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Photo: Mick McClary
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One day, farmer Okuma, who lived near Ojana (down in the southern part
of the island on the East China Sea side) went to a spring to wash
himself after a hard day's work in the field. As he approached the
spring he heard someone splashing in it. Since he had not seen anyone
approach, he was very surprised. |
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Silently he crept up to the spring and peeked through the trees.
He was startled to find a very beautiful
lady taking a bath. Looking up, he noticed a garment made from
feathers hanging in a tree. He slipped away with this garment and
hid it in the grain storehouse behind his house. |
Photo: Mick McClary
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Returning to the spring, he discovered the woman looking for her
garment. He asked her why she was upset and she explained that she
was an angel who had been flying over the spring. She had been so
attracted by the coolness of the water that she stopped to refresh
herself... not imagining that anyone would see her. Okuma offered
to help her look for the feathers so that she could continue to her
own world.
When they were unsuccessful he asked her to stay with him for the
evening. For many days after that they looked in vain. Slowly,
Okuma felt himself falling in love with her and realized that she was
coming to love him too. He asked her to marry him and she accepted.
Soon she gave birth to a daughter, and then to a son.
The daughter used to care for her little brother and, one day she
discovered the feather garment in the storehouse.
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Can't remember from where I pirated this one
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Since her brother was somewhat restless she began to sing a little
song for him about the feathers. Overhearing the song, her mother
found the feathers and flew away to her own country.
When Okuma returned his children told him what had happened.
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He was sad but he'd known all along that some day she would have to return
to her own kind. Okuma eventually became quite respected and was
given many honors by the people.
The daughter married the king's brother and became a princess. The
son, who was named Satto, became Lord of Urasoe and King of Chuzan
(Okinawa) from 1349 to 1395. King Satto
had begun trade with Ming
China and many Okinawans consider him to have been the most important
of kings. His tomb is situated along a stream, the up some steps
carved into a cliff. Many still go there to pray.
With thanks, I "borrowed" this story from the publication, "Where Is
It?" an indispensable guide to Okinawa.
