Long ago, at the Amidaji temple in Akamagaseki, lived a blind musician named Hoichi. He was a master of the biwa and a legendary reciter of the 'Tale of the Heike.' One night, while the temple priest was away, a spectral samurai appeared and commanded Hoichi to play for his lord. For several nights, Hoichi was led to a mysterious court where his music moved the noble audience to tears. Concerned by his nightly disappearances, the priest sent servants to follow him. They found Hoichi in the middle of a graveyard, sitting before the tomb of the drowned Emperor Antoku, surrounded by flickering ghost-lights. Realizing the ghosts were draining Hoichi’s life, the priest devised a plan. He painted the holy Heart Sutra over every inch of Hoichi’s body to make him invisible to the spirits. However, in his haste, the priest forgot to paint the sutras on Hoichi’s ears. When the ghostly samurai returned, he saw only two ears floating in the air. To provide proof of his command to his lord, the ghost tore the ears from Hoichi’s head. Though Hoichi suffered greatly, he survived, and thereafter became known as 'Mimi-nashi Hoichi'—Hoichi the Earless.
Even the smallest oversight in a grand plan can lead to significant consequences, and spiritual protection requires complete devotion.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of Hoichi the Earless?
The moral highlights that attention to detail is crucial, as a single omission can negate an entire effort. It also reflects the cultural belief in the literal power of sacred texts for protection.
Who wrote the most famous version of this story?
The story was popularized globally by Lafcadio Hearn in his 1904 collection titled 'Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things.'
Why did the ghost take Hoichi's ears?
Because the priest forgot to paint sutras on Hoichi's ears, they were the only part of him visible to the ghost. The ghost tore them off to show his lord that he had attempted to fetch the musician.
What instrument does Hoichi play?
Hoichi plays the biwa, a traditional Japanese short-necked lute often used in narrative storytelling, particularly for epic poems like the Tale of the Heike.
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Good night.
