BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

HAIKU
H A I K U
 He made about 1000 Haiku poems through
the lifetime, traveling around Japan. His
writing “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”
is the most famous haiku collection in Japan.

The haiku poems are shown in original

Japanese 5-7-7 syllables, and translated to
English three lines style to realize the
meaning.

MATSUO BASHO
The Narrow Road to 行春や 鳥啼き魚の 目は泪
Deep North
(Yuku haru ya/ Tori naki uwo no/
Me wa namida)
A owner of the old thatched
hut
Spring is passing.
Is also changed to another
The birds cry, and the fishes’ eyes
are
It’s the Doll’s Festival.
With tears.
夏草や 兵どもが 夢の跡 五月雨の 降のこしてや 光堂

(Natsu kusa ya/ Tsuwamono (Samidare no/ Furinokosite ya/

domo ga/ Yume no ato) Hikari-do)

The summer grasses. The early summer rain

All that remains Fall and fall yet

Of warriors’ dreams. Leave untouched Hikari-do Hall.

閑けさや 岩にしみいる 蝉 五月雨を あつめてはやし 最
の声 上川

(Shizukesa ya/ Iwa ni shimiiru/ (Samidare wo/ Atsumete

Semi no koe) Hayashi/ Mogamigawa)

Oh, tranquility! The rains of summer join

together.
Penetrating the very rock,
How swift it is
A cicada’s voice.
Mogami River.
古池や 蛙飛び込む 水の 物いへば 唇寒し 秋の風
音
(Mono ie ba/ Kuchibiru samushi/
(Furuike ya/ Kawazu tobikomu/ Aki no kaze)
Mizu no oto)
When you say something,
The old pond
The lip feel cold.
A frog leaps in.
The Autumn wind.
Sound of the water.
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

粽結ふ 片手にはさむ 額髪 旅に病んで 夢は枯野を か

け廻る
(Chimaki yu/ Katate ni hasamu/
Hitai gami) (Tabi ni yande/ Yume wa kareno
wo/ Kake meguru)
While rolling the Chimaki
dumpling, Sicking on journey,

The other hand hold, My dream run about

Her bangs. A desolate field.

THE STORY OF THE AGED MOTHER
 Once upon a time in a small village in He couldn't bear the idea of abandoning her, so
Japan, there lived a kind-hearted farmer and he decided to defy the ruler's command and take
his aged mother. They were very close and care of her himself. With a heavy heart, he made
shared a deep bond of love and respect. The a plan to save his mother.
farmer's mother was wise and knowledgeable,
and her words of wisdom were highly regarded One day, he told his mother about the ruler's law
by everyone in the village. and his decision to protect her. The aged mother
understood the dangers they would face, but she
However, a cruel and heartless ruler came to accepted her son's decision with a serene smile.
power in the land. He believed that old age was She knew that her son's love for her was
a burden on society and issued a decree that boundless.
all elderly people should be abandoned and left
to die on a remote mountain. The news of this The next morning, under the cover of darkness,
dreadful law spread throughout the village, the farmer and his mother began their journey up
leaving everyone devastated. the treacherous mountain. The path was steep
and difficult, and the aged mother struggled due
The farmer was filled with grief at the thought of to her old age. To ease her burden, the son came
leaving his beloved mother behind to face such up with a clever idea.
a cruel fate.
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

He began to weave a cloak made of straw, It was as if the mountain itself was protecting
pretending that it would protect his mother her. With the help of the fog, the young man
from the cold. This way, the mother could lean and his mother safely descended the mountain,
on her son's arm while hiding her true frailty escaping the cruel fate that awaited them. As
from anyone they might encounter on their they reached the safety of their village, the
journey. young man realized that the fog was not just a
natural phenomenon but a manifestation of the
As they climbed higher, the mother's strength mountain's spirits who had come to their aid.
waned, but she drew strength from her son's
love and determination. Finally, they reached Filled with gratitude, the farmer and his mother
the summit of the mountain, where a thanked the mountain and the spirits for their
miraculous event awaited them. protection and guidance. The village also
rejoiced at their safe return and marveled at
Suddenly, a thick fog descended upon the the strength of their bond.
mountain, engulfing everything in its ethereal
embrace. The fog became so dense that it He began to weave a cloak made of straw,
obscured the view and made it impossible for pretending that it would protect his mother from
the ruler's men to see the aged mother. the cold.
This way, the mother could lean on her son's
arm while hiding her true frailty from anyone This way, the mother could lean on her son's
they might encounter on their journey. arm while hiding her true frailty from anyone
they might encounter on their journey.
As they climbed higher, the mother's strength
waned, but she drew strength from her son's As they climbed higher, the mother's strength
love and determination. Finally, they reached waned, but she drew strength from her son's
the summit of the mountain, where a love and determination. Finally, they reached
miraculous event awaited them. the summit of the mountain, where a
miraculous event awaited them.
Suddenly, a thick fog descended upon the
mountain, engulfing everything in its ethereal Suddenly, a thick fog descended upon the
embrace. The fog became so dense that it mountain, engulfing everything in its ethereal
obscured the view and made it impossible for embrace. The fog became so dense that it
the ruler's men to see the aged mother. It was obscured the view and made it impossible for
as if the mountain itself was protecting her the ruler's men to see the aged mother. It was
as if the mountain itself was protecting her
 One day the Lord Buddha was taking a
walk by the edge of the lotus pond in Paradise. This man Kandata had been a great thief, and
The lotus flowers blossoming in the pond were had done many wicked deeds on earth, killing
white as pearls, and an indescribably delicate men and burning houses. Yet even he had once
fragrance, rising from their golden stamens, acted with kindness. One day, when walking
filled the air, never ending. The hour in through a thick forest, he saw a little spider
Paradise was perhaps early morn. crawling across his path. He lifted his foot, and
was about to crush it to death, when he
Then the lord Buddha paused, and through a suddenly changed his mind. "No " he said to
clear patch of water between those lotus himself. "I must not. Even a little creature such
flowers that covered the surface of the pond, as this has life, and to kill it without cause would
he looked at the scene below. At the bottom of be a great pity." And so he spared the life of the
the lotus pond in Paradise was Hell, and spider.
through the crystal clear water could be seen,
as though in a peep-show, such sights as the The lord Buddha, as he looked at the scene in
River of Death and the Mountain of Needles. Hell, remembered Kandata's kindness to the
spider; and he thought that he should save
And almost immediately the lord Buddha Kandata if he could, in return for his one good
noticed a man named Kandata, writhing in the deed. Fortunately, beside him, on a lotus leaf the
midst of other sinners. color of dark jade, a spider of Paradise was
weaving a silvery web.
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

