h e l o o k e d a r o u n d h e r . T h e
y o u n g w o m a n s e e m e d t o h a v e lain d o w n t o s l e e p . N o d o u b t t h e s n a k e
w o u l d g o t o h e r n o w — b u t i t d i d n o t . T h e v i s i t o r felt s h e o u g h t t o m e n t i o n
t h e s n a k e , b u t d e c i d e d s h e w o u l d o n l y m a k e t r o u b l e for herself i f s h e d i d
a n d s o k e p t s i l e n t . T h e e v e n i n g w o r e o n till a t last t h e l a m p w e n t o u t .
There was nothing to do but go to bed.
N e x t m o r n i n g the visitor w o k e up with a start, anxious to k n o w w h a t
might have h a p p e n e d d u r i n g the night. After getting up quite normally,
the y o u n g w o m a n told the old lady she h a d h a d a n o d d d r e a m , a n d the
old l a d y i n s i s t e d o n h e a r i n g it.
"Last n i g h t , " said the y o u n g w o m a n , " I d r e a m e d s o m e b o d y stood b y
m y p i l l o w . S h e w a s h u m a n from t h e w a i s t u p , b u t from t h e w a i s t d o w n
s h e w a s a s n a k e . S h e w a s b e a u t i f u l , t h o u g h , a n d t h i s i s w h a t s h e said t o
me. ' O n c e I hated s o m e o n e so m u c h that I t u r n e d into a snake a n d spent
m a n y long a n d lonely y e a r s u n d e r the stone slab of a bridge. Yesterday
y o u o v e r t u r n e d t h e s t o n e a n d s a v e d m e . I felt s o g l o r i o u s l y free t h a t I
w a n t e d to t h a n k y o u properly. T h a t ' s w h y I followed y o u to the temple
1 9 8

a n d heard the B u d d h a ' s most rare and wonderful Teaching. That in turn
c a n c e l e d m y s i n s , a n d n o w I'll s o o n b e r e b o r n i n h u m a n f o r m . Y o u ' v e
m a d e m e s o h a p p y ! I n r e t u r n I'll m a k e s u r e t h a t y o u r life g o e s well a n d
y o u find a good husband.' A n d that was the end of my dream."
Both listeners w e r e astonished, a n d the visitor confessed w h o she
really w a s a n d w h y she w a s there. She and the y o u n g w o m a n became
fast f r i e n d s a n d s a w e a c h o t h e r o f t e n .
T h e y o u n g w o m a n did do well, too, because she married a very
w e a l t h y m a n , a j u n i o r s t e w a r d i n a g r e a t h o u s e h o l d . E v e r y t h i n g w e n t for
her exactly as she wished.

l 3 g .

RED PLUM BLOSSOMS

I n t h e w e s t o f t h e C a p i t a l lived a m a n o f s o m e r a n k i n t h e w o r l d . H i s
o n l y d a u g h t e r , a sweet a n d lovely girl, w r o t e a beautiful h a n d by the time
s h e r e a c h e d h e r t e e n s , a n d h e r skill a t p o e t r y w a s p e e r l e s s . N o t o n l y t h a t ,
s h e w a s a l s o a n e x p e r t m u s i c i a n a n d p l a y e d t h e koto p a r t i c u l a r l y w e l l .
T h e family's large mansion included several b a r k - t h a t c h e d pavilions,
curiously and handsomely made. Pretty streams ran through a garden
w h i c h w a s a l w a y s beautiful, if not with spring flowers then with the
l e a v e s o f fall. A n d w h i l e t h e g i r l ' s p a r e n t s t h o u g h t o n l y o f h e r , t h e girl
h e r s e l f w a s lost i n d e l i g h t o v e r t h e f l o w e r s a n d l e a v e s .
T h e g a r d e n h a d places w h e r e c h e r r y blossoms o p e n e d in the mists of
s p r i n g , a n d w h e r e t h e w e e p i n g w i l l o w f r o n d s ' n e w g r e e n s w a y e d deli-
ciously in t h e b r e e z e ; while e l s e w h e r e the colored a u t u m n leaves hovered
in layers of b r o c a d e , a n d c h r y s a n t h e m u m s of m a n y hues leaned u n d e r
t h e i r b u r d e n o f d e w b e n e a t h t h e tall hagi p l a n t s ' f e a t h e r y c u r v e s . Y e t t h e
girl l o v e d a b o v e all t h e r e d - f l o w e r i n g p l u m .
S h e planted a red plum tree near her room, a n d w h e n it bloomed she
o p e n e d h e r s h u t t e r s t o g a z e o n i t r a p t u r o u s l y , all a l o n e . T h e f r a g r a n c e
i n t o x i c a t e d h e r s o m u c h t h a t s h e s t a y e d t h e r e all d a y . S h e let n o t h i n g else
g r o w n e a r h e r p l u m a n d w o u l d n o t h a v e b i r d s n e s t i n g i n its b r a n c h e s .
W h e n t h e f l o w e r s fell, s h e g a t h e r e d t h e fallen p e t a l s i n a l a c q u e r e d b o w l
to enjoy their scent awhile longer; a n d on w i n d y days she even spread
m a t s to collect t h e m as t h e y fluttered d o w n , so as to m a k e sure they w e r e
n o t b l o w n a w a y a n d lost. W h e n t h e p e t a l s w e r e w i t h e r e d a t last, s h e
m i x e d t h e m i n t o h e r i n c e n s e t o s a v e t h e v e r y last o f t h e i r s w e e t smell.
 I n t i m e s h e fell ill a n d g r e w r a p i d l y w o r s e , d e s p i t e h e r p a r e n t s ' l a m e n -
tations. Before long she w a s g o n e . H e r m o t h e r a n d father had to bid her
f a r e w e l l f o r e v e r , a n d c o u l d n e v e r l o o k a t t h e p l u m t r e e after t h a t w i t h o u t
a p a n g of s o r r o w .
O n e d a y a little s n a k e a p p e a r e d u n d e r t h e t r e e . T h o u g h i t s e e m e d
ordinary enough, it came again the next spring and stayed w r a p p e d
a r o u n d t h e t r e e . W h e n t h e p e t a l s b e g a n t o fall, i t p i c k e d t h e m u p o n e b y
o n e i n its m o u t h a n d h e a p e d t h e m t o g e t h e r . R e a l i z i n g t h a t i t c o u l d o n l y
b e t h e i r d a u g h t e r herself, t h e p a r e n t s g r i e v e d a f r e s h . All t h e y c o u l d d o
w a s t o call i n t w o h o l y m o n k s a n d h a v e t h e m e x p o u n d t h e L o t u s S u t r a
u n d e r t h e t r e e , o n e c h a p t e r a d a y i n t h e t i m e - h o n o r e d f a s h i o n , for t h e
good of their d a u g h t e r ' s soul.
T h e s n a k e , w h i c h n e v e r left t h e s p o t , h e a r d all t h e p r e a c h i n g . O n t h e
fifth day the monks spoke on the chapter in which the Serpent Princess
offers t h e B u d d h a a priceless pearl a n d passes straight into N i r v a n a .
U n d e r t h e p l u m t r e e , t h e little s n a k e d i e d . T h o s e w h o s a w its p a s s i n g
wept.
L a t e r t h e father d r e a m e d a b o u t his d a u g h t e r . A t f i r s t she w a s d r e s s e d
in torn a n d filthy clothes a n d looked very downcast. But a holy m a n c a m e
t o h e r a n d h a d h e r t a k e off h e r r a g s . H e r s k i n u n d e r n e a t h w a s g o l d e n
a n d g l o w i n g , like t h e s k i n o f a b u d d h a , a n d t h e h o l y m a n d r e s s e d h e r i n
rich r o b e s a n d a priestly stole. Finally he raised h e r up a n d t h e y floated
a w a y together on a purple cloud.
T h a t w a s the e n d o f t h e d r e a m . T h e girl's salvation w a s the S u t r a ' s
gift.

R O B B E R S I I

1 4 ° •
THE ENIGMA

O n c e a thief got into a s h o p in the W e s t e r n M a r k e t a n d the Imperial

Police s u r r o u n d e d the place, intent on c a p t u r i n g him. T h e i r c o m m a n d e r
r o d e a m o n g t h e m fully a r m e d , i n f o r m a l h e a d d r e s s a n d p a l e g r e y c l o a k .
2 0 0

W h e n a freed convict b e a r i n g a s p e a r w a s posted to stand at the d o o r

of the shop, the thief signaled to him t h r o u g h a crack that he should come
c l o s e r . " G o tell y o u r c o m m a n d e r t o g e t off his h o r s e a n d c o m e h e r e , " t h e
t h i e f s a i d . " I h a v e s o m e t h i n g t o tell h i m i n p r i v a t e . "
T h e freed convict r e p o r t e d this message, a n d the c o m m a n d e r moved
t o o b e y , o v e r h i s m e n ' s s t r e n u o u s o b j e c t i o n s . " N o , I'd b e t t e r l o o k i n t o
t h i s , " w a s all h e w o u l d s a y a s h e d i s m o u n t e d a n d s t a r t e d l o r t h e d o o r .
T h e thief o p e n e d i t a n d i n v i t e d t h e c o m m a n d e r in, c l o s i n g a n d b o l t i n g
i t a g a i n w h e n h e w a s inside. T h e m e n w e r e furious. " H e r e w e ' v e got him
s u r r o u n d e d ! " t h e y s p u t t e r e d . " W e can't possibly miss him! A n d n o w His
L o r d s h i p h a s t o w a l k r i g h t i n a n d g e t himself s h u t u p for a nice little
chat. This is insane!"
Shortly the door opened again. T h e c o m m a n d e r emerged, got back on
his h o r s e , a n d r o d e up to his m e n . " T h e r e ' s m o r e to this business than
m e e t s t h e e y e , " h e a n n o u n c e d . " W e ' l l h a v e t o h o l d off till I g i v e a r e p o r t
t o H i s M a j e s t y . " H e h e a d e d s t r a i g h t for t h e p a l a c e , l e a v i n g h i s m e n t o
stand guard.
" T h a t ' s right," he said w h e n he returned, " w e can't arrest him. Go
back to headquarters. Those are His Majesty's orders."
T h e m e n o b e y e d . T h e i r c o m m a n d e r s t a y e d o n a l o n e u n t i l finally, after
d a r k , he w e n t to the d o o r a n d a n n o u n c e d the emperor's decision. T h e
thief burst into loud a n d unrestrained sobbing.
After t h e c o m m a n d e r w a s g o n e , the thief stole out a n d d i s a p p e a r e d
into the night. No one ever found out w h o he w a s or w h y he had been
pardoned.

1 1
4 •
WASPS

A quicksilver dealer in K y o t o h a d g o t t e n rich from his b u s i n e s s . H e

traveled regularly back and forth to Ise p r o v i n c e w i t h a t r a i n o f a
h u n d r e d h o r s e s o r m o r e , all l o a d e d w i t h silk a n d c o t t o n c l o t h , t h r e a d ,
r i c e , a n d o t h e r s u c h g o o d s , a n d h e n e v e r t o o k w i t h h i m m o r e t h a n a few
b o y s t o d r i v e t h e a n i m a l s . A s o l d a g e a p p r o a c h e d , h e h a d n e v e r suffered
a s i n g l e loss f r o m fire o r flood a n d , still m o r e r e m a r k a b l y , h a d n e v e r lost
a single sheet of p a p e r to thieves.
 T h i s w a s e x t r a o r d i n a r y b e c a u s e t h e p e o p l e o f Ise a r e p e r f e c t l y c a p a b l e
o f r o b b i n g t h e i r o w n p a r e n t s . F r i e n d a n d foe, r i c h a n d p o o r s p e n d t h e i r
t i m e s c h e m i n g t o bilk e a c h o t h e r , a n d t h e y d o n o t h e s i t a t e t o p l u n d e r t h e
weak to add to their o w n fortune. For some reason the quicksilver mer-
chant w a s about the only victim they had not y e t despoiled.
Now, there was a robber band one hundred strong which lurked in
the S u z u k a M o u n t a i n s on the western border of the province and y e a r
after y e a r p r e y e d o n all w h o p a s s e d t h a t w a y . T h e y w o u l d seize e v e r y -
thing of value (private or imperial property, it m a d e no difference), then
kill t h e u n h a p p y t r a v e l e r s . E v e n t h e g o v e r n m e n t i n K y o t o h a d b e e n
unable to suppress them.
D u r i n g the height of their depredations the quicksilver merchant came
t h a t w a y a g a i n , t r a v e l i n g o u t o f Ise t o w a r d t h e C a p i t a l w i t h his u s u a l
train of a h u n d r e d well-laden h o r s e s a n d p r o t e c t e d only by his y o u t h f u l
d r i v e r s . H e e v e n h a d w o m e n w i t h h i m , a n d all t h e food, e t c . , t h a t t h e y
required.
T h e r o b b e r s spotted t h e c a r a v a n w i t h glee. Its leader w a s obviously
soft i n t h e h e a d , a n d t h e y i n t e n d e d t o a p p r o p r i a t e t h e r i c h e s h e w a s s o
innocently parading before them. In the depths of the mountains they
a m b u s h e d him from front a n d rear. T h e terrified d r i v e r s fled. After
r o u n d i n g u p t h e p a c k h o r s e s , t h e r o b b e r s s t r i p p e d t h e w o m e n o f all t h e i r
c l o t h e s a n d s h o o e d t h e m off i n t o t h e w i l d s . A s for t h e m e r c h a n t , w h o w a s
riding a mare, he barely m a n a g e d to get a w a y a n d scramble up a high
hill. T h e r o b b e r s w a t c h e d h i m g o b u t d e c i d e d h e w a s a h o p e l e s s c a s e
a n y w a y a n d not w o r t h chasing. Instead, they headed d o w n into the valley
t o d i v i d e t h e b o o t y . E v e r y o n e w a s well p l e a s e d a n d felt h e h a d c o m e
easily e n o u g h by his s h a r e .
M e a n w h i l e t h e m e r c h a n t o n h i s hill w a s s t a r i n g aloft a n d b e l l o w i n g ,
" W h e r e are y o u ? W h e r e are y o u ? H u r r y ! " In an hour or so a huge,
m u r d e r o u s w a s p t h r e e i n c h e s l o n g c a m e d r o n i n g d o w n from t h e s k y i n t o
a tall t r e e n e a r b y . T h e m e r c h a n t r e d o u b l e d his e x h o r t a t i o n s t o h a s t e .
T h e n a long, thick, reddish cloud a p p e a r e d in the sky.
T h e r o b b e r s w e r e just p u t t i n g a w a y their spoils. T h e cloud d e s c e n d e d
into their valley a n d the w a s p in the tree followed. T h e cloud w a s w a s p s .
H u n d r e d s of w a s p s overwhelmed each robber and stung him to death.
T h e n the cloud g a t h e r e d once more, rose, a n d vanished into the distance.
T h e quicksilver m e r c h a n t w e n t d o w n into the valley in his t u r n a n d
found there the whole h o a r d of booty the r o b b e r s h a d stored up over the
y e a r s : a h u g e n u m b e r o f b o w s , q u i v e r s , h o r s e s , s a d d l e s , a r t i c l e s o f clo t h -
ing, a n d m a n y o t h e r t h i n g s . H e r e t u r n e d w i t h i t all t o K y o t o , e v e n r i c h e r
than before.
2 0 2

H i s s e c r e t w a s t h a t h e b r e w e d w i n e a t h o m e a n d fed i t all t o his w a s p s ,

which in m a n y other w a y s too he treated with the greatest consideration.
M o s t r o b b e r s k n e w t h i s a n d left h i s p r o p e r t y a l o n e . T h e s e m a r a u d e r s
had been done in by their own ignorance.

i 4 a .

WITHOUT EVEN A FIGHT

S a k a n o u e n o H a r u z u m i , a v e t e r a n w a r r i o r , lived i n t h e p r o v i n c e o f Kii.
H a v i n g b u s i n e s s i n t h e C a p i t a l h e set off, b u t n o t w i t h o u t b e i n g fully
a r m e d a n d a c c o m p a n i e d b y e q u a l l y w e l l - a r m e d r e t a i n e r s , for h e f e a r e d
an a t t a c k by a particular e n e m y of his.
L a t e that night he w a s p a s s i n g t h r o u g h the s o u t h e r n district of the
Capital w h e n he met a party of court nobles on horseback. Servants were
going ostentatiously before t h e m to clear the way. There w a s no d o u b t
about what had to be done. Haruzumi dismounted. "Lay down your
b o w s ! " h e o r d e r d h i s m e n , w h o p r o m p t l y o b e y e d . T h e n t h e y all w a i t e d
with their foreheads pressed to the earth.
H a r u z u m i w a s j u s t t h i n k i n g t h e l o r d s m u s t h a v e g o n e b y w h e n h e , like
e v e r y o n e o f h i s m e n , felt a h e a v y h a n d o n his n e c k . H e t w i s t e d his h e a d
r o u n d i n s u r p r i s e . T h e r i d e r s h e h a d t a k e n for n o b l e s w e r e i n s t e a d half a
d o z e n a r m e d a n d a r m o r e d men with a r r o w s ready to the string. " M o v e
and you're dead!" one barked.
T h e y w e r e b a n d i t s , a n d H a r u z u m i h a d fallen s t r a i g h t i n t o t h e i r t r a p .
H e w a s f u r i o u s w i t h himself, a n d m i s e r a b l e t o o , b u t u n d e r t h r e a t o f
instant d e a t h he could only do as the bandits ordered. T h e y stripped him
a n d his m e n of e v e r y g a r m e n t t h e y h a d on, of their b o w s a n d quivers, of
their horses a n d saddles, of their s w o r d s a n d daggers, a n d even of their
shoes.
H a r u z u m i k n e w that if he had been on g u a r d against them they would
h a v e h a d t o kill h i m t o g e t a w a y w i t h t h i s , a n d h e felt s u r e h e w o u l d h a v e
p u t u p a g o o d e n o u g h f i g h t t o c a p t u r e t h e b a n d i t s s o m e h o w himself. B u t
t h e y h a d t r i c k e d him w i t h t h e i r c h a r a d e into laying d o w n his o w n a r m s
a n d w a i t i n g politely, w i t h b o w e d head, to be r o b b e d . It w a s too m u c h .
His fighting career w a s cursed. H a r u z u m i gave up the profession of arms.
14 3 .

THE TEMPLE BELL

O n e day an ancient m o n k turned up at Koyadera in Settsu province and

e x p l a i n e d t o t h e a b b o t t h a t h e w a s o n h i s w a y u p from t h e w e s t e r n
p r o v i n c e s t o w a r d t h e C a p i t a l . " B u t I'm s o o l d t h a t I'm all w o r n o u t , " h e
continued. "I just can't go o n ! P e r h a p s y o u w o n ' t mind if I rest at y o u r
t e m p l e for a w h i l e . D o y o u s u p p o s e t h e r e ' s a n y w h e r e I c o u l d s t a y ? "
"I can't think of a place offhand," the abbot replied. "If y o u stay in the
g a l l e r y a r o u n d t h e m a i n hall, y o u ' l l b e e x p o s e d t o t h e w e a t h e r a n d y o u ' l l
get sick."
"Well, h o w a b o u t t h e bell t o w e r ? I t ' s c o m p l e t e l y e n c l o s e d , after all."
" F i n e , t h a t ' s a g o o d i d e a , " s a i d t h e a b b o t . " I t ' s all y o u r s . A n d i t w o u l d
b e n i c e i f y o u ' d r i n g t h e bell, t o o . "
T h e old m o n k l o o k e d p l e a s e d , a n d t h e a b b o t led h i m s t r a i g h t t o t h e
bell t o w e r . " H e r e ' s t h e bell r i n g e r ' s m a t , " h e s a i d . " M a k e y o u r s e l f a t
home."
W h e n t h e a b b o t r a n i n t o t h e r e g u l a r bell r i n g e r , h e t o l d h i m a b o u t t h e
o l d m o n k w h o h a d c o m e w a n d e r i n g i n a n d d e s c r i b e d h o w h e h a d in-
s t a l l e d t h e fellow u n d e r t h e b e l l . " H e s a y s he'll t a k e c a r e o f r i n g i n g i t , "
t h e a b b o t w e n t o n , " s o y o u c a n t a k e i t e a s y w h i l e h e ' s h e r e . " T h e bell
ringer did not complain.
F o r t w o d a y s t h e a n c i e n t t r a v e l e r r a n g t h e bell. O n t h e m o r n i n g o f t h e
t h i r d d a y t h e bell r i n g e r t h o u g h t h e w o u l d j u s t g o a n d see h o w t h e fellow
w a s doing. " H e l l o ! " he called at the base of the tower. " A r e y o u t h e r e ? "
A n d he squeezed inside.
T h e old m o n k , a m a z i n g l y tall, l a y s p r a w l e d o u t full l e n g t h , w r a p p e d i n
a m i s e r a b l e g a r m e n t . H e w a s d e a d . T h e bell r i n g e r b e a t a fast r e t r e a t a n d
w e n t t o find t h e a b b o t .
" T h e old boy's d e a d , " h e s t a m m e r e d . " W h a t are w e going t o d o ? "
T h e a b b o t w e n t straight t o c h e c k this awful n e w s . I t w a s t r u e . T h e
m o n k w a s d e a d . H e c l o s e d t h e d o o r t o t h e bell t o w e r a n d w a r n e d t h e r e s t
of the temple's m o n k s .
" C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s ! " they growled back at him. "It was so thoughtful of
y o u t o let h i m s t a y ! N o w y o u ' v e g o t t h e w h o l e t e m p l e p o l l u t e d ! " B u t i t
w a s t o o late n o w to be a n g r y . T h e y s a w they w o u l d h a v e to get some
villagers to come a n d take the b o d y a w a y .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e v i l l a g e ' s s h r i n e festival w a s n e a r , a s t h e v i l l a g e r s
quickly pointed out. " W e just can't go a n d get ourselves polluted n o w , "
they said. No one w o u l d touch the corpse, and noon came while the
m o n k s w e n t on fretting a b o u t w h a t in the world to do.
O u t o f n o w h e r e , t w o m e n a p p e a r e d , a b o u t t h i r t y y e a r s old a n d d r e s s e d
in light g r e y cloaks t h a t d a r k e n e d t o w a r d the b o t t o m , with broad, conical
hats h a n g i n g r o u n d their n e c k s against their b a c k s . Their skirts w e r e
t u c k e d u p for e a s i e r m o v e m e n t , a n d t h e y h a d s w o r d s s t u c k i n t h e i r b e l t s .
Certainly t h e y w e r e h u m b l e men, b u t they seemed alert a n d pleasant.
T h e y w e n t straight to the m o n k s ' dormitory and asked whether by any
c h a n c e a n old m o n k w a s s t o p p i n g n e a r b y .
T h e m o n k s t o l d t h e m a tall o l d m o n k h a d s p e n t t h e last c o u p l e o f d a y s
i n t h e b a s e o f t h e bell t o w e r , b u t s a i d t h e y g a t h e r e d t h a t t h i s m o r n i n g h e
had just been found dead. T h e t w o men burst into tears of shock and
grief. T h e y e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e o l d m o n k h a d b e e n t h e i r f a t h e r . " H e ' d
g o t t e n s t u b b o r n i n h i s o l d a g e , " t h e y s a i d , " a n d w e h a d a little q u a r r e l . I t
w a s n o t h i n g , r e a l l y , b u t h e s t o r m e d off a n d d i s a p p e a r e d . W e ' r e from
A k a s h i c o u n t y i n H a r i m a . A f t e r h e ' d g o n e w e split u p t o find h i m , a n d
w e ' v e b e e n l o o k i n g for h i m e v e r s i n c e . W e ' r e n o t p e n n i l e s s , y o u k n o w .
W e o w n a g o o d d e a l o f r i c e l a n d a n d y o u c a n find r e t a i n e r s o f o u r s e v e n
i n t h e n e i g h b o r i n g c o u n t y . W e ' l l h a v e a l o o k for o u r s e l v e s , a n d i f h e ' s
really d e a d we'll b u r y him this evening."
T h e a b b o t t o o k t h e m t o t h e bell t o w e r a n d w a i t e d o u t s i d e w h i l e t h e y
w e n t i n . " O h f a t h e r , h e r e y o u a r e ! " t h e y c r i e d w h e n t h e y s a w t h e old
m o n k ' s face. T h e n t h e y r o l l e d o n t h e g r o u n d a n d w e p t a l o u d . T h e sight
w a s t o o m u c h for t h e a b b o t , w h o w a s s o o n w e e p i n g t o o . " O u r q u a r r e l
w a s n o t h i n g , " t h e y m o u r n e d , " b u t y o u w e r e a n old m a n a n d j u s t w o u l d n ' t
g i v e i n ! O f f y o u w e n t t o h i d e from u s a n d e n d e d u p h e r e , i n t h e m i d d l e
of n o w h e r e . A n d we weren't even with you when you died!" This thought
b r o u g h t o n a fresh p a r o x y s m o f t e a r s . F i n a l l y t h e y said t h e y w o u l d g o t o
p r e p a r e for t h e f u n e r a l a n d c l o s e d t h e d o o r o f t h e bell t o w e r b e h i n d t h e m .
W h e n t h e a b b o t d e s c r i b e d t h e s c e n e t o his c o l l e a g u e s , t h e y w e p t t o o .
W e l l a l o n g i n t h e e v e n i n g s o m e f o r t y o r fifty p e o p l e a r r i v e d , w i t h m u c h
n o i s e a n d c o m m o t i o n , a n d b r o u g h t o u t t h e o l d m o n k ' s b o d y . Q u i t e a few
w e r e a r m e d . T h e m o n k s k e p t well a w a y from t h e bell t o w e r . F a r from
g o i n g t o w a t c h t h e p r o c e e d i n g s , t h e y w e r e all s o a f r a i d t h a t t h e y s h u t
themselves up in their r o o m s . As a result, they only heard the m o u r n e r s
c a r r y t h e b o d y t o a p i n e w o o d s e v e r a l h u n d r e d y a r d s off, u p a g a i n s t t h e
hillside b e h i n d t h e t e m p l e . T h e m o u r n e r s spent the night beating gongs
and chanting the Buddha's N a m e , dispersing only at dawn.
F o r t h e t h i r t y d a y s t h e p o l l u t i o n l a s t e d n o t e v e n t h e bell r i n g e r r a n g
t h e bell, a n d n o o t h e r m o n k w e n t n e a r t h e bell t o w e r e i t h e r . A t last, w h e n
i t w a s finally safe t o d o s o , t h e bell r i n g e r s r e t u r n e d t o t h e t o w e r t o clean
u p . T h e g r e a t bell w a s g o n e .
 T h e bell r i n g e r r a n t o s p r e a d t h i s l a t e s t o u t r a g e t o t h e r e s t o f t h e
t e m p l e , a n d t h e m o n k s t r o o p e d o u t t o s e e for t h e m s e l v e s . I t w a s a fact:
t h e bell h a d b e e n s t o l e n . W h y , t h o s e p e o p l e m u s t h a v e p l a n n e d t h e w h o l e
f u n e r a l j u s t s o t h e y c o u l d steal t h e bell! T h e m o n k s t h o u g h t t h e y h a d
better check the funeral site.
O f f t h e y all w e n t , w i t h s o m e p e o p l e from t h e village, t o t h e p i n e w o o d .
T h e t h i e v e s h a d c h o p p e d u p a b i g p i n e t r e e t o m a k e a fire a r o u n d t h e bell
a n d m e l t i t d o w n , a n d t h e r e w e r e b i t s o f b r o n z e all o v e r t h e p l a c e . T h e y
h a d b r o u g h t off q u i t e a n o p e r a t i o n ! U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e r e w a s n o w a y t o
find o u t w h o t h e y h a d b e e n . T h e m o n k s c o u l d o n l y r e s i g n t h e m s e l v e s t o
their loss.
E v e r since, K o y a d e r a h a s b e e n w i t h o u t a bell.

1
4 4 •
THE DEAD MAN WAKES

B e i n g a p r o f e s s i o n a l , t h e r o b b e r H a k a m a d a r e n a t u r a l l y e n d e d u p i n jail.
He w a s released u n d e r a general amnesty. Having nowhere to go then,
a n d n o t h i n g else t o t u r n h i s h a n d t o , h e w e n t u p t o O s a k a P a s s a n d
played dead, stark naked, beside the trail. T h e passing travelers clustered
round and, noticing that he w a s not w o u n d e d , chattered to each other
about h o w he might have died.
A l o n g from K y o t o c a m e a n a r m e d w a r r i o r o n a g o o d h o r s e , f o l l o w e d
by a t r o u p e of servants a n d retainers. T h e warrior saw the crowd,
s t o p p e d , a n d s e n t o n e o f h i s m e n t o find o u t w h a t t h e y w e r e g a w k i n g a t .
The man reported that they were puzzling over a dead man without a
w o u n d o n h i m . T h e w a r r i o r o r d e r e d his f o l l o w e r s b a c k i n t o p r o p e r for-
mation and rode on. He stared at the corpse as he passed.
T h e c r o w d c l a p p e d t h e i r h a n d s a n d l a u g h e d . " A fine w a r r i o r you a r e , "
t h e y t a u n t e d h i m , " w i t h all t h a t t r a i n o f y o u r s , t o b e s q u e a m i s h a b o u t a
body!" The warrior ignored them.
I n t i m e t h e c r o w e d d i s p e r s e d . T h e r e w a s n o o n e left a r o u n d H a k a m a -
dare w h e n a n o t h e r w a r r i o r came along. He had no train of servants and
retainers, b u t h e w a s well a r m e d . H e w e n t right u p t o the body. " P o o r
m a n ! " h e s a i d . " I w o n d e r w h a t y o u d i e d of. I d o n ' t s e e a n y w o u n d . " H e
p o k e d at the c o r p s e h e r e a n d t h e r e w i t h the tip of his b o w . S u d d e n l y the
d e a d m a n s e i z e d t h e b o w , l e a p e d u p , p u l l e d t h e w a r r i o r d o w n from his
h o r s e , d r e w t h e m a n ' s o w n d a g g e r , a n d killed h i m .
2 0 6

" B e t t e r b e m o r e c a r e f u l n e x t t i m e ! " said H a k a m a d a r e .

I n n o t i m e H a k a m a d a r e h a d t h e slain m a n ' s c l o t h e s off a n d w a s w e a r -
i n g t h e m himself. N e x t h e s e i z e d t h e w a r r i o r ' s w e a p o n s , j u m p e d o n his
horse, a n d galloped a w a y t o w a r d the east. He had already a r r a n g e d a
r e n d e z v o u s with a d o z e n or t w o of the convicts w h o had been released
with him, and he took any latecomer on as a servant. The band swept
along, r o b b i n g everyone they met of clothing, mounts, and weapons.
T h e s e w e r e d i s t r i b u t e d a m o n g t h e n a k e d b a n d i t s until i t w a s t w e n t y o r
thirty well-armed desperados w h o rode eastward along the road, and no
one they e n c o u n t e r e d could stand against them.
T h a t ' s w h a t a m a n like t h a t will d o i f y o u g i v e h i m half a c h a n c e . J u s t
g e t c l o s e e n o u g h for h i m t o t o u c h y o u , a n d w a t c h o u t ! T h e first w a r r i o r ,
t h e o n e w h o r o d e r e s o l u t e l y b y , t u r n e d o u t t o h a v e b e e n a fellow n a m e d
Taira no Sadamichi. Everyone w h o heard the story nodded approval of
h i s a c t i o n . I t h a d b e e n w i s e o f h i m t o p a s s o n , d e s p i t e his l a r g e t r a i n . A n d
w h a t a fool h e h a d b e e n , t h e o n e w h o , w i t h o u t a s i n g l e follower b y h i m ,
h a d g o n e right up to the body!

1 4 5 .

COVED

L a t e o n e fall H a k a m a d a r e , t h e n o t o r i o u s b a n d i t c h i e f t a i n , felt h e n e e d e d
s o m e n e w c l o t h e s a n d d e c i d e d t o g o l o o k i n g for t h e m . I t w a s t h e m i d d l e
of t h e night a n d t h e t o w n w a s quiet. Y o u could barely see the moon.
A l o n g c a m e a m a n w e a r i n g a c o m p l e t e , first-class outfit. H e w a s s a u n t e r -
i n g d o w n t h e p a t h p l a y i n g t h e flute.
" T h a t ' s t h e o n e ! " t h o u g h t t h e b a n d i t . " H e ' s c o m e t o g i v e m e his
clothes!"
H a k a m a d a r e w a s a b o u t t o j u m p h i s v i c t i m w h e n h e s u d d e n l y felt
a f r a i d , a n d f o l l o w e d t h e m a n i n s t e a d . T h e m a n g a v e n o sign o f k n o w i n g
a n y o n e w a s b e h i n d h i m . H e j u s t s t r o l l e d a l o n g p l a y i n g his flute. T o test
him, H a k a m a d a r e started running with heavy steps.
T h e m a n t u r n e d a r o u n d but did not stop playing. H a k a m a d a r e re-
treated, u n a b l e to b r i n g himself to attack. He tried the same thing over
a n d over, but the m a n never got flustered. "This is an odd o n e ! " thought
Hakamadare.
 H a l f a mile o r s o f u r t h e r o n , H a k a m a d a r e d e c i d e d h e h a d t o a c t . H e
d r e w his s w o r d a n d c h a r g e d . T h e m a n s t o p p e d p l a y i n g , s t o o d still, a n d
t u r n e d t o face h i m . " W h o a r e y o u ? " h e a s k e d . H a k a m a d a r e w a s c o w e d .
In spite of himself he plopped d o w n on t h e g r o u n d .
" W h o are y o u ? " the man repeated. H a k a m a d a r e c o u l d tell i t w a s
useless to run.
"I'm a b a n d i t , " he a n s w e r e d .
"What's your name?
"Hakamadare."
" O h y e s , " said t h e m a n , " I ' v e h e a r d o f y o u . Y o u ' r e t o u g h . C o m e w i t h
m e . " H e w e n t o n a g a i n , p l a y i n g h i s flute. H a k a m a d a r e followed like a
demon caught by some god.
T h e y came to the man's house. He turned out to be the famous warrior
Yasumasa, the former g o v e r n o r of Settsu province. Y a s u m a s a invited
H a k a m a d a r e in and gave him a thickly p a d d e d coat. " W h e n y o u need
c l o t h e s , " h e said, "just c o m e t o m e . D o n ' t g o a t t a c k i n g people y o u k n o w
nothing about. You could make a big mistake."
The awestruck H a k a m a d a r e told this story the next time he w a s
arrested.

A m o u n t a i n t e m p l e in Tajima p r o v i n c e w a s over a c e n t u r y old. No one

went near it because it w a s h a u n t e d by demons, but one day a pair of
m o n k s , o n e old a n d o n e y o u n g , h a p p e n e d b y just after s u n d o w n , a n d
since they did not k n o w the place they decided to stay there.
After d a r k t h e y settled d o w n on opposite sides of the altar. In t h e
m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t s o m e t h i n g b a s h e d its w a y t h r o u g h t h e w a l l . T h e
c r e a t u r e s t a n k h o r r i b l y a n d w h e e z e d a n d s n o r t e d like a n o x , b u t i n t h e
d a r k n e s s t h e y c o u l d n o t s e e it. I t a t t a c k e d t h e y o u n g e r m o n k , w h o , i n his
2 0 8

fright, recited t h e L o t u s S u t r a a n d fervently p r a y e d to be spared. Sud-

d e n l y i t d r o p p e d h i m , fell o n t h e o l d e r m o n k , a n d b e g a n d e v o u r i n g h i m .
T h e victim s c r e a m e d horribly, but no one saved him a n d the d e m o n ate
him up.
T h e y o u n g e r m o n k w a s s u r e t h e d e m o n w o u l d n o w b e b a c k for him.
H e c l a m b e r e d u p o n t h e a l t a r ( t h e r e b e i n g n o o t h e r r e f u g e ) , t h r e w his
a r m s r o u n d o n e o f t h e d i v i n i t i e s , a n d b e g g e d for h e l p , t h e n w e n t o n
i n w a r d l y reciting the L o t u s . W h e n the d e m o n did come after him, he
n e a r l y fainted w i t h t e r r o r b u t his c o n c e n t r a t i o n never w a v e r e d . H e heard
t h e d e m o n c r a s h t o t h e floor i n f r o n t o f t h e a l t a r .
T h e r e w a s d e a d silence. T h e m o n k assumed the demon w a s waiting
for h i m t o b e t r a y h i m s e l f b y s o m e slight n o i s e , s o h e h a r d l y d a r e d e v e n
t o b r e a t h e . W i t h h i s a r m s a r o u n d t h e s t a t u e , a n d still m e n t a l l y r e c i t i n g
t h e L o t u s , h e w a i t e d for d a w n . I t s e e m e d like y e a r s . W h e n d a y c a m e a t
last, h e f o u n d h e h a d b e e n e m b r a c i n g t h e d i v i n e g u a r d i a n B i s h a m o n .
B e f o r e t h e a l t a r a n o x - h e a d e d d e m o n lay c u t i n t h r e e , a n d t h e b l a d e o f
Bishamon's spear w a s red with blood.

1
A 7 •

A PLEA FROM HELL

T a t e y a m a , a m o u n t a i n in E t c h u p r o v i n c e , has been k n o w n since antiquity

for its h e l l s . T h e r u g g e d , s w e e p i n g l a n d s c a p e t h e r e i s d e s o l a t e , a n d c o u n t -
less b o i l i n g s p r i n g s g u s h f r o m d e e p fissures i n t h e r a v i n e s . E v e n a h u g e
b o u l d e r r e s t i n g o n o n e o f t h e s e c r a c k s m a y b e set r o c k i n g b y t h e w a t e r
t h a t s u r g e s u p i r r e s i s t i b l y a r o u n d its b a s e . T h e h e a t i s t e r r i b l e , a n d y o u
c o m e e v e n t u a l l y to a c o l u m n of e n d l e s s fire. In o n e v a l l e y of t h i s hellish
w a s t e t h e r e is a w a t e r f a l l o v e r a h u n d r e d feet h i g h t h a t l o o k s like a v a s t
e x p a n s e of white cloth.
O n e peak of the m o u n t a i n is n a m e d M o u n t Taishaku because they say
t h a t i s w h e r e L o r d T a i s h a k u a n d t h e officials o f t h e u n d e r w o r l d g a t h e r
a n d j u d g e the d e e d s of sentient beings. People have always believed that
m o s t o f t h e s i n n e r s i n J a p a n e n d u p falling i n t o t h e hells o f T a t e y a m a .
O n c e a m o n k o f M i i d e r a c a m e t o T a t e y a m a i n t h e c o u r s e o f a difficult
pilgrimage to the holy places of the realm, and while he w a s walking
a m o n g t h e hells he m e t a y o u n g w o m a n . T h e sight of h e r frightened him
b e c a u s e i n a r e m o t e s p o t like t h a t s h e c o u l d o n l y b e a d e m o n , a n d h e
b e g a n to r u n a w a y . But she called to him, a s s u r e d him that she w a s not
a d e m o n , a n d told him that he need not be afraid. S h e had s o m e t h i n g to
tell h i m .
" M y h o m e , " she said, " w a s i n G a m o c o u n t y o f O m i province, w h e r e
m y p a r e n t s still live. M y f a t h e r m a k e s h i s l i v i n g c a r v i n g b u d d h a - i m a g e s
o u t o f w o o d . W h e n I w a s a l i v e , m y f o o d a n d c l o t h i n g c a m e from t h e s e
i m a g e s , a n d t h a t ' s w h y a f t e r d e a t h I fell i n t o a hell w h e r e I suffer h o r r i b l e
a g o n y . P l e a s e , i n y o u r c o m p a s s i o n , tell m y m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r w h a t ' s
h a p p e n e d t o m e ! H a v e t h e m c o p y t h e L o t u s S u t r a for m e a n d s a v e m e
from t h e s e t o r m e n t s ! "
" Y o u say y o u ' r e suffering in hell," the m o n k replied, " b u t a p p a r e n t l y
y o u ' r e still free t o a p p e a r t o m e . H o w i s t h i s p o s s i b l e ? "
T h e y o u n g w o m a n explained that this w a s K a n n o n s day, the eigh-
teenth day of the moon. " W h e n I w a s alive," she went on, "I meant to
serve K a n n o n and read the K a n n o n chapter of the Lotus Sutra. A n d even
t h o u g h I k e p t p u t t i n g off a c t u a l l y d o i n g it, j u s t o n c e o n a n e i g h t e e n t h d a y
I d i d p u r i f y m y s e l f a n d call o n K a n n o n . T h a t ' s w h y e a c h m o o n , o n t h e
e i g h t e e n t h d a y , K a n n o n c o m e s a n d suffers i n m y p l a c e for a d a y a n d a
n i g h t . T h e n I c a n l e a v e m y hell a n d w a n d e r f r e e l y . " W h e n s h e h a d
finished speaking, she vanished.
T h e m o n k w e n t s t r a i g h t t o O m i t o find o u t w h e t h e r all t h i s w a s t r u e .
In G a m o county he found the y o u n g woman's parents, and they wept to
h e a r t h e n e w s h e b r o u g h t t h e m . W h e n h e h a d g o n e , t h e y lost n o t i m e i n
c o p y i n g a n d d e d i c a t i n g t h e S u t r a for t h e i r d a u g h t e r .
L a t e r t h e father d r e a m e d t h a t she c a m e to him beautifully dressed,
greeted him with her p a l m s pressed together, a n d told him h o w she h a d
left t h e hell o n T a t e y a m a b y t h e p o w e r o f K a n n o n . N o w , s h e s a i d , s h e
had been born into the Tori H e a v e n . T h e m o n k had just the same h a p p y
dream.

1 4 8 .

THE VOICE FROM THE CAVE

H a v i n g o n e m o r n i n g s o m e u r g e n t b u s i n e s s t o l o o k a f t e r a t t h e office, a
s e c r e t a r y i n t h e H i g o p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t r o d e off f i r s t t h i n g , all a l o n e .
H e n o r m a l l y c o v e r e d t h e h a l f - m i l e o r s o q u i c k l y , b u t t h i s t i m e h e g o t lost
and came out on a broad plain. He had no idea w h e r e he w a s .
2 1 0

B y s u n d o w n , a f t e r c r o s s i n g t h e p l a i n all d a y , h e still h a d n o t s e e n a
single h o u s e w h e r e he might s p e n d the night. H o w h e l o n g e d for a
v i l l a g e ! At last he g l i m p s e d , f r o m t h e t o p of a rise, t h e c o r n e r of a well-
m a d e roof.
" I s a n y o n e h o m e ? " h e s h o u t e d w h e n h e r e a c h e d t h e h o u s e , for t h e
place seemed awfully quiet. "Please come to the door! What's the name
of this p l a c e ? "
" W h o a r e y o u ? " c a l l e d a w o m a n ' s v o i c e from i n s i d e . " C o m e o n i n ! "
H e r v o i c e f r i g h t e n e d t h e s e c r e t a r y . H e c a l l e d b a c k t h a t h e w a s lost,
a n d in too m u c h of a h u r r y to stop. "I just w a n t to k n o w where I a m ! "
h e w e n t o n . " W o n ' t y o u p l e a s e tell m e ? "
" W a i t a m i n u t e ! I'll b e r i g h t o u t ! "
T e r r i f i e d , t h e s e c r e t a r y w h e e l e d his h o r s e r o u n d a n d g a l l o p e d a w a y a s
fast a s h e c o u l d .
" H e y ! " shouted the w o m a n as she emerged. " W a i t ! "
H e g l a n c e d b a c k . S h e w a s a s tall a s t h e r o o f a n d h e r e y e s w e r e g l e a m -
i n g . " T h a t ' s i t ! " h e t h o u g h t . " I t w a s a d e m o n ' s h o u s e ! " H e frantically
w h i p p e d his horse on.
" W h e r e d o y o u think y o u ' r e g o i n g ? " she bellowed. " S t o p right t h e r e ! "
T h e s e c r e t a r y n e a r l y w e n t m a d w i t h f e a r b e c a u s e s h e w a s after h i m
n o w , t e n feet tall a n d w i t h e y e s a n d a m o u t h t h a t s p o u t e d d a z z l i n g flashes
o f fire. T h e m o u t h g a p e d w i d e t o s w a l l o w h i m . H e a l m o s t f a i n t e d a n d fell
off h i s h o r s e , b u t still m a n a g e d s o m e h o w t o p r a y , " K a n n o n , s a v e m e , o h
save me n o w ! "
W h e n h i s h o r s e s t u m b l e d a n d fell, h e w a s t h r o w n c l e a r . N o d o u b t h e
would be eaten any second. Without even knowing what he was doing
h e d a s h e d i n t o a b u r i a l c a v e n e a r b y , a n d t h e d e m o n c a m e p o u n d i n g after
him. " W h e r e are y o u ? " it r o a r e d . " Y o u w e r e there just a m o m e n t a g o ! "
T h e n it halted a n d b e g a n d e v o u r i n g his h o r s e . O b v i o u s l y he w o u l d be
next, unless by a n y unlikely c h a n c e it really did not k n o w w h e r e he w a s .
H e w e n t o n p r a y i n g t o K a n n o n w i t h all his h e a r t .
H a v i n g finished the horse, the d e m o n c a m e to the mouth of the cave.
"All r i g h t , " i t s a i d , " t h i s m a n w a s s u p p o s e d t o b e m y m e a l for t o d a y . W h y
h a v e y o u t a k e n h i m a w a y from m e ? Y o u ' r e a l w a y s p l a y i n g m e n a s t y
t r i c k s like t h i s a n d I've h a d e n o u g h ! " I t k n e w w h e r e h e w a s , all r i g h t .
" O h n o , h e ' s m i n e a n d I ' m k e e p i n g h i m , " g r o w l e d a v o i c e from f u r t h e r
back in the cave. "You got the horse. W h a t more do y o u w a n t ? "
I t w a s all o v e r n o w , t h e s e c r e t a r y w a s q u i t e s u r e o f t h a t . N o t o n l y w a s
that horrible d e m o n right outside the cave, but an even more horrible
o n e w a s i n s i d e it. All h i s p r a y e r s t o K a n n o n w e r e i n v a i n , a n d i n a
m o m e n t he would be dead. Well, he probably had nothing to blame but
h i s o w n a w f u l k a r m a f r o m p a s t lives.
 T h e d e m o n outside kept pleading a n d complaining, but to no avail.
F i n a l l y i t left, still g r u m b l i n g . N o w t h e s e c r e t a r y e x p e c t e d t o b e d r a g g e d
i n t o t h e m o n s t e r ' s lair a n d e a t e n .
" Y o u w e r e g o i n g t o m a k e a m e a l for t h a t d e m o n t o d a y , " s a i d t h e v o i c e ,
"but y o u prayed so devoutly to Kannon that you've been spared. Keep
u p y o u r faith a f t e r t h i s a n d c h a n t t h e L o t u s S u t r a . D o y o u k n o w w h o I
am?"
T h e secretary said n o .
" I ' m n o d e m o n . A h o l y m a n o n c e lived i n t h i s c a v e . O n t o p o f t h e
m o u n t a i n n e a r b y h e b u i l t a t o w e r a n d e n s h r i n e d t h e L o t u s S u t r a i n it.
T h e t o w e r a n d t h e S u t r a itself h a v e l o n g s i n c e c r u m b l e d a w a y a n d t h e r e ' s
n o t h i n g left b u t myo, o r ' w o n d e r f u l , ' t h e f i r s t w o r d o f t h e S u t r a ' s title.
I'm t h a t myo. I've a l r e a d y s a v e d n i n e h u n d r e d a n d n i n e t y - n i n e p e o p l e
from t h a t d e m o n a n d y o u ' r e t h e o n e - t h o u s a n d t h . G o h o m e n o w . N e v e r
g i v e u p y o u r faith i n t h e B u d d h a a n d y o u r d e v o t i o n t o t h e L o t u s ! "
A divine b o y c a m e out of t h e cave to see the secretary h o m e . W e e p i n g ,
t h e s e c r e t a r y p r o s t r a t e d himself i n g r a t i t u d e a n d a d o r a t i o n , t h e n f o l l o w e d
the b o y t o the g a t e o f his o w n h o u s e , w h e r e the b o y v a n i s h e d . T h e
s e c r e t a r y p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f o n c e m o r e b e f o r e w a l k i n g in. It was the
m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t . H e t o l d h i s family e v e r y t h i n g t h a t h a d h a p p e n e d t o
him, a n d they w e r e very, very glad to have him back!

1
4 9 •

INCORRIGIBLE

Toshiyuki, a respected poet a n d calligrapher, h a d such beautiful h a n d -

w r i t i n g t h a t p e o p l e w e r e a l w a y s a s k i n g h i m t o c o p y t h e L o t u s S u t r a for
t h e m . T h e y t o o k i t for g r a n t e d t h a t T o s h i y u k i ' s e l e g a n t r e n d i t i o n o f t h e
s a c r e d t e x t w o u l d h e l p t h e m t o w a r d a b e t t e r life n e x t t i m e . T o s h i y u k i
had copied the S u t r a t w o h u n d r e d times this w a y w h e n he suddenly died.
N o t realizing w h a t had h a p p e n e d , he only k n e w that he had been
a b r u p t l y s e i z e d a n d d r a g g e d off. H e w a s o u t r a g e d a n d c o u l d n o t u n d e r -
stand h o w a n y o n e , even the emperor, could do such a thing to a man of
his s t a n d i n g .
" W h a t h a v e I d o n e t o d e s e r v e t h i s ? " h e a s k e d t h e officer w h o h e
thought had arrested him.
" W h o k n o w s ? " t h e officer r e p l i e d . " I w a s o r d e r e d t o g o a n d g e t y o u ,
2 1 2

a n d t h a t ' s w h a t I ' m d o i n g . C o m e t o t h i n k o f it, h a v e y o u b e e n m a k i n g

copies of the Lotus S u t r a ? "
T o s h i y u k i said he had.
" H o w m u c h o f t h i s c o p y i n g w a s for y o u r s e l f ? "
" N o n e . I t ' s all b e e n for o t h e r p e o p l e . I m u s t h a v e d o n e a c o u p l e of
hundred Sutras."
" T h a t ' s it, t h e n . T h e r e h a v e b e e n c o m p l a i n t s a n d I s u p p o s e t h e c a s e
has come u p . "
T h a t w a s all T o s h i y u k i c o u l d g e t o u t o f h i m . T h e y m a r c h e d o n i n
silence.
S o o n t h e y met a force of t w o h u n d r e d w a r r i o r s , w e a r i n g grim battle
a r m o r a n d r i d i n g s t r a n g e , t e r r i b l e h o r s e s . T h e e y e s i n t h e i r g h a s t l y faces
f l a s h e d like l i g h t n i n g a n d t h e i r m o u t h s w e r e like fire. T o s h i y u k i a l m o s t
f a i n t e d w i t h fear, b u t t h e officer f o r c e d h i m b a c k t o h i s feet a n d t h e y
w e n t on, with the soldiers before them.
" W h o a r e they!" T o s h i y u k i m a n a g e d t o s t a m m e r .
" D o n ' t y o u k n o w ? They're the people w h o had y o u write out the
Sutra. T h e y w e r e counting on the merit getting them reborn in heaven
or at least giving t h e m a n o t h e r try as h u m a n s . But y o u — y o u w e r e eating
fish a n d e n j o y i n g w o m e n all t h e t i m e y o u d i d y o u r c o p y i n g . Y o u n e v e r
purified yourself. On the contrary, y o u had y o u r mind on nothing but
t h e l a d i e s . S o t h e y h a d n o m e r i t w h a t e v e r from y o u r w o r k a n d w e r e b o r n
i n s t e a d i n t o t h e s e fierce, w a r l i k e f o r m s . T h e y ' r e s o a n g r y t h e y w a n t
r e v e n g e , a n d t h a t ' s w h y t h e y ' v e b e e n d e m a n d i n g t h a t y o u b e called in.
T o tell t h e t r u t h , i t w a s n ' t a c t u a l l y y o u r t i m e y e t , b u t t h e y i n s i s t e d . "
T o s h i y u k i felt a s t h o u g h a k n i f e h a d g o n e t h r o u g h h i m a n d his h e a r t
froze. " W h a t a r e they g o i n g to do to m e ? " he asked.
" O b v i o u s l y they're going to cut y o u up with those swords and daggers
o f t h e i r s i n t o t w o h u n d r e d little p i e c e s , a n d e a c h o f t h e m i s g o i n g t o k e e p
o n e . E v e r y p i e c e will b e y o u , fully c o n s c i o u s , s o you'11 suffer h o r r i b l y a n y
t i m e a n y o n e o f t h e m t o r t u r e s t h e p i e c e h e ' s g o t . O h y e s , y o u ' l l find i t
worse than anything y o u can imagine!"
" W h a t can I do to be s p a r e d ? "
" I ' v e n o i d e a , " t h e officer r e p l i e d . " I c a n ' t s e e w h a t w o u l d s a v e y o u . "
T o s h i y u k i w a s n e a r l y o u t o f his m i n d w i t h t e r r o r .
O n t h e y w e n t till t h e y c a m e t o a g r e a t r i v e r r u n n i n g a s b l a c k a s t h e
blackest ink. Toshiyuki asked w h a t these strange, inky waters might be.
" D o n ' t y o u u n d e r s t a n d ? " t h e officer a n s w e r e d . " T h i s i s t h e i n k from
all t h e L o t u s S u t r a c o p i e s y o u m a d e . A s u t r a c o p i e d w i t h p u r e h e a r t i s
a c c e p t e d instantly into the palace of the D r a g o n King w h o g u a r d s the
B u d d h a ' s T e a c h i n g . B u t c o p i e s m a d e like y o u r s , w i t h defiled m i n d a n d
f i l t h y b o d y , a r e t h r o w n a w a y i n t h e f i e l d s , a n d t h e i n k w a s h e s off i n t h e
r a i n till it m a k e s a r i v e r . "
" O h p l e a s e , p l e a s e , " s o b b e d T o s h i y u k i , "is t h e r e n o h e l p for m e , n o t h -
ing I can d o ? "
" I ' m s o r r y , I m i g h t p o s s i b l y b e a b l e t o d o s o m e t h i n g for y o u i f y o u r sin
w e r e a c o m m o n p l a c e o n e , b u t I'm a f r a i d it's u n s p e a k a b l e . Y o u ' l l g e t n o
reprieve."
J u s t t h e n a frightful f i e n d c h a r g e d u p , g r o w l e d a t t h e officer t h a t h e
h a d b e e n s l o w b r i n g i n g t h e p r i s o n e r in, g r a b b e d T o s h i y u k i b y t h e n e c k ,
a n d m a r c h e d h i m off. T h e y c a m e t o a g r e a t g a t e t h r o u g h w h i c h c o u n t l e s s
o t h e r s , d r a g g e d like T o s h i y u k i , o r b o u n d , o r i n i r o n s , w e r e p o u r i n g from
e v e r y d i r e c t i o n till i t w a s h a r d l y p o s s i b l e e v e n t o p a s s . I n s i d e t h e g a t e ,
t h e t w o h u n d r e d w a r r i o r s w h o m T o s h i y u k i r e c o g n i z e d all t o o well w e r e
g l a r i n g a t h i m w i t h f i e r y e y e s a n d l i c k i n g t h e i r lips i n g r i m a n t i c i p a t i o n .
T o s h i y u k i w a s f r a n t i c a l l y c u d g e l i n g h i s b r a i n s for a w a y o u t w h e n t h e
fiend w h o w a s d r a g g i n g him w h i s p e r e d in his ear, " M a k e a v o w to c o p y
the S u t r a of Golden Light! " As they w e n t in through the gate, Toshiyuki
vowed to copy the Sutra of Golden Light by w a y of atonement.
He w a s h a u l e d in to s t a n d before the c o u r t of E m m a , the king of hell.
" I s t h i s T o s h i y u k i ? " a bailiff g r o w l e d . A n o t h e r bailiff d e m a n d e d t o k n o w
w h y , considering the huge n u m b e r of complaints lodged against him,
Toshiyuki had been so slow to appear.
" I b r o u g h t h i m s t r a i g h t h e r e , sir, after I s e i z e d h i m , " said t h e a r r e s t i n g
officer.
" W h a t w a s it y o u did up there in the w o r l d ? " they asked Toshiyuki.
" N o t h i n g , r e a l l y . I j u s t w r o t e o u t t h e L o t u s S u t r a for p e o p l e w h o a s k e d
me to. I m a d e two h u n d r e d copies."
" A c t u a l l y , " t h e y t o l d h i m , " y o u r l i f e - s p a n h a d a little m o r e t o r u n , b u t
you've been brought in because of complaints that y o u copied the Sutra
while y o u w e r e unclean. O u r orders are to deliver y o u to y o u r accusers
so they can dispose of y o u as they see fit."
T h e t w o h u n d r e d soldiers p r e p a r e d to take charge of their victim.
" B u t I m a d e a v o w , " p r o t e s t e d T o s h i y u k i , s h u d d e r i n g w i t h fear, " t o
dedicate to the B u d d h a a copy of the S u t r a of Golden Light, a n d I w a s
s e i z e d b e f o r e I c o u l d fulfill it. It'll be a t e r r i b l e sin if I d o n ' t go t h r o u g h
w i t h it, o n e I c o u l d n e v e r a t o n e f o r . "
T h i s b r o u g h t t h e bailiffs u p s h o r t . T h e y d e c l a r e d t h a t i f t h i s w e r e t r u e
the w h o l e arrest h a d been a mistake, a n d they o r d e r e d Toshiyuki's claim
c h e c k e d i n t h e g r e a t R e g i s t e r o f D e e d s . T h e s e c r e t a r y o f t h e c o u r t o f hell
leafed t h r o u g h t h e r e g i s t e r a n d r e a d off e v e r y last d e e d o f T o s h i y u k i ' s .
T h e y w e r e all s i n s . O n l y a t t h e last split s e c o n d , w h e n h e h a d g o n e
2 1 4

t h r o u g h t h e e n t i r e list, d i d h e finally a n n o u n c e , " Y e s , it's t r u e . T h e e n t r y

is here at the very e n d . "
" W e l l , t h e n , " t h e y t o l d T o s h i y u k i , " w e ' l l h a v e t o set y o u free. G o
a c c o m p l i s h y o u r v o w a n d c o n t i n u e y o u r life a s y o u t h i n k b e s t . "
T h e g r i m h o s t o f t w o h u n d r e d , t h a t j u s t n o w h a d felt t h e i r h a n d s n e a r l y
o n h i m , s u d d e n l y v a n i s h e d . T o s h i y u k i r e t u r n e d t o life.
F o r t w o d a y s h i s w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n h a d b e e n m o u r n i n g h i m w h e n all
a t o n c e h e o p e n e d his eyes a n d w a s b a c k . Joyfully t h e y gave him some-
t h i n g h o t t o d r i n k , a n d i t w a s o n l y t h e n t h a t h e finally u n d e r s t o o d h e h a d
b e e n d e a d . In his m i n d he s a w again e v e r y t h i n g he had just witnessed as
t h o u g h reflected in the clearest of mirrors, a n d he resolved to copy and
d e d i c a t e t h e S u t r a of G o l d e n Light, p r o p e r l y purified this time, just as
soon as he should be himself again.
I n t i m e h e r e c o v e r e d fully a n d h u r r i e d t o h a v e a c r a f t s m a n p r e p a r e a
s c r o l l o f p a p e r t o r e c e i v e t h e s u t r a . B u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e his t h o u g h t s
began w a n d e r i n g again, and it was not toward the B u d d h a and the
s c r i p t u r e s t h a t t h e y r o a m e d . H e w a s q u i c k l y a b s o r b e d i n r o m a n t i c visits
a n d fancies, a n d w o r r i e d only a b o u t h o w to w r i t e the nicest possible
v e r s e s . S o t h e m o n t h s a n d y e a r s flew b y w i t h o u t h i s e v e r c o p y i n g t h e
s u t r a u n t i l h i s life r e a c h e d its a l l o t t e d t e r m a n d h e p a s s e d a w a y .
A few y e a r s later the poet Ki no T o m o n o r i had a d r e a m . T h e r e came
t o h i m o n e w h o m h e u n d e r s t o o d t o b e T o s h i y u k i , a l t h o u g h fearfully
c h a n g e d f r o m w h a t T o s h i y u k i h a d o n c e b e e n a n d t e r r i f y i n g t o look a t .
"A v o w I m a d e to write out a n d dedicate the S u t r a of Golden Light
g a i n e d m e a r e p r i e v e , " t h e a p p a r i t i o n said, " a n d I w a s r e t u r n e d t o life.
B u t m y h e a r t s t a y e d a s f r i v o l o u s a s b e f o r e a n d I finally d i e d w i t h o u t e v e r
c o p y i n g t h e s u t r a . F o r t h i s I'm n o w s u f f e r i n g t h e m o s t h o r r i b l e t o r t u r e s .
H a v e p i t y o n m e , find t h e p a p e r I h a d p r e p a r e d for t h e s u t r a , t a k e i t t o a
certain m o n k at Miidera, a n d have him m a k e the copy and the dedica-
tion!" T h e n it screamed.
Tomonori a w o k e soaked in sweat. D a w n had barely broken when he
h u r r i e d off o n h i s e r r a n d . H e f o u n d t h e p a p e r a n d s o o n w a s k n o c k i n g a t
t h e m o n k ' s d o o r . T h e m o n k w a s glad to see him because, as he explained,
he had been on the point of sending a messenger to Tomonori's house.
T o m o n o r i a s k e d w h y , c o n c e a l i n g for t h e m o m e n t his o w n r e a s o n for
having come, a n d the m o n k related the precise counterpart to Tomonori's
d r e a m . T o s h i y u k i h a d a p p e a r e d t o h i m , told h i m t h a t T o m o n o r i w o u l d
b e a b l e t o find t h e p a p e r , a n d a s k e d h i m t o c o p y a n d d e d i c a t e t h e s u t r a .
T h e m o n k ' s d r e a m , like T o m o n o r i ' s , h a d e n d e d w i t h a h o r r i b l e s c r e a m .
T o m o n o r i a n d t h e m o n k w e p t b i t t e r l y o v e r T o s h i y u k i ' s a w f u l fate, a n d
T o m o n o r i p r o d u c e d the paper with an explanation of how he had come
t o b r i n g it.
 T h e m o n k did exactly as Toshiyuki had asked. W h e n the two d r e a m e d
o f T o s h i y u k i a g a i n , h e s e e m e d i n far b e t t e r s p i r i t s . H e t o l d t h e m t h a t t h e
m e r i t t h e y h a d g a i n e d for h i m h a d g r e a t l y l i g h t e n e d his s u f f e r i n g .

1 5 o .

