Hukumusume fairy tale collection > Japanese classical stories > June

Teng's invisibility straw raincoat
(Teng: long-nosed goblin)

Introduction to Hikoichi

・日本語(Japanese)  ・英語(English) ・日本語(Japanese)＆英語(English)

English translator　REN HANADA(花田れん)

　Once upon a time, there was a very clever man named Hikoichi.

　He's been smart since he was a kid and has lots of wit. However, he's a heavy drinker now.
　Hikoichi's dream is to drink lots of sake every day.
"I need a drink. Have I got enough wisdom to obtain more drinks?"
　As he thought about it, he suddenly remember a coat that is owned by Teng; whenever he uses it, he disappears.
　It seemed that Teng came to the hill on the edge of the village from time to time.
''Alright, let's get Teng's invisibility straw raincoat and drink lots of sake.”
　Hikoichi immediately came to the hill with a fire-blown bamboo called hifuki-dake that he used to cook rice.
"Hey, this is a nice view.
　I. see Osaka or Kyoto quite clearly
　I can see it."
　He was looking at the fire-blown bamboo like a telescope when he heard a voice from the side of a pine tree.
"Hikoichi, Hikoichi.
　What you're looking at is just the fire-blown bamboo that starts a fire under the furnace."
　 He can hear the voice, but he cannot see anyone.
　 Teng is nearby.

“No, this is a clairvoyant mirror, similar to the fire-blown bamboo.
　I can see distant places up close. It's my treasure.
　...Oh, the beautiful princess of the capital of Kyoto has come.
　She's in a car, driven by an ox.”
"A princess from the capital of Kyoto?
　Hikoichi, can I have a look at it for a moment?"
　Teng seems to have come to Hikoichi's side.
"No, no.
　This clairvoyant mirror is a treasure in the house.
　If you take it and run, this is going to be a big problem."
　Just then, a large Teng appeared in front of him.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to run away.
　But if you're so worried, I'll let you use my invisibility straw raincoat."
''Hmm, well, then, just for a little bit of time."
　Hikoichi put on his invisibility straw raincoat and disappeared quickly.
　Teng held the fire-blown bamboo up to his eyes, but it was dark inside.
"Hikoichi, you tricked me!"
　By the time Tengu noticed, Hikoichi's figure was nowhere to be seen even his shadow.
　Hikoichi, dressed in the invisibility straw raincoat, immediately came to the izakaya (a restaurant that serves alcohol), sat down next to the customer and started drinking from a tokkuri (a sake container).
　When the customers saw it, they were startled and rolled their eyes.
"Oh, my God, the the tttokkuri just fffloated up on its own!"
　Well, Hikoichi drank a lot and went home walking with tipsy steps.
"Oui. I've got something useful. (hiccup)."
　He can drink whatever he wants, whenever and wherever he wants, as long as he has the invisibility straw raincoat.

　The next morning.
　Today, too, Hikoichi jumped up to go out for a drink and found out that he didn't have his precious invisibility straw raincoat.
"Hey, mom. Do you know the invisibility straw raincoat I tucked away in the tudura (clothes basket)?"
"Yeah, I burned that dirty invisibility straw raincoat in the furnace."
"Wwwhat the hell!"
　When he peered in, the invisibility straw raincoat was completely on fire.
"Oh, my God. I thought I could drink every day..."
　Hikoichi muttered and gathered up the ashes, and the fingers of his ashen hand were still invisible.
''Hahaha. Apparently the invisibility straw raincoat works even when it's turned to ashes."
　When he dabbed it on his body, the area where the ashes were dabbed became transparent.
''Alright, that's all right. Let's go get a drink."
　When Hikoichi went to town, he immediately walked up to his customer and snatched the tokkuri from him.
　When the customer saw that, he screamed. “Wow!”
"Llllookkk,. eyebbballsss are drinking my liquor!"
　He thought he had dabbed the ashes of his invisibility straw raincoat all over his body, except for his eyeballs.
“Take this, monster!”
　The customer sprinkled Hikoichi with the water that was beside him.
　Wooosh!
　Then, what happened?
　The ashes that he had dabbed on his body vanished quickly, and a naked Hikoichi appeared.
"Oh! You're Hikoichi, aren't you! I'll give you a fourpenny one, boy!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
　Hikoichi said so, and ran back, naked.

End

One point advice : God does not give two gifts

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