The Home of the Fairies

In the days of King In-jo (1623-1649) there was a student of Confucius who lived in Ka-pyong. He was still a young man and unmarried. His education had not been extensive, for he had read only a little in the way of history and literature. For some reason or other he left his home and went into Kang-won Province. Travelling on horseback, and with a servant, he reached a mountain, where he was overtaken by rain that wet him through. Mysteriously, from some unknown cause, his servant suddenly died, and the man, in fear and distress, drew the body to the side of the hill, where he left it and went on his way weeping. When he had gone but a short distance, the horse he rode fell under him and died also. Such was his plight: his servant dead, his horse dead, rain falling fast, and the road an unknown one. He did not know what to do or where to go, and reduced thus to walking, he broke down and cried. At this point there met him an old man with very wonderful eyes, and hair as white as snow. He asked the young man why he wept, and the reply was that his servant was dead, his horse was dead, that it was raining, and that he did not know the way. The patriarch, on hearing this, took pity on him, and lifting his staff, pointed, saying, "There is a house yonder, just beyond those pines, follow that stream and it will bring you to where there are people."

仁祖王の時代(1623〜1649年)、加平(カピョン)に住む一人の儒学の書生がいた。まだ若く、結婚していなかった。学問はあまり広くなく、歴史と文学を少し読んだだけだった。どういうわけか書生は家を出て、江原道へ入っていった。召し使いを一人連れて馬で旅をしていると、ある山に着いたところで雨に降られ、ずぶ濡れになった。不思議なことに、何のわけか知れず、召し使いが突然死んでしまい、書生は恐れ悲しんで、亡骸を山のわきへ引いていってそこに残し、泣きながら道を続けた。ほんの少し行くと、乗っていた馬も倒れて死んでしまった。こういうありさまだった。召し使いは死に、馬は死に、雨は激しく降り、道は知らない道だった。どうすればよいのか、どこへ行けばよいのかわからず、歩くほかなくなって、書生は泣きくずれた。そこへ、たいそう不思議な目をして、雪のように白い髪をした一人の老人が来合わせた。老人は若者になぜ泣いているのかと尋ね、若者は、召し使いは死に、馬は死に、雨は降っていて、道がわからないのだと答えた。長老はこれを聞くと若者を憐れみ、杖を上げて指さして言った。「あそこの、あの松の向こうに家がある。あの流れに沿って行けば、人のいる所に出るだろう。」

The young man looked as directed, and a li or so beyond he saw a clump of trees. He bowed, thanked the stranger, and started on his way. When he had gone a few paces he looked back, but the friend had disappeared. Greatly wondering, he went on toward the place indicated, and as he drew near he saw a grove of pines, huge trees they were, a whole forest of them. Bamboos appeared, too, in countless numbers, with a wide stream of water flowing by. Underneath the water there seemed to be a marble flooring like a great pavement, white and pure. As he went along he saw that the water was all of an even depth, such as one could cross easily. A mile or so farther on he saw a beautifully decorated house. The pillars and entrance approaches were perfect in form. He continued his way, wet as he was, carrying his thorn staff, and entered the gate and sat down to rest. It was paved, too, with marble, and smooth as polished glass. There were no chinks or creases in it, all was of one perfect surface. In the room was a marble table, and on it a copy of the Book of Changes; there was also a brazier of jade just in front. Incense was burning in it, and the fragrance filled the room. Beside these, nothing else was visible. The rain had ceased and all was quiet and clear, with no wind nor anything to disturb. The world of confusion seemed to have receded from him.

