Given room, board, and a small stipend by the priest of Dan-no-ura, Hoichi took up residence as the priest’s personal storyteller. One night, he receives a strange visitor.

“One night, Osamu went to the village to perform some priestly duties. Since the night was so hot and sticky, I went out onto the porch just off my room in the back of the temple to await my friend’s return and try to catch a cool breeze. The air was thick and still and the forest surrounding the temple strangely silent. No crickets. No owl hoots. No leaves rustling. Just erie silence.

“I sat in sweat and silence for what seemed like hours. The bell from the village below tolled midnight. ‘Where is Osamu?’ I wondered. I heard the gate to the temple grounds swing open. ‘O good,’ I thought, ‘My friend has returned.’ But as I listened to the approaching footsteps I realized they were too heavy to be Osamu’s and I could hear the click and clack of armor. It wasn’t Osamu. It was a samurai. “Why would a Samurai come to the temple at this hour?’ I wondered. ‘Is there trouble in the village?’

“The heavy footsteps came closer and closer then stopped in front of me suddenly.

‘HO-ICHI!’ Thundered a voice.

‘Hai! Yes!’ I answered, frightened by the powerful voice of the samurai my blind eyes could not see. ‘I am blind. I cannot see who calls.’

‘Do not fear,’ the stranger said gruffly, but with a hint of gentleness. ‘My master, a lord of high rank, has heard of your skill in telling the story of the Heike clan. He wishes you to come and tell your tale to him. So take your biwa and come with me to the house where a noble assembly awaits your arrival.’”

Next time: “On the Way”