diff options
Diffstat (limited to '19264.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 19264.txt | 12993 |
1 files changed, 12993 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/19264.txt b/19264.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..25ce43f --- /dev/null +++ b/19264.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12993 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Japanese Literature, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Japanese Literature + Including Selections from Genji Monogatari and Classical + Poetry and Drama of Japan + +Author: Various + +Editor: Epiphanius Wilson + +Release Date: September 13, 2006 [EBook #19264] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JAPANESE LITERATURE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sankar Viswanathan, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + Transcriber's Note: + + The accenting of the Japanese names is not consistent throughout the + book. The accents are preserved as given in the book. + + + + Japanese Literature + + + INCLUDING SELECTIONS FROM + + GENJI MONOGATARI + + AND + + CLASSICAL POETRY AND DRAMA + + OF JAPAN + + + + + + WITH CRITICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES BY + + EPIPHANIUS WILSON, A.M. + + + + + + REVISED EDITION + + + COPYRIGHT, 1900 + BY THE COLONIAL PRESS + + * * * * * + + + + +CONTENTS + + +GENJI MONOGATARI + +Introduction + +CHAPTER + + I.--The Chamber of Kiri + + II.--The Broom-like Tree + + III.--Beautiful Cicada + + IV.--Evening Glory + + V.--Young Violet + + VI.--Saffron Flower + + VII.--Maple Fete + +VIII.--Flower-Feast + + IX.--Hollyhock + + X.--Divine Tree + + XI.--Villa of Falling Flowers + + XII.--Exile at Suma + +XIII.--Exile at Akashi + + XIV.--The Beacon + + XV.--Overgrown Mugwort + + XVI.--Barrier House + +XVII.--Competitive Show of Pictures + + +CLASSICAL POETRY OF JAPAN + +Introduction + +BALLADS-- + + The Fisher-Boy Urashima + + On Seeing a Dead Body + + The Maiden of Unahi + + The Grave of the Maiden of Unahi + + The Maiden of Katsushika + + The Beggar's Complaint + + A Soldier's Regrets on Leaving Home + + +LOVE SONGS-- + + On Beholding the Mountain + + Love is Pain + + Hitomaro to His Mistress + + No Tidings + + Homeward + + The Maiden and the Dog + + Love is All + + Husband and Wife + + He Comes Not + + He and She + + The Pearls + + A Damsel Crossing a Bridge + + Secret Love + + The Omen + + A Maiden's Lament + + Rain and Snow + + Mount Mikash + + Evening + + +ELEGIES-- + + On the Death of the Mikado Tenji + + On the Death of the Poet's Mistress + + Elegy on the Poet's Wife + + On the Death of Prince Hinami + + On the Death of the Nun Riguwan + + On the Poet's Son, Furubi + + Short Stanza on the Same Occasion + + +MISCELLANEOUS POEMS-- + + View from Mount Kago + + The Mikado's Bow + + Spring and Autumn + + Spring + + Recollections of My Children + + The Brook of Hatsuse + + Lines to a Friend + + A Very Ancient Ode + + The Bridge to Heaven + + Ode to the Cuckoo + + The Ascent of Mount Tsukuba + + Couplet + + +SHORT STANZAS + + +THE DRAMA OF JAPAN + +Nakamitsu + +Abstraction + + * * * * * + + + + +GENJI MONOGATARI + +BY + +MURASAKI SHIKIB + +[_Translated into English by Suyematz Kenchio_] + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +BY THE TRANSLATOR + + +Genji Monogatari,[1] the original of this translation, is one of the +standard works of Japanese literature. It has been regarded for +centuries as a national treasure. The title of the work is by no means +unknown to those Europeans who take an interest in Japanese matters, +for it is mentioned or alluded to in almost every European work +relating to our country. It was written by a lady, who, from her +writings, is considered one of the most talented women that Japan has +ever produced. + +She was the daughter of Fujiwara Tametoki, a petty Court noble, +remotely connected with the great family of Fujiwara, in the tenth +century after Christ, and was generally called Murasaki Shikib. About +these names a few remarks are necessary. The word "Shikib" means +"ceremonies," and is more properly a name adopted, with the addition +of certain suffixes, to designate special Court offices. Thus the term +"Shikib-Kio" is synonymous with "master of the ceremonies," and +"Shikib-no-Jio" with "secretary to the master of the ceremonies." +Hence it might at first sight appear rather peculiar if such an +appellation should happen to be used as the name of a woman. It was, +however, a custom of the period for noble ladies and their attendants +to be often called after such offices, generally with the suffix +"No-Kata," indicating the female sex, and somewhat corresponding to +the word "madam." This probably originated in the same way as the +practice in America of calling ladies by their husbands' official +titles, such as Mrs. Captain, Mrs. Judge, etc., only that in the case +of the Japanese custom the official title came in time to be used +without any immediate association with the offices themselves, and +often even as a maiden name. From this custom our authoress came to +be called "Shikib," a name which did not originally apply to a person. +To this another name, Murasaki, was added, in order to distinguish her +from other ladies who may also have been called Shikib. "Murasaki" +means "violet," whether the flower or the color. Concerning the origin +of this appellation there exist two different opinions. Those holding +one, derive it from her family name, Fujiwara; for "Fujiwara" +literally means "the field of Wistaria," and the color of the Wistaria +blossom is violet. Those holding the other, trace it to the fact that +out of several persons introduced into the story, Violet (Murasaki in +the text) is a most modest and gentle woman, whence it is thought that +the admirers of the work transferred the name to the authoress +herself. In her youth she was maid of honor to a daughter of the then +prime minister, who became eventually the wife of the Emperor Ichijio, +better known by her surname, Jioto-Monin, and who is especially famous +as having been the patroness of our authoress. Murasaki Shikib married +a noble, named Nobtaka, to whom she bore a daughter, who, herself, +wrote a work of fiction, called "Sagoromo" (narrow sleeves). She +survived her husband, Nobtaka, some years, and spent her latter days +in quiet retirement, dying in the year 992 after Christ. The diary +which she wrote during her retirement is still in existence, and her +tomb may yet be seen in a Buddhist temple in Kioto, the old capital +where the principal scenes of her story are laid. + +The exact date when her story was written is not given in the work, +but her diary proves that it was evidently composed before she arrived +at old age. + +The traditional account given of the circumstances which preceded the +writing of the story is this: when the above-mentioned Empress was +asked by the Saigu (the sacred virgin of the temple of Ise) if her +Majesty could not procure an interesting romance for her, because the +older fictions had become too familiar, she requested Shikib to write +a new one, and the result of this request was this story. + +The tradition goes on to say that when this request was made Shikib +retired to the Buddhist temple in Ishiyama, situated on hilly ground +at the head of the picturesque river Wooji, looking down on Lake Biwa. +There she betook herself to undergo the "Tooya" (confinement in a +temple throughout the night), a solemn religious observance for the +purpose of obtaining divine help and good success in her undertaking. +It was the evening of the fifteenth of August. Before her eyes the +view extended for miles. In the silver lake below, the pale face of +the full moon was reflected in the calm, mirror-like waters, +displaying itself in indescribable beauty. Her mind became more and +more serene as she gazed on the prospect before her, while her +imagination became more and more lively as she grew calmer and calmer. +The ideas and incidents of the story, which she was about to write, +stole into her mind as if by divine influence. The first topic which +struck her most strongly was that given in the chapters on exile. +These she wrote down immediately, in order not to allow the +inspiration of the moment to be lost, on the back of a roll of +Daihannia (the Chinese translation of Mahaprajnaparamita, one of the +Buddhist Sutras), and formed subsequently two chapters in the text, +the Suma and Akashi, all the remaining parts of the work having been +added one by one. It is said that this idea of exile came naturally to +her mind, because a prince who had been known to her from her +childhood had been an exile at Kiusiu, a little before this period. + +It is also said that the authoress afterwards copied the roll of +Daihannia with her own hand, in expiation of her having profanely used +it as a notebook, and that she dedicated it to the Temple, in which +there is still a room where she is alleged to have written down the +story. A roll of Daihannia is there also, which is asserted to be the +very same one copied by her. + +How far these traditions are in accordance with fact may be a matter +of question, but thus they have come down to us, and are popularly +believed. + +Many Europeans, I daresay, have noticed on our lacquer work and other +art objects, the representation of a lady seated at a writing-desk, +with a pen held in her tiny fingers, gazing at the moon reflected in a +lake. This lady is no other than our authoress. + +The number of chapters in the modern text of the story is fifty-four, +one of these having the title only and nothing else. There is some +reason to believe that there might have existed a few additional +chapters. + +Of these fifty-four chapters, the first forty-one relate to the life +and adventures of Prince Genji; and those which come after refer +principally to one of his sons. The last ten are supposed to have +been added by another hand, generally presumed to have been that of +her daughter. This is conjectured because the style of these final +chapters is somewhat dissimilar to that of those which precede. The +period of time covered by the entire story is some sixty years, and +this volume of translation comprises the first seventeen chapters. + +The aims which the authoress seems always to have kept in view are +revealed to us at some length by the mouth of her hero: "ordinary +histories," he is made to say, "are the mere records of events, and +are generally treated in a one-sided manner. They give no insight into +the true state of society. This, however, is the very sphere on which +romances principally dwell. Romances," he continues, "are indeed +fictions, but they are by no means always pure inventions; their only +peculiarities being these, that in them the writers often trace out, +among numerous real characters, the best, when they wish to represent +the good, and the oddest, when they wish to amuse." + +From these remarks we can plainly see that our authoress fully +understood the true vocation of a romance writer, and has successfully +realized the conception in her writings. + +The period to which her story relates is supposed to be the earlier +part of the tenth century after Christ, a time contemporary with her +own life. For some centuries before this period, our country had made +a signal progress in civilization by its own internal development, and +by the external influence of the enlightenment of China, with whom we +had had for some time considerable intercourse. No country could have +been happier than was ours at this epoch. It enjoyed perfect +tranquillity, being alike free from all fears of foreign invasion and +domestic commotions. Such a state of things, however, could not +continue long without producing some evils; and we can hardly be +surprised to find that the Imperial capital became a sort of centre of +comparative luxury and idleness. Society lost sight, to a great +extent, of true morality, and the effeminacy of the people constituted +the chief feature of the age. Men were ever ready to carry on +sentimental adventures whenever they found opportunities, and the +ladies of the time were not disposed to disencourage them altogether. +The Court was the focus of society, and the utmost ambition of ladies +of some birth was to be introduced there. As to the state of politics, +the Emperor, it is true, reigned; but all the real power was +monopolized by members of the Fujiwara families. These, again, vied +among themselves for the possession of this power, and their daughters +were generally used as political instruments, since almost all the +Royal consorts were taken from some of these families. The abdication +of an emperor was a common event, and arose chiefly from the intrigues +of these same families, although partly from the prevailing influence +of Buddhism over the public mind. + +Such, then, was the condition of society at the time when the +authoress, Murasaki Shikib, lived; and such was the sphere of her +labors, a description of which she was destined to hand down to +posterity by her writings. In fact, there is no better history than +her story, which so vividly illustrates the society of her time. True +it is that she openly declares in one passage of her story that +politics are not matters which women are supposed to understand; yet, +when we carefully study her writings, we can scarcely fail to +recognize her work as a partly political one. This fact becomes more +vividly interesting when we consider that the unsatisfactory +conditions of both the state and society soon brought about a grievous +weakening of the Imperial authority, and opened wide the gate for the +ascendency of the military class. This was followed by the systematic +formation of feudalism, which, for some seven centuries, totally +changed the face of Japan. For from the first ascendency of this +military system down to our own days everything in society--ambitions, +honors, the very temperament and daily pursuits of men, and political +institutes themselves--became thoroughly unlike those of which