経観塚に伝わる昔話
A legend passed down in Hemidzuka
A long time ago, there was a girl who lived in a wealthy family of Hemidzuka.
She was of a ripe age, good natured, and beautiful.
Rumors of her spread throughout the land, and many young suitors sought her hand in marriage.
However, the girl never answered to any of their wishes.
Even the noble suitors from the capitol were turned down.
And at last, the god of the mountain descended and said:
"Girl, ever deceived by the heavenly gods, you share the bloodline of my ancestor's bride. You would do well to come and be with me."
The mountain god was a fearsome god who kidnapped and devoured human beings.
The family sent an envoy to the capital, and called forth warriors to banish the oni.
Though the warriors fought with all their might, they could not defeat the mountain god.
And when the day was come that the mountain god would descend upon the village, the girl brought with her a number of devotees.
Like the mountain god, the devotees were not human. Upon the forehead of the one to lead them, a small horn had grown.
And so the devotees gazed upon the sky's sated moon, and their shapes changed to those of beasts, by which they challenged the mountain god.
That very night was of a full moon. Thus the devotees came to be called the Midzuki. (TN: Midzuki - 観月 - literally, "gazing, moon" or "gazing upon the moon.")
The mountain god's eyes shone as would mirrors, and shaking the heavens as he called forth lightning of countless colors, he yet exhausted his strength and
dyed the earth.
Thus the mountain god was banished, yet the lightning he had summoned rumbled on.
The devotees built there a mound and fervently worshipped him.
Upon which the thunder was quick to cease.
After that time, the girl was never seen again, but it is said that the devotees of Midzuki had taken her with them.
Based about this mound, the land came to be known as Hemidzuka. (TN: The characters of Hemidzuka are 経観塚, "he" being "the passing [of time]," "mi" being the same as
from "Midzuki," and "tsuka," meaning "mound" or "hill.")
And so it came to pass that an Enju tree was raised upon the mound, and grew so tall as to reach the moon.
This tree came to be called the "Ohashirasama," and was worshipped in the mound's place. (TN: Ohashirasama - 御柱様 - "O" being an honorary prefix, "hashira" meaning
"pillar," and "-sama" being the honorific typically reserved for gods and customers. It is interesting to note that "hashira" is also the Japanese counter for gods
(Hitohashira, futahashira, etc.). Rayearth fans out there might possibly recall the girl whose prayers supported Cephiro's existence being called "the Pillar.")