Yoshitsune by Basil Hall Chamberlain — Read

[It has been generally believed, both by Japanese and Europeans who have written about the Ainos, that the latter worship Yoshitsune, a Japanese hero of the twelfth century, who is said, not, indeed, by Japanese historians, but by Japanese tradition, to have fled to Yezo when the star of his fortune had set. The following details concerning Yoshitsune bear so completely the stamp of the myth, that they may, perhaps, be allowed a place in this collection. It should be mentioned that Yoshitsune is known to the Ainos under the name of "Hongai Sama". "Sama" is the Japanese for "Mr." or "Lord." "Hongai" is the form in which, according to a regular law of permutation affecting words adopted into Aino from Japanese, the word "Hogwan", which was Yoshitsune's official title, appears! The name of "Hongai Sama" is, however, used only in worship, not in the recounting of the myth. Mr. Batchelor, whose position as missionary to the Ainos must give his opinion great weight in such matters, thinks that the Ainos do "not" worship Yoshitsune. But I can only exactly record that which I was told myself.]

Okikurumi, accompanied by his younger sister Tureshi[hi], had taught the Ainos all arts, such as hunting with the bow and arrow, netting and spearing fish, and many more; and himself knew everything by means of two charms or treasures. One of these was a piece of writing, the other was an abacus; and they told him whence the wind would blow, how many birds there were in the forest, and all sorts of other things.