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The background pattern is taken from the original book, but has been lightened for readability. The inconsistent hyphenization of “cuttle-fish” is in the original.
| long time ago there was a white mouse called Kanemochi, servant of Daikoku, the God of Wealth. His wife’s name was Onaga. Both Kanemochi and | ||
his wife were very discreet. Never in the day time nor even at nightdid they venture into the parlor or kitchen, and so they lived intranquility free from danger of meeting the cat. Their only son Fukutaroalso was of a gentle disposition. When he was old enough to take a wife,his parents concluded to get him one, transfer their property to him,and seek retirement. Fortunately, one of their relatives named Chudayuhad | a lovely daughter called Hatsuka. Accordingly a go-between wasemployed to enter into | |||||
with | marriage. | |||||
The bridegroom sent the bride the usual articles: |
an obi or belt, silk cotton, dried bonito, dried cuttle fish,white flax, sea-weed, and sake or rice wine. The bride sentthe bridegroom in like manner: | ||||
| a linen kami-shimo, dried bonito, dried cuttle-fish, white flax, sea-weed, fish, and sake; thus confirming the marriage promise. A lucky day was then chosen, and every thing prepared for the bride’s removal to her new home, her clothes were cut out and made, and needed articles purchased. So Chudayu was kept busy preparing for the wedding. | |||
| The parents made their daughter Hatsuka blacken her teeth as a sign that she would not marry a second husband; they also carefully taught her | that she must obey her husband, be dutiful to her father-in-law, and love her mother-in-law. Kanemochi on his part cleaned up his house inside and out, made preparation for the marriage ceremony and feast, assembled his relatives and friends, and sent out many of his servants to meet the bride on her way, and to give notice of her approach, that all might be prepared for her reception. | ||||
Soon the bride | Kanemochi went out as far as the gate to meet her, and ushered herinto the parlor. At a signal from the go-between the bride and bridegroom, to confirmthe marriage bond, exchanged between themselves three | |||||
attendants | cups of sake, | |||||
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When this ceremony, the “three times three” was ended, the guests exchanged cups with |
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the bride in token of good will, and thus the union was consummated. |
| Shortly afterwards the bride, her husband, and his parents visited her home. In the evening the bride returned home with her husband and his parents with whom she lived in harmony, contented, prosperous and happy, and much to be congratulated. | ||
Printed by the Kobunsha in Tokyo, Japan
The Kobunsha’s | ||||
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