Ochikubo-11
This site gives it a try to read, understand and enjoy a story written in classical Japanese more than a thousand years ago.
Tale of Ochikubo-Hime is a Japanese version of Cinderella which should entertain readers of all ages.
Your joining in this try will be highly welcomed and greatly appreciated.
(Please be informed that this site provides content based on the personal views and opinions of the author of this site.)
Dictionaries and books generally used in this site
『落窪物語』（Tale of Ochikubo）（稲賀敬二）（Inaga Keiji）（新潮社 2017）（Shinchosha）
『全訳読解古語辞典（第五版）』（小型版）（Dictionary for Classical Japanese for Reading and Interpretation, 5th edition, pocket type）（鈴木一雄 小池清治 倉田実 石埜敬子 森野崇 髙山善行）（Suzuki Kazuo Koike Seiji Kurata Minoru Isino Keiko Morino Takaki Takayama Yoshiyuki）（三省堂 2021）（Sanseido Co., Ltd.）
『ルミナス和英辞典（第2版）』（Luminous Japanese-English Dictionary）（小島義郎 竹林滋 中尾啓介 増田秀夫）（Kojima Yoshiro Takebayashi Shigeru Nakao Keisuke Masuda Hideo）（研究社 2006）（Kenkyusha Co., Ltd.）
『ニュースクール英和辞典（第二版）』（Kenkyusha New School English-Japanese Dictionary, 2nd edition）（廣瀬和清 伊部哲）（Hirose Kazukiyo Ibe Satoshi）（研究社 2019）（Kenkyusha Co., Ltd.）
The original text of Tale of Ochikubo can be found in the website below:
（https://www.komazawa-u.ac.jp/~hagi/txt_ochikubomonogatari.txt）
First of all, we see the characters of this episode of Tale of Ochikubo-Hime.
Characters of this episode
Ukon’no Shoushou has been growing more impatient to go and see Princess Ochikubo. His such irritation may have turned into a condemnation to his foster brother and servant. He may be actually hurt in a severe degree behind his light tone with no response from the Princess.
Tachiwaki was accused of failing to get any message from Princess Ochikubo by a sharp observation of his master. It prompted him to move on behalf of the potential Prince. His determination for success seems to be stronger than ever.
Akoki basically takes the side of Princess Ochikubo but also sympathizes with her husband in part and so seems to do her best both for protection of the Princess and a happy result for all concerned, namely the Princess, Ukon’no Shoushou and her husband. But Kitanokata’s malicious treatment of the Princess blocked the Akoki’s efforts to open the way for happiness of her Princess (and her would-be Prince and her husband).
Ochikubonokimi (Ochikubo-Hime, Princess Ochikubo) seems to have nothing in mind except that no trouble should be secured by all means as for the matters in the real world (as Kitanokata terrifies her). Such state of mind may close the door for happpiness that Akoki and Tachiwaki (and Ukon’no Shoushou) strive to open for the Princess.
Ushouben is the husband of Nakanokimi, the second daughter of Kitanokata. Also clothes of Ushouben Princess Ochikubo seemed to have made without advance notice probably under the order of the stepmother. The Princess did as she was told without considering or taking time for Akoki.
Kitanokata seems to have exerted her influence even without her presence. Her style of control is to use threats and terror, namely brutal suppression. Its effect on Ochikubo-Hime is obvious as she would never try to deviate from the unreasonable imposition of the stepmother. Such invisible power obstructs the attempts of Akoki and Tachiwaki (and Ukon’no Shoushou). How will goodness overthrow vices?
Let’s look up the classical Japanese languages below from the text of this episode.
[Classical Japanese Languages Picked Out]
「いみじう物のつつましきうちに、かやうの文もまだ見知らざりければ、いかに言ふとも知らぬにやあらむ。」
（Imijiu-Mono-no-Tsutsumashiki-uchi-ni, Kayou-no-Fumi-mo-Mada-Mishira-zari-kere-ba, Ikani-Iu-tomo-Shira-nu-niya-Ara-n）
いみじ（う）
（Imiji(u)）
necessary to avoid/shun because ominous ⇒① (so much as) (in degree) remarkable, excessive, extraordinary, very (much)
② excellent, wonderful, marvelous, superb, splendid ⇒③ glad/happy/pleased very much
①⇒④ extremely, horrible, terrible, dreadful, sad, shameful, miserable, deplorable
物
（Mono）
a general word vaguely meaning things which can be felt with five senses or thought about ⇒① generalized things in terms of forms, things given a generalized definition
② (certain) things, matter, objects ③ general/ordinary/usual things ④ vaguely implying food and drinks, furniture and fixtures, clothes and clothing, musical instruments, etc. ⑤ what are thought of, what should be said, anything that ought to be told ⑥ general expression of humans and animals ⑦ place which should be visited ⑧ somthing supernatural, demon, vengeful ghost, specter, evil spirit, etc.
