4. The Buddha's Stone Bowl

Prince Ishizukuri felt, naturally, he could not live without this girl. He wanted to bring what she had asked for, even if it were in India. But he was clever enough to realize that there was only one of these bowls in all of India, and even by travelling thousands or tens of thousands of miles he could not be sure of finding it. At Kaguyahaim's house he had said he was leaving that day for India to bring back the bowl. But instead he obtained an old stone bowl that sat in front of the image of Pindola(2) in a mountain temple in the district of Tochi, there in Japan. The bowl was jet black to start with, and had darkened with age. He put it in a brocade bag, tied it to a branch of artificial flowers, and took it to Kaguyahime's house to present to her. Kaguyahime had her doubts, but she did look at the bowl and found a letter inside. She unfolded the letter and read it.

Across the seas and hills
I travelled thinking just of you,
On every distant road.
I worked till tears of blood flowed down,
And so at last obtained this bowl.

Kaguyahime knew the Buddha's bowl would shine like the sun, but what she had received lacked even the glow of a firefly. She sent out her reply.

I thought at least the light
Of morning dew would be inside,
But nothing can I see.
I wonder why you went to look,
On such a dark and lonely hill.

Prince Ishizukuri abandoned the bowl at the gate, and recited one more poem.

Mount Shirayama, too,
Has trouble matching your bright glow;
The bowl, ashamed, lay dark.
I, more ashamed, will leave this bowl.
But how much hope is left for me.

This time Kaguyahime did not answer. Hearing no more, he said no more and returned home.