Red Book: The Mouse’s Wedding

(♪) Toward the end of the 17th and in the 18th centuries, paperbound books of popular fiction (called kusazoshi, or “grass books”) with abundant wood-block illustrations became widely available. Among those meant for children and common people, aka-hon (red books—because their covers were red) related fairy tales and legends in simple prose. Many editions of the well-loved story “The Mouse’s Wedding” were produced in the Edo period (17th to 19th centuries). Mouse is the first animal in the Oriental animal zodiac, so it signifies the beginning of things. Mice were also thought of as helpers for Daikokuten, the guardian deity of farmers, commerce, wealth, and the kitchen, and so they were a symbol of good luck and were associated with prosperity and numerous offspring. This story might have been considered especially appropriate for young girls, who would one day themselves leave home to be married.(♪)

(♪) A mouse in this house will soon marry. Today emissaries will come with betrothal gifts. Everyone is busy getting ready. They are sweeping the entryway, sprinkling water on the ground to keep the dust down, and polishing the floors. Mouse Supervisor: “Look here. You have to wash and wring the rag before you wipe the floor.” Servant Mouse: “Yes, sir. I will polish it until it gleams!” Mouse Elder: “Watch me. When you sprinkle water on the ground, do it like this. Don’t make puddles.” Then they hang up big lanterns.

(♪) Then the emissaries arrive. The two families are both of high position, and there is a profusion of gifts. Among them, of course, is the money in its wedding envelope with festive ties, and also silk floss, ducks, kegs of sake, and many more. Messenger Mouse: “I am sent by my master to present gifts on this auspicious occasion. Please accept them as a token of his felicitations.” Attendant Mouse: “We thank you for your courtesy and for your trouble in coming so far. Your friendship now and in the future does us honor.”

(♪) The bearers of the wedding gifts are entertained in the parlor. They are served sake and everyone grows relaxed and happy. Serving Mouse: “We are all friends now, so you must make yourselves at home.” Messenger Mouse: “Well, then, let’s toast the occasion.” From the kitchen the cooks and waiters are bringing on food. Cook: “How many more trays do you need?” Waiter: “Five trays more for the upper parlor, please.” The helpers also share in the banquet and receive bonuses.

(♪) The wedding day is approaching. In this room the ladies are checking their kimono and doing their make-up. 1st Lady Mouse: “After I fold this kimono, I must also fold the silk garment in the rear chest.” 2nd Lady Mouse: “Is this too wide?” 3rd Lady Mouse: “Sew it narrower by one centimeter.” Here and there mice are blackening their teeth, fixing their hair, or shaving their faces. Every mouse is busy dressing herself.

(♪) The kitchen is filled with activity as the wedding feast is prepared. Octopus, sea bream, vegetables, chicken and other things are brought in, one after another. The kitchen mice are preparing sashimi, grinding sesame, and tending the fire in the cookstove. Everybody is busy. Servers are checking the menus. Someone tries to sneak a drink from the sake barrel. Lady Mouse: “Tsk, tsk! You’d better watch out! Cold sake on an empty stomach will go to your head.”

(♪) Look! The bridal goods procession is coming. How long it is, stretching on and on. Carrier 1: “What a prodigious amount of goods she’s bringing!” Carrier 2: “This is so heavy! I wonder what’s in this small box….” The carriers talk and call out as they walk along together.

(♪) The long retinue carrying the bride’s wedding goods and furniture is still moving. Supervisor 1: “At least we are lucky it is such a beautiful day.” Supervisor 2: “They say the groom’s side is a high ranking family, too.” Carrier 1: “Hold on a minute, I want to switch shoulders.” Carrier 2: “O.K., but don’t let the baggage slip.”

(♪) Carrier 1: “Do you think we might get 200 for our bonus tonight?” Carrier 2: “Shame on you! All you’re thinking about is how much you’re going to get!” In the meantime, mice from the groom’s household come out to meet them. Receiver 1: “Sirs, we have come to meet you.” Receiver 2: “You must be exhausted. Let us carry these things from here.” Supervisor: “All right then, we thank you for taking over for us.”

(♪) The bride finally arrives in another grand procession. Procession Leader 1: “Now, be careful, you mice. Lay off the sake! You, at the head, you’re reeling!” Carrier 1: “No, I’m fine. Not tipsy at all. Besides, this is the third time I’ve carried wedding goods.” Procession Leader 2: “All right, we’re at the gate. Now be quiet, all of you.” Procession Leader 3: “All said and done, the bride is fortunate. She’s going to a good groom and her parents-in-law are kind mice.”

(♪) In the center of the room is a decoration of pine, bamboo, and plum tree together with the lucky symbols of the crane and tortoise. Members of both families have the main dish before them and now the second tray is being served. Bride’s Maid: “Won’t you take off your cotton cap?” Bride: “It is embarrassing.” Father-in-Law: “We’re old now. It would give us pleasure. Please do.” Mother-in-Law: “How beautiful the bride is!” Bride’s Father: “Please take care of her as you would your own daughter. I will make sure she serves you as your own child.”

(♪) The days pass and the first child is born. The mother takes some medicine and rests in back after delivering the child. On this side of the screen the midwife holds a sweet little mouse baby and with her foot checks the bathwater. Maid 1: “Let’s bring some sake to the doctor.” Maid 2: “Look, some baby clothes from your parents have just arrived.” After a safe delivery, a feeling of relief is in the air.

(♪) Today is the baby’s first visit to the shrine. A nurse holds the mouse child as he is purified with a wand hung with streamers. Mother Mouse: “I pray that the deity will protect this child from all disasters.” Shrine Maiden: “Please keep him safe from cats.” If there is a disaster for cats it sure is a mouse visiting a shrine, isn’t it? That's the end of the story.