Old Man Crazy to Paint

Ejiri in Sugura Province

Shichiro hurried along the Tōkaidō road, a bundle or papers clutched in his hands. They were important documents that had to be brought to the castle at Ejiri-juku before sunset. The local bureaucrat had sent a letter to Shichiro's master the day before, demanding to see the family accounts - immediately! This sudden demand had sent the household into a tizzy.

"The accounts? Where are they?"

"Don't you know, you old fool?"

"The household is your business! Haven't you been keeping them?"

"Permits! We have to find the permits!"

Everyone had worked through the night, trying to put the accounts in order for the inspection. Finally, early in the morning, the documents had been wrapped in paper, bound with string and put into Shichiro's hands. "Go!" his master had commanded. "Get these to Ejiri-juku! Quickly!"

And so Shichiro went.

The fastest way to Ejiri-juku lay along the Tōkaidō road, through the reed beds and marshes by the coast. Shichiro clutched the bundle of papers to his chest, close against his happi - partly to keep them safe, but also to keep shield himself from the wind. At this time of year, the wind blew in from the sea. It was cold and laden with brine; it cut through the thick wool and cotton padding of Shichiro's coat; it bent the whispering reeds. Tears rolled down Shichiro's cheeks, only to be whipped away and carried towards the distant mountains.

Then, just after he had passed a roadside shrine, disaster struck. The wind dropped momentarily and, used to battling against it, Shichiro lost his balance and stumbled. At just that moment there was a sudden gust that tore at Shichiro's kasa and blew his hakama into his face. Instinctively, one hand went up and one hand went down, and Shichiro lost his grip on the precious package. For a moment the papers were pressed against Shichiro's chest, then the wind tore them away. The bundle soared up into the air, following his hat, and burst apart in mid-air.

A wail of terror escaped the servant's throat, and he turned to run after the wind-blown sheets.