Ochikubo-24
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
Akoki seems to be placed in a difficult position; needless to say, she does not want to do anything that would embarrass and agonize her treasured Princess, but she is forced to take a choice which she would refuse under other circumstances. Her determination to do anything for her Princess may reach and move the Princess’ heart. After all the ties and bonds between Princess Ochikubo and Akoki should be so firm and strong as would never be broken or severed. The trust and confidence between them will make for conquest of this humiliating hardship.
Ochikubonokimi (Ochikubo-Hime, Princess Ochikubo) seems to still worry about her appearance and thus her relief exceeds over her shame when her loyal maid and best friend offers good-looking clothes to her. She may want to avoid shame before Ukon’no Shoushou (or rather any men) at any cost. Or shame with Akoki may be better and bearable than misery with him. Anyway she does not hesitate to change her clothes into those offered. Now that she will not feel shy spending the night together with the (future) Prince.
Akoki makes arrangements for the Princess to welcome the Prince, Ukon’no Shoushou. She is substantially mother of the Princess for preparation of official, honorable, delighted marriage. Maybe the success of this marriage (or happiness for the Princess) depends on Akoki('s resourceful management). This smart and tough competent loving guardian should be able to fulfill the mission assigned to her. The Princess may see a sign of her bright future with the Prince.
Let’s look up the classical Japanese languages below from the text of this episode.
[Classical Japanese Languages Picked Out]
「かたじけなくとも、まだいたう身にも馴れはべらず。いとほしう。昨夜をだに、さて見えたてまつるたまひけむを」
（Katajikenaku-tomo, Mada-Itou-Mi-nimo-Nare-habera-zu, Itooshi-u. Yobe-wo-dani, Sate-Mie-tatematsuru-tamai-ken-wo）
かたじけなし（←かたじけなく）
Katajikenashi（← Katajikenaku）
ugly appearance/looks ⇒① clumsy-looking, shameful, disgraceful, embarrassing ② awesome, too good for
②→③ thankful, grateful, obliged
とも
Tomo
① even if, even though ② it is true but, even if it were ③ of course it is, not to speak of, used to show absolute agreement
まだ
Mada
still, yet, even now
いたう
Itoo
＝いたく（Itaku）→いたし（Itashi）
身
Mi
① body, physique, figure ② personal affairs, circumstances, social position/status, one’s place/limitations ③ oneself, myself ④ life ⑤ main part of a sword, blade ⑥ content, substance ⑦ I, myself
馴る（←馴れ）
Naru（← Nare）
① get skilled/experienced ②get used to, become familiar with
う
U
① will, would ② will, would, be going to ③ should, had better, ought to ④ how about …? ⑤ even if/though ⑥ such as, like
さて
Sate
① as it is, in that state ② other than, except (for), apart from ③ then, so, and ④ although, however, but, though ⑤ still what/how used to show strong emotion
見ゆ（←見え）
Miyu（← Mie）
① see, come into view ② seen, be looked at ③ see, meet ④(women) get married, become a wife ⑤ be used/accustomed to seeing, see, find, come across, catch sight of ⑥ come, appear, turn up ⑦ feel (like), seem ⑧ be able to see/watch
けむ
Ken
① would have been/done something ② (reason) would have been/done something ③ why would something have been/done? ④ be said to have been/done something
The words above are Akoki’s proposal to Princess Ochikubo. Akoki seems to be well off, having quality clothes, in return for serving San’nokimi (against her will) who gives her favorable treatment. To put it in another way, the circumstances of Princess Ochikubo are inferior to and worse than those of her maid. Akoki should not have wanted to make such a proposal to the Princess, but taking into account the feelings and position of her mistress, she may inevitably conclude that it will be the best solution in this situation. In light of that misery last night, this shame now would be better and acceptable to the agonizing Princess. Maybe Akoki is not just proposing but actually imploring the proud mistress to bear the stigma at present for future happiness. Not to mention the pain of the tragic heroine, Akoki is also suffering in the current predicament.
Does Princess Ochikubo find a bright side of the Ukon’no Shoushou’s coming? Is she aware of a chance for an ordinary marriage which she has given up or not even considered? She may be pleased to wear beautiful clothes as others do. She may be also expecting anything good of her future husband as any women do. Is she going to open up her mind for a bright hope? Is Ukon’no Shoushou already bringing her joy, even a bit? Her fate may be turning around.
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 had a few excellent belongings such as mirror and comb which the late mother used; their elegant style is worthy of a noble lady. “What if even they had been deprived of," said Akoki to herself aloud, polishing them beautifully and set them beside the pillow of the Princess. In that way Akoki did all work, both that of adult maids and that of young maids, one after another until the evening has come.
To prepare for the Ukon’no Shoushou’s visit, Akoki slided toward Princess Ochikubo splendid clothes which San’nokimi gave Akoki for a reward. “I beg your pardon for my bold proposition. This one is almost brand new, available to Your Highness. The night is coming and we need to brace ourselves for it." And apologetically Akoki further said, “I am fully aware of my rudeness, but we may not have any other choice." The Princess, who would run away from such disgrace if she could, feels gratitude for Akoki’s kindness, friendship and consideration and relieved that she will not expose the same shabby look as the last night’s, putting on them. Akoki also provided incense, which was also a reward from San’nokimi on the occasion of the ceremony for becoming an adult. Instantly the Princess’ place is full of sweet fragrance. There is some remaining tasks to do with; I have to get at least one sanjyaku-screen for a finish with smart style. I wonder whom I could ask for it. And I want to borrow some nice bedding too. After some consideration, Akoki decided to ask her aunt, who was married to the officer of Izumi Province, whether she could borrow them and immediately sent a letter.
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.