若者が言われたほうを見ると、一里かそこら先に木立が見えた。若者はお辞儀をしてその見知らぬ人に礼を言い、歩きだした。数歩行って振り返ったが、その人はもういなかった。たいそう不思議に思いながら、若者は教えられた場所へ向かっていき、近づくと松林が見えた。大木で、一面の森をなしていた。竹も数えきれないほど現れ、広い流れがそばを流れていた。水の底には、大きな敷石のような大理石の床があるようで、白く清らかだった。進んでいくと、水はどこも同じ深さで、たやすく渡れるほどだった。一マイルかそこら先に、美しく飾られた家が見えた。柱も入口への道も、形が完璧だった。若者は濡れたままいばらの杖をついて道を続け、門を入って腰を下ろして休んだ。そこも大理石が敷きつめてあって、磨いたガラスのようになめらかだった。すきまもひだもなく、どこも完璧なひとつの面だった。部屋には大理石の卓があって、その上に『易経』が一冊あり、すぐ前には玉の香炉もあった。そこでは香が焚かれていて、その香りが部屋に満ちていた。そのほかには何も見えなかった。雨はやみ、あたりは静かで澄みわたり、風も、何も乱すものはなかった。混乱の世が遠のいていくようだった。

While he sat there, looking in astonishment, he suddenly heard the sound of footfalls from the rear of the building. Startled by it, he turned to see, when an old man appeared. He looked as though he might equal the turtle or the crane as to age, and was very dignified. He wore a green dress and carried a jade staff of nine sections. The appearance of the old man was such as to stun any inhabitant of the earth. He recognized him as the master of the place, and so he went forward and made a low obeisance.

そこに座って驚いて見まわしていると、突然建物の奥から足音が聞こえてきた。若者はぎくりとして振り向くと、一人の老人が現れた。亀か鶴にも劣らぬ年に見え、たいそう威厳があった。緑の衣をまとい、九つの節のある玉の杖を持っていた。その老人の姿は、地上に住むどんな者をも茫然とさせるほどだった。若者はそれがこの場所の主だとわかったので、進み出て深くお辞儀をした。

The old man received him kindly, and said, "I am the master and have long waited for you." He took him by the hand and led him away. As they went along, the hills grew more and more enchanting, while the soft breezes and the light touched him with mystifying favour. Suddenly, as he looked the man was gone, so he went on by himself, and arrived soon at another palace built likewise of precious stones. It was a great hall, stretching on into the distance as far as the eye could see.

老人は若者を親切に迎えて言った。「わたしが主で、長いことあなたを待っていた。」老人は若者の手を取って連れていった。進んでいくにつれて、山々はますます魅惑的になり、やわらかなそよ風と光が、不思議な恵みで若者に触れた。ふと見ると、その人はもういなかったので、若者は一人で進んでいき、まもなく同じく宝石で建てられた別の宮殿に着いた。目の届くかぎり遠くまで延びる大きな広間だった。

The young man had seen the Royal Palace frequently when in Seoul attending examinations, but compared with this, the Royal Palace was as a mud hut thatched with straw.

若者はソウルで科挙を受けていたころ、しばしば王宮を見たことがあったが、これに比べれば、王宮はわらぶきの泥の小屋のようなものだった。

As he reached the gate a man in ceremonial robes received him and led him in. He passed two or three pavilions, and at last reached a special one and went up to the upper storey. There, reclining at a table, he saw the ancient sage whom he had met before. Again he bowed.

若者が門に着くと、礼服を着た男が迎えて案内した。若者は二つ三つの楼を通り過ぎて、とうとうある特別な楼に着き、上の階へ上がった。そこには、前に会った年老いた聖人が卓にもたれていた。若者はまたお辞儀をした。

This young man, brought up poorly in the country, was never accustomed to seeing or dealing with the great. In fear, he did not dare to lift his eyes. The ancient master, however, again welcomed him and asked him to be seated, saying, "This is not the dusty world that you are accustomed to, but the abode of the genii. I knew you were coming, and so was waiting to receive you." He turned and called, saying, "Bring something for the guest to eat."