our +authoress was an eye-witness. I may almost say that for several +centuries Japan never recovered the ancient civilization which she had +once attained and lost. + +Another merit of the work consists in its having been written in pure +classical Japanese; and here it may be mentioned that we had once made +a remarkable progress in our own language quite independently of any +foreign influence, and that when the native literature was at first +founded, its language was identical with that spoken. Though the +predominance of Chinese studies had arrested the progress of the +native literature, it was still extant at the time, and even for some +time after the date of our authoress. But with the ascendency of the +military class, the neglect of all literature became for centuries +universal. The little that has been preserved is an almost unreadable +chaos of mixed Chinese and Japanese. Thus a gulf gradually opened +between the spoken and the written language. It has been only during +the last two hundred and fifty years that our country has once more +enjoyed a long continuance of peace, and has once more renewed its +interest in literature. Still Chinese has occupied the front rank, and +almost monopolized attention. It is true that within the last sixty or +seventy years numerous works of fiction of different schools have been +produced, mostly in the native language, and that these, when judged +as stories, generally excel in their plots those of the classical +period. The status, however, of these writers has never been +recognized by the public, nor have they enjoyed the same degree of +honor as scholars of a different description. Their style of +composition, moreover, has never reached the same degree of refinement +which distinguished the ancient works. This last is a strong reason +for our appreciation of true classical works such as that of our +authoress. + +Again, the concise description of scenery, the elegance of which it is +almost impossible to render with due force in another language, and +the true and delicate touches of human nature which everywhere abound +in the work, especially in the long dialogue in Chapter II, are almost +marvellous when we consider the sex of the writer, and the early +period when she wrote. + +Yet this work affords fair ground for criticism. The thread of her +story is often diffuse and somewhat disjointed, a fault probably due +to the fact that she had more flights of imagination than power of +equal and systematic condensation: she having been often carried away +by that imagination from points where she ought to have rested. But, +on the other hand, in most parts the dialogue is scanty, which might +have been prolonged to considerable advantage, if it had been framed +on models of modern composition. The work, also, is too voluminous. + +In translating I have cut out several passages which appeared +superfluous, though nothing has been added to the original. + +The authoress has been by no means exact in following the order of +dates, though this appears to have proceeded from her endeavor to +complete each distinctive group of ideas in each particular chapter. +In fact she had even left the chapters unnumbered, simply contenting +herself with a brief heading, after which each is now called, such as +"Chapter Kiri-Tsubo," etc., so that the numbering has been undertaken +by the translator for the convenience of the reader. It has no +extraordinarily intricate plot like those which excite the readers of +the sensational romances of the modern western style. It has many +heroines, but only one hero, and this comes no doubt from the peculiar +purpose of the writer to portray different varieties and shades of +female characters at once, as is shadowed in Chapter II, and also to +display the intense fickleness and selfishness of man. + +I notice these points beforehand in order to prepare the reader for +the more salient faults of the work. On the whole my principal object +is not so much to amuse my readers as to present them with a study of +human nature, and to give them information on the history of the +social and political condition of my native country nearly a thousand +years ago. They will be able to compare it with the condition of +mediaeval and modern Europe. + +Another peculiarity of the work to which I would draw attention is +that, with few exceptions, it does not give proper names to the +personages introduced; for the male characters official titles are +generally employed, and to the principal female ones some appellation +taken from an incident belonging to the history of each; for instance, +a girl is named Violet because the hero once compared her to that +flower, while another is called Yugao because she was found in a +humble dwelling where the flowers of the Yugao covered the hedges with +a mantle of blossom. + +I have now only to add that the translation is, perhaps, not always +idiomatic, though in this matter I have availed myself of some +valuable assistance, for which I feel most thankful. + +SUYEMATZ KENCHIO. + +_Tokyo, Japan._ + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Which means, "The Romance of Genji."] + + + + +GENJI MONOGATARI + +CHAPTER I + +THE CHAMBER OF KIRI[2] + + +In the reign of a certain Emperor, whose name is unknown to us, there +was, among the Niogo[76] and Koyi[3] of the Imperial Court, one who, +though she was not of high birth, enjoyed the full tide of Royal +favor. Hence her superiors, each one of whom had always been +thinking--"I shall be the _one_," gazed upon her disdainfully with +malignant eyes, and her equals and inferiors were more indignant +still. + +Such being the state of affairs, the anxiety which she had to endure +was great and constant, and this was probably the reason why her +health was at last so much affected, that she was often compelled to +absent herself from Court, and to retire to the residence of her +mother. + +Her father, who was a Dainagon,[4] was dead; but her mother, being a +woman of good sense, gave her every possible guidance in the due +performance of Court ceremony, so that in this respect she seemed but +little different from those whose fathers and mothers were still alive +to bring them before public notice, yet, nevertheless, her +friendliness made her oftentimes feel very diffident from the want of +any patron of influence. + +These circumstances, however, only tended to make the favor shown to +her by the Emperor wax warmer and warmer, and it was even shown to +such an extent as to become a warning to after-generations. There had +been instances in China in which favoritism such as this had caused +national disturbance and disaster; and thus the matter became a +subject of public animadversion, and it seemed not improbable that +people would begin to allude even to the example of Yo-ki-hi.[5] + +In due course, and in consequence, we may suppose, of the Divine +blessing on the sincerity of their affection, a jewel of a little +prince was born to her. The first prince who had been born to the +Emperor was the child of Koki-den-Niogo,[6] the daughter of the +Udaijin (a great officer of State). Not only was he first in point of +age, but his influence on his mother's side was so great that public +opinion had almost unanimously fixed upon him as heir-apparent. Of +this the Emperor was fully conscious, and he only regarded the +new-born child with that affection which one lavishes on a domestic +favorite. Nevertheless, the mother of the first prince had, not +unnaturally, a foreboding that unless matters were managed adroitly +her child might be superseded by the younger one. She, we may observe, +had been established at Court before any other lady, and had more +children than one. The Emperor, therefore, was obliged to treat her +with due respect, and reproaches from her always affected him more +keenly than those of any others. + +To return to her rival. Her constitution was extremely delicate, as we +have seen already, and she was surrounded by those who would fain lay +bare, so to say, her hidden scars. Her apartments in the palace were +Kiri-Tsubo (the chamber of Kiri); so called from the trees that were +planted around. In visiting her there the Emperor had to pass before +several other chambers, whose occupants universally chafed when they +saw it. And again, when it was her turn to attend upon the Emperor, it +often happened that they played off mischievous pranks upon her, at +different points in the corridor, which leads to the Imperial +quarters. Sometimes they would soil the skirts of her attendants, +sometimes they would shut against her the door of the covered portico, +where no other passage existed; and thus, in every possible way, they +one and all combined to annoy her. + +The Emperor at length became aware of this, and gave her, for her +special chamber, another apartment, which was in the Koro-Den, and +which was quite close to those in which he himself resided. It had +been originally occupied by another lady who was now removed, and thus +fresh resentment was aroused. + +When the young Prince was three years old the Hakamagi[7] took place. +It was celebrated with a pomp scarcely inferior to that which adorned +the investiture of the first Prince. In fact, all available treasures +were exhausted on the occasion. And again the public manifested its +disapprobation. In the summer of the same year the Kiri-Tsubo-Koyi +became ill, and wished to retire from the palace. The Emperor, +however, who was accustomed to see her indisposed, strove to induce +her to remain. But her illness increased day by day; and she had +drooped and pined away until she was now but a shadow of her former +self. She made scarcely any response to the affectionate words and +expressions of tenderness which her Royal lover caressingly bestowed +upon her. Her eyes were half-closed: she lay like a fading flower in +the last stage of exhaustion, and she became so much enfeebled that +her mother appeared before the Emperor and entreated with tears that +she might be allowed to leave. Distracted by his vain endeavors to +devise means to aid her, the Emperor at length ordered a Te-gruma[8] +to be in readiness to convey her to her own home, but even then he +went to her apartment and cried despairingly: "Did not we vow that we +would neither of us be either before or after the other even in +travelling the last long journey of life? And can you find it in your +heart to leave me now?" Sadly and tenderly looking up, she thus +replied, with almost failing breath:-- + + "Since my departure for this dark journey, + Makes you so sad and lonely, + Fain would I stay though weak and weary, + And live for your sake only!" + +"Had I but known this before--" + +She appeared to have much more to say, but was too weak to continue. +Overpowered with grief, the Emperor at one moment would fain accompany +her himself, and at another moment would have her remain to the end +where she then was. + +At the last, her departure was hurried, because the exorcism for the +sick had been appointed to take place on that evening at her home, and +she went. The child Prince, however, had been left in the Palace, as +his mother wished, even at that time, to make her withdrawal as +privately as possible, so as to avoid any invidious observations on +the part of her rivals. To the Emperor the night now became black with +gloom. He sent messenger after messenger to make inquiries, and could +not await their return with patience. Midnight came, and with it the +sound of lamentation. The messenger, who could do nothing else, +hurried back with the sad tidings of the truth. From that moment the +mind of the Emperor was darkened, and he confined himself to his +private apartments. + +He would still have kept with himself the young Prince now motherless, +but there was no precedent for this, and it was arranged that he +should be sent to his grandmother for the mourning. The child, who +understood nothing, looked with amazement at the sad countenances of +the Emperor, and of those around him. All separations have their +sting, but sharp indeed was the sting in a case like this. + +Now the funeral took place. The weeping and wailing mother, who might +have longed to mingle in the same flames,[9] entered a carriage, +accompanied by female mourners. The procession arrived at the cemetery +of Otagi, and the solemn rites commenced. What were then the thoughts +of the desolate mother? The image of her dead daughter was still +vividly present to her--still seemed animated with life. She must see +her remains become ashes to convince herself that she was really dead. +During the ceremony, an Imperial messenger came from the Palace, and +invested the dead with the title of Sammi. The letters patent were +read, and listened to in solemn silence. The Emperor conferred this +title now in regret that during her lifetime he had not even promoted +her position from a Koyi to a Niogo, and wishing at this last moment +to raise her title at least one step higher. Once more several tokens +of disapprobation were manifested against the proceeding. But, in +other respects, the beauty of the departed, and her gracious bearing, +which had ever commanded admiration, made people begin to think of her +with sympathy. It was the excess of the Emperor's favor which had +created so many detractors during her lifetime; but now even rivals +felt pity for her; and if any did not, it was in the Koki-den. "When +one is no more, the memory becomes so dear," may be an illustration of +a case such as this. + +Some days passed, and due requiem services were carefully performed. +The Emperor was still plunged in thought, and no society had +attractions for him. His constant consolation was to send messengers +to the grandmother of the child, and to make inquiries after them. It +was now autumn, and the evening winds blew chill and cold. The +Emperor--who, when he saw the first Prince, could not refrain from +thinking of the younger one--became more thoughtful than ever; and, on +this evening, he sent Yugei-no Miobu[10] to repeat his inquiries. She +went as the new moon just rose, and the Emperor stood and contemplated +from his veranda the prospect spread before him. At such moments he +had usually been surrounded by a few chosen friends, one of whom was +almost invariably his lost love. Now she was no more. The thrilling +notes of her music, the touching strains of her melodies, stole over +him in his dark and dreary reverie. + +The Miobu arrived at her destination; and, as she drove in, a sense of +sadness seized upon her. + +The owner of the house had long been a widow; but the residence, in +former times, had been made beautiful for the pleasure of her only +daughter. Now, bereaved of this daughter, she dwelt alone; and the +grounds were overgrown with weeds, which here and there lay prostrated +by the violence of the winds; while over them, fair as elsewhere, +gleamed the mild lustre of the impartial moon. The Miobu entered, and +was led into a front room in the southern part of the building. At +first the hostess and the messenger were equally at a loss for words. +At length the silence was broken by the hostess, who said:-- + +"Already have I felt that I have lived too long, but doubly do I feel +it now that I am visited by such a messenger as you." Here she paused, +and seemed unable to contend with her emotion. + +"When Naishi-no-Ske returned from you," said the Miobu, "she reported +to the Emperor that when she saw you, face to face, her sympathy for +you was irresistible. I, too, see now how true it is!" A moment's +hesitation, and she proceeded to deliver the Imperial message:-- + +"The Emperor commanded me to say that for some time he had wandered in +his fancy, and imagined he was but in a dream; and that, though he was +now more tranquil, he could not find that it was only a dream. Again, +that there is no one who can really sympathize with him; and he hopes +that you will come to the Palace, and talk with him. His Majesty said +also that the absence of the Prince made him anxious, and that he is +desirous that you should speedily make up your mind. In giving me this +message, he did not speak with readiness. He seemed to fear to be +considered unmanly, and strove to exercise reserve. I could not help +experiencing sympathy with him, and hurried away here, almost fearing +that, perhaps, I had not quite caught his full meaning." + +So saying, she presented to her a letter from the Emperor. The lady's +sight was dim and indistinct. Taking it, therefore, to the lamp, she +said, "Perhaps the light will help me to decipher," and then read as +follows, much in unison with the oral message: "I thought that time +only would assuage my grief; but time only brings before me more +vividly my recollection of the lost one. Yet, it is inevitable. How is +my boy? Of him, too, I am always thinking. Time once was when we both +hoped to bring him up together. May he still be to you a memento of +his mother!" + +Such was the brief outline of the letter, and it contained the +following:-- + + "The sound of the wind is dull and drear + Across Miyagi's[11] dewy lea, + And makes me mourn for the motherless deer + That sleeps beneath the Hagi tree." + +She put gently the letter aside, and said, "Life and the world are +irksome to me; and you can see, then, how reluctantly I should present +myself at the Palace. I cannot go myself, though it is painful to me +to seem to neglect the honored command. As for the little Prince, I +know not why he thought of it, but he seems quite willing to go. This +is very natural. Please to inform his Majesty that this is our +position. Very possibly, when one remembers the birth of the young +Prince, it would not be well for him to spend too much of his time as +he does now." + +Then she wrote quickly a short answer, and handed it to the Miobu. At +this time her grandson was sleeping soundly. + +"I should like to see the boy awake, and to tell the Emperor all about +him, but he will already be impatiently awaiting my return," said the +messenger. And she prepared to depart. + +"It would be a relief to me to tell you how a mother laments over her +departed child. Visit me, then, sometimes, if you can, as a friend, +when you are not engaged or pressed for time. Formerly, when you came +here, your visit was ever glad and welcome; now I see in you the +messenger of woe. More and more my life seems aimless to me. From the +time of my child's birth, her father always looked forward to her +being presented at Court, and when dying he repeatedly enjoined me to +carry out that wish. You know that my daughter had no patron to watch +over her, and I well knew how difficult would be her position among +her fellow-maidens. Yet, I did not disobey her father's request, and +she went to Court. There the Emperor showed her a kindness beyond our +hopes. For the sake of that kindness she uncomplainingly endured all +the cruel taunts of envious companions. But their envy ever deepening, +and her troubles ever increasing, at last she passed away, worn out, +as it were, with care. When I think of the matter in that light, the +kindest favors seem to me fraught with misfortune. Ah! that the blind +affection of a mother should make me talk in this way!" + +"The thoughts of his Majesty may be even as your own," said the Miobu. +"Often when he alluded to his overpowering affection for her, he said +that perhaps all this might have been because their love was destined +not to last long. And that though he ever strove not to injure any +subject, yet for Kiri-Tsubo, and for her alone, he had sometimes +caused the ill-will of others; that when all this has been done, she +was no more! All this he told me in deep gloom, and added that it made +him ponder on their previous existence." + +The night was now far advanced, and again the Miobu rose to take +leave. The moon was sailing down westward and the cool breeze was +waving the herbage to and fro, in which numerous _mushi_ were +plaintively singing.[12] The messenger, being still somehow unready to +start, hummed-- + + "Fain would one weep the whole night long, + As weeps the Sudu-Mushi's song, + Who chants her melancholy lay, + Till night and darkness pass away." + +As she still lingered, the lady took up the refrain-- + + "To the heath where the Sudu-Mushi sings, + From beyond the clouds[13] one comes from on high + And more dews on the grass around she flings, + And adds her own, to the night wind's sigh." + +A Court dress and a set of beautiful ornamental hairpins, which had +belonged to Kiri-Tsubo, were presented to the Miobu by her hostess, +who thought that these things, which her daughter had left to be +available on such occasions, would be a more suitable gift, under +present circumstances, than any other. + +On the return of the Miobu she found that the Emperor had not yet +retired to rest. He was really awaiting her return, but was apparently +engaged in admiring the Tsubo-Senzai--or stands of flowers--which were +placed in front of the palaces, and in which the flowers were in full +bloom. With him were four or five ladies, his intimate friends, with +whom he was conversing. In these days his favorite topic of +conversation was the "Long Regret."[14] Nothing pleased him more than +to gaze upon the picture of that poem, which had been painted by +Prince Teishi-In, or to talk about the native poems on the same +subject, which had been composed, at the Royal command, by Ise, the +poetess, and by Tsurayuki, the poet. And it was in this way that he +was engaged on this particular evening. + +To him the Miobu now went immediately, and she faithfully reported to +him all that she had seen, and she gave to him also the answer to his +letter. That letter stated that the mother of Kiri-Tsubo felt honored +by his gracious inquiries, and that she was so truly grateful that she +scarcely knew how to express herself. She proceeded to say that his +condescension made her feel at liberty to offer to him the +following:-- + + "Since now no fostering love is found, + And the Hagi tree is dead and sere, + The motherless deer lies on the ground, + Helpless and weak, no shelter near." + +The Emperor strove in vain to repress his own emotion; and old +memories, dating from the time when he first saw his favorite, rose up +before him fast and thick. "How precious has been each moment to me, +but yet what a long time has elapsed since then," thought he, and he +said to the Miobu, "How often have I, too, desired to see the daughter +of the Dainagon in such a position as her father would have desired to +see her. 'Tis in vain to speak of that now!" + +A pause, and he continued, "The child, however, may survive, and +fortune may have some boon in store for him; and his grandmother's +prayer should rather be for long life." + +The presents were then shown to him. "Ah," thought he, "could they be +the souvenirs sent by the once lost love," as he murmured-- + + "Oh, could I find some wizard sprite, + To bear my words to her I love, + Beyond the shades of envious night, + To where she dwells in realms above!" + +Now the picture of beautiful Yo-ki-hi, however skilful the painter may +have been, is after all only a picture. It lacks life and animation. +Her features may have been worthily compared to the lotus and to the +willow of the Imperial gardens, but the style after all was Chinese, +and to the Emperor his lost love was all in all, nor, in his eyes, was +any other object comparable to her. Who doubts that they, too, had +vowed to unite wings, and intertwine branches! But to what end? The +murmur of winds, the music of insects, now only served to cause him +melancholy. + +In the meantime, in the Koki-Den was heard the sound of music. She who +dwelt there, and who had not now for a long time been with the +Emperor, was heedlessly protracting her strains until this late hour +of the evening. + +How painfully must these have sounded to the Emperor! + + "Moonlight is gone, and darkness reigns + E'en in the realms 'above the clouds,' + Ah! how can light, or tranquil peace, + Shine o'er that lone and lowly home!" + +Thus thought the Emperor, and he did not retire until "the lamps were +trimmed to the end!" The sound of the night watch of the right +guard[15] was now heard. It was five o'clock in the morning. So, to +avoid notice, he withdrew to his bedroom, but calm slumber hardly +visited his eyes. This now became a common occurrence. + +When he rose in the morning he would reflect on the time gone by when +"they knew not even that the casement was bright." But now, too, he +would neglect "Morning Court." His appetite failed him. The delicacies +of the so-called "great table" had no temptation for him. Men pitied +him much. "There must have been some divine mystery that predetermined +the course of their love," said they, "for in matters in which she is +concerned he is powerless to reason, and wisdom deserts him. The +welfare of the State ceases to interest him." And now people actually +began to quote instances that had occurred in a foreign Court. + +Weeks and months had elapsed, and the son of Kiri-Tsubo was again at +the Palace. In the spring of the following year the first Prince was +proclaimed heir-apparent to the throne. Had the Emperor consulted his +private feelings, he would have substituted the younger Prince for the +elder one. But this was not possible, and, especially for this +reason:--There was no influential party to support him, and, moreover, +public opinion would also have been strongly opposed to such a +measure, which, if effected by arbitrary power, would have become a +source of danger. The Emperor, therefore, betrayed no such desire, and +repressed all outward appearance of it. And now the public expressed +its satisfaction at the self-restraint of the Emperor, and the mother +of the first Prince felt at ease. + +In this year, the mother of Kiri-Tsubo departed this life. She may not +improbably have longed to follow her daughter at an earlier period; +and the only regret to which she gave utterance, was that she was +forced to leave her grandson, whom she had so tenderly loved. + +From this time the young Prince took up his residence in the Imperial +palace; and next year, at the age of seven, he began to learn to read +and write under the personal superintendence of the Emperor. He now +began to take him into the private apartments, among others, of the +Koki-den, saying, "The mother is gone! now at least, let the child be +received with better feeling." And if even stony-hearted warriors, or +bitter enemies, if any such there were, smiled when they saw the boy, +the mother of the heir-apparent, too, could not entirely exclude him +from her sympathies. This lady had two daughters, and they found in +their half-brother a pleasant playmate. Every one was pleased to greet +him, and there was already a winning coquetry in his manners, which +amused people, and made them like to play with him. We need not allude +to his studies in detail, but on musical instruments, such as the +flute and the _koto_,[16] he also showed great proficiency. + +About this time there arrived an embassy from Corea, and among them +was an excellent physiognomist. When the Emperor heard of this, he +wished to have the Prince examined by him. It was, however, contrary +to the warnings of the Emperor Wuda, to call in foreigners to the +Palace. The Prince was, therefore, disguised as the son of one +Udaiben, his instructor, with whom he was sent to the Koro-Kwan, where +foreign embassies are entertained. + +When the physiognomist saw him, he was amazed, and, turning his own +head from side to side, seemed at first to be unable to comprehend the +lines of his features, and then said, "His physiognomy argues that he +might ascend to the highest position in the State, but, in that case, +his reign will be disturbed, and many misfortunes will ensue. If, +however, his position should only be that of a great personage in the +country, his fortune may be different." + +This Udaiben was a clever scholar. He had with the Corean pleasant +conversations, and they also interchanged with one another some +Chinese poems, in one of which the Corean said what great pleasure it +had given him to have seen before his departure, which was now +imminent, a youth of such remarkable promise. The Coreans made some +valuable presents to the Prince, who had also composed a few lines, +and to them, too, many costly gifts were offered from the Imperial +treasures. + +In spite of all the precautions which were taken to keep all this +rigidly secret, it did, somehow or other, become known to others, and +among those to the Udaijin, who, not unnaturally, viewed it with +suspicion, and began to entertain doubts of the Emperor's intentions. +The latter, however, acted with great prudence. It must be remembered +that, as yet, he had not even created the boy a Royal Prince. He now +sent for a native physiognomist, who approved of his delay in doing +so, and whose observations to this effect, the Emperor did not receive +unfavorably. He wisely thought to be a Royal Prince, without having +any influential support on the mother's side, would be of no real +advantage to his son. Moreover, his own tenure of power seemed +precarious, and he, therefore, thought it better for his own dynasty, +as well as for the Prince, to keep him in a private station, and to +constitute him an outside supporter of the Royal cause. + +And now he took more and more pains with his education in different +branches of learning; and the more the boy studied, the more talent +did he evince--talent almost too great for one destined to remain in a +private station. Nevertheless, as we have said, suspicions would have +been aroused had Royal rank been conferred upon him, and the +astrologists, whom also the Emperor consulted, having expressed their +disapproval of such a measure, the Emperor finally made up his mind to +create a new family. To this family he assigned the name of Gen, and +he made the young Prince the founder of it.