Hambei, az öreg kertész öregkorára az apjától örökölt kertes házba vonult vissza, ahol napjait a kert gondozásával töltötte. Különösen a kert díszét, a szilvafát szerette: ez a különlegesen szép fa furyo szilvafa volt, amelynek neve fekvő sárkányt jelent japánul, és nagy megbecsülésnek örvend, sőt, bizonyos esetekben hódolnak is nekik. Hambei fája pedig kiváltképp mutatós volt, így nem csoda, hogy újra és újra ajánlatokkal keresték meg a tehetős emberek, akik mind a saját kertjük díszének akarták. Akármennyit is kínáltak érte, Hambei mindőjüket elutasította, mivel maga is büszke volt a fára, ráadásul az apjától örökölte, aki pedig még az ő apjától. A furyo lett a társa; tavasszal alig várta, hogy virágokat bontson, a nyári melegben a lombja alatt pipázgatott, ősszel pedig gondozta és metszette.
Egy nap aztán a császár udvarába is eljutott a szilvafa híre, és az egyik dainagon, a császár egy tanácsosa úgy döntött, megveszi. Elküldte hát követét, Kotaro Narusét, hogy beszéljen az öreg Hambei lelkére. Amikor Kotaro bejelentette, miért jött, Hambei tanácstalanul toporgott. Mégis hogyan utasíthatná vissza egy ilyen hatalmas ember ajánlatát?
- Nem adom el a szilvafát, semmi pénzért - jelentette ki végül.
- Nem is mondtam, hogy meg akarom venni - felelte Kotaro. - Azt mondtam, azért küldtek, hogy rendezzem el, hogy a szilvafát a dainagon palotájába szállítsák, ahol illően fogadnák. Épp úgy, mint egy menyasszonyt. Tán nem lenne elég megtisztelő ez a szilvafa számára? Hallgass rám, és tégy eleget a dainagon kívánságának!
Hambei erre nem tudott mit felelni, nem utasíthatta vissza ezt a kérést. - Uram, a kívánságot teljesítenem kell, azonban mondd meg a dainagonnak, hogy a fa ajándék, mivel el nem adhatom.
Kotaro elégedetten adta át neki a dainagon által küldött aranyakat: - Amint az szokás, az ajándékért cserébe ajándék jár. Fogadd el ezt tőlem!
Hambei nem akarta átvenni a pénzt, azonban Kotaro meggyőzte őt, és végül távozott.
Amint eltűnt, Hambei már meg is bánta, hogy engedett Kotaro kívánságának. Mintha csak a saját leányát adta volna el! A bűntudat és szomorúság miatt aznap este nem bírt elaludni. Éfjél felé járt már az idő, amikor kiáltozva berohant hozzá a felesége.
- Piszkos vénember, mit tettél, ráadásul a te korodban?! Ne hazudj nekem, mondd el, ki az a lány ott kint, honnét szedted?!
Hambei nem értette, miről van szó, de a feleségét követve kiment az ajtóhoz. Odakint egy gyönyörű, fiatal leány állt zokogva.
- Ki vagy te? - kérdezte Hambei.
- A szilvafa szelleme vagyok, akit oly sok éven át gondoztál és szerettél, akárcsak atyád te előtted. Hallottam, hogy a dainagon kertjébe leszek szállítva - igazán nagy megtiszteltetés, nem is panaszkodom, de igencsak elszomorít, hogy itt kell hagynom a kertedet, ahol oly sokáig éltem. Nem lehetne, hogy még egy kicsit itt maradjak? Kérve kérlek, hadd maradjak!
- Ígéretet tettem, hogy szombaton elküldelek a dainagon kertjébe, de én is szeretem, hogy itt vagy. Nyugodj meg, megpróbálok tenni valamit - ígérte Hambei.
Ennek hallatán a leány letörölte könnyeit, és eltűnt a szilvafa törzsében.
Amikor azon a bizonyos szombaton Kotaro és vele a dainagon fényes küldöttsége megérkezett, Hambei elmesélte nekik, mi történt, visszaadta a pénzt, és megkérte Kotarot, hogy mondja meg urának: igazán sajnálja, de nem adhatja oda a szilvafát.
Kotaro feldühödött: - Túl sokat ittál, vagy csak megpróbálsz becsapni? Hogy merészeled sértegetni a dainagont? Nem tartod meg a szavad?! Ez esetben megöllek, és erővel veszem el a fát!
Előhúzta a kardját, és már épp lesújtott volna az öregemberre, amikor a fa szelleme ismét megjelent.
- Jobban tennéd, ha engem ölnél meg, én okoztam ezt az egész bajt.
