Week 7 Story: Tacibana, the Loyal Wife

Tacibana, the Loyal Wife

Princess Tacibana was a beautiful woman with many hidden strengths. Her husband, the ever-adventurous Yamato, had yet to take notice. In fact, he had grown quite bored of his wife, despite her being a kind, smart, and above all else, devoted partner. Yamato told Tacibana one day that he was leaving in search of new lands and quests. She, of course, withheld her concerns because she was aware of the prince's itinerant personality. After all, that was one of the many reasons she fell in love with him. What she did not know, though, was that Yamato had secretly gone to visit Enoshiba isle where it was rumored that the most majestic goddess with the voice of gold lived. Stories were told of the sea goddess Benzaiten's lute-playing skills and how she could lure unsuspecting men to fall in love with her. 

Benzaiten, goddess of the sea (by Lepetitemascarade)

Upon hearing this from her handmaid, princess Tacibana began to worry for the first time in her marriage. Days and days went by without hearing a word from her husband or anything about his whereabouts. Finally, she saw him approach their kingdom. But with his return, he brought an unrelenting curiosity for something called the Golden Apple. He had been home for several weeks yet had spoken only a few words to Tacibana, half of which were about him wanting to find the mythical fruit. The princess would nod politely at his incoherent rambling, but in her heart, she knew something, or someone, had disrupted their bond. 

One day, Prince Yamato and his men were called to venture out into the forest and slay a giant boar that had become possessed by evil spirits. Worrying for her husband's safety and fidelity, the princess secretly followed the crew on their adventure. After miraculously fighting the boar, Yamato and his men found a wide grassy field to set up camp. Tacibana warily watched from the trees nearby when she suddenly heard goblins laughing around her and the smell of smoke began to fill the air. Soon the entire field was set ablaze by the evil spirits. Without hesitating, Tacibana ran through the fire towards her beloved prince. Yamato and his men were in a panic as they attempted to stave off the flames and rescue their horses. They eventually noticed Tacibana kneeling beside them with her clothing and hair charred. Her skin had been severely damaged and yet she showed no pain. Only a gentle smile appeared on her face as she extended her hand and gave her husband a fire-drill. The exact tool needed in situations like this. Yamato was stunned that his wife had followed them, but he took the tool and in combination with his sword, he cleared the land and saved his people. 

On the trek back home, Yamato gazed upon his badly injured wife and informed her that he had business to attend to at Enoshima shrine and that she should return to their kingdom without him. As they dropped the prince off at the isle and prepared the carriage to continue its journey home, the princess heard Yamato call back to her, "- and make sure you heal quickly because those burns from the fire have made you look hideous." 

His words should have hurt her. In fact, they were likely said with the intention of hurting her. But after going through such a harrowing event and knowing that she had been the one to rescue him, Tacibana felt a new fire burning within her. She thought to herself, "Sure, he will go to the beautiful Benzaiten and hear her music. But would Benzaiten ever run through fire to protect him? Would that goddess risk her own life to save his?" And with this new perspective, Tacibana's devotion for Yamato was further strengthened. She would do anything for her husband, no matter what he did to her.

Author's Note: This story is based on the Japanese folktale "The Labors of Yamato" found in Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend. The original story focuses on the adventures of Yamato after he falls in love with the sea goddess Benzaiten who tricks him into bringing the Sacred Sword to her father, the evil god Susa-no-wo. Yamato is very dismissive of his wife Tacibana, even though she shows time and time again that she is strong in her own right and even ends up saving him on multiple occasions. After learning that he was tricked by Benzaiten, he finally realizes his love for Tacibana and all that she has done for him. My take on the story only covers the first half of the plot and is from Tacibana's point of view. I tried to elaborate on the thoughts and feelings she must have had during this part of the story. I should also note that I am not familiar with what type of tool a "fire-drill" is and had no luck searching for its meaning online. But the reading made it clear that Tacibana's quick timing with giving that object to Yamato is what saved them all.

Bibliography: Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (1917).