The lord Buddha picked up the spider gently,

and then began to let it down between the And he saw, descending gradually towards him
pearl-white flowers, straight towards Hell far in a straight, shimmering line, as though fearful
beneath. Meanwhile, Kandata, with other of being seen by man's eyes, the silvery thread
sinners, was struggling to keep afloat in the of the spider. It seemed 10 come from far, far
Lake of Blood, which was in the lowest depths above, through the silent darkness. Kandata
Of Hell. All was darkness, except for an clapped his hands for joy. Surely, he thought, if
occasional, ghostly glimmer of half-light he could once get hold of the thread, and climb
coming from the fearful Mountain of Needles. far enough, he would eventually get out of Hell.
The quiet was like that of a graveyard, and the With luck, he might even reach Paradise. And
only sound that could be heard was the faint then, he would no more be chased up the
sighing of the sinners. Perhaps those that had Mountain of Needles, or be pushed down into
come so far down in Hell had gone through too the Lake of Blood.
many torments to have any strength left for
loud cries of self-pity. And in the Lake of Blood, With this hope in his heart, he reached for the
even the great thief Kandata could only writhe thread, and grasping it firmly with both hands,
and choke like a dying frog. he began to climb up, up, and up, with all his
might. Having once been a burglar, he was a
But it so happened that Kandata, in the midst skillful climber.
of his suffering, raised his head and looked
towards the sky above the lake.
But the ascent was by no means an easy one, For a while, Kandata, struck dumb with
for thousands of miles separated Paradise amazement and fear, could only stare
from Hell. openmouthed at the scene.

After a time, Kandata grew very tired, and How could such a thin spider's thread, which
could climb no more. Reluctantly, he paused to seemed too fragile to bear the weight of one
rest, and still clinging firmly to the thread, he man, bear the added burden of so many others!
looked down into the depths below. And if the thread did break, he would drop
straight back into Hell. And as such frigh-ening
He must have come a long way up indeed, for thoughts passed through his mind, hundreds,
already, the Lake of Blood was no longer nay thousands, more sinners were crawling out
visible, and even the top of the dully gleaming of the darkness of the Lake of Blood, and were
Mountain of Needles was beneath him. At this climbing up the thread. Unless Kandata stopped
rate, he thought, getting out of Hell might not them, the thread would surely break in the
be so difficult after all. In a tone of voice he middle, and they would all fall.
had not used for many a year, he cried, "Good,
good ! " and began to laugh. Then suddenly he And so Kandata with a loud voice began to
espied far below a procession of sinners, scream at his fellow-sinners. "Listen to me, you
numberless as a column of ants, coming after sinners! This spider's thread is mine! Who said
him up the spider's thread. you could come up after me? Get off! Get off!"
It was at this moment that the spider's thread, But the pearl-white flowers in the lotus
which until then had shown no signs of pond of Paradise, innocent of wickedness
breaking, snapped just above Kandata's or sorrow, swayed gently about the feet of
clinging hands. the lord Buddha, and from the golden
Spinning round and round through the air like a stamens, there came the same delicate
top, Kandata's body plunged into the darkness. fragrance, filling the air as always. The
hour in Paradise was perhaps near noon.
All that now remained in the moonless and
starless sky was the thin thread of the spider
of Paradise, shimmering softly in the dark.
The lord Buddha, standing by the lotus pond of
Paradise, saw all that passed below. And when
at last the body of Kandata had sunk like a
stone to the bottom of the Lake of Blood, he
resumed his walk, sadly.
There was probably much pity in the lord
Buddha's heart for Kandata, who was sent
back to Hell for his heartlessness.
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

