Pathway to Japanese Literature

The Sea Monster was a mysterious creature whose true form remained unknown. He had a pitch-black body, lived at the bottom of the sea, and as a mischief-maker behaved willfully and selfishly. That was why everyone disliked him. When something displeased him, he would rampage wildly. He would scoop up seawater, stir up black clouds, raise tsunamis, and cause chaos all around.

The fish and sea-dwelling beasts held their breath and shrank small. If during such times a ship happened to be passing by, it meant disaster. "Hey! Don't you know who I am?" With that, the Sea Monster lifted the ship high with his large hands and sank it to the seafloor in an instant. Yet no one could stop it.

“Again, that lawless Sea Monster has started causing trouble.” “This is quite a problem.”

And the Princess who dwelled in the Dragon Palace knit her brows.

Even the large whale,

“This is unbearable.” With that, the whale fled somewhere. The small fish—sea bream, squid, sardines, and others—were tossed about by the waves, dazed and disoriented. “Princess, please save us.” And they gathered before the gate. For they knew well that even the strongest gods could not handle him, and in such times, there was no other way but to rely on the gentle Princess’s power.

“Wait a little while.”

And the Princess spoke.

The Sea Monster had rampaged everywhere without restraint, so he gradually grew tired.

At that moment, beautiful music began to drift through the air from nowhere in particular.

2

“Hmm?” When the Sea Monster raised his head and looked over there, he saw girls clad in red and blue kimonos encircling the beautiful Princess—some playing flutes, others beating drums, all dancing with playful gestures. The moment he realized the Princess and her attendants must have witnessed his earlier rampage, shame overwhelmed him. Unable to stay still, he retreated into the shadowy depths of the sea.

In an instant, the black clouds vanished, the storm subsided, and the color of the sky shone in a beautiful pale peach hue.

In the town as well, the adults and children rejoiced. "Why did such a terrible thing happen?" And Take-chan asked his grandmother.

“It was the Sea Monster that rampaged.” And Grandmother said.

Thereupon, San-chan and Kimiko-san came to play.

“Let’s go check the bridge!” And San-chan said. “It’s definitely a flood!” And Kimiko-san said. When the three reached the bridge, the water struck the piers with a rumbling sound. “Whoa.” And San-chan stiffened his shoulders. “Something like that came floating by. What could it be?” And Kimiko-san pointed over there. A black, round object floated up and down, now visible, now hidden.

“Could it be the Sea Monster?”

And Take-chan said.

“What’s a Sea Monster?” And Kimiko-san asked. “A rowdy one that lives in the sea.” And Take-chan spoke about what he had heard from his grandmother. “Look here. “It isn’t anything like that.” “It’s some kind of empty barrel!” And Kimiko-san laughed. Empty straw bundles, mandarin orange peels, and all sorts of things came flowing down. “I wonder what happened to the horse I threw into the river.”

And Take-chan said.

3

“What happened to your horse?” And San-chan asked. “It’s my toy that I no longer needed.” And Take-chan said that he had discarded a horse toy with its legs broken off that he had played with when he was small. Thereupon Kimiko-san also, “I once threw away a doll too.” And Kimiko-san said. “They all must have drifted out to sea.”

And San-chan said. "What happened to them after they went out to sea." And the three wondered.

Here was a vast, vast sea. Among them all, the northern sea where the Sea Monster dwelled had taken on a bluish-black color of terrifying intensity. There dwelled sea serpents, crocodile sharks, polar bears, and striped seahorses.

And these beasts had become retainers of the Sea Monster.

It was just after the great storm.

“Hmm, what’s this? Some strange thing has drifted in!” “A strange thing has drifted in!” And the Sea Serpent found the crippled horse and swam in circles around the toy. Hearing this noise, the Crocodile Shark came from somewhere and tried to swallow the toy in one gulp.

“Wait, wait!” “Don’t gobble it down like that!” “It’s something we’ve never seen before.” “Let’s show it to the King.” “After all, he likes anything unusual.” “Even this one could become one of us if it just had a soul.”

And the Sea Serpent dawdled about, showing its shining belly to the waves. “Ha, ha, ha. Does this runt have any such value?”

