Tales from Old Japanese Dramas/The Miracle at the Ferry of Yaguchi
The Miracle at the Ferry of Yaguchi
From
The Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi
By
Hiraga Gennai
The Miracle at the Ferry of Yaguchi
I
HE Emperor Go-Daigo reigned between the years a.d. 1319 and 1339. During his latter days the traitor Ashikaga Taka-uji set up another Emperor in the person of Prince Toyohito, who was a kinsman of Go-Daigo. Thus it came to pass that the old Japanese saying, "Just as there is one sun in Heaven, so there is one emperor on Earth," was contradicted by the fact that two emperors reigned at one and the same time, and they and their sons contended with each other for the sovereignty for more than half a century. During this time, Go-Daigo's line was known as the Southern Dynasty, and the other as the Northern Dynasty.[1]
This state of affairs was very similar to the Wars of the Roses in English History.
The Southern Dynasty was the legitimate line, so all the loyal patriots espoused its cause; but Taka-uji's forces were so powerful, that Kusunoki Masashigé, Nitta Yoshisada, and many other heroes, were slain in the struggle against him.
Nitta Yoshi-oki, who was as brave as his father Yoshisada, now became a pillar of the Southern Court. The Emperor Go-Murakami, the son of Go-Daigo, commanded him to march to Kamakura in order to subjugate Taka-uji. But Yoshi-oki earnestly remonstrated with the Emperor, saying that it was not the right time to punish the traitor. The latter's army was too powerful, so it was absolutely necessary for the Southern Court to drill its troops for a few years, and lay in a store of provisions and ammunition, before it could hope to conquer the enemy. But the Emperor refused to listen to Yoshi-oki's suggestions, for
he was influenced by some powerful court nobles who were in traitorous communication with the Northern Court, and were plotting to destroy Yoshi-oki. The latter therefore had no choice but to reluctantly undertake the battle.
His brother Yoshiminé, a young and finely built warrior, had secretly taken to visiting the gay quarters of the Capital. There, he fell in love with a celebrated beauty named Utena, with whom he had exchanged vows of fidelity. One of his boon companions was a samurai named Takezawa Kemmotsu, who was a great villain. His father had been one of Nitta Yoshisada's retainers, but he was like a weathercock, and had early gone over to Taka-uji. He resolved to make an end of Yoshi-oki, in order to court the favour of the chieftain. He found out that Yoshiminé had begun to lead a gay life, so he also often visited the pleasure quarters incognito, and succeeded in obtaining access to him. The crafty rascal wormed his way into Yoshiminé's good graces, through whose recommendations he had treacherously become one of General Yoshi-oki's retainers. In his favour he had speedily risen, until he was now the captain of a regiment.
The day appointed for the march arrived. General Yoshi-oki, accompanied by a large retinue, visited the Shrine of Hachiman, the God of War, to pray for the fortune of his army, and to parade his troops in the field adjacent to the Shrine. All his officers, including Yoshiminé and Kemmotsu, sat in state in the hall of worship.
When the prayers were ended, Yoshi-oki said to Kemmotsu: "I think we shall fight with Ashikaga Taka-uji, on the plain of Musashino.[2] I suppose you who are a native of Musashi Province, are well acquainted with the topography of the plain. I therefore appoint you guide to our troops, and your regiment shall be the vanguard."
Kemmotsu bowed his head with reverence, and answered with a feigned air of gratitude:
"I cannot express my feelings of pleasure, my lord. I am only a new-comer, and therefore it is a great honour to be favoured with this important task. My abilities are poor, but I shall do my best to give you satisfaction."
