University of Virginia Library

SHOJO

Waki

I am a man called Kofu in a village by
Yosu,[1] which is at the foot of Kane Kinzan in
China, and because of my filial deference I
dreamed a strange dream. And the dream
told me that if I would sell saké in the street
by Yosu I should be rich. I obeyed. Time
passed. I am rich. And this is the strange
thing about it: whenever I go to the market,
there's the same man comes to drink saké.
No matter how much he drinks, his face shows

no change. It is curious. When I asked his
name, he said, "Shojo." A shojo is a monkey.
I waited for him where the river runs out at
Jinyo, clipping chrysanthemum petals into the
saké. I waited for him before moon-rise.

Chorus

This is chrysanthemum water. Give me
the cup. I take it and look at a friend.

Hero

O saké!

Chorus

Saké is a word well in season. Saké is best
in autumn.

Hero

Though autumn winds blow—

Chorus

—I am not cold at all.

Hero

I will put cotton over—

Chorus

—the white chrysanthemum flowers

Hero

The guests will also see—

Chorus

—the moon and the stars hung out.

Hero

This place is by Jinyo.

Chorus

The feast is on the river.

Hero
(who is in reality Shojo)

Shojo will dance now.

Chorus

The thin leaves of ashi, the leaves of the
river reeds, are like flute-notes. The waves
are like little drums.

Hero

The voice sounds clear through the shore-winds.

Chorus

It is the sound of autumn.

Hero

You are welcome. I have made this jar
full of saké. Take it. It will never run dry.

Chorus

No, it will never be empty—the saké of
bamboo leaves; although you drink from
the lasting cup of the autumn, the autumn
evening remains ever the same.

The moon fades out of the river, and the
saké weighs down my blood.

And I am shaking and falling; I lie down
filled with wine, and I dream; and, awaking,
I find the saké still flowing from the jar of
Shojo, from the magical fountain.