“You cannot punish her for this crime.” Genzaburo’s rough voice shot through.
Everyone turned as Genzaburo continued. “I broke the plate.” Genzaburo told the nobleman. “I thought that she was cold and remote towards me and would never marry me. But then I realized that if she lost her finger then she would come to me for help. I would win her as my wife then.” Genzaburo nodded. “That is the reason that I broke the plate.”
The nobleman did not think that Genzaburo had done this. “How did you do this?”
Genzaburo smiled. “I was asked to mend the lid where the plates were kept.” Genzaburo nodded at the nobleman. “If you show me the box, I will show it to you.”
Genzaburo went to the place and waved at the box. “I saw the lid and then thought that this would be a good way to marry O Cho San and I used my hammer to break a plate.”
Genzaburo pulled out the hammer in his hands. “Just like this.”
Genzaburo brought the hammer down and in a swift blow destroyed all the other plates of the nobleman.
The nobleman was shocked. O Cho San screamed.
But now all that remained was the pieces of the porcelain plates.
“This man is mad.” The nobleman yelled angrily.
“No sir.” Genzaburo shook his head. “Take all my fingers or even my life, if the wishes of your ancestor have to be carried out.” Genzaburo nodded firmly. “I shall be very happy because I know that no other maid will have to go through this ever again.”
Adapted from Japanese Folktales
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