Just at that moment, a sudden gust of wind blew out all the lights on the altar. All present were speechless with horror. Yoshi-oki took the event to be an omen of his defeat in the forthcoming battle. He therefore bade his brother remain in the Capital, and do his utmost to protect the Imperial Court, Yoshiminé begged to be allowed to participate in the battle, but his request was refused. Yoshi-oki then produced two beautiful arrows. These arrows were respectively called "Suiha" and "Hyōha," or "Water Destruction," and "War Destruction," and were famous treasures of the Nittas. Tradition says that a great master of archery in ancient China, named Yō-Yuki, had made his daughter Shokwa give them to Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu, an ancestor of the Nittas, in a dream. Then Yoshi-oki handed them to Yoshiminé, and said:
"Take special care of these arrows. I have heard that our enemy Taka-uji who is said to be a descendant of General Yorimitsu, wishes to possess them. If I should take them, and unfortunately fall on the battlefield, he may obtain them from me. So I order you to keep them with you, and once again I tell you to remain here, and do your utmost to guard the Imperial Court from danger."
This command was so peremptory, that Yoshiminé did not dare to repeat his entreaty.
"Your commands shall be obeyed, sir," was his reply.
Then Yoshi-oki summoned his officers and men, and after bidding his brother farewell, set out for Musashi.
Yoshiminé was left alone, arrows in hand, gazing ruefully in the direction of the advancing troops, until they had disappeared from sight. While he stood thus gazing vacantly into space, suddenly there arose the sound of loud laughter and animated conversation. Presently, to his surprise and pleasure, his sweetheart Utena appeared, attended by some girls and buffoons. She ran up to him.
"How glad I am to see you, Lord Yoshiminé!" said she, her face beaming with joy. "I heard that you were starting for battle to-day, so I came here some time ago, with my people, to bid you farewell. We hid ourselves behind the hedges and saw what happened. You can imagine my joy when I heard that you were to remain here in the Capital! How glad I am!"
"Allow us to congratulate you on your mutual happiness, Lord Yoshiminé, and fair Utena," cried all the buffoons and girls, with one voice.
"We will drink to your health!"
So saying, they clasped the young warrior by the hand and led him into a tea-house close by. There they spread the table for lunch, and produced some saké which they had brought, and entertained him with liquor and music. He was soon in a jovial mood and drank so heavily that he dropped asleep. Soon afterwards, Utena and the other girls went away, and the buffoons seizing the opportunity, softly approached the soundly sleeping warrior, stole his arrows, and escaped unnoticed.
Some minutes later, Yoshiminé awoke and looked about him; but alas! his arrows were missing. He was sure that they had been stolen by spies of the enemy. What excuse could he find to escape the blame of such negligence? He was so overwhelmed with sorrow and despair, that he drew his dirk from its sheath, and was about to stab himself in the abdomen, when Utena, who had just returned, seized his wrist, and bursting into tears, said: "Don't be so rash! I can quite understand your sorrow, but if you kill yourself, who would search for the arrows? Someone must let Lord Yoshi-oki know of this misfortune, or the arrows will never be restored. This trouble is my fault; the responsibility must rest on me. Let us search for the arrows together, even if we have to travel throughout Japan—nay, to the end of the world. So the sooner we can set out the better."
At her advice, Yoshiminé took heart and abandoned the idea of committing suicide. He then began to make preparations to search for the arrows. At this moment, the erstwhile buffoons appeared on the scene, dressed in full armour, at the head of a party of soldiers.
"Prepare for death, Yoshiminé!" cried they. "We are retainers of Lord Ashikaga Taka-uji. We waited on you, disguised as buffoons, in order to steal your arrows. Now that we have secured them, we will take your head to present it to our lord."
Yoshiminé was highly incensed, and encountered the soldiers with his great sword, and fought desperately for a while. But, although he was a master-hand at fencing, it was impossible for him to face such odds. He was gradually put on the defensive, and it looked every moment as if he would be struck down. But fortune favoured him. Just at that moment a brave officer of Yoshi-oki's, named Shinozuka Hachirō, who had failed to arrive at the hour appointed for the march, happened to make his appearance. He rushed to Yoshiminé's rescue, and attacked the soldiers fiercely. After fighting for a little while, he killed the buffoons and some of the soldiers, and put the rest to flight. He then urged Yoshiminé and his sweetheart to escape, and when they were well out of the way, the hero ran to overtake the marching army.