He was a strange one to come to the "Another clerk and we'll be all set for any kind
shop and ask Mr. Sasaki for a job, but at the of business," Mr. Sasaki used to tell us. So
time I kept my mouth shut. There was when Teruo came around looking for a job, he
something about this young man's appearance got it, and Morning Glory Flower Shop was all
which didn't seem to go with a job as a clerk in set for the year as far as our boss was
a flower shop. concerned.
When Teruo reported for work the following
I was a delivery boy for Mr. Sasaki then. I had morning, Mr. Sasaki introduced him to Tommy.
seen clerks come and go, and although they Tommy had been our number one clerk for a
were very different in style and personality, all long time.
of them developed the technique of waiting on "Tommy, teach him all you can," Mr. Sasaki
customers. You could never tell about a new said "Teruo's going to be with us from now on.'
clerk, however, Anyhow we were glad to have "Sure," Tommy said.
the extra help because the busy season was
coming round. Tommy's a good florist. You watch and listen to
Mr. Sasaki probably remembered last year's him," the boss told the young man.
rush when Tommy; Mr. Sasaki, and I had to do "All right, Mr. Sasaki," the young man said. He
everything and had too many different things turned to us and said, "My name is Teruo.”
to do at one time. He wanted to be ready this
time.
We shook hands. We got to know one another “In a couple of weeks Teruo was just as good a
pretty well after that. He was a quiet fellow with clerk as we had had in a long time. He was
very little words for anybody, but his smile eager to learn and was a very hard worker. It
charmed a person. We soon learned that he was about this time that our boss decided to
knew nothing about the florist business. He take his yearly business trip to Seattle. He was
could identify a rose when he saw one, and satisfied with Teruo, and he knew we could get
gardenias and carnations too, but other along without him for a while. He went off and
flowers and gardening materials were new to left Tommy in charge.
him.
"You fellows teach me something about this During Mr. Sasaki's absence I was often in the
business and I'll be grateful. I want to start shop helping Tommy and Teruo with the
from the bottom," Teruo said. customers and the orders. One day he asked
Tommy eagerly went about showing Teruo the me, "How can you tell when a flower is fresh
florist trade. Every morning for several days and when it's old? I can't tell one from the
Tommy went over the prices of the flowers with other. All I do is follow your instructions and
him. He told Teruo what to do on telephone sell the ones you tell me to sell first, but I can't
orders, how to keep the greens and flowers tell one from the other."
fresh, and how to make •bouquets. "You need
a little more time to learn how to make a
funeral display," Tommy said. "That'll come
later."
I laughed. "You don't need to know that, Teruo looked at us calmly, "That's a hard thing
Teruo," I told him. "When the customers ask to say when you know it isn't true,"
you whether the flowers are fresh, just say "You'll get used to it sooner or later," I told him.
firmly, 'Yes! Our flowers are always fresh!' " "Everybody has to do it. You too, unless you
Teruo picked up a vase of carnations. "These want to lose your job."
flowers came in four or five days ago, didn't "I don't think I can say it convincingly again,"
they?" he asked me. Teruo said. "1 must've said yes forty times
"You're right. Five days ago," I said. already when I didn't know any better.
"How long will they last if a customer bought It'll be harder next time."
them today?" Teruo asked. "You've said it forty times already," said
"I guess in this weather they'll keep a day or Tommy, "so why can't you say it forty million
two," I said. times more? What's the difference? Remember,
"Then they're old, " Teruo almost gasped. "Why, Teruo, it's your business to live." "1 don't like it,"
we have fresh ones that last a week or so in said Teruo.
the shop." "Do we like it? Do you think we're any different
"Sure, Teruo. But why should you worry about from you?" Tommy asked Teruo. "You're just a
that?" Tommy said. "Just talk convincingly to new kid. You don't know any better so I don't
the customers and they'll believe you. 'Are our get sore, but you got to play the game when
flowers always fresh? You bet they are! They you're in it, You understand, don't you?“ Teruo
just came in a little while ago from the nodded.
market!'"
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

