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。\"