Ochikubo-28
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 again asks her aunt of Izumi Province for things necessary for completion of the marriage of Princess Ochikubo and Ukon’no Shoushou on the third night. According to the letter from the aunt, Akoki seems to have her mother already died, which is the same as the position of the Princess. That is why Akoki understands and feels (rather than just sympathizes with) the same feelings such as sorrow, lonliness, solitude, etc. which the Princess suffer. But Akoki has the aunt who willingly acts as a loving mother to her. She may feel pity for the Princess who has no one to depend or rely on. She may not have been able to leave the Princess alone.
Ukon’no Shoushou seems to write a love letter (probably swiftly) to the Princess after the second night. And at last he gets an answering poem from the Princess, even if he is refused and shunned by it. In fact, he seems to enjoy that denying response and find new attractiveness in her. As he has visited the Princess for two consecutive nights, he will go and see her on the last night, intending to become husband to her. This means Akoki’s important role in making ready for the official wedding ceremony (Akoki will be glad to do it).
Ochikubonokimi (Ochikubo-Hime, Princess Ochikubo) writes to Ukon’no Shoushou (for the first time), expressing her suspicion about true love of Ukon’no Shoushou. Does she literally reject him or just try him? Or the fact that she has him get her letter means her will to accept him as husband for the coming night? Does she just not resist the reality? Or she may see the brighter future with him than being abused by the stepmother, Kitanokata, as before? There must be certainly a change in her attitude and behavior.
Akoki’s aunt of Izumi Province seems to be affluent; she is greatly generous to Akoki. She may regard herself as replacement of Akoki’s late mother. Based on the lists which Akoki requests, she guesses that her niece (or someone) will get married that night. And she seems to want to know about the man for the benefit of her cherished treasure. Or does she guess right (not Akoki but Princess Ochikubo will get married) even though she cannnot write clearly in her letter?
Has Princess Ochikubo recovered herself? She seems to feel like giving a letter to Ukon’no Shoushou. Or does she just write it out of her sense of duty? Anyway she no longer weeps or lies down; has she just gotten to start her new life? Does she willingly step forward to change her future? Is she going to have a hope to live a happy days? Is she thinking of getting away from the bullying of the terrifying ruler? What decision will she make?
Let’s look up the classical Japanese languages below from the text of this episode.
[Classical Japanese Languages Picked Out]
「よそにてはなほわが恋をます鏡 添へる影とはいかでならまし（中略）身をさらぬ影と見えてはます鏡 はかなくうつることぞ悲しき」
（Yoso-nite-wa-Nao-Waga-Koi-wo-Masukagami Soeru-Kage-towa-Ikade-Nara-mashi (omitted) Mi-wo-Sara-nu-Kage-to-Mie-tewa-Masukagami Hakanaku-Utsuru-Koto-zo-Kanashiki）
よそ
Yoso
① other place, distant place, different place from where a person is ② things not related, unrelated things
にて
Nite
① at, in, on (place, time) ② by, with, in, of (means, ways, materials) ③ as, in (qualification, state/condition) ④ as, for, because of, by (cause, reason)
なほ
Nao
① still, yet, as it is ② also, too, after all ③ even, still, after all ④ like, as ⑤ further, increasingly, more and more, all the more ⑥ just (like), as if/though
恋
Koi
① yearning for things/people/place, etc. not in front of ② love felt
ます
Masu
（増す）① increase, gain (generally) ② increase/gain (number/figure/quantity/amount/volume)
（勝す・優す）③ (compared to others) superior to, be above/beyond, exceed ④ make someone/somthing excel/exceed/surpass
ます鏡
Masukagami
（ますみのかがみ）(Masunokagami) a perfectly clear mirror without a blur
添う（←添へ）
Sou（← Soe）
① added, (to it) appended ② (thing/person) accompany ③ (man and woman) been married, live as wife and husband ④ adapt to the form(ality), (go) along, in line with, meet/fullfill, come up to ⑤ as time goes by ⑥ add, append, attach ⑦ make someone go along/accompany ⑧ compare/liken something to others
かげ
Kage
（影） (shadow) ① light ② shape/form of things/persons seen under the light ③ form/shape reflected in a mirror/on the surface of the water ④ figure of persons not in front of someone, form/shape remembered/visualized in one’s mind, image/picture/trace of persons not in front of someone ⑤ shadow of things made by light, shadow of persons reflected on ground/walls under the light ⑥ thin/skinny figure ⑦ intangible/insubstantial/illusory state like a shadow ⑧ soul of the dead
（陰） (shade) ⑨ place where the light/wind does not reach ⑩ place whose sight is hindered/obstructed, place to hide, place behind buildings and other structures ⑪ protection, defense, protector, guardian, help/support/kindness, favor, patronage
なる（←なら）
Naru（← Nara）
（生る）① be newly born/made/created/produced, become ② plants bear fruit, become ripe, ripen
（成る）③ turn/change into other things, reach a certain state ④ reach a certain time/season/period/age, etc. after time passes ⑤ assume/take up a certian position, reach a certain/other social position/status ⑥ reach a certain place/height ⑦ things are finished/completed ⑧ can/be allowed to do something, can/may drink alcohol ⑨ do/be/appear/come showing respect by honoring