And the Crocodile Shark laughed.

At this time, the Sea Monster was alone at the bottom of the sea and was just feeling bored. Because he had a wicked nature that delighted in people’s troubles, he was thinking about what kind of mischief to cause next to see everyone in distress. This was because there were no terrifying things stronger than himself in the world. However, being seen by the beautiful Princess was what he found most shameful and terrifying.

Why is it that even the stubborn Sea Monster cannot withstand beautiful things? Is this not truly mysterious?

4

The Sea Monster had the fish and beasts call him King. “King, such a strange thing has drifted in.”

And the Sea Serpent brought the toy horse. The Sea Monster, who had been dozing out of boredom, woke up and picked up the small horse in his hand.

“Ha, ha, ha. Is this some mangled seahorse brat?” And he laughed.

“No, King, this is a strange thing. It must have been battered by the waves and drifted here from the shore where humans live.” And the Sea Serpent said.

“I see. That may well be,” said the Sea Monster. “Well then, I’ll put a soul in it and try making it talk.” He used a strange spell to give the horse speech. “Where do you come from?” he demanded. “I am a toy that was cherished by Take-chan.” “How’d you get so busted up?” The Sea Monster pressed further. “Because Pochi would carry me around in his mouth and shake me,” replied the horse, “and Tama would playfully scratch me.”

And the horse said.

“Why aren’t you angry?” “Dogs and cats don’t know any better.” And the horse answered.

“What a strange creature,” “I’ll get revenge for you.” “Show me the way.”

And the Sea Monster said. “Can I return to that dear old town?” And the horse was surprised.

“Just shut up and follow me.”

With that, the Sea Monster glared and summoned black clouds. In an instant, the surface of the sea darkened. When they rode upon the clouds, the Sea Serpent’s body transformed into a giant serpent. Moreover, the Sea Monster’s head reached up to heaven. The Toy Horse, the Crocodile Shark, and the Polar Bear—all of them transformed into giant forms. “Alright, let’s go now!”

With that, the Sea Monster raised his hand.

5 From the seaward direction, black clouds emerged, and just as one thought a cold wind was blowing, a rumble of thunder could be heard.

Take-chan and Kimiko-san, who had been playing, were startled. “Ah! It flashed!” “A big one’s rumbling!”

Before Kimiko-san could finish speaking, a rumbling sound could already be heard overhead. “Let’s play again later, okay?” And, the two hurriedly entered their house.

Take-chan took off his shoes and rushed up to Grandmother’s room, “The Sea Monster’s rampaging again, hasn’t he?” And he said. Grandmother, who had been reading the newspaper, was removing her glasses while...

“Summer is already passing, you know. After this, it will become distinctly cooler,” Grandmother said. “Then, the Sea Monster will stop rampaging?” Take-chan asked.

“The Sea Monster, you see. He often rampages during summer, but once autumn turns to winter and it gets cold, even his tantrums lose their thrill. So he dozes in the dark northern seas until next year, then rides the clouds back to land when warmth returns.”

And Grandmother said.

When he heard this, Take-chan—though he disliked the Sea Monster—somehow felt sorry that he was all alone.

“Grandma, the thunder seems to have moved far away.” With that, Take-chan pricked up his ears. “Since it’s gotten brighter around here, they won’t come this way anymore.” And Grandmother said.

When he heard that, Take-chan felt relieved and went back outside. Then, toward those mountains, the Black Clouds could be seen moving, flickering with lightning flashes.

“Oh, that one cloud looks like a crippled horse.”

And Take-chan stared fixedly at the sky. That cloud bore the exact shape of the toy horse he had once discarded in the river.

At this very moment up in the sky，the Sea Monster was confronting the horse， “You’re no fool who’d forget your own town．Hurry up and tell me！Where exactly is this town of yours？”

With that, he asked impatiently.

6 The Toy Horse, seeing Take-chan far below, was overcome with nostalgia. How could I ever do something as troubling as that?

“King, where I was isn’t here—it’s inside that forest,” he said, pointing toward the field. “I see… In there? Then I’ll drench that place with heavy rain!”

