Musomadeanswer：——
"Foryourkindintentionandyourgeneroushospitalityandamdeeplygrateful。ButIamsorrythatyoudidnottellmeofyourfather’sdeathwhenIcame;——for，thoughIwasalittletired，IcertainlywasnotsotiredthatIshouldhavefounddifficultyindoingmydutyasapriest。Hadyoutoldme，Icouldhaveperformedtheservicebeforeyourdeparture。Asitis，Ishallperformtheserviceafteryouhavegoneaway;andIshallstaybythebodyuntilmorning。Idonotknowwhatyoumeanbyyourwordsaboutthedangerofstayingherealone;butIamnotafraidofghostsordemons：thereforepleasetofeelnoanxietyonmyaccount。"
Theyoungmanappearedtoberejoicedbytheseassurances，andexpressedhisgratitudeinfittingwords。Thentheothermembersofthefamily，andthefolkassembledintheadjoiningroom，havingbeentoldofthepriest’skindpromises，cametothankhim，——afterwhichthemasterofthehousesaid：——
"Now，reverendSir，muchasweregrettoleaveyoualone，wemustbidyoufarewell。Bytheruleofourvillage，noneofuscanstayhereaftermidnight。Webeg，kindSir，thatyouwilltakeeverycareofyourhonorablebody，whileweareunabletoattenduponyou。Andifyouhappentohearorseeanythingstrangeduringourabsence，pleasetellusofthematterwhenwereturninthemorning。"
Allthenleftthehouse，exceptthepriest，whowenttotheroomwherethedeadbodywaslying。Theusualofferingshadbeensetbeforethecorpse;
andasmallBuddhistlamp——tomyo——wasburning。Thepriestrecitedtheservice，andperformedthefuneralceremonies，——afterwhichheenteredintomeditation。Someditatingheremainedthroughseveralsilenthours;
andtherewasnosoundinthedesertedvillage。But，whenthehushofthenightwasatitsdeepest，therenoiselesslyenteredaShape，vagueandvast;andinthesamemomentMusofoundhimselfwithoutpowertomoveorspeak。HesawthatShapeliftthecorpse，aswithhands，devourit，morequicklythanacatdevoursarat，——beginningatthehead，andeatingeverything：thehairandthebonesandeventheshroud。AndthemonstrousThing，havingthusconsumedthebody，turnedtotheofferings，andatethemalso。Thenitwentaway，asmysteriouslyasithadcome。
Whenthevillagersreturnednextmorning，theyfoundthepriestawaitingthematthedooroftheheadman’sdwelling。Allinturnsalutedhim;andwhentheyhadentered，andlookedabouttheroom，nooneexpressedanysurpriseatthedisappearanceofthedeadbodyandtheofferings。ButthemasterofthehousesaidtoMuso：——
"ReverentSir，youhaveprobablyseenunpleasantthingsduringthenight：
allofuswereanxiousaboutyou。Butnowweareveryhappytofindyoualiveandunharmed。Gladlywewouldhavestayedwithyou，ifithadbeenpossible。Butthelawofourvillage，asItoldyoulastevening，obligesustoquitourhousesafteradeathhastakenplace，andtoleavethecorpsealone。Wheneverthislawhasbeenbroken，heretofore，somegreatmisfortunehasfollowed。Wheneveritisobeyed，wefindthatthecorpseandtheofferingsdisappearduringourabsence。Perhapsyouhaveseenthecause。"
ThenMusotoldofthedimandawfulShapethathadenteredthedeath-chambertodevourthebodyandtheofferings。Nopersonseemedtobesurprisedbyhisnarration;andthemasterofthehouseobserved：——
"Whatyouhavetoldus，reverendSir，agreeswithwhathasbeensaidaboutthismatterfromancienttime。"
Musotheninquired：——
"Doesnotthepriestonthehillsometimesperformthefuneralserviceforyourdead？"
"Whatpriest？"theyoungmanasked。
"Thepriestwhoyesterdayeveningdirectedmetothisvillage，"answeredMuso。"Icalledathisanjitsuonthehillyonder。Herefusedmelodging，buttoldmethewayhere。"
Thelistenerslookedateachother，asinastonishment;and，afteramomentofsilence，themasterofthehousesaid：——
"ReverendSir，thereisnopriestandthereisnoanjitsuonthehill。Forthetimeofmanygenerationstherehasnotbeenanyresident-priestinthisneighborhood。"
Musosaidnothingmoreonthesubject;foritwasevidentthathiskindhostssupposedhimtohavebeendeludedbysomegoblin。Butafterhavingbiddenthemfarewell，andobtainedallnecessaryinformationastohisroad，hedeterminedtolookagainforthehermitageonthehill，andsotoascertainwhetherhehadreallybeendeceived。Hefoundtheanjitsuwithoutanydifficulty;and，thistime，itsagedoccupantinvitedhimtoenter。
Whenhehaddoneso，thehermithumblyboweddownbeforehim，exclaiming：——
"Ah！Iamashamed！——Iamverymuchashamed！——Iamexceedinglyashamed！"
"Youneednotbeashamedforhavingrefusedmeshelter，"saidMuso。"youdirectedmetothevillageyonder，whereIwasverykindlytreated;andI
thankyouforthatfavor。
"Icangivenomanshelter，"thereclusemadeanswer;——anditisnotfortherefusalthatIamashamed。Iamashamedonlythatyoushouldhaveseenmeinmyrealshape，——foritwasIwhodevouredthecorpseandtheofferingslastnightbeforeyoureyes……Know，reverendSir，thatIamajikininki，[1]——aneaterofhumanflesh。Havepityuponme，andsuffermetoconfessthesecretfaultbywhichIbecamereducedtothiscondition。
"Along，longtimeago，Iwasapriestinthisdesolateregion。Therewasnootherpriestformanyleaguesaround。So，inthattime，thebodiesofthemountain-folkwhodiedusedtobebroughthere，——sometimesfromgreatdistances，——inorderthatImightrepeatoverthemtheholyservice。ButI
repeatedtheserviceandperformedtheritesonlyasamatterofbusiness;
——Ithoughtonlyofthefoodandtheclothesthatmysacredprofessionenabledmetogain。AndbecauseofthisselfishimpietyIwasreborn，immediatelyaftermydeath，intothestateofajikininki。SincethenI
havebeenobligedtofeeduponthecorpsesofthepeoplewhodieinthisdistrict：everyoneofthemImustdevourinthewaythatyousawlastnight……Now，reverendSir，letmebeseechyoutoperformaSegaki-service[2]forme：helpmebyyourprayers，Ientreatyou，sothatImaybesoonabletoescapefromthishorriblestateofexistence"……
Nosoonerhadthehermitutteredthispetitionthanhedisappeared;andthehermitagealsodisappearedatthesameinstant。AndMusoKokushifoundhimselfkneelingaloneinthehighgrass，besideanancientandmoss-growntomboftheformcalledgo-rin-ishi，[3]whichseemedtobethetombofapriest。
MUJINA
OntheAkasakaRoad，inTokyo，thereisaslopecalledKii-no-kuni-zaka，——
whichmeanstheSlopeoftheProvinceofKii。IdonotknowwhyitiscalledtheSlopeoftheProvinceofKii。Ononesideofthisslopeyouseeanancientmoat，deepandverywide，withhighgreenbanksrisinguptosomeplaceofgardens;——andontheothersideoftheroadextendthelongandloftywallsofanimperialpalace。Beforetheeraofstreet-lampsandjinrikishas，thisneighborhoodwasverylonesomeafterdark;andbelatedpedestrianswouldgomilesoutoftheirwayratherthanmounttheKii-no-kuni-zaka，alone，aftersunset。
