Ugetsu Monogatari: Tales of Moonlight and Rain

Ueda Akinari (Translated by Leon M. Zolbrod)

University of British Columbia Press, 1974 [1776]; Pages: 280

This complete translation of the famous tales of the supernatural is based on the first woodblock edition of 1776 and is richly illustrated. There is an extensive introduction that runs for 94 pages and covers much ground: a biographical sketch of Akinari, a brief historical background for each tale, some discussion of the belief in supernatural in Japan, the Chinese influence, and poetry of place. For a reader familiar (even vaguely) with these, it is advisable to skip the introduction until after reading the tales. Otherwise there is a risk of being overwhelmed with too much detail that will not make sense in separation from the text. It is difficult enough to abstract from the copious notes (a total of 586!) which make a mockery of the translator's claim that his intended audience is the general reader. However, since the introduction does cover ground that is necessary for the full appreciation of the tales, it should not be neglected. The notes should be postponed for the second or third reading where they can reveal the depth of allusion and reference without distracting from the story.

My first exposure to UGETSU (U means 'rain' and Getsu means `moon') was through Mizoguchi Kenji's incomparable UGETSU which is based upon the collection. (Oddly enough, this was also the way Mr. Zolbrod came to know the tales.) Much subtler than the effusive Gothic literature which it somewhat resembles, Ueda's supernatural fiction found perfect expression in Mizoguchi's delicate touch. I do not regret having seen the film before reading the book even though the cinematic images shaped my own visualization considerably. Out of the nine tales in this collection only three (mainly two) were used in the film.

White Peak

Set in the late 12th century, after the death of the exiled Emperor Sutoku but before the death of Kiyomori and the fall of the Taira, the tale is about the wandering priest and poet Saigyo meeting the vengeful spirit of Sutoku at the latter's tomb at Shiramine. The ex-Emperor tells him that he has been responsible for the calamities that have befallen the land (it was said that upon leaving Kyoto Sutoku had cursed the ones who had been responsible for his banishment) and that he would not rest until Kiyomori's clan is also destroyed, predicting with remarkable accuracy the events that would lead to the fall of the Taira. A brief philosophical/religious argument ensues, in which Saigyo fails to convince the Emperor that his behavior does not fit a sovereign who is supposed to care little for personal gain but much for the good of his country.

Chrysanthemum Tryst

Set some time after the outbreak of the Onin War in late 15th century, this tale is about honor, filial faith, and loyalty. Samon, a poor scholar living with his mother, nurses a wandering warrior called Akana Soemon back to health. The two become close friends and swear brotherhood. However, Akana has to leave for his home province to try and restore his former master Enya, who had fallen victim to treachery by Akana's own family. Akana promises Samon that he'll be back for the Chrysanthemum Festival on the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month. The appointed day comes but Akana does not reappear until late at night. He tells Samon that he is in fact the ghost of the dead Akana, who had been imprisoned on orders of his uncle and, seeing that he would be unable to keep his promise, has committed suicide so that he may travel in spirit the great distance that separated him from Samon. Samon resolves to honor the memory of his brother and goes to the castle of Tomita and kills Akana Tanji (the one responsible for Soemon's death).

The House Amid the Thickets

Set in mid 15th century, this tale is one of the two basic stories that forms the backbone of Mizoguchi's film. It is about Katsushiro, a well-to-do but lazy farmer, who gets lured by the promise of great riches and resolves to go to Kyoto to sell silk. Now, being that he lives in Shimosa, the distance frightens his wife Miyagi, who implores him not to forsake her. Katushiro promises to return by autumn and leaves anyway. He strikes it rich in Kyoto but on his way back gets robbed by highway bandits. Meanwhile, the civil wars have engulfed his home province and he becomes convinced that Miyagi is dead. Seven years pass before he finally makes his way back and finds her waiting for him in their dilapidated hut. Joyful with love he falls asleep only to realize that he has slept amidst the ruins of his old house, that last night's experience was a vision, and that he had conversed with a ghost, his wife having died the spring in the year after he left.

The Carp That Came to My Dream

Set in the early 10th century, this tale is about priest Kogi who was renowned for his paintings. As a Buddhist, Kogi disapproves of taking life and often pays fishermen to release their catch back into Lake Biwa. One day Kogi falls ill and nearly dies but upon waking up summons his patron Taira and relates a strange story. Nearly dead, he walked to the lake and swam in its waters until the God of the Sea turned him into a carp as a reward for his good deeds in life. He swam happily about until he was so hungry that he could not resist and swallowed a bait. He was caught and taken to Lord Taira's mansion, where he was sliced open by the cook, at which point he came back to life in his own body. The tale concludes with the story that when Kogi's paintings of fish were thrown into the lake after his death, the painted fish came to life.