この若者は田舎で貧しく育ったので、偉い人を見たり相手にしたりすることにはまったく慣れていなかった。恐ろしくて、目を上げることもできなかった。けれども年老いた主はまた若者を迎えて座らせ、言った。「ここはあなたの慣れた塵の世ではなく、仙人の住まいだ。あなたが来ると知っていたので、迎えようと待っていたのだ。」主は振り向いて呼んだ。「客人に何か食べる物を持ってきなさい。」

In a little a servant brought a richly laden table. It was such fare as was never seen on earth, and there was abundance of it. The young man, hungry as he was, ate heartily of these strange viands. Then the dishes were carried away and the old man said, "I have a daughter who has arrived at a marriageable age, and I have been trying to find a son-in-law, but as yet have not succeeded. Your coming accords with this need. Live here, then, and become my son-in-law." The young man, not knowing what to think, bowed and was silent. Then the host turned and gave an order, saying, "Call in the children."

しばらくすると、召し使いがごちそうを山と載せた膳を持ってきた。この世では一度も見たことのないような料理で、ふんだんにあった。若者は腹が減っていたので、この不思議な料理を思うさま食べた。それから器が下げられると、老人は言った。「わたしには年ごろになった娘がいて、婿を探してきたが、まだ見つからない。あなたが来たのはちょうどそのためだ。だからここに住んで、わたしの婿になりなさい。」若者はどう考えてよいかわからず、お辞儀をして黙っていた。すると主は振り向いて言いつけた。「子どもたちを呼んできなさい。」

Two boys about twelve or thirteen years of age came running in and sat down beside him. Their faces were so beautifully white they seemed like jewels. The master pointed to them and said to the guest, "These are my sons," and to the sons he said, "This young man is he whom I have chosen for my son-in-law; when should we have the wedding? Choose you a lucky day and let me know."

十二、三歳ほどの男の子が二人駆け込んできて、若者のそばに座った。その顔はあまりに美しく白いので、宝石のように見えた。主は二人を指さして客に言った。「これはわたしの息子たちだ。」そして息子たちに言った。「この若者は、わたしが婿に選んだ人だ。婚礼はいつにしたらよいだろう。吉日を選んで知らせておくれ。」

The two boys reckoned over the days on their fingers, and then together said, "The day after to-morrow is a lucky day."

二人の男の子は指で日を数えて、それから声をそろえて言った。「あさってが吉日です。」

The old man, turning to the stranger, said, "That decides as to the wedding, and now you must wait in the guest-chamber till the time arrives." He then gave a command to call So and So. In a little an official of the genii came forward, dressed in light and airy garments. His appearance and expression were very beautiful, a man, he seemed, of glad and happy mien.

老人はよそ者のほうを向いて言った。「これで婚礼のことは決まった。それでは、その時が来るまで客間で待っていなさい。」それから老人は、しかじかの者を呼ぶよう言いつけた。しばらくすると、軽やかでふんわりした衣をまとった仙人の役人が進み出てきた。その姿も表情もたいそう美しく、うれしげで幸せそうな顔つきの人に見えた。

The master said, "Show this young man the way to his apartments and treat him well till the time of the wedding."

主は言った。「この若者を住まいへ案内して、婚礼の時までよくもてなしなさい。」

The official then led the way, and the young man bowed as he left the room. When he had passed outside the gate, a red sedan chair was in waiting for him. He was asked to mount. Eight bearers bore him smoothly along. A mile or so distant they reached another palace, equally wonderful, with no speck or flaw of any kind to mar its beauty. In graceful groves of flowers and trees he descended to enter his pavilion. Beautiful garments were taken from jewelled boxes, and a perfumed bath was given him and a change made. Thus he laid aside his weather-beaten clothes and donned the vestments of the genii. The official remained as company for him till the appointed time.

そこで役人が先に立ち、若者はお辞儀をして部屋を出た。門の外へ出ると、赤い輿が待っていた。若者は乗るように言われた。八人の担ぎ手がなめらかに運んでいった。一マイルかそこら行くと、同じように見事な別の宮殿に着き、その美しさを損なう染みも傷もどこにもなかった。花と木々の優美な木立のなかで若者は輿を降り、自分の楼に入った。宝石の箱から美しい衣が取り出され、香りのよい湯を使わせてもらって、着替えがなされた。こうして若者は雨風にさらされた着物を脱ぎ、仙人の衣をまとった。役人は決められた時まで若者の相手をしてそこにとどまった。

When that day arrived other beautiful robes were brought, and again he bathed and changed. When he was dressed, he mounted the palanquin and rode to the Palace of the master, twenty or more officials accompanying. On arrival, a guide directed them to the special Palace Beautiful. Here he saw preparations for the wedding, and here he made his bow. This finished he moved as directed, further in. The tinkling sound of jade bells and the breath of sweet perfumes filled the air. Thus he made his entry into the inner quarters.

