Quote 4 of 32

From Essays in Idleness, by Kenko (c. 1283-1352)

In the province of Inaba there was a girl, the daughter of a certain
lay priest of noble family, whose hand was asked in marriage by many
that heard of her beauty.  However this girl ate nothing but
chestnuts, never touching rice or other grain, and her parents
therefore refused, saying that such an unusual thing ought not to be
seen by others.
		-- #40

Tags: parents marriage chestnuts inaba