The Mirror of Matsuyama
Japanese Folktale
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Retold by The Legendary Connection
TLC#00201
Once upon a time, in a land far away in old Japan, there lived a kind man and his wife. They had a little girl who was their pride and joy. They loved her so much and were always happy with her. As she grew, they celebrated special days like her first Dolls' Festival and when she wore her first beautiful sash on her third birthday. Now that she was seven, she loved to help her parents, and their home was full of happiness.
One day, the father had to go on a long trip to the big city. The mother was worried because it would take a long time for him to return. She helped him pack, and the family said goodbye. The little girl smiled and said, “I will be good while you’re gone, Father! Please bring me a present!”
The father kissed his wife and daughter goodbye and left. The mother and daughter waved until he was out of sight. "We must take care of everything while Father is away," the mother said. The little girl promised to help and be good.
While the father was gone, the mother worked hard, spinning and weaving clothes for winter. She also taught her daughter stories and games to keep her busy. Finally, after many days, the father came back home. His wife and daughter ran to meet him, and they were so happy to be together again.
The father brought gifts. For his daughter, he brought a beautiful doll and a box of cakes. "This is for you," he said, giving her the doll. The girl was very happy and thanked him. Then, he gave his wife a special gift: a shiny mirror. The mother had never seen a mirror before, and she was amazed to see her reflection. The father explained, “This is a mirror. When you look into it, you see your own face.”
Years went by, and the little girl grew into a kind and beautiful young woman. But one day, her mother became very sick. No matter what they did, her mother didn’t get better. Before she passed away, the mother gave her daughter the mirror and said, “When you miss me, look into this mirror. You will see me, and I will always be with you.”
The girl was very sad, but she kept the mirror close to her heart.
After some time, the father remarried, and the girl had a new stepmother. The girl tried her best to be kind and helpful, but the stepmother was jealous and didn’t trust her. She even thought the girl didn’t like her.
One day, the stepmother saw the girl sitting alone, looking into the mirror. The stepmother didn’t understand and thought the girl was up to something bad. She told the father that his daughter was doing something wrong.
The father was confused and went to ask his daughter. “What are you hiding in your sleeve?” he asked. The girl was scared but showed him the mirror. “This is the mirror Mother gave me. She said I would see her when I looked into it.”
The father realized he had been wrong. “Oh, I’m sorry! You’ve been looking at your own reflection, but you thought it was your mother’s face because you miss her so much. You are a good and loving daughter.”
The stepmother heard everything and felt very sorry. She came into the room and said, “I was wrong to think bad things about you. You are a kind child, and I will love and care for you from now on.”
The daughter forgave her stepmother, and after that day, they all lived happily together.
The end.
Original Source: Ozaki, Yei Theodora. Japanese Fairy Tales. 1908. Project Gutenberg, Gutenberg EBook, 1 May 2003, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4018. Accessed 9 May 2024.