THE PIRATE'S STORY

A v e r y old a n d pious m o n k w h o lived in Settsu province o n c e h e a r d

s o m e o n e m e n t i o n a n e n c o u n t e r w i t h p i r a t e s , a n d t h i s i n s p i r e d h i m t o tell
his o w n s t o r y .
" W h e n I w a s y o u n g , " h e r e l a t e d , " I h a d a v e r y g o o d life. I h a d all t h e
food a n d c l o t h i n g I c o u l d p o s s i b l y w a n t a n d e v e r y d a y I sailed t h e s e a .
'Admiral R o k u r o ' they called m e . I w a s a pirate.
" O n c e I w a s o u t a m o n g t h e i s l a n d s off t h e c o a s t o f A k i a n d t h e r e
w a s n ' t a n o t h e r vessel in sight, w h e n up r o w e d a ship. A nice-looking
fellow i n h i s m i d - t w e n t i e s s e e m e d t o b e h e r m a s t e r , a n d all I c o u l d s e e
beside him w e r e a couple of sailors. Well, I thought, there must be s o m e
p r e t t y w o m e n o n b o a r d t o o . I c o u l d s e e a bit r o u n d t h e b l i n d s o v e r t h e
c a b i n w i n d o w s , a n d I c o u l d m a k e o u t piles o f t r u n k s . O h , s h e w a s
c e r t a i n l y l o a d e d , a n d all b u t d e f e n s e l e s s . A y o u n g m o n k w a s u p o n t h e
cabin roof chanting the Lotus Sutra.
" N o matter h o w I maneuvered, that ship stayed with me. They seemed
to have no idea w h a t I w a s . T h a t m a d e me w o n d e r more than ever, so I
h a i l e d h e r . T h e m a s t e r s a i d h e w a s b o u n d for t h e C a p i t a l o n u r g e n t
business, h a v i n g p u t out from the p r o v i n c e of S u o . He had attached
h i m s e l f t o m e b e c a u s e h e f e a r e d p i r a t e s . H e m u s t h a v e b e e n a bit soft i n
the head.
" 'I'm not going the Capital,' I shouted back. 'I'm here to rendezvous
w i t h a n o t h e r s h i p a n d t h e n I'm h e a d i n g for S u o myself. Y o u ' d b e t t e r find
a v e s s e l b o u n d y o u r w a y ! ' H e s a i d all r i g h t , b u t h e w o u l d n ' t find o n e till
t o m o r r o w , a n d m e a n w h i l e h e ' d j u s t stick w i t h m e . H e a n c h o r e d r i g h t b y
u s i n t h e lee o f a n i s l a n d .
" T h e o p p o r t u n i t y w a s golden a n d my m e n w e r e d e t e r m i n e d to get their
hands on that cargo. You can imagine their amazement and horror when
w e b o a r d e d . W e w e r e tossing e v e r y o n e over t h e side, men a n d w o m e n
alike, w h e n t h e m a s t e r of the ship b e g a n p l e a d i n g w i t h me, s h e d d i n g
great big tears. ' T a k e e v e r y t h i n g I h a v e , ' he begged, 'but please, please
2 1 6

s p a r e m y life! M y o l d m o t h e r i n t h e C a p i t a l i s d y i n g a n d s h e ' s s e n t m e
w o r d s h e w a n t s s o m u c h t o s e e m e a g a i n ! T h a t ' s w h y I'm o n m y w a y a s
fast a s I c a n g o ! ' H e w a s l o o k i n g m e s t r a i g h t i n t h e e y e a s h e s p o k e , a n d
w r i n g i n g his h a n d s . B u t I told my m e n t h e y w e r e n ' t to take a n y sob
s t o r i e s . ' O v e r h e g o e s w i t h t h e r e s t ! ' I o r d e r e d . H e still k e p t his e y e s o n
m i n e , t h o u g h , w h i l e b i g t e a r s r o l l e d d o w n his c h e e k s , a n d I felt s o r r y for
h i m . Y e s , I k n e w i t w a s c r u e l , b u t I h a d m y w a y s , a n d I c o u l d n ' t see w h y
I should do him a n y favors. O v e r b o a r d he went.
" O v e r t h e s i d e t o o w e n t t h a t little m o n k from t h e c a b i n roof, frantically
c l u t c h i n g t h e S u t r a he h a d in a b a g s l u n g r o u n d his neck. But he stayed
a f l o a t , lifting t h e s u t r a b a g h i g h o u t o f t h e w a t e r . I n fact h e w a s floating
h i g h e r a n d higher, a n d it seemed he w o u l d never sink. He should have
d r o w n e d b y n o w . W e s t a r t e d b a s h i n g him over the head a n d j a b b i n g him
i n t h e b a c k w i t h t h e s t e e r i n g o a r , b u t h e still floated a s h i g h a s e v e r ,
h o l d i n g t h e S u t r a i n t h e a i r . I c o u l d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d it. T h e n I s a w s e v e r a l
b e a u t i f u l c h i l d r e n i n t h e w a t e r w i t h h i m , fore a n d aft, e a c h c a r r y i n g a
s l e n d e r w h i t e staff. O n e w a s h o l d i n g his h e a d u p w h i l e a n o t h e r s u p p o r t e d
the hand that carried the Sutra.
" M y m e n insisted t h e y s a w no children, but / could see t h e m . T h e y
w e r e k e e p i n g h i m a f l o a t . I w a s b e g i n n i n g t o feel like s a v i n g h i m , n o w , s o
I gave him the end of a pole a n d hauled him back to the ship. My men
g r u m b l e d a bit, b u t I g o t h i m a b o a r d . T h e c h i l d r e n w e r e n ' t t h e r e a n y
more.
" W h e n I q u e s t i o n e d him, he said he w a s on his w a y to the Capital
b e c a u s e at h o m e he'd n e v e r been able to get properly ordained. T h e
m a s t e r of t h e s h i p h a d offered to t a k e him along a n d had promised to
h a v e him o r d a i n e d by a m o n k friend of his. I asked him w h o those
c h i l d r e n h a d b e e n , t h e o n e s w h o h a d h e l d h i m u p , b u t h e said h e h a d n o
idea w h a t I w a s talking about.
" 'Well,' I told him, 'one w a s supporting the hand y o u were holding
the S u t r a with. A n y w a y , w h y were y o u so busy holding the Sutra up
w h e n y o u k n e w y o u ' d soon d r o w n ? ' 'I knew I was going to drown,' he
a n s w e r e d , 'but that didn't really matter. I just w a n t e d to k e e p the Sutra
d r y a s l o n g a s I c o u l d . It's t r u e m y a r m d i d n ' t g e t t i r e d , i n fact i t felt v e r y
light a n d s e e m e d t o g e t l o n g e r a n d l o n g e r . E v e n t h e n I r e a l i z e d i t w a s
s o m e h o w t h e S u t r a ' s p o w e r t h a t w a s d o i n g it. T h a n k y o u for s a v i n g m y
life.' A n d h e w e p t .
"I w a s deeply impressed. I asked him w h e t h e r he w o u l d turn back
n o w o r w h e t h e r h e w o u l d g o o n t o t h e C a p i t a l a n d g e t his o r d i n a t i o n ,
a n d I p r o m i s e d t o t a k e h i m i f h e w a s g o i n g o n . H e s a i d n o , h e d i d n ' t feel
like g e t t i n g o r d a i n e d a n y m o r e , h e j u s t w a n t e d t o g o h o m e . S o I offered
to take him that way, too. But I had to ask again w h o were those beauti-
ful c h i l d r e n I'd s e e n , a n d I w a s s o o v e r c o m e t h a t I w a s c r y i n g myself.
'I've c h a n t e d the L o t u s S u t r a constantly ever since I w a s six,' he a n -
swered, 'even w h e n I w a s badly frightened, so I suppose the gods w h o
protect the Sutra must have been with me.'
"That w a s w h e n my eyes were opened to the Buddha's noble truth.
Right there I d r o p p e d my quiver, my dagger, and my sword and resolved
to go w i t h t h a t m o n k a n d l e a d a h o l y life. I g o t a little food t o g e t h e r for
u s t o t a k e , b u t t h e r e s t o f t h e s p o i l s I left t o m y m e n . T h e y t h o u g h t I'd
gone mad, of course. T h e y w e r e convinced some d e m o n had gotten into
m e a n d t h e y d i d t h e i r b e s t t o m a k e m e forget t h e w h o l e t h i n g , b u t I p a i d
no a t t e n t i o n . Off I w e n t w i t h the m o n k to the m o u n t a i n temple w h e r e his
t e a c h e r lived, a n d t h e r e , inspired by t h e m e m o r y of my crimes a n d of
those divine children, I b e c a m e a m o n k myself. E v e r s i n c e t h e n I've
chanted the Sutra too."

i 5 i .

A LITTLE LESSON

T w o holy m e n o n c e lived at a m o u n t a i n temple. O n e , J i h o , w a s d e v o t e d

to the Lotus Sutra and the other, J i k o n , to the Sutra of D i a m o n d W i s -
d o m . T h e i r h u t s s t o o d a few h u n d r e d y a r d s a p a r t .
J i k o n h a d visibly p u t the p o w e r of his s u t r a into action, b e c a u s e his
m e a l s c a m e t o h i m all b y t h e m s e l v e s a n d h e n e v e r h a d t o g i v e t h e m a
t h o u g h t . J i h o , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , g o t all h i s p r o v i s i o n s from t h e faithful
w h o v i s i t e d h i m a n d w a s far f r o m w e l l off. P u f f e d u p w i t h p r i d e a t h i s
success, J i k o n assumed that t h a n k s to the sutra he served, a n d t h a n k s to
the s u p e r i o r i t y o f his o w n practice, the angels a n d p r o t e c t o r g o d s w e r e
w a t c h i n g o v e r h i m d a y a n d n i g h t ; w h e r e a s t h a t L o t u s fellow w a s w a s t i n g
his t i m e o n a s u t r a o f l e s s e r s t a t u r e a n d h a d i n a n y c a s e less m e r i t , s o t h a t
the protectors could not be bothered with him.
J i k o n w a s entertaining these ugly thoughts w h e n J i h o ' s acolyte hap-
p e n e d b y . J i k o n t o o k t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o a d v e r t i s e his o w n p o w e r a n d
v i r t u e . " A n d w h a t a r e your m a s t e r ' s p o w e r s ? " h e i n q u i r e d .
" H e doesn't have a n y , " the boy answered. " H e just manages with what
people bring him."
2 1 8

J i h o ' s only c o m m e n t w a s , " H e ' s quite right of course, quite right."

T h e r e c a m e a d a y w h e n J i k o n g o t n o food. H e g o t n o n e t h e n e x t d a y
either. By s u n d o w n on the third d a y he w a s not only h u n g r y and
frightened, b u t also a n g r y w i t h S u b h u t i , the B u d d h a ' s chief disciple in
t h e s u t r a h e s e r v e d . T h a t n i g h t h e d r e a m e d t h a t a n old m o n k , w i t h his
r i g h t s h o u l d e r b a r e i n t h e I n d i a n f a s h i o n , c a m e t o h i m a n d said, " I ' m
S u b h u t i . Y o u m a y s e r v e t h e D i a m o n d W i s d o m S u t r a , b u t s o far y o u ' r e
no model of w h a t it teaches. That's w h y the angels bring y o u nothing.
W h a t m a k e s y o u think y o u ' v e a n y right t o c o m p l a i n ? "
"But then, who's been providing my food?" asked Jikon.
" Y o u r f o o d ? O h , t h a t ' s from J i h o . H e ' s k i n d e n o u g h t o t a k e p i t y o n
y o u a n d h e s e n d s y o u t h e food w h i c h t h e p r o t e c t o r g o d s o f t h e L o t u s
b r i n g h i m . B u t y o u ' r e s o s t u p i d y o u ' v e g o t t e n all puffed u p a b o u t i t a n d
y o u ' v e slandered J i h o instead. Y o u ' d better go to him right a w a y and
confess y o u r fault."
W h e n J i k o n w o k e u p , h e bitterly regretted his behavior. H e w e n t
s t r a i g h t t o J i h o ' s h u t , p r o s t r a t e d himself, a n d b e g g e d his p a r d o n . " B u t
w h y , " h e a s k e d , " h a v e y o u s e n t m e n o food j u s t t h e s e last few d a y s ? "
J i h o smiled. " I ' m afraid I simply forgot to ask t h e p r o t e c t o r s to b r i n g
y o u a n y , " h e a n s w e r e d . A n d h i s a c o l y t e set t h e d i n n e r h e h a d j u s t m a d e
before J i k o n .
O n c e J i k o n w a s h o m e again, the meals came a s before. J i k o n gave u p
his p r i d e a n d b e c a m e J i h o ' s follower. In time the t w o passed a w a y to-
g e t h e r a n d w e r e w e l c o m e d b y all t h e s a i n t s i n t o p a r a d i s e .

O n e e v e n i n g s o m e m o n k s o n M o u n t H i e i d e c i d e d i t w o u l d b e fun t o
m a k e r i c e d u m p l i n g s . A y o u n g a c o l y t e p r i c k e d u p his e a r s a t t h e i r t a l k ,
b u t t h o u g h t h e h a d b e t t e r n o t l o o k a s t h o u g h h e w e r e w a i t i n g u p for t h e
d u m p l i n g s . I n s t e a d , h e w e n t off i n t o a c o r n e r a n d p r e t e n d e d t o g o t o
sleep. Eventually a flurry of activity a n n o u n c e d that the dumplings w e r e
ready.
T h e b o y felt p r e t t y s u r e t h e y w o u l d w a k e h i m n o w , a n d a t last, t h a n k
g o o d n e s s , a m o n k d i d call h i m . I f h e a n s w e r e d r i g h t a w a y , t h o u g h , t h e y
w o u l d k n o w h e h a d b e e n l y i n g a w a k e all t h e t i m e . B r a v e l y , h e s t e e l e d
h i m s e l f t o b e p a t i e n t till t h e y c a l l e d h i m a g a i n .
" N o w , now, don't bother h i m ! " chided another voice. " H e ' s just a
c h i l d a n d h e ' s fast a s l e e p ! "
W h a t a l e t d o w n ! T h e r e w a s n o s e c o n d call. All h e h e a r d w a s c h e w i n g
a n d t h e s m a c k i n g o f lips. F i n a l l y h e c o u l d s t a n d i t n o l o n g e r . A g e s a f t e r
t h e o n e call h e p i p e d u p , " Y e s ? W h a t i s i t ? "
The monks roared with laughter.

i 5 3 .

THE POT-HEADED DEMON

The boy acolytes at the great Buddhist temples are popular with the
m o n k s , w h o are s o m e t i m e s s o r r y t o see t h e m o r d a i n e d a n d their b e a u t y
tarnished by plain, dull robes.
At a sort of farewell p a r t y before an acolyte's ordination, one of the
monks became very drunk. I n h i s b e f u d d l e d g a i e t y h e r e a c h e d for a
three-legged c a u l d r o n t h a t h a p p e n e d t o b e h a n d y , t h e n s t u c k his h e a d
into it so that he could d a n c e as a three-horned, pot-headed d e m o n . H i s
n o s e w a s a bit i n t h e w a y b u t h e s q u a s h e d i t d o w n , g o t h i s h e a d in, a n d
performed to the company's uproarious applause.
W h e n h i s d a n c e w a s o v e r , h e t r i e d t o g e t t h e c a u l d r o n off. T h e festive
mood w a s d a m p e n e d w h e n he discovered he could not, a n d the m o n k s
began w o n d e r i n g w h a t to d o . T h e y tried coaxing a n d tugging the caul-
d r o n , b u t b l o o d j u s t r a n d o w n t h e fellow's n e c k , w h i c h s w e l l e d till h e
could hardly breathe. T h e could not break the cauldron, either, a n d the
a w f u l c l a n g i n g i n s i d e i t w h e n t h e y t r i e d w a s m o r e t h a n t h e fellow c o u l d
bear.
F i n a l l y t h e y g a v e u p , t h r e w a c l o t h o v e r t h e c a u l d r o n ' s p r o j e c t i n g legs,
g a v e t h e m o n k a staff t o l e a n o n , a n d led h i m b y t h e h a n d t o a p h y s i c i a n
i n t o w n . All t h e w a y t h e r e t h e p e o p l e s t a r e d a n d s t a r e d .
He looked v e r y p e c u l i a r sitting t h e r e in front of t h e physician. W h e n
2 2 0

h e t r i e d t o t a l k , h i s v o i c e w a s s o muffled t h a t n o o n e c o u l d m a k e o u t
w h a t he was saying.
" M y b o o k s h a v e n o t h i n g a b o u t a c a s e like t h i s , " t h e p h y s i c i a n d e -
clared. " T h e r e ' s no oral tradition on the subject either."
S o t h e y t o o k h i m b a c k t o t h e t e m p l e , w h e r e his r e l a t i v e s a n d his a g e d
m o t h e r g a t h e r e d w i t h t e a r s a n d g r o a n s at his bedside. It w a s impossible
t o tell w h e t h e r h e e v e n h e a r d t h e m o r n o t .
F i n a l l y s o m e o n e p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e m o n k ' s life a t least c o u l d b e
s a v e d , t h o u g h h e m i g h t lose h i s e a r s a n d n o s e i n t h e p r o c e s s . T h e i d e a
w a s s i m p l y t o p u l l a s h a r d a s p o s s i b l e . T h e y c a r e f u l l y lined t h e c a u l d r o n
w i t h s t r a w , t o k e e p t h e m e t a l a w a y from his face, a n d p u l l e d till t h e y
p r a c t i c a l l y t o r e h i s h e a d off. O f f c a m e t h e c a u l d r o n w i t h t h e n o s e a n d
ears, leaving only blank holes.

i 5 4 .

RIOTOUS LIVING

Z 6 y o , t h e fifth s o n o f M a j o r C o u n s e l o r T s u n e s u k e , w a s s u c h a n i m p r e s -
sive m o n k t h a t p e o p l e t h o u g h t h i m a living b u d d h a . H e h a d d o n e t h e
g r e a t p i l g r i m a g e t h r o u g h t h e O m i n e M o u n t a i n s t w i c e , a n d i n s o m e o f his
rites he conjured up visions of snakes, dragon-horses, and other bizarre
c r e a t u r e s . Y o u c o u l d h e a r a c t o r s a n d m u s i c i a n s c a r r y i n g o n a t his h o u s e
f r o m t w o h u n d r e d y a r d s a w a y , a n d y o u n g g u a r d s from t h e p a l a c e o r
from p r i v a t e h o u s e h o l d s w e r e a l w a y s w a n d e r i n g in a n d out a n d m a k i n g
a g r e a t noise. P e d d l e r s w o u l d c o m e a r o u n d selling saddles, s w o r d s , a n d
practically a n y t h i n g else, a n d since Z 6 y o paid w h a t e v e r price they asked,
the a r e a o u t s i d e his g a t e w a s a veritable m a r k e t . E v e r y luxury in the
w o r l d w a s his to enjoy.
Z o y o w a s deeply involved with a y o u n g wizard whom he had once
s e e n d a n c e , t o l o u d a p p l a u s e , a t a r i c e - p l a n t i n g festival. H o p e l e s s l y i n
l o v e , h e h a d q u i c k l y d e c i d e d t h a t i f h e w a n t e d t h e b o y w i t h h i m all t h e
time he w o u l d h a v e to m a k e him into a m o n k . "I don't k n o w , " the boy
s a i d , " I ' d r a t h e r s t a y a s I a m for a w h i l e . " B u t Z o y o , i n c a p a b l e o f l e t t i n g
t h e m a t t e r d r o p , k e p t a f t e r h i m till v e r y r e l u c t a n t l y h e a g r e e d .
N o w , it w a s a d r e a r y d a y a n d the spring rain w a s p o u r i n g endlessly
d o w n . Z o y o a s k e d a s e r v a n t w h e t h e r t h e b o y ' s old c l o t h e s w e r e still
around somewhere.
 " Y e s , Y o u r G r a c e , t h e y ' r e still i n t h e s t o r e r o o m , " t h e s e r v a n t r e p l i e d .
"Then bring them here."
T h e clothes w e r e b r o u g h t a n d Z o y o told the boy to put them on.
" B u t I'll l o o k f u n n y i n t h e m n o w ! " t h e b o y p r o t e s t e d .
"Put them o n ! " repeated Z o y o in a tone that discouraged argument.
T h e b o y w e n t off i n t o a c o r n e r a n d c h a n g e d . H e c a m e o u t w e a r i n g h i s
d a n c e r ' s b i r d h e a d d r e s s , a n d i n fact l o o k e d e x a c t l y a s h e h a d b e f o r e Z o y o
m a d e a m o n k o f h i m . Z o y o ' s face c r i n k l e d u p a t t h e s i g h t a s t h o u g h h e
w a s g o i n g t o cry; a n d t h e b o y too, s t a n d i n g before his master, s u d d e n l y
looked very serious.
" D o y o u r e m e m b e r t h e s t e p s o f y o u r Hajkirite d a n c e ? " Z o y o a s k e d .
" N o , I'm a f r a i d n o t . B u t I do r e m e m b e r a little of Katcuawara b e c a u s e
I r e h e a r s e d it so m u c h . "
T h e b o y b e g a n t o d a n c e , l e a p i n g g r a c e f u l l y a b o u t t h e little r o o m like a
b i r d . Z o y o let o u t a h o w l o f a n g u i s h a n d b u r s t i n t o t e a r s .
" C o m e h e r e , " he c o m m a n d e d . T h e boy came, a n d Z o y o fondled him
tenderly. " W h y , oh w h y did I ever make a m o n k of y o u ? " he groaned.
"I told y o u ! " said the boy. "I told y o u y o u ought to w a i t ! "
Z o y o m a d e h i m u n d r e s s a n d led h i m i n t o t h e n e x t r o o m . G o o d n e s s
k n o w s w h a t h a p p e n e d after that.

i 5 5 .

THE BOY WHO LAID THE

GOLDEN STONE

A m o n k o n M o u n t H i e i w a s a fine s c h o l a r , b u t h a v i n g n o p a t r o n h e w a s
s o p o o r t h a t h e finally f o u n d i t i m p o s s i b l e t o s t a y o n t h e m o u n t a i n .
Instead, he moved to a temple n a m e d Urin'in in the northern part of
K y o t o . H e d i d n o t e v e n h a v e a n y p a r e n t s t o t u r n t o for h e l p . All h e c o u l d
d o w a s g o e a c h m o n t h t o K u r a m a , a m o u n t a i n s a n c t u a r y n o t far a w a y , t o
p r a y for d i v i n e a i d . H e m a d e t h e s e p i l g r i m a g e s faithfully for s e v e r a l
years.
O n e day in the middle of the ninth moon, he w e n t to K u r a m a as usual,
a c c o m p a n i e d b y a s i n g l e , m i s e r a b l e little a c o l y t e . O n his w a y b a c k h e
r e a c h e d t h e o u t s k i r t s o f t h e C a p i t a l j u s t a s t h e s u n set, b u t t h e m o o n w a s
s o b r i g h t t h a t h e h u r r i e d o n . A s h e c a m e d o w n a little s t r e e t n o r t h
2 2 2

of First A v e n u e , a h a n d s o m e b o y of a b o u t sixteen, w e a r i n g a casually

b e l t e d w h i t e r o b e , fell i n b e s i d e h i m . T h e b o y l o o k e d a s t h o u g h h e m u s t
be from some temple a n d the m o n k found it odd that he had no m o n k
with him.
" W h e r e are y o u going, Y o u r R e v e r e n c e ? " asked the boy.
" H o m e to Urin'in," the m o n k replied.
"Please take me with y o u ! "
" W e l l , I d o n ' t e v e n k n o w y o u a n d I'm afraid I r e a l l y s h o u l d n ' t . W h e r e
a r e you g o i n g , a n y w a y ? T o y o u r m a s t e r ' s h o u s e ? T o y o u r p a r e n t s ? I'd b e
h a p p y to take y o u home with me, of course, but I hate to think what
t r o u b l e I c o u l d g e t i n t o for i t l a t e r o n ! "
" I u n d e r s t a n d h o w y o u feel, Y o u r R e v e r e n c e , b u t y o u see, t e n d a y s
a g o m y m a s t e r a n d I q u a r r e l e d , a n d I've b e e n w a n d e r i n g i n a d a z e e v e r
since. I don't have a n y parents because they died w h e n I w a s y o u n g . So
I d e c i d e d t h a t if I c o u l d j u s t find s o m e o n e to l o v e m e , I'd follow h i m
anywhere."
" W e l l t h e n , I'll b e g l a d t o h a v e y o u . I t w o n ' t b e m y fault, after all, i f
t h e r e a r e r e p e r c u s s i o n s . B u t I've n o o n e l i v i n g w i t h m e , y o u k n o w , e x c e p t
t h i s p o o r c h i l d h e r e . I ' m a f r a i d it'll b e a v e r y d u l l life for y o u . "
D e s p i t e these a n d similar dutiful protestations w h i c h he m a d e as they
w a l k e d along, t h e m o n k found the b o y so beautiful that he loved him
already, a n d he w a s determined n o w to go ahead. W h e n they reached
U r i n ' i n h e lit a l a m p a n d l o o k e d t h e b o y o v e r m o r e carefully. W i t h his
w h i t e s k i n a n d h i s p r e t t i l y r o u n d e d face h e w a s r e a l l y a d o r a b l e , a n d
extraordinarily distinguished-looking. W h a t amazing good fortune! This
w a s no c o m m o n e r ' s son. But the boy refused to a n s w e r a n y questions
a b o u t his father.
T h e m o n k p r e p a r e d t h e b e d w i t h s p e c i a l c a r e , h a d t h e b o y lie d o w n ,
a n d l a y d o w n h i m s e l f n e x t t o h i m . A f t e r c h a t t i n g a w h i l e b o t h fell a s l e e p .
I n t h e m o r n i n g all t h e n e i g h b o r i n g m o n k s c a m e t o a d m i r e t h e b o y , b u t
t h e m o n k w a s n o t a n x i o u s t o d i s p l a y h i m a n d d i d his b e s t t o k e e p h i m
o u t o f s i g h t . H i s g r o w i n g p a s s i o n for t h e b o y s u r p r i s e d h i m .
T h a t e v e n i n g the m o n k c u d d l e d up to the boy a n d began fondling him.
T h e n a s t a r t l e d l o o k c a m e o v e r h i s face. " I ' v e n e v e r t o u c h e d a n y w o m a n ' s
b o d y b u t m y m o t h e r ' s s i n c e t h e d a y I w a s b o r n , " h e said, " s o I'm n o t
q u i t e s u r e w h a t a w o m a n feels like, b u t y o u ' r e v e r y different from t h e
t e m p l e b o y s I've b e e n w i t h b e f o r e ! I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t i t is, I j u s t s e e m t o
m e l t t o w a r d y o u . Are y o u a g i r l ? Tell m e i f y o u a r e . I've w a n t e d y o u e v e r
since I first s a w y o u , a n d I just can't u n d e r s t a n d it o t h e r w i s e . "
" W h a t i f I were a g i r l ? " s a i d t h e b o y , s m i l i n g . " W o u l d n ' t y o u w a n t m e
any more?"
 " I f y o u ' r e a girl a n d I k e e p y o u , p e o p l e a r e g o i n g to t a l k a lot a n d I
d o n ' t like t h e t h o u g h t o f t h a t o n e b i t . A n d h o w i s t h e B u d d h a g o i n g t o
feel? T h a t ' s e v e n w o r s e ! "
" I s u p p o s e i t L < p r e t t y b a d , a s far t h e B u d d h a ' s c o n c e r n e d , i f it's m y
b e i n g a girl t h a t m a k e s y o u s o f o n d o f m e ! But anyway, other people
w o n ' t see y o u w i t h a n y t h i n g b u t a boy. Y o u m u s t a l w a y s talk to me a n d
behave with me as y o u would with a boy." The y o u n g person seemed
highly amused.
" S o he ui a girl!" thought the monk, frightened n o w and wishing he
had never gotten himself into this. He could not send her away, she w a s
just too dear, b u t he a v o i d e d sleeping too close to h e r a n d m a d e s u r e
t h e r e w a s a t least s o m e c l o t h i n g b e t w e e n t h e m . I n t h e e n d , t h o u g h , h e
could not help being a man, a n d t h e y b e c a m e a loving couple in every
sense of the w o r d . T h e m o n k w a s so h a p p y that he could hardly believe
it, w h i l e his n e i g h b o r s c o u l d n o t i m a g i n e h o w a d e s t i t u t e fellow like h i m
could ever have gotten himself so delicious a y o u n g m a n .
I n t i m e t h e " b o y " b e g a n feeling u n w e l l a n d s t o p p e d e a t i n g . T h e m o n k
c o u l d n o t u n d e r s t a n d it. " I ' m p r e g n a n t , y o u s e e , " s h e e x p l a i n e d .
T h e m o n k ' s face fell. " O h n o ! " h e g r o a n e d . " T h i s i s a w f u l ! F o r m o n t h s
n o w I've b e e n p r e s e n t i n g y o u t o e v e r y o n e a s a b o y . W h a t a r e w e g o i n g
to do w h e n y o u have a b a b y ? "
" J u s t b e h a v e a s t h o u g h n o t h i n g h a d h a p p e n e d . D o n ' t tell a n y o n e a n y -
thing. A n d w h e n the time comes, keep quiet."
T h e monk spent the next months in an agony of apprehension. W h e n
t h e m o m e n t w a s f i n a l l y n e a r , t h e " b o y " l o o k e d v e r y s a d a n d c r i e d all t h e
time. T h e m o n k cried too.
" O h , I hurt d o w n t h e r e ! " she exclaimed. "I think the baby's c o m i n g ! "
T h e m o n k w e n t into a p a r o x y s m of agitated distress.
" D o n ' t get flustered," said the " b o y . " " S p r e a d me a mat in a shed
somewhere."
T h e m o n k s p r e a d a m a t i n a s t o r a g e s h e d a n d s h e w e n t i n t o lie d o w n .
Soon she gave birth, and w h e n it was over she put her outer robe over
t h e c h i l d a n d n u r s e d it. N e x t , s h e s i m p l y v a n i s h e d . T h e a s t o n i s h e d m o n k
crept t o w h e r e the b a b y lay a n d r e m o v e d the r o b e .
I t w a s n o t a b a b y a t all b u t a b i g s t o n e . D e s p i t e t h e w a v e o f f e a r a n d
r e v u l s i o n t h a t s w e p t o v e r h i m , h e b r o u g h t u p a light for a b e t t e r l o o k .
T h e s t o n e g l e a m e d g o l d . I n fact, i t waj g o l d ! T h e " b o y " w a s g o n e a n d h e
m i s s e d h e r w i t h all h i s h e a r t , b u t h e r e a l i z e d t h a t t h e w h o l e t h i n g h a d
b e e n p l a n n e d for h i s b e n e f i t b y t h e B i s h a m o n o f K u r a m a . A f t e r t h a t h e
b r o k e off b i t s of t h e g o l d to sell, a little at a t i m e , a n d lived as c o m f o r t a b l y
as he wished.
2 2 4

i 5 6 .

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

A little a c o l y t e o n M o u n t H i e i , fresh from t h e c o u n t r y , a r r i v e d w h e n t h e

c h e r r y t r e e s w e r e i n full b l o o m . W h e n a c r u e l w i n d s e n t t h e p e t a l s flying,
the boy burst into tears.
" W h a t m a k e s y o u cry so, my d e a r ? " a m o n k gently comforted him.
" A r e y o u s o r r y t o s e e t h e f l o w e r s fall? B u t f l o w e r s n e v e r last, v o u k n o w .
T h e y a l w a y s fall. Y o u s h o u l d n ' t c r y ! "
" W h o c a r e s w h e t h e r t h e y fall o r n o t ! " t h e b o y s o b b e d . " N o t m e ! B u t
i f t h e b a r l e y f l o w e r s i n D a d d y ' s field b l o w a w a y t h e r e ' l l b e n o c r o p a n d
t h a t ' d b e awfulV H e b a w l e d all t h e h a r d e r .
S o m u c h for that s w e e t c h i l d ' s s e n s i t i v e feelings.

1
I i 5 7 .

THE THIRST FOR PARADISE

A g e n t l e m a n w h o l o n g e d a r d e n t l y for r e b i r t h i n p a r a d i s e w a s afraid o f
w h a t his b o d y might do to confuse him w h e n the time c a m e , since the
b o d y i s t r e a c h e r o u s a t b e s t . " I f I'm v e r y ill," h e r e f l e c t e d , " m y last m o -
m e n t s w o n ' t g o t h e w a y I h o p e a n d I w o n ' t g e t t o p a r a d i s e . It'll b e m u c h
easier to k e e p my m i n d steady if I die in perlect health." So he decided
to burn as a h u m a n lamp, the w a y the Bodhisattva Kiken did in the Lotus
Sutra.
U n s u r e w h e t h e r he could actually bear the pain, however, he first
devised a test: he p r e s s e d t w o r e d - h o t shovel b l a d e s against his b o d y w i t h
his a r m s . Since the pain w a s b e a r a b l e , h e c o n t i n u e d his p r e p a r a t i o n s .
T h e n h e r e a l i z e d t h a t t h i s c o u r s e w o u l d a c t u a l l y b e all t o o e a s y . O n t h e
o t h e r h a n d , h e d o u b t e d t h a t h e c o u l d e v e r a c h i e v e i n t h i s life t h e w i s d o m
a n d v i r t u e s i m p l y t o g o t o p a r a d i s e w i t h o u t t r y i n g , a n d h e w a s still
w o r r i e d a b o u t w h a t d o u b t s m i g h t assail h i m w h e n h e c a m e t o d i e n a t u -
rally.
At this point he r e m e m b e r e d M o u n t F u d a r a k u , Kannon's paradise.
M o u n t F u d a r a k u really exists in this w o r l d a n d is accessible in this b o d y .
T h a t w a s w h e r e h e s h o u l d g o ! H e g a v e u p t r e a t i n g his b u r n s a n d set o u t
i n s t e a d for t h e c o a s t a l p r o v i n c e o f T o s a , w h e r e h e g o t a n e w b o a t a n d
practiced sailing.
W h e n h e felt r e a d y , h e a s k e d a s e a m a n t o w a r n h i m a s s o o n a s a s t e a d y
b r e e z e s h o u l d set in from t h e n o r t h . W h e n the d a y c a m e , he hoisted his
sail a n d s t a r t e d s o u t h a l o n e . T h e r e w a s n o s t o p p i n g h i m . H i s w i f e a n d
children could only watch him go. They wept as he vanished over the
horizon.
His u n b e n d i n g resolve a r o u s e d great admiration at the time. People
felt s u r e t h a t h e m u s t h a v e r e a c h e d h i s g o a l .

i 5 8 .

THE CHANTING SKULL

I n E m p r e s s K o k e n ' s r e i g n t h e m o n k E i k o lived i n t h e v i l l a g e o f K u m a n o
i n Kii. H e h a d m o v e d t h e r e t o b r i n g t h e b l e s s i n g s o f t h e T e a c h i n g t o t h a t
remote shore, a n d the villagers revered him as a bodhisattva. Even the
empress recognized that he w a s a saint.
Eventually a n o t h e r m o n k arrived but said n o t h i n g a b o u t w h e r e h e had
come from. H i s only possessions w e r e a Lotus S u t r a in tiny writing, a
silver j u g , a n d a r o u g h s t r i n g c h a i r . F o r y e a r s h e w o r s h i p p e d b y E i k o ' s
s i d e till o n e d a y , a s m y s t e r i o u s l y a s h e h a d a r r i v e d , h e a n n o u n c e d h e w a s
l e a v i n g . H e w a s g o i n g o v e r t h e m o u n t a i n s t o Ise, h e s a i d , a n d h e left
E i k o his chair. E i k o w a s t o u c h e d . H e g a v e the m o n k a g e n e r o u s p a r t i n g
gift o f p a r c h e d r i c e a n d s e n t t w o m e n w i t h h i m t o k e e p h i m c o m p a n y o n
2 2 6

t h e t r a i l . A f t e r t h e f i r s t d a y , t h e m o n k g a v e t h e m e n his S u t r a , his rice,

a n d h i s b e g g i n g b o w l a n d s e n t t h e m h o m e . All h e k e p t w a s h i s silver j u g
and a long rope.
T w o y e a r s later, s o m e villagers w e r e in the m o u n t a i n s along the Ku-
m a n o R i v e r t o c u t t i m b e r for a b o a t w h e n t h e y h e a r d a far-off v o i c e
c e a s e l e s s l y c h a n t i n g t h e L o t u s S u t r a . T h e a w e d v i l l a g e r s l o o k e d for w h e r e
i t w a s c o m i n g f r o m b u t f o u n d n o t h i n g . H a l f a y e a r later, t h e y w e r e b a c k
t o b r i n g o u t t h e i r b o a t a n d h e a r d t h e v o i c e a g a i n . T h e y left t h e i r b o a t
w h e r e i t w a s a n d w e n t t o tell E i k o , w h o c a m e s t r a i g h t b a c k t o t h e
mountains with them.
A f t e r a l o n g s e a r c h E i k o d i s c o v e r e d a s k e l e t o n h a n g i n g a g a i n s t a cliff.
T h e m a n h a d t h r o w n h i m s e l f off t h e cliff after t y i n g e a c h foot t o t h e t o p
w i t h a r o p e , b y n o w p r a c t i c a l l y r o t t e d a w a y . N e a r b y lay a silver j u g ,
w h i c h Eiko recognized at once. This w a s h o w the monk had chosen to
flee t h e s o r r o w s o f m o r t a l life. E i k o w e p t .
After t h r e e y e a r s E i k o w e n t b a c k to the m o u n t a i n s and heard the voice
a g a i n . T h i s t i m e h e f o u n d t h e s k u l l . Still u n c o r r u p t e d , t h e t o n g u e w a s
c h a n t i n g as it h a d w h e n t h e m o n k lived. E i k o p r o s t r a t e d himself before
i t a n d t o o k t h e l e s s o n t o h e a r t . H e often r e m e m b e r e d his friend i n his
p r a y e r s after that, a n d gave himself entirely to c h a n t i n g the Lotus.

1 5 o, .

THE LITTLE GOD SAILS AWAY

D o k o , a m o n k a n d L o t u s d e v o t e e w h o lived a t T e n n o j i , c o n f i n e d h i m s e l f
e a c h y e a r for t h e s u m m e r r e t r e a t a t K u m a n o . H e w a s o n h i s w a y b a c k
from K u m a n o w h e n , o n e evening at s u n d o w n , he found himself passing
a l o n g t h e s h o r e i n M i n a b e c o u n t y o f t h e p r o v i n c e o f Kii; s o h e c a m p e d
on the spot u n d e r a large tree.
I n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t a lot o f h o r s e m e n r o d e u p n e a r b y . W h o i n
t h e w o r l d c o u l d t h e y b e ? D o k o h e a r d o n e call o u t , " A r e y o u t h e r e , y o u
old m a n u n d e r the t r e e ? "
" H e r e I a m ! " a n s w e r e d a voice.
D o k o w a s s u r p r i s e d t o l e a r n t h a t s o m e o n e else w a s u n d e r t h e t r e e t o o .
" H u r r y u p , t h e n ! C o m e w i t h u s ! " t h e rider called again.
T h e v o i c e u n d e r t h e t r e e d e c l i n e d . " N o t t o n i g h t , I'm a f r a i d , " i t s a i d .
" M y h o r s e ' s legs a r e b r o k e n a n d I c a n ' t r i d e h i m . I'll h a v e t o fix h i m
t o m o r r o w o r f i n d a n o t h e r h o r s e . A n d I'm j u s t t o o o l d t o w a l k , y o u k n o w . "
T h e h o r s e m e n r o d e a w a y . A t d a w n t h e w o r r i e d D o k o c h e c k e d all
around the tree. He found nothing but the crumbling image of a road
g o d , o b v i o u s l y v e r y o l d . I m a g e s like t h i s w e r e s u p p o s e d t o h a v e a m a n
p a r t a n d a w o m a n p a r t , b u t t h e w o m a n p a r t w a s m i s s i n g . I n front o f t h e
g o d w a s a v o t i v e p l a q u e w i t h a p i c t u r e o f a h o r s e o n it. T h e legs w e r e
b r o k e n off D o k o realized that it w a s the god's voice that he had heard
last n i g h t . H e t i e d t h e p i e c e w i t h t h e legs o n i t b a c k i n p l a c e w i t h s o m e
string so that the p i c t u r e w a s w h o l e again, then stayed to see w h a t might
happen next.
T h a t n i g h t h e lay u n d e r t h e t r e e a g a i n a n d t h e r i d e r s c a m e a s b e f o r e .
T h i s t i m e t h e g o d g o t o n his h o r s e a n d r o d e off w i t h t h e m . T o w a r d d a w n
D o k o h e a r d him c o m e back.
I n a m o m e n t a n old m a n c a m e t o D o k o a n d b o w e d . " H o l y m a n , " h e
said, " y o u r c u r i n g m y h o r s e a l l o w e d m e t o d o m y d u t y . I o w e y o u m o r e
t h a n I c a n e v e r r e p a y ! I'm t h e r o a d g o d u n d e r t h i s t r e e . All t h o s e r i d e r s
w e r e g o d s o f d i s e a s e . N o r m a l l y I c l e a r t h e w a y for t h e m a s t h e y g o
t h r o u g h the land, a n d if I don't go with them they beat a n d abuse me
c r u e l l y . B u t n o w I ' m s u r e t h a t t h a n k s t o y o u I c a n c a s t off t h i s p o o r
s h a p e o f m i n e a n d b e r e b o r n i n s o m e far n o b l e r f o r m . "
D o k o e x p r e s s e d his w o n d e r a n d p r o t e s t e d h e could not possibly b r i n g
about a n y such h a p p y c h a n g e . " H o l y m a n , " the god replied, "stay u n d e r
t h i s t r e e for t h r e e d a y s , c h a n t i n g t h e L o t u s S u t r a . I'll listen, a n d b y t h e
p o w e r o f t h e S u t r a I'll l e a v e t h i s s u f f e r i n g b o d y a n d b e r e b o r n i n t o t h e
Land of Bliss." T h e n he vanished.
D o k o complied. For three days and three nights he chanted the Lotus
S u t r a a n d o n t h e f o u r t h d a y t h e old m a n a p p e a r e d a g a i n . " B y y o u r
compassion, holy m a n , " he said, " I ' m leaving this b o d y forever a n d tak-
i n g o n a m u c h b e t t e r o n e . I'm g o i n g t o b e r e b o r n far a w a y t o t h e s o u t h ,
o n M o u n t F u d a r a k u w h e r e t h e b l e s s e d K a n n o n lives, a s a f o l l o w e r o f t h e
b o d h i s a t t v a . T h i s i s b e c a u s e I've h e a r d t h e L o t u s . I f y o u w a n t p r o o f t h a t
I s p e a k t h e t r u t h , m a k e a little b o a t o u t o f b r a n c h e s , p u t m y w o o d e n
i m a g e i n it, a n d l a u n c h t h e b o a t o n t h e s e a . T h e n w a t c h w h a t h a p p e n s . "
A n d o n c e again the old m a n d i s a p p e a r e d .
D o k o m a d e t h e b o a t a n d laid t h e i m a g e i n it. T h e s e a w a s p e r f e c t l y
calm w h e n he put it in the water, a n d there w a s not a breath of wind,
b u t t h e b o a t sailed s t r a i g h t t o w a r d t h e s o u t h . Having watched it go,
D o k o p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f t o w a r d i t till i t f a d e d f r o m v i e w . M e a n w h i l e a n
old m a n i n t h e v i l l a g e n e a r b y d r e a m e d h e s a w t h e r o a d g o d , n o w d e c k e d
i n g l o r y , flying a m i d s t r a i n s o f h e a v e n l y m u s i c t o w a r d t h e s o u t h .
2 2 8

i Q o .

THE UNEARTHLY FRAGRANCE

B e i n g all a l o n e i n t h e w o r l d , a n u n i n C h i k u z e n p r o v i n c e , i n K y u s h u ,
s o u g h t o u t a m o u n t a i n t e m p l e w h e r e s h e c o o k e d y e a r after y e a r for t h e
saintly m o n k w h o lived t h e r e . S h e n e v e r s t o p p e d calling A m i d a ' s holy
N a m e , a n d not discreetly either, b e c a u s e she did it in a voice so piercing
t h a t it w a s m o r e a shriek t h a n a c h a n t . T h e m o n k ' s disciples came to hate
t h e n o i s e a n d lost n o o p p o r t u n i t y t o s l a n d e r h e r t o t h e i r m a s t e r , w h o
eventually sent her away.
H a v i n g n o w h e r e t o g o s h e w a n d e r e d t h e p l a i n , still c a l l i n g A m i d a , till
a g o o d w o m a n invited h e r in. " W e h a v e a large h o u s e h e r e , " the w o m a n
t o l d h e r , " a n d l a r g e g r o u n d s — p l e n t y o f r o o m for y o u t o s t a y a n d g o o n
calling the N a m e ! "
T h e n u n a c c e p t e d g l a d l y , a n d w a s s o g r a t e f u l t o b e fed a n d k i n d l y
c a r e d for t h a t s h e a s k e d for s o m e flax t o s p i n i n r e t u r n . A t first t h e
w o m a n w o u l d not h e a r of t h e idea, b u t the n u n insisted. T h e thread she
s p u n w a s s o fine t h a t t h e w o m a n w a s d e e p l y t o u c h e d . " H e r e I'd b e e n
g l a d j u s t t o g i v e y o u a p l a c e t o call t h e N a m e , " s h e e x c l a i m e d , " a n d n o w
y o u ' r e s p i n n i n g for m e s o l o v i n g l y ! "
Y e a r s l a t e r t h e n u n s a i d o n e d a y t o t h e w o m a n , " T h e d a y after t o m o r -
r o w I'm g o i n g t o d i e . M a y I b a t h e i n p r e p a r a t i o n ? Y o u ' v e b e e n s o k i n d
t o m e all t h i s t i m e , a n d I w a n t t o s h o w y o u w h a t o u r last m o m e n t s c a n
b e . B u t d o n ' t tell a n y o n e ! " S h e w e p t a s s h e s p o k e . T h o u g h s a d d e n e d b y
this news, the w o m a n kept the secret.
O n t h e d a y , t h e n u n b a t h e d a n d p u t o n a c l e a n r o b e , t h e n sat d o w n
facing the west a n d b e g a n calling the N a m e as loudly as always while the
w o m a n w a t c h e d h e r , r e s p e c t f u l l y , f r o m a f e w feet a w a y . D a r k n e s s fell.
L a t e i n t h e n i g h t a n u n e a r t h l y l i g h t s h o n e o v e r t h e fields n e a r b y a n d t h e
w o m a n felt a f r a i d ; b u t w h e n t h e a i r w a s filled w i t h a n i n d e s c r i b a b l e
f r a g r a n c e a n d a p u r p l e c l o u d f l o a t e d d o w n from t h e h e a v e n s t o e n v e l o p
the h o u s e , t h e w o m a n joined h e r voice to the n u n ' s in calling the lord.
T h e n the n u n quietly t o u c h e d her h a n d s to her forehead and passed
a w a y . T h e w o m a n had never seen anything so moving, and w e p t as she
p r o s t r a t e d herself in love a n d a w e .
A c e r t a i n w o r t h y m o n k w h o l a t e r lived o n M o u n t K o y a w a s p a r t o f
t h e h o u s e h o l d a t t h e t i m e , b e i n g o n l y a b o u t t w e l v e y e a r s old. T h e w o m a n
told him the story, a s s u r i n g him that although she had not seen Amida
B u d d h a a n d all t h e s a i n t s a n d b o d h i s a t t v a s c o m i n g t o g r e e t t h e n u n ' s
s o u l , s h e c e r t a i n l y h a d s e e n t h e light a n d t h e p u r p l e c l o u d . I n fact, t h e
fragrance of the n u n ' s passing had perfumed her, and stayed with h e r
forever after.
Y e s , it's t r u e t h a t t h o s e w h o a r e t o b e r e b o r n i n p a r a d i s e a l w a y s k n o w
b e f o r e h a n d w h e n t h e y a r e t o g o a n d a r e a b l e t o let o t h e r s k n o w . M a y
y o u t o o , w h o h e a r t h i s s t o r y , b e filled w i t h faith a n d d e v o u t l y call t h e
N a m e , s o a s t o p a s s w h e n y o u r t i m e c o m e s i n t o t h e L a n d o f Bliss!

i 6 a .

A TWINGE OF REGRET

N o t m a n y y e a r s a g o a holy m a n called Rengejo realized that he w a s

g r o w i n g w e a k e r a n d w e a k e r w i t h a g e , a n d t h a t d e a t h w a s n o t far off.
Since his greatest h o p e w a s to die w i t h his t h o u g h t s on A m i d a (for t h e n
h e w o u l d g o t o A m i d a ' s p a r a d i s e ) , h e d e c i d e d t h a t w h e n h e felt r e a d y h e
w o u l d t a k e n o c h a n c e s b u t e n d h i s o w n life b y d r o w n i n g .
Toren, an old and experienced friend, immediately disapproved.
" Y o u ' d b e a fool t o d o t h a t ! " h e w a r n e d . " O n t h e c o n t r a r y , y o u s h o u l d
k e e p calling the N a m e just as long as y o u possibly can because every d a y
t h e n will m e a n m o r e m e r i t for y o u . "
W h e n Rengejo remained unconvinced, Toren gave in and promised
t h a t h e w o u l d s t o p o b j e c t i n g . " W h a t will b e , will b e ! " h e s i g h e d , a n d
helped Rengejo get ready.
The news of what Rengejo was going to do had quickly spread, and a
large, pious c r o w d w a s waiting by the Katsura River to w o r s h i p a n d to
s h a r e i n t h e b l e s s i n g o f his p a s s i n g . R e n g e j o f o u n d a d e e p s t r e t c h o f t h e
s t r e a m , c a l l e d t h e N a m e l o u d l y , a n d a m o m e n t l a t e r p l u n g e d in. T o r e n ,
s t a n d i n g n e a r b y , w e p t for a friend h e k n e w h e w o u l d m i s s .
A f e w d a y s l a t e r T o r e n w a s t a k e n ill, a p p a r e n t l y u n d e r t h e i n f l u e n c e
o f a s p i r i t , a n d h i s s t a t e c a u s e d g r e a t a l a r m u n t i l finally t h e s p i r i t d e c l a r e d
itself. " I a m R e n g e j o , " i t s a i d .
" I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d ! " T o r e n e x c l a i m e d . " W e w e r e f r i e n d s for y e a r s
and y o u never had anything against me! You died such a holy death! I
never imagined you'd come back!"
" Y o u tried t o stop me, y o u s e e , " t h e spirit a n s w e r e d , " b u t y o u h a d n ' t
r e a l i z e d h o w d e t e r m i n e d I w a s . N o w it's all o v e r . W h a t I d i d w a s j u s t for
2 3 0

m y s a l v a t i o n , n o t for a n y o n e else's, a n d I d o n ' t m e a n t o s a y t h a t w h e n

t h e t i m e c a m e I h a d a n y w i s h t o pull b a c k . I really d o n ' t k n o w what

h a p p e n e d . But at a n y rate, I w a s about to go in w h e n suddenly I didn't

w a n t t o g o t h r o u g h w i t h it. T h e r e w a s s u c h a c r o w d , t h o u g h , t h a t I d i d n ' t
see h o w I c o u l d v e r y well c h a n g e my mind. I looked at y o u a n d o u r eyes
met. W h a t my look meant was, 'Please stop me!' But you didn't under-
stand a n d y o u just seemed to urge me on. I was so angry as I went under
t h a t I c o u l d n ' t p o s s i b l y h a v e g o n e t o p a r a d i s e . N o w I'm w a n d e r i n g i n a
r e g i o n I n e v e r w a n t e d t o s e e . I t ' s all m y fault a n d I'm n o t b l a m i n g y o u ,
b u t it's t h a t last t w i n g e o f r e g r e t t h a t ' s b r o u g h t m e b a c k t o y o u . "
W h a t happened to Rengejo should stand as a warning. The human
s p i r i t i s e l u s i v e , a n d o n e n e v e r k n o w s w h i c h w a y i t will t u r n .

Y I N - Y A N G

W I Z A R D R Y I I

162.
DADDY,
WHO WERE THOSE PEOPLE?

T h e y i n - y a n g diviner K a m o no Tadayuki was the equal of the greatest

m a s t e r s o f t h e p a s t , a n d i n c o m p a r a b l e i n his o w n t i m e . H i s a d v i c e a n d
services w e r e valued highly both by the court and by private patrons.
T a d a y u k i w a s j u s t s e t t i n g o u t t o d o a p u r i f i c a t i o n w h e n f a t h e r l y affec-
t i o n m a d e h i m d e c i d e t o t a k e a l o n g his n i n e - y e a r - o l d s o n Y a s u n o r i , w h o
s a t b e s i d e h i m all t h r o u g h t h e r i t e . W h i l e t h e y w e r e r i d i n g h o m e i n
T a d a y u k i ' s c a r r i a g e , little Y a s u n o r i s a i d , " D a d d y ? "
 "Yes?"
" D a d d y , d u r i n g t h e p u r i f i c a t i o n I s a w lots o f p e o p l e . T h e y l o o k e d like
people b u t t h e y w e r e n ' t , a n d t h e y w e r e v e r y scary. T h e y ate u p the food
o f f e r i n g s , t h e n t h e y g o t o n t h e little b o a t s , c a r r i a g e s , a n d h o r s e s y o u ' d
laid o u t a n d t h e y all w e n t a w a y . W h a t w e r e t h e y , D a d d y ? "
T a d a y u k i w a s a m a z e d . H e k n e w h e h a d a n u n u s u a l gift for t h e a r t , b u t
he h a d never seen s u p e r n a t u r a l beings w h e n he w a s a child. He had c o m e
t o s e e t h e m o n l y g r a d u a l l y , a s his s t u d y p r o g r e s s e d . " Y a s u n o r i m u s t b e a
g e n i u s i f h e c a n s e e t h e m j u s t like t h a t , e v e n n o w , " h e t h o u g h t . " H e m u s t
h a v e t h e s a m e gift t h a t p e o p l e h a d i n t h e A g e o f t h e G o d s , w h e n s u p e r -
natural beings a n d m e n mingled quite freely."
T a d a y u k i w a s r i g h t . Y a s u n o r i g r e w u p t o b e a g r e a t m a s t e r , a n d his
children and grandchildren flourished in the same way.

i 6 3 .

THE CUELSE

O t s u k i no M o c h i s u k e , the son of the B u d g e t B u r e a u director, belonged

t o a d i s t i n g u i s h e d line o f s u c h officials. H e w a s a l s o e x t r e m e l y t a l e n t e d
a n d w o u l d certainly h a v e attained u n u s u a l p r o m i n e n c e if he had lived.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , h e h a d r i v a l s w h o felt t h a t h e s t o o d i n t h e w a y o f t h e i r
o w n a d v a n c e m e n t a n d t h e r e f o r e w a n t e d t o b e rid o f h i m . A f t e r a n o r a c l e ,
delivered in his o w n h o m e , told him he h a d an e n e m y , he c o n s u l t e d a
y i n - y a n g d i v i n e r for a list o f d a y s w h e n h e s h o u l d t a k e s p e c i a l p r e c a u -
tions. O n the d a y s i n d i c a t e d b y the diviner h e b a r r e d his gate securely t o
the world.
H i s e n e m y secretly c o m m i s s i o n e d a n o t h e r diviner t o secure his d e a t h
by magic. " N a t u r a l l y we'll h a v e to be cautious while he's in seclusion,"
s a i d t h e e n e m y m a g i c i a n , " b u t i f w e w o r k t o g e t h e r a n d lay a c u r s e o n
h i m o n o n e o f t h o s e d a y s , it's s u r e t o w o r k . T a k e m e t o his h o u s e a n d g e t
him to c o m e out. He w o n ' t o p e n his gate, of course, b u t I only n e e d to
h e a r his voice. If I can just h e a r him talk, we'll get h i m . "
O f f t h e y w e n t t o M o c h i s u k e ' s h o u s e , w h e r e his e n e m y p o u n d e d fu-
riously on t h e gate. He insisted to the servant w h o a n s w e r e d that he had
urgent business with M o c h i s u k e a n d that, seclusion or no seclusion, he
s h o u l d b e a l l o w e d t o slip i n s i d e . T h e s e r v a n t r e p o r t e d t h i s t o M o c h i s u k e ,
2 3 2

w h o a d a m a n t l y r e f u s e d . " E v e r y o n e h a s a r i g h t t o l o o k o u t for his o w n

s a f e t y , " h e s a i d , " a n d I d o n ' t w a n t t h a t fellow i n h e r e . Tell h i m t o g o
away."
"All r i g h t , " s a i d t h e e n e m y , " b u t i f h e w o n ' t o p e n t h e g a t e , a t least h e
c o u l d p u t h i s h e a d o u t t h e little w i n d o w t h e r e . "
P e r h a p s it w a s just M o c h i s u k e ' s k a r m a to die, because that is exactly
w h a t h e d i d . H e p u t h i s h e a d o u t t h e little w i n d o w a n d a s k e d his v i s i t o r
w h a t h e w a n t e d . A s h e d i d s o t h e d i v i n e r h e a r d his v o i c e a n d s a w his
f a c e , a n d laid o n h i m t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l c u r s e h e c o u l d s u m m o n . S i n c e
t h e visitor actually h a d n o t h i n g to say, he could only a n s w e r that he w a s
going d o w n to the country and thought Mochisuke should know.
" H e m u s t b e m a d to have called m e out just to hear that," Mochisuke
f u m e d a s h e d r e w h i s h e a d b a c k in.
S o o n his h e a d b e g a n to a c h e , a n d in t h r e e d a y s he w a s d e a d .
T h e y s a y t h a t t h e m a n w h o c o m m i s s i o n e d t h e c u r s e d i e d s h o r t l y after-
w a r d s u n d e r u n f o r t u n a t e c i r c u m s t a n c e s . I t w a s f r i g h t e n i n g h o w his c u r s e
t u r n e d right back on him.

164.
THE HARMLESS HAUNT

As a scholar, Ki no H a s e o w a s so magnificently learned that he had no

rival i n all t h e w o r l d . H o w e v e r , h e k n e w n o t h i n g o f y i n - y a n g l o r e .
A d o g k e p t j u m p i n g o v e r the wall to piss in H a s e o ' s g a r d e n , and H a s e o
w a s p u z z l e d e n o u g h t o c o n s u l t a y i n - y a n g d i v i n e r a b o u t it. H e h o p e d t o
l e a r n w h e t h e r t h e d o g ' s d o i n g s b o d e d well o r ill.
T h e diviner divined. "Well, there'll be a d e m o n in y o u r house on such-
and-such a d a t e , " he a n n o u n c e d . " D o n ' t worry, though. This demon
d o e s n ' t h u r t p e o p l e o r p u t c u r s e s o n t h e m , o r a n y t h i n g like t h a t . T h e
thing to do is to shut yourself up in seclusion on that d a y . "
B y t h e t i m e t h e d a y c a m e , H a s e o h a d f o r g o t t e n all a b o u t it. S e c l u s i o n
w a s t h e last t h i n g o n h i s m i n d . I n s t e a d , h e h a d his s t u d e n t s o v e r t o his
house to compose Chinese poetry. Learned meters, metaphors, and
rhymes w e r e blossoming on every page when suddenly a lugubrious howl
issued from the closet nearby. T h e assembled scholars q u a k e d where
t h e y s a t . T h e n s o m e o n e c r a c k e d o p e n t h e closet d o o r . A d e m o n b u r s t
f o r t h . I t w a s t w o feet tall, w i t h a w h i t e b o d y a n d legs a n d a b l a c k h e a d ,
a n d i t h a d a s i n g l e b l a c k h o r n . T h e y w e r e all f r i g h t e n e d o u t o f t h e i r w i t s .
But one a m o n g the company, a wise and brave man, kicked at the
d e m o n ' s h e a d a s i t d a r t e d b y . T h e b l a c k t h i n g fell off. W h y , t h e c r e a t u r e
w a s a w h i t e d o g , b a r k i n g a n d y a p p i n g like m a d ! T h e t h i n g o n its h e a d
had been a b u c k e t . D u r i n g t h e night the d o g had gotten into the closet
a n d e n d e d u p w i t h its h e a d s t u c k i n t h e b u c k e t , w h i c h w a s w h y its h o w l
had s o u n d e d so weird. T h e relieved scholars burst into laughter.
S o i t h a d n ' t b e e n a d e m o n a f t e r all, b u t t h e d i v i n e r h a d s e e n i t a s a
d e m o n b e c a u s e t h a t ' s w h a t t h e p e o p l e first t h o u g h t i t w a s . E v e r y o n e
a d m i r e d h o w t h e d i v i n e r h a d e v e n specified t h a t t h e d e m o n w a s n ' t g o i n g
t o d o a n y h a r m o r lay a n y c u r s e s . W h a t a m a s t e r l y i n s i g h t that h a d b e e n !
On the other hand, no one thought much of Ki no Haseo. No doubt he
w a s v e r y l e a r n e d , b u t i t h a d n ' t b e e n v e r y c l e v e r o f h i m t o f o r g e t all a b o u t
the diviner's advice.

i 6 5 .

IN THE NICK OF TIME

A m o d e r a t e l y p i o u s o l d n o b l e m a n , n o w a m o n k , lived i n t h e s o u t h e r n
part of the Capital. He w a s wealthy enough to have everything he w a n t e d
i n lite. O n r e c e i v i n g a c r y p t i c o r a c l e i n h i s o w n h o u s e , h e s e n t for a y i n -
y a n g d i v i n e r n a m e d K a m o n o T a d a y u k i t o find o u t w h e t h e r t h e o r a c l e
b o d e d w e l l o r ill. T a d a y u k i d e t e r m i n e d t h a t o n s u c h - a n d - s u c h d a t e t h e
n o b l e m a n s h o u l d s t a y s t r i c t l y s e c l u d e d a t h o m e , o r r i s k b e i n g killed b y
robbers.
W h e n the d a y c a m e , the frightened n o b l e m a n b a r r e d his gate a n d
admitted no one. Finally t o w a r d evening there was a p o u n d i n g on the
g a t e . A t first t h e n o b l e m a n d i d n o t a n s w e r , b u t w h e n t h e p o u n d i n g
c o n t i n u e d h e s e n t s o m e o n e t o find o u t w h o i t w a s a n d t o let t h e v i s i t o r
k n o w that the m a s t e r of the h o u s e w a s in strict seclusion. T h e visitor
identified h i m s e l f a s T a i r a n o S a d a m o r i , j u s t b a c k from t h e far n o r t h e r n
province of Mutsu.
S a d a m o r i w a s a n old a n d close friend. He protested (through the
s e r v a n t ) t h a t n i g h t h a d o v e r t a k e n h i m o n t h i s last s t a g e o f his j o u r n e y
h o m e f r o m t h e n o r t h a n d t h a t i n a n y c a s e a t a b o o m a d e i t i m p o r t a n t for
2 3 4

h i m n o t t o a r r i v e h o m e t h a t n i g h t . " W h e r e else a m I t o g o ? " h e a s k e d .