- Nem hiszem el, hogy a szilvafa szelleme vagy, biztosan csak egy öreg rókáé. Kívánságod parancs: előbb akkor téged öllek meg! - kiáltotta Kotaro, és felé vágott a kardjával.
A leány eltűnt, ugyanakkor a szilvafa egyik ága recsegve letörött.
Kotaro ekkor belátta, hogy Hambei igazat mondott. Bocsánatot kért az öregtől.
- Elviszem ezt az ágat a dainagonnak, és elmesélem, mi történt - mondta.
Hambei így megmenekült a szilvafa szellemének közbenjárása révén, a dainagont pedig igen megindította a történet, és visszaküldte az aranyat Hambeinek, hogy jóvá tegye az okozott kellemetlenséget. A Kotaro vágása nyomán megsérült szilvafa azonban hamarosan elszáradt és meghalt.
Hozzávalók:
60 gr aszalt szilva
40-50 ml Unicum
50 gr marcipán
15 ml tejszín
200 gr étcsoki
lüszterpor
Elkészítés:
Az aszalt szilvát kis darabokra vágom, és egy kis tányérban annyi Unicumot teszek hozzá, amennyi épphogy elfedi. Egy napig hagyom ázni. Kis adag tejszínt felmelegítek, felolvasztom benne a marcipándarabokat. A szilvához keverem.
Arany és bronz lüszterporral galaxisokat festek a bonbonforma mélyedéseibe, majd össze is fröcskölöm kissé, hogy csillagokat is kapjak. Temperálom az étcsokit, kiöntöm a bonbonforma mélyedéseit. Miután a burkok megszilárdultak, megtöltöm őket a szilvás krémmel, és hűtőbe teszem a formát. Néhány óra múlva kiveszem, temperálom a maradék étcsokit, és lezárom a bonbonokat.
When he got old, Hambei, the gardener retired to the estate he had inherited from his father, where he spent his days with tending the garden. He especially loved the jewel of the garden, the plum tree: this beautiful tree was a furyo plum tree, whose name means lying dragon in Japanese. Such trees were highly appreciated, moreover, in certain cases even venerated. Hambei's tree was particularly spectacular, no wonder that wealthy people, who wanted it for their own garden, made him offers from time to time. However large sums were offered, though, Hambei refused to give it to anyone, since he was proud of his tree, in addition, he inherited it from his father and he from his own father. The furyo became his companion; in spring he could hardly wait for it to blossom; in summer heat he would sit under its crown, smoking his pipe; in autumn he tended it and pruned it.
One day the stories about the tree reached the Emperor's court and a dainagon, one of the Emperor's counsellors decided to buy it. He sent his envoy, Kotaro Naruse to persuade the old Hambei. When Kotaro announced why he came, Hambei was perplexed. How could he refuse the offer of such a high personage?
"I will not sell the plum tree for any price," he stated finally.
"I did not say that I wanted to buy it," said Kotaro. "I said I was sent to make arrangements that the plum tree be conveyed to the palace of the dainagon, where it will be welcomed with due ceremony. Just like a bride. Would not it be an honour for the plum tree? Listen to me and grant the dainagon's wish!"
One day the stories about the tree reached the Emperor's court and a dainagon, one of the Emperor's counsellors decided to buy it. He sent his envoy, Kotaro Naruse to persuade the old Hambei. When Kotaro announced why he came, Hambei was perplexed. How could he refuse the offer of such a high personage?
"I will not sell the plum tree for any price," he stated finally.
"I did not say that I wanted to buy it," said Kotaro. "I said I was sent to make arrangements that the plum tree be conveyed to the palace of the dainagon, where it will be welcomed with due ceremony. Just like a bride. Would not it be an honour for the plum tree? Listen to me and grant the dainagon's wish!"
Hambei ran out of arguments; he could not refuse this request. "Sir, I must grant your wish, however, tell the dainagon that the tree is a gift for I cannot sell it."
Kotaro was satisfied and gave him the gold that the dainagon sent. "As it is customary, you shall get a gift for a gift. Accept this from me!"
Hambei did not want to take the money, however, Kotaro convinced him and finally, he left.
As soon as he disappeared, Hambei regretted what he had done. As if he had sold his own daughter! That night he could not go sleep due to the remorse and sadness. It was around midnight when his wife ran into his room, shouting.
"You filthy old man, what have you done, and at your age?! Do not lie to me, tell me, who is that girl outside, where did you find her?!"
Hambei did not understand what she was talking about, but he followed his wife to the door. Outside a beautiful, young girl was standing, sobbing.
"Who are you?" asked Hambei.