For a moment he stood and looked curiously "But whenever they ask me, 'Is this fresh?' 'How
at us. Then he went away to water the plants. long will it keep?' I begin to forget about selling
In the following weeks we watched Teruo the stuff, and begin to think about the difference
develop into a fine salesclerk, except for one between the fresh flowers and the old ones.
thing. When a customer forgot to ask about the Then the trouble begins."
condition of the flowers Teruo did splendidly. "Remember, the boss has to run the shop to
But if someone asked about the freshness of make money so he can keep it going,' Tommy
the flowers, he would look uncomfortable and told him. "When he returns next week you better
would sometimes sputter or would stand not let hilli see you sell the fresh flowers in the
gaping speechlessly. Occasionally, looking back “
embarrassed, he would take the customers to On the day Mr. Sasaki came back to the shop
the fresh flowers in the rear of the store and we saw something unusual. For the first time I
complete the sales there. watched Teruo sell some old stuff to a customer.
"Don't do that anymore, Teruo," Tommy I heard the man plainly ask him if the flowers
warned him one afternoon, "Don't sell the fresh were fresh, and very clearly I heard Teruo reply,
flowers in the back when we got plenty of the "Yes, sir. These flowers are fresh." I looked at
old stuff in the front. We can't throw all that Tommy and he winked back. When Teruo came
stuff away. First thing you know the boss'll start to the back to make it into a bouquet, he looked
losing money and we'll all be thrown out." as if he had a snail in his mouth. When Teruo
"I wish I could sell like you," Teruo said. went up front to complete the sale, Mr. Sasaki
looked at Tommy and nodded approvingly.
When I went out to the truck to make my last "Teruo approached us as if readying himself for
delivery of the day Teruo followed me, "I feel an attack.
rotten," he said to me. "Those flowers I sold to "You've been selling fresh flowers and letting
the people won't last longer than tomorrow. I the old ones go to waste. I can't afford that,
feel lousy, I'm lousy. The people will get to Teruo," Mr. Sasaki said. "Why don't you do as
know my word is no good pretty soon." you're told? We all sell the flowers in the front. I
"Forget it," I said. "Quit worrying. What's the tell you they're not old in a flower shop. Why
matter with you?' can’t you sell them?"
"I'm lousy," he said, and went back to the "I don't like it, Mr. Sasaki," Teruo said.
store. "When the people ask me if they're fresh I hate
to answer. I feel rotten after selling the old
Old flowers!" snorted Mr. Sasaki. "I'll tell him ones."
plenty when he comes back. Old flowers! "Look here Teruo," Mr. Sasaki said, "I don't want
Maybe you can call them old at a roadside to fire you. You're a good worker, and I know
market, but they're not old in a flower shop." you need a job, but you've got to be a good
"He feels guilty fooling the customers," Tommy clerk here or you're going out. Do you get me?"
explained. "I get you," Teruo said.
The boss laughed impatiently. "That's no The following morning we were all at the shop
reason when you're in a business.' early. I had an eight o'clock delivery, and the
When Teruo came back he knew what was up. others had to rush with a big order.
He looked at us for a moment and then went Teruo was there already.
about cleaning the stems of the old flowers.
"Teruo," Mr. Sasaki called.
"Hello," he greeted us cheerfully as we came When a customer came in, Teruo swiftly waited
in. on him as if he owned all the flowers in the
He was unusually high-spirited, and I couldn't world. When the man asked Teruo if he was
account for it. He was finishing up the eight getting fresh flowers, Teruo instantly escorted
o'clock delivery for me. He was almost through the customer into the rear and eventually sold
with it, adding. some ferns, when Tommy came him the fresh ones. He did it with so much
in. grace, dignity and swiftness that we stood
around feeling like his foolish assistants.
When Mr. Sasaki arrived, Teruo waved his However, Mr. Sasaki went on with his work as if
hand and cheerfully went about gathering nothing had happened.
some more flowers for another order. As he Around noon Teruo waited on his second
moved here and there it seemed as if he had customer. He almost ran to greet an elderly lady
forgotten that the three of us were in the shop. who wanted an inexpensive bouquet for a
He looked at each vase, sizing up the flowers. dinner table. This time he not only went back to
He did this with great deliberation, as if he the rear for the fresh flowers, but added three or
were the boss and had the last word in the four extra ones. Tommy and I watched Mr.
shop. Sasaki fuming.
When the customer left the shop Mr. Sasaki
came out of his office, furious. "You're a
blockhead.
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

You have no business sense. What are you He rushed to the second customer's side and
doing here?" he said to Teruo. "Are you persuaded her to buy some roses which were
crazy?“ the freshest of the lot.

Teruo looked cheerful. "I'm not crazy, Mr. She wanted them delivered so he jotted the
Sasaki," he said. "And I'm not dumb. I just like address in the sales book. Then he hurried to
to do it that way, that's all." the third customer.
The boss turned to Tommy and me. "That "I want to buy that orchid in the window," she
boy's a fool," he said. stated without hesitation.
Teruo laughed and walked off to the front with "Do you have to have an orchid?" Teruo asked
a broom. Mr. Sasaki shook his head. "What's the lady.
the matter with him? I can't understand him," "No," she said. "But I want something nice for
he said. tonight's dance, and I think the orchid will match
While the boss was out to lunch Teruo went on my dress. Why do you ask?“
an amazing spree, He waited on three "If I were you I wouldn't buy that orchid," he told
customers at one time, ignoring our presence. her. "It won't last. I could sell it to you and make
a profit but I don't want to do that and spoil your
It was remarkable how he did it. He hurriedly evening. Come to the back, please, and I'll
took one customer's order and helped him show you some of the nicest gardenias. They're
write a card for it. fresh today."
We watched him pick out three of the biggest Mr. Sasaki asked Tommy.
gardenias and make them into a corsage. "No, he won't go out. He says he's not hungry
today," said Tommy.
When the lady went out with her package, a
little boy came in and said he wanted to buy We watched Teruo talking to the young lady.
some flowers which didn't cost too much for Then Teruo went to the rear and picked out a
his mother's birthday. Teruo waited on the boy dozen of the very freshest white roses and
We saw him pick out a dozen expensive roses brought them out to the lady.
and give them to the kid. Aren't they lovely?" we heard her say.
Tommy nudged me. "If he were the boss he We watched him come back, take down a box,
couldn't do those things," he said. place the roses neatly inside, and then give her
"In the first place," I said, "I don't think he could the package. We watched him thank her, and
be a boss.“ we noticed her smile and say thanks.
The lady walked out.
"What do you think?" Tommy said. "Is he Mr. Sasaki ran excitedly to the front.
crazy? Is he trying to get himself fired?" "I "Teruo! She forgot to pay!
don't know," I said. When Mr. Sasaki returned, Teruo stopped the boss from going out.
Teruo was waiting on a young lady. "Wait, Mr. Sasaki," he said. "I gave them to her."
"Did Teruo eat yet?" "What!" the boss cried indignantly.
"She came in just to look around and see the Teruo took the bills. Then he rang up a sale on
flowers. She likes pretty roses.’ the cash register and placed the bills in the
What's the matter with you?" the boss said. drawer.
"Are you crazy? What did she buy?" "All right, I'll go now. I feel fine. I'm happy.
Thanks to you." He waved his hand to Mr.
"Nothing, I tell you," Teruo said. "I gave them Sasaki. "No hard feelings.'
to her because she admired them, and I liked
her." On the way out Teruo remembered us. He
"You're fired! Get out!" Mr. Sasaki sputtered. looked back. "Good-bye. Good luck," he said
"Don't come back to the store again." cheerfully to Tommy and me.
He walked out of the shop with his shoulders
"And I gave her fresh ones too," Teruo said. straight, head high, and whistling. He did not
Mr. Sasaki pulled out several bills from his come back to see us again.
wallet. "Here's your wages for this week.
Now, get out," he Said.
"I don't want it," Teruo said. "You keep it and
buy some more flowers."
"Here, take it. Get out," Mr. Sasaki said.
THE MADMAN ON THE ROOF
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

