Kazutoyo and the Tanuki
Reimagined by Joshua Linvers, 2024
One gloomy and overcast day in the south of Kochi, a noble samurai Kazutoyo and his retainer went to the coast to catch fish. After a bountiful afternoon, the two filled a large basket with various kinds. While they were packing up their gear to leave the beach, it began to rain, and shortly after that, it began to pour.
The rain was so fierce that Kazutoyo and his retainer took shelter under a willow tree. Hours passed by, and though the setting sun began to concern them, the rain showed no end in sight. The two decided that despite the risks, leaving immediately was the safest option, and so they pushed on.
Shortly after battling through the rain, they noticed a sulking woman crouched by the side of the road. Kazutoyo gazed with suspicion, but his retainer approached her immediately. He asked her if she was hurt, and when she looked up to reply, they saw a face of unfathomable beauty.
As tears poured forth from her eyes, she replied:
“Alas, my life lies in utter ruin. My stepmother, who bears me naught but ill will, hath today crossed a most grievous line. With venom in her voice, she didst spit upon me and cast forth a torrent of foul curses. In despair, I resolved to flee unto my aunt, who dwelleth in yonder village, but cruel fate hath struck me with illness. Weary and frail, I sought refuge here, hoping for solace, yet the affliction only deepens, and I grow weaker still.”
The retainer deeply sympathized with the girl, falling immediately in love with her. Kazutoyo considering the situation, drew his sword and beheaded her.
“Let’s keep moving, it’s getting dark”
“My lord! Why!? How could you kill a harmless girl!? You have no right! I will have to report this!”
“Listen to me, you don’t understand the situation. Talking about this is not worth the trouble it’ll cause.”
Kazutoyo’s retainer nodded begrudgingly and the two carried on through the thunder and rain.
As they arrived home, soaking wet, Kazutoyo dried himself off and immediately went to sleep. His retainer on the other hand, stared blankly at the wall and contemplated the incident. Though his heart stirred, he steeled his resolve, and informed Kazutoyo’s parents of what he witnessed on the road.
Flabbergasted by the news, his father marched into Kazutoyo’s bedroom and shook him out from his sleep.
“My son, a murderer?! How dare you slay an unarmed girl? You’re a samurai for gods sake! Your existence is to protect the weak! You have brought shame and dishonour to this family! Now I must take your life!”
Kazutoyo’s father drew his sword and pointed it at his son’s neck. Unfazed by this, Kazutoyo laid still and replied:
“Listen, father, you, just like my retainer, clearly do not understand the situation. I have been given several opportunities in life to solve its mysteries, and the girl whom I killed was no human, I assure you of that. If you cannot take my word for it, I encourage to you visit the site tomorrow and confirm my innocence with your own eyes. Don’t worry about killing me, if you find a corpse of a girl, I’ll take my own life.”
With that, Kazutoyo rolled over and went back to sleep.
At sunrise the following day, Kazutoyo’s father and his entourage were led by the retainer to the site of the murder. As the party searched around in the grass, they found the beheaded corpse. It was just his son had said, it was not the body of a girl, but a Tanuki of great size.
As they returned home, Kazutoyo was sitting for lunch, eating some of the grilled fish he caught the day before. His father, sat across the table from him and asked, “How is it that your retainer saw a young woman, but you saw a tanuki?”
He looked his father in the eye
“There are 3 reasons. Firstly, women so beautiful do not exist. Secondly, she spoke in a manner that’s very old fashioned. Lastly, and most importantly, despite the incredible downpour of rain, her robes remained completely dry. After carefully considering all of this I made my decision to slay the demon who tried to deceive us before it could commit further evil.”
“My son… Not only are you clever, but your bravery may have saved countless lives, and you did all of this without seeking fame or reward. I am sorry to have doubted you. I will abdicate my position of the prince of Tosa, so that you may rule in my stead.”
The moral of the story is despite what the world may think, if you have the wisdom and believe your actions are moral and just, having the conviction to see them through will lead you to a richer, more satisfactory life.
Other stories in this series are
The Jellyfish and the Monkey
Tokutaro and the Foxes of Maki Moor
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