AllbecauseofaMujinathatusedtowalkthere。（1）
ThelastmanwhosawtheMujinawasanoldmerchantoftheKyobashiquarter，whodiedaboutthirtyyearsago。Thisisthestory，ashetoldit：——
Onenight，atalatehour，hewashurryinguptheKii-no-kuni-zaka，whenheperceivedawomancrouchingbythemoat，allalone，andweepingbitterly。Fearingthatsheintendedtodrownherself，hestoppedtoofferheranyassistanceorconsolationinhispower。Sheappearedtobeaslightandgracefulperson，handsomelydressed;andherhairwasarrangedlikethatofayounggirlofgoodfamily。"O-jochu，"[1]heexclaimed，approachingher，——"O-jochu，donotcrylikethat！……Tellmewhatthetroubleis;andiftherebeanywaytohelpyou，Ishallbegladtohelpyou。"（Hereallymeantwhathesaid;forhewasaverykindman。）Butshecontinuedtoweep，——hidingherfacefromhimwithoneofherlongsleeves。
"O-jochu，"hesaidagain，asgentlyashecould，——"please，pleaselistentome！……Thisisnoplaceforayoungladyatnight！Donotcry，Iimploreyou！——onlytellmehowImaybeofsomehelptoyou！"Slowlysheroseup，butturnedherbacktohim，andcontinuedtomoanandsobbehindhersleeve。Helaidhishandlightlyuponhershoulder，andpleaded：——
"O-jochu！——O-jochu！——O-jochu！……Listentome，justforonelittlemoment！……O-jochu！——O-jochu！"……ThenthatO-jochuturnedaround，anddroppedhersleeve，andstrokedherfacewithherhand;——andthemansawthatshehadnoeyesornoseormouth，——andhescreamedandranaway。（2）
UpKii-no-kuni-zakaheranandran;andallwasblackandemptybeforehim。Onandonheran，neverdaringtolookback;andatlasthesawalantern，sofarawaythatitlookedlikethegleamofafirefly;andhemadeforit。Itprovedtobeonlythelanternofanitinerantsoba-seller，[2]whohadsetdownhisstandbytheroad-side;butanylightandanyhumancompanionshipwasgoodafterthatexperience;andheflunghimselfdownatthefeetofthesoba-seller，cryingout，"Ah！——aa！！——aa！！！"……
"Kore！kore！"（3）roughlyexclaimedthesoba-man。"Here！whatisthematterwithyou？Anybodyhurtyou？"
"No——nobodyhurtme，"pantedtheother，——"only……Ah！——aa！"
"——Onlyscaredyou？"queriedthepeddler，unsympathetically。"Robbers？"
"Notrobbers，——notrobbers，"gaspedtheterrifiedman……"Isaw……Isawawoman——bythemoat;——andsheshowedme……Ah！Icannottellyouwhatsheshowedme！"……
"He！（4）WasitanythinglikeTHISthatsheshowedyou？"criedthesoba-man，strokinghisownface——whichtherewithbecamelikeuntoanEgg……And，simultaneously，thelightwentout。
ROKURO-KUBI
Nearlyfivehundredyearsagotherewasasamurai，namedIsogaiHeidazaemonTaketsura，intheserviceoftheLordKikuji，ofKyushu。ThisIsogaihadinherited，frommanywarlikeancestors，anaturalaptitudeformilitaryexercises，andextraordinarystrength。Whileyetaboyhehadsurpassedhisteachersintheartofswordsmanship，inarchery，andintheuseofthespear，andhaddisplayedallthecapacitiesofadaringandskillfulsoldier。Afterwards，inthetimeoftheEikyo[1]war，hesodistinguishedhimselfthathighhonorswerebestoweduponhim。ButwhenthehouseofKikujicametoruin，Isogaifoundhimselfwithoutamaster。Hemighttheneasilyhaveobtainedserviceunderanotherdaimyo;butashehadneversoughtdistinctionforhisownsakealone，andashisheartremainedtruetohisformerlord，hepreferredtogiveuptheworld。sohecutoffhishair，andbecameatravelingpriest，——takingtheBuddhistnameofKwairyo。
Butalways，underthekoromo[2]ofthepriest，Kwairyokeptwarmwithinhimtheheartofthesamurai。Asinotheryearshehadlaughedatperil，sonowalsohescorneddanger;andinallweathersandallseasonshejourneyedtopreachthegoodLawinplaceswherenootherpriestwouldhavedaredtogo。Forthatagewasanageofviolenceanddisorder;anduponthehighwaystherewasnosecurityforthesolitarytraveler，evenifhehappenedtobeapriest。
Inthecourseofhisfirstlongjourney，KwairyohadoccasiontovisittheprovinceofKai。（1）Oneevening，ashewastravelingthroughthemountainsofthatprovince，darknessovercamehiminaverylonesomedistrict，leaguesawayfromanyvillage。Soheresignedhimselftopassthenightunderthestars;andhavingfoundasuitablegrassyspot，bytheroadside，helaydownthere，andpreparedtosleep。Hehadalwayswelcomeddiscomfort;andevenabarerockwasforhimagoodbed，whennothingbettercouldbefound，andtherootofapine-treeanexcellentpillow。Hisbodywasiron;andhenevertroubledhimselfaboutdewsorrainorfrostorsnow。
Scarcelyhadhelaindownwhenamancamealongtheroad，carryinganaxeandagreatbundleofchoppedwood。ThiswoodcutterhaltedonseeingKwairyolyingdown，and，afteramomentofsilentobservation，saidtohiminatoneofgreatsurprise：——
"Whatkindofamancanyoube，goodSir，thatyoudaretoliedownaloneinsuchaplaceasthis？……Therearehauntersabouthere，——manyofthem。
areyounotafraidofHairyThings？"
"Myfriend，"cheerfullyansweredKwairyo，"Iamonlyawanderingpriest，——
a’Cloud-and-Water-Guest，’asfolkscallit：Unsui-no-ryokaku。（2）AndIamnotintheleastafraidofHairyThings，——ifyoumeangoblin-foxes，orgoblin-badgers，oranycreaturesofthatkind。Asforlonesomeplaces，I
likethem：theyaresuitableformeditation。Iamaccustomedtosleepingintheopenair：andIhavelearnednevertobeanxiousaboutmylife。"
"Youmustbeindeedabraveman，SirPriest，"thepeasantresponded，"toliedownhere！Thisplacehasabadname，——averybadname。But，astheproverbhasit，Kunshiayayukinichikayorazu[’Thesuperiormandoesnotneedlesslyexposehimselftoperil’];andImustassureyou，Sir，thatitisverydangeroustosleephere。Therefore，althoughmyhouseisonlyawretchedthatchedhut，letmebegofyoutocomehomewithmeatonce。Inthewayoffood，Ihavenothingtoofferyou;butthereisaroofatleast，andyoucansleepunderitwithoutrisk。"
Hespokeearnestly;andKwairyo，likingthekindlytoneoftheman，acceptedthismodestoffer。Thewoodcutterguidedhimalonganarrowpath，leadingupfromthemainroadthroughmountain-forest。Itwasaroughanddangerouspath，——sometimesskirtingprecipices，——sometimesofferingnothingbutanetworkofslipperyrootsforthefoottorestupon，——
sometimeswindingoverorbetweenmassesofjaggedrock。ButatlastKwairyofoundhimselfuponaclearedspaceatthetopofahill，withafullmoonshiningoverhead;andhesawbeforehimasmallthatchedcottage，cheerfullylightedfromwithin。Thewoodcutterledhimtoashedatthebackofthehouse，whitherwaterhadbeenconducted，throughbamboo-pipes，fromsomeneighboringstream;andthetwomenwashedtheirfeet。Beyondtheshedwasavegetablegarden，andagroveofcedarsandbamboos;andbeyondthetreesappearedtheglimmerofacascade，pouringfromsomeloftierheight，andswayinginthemoonshinelikealongwhiterobe。