[17] + +Some time had now elapsed since the death of the Emperor's favorite, +but he was still often haunted by her image. Ladies were introduced +into his presence, in order, if possible, to divert his attention, but +without success. + +There was, however, living at this time a young Princess, the fourth +child of a late Emperor. She had great promise of beauty, and was +guarded with jealous care by her mother, the Empress-Dowager. The +Naishi-no-Ske, who had been at the Court from the time of the said +Emperor, was intimately acquainted with the Empress and familiar with +the Princess, her daughter, from her very childhood. This person now +recommended the Emperor to see the Princess, because her features +closely resembled those of Kiri-Tsubo. + +"I have now fulfilled," she said, "the duties of my office under three +reigns, and, as yet, I have seen but one person who resembles the +departed. The daughter of the Empress-Dowager does resemble her, and +she is singularly beautiful." + +"There may be some truth in this," thought the Emperor, and he began +to regard her with awakening interest. + +This was related to the Empress-Dowager. She, however, gave no +encouragement whatever to the idea, "How terrible!" she said. "Do we +not remember the cruel harshness of the mother of the Heir-apparent, +which hastened the fate of Kiri-Tsubo!" + +While thus discountenancing any intimacy between her daughter and the +Emperor, she too died, and the princess was left parentless. The +Emperor acted with great kindness, and intimated his wish to regard +her as his own daughter. In consequence of this her guardian, and her +brother, Prince Hiob-Kio, considering that life at Court would be +better for her and more attractive for her than the quiet of her own +home, obtained for her an introduction there. + +She was styled the Princess Fuji-Tsubo (of the Chamber of Wistaria), +from the name of the chamber which was assigned to her. + +There was, indeed, both in features and manners a strange resemblance +between her and Kiri-Tsubo. The rivals of the latter constantly caused +pain both to herself and to the Emperor; but the illustrious birth of +the Princess prevented any one from ever daring to humiliate her, and +she uniformly maintained the dignity of her position. And to her alas! +the Emperor's thoughts were now gradually drawn, though he could not +yet be said to have forgotten Kiri-Tsubo. + +The young Prince, whom we now style Genji (the Gen), was still with +the Emperor, and passed his time pleasantly enough in visiting the +various apartments where the inmates of the palace resided. He found +the companionship of all of them sufficiently agreeable; but beside +the many who were now of maturer years, there was one who was still in +the bloom of her youthful beauty, and who more particularly caught his +fancy, the Princess Wistaria. He had no recollection of his mother, +but he had been told by Naishi-no-Ske that this lady was exceedingly +like her; and for this reason he often yearned to see her and to be +with her. + +The Emperor showed equal affection to both of them, and he sometimes +told her that he hoped she would not treat the boy with coldness or +think him forward. He said that his affection for the one made him +feel the same for the other too, and that the mutual resemblance of +her own and of his mother's face easily accounted for Genji's +partiality to her. And thus as a result of this generous feeling on +the part of the Emperor, a warmer tinge was gradually imparted both to +the boyish humor and to the awakening sentiment of the young Prince. + +The mother of the Heir-apparent was not unnaturally averse to the +Princess, and this revived her old antipathy to Genji also. The beauty +of her son, the Heir-apparent, though remarkable, could not be +compared to his, and so bright and radiant was his face that Genji was +called by the public Hikal-Genji-no-Kimi (the shining Prince Gen). + +When he attained the age of twelve the ceremony of Gembuk[18] (or +crowning) took place. This was also performed with all possible +magnificence. Various _fetes_, which were to take place in public, +were arranged by special order by responsible officers of the +Household. The Royal chair was placed in the Eastern wing of the +Seirio-Den, where the Emperor dwells, and in front of it were the +seats of the hero of the ceremony and of the Sadaijin, who was to +crown him and to regulate the ceremonial. + +About ten o'clock in the forenoon Genji appeared on the scene. The +boyish style of his hair and dress excellently became his features; +and it almost seemed matter for regret that it should be altered. The +Okura-Kio-Kurahito, whose office it was to rearrange the hair of +Genji, faltered as he did so. As to the Emperor, a sudden thought +stole into his mind. "Ah! could his mother but have lived to have seen +him now!" This thought, however, he at once suppressed. After he had +been crowned the Prince withdrew to a dressing-room, where he attired +himself in the full robes of manhood. Then descending to the +Court-yard he performed a measured dance in grateful acknowledgment. +This he did with so much grace and skill that all present were filled +with admiration; and his beauty, which some feared might be lessened, +seemed only more remarkable from the change. And the Emperor, who had +before tried to resist them, now found old memories irresistible. + +Sadaijin had by his wife, who was a Royal Princess, an only daughter. +The Heir-apparent had taken some notice of her, but her father did not +encourage him. He had, on the other hand, some idea of Genji, and had +sounded the Emperor on the subject. He regarded the idea with favor, +and especially on the ground that such a union would be of advantage +to Genji, who had not yet any influential supporters. + +Now all the Court and the distinguished visitors were assembled in the +palace, where a great festival was held; Genji occupied a seat next to +that of the Royal Princess. During the entertainment Sadaijin +whispered something several times into his ear, but he was too young +and diffident to make any answer. + +Sadaijin was now summoned before the dais of the Emperor, and, +according to custom, an Imperial gift, a white O-Uchiki (grand robe), +and a suit of silk vestments were presented to him by a lady. Then +proffering his own wine-cup, the Emperor addressed him thus:-- + + "In the first hair-knot[19] of youth, + Let love that lasts for age be bound!" + +This evidently implied an idea of matrimony. Sadaijin feigned surprise +and responded:-- + + "Aye! if the purple[20] of the cord, + I bound so anxiously, endure!" + +He then descended into the Court-yard, and gave expression to his +thanks in the same manner in which Genji had previously done. A horse +from the Imperial stables and a falcon from the Kurand-Dokoro[21] were +on view in the yard, and were now presented to him. The princes and +nobles were all gathered together in front of the grand staircase, and +appropriate gifts were also presented to each one of them. Among the +crowd baskets and trays of fruits and delicacies were distributed by +the Emperor's order, under the direction of Udaiben; and more +rice-cakes and other things were given away now than at the Gembuk of +the Heir-apparent. + +In the evening the young Prince went to the mansion of the Sadaijin, +where the espousal with the young daughter of the latter was +celebrated with much splendor. The youthfulness of the beautiful boy +was well pleasing to Sadaijin; but the bride, who was some years older +than he was, and who considered the disparity in their age to be +unsuitable, blushed when she thought of it. + +Not only was this Sadaijin himself a distinguished personage in the +State, but his wife was also the sister of the Emperor by the same +mother, the late Empress; and her rank therefore was unequivocal. When +to this we add the union of their daughter with Genji, it was easy to +understand that the influence of Udaijin, the grandfather of the +Heir-apparent, and who therefore seemed likely to attain great power, +was not after all of very much moment. + +Sadaijin had several children. One of them, who was the issue of his +Royal wife, was the Kurand Shioshio. + +Udaijin was not, for political reasons, on good terms with this +family; but nevertheless he did not wish to estrange the youthful +Kurand. On the contrary, he endeavored to establish friendly relations +with him, as was indeed desirable, and he went so far as to introduce +him to his fourth daughter, the younger sister of the Koki-Den. + +Genji still resided in the palace, where his society was a source of +much pleasure to the Emperor, and he did not take up his abode in a +private house. Indeed, his bride, Lady Aoi (Lady Hollyhock), though +her position insured her every attention from others, had few charms +for him, and the Princess Wistaria much more frequently occupied his +thoughts. "How pleasant her society, and how few like her!" he was +always thinking; and a hidden bitterness blended with his constant +reveries. + +The years rolled on, and Genji being now older was no longer allowed +to continue his visits to the private rooms of the Princess as before. +But the pleasure of overhearing her sweet voice, as its strains flowed +occasionally through the curtained casement, and blended with the +music of the flute and _koto_, made him still glad to reside in the +Palace. Under these circumstances he seldom visited the home of his +bride, sometimes only for a day or two after an absence of five or six +at Court. + +His father-in-law, however, did not attach much importance to this, on +account of his youth; and whenever they did receive a visit from him, +pleasant companions were invited to meet him, and various games likely +to suit his taste were provided for his entertainment. + +In the Palace, Shigeisa, his late mother's quarters, was allotted to +him, and those who had waited on her waited on him. The private house, +where his grandmother had resided, was beautifully repaired for him by +the Shuri Takmi--the Imperial Repairing Committee--in obedience to the +wishes of the Emperor. In addition to the original loveliness of the +landscape and the noble forest ranges, the basin of the lake was now +enlarged, and similar improvements were effected throughout with the +greatest pains. "Oh, how delightful would it not be to be in a place +like that which such an one as one might choose!" thought Genji within +himself. + +We may here also note that the name Hikal Genji is said to have been +originated by the Corean who examined his physiognomy. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 2: The beautiful tree, called Kiri, has been named Paulownia +Imperialis, by botanists.] + +[Footnote 3: Official titles held by Court ladies.] + +[Footnote 4: The name of a Court office.] + +[Footnote 5: A celebrated and beautiful favorite of an Emperor of the +Thang dynasty in China, whose administration was disturbed by a +rebellion, said to have been caused by the neglect of his duties for +her sake.] + +[Footnote 6: A Niogo who resided in a part of the Imperial palace +called "Koki-den."] + +[Footnote 7: The Hakamagi is the investiture of boys with trousers, +when they pass from childhood to boyhood. In ordinary cases, this is +done when about five years old, but in the Royal Family, it usually +takes place earlier.] + +[Footnote 8: A carriage drawn by hands. Its use in the Court-yard of +the Palace was only allowed to persons of distinction.] + +[Footnote 9: Cremation was very common in these days.] + +[Footnote 10: A Court lady, whose name was Yugei, holding an office +called "Miobu."] + +[Footnote 11: Miyagi is the name of a field which is famous for the +Hagi or Lespedeza, a small and pretty shrub, which blooms in the +Autumn. In poetry it is associated with deer, and a male and female +deer are often compared to a lover and his love, and their young to +their children.] + +[Footnote 12: In Japan there is a great number of "mushi" or insects, +which sing in herbage grass, especially in the evenings of Autumn. +They are constantly alluded to in poetry.] + +[Footnote 13: In Japanese poetry, persons connected with the Court, +are spoken of as "the people above the clouds."] + +[Footnote 14: A famous Chinese poem, by Hak-rak-ten. The heroine of +the poem was Yo-ki-hi, to whom we have made reference before. The +story is, that after death she became a fairy, and the Emperor sent a +magician to find her. The works of the poet Peh-lo-tien, as it is +pronounced by modern Chinese, were the only poems in vogue at that +time. Hence, perhaps, the reason of its being frequently quoted.] + +[Footnote 15: There were two divisions of the Imperial guard, right +and left.] + +[Footnote 16: The general name for a species of musical instrument +resembling the zither, but longer.] + +[Footnote 17: In these days Imperial Princes were often created +founders of new families, and with some given name, the Gen being one +most frequently used. These Princes had no longer a claim to the +throne.] + +[Footnote 18: The ceremony of placing a crown or coronet upon the head +of a boy. This was an ancient custom observed by the upper and middle +classes both in Japan and China, to mark the transition from boyhood +to youth.] + +[Footnote 19: Before the crown was placed upon the head at the Gembuk, +the hair was gathered up in a conical form from all sides of the head, +and then fastened securely in that form with a knot of silken cords of +which the color was always purple.] + +[Footnote 20: The color of purple typifies, and is emblematical of, +love.] + +[Footnote 21: A body of men who resembled "Gentlemen-at-arms," and a +part of whose duty it was to attend to the falcons.] + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE BROOM-LIKE TREE + + +Hikal Genji--the name is singularly well known, and is the subject of +innumerable remarks and censures. Indeed, he had many intrigues in his +lifetime, and most of them are vividly preserved in our memories. He +had always striven to keep all these intrigues in the utmost secrecy, +and had to appear constantly virtuous. This caution was observed to +such an extent that he scarcely accomplished anything really romantic, +a fact which Katano-no-Shioshio[22] would have ridiculed. + +Even with such jealous watchfulness, secrets easily transpire from one +to another; so loquacious is man! Moreover, he had unfortunately from +nature a disposition of not appreciating anything within easy reach, +but of directing his thought in undesirable quarters, hence sundry +improprieties in his career. + +Now, it was the season of continuous rain (namely, the month of May), +and the Court was keeping a strict Monoimi.[23] Genji, who had now +been made a Chiujio,[24] and who was still continuing his residence in +the Imperial Palace, was also confined to his apartments for a +considerable length of time. His father-in-law naturally felt for him, +and his sons were sent to bear him company. Among these, Kurand +Shioshio, who was now elevated to the post of To-no-Chiujio, proved to +be the most intimate and interesting companion. He was married to the +fourth daughter of the Udaijin, but being a man of lively disposition, +he, too, like Genji, did not often resort to the mansion of the bride. +When Genji went to the Sadaijin's he was always his favorite +associate; they were together in their studies and in their sports, +and accompanied each other everywhere. And so all stiffness and +formality were dispensed with, and they did not scruple to reveal +their secrets to each other. + +It was on an evening in the above-mentioned season. Rain was falling +drearily. The inhabitants of the Palace had almost all retired, and +the apartment of Genji was more than usually still. He was engaged in +reading near a lamp, but at length mechanically put his book aside, +and began to take out some letters and writings from a bureau which +stood on one side of the room. To-no-Chiujio happened to be present, +and Genji soon gathered from his countenance that he was anxious to +look over them. + +"Yes," said Genji; "some you may see, but there may be others!" + +"Those others," retorted To-no-Chiujio, "are precisely those which I +wish to see; ordinary ones, even your humble servant may have +received. I only long to look upon those which may have been written +by fair hands, when the tender writer had something to complain of, or +when in twilight hour she was outpouring all her yearning!" + +Being so pressed, Genji allowed his brother-in-law to see them all. It +is, however, highly probable that any very sacred letters would not +have been loosely deposited in an ordinary bureau; and these would +therefore seem, after all, to have been of second-rate importance. + +"What a variety," said To-no-Chiujio, as he turned them over, and he +asked several questions guessingly about this or that. About some he +guessed correctly, about others he was puzzled and suspicious.[25] +Genji smiled and spoke little, only making some obscure remark, and +continuing as he took the letters: "but _you_, surely, must have +collected many. Will not you show me some? And then my bureau also may +open more easily." + +"You do not suppose that I have any worth reading, do you?" replied +To-no-Chiujio. "I have only just now discovered," continued he, "how +difficult it is to meet with a fair creature, of whom one can say, +'This is, indeed, _the_ one; here is, at last, perfection.' There are, +indeed, many who fascinate; many who are ready with their pens, and +who, when occasion may require, are quick at repartee. But how often +such girls as these are conceited about their own accomplishments, and +endeavor unduly to disparage those of others! There are again some who +are special pets of their parents, and most jealously watched over at +home. Often, no doubt, they are pretty, often graceful; and frequently +they will apply themselves with effect to music and to poetry, in +which they may even attain to special excellence. But then, their +friends will keep their drawbacks in the dark, and eulogize their +merits to the utmost. If we were to give full credence to this +exaggerated praise, we could not but fail in every single instance to +be more or less disappointed." + +So saying To-no-Chiujio paused, and appeared as if he were ashamed of +having such an experience, when Genji smilingly remarked, "Can any one +of them, however, exist without at least one good point?" + +"Nay, were there any so little favored as that, no one would ever be +misled at all!" replied To-no-Chiujio, and he continued, "In my +opinion, the most and the least favored are in the same proportion. I +mean, they are both not many. Their birth, also, divides them into +three classes. Those, however, who are especially well born, are often +too jealously guarded, and are, for the most part, kept secluded from +the outside gaze, which frequently tends to make their deportment shy +and timid. It is those of the middle class, who are much more +frequently seen by us, who afford us most chance of studying their +character. As for the lower class, it would be almost useless to +trouble ourselves with them." + +Thus To-no-Chiujio appeared to be thoroughly at home in his +description of the merits of the fair sex, which made Genji amused, +and he said: "But how do you define the classes you have referred to, +and classify them into three? Those who are of high birth sink +sometimes in the social scale until the distinction of their rank is +forgotten in the abjectness of their present position. Others, again, +of low origin, rise to a high position, and, with self-important faces +and in ostentatious residences, regard themselves as inferior to none. +Into what class will you allot _these_?" + +Just at this moment the Sama-no-Kami[26] and To Shikib-no-Jio[27] +joined the party. They came to pay their respects to Genji, and both +of them were gay and light-hearted talkers. So To-no-Chiujio now made +over the discussion to them, and it was carried to rather questionable +lengths. + +"However exalted a lady's position may be," said Sama-no-Kami, "if her +origin is an unenviable one, the estimation of the public for her +would be widely different from that which it shows to those who are +naturally entitled to it. If, again, adverse fortune assails one whose +birth is high, so that she becomes friendless and helpless, +degradation here will meet our eyes, though her heart may still remain +as noble as ever. Examples of both of these are very common. After +much reflection, I can only come to the conclusion that both of them +should be included in the middle class. In this class, too, must be +included many daughters of the Durio,[28] who occupy themselves with +local administration. These ladies are often very attractive, and are +not seldom introduced at Court and enjoy high favor." + +"And successes depend pretty much upon the state of one's fortune, I +fancy," interrupted Genji, with a placid smile. + +"That is a remark very unlikely to fall from the lips of a champion of +romance," chimed in To-no-Chiujio. + +"There may be some," resumed Sama-no-Kami, "who are of high birth, and +to whom public respect is duly paid, yet whose domestic education has +been much neglected. Of a lady such as this we may simply remark, +'Why, and how, is it that she is so brought up?' and she would only +cause discredit to her class. There are, of course, some who combine +in themselves every perfection befitting their position. These best of +the best are, however, not within every one's reach. But, listen! +Within an old dilapidated gateway, almost unknown to the world, and +overgrown with wild vegetation, perchance we might find, shut up, a +maiden charming beyond imagination. Her father might be an aged man, +corpulent in person, and stern in mien, and her brothers of repulsive +countenance; but there, in an uninviting room, she lives, full of +delicacy and sentiment, and fairly skilled in the arts of poetry or +music, which she may have acquired by her own exertions alone, +unaided. If there were such a case, surely she deserves our +attention, save that of those of us who themselves are highly exalted +in position." + +So saying, Sama-no-Kami winked slyly at Shikib-no-Jio. The latter was +silent: perhaps he fancied that Sama-no-Kami was speaking in the above +strain, with a hidden reference to his (Shikib's) sisters, who, he +imagined, answered the description. + +Meantime, Genji may have thought, "If it is so difficult to choose one +even from the best class, how can--Ah!" and he began to close his eyes +and doze. His dress was of soft white silk, partly covered by the +_naoshi_,[29] worn carelessly, with its cord left loose and untied. +His appearance and bearing formed quite a picture. + +Meanwhile, the conversation went on about different persons and +characters, and Sama-no-Kami proceeded: "It is unquestionable that +though at first glance many women appear to be without defects, yet +when we come to the actual selection of any one of them, we should +seriously hesitate in our choice. + +"Let me illustrate my meaning by reference to the numerous public men +who may be aspiring to fulfil the duties of several important posts. +You will at once recognize the great difficulty there would be in +fixing upon the individual statesman under whose guardianship the +empire could best repose. And supposing that, if at last, by good +fortune, the most able man were designated, even then we must bear in +mind that it is not in the power of one or two individuals, however +gifted they may be, to carry on the whole administration of the +kingdom alone. Public business can only be tranquilly conducted when +the superior receives the assistance of subordinates, and when the +subordinate yields a becoming respect and loyalty to his superior, and +affairs are thus conducted in a spirit of mutual conciliation. So, +too, it is in the narrow range of the domestic circle. To make a good +mistress of that circle, one must possess, if our ideal is to be fully +realized, many important qualifications. Were we to be constantly +indulging in the severity of criticism, always objecting to this or +that, a perfect character would be almost unattainable. Men should +therefore bear with patience any trifling dissatisfaction which they +may feel, and strive constantly to keep alive, to augment, and to +cherish, the warmth of their early love. Only such a man as this can +be called faithful, and the partner of such a man alone can enjoy the +real happiness of affection. How unsatisfactory to us, however, seems +the actual world if we look round upon it. Still more difficult must +it be to satisfy such as you who seek your companions but from among +the best! + +"How varied are the characters and the dispositions of women! Some who +are youthful and favored by Nature strive almost selfishly to keep +themselves with the utmost reserve. If they write, they write +harmlessly and innocently; yet, at the same time, they are choice in +their expressions, which have delicate touches of bewitching +sentiment. This might possibly make us entertain a suddenly conceived +fancy for them; yet they would give us but slight encouragement. They +may allow us just to hear their voices, but when we approach them they +will speak with subdued breath, and almost inaudibly. Beware, however, +lest among these you chance to encounter some astute artiste, who, +under a surface that is smooth, conceals a current that is deep. This +sort of lady, it is true, generally appears quite modest; but often +proves, when we come closer, to be of a very different temperament +from what we anticipated. Here is one drawback to be guarded against. + +"Among characters differing from the above, some are too full of +sentimental sweetness--whenever occasion offers them romance they +become spoilt. Such would be decidedly better if they had less +sentiment, and more sense. + +"Others, again, are singularly earnest--too earnest, indeed--in the +performance of their domestic duty; and such, with their hair pushed +back,[30] devote themselves like household drudges to household +affairs. Man, whose duties generally call him from home all the day, +naturally hears and sees the social movements both of public and +private life, and notices different things, both good and bad. Of such +things he would not like to talk freely with strangers, but only with +some one closely allied to him. Indeed, a man may have many things in +his mind which cause him to smile or to grieve. Occasionally something +of a political nature may irritate him beyond endurance. These matters +he would like to talk over with his fair companion, that she might +soothe him, and sympathize with him. But a woman as above described is +often unable to understand him, or does not endeavor to do so; and +this only makes him more miserable. At another time he may brood over +his hopes and aspirations; but he has no hope of solace. She is not +only incapable of sharing these with him, but might carelessly remark, +'What ails you?' How severely would this try the temper of a man! + +"If, then, we clearly see all these, the only suggestion I can make is +that the best thing to do is to choose one who is gentle and modest, +and strive to guide and educate her according to the best ideal we may +think of. This is the best plan; and why should we not do so? Our +efforts would not be surely all in vain. But no! A girl whom we thus +educate, and who proves to be competent to bear us company, often +disappoints us when she is left alone. She may then show her +incapability, and her occasional actions may be done in such an +unbecoming manner that both good and bad are equally displeasing. Are +not all these against us men?