related. Thus the tale is a true one.

TAKUAN

Three great priests of influence figure in the rule of the first three
Tokugawa Sho[u]gun. Tenhai Osho[u] of the Nankwo[u]bo[u], bishop of the
temple foundation at Ueno, was all powerful under Iyeyasu. His
successors, Nikkei So[u]zu of the San-en-Zo[u]jo[u]ji at Shiba, and
Takuan Zaisho[u] of the Daikokudo[u], the To[u]kaiji of Shinagawa, were
the priestly influences under the 2nd and 3rd Sho[u]gun. It is the
last-named cleric who is responsible for the hard and palatable yellow
preparation of the _daikon_ (radish) known under his name of _takuan_.
The _daikon_ is soused in brine and rice bran, kept weighted down under
heavy stones, and allowed "to ripen" for some weeks. A way station in
its preparation and edibility, and to be experienced in every Japanese
household, is the unspeakable and unbreathable soft _nukamisozuke_. Its
presence always arouses suspicion of the pressing defect in the house
drainage.

Takuan deserves esteem and appreciation for other than culinary
reasons. On a visit to the castle one day the old friar noted the
depression of his valued and intimate friend Yagyu Tajima no Kami. The
aging _o[u]metsuke_ (suzerain's eye) and fencing teacher to the third
Sho[u]gun opened out his woes. His second son was dead. His third son
was worthless. At least the father thought so at this time. His eldest
son, Jubei, as great at arms as himself and his legitimate successor,
was a madman--gone mad over his own excellence. Takuan heard the
particulars. At once he volunteered to act as physician. "Be of good
heart. This Takuan will prescribe." The grateful Munenori, in the course
of the next few days sent to the prelate's quarters to know when the
journey to the far-off Yamato fief would be made. He would make
provision for the prior's comfort and conveyance. Said a sleek scribe
and substitute--"The lord abbot has long since departed. It is useless
to attempt to overtake him. He travels fast." Such was the message to
the pleased but discomfited Munenori. Meanwhile at Yagyu Masakizaka in
Yamato there turned up a shabby travel-stained old fellow. The
gatekeepers were inclined flatly to refuse admission. However, the
_karo[u]_, or chief officer of the fief, had to be notified. He was
unwilling to let slip any chance of relief to the condition of Jubei
Dono. With some misgivings the old fellow was ordered around to the
garden. The _samurai_ code made little account of c