Chikamatsu Tokuzō

“ Why have you allowed a marriageable girl to remain unwed? So, you must not lose a moment in making preparations for a marriage ceremony."
"But, my husband, with whom shall our daughter marry?" asked Sawarabi in astonishment.
"With Michisuké!" whispered Shinzayémon into her ear. "He is only a servant, but he is a perfect gentleman in appearance, intelligence, and military arts. He is quite worthy of being our daughter's husband. Make them both acquainted with my intention at once."
His wife had learned of Hatsuhana's strong attachment for Michisuké and rejoiced to hear Shinzayémon's words. ”

“ I will go there at once, and see what Gōsuké is doing, and I shall soon be back."
"Your news is indeed good, Fudesuké. Go as quickly as you can."
"Farewell, my lord and lady."
When his servant had departed for Ōiso, Katsugorō's spirits rose, and he whispered to his wife: "Our opportunity has come at last. We can now take vengeance on our enemy."
To their astonishment, Angler and Sea-slug suddenly sprang to their feet.
"Iinuma Katsugorō and Hatsuhana!" they cried aloud. "You are our prisoners! If you make any resistance you shall die! Lord Hōjō sent us out as spies." ”

“ The word 'adviser' has a pleasant ring about it, but in reality you are a vagabond and a dependent. I could not give my daughter to such as you."
"Insolence! It is a gross insult to Lord Hōjō to call his adviser a vagabond. I must remind you that I have no equal in Japan in tactics and fencing."
"Indeed! In that case why did you assassinate your fellow-samurai Iinuma Sampei in such a cowardly manner, and why did you murder his betrothed merely out of a trifling grudge and disappointed love? How can you hold up your head so proudly, and have the affront to call yourself a samurai?" ”

“ I want you to give me instruction in the secrets of the art."
"Is that what you wanted to ask me?" answered Shinzayémon, feigning calmness. "Of course it would be discourteous of me to refuse the request of Kōzuké, honourable adviser to his Excellency Lord Hōjō. But it is a strict rule of my house never to teach the secrets of fencing to anybody who is not already proficient in the art. ”

“ If five or ten men were to attack you at one time, you could kill them even with a wooden sword, not to mention a real one. If you doubt my words, Shinzayémon, let my lord have a fencing bout with ten or twelve samurai at once; nay, fifty or a hundred samurai, if you choose."
Michisuké had long since been thinking that Kōzuké might possibly be the enemy for whom he was seeking. He, therefore, considered that the best opportunity had come to ascertain the truth of his conjecture, and if he were Gōsuké, to test his ability. ”

“ A man should not thank his wife. By the bye, I think our enemy——"
"Hush!" interrupted Katsugorō. "Walls have ears! Take care!"
"I am sorry," said Hatsuhana looking about her in alarm.
At this moment the three above-mentioned beggars, flushed and intoxicated, tottered out of the courtyard. When Sea-slug saw Katsugorō and his wife, his face became sullen, and he grumbled:
"Look there, comrades! Why should such a miserable cripple have so beautiful a wife? What an ill-assorted couple! ”

“ However, when love receives a sudden check, it is its nature to become stronger. Hatsuhana's passion became deeper and deeper, and at last she made up her mind to beg her parents to arrange a marriage between herself and Michisuké.
In the meantime Kōzuké had dwelt upon his recent courtship to Hatsuhana, and longed for her day and night. At last he confided his secret to two friends, and the three of them together called on Shinzayémon to make forcible negotiations.
"Shinzayémon," said one of them, "a certain nobleman has determined to make your daughter his wife, no matter what happens." ”

“ He then assumed the name of Michisuké, and became servant to Tsukumo Shinzayémon, who was the instructor in fencing of the Hōjō Clan, in order to learn whether his enemy was taking shelter in the clan. Shinzayémon had an only daughter named Hatsuhana, who was a beautiful girl of seventeen. Her great beauty was the talk of Kamakura. Many young samurai admired her passionately, and wished to be her lovers. Takiguchi Kōzuké, who had enjoyed some six years' safety, had long since been giving rein to his lecherous nature. ”

“ Hatsuhana carefully and tenderly nursed her sick and lame husband, and encouraged him by saying that he would recover in time, and be able to accomplish his long-cherished purpose. The faithful young wife was compelled to lead a beggar's life, and suffered indescribable hardships and insults.
It was early one night, and the bright moon was hanging over the mountains, when the daikwan or governor of the seven neighbouring villages, a haughty tyrant named Mizoguchi, happened to pass Hatsuhana's hovel. She ran out, and asked him for alms. ”

“ In the meantime, Hōjō Ujimasa and his large retinue were now passing in a procession along the plain on the summit of the Hakoné Mountains. As they were proceeding on their way, Katsugorō and his assistants suddenly sallied forth from a bush near by. They quickly attacked a palanquin in which the enemy was believed to be riding. The numerous samurai, who guarded the palanquin, resisted them violently. Katsugorō and Fudesuké cut and hewed at them with all their strength. ”

“ On learning that the murderer was Satō Gōsuké, he was chagrined out of measure, and immediately made up his mind to find the assassin at any cost, and revenge himself of his brother's death. He entreated for, and obtained from the Regent Hideyoshi, permission for vendetta. Katsugorō was joined in his undertaking by a faithful servant of his dead brother, named Fudesuké.
Fudesuké, although he was merely a servant, thoroughly understood the duty of loyalty to his lord. He possessed wonderful muscular power, and proficiency in military arts. ”

“ Katsugorō supposed that his enemy Kōzuké would attend the religious services; so he put on the dress of a wretched beggar, and conveyed in the wagon by Hatsuhana, went to the temple grounds.
"You must feel very cold," said Hatsuhana. "As this is a mountainous district, the snow is already falling, while the maple leaves still remain."
"Oh, I am quite comfortable in the wagon," said Katsugorō. "Here I can stand the cold more easily. But you, who are dragging my heavy
Conveyed in the waggon by Hatsuhana, he went to the temple grounds
cart, must suffer severely from the cold. ”

“ In recognition of their perseverance and heroic revenge, the Regent Taikō ordered that Katsugorō should succeed to his dead brother Sampei's estate, and appointed Fudesuké Katsugorō's chief retainer. Katsugorō treated Sawarabi with the kindness and respect due to his wife's mother, and the three of them led a happy and prosperous life to the end. ”

“ The governor paused, and looked intently at her face, upon which the moon was shining.
"Are you a beggar girl?" he asked. "Surely you are too beautiful for such a life! Aha! You must be the much-talked-of cripple's wife. ”

“ I made a vow to purify myself in the waterfall of Shirataki twice a day for a hundred days, to pray the god Gongen to cure my husband's lameness. This morning I took the ninety-ninth ablution, and once more will complete my vow. I have come back through indescribable difficulties and danger to make the final ablution. Yes, I have returned to fulfil my vow, and to see whether Gongen will answer my prayers, and cure my husband's lameness. ”

“ But I feel still more upset to think of the folly of the relief officers, who gave us beggars plenty of rice and money, and entertained us with saké and good food. The luxurious alms are paid for at the expense of farmers and merchants who are burdened with heavy taxes. Surely such treatment of beggars tends to increase their number. The authorities are very foolish. ”