Explore "The Mirror Maiden" by Lafcadio Hearn on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
In the period of the Ashikaga Sh[ = o]gunate the shrine of Ogawachi-My[ = o]jin, at Minami-Is['e], fell into decay; and the daimy[ = o] of the district, the Lord Kitahatak['e], found himself unable, by reason of war and other circumstances, to provide for the reparation of the building. Then the Shint[ = o] priest in charge, Matsumura Hy[ = o]go, sought help at Ky[ = o]to from the great daimy[ = o] Hosokawa, who was known to have influence with the Sh[ = o]gun. The Lord Hosokawa received the priest kindly, and promised to speak to the Sh[ = o]gun about the condition of Ogawachi-My[ = o]jin. But he said that, in any event, a grant for the restoration of the temple could not be made without due investigation and considerable delay; and he advised Matsumura to remain in the capital while the matter was being arranged. Matsumura therefore brought his family to Ky[ = o]to, and rented a house in the old Ky[ = o]goku quarter.
This house, although handsome and spacious, had been long unoccupied. It was said to be an unlucky house. On the northeast side of it there was a well; and several former tenants had drowned themselves in that well, without any known cause. But Matsumura, being a Shint[ = o] priest, had no fear of evil spirits; and he soon made himself very comfortable in his new home.