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The Floating Press - Theodora Ozaki Yei

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135 pages

English

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Travel back in time with this eclectic collection of ancient and medieval Japanese folktales, myths, and fables from Yei Theodora Ozaki, a skilled translator born to a Japanese father and European mother who as a young woman and adult divided her time between both regions. Spanning centuries, the collection is sure to engage folktale fans and readers of all ages.

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Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 mai 2014
Nombre de lectures	5
EAN13	9781776535118
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0134€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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JAPANESE FAIRY TALES
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YEI THEODORA OZAKI

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Japanese Fairy Tales First published in 1908 Epub ISBN 978-1-77653-511-8 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77653-512-5 © 2013 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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Preface My Lord Bag of Rice The Tongue-Cut Sparrow The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad The Farmer and the Badger The Shinansha, or the South Pointing Carriage The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy The Story of Princess Hase The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moon-Child The Mirror of Matsuyama The Goblin of Adachigahara The Sagacious Monkey and the Boar The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher The Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Flower The Jelly Fish and the Monkey The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab The White Hare and the Crocodiles The Story of Prince Yamato Take Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach The Ogre of Rashomon How an Old Man Lost His Wen The Stones of Five Colors and the Empress Jokwa Endnotes
*
TO
ELEANOR MARION-CRAWFORD.
I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO YOU AND TO THE SWEET CHILD-FRIENDSHIP THAT YOUGAVE ME IN THE DAYS SPENT WITH YOU BY THE SOUTHERN SEA, WHEN YOU USEDTO LISTEN WITH UNFEIGNED PLEASURE TO THESE FAIRY STORIES FROM FARJAPAN. MAY THEY NOW REMIND YOU OF MY CHANGELESS LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE.
Y. T. O.
Tokio, 1908.
Preface
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This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestionmade to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They havebeen translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin.These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanesestory and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfullypreserved, they have been told more with the view to interest youngreaders of the West than the technical student of folk-lore.
Grateful acknowledgment is due to Mr. Y. Yasuoka, Miss Fusa Okamoto, mybrother Nobumori Ozaki, Dr. Yoshihiro Takaki, and Miss Kameko Yamao,who have helped me with translations.
The story which I have named "The Story of the Man who did not Wish toDie" is taken from a little book written a hundred years ago by oneShinsui Tamenaga. It is named Chosei Furo, or "Longevity." "TheBamboo-cutter and the Moon-child" is taken from the classic "TaketariMonogatari," and is NOT classed by the Japanese among their fairytales, though it really belongs to this class of literature.
The pictures were drawn by Mr. Kakuzo Fujiyama, a Tokio artist.
In telling these stories in English I have followed my fancy in addingsuch touches of local color or description as they seemed to need or aspleased me, and in one or two instances I have gathered in an incidentfrom another version. At all times, among my friends, both young andold, English or American, I have always found eager listeners to thebeautiful legends and fairy tales of Japan, and in telling them I havealso found that they were still unknown to the vast majority, and thishas encouraged me to write them for the children of the West.
Y. T. O.
Tokio, 1908.
My Lord Bag of Rice
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Long, long ago there lived, in Japan a brave warrior known to all asTawara Toda, or "My Lord Bag of Rice." His true name was FujiwaraHidesato, and there is a very interesting story of how he came tochange his name.
One day he sallied forth in search of adventures, for he had the natureof a warrior and could not bear to be idle. So he buckled on his twoswords, took his huge bow, much taller than himself, in his hand, andslinging his quiver on his back started out. He had not gone far whenhe came to the bridge of Seta-no-Karashi spanning one end of thebeautiful Lake Biwa. No sooner had he set foot on the bridge than hesaw lying right across his path a huge serpent-dragon. Its body was sobig that it looked like the trunk of a large pine tree and it took upthe whole width of the bridge. One of its huge claws rested on theparapet of one side of the bridge, while its tail lay right against theother. The monster seemed to be asleep, and as it breathed, fire andsmoke came out of its nostrils.
At first Hidesato could not help feeling alarmed at the sight of thishorrible reptile lying in his path, for he must either turn back orwalk right over its body. He was a brave man, however, and puttingaside all fear went forward dauntlessly. Crunch, crunch! he stepped nowon the dragon's body, now between its coils, and without even oneglance backward he went on his way.
He had only gone a few steps when he heard some one calling him frombehind. On turning back he was much surprised to see that the monsterdragon had entirely disappeared and in its place was a strange-lookingman, who was bowing most ceremoniously to the ground. His red hairstreamed over his shoulders and was surmounted by a crown in the shapeof a dragon's head, and his sea-green dress was patterned with shells.Hidesato knew at once that this was no ordinary mortal and he wonderedmuch at the strange occurrence. Where had the dragon gone in such ashort space of time? Or had it transformed itself into this man, andwhat did the whole thing mean? While these thoughts passed through hismind he had come up to the man on the bridge and now addressed him:
"Was it you that called me just now?"
"Yes, it was I," answered the man: "I have an earnest request to maketo you. Do you think you can grant it to me?"
"If it is in my power to do so I will," answered Hidesato, "but firsttell me who you are?"
"I am the Dragon King of the Lake, and my home is in these waters justunder this bridge."
"And what is it you have to ask of me!" said Hidesato.
"I want you to kill my mortal enemy the centipede, who lives on themountain beyond," and the Dragon King pointed to a high peak on theopposite shore of the lake.
"I have lived now for many years in this lake and I have a large familyof children and grand-children. For some time past we have lived interror, for a monster centipede has discovered our home, and nightafter night it comes and carries off one of my family. I am powerlessto save them. If it goes on much longer like this, not only shall Ilose all my children, but I myself must fall a victim to the monster. Iam, therefore, very unhappy, and in my extremity I determined to askthe help of a human being. For many days with this intention I havewaited on the bridge in the shape of the horrible serpent-dragon thatyou saw, in the hope that some strong brave man would come along. Butall who came this way, as soon as they saw me were terrified and ranaway as fast as they could. You are the first man I have found able tolook at me without fear, so I knew at once that you were a man of greatcourage. I beg you to have pity upon me. Will you not help me and killmy enemy the centipede?"
Hidesato felt very sorry for the Dragon King on hearing his story, andreadily promised to do what he could to help him. The warrior askedwhere the centipede lived, so that he might attack the creature atonce. The Dragon King replied that its home was on the mountain Mikami,but that as it came every night at a certain hour to the palace of thelake, it would be better to wait till then. So Hidesato was conductedto the palace of the Dragon King, under the bridge. Strange to say, ashe followed his host downwards the waters parted to let them pass, andhis clothes did not even feel damp as he passed through the flood.Never had Hidesato seen anything so beautiful as this palace built ofwhite marble beneath the lake. He had often heard of the Sea King'spalace at the bottom of the sea, where all the servants and retainerswere salt-water fishes, but here was a magnificent building in theheart of Lake Biwa. The dainty goldfishes, red carp, and silvery trout,waited upon the Dragon King and his guest.
Hidesato was astonished at the feast that was spread for him. Thedishes were crystallized lotus leaves and flowers, and the chopstickswere of the rarest ebony. As soon as they sat down, the sliding doorsopened and ten lovely goldfish dancers came out, and behind themfollowed ten red-carp musicians with the koto and the samisen. Thus thehours flew by till midnight, and the beautiful music and dancing hadbanished all thoughts of the centipede. The Dragon King was about topledge the warrior in a fresh cup of wine when the palace was suddenlyshaken by a tramp, tramp! as if a mighty army had begun to march notfar away.
Hidesato and his host both rose to their feet and rushed to thebalcony, and the warrior saw on the opposite mountain two great ballsof glowing fire coming nearer and nearer. The Dragon King stood by thewarrior's side trembling with fear.
"The centipede! The centipede! Those two balls of fire are its eyes. Itis coming for its prey! Now is the time to kill it."
Hidesato looked where his host pointed, and, in the dim light of thestarlit evening, behind the two balls of fire he saw the long body ofan enormous centipede winding round the mountains, and the light in itshundred feet glowed like so many distant lanterns moving slowly towardsthe shore.
Hidesato showed not the least sign of fear. He tried to calm the DragonKing.
"Don't be afraid. I shall surely kill the centipede. Just bring me mybow and arrows."
The Dragon King did as he was bid, and the warrior noticed that he hadonly three arrows left in his quiver. He took the bow, and fitting anarrow to the notch, took careful aim and let fly.
The arrow hit the centipede right in the middle of its head, butinste