The Mysterious Hoi Tree

Prince Pa-song's house was situated just inside of the great East Gate, and before it was a large Hoi tree. On a certain night the Prince's son-in-law was passing by the roadway that led in front of the archers' pavilion. There he saw a great company of bowmen, more than he could number, all shooting together at the target. A moment later he saw them practising riding, some throwing spears, some hurling bowls, some shooting from horseback, so that the road in front of the pavilion was blocked against all comers. Some shouted as he came by, "Look at that impudent rascal! He attempts to ride by without dismounting." They caught him and beat him, paying no attention to his cries for mercy, and having no pity for the pain he suffered, till one tall fellow came out of their serried ranks and said in an angry voice to the crowd, "He is my master; why do you treat him so?" He undid his bonds, took him by the arm and led him home. When the son-in-law reached the gate he looked back and saw the man walk under the Hoi tree and disappear. He then learned, too, that all the crowd of archers were spirits and not men, and that the tall one who had befriended him was a spirit too, and that he had come forth from their particular Hoi tree.

パソン君の屋敷は東大門のすぐ内側にあって、その前に大きな槐(フェ)の木があった。ある夜、君の娘婿が射場の前を通る道を通りかかった。するとそこに数えきれないほどの弓手の大群がいて、みなそろって的を射ていた。次の瞬間には、馬術の稽古をしている者たちが見えた。槍を投げる者、鉢を投げる者、馬上から射る者がいて、射場の前の道は誰も通れないほどふさがっていた。娘婿が来ると叫ぶ者たちがいた。「見ろ、あの無礼者を! 馬から降りずに通り過ぎようとしているぞ。」彼らは娘婿をつかまえて打ちすえ、許しを乞う叫びにも耳を貸さず、その苦しむさまを少しも哀れまなかった。するとぎっしり並んだ列から一人の背の高い男が出てきて、怒った声で群衆に言った。「このお方はわたしの主人だ。どうしてそんな仕打ちをするのだ。」男は娘婿の縄を解き、腕を取って家まで連れ帰った。娘婿は門に着いて振り返ると、男が槐の木の下へ歩いていって消えるのを見た。そして娘婿は、弓手の群衆はみな人間ではなく霊で、自分を助けてくれた背の高い者も霊であり、それが自分たちの屋敷の槐の木から出てきたのだと知ったのである。

Yi Ryuk.

李陸(イ・リュク)