Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Hell Screen.rtf

5/19/2018 Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Hell Screen.rtf

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HELL SCREEN

BY RYUNOSUKE AKUTAGAWA

1

I am certain there has never been anyone lie o!r "reat #or$ o%

&oria'a( an$ I $o!bt there ever 'ill be another) In a $ream be%ore &is

#or$shi* 'as born( &er +aternal #a$yshi* sa' the a'esomely arme$

G!ar$ian ,eity o% the West - or so *eo*le say) In any case( &is #or$shi*

seeme$ to have innate .!alities that $istin"!ishe$ him %rom or$inary

h!man bein"s) An$ beca!se o% this( his accom*lishments never cease$ to

ama/e !s) Yo! nee$ only "lance at his mansion in the 0a*itals &oria'a

$istrict to sense the bol$ness o% its conce*tion) Its - ho' shall I *!t it2 -its "ran$e!r( its heroic scale are beyon$ the reach o% o!r me$iocre min$s)

Some have .!estione$ the 'is$om o% &is #or$shi*s !n$ertain" s!ch a

*ro3ect( com*arin" him to 0hinas 4irst Em*eror( 'hose s!b3ects 'ere

%orce$ to b!il$ the Great Wall( or to the S!i em*eror Yan"( 'ho ma$e his

*eo*le erect lo%ty *alaces5 b!t s!ch critics mi"ht be liene$ to the

*roverbial blin$ men 'ho $escribe$ the ele*hant accor$in" only to the

*arts they co!l$ %eel) It 'as never &is #or$shi*s intention to see

s*len$or an$ "lory %or himsel% alone) &e 'as al'ays a man o% "reat

ma"nanimity 'ho share$ his 3oys 'ith the 'i$er 'orl$( so to s*ea( an$

e*t in min$ even the lo'liest o% his s!b3ects)

S!rely this is 'hy he 'as le%t !nscathe$ by his enco!nter 'ith that

mi$ni"ht *rocession o% "oblins so o%ten seen at the lonely intersection o%

Ni3o6Omiya in the 0a*ital5 it is also 'hy( 'hen r!mor ha$ it that the "host

o% Tor!( +inister o% the #e%t( 'as a**earin" ni"ht a%ter ni"ht at the site o%

his r!ine$ mansion by the river at &i"ashi6San3o 7yo! m!st no' it8 'here

the minister ha$ recreate$ the %amo!s seasca*e o% Shio"ama in his

"ar$en9( it too only a sim*le reb!e %rom &is #or$shi* to mae the s*irit

vanish) In the %ace o% s!ch res*len$ent ma3esty( no 'on$er all resi$ents

o% the 0a*ital : ol$ an$ yo!n"( men an$ 'omen : revere$ &is #or$shi*

as a reincarnation o% the B!$$ha) One time( it is sai$( &is #or$shi* 'asret!rnin" %rom a *l!m6blossom ban.!et at the ;alace 'hen the o< *!llin"

his carria"e "ot loose an$ in3!re$ an ol$ man 'ho ha**ene$ to be

*assin" by) The ol$ %ello' nelt an$ clas*e$ his han$s in *rayer%!l thans

%or havin" been ca!"ht on the horns o% &is #or$shi*s o'n o


2/27

So many( many stories abo!t &is #or$shi* have been han$e$

$o'n) &is Im*erial +a3esty himsel% once *resente$ &is #or$shi* 'ith

thirty *!re 'hite horses on the occasion o% a Ne' Years ban.!et) Another

time( 'hen constr!ction o% the Na"ara Bri$"e seeme$ to be r!nnin"

co!nter to the 'ill o% the local $eity( &is #or$shi* o>ere$ !* a %avoriteboy atten$ant as a h!man sacri?ce to be b!rie$ at the %oot o% a *illar) An$

then there 'as the time 'hen( to have a "ro'th c!t %rom his thi"h( he

s!mmone$ the 0hinese mon 'ho ha$ bro!"ht the art o% s!r"ery to o!r

co!ntry) Oh( theres no en$ to the tales= 4or sheer horror( tho!"h( none o%

them meas!res !* to the story o% the screen $e*ictin" scenes o% hell

'hich is no' a *ri/e$ %amily heirloom) Even &is #or$shi*( normally so

im*ert!rbable( 'as horri?e$ by 'hat ha**ene$( an$ those o% !s 'ho

'aite$ !*on him : 'ell( it "oes 'itho!t sayin" that 'e 'ere shoce$ o!t

o% o!r min$s) I mysel% ha$ serve$ as one o% &is #or$shi*s men %or a %!ll

t'enty years( b!t 'hat I 'itnesse$ then 'as more terrible than anythin" Iha$ ever : or haveever : e


3/27

%rom &er #a$yshi* on $o'n love$ the "irl %or her .!icness to notice

others every nee$)

Aro!n$ that time someone %rom the Tamba ;rovince *resente$ &is

#or$shi* 'ith a tame money( an$ the Yo!n" +aster( 'ho 'as then at thehei"ht o% his boyish na!"htiness( $eci$e$ to name it CYoshihi$e) The

money 'as a %!nny6looin" little creat!re as it 'as( b!t ca**in" it 'ith

that name "ave everyone in the ho!sehol$ a hearty la!"h) Oh( i% only

they ha$ been satis?e$ 3!st to la!"h= B!t 'hatever the money $i$ :