" W h a t is this seclusion of y o u r s a b o u t ? "
T h e n o b l e m a n a n s w e r e d that he w a s keeping shut up on a diviner's
orders because otherwise he risked being murdered by robbers.
" I n t h a t c a s e , " r e p l i e d S a d a m o r i , " y o u s h o u l d b e h a p p y t o a s k m e in.
H o w could y o u even consider turning me a w a y ? "
T h i s m a d e s e n s e . "All r i g h t , " t h e n o b l e m a n a g r e e d , " b u t j u s t y o u .
Y o u ' l l h a v e t o s e n d all y o u r s e r v a n t s a n d r e t a i n e r s a w a y first. I'm n o t
taking any chances."
S a d a m o r i c o m p l i e d w i l l i n g l y . H e s e n t his h o s t w o r d t h a t u n d e r t h e
c i r c u m s t a n c e s h e w o u l d n o t e x p e c t his h o s t t o g r e e t h i m p e r s o n a l l y t o -
night. He w o u l d m a k e himself comfortable in the guest w i n g and would
see his host in the m o r n i n g . S a d a m o r i then ate d i n n e r a n d w e n t to bed.
In the middle of the night Sadamori heard someone try the gate. The
r o b b e r s m u s t h a v e c o m e . H e a r m e d himself a n d w e n t t o h i d e b y t h e
c a r r i a g e h o u s e . Y e s , i t c e r t a i n l y weu t h e r o b b e r s . T h e y g o t t h e g a t e o p e n
w i t h a s w o r d , c r o w d e d i n s i d e , a n d w e n t r o u n d t o t h e s o u t h , front side o f
t h e m a n s i o n . S a d a m o r i s l i p p e d i n a m o n g t h e m . H e k e p t t h e m a w a y from
w h e r e his host's valuables w e r e stored, steering t h e m instead t o w a r d an
e m p t y part of the house.
" H e r e , h e r e ! " he cried. "This is the place to break in!" The robbers of
course had no idea w h o he w a s a n d w e r e about to begin w h e n Sadamori
realized his friend might really be killed. He w o u l d have to shoot them
before they got inside. A tough-looking, a r m e d robber w a s right next to
h i m , b u t d e s p i t e h i s fear h e h a d t o a c t . H e s h o t t h e fellow from b e h i n d .
T h e a r r o w w e n t all t h e w a y t h r o u g h a n d s t u c k o u t t h e o t h e r s i d e .
" T h e y ' r e s h o o t i n g from b e h i n d u s ! " s h o u t e d S a d a m o r i . "Let's get o u t ! "
He d r a g g e d the body inside.
" N o , that w a s one of UJ s h o o t i n g ! " a n o t h e r r o b b e r cried bravely.
" N e v e r m i n d ! C o m e o n , let's g o i n ! "
S a d a m o r i d a s h e d up behind him a n d shot him straight through the
m i d d l e . " T h e y ' r e s h o o t i n g , I tell y o u ! " h e s h o u t e d . " W e h a v e t o g e t o u t
o f h e r e ! " H e d r a g g e d t h e s e c o n d b o d y i n s i d e t o o a n d left i t s p r a w l e d b y
t h e first.
F r o m inside the house he began shooting the h u m m i n g arrows that
h u n t e r s u s e t o s t a r t g a m e . T h e r o b b e r s fled pell-mell t o w a r d t h e g a t e .
S a d a m o r i k e p t s h o o t i n g a t t h e i r b a c k s a n d laid t h r e e r o b b e r s l o w b e f o r e
t h e y e v e n r e a c h e d it. T h e r e s t o f t h e b a n d , w h i c h h a d s t a r t e d o u t a s t e n
m e n , k e p t t r a v e l i n g . I n t h e e n d f o u r m e n lay d e a d w i t h i n t h e r a n g e o f
S a d a m o r i ' s a r r o w s , a n d a fifth, s h o t i n t h e l o w e r b a c k a n d u n a b l e t o r u n ,
l a y c o l l a p s e d i n t h e d i t c h a f e w h u n d r e d y a r d s b e y o n d it. T h e n e x t
morning the remnants of the band were arrested.
 J A P A N E

That nobleman was very lucky to have had Lord Sadamori stop by. It
would have been the end of him otherwise. J u s t think what would have
h a p p e n e d if he h a d really k e p t up his seclusion!

ASTRIDE THE CORPSE

A m a n o n c e a b a n d o n e d h i s w i f e o f m a n y y e a r s a n d left h e r s o grief-
s t r i c k e n t h a t s h e fell ill a n d d i e d . A l a s , s i n c e t h e p o o r w o m a n h a d n o
p a r e n t s a n d no close friends t h e r e w a s no one to take her b o d y a w a y .
S h e just lay w h e r e she w a s . T h e n e i g h b o r s w h o p e e p e d in t h r o u g h a
c r a c k w e r e f r i g h t e n e d t o s e e t h a t h e r h a i r d i d n o t fall o u t a n d h e r b o n e s
s t a y e d firmly knit t o g e t h e r ; a n d w h e n t h e y noticed t h a t t h e r e w a s a l w a y s
a light i n t h e h o u s e , a n d a s o u n d o f g r o a n i n g , t h e y g o t s o a f r a i d t h a t t h e y
ran away.
T h e h u s b a n d felt h a l f d e a d w i t h f e a r w h e n h e h e a r d a b o u t all t h i s .
" H o w am I to avoid the ghost's c u r s e ? " he w o n d e r e d . " S h e died hating
m e a n d s h e ' s b o u n d t o g e t m e . " I n his difficulty h e s o u g h t h e l p from a
yin-yang diviner.
T h e diviner agreed that this w a s a b a d situation, but he promised to
d o his b e s t . " P l e a s e b e a w a r e , t h o u g h , " h e c a u t i o n e d , " t h a t t h e p r o c e d u r e
is really terrifying. I w a n t y o u to u n d e r s t a n d that clearly at the outset."
A t s u n d o w n t h e d i v i n e r led t h e h u s b a n d t o t h e c o r p s e ' s h o u s e . J u s t
listening from outside w a s e n o u g h to m a k e the h u s b a n d ' s hair stand on
end, a n d the t h o u g h t of g o i n g in w a s really m o r e t h a n he could bear, b u t
u n d e r t h e d i v i n e r ' s g u i d a n c e h e w e n t i n a f t e r all. I t w a s t r u e : h i s w i f e ' s
h a i r w a s still i n p l a c e a n d h e r s k e l e t o n w a s still i n t a c t . T h e d i v i n e r sat
him d o w n on the skeleton's back, gave him the hair to hold, a n d w a r n e d
h i m a t all c o s t s n o t t o let g o o f it. T h e n h e r e a d s o m e spells, a n n o u n c e d
he w o u l d have to leave, a n d r e m i n d e d the h u s b a n d again to expect a
t e r r i f y i n g e x p e r i e n c e . T h e h u s b a n d , m o r e d e a d t h a n alive, w a s left a l o n e
a s t r i d e t h e c o r p s e c l u t c h i n g its h a i r .
D a r k n e s s fell. I n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t t h e c o r p s e s u d d e n l y said,
"Oof! W h a t a w e i g h t ! " T h e n it stood up a n d began to run around. " N o w
t o g o l o o k for t h a t b r u t e ! " i t w e n t o n , a n d c h a r g e d off. T h e h u s b a n d
n e v e r let g o o f t h e h a i r , a n d t h e c o r p s e e v e n t u a l l y r e t u r n e d t o t h e h o u s e
a n d lay d o w n a g a i n . T h e r e a r e n o w o r d s t o d e s c r i b e t h e h u s b a n d ' s t e r r o r ,
2 3 6

b u t h e k e p t h o l d o f t h e h a i r a n d s t a y e d o n t h e c o r p s e till t h e c o c k s b e g a n
t o c r o w a n d t h e c o r p s e fell s i l e n t .
A t d a w n t h e d i v i n e r c a m e b a c k . H a v i n g m a d e sure the h u s b a n d really
h a d k e p t h o l d of t h e hair, he r e a d s o m e m o r e spells o v e r the corpse, then
t o o k t h e h u s b a n d o u t s i d e a n d t o l d h i m h e h a d n o t h i n g m o r e t o fear. T h e
h u s b a n d t h a n k e d him with tears of gratitude. N o t h i n g ever did h a p p e n
to him.
T h i s h a p p e n e d n o t all t h a t l o n g a g o , b e c a u s e t h e h u s b a n d ' s g r a n d c h i l -
d r e n a r e s u p p o s e d t o b e a l i v e still, a n d s o a r e t h e d i v i n e r ' s .

1 b 7 .

TWINLEAF

T h e l e g e n d a r y musician H a k u g a no S a m m i spent one brightly moonlit

night w a n d e r i n g up a n d d o w n in front of the S u z a k u Gate, near the
p a l a c e , p l a y i n g h i s b a m b o o flute. A s h e d i d s o a n o t h e r m a n a p p e a r e d ,
d r e s s e d j u s t like S a m m i himself, a n d b e g a n t o p l a y t o o . S a m m i c o u l d n o t
i m a g i n e w h o t h e l e l l o w w a s , b u t t h e t o n e o f his f l u t e w a s t r u l y d i v i n e .
N e i t h e r m a n said a w o r d .
T h e t w o met a n d played that w a y every moonlit night. The sound of
the other's flute w a s so e x t r a o r d i n a r y that S a m m i , d e v o u r e d by curiosity,
a t last s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e y t r y e x c h a n g i n g t h e i r i n s t r u m e n t s . T h e o t h e r
m a n willingly did so. S a m m i found t h a t his flute w a s of a quality un-
k n o w n in the world.
T h e t w o s a w e a c h o t h e r often e n o u g h , b u t s i n c e t h e o t h e r n e v e r said
a n y t h i n g a b o u t w a n t i n g h i s f l u t e b a c k , S a m m i s i m p l y k e p t it. A f t e r S a m -
m i ' s d e a t h , H i s M a j e s t y t o o k p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e f l u t e a n d h a d all t h e b e s t
p l a y e r s o f t h e t i m e t r y it. N o t o n e o f t h e m c o u l d g e t a n o t e o u t o f it.
I n t i m e H i s M a j e s t y h a d t h e g r e a t f l u t i s t J o z o t r y t h e flute. J o z o
p l a y e d i t a s b e a u t i f u l l y a s S a m m i himself. " T h i s f l u t e ' s f o r m e r o w n e r i s
s u p p o s e d to h a v e g o t t e n it at t h e S u z a k u G a t e , " said H i s Majesty, deeply
i m p r e s s e d . " G o a n d p l a y t h e r e y o u r s e l f , J o z o , a n d see w h a t h a p p e n s ! "
T h e next moonlit night J o z o w e n t to the Suzaku Gate and began to
p l a y . " A h a , a n o t h e r o n e ! " c r i e d a p l e a s e d v o i c e from h i g h i n t h e g a t e ' s
u p p e r story. J o z o r e p o r t e d this to the e m p e r o r , w h o realized that the
flute h a d b e l o n g e d t o a d e m o n w h o l i v e d i n t h e g a t e .
T h e e m p e r o r c a l l e d t h e f l u t e T w i n l e a f b e c a u s e i t h a d t w o l e a v e s o n it,
one red a n d one green. L e g e n d has it that every m o r n i n g the t w o leaves
h a d fresh d e w o n t h e m .
Later on the flute became the property of Lord Michinaga and w a s
e v e n t u a l l y d e p o s i t e d i n t h e S u t r a H a l l o f t h e B y o d o i n i n Uji. S o m e o n e
w h o s a w i t m o r e r e c e n t l y n o t e d t h a t t h e r e d leaf h a d fallen off a n d t h a t ,
alas, t h e r e w a s not a trace of d e w .

168.
NO NIGHT TO BE OUT COURTING

In E m p e r o r D a i g o ' s reign a certain M i n i s t e r of the Right had a son

n a m e d T s u n e y u k i . T h e y o u n g man w a s both major counselor and com-
m a n d e r o f t h e Left I n n e r G u a r d s , a v e r y p r o m i s i n g c o m b i n a t i o n t h a t
c l e a r l y d e s t i n e d h i m for t h e h i g h e s t p o s t s i n t h e i m p e r i a l g o v e r n m e n t . H e
w a s a l s o h a n d s o m e a n d a m o r o u s , a n d a b s o r b e d like n o o t h e r i n d r e a m s
o f w o m e n . E v e r y n i g h t h e w a s off o n o n e r o m a n t i c e x p e d i t i o n o r a n o t h e r .
The minister's residence was in the western part of the Capital. Tsu-
n e y u k i w a s in love w i t h a w o m a n in the e a s t e r n p a r t of the city a n d his
c o n s t a n t visits to h e r w o r r i e d his p a r e n t s a g r e a t deal b e c a u s e the streets
w e r e unsafe after d a r k . Again a n d again t h e y tried in vain to keep him at
home.
O n e n i g h t h e r o d e off a s u s u a l , a c c o m p a n i e d b y a s i n g l e m o u n t e d p a g e .
As they traveled east past the Bifukumon'in Gate, one of the southern
gates into the palace c o m p o u n d , they s a w a noisy c r o w d approaching
2 3 8

w i t h torches. " W h o can t h e y b e ? " the y o u n g lord asked. " W h e r e can w e

hide?"
"I noticed w h e n I c a m e this w a y today that the north gate to the
S h i n s e n G a r d e n w a s o p e n , " t h e p a g e r e p l i e d . " L e t ' s g o in, m y lord, a n d
c l o s e t h e g a t e . Y o u c a n w a i t t h e r e till t h e y ' v e g o n e b y . "
T s u n e y u k i hurriedly dismounted a n d crouched beside a gatepost.
T h e c r o w d started past. T h e t w o had kept the gate cracked open, and
w h e n t h e y s p i e d n o t p e o p l e b u t d e m o n s t h e y all b u t lost t h e i r w i t s w i t h
terror. T h r o u g h the confusion of their o w n panic they heard a demon
s a y , " H m m . I s m e l l a m a n ! I'll g o c a t c h h i m . " S o m e t h i n g h u r t l e d t o w a r d
t h e m a n d T s u n e y u k i t h o u g h t h e w a s lost. T h e n i t r a n a w a y a g a i n .
" W h a t h a p p e n e d ? W h y didn't y o u get h i m ? " another cried.
"I c o u l d n ' t ! " s h o u t e d T s u n e y u k i ' s w o u l d - b e assailant.
" W h y n o t ? All r i g h t , you g o a f t e r h i m ! " A n o t h e r d e m o n r u s h e d t h e
gate, only to turn and flee.
"Well? Where is h e ? "
"I couldn't touch him either!"
" W h a t ' s t h e m a t t e r w i t h y o u ? All r i g h t , / ' / / d o i t ! " W i t h t h i s b o a s t t h e
speaker charged. H e g o t c l o s e r t h a n t h e o t h e r s , a n d his h a n d s w e r e
almost on T s u n e y u k i ( w h o t h o u g h t this wcui the e n d ) w h e n he too sud-
denly fled.
" W h a t ' s w r o n g ? " a c h o r u s greeted him.
" T h e Sonsho Darani! He's got the Sonsho Darani on him!"
S u d d e n l y all t h e t o r c h e s w e n t o u t . F o o t s t e p s r a n off i n all d i r e c t i o n s ,
then t h e r e w a s silence. T h e d a r k a n d quiet w e r e even m o r e eerily
frightening than the d e m o n ' s assault, and the hair rose on Tsuneyuki's
h e a d . T h e n he fainted.
A t last, m o r e d e a d t h a n alive, h e r e m o u n t e d h i s h o r s e a n d set o u t for
h o m e . B y t h e t i m e h e r e a c h e d h i s r o o m h e w a s ill, a n d h e c o l l a p s e d w i t h
a h i g h fever. H i s f a t h e r s e n t s o m e o n e t o f i n d o u t w h e r e T s u n e y u k i h a d
b e e n , b u t l e a r n e d o n l y t h a t t h e y o u n g m a s t e r h a d b e e n o u t late last n i g h t .
Finally the minister c a m e himself a n d found his son lying helpless in bed.
" W h a t i s i t ? " h e a s k e d , feeling T s u n e y u k i ' s b o d y . I t w a s b u r n i n g h o t .
" O h sir," cried Tsuneyuki's nurse, "I just don't k n o w w h a t the matter
c a n b e ! " B u t w h e n T s u n e y u k i h a d t o l d his s t o r y t h e n u r s e e x c l a i m e d ,
"Gracious! Last y e a r my brother, w h o ' s an exorcist, had me write out
the S o n s h o D a r a n i a n d s e w it into the collar of the y o u n g master's robe.
So it really has p o w e r , t h e n ! If it hadn't been there, w h a t w o u l d have
become of the y o u n g master?" She pressed her hands to Tsuneyuki's
forehead and burst into tears.
A f t e r s e v e r a l d a y s o f a f e v e r w h i c h c a u s e d his p a r e n t s a n g u i s h e d
worry, Tsuneyuki began to mend. A glance at the calendar showed that
it had been the night w h e n d e m o n s are k n o w n to walk abroad, and w h e n
for s a f e t y ' s s a k e y o u s h o u l d b e c a r e f u l t o s t a y a t h o m e .
Obviously you should always have the Sonsho Darani on you. W h y ,
Tsuneyuki had not even k n o w n it w a s there!

i 6 5 •

LUMP OFF, LUMP ON

A n o l d m a n h a d a b i g l u m p o n t h e r i g h t s i d e o f h i s face, a s b i g a s a b i g
tangerine. It made him so ugly that he avoided other people and instead
w o r k e d alone in the mountains cutting wood. O n c e he got caught in an
awful storm and had to stay in the mountains overnight.
N o o n e else w a s a r o u n d . H e h i d , w i d e a w a k e a n d terrified, i n a h o l l o w
t r e e . F e e l i n g a s l o n e l y a s h e d i d , h e b r e a t h e d a sigh o f relief w h e n h e
heard other people coming. Then he peeked outside. The crowd, a
h u n d r e d strong, w a s a horrible sight. S o m e in it w e r e red dressed in
green, some w e r e black with a red loincloth, some had one eye or no
m o u t h , a n d m o s t w e r e j u s t i n d e s c r i b a b l e . T h e y b u i l t a fire a s b r i g h t a s
t h e s u n a n d m a d e a c i r c l e r o u n d it, r i g h t i n f r o n t o f t h e o l d m a n ' s t r e e .
He w a s frightened n e a r l y out of his wits.
O n e m o n s t e r , a p p a r e n t l y t h e chief, sat d o w n b y t h e fire i n t h e p l a c e o f
h o n o r , a n d t h e r e s t sat i n t w i n r o w s t o h i s r i g h t a n d left. N e x t , t h e y all
began drinking and carrying on the w a y people do. As the wine jar went
r o u n d a n d r o u n d , the chief got awfully d r u n k . W h e n a y o u n g m o n s t e r
w i t h a t r a y m a d e h i s w a y s l o w l y u p t o t h e chief, m u m b l i n g s o m e t h i n g o r
other, the chief b u r s t out l a u g h i n g a n d w a v e d his c u p . T h e y really w e r e
j u s t like p e o p l e ! T h e y o u n g m o n s t e r d a n c e d , a n d w h e n h e h a d f i n i s h e d
a n o t h e r b e g a n . E a c h o n e took his t u r n , right o n u p t o the senior m o n -
s t e r s , a n d i f s o m e d a n c e d b a d l y o t h e r s d a n c e d w e l l . T h e old m a n c o u l d
h a r d l y believe his eyes.
" T h i s i s t h e m o s t fun w e ' v e e v e r h a d ! " t h e c h i e f d e c l a r e d . " N o w let's
have s o m e t h i n g really special! "
G o o d n e s s k n o w s w h a t got into the old m a n t h e n — p e r h a p s some god
or b u d d h a put him up to it — b u t he s u d d e n l y w a n t e d to get out there
a n d d a n c e . A t first h e c h e c k e d himself, b u t t h e m o n s t e r s h a d a fine
2 4 0

r h y t h m g o i n g a n d t h e t e m p t a t i o n w a s j u s t t o o m u c h . O u t h e b u r s t from
his hollow tree, w i t h his hat d o w n over his nose a n d an axe dangling
f r o m h i s b e l t , r i g h t b e f o r e t h e chief.
T h e m o n s t e r s j u m p e d u p . " W h a t ' s t h i s ? " t h e y c r i e d . T h e old m a n
l e a p e d h i g h a n d s q u a t t e d l o w , h e t w i s t e d a n d w r i g g l e d all a r o u n d w i t h
h o o t s a n d s h o u t s o f " E i ! " a n d " H o ! " till e v e r y o n e b u r s t o u t l a u g h i n g .
" W e ' v e b e e n h a v i n g t h e s e p a r t i e s for y e a r s , " c h u c k l e d t h e chief, " b u t
n o o n e like you h a s e v e r j o i n e d u s ! B e h e r e e v e r y t i m e from n o w o n ! "
" S a y n o m o r e ! " c r i e d t h e o l d m a n . " I w i l l ! B u t i t w a s all s o s u d d e n
this time t h a t I forgot h o w to e n d my d a n c e right. If y o u liked me tonight,
j u s t w a i t till y o u s e e m e d a n c e p r o p e r l y ! "
"You w e r e wonderful!" the chief insisted. "Make sure you come
again!"
O n e o f t h e c h i e f ' s l i e u t e n a n t s w a s n o t q u i t e c o n v i n c e d . " T h e old fel-
l o w ' s full o f p r o m i s e s , " h e o b j e c t e d , " b u t I'm n o t s o s u r e h e will b e b a c k .
W e ' d b e t t e r k e e p s o m e t h i n g o f his a s s e c u r i t y . "
T h a t s o u n d e d like a g o o d idea. T h e chief a s k e d w h a t they should take.
T h e r e w a s a b u z z o f v o i c e s . " W h a t a b o u t t h e l u m p o n his f a c e ? " t h e
l i e u t e n a n t s u g g e s t e d . " A l u m p ' s g o o d l u c k a n d he'll m i s s i t . "
" O h p l e a s e , " t h e o l d fellow b e g g e d , " t a k e m y e y e s o r m y n o s e , b u t n o t
m y l u m p ! I've h a d i t for y e a r s ! Y o u ' r e t o o c r u e l ! "
" A h a ! " said the lieutenant. " Y o u see? That's w h a t we n e e d ! "
A m o n s t e r s t e p p e d u p t o t h e o l d m a n a n d t w i s t e d t h e l u m p off p a i n -
lessly. " B e s u r e y o u ' r e a t o u r n e x t p a r t y ! " h e w a r n e d .
Soon it w a s d a w n a n d the birds w e r e singing. The monsters went
a w a y . T h e o l d m a n felt h i s face a n d f o u n d t h a t t h e l u m p h e h a d h a d for
s o l o n g w a s g o n e . H e f o r g o t all a b o u t c u t t i n g w o o d a n d h u r r i e d h o m e t o
his a s t o n i s h e d wife.
N o w , t h e o l d m a n n e x t d o o r h a d a l u m p o n t h e left side o f his face, a n d
w h e n h e s a w h i s n e i g h b o r ' s w a s g o n e h e w a n t e d t o k n o w h o w t h e old
fellow h a d d o n e it. " W h a t d o c t o r d i d y o u g o t o ? " h e a s k e d . " P l e a s e tell
me! I can't stand mine!"
" I t w a s n ' t a d o c t o r , it w a s a m o n s t e r . "
" W e l l , e i t h e r w a y , I'll j u s t d o w h a t e v e r y o u d i d . S o w h a t d i d y o u d o ? "
T h e first o l d m a n t o l d h i s s t o r y a n d t h e s e c o n d l i s t e n e d c a r e f u l l y . H e
w e n t to hide in the hollow tree, and sure enough the monsters came.
T h e y s a t i n a r i n g , d r a n k a n d c a r r i e d o n , a n d r o a r e d , " W h e r e ' s t h a t old
man?"
T h e s e c o n d old m a n w a s terribly afraid but h e staggered out a n y w a y .
" H u r r a y ! " the monsters shouted, "Here he is!"
"All r i g h t ! " s a i d t h e chief. " N o w , d a n c e ! "
 H e d a n c e d , b u t h i s f a l t e r i n g s t e p s h a d n o t h i n g i n c o m m o n w i t h his
n e i g h b o r ' s gleeful z e s t .
" T h a t w a s t e r r i b l e , " the chief g r u m b l e d . " G i v e him b a c k his l u m p ! "
Up s t e p p e d a j u n i o r m o n s t e r . " H e r e ' s y o u r l u m p b a c k , " he said a n d
s t u c k it on the o t h e r side. T h e old m a n h a d g o t t e n himself t w o l u m p s
instead of one.

1 7 0 .

TAKE A GOOD LOOK!

Late o n e night a m a n w a s sleeping with a prostitute in a r o o m u n d e r

t h e festival r e v i e w i n g s t a n d o n F i r s t A v e n u e . T h e w i n d w a s h o w l i n g , t h e
rain w a s p o u r i n g d o w n , a n d the a t m o s p h e r e w a s definitely s p o o k y . S u d -
d e n l y a p a s s e r b y o u t s i d e o n t h e a v e n u e s a n g , " N o t h i n g lasts, n o , all t h i n g s
pass . . . "
" W h a t ' s that, I w o n d e r , " t h o u g h t t h e m a n a n d c r a c k e d o p e n t h e s h u t -
ter to peek out. I t w a s a h o r s e - h e a d e d d e m o n a s tall a s t h e roof.
F r i g h t e n e d , h e h a s t i l y c l o s e d u p a g a i n a n d b a c k e d a s far b a c k i n t h e
r o o m a s h e c o u l d , b u t t h e d e m o n r a i s e d t h e s h u t t e r a n d s t u c k its face i n .
" T h a t w a s a g o o d look y o u got at me, y e s , a v e r y good look! " it g r o w l e d .
T h e m a n d r e w h i s s w o r d a n d g o t r e a d y t o s t r i k e i f t h e d e m o n c a m e in,
while the w o m a n cowered beside him.
" W e l l , t a k e a n o t h e r g o o d l o o k ! " said t h e d e m o n a n d w e n t its w a y .
T h e m a n d e c i d e d e v e r y fiend i n t h e w o r l d m u s t h a v e b e e n a b r o a d t h a t
night. He n e v e r slept u n d e r the reviewing s t a n d on First A v e n u e again.
2 4 2

P L E N T Y

i 7 i .

CHERLSH-THE-AGED SPRING

A p o o r m a n of E m p r e s s G e n s h o ' s reign, in M i n o province, gathered

w o o d i n t h e m o u n t a i n s t o s u p p o r t his o l d f a t h e r . S i n c e h i s f a t h e r c o n -
s t a n t l y d e m a n d e d w i n e , h e often w e n t off w i t h a g o u r d a t his belt t o b u y
h i m all h e w a n t e d .
O n e d a y the m a n , out in the m o u n t a i n s as usual to cut wood, slipped
on a m o s s y r o c k a n d fell flat on h i s face. L o o k i n g up a g a i n , he n o t i c e d a
s p r i n g r u n n i n g from the rock. T h e w a t e r w a s the color o f w i n e . H e
s c o o p e d u p s o m e a n d t a s t e d it: i t wcu< w i n e , a n d d e l i c i o u s t o o . A f t e r t h a t
h e c a m e e v e r y d a y for m o r e , m u c h t o his f a t h e r ' s d e l i g h t .
N e w s of the s p r i n g r e a c h e d the e m p r e s s , w h o c a m e to see it herself in
the ninth m o o n of 717. T h e gods of sky and earth had obviously recog-
n i z e d t h e m a n ' s p e r f e c t d e v o t i o n t o his f a t h e r a n d h a d m a d e t h e s p r i n g
for h i m a s a r e w a r d . T h e e m p r e s s t o o k t h e h i n t a n d a p p o i n t e d h i m
governor of Mino.
T h e s p r i n g w a s n a m e d Y o r o , o r " C h e r i s h - t h e - A g e d " s p r i n g , a n d i n its
honor the name of the reign-period too was changed to Yoro.

1 7 2 .

THE BOTTOMLESS SACK

I k u e n o Y o t s u n e , a j u n i o r p r o v i n c i a l official i n E c h i z e n , s t a r t e d o u t i n life
s o p o o r t h a t h e w a s a l m o s t s t a r v i n g . B u t w h e n h e p r a y e d for relief t o t h e
G o d d e s s K i c h i j o t e n h e e n d e d u p r i c h — i n fact, rich far b e y o n d h i s n e e d s
or even his desires.
 S o o n a f t e r Y o t s u n e t u r n e d t o K i c h i j o t e n for h e l p , h e h e a r d t h a t a
b e a u t i f u l w o m a n w a s a t h i s g a t e a s k i n g for h i m . H e w o n d e r e d a s h e w e n t
o u t t o h e r w h o i n t h e w o r l d s h e c o u l d b e . S h e wtui b e a u t i f u l , a n d s h e g a v e
him a dish h e a p e d w i t h c o o k e d rice.
"I g a t h e r y o u ' r e starving,'' she said. " E a t t h i s ! "
Y o t s u n e t o o k t h e r i c e g l a d l y . J u s t a little satisfied h i m r i g h t a w a y , a n d
h e h a r d l y e v e n felt h u n g r y a g a i n for s e v e r a l d a y s . H e p u t t h e b o w l a w a y
a n d a t e t h e r i c e a s s l o w l y a s h e c o u l d , b u t w h e n i t w a s all g o n e a t last h e
remained as destitute as before. Again he p r a y e d to Kichijoten, a n d the
w o m a n r e t u r n e d t o h i s g a t e . H e h u r r i e d o u t t o h e r a s fast a s h e c o u l d g o .
She told him she w a s awfully sorry but this time she could not help
h i m d i r e c t l y . " T a k e t h i s r e q u i s i t i o n slip i n s t e a d , " s h e said, a n d h a n d e d
h i m a p i e c e of p a p e r .
Yotsune read: "Rice: three bushels."
" B u t w h e r e a m I s u p p o s e d t o get t h i s r i c e ? " h e a s k e d .
" C r o s s t h e m o u n t a i n s n o r t h o f h e r e till y o u r e a c h t h e h i g h e s t p e a k .
C l i m b t o t h e t o p a n d call ' S h u d a ! S h u d a ! ' S o m e o n e will a n s w e r y o u a n d
c o m e out to give y o u the rice."
Y o t s u n e did as he w a s told. At the top of the highest mountain he
c a l l e d " S h u d a ! S h u d a ! " a n d a frightful v o i c e a n s w e r e d h i m . T h e n s o m e -
t h i n g c a m e t o w a r d him. It w a s a d e m o n with a single horn in the middle
of its f o r e h e a d a n d a s i n g l e e y e , w e a r i n g a r e d l o i n c l o t h .
T h e d e m o n knelt before Y o t s u n e . T h o u g h it w a s a terrifying creature,
Y o t s u n e p l u c k e d u p all h i s c o u r a g e a n d a n n o u n c e d t h a t h e h a d a r e q u i -
sition s l i p . " I ' m s u p p o s e d t o g e t s o m e r i c e , " h e e x p l a i n e d .
" I ' m sure y o u a r e , " said t h e d e m o n a n d looked over the d o c u m e n t . "It
s a y s t h r e e b u s h e l s , " h e w e n t o n , " b u t one b u s h e l i s t h e q u a n t i t y I've b e e n
told to give y o u . " He p u t a bushel of rice in a sack a n d gave it to Y o t s u n e ,
w h o took it home.
W h e n Y o t s u n e h e l p e d h i m s e l f f r o m t h e s a c k , t h e s a c k filled itself b a c k
up again. It never r a n out. S o o n Y o t s u n e w a s rich.
H a v i n g h e a r d a b o u t Y o t s u n e ' s s a c k o f rice, t h e g o v e r n o r o f t h e p r o v -
ince sent Y o t s u n e w o r d that he w a n t e d to b u y it immediately. As a
resident of the province Y o t s u n e could not refuse. T h e delighted gover-
n o r g a v e h i m o n e h u n d r e d b u s h e l s o f r i c e for it. A t its n e w o w n e r ' s h o m e
t h e s a c k refilled itself a s b e f o r e , a n d t h e g o v e r n o r w a s s u r e h e h a d a c -
q u i r e d a p r i c e l e s s t r e a s u r e . B u t w h e n h e h a d t a k e n o u t a full h u n d r e d
b u s h e l s , t h e rice g a v e o u t a n d t h e s a c k n e v e r filled u p a g a i n . T h e g o v e r -
n o r w a s v e r y a n g r y , b u t t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g h e c o u l d d o a b o u t it. I n t h e
end he decided he w o u l d have to give the sack back to Yotsune.
A t Y o t s u n e ' s t h e s a c k refilled itself a g a i n t h e w a y i t h a d a l w a y s d o n e ,
2 4 4

n o m a t t e r h o w m u c h r i c e w a s t a k e n from it. H o w foolish t h e g o v e r n o r

h a d b e e n ! H o w c o u l d h e p o s s i b l y t a k e a l m o s t b y force from Y o t s u n e t h e
r e w a r d t h a t Y o t s u n e h a d m e r i t e d for h i s d e v o t i o n t o K i c h i j o t e n , a n d t h e n
e x p e c t t o e n j o y its b o u n t y h i m s e l f ?

x 7 3 .

THE 5OLID GOLD CORPSE

A h u m b l e m a n o f t h e C a p i t a l h a d lost h i s p a r e n t s , a n d h a v i n g n o l o r d t o
look to either, w a s very poor. But he k n e w that the K a n n o n of Hasedera
a n s w e r s people's p r a y e r s , a n d he could not believe that he alone w o u l d
b e e x c l u d e d f r o m K a n n o n ' s g r a c e . D e s p i t e h i s difficult c i r c u m s t a n c e s , h e
s e t off o n foot t o H a s e d e r a .
T h i s w a s his plea t o K a n n o n . " O K a n n o n , grant me, i n y o u r compas-
s i o n , a little e a s e in t h i s life! It is n o t h i g h p o s i t i o n I c r a v e , or b o u n d l e s s
w e a l t h . I o n l y b e g for a m o d e s t i n c o m e . S u r e l y m y k a r m a from p a s t lives
has b r o u g h t this p o v e r t y on me. O K a n n o n , they say y o u r v o w to help
s e n t i e n t b e i n g s i s s u p r e m e a m o n g t h e v o w s o f all t h e b u d d h a s . H e l p m e ,
o h h e l p m e , p l e a s e ! ' ' I n t h i s s p i r i t h e p r a y e d a t t h e t e m p l e for s e v e r a l
days but w e n t h o m e in the end disappointed, without even having had a
dream.
T h o u g h h e w e n t o n m a k i n g t h e s a m e p i l g r i m a g e e a c h m o n t h , h e still
g o t n o d r e a m . " W h y d o y o u insist o n g o i n g t h e r e ? " h i s w i f e c o m p l a i n e d .
" T h e life w e l e a d i s m i s e r a b l e e n o u g h ! T h e y s a y a b u d d h a h e l p s o n l y
t h o s e w h o s o m e h o w h a v e a link w i t h h i m . Y o u n e v e r g e t t h e least r e -
s p o n s e , n o m a t t e r h o w often y o u g o . O b v i o u s l y y o u h a v e n o link w i t h
this K a n n o n . Y o u might as well give u p ! "
" I e x p e c t y o u ' r e r i g h t , " h e r h u s b a n d a n s w e r e d , " b u t I've d e c i d e d t o
k e e p u p m y m o n t h l y p i l g r i m a g e s for t h r e e y e a r s . M y p r e s e n t life m a y b e
a l o s s , b u t at l e a s t I c a n p r a y for s a l v a t i o n in t h e f u t u r e . "
A t t h e v e r y e n d o f t h e t h i r d a n d last y e a r h e w e n t o n his final p i l g r i m -
a g e , f r o m w h i c h h e r e t u r n e d w e e p i n g a t t h e t h o u g h t t h a t his r e w a r d i n
t h i s life, for w h a t e v e r h e m i g h t h a v e d o n e i n t h e p a s t , w a s t o b e b e y o n d
the reach of Kannon's kindness. By sundown he had reached Ninth
A v e n u e . As he c o n t i n u e d on, gloomy a n d depressed, he met a b a n d of
f r e e d c o n v i c t s , t h e k i n d w h o d o t h e l o w e s t j o b s for t h e I m p e r i a l P o l i c e .
T h e y seized him w i t h o u t w a r n i n g a n d informed him, over his protests,
t h a t t h e y w a n t e d h i m for c o o l i e l a b o r . T h e y m a r c h e d h i m n o r t h t o w a r d
the center of the city.
T h i s w a s a n a s t y s h o c k . A t U c h i n o , n e a r w h e r e h e lived, t h e y c a m e
across a d e a d boy. T h e m a n w a s o r d e r e d with threats a n d curses to get
rid o f t h e b o d y o n t h e d r y r i v e r b e d . E x h a u s t e d a s h e w a s from w a l k i n g
all d a y , t h i s r e a l l y w a s t o o m u c h . E v e n o n h i s w a y b a c k from t h e last o f
t h r e e y e a r s ' w o r t h o f p i l g r i m a g e s , thii h a d t o h a p p e n . A w f u l k a r m a w a s
the only possible explanation. His wife h a d been absolutely right. He a n d
the K a n n o n of H a s e d e r a h a d nothing to do with each other. H e felt
a w f u l . A n d t h e c o r p s e w a s s o h e a v y t h a t h e c o u l d n o t g e t i t off t h e
g r o u n d , till t h e f r e e d c o n v i c t s s n a r l e d a t h i m s o m e n a c i n g l y t h a t h e j u s t
m a n a g e d t o p i c k i t u p a f t e r all. T h e y f o l l o w e d r i g h t b e h i n d h i m s o t h a t
he had no chance to drop it and run.
T h e c o r p s e w a s a m a z i n g l y h e a v y . H e c o u l d not c a r r y i t t o t h e r i v e r b e d
b y himself, a n d t h a t w a s final. P e r h a p s h e c o u l d g e t i t h o m e i n s t e a d , s o
t h a t d u r i n g t h e n i g h t h e a n d h i s wife c o u l d b o t h t a k e i t w h e r e i t h a d t o
g o . T h e f r e e d c o n v i c t s s a i d t h e y h a d n o o b j e c t i o n . S o , m u c h t o his w i f e ' s
surprise, he arrived h o m e from H a s e d e r a with a d e a d b o d y a n d shed
b i t t e r t e a r s a s h e e x p l a i n e d h o w h e h a d c o m e b y it.
"I told y o u s o , " said his wife. " W e l l , n o w we'll h a v e to do s o m e t h i n g
w i t h i t . " T h o u g h t h e y t r i e d t o lift it, its w e i g h t w a s s o e x t r a o r d i n a r y t h a t
n o effort o f t h e i r s c o u l d m a k e i t s e e m m a n a g e a b l e . B e s i d e s i t w a s , a s t h e y
n o w noticed, o d d l y h a r d . T h e y p o k e d at it with a stick. T h e surface w a s
g o l d , for g o o d n e s s ' s a k e ! N e x t t h e y lit a l a m p a n d b a n g e d o n i t w i t h a
stone. T h e inside w a s gold too. T h e whole corpse w a s gold! T h e y w e r e
s p e e c h l e s s . T h e K a n n o n o f H a s e d e r a h a d t a k e n p i t y o n t h e m a f t e r all.
T h e y h i d t h e c o r p s e i n t h e i r h o u s e , a n d t h e n e x t d a y s c r a p e d off a little
g o l d a n d sold it. A t last t h e y b e g a n d o i n g w e l l . S o o n t h e y o u n g m a n w a s
wealthy. Since he n o w had property he got a good post and served the
court very capably. H o w wonderful K a n n o n ' s blessings are!
After acquiring the golden corpse the m a n devoted himself to H a s e d e r a
m o r e faithfully t h a n e v e r . H e n e v e r s a w t h e f r e e d c o n v i c t s a g a i n . P e r h a p s
they had been emanations of Kannon.
2 4 6

i 7 4 •
A FORTUNE FROM A
WISP OF STRAW

A p o o r y o u n g m a n h a d n o p a r e n t s , l o r d , wife, o r c h i l d r e n a n d s o w a s
completely alone; a n d this meant he had no support or comfort. So he
s o u g h t the aid of K a n n o n a n d w e n t on a pilgrimage to Hasedera, w h e r e
h e p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f b e f o r e K a n n o n ' s h o l y p r e s e n c e . " I f m y life i s t o g o
o n t h i s w a y I'd r a t h e r s t a r v e t o d e a t h n o w , h e r e b e f o r e y o u ! " h e d e c l a r e d .
" B u t i f b y c h a n c e t h e r e ' s h o p e for m e , I w o n ' t l e a v e till y o u h a v e t o l d m e
so in a d r e a m . "
T h e m o n k s of the temple wanted to k n o w what he was doing. "You
d o n ' t seem to h a v e a n y food," they said. "If y o u go on just lying there
y o u ' l l p o l l u t e t h e t e m p l e " — for t h e y s a w t h a t h e m i g h t d i e — " a n d t h a t
w o u l d be a disaster. W h o ' s y o u r spiritual adviser? W h e r e do y o u e a t ? "
"I've nothing and no one," the y o u n g man answered. " H o w do you
e x p e c t m e t o h a v e a s p i r i t u a l a d v i s e r ? I've n o w h e r e t o g e t food from a n d
n o o n e t o p i t y m e . I e a t w h a t K a n n o n k i n d l y p r o v i d e s , a n d for w h a t
spiritual advice I get I rely on K a n n o n t o o . "
T h e m o n k s decided that the y o u n g man w a s a nuisance w h o might
m a k e t r o u b l e for t h e t e m p l e . S i n c e h e w a s d e t e r m i n e d t o t h r o w h i m s e l f
entirely on Kannon's mercy, they thought they had better take turns
b r i n g i n g him food.
H e ate t h e food b u t s t a y e d w h e r e h e w a s until t h r e e s e v e n - d a y retreats
w e r e almost over. J u s t before the d a w n of the twenty-second day he
d r e a m e d t h a t s o m e o n e c a m e from b e h i n d K a n n o n ' s curtain. " Y o u have
s o m e n e r v e , y o u k n o w , " t h e p e r s o n said, " a p p e a l i n g t o K a n n o n t h i s w a y
without even considering that y o u r own past karma is what's made y o u r
life s o m i s e r a b l e . B u t y o u r p l e a i s t o u c h i n g , a n d K a n n o n h a s a little
r e m e d y for y o u . C l e a r o u t o f h e r e i m m e d i a t e l y . O n t h e w a y , t a k e w h a t -
e v e r y o u r h a n d c l o s e s o n a n d k e e p it. N o w , g o ! "
T h e y o u n g m a n g a t h e r e d that he had been dismissed. He struggled to
h i s feet, w e n t for a final m e a l w i t h t h e m o n k s , a n d left. O n h i s w a y o u t
t h e m a i n g a t e h e t r i p p e d a n d fell flat o n h i s face.
H e p i c k e d h i m s e l f u p a n d e x a m i n e d w h a t h e s o m e h o w h a d i n his h a n d .
I t w a s a s i n g l e w i s p o f s t r a w . T h i s w a s a bit d i s a p p o i n t i n g , b u t w h o w a s
h e t o q u e s t i o n K a n n o n ? H e w a l k e d on, twirling the s t r a w b e t w e e n his
fingers.
S o o n a b i g h o r s e f l y c a m e b u z z i n g r o u n d his face. A l t h o u g h h e t r i e d
s h o o i n g i t off w i t h a b r a n c h , i t k e p t c o m i n g b a c k . S o h e c a u g h t it, t i e d
o n e e n d o f t h e s t r a w r o u n d its m i d d l e a n d t h e o t h e r e n d t o t h e b r a n c h ,
a n d w e n t o n w i t h t h e c a p t i v e fly b u z z i n g b e f o r e h i m .
A c a r r i a g e full o f l a d i e s h a p p e n e d b y j u s t t h e n , o n t h e w a y t o t h e
t e m p l e . A p r e t t y little b o y w a s p e e r i n g o u t t h e w i n d o w . " W h a t ' s t h a t t h e
man's g o t ? " cried the boy to the servant riding beside the carriage. " G o
a n d g e t it a n d g i v e it to mel"
T h e servant a p p r o a c h e d the fly-tamer. "Give me that thing y o u ' v e got
t h e r e , " h e s a i d . " T h e y o u n g m a s t e r ' s a s k i n g for i t . "
" T h i s is a p r e s e n t to me from K a n n o n , " the y o u n g man a n s w e r e d , " b u t
i f i t s t r i k e s y o u r little m a s t e r ' s f a n c y h e ' s w e l c o m e t o i t . " H e h a n d e d t h e
servant the branch.
T h e l a d i e s l i k e d t h e w a y h e h a d p a r t e d w i t h his t o y . " H e r e , " t h e y
c a l l e d t o h i m , " e a t t h e s e w h e n y o u feel t h i r s t y ! " T h e y w r a p p e d u p t h r e e
b i g t a n g e r i n e s for h i m i n f i n e M i c h i n o k u p a p e r a n d h a d t h e s e r v a n t
deliver them.
T h e wisp of straw w a s n o w three big tangerines which the y o u n g m a n
c a r r i e d tied to a b r a n c h o v e r his s h o u l d e r .
N e x t , h e m e t a b a n d o f m o u n t e d s e r v a n t s l o o k i n g after a n a p p a r e n t l y
d i s t i n g u i s h e d l a d y w h o w a s o n foot, h a v i n g n o d o u b t m a d e a h u m b l e v o w
to do the pilgrimage that way. At the moment she was exhausted and
b e g g i n g h e r s e r v a n t s i n v a i n for w a t e r . T h e s e r v a n t s w e r e s c u r r y i n g
around looking, but there w a s simply no water to be found. " W h a t ' s
happened to the supplies?" one of them shouted, but the supply horses
w e r e still far b e h i n d , o u t o f s i g h t . W h e n t h e l a d y f a i n t e d d e a d a w a y , t h e
alarmed servants tried everything to revive her.
T h e y o u n g m a n c a m e quietly u p . " Y o u , " t h e y called, " y o u m u s t k n o w
where there's water! Is there any drinkable water nearby?"
He asked what the matter w a s and the servants explained.
" I ' m s o r r y , " h e s a i d . " T h e w a t e r ' s a g o o d d i s t a n c e off a n d it'll t a k e
t i m e t o g e t i t h e r e . H o w a b o u t t h e s e ? " H e offered t h e m h i s t h r e e b e a u t i -
fully w r a p p e d t a n g e r i n e s .
T h e s e r v a n t s fed t h e m e a g e r l y t o t h e i r m i s t r e s s , w h o e v e n t u a l l y o p e n e d
her eyes a n d asked w h a t had h a p p e n e d .
" Y o u w e r e t h i r s t y , m a d a m , a n d y o u a s k e d for w a t e r . T h e n y o u f a i n t e d .
We looked everywhere but we simply couldn't find any drinking water.
T h e n this m a n c a m e along. He u n d e r s t o o d a n d gave us three tangerines,
w h i c h w e fed t o y o u . "
" S o I f a i n t e d f r o m t h i r s t , d i d I ? I r e m e m b e r a s k i n g for w a t e r , b u t after
t h a t my m i n d is a b l a n k . W i t h o u t these t a n g e r i n e s I might just have died
h e r e i n t h e f i e l d s . W h a t a k i n d m a n ! I s h e still t h e r e ? "
"Yes, m a d a m . "
2 4 8

" T e l l h i m t o b e p a t i e n t . I'd like t o d o a s m u c h for h i m a s his g e n e r o s i t y

h a s d o n e for m e , b u t it's s o h a r d like t h i s o n t h e r o a d . D o w e h a v e a n y
food? Give him something to eat!"
T h e servants told the y o u n g m a n to stay put a n d promised that w h e n
the supplies got there he should have a meal.
Finally the s u p p l y horses arrived, a n d their drivers got roundly scolded
for h a v i n g d r o p p e d s o far b e h i n d . A c l o t h e n c l o s u r e w a s p u t u p a n d m a t s
w e r e s p r e a d . Since t h e lady b a d l y n e e d e d rest, the c o m p a n y decided t o
stop there awhile, although the place w a s quite inconvenient. M e n were
s e n t t o fetch w a t e r , food w a s p r e p a r e d , a n d t h e y o u n g m a n g o t a v e r y
good dinner.
As he ate he w o n d e r e d w h a t the tangerines w e r e going to t u r n into.
All t h i s w a s K a n n o n ' s i d e a , a n d h e c o u l d n o t i m a g i n e t h a t h e w o u l d c o m e
a w a y e m p t y - h a n d e d . Sure enough, the servants soon brought out three
b o l t s o f fine w h i t e c l o t h .
" G i v e him t h e s e , " said t h e lady, a n d sent him this message: " T h e joy
y o u r tangerines have b r o u g h t me is more than I can describe, but here
o n t h e r o a d I c a n n o t d o for y o u all I w o u l d w i s h . T h e s e a r e o n l y a t o k e n
o f m y t h a n k s . I live i n t h e C a p i t a l a t s u c h - a n d - s u c h a p l a c e . C o m e t h e r e ,
a n d w h e n y o u d o y o u will h a v e y o u r full r e w a r d . "
T h e y o u n g m a n a c c e p t e d t h e gift w i t h p l e a s u r e . H i s w i s p o f s t r a w w a s
n o w t h r e e b o l t s o f c l o t h , w h i c h h e p u t u n d e r his a r m a s h e c o n t i n u e d o n
toward Kyoto.
At s u n d o w n he found lodging at a house by the road, a n d rose the next
m o r n i n g w i t h t h e b i r d s t o p u r s u e his j o u r n e y . A s t h e s u n b e g a n t o c l i m b
in t h e s k y he s a w a m a n riding a beautiful horse. " W h a t a marvelous
a n i m a l ! " t h o u g h t the y o u n g m a n . "It must be w o r t h a fortune!"
S u d d e n l y the horse toppled over, obviously dying. The astonished
r i d e r s t o o d v a c a n t l y b e s i d e i t w h i l e h i s r e t a i n e r s r u s h e d t o g e t its s a d d l e
off a n d t r i e d t o t h i n k o f w h a t t o d o . B u t a l a s , t h e h o r s e w a s n o w q u i t e
dead, a n d n o n e of their voluble grief could r e m e d y that.
Their master mounted a poor substitute which happened to be at hand.
" W e l l , " h e s a i d , " t h e r e i t is. I'm g o i n g o n . " H e left a s e r v a n t b e h i n d w i t h
i n s t r u c t i o n s to do s o m e t h i n g a b o u t getting the carcass out of sight.
T h e y o u n g man thought he k n e w w h y the horse had died. His wisp of
s t r a w h a d t u r n e d into t h r e e tangerines, the tangerines had t u r n e d into
t h r e e bolts of cloth, a n d n o w , a p p a r e n t l y , the cloth w a s going to turn into
a h o r s e for h i m .
H e l e a r n e d f r o m t h e s e r v a n t t h a t t h e h o r s e w a s from s o m e w h e r e u p
n o r t h . P e o p l e h a d o f f e r e d h u g e s u m s for i t b u t t h e s e r v a n t ' s m a s t e r h a d
k e p t h e s i t a t i n g t o p a r t w i t h it. N o w i t w a s d e a d , a total loss. " I t h o u g h t I
m i g h t a t least t a k e its h i d e , " t h e s e r v a n t w e n t o n , " b u t o n t h e r o a d like
t h i s I d o n ' t e v e n k n o w w h a t I'd d o w i t h i t . "
"I see," said the y o u n g m a n . "It w a s a beautiful horse. W h a t a pity!
Y o u c e r t a i n l y c o u l d n ' t v e r y well d r y its h i d e w h i l e y o u ' r e t r a v e l i n g , b u t /
c a n . W h y n o t let m e h a v e i t ? " H e g a v e h i m a b o l t o f c l o t h a n d t h e
s e r v a n t , g l a d o f t h i s w i n d f a l l , r a n off w i t h i t w i t h o u t l o o k i n g b a c k , b e f o r e
the hide's p u r c h a s e r could c h a n g e his m i n d .
T h e y o u n g m a n w a t c h e d him go, t h e n w a s h e d his h a n d s , t u r n e d to-
w a r d H a s e d e r a , a n d p r a y e d for t h e h o r s e t o r e v i v e . W h e n i t o p e n e d its
e y e s , lifted its h e a d , a n d t r i e d t o g e t u p , h e g e n t l y h e l p e d i t t o s t a n d . H o w
pleased he w a s ! But s o m e straggler from the former o w n e r ' s p a r t y might
still find h i m , o r t h e f o r m e r o w n e r h i m s e l f m i g h t c o m e b a c k , s o h e l e d
t h e h o r s e i n t o h i d i n g a n d w a i t e d for i t t o r e c o v e r fully. T h e n h e w e n t o n
t o a h o u s e , t r a d e d a n o t h e r b o l t o f c l o t h for a b r i d l e a n d a c h e a p s a d d l e ,
a n d r o d e his n e w m o u n t o n t o w a r d the Capital.
S u n s e t f o u n d h i m n e a r Uji, w h e r e h e p a i d for d i n n e r , l o d g i n g , a n d
f o d d e r w i t h t h e last o f h i s b o l t s o f c l o t h . T h e n e x t m o r n i n g h e o n c e m o r e
rose early a n d w e n t o n his w a y .
N e a r t h e s o u t h e r n e d g e o f t h e city h e p a s s e d a h o u s e alive w i t h b u s t l e
a n d excitement. T h e o w n e r seemed to be setting out on a long journey.
T h e y o u n g m a n had already realized that if he took the horse right into
t o w n s o m e o n e m i g h t r e c o g n i z e i t a n d a c c u s e h i m o f theft, a n d h a d d e -
c i d e d a c c o r d i n g l y t h a t h e s h o u l d sell it. T h i s m a n m i g h t n e e d a h o r s e .
D i s m o u n t i n g , h e ran u p a n d p r o p o s e d t h e sale.
T h e g e n t l e m a n had b e e n w a n t i n g a n o t h e r h o r s e a n d w h e n h e s a w t h i s
o n e h e g o t s o e x c i t e d h e h a r d l y k n e w w h a t t o d o . " J u s t n o w I've n o silk
to p a y y o u w i t h , " he said. " W o u l d rice a n d s o m e rice land in T o b a do
instead?"
T h e s e s o u n d e d f i n e , b u t t h e y o u n g m a n f e i g n e d i n d i f f e r e n c e . " I t ' s silk
a n d c a s h I n e e d , " h e a n s w e r e d . " A s I'm t r a v e l i n g I d o n ' t k n o w q u i t e
w h a t I'll d o w i t h rice l a n d , b u t i f y o u r e a l l y n e e d t h e h o r s e I'll b e g l a d t o
oblige."
T h e g e n t l e m a n p u t t h e h o r s e t h r o u g h its p a c e s a n d d e c l a r e d t h a t i t w a s
a s i m p r e s s i v e t o r i d e a s t o l o o k a t . H e g a v e t h e y o u n g m a n rice a n d o v e r
six a c r e s o f r i c e f i e l d s , a n d e v e n e n t r u s t e d h i m w i t h t h e c a r e o f his h o u s e .
" K e e p it as long as I'm g o n e , " he said. " Y o u can give it b a c k if I ever
r e t u r n t o t h e C a p i t a l , a n d i f I d i e it's y o u r s . I've n o c h i l d r e n s o n o o n e
will c o m e a r o u n d t o m a k e a n y c l a i m s . " A n d off h e w e n t .
T h e y o u n g m a n s e t t l e d i n a n d h i r e d a f e w l a b o r e r s from t h e n e i g h b o r -
h o o d . Since it w a s a b o u t planting time, he r e n t e d out half his land to
s o m e o n e else a n d h a d t h e o t h e r h a l f c u l t i v a t e d for himself. T h e t e n a n t ' s
2 5 0

half d i d p e r f e c t l y w e l l , b u t his o w n y i e l d e d a n i m m e n s e l y rich h a r v e s t .

T h e n p r o p e r t y g a t h e r e d to him as t h o u g h blown in on every wind and he
b e c a m e a v e r y w e a l t h y m a n . E v e n t h e h o u s e b e c a m e his, s i n c e h e n e v e r
h e a r d from t h e o w n e r a g a i n .
H i s d e s c e n d a n t s flourished too, or so they say.

t 7 5 .
"DOG'S HEAD" SILK

T h e t w o w i v e s o f a c o u n t y m a g i s t r a t e i n M i k a w a p r o v i n c e r a i s e d silk-
w o r m s w h i c h y i e l d e d p l e n t y o f silk t h r e a d . T h e n for s o m e r e a s o n all t h e
s i l k w o r m s i n t h e s e n i o r w i f e ' s c a r e d i e d , a n d s h e n e v e r m a n a g e d t o raise
a n y m o r e . A s a r e s u l t h e r h u s b a n d i g n o r e d h e r , a n d his r e t a i n e r s n a t u -
r a l l y i m i t a t e d h i m . W i t h o u t v i s i t o r s s h e lived a s a d life i n h e r p o o r , d r e a r y
h o u s e , a l o n e b u t for a p a i r o f m a i d s .
A t last s h e f o u n d a s i n g l e s i l k w o r m e a t i n g a m u l b e r r y leaf a n d a d o p t e d
it. I t g r e w l a r g e r a n d l a r g e r o n t h e m u l b e r r y l e a v e s s h e piled i n t o its b o x ,
a n d a t e all s h e g a v e it. S i n c e s h e h a d h a d n o s i l k w o r m s for s e v e r a l y e a r s
n o w s h e c o u l d n o t h e l p b e i n g f o n d o f i t a n d l o o k e d after i t t e n d e r l y ,
t h o u g h t h e r e w a s little s h e c o u l d a c t u a l l y d o w i t h just o n e .
O n e d a y h e r w h i t e d o g w a s s i t t i n g i n front o f h e r w a g g i n g its tail w h i l e
she h e a p e d leaves into the b o x a n d w a t c h e d the silkworm eat. S u d d e n l y
the d o g j u m p e d up a n d ate the w o r m . The w o m a n was both angry and
h e a r t b r o k e n , b u t i t h a d h a p p e n e d s o fast t h a t s h e m a d e n o a t t e m p t t o
punish the dog. I n s t e a d s h e w e p t o v e r t h e s t r a n g e fate t h a t m a d e i t
i m p o s s i b l e for h e r t o k e e p s i l k w o r m s .
M e a n w h i l e t h e d o g s n e e z e d a n d a n i n c h o r t w o o f w h i t e silk filament
c a m e out each nostril. In surprise the w o m a n pulled on them. T h e y got
l o n g e r a n d l o n g e r — so long t h a t s h e h a d to begin w i n d i n g them on a reel.
W h e n t h e r e e l filled u p , s h e t o o k a n o t h e r a n d t h e n a n o t h e r . T w o o r t h r e e
h u n d r e d r e e l s l a t e r t h e f i l a m e n t w a s still c o m i n g . S h e w o u n d i t o n t o
b a m b o o p o l e s a n d o n t o b u c k e t s till s h e h a d a t r e m e n d o u s w e i g h t o f silk.
T h e f i l a m e n t o n l y g a v e o u t w h e n t h e d o g a t last c o l l a p s e d a n d d i e d . S h e
d e c i d e d t h a t t h e g o d s a n d b u d d h a s m u s t h a v e t a k e n t h e form o f t h e d o g
i n o r d e r t o h e l p h e r , a n d s h e b u r i e d t h e c r e a t u r e u n d e r a n old m u l b e r r y
t r e e i n t h e field b e h i n d h e r h o u s e .
 ,J A P A N E S

I t w a s i m p o s s i b l e t o m a k e t h i s silk finer t h a n i t a l r e a d y w a s , b u t s h e
w a s f u s s i n g o v e r i t a n y w a y w h e n h e r h u s b a n d , off o n a n e r r a n d s o m e -
where, h a p p e n e d to ride by her gate. Seeing h o w deserted the house was,
h e felt s o r r y for h e r a f t e r all a n d d i s m o u n t e d . H e f o u n d n o o n e i n t h e
h o u s e b u t his w i f e , w o r k i n g o v e r a n e n o r m o u s q u a n t i t y o f silk. T h e silk
obtained at hu house w a s dark, lumpy, and altogether poor in quality,
b u t t h i s w a s a s w h i t e a s s n o w a n d a l m o s t l u m i n o u s — far s u p e r i o r t o a n y
he h a d ever seen. W h e n she told him h o w she h a d gotten such m a r v e l o u s
silk, h e s a w h o w w r o n g h e h a d b e e n t o t r e a t p o o r l y a w i f e o n w h o m t h e
gods and b u d d h a s smiled, a n d decided to stay with her. He never w e n t
b a c k t o his o t h e r w i f e a g a i n .
T h e mulberry tree the dog w a s buried u n d e r soon bore cocoons of the
s a m e e x q u i s i t e silk. T h e m a g i s t r a t e r e p o r t e d t h i s t o t h e p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r -
n o r , w h o r e p o r t e d i t t o t h e c o u r t . A f t e r t h a t t h e silk k n o w n a s " d o g ' s
h e a d " h a s b e e n offered r e g u l a r l y t o t h e e m p e r o r . I t i s u s e d t o w e a v e h i s
robes.
S o m e p e o p l e t h i n k t h e s e c o n d w i f e killed t h e s e n i o r w i f e ' s s i l k w o r m s
o n p u r p o s e , b u t n o o n e k n o w s for s u r e .

