Hukumusume fairy tale collection



Hikoichi’s Swordsmanship

Introduction to Hikoichi

・Japanese  ・English ・Japanese＆English

English translator　REN HANADA(花田れん)

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

　One day, as Hikoichi was walking through the town of Yatsushiro, he saw a drunk man in the middle of the street, wielding a balance stick made of oak wood.
　Hikoichi asked one of the townspeople,
"Hey, why doesn't anyone catch that drunk?"
　The man replied in a troubled tone,
"I really wish I could, but that guy is a townsman and his swordsmanship is so good that no one can touch him when he's drunk. He's a good-natured man, as long as he doesn't drink."
"I see. What a troublesome man he is when drunk with alcohol. ...okay."
　Hikoichi wore a tenugui (Japanese towel) and a headband, and told the townspeople,
"I'll take down that drunkard."
"What!? What if you're hurt?"
''Hey, it's okay.Well, you'll have to wait and see."
　Hikoichi stepped in front of the drunkard.
"Hey, General!"
"Whhhatttt the hell, kid!"
　The drunkard raised his balance stick in a terrifying swashbuckling fashion.
　Hikoichi, however, is fine.
"I've been watching you for a while now, but you are so powerful and good at swordplay."
"Oooh, ooof course. I'm licensed in a training hall. And yet, the townspeople always make fun of me. So today, I'm showing you what I can do."
"I see. But Chief,"
　Hikoichi pointed to the building pillars that were stacked on the roadside.
"no matter how powerful you are and how good your sword skills are, you won't be able to swing this pillar."
"Wwwhhhat is it? What do you mean I can't do it?"
"Yeah. I don't think you can do it."
"Hey, kkkid, don't play dumb!"
　The drunkard threw down the balance stick he was holding and lifted one of the pillars.
(Now!)
　Hikoichi grabbed the balance stick that the drunkard had thrown away and stood very still.
　He then turns to the drunkard and says in a mocking tone,
''Then, general, let's have a swordplay match now. Now, come on, wherever you are."
　Then the drunkard shook up the pillar in a fit of rage.
　Seeing this, Hikoichi ran off in the opposite direction.
"Hey, kkkid! It's not fair to run away!"
　The drunkard chased after him while swinging a pillar, but since he was still holding the heavy one, he ran out of breath and sat down on the ground.
"Haaah, haaah, haaah..."
　There, Hikoichi came back and shouted at him with a big swing of his balance stick.
"I've won! If you make the slightest move, I'll finish you in a blow."
“Damn it!”

　It is said that the drunkard gave in to this and never drank again because of the embarrassment of being defeated by the child.

End

One point advice : Skills alone doesn’t make you a champion.

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