その日が来ると、また別の美しい衣が持ってこられ、若者はまた湯を使って着替えた。支度がすむと、若者は輿に乗って主の宮殿へ向かい、二十人あまりの役人がお供をした。着くと、案内の者が一同を特別な美の宮殿へ導いた。そこで若者は婚礼の支度を見て、お辞儀をした。それがすむと、言われるままにさらに奥へ進んだ。玉の鈴のちりんちりんという音と、甘い香りの息吹があたりに満ちていた。こうして若者は奥の間へ入った。

Many beautiful women were in waiting, all gorgeously apparelled, like the women of the gods. Among these he imagined that he would meet the master's daughter. In a little, accompanied by a host of others, she came, shining in jewels and beautiful clothing so that she lighted up the Palace. He took his stand before her, though her face was hidden from him by a fan of pearls. When he saw her at last, so beautiful was she that his eyes were dazzled. The other women, compared with her, were as the magpie to the phoenix. So bewildered was he that he dared not look up. The friend accompanying assisted him to bow and to go through the necessary forms. The ceremony was much the same as that observed among men. When it was over the young man went back to his bridegroom's chamber. There the embroidered curtains, the golden screens, the silken clothing, the jewelled floor, were such as no men of earth ever see.

大勢の美しい女たちが待っていて、みな神々の女たちのように豪華に着飾っていた。このなかで主の娘に会うのだろうと若者は思った。しばらくすると、大勢の者に付き添われて娘がやって来た。宝石と美しい衣に輝いて、宮殿を照らすほどだった。若者は娘の前に立ったが、娘の顔は真珠の扇に隠れていた。とうとうその顔を見ると、あまりの美しさに目がくらんだ。ほかの女たちは娘に比べると、鳳凰に対するカササギのようなものだった。若者はすっかり心を奪われて、顔を上げることもできなかった。付き添いの友が、お辞儀をして必要な作法を果たすのを手伝ってくれた。儀式は人の世で行われるものとほとんど同じだった。それがすむと、若者は花婿の部屋へ戻った。そこの刺繍の帳も、金の屏風も、絹の衣も、宝石の床も、地上の人が誰も見たことのないようなものだった。

On the second day his mother-in-law called him to her. Her age would be about thirty, and her face was like a freshly-blown lotus flower. Here a great feast was spread, with many guests invited. The accompaniments thereof in the way of music were sweeter than mortals ever dreamed of. When the feast was over, the women caught up their skirts, and, lifting their sleeves, danced together and sang in sweet accord. The sound of their singing caused even the clouds to stop and listen. When the day was over, and all had well dined, the feast broke up.

二日目、義母が若者を呼んだ。年は三十ほどで、顔は咲いたばかりの蓮の花のようだった。そこで盛大な宴が開かれ、大勢の客が招かれた。宴に添えられた楽の音は、人が夢にも思わなかったほど甘美だった。宴が終わると、女たちは裾をからげ、袖をひるがえして一緒に舞い、声を合わせて美しく歌った。その歌声には雲さえ止まって聞き入った。日が暮れて、みな存分にごちそうを食べると、宴はお開きになった。

A young man, brought up in a country hut, had all of a sudden met the chief of the genii, and had become a sharer in his glory and the accompaniments of his life. His mind was dazed and his thoughts overcame him. Doubts were mixed with fears. He knew not what to do.

田舎の小屋で育った若者が、突然仙人の長に出会って、その栄華と暮らしのありさまを分かち合う身となったのである。若者の心は茫然とし、思いに圧倒された。疑いが恐れと入りまじった。若者はどうしたらよいかわからなかった。

A sharer in the joys of the fairies he had actually become, and a year or so passed in such delight as no words can ever describe.

