The Vision of the Holy Man

Yi Chi-Ham (Master To-jong).--A story is told of him that on the day after his wedding he went out with his topo or ceremonial coat on, but came back later without it. On inquiry being made, it was found that he had torn it into pieces to serve as bandages for a sick child that he had met with on his walk.

李之菡(イ・ジハム)(土亭先生)——この人についてはこんな話が伝わっている。婚礼の翌日、道袍(トポ)すなわち礼服を着て出かけたが、あとでそれを着ずに帰ってきた。尋ねてみると、散歩の途中で出会った病気の子の包帯にするために、ずたずたに裂いてしまったのだとわかった。

Once on a time he had an impression that his father-in-law's home was shortly to be overtaken by a great disaster; he therefore took his wife and disappeared from the place. In the year following, for some political offence, the home was indeed wiped out and the family wholly destroyed.

あるとき、イは妻の実家にまもなく大きな災いがふりかかるという予感がしたので、妻を連れてその土地から姿を消した。その翌年、何かの政治上の罪で、その家はほんとうに取りつぶされ、一族はすっかり滅ぼされた。

To-jong was not only a prophet, but also a magician, as was shown by his handling of a boat. When he took to sea the waters lay quiet before him, and all his path was peace. He would be absent sometimes for a year or more, voyaging in many parts of the world.

土亭は予言者であるばかりでなく、術者でもあって、それは舟の扱い方に表れていた。海に出ると、波は目の前で静まり、その行く道はどこも平穏だった。ときには一年以上も留守にして、世界のあちこちを航海した。

He practised fasting, and would go sometimes for months without eating. He also overcame thirst, and in the hot days of summer would avoid drinking. He stifled all pain and suffering, so that when he walked and his feet were blistered he paid no attention to it.

土亭は断食を行い、ときには何か月も食べずにいた。のどの渇きにも打ち勝ち、夏の暑い日にも飲まずにいた。あらゆる痛みと苦しみを押し殺したので、歩いて足にまめができても気にかけなかった。

While young he was a disciple of a famous Taoist, So Wha-dam. As his follower he used to dress in grass cloth (the poor man's garb), wear straw shoes and carry his bundle on his back. He would be on familiar terms with Ministers of State, and yet show indifference to their greatness and pomp. He was acquainted with the various magic practices, so that in boating he used to hang out gourd cups at each corner of the boat, and thus equipped he went many times to and from Quelpart and never met a wind. He did merchandising, made money, and bought land which yielded several thousand bags of rice that he distributed among the poor.

若いころ、土亭は名高い道士徐花潭(ソ・ファダム)の弟子だった。その門人として、葛布(貧しい者の着物)をまとい、わらじをはき、荷を背負っていた。大臣たちと親しく付き合いながら、その偉さや威勢には無頓着だった。さまざまな術に通じていたので、舟に乗るときには舟の四隅にひょうたんの杯を吊るし、そうして備えて何度も済州へ行き来したが、一度も風にあわなかった。商いをして金をもうけ、何千俵もの米がとれる土地を買って、その米を貧しい者に分け与えた。

He lived in Seoul in a little dug-out, so that his name became "Mud Pavilion," or To-jong. His cap was made of metal, which he used to cook his food in, and which he then washed and put back on his head again. He used also to wear wooden shoes and ride on a pack saddle.

土亭はソウルで小さな土の穴ぐらに住んでいたので、「土の亭」すなわち土亭という名がついた。その冠は金物でできていて、それで食べ物を煮て、洗ってまた頭に載せた。また木の靴をはき、荷鞍にまたがって乗った。

He built a house for the poor in Asan County when he was magistrate there, gathered in all the needy and had them turn to and work at whatever they had any skill in, so that they lived and flourished. When any one had no special ability, he had him weave straw shoes. He urged them on till they could make as many as ten pairs a day.

牙山(アサン)郡の郡守だったとき、土亭は貧しい者のための家を建て、困っている者をみな集めて、めいめい何か腕のあることに取りかからせて働かせたので、みな暮らしが立って栄えた。これといった腕のない者には、わらじを編ませた。土亭は一日に十足も作れるようになるまで励ました。

Yul-gok said of him that he was a dreamer and not suitable for this matter-of-fact world, because he belonged to the realm of flowers and pretty birds, songs and sweet breezes, and not to the common clay of corn and beef and radishes. To-jong heard this, and replied, "Though I am not of a kind equal to beans and corn, still I will rank with acorns and chestnuts. Why am I wholly useless?"

栗谷(ユルゴク)は土亭を評して、この人は夢見る人で、この実際的な世には向かない、なぜなら花やきれいな鳥や歌やそよ風の国の者で、穀物や牛肉や大根というありふれた土の者ではないからだ、と言った。土亭はこれを聞いて答えた。「わたしは豆や穀物と並ぶ類ではないとしても、どんぐりや栗の仲間には入るだろう。どうしてまったく役に立たないことがあろう。」

Korea's Record of Famous Men.