--Remember, however, that there are some +who may not be very agreeable at ordinary times, yet who flash +occasionally upon us with a potent and almost irresistible charm." + +Thus Sama-no-Kami, though eloquent, not having come to one point or +another, remained thoughtful for some minutes, and again resumed:-- + +"After all, as I have once observed, I can only make this suggestion: +That we should not too much consider either birth or beauty, but +select one who is gentle and tranquil, and consider her to be best +suited for our last haven of rest. If, in addition, she is of fair +position, and is blessed with sweetness of temper, we should be +delighted with her, and not trouble ourselves to search or notice any +trifling deficiency. And the more so as, if her conscience is clear +and pure, calmness and serenity of features can naturally be looked +for. + +"There are women who are too diffident, and too reserved, and carry +their generosity to such an extent as to pretend not to be aware even +of such annoyances as afford them just grounds of complaint. A time +arrives when their sorrows and anxieties become greater than they can +bear. Even then, however, they cannot resort to plain speaking, and +complain. But, instead thereof, they will fly away to some remote +retreat among the mountain hamlets, or to some secluded spot by the +seaside, leaving behind them some painful letter or despairing verses, +and making themselves mere sad memories of the past. Often when a boy +I heard such stories read by ladies, and the sad pathos of them even +caused my tears to flow; but now I can only declare such deeds to be +acts of mere folly. For what does it all amount to? Simply to this: +That the woman, in spite of the pain which it causes her, and +discarding a heart which may be still lingering towards her, takes to +flight, regardless of the feelings of others--of the anguish, and of +the anxiety, which those who are dearest to her suffer with her. Nay, +this act of folly may even be committed simply to test the sincerity +of her lover's affection for her. What pitiable subtlety! + +"Worse than this, the woman thus led astray, perhaps by ill advice, +may even be beguiled into more serious errors. In the depth of her +despairing melancholy she will become a nun. Her conscience, when she +takes the fatal vow, may be pure and unsullied, and nothing may seem +able to call her back again to the world which she forsook. But, as +time rolls on, some household servant or aged nurse brings her tidings +of the lover who has been unable to cast her out of his heart, and +whose tears drop silently when he hears aught about her. Then, when +she hears of his affections still living, and his heart still +yearning, and thinks of the uselessness of the sacrifice she has made +voluntarily, she touches the hair[31] on her forehead, and she becomes +regretful. She may, indeed, do her best to persevere in her resolve, +but if one single tear bedews her cheek, she is no longer strong in +the sanctity of her vow. Weakness of this kind would be in the eyes of +Buddha more sinful than those offences which are committed by those +who never leave the lay circle at all, and she would eventually wander +about in the 'wrong passage.'[32] + +"But there are also women, who are too self-confident and obtrusive. +These, if they discover some slight inconsistency in men, fiercely +betray their indignation and behave with arrogance. A man may show a +little inconsistency occasionally, but yet his affection may remain; +then matters will in time become right again, and they will pass +their lives happily together. If, therefore, the woman cannot show a +tolerable amount of patience, this will but add to her unhappiness. +She should, above all things, strive not to give way to excitement; +and when she experiences any unpleasantness, she should speak of it +frankly but with moderation. And if there should be anything worse +than unpleasantness she should even then complain of it in such a way +as not to irritate the men. If she guides her conduct on principles +such as these, even her very words, her very demeanor, may in all +probability increase his sympathy and consideration for her. One's +self-denial and the restraint which one imposes upon one's self, often +depend on the way in which another behaves to us. The woman who is too +indifferent and too forgiving is also inconsiderate. Remember 'the +unmoored boat floats about.' Is it not so?" + +To-no-Chiujio quickly nodded assent, as he said, "Quite true! A woman +who has no strength of emotion, no passion of sorrow or of joy, can +never be holders of us. Nay even jealousy, if not carried to the +extent of undue suspicion, is not undesirable. If we ourselves are not +in fault, and leave the matter alone, such jealousy may easily be kept +within due bounds. But stop"--added he suddenly--"Some women have to +bear, and do bear, every grief that they may encounter with +unmurmuring and suffering patience." + +So said To-no-Chiujio, who implied by this allusion that his sister +was a woman so circumstanced. But Genji was still dozing, and no +remark came from his lips. + +Sama-no-Kami had been recently made a doctor of literature, and (like +a bird) was inflating his feathers, so To-no-Chiujio, willing to draw +him out as much as possible, gave him every encouragement to proceed +with his discourse. + +Again, therefore, he took up the conversation, and said, "Call to your +mind affairs in general, and judge of them. Is it not always true that +reality and sincerity are to be preferred to merely artificial +excellence? Artisans, for instance, make different sorts of articles, +as their talents serve them. Some of them are keen and expert, and +cleverly manufacture objects of temporary fashion, which have no fixed +or traditional style, and which are only intended to strike the +momentary fancy. These, however, are not the true artisans. The real +excellence of the true artisan is tested by those who make, without +defects or sensational peculiarities, articles to decorate, we will +say, some particular building, in conformity with correct taste and +high aesthetic principles. Look for another instance at the eminence +which has been attained by several of the artists of the Imperial +College of Painting. Take the case of draughtsmen in black ink. +Pictures, indeed, such as those of Mount Horai,[33] which has never +been beheld by mortal eye, or of some raging monstrous fish in a rough +sea, or of a wild animal of some far-off country, or of the imaginary +face of the demon, are often drawn with such striking vividness that +people are startled at the sight of them. These pictures, however, are +neither real nor true. On the other hand, ordinary scenery, of +familiar mountains, of calm streams of water, and of dwellings just +before our eyes, may be sketched with an irregularity so charming, and +with such excellent skill, as almost to rival Nature. In pictures such +as these, the perspective of gentle mountain slopes, and sequestered +nooks surrounded by leafy trees, are drawn with such admirable +fidelity to Nature that they carry the spectator in imagination to +something beyond them. These are the pictures in which is mostly +evinced the spirit and effectiveness of the superior hand of a master; +and in these an inferior artist would only show dulness and +inefficiency. + +"Similar observations are applicable to handwriting.[34] Some people +boldly dash away with great freedom and endless flourishes, and appear +at the first glance to be elegant and skilful. But that which is +written with scrupulous neatness, in accordance with the true rules of +penmanship, constitutes a very different handwriting from the above. +If perchance the upstrokes and downstrokes do not, at first sight, +appear to be fully formed, yet when we take it up and critically +compare it with writing in which dashes and flourishes predominate, we +shall at once see how much more of real and sterling merit it +possesses. + +"Such then is the nature of the case in painting, in penmanship, and +in the arts generally. And how much more then are those women +undeserving of our admiration, who though they are rich in outward and +in fashionable display, attempting to dazzle our eyes, are yet +lacking in the solid foundations of reality, fidelity, and truth! Do +not, my friends, consider me going too far, but let me proceed to +illustrate these observations by my own experience." + +So saying, Sama-no-Kami advanced his seat, and Genji awoke. +To-no-Chiujio was quite interested in the conversation, and was +keeping his eye upon the speaker, leaning his cheek upon his hand. +This long discourse of Sama-no-Kami reminds us of the preacher's +sermon, and amuses us. And it seems that, on occasions like these, one +may easily be carried away by circumstances, until he is willing to +communicate even his own private affairs. + +"It was at a time," continued Sama-no-Kami, "when I was in a still +more humble position, that there was a girl to whom I had taken a +fancy. She was like one of those whom I described in the process of my +discourse; not a regular beauty. Although for this reason my youthful +vanity did not allow me to pledge myself to her forever, I still +considered her a pleasant companion. Nevertheless, from occasional +fits of restlessness, I roamed often here and there. This she always +resented fiercely, and with so much indignation that I sighed for a +sweeter temper and more moderation. Indeed, there were times when her +suspicion and spitefulness were more than I could endure. But my +irritation was generally calmed down, and I even felt sorry myself, +when I reflected how strong and devoted her affection for me was, in +spite of the mean state of my circumstances. As to her general +character, her only endeavor seemed to be to do everything for my +sake, even what was beyond her powers, while she struggled to perfect +herself in anything in which she might be deficient, and took the most +faithful care of all my interests, striving constantly and earnestly +to please me. She appeared at first even too zealous, but in time +became more moderate. She seemed as if she felt uneasy lest her plain +face should cause me displeasure, and she even denied herself the +sight of other people, in order to avoid unbecoming comment. + +"As time went by, the more I became accustomed to observe how really +simple-hearted she was, the more I sympathized with her. The one thing +that I could not bear, however, was that jealousy of hers. Sincere and +devoted as she is, thought I, is there no means of ridding her of this +jealous weakness? Could I but do that, it would not matter even if I +were to alarm her a little. And I also thought that since she was +devoted to me, if I showed any symptoms of getting tired of her, she +would, in all probability, be warned by it. Therefore, I purposely +behaved to her with great coolness and heartlessness. This she +resented as usual. I then said to her, that though our affection had +been of old date, I should not see her again; 'if you wish to sever +from me you may suspect me as much as you like. If you prefer to enjoy +long happiness with me in future, be modest and patient in trifling +matters. If you can only be so, how can I do otherwise than love you? +My position also may in time be improved, and then we may enjoy +greater happiness!' + +"In saying this, I thought I had managed matters very ingeniously. +Without meaning it, however, I had in fact spoken a little too +harshly. She replied, with a bitter smile, that 'to put up with a life +of undistinguished condition, even though with faint hopes of future +promotion, was not a thing about which we ought to trouble ourselves, +but that it was indeed a hard task to pass long wearisome days in +waiting until a man's mind should be restored to a sense of propriety. +And that for this reason we had, perhaps, better separate at once.' + +"This she said with such sarcastic bitterness that I was irritated and +stung to the quick, and overwhelmed her with a fresh torrent of +reproaches. At this juncture she gave way to an uncontrollable fit of +passion, and snatching up my hand, she thrust my little finger into +her mouth and bit off the end of it. Then, notwithstanding my pain, I +became quite cool and collected, and calmly said, 'insulted and maimed +as I have now been, it is most fitting that I should absent myself for +the future from polite society. Office and title would ill become me +now. Your spite has now left me without spirit to face the world in +which I should be ridiculed, and has left me no alternative but to +withdraw my maimed person from the public gaze!' After I had alarmed +her by speaking in this exalted strain, I added, 'to-day we meet for +the last time,' and bending these fingers (pointing to them as she +spoke) I made the farewell remark:-- + + When on my fingers, I must say + I count the hours I spent with thee, + Is this, and this alone, I pray + The only pang you've caused to me? + +You are now quits with me,' At the instant I said so, she burst into +tears and without premeditation, poured forth the following:-- + + 'From me, who long bore grievous harms, + From that cold hand and wandering heart, + You now withdraw your sheltering arms, + And coolly tell me, we must part.' + +"To speak the truth, I had no real intention of separating from her +altogether. For some time, however, I sent her no communication, and +was passing rather an unsettled life. Well! I was once returning from +the palace late one evening in November, after an experimental +practice of music for a special festival in the Temple of Kamo. Sleet +was falling heavily. The wind blew cold, and my road was dark and +muddy. There was no house near where I could make myself at home. To +return and spend a lonely night in the palace was not to be thought +of. At this moment a reflection flashed across my mind. 