まし
Mashi
① if it were something, it would be something ② I wish someone/something were/had been ③ I wonder if/whether ④ if it is something, it should be ⑤ will/would/should
さる
Saru
（去る）① leave, go away ② resign from a government post/position ③ die, pass away ④ (distance) be away/distant from ⑤ (time/season) change/pass, become, turn/change into ⑥ (time) pass (away), elapse ⑦ change, alter ⑧ part, separate, keep apart/away from, avoid, shun ⑨ divorce
はかなし（←はかなく）
Hakanashi（← Hakanaku）
no clear purpose/aim/objective, unreliable, undependable ⇒① cannot be relied/depended on becasue of irresponsibility ② too soon, momentary, transient, short-lived, vain, empty
②→③ trivial, trifiling, negligible, inconsequential, insignificant, useless, furtile
①→④ (discretion) weak, silly, foolish, innocent, childish
うつる
Utsuru
（映る）① (in a mirror/on the surface of the water by light/shadow) form/shape of things is shown/projected/reflected
（移る）② move to other place ③ (government/official post/position) transferred/relocated ④ specter/ghost/phantom/evil spirit possess ⑤ time goes by/passes, the times change ⑥ color/smell/aroma/fragrance soak into/sink in ⑦ discolor/fade, fall, scatter ⑧ change, alter
かなし
Kanashi
kindness/consideration/sympathy/compassion/love greatly moves/touches heart ⇒①（愛し）be much attracted to, be much fascinated/captivated by, touching/impressing/attractive/fascinating ②（悲し・哀し）sad, sorrowful, melancholy, pitiful, pathetic
①→③ lovable, beloved, dearest
②→④ terrible, awful, mortifying, regrettable, disappointing, sorry
The part quoted above is traditional Japanese poetry (waka) of love dedicated to Princess Ochikubo from Ukon’no Shoushou (the first half) and a reply of waka sent for the first time from the Princess to Ukon’no Shoushou (the second half). It will be a great progress, won’t it? Does it show her change to get along with him? Or is she just being courteous? Her true intention is yet to be known.
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“I apprecaite your kindness. Thank you for all things that you have provided. They are really helpful for us. I am deeply grateful. You are the only one that I can rely on and I was wondering if you could help us again. The inevitable circumstances require me to get Japanese rice cakes for serving tonight. In addition, I would like to provide fruits, sweets and confectionery. If I could ask you a favor, we would be able to get over the current situation. The stay to avoid the inauspicious direction that I have told you in the previous letter is going to be extended. May I continue to use the kichou and other articles that you provided? I would also greatly appreciate if you will additionally get me a basin or other container for washing a face and hands. I am fully aware that I am brazen asking for this and that one after another, but I must make good and appropriate arrangements under the circumstances which we are placed in. So even if I have to suffer shame and misery, I have no choice but to ask. With all my love and big thanks," to her aunt Akoki wrote.
Meanwhile, Ukon’no Shoushou presented love for Princess Ochikubo in the form of a traditional Japanese poem (waka): “I cannot restrain my love for you. I cannot help wishing that I could live with you close by you all the time. I am willing to be the shadow of you reflected in a mirror if you will shine brilliantly." This wholehearted love may have moved the heart of the deeply hurt sensitive heroine. Finally the Princess sent a reply of waka: “I cannot rely on a shadow. It will surely disappear. How can I trust you?" This wit made the Prince break into a smile. Her attraction drew him into her mysterious world.
Akoki’s aunt of Izumi Province promptly replied: “I have always cared for you since your mother passed away. We do not have daughters and we have offered to adopt you for your comfortable happy life over and over again, which was turned down resulting in our disappointment. So we always welcome any requests from you. You can depend on me for the things and matters of your request in your last letter. You are free to use the items already provided. I will send a basin for washing a face and hands. I feel it is strange that if you should not have those necessities as you work in the house of Chunagon. I wonder why, and how you have done without them. You must tell me anything at once. I cannot let you leave in a miserable condition. Feel free to use it and others. You can be assured that you will have Japanese rice cakes. I will have them made and delivered to you quickly. Speaking of rice cakes, you may take a husband? Is tonight the third night spending together with him? And so you need the things requested for the ceremony? I wish I could meet and talk with you taking much time. I will do anything for you anytime and I always pray for your good health and happiness. I always wait for you and stand by you. I hear that the officer of province enjoys more pay than general. I can help you while my husband assumes it. Great love and best wishes." The dependable aunt gives sense of safety, courage and support, both phisically and mentally, to her dearest niece, Akoki.
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