Pošast v palači cesarja Yōzeija

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Pošast v palači cesarja Yōzeija

Long ago, after Emperor Yōzei had relinquished the throne, he lived in a residence north of the palace, west of Nishinotōin, and east of Aburanokōji. It was a haunted place. There was a large pond there, and one night a guard was asleep in the fishing pavilion beside it when, about midnight, a thin, bony hand began gently stroking his face. Uneasy, he drew his sword and seized the intruder with his free hand. It was an old man dressed in pale yellow, looking utterly forlorn. “I am the former master of this place,” he said. “I am the younger brother of Urashima no Ko. I have lived here since ancient times, for more than twelve hundred years. I beg you to spare me. Build a shrine here and worship me, and I shall protect you in every way.” The guard replied, “I cannot decide such a thing on my own. I must first report it to the retired emperor.” “What an odious thing to say!” cried the old man. Three times he kicked the guard up into the air, until the man was limp and utterly battered; then, as he fell, the old man opened his mouth and devoured him. Though he had appeared no larger than an ordinary man, he swelled to an enormous size before the guard’s eyes and ate him in a single mouthful.