Horaizan
: Japanese Fairy TalesJofuku was the Wise Man of China. Many books he read, and he never
forgot what was in them. All the characters he knew as he knew the lines
in the palm of his hand. He learned secrets from birds and beasts, and
herbs and flowers and trees, and rocks and metals. He knew magic and
poetry and philosophy. He grew full of years and wisdom. All the people
honoured him; but he was not happy, for he had a word written upon his
The word was Mutability. It was with him day and night, and sorely it
troubled him. Moreover, in the days of Jofuku a tyrant ruled over China,
and he made the Wise Man's life a burden.
"Jofuku," he said, "teach the nightingales of my wood to sing me the
songs of the Chinese poets."
Jofuku could not do it for all his wisdom.
"Alas, liege," he said, "ask me another thing and I will give it you,
though it cost me the blood of my heart."
"Have a care," said the Emperor, "look to your ways. Wise men are cheap
in China; am I one to be dishonoured?"
"Ask me another thing," said the Wise Man.
"Well, then, scent me the peony with the scent of the jessamine. The
peony is brilliant, imperial; the jessamine is small, pale, foolish.
Nevertheless, its perfume is sweet. Scent me the peony with the scent of
the jessamine."
But Jofuku stood silent and downcast.
"By the gods," cried the Emperor, "this wise man is a fool! Here, some
of you, off with his head."
"Liege," said the Wise Man, "spare me my life and I will set sail for
Horaizan where grows the herb Immortality. I will pluck this herb and
bring it back to you again, that you may live and reign for ever."
The Emperor considered.
"Well, go," he said, "and linger not, or it will be the worse for you."
Jofuku went and found brave companions to go with him on the great
adventure, and he manned a junk with the most famous mariners of China,
and he took stores on board, and gold; and when he had made all things
ready he set sail in the seventh month, about the time of the full moon.
The Emperor himself came down to the seashore.
"Speed, speed, Wise Man," he said; "fetch me the herb Immortality, and
see that you do it presently. If you return without it, you and your
companions shall die the death."
"Farewell, liege," called Jofuku from the junk. So they went with a fair
wind for their white sails. The boards creaked, the ropes quivered, the
water splashed against the junk's side, the sailors sang as they steered
a course eastward, the brave companions were merry. But the Wise Man of
China looked forward and looked back, and was sad because of the word
written upon his heart--Mutability.
The junk of Jofuku was for many days upon the wild sea, steering a
course eastwards. He and the sailors and the brave companions suffered
many things. The great heat burnt them, and the great cold froze them.
Hungry and thirsty they were, and some of them fell sick and died. More
were slain in a fight with pirates. Then came the dread typhoon, and
mountain waves that swept the junk. The masts and the sails were washed
away with the rich stores, and the gold was lost for ever. Drowned were
the famous mariners, and the brave companions every one. Jofuku was left
alone.
In the grey dawn he looked up. Far to the east he saw a mountain, very
faint, the colour of pearl, and on the mountain top there grew a tree,
tall, with spreading branches. The Wise Man murmured:
"The Island of Horaizan is east of the east, and there is Fusan, the
Wonder Mountain. On the heights of Fusan there grows a tree whose
branches hide the Mysteries of Life."
Jofuku lay weak and weary and could not lift a finger. Nevertheless,
the junk glided nearer and nearer to the shore. Still and blue grew the
waters of the sea, and Jofuku saw the bright green grass and the
many-coloured flowers of the island. Soon there came troops of young men
and maidens bearing garlands and singing songs of welcome; and they
waded out into the water and drew the junk to land. Jofuku was aware of
the sweet and spicy odours that clung to their garments and their hair.
At their invitation he left the junk, which drifted away and was no more
seen.
He said, "I have come to Horaizan the Blest." Looking up he saw that the
trees were full of birds with blue and golden feathers. The birds filled
the air with delightful melody. On all sides there hung the orange and
the citron, the persimmon and the pomegranate, the peach and the plum
and the loquat. The ground at his feet was as a rich brocade,
embroidered with every flower that is. The happy dwellers in Horaizan
took him by the hands and spoke lovingly to him.
