Ancient Tales and Folk-Lore of Japan

Book Excerpt: ...'My spirit could not rest until it had lived with KÅnojÅ, whom it knew to be faithful. It has done this now, and is prepared to rest. My only desire is to see KÅnojÅ marry my sister.'Hasunuma, his wife, and KÅnojÅ held a consultation. They were quite prepared that O Kei should marry, and KÅnojÅ did not object. All things being settled, the ghost-girl held out her hand to KÅnojÅ saying: 'This is the last time you will touch the hand of O Ko. Farewell, my dear parents! Farewell to you all! I am about to pass away.'Then she fainted away, and seemed dead, and remained thus for half an hour; while the others, overcome with the strange and weird things which they had seen and heard, sat round her, hardly uttering a word. At the end of half an hour the body came to life, and standing up, said: 'Dear parents, have no more fear for me. I am perfectly well again; but I have no idea how I got down from my sick-room i...