Hizakurige
by Jippensha Ikku
Hizakurige is a humorous Japanese word meaning “a journey on foot.” It is an apt title for this book telling of the adventures of two happy-go-lucky travelers along the road, between Edo and Osaka. The book, issued serially beginning in 1802, was an immense success in its day, and the author, Jippensha Ikku (1766–1831), wrote numerous sequels. The two heroes, Yajirobei, or Yaji, and Kitahachi, or Kita, have been taken into the hearts of the Japanese, and their irrepressible earthy humor is considered typical of the real Edoite.
The following section occurs fairly early in their journey.
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They went down the hill till they reached Nissaka, the rain coming down harder and harder till it was impossible to go on, as everything was blotted out. Finally they took refuge under the eaves of an inn.
“How annoying!” said Yaji. “Such terrible rain!”
“Well, we’re not willow trees, to be planted by the roadside,” said Kita. “We can’t stand under the eaves of people’s houses forever. What do you think, Yaji? We’ve crossed the River Ōi. Don’t you think we might stop here for the night?”
“What?” said Yaji. “Don’t talk nonsense! It can’t be two o’clock yet. It would be absurd to stop now.”
Then the old landlady came out of the inn.
“You can’t go on in this rain,” she said. “Please stop here.”
“I think we ought to,” said Kita. “I say, Yaji, look! There are some women stopping in the back room there.”
“Eh?” said Yaji. “Where? That’s interesting.”
“Won’t your honors stop here?” repeated the old woman.
“Well, suppose we do,” said Yaji.