Bird of Paradise

Set in the 17th century after the death of Toytomi Hideyoshi, this tale is about priest Muzen and his son Sakunoji, who travel to Mt Koya and spend the night at a lonely shrine there. Around midnight they hear the calling of the Bird of Paradise and then an imposing party of noblemen enters the shrine. They spend the night talking, composing verse, and finally call upon Muzen to recite his own poetry. It turns out that the leader is Hidetsugu, Hideyoshi's nephew, and the man in his retinue, the loyal retainers and associates who had committed suicide with him when he was ordered to kill himself at MT Koya by his own uncle at the end of the 16th century. The company disappears at dawn leaving the frightened Muzen and his son with their lives.

The Caldron of Kibitsu

Set in the early 16th century, this tale is one of the scariest in the book. It is about a man named Shotaro, who marries Isora, but falls in love with a courtesan by the name of Sode. He trick his wife into selling her belongings on the pretext that he will send Sode to Kyoto for good. Isora does that but Shotaro then absconds with Sode. The jealousy of his wife, however, knows no bounds and her ghost reaches the couple, causing Sode to fall ill and die (reminiscent of the vengeful jealous spirit of Lady Rokujo in THE TALE OF GENJI). Shotaro then meets with Isora's spirit, who threatens to kill him. Terrified, he runs to a priest who writes charms on his body and tells him that the danger would last 42 days. Throughout that period, the demon tries to enter Shotaro's house every night but is held back by the charms. On the last day, however, Shotaro mistakenly takes the bright moonlight for dawn and leaves the house. Only his mangled head is found dangling on the edge of the eaves. Parts of this story (the writing on the body) were used in the film.

The Lust of the White Serpent

Set during the Heian era, this tale is the second basic story in the film. It tells of Toyoo, the son of a rich fisherman, who falls in love with a mysterious woman he meets during a rain and lends his umbrella to. She tells him her name is Manago and that she is the widow of Agata, a respected local dignitary. When she implores Toyoo to marry her, he readily agrees and accepts an expensive sword as gift. It turns out, however, that the sword was stolen from a nearby temple and Toyoo is arrested for the offense. When the constables go to Manago's mansion to investigate, they find it in ruins and she disappears with a thunderbolt when they try to approach her, leaving the rest of the stolen property behind. Toyoo realizes had was bewitched by a snake in human shape. He goes to live with his sister, but Manago appears again and manages to persuade him that she is after all human. He lives with her until one day she is exposed by an old priest and is forced to flee again. Toyoo returns to his home and marries Tomiko. One night, however, he finds out that his wife is possessed by Manago. With the help of another priest, the evil spirit is exorcised but Tomiko dies later.

The Blue Hood

Set in the late 15th century, this is the most disgusting tale in the collection. It is about the pious abbot of the Oyama chapel, who unfortunately falls for a young boy and is quickly ruined by his lust. Eventually he becomes evil incarnate when the boy dies and he is unable to let go, sucking and licking the corpse until he devours it. He then goes completely insane and terrorizes the local village by digging up more corpses to eat. A devout priest by the name of Kaian passes by one day and, upon being informed of the abbot, takes it upon himself to rid the village of that demon. He stays for one night at the chapel where the possessed abbot is unable to see him. Kaian instructs him to repent and gives him a sutra to recite in his search for enlightenment. A year later Kaian returns to find that the abbot has not appeared since. He goes to the chapel and finds him still reciting the sutra. After striking the motionless body with his Zen rod, only a skeleton appears from under the cape.

Wealth and Poverty

Set in the late 16th century, this is the least interesting of the tales. It is about the frugal warrior Oka Sanai, who has amassed a large fortune in gold but is not much liked by the people around him. One night, the spirit of gold materializes in his room and they chat about what it means to be rich, how it relates to past and future deeds, what Buddhism and Confucianism teach about riches, and the value of being well off.

July 1, 2001. BLS

@BOOK{ueda-1776:ugetsu,
    TITLE     = {Ugetsu Monogatari: Tales of Moonlight and Rain},
    AUTHOR    = {Akinari Ueda},
    YEAR      = {1974 [1776]},
    PUBLISHER = {University of British Columbia Press},
    ADDRESS   = {Vancouver},
    ISBN      = {0-7748-0026-7},
    NOTE      = {Pp. 280, notes, bibliography, index, translated by Leon M. Zolbrod}
}