'hether climbin" to the to* o% the "ar$en *ine( or soilin" the mats o% a

sta> members room :*eo*le 'o!l$ ?n$ a reason to torment it( an$

al'ays 'ith a sho!t o% Yoshihi$e=

Then one $ay( as Yoshihi$es $a!"hter 'as "li$in" $o'n a lon"

o!t$oor corri$or to $eliver a note "aily notte$ on a branch o% re$ 'inter

*l!m( the money Yoshihi$e $arte$ in thro!"h the sli$in" $oor at the %aren$( in %!ll Di"ht %rom somethin") The animal 'as r!nnin" 'ith a lim* an$

seeme$ !nable to climb a *ost as it o%ten $i$ 'hen %ri"htene$) Then 'ho

sho!l$ a**ear chasin" a%ter it b!t the Yo!n" +aster( bran$ishin" a s'itch

an$ sho!tin"( 0ome bac here( yo! tan"erine thie%= 0ome bac here=

Yoshihi$es $a!"hter $re' !* short at the si"ht( an$ the money cl!n" to

her sirts 'ith a *iti%!l cry) This m!st have aro!se$ her com*assion( %or(

still hol$in" the *l!m branch in one han$( she s'e*t the money !* in

the so%t %ol$s o% her laven$er sleeve) Then( "ivin" a little bo' to the

Yo!n" +aster( she sai$ 'ith cool clarity( 4or"ive me %or inter%erin"( my

yo!n" lor$( b!t he is 3!st an animal) ;lease *ar$on him)

Tem*er still !* %rom the chase( the Yo!n" +aster sco'le$ an$

stam*e$ his %oot several times) Why are yo! *rotectin" him2 he

$eman$e$) &e stole my tan"erine=

C&e is 3!st an animal( she re*eate$) &e $oesnt no' any better)

An$ then( smilin" sa$ly( she a$$e$( &is name is Yoshihi$e( a%ter all) I

cant 3!st stan$ by an$ 'atch my %atherF bein" *!nishe$) This 'as

a**arently eno!"h to brea the Yo!n" +asters 'ill)

All ri"ht( then( he sai$ 'ith obvio!s rel!ctance) I% yo!re *lea$in"

%or yo!r %athers li%e( Ill let him o> this time)

The Yo!n" +aster D!n" his s'itch into the "ar$en an$ stale$ bac

o!t thro!"h the sli$in" $oor)


4/27

A%ter this inci$ent( Yoshihi$es $a!"hter an$ the little money "re'

close) The "irl ha$ a "ol$en bell that her yo!n" mistress ha$ "iven her(

'hich she h!n" %rom the moneys nec on a *retty crimson cor$) An$

he( %or his *art( 'o!l$ almost never leave her si$e) Once( 'hen she 'as

in be$ 'ith a col$( the money s*ent ho!rs by her *illo'( bitin" its nails(an$ I s'ear it ha$ a 'orrie$ loo on its %ace)

Then( stran"ely eno!"h( *eo*le sto**e$ teasin" the money) In

%act( they be"an treatin" it 'ith s*ecial in$ness( !ntil even the Yo!n"

+aster 'o!l$ occasionally thro' it a *ersimmon or a chestn!t( an$ I

hear$ he once De' into a ra"e 'hen one o% the sam!rai ice$ the

animal) Soon a%ter that( &is #or$shi* himsel% or$ere$ the "irl to a**ear

be%ore him 'ith the money in her arms : all beca!se( in hearin" abo!t

the Yo!n" +asters tantr!m( I am tol$( he nat!rally also hear$ abo!t ho'

the "irl ha$ come to care %or the money)

I a$mire yo!r ?lial behavior( &is #or$shi* sai$) C&ere( tae this)

An$ he *resente$ her 'ith a ?ne scarlet !n$errobe) They tell me that his

#or$shi* 'as es*ecially *lease$ 'hen the money( imitatin" the "irls

eections on the $a!"hter o% a mere

*ainter( ho'ever bea!ti%!l she mi"ht be)

Well( then( havin" been sin"le$ o!t %or *raise this 'ay( Yoshihi$eis

$a!"hter 'ith$re' %rom &is #or$shi*s *resence( b!t she ne' ho' to

avoi$ *rovoin" the envy o% the ho!sehol$s other( less mo$est( la$ies6in6

'aitin") In$ee$( *eo*le "re' %on$er than ever o% her an$ the money(

an$ the Yo!n" +istress almost never let them leave her si$e( even

brin"in" them 'ith her in her o


5/27

seen a $evil) 7Some sai$ this 'as beca!se Yoshihi$e ha$ $ra'n a

caricat!re ri$ic!lin" certain as*ects o% the Abbots behavior( b!t this 'as

merely a r!mor that circ!late$ amon" the lo'er classes an$ as s!ch can

har$ly be cre$ite$)9 In any case( Yoshihi$es re*!tation 'as so ba$ that

anyone yo! ase$ 'o!l$ have tol$ yo! the same thin") I% there 'erethose 'ho s*oe in$ly o% Yoshihi$e( they 'ere either a han$%!l o% the

brotherhoo$ o% *ainters or else *eo*le 'ho ne' his 'or b!t not the

man himsel%)

&is a**earance 'as not the only thin" that *eo*le hate$ abo!t

Yoshihi$e) In %act( he ha$ many evil traits that re*elle$ them even more(

an$ %or 'hich he ha$ only himsel% to blame)

4or one thin"( Yoshihi$e 'as a terrible miser5 he 'as harsh in his$ealin"s 'ith *eo*le5 he ha$ no shame5 he 'as la/y an$ "ree$y) B!t

'orst o% all( he 'as insolent an$ arro"ant) &e never let yo! %or"et that he

'as the "reatest *ainter in the lan$) Nor 'as his arro"ance limite$ to

*aintin") &e co!l$ not be satis?e$ till he $is*laye$ his contem*t %or every

c!stom an$ convention that or$inary *eo*le *ractice$) A man 'ho 'as

his a**rentice %or many years once tol$ me this story8 Yoshihi$e 'as

*resent one $ay in the mansion o% a certain "entleman 'hen the

celebrate$ Shamaness o% the 0y*ress Enclos!re 'as there( !n$er"oin"

s*irit *ossession) The 'oman $elivere$ a horri%yin" messa"e %rom the

s*irit( b!t Yoshihi$e 'as !nim*resse$) &e too !* a han$y in br!sh an$

$i$ a $etaile$ setch o% her 'il$ e


6/27

It "oes 'itho!t sayin" that Yoshihi$e lor$e$ it over the other

*ainters o% his time) Tr!e( his br!sh'or an$ colors 'ere !tterly $i>erent

%rom theirs( an$ so the many *ainters 'ith 'hom he 'as on ba$ terms

ten$e$ to s*ea o% him as a charlatan) They rha*so$i/e$ over the 'or o%

ol$ masters s!ch as Ka'anari or Kanaoa 7On moonlit ni"hts yo! co!l$act!ally smellthe *l!m blossoms *ainte$ on that 'oo$en $oor( or Yo!