II
The armies met on the plain of Musashino, and a bloody battle followed. The Imperial troops fought so bravely, that the traitor's army, although it was far superior in numbers, showed signs of being defeated. To rally the wavering troops, Eda Hangwan, who was one of Taka-uji's generals, fought desperately, whereupon they were restored to order, and Yoshi-oki's army in its turn was thrown into confusion.
"Our men are cowards," cried Takezawa Kemmotsu, plunging into Eda's ranks, and fighting with great courage. His strokes were so mighty that Eda and his men took to their heels. Kemmotsu overtook him, and they engaged in single bombat. After fighting for some time they threw their swords down, and grappled with each other with Herculean strength. They looked around them, and finding that nobody was near, they each said, "It is not necessary for us to fight any longer." As they spoke, they unclasped their arms and rose to their feet.
But a warrior seized the tail of his horse
"Eda," whispered Kemmotsu, "you fled very skilfully."
"No," replied Eda laughingly, "your chase was far better than my flight, I think."
"As we are both so skilful, I am sure that the sagacious Yoshi-oki cannot suspect our tricks."
"That is true. It will be very easy for us to entice him to the ferry of Yaguchi, and thus lead him to his ruin"
At this moment, they were startled to hear a tumult of war-shouts, and the clattering of hoofs. They hastily took up their swords and battled with each other for a little while, and as before Eda took to flight, and Kemmotsu pursued him.
With regard to Yoshi-oki, he was determined to search out Taka-uji, and to fight with him in single combat, in order to decide the issue. Therefore he spurred his steed and began to gallop towards the enemy's ranks. But a warrior wearing a mino or straw waterproof over his armour, and whose face was almost completely muffled in a hood, sprang forward, and firmly seizing the tail of his horse, drew the animal back. "What insolence!" cried the General with intense irritation. "Let go your hold, rascal!"
With these words, he gave his horse a sharp cut with his whip. The swift-footed steed, feeling the sting of the whip, galloped on again. But the masked warrior did not loose his firm hold on the horse's tail, and was dragged some way. In the confusion his hood fell off, and his face was exposed to view. Yoshi-oki scrutinized him carefully, and was astonished to recognize his retainer Yura Hyōgo, whom he had ordered to stay in charge of his castle at Nitta, which was situated in the province of Kōzuké.
"Why are you here, Hyōgo?" cried Yoshi-oki angrily. "Why have you come to the battlefield? Why are you trying to stop me?"
"Excuse the liberty I am taking, my lord," replied Hyōgo, bursting into tears, "but I feel that it is my duty to say that I think it is unbecoming to your lordship, who is the commander-in-chief, to resort to such rash and brutal methods. I have listened eagerly to all the reports of the war, and have gathered that you are resolved to fight to the death. I therefore left Minasé Rokurō in charge of the castle, and hurried alone here to try and dissuade your lordship, by any means in my power, to change your rash intentions. If your lordship should be killed by any rash deed on your part, who is there to guard the Emperor and accomplish the great task of subduing the traitor? Think carefully over the matter, before you decide to proceed, my lord."
Hyōgo had scarcely spoken, when Kemmotsu came up, carrying two or three heads.
"I have glad news for your lordship," said he fervently. "The traitor has found it impossible to resist the fierce attack of our troops, and his regiments have fled like cowards to Kamakura. Your lordship had better avail yourself of this opportunity. You should give chase to the enemy without a moment's delay. You can, then, I am sure, readily take Taka-uji's head. Your chance has come, my lord."
