宇城の民話
宇城の民話 「お勘女さん(英語版)」
2013年05月04日
Okanjyo
long, long ago, there was a big pine tree on the mount Okadake at Matsubase.
this tree looked like trumpet in its shape.
Villagers called this tree “the pine tree of gramophone” or “the Okan’s pine tree.”
because of the gracefully-shape of branches.
Okanjo had loved Mr.Tokubei very much who lived in Mount Tounou.
However, her wish of love was far from being realized.
Although Okanjyo was of kind-heart and good-nature, she turned into herself with bad temper day by day.
She showed off sweets and toys to little children, and took them away into a mountain.
She caused their parents looking for the children to lose their way, and made them very exhausted.
She made a demon’s rock-house [or “grotto”] look like a temple.
and let old people who visited there to keep them three days and nights.
As Okanjyo often tricked villagers, they became to dislike her.
When children were still playing after dusk, they were told that “Okanjyo will take you away elsewhere.”
and when children were not going to bed at late night, they were told that “Okanjyo will come down from the mountain if you didn’t go to bed now.”