Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days #5: Prestidigitations Called Kiai Jutsu (Shown by a Conjurer)
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yama #5: Kiai Jutsu (no Yashi)
[Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days #5: Prestidigitations Called Kiai Jutsu (Shown by a Conjurer)]
21.1 x 30.3 cm Ink Painting

In the spring of 1902, at K Coal Pit, the conjurer filled both rice bowls with water, each of which was put on a plate at the top of a stick stood on the ground. He put each end of a bamboo about 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet in length on each rice bowl. He swung his wooden sword down with a yell to cut the bamboo into two pieces without spilling the water in the rice bowls.
Additionally, he stood two sticks on the ground to hang an oblong piece of toilet paper with a hole from each stick. He hung a bamboo between the two sticks, inserting each end of the bamboo into each hole in the toilet paper. Then, he cut the bamboo into two pieces. This conjurer sold books about kiai jutsu at about 5 sen (0.05 yen) a copy.
Another conjurer, the gama no aburauri (vendor selling ointment including the so-called humor of toads) sometimes visited the pit. He drew a Japanese sword and cut a piece of paper into many small pieces to blow and let fly like the petals of cherry blossoms which were blowing in the wind. He laid his sword on his cheek and moved it to-and-fro after applying his ointment. He finally cut his arm with the sword and applied the ointment to cure the wound immediately. Needless to say, he enchanted the people in the pit with his eloquence during the demonstration.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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