若者はほんとうに仙人の喜びを分かち合う者となり、一年ほどが、どんな言葉でも言い表せないような楽しみのうちに過ぎた。

One day his wife said to him, "Would you like to enter into the inner enclosure and see as the fairies see?"

ある日、妻が若者に言った。「奥の囲いに入って、仙人の見るように見てみたいですか。」

He replied, "Gladly would I."

若者は答えた。「ぜひ見てみたい。」

She then led him into a special park where there were lovely walks, surrounded by green hills. As they advanced there were charming views, with springs of water and sparkling cascades. The scene grew gradually more entrancing, with jewelled flowers and scintillating spray, lovely birds and animals disporting themselves. A man once entering here would never again think of earth as a place to return to.

そこで妻は若者を特別な庭園へ案内した。そこには美しい小道があって、緑の山々に囲まれていた。進んでいくと、泉やきらめく滝のある魅惑的な眺めがあった。景色はだんだんとますますうっとりするようになり、宝石の花ときらめくしぶきがあって、美しい鳥や獣が戯れていた。一度ここに入った人は、二度と地上を帰る場所とは思わなくなるだろう。

After seeing this he ascended the highest peak of all, which was like a tower of many stories. Before him lay a wide stretch of sea, with islands of the blessed standing out of the water, and long stretches of pleasant land in view. His wife showed them all to him, pointing out this and that. They seemed filled with golden palaces and surrounded with a halo of light. They were peopled with happy souls, some riding on cranes, some on the phoenix, some on the unicorn; some were sitting on the clouds, some sailing by on the wind, some walking on the air, some gliding gently up the streams, some descending from above, some ascending, some moving west, some north, some gathering in groups. Flutes and harps sounded sweetly. So many and so startling were the things seen that he could never tell the tale of them. After the day had passed they returned.

これを見たあと、若者はいちばん高い峰に登った。それは何層もある塔のようだった。目の前には広い海が広がり、祝福された者たちの島々が水から突き出し、心地よい土地が長く続いているのが見えた。妻はあれこれ指さして、みな見せてくれた。島々は金の宮殿に満ち、光の輪に囲まれているようだった。そこには幸せな魂たちが住んでいて、鶴に乗る者もいれば、鳳凰に乗る者も、麒麟に乗る者もいた。雲に座っている者もいれば、風に乗って過ぎていく者も、宙を歩く者も、流れをゆるやかにすべり上っていく者も、上から降りてくる者も、昇っていく者も、西へ行く者も、北へ行く者も、群れ集まっている者もいた。笛や琴が美しく響いていた。見たものがあまりに多く、あまりに驚くべきものだったので、若者はとてもその話を語り尽くせなかった。日が暮れると、二人は戻った。

Thus was their joy unbroken, and when two years had gone by she bore him two sons.

こうして二人の喜びは途切れることなく、二年たつと妻は二人の息子を産んだ。

Time moved on, when one day, unexpectedly, as he was seated with his wife, he began to cry and tears soiled his face. She asked in amazement for the cause of it. "I was thinking," said he, "of how a plain countryman living in poverty had thus become the son-in-law of the king of the genii. But in my home is my poor old mother, whom I have not seen for these years; I would so like to see her that my tears flow."

時は過ぎて、ある日、思いがけず、妻と座っているときに、若者は泣きだして涙で顔を濡らした。妻は驚いてわけを尋ねた。「考えていたのだ」と若者は言った。「貧しく暮らしていたただの田舎者が、こうして仙人の王の婿になったことを。けれども故郷には、この何年も会っていないあわれな年老いた母がいる。とても会いたくて、涙が流れるのだ。」

The wife laughed, and said, "Would you really like to see her? Then go, but do not cry." She told her father that her husband would like to go and see his mother. The master called him and gave his permission. The son thought, of course, that he would call many servants and send him in state, but not so. His wife gave him one little bundle and that was all, so he said good-bye to his father-in-law, whose parting word was, "Go now and see your mother, and in a little I shall call for you again."

