Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things

followed, Hōïchi heard the voice of the woman whom he believed to be the Rōjo original: Rōjo; a matron or high-ranking lady-in-waiting in a noble household.

Ghost Stories original: 怪談 (Kwaidan)

She said: —

“Although we were assured that you were a very skillful player of the biwa a traditional Japanese short-necked lute and without an equal in musical storytelling, we did not know that anyone could be as talented as you have proven yourself to be tonight. Our lord is pleased to say that he intends to grant you a fitting reward. However, he desires that you perform before him once every night for the next six nights—after which time he will likely begin his noble return journey. Therefore, tomorrow night, you are to come here at the same hour. The servant who guided you tonight will be sent for you again. . . . There is another matter I have been ordered to tell you. You must not speak to anyone about your visits here during the time of our lord’s noble stay at Akamagaséki The old name for the city of Shimonoseki. As he is traveling in secret original: incognito; Hearn notes the original Japanese phrase is "shinobi no go-ryokō," meaning a disguised noble journey, he commands that no mention of these things be made. . . . You are now free to return to your temple.”