AsKwairyoenteredthecottagewithhisguide，heperceivedfourpersons——menandwomen——warmingtheirhandsatalittlefirekindledinthero[1]oftheprincipleapartment。Theybowedlowtothepriest，andgreetedhiminthemostrespectfulmanner。Kwairyowonderedthatpersonssopoor，anddwellinginsuchasolitude，shouldbeawareofthepoliteformsofgreeting。"Thesearegoodpeople，"hethoughttohimself;"andtheymusthavebeentaughtbysomeonewellacquaintedwiththerulesofpropriety。"
Thenturningtohishost，——thearuji，orhouse-master，astheotherscalledhim，——Kwairyosaid：——
"Fromthekindnessofyourspeech，andfromtheverypolitewelcomegivenmebyyourhousehold，Iimaginethatyouhavenotalwaysbeenawoodcutter。
Perhapsyouformerlybelongedtooneoftheupperclasses？"
Smiling，thewoodcutteranswered：——
"Sir，youarenotmistaken。Thoughnowlivingasyoufindme，Iwasonceapersonofsomedistinction。Mystoryisthestoryofaruinedlife——
ruinedbymyownfault。Iusedtobeintheserviceofadaimyo;andmyrankinthatservicewasnotinconsiderable。ButIlovedwomenandwinetoowell;andundertheinfluenceofpassionIactedwickedly。Myselfishnessbroughtabouttheruinofourhouse，andcausedthedeathofmanypersons。
Retributionfollowedme;andIlongremainedafugitiveintheland。NowI
oftenpraythatImaybeabletomakesomeatonementfortheevilwhichI
did，andtoreestablishtheancestralhome。ButIfearthatIshallneverfindanywayofsodoing。Nevertheless，Itrytoovercomethekarmaofmyerrorsbysincererepentance，andbyhelpingasafarasIcan，thosewhoareunfortunate。"
Kwairyowaspleasedbythisannouncementofgoodresolve;andhesaidtothearuji：——
"Myfriend，Ihavehadoccasiontoobservethatman，pronetofollyintheiryouth，mayinafteryearsbecomeveryearnestinrightliving。Intheholysutrasitiswrittenthatthosestrongestinwrong-doingcanbecome，bypowerofgoodresolve，thestrongestinright-doing。Idonotdoubtthatyouhaveagoodheart;andIhopethatbetterfortunewillcometoyou。To-nightIshallrecitethesutrasforyoursake，andpraythatyoumayobtaintheforcetoovercomethekarmaofanypasterrors。"
Withtheseassurances，Kwairyobadethearujigood-night;andhishostshowedhimtoaverysmallside-room，whereabedhadbeenmadeready。Thenallwenttosleepexceptthepriest，whobegantoreadthesutrasbythelightofapaperlantern。Untilalatehourhecontinuedtoreadandpray：
thenheopenedalittlewindowinhislittlesleeping-room，totakealastlookatthelandscapebeforelyingdown。Thenightwasbeautiful：therewasnocloudinthesky：therewasnowind;andthestrongmoonlightthrewdownsharpblackshadowsoffoliage，andglitteredonthedewsofthegarden。Shrillingsofcricketsandbell-insects（3）madeamusicaltumult;
andthesoundoftheneighboringcascadedeepenedwiththenight。Kwairyofeltthirstyashelistenedtothenoiseofthewater;and，rememberingthebambooaqueductattherearofthehouse，hethoughtthathecouldgothereandgetadrinkwithoutdisturbingthesleepinghousehold。Verygentlyhepushedapartthesliding-screensthatseparatedhisroomfromthemainapartment;andhesaw，bythelightofthelantern，fiverecumbentbodies——withoutheads！
Foroneinstanthestoodbewildered，——imaginingacrime。Butinanothermomentheperceivedthattherewasnoblood，andthattheheadlessnecksdidnotlookasiftheyhadbeencut。Thenhethoughttohimself：——"Eitherthisisanillusionmadebygoblins，orIhavebeenluredintothedwellingofaRokuro-Kubi……（4）InthebookSoshinki（5）itiswrittenthatifonefindthebodyofaRokuro-Kubiwithoutitshead，andremovethebodytoanotherplace，theheadwillneverbeabletojoinitselfagaintotheneck。Andthebookfurthersaysthatwhentheheadcomesbackandfindsthatitsbodyhasbeenmoved，itwillstrikeitselfuponthefloorthreetimes，——boundinglikeaball，——andwillpantasingreatfear，andpresentlydie。Now，ifthesebeRokuro-Kubi，theymeanmenogood;——soI
shallbejustifiedinfollowingtheinstructionsofthebook。"……
Heseizedthebodyofthearujibythefeet，pulledittothewindow，andpusheditout。Thenhewenttotheback-door，whichhefoundbarred;andhesurmisedthattheheadshadmadetheirexitthroughthesmoke-holeintheroof，whichhadbeenleftopen。Gentlyunbarringthedoor，hemadehiswaytothegarden，andproceededwithallpossiblecautiontothegrovebeyondit。Heheardvoicestalkinginthegrove;andhewentinthedirectionofthevoices，——stealingfromshadowtoshadow，untilhereachedagoodhiding-place。Then，frombehindatrunk，hecaughtsightoftheheads，——
allfiveofthem，——flittingabout，andchattingastheyflitted。Theywereeatingwormsandinsectswhichtheyfoundonthegroundoramongthetrees。
Presentlytheheadofthearujistoppedeatingandsaid：——
"Ah，thattravelingpriestwhocameto-night！——howfatallhisbodyis！
Whenweshallhaveeatenhim，ourbellieswillbewellfilled……IwasfoolishtotalktohimasIdid;——itonlysethimtorecitingthesutrasonbehalfofmysoul！Togonearhimwhileheisrecitingwouldbedifficult;andwecannottouchhimsolongasheispraying。Butasitisnownearlymorning，perhapshehasgonetosleep……Someoneofyougotothehouseandseewhatthefellowisdoing。"
Anotherhead——theheadofayoungwoman——immediatelyroseupandflittedtothehouse，lightlyasabat。Afterafewminutesitcameback，andcriedouthuskily，inatoneofgreatalarm：——
"Thattravelingpriestisnotinthehouse;——heisgone！Butthatisnottheworstofthematter。Hehastakenthebodyofouraruji;andIdonotknowwherehehasputit。"
Atthisannouncementtheheadofthearuji——distinctlyvisibleinthemoonlight——assumedafrightfulaspect：itseyesopenedmonstrously;itshairstoodupbristling;anditsteethgnashed。Thenacryburstfromitslips;and——weepingtearsofrage——itexclaimed：——
"Sincemybodyhasbeenmoved，torejoinitisnotpossible！ThenImustdie！……Andallthroughtheworkofthatpriest！BeforeIdieIwillgetatthatpriest！——Iwilltearhim！——Iwilldevourhim！……ANDTHEREHEIS
——behindthattree！——hidingbehindthattree！Seehim！——thefatcoward！"……
Inthesamemomenttheheadofthearuji，followedbytheotherfourheads，sprangatKwairyo。Butthestrongpriesthadalreadyarmedhimselfbypluckingupayoungtree;andwiththattreehestrucktheheadsastheycame，——knockingthemfromhimwithtremendousblows。Fourofthemfledaway。Buttheheadofthearuji，thoughbatteredagainandagain，desperatelycontinuedtoboundatthepriest，andatlastcaughthimbytheleftsleeveofhisrobe。Kwairyo，however，asquicklygrippedtheheadbyitstopknot，andrepeatedlystruckit。Itdidnotreleaseitshold;butitutteredalongmoan，andthereafterceasedtostruggle。Itwasdead。Butitsteethstillheldthesleeve;and，forallhisgreatstrength，Kwairyocouldnotforceopenthejaws。
