Long, long ago in the Yamada District of Kozuke County (now Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture), there was a small village where all the people lived in harmony. In this village there dwelt a hardworking young man named Kyusuke who served at the temple and at residences of large landowners, toiling from early morning until dusk. Kyusuke learned to read and write and to compose waka (31 syllable Japanese poems) along with the village children who were taught by the temple priest.