A father named Gisuke, was As they were on the healing procedure of

concerned about his 24 year old son, Yoshitaro, Suejiro entered and rescued his
Yoshitaro who climbs on the roof to watch brother Yoshitaro. Suejiro defended and
the sunset. One day, Gisuke tried to make reasoned out his brother's condition with their
his son climb down off the roof. But, no parents.
matter how hard Gisuke tried, his son won't
still climb down. So, he ordered Kichiji, Telling them that Yoshitaro was not
their servant to get Yoshitaro on the roof. possessed by an evil spirit rather have
Kichiji went outside to get a ladder. Tosaku, a serious condition. Then, their parents
their neighbor, entered the house and understand and accept the truth about their
noticed what was happening in the house. elder son, Yoshitaro. In the end, Brotherly love
And recognized that it was Yoshitaro again prevails and makes the family unite and
on the roof. Then Tosaku compromise.
recommended a Holy woman that
could cure Yoshitaro.

The Holy Woman came to the house and

she said that Yoshitaro was possessed by an
evil spirit.
TANKA
T A N K A
HISTORY

Japan chronicles of legendary origin Having Seen Them Long

came of Kojiki, and its anthology of
Having seen them long,
poetry through Manyoshu.
I hold the flowers so dear

It is a 31 syllable poem traditionally That when they scatter

written in a single unbroken line.
I find it all the more sad
A form of waka, Japanese song or verse
To bid them my last farewell
translated as “short song” known in its
five line 5-7-5-7-7.
URISHAMA TARU
 Long, long ago in the province of Tango One soft summer twilight he was going home
there lived on the shore of Japan in the little at the end of a day’s fishing when he came
fishing village of Mizu-no-ye a young upon a group of children. They were all
fisherman named Urashima Taro. His father screaming and talking at the tops of their
had been a fisherman before him, and his skill voices, and seemed to be in a state of great
had more than doubly descended to his son, excitement about something, and on his
for Urashima was the most skillful fisher in all going up to them to see what was the matter
that country side, and could catch more Bonito he saw that they were tormenting a tortoise.
and Tai in a day than his comrades could in a First one boy pulled it this way, then another
week. boy pulled it that way, while a third child beat
it with a stick, and the fourth hammered its
But in the little fishing village, more than for shell with a stone.
being a clever fisher of the sea was he known
for his kind heart. In his whole life he had Now Urashima felt very sorry for the poor
never hurt anything, either great or small, and tortoise and made up his mind to rescue it.
when a boy, his companions had always He spoke to the boys: “Look here, boys, you
laughed at him, for he would never join with are treating that poor tortoise so badly that it
them in teasing animals, but always tried to will soon die!”
keep them from this cruel sport.
The boys, who were all of an age when “No, we won’t give you the tortoise,” said one
children seem to delight in being cruel to of the boys. “Why should we? We caught it
animals, took no notice of Urashima’s gentle ourselves.”
reproof, but went on teasing it as before. One “What you say is true,” said Urashima, “but I
of the older boys answered: do not ask you to give it to me for nothing. I will
give you some money for it—in other words,
“Who cares whether it lives or dies? We do the Ojisan (Uncle) will buy it of you. Won’t that
not. Here, boys, go on, go on!” do for you, my boys?” He held up the money to
them, strung on a piece of string through a
And they began to treat the poor tortoise more hole in the center of each coin. “Look, boys,
cruelly than ever. Urashima waited a moment, you can buy anything you like with this money.
turning over in his mind what would be the You can do much more with this money than
best way to deal with the boys. He would try to you can with that poor tortoise. See what good
persuade them to give the tortoise up to him, boys you are to listen to me”
so he smiled at them and said: The boys were not bad boys at all, they were
only mischievous, and as Urashima spoke they
“I am sure you are all good, kind boys! Now were won by his kind smile and gentle words
won’t you give me the tortoise? I should like to and began “to be of his spirit,” as they say in
have it so much!” Japan.
Gradually they all came up to him, the Luckily I was passing by and saved you, and
ringleader of the little band holding out the so life is still yours. Now I am going to take
tortoise to him. you back to your home, the sea, at once. Do
“Very well, Ojisan, we will give you the tortoise not let yourself be caught again, for there
if you will give us the money!” And Urashima might be no one to save you next time!”
took the tortoise and gave the money to the
boys, who, calling to each other, scampered All the time that the kind fisherman was
away and were soon out of sight. speaking he was walking quickly to the shore
and out upon the rocks; then putting the
Then Urashima stroked the tortoise’s back, tortoise into the water he watched the animal
saying as he did so: disappear, and turned homewards himself, for
he was tired and the sun had set.
“Oh, you poor thing! Poor thing!—there, there! The next morning Urashima went out as
you are safe now! They say that a stork lives usual in his boat. The weather was fine and
for a thousand years, but the tortoise for ten the sea and sky were both blue and soft in
thousand years. You have the longest life of the tender haze of the summer morning.
any creature in this world, and you were in Urashima got into his boat and dreamily
great danger of having that precious life cut pushed out to sea, throwing his line as he did
short by those cruel boys. so.
He soon passed the other fishing boats and Startled, and wondering who or what it was
left them behind him till they were lost to sight that had called him so clearly, he looked in all
in the distance, and his boat drifted further and directions round about him and saw that
further out upon the blue waters. Somehow, he without his knowing it a tortoise had come to
knew not why, he felt unusually happy that the side of the boat. Urashima saw with
morning; and he could not help wishing that, surprise that it was the very tortoise he had
like the tortoise he set free the day before, he rescued the day before.
had thousands of years to live instead of his
own short span of human life. He was “Well, Mr. Tortoise,” said Urashima, “was it
suddenly startled from his reverie by hearing you who called my name just now?”
his own name called: “Urashima, Urashima!”
Clear as a bell and soft as the summer wind The tortoise nodded its head several times
the name floated over the sea. He stood up and said:
and looked in every direction, thinking that one
of the other boats had overtaken him, but gaze “Yes, it was I. Yesterday in your honorable
as he might over the wide expanse of water, shadow (o kage sama de) my life was saved,
near or far there was no sign of a boat, so the and I have come to offer you my thanks and
voice could not have come from any human to tell you how grateful I am for your kindness
being. to me.”
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