The excited General was so delighted to hear this news, that he could not afford to hesitate. He immediately ordered his troops to advance in pursuit of the retreating enemy. He then spurred his horse on, in order to ride at the head of his ranks. But Hyōgo grasped his horse's bit, in order to keep the animal back. Yoshi-oki cried out with rage, and raising his war-fan, he soundly beat his retainer about the face with it. The faithful samurai, however, did not let go his hold, but exerted all his strength to keep back the horse, Yoshi-oki became furiously angry.
"Loosen your hold at once, you insolent wretch," roared he. "I discharge you! You are no longer one of my retainers,"—and fiercely kicking Hyōgo, he galloped away.
Meanwhile Yoshi-oki's wife, Lady Tsukuba, and his only son Tokuju-maru a three-year-old child, resided in the castle at Nitta in Kōzuké, which was guarded by Minasé Rokurō, and a little garrison. They were waited upon by Hyōgo's wife, Minato, and the wives of the leading samurai. They fervently prayed for victory, and anxiously waited for the news of the battle at Musashino.
They were talking of the engagement when Hyōgo returned from the front, and gave them an account of the battle. "His lordship was so elated by the victory," he said, "that he thoughtlessly proposed to give chase to the fleeing enemy and attack his headquarters, Kamakura. I earnestly remonstrated with him, and told him that it was a rash and dangerous undertaking, but in vain. He not only turned a deaf ear to my words, but became violently angry, and immediately dismissed me from his service, and rode away in hot pursuit of the enemy."
At this moment a warrior staggered into the courtyard. He was a ghastly-looking object, being covered with blood. "News! News!" he cried faintly, and fell to the ground. He was none other than Shinozuka Hachirō, mentioned above. He was severely wounded in several places, and gasping for breath. Hyōgo rushed to him and cried: "Courage, Hachirō! Give us the news of the battle."
The wounded man made an effort to pull himself together, and gasped out: "After the victory of the Imperial troops, our lord ordered them to pursue the enemy, and he hastened with them towards Kamakura. But previous to this, the traitor Takezawa Kemmotsu, with the assistance of Eda Hangwan, had given orders for the bottom of the Yaguchi ferry-boat, of the River Tama, to be bored through, and the hole to be temporarily filled with a plug. The ferryman then waited for our lord's arrival. He and some ten officers got on board, quite ignorant of the mean artifice which had been played on them. When the boat was well under way in mid-stream, the boatmen purposely dropped their sculls as if by accident, and pretending to stoop in order to regain them, drew out the plug. They then plunged over the side of the boat, and swam to the bank. The water rushed into the boat, and rapidly filled it. Immediately afterwards Hangwan's troops appeared on one bank, and Kemmotsu's troops on the other, both uttering terrible war-shouts. They both came at the same moment, and shot a terrible shower of arrows at the unfortunate Lord Yoshi-oki and his officers. His lordship was infuriated at Kemmotsu's treachery, but it was impossible to fight under such adverse circumstances, so he stripped his abdomen, and stabbed himself to death. Then all the ten officers followed his example, and killed themselves. Seeing this, our troops were so disheartened, that they were easily and completely defeated by the traitor's army. Oh, it was terrible! Mortally wounded as I am, I have come back to report all this to you. Now the time for my death has come! Farewell, my lady, and my friends!"
With these words, Hachirō suddenly drew out a dagger, and cutting his throat, soon breathed his last. All were filled with horror and consternation at the dreadful news and ghastly sight. They were still in a state of stupefaction, when two or three soldiers on patrol rushed in, and reported that hostile troops were marching upon the castle. Soon afterwards Kemmotsu rode up to the other side of the moat, and made a fierce attack upon the building. After a severe struggle, most of the garrison fell, and the attacking troops captured the castle. But Hyōgo, his wife, and Rokurō, hastily disguised themselves, and made their escape, guarding Lady Tsukuba and their baby Lord Tokuju-maru. The poor fugitives wandered separately from place to place. Rokurō and Hyōgo suffered indescribable hardships for the sake of their young master. Rokurō lost his life in his faithful efforts, and Hyōgo killed his son Tomochiyo, a three-year-old child, to deceive Taka-uji's spies into believing that he had faithlessly murdered Tokuju-maru. Thus the trusty warrior was able to protect his infant master to the end.
