The Ghost of the Maiden UNAI (_Nochi-jite_)
_This illustration, from a Japanese coloured woodcut, shows the figure of the maiden Unai (+see p. 35+), who wears a dress resembling that still worn by country maidens, though with the volume of the garment and the size of the patterns both a little more exaggerated than those which are now customary. The designer of the woodcut has put in symbolic and formalized representations of the Mandarin ducks and the flames of hell-fire which were among Unai's torments._ ]
The fields of ONO near the hamlet of IKUTA in Settsu, in the early spring.
Far through the country has my journey lain, Far through the country has my journey lain, And to the capital I speed my way.
I, a priest, am from the country, from the Western districts coming.[9] To the capital, which hitherto my eyes have never seen.
The paths along the coast are manifold, The paths along the coast are manifold, That on this journey I have traced, and oft My way has lain by boat across the sea. Over the sea and mountains stretching wide I watched the sun rise up and set again, And now I reach Ikuta which I know Only by name as in Tsu province fair, The hamlet of Ikuta now I reach.
Green shoots we gather, young green shoots of spring, And here in Ono by Ikuta blows The morning breeze so chill, so chill and strong It turns and billows out our flapping sleeves.[10]
While in the distant mountains, on the pines The snow has even yet not disappeared.
Oh, near the Capital the time has come To gather in the fields the shoots of spring. It makes our hearts glad just to think of that.
And we are country folk and therefore live A humble life here by Ikuta's sea. Our lives and work are of the lowliest And to the field of Ono every year Without the thought of pleasure do we come.[11] The footmarks of the many village folk That go to gather the young shoots of spring Have left wide tracks across the snowy field.
And tread a path, where else there would be none. And tread a path, where else there would be none.
The young green shoots that grow on field and marsh We now must gather. When the snow has gone They will already have become too old-- Though still the wind blows cold thro' shady copse And on the field of Ono lies the snow, The seven herbs of early spring-time sprout In Ikuta then let us pluck the shoots, In Ikuta then let us pluck the shoots.