“Indeed,” said Urashima, “that is very polite of The fisherman shook his head and replied; “No;
you. Come up into the boat. I would offer you a year after year the sea has been my home, but
smoke, but as you are a tortoise doubtless you though I have often heard of the Dragon King’s
do not smoke,” and the fisherman laughed at realm under the sea I have never yet set eyes
the joke. on that wonderful place. It must be very far
away, if it exists at all!”
“He-he-he-he!” laughed the tortoise; “sake
(rice wine) is my favorite refreshment, but I do “Is that really so? You have never seen the Sea
not care for tobacco.” King’s Palace? Then you have missed seeing
one of the most wonderful sights in the whole
“Indeed,” said Urashima, “I regret very much universe. It is far away at the bottom of the sea,
that I have no sake in my boat to offer you, but but if I take you there we shall soon reach the
come up and dry your back in the sun— place. If you would like to see the Sea King’s
tortoises always love to do that.” land I will be your guide.”
So the tortoise climbed into the boat, the
fisherman helping him, and after an exchange “I should like to go there, certainly, and you are
of complimentary speeches the tortoise said: very kind to think of taking me, but you must
“Have you ever seen Rin Gin, the Palace of remember that I am only a poor mortal and
the Dragon King of the Sea, Urashima?” have not the power of swimming like a sea
creature such as you are—”
Before the fisherman could say more the “This is strange indeed!” said Urashima; “Mr.
tortoise stopped him, saying: Tortoise, with your kind permission I will get
on your back. Dokoisho!” he exclaimed as he
“What? You need not swim yourself. If you will jumped on.
ride on my back I will take you without any The tortoise, with an unmoved face, as if this
trouble on your part.” strange proceeding were quite an ordinary
event, said:
“But,” said Urashima, “how is it possible for me
to ride on your small back?” “Now we will set out at our leisure,” and with
these words he leapt into the sea with
“It may seem absurd to you, but I assure you Urashima on his back. Down through the
that you can do so. Try at once! Just come and water the tortoise dived. For a long time these
get on my back, and see if it is as impossible two strange companions rode through the sea.
as you think!” Urashima never grew tired, nor his clothes
moist with the water. At last, far away in the
As the tortoise finished speaking, Urashima distance a magnificent gate appeared, and
looked at its shell, and strange to say he saw behind the gate, the long, sloping roofs of a
that the creature had suddenly grown so big palace on the horizon.
that a man could easily sit on its back.
“Ya.” exclaimed Urashima. “that looks like the “This is Urashima Taro, from the country of
gate of some large palace just appearing! Mr. Japan. I have had the honor of bringing him
Tortoise, can you tell what that place is we can as a visitor to this kingdom. Please show him
now see?” the way.”
Then the gatekeeper, who was a fish, at once
“That is the great gate of the Rin Gin Palace, led the way through the gate before them.
the large roof that you see behind the gate is The red bream, the flounder, the sole, the
the Sea King’s Palace itself.” cuttlefish, and all the chief vassals of the
Dragon King of the Sea now came out with
“Then we have at last come to the realm of the courtly bows to welcome the stranger.
Sea King and to his Palace,” said Urashima. “Urashima Sama, Urashima Sama! welcome
to the Sea Palace, the home of the Dragon
“Yes, indeed,” answered the tortoise, “and King of the Sea. Thrice welcome are you,
don’t you think we have come very quickly?” having come from such a distant country. And
And while he was speaking the tortoise you, Mr. Tortoise, we are greatly indebted to
reached the side of the gate. “And here we you for all your trouble in bringing Urashima
are, and you must please walk from here.” here.” Then, turning again to Urashima, they
said, “Please follow us this way,” and from
The tortoise now went in front, and speaking to here the whole band of fishes became his
the gatekeeper, said: guides.
Urashima, being only a poor fisher lad, did not Then he remembered that he ought to bow,
know how to behave in a palace; but, strange but before he could make a low obeisance
though it was all to him, he did not feel the Princess took him by the hand and led
ashamed or embarrassed, but followed his him to a beautiful hall, and to the seat of
kind guides quite calmly where they led to the honor at the upper end, and bade him be
inner palace. When he reached the portals a seated.
beautiful Princess with her attendant maidens
came out to welcome him. She was more “Urashima Taro, it gives me the highest
beautiful than any human being, and was pleasure to welcome you to my father’s
robed in flowing garments of red and soft kingdom,” said the Princess. “Yesterday you
green like the under side of a wave, and set free a tortoise, and I have sent for you to
golden threads glimmered through the folds of thank you for saving my life, for I was that
her gown. Her lovely black hair streamed over tortoise. Now if you like you shall live here
her shoulders in the fashion of a king’s forever in the land of eternal youth, where
daughter many hundreds of years ago, and summer never dies and where sorrow never
when she spoke her voice sounded like music comes, and I will be your bride if you will, and
over the water. Urashima was lost in wonder we will live together happily forever
while he looked upon her, and he could not afterwards!”
speak.
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