つつまし（き）
（Tsutsumashi(ki)）
reserve, hesitation, timidity, deffidence, state and feeling of automatic mental tension or strain
⇒① feel awkward, intimidated ② hesitate, refrain due to concern for other people, etc. ③ ashamed, embarrassed
うち
（Uchi）
① inside, inward, within ② inside of a heart ③ during, while ④ (of quantity and amount) within, less than
⑤ the Imperial Court of Japan, the Imperial Palace of Japan ⑥ the Emperor (of Japan), the Mikado
⑦ inside of a house, the interior of a room, house, building, premises ⑧ a spouse living together, own life partner, own wife or husband ⑨ (in contrast to other countries) own country, inside or within the own country
⑩ (in contrast to Confucianism which is called ほか（Hoka）in Japanese meaning outside) Buddhism
いみじう物のつつましきうちに＝ during much hesitation due to concern for other people
見知る
（Mishiru）
① (of things, etc.) seeing and knowing, understand ② being acquainted, familiar face without much communication, close contact ③ seeing and recognizing, find, notice ④ seeing and understanding, familiar with (all) things ⑤ have an experience
見知らざりければ＝見知ら (seeing and knowing, understand) ＋ざり (not) ＋けれ (state in the past) ＋ば (showing the reason/cause)
言ふ
（Iu）
to say a word in an audible voice, often used in calling a name, reciting poetry, asking (for) love, etc.
(to a person) ① say/speak/tell words ② say, name, call ③ rumor, gossip, talk about ④ (portery) compose, recite
(a person) ⑤ propose, ask (for) love ⑥ (animals) make a sound ⑦ (in the form of「○○といわず（—-to-iwazu）」) irrespective of, notwithstanding, regardless of
とも
（Tomo）
adding a vague air/nuance, toning down the affirmation/negation
いかに言ふとも＝how to recite/compose a poem for a reply, among other ways of communication
知る
（Shiru）
to learn/acquire things through getting knowledge, understanding, experiencing, etc.
(a person (do) something) ① understand, know, recognize, have discretion ② experience, feel, sense ③ associate with, keep company with, have relation/connection with
(a person) ④ know, understand
in the form of「人に知る（Hito-ni-Shiru）」「人知れず（Hito-Shirezu）」⑤ (to the poeple in the world) known
知らぬにやあらむ＝知ら (understand, know) ＋ぬ (not) ＋にや (showing question) ＋あら (showing assertion) ＋む (showing a guess)
The sentence above is the remark of Ukon’no Shoushou. This shows his heart considerate of Princess Ochikubo but his comment following the sentence above exhibits his emotional conflict. He may feel that he is the only one that does not receive attention of the Princess (however, any man will be treated in the same way if he wants love or marriage with her).
Thank you for reading. Before next episode, the English version of this episode will be given for charge at the end of this page accompanied with the Okokorozuke button.
This content is only published and available in this website.
The author of this website has all copyrights to this content.
No one may use this content for any purpose except for reading.
Your Okokorozuke (support money) will be encouragement. Please use the button for Okokorozuke at the end of this page if you will.
You can read English version of Ochikubo-Hime for charge. (No refund is available.) ([Caution!] This English version is the same one as that provided for charge in the site of おちくぼ物語 in Japanese https://jacl.it-is-the-tale.com.)
“Princess Ochikubo should have had no opportunity to glance at such a letter as she always squeezed herself, keeping a distance from the world. So she probably does not know how to make a poem as anyone usually does. But you said that the Princess was considerate of any persons. Then why have I not received even only one word from her at all?" said Ukon’no Shoushou, blaming Tachiwaki. “Well…. According to my wife, violent torture of Kitanokata intimidates the Princess. Actually Kitanokata throws her stepdaughter the menacing remark that Kitanokata is sure to punish her upon any slight sign of a failure to obey the rules that Kitanokata imposes on her. Naturally the Princess is scared into retiring." To this response in defense of Princess Ochikubo, Ukon’no Shoushou again demanded that his foster brother should take him to the Princess. Then Tachiwaki was not able to ignore the order of his master any more and thus watched for a chance to build a bridge between his master and the Princess in any way.
About ten days later Ukon’no Shoushou entrusted Tachiwaki with a letter to Princess Ochikubo; it revealed his real pain, saying “these days I wondered if I might as well stop writing a letter to my Princess as your cold disregard for me has been unbearable and I’m worried that I am even on the edge of harboring a grudge against you, but I cannot live without you and I’m distressed in a miserable state without anyone’s knowing." Tachiwaki begged his wife, Akoki, for any reply from the Princess to his foster brother, pleading that I have to get any answer for my master because I am doubted of my negligence as no word came from the Princess. “But my Princess is at a loss, having no idea what and how to say," said Akoki for the good of her Princess. However, considering the situation also for her husband, Akoki called on the Princess and found her busy in sewing for the husband of the second daughter of Kitanokata, Ushouben, who was required to go to the court as soon as possible, resulting in no chance for a look at the letter, let alone a reply.
Thank you for reading this English version.
❗️This English version is only published and available in the websites of おちくぼ物語 in English and in Japanese https://jacl-en.it-is-the-tale.com; https://jacl.it-is-the-tale.com.
❗️The author of this website has all copyrights to this English version.
❗️No one may use this English version for any purpose except for reading.