by Ueda Akinari
‘Yes,’ replied the father. ‘Having gone through such a dreadful ordeal, there's some danger of your falling seriously ill. Go, and stay for several months,’ and he provided him with an escort.
Toyoo's sister lived in the town of Tsuba451 Market, where she had married a merchant named Tanabe no Kanetada. The couple welcomed Toyoo's visit and were sympathetic about his recent experience. ‘Remain with us just as long as you wish,’ Tanabe said, treating him with warm hospitality. The New Year came, and then the Second Month.452
Near Tsuba Market stood the Hase temple.453 Among the various Buddhist deities454 in Japan, the Goddess of Mercy of Hase had worked so many miracles that her renown had spread abroad to China.455 From the capital, as well as the countryside, many pilgrims journeyed to the temple. In the spring they were especially numerous, and these worshippers always sought lodging in Tsuba Market. Therefore, the town boasted of many inns to accommodate these travellers, and because the Tanabes’ house sold such items as incense, holy lamps, and wicks, their shop always bustled with people coming and going. One day, a beautiful lady and her maidservant appeared among the patrons. They were dressed as though on an incognito pilgrimage from the capital. ‘Look, our master is here!’ said the maid, noticing Toyoo. Stunned with surprise, Toyoo saw that it was Manago and Maroya, and uttering a cry of terror, he fled inside to conceal himself.
‘What's the matter ?’ asked Kanetada and his wife.
‘Those demons have followed me here. Don't go near them!’ he said, frantically trying to find a place to hide, as everyone got excited and began asking, ‘Where ?’
‘Please, there is nothing to grow alarmed at,’ said Manago as she entered. ‘Don't be afraid, husband dear. It pained me bitterly to discover that I was responsible for your being accused of a crime, and I tried to find out where you had gone, so that I might explain things and put your mind at ease.456 I searched everywhere, and now that at last I've found you, I'm very happy. Listen to me, and think about what I say. If there were anything odd about me, do you imagine that I would appear in such a crowd of people and on such a lovely, calm day? My clothing has seams, and when I stand in the sunlight I have a shadow. Think it all over and decide for yourself - but you must, I beg of you.’
‘I still can't believe that you're human,’ said Toyoo, gradually regaining control over himself. ‘After I was arrested and the warriors took me to your place, it was utterly changed. You sat amid the broken-down and dilapidated ruins - the sort of lair one would expect a goblin to inhabit - until the warriors tried to capture you, and then suddenly thunder came from out of the clear blue sky and you vanished without a trace. I saw it with my own eyes. Now you have followed me here. What are you going to do? Get out of here, at once!’
‘I can understand why you feel this way,’ said Manago, beginning to weep. ‘But first you should listen to my side of the story, too. After I heard that the authorities had summoned you, I talked the matter over with an old man who lived nearby and for whom I had earlier done some favours, and he soon made the house look dilapidated and abandoned.457 Maroya suggested the device of a thunderous noise when I was about to be arrested.
‘Afterward, I found a ship and fled to Naniwa, but I wanted to learn what became of you and decided to place my trust in this temple. Here, where the twin fir trees458 stand, to my great joy we have miraculously met as if carried by the same swift waters. No doubt it was owing to the great power and compassion of the Goddess of Mercy of Hase. As for the sacred treasures, how could a woman possibly steal such things? Most likely, it was an evil deed that my former husband did. Please think it over and try to understand just a little bit how much I love you,’ and as she finished speaking, she broke down and wept inconsolably.
Toyoo was still suspicious, but he felt pity for her and lacked the strength to press the matter any further. Moreover, Kane-tada and his wife were impressed by the sense of Manago's argument, and seeing how truly feminine her manner was, they harboured no doubts at all.
‘When we heard Toyoo's story, we thought of what fearful things can happen in this world,’ they said to Manago, ‘but we believe that in our day and age supernatural incidents are unlikely to occur. Because of your patient search and long vigil459 in looking for Toyoo we are happy to let you stay with us, even though he may refuse to believe you,’ and they gave her lodging. During the next day or two Manago endeared herself to the Tanabes and did her best to get them to intercede with Toyoo. The couple was so warmly delighted at her strength of character that they finally persuaded Toyoo to consummate his marriage.
Day by day, Toyoo's feelings toward Manago grew warmer, and he came to love her and to admire her beauty as much as before. He promised eternal devotion and was sorry only that to enjoy their love they had to wait like the clouds460 that nightly form on Katsuragi's peaks and Mt Takama and with the morning bells of Hase Temple release their rain.
Presently, the Third Month461 arrived, and Kanetada turned to Toyoo and his bride saying, ‘Come, and let us make an excursion! Although going to Yoshino might not be as pleasant as visiting the capital, most people prefer it to the Kii area. “Yoshino of lovely name,”462 is magnificent in springtime. Mt Mifune463 and the Natsumi River464 offer endless variety, and I'm sure you'll agree that it's the best season.
‘I'd like to,’ answered Manago with a smile. ‘It's the place about which they say,
When the good men of old,
Beheld it and saw it well . . .465
And I've heard that even people from the capital regret it466 when they can't visit Yoshino. But ever since I was a small girl, being in crowded places or attempting long journeys on foot has always made me ill; so, much though it saddens me I'm afraid that I had better not go with you. I'd be grateful enough if you'd bring me back a souvenir from the mountains.’
‘No doubt it's the walking that makes you so ill,’ protested Kanetada and his wife. ‘True, we have no carriage, but still we shall by no means even let you step on the ground. If you were to stay here, think of how much Toyoo would worry.’
‘After brother and sister have spoken so persuasively,’ Toyoo added, ‘you must try to go, even though you don't feel up to it.’
Despite Manago's reluctance, the party set out, and although they saw many splendid people nothing could compare with Manago's exceptional beauty. Because Kanetada and his wife had close connections with a certain temple,467 they went there to pray. The abbot welcomed them, saying, ‘This spring you are late in coming to worship. Cherry-blossom season is more than half over and the nightingale's song may have lost some of its clear tone, but never mind - I'll find a good man to escort you about.’ He set for them a frugal evening meal.468
On the next morning a heavy mist covered the sky, and as it began to clear one could look down from the high ground where the temple was situated and make out a number of scattered hermitages. The chirruping of the mountain birds sounded muffled and dim. Flowers and blooming trees abounded in great variety. The atmosphere in the mountain hamlet had an invigorating freshness. ‘People on their first visit,’ said the guide, ‘usually enjoy the area around the cascades469 most, because it offers the greatest number of interesting sights,’ and he invited them to set out in that direction, descending a winding path into the valley. In ancient times an emperor's pleasure-palace470 had stood here, and now they watched the young fish swim upstream471 as the waters dashed through a gorge amid the rock-strewn rapids; they were delighted with the beauty of the fishes’ dappled forms.
The party spread out their boxed lunches and were enjoying themselves as they ate. Then, walking over the rocks there appeared an old man with hair that looked as if it were tangled hempen yarn. Nevertheless, he moved his limbs in a lithe and agile stride. Pausing beneath the cascade, he trained a penetrating stare on the picnickers, and noticing him, Manago and Maroya turned to avoid his gaze. But the old man continued to glare at them.
‘How strange,’472 he said. ‘You evil demons! Why must you bewi
tch people? How dare you remain right in front of my eyes ?’
Upon his uttering these words, Manago and Maroya suddenly arose and leaped into the cascade.473 A spout of water ascended, as if to the sky, and the two women disappeared. Clouds engulfed the party and as though spilling black India ink brought down a torrential deluge of rain, while the old man led the shocked and confused people back to the hamlet. They crouched under the eaves of a poor hut, feeling more dead than alive, and the old man turned to Toyoo and said, ‘When I looked carefully at your face, I saw that those supernatural creatures were tormenting you, and if I hadn't rescued you, it would surely have cost you your life. In future you must be more cautious.’
Toyoo, stricken with fear, respectfully bowed his head to the ground and explained from the beginning what had happened, pleading, ‘I beg you to save me.’
‘Yes, I understand,’ said the old man. ‘These evil creatures are aged serpents.474 Their nature is governed by lust. It is said that when they mate with a bull, they give birth to a unicorn, and when they cohabit with horses they produce dragon steeds. No doubt, they tricked you and began this dalliance because they found you fair to look upon. But in any case, since they have proven to be so stubborn,475 I am afraid that you may still lose your life should you fail to take proper precautions.’
Hereupon, Toyoo and his companions felt all the more confused and frightened, and making obeisance to the old man, they said, ‘You must be a living god.’
‘I am no god, to be sure,’ said the old man with a smile. ‘I am a priest of the Yamato Shrine,476 and my name is Tagima no Kibito. I shall be pleased to escort you back. Let us go,’ and so saying he set out, with the others following behind.
The next day, Toyoo went to the village of Yamato to thank the old priest for his kindness, taking with him three rolls of Mino silk and two bales of Tsukushi cotton. ‘Please free me from possession by these spirits,’ he begged.
After accepting the gift, the old priest distributed the goods to the shrine attendants, without keeping any for himself, and he said to Toyoo, ‘Those creatures took advantage of your fair looks and tempted you. But you, yourself, owing to a lack of courage and spirit,477 fell victim to their temporary form. From now on if you act like a man and try to attain a more tranquil heart you will not need to depend on my power in order to get rid of such evil spirits. With all your might make your heart peaceful.’ The old man's sincerity left a deep impression on Toyoo, who felt as if awakening from a dream,478 and after profusely expressing his gratitude to the priest, he returned.
‘Because I have failed to be true to my own self, I have allowed beasts to deceive me,’ Toyoo said to Kanetada. ‘I must learn my duty to my father and elder brother and stop taking advantage of your hospitality. I am grateful for all that you have done in my behalf, and I shall visit you again.’ Thereafter, he went back to the province of Kii.
When they heard of the frightful events that had passed, his father, mother, Tarō, and his sister-in-law felt that Toyoo was not really to blame. But they were disturbed at the evil spirit's obstinacy. ‘The trouble is probably that we have let you remain unmarried,’ they said, coming to a decision. ‘We shall find you a wife.’
In the hamlet of Shiba479 there lived a man known as Shiba no Shōji,480 head of the local manor. He had an only daughter, named Tomiko, who served as a palace girl at the Court, and requesting that she be excused from her employment, Shiba sent a matchmaker to the Ōya house and proposed that Toyoo become his son-in-law. Negotiations went well, and the betrothal date was set. In due course a messenger was dispatched to the capital to escort Tomiko home, and she returned with much joy.
Accustomed to serving in the great palace, where she had spent several years, Tomiko's manners were impeccable, her appearance splendid to behold,481 and when Toyoo moved to the Shibas’ home and saw her, he felt satisfied in every way with her remarkable charm. But there was something about her that reminded him of his previous love for Manago. The first night passed without any event. On the second night, however, after Toyoo became slightly intoxicated, he said, ‘Now that you have spent several years in service at the palace, we country folk must strike you as decidedly boorish. While you were in the capital what captains, imperial advisors, and the like did you sleep with? It's very disconcerting to think about!’
Although Toyoo had spoken playfully, Tomiko suddenly straightened up and replied, ‘You, who have forgotten your old promises482 and have stooped to toy with a worthless common creature! It is your behaviour, on the contrary, that's disgusting.’ Her appearance changed. The voice was unmistakably that of Manago.
Astonished to hear her, Toyoo was so struck with fear that his hair stood on end, and he knew not what to do. Noticing his consternation, Manago smiled and said, ‘My dear, you mustn't be afraid. We have vowed to the oceans. We have pledged to the mountains. How can you forget so quickly, when it was ordained by fate that we should meet again. If you believe483 what other people say and recklessly try to abandon me, I shall seek vengeance, and tall though the peaks of the mountains of the Kii High Road may be, your blood will drain from the ridges into the valleys. You must not be so rash as to throw away your life in vain.’
Toyoo trembled uncontrollably, as a man confronted with the prospect of immediate death.
‘My lord,’ came a voice from behind the screen, ‘why are you so upset? This should be an occasion for rejoicing,’ and so saying, Maroya appeared.
Upon seeing her, Toyoo fell into a swoon. His eyes closed, and he lay face downward. Manago and Maroya tried cajolery. They tried threats. They tried to bring him around by speaking in turns, but he remained unconscious until the night ended.
Presently, he escaped from the sleeping chamber and went to his father-in-law, saying in a low voice for fear of being overheard, ‘Something terrible has happened,’ and after explaining he pleaded, ‘What can we do about it? Please think of something.’
Shiba and his wife turned pale and lamented, ‘But what can we do? There is, however, a priest from the Kurama temple,484 outside the capital, who ever year makes a pilgrimage to Kumano, and since yesterday he has been staying at a cloister on a nearby mountain. He is a holy man who knows many kinds of exorcism485 and whose prayers have been eminently successful against plagues, locusts, and evil influence; people around here show him great respect. Let us consult with him.’ Shiba lost no time in sending word, and the priest soon arrived.
After learning of what had come to pass, the priest, who was quite confident of himself, said, ‘To capture these creatures that resort to witchcraft presents little difficulty. There's no need at all for you to worry.’ He made it sound so simple that everyone felt relieved.
First, the priest asked for some sulphur. Then he mixed it with medicine water and placed the solution in a small flask. As he moved toward the sleeping chamber everyone recoiled in horror, but the priest laughed at them and said, ‘All of you, old and young alike, wait here, and I'll catch the serpents and show them to you.’
No sooner did he open the door of the sleeping chamber, than a demon thrust its head out at the priest. The projecting extremity was so huge that it filled the doorway, gleaming even whiter than newly fallen snow, with eyes like mirrors and horns like the bare boughs of a tree. The creature opened its mouth more than three feet wide; its crimson tongue darted, as if to swallow the priest in a single gulp.
‘Horror !’ cried the holy man, as he dropped the flask486 that he held in his hand. His legs no longer able to support him, he fell over backwards and crawled away, barely managing to escape.
‘It's awful. The creature is a god of evil; my prayers are useless. If I hadn't got away on hands and knees, I'd surely have lost my life,’ he said, losing consciousness. Shiba and the others tried to help him regain his senses, but poisonous vapours487 seemed to have attacked him. His face and body were mottled red and black, as though he were stained with dye, and he felt as hot to touch as a bonfire. Later, his eyes alone had power to
move, and although it looked as if he wished to speak, he was unable to utter a sound. They kept sponging him with water, but in the end he died. Each of those who saw the priest pass away wailed in confusion and felt as if his own soul might depart from his body.
viii The Lust of the White Serpent: (2) Toyoo becomes slightly intoxicated and discovers that the serpent's jealous spirit has entered Tomiko's body
Toyoo eventually managed to pull himself together enough to say, ‘Even the prayers of this most eminent priest have failed. Because the beasts pursue me with such tenacity, they'll seek me out as long as I remain flesh and blood. There is no use causing pain to others for the sake of my life alone. From now on I'll speak to you no more of this matter, and you mustn't worry,’ and so saying, he went toward the sleeping chamber.
‘Has the demon caused you to lose your mind ?’488 asked his father- and mother-in-law. But paying no heed to them, Toyoo approached the room. Quietly, he entered. Manago and Maroya sat facing one another. There was no sign of anything unusual.
‘Whatever possessed you to ask someone to try to seize me ?’ said Manago, turning to Toyoo. ‘If you ever again spitefully seek to get rid of us, not only will you give up your life, but I will also make certain that every person in this community shall come to grief. Be thankful rather over our constancy to you and, really, don't ever again behave in such a fickle way.’