ABSTRACT
Falling in love at first sight is less common in Japan than in the West; partly because of the peculiar constitution of Eastern society, and much sorrow prevented by early marriages. The author tells the story of a humble love affair which happened at a village in one of the eastern provinces. The village stands on the bank of a broad but very shallow river, the stony bed of which is completely covered with water only during the rainy season. The river traverses an immense level of rice-fields, open the horizon north and south. There was born in this village, Tarō and O-Yoshi. Tarō and O-Yoshi became very dear friends. They love each other but both parents are not allowed for marriage. So Tarō and O-Yoshi passed away. The village people now put bamboo cups full of flowers upon the single gravestone of the united pair, and burn incense-sticks, and repeat prayers. The author answered simply, "Because those dead suffered so much"..