O D D P A T H S

T O

S A L V A T I O N

A VERY SURPRISED
BODHISATTVA

T s u k u m a S p r i n g i n S h i n a n o p r o v i n c e u s e d t o b e p o p u l a r for its h o t ,
medicinal w a t e r s . O n c e a villager there d r e a m e d that K a n n o n w o u l d
come the next day at noon to bathe in the spring.
" H o w shall w e r e c o g n i z e h i m ? " t h e d r e a m e r a s k e d , a n d g o t t h e a n -
s w e r : " H e will b e a w a r r i o r t h i r t y y e a r s old w i t h a b l a c k b e a r d , a c o n i c a l
2 5 2

h a t , a n d a d a r k c l o a k . H i s q u i v e r will b e b l a c k a n d h i s b o w w r a p p e d i n
l e a t h e r , a n d h i s c h a p s will b e m a d e o f t h e s p o t t e d h i d e t a k e n from a d e e r
i n s u m m e r . H e will b e r i d i n g a r o a n h o r s e . T h a t i s h o w y o u will k n o w
the bodhisattva."
First t h i n g n e x t m o r n i n g the d r e a m e r told e v e r y o n e he k n e w . T h e
w o r d spread, a n d soon a huge c r o w d had gathered at the spring. T h e y
m a d e s u r e t h e b a t h i n g w a t e r w a s fresh, c l e a n e d a n d tidied carefully,
s t r e t c h e d a s a c r e d r o p e r o u n d t h e p o o l , offered f l o w e r s a n d i n c e n s e , a n d
finally s e t t l e d d o w n i n p i o u s p a t i e n c e t o w a i t .
N o o n c a m e a n d w e n t . A b o u t t w o a w a r r i o r r o d e u p , p r e c i s e l y like t h e
one in the d r e a m . T h e c r o w d rose as one man and prostrated themselves
before him, touching their heads to the ground.
T h e a s t o n i s h e d w a r r i o r c o u l d n o t i m a g i n e w h a t w a s g o i n g o n . H e tried
a s k i n g p e o p l e , d o z e n s o f t h e m , b u t all t h e y d i d w a s k e e p b o w i n g t o h i m .
N o o n e w o u l d tell h i m a t h i n g . T h e n h e s p o t t e d a m o n k w h o w a s b o w i n g
a n d p r o s t r a t i n g h i m s e l f like t h e r e s t .
" W h y a r e y o u all b o b b i n g u p a n d d o w n a t m e like t h a t ? " h e a s k e d i n
a rich c o u n t r y b r o g u e .
T h e m o n k told him a b o u t the d r e a m .
T h e w a r r i o r e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e o t h e r d a y h e h a d fallen from his h o r s e
a n d b r o k e n h i s r i g h t a r m , a n d h a d c o m e t o heal his a r m i n t h e s p r i n g .
P e o p l e p o u r e d after him w h e r e v e r he moved, b o w i n g a n d carrying on
like m a d .
A t h i s w i t s ' e n d , h e finally d e c i d e d t h a t h e m u s t a c t u a l l y b e t h e b o d h i -
s a t t v a a n d m i g h t a s w e l l b e c o m e a m o n k . T h r o w i n g d o w n his b o w ,
q u i v e r , s w o r d , a n d d a g g e r , h e c u t off h i s h a i r a n d e n t e r e d r e l i g i o n . T h e
crowd wept with devout emotion.
A t last s o m e o n e w h o k n e w h i m b y s i g h t c r i e d , " H e a v e n s , t h a t ' s M a s t e r
K a n from o v e r in K o z u k e p r o v i n c e ! " So they gave him the n a m e K a n n o n ,
the blessed bodhisattva's own.

i 7 7 .

THE AWAKENING

A y o u n g m o n k o n M o u n t H i e i h a d meant t o s t u d y a f t e r e n t e r i n g religion,
b u t e n d e d up so busy having a good time that he never actually applied
h i m s e l f a t all. H e h a d o n l y b a r e l y l e a r n e d a bit o f t h e L o t u s S u t r a . S i n c e
h e still p l a n n e d t o s t u d y dome d a y , h e often w e n t t o p r a y for s c h o l a r l y
success to the K o k u z o of Horinji, a temple just west of the Capital, but
his p i l g r i m a g e s n e v e r i n s p i r e d h i m t o d o a n y t h i n g i n p a r t i c u l a r . H e r e a l l y
was a proper dunce.
He k n e w this perfectly well, a n d it b o t h e r e d him so m u c h that one d a y
in the ninth moon he w e n t again to Horinji. J u s t before starting back, he
fell i n t o c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h a n a c q u a i n t a n c e t h e r e , a n d t h e s u n s a n k l o w
w h i l e t h e t w o m o n k s t a l k e d . H e w a l k e d a s fast a s h e c o u l d w h e n h e d i d
set off, b u t a t s u n d o w n h e w a s still i n t h e w e s t e r n p a r t o f t h e c i t y . A
friend h e t h o u g h t h e m i g h t b e a b l e t o s t a y w i t h i n t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d
turned out to be a w a y in the country, and there w a s no one home but a
m a i d left t o w a t c h t h e p l a c e . T h e n h e r e m e m b e r e d a n o t h e r a c q u a i n t a n c e
a n d w e n t l o o k i n g for h i s h o u s e .
On the w a y he came to a Chinese-style gate with a pretty y o u n g
w o m a n s t a n d i n g b e s i d e it. S h e w a s w e a r i n g s e v e r a l l a y e r s o f c a s u a l c l o t h -
ing against t h e chilly air. H e told h e r w h o h e w a s a n d w h e r e h e w a s
g o i n g , e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e s u n h a d set, a n d a s k e d i f h e c o u l d h a v e a n i g h t ' s
lodging.
She had him wait and promised him an a n s w e r shortly, then w e n t into
t h e h o u s e . S o o n s h e w a s b a c k t o tell h i m h e w a s w e l c o m e . H i s r o o m i n
t h e s e m i d e t a c h e d g u e s t w i n g c o n t a i n e d a p r e t t y s c r e e n , a n d t h e floor w a s
spread with several elegantly trimmed straw mats. The lamp w a s already
lit. H e f i n i s h e d off t o t h e last c r u m b a n d t h e last d r o p o f w i n e t h e n i c e
d i n n e r t h e y o u n g w o m a n b r o u g h t h i m , a n d w a s w a s h i n g his h a n d s a f t e r -
w a r d s w h e n h e h e a r d s o u n d s from t h e n e i g h b o r i n g r o o m i n t h e m a i n
b u i l d i n g . A d o o r slid o p e n a n d c u r t a i n s w e r e b e i n g set u p . A p p a r e n t l y
the lady of the house w a n t e d to talk to him.
S u r e e n o u g h , a w o m a n ' s voice called over to ask him w h o he w a s . On
h e a r i n g his a n s w e r , the lady p r e s s e d him to stop at h e r h o u s e e v e r y time
h e s h o u l d visit H o r i n j i . W h e n t h e d o o r b e t w e e n h i m a n d h e r slid s h u t
a g a i n , a bit of c u r t a i n g o t c a u g h t in it so t h a t it d i d n o t c l o s e p r o p e r l y .
At nightfall the m o n k w e n t outside. P a u s i n g before the s h u t t e r s on the
south side of t h e house, he noticed a hole in one of the panels a n d p e e r e d
t h r o u g h . A w o m a n w h o m he took to be the lady w a s lying with a low
l a m p s t a n d b y h e r , r e a d i n g a b o o k . S h e l o o k e d a b o u t t w e n t y y e a r s old
a n d w a s e x t r e m e l y b e a u t i f u l . H e r r o b e w a s o f f i g u r e d stuff, light m a u v e
a n d g r e e n , a n d h e could see t h a t h e r hair w a s long e n o u g h t o trail a l o n g
t h e floor b e h i n d h e r . T w o l a d i e s - i n - w a i t i n g w e r e l y i n g b e s i d e h e r c u r -
t a i n s , w i t h a n o r d i n a r y m a i d a little f u r t h e r off. A p p a r e n t l y i t w a s t h e
maid w h o served the lady's meals a n d w h o generally fetched and carried.
T h e room had every touch of comfort and elegance. A gold-sprinkled
lacquer c o m b box a n d an inkstone box rested with easy informality on a
2 5 4

t w o - t i e r e d set o f s h e l v e s , w h i l e e x q u i s i t e i n c e n s e s m o k e r o s e from a
burner.
G a z i n g a t t h e l a d y w h o w a s m i s t r e s s o v e r all t h i s , t h e m o n k forgot
e v e r y t h i n g else. H o w o n e a r t h , h e w o n d e r e d , c o u l d his k a r m a h a v e
b r o u g h t h i m h e r e t o s e e h e r like t h i s ? S u d d e n l y t h e t h o u g h t o f living o n
w i t h o u t l o v i n g h e r m a d e n o s e n s e a t all.
O n c e the h o u s e h o l d w a s in bed a n d the lady herself apparently asleep,
he o p e n e d the d o o r w h i c h h a d n e v e r quite shut, slipped into the room,
a n d lay d o w n beside her. She w a s sleeping too soundly to notice. H e r
f r a g r a n c e w a s i n d e s c r i b a b l y d e l i c i o u s . A f r a i d t o w a k e h e r u p a n d tell h e r
h i s f e e l i n g s , t h o u g h t h a t i s w h a t h e r e a l l y w a n t e d t o d o , h e i n s t e a d said a
p r a y e r , pulled her robe open, and fondled her breasts.
N o w s h e (lU) w a k e u p a n d d e m a n d e d t o k n o w w h o h e w a s . H e told
her.
" I t h o u g h t y o u w e r e d e v o u t , " s h e s a i d . " T h a t ' s w h y I let y o u s t a y . I'm
certainly sorry I did."
He k e p t trying to snuggle up to her, but she clutched her robe a r o u n d
h e r a n d w o u l d h a v e n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h him. T h i s d r o v e him wild, but h e
did not force her b e c a u s e he feared being heard.
" I d o n ' t n e c e s s a r i l y m e a n t o r e f u s e y o u , " t h e l a d y w e n t o n . " Y o u see,
m y h u s b a n d d i e d i n t h e s p r i n g o f last y e a r . A lot o f m e n h a v e c o u r t e d m e
s i n c e t h e n , b u t I've d e c i d e d n o t t o e n c o u r a g e a n y o n e u n l e s s h e h a s s o m e -
t h i n g s p e c i a l a b o u t h i m . T h a t ' s w h y I live a l o n e like t h i s . I f I'm t o give
m y s e l f t o a m o n k like y o u , I w a n t h i m t o b e p a r t i c u l a r l y a c c o m p l i s h e d . I
might s a y y e s t o y o u , y o u k n o w . C a n y o u c h a n t t h e L o t u s S u t r a b y h e a r t ?
D o y o u h a v e a g o o d v o i c e ? I c o u l d g i v e p e o p l e t h e i m p r e s s i o n t h a t I'm
d e e p l y d e v o t e d t o t h e L o t u s a n d all t h e t i m e b e i n b e d w i t h y o u . W h a t
do you say?"
" I ' v e studied t h e L o t u s S u t r a , " t h e m o n k r e p l i e d , " b u t I d o n ' t h a v e i t
by heart yet."
" I s i t difficult t o m e m o r i z e ? "
" N o , n o t r e a l l y . N o d o u b t I'll m a s t e r i t s o o n e r o r l a t e r . I'm s u r e it's m y
fault t h a t I h a v e n ' t m a n a g e d i t y e t . I've j u s t s p e n t t o o m u c h t i m e h a v i n g
fun w h e n I s h o u l d h a v e b e e n s t u d y i n g . "
" T h e n h u r r y b a c k t o y o u r m o u n t a i n a n d come again w h e n y o u have
the Sutra by heart. Then we can be as intimate as you like."
At this the y o u n g m o n k ' s desire vanished. As soon as the sky began to
l i g h t e n , h e s a i d g o o d - b y e t o t h e l a d y a n d stole o u t o f h e r r o o m . S h e m a d e
s u r e h e w a s p r o p e r l y fed b e f o r e h e s e t off.
H o m e a g a i n o n M o u n t H i e i h e f o u n d h e c o u l d n o t forget h e r , a n d h e
r e s o l v e d t o m e m o r i z e t h e S u t r a a s q u i c k l y a s p o s s i b l e s o h e c o u l d visit
h e r a g a i n . I t t o o k h i m o n l y t h r e e w e e k s . M e a n w h i l e h e w r o t e h e r often,
a n d r e c e i v e d w i t h e a c h r e p l y a h a m p e r c o n t a i n i n g food o r a r o b e . A s far
a s h e c o u l d tell s h e r e a l l y c a r e d for h i m , a n d t h i s m a d e h i m v e r y h a p p y .
N o w t h a t h e h a d t h e S u t r a b y h e a r t h e set o u t a s u s u a l for H o r i n j i ,
a n d on the w a y back stopped, as before, at the lady's house. Again she
h a d h i m s e r v e d a m e a l , t h e n c a m e o u t t o s p e a k w i t h h i m herself. L a t e i n
t h e e v e n i n g t h e m o n k w a s h e d his h a n d s a n d b e g a n i n t o n i n g t h e S u t r a .
A l t h o u g h his v o i c e w a s s t i r r i n g , i n his h e a r t h e h a r d l y k n e w h e w a s
c h a n t i n g a t all b e c a u s e h e c o u l d t h i n k o f n o t h i n g b u t t h e l a d y .
I n t h e n i g h t , w h e n e v e r y o n e s e e m e d a s l e e p , h e a g a i n slid o p e n t h e d o o r
into the lady's r o o m . N o o n e s a w him. T h e lady, w h o m u s t have been
e x p e c t i n g h i m , w o k e u p w h e n h e lay d o w n b e s i d e h e r . E a g e r l y h e b e g a n
insinuating himself u n d e r her robe, but she hugged her clothing to her
and kept her distance.
" I ' v e s o m e t h i n g t o a s k y o u , " s h e s a i d , " s o listen t o m e first. T h i s i s
w h a t I think. You have the S u t r a by heart now, a n d we could say that's
e n o u g h a n d go a h e a d a n d m a k e love. If we did, a n d if we w e n t on being
fond of each other, y o u could hold y o u r h e a d high before a n y o n e ; a n d I,
for m y p a r t , w o u l d b e s t a i n e d far less b y t a k i n g you for a l o v e r t h a n b y
c h o o s i n g a n y o r d i n a r y m a n . B u t I'd b e s o r r y t o t h i n k t h a t m y l o v e r w a s
o n e t o b e satisfied s i m p l y w i t h h a v i n g m e m o r i z e d t h e S u t r a . I'd m u c h
r a t h e r y o u a t least w e n t t h r o u g h t h e m o t i o n s o f b e c o m i n g a p r o p e r
scholar. F r o m n o w on y o u ought to be getting yourself invited to look
a f t e r n o b l e s a n d p r i n c e s , b u t t h e y w o n ' t call i n a m o n k w h o c a n ' t d o m o r e
t h a n c h a n t t h e S u t r a , o r k e e p h i m i n t h e i r s e r v i c e e i t h e r . It's l o v e l y h a v i n g
y o u h e r e w i t h m e , a n d that'j t h e w a y I'd like y o u t o b e w h e n w e ' r e
t o g e t h e r . N o w y o u s e e h o w I feel. I f y o u r e a l l y l o v e m e , s t a y o n t h e
mountain lor three y e a r s , study hard, a n d m a k e yourself a scholar. C o m e
b a c k a f t e r t h a t , a n d I'm y o u r s . B u t u n t i l t h e n w e r e a l l y c a n ' t b e l o v e r s .
I'd r a t h e r d i e . I'll k e e p w r i t i n g t o y o u w h i l e y o u ' r e o n t h e m o u n t a i n , a n d
I'll t a k e c a r e o f y o u a s l o n g a s y o u ' r e p o o r . "
T h e m o n k w a s m o v e d . H e k n e w i t w o u l d b e w r o n g t o force heartlessly
a w o m a n w h o s p o k e so thoughtfully of his o w n future, a n d w i t h h e r
material support he would in the end c o m m a n d recognition. These
t h o u g h t s p r o m p t e d him to r e n e w his a s s u r a n c e s of love a n d t h e n to
w i t h d r a w . In the m o r n i n g after breakfast he r e t u r n e d to M o u n t Hiei.
H e tore into his studies a n d n e v e r faltered again. T h e t h o u g h t o f seeing
h e r d r o v e h i m o n like fire. B y t h e t i m e t w o y e a r s h a d p a s s e d , h i s s h a r p
intelligence h a d a l r e a d y g a i n e d him recognition as a scholar. After three
y e a r s n o o n e d o u b t e d his e x c e p t i o n a l l e a r n i n g . I n e v e r y s c h o l a s t i c d e b a t e
a t t h e p a l a c e , for e x a m p l e , a n d i n e v e r y set o f f o r m a l d i s c o u r s e s o n t h e
2 5 6

L o t u s S u t r a , h e c o m p l e t e l y o u t s h o n e all his c o l l e a g u e s . O n M o u n t H i e i
t h e w o r d s p r e a d t h a t h e w a s b y far t h e m o s t t a l e n t e d s c h o l a r o f his
generation.
D u r i n g t h o s e y e a r s t h e lady a s k e d after him constantly, and her s u p -
p o r t m e a n t t h a t h e l i v e d for t h e m o s t p a r t a n u n t r o u b l e d life. W h e n t h e
t h r e e y e a r s w e r e o v e r he w e n t as before to Horinji a n d at dusk, on the
w a y back, stopped at her house.
H e h a d a l r e a d y let h e r k n o w h e w a s c o m i n g a n d w a s s h o w n t o his
usual r o o m . T h e lady talked with him indirectly, t h r o u g h one of her
w o m e n , a b o u t t h e l a s t t h r e e y e a r s . A p p a r e n t l y s h e h a d n e v e r t o l d a soul
a b o u t h e r e a r l i e r , p r i v a t e e n c o u n t e r s w i t h h i m , for s h e p r e s e n t l y let h i m
k n o w , in a r a t h e r formal tone, that she would speak to him in person.
T h e m o n k ' s h e a r t b e a t f a s t e r b u t h e g a v e t h e m e s s a g e o n l y a polite
a c k n o w l e d g m e n t . T h e m e s s e n g e r a s k e d h i m t o follow h e r . O u t s i d e t h e
c u r t a i n s that s u r r o u n d e d the lady's bed, n e a r h e r pillow, w a s a pretty
m a t w i t h a r o u n d s t r a w c u s h i o n o n it. A l i g h t e d l a m p s t o o d b e h i n d a
s c r e e n . A s far a s t h e m o n k c o u l d tell t h e r e w a s o n e l a d y - i n - w a i t i n g s i t t i n g
a t t h e foot o f t h e l a d y ' s b e d . H e sat d o w n o n t h e c u s h i o n .
" I ' v e w o n d e r e d s o m u c h all t h e s e y e a r s h o w y o u ' v e b e e n g e t t i n g o n , "
t h e l a d y b e g a n . " A r e y o u a s c h o l a r n o w ? " H e r lovely v o i c e c o n v e y e d
w a r m affection.
T h e m o n k trembled with n e r v o u s excitement as he answered, "Well, I
c a n c l a i m n o g r e a t a c h i e v e m e n t , b u t y e s , it's t r u e I've b e e n p r a i s e d w h e n
I've d e b a t e d o r lectured h e r e a n d t h e r e . "
" T h a t ' s w o n d e r f u l . N o w I h a v e s o m e q u e s t i o n s for y o u . I'll a s k t h e m
b e c a u s e I feel y o u ' r e n o w a r e a l t e a c h e r . I w o u l d n ' t d r e a m of p u t t i n g
these questions to someone w h o could do no more than chant the Sutra."
She went through each chapter of the Sutra, from t h e b e g i n n i n g ,
p o s i n g difficult q u e r i e s o n t h e p o i n t s s h e felt s h e d i d n o t q u i t e u n d e r -
s t a n d , a n d h e a n s w e r e d h e r a s his studies h a d t a u g h t him t o d o . W h e n
h a r d p r e s s e d h e d e v e l o p e d i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s o f his o w n , o r b r o u g h t i n a p t
q u o t a t i o n s f r o m t h e a n c i e n t s . T h e l a d y w a s e n t i r e l y satisfied. " H o w c o u l d
y o u possibly learn so m u c h in so few y e a r s ? " she exclaimed. "You must
be a g e n i u s ! "
T h e m o n k for his p a r t w a s a m a z e d b y t h e l a d y ' s o w n l e a r n i n g . " S h e
m a y b e a w o m a n , " h e t h o u g h t t o himself, " b u t s h e c e r t a i n l y k n o w s
the Teaching. I'd never have believed it possible! She's going to
b e w o r t h k n o w i n g ! A n y w a y , s h e ' s m a d e all t h e d i f f e r e n c e for m y o w n
studies."
T h e y c h a t t e d till t h e m o n k finally lifted h e r c u r t a i n s a n d w e n t in. S h e
did not protest as he lay d o w n beside her.
 " J u s t s t a y like t h a t a w h i l e , " s h e s a i d ; s o t h e y l a y t h e r e h o l d i n g h a n d s
a n d talking s o m e m o r e . But h a v i n g w a l k e d that d a y from M o u n t Hiei t o
Horinji a n d part of the w a y back, the m o n k w a s tired. He soon drifted
off a n d fell fast a s l e e p .
W h e n h e w o k e u p , h i s first t h o u g h t w a s t h a t h e h a d s l e p t a n d t h a t h e
still h a d n o t t o l d h e r h o w m u c h h e l o v e d h e r . T h e n h e o p e n e d h i s e y e s .
He w a s lying on a c l u m p of p a m p a s g r a s s w h i c h his w e i g h t h a d c r u s h e d .
W h a t a shock! A quick glance a r o u n d told him he w a s alone in the middle
of a moor, he h a d no idea w h e r e . T h e r e w a s no o n e in sight. His heart
beat wildly a n d his s t o m a c h c h u r n e d w i t h t e r r o r . W h e n h e stood u p h e
d i s c o v e r e d , s c a t t e r e d a r o u n d h i m , t h e c l o t h i n g h e h a d t a k e n off t h e n i g h t
before. C l u t c h i n g it to him, he stood staring at his s u r r o u n d i n g s . He n o w
recognized the waste which forms the eastern part of Saga M o o r .
It w a s nearly d a w n a n d t h e r e w a s a bright m o o n . T h e air w a s v e r y
c h i l l y s i n c e i t w a s still o n l y e a r l y s p r i n g , a n d s h i v e r i n g h a d s o o n d r i v e n
e v e r y o t h e r t h o u g h t from his m i n d . H e h a r d l y k n e w w h e r e t o go, but i f
Horinji w a s as close as he t h o u g h t , he could s p e n d the rest of the night
t h e r e . S t a r t i n g off a t a r u n , h e f o r d e d t h e K a t s u r a R i v e r a t U m e z u ,
t h o u g h h e h a d t o b e careful not t o b e s w e p t a w a y b y the c u r r e n t , w h i c h
c a m e up to his hips. Finally he r e a c h e d Horinji, s h a k i n g with cold. He
w e n t s t r a i g h t t o t h e m a i n hall, p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f b e f o r e t h e a l t a r , a n -
n o u n c e d h i s p l i g h t , a n d p r a y e d for h e l p . T h e n h e fell a s l e e p .
He d r e a m e d that a small a n d v e r y p r o p e r m o n k with a b l u e - s h a v e n
h e a d c a m e from b e h i n d t h e c u r t a i n t h a t s c r e e n e d off t h e i m a g e o f t h e
B o d h i s a t t v a K o k u z o . " I t w a s n o fox o r b a d g e r t h a t c o n c o c t e d w h a t h a p -
p e n e d t o y o u t o n i g h t , " s a i d t h e m o n k , " b u t I myself. Y o u ' r e v e r y b r i g h t ,
y o u k n o w , b u t y o u w e r e s o a d d i c t e d t o y o u r little p l e a s u r e s t h a t y o u
never studied a n d s h o w e d no sign of ever b e c o m i n g a scholar. At the
s a m e t i m e y o u w e r e d i s s a t i s f i e d w i t h y o u r s e l f a n d often c a m e t o m e t o
p r a y for s c h o l a r l y t a l e n t a n d a c h i e v e m e n t . F o r s o m e t i m e I w a s u n s u r e
h o w best to a n s w e r y o u , but I saw y o u w e r e d r a w n to w o m e n and I
t h o u g h t I'd u s e that t o i n s p i r e y o u . Y o u n e e d n ' t b e a f r a i d . H u r r y b a c k t o
y o u r m o u n t a i n a n d s t u d y h a r d e r t h a n e v e r . T h i s i s n o t i m e for y o u t o r e s t
on y o u r laurels." Then the dream was over and he woke up.
I t d a w n e d o n h i m t h a t for y e a r s K o k u z o h a d b e e n a p p e a r i n g t o h i m a s
a w o m a n in o r d e r to save him, a n d he was profoundly embarrassed. At
d a y l i g h t h e r e t u r n e d t o M o u n t H i e i , w e e p i n g w i t h r e m o r s e for his o w n
w a n t o n behavior, a n d dedicated himself more singlemindedly than ever
to his studies. He really did b e c o m e a famous scholar.
W h a t K o k u z o p l a n s will c o m e t o p a s s . A h , t h e b e a u t i f u l a n d n o b l e
deed!
2 5 8

i 7 8 .

THE LITTLE GOD'S BIG CHANCE

T h e m o n k D o m y o , a g r e a t l o v e r , w a s h a v i n g a n affair w i t h t h e famous
lady poet Izumi S h i k i b u . D o m y o also h a p p e n e d to c h a n t the Lotus Sutra
very impressively.
O n c e he w a s s p e n d i n g the night with Izumi Shikibu w h e n he woke up
a n d d e c i d e d t o c h a n t t h e S u t r a . H e h a d g o n e t h r o u g h all e i g h t scrolls a n d
w a s j u s t d o z i n g off a g a i n w h e n h e g l i m p s e d s o m e o n e o u t s i d e .
" W h o is i t ? " he called.
" T h e o l d m a n w h o lives a t t h e c r o s s i n g o f Fifth A v e n u e a n d N i s h i - n o -
toin street," a voice replied.
" W h a t are you doing here?"
" I ' l l n e v e r f o r g e t , t h r o u g h all t h e lives I'll live, h o w y o u c h a n t e d t h e
Sutra tonight!"
" B u t I c h a n t t h e S u t r a all t h e t i m e . W h a t w a s s o special a b o u t t o -
night?"
T h e little r o a d g o d — for t h a t i s w h o h e w a s — a n s w e r e d , " W e l l , y o u
s e e , w h e n y o u c h a n t t h e S u t r a all c l e a n a n d p u r e , t h e g r e a t g o d s c r o w d
i n t o h e a r a n d a n o l d m a n like m e c a n ' t g e t a n y w h e r e n e a r y o u . B u t t h i s
t i m e y o u d i d n ' t e v e n w a s h b e f o r e y o u b e g a n , s o t h e r e w a s n o o n e else
a r o u n d . T h a t ' s h o w I g o t t o h e a r y o u . I'll n e v e r forget i t ! "

1
7 9 •

PIOUS ANTICS

T h o u g h o r i g i n a l l y f r o m a line o f y i n - y a n g m a s t e r s , t h e i m p e r i a l s e c r e t a r y
Y o s h i s h i g e n o Y a s u t a n e h a d b e e n a d o p t e d i n t o a family o f s c h o l a r s . B o t h
kindly a n d peerlessly talented as a y o u t h , he m a t u r e d into a scholar
w h o s e r v e d t h e c o u r t for m a n y y e a r s u n t i l , a s o l d a g e a p p r o a c h e d , h e
b e g a n t o l o n g for t h e r e l i g i o u s life. I n t h e e n d h e s h a v e d his h e a d a n d
b e c a m e a m o n k , a disciple of the saintly Kuya. He took the religious
name Jakushin.
B e i n g a holy m a n n o w , a n d naturally wise as well, J a k u s h i n w o n d e r e d
what might be the most virtuous thing to do next. He decided to make
t h e B u d d h a a c c e s s i b l e t o all b y b u i l d i n g a t e m p l e . S i n c e h e k n e w h e
c o u l d n o t d o t h i s w i t h o u t h e l p from his b r e t h r e n i n t h e faith, h e s t a r t e d
going a r o u n d soliciting contributions, a n d w h e n he h a d e n o u g h to think
a b o u t b u y i n g l u m b e r h e p i c k e d H a r i m a p r o v i n c e a s t h e p l a c e t o l o o k for
a s i t e . H e felt s u r e t h a t i n H a r i m a h e c o u l d g e t t h e w o r k d o n e w e l l b y
p e o p l e s y m p a t h e t i c t o h i s a i m , a n d h e d i d i n fact g e t a v e r y g o o d r e s p o n s e
there.
He was roaming the province one day w h e n he came to a dry, pebbly
r i v e r b e d a n d s a w a y i n - y a n g d i v i n e r in a p a p e r hat p e r f o r m i n g a purifi-
cation rite. He d i s m o u n t e d in haste.
" W h a t are you d o i n g ? " he shouted.
"A purification! " t h e diviner called back.
"I can see that! But w h a t ' s y o u r hat f o r ? "
"Well, the gods w h o rule over purifications shun monks, so during the
r i t e I w e a r t h i s h a t i n o r d e r n o t t o l o o k like a m o n k . "
J a k u s h i n let o u t a h o w l a n d j u m p e d o n t h e m a n , w h o c o u l d o n l y d r o p
w h a t h e w a s d o i n g a n d s p l u t t e r ineffectual p r o t e s t s . T h e fellow w h o h a d
c o m m i s s i o n e d t h e r i t e sat l o o k i n g o n i n d i s m a y .
J a k u s h i n s n a t c h e d t h e p a p e r h a t from t h e d i v i n e r ' s h e a d a n d t o r e i t t o
p i e c e s . " H o w could you?" he c r i e d , in t e a r s . " H o w c o u l d you, a f o l l o w e r
of the Buddha, break the Buddha's commandments and wear that hat
j u s t b e c a u s e t h e g o d s o f p u r i f i c a t i o n will b e i n j u r e d i f y o u d o n ' t ? D o n ' t
y o u t h i n k y o u ' l l g o t o t h e l o w e s t hell for t h i s ? O h , h o w a w f u l ! H e r e , kill
m e , j u s t kill m e ! " H e t u g g e d a t t h e d i v i n e r ' s s l e e v e all t h e w h i l e , w e e p i n g
pathetically.
"You're completely m a d ! " the diviner answered. "Stop crying! Yes,
y o u ' r e r i g h t , o f c o u r s e . B u t I've g o t t o m a k e a l i v i n g s o m e h o w a n d t h a t ' s
w h y I l e a r n e d t h i s y i n - y a n g b u s i n e s s . H o w w o u l d I feed m y family a n d
k e e p m y s e l f a l i v e w i t h o u t it? I've n o r e a l i n t e r e s t i n r e l i g i o n a n d I'll n e v e r
be a h o l y m a n . I j u s t look like a m o n k . S o m e t i m e s I t h i n k it's t o o b a d ,
yes, but what can I d o ? "
" I f y o u ' r e t h a t p o o r I'll j u s t h a v e t o g i v e y o u t h e m o n e y I've c o l l e c t e d !
I suppose helping one m a n t o w a r d enlightenment is just as good as
b u i l d i n g a t e m p l e . " J a k u s h i n s e n t his d i s c i p l e s s t r a i g h t off t o fetch t h e
funds. W h e n they got back, he gave the yin-yang diviner everything and
left for t h e C a p i t a l .
L a t e r o n J a k u s h i n w a s l i v i n g a t N y o i , i n t h e hills e a s t o f t h e C a p i t a l ,
w h e n h e r e c e i v e d a n u r g e n t s u m m o n s from t h e R o k u j o P a l a c e . B o r r o w -
i n g a f r i e n d ' s h o r s e , h e set o u t e a r l y t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . N o w , m o s t r i d e r s
k e e p t h e i r m o u n t m o v i n g p u r p o s e f u l l y a h e a d . N o t s o J a k u s h i n , w h o let
2 6 0

t h e h o r s e go on or not as it pleased. N a t u r a l l y the horse soon stopped to

g r a z e . J a k u s h i n simply waited, a n d since the horse never did get a move
on, he ended up stuck forever in the same spot. The groom w h o came
w i t h t h e h o r s e w a s s o i r r i t a t e d b y t h i s p e r f o r m a n c e t h a t h e finally g a v e
t h e b e a s t a w h a c k o n t h e r u m p . I n a flash J a k u s h i n h a d d i s m o u n t e d a n d
seized hold of him.
" W h a t d i d y o u d o that for, e h ? " h e r o a r e d . " D o y o u t h i n k a n old m a n
l i k e m e r i d i n g h i m m a k e s t h i s h o r s e l o o k silly? T h i s h o r s e , I'll h a v e y o u
k n o w , h a s b e e n m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r t o m e life a f t e r life for a g e s p a s t .
P e r h a p s y o u d o n ' t t h i n k h e ' s b e e n m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r t o you, perhaps
that'^ w h y y o u ' r e s o m e a n . B u t t h i s h o r s e h a s b e e n your m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r
a s m u c h a s h e ' s b e e n m i n e . W h y , it's j u s t becaiuie h e ' s l o v e d y o u w i t h a
p a r e n t ' s love that he's n o w an animal! S o m e t i m e s h e ' s e v e n suffered
d o w n a m o n g t h e s t a r v i n g g h o s t s a n d i n hell. Y e s , t h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h y h e ' s
a h o r s e in t h e first p l a c e : b e c a u s e as a p a r e n t he a l w a y s l o v e d you, his
c h i l d . A n d t h e r e t h e p o o r t h i n g w a s , d o h u n g r y , t r y i n g t o c r o p t h e lovely
g r e e n g r a s s t h a t l o o k e d t o o g o o d t o m i s s , w h e n you, y o u lout, h a d t o g o
a n d hit h i m ! M y s e l f , I ' m j u s t s o g r a t e f u l for all h e ' s g i v e n m e t h r o u g h all
t h o s e lives . . . B u t y e s , it's t r u e , m y legs w o n ' t c a r r y m e a n y m o r e a s I'd
like, a n d if I h a v e to go s o m e w h e r e a little far off I c a n ' t v e r y well w a l k .
A n d s o h e r e I a m , p r e s u m i n g again o n t h e p o o r b e a s t ' s k i n d n e s s . W h o
am / to object if he w a n t s to eat the grass along the w a y ? You're a brute,
that's w h a t y o u are, a b r u t e ! " J a k u s h i n burst into loud sobbing.
T h e g r o o m t h o u g h t all t h i s r a t h e r f u n n y , b u t h e d i d n o t like t o see t h e
o l d m a n c r y . " Y o u ' r e q u i t e r i g h t , sir, q u i t e r i g h t , " h e a n s w e r e d . " I m u s t
h a v e b e e n m a d t o hit t h e h o r s e . B u t w h a t c a n y o u e x p e c t from a p o o r
g r o o m like m e ? I h a d n o i d e a w h y t h e h o r s e w a s b o r n a h o r s e , y o u s e e !
From n o w on I'll g i v e h i m t h e r e s p e c t w e o w e o u r p a r e n t s , a n d b e
properly grateful."
F i n a l l y J a k u s h i n g o t b a c k o n t h e h o r s e , still sniffling a n d m u t t e r i n g ,
" O h , the poor, dear creature!"
O n t h e y w e n t u n t i l t h e y c a m e t o a r o t t e n , w a r p e d old g r a v e - m a r k e r
s t a n d i n g b y t h e p a t h . J a k u s h i n g o t all e x c i t e d a n d d i s m o u n t e d a s q u i c k l y
a s h e c o u l d . T h e g r o o m , w h o could m a k e n o t h i n g o f this, r u s h e d u p t o
t a k e t h e b r i d l e . J a k u s h i n h a d h i m l e a d t h e h o r s e o n a little f u r t h e r .
L o o k i n g b a c k , t h e g r o o m s a w J a k u s h i n p r o s t r a t e d full l e n g t h i n a s p o t
w h e r e t h e p a m p a s g r a s s e s g r e w a little less t h i c k l y . W h e n J a k u s h i n g o t
b a c k t o h i s feet, h e let d o w n h i s t r o u s e r - s k i r t ( h e h a d h i t c h e d i t u p for
t r a v e l i n g ) t o p r e s e n t a c o r r e c t a p p e a r a n c e , t h e n p u t o n t h e p r i e s t l y stole
w h i c h a s e r v a n t h a d b e e n c a r r y i n g for h i m . N e x t , h e a d j u s t e d his collar,
s w e p t h i s p a l m s c e r e m o n i o u s l y t o g e t h e r , a n d b o w e d till h e w a s n e a r l y
d o u b l e d o v e r — n o t s t r a i g h t t o w a r d t h e g r a v e - m a r k e r , h o w e v e r , b u t a bit
t o o n e s i d e , like a g u a r d b o w i n g t o a g r e a t p e r s o n a g e w h o m h e d a r e n o t
face d i r e c t l y ; a n d h e t h r e w o n l y s i d e l o n g g l a n c e s t o w a r d t h e o b j e c t o f h i s
d e f e r e n c e . F i n a l l y h e w e n t u p t o t h e g r a v e - m a r k e r , b r o u g h t his h a n d s
p i o u s l y t o g e t h e r o n c e m o r e , a n d p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f r e p e a t e d l y till h i s
f o r e h e a d k n o c k e d a g a i n s t t h e g r o u n d . All i n all, his b e h a v i o r w a s q u i t e
odd.
J a k u s h i n w o u l d not r e m o u n t until the g r a v e - m a r k e r w a s out of sight.
A n d s i n c e h e d i d e x a c t l y t h e s a m e t h i n g for e v e r y g r a v e - m a r k e r h e c a m e
a c r o s s , h e w a s g e t t i n g o n a n d off his h o r s e t h e w h o l e w a y a l o n g . A s a
result, a trip that s h o u l d have taken an h o u r or so took instead from early
m o r n i n g t o late a f t e r n o o n . B y t h e t i m e t h e y a r r i v e d a t t h e R o k u j o P a l a c e ,
the g r o o m w a s s w e a r i n g to himself that he w o u l d never, never go any-
w h e r e w i t h that o l d fellow a g a i n .
A n o t h e r t i m e , w h i l e J a k u s h i n w a s l i v i n g a t I w a k u r a , h e c a u g h t a chill
a n d got a case of v e r y loose bowels. W h i l e he w a s in the privy the m o n k
i n t h e n e i g h b o r i n g h u t h e a r d a s o u n d like w a t e r s q u i r t i n g from a n o z z l e
a n d felt s o r r y for t h e o l d m a n . T h e n h e h e a r d J a k u s h i n t a l k i n g , a n d s t o l e
up to spy t h r o u g h a hole in the privy wall.
A n o l d d o g w a s s i t t i n g a c r o s s from J a k u s h i n , a p p a r e n t l y w a i t i n g for
him to get u p . J a k u s h i n w a s talking to the dog. "You got y o u r animal
b o d y , " h e w a s s a y i n g , " b e c a u s e i n p a s t lives y o u b e t r a y e d o t h e r s o r m a d e
t h e m eat nasty things. Yes, a n d y o u coveted w h a t y o u w e r e never m e a n t
to have, a n d t h o u g h t m u c h too m u c h of yourself. Y o u belittled others,
y o u treated y o u r p a r e n t s as no one ever should, a n d y o u did nothing but
a w f u l t h i n g s . A n d t h a t ' s w h y y o u ' r e a d o g , y o u see, a n d w h y y o u w a i t
a r o u n d t o eat s u c h filth. W h e n I think h o w i n p a s t lives y o u ' v e b e e n m y
m o t h e r or father, time after time! A n d these d a y s especially, w h e n my
i n s i d e s a r e n ' t r i g h t a n d it's c o m i n g o u t j u s t like w a t e r , y o u m u s t n ' t eat it,
n o , y o u s i m p l y m u s t n ' t ! I t h u r t s m e t o o m u c h ! T o m o r r o w , y o u ' l l s e e , I'll
give y o u s o m e t h i n g really nice a n d you'll h a v e as m u c h as y o u w a n t ! "
G r e a t t e a r s r o l l e d d o w n his c h e e k s a s h e t a l k e d .
T h e next d a y the n e i g h b o r spied on J a k u s h i n again, c u r i o u s to see
w h a t feast t h e d o g w o u l d g e t . O r d e r i n g his d i s c i p l e s t o p r e p a r e a m e a l
for a g u e s t , J a k u s h i n h a d t h e m pile a g r e a t q u a n t i t y o f r i c e i n t o a n
e a r t h e n w a r e dish and garnish it generously with vegetables. T h e n he had
t h e m s p r e a d a m a t i n t h e y a r d a n d set t h e d i s h o u t o n it.
" C o m e ! " called J a k u s h i n , sitting d o w n beside the dish. "Dinner's
r e a d y ! " T h e d o g c a m e a n d a t e w h i l e J a k u s h i n r u b b e d his h a n d s t o g e t h e r
i n g l e e , w e e p i n g for j o y a n d m u t t e r i n g h o w i t d i d his h e a r t g o o d t o see
t h e d o g t u c k in. A l a s , t h e b i g y o u n g d o g w h i c h s o o n a r r i v e d d i d n o t g o
2 6 2

f i r s t for t h e r i c e . I t a t t a c k e d t h e o l d d o g i n s t e a d , b o w l e d i t o v e r , a n d s a n k
its t e e t h i n t o it. J a k u s h i n j u m p e d i n h o r r o r . " O h n o ! " h e c r i e d . " D o n ' t
d o t h a t , pUtue\ I'll b r i n g y o u s o m e , t o o ! Please j u s t eat t o g e t h e r n i c e l y ! "
A n d he tried to stop the fight. Naturally the dogs paid no attention. The
r i c e w a s s c a t t e r e d a n d t r a m p l e d i n t o t h e m u d , a n d all t h e g o b b l i n g ,
s n a r l i n g , a n d s n a p p i n g b r o u g h t m o r e d o g s r u n n i n g i n from e v e r y w h e r e
u n t i l a f u r i o u s m e l e e e n s u e d . J a k u s h i n fled b a c k t o his h u t , u n a b l e t o
b e a r the sight of n a k e d ignorance, anger, and greed.
T h e n e i g h b o r m o n k chuckled. " H e may be w i s e , " he thought to him-
self, ' b u t h e d o e s n ' t k n o w d o g s . H e r e s p e c t s t h e m for w h a t t h e y m a y
h a v e b e e n i n p a s t lives, b u t w h a t d o e s h e t h i n k t h e d o g s t h e m s e l v e s c a n
m a k e of his r e s p e c t ? "

1 8 0 .

THE REPRIEVE

On his w a y o n c e to K y o t o , the Todaiji m o n k Z o m a n h a p p e n e d to meet a

p h y s i o g n o m i s t . S i n c e Z o m a n w a n t e d t o h a v e his f o r t u n e t o l d a n y w a y , h e
w a s i n l u c k . T h e p h y s i o g n o m i s t d e c l a r e d t h a t Z o m a n w o u l d e x c e l i n his
s t u d i e s b u t t h a t h e w o u l d n o t live p a s t f o r t y . " I f y o u w a n t t o live l o n g e r
t h a n t h a t , " h e s a i d , " a r o u s e a s i n c e r e t h i r s t for e n l i g h t e n m e n t . N o t h i n g
else will w o r k . "
T h e d i s t u r b e d Z o m a n i m m e d i a t e l y left T o d a i j i a n d r e t i r e d t o a c a v e o n
M o u n t Kasagi, w h e r e he b e g a n a strict regime of ascetic practice. Early
e a c h m o r n i n g h e w o u l d b e s u r e t o call t h e n a m e o f t h e B o d h i s a t t v a J i z o .
I n t h e f o u r t h m o o n o f h i s t h i r t i e t h y e a r , Z o m a n fell ill a n d w e a k e n e d
s l o w l y u n t i l t h e s o u l left h i s b o d y a n d h e d i e d . S e v e r a l a n g r y officials,
d r e s s e d in g r e e n , c a m e to seize him. Z o m a n cried out that he w a s a
blameless ascetic w h o s e actions a n d senses were thoroughly pure. "In
C h i n a t h e r e w a s a h o p e l e s s l y evil m a n , " h e p r o t e s t e d , " a n d w h e n h e d i e d
t h e f l a m e s o f hell s u d d e n l y c h a n g e d i n t o a cool b r e e z e , j u s t b e c a u s e h e
h a d called J i z o ' s n a m e ! T h e B u d d h a even came to welcome him into
paradise! I ' v e c a l l e d t h e n a m e t o o , a n d I've e n t r u s t e d m y s e l f t o J i z o ' s
compassionate vow. Doesn't that mean anything? If it doesn't, then the
c o m p a s s i o n a t e v o w s o f J i z o a n d o f all t h e b u d d h a s o f p a s t , p r e s e n t , a n d
future are w o r t h l e s s ! "
 " S o you s a y , " g r o w l e d t h e officers from hell, " b u t w e ' v e n o p r o o f t h a t
y o u ' v e a n y claim on the b u d d h a s ' c o m p a s s i o n . "
" T h e c o m p a s s i o n a t e v o w s o i t h e b u d d h a s a n d b o h i s a t t v a s mean s o m e -
t h i n g ! B u t i f y o u w o n ' t g r a n t I'm r i g h t , t h e n all t h e s u t r a s ' t a l k a b o u t t h e
b u d d h a s being real is just e m p t y c h a t t e r ! "
A t t h i s p o i n t a s m a l l m o n k , v e r y d i s t i n g u i s h e d - l o o k i n g a n d g i v i n g off a
beautiful light, suddenly appeared. Half a dozen equally diminutive
m o n k s w e r e a r o u n d him, and some three dozen more were ranged to
either side. T h e y pressed their palms together solemnly in greeting.
" W e l l , t h a t ' s d i f f e r e n t ! " c r i e d t h e officers. " J i z o a n d h i s h o s t o f s a i n t s
h a v e c o m e t o fetch h i m ! W e ' l l h a v e t o g i v e h i m u p ! " T h e y s a l u t e d t h e
holy c o m p a n y and w e n t a w a y .
" D o y o u k n o w m e ? " a s k e d t h e little m o n k . " I ' m t h e J i z o y o u ' v e in-
v o k e d e a c h m o r n i n g . I p r o t e c t y o u w i t h all m y p o w e r . Y o u w e r e c a l l e d
d o w n t o hell b e c a u s e y o u r k a r m a r e q u i r e d it, b u t n o w y o u c a n h u r r y
b a c k t o t h e w o r l d o f t h e living, p u t b e h i n d y o u all t h e c a r e s t h a t b u r d e n
m e n , a n d fulfill y o u r h o p e for r e b i r t h i n t h e L a n d o f Bliss. Y o u ' l l n e v e r
come back here again."
Z o m a n r e t u r n e d t o life a f t e r h a v i n g b e e n d e a d a d a y a n d a n i g h t . H e
w e n t o n t o p r a c t i c e w i t h e v e r g r e a t e r faith u n t i l a t last w h e n h e w a s
n i n e t y y e a r s o l d , light o f s t e p a n d i n p e r f e c t h e a l t h , h e k n e w h i s t i m e h a d
come. He sat facing the west with palms pressed together in prayer,
c h a n t i n g the B u d d h a ' s N a m e a n d called o n J i z o until h e passed into
Nirvana.
2 6 4

W A T E R

i 8 i .

THE WATER SPIRIT

R e t i r e d E m p e r o r Y o z e i ' s p a l a c e c o m p o u n d w a s v e r y l a r g e , a n d after h e
d i e d t h e s t r e e t w e n o w k n o w a s R e i z e i ' i n L a n e w a s p u t t h r o u g h it. T h e
n o r t h e r n p a r t w a s rapidly built over with houses. O n l y the southern
section k e p t a few r e m i n d e r s of the g a r d e n that had once been there, a n d
one of these w a s a p o n d .
O n e s u m m e r night a m a n stretched out on the veranda of the former
p a l a c e ' s w e s t w i n g , t h e b u i l d i n g itself h a v i n g s u r v i v e d o n l y t o p a s s i n t o
t h e h a n d s o f c o m m o n e r s . A s h e lay t h e r e , a n old m a n t h r e e feet tall c a m e
a n d felt o v e r h i s face. T o o f r i g h t e n e d t o m o v e , h e p r e t e n d e d h e w a s
a s l e e p u n t i l t h e o l d m a n softly g o t u p a n d w a l k e d a w a y . B y t h e b r i g h t
light of the m o o n a n d stars he w a t c h e d the old m a n go to the edge of the
pond and vanish. N o t h a v i n g b e e n d r e d g e d o r c l e a n e d w i t h i n living
m e m o r y , the p o n d w a s c h o k e d with w a t e r w e e d s a n d looked thoroughly
e v i l . O n c e m o r e t h e m a n s h i v e r e d w i t h fear.
N i g h t a f t e r n i g h t n o w t h e o l d m a n c a m e b a c k a n d felt o v e r t h e faces
of those w h o w e r e sleeping nearby. Everyone w h o even heard the story
w a s t e r r i f i e d . F i n a l l y a n o t h e r m a n s p o k e u p . "All r i g h t , " said h e , "I'll
c a t c h t h a t f e l l o w ! " H e lay d o w n a l o n e o n t h e v e r a n d a w i t h a l e n g t h o f
stout rope beside him.
It w a s a long wait. Past midnight, w h e n he had actually begun to doze
off, h e felt s o m e t h i n g c o l d t o u c h h i s face. H e l e a p t u p , b o u n d w h a t e v e r
it w a s with the rope, a n d tied it to the railing r o u n d the v e r a n d a .
N e x t , h e c a l l e d for l i g h t . T h e r e t h e c r e a t u r e w a s , a little old m a n t h r e e
feet tall a n d d r e s s e d i n p a l e y e l l o w , b l i n k i n g i n t h e g l a r e . H e s e e m e d
about to expire. No q u e s t i o n i n g got a n y a n s w e r out of him, but after a
w h i l e h e s m i l e d , g l a n c e d a r o u n d , a n d said i n a t h i n , s a d little v o i c e ,
"Would y o u please bring me a t u b of w a t e r ? "
W h e n t h e y p u t a b i g t u b b e f o r e h i m , h e s t r e t c h e d o u t his n e c k t o s e e
his r e f l e c t i o n . " I ' m a w a t e r s p i r i t , y o u s e e , " h e s a i d , a n d c o l l a p s e d w i t h a
s p l a s h i n t o t h e t u b . T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g left o f h i m , t h o u g h t h e t u b w a s
s u d d e n l y full t o o v e r f l o w i n g . T h e r o p e f l o a t e d , still k n o t t e d , i n t h e w a t e r .
T h e a s t o n i s h e d p e o p l e c a r r i e d off t h e t u b , t a k i n g c a r e n o t t o spill a
d r o p , a n d e m p t i e d i t i n t o t h e p o n d . T h e o l d m a n w a s n e v e r s e e n o r felt
again.

1 8 2 .

THE MASTER OF STREAMS

AND FALLS

T h e r e m a r k a b l e C h u s a n , a m o n k of Kofukuji in N a r a , w a s said by s o m e
t o b e s u p e r n a t u r a l . P e o p l e b e l i e v e d h e h a d a c t u a l l y b e e n b o r n from a
stream.
O n c e C h u s a n a n d s e v e r a l c o m p a n i o n s set off i n a t i m e o f t e r r i b l e
d r o u g h t o n a p i l g r i m a g e t o t h e E a s t . E v e n t h e s p r i n g s w h i c h n e v e r failed
h a d all g o n e d r y , a n d m a n y p e o p l e w e r e d y i n g o f t h i r s t a n d s t a r v a t i o n .
P e o p l e c a m e from far off t o g e t w a t e r from o n e s p r i n g i n O m i p r o v i n c e
w h i c h still r a n c l e a r a n d s w e e t . W h e n a w o m a n o n h e r w a y b a c k from
t h i s s p r i n g , w i t h a j a r o f w a t e r o n h e r h e a d , p a s s e d C h u s a n o n t h e trail,
h e a s k e d h e r for a d r i n k .
" Y o u ' r e a p r o p e r holy m a n , " she a n s w e r e d . " W h y don't y o u m a k e a
s p r i n g r i g h t h e r e a n d g e t y o u r d r i n k y o u r s e l f ? I've c a r r i e d t h i s w a t e r a
l o n g w a y a n d I've a lot f a r t h e r t o g o . I d o n ' t s e e w h y y o u s h o u l d h a v e t o
b e g a n y off me] "
" Y o u ' r e r i g h t , " s a i d C h u s a n , "I'll d o t h a t . " H e s t r o d e t o a r o c k o n t h e
hillside, d r e w his s w o r d , a n d s t r u c k off a c h u n k . C l e a r , cool w a t e r g u s h e d
o u t . T h e local p e o p l e w e r e a m a z e d a t t h e i r n e w s p r i n g .
C h u s a n also w e n t to the N a c h i waterfall, w h e r e holy men have prac-
ticed since time i m m e m o r i a l . T h e m o u n t a i n torrent there tumbles gleam-
ing w h i t e , f o u r h u n d r e d feet d o w n a cliff t o t h e v a l l e y floor. W h e n
2 6 6

C h u s a n c h a n t e d the H e a r t Sutra amid the roaring and the spray, the

w a t e r s r e v e r s e d t h e i r f l o w , a n d the living T h o u s a n d - A r m e d K a n n o n a p -
p e a r e d o n t h e r o c k y lip o f t h e falls.
Y e a r s later he w e n t to the M i n o o waterfall w h e r e En no Gyoja, the
w i z a r d of the m o u n t a i n s , once met the Indian sage Nagarjuna. Then
C h u s a n himself t u r n e d into T h o u s a n d - A r m e d Kannon, went straight up
t h r o u g h t h e falls, a n d v a n i s h e d f o r e v e r .

i 8 3 .

THE DRAGON CAVE

T h e D r a g o n C a v e at M u r o in Y a m a t o province is w h e r e the Dragon

K i n g Z e n t a t s u l i v e s . H i s first h o m e w a s S a r u s a w a P o n d i n N a r a , b u t a
long time ago an imperial concubine d r o w n e d herself in the p o n d and the
d r a g o n h a d to e s c a p e to the pool at Kozen in the K a s u g a Hills. T h e n
s o m e o n e d u m p e d a c o r p s e in the Kozen pool a n d the d r a g o n had to flee
again, this time to M u r o .
E v e n t u a l l y the V e n e r a b l e Nittai w e n t into the cave at M u r o to w o r s h i p
the d r a g o n . After three or four h u n d r e d y a r d s of pitch darkness, he came
o u t i n t o l i g h t a s b r i g h t a s d a y a n d s a w a p a l a c e . D a z z l i n g l y brilliant,
j e w e l e d b l i n d s s w a y e d g e n t l y i n t h e b r e e z e a l o n g its s o u t h s i d e , a n d h e
g l i m p s e d b e h i n d t h e m a j a d e d e s k w i t h a c o p y o f t h e L o t u s S u t r a o n it.
A voice from b e h i n d the blinds asked him w h o he w a s and w h a t he
w a n t e d . N i t t a i g a v e his n a m e a n d said h e h a d c o m e t o w o r s h i p the
Dragon King.
" Y o u m u s t n ' t look at m e , " replied the D r a g o n King. "Leave the cave
a n d I'll m e e t y o u t h r e e h u n d r e d y a r d s b e y o n d i t . "
N i t t a i o b e y e d a n d w e n t t o w a i t . T h e D r a g o n K i n g r o s e from t h e e a r t h
b e f o r e h i m , fully a d o r n e d a n d c r o w n e d , till N i t t a i c o u l d see his w h o l e
b o d y d o w n t o t h e w a i s t . A f t e r N i t t a i h a d c o n t e m p l a t e d h i m for a w h i l e ,
the Dragon King disappeared.
Nittai built a shrine on the spot a n d m a d e a statue of the dragon. They
s a y i t i s still t h e r e . W h e n t h e m o n k s o f M u r o j i , t h e t e m p l e n e a r b y , p r a y
for r a i n , t h e y c h a n t s u t r a s a t t h i s s h r i n e . W h e n t h e i r p r a y e r s w o r k , a
black cloud rises o v e r t h e D r a g o n C a v e a n d soon covers the whole sky.
T h e n it rains.
1 8 4 .

GOLD FROM THE DRAGON PALACE

A p o o r y o u n g m a n of the Capital w a s so unable to m a k e a d e c e n t living

that every moon on Kannon's day, the eighteenth, he worshipped Kan-
n o n a n d v i s i t e d a s m a n y t e m p l e s a s h e c o u l d t o p r a y for h e l p . T h i s h a d
b e e n h i s c u s t o m for y e a r s .
O n e y e a r , in the n i n t h m o o n , he w a s g o i n g from temple to temple as
u s u a l w h e n h e p a s s e d t h r o u g h s o u t h e r n Y a m a s h i n a , w h i c h w a s little
i n h a b i t e d i n t h o s e d a y s . I n a d e s e r t e d s t r e t c h o f hills h e m e t a n o l d e r m a n
carrying a foot-long spotted s n a k e on the end of a pole. As the y o u n g
m a n w a l k e d b y , t h e little s n a k e m o v e d .
" W h e r e are y o u g o i n g ? " the y o u n g man asked. The older man replied
t h a t h e w a s o n his w a y t o the Capital a n d a s k e d t h e s a m e question b a c k .
T h e y o u n g m a n e x p l a i n e d his pilgrimage a n d i n q u i r e d a b o u t the s n a k e .
" I ' v e a p u r p o s e for i t , " t h e o l d e r m a n a n s w e r e d .
" W o n ' t y o u let m e h a v e it? K i l l i n g ' s a sin. G i v e i t t o m e , for l o v e o f
K a n n o n . This is K a n n o n ' s day, after all."
" Y o u m a y talk of K a n n o n , but K a n n o n protects people as well as
s n a k e s . I n e e d t h i s s n a k e . I d o n ' t p a r t i c u l a r l y w a n t to kill it, b u t I h a v e
t o live s o m e h o w . "
"What do you want it for?"
" W e l l , y o u s e e , I m a k e t h e nyoi w a n d s t h a t m o n k s c a r r y w h e n t h e y
p r e s i d e at a r i t e . T h e h e a d of a nyoi is c u r l e d like a fern s h o o t a n d m a d e
o f o x h o r n . I n e e d t h e oil from t h i s little s n a k e t o w o r k t h e h o r n i n t o t h e
right s h a p e . "
" W h a t d o y o u d o w i t h y o u r nyoi t h e n ? "
" W h a t a q u e s t i o n ! I sell it to a m o n k ! T h a t ' s my t r a d e ! "
"I see. Y o u n e e d the snake, a n d I certainly can't ask y o u to give it to
m e for n o t h i n g . W o u l d y o u t a k e m y c o a t for i t ? "
The man agreed and the exchange was made.
" W h e r e ' d y o u get the s n a k e ? " the y o u n g man asked, and learned that
i t w a s from a p o n d n e a r b y . A f t e r t h e o l d e r m a n h a d g o n e o n , h e t o o k t h e
s n a k e t o t h e p o n d , s c r a p e d t h e s a n d o f t h e b a n k d o w n a little t o w h e r e i t
w a s c o o l , a n d let t h e s n a k e g o . T h e s n a k e w e n t r i g h t i n t o t h e w a t e r . W i t h
his m i n d n o w a t r e s t , h e c o n t i n u e d h i s p i l g r i m a g e .
A f e w h u n d r e d y a r d s f u r t h e r o n , a p r e t t y t w e l v e - y e a r - o l d girl, v e r y
nicely dressed, c a m e t o w a r d him. H e could not imagine w h a t she w a s
d o i n g in so l o n e l y a p l a c e .
2 6 8

" Y o u ' r e so k i n d ! " she said. "I've come to t h a n k y o u . "

"Kind? What do you mean?"
" W h y , y o u s a v e d m y life! W h e n I t o l d m y p a r e n t s t h e y said I s h o u l d
g o s t r a i g h t t o t h a n k y o u a n d tell y o u h o w g r a t e f u l t h e y a r e . T h a t ' s w h y
I'm h e r e . "
H e r e a l i z e d t h i s m u s t b e t h e s n a k e , a n d t h o u g h t o u c h e d h e w a s also
afraid. " W h e r e a r e y o u r parents, t h e n ? " h e asked.
" O v e r t h e r e . I'll t a k e y o u t o s e e t h e m ! " S h e led h i m t o w a r d t h e p o n d .
He w a s so frightened that he would gladly have run away, but w h e n
s h e p r o m i s e d t h a t n o o n e w o u l d h u r t him h e instead followed her reluc-
tantly to the w a t e r ' s edge. She asked him to wait while she a n n o u n c e d he
w a s coming, then vanished. His mind reeled.
"I'll t a k e y o u n o w , " s a i d t h e girl, s u d d e n l y b a c k . " P l e a s e close y o u r
eyes."
H e d i d s o a n d w a s j u s t feeling h i m s e l f d r i f t i n g off w h e n s h e t o l d h i m
t o o p e n t h e m a g a i n . A m a g n i f i c e n t g a t e , far finer t h a n a n y p a l a c e g a t e i n
o u r l a n d , s t o o d b e f o r e h i m . H a v i n g let h e r p a r e n t s k n o w h e w a s t h e r e ,
s h e c a m e o u t a g a i n a n d a s k e d h i m t o follow h e r .
He obeyed timidly. Inside the gate rose a dazzling palace made of
e v e r y p r e c i o u s m e t a l a n d s t o n e . S h e led h i m t o a c e n t r a l p a v i l i o n built all
o f s h i n i n g m u l t i c o l o r e d j a d e , w i t h t h e m o s t b e a u t i f u l floors a n d c u r t a i n s .
T h e p l a c e s e e m e d like p a r a d i s e .
O u t c a m e a g e n t l e m a n i n h i s e a r l y sixties, s o d i s t i n g u i s h e d t h a t t h e
y o u n g m a n w a s quite o v e r a w e d . "Please come in," h e said.
F o r a m o m e n t the y o u n g man w o n d e r e d w h o he was talking to.
" Y o u ' r e t o o k i n d , s i r , " h e finally r e p l i e d . " M a y I ? "
" O f course you m a y ! I d i d n ' t c o m e t o g r e e t y o u for n o t h i n g ! C o m e i n ! "
W i t h g r e a t hesitation the y o u n g m a n did so. H i s host told him w h a t a
joy it w a s to w e l c o m e him, in view of the outstanding kindness of what
he had done.
" B u t I've d o n e nothing, sir!" the y o u n g m a n protested.
" T h e w o r l d k n o w s well e n o u g h h o w p a r e n t s love their c h i l d r e n , " the
g e n t l e m a n w e n t o n . " I ' v e a g o o d m a n y c h i l d r e n myself, a n d t h e y o u n g e s t
is this girl. T o d a y she w a n t e d to play in the p o n d . O h , I tried to stop her,
b u t s h e w o u l d n ' t l i s t e n ! T h e n s h e c a m e b a c k a n d told m e h o w s h e ' d b e e n
c a u g h t a n d w a s g o i n g t o b e killed w h e n y o u c a m e a l o n g a n d s a v e d h e r . I
c a n ' t tell y o u h o w g r a t e f u l I a m ! "
F i n a l l y t h e y o u n g m a n g r a s p e d t h a t t h i s w a s t h e girl's f a t h e r .
Next, the g e n t l e m a n had some overpoweringly splendid servants serve
a feast. A s h e a t e , h e p r e s s e d h i s g u e s t s o i n s i s t e n t l y t o d o s o t o o t h a t t h e
n e r v o u s y o u n g m a n let h i m s e l f b e p e r s u a d e d . I t w a s a d e l i c i o u s m e a l .
 "I'm a Dragon King," the gentleman began w h e n the dishes were
finally c l e a r e d a w a y , " a n d I've lived h e r e s i n c e t i m e o u t o f m i n d . W h a t
I'd r e a l l y like t o g i v e y o u i n t h a n k s i s a W i s h i n g J e w e l , b u t I'm a f r a i d
t h e p e o p l e o f J a p a n a r e t o o evil a t h e a r t a n d c a n ' t b e t r u s t e d w i t h o n e .
I've s o m e t h i n g else for y o u i n s t e a d , t h o u g h . " H e h a d a s e r v a n t fetch a
b o x from w h i c h he took a rice c a k e t h r e e inches thick, m a d e of p u r e
gold.
H e b r o k e t h e c a k e i n t w o a n d g a v e t h e y o u n g m a n half. " D o n ' t u s e
t h i s u p all a t o n c e , " h e w a r n e d . " I f y o u b r e a k off a little a s y o u n e e d it,
you'll be quite c o m f o r t a b l e the rest of y o u r life."
T h e y o u n g m a n p u t t h e c a k e i n t h e fold o f h i s r o b e . A t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e
m o m e n t h e e x c u s e d himself, a n d t h e girl t o o k h i m b a c k t o t h e g a t e . A g a i n
she told him t o close his eyes. W h e n h e o p e n e d t h e m , t h e y w e r e b o t h
s t a n d i n g b y t h e p o n d . T h e girl s a i d s h e w o u l d h a v e t o g o n o w a n d
p r o m i s e d him she w o u l d n e v e r forget his k i n d n e s s . T h e n she d i s a p p e a r e d .
W h e n h e g o t h o m e , h i s family c l a m o r e d a b o u t h o w l o n g h e h a d b e e n
gone. W h a t he had thought an h o u r or two had actually been several
days!
H e t o l d n o o n e a b o u t his g o l d e n c a k e b u t q u i e t l y b r o k e off b i t s a n d
e x c h a n g e d t h e m for w h a t h e n e e d e d . S i n c e t h e c a k e a l w a y s g r e w b a c k t o
its o l d size, n o m a t t e r h o w m u c h h e b r o k e off, h e b e c a m e v e r y r i c h . All
h i s life h e s e r v e d K a n n o n faithfully, a n d a f t e r h e d i e d t h e g o l d e n c a k e
d i s a p p e a r e d . It did not p a s s on to his children.

i 8 5 .

