Bun-yemon scolded his wife. “He is a poor waste-paper basket man. I cannot take this money. You have to give the money back to him.”
His wife shook her head. “I do not know where he lives. How can I give it to him?”
At that time the wife had an idea. “You have pawned your sword. Take this money that Chobei has given you and redeem your sword. Then we can sell the sword for more money. We can pay Chobei back and have some money left over as well.”
Bun-yemon did not agree to this at first.
But eventually he agreed to this.
Bun-yemon however was in trouble.
The pawn-broker to whom Bun-yemon had pledged his sword wanted to take the sword for himself. He was sure that Bun-yemon could not repay the money and that thereafter he would own the sword.
However, the pawn-broker was shocked when Bun-yemon came with the money.
The pawn-broker became very angry and he accused Bun-yemon of stealing the money.
The officers came and took Bun-yemon to prison.
However, Bun-yemon’s wife was determined to free her husband.
The only way Bun-yemon’s wife could get her husband to be free was if she talked to Machi-Bugyo who was the most righteous judge of all.
Bun-yemon’s wife was patient and she saw that there was a fire near the neighbourhood of Machi-Bugyo.
When all the other officers were busy with the fire and did not notice her and the people were excited watching the fire, Bun-yemon’s wife caught the bridle of Machi-Bugyo’s horse.
“They have taken my husband away unjustly. You are the only one who can save him.”
Adapted from Japanese Folktales
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