"How strange it is," said Jofuku, "I do not feel my old age any more."
"What is old age?" they said.
"Neither do I feel any pain."
"Now what is pain?" they said.
"The word is no longer written on my heart."
"What word do you speak of, beloved?"
"Mutability is the word."
"And what may be its interpretation?"
"Tell me," said the Wise Man, "is this death?"
"We have never heard of death," said the inhabitants of Horaizan.
* * * * *
The Wise Man of Japan was Wasobiobe. He was full as wise as the Wise Man
of China. He was not old but young. The people honoured him and loved
him. Often he was happy enough.
It was his pleasure to venture alone in a frail boat out to sea, there
to meditate in the wild and watery waste. Once as he did this it chanced
that he fell asleep in his boat, and he slept all night long, while his
boat drifted out to the eastward. So, when he awoke in the bright light
of morning, he found himself beneath the shadow of Fusan, the Wonder
Mountain. His boat lay in the waters of a river of Horaizan, and he
steered her amongst the flowering iris and the lotus, and sprang on
shore.
"The sweetest spot in the world!" he said. "I think I have come to
Horaizan the Blest."
Soon came the youths and maidens of the island, and with them the Wise
Man of China, as young and as happy as they.
"Welcome, welcome, dear brother," they cried, "welcome to the Island of
Eternal Youth."
When they had given him to eat of the delicious fruit of the island,
they laid them down upon a bank of flowers to hear sweet music.
Afterwards they wandered in the woods and groves. They rode and hunted,
or bathed in the warm sea-water. They feasted and enjoyed every
delightful pleasure. So the long day lingered, and there was no night,
for there was no need of sleep, there was no weariness and no pain.
* * * * *
The Wise Man of Japan came to the Wise Man of China. He said:
"I cannot find my boat."
"What matter, brother?" said Jofuku. "You want no boat here."
"Indeed, my brother, I do. I want my boat to take me home. I am sick for
home. There's the truth."
"Are you not happy in Horaizan?"
"No, for I have a word written upon my heart. The word is Humanity.
Because of it I am troubled and have no peace."
"Strange," said the Wise Man of China. "Once I too had a word written on
my heart. The word was Mutability, but I have forgotten what it means.
Do you too forget."
"Nay, I can never forget," said the Wise Man of Japan.
He sought out the Crane, who is a great traveller, and besought her,
"Take me home to my own land."
"Alas," the Crane said, "if I did so you would die. This is the Island
of Eternal Youth; do you know you have been here for a hundred years? If
you go away you will feel old age and weariness and pain, then you will
die."
"No matter," said Wasobiobe, "take me home."
Then the Crane took him on her strong back and flew with him. Day and
night she flew and never tarried and never tired. At last she said, "Do
you see the shore?"
And he said, "I see it. Praise be to the gods."
She said, "Where shall I carry you?... You have but a little time to
live."
"Good Crane, upon the dear sand of my country, under the spreading pine,
there sits a poor fisherman mending his net. Take me to him that I may
die in his arms."
So the Crane laid Wasobiobe at the poor fisherman's feet. And the
fisherman raised him in his arms. And Wasobiobe laid his head against
the fisherman's humble breast.
"I might have lived for ever," he said, "but for the word that is
written on my heart."
"What word?" said the fisherman.
"Humanity is the word," the Wise Man murmured. "I am grown old--hold
me closer. Ah, the pain...." He gave a great cry.
Afterwards he smiled. Then his breath left him with a sigh, and he was
dead.
"It is the way of all flesh," said the fisherman.
