The Wise Old Woman by Yoshiko Uchida

Uchida tells the story of a village where old people are taken to the mountains and left to die. One young farmer refuses to let his mother die, so instead he builds a secret basement in his home and hides his mother there for years.

Then one day, Lord Higa sends word that the entire village will be conquered unless they can solve three impossible tasks. First, they must create a rope made of ash. Second, they must pull a thread through the length of a curved log. Finally, they must make a drum that makes sounds without being beaten.

For days, the wise men of the village toil and struggle, but they cannot solve these riddles. Then the young farmer tells his mother of how the village will be destroyed if they cannot accomplish the impossible tasks.

She has them bring her supplies, and when they do, she proceeds to solve each of the riddles in turn. She makes the rope of ash by taking a rope, soaking it in salt water, then drying it and burning it. The rope maintains its shape, though its composition turns to ash. She puts honey on one end of a log and ties a thread to an ant. The ant pulls the thread through to the other end. She takes a small drum and puts a bee inside. As the bee flies around, it makes noise on the drum without anyone having to beat it.

The wise old woman saves the village, and from that day forward, old people are no longer forced to the mountains to die. They are instead respected and revered for their experience and wisdom.

This little book shows many elements of Japanese culture. First, the illustrations demonstrate both traditional dress and traditional architecture. The story itself shows a historical governing system of local lords and regional lords. Finally, the overall theme of respect and reverence for elders is an element of Japanese culture that is prevalent throughout the story.

 

 

 

 

Uchida, Y. (1994). The wise old woman. New York, NY: Macmillan.