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Hoichi the Earless
Centuries ago, the Heike clan lost a great seabattle at Dan-no-Ura in Japan.
The young Emperor Antoku died with many members ofhis court,
and people said their spirits still wandered thecoast.
Near their graves stood a Buddhist temple called A-mi-da-ji.
A blind young musician named Hoichi lived thereunder the care of a kind priest.
Hoichi played the biwa, a traditional Japaneselute, and nobody told the story of Dan-no-Ura
better. One summer night, the priest was away, andHoichi sat alone on the temple veranda.
Near midnight, heavy footsteps crossed the gardenand stopped in front of him.
Hoichi!
I am blind, so I cannot know who is calling me.
There is nothing to fear.
My lord has heard of your skill, so bring yourbiwa and come with me.
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The stranger sounded like an armed samurai, andhis command was not easy to refuse.
He guided Hoichi through a great gate and intowhat seemed to be an enormous palace.
Hoichi heard fine clothes rustling and noblevoices speaking softly around him.
Recite the battle of Dan-no-Ura, for its sorrow isthe deepest.
Hoichi played until his biwa seemed to become thesea, the ships, and the clash of battle.
When he described the death of the emperor and hispeople, the whole court cried out and wept.
Our lord wishes you to return for six more nights.
You must keep these visits to yourself.
Hoichi returned before dawn, and the samurai camefor him again the following night.
When the priest discovered his absence, he becameworried.
Where have you been, my friend?
Please forgive me, but it was private business.
The answer did not sound like Hoichi, so thepriest ordered two servants to follow him that
night.
In the rain, they lost him on the road, but theyheard furious music coming from the cemetery.
They found Hoichi sitting alone before EmperorAntoku's tomb.
Pale ghost lights burned above the graves, butthere was no palace and no living audience.
How dare you interrupt me before this noble court!
The servants carried him back, and the priest madehim tell the whole story.
You were not in a palace, Hoichi.
You were sitting among the tombs of the dead.
By obeying those spirits, you have fallen intotheir power.
Before sunset, the priest and his assistantcovered Hoichi's body with the words of a holy
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Buddhist text.
The writing was meant to make every covered partof him invisible to the dead.
Whatever happens tonight, do not answer and do notmove.
Hoichi sat on the veranda and waited in silence.
At last, the iron footsteps returned.
Hoichi held his breath and remained perfectlystill.
The samurai stepped closer, searching the darknesswhere the musician sat.
The Bewa is here, but I can see only two ears.
I will take them to my lord as proof that I foundhim.
Seized Hoichi's ears, and pain flashed throughhim.
He did not cry out, and the heavy footstepsfinally disappeared.
Before sunrise, the priest returned and foundHoichi badly injured but alive.
Friend, we covered your whole body with the holytext, but we left out your ears.
Hoichi recovered, and the spirits never troubledhim again.
The adventure made him famous, and people camefrom far away to hear him play.
That time on, he was known as Miminashi Hoichi.
Hoichi the Earless, to be taken in means to bedeceived by something that seems real.
Hoichi is taken in by the sounds of a palace and anoble court.
Keep something to yourself means not to tell otherpeople about it.
The court lady orders Hoichi to keep his visit tohimself.
Hold your breath means to stop breathing briefly.
Often because you are afraid or waiting, Hoichiholds his breath when the samurai calls his name.
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To leave something out means to forget or choosenot to include it.
The priest's assistant leaves out Hoichi's earswhen writing the protective text
Whatever happens introduces an instruction thatremains true in every possible situation.
At what moment should Hoichi have realized thatthe palace was not real?
You can find the complete transcript, translationsin several languages,
and a vocabulary guide on our website,yourenglishtoolbox.com.
There is a direct link to the episode page and allits resources in this episode description.
Thank you for listening.