妻は笑って言った。「ほんとうに会いたいのですか。では行ってらっしゃい。でも泣かないで。」妻は父に、夫が母に会いに行きたがっていると告げた。主は若者を呼んで許しを与えた。息子は、もちろん大勢の召し使いを呼んで、りっぱな行列で送り出してくれるものと思っていたが、そうではなかった。妻は小さな包みをひとつくれただけで、それきりだった。そこで若者は義父に別れを告げ、義父の別れの言葉はこうだった。「さあ行って母上に会ってきなさい。しばらくしたら、また呼び寄せよう。」

He sent with him one servant, and so he passed out through the main gateway. There he saw a poor thin horse with a worn rag of a saddle on his back. He looked carefully and found that they were the dead horse and the dead servant, whom he had lost, restored to him. He gave a start, and asked, "How did you come here?"

主は召し使いを一人つけてくれ、こうして若者は表門から出ていった。そこには、すり切れたぼろの鞍を背に載せた、やせたみすぼらしい馬がいた。よく見ると、それは失った死んだ馬と死んだ召し使いが、若者のもとに戻されたのだった。若者はぎくりとして尋ねた。「どうやってここへ来たのだ。」

The servant answered, "I was coming with you on the road when some one caught me away and brought me here. I did not know the reason, but I have been here for a long time."

召し使いは答えた。「旦那さまと一緒に道を来ていると、誰かにさらわれて、ここへ連れてこられたのです。わけはわかりませんが、長いことここにおりました。」

The man, in great fear, fastened on his bundle and started on his journey. The genie servant brought up the rear, but after a short distance the world of wonder had become transformed into the old weary world again. Here it was with its fogs, and thorn, and precipice. He looked off toward the world of the genii, and it was but a dream. So overcome was he by his feelings that he broke down and cried.

男はたいそう恐れながら包みをくくりつけて旅に出た。仙人の召し使いがうしろからついてきたが、少し行くと、不思議の世界はまたもとの疲れた世界に姿を変えてしまった。そこには霧といばらと崖のある世界があった。仙人の世界のほうを眺めると、それはただの夢だった。若者は思いに圧倒されて泣きくずれた。

The genie servant said to him when he saw him weeping, "You have been for several years in the abode of the immortals, but you have not yet attained thereto, for you have not yet forgotten the seven things of earth: anger, sorrow, fear, ambition, hate and selfishness. If you once get rid of these there will be no tears for you." On hearing this he stopped his crying, wiped his cheeks, and asked pardon.

仙人の召し使いは若者が泣いているのを見て言った。「あなたは何年も不死の者たちの住まいにいましたが、まだそこに至ってはいません。この世の七つのもの、怒り、悲しみ、恐れ、野心、憎しみ、我欲を、まだ忘れていないからです。一度これを捨て去れば、あなたに涙はなくなるでしょう。」これを聞くと、若者は泣きやみ、頬をぬぐって、許しを乞うた。

When he had gone a mile farther he found himself on the main road. The servant said to him, "You know the way from this point on, so I shall go back," and thus at last the young man reached his home.

さらに一マイル行くと、若者は大通りに出た。召し使いは若者に言った。「ここから先は道をご存じですから、わたしは戻ります。」こうしてとうとう若者は家に着いた。

He found there an exorcising ceremony in progress. Witches and spirit worshippers had been called and were saying their prayers. The family, seeing the young man come home thus, were all aghast. "It is his ghost," said they. However, they saw in a little that it was really he himself. The mother asked why he had not come home in all that time. She being a very violent woman in disposition, he did not dare to tell her the truth, so he made up something else. The day of his return was the anniversary of his supposed death, and so they had called the witches for a prayer ceremony. Here he opened the bundle that his wife had given him and found four suits of clothes, one for each season.

