Japanese Folk Tales

Kasajizou

All stories, pictures, and videos are not mine. All rights to the respective owners. These do not belong to me, I am only one who writes for other's entertainment.

A long time ago in a small village in Japan, there lived an old couple. They weren't exactly that well off, but they were kindhearted people.

The day of New Year's came near, along with all the snow and winter breezes. Seeing that they would have to prepare food, the wife went into the kitchen. Unfortunately, their rice was already very little. The old woman could only boil water and cook what was left.

Because of the winter, it was difficult for the old couple to gather certain leaves for making 'Kasa', which were sedge hats that the couple sold to make money to buy food.

While the old couple was cooking, a baby mouse appeared. "I'm so hungry," the little mouse cried. The baby mouse's parents came and scolded the little one, "This house is poor, so don't complain, just bear with it for now."

The old man took pity of the little mouse and said, "Poor little one," he told the mouse. "I apologise we are very poor, you even became hungry." Feeling sorry for them, he shared their last portion of rice with them and ate.

The next day, the mice came and brought the leaves for making kasa. "This is our thanks to you for allowing us to dine with you last night," the mice said. 

Happy that they had the things they needed to make the sedge hats, the couple quickly went on with their work and made sedge hats. "If we are able to sell these sedge hats in town," the wife said to her husband before he left to sell the hats. "We would be able to buy enough food for New Year's." The husband nodded, before leaving.

On his way to the town, the old man saw the six statues of Jizo-sama, the Buddha that protected the common people. Their heads were covered with snow, so the old man wiped it off with his towel. "Your heads look cold."

The old man went on his way to the bustling town, where people were busy preparing for New Year's. "Sedge hats! Sedge hats!" The old man sang out. However, the people just passed by, and before he knew it, the streets were already almost empty. He gave out a sad sigh, disappointed that he couldn't sell even one hat. He went back home, feeling down. As he was on his way, he noticed there was more snow on the statues. "I don't have any money to offer to Jizo-sama," he said sadly. "You can have these hats instead." He placed all his five sedge hats on the statues. He saw there was one more that didn't have a hat, so he placed his towel on top of its head. "Now your heads won't get cold."

When he arrived home, the mice saw that the old man didn't have any hats left. "Did you sell everything?" they asked excitedly. "I'm very sorry," he said. "I couldn't even sell a single one."

The old man told his wife what had happened, to which she listened carefully. She didn't scold him, but she patted him on the back. "It's alright."

Suddenly in the middle of the night, they heard voices outside their door, "New Year's Delivery! To the old man who gave us sedge hats!" The statues gave the old couple a sleigh loaded with food. "Our gifts for you, since you gave us your hats." And with that, they went on their way.

The old couple happily shared their meal with the mice and their friends, and kept some for the following days. 

The old man said to himself, "Thank you, Jizo-sama," he smiled. "Now I can bring some food for offering to you too."

Hello everybody! This is a whole week late but, Happy New Year! Hope you guys will have a wonderful year! I hope you achieve your New Year's resolutions! Happy Holidays!

I might be updating again soon, see you in the next chapter!

- Elizabeth