Japanese Folk Tale

Humorous Stories: Exaggerations 231
over and decided to give up their bad traits once and for all. They sat
by the fire warming themselves. They could endure matters at first,
but gradually it was difficult. The one with lice could not stand it any
longer. He said, "Look, over on that mountain the deer are trailing
along like this," and he shook his whole body and scratched the places
that itched with his clothes. The blear-eyed man said, "That's right,
they are. Before they run away, I'll take my bow and aim, and if they
start off, I'll draw like this." He repeatedly pretended to draw a bow
and each time he pulled his hand across his eyes. The one with scabs
scratched his head and said, "You fellows would feel bad if those deer
ran away."
Iwate, Kamihei-gun
Aomori: Tsugaru m 32, "Blear-eyes, Scurvy and Louse-bitten" (Mekusare,
Gambe, to Shiramitagare no hanashi).
Iwate, kamihei-gun: Kikimimi 490, "Blear-eyes, Scabby, and Louse-bitten"
(Mekusare Shirakumo, Shiramitakari). Example.
Fukushima, Iwaki-gun: Iwaki 75, 160, "The three derelicts" (Sannin
katawa).
Hiroshima, Takata-gun: Geibi 190, "The three derelicts" No. 1 (Sannin
katawa). There are stories about three men, Blear-eyes, Snottynose,
and Cripple and one about Mechyahichi, Hanahichi, and
Dekimonohichi.
Kagawa, Shishijima: Sanuki SS 132, "The three derelicts" (Sannin
katawa). These, too, are stories with gestures. Before they became
rakugo, they were told with gestures by zato.
Further reference:
Kyogen sanbyakuban shu 378. The rakugo seems to be this with
some changes.
233. Wagering on Stopping Bad Habits
Nagano, Kamiina-gun: A report by Mr. Ariga. The story about the
three men with bad habits comes close to "The three derelicts."
There is also one with two men with bad habits.
Oita: Bungo kijin 123, "Changing heads" (Kubi no torikae). A man's
fault was always to say, "There ain't no such thing." He was told
all sorts of things to make him say it.
Further reference:
Seisuisho 5 2040, "I'll give you 100 kan for this advice." An
example of not using the character for hi [fire]. Examples of rakugo
where the word drink or worthless is avoided.