And here we must leave—very inadequately treated—a subject of peculiar interest. To undertake the explanation of any Japanese puns or other jokes, would be a laborious business and cruel to the reader,—still more cruel to the jokes. We have thought, however, that some amusement might be derived from a perusal of the following specimen of the mediæval farces. The translation is literal.[1]
RIBS AND SKIN. (HONE KAWA.)
Dramatis Personæ.
The Rector of a Buddhist Temple.
His Curate. Three of the Parishioners.
Scene.—The Temple.Rector.—I am rector of this temple. I have to call my curate, to make a communication to him. Curate! are you there? are you there? Halloo!
Curate.—Here am I! What is your reason for being pleased to call me?
Rector.—My reason for calling you is just simply this:—I, unworthy priest that I am, am already stricken in years, and the duties of the temple service weigh heavily upon me. So do you please to understand that, from to-day, I resign this benefice in your favour.
Curate.—I feel deeply indebted to Your Reverence. But as I am still deficient in learning, and as, moreover, no time, however late, would seem too late to me, I beg of you to be so kind as to delay this change.
Rector.—Nothing could please me more than your most charming answer. But you must know that, though retiring from the rectorship, I do not intend to leave the temple. I shall simply take up my abode in the back apartment; so, if there should be any business of any kind, please to let me know.
Curate.—Well, if it must be so, I will act in accordance with your august desire.
Rector.—And mind (though it can scarcely be necessary for me to say so) that you do everything in such a manner as to please the parishioners, and make the temple prosperous.
Curate.—Pray feel no uneasiness on that head! I will manage things in such a way as to please the parishioners right well.
Rector.—Well, then, I retire without further delay. So, if there should be anything you want to ask, come and call me.
- ↑ It was first published by us a quarter of a century ago, in the "Asiatic Transactions," and afterwards in a work entitled The Classical Poetry of the Japanese, which has long been out of print.
