The story is said to bring together several strands of Japanese folklore, including the fact that even insects can manipulate the human soul.
It is evidently derived from a Japanese adaptation of the Tang dynasty tale, "The Governor of Nanke", (南柯太守传) by Li Gongzuo (李公佐).
The procession approaches him, and informs him that the King of Tokoyo (a dream world that Hearn compares to Horai) requests his presence at his court.
The grieving Akinosuke goes to great trouble to hold a proper funeral, and he erects a large monument in his wife's memory.
As Akinosuke sails away from the island, it suddenly disappears, and he is shocked to find himself sitting under the cedar tree, his friends still chatting as if nothing has happened.