It is written,
"Let the lord of the empire forget not that the empire is the empire of
the empire, and not of one man."2 Famous is that saying, and
irrevocable for a thousand years! In China, excepting the Sage kings, most of
the emperors who quieted confusion took the empire to be their own, and not the
empire of the empire. When one of the emperors3 at the beginning of his reign heard
that his most famous general was ill at the war, he recalled him in haste and
vainly sought his cure by the aid of physicians. Then at last the emperor
prayed to mountain, river, Heaven, "Spare his life a few years, and take
mine with his!" He would not that be should survive his general, and so he
swore by his own life. I am deeply moved as I read this incident. Of such a
ruler it is said, "An emperor in truth."4 But those who long rule naturally
come to think the empire given for one's own pleasure. They hold the empire
fast lest some one take it from them, as a child holds fast its favourite toy.
With such a heart, even though the empire is taken, it cannot long be held, as
Nobunaga and Hideyoshi5 illustrate. They had no benevolence and the
loss of the empire was of course. They were not fit to hold it. As men of old
further said, "Treasure hides deep in the mountain: the man finds it who
seeks it not."
In the year A.D.
1586, after the battle at Nagakute, Ieyasu made peace with Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi sent a messenger to Hamamatsu in Enshu and invited Ieyasu to
Ōsaka. But he refused to go, though repeated messengers came with urgent
invitations. At last Hideyoshi sent his mother as hostage and thus urged
consent. Then Ieyasu agreed to go. But his followers feared treachery and
sought to dissuade him;—"If you do not go it is true that Hideyoshi may
renew the war, but your forces are the stronger and we are ready to throw away
our lives. He cannot win though he bring an hundred times ten thousand
men." But Ieyasu replied:—"It is as you say, and I do not accept his
invitation because I fear him. But think how constant has been the war for
generations without peace in capital or provinces until now. At last we have
peace. Should I fight Hideyoshi, war begins again to the misery of the empire.
If I meet evil, for the empire I shall die."6 With profound admiration all heard
these words and could urge nothing more. He well knew his danger, and when he
started for Ōsaka entrusted his affairs to his ministers Ii and Honda.
Such words of truth affect both men and Heaven; and as Heaven's decree was in
accord with the hearts of men he took possession of the empire. As the Chinese
emperor prayed by his own life for the life of his general, so did Ieyasu pray
by his life for the peace of the empire. There was the same broad spirit in
them both, not attached to treasures but to righteousness; yet did Ieyasu
exceed the other.
Once when in a
friend's house our host related this story of Ieyasu, and guests and host were
affected to tears. Strategists and schemers may think it a plan for attaching
men to self, and it may so seem to
those who ever study from a false point of view. That cannot be helped. It is
not told for the sake of such.
REMONSTRANCE MORE
DIFFICULT THAN THE FOREMOST SPEAR.
But ever in China
and Japan alike most men when in power have thought the empire the empire of
one man. They have been extravagant and have laboured for fame. But Ieyasu
served the empire, not thinking it his own nor desirous of luxury. He made his
rule strong and bequeathed it to future generations; his glory remains and the
empire rests in peace.
After his great
victory at Seki-ga-hara7 some of his followers said to him,—"The
empire is yours, gather treasures that your name may last. Hideyoshi built Dai
Butsu."8 But Ieyasu replied,—"So, Hideyoshi will be remembered by his Dai
Butsu, but I care nothing for the transmission of my single name. I shall study
the interests of the empire and leave it to my heir, that is far beyond
building many a Dai Butsu." Doubtless their proposal seemed foolish to
him. To conquer Korea, erect Dai Butsu and spend vast treasures is to injure
the empire, though it be wonderful in the eyes and ears of fools. Already
thoughtful men condemn and the name remains to future time disgraced. But the
Nikkō shrines are reverenced in all the provinces. Do you not understand?
This is the true illustrious undecaying name ever to be admired.
Ieyasu excelled
all, but was not vain of his wisdom. On the contrary he approved the honest
remonstrance of his inferiors. And indeed remonstrance may be put as the
foundation of the wisdom of the ruler. Only the Sage does not err. If a man
listen to reproof, though he err he is like a sick man who takes medicine and
regains his strength. But however wise a man may be, if he will not listen to
remonstrance he is like one who will take no medicine because his illness is
slight and so the danger remains. But most strong rulers hate reproof and
insist upon their own way. In China is the office of censor, but it is of
little use. It is only a name, for honest men are readily removed and
flatterers given office. When there is error there is no reform, nor
remonstrance when the Government is bad, a grief that lasts from ancient days
until now. It is still worse in Japan with its feudal government; the rulers
govern by force of arms and inferiors must obey. Remonstrance ceases and
sympathy with the people ends. Daily the evil grows, but those who know its
cause are few.
