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A Japanese miscellany - University of Oregon

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1^4 <strong>Japanese</strong> Miscellany<br />

is a curious legend about the name given to<br />

the owl, — Gorosuke. A long time ago, in the<br />

house <strong>of</strong> some great samurai, there was a retainer<br />

called Gorosuke. This Gorosuk^ was naturally<br />

dull; and the very first time that a duty <strong>of</strong><br />

importance was confided to him, he made such<br />

a blunder that serious mischief resulted. There-<br />

fore everybody laughed at him, and put him to<br />

shame ; and at last he killed himself. Then his<br />

spirit took the form <strong>of</strong> the little owl which now<br />

bears his name ; and all night long this owl cries<br />

out, in a tone <strong>of</strong> utter despair, —<br />

" Gorosuk^'s service<br />

Useless service !<br />

"<br />

(Hare-song— Tokyo.)<br />

" Usagi, usagi,<br />

Nani wo mite' haneru ? "<br />

" Jiu-go-ya no O-Tsuki Sama<br />

Mite haneru<br />

Hyoi!<br />

Hyoil"<br />

—"Hare, hare I wliat do you see that makes you<br />

jump ? " — " Seeing the Lady-Moon <strong>of</strong> the fifteenth night, I<br />

jump I —<br />

Hjioi! hj/oi.'"^<br />

" At the words " hyoi I hyoi I " all the singers jump together.<br />

!<br />

!

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