More
-
Hans The Mermaid's Son
Translated from the Danish. In a village there once lived a smith called Basmus, who was in a very poor way. He was still a young man, and a strong handsome fellow to boot, but he had many little children and there was little to be earned by hi... Hansel And Gretel
Once upon a time there dwelt near a large wood a poor wood-cutter, with his wife and two children by his former marriage, a little boy called Hansel and a girl named Gretel. He had little enough to eat; and once, when there was a great famine i... Hansel And Gretel
Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily... Hansel And Grethel
BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (ADAPTED) Hard-by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his two children and his wife who was their stepmother. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Grethel. The wood-cutter had little to bite and to break, and once ... Hansel And Grethel
BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM Once upon a time there dwelt near a large wood a poor wood-cutter, with his wife and two children by his former marriage, a little boy called Hansel, and a girl named Grethel. He had little enough to break or bite; and onc... Hansel And Grettel
Once upon a time there dwelt on the outskirts of a large forest a poor woodcutter with his wife and two children; the boy was called Hansel and the girl Grettel. He had always little enough to live on, and once, when there was a great famine in t... Happy Let Us Be
Merry are the bells, and merry would they ring; Merry was myself, and merry could I sing; With a merry ding-dong, happy, gay, and free, And a merry sing-song, happy let us be! Merry have we met, and merry have we been; ... Hares And Wolves
The hares feed at night on tree bark; the field hares eat the winter rye and the grass, and the threshing-floor hares eat the grain in the granary. Through the night the hares make a deep, visible track through the snow. The hares are hunted by me... Hark! Hark!
Hark, Hark the dogs do bark! The beggars have come to town. Some in rags, and some in tags, And some in velvet gowns. Hear, hear, they're drawing near! Just hark to the tramp of feet! So haste about, set... Harvest-home
Here's a health unto our maister, The founder of the feast, And I hope to God wi' all my heart, His soul in heaven mid rest. That everything mid prosper That ever he tiak in hand, Vor we be all hi... Hashnu The Stonecutter
A Japanese Story Hashnu the Stonecutter sat beside the highway cutting stone. It was hard work, and the sun shone hot upon him. "Ah me!" said Hashnu, "if one only did not have to work all day. I would that I could sit and rest, and not have t... Hawley
Blow the wind high, blow the wind low, It bloweth good to Hawley's hoe. These lines are said to relate to one John Hawley, a wealthy merchant of Devon some centuries ago, who was fortunate in his shipping. According to Prince, p. 477,... He Rescues The Birds
BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) Once, while riding through the country with some other lawyers, Lincoln was missed from the party, and was seen loitering near a thicket of wild plum trees where the men had stopped a short time before to water their hors... He Wins Who Waits
Once upon a time there reigned a king who had an only daughter. The girl had been spoiled by everybody from her birth, and, besides being beautiful, was clever and wilful, and when she grew old enough to be married she refused to have anything to ... Hearing
<p>Can you hear like an owl? An owl can find his prey by hearing after dark. His ears are wonderful. Let us try if yours are.</p> <p>1. <em>Watch-test.</em> First, you must be blindfolded, and in some perfectly quiet place indoors. Now have the Guide... Heart Of Ice
Once upon a time there lived a King and Queen who were foolish beyond all telling, but nevertheless they were vastly fond of one another. It is true that certain spiteful people were heard to say that this was only one proof the more of their ex... Henny-penny
One day Henny-penny was picking up corn in the cornyard when--whack!--something hit her upon the head. "Goodness gracious me!" says Henny-penny; "the sky's a-going to fall; I must go and tell the king." So she went along, and she went along, and ... Henny-penny
One day Henny-penny was picking up corn in the rickyard when--whack!--an acorn hit her upon the head. "Goodness gracious me!" said Henny-penny, "the sky's a-going to fall; I must go and tell the King." So she went along, and she went along, and ... Hercules and the Wagoner