III
The ferry of Yaguchi, at which General Yoshi-oki died such a tragic death, was situated in the lower stream of the River Tama which flows about ten miles west of Tokyo. The ferryman was an old man named Tombei, and he was the incarnation of avarice and inhumanity. It was he who had, at the order of Takezawa Kemmotsu, bored the hole in the bottom of the boat and assisted him in the destruction of Yoshi-oki.
As a reward for so successfully accomplishing this villainous deed, Tombei had been rewarded by Taka-uji with a large sum of money. This money he had invested in gambling, and had speculated with it in various ways. These transactions had been fortunate, and his coffer had suddenly become full to overflowing. He was now a rich man, and well-known along the countryside. He had recently built a fine house with a splendid parlour upstairs. This house overlooked the river, and he was leading there a life of comfort with his only daughter, and his assistant boatman. The boatman's name was Rokuzō, and he was as greedy a knave as his master.
Tombei was fat, heavily built, red-faced, and he had a demoniacal expression.
His daughter O-Funé was a striking contrast to him. She was a peerlessly beautiful maiden of eighteen summers, with a sweet disposition and graceful manner. The villagers were loud in her praise and called her, "a peacock born of a crow."
The avaricious Tombei was not content with his condition. He decorated his tokonoma or alcove with a scull and a straw waterproof, as mementos of the means by which he had bettered his circumstances. It was his burning ambition to "pile up a mountain of gold" by another mean artifice.
Kemmotsu had given him orders, that if he came across any Nitta fugitives, particularly Yoshiminé, he was to arrest them, and bring them to him. It had been arranged that, on his finding a refugee, Tombei should fire a rocket as a signal. On catching sight of the signal, trumpets should be blown in the neighbouring villages, and the villagers were to be on the alert not to let the refugee escape. If he should be caught or killed, the announcement should be made by the beating of a drum. In the yard of Tombei's residence a rocket was always kept ready, and a large drum was hung in the room upstairs, so that preparations for an emergency had been made.
One evening after dusk Yoshiminé and his love Utena, who were quite ignorant of these arrangements, wandered to the ferry of Yaguchi on a weary journey to Nitta. Here Yoshiminé intended to gather together the remnant of Yoshi-oki's retainers, and with them form a basis to organize forces in order to subdue the traitor. Glancing at the stream, the young warrior called to mind the horrors of his brother's death, and shed bitter tears of mortification.
They were desirous of crossing the river, but there was no one there whom they could employ to take them. Yoshiminé then knocked at Tombei's door. The old ferryman and his assistant were absent, but O-Funé, who was in charge of the house, appeared.
"What do you want, sir?" she asked.
"We wish to cross the river. Please ask the ferryman to take us over."
The girl looked at him, and blushed "as red as a maple leaf." She had succumbed to his charms and had fallen in love with him at first sight.
"It is true we have boats," said she, "but these days the villagers keep vigilant watch for refugees, and so we never ferry travellers across after sunset. Furthermore the ferrymen are all away."
"We are pressed for time," said Yoshiminé with a look of perplexity. "There is no inn in these parts it seems, and night is fast falling. So please find some means of taking us over."
"Alas! That is quite impossible. If there is no inn, you can put up at my house to-night, sir."
"Then will you kindly allow us to do so?"
"Certainly, sir."
"Many thanks," said Yoshiminé, bowing to her, and calling to his betrothed to come in.
When O-Funé caught sight of the beautiful woman, she betrayed signs of disappointment.
Utena saluted her politely and O-Funé conducted the pair into the room upstairs.
As she came downstairs, O-Funé thought to herself: "What a splendid, noble-looking man he is! He is just the kind of man I should like to have for a husband. How happy I could be with him! I wonder what relation his companion is to him! I hope she is not his wife! If she is, I don't know what I shall do!"