Withtheheadstillhangingtohissleevehewentbacktothehouse，andtherecaughtsightoftheotherfourRokuro-Kubisquattingtogether，withtheirbruisedandbleedingheadsreunitedtotheirbodies。Butwhentheyperceivedhimattheback-doorallscreamed，"Thepriest！thepriest！"——
andfled，throughtheotherdoorway，outintothewoods。
Eastwardtheskywasbrightening;daywasabouttodawn;andKwairyoknewthatthepowerofthegoblinswaslimitedtothehoursofdarkness。Helookedattheheadclingingtohissleeve，——itsfaceallfouledwithbloodandfoamandclay;andhelaughedaloudashethoughttohimself："Whatamiyage！[4]——theheadofagoblin！"Afterwhichhegatheredtogetherhisfewbelongings，andleisurelydescendedthemountaintocontinuehisjourney。
Rightonhejourneyed，untilhecametoSuwainShinano;（6）andintothemainstreetofSuwahesolemnlystrode，withtheheaddanglingathiselbow。Thenwomanfainted，andchildrenscreamedandranaway;andtherewasagreatcrowdingandclamoringuntilthetorite（asthepoliceinthosedayswerecalled）seizedthepriest，andtookhimtojail。Fortheysupposedtheheadtobetheheadofamurderedmanwho，inthemomentofbeingkilled，hadcaughtthemurderer’ssleeveinhisteeth。AstheKwairyo，heonlysmiledandsaidnothingwhentheyquestionedhim。So，afterhavingpassedanightinprison，hewasbroughtbeforethemagistratesofthedistrict。Thenhewasorderedtoexplainhowhe，apriest，hadbeenfoundwiththeheadofamanfastenedtohissleeve，andwhyhehaddaredthusshamelesslytoparadehiscrimeinthesightofpeople。
Kwairyolaughedlongandloudlyatthesequestions;andthenhesaid：——
"Sirs，Ididnotfastentheheadtomysleeve：itfasteneditselfthere——
muchagainstmywill。AndIhavenotcommittedanycrime。Forthisisnottheheadofaman;itistheheadofagoblin;——and，ifIcausedthedeathofthegoblin，Ididnotdosobyanysheddingofblood，butsimplybytakingtheprecautionsnecessarytoassuremyownsafety。"……Andheproceededtorelatethewholeoftheadventure，——burstingintoanotherheartylaughashetoldofhisencounterwiththefiveheads。
Butthemagistratesdidnotlaugh。Theyjudgedhimtobeahardenedcriminal，andhisstoryaninsulttotheirintelligence。Therefore，withoutfurtherquestioning，theydecidedtoorderhisimmediateexecution，——allofthemexceptone，averyoldman。Thisagedofficerhadmadenoremarkduringthetrial;but，afterhavingheardtheopinionofhiscolleagues，heroseup，andsaid：——
"Letusfirstexaminetheheadcarefully;forthis，Ithink，hasnotyetbeendone。Ifthepriesthasspokentruth，theheaditselfshouldbearwitnessforhim……Bringtheheadhere！"
Sothehead，stillholdinginitsteeththekoromothathadbeenstrippedfromKwairyo’sshoulders，wasputbeforethejudges。Theoldmanturneditroundandround，carefullyexaminedit，anddiscovered，onthenapeofitsneck，severalstrangeredcharacters。Hecalledtheattentionofhiscolleaguestothese，andalsobadthemobservethattheedgesofthenecknowherepresentedtheappearanceofhavingbeencutbyanyweapon。Onthecontrary，thelineofleverancewassmoothasthelineatwhichafallingleafdetachesitselffromthestem……Thensaidtheelder：——
"Iamquitesurethatthepriesttoldusnothingbutthetruth。ThisistheheadofaRokuro-Kubi。InthebookNan-ho-i-butsu-shiitiswrittenthatcertainredcharacterscanalwaysbefounduponthenapeoftheneckofarealRokuro-Kubi。Therearethecharacters：youcanseeforyourselvesthattheyhavenotbeenpainted。Moreover，itiswellknownthatsuchgoblinshavebeendwellinginthemountainsoftheprovinceofKaifromveryancienttime……Butyou，Sir，"heexclaimed，turningtoKwairyo，——
"whatsortofsturdypriestmayyoube？Certainlyyouhavegivenproofofacouragethatfewpriestspossess;andyouhavetheairofasoldierratherthanapriest。Perhapsyouoncebelongedtothesamurai-class？"
"Youhaveguessedrightly，Sir，"Kwairyoresponded。"Beforebecomingapriest，Ilongfollowedtheprofessionofarms;andinthosedaysIneverfearedmanordevil。MynamethenwasIsogaiHeidazaemonTaketsuraofKyushu：theremaybesomeamongyouwhorememberit。"
Atthementionofthatname，amurmurofadmirationfilledthecourt-room。;forthereweremanypresentwhorememberedit。AndKwairyoimmediatelyfoundhimselfamongfriendsinsteadofjudges，——friendsanxioustoprovetheiradmirationbyfraternalkindness。Withhonortheyescortedhimtotheresidenceofthedaimyo，whowelcomedhim，andfeastedhim，andmadehimahandsomepresentbeforeallowinghimtodepart。WhenKwairyoleftSuwa，hewasashappyasanypriestispermittedtobeinthistransitoryworld。Asforthehead，hetookitwithhim，——jocoselyinsistingthatheintendeditforamiyage。
Andnowitonlyremainstotellwhatbecameofthehead。
AdayortwoafterleavingSuwa，Kwairyometwitharobber，whostoppedhiminalonesomeplace，andbadehimstrip。Kwairyoatonceremovedhiskoromo，andofferedittotherobber，whothenfirstperceivedwhatwashangingtothesleeve。Thoughbrave，thehighwaymanwasstartled：hedroppedthegarment，andsprangback。Thenhecriedout：——"You！——whatkindofapriestareyou？Why，youareaworsemanthanIam！ItistruethatIhavekilledpeople;butIneverwalkedaboutwithanybody’sheadfastenedtomysleeve……Well，Sirpriest，Isupposeweareofthesamecalling;andImustsaythatIadmireyou！……Nowthatheadwouldbeofusetome：Icouldfrightenpeoplewithit。Willyousellit？Youcanhavemyrobeinexchangeforyourkoromo;andIwillgiveyoufiveryoforthehead。"
Kwairyoanswered：——
"Ishallletyouhavetheheadandtherobeifyouinsist;butImusttellyouthatthisisnottheheadofaman。Itisagoblin’shead。So，ifyoubuyit，andhaveanytroubleinconsequence，pleasetorememberthatyouwerenotdeceivedbyme。"
"Whatanicepriestyouare！"exclaimedtherobber。"Youkillmen，andjestaboutit！……ButIamreallyinearnest。Hereismyrobe;andhereisthemoney;——andletmehavethehead……Whatistheuseofjoking？"
"Takethething，"saidKwairyo。"Iwasnotjoking。Theonlyjoke——iftherebeanyjokeatall——isthatyouarefoolenoughtopaygoodmoneyforagoblin’shead。"AndKwairyo，loudlylaughing，wentuponhisway。
Thustherobbergottheheadandthekoromo;andforsometimeheplayedgoblin-priestuponthehighways。But，reachingtheneighborhoodofSuwa，hethereleanedthetruestoryofthehead;andhethenbecameafraidthatthespiritoftheRokuro-Kubimightgivehimtrouble。Sohemadeuphismindtotakebacktheheadtotheplacefromwhichithadcome，andtoburyitwithitsbody。HefoundhiswaytothelonelycottageinthemountainsofKai;
