{"id":411,"date":"2026-01-22T23:28:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T14:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/?p=411"},"modified":"2026-01-31T22:25:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T13:25:59","slug":"ancient-boy-soran-%e2%91%a1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/?p=411","title":{"rendered":"Ancient Boy Soran \u2461\u3000Fujimi village"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u21d2\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u30da\u30fc\u30b8\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3092\u30af\u30ea\u30c3\u30af\u3057\u3066\u306d\uff01<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Two: Fujimi Village<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In front of T\u014dmo the mother and her son Soran, a wide sea stretched out as far as they could see. Far away on the horizon, they could make out land covered with green trees. It was hard to tell whether it was an island or a peninsula. The sea wind felt cold, telling them that winter was close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two little birds were walking along the sandy beach, step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey look like us,\u201d Soran said softly to his mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u014dmo smiled, making a small dimple in her cheek, and gently pulled her son close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far down the beach, they saw a woman who seemed to be gathering shells. She looked very small from a distance. Her long hair was tied firmly behind her head, and she wore warm clothes with pretty patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u014dmo and Soran looked at each other, then walked toward her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUm\u2026 are you from a village nearby?\u201d T\u014dmo asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The woman, who had been busy picking up shells, stood up and turned around. She looked at them carefully. She was an old woman, but she smiled like a young girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was how they met Grandma Y\u016bka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

On a hill reached by climbing a steep slope from the shore, there was a large village where about one hundred and fifty people lived. Around a wide open space stood about thirty houses. Each house was small, with a triangular roof and only one room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The houses were built over deep holes dug into the ground, up to about a person\u2019s waist. Strong posts were set in place, beams were laid across them, and thick layers of dry grass were piled on top to make the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people had cut down trees to build the village. Oak and chestnut trees still stood around it, but all the trees on the western side had been neatly cleared away. Because of that, the great Mount Fuji could be seen clearly in the open sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every morning and evening, the villagers faced Mount Fuji, put their hands together, and prayed for the safety of their village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From my village where I was born, Mount Fuji looked much bigger,<\/em> Soran thought. I wonder what my village is like now. Father died in the war\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Soran and his mother stayed in the village for almost a month. When the villagers learned about their situation, they treated them kindly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandma Y\u016bka, whom they had first met by the sea, invited them to live in her house. She lived there with her husband, just the two of them. Their children were already grown and had built their own homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSoran\u2019s mother really is a hard worker,\u201d Grandma Y\u016bka said cheerfully while spinning hemp thread with her hands. \u201cShe brings back lots of fish from the sea every day, and she finds many good plants to eat in the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside the house, the floor was hard earth, but woven grass mats covered it. There was only one small doorway and one small window to let in light. Thick wooden posts and beams held up the roof, and many thin logs were neatly fitted underneath. The inside of the grass roof had turned black over many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the center of the room was a hearth, with a warm fire burning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soran sat by a stone mill, cracking acorns and crushing the nuts inside with another stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy mother can do everything,\u201d Soran said proudly. \u201cShe was the fastest swimmer in her village. She was a real tomboy when she was little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh my, is that so?\u201d Grandma Y\u016bka laughed, her eyes narrowing kindly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd what are you good at, Soran?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell\u2026 I think I like singing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs that so? Then sing something for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soran began to sing his favorite song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the beach where small waves come, In the morning, wild roses bloom. In the evening, I think of long ago. Where are my father and mother now? Tell me, oh seagulls.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lovely voice,\u201d Grandma Y\u016bka said. \u201cBut it\u2019s a sad song.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHuh? Is it sad?\u201d Soran asked. He had never really thought about the meaning before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a song about remembering parents who grew old and passed away,\u201d she said gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI see\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen people grow old, they all return to the earth,\u201d Grandma Y\u016bka continued. \u201cThat\u2019s why, while we are alive, we should move, play, and work as much as we can, leaving many footprints behind. If we do, maybe one footprint will remain that rain and wind can never erase.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She laughed softly and pointed nearby. \u201cEven Tama, curled up over there, has left footprints all around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cat Tama lifted its head when its name was called, then quickly tucked it back into its round body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut even if nothing remains,\u201d Grandma Y\u016bka said, \u201cit\u2019s enough to live happily. If you can live with your children and grandchildren and be thankful to the gods, then you can sleep peacefully in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen\u2026 is my father sleeping in the earth now?\u201d Soran asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she nodded. \u201cYour father left you<\/em> as his footprint. You should be thankful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo\u2026 I\u2019m my father\u2019s footprint,\u201d Soran said quietly. \u201cWhat kind of footprint will I leave?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat depends on you,\u201d Grandma Y\u016bka said warmly. \u201cYou should go out into the wide world you don\u2019t yet know. Beyond this sea, there is surely another world where people live.