Ieyasu was born in
the midst of war and turmoil. He was sympathetic to inferiors and ever opened
the way of words. Most admirable of men! Once in his castle, Honda Sado no Kami
was present with some others. At the end of their business all withdrew save
Honda and one other. The latter presented a writing to Ieyasu, who took it,
asking, "What is this?" "Matters I have thought of much,"
was the reply, "and venture respectfully to suggest, thinking possibly one
in ten thousand may be of use." "Thanks," said Ieyasu;
"read it. There is no reason why Honda should not hear." So he began,
and Ieyasu assented to each of the many particulars and finally took the paper
saying, "Always be free to say what you think necessary." Afterwards
when Honda only remained he said, "It was rudely done, and not a
suggestion of value in it all." But Ieyasu waved his hand dissentingly.
"Though it is not of great value still he had thought it over carefully
and wrote
it in secret for my eye. His spirit
should be praised. If he suggests anything of value I'll adopt it; if not, I'll
let it alone. We should not call such remonstrance rude. Men do not know their
own faults, but common folks have friends who reprove and criticise. They have
opportunity for reform. This is their advantage. But rulers have no friends,
but constantly meet with their inferiors who assent respectfully to every word.
So they cannot know and reform, to their great loss. They lose their power and
destroy their house because no one will remonstrate, and all they do is
approved as right. Most essential is it that they be told their faults."
Honda remembered
this and told it to his son weeping, as he spoke of the Shōgun's deep
heart and broad humanity. And when the young man asked the name of the man and
the purport of his paper, thinking to ridicule him, Honda reproved him sharply:
"What have you to do with the man and his suggestions? Think of your
lord's fine spirit!"
Afterwards, said
Ieyasu to his samurai:—"A ruler must have faithful ministers. He who sees
the error of his lord and remonstrates, not fearing his wrath, is braver than
he who bears the foremost spear in battle. In the fight body and life are
risked, but it is not certain death. Even if killed there is deathless fame and
his lord laments. If there is victory great reward and glory are won and the
inheritance goes down to son and grandson. But to grieve over his lord's faults
and faithfully remonstrate when the words do not pass the ears and touch the
heart is hard indeed. Disliked, distantly received, displaced by flatterers,
his advice not taken, however loyal he may be at last he gives up the task,
professes illness or retires into the quiet of old age. If he dares to risk his
lord's displeasure in his faithfulness he may be imprisoned or even killed. He
who fears not all this, but gives up even life to benefit his country, is highly
to be praised. Compared with him the foremost spear is an easy post." To
all ages should these words be repeated as a command.
SUGITA IKI.
So then the foremost place in the
battle seems a place of difficulty but is not, and to remonstrate with one's
lord seems easy, but is not. Lord and servant praise the foremost spear but I
do not hear them praising him who loyally reproves. They should remember these
words of Ieyasu.
In Kwan-ri Kan-ei,
(1624-1643) the former lord of Echizen, Io no Kami, had a karō named
Sugita Iki. He had risen from the ranks by his merits. It was his business to
provide the funds for his lord's very expensive attendance in Edo. Not fearing
his lord's wrath he was ever ready to reprove. And once it happened when Io no
Kami was in Echizen that he went hawking, and on his return his karō all
went forth to meet him. He was unusually happy and said, "The young men
have never done better. If they always work as well they are certain of
employment by the Shōgun in case of war. Rejoice with me!" So all
congratulated him except Sugita alone. He said nothing, remaining at the foot
of the line. Io no Kami waited a while wonderingly, and then said, "What
do you think?" And Sugita replied, "Wïth due respect yet are your
remarks a cause for grief. When the samurai went with you their thought was
this,—if we do not please him he may kill us; and they took final farewell of
wife and child. So I have heard. if they thus hate their lord they will be
useless in battle. Unless you know this it is foolish to rely on them."