butnobodywasthere，andhecouldnotdiscoverthebody。Thereforeheburiedtheheadbyitself，inthegrovebehindthecottage;andhehadatombstonesetupoverthegrave;andhecausedaSegaki-servicetobeperformedonbehalfofthespiritoftheRokuro-Kubi。Andthattombstone——
knownastheTombstoneoftheRokuro-Kubi——maybeseen（atleastsotheJapanesestory-tellerdeclares）evenuntothisday。
ADEADSECRET
Alongtimeago，intheprovinceofTamba（1），therelivedarichmerchantnamedInamurayaGensuke。HehadadaughtercalledO-Sono。Asshewasverycleverandpretty，hethoughtitwouldbeapitytolethergrowupwithonlysuchteachingasthecountry-teacherscouldgiveher：sohesenther，incareofsometrustyattendants，toKyoto，thatshemightbetrainedinthepoliteaccomplishmentstaughttotheladiesofthecapital。Aftershehadthusbeeneducated，shewasmarriedtoafriendofherfather’sfamily——amerchantnamedNagaraya;——andshelivedhappilywithhimfornearlyfouryears。Theyhadonechild，——aButO-Sonofellillanddied，inthefourthyearafterhermarriage。
OnthenightafterthefuneralofO-Sono，herlittlesonsaidthathismammahadcomeback，andwasintheroomupstairs。Shehadsmiledathim，butwouldnottalktohim：sohebecameafraid，andranaway。ThensomeofthefamilywentupstairstotheroomwhichhadbeenO-Sono’s;andtheywerestartledtosee，bythelightofasmalllampwhichhadbeenkindledbeforeashrineinthatroom，thefigureofthedeadmother。Sheappearedasifstandinginfrontofatansu，orchestofdrawers，thatstillcontainedherornamentsandherwearing-apparel。Herheadandshoulderscouldbeverydistinctlyseen;butfromthewaistdownwardsthefigurethinnedintoinvisibility;——itwaslikeanimperfectreflectionofher，andtransparentasashadowonwater。
Thenthefolkwereafraid，andlefttheroom。Belowtheyconsultedtogether;andthemotherofO-Sono’shusbandsaid："Awomanisfondofhersmallthings;andO-Sonowasmuchattachedtoherbelongings。Perhapsshehascomebacktolookatthem。Manydeadpersonswilldothat，——unlessthethingsbegiventotheparish-temple。IfwepresentO-Sono’srobesandgirdlestothetemple，herspiritwillprobablyfindrest。"
Iwasagreedthatthisshouldbedoneassoonaspossible。Soonthefollowingmorningthedrawerswereemptied;andallofO-Sono’sornamentsanddressesweretakentothetemple。Butshecamebackthenextnight，andlookedatthetansuasbefore。Andshecamebackalsoonthenightfollowing，andthenightafterthat，andeverynight;——andthehousebecameahouseoffear。
ThemotherofO-Sono’shusbandthenwenttotheparish-temple，andtoldthechiefpriestallthathadhappened，andaskedforghostlycounsel。ThetemplewasaZentemple;andthehead-priestwasalearnedoldman，knownasDaigenOsho。Hesaid："Theremustbesomethingaboutwhichsheisanxious，inornearthattansu。"——"Butweemptiedallthedrawers，"
repliedthewoman;——"thereisnothinginthetansu。"——"Well，"saidDaigenOsho，"to-nightIshallgotoyourhouse，andkeepwatchinthatroom，andseewhatcanbedone。YoumustgiveordersthatnopersonshallentertheroomwhileIamwatching，unlessIcall。"
Aftersundown，DaigenOshowenttothehouse，andfoundtheroommadereadyforhim。Heremainedtherealone，readingthesutras;andnothingappeareduntilaftertheHouroftheRat。[1]ThenthefigureofO-Sonosuddenlyoutlineditselfinfrontofthetansu。Herfacehadawistfullook;andshekepthereyesfixeduponthetansu。
Thepriestutteredtheholyformulaprescribedinsuchcases，andthen，addressingthefigurebythekaimyo[2]ofO-Sono，said：——"Ihavecomehereinordertohelpyou。Perhapsinthattansuthereissomethingaboutwhichyouhavereasontofeelanxious。ShallItrytofinditforyou？"Theshadowappearedtogiveassentbyaslightmotionofthehead;andthepriest，rising，openedthetopdrawer。Itwasempty。Successivelyheopenedthesecond，thethird，andthefourthdrawer;——hesearchedcarefullybehindthemandbeneaththem;——hecarefullyexaminedtheinteriorofthechest。Hefoundnothing。Butthefigureremainedgazingaswistfullyasbefore。"Whatcanshewant？"thoughtthepriest。Suddenlyitoccurredtohimthattheremightbesomethinghiddenunderthepaperwithwhichthedrawerswerelined。Heremovedtheliningofthefirstdrawer：——nothing！
Heremovedtheliningofthesecondandthirddrawers：——stillnothing。Butundertheliningofthelowermostdrawerhefound——aletter。"Isthisthethingaboutwhichyouhavebeentroubled？"heasked。Theshadowofthewomanturnedtowardhim，——herfaintgazefixedupontheletter。"ShallI
burnitforyou？"heasked。Shebowedbeforehim。"Itshallbeburnedinthetemplethisverymorning，"hepromised;——"andnooneshallreadit，exceptmyself。"Thefiguresmiledandvanished。
Dawnwasbreakingasthepriestdescendedthestairs，tofindthefamilywaitinganxiouslybelow。"Donotbeanxious，"hesaidtothem："Shewillnotappearagain。"Andsheneverdid。
Theletterwasburned。Itwasalove-letterwrittentoO-SonointhetimeofherstudiesatKyoto。Butthepriestaloneknewwhatwasinit;andthesecretdiedwithhim。
YUKI-ONNA
InavillageofMusashiProvince（1），therelivedtwowoodcutters：MosakuandMinokichi。AtthetimeofwhichIamspeaking，Mosakuwasanoldman;
andMinokichi，hisapprentice，wasaladofeighteenyears。Everydaytheywenttogethertoaforestsituatedaboutfivemilesfromtheirvillage。Onthewaytothatforestthereisawiderivertocross;andthereisaferry-boat。Severaltimesabridgewasbuiltwheretheferryis;butthebridgewaseachtimecarriedawaybyaflood。Nocommonbridgecanresistthecurrenttherewhentheriverrises。
MosakuandMinokichiwereontheirwayhome，oneverycoldevening，whenagreatsnowstormovertookthem。Theyreachedtheferry;andtheyfoundthattheboatmanhadgoneaway，leavinghisboatontheothersideoftheriver。
Itwasnodayforswimming;andthewoodcutterstookshelterintheferryman’shut，——thinkingthemselvesluckytofindanyshelteratall。
Therewasnobrazierinthehut，noranyplaceinwhichtomakeafire：itwasonlyatwo-mat[1]hut，withasingledoor，butnowindow。MosakuandMinokichifastenedthedoor，andlaydowntorest，withtheirstrawrain-coatsoverthem。Atfirsttheydidnotfeelverycold;andtheythoughtthatthestormwouldsoonbeover。
Theoldmanalmostimmediatelyfellasleep;buttheboy，Minokichi，layawakealongtime，listeningtotheawfulwind，andthecontinualslashingofthesnowagainstthedoor。Theriverwasroaring;andthehutswayedandcreakedlikeajunkatsea。Itwasaterriblestorm;andtheairwaseverymomentbecomingcolder;andMinokichishiveredunderhisrain-coat。Butatlast，inspiteofthecold，hetoofellasleep。
