l bond with the Lady of
Tamiya, the previous passion for O'Hana and thereby the entanglement of
Kwaiba in the plot; all form a network in which the horror of the story
is balanced by the useful lessons to be drawn by the mind of Nippon from
its wickedness. Perhaps this belief in the effect of the curse of the
suicide acts both in deterring or bringing back the erring husband, and
in saving the wife from the extremities of her despair in abandonment.
The story of O'Iwa, the belief in her power, to-day has a strong
influence on a certain class of the Nipponese mind; especially among the
women. If the present writer might have felt momentarily an amused
feeling at sight of her worshippers, it was quickly lost at sight of the
positive unhappiness expressed in these faces of the abandoned. A visit
to the Tamiya Inari is not necessarily either one of idle curiosity or
without results. Some exceedingly painful impressions can be brought
away in the mind.

It is not entirely in jest therefore that apology is made for the
reproduction of the story. It is well in such matters to follow one's
predecessors. Moreover, public sentiment is not to be derided nor
disregarded. It has a certain title to respect, even when superstition
is involved. Hence the statement can be made, that in telling this story
of the "Yotsuya Kwaidan" no derogatory motive is involved--to people,
class, or person; least of all in reference to the dread Lady of Tamiya.

OMARUDANI--4th July, 1916.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER. PAGE

PROEM 15
I. O'MINO AND DENSUKE 17
II. KAWAI SAN OF KANDA KU 28
III. TAKAHASHI DAIHACHIRO[U] 35
IV. THE APPEARANCE OF O'IWA SAN 43
V. THE AFFAIR OF THE SHIBA KIRIDO[U]SHI 49
VI. NEGOTIATIONS: THE BUSINESS OF A NAKO[U]DO OR MARRIAGE BROKER 63
VII. IEMON APPEARS 74
VIII. IF OLD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT 86
IX. LOVE KNOTS 93
X. THE PLOT AGAINST O'IWA 99
XI. THE PLOT DEVELOPS