Yukishiroi and the Seven Waku
Many years ago, in the time they call kodai, in a province of the north there was a powerful prince called Koshaku who had a beautiful daughter Yukishiroi, which means ‘white as snow.’ His young second wife Akujo was jealous of Yukishiroi.
Koshaku was growing old, and Akujo feared that when he died Yukishiroi would marry one of many powerful warrior suitors and she would be displaced.
Now, Akujo had a secret lover, a councillor called Yashinteki which means ‘ambitious’, and they planned to get rid of Yukishiroi and he would take the province over when Koshaku died.
One autumn day, Yukishiroi was in her zen garden, amid the rocks, when she was seized by two soldiers, blindfolded and bound. She was carried into the countryside and dropped into a deep mineshaft.
What they did not know was that the miners had stretched a net across the shaft to protect them from falling rocks and Yukishiroi’s fall was arrested.
Suddenly Yukishiroi was aware of high-pitched voices and her blindfold was removed. Ladders were hooked into place and one of the voices asked, ‘Can you climb up the ladder? I will go first to make sure it is safe.’
She climbed the ladder and stepped into the autumn sunlight. She realised that six more people had followed her and that they were very short and fearsomely ugly.
One, who appeared to be the leader said, ‘Who are you in your fine clothes?’
She replied, ‘I am Princess Yukishiroi, and who might my rescuers be?’
The leader bowed so low that his nose touched his boot.’ Denka-san, we are but humble Waku miners. I am Isha.’ He touched the other six in turn, who bowed equally low. ‘This is Tanki, Tanoshi-ge, Nemuidesu, Hanikamu, Kushami, and Baka. May I ask what brings you here?’
Yukishiroi recounted her kidnapping.
‘Denka-san, allow us to take you home. We have but a humble coal cart and you are so white.’
‘I will be very pleased to ride in your cart,’ smiled Yukishiroi.
Yashinteki committed harikari and Koshaku divorced and banished Akujo to a distant province forever.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOh a different take and culture of Snow White- very interesting. I tried to research the names but had no luck. Where did you find this version?
In the darkest recesses of my mind, Margarida. The Japanese names are the equivalent of the 7 dwarves in the Snow White story, Doc, Grumpy, Bashful, etc. Glad you like the story and the slant. Thank you.
What a unique and brilliant story of a Japanese version of Snow white. Skillfully done, Allan.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much, Lotchie. The product of an imagination getting out of control!!
You’re welcome, Allan. So proud of your very brilliant imagination and ideas. Well done.
I really like how you have narrated this story, Allen. A new twist on an old fairy tale with such magical character names. And a happy ending (except for Yashinteki and Akujo), what more could we ask? Lovely!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Linda. It was fun researching the Japanese connection and you know I always value your opinions on what I do.
I loved your revisiting of the Snowhite story. No poisoned apple here but powerful none the less!
Ah..poisoned apple – there’s an idea for another story!! Thank you so much for your kind comments, Greene. It’s always so gratifying to read positive reviews.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAs a student learning the Japanese language, my heart was filled with joy reading your story and all the names! It makes me so excited to see stories influenced and other renditions from Japan. It was a truly wonderful short story to read, Allan!
Thank you, Bella. It was taking a risk of self-immolation using the terminology and history of a country and language I know little about, other than what I learned from research. The strange noise you just heard from your computer was my typhoon-scale sigh of relief that I had not made a fool of myself. Thank you indeed for your lovely review. That’s why I write!