Hewasawakenedbyashoweringofsnowinhisface。Thedoorofthehuthadbeenforcedopen;and，bythesnow-light（yuki-akari），hesawawomanintheroom，——awomanallinwhite。ShewasbendingaboveMosaku，andblowingherbreathuponhim;——andherbreathwaslikeabrightwhitesmoke。AlmostinthesamemomentsheturnedtoMinokichi，andstoopedoverhim。Hetriedtocryout，butfoundthathecouldnotutteranysound。Thewhitewomanbentdownoverhim，lowerandlower，untilherfacealmosttouchedhim;andhesawthatshewasverybeautiful，——thoughhereyesmadehimafraid。Foralittletimeshecontinuedtolookathim;——thenshesmiled，andshewhispered：——"Iintendedtotreatyouliketheotherman。
ButIcannothelpfeelingsomepityforyou，——becauseyouaresoyoung……
Youareaprettyboy，Minokichi;andIwillnothurtyounow。But，ifyouevertellanybody——evenyourownmother——aboutwhatyouhaveseenthisnight，Ishallknowit;andthenIwillkillyou……RememberwhatIsay！"
Withthesewords，sheturnedfromhim，andpassedthroughthedoorway。
Thenhefoundhimselfabletomove;andhesprangup，andlookedout。Butthewomanwasnowheretobeseen;andthesnowwasdrivingfuriouslyintothehut。Minokichiclosedthedoor，andsecureditbyfixingseveralbilletsofwoodagainstit。Hewonderedifthewindhadblownitopen;——hethoughtthathemighthavebeenonlydreaming，andmighthavemistakenthegleamofthesnow-lightinthedoorwayforthefigureofawhitewoman：buthecouldnotbesure。HecalledtoMosaku，andwasfrightenedbecausetheoldmandidnotanswer。Heputouthishandinthedark，andtouchedMosaku’sface，andfoundthatitwasice！Mosakuwasstarkanddead……
Bydawnthestormwasover;andwhentheferrymanreturnedtohisstation，alittleaftersunrise，hefoundMinokichilyingsenselessbesidethefrozenbodyofMosaku。Minokichiwaspromptlycaredfor，andsooncametohimself;butheremainedalongtimeillfromtheeffectsofthecoldofthatterriblenight。Hehadbeengreatlyfrightenedalsobytheoldman’sdeath;buthesaidnothingaboutthevisionofthewomaninwhite。Assoonashegotwellagain，hereturnedtohiscalling，——goingaloneeverymorningtotheforest，andcomingbackatnightfallwithhisbundlesofwood，whichhismotherhelpedhimtosell。
Oneevening，inthewinterofthefollowingyear，ashewasonhiswayhome，heovertookagirlwhohappenedtobetravelingbythesameroad。Shewasatall，slimgirl，verygood-looking;andsheansweredMinokichi’sgreetinginavoiceaspleasanttotheearasthevoiceofasong-bird。
Thenhewalkedbesideher;andtheybegantotalk。ThegirlsaidthathernamewasO-Yuki[2];thatshehadlatelylostbothofherparents;andthatshewasgoingtoYedo（2），whereshehappenedtohavesomepoorrelations，whomighthelphertofindasituationasaservant。Minokichisoonfeltcharmedbythisstrangegirl;andthemorethathelookedather，thehandsomersheappearedtobe。Heaskedherwhethershewasyetbetrothed;
andsheanswered，laughingly，thatshewasfree。Then，inherturn，sheaskedMinokichiwhetherhewasmarried，orpledgetomarry;andhetoldherthat，althoughhehadonlyawidowedmothertosupport，thequestionofan"honorabledaughter-in-law"hadnotyetbeenconsidered，ashewasveryyoung……Aftertheseconfidences，theywalkedonforalongwhilewithoutspeaking;but，astheproverbdeclares，Kigaareba，memokuchihodonimonowoiu："Whenthewishisthere，theeyescansayasmuchasthemouth。"Bythetimetheyreachedthevillage，theyhadbecomeverymuchpleasedwitheachother;andthenMinokichiaskedO-Yukitorestawhileathishouse。Aftersomeshyhesitation，shewenttherewithhim;andhismothermadeherwelcome，andpreparedawarmmealforher。O-YukibehavedsonicelythatMinokichi’smothertookasuddenfancytoher，andpersuadedhertodelayherjourneytoYedo。AndthenaturalendofthematterwasthatYukineverwenttoYedoatall。Sheremainedinthehouse，asan"honorabledaughter-in-law。"
O-Yukiprovedaverygooddaughter-in-law。WhenMinokichi’smothercametodie，——somefiveyearslater，——herlastwordswerewordsofaffectionandpraiseforthewifeofherson。AndO-YukiboreMinokichitenchildren，boysandgirls，——handsomechildrenallofthem，andveryfairofskin。
Thecountry-folkthoughtO-Yukiawonderfulperson，bynaturedifferentfromthemselves。Mostofthepeasant-womenageearly;butO-Yuki，evenafterhavingbecomethemotheroftenchildren，lookedasyoungandfreshasonthedaywhenshehadfirstcometothevillage。
Onenight，afterthechildrenhadgonetosleep，O-Yukiwassewingbythelightofapaperlamp;andMinokichi，watchingher，said：——
"Toseeyousewingthere，withthelightonyourface，makesmethinkofastrangethingthathappenedwhenIwasaladofeighteen。Ithensawsomebodyasbeautifulandwhiteasyouarenow——indeed，shewasverylikeyou。"……
Withoutliftinghereyesfromherwork，O-Yukiresponded：——
"Tellmeabouther……Wheredidyouseeher？
ThenMinokichitoldherabouttheterriblenightintheferryman’shut，——
andabouttheWhiteWomanthathadstoopedabovehim，smilingandwhispering，——andaboutthesilentdeathofoldMosaku。Andhesaid：——
"Asleeporawake，thatwastheonlytimethatIsawabeingasbeautifulasyou。Ofcourse，shewasnotahumanbeing;andIwasafraidofher，——
verymuchafraid，——butshewassowhite！……Indeed，IhaveneverbeensurewhetheritwasadreamthatIsaw，ortheWomanoftheSnow。"……
O-Yukiflungdownhersewing，andarose，andbowedaboveMinokichiwherehesat，andshriekedintohisface：——
"ItwasI——I——I！Yukiitwas！AndItoldyouthenthatIwouldkillyouifyoueversaidoneworkaboutit！……Butforthosechildrenasleepthere，Iwouldkillyouthismoment！Andnowyouhadbettertakevery，verygoodcareofthem;forifevertheyhavereasontocomplainofyou，Iwilltreatyouasyoudeserve！"……
Evenasshescreamed，hervoicebecamethin，likeacryingofwind;——thenshemeltedintoabrightwhitemistthatspiredtotheroof-beams，andshudderedawaythroughthesmoke-hold……Neveragainwassheseen。
THESTORYOFAOYAGI
IntheeraofBummei[1469-1486]therewasayoungsamuraicalledTomotadaintheserviceofHatakeyamaYoshimune，theLordofNoto（1）。TomotadawasanativeofEchizen（2）;butatanearlyagehehadbeentaken，aspage，intothepalaceofthedaimyoofNoto，andhadbeeneducated，underthesupervisionofthatprince，fortheprofessionofarms。Ashegrewup，heprovedhimselfbothagoodscholarandagoodsoldier，andcontinuedtoenjoythefavorofhisprince。Beinggiftedwithanamiablecharacter，awinningaddress，andaveryhandsomeperson，hewasadmiredandmuchlikedbyhissamurai-comrades。
