leaf detaches itself from the stem... Then said the elder: --


"I am quite sure that the priest told us nothing but the truth. This is
the head of a Rokuro-Kubi. In the book Nan-ho-i-butsu-shi it is written
that certain red characters can always be found upon the nape of the neck
of a real Rokuro-Kubi. There are the characters: you can see for yourselves
that they have not been painted. Moreover, it is well known that such
goblins have been dwelling in the mountains of the province of Kai from
very ancient time... But you, Sir," he exclaimed, turning to Kwairyo, --
"what sort of sturdy priest may you be? Certainly you have given proof of a
courage that few priests possess; and you have the air of a soldier rather
than a priest. Perhaps you once belonged to the samurai-class?"


"You have guessed rightly, Sir," Kwairyo responded. "Before becoming a
priest, I long followed the profession of arms; and in those days I never
feared man or devil. My name then was Isogai Heidazaemon Taketsura of
Kyushu: there may be some among you who remember it."


At the mention of that name, a murmur of admiration filled the
court-room.; for there were many present who remembered it. And Kwairyo
immediately found himself among friends instead of judges, -- friends
anxious to prove their admiration by fraternal kindness. With honor they
escorted him to the residence of the daimyo, who welcomed him, and feasted
him, and made him a handsome present before allowing him to depart. When
Kwairyo left Suwa, he was as happy as any priest is permitted to be in this
transitory world. As for the head, he took it with him, -- jocosely
insisting that he intended it for a miyage.