'How cold must +she feel whom I have treated so coldly,' thought I, and suddenly +became very anxious to know what she felt and what she was about. This +made me turn my steps towards her dwelling, and brushing away the snow +that had gathered on my shoulders I trudged on: at one moment shyly +biting my nails, at another thinking that on such a night at least all +her enmity towards me might be all melted away. I approached the +house. The curtains were not drawn, and I saw the dim light of a lamp +reflected on the windows. It was even perceivable that a soft quilt +was being warmed and thrown over the large couch. The scene was such +as to give you the notion that she was really anticipating that I +might come at least on such an evening. This gave me encouragement, +but alas! she whom I hoped to see was not at home. I was told she had +gone to her parents that very evening. Previous to that time, she had +sent me no sad verses, no conciliatory letter, and this had already +given birth to unpleasant feelings on my part. And at this moment, +when I was told that she had gone away, all these things seemed to +have been done almost purposely, and I involuntarily began to suspect +that her very jealousy had only been assumed by her on purpose to +cause me to become tired of her. + +"As I reflected what our future might be after such an estrangement as +this, I was truly depressed. I did not, however, give up all hope, +thinking that she would not be so determined as to abandon me forever. +I had even carefully selected some stuff for a dress for her. Some +time, however, passed away without anything particularly occurring. +She neither accepted nor refused the offers of reconciliation which I +made to her. She did not, it is true, hide herself away like any of +those of whom I have spoken before. But, nevertheless, she did not +evince the slightest symptom of regret for her previous conduct. + +"At last, after a considerable interval, she intimated to me that her +final resolve was not to forgive me any more if I intended in future +to behave as I had done before; but that, on the other hand, she +should be glad to see me again if I would thoroughly change my habits, +and treat her with the kindness which was her due. From this I became +more convinced that she still entertained longings for me. Hence, with +the hope of warning her a little more, I made no expressions of any +intention to make a change in my habits, and I tried to find out which +of us had the most patience. + +"While matters were in this state, she, to my great surprise, suddenly +died, perhaps broken-hearted. + +"I must now frankly confess that she certainly was a woman in whom a +man might place his confidence. Often, too, I had talked with her on +music and on poetry, as well as on the more important business of +life, and I found her to be by no means wanting in intellect and +capability. She had too the clever hands of Tatyta-hime[35] and +Tanabata.[36] + +"When I recall these pleasant memories my heart still clings to her +endearingly." + +"Clever in weaving, she may have been like Tanabata, that is but a +small matter," interposed To-no-Chiujio, "we should have preferred to +have seen your love as enduring as Tanabata's.[37] Nothing is so +beautiful as the brilliant dyes spread over the face of Nature, yet +the red tints of autumn are often not dyed to a color so deep as we +desire, because of the early drying of the dew, so we say, 'such is +the uncertain fate of this world,'" and so saying, he made a sign to +Sama-no-Kami to go on with his story. He went on accordingly. + +"About that time I knew another lady. She was on the whole a superior +kind of person. A fair poetess, a good musician, and a fluent speaker, +with good enunciation, and graceful in her movements. All these +admirable qualities I noticed myself, and heard them spoken of by +others. As my acquaintance with her commenced at the time when I was +not on the best of terms with my former companion, I was glad to enjoy +her society. The more I associated with her the more fascinating she +became. + +"Meanwhile my first friend died, at which I felt truly sorry, still I +could not help it, and I therefore paid frequent visits to this one. +In the course of my attentions to her, however, I discovered many +unpleasant traits. She was not very modest, and did not appear to be +one whom a man could trust. On this account, I became somewhat +disappointed, and visited her less often. While matters were on this +footing I accidentally found out that she had another lover to whom +she gave a share of her heart. + +"It happened that one inviting moonlight evening in October, I was +driving out from home on my way to a certain Dainagon. On the road I +met with a young noble who was going in the same direction. We +therefore drove together, and as we were journeying on, he told me +that 'some one might be waiting for him, and he was anxious to see +her'; well! by and by we arrived at the house of my lady-love. The +bright reflection of the waters of an ornamental lake was seen through +crevices in the walls; and the pale moon, as she shed her full +radiance over the shimmering waves, seemed to be charmed with the +beauty of the scene. It would have been heartless to pass by with +indifference, and we both descended from the carriage, without knowing +each other's intention. + +"This youth seems to have been 'the other one'; he was rather shy. He +sat down on a mat of reeds that was spread beside a corridor near the +gateway; and, gazing up at the sky, meditated for some moments in +silence. The chrysanthemums in the gardens were in full bloom, whose +sweet perfume soothed us with its gentle influence; and round about us +the scarlet leaves of the maple were falling, as ever and anon they +were shaken by the breeze. The scene was altogether romantic. + +"Presently, he took a flute out of his bosom and played. He then +whispered, 'Its shade is refreshing.' + +"In a few minutes the fair one struck up responsively on a sweet-toned +_wagon_ (a species of _koto_). + +"The melody was soft and exquisite, in charming strains of modern +music, and admirably adapted to the lovely evening. No wonder that he +was fascinated; he advanced towards the casement from which the sounds +proceeded, and glancing at the leaves scattered on the ground, +whispered in invidious tones, 'Sure no strange footsteps would ever +dare to press these leaves.' He then culled a chrysanthemum, humming, +as he did so:-- + + 'Even this spot, so fair to view + With moon, and Koto's gentle strain, + Could make no other lover true, + As me, thy fond, thy only swain.' + +"'Wretched!' he exclaimed, alluding to his poetry; and then added, +'One tune more! Stay not your hand when one is near, who so ardently +longs to hear you.' Thus he began to flatter the lady, who, having +heard his whispers, replied thus, in a tender, hesitating voice:-- + + 'Sorry I am my voice too low + To match thy flute's far sweeter sound; + Which mingles with the winds that blow + The Autumn leaves upon the ground.' + +"Ah! she little thought I was a silent and vexed spectator of all this +flirtation. She then took up a _soh_ (another kind of _koto_ with +thirteen strings) and tuned it to a Banjiki key (a winter tune), and +played on it still more excellently. Though an admirer of music, I +cannot say that these bewitching melodies gave me any pleasure under +the peculiar circumstances I stood in. + +"Now, romantic interludes, such as this, might be pleasant enough in +the case of maidens who are kept strictly in Court service, and whom +we have very little opportunity of meeting with, but even there we +should hesitate to make such a one our life companion. How much less +could one ever entertain such an idea in a case like my own? Making, +therefore, that evening's experience a ground of dissatisfaction I +never saw her more. + +"Now, gentlemen, let us take into consideration these two instances +which have occurred to myself and see how equally unsatisfactory they +are. The one too jealous, the other too forward. Thus, early in life, +I found out how little reliance was to be placed on such characters. +And now I think so still more; and this opinion applies more +especially to the latter of the two. Dewdrops on the 'Hagi flower' of +beauty so delicate that they disappear as soon as we touch +them--hailstones on the bamboo grass that melt in our hand as soon as +we prick them--appear at a distance extremely tempting and attractive. +Take my humble advice, however, and go not near them. If you do not +appreciate this advice now, the lapse of another seven years will +render you well able to understand that such adventures will only +bring a tarnished fame." + +Thus Sama-no-Kami admonished them, and To-no-Chiujio nodded as usual. +Genji slightly smiled; perhaps he thought it was all very true, and he +said, "Your twofold experience was indeed disastrous and irritating!" + +"Now," said To-no-Chiujio, "I will tell you a story concerning myself. +It was the evil fortune of Sama-no-Kami to meet with too much jealousy +in one of the ladies to whom he might otherwise have given his heart; +while he could feel no confidence in another owing to flirtations. It +was my hard lot to encounter an instance of excessive diffidence. I +once knew a girl whose person was altogether pleasing, and although I, +too, had no intention, as Sama-no-Kami said, of forming an everlasting +connection with her, I nevertheless took a great fancy to her. As our +acquaintance was prolonged, our mutual affection grew warmer. My +thoughts were always of her, and she placed entire confidence in me. +Now, when complete confidence is placed by one person in another, does +not Nature teach us to expect resentment when that confidence is +abused? No such resentment, however, seemed under any circumstances to +trouble her. When I very seldom visited her, she showed no excitement +or indignation, but behaved and looked as if we had never been +separated from each other. This patient silence was more trying to me +than reproaches. She was parentless and friendless. For this reason +responsibility weighed more heavily on me. Abusing her gentle nature, +however, I frequently neglected her. About this time, moreover, a +certain person who lived near her, discovered our friendship, and +frightened her by sending, through some channel, mischief-making +messages to her. This I did not become aware of till afterwards, and, +it seems, she was quite cast down and helpless. She had a little one +for whose sake, it appears, she was additionally sad. One day I +unexpectedly received a bunch of Nadeshiko[38] flowers. They were from +her." + +At this point To-no-Chiujio became gloomy. + +"And what," inquired Genji, "were the words of her message?" + +"Sir! nothing but the verse, + + Forgot may be the lowly bed + From which these darling flowerets spring, + Still let a kindly dew be shed, + Upon their early nurturing. + +"No sooner had I read this than I went to her at once. She was gentle +and sedate as usual, but evidently absent and preoccupied. Her eyes +rested on the dew lying on the grass in the garden, and her ears were +intent upon the melancholy singing of the autumn insects. It was as if +we were in a real romance. I said to her:-- + + When with confused gaze we view + The mingled flowers on gay parterre, + Amid their blooms of radiant hue + The Tokonatz,[39] my love, is there. + +And avoiding all allusion to the Nadeshiko flowers, I repeatedly +endeavored to comfort the mother's heart. She murmured in reply:-- + + 'Ah! Flower already bent with dew, + The winds of autumn cold and chill + Will wither all thy beauteous hue, + And soon, alas, unpitying kill.' + +Thus she spoke sadly. But she reproached me no further. The tears came +involuntarily into her eyes. She was, however, apparently sorry for +this, and tried to conceal them. On the whole she behaved as if she +meant to show that she was quite accustomed to such sorrows. I +certainly deeply sympathized with her, yet still further abusing her +patience. I did not visit her again for some time; but I was +punished. When I did so she had flown, leaving no traces behind her. +If she is still living she must needs be passing a miserable +existence. + +"Now, if she had been free from this excessive diffidence, this apathy +of calmness, if she had complained when it was necessary, with +becoming warmth and spirit, she need never have been a wanderer, and I +would never have abused her confidence. But, as I said before, a woman +who has no strength of emotion, no passionate bursts of sorrow or of +joy, can never retain a dominion over us. + +"I loved this woman without understanding her nature; and I am +constantly, but in vain, trying to find her and her little darling, +who was also very lovely; and often I think with grief and pain that, +though I may succeed in forgetting her, she may possibly not be able +to forget me, and, surely, there must be many an evening when she is +disquieted by sad memories of the past. + +"Let us now sum up our experiences, and reflect on the lessons which +they teach us. One who bites your finger will easily estrange your +affection by her violence. Falseness and forwardness will be the +reproach of some other, in spite of her melodious music and the +sweetness of her songs. A third, too self-contained and too gentle, is +open to the charge of a cold silence, which oppresses one, and cannot +be understood. + +"Whom, then, are we to choose? All this variety, and this perplexing +difficulty of choice, seems to be the common lot of humanity. Where, +again, I say, are we to go to find the one who will realize our +desires? Shall we fix our aspirations on the beautiful goddess, the +heavenly Kichijio?