Io no Kami
scowled, and his sword bearer said to Sugita, "Go, please!" But
Sugita scowled at him and said, "My task is not to go hawking with him and
surround monkey or wild boar! Do not tell me what is of use!" So he cast
aside his short sword, went to Io's side and said: "Kill me! It is far
better than to live in vain and see your downfall! I shall count it as a sign
of your favour!" So he folded his hnnds and stretched out his neck to the
blow. Io went to his apartment
without a word. And the other karō said to Sugita: "What you say is
true, but have a regard to the proper season. It was ill to mar the pleasure of
his return." But Sugita replied:—"There is never a proper season for
remonstrance. I thought it fitting to-day. I have risen from the ranks and
doubtless look at things differently from you. My death is of no
consequence." All listened with admiration.
Sugita went home
and prepared himself for hara kiri, awaiting his lord's word. His wife had been
with him from the time he was in the ranks, and to her he said: "I have a
word to leave with you. A woman cannot be directly honoured by our lord, but as
he has honoured me you have shared in it. You are no longer the wife of a foot
soldier but of a karō. You have many servants. It is an infinite blessing
he has conferred on you, is it not? After I am dead, remember this great
blessing morning and evening and feel no hatred to your lord. If in your grief
you hate him in the least and it appear in words, in the depths of Hades I
shall know it and be displeased." In constant expectation he waited until
late at night when there came a rapping at his door. Some one said: "His
lordship has business for you. Come to the castle." "The time has
come," Sugita thought, as he obeyed. But Io sent for Sugita to come direct
to his bed chamber and said: "I cannot sleep for thoughts of your words
to-day. So I have sent for you so late at night. I need not speak of my errors.
I am filled with admiration at your straightforward remonstrance."
Therewith he handed Sugita a sword as a reward.9 At this so unexpected an event
Sugita wept as he withdrew.
When I was in Kaga
an Echizen man told me this. Sugita was such an one as Ieyasu praised. Buch a
karō has a station more difficult far thau the foremost spear.
BAN DAIZEN.
Skillful
flatterers are liked and find ready employment, but in matters of importance
strong-hearted men are the only resource. I have another story for you, different
from Sugita's.
During the winter
war at Ōsaka, Katakiri Ichi no Kami, a follower of Ieyasu, was in the
castle of Ibaraki in Setsu. Hearing that Shibayama Kohei in the castle at Sakae
in Idzumi was in danger, Katakiri determined to send him aid. En route
Katakiri's troops were surrounded by their enemies from Ōsaka at
Amagaseki; and as those in the Amagaseki castle refused all aid, the troops
were every one slain. The lord of Amagaseki was a child and the castle was
commanded by generals owing allegiance to Musashi no Kami. Now Musashi no Kami
doubted the loyalty of Katakiri to Ieyasu and therefore refused to succor his
troops. But all the world believed that Musashi no Kami was secretly friendly
to the enemy.
After peace was
made Ieyasu examined this matter in the Castle of Nijō in Kyōto.
Musashi no Kami was represented by his karō Ban Daizen, a man well known
to Ieyasu. Ban Daizen made his representations, but the wrath of Ieyasu ceased
not. "You have excuses in abundance," he said, "yet Musashi no
Kami allowed his allies to be killed before his eyes. That is his wretched
heart!" and he started to leave the room, but Ban Daizen cast aside his
short sword, crept to the Shōgun's side and laid hold upon his skirt. He
wept and cried,—"Oh! How merciless" Even if not your daughter's son,
yet is not Musashi no Kami your grandson?10 When can I speak if not now?"
His sincerity effected his purpose, and the Shōgun said, "Very well!
Go back at once and put Musashi no Kami at ease." Ban Daizen made
obeisance with folded hands and bowed head, and retired.
Tho Shōgun
said to those who remained, "Daizen's
father's name was also Daizen. He was a betto. When Musashi no Kami's
father was young and was still called Shozaburō, he was in the battle at
Nagakute. When his father and brother were killed he started his horse that he
might go and die with them. But Daizen seized the bridle, stopped the horse,
turned him about and fled with him. Shozaburō in great anger shouted,
"Let go!" and for a quarter of a mile kicked Daizen about the head
until the blood flowed from his face like a cataract. But Daizen kept his hold
and brought Shozaburō off. Had he been killed his useless death would have
ended his family, so the feudal house of Banshu is the work of Daizen. The son
is like the father. No one else would do what he has done just now. Musashi no
Kami is favoured in having such a servant."