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at Soran with loving eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow then,\u201d she said, smiling, \u201cyou\u2019ve helped enough. Go outside and play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soran\u2019s face lit up with joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Outside, it was cold, but many lively children had gathered in the village square. Happy voices echoed everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The girls were playing a game together, hitting small shuttle-like toys made from hard black seeds with bird feathers attached. They used long wooden paddles to keep them from falling to the ground. Bright red and blue patterns decorated their clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older boys were helping the grown men build a sumo ring. They piled up earth and packed it down firmly with wooden mallets. After repeating this many times, a strong ring was formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rule was simple: if you fell out of the ring, or if any part of your body other than your feet touched the ground, you lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twice a year, nearby villages gathered for a sumo tournament, once in a cold month and once in a hot month. It was like a festival that the men looked forward to. This time, Fujimi Village was the host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, Soran! Come over here!\u201d Masato called out. He was the same age as Soran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s do sumo together!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other boys quickly gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s do it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll right!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They drew a circle on the ground with a stick and made a simple ring. They split into teams of five, and an older boy acted as the referee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReady\u2026 go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The matches began. Quick children ran left and right inside the circle, trying to push their opponents out. If a big child grabbed you, there was no escape\u2014you would be lifted and thrown out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soran wasn\u2019t very big, but he was steady and strong at the waist. He won several matches that way. But this time, he faced Katsuya, a big nine-year-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They crouched and faced each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReady\u2026 go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At once, Katsuya charged straight at Soran. Soran nearly fell out, but he dodged just in time. Katsuya raised his arms and came again. Soran pushed with all his strength, but Katsuya didn\u2019t move at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Katsuya leaned his heavy body on top of him, trying to crush him down. Soran felt a great weight on his back, but he shouted, \u201cEiyaa!\u201d and pushed up with all his might.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katsuya, caught off guard, fell headfirst onto the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOhhh!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe did it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The children cheered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSoran wins!\u201d the referee announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katsuya stood up and praised him. \u201cYou got me. You\u2019re strong at the waist. If you practice, you\u2019ll be even stronger. Want to join the children\u2019s sumo at the next tournament?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Masato put an arm around Soran\u2019s shoulders. \u201cYeah! If it\u2019s Taro, Toshi, you, me, and Katsuya, we might win!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soran nodded happily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This village is full of good people,<\/em> he thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cSoran, dinner\u2019s ready!\u201d his mother called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It had grown completely dark, but the children hadn\u2019t noticed at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee you!\u201d Soran waved and ran home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside, the house was warm. The fire burned brightly in the hearth. T\u014dmo adjusted the fire, and a clay pot of fish soup simmered gently. Millet and foxtail millet had been cooked together, making the soup thick and rich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandma Y\u016bka and Grandpa Jir\u014d smiled happily at T\u014dmo and Soran. Grandpa was already drinking. He was very tall and loved to talk, so everyone called him Seitaka. He cheerfully ate the salted squid that T\u014dmo had made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHo-i! You two have become just like our own child and grandchild,\u201d he said. \u201cT\u014dmo\u2019s cooking is so good. If you like, you could stay here forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Grandma Y\u016bka agreed. \u201cYour village is very far away, isn\u2019t it? You don\u2019t even know if you can get back safely. There\u2019s no need to push yourselves. T\u014dmo is beautiful\u2014many men would want her as a wife.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soran looked at his mother. He liked this village and thought it would be nice to live here. But T\u014dmo smiled and said gently,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you so much for your kindness. This really is a wonderful village. But we must return. There are people waiting for me in my home village.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandpa Seitaka suddenly spoke up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHo-i! Your village is called Saku, beyond the high mountains to the west, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s right,\u201d T\u014dmo answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLately, many people have been moving down from the western and northern mountains to warmer lands by the sea. There\u2019s a village about two days\u2019 walk from here, settled by people who moved three years ago. They also came from beyond the western mountains. You might learn something if you ask them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u014dmo\u2019s eyes shone. \u201cI\u2019ll do that. I\u2019ll go as soon as spring comes. In my village, the chief once talked about moving to wide land by the sea. That was more than seven years ago\u2026 I won\u2019t give up until I find my village.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soran spoke honestly. \u201cMother\u2026 if we can\u2019t find our village, we could live here. I\u2019ve made friends. I\u2019d be okay with that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u014dmo laughed softly. \u201cI see. You really like this village. We\u2019ve been helped so much here. If we truly can\u2019t find our village, then let\u2019s ask to become part of Fujimi Village.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Soran said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He felt a little relieved. Deep down, he had been worried about the long journey ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please leave a comment!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u21d2\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u30da\u30fc\u30b8\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3092\u30af\u30ea\u30c3\u30af\u3057\u3066\u306d\uff01 Chapter Two: Fujimi Village In front of T\u014dmo the mother and her son Soran, a wide sea str […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-short-novels"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=411"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":638,"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411\/revisions\/638"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primitivechristianitystudy.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}