Hukumusume fairy tale collection > Foreign language (English) > Japanese classical stories

イラスト　たつよ　　　提供　らくがきの日常

A tiger on the folding screen

(Tales of Ikkyu)

Translation　ちいさな翻訳屋さん

Japanese　←→　Japanese ＆ English　←→　English

　A long time ago, there lived a young Buddhist priest called Ikkyu who has a reputation as witty.

　Because the load heard Ikkyu’s reputation, he called Ikkyu to the castle.


“I know it sounds a bit rushed, but can you catch and tie up the tiger on that folding screen?

　Since the tiger gets away from the screen at midnight and does bad things, we are having terrible time.”

　Of course it was certainly a lie that the tiger gets away from the screen.

　But it looked like the tiger was drawn by a famous painter,

　it seemed that the tiger was going to attack with its fangs bared.

“It is a really great tiger.

　Well then, I will catch and tie up the tiger.

　Would you please give me a rope?”

“Oh, can you do it?”

“Sure, I can.”

　As Ikkyu said so, he put a headband twisted around his head and rolled up his sleeves.

　When he received a rope which a retainer brought for him, he asked the load,

“Sir, would you turn out the tiger from the folding screen, please?

　Then I will tie it up immediately.”

　When the load heard what he said, he said without thinking,

“What are you saying? How can I turn out the tiger drawn on the folding screen?”

　Then Ikkyu smiled and said,

“If so, the tiger will not come out from the folding screen.

　It relieved my anxiety.

　I cannot possibly tie up a tiger that won’t come out from there.”

　The load clapped his hands despite himself as he heard what Ikkyu said.

“Well done! Your wit does your credit!

　I will give you a reward, and you come to visit me again.”


　This is why Ikkyu returned to the temple happily with a lot of reward.

The end

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