ANoteOnJapanesePronunciationAlthoughsimplified，thefollowinggeneralruleswillhelpthereaderunfamiliarwithJapanesetocomecloseenoughtoJapanesepronunciation。
Therearefivevowels：a（asinfAther），i（asinmachIne），u（asinfOOl），e（asinfEllow），ando（asinmOle）。Althoughcertainvowelsbecomenearly\"silent\"insomeenvironments，thisphenomenoncanbesafelyignoredforthepurposeathand。
ConsonantsroughlyapproximatetheircorrespondingsoundsinEnglish，exceptforr，whichisactuallysomewherebetweenrandl（thisiswhytheJapanesehavetroubledistinguishingbetweenEnglishrandl），andf，whichismuchclosertoh。
Thespelling\"KWAIDAN\"isbasedonpremodernJapanesepronunciation;whenHearncametoJapan，theorthographyreflectingthispronunciationwasstillinuse。InmodernJapanesethewordispronouncedKAIDAN。
KWAIDAN：StoriesandStudiesofStrangeThingsByLafcadioHearnTABLEOFCONTENTS
THESTORYOFMIMI-NASHI-HOICHI
OSHIDORI
THESTORYOFO-TEI
UBAZAKURA
DIPLOMACY
OFAMIRRORANDABELL
JIKININKI
MUJINA
ROKURO-KUBI
ADEADSECRET
YUKI-ONNA
THESTORYOFAOYAGI
JIU-ROKU-ZAKURA
THEDREAMOFAKINOSUKE
RIKI-BAKA
HI-MAWARI
HORAI
INSECTSTUDIES
BUTTERFLIES
MOSQUITOES
ANTS
INTRODUCTION
ThepublicationofanewvolumeofLafcadioHearn’sexquisitestudiesofJapanhappens，byadelicateirony，tofallintheverymonthwhentheworldiswaitingwithtenseexpectationfornewsofthelatestexploitsofJapanesebattleships。WhatevertheoutcomeofthepresentstrugglebetweenRussiaandJapan，itssignificanceliesinthefactthatanationoftheEast，equippedwithWesternweaponsandgirdingitselfwithWesternenergyofwill，isdeliberatelymeasuringstrengthagainstoneofthegreatpowersoftheOccident。Nooneiswiseenoughtoforecasttheresultsofsuchaconflictuponthecivilizationoftheworld。Thebestonecandoistoestimate，asintelligentlyaspossible，thenationalcharacteristicsofthepeoplesengaged，basingone’shopesandfearsuponthepsychologyofthetworacesratherthanuponpurelypoliticalandstatisticalstudiesofthecomplicatedquestionsinvolvedinthepresentwar。TheRussianpeoplehavehadliteraryspokesmenwhoformorethanagenerationhavefascinatedtheEuropeanaudience。TheJapanese，ontheotherhand，havepossessednosuchnationalanduniversallyrecognizedfiguresasTurgeniefforTolstoy。Theyneedaninterpreter。
ItmaybedoubtedwhetheranyorientalracehaseverhadaninterpretergiftedwithmoreperfectinsightandsympathythanLafcadioHearnhasbroughttothetranslationofJapanintoouroccidentalspeech。Hislongresidenceinthatcountry，hisflexibilityofmind，poeticimagination，andwonderfullypellucidstylehavefittedhimforthemostdelicateofliterarytasks。Hihasseenmarvels，andhehastoldoftheminamarvelousway。ThereisscarcelyanaspectofcontemporaryJapaneselife，scarcelyanelementinthesocial，political，andmilitaryquestionsinvolvedinthepresentconflictwithRussiawhichisnotmadeclearinoneoranotherofthebookswithwhichhehascharmedAmericanreaders。
HecharacterizesKwaidanas\"storiesandstudiesofstrangethings。\"A
hundredthoughtssuggestedbythebookmightbewrittendown，butmostofthemwouldbeginandendwiththisfactofstrangeness。ToreadtheverynamesinthetableofcontentsislikelisteningtoaBuddhistbell，strucksomewherefaraway。Someofhistalesareofthelongago，andyettheyseemtoilluminetheverysoulsandmindsofthelittlemenwhoareatthishourcrowdingthedecksofJapan’sarmoredcruisers。Butmanyofthestoriesareaboutwomenandchildren，——thelovelymaterialsfromwhichthebestfairytalesoftheworldhavebeenwoven。Theytooarestrange，theseJapanesemaidensandwivesandkeen-eyed，dark-hairedgirlsandboys;theyarelikeusandyetnotlikeus;andtheskyandthehillsandtheflowersarealldifferentfromour。YetbyamagicofwhichMr。Hearn，almostaloneamongcontemporarywriters，isthemaster，inthesedelicate，transparent，ghostlysketchesofaworldunrealtous，thereisahauntingsenseofspiritualreality。
Inapenetratingandbeautifulessaycontributedtothe\"AtlanticMonthly\"
inFebruary，1903，byPaulElmerMore，thesecretofMr。Hearn’smagicissaidtolieinthefactthatinhisartisfound\"themeetingofthreeways。\"\"TothereligiousinstinctofIndia——Buddhisminparticular，——
whichhistoryhasengraftedontheaestheticsenseofJapan，Mr。Hearnbringstheinterpretingspiritofoccidentalscience;andthesethreetraditionsarefusedbythepeculiarsympathiesofhismindintoonerichandnovelcompound，——acompoundsorareastohaveintroducedintoliteratureapsychologicalsensationunknownbefore。\"Mr。More’sessayreceivedthehighpraiseofMr。Hearn’srecognitionandgratitude，andifitwerepossibletoreprintithere，itwouldprovideamostsuggestiveintroductiontothesenewstoriesofoldJapan，whosesubstanceis，asMr。
Morehassaid，\"sostrangelymingledtogetheroutoftheausteredreamsofIndiaandthesubtlebeautyofJapanandtherelentlessscienceofEurope。\"
March，1904。
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MostofthefollowingKwaidan，orWeirdTales，havebeentakenfromoldJapanesebooks，——suchastheYaso-Kidan，Bukkyo-Hyakkwa-Zensho，Kokon-Chomonshu，Tama-Sudare，andHyaku-Monogatari。SomeofthestoriesmayhavehadaChineseorigin：theveryremarkable\"DreamofAkinosuke，\"forexample，iscertainlyfromaChinesesource。Butthestory-teller，ineverycase，hassorecoloredandreshapedhisborrowingastonaturalizeit……
Onequeertale，\"Yuki-Onna，\"wastoldmebyafarmerofChofu，Nishitama-gori，inMusashiprovince，asalegendofhisnativevillage。
WhetherithaseverbeenwritteninJapaneseIdonotknow;buttheextraordinarybeliefwhichitrecordsusedcertainlytoexistinmostpartsofJapan，andinmanycuriousforms……Theincidentof\"Riki-Baka\"wasapersonalexperience;andIwroteitdownalmostexactlyasithappened，changingonlyafamily-namementionedbytheJapanesenarrator。
L。H。
Tokyo，Japan，January20th，1904。
KWAIDAN
THESTORYOFMIMI-NASHI-HOICHI