co!l$ act!ally hearthe co!rtier on that screen *layin" his D!te9( b!t all

they ha$ to say abo!t Yoshihi$es 'or 'as ho' eerie an$ !nsettlin" they

%o!n$ it) Tae his Five Levels of Rebirthon the Ry!"ai3i tem*le "ate( %or

e


7/27

Yoshihi$es love %or his $a!"hter( ho'ever( remaine$ 3!st that8

love) It never occ!rre$ to him that he sho!l$ be tryin" to ?n$ her a "oo$

h!sban$ some$ay) 4ar %rom it8 he 'as not above hirin" street th!"s to

beat !* anyone 'ho mi"ht mae im*ro*er a$vances to her) So even

'hen &is #or$shi* honore$ her 'ith the *osition o% 3!nior la$y6in6'aitin"in his o'n ho!sehol$( Yoshihi$e 'as %ar %rom ha**y abo!t it( an$ %or a

'hile he al'ays 'ore a so!r e


8/27

$o 'ith her re3ection o% &is #or$shi*s a$vances( b!t that( o% co!rse( co!l$

not be so)

As I see it( it 'as entirely o!t o% *ity %or the "irls sit!ation that &is

#or$shi* re%!se$ to let her "o) I am certain he believe$( 'ith "reat"enerosity( that she 'o!l$ be %ar better o> i% he 'ere to ee* her in his

mansion an$ enable her to live in com%ort than i% he sent her bac to her

har$hea$e$ ol$ %ather) That he 'as *artial to her( o% co!rse( there co!l$

be no $o!bt8 she 'as s!ch a s'eet6tem*ere$ yo!n" thin") B!t to assert

that he too his l!st%!l *leas!re 'ith her is a vie' that s*rin"s %rom

t'iste$ reasonin") No( I 'o!l$ have to call it a "ro!n$less %alsehoo$)

At any rate( o'in" to these matters re"ar$in" his $a!"hter( this

'as a *erio$ 'hen Yoshihi$e 'as in "reat $is%avor 'ith &is #or$shi*)

S!$$enly one $ay( %or 'hatever reason( &is #or$shi* s!mmone$

Yoshihi$e an$ or$ere$ him to *aint a %ol$in" screen *ortrayin" scenes%rom the ei"ht B!$$hist hells)

Oh( that screen= I can almost see its terri%yin" ima"es o% hell be%ore

me no'=

Other artists *ainte$ 'hat they calle$ ima"es o% hell( b!t their

com*ositions 'ere nothin" lie Yoshihi$es) &e ha$ the Ten Kin"s o% &ell

an$ their minions over in one small corner( an$ everythin" else : the

entire screen : 'as envelo*e$ in a ?restorm so terrible yo! tho!"ht thes'irlin" Dames 'ere "oin" to melt the +o!ntain o% Sabers an$ the 4orest

o% S'or$s) Asi$e %rom the va"!ely 0hinese cost!mes o% the L!$"es o% the

,ar( 'ith their s'atches o% yello' an$ in$i"o( all yo! sa' 'as the

searin" color o% Dames an$( $ancin" 'il$ly amon" them( blac smoe

clo!$s o% h!rle$ In$ia in an$ Dyin" s*ars o% blo'n6on "ol$ $!st)

These alone 'ere eno!"h to shoc an$ ama/e any vie'er( b!t the

sinners 'rithin" in the hell?re o% Yoshihi$es *o'er%!l br!sh ha$ nothin"

in common 'ith those to be seen in or$inary *ict!res o% hell) 4or

Yoshihi$e ha$ incl!$e$ sinners %rom all stations in li%e( %rom the most

brilliant l!minary o% &is +a3estys e


9/27

'ar$ens o% hell 'ith their hea$s o% b!lls an$ horses( an$ $riven in all

$irections lie a!t!mn leaves scatterin" be%ore a "reat 'in$) COh( loo at

that one( yo! 'o!l$ say( the one 'ith her hair all tan"le$ !* in a %ore$

lance an$ her arms an$ le"s $ra'n in ti"hter than a s*i$ers8 co!l$ she

be one o% those shrine mai$ens 'ho *er%orm %or the "o$s2 An$( oh( that%ello' there( han"in" !*si$e6$o'n lie a bat( his breast *ierce$ by a short

lance8 s!rely he is s!**ose$ to be a "reenhorn *rovincial "overnor) An$

the in$s o% tort!re 'ere as n!mberless as the sinners themselves 6

Da""in" 'ith an iron sco!r"e( cr!shin" !n$er a "i"antic roc( *ecin" by

a monstro!s bir$( "rin$in" in the 3a's o% a *oisono!s ser*ent ) ) )

