Day Seventeen

The original story has no author, but it's an oral tradition in Japan. Since I couldn't find a definite author for my story; I had to go back to one of the websites I used prior to beginning these blogs. I found another story that was a also a Japanese oral tradition from the same source as my original one. The story I chose to read, and use for comparisons is called The Mirror of Matsuyama. I know without reading it, it sounds really similar to my story; since I picked it out in the first place. I also found another story that was from the Japanese culture, but had no similarities to the original story. It's called A Woman and the Bell of Miidera, and it ends up turning into a very interesting story. I won't tell too much about it, but the woman is very interested with the bell. The Priests believe a woman's touch will harm the bell, and in fact it's true. The woman ends up touching the bell anyway, and destroys the bel.

The Mirror of Matsuyama consists of three main characters at the beginning; the Mother, the Father, and the Daughter. They live in a province of Echigo in Japan, and they are very content with their lives. Soon after, the Father leaves to go on a trip to the Capital for business. He is very excited, but there was also some sadness in the family as well. Before the Father leaves; he makes the Daughter promise to take care of the house, and her Mother. If she keeps her promise... There would be a gift in return for her! It was a sad day as the Father left his family, but it was something he had to do. I assume the Wife had been getting sick between that time, and when the Father returned; he gave gifts as he had promised. The Daughter received a doll, and the Mother a mirror; she wasn't sure of what is what because they had never owned anything with such beauty.

Soon after, the Mother died; the Daughter took the mirror for herself. The Father also remarried, and the Step-Mother somehow got the assumption that the Daughter was making attempts on her life. This wasn't true at all, and the Father confronted the Daughter; she told the truth. Explaining the importance of the mirror; the Father began to feel guilty for all his false accusations. After the truth came out, the family was repaired; they lived happily every after. The end! Such a beautiful story right? It almost brings tears to your eyes....

I think this story is almost too similar to my story, but I made some changes that should help differentiate the two. I've changed the gender roles in my story, the main character is a boy now! My story still follows the same basic story line, but I've changed a lot of things. Instead of a mirror, I'm using boxing gloves in which the Father (Ramon) gives to his son (Benjie.) The trip taken by the Father will now be taken by the Mother (Angel), and it's been extended for a longer period of time. The gifts were only given to Benjie as his father's last testament of his undying love. Angel remarries as in the original the Father remarries, and she marries a man outside of her faith (well she really doesn't have one.) In the end, the family does end up having a happy every after type story!

In my version of the story... I'm going to exaggerate the drama a lot more; I know this is a children's book, but suspense is good for everyone! If you plan on reading my story; come prepared with a box of tissues, and some popcorn to enjoy the show because you will be taken an emotional roller coaster literally. I'm playing on the emotions with this story, hopefully I can pull it off like I envisioned. I can't wait to start writing on Monday... Until then, enjoy the weekend :) I forget to mention that both stories have the same morals, but mine are a little less strict (which will be explained later... Well or just put into the book.) I've also posted the link to my story if you would like to read it... It's actually a great story. So read it, and again enjoy the weekend :)

The Mirror of Matsuyama