"I am the Spirit of the Plum Tree, which you have tended and loved for so many years, just like your father before you. I heard that I shall be removed to the dainagon's garden - it is a great honour, I am not complaining, but I am indeed grieving that I must leave your garden where I have lived for so long. Could I stay a little bit more? Please, let me stay!"
Kotaro was satisfied and gave him the gold that the dainagon sent. "As it is customary, you shall get a gift for a gift. Accept this from me!"
Hambei did not want to take the money, however, Kotaro convinced him and finally, he left.
As soon as he disappeared, Hambei regretted what he had done. As if he had sold his own daughter! That night he could not go sleep due to the remorse and sadness. It was around midnight when his wife ran into his room, shouting.
"You filthy old man, what have you done, and at your age?! Do not lie to me, tell me, who is that girl outside, where did you find her?!"
Hambei did not understand what she was talking about, but he followed his wife to the door. Outside a beautiful, young girl was standing, sobbing.
"Who are you?" asked Hambei.
"I am the Spirit of the Plum Tree, which you have tended and loved for so many years, just like your father before you. I heard that I shall be removed to the dainagon's garden - it is a great honour, I am not complaining, but I am indeed grieving that I must leave your garden where I have lived for so long. Could I stay a little bit more? Please, let me stay!"
"I made a promise that I would send you off to the dainagon's garden on Saturday, but I also love to have you here. Calm down, I will try to find out something," promised Hambei.
Hearing this, the girl dried her tears and disappeared into the stem of the plum tree.
On that Saturday, when Kotaro and the illustrious delegation of the dainagon arrived, Hambei told them the whole story, returned the money and asked Kotaro to tell his lord: he was very sorry, but he could not give him the plum tree.
Kotaro got angry. "Have you drunk too much or are you trying to fool me?! How dare you insult the dainagon? You will not keep your word?! In that case I will kill you and take the tree by force!"
He drew his sword and was about to cut him off, when the Spirit of the Tree appeared again.
"You had better kill me, as I caused all this trouble."
"I do not believe that you are the spirit of the plum tree, you must be that of an old fox. Your wish shall be granted: I will kill you first!" shouted Kotaro and cut her.
The girl disappeared, at the same time one of the branches of the plum tree broke off crackling.
Hearing this, the girl dried her tears and disappeared into the stem of the plum tree.
On that Saturday, when Kotaro and the illustrious delegation of the dainagon arrived, Hambei told them the whole story, returned the money and asked Kotaro to tell his lord: he was very sorry, but he could not give him the plum tree.
Kotaro got angry. "Have you drunk too much or are you trying to fool me?! How dare you insult the dainagon? You will not keep your word?! In that case I will kill you and take the tree by force!"
He drew his sword and was about to cut him off, when the Spirit of the Tree appeared again.
"You had better kill me, as I caused all this trouble."
"I do not believe that you are the spirit of the plum tree, you must be that of an old fox. Your wish shall be granted: I will kill you first!" shouted Kotaro and cut her.
The girl disappeared, at the same time one of the branches of the plum tree broke off crackling.
Kotaro then realised that Hambei had told the truth. He apologised to him.
"I will take this branch to the dainagon and will tell him what happened," he said.
Thus Hambei was saved by the Spirit of the Plum Tree. The dainagon was moved by the story and sent the gold back to Hambei to compensate the trouble caused. However, the plum tree, injured by Kotaro's cut, soon withered and died.
"I will take this branch to the dainagon and will tell him what happened," he said.
Thus Hambei was saved by the Spirit of the Plum Tree. The dainagon was moved by the story and sent the gold back to Hambei to compensate the trouble caused. However, the plum tree, injured by Kotaro's cut, soon withered and died.
Ingredients:
60 gr dried plum
40-50 ml Unicum
50 gr marzipan
15 ml cream
200 gr dark chocolate
lustre dust
Recipe:
I cut up the dried plum into small pieces and pour as much Unicum on them which covers them. I let them soak for a day. I warm up a small amount of cream and melt the marzipan pieces in it. I mix it with the plum.
With gold and bronze lustre dust I paint galaxies in the cavities of the mould, then I sprinkle it too in order to get stars. I temper the dark chocolate and prepare the shells. When they get solid, I fill them with the plum cream and place the mould in the fridge. Some hours later I take it out, I temper the leftover dark chocolate and seal the bonbons.
With gold and bronze lustre dust I paint galaxies in the cavities of the mould, then I sprinkle it too in order to get stars. I temper the dark chocolate and prepare the shells. When they get solid, I fill them with the plum cream and place the mould in the fridge. Some hours later I take it out, I temper the leftover dark chocolate and seal the bonbons.
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