Passion vs. reason.

After reading "The Barrelmaker Brimful Love" i realized that this story was driven with passion and love. It also made think about how gullible people are, and will do just about anything or believe anything to be in love. i found it amusing how the cooper would believe a total stranger, and that should she could help Osen fall in love with him. In the story the after he saw the old woman handling the newt, she told him " you don't need any newts to win her. I can bridge the stream of love for you, i will disperse the clouds and make your love successful" ( Saikaku 592). This was joy to the cooper's ears, he would have done anything for Osen's love. He even offered the old woman things, even though he had admitted to her he didnt have much. To me this is where he showed how gullible he was for love, he told the old woman " my lady, i will supply you with all the firewood you will need to make tea for the rest of your life" ( Saikaku 593). This shows how much passion ruled his thoughts. in my opinion he should have questioned the old woman words, and not have promised so much without her doing so.