On the sea of Ise
Were but flowers,
That I might gather them
And bring them as a gift to my love."
Prince Aki. (Trans. by W. G. Aston.)
The Tide of the Returning Ghosts
On the last day of the Festival of the Dead the sea is covered with countless1 shōryōbune (soul-ships), for on that day, called Hotoke-umi, which means Buddha2-Flood, or the Tide of the Returning Ghosts, the souls go back to their spirit world again. The sea shines with the light of the departed, and from over the waves comes the sound of ghosts whispering together. No human being would dream of putting out to sea amid such sacred company, for the sea that night belongs to the dead; it is their long pathway to the realm where Emma-Ō reigns3 supreme4.
It sometimes happens, however, that a vessel5 fails to come to port before the departure of the soul-ships, and on such occasions the dead arise from the deep, stretch forth6 their arms, and implore7 that buckets may be given them. Sailors comply with this request, but present the ghosts with one that has no bottom, for if they gave the dead sound buckets, the angry spirits would use them for the purpose of sinking the vessel.
Urashima
"'Tis Spring, and the mists come stealing
O'er Suminóye's shore,
And I stand by the seaside musing8
On the days that are no more.
[Pg 324]
"I muse9 on the old-world story,
As the boats glide10 to and fro,
Of the fisher-boy Urashima,
Who a-fishing lov'd to go."
Trans. by B. H. Chamberlain.
"The legend of Urashima," writes Professor B. H. Chamberlain in Japanese Poetry, "is one of the oldest in the language, and traces of it may even be found in the official annals." In the popular version, which we give below, "the Evergreen11 Land," recorded in the Japanese ballad12, "The Fisher Boy Urashima," appears as the Dragon Palace. Professor Chamberlain writes: "The word Dragon Palace is in Japanese ryūgū, or, more properly, ryūkyū, which is likewise the Japanese pronunciation of the name of the islands we call Luchu, and the Chinese Liu-kiu; and it has been suggested that the Dragon Palace may be but a fanciful name given by some shipwrecked voyager to those sunny southern isles13, whose inhabitants still distinguish themselves, even above their Chinese and Japanese neighbours, by their fondness for the dragon as an artistic14 and architectural adornment15. There is one ode in the Man-yōshū which would favour this idea, speaking as it does of the orange having first been brought to Japan from the 'Evergreen Land' lying to the south."
Urashima and the Tortoise
One day Urashima, who lived in a little fishing village called Midzunoe, in the province of Tango, went out to fish. It so happened that he caught a tortoise, and as tortoises are said to live many thousands of years, the thoughtful Urashima allowed the creature to return to the sea, rebaited his hook, and once more waited for the bite of a fish. Only the sea gently waved his line[Pg 325] to and fro. The sun beat down upon his head till at last Urashima fell asleep.
He had not been sleeping long when he heard some one calling his name: "Urashima, Urashima!"
It was such a sweet, haunting voice that the fisher-lad stood up in his boat and looked around in every direction, till he chanced to see the very tortoise he had been kind enough to restore to its watery16 home. The tortoise, which was able to speak quite fluently, profusely17 thanked Urashima for his kindness, and offered to take him to the ryūkyū, or Palace of the Dragon King.
The invitation was readily accepted, and getting on the tortoise's back, Urashima found himself gliding18 through the sea at a tremendous speed, and the curious part about it was he discovered that his clothes remained perfectly19 dry.
In the Sea King's Palace
Arriving at the Sea King's Palace, red bream, flounder, sole, and cuttlefish20 came out to give Urashima a hearty21 welcome. Having expressed their pleasure, these vassals22 of the Dragon King escorted the fisher-lad to an inner apartment, where the beautiful Princess Otohime and her maidens24 were seated. The Princess was arrayed in gorgeous garments of red and gold, all the colours of a wave with the sunlight upon it.
This Princess explained that she had taken the form of a tortoise by way of testing his kindness of heart. The test had happily proved successful, and as a reward for his virtue25 she offered to become his bride in a land where there was eternal youth and everlasting26 summer.
Urashima bashfully accepted the high honour bestowed28 upon him. He had no sooner spoken than a great company of fishes appeared, robed in long ceremonial[Pg 326] garments, their fins30 supporting great coral trays loaded with rare delicacies31. Then the happy couple drank the wedding cup of saké, and while they drank, some of the fishes played soft music, others sang, and not a few, with scales of silver and golden tails, stepped out a strange measure on the white sand.
After the festivities were over, Otohime showed her husband all the wonders of her father's palace. The greatest marvel32 of all was to see a country where all the seasons lingered together.[1] Looking to the east, Urashima saw plum- and cherry-trees in full bloom, with bright-winged butterflies skimming over the blossom, and away in the distance it seemed that the pink petals34 and butterflies had suddenly been converted into the song of a wondrous35 nightingale. In the south he saw trees in their summer glory, and heard the gentle note of the cricket. Looking to the west, the autumn maples37 made a fire in the branches, so that if Urashima had been other than a humble38 fisher-lad he might have recalled the following poem:
"Fair goddess of the paling Autumn skies,
Fain would I know how many looms39 she plies40,
Wherein through skilful41 tapestry42 she weaves
Her fine brocade of fiery43 maple36 leaves—
Since on each hill, with every gust44 that blows,
In varied45 hues46 her vast embroidery47 glows?"
Trans. by Clara A. Walsh.
It was, indeed, a "vast embroidery," for when Urashima looked toward the north he saw a great stretch of snow and a mighty48 pond covered with ice. All the seasons lingered together in that fair country where Nature had yielded to the full her infinite variety of beauty.
After Urashima had been in the Sea King's Palace for[Pg 327] three days, and seen many wonderful things, he suddenly remembered his old parents, and felt a strong desire to go and see them. When he went to his wife, and told her of his longing49 to return home, Otohime began to weep, and tried to persuade him to stop another day. But Urashima refused to be influenced in the matter. "I must go," said he, "but I will leave you only for a day. I will return again, dear wife of mine."
Urashima and the Sea King's Daughter
The Home-coming of Urashima
Then Otohime gave her husband a keepsake in remembrance of their love. It was called the Tamate-Bako ("Box of the Jewel Hand"). She explained that he was on no account to open the box, and Urashima, promising50 to fulfil her wish, said farewell, mounted a large tortoise, and soon found himself in his own country. He looked in vain for his father's home. Not a sign of it was to be seen. The cottage had vanished, only the little stream remained.
Still much perplexed51, Urashima questioned a passer-by, and he learnt from him that a fisher-lad, named Urashima, had gone to sea three hundred years ago and was drowned, and that his parents, brothers, and their grandchildren had been laid to rest for a long time. Then Urashima suddenly remembered that the country of the Sea King was a divine land, where a day, according to mortal reckoning, was a hundred years.
Urashima's reflections were gloomy in the extreme, for all whom he had loved on earth were dead. Then he heard the murmur52 of the sea, and recalled the lovely Otohime, as well as the country where the seasons joined hands and made a fourfold pageant53 of their beauty—the land where trees had emeralds for leaves and rubies54 for berries, where the fishes wore long robes and sang and danced and played. Louder the sea[Pg 328] sounded in Urashima's ears. Surely Otohime called him? But no path opened out before him, no obliging tortoise appeared on the scene to carry him to where his wife waited for him. "The box! the box!" said Urashima softly, "if I open my wife's mysterious gift, it may reveal the way."
Urashima untied55 the red silk thread and slowly, fearfully opened the lid of the box. Suddenly there rushed out a little white cloud; it lingered a moment, and then rolled away far over the sea. But a sacred promise had been broken, and Urashima from a handsome youth became old and wrinkled. He staggered forward, his white hair and beard blowing in the wind. He looked out to sea, and then fell dead upon the shore.
Professor Chamberlain writes: "Urashima's tomb, together with his fishing-line, the casket given him by the maiden23, and two stones said to be precious, are still shown at one of the temples in Kanagawa."
The Land of the Morning Calm
Chosen, the Land of the Morning Calm, was the old name for Korea,[2] and however poetical56 the phrase may be, it was, nevertheless, totally inapplicable to actual fact. In its early history it was a country divided against itself, and later on it was troubled with the invading armies of China and Japan, to say nothing of minor57 skirmishes with other countries. There is certainly a pathetic calm in Korea to-day, but it is the calm of a long-vanquished and persecuted58 nation. It now rests with Japan whether or not the Koreans rise from serfdom and regain59 something of that old hardihood that was at one time so prominent a feature of her northern men.
[Pg 329]
Long ago Korea came under the glamour60 of the Chinese civilisation61, and it haunts her people to this day. Japan borrowed from Korea what Korea had borrowed from China. It was because Japan went on borrowing from the West when she had exhausted62 all that Korea and China could teach her that she eventually became, with the progressive stream of thought and action flowing vigorously through her, a world-power, while Korea remained a forlorn example of an almost stagnant63 country.
When Japan had succeeded in convincing Korea that she alone could be her faithful guide, Russia came, like a thief in the night, and established a military outpost at Wiju. The Russo-Japanese War resulted, and Korea became a Japanese colony, an experimental ground for social and political reform. Japan has waited long for Korea. May she find it at last, not a turbulent and rebellious64 country, but in very deed the Land of the Morning Calm. Korea in the past has contributed to the making of Japan's greatness in handing on the religion, art, and literature of China. Now it is Japan's turn to succour an impoverished65 country, and if the Morning Calm is united with the Rising Sun, there should be peace and prosperity in her new possession.
Professor J. H. Longford, in The Story of Korea, writes in regard to the invasion of the Empress Jingo: "Dr. Aston....contemptuously dismisses the whole as a myth founded on two very distinct historical facts—that there was, at the time of the alleged66 invasion, an Empress of Japan, a woman of real determination and ability, and that not one, but several Japanese invasions of Korea did occur, though at later periods, in which the Japanese did not invariably meet with the triumphant67 success that they claim for the Empress." We give[Pg 330] below the picturesque68 legend of Japan's first invasion of Korea.
The Tide Jewels
One night the Empress Jingo, as she lay asleep in her tent, had a strange dream. She dreamt that a spirit came to her and told her of a wonderful land, a land in the West, full of treasures of gold and silver, a dazzling land, fair to look upon as a beautiful woman. The spirit informed her that the name of this country was Chosen (Korea), and that it might belong to Japan if she would set out and conquer this wealthy land.
The next day the Empress Jingo informed her husband about her dream; but the Emperor, a stolid69, matter-of-fact man, did not believe in dreams. However, as his wife persisted in thrusting upon him what he deemed to be a foolish scheme, he climbed a high mountain, and looking toward the setting sun saw no land in the West. When the Emperor had come down from the mountain, he informed his wife that he would on no account give his consent to invade and conquer a country which simply owed its existence to a disordered dream. But the Gods were angry with the Emperor, and shortly after he had uttered his prohibition70 he died in battle.
The Gift of the Dragon King
When the Empress Jingo became sole ruler she was determined71 to go to this country she had heard about in a dream; but as she was resolved to make her expedition no puny72 and tame affair, she called upon the Spirit of the Mountain to give her timber and iron for her ships. The Spirit of Fields gave her rice and other grain for her army, while the Spirit of Grass presented her with hemp73 for rope. The Wind God looked[Pg 331] favourably74 upon her scheme, and promised to blow her ships towards Korea. All the spirits appeared in compliance75 with the Empress Jingo's wishes except Isora, the Spirit of the Seashore.
Isora was a lazy fellow, and when he finally appeared above the waves of the sea, he did so without gorgeous apparel, for he was covered with slime and shells, and seaweed adorned76 his unkempt person. When the Empress saw him she bade him go to his master, the Dragon King, and ask him to give her the Tide Jewels.
Isora obeyed, dived down into the water, and presently stood before the Dragon King and made his request.
The Dragon King took out the Tide Jewels from a casket, placed them on a great shell, and bade Isora promptly77 return to the Empress Jingo with this precious gift.
Isora sprang from his master's palace to the surface of the sea, and the Empress Jingo placed the Tide Jewels in her girdle.
The Voyage
Now that the Empress had obtained the Jewel of the Flood-Tide and the Jewel of the Ebb-Tide she had three thousand ships built and launched, and during the tenth month she started on her great expedition. Her fleet had not proceeded far when a mighty storm arose, so that the vessels78 crashed together and were likely to sink to the bottom of the sea. The Dragon King, however, commanded great sea-monsters to go to the rescue; some bore up the ships with their great bodies, others pushed their heads against the sterns of many vessels, thus propelling them through a heavy sea which had very nearly driven them back whence they came. Powerful dragon-fishes lent their aid to those pushing and snorting in the rear by holding the ships'[Pg 332] cables in their mouths and towing the vessels forward at a surprising speed. Directly the storm ceased, the sea-monsters and dragon-fishes disappeared.
The Throwing of the Tide Jewels
At last the Empress Jingo and her army saw the distant mountains of Korea loom33 out on the horizon. On nearing the coast they perceived that the whole of the Korean army stood upon the shore with their ships ready to be launched at the word of command. As soon as the Korean sentinels perceived the Japanese fleet, they gave the signal for embarking79, and immediately a great line of war-vessels shot out over the water.
The Empress stood watching these proceedings80 with unruffled calm. She knew that the victory or defeat of her army lay in her power. When the Korean vessels drew near to her fleet she threw into the sea the Jewel of the Ebb-Tide. Directly it touched the water it caused the tide to recede81 from under the very keels of the Korean ships, so that they were left stranded82 upon dry land. The Koreans, suspecting no magic and believing their stranded condition to have been the result of a tidal wave and, moreover, that the Japanese vessels would succumb83 to the back-wash, sprang from their vessels and rushed over the sand. Now the Japanese bowmen twanged their bow-strings, and a great cloud of arrows flew into the air, killing84 many hundreds of the enemy. When the Koreans were quite near the Japanese vessels, the Empress flung forth the Jewel of the Flood-Tide. Immediately a great wave rushed over and destroyed nearly the whole of the Korean army. It was now an easy matter for the Japanese to land and capture the country. The King of Korea surrendered, and the Empress returned to her own kingdom laden85 with silk[Pg 333] and jewels, books and pictures, tiger-skins and precious robes.
When the Tide Jewels had been thrown by the Empress, they did not lie long on the bed of the ocean. Isora speedily rescued them and carried them back to the Dragon King.
Prince Ojin
Soon after the Empress Jingo's return she gave birth to a son named Ojin. When Ojin had grown into a fair and wise little boy, his mother told him about the wonderful Tide Jewels, and expressed a wish that he, too, should possess them in order that he might bring honour and glory to Japan.
One day the Prime Minister, who was said to be three hundred and sixty years old, and the counsellor of no less than five Mikados, took Ojin with him in a royal war-barge. The vessel skimmed over the sea with its gold silk sails. The Prime Minister in a loud voice called on the Dragon King to give young Ojin the Tide Jewels.
Immediately the waves about the vessel were churned into foam86, and amid a great thunderous roar the Dragon King himself appeared with a living creature of dreadful countenance87 for a helmet. Then out of the water arose a mighty shell, in the recess88 of which glittered the Tide Jewels. After presenting these jewels, and making a pretty little speech, he returned to his great green kingdom.
The Slaughter89 of the Sea Serpent[3]
Oribe Shima had offended the great ruler Hojo Takatoki, and was in consequence banished90 to Kamishima,[Pg 334] one of the Oki Islands, and forced to leave his beautiful daughter Tokoyo, whom he deeply loved.
At last Tokoyo was unable to bear the separation any longer, and she was determined to find her father. She therefore set out upon a long journey, and arriving at Akasaki, in the province of Hoki, from which coast town the Oki Islands are visible on a fine day, she besought91 many a fisherman to row her to her destination. But the fisher-folk laughed at Tokoyo, and bade her relinquish92 her foolish plan and return home. The maiden, however, would not listen to their advice, and at nightfall she got into the lightest vessel she could find, and by dint93 of a fair wind and persistent94 rowing the brave girl came to one of the rocky bays of the Oki Islands.
That night Tokoyo slept soundly, and in the morning partook of food. When she had finished her meal she questioned a fisherman as to where she might find her father. "I have never heard of Oribe Shima," replied the fisherman, "and if he has been banished, I beg that you will desist from further search, lest it lead to the death of you both."
That night the sorrowful Tokoyo slept beneath a shrine95 dedicated96 to Buddha. Her sleep was soon disturbed by the clapping of hands, and looking up she saw a weeping maiden clad in a white garment with a priest standing97 beside her. Just as the priest was about to push the maiden over the rocks into the roaring sea, Tokoyo sprang up and held the maiden's arm.
The priest explained that on that night, the thirteenth of June, the Serpent God, known as Yofuné-Nushi, demanded the sacrifice of a young girl, and that unless this annual sacrifice was made the God became angry and caused terrible storms.
[Pg 335]
"Good sir," said Tokoyo, "I am glad that I have been able to save this poor girl's life. I gladly offer myself in her place, for I am sad of heart because I have been unable to find my father. Give him this letter, for my last words of love and farewell go to him."
Tokoyo and the Sea Serpent.
Having thus spoken, Tokoyo took the maiden's white robe and clad herself in it, and having prayed to the image of Buddha, she placed a small dagger98 between her teeth and plunged99 into the tempestuous100 sea. Down she went through the moonlit water till she came to a mighty cave where she saw a statue of Hojo Takatoki, who had sent her poor father into exile. She was about to tie the image on her back when a great white serpent crept out from the cave with eyes gleaming angrily. Tokoyo, realising that this creature was none other than Yofuné-Nushi, drew her dagger and thrust it through the right eye of the God. This unexpected attack caused the serpent to retire into the cave, but the brave Tokoyo followed and struck another blow, this time at the creature's heart. For a moment Yofuné-Nushi blindly stumbled forward, then with a shriek101 of pain fell dead upon the floor of the cavern102.
During this adventure the priest and the maiden stood on the rocks watching the spot where Tokoyo had disappeared, praying fervently103 for the peace of her sorrowful soul. As they watched and prayed they saw Tokoyo come to the surface of the water carrying an image and a mighty fish-like creature. The priest hastily came to the girl's assistance, dragged her upon the shore, placed the image on a high rock, and secured the body of the White Sea Serpent.
In due time the remarkable104 story was reported to Tameyoshi, lord of the island, who in turn reported the[Pg 336] strange adventure to Hojo Takatoki. Now Takatoki had for some time been suffering from a disease which defied the skill of the most learned doctors; but it was observed that he regained105 his health precisely106 at the hour when his image, which had been cursed and thrown into the sea by some exile, had been restored. When Hojo Takatoki heard that the brave girl was the daughter of the exiled Oribe Shima, he sent him back with all speed to his own home, where he and his daughter lived in peace and happiness.
The Spirit of the Sword
One night a junk anchored off Fudo's Cape107, and when various preparations had been made, the Captain, Tarada by name, and his crew fell asleep on deck. At about midnight Tarada was awakened108 by hearing an extraordinary rumbling109 sound that seemed to proceed from the bottom of the sea. Chancing to look in the direction of the bow of the vessel, he saw a fair girl clad in white and illumined by a dazzling light.
When Tarada had awakened his crew he approached the maiden, who said: "My only wish is to be back in the world again." Having uttered these words, she disappeared among the waves.
The next day Tarada went on shore and asked many who lived in Amakura if they had ever heard of a wondrous maiden bathed, as it were, in a phosphorescent light. One of the villagers thus made answer: "We have never seen the maiden you describe, but for some time past we have been disturbed by rumbling noises that seem to come from Fudo's Cape, and ever since, these mysterious sounds have prevented fish from entering our bay. It may be that the girl you saw was the ghost of some poor maiden drowned at sea, and the noise we hear none other than the anger[Pg 337] of the Sea God on account of a corpse110 or human bones polluting the water."
It was eventually decided111 that the dumb Sankichi should dive into the sea and bring up any corpse he might find there. So Sankichi went on board Tarada's junk, and having said farewell to his friends, he plunged into the water. He searched diligently112, but could see no trace of corpse or human bones. At length, however, he perceived what looked like a sword wrapped in silk, and on untying113 the wrapping he found that it was indeed a sword, of great brightness and without a flaw of any kind. Sankichi came to the surface and was quickly taken aboard. The poor fellow was gently laid on the deck, but he fainted from exhaustion114. His cold body was rubbed vigorously and fires were lit. In a very short time Sankichi became conscious and was able to show the sword and give particulars of his adventure.
An official, by the name of Naruse Tsushimanokami, was of the opinion that the sword was a sacred treasure, and on his recommendation it was placed in a shrine and dedicated to Fudo. Sankichi faithfully guarded the precious weapon, and Fudo's Cape became known as the Cape of the Woman's Sword. To the delight of the fisher-folk, the spirit of the weapon now being satisfied, the fish came back into the bay again.
The Love of O Cho San
"To-day is the tenth of June. May the rain fall in torrents115!
For I long to see my dearest O Cho San."
Trans. by R. Gordon Smith.
In the isolated116 Hatsushima Island, celebrated117 for its suisenn (jonquils), there once lived a beautiful maiden called Cho, and all the young men on the island were eager to marry her. One day the handsome Shinsaku,[Pg 338] who was bolder than the rest, went to Gisuke, the brother of Cho, and told him that he much desired to marry his fair sister. Gisuke offered no objections, and calling Cho to him, when the suitor had gone, he said: "Shinsaku wishes to become your husband. I like the fisherman, and think that in him you will make an excellent match. You are now eighteen, and it is quite time that you got married."
O Cho San fully27 approved of what her brother had said, and the marriage was arranged to take place in three days' time. Unfortunately, those days were days of discord118 on the island, for when the other fishermen lovers heard the news they began to hate the once popular Shinsaku, and, moreover, they neglected their work and were continually fighting each other. These lamentable119 scenes cast such a gloom upon the once happy Hatsushima Island that O Cho San and her lover decided that for the peace of the many they would not marry after all.
This noble sacrifice, however, did not bring about the desired effect, for the thirty lovers still fought each other and still neglected their fishing. O Cho San determined to perform a still greater sacrifice. She wrote loving letters of farewell to her brother and Shinsaku, and having left them by the sleeping Gisuke, she softly crept out of the house on a stormy night on the 10th of June. She dropped big stones into her pretty sleeves, and then flung herself into the sea.
The next day Gisuke and Shinsaku read their letters from O Cho San, and, overcome by grief, they searched the shore, where they found the straw sandals of Cho. The two men realised that the fair maid had indeed taken her precious life, and shortly after her body was taken from the sea and buried, and over her tomb Shinsaku placed many flowers and wept continually.
[Pg 339]
One evening, Shinsaku, unable to bear his sorrow any longer decided to take his life, believing that by doing so he would meet the spirit of O Cho San. As he lingered by the girl's grave, he seemed to see her white ghost, and, murmuring her name over and over again, he rushed toward her. At this moment Gisuke, awakened by the noise, came out of his house, and found Shinsaku clinging to his lover's gravestone.
When Shinsaku told his friend that he had seen the spirit of O Cho San, and intended to take his life in order to be with her for ever, Gisuke made answer thus: "Shinsaku, great is your love for my poor sister, but you can love her best by serving her in this world. When the great Gods call, you will meet her, but await with hope and courage till that hour comes, for only a brave, as well as a loving, heart is worthy120 of O Cho San. Let us together build a shrine and dedicate it to my sister, and keep your love strong and pure by never marrying any one else."
The thirty lovers who had shown such unmanly feeling now fully realised the sorrow they had caused, and in order to show their contrition121 they too helped to build the shrine of the unfortunate maiden, where to this day a ceremony takes place on the 10th of June, and it is said that the spirit of O Cho San comes in the rain.
The Spirit of the Great Awabi
The morning after a great earthquake had devastated122 the fishing village of Nanao, it was observed that about two miles from the shore a rock had sprung up as the result of the seismic123 disturbance124 and, moreover, that the sea had become muddy. One night a number of fishermen were passing by the rock, when they observed, near at hand, a most extraordinary light that[Pg 340] appeared to float up from the bottom of the sea with a glory as bright as the sun. The fishermen shipped their oars125 and gazed upon the wonderful spectacle with considerable surprise, but when the light was suddenly accompanied by a deep rumbling sound, the sailors feared another earthquake and made all speed for Nanao.
On the third day the wondrous rays from the deep increased in brilliance126, so that folk standing on the shore of Nanao could see them distinctly, and the superstitious127 fishermen became more and more frightened. Only Kansuke and his son Matakichi had sufficient courage to go fishing. On their return journey they reached the Rock Island, and were drawing in their line when Kansuke lost his balance and fell into the sea.
Though old Kansuke was a good swimmer, he went down like a stone and did not rise to the surface. Matakichi, deeming this strange, dived into the water, almost blinded by the mysterious rays we have already described. When he at length reached the bottom he discovered innumerable awabi (ear-shells), and in the middle of the group one of vast size. From all these shells there poured forth a brilliant light, and though it was like day under the water, Matakichi could find no trace of his father. Eventually he was forced to rise to the surface, only to find that the rough sea had broken his boat. However, scrambling128 upon a piece of wreckage129, with the aid of a favourable130 wind and current he at last reached the shore of Nanao, and gave the villagers an account of his remarkable adventure, and of the loss of his old father.
Matakichi, grieving sorely over the death of his parent, went to the old village priest and begged that worthy that he would make him one of his disciples131 in order that he might pray the more efficaciously for the[Pg 341] spirit of his father. The priest readily consented, and about three weeks later they took boat to the Rock Island, where both prayed ardently132 for the soul of Kansuke.
That night the old priest awoke with a start and saw an ancient man standing by his bedside. With a profound bow the stranger thus spoke29: "I am the Spirit of the Great Awabi, and I am more than one thousand years old. I live in the sea near the Rock Island, and this morning I heard you praying for the soul of Kansuke. Alas133! good priest, your prayers have deeply moved me, but in shame and sorrow I confess that I ate Kansuke. I have bade my followers134 depart elsewhere, and in order to atone135 for my sin I shall take my own wretched life, so that the pearl that is within me may be given to Matakichi." And having uttered these words, the Spirit of the Great Awabi suddenly disappeared.
When Matakichi awoke next morning and opened the shutters136 he discovered the enormous awabi he had seen near the Rock Island. He took it to the old priest, who, after listening to his disciple's story, gave an account of his own experience. The great pearl and shell of the awabi were placed in the temple, and the body was reverently137 buried.
[1] Compare "The Dream of Rosei" in Chapter VII.
[2] See The Story of Korea, by Joseph H. Longford.
[3] This legend, and those that follow in this chapter, are adapted from Ancient Tales and Folk-lore of Japan, by R. Gordon Smith.
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Buddha
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reigns
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supreme
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vessel
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forth
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implore
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musing
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muse
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glide
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11
evergreen
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| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
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12
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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13
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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14
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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15
adornment
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| n.装饰；装饰品 | |
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16
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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17
profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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18
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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19
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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20
cuttlefish
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| n.乌贼，墨鱼 | |
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21
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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22
vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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23
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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24
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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25
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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26
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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27
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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28
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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30
fins
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| [医]散热片；鱼鳍；飞边；鸭掌 | |
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31
delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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32
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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33
loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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34
petals
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| n.花瓣( petal的名词复数 ) | |
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35
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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36
maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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37
maples
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| 槭树，枫树( maple的名词复数 )； 槭木 | |
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38
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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39
looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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40
plies
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的第三人称单数 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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41
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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42
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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43
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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44
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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45
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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46
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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47
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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48
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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49
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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50
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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51
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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52
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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53
pageant
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| n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧 | |
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54
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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55
untied
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| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
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56
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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57
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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58
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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59
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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60
glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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61
civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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62
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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63
stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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64
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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65
impoverished
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|
| adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化 | |
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66
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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67
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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68
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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69
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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70
prohibition
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| n.禁止；禁令，禁律 | |
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71
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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72
puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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73
hemp
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| n.大麻；纤维 | |
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74
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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75
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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76
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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77
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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78
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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79
embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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80
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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81
recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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82
stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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83
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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84
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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85
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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86
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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87
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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88
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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89
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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90
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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92
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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93
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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94
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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95
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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96
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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97
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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98
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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99
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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100
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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101
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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102
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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103
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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104
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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105
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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106
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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107
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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108
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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109
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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110
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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111
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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112
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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113
untying
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| untie的现在分词 | |
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114
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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115
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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116
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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117
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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118
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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119
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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120
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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121
contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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122
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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123
seismic
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| a.地震的，地震强度的 | |
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124
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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125
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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126
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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127
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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128
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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129
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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130
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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131
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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132
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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133
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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134
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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135
atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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136
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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137
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
参考例句： |
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