『朝鮮名臣録』

The Story

話

Teacher To-jong was once upon a time a merchant, and in his merchandising went as far as the East Sea. One night he slept in a fishing village on the shore. At that time another stranger called who was said to be an i-in or "holy man." The three met and talked till late at night--the master of the house, the "holy man" and To-jong. It was very clear and beautifully calm. The "holy man" looked for a time out over the expanse of water, then suddenly gave a great start of terror, and said, "An awful thing is about to happen."

土亭先生はむかし商人だったことがあり、商いで東海まで出かけた。ある夜、先生は浜辺の漁村に泊まった。そのとき、異人すなわち「聖人」だという別のよそ者が訪ねてきた。三人——家の主人と、「聖人」と、土亭——は夜更けまで語り合った。空はよく晴れて、美しく静かだった。「聖人」はしばらく海原を見渡していたが、突然恐ろしさにぎくりとして言った。「恐ろしいことが起ころうとしている。」

His companions, alarmed at his manner, asked him what he meant. He replied, "In two hours or so there will be a tidal wave that will engulf this whole village, utterly destroying everything. If you do not make haste to escape all will be as fish in a net."

仲間はそのようすに驚いて、どういうことかと尋ねた。聖人は答えた。「二時間ほどで津波が来て、この村をまるごと呑み込み、何もかもすっかり滅ぼしてしまう。急いで逃げないと、みな網のなかの魚のようになるだろう。」

To-jong, being something of an astrologer himself, thought first to solve the mystery of this, but could arrive at no explanation.

土亭は自分もいくらか星を読むので、まずこの謎を解こうと考えたが、何の説明にも行き着かなかった。

The owner of the house would not believe it, and refused to prepare for escape.

家の主人は信じようとせず、逃げる支度をするのを拒んだ。

The "holy man" said, however, "Even though you do not believe what I say, let us go for a little up the face of the rear mountain. If my words fail we can only come down again, and no one will be the worse for it. If you still do not wish to trust me, leave your goods and furniture just as they are and let the people come away."

けれども「聖人」は言った。「わたしの言うことを信じないとしても、少しだけ裏山の斜面を登ってみよう。わたしの言葉が外れたら、また下りてくればよいだけで、誰も損はしない。それでもわたしを信じたくないなら、家財道具はそのままにして、人だけ出てくればよい。」

To-jong was greatly interested, though he could not understand it. The master, too, could no longer refuse this proposal, so he took his family and a few light things and followed the "holy man" up the hill.

土亭はわけはわからなかったが、たいそう興味をそそられた。主人ももうこの申し出を拒めなくなって、家族と軽い物をいくつか持って、「聖人」について山に登った。

He had them ascend to the very top, "in order," said he, "to escape."

聖人はみなをいちばん上まで登らせた。「逃れるためだ」と聖人は言った。

To-jong did not go to the top, but seated himself about half-way up. He asked the "holy man" if he would not be safe enough there.

土亭は頂上まで行かず、中腹あたりに腰を下ろした。土亭は「聖人」に、ここなら十分安全ではないかと尋ねた。

The "holy man" replied, "Others would never escape if they remained where you are, but you will simply get a fright and live through it."

「聖人」は答えた。「ほかの者があなたのいるところにとどまったら、けっして助からないだろう。けれどもあなたは、ただ肝をつぶすだけで生き延びるだろう。」

When cock-crow came, sure enough the sea suddenly lifted its face, overflowed its banks, and the waves came rolling up to the heavens, climbing the mountain-sides till they touched the feet of To-jong. The whole town on the seashore was engulfed. When daylight came the waters receded.

一番鶏が鳴くころ、はたして海が突然その面を持ち上げ、岸を越えてあふれ、波が天まで逆巻いて、山腹を這い上がり、土亭の足もとにまで届いた。浜辺の町はまるごと呑み込まれた。夜が明けると、水は引いていった。

To-jong bowed to the "holy man" and asked that he might become his disciple. The "holy man," however, disclaimed any knowledge, saying that he had simply known it by accident. He was a man who did not speak of his own attainments. To-jong asked for his place of residence, which he indicated as near by, and then left. He went to seek him on the following day, but the house was vacant, and there was no one there.

土亭は「聖人」にお辞儀をして、弟子にしてほしいと願った。けれども「聖人」は何も知らないと言い、ただたまたまわかったのだと言った。自分の修めたことを口にしない人だったのである。土亭が住まいを尋ねると、聖人はこの近くだと示して、去っていった。土亭は次の日訪ねていったが、家は空っぽで、そこには誰もいなかった。

Im Bang.

任埅(イム・バン)