1. It is hardly necessary to say that these tasks are indeed difficult. Mt. Peng-lai is a floating island, and thus difficult to locate. Sakyamuni's begging bowl, treasured both for it's antiquity and the obvious religious associations, would be impossible to procure even if located. Because fire rats dwell in active volcanoes (less common in China than Japan), their fire-proof furs can be obtained only at great risk; the risk involved in removing a dragon's jewel is also obvious. The swallow's cowrie shell, on the other hand, is simply valuable because of its use in easing childbirth.
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2, This is Pindola, who was first among the 16 arhats who were close disciples of Sakyamuni. In early China his image was placed in the part of a temple that looks like a dining hall; in Japan he was noted for healing illness.
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3. Japanese dragons are water creatures. The "Dragon Palace" houses the chief deity of the sea; mountain dragons split their time between ponds and clouds. Because of their tie to clouds, dragons have considerable influence over the weather.
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4. Miyakkomaro was over 70 when he urged her to marry in chapter 2. That he turned 50 three or four years later is evidence of the invigorating effect Kaguyahime had on those around her.
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5. The official's remark does not appear to be a direct responnse to the emperor's question; he says the mountain is convenient, and high enough. But while he may not have been sure at the time, the 3,776 meter mountain is in fact Japan's highest. And at a distance of 300 kilometers or so, it is not all that convenient to the capital. Fuji was sometimes written with characters meaning "undying" or "incomparable;" the modern characters imply abundance and, oh, gentlemanly attainments. Most hills with the name Fujiyama use the character for wisteria. Mt. Fuji undoubtedly had wisteria growing at its base at that time, and even now often bears the color of that flower.
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