And as Urashima listened to her sweet words The bridal was celebrated with dazzling
and gazed upon her lovely face his heart was splendor, and in the Sea King’s realm there
filled with a great wonder and joy, and he was great rejoicing. As soon as the young
answered her, wondering if it was not all a pair had pledged themselves in the wedding
dream: “Thank you a thousand times for your cup of wine, three times three, music was
kind speech. There is nothing I could wish for played, and songs were sung, and fishes with
more than to be permitted to stay here with silver scales and golden tails stepped in from
you in this beautiful land, of which I have often the waves and danced. Urashima enjoyed
heard, but have never seen to this day. himself with all his heart. Never in his whole
Beyond all words, this is the most wonderful life had he sat down to such a marvelous
place I have ever seen.” feast.
While he was speaking a train of fishes When the feast was over the Princes asked
appeared, all dressed in ceremonial, trailing the bridegroom if he would like to walk
garments. One by one, silently and with stately through the palace and see all there was to
steps, they entered the hall, bearing on coral be seen. Then the happy fisherman, following
trays delicacies of fish and seaweed, such as his bride, the Sea King’s daughter, was
no one can dream of, and this wondrous feast shown all the wonders of that enchanted land
was set before the bride and bridegroom. where youth and joy go hand in hand and
neither time nor age can touch them.
The palace was built of coral and adorned with Looking to the west the autumn maples were
pearls, and the beauties and wonders of the ablaze like a sunset sky, and the
place were so great that the tongue fails to chrysanthemums were in perfection.
describe them. Looking to the north the change made
Urashima start, for the ground was silver
But, to Urashima, more wonderful than the white with snow, and trees and bamboos
palace was the garden that surrounded it. were also covered with snow and the pond
Here was to be seen at one time the scenery was thick with ice.
of the four different seasons; the beauties of
summer and winter, spring and autumn, were And each day there were new joys and new
displayed to the wondering visitor at once. wonders for Urashima, and so great was his
happiness that he forgot everything, even the
First, when he looked to the east, the plum and home he had left behind and his parents and
cherry trees were seen in full bloom, the his own country, and three days passed
nightingales sang in the pink avenues, and without his even thinking of all he had left
butterflies flitted from flower to flower. behind. Then his mind came back to him and
Looking to the south all the trees were green in he remembered who he was, and that he did
the fullness of summer, and the day cicala and not belong to this wonderful land or the Sea
the night cricket chirruped loudly. King’s palace, and he said to himself:
“O dear! I must not stay on here, for I have Then Otohime Sama began to weep, and
an old father and mother at home. What can said softly and sadly:
have happened to them all this time? How
anxious they must have been these days “Is it not well with you here, Urashima, that
when I did not return as usual. I must go you wish to leave me so soon? Where is the
back at once without letting one more day haste? Stay with me yet another day only!”
pass.” And he began to prepare for the
journey in great haste. But Urashima had remembered his old
parents, and in Japan the duty to parents is
Then he went to his beautiful wife, the stronger than everything else, stronger even
Princess, and bowing low before her he said: than pleasure or love, and he would not be
persuaded, but answered:
“Indeed, I have been very happy with you for
a long time, Otohime Sama” (for that was her “Indeed, I must go. Do not think that I wish to
name), “and you have been kinder to me leave you. It is not that. I must go and see my
than any words can tell. But now I must say old parents. Let me go for one day and I will
good-by. I must go back to my old parents.” come back to you.”
“Then,” said the Princess sorrowfully, “there is That,” answered the Princess “is the tamate-
nothing to be done. I will send you back to-day bako (Box of the Jewel Hand), and it contains
to your father and mother, and instead of trying something very precious. You must not open
to keep you with me one more day, I shall give this box, whatever happens! If you open it
you this as a token of our love—please take it something dreadful will happen to you! Now
back with you;” and she brought him a promise me that you will never open this box!”
beautiful lacquer box tied about with a silken
cord and tassels of red silk. And Urashima promised that he would never,
never open the box whatever happened.
Urashima had received so much from the
Princess already that he felt some Then bidding good-by to Otohime Sama he
compunction in taking the gift, and said: went down to the seashore, the Princess and
her attendants following him, and there he
“It does not seem right for me to take yet found a large tortoise waiting for him.
another gift from you after all the many favors I
have received at your hands, but because it is He quickly mounted the creature’s back and
your wish I will do so,” and then he added: was carried away over the shining sea into
the East.
“Tell me what is this box?”
 BERNADETH ALVAREZ