Instantly, he poured waterfall-like heavy rain onto the field’s forest. Flash flash. Rumble rumble. Heaven and earth quaked. “Ha ha ha! If I wring ’em out this hard, most’ll shrivel right up.” And the Sea Monster laughed heartily. “Excuse me—King—this ain’t no town,” said the Crocodile Shark. The gluttonous Crocodile Shark had been fixin’ to hightail it to town and stuff his gullet fulla every tasty thing there was. But his scheme went sideways, leaving him fit to burst with frustration.

“It’s that Crippled Horse who lied.”

said the Crocodile Shark. “Why do you tell lies?” And the Sea Monster scolded the Toy Horse. “No, it is not a lie.” “This forest is bustling inside.” “If you think it’s a lie, descend and see for yourself—then you’ll understand.”

And the Toy Horse answered. “Well then, I’ll go down and see.”

With that, the Sea Serpent said and immediately lowered the cloud he was riding into the forest. The Toy Horse also descended below, following the Sea Serpent. Sure enough, all sorts of birds were singing. It seemed there was a music concert. The Sea Serpent had never heard such beautiful songs before. Moreover, colorful fruits were ripening here and there. All of these were things never seen in the sea.

In the forest stood a splendid temple. It bore resemblance to a Dragon Palace from somewhere. Passing over the roof and weaving through the trees, there was a spacious pond. There, many red, white, and speckled fish were swimming. "This was quite a nice place," he thought. "Living in a place like this would surely be fascinating." And so thought the Sea Serpent.

At this moment, as the Sea Monster signaled for them to return quickly, the Sea Serpent hurriedly left the Toy Horse behind and soared into the sky.

“Don’t dawdle! The princesses seem to be heading this way.” And the bashful Sea Monster said while gazing at the red western sky.

Seven Truly, the King was short-tempered. "He didn’t listen to my report and just withdrew without even looking at the forest—what a waste," the Sea Serpent muttered to himself. “What was it like down there?”

And the Crocodile Shark came close and said. “It was truly a wonderful place. I wanted to show everyone. I thought I wanted to settle down and live there peacefully.” And the Sea Serpent answered.

“I see. “Is it really such a wonderful place?” “Then there must’ve been lots of delicious things.” “There certainly were! Fragrant fruits hung in clusters from the trees, and in the pond, beautiful fish swam about in swarms.”

“You saw some wonderful things there.” “What were the humans doing?” And the Crocodile Shark asked. “What with the thunder roaring and rain pouring down, they didn’t show themselves, but since there was a house resembling the Dragon Palace, they’re probably in there.” “There were still more interesting things to see, but since His Majesty summoned us, we had to return, you see.”

And the Sea Serpent said. At this moment, the black cloud carrying everyone crossed over the peaks of high mountains as it headed out to sea. Snow had piled up on the mountains, each one shining white. “I want to return quickly,” “I’ve started missing the icebergs.”

And the Polar Bear said earnestly while looking down below.

When the Sea Monster King heard this,

“Exactly right! The human world’s no place to linger!” “Nowhere exists creatures as lying, greedy, and quarrelsome as humans!” “That crippled horse too—the one who trailed after the Sea Serpent below and never returned—learned its lying ways precisely from being pampered by humans.” “Pathetic creature.” “We’ll live secure now amidst storms, snow, and great waves till summer comes.” “If any ship dares approach—I’ll capsize it and rage for you!”

And the King said in a loud voice.

“The King is such a troublemaker.” And the Sea Serpent laughed.

“Despite being so full of energy, why is he afraid of the Princess?”

And the Crocodile Shark wondered in amazement. “That’s not strange at all. Kindness and righteousness must be more esteemed than violence and strength.” And the Sea Serpent said.

Eight

Outside the house, Kimiko-san, Mitsuko-san, Take-chan, and the others were playing. In the western sky, peach-colored clouds fluttered like flower petals, while mingling among them, red clouds streamed like banners. “Look! My, how beautiful! Doesn’t that cloud look like a long sleeve hem?”