A CARTER was driving a wagon along a country lane, when the wheels sank down deep into a rut. The rustic driver, stupefied and aghast, stood looking at the wagon, and did nothing but utter loud cries to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules, it ... Here Goes My Lord
Here goes my lord-- A trot! a trot! a trot! a trot! Here goes my lady-- A canter! a canter! a canter! a canter! Here goes my young master-- Jockey-hitch! jockey-hitch! jockey-hitch! jockey-hitch! ... Here's A B C D
Here's A, B, C, D, E, F and G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z, And oh, dear me, When shall I learn My A, B, C. ... Hereward The Wake
When William of Normandy came over the sea, and took the crown of England, many English people would not call him king. The young lord Hereward was one of these. He and his men made for themselves a "Camp of Refuge" among the reeds and rushes on t... Hermes
AEolus was the father of all the winds, great and small. Long ago, they all lived happily together in a dark cave near the sea. On holidays, North Wind, South Wind, East Wind and West Wind and their faithful sisters, came home and told of thei... Hermod And Hadvor
From the Icelandic. Once upon a time there were a King and a Queen who had an only daughter, called Hadvor, who was fair and beautiful, and being an only child, was heir to the kingdom. The King and Queen had also a foster son, named Hermod, wh... Herr Lazarus And The Draken
Once upon a time there was a cobbler called Lazarus, who was very fond of honey. One day, as he ate some while he sat at work, the flies collected in such numbers that with one blow he killed forty. Then he went and ordered a sword to be made fo... Hewley-puley
The children are seated and the following questions put by one of the party, holding a twisted handkerchief or something of the sort in the hand. The handkerchief was called hewley-puley, and the questions are asked by the child who holds it. If one... Hey Diddle Diddle![58]
Hey diddle diddle, The cat scraped the fiddle, The cow jump'd over the moon; The little dog bayed To see such sports played, And the dish ran away with the spoon. The unmeaning ... His Springfield Farewell Address
It was on the morning of February 11, 1861, that the President-elect, together with his family and a small party of friends, bade adieu to the city of Springfield, which, alas! he was never to see again. A large throng of Springfield citizens asse... Hitty-titty
Hitty-titty in-doors, Hitty-titty out; You touch Hitty-titty, And Hitty-titty will bite you. These lines are said by children when one of them has hid herself. They then run away, and the one who is bitten (caught) be... Hofus The Stone-cutter
A JAPANESE LEGEND FROM THE RIVERSIDE THIRD READER (ADAPTED) Once upon a time in Japan, there was a poor stone-cutter, named Hofus, who used to go every day to the mountain-side to cut great blocks of stone. He lived near the mountain in a littl... Holiday Adventures
PART I O it was so hot, so hot; the earth was well-nigh parched up, and moreover the use of water was restricted in the town where the children lived. The flowers in the little garden were drooping for want of moisture, and the trees began to s... Holland
MARRIAGE.--A male must be eighteen years or more and a female sixteen years or more in order to be lawfully married. Marriage is forbidden between all descendants and ascendants, legitimate or otherwise, and in the collateral line marriages are ... Hollenmadchen
'But where is he to find the Witch-maiden?' said the first bird. 'She has no settled dwelling, but is here to-day and gone to-morrow. He might as well try to catch the wind.' The other replied, 'I do not know, certainly, where she is at prese... Homes
BY ANNIE WILLIS McCULLOUGH My bunnies like their cozy house, although they scamper out to play; My chickens like the slatted coop where all the mother hens must stay. My kitten likes her basket bed out in the woodshed near our door,... Hop-o'-my-thumb
There once lived in a village a faggot-maker and his wife, who had seven children, all boys; the eldest was no more than ten years old, and the youngest was only seven. It was odd enough, to be sure, that they should have so many children in su... Hop-o'-my-thumb
There once lived in a village a fagot-maker and his wife who had seven children--all boys; the eldest was no more than ten years old, and the youngest was only seven. It was odd enough, to be sure, that they should have so many children in such a ... Horaizan
