Ochikubo-16
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
Tachiwaki seems to be working only for the benefit (or desire) of his master, Ukon’no Shoushou. Has he decided not to consider the feeling and outcome of the Princess and his wife? Ultimately does he only take the side of his master? In fact, he seemingly does not care how the Princess feel or what the Princess want. In addition, he is about to betray and deceive his wife about her treasure, Princess Ochikubo. Is this his true nature?
Ukon’no Shoushou seems to have decided to meet Princess Ochikubo. Probably he does not have any other choice in mind. Maybe he has always his own way and thus he is brazen also in this affair. Will he ignore the feeling of Princess Ochikubo? Doesn’t he respect her will? He behaves like a dictator. Can he really bring happiness for Princess Ochikubo?
Akoki always consider Princess Ochikubo even when she can not serve her Princess. Her words to his husband tend to be harsh, but her actions incline to meet his demands (in contrast Tachiwaki uses soft and rather cajoling words to his wife and he derives from her as much compromise as possible; maybe he is smarter than his wife. It may be said that Akoki is purer; she does not have any doubt.).
Ochikubonokimi (Ochikubo-Hime, Princess Ochikubo) lives a life of fear; her daily state of mind is fright, or even terror. What a power Kitanokata has! The Princess always gives priority to other persons before herself. Unhappy Princess makes other persons happy even with her own sacrifice. Such a way of behavior is stunning. The Princess should be the authentic princess.
The future Prince saw the Princess for the first time in a one-sided way (actually stealthily hiding in the dark). His impression of her will be favorable as he indirectly orders his servant to make the Princess alone so that he would meet her without any other person. And the servant quickly took action as ordered and succeeded. Now the conditions for Ukon’no Shoushou to meet Princess Ochikubo are fulfilled. Can he really meet the Princess? WIll the Princess accept him? Or rather, does the Princess have a choice of refusing him? Is she only allowed to bear anything happening to her?
Let’s look up the classical Japanese languages below from the text of this episode.
[Classical Japanese Languages Picked Out]
「心のうちには、衣どもぞ萎えためる、恥づかしと思はむものぞと思ほしけれど、」
（Kokoro-no-Uchi-niwa, Kinu-domo-zo-Nae-tameru, Hazukashi-to-Omowan-mono-zo-to-Omooshi-kere-do,）
心
Kokoro
① heart, mind, spirit ② feeling, emotion, consideration ③ will, intention ④ discretion, sense, reason ⑤ taste, ability to understand taste ⑥ attitude, preparation ⑦ essence, truth, meaning, aim, object ⑧ center, the deepest part
ぞ
Zo
① (emphasize the words described above) even ② (showing strong conclusion/decision/assertion) ③ (emphasizing doubt) in the world
萎ゆ
Nayu
① dead tired/tired out/exhausted without strength in arms and legs ② (after wearing many times) wither with lost starch used in clothes
萎えためる＝萎え（Nae）＋ためる（Tameru）＝ witherd cloth whose starch has been lost after much wearing ＋ seemingly/apparently/look like
恥づかし
Hazukashi
sense of inferiority (of oneself) ⇒① embarrassed, ill at ease, hesitate, shy ② excellent, superior
ど
Do
① although, but, however ② even if/even though, necessarily, inevitably
心のうちには（Kokoro-no-Uchi-niwa）、〜思ほしけれど（Omooshi-kere-do）＝ although Ukon’no Shoushou thought in his heart that —-
衣どもぞ（Kinu-domo-zo）萎えためる（Nae-tameru）＝ the clothes of Ochikubo-hime appear to have withered as their starch has been lost
恥づかしと（Hazukashi-to）思はむものぞ（Omowan-mono-zo）＝ that Princess Ochikubo would be embarassed and ill at ease and worried
The sentence above shows the consideration of Ukon’no Shoushou for Princess Ochikubo. He also seems to know and understand how women feel and think (about their appearance including clothes). Will such tenderness be one of the merits of Ukon’no Shoushou for the Princess? He also has a sharp observation as his attention did not just go to her fine hair or others. He kept his cool, not swallowed by the excitement. On the contrary, he may have thought what and how he should do and behave for the Princess (who would feel shame because of her clothes) on the condition that he would see her face to face that night. He may be also shrewd, cunning and tough in getting what he wanted. Such personality of his may be enough for protection, defense and (counter)attack against Kitanokata, the stepmother of Princess Ochikubo. Should he be worthy of the Prince for the Princess?
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After all Tachiwaki took Ukon’no Shoushou to the place of Princess Ochikubo. He quietly opened the lattice from outside, so that the Princess was not aware of it. In the narrow space which can accommodate only one person, Ukon’no Shoushou was led. On the corridor Tachiwaki stood guard to escape from notice of the men of security service on night duty at the house of Chunagon. The first thing that Ukon’no Shoushou saw was a weak light of a candle. There was no proper furniture in the place of Ochikubo-Hime which should otherwise protect her from any eyes and thus he could discern the people there. The face he could see should be Akoki, wife of Tachiwaki. She is pretty and has beautiful hair in daily clothes of good quality. And the other one was leaning on some rest. Ah! This will be Princess Ochikubo. Even in the dim light, Ukon’no Shoushou found that her clothes was quite worn out. Regrettably only her back was could be seen. He looked hard at her hair making a beautiful line when the candle light went out. Oh! I have just only caught the sight of my Princess. But she will be my wife soon and so I don’t have to hurry. While he said to himself like that, the Princess talked to Akoki tenderly in an elegant voice; “Oh! it’s dark. I understand you have your man coming. I can take care of myself." “I greatly appreciate your consideration as always, but he has left me for someone who called him. Please do not mind. This silent house should frighten you as it is usually noisy with many people," said Akoki. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m all right. It is a usual thing that I’m frightened," answered the Princess. Upon hearing these words, Ukon’no Shoushou left the narrow space and from the lattice went out to Tachiwaki waiting for him. “How is it? Will you go home? Do you take a hat for protection from rain?" To this joke, Ukon’no Shoushou also returned a joke; “What? You must want a night with your wife. Am I standing in your way?"
Taking into consideration the clothes whose damaged condition was visible in the dark, the Princess will be embarrassed if he sees her; however, Ukon’no Shoushou directed Tachiwaki to go with Akoki promptly. His loyal servant moved to carry out his mission to take the faithful maid out of the place of the Princess. However, she would not leave the Princess, saying “I will stay with my Princess till morning. You have work as guard." “I’ve just been called. That’s what I want to have you heard. No trouble. Please," said the servant, begging her to come and see him. “Don’t be pestering! Do I have to listen now?" Notwithstanding such response, the maid went out of the Princess’ place, just which moment he hugged her tightly and said in an enticing whisper, “I was told that I must not sleep alone at a rainy night. Please stay with me." She scoffed and said, “There! I guess you have no business with me," although she followed and went to bed together with her husband. His mission completed upon removing Akoki from the Princess’ place, the servant did not say anything more, feigning sleep.
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