WhenTomotadawasabouttwentyyearsold，hewassentuponaprivatemissiontoHosokawaMasamoto，thegreatdaimyoofKyoto，akinsmanofHatakeyamaYoshimune。HavingbeenorderedtojourneythroughEchizen，theyouthrequestedandobtainedpermissiontopayavisit，ontheway，tohiswidowedmother。
Itwasthecoldestperiodoftheyearwhenhestarted;and，thoughmounteduponapowerfulhorse，hefoundhimselfobligedtoproceedslowly。Theroadwhichhefollowedpassedthroughamountain-districtwherethesettlementswerefewandfarbetween;andontheseconddayofhisjourney，afterawearyrideofhours，hewasdismayedtofindthathecouldnotreachedhisintendedhalting-placeuntillateinthenight。Hehadreasontobeanxious;——foraheavysnowstormcameon，withanintenselycoldwind;andthehorseshowedsignsofexhaustion。Butinthattryingmoment，Tomotadaunexpectedlyperceivedthethatchedroomofacottageonthesummitofanearhill，wherewillow-treesweregrowing。Withdifficultyheurgedhistiredanimaltothedwelling;andheloudlyknockeduponthestorm-doors，whichhadbeenclosedagainstthewind。Anoldwomanopenedthem，andcriedoutcompassionatelyatthesightofthehandsomestranger："Ah，howpitiful！——ayounggentlemantravelingaloneinsuchweather！……Deign，youngmaster，toenter。"
Tomotadadismounted，andafterleadinghishorsetoashedintherear，enteredthecottage，wherehesawanoldmanandagirlwarmingthemselvesbyafireofbamboosplints。Theyrespectfullyinvitedhimtoapproachthefire;andtheoldfolksthenproceededtowarmsomerice-wine，andtopreparefoodforthetraveler，whomtheyventuredtoquestioninregardtohisjourney。Meanwhiletheyounggirldisappearedbehindascreen。Tomotadahadobserved，withastonishment，thatshewasextremelybeautiful，——thoughherattirewasofthemostwretchedkind，andherlong，loosehairindisorder。Hewonderedthatsohandsomeagirlshouldbelivinginsuchamiserableandlonesomeplace。
Theoldmansaidtohim：——
"HonoredSir，thenextvillageisfar;andthesnowisfallingthickly。
Thewindispiercing;andtheroadisverybad。Therefore，toproceedfurtherthisnightwouldprobablybedangerous。Althoughthishovelisunworthyofyourpresence，andalthoughwehavenotanycomforttooffer，perhapsitweresafertoremainto-nightunderthismiserableroof……Wewouldtakegoodcareofyourhorse。"
Tomotadaacceptedthishumbleproposal，——secretlygladofthechancethusaffordedhimtoseemoreoftheyounggirl。Presentlyacoarsebutamplemealwassetbeforehim;andthegirlcamefrombehindthescreen，toservethewine。Shewasnowreclad，inaroughbutcleanlyrobeofhomespun;andherlong，loosehairhadbeenneatlycombedandsmoothed。Asshebentforwardtofillhiscup，Tomotadawasamazedtoperceivethatshewasincomparablymorebeautifulthananywomanwhomhehadeverbeforeseen;andtherewasagraceabouthereverymotionthatastonishedhim。Buttheeldersbegantoapologizeforher，saying："Sir，ourdaughter，Aoyagi，[1]hasbeenbroughtuphereinthemountains，almostalone;andsheknowsnothingofgentleservice。Wepraythatyouwillpardonherstupidityandherignorance。"Tomotadaprotestedthathedeemedhimselfluckytobewaiteduponbysocomelyamaiden。Hecouldnotturnhiseyesawayfromher——thoughhesawthathisadmiringgazemadeherblush;——andheleftthewineandfooduntastedbeforehim。Themothersaid："KindSir，weverymuchhopethatyouwilltrytoeatandtodrinkalittle，——thoughourpeasant-fareisoftheworst，——asyoumusthavebeenchilledbythatpiercingwind。"Then，topleasetheoldfolks，Tomotadaateanddrankashecould;butthecharmoftheblushinggirlstillgrewuponhim。Hetalkedwithher，andfoundthatherspeechwassweetasherface。Broughtupinthemountainsasshemighthavebeen;——but，inthatcase，herparentsmustatsometimebeenpersonsofhighdegree;forshespokeandmovedlikeadamselofrank。Suddenlyheaddressedherwithapoem——whichwasalsoaquestion——inspiredbythedelightinhisheart：——
"Tadzunetsuru，Hanakatotekoso，Hiwokurase，AkenuniotoruAkanesasuran？"
["Beingonmywaytopayavisit，IfoundthatwhichItooktobeaflower：thereforehereIspendtheday……Why，inthetimebeforedawn，thedawn-blushtintshouldglow——that，indeed，Iknownot。"][2]
Withoutamoment’shesitation，sheansweredhimintheseverses：——
"IzuruhinoHonomekuirowoWagasodeniTsutsumabaasumoKimiyatomaran。"
[IfwithmysleeveIhidthefaintfaircolorofthedawningsun，——then，perhaps，inthemorningmylordwillremain。"][3]
ThenTomotadaknewthatsheacceptedhisadmiration;andhewasscarcelylesssurprisedbytheartwithwhichshehadutteredherfeelingsinverse，thandelightedbytheassurancewhichtheversesconveyed。Hewasnowcertainthatinallthisworldhecouldnothopetomeet，muchlesstowin，agirlmorebeautifulandwittythanthisrusticmaidbeforehim;andavoiceinhisheartseemedtocryouturgently，"Taketheluckthatthegodshaveputinyourway！"Inshorthewasbewitched——bewitchedtosuchadegreethat，withoutfurtherpreliminary，heaskedtheoldpeopletogivehimtheirdaughterinmarriage，——tellingthem，atthesametime，hisnameandlineage，andhisrankinthetrainoftheLordofNoto。
Theyboweddownbeforehim，withmanyexclamationsofgratefulastonishment。But，aftersomemomentsofapparenthesitation，thefatherreplied：——
"Honoredmaster，youareapersonofhighposition，andlikelytorisetostillhigherthings。Toogreatisthefavorthatyoudeigntoofferus;——
indeed，thedepthofourgratitudethereforisnottobespokenormeasured。Butthisgirlofours，beingastupidcountry-girlofvulgarbirth，withnotrainingorteachingofanysort，itwouldbeimpropertoletherbecomethewifeofanoblesamurai。Eventospeakofsuchamatterisnotright……But，sinceyoufindthegirltoyourliking，andhavecondescendedtopardonherpeasant-mannersandtooverlookhergreatrudeness，wedogladlypresenthertoyou，foranhumblehandmaid。Deign，therefore，toacthereafterinherregardaccordingtoyouraugustpleasure。"
Eremorningthestormhadpassed;anddaybrokethroughacloudlesseast。
EvenifthesleeveofAoyagihidfromherlover’seyestherose-blushofthatdawn，hecouldnolongertarry。Butneithercouldheresignhimselftopartwiththegirl;and，wheneverythinghadbeenpreparedforhisjourney，hethusaddressedherparents：——
"ThoughitmayseemthanklesstoaskformorethanIhavealreadyreceived，Imustagainbegyoutogivemeyourdaughterforwife。Itwouldbedifficultformetoseparatefromhernow;andassheiswillingtoaccompanyme，ifyoupermit，Icantakeherwithmeassheis。Ifyouwillgivehertome，Ishallevercherishyouasparents……And，inthemeantime，pleasetoacceptthispooracknowledgmentofyourkindesthospitality。"