THE POND GOD TAKES A WIFE

A w o m a n i n S h i m o s a p r o v i n c e o f t e n t o o k h e r s t e p d a u g h t e r , a girl o f
twelve or so, to t h e e d g e of a large p o n d a n d a n n o u n c e d to the g o d of the
p o n d t h a t t h e girl w a s h i s t o m a r r y . S h e d i d t h i s o n c e w h e n a g a l e w a s
b l o w i n g a n d t h e p o n d w a s v e r y r o u g h . T h e girl w a s s o f r i g h t e n e d t h a t
her hair stood on end; and w h a t with the wind and waves, and the
o m i n o u s d a r k n e s s o f t h e d a y , s h e fled h o m e a g a i n a s fast a s s h e c o u l d g o
w i t h t h e a w f u l feeling t h a t s o m e t h i n g w a s b e h i n d h e r .
D a s h i n g panic-stricken into the house, she clutched at her father and
began telling him w h a t had h a p p e n e d . N e x t , her s t e p m o t h e r ran in just
2 7 0

a h e a d o f a h u g e s n a k e . T h e s n a k e s t a r e d a t t h e girl, t h e t o n g u e i n its h u g e
head flickering.
T h e f a t h e r w a s n o g r e a t l o r d , b u t h e w a s still q u i c k - w i t t e d . " S h e ' s m y
d a u g h t e r , " he told the s n a k e . " T h i s w o m a n here is just her s t e p m o t h e r
a n d s h e ' s got n o right t o give h e r a w a y . I'm t h e only one w h o can d o that
a n d I r e f u s e . N o , a w i f e ' s b o u n d t o d o a s h e r h u s b a n d s a y s , a n d a s far a s
I ' m c o n c e r n e d she'd t h e o n e w h o ' s y o u r s , i f y o u w a n t h e r . G o a h e a d , t a k e
her!"
W h i l e father a n d d a u g h t e r m a d e their escape, the snake slithered to-
w a r d the s t e p m o t h e r instead a n d coiled a r o u n d her. T h e y say she w e n t
m a d a n d b e g a n t u r n i n g i n t o a s n a k e herself.
T h e s t o r y w a s g o i n g a r o u n d o n e s u m m e r ten y e a r s o r s o ago, which
w o u l d b e a b o u t 1 2 7 0 . R u m o r h a d i t t h a t o n a c e r t a i n d a y t h a t fall, b o t h
s n a k e s w o u l d r i s e f r o m t h e p o n d d u r i n g a t r e m e n d o u s s t o r m . T h e r e really
w a s a s t o r m on t h a t d a y too, but I n e v e r h e a r d w h e t h e r or not the s n a k e s
appeared.

C L O S E D

W O R L D S

186.
THE ISLE OF MAN AND MAID

A p o o r f a r m e r o n c e lived in H a t a c o u n t y of T o s a p r o v i n c e , a l o n g the
s o u t h e r n c o a s t o f S h i k o k u . H i s r i c e field w a s i n t h e n e i g h b o r i n g p r o v i n c e ,
not in his o w n , b u t he raised t h e seedlings at h o m e a n d w h e n planting
t i m e c a m e h e p r e p a r e d t o t a k e t h e m t o his field b y b o a t . H e a l s o l o a d e d
a b o a r d e v e r y t h i n g else he n e e d e d : a plow, a hoe, a s p a d e , c o o k i n g pots,
a n d f o o d t o feed himself, h i s w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n , a n d t h e l a b o r e r h e m e a n t
to hire.
W h e n t h e b o a t w a s r e a d y t o sail, h e a n d his wife w e n t t o find a w i l l i n g
l a b o r e r , l e a v i n g t h e i r little s o n a n d d a u g h t e r fast a s l e e p o n b o a r d . T h e y
n e v e r b o t h e r e d t o m a k e t h e b o a t fast, s i n c e t h e y p l a n n e d n o t t o b e g o n e
l o n g , b u t o n l y p u l l e d i t u p a bit o n t h e s h o r e .
 T h e boat floated on the rising tide. T h e n a breeze s p r a n g up a n d blew
it, a s t h e t i d e e b b e d , far o u t t o w h e r e t h e w i n d w a s s t r o n g . N o w t h e b o a t
r a n a s t h o u g h u n d e r sail. W h e n t h e c h i l d r e n w o k e u p a n d s a w h o w far
t h e y h a d drifted from land t h e y b e g a n to cry, b u t t h e y could not stop t h e
wind taking them wherever it wanted to blow.
T h e p a r e n t s b r o u g h t t h e i r l a b o r e r t o t h e s h o r e o n l y t o find t h e b o a t
g o n e . T h i n k i n g i t m i g h t h a v e c a u g h t i n t h e lee s o m e w h e r e , t h e y c a l l e d
a n d c a l l e d , a n d s e a r c h e d e v e r y inlet a n d c o v e w h e n t h e y g o t n o a n s w e r .
In the end, though, they had to give u p .
T h e b o a t w a s b l o w n o n t o a n i s l a n d far a w a y t o t h e s o u t h . Still c r y i n g ,
the children d i s e m b a r k e d a n d tied it u p . T h e r e w a s no one on the island.
" W e i l just have to do the best we c a n , " they told each other. " W e can
e a t a little food e v e r y d a y for a s l o n g a s i t l a s t s , t h e n w e ' l l j u s t s e e .
A n y w a y , let's p l a n t t h e s e s e e d l i n g s b e f o r e t h e y d i e . "
T h e y f o u n d a n i c e p l a c e for a field, w i t h a b r o o k n e a r b y , a n d m a d e
good use of the spade and hoe that had come with them. Next, they cut
w o o d a n d built a shelter. Since one kind of tree or a n o t h e r w a s always in
fruit t h e y e a s i l y s u r v i v e d till fall, w h e n t h e i r l u c k b r o u g h t t h e m a m u c h
richer h a r v e s t t h a n t h e y could h a v e h o p e d to get in J a p a n . T h e y carefully
laid t h i s h a r v e s t b y .
O n c e the t w o h a d g r o w n u p , t h e y s a w they really had n o choice b u t t o
m a r r y . T h e i r m a n y c h i l d r e n m a r r i e d e a c h o t h e r i n t u r n till d e s p i t e its
g e n e r o u s size t h e i s l a n d w a s d o t t e d w i t h fields. I n fact, t h a t first p a i r h a d
so m a n y d e s c e n d a n t s that their island can scarcely hold them any more,
or so people say.
I m o s e - j i m e , t h e Isle o f M a n a n d M a i d , i s s u p p o s e d t o b e o u t i n t h e
ocean south of Tosa.

1 8 7 .

THE SNAKE AND THE CENTIPEDE

A b a n d o f s e v e n m e n i n K a g a p r o v i n c e c h o s e t o live b y f i s h i n g o n t h e
sea, r o w i n g t o g e t h e r i n t h e s a m e b o a t . A l t h o u g h f i s h e r m e n , t h e y a l w a y s
w e n t well a r m e d with b o w s a n d a r r o w s .
T h e y h a d r o w e d o u t o f s i g h t o f l a n d o n e d a y w h e n a s u d d e n g a l e hit
t h e m a n d b l e w t h e m f a r t h e r still. All t h e y c o u l d d o w a s p u l l i n t h e i r o a r s ,
2 7 2

g r o a n i n g t h a t t h e y w o u l d d i e , a n d let t h e w i n d t a k e t h e m w h e r e i t w o u l d .
Eventually t h e y sighted a large island a h e a d . " A n island!" they cried. "If
w e c a n r e a c h i t w e c a n a t least s u r v i v e ! " T h e y s u c c e e d e d w i t h a t r e m e n -
d o u s effort, d i s e m b a r k e d , a n d d r e w t h e i r b o a t safely u p o n t h e s h o r e .
T h e r e w a s a s t r e a m , a n d a p p a r e n t l y p l e n t y o f fruit o n t h e t r e e s . T h e y h a d
j u s t s t a r t e d l o o k i n g for s o m e t h i n g t o e a t w h e n t h e y s a w a h a n d s o m e m a n
coming toward them. I t w a s a s u r p r i s e a n d a relief t o find t h e i s l a n d
inhabited.
" D o y o u realize I b r o u g h t y o u h e r e ? " the man asked.
"I don't k n o w w h a t y o u m e a n , " one of the fishermen answered. "A
gale b l e w u p w h i l e w e w e r e fishing a n d s w e p t u s o u t t o sea. W e w e r e
v e r y g l a d t o find t h i s i s l a n d , I c a n tell y o u ! "
" Y e s , y o u see, I'm t h e one w h o m a d e the w i n d b l o w . "
T h e fishermen realized this w a s no ordinary h u m a n .
" B u t y o u m u s t b e t i r e d , " said the m a n a n d s h o u t e d t o w a r d the w o o d s ,
" C o m e ! B r i n g i t all d o w n ! "
W i t h a clatter of footsteps, b e a r e r s arrived carrying a wine jar and two
l a r g e c h e s t s full o f d e l i c i o u s f o o d . T h e e x h a u s t e d f i s h e r m e n a t e h u n g r i l y
a n d d r a n k t h e i r fill o f w i n e . W h e n t h e y h a d finished, t h e leftovers w e r e
p u t b a c k i n t h e c h e s t s a n d s e t a s i d e for t h e n e x t d a y .
" N o w , " s a i d t h e m a n o f t h e i s l a n d w h e n t h e b e a r e r s h a d left, "I'll tell
y o u why I b r o u g h t y o u h e r e . T h e r e ' s a n o t h e r i s l a n d b e y o n d t h i s o n e , a n d
t h e fellow w h o lives t h e r e i s a l w a y s a t t a c k i n g m e . H e w a n t s t o kill m e
a n d t a k e o v e r t h i s i s l a n d t o o . I've f o u g h t h i m off s o far, b u t t o m o r r o w
h e ' s c o m i n g a g a i n a n d o u r b a t t l e will b e d e c i s i v e . O n e o f u s will live a n d
t h e o t h e r will d i e . I b r o u g h t y o u h e r e t o a s k for y o u r h e l p . "
" H o w m u c h of an a r m y does he h a v e ? " the fisherman asked. " H o w
m a n y s h i p s h a s h e g o t ? W e ' l l fight for y o u t o t h e d e a t h i f n e e d b e , s i n c e
we're here."
T h e man was pleased. " M y enemy doesn't have human form," he
e x p l a i n e d , " a n d I w o n ' t e i t h e r w h e n I fight h i m . Y o u ' l l see t o m o r r o w .
E v e r y t i m e h e ' s a t t a c k e d h e r e b e f o r e , I've c o m e d o w n t h i s s l o p e t o k e e p
h i m b e l o w t h e w a t e r f a l l o v e r t h e r e . I've a l w a y t r i e d t o t u r n h i m from t h e
b e a c h . B u t t o m o r r o w I'm c o u n t i n g o n you, s o I'm g o i n g t o let h i m u p .
He'll be only too eager to climb, since he gets stronger as he gets higher.
J u s t w a t c h u s fight a t first. W h e n I c a n ' t t a k e a n y m o r e I'll s i g n a l t o y o u
w i t h m y e y e s . T h e n s h o o t all y o u r a r r o w s i n t o h i m , a n d p l e a s e d o n ' t
m i s s ! B e r e a d y t o m o r r o w m o r n i n g . T h e b a t t l e will s t a r t a b o u t m i d d a y .
M a k e sure y o u get plenty to eat! A n d stand on this o u t c r o p of rock
b e c a u s e he'll b e c o m i n g f r o m u p h e r e . " H a v i n g g i v e n t h e s e careful in-
structions, the m a n w i t h d r e w into the d e p t h s of the island.
T h e fishermen cut saplings a n d built themselves a shelter, then s h a r p -
ened their a r r o w s and readied their bowstrings. They spent the night
t a l k i n g a r o u n d a fire. D a w n c a m e , a n d a f t e r a g o o d b r e a k f a s t t h e y l o o k e d
t o w a r d w h e r e t h e e n e m y w a s s u p p o s e d to c o m e from. A steady gale w a s
blowing, a n d the strangely m e n a c i n g sea n o w began to glow. Inside the
light t h e y s a w t w o l a r g e m a s s e s o f fire. T h e m o u n t a i n b e h i n d t h e m l o o k e d
just as ghastly. T h e grasses w e r e b e n d i n g low, the trees w e r e whistling
in the w i n d , a n d on the m o u n t a i n s i d e as well they s a w twin masses of
fire.
A c e n t i p e d e a h u n d r e d feet l o n g c a m e s w i m m i n g in, s h i n i n g b l u e o n its
b a c k a n d r e d a l o n g its s i d e s . A b o v e t h e m a n e q u a l l y h u g e s n a k e w a s
b e g i n n i n g t o d e s c e n d , its t o n g u e f l i c k e r i n g . T h e s n a k e let h i s e n e m y
climb, as he h a d said he w o u l d , a n d w a t c h e d w i t h his h e a d alertly raised
as the c e n t i p e d e seized his c h a n c e . T h e n t h e t w o frightful m o n s t e r s
p a u s e d , fixing e a c h o t h e r w i t h a f u r i o u s g l a r e .
T h e seven fishermen on the r o c k y o u t c r o p fitted a r r o w s t o t h e i r
bowstrings a n d waited, their eyes on the snake.
T h e c e n t i p e d e c h a r g e d . B o t h c r e a t u e s t o r e a t e a c h o t h e r till t h e y w e r e
c o v e r e d w i t h b l o o d , b u t t h e c e n t i p e d e , w i t h all its l e g s , a l w a y s s e e m e d t o
b e w i n n i n g . A f t e r s e v e r a l h o u r s t h e e x h a u s t e d s n a k e finally g a v e a l o o k
that clearly m e a n t " N o w ! " T h e seven shot their a r r o w s deep into the
c e n t i p e d e , f r o m its h e a d t o its tail, t h e n t h e y h a c k e d a t its legs w i t h t h e i r
s w o r d s till t h e m o n s t e r w a s h e l p l e s s . O n c e t h e s n a k e h a d d i s e n g a g e d
itself, t h e f i s h e r m e n a t t a c k e d still m o r e s a v a g e l y a n d killed it. T h e s n a k e
meanwhile slithered away.
Shortly their host r e t u r n e d in a sad condition, limping, bleeding, and
w o u n d e d all o v e r ; b u t h e b r o u g h t t h e m food a n d t h a n k e d t h e m a g a i n a n d
a g a i n . T h e y c u t u p t h e c e n t i p e d e ' s b o d y , felled t r e e s for a h u g e b o n f i r e ,
a n d a f t e r b u r n i n g t h e g r i s l y r e m a i n s t h r e w t h e a s h e s a n d b o n e s far a w a y .
W h e n the job w a s done, the man t h a n k e d them again. "There's no one
n o w t o d i s p u t e m y o w n e r s h i p o f t h e i s l a n d , " h e said, " a n d t h a t m a k e s m e
very h a p p y . Plenty of places on t h e island w o u l d m a k e g o o d rice paddies,
a n d e v e n m o r e w o u l d d o for d r y fields. A n d t h e r e a r e s o m a n y fruit t r e e s !
Y e s , it's a f i n e i s l a n d . G o m e a n d live h e r e ! "
"That's a good idea," the fishermen answered, "but what about our
wives and children?"
"Bring them too!"
" H o w can w e get t h e m h e r e ? "
" W h e n y o u c r o s s t o t h e m a i n l a n d I'll s e n d y o u a f o l l o w i n g w i n d . A n d
w h e n y o u c o m e back, well, the K u m a t a Shrine in Kaga province is my
s a n c t u a r y t o o , a n d i f y o u w o r s h i p t h e r e b e f o r e y o u set o u t y o u ' l l g e t b a c k
here quite safely."
H e s e n t t h e m off w i t h e n o u g h food for t h e t r i p . A s t h e y c a s t off, a
2 7 4

w i n d blew d o w n from t h e island a n d in no time they had crossed to the

mainland.
T h e y all w e n t h o m e a n d t o l d t h e i r families w h e r e t h e y w e r e g o i n g n o w
a n d w h y . T h e n in secret they got themselves ready, each party preparing
a b o a t l o a d e d w i t h s e e d s for all t h e c r o p s t h a t w o u l d g r o w . F i n a l l y t h e y
visited the K u m a t a S h r i n e to report their journey to the god. As soon as
t h e y h a d b o a r d e d t h e i r b o a t s a f o l l o w i n g w i n d a r o s e , a n d all t h e b o a t s
crossed straight over to the island.
O n t h e i s l a n d t h e y c u l t i v a t e d p a d d i e s a n d d r y fields, a n d m u l t i p l i e d till
i t w a s h a r d l y p o s s i b l e t o c o u n t t h e m a n y m o r e . T h e i s l a n d i s called N e k o -
n o - s h i m a , C a t I s l a n d . O n c e a y e a r , t h e y s a y , t h e i s l a n d e r s sail t o t h e
m a i n l a n d a n d w o r s h i p a t t h e K u m a t a S h r i n e . T h e villagers there k n o w
t h e y a r e c o m i n g a n d w h y , a n d w o u l d g l a d l y visit w i t h t h e m ; b u t t h e y
never actually meet the islanders because the islanders come in during
t h e n i g h t . T h e v i l l a g e r s find o n l y t h e i r o f f e r i n g s t h e n e x t m o r n i n g , b y
w h i c h t i m e t h e i s l a n d e r s h a v e left a g a i n . T h e s e a n n u a l visits still o c c u r
regularly. Y o u can see t h e island, rising green on the w e s t e r n horizon,
from O m i y a in N o t o p r o v i n c e .
O n c e a N o t o b o a t m a n w a s b l o w n out to the island. Although the
i s l a n d e r s w o u l d n o t let h i m l a n d , t h e y a l l o w e d h i m t o tie u p o n t h e s h o r e
a n d b r o u g h t him food. A w e e k or so later a favorable w i n d b r o u g h t him
b a c k t o N o t o . F r o m w h a t h e h a d b e e n a b l e t o see, t h e r e w e r e a lot o f
h o u s e s on the island, with streets b e t w e e n t h e m just as in the Capital,
and m a n y people coming and going in the streets.
F o r t h a t m a t t e r , l a t e l y C h i n e s e s a i l o r s h a v e b e e n p u t t i n g i n t o this
i s l a n d first, o n t h e i r w a y t o J a p a n . T h e i s l a n d e r s b r i n g t h e m food, a n d
t h e y s t o c k u p o n fish a n d a b a l o n e b e f o r e g o i n g o n t o T s u r u g a i n K a g a
p r o v i n c e . A p p a r e n t l y t h e i s l a n d e r s f o r b i d t h e m e v e n t o tell o t h e r p e o p l e
the island is there.

1 8 8 .

THROUGH THE WATER CURTAIN

A w a n d e r i n g m o n k came to the province of H i d a where, deep in the

m o u n t a i n s , h e g o t lost. F o l l o w i n g a faint t r a c k b u r i e d i n d e a d l e a v e s , h e
finally c a m e t o a w i d e , h i g h w a t e r f a l l t h a t c a s c a d e d like a g r e a t c u r t a i n
d o w n a cliff. H e c o u l d n o t g o b a c k s i n c e h e h a d n o i d e a w h e r e h e w a s ,
a n d i n f r o n t off h i m r o s e a t w o - h u n d r e d - f o o t w a l l o f r o c k . W h i l e p r a y i n g
t o t h e B u d d h a for g u i d a n c e , h e h e a r d f o o t s t e p s b e h i n d h i m . I t w a s a m a n
w i t h a load of w o o d . T h o u g h the m o n k w a s relieved to see him, the m a n
looked surprised a n d upset. " W h o are y o u ? W h e r e does this p a t h g o ? "
asked the m o n k , but the man w a l k e d straight past him into the waterfall
and vanished.
Apparently he had been a d e m o n , not a m a n . T h e frightened m o n k
decided that before the d e m o n ate him he w o u l d plunge into the waterfall
too, a n d die. " T h e n it w o n ' t b o t h e r me if he does eat m e ! " he said to
himself.
P r a y i n g for a happy rebirth, he walked s t r a i g h t a h e a d till w a t e r
p o u n d e d o n h i s face. T h e n h e w a s t h r o u g h . H e s u p p o s e d d r o w n i n g c a m e
n e x t , b u t i n fact h e still s e e m e d t o b e c o n s c i o u s . T h e w a t e r f a l l r e a l l y was
a t h i n c u r t a i n , a n d t h e n a r r o w p a t h o n t h e o t h e r s i d e led o n u n d e r t h e
m o u n t a i n . H e w a s g l a d a t last t o r e a c h a l a r g e v i l l a g e .
T h e man w h o had passed him n o w came running t o w a r d him, a h e a d
o f a g e n t l e m a n i n light b l u e - g r e e n f o r m a l d r e s s . T h e g e n t l e m a n h a s t i l y
i n v i t e d t h e m o n k t o follow h i m h o m e . O n t h e w a y p e o p l e j o i n e d t h e m
from all d i r e c t i o n s a n d e a c h o n e a s k e d t h e m o n k h o m e . W h a t c o u l d t h e y
all w a n t ? T h e g e n t l e m a n s i l e n c e d t h e m . " W e ' l l g o t o t h e m a y o r a n d let
him d e c i d e w h o gets this fellow!" he said.
T h e c r o w d s w e p t the m o n k on to a large house, w h e r e an agitated old
m a n c a m e o u t a n d a s k e d w h a t w a s g o i n g o n . T h e first m a n t h e m o n k h a d
s e e n c o m p l a i n e d , " I ' m t h e o n e w h o led h i m h e r e from J a p a n a n d n o w
this m a n has t a k e n him o v e r ! " He p o i n t e d at the g e n t l e m a n in blue-
green.
W i t h o u t discussion the old m a n a w a r d e d the m o n k t o the g e n t l e m a n ,
w h o began leading the monk away. The crowd dispersed.
T h e m o n k c o u l d o n l y t h i n k t h e y w e r e all d e m o n s , a n d t h a t t h i s o n e
w a s taking him a w a y to eat him. He began to cry. " J a p a n ! " he t h o u g h t
i n d e s p a i r . " W h e r e u t h i s p l a c e i f J a p a n i s s o far a w a y ? "
T h e g e n t l e m a n noticed his e x p r e s s i o n . " P l e a s e d o n ' t w o r r y ! " h e said.
"It's very peaceful here, y o u k n o w . I promise y o u you'll be comfortable.
You won't have a care in the w o r l d . "
T h e g e n t l e m a n ' s h o u s e t u r n e d o u t t o b e a little s m a l l e r t h a n t h e o n e
t h e y h a d j u s t left, b u t v e r y n i c e a n d w i t h a l a r g e staff o f s e r v a n t s a n d
r e t a i n e r s . T h e m o n k ' s a r r i v a l c a u s e d a g r e a t stir. W h e n t h e g e n t l e m a n
i n v i t e d h i m in, h i s p a c k , s t r a w c l o a k , h a t , a n d s t r a w b o o t s w e r e p o l i t e l y
t a k e n from h i m a n d p u t a w a y .
" F o o d , please!" the gentleman ordered, a n d a meal was served. But
2 7 6

d e s p i t e t h e w e a l t h o f b e a u t i f u l l y p r e p a r e d c h i c k e n a n d fish, t h e m o n k d i d
not eat. Instead he only sat a n d stared.
His host asked him w h a t was the matter.
" I ' v e b e e n a m o n k all m y life, y o u see, a n d I've n e v e r e a t e n a n y t h i n g
like t h i s . L o o k i n g is all I c a n d o . "
"I u n d e r s t a n d . But y o u ' r e w i t h uj n o w , y o u k n o w . You'll have to eat
u p ! A n d a n o t h e r t h i n g . I h a v e a d a u g h t e r I love v e r y m u c h a n d she's
r e a d y to be married. So y o u should start letting y o u r hair grow, because
I w a n t h e r t o m a r r y you. Y o u c a n ' t l e a v e , a n y w a y . J u s t r e m e m b e r t o d o
as I s a y ! "
T h e m o n k t h o u g h t h e m i g h t b e killed i f h e s h o w e d a n y sign o f resis-
t a n c e , a n d t h e r e certainly w a s no e s c a p e . " I ' m just not used to this sort
o f f o o d , " h e a n s w e r e d , " b u t all r i g h t , I'll eat i t . " A s t h e t w o a t e , t h e m o n k
w o n d e r e d w h a t t h e B u d d h a could be t h i n k i n g of him n o w , since he h a d
v o w e d n e v e r to eat t h e flesh of a n y living c r e a t u r e .
A t n i g h t f a l l a v e r y p r e t t y girl c a m e in, b e a u t i f u l l y d r e s s e d . H e r f a t h e r
p u s h e d h e r gently t o w a r d the m o n k . " S h e ' s y o u r s , " h e said. " F r o m n o w
on y o u m u s t love h e r as m u c h as I d o . She's my only daughter, y o u
u n d e r s t a n d , s o y o u c a n i m a g i n e h o w d e e p l y I m e a n t h a t . " W i t h t h i s little
speech he withdrew.
N o a r g u m e n t w a s p o s s i b l e . T h e m o n k ( f r o m n o w o n h e will h a v e t o b e
" t h e y o u n g m a n " ) w e l c o m e d t h e girl, a n d after t h a t t h e y w e r e m a n a n d
wife. T h e y o u n g m a n w a s actually very happy. He was dressed in the
b e s t a n d s e r v e d w h a t e v e r f o o d h e w a n t e d . T h i s n e w life w a s s o u n l i k e
his old o n e t h a t he p u t on a g o o d deal of w e i g h t . W h e n his hair w a s long
e n o u g h for a t o p k n o t h e d i d i t u p p r o p e r l y , a n d w i t h a r e s p e c t a b l e h a t o n
he cut a fine figure. H i s wife t h o u g h t the w o r l d of him a n d he loved her
in r e t u r n .
After eight m o n t h s like this, t h e y o u n g w o m a n g r e w sad. H e r father,
o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , only r e d o u b l e d his a t t e n t i o n s . " G o o d , good, w e ' v e
g o t t e n s o m e f l e s h o n y o u ! " h e w o u l d s a y . " F a t t e n u p all y o u l i k e ! " H e
fed his son-in-law so often that the y o u n g man kept putting on
w e i g h t . As he did so his wife b e g a n to have fits of w e e p i n g . W h e n the
y o u n g m a n a s k e d h e r w h y , s h e w o u l d a n s w e r o n l y t h a t s h e felt s a d ,
b u t w e p t m o r e a n d m o r e . T h e baffled y o u n g m a n p u t u p w i t h i t a s b e s t
he could.
O n e d a y his father-in-law e n t e r t a i n e d a visitor. Listening in discreetly,
he h e a r d t h e visitor say, " T h a t ' s a nice y o u n g m a n y o u ' v e got! Y o u must
be pleased to have y o u r d a u g h t e r so well provided for."
"I certainly a m ! " t h e g e n t l e m a n a n s w e r e d . "If I didn't h a v e him, I
don't k n o w h o w I could stand it by n o w . "
 " I j u s t w i s h I c o u l d g e t o n e myself," said t h e v i s i t o r , r i s i n g t o g o . " I ' m
s u r e I'll b e m i s e r a b l e b y t h i s t i m e n e x t y e a r . "
H a v i n g s e e n h i s g u e s t off, t h e g e n t l e m a n a s k e d s o l i c i t o u s l y w h e t h e r
his s o n - i n - l a w h a d eaten a n d m a d e s u r e a meal w a s served. T h e y o u n g
m a n ' s wife w e p t while h e ate. T h e puzzled y o u n g m a n kept thinking
a b o u t w h a t the visitor h a d said, a n d a l t h o u g h he did not quite u n d e r s t a n d
i t h e w a s a f r a i d . H i s w i f e r e s i s t e d e v e r y effort o f h i s t o c o a x a n e x p l a n a -
tion out of her, t h o u g h she clearly w a n t e d to speak.
T h e village w a s b u s t l i n g w i t h p r e p a r a t i o n s for a festival. D e p r e s s e d
a s s h e w a s , t h e y o u n g m a n ' s w i f e n o w d i d little m o r e t h a n c r y , a n d
s h e s e e m e d s o e s t r a n g e d f r o m h i m t h a t h e finally r e p r o a c h e d h e r . " I
t h o u g h t we'd always be together in joy a n d s o r r o w , " he complained,
" b u t y o u ' v e g o t t e n s o far a w a y ! Y o u ' r e t o o c r u e l ! " H e b u r s t i n t o a n g r y
tears.
H i s wife s o b b e d a l o u d . " W h a t ever m a d e me t h i n k I could k e e p silent
till t h e v e r y e n d ? " s h e c r i e d . " T h e r e ' s s o little t i m e left! O h , i f o n l y I
didn't love y o u ! "
" A m I g o i n g t o d i e ? W e l l , s o a r e w e all, s o m e t i m e o r o t h e r . T h e r e
m u s t b e s o m e t h i n g e l s e ! Tell m e ! "
" Y o u see, we h a v e a sacred obligation here to give o u r g o d s living
h u m a n sacrifices. T h a t ' s w h y e v e r y o n e w a s s o a n x i o u s t o have y o u w h e n
y o u c a m e . T h e y all w a n t e d y o u for t h e sacrifice. E a c h y e a r it's a n o t h e r
h o u s e h o l d ' s t u r n to p r o v i d e the victim, a n d if no one from outside can be
f o u n d t h e h o u s e h o l d h e a d h a s t o p r o v i d e his o w n s o n o r d a u g h t e r . I'd
have been the victim if y o u hadn't come. O h , I wish I could take y o u r
place after all!"
" D o n ' t c r y ! " s a i d h e r h u s b a n d . " P e r h a p s i t c o u l d b e w o r s e . Tell m e , i s
t h e v i c t i m c a r v e d u p before b e i n g offered t o t h e g o d s ? "
" N o , I d o n ' t t h i n k s o . T h e v i c t i m i s laid o u t n a k e d o n a c u t t i n g b o a r d
a n d carried inside the inner s a n c t u a r y fence. T h e n everyone leaves. I
hear the g o d s carve up their victim themselves. If the victim is thin or
d i s p l e a s i n g i n a n y w a y , t h e y ' r e v e r y a n g r y . T h e n t h e c r o p s fail, p e o p l e
g e t sick, a n d w e v i l l a g e r s d o n o t h i n g b u t q u a r r e l . T h a t ' s w h y m y f a t h e r
has been feeding y o u s o often a n d m a k i n g y o u gain w e i g h t . "
A t last t h e y o u n g m a n u n d e r s t o o d all t h e c a r e t h a t h a d b e e n l a v i s h e d
o n him. " B u t these g o d s , " h e said, " w h a t s h a p e d o they h a v e ? "
"They're supposed to be monkeys."
"All r i g h t , I h a v e a n i d e a . C a n y o u g e t m e a g o o d d a g g e r ? "
" O f c o u r s e I c a n , " his wife a n s w e r e d , a n d q u i c k l y d i d so.
T h e y o u n g m a n s h a r p e n e d i t c a r e f u l l y a n d h i d i t o n his b o d y . H e g o t
m u c h livelier n o w , a t e w i t h u n f a i l i n g a p p e t i t e , a n d w e n t o n f a t t e n i n g
2 7 8

n i c e l y . H i s f a t h e r - i n - l a w w a s p l e a s e d , a n d e v e r y o n e i n t h e village l o o k e d
forward to a g o o d y e a r .
S e v e n d a y s b e f o r e t h e festival, c e r e m o n i a l r o p e s w e r e s t r e t c h e d a r o u n d
all t h e h o u s e s t o m a r k t h e s a c r e d o c c a s i o n , a n d t h e y o u n g m a n w a s m a d e
t o fast a n d u n d e r g o p u r i f i c a t i o n . T h o u g h his w i f e c o u n t e d t h e d a y s w i t h
t e a r s a n d g r o a n s , h e h i m s e l f s e e m e d u n t r o u b l e d . I n fact, h e c o m f o r t e d
h i s w i f e s o w e l l t h a t e v e n s h e t o o k h e a r t a little.
O n t h e festival d a y h e w a s m a d e t o w a s h a n d p u t o n a b e a u t i f u l r o b e .
H i s h a i r w a s c o m b e d a n d tied u p , a n d his sidelocks carefully dressed. A
m e s s e n g e r c a m e from the shrine again a n d again, more impatient each
time. Finally the y o u n g man a n d the gentleman rode out on horses to-
g e t h e r w h i l e t h e y o u n g wife stayed behind, hiding u n d e r her robe and
w e e p i n g in silence.
T h e s h r i n e w a s a r o w of s a n c t u a r i e s c o m p o s i n g a single large s t r u c t u r e
inside an impressively fenced sacred enclosure. T h e c r o w d before the
f e n c e w a s e a t i n g a festive m e a l . T h e y o u n g m a n w a s led t o a h i g h seat
a m o n g t h e m a n d s e r v e d food t o o . A f t e r t h e c o m p a n y h a d e a t e n a n d
d r u n k freely, t h e r e w a s d a n c i n g a n d m u s i c .
A t l a s t t h e y o u n g m a n w a s c a l l e d o n t o r i s e . H e w a s u n d r e s s e d , his
h a i r w a s u n b o u n d , a n d h e w a s laid o n t h e c u t t i n g b o a r d w i t h a final,
strict o r d e r neither to m o v e n o r to speak. G r e e n sprigs of the sacred
dakaki t r e e w e r e p l a n t e d a t t h e b o a r d ' s f o u r c o r n e r s , a n d a s a c r e d c o r d
w i t h w h i t e s t r e a m e r s f l u t t e r i n g f r o m i t w a s s t r u n g from s p r i g t o s p r i g .
H a v i n g c a r r i e d t h e b o a r d c e r e m o n i o u s l y t h r o u g h t h e fence a n d laid i t
before the sanctuaries, the bearers w i t h d r e w a n d closed the gate behind
t h e m . T h e y o u n g m a n w a s all a l o n e . H e s t e a l t h i l y r e a c h e d for t h e d a g g e r
h i d d e n all t h i s t i m e b e t w e e n h i s t h i g h s .
W h e n the d o o r of the chief s a n c t u a r y creaked open, the y o u n g man's
hair stood on end. O n e by one the other doors opened too. N e x t a
m o n k e y as big as a m a n c a m e r o u n d from b e h i n d t h e shrine a n d chattered
at t h e chief s a n c t u a r y . T h e s a n c t u a r y curtain w a s swept aside and out
c a m e a n o t h e r m o n k e y w i t h g l e a m i n g w h i t e t e e t h , l a r g e r a n d fiercer t h a n
t h e first. " T h e y ' r e just m o n k e y s after all!" t h o u g h t the y o u n g man with
relief. M o r e m o n k e y s c a m e f r o m t h e o t h e r s a n c t u a r i e s , a n d w h e n all w e r e
p r e s e n t t h e m e s s e n g e r m o n k e y r e c e i v e d c h a t t e r e d o r d e r s from t h e m o n -
k e y of the chief sanctuary. These instructions obviously concerned the
victim because the messenger m o n k e y n o w came to the cutting board,
p i c k e d u p t h e l a r g e c o o k i n g c h o p s t i c k s a n d k n i f e t h a t w e r e laid o u t for
him, and prepared to carve.
T h e y o u n g m a n leapt u p a n d a t t a c k e d t h e chief m o n k e y w h o , taken
completely by surprise, toppled over backwards. A dagger pinned him to
the ground. "Are you a g o d ? " the y o u n g man roared. The monkey w r u n g
his h a n d s b e s e e c h i n g l y w h i l e all t h e o t h e r s f l e d a n d sat c h a t t e r i n g fu-
riously in the treetops.
T h e y o u n g m a n tied u p the m o n k e y w i t h s o m e vines that c a m e t o h a n d
a n d b o u n d h i m t o a p o s t . T h e n w i t h h i s d a g g e r t o t h e pit o f t h e m o n k e y ' s
s t o m a c h h e c r i e d , " W h y , y o u are j u s t a p l a i n m o n k e y ! A n d all t h e s e y e a r s
y o u ' v e b e e n c a l l i n g y o u r s e l f a g o d a n d e a t i n g p e o p l e ! Now w h a t h a v e y o u
g o t t o s a y for y o u r s e l f ? All r i g h t , call o u t y o u r s o n s ! Call t h e m o u t !
Y o u ' r e d e a d if y o u don't. Of c o u r s e if y o u ' r e a g o d my knife w o n ' t h u r t
y o u . P e r h a p s I'll j u s t s t i c k i t i n y o u r belly a n d see w h a t h a p p e n s ! " A little
p r e s s u r e o n the blade m a d e the m o n k e y s c r e a m a n d w r i n g his h a n d s
a g a i n . "All r i g h t , " s a i d t h e y o u n g m a n , "call o u t y o u r s o n s ! "
T h e monkey chattered and the messenger monkey came back. Sending
h i m for m o r e v i n e s , t h e y o u n g m a n first t i e d u p t h e c h i e f m o n k e y ' s t h r e e
sons, then the messenger monkey too. "You were going to carve me u p , "
he s a i d , " b u t I'll let y o u live if y o u s t a y q u i e t . I will kill y o u , t h o u g h , if
y o u e v e r c u r s e t h o s e p o o r , i g n o r a n t p e o p l e a g a i n o r eat t h e m ! "
H e led t h e m o n k e y s o u t t h e g a t e t h r o u g h t h e s h r i n e fence a n d t i e d
t h e m t o t r e e s . N e x t , h e s e t f i r e t o t h e s h r i n e w i t h e m b e r s from t h e r e c e n t
c o o k i n g f i r e s . T h e v i l l a g e w a s s o far off t h a t n o o n e k n e w , t h o u g h w h e n
f l a m e s l e a p e d from t h e s p o t t h e v i l l a g e r s s a w t h e m a n d w o r r i e d . N o o n e
w e n t t o see w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g b e c a u s e people w e r e s u p p o s e d t o stay
a t h o m e for t h r e e d a y s a f t e r t h e festival.
T h e gentleman w a s particularly upset a n d feared something had gone
v e r y w r o n g . H i s d a u g h t e r too w a s afraid because she k n e w better t h a n
her father w h a t might have caused the flames. T h e n the victim himself
a p p e a r e d i n t h e v i l l a g e , c a r r y i n g a staff a n d d r i v i n g t h e t i e d - u p m o n k e y s
a h e a d o f h i m . H e w a s n a k e d b u t for a b e l t o f v i n e s w i t h a d a g g e r s t u c k
i n it, a n d h i s l o o s e h a i r f l o w e d o v e r his s h o u l d e r s . P e o p l e p e e p e d a t h i m
t h r o u g h every gate along the w a y . " H e ' s got the gods b o u n d a n d he's
d r i v i n g t h e m a l o n g ! " t h e y c r i e d t o e a c h o t h e r . " W h y , o u r sacrificial
victim w a s m o r e powerful t h a n the g o d s ! A n d if he can do this to the
g o d s , j u s t t h i n k w h a t h e c a n d o t o u>A M a y b e he'll e a t u s ! " T h e v i l l a g e r s
w e r e terrified.
A t h i s f a t h e r - i n - l a w ' s h o u s e t h e y o u n g m a n s h o u t e d for t h e g a t e t o b e
o p e n e d . Silence met his d e m a n d . " O p e n u p ! " he shouted again. "I won't
h u r t y o u ! B u t i f y o u d o n ' t o p e n u p t h e r e will b e t r o u b l e . " H e k i c k e d a t
the gate.
T h e g e n t l e m a n h a d his d a u g h t e r g o out t o m e e t h e r h u s b a n d . " H e ' s
s t r o n g e r t h a n t h e g o d s , " h e said, " a n d I'm afraid h e m a y m e a n y o u h a r m .
But open the gate a n d talk to h i m . "
2 8 0

F e a r f u l b u t h a p p y t o o , t h e girl c r a c k e d t h e g a t e o p e n a n d t h e y o u n g
m a n p u s h e d it w i d e . " L e t me h a v e my c l o t h e s , " he said. S h e fetched him
h i s t r o u s e r s , h i s c l o a k , a n d h i s h a t , a n d a f t e r t y i n g t h e m o n k e y s fast t o
the h o u s e he d r e s s e d . He also h a d her bring him a quiver a n d b o w . Then
he called o u t his father-in-law.
" I t ' s h o r r i b l e ! " h e s a i d . " T h e s e a r e monkeys y o u ' v e b e e n c a l l i n g g o d s
a n d f e e d i n g p e o p l e t o all t h e s e y e a r s . L o o k ! T h i s i s M r . M o n k e y . Y o u
c a n k e e p h i m t i e d t o y o u r h o u s e , a n d i f a n y o n e d o e s a n y t o r m e n t i n g it's
you, n o t M r . M o n k e y . B u t y o u ' v e h a d i t all b a c k w a r d s ! W e l l , y o u c a n b e
s u r e t h e s e m o n k e y s w o n ' t t r o u b l e y o u a n y m o r e a s l o n g a s I'm h e r e ! "
He p i n c h e d o n e of the m o n k e y s ' ears. It did not react. The whole thing
w a s r a t h e r funny. T h e m o n k e y s s e e m e d quite t a m e ! Slightly reassured,
the gentleman agreed that they had had everything wrong. "From now
o n you'll b e o u r g o d , " h e s a i d , " a n d we'll do w h a t e v e r y o u s a y ! " He
r u b b e d his h a n d s t o g e t h e r ingratiatingly.
T h e y o u n g m a n led h i m off t o s e e t h e m a y o r , h e r d i n g t h e m o n k e y s
along. His k n o c k on the gate again got no answer.
"Open u p ! " the gentleman shouted. "I've got to speak to y o u ! There'll
be trouble o t h e r w i s e ! " This threat brought out the mayor, trembling with
f e a r , t o o p e n u p . A t t h e s i g h t o f t h e sacrificial v i c t i m h e t h r e w h i m s e l f
p r o s t r a t e o n t h e g r o u n d . T h e y o u n g m a n led his m o n k e y s i n t o t h e h o u s e
a n d s p o k e t o t h e m w i t h f u r y i n h i s e y e s . " Y o u ' v e falsely c a l l e d y o u r s e l v e s
g o d s , a n d each y e a r y o u ' v e killed a n d eaten a h u m a n being. N o w y o u ' r e
g o i n g t o m e n d y o u r w a y s ! " H e fitted a n a r r o w t o his b o w s t r i n g a n d t o o k
a i m . T h e m o n k e y s s c r e a m e d i n a b j e c t fear, a n d t h e m a y o r w a s s o a l a r m e d
t h a t h e a s k e d t h e g e n t l e m a n , " I s h e g o i n g t o kill u s , t o o ? S a v e u s ! "
" K e e p c a l m , " t h e g e n t l e m a n a n s w e r e d . " N o t h i n g will h a p p e n a s l o n g
as I'm h e r e . "
" A l l r i g h t , " t h e y o u n g m a n w e n t o n , " I w o n ' t h a v e y o u r lives. B u t i f
y o u e v e r s h o w y o u r s e l v e s h e r e again, a n d try a n y mischief against the
p e o p l e , I p r o m i s e I'll s h o o t y o u . "
H e g a v e e a c h m o n k e y t w e n t y b l o w s o f h i s staff, t h e n s e n t t h e v i l l a g e r s
t o s m a s h a n d b u r n w h a t w a s left o f t h e s h r i n e . Next, he drove the
m o n k e y s o u t o f t h e v i l l a g e . T h e y r a n off, l i m p i n g , d e e p i n t o t h e m o u n -
tains a n d w e r e never seen again.
N o w t h e g r e a t e s t m a n i n t h e village, the y o u n g m a n stayed o n w i t h his
w i f e . T h e v i l l a g e r s w e r e a t h i s b e c k a n d call. P e r h a p s h e t o l d t h i s s t o r y
w h e n h e c a m e b a c k t o o u r l a n d for a s e c r e t visit. S i n c e t h e p e o p l e b e y o n d
the waterfall h a d no cattle, horses, or dogs he brought them puppies
( d o g s a r e g r e a t e n e m i e s o f m o n k e y s ) a n d foals for t h e m t o p u t t o w o r k ,
a n d t h e s e all m u l t i p l i e d . B u t a l t h o u g h h e s o m e t i m e s v i s i t e d o u r l a n d , n o
o n e from h e r e e v e r visited his.
1 8 9 .

CANNIBAL ISLAND

A m a n from K y u s h u o n c e set off b y b o a t , w i t h a g o o d c r e w o f m e n , t o

t r a d e i n p a r t s u n k n o w n . O n t h e r e t u r n v o y a g e t h e s h i p ' s first landfall
w a s a l a r g e i s l a n d far off t h e s o u t h w e s t e r n c o a s t o f K y u s h u . I t s e e m e d
i n h a b i t e d , a n d t h e c r e w w e r e all for p u t t i n g i n a n d t a k i n g o n s o m e
p r o v i s i o n s . W h e n , t h e y l a n d e d , s o m e w a n d e r e d off t o l o o k o v e r t h e i s l a n d
while others scattered to replenish their supply of chopsticks.
T h e soon h e a r d a large g r o u p of people c o m i n g d o w n from t h e heights
o f t h e i s l a n d . F o r all t h e y k n e w , t h e i s l a n d e r s c o u l d b e d e m o n s . R u s h i n g
back to the ship, they quickly put some sea b e t w e e n themselves a n d the
shore.
M o r e than a h u n d r e d natives hove into view, dressed in white with
tall, n o d d i n g c a p s o n t h e i r h e a d s . It w a s a familiar c o s t u m e . T h a n k
g o o d n e s s t h e y w e r e h u m a n s a f t e r all! A p p a r e n t l y t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g t o
fear. Still, i n s o r e m o t e a s p o t t h e s e fellows c o u l d e a s i l y b e m u r d e r o u s
e n o u g h , a n d t h e r e c e r t a i n l y w e r e a lot o f t h e m . T h e m e n k e p t r o w i n g .
T h e islanders reached the edge of the water, saw that the boat w a s
r e t r e a t i n g , a n d c a m e straight on into t h e sea. Being fighters, t h e c r e w
w e r e w e l l a r m e d . E v e r y m a n h a d a n a r r o w fitted t o t h e s t r i n g a s t h e y
w a r n e d t h e i r p u r s u e r s off. T h e c o m p l e t e l y u n a r m e d i s l a n d e r s g l a r e d a t
the ship a m o m e n t in silence, t h e n t u r n e d r o u n d a n d d i s a p p e a r e d again
up onto the island.
W h a t h a d t h e islanders h a d in m i n d ? T h e c r e w did not really w a n t to
find o u t , a n d s i n c e t h e i s l a n d e r s c o u l d p e r f e c t l y w e l l t r y c o m i n g a f t e r
t h e m again, t h e y followed the p r o m p t i n g o f their fear a n d r o w e d a w a y
for g o o d .
Back in K y u s h u they told e v e r y o n e they met a b o u t the incident. An
o l d m a n w h o h e a r d t h e s t o r y s a i d t h e y h a d b e e n o n T o r a I s l a n d . A s far
as he k n e w , t h e islanders did indeed have h u m a n form, b u t w e r e actually
c a n n i b a l s w h o w o u l d o v e r p o w e r a n y u n w a r y v i s i t o r a n d kill a n d e a t h i m .
" Y o u b o y s d i d w e l l t o g e t a w a y from t h e r e , " h e d e c l a r e d . " I f t h e y ' d
g o t t e n a t y o u , y o u ' d h a v e all b e e n d e a d , a r m e d o r n o t ! " T h e m e n q u a k e d
afresh at this n e w s a n d w o n d e r e d at their n a r r o w escape.
2 8 2

H A U N T S I I

l a o .

NO NONSENSE!

T h e s p l e n d i d m a n s i o n o f T o r u , t h e M i n i s t e r o f t h e Left, w a s called
K a w a r a - n o - i n , o r R i v e r s i d e . T o r u w a s e s p e c i a l l y p r o u d o f its e l a b o r a t e
g a r d e n . W h e n h e d i e d , his h e i r s offered t h e p l a c e t o R e t i r e d E m p e r o r
Uda.
Late one night U d a heard someone open a storeroom in the west wing
a n d c o m e rustling t o w a r d him. Peering into the d a r k n e s s he saw, kneel-
i n g n o w s o m e six feet a w a y , a g e n t l e m a n i n e l e g a n t e v e r y d a y d r e s s ,
c a r r y i n g a courtier's b a t o n a n d w e a r i n g a s w o r d in t h e m a n n e r of a v e r y
great lord.
" W h o are y o u ? " Uda asked.
" T h e m a s t e r of this h o u s e . "
"You mean you're the Minister T o r u ? "
"Yes, I am."
" W h a t do you want? "
" W e l l , t h e h o u s e i s m i n e , a n d i f I m a y s a y s o , y o u r living h e r e t o o
m a k e s t h e p l a c e a b i t s m a l l for m e . I w o n d e r w h a t y o u s u g g e s t . "
" T h i s i s v e r y o d d , " s a i d U d a , his v o i c e r i s i n g w i t h a n g e r . " W h e n d i d I
e v e r r o b a m a n o f h i s h o u s e ? I live h e r e b e c a u s e y o u r h e i r s g a v e t h e p l a c e
t o me. Y o u r b e i n g a g h o s t d o e s n ' t m e a n y o u t a l k s e n s e . W h a t ' s all t h i s
about?"
T h e ghost v a n i s h e d instantly a n d w a s never seen again.
P e o p l e w e r e v e r y i m p r e s s e d w i t h H i s M a j e s t y ' s h a n d l i n g o f t h e inci-
d e n t . " N o o r d i n a r y m a n , " t h e y said, "could possible have a r g u e d s o
forcefully w i t h a g h o s t ! "
i 9 i .

QUITE A BIT OF NONSENSE

O n c e , R e t i r e d E m p e r o r U d a t o o k a c a r r i a g e ride w i t h o n e of his c o n s o r t s
t o h i s R i v e r s i d e P a l a c e . T h e v i e w f r o m t h e r e w a s lovely, a n d t h a t n i g h t
t h e m o o n w a s v e r y bright. U d a h a d the m a t s from his carriage s p r e a d
o u t in o n e of the r o o m s , t h e n he a n d the c o n s o r t lay d o w n . T h e y w e r e
m a k i n g love w h e n a s t o r e r o o m d o o r o p e n e d a n d a voice s p o k e .
" W h o ' s t h e r e ? " U d a called.
" T o r u , " s a i d t h e v o i c e . " I w a n t y o u r c o n s o r t for n u . "
"You were just a minister w h e n y o u were alive," U d a retorted. "I'm
an emperor. H o w dare you? Go away!"
T h e g h o s t c l u t c h e d a t U d a , w h o w a s h a l f d e a d w i t h fright. H i s s e r v a n t s
w e r e all t o o far a w a y t o h e a r h i m c r y o u t . O n l y t h e little o x h e r d w a s
n e a r b y , t e n d i n g t h e o x from t h e c a r r i a g e w h i l e i t g r a z e d . U d a h a d h i m
g e t t h e c a r r i a g e b r o u g h t r o u n d a n d h e l p e d his c o n s o r t i n t o it. S h e w a s
ghastly pale and could not even stand.
As soon as U d a got home, he sent an exorcist to take care of the ghost.
H e w a s v e r y l u c k y t h a t t h e g o d s w e r e still w a t c h i n g o v e r h i m e v e n
though he had abdicated. There were sword cuts on the storeroom door,
m a d e by the gods as they slashed at Toru's ghost a n d forced him back
inside.

1 9 2 .

ONE MOUTHFUL

L o n g a g o . R e t i r e d E m p e r o r Y o z e i lived i n a h a u n t e d p a l a c e i n n o r t h e r n
Kyoto.
O n e n i g h t a g u a r d w a s a s l e e p i n t h e F i s h i n g P a v i l i o n , a p a v i l i o n for
parties a n d m o o n - v i e w i n g built out over the large g a r d e n p o n d . S u d d e n l y
h e a w o k e t o feel s k i n n y f i n g e r s p l a y i n g l i g h t l y o v e r his face. F r i g h t e n e d
b y the eerie sensation, h e d r e w his s w o r d a n d seized the i n t r u d e r . H e
h a d c a p t u r e d a m i s e r a b l e o l d m a n d r e s s e d all i n p a l e b l u e .
" T h i s i s w h e r e / l i v e d a l o n g t i m e a g o , " t h e o l d m a n said dolefully.
" I ' m U r a s h i m a ' s y o u n g e r b r o t h e r , y o u k n o w , a n d I've b e e n h e r e for
2 8 4

t w e l v e h u n d r e d y e a r s . P l e a s e let m e g o ! I f o n l y y o u ' l l b u i l d m e a s h r i n e
a n d d o m e p r o p e r h o n o r , I'll w i l l i n g l y p r o t e c t t h e p l a c e ! "
" B u t i t i s n ' t j u s t u p t o me," t h e g u a r d r e p l i e d . "I'll h a v e t o c o n s u l t H i s
Majesty a b o u t it."
" O h y o u will, will y o u ? " s n a r l e d t h e o l d m a n . H e k i c k e d t h e g u a r d
h i g h i n t h e a i r t h r e e t i m e s . T h e last t i m e t h e g u a r d c a m e d o w n , a s l i m p
a s a r a g , h e o p e n e d h i s m o u t h a n d s w a l l o w e d h i m . A t first h e h a d l o o o k e d
quite o r d i n a r y , b u t t h e n he g r e w so h u g e that he m a d e just one mouthful
of t h a t g u a r d .

1 o 3 .

SUDDENLY, HORSE DUNG

O n e e v e n i n g a n i m p e r i a l b a t h a t t e n d a n t ( a w o m a n ) w e n t off o n a visit,
t a k i n g h e r little s o n A k o b o s h i a n d s o m e f r i e n d s o f h i s a l o n g w i t h h e r . A s
t w i l i g h t fell t h e b o y s b e g a n a w r e s t l i n g g a m e o u t s i d e t h e h o u s e . S u d d e n l y
s o m e t h i n g like a h u g e c u r t a i n ( t h e y n e v e r d i d g e t a g o o d l o o k it) c a m e
d o w n o v e r t h e m from t h e w a l l t h e y w e r e p l a y i n g u n d e r , a n d A k o b o s h i
d i s a p p e a r e d . T h e o t h e r b o y s r a n off, t e r r i f i e d . T h e y w e r e afraid t o tell
anyone what had happened.
T h e w o m a n w a s v e r y u p s e t w h e n s h e m i s s e d h e r son a n d h u n t e d
e v e r y w h e r e for h i m , b u t i n v a i n . I n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e t h i r d n i g h t after his
d i s a p p e a r a n c e t h e r e w a s a k n o c k i n g o n h e r g a t e . N o t d a r i n g t o o p e n it,
she m a n a g e d to cry out, " W h o ' s t h e r e ? "
" W e w a n t t o give y o u back y o u r son! O p e n u p ! "
S h e w a s too frightened to obey. N e x t , she h e a r d voices on her roof
a n d a r o a r o f l a u g h t e r . S o m e t h i n g fell, o r w a s t h r o w n , t o t h e g r o u n d .
F i g h t i n g b a c k h e r t e r r o r , s h e lit a t o r c h a n d w e n t for a l o o k . I t w a s
A k o b o s h i , l y i n g l i m p a n d still. T h e o n l y s i g n o f life i n h i m w a s t h a t h e
blinked.
S h e c a l l e d a h e a l e r a n d his m e d i u m . W h e n t h e m e d i u m w e n t i n t o h e r
t r a n c e , A k o b o s h i w a s s u d d e n l y c o v e r e d w i t h s o m e s o r t o f b r o w n i s h stuff.
I t t u r n e d o u t t o b e h o r s e d u n g , t h r e e b u c k e t f u l s o f it. A k o b o s h i n e v e r
t o l d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d t o h i m , b u t h e r e v i v e d a n d w a s still alive t e n
y e a r s or so later.
T h i s h a p p e n e d a r o u n d 1 2 1 5 . I g o t t h i s from s o m e o n e w h o w a s t h e r e a t
the time.
1
9 A •
THE MONK IN WHITE ARMOR

N a k a k a n e , t h e g o v e r n o r o f O m i , w a s g o i n g every d a y t o help his father,

L o r d M i t s u t o , b u i l d t h e H o j u j i t e m p l e . H e left t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n site o n e
e v e n i n g a f t e r s u n d o w n , a n d d a r k n e s s fell w h i l e h i s c a r r i a g e w a s r o l l i n g
a l o n g i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f T o j i . T h e r e w a s n o o n e b e h i n d h i m b e c a u s e all h i s
attendants were running on ahead.
B y t h e faint light o f t h e s t a r s N a k a k a n e s a w a m o n k i n w h i t e a r m o r
w a l k i n g b e h i n d h i s c a r r i a g e . H o w v e r y o d d ! Lifting t h e c a r r i a g e ' s r e a r
b l i n d for a b e t t e r l o o k , h e t h o u g h t h e r e c o g n i z e d o n e J i r o , a m o n k w h o m
his father h a d dismissed from his service a n d d r i v e n a w a y . P e r h a p s J i r o
w a s p l a n n i n g a n a t t a c k . Still, i t w a s all v e r y s t r a n g e .
I n s t e a d o f w a r n i n g his a t t e n d a n t s , N a k a k a n e g r i p p e d the s w o r d t h a t
w a s k e p t i n t h e c a r r i a g e for e m e r g e n c i e s , j u m p e d d o w n , a n d f a c e d t h e
monk.
"Is that y o u , J i r o ? " h e called threateningly. " W h a t are y o u d o i n g
h e r e ? I d o n ' t like t h e l o o k o f y o u ! " A n d h e c h a r g e d .
The monk grew huge, then seemed to vanish. Suddenly something
k n o c k e d N a k a k a n e ' s h a t off from a b o v e a n d lifted h i m u p b y t h e h a i r .
S l a s h i n g o v e r h i s h e a d w i t h t h e s w o r d , N a k a k a n e s t r u c k s o m e t h i n g solid.
W h a t e v e r i t w a s let g o , a n d h e fell t o t h e g r o u n d w i t h b l o o d all o v e r h i s
r o b e a n d his right a r m .
H a v i n g no idea w h a t had h a p p e n e d , N a k a k a n e ' s servants w e n t on to
L o r d Mitsuto's house as ordered. T h e y only realized the carriage w a s
e m p t y w h e n t h e i r m a s t e r failed t o g e t o u t o f it. B a c k t h e y w e n t t h e w a y
t h e y h a d c o m e , i n g r e a t a l a r m , a n d d i s c o v e r e d N a k a k a n e i n a field s o u t h
of Toji. He w a s d e a d , s w o r d in h a n d . T h e y c a r r i e d him h o m e a n d h a d a
p r o t e c t i v e r i t e d o n e o v e r h i m for s e v e r a l d a y s u n t i l h e c a m e b a c k t o life.
T h e R e t i r e d E m p e r o r a s k e d for t h e s w o r d , a n d i t e n d e d u p i n t h e
treasury of Sanjusangendo.
2 8 6

D R E A M S

i 9 5 .

LITTLE WHITE HAIRS

O n e d a y w h e n t h e " S a g e M i n i s t e r " S a n e s u k e w a s still o n l y a c o u n s e l o r ,

h e d o z e d off i n h i s c a r r i a g e o n t h e w a y o u t o f t h e p a l a c e . H o v e r i n g
b e t w e e n d r e a m a n d w a k i n g , h e n o t i c e d a little m a n all i n w h i t e c a t c h i n g
u p w i t h h i m fast. O n r e a c h i n g t h e c a r r i a g e t h e little m a n lifted t h e r e a r
blind. Sanesuke was indignant. " W h a t do y o u w a n t ? " he growled. "I
d o n ' t like y o u . G o a w a y ! "
" I ' m f r o m t h e k i n g o f h e l l , " t h e little m a n a n s w e r e d . " M y n a m e i s Little
W h i t e H a i r s . " He j u m p e d into the carriage, hopped onto Sanesuke's
head, and disappeared.
B a c k a t h o m e S a n e s u k e l o o k e d i n t h e m i r r o r a n d s a w his first w h i t e
h a i r . H e h a d n e v e r b e e n m u c h i n t e r e r e s t e d i n religion b e f o r e , b u t after
t h a t h e b e g a n t o t h i n k a b o u t t h e life t o c o m e .

