Storm Fairy

STORY/DESCRIPTIONS

1955/09-1957/03 Serialized in Shojo Book (Shueisha)

Hakobe, a forest fairy, is the daughter of a wicked witch—yet she herself is a very kind-hearted girl. Meanwhile, Princess Ruri, the lord’s daughter of Kuwagata Castle, has a face so ugly that no one can bear to look at it twice.
The reason lies in a promise made long ago. When the princess was born, the lady of the castle asked Hakobe’s mother, the witch, to protect Kuwagata Castle. In return, she promised, “Please exchange the faces of my daughter and the princess.” Because of that fateful bargain, Princess Ruri ended up with the face of the witch’s daughter. Ever since, she has hidden her face behind a mask so that no one may see her true appearance.
Sensing an opportunity, a villain named Gengorō Tagame and his daughter Akebi hatch a scheme. By swapping places with Princess Ruri, they plan to seize control of the castle.
This is a fantastical short story in the style of a traditional Japanese folktale.