A long, long time ago, as a young man called Sasuke made his way to the Black Forest in order to pick grapes and akebia, he came across a large flat basket woven from akebia lying in a sunny spot. He picked up this seemingly useful basket and, filling it with grapes and akebia, he walked back down the mountain.
That night, booming thumps on the ground advanced towards his house from the direction of the mountain and someone knocked on the door, shouting out in a loud voice. “Sasuke, give me back my sandal! Give me back my sandal!” Shaking with fear, Sasuke replied, “I know nothing of your sandal.” “You took one of my sandals while it was drying in the sun. Give it back to me,” the voice retorted. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but the basket I picked up today is outside the back door. Please take it,” said Sasuke. After this, he heard nothing.
The next morning, when he went outside, he discovered giant footprints in the ground, leading towards the mountain. The only reason Sasuke was not eaten by the Old Mountain Hag was because he had taken good care of a family heirloom, said to be a sword of note. Full of gratitude, Sasuke offered this sword to Mt. Haguro in order to protect the wellbeing of all the local people.
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