And Kimiko-san pointed at the sky. “There must be a bridal procession tonight.” And Take-chan said.

When they heard that, everyone imagined the beautiful Princess who decorates the seasonal festival hall. And at that moment, they felt as though the Princess and her attendants were proceeding leisurely across the clouds. “Once my grandmother said that when the Sea Monster who brought the rain had already returned to his home in the sea and the Princess is having her bridal procession to the stars, the sky becomes beautiful—so this must be the procession.”

And Take-chan said.

Everyone gazed at the sky for a while. "That must be paradise."

And Mitsuko-san said.

“What’s Paradise like?” And Kimiko-san asked.

“A good place.” “A place where every day is fine weather, with no unpleasant or sad things.” And Mitsuko-san said. “It’s beyond those mountains.” “When I grow up, I’ll go see it.” And Take-chan said. “The flawed part of humans.” “Is it really that far away?” “If we ride an airplane, we could get there.” Each of them said what they thought, and their eyes sparkled.

“I want to become that little cloud.” And Mitsuko-san said. “It looks like the doll I washed away into the river last year.” “It must have been reborn as a cloud.”

And Kimiko-san said.

And that night, when Kimiko-san returned home and talked about the Sea Monster and the Princess, her father said: “That’s an interesting story. But you see—not just in the skies above, but also here in the world below, there are Sea Monsters, and there are kind people like the Princess too.” her father said. “So… do you mean creatures like *the* **Sea Monster** or *a* **Princess** actually exist?”

And Kimiko-san said.

“That’s right. Unlike gods, since we’re humans, truly kind and beautiful Princesses are rare—but I think there are far more Sea Monsters of poor character.” her father said.

Nine

Kimiko-san was playing on the school sports field when, “Sea Monster, you’re the one who’s wrong.” A boy’s voice saying this could be heard. When she looked over there in surprise, two or three children were hurling insults at a large-headed, tall, strong-looking child while fleeing. Kimiko-san thought that the large child who had been called by the nickname truly resembled the Sea Monster.

“You’ll pay for this.” Sea Monster glared at his opponent.

“Wasn’t it you who lost someone’s ball? I’ll go tell the teacher.” “Hmph, what’s there to be scared of?”

The Sea Monster stiffened and went off that way. "My goodness, what a rowdy child." "What Father said about there being Sea Monsters everywhere is indeed true." And Kimiko-san thought.

It was when she had returned home and was playing outside with everyone. “Take-chan, don’t you know the Sea Monster?” And Kimiko-san asked.

“Did Grandma talk about it sometime?” “No, the real Sea Monster!” “There’s no such thing!” “It’s there—at school.” “You don’t know?”

As Kimiko-san said this, Mitsuko-san, who was standing nearby, “Ah, I get it!” clapped her hands briskly as if voicing agreement without words. “San-chan, you know about this?”

And Take-chan said to San-chan. “I wonder who that could be. I don’t know either.”

With that, San-chan tilted his head.

The early spring evening sun cast a plum-blossom hue across everyone's faces. “Kimiko-san, I saw it—because later, other kids were saying that was the Sea Monster.”

And Mitsuko-san proceeded to tell the following story. “A cute little first-grader wearing a baseball cap was carrying peach blossoms on their way home from school when a big-headed， strong-looking child demanded， ‘Hand over those flowers!’” “When they said they couldn’t give them up because they were taking them home， he tried to forcibly snatch them away， so the little one was about to burst into tears， you know.”

“Was there anyone else there at the time?” Take-chan asked. “There were others, but they were too scared of being bullied and kept quiet.”

“And then what happened?”

“And then what happened?” And San-chan said.

“The Sea Monster finally snatched away the flowers. The little child became sad and called out, ‘Mom…’ in a loud voice.”

“How pitiful.”

And Kimiko-san’s eyes welled up with tears. “Because you’re such a coward, you’d go crying for your mother right away. As if calling out here would make anyone hear you,” the Sea Monster laughed mockingly. “He’s such a terrible guy!”

And San-chan got angry.

“Then, you see.”

“A kind woman from somewhere came running over and asked the little child what was wrong. At that moment, I was truly happy. When everyone explained what happened, right then the Sea Monster threw down the flowers and ran away, you know.”

