kwaidan-stories and studies of strange things(奇谈)-第16节
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JIU…ROKU…ZAKURA
In Wakegori； a district of the province of Iyo （1）； there is a very
ancient and famous cherry…tree； called Jiu…roku…zakura； or 〃the Cherry…tree
of the Sixteenth Day；〃 because it blooms every year upon the sixteenth day
of the first month （by the old lunar calendar）； and only upon that day。
Thus the time of its flowering is the Period of Great Cold； though the
natural habit of a cherry…tree is to wait for the spring season before
venturing to blossom。 But the Jiu…roku…zakura blossoms with a life that is
not or； at least； that was not originally its own。 There is the ghost of a
man in that tree。
He was a samurai of Iyo； and the tree grew in his garden； and it used
to flower at the usual time； that is to say； about the end of March or the
beginning of April。 He had played under that tree when he was a child；
and his parents and grandparents and ancestors had hung to its blossoming
branches； season after season for more than a hundred years； bright strips
of colored paper inscribed with poems of praise。 He himself became very
old； outliving all his children； and there was nothing in the world left for
him to live except that tree。 And lo！ in the summer of a certain year； the
tree withered and died！
Exceedingly the old man sorrowed for his tree。 Then kind neighbors
found for him a young and beautiful cherry…tree； and planted it in his
garden； hoping thus to comfort him。 And he thanked them； and pretended
to be glad。 But really his heart was full of pain； for he had loved the old
tree so well that nothing could have consoled him for the loss of it。
At last there came to him a happy thought： he remembered a way by
which the perishing tree might be saved。 （It was the sixteenth day of the
first month。） Along he went into his garden； and bowed down before the
withered tree； and spoke to it； saying： 〃Now deign； I beseech you； once
more to bloom； because I am going to die in your stead。〃 （For it is
believed that one can really give away one's life to another person； or to a
creature or even to a tree； by the favor of the gods； and thus to transfer
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one's life is expressed by the term migawari ni tatsu； 〃to act as a
substitute。〃） Then under that tree he spread a white cloth； and divers
coverings； and sat down upon the coverings； and performed hara…kiri after
the fashion of a samurai。 And the ghost of him went into the tree； and
made it blossom in that same hour。
And every year it still blooms on the sixteenth day of the first month；
in the season of snow。
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THE DREAM OF AKINOSUKE
In the district called Toichi of Yamato Province； （1） there used to live
a goshi named Miyata Akinosuke。。。 ＇Here I must tell you that in Japanese
feudal times there was a privileged class of soldier…farmers； free…
holders； corresponding to the class of yeomen in England； and these
were called goshi。＇
In Akinosuke's garden there was a great and ancient cedar…tree； under
which he was wont to rest on sultry days。 One very warm afternoon he
was sitting under this tree with two of his friends； fellow…goshi； chatting
and drinking wine； when he felt all of a sudden very drowsy； so drowsy
that he begged his friends to excuse him for taking a nap in their presence。
Then he lay down at the foot of the tree； and dreamed this dream：
He thought that as he was lying there in his garden； he saw a
procession； like the train of some great daimyo descending a hill near by；
and that he got up to look at it。 A very grand procession it proved to be；
more imposing than anything of the kind which he had ever seen before；
and it was advancing toward his dwelling。 He observed in the van of it a
number of young men richly appareled； who were drawing a great
lacquered palace…carriage； or gosho…guruma； hung with bright blue silk。
When the procession arrived within a short distance of the house it halted；
and a richly dressed man evidently a person of rank advanced from it；
approached Akinosuke； bowed to him profoundly； and then said：
〃Honored Sir； you see before you a kerai ＇vassal＇ of the Kokuo of
Tokoyo。 ＇1＇ My master； the King； commands me to greet you in his august
name； and to place myself wholly at your disposal。 He also bids me inform
you that he augustly desires your presence at the palace。 Be therefore
pleased immediately to enter this honorable carriage； which he has sent for
your conveyance。〃
Upon hearing these words Akinosuke wanted to make some fitting
reply； but he was too much astonished and embarrassed for speech； and
in the same moment his will seemed to melt away from him； so that he
could only do as the kerai bade him。 He entered the carriage； the kerai
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took a place beside him； and made a signal； the drawers； seizing the silken
ropes； turned the great vehicle southward； and the journey began。
In a very short time； to Akinosuke's amazement； the carriage stopped
in front of a huge two…storied gateway （romon）； of a Chinese style； which
he had never before seen。 Here the kerai dismounted； saying； 〃I go to
announced the honorable arrival；〃 and he disappeared。 After some little
waiting； Akinosuke saw two noble…looking men； wearing robes of purple
silk and high caps of the form indicating lofty rank； come from the
gateway。 These； after having respectfully saluted him； helped him to
descend from the carriage； and led him through the great gate and across a
vast garden； to the entrance of a palace whose front appeared to extend；
west and east； to a distance of miles。 Akinosuke was then shown into a
reception…room of wonderful size and splendor。 His guides conducted him
to the place of honor； and respectfully seated themselves apart； while
serving…maids； in costume of ceremony； brought refreshments。 When
Akinosuke had partaken of the refreshments； the two purple…robed
attendants bowed low before him； and addressed him in the following
words； each speaking alternately； according to the etiquette of courts：
〃It is now our honorable duty to inform you。。。 as to the reason of your
having been summoned hither。。。 Our master； the King； augustly desires
that you become his son…in…law；。。。 and it is his wish and command that you
shall wed this very day。。。 the August Princess； his maiden…daughter。。。 We
shall soon conduct you to the presence…chamber。。。 where His Augustness
even now is waiting to receive you。。。 But it will be necessary that we first
invest you。。。 with the appropriate garments of ceremony。〃 ＇2＇
Having thus spoken； the attendants rose together； and proceeded to an
alcove containing a great chest of gold lacquer。 They opened the chest； and
took from it various roes and girdles of rich material； and a kamuri； or
regal headdress。 With these they attired Akinosuke as befitted a princely
bridegroom； and he was then conducted to the presence…room； where he
saw the Kokuo of Tokoyo seated upon the daiza； ＇3＇ wearing a high black
cap of state； and robed in robes of yellow silk。 Before the daiza； to left and
right； a multitude of dignitaries sat in rank； motionless and splendid as
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images in a temple； and Akinosuke； advancing into their midst； saluted the
king with the triple prostration of usage。 The king greeted him with
gracious words； and then said：
〃You have already been informed as to the reason of your having
been summoned to Our presence。 We have decided that you shall become
the adopted husband of Our only daughter； and the wedding ceremony
shall now be
