While Seisetsu was the master of Engaku in Kamakura he required larger
quarters, since those in which he was teaching were overcrowded. Umezu
Seibei, a merchant of Edo, decided to donate five hundred pieces of gold
called ryo toward the construction of a more commodious school. This money
he brought to the teacher.
Seisetsu said: "All right. I will take it."
Umezu gave Seisetsu the sack of gold, but he was dissatisfied with the
attitude of the teacher. One might live a whole year on three ryo, and the
merchant had not even been thanked for five hundred.
"In that sack are five hundred ryo," hinted Umezu.
"You told me that before," replied Seisetsu.
"Even if I am a wealthy merchant, five hundred ryo is a lot of money,"
said Umezu.
"Do you want me to thank you for it?" asked Seisetsu.
"You ought to," replied Uzemu.
Why should I?" inquired Seisetsu. "The giver should be thankful."
