My train had left Shimbashi Station in Tokyo at nine-thirty the previous evening and arrived in Tsuruga this evening. It had been just noon when we reached Nagoya, so I bought a small box lunch from a vendor at the station. By chance the priest ordered the same sort of lunch as I. When I opened the box, it turned out to be cheap fare consisting of rice with a little seaweed sprinkled over it, but no fish.

"Why there's nothing here but bits of carrots and gourd shavings. Where's the fish?" I blurted out indignantly. Seeing the look on my face, the priest chuckled softly to himself.