Japanese folklore is rich with enchanting tales that have been passed down through generations. In this article, we bring you the story of “The Hunch-Removing Old Man”—a traditional legend featuring two elderly men, mischievous demons, and an unexpected twist of fate. Discover how lightheartedness and bravery can lead to magical encounters in the deep, mysterious forests of Japan.
The Hunch-Removing Old Man – こぶとり爺さん
Once upon a time, in a small village in Japan, there lived two old men. One was cheerful and carefree, sporting a large bump on his right cheek, while the other was perpetually irritable with a similar bump on his left cheek.
One day, the carefree old man went into the depths of the forest to cut wood. Suddenly, light rain began to fall, soon turning into a heavy downpour. Fearing he might catch a cold, he dashed under the shelter of a large tree and, lulled by the soothing sound of rain, he fell into a gentle sleep.
Later that night, as moonlight bathed the forest, lively sounds of drums and flutes echoed from somewhere nearby. Startled, the old man awoke and followed the music deep into the forest. To his amazement, he discovered a circle of dancing and singing demons—red, blue, and black—of all shapes and sizes celebrating with infectious joy.
At first, he was astonished, but soon the infectious merriment overcame him, and he joined in the dance. His free-spirited movements charmed the demons, who cheered, “What splendid dancing!”
As dawn broke, the demons, impressed by his performance, made a promise:
“Return here tonight, and we will keep your hunch safe. Come back, and it will be restored!”
True to their word, they removed the bump from his right cheek during the early morning. When he looked in a mirror, he found his face smooth and unblemished, and he happily thought, “Ah, how light and free I feel now!” With a joyful heart, he returned to his village.
Meanwhile, the other old man in the village noticed his friend’s remarkable change. “Where did your bump go?” he asked. Hearing the delightful story of the previous night, he grew envious and resolved, “I, too, want my hunch to vanish—I must be as graceful a dancer!”
That night, full of determination, the hunch-bearing old man ventured into the forest to join the demons. However, confronted by the sight of the demons, fear gripped him, and he could not dance at all. His trembling performance was a stark contrast to the carefree dancing of the night before.
Displeased, the demons’ leader bellowed, “What clumsy dancing! Since you cannot dance, we will return your hunch now—never come back again!” With that, the leader forcibly reattached the hunch (previously taken from the carefree old man) onto the trembling man’s right cheek.
Thus, the hunch-bearing old man ended up with two bumps—one on each cheek—and returned to his village in sorrow.
This timeless Japanese tale reminds us that a joyful heart and a free spirit can lead to unexpected blessings, while envy and fear may only add burdens to our lives.
Conclusion
“The Hunch-Removing Old Man” is more than just a folk tale—it is a reflection on the virtues of cheerfulness and the pitfalls of envy. While the carefree old man gained freedom and ease from his hunch, the envious man learned a hard lesson about trying to imitate others without embracing his true self. This enduring legend continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its blend of humor, magic, and moral insight.
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