And there is no
other like instance. No other man of low rank has thus taken his life in his
hand and approached the Shōgun in behalf of the innocence of his lord. And
so it was that the Shōgun listened, relented and admired. Truly it was not
an ordinary affair! And it illustrates too the great virtue of the Shōgun.
He ever restrained his wrath and strengthened the faithfulness of his
followers. He did not restrain and curb their courage, and they thought nothing
of giving up their lives for his sake. Many wise and skilful nobles and
generals have come to grief in the end because they curbed the faithfulness of
their followers and depended wholly on themselves. The profound wisdom of
Ieyasu is in striking contrast, and it was this that made his bowmen and
spearmen the best in the empire.
But men say
nowadays, "Tokugawa won because that was his fate and fate is
irresistible!" His humanity and virtue were great and naturally he
satisfied the decree of Heaven. But this alone does not account for his
success. The strength of his troops explains his "fate." He
cultivated their faithfulness. It is most essential thus to promote the
faithfulness of the common people. How shallow is this talk of his resistless
fate!
THE FIDELITY OF THE
SAMURAI.
In the period
Genko-Kemmu (1331-1335) many samurai were faithful unto death. I admire with
tears a retainer of Hō-jō Takatoku named Andōzaimon Shoshu, the
uncle of Nitta Yoshisada's wife. When Kamakura was taken by Nitta his wife
secretly sent a letter to her uncle. He was a general fighting with the
Hōjō and against Nitta. His soldiers were killed, himself was wounded
and he was retreating when news came that Takatoku had burned his castle and
fled to Tōshōji. Andōzaimon asked if many had killed themselves
at the burning of the castle and was told "not one."
"Shameful," he replied. "There we will die." So with an
hundred men he went on to the castle and wept as he beheld the smoking ruins.
Just then came the letter from his niece. He opened it and read,—"Since
Kamakura is destroyed come to me. I'll obtain your pardon with my life."
Very angrily he spoke, "I have been favoured by my lord, as all know.
Shall I be so shameless as to follow Yoshisada now! His wife wants to help her
uncle; but if Yoshisada knows the duty of a samurai he will put a stop to such
attempts. He did not send it or agree to it. But if he did, if he meant to test
me, she should not have permitted such an attempt to destroy my name. He and
his wife alike are worthy of contempt!" With grief and anger there before
the messenger, he wrapped the letter around his sword and slew himself.
Ah, what a man was
that! How pure his purpose! Who can excel him?
But in recent
years in the period Tenshō (A.D. 1573-1590) a retainer of Takeda Katsuyori
named Komiyama Naizen is most to be admired. He was the favourite of his
master, until at last they were separated by a quarrel and Naizen was condemned
through false witnesses and dismissed from office. When the troops of Oda
Nobunaga attacked the province of Kai, Katsuyori was defeated and fled
with forty-two followers to
Tenmokuzan. When Naizen heard of the disaster he wished to help and met
Katsuyori on his retreat. All the false witnesses, all with whom Naizen had
quarrelled had fled, deserting their lord. Sorrowfully spoke Naizen: "My
lord dismissed me, and now should I die for my country it will be a reflection
on his judgment; but if I do not die I shall injure the fidelity of the
samurai. Though I hurt his fame I must not forsake virtue," and he died
with the forty-two faithful ones. As all the others had fled and these forty-two
samurai alone held faithful to their lord without a thought of disobedience,
they all illustrate samurai fidelity. But Naizen was preëminent among them, for
he had been unjustly condemned and came expressly that he might die.
When Katsuyori and
all his party had been destroyed, Ieyasu much admired the fidelity of Naizen
and regretted that his worship should cease, as he had no children. So Ieyasu
employed Naizen's younger brother, and before the battle at Odawara gave him a
high command, speaking at length of Naizen's fidelity,—"Naizen was a model
samurai, and though his brother is so young I have given him this command in
token of my admiration of such loyalty." Truly that was praise after
death, and the reward of loyalty.
THE HEROIC WOMAN
HAS NO SEED.