As she was sitting thus, wrapped in thought Yoshiminé came down and said: "Will you kindly give me a cup of tea?"
"With pleasure, sir," said the maiden, her heart beating fast. "May I make so bold as to ask you whether your companion is your sister or your lady, sir?"
Yoshiminé was surprised at this unexpected question, but the next instant he guessed what was passing in her mind.
"She is my sister," he answered. "She has been ill for a long time, so I am taking her to the Temple of Kwannon[3] at Asakusa, to pray for her recovery."
"How glad I am to hear that!" said the girl, sighing with relief. "My lord, you may stay at my house as long as you choose, even ten or twenty days, nay ten or a hundred years." With these words she dropped her face, and clinging to his sleeve, would not let him go.
"You are very kind," said Yoshiminé "You 
She smiled archly and ...
don't yearn for me in vain," and he pressed her hand.
Her cheeks were covered with blushes, and she drew closer to him. In another moment they were clasped in a close embrace. At that moment they heard footsteps outside. They were so startled that they sprang apart, and Yoshiminé hastened upstairs, leaving the girl behind.
O-Finé remained as one in a dream. Suddenly her father's assistant Rokuzō rushed in with a sword at his side and a fierce expression on his face. He said in a whisper: "I am sure the two people upstairs are Nitta refugees. Yes, the man must be Yoshiminé." With these words he was on the point of darting up, when the girl suddenly sprang to her feet, and barred his way.
"Rokuzō!" she cried. "What do you mean to do with the travellers?"
"Why, girl," answered he angrily. "I intend to bind them fast, and gain a reward. Out of my way!"
O-Funé reflected a moment and hurriedly made her plans. She smiled archly and said: "Well, I won't use force against you, Rokuzō. But you know the man is a strong warrior. I fear that you may be beaten and hurt. If you risk your life merely to gain a miserable reward, all your fine speeches to me are but lies. You have often asked me to be your wife. If you wish to marry me, you must take care of yourself."
"Do you really mean what you say, my dear O-Funé?" asked Rokuzō, his tone suddenly softening. "I believe that you are enamoured of that fellow upstairs, and deceiving me to save his life."
"If you doubt me so much," answered she peevishly, "you had better do as you please."
"Well, then," said Rokuzō, bursting out into a cold sweat. "Do you intend to become my wife, if I?"
"Yes, of course," assured she, looking at him tenderly. "If you understand that it is my intention to save you from getting hurt, it would be better for you to hasten, and consult my father about the matter. He has gone to the village headman's house."
"Well, then, I will go there and see him. While I am away, please take care not to let that fellow upstairs escape, my dear wife."
With these words, Rokuzō ran out joyfully. O-Funé heaved a sigh of relief as she bolted the gate. She then returned to the room, and pondered as to how she could save Yoshiminé's life.
In the still watches of that night, when the crescent moon was sadly hanging in the sky, and the confused murmur of the stream alone broke the silence, two dark figures glided out of the bamboo brake, which was situated behind the yard of Tombei's house. They were the ferryman himself, and his assistant.
"We must make no noise," Tombei whispered to Rokuzō, "or my daughter may awake and hinder us, so I will steal in alone. You will keep a sharp watch outside, and if they attempt to escape, despatch them without a moment's delay."
The old man tried to open the gate, but he was so feeble that it would not open. He became impatient, and drawing his great sword, he cut a hole in the wall with it, and soon found himself inside. He then went underneath the upstairs parlour and thrust his sword through the floor with all his might. Immediately a piercing shriek was heard in the room and blood dripped down along the sword. Rejoicing at his success, Tombei climbed a ladder, and kicking away the shōji, entered the room. He tore the bedclothes from off the bed, and looked at the face on which the moonbeams were shining brightly. Alas! It was not Yoshiminé, but Tombei's own daughter O-Funé, groaning, with the blood flowing fast from her wounds.
