The moon of the moor - Yasumasa, from the series One hundred aspects of the moon

Fujiwara no Yasumasa (958–1036) was a courtier and famous musician in the Heian court. The legend recounts that Yasumasa had a brother known as Hakamadare Yasusake who was an outlaw. One evening under the full moon, Yasumasa was walking through the moors and playing his flute when Hakamadare, in need of new clothes, crept behind Yasumasa, intent to kill him for his robes. But Hakamadare became mesmerised by the music he heard from the flute so continued to follow him home. Yasumasa finally noticed who was behind him; he gave Hakamadare the robes and sent him away, saying words to the effect of ‘next time, ask’.