B!t s!rely the sin"le most horri%yin" ima"e o% all 'as that o% a

carria"e *l!mmetin" thro!"h s*ace) As it %ell( it "ra/e$ the !**er bo!"hs

o% a s'or$ tree( 'here cl!m*s o% cor*ses 'ere se'ere$ on %an"6lie

branches) Blasts o% hell 'in$ s'e*t !* the carria"e c!rtains to reveal a

co!rt la$y so "or"eo!sly a**arele$ she mi"ht have been one o% &isIm*erial +a3estys o'n 0onsorts or Intimates( her strai"ht blac hi*6

len"th hair Dyin" !*'ar$ in the Dames( the %!ll 'hiteness o% her throat

lai$ bare as she 'rithe$ in a"ony) Every $etail o% the 'omans %orm an$

the bla/in" carria"e ?lle$ the vie'er 'ith an a"oni/in" sense o% the

hi$eo!s torments to be %o!n$ in the &ell o% Searin" &eat) The sheer

horror o% the entire screen : mi"ht I say2 : seeme$ to be concentrate$

in this one ?"!re) It ha$ been e


10/27

Accor$in" to the a**rentice I mentione$ earlier( Yoshihi$e al'ays

a**roache$ his 'or lie a man *ossesse$ by a %o< s*irit) In %act( *eo*le

!se$ to say that the only reason Yoshihi$e 'as able to mae s!ch a name

%or himsel% in art 'as that he ha$ *le$"e$ his so!l to one o% the "reat

"o$s o% %ort!ne5 'hat *rove$ it 'as that i% yo! *eee$ in on him 'hen he'as *aintin"( yo! co!l$ al'ays see sha$o'y %o< s*irits s'armin" all

aro!n$ him) What this means( I s!s*ect( is that( once he *ice$ !* his

br!sh( Yoshihi$e tho!"ht o% nothin" else b!t com*letin" the *aintin"

be%ore him) &e 'o!l$ s*en$ all $ay an$ ni"ht sh!t !* in his st!$io o!t o%

si"ht) &is concentration seems to have been es*ecially intense 'hen he

'as 'orin" on this *artic!lar screen 'ith its ima"es o% hell)

This is not merely to say that he 'o!l$ ee* the lattice$ sh!tters

*!lle$ $o'n an$ s*en$ all $ay by the tri*o$ oil lam*( mi


11/27

All ri"ht( then( Yoshihi$e sai$( still looin" 'orrie$( Ccome insi$e

ri"ht a'ay) &e hesitate$) An$ 'hen the other a**rentices arrive( he

a$$e$( $ont let any o% them in 'here I am slee*in")

Insi$e meant the room 'here the master act!ally $i$ his *aintin"(an$ as !s!al on this $ay( the a**rentice tol$ me( its $oors an$ 'in$o's

'ere sh!t as ti"htly as at ni"ht) In the $!ll "lo' o% an oil lam* stoo$ the

lar"e %ol$in" screen( its *anels arran"e$ in a semi6circle an$ still only

setche$ o!t in charcoal) Yoshihi$e lay $o'n 'ith his hea$ *illo'e$ on his

%orearm an$ sli**e$ into the $ee* slee* o% an !tterly e


12/27

CIm 'aitin" %or yo!( Yoshihi$e 'as sayin"( so h!rry an$ "et into

the cart) 0ome alon" to hell= B!t the moment the 'ater hit him his 'or$s

t!rne$ to a stran"le$ moan) At last he o*ene$ his eyes( an$ he s*ran" !*

more 'il$ly than i% he ha$ been 3abbe$ 'ith a nee$le) B!t the missha*en

creat!res m!st have been 'ith him still( %or he stare$ into s*ace( 'ithmo!th a"a*e an$ 'ith terri?e$ eyes) At len"th he ret!rne$ to himsel%

an$( 'itho!t a hint o% "ratit!$e( bare$ at the *oor a**rentice( Im all

ri"ht no' Get o!t o% here)

The a**rentice ne' he 'o!l$ be scol$e$ i% he resiste$ his master

at a time lie this( so he h!rrie$ o!t o% the room( b!t he tol$ me that

'hen he sa' the s!nli"ht a"ain he %elt as relieve$ as i% he 'ere 'ain"

%rom his o'n ni"htmare)

This 'as by no means Yoshihi$e at his 'orst( ho'ever) A month

later he calle$ yet another a**rentice into the inner room) The yo!n"man %o!n$ Yoshihi$e stan$in" in the "loom o% the oil lam*s bitin" the en$

o% his *aintbr!sh) Witho!t a moments hesitation( Yoshihi$e t!rne$ to him

an$ sai$( Sorry( b!t I nee$ yo! nae$ a"ain) The master ha$ or$ere$

s!ch thin"s in the *ast( so the a**rentice .!icly stri**e$ o> his clothes(

b!t no' Yoshihi$e sai$ 'ith a stran"e sco'l( I 'ant to see a *erson in

chains( so $o 'hat I tell yo!) Sorry abo!t this( b!t it 'ill 3!st tae a little

'hile) Yoshihi$e co!l$ mo!th a*olo"etic *hrases( b!t he iss!e$ his col$

comman$s 'itho!t the least sho' o% sym*athy) This *artic!lar a**rentice

'as a 'ell6b!ilt la$ 'ho looe$ more s!ite$ to 'iel$in" a s'or$ than a

*aintbr!sh( b!t even he m!st have been shoce$ by 'hat ha**ene$) I

?"!re$ the +aster ha$ "one cra/y an$ 'as "oin" to ill me( he tol$

*eo*le a"ain an$ a"ain lon" a%ter'ar$) Yoshihi$e 'as a**arently

annoye$ by the yo!n" mans slo' *re*arations) Instea$ o% 'aitin"( he

$ra""e$ o!t a narro' iron chain %rom heaven no's 'here an$ all b!t

*o!nce$ on the a**rentices bac( 'renchin" the mans arms behin$ him

an$ 'in$in" him in the chain) Then he "ave the en$ o% the chain a cr!el

yan an$ sent the yo!n" man crashin" $o'n on the Door)

P

The a**rentice lay there lie 6 'hat2 - lie a e" o% sae that

someone ha$ noce$ over) #e"s an$ arms mercilessly contorte$( he

co!l$ move only his hea$) An$ 'ith the chain c!ttin" o> the circ!lation o%

his bloo$( yo! no'( his sin s'elle$ re$ - %ace( torso( every'here)

