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A long, long time ago when the village of
Asadachi was formed, a couple of young men, Fukagutsu and Jinbei, were very,
very close friends.
One spring day they said to each other, “Let’s see what’s on the other
side of that mountain.” They tightened polka dot towels tightly around
their heads and climbed up what we now call Ozawa.However, once they reached the famous Ittogosho
pine tree, they realized that no matter how hard they tried they would never make
it to the top of the mountain, they would tire long before they reached it. They noticed a mist had begun to surround
them and out of the middle of the mist a beautiful princess appeared. “What
troubles you?” she asked them. “We want to reach the other side of the
mountain,” they replied. “I am the spirit of the Ittogosho pine tree. Please
follow me,” she said. They went with her and soon found themselves on the other
side of the mountain. How wonderful it was! The cherry blossom,
plum blossom, and peach blossom were in full bloom. Such a beautiful sight! The
two young men were so happy that they ran round and round in circles,
completely forgetting the time. The sun grew lower in the sky and the princess
told them, “Young men, it is too late for you to go home.”They told her that was very inconvenient
and couldn’t she do something about it. The princess replied, “Very well, I
have a favor to ask of you. On the other side of the Jabami Mountain there is
large swamp where its lord, the giant snake, lives. He keeps asking me to
become his wife. Help me. I want you to get rid of him for me.” The young men decided
that since they couldn’t go home they might as well help her, and once again
tightening their towels, they set off with the princess.
When they reached the top of Jabami Mountain
they shouted, “Hey, hey! Listen carefully to this, big snake. Fukagutsu and Jinbei
of Asadachi have come to drive you away.”
All at once the sky darkened, lightning
flashed, thunder roared, the rain and the wind pounded the earth and a giant
head with a huge red mouth appeared in the middle of the swamp. Fire spewed out
of the mouth and a voice roared, “What impudence, you of no consequence!” The
snake moved towards them.
The two young men aimed their bows and launched arrows at him. They fought
hard, engaged in battle for a long time, until one arrow hit the snake
in the right eye. The snake writhed in agony, squirming around the swamp,
until it turned into a ball of fire and flew away to the Hakuryuko Lake
in Akayu. The princess shed tears of joy. “Well done. You can go home now.
But please come and see me from time to time.” Fukagutsu and Jinbei returned
home triumphant.
Asadachi is full of history. About six hundred years ago, samurai who had survived great battles fled to live in the district of Komagi.
Even now, beautiful crystal waters flow from the mountainside.
When the Asadachi School was established at
the end of the Meiji Era, the district of Komagi had become a village of three
houses and children attended school in Asadachi.
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