[Goldfish Edo Tales] Night 1: Vanity and Ryukin

Welcome everyone.I, Yuugyotei Junmyoraku, will weave amusing tales of goldfish and the people of Edo.

Tonight's story features the 'Ryukin', a synonym for goldfish. Do enjoy this glimpse into a man's petty 'vanity'.

Now then, let the story begin...

Night 1: "The Goldfish Connoisseur"

Well, it is the height of summer.On a day like this, the greatest luxury is to gaze at goldfish swimming fluttering in a tub.In the old days of Edo, goldfish were called "living jewels".Since commoners didn't have glass bowls, they admired their beauty by looking from above.

Especially the "Ryukin".That round belly and long trailing tail fin.Looking at it, I feel like my worries are washing away with the water... but there were some strange fellows who tried to show off their "vanity" using goldfish.

"Goinkyo (Retired Master)! Hello. ...Oh, you have a stylish bowl again."

Hachigoro from the tenement house enters the retired master's house. There, a magnificent red Ryukin was swimming, gracefully waving its tail.

"This? This is a 'Mitsuo' (Three-tail), a split tail fin, a fine piece of work. The value of a goldfish is decided by this single sway of the tail."

Hearing the retired master's boast, Hachigoro became completely envious. "Hehe, I can tell that much too!" He stormed out out of stubbornness, but he had very little money.

Then, a goldfish seller carrying a balance beam passed by. "Goldfi~sh, Goldfi~sh!"

Hachigoro peered into the cheapest tub and found a Ryukin floating with its belly up.

"Hey, goldfish seller. Isn't this one upside down dead?"

The goldfish seller grinned. "Oh my, customer, you have a discerning eye! This is a goldfish that has mastered the rare 'Art of Floating Sleep'. Ordinary goldfish are desperate to swim, but this one has attained enlightenment, so it floats on the water looking at the sky."

"Oh, the sky! That's elegant. Alright, I'll buy it!"

Hachigoro returned to the row house in high spirits and started boasting to the neighbors. "Look at this goldfish. It's an enlightened goldfish gazing at the sky."

However, one of them muttered. "Hey, Hachi-ko. Isn't this just upside down and not moving? Far from enlightenment, it's just sick or dying."

Hachigoro panicked and poked the goldfish with his fingertip.Then the goldfish moved just a little bit, and immediately went back to floating belly up...

"See! It moved just now!"

"...But hey, it's showing its belly the whole time. It doesn't look good."

Hachigoro said this in desperation.

"It's fine. This is a goldfish I can 'speak frankly' with!"