Fromyou,mydearBasil,theconfidantofmyhopestowardNoto,I
knowImaylookforsympathynowthatmyadvanceshavemetwithsuchhappyissue,howeverincompletebemyaccount。AndsoIaskyoutobemybestmaninthematterbeforetheworld。
Everyours,PercivalLowell。
BasilHallChamberlain,Esq。
Contents。
I。AnUnknown。
II。OffandOn。
III。TheUsuiPass。
IV。Zenkoji。
V。No。
VI。OnaNewCorniceRoad。
VII。OyaShiradzu,KoShiradzu。
VIII。AcrosstheEtchiuDelta。
IX。OvertheArayamaPass。
X。AnInlandSea。
XI。Anamidzu。
XII。AtSeaAgain。
XIII。OntheNotoHighway。
XIV。TheHarinokiToge。
XV。TowardthePass。
XVI。Riuzanjita。
XVII。OvertheSnow。
XVIII。AGenialInkyo。
XIX。OurPassportandtheBasha。
XX。DowntheTenriugawa。
XXI。TotheSea。
NOTO:anunexploredcornerofJapan。
I。AnUnknown。
ThefancytookmetogotoNoto。
Itseemedastrangefancytomyfriends。
YetImakenoapologyforit;foritwasacaseofloveatfirstsight。
Scanning,oneevening,inTokyo,themapofJapan,inavague,itineraryway,withthelookonefirstgivestothecrowdoffacesinaballroom,myeyewascaughtbytheposeofaprovincethatstoodoutingraphicmysteryfromthewesterncoast。Itmadeastrikingfigurethere,withitsdeep-bosomedbaysanditsboldheadlands。Itsname,itappeared,wasNoto;andthenametoopleasedme。Ilikeditsvowelcolor;Ilikeditsconsonantform,theliquidnandthedecisivet。
Whimsically,ifyouplease,itsuggestedbothwomanlinessandwill。
ThemoreIlookedthemoreIlonged,untilthedesirecarriedmenotsimplyoffmyfeet,butontothem。
Nobodyseemedtoknowmuchaboutmyinamorata。Indeed,thoseIaskedaskedme,intheirownwantofinformation,whyIwent,andwhattherewastosee:ofwhichquestions,theseconditselfdidforanswertothefirst。WhynotinfacthavesetmyheartongoingtoNotojustbecauseitwasnotknown!Notthatitiswelltobelievealltheunseentobemuchworththeseeing,butthatIhadanitchingsoletotreadwhatothershadnotalreadyeffacinglybetrodden。
Privately,Iwasdelightedwiththegenerallackofknowledgeonthesubject。Itservedadmirablytoputmeinconceitwithmychoice;
althoughIwillownIwasratheratalosstoaccountforit,andI
canonlyexplainitnowbythefactthattheplacewassooutoftheway,andnotveryunlikeothers,afterall。Beingthuscandid,I
oughtperhapstogoastepfartherandrenouncethename。But,onthetwogreatprinciplesthatthepursuitisitselftheprizeandthatthemeansjustifiestheend,Iprefertokeepit。Fortherewasmuchofinteresttomebytheway;andIclingtothenameoutofakindofloyaltytomyownfancy。IliketothinkthatXenophonfeltasmuchinhisAnabasis,thoughbutonebookoutofsevendealswiththegoingup,theothersixbeingoccupiedwiththegettingsafelyawayagain。ItisnottoldthatXenophonregrettedhisadventure。
CertainlyIamnotsorryIwasweddedtomyidea。
TomostofmyacquaintanceNotowasscarcelysomuchasaname,anditslocalhabitationwaspurelycartographic。Ifoundbutonemanwhohadbeenthere,andhehaddroppeddownuponit,bywayofharbor,fromaboat。Somesympatheticsouls,however,wentsofartowarditastoaskwhereitwas。
TothewestwardofTokyo,sofarwestthatthesettingsunnolongerseemstoloseitselfamongthemountains,butplungesforgoodandallstraightintotheshiningNirvanaofthesea,astrangelyshapedpromontorymakesoutfromtheland。ItistheprovinceofNoto,standingaloneinpeninsularisolation。
Itwaspartlyinthispositionthatthefascinationlay。Withdrawnfromitsfellows,withitsbacktotheland,itfacedthegloryofthewesternsky,asifinvirginalvisiongazingoutuponthedeep。
Doublywithdrawnisit,forthatthecoastfromwhichitstandsapartisitselfalmostunvisitedbyEuropeans,——anout-of-the-worldstate,inmarkedcontrasttotheshoreborderingthePacific,whichisnowacurbstoneonthegreatwaterwayroundtheearth,andincidentallymakesahappyparenthesisofpromenadeforthehastyglobe-trotter。
Theform,too,ofthepeninsulacameinforashareinitsattraction。
Itscoastlinewassocoquettishlyirregular。Ifitturneditsbackontheland,itstretcheditshandsouttothesea,onlytowithdrawthemagainthenextmoment,——adoubleinvitation。Indeed,thereisnohappierlinkingoflandtowater。Thenavigatorinsuchpartsbecomeshimselfadelightfullyamphibiouscreature,athomeinbothelements。Shouldhetireoftheone,hecanalwaystaketotheother。
Besides,suchfeaturesinacoastsuggestacertainclean-cutcharacterofprofile,——apromise,inJapanatleast,rarelyunkept。
Toreachthistopographicallycharmingprovince,themainislandhadtobecrossedatitswidest,and,owingtoloftymountainchains,muchtackingtobedonetoboot。Atmosphericallythedistanceisevengreaterthanafoot。Indeed,thechangeinclimateislikeachangeinzone;forthetrendofthemainislandatthispoint,beingnearlyeastandwest,givestotheonecoastasoutherlyexposure,andtotheotheranortherlyone,whilethehighestwallofpeaksinJapan,theHida-Shinshiurange,shutsoffmostmeteorologicalcommunication。LongafterTokyoisbaskinginspring,thewestcoaststillliesburiedindeepdriftsofsnow。
Itwasmymisfortunetogotothisout-of-the-wayspotalone。Iwasdulysensibleofmycommiserablestateattimes。Indeed,inthosestrangeflashesofdualconsciousnesswhenamanseeshisownconditionasifitwereanother’s,Ipitiedmyselfrightheartily;
forIholdthattravelislikelifeinthis,atleast,thatacongenialcompaniondividesthetroublesanddoublesthejoys。
Topleaseone’sselfissomuchharderthantobepleasedbyanother;
andwhenitcomestodoubtanddifficulty,therearedrawbackstobeingone’sownguide,philosopher,andfriend。Thetreatmentistoohomoeopathicbyhalf。
AnexcuseforacompanionexistedinthepersonofmyJapaneseboy,orcook。Hehadbeenboytomeyearsbefore;andonthisreturnofhisformermastertothelandoftheenlightened,hehadcomebacktohisallegiance,promotinghimselftothepostofcook。Duringthejourneyheactedinbothcapacitiesindifferently,——inonesense,notintheother。Inadditiontobeingcapablehewaswillingandofgreatendurance。Besides,hewaspassionatelyfondoftravel。
HeknewnomoreaboutNotothanI,andattimes,ontheroad,hecouldnotmakeoutwhatthecountryfolksaid,forthedifferenceindialect;
whichlackofspecialqualificationmuchincreasedhischarmasafellow-traveler。HeneitherspokenorunderstoodEnglish,ofcourse,andsurprisedme,aftersurprisinghimself,onthelastdaybutoneofourtrip,bycomingoutwiththewords\"allright。\"Hissurname,appropriatelyenough,meantmountain-rice-field,andhislastname——whichweshouldcallhisfirstname——wasYejiro,orlucky-younger-son。Besidescookingexcellentlywell,hemadepaperplumblossomsbeautifully,andonceconstructedastringtelephoneoutofhisownhead。Imentionthesesamplesofaccomplishmenttoshowthathewasnomeredabblerinpotsandpans。
Inadditiontohisvariousculinarycontrivanceswetookalargeandmotleystockofcannedfood,someofhisownhome-madebread,andabottleofwhiskey。Welaidinbutasmallsupplyofbeer;notthatIpurposedtoforegothatagreeablebeverage,butbecause,inthisEuropeanizedage,itcanbegotinallthelargertowns。Indeed,thebeerbrewedinYokohamato-dayrankswiththebestintheworld。
ItisingreatdemandinTokyo,whileitsimported,orprofessedlyimported,rivalshavefreelypercolatedintotheinterior,sopopularwiththeupperanduppermiddleclasseshavemaltliquorsbecome。
Nowadays,whenaJapanesethinkstogoinforCapuandissipationregardlessofexpense,hetreatshimselftoabottleofbeer。
Theselarder-likedetailsarenotmeanttoimplythatImadeagodofmypalate,butthatotherwisemydigestionwouldhaveplayedthedevilwithme。InJapan,toattempttoliveoffthecountryinthecountryisapieceofamateuractingtheaverageEuropeanbitterlyregretsaftertheplay,ifnotduringitsperformance。Wearenotinwardlycontrivedtothrivesolelyonriceandpickles。
Itisbest,too,forajourneyintotheinterior,totakewithyouyourownbedding;sheets,thatis,andblankets。ThebeditselfYejiroeasilyimprovisedoutofinnumerablefutons,asthequiltsusedatnightbytheJapanesearecalled。Asingleoneisenoughforanative,butYejiro,withpraiseworthyzeal,madeapracticeofaskingforhalf-a-dozen,whichhepiledoneupontheotherinthemiddleoftheroom。Eachhadaperceptiblethicknessandaroundedloglikeedge;andwhenthetimecameforturninginontopofthelot,IwasalwaysremindedofthelatterendofaGrecianhero,thestructurelookedsolikeafuneralpyre。Whentotheaboveindispensableswereaddedclothes,camera,dryplates,books,andsundries,itmadeacollectionofhouseholdgodsquiteappallingtoconsideronthemarch。IhadnoideaIownedhalfsomuchintheworldfromwhichitwouldpainmetobeparted。Asmypropertylayspreadoutforpacking,Istaredatitaghast。
Totransportallthesebelongings,nativeingenuitysuggestedathingcalledayanagigori;severalofthem,infact。Nowtheconstructionofakoriiselementallyingenious。Itconsistssimplyoftwowickerbaskets,ofthesameshape,butofslightlydifferentsize,fittingintoeachotherupsidedown。Thetwoarethentiedtogetherwithcord。
Thebeautyoftheidealiesinitsextension;forinproportionasthetwocoversarepulledoutorpushedhomewillthepairholdfromamaximumcapacityofbothtoaminimumcapacityofone。Itispossibleeventostartwithmorethanamaximum,ifthecontentsbesuchasarenotgiventofallingoutbytheway。Thecontrivanceissimplyinvaluablewhenitcomestotransportingfood;forthen,asyoueatyourwaydown,theobligingcoversshrinktomeetthevacuum。
Ifmorethanonekoribenecessary,aneasystepindevicesleadstoaseriesofgradedsizes。Thenallyourbasketseventuallycollapseintoone。
Thelastbutmostimportantarticleofallwasmypassport,whichcarefullydescribedmyproposedroute,andwhichYejiroatoncetookchargeofandcarriedaboutwithhimforimmediateservice;forawisepaternalgovernmentinsisteduponknowingmyintentionsbeforepermittingmetovisittheobjectofmychoice。
II。
OffandOn。
Itwasonthedaybutonebeforethefestivalofthefifthmoonthatwesetout,or,inEnglish,thethirdofMay;andthoseemblemsofgoodluck,thefestivalfishes,werealreadyswimmingintheairabovethehouseeaves,aswescurriedthroughthestreetsinjinrikishatowardtheUyenorailwaystation。Wehadbeenalittlebehindhandinstarting,butbyextraexertionsonthepartoftherunnerswesucceededinreachingthestationjustintimetobeshutoutbythegatekeeper。TimehavingbeentheonethingworthlessinoldJapan,itwastrulysarcasticoffatethatweshouldreachourfirstgoaltoolate。Asiftopointchagrin,thetrainstillstoodinwaiting。Remonstranceswiththewicketmanabouttheimportedfive-minuteregulation,orwhateveritwas,provedofnoavail。
Notonejotortittleoftherulewouldheyield,whichperhapswasnatural,inasmuchas,howeverwemighthavemanagedalone,ourcompanionsthebasketsnevercouldhaveboardedthetrainwithoutofficalhelp。Theintrinsicmeritsofthebaggagefailed,alas,toaffectitsmobility。Thenthetrainslowlydrewout。
Tobestoppedontheroadisthecommonlotoftravelers;buttobestoppedbeforeonehasfairlystartedisnothinglessthantobemockedat。Itisbest,however,totakesuchgibesingoodpart。
Viewingthesituationinthislight,theludicrousnessofthedisconnectionstruckmesoforciblyasverynearlytoconsolemeformyloss,whichwasnottrifling,sincethenexttraindidnotleaveforabovethreehours;toolatetopushonbeyondTakasakithatnight,athingIhadmostfirmlypurposedtodo。HereIwas,themiserablevictimofapunctualitymyownpeoplehadfoistedonalandonlytoohappywithoutit!Therewaspoeticjusticeinthesituation,afterall。
Besides,thecourseofone’strueloveshouldnotruntoosmooth。
Judiciousdifficultywhetsdesire。
Therewasnothingtoturntoonthespot,andIwasashamedtogohome。
ThenIopportunelyrememberedsomething。
Ihavealwaysthoughtwelimitedourpharmacopoeia。Weprescribepillsenoughforthebody,whileweleavethemindtolookafteritself。
Whyshouldnotthespiritalsohaveitsdraughtsandmixtures,properlylabeledanddispensed!Forexample,anglingappearstobeastrongmentalopiate。Ihaveseenotherwisenormalpeoplestupefiedbeyondexpressionwhenatthebuttofarodandline。Happeningtorecallthiseffect,Iinstantlyprescribedformyperturbedstateofmindagooddoseoffishing,tobetakenassuitedtheday。SoI
betookmedownaby-street,wheretheaerialcarppromisedthethickest,and,selectingahousewellplacedforaview,askedpermissiontomountupontheroof。Itchancedtobeacast-offclothingshop,alongwhosefrontsomefine,ifaged,garmentswerehungtocatchthepubliceye。ThecameraandIwereinducteduptheascentbytheowner,whilemyboots,ofcourse,waiteddog-likeintheporchbelow。
Thecitymadeaspectaclefromabove。Onallsidessuperbpapercarpfloatedtothebreeze,tuggingatthestringsthatheldthemtothepolesquiteafterthemanneroftherealfish。Onefeltasthough,byaccident,hehadsteppedintosomemammothglobeofgoldfish。
Thewholeskywasalivewiththem。Eightysquaremilesoffinnyfolkinsidethecity,andanuntoldcompanywithout。Thecounterfeitpresentmentswerefromfivetotenfeetlong,andpaintedtomimiclife。Thebreezeenteredatthemouthandpassedoutsomewhatlessfreelyatthetail,thuskeepingthemwellbelliedandconstantlyinmotion。Thewaytheyroseanddoveandturnedandwriggledwasworthyoffreewill。Indeed,theyhadeverylookofspontaneity,andlackedonlythethingitselftoturntheskyintoanocean,andTokyointoaseabottomwitharockeryofroof。Eachfishcommemoratesthebirthofaboyduringtheyear。Itwouldthusbepossibletotakeacensusoftheincreaseofthemalepopulationyearly,atthetriflingcostofscalingahousetop,——asetofstatisticsnotwithoutaneventualvalue。
Whilewewerestrollingback,YejiroandI,wecame,intheway,uponanotherspeciesoffish。Thebait,whichwaswelldesignedtocaptivate,badeforthemomenttoexceedeventheangler’santicipations。Itwasasortofun-Christmastreewithfishing-polebranches,fromwhichdangledarticulatedfigures,bodiedlikemen,butwithheadsoffoxes,tortoises,andotherlesslikelybeasts,——bewitchingobjectsinimpossibleevolutiontoabald-patedurchinwhostoodgazingatitwithallhissoul。Thepeddlersatwithhiseyesrivetedontheboy,visionsofapossiblecatchchasingthemselvesthroughhisbrain。Iwatchedhim,whilethecrowdbehindstaredatme。Wemadequiteatailofcuriosity。Theopiatewashavingitseffect;Ibegantofeelsoporificallycalm。ThenIwentuptotherestaurantintheparkandhadlunchasquietlyaspossible,infearoffriendlydiscovery。
Sufficientlypunctualpassengersbeingnowpermittedtoboardthenexttrain,Iensconcedmyselfinakindofparlorcompartment,which,fortunately,Icontinuedtohavealltomyself,andwassoonbeingrolledwestwardacrossthegreatMusashiplain,ruminating。Mychiefquarrelwithrailwayrulesis,Iaminclinedtothink,thattheypreachtothepublicwhattheyfailtopracticethemselves。Afterhavingdeniedmeapaltryfiveminutes’graceatthestation,theofficialsproceededtolosehalfanhourontheroadinamostexasperatingmanner。Ofcoursethedelaywasquiteexceptional。
Suchathinghadneverhappenedbefore,andwouldnothappenagain——tillthenexttime。Butthephenomenalcharacteroftheoccurrencefailedtoconsoleme,asitshouldnodoubthavedone。
Mydelay,too,wasexceptional——onthisline。NorwasIproperlymollifiedbyrepeatedoffersofhard-boiledeggs,cakes,andoranges,whichcertainenterprisingpeddlershawkedupanddowntheplatforms,whenwestopped,toarhythmicchantoftheirowninvention。
TheonlyconsolationlayinthememoryofwhattravelovertheMusashiplainusedtobebeforetrainshurriedone,orotherwise,intotheheartoftheland。Inthosedaysthejourneywasdoneinjinrikisha,andaquestionofdays,nothours,itwasinthedoing,——twodays’worthofbabycarriage,ofwhichthetediousnesslayneitherinthevehiclesnorintheway,butintheamountofboth。
Or,ifoneputcomparativespeedabovecomparativecomfort,herosebeforethelark,tobetorturedthroughasummer’sdayinabasha,orhorsevehicle,suitableonlyfordisembodiedspirits。Myjointsachedagainatthethought。Clearly,togrumblenowwastosinagainstproportion。
Besides,theweatherwasperfect:argosiesoffleecycloudsailingslowlyacrossadeepbluesky;abroadplaininallitsspringfreshnessofcolor,pickedouthereandtherewithfruittreessmotheredinblossom,andbearingonitsbosomthepassingshadowsofthecloudsabove;inthedistancethegraduallygrowingformsofthemountains,eachatfirststartingintolifeonlyasafaintwashofcolor,barelytobepartedfromtheskyitself,prickingupfromoutthehorizonoffield。Then,slowly,timedtoouradvance,thetintgatheredsubstance,grewintocontraststhat,deepeningminutebyminute,resolvedintodetail,untilatlastthewholestoodrevealedinallitsmajesty,foothill,shoulder,peak,onegrandchromaticrisefromgreentoblue。
Oneaftertheotherthepointscameoutthusalongthesouthernsky:
firstthesummitsbehindOme;thenBukosan,likesomesentinel,half-wayuptheplain’slongside;andthenrangebeyondrangestretchingtowardthewest。BehindBukosanpeepedCloud’sRest,theverysameoutlineinfaintertint,solikethedoublereflectionfromapaneofglassthatIhadtoshifttoanopenwindowtomakesureitwasnoillusion。ThentheNikkogroupbegantoshowontheright,andtheHarunamasstookforminfront;andastheyrosehigherandthesunbeamsslantedmore,gildingthemotesintheheavyafternoonair,theyrimmedtheplaininfrontintoonegreatbowloffairyeaudeviedeDantzic。Slowlyabovethemthesundippedtohissetting,straightahead,burnishingourpathaswepursuedintwolonglinesofflashingrailintothewest-northwest。Lowerhesank,luringuson,andloweryet,andthensuddenlydisappearedbeyondthebarrierofpeaks。
Thetraindrewup,panting。ItwasTakasaki,nowsteepedinsaffronafterglow。Theguardspassedalong,callingoutthenameandunfasteningthedoors。Everybodygotoutandshuffledoffontheirclogs。Thebaskets,Yejiro,andIfollowed,afteralittle,throughthegloaming。
Itwasnotfartotheinn。Itwasjustfarenough,atthathour,toputusinheartforahousing。Indeed,twilightisthetimeoftimestoarriveanywhere。Anyspot,beiteversohomely,seemshomelikethen。Theduskhassnatchedfromyouthesilentcompanionshipofnature,toleaveyoupoignantlyalone。Itisthehourwhenamandrawsclosertotheoneheloves,andthehourwhenmostheshrinksfromhimself,thoughhewantanothernear。Itisthentheraysofthehouselightswanderabroadandappeartobeckonthehouselessin;andthatmustbe,intruth,asorryhostelrytoseemsuchtohim。
EvenTakasakiborealookofwelcomealiketotheforeignandthenativestranger,whichwascertainlywonderfulforTakasaki。Theplaceusednottofancyforeigners,anditsinnsbandiedtheEuropeantraveleraboutlikeabaleofundesirablemerchandisewiththedutiesstilldue。Butnow,whatachange!Theinnkeepernotonlyreceivedus,butledthewayatoncetothebestroom,——aroominthesecondstoryofthefireproofstorehouseattheback,whichhehopedwouldbecomfortable。Comfortable!Theroomactuallyprofferedusatableandchairs。Noonewhohasnot,afteralongday’stramp,soughtinvaintoresthiswearybodyproppedupagainstasidebeaminaJapaneseinncanenterintothefeelingachairinspires,evenlongafterward,byrecollection。
IcannotsayIlovedTakasakiinformerdays。Wasitmyreceptionorwasitsentimentthatmademeseeitallnowthroughamistofglamour?
Unsuspectedbyus,thatatmosphereoftimetintseverything。Fewthingsbutlooklovelierseendownthevistaoftheyears。Indeed,sentimentisakindofreligion;orisitreligionthatisakindofsentiment?Botharesosubtlybusycanonizingthepast,andcrowningwithaureolesveryevery-daythingsaswellasveryordinarypeople。
Notmenalonetakeonasanctitywhentheyarenomore。
III。
TheUsuiPass。
Thefirstobjecttocatchmyeye,whentheshojiwerepushedapart,thenextmorning,wasastringoftheubiquitouspaperfish,danglinglimpinthemotionlessMayairfromapoleinaneighboringyard;
highlysuggestiveofhavingjustbeencaughtforbreakfast。Thesightwouldhavebeenpainfullypropheticbutforthefoodwehadbroughtwithus;for,ofallmeals,aJapanesebreakfastisthemostcold,themostwatery,andthemostgenerallyfishyintheworld。
Asitwas,breakfastconsistedofpatheticcopiesofconsecratedoriginals。Itmighthavebeenexcellentbutforthecannedmilk。
Nodoubttherearepersonswhoarefondofcannedmilk;but,formypart,Iloatheit。Theeffectofthesweetishglueuponmyinnermanissingularlynauseating。Ihaveevenbeendriventodrinkmymatutinalcoffeeinallitsafter-dinnerstrengthratherthanadulterateitwiththemixture。Youhave,itistrue,thechoiceofusingthestuffasadubiouspaste,orofmixingitwithwaterintoanon-committalwash;and,whicheverplanyouadopt,youwishyouhadadoptedtheother。Whyitneedbesounpalatablycloyingisnotcleartomymind。Theytellmethesugarisneededtopreservethemilk。Inevercouldmakeoutthatitpreservedanythingbutthesugar。Simplytoseethestuffoozeoutoftheholeinthecanisdeterrent。Itisenoughtomakeonethinkseriouslyattimesofaddingagoodmilchcowtohisalreadyampletripencumberment,atthecertaincostofdelayingthemarch,andthenotimprobablechanceofbeingtakenforanescapedlunatic。Indeed,totheJapanesemind,tobeseensolemnlyprecedingacaravanofcattleforpurposesofdietwouldcertainlysuggestinsanity。ForcowsinJapanarenevermilked。Dairyproducts,consequently,arenottobehadontheroad,andthemanwhofanciesmilk,butter,orcheesemusttakethemwithhim。
ItusedtobethesameinTokyo,butintheselatterdaysadairyhasbeenstartedatHakone,whichsuppliesfreshbuttertosuchTokyoitesaslikeit。Oneofmyfriends,whohadbeenmanyyearsfromhome,wasmuchtakenwiththenewprivilege,andcalledmyattentiontoitwithsomepride。Theresultwasacolorlesslardysubstancethatlookedlikepooroleomargarine(notlikegoodoleomargarine,forthatlookslikebutter),butwhichwasheldinhighesteem,nevertheless。
Myfriend,indeed,seriouslymaintainedtomeoncethatsuchwastheusualcoloroffreshbutter,andinsistedthattheyellowhuecommonelsewheremustbetheresultofdyes。Hewassopositiveonthepointthathealmostpersuadedme,untilIhadlefthimandreasonreturned。Ittookmesometimetorecoverfromthepathosofthething:amansolongdeprivedofthatsimpleluxurythathehadquiteforgottenhowitlooked,andasetofcowsutterlyincapable,fromdesuetude,ofproducingitproperly。
AfterIhaddulyswallowedasmuchasIcouldofthedoubtfuldosesupposedtobecafeaulait,thecanswerepackedupagain,andweissuedfromtheinntowalkastone’sthrowtothetrain。
Takasakistandswelltowardtheupperendoftheplain,justbelowwherethemainbodyofitthrustsitsarmsoutintothehills。
Uponeoftheseweweresoonwending。Everyminutethepeakscamenearer,frowningatusfromtheircrumblingvolcaniccrags。Atlasttheyclosedincompletely,standingroundaboutinthreateningpinnacles,andbarringthewayinfront。Atthis,thetrain,contrarytotheusualpracticeoftrainsinsuchseeminglyimpassableplaces,timidlydrewup。
Intruth,therailwaycomestoanendatthefootoftheUsuitoge(toge,meaning\"pass\"),afterhavingwanderedup,withmorezealthandiscretion,intoaholelesspocket。Suchuntimelyendwasfarfromtheoriginalintention;forthelinewasmeantforathroughlinealongtheNakasendofromTokyotoKioto,andgreatthingswereexpectedofit。Buttheengineeringdifficultiesatthispoint,andstillmoreattheWadatoge,alittlefartheron,provingtoogreat,theprojectwasabandoned,andthethroughlinebuiltalongtheTokaidoinstead。Theidea,however,hadgottoomuchheadwaytobestayed。SoitsimplyjumpedtheUsuitoge,rolleddowntheShinanovalley,climbedanotherdivide,andcameout,atlast,ontheseaofJapan。
ThehiatuscausedbytheUsuipassisgotoverbyahorserailroad!
Somehow,themereideaseemedcomic。AhorserailroadintheheartofJapanoverapassamilehigh!TohavesuddenlycomeupontheentireComedieFrancaisegivingperformancesinateahouseatthetopcouldhardlyhavebeenmoresurprising。Thehumorofthethingwasnotawhitlessenedbyitslooks。
Tobeginwith,thecarswerefairlynatural。Thiswasamasterlystrokeincaricature,sinceitfurnishedthenecessaryfoiltoallthatfollowed。Theywerenot,tomyeye,ofanyknownspecies,but,withtheexceptionofbeingevidentlyusedtohardlines,theylookedenoughliketramstopassassuch。Insidesat,inallseriousness,awonderfulcagefulofJapanese。Tosaythattheywerenottothehorse-carbornconveysbutafeeblenotionoftheirunnaturalness。
Theywerepropped,ratherthanseated,boltupright,withadecorumwhichwouldhavedonemorethancredittoafuneral。Theydidnotsmile;theydidnotevenstir,excepttoscrewtheirheadsroundtostareatme。Theyweredummiespureandsimple,andmaypassfortheseconditemintheproperties。
Therealpersonnelbeganwiththehorses。Thesewereverysorry-lookinganimals,buttoughenoughadmirablytopullthroughtheperformance。
Managingthemwithsomedifficultystoodthedriveronthefrontplatform,arrayedinabottle-greenlivery,withastiffmilitarycapwhichgavehimthecombinedlookofaGermanofficerandofamusicianfromastreetband。Hisenergywasspentinmakingaboutthreetimesasmuchworkforhimselfaswasneeded。Onthetailofthecarrodetheguard,alsonotablyappareled,whoseimportanceoutdidevenhisuniform。Hehadtheadvantageofthedriverinthematterofasecond-classfish-horn,uponwhichhetootedvigorouslywheneverhethoughtofit;andhewasnotaforgetfulman。
ComedieFrancaise,indeed!Why,hereitallwasinJapanesefarce!
Fromthepassivityofthepassengerstothepantomimeofthedriverandguard,itcouldhardlyhavebeendonebetter;andtheactorsallkepttheircountenances,too,insuchasurprisingmanner。
Acaptiouscriticmighthavesuggestedthattheylookedathoughttoomuchattheaudience;but,onthewhole,Ithinkthatratheraddedtotheeffect。Atallevents,theywereexcellentlygood,especiallytheguard,whoseconsequentialairscouldnothavebeenhappieriftheyhadbeenstudiedforyears。
Therewasnoendofredtapeaboutthecompany。Thoughthecarsweresometimeinstarting,sothatIgotwellaheadofthem,theycouldnotadmitmeontheroad,whenmybaggagekurumaturnedouttobetooslow,becauseIhadnotboughtaticketattheoffice。SoIwasobligedtocontinuetotrampafoot,solacingmyselfwithshortcuts,bywhichIgainedonthem,tomysatisfaction,andbywhichIgainedstillmoreonmyownbaggage,tomydisgust,inthatIceasedtobenearenoughtohastenit。
Ihadtowaitforthelatteratthepartingoftheways;forthetramhadabrand-newserpentinetracklaidoutforit,whiletheoldtrailatthispointstruckuptotheright,comingouteventuallyatashrinethatcrownedthesummitofthepass。Horse-railroadsnotbeingasnewtomeastotheJapanese,Ipiouslychosethenarrowwayleadingtothetemple,tothelingeringregretofthebaggagetrundlers,whoturnedsorryeyesdownupontheeasiersecularroadateverybendinourown。
AJapanesepasshasonefeaturewhichisinvariable:itisalwayslongerthanyouthinkitisgoingtobe。Ican,ofmyownexperience,recallbuttwoexceptionstothisdistressingfamilylikeness,bothofwhichwereoccasionsofcompanywhichnodoubtforbadeproperappreciationoftheirlength,andvitiatesthemasscientificobservations。WhentoilingupatogeIhavebeentemptedtoimputeacuteascentomaniatotheJapanesemind,butsobersecondthoughthasattributedthisinferencetoanoverheatedimagination。
Itseemsnecessary,therefore,tolaytheblameontheland,which,likesomepeople,isdeceptivefromveryexcessofuprightness。
Thereissomuchmoresoilthancanpossiblybegotinbysimpledirectnessofpurpose,orevenbyone,moreorlessrespectable,slope。
Itwascoldenoughatthesummittocoolanything,imaginaryorotherwise。Evendevotionshivered,as,indutybound,itadmiredthevenerabletempleanditsyetmorevenerabletree。Theroofsofthechaletsstoodweightedwithrockstokeepthemthere,andthetree,raisedaloftonitsstone-girdedparapet,stretchedbarebranchesimploringlytowardthesky。Somuchforbeingamileorsonearerheaven,whilestilloftheearthandearthy。
Half-waydownthedescent,Asamayamacameoutfrombehindthebrowofahill,sendinghiswhiffsofsmokedreamilyintotheair;andalittlelowerstill,beyondaprojectingspurontheoppositeside,thetrainappeared,waitingintheplain,withitsenginepuffingasortofantiphonalresponse。Thestationstoodatthefootofthetramway,whichtumbledtoitafterthemannerofacascadeoverwhatlookedtobeamuchlowerpass,thusapparentlysupportingthetheoryof\"supererogatoryclimb。\"Thebaggagepassedon,andYejiroandI
followedleisurely,admiringtheview。
Eithertheoldtrailfailedtoconnectwiththerailwayterminus,whichIsuspect,orelsewemissedthepath,forwehadtosupplyalinkourselves。Thisresultedinawoefullybadcutacrossasomethingbetweenamoorandabog,supposedtobedrainedbyditches,mostofwhichlayatrightanglestoourcourse。Wewerenotmuchhelped,half-wayover,byakindlyintentionedporter,whodawneduponussuddenlyinthedistance,rushingexcitedlyoutfrombehindtheplatform,gesticulatinginastartlingwayandshoutingthattimewasup。Wemadewhatsorryspeedwaspossibleunderthecircumstances,gettingveryhotfromexertion,andhotterstillfromanxiety,andthenwaitedimpatientlytengoodminutesinourseatsintherailwaycarriageforthetraintostart。IforgetwhetherI
tippedthatwell-meaningbutmisguidedman。
Thetramcontingenthadalreadyarrived,——hadinfactfinishedfeedingatthemanymushroomteahousesgatheredaboutthestation,——
andwerenowbusyfindingthemselvesseats。Theirbustlewasmostpleasingtowitness,tillsuddenlyIdiscoveredthattherewerenofirst-classcarriages;thatitwasmyseat,sotospeak,forwhichtheywerescrambling。Thechoice,itappeared,beganwithsecond-classcoaches,doomedthereforetobedoublypopular。
Second-classaccommodation,bynomeansmerelynominal,wasevidentlytheheightofluxurytothepatronsofthecountryhalfofthisdisjointedline,whichstartssoseductivelyfromTokyo。Greatercomfortisstrictlyconfinedtothemoremetropolitanportion。
Thesecond-classcoacheshadofcoursethemeritofbeingcheaper,butthiswasmorethanoffsetbythefactthatinplaceofpanesofglasstheirwindowshadslatsofwoodwithwhitecottonstretchedoverthem,——aningeniouscontrivanceforshuttingouttheviewandagoodbitofthelight,bothofwhicharepleasing,andforlettinginthecold,whichisnot。
\"Ifyougowiththecrowd,youwillbetakencareof,\"asashrewdfinancierofmyacquaintanceusedtosayaboutstocks。Thisoccurredtomebywayofconsolation,astheguardlockedusintothecarriage,intheapprovedpaternalgovernmentstyle。Fortunatelythelocking-inwasmoreapparentthanreal,foritconsistedsolelyintheturningofabar,whichitwasquitepossibletounturn,asalltravelersinrailwaycoachesareaware,bydroppingthewindowintoitsoublietteandstretchingthearmwelldownoutside,——atrickofwhichIdidnotscrupletoavailmyself。Myfellow-passengerstheJapanesewerefartoodecoroustoattemptanythingofthekind,whichcompelledmetodososurreptitiously,likeonewhocommittethacrime。
Thesefellow-passengersfullymadeupfortheroomtheytookbytheirvalueasscientificspecimens。Iwouldwillinglyhavechloroformedthemall,andpresentedthemonpinstosomesartorialmuseum;
foreachtypifiedastageinacertainuniqueprocessofevolution,atpresenttheJapanesecraze。Theywerejustsomanysamplesofunnaturaldevelopmentindress,fromthenativeJapanesetotheimitatedEuropean。Thecostumeusuallybeganwithapot-hatandendedinextremecaseswithcongressboots。Buteachmanexhibitedavariousphaseofitaccordingtohisself-emancipationfromformeretiquette。SometimesamostdisreputableDerby,painfullyreminiscentofbetterbygonedays,founditselfincompanywitharefinedkimonoandaspotlessclovensock。Sometimesthemetamorphosisembracedthebody,andevenextendeddownthelegs,buthadnotyetattackedthefeet,initscreepingparalysisofimitation。Inanothercorner,acollarless,cravatlesssemiflannelshirthadtakentheplaceoftheundertunic,totheworsethanlossoflooksofitswearer。Oppositethistypesatthesupremevarietywhichevidentlyprideditselfuponitsheightoffashion。InhimthechangehadgonesofarastorecalltheEastEndroughallover,anillusiondispelledonlybytheinnocenceofhisface。
Whilestillbusypigeonholingmyspecimens,Ichancedtolookthroughtheopenwindow,andsuddenlysawpassby,asintheshiftingbackgroundofsomescenicplay,thelichenveiledstonewallsandlotus-mantledmoatsoftheoldfeudalcastleofUyeda。Poor,neglected,despisedbitofdaysgoneby!——daysthatarebutyesterdays,aeonssinceasmeasuredhere。Alreadyitwasdisappearingdownthelongperspectiveofthepast;andyetonlytwentyyearsbeforeithadstoodinalltheprideandgloryoftheMiddleAges。ThenithadbeenAdaimyo’scastle,wontofoldtowieldAcrossthecheckerboardofpaddyfieldArook-likepowerfromitsvantagesquareOnpawnsofhamlets;nowaruin,there,ItstriplebattlementsgazegrimlydownUponanew-begottenbustlingtown,Onlytoseeself-mirroredintheirmoatAniviedimagewherethelotusfloat。
Somesubtlesenseoffitnesswithinmewastouchedasitmighthavebeenanerve;andinstantlythemotleycrewinsidethecarbecamenotmerelycomic,butshocking。Itseemedunseemly,thisshufflingoffthestageofthetragicoldbythefarce-likenew。Howeverlittleonemaymournthedead,somethingforbidsaharlequinadeovertheirgraves。Theveryprincipleofcosmiccontinuityhasadecencyaboutit。Natureholdswithonehandtothepastevenasshegraspsatthefuturewiththeother。Somereligionsconsecratebythelayingonofhands;Natureneverwithdrawshertouch。
IV。
Zenkoji。
Wewerenowcomemorethanhalf-wayfromseatosea,andwewerestillinthethickofEuropeanization。Sofarwehadtraveledinthetrackofthecomic。ForifJapanseemsoddforwhatitis,itseemsodderforwhatitisnolonger。
OneofthethingswhichimitationofWesternwaysisannihilatingisdistance。Japan,liketherestoftheworld,isshrinking。Thiswasstrikinglybroughthomethatafternoon。Afewshorthoursofshiftingpanorama,avaryingforegroundofvalleythatnarrowedorwidenedliketheflowofthestreamthathadmadeit,peaksthatopenedandshutononeanotherlikethechangingfliesinsomespectacularplay,andwehadcompassedtwodays’worthofold-timetravelwhenamanmadeeveryfootofgroundhisown,andweredrawingnearZenkoji。
Iwasgladtobethere;hardlyasgladtobetheresosoon。
Therearelandsmadetobeskimmed,tamesamenessesofplainorwearywastesofdesert,whereeventheironhorsegallopstooslow。Japanisnotoneofthem。AlandwhichNatureherselfhasalreadycrumpledintoitssmallestcompass,andthencoveredwithvegetationrichasvelvet,isnolandtohurryover。Onemaywelllingerwhereeachmilebuildsthesceneryafresh。Andinthisworld,whosecivilizationgrowsattheexpenseofthepicturesque,itissomethingtoseeaculturethatknowshowleasttomar。
Uponthismoodofunsatisfiedsatisfactionmynightfell,andshortlyafterthetrainrolledintotheZenkojistation,amidadarknessdeepenedbyfallingrain。Thepassengersbundledout。Thestationlookedcheerlessenough。Butfromacrosstheopenspaceinfrontshoneagalaxyoflight。Acrowdoftea-housespostedonthefarthersidehadgarlandedthemselvesalloverwithlanterns,eachtryingtooutvieitsneighborinapparenthospitality。Thedisplaywasperceptiblyofpecuniaryintent;butstillitwasgrateful。Tobethoughtworthcatchingpartakes,afterall,ofthenatureofacompliment。Whatwasnotsogratifyingwastheembarrassmentofchoicethatfollowed;foreachofthesegaylybeckoningcaravansariesprovedtobeacatch-pilgrimforitsinnup-town。Beingonahill,Zenkojiisnotbywayofeasyapproachbytrain;andthepilgrimstoitarelegion。Inorder,therefore,toanticipatethepatronageofunworthyrivals,eachinnhasfeltobligedtobepersonallyrepresentedonthespot。
TheoneforwhichminehostofTakasakihad,withhisblessing,mademeanoteturnedoutsopoorlyprefacedthatIhesitated。
Theextremezealonthepartofitsproprietortobookmemademestillmoredoubtful。So,sendingYejiroofftoscout,Iwalkedtoandfro,waiting。Ididnotdaresitdownonthesillofanyofthebooths,forfearofcommittingmyself。
Whilehewasstillawaysearchingvainlyfortheproperinn,thelightsweresuddenlyallputout。Atthesamefatalmomentthejinrikisha,ofwhichaminutebeforetherehadseemedtobeplenty,allmysteriouslyvanished。Byonefellstroketherewasnolongereitherendinsightnorvisiblemeansofreachingit。
\"InthestreetofbyandbyStandsthehostelryofnever,\"
asarondelofHenley’shathit;butnoteveryonehasthechancetoseetheSpanishproverbsoliterallyfulfilled。Therewewere——nowhere。
IthinkIneversufferedabittererchangeofmoodinmylife。
Atlast,aftersomepainfulgropinginthedark,andrepeatedresolvestoproceedonfoottothetownandsummonhelp,Ichancedtostumbleuponastraykuruma,whichhadincautiouslyreturned,undercoverofthedarkness,tothesceneofitsearlierexploits。Isecureditonthespot,andbyitwastrundledacrossabitoftheplainandupthelonghillcrownedbythetown,tothepleasingjingleofachimeofringshungsomewhereoutofsightbeneaththebodyofthevehicle。
Whenthetrundleraskedwheretodropme,Igaveataventurethenamethatsoundedthebest,onlytobesureofhavingguessedawrywhenhedrewupbeforetheinnitdesignated。Theexistenceofabetterwaslegibleonthefaceofit。Wepushedon。
Happilythehostelriesweremostlyinonequarter,thebettertokeepaneyeononeanother;forinthecourseofthenexttenminutesI
supposewevisitednearlyeveryinnintheplace。Thechoicewasnotawhitfurtheredbythechangefromtheoutpoststotheoriginals。
Atlast,however,Igotsofarindecisionastopulloffmyboots,——anactelsewhereaswell,Ibelieve,consideredanacquiescenceinfate,——andsufferedmyselftobeledthroughthehouse,alongtheindoorpiazzaofpolishedboardexceedingslippery,upseveralbreakneck,ladder-likestairwaysevenmorepolishedandfrictionless,roundsomecornersdarkasadimandon(afeebletallowcandleblindedbyapaperbox),placedsoasnottolighttheturn,couldmakethem,untilfinallyweemergedonthethirdstory,aheightthatitselfspokeforthesuperiorityoftheinn,andIwasusheredintowhatmybewilderedfancyinstantlypicturedamediaevalbanquetinghall。ItconjureduptheideaonwhatImustowntohavebeeninsufficientgrounds,namely,aplaindealtableandasetofquestionablymade,thoughrathergaudilyupholsteredchairs。
Butchairs,inalandwhosepeoplehavefromtimeimmemorialfoundtheirownfeetquitegoodenoughtositon,weresounexpectedaluxury,evenafterourTakasakiexperience,thattheymaybepardonedforsuggestinganyflightoffancy。
Thesamemightformerlyhavebeensaidoftheilluminationnextintroduced。Now,however,commonkerosenelampsarenolongersomuchofasighteveninJapan。Indeed,Ihadtheassurancetoaskforashadetogowiththeonetheysetonthetableinalltheglaringnudityofaplainchimney。Thistherewassomedifficultyinfinding,thesearchresultinginagreenpapervisormuchtoosmall,thatsatonaskewjustfarenoughnottohidethelight。TheJapanesecalleditahat,withouttheleastintentionofhumor。
Bythelightthusgiventheroomstoodrevealed,aneyrie,encasedonallsidesexcepttheoneofapproachbyshojionly。Intothesehadbeenletabeltofglasseighteenincheswideallthewayroundtheroom,attheheightatwhichapersonsittingonthematscouldseeout。ItismuchthefashionnowthustograftaWesternwindowuponaFar-Easternwall。Theideaisingeniousandeconomical,andhasbuttwodrawbacks,——thatyoufeelexcessivelyindoorsifyoustandup,andstrangelyout-of-doorsifyousitdown。
Ipushedthepanelsapart,andsteppedoutuponthenarrowbalcony。
Belowmelaythestreet,thelanternsofthepassers-byflittinglikefirefliesthroughthedark;andfromitstoleuptomethehumofpleasurelife,aperfumeofsound,strangelydistinctinthestillnightair。
Accreditedpilgrimthoughonebenot,topassbysofamousashrineasZenkojiwithoutthetributeofathoughtweretobemoreorlessthanhuman,eventhoughonehavepaidhisdevoirsbefore。SoughteveryyearbythousandsfromallpartsofJapan,itservesbuttomakethepilgrimageseemfinerthatthebourneitselfshouldnotbefine。Largeandcuriousarchitecturallyforitsroof,thetempleisotherwiseaveryordinarystructure,morethanordinarilybesoiled。
Thereisnothingrichaboutit;notmuchthatisimposing。Yetinspiteofpovertyanddirtitspeakswithacertaingrandeurtotheheart。Trueshrine,whoseodorofsanctityisaswidespreadasthebreezethatwandersthroughitsopenportals,andwhichcomessonearthewantsoftheworldthattheverypigeonsflutterintohomesamongitsrafters。Theair-beatsoftheirwingsheightenthehushtheywouldseemtobreak,andonlyenhancethesacredquietofthenave,——astillnesssuchthatthecoppersofthefaithfulfallwithexaggeratedringthroughthelatticeofthealmsbox,whiletheswiftlymumbledprayersofthegiversriseinallsimplicitystraighttoheaven。
Inandaboutthecourtyardlivethesacreddoves,andhewhowillmayhavetheircompanyforthespreadingofafeastofcrumbs。Andtherushoftheirwings,astheydescendtohimfromthesky,seemslikedrawingsomestrangebenedictiondown。
V。
No。
Myqueststillcarryingmewestwardalongthelineofthenewrailway,Itookthetrainagain,andinthecompartmentofthecarriageIfoundtwoothertravelers。TheywereatypicalJapanesecoupleinmiddlelife,andinsomethingabovemiddlecircumstances。HeaffectedEuropeanclothesinpart,whileshestillclungtothecostumeofherancestors。Bothweresmoking,——sheherlittlepipe,andhethefashionablecigarette。Theirmutualrelationswerethoseofsubstancetoshadow。Shefollowedhiminevitably,andhetrodonherfeelingsregardlessofthem。Shehadbeenprettywhenhetookhertowife,andthoughwornandwitheredshewashappystill。Asforhim,hewasquitesatisfiedwithher,ashewouldhavebeenquitesatisfiedwithouther。
TheroadbedsoonlefttheShinanoplain,acrosswhichpeeredtheoppositepeaks,stillhoodedwithsnow,andwoundupthroughanarrowvalley,toemergeatlastuponabroadplateau。Threemountainsflankedthefarthersideinfile,thelastandhighestofthethree,Myokosan,anextinctvolcano;indeed,hardlymorethantheruinsofone。
Timehassochangeditsshape,andthesnowwhitensitsheadsoreverently,itwouldbepossibletopassitbywithoutasuspicionofitswildyouth。Fromtheplateauitroseproudlyinonelongsweepfrommoortoshoulder,fromshouldertocrag,fromcragtosnow,upintotheleadensky,highintoitssecondmileofair。Subtlythecurvecarriedfancywithit,andIfoundmyselfinmindslowlypickingmywayupward,threadinganaretehereandscalingaslopethere,withallthefeelingsofagenuineclimb。WhileIwasstillascendinginthisinsubstantialmanner,cloudsfelluponthesummitfromthesky,andfromthesummittumbleddowntheravinesintothevalley,andmetmeatNaoyetsuinadrizzlingrain。
Naoyetsuisnotanenliveningspottobelandedatinastressofweather;hardlysatisfactory,infact,forthelengthoftimeneededtohirejinrikisha。Itconsistedoriginallyofastringoffishermen’shutsalongthesea。Tothesethebuildingoftherailwayhascontributedaparallelrowofreceptionbooths,ahundredyardsin-shore;andtowhichofthetwofilestoawardthepalmforcheerlessnessitwouldbehardtoknow。Thehutsaregoodofakindwhichispoor,andtheboothsarepoorofakindwhichisgood。
Todecidebetweensuchrivalsisamatterofmood。Formypart,Ihastedtobegoneinajinrikisha,itselfnotanover-cheerfulconveyanceinapour。
Therainshutoutthedistance,andthehoodandoil-paperaproneclipsedtheforeground。Thelosswasnotgreat,tojudgebywhatspecimensoftheviewIcaughtatintervals。Thelandscapewasageometricpatterninpaddyfields。These,asyetunplanted,wereswimminginwater,outofwhichstuckthestumpsoflastyear’scrop。
Itwasatearfulsight。Fortunatelytheroadsoonrosesuperiortoit,passedthroughacutting,andcameoutunexpectedlyabovethesea,——amosthomesicksea,veiledinrain-mist,itselfadishearteningdrab。Thecuttingwhichusheredussomewhatproudlyuponthisinhospitableoutlookprovedtobethebeginningofapasssixtymileslong,betweentheHida-ShinshiumountainsandtheseaofJapan。
Iwasnowtoberewardedformyventureinanunlooked-forway;forI
foundmyselfintroducedheretoastretchofcoastworthgoingmanymilestosee。
TheprovincesofHidaandEtchiuarecutofffromtherestofJapanbysetsofmountainranges,impassablethroughoutalmosttheirwholelength。Sobentonbarringthewayarethechainsthat,notcontentwithdoingsoinmid-course,theyallbutshutitattheiroceanend;
fortheyfallinalltheirentiretyplumbintothesea。Followingoneanotherforadistanceofsixtymiles,rangeafterrangetakesthusitsheaderintothedeep。Theonlylevelspotsarethedeltasdepositedbythestreamsbetweentheparallelsofpeak。Butthesearefarbetween。Mostofthewaytheroadbeltsthecliffs,nowneartheirbase,nowcutintotheprecipicehundredsoffeetabovethetide。Theroadisonecontinuousobservationpoint。Alongitourjinrikishabowled。Inspiteoftherain,theviewhadagrandeurthatcompensatedformuchdiscomfort。Itwas,moreover,amplydiversified。Nowwerushedouttothetipofsomehighcape,nowweswungroundintothecurveofthenextbay;nowwewoundslowlyupward,nowweslippedmerrilydown。Theheadlandswereendless,andeachgaveusaseascapedifferingfromtheonewefoldedoutofsightbehind;andafringeoffoam,curvingwiththecoast,stretchedlikearibbonbeforeustomarktheway。
WehaltedforthenightatafishingvillagecalledNo:twolinesofhouseshuggingthemountainside,andasinglelineofboatsdrawnup,sternon,uponthestrand;thedayandnightdomicilesoftheamphibiousstripofhumanity,indomestictiff,turningtheirbackstooneanother,astone’sthrowapart。Asourkurumamenknewtheplace,whilewedidnot,weletthemchoosetheinn。Theypulledupatwhatcausedmeashudder。Ithought,ifthiswasthebestinn,whatmusttheworstbelike!However,Ibowedmyheadtofateintheformofarafterlintel,andpassedin。Adimlight,whichcameinpartfromaholeinthefloor,andinpartfromanineffectivelamp,revealedalofty,grotto-likeinterior。Overtheholehungasortofwitches’caldron,swungbyasetofironbarsfromtheshadowyformofasoot-begrimedrafter。Aroundthekettlecrouchedacircleofgnomes。
Ourentrancecausedastir,outofwhichoneofthegnomescameforward,bowingtotheground。Whenhehadliftedhimselfupenoughtobeseen,heturnedoutquitehuman。Heinstantlybustledtofetchanotherlight,andstartedtoleadthestrangersacrosstheusualslipperysillandupthenearlyperpendicularstairs。WhyIwasnotperpetuallyfallingdownthesesamestairways,orslidinggracefullyorotherwiseoffthecorridorsinaheap,willalwaysbeamysterytome。Yet,withtheunimportantexceptionofsittingdownoccasionallytoputonmyboots,somewhatharderthanImeant,Irememberfewsuchmishaps。
Itwasnotthesurfacethatwasunwilling;fortheconstantscuffleofstockingfeethasgiventhepassagewaysapolishmahoganymightenvy。
Themanprovedanythingbutinhuman,andverymuchminehost。
Howcourteoushewas,andinwhatapleasedmindwiththeworld,evenitswhimsofweather,hiskindattentionsputme!Hereallydidsolittle,too。Besidenumberlessbowsandprofusepoliteness,hesimplylaidasmallandverythinquiltuponthematsformetositon,andputafeeblebrazierbymyside。Sofarasmerecomfortwent,thefirstactsavoredlargelyofsupererogation,asthematswerealreadyexquisitelyclean,andthesecondofinsufficiency,sincethebrazierservedonlytopointthecolditwaspowerlesstochase。Butthemannerofthedoingsocharmedthemindthatitalmostpersuadedthegrumblingbodyofcontent。
Asminehostbowedhimselfout,amaidbowedherselfin,withatrayofteaandsugar-plums,andagracethatbeggaredappreciation。
\"HisAugustnessiswellcome,\"shesaid,asshesankonherkneesandbowedherprettyheadtillittouchedthemats;andthevoicewasonlytoohumanforheaven。Unconsciouslyitmadethebetterpartofacaress。
\"WouldhisAugustnessdeigntotakesometea?Trulyhemustbeverytired;\"and,pouringoutacup,sheplaceditbesidemeasitmighthavebeensomebeautifulrite,andthenwithdrew,leavingme,besidethetea,theperfumeofapresence,thesensethatsomethingexquisitehadcomeandgone。
Isattherethinkingofherintheabstract,andwonderinghowmanymaidsoutsideJapanweredowriedwithlikegraceandthelikevoice。
Withsuchaoneforcupbearer,Icouldhavecontinuedtosiptea,I
thought,fortherestofmynatural,or,alas,unnaturalexistence。
ThereIstayed,squattingonmyfeetonthemats,admiringthemimicvolcanowhichintheorthodoxartisticwaythecharcoalwasarrangedtorepresent,andtryingmybesttowarmmyselfovertheidea。
Buttheideaprovedalmostascoldcomfortasthebrazieritself。
Thehigheraestheticpartofmewasinparadise,andthebodilyhalfsomewhereonthechillconfinesofouterspace。Thespotwouldnodoubthaveprovedwhollyheaventothatwittyindividualwhowassoanxioustoexchangethenecessitiesoflifeforacertaintyofitsluxuries。Forhere,accordingtoourschemeofthings,waseverythingonehadnorighttoexpect,andnothingthatonehad。MyEuropeanbelongingslookedverygrosslitteringthemats;andIseemedtomyselfaboorbesidetheunconsciousbreedingofthoseaboutme。
Yetitwasonlyapoorvillageinn,anditspeoplewerebutpeasants,afterall。
IponderedoverthisasIdinedinsolitarystate;andwhenIhadmountedmyfuneralpyreforthenight,IrememberromancingaboutitasIfellasleep。
Iwasstillaknight-errant,andtheprincesswassayingallmannerofcharmingthingstomeinherstillmorecharmingmanner,whenI
becameawarethatitwasthevoiceoftheeveningbeforewishingmegood-morning。Iopenedmyeyestoseeagoldengleamfloodingthestill-shutshoji,andadiamondglitterstealingthroughthecracksthatsettheblooddancinginmyveins。Then,withastartlingclatter,myprincessrolledthepanelsaside。
Windowsarebuthalf-wayshiftsatbest。Thetruegood-morningcomesafield,andnexttothatisthethrillthatgreetsthethrowingyourwholeroomwidetoit。Toletittrickleinatacasementistowashinadish。Thetruewayistotakethesunshinewiththeshockofaplungeintothesea,andfeelitglowandtinglealloveryou。
Therainhadtakenitselfoffinthenight,andtheairsparkledwithfreshness。Thetinygardencourtlayincool,richshadow,fleckedhereandtherewithspotsofdazzlewherearayreflectedfoundapathwayin,whiletheroofsaboveglistenedwithcountlessstarpoints。
Norwasminehostlesssmilingthantheday,thoughhehadnotoverchargedmeformyroom。Iwasnothingtohim,yethemademefeelhalfsorrytogo。Asmallpittance,too,theteamoneyseemed,forallthathadgonewithit。Wepayinthisworldwithcopperforthingsgoldcannotbuy。Humanitiesaresocheap——andsodear。
Thewholehouseholdgatheredinforceonitsoutersilltowishusgoodluckaswetookthestreet,andthrewsayonaras(\"ifitmustbeso\")afterusaswerolledaway。
Thereisatouchofpathosinthispartingacquiescenceinfate。
Ifitmustbeso,indeed!IwonderdidminehostsuspectthatIdidnotallleave,——thatapartofme,asortofghostlylodger,remainedwithhimwhohadaskedmesolittleformystay?ProbablyinbodyI
shallneverstirhimagainfrombesidehisfire,norfollowasheleadsthewaythroughthelabyrinthofhishouse;butinspirit,attimes,Istillstealback,andIalwaysfindthesamekindwelcomeawaitingmeintheguestroomintheell,andthesamebrightsmileofmorningtogildthetinygardencourt。Theonlythingsbeyondthegraspofchangeareourownmemoriesofwhatoncewas。
VI。
OnaNewCorniceRoad。
Thesunshinequickenedusall,andourkurumatooktheroadlikeaflockofbirds;forjinrikishamenincompanyrunaswildgeesefly,crisscross。Itisanartistichabit,inculcatedtocourtladiesinbooksonetiquette。TomakethementraveleitherabreastorinIndianfile,issimplyimpossible。Afteramoment’sconformity,theyinvariablyrelapseintotheirownorderlydisorder。
Thismorningtheywereinfinefigureandbowledusalongtosomemerrytunewithin;whilethebaby-carriagesthemselvesjangledthebanglesontheiraxles,makingapleasingsortofcry。Thevillagefolkturnedintheirstepstostareandsmileaswespedpast。
Itwasastrange-appearingstreet。Onbothsidesofitinfrontofthehousesrananarcade,continuousbutirregular,acontributionofbuilding。Eachhousegaveitsmiteintheshapeofacoveredportico,whichfittedaswellascouldbeexpectedtothatofitsnextdoorneighbor。Butasthehouseswerenotofthesamesize,andthegroundsloped,theroofsoftheporticosvariedinlevel。Asimilarterracingheldgoodofthefloors。Theresultwasratherafederationthanastrictunionofinterests。Indeed,theobjectinviewwascommunal。Forthearcadesweresnowgalleries,Iwastold,toenabletheinhabitantsinwintertopassfromoneendofthevillagetotheother,noinconsiderabledistance。Theyvisoredbothsidesoftheway,showingthattheninthesepartsevenacrossingofthestreetisathingtobeavoided。Indeed,byallreportthedriftshereinthedepthofwintermustbeworthseeing。Evenatthismoment,Maythe6th,therewasstillneveonsomeofthelowestfoothills,andwepassedmorethanonepatchofdirt-grimedsnowbuttressingthehighwaybank。Thebanglesontheaxlesnowbegantohaveameaning,athingtheyhadhithertoseemedtolack。Withthesnowarcadesbywayofintroductiontheyspokeforthemselves。
Evidentlytheywerefirstcousinsofoursleighbells。Here,then,ascordiallyaswithusmanabhorsanacousticvacuum,andwhenNaturehasputhericybell-glassoverthenoisesofthefield,hemustneedsinventsomejingletowilehisearswithal。
Oncepastthehouseswecameuponastripofpaddyfieldsthatborderedthemountainslopetotheveryvergeofthetide。Someofthesestoodinspotswherethetiltofthelandwouldhaveseemedtohaveprecludedeventhethoughtofsuchcultivation。Forapaddyfieldmustbeperfectlylevel,thatitmaybekeptunderwateratcertainseasonsoftheyear。Onaslope,therefore,athingapaddyfieldneverhesitatestoscale,theyriseinterraces,skyward。Herethedropwassogreatthattheterracesmadebastionsthattoweredproudlyontheveryknife-edgeofdecisionbetweentheseaweedandthecliffs。ArunneltamedtoabambooductdidthemGanymedeservice。
Forapaddyfieldisperpetuallythirsty。
Itwastheseasonofrepairingofdykesandditchesinricechronology,amuchmorecomplicatedannalthanmightbethought。Thisinitialstageofithasacertainarchitecturalinterest。Everyyearbeforeplantingbeginsthedykeshavealltobere-madestrictlyinplace,fortheyserveforbothdamsandboundstotheelaboratelypartitionedfields。Adjacentmudisthereforecarefullyplasteredovertheremainsoftheolddyke,which,tothecreditoftheformerbuilders,isnosmallfractionofit,andtheworkthenfinishedoffwithasculptor’scare。Aneasier-goingpeasantrymightoftenforegorenewal。Indeed,Icannotbutthinkthefarmerstakeanaturaldelightinthisexaltedformofmudpies;theyworkawayonalreadypassablespecimenswithsuchawill。Butwhodoesquiteoutgrowhischildishdelights?Andtomakeoftheplayofchildhoodtheworkofmiddlelife,mustbetofoiltheprimalcursetotheveryletter。
Whatmoreenchantingpastimethantowadealldayinviscousmud,hearingyourfeetplashwhenyouputthemin,andsuckasyoudrawthemout;whilethehigherpartofyouisbusiedbuildingaparapetofglueysoil,smoothingitdownonthesidesandtop,andcrowningyourmasterpiecewitharowofsprigsalongthecrest?Andtheninthegloamingtotrudgehomeward,feelingthatyouhavedoneameritoriousdeedafterall!WhenIcometomysecondchildhood,Imeantoturnpaddyfieldfarmermyself。
Thoughthefieldstooktotheslopessokindly,theyhadapreferenceforplains。Inthedeltas,formedbythebiggerstreams,theyexpandedtilltheymadechessworkofthewhole。Laborerskneedeepinthevarioussquaresdidverywellforpawns。Thefieldsbeingstillintheirpre-natalstage,werenotexactlyhandsome。Therewastoomuchofoneuniversalbrown。Thiswasrelievedonlybythenurseriesofyoungplants,smallfieldshereandtherejustshowingadelicatedownygrowthofgreen,delightfultotheeye。Theywerenotlongsown。Foreachstilllaycradledunderitsscarecrow,apoleplantedinthecentreoftherectanglewithstringsstretchedtothefourcorners,andabitofragflutteringfromthepeak。Thescarecrowsare,nodoubt,useful,sincetheyareingeneraluse;butIcountedsevensparrowsfeedinginrecklessdisregardofdangerundertheverywingsofoneofthecontrivances。
Thecustomsofthecountryseemeddoomedthatdaytomisunderstanding,whetherbysparrowsorbybiggerbirdsofpassage。Thosewhichshouldhavestartledfailedofeffect,andthosewhichshouldnothavestartled,did。For,onturningthefaceofthenextbluff,wecameuponahamletapparentlyinthehightideofconflagration。
Fromeveryroofvolumesofsmokewererollingupintothesky,whilemenrushedtoandfroexcitedlyoutside。Iwasstirred,myself,forthereseemedscanthopeofsavingtheplace,suchheadwayhadthefire,asevidencedbythesmoke,alreadyacquired。Thehouseswereclosed;awisemovecertainlyonthescoreofdraft,butonethatprecludedafightingofthefire。Iwasforjumpingfromthejinrikishatosee,ifnottodosomethingmyself,whenIwasstoppedbythejinrikishamen,whocoollyinformedmethatthehouseswerelime-kilns。
Itappearedthatlime-makingwasaspecialtyoftheseparts,being,infact,thealternativeindustrytofishing,withthelittoralpopulation;thefarmingofitsstripofricefieldshardlycountingasaprofession,sincesuchcultureissecondnaturewiththeFarOriental。