Jofuku was the Wise Man of China. Many books he read, and he never forgot what was in them. All the characters he knew as he knew the lines in the palm of his hand. He learned secrets from birds and beasts, and herbs and flowers and trees, and roc... House Island
There lived in Norway, not far from the city of Drontheim, a rich and prosperous gentleman. He had an only daughter, called Aslog, the fame of whose beauty spread far and wide. The greatest men of the country sought her, but all were alike unsucce... How A Fish Swam In The Air And A Hare In The Water
Once upon a time an old man and his wife lived together in a little village. They might have been happy if only the old woman had had the sense to hold her tongue at proper times. But anything which might happen indoors, or any bit of news which h... How Aurore Learnt To Ride
When Aurore was old enough to leave the convent she went back to Nohant to live with her grandmother, who was failing fast and died the following year. Aurore was sixteen now, and things looked very different from what they did three years earlier... How Ball-carrier Finished His Task
After Ball-Carrier had managed to drown the Bad One so that he could not do any more mischief, he forgot the way to his grandmother's house, and could not find it again, though he searched everywhere. During this time he wandered into many strange... How Balloons Are Made
If you take a blown-up bladder under water and let go of it, it will fly up to the surface of the water and will swim on it. Just so, when water is boiled in a pot, it becomes light at the bottom, over the fire,--it is turned into a gas; and when ... How Brave Walter Hunted Wolves
A little back from the high road there stands a house which is called 'Hemgard.' Perhaps you remember the two beautiful mountain ash trees by the reddish-brown palings, and the high gate, and the garden with the beautiful barberry bushes which... How Cats Came To Purr
BY JOHN BENNETT A Boy having a Pet Cat which he Wished to Feed, Said to Her, "Come, Cat, Drink this Dish of Cream; it will Keep your Fur as Soft as Silk, and Make you Purr like a Coffee-Mill." He had no sooner said this than the Cat, with a G... How Cousin Wildcat Served Br'er Fox
Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox had both been paying calls one evening at the same house. They sat there, and after a while Br'er Rabbit looked out, and said: "Now then, folks and friends, I must say good-by. Cloud coming up yonder, and before we kn... How Footbinding Started
In the very beginning of all things, when the gods were creating the world, at last the time came to separate the earth from the heavens. This was hard work, and if it had not been for the coolness and skill of a young goddess all would have fa... How Geirald The Coward Was Punished
Once upon a time there lived a poor knight who had a great many children, and found it very hard to get enough for them to eat. One day he sent his eldest son, Rosald, a brave and honest youth, to the neighbouring town to do some business, and h... How Glooskap Made The Birds
Once upon a time long before the white men came to Canada there lived a wicked giant who caused great trouble and sorrow wherever he went. Men called him Wolf-Wind. Where he was born no man knows, but his home was in the Cave of the Winds, far in ... How I Learned To Ride
When I was a little fellow, we used to study every day, and only on Sundays and holidays went out and played with our brothers. Once my father said: "The children must learn to ride. Send them to the riding-school!" I was the youngest of the ... How Indian Corn Came Into The World
AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) Long, long ago, in a beautiful part of this country, there lived an Indian with his wife and children. He was poor and found it hard to provide food enough for his family. But though needy h... How Jack Went Out To Seek His Fortune
Once on a time there was a boy named Jack, and one morning he started to go and seek his fortune. He hadn't gone very far before he met a cat. "Where are you going, Jack?" said the cat. "I am going to seek my fortune." "May I go with you... How Many Lumps!
How many lumps of sugar Ought a little girl to use To sweeten a cup of chocolate? I can take just what I choose. Five make it just like candy, And four are most as good-- There's no one to say I mustn't,... How Many Miles To Babylon?
"HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON? THREE SCORE MILES AND TEN CAN I GET THERE BY CANDLELIGHT? YES, AND BACK AGAIN." How shall I go to Babylon? Who will tell me true? Oh, there are trains, and there are boats, ... How Nimble Helped
Billy Woodchuck and Fatty Coon had come early to Jimmy Rabbit's party. And Jimmy had told them to hang their hats and coats upon his new hat-rack--meaning Nimble Deer's antlers. But when they tried to do as they were bid they found that the antler... How Polly Had Her Picture Taken
BY EVERETT WILSON It was a bright spring morning, and all the animals on the Meadowbrook Farm had been given their breakfast, and the Piggy-wig family had settled down to a cozy nap. Suddenly there was heard a great noise and rushing out in the a... How Rabbit Deceived Fox
Long ago in Indian days in Canada, when Rabbit worked for Glooskap as his forest guide, he was a great thief. He liked most of all to steal by moonlight, and he crept quietly into gardens and fields where Indian vegetables were growing, f... How Raven Brought Fire To The Indians
Many ages ago when the world was still young, Raven and White Sea-gull lived near together in Canada, far in the north country on the shores of the Great Water in the west. They were very good friends and they always worked in harmony and... How Reynard Outwitted Bruin
Once on a time there was a bear, who sat on a hillside in the sun and slept. Just then Reynard came slouching by and caught sight of him. "There you sit taking your ease, grandsire," said the fox. "Now, see if I don't play you a trick." So he we... How Sampo Lappelill Saw The Mountain King
From the Swedish of Z. Topelius. FAR away in Lapland, at a place called Aimio, near the River Jana, there lived, in a little hut, a Laplander and his wife, with their small son, Sampo. Sampo Lappelill was now between seven and eight years of ... How Six Men Travelled Through The Wide World
There was once upon a time a man who understood all sorts of arts; he served in the war, and bore himself bravely and well; but when the war was over, he got his discharge, and set out on his travels with three farthings of his pay in his pocket. ... How Smaland And Schonen Came To Be
The Smalanders declare: At the time when our Lord created the earth, he made a level and fruitful stretch of land, and that was Schonen. But the devil had been busy in the meantime, and had created Smaland, a barren region consisting mainly of ... How Some Wild Animals Became Tame Ones
Once upon a time there lived a miller who was so rich that, when he was going to be married, he asked to the feast not only his own friends but also the wild animals who dwelt in the hills and woods round about. The chief of the bears, the wolve... How The Alphabet Was Made
THE week after Taffimai Metallumai (we will still call her Taffy, Best Beloved) made that little mistake about her Daddy's spear and the Stranger-man and the picture-letter and all, she went carp-fishing again with her Daddy. Her Mummy wanted her ... How The Beggar Boy Turned Into Count Piro
Once upon a time there lived a man who had only one son, a lazy, stupid boy, who would never do anything he was told. When the father was dying, he sent for his son and told him that he would soon be left alone in the world, with no possessions but ... How The Bluebird Came
<p>Nana-bo-jou, that some think is the Indian name for El Sol and some say is Mother Carey, was sleeping his winter's sleep in the big island just above the thunder-dam that men call Niagara. Four moons had waned, but still he slept. The frost draper... How The Buttercup Grew Yellow
Long, long ago it is told that the flowers were all white and that each received its color by some magic power. The little Daisy, with its yellow eye, received its golden center when the angry elves pelted the little Fairies with sunbeams. T... How The Camel Got His Hump
NOW this is the next tale, and it tells how the Camel got his big hump. In the beginning of years, when the world was so new and all, and the Animals were just beginning to work for Man, there was a Camel, and he lived in the middle of a Howling... How The Chipmunk Got The Stripes On Its Back
Do you all know the little striped chipmunk which lives in our woods? He has a cousin in far off India called the geloori. It is said the stripes came on the back of the geloori in a wonderful way. One day the great Shiva saw a little gray ... How The Dragon Was Tricked
From Griechtsche und Albanesische Marchen, von J. G. von Hahn. (Leipzig: Engelmann. 1864.) Once upon a time there lived a man who had two sons but they did not get on at all well together, for the younger was much handsomer than his elder broth... How The First Letter Was Written
ONCE upon a most early time was a Neolithic man. He was not a Jute or an Angle, or even a Dravidian, which he might well have been, Best Beloved, but never mind why. He was a Primitive, and he lived cavily in a Cave, and he wore very few clothes, ... How The Hermit Helped To Win The King's Daughter
Sicilianische Mahrchen Long ago there lived a very rich man who had three sons. When he felt himself to be dying he divided his property between them, making them share alike, both in money and lands. Soon after he died the king set forth a pro... How The Indian Pipe Came
<div> <img src="/images/i108.png" alt="How the Indian Pipe Came" title="How the Indian Pipe Came" height="400" width="353" /> How the Indian Pipe Came </div> <p>In the last tale you learned the fate of the Rev. John T. Arum, and the origin of Jack-in-t...