2022
I visited my ancestors’ graves via remote video this year, too.
「 The Story of Kuzo Anesa 」
OThe young man seems to like both rice balls and sasadango rice cakes. Help yourself to a lot of them. Then, young man, you’ll taste better and better.
March 2023
On the day cherry blossoms are just about to bloom
「 The Story of Nyako, the Monster Calico Cat 」
One day, I heard the old woman talking with her son, Yosaku, meow.
“Since our calico cat keeps eating chickens, I’m sure it’s turning into
a monster cat. We have to throw it into a river as soon as possible.”
The old woman is scary! I began to hate her, meow. I started to want to
eat the old woman, meow.
にゃー子とばあさんの攻防。さてこの結末はいかに?
September 2021
On a clear, sunny autumn day
「 The Story of the Little Old Bird That Was Swallowed 」
From that day on, I ate pounded millet cakes with them every day, drank
rice liquor sometimes, sang songs, and enjoyed living happily ever after.
I’m here in the old man’s belly. It is a paradise, I tell you, a paradise.
I feel so good.
May 2021
When COVID-19 vaccinations started
「The Story of Kagami Sugi (A Mirror-Like Japanese Cedar Tree)」
wHowever, in recent years, a mysterious respiratory infection has been spreading even in this peaceful village and some villagers are suffering. It is said that the pollen has been going in and out of the villagers’ nostrils, discussing how to save the villagers.
January 2021,
In the midst of a cold front
「The Story of Anesa Who Became a Huge Snake」
It is said that since that time, the huge snake at the bottom of the pond continued to pray for the healthy growth of the children of the village. Anesa’s baby is also said to have grown up healthily and eventually became a monk serving at the village’s temple.
In February 2021,
when earthquakes come upon us as if they are our recollections
「The Story of a Celestial Mother Who Became a Hag」
But, if this hag was a former celestial being, she wouldn’t die just because boiling water was poured on her. If she really had perished, this interview would not have been possible. When did the hag wake up again? You’ll have to wait for the next story!
January 2021
In the Deep Drifts of Snow
「The Story of a Celestial Mother, Kakka」
We heard that Kakasa and Kotaro lived happily together, farming the fields
that the old man left them.
Nobody knows if Kakasa, the celestial mother, has continued to live on
for thousands of years after Kotaro’s passing. Not enough time has passed.
December 2020
On a night with the moon shining brightly
「The Story of Miiko, the Cat Shrine Maiden」
Since then, the years, each with its own zodiac symbol, have continued to roll around and people have continued to live through each year with its own various charms, wonders, and differences. The passage of time has become more deeply ingrained into the history of humankind.
November 2020
Into the season of the deepening of the crimson maple leaves
「The Story of Dondoko, Kannari Taro」
I continued my training at the temple. Then, my head gradually became larger and the horn at the top of my head was hidden from view. I also worked in the rice paddies of the village, where I was able to harvest good-quality rice.
October 2020
On a peaceful day even though the deities are all out of town
「The Story of Donwan, the Goblin, Whose Nose Became Longer」
Any baby, hanging and swaying from the goblin’s nose in a basket, slept easily and soundly. Young children also really enjoyed swinging and playing on the goblin’s nose.
「The Story of the Blue Honeybee, Buzz-Buzz」
I’m the fortune-telling blue honeybee, Buzz-Buzz. Saburo will become happy because he happened to find me. Saburo, please dig up the pot of gold coins and deliver it to the village. Please bring happiness to all the villagers.
April 2021
(On the day when cherry blossom petals started swirling down in the spring
breeze)
「The Story of the Old Princess Otohime Born in the Palace of the Dragon King under the Sea」
When I get old, I want to have a relaxing lifestyle. It would be nice to have an easy life, living off my pension benefits, which I have been looking forward to.