小万の仇討ち物語 この會津屋（旧旅籠山田屋）で育った女の武勇伝
この物語は、ここ「会津屋」（旧旅籠山田屋）で暮らした小万の物語である。
関の「小万」は、女の身でありながら父の仇討ちを果たした話として語り継がれている。
小万の父は、九州久留米有馬氏の家来で、剣道指南役牧藤左衛門と言ったが、遺恨により同輩の小林軍太夫に殺された。
その後、牧藤左衛門の妻は、身重の身体で夫の仇を討つため旅に出たが、鈴鹿峠を越え「関宿」についた頃には旅の疲れが重なって、地蔵院前の旅籠山田屋(現、会津屋)の前まで来たときには行き倒れ同様の有様であった。
慈愛の心で親切な山田屋の主人と女将に助けられ、手厚く看病され、女はそこで女児を産んだ。 それが小万である。
女はまもなく、子供の将来を宿の主人に託して、死んだ。
小万は成長して養父母から両親のことを聞かされ、女の身ながら亡き母の志を継いで亡父の仇討ちをする決心をする。
山田屋の主人は、亀山藩家老 加毛寛斎に頼んで武芸を習わせた。
小万は、幾多の困難と苦労に耐え、武道に励んだ。
天明三年（1783）八月、運良く仇と巡り会うことができた小万は、馬子姿に変装して亀山城大手前の辻で仇のくるのを待ち受け、見事本懐を遂げることができた。
これにより、関の小万の名は一躍高まったが、その後も山田屋にとどまって養父母に仕え、享和三年（1803）正月十六日、三十六歳の若さで死んだ。
墓はこの「会津屋」近くの福蔵寺にある。
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Story of the Legendary Heroin, Koman of Seki During Edo Period, there was a girl named Koman, living in the trail town of Seki. She is well known as the legendary heroin, who successfully executed a revenge commissioned by her mother, to regain the honor of Koman`s late father. The story of this brave girl goes as follows… The traveler has walked and walked. She has travelled long way from the southern part of Japan, which is present day Kyushu. In her mind, she had nothing but to execute the revenge on a samurai, who has murdered and disgraced her husband`s good name. She was not alone. Her late husband`s baby was getting ready to born as she has hiked across the peak of Suzuka. By the time the traveler has reached the trail town of Seki, she could no longer continue on traveling. In Seki, the inn-keeper of Yamada-ya (present day Aizuya), has kindly offered to help her deliver the baby. The baby girl was born safely, later she was named Koman. Unfortunately, the mother`s convalescence after giving birth did not go well. The mother has asked the inn-keeper in her death bed. Once the baby is grown up, let her execute the revenge instead. Many years has past, Koman has grown into a beautiful young lady. The inn-keeper raised Koman as she was their own child, but didn`t forget to teach Koman about her late mother`s wish. She occupied her days helping out with the chores of Yamada-ya, and most important of all, samurai martial arts training. The day of revenge has come. Koman, dressed as a packhorse driver, has successfully executed the revenge, at the intersection of Kameyama Castle. She was 26 years old to complete her mother`s long wished mission. Koman`s fame has flourished around the area. Even after completing the mission of her life, Koman decided stay in Seki. She lived remainder of her life, helping out the inn-keeper, her foster parents. Koman died in 1803. 36 years of short, but full life. Her tombstone is located in the Fukuzoji-Temple, near Aizuya. |