Sosaying，heplacedbeforehishumblehostapurseofgoldryo。Buttheoldman，aftermanyprostrations，gentlypushedbackthegift，andsaid：——
"Kindmaster，thegoldwouldbeofnousetous;andyouwillprobablyhaveneedofitduringyourlong，coldjourney。Herewebuynothing;andwecouldnotspendsomuchmoneyuponourselves，evenifwewished……Asforthegirl，wehavealreadybestowedherasafreegift;——shebelongstoyou：thereforeitisnotnecessarytoaskourleavetotakeheraway。
Alreadyshehastoldusthatshehopestoaccompanyyou，andtoremainyourservantforaslongasyoumaybewillingtoendureherpresence。Weareonlytoohappytoknowthatyoudeigntoaccepther;andwepraythatyouwillnottroubleyourselfonouraccount。Inthisplacewecouldnotprovideherwithproperclothing，——muchlesswithadowry。Moreover，beingold，weshouldinanyeventhavetoseparatefromherbeforelong。
Thereforeitisveryfortunatethatyoushouldbewillingtotakeherwithyounow。"
ItwasinvainthatTomotadatriedtopersuadetheoldpeopletoacceptapresent：hefoundthattheycarednothingformoney。Buthesawthattheywerereallyanxioustotrusttheirdaughter’sfatetohishands;andhethereforedecidedtotakeherwithhim。Soheplacedheruponhishorse，andbadetheoldfolksfarewellforthetimebeing，withmanysincereexpressionsofgratitude。
"honoredSir，"thefathermadeanswer，"itiswe，andnotyou，whohavereasonforgratitude。Wearesurethatyouwillbekindtoourgirl;andwehavenofearsforhersake。"……
[Here，intheJapaneseoriginal，thereisaqueerbreakinthenaturalcourseofthenarration，whichtherefromremainscuriouslyinconsistent。
NothingfurtherissaidaboutthemotherofTomotada，orabouttheparentsofAoyagi，oraboutthedaimyoofNoto。Evidentlythewriterweariedofhisworkatthispoint，andhurriedthestory，verycarelessly，toitsstartlingend。Iamnotabletosupplyhisomissions，ortorepairhisfaultsofconstruction;butImustventuretoputinafewexplanatorydetails，withoutwhichtherestofthetalewouldnotholdtogether……ItappearsthatTomotadarashlytookAoyagiwithhimtoKyoto，andsogotintotrouble;butwearenotinformedastowherethecouplelivedafterwards。]……Nowasamuraiwasnotallowedtomarrywithouttheconsentofhislord;
andTomotadacouldnotexpecttoobtainthissanctionbeforehismissionhadbeenaccomplished。Hehadreason，undersuchcircumstances，tofearthatthebeautyofAoyagimightattractdangerousattention，andthatmeansmightbedevisedoftakingherawayfromhim。InKyotohethereforetriedtokeepherhiddenfromcuriouseyes。ButaretainerofLordHosokawaonedaycaughtsightofAoyagi，discoveredherrelationtoTomotada，andreportedthemattertothedaimyo。Thereuponthedaimyo——ayoungprince，andfondofprettyfaces——gaveordersthatthegirlshouldbebroughttotheplace;andshewastakenthitheratonce，withoutceremony。
Tomotadasorrowedunspeakably;butheknewhimselfpowerless。Hewasonlyanhumblemessengerintheserviceofafar-offdaimyo;andforthetimebeinghewasatthemercyofamuchmorepowerfuldaimyo，whosewisheswerenottobequestioned。MoreoverTomotadaknewthathehadactedfoolishly，——
thathehadbroughtabouthisownmisfortune，byenteringintoaclandestinerelationwhichthecodeofthemilitaryclasscondemned。Therewasnowbutonehopeforhim，——adesperatehope：thatAoyagimightbeableandwillingtoescapeandtofleewithhim。Afterlongreflection，heresolvedtotrytosendheraletter。Theattemptwouldbedangerous，ofcourse：anywritingsenttohermightfinditswaytothehandsofthedaimyo;andtosendalove-lettertoanyinmateoftheplacewasanunpardonableoffense。Butheresolvedtodaretherisk;and，intheformofaChinesepoem，hecomposedaletterwhichheendeavoredtohaveconveyedtoher。Thepoemwaswrittenwithonlytwenty-eightcharacters。Butwiththosetwenty-eightcharactershewasabouttoexpressallthedepthofhispassion，andtosuggestallthepainofhisloss：——[4]
Koshio-songojinwoou;
Ryokujunamidawotareterakinwohitataru;
Komonhitotabiiritefukakikotouminogotoshi;
Koreyorishorokorerojin[Closely，closelytheyouthfulprincenowfollowsafterthegem-brightmaid;——
Thetearsofthefairone，falling，havemoistenedallherrobes。
Buttheaugustlord，havingonebecomeenamoredofher——thedepthofhislongingislikethedepthofthesea。
ThereforeitisonlyIthatamleftforlorn，——onlyIthatamlefttowanderalong。]
Ontheeveningofthedayafterthispoemhadbeensent，TomotadawassummonedtoappearbeforetheLordHosokawa。Theyouthatoncesuspectedthathisconfidencehadbeenbetrayed;andhecouldnothope，ifhisletterhadbeenseenbythedaimyo，toescapetheseverestpenalty。"Nowhewillordermydeath，"thoughtTomotada;——"butIdonotcaretoliveunlessAoyagiberestoredtome。Besides，ifthedeath-sentencebepassed，IcanatleasttrytokillHosokawa。"Heslippedhisswordsintohisgirdle，andhastenedtothepalace。
Onenteringthepresence-roomhesawtheLordHosokawaseateduponthedais，surroundedbysamuraiofhighrank，incapsandrobesofceremony。
Allweresilentasstatues;andwhileTomotadaadvancedtomakeobeisance，thehushseemedtohissinisterandheavy，likethestillnessbeforeastorm。ButHosokawasuddenlydescendedfromthedais，and，whiletakingtheyouthbythearm，begantorepeatthewordsofthepoem：——"Koshio-songojinwoou。"……AndTomotada，lookingup，sawkindlytearsintheprince’seyes。
ThensaidHosokawa：——
"Becauseyouloveeachothersomuch，Ihavetakenituponmyselftoauthorizeyourmarriage，inlieuofmykinsman，theLordofNoto;andyourweddingshallnowbecelebratedbeforeme。Theguestsareassembled;——thegiftsareready。"
Atasignalfromthelord，thesliding-screensconcealingafurtherapartmentwerepushedopen;andTomotadasawtheremanydignitariesofthecourt，assembledfortheceremony，andAoyagiawaitinghiminbrides’
apparel……Thuswasshegivenbacktohim;——andtheweddingwasjoyousandsplendid;——andpreciousgiftsweremadetotheyoungcouplebytheprince，andbythemembersofhishousehold。
***
Forfivehappyyears，afterthatwedding，TomotadaandAoyagidwelttogether。ButonemorningAoyagi，whiletalkingwithherhusbandaboutsomehouseholdmatter，suddenlyutteredagreatcryofpain，andthenbecameverywhiteandstill。Afterafewmomentsshesaid，inafeeblevoice：
"Pardonmeforthusrudelycryingout——butthepaidwassosudden！……Mydearhusband，ourunionmusthavebeenbroughtaboutthroughsomeKarma-relationinaformerstateofexistence;andthathappyrelation，I
think，willbringusagaintogetherinmorethanonelifetocome。Butforthispresentexistenceofours，therelationisnowended;——weareabouttobeseparated。Repeatforme，Ibeseechyou，theNembutsu-prayer，——
becauseIamdying。"
返回顶部