1 Q 6 .

THE MAN WHO STOLE A DREAM

Hiki no M a k i b i t o , a c o u n t y magistrate's son in Bitchu province, w e n t to

see a d r e a m - r e a d e r a b o u t a puzzling d r e a m he had had. Sitting chatting
w i t h the w o m a n after she h a d given her reading, he heard a party of
people a p p r o a c h i n g . It w a s the provincial governor's eldest son, a boy of
sixteen or so, a c c o m p a n i e d by half a dozen men.
T h e g o v e r n o r ' s son w a s very h a n d s o m e . "It this the d r e a m - r e a d e r
w o m a n ' s p l a c e ? " he a s k e d his m e n , a n d t h e y told him it w a s . M a k i b i t o
retired to an inner room a n d w a t c h e d t h r o u g h a hole in the wall as t h e
y o u n g m a n e n t e r e d , told his d r e a m , a n d a s k e d w h a t it m e a n t . " T h a t ' s a
r e m a r k a b l e d r e a m , sir," the w o m a n replied. "It means y o u ' r e sure to end
up as a minister at court. Yes indeed, that's a wonderful d r e a m ! But be
c a r e f u l n o w , sir, d o n ' t tell a n y o n e else a b o u t i t . " T h e y o u n g m a n l o o k e d
v e r y pleased. On leaving he g a v e h e r his cloak.
M a k i b i t o e m e r g e d from t h e b a c k . " I h e a r it's p o s s i b l e t o t a k e o v e r
s o m e o n e e l s e ' s d r e a m , " h e s a i d . " W h y n o t let m e h a v e t h a t y o u n g g e n t l e -
m a n ' s ? T h e g o v e r n o r will b e off t o t h e C a p i t a l a g a i n o n c e his f o u r - y e a r
t e r m i s o v e r , b u t I'm y o u r n e i g h b o r a n d a l w a y s will b e . B e s i d e s , m y
father's the c o u n t y magistrate a n d y o u might as well be nice to m e . "
T h e w o m a n a g r e e d a n d told him w h a t to d o . " C o m e in just as the
y o u n g g e n t l e m a n d i d , " s h e s a i d , " a n d tell m e h i s d r e a m e x a c t l y a s h e t o l d
it himself." M a k i b i t o cheerfully imitated the g e n t l e m a n ' s e n t r a n c e a n d
narration in every detail, a n d the w o m a n gave him precesely the interpre-
tation s h e h a d just given. M a k i b i t o r e m o v e d his cloak, g a v e it to her, a n d
left.
A f t e r t h a t h e a p p l i e d h i m s e l f s o s t u d i o u s l y t o his b o o k s t h a t h i s s c h o l -
arship c a m e to the attention of the court. W h e n tested, he did so well
t h a t h e w a s s e n t t o s t u d y i n C h i n a , r e t u r n i n g h o m e after a l o n g a n d
fruitful s t a y t o f i n d f a v o r w i t h t h e e m p e r o r . I n t i m e h e w a s p r o m o t e d t o
minister.
So it pays to steal s o m e o n e else's d r e a m . T h e g o v e r n o r ' s son n e v e r got
a n official p o s t a t all. H a d h e k e p t h i s d r e a m h e w o u l d h a v e b e e n a
minister. You should keep y o u r d r e a m s to yourself!

1
9 7 •

THE BUDDHA-OX

D u r i n g his t e n u r e a s g o v e r n o r o f Echizen, T a i r a n o N a k a k a t a received

from h i s p r o v i n c e t h e gift o f a b l a c k o x . A f t e r r i d i n g t h e a n i m a l for y e a r s ,
h e a t last g a v e i t t o a m o n k h e k n e w a t K i y o m i z u i n K y o t o , a n d t h e m o n k
i n t u r n p a s s e d i t o n t o o n e M a s a n o r i w h o lived i n O t s u a t t h e s o u t h e r n
end of Lake Biwa.
W h e n the holy m a n of S e k i d e r a began rebuilding this venerable temple
f r o m t h e r u i n s left b y l o n g n e g l e c t , h e f o u n d t h a t a l t h o u g h h e h a d a g o o d
2 8 8

w a g o n t o h a u l b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s in, h e h a d n o o x t o pull it. M a s a n o r i ,

n o t far a w a y i n O t s u , h e a r d o f t h e p r o b l e m a n d g a v e h i m t h e b l a c k o x .
The holy man put it straight to work.
T h e o x h a d f i n i s h e d its j o b w h e n a g r e a t m o n k h a d a d r e a m . M y o s o n ,
of M i i d e r a n e a r O t s u , d r e a m e d that he w e n t to S e k i d e r a and found a
black ox t e t h e r e d before t h e main hall. He a s k e d w h a t it w a s d o i n g t h e r e .
" I a m t h e B u d d h a K a s h o , " t h e o x itself r e p l i e d . " I c a m e t o S e k i d e r a i n
the form of an ox to help the temple a n d spread the holy Teaching."
Then Myoson woke up.
H e w a s s o i m p r e s s e d t h a t i n t h e m o r n i n g h e s e n t a d i s c i p l e t o find o u t
w h e t h e r t h e r e r e a l l y w a s a b l a c k o x a t S e k i d e r a , o n e u s e d for h a u l i n g
construction materials. T h e disciple reported that the temple did indeed
h a v e a b i g b l a c k o x w i t h r a t h e r f l a t t e n e d h o r n s . I t w a s t e t h e r e d i n front
of t h e holy m a n ' s lodging. A c c o r d i n g to the holy man, it hauled the
m a t e r i a l s for r e b u i l d i n g t h e t e m p l e .
A m a z e d , M y o s o n set o u t o n foot for S e k i d e r a w i t h a c r o w d o f his m o s t
distinguished m o n k s . T h e ox w a s n o w h e r e to be seen, but the holy man
e x p l a i n e d t h a t h e h a d s e n t i t u p o n t h e hillside t o g r a z e , a n d p r o m i s e d t o
h a v e i t f e t c h e d r i g h t a w a y . A c t u a l l y t h e o x c a m e d o w n t h e hillside b e h i n d
t h e m a i n hall e v e n a s t h e b o y s e n t for i t s t a r t e d u p . M y o s o n w a n t e d i t
c a u g h t , b u t t h i s p r o v e d i m p o s s i b l e . A t last, filled w i t h p i o u s r e v e r e n c e ,
M y o s o n d e c l a r e d t h a t h e w o u l d n o t insist f u r t h e r . "I'll w o r s h i p i t from a
d i s t a n c e , w h e r e v e r it m a y r o a m , " he said, a n d p r o s t r a t e d himself repeat-
e d l y t o w a r d t h e o x . All t h e m o n k s w i t h h i m d i d t h e s a m e .
H a v i n g c i r c l e d t h e hall t h r e e t i m e s c l o c k w i s e , t h e o x lay d o w n i n front
o f i t f a c i n g t h e a l t a r . M y o s o n a n d h i s m o n k s c i r c u m a m b u l a t e d t h e hall
t h r e e t i m e s i n t u r n . T h e m o r e s a i n t l y - l o o k i n g a m o n g t h e m w e r e all i n
tears.
A f t e r M y o s o n left, n e w s o f t h e o x s p r e a d till e v e r y single i n h a b i t a n t o f
t h e C a p i t a l , all t h e g r e a t l o r d s a n d n o b l e s , a n d e v e n t h e r e g e n t h i m s e l f
w i t h h i s w i f e , c a m e t o S e k i d e r a t o w o r s h i p it. S a n e s u k e , t h e M i n i s t e r o f
the Right, w a s the only one not to come.
W h e n Kin'sue, t h e chancellor, m a d e the pilgrimage he met such a press
o f c o m m o n e r s a t t h e t e m p l e t h a t h e t h o u g h t i t u n s a f e t o g e t o u t o f his
carriage (as even so great a m a n as he w o u l d normally have done) before
e n t e r i n g t h e t e m p l e g r o u n d s . I n s t e a d , h e h a d his c a r r i a g e d r i v e s t r a i g h t
i n a n d u p t o t h e o x ' s stall. T h e o x s e e m e d d e e p l y o f f e n d e d b y t h i s s a c r i -
l e g e b e c a u s e i t s u d d e n l y b r o k e its t e t h e r a n d b o l t e d for t h e hills. T h e
c h a n c e l l o r g o t o u t a t o n c e a n d b u r s t i n t o t e a r s a t t h e t h o u g h t t h a t his
conduct had displeased the ox and made it run away.
P e r h a p s m o v e d by his heartfelt r e p e n t a n c e , the ox soon came slowly
b a c k d o w n t h e h i l l s i d e a n d l a y d o w n a g a i n i n its stall. T h e c h a n c e l l o r fed
it g r a s s he h a d g a t h e r e d w i t h his o w n h a n d s ; a n d w h e n it ate the grass,
a l t h o u g h c l e a r l y n o t v e r y h u n g r y , h e c o v e r e d h i s face w i t h his s l e e v e a n d
sobbed. So did everyone looking on.
A f t e r t h e m a s s p i l g r i m a g e h a d c o n t i n u e d for f o u r o r five d a y s , t h e h o l y
m a n d r e a m e d that the ox spoke to him. " M y w o r k at this temple is d o n e
n o w , " i t s a i d , " a n d i n t h e e v e n i n g o f t h e d a y a f t e r t o m o r r o w I'll b e g o i n g
h o m e . " T h e holy m a n w e p t w h e n h e w o k e u p , a n d quickly r e p o r t e d the
d r e a m to M y o s o n . M y o s o n too w a s in tears. He told the holy m a n that
someone at Miidera had had the same dream.
W o r d o f t h i s fresh d e v e l o p m e n t b r o u g h t e v e n g r e a t e r t h r o n g s t o S e k i -
d e r a . O n t h e d a y , all t h e m o n k s o f M i i d e r a a n d M o u n t H i e i w e r e t h e r e ,
a n d t h e s u r r o u n d i n g hills r a n g w i t h t h e i r c h a n t i n g o f t h e A m i d a S u t r a .
T h e scene recalled n o t h i n g so m u c h as that o t h e r d a y so long ago w h e n
t h e B u d d h a S h a k y a m u n i l a y d y i n g , s u r r o u n d e d b y all t h e c o u n t l e s s g r i e v -
ing beings w h o loved him.
A s t h e d a y w o r e o n a n d t h e o x still l o o k e d q u i t e n o r m a l , c e r t a i n
perverse individuals in the c r o w d began joking that it seemed in no h u r r y
to kick the bucket. But w h e n evening came the r e c u m b e n t ox got up,
l u m b e r e d t o t h e m a i n hall, t h e n t w i c e r a n a set o f t h r e e c i r c u m a m b u l a -
t i o n s r o u n d it. S u d d e n l y i t s e e m e d i n p a i n a n d b e g a n a b r u p t l y l y i n g d o w n
a n d g e t t i n g u p a g a i n ; b u t i t still m a n a g e d t o c o m p l e t e t w o o r t h r e e m o r e
s e t s o f c i r c u m a m b u l a t i o n s b e f o r e i t r e t u r n e d t o its stall a n d lay d o w n
w i t h its h e a d , like t h e B u d d h a ' s o n h i s d e a t h b e d , f a c i n g t h e n o r t h . T h e n
i t s t r e t c h e d o u t full l e n g t h o n its s i d e , w i t h its legs e x t e n d e d , a n d d i e d .
All t h e p i l g r i m s g a t h e r e d for t h e o c c a s i o n — l o r d s a n d l a d i e s , c o m m o n
men and w o m e n of every degree, m o n k s and laymen — burst into loud
sobs a n d c h a n t e d the A m i d a S u t r a with a b a n d o n e d fervor.
A f t e r t h e c r o w d h a d left, t h e y d r a g g e d t h e o x a little w a y u p t h e hillside
a n d b u r i e d it. T h e g r a v e w a s t o p p e d w i t h a p r o p e r m a r k e r a n d s u r -
r o u n d e d with a simple picket fence. A l t h o u g h it w a s s u m m e r a n d the
c a r c a s s h a d b e e n b u r i e d r a t h e r t h a n c r e m a t e d , t h e g r a v e g a v e off n o o d o r
a t all. E v e r y s e v e n d a y s t h e r e a f t e r s u t r a s w e r e r e a d a t t h e g r a v e u n t i l
the forty-ninth day w a s past; and services continued to be performed in
the s a m e way, at the p r o p e r intervals, until the a n n i v e r s a r y of the ox's
passing.
T h e b u d d h a o f S e k i d e r a i s M i r o k u . I t c a n b e fairly s a i d t h a t e v e r y
person w h o travels between the Capital a n d the eastern or northern
provinces w o r s h i p s at S e k i d e r a , a n d that a single act of heartfelt w o r s h i p
here has assured each pilgrim of the k a r m a to be b o r n again into M i r o -
ku s perfect w o r l d . It w a s to give us the c h a n c e to gain such merit that
K a s h o t o o k t h e f o r m o f a n o x a n d u r g e d u s t o g r e a t e r faith. H o w s t r a n g e
a n d w o n d e r f u l a tale the story m a k e s !
2 9 0

i a o .

THE FALCONER'S DREAM

A f a l c o n e r w i t h m a n y s o n s o n c e lived i n t h e w e s t e r n p a r t o f t h e C a p i t a l ,
n e a r S a g a M o o r . F a l c o n r y w a s h i s w h o l e life. H e k e p t s e v e n o r e i g h t
h a w k s a t h o m e ( j u s t f e e d i n g t h e m , e s p e c i a l l y i n s u m m e r , m e a n t killing s o
m a n y c r e a t u r e s ! ) a n d t w i c e t h a t n u m b e r o f d o g s . N i g h t s h e w o u l d sit till
d a w n w i t h a h a w k on his fist; a n d every day, w h a t e v e r the season, he
would be out in the fields hunting pheasants.
W h e n h e w a s o l d , h e c a m e d o w n w i t h a little illness a n d o n e n i g h t w a s
u n a b l e t o s l e e p . T o w a r d d a w n w h e n h e f i n a l l y d o z e d off, h e h a d t h i s
dream.
T h e r e w a s a h o l e i n a m o u n d o n S a g a M o o r , a n d h e lived i n i t w i t h his
wife a n d children. T h e y h a d been awfully cold that winter, but n o w
s p r i n g w a s h e r e a n d t h e d a y w a s s o w a r m t h e y all w e n t o u t t o s u n
t h e m s e l v e s a n d p i c k fresh g r e e n s . T h e n i c e w e a t h e r m a d e t h e m w a n d e r
off i n all d i r e c t i o n s a l o n g w a y f r o m h o m e .
S u d d e n l y a b a b b l e o f v o i c e s r o s e from t h e w o o d n o r t h o f U z u m a s a ,
m i n g l e d w i t h t h e j i n g l i n g o f b e l l s . T h e s o u n d all b u t s t o p p e d his h e a r t
w i t h t e r r o r . F r o m t h e t o p o f a rise h e s a w m e n a p p r o a c h i n g o n swift
horses, wearing brocade caps, spotted cloaks, bearskin chaps, and
s w o r d s in b o a r h i d e s c a b b a r d s . T h e fiendish h a w k s on their fists had tiny
b e l l s o n a n d w e r e s t r a i n i n g t o fly.
O n t h e y came, s p r e a d across Saga M o o r , a n d others walked before
t h e m in rush hats, d a r k - b l u e cloaks, red leather sleeves, leather trousers,
a n d b o o t s o f fur. T h e s e w e r e b e a t i n g t h e t h i c k e t s w i t h s t i c k s ; a n d h u g e ,
b e l l e d d o g s , like l i o n s , r a n b e s i d e t h e m , j i n g l i n g like t h e h a w k s b u t i n
deeper tones.
H i s eyes w e n t d i m a n d his h e a d s w a m . "I've got t o w a r n m y wife
and children!" he thought. "I've got to hide t h e m ! " But they were
widely scattered a n d could not possibly hear him. He dove in panic
i n t o a d e e p t h i c k e t w h i l e T a r o , h i s e l d e s t a n d d e a r e s t son, h i d i n a n o t h e r
nearby.
T h e d o g - k e e p e r s a n d f a l c o n e r s w e r e all o v e r t h e m o o r . I n h o r r o r h e
w a t c h e d a d o g - k e e p e r h e a d for T a r o ' s t h i c k e t , b e a t i n g t h e tall, d e n s e
p a m p a s g r a s s e s flat w h i l e t h e d o g , its bell j i n g l i n g , f o l l o w e d , i n t e n t l y
sniffing t h e g r o u n d . I t w a s all o v e r for T a r o .
S u r e e n o u g h , T a r o s t a r t e d u p a n d t h e k e e p e r g a v e a s h o u t . T h e fal-
c o n e r , w h o h a d h u n g b a c k a little, r e l e a s e d his h a w k . T a r o flew d e s p e r -
a t e l y , h i g h i n t h e air, w i t h t h e h a w k i n f i e r c e p u r s u i t ; t h e n d r o p p e d a g a i n ,
e x h a u s t e d . F r o m b e l o w , t h e h a w k s e i z e d his b r e a s t a n d h e a d . T h e t w o
tell. T h e d o g - k e e p e r r u s h e d u p , p u l l e d off t h e h a w k , p i c k e d u p T a r o , a n d
w r u n g h i s n e c k . T a r o let o u t a pitiful c r y t h a t p i e r c e d t h e p o o r f a t h e r ' s
h e a r t like a s w o r d .
A n d w h a t a b o u t h i s s e c o n d s o n , J i r o ? H e s a w a d o g , sniffing its w a y
t o w a r d J i r o ' s t h i c k e t , s u d d e n l y c h a r g e a n d c a t c h J i r o i n its j a w s . T h o u g h
J i r o f l a p p e d his w i n g s f r a n t i c a l l y , t h e k e e p e r r a n u p a n d w r u n g h i s n e c k ,
too.
" A n d m y t h i r d s o n , S a b u r o ? " h e w o n d e r e d . A n o t h e r d o g w a s sniffing
toward Saburo's thicket. When the trapped Saburo started up, the
k e e p e r k n o c k e d h i m d o w n w i t h a b l o w o n t h e h e a d from h i s s t i c k .
W i t h all h i s s o n s n o w d e a d , t h e f a t h e r p r a y e d i n a n g u i s h t h a t a t least
his wife might e s c a p e . H e w a t c h e d h e r f l y u p before t h e d o g s r e a c h e d
h e r a n d m a k e for t h e hills t o t h e n o r t h . A f a l c o n e r l o o s e d h i s h a w k a n d
g a l l o p e d i n p u r s u i t . S h e r a c e d for c o v e r i n a t h i c k e t u n d e r a d i s t a n t p i n e ,
b u t a d o g r i g h t b e h i n d h e r c a u g h t h e r i n its j a w s . T h e f a l c o n e r r e t r i e v e d
his h a w k , w h i c h h a d p e r c h e d o n the tree.
T h e w i t n e s s to this c a r n a g e had taken refuge d e e p in a c l u m p of thick
grasses a n d tangled b r a m b l e s . N o w he s a w not one but half a d o z e n dogs,
t h e i r bells j i n g l i n g , sniffing t h e i r w a y t o w a r d h i m . I t w a s t o o m u c h for
h i m a n d h e t o o t r i e d f l e e i n g t o w a r d t h e hills. H a w k a f t e r h a w k f i l l e d t h e
sky in pursuit, some high, some low; and below on the ground a horde
of d o g s followed a m i d a dreadful din of bells. B e h i n d t h e m galloped t h e
f a l c o n e r s , a n d t h e d o g - k e e p e r s c a m e after, b e a t i n g t h e t h i c k e t s w i t h t h e i r
s t i c k s . H e r a c e d o n a n d d o v e w i t h a last effort i n t o a n o t h e r d e e p t h i c k e t .
T h e h a w k s p e r c h e d o n a tall t r e e n e a r b y a n d j i n g l e d t h e i r bells t o let t h e
d o g s k n o w w h e r e h e w a s . T h e d o g s soon found his hideout. T h e r e w a s
n o e s c a p e . T h e d o g - k e e p e r s ' s h o u t s w e r e like t h u n d e r . K n o w i n g h e w a s
f i n i s h e d , h e d i d t h e last t h i n g h e c o u l d : h e h i d his h e a d i n t h e m u d d y
floor o f t h e t h i c k e t , l e a v i n g o n l y h i s tail s t i c k i n g u p . T h e d o g s w e r e v e r y
close. " N o w ! " h e t h o u g h t — a n d w o k e u p .

H e w a s d r e n c h e d i n s w e a t . R e a l i z i n g h e h a d d r e a m e d i t all, h e s a w
t h a t w h a t h e h a d d r e a m e d w a s t h e h u n t i n g h e h i m s e l f h a d e n j o y e d all h i s
life. H e h a d killed s o m a n y p h e a s a n t s ! N o w a t last h e k n e w w h a t h e h a d
done, and understood with horror that he had sinned past reckoning.
T o o i m p a t i e n t t o w a i t for d a w n , h e i m m e d i a t e l y freed all h i s h a w k s a n d
d o g s , t h e n g a t h e r e d t h e i r g e a r t o g e t h e r a n d b u r n e d it. H a v i n g t o l d t h e
d r e a m , in tears, to his wife a n d children, he w e n t straight to a m o u n t a i n
t e m p l e , s h a v e d his h e a d , a n d b e c a m e a m o n k . F o r t e n y e a r s h e called
A m i d a ' s N a m e d a y a n d night until he achieved a holy passing.
2 9 2

1
9 9 •

POVERTY

A miserably poor m o n k of Miidera decided that the temple had nothing

t o offer h i m , a n d t h a t i f h e m e a n t t o c l a i m t h e s u c c e s s h e d e s e r v e d h e
w o u l d h a v e to try elsewhere. N o t w a n t i n g to leave in b r o a d daylight,
e s p e c i a l l y l o o k i n g a s s h a b b y a s h e d i d , h e stole off i n t h e d a r k n e s s b e f o r e
d a w n . H a v i n g a l o n g , h a r d r o a d a h e a d o f h i m , h e s o o n lay d o w n for a
nap.
H e d r e a m e d o f a p a l e , s a d , s k i n n y y o u t h , c l e a r l y a t r a v e l e r like himself,
w h o m he h a d not seen before. " W h o are y o u ? " he asked.
" Y o u r servant these m a n y y e a r s , " the y o u t h replied. " W e ' v e never
b e e n a p a r t a n d I'm c o m i n g w i t h y o u n o w . "
"I don't know you. What's your name?"
" I ' m not exactly a p e r s o n so I don't have a normal n a m e . But people
w h o c a t c h a g l i m p s e o f m e call m e P o v e r t y . "
T h e m o n k w o k e u p a n d u n d e r s t o o d his real future. W i t h that y o u t h
b e s i d e h i m h e m i g h t a s w e l l s t a y p u t . B a c k h e w e n t t o M i i d e r a , lost i n
thought.

S C A R E S

A N D

N I G H T M A R E S

3 O O .

THE NIGHTMARE

It w a s d u r i n g E m p e r o r Konoe's reign that the great warrior Yorimasa

p e r f o r m e d t h e m o s t f a m o u s o f all h i s d e e d s .
Every night the emperor w a s oppressed by a mysterious agony which
t h e h o l i e s t m o n k s , w o r k i n g all t h e i r h e a l i n g r i t e s , s e e m e d u n a b l e t o r e -
lieve. I n t h e s m a l l h o u r s a b l a c k c l o u d w o u l d rise from a w o o d s o m e w a y
oA a n d settle o v e r the palace. T h e n H i s Majesty's ordeal w o u l d begin.
T h e c o u r t h e l d a c o u n c i l a n d r e c a l l e d t h a t s o m e t h i n g like t h i s h a d
happened in the past. General Yoshiie had stood guard that time,
t w a n g e d his b o w w h e n the m o m e n t c a m e , a n d r o a r e d out his n a m e a n d
titles j u s t a s a w a r r i o r d o e s b e f o r e f i g h t i n g a h u m a n e n e m y . H i s M a j e s t y
got better at once. So the court decided to post another warrior guard.
T h e y chose Yorimasa, w h o w a s not then of very high rank. T h e com-
m a n d troubled him, a n d he protested that a warrior's job w a s to suppress
r e b e l l i o n o r t o i m p o s e t h e i m p e r i a l will o n t h e r e c a l c i t r a n t . "Who has
ever b e e n o r d e r e d t o s u b d u e a n invisible m o n s t e r ? ' ' h e d e m a n d e d t o
k n o w . But since he could not v e r y well refuse, he p r e s e n t e d himself at
the palace just t h e s a m e , w i t h a single lieutenant.
H i s lieutenant's a r r o w s w e r e feathered with eagle pinions, while Yori-
m a s a h a d c h o s e n for h i m s e l f t w o b a r b e d a r r o w s f e a t h e r e d f r o m a m o u n -
t a i n p h e a s a n t ' s tail. W i t h h i s b l a c k - l a c q u e r e d b o w i n h a n d Y o r i m a s a
stood g u a r d before the palace's south entrance. He held both a r r o w s
r e a d y , r e f l e c t i n g t h a t i f h e m i s s e d t h e m o n s t e r w i t h t h e first h e c o u l d
a l w a y s u s e t h e s e c o n d t o s h o o t t h e c l e v e r fellow w h o h a d p u t h i m u p for
this duty.
T h e b l a c k c l o u d m o v e d o v e r t h e p a l a c e w i t h a s t r a n g e s h a p e i n s i d e it.
H i s w h o l e c a r e e r a t s t a k e , Y o r i m a s a fitted a n a r r o w t o t h e s t r i n g , c a l l e d
s i l e n t l y o n his c l a n g o d H a c h i m a n , a n d let f l y .
T h e r e w a s n o d o u b t a b o u t t h e hit. H i s b o w a r m felt i t i n s t a n t l y a n d h e
y e l l e d i n t r i u m p h . T h e t h i n g fell. H i s l i e u t e n a n t m o v e d i n swiftly, p i n n e d
i t t o t h e g r o u n d , a n d r a n i t t h r o u g h n i n e t i m e s w i t h his s w o r d . W h e n
light a r r i v e d , t h e y s a w a b e a s t w i t h a m o n k e y ' s h e a d , a b a d g e r ' s b o d y , a
s n a k e ' s tail, a n d a t i g e r ' s p a w s . Its m o a n i n g c r y h a d s o u n d e d like a n i g h t
thrush. It certainly looked frightening.
O v e r c o m e w i t h relief a n d g r a t i t u d e , t h e e m p e r o r g a v e Y o r i m a s a a n
imperial s w o r d n a m e d Lion King. After that Yorimasa's n a m e w a s hon-
o r e d a t c o u r t . T h e m o n s t e r ' s b o d y w a s stuffed i n t o a h o l l o w log a n d s e n t
floating d o w n the river. His Majesty w a s never bothered again.
2 9 4

2 O 1

THE DOUBLE

L o r d M i n a m o t o n o M a s a m i c h i lived s o u t h o f F o u r t h A v e n u e a n d w e s t o f
M u r o m a c h i S t r e e t i n K y o t o . H i s s o n , n o t y e t t w o y e a r s old, w a s p l a y i n g
by himself outside w h e n s u d d e n l y M a s a m i c h i h e a r d him howl, and there
w e r e l o u d s h o u t s from the n u r s e looking after him.
M a s a m i c h i p i c k e d u p h i s s w o r d a n d r a n from t h e o t h e r side o f t h e
h o u s e to investigate. He found not one but t w o identical nurses strug-
g l i n g for p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e b o y . E a c h h a d h o l d o f a n a r m a n d a leg.
C l e a r l y o n e o f t h e m m u s t b e a fox, t h o u g h h e h a d n o i d e a w h i c h . A s h e
c h a r g e d , b r a n d i s h i n g his s w o r d , o n e of the n u r s e s v a n i s h e d .
T h e other nurse and the boy collapsed on the ground. Masamichi had
h i s s e r v a n t s call i n a h e a l e r o f p r o v e n p o w e r , a n d after t h e h e a l e r h a d
w o r k e d h i s r i t e s a w h i l e t h e n u r s e c a m e t o . A t last M a s a m i c h i w a s a b l e t o
question her.
" I w a s l e t t i n g t h e y o u n g m a s t e r p l a y a little b y himself, sir, w h e n a
woman I'd n e v e r s e e n b e f o r e c a m e o u t o f t h e h o u s e a n d c l a i m e d t h e
y o u n g m a s t e r w a s h e r s . I n fact s h e t r i e d t o t a k e t h e y o u n g m a s t e r a w a y ,
a n d I held on to him to s t o p her. W h e n y o u r a n up with y o u r sword, she
let g o a n d r u s h e d b a c k i n t o t h e h o u s e . "
M a s a m i c h i w a s seriously frightened. He never found out w h e t h e r the
d o u b l e h a d a c t u a l l y b e e n a fox o r s o m e s o r t o f a n g r y s p i r i t . People
c o m m e n t e d , t h o u g h , t h a t y o u j u s t s h o u l d n ' t let little c h i l d r e n p l a y b y
themselves.

2 O 2 .

BEWITCHED
The Kamo Virgin, an itnperial princcM, waj the

high prie.tteM of the Kamo Shrine in Kyoto.

A n officer o f t h e B u r e a u o f Civil Affairs n a m e d Y o r i k i y o w a s s e r v i n g a s

director of the K a m o Virgin's household w h e n unfortunately the Virgin's
displeasure forced him to retire to an estate he o w n e d at Kohata, south
of the Capital.
 O m o t o , o n e of his s e r v a n t s , h a d h e r o w n h o u s e in the city a n d so got
leave to stay b e h i n d w h e n he m o v e d a w a y . O n e d a y a m e s s e n g e r from
him asked her to come immediately. Something had h a p p e n e d at Kohata,
a n d Y o r i k i y o h a d left t h e d a y b e f o r e for Y a m a s h i r o , t h e n e i g h b o r i n g
province to the north, w h e r e he w a s now renting a house. The messenger
pleaded with O m o t o to come quickly. She responded by picking up her
four-year-old son a n d setting out.
W h e n she a r r i v e d h e r m a s t e r ' s wife g r e e t e d h e r w i t h u n u s u a l w a r m t h ,
fed h e r w e l l , a n d p u t h e r t o w o r k d y e i n g c l o t h . A f t e r t h e t w o w o m e n h a d
w o r k e d t o g e t h e r for s e v e r a l d a y s , t h e l a d y a s k e d O m o t o t o t a k e a s e c r e t
m e s s a g e t o a w a t c h m a n s h e h a d left a t t h e K o h a t a h o u s e . O m o t o left h e r
s o n w i t h a fellow s e r v a n t .
She naturally imagined that the Kohata house would be gloomy and
d e s e r t e d ; s h e f o u n d t h e r e , o n t h e c o n t r a r y , e v e r y o n e s h e h a d j u s t left.
O n e o f t h e first p e o p l e s h e m e t w a s h e r m a s t e r ' s w i f e i n p e r s o n . S h e
thought she must be dreaming and stood there in a daze while the others
g a t h e r e d a r o u n d her. "Well, well," they w e r e saying, "here's O m o t o !
W h a t kept y o u so long? T h e K a m o Virgin has p a r d o n e d our master a n d
w e s e n t s o m e o n e t o let y o u k n o w , b u t y o u r n e i g h b o r s s a i d y o u ' d left t w o
or three days ago. W h e r e were y o u ? "
T r e m b l i n g all o v e r , t h e t e r r i f i e d O m o t o t o l d h e r t a l e . A l m o s t e v e r y o n e
in the household was frightened, including her mistress, b u t a few
laughed.
C o n v i n c e d n o w that h e r son m u s t b e d e a d , O m o t o b e g g e d t o b e al-
lowed to lead a p a r t y b a c k to the place she h a d just c o m e from. On
a r r i v a l s h e f o u n d n o h o u s e a t all, o n l y a b r o a d e x p a n s e o f m o o r . A f t e r
h u n t i n g d e s p e r a t e l y far a n d w i d e , s h e f o u n d h e r s o n w a i l i n g i n a t h i c k
c l u m p o f p a m p a s g r a s s e s a n d joyfully t o o k h i m i n h e r a r m s .
Back at Kohata she reported the outcome of the trip. H e r mistress
d e c l a r e d t h a t s h e m u s t h a v e i n v e n t e d t h e w h o l e t h i n g , a n d h e r fellow
servants looked at her very doubtfully.
B u t w o u l d s h e r e a l l y h a v e a b a n d o n e d h e r little b o y o n a w i l d m o o r ?
It's far m o r e l i k e l y t h a t f o x e s t r i c k e d h e r . A t a n y r a t e , p e o p l e often c a m e
after that t o talk w i t h O m o t o a b o u t h e r experience a n d t o marvel that
t h e b o v w a s still a l i v e .
2 9 6

2 O 3

THE FUNERAL

O n c e a p r o f e s s i o n a l c o u r i e r , o n h i s w a y u p i n h a s t e from t h e w e s t e r n
provinces to Kyoto, passed t h r o u g h I n a m i n o in H a r i m a province. Since
i t w a s n e a r l y s u n d o w n h e l o o k e d for s o m e w h e r e t o s p e n d t h e n i g h t , b u t
far o u t i n t h e f i e l d s w h e r e h e w a s h e c o u l d s e e n o p r o m i s i n g h o u s e , o n l y
a m i s e r a b l e h u t for t h e p e o p l e w h o i n s e a s o n g u a r d e d t h e c r o p s . T h e h u t
w o u l d h a v e t o d o . H e w e n t in.
T h o u g h t r a v e l i n g l i g h t , h e still w o r e a s w o r d . I n a l o n e l y s p o t like t h i s
h e felt s a f e r n o t e v e n u n d r e s s i n g , a n d i n s t e a d l a y d o w n a s h e w a s , w a t c h -
ful a n d s i l e n t . L a t e a t n i g h t h e h e a r d a faint s o u n d o f bells t o t h e w e s t
a n d a c h o r u s of voices chanting the B u d d h a ' s N a m e . O d d l y enough, the
voices w e r e c o m i n g his w a y . P e e r i n g outside, he saw a chanting c r o w d
c a r r y i n g t o r c h e s a n d a c c o m p a n i e d by priests ringing bells. A p p a r e n t l y it
w a s a f u n e r a l . T h e c l o s e r t h e y c a m e t h e m o r e w o r r i e d h e g o t , till h e
h a r d l y k n e w w h a t t o d o w i t h himself.
T h e c r o w d s t o p p e d n e a r b y , laid t h e coffin d o w n , a n d b e g a n t h e c e r e -
m o n y . T h e c o u r i e r k e p t m o r e silent a n d still t h a n e v e r , a n d r e m i n d e d
himself over a n d over that should he be discovered he w o u l d say quite
plainly w h o h e w a s a n d w h y h e w a s there. But h e also w o n d e r e d about
o n e v e r y s t r a n g e t h i n g : w h e r e a s t h e s p o t for a b u r i a l i s n o r m a l l y m a r k e d
clearly beforehand, he had noticed nothing of the kind w h e n he arrived
even t h o u g h it had been daylight at the time.
W h e n t h e f u n e r a l w a s o v e r , a l a r g e force o f l a b o r e r s a r m e d w i t h m a t -
tocks a n d s p a d e s built a m o u n d on top of which they planted a grave-
m a r k e r . T h e n t h e y tidied u p a n d p u t their tools away, and the c r o w d
dispersed.
B e i n g s o c l o s e t o a fresh g r a v e h o r r i f i e d t h e c o u r i e r m o r e t h a n t h e e e r i e
f u n e r a l itself, a n d t h e h a i r r o s e o n his h e a d w h e n h e t h o u g h t o f it. H e
l o n g e d for t h e n i g h t t o b e o v e r , b u t m e a n w h i l e k e p t a n e y e o n t h e m o u n d .
All a t o n c e h e t h o u g h t h e s a w s o m e t h i n g o n i t m o v e . S u r e l y h i s e y e s w e r e
d e c e i v i n g h i m . B u t n o , s o m e t h i n g o n t h e m o u n d was m o v i n g . W h a t e v e r
i t w a s , i t w a s c o m i n g u p little b y little f r o m t h e e a r t h . A t last a n a k e d
h u m a n form e m e r g e d a n d c h a r g e d the hut, blowing and slapping at the
f l a m e s t h a t d a n c e d o v e r its b o d y . All t h e c o u r i e r c o u l d s e e i n t h e d a r k n e s s
was that the figure was ghastly and huge.
He k n e w that w h e r e a funeral has taken place there is bound to be a
d e m o n . O b v i o u s l y t h e d e m o n w a s n o w r u s h i n g t o eat h i m a n d h e w a s
f i n i s h e d . Still, i f h e h a d t o d i e h e m i g h t a s well g e t o u t o f t h e h u t b e f o r e
the d e m o n r e a c h e d it a n d t r y a direct a t t a c k . D r a w i n g his s w o r d he
d a s h e d o u t , c h a r g e d t h e d e m o n , a n d w h a c k e d off its h e a d w i t h o n e b l o w .
The demon crashed over backwards.
T h e c o u r i e r d i d n o t w a i t t o s e e m o r e . H e r a c e d o n till h e g o t t o a
v i l l a g e (it w a s a p a i n f u l l y l o n g r u n ) , s t o l e u p t o a h o u s e , a n d c r o u c h e d b y
it in terror. T h e next m o r n i n g he presented himself to the villagers a n d
told t h e m w h y h e w a s t h e r e . D i s t u r b e d b y his story, t h e y d e c i d e d t o
investigate.
H e led the b r a v e s t y o u n g m e n o f t h e village t o t h e spot, b u t t h e y found
n o m o u n d o r g r a v e - m a r k e r , a n d n o s i g n e i t h e r o f t o r c h e s o r fire. T h e r e
w a s nothing there but a huge, headless boar. H o w horrible!
A p p a r e n t l y the b o a r had seen the traveler go into the hut and decided
to give him a scare. " W h a t a d u m b w a y to get yourself killed!" m u r m u r e d
the villagers as they gazed at the corpse.

2 o A .

THE GRINNING FACE OF

AN OLD WOMAN

P e o p l e often w e n t h u n t i n g to an old p o n d in the M i n a s e Hills w h i c h w a s

frequented by flocks of water birds, but something in the pond would
catch the hunters a n d many of them died.
Three brothers, personal guards at the retired emperor's palace on the
M i n a s e R i v e r , w e r e j u s t s e t t i n g off h u n t i n g w h e n s o m e o n e w a r n e d t h e m
to stay a w a y from t h e p o n d . O n e of the three, N a k a t o s h i , refused to
b e l i e v e t h e s t o r y , a n d feeling a n y w a y t h a t i t w o u l d b e u n w o r t h y o f h i m
n o t t o b r a v e t h e p o n d ' s d a n g e r s , h e set off u n d a u n t e d , w i t h j u s t o n e
young attendant.
It w a s e v e n i n g a n d too d a r k even to see the p a t h , b u t N a k a t o s h i got
t h r o u g h t h e hills, f o u n d t h e p o n d , a n d w a i t e d o n t h e b a n k u n d e r t h e
o v e r h a n g i n g b r a n c h e s of a pine. D e e p in the night the w a t e r trembled
a n d w a v e s rolled across the p o n d . T h e frightened N a k a t o s h i fitted an
a r r o w t o his b o w s t r i n g . N e x t , a l u m i n o u s m a s s r o s e o u t o f t h e p o n d a n d
f l e w o v e r the pine. A s s o o n a s N a k a t o s h i d r e w his b o w the thing f l e w
back to the pond, returning only w h e n he relaxed and removed the arrow
from t h e s t r i n g . T h i s h a p p e n e d s e v e r a l t i m e s till N a k a t o s h i u n d e r s t o o d
2 9 8

t h a t his b o w w o u l d b e n o use. H e p u t i t d o w n a n d d r e w his s w o r d

i n s t e a d . T h i s t i m e t h e l u m i n o u s m a s s c a m e s o close t h a t N a k a t o s h i s a w
i n t h e l i g h t t h e g r i n n i n g face o f a n o l d w o m a n .
W i t h t h e light so u n e x p e c t e d l y close a n d t h e form inside it so clear, he
d r o p p e d his s w o r d a n d attacked barehanded. W h e n the thing tried
to d r a g him into the pond, he braced himself against the roots of the
p i n e a n d r e s i s t e d u n t i l h e c o u l d d r a w his d a g g e r a n d s t a b it. T h e light
w e n t out.
A h a i r y b e a s t l a y d e a d a t N a k a t o s h i ' s feet. I t w a s a b a d g e r . N a k a t o s h i
c a r r i e d it b a c k to his r o o m at the M i n a s e Palace a n d w e n t to bed. T h e
n e x t m o r n i n g h i s t w o b r o t h e r s c a m e t o f i n d o u t h o w his e x p e d i t i o n h a d
gone.
" L o o k at t h a t ! " cried Nakatoshi, and t h r e w the badger out to them.
They were deeply impressed.

F O X E S I I

2 O 5 .

FOX ARSON

A r e t a i n e r w h o s e r v e d t h e g o v e r n o r of Kai w a s h e a d i n g h o m e one sun-

d o w n f r o m t h e g o v e r n o r ' s m a n s i o n w h e n h e s a w a lox, g a v e c h a s e , a n d
s h o t a t i t w i t h t h e k i n d o f n o i s e m a k e r a r r o w u s e d for s c a r i n g off d o g s .
He h i t it in a b a c k leg.
T h e fox y e l p e d i n p a i n , r o l l e d o v e r , a n d d o v e l i m p i n g i n t o t h e b r u s h .
A s t h e r e t a i n e r w e n t t o r e t r i e v e h i s a r r o w t h e fox r e a p p e a r e d i n front o f
him, a n d he w a s about to shoot at it again w h e n it vanished.
A q u a r t e r o f a m i l e f r o m h o m e h e s a w t h e fox r u n n i n g a h e a d o f h i m
c a r r y i n g a f l a m i n g b r a n d i n its m o u t h . W h a t c o u l d i t b e u p t o ? He
s p u r r e d h i s h o r s e o n . O n r e a c h i n g t h e h o u s e , t h e fox c h a n g e d i n t o a
h u m a n b e i n g a n d set t h e h o u s e o n fire. T h e r e t a i n e r w a s r e a d y t o s h o o t
as soon as he got within range, but the h u m a n changed right back into a
fox a n d g o t a w a y . T h e h o u s e b u r n e d d o w n .
B e i n g s like t h a t e x a c t swift v e n g e a n c e . I t ' s b e t t e r t o l e a v e t h e m a l o n e .

206.
THE FOX'S BALL

A h e a l e r a n d his w o m a n m e d i u m w e r e o n c e c a l l e d t o g e t rid o f t h e s p i r i t
t h a t w a s m a k i n g s o m e o n e ill. T h e s p i r i t d e c l a r e d t h r o u g h t h e m e d i u m
t h a t i t w a s a fox. " I d i d n ' t m e a n t o p u t a c u r s e o n a n y o n e , " i t s a i d . " I
only c a m e b e c a u s e I t h o u g h t y o u might have s o m e t h i n g good to eat. Y o u
d i d n ' t h a v e t o s h u t m e u p like t h i s ! "
T h e m e d i u m d r e w from t h e fold a t t h e b r e a s t o f h e r r o b e a little w h i t e
ball ( f o x e s often h a v e o n e ) , a n d b e g a n t o s s i n g i t i n t h e a i r a n d c a t c h i n g
it. T h e p e o p l e p r e s e n t t h o u g h t t h e ball p r e t t y e n o u g h , b u t t h e y w e r e s u r e
the m e d i u m h a d hidden it in h e r r o b e beforehand to trick them. O n e
a m o n g t h e m , a b r a v e y o u n g m a n , w a i t e d for t h e m e d i u m t o t o s s t h e ball
i n t o t h e a i r a g a i n , t h e n q u i c k l y s t u c k o u t h i s h a n d , c a u g h t t h e ball, a n d
p o p p e d it into t h e front of his o w n r o b e .
" C o n f o u n d y o u ! " s n a p p e d t h e fox. " G i v e m e b a c k m y b a l l ! " T h e m a n
i g n o r e d its p l e a s till finally i t s a i d t e a r f u l l y , "All r i g h t , y o u ' v e g o t t h e ball,
b u t y o u d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o k e e p it. I t w o n ' t b e a n y g o o d t o y o u . F o r m e ,
it's a t e r r i b l e l o s s . I tell y o u , i f y o u d o n ' t g i v e i t b a c k I'll b e y o u r e n e m y
f o r e v e r . If y o u do g i v e it b a c k , t h o u g h , I'll stick to y o u like a p r o t e c t o r
god."
The y o u n g man decided the whole thing was a waste of time. "So
you'll protect m e ? " he asked.
" O f c o u r s e I w i l l . C r e a t u r e s like m e n e v e r tell lies, a n d w e a l w a y s
r e p a y a d e b t of g r a t i t u d e . "
" W i l l t h e g u a r d i a n s p i r i t w h o c a u g h t y o u v o u c h for y o u n o w ? "
" L i s t e n , g u a r d i a n s p i r i t ! " c r i e d t h e fox. " I s w e a r I'll p r o t e c t h i m i f h e
gives me b a c k my ball!"
T h e m a n t o o k t h e ball o u t a n d r e t u r n e d i t t o t h e w o m a n , w h i c h m a d e
t h e fox v e r y h a p p y . N e x t , t h e h e a l e r d i s m i s s e d t h e s p i r i t a n d t h e fox left.
3 0 0

T h e p e o p l e seized t h e m e d i u m immediately, before she could get u p , a n d

s e a r c h e d h e r . T h e ball w a s n o t o n h e r . S h e r e a l l y h a d b e e n p o s s e s s e d .
S o m e t i m e l a t e r t h e m a n w a s o n h i s w a y h o m e after d a r k from a visit
to the great temple at Uzumasa. W h e n he reached the Oten Gate he
b e c a m e a f r a i d , for t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d w a s w e l l k n o w n t o b e d a n g e r o u s a t
n i g h t . V i s i o n s o f all t h e a w f u l t h i n g s t h a t c o u l d h a p p e n t o h i m r a n
t h r o u g h h i s h e a d . T h e n h e r e m e m b e r e d t h a t t h e fox h a d s w o r n t o p r o t e c t
h i m . All a l o n e i n t h e d a r k n e s s h e c a l l e d , " F o x ! F o x ! " A s e r i e s o f s h a r p
b a r k s r a n g o u t i n a n s w e r , a n d i n a m o m e n t t h e fox w a s b e f o r e h i m .
" Y o u did k e e p y o u r w o r d , f o x ! " h e s a i d . " I ' m t o u c h e d . Y o u see, I'm
afraid to go t h r o u g h this a r e a a n d I w a n t y o u to stay with m e . "
T h e fox s e e m e d t o u n d e r s t a n d . I t w e n t a h e a d , l o o k i n g carefully all
a r o u n d a n d a v o i d i n g t h e usual p a t h , while the m a n followed. Eventually
i t s t o p p e d , a r c h e d its b a c k , a n d m o v e d f o r w a r d a g a i n o n l y w i t h t h e
lightest steps, glancing a b o u t even m o r e cautiously than before. T h e man
tiptoed. He soon c a u g h t the s o u n d of h u m a n voices and a glimpse of
h u m a n s h a p e s m o v i n g just b e y o n d a fence. T h r o u g h the gloom he spied
a large g r o u p of a r m e d m e n . T h e y s e e m e d to be talking s o m e t h i n g over,
a n d shortly he gathered w h a t it w a s : they were discussing where to
c o m m i t t h e i r n e x t r o b b e r y . T h e fox h a d led h i m t h i s w a y — a w a y n o
o r d i n a r y p e r s o n w o u l d k n o w — just because the bandits would not be
l o o k i n g for a t r a v e l e r t o p a s s s o c l o s e . T h e fox d i s a p p e a r e d o n c e h e w a s
s a f e l y b y , a n d h e r e a c h e d h o m e w i t h o u t f u r t h e r difficulty.
T h e fox s t a y e d faithfully w i t h h i m a n d often r e s c u e d h i m a g a i n . M o r e
a n d m o r e t o u c h e d b y its fidelity, h e w a s v e r y g l a d i n d e e d t h a t h e h a d h a d
t h e g o o d sense to r e t u r n that ball.

2 0 7 .

SINGED FUR

K o y a B r o o k r u n s east of Ninnaji, just northwest of the Capital. O n e

evening at d u s k a pretty y o u n g w o m a n stood on the b a n k . W h e n a man
r o d e b y t o w a r d t h e city, s h e a s k e d h i m t o let h e r u p b e h i n d a n d t a k e h e r
with him. W i t h a brief w o r d of assent he had her get on. After a q u a r t e r
o f a m i l e s h e j u m p e d d o w n a n d r a n . S h e t u r n e d i n t o a fox a s h e c h a s e d
her a n d got clean away, barking.
 This happened more than once and the word spread. O n e day the
warriors of the Palace G u a r d w e r e passing the time a m o n g themselves
w h e n the story came up in the conversation. A brave and clever y o u n g
w a r r i o r s w o r e h e w o u l d c a t c h t h e girl a n d m o c k e d all t h o s e w h o h a d let
h e r g e t a w a y . T h e r e s t o f t h e g u a r d s w e r e s u r e h e w o u l d fail, b u t h e
ignored them and promised he would do it that very evening.
H e r o d e t o K o y a B r o o k a l o n e o n a g o o d h o r s e . W h e n h e first c r o s s e d
t h e s t r e a m t h e r e w a s n o s i g n o f t h e girl, b u t o n c e h e t u r n e d b a c k t o w a r d
Kyoto she was there on the bank. "Please take me up behind you, sir!'"
she called, smiling sweetly at him.
"All r i g h t ! " h e a n s w e r e d . " W h e r e a r e y o u g o i n g ? "
" T o t h e city, sir. I t ' s a l r e a d y s u n d o w n , y o u see, a n d I w o n d e r i f I
mightn't ride with y o u . "
S h e got on. Q u i c k as a flash he tied h e r to the saddle with a r o p e he
h a d r e a d y . " O h sir, w h a t a r e y o u d o i n g ? " s h e c r i e d .
" Y o u ' r e coming to bed with me, so I just w a n t to m a k e sure y o u don't
get a w a y . "
D a r k n e s s fell. H e r o d e e a s t a l o n g F i r s t A v e n u e a n d h a d j u s t p a s s e d
W e s t O m i y a w h e n h e s a w t o r c h e s c o m i n g his w a y , a c c o m p a n y i n g a
procession of carriages. Servants were going before the procession with
loud a n d imperious shouts to clear the road. Obviously a person of
quality w a s o n his w a y s o m e w h e r e . H e cautiously t u r n e d south d o w n
O m i y a , c o n t i n u i n g east w h e n h e r e a c h e d S e c o n d A v e n u e . Finally, after
a long detour south a r o u n d the palace compound, he reached the gate
w h e r e h e h a d t o l d h i s fellow g u a r d s t o m e e t h i m . T h e y w e r e all t h e r e .
U n t y i n g the girl, he r o u g h l y pulled her to the g r o u n d , seized h e r a r m s ,
a n d f o r c e d h e r i n t h r o u g h t h e g a t e . G u a r d s w i t h t o r c h e s lit his w a y t o
their h e a d q u a r t e r s w h e r e the rest of the men w e r e waiting. " H e r e she
i s ! " h e a n n o u n c e d . T h e girl, terrified b y s o m a n y m e n , w a s c r y i n g a n d
b e g g i n g h i m i n v a i n t o let h e r g o . T h e g u a r d s s u r r o u n d e d h i m a n d his
captive.
T o r c h e s b l a z i n g , t h e g u a r d s u r g e d h i m t o let h e r g o i n t h e c i r c l e . H e
said no, she w o u l d get a w a y if he did, b u t t h e y insisted a n d a d o z e n d r e w
t h e i r b o w s , s h o u t i n g w h a t fun i t w o u l d b e . " W e ' l l s h o o t h e r m i s e r a b l e
b u t t ! " t h e y c r i e d . W h e n h e g a v e i n a n d let h e r g o , s h e i n s t a n t l y t u r n e d
i n t o a fox a n d d a r t e d off, b a r k i n g .
T h e fire a n d t h e c i r c l e o f m e n v a n i s h e d . H e w a s a l o n e i n t h e d a r k .
C o m p l e t e l y confused, he called to his c o m p a n i o n s over a n d over but
got no response. A glance at the s u r r o u n d i n g s told him that he w a s
s o m e w h e r e ( h e h a d n o idea w h e r e ) out i n the wilds. T h o u g h his h e a r t
p o u n d e d a n d h e w a s o v e r c o m e w i t h d r e a d , h e m a n a g e d n o t t o lose c o n -
3 0 2

t r o l o f himself. F r o m t h e l o o k o f t h e hills a n d t h e lie o f t h e l a n d h e j u d g e d

t h a t h e m u s t b e i n t h e g r e a t b u r n i n g g r o u n d a t T o r i b e n o . N a t u r a l l y his
horse was n o w h e r e to be seen.
The trouble must have started when he turned down Omiya Avenue
to avoid t h e procession of carriages. After that he had only believed he
w a s h e a d i n g for t h e T s u c h i m i k a d o G a t e , b u t h a d a c t u a l l y b e e n c o m i n g
h e r e . All t h o s e t o r c h e s o n F i r s t A v e n u e h a d b e e n fox-fires. H e s t a r t e d
w a l k i n g a n d r e a c h e d h o m e late in the night.
T h e next d a y he w a s almost dying. T h e g u a r d s w h o had missed him
t h e n i g h t b e f o r e w e r e m e a n w h i l e h a v i n g a g o o d l a u g h a t his e x p e n s e a n d
p r e s s i n g h i m t o j o i n t h e m . L a t e o n t h e t h i r d d a y h e finally w e n t , still
l o o k i n g far f r o m w e l l , t o face t h e i r q u e s t i o n s a n d t a u n t s . T h e y d e m a n d e d
t o k n o w w h a t h e h a d d o n e w i t h t h e fox. He answered that he had
s u d d e n l y b e c o m e ill a n d h a d n o t b e e n a b l e t o g o after t h e fox after all.
" B u t t o n i g h t , " h e p r o m i s e d , "I'll t r y a g a i n . "
" W e l l t h e n , b r i n g u s two f o x e s ! " h i s c o m p a n i o n s c r i e d . T a c i t u r n a s
e v e r , h e left w i t h o u t a n o t h e r w o r d .
H e d i d n o t r e a l l y s u p p o s e t h a t t h e fox w o u l d b e foolish e n o u g h t o
a p p e a r a g a i n , b u t i f i t d i d h e w a s p r e p a r e d t o h o l d o n t o i t all n i g h t i f
n e c e s s a r y . I f i t d i d n o t , h e w o u l d h i d e h i m s e l f from t h e w o r l d f o r e v e r .
T h i s t i m e h e t o o k t h e s t r o n g e s t o f his o w n m e n w i t h h i m . H e t h o u g h t
a s t h e y r o d e h o w m a d h e w a s t o risk his w h o l e c a r e e r o n s u c h n o n s e n s e ,
t h o u g h o f c o u r s e h i s p r o m i s e left h i m n o o t h e r c h o i c e .
T h e r e w a s n o s i g n o f t h e girl w h e n t h e y c r o s s e d K o y a B r o o k . T h e n
t h e y t u r n e d b a c k a n d t h e r e s h e w a s . A t least, t h e r e a girl w a s , b e c a u s e
t h e face w a s d i f f e r e n t f r o m last t i m e . A s b e f o r e s h e a s k e d t o r i d e b e h i n d
h i m a n d h e let h e r g e t u p ; a n d a s b e f o r e h e t i e d h e r s e c u r e l y t o t h e s a d d l e
a n d continued on t o w a r d t o w n along First Avenue.
By n o w it w a s d a r k . He h a d s o m e of his m e n ride a h e a d of him with
torches a n d kept others right beside him. T h e b a n d reached their gate
w i t h o u t m e e t i n g a s o u l a n d d i s m o u n t e d . H e s e i z e d t h e girl b y t h e h a i r
a n d forced her, despite h e r tears a n d cries, to the same spot as before.
H i s fellow g u a r d s w e r e all t h e r e , c l a m o r i n g for n e w s . " H e r e s h e i s ! "
he replied again. T h i s time he h a d tied her up so tightly that she kept her
h u m a n f o r m for s o m e t i m e , b u t t h e m e n t o r m e n t e d h e r till s h e t u r n e d
i n t o a fox i n t h e e n d , d e s p i t e b e i n g a p r i s o n e r . T h e y s i n g e d t h e fox's fur
off w i t h t h e i r t o r c h e s a n d s h o t i t o v e r a n d o v e r w i t h s t i n g i n g a r r o w s ,
s h o u t i n g a t i t all t h e w h i l e n e v e r t o t r y its t r i c k s a g a i n . I n t h e e n d t h e y
let i t g o w i t h o u t k i l l i n g it, a n d i t m a n a g e d s o m e h o w t o r u n off, a l t h o u g h
i t c o u l d h a r d l y w a l k . O n l y t h e n d i d t h e w a r r i o r c o n f e s s h o w t h e fox h a d
f o o l e d h i m t h e first t i m e a n d led h i m off all t h e w a y t o T o r i b e n o .
 T e n d a y s l a t e r h e d e c i d e d t o visit K o y a B r o o k a g a i n . A v e r y s i c k -
l o o k i n g g i r l , l o i t e r i n g o n t h e b a n k , d e c l i n e d his i n v i t a t i o n t o g e t u p b e h i n d
h i m . " I ' d like t o , " s h e s a i d , " b u t y o u b u r n e d m e s o b a d l y last t i m e ! " T h e n
she disappeared.

2 0 8 .

NOT REALLY A TREE AT ALL

C h u d a i f u lived i n N a r a s i n c e h i s u n c l e w a s t h e h i g h p r i e s t o f t h e K a s u g a
Shrine. Late one afternoon Chudaifu's horse disappeared while out graz-
i n g . C h u d a i f u a n d a s e r v a n t set o u t e a s t w a r d t o w a r d t h e m o u n t a i n s t o
l o o k for it, a r m e d w i t h b o w s .
T h e y h a d n o t g o t t e n far w h e n t h e s u n set a n d n i g h t fell. T h e r e w a s
o n l y t h e d i m m e s t light from a v e i l e d m o o n . A s t h e y w a l k e d o n , still
h o p i n g t o find t h e s t r a y a n i m a l , C h u d a i f u g l i m p s e d t h r o u g h t h e g a t h e r i n g
s h a d o w s a c o l o s s a l c r y p t o m e r i a t r e e , t w e l v e feet t h i c k a n d a g o o d t w o
h u n d r e d feet tall. H e s t o p p e d d e a d i n his t r a c k s . " A m I s e e i n g t h i n g s ? "
h e e x c l a i m e d . " H a s s o m e s p i r i t a d d l e d o u r b r a i n s ? G o you s e e t h a t c r y p -
t o m e r i a t o o ? " T h e s e r v a n t a n s w e r e d t h a t h e d i d . " T h e n it's n o t m y i m a g -
ination," said C h u d a i f u . " W e m u s t have met one of those g o d s w h o get
y o u lost, a n d h e ' s led u s off g o o d n e s s k n o w s w h e r e . W h e r e i n t h e w h o l e
p r o v i n c e o f Y a m a t o a r e y o u g o i n g t o find a c r y p t o m e r i a like t h a t ? "
"I've no idea, sir," the s e r v a n t replied. "I've seen a few c r y p t o m e r i a s
h e r e a n d t h e r e , o f c o u r s e , b u t t h e y ' v e all b e e n q u i t e s m a l l . "
" T h a t ' s it, t h e n . W e ' v e b e e n b e w i t c h e d a n d n o w w e ' r e lost. W h a t a r e
w e g o i n g t o d o ? I'm f r i g h t e n e d , y o u k n o w . I t h i n k w e ' d b e t t e r g e t o n
b a c k . I w o n d e r h o w far w e ' v e c o m e . T h i s i s t e r r i b l e ! "
" I t ' s a s t r a n g e b u s i n e s s w e ' v e r u n i n t o , sir, b u t i t w o u l d b e t o o b a d j u s t
t o g o h o m e a g a i n w i t h o u t t r y i n g a n y t h i n g o u r s e l v e s . I s u g g e s t , sir, t h a t
y o u shoot an a r r o w into that tree, then come back t o m o r r o w morning
and check it."
Chudaifu heartily a p p r o v e d a n d said t h e y should both shoot the tree.
W h e n t h e i r a r r o w s hit t h e t r e e i t s u d d e n l y v a n i s h e d . " S u r e e n o u g h , " said
Chudaifu, " w e ' v e m e t a spirit! Let's get a w a y from h e r e ! " T h e y practi-
cally r a n h o m e .
E a r l y the next m o r n i n g C h u d a i f u a n d his s e r v a n t r e t u r n e d to the
3 0 4

s c e n e . T h e y f o u n d a b a l d o l d fox l y i n g d e a d w i t h a c r y p t o m e r i a b r a n c h
i n his j a w s a n d p i e r c e d t h r o u g h the belly b y t w o a r r o w s . " A h a ! " t h e y
exclaimed. "Here's t h e fellow w h o h a d u s s o c o n f u s e d ! "
B e f o r e l e a v i n g , t h e y r e t r i e v e d t h e i r a r r o w s from t h e c o r p s e .

2 0 0 .

THE WHITE FOX: FOUR DREAMS

Shaped like a fat, falling drop, the Wishing Jewel

is an emblem of good fortune. The tail) of magic foxes

sometimes end in a Wishing Jewel shape.

F o u r n i g h t s a g o s o m e o n e b r o u g h t m e w h a t h e said w a s a p i c t u r e o f t h e
K a s u g a G o d , t h o u g h I c o u l d n ' t see w h a t t h e g o d looked like.
T h e n i g h t b e f o r e last I w a t c h e d t h e e v e n i n g s t a r a n d a b r i g h t m o o n
r i s e o v e r F l o w e r M o u n t a i n . S t a r a n d m o o n w e r e t h e s a m e size.
L a s t n i g h t in t h e fields I c a m e to a b i g s t o n e t h a t l o o k e d like a W i s h i n g
J e w e l , a n d I t o u c h e d it. I t w a s w a r m . N o r t h o f t h e s t o n e l a y t h r e e f o x e s .
I p i c k e d t h e w h i t e t u f t off o n e ' s tail a n d s a w i t w a s a b i g w h i t e fox. " W e a r
r e d , " t h e fox s a i d , " w h e n y o u b r i n g m e o f f e r i n g s . "
At d a w n I got t w e n t y g o l d e n relics of the B u d d h a .
As I w r i t e d o w n this marvelous sequence of dreams, I shiver again
with joy and awe.
 B E Y O N D

T H E

R U L E S

210.
THE TELLTALE FLSH

O n c e u p o n a time a m o n k w e n t visiting. His host served him w i n e a n d a

s p e c i a l d e l i c a c y : s o m e t i n y , d e l i c i o u s fish w h i c h h a d j u s t c o m e i n t o s e a -
s o n . O f c o u r s e m o n k s a r e n o t s u p p o s e d t o eat fish a t all, b u t t h e h o s t m a y
have suspected that this one would be broad-minded.
H a v i n g e x c u s e d h i m s e l f a m o m e n t , t h e h o s t n o t i c e d o n his r e t u r n t h a t
t h e r e w e r e n o w f e w e r f i s h i n t h e d i s h t h a n w h e n h e h a d left t h e r o o m .
N a t u r a l l y h e s a i d n o t h i n g . B u t w h i l e t h e t w o c h a t t e d , a little f i s h s u d -
denly p o p p e d out the monk's nose.
" P a r d o n m e , " said the host, " b u t h o w ' d that f i s h get u p y o u r n o s e ? "
" O h , t h e s e little f i s h , y o u k n o w , t h e y ' r e c o m i n g o u t e y e s a n d n o s e s
everywhere lately!" replied the m o n k without missing a beat.
Both men roared with laughter.

