Story guide
When Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi approach out of concern, Yamanba laughs and says that being suspended upside down does not hurt. Yamanba invites the three home and prepares food simmering in a pot with pickled red ginger. Hachiware enjoys the taste, and Chiikawa and Usagi also receive food. Yamanba thanks them for helping and offers them more to eat. The frightening encounter turns into warm hospitality.
Cultural and language notePickled red ginger is ginger pickled red and used as an accompaniment that adds aroma and tartness to a dish. Here, it appears as a specific ingredient that conveys the meal's flavor.
Story guide
Yamanba prepares to serve sweets after the meal, and Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi are surprised by a large box of confections. Yamanba asks them to wait a moment and takes out a sheet of paper illustrated with mushroom-shaped sweets. The three watch to see what will begin, but Yamanba instead shows them a photograph labeled as something made by Yamanba. The mismatch between its store-bought appearance and the explanation that it was homemade leaves the three confused.
Story guide
Yamanba stirs food that is nearly overflowing from a large pot, and Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi are surprised by the vigor of it. Yamanba happily says that the sound seems to shine, and the three decide to stay in the house. At night, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi get into their lined-up futons and consider how they should repay Yamanba for the lodging. Hachiware suggests making breakfast, and the three set their minds on the next morning.
Cultural and language noteA futon is bedding laid directly on the floor. Here, the futons are arranged as places for the three to sleep in the same room.
Story guide
In the morning, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi notice a sound from behind the paper sliding screens. Hachiware thinks someone may be awake, and the three look toward the sound. After being startled by a large shadow cast on the screens, they see Yamanba shaving a hard block on a work surface. Yamanba is holding something that appears to be a dried bonito block and has been preparing breakfast. The sound whose source was unknown turns out to be the sound of cooking.
Story guide
Yamanba shows Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi the hard fish block they are holding and explains that it is honkarebushi. Hearing that it is used to make dashi for breakfast, the three look at its size in surprise. Yamanba says that, because guests have not visited for a long time, they want to serve the best possible breakfast. Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi offer to help, and Yamanba accepts. The relationship between host and guests becomes one of preparing the meal together.
Cultural and language noteHonkarebushi is a block of bonito that has been dried and aged, then shaved to make dashi. Yamanba plans to use an authentic dashi for breakfast.
Story guide
Yamanba initially declines Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi's help, saying that guests should not have to do such things. The three still say they want to do something, and after thinking for a moment, Yamanba accepts their request. Usagi carries vegetables in a basket, Hachiware handles the cooking, and Chiikawa moves around near the table. While tasting the food, Yamanba asks whether it was something they gathered. Steam rises from the pot as breakfast takes shape.
Story guide
Yamanba sets freshly cooked rice and several dishes on the table, and Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi begin eating as invited. When Hachiware says the food is delicious, Yamanba is pleased to be spending time with the three and eats too while singing. The same arrangement continues at breakfast, showing that Yamanba enjoys the time spent gathered around the table.