家では祓いの儀式が行われていた。巫女や霊を拝む者たちが呼ばれて、祈りを唱えていた。家の者たちは若者がこうして帰ってきたのを見て、みな肝をつぶした。「幽霊だ」とみなは言った。けれどもしばらくすると、ほんとうに本人だとわかった。母は、どうしてこの長いあいだ家に帰ってこなかったのかと尋ねた。母はたいそう気性の激しい女だったので、若者はほんとうのことを言う勇気がなく、ほかの話をこしらえた。若者の帰った日は、死んだと思われていた日の命日で、それで巫女を呼んで祈りの儀式をしていたのだった。そこで若者は妻のくれた包みを開けてみると、四揃いの着物が入っていて、季節ごとに一揃いずつだった。

In about a year after his return home the mother, seeing him alone, made application for the daughter of one of the village literati. The man, being timid by nature and afraid of offending his mother, did not dare to refuse, and was therefore married; but there was no joy in it, and the two never looked at each other.

家に帰って一年ほどすると、母は息子が独り身なのを見て、村の学者の家の娘を嫁にと申し込んだ。男は生まれつき気が弱く、母の機嫌を損ねるのを恐れて、断る勇気がなく、それで結婚した。けれどもそこには喜びはなく、二人は互いに目を合わせることもなかった。

The young man had a friend whom he had known intimately from childhood. After his return the friend came to see him frequently, and they used to spend the nights talking together. In their talks the friend inquired why in all these years he had never come home. The young man then told him what had befallen him in the land of the genii, and how he had been there and had been married. The friend looked at him in wonder, for he seemed just as he had remembered him except in the matter of clothing. This he found on examination was of very strange material, neither grass cloth, silk nor cotton, but different from them all, and yet warm and comfortable. When spring came the spring clothes sufficed, when summer came those for summer, and for autumn and winter each special suit. They were never washed, and yet never became soiled; they never wore out, and always looked fresh and new. The friend was greatly astonished.

若者には、子どものころから親しくしていた友がいた。若者が帰ってから、友はしばしば訪ねてきて、二人は夜通し語り合った。話のなかで友は、どうしてこの何年ものあいだ一度も家に帰ってこなかったのかと尋ねた。そこで若者は、仙人の国で身に起こったこと、そこにいて結婚したことを友に話した。友は不思議そうに若者を見た。着物のほかは、覚えているとおりの若者に見えたからである。その着物を調べてみると、たいそう不思議な布地で、葛布でも絹でも木綿でもなく、そのどれとも違っていたが、暖かく心地よかった。春が来れば春の着物で足り、夏が来れば夏の着物、秋と冬にもそれぞれ特別な一揃いがあった。一度も洗わないのに汚れず、けっしてすり切れず、いつも真新しく見えた。友はたいそう驚いた。

Some three years passed when one day there came once more a servant from the master of the genii, bringing his two sons. There were also letters, saying, "Next year the place where you dwell will be destroyed and all the people will become 'fish and meat' for the enemy, therefore follow this messenger and come, all of you."

三年ほどたったある日、仙人の主のもとからまた召し使いが、若者の二人の息子を連れてやって来た。手紙もあって、こう書いてあった。「来年、あなたの住む所は滅ぼされ、人々はみな敵の『魚と肉』になるであろう。だからこの使いについて、みなで来なさい。」

He told his friend of this and showed him his two sons. The friend, when he saw these children that looked like silk and jade, confessed the matter to the mother also. She, too, gladly agreed, and so they sold out and had a great feast for all the people of the town, and then bade farewell. This was the year 1635. They left and were never heard of again.

若者は友にこのことを話して、二人の息子を見せた。友は、絹や玉のようなこの子どもたちを見ると、母にもこのことを打ち明けた。母も喜んで承知したので、一家は家財を売り払い、町の人々みなのために盛大な宴を開いて、別れを告げた。それは一六三五年のことだった。一家は去っていき、二度と消息は聞かれなかった。

The year following was the Manchu invasion, when the village where the young man had lived was all destroyed. To this day young and old in Ka-pyong tell this story.

その翌年が満洲族の侵入で、若者の住んでいた村はすっかり滅ぼされた。今でも加平では、老いも若きもこの話を語っている。

Im Bang.

任埅(イム・バン)