Yoshihi$e( tho!"h( 'as a**arently not the least bit concerne$ to see him

lie this5 he circle$ this sae6e" o% a bo$y( observin" it %rom every an"le

an$ $ra'in" setch a%ter setch) I am certain that( 'itho!t my s*ellin" it


13/27

o!t( yo! can ima"ine 'hat tort!re this m!st have been %or the *oor

a**rentice)

I% nothin" ha$ interr!*te$ it( the yo!n" mans or$eal 'o!l$ almost

s!rely have laste$ even lon"er( b!t %ort!nately 7or *erha*s !n%ort!nately9a narro'( 'in$in" strea lie blac oil be"an to Do' %rom behin$ a lar"e

3ar in the corner o% the room) At ?rst it move$ slo'ly( lie a thic li.!i$(

b!t then it be"an to sli$e alon" the Door more smoothly( "lintin" in the

$arness !ntil it 'as almost to!chin" the a**rentices nose) &e too a

"oo$ loo at it( "as*e$ an$ screame$( A snae= A snae The 'ay he

$escribe$ the moment to me( he %elt as i% every $ro* o% bloo$ in his bo$y

'o!l$ %ree/e( 'hich I can 'ell !n$erstan$( %or in %act the snaes col$

ton"!e 'as 3!st abo!t to to!ch the Desh o% his nec 'here the chain 'as

bitin") Even Yoshihi$e( %or all his *erversity( m!st have %elt a r!sh o%

horror at this !n%oreseeable occ!rrence) 4lin"in" his br!sh $o'n( he bent

an$ "ri**e$ the snae by the tail( $an"lin" it !*si$e6$o'n) The snaeraise$ its hea$ an$ be"an to coil !*'ar$ aro!n$ its o'n bo$y( b!t it co!l$

not reach Yoshihi$es han$)

CYo! cost me a "oo$ br!sh stroe( $amn yo!( he "ro'le$ at the

snae( Din"in" it into the 3ar in the corner) Then( 'ith obvio!s rel!ctance(

he loosene$ the chains that bo!n$ the a**rentices bo$y) In %act(

loosenin" the chains 'as as %ar as he 'as 'illin" to "o8 %or the yo!th

himsel% he s*are$ not a 'or$ o% sym*athy) I s!s*ect he 'as more

enra"e$ at havin" botche$ a sin"le br!sh stroe than concerne$ that his

a**rentice mi"ht have been bitten by a snae) I hear$ a%ter'ar$ that he

ha$ been ee*in" the snae to setch %rom)

I ima"ine that 'hat little yo! have hear$ is eno!"h %or yo! to "ras*

the %anatic intensity 'ith 'hich Yoshihi$e a**roache$ his 'or) B!t let

me "ive yo! one last terrible e


14/27

Yoshihi$e 'as a man 'ho sim*ly hate$ to have anyone *ry into his

b!siness( an$ : the snae I tol$ yo! abo!t 'as one s!ch case : he

'o!l$ never let his a**rentices no' 'hat in$s o% thin"s he ha$ in his

st!$io) ,e*en$in" on the s!b3ect he ha**ene$ to be *aintin" at the time(

he mi"ht have a h!man s!ll *erche$ on his table( or ro's o% silver bo'lsan$ "ol$6lac.!ere$ stan$s : yo! never ne' An$ his hel*ers tol$ me

they ha$ no i$ea 'here he e*t s!ch thin"s 'hen he 'as not !sin" them)

This 'as s!rely one reason %or the r!mor that Yoshihi$e 'as the

bene?ciary o% mirac!lo!s ai$ %rom a "o$ o% %ort!ne)

Well then( the yo!n" a**rentice( ass!min" %or himsel% that the

stran"e bir$ on the table 'as a mo$el Yoshihi$e nee$e$ %or the hell

screen( nelt be%ore the *ainter an$ ase$ in all h!mility( &o' can I hel*

yo!( +aster2

Almost as i% he ha$ not hear$ the boy s*ea( Yoshihi$e lice$ hisre$ li*s an$ 3ere$ his chin to'ar$ the bir$) Not ba$( eh2 #oo ho' tame

it is)

C;lease tell me( +aster( 'hat is it2 I have never seen anythin" lie

it be%ore( the boy sai$( ee*in" his 'ary "a/e ?


15/27

$ee* in the mo!ntains( 'ith the smell o% rottin" leaves( the s*ray o% a

'ater%all( the so!r %!mes o% %r!it stashe$ a'ay by a money5 even the

$im "lo' o% the masters oil lam* on its tri*o$ looe$ to him lie misty

moonli"ht in the hills)

Bein" attace$ by the o'l( ho'ever( 'as not 'hat most %ri"htene$

the la$) What really ma$e his Desh cra'l 'as the 'ay the master

Yoshihi$e %ollo'e$ the commotion 'ith his col$ stare( tain" his time to

s*rea$ o!t a *iece o% *a*er( lic his br!sh( an$ then set abo!t ca*t!rin"

the terrible ima"e o% a $elicate boy bein" tormente$ by a hi$eo!s bir$) At

the si"ht( the a**rentice 'as overcome by an ine


16/27

This 'as by no means the only s!ch inci$ent) I %or"ot to mention

that it 'as the be"innin" o% a!t!mn 'hen &is #or$shi* comman$e$

Yoshihi$e to *aint the hell screen5 %rom then !ntil the en$ o% 'inter the

a**rentices 'ere contin!ally s!b3ecte$ to their masters %ri"htenin"

behavior) At that *oint( ho'ever( somethin" seeme$ to inter%ere 'ithYoshihi$es 'or on the screen) An even $ee*er layer o% "loom came to

settle over him( an$ he s*oe to his assistants in mare$ly harsher tones)

The screen 'as *erha*s ei"ht6tenths ?nishe$( b!t it sho'e$ no %!rther

si"ns o% *ro"ress) In$ee$( Yoshihi$e occasionally seeme$ to be on the

ver"e o% *aintin" over those *arts that he ha$ alrea$y com*lete$)

