Week 7 Reading Notes: The Quest of the Jewel, Part B

Illustration by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

 Title: The Quest of the Jewel

 Publication: The Romance of Old Japan, 1917

 Author: E. W. Champney and F. Champney

 Notes: Elizabeth Williams Champney (February 6, 1850—October 13, 1922) was an American author and world traveler. Her son, Edouard Frère Champney (May 4, 1874—June 4, 1929) was born in France and worked as an architect. Elizabeth’s “Romance” books, based on her travels and myths from around the world, were co-written with her son. This legend is a continuation of “The Jewel of the Heart’s Desire,” following the story of Empress Jingū, while fighting against the Korean navy, has lost the Tide Jewel.

 Characters:
Takeuchi, the court minister
Tamatori, the fisher maid
Empress Jingū
Benten, Ryūjin’s daughter
Ryūjin, the sea dragon

 Places: Japan

 Events:
Empress Jingū banishes Takeuchi for losing the Jewel of Heart’s Desire
Takeuchi resolves to throw himself off a cliff
Tamatori, in love with Takeuchi, stops him
Tamatori points out the jewel in the Palace of Benten
Tamatori takes it upon herself to retrieve the jewel from the sea
Ryūjin and the other sea creatures chase after Tamatori
Knowing the dragon will not touch a corpse, Tamatori stabs herself
Takeuchi finds the jewel with Tamatori’s lifeless body 
Takeuchi prepares an honorific funeral for Tamatori 
The Empress designates the late Tamatori as Princess of Heart’s Desire
Takeuchi returns to the council, and it is implied that he and Jingū have a private wedding

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