And Mitsuko-san concluded her story.

Ten

One day, the Sea Monster tied a rope around a white puppy’s neck and dragged it away. A short boy followed along from behind,

“What’re you doing with that dog?” asked the boy. “Tossing it in the river.”

said the Sea Monster. “Why are you doing such a thing?”

“Because this guy sneaks through the fence every morning, gets into my flower bed, and takes a dump.” “I finally caught him today.”

"But isn't killing it cruel?" "There's no helping it." "I'm gonna discipline it." "You come along too." said the Sea Monster. "If you're going to be this violent, I won't go with you."

And the short boy answered. “If you don’t like it, then don’t come. In that case, I won’t listen to anything you say from now on either.” And then, the Sea Monster glared at his opponent with his large, round eyes.

The timid boy, afraid of being bullied later, reluctantly followed the Sea Monster. Just then, Mitsuko-san happened to pass by there. Seeing this scene, she too came to hate the Sea Monster and wanted to confront him—but ultimately losing her nerve—she simply returned home and hurriedly reported the matter to Kimiko-san.

“That’s terrible.” And Kimiko-san worried about the puppy. Since school was closed, when she went to call Take-chan and San-chan, the two came immediately. And then they all discussed what they should do. “Trying to kill a dog just because it pooped? That’s truly outrageous.”

And Take-chan got angry. “It’s still a small, cute puppy and doesn’t know anything—it could never swim in a river or anything! Since I’m sure it’ll be swept away, let’s hurry over and save it!”

And Mitsuko-san urged everyone on.

“If only Mitsuko-san had stopped him at the time.” And Kimiko-san said.

“But the Sea Monster looks strong, doesn’t he? I didn’t have that kind of courage.” “No matter how strong he is, I can’t just stand by and watch someone act so recklessly.”

And San-chan said. "That's right! If San-chan and I team up, we can take down the Sea Monster, right?"

And Take-chan agreed with San-chan.

“No, you mustn’t fight. Instead, let’s hurry over and stop him.”

And so, as Kimiko-san broke into a run, everyone else too raced off toward the river. When they reached the riverbank, the sunlit embankment lay blanketed in green grass growing thick across its expanse. The water flowed quiet and full, giving the impression fish might dwell within.

Then, from over there, a child holding a fishing rod and a bucket came walking up. “Hey, did you see a kid with a dog?” San-chan asked.

The child looked back at the path they had just walked along,

"A little while ago, I saw them over by that bridge," answered the child. "Thank you."

Everyone ran along the embankment where violets and dandelions were blooming.

Eleven

When they reached the bridge, they saw the retreating figures of two children walking along a narrow path through the rice fields.

“Those going over there aren’t the Sea Monster. Since they didn’t bring the dog along, they must’ve thrown it into the river.”

And San-chan said. The two figures gradually faded from view.

At that moment，Kimiko-san，

“Don’t you hear a dog whimpering somewhere?”

With that said, they searched along the riverbank.

“Ah, it’s crying.” “It must be somewhere.” Take-chan descended the embankment too and searched through the thicket’s shadows.

“Here it is! Everyone, hurry over!”

And Take-chan shouted.

A white puppy was trembling under the riverside brambles. “Let’s save it.” And Take-chan started descending toward the water’s edge. “If you fall, it’s dangerous!”

San-chan said while firmly grasping Take-chan's coat. "Take-chan, you'll be okay." Kimiko-san fretted atop the embankment.

“I’ll go pick it up right now, okay?” Take-chan picked up the soaked, trembling dog, climbed up the embankment, and placed it on the soft grass.

“You didn’t get swept away after all.” With that said，Mitsuko-san took out a handkerchief and began wiping down the dog，while Kimiko-san joined her in drying its soaked body. “The Sea Monster must’ve thought you were dead.” “But you were saved—that’s what matters.”

And San-chan rejoiced. And everyone sat down around the dog. A dragonfly flew over their heads, peeking in as it went. “Won’t someone take this dog in?”

“Won’t someone take this dog in?” said Kimiko-san.