No one ne' 'hat he 'as ?n$in" so $iHc!lt abo!t the screen( an$

'hats more( no one trie$ to ?n$ o!t) St!n" by those earlier inci$ents( his

a**rentices %elt as i% they 'ere loce$ in a ca"e 'ith a ti"er or a 'ol%( an$

they %o!n$ 'ays to ee* their $istance %rom the master)

1@

4or that reason( I have little to tell yo! abo!t that *erio$) The only

!n!s!al thin" I can thin o% is that the har$ hea$e$ ol$ co$"er s!$$enly

t!rne$ 'ee*y5 *eo*le 'o!l$ o%ten see him she$$in" tears 'hen he 'as

alone) An a**rentice tol$ me that one $ay he 'ale$ into the "ar$en an$

sa' the master stan$in" on the veran$a( "a/in" blanly at the sy 'ith

its *romise o% s*rin"( his eyes %!ll o% tears) Embarrasse$ %or the ol$ man(

the a**rentice says( he silently 'ith$re' ,ont yo! ?n$ it o$$ that this

arro"ant man( 'ho 'ent so %ar as to setch a cor*se on the roa$si$e %or

his Five Levels of Rebirth( 'o!l$ cry lie an in%ant 3!st beca!se the*aintin" o% the screen 'asnt "oin" as 'ell as he 'ante$ it to2

In any case( 'hile Yoshihi$e 'as ma$ly absorbe$ in his 'or on the

screen( his $a!"hter be"an to sho' increasin" si"ns o% melancholy( !ntil

the rest o% !s co!l$ see that she 'as o%ten ?"htin" bac her tears) A *ale(

reserve$( sa$6%ace$ "irl to be"in 'ith( she too on a "en!inely mo!rn%!l

as*ect as her lashes "re' heavy an$ sha$o's be"an to %orm aro!n$ her

eyes) This "ave rise to all sorts o% s*ec!lation - that she 'as 'orrie$

abo!t her %ather( or that she 'as s!>erin" the *an"s o% love 6 b!t soon

*eo*le 'ere sayin" that it 'as all beca!se &is #or$shi* 'as tryin" to

ben$ her to his 'ill) Then the "ossi*in" "ro!n$ to a halt( as tho!"h

everyone ha$ s!$$enly %or"otten abo!t her)

A certain event occ!rre$ at that time) Well a%ter the ?rst 'atch o%

the ni"ht( I 'as 'alin" $o'n an o!t$oor corri$or 'hen the money

Yoshihi$e came Dyin" at me %rom o!t o% no'here an$ starte$ t!""in" at


17/27

my tro!ser sirts) As I recall it( this 'as one o% those 'arm early s*rin"

ni"hts 'hen yo! eerent *erson) &er eyes 'ere h!"e an$ shinin") An$

her chees seeme$ to be b!rnin" re$) &er $ishevele$ clothes "ave her an


18/27

erotic all!re that contraste$ shar*ly 'ith her !s!al chil$ish innocence)

0o!l$ this act!ally be the $a!"hter o% Yoshihi$e2 I 'on$ere$ : that %rail6

looin" "irl so mo$est an$ sel%6e>acin" in all thin"s2 #eanin" a"ainst the

sli$in" 'oo$en $oor( I stare$ at this bea!ti%!l "irl in the moonli"ht an$

then( as i% they 'ere ca*able o% *ointin"( I Dice$ my eyes to'ar$ theh!rrie$ %ootste*s rece$in" into the $istance to as her so!n$lessly( Who

was that2

The "irl bit her li* an$ shoo her hea$ in silence) I co!l$ see she

%elt $ee*ly morti?e$)

I bent over her an$( s*eain" so%tly ne


19/27

blac so%t hat) &is %ace reveale$ a ne' level o% s!llenness( b!t he 'ent

$o'n on all %o!rs be%ore &is #or$shi* an$ at len"th( eyes $o'n( he be"an

to s*ea in h!sy tones8

I come into yo!r honore$ *resence this $ay( +y #or$( re"ar$in"the screen bearin" ima"es o% hell 'hich &is #or$shi* or$ere$ me to *aint)

I have a**lie$ mysel% to it $ay an$ ni"ht : o!t$one mysel% : s!ch that

my e>orts have be"!n to bear %r!it( an$ it is lar"ely ?nishe$)

CThis is e


20/27

smile( my eyes have behel$ them any n!mber o% times as I $ri%t bet'een

slee*in" an$ 'ain") The b!ll6hea$e$ ones( the horse6hea$e$ ones( the

three6%ace$( si


21/27

&is #or$shi*s 'or$s ?lle$ me 'ith a terrible %orebo$in") An$ in %act

his a**earance at that moment 'as anythin" b!t or$inary White %oam

"athere$ at the corners o% his mo!th) &is eyebro's conv!lse$ into 3a""e$

bolts o% li"htnin") It 'as as i% &is #or$shi* himsel% ha$ become in%!se$

'ith Yoshihi$es ma$ness) An$ no sooner ha$ he ?nishe$ s*eain" thanla!"hter 6 en$less la!"hter : e


22/27

cross6le""e$ ease on the veran$a) Beneath a t!r.!oise robe he 'ore

$ee*6laven$er *atterne$ tro!sers) On a thic ro!n$ mat e$"e$ in 'hite

broca$e( his *osition 'as o% co!rse elevate$ above the hal%6$o/en or so

atten$ants 'ho s!rro!n$e$ him) One amon" them a**eare$ most ea"er

to be o% service to &is #or$shi*( a b!rly sam!rai 'ho ha$ $istin"!ishe$himsel% in the cam*ai"n a"ainst the northern barbarians some years

earlier) &e 'as sai$ to have s!rvive$ starvation by eatin" h!man Desh(

a%ter 'hich he ha$ the stren"th to tear o!t the antlers o% a livin" sta"

