The Wondrous Flute葉二
Many years ago, there lived a man by the name of Hiromasa, whose ability with the flute was beyond compare. He took to playing in front of the Suzaku Gate, where one night he was joined by another flautist.
Although Hiromasa knew not this other man, he recognized that his playing was sublime, as though it were of another world. So, without a word passing between them, did the two men play their flutes together.
One night, after many such encounters, Hiromasa asked if he might play the other man's flute. He found it to be an instrument of superb quality, unlike any he had played before. The wondrous flute was distinguished by two leaves on its green bamboo shaft from which it took its name: the Hafutatsu, or "Twin-leaf." From that point on, Hiromasa played this flute.
The years passed, and in time Hiromasa died without ever returning the Hafutatsu flute to its owner. It was not played for many years, before it came into the possession of a certain master flautist.
It is said that when this master played the flute by the Suzaku Gate, a voice could be heard coming from above him, exclaiming, "A fine flute indeed!" This ghostly declaration gave rise to the belief that Hiromasa's musical partner had, in fact, been an Oni dwelling within the red- lacquer gate.
One night, I heard the plaintive tones of a flute drifting from the Suzaku Gate...
I remember saying to myself: "Whoever is playing over yonder is gifted indeed, but they cannot compare to me. Nay, my music is far more enchanting, and I shall prove it!"
So I strode over and found a nobleman playing upon his flute. Without even introducing myself, I began to play alongside him.
At first, the nobleman was quite taken aback by my sudden appearance, but soon we were smiling and playing together like old friends, our brief rivalry all but forgotten.
Thus began my long and wondrous acquaintance with the nobleman who bore the name of Hiromasa. Every night, he would come out to the Suzaku Gate and play upon his flute, and I would play with him.
Ah yes, those were such happy, such magical nights...!
Then one day, Hiromasa asked me if we could trade flutes. Naturally, I obliged. So delighted was he that I decided to let him keep my instrument for the time being.
朱雀門から、美しい笛の音が聞こえた。 うん、とても上手だけど僕の方が綺麗な音を出せる。 よし、勝負だ。負けるもんか。 僕は笛を吹いていた貴族の横に行って、 一緒に演奏をする。 貴族は突然現れた僕を見て少し驚いた様子だったけど、 嬉しそうに微笑んで、そのあとは勝負のこととかすっかり 忘れて、共に楽しく演奏した。 貴族は、「ひろまさ」と名乗った。 ひろまさとの不思議な関係は長いこと続いた。 毎晩のように朱雀門にひろまさが来て笛を吹く。 僕も一緒に笛を吹く。 とても、とても楽しい時間だった。 ある日、ひろまさが僕の笛と交換して欲しいと 言ったので、貸してあげた。 「すごくいい音が出ますね」と感激していたので、 僕はしばらく笛を交換してあげることにした。
Yes, I feel the end is nigh. It is time for me to leave this transitory world. I, Hiromasa, am ready for death, and fear naught.
But I do have one regret, which is that I never returned this flute to my dear friend and erstwhile musical foil. I wonder if he is playing again tonight at Suzaku Gate.
Ah, what joyful nights we shared. I would give anything to play together once more, but that is all in the past now. I only hope that he can forgive me for leaving him without his musical partner, and for never returning his flute!
Why, this is the "Hafutatsu," the famous flute once owned by that most eminent musician, Lord Minamoto no Hiromasa! I hear that he used to go to the Suzaku Gate every night and play upon it.
One day I hope to play as beautifully as he once did, beneath the red lacquer eaves of the Suzaku Gate.
That music... Why, there's no mistaking that tone, that timbre! It's my flute, the one I gave to Hiromasa all those years ago! Oh, Hiromasa! Could it really be you? Have you returned?
No... That man is not Hiromasa. But there is no mistaking the flute he plays.
Ah, I see now... Hiromasa is dead. And why shouldn't he be? After all, the span of a man's life is but the light of a flickering flame, soon extinguished.
Either way, it is a delight to hear my flute being played again... But in truth, it is not mine anymore. It belongs to the man who once accompanied me here, and all those who aspire to honor Hiromasa's legacy.
- Where
- Palace Entrance district
- Map
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Region
- Nijo-jo Castle
- Hand in to
- Lady Murasaki, Yasaka Shrine
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