211.
A TASTE FOR FLSH

R i n ' e , a m o n k f r o m N a r a , w a s o n his w a y u p t o t h e C a p i t a l w h e n h e
s t o p p e d a t a h o u s e b y t h e K i z u R i v e r a n d a s k e d for fresh f i s h . T h e
r e q u e s t s h o c k e d h i s h o s t , w h o k n e w t h a t m o n k s a r e n o t s u p p o s e d t o eat
the meat from a n y living c r e a t u r e .
3 0 6

T h e m a n ' s w i f e h a d b e e n s u f f e r i n g f r o m a n a b n o r m a l l y s w o l l e n belly
a n d t o all a p p e a r a n c e s w a s d y i n g . T h a t n i g h t s h e d r e a m e d t h a t e i g h t
b o y s , a n n o u n c i n g t h e m s e l v e s a s R i n ' e ' s f a m i l i a r s , t a p p e d h e r o n t h e belly
a n d e x p e l l e d all t h e f o u l n e s s f r o m it. S h e a w o k e p e r f e c t l y w e l l a n d f o u n d
t h e i m p u r e m a t t e r f r o m i n s i d e h e r all o v e r h e r s l e e p i n g m a t .
W h e n she told her h u s b a n d , he realized that Rin'e w a s no average
m o n k . F i r s t t h i n g n e x t m o r n i n g h e b r o u g h t R i n ' e m o r e fish.
A c c o m p l i s h e d h o l y m e n c e r t a i n l y d o s o m e t i m e s e a t b o t h fish a n d fowl.
F o r e x a m p l e , t h e y say t h a t N i n k a i ate small birds. N o t that ordinary
m o n k s ought to imitate them!

2 1 3 .

THE PROMISE
It Li unclear whether or not this Ninkai really

L< the Mine monk iu< in no. 21I.

N i n k a i , a m o n k in N a r a , w a s peerlessly talented as a scholar, but one

d a y h e d e c i d e d t o g i v e u p h i s t e m p l e a n d its c o n v e n t i o n a l l y s t u d i o u s
a t m o s p h e r e i n o r d e r t o d e v o t e h i m s e l f m o r e freely t o t r u e r e l i g i o u s p r a c -
tice. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e a b b o t w o u l d not h e a r of his plan.
N i n k a i r e s o r t e d to c o u r t i n g a w o m a n w h o lived across t o w n , a n d soon
p e o p l e w e r e g o s s i p i n g a b o u t h i s affair. T o m a k e s u r e e v e r y o n e k n e w , h e
w o u l d s t a n d b e h i n d h e r a t h e r g a t e w i t h his a r m s a r o u n d her. T h e pas-
s e r s b y w e r e p r o p e r l y s h o c k e d . Actually, t h o u g h , he never slept with her.
I n s t e a d he s p e n t his nights, sleepless a n d w e e p i n g , before an altar.
T h i s r e a c h e d t h e e a r s o f t h e a b b o t , w h o r e v e r e d N i n k a i all t h e m o r e
a n d b e g a n t o w a n t h i s c o m p a n y all t h e t i m e . T h e d e s p e r a t e N i n k a i r a n
off, m a r r i e d a l o c a l official's d a u g h t e r s o m e d i s t a n c e a w a y , a n d e v e n g a v e
u p c a r r y i n g h i s r o s a r y . B u t h e o n l y l o n g e d for e n l i g h t e n m e n t t h e m o r e .
A county magistrate w h o noticed Ninkai became deeply attached to
h i m . F o r s o m e time h e a n d his wife a c c o m p a n i e d N i n k a i e v e r y w h e r e a n d
p r e p a r e d his food, clothing, a n d b a t h . T h e y did so, as t h e y told N i n k a i
himself, o u t o f p u r e r e v e r e n c e for h i s s a n c t i t y . " W e h a v e o n l y o n e c o n -
cern," they confessed. " H o w can we make sure to be with you when y o u
p a s s a w a y ? " N i n k a i r e a s s u r e d t h e m . " D o n ' t w o r r y , " h e said, "I'll b e w i t h
y o u . " T h e n h e w e n t his w a y .
 Y e a r s later, at nightfall on a s n o w y w i n t e r day, N i n k a i c a m e to t h e i r
house. T h e y greeted him gladly, excused their servants, a n d b r o u g h t him
food t h e m s e l v e s . T h e n he t o o k a b a t h a n d lay d o w n .
T h e next m o r n i n g the couple rose early. As they w e r e preparing break-
fast a m a r v e l o u s f r a g r a n c e f r o m N i n k a i ' s r o o m filled t h e w h o l e h o u s e .
T h e y decided h e m u s t b e b u r n i n g s o m e r a r e incense. H e h a d said h e
w a n t e d t o l e a v e e a r l y , b u t i t w a s light b y n o w a n d h e still w a s n o t u p .
W h e n t h e m o r n i n g g r u e l w a s r e a d y t h e y a s k e d a d i s c i p l e t o let h i m k n o w .
T h e d i s c i p l e r e f u s e d . " M y m a s t e r h a s q u i t e a t e m p e r , " h e said, " a n d i f I
b o t h e r h i m he'll o n l y b e a t m e . I'm s u r e he'll b e u p a n y m o m e n t . "
B y s u n r i s e t h e c o u p l e w e r e w o r r i e d e n o u g h t o call N i n k a i t h r o u g h t h e
door. There w a s no answer. W h e n they entered they found him seated
facing t h e w e s t w i t h his p a l m s t o g e t h e r i n p r a y e r . H e w a s d e a d . D e e p l y
stirred, they p r o s t r a t e d themselves with Ninkai's disciples before the
h u s k of the saint. At d a w n they had smelled the perfume of Amida's
w e l c o m e t o Ninkai's soul. N i n k a i h a d k n o w n w h e n h e w o u l d die a n d h a d
kept his p r o m i s e to his friends.

2 1 3 .

THE JELLYFISH'S BONES

T h e r e n o w n e d m o n k Z o g a w a s b o r n i n Kyoto, but his p a r e n t s soon

m o v e d t o t h e E a s t . T h e y b u i l t for t h e j o u r n e y a s o r t o f p a l a n q u i n w h i c h
t h e y m o u n t e d o n a h o r s e , a n d i n s t a l l e d i n i t a w e t n u r s e w i t h t h e i r little
son in her a r m s . Unfortunately, it w a s such a long w a y that the w e t nurse
fell a s l e e p a n d d r o p p e d t h e b a b y . L i t t l e Z o g a t u m b l e d t o t h e g r o u n d .
N e a r l y a mile further on, t h e w e t n u r s e w o k e up a n d realized t h e b a b y
m u s t h a v e fallen o u t , t h o u g h g o o d n e s s k n o w s w h e r e . T h e n e w s d r o v e
Z o g a ' s p a r e n t s w i l d . T h e y r a n t e d a n d r a v e d a b o u t h o w all t h e p a s s i n g
horses, oxen, and people must have trampled him to death, but they
t u r n e d b a c k a n y w a y s i n c e t h e y still w a n t e d h i s p o o r b o d y . T h e y f o u n d
the b a b y on his b a c k in the middle of t h e n a r r o w trail, smiling happily.
T h e r e w a s not a spot of m u d or a wet patch on him.
It w a s a miracle. T h a t night Z o g a ' s p a r e n t s h a d a d r e a m . A s u m p t u o u s
couch spread with a costly coverlet rode on an expanse of mud, and on it
l a y little Z o g a . F o u r e x q u i s i t e b o y s , o n e a t e a c h c o r n e r o f t h e c o u c h ,
chanted in the language of the scriptures:
3 0 8

TbLf chili) Li horn from the Buddha \i mouth,

wherefore we keep him from all harm.

N o w Z o g a ' s p a r e n t s k n e w their son w a s unusual, a n d they raised him

tenderly.
W h e n h e w a s f i v e , little Z o g a a n n o u n c e d t h a t h e w o u l d s o o n b e g o i n g
t o m a s t e r t h e L o t u s S u t r a o n M o u n t Hiei. H i s p a r e n t s t h o u g h t him m u c h
t o o y o u n g t o b e s a y i n g t h i n g s like t h a t a n d f e a r e d s o m e spirit m i g h t b e
talking through him. B u t soon his m o t h e r d r e a m e d that even as she
n u r s e d h e r b o y h e g r e w i n t o a m a t u r e m o n k w i t h a s u t r a scroll i n h i s
h a n d ; a n d beside him stood another monk w h o explained that it was her
son's destiny to e n t e r religion. Zoga's parents stopped opposing their
son's plan a n d w e r e h a p p y about it instead.
W h e n he w a s eleven, Z o g a found a distinguished master on M o u n t
H i e i . A f t e r a f e w y e a r s e v e r y o n e r e c o g n i z e d his p i e t y a n d l e a r n i n g . H e
c a u s e d q u i t e a stir, t h o u g h , w h e n h e c a m e b a c k s t a r k e d n a k e d from
the Ise S h r i n e , h a v i n g b e e n inspired by a d r e a m (a voice told him,
" F o r g e t t h e b o d y ! " ) t o t a k e off all h i s c l o t h e s a n d p a s s t h e m o u t t o t h e
b e g g a r s . P e o p l e t h o u g h t h e w a s m a d , a n d t h o u g h his m a s t e r m o r e o r
less u n d e r s t o o d , h e felt o b l i g e d t o r e m i n d Z o g a t h a t t h e w i s h t o t r a n -
s c e n d w o r l d l y a m b i t i o n d i d n o t n e c e s s a r i l y e x e m p t h i m from b e h a v i n g
n o r m a l l y . A n o t h e r t i m e , w h e n his m a s t e r h a d j u s t b e e n p r o m o t e d t o
t h e highest ecclesiastical rank, Z o g a joined the triumphal procession
m o u n t e d on a b o n y old ox, w i t h a d r i e d s a l m o n at his waist instead of a
sword.
Respectability a n d success really m e a n t n o t h i n g to Zoga, w h o w a n t e d
a b o v e all a q u i e t e r p l a c e t o live. H e c h o s e T o n o m i n e i n t h e hills s o u t h o f
N a r a . W h e n the a b b o t refused him leave to go, he quickly changed the
a b b o t ' s m i n d . H e s t o p p e d s e n d i n g a s e r v a n t t o fetch h i s m e a l s b u t i n s t e a d
c a m e w i t h a b l a c k e n e d a n d f i l t h y s o r t o f b o x t o collect t h e m himself.
T h e n he w o u l d s q u a t by t h e path with the w o r k m e n , pick up a couple of
t w i g s for c h o p s t i c k s , a n d s h a r e o u t h i s d i n n e r a s h e a t e . P e o p l e d e c i d e d
h e w a s c r a z y a n d t h e a b b o t w a s g l a d e n o u g h t o let h i m g o .
Z o g a found the top of the mountain at T o n o m i n e too thick with the
d e m o n s t h a t h i n d e r e n l i g h t e n m e n t a n d instead built a hut at an inconspic-
u o u s spot in the valley. Alas, he w a s so revered by n o w that the emperor
i n s i s t e d o n n a m i n g h i m t o h i s p e r s o n a l staff o f h e a l e r s , a n d n a t u r a l l y
o t h e r great nobles d e m a n d e d his services as well. Z o g a generally ignored
t h e s e c a l l s , b u t w h e n h e d i d g o h e b e h a v e d like a m a d m a n a n d g o t o u t o f
t h e C a p i t a l a s fast a s h e c o u l d .
T h e r e w a s , for e x a m p l e , t h e e m p r e s s ' s o r d i n a t i o n . P l a n n i n g t o r e t i r e
i n t o t h e r e l i g i o u s life, t h e S a n j o E m p r e s s i n v i t e d Z o g a t o p r e s i d e a t t h e
c e r e m o n y . H e r m e s s e n g e r t h o u g h t t h i s a fine i d e a , s i n c e s o h o l y a m a n
would no d o u b t make the empress into a properly w o r t h y nun.
Zoga's disciples a s s u m e d their master w o u l d fly into a rage and per-
haps even beat the messenger, but he did nothing of the kind. He accom-
panied the messenger back to the empress's palace without a m u r m u r .
All s o r t s o f g r e a t n o b l e s a n d m o n k s h a d g a t h e r e d for t h e r i t e . T h e r e
w a s e v e n s o m e o n e t o r e p r e s e n t t h e e m p e r o r . T h e y all n o t e d Z o g a ' s fierce
e y e s a n d i m p r e s s i v e b e a r i n g , b u t t h o u g h t h e s e e m e d a little u n w e l l .
Z o g a w e n t right up to the empress's curtains a n d started the ceremony.
At t h e a p p r o p r i a t e m o m e n t the e m p r e s s p u t h e r long, beautiful hair out
t h r o u g h t h e c u r t a i n s a n d Z o g a , i n t h e g e s t u r e w h i c h a b o v e all d i v i d e s t h e
w o r l d l y from t h e r e l i g i o u s life, c u t i t off. W i t h i n t h e c u r t a i n s t h e e m -
press's ladies w e p t as t h o u g h their hearts w o u l d b r e a k .
H a v i n g d o n e his bit Z o g a tidied u p , t h e n a d d r e s s e d the e m p r e s s in
r i n g i n g t o n e s . " W h a t d i d y o u w a n t m e for, a n y w a y ? " h e c o m p l a i n e d . " I
d o n ' t g e t it. D i d y o u h e a r I've g o t a b i g d i c k o r s o m e t h i n g ? W e l l y e s , it's
b i g g e r t h a n m o s t , b u t it's a s l i m p a s silk f l o s s r i g h t n o w . "
All o v e r t h e r o o m s e y e s p o p p e d a n d j a w s d r o p p e d . W h o k n o w s h o w
t h e e m p r e s s felt? I t w a s u n b e l i e v a b l e ! T h e h o l y a u r a w a s g o n e a n d t h e
speechless a s s e m b l y b r o k e out instead in a cold sweat.
Z o g a ' s farewell followed. " I ' m a n old m a n , y o u k n o w , " h e w e n t on.
" M y i n s i d e s d o n ' t w o r k a n d I've g o t t h e t r o t s s o b a d all t h e t i m e t h a t I
s h o u l d n ' t h a v e c o m e a t all. T h e h o n o r w a s j u s t t o o t e m p t i n g , I s u p p o s e .
But now, y o u understand, I can't hold it in any more and, begging y o u r
p a r d o n , I've j u s t g o t t o g o . "
H e s q u a t t e d o n t h e v e r a n d a , t u c k e d u p his s k i r t s , a n d let i t s q u i r t . T h e
n o i s e w a s r e v o l t i n g a n d t h e s t e n c h a h o r r o r . B o t h hit t h e e m p r e s s full
force. T h e y o u n g e r c o u r t i e r s w e n t into convulsions of laughter, while t h e
m o n k s muttered to each o t h e r that H e r Majesty w a s crazy herself to have
called in such a lunatic. B u t n o t h i n g Z o g a could do s e e m e d to t a r n i s h his
u n w a n t e d fame.
H e w a s past eighty, a s s o u n d a s ever i n b o d y a n d spirit, w h e n h e
u n d e r s t o o d h e w a s t o d i e i n t e n d a y s . " A t last I'll h a v e w h a t I've a l w a y s
p r a y e d f o r ! " h e e x c l a i m e d . " S o o n I'll l e a v e t h i s w o r l d b e h i n d a n d b e
r e b o r n in p a r a d i s e ! " He h a d his disciples w r i t e v e r s e s on g o i n g to p a r a -
d i s e , a n d c h e e r f u l l y m a d e o n e u p h i m s e l f from a classic p a r a d o x :

Eighty yean of patience,

with aye slowly wrinkling me

into an old man!

What a joy at last to find

the jellyfish's bones!

3 I 0

Z o g a a n n o u n c e d t h e g r e a t d a y himself. W h e n h e c a l l e d for a g o b o a r d
his disciples b r o u g h t him one from next door, a s s u m i n g he w a n t e d to put
t h e B u d d h a o n it. B u t n o , h e d e m a n d e d t o b e p r o p p e d u p a n d i n a w e a k
voice invited a close friend to play.
T h e f r i e n d w a s s h o c k e d a n d s a d d e n e d t h a t a t a t i m e like t h i s , w h e n
Z o g a should h a v e been calling on L o r d A m i d a a n d looking forward to
his w e l c o m e , he w a s t h i n k i n g of s u c h foolishness instead. W h y , he must
b e o u t o f h i s m i n d ! B u t Z o g a w a s s o e m i n e n t t h a t t h e friend d a r e d n o t
disobey. He sat d o w n at the board, a n d he a n d Z o g a each placed their
first t e n s t o n e s . " A l l r i g h t , " s a i d Z o g a , " n o m o r e , " a n d s w e p t t h e s t o n e s
from t h e b o a r d .
" W h y d i d y o u w a n t t o p l a y go?" t h e friend a s k e d t i m i d l y .
" I ' v e w a t c h e d p e o p l e play e v e r since I w a s a boy, a n d as I w a s calling
the N a m e just n o w I w a n t e d to try it too."
N o w Z o g a d e m a n d e d to be p r o p p e d up again. "Get me a pair of stirrup
g u a r d s , " he c o m m a n d e d , m e a n i n g the leather g u a r d s that protect a rider's
feet. W h e n t h e y c a m e , h e h a d t h e m t i e d t o g e t h e r a n d h u n g r o u n d his
n e c k . T h e n h e o p e n e d h i s a r m s w i d e , t h o u g h i t w a s c l e a r l y painful for
h i m t o d o s o , a n d a n n o u n c e d h e w o u l d d a n c e . A f t e r d o i n g a little d a n c e
he had them removed.
" W h e n I w a s first on the mountain," he explained, "a bunch of y o u n g
m o n k s lived n e x t d o o r a n d they h a d a very good time. O n c e I s a w one
h a n g a p a i r of s t i r r u p g u a r d s r o u n d his neck a n d d a n c e to t h e t u n e of a
c l e v e r s o n g w h i c h I s u p p o s e h e ' d j u s t m a d e u p . I t really t i c k l e d m e . I'd
f o r g o t t e n all a b o u t it, b u t t h e m e m o r y c a m e b a c k j u s t n o w a n d I felt like
d o i n g i t t o o . T h a t ' s all, t h o u g h . I ' v e n o t h i n g m o r e o n m y m i n d . "
T h e V e n e r a b l e Z o g a then sent everyone a w a y and retired to an inner
r o o m , w h e r e he sat in a c r u d e chair facing the west a n d c h a n t e d the
L o t u s S u t r a till h e p a s s e d i n t o N i r v a n a .

a 1 J .

THE STINKING HUT

A m o n k o n c e r o a m e d t h e p r o v i n c e s , w o r s h i p p i n g a t e a c h h o l y p l a c e , till
i n K y u s h u o n e d a y h e g o t lost i n a d e s e r t e d s t r e t c h o f m o u n t a i n s . F o r
d a y s he s a w no sign of a n o t h e r h u m a n being.
H e w a s e n o r m o u s l y r e l i e v e d t o f i n d a h u t a t last, b u t t h e w o m a n w h o
c a m e t o t h e d o o r w a r n e d h i m t h a t t h i s w a s n o h o u s e for h i m t o s t a y i n .
H e p r o t e s t e d t h a t h e w a s a p i l g r i m , e x h a u s t e d a n d lost. " I d o n ' t c a r e
w h a t y o u r h o u s e i s l i k e , " h e s a i d , " a s l o n g a s I c a n r e s t for a w h i l e . " I n
t h e e n d t h e w o m a n g a v e i n a n d a g r e e d t o let h i m s p e n d t h e n i g h t .
S h e led h i m i n s i d e , s p r e a d a c l e a n m a t , a n d fed h i m a g o o d m e a l w h i c h
he ate gratefully. After d a r k a m a n c a m e in with a big b u n d l e on his
s h o u l d e r s a n d set i t d o w n . H e w a s i n a r e l i g i o u s r o b e b u t h i s h a i r w a s
c u t s h o r t , n o t s h a v e n , a n d h e w a s t o o d i s g u s t i n g l y filthy t o g o n e a r .
" W h o ' s t h i s ? " he asked on seeing the m o n k , a n d w h e n the w o m a n told
h i m , m u t t e r e d t h a t h e w a s a bit s u r p r i s e d s i n c e n o o n e like t h a t h a d b e e n
a r o u n d for y e a r s . N e x t , h e b e g a n e a t i n g s o m e o f t h e stuff h e h a d b r o u g h t
in. I t w a s all c h u n k s o f c a t t l e a n d h o r s e m e a t .
By this time the m o n k w a s w o n d e r i n g w h a t sort of place he had come
t o . O b v i o u s l y t h e m a n n o t o n l y a t e m e a t b u t lived b y s u p p l y i n g t h e local
h u n t e r s w i t h m e a t t o feed t h e i r d o g s . T o a p i o u s s o u l t h e v e r y t h o u g h t
w a s h o r r i f y i n g , b u t i n t h e d a r k t h e r e w a s n o w h e r e else t o g o . T h e m o n k
w a s s t u c k , d i s g u s t e d a n d m i s e r a b l e , i n t h e little s t i n k i n g h u t .
V e r y late at night the m a n got u p , w a s h e d in w a r m w a t e r , c h a n g e d
i n t o a fresh r o b e , a n d w e n t o u t b e h i n d t h e h u t . T h e c u r i o u s m o n k s a w
h i m e n t e r a t i n y c h a p e l a n d light t h e a l t a r l a m p s a n d i n c e n s e . H e w e n t
o n t o d o t h e L o t u s C o n f e s s i o n rite, t h e n c h a n t e d t h e L o t u s S u t r a t h r o u g h .
Finally, after p r o s t r a t i n g himself before the altar, he intoned the N a m e
of the B u d d h a A m i d a . His voice w a s deeply holy.
W h e n h e left h i s c h a p e l a t d a w n , h e a n d t h e m o n k f o u n d t h e m s e l v e s
face t o face. H e s a i d his n a m e w a s J o s o n a n d h e q u i c k l y a p o l o g i z e d for
his i g n o r a n c e a n d u n c o u t h n e s s . H e a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t d e s p i t e h a v i n g
b e e n b o r n i n a h u m a n b o d y h e w a s still c o m m i t t i n g t e r r i b l e s i n s . " I f o n l y
I c o u l d r e a l l y follow t h e B u d d h a ' s T e a c h i n g ! " h e c r i e d . " B u t I c a n ' t , a n d
t h a t ' s w h y I live off m e a t , w h i c h n o r m a l p e o p l e w o n ' t t o u c h . I'm s o g l a d
k a r m a h a s b r o u g h t y o u h e r e , t h o u g h , b e c a u s e y e a r s from n o w , o n a d a t e
I'll tell y o u , I'm g o i n g t o l e a v e t h i s w o r l d b e h i n d a n d b e r e b o r n i n t o t h e
L a n d o f Bliss. C o m e a g a i n t h e n , i f y o u ' d like t o h a v e t h e b l e s s i n g o f m y
passing!"
T h e m o n k s a w t h a t t h e m a n h e h a d t a k e n for a n e s p e c i a l l y b r u t i s h s o r t
of b e g g a r w a s actually a saint, a n d he promised to return. T h e n he w e n t
his w a y .
H e c a m e b a c k o n the d a t e n a m e d b y J o s o n , c u r i o u s t o see w h e t h e r o r
not the prediction w o u l d c o m e true. J o s o n , n o w properly shaven a n d
b a t h e d a n d w e a r i n g a c l e a n r o b e , g r e e t e d h i m joyfully. " I h a v e n ' t t o u c h e d
m e a t for m o n t h s , " h e s a i d , " a n d t o n i g h t I'm g o i n g t o b e r e b o r n i n p a r a -
d i s e ! " H i s wife w a s n o w a n u n .
3 1 2

T h e c o u p l e s p e n t t h e night in their chapel, calling Amida's N a m e . As

d a w n b r o k e , light b u r s t t h r o u g h t h e c h a p e l d o o r . T h e m o n k h e a r d t h e
sweetest of music r e s o u n d in the sky a n d move slowly a w a y t o w a r d the
w e s t , w h i l e a d e l i c i o u s f r a g r a n c e filled t h e a i r . A t d a y l i g h t h e w e n t i n t o
t h e c h a p e l . J o s o n a n d t h e n u n w e r e s e a t e d t o g e t h e r facing t h e w e s t w i t h
their palms pressed together in prayer. They had passed away.
T h e w e e p i n g m o n k p r o s t r a t e d himself i n r e v e r e n c e a n d a w e . H e n e v e r
left a g a i n , a n d e v e r y o n e i n t h e p r o v i n c e w h o h e a r d t h e s t o r y c a m e t o
receive the blessing of the place.

2 1 5 .

BE GOOD TO YOUR MOTHER

AND FATHER!

K o m a no Yukimitsu, a d a n c e r attached to the Kasuga Shrine in Nara,

h a d l e a r n e d t h e d a n c e Katen from h i s f a t h e r w h e n h e w a s fifteen. S i n c e
t h e n h e h a d o f t e n d a n c e d i t all b y h i m s e l f a t t h e s h r i n e , just for t h e g o d ' s
pleasure.
O n c e h e fell ill. T h e n his b r e a t h i n g s t o p p e d a n d h e f o u n d h i m s e l f a t
t h e p a l a c e o f E m m a , t h e k i n g o f hell. W h e n a majestic g e n t l e m a n a r r i v e d ,
E m m a w e l c o m e d him w i t h e v e r y sign of respect.
" T h i s m a n h a s b e e n loyal t o m e e v e r s i n c e h e w a s fifteen," t h e g e n t l e -
man declared. "I w a n t him released."
K i n g E m m a o b e y e d , a n d t h e g e n t l e m a n led Y u k i m i t s u a w a y -
" M y l o r d , " s a i d t h e a m a z e d Y u k i m i t s u , " I t h a n k y o u for h a v i n g g o t t e n
m e p a r d o n e d . But w h o are y o u ? "
 "I'm the God of Kasuga," the gentleman answered. "Would you care
to see h e l l ? "
" Y e s , p l e a s e , " said Y u k i m i t s u .
T h e g o d t o o k h i m r i g h t off t o s h o w h i m h e l l . Y u k i m i t s u s a w s o m a n y
kinds of horrible suffering that it w o u l d be impossible to describe t h e m
all, a n d a f t e r w a r d s h e b e g g e d t o b e t o l d h o w h e c o u l d e s c a p e t h e s a m e
awful fate.
" B e g o o d t o y o u r m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r ! " said the g o d . " T h a t ' s the highest
v i r t u e . I f y o u c u l t i v a t e it, y o u w o n ' t fall i n t o h e l l . "

216 .

HELL IN BROAD DAY

H a v i n g c o n t r a c t e d a p a i n f u l illness, t h e w i f e of a p r o v i n c i a l official in
E t c h u eventually died. H e r h u s b a n d a n d t h r e e sons looked after t h e
f u n e r a l a s w e l l a s t h e y c o u l d a n d h a d t h e p r o p e r r i t e s p e r f o r m e d for
seven whole days, but w h e n the seven days were over the sons found
t h a t t h e i r g r i e f w a s a s fresh a s e v e r .
T h e y w a n t e d a t least t o find o u t w h e r e t h e i r m o t h e r h a d b e e n r e b o r n ,
a n d t h e y k n e w t h a t t o d o t h i s t h e y w o u l d h a v e t o visit T a t e y a m a , a s t e e p
a n d forbidding m o u n t a i n in t h e same province, covered with hot hell-
springs a n d other such h o r r o r s . In this u n e a r t h l y landscape y o u could
sometimes get news of the dead. So they p e r s u a d e d a holy man to join
t h e m a n d set off w i t h o u t d e l a y t o s e e t h e h e l l s o f T a t e y a m a b u r n , a n d t o
discover w h a t had become of their mother.
T h e y v i s i t e d hell a f t e r hell o n t h e m o u n t a i n a n d felt a s t h o u g h t h e y
t h e m s e l v e s w e r e b u r n i n g , b e c a u s e all a r o u n d t h e m w a t e r w a s b o i l i n g u p
amid curls of flame. E v e n from a distance the heat w a s terrible, a n d it
w a s awful to imagine the t o r m e n t s of the u n h a p p y spirits i m m e r s e d in
s u c h fierce w a t e r s . T h e y h a d t h e h o l y m a n s h a k e his staff, t i p p e d w i t h
j a n g l i n g b r a s s r i n g s , i n p o w e r f u l r h y t h m a s h e c h a n t e d a l i t a n y for t h e s e
spirits, a n d they h a d him p r e a c h the L o t u s Sutra. W h e n he did this, the
f l a m e s o f t h e hell t h e y w e r e i n w o u l d p l a i n l y d i e d o w n .
A t last, i n a hell t h a t w a s e v e n h o t t e r a n d m o r e h i d e o u s t h a n t h e r e s t ,
t h e y h a d t h e h o l y m a n s h a k e h i s staff a n d p r o c l a i m t h e T e a c h i n g a s
b e f o r e . T h e f l a m e s h a d j u s t d i m m e d a little w h e n t h e y h e a r d t h e i r d e a r
3 1 A

m o t h e r ' s v o i c e c a l l i n g h e r e l d e s t s o n ' s n a m e from a cleft i n t h e r o c k s :

" T a r o , T a r o ! " A t first t h e y r e f u s e d t o b e l i e v e t h e i r e a r s a n d d i d n o t
a n s w e r , b u t t h e c r y c a m e a g a i n a n d a g a i n till t h e y w e r e terrified. " W h o ' s
c a l l i n g ? " T a r o c r i e d . T h e v o i c e from t h e cleft a n s w e r e d , " H o w c a n y o u
a s k ? C o u l d a s o n n o t k n o w h i s m o t h e r ' s v o i c e ? I n life I w a s m e a n a n d
c o m m i t t e d m a n y s i n s , a n d n o w I suffer e n d l e s s a n d u n s p e a k a b l e a g o n y ! "
T h e sons h a d h e a r d of the d e a d visiting the living in d r e a m s , but never
of t h e d e a d s p e a k i n g to the living in b r o a d daylight. Yet the voice w a s
their m o t h e r ' s . " H o w can we help y o u ? " they cried in reply.
T h e v o i c e c a m e a g a i n : " T h e r e ' s n o e a s y w a y for y o u t o l i g h t e n t h e
s u f f e r i n g m y s i n s h a v e b r o u g h t m e . Y o u ' r e t o o p o o r t o afford t h e g o o d
w o r k s t h a t w o u l d h e l p m e . I t wil b e e o n s b e f o r e I e s c a p e from t h i s h e l l ! "
" B u t w h a t would i t t a k e t o free y o u ? " h e r s o n s i n s i s t e d .
" T h e only w a y is to m a k e a thousand copies of the Lotus Sutra and
d e d i c a t e t h e m all for m e o n t h e s a m e d a y . "
T h e sons k n e w h o w h a r d it w a s to do one copy a day. N o t ten, not a
h u n d r e d , b u t a t h o u s a n d copies w e r e clearly impossible, but n o w that
t h e y h a d seen their m o t h e r ' s a g o n y with their o w n eyes they could not
s i m p l y i g n o r e h e r a n d l e a v e . E a c h w o u l d far r a t h e r h a v e t a k e n h e r p l a c e
i n hell. T h e holy m a n h a d t o r e m i n d t h e m t h a t a l t h o u g h one might take
a n o t h e r ' s p l a c e i n thi) w o r l d , i n t h e afterlife w e all r e c e i v e t h e i m p a r t i a l
r e w a r d for o u r o w n a c t i o n s s o t h a t n o o n e c a n b e p u n i s h e d for a n o t h e r ' s
sins. " G o h o m e , " he urged them, "copy the Sutra as best y o u can! Even
a s i n g l e c o p y will h e l p h e r a l i t t l e ! "
T h e y w e n t h o m e s t u n n e d with grief a n d told their father w h a t they
had seen a n d heard. He acknowledged that a thousand Lotus Sutras was
m o r e t h a n t h e y could m a n a g e . Since they w o u l d just have to do w h a t
t h e y c o u l d , t h e y d e c i d e d t o s t a r t off w i t h a g o a l o f t h r e e h u n d r e d .
W h e n the governor of the province heard what had happened, he
called in t h e father a n d got t h e w h o l e story from him. Pious a n d c o m p a s -
sionate, he r e s p o n d e d by v o w i n g to join in t h e S u t r a copying a n d encour-
aged everyone he k n e w in the neighboring provinces to do the same. A
t h o u s a n d c o p i e s w e r e s o o n d o n e a n d t h e d e d i c a t i o n rite p e r f o r m e d .
K n o w i n g t h a t t h e i r m o t h e r w a s n o w d e l i v e r e d from t h e t o r m e n t s o f
hell t h e s o n s r e j o i c e d , a n d t h e e l d e s t h a d a d r e a m . H i s m o t h e r c a m e t o
h i m , e x q u i s i t e l y b e a u t i f u l , a n d t o l d h i m t h a t t h e i r c a r e h a d lifted h e r u p
t o r e b i r t h i n t h e T o r i H e a v e n . T h e n s h e flew off i n t o t h e s k y . N a t u r a l l y
h e b r o a d c a s t t h i s d r e a m far a n d w i d e , a n d i t g l a d d e n e d e v e r y o n e w h o
h e a r d it.
L a t e r o n t h e s o n s r e t u r n e d t o T a t e y a m a a n d w e n t r o u n d t h e hells
a g a i n , b u t t h i s t i m e n o v o i c e c a m e from t h e r o c k s .
T h e h e l l s t h e m s e l v e s , o f c o u r s e , a r e still t h e r e .
THE OLD WOMAN ON
THE MOUNTAIN

A n old w o m a n l i v i n g w i t h a y o u n g e r c o u p l e a t S a r a s h i n a i n S h i n a n o
p r o v i n c e l o o k e d a f t e r t h e m for m a n y y e a r s like a m o t h e r . B u t t h e w i l e ,
w h o i n h e r h e a r t d e t e s t e d h e r , h a t e d e s p e c i a l l y t h e w a y t h e old w o m a n
was being deformed by age. She kept harping to her husband about h o w
a w f u l t h e old w o m a n w a s . H e t r i e d t o d i s c o u r a g e h e r c o m p l a i n t s , b u t h e
t o o e n d e d u p a s often a s n o t n e g l e c t i n g t h e o l d w o m a n , w h o s e b o d y i n
the meantime had bent almost in two.
Finally t h e wife c o u l d t a k e n o m o r e . W h y , t h e h a g did not even h a v e
the grace to die! Telling her h u s b a n d she had had enough, she ordered
h i m t o t a k e t h e o l d w o m a n s o m e w h e r e far i n t o t h e m o u n t a i n s a n d a b a n -
d o n h e r . H e d i d n o t like t h e i d e a a bit a n d a t first d i d n o t h i n g , b u t s h e
p e s t e r e d h i m m e r c i l e s s l y till h e w a s fed u p a n d g a v e in.
I t w a s t h e fifteenth n i g h t o f t h e e i g h t h m o o n , t h e g r e a t f u l l - m o o n n i g h t
o f t h e y e a r . M o o n l i g h t f l o o d e d t h e s k y . " C o m e , d e a r , " said t h e h u s b a n d ,
" t h e r e ' s a v e r y h o l y s e r v i c e a t t h e t e m p l e . I'll t a k e y o u t h e r e ! "
T h e o l d w o m a n w a s e a g e r t o g o . H e p u t h e r o n his b a c k a n d h e a d e d
straight u p the high m o u n t a i n b e h i n d their village. W h e n h e w a s s u r e she
c o u l d n e v e r g e t b a c k b y herself, h e p u t h e r d o w n a n d fled. S h e s h o u t e d
after him in vain.
A t h o m e a g a i n h e f o u n d h e c o u l d n o t forget w h a t his w i f e h a d m a d e
him d o , a n d c o n s i d e r i n g h o w kindly the old w o m a n h a d o n c e looked after
t h e m h e w i s h e d h e h a d n o t d o n e it. All n i g h t l o n g , w i t h t h e m o o n b r i g h t
o v e r t h e m o u n t a i n , h e l a y s l e e p l e s s a n d his t h o u g h t s w e n t o u t t o h e r . A s
h e lay t h e r e h e m u r m u r e d t h e p o e m :

Thu heart of mine

refiuie.i comfort,

ah, Sarashina!

aj I watch the moon

bright over /Mount Obajule.

T h e n h e w e n t b a c k u p the m o u n t a i n , b r o u g h t the old w o m a n d o w n , a n d

c a r e d for h e r a s b e f o r e .
S o d o n ' t let y o u r w i f e ' s u n p l e a s a n t t o n g u e t u r n y o u r m i n d t o u n w o r t h y
t h o u g h t s . No d o u b t this sort of thing goes on even now, though.
A s for t h e m o u n t a i n , it's b e e n c a l l e d O b a s u t e y a m a e v e r s i n c e : " M o u n -
3 1 6

t a i n o f t h e D e s e r t e d C r o n e . " U n t i l t h e n p e o p l e h a d a l w a y s called i t
K a m u r i y a m a , " T h e C a p , " b e c a u s e it's s h a p e d like t h e c a p a g e n t l e m a n
wears.

2 l 8

MOTHER

T w o b r o t h e r s w h o h u n t e d for a l i v i n g w e n t o n e d a y , a s u s u a l , i n t o t h e
m o u n t a i n s . E a c h h a d h i s l o o k o u t i n t h e f o r k o f a tall t r e e . T h e p a i r o f
t r e e s w e r e a b o u t fifty y a r d s a p a r t , a n d t h e b r o t h e r s w o u l d w a i t for d e e r
to drift in d o w n b e l o w , b e t w e e n t h e m .
I t w a s a p i t c h - b l a c k n i g h t l a t e i n t h e n i n t h m o o n . U n a b l e t o see a t h i n g ,
t h e y w a i t e d p a t i e n t l y j u s t t o h e a r t h e d e e r . H o u r after h o u r c r e p t b y . T h e
deer did not come.
All o f a s u d d e n s o m e t h i n g r e a c h e d d o w n from h i g h e r u p i n t h e e l d e r
b r o t h e r ' s tree, g r i p p e d his hair, a n d hauled him u p w a r d . He m a d e a
frantic g r a b at t h e t o p of his h e a d a n d t o u c h e d a w i z e n e d h a n d . A d e m o n
w a s d r a g g i n g h i m off t o e a t h i m !
"If s o m e t h i n g h a d me by the hair a n d w a s pulling me u p , " he shouted
t o his y o u n g e r b r o t h e r across the way, " w h a t w o u l d y o u d o ? "
"I'd take good aim and shoot it!"
" W e l l , d o it! B e c a u s e t h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t ' s h a p p e n i n g ! "
" A l l r i g h t , I'll a i m b y y o u r v o i c e ! " T h e y o u n g e r a i m e d a t t h e s p o t j u s t
a b o v e w h e r e h i s b r o t h e r ' s v o i c e h a d c o m e from a n d felt h e h a d a hit.
" B e t I got it!" he yelled.
T h e e l d e r b r o t h e r felt t h e t o p o f h i s h e a d a g a i n a n d his fingers c l o s e d
o n t h e h a n d , n o w s e v e r e d a t t h e w r i s t . " Y o u c u t its h a n d off!" h e s h o u t e d .
" L e t ' s call i t a n i g h t ! I'll k e e p t h e h a n d ! "
T h e p a i r c l i m b e d d o w n f r o m t h e i r t r e e s a n d g o t h o m e well p a s t m i d -
night.
T h e i r m o t h e r , s o o l d a n d t o t t e r y t h a t s h e c o u l d h a r d l y e v e n s t a n d , lived
in a room between the two. They heard her groaning when they came in
a n d called to ask w h a t the m a t t e r w a s , but got no answer.
B y t h e l i g h t o f a l a m p t h e y e x a m i n e d t h e h a n d . I t l o o k e d v e r y like t h e i r
m o t h e r ' s . In fact it wad t h e i r m o t h e r ' s , b e y o n d a d o u b t .
" T h a n k s a l o t ! " s n a r l e d t h e i r m o t h e r w h e n t h e y slid o p e n h e r d o o r .
S h e l e a p t t o h e r feet a n d n e a r l y h u r l e d h e r s e l f a t t h e m , b u t t h e y j u s t s a i d ,
" D i d y o u lose s o m e t h i n g , M o t h e r ? " t h e n t o s s e d t h e h a n d i n t o t h e r o o m
and closed the door.
S o o n she w a s d e a d . T h e p o o r t h i n g h a d gotten s o old a n d senile t h a t
s h e h a d t u r n e d i n t o a d e m o n a n d g o n e off t o t h e m o u n t a i n s t o e a t h e r
children.

2 1 9 .

PERILOUS GRATITUDE

A p o o r c o u p l e i n K y u s h u l i v e d b y t h e sea, a n d e v e r y d a y t h e w i f e w o u l d
g o o u t t o c o m b t h e s h o r e . O n e d a y s h e w e n t g a t h e r i n g shellfish w i t h a
n e i g h b o r ' s w i f e . O n t h e b e a c h s h e t o o k t h e b a b y off h e r b a c k , p u t i t
d o w n o n a flat r o c k , a n d set a c h i l d t o w a t c h it. T h e s p o t w a s close t o t h e
hills.
While working, the t w o w o m e n noticed a monkey by the water, appar-
e n t l y t r y i n g t o c a t c h fish. T h i s d e s e r v e d a c l o s e r l o o k . T h e y a s s u m e d t h e
m o n k e y w o u l d flee w h e n t h e y g o t t o o close, a n d i t c e r t a i n l y s e e m e d
frightened; b u t it stayed c r o u c h e d w h e r e it w a s , chattering furiously.
Something was wrong.
T h e y s o o n s a w w h a t i t w a s . I n r e a c h i n g for a h u g e c l a m i t h o p e d t o
e a t , t h e m o n k e y h a d s t u c k its h a n d i n t o t h e c l a m ' s o p e n s h e l l . T h e c l a m
had s n a p p e d shut a n d t r a p p e d the monkey's hand. N o w the tide w a s
coming in and the clam was b u r r o w i n g deeper and deeper into the sand.
S o o n t h e m o n k e y w o u l d b e o v e r w h e l m e d b y the sea.
T h e w o m e n took in the scene and laughed heartily. The neighbor's
w i f e p i c k e d u p a b i g s t o n e t o b a s h a t t h e m o n k e y w i t h b u t h e r friend, t h e
w o m a n with the baby, reproved her sharply and snatched the stone
a w a y . " I o n l y w a n t t o kill i t s o I c a n r o a s t i t for d i n n e r , " t h e n e i g h b o r ' s
w i f e c o m p l a i n e d . B u t t h e b a b y ' s m o t h e r i n s i s t e d , a n d w i t h a bit o f w o o d
p r i e d t h e c l a m o p e n far e n o u g h for t h e m o n k e y t o g e t its h a n d o u t . T h e n
s h e d e c l a r e d i t w o u l d a l s o b e w r o n g t o kill t h e c l a m , a n d s o e v e n t h o u g h
b o t h w o m e n w e r e a c t u a l l y t h e r e t o c o l l e c t shellfish s h e c a r e f u l l y r e m o v e d
the clam from their harvest a n d b u r i e d it again in the sand.
A f t e r r u n n i n g a little w a y off, t h e m o n k e y t u r n e d b a c k t o w a r d its
s a v i o r w i t h a n i n g r a t i a t i n g e x p r e s s i o n o n its face. " W e l l , y o u ' r e safe
3 I 8

n o w , " s a i d t h e w o m a n , " a n d I h o p e y o u a p p r e c i a t e all m y t r o u b l e . I k n o w

y o u ' r e o n l y a n a n i m a l , b u t still, y o u s h o u l d b e g r a t e f u l . "
T h e m o n k e y s e e m e d t o listen, t h e n s c a m p e r e d t o w a r d t h e hills. O n t h e
w a y i t h e a d e d , o f all p l a c e s , for t h e r o c k w h e r e t h e b a b y lay, p i c k e d u p
t h e b a b y , a n d r a n o n . T h e c h i l d w a t c h i n g t h e b a b y t o o k fright a n d b u r s t
i n t o t e a r s . T h e m o t h e r l o o k e d o n i n d i s m a y a s t h e m o n k e y d a r t e d into
t h e hills w i t h h e r b a b y , a n d s h e r a g e d a t its i n g r a t i t u d e .
" W e l l , " s a i d h e r f r i e n d , " t h a t ' l l t e a c h y o u ! A lot o f a p p r e c i a t i o n y o u
g e t f r o m a fur-face like t h a t ! If I'd killed it, it w o u l d h a v e m a d e me a
m e a l a n d you w o u l d n ' t h a v e h a d y o u r b a b y s t o l e n . T h e n a s t y b r u t e ! "
T h e t w o w o m e n ran after t h e m o n k e y a n d found it took care not to get
more than about a h u n d r e d y a r d s ahead of them. W h e n they ran at top
speed, the m o n k e y matched them; w h e n they slowed down, it slowed
d o w n too.
Finally the w o m e n stopped. "Ignorant beast!" the mother shouted
a f t e r it. " H e r e I s a v e d y o u r life, y o u c o u l d a t least s h o w s o m e g r a t i t u d e !
H o w d a r e y o u s t e a l m y b a b y ! I s u p p o s e y o u ' l l eat h i m . O o u l d n ' t y o u g i v e
m e h i s life for y o u r s ? " B u t t h e m o n k e y r a n o n a n d c a r r i e d t h e b a b y t o
t h e t o p of a tall t r e e .
T h e w e e p i n g m o t h e r g a z e d u p from b e l o w w h i l e t h e m o n k e y sat i n a
f o r k h i g h aloft. N e x t , t h e m o n k e y h e l d a g o o d - s i z e d b r a n c h b e n t far
b a c k , a t t h e s a m e t i m e j i g g l i n g t h e b a b y u n d e r its a r m . T h e b a b y b e g a n
to cry. W h e n it s t o p p e d , the m o n k e y jiggled it again a n d m a d e it cry
s o m e m o r e . T h e s o u n d quickly attracted an eagle, which s w o o p e d in to
seize the prey. O b v i o u s l y the b a b y w a s going to be eaten one w a y or
another, if not by the m o n k e y then by the eagle. But the m o n k e y bent
t h e b r a n c h a little f u r t h e r , t h e n r e l e a s e d i t w i t h p e r f e c t t i m i n g . I t c a u g h t
the eagle in the head and the bird plummeted to the ground.
Again t h e m o n k e y b e n t the b r a n c h a n d m a d e the b a b y cry, a n d again
a n e a g l e c a m e s w o o p i n g in. I t w e n t t h e w a y o f t h e first. T h e m o t h e r
u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e m o n k e y h a d n e v e r m e a n t a c t u a l l y t o steal h e r c h i l d .
I t h a d j u s t w a n t e d t o r e p a y its d e b t b y killing e a g l e s for h e r .
"I u n d e r s t a n d , m o n k e y , I u n d e r s t a n d ! " she called t h r o u g h h e r tears.
" B u t that's e n o u g h n o w ! Please, please bring my baby back d o w n ! "
B y n o w t h e m o n k e y h a d killed five e a g l e s . I t d e s c e n d e d from t r e e t o
t r e e , laid t h e b a b y g e n t l y n e a r its m o t h e r , t h e n l e a p t i n t o t h e t r e e a g a i n
a n d sat there, scratching.
Smiling t h r o u g h h e r tears, the m o t h e r n u r s e d her child. W h e n her
h u s b a n d d a s h e d u p , t h e m o n k e y v a n i s h e d i n t o t h e forest. U n d e r t h e t r e e
l a y five d e a d e a g l e s .
T h e h u s b a n d w o n d e r e d a t t h e s t o r y h e g o t from his w i f e . H e c u t off
t h e five e a g l e s ' w i n g s a n d tails a n d t o o k t h e m h o m e w i t h his family. Bit
b y bit h e sold t h e e a g l e f e a t h e r s for b a s i c n e c e s s i t i e s , s o t h a t i n t h e e n d
t h e m o n k e y d i d r e p a y its d e b t — b u t a t t h e p r i c e o f w h a t a g o n y for t h e
m o t h e r before she u n d e r s t o o d !

THE UGLY 5 ON

L o n g a g o a g a m b l e r h a d a son w h o s e eyes a n d nose looked as t h o u g h

t h e y h a d been s q u a s h e d t o g e t h e r b y main force. This m a d e the y o u n g
m a n outstandingly ugly. His parents w e r e w o n d e r i n g h o w on earth they
w e r e to get him married w h e n they h e a r d that a rich m a n w a s seeking a
h a n d s o m e b r i d e g r o o m for h i s b e l o v e d d a u g h t e r . T h e y let t h e f a t h e r k n o w
t h a t t h e " f a i r e s t y o u t h i n all t h e l a n d " w a n t e d t o m a r r y t h e girl. T h e r i c h
m a n a c c e p t e d t h e m a t c h a n d set t h e d a t e for t h e b e t r o t h a l .
O n t h e c o u p l e ' s first n i g h t t h e b r o t h e r h o o d o f g a m b l e r s g a t h e r e d i n
b o r r o w e d finery a n d e s c o r t e d t h e y o u n g m a n t o his b r i d e , d o i n g t h e i r
b e s t t o h i d e t h e i r faces u n d e r a b r i l l i a n t m o o n . T h e g r o o m l o o k e d q u i t e
p r e s e n t a b l e a m o n g t h e m . T h i s w a s h o w h e b e g a n h i s n i g h t l y visits t o t h e
girl, i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h c u s t o m .
B u t all t o o s o o n c a m e t h e d r e a d e d n i g h t ( t h e o n e t h a t w o u l d seal t h e
m a r r i a g e f o r e v e r ) w h e n t h e y o u n g m a n w o u l d h a v e t o lie w i t h h i s b e -
trothed right t h r o u g h d a w n a n d into day. Undaunted, the gamblers
thought up a plan.
O n e of t h e m got up o v e r the ceiling of the couple's room, trod the
b o a r d s till t h e y c r e a k e d a n d g r o a n e d , a n d b e l l o w e d i n a t e r r i b l e v o i c e ,
" F a i r e s t y o u t h i n all t h e l a n d ! "
T h e h o u s e h o l d q u a k e d t o h e a r h i m , for t h e y r e c a l l e d c o u n t l e s s s t o r i e s
of s u p e r n a t u r a l visitations that h a d s t a r t e d exactly this w a y . T h e terrified
g r o o m c a l l e d b a c k , " I h e a r I'm t h e o n e p e o p l e call fairest i n t h e l a n d .
W h a t d o y o u w a n t ? " T h r e e times the voice o v e r the ceiling r o a r e d a n d
three times the g r o o m replied.
T h e family w a n t e d t o k n o w w h y h e a n s w e r e d a t all. " I c a n ' t h e l p
myself!" he explained.
" T h e d a u g h t e r o f t h i s h o u s e , " t h e d e m o n b e l l o w e d , " h a s b e e n m i n e for
three y e a r s , a n d I w a n t to k n o w w h a t y o u think y o u ' r e doing sleeping
with her!"
3 2 0

"But, b u t , " s t a m m e r e d t h e groom, "I had no idea! I didn't know!

Please don't hurt m e ! "
" Y o u n a s t y s n e a k ! " t h e d e m o n r o a r e d . "I'll a s k y o u j u s t o n e t h i n g
b e f o r e I g o . W h i c h d o y o u c h e r i s h m o s t , y o u r life o r y o u r l o o k s ? "
" H o w can I answer t h a t ? " protested the bridegroom.
H i s p a r e n t s - i n - l a w w h i s p e r e d frantically to him that he shouldn't mind
h i s l o o k s a s l o n g a s h e k e p t h i s life. " T e l l h i m y o u r l o o k s ! " t h e y s a i d .
He obeyed.
T h e d e m o n replied with a horrid sort of sucking noise. T h e groom
s c r e a m e d , b u r i e d h i s face i n h i s a r m s , a n d c o l l a p s e d . T h e d e m o n left.
W h a t h a d h a p p e n e d t o t h e g r o o m ' s face? A l a m p w a s b r o u g h t in, a n d
b y its l i g h t t h e y s a w t h a t h i s e y e s a n d n o s e l o o k e d a s t h o u g h t h e y h a d
b e e n j a m m e d t o g e t h e r . " O h , i f o n l y I'd t o l d h i m m y l i f e ! " h e s o b b e d .
" H o w c a n I live a m o n g p e o p l e w i t h a face like t h i s ? A n d t o t h i n k t h a t
y o u n e v e r o n c e s a w me as I u s e d to b e ! W h a t an awful mistake it w a s to
g e t i n v o l v e d w i t h a girl c l a i m e d b y a h o r r i b l e d e m o n ! "
M o v e d b y t h i s c o m p l a i n t , t h e g i r l ' s f a t h e r p r o m i s e d h i m his f o r t u n e i n
c o m p e n s a t i o n . I n fact, t o t h e y o u n g m a n ' s e n t i r e s a t i s f a c t i o n , his f a t h e r -
i n - l a w t o o k e x c e l l e n t c a r e o f h i m a n d e v e n b u i l t a s e p a r a t e h o u s e for h i m ,
o n t h e p r e t e x t t h a t t h e p r e s e n t o n e ' s p o s s i b l y faulty l o c a t i o n m i g h t h a v e
h a d s o m e t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e c a l a m i t y . T h e y o u n g m a n lived a v e r y
p l e a s a n t life i n d e e d .
 S O U R C E S

A N D

N O T E S

W h e n p o s s i b l e , I h a v e g i v e n a p p r o x i m a t e d a t e s for t h e e v e n t s d e s c r i b e d i n t h e t a l e s , o r
the internal e v i d e n c e w h i c h m a k e s it possible to date t h e m . ( N o t that these e v e n t s are
necessarily historically true!) D a t e s m e n t i o n e d in the tales are noted again here.