'ith his bare han$s) On this ni"ht he nelt in stern rea$iness belo' the

veran$a( in the scabbar$ at his armore$ 'aist a s'or$ ti**e$ !* an$

hac lie a "!lls tail( rea$y to be $ra'n at a moments notice) These men

*resente$ a stran"ely terri%yin"( almost $reamlie s*ectacle) The

lam*li"ht Dicerin" in the ni"ht 'in$ t!rne$ them all $ar one moment(

bri"ht the ne


23/27

resino!s smell %rom the *ine smoe o% the torches) &is #or$shi* remaine$

silent %or some moments( observin" the mysterio!s scene( b!t then(

e$"in" %or'ar$ 'here he sat( he crie$ shar*ly8

Yoshihi$e=

Yoshihi$e may have sai$ some 'or$ in res*onse( b!t to my ears it

so!n$e$ lie nothin" so m!ch as a moan)

Toni"ht( Yoshihi$e( I am "oin" to b!rn a carria"e %or yo!( as yo!

re.!este$)

When he sai$ this( &is #or$shi* "lance$ at the men aro!n$ him) I

tho!"ht I sa' a meanin"%!l smile *ass bet'een him an$ certain o% them)

O% co!rse( it co!l$ have been my ima"ination) No' Yoshihi$e seeme$ to

be timi$ly raisin" his hea$ an$ looin" !* to'ar$ the veran$a( b!t still he

'aite$( sayin" nothin")

I 'ant yo! to loo at this( &is #or$shi* sai$) This is mycarria"e(

the one I !se every $ay) Yo! no' it 'ell( Im s!re) I 'ill no' have it set

a?re in or$er that yo! may see the &ell o% Searin" &eat here on earth

be%ore yo!r eyes)

&is #or$shi* reverte$ to silence an$ his eyes Dashe$ another si"nal

to his men) Then( 'ith s!$$en vehemence( he crie$( 0haine$ insi$e the

carria"e is a sin%!l 'oman) When 'e set the carria"e a?re( her Desh 'ill

be roaste$( her bones 'ill be charre$8 she 'ill $ie an a"oni/in" $eath)

Never a"ain 'ill yo! have s!ch a *er%ect mo$el %or the screen) ,o not %ail

to 'atch as her sno'6'hite Desh er!*ts in Dames) See an$ remember her

lon" blac hair $ancin" in a 'hirl o% s*ars=

&is #or$shi* san into silence %or yet a thir$ time( b!t : 'hatever

co!l$ have been in his min$2 : no' all he $i$ 'as la!"h so!n$lessly( his

sho!l$ers .!ain")

CNever a"ain 'ill there be a si"ht lie this( Yoshihi$e= I shall 3oin

yo! in observin" it) All ri"ht( men( raise the blin$) #et Yoshihi$e see the

'oman insi$e=

On hearin" this comman$( one o% the conscri*ts( torch hel$ hi"h(

stro$e !* to the carria"e( stretche$ o!t his %ree han$( an$ 'hi**e$ the

blin$ !*) The torch cracle$ an$ Dicere$ an$ cast its re$ "leam insi$e)

On the carria"es matte$ Door( cr!elly chaine$( sat a 'oman 6 an$ oh(

'ho co!l$ have %aile$ to reco"ni/e her2 &er lon" blac hair Do'e$ in a

vol!*t!o!s ban$ across a "or"eo!s robe embroi$ere$ in cherry blossoms(


24/27

an$ the "ol$en hair*ins on to* o% her $o'ncast hea$ s*arle$ bea!ti%!lly

in the ?reli"ht) 4or all the $i>erences in cost!min"( there 'as no

mistain" that "irlish %rame( that "race%!l nec 7'here no' a "a" 'as

%astene$9( that to!chin"ly mo$est *ro?le8 they belon"e$ to none other

than Yoshihi$es $a!"hter) I co!l$ har$ly ee* %rom cryin" o!t)

L!st then the sam!rai neelin" across %rom me s*ran" to his %eet

an$( *ressin" threatenin"ly on his s'or$ hilt( "lare$ at Yoshihi$e) Startle$

by this s!$$en movement( I t!rne$ my "a/e to'ar$ Yoshihi$e) &e looe$

as i% this s*ectacle 'ere $rivin" him hal% ma$) Where he ha$ been

cro!chin" !ntil then( he 'as on his %eet no' an$ *oise$ : arms

o!tstretche$ : to r!n to'ar$ the carria"e) Un%ort!nately( tho!"h( as I

sai$ be%ore( he 'as in the sha$o's %ar a'ay %rom me( an$ so I $i$ not

have a clear vie' o% his %ace) +y %r!stration laste$ b!t a moment(

ho'ever) No'( $raine$ o% color tho!"h it 'as( Yoshihi$es %ace : or(

sho!l$ I say( Yoshihi$es entire %orm( raise$ alo%t by some invisible *o'er: a**eare$ be%ore me 'ith s!ch clarity it seeme$ to have c!t its 'ay

thro!"h the s!rro!n$in" $arness) 4or s!$$enly &is #or$shi* ha$ crie$

B!rn it=( the conscri*ts D!n" their torches( an$ the carria"e( 'ith

Yoshihi$es $a!"hter insi$e( b!rst into Dame)

1

The ?re en"!l%e$ the entire carria"e) The *!r*le roo% tassels ble'

asi$e( then clo!$s o% smoe s'irle$ alo%t( star 'hite a"ainst the

blacness o% the ni"ht( an$ ?nally a sho'er o% s*ars s*!rte$ !*'ar$

'ith s!ch terri%yin" %orce that in a sin"le instant the blin$s( the si$e*anels( an$ the roo%s metal ?ttin"s 'ere ri**e$ o> in the blast an$ sent

Dyin") Still more horrible 'as the color o% the Dames that lice$ the

lattice$ cabin vents be%ore shootin" sy'ar$( as tho!"h : mi"ht I say2 :

the s!n itsel% ha$ crashe$ to earth( s*e'in" its heavenly ?re in all

$irections) As close as I ha$ come to cryin" o!t be%ore( no' I co!l$ only

"a*e in m!te a'e at the horri%yin" s*ectacle)