He looked back to wave his hand to Otohime The shore is the same and the hills are the
Sama till at last he could see her no more, and same, but the people that he sees walking
the land of the Sea King and the roofs of the past him have very different faces to those he
wonderful palace were lost in the far, far had known so well before.
distance. Then, with his face turned eagerly
towards his own land, he looked for the rising Wondering what it can mean he walks quickly
of the blue hills on the horizon before him. towards his old home. Even that looks
different, but a house stands on the spot, and
At last the tortoise carried him into the bay he he calls out:
knew so well, and to the shore from whence
he had set out. He stepped on to the shore “Father, I have just returned!” and he was
and looked about him while the tortoise rode about to enter, when he saw a strange man
away back to the Sea King’s realm. coming out.

But what is the strange fear that seizes “Perhaps my parents have moved while I
Urashima as he stands and looks about him? have been away, and have gone somewhere
Why does he gaze so fixedly at the people that else,” was the fisherman’s thought. Somehow
pass him by, and why do they in turn stand he began to feel strangely anxious, he could
and look at him? not tell why.
“Excuse me,” said he to the man who was When Urashima heard these strange words
staring at him, “but till within the last few days I he was frightened, and said:
have lived in this house. My name is Urashima
Taro. Where have my parents gone whom I left “Please, please, you must not joke with me, I
here?” am greatly perplexed. I am really Urashima
A very bewildered expression came over the Taro, and I certainly have not lived three
face of the man, and, still gazing intently on hundred years. Till four or five days ago I
Urashima’s face, he said: lived on this spot. Tell me what I want to know
without more joking, please.”
“What? Are you Urashima Taro?”
But the man’s face grew more and more
“Yes,” said the fisherman, “I am Urashima grave, and he answered:
Taro!”
“You may or may not be Urashima Taro, I
“Ha, ha!” laughed the man, “you must not don’t know. But the Urashima Taro of whom I
make such jokes. It is true that once upon a have heard is a man who lived three hundred
time a man called Urashima Taro did live in years ago. Perhaps you are his spirit come to
this village, but that is a story three hundred revisit your old home?”
years old. He could not possibly be alive now!”
“Why do you mock me?” said Urashima. “I am He seemed to be in a strange dream. The few
no spirit! I am a living man—do you not see my days he had spent in the Sea King’s palace
feet;” and “don-don,” he stamped on the beyond the sea had not been days at all: they
ground, first with one foot and then with the had been hundreds of years, and in that time
other to show the man. (Japanese ghosts have his parents had died and all the people he
no feet.) had ever known, and the village had written
down his story. There was no use in staying
“But Urashima Taro lived three hundred years here any longer. He must get back to his
ago, that is all I know; it is written in the village beautiful wife beyond the sea.
chronicles, ”persisted the man, who could not
believe what the fisherman said. He made his way back to the beach, carrying
in his hand the box which the Princess had
Urashima was lost in bewilderment and given him. But which was the way? He could
trouble. He stood looking all around him, not find it alone! Suddenly he remembered
terribly puzzled, and, indeed, something in the the box, the tamate-bako.
appearance of everything was different to what
he remembered before he went away, and the “The Princess told me when she gave me the
awful feeling came over him that what the man box never to open it—that it contained a very
said was perhaps true. precious thing.
 BERNADETH ALLANA ALVAREZ

But now that I have no home, now that I have For an instant it covered his face and
lost everything that was dear to me here, and wavered over him as if loath to go, and then it
my heart grows thin with sadness, at such a floated away like vapor over the sea.
time, if I open the box, surely I shall find
something that will help me, something that Urashima, who had been till that moment like
will show me the way back to my beautiful a strong and handsome youth of twenty-four,
Princess over the sea. There is nothing else suddenly became very, very old. His back
for me to do now. Yes, yes, I will open the box doubled up with age, his hair turned snowy
and look in!” white, his face wrinkled and he fell down dead
on the beach.
And so his heart consented to this act of
disobedience, and he tried to persuade himself Poor Urashima! because of his disobedience
that he was doing the right thing in breaking he could never return to the Sea King’s realm
his promise. Slowly, very slowly, he untied the or the lovely Princess beyond the sea.
red silk cord, slowly and wonderingly he lifted
the lid of the precious box. And what did he Little children, never be disobedient to those
find? Strange to say only a beautiful little who are wiser than you for disobedience was
purple cloud rose out of the box in three soft the beginning of all the miseries and sorrows
wisps. of life.