Ten Kiogen in English/The Demon Tile

Master.—I am a man from the far-off country. I will call my servant, as I have something to say to him. Is Taro there?

Taro.—Yes.

Master.—You are there!

Taro.—Right before you.

Master.—I call you only to tell you that I think I will go out for pleasure somewhere, since I feel dull with my long stay in the capital. What do you think about it?

Taro.—As you say, have not been anywhere for a long while, and it would be good for you to go.

Master.—Well, then, let us go. Now, come on, come on!

Taro.—Very well.

Master.—We will have more joy, going out for pleasure unexpectedly like this, will we not?

​Taro.—Yes, so it is. There may be many people if you wish for company. But you will feel at ease in your mind, taking me alone with you.

Master.—As you say, it would be more comfortable for me to take you only than to have a disagreeable companion.

Taro.—Indeed, so.

Master.—Say, I see here a great temple. Don’t you know what it is?

Taro.—Don’t you know this temple?

Master.—No, I do not.

Taro.—This is the Rokkaku Do, very famous in the capital.

Master.—Is this the Rokkaku Do I have heard of it somehow?

Taro.—Yes, it is.

Master.—It is a wonderful temple worthy of its fame, is it not?

Taro.—So it is.

Master.—Now, let us go up for worship!

Taro.—That would be good.

Master.—Namu Daiji Daihi no Kwanzeon Bosatsu! Guard me to make my military fortune unchan​geable! Guard me to be free from sickness and evil, and made my life long! Now, let us go to the back of the temple! Now, come on, come on!

Taro.—Very well.

Master.—Look at this yema.^[1] Isn’t it the most elaborate thing in the capital? Oh, say, I see some dreadful thing there at the eaves of the temple. What is it?

Taro.—It is called the demon tile, or the flower tile.

Master.—Ah, well, what a dreadful face!

Taro.—It is a dreadful face as you say.

Master.—Don’t you remember that somebody looked just like that?

Taro.—These is nobody who looks like that in this world.

Master.—No, no, there’s one who looks just like that. (He cries.)

Taro.—Oh, my lord, why you are grieving so?

Master.—It is right for you to think it strange. It was nobody but my “mountain god” at ​home, who looked just like that. I am compelled to cry when recalling my home to my mind.

Taro.—When I look closely at it, by reason of your words, I find that she is just like it.

Master.—Doesn’t she look like it when she is mad having things disagreeable to her heart, and cries?

Taro.—Yes, she does look like it.

Master.—Doesn’t she look like it again, when she is happy in heart, and laughs?

Taro.—That is only your favouritism. Her mouth is a deal wider than its mouth.

Master.—Say, I feel shame thinking why I married such a woman.

Taro.—No, I don’t think so.

Master.—Well, Taro, I have been grieving so foolishly. She is not a woman sweet to my heart, but there’s nothing more happy having prosperous children between us, is it not so?

Taro.—So it is.

Master.—Now, we will laugh loudly from joy, and go back.

Taro.—That will be good.

Master.—Come before me!

Taro.—Very well.

​Master.—Now, you laugh!

Taro.—Now, you laugh!

Master and Taro.—Now! Now! (Laughter.)