The Yotsuya Kwaidan | Page 9

chilled him. Humbly he sought her
presence. A glance showed the absence of O'Naka, yet as usual he
prostrated himself in salutation. In that position he did not see her face.
She said impatiently--"For salutation there is no time nor occasion. It is
no longer the Ojo[u]san who speaks; it is the wife. My father knows all
concerning this Mino and Densuké. On his return he is sure to take the
occasion of the presence of both to kill us. It is his right and our duty to

submit to his punishment. But to do so consigns the infant in the womb
from darkness to darkness. This is too dreadful to contemplate. Unfilial
though it be, we must run away. Make up your mind to do so."
Densuké looked up. She was bent in meditation over this flight. The
corners of the mouth widened out, the eyelid drooping more
conspicuously than ever and forming a heavy fold over the empty
socket, the bald brow, the scanty hair at the sides in disordered whisps
and strands, all these made her a hideous mask. He could not endure the
sight. Timidly he said--"Terrible news indeed! How has it happened?
Surely, honoured lady, you have been very rash; nay, somewhat clumsy
withal. Cannot women take their pleasure with whom they please
without such dire results? Ah! Such luxury, such pleasant surroundings!
All must be abandoned. This Densuké will seek his native village in
Kazusa. And the Ojo[u]san whither will she go; what will she do?"
Was the question asked in innocence, or in deepest guile? O'Mino
could not have answered, well as she thought she knew Densuké. He
felt a hand on his shoulder. He sprang up in fright, hardly knowing
whether it was a demon, or O'Mino turned demon, who confronted him.
Her mouth half open, her large, white, shining, even teeth all displayed,
her single eye darting malignant gleams, and the empty socket and its
fold quivering and shaking, she was a frightful object. "To speak of
pleasure without the consequences, such talk is that of a fool. Densuké
was taken for the relationship of the two worlds. Now you would
abandon me. Very well--do so. But this Mino does not perish by her
father's sword. The well is at hand. Within three days I shall reappear
and hunt you out. Torn to pieces the wretched man shall die a miserable
death. Better would it be now to die with Mino. A last salutation...."
Two vigorous arms seized his neck. Densuké gave a cry of anguish as
the sharp teeth marked the ear. Letting him go, she sprang to the
ro[u]ka (verandah). Frightened as he was, Densuké was too quick for
her. He grasped her robe. "Nay! The Ojo[u]san must not act so
desperately. Densuké spoke as one clumsy, and at a loss what to do ...
yes ... we must run away ... there is the uncle, Kawai, in Kanda. To him
Densuké will go, and there learn the will of Tamiya Dono." O'Mino's
tragic attitude lapsed. At once she was the practical woman of the
house. She gave thanks for her mother's foresight. "The escape is not as

of those unprovided. Here are ten ryo[u] in silver. A bundle is to be
made of the clothing and other effects. This is to be carried by Densuké.
And the uncle: Mino presenting herself for the first time as wife, a
present is to be brought. What should it be?" She talked away, already
busy with piling clothes, quilts (futon), toilet articles onto a large
furoshiki or square piece of cloth. Then she arrayed her person with
greatest care, and in the soberest and richest fashion as the newly-wed
wife. With time Densuké managed to get his breath amid this vortex of
unexpected confusion into which he had been launched. "The uncle's
teeth are bad. Soft takuan[3] is just the thing. For long he has eaten
little else. Four or five stalks are sufficient." He went to the kitchen to
secure this valued gift. Then he collected his own possessions. With the
huge bundle of the furoshiki on his shoulders; with straw raincoat, sun
hat, clogs for wet and dry weather, piled on the top, and the stalks of
the takuan dangling down; "it was just as if they were running away
from a fire." As Densuké departed O'Mino closely observed him. He
was too subdued, too scared to give her anxiety. Later she left the house
to join him at the Hanzo[u]-bashi, far enough removed from Yotsuya. It
was then Tenwa, 2nd year, 11th month (December, 1682).
CHAPTER II
KAWAI SAN OF KANDU KU
This uncle of Densuké, Kawai Kyu[u]bei by name, was a rice dealer,
with a shop in Matsudacho[u] of the Kanda district. The distance to go
was far. As