Summary
Once upon a time, there was a compassionate elder in a certain country. He had five children, but in particular, Shirou did not bathe and wore ragged clothes. His father was worried, while the other siblings said, "Shirou is shameless." One day, the elder sent his children out of the house, saying, "Go learn about the world for three years," and "Come back on March 15th, three years later."
The elder brother Ichirou headed west and declared, "We will test our luck. Let's meet again in three years." Jirou went south, feeling that he would die if he stayed there for three years. Sanrou went southwest and fell in love with the daughter of a house he encountered. The youngest daughter also married a handsome man and lived a happy life.
However, Shirou calmly crossed the mountains and rivers, thinking, "There's no use lamenting fate." One day, he met an old monk. The monk asked, "What happened?" and Shirou replied, "I want to go to the village, but I've lost my way." The monk suggested, "Then become my disciple," and Shirou took the name "Shiroubou."
Three years later, Shirou had grown under the monk's guidance and told him it was time to return on the promised day. The old monk gave him a small box, saying, "Keep this around your neck. It will be useful someday."
When Shirou returned home, he was surprised to find his brothers had already come back. "Shirou, what a shabby appearance!" his brothers mocked, while his father welcomed him joyfully. The father said, "I have decided that you will be my heir," to which Shirou replied, "I do not wish for wealth." At that moment, the small box fell from his neck, and pure white smoke rose, revealing a monk clad in a robe.
The father was moved and accepted Shirou's words, deciding to divide his wealth among his brothers. Shirou became a high priest, and the "Atago Jizou," named after him, was erected throughout Japan.
