Japanese Folk Tale

214
The Yanagita Guide to the Japanese Folk Tale
209. Rokubei Who Had Occult Sight
There once was a jealous husband who had the habit when he came
home of saying, "You, there, I saw what went on. So and so came
today, didn't he?" And he was usually right. His wife would say the
fortune telling sticks were liars. It happened that ten 1000-ryo boxes
were stolen from the castle in Sendai. No matter how much the matter
was investigated, nothing was learned. A rumor was heard about the
fortune teller Rokubei, and a sedan chair was sent to meet him and
bring him there. Since there was no help for it, the man took courage
and went along. When they stopped at the border of the region, the
head samurai had the place cleared and then addressed Rokubei. He
said, "Now, Fortune Teller, if you go ahead, you will probably locate
the money boxes, but it is not likely that I can keep my head. I have a
request to make of you. Let me keep one box and you can have one,
but do not tell that I took them. If you do not agree, I'll take your
life right here and now." The man turned pale and agreed. He asked,
"Then where are the money boxes?" He was told they were behind the
moat of the castle. After he reached Sendai, he set up his fortune
sticks. He said, "Two boxes were carried off by a great bandit to the
west, but the others are buried. Hurry and dig them up." (The night
before, he and the samurai had hurriedly dug up the two boxes.) Workmen
were called, and, sure enough, the eight boxes were there. The
feudal lord was delighted. He gave one of them to Rokubei as a
reward, so he went home with two. His wife said, "I did not realize
what a skillful man you were." After that they lived together as a
happy pair.
Iwate, Kamihei-gun
Iwate, Kamihei-gun: Kikimimi 135, "The fake fortune teller" (Nise
hakke). Example. Getting the extra box of money as thanks was
probably made up. Roo 174, "Rokubei who had occult sight" (Mitoshi
Rokubei). It resembles "Famous for scenting" closely. There are
such stories of confessions by thieves. In this one there is nothing
about guessing the fire.
Tottori, Hino-gun: Inpaku dowa 37, "The boy who told fortunes" (Hakke
no kozo). He was only fooling when he laid out fortune sticks, but
he was sent for advice. He escaped into the mountains from the
sedan chair sent for him. He overheard the secret of thieves.
Kagoshima: Koshiki 176, "The fake fortune teller" No. 1 (Nise hakke).
Nabeya Shichibei found the golden jar that had been stolen from
the palace. This is in the same group as "Seven enemies in one
stroke." In Japanese tales it frequently goes with "Famous for
scenting." This also seems quite old.