[40] Ah! this would be but superstitious and +impracticable." + +So mournfully finished To-no-Chiujio; and all his companions, who had +been attentively listening, burst simultaneously into laughter at his +last allusion. + +"And now, Shikib, it is your turn. Tell us your story," exclaimed +To-no-Chiujio, turning to him. + +"What worth hearing can your humble servant tell you?" + +"Go on; be quick; don't be shy; let us hear!" + +Shikib-no-Jio, after a little meditation, thus began:-- + +"When I was a student at the University, I met there with a woman of +very unusual intelligence. She was in every respect one with whom, as +Sama-no-Kami has said, you could discuss affairs, both public and +private. Her dashing genius and eloquence were such that all ordinary +scholars would find themselves unable to cope with her, and would be +at once reduced to silence. Now, my story is as follows:-- + +"I was taking lessons from a certain professor, who had several +daughters, and she was one of them. It happened by some chance or +other I fell much into her society. The professor, who noticed this, +once took up a wine-cup in his hand, and said to me, 'Hear what I sing +about two choices.'[41] + +"This was a plain offer put before me, and thenceforward I endeavored, +for the sake of his tuition, to make myself as agreeable as possible +to his daughter. I tell you frankly, however, that I had no particular +affection for her, though she seemed already to regard me as her +victim. She seized every opportunity of pointing out to me the way in +which we should have to steer, both in public and private life. When +she wrote to me she never employed the effeminate style of the +Kana,[42] but wrote, oh! so magnificently! The great interest which +she took in me induced me to pay frequent visits to her; and, by +making her my tutor, I learned how to compose ordinary Chinese poems. +However, though I do not forget all these benefits, and though it is +no doubt true that our wife or daughter should not lack intelligence, +yet, for the life of me, I cannot bring myself to approve of a woman +like this. And still less likely is it that such could be of any use +to the wives of high personages like yourselves. Give me a lovable +nature in lieu of sharpness! I quite agree with Sama-no-Kami on this +point." + +"What an interesting woman she must have been," exclaimed +To-no-Chiujio, with the intention of making Shikib go on with his +story. + +This he fully understood, and, making a grimace, he thus proceeded:-- + +"Once when I went to her after a long absence--a way we all have, you +know--she did not receive me openly as usual, but spoke to me from +behind a screen. I surmised that this arose from chagrin at my +negligence, and I intended to avail myself of this opportunity to +break with her. But the sagacious woman was a woman of the world, and +not like those who easily lose their temper or keep silence about +their grief. She was quite as open and frank as Sama-no-Kami would +approve of. She told me, in a low clear voice, 'I am suffering from +heartburn, and I cannot, therefore, see you face to face; yet, if you +have anything important to say to me, I will listen to you.' This was, +no doubt, a plain truth; but what answer could I give to such a +terribly frank avowal? 'Thank you,' said I, simply; and I was just on +the point of leaving, when, relenting, perhaps, a little, she said +aloud, 'Come again soon, and I shall be all right.' To pass this +unnoticed would have been impolite; yet I did not like to remain there +any longer, especially under such circumstances: so, looking askance, +I said-- + + Here I am, then why excuse me, is my visit all in vain: + And my consolation is, you tell me, come again? + +No sooner had I said this than she dashed out as follows with a +brilliancy of repartee which became a woman of her genius:-- + + 'If we fond lovers were, and meeting every night, + I should not be ashamed, were it even in the light!' + +"Nonsense, nonsense!" cried Genji and the others, who either were, or +pretended to be, quite shocked. "Where can there be such a woman as +that? She must have been a devil! Fearful! fearful!" And, snapping +their fingers with disapproving glances, they said, "Do tell us +something better--do give us a better story than that." + +Shikib-no-Jio, however, quietly remarked: "I have nothing else to +relate," and remained silent. + +Hereupon a conversation took place to the following effect:-- + +"It is a characteristic of thoughtless people--and that, without +distinction of sex--that they try to show off their small +accomplishments. This is, in the highest degree, unpleasant. As for +ladies, it may not, indeed, be necessary to be thorough master of the +three great histories, and the five classical texts; yet they ought +not to be destitute of some knowledge of both public and private +affairs, and this knowledge can be imperceptibly acquired without any +regular study of them, which, though superficial, will yet be amply +sufficient to enable them to talk pleasantly about them with their +friends. But how contemptible they would seem if this made them vain +of it! The Manna[43] style and pedantic phrases were not meant for +them; and, if they use them, the public will only say, 'would that +they would remember that they are women and not men,' and they would +only incur the reproach of being pedants, as many ladies, especially +among the aristocracy, do. Again, while they should not be altogether +unversed in poetical compositions, they should never be slaves to +them, or allow themselves to be betrayed into using strange +quotations, the only consequence of which would be that they would +appear to be bold when they ought to be reserved, and abstracted when +very likely they have practical duties to attend to. How utterly +inappropriate, for instance, it would be on the May festival[44] if, +while the attention of all present was concentrated on the solemnity +of the occasion, the thoughts of these ladies were wandering on their +own poetical imaginations about 'sweet flags;' or if, again, on the +Ninth-day festival,[45] when all the nobles present were exercising +their inventive faculties on the subject of Chinese poems, they were +to volunteer to pour forth their grand ideas on the dew-laid flowers +of the chrysanthemum, thus endeavoring to rival their opponents of the +stronger sex. There is a time for everything; and all people, but more +especially women, should be constantly careful to watch circumstances, +and not to air their accomplishments at a time when nobody cares for +them. They should practise a sparing economy in displaying their +learning and eloquence, and should even, if circumstances require, +plead ignorance on subjects with which they are familiar." + +As to Genji, even these last observations seemed only to encourage his +reverie still to run upon a certain one, whom he considered to be the +happy medium between the too much and the too little; and, no definite +conclusion having been arrived at through the conversation, the +evening passed away. + +The long-continued rainy weather had now cleared up bright and fine, +and the Prince Genji proceeded to the mansion of his father-in-law, +where Lady Aoi, his bride, still resided with him. She was in her +private suite of apartments, and he soon joined her there. She was +dignified and stately, both in manners and demeanor, and everything +about her bore traces of scrupulous neatness. + +"Such may be one of those described by Sama-no-Kami, in whom we may +place confidence," he thought, as he approached her. At the same time, +her lofty queenliness caused him to feel a momentary embarrassment, +which he at once tried to hide by chatting with the attendant maid. +The air was close and heavy, and he was somewhat oppressed by it. His +father-in-law happened to pass by the apartment. He stopped and +uttered a few words from behind the curtain which overhung the door. +"In this hot weather," said Genji, in a low tone, "what makes him come +here?" and did not give the slightest encouragement to induce his +father-in-law to enter the room; so he passed along. All present +smiled significantly, and tittered. "How indiscreet!" exclaimed Genji, +glancing at them reprovingly, and throwing himself back on a _kio-sok_ +(arm-stool), where he remained calm and silent. + +It was, by no means, becoming behavior on the part of the Prince. + +The day was drawing to an end when it was announced that the mansion +was closed in the certain celestial direction of the Naka-gami +(central God).[46] His own mansion in Nijio (the one mentioned as +being repaired in a previous chapter) was also in the same line of +direction. + +"Where shall I go then?" said Genji, and without troubling himself any +further, went off into a doze. All present expressed in different +words their surprise at his unusual apathy. Thereupon some one +reported that the residence of Ki-no-Kami, who was in waiting on the +Prince, on the banks of the middle river (the River Kiogok) had lately +been irrigated by bringing the stream into its gardens, making them +cool and refreshing. + +"That's very good, especially on such a close evening," exclaimed +Genji, rousing himself, and he at once intimated to Ki-no-Kami his +desire of visiting his house. To which the latter answered simply, +"Yes." He did not, however, really like the Prince's visit, and was +reluctantly telling his fellow attendants that, owing to a certain +circumstance which had taken place at Iyo-no-Kami's[47] residence, his +wife (Ki-no-Kami's stepmother) had taken up her abode with him that +very evening, and that the rooms were all in confusion. + +Genji heard all this distinctly, but he would not change his mind, and +said, "That is all the better! I don't care to stay in a place where +no fair statue dwells; it is slow work." + +Being thus pressed, no alternative remained for the Ki-no-Kami, and a +messenger was despatched to order the preparation of apartments for +the Prince. Not long after this messenger had gone, Genji started on +his way to the house of Ki-no-Kami, whose mild objections against this +quick proceeding were not listened to. + +He left the mansion as quietly as possible, even without taking formal +leave of its master, and his escort consisted of a few favorite +attendants. + +The "eastern front room" in the "dwelling quarters" was wide open, and +a temporary arrangement was made for the reception of the Prince, who +arrived there very quickly. The scene of the garden struck him before +anything else. The surface of the lake sparkled with its glittering +waters. The hedges surrounded it in rustic beauty, and luxuriant +shrubs grew in pleasing order. Over all the fair scene the breeze of +evening swept softly, summer insects sang distinctly here and there, +and the fireflies hovered about in mazy dances. + +The escort took up its quarters in a position which overlooked the +stream of water which ran beneath the corridor, and here began to take +cups of _sake_. The host hastened to order also some refreshment to be +prepared for Genji. + +The latter was meanwhile gazing abstractedly about him, thinking such +a place might belong to the class which Sama-no-Kami fairly placed in +the middle category. He knew that the lady who was under the same roof +was a young beauty of whom he had heard something before, and he was +looking forward to a chance of seeing her. + +He then noticed the rustling of a silken dress escaping from a small +boudoir to the right, and some youthful voices, not without charm, +were also heard, mingled with occasional sounds of suppressed +laughter. The casement of the boudoir had been, until a short time +before, open, but was pulled down by order of Ki-no-Kami, who, +perhaps, doubted the propriety of its being as it was, and now only +allowed a struggling light to issue through the paper of the "sliding +screen!" He proceeded to one side of his room that he might see what +could be seen, but there was no chance. He still stood there that he +might be able, at least, to catch some part of the conversation. It +seems that this boudoir adjoined the general family room of the female +inmates, and his ears were greeted by some faint talking. He inclined +his head attentively, and heard them whispering probably about +himself. + +"Is it not a pity that the fate of so fine a prince should be already +fixed?" said one voice. + +"Yet he loses no opportunity of availing himself of the favors of +fortune," added another. + +These remarks may have been made with no serious intention, but as to +Genji, he, even in hearing them, could not help thinking of a certain +fair image of which he so fondly dreamt. At the same time feeling a +thrill on reflecting that, if this kind of secret were to be +discovered and discussed in such a manner, what could be done. + +He then heard an observation in delicate allusion to his verse which +he had presented to the Princess Momo-zono (peach-gardens) with the +flowers of Asagao (morