Tales of Old Japan eBook

Algernon Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 481 pages of information about Tales of Old Japan.

Tales of Old Japan eBook

Algernon Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 481 pages of information about Tales of Old Japan.

When Kihachi heard this story, he was greatly flattered, and said—­

“I am sure I am very much obliged to you.  For one of our daughters, whom even the common people despise and shun as a pollution, to be chosen as the concubine of a noble Hatamoto—­what could be a greater matter for congratulation!”

So he prepared a feast for Chokichi, and went off at once to tell O Koyo the news.  As for the maiden, who had fallen over head and ears in love, there was no difficulty in obtaining her consent to all that was asked of her.

Accordingly Chokichi, having arranged to bring the lovers together on the following day at Oji, was preparing to go and report the glad tidings to Genzaburo; but O Koyo, who knew that her friend O Kuma was in love with Chokichi, and thought that if she could throw them into one another’s arms, they, on their side, would tell no tales about herself and Genzaburo, worked to such good purpose that she gained her point.  At last Chokichi, tearing himself from the embraces of O Kuma, returned to Genzaburo, and told him how he had laid his plans so as, without fail, to bring O Koyo to him, the following day, at Oji, and Genzaburo, beside himself with impatience, waited for the morrow.

The next day Genzaburo, having made his preparations, and taking Chokichi with him, went to the tea-house at Oji, and sat drinking wine, waiting for his sweetheart to come.

As for O Koyo, who was half in ecstasies, and half shy at the idea of meeting on this day the man of her heart’s desire, she put on her holiday clothes, and went with O Kuma to Oji; and as they went out together, her natural beauty being enhanced by her smart dress, all the people turned round to look at her, and praise her pretty face.  And so after a while, they arrived at Oji, and went into the tea-house that had been agreed upon; and Chokichi, going out to meet them, exclaimed—­

“Dear me, Miss O Koyo, his lordship has been all impatience waiting for you:  pray make haste and come in.”

But, in spite of what he said, O Koyo, on account of her virgin modesty, would not go in.  O Kuma, however, who was not quite so particular, cried out—­

“Why, what is the meaning of this?  As you’ve come here, O Koyo, it’s a little late for you to be making a fuss about being shy.  Don’t be a little fool, but come in with me at once.”  And with these words she caught fast hold of O Koyo’s hand, and, pulling her by force into the room, made her sit down by Genzaburo.

When Genzaburo saw how modest she was, he reassured her, saying—­

“Come, what is there to be so shy about?  Come a little nearer to me, pray.”

“Thank you, sir.  How could I, who am such a vile thing, pollute your nobility by sitting by your side?” And, as she spoke, the blushes mantled over her face; and the more Genzaburo looked at her, the more beautiful she appeared in his eyes, and the more deeply he became enamoured of her charms.  In the meanwhile he called for wine and fish, and all four together made a feast of it.  When Chokichi and O Kuma saw how the land lay, they retired discreetly into another chamber, and Genzaburo and O Koyo were left alone together, looking at one another.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Tales of Old Japan from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.