Ochikubo-25
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 may always resort to her aunt in Izumi Province for anything that she cannot handle. The aunt may be likened to a safety net in time of need for her. Is this aunt that offerd Akoki to welcome her as family (but Akoki chose to accompany the Princess)? Maybe Akoki has already told the aunt about the adversity of the Princess and her sympathy with the tragic mistress and her determination to do anything for protection of her irreplaceable dearest precious one.
Akoki’s aunt seems to be a generous, kind and warm-hearted person; she does not ask the reason for the request in giving the things requested. In fact, Akoki seems to have written a letter to the aunt only when she wants anything; nevertheless it seems that the aunt has willingly responded to those requests. How sweet she is! Has she known the difficult circumstances surrounding the Princess?
Ochikubonokimi (Ochikubo-Hime, Princess Ochikubo) shows consideration for Ukon’no Shoushou. Is this a sign of her change to open up her mind? Does Ukon’no Shoushou guess her mind right? Has she only been worried about her appearance? The nice and decent clothes offered by Akoki seems to have given her confidence to behave naturally as she is. Has she taken a step forward for happiness in the real world? Has she already been going to respond to the demand of Ukon’no Shoushou? Or does it depend on the true love and sincerity of Ukon’no Shoushou?
Ukon’no Shoushou will be exhilarated with proper treatment as fiance of Princess Ochikubo, who even tries her best to welcome him. It seems that the more gentle he becomes to her the more trust she may give to him. Has he finally broken through the first big hurdle to get known each other and familiar with her? Will he be able to make her believe a bright future with him? Can he get her choose the life with him?
Lastly it seems that the dream of Ukon’no Shoushou has come true! The Princess beautifully attired does not refuse or reject the knight who will save her from the predicament at present. Has he already been ready for a fight against the villain, Kitanokata? Does he have any idea or plan for beating the nasty devil? The fortune of Princess Ochikubo may finally turn around.
Let’s look up the classical Japanese languages below from the text of this episode.
[Classical Japanese Languages Picked Out]
「「音づれたまはぬをこそ、いと心憂く思ひたまふれ。何も何も、なほ宣はむと宣へれば、よろづとどめつ。いとあやしけれど、おのが着むとて、したりつるなり。さはしも、ものしたまふらむ。几帳奉る」」
（"Otozure-Tamawa-nu-wo-koso, Ito-Kokorouku-Omoi-tamaure. Nani-mo-Nani-mo, Nao-Notamawa-n-to-Notamae-reba, Yorozu-Todome-tsu. Ito-Ayashikere-do, Ono-ga-Kin-tote, Shi-tari-tsuru-nari. Sawa-shimo, Monoshi-tamau-ran. Kichou-Tatematsuru"）
おとづる（←おとづれ）
Otozuru（← Otozure）
① sound, make/produce a sound, say, voice ② visit/call on a person ③ ask how things stand by letter and other means of communication, send a letter, contact
とどむ
Todomu
① stop, halt ② stop, hold back ③ cease, discontinue, suspend, cancel ④ leave behind/over, preserve, set/put aside ⑤ (to mind/eyes/ears) draw attention, show/take interest in
つ
Tsu
① have done/been something ② will surely/certainly do/have done something ③ will surely/certainly/undoubetdly/always do/have done something, would certainly have done something ④ showing actions repeated
む
N
① will (showing a future guess) ② will (showing an intention), be going to do ③ should, ought to, had better ④ how about doing something? ⑤ surmise, suppose, assume ⑥ adding an effect of euphemism/indirectness
とて
Tote
① saying/thinking something (showing a quote) ② it is said to be, it is said that (showing reasons) ③ in order to do something, for the purpose of ④ called/named something
さは
Sawa
① that (way), so/such ② then, and then, thus
しも
Shimo
① just, only, of all something ② never, (not) at all ③ (not) always/necessarily, (not) bother/mean to do ④ notwithstanding, nevertheless, on the contrary
ものす
Monosu
① be, exist ② go, come ③ be born, come into existence, die ④ do, perform
らむ
Ran
① will have been/done something now ② will have been\done something (showing reasons) ③ why someone has done/been something ④ it is said/they say that someone has done/been something ⑤ showing supposition/vagueness ⑥ will be/be doing/do something
The words above are a reply of the aunt of Akoki. They show a tender heart and a wonderful personality. Such aunt should be encouraging and reassuring for Akoki, indeed. The fact that Akoki can rely on her in need anytime will give Akoki a sense of security and strength to confront difficulties. Like the Akoki’s aunt, is a generous person with a great heart also blessed with wealth?
Roughly speaking, “む" shows a guess for future; “らむ" shows a guess for the present; and “けむ" shows a guess for the past. Of these three words showing a guess, only “む" has a meaning of will (intention). “らむ" and “けむ" also shows a guess of causes for the present and for the past respectively. “む" has other meanings of judgment of being proper, invitation/solicitation, and assumption/supposition. “らむ" and “けむ" has a meaning of hearsay each for the present and for the past. And “む" and “らむ" and “けむ" are used to add euphemistic/indirect/roundabout effect.
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.)
“This is an urgent request. I would appreciate your understanding. Would you please lend me a kichou and a set of bedclothes (good ones if possible)? I provide my place for use of a noble lady as she needs to avoid an inauspicious direction. I am sorry to toruble you but I have to rely on your kindness as always. With all my love." This letter written by Akoki quickly was responded to by a favorable answer from her aunt: “Dear my love. I’m so pleased that you remember me. I’m also delighted to help you. Well, let me cut to the chase; I provide you with new articles that you want (I’m sorry they’re not so good but so-so). You may already have such ones, but please use those which I’ll send (and you don’t have to return them). Feel free to ask anything anytime. You are always welcomed. Lots of love." Quilts made of cotton suitable for cool night in autumn and other fine items much gratified Akoki, who showed them to her Princess to share joy.
Just upon unfolding and setting the kichou provided, Ukon’no Shoushou came. Tonight he is welcomed as to-be-husband of Princess Ochikubo. The Princess still lying felt sorry for the Prince to get up, receiving sweet and kind words from him who stopped her and took care of her also lying together beside her. In decent and nice clothes entirely different from those of the last night, the Princess relieved and relaxed without embarrassment and humiliation, enveloped in fine fragrance, can meet and talk with her future husband, who also calmly enjoys the night with his desired Princess feeling at ease. The Princess opening her heart a little gives a few replies, although in a faltering way, which made the Prince feel greater love for her, saying to himself; what a marvelous Princess! I’m determined to protect my Princess from any harm in any way. The overjoyed Prince is absorbed in talking with her treasured Princess until the morning has come instantly.
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.