“I want to take it, but since Grandmother got fed up with Pochi, she probably won’t allow it.”

And Take-chan said. "Why?" "Because whenever I bring home other people’s chickens or rabbits, Grandma always ends up having to go apologize. We finally managed to get Pochi from my sister’s friend, you know."

“I’ll ask my mother.” “Won’t all of you come along and help me ask?”

And Mitsuko-san said. “I'll ask for you.” “Since your mother's so kind, she'll surely listen.”

And San-chan answered. After that, they all went to Mitsuko-san’s house, but her mother didn’t immediately say yes.

“Keeping a pet requires a great deal of care, you know.” her mother said. At that moment, San-chan, “Auntie, everyone will take care of Shiro no matter what it takes.” San-chan said. “Oh my, you’ve already given it a name—Shiro?”

And with that, her mother burst into laughter. And finally, she gave her consent. One morning, Shiro followed Mitsuko-san to school. Then, at the gate, they encountered the Sea Monster. “Oh! Is this dog yours?” And the Sea Monster asked in surprise. Mitsuko-san found herself filled with an unexpected surge of courage and stared fixedly at the Sea Monster’s face,

“You’re the one who threw this dog into the river, aren’t you? We’re the ones who saved it!” And Mitsuko-san said.

For some reason, the Sea Monster’s face turned bright red and he fled.

Twelve

It was a hot day. At the storefront of the goldfish shop at the bottom of the hill, Take-chan and Mitsuko-san, on their way home from school, were watching the goldfish and carp gasping as they swam.

At that moment, Mitsuko-san—

“Oh Sea Monster, how very considerate you’ve become!”

Because she had said this, when Take-chan also turned to look in that direction, there was a child pushing the old man’s cart up the slope. “Ah, that kid’s the third-grade chairman.”

And Take-chan said.

“Because he’s the bad kid who threw the dog into the river, you know.”

“He must have regretted it afterward.”

When she heard that，Mitsuko-san recalled the figure who had turned red in the face and fled the other day. When she told this story to San-chan and Kimiko-san， “After all，the human sea monster is greater than the sea’s Sea Monster.” And San-chan said.

“Why?” And Take-chan asked.

Then, Kimiko-san said, “Even if we pray to Lord Thunder, he won’t send us any rain, will he?”

And Kimiko-san said.

The sunset glowed, and tomorrow’s fine weather seemed likely to continue.

The eggplants and cucumbers in the field were wilting, and the flowers in the garden were drooping their heads. "The prayers might not be enough, I suppose." Mitsuko-san said.

“Dear God, please send us rain.”

And with that, everyone prayed to the sky.

When the Princess observed this state of affairs from atop a red cloud, she promptly went to where the Sea Monster was. At that moment, the Sea Monster was perched on a large rock watching seagulls dance. "Everyone pleads. Please send rain for them soon."

And with that, the Princess entreated him. The Sea Monster lazily turned his face and, “I’m teaching those arrogant humans a lesson!” “Not only do they bully innocent whales and gentle sea lions, but they’re also arrogant enough to boast they can do anything!” “If I were to hold back the rain and cut off both electricity and water supplies, how amusing that would be.”

And the Sea Monster laughed.

“Exactly! There’s nothing as self-centered as humans,” said the Sea Serpent, undulating his blue-glowing body. “When their leader occasionally ventures into town, they burn incense sticks to drive him away.” “There are certainly people who don’t know better,” countered the Princess, “but there are also many good people. If we are to be called gods, we cannot simply stand by and watch things that cause distress.”

When the Princess spoke these words, the Sea Monster bowed his head and listened. “If you would heed everyone’s entreaties, we shall honor you as King of the Sea.” Thus declared the Princess. “What? King of the Sea?” With a nod and a smile, the Sea Monster rose to his feet. He then called together his retainers.

Instantly, the storm screamed, and black clouds swirled up. With flashes and rumbles of thunder roaring, the Sea Monster advanced toward land. In an instant, both villages and towns were engulfed in rain clouds. “Hey! It’s a downpour! A downpour!”

And far below, the people were shouting with joy.