1. Konjaku 31/37. turned from C h i n a in 8 0 4 and died

2 . Konjaku 28/40. in 8 3 5 .
3. UjidbuiVXe. 2 7 . Kofukuji ranjhoki. 1007-1013.
4. Konjaku 31/33. 2 8 . Konjaku 21/11. Ban no Yoshio was
5. Shajckubu 7/17. exiled in 866 and died in 868.
6. Kokoncbomonju 246. 2 9 . Konjaku 31/15.
7 . Konjaku 28/25. Sanesuke lived 957- 3 0 . Konjaku 19/32. Ca. 1000.
1046. 3 1 . Kaluga Gongen genki 17, Kaluga Dai-
8 . Konjaku 28/5. Tamemori was ap- myojin gotakujenki. 1202. In Gotaku-
pointed governor of Echizen in 1029. jenki t h e g o d (speaking through the
9. Konjaku 28/39. m e d i u m ) i n t r o d u c e s himself as "this
1 0 . Konjaku 2 8 / 4 1 . S o n s of the court no- old m a n . " T h e passage about the g o d
bility s t u d i e d at the A c a d e m y . h a v i n g b e e n higher than M y o e after
1 1 . Konjaku 27/9. 9th century. all is from Gotakujenki.
1 2 . Konjaku 27/7. 32. Sbintubu 8. Ca. 460-70.
1 3 . Konjaku 2 7 / 2 1 . T h i r d q u a r t e r of 11th 3 3 . Konjaku 2 0 / 1 . Ca. 880s.
century. 3 4 . Konjaku 2 0 / 2 . Ca. 980.
1 4 . Konjaku 27/13. 3 5 . Konjaku 20/11.
15. UjL<bui3/l5. 3 6 . Konjaku 13/33. Perhaps 8th century.
1 6 . Konjaku 27/1. 37. UjiAui\M6.
17. Sbasekubami. 3 8 . Senjujho 6 / 1 0 . S h o k u lived 9 1 0 - 1 0 0 7 .
1 8 . Konjaku 28/12. 3 9 . Kokoncbomonju 386. Kazan abdicated
1 9 . Vji thai 217. in 9 8 6 and died in 1008.
2 0 . Kobon .let.mwashu 62. 40. Tjurezureguja 69. See note 38.
2 1 . Konjaku 2 8 / 1 1 . K a i s h u d i e d i n 1016. 4 1 . HoMbiiuhu 4/10.
2 2 . Konjaku 11/29. Tenji reigned 661- 4 2 . Ho.vhmjbu 6/12. Saigyo lived 1118-
668. 1190.
2 3 . Konjaku 11/13. S e c o n d quarter of 8th 4 3 . Jikkuwho 10/24. Early 1200s. Ten-
century. noji, o n e o f the f i r s t t e m p l e s f o u n d e d
2 4 . Konjaku 11/7. 736. in J a p a n , is n o w in Osaka, which did
2 5 . Konjaku 12/7. 752. not e x i s t t h e n . Its relics w e r e f a m o u s .
2 6 . Konjaku 11/25, 11/9. K o b o D a i s h i re- In an important myth the Sun God-
3 2 2

dess, angered by her brother's out- Mototsune founded Gokurakuji; he

rageous conduct, hid herself in a lived 8 3 6 - 8 9 1 .
cave a n d so plunged the world into 7 2 . Uji .tht'u8/3. Emperor Daigo reigned
darkness. S h e had to be lured out 897-930.
again by the other g o d s . 7 3 . Uji.'bui 1 5 / 8 . S o o lived 8 3 1 - 9 1 8 . He
4 4 . Konjaku 24/1. M a k o t o died in 8 6 8 . lounded Mudoji in 856. The Some-
4 5 . Kcutuga Gongcn gcnki 10. Rin'e lived d o n o Empress, daughter of Fujiwara
950-1025. He became abbot in n o Yoshifusa, lived 8 2 9 - 9 0 0 .
1017. 7 4 . Konjaku 16/32.
46. Jikkinsho 10/25. 7 5 . Uji.'bui 13/10. Ennin lived 7 9 4 - 8 6 4 .
4 7 . Kokonchomonju 265. 1107. He returned from China in 847.
4 8 . Jikkiiuho 1 0 / 2 2 . N o r i t a k a l i v e d 9 9 9 - 7 6 . Konjaku 16/20. Perhaps ca. 9 5 0 .
1076. 7 7 . UjiibOi 1 0 / 6 .
4 9 . Uji.thai 314. 7 8 . Konjaku 29/28.
5 0 . Scnjiuhd 5 / 1 5 . Saigyo lived 1118- 7 9 . Uji .tbui 7 / 4 . Perhaps second quarter
1190. of 10th c e n t u r y .
5 1 . Uji.'bui 1 4 / 1 1 . Perhaps mid-11th cen- 8 0 . Kokonchomonju 606. Ca. 1180s.
tury. 8 1 . Kokonchomonju 681.
5 2 . Uji tbui 9/1, Konjaku 20/10. Yozei 8 2 . Konjaku 16/17. 896.
reigned 8 7 7 - 8 8 4 . 8 3 . Uji.tbui 1 / 1 8 . Perhaps ca. 900.
5 3 . Konjaku 27/19. Perhaps first quarter 8 4 . Konjaku 27/31. Kiyoyuki lived 847-
o f 11th c e n t u r y . S a n e s u k e lived 9 5 7 - 918.
1046. 8 5 . Uji.,hat 8 / 7 . J o k a n l i v e d 8 4 3 - 9 2 7 .
5 4 . Uji.thai 1 / 1 4 . M i n a m o t o n o S a d a f u s a 8 6 . Konjaku 13/2.
lived 1 1 3 0 - 1 1 8 8 . 8 7 . Uji.thai 13/13.
5 5 . Uji .thai 9/7. 8 8 . Nora ebon "En no Gyoja." En no
5 6 . Kohon deUumuta 1 9 . C a . 9 0 0 . Gyoja w a s exiled in 6 9 9 and disap-
5 7 . Konjaku 3 0 / 1 . H e i c h u d i e d i n 9 2 3 . p e a r e d in 7 0 1 . I c h o s e this version of
5 8 . Uji .tbui 3 / 2 . Tadaie, a poet, lived h i s s t o r y b e c a u s e t h e Konjaku v e r s i o n
1032-1091. is i n c o m p l e t e , a n d b e c a u s e it is luller
5 9 . Uji.thai 2 / 8 . A b e n o S e i m e i l i v e d 9 2 1 - than the standard account i n Nihon
1005. ryoiki ( c a . 822).
6 0 . UjidbOi 1 1 / 3 . See note 59. 89. Jikkin.<ho7l\.
6 1 . Konjaku 24/19. 9 0 . Konjaku 28/24. Montoku reigned
6 2 . VjiobOi 1 1 / 3 . See note 59. 850-858.
6 3 . Uji .thai 14/10. Michinaga (966- 9 1 . Konjaku 3 1 / 1 7 . C a . 1025.
1 0 2 7 ) built Hojoji in 1020. 9 2 . Kokonchomonju 599. 1171.
6 4 . Konjaku 24/24. Murakami reigned 9 3 . Konjaku 2 8 / 2 8 . " O u r o w n t i m e " m u s t
946-967. Hakuga no Sammi ( 9 1 8 - be t h e early 12th c e n t u r y .
9 8 0 ) is also k n o w n as M i n a m o t o no 9 4 . Konjaku 28/18.
Hiromasa. 9 5 . Uji.<hui 3/6.
6 5 . Konjaku 29/18. 9 6 . Kokonchomonju 3 8 5 . U d a abdicated in
6 6 . Konjaku 13/10. 897 and died in 931.
6 7 . Konjaku 2 5 / 1 1 . Yorinobu (968-1048) 9 7 . Uji .thai 11/10. N i c h i z o lived 9 0 5 ? -
b e c a m e g o v e r n o r of K o z u k e in 999. 985?
6 8 . Ujidhui 1 3 / 6 . Early 11th century. 9 8 . Konjaku 14/43. Perhaps early 10th
6 9 . Jikkinobo 10/27. century.
7 0 . Sbajek,../.•<< 7 / 2 4 . 1 2 7 8 . 9 9 . Konjaku 31/13.
7 1 . Uji .thai 15/6. Not Kanemichi but 100. Konjaku 13/1. 941.
1 0 1 . Fum Ryakkt 25. Genko .tbakiuho 9 sup- c h a r a c t e r s for K o z e n are to be p r o -
plied the ending about the "vajra- n o u n c e d " K a g u y a m a , " but the read-
handled bell," etc. ing "Kozen" is well attested
102. Uji.<hui2/4. elsewhere. I have adopted "Kozen"
1 0 3 . Kokonchonwnju 45. 930 or 931. The to make the place recognizably the
original has 9 3 1 , but I have c h a n g e d same as the place w h e r e the dragon
the date to agree with no. 101. O t h e r lived in no. 183.
d o c u m e n t s h a v e 9 3 0 for t h e b o l t o f 1 2 7 . Konjaku I A/44.
lightning hitting the palace. Where 1 2 8 . Ujisbui 1 2 / 5 . K i n s u e l i v e d 9 5 6 - 1 0 2 9 .
this version has the god as hall This incident cannot be earlier than
salmon, another (Shingonden) has 981.
h i m a s hall f r o g . 1 2 9 . Konjaku 30/14.
1 0 4 . Konjaku 17/26. 1 3 0 . Konjaku 31/9. Koretaka, the eldest
1 0 5 . Konjaku 19/29. Y a m a k a g e lived 8 2 5 - son of Emperor Montoku, died in
889. 897.
106. Tango Fudoki. I used this version 1 3 1 . Konjaku 31/8. Kochujo served Em-
b e c a u s e t h e o n e in Kojuhn is a little press Shoshi ( 9 8 8 - 1 0 7 4 ) .
garbled, and lacks the closing 1 3 2 . Konjaku 31/7. Mid-11th century.
passage. Nihongi supplied the date, 1 3 3 . Konjaku 27/24.
477. 1 3 4 . Konjaku 31/10.
1 0 7 . Kokonchonwnju 682. 1 3 5 . Jikkirubo 10/26.
1 0 8 . Sha.icki.ihu 7/18. Between 1264 and 1 3 6 . Konjaku 23/22.
1275. 137. Uji.<hui6/5.
1 0 9 . Konjaku 29/40. 138. Ujiobui4IS.
1 1 0 . Konjaku 29/39. 1 3 9 . Konjaku 13/43.
1 1 1 . Konjaku 14/3. 1 4 0 . Konjaku 29/1.
1 1 2 . Sha.<ckUu 7/2. 1270s. 1 4 1 . Konjaku 29/36.
1 1 3 . Konjaku 15/20. 1 4 2 . Konjaku 2 9 / 2 1 . C a . 1000.
1 1 4 . Konjaku 15/1. Ca. 7 7 0 - 7 8 0 . 1 4 3 . Konjaku 29/17.
1 1 5 . Konjaku 19/14. 1 4 4 . Konjaku 2 9 / 1 9 . Ca. 1000.
116. Uji.<hut\\/9. 1 4 5 . Uji .ihiti2/10. Fujiwara no Yasumasa,
1 1 7 . Konjaku 15/23. Ca. 1040. the husband of the poet Izumi Shi-
1 1 8 . Uji ,<hui 1 3 / 9 . kibu (no. 178), lived 9 5 8 - 1 0 3 6 .
1 1 9 . Uji jhui 2/14. Daigo reigned 897- 1 4 6 . Konjaku 17/42.
930. A c c o r d i n g t o Konjaku, the M i n - 1 4 7 . Konjaku 14/7.
ister o l the Right w a s M i n a m o t o n o 1 4 8 . Konjaku 12/28.
Hikaru, w h o died in 913. 1 4 9 . Uji .ihiii 8 / 4 . Fujiwara no Toshiyuki
1 2 0 . Jikki/vbo 1/7. Reizei reigned 967- died in 901 or 907.
969. 1 5 0 . Ujubui 10/10.
1 2 1 . Uji M8/6. 1 5 1 . Konjaku 13/41.
1 2 2 . Kokonchonwnju 607. 1 5 2 . Uji.<hui 1/12.
1 2 3 . Sha.<ckL<hu 7 / 2 0 . 1 5 3 . T.iurezurcgusa 53.
1 2 4 . Uji.thai All. 1 5 4 . Uji.<hui 5 / 9 . Z o y o l i v e d 1032-1116.
1 2 5 . Konjaku 20/7. The Somedono Em- 1 5 5 . Konjaku 17/44.
press, daughter of the Regent Y o s h - 1 5 6 . Uji.ibui 1/13.
ifusa, lived 8 2 9 - 9 0 0 . M o n t o k u , her 1 5 7 . NiwhiiLibu 3/5.
son, reigned 8 5 0 - 8 5 8 . 1 5 8 . Konjaku 12/31. Koken reigned 749-
1 2 6 . Konjaku 20/4. En'yu reigned 969- 758.
984. T h e original indicates that the 1 5 9 . Konjaku 13/34.
3 2 4

1 6 0 . Konjaku 15/41. 1 9 5 . Hckvbinjhu 7/6. Sanesuke lived 957-

1 6 1 . HoMhuubu 3 / 8 . P r o b a b l y 1 1 7 6 . 1046.
1 6 2 . Konjaku 2 4 / 1 5 . Perhaps ca. 1000. Ta- 1 9 6 . Uji jbui 1 3 / 5 . Possibly early 8th cen-
dayuki w a s the father of J a k u s h i n tury.
( n o . 1 7 9 ) a s w e l l a s o f little Y a s u n o r i . 1 9 7 . Konjaku 12/24. T h e regent, Fujiwara
1 6 3 . Ujijhui 10/9. Mochisuke died 958. n o M i c h i n a g a , r e c o r d e d his pilgrim-
1 6 4 . Konjaku 28/29. Ki no Haseo lived a g e to w o r s h i p the B u d d h a - O x in his
845-912. diary. He went to Sekidera in the
1 6 5 . Konjaku 2 9 / 5 . Ca. 1000. spring of 1025 (Manju 2.5.17).
1 6 6 . Konjaku 24/20. 1 9 8 . Konjaku 19/8.
1 6 7 . Jikkinjhd 10/20. Hakuga no Sammi 1 9 9 . HoMhifubu 717.
lived 9 1 8 - 9 8 0 . 2 0 0 . Heike monogatari 4. Between 1151
1 6 8 . Konjaku 14/42. First q u a r t e r of 10th and 1154. A l t h o u g h this source is un-
century. like my others, I t h o u g h t the c o m -
169. UjithuiXIZ. posite m o n s t e r motif m a d e the story
1 7 0 . Uji ^bui 12/24. worth including.
1 7 1 . Jikkin.*bd 6 / 1 8 . G e n s h o r e i g n e d 7 1 5 - 2 0 1 . Konjaku 27/29. Masamichi died in
724. 1017.
1 7 2 . Konjaku 17/47. 2 0 2 . Konjaku 27/32.
1 7 3 . Konjaku 16/29. 2 0 3 . Konjaku 27/36.
1 7 4 . Uji*biii7lh. 2 0 4 . Kokoncbomonju 603. The Minase Pal-
1 7 5 . Konjaku 26/11. ace belonged to Emperor Go-Toba,
1 7 6 . Uji ohui 6/2. w h o abdicated in 1198 and died in
1 7 7 . Konjaku 17/33. 1239.
1 7 8 . Uji dhui 1/1. Domyo died in 1020. 2 0 5 . Uji .•but 3/20.
Izumi Shikibu's husband appears in 2 0 6 . Konjaku 27/40.
no. 145. 2 0 7 . Konjaku 27/41.
1 7 9 . Konjaku 19/3. Yoshishige no Yasu- 2 0 8 . Konjaku 27/37.
tane b e c a m e a m o n k in 9 8 6 and died 209. Tamon'in nikki 43. This series of
in 1002. H i s father w a s K a m o no Ta- dreams w a s recorded by a monk in
dayuki (nos. 162, 165). his diary u n d e r the date 1578, 2nd
1 8 0 . Konjaku 17/17. moon, 15th day. He had dreamed
1 8 1 . Konjaku 27/5. them during the four previous
1 8 2 . Senjiuhd 6 / 3 , 7/4, 7/5. Chusan lived nights. "Flower Mountain" is Hana-
935-976. y a m a in the Kasuga Hills.
1 8 3 . Kojidan 5/24. 210. UjiAOi6/10.
1 8 4 . Konjaku 16/15. 2 1 1 . Jikkuuiho7l\\. Rin'e lived 950-1025.
1 8 5 . Shajekiihu 7/3. Ca. 1270. 2 1 2 . Uji thai 1 5 / 9 .
1 8 6 . Uji .<bia 4 / 4 . 2 1 3 . Konjaku 12/33, Ujidbui 12/7, SenjOtho
1 8 7 . Konjaku 26/9. 1/1, Ho.ubin.ihu 1/5. Z o g a lived 9 1 7 -
1 8 8 . Konjaku 26/8. 1003.
1 8 9 . Konjaku 31/12. 2 1 4 . Konjaku 15/28.
1 9 0 . Konjaku 27/2. Uda abdicated in 897 2 1 5 . Kajuga Gongen gcnki 6. Yukimitsu
and died in 9 3 1 . lived 1090-1152.
1 9 1 . Kojidan 1/7. S e e n o t e 190. 2 1 6 . Konjaku 14/8.
1 9 2 . UjidbUi 1 2 / 2 2 . Y o z e i a b d i c a t e d in 8 8 4 2 1 7 . Konjaku 30/9.
and died in 949. 2 1 8 . Konjaku 27/22.
1 9 3 . Kokoncbomonju 605. Ca. 1215. 2 1 9 . Konjaku 29/35.
1 9 4 . Kokoncbomonju 601. Ca. 1200. 220. Uji thai 9/8.
 T H E W O R K S

T H E S E T A L E S

C O M E F R O M

T h e s e capsule d e s c r i p t i o n s of the w o r k s the tales c o m e from omit a few s u p p l e m e n t a r y

s o u r c e s w h i c h g a v e me o n l y a paragraph or t w o . S u c h s u p p l e m e n t a r y sources are indi-
c a t e d i n " S o u r c e s a n d N o t e s " a n d i n t h e list " T a l e s C l a s s i f i e d b y S o u r c e s . "

En no Gydja (1 tale). A p o p u l a r illustrated b o o k l e t of t h e Nara chon ("Nara picture

b o o k " ) type, i n s i m p l e J a p a n e s e . P e r h a p s 16th c e n t u r y . A n o n y m o u s .
Ftud ryakki, " A S u m m a r y H i s t o r y o f J a p a n " ( 1 tale). A 12th-century history of J a p a n ,
written in Chinese by the m o n k Koen.
Heike monogatari, " T h e T a l e of the H e i k e " (1 t a l e ) . An e p i c on the w a r s of the late 12th
century, and o n e o f the m a s t e r p i e c e s o f J a p a n e s e literature. T h e w o r k d e v e l o p e d o v e r
time and has no single author. It w a s originally sung by w a n d e r i n g entertainers, to the
a c c o m p a n i m e n t o f t h e biwa.
Ho^biiwbu, "Those W h o A w o k e to Faith" (6 tales). Stories in fine, sober Japanese
about Buddhist believers w h o achieved salvation, mingled with reflections on the lessons
t o b e d r a w n from their e x a m p l e s . Early 13th c e n t u r y , b y K a m o n o C h o m e i ( 1 1 5 3 7 - 1 2 1 6 ) ,
a minor courtier and poet from the priestly family of the K a m o Shrine, w h o b e c a m e a
m o n k late i n life. C h o m e i ' s b r i e f Hojdki ( " A n A c c o u n t o f M y H u t " ) i s o n e o f t h e m o s t
famous w o r k s o f classical J a p a n e s e literature.

Jikkuubo, " T e n M o r a l T e a c h i n g s " ( 1 0 t a l e s ) . T a l e s o n m a n y s u b j e c t s , o r g a n i z e d s o a s t o

p r o v i d e e x a m p l e s o f moral i n s t r u c t i o n . C h a p t e r s h a v e s u c h titles a s "The N e e d t o A v o i d
Pride" a n d "The N e e d t o C h o o s e O n e ' s F r i e n d s . " M a n y tales are rather drily told. T h e
work is dated 1252. A n o n y m o u s .
Kaluga Gongen genki, " T h e M i r a c l e s of t h e K a s u g a G o d " (3 tales). A set of illustrated
scrolls narrating the miraculous d e e d s of the K a s u g a G o d , in J a p a n e s e . C o m p l e t e d in
1309. T h e text w a s put together by Kakuen ( 1 2 7 7 - 1 3 4 0 ) , a Kofukuji m o n k of extremely
high birth; a n d c o p i e d out b y a former r e g e n t a n d his three s o n s , o n e o f w h o m w a s regent
at the time.

Kofukuji ranjhokl, "The Beginnings of Kofukuji" (1 tale). A compilation of lore on

Kofukuji, in C h i n e s e . Of uncertain date. A n o n y m o u s .
Kobon .•c't.'itu'ti.'bii, " O l d Tale C o l l e c t i o n " (2 tales). A collection of stories in pure J a p a -
nese, d a t i n g p e r h a p s from t h e 12th c e n t u r y , but r e d i s c o v e r e d o n l y in t h e 2 0 t h . T h e original
title i s l o s t . A n o n y m o u s .
Koju)an, " A n e c d o t e s o f t h e P a s t " ( 2 t a l e s ) . A n e c d o t e s o n v a r i o u s s u b j e c t s , n o t e d d o w n
in an inconsistent style r a n g i n g from C h i n e s e to hybrid S i n o - J a p a n e s e ; historically valu-
able but generally p o o r reading. C o m p i l e d ca. 1 2 1 2 - 1 2 1 5 by Minamoto no Akikane
( 1 1 6 0 - 1 2 1 5 ) , a c o u r t i e r a n d official.
Kokoncbomonju, "Things S e e n a n d H e a r d , O l d a n d N e w " ( 1 3 tales). A large collection
3 2 6

o n a w i d e r a n g e o f t h e m e s , o r g a n i z e d u n d e r c o n v e n i e n t t o p i c s like " G o d s , " "Poetry,"

" M u s i c , " " G a m b l i n g , " " F r i g h t e n i n g Prodigies." T h e text, in J a p a n e s e , is written in a
pleasing, studiedly understated style. Dated 1254. By Tachibana no Narisue, a minor
c o u r t i e r a n d official w h o s e d a t e s are u n k n o w n .
Konjaku monogataruibu, "Tales of T i m e s N o w Past" (111 tales). This monument of J a p -
a n e s e literature i n c l u d e s o v e r a t h o u s a n d tales and probably dates from about 1100. E v e n
t h o u g h a f e w s e c t i o n s a r e m i s s i n g , t h e s t a n d a r d m o d e r n e d i t i o n i s i n five c l o s e l y p r i n t e d
v o l u m e s o f w h i c h t h e first i s d e v o t e d t o t a l e s f r o m I n d i a a n d t h e s e c o n d t o t a l e s Irom
China. T h e J a p a n e s e section c o v e r s m a n y themes, religious or secular, serious or humor-
o u s . Konjaku i s i n a r a t h e r " p r e a c h y " s o r t o f J a p a n e s e , w r i t t e n s o a s t o l o o k a s m u c h like
C h i n e s e a s p o s s i b l e , b u t t h e s t o r i e s a r e l o v i n g l y a n d o f t e n e x p e r t l y d e v e l o p e d . E a c h tale
b e g i n s a n d e n d s w i t h s e t f o r m u l a s , a s n o t e d i n t h e I n t r o d u c t i o n , but t h i s o n l y c o n t r i b u t e s
t o t h e c o l l e c t i o n ' s g r e a t n e s s . H a v i n g t h e s a m e f o r m a t , t h e s t o r i e s fit w e l l t o g e t h e r i n l o n g
s e q u e n c e s , linked to o n e a n o t h e r by a play of association. R e a d i n g Konjaku c a n b e l i k e
gliding d o w n a broad river past an e v e r - c h a n g i n g landscape.

Senjiubo, "A C h o i c e of T a l e s " (3 tales). Tales of Buddhist piety, freely mingled with
r e f l e c t i o n s o n t h e i r s i g n i f i c a n c e . T h e o r n a m e n t e d J a p a n e s e s t y l e a n d t h e lyrical t o n e a r e
both agreeable. Compiled perhaps in the mid-13th century. The author w a s long thought
t o b e t h e m o n k S a i g y o ( 1 1 1 8 - 1 1 9 0 ) , o n e o f J a p a n ' s finest p o e t s ( s e e n o s . 4 2 a n d 5 0 ) , b u t
is now considered unknown.
Sba.iekuihu, "A Book of Sand and Pebbles" (7 tales). Buddhist tales in unadorned
J a p a n e s e , usually serious but s o m e t i m e s a m u s i n g , gathered together by the m o n k M u j u
Ichien ( 1 2 2 6 - 1 3 1 2 ) in 1287. M u j u w a s particularly interested in recent stories, noting at
t i m e s t h a t h e h a d g o t t e n t h e s t o r y s t r a i g h t f r o m its s o u r c e , o r e v e n t h a t h e h a d w i t n e s s e d
the event himself.

Sbintdsbu, "Tales of the G o d s " (1 tale). Tales about important native g o d s , probably
i n t e n d e d a s n o t e s for p o p u l a r p r e a c h i n g . 14th c e n t u r y . A n o n y m o u s .
Tamon'in nikki, " T h e T a m o n ' i n D i a r y " ( 1 tale). T h e massive diary of a series of m o n k s
at Kofukuji, covering the y e a r s b e t w e e n 1478 and 1617.
Tango fuHoki, " A c c o u n t o f t h e P r o v i n c e o f T a n g o " ( 1 tale). In 7 1 3 each p r o v i n c e w a s
o r d e r e d b y t h e c o u r t t o p r e p a r e a n a c c o u n t o f its h i s t o r y a n d s p e c i a l f e a t u r e s . M o s t o f
t h e s e a c c o u n t s a r e l o s t , a n d for T a n g o , o n l y t h i s f r a g m e n t h a s b e e n p r e s e r v e d . T h e l a n -
guage is quasi-Chinese, read as archaic J a p a n e s e .
Tnirezuregiua, " E s s a y s i n I d l e n e s s " ( 2 t a l e s ) . A b o o k o f m u s i n g s a n d a n e c d o t e s , a n d o n e
of the most d i s t i n g u i s h e d w o r k s of classical J a p a n e s e literature. Written ca. 1330 by the
poet, courtier, and m a n of letters Y o s h i d a K e n k o ( 1 2 8 3 7 - 1 3 5 0 ? ) .
Vji ,'bui monogatari, " A C o l l e c t i o n o f U j i T a l e s " ( 5 4 t a l e s ) . A b o o k o f t a l e s o f all k i n d s ,
i n n o p a r t i c u l a r o r d e r , d a t a b l e t o t h e e a r l y 1 3 t h c e n t u r y . T h i s is, i n m a n y w a y s , t h e finest
o f t h e m e d i e v a l t a l e c o l l e c t i o n s . Its p u r e J a p a n e s e i s light t o r e a d , a n d its s t o r i e s a r e t o l d
w i t h w o n d e r f u l w i t a n d g r a c e . T h e author's w r y , k n o w i n g insight contrasts sharply with
the overall seriousness of most collections.
 T A L E S

C L A S S I F I E D B Y

S O U R C E S

T h e n u m b e r b e f o r e e a c h title i n d i c a t e s t h e tale's n u m b e r o r location i n t h e original. T h e

n u m b e r i n this b o o k f o l l o w s e a c h title. S e c o n d a r y s o u r c e s are i n d i c a t e d i n p a r e n t h e s e s .

En no Gyoja (Nara chori) Kaluga Gongen genkt

The Wizard of the 6 Be G o o d to Your Mother and

Mountains 88 Father! 215
10 Give Me Music! 45
Ftuoryakki 17 (Kaluga Daimydjin gotaktuenki)
25 (Genkojhaku.iho9) T h e G o d o f Come to My Kasuga
Fire a n d T h u n d e r 101 Mountain! 31

Gcnkd jhakujbo Kaluga Daimydjin gotaktuenki

9 ( s e e Ftudryakki 25) (see Kaluga Gongen genki)

Heike nwnogatan Kofukuji ranjhoki

T h e
4 The Nightmare 200 Kannon i n the Pine 27

K o h o n
Hnubiiuba "buwajbu
1 9
1/5 ( s e e Konjaku 1 2 / 3 3 ) T h e Little Bottle of T e a r s 56
6 2
3/5 T h e Thirst for Paradise 157 T w o Buckets o f Marital
3/8 A T w i n g e of Regret 161 Bliss 20
4/10 Mercy 41
6/12 A m o n g the Flowers 42 Kojiian
7/6 Little W h i t e H a i r s 195 1/7 Q u i t e a Bit o f N o n s e n s e 191
7/7 Poverty 199 5/24 The Dragon Cave 183

Jikkiiuho Kokonchomonju

\I7 Inspiring, Unfortunately 120 45 T h e T h u n d e r Turtle 103

6/18 Cherish-the-Aged Spring 171 246 T h e Little S p i d e r 6
7/1 A n A w f u l Fall 89 265 The G o d of G o o d Fortune 47
7/11 A T a s t e for F i s h 211 385 The Painted Horse 96
10/20 Twinleaf 167 386 T h e Portrait 39
10/22 Divine Applause 48 599 Sea Devils 92
10/24 For Love of Song 43 601 The M o n k in White Armor 194
10/25 T h e Weight of Tradition 46 603 The Grinning Face of an Old
10/26 The Snake Charmer 135 Woman 204
10/27 To Soothe the Savage Breast 69 605 Suddenly, Horse Dung 193
 3 2 8

606 Enough Is Enough! 80 17/44 T h e B o y W h o Laid the G o l d e n

607 The Hairy Arm 122 Stone 155

681 The Loving Fox 81 17/47 The Bottomless Sack 172

682 T h e Grateful Crab 107 19/3 Pious Antics 179

19/8 T h e Falconer's Dream 198
Konjaku monogataruhu 19/14 No Compromise 115
11/7 Gyogi and Baramon 24 19/29 T h e Grateful Turtle 105
11/13 J a p a n ' s First G o l d 23 19/32 An Old God Renewed 30
11/25 (11/9) Kobo Daishi 26 20/1 T h e M u r m u r i n g o f the Sea 33
11/29 The Emperor's Finger 22 20/2 Japan M e a n s Trouble! 34
12/7 The O l d Mackerel Peddler 25 20/4 Quite a Stink 126
12/24 The Buddha-Ox 197 20/7 A Memorable Empress 125
12/28 T h e Voice from the Cave 148 2 0 / 1 0 ( S e e Vji .<hui 9/1
12/31 The Chanting Skull 158 20/11 T h e Invincible Pair 35
12/33 (Senjujho 1 / 1 , Hojsh'uubu 15, 23/22 The Tug-of-War 136
Ujijbui 1 2 / 7 ) T h e J e l l y f i s h ' s 24/1 Three Angels 44
Bones 213 24/15 Daddy, W h o Were Those
13/1 V e r y H i g h in the People? 162
Mountains 100 24/19 T h e S p e l l b o u n d Pirates 61
13/2 The Blessing 86 24/20 Astride the Corpse 166
13/10 T h e Selfless Thief 66 24/24 Genjo 64
13/33 Rain 36 25/11 Authority 67
13/34 T h e N i c e Little G o d Sails 26/8 T h r o u g h the W a t e r Curtain 188
Away 159 26/9 The S n a k e and the
13/41 A Little L e s s o n 151 Centipede 187
13/43 Red Plum Blossoms 139 26/11 " D o g ' s H e a d " Silk 175
14/3 Red Heat 111 27/1 An Old, Old Ghost 16
14/7 A Plea from Hell 147 27/2 No Nonsense! 190
14/8 Hell in Broad D a y 216 27/5 T h e W a t e r Spirit 181
14/42 No Night to Be Out 27/7 The Ravenous Storehouse 12
Courting 168 27/9 Better Late Than Early 11
14/43 The River of Snakes 98 27/11 Very Kind of Him, No
14/44 The Master 127 Doubt 28
15/1 Paradise in the Palm of the 27/13 The Bridge 14
Hand 114 27/19 T h e Little O i l J a r 53
15/20 Gone, B o d y and Soul 113 27/21 The Grisly Box 13
15/23 Letters from Paradise 117 27/22 Mother 218
15/28 The Stinking Hut 214 27/24 She Died Long Ago 133
15/41 The Unearthly Fragrance 160 27/29 The Double 201
16/15 G o l d from the D r a g o n 27/31 T h e Eviction 84
Palace 184 27/32 Bewitched 202
16/17 T o u c h e d in the H e a d 82 27/36 The Funeral 203
16/20 Taken In 76 27/37 N o t R e a l l y a T r e e at All 208
16/29 The Solid Gold Corpse 173 27/40 T h e F o x ' s Ball 206
16/32 T h e Invisible M a n 74 27/41 Singed Fur 207
17/17 The Reprieve 180 28/5 Salt Fish a n d D o c t o r e d W i n e 8
17/26 The Catch 104 28/11 H o m e in a Chest 21
17/33 The Awakening 177 28/12 N o t Quite the Right R o b e 18
17/42 The Bloody Sword 146 28/18 The Best-Laid Plans . . . 94
28/24 The R i c e p o o p Saint 90 7/18 Y o u n g Lust 108
28/25 A F l a s h in t h e P a l a c e 7 7/20 Expert Help 123
28/28 The Dancing Mushroom 93 7/24 The Buddha with Lots of
28/29 The Harmless Haunt 164 Hands 70
28/39 The T a p e w o r m s Sad End 9 8/11 Syrup 17
28/40 Melon Magic 2
28/41 A T o a d to R e c k o n W i t h 10 Shintuhu
29/1 The Enigma 140 8 Princess Glory 32
29/5 In the Nick of T i m e 165
29/17 T h e T e m p l e Bell 143 Tanwnin nikki
29/18 The Rasho Gate 65 24 The White Fox: Four
29/19 The Dead Man Wakes 144 Dreams 209
29/21 Without E v e n a Fight 142
29/28 The Lure 78 Tango ftuhki
29/35 Perilous Gratitude 219 (Nibongi) Urashima the
29/36 Wasps 141 Fisherman 106
29/39 Mesmerized 110
29/40 T h e Pretty Girl 109 Ttureutrtgiua
30/1 Elimination 57 53 The Pot-Headed Demon 153
30/9 T h e O l d W o m a n o n the 69 W h a t the Beans W e r e
Mountain 217 Saying 40
30/14 A Beloved Wile, a Bow, a White
Bird 129 Uji ,<bui monogatari
31/7 The Forsaken Lady 132 1/1 T h e Little G o d s B i g
31/8 An Image in a Flame 131 Chance 178
31/9 The U n k n o w n Third 130 1/2 Heroic Patience, Almost 152
31/10 I S a w It in a D r e a m 134 1/3 L u m p Off, L u m p On 169
31/12 Cannibal Island 189 1/13 Cherry Blossoms 156
31/13 The Wine Spring 99 1/14 A Hard Moment 54
31/15 The D o g and His Wife 29 1/18 Yam Soup 83
31/17 What the Storm W a s h e d In 91 2/4 The Gold of Golden Peak 102
31/33 T h e M a i d e n from the S k y 4 2/7 The Nose 19
31/37 The Giant O a k 1 2/8 The Genie 59
2/10 Cowed 145
Nibongi 2/14 O n e Last S h o w e r of Petals 119
( S e e Tangofudoki) 3/2 B u t S h e C o u l d n ' t H e l p It! 58
3/4 Bring Back That Ferry! 49
S l J u
" ' 3/6 Real F l a m e s at Last! 95
1/1 ( S e e Konjaku 1 2 / 3 3 ) 3/15 The Rooted Corpse 15
5/15 The M a n - M a d e Friend 50 3/16 The Sparrows'Gifts 3
6/10 Things As They Are 38 3/20 Fox Arson 205
6/3, The Master of Streams and 4/1 Rice Cakes 124
7/4, 7/5 Falls 182 4/4 T h e Isle of M a n a n d M a i d 186
4/5 What The Snake Had in Mind 138
Sbatekuba 5/9 Rj o t o u s Living 154
7/2 Lovesick 112 5/10 T h e Telltale Fish 210
7/3 The Pond God Takes a 6/2 A Very Surprised
Wife 185 Bodhisattva 176
7/17 The Flea 5 6/5 As D e e p as the S e a 137
3 3 0

7/4 J u s t Like a Bird 79 11/9 T h e Failure 116

7/5 A F o r t u n e from a W i s p of 11/10 A Model Demon 97
Straw 174 12/5 A Simple Cure 128
8/3 The Flying Storehouse 72 12/7 ( S e e Konjaku 12/33)
8/4 Incorrigible 149 12/22 O n e Mouthful 192
8/6 No Fool, the H u n t e r 121 12/24 Take a G o o d Look! 170
8/7 Incense Smoke 85 13/5 The M a n W h o Stole a
9/1 (Konjaku 2 0 / 1 0 ) Small-Time Dream 196
Magic 52 13/6 T h e Wrestler's Sister 68
9/7 A Nice M u g of Molten 13/9 N o t Exactly the Land of
Copper 55 Bliss 118
9/8 The Ugly Son 220 13/10 D y e i n g Castle 75
10/6 T h e Sacrifice 77 13/13 Another Flying J a r 87
10/9 The Curse 163 14/10 Man's Best Friend 63
10/10 T h e Pirate's S t o r y 150 14/11 T h e L a u g h i n g Fit 51
ll/3a The Test 62 15/6 T h e Protector Spirit 71
1 l/3b O n e Frog Less 60 15/8 No Respect 73
11/6 No Dragon 37 15/9 The Promise 212
 B I B L I O G R A P H Y

/. Work.' in Western Languages

Blacker, Carmen. The Catalpa Row: A Study of Sbamanutic Practiced in Japan. Totowa, N. J . :
R o w m a n & Littlefield, 1 9 7 5 .
D o r s o n , R i c h a r d M . Folk Legends o f Japan. R u t l a n d , V t . : C h a r l e s E. Tuttle, 1962.
Frank, B e r n a r d . HLiloires qui son! mainlenanl du passe. Paris: Gallimard. 1968.
Kelsey, W. M i c h a e l . Konjaku Aionogatari-shu. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1982.
Kobayashi, Hiroko. The Human Comedy of Heian Japan: A Study of the Secular Stories in the
Twelfth-Century Collection of Tales, Konjaku Afonogatariihu. Tokyo: The Centre for East
Asian Cultural Studies, 1979.
McCullough, William H., and Helen Craig McCullough. A Tale of Flowering Fortunes:
Annals of Japanese Aruitocratic Life in the Heian Period (2 vols.). Stanford, Calif.: Stanford
University Press, 1980.
Mayer, Fanny Hagin. Ancient Tales in Modern Japan: An Anthology of Japanese Folk Tales.
Bioomington: Indiana University Press, 1984.
Mills, D. E. A Collection of Tales from Uji: A Study ant) Translation of Vji Shui Monogatari.
Cambridge and N e w York: Cambridge University Press, 1970.
Morris, Ivan. The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan. N e w York: Alfred
A. Knopf, 1964.
Muju, I c h i e n . Collection de sable el de pierres: Sbasekishu. Translation, preface, and c o m m e n -
taries by H a r t m u t O. R o t e r m u n d . Paris: Gallimard, 1979.
Seki, K e i g o , e d . Folktales o f Japan. Translated by Robert J. A d a m s . C h i c a g o : University
of Chicago Press, 1963.
Ury, Marian. Tales o f Times Now Past. Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: U n i v e r s i t y of
California Press, 1979.
Y a n a g i t a , K u n i o . The Legends o f Tone. T r a n s l a t e d b y R o n a l d A . M o r s e . T o k y o : T h e J a p a n
Foundation, 1975.

2. Japanese Sources

En no Gydja in Aluromachi jidai monogatari lauei, vol. 3, edited by Yokoyama Shigeru and
Matsumoto Takanobu. Tokyo: Kadokawa, 1975.
Fuso ryakki ( b y Koen). In Kaitei shi'eki shuran, edited by Kondo Heijo. Tokyo: Kondo
Kappansho, 1900.
Genko shakttsho ( b y K o k a n Shiren). In Shinteizoho kokushi taikei, v o l . 3 1 , e d i t e d by K o k u s h i
T a i k e i H e n s h u Kai. T o k y o : Y o s h i k a w a K o b u n k a n , 1 9 6 5 .
Heike monogatari. Edited by Takagi Ichinosuke, O z a w a M a s a o , e t al. ( N i h o n k o t e n b u n -
g a k u taikei, vols. 3 2 , 3 3 . ) T o k y o : Iwanami, 1 9 5 9 - 6 0 .
3 3 2

IIo.vhin.ihu ( b y K a m o no C h o m e i ) . I n Hojoki, Hoj.ihin.ihii, edited by Miki Sumito ( S h i n c h o

N i h o n koten shusei). T o k y o : Shinchdsha, 1976.
Jikkirhihd. E d i t e d b y N a g a z u m i Y a s u a k i . ( I w a n a m i b u n k o , v o l . 3 0 - 1 2 0 - 1 . ) T o k y o : I w a -
nami, 1942.
Kajuga Gongen genki a n d Kaouga Daimydjin gotakiuenki. In Gun.<ho ruiju, vol. 2, edited by
H a n a w a H o k i i c h i . T o k y o : Z o k u G u n s h o Ruiju Kansei Kai, 1972.
Kd/ukujiranohdki. In Dainihon hukkyd zenjho, edited by Bussho Kanko Kai, vol. 119. Tokyo:
B u s s h o K a n k o Kai, 1915.
Kohon jehuwaohu. In Kobon .<ebuwa.<hti zenchukai, edited by Takahashi Mitsugu. Tokyo:
Yuseido Shuppan, 1985.
Kojidan ( b y M i n a m o t o A k i k a n e ) . E d i t e d b y K o b a y a s h i Y a s u h a r u . ( K o t e n b u n k o , v o l s . 6 0 ,
62.) T o k y o : Gendai Shichosha, 1981.
Kokonchomonju ( b y T a c h i b a n a N a r i s u e ) . Edited by N a g a z u m i Yasuaki and Shimada Isao.
( N i h o n k o t e n b u n g a k u taikei, vol. 8 4 . ) T o y k o : Iwanami, 1966.
Konjaku monogataruhu, books 19-31. Edited by Y a m a d a Yoshio, Yamada Tadao, et al.
( N i h o n k o t e n b u n g a k u taikei, vols. 2 4 - 2 6 . ) T o k y o : Iwanami, 1 9 6 1 - 6 3 .
Nihon jhoki. E d i t e d b y S a k a m o t o T a r o , I e n a g a S a b u r o , e t al. ( N i h o n k o t e n b u n g a k u t a i k e i ,
vols. 67, 68.) Tokyo: Iwanami, 1967.
Scnjiuhd. Edited by Nishio Koichi. (Iwanami bunko, vol. 3 0 - 0 2 4 - 1 . ) Tokyo: Iwanami,
1970.
Sha.ieki.ihu ( b y M u j u I c h i e n ) . E d i t e d b y W a t a n a b e T s u n a y a . ( N i h o n k o t e n b u n g a k u t a i k e i ,
vol. 8 5 . ) T o k y o : Iwanami, 1966.
S h i g e m a t s u , A k i h i s a . Ura.<bima-<>hiden ( K o t e n b u n k o , v o l . 5 5 ) . T o k y o : G e n d a i S h i c h o s h a ,
1981.
Sbintwhu. Edited by K o n d o Kihaku. Tokyo: Kadokawa, 1967.
Tamon'in nikki. Edited by Tsuji Zennosuke. I n Mugenki (a collection of the diarist's
dreams), vol. 3. T o k y o : Kadokawa, 1965.
T.iurezureguja (by Yoshida Kenko). Edited by Nishio Minoru. (Nihon koten bungaku
taikei, vol. 3 0 . ) T o k y o : Iwanami, 1957.
Uji jhui monogatari. Edited by Kobayashi C h i s h o . ( N i h o n koten b u n g a k u zenshu, vol. 2 8 . )
Toyko: Shogakkan, 1973.
 I N D E X

T h e n u m b e r s after the entries are tale n u m b e r s , not p a g e s . P e o p l e are listed u n d e r th

personal names.

A c a d e m y , the 10 Bonden (king)

Akashi 61, 127 g o v e r n s rain 3 6
Aki province 69 Book of Changed 51
A m i d a 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 132, 160, boy
161, 198, 2 1 2 , 2 1 3 , 2 1 4 b a w l s t o s e e c h e r r y b l o s s o m s fall 1 5 6
A m i d a Sutra 113, 197 bears golden stone 155
angels guzzles syrup 17
c o m e d o w n to hear music 44 healed by Thousand-Armed Kannon
ascetic 70
fails t o f l y 8 9 h u n g r y for r i c e d u m p l i n g s 1 5 2
falls i n l o v e w i t h e m p r e s s 1 2 5 l o v e d b y Z d y o 154
heals e m p e r o r with tengu magic 126 Byodoin 167
master of Nichizo 98 cannibals 189
Nichizo meets demon 97 cave

N i c h i z o v i s i t s a f t e r w o r l d 101 h o u s e s p o w e r of Lotus Sutra 148

taught lesson in humility 87 centipede
turns out to be fake 90 claims island, killed by snake 187
Asoka (king) 22 c h a m b e r pot
A t a g o , M o u n t 121 is Heichu's downfall 57
badger chest
f o o l s a s c e t i c 121 hides philandering monk 21
haunts a chapel 122 Chiko
haunts a pond 204 has vision of A m i d a s paradise 114
bamboo cutter 4, 32 C h i k u z e n p r o v i n c e 104, 160
Baramon China 3 1 , 3 3 , 34, 5 1 , 75, 187
arrives in J a p a n 24 Chusan
consecrates Great Buddha 25 as master of w a t e r 182
Benevolent King, Sutra of the 71 corpse
B i b a s h i ( b u d d h a ) 101 giant, w a s h e d up on beach 91
Bishamon 72 man sleeps with wife's corpse 133
kills d e m o n 146 Council of State 11
of Kurama confers wealth 155 crab
Bitchu province 48, 82, 196 s a v e s girl f r o m s n a k e 1 0 7
Biwa, L a k e 13, 3 3 , 8 3 , 104 crow
boar as magic messenger 59
created by magic 52 curse 5 1 , 163
stages fake funeral 2 0 3 Daianji 55
 3 3 4

Daigo (emperor) King Z e n t a t s u at M u r o 183

healed by S w o r d Guardian 72 of M a n o Pond caught by tengu 35
s u f f e r s in h e l l 101 dream
Dainichi 101 of poverty 199
D a k i n i rite of w h i t e hairs 195
commissioned by Tadazane 47 stolen b y y o u n g m a n 196
d a n c e (see m u s i c a n d d a n c e ) t w i n d r e a m s o f j e a l o u s y 134
deer t w i n d r e a m s ol l o n g i n g 130
b o w to Kasuga God 31 Echizen province 8, 49, 172, 197
demon(s) (oni) E m m a ( k i n g o f hell) 46, 149,215
b e c o m e s empress's lover 125 enchantment
defeated by Lotus Sutra 148 by fox 82, 202, 207
("devils") invade island 92 b y K o k u z o 104
e a t s c o n t r o l l e r 11 En no G y o j a 182
e a t s N a r i h i r a ' s girl 1 2 life s t o r y 8 8
emanation of Kannon saves ascetic 98 Ennin
faked by gambler 220 caught in D y e i n g Castle 75
in g a t e p l a y s flute 1 6 7 En'yu (emperor)
i n g a t e s t e a l s biwa G e n j o 6 4 healed by false healer 126
killed by B i s h a m o n 146 E t c h u p r o v i n c e 147, 2 1 6
m a k e m a n invisible 74 falconer
meets Nichizo in Omine Mountains 97 dreams of pheasants' anguish 198
( " m o n s t e r s ") r e m o v e old man's l u m p farmer 186
169 fart
m o t h e r tries t o eat s o n 2 1 8 embarrasses lady and suitor 58
nearly catch y o u n g g e n t l e m a n 168 fire spells 34, 74, 87
on bridge, with grisly b o x 13 fish
on bridge p u r s u e s rider 14 pops out of a monk's nose 210
serves Kichijoten 172 preferred by m o n k Rin'e 211
t u r n s out to be a d o g 164 flea 5
venerate Lotus Sutra 100 flying
w i t h horse head peers into r o o m 170 bowl 72
d e v i l s (see d e m o n ) jar 8 7 , 100
D i a m o n d W i s d o m , S u t r a o f 151 fox(es)
dog(s) 75 a p p e a r s as nurse's double 201
dogshit smell betrays t e n g u magic 126 b e g s for r i c e c a k e s , t h r o u g h m e d i u m
g o d m a r r i e d t o h u m a n girl 2 9 124
kept by mountain g o d 26 b e g s m a n to spare his family 80
help hunter destroy monkey gods 77 bewitch woman 202
s c o l d e d , t h e n fed b y J a k u s h i n 179 enchants lecherous man 82
y i e l d s beautiful silk 175 get evicted from house 84
Dojoji 111 g e t s b a c k ball, p r o t e c t s m a n 2 0 6
Domyo 178 god demands music 47
dragon m a s q u e r a d e s as h u g e tree 2 0 8
d i e s t o m a k e rain 3 6 m e s s e n g e r speaks through man's wife
d o e s n o t rise from S a r u s a w a P o n d 3 7 83
g u a r d s the B u d d h a ' s T e a c h i n g 149 p e r s e c u t e s e m p r e s s 125
king p r o v i d e s gold 184 sets house on fire 205
 tells d r e a m e r t o w e a r red 2 0 9 ol Kasuga glimpsed in dream 209
tricks riders, gets s i n g e d 2 0 7 ol Kasuga prefers music 45
w o m a n g i v e s life for m a n 8 1 of Kasuga speaks to M y o e 31
frog 6 0 , 107 o l K a s u g a s a v e s d a n c e r from hell 2 1 5
Fudaraku (paradise of Kannon) 27 ol Katsuragi, Hitokotonushi 88
d e v o t e e sails to F u d a r a k u 157 of Kibitsu Shrine 48
g o d sails to F u d a r a k u 159 of M a t s u n o o 101
F u d o 34, 73, 74, 75, 95, 126 o f M o u n t Fuji
F u g e n 66, 120 name licked onto sword by En no
a p p e a r s as harlot 38 Gyoja 88
false v i s i o n o l 121 origin of 32
Fuji, M o u n t 3 2 , 8 8 of Mount Koya, Koya and Nifu 26
funeral of O m i n e , Z a o G o n g e n 23, 88, 101,
corpse refuses to m o v e 15 102
fake, staged b y boar 2 0 3 o l p o n d ( s n a k e ) p u r s u e s girl 1 8 5
fake, s t a g e d by t h i e v e s 143 ol road gets to hear Lotus Sutra 178
ol long-dead wife 133, 166 of road sails to paradise 159
F u w a barrier 130 o f s k y a n d e a r t h 171
gambler revived by governor's attentions 30
marries off ugly son 2 2 0 shrine built on g r a v e m o u n d 15
Gangoji 114 Sun Goddess 43
genie(s) 59, 62 Gokurakubo 114
ghost Gokurakuji 71
ol l o n g - d e a d wife 133 gold
of rider struck by l i g h t n i n g 16 "boy" b e a r s g o l d e n s t o n e 1 5 5
o f T o r u 1 9 0 , 191 corpse 173
Gion Temple 21 l o u n d for T o d a i j i 2 3
god(s) of G o l d e n Peak, stolen 102
appears to E m p e r o r Tenji 22 p r o v i d e d b y D r a g o n K i n g 184
d e f e n d R e t i r e d E m p e r o r U d a 191 G o l d e n Light, Sutra of 149
g i v e w o m a n silk t h r o u g h d o g 175 G o l d e n Peak 2 3 , 4 9 , 94, 100
Hachiman 101, 2 0 0 g o l d of, s t o l e n 1 0 2
h a s f o l l o w e r t o r t u r e girl 7 4 history of 88
in d o g form married to h u m a n 29 p a r a d i s e a n d h e l l o f 101
in m o n k e y form d e m a n d h u m a n gourds
sacrifice 77, 188 y i e l d rice or p o i s o n 3
named Chusan, a m o n k e y 77 Gyogi
named Koya, a snake 77 recognized as Monju 24
of earth 113 Hahaso wood 46
o f d i s e a s e call r o a d g o d t o c o m e 1 5 9 H a k a m a d a r e 144, 145
of disease s h o w s gratitude 28 H a r i m a province 20, 6 1 , 76, 127, 2 0 3
o f d i s e a s e a n d c a l a m i t y 101 Hasedera 76, 173
o f F i r e a n d T h u n d e r , D a i j o T e n j i n 101 K a n n o n confers w e a l t h 174
of Fire a n d T h u n d e r as turtle 103 Haseo, Ki no
of G o o d Fortune (fox) 47 i g n o r e s diviner's w a r n i n g 164
of Hakusan 88 haunt
of Hie Shrine 41 abducts boy 193
of island as s n a k e and centipede 187 m o n k in w h i t e a r m o r 194
3 3 6

hawk keeper Inamino 20, 76, 203

d r e a m s he is a p h e a s a n t 198 India 3 1 , 33
saved by K a n n o n 137 I s e p r o v i n c e 141
healing 8 2 , 124, 125, 127, 193, 2 0 6 island
by Thousand-Armed Kannon 70 claimed by snake g o d 187
Eijitsu heals K i n s u e 128 invaded by "devils" 92
Gokurakuji m o n k heals Kanemichi 71 of cannibals 189
restores m a n to visibility 74 settled by brother a n d sister 186
Rin'e heals sick w o m a n 211 Iyo province 28
S o o heals empress 73 Izu p r o v i n c e 92
S w o r d Guardian heals E m p e r o r D a i g o 72 Izumi province 20
Heart Sutra 74, 182 Izumi Shikibu 178
Heichu Jakushin 179
a n d his fake tears 56 jellyfish's b o n e s 2 1 3

dies of disappointment 57 Jizo 88

hell 4 6 , 1 9 5 , 2 1 5 a p p e a r s as turtle 104

o f G o l d e n P e a k 101 s a v e s m o n k f r o m hell 1 8 0
J i z o s a v e s m a n from hell 104, 180 Kaga province 187
o f T a t e y a m a 147, 2 1 6 Kaguya-hime 32
T o s h i y u k i in hell 149 Kai p r o v i n c e 6 8 , 2 0 5
hichlriki 69 K a m a k u r a 112
H i d a province 188 K a m o Virgin 202
Hie Shrine 41 Kanaoka, Kose no
Hiei, M o u n t 33, 34, 35, 47, 73, 75, 85, paints lively horse 96
100, 120, 127 152, 155 156, 177, 2 1 3 Kanemichi, Fujiwara no 71
H i g o province 148 K a n n o n 107, 117, 118, 157
Hira, M o u n t 35, 86 as snake saves keeper of h a w k s 137
Hitachi province 91 Chusan becomes Thousand-Armed
Horinji 177 Kannon 182
horse confers wealth through Dragon King
d u n g c o v e r s b o y 193 184
painted by Kanaoka ravages fields 96 E l e v e n - H e a d e d , statue of 27
hunter carved from tree 82
as Mountain King 26 Nyoirin 23
destroys monkey gods 77 of Hasedera 27, 76
e x p o s e s f a l s e v i s i o n o f F u g e n 121 c o n f e r s w e a l t h 173, 174
hears A m i d a a n s w e r from the sea 115 of R o k k a k u d o saves invisible man 74
nearly eaten by insane mother 218 s a v e s girl f r o m h e l l 1 4 7
Ibuki M o u n t a i n s 118 saves old road g o d 159
Immortal(s) s a v e s provincial secretary 148
a n a s c e t i c fails t o b e c o m e o n e 8 9 T h o u s a n d - A r m e d heals boy 70
angels c o m e d o w n to hear music 44 T h o u s a n d - A r m e d saves ascetic 98
girl m a r r i e s mortal 106 w a r r i o r m i s t a k e n for K a n n o n b e c o m e s
girl o f M o u n t Fuji 3 2 monk 176
girl r e f u s e s t o m a r r y m o r t a l 4 Kasagi, M o u n t 180
in O m i n e M o u n t a i n s 100 Kasho (Buddha) 197
on M o u n t Hira blesses monk 86 Kasuga Shrine 31, 45, 208, 215
rides incense s m o k e 85 K a t s u r a R i v e r 1 1 6 , 161
 Katsuragi M o u n t a i n s 88, 125 laughter
K a w a r a - n o - i n P a l a c e 1 9 0 , 191 caused by magic 51
Kazan (Retired Emperor) Lotus Sutra 40, 66, 73, 86, 88, 101, 121,
has S h o k u ' s portrait painted 39 149, 178, 2 1 3 , 2 1 4
Kegon Sutra 23, 25 attracts dragon 36
kestrel b e a t s S u t r a o f D i a m o n d W i s d o m 151
form of t e n g u 35, 119 c o n v e r t s pirate t o faith 1 5 0
Kibitsu Shrine 48 d e v o t e e g i v e s up his b o d y 158
Kichijoten heals Kinsue 128
marries admirer 20 inspires thought of self-immolation 157
p r o v i d e s b o t t o m l e s s sack of rice 172 lady d i e s after c h a n t i n g L o t u s 132
Kii p r o v i n c e 2 6 , 3 1 , 1 2 9 , 1 4 2 , 1 5 8 , 1 5 9 m a k e s m o n k Immortal 100
Kinsue, Fujiwara no mastered by m o n k of M o u n t Hiei 177
healed by Lotus Sutra 128 s a v e s girl r e b o r n a s s n a k e 139
worships Buddha-ox 197 s a v e s girl f r o m hell 1 4 7
kite s a v e s m o n k from d e m o n 146
really a t e n g u 120 s a v e s m o t h e r from hell 2 1 6
Kiyomizudera 78 saves old road g o d 159

spectacular escape from 79 saves provincial secretary 148

Kiyoyuki, Miyoshi no saves snake-man and snake-woman

evicts fox family 84 111

Kobo Daishi saves soul of fox 81

founds Mount Koya 26 v i s i o n o t B u d d h a p r e a c h i n g 120
Kofukuji 27, 37, 45, 182, 2 1 2 mackerel
Kokuzo turn into K e g o n Sutra 25
tricks m o n k into b e c o m i n g great magic
scholar 177 b o w , bird 129
Kongobuji c a p s i z e s a ferry 49
origin 26 c a u s e s l a u g h i n g fit 5 1
Kongosen 125 o f D a k i n i rite 4 7
Konoe (emperor) g r o w s instant m e l o n s 2
tormented by nightmare monster 200 i m a g e i n f l a m e 131
koto 44 makes penis disappear 52
K o s h i n vigil 51 spirit in oil jar kills girl 53
Koya, M o u n t 50, 160 Makoto, Minamoto no
discovered by Kobo Daishi 26, 35 visited by angels 44
Koya no Myojin 26 melons 2
Koyadera 143 Michinaga, Fujiwara no 167
K o z e n 126, 183 s a v e d from curse b y his d o g 6 3
Kozuke province 67, 130 Michizane, Sugawara no
K u m a n o 4 9 , 100, 111, 158, 159 appears as turtle t h e n as g o d 103
Kumata Shrine 187 a s G o d o f F i r e a n d T h u n d e r 101
Kurama M i i d e r a 147, 149, 197, 199
B i s h a m o n confers w e a l t h 155 M i k a w a province 175
K u y a 179 Mimasaka province 77
K y u s h u 5 1 , 76, 105, 160, 189, 2 1 4 , 2 1 9 Minase 204
L a n d of Bliss 114, 115, 117, 132, 160, M n o p r o v i n c e 13, 118, 130, 171
180 M i n o o waterfall 88, 182
 3 3 8

M i r o k u 2 2 , 2 3 , 26, 8 8 , 102, 111, 197 nightmare monster

Monju 120 torments Emperor Konoe 200
true form of G y o g i 24 Ninkai
monkey eats small birds 211
g o d ( s ) d e b u n k e d by hunter 77, by goes to Amida's paradise 212
monk 188 Nittai 2 6 6
steals b a b y , kills e a g l e s 2 1 9 nose, long and purple 19
monsters (see "demons") Nose, The
mother gets contused over a dragon 37
s p e a k s f r o m hell 2 1 6 oak, giant 1
tries to eat son 2 1 8 Obasute, Mount 217
mountain ascetic O k i island ( I z u ) 92
c a p s i z e s a ferry 49 old couple
Mudoji 73 find m a g i c girl 32
Murakami (emperor) old m a n
m o u r n s loss of G e n j o 64 has his l u m p r e m o v e d b y d e m o n s 169
Muroji 183 old w o m a n
M u s a s h i n o plain 42 abandoned in mountains 217
mushrooms becomes demon 218
fail t o kill o l d a b b o t 9 4 r e w a r d e d by s p a r r o w s 3
make nuns and woodcutters dance O m i p r o v i n c e 1, 14, 2 2 , 104, 182
93 O m i n e M o u n t a i n s 88, 97, 98, 99, 100,
music (and dance) 101
brings angels d o w n 44 O w a r i p r o v i n c e 108, 134
charms snake 135 ox
c o n q u e r s pirates 69 black ox is B u d d h a K a s h o 197
d a n c e r s a v e d from hell 4 6 , 2 1 5 painting
demanded by fox g o d 47 of Fudo by Yoshihide 95
flute played by d e m o n 167 of horse by Kanaoka 96
musician c h o k e s on spider 6 of Venerable Shoku 39
p l a y e d b y d e m o n o n biwa 6 4 Palace Guards
preferred by Kasuga G o d 45 u n d o n e by practical joker 8
receives gods' applause 48 p a r a d i s e 151
soothes gods 43 of A m i d a 113, 114, 160, 161, 2 1 2 , 2 1 4
Mutsu province 23, 30 m o n k fails to r e a c h it 116, 1 5 7
Myoe m o n k tricked by tengu vision 118
p e r s u a d e d not to go to India 31 m o n k tricks himself into it 117
Myoson o f g o l d e n P e a k 101
worships Buddha-ox 197 of the Immortals 106
N a c h i waterfall 182 Peacock King (mantra of) 88
Nagarjuna 88, 182 penis(es)
Naniwa 24 erect, k n o c k s father-in-law flat 54
N a r a 27, 36, 37, 4 5 , 4 6 , 182, 183, 208, e x p o s e d in p a l a c e 7
211, 212, 215 b o x full o f s e v e r e d p e n i s e s 1 3
Narihira, Ariwara no 12 pheasants 198
Nichizo 98 pirate(s)
meets demon 97 captured by magic 61
v i s i t s a f t e r w o r l d 101 conquered by music 69
Nifu no Myojin 26 c o n v e r t e d t o L o t u s faith 1 5 0
p u r i t y and p o l l u t i o n 4 1 , 214 Shigadera 22
impurity lands Toshiyuki in hell 1 4 9 Shigi, M o u n t 72
R a i k o 114 Shimotsuke province 23
rain m a k i n g 3 6 , 1 8 3 Shimdsa province 185
Rasho Gate 64, 65 S h i n a n o province 9, 52, 113, 176, 2 1 7
relics ( o f B u d d h a ) 4 3 , 2 0 9 jbo 6
Rin'e Shoku
p r e f e r s fish 2 1 1 a n d his portrait 39
reproached by Kasuga G o d 45 hears beans talking 40
R i v e r s i d e P a l a c e 1 9 0 , 191 see harlot as F u g e n 38
robe Shomu (emperor)
betrays a monk's affair 18 appoints Baramon 24
Roben 23 appoints mackerel peddler 25
Rokkakudo 74 s e e k s g o l d for T o d a i j i 2 3
sacrifice, h u m a n 77, 188 Shosha, Mount 38, 39, 40
Saga M o o r 198 silk
Saigyo m i r a c u l o u s silk f r o m d o g 1 7 5
finds hermit w h o l o v e s flowers 4 2 snake 52
t r i e s to m a k e a h u m a n b e i n g 50 as b o y lover 112
salmon a s g o d o f p o n d p u r s u e s girl 1 8 5
f o r m ol G o d of F i r e a n d T h u n d e r as god of shrine 77
103 as savior K a n n o n 137
Sammi, H a k u g a no charmed by music 135
f i n d s biwa G e n j o 6 4 destroyed by crabs 107
o b t a i n s d e m o n ' s flute 167 form o f d r a g o n c a u g h t b y t e n g u 3 5
,<an m a g i c 51 f o r m e r l y a girl, freed by w o m a n 138
Sanesuke f o r m e r l y a girl, s a v e d by L o t u s 139

d o e s not w o r s h i p Buddha-ox 197 f o r m e r l y a w o m a n , p u r s u e s m o n k 111

d r e a m s of L i t t l e W h i t e H a i r s 1 9 5 g o d claims island 187

gets angry with y o u n g Norikuni 7 killed by s e m e n 109

s p o t s s p i r i t i n oil jar 5 3 mesmerizes woman 110

Sanjo Empress pursues ascetic in O m i n e Mountains

picturesquely ordained by Zoga 213 98

Sanjusangendo 92, 194 saved by m a n brings w e a l t h 173

S a n u k i p r o v i n c e 3 5 , 1 15 tries d r a g g i n g wrestler d o w n 136
Sarashina 217 t r i e s s e d u c i n g y o u n g girl 108
Sarusawa Pond 37, 183 Somedono Empress
s e c l u s i o n to a v o i d m i s f o r t u n e 14, 1 6 3 , healed by Soo 73
164, 165 p e r s e c u t e d by fox, then by d e m o n 125
S e i m e i , A b e no S o n s h o Darani 8 5 , 108, 168
f i n d s c u l p r i t in p l o t a g a i n s t M i c h i n a g a Soo
63 talks to F u d o , heals e m p r e s s 73
kills f r o g b y m a g i c 6 0 Soul's Recall
saves man from a curse 59 I n c e n s e for t h e 3 2
steals rival's genies 6 2 Secret Rite of the 50
Seishi 117 sparrows
Sekidera 197 bring riches or poison as rewards 3
Settsu province 1 4 3 , 1 5 0 spider
S h a k a P e a k (in Omine) 8 8 chokes musician 6
3 4 0

spirit p o s s e s s i o n let g o o n e m p e r o r ' s o r d e r 1 4 0

and b o y c o v e r e d w i t h horse d u n g 193 plays d e a d 144
b y fox 124, 125, 2 0 6 steal t e m p l e bell 143
b y g h o s t o f d r o w n e d m a n 161 steals to save prisoners 66
by G o d of G o o d Fortune (a fox g o d ) trick a w a r r i o r 142
47 y o u n g m a n steals d r e a m 196
by G o d of Hie Shrine 41 thunder 3 5 , 36, 101, 103, 185
by G o d of Kasuga 31 toad
by g o d s of Katsuragi and Hakusan 88 trips p e o p l e up 10
by tengu 34 Todaiji 2 3 , 2 4 , 25, 72, 180
student Toji 102, 194
tripped up by toad 10 Tomonori, Ki no 149
Sumiyoshi31, 105 Tonomine 213
S u o p r o v i n c e 150 Tori H e a v e n 8 1 , 111, 147
S u z u k a m o u n t a i n s 141 T o r i b e n o 15, 1 3 1 , 2 0 7
Sword Guardian Toru, ghost of

heals Emperor D a i g o 72 t h r e a t e n s E m p e r o r U d a 1 9 0 , 191

Tadayuki, K a m o no (diviner) 162, 165 T o s a p r o v i n c e 157, 186
Tadazane, Fujiwara no (regent) T o s o t s u H e a v e n 7 3 , 8 6 , 111
c o m m i s s i o n s D a k i n i rite 4 7 Tsuruga 83
Taicho 88 turtle
T a i s h a k u ( I n d r a ) 111 form o f G o d o f Fire a n d T h u n d e r
j u d g e of hell 1 4 7 103
Tajima province 146 f o r m o f i m m o r t a l girl 106
Tamba province 122 form of J i z o 104
T a n g o p r o v i n c e 106, 117, 136 s a v e s little b o y 1 0 5
tapeworm Uda (emperor) 96
b e c o m e s governor of Shinano 9 m e e t s g h o s t of T o r u 190, 191
T a t e y a m a 147, 2 1 6 tengu born as son of 33
tengu Urashima
assists false healer 126 m a r r i e s i m m o r t a l girl 1 0 6
catches dragon 35 y o u n g e r brother of 192
from China bested in J a p a n 34 Urin'in 138, 155
from India c o m e s to M o u n t Hiei 33 vajra 8 7
p o s e s as a B u d d h a 119 a n d bell h e l d b y s k e l e t o n 8 8
s h o w s vision of Lotus preaching 120 found by Kobo Daishi 26
t e a c h e s pass of invisibility 123 - h a n d l e d b e l l f o u n d b y N i c h i z o 101
tricks hermit w i t h vision of A m i d a 118 v a j r a - b e a r e r 101
Tenji ( e m p e r o r ) Vajra-Realm Mandala 101, 127
lounds Shigadera 22 Vulture Peak 88, 120
Tennoji 4 3 , 159 walnuts
thief/thieves terrify h u m a n t a p e w o r m 9
abbot steals temple property 55 wasps
at Rashd Gate 65 p r o t e c t m e r c h a n t 141
c o w e d and released by governor 67 w a t e r s p i r i t 181
c o w e d b y Y a s u m a s a 145 wealth
foiled by brave warrior 165 c o n f e r r e d b y B i s h a m o n 155
frightened by wrestler's sister 68 c o n f e r r e d b y D r a g o n K i n g 184
 conferred by K a n n o n of H a s e d e r a 173 yin-yang magic 162
conferred by Kichijoten 20, 172 captures pirates 61
wine u s e d t o foil c u r s e 5 9
laced with laxative u n d o e s Palace used to harm Michinaga 63
Guards 8 u s e d t o kill f r o g 6 0
laced with walnut u n d o e s t a p e w o r m 9 used to lay curse 163
spring found by monk 99 u s e d t o steal rival's g e n i e s 6 2
s p r i n g f o u n d b y p o o r m a n 171 Yorimasa, Minamoto no
W o m b - R e a l m M a n d a l a 101, 127 shoots d o w n nightmare monster 200
wrestler Yoshihide
kicks robber out the d o o r 68 w a t c h e s his h o u s e burn 9 5
proves stronger than snake 136 Y o z e i ( e m p e r o r ) 192
yam soup l e a r n s a little m a g i c 5 2
m a d e in vast q u a n t i t y for Sir G o i 83 Yuryaku (emperor) 88
Y a m a s h i n a 184 Z a o G o n g e n 102
Yamashiro province 107 origin 88
Y a m a t o province 2, 2 3 , 26, 8 9 , 183 h e l p s S h o m u find g o l d 2 3
Yasutane, Yoshishige no 179 s h o w s N i c h i z o a f t e r w o r l d 101
y i n - y a n g d i v i n e r 14, 6 3 , 8 2 , 127, 162, 179 Zoga
advises seclusion 164, 165 r e m a r k a b l e life o f 2 1 3
captures pirates 61 Zoyo
helps man escape wife's curse 166 in love w i t h a b o y 154
 A B O U T T H E A U T H O R

B o r n in E n g l a n d in 1936, Royall Tyler h a s lived in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,

C a n a d a , F r a n c e , a n d J a p a n . After r e c e i v i n g his B . A . i n J a p a n e s e
from H a r v a r d a n d his P h . D . i n J a p a n e s e literature from C o l u m b i a
University, h e t a u g h t J a p a n e s e l a n g u a g e a n d literature a t t h e
U n i v e r s i t y o f T o r o n t o , O h i o S t a t e University, a n d t h e U n i v e r s i t y
o f W i s c o n s i n a t M a d i s o n . S i n c e 1984 h e h a s b e e n t e a c h i n g a t the
U n i v e r s i t y o f O s l o . H e h a s p r e v i o u s l y translated t h e w r i t i n g s
of a seventeenth-century Z e n master and t w o volumes
o f N o h a n d kydgen p l a y s .