He was filled with astonishment, but instead of aiding the unfortunate girl, he roared out furiously: "Where have Yoshiminé and the woman fled to? Tell me at once!"
"Father!" said she in low and plaintive tones, "I am ashamed to confess the truth, but I fell deeply in love with the traveller, the first time I saw him. I was astonished to hear Rokuzō say that he was Yoshiminé. After sending Rokuzō away, I met Yoshiminé, and laid bare my secret to him. He said he could not marry me in this life, for I was the daughter of his brother's murderer. If, however, I could give him some proof that I did not share your opinions, he would gladly take me for his wife in the next world. I was overjoyed with his promise, but told him that there was great danger in his staying here longer. ,_Mr._Danshiro_as_Tombei_(on_the_right).jpg)
Mr. Utayemon as O-Funé (on the left), Mr. Danshirō as Tombei (on the right)
I therefore took him and his sister beyond the river, by boat "
When he heard her words, Tombei flew into a terrible passion. Gnashing his teeth, and stamping on the mat, he roared: "Shameless wanton! For the sake of your love, you have disclosed your father's great secret, and let a bird in his snare fly away."
With these words, he fell upon her and struck her several times with his clenched fist.
"If you have any pity," entreated O-Funé, failing under the double weight of her wound and these blows, "give up your evil intention and save Yoshiminé. Pray grant my request!"
"Pshaw!" said the unfeeling ruffian, smiling bitterly. "If I let Yoshiminé escape, I shall break my promise to Takezawa."
The girl caught at his sleeve, but he thrust her aside and leaped down into the yard. Seizing the rocket which was standing there ready, he set fire to it. The signal went off with a loud report, and at the alarm trumpets were blown in the villages.
On hearing the sound, the dying maiden started up with amazement, and thinking that Yoshiminé was in imminent danger, she wept bitterly.
But she thought of a happy idea. Looking up at the drum which was hanging in the room, she said to herself:
"I have heard that this drum is to be beaten as a signal that a refugee has been caught. If they should hear it, they would cease to look for any one. Here is my chance of saving my dear Lord Yoshiminé."
Her courage revived when she thought this, and reaching out her trembling hand, she took the drum-stick and gave the drum one strong blow.
Rokuzō, who was on the watch downstairs, was amazed at the sound of the drum. He rushed up and tried to drag O-Funé away, but she made a desperate effort to push him off. While they were struggling thus, Tombei jumped into a boat and sculled it with might and main in pursuit of Yoshiminé.
When O-Funé saw her father in the boat, she became frantic with despair, and uttered several loud screams. "Father! Father!" she cried, "Wait just one moment!" It was in vain. Then she seized the drum-stick again, but Rokuzō prevented her once more. With desperate courage she drew a dirk, and cut at the rascal, who in trying to avoid the blade of her dagger, fell head-foremost into the river. When she was thus freed from her antagonist, the girl seized the scabbard of the dirk, and beat the drum continuously. Tombei rowed and rowed with all his strength, and Rokuzō, being a powerful swimmer, in spite of his wound, swam skilfully across the swift current toward the opposite shore. In the meantime, O-Funé's strokes on the drum became weaker and weaker, until she fell to the mat utterly exhausted, and a moment later, breathed her last.
Tombei soon reached the shore, and leaping up the bank, ran fast. Yoshiminé, who was hiding behind a bush, suddenly rushed out with a drawn sword in his hand and cried: "Prepare for death, murderer of my brother!"
The old man was undaunted, and took up the challenge, and they closed in desperate single combat. But very soon Tombei accidentally stumbled, and Yoshiminé held him down, with the intention of cutting off his head. At this moment Rokuzō ran up, and catching Utena who was standing near, by the hair, cried: "Yoshiminé, if you kill my master, I will take revenge on this woman!"
