Ｔhe Legend of the Camellia Grove |
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| 椿森の伝説 編著 清水 義男 画 鈴木 正三 校正 桐生市立広沢小学校 教諭 河添 和子 企画・制作 桐生市立広沢公民館 むかし、むかし、八幡太郎義家というりっぱな武士のけらいで、周東刑部成氏 というおさむらいがこの広沢の地に大きなおやしきをたてて、すんでいました。 このおさむらいさま成氏ふうふには、目にいれてもいたくないほどそれはそれ はかわいいお姫さまがおりました。周東家の一日はまるでこのお姫さまを中心 に動いているようでした。 そのだいじなだいじなお姫さまが、ある日ふとしたことでびょうきにかかって しまいました。成氏さまとおくがたは、朝から晩までいっしょうけんめいかん びょうを続けましたが、日に日にびょうきは悪くなっていくばかりでした。 成氏さまふうふは、しんぱいのあまり、きとうしややまぶし、そうりょたちに お姫さまのびょうきが一日も早くかいふくするようおねがいしてもらいまし た。 成氏さまふうふのかんびょうのかいもなく、お姫さまはとうとうなくなって、 かえらぬ人となってしまいました。お姫さまをなくした周東家は、すっかりさ びしくなってしまいました。とくに、おくがたさまは元気をなくしてしまい、 毎日なみだをながしておりました。 おくがたさまは、お姫さまを「なんとかあきらめよう」、「なんとかわすれよ う」 としましたが、日がたつにつれ、わすれるどころか、かえってお姫さまを思う きもちがつよくなり、あいたくてあいたくてたまらなくなりました。 お姫さまを思うきもちをおさえきれなくなったおくがたさまは、とうとう毎日 お姫さまの墓へおまいりをはじめました。お姫さまのお墓のまえで、おもいき りなみだをながし、あいたいあいたいと、おいのりいたしました。 毎日のお墓まいりがつづいたある日のこと、おくがたさまは、手にしてきた一 本の椿のこえだをじめんにつきさして、お墓にねむるお姫さまにこうおねがい をしました。「おお姫よ、かわいいそなたをうしなったこの母のかなしみと、そ なたを思うかわらぬあいとが、もしも、ちかにねむるあなたにとどいたなら、 どうぞここにさした椿のえだにねをのばさせてくださいませ。そして、はをし げらせ、うつくしい花々をさかせてくださいませ」 するとどうしたことでしょう。おくがたさまのふかいあいじょうが、ちかの お姫さまにつうじたのでしょうか、ふしぎなことにさした椿のえだにねがはえ、 おくがたさまのねがいどおりに赤い花までもさきはじめました。 あれから、何百年もたちました。今はみごとなほど大きなきにせいちょうした この椿のきは、まいとし、はるさきになると、大きく広げたえだいっぱいにた くさんの花をつけて、今もわたしたちに春のおとずれを知らせてくれています。 解説 この椿森の伝説の舞台となった「椿森のツバキ群」は、群馬県桐生市広沢町６ 丁目５７１番地に存在し、昭和４２年２月１５日に桐生市の指定天然記念物に 認定された。ツバキの数は３本、最大樹木目通り１．５メートル、樹高約６メ ートル、樹齢は不詳であるが、ここは中世には墓地となっていたと考えられ、 鎌倉期と推定される５輪塔も見られる。 この椿森に関わる物語は、古くからこの地域に伝えられ、口承文化として現在 までつたえられているが、今回、多くの方々の協力を得、形として後世に残 すため紙芝居化した。 |
| The Legend of the Camellia Grove Written by Yoshio Shimizu Illustrations by Shozo Suzuki Literary Advisor: Kazuko Kawazoe Kiryu City Hirosawa Elementary School Planning & Design: Hirosawa Community Center Translated by the Kiryu International Exchange Asso. Long, long ago there lived a vassal named Nariuji Gyobu Shuto who was in the service of Yoshi'ie Taro Hachiman, a most eminent samurai. Nariuji, too, like the nobleman Hachiman, was a samurai. Befitting his station in life, Lord Nariuji Shuto built a great manor in an area now called Hirosawa and there he took up his abode. In this manor there also lived a charming little princess who was more dear to the hearts of her parents. Lord and Lady Shuto, than anything else in the whole wide world. Life in the manor revolved around the care of this little princess. One day, most unexpectedly, this precious child fell ill. Everyday, from sunrise to sunset Lord Nariuji and his wife spared no effort in caring for the sick princess. Nevertheless, as the days passed, the child's condition steadily worsened. Lord and Lady Shuto were beside themselves with worry and petitioned all the monks to pray to the gods on behalf of the sick child that her health might be restored to her as quickly as possible. Despite all the ministrations of the household, the little Princess failed to improve and regretfully she passed on to the next life. Lord and Lady Shuto now became quite lonely, having lost their most treasured possession. Lady Shuto was especially grieved and grew listless, crying despondently everyday. Lady Shuto tried to console herself saying, "I must resign myself to her loss," or, "I should try to forget her." Nevertheless, although the passage of time usually heals such wounds, for Lady Shuto, the memory of her daughter, the Princess, only grew more vivid. In her heart, she so longed to see the child again that she could hardly bear it. Since she could not forget the sweet memory of the child, it came to pass that Lady Shuto began to visit the princess' grave everyday. There, before the gravestone, Lady Shuto would shed bitter tears of grief, praying to see the child once again. These visitations continued for a long while. Then, on one occasion, Lady Shuto brought a small branch from a Camellia tree to the gravesite which she pushed into the earth under which the Princess lay sleeping. Doing so, the grieving Lady Shuto said, "My little princess, see here before you your mother so distraught from the loss of the child whom she could never forget and who so longs to see your face again. Take pity on me, if you will, from under the earth where you lie in sweet repose. Let this small Camellia branch send forth its roots and sprout new leaves. In the fulness of time, may it be covered in beautiful blossoms." What can come of such a heartfelt entreaty? No doubt, Lady Shuto's profound love found its way into the heart of the child as she lay in her grave. As though somehow enchanted, the branch did indeed take root in the soil, fulfilling Lady Shuto's loving plea, and as it grew, it was covered with leaves and lovely red blossoms. Many hundreds of years have now passed since these strange events took place. The Camellia branch has grown into a most splendid grove. Each year, as spring approaches, the branches of the trees, stretching out wide in all directions, are covered with blooms. Even now, the trees remind all who gaze upon them of the imminence of spring which awaits us all. Origins of the Camellia Grove and its Legend The camellia grove described in the legend can be found at 6-571 Hirosawacho in Kiryu City. This grove was designated a natural commemorative treasure by the city on February 15,1967. The three camellia trees in the grove are approximately 6 meters high and their trunks are about 1.5 meters in diameter. While the age of the trees remains unknown, it is believed that the site was first used as a cemetery sometime during the Middle Ages. A five storied pagoda, dating from the Kamakura Era, can be seen in the vicinity. The legend associated with the camellia grove has long been told in the Kiryu area and until now has been part of the region's oral tradition. On this occasion, thanks to the cooperation of many, the legend has been preserved for future generations in traditional Japanese "Kamishibai" format. |