When in Kaga I
heard a man remark:—"All sins, great and small, may be forgiven on
repentance and no scars remain, except two; the flight of a samurai from the
post where he should die, and theft. These leave a lifelong wound which never
heals. All born as samurai, men and women, are taught from childhood that
fidelity must never be forgotten." Thereupon I continued:—Of course, and
woman is ever taught that submission is her chief duty, and though she fully
perform this high duty of fidelity, yet is she never to
forget this one thing. If in unexpected strait her weak heart forsakes
fidelity, all her other virtues will not alone. In Japan and China alike have
been women whose virtue has exceeded that of man.
The wife of
Nagaoka Itchu no Kami Tadaoki, was the daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide, the
retainer of Oda Nobunaga who killed both his lord and his lord's son.11 In turn he was destroyed by
Hideyoshi. Later Tadaoki, at the time of Seki-ga-hara, went to join Ieyasu in
the east. During his absence Ishida Mitsunari12 sent troops to Tadaoki's castle to
seize his wife, but she exclaimed, "I'll not disgrace my hushand's house
through my desire for life," and killed herself before the enemy got in.
Excited by her virtue, the two or three samurai who were with her fired the
mansion and slew themselves, and her women took hold of hands, jumped into the
fire and died. Even yet shall we praise that deed! The rebel Mitsuhide had such
a child, scarcely equalled in China or Japan! As the proverb says: "The
general has no seed," so I'll add,—The heroic woman has no seed.13
But a guest
remarked:—"Not so; not having seed is still to have seed. Fidelity makes
the nature of benevolence and righteousness its seed. Then without place or
ancestor, without race, without the distinction of high or low, male or female,
without family connection, good children come from evil parents, and evil
children from the good."
The Old Man was
greatly pleased and said:—True! I had thought only of man's nature, not of
Heaven's. Such
AMANO SABUROBEI.
Another day the Old Man said to the
assembled guests: This fidelity reveals itself in the stress of strange events.
Even in peace and safety pure-hearted samurai are to be highly prized, for they
perfectly perform their official duties, and when the emergency comes reveal
their fidelity. In peace and in war they are invaluable. Every wise and brave
samurai may be given office, and he will have his use; but only the pure in
heart must be placed in high position. Unless the heart is pure there is
flattery and strife for power and fame, and apparent friends will hate each
other. Then wisdom and bravery too will disappear. Timidly will precedents be
followed, and each will so act that evil may not come to self. There will be no
sign of anything superior, and duty will be slackly performed or wholly
forgotten.
In the period
Ei-roku (A.D. 1558-1570), Ieyasu was in Mikawa.16 He established the laws and
appointed three officers, Kōriki Yozaemon Kiyonaga, Honda Sakuzaemon
Shigetsugu and Amano Saburobei Yasukage, popularly called Buddha Kōriki,
Demon Sakuza and Pliant Amano; for the first was merciful, the second severe
and the third neither merciful nor severe but guided wholly by reason. All
three were of pure heart and there was no competition between them. No one
sought to conform to the others, but each followed his own judgment. So Ieyasu
gave them the same office and each went his own way independently, but as their
government was righteous and as everything was well cared for, all men admired
Ieyasu's clear judgment in the choice of men.
I do not know
particularly the characteristics of Honda and Kōriki, but in the period
Keichō (A.D. 1596-1614) Amano had the castle Kokokuji in Suruga, with an
income of thirty thousand koku of rice.17 He had an immense number of bamboos
cut, piled up and ready for use, with
three foot soldiers in charge. Some men came from the estates of the
Shōgun and stole some of the bamboos, one of the robbers being killed by
the guards. The men who escaped complained to Ide, a local official of the
Shōgun. Ide may have made a careful examination, but he seems not to have
known of the theft of the bamboos, for he sent a messenger to Amano demanding
the immediate capital punishment of the soldiers who had killed the robber;
"For," said he, "the unauthorized killing of one of the people
of the Shōgun is a crime." But Amano replied, "To kill a thief
is according to the law. It is no crime. The solders killed him at my command.
If it is a crime the guilt is mine." So he protected the guard. But Ide
could not let the matter rest and appealed to the Shōgun, who commanded
Amano to give up the man. But Amano replied as before, and obeyed not. Then
Ieyasu said: "Amano is not a man who will sin; perhaps he is deceived.
I'll examine into the affair again by and by," and he sent one of his high
officers to Amano. And the officer said, "Even though you are in the right
yet will the authority of the Shōgun be weakened if he is not obeyed. Draw
lots among the three men and kill the one thus selected." Then Amano
replied: "As you urge the weakening of the authority of the Shōgun I
must consent. But," he added, "the spirit of the strong samurai does
not consent to the killing of the innocent that one's self may be exalted. I
may well give up my rank; " and he left his castle and disappeared.