B!t 'hat o% the "irls %ather2

I 'ill never %or"et the loo on Yoshihi$es %ace at that moment) &e

ha$ starte$ to'ar$ the carria"e on im*!lse b!t halte$ 'hen the DamesDare$ !*) &e then stoo$ there 'ith arms o!tstretche$( eyes $evo!rin"

the smoe an$ Dames that envelo*e$ the carria"e) In the ?reli"ht that

bathe$ him %rom hea$ to toe( I co!l$ see every %eat!re o% his !"ly(

'rinle$ %ace) &is 'i$e6starin" eyes( his contorte$ li*s( the t'itchin" Desh

o% his chees8 all $re' a vivi$ *ict!re o% the shoc( the terror( an$ the


25/27

sorro' that traverse$ Yoshihi$es heart by t!rns) S!ch an"!ish( I s!s*ect(

'o!l$ not be seen even on the %ace o% a convicte$ thie% abo!t to have his

hea$ c!t o> or the "!iltiest sinner abo!t to %ace the 3!$"ment o% the Ten

Kin"s o% &ell) Even the *o'er%!l sam!rai 'ent *ale at the si"ht an$ stole

a %ear%!l "lance at &is #or$shi* above him)

B!t 'hat o% &is #or$shi* himsel%2 Bitin" his li* an$ smilin"

stran"ely no' an$ then( he stare$ strai"ht ahea$( never tain" his eyes

o> the carria"e) An$ the "irl in the carria"e 6 ah( I $ont thin I have the

co!ra"e to $escribe in $etail 'hat she looe$ lie then) The *ale

'hiteness o% her !*t!rne$ %ace as she choe$ on the smoe5 the tan"le$

len"th o% her hair as she trie$ to shae the Dames %rom it5 the bea!ty o%

her cherry6blossom robe as it b!rst into Dame8 it 'as all so cr!el( so

terrible= Es*ecially at one *oint 'hen the ni"ht 'in$ r!she$ $o'n %rom

the mo!ntain to s'ee* a'ay the smoe8 the si"ht o% her a"ainst a

Damin" bac"ro!n$ o% re$ Dece$ 'ith "ol$ $!st( "na'in" at her "a"('rithin" as i% to sna* the chains that bo!n$ her8 it 'as eno!"h to mae

o!r Desh cree*( not only mine b!t the *o'er%!l sam!rais as 'ell : as i%

the tort!res o% hell 'ere bein" *ict!re$ ri"ht there be%ore o!r eyes)

L!st then the ni"ht 'in$ "!ste$ once more( r!stlin" the branches o%

the "ar$ens trees : or so it seeme$ to me an$( I am s!re( to everyone

else) S!ch a so!n$ seeme$ to race thro!"h the $ar sy( an$ in that

instant some blac thin" shot %rom the *alace roo% into the bla/in"

carria"e) It travele$ in a *er%ectly strai"ht line lie a ball that has been

ice$( neither to!chin" the earth nor arcin" thro!"h s*ace) An$ as the

carria"es b!rnin" si$e lattices colla*se$ in'ar$( "lo'in" as i% coate$ in

crimson lac.!er( the thin" "ras*e$ the "irls strainin" sho!l$ers an$

h!rle$ a lon"( *iercin"( an$ ine


26/27

B!t oh( ho' stran"e it 'as to see the *ainter no'( stan$in"

absol!tely ri"i$ be%ore the *illar o% ?re= Yoshihi$e : 'ho only a %e'

moments earlier ha$ seeme$ to be s!>erin" the torments o% hell : stoo$

there 'ith his arms loce$ across his chest as i% he ha$ %or"otten even

the *resence o% &is #or$shi*( his 'hole 'rinle$ %ace s!>!se$ no' 'ithan ineerin" in them 'ere "ivin" him 3oy beyon$ meas!re)

The most 'on$ro!s thin" 'as not that he 'atche$ his only

$a!"hters $eath throes 'ith a**arent 3oy( b!t rather that Yoshihi$e at

that moment *ossesse$ a stran"e( inh!man ma3esty that resemble$ the

ra"e o% the Kin" o% Beasts himsel% as yo! mi"ht see him in a $ream) 4or

this reason : altho!"h I mi"ht have been ima"inin" it : the co!ntless

ni"ht bir$s that De' aro!n$ !s s.!a'in" in alarm at each ne' er!*tiono% Dames seeme$ to ee* their $istance %rom Yoshibi$es tall blac hat)

;erha*s even these insentient bir$s co!l$ see the mysterio!s "ran$e!r

that h!n" above Yoshihi$e lie a ra$iant a!ra)

I% the bir$s co!l$ see it( ho' m!ch more so the rest o% !s( $o'n to

the lo'ly conscri*ts) Tremblin" in'ar$ly( scarcely breathin"( an$ ?lle$

'ith a bi/arre sense o% a$oration( 'e e*t o!r eyes %astene$ on Yoshihi$e

as i% 'e 'ere *resent at the $ecisive moment 'hen a l!m* o% stone or

'oo$ becomes a holy ima"e o% the B!$$ha) The carria"e Dames that

?lle$ the heavens 'ith a roar5 Yoshihi$e !n$er the s*ell o% the Dames(

trans?


27/27

An$ then there 'as Yoshihi$e( 'hose stony heart 'as also

a**arently the to*ic o% m!ch ne"ative commentary) &o'( a%ter seein" his

o'n $a!"hter b!rne$ alive( co!l$ he 'ant to ?nish the screen *aintin"2

Some c!rse$ him as a beast in h!man "!ise 'ho ha$ %or"otten a %athers

love %or the sae o% a *ict!re) One 'ho allie$ himsel% 'ith this o*inion 'as&is Reverence the Abbot o% Yoa'a( 'ho al'ays !se$ to say( E

Documents

Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Hell Screen.rtf