Yoshiminé was quite taken aback at this threat and involuntarily slackened his hold. Seizing the opportunity, Tombei shook himself free from the warrior's grasp, and in his turn, held the other down. Then Rokuzō came to assist his master and struck Yoshiminé severely with a stout pole, and the hapless samurai seemed to be on the verge of destruction. But at that moment, two white-feathered arrows came whizzing through the air and lodged in the throats of the villains, who fell to the ground dead.
Yoshiminé sprang up and gazed round to see what wonderful fate had saved him from the jaws of death. He then drew out the arrows and examined them carefully. To his great astonishment and boundless joy, they proved to be the arrows "Suiha," and "Hyōha," which had been stolen from him at the Capital. A paper was tied to one of them, and holding it in the light of the moon, he read the following:
"To Yoshiminé,
The loss of these arrows would be a great disgrace to the Nittas. I have therefore seized them from the hands of the enemy, in order to give them back to you.
Yoshiminé was filled with an ecstasy of joy, and turning to Utena, said: "How glad I am, my dear Utena. My brother is dead, but his spirit still remains in this world to protect us. The best means by which I can requite his great kindness is to gather together all loyal patriots and destroy the traitor, Taka-uji, and the cruel murderer of my brother."
At that moment numerous torchlights and lanterns were seen gleaming brightly on the opposite bank. It seemed as if a large number of men had come to pursue them. Yoshiminé and his love, in order to escape their foes, fled as fast as they were able.
Shortly afterwards, Takezawa Kemmotsu appeared with several soldiers. They instantly sprang into a boat and rowed with might and main. When the party had reached the centre of the stream a wonderful thing happened. A storm accompanied by thunder and lightning suddenly arose and the water was covered with huge billows. The soldiers were terrified at this awful sight, and dropping their oars, they left the boat to the mercy of the waves. Kemmotsu sprang up and glaring at the sky, cried: "Don't be afraid, my men. This storm is doubtless caused by the ghost of Yoshiminé," Hardly had these words left his lips, when a voice cried from overhead:
"Harken! Takezawa Kemmotsu. The spirit of Nitta Yoshi-oki, who was murdered here by means of your vile scheme, has returned to take its revenge on you."
Then waves as high as hills dashed against the boat and broke it in pieces, and all the soldiers were drowned. The stout-hearted Kemmotsu was not killed, however, and for some minutes he battled valiantly with the waves. Suddenly there was a loud peal of thunder, and the clouds parted. In the midst of them appeared the figure of Yoshi-oki, clad in armour and riding on horseback. Around him were standing the vivid figures of the ten officers who had shared his fate. The spectre of Yoshi-oki swept down upon Kemmotsu, and seizing his hair, cleft his head in two.
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The Nitta Shrine
shrine at the ferry of Yaguchi, in memory of Nitta Yoshi-oki and his ten officers. Great festivities were held in honour of the completion of the shrine, at which Yoshi-oki's son Tokuju-maru, Yoshiminé, Yura Hyōgo, and several of Yoshiminé's retainers, were present, also some Imperial messengers. Crowds of people of the district gathered together and solemn and magnificent ceremonies were held. The Nitta Shrine, with the two famous arrows in its sanctuary, is still standing, and may be seen to the present day.
- ↑ History states that the Emperor Go-Daigo, under the pressure of Taka-uji's forces, took refuge in the year 1336 in Yoshino, which place is about fifty miles south of Kyōto. His dynasty remained there about fifty years. The usurping dynasty reigned at the Capital. Hence the appellations of Northern and Southern Dynasties. But the author is not accurate concerning the location of the two Imperial Courts, and from the statement that Yoshiminé resorted to the gay quarters, and Yoshi-oki visited the Shrine of Hachiman, before his departure for Musashi, he seems to locate the Southern Court at Kyōto, and the Northern Court at Kamakura, or some such place.
- ↑ The place where Tokyo now lies.
- ↑ The Goddess of Mercy.