In the time of the
next Shōgun, a man in some place or other met an ascetic whom he took to be
Amano, but whether rightly or not we do not know. No matter; Amano was truly a
pure-hearted samurai. If was not right to slay the innocent and protect one's
self. But were he not to kill the soldier he would disobey the Shōgun.
Neither course was permissible. So he could not remain in the world, and gave
up his income of thirty thousand koku and disappeared forever. That is without
a parallel.
YUGE SO AND SO.
But pure-hearted
samurai cease not to appear. In Kwan-ei-Shō-hō (A.D. 1624-1647) was a
branch temple of Tentokuji, in Shiba, Edo, where always prayers were said
without intermission. One day, at evening, as the priest went out of the temple
gate he observed a man with a bundle wrapped in oil paper. He seemed a
traveller and not a common man. When the priest returned from his errand there
was the man still in the gateway. Thinking that strange the priest asked,
"Who are you? Come in and rest." "I am listening to the temple
prayers," the man replied, "for I like to hear them said. On your
invitation I'll go in and have a cup of tea." So in they went and the
priest inquired whence he came and whither he journeyed.
The man replied,
"From Oshu. I once had a friend in Edo but I cannot find him. So I must
find some place." And the priest rejoined, "Stay here to-night, it is
so late." So he stayed, and the next day the priest asked him to remain
until he should find some occupation. He thanked the priest and remained. It
soon appeared that he was an educated man, and the head of Tentokuji called him
and helped him and gave him various tasks about the temple, which were all
diligently performed. By and by he was made a superintendent of many priests
and became a person of importance in the temple.
At that time it
happened that a nobleman who had retired from active life was making researches
into the history of the past and sought scholarly samurai to help him, paying
them good salaries. The people of the temple told him of Yuge and highly
recommended him as especially informed about the past. But Yuge thanked the
head of the temple when he was informed of it, and said, "I do not intend
to enter service again, but your kindness entitles you to know my past."
So he told the priest his real name and that he had been a retainer of Gamo
Ujisato, and continued:
"Since Gamo was destroyed I have no heart for service under any
other and purposed to spend my life as a beggar. With no design on my part I
have become a recipient of the blessings of the temple, and now my one desire
is to repay what I have received. But I find no means so to do." Then he
showed the testimonial Gamo had given him for his services in the battle at
Kunohe, and elsewhere, and the letters he had received from many nobles
offering him emloyment. "All are useless now," he said, and put them
in the fire.18
So he lived long
in the temple. And in the year A.D. 1657, when Tentokuji was burned, Yuge said:
"Permit me to help," and worked on after the chief priest and all the
other priests had fled, saving the images, furniture and books. When all were
safe he sent off the men who had been helping him.
Afterwards in the
ruins of the main hall was found the body of a man, sitting with clasped hands
like a priest. It was Yuge, and all the temple folk wept and grieved for him.
But he had no desire to abide in the temple; he had merely waited for an
opportunity to return the favours he had received. At the fire he found the
opportunity he sought, and after working to the end purposely perished in the
flames. How pure and holy was his heart!
When I was young I
heard a story about another samurai. He was a retainer of the late Abe
Bungō no Kami, but had given up his position and taken a house in
Hachobori, Edo. I have forgotten his name. As the years went by he grew poor
until he was in need of food. His landlord took pity on him and sent him food,
but he became ill. Then his landlord sent him gruel, but he declined it as too
ill to eat. Then he fastened up his
door so that no one could enter and his landlord could only stand without and
make inquiries. By and by the responses ceased. Then the landlord called the
neighbors, broke open the door and went in. Seated on straw matting and leaning
against his armour box with his two swords upon his knees, the samurai was
dead. By his side was a writing. It expressed his appreciation of his
landlord's kindness, with money to pay his rent and for his funeral. His armour
was carefully arranged in its box, and with it three gold pieces. His swords
were old but had gold ornaments. He had only the clothes he wore and there was
not a pot nor any furniture. Nor was there any appearance that he had eaten for
an hundred days. The landlord informed the officials, and they told him to
carry out the written instructions. When Bungō no Kami heard the
circumstance he was greatly grieved. The samurai had been a man of strength and
always first when there was some great thing to do. I greatly grieve over his
useless death by starvation; and it would be wrong that such a man should
remain concealed, unmentioned by any one.
