ABSTRACT
Long ago there lived a holy man of great virtue whose name was Kaian Zenji. 496 While still young he studied the principles of Zen Buddhism, 497 and he always loved to travel with the clouds and the water. One summer after fulfilling his devotions 498 at the Ryūtaiji temple 499 in the province of Mino, Kaian set out on a journey, deciding to spend autumn in the far north. He passed through the province of Shimotsuke along the way, and one evening he found himself in the hamlet of Tomita. 500 He approached a large and obviously affluent house and intended to seek lodging for the night, when some men returning from the fields saw him in the gathering darkness.