Morethansevenhundredyearsago，atDan-no-ura，intheStraitsofShimonoseki，wasfoughtthelastbattleofthelongcontestbetweentheHeike，orTairaclan，andtheGenji，orMinamotoclan。TheretheHeikeperishedutterly，withtheirwomenandchildren，andtheirinfantemperorlikewise——nowrememberedasAntokuTenno。Andthatseaandshorehavebeenhauntedforsevenhundredyears……ElsewhereItoldyouaboutthestrangecrabsfoundthere，calledHeikecrabs，whichhavehumanfacesontheirbacks，andaresaidtobethespiritsoftheHeikewarriors[1]。Buttherearemanystrangethingstobeseenandheardalongthatcoast。Ondarknightsthousandsofghostlyfireshoveraboutthebeach，orflitabovethewaves，——palelightswhichthefishermencallOni-bi，ordemon-fires;
and，wheneverthewindsareup，asoundofgreatshoutingcomesfromthatsea，likeaclamorofbattle。
InformeryearstheHeikeweremuchmorerestlessthantheynoware。Theywouldriseaboutshipspassinginthenight，andtrytosinkthem;andatalltimestheywouldwatchforswimmers，topullthemdown。ItwasinordertoappeasethosedeadthattheBuddhisttemple，Amidaji，wasbuiltatAkamagaseki[2]。Acemeteryalsowasmadecloseby，nearthebeach;andwithinitweresetupmonumentsinscribedwiththenamesofthedrownedemperorandofhisgreatvassals;andBuddhistserviceswereregularlyperformedthere，onbehalfofthespiritsofthem。Afterthetemplehadbeenbuilt，andthetombserected，theHeikegavelesstroublethanbefore;
buttheycontinuedtodoqueerthingsatintervals，——provingthattheyhadnotfoundtheperfectpeace。
SomecenturiesagotherelivedatAkamagasekiablindmannamedHoichi，whowasfamedforhisskillinrecitationandinplayinguponthebiwa[3]。
>Fromchildhoodhehadbeentrainedtoreciteandtoplay;andwhileyetaladhehadsurpassedhisteachers。Asaprofessionalbiwa-hoshihebecamefamouschieflybyhisrecitationsofthehistoryoftheHeikeandtheGenji;anditissaidthatwhenhesangthesongofthebattleofDan-no-ura\"eventhegoblins[kijin]couldnotrefrainfromtears。\"
Attheoutsetofhiscareer，Hoichiwasverypoor;buthefoundagoodfriendtohelphim。ThepriestoftheAmidajiwasfondofpoetryandmusic;
andheofteninvitedHoichitothetemple，toplayandrecite。Afterwards，beingmuchimpressedbythewonderfulskillofthelad，thepriestproposedthatHoichishouldmakethetemplehishome;andthisofferwasgratefullyaccepted。Hoichiwasgivenaroominthetemple-building;and，inreturnforfoodandlodging，hewasrequiredonlytogratifythepriestwithamusicalperformanceoncertainevenings，whenotherwisedisengaged。
Onesummernightthepriestwascalledaway，toperformaBuddhistserviceatthehouseofadeadparishioner;andhewenttherewithhisacolyte，leavingHoichialoneinthetemple。Itwasahotnight;andtheblindmansoughttocoolhimselfontheverandahbeforehissleeping-room。TheverandahoverlookedasmallgardenintherearoftheAmidaji。ThereHoichiwaitedforthepriest’sreturn，andtriedtorelievehissolitudebypracticinguponhisbiwa。Midnightpassed;andthepriestdidnotappear。
Buttheatmospherewasstilltoowarmforcomfortwithindoors;andHoichiremainedoutside。Atlastheheardstepsapproachingfromthebackgate。
Somebodycrossedthegarden，advancedtotheverandah，andhalteddirectlyinfrontofhim——butitwasnotthepriest。Adeepvoicecalledtheblindman’sname——abruptlyandunceremoniously，inthemannerofasamuraisummoninganinferior：——
\"Hoichi！\"
\"Hai！\"（1）answeredtheblindman，frightenedbythemenaceinthevoice，——\"Iamblind！——Icannotknowwhocalls！\"
\"Thereisnothingtofear，\"thestrangerexclaimed，speakingmoregently。
\"Iamstoppingnearthistemple，andhavebeensenttoyouwithamessage。
Mypresentlord，apersonofexceedinglyhighrank，isnowstayinginAkamagaseki，withmanynobleattendants。HewishedtoviewthesceneofthebattleofDan-no-ura;andto-dayhevisitedthatplace。Havingheardofyourskillinrecitingthestoryofthebattle，henowdesirestohearyourperformance：soyouwilltakeyourbiwaandcomewithmeatoncetothehousewheretheaugustassemblyiswaiting。\"
Inthosetimes，theorderofasamuraiwasnottobelightlydisobeyed。
Hoichidonnedhissandals，tookhisbiwa，andwentawaywiththestranger，whoguidedhimdeftly，butobligedhimtowalkveryfast。Thehandthatguidedwasiron;andtheclankofthewarrior’sstrideprovedhimfullyarmed，——probablysomepalace-guardonduty。Hoichi’sfirstalarmwasover：
hebegantoimaginehimselfingoodluck;——for，rememberingtheretainer’sassuranceabouta\"personofexceedinglyhighrank，\"hethoughtthatthelordwhowishedtoheartherecitationcouldnotbelessthanadaimyoofthefirstclass。Presentlythesamuraihalted;andHoichibecameawarethattheyhadarrivedatalargegateway;——andhewondered，forhecouldnotrememberanylargegateinthatpartofthetown，exceptthemaingateoftheAmidaji。\"Kaimon！\"[4]thesamuraicalled，——andtherewasasoundofunbarring;andthetwainpassedon。Theytraversedaspaceofgarden，andhaltedagainbeforesomeentrance;andtheretainercriedinaloudvoice，\"Withinthere！IhavebroughtHoichi。\"Thencamesoundsoffeethurrying，andscreenssliding，andrain-doorsopening，andvoicesofwomeninconverse。BythelanguageofthewomenHoichiknewthemtobedomesticsinsomenoblehousehold;buthecouldnotimaginetowhatplacehehadbeenconducted。Littletimewasallowedhimforconjecture。Afterhehadbeenhelpedtomountseveralstonesteps，uponthelastofwhichhewastoldtoleavehissandals，awoman’shandguidedhimalonginterminablereachesofpolishedplanking，androundpillaredanglestoomanytoremember，andoverwidthsamazingofmattedfloor，——intothemiddleofsomevastapartment。
Therehethoughtthatmanygreatpeoplewereassembled：thesoundoftherustlingofsilkwaslikethesoundofleavesinaforest。Heheardalsoagreathummingofvoices，——talkinginundertones;andthespeechwasthespeechofcourts。
Hoichiwastoldtoputhimselfatease，andhefoundakneeling-cushionreadyforhim。Afterhavingtakenhisplaceuponit，andtunedhisinstrument，thevoiceofawoman——whomhedivinedtobetheRojo，ormatroninchargeofthefemaleservice——addressedhim，saying，——
\"ItisnowrequiredthatthehistoryoftheHeikeberecited，totheaccompanimentofthebiwa。\"
Nowtheentirerecitalwouldhaverequiredatimeofmanynights：
thereforeHoichiventuredaquestion：——
\"Asthewholeofthestoryisnotsoontold，whatportionisitaugustlydesiredthatInowrecite？\"
Thewoman’svoicemadeanswer：——
\"RecitethestoryofthebattleatDan-no-ura，——forthepityofitisthemostdeep。\"[5]
ThenHoichilifteduphisvoice，andchantedthechantofthefightonthebittersea，——wonderfullymakinghisbiwatosoundlikethestrainingofoarsandtherushingofships，thewhirrandthehissingofarrows，theshoutingandtramplingofmen，thecrashingofsteeluponhelmets，theplungingofslainintheflood。Andtoleftandrightofhim，inthepausesofhisplaying，hecouldhearvoicesmurmuringpraise：\"Howmarvelousanartist！\"——\"Neverinourownprovincewasplayingheardlikethis！\"——
\"NotinalltheempireisthereanothersingerlikeHoichi！\"Thenfreshcouragecametohim，andheplayedandsangyetbetterthanbefore;andahushofwonderdeepenedabouthim。Butwhenatlasthecametotellthefateofthefairandhelpless，——thepiteousperishingofthewomenandchildren，——andthedeath-leapofNii-no-Ama，withtheimperialinfantinherarms，——thenallthelistenersutteredtogetheronelong，longshudderingcryofanguish;andthereaftertheyweptandwailedsoloudlyandsowildlythattheblindmanwasfrightenedbytheviolenceandgriefthathehadmade。Formuchtimethesobbingandthewailingcontinued。Butgraduallythesoundsoflamentationdiedaway;andagain，inthegreatstillnessthatfollowed，HoichiheardthevoiceofthewomanwhomhesupposedtobetheRojo。
Shesaid：——
\"Althoughwehadbeenassuredthatyouwereaveryskillfulplayeruponthebiwa，andwithoutanequalinrecitative，wedidnotknowthatanyonecouldbesoskillfulasyouhaveprovedyourselfto-night。Ourlordhasbeenpleasedtosaythatheintendstobestowuponyouafittingreward。
Buthedesiresthatyoushallperformbeforehimonceeverynightforthenextsixnights——afterwhichtimehewillprobablymakehisaugustreturn-journey。To-morrownight，therefore，youaretocomehereatthesamehour。Theretainerwhoto-nightconductedyouwillbesentforyou……
ThereisanothermatteraboutwhichIhavebeenorderedtoinformyou。Itisrequiredthatyoushallspeaktonooneofyourvisitshere，duringthetimeofourlord’saugustsojournatAkamagaseki。Asheistravelingincognito，[6]hecommandsthatnomentionofthesethingsbemade……Youarenowfreetogobacktoyourtemple。\"
AfterHoichihaddulyexpressedhisthanks，awoman’shandconductedhimtotheentranceofthehouse，wherethesameretainer，whohadbeforeguidedhim，waswaitingtotakehimhome。Theretainerledhimtotheverandahattherearofthetemple，andtherebadehimfarewell。
ItwasalmostdawnwhenHoichireturned;buthisabsencefromthetemplehadnotbeenobserved，——asthepriest，comingbackataverylatehour，hadsupposedhimasleep。DuringthedayHoichiwasabletotakesomerest;
andhesaidnothingabouthisstrangeadventure。Inthemiddleofthefollowingnightthesamuraiagaincameforhim，andledhimtotheaugustassembly，wherehegaveanotherrecitationwiththesamesuccessthathadattendedhispreviousperformance。Butduringthissecondvisithisabsencefromthetemplewasaccidentallydiscovered;andafterhisreturninthemorninghewassummonedtothepresenceofthepriest，whosaidtohim，inatoneofkindlyreproach：——
\"Wehavebeenveryanxiousaboutyou，friendHoichi。Togoout，blindandalone，atsolateanhour，isdangerous。Whydidyougowithouttellingus？
Icouldhaveorderedaservanttoaccompanyyou。Andwherehaveyoubeen？\"
Hoichianswered，evasively，——
\"Pardonmekindfriend！Ihadtoattendtosomeprivatebusiness;andI
couldnotarrangethematteratanyotherhour。\"
Thepriestwassurprised，ratherthanpained，byHoichi’sreticence：hefeltittobeunnatural，andsuspectedsomethingwrong。Hefearedthattheblindladhadbeenbewitchedordeludedbysomeevilspirits。Hedidnotaskanymorequestions;butheprivatelyinstructedthemen-servantsofthetempletokeepwatchuponHoichi’smovements，andtofollowhimincasethatheshouldagainleavethetempleafterdark。
Ontheverynextnight，Hoichiwasseentoleavethetemple;andtheservantsimmediatelylightedtheirlanterns，andfollowedafterhim。Butitwasarainynight，andverydark;andbeforethetemple-folkscouldgettotheroadway，Hoichihaddisappeared。Evidentlyhehadwalkedveryfast，——astrangething，consideringhisblindness;fortheroadwasinabadcondition。Themenhurriedthroughthestreets，makinginquiriesateveryhousewhichHoichiwasaccustomedtovisit;butnobodycouldgivethemanynewsofhim。Atlast，astheywerereturningtothetemplebywayoftheshore，theywerestartledbythesoundofabiwa，furiouslyplayed，inthecemeteryoftheAmidaji。Exceptforsomeghostlyfires——suchasusuallyflittedthereondarknights——allwasblacknessinthatdirection。Butthemenatoncehastenedtothecemetery;andthere，bythehelpoftheirlanterns，theydiscoveredHoichi，——sittingaloneintherainbeforethememorialtombofAntokuTenno，makinghisbiwaresound，andloudlychantingthechantofthebattleofDan-no-ura。Andbehindhim，andabouthim，andeverywhereabovethetombs，thefiresofthedeadwereburning，likecandles。NeverbeforehadsogreatahostofOni-biappearedinthesightofmortalman……
\"HoichiSan！——HoichiSan！\"theservantscried，——\"youarebewitched！……
HoichiSan！\"
Buttheblindmandidnotseemtohear。Strenuouslyhemadehisbiwatorattleandringandclang;——moreandmorewildlyhechantedthechantofthebattleofDan-no-ura。Theycaughtholdofhim;——theyshoutedintohisear，——
\"HoichiSan！——HoichiSan！——comehomewithusatonce！\"
Reprovinglyhespoketothem：——
\"Tointerruptmeinsuchamanner，beforethisaugustassembly，willnotbetolerated。\"
Whereat，inspiteoftheweirdnessofthething，theservantscouldnothelplaughing。Surethathehadbeenbewitched，theynowseizedhim，andpulledhimuponhisfeet，andbymainforcehurriedhimbacktothetemple，——wherehewasimmediatelyrelievedofhiswetclothes，byorderofthepriest。Thenthepriestinsisteduponafullexplanationofhisfriend’sastonishingbehavior。
Hoichilonghesitatedtospeak。Butatlast，findingthathisconducthadreallyalarmedandangeredthegoodpriest，hedecidedtoabandonhisreserve;andherelatedeverythingthathadhappenedfromthetimeoffirstvisitofthesamurai。
Thepriestsaid：——
\"Hoichi，mypoorfriend，youarenowingreatdanger！Howunfortunatethatyoudidnottellmeallthisbefore！Yourwonderfulskillinmusichasindeedbroughtyouintostrangetrouble。Bythistimeyoumustbeawarethatyouhavenotbeenvisitinganyhousewhatever，buthavebeenpassingyournightsinthecemetery，amongthetombsoftheHeike;——anditwasbeforethememorial-tombofAntokuTennothatourpeopleto-nightfoundyou，sittingintherain。Allthatyouhavebeenimaginingwasillusion——
exceptthecallingofthedead。Byonceobeyingthem，youhaveputyourselfintheirpower。Ifyouobeythemagain，afterwhathasalreadyoccurred，theywilltearyouinpieces。Buttheywouldhavedestroyedyou，soonerorlater，inanyevent……NowIshallnotbeabletoremainwithyouto-night：
Iamcalledawaytoperformanotherservice。But，beforeIgo，itwillbenecessarytoprotectyourbodybywritingholytextsuponit。\"
BeforesundownthepriestandhisacolytestrippedHoichi：then，withtheirwriting-brushes，theytraceduponhisbreastandback，headandfaceandneck，limbsandhandsandfeet，——evenuponthesolesofhisfeet，anduponallpartsofhisbody，——thetextoftheholysutracalledHannya-Shin-Kyo。[7]Whenthishadbeendone，thepriestinstructedHoichi，saying：——
\"To-night，assoonasIgoaway，youmustseatyourselfontheverandah，andwait。Youwillbecalled。But，whatevermayhappen，donotanswer，anddonotmove。Saynothingandsitstill——asifmeditating。Ifyoustir，ormakeanynoise，youwillbetornasunder。Donotgetfrightened;anddonotthinkofcallingforhelp——becausenohelpcouldsaveyou。IfyoudoexactlyasItellyou，thedangerwillpass，andyouwillhavenothingmoretofear。\"
Afterdarkthepriestandtheacolytewentaway;andHoichiseatedhimselfontheverandah，accordingtotheinstructionsgivenhim。Helaidhisbiwaontheplankingbesidehim，and，assumingtheattitudeofmeditation，remainedquitestill，——takingcarenottocough，ortobreatheaudibly。
Forhourshestayedthus。
Then，fromtheroadway，heheardthestepscoming。Theypassedthegate，crossedthegarden，approachedtheverandah，stopped——directlyinfrontofhim。
\"Hoichi！\"thedeepvoicecalled。Buttheblindmanheldhisbreath，andsatmotionless。
\"Hoichi！\"grimlycalledthevoiceasecondtime。Thenathirdtime——
savagely：——
\"Hoichi！\"
Hoichiremainedasstillasastone，——andthevoicegrumbled：——
\"Noanswer！——thatwon’tdo！……Mustseewherethefellowis。\"……
Therewasanoiseofheavyfeetmountingupontheverandah。Thefeetapproacheddeliberately，——haltedbesidehim。Then，forlongminutes，——
duringwhichHoichifelthiswholebodyshaketothebeatingofhisheart，——therewasdeadsilence。
Atlastthegruffvoicemutteredclosetohim：——
\"Hereisthebiwa;butofthebiwa-playerIsee——onlytwoears！……Sothatexplainswhyhedidnotanswer：hehadnomouthtoanswerwith——
thereisnothingleftofhimbuthisears……NowtomylordthoseearsI
willtake——inproofthattheaugustcommandshavebeenobeyed，sofaraswaspossible\"……
AtthatinstantHoichifelthisearsgrippedbyfingersofiron，andtornoff！Greatasthepainwas，hegavenocry。Theheavyfootfallsrecededalongtheverandah，——descendedintothegarden，——passedouttotheroadway，——ceased。Fromeithersideofhishead，theblindmanfeltathickwarmtrickling;buthedarednotlifthishands……
Beforesunrisethepriestcameback。Hehastenedatoncetotheverandahintherear，steppedandslippeduponsomethingclammy，andutteredacryofhorror;——forhesay，bythelightofhislantern，thattheclamminesswasblood。ButheperceivedHoichisittingthere，intheattitudeofmeditation——withthebloodstilloozingfromhiswounds。
\"MypoorHoichi！\"criedthestartledpriest，——\"whatisthis？……Youhavebeenhurt？
Atthesoundofhisfriend’svoice，theblindmanfeltsafe。Heburstoutsobbing，andtearfullytoldhisadventureofthenight。
\"Poor，poorHoichi！\"thepriestexclaimed，——\"allmyfault！——myverygrievousfault！……Everywhereuponyourbodytheholytextshadbeenwritten——exceptuponyourears！Itrustedmyacolytetodothatpartofthework;anditwasvery，verywrongofmenottohavemadesurethathehaddoneit！……Well，themattercannotnowbehelped;——wecanonlytrytohealyourhurtsassoonaspossible……Cheerup，friend！——thedangerisnowwellover。Youwillneveragainbetroubledbythosevisitors。\"
Withtheaidofagooddoctor，Hoichisoonrecoveredfromhisinjuries。
Thestoryofhisstrangeadventurespreadfarandwide，andsoonmadehimfamous。ManynoblepersonswenttoAkamagasekitohearhimrecite;andlargepresentsofmoneyweregiventohim，——sothathebecameawealthyman……Butfromthetimeofhisadventure，hewasknownonlybytheappellationofMimi-nashi-Hoichi：\"Hoichi-the-Earless。\"
OSHIDORI
Therewasafalconerandhunter，namedSonjo，wholivedinthedistrictcalledTamura-no-Go，oftheprovinceofMutsu。Onedayhewentouthunting，andcouldnotfindanygame。Butonhiswayhome，ataplacecalledAkanuma，heperceivedapairofoshidori[1]（mandarin-ducks），swimmingtogetherinariverthathewasabouttocross。tokilloshidoriisnotgood;butSonjohappenedtobeveryhungry，andheshotatthepair。Hisarrowpiercedthemale：thefemaleescapedintotherushesofthefurthershore，anddisappeared。Sonjotookthedeadbirdhome，andcookedit。
Thatnighthedreamedadrearydream。Itseemedtohimthatabeautifulwomancameintohisroom，andstoodbyhispillow，andbegantoweep。SobitterlydidsheweepthatSonjofeltasifhisheartwerebeingtornoutwhilehelistened。Andthewomancriedtohim：\"Why，——oh！whydidyoukillhim？——ofwhatwrongwasheguilty？……AtAkanumaweweresohappytogether，——andyoukilledhim！……Whatharmdidheeverdoyou？Doyouevenknowwhatyouhavedone？——oh！doyouknowwhatacruel，whatawickedthingyouhavedone？……Metooyouhavekilled，——forIwillnotlivewithoutmyhusband！……OnlytotellyouthisIcame。\"……Thenagainsheweptaloud，——sobitterlythatthevoiceofhercryingpiercedintothemarrowofthelistener’sbones;——andshesobbedoutthewordsofthispoem：——
HikururebaSasoeshimonowo——
AkanumanoMakomonokurenoHitori-nezouki！
（\"AtthecomingoftwilightIinvitedhimtoreturnwithme——！NowtosleepaloneintheshadowoftherushesofAkanuma——ah！whatmiseryunspeakable！\"）[2]
Andafterhavingutteredtheseversessheexclaimed：——\"Ah，youdonotknow——youcannotknowwhatyouhavedone！Butto-morrow，whenyougotoAkanuma，youwillsee，——youwillsee……\"Sosaying，andweepingverypiteously，shewentaway。
WhenSonjoawokeinthemorning，thisdreamremainedsovividinhismindthathewasgreatlytroubled。Herememberedthewords：——\"Butto-morrow，whenyougotoAkanuma，youwillsee，——youwillsee。\"Andheresolvedtogothereatonce，thathemightlearnwhetherhisdreamwasanythingmorethanadream。
SohewenttoAkanuma;andthere，whenhecametotheriver-bank，hesawthefemaleoshidoriswimmingalone。InthesamemomentthebirdperceivedSonjo;but，insteadoftryingtoescape，sheswamstraighttowardshim，lookingathimthewhileinastrangefixedway。Then，withherbeak，shesuddenlytoreopenherownbody，anddiedbeforethehunter’seyes……
Sonjoshavedhishead，andbecameapriest。
THESTORYOFO-TEI
Alongtimeago，inthetownofNiigata，intheprovinceofEchizen，therelivedamancalledNagaoChosei。
Nagaowasthesonofaphysician，andwaseducatedforhisfather’sprofession。AtanearlyagehehadbeenbetrothedtoagirlcalledO-Tei，thedaughterofoneofhisfather’sfriends;andbothfamilieshadagreedthattheweddingshouldtakeplaceassoonasNagaohadfinishedhisstudies。ButthehealthofO-Teiprovedtobeweak;andinherfifteenthyearshewasattackedbyafatalconsumption。Whenshebecameawarethatshemustdie，shesentforNagaotobidhimfarewell。
Ashekneltatherbedside，shesaidtohim：——
\"Nagao-Sama，（1）mybetrothed，wewerepromisedtoeachotherfromthetimeofourchildhood;andweweretohavebeenmarriedattheendofthisyear。ButnowIamgoingtodie;——thegodsknowwhatisbestforus。IfI
wereabletoliveforsomeyearslonger，Icouldonlycontinuetobeacauseoftroubleandgriefforothers。Withthisfrailbody，Icouldnotbeagoodwife;andthereforeeventowishtolive，foryoursake，wouldbeaveryselfishwish。Iamquiteresignedtodie;andIwantyoutopromisethatyouwillnotgrieve……Besides，IwanttotellyouthatIthinkweshallmeetagain。\"……
\"Indeedweshallmeetagain，\"Nagaoansweredearnestly。\"AndinthatPureLand（2）therewillbenopainofseparation。\"
\"Nay，nay！\"sherespondedsoftly，\"ImeantnotthePureLand。Ibelievethatwearedestinedtomeetagaininthisworld，——althoughIshallbeburiedto-morrow。\"
Nagaolookedatherwonderingly，andsawhersmileathiswonder。Shecontinued，inhergentle，dreamyvoice，——
\"Yes，Imeaninthisworld，——inyourownpresentlife，Nagao-Sama……
Providing，indeed，thatyouwishit。Only，forthisthingtohappen，Imustagainbebornagirl，andgrowuptowomanhood。Soyouwouldhavetowait。
Fifteen——sixteenyears：thatisalongtime……But，mypromisedhusband，youarenowonlynineteenyearsold。\"……
Eagertosootheherdyingmoments，heansweredtenderly：——
\"Towaitforyou，mybetrothed，werenolessajoythanaduty。Wearepledgedtoeachotherforthetimeofsevenexistences。\"
\"Butyoudoubt？\"shequestioned，watchinghisface。
\"Mydearone，\"heanswered，\"IdoubtwhetherIshouldbeabletoknowyouinanotherbody，underanothername，——unlessyoucantellmeofasignortoken。\"
\"ThatIcannotdo，\"shesaid。\"OnlytheGodsandtheBuddhasknowhowandwhereweshallmeet。ButIamsure——very，verysure——that，ifyoubenotunwillingtoreceiveme，Ishallbeabletocomebacktoyou……
Rememberthesewordsofmine。\"……
Sheceasedtospeak;andhereyesclosed。Shewasdead。
***
NagaohadbeensincerelyattachedtoO-Tei;andhisgriefwasdeep。Hehadamortuarytabletmade，inscribedwithherzokumyo;[1]andheplacedthetabletinhisbutsudan，[2]andeverydaysetofferingsbeforeit。HethoughtagreatdealaboutthestrangethingsthatO-Teihadsaidtohimjustbeforeherdeath;and，inthehopeofpleasingherspirit，hewroteasolemnpromisetowedherifshecouldeverreturntohiminanotherbody。
Thiswrittenpromisehesealedwithhisseal，andplacedinthebutsudanbesidethemortuarytabletofO-Tei。
Nevertheless，asNagaowasanonlyson，itwasnecessarythatheshouldmarry。Hesoonfoundhimselfobligedtoyieldtothewishesofhisfamily，andtoacceptawifeofhisfather’schoosing。AfterhismarriagehecontinuedtosetofferingsbeforethetabletofO-Tei;andheneverfailedtorememberherwithaffection。Butbydegreesherimagebecamediminhismemory，——likeadreamthatishardtorecall。Andtheyearswentby。
Duringthoseyearsmanymisfortunescameuponhim。Helosthisparentsbydeath，——thenhiswifeandhisonlychild。Sothathefoundhimselfaloneintheworld。Heabandonedhisdesolatehome，andsetoutuponalongjourneyinthehopeofforgettinghissorrows。
Oneday，inthecourseofhistravels，hearrivedatIkao，——amountain-villagestillfamedforitsthermalsprings，andforthebeautifulsceneryofitsneighborhood。Inthevillage-innatwhichhestopped，ayounggirlcametowaituponhim;and，atthefirstsightofherface，hefelthisheartleapasithadneverleapedbefore。SostrangelydidsheresembleO-Teithathepinchedhimselftomakesurethathewasnotdreaming。Asshewentandcame，——bringingfireandfood，orarrangingthechamberoftheguest，——hereveryattitudeandmotionrevivedinhimsomegraciousmemoryofthegirltowhomhehadbeenpledgedinhisyouth。Hespoketoher;andsherespondedinasoft，clearvoiceofwhichthesweetnesssaddenedhimwithasadnessofotherdays。
Then，ingreatwonder，hequestionedher，saying：——
\"ElderSister（3），somuchdoyoulooklikeapersonwhomIknewlongago，thatIwasstartledwhenyoufirstenteredthisroom。Pardonme，therefore，foraskingwhatisyournativeplace，andwhatisyourname？\"
Immediately，——andintheunforgottenvoiceofthedead，——shethusmadeanswer：——
\"MynameisO-Tei;andyouareNagaoChoseiofEchigo，mypromisedhusband。Seventeenyearsago，IdiedinNiigata：thenyoumadeinwritingapromisetomarrymeifeverIcouldcomebacktothisworldinthebodyofawoman;——andyousealedthatwrittenpromisewithyourseal，andputitinthebutsudan，besidethetabletinscribedwithmyname。AndthereforeI
cameback。\"……
Assheutteredtheselastwords，shefellunconscious。
Nagaomarriedher;andthemarriagewasahappyone。ButatnotimeafterwardscouldsherememberwhatshehadtoldhiminanswertohisquestionatIkao：neithercouldsherememberanythingofherpreviousexistence。Therecollectionoftheformerbirth，——mysteriouslykindledinthemomentofthatmeeting，——hadagainbecomeobscured，andsothereafterremained。
UBAZAKURA
Threehundredyearsago，inthevillagecalledAsamimura，inthedistrictcalledOnsengori，intheprovinceofIyo，therelivedagoodmannamedTokubei。ThisTokubeiwastherichestpersoninthedistrict，andthemuraosa，orheadman，ofthevillage。Inmostmattershewasfortunate;buthereachedtheageoffortywithoutknowingthehappinessofbecomingafather。Thereforeheandhiswife，intheafflictionoftheirchildlessness，addressedmanyprayerstothedivinityFudoMyoO，whohadafamoustemple，calledSaihoji，inAsamimura。
Atlasttheirprayerswereheard：thewifeofTokubeigavebirthtoadaughter。Thechildwasverypretty;andshereceivedthenameofTsuyu。Asthemother’smilkwasdeficient，amilk-nurse，calledO-Sode，washiredforthelittleone。
O-Tsuyugrewuptobeaverybeautifulgirl;butattheageoffifteenshefellsick，andthedoctorsthoughtthatshewasgoingtodie。InthattimethenurseO-Sode，wholovedO-Tsuyuwitharealmother’slove，wenttothetempleSaihoji，andferventlyprayedtoFudo-Samaonbehalfofthegirl。
Everyday，fortwenty-onedays，shewenttothetempleandprayed;andattheendofthattime，O-Tsuyusuddenlyandcompletelyrecovered。
ThentherewasgreatrejoicinginthehouseofTokubei;andhegaveafeasttoallhisfriendsincelebrationofthehappyevent。ButonthenightofthefeastthenurseO-Sodewassuddenlytakenill;andonthefollowingmorning，thedoctor，whohadbeensummonedtoattendher，announcedthatshewasdying。
Thenthefamily，ingreatsorrow，gatheredaboutherbed，tobidherfarewell。Butshesaidtothem：——
\"ItistimethatIshouldtellyousomethingwhichyoudonotknow。Myprayerhasbeenheard。IbesoughtFudo-SamathatImightbepermittedtodieintheplaceofO-Tsuyu;andthisgreatfavorhasbeengrantedme。
Thereforeyoumustnotgrieveaboutmydeath……ButIhaveonerequesttomake。IpromisedFudo-SamathatIwouldhaveacherry-treeplantedinthegardenofSaihoji，forathank-offeringandacommemoration。NowIshallnotbeablemyselftoplantthetreethere：soImustbegthatyouwillfulfillthatvowforme……Good-bye，dearfriends;andrememberthatIwashappytodieforO-Tsuyu’ssake。\"
AfterthefuneralofO-Sode，ayoungcherry-tree，——thefinestthatcouldbefound，——wasplantedinthegardenofSaihojibytheparentsofO-Tsuyu。
Thetreegrewandflourished;andonthesixteenthdayofthesecondmonthofthefollowingyear，——theanniversaryofO-Sode’sdeath，——itblossomedinawonderfulway。Soitcontinuedtoblossomfortwohundredandfifty-fouryears，——alwaysuponthesixteenthdayofthesecondmonth;——
anditsflowers，pinkandwhite，werelikethenipplesofawoman’sbreasts，bedewedwithmilk。AndthepeoplecalleditUbazakura，theCherry-treeoftheMilk-Nurse。
DIPLOMACY
Ithadbeenorderedthattheexecutionshouldtakeplaceinthegardenoftheyashiki（1）。Sothemanwastakenthere，andmadetokneeldowninawidesandedspacecrossedbyalineoftobi-ishi，orstepping-stones，suchasyoumaystillseeinJapaneselandscape-gardens。Hisarmswereboundbehindhim。Retainersbroughtwaterinbuckets，andrice-bagsfilledwithpebbles;andtheypackedtherice-bagsroundthekneelingman，——sowedginghiminthathecouldnotmove。Themastercame，andobservedthearrangements。Hefoundthemsatisfactory，andmadenoremarks。
Suddenlythecondemnedmancriedouttohim：——
\"HonoredSir，thefaultforwhichIhavebeendoomedIdidnotwittinglycommit。Itwasonlymyverygreatstupiditywhichcausedthefault。Havingbeenbornstupid，byreasonofmyKarma，Icouldnotalwayshelpmakingmistakes。Buttokillamanforbeingstupidiswrong，——andthatwrongwillberepaid。Sosurelyasyoukillme，sosurelyshallIbeavenged;——
outoftheresentmentthatyouprovokewillcomethevengeance;andevilwillberenderedforevil。\"……
Ifanypersonbekilledwhilefeelingstrongresentment，theghostofthatpersonwillbeabletotakevengeanceuponthekiller。Thisthesamuraiknew。Herepliedverygently，——almostcaressingly：——
\"Weshallallowyoutofrightenusasmuchasyouplease——afteryouaredead。Butitisdifficulttobelievethatyoumeanwhatyousay。Willyoutrytogiveussomesignofyourgreatresentment——afteryourheadhasbeencutoff？\"
\"AssuredlyIwill，\"answeredtheman。
\"Verywell，\"saidthesamurai，drawinghislongsword;——\"Iamnowgoingtocutoffyourhead。Directlyinfrontofyouthereisastepping-stone。
Afteryourheadhasbeencutoff，trytobitethestepping-stone。Ifyourangryghostcanhelpyoutodothat，someofusmaybefrightened……Willyoutrytobitethestone？\"
\"Iwillbiteit！\"criedtheman，ingreatanger，——\"Iwillbiteit！——I
willbite\"——
Therewasaflash，aswish，acrunchingthud：theboundbodybowedoverthericesacks，——twolongblood-jetspumpingfromtheshornneck;——andtheheadrolleduponthesand。Heavilytowardthestepping-stoneitrolled：
then，suddenlybounding，itcaughttheupperedgeofthestonebetweenitsteeth，clungdesperatelyforamoment，anddroppedinert。
Nonespoke;buttheretainersstaredinhorrorattheirmaster。Heseemedtobequiteunconcerned。Hemerelyheldouthisswordtothenearestattendant，who，withawoodendipper，pouredwateroverthebladefromhafttopoint，andthencarefullywipedthesteelseveraltimeswithsheetsofsoftpaper……Andthusendedtheceremonialpartoftheincident。
Formonthsthereafter，theretainersandthedomesticslivedinceaselessfearofghostlyvisitation。Noneofthemdoubtedthatthepromisedvengeancewouldcome;andtheirconstantterrorcausedthemtohearandtoseemuchthatdidnotexist。Theybecameafraidofthesoundofthewindinthebamboos，——afraidevenofthestirringofshadowsinthegarden。Atlast，aftertakingcounseltogether，theydecidedtopetitiontheirmastertohaveaSegaki-service（2）performedonbehalfofthevengefulspirit。
\"Quiteunnecessary，\"thesamuraisaid，whenhischiefretainerhadutteredthegeneralwish……\"Iunderstandthatthedesireofadyingmanforrevengemaybeacauseforfear。Butinthiscasethereisnothingtofear。\"
Theretainerlookedathismasterbeseechingly，buthesitatedtoaskthereasonofthealarmingconfidence。
\"Oh，thereasonissimpleenough，\"declaredthesamurai，diviningtheunspokendoubt。\"Onlytheverylastintentionofthefellowcouldhavebeendangerous;andwhenIchallengedhimtogivemethesign，Idivertedhismindfromthedesireofrevenge。Hediedwiththesetpurposeofbitingthestepping-stone;andthatpurposehewasabletoaccomplish，butnothingelse。Alltheresthemusthaveforgotten……Soyouneednotfeelanyfurtheranxietyaboutthematter。\"
——Andindeedthedeadmangavenomoretrouble。Nothingatallhappened。
OFAMIRRORANDABELL
Eightcenturiesago，thepriestsofMugenyama，intheprovinceofTotomi（1），wantedabigbellfortheirtemple;andtheyaskedthewomenoftheirparishtohelpthembycontributingoldbronzemirrorsforbell-metal。
[Evento-day，inthecourtsofcertainJapanesetemples，youmayseeheapsofoldbronzemirrorscontributedforsuchapurpose。ThelargestcollectionofthiskindthatIeversawwasinthecourtofatempleoftheJodosect，atHakata，inKyushu：themirrorshadbeengivenforthemakingofabronzestatueofAmida，thirty-threefeethigh。]
Therewasatthattimeayoungwoman，afarmer’swife，livingatMugenyama，whopresentedhermirrortothetemple，tobeusedforbell-metal。Butafterwardsshemuchregrettedhermirror。Sherememberedthingsthathermotherhadtoldheraboutit;andsherememberedthatithadbelonged，notonlytohermotherbuttohermother’smotherandgrandmother;andsherememberedsomehappysmileswhichithadreflected。
Ofcourse，ifshecouldhaveofferedthepriestsacertainsumofmoneyinplaceofthemirror，shecouldhaveaskedthemtogivebackherheirloom。
Butshehadnotthemoneynecessary。Whenevershewenttothetemple，shesawhermirrorlyinginthecourt-yard，behindarailing，amonghundredsofothermirrorsheapedtheretogether。SheknewitbytheSho-Chiku-Baiinreliefonthebackofit，——thosethreefortunateemblemsofPine，Bamboo，andPlumflower，whichdelightedherbaby-eyeswhenhermotherfirstshowedherthemirror。Shelongedforsomechancetostealthemirror，andhideit，——thatshemightthereaftertreasureitalways。Butthechancedidnotcome;andshebecameveryunhappy，——feltasifshehadfoolishlygivenawayapartofherlife。ShethoughtabouttheoldsayingthatamirroristheSoulofaWoman——（asayingmysticallyexpressed，bytheChinesecharacterforSoul，uponthebacksofmanybronzemirrors），——andshefearedthatitwastrueinweirderwaysthanshehadbeforeimagined。Butshecouldnotdaretospeakofherpaintoanybody。
Now，whenallthemirrorscontributedfortheMugenyamabellhadbeensenttothefoundry，thebell-foundersdiscoveredthattherewasonemirroramongthemwhichwouldnotmelt。Againandagaintheytriedtomeltit;butitresistedalltheirefforts。Evidentlythewomanwhohadgiventhatmirrortothetemplemusthaveregrettedthegiving。Shehadnotpresentedherofferingwithallherheart;andthereforeherselfishsoul，remainingattachedtothemirror，keptithardandcoldinthemidstofthefurnace。
Ofcourseeverybodyheardofthematter，andeverybodysoonknewwhosemirroritwasthatwouldnotmelt。Andbecauseofthispublicexposureofhersecretfault，thepoorwomanbecameverymuchashamedandveryangry。
Andasshecouldnotbeartheshame，shedrownedherself，afterhavingwrittenafarewelllettercontainingthesewords：——
\"WhenIamdead，itwillnotbedifficulttomeltthemirrorandtocastthebell。But，tothepersonwhobreaksthatbellbyringingit，greatwealthwillbegivenbytheghostofme。\"
——Youmustknowthatthelastwishorpromiseofanybodywhodiesinanger，orperformssuicideinanger，isgenerallysupposedtopossessasupernaturalforce。Afterthedeadwoman’smirrorhadbeenmelted，andthebellhadbeensuccessfullycast，peoplerememberedthewordsofthatletter。Theyfeltsurethatthespiritofthewriterwouldgivewealthtothebreakerofthebell;and，assoonasthebellhadbeensuspendedinthecourtofthetemple，theywentinmultitudetoringit。Withalltheirmightandmaintheyswungtheringing-beam;butthebellprovedtobeagoodbell，anditbravelywithstoodtheirassaults。Nevertheless，thepeoplewerenoteasilydiscouraged。Dayafterday，atallhours，theycontinuedtoringthebellfuriously，——caringnothingwhateverfortheprotestsofthepriests。Sotheringingbecameanaffliction;andthepriestscouldnotendureit;andtheygotridofthebellbyrollingitdownthehillintoaswamp。Theswampwasdeep，andswalloweditup，——andthatwastheendofthebell。Onlyitslegendremains;andinthatlegenditiscalledtheMugen-Kane，orBellofMugen。
***
NowtherearequeeroldJapanesebeliefsinthemagicalefficacyofacertainmentaloperationimplied，thoughnotdescribed，bytheverbnazoraeru。TheworditselfcannotbeadequatelyrenderedbyanyEnglishword;foritisusedinrelationtomanykindsofmimeticmagic，aswellasinrelationtotheperformanceofmanyreligiousactsoffaith。Commonmeaningsofnazoraeru，accordingtodictionaries，are\"toimitate，\"\"tocompare，\"\"toliken;\"buttheesotericmeaningistosubstitute，inimagination，oneobjectoractionforanother，soastobringaboutsomemagicalormiraculousresult。
Forexample：——youcannotaffordtobuildaBuddhisttemple;butyoucaneasilylayapebblebeforetheimageoftheBuddha，withthesamepiousfeelingthatwouldpromptyoutobuildatempleifyouwererichenoughtobuildone。Themeritofsoofferingthepebblebecomesequal，oralmostequal，tothemeritoferectingatemple……Youcannotreadthesixthousandsevenhundredandseventy-onevolumesoftheBuddhisttexts;butyoucanmakearevolvinglibrary，containingthem，turnround，bypushingitlikeawindlass。andifyoupushwithanearnestwishthatyoucouldreadthesixthousandsevenhundredandseventy-onevolumes，youwillacquirethesamemerithasthereadingofthemwouldenableyoutogain……
Somuchwillperhapssufficetoexplainthereligiousmeaningsofnazoraeru。
Themagicalmeaningscouldnotallbeexplainedwithoutagreatvarietyofexamples;but，forpresentpurposes，thefollowingwillserve。Ifyoushouldmakealittlemanofstraw，forthesamereasonthatSisterHelenmadealittlemanofwax，——andnailit，withnailsnotlessthanfiveincheslong，tosometreeinatemple-groveattheHouroftheOx（2），——
andiftheperson，imaginativelyrepresentedbythatlittlestrawman，shoulddiethereafterinatrociousagony，——thatwouldillustrateonesignificationofnazoraeru……Or，letussupposethatarobberhasenteredyourhouseduringthenight，andcarriedawayyourvaluables。Ifyoucandiscoverthefootprintsofthatrobberinyourgarden，andthenpromptlyburnaverylargemoxaoneachofthem，thesolesofthefeetoftherobberwillbecomeinflamed，andwillallowhimnorestuntilhereturns，ofhisownaccord，toputhimselfatyourmercy。Thatisanotherkindofmimeticmagicexpressedbythetermnazoraeru。AndathirdkindisillustratedbyvariouslegendsoftheMugen-Kane。
Afterthebellhadbeenrolledintotheswamp，therewas，ofcourse，nomorechanceofringingitinsuchwiseastobreakit。Butpersonswhoregrettedthislossofopportunitywouldstrikeandbreakobjectsimaginativelysubstitutedforthebell，——thushopingtopleasethespiritoftheownerofthemirrorthathadmadesomuchtrouble。OneofthesepersonswasawomancalledUmegae，——famedinJapaneselegendbecauseofherrelationtoKajiwaraKagesue，awarrioroftheHeikeclan。Whilethepairweretravelingtogether，Kajiwaraonedayfoundhimselfingreatstraitsforwantofmoney;andUmegae，rememberingthetraditionoftheBellofMugen，tookabasinofbronze，and，mentallyrepresentingittobethebell，beatuponituntilshebrokeit，——cryingout，atthesametime，forthreehundredpiecesofgold。Aguestoftheinnwherethepairwerestoppingmadeinquiryastothecauseofthebangingandthecrying，and，onlearningthestoryofthetrouble，actuallypresentedUmegaewiththreehundredryo（3）ingold。AfterwardsasongwasmadeaboutUmegae’sbasinofbronze;andthatsongissungbydancinggirlseventothisday：——
UmegaenochozubachitataiteO-kanegaderunarabaMinaSanmi-ukewoSoretanomimasu[\"If，bystrikinguponthewash-basinofUmegae，Icouldmakehonorablemoneycometome，thenwouldInegotiateforthefreedomofallmygirl-comrades。\"]
Afterthishappening，thefameoftheMugen-Kanebecamegreat;andmanypeoplefollowedtheexampleofUmegae，——therebyhopingtoemulateherluck。AmongthesefolkwasadissolutefarmerwholivednearMugenyama，onthebankoftheOigawa。Havingwastedhissubstanceinriotousliving，thisfarmermadeforhimself，outofthemudinhisgarden，aclay-modeloftheMugen-Kane;andhebeattheclay-bell，andbrokeit，——cryingoutthewhileforgreatwealth。
\"Then，outofthegroundbeforehim，roseupthefigureofawhite-robedwoman，withlongloose-flowinghair，holdingacoveredjar。Andthewomansaid：\"Ihavecometoansweryourferventprayerasitdeservestobeanswered。Take，therefore，thisjar。\"Sosaying，sheputthejarintohishands，anddisappeared。
Intohishousethehappymanrushed，totellhiswifethegoodnews。Hesetdowninfrontofherthecoveredjar，——whichwasheavy，——andtheyopenedittogether。Andtheyfoundthatitwasfilled，uptotheverybrim，with……
Butno！——Ireallycannottellyouwithwhatitwasfilled。
JIKININKI
Once，whenMusoKokushi，apriestoftheZensect，wasjourneyingalonethroughtheprovinceofMino（1），helosthiswayinamountain-districtwheretherewasnobodytodirecthim。Foralongtimehewanderedabouthelplessly;andhewasbeginningtodespairoffindingshelterforthenight，whenheperceived，onthetopofahilllightedbythelastraysofthesun，oneofthoselittlehermitages，calledanjitsu，whicharebuiltforsolitarypriests。Itseemedtobeinruinouscondition;buthehastenedtoiteagerly，andfoundthatitwasinhabitedbyanagedpriest，fromwhomhebeggedthefavorofanight’slodging。Thistheoldmanharshlyrefused;
buthedirectedMusotoacertainhamlet，inthevalleyadjoiningwherelodgingandfoodcouldbeobtained。
Musofoundhiswaytothehamlet，whichconsistedoflessthanadozenfarm-cottages;andhewaskindlyreceivedatthedwellingoftheheadman。
Fortyorfiftypersonswereassembledintheprincipalapartment，atthemomentofMuso’sarrival;buthewasshownintoasmallseparateroom，wherehewaspromptlysuppliedwithfoodandbedding。Beingverytired，helaydowntorestatanearlyhour;butalittlebeforemidnighthewasrousedfromsleepbyasoundofloudweepinginthenextapartment。
Presentlythesliding-screensweregentlypushedapart;andayoungman，carryingalightedlantern，enteredtheroom，respectfullysalutedhim，andsaid：——
\"ReverendSir，itismypainfuldutytotellyouthatIamnowtheresponsibleheadofthishouse。YesterdayIwasonlytheeldestson。Butwhenyoucamehere，tiredasyouwere，wedidnotwishthatyoushouldfeelembarrassedinanyway：thereforewedidnottellyouthatfatherhaddiedonlyafewhoursbefore。Thepeoplewhomyousawinthenextroomaretheinhabitantsofthisvillage：theyallassembledheretopaytheirlastrespectstothedead;andnowtheyaregoingtoanothervillage，aboutthreemilesoff，——forbyourcustom，nooneofusmayremaininthisvillageduringthenightafteradeathhastakenplace。Wemaketheproperofferingsandprayers;——thenwegoaway，leavingthecorpsealone。
Strangethingsalwayshappeninthehousewhereacorpsehasthusbeenleft：sowethinkthatitwillbebetterforyoutocomeawaywithus。Wecanfindyougoodlodgingintheothervillage。Butperhaps，asyouareapriest，youhavenofearofdemonsorevilspirits;and，ifyouarenotafraidofbeingleftalonewiththebody，youwillbeverywelcometotheuseofthispoorhouse。However，Imusttellyouthatnobody，exceptapriest，woulddaretoremainheretonight。\"