THE TWO BEGGARS.
Nowadays customs
are decayed and all men are selfish. But since man's nature is originally good,
without regard to family or customs, there are men who know the right even
among the beggars.
Ten years ago on
the 17th day of the 12th month of the year U, Mitsu no to, of the period
Kyōhō, (12th Jan, A.D. 1724) a clerk named Ichijurō, in the
employment of a merchant of Muromachi, Edo, named Echigoya Kichibei, lost a
purse containing thirty ryō as he was returning from collecting some
accounts. He thought it had been stolen, but returned over his route looking
for it carefully. At last a beggar met him and asked, "What have you lost?
Is it money?" Overjoyed Ichijurō told of his loss and the beggar
said that he had found the purse
and was seeking its owner. So Ichijurō exactly described its contents,
money, papers and all, and the beggar gave it back to him. In his joy at the
unexpected event Ichijurō offered the beggar five ryō, but the beggar
would not take them. "But it was all one and you returned it! Do take five
ryō!" said Ichijurō. But the beggar persisted. "Had I
wanted five ryō I should not have returned the thirty. But I did not think
it mine when I picked it up. I thought that some one had lost his master's
money and would be in trouble. Some men might have kept it, but I found it and
desired to give it back. Now as I have returned it my business is at an
end." And off he ran as fast as he could go. But Ichijurō took an
itchi bu from the purse and followed him crying, "It is cold to-day! Take
this for sake." So the beggar took it and said, "I'll drink the
sake." And in answer to a question he said, "I am Hachibei, a beggar
of Kurumazenshichi."
When Ichijurō
went home and told his story his master wept in admiration and determined to
give the beggar the five ryō. So on the following morning he sent
Ichijurō and his chief clerk to Zenshichi, the beggar's master, to ask him
to try and persuade Hachibei to take the money. But Zenshichi said, "The
beggar Hachibei got a bu somewhere last night and called his friends together
and had a feast of fish and sake. He drank a great deal himself and whether it
did not agree with him, he died this morning." Ichijurō was
astonished and asked for the body, and asked the man not to send it off or have
it buried, so going home Ichijurō told his master who sent for the corpse
and expended the five ryō on a funeral, interring it at Muenji in
Hongō. It was certainly wonderful that a merchant should thus be affected
by righteousness. He had often been employed by the Lord of Kaga, and on the
twentieth of the month Ichijurō went to Kaga Yashiki and told the story to
the officials there, and they told it to me.
Hachibei was, I
judge, no ordinary man. He had doubtless entered the beggar's guild because
poor and homeless. He saw no resource in life, and having fortunately money for
a feast for his comrades he thought it a good end and choked himself. Had he
been a samurai or in authority he would never have used his power to take that
which belonged to others. There are men whose name is splendidly samurai, but
who in truth are beggars, but this man who was called a beggar was in truth a
samurai.
In Kaga is a place
called Nodayama, the burial place or the Maeda family. Their retainers, too,
are all buried at the foot of the hill. At the festival of the Bon, candles are
put at all the graves and wealthy folk build a miniature house over the grave
and put a guard on watch. But for the most part the candles are simply lighted
and left to burn themselves out. So bad men come, put out the candles and steal
them. A beggar slept there wrapped up in matting. He forbade the thieves to
touch the candles, saying, "These offerings at the graves of ancestors are
not to be touched." They reviled him, saying, "A beggar has no right
to speak!" Then he replied, "True, I am a beggar, for I do not as
you." That was very interesting. His words were well chosen and his meaning
plain.
As I constantly
repeat, in both China and Japan men of fidelity cannot escape suffering. They
may even lack sufficient clothes and food, and fall in field or stream
unnoticed by the world. What is more lamentable? Surely it is our duty to
reveal such hidden righteousness. There are many like Yuge, the beggar
Hachibei, and this beggar in Kaga. Yet I cannot help those of whom I do not
hear; but if I hear I cannot forbear to speak.
Of old when the
emperor commanded that books of poetry be made, the names of dancing girls and
priests appeared with the names of nobles and even of the emperor himself. That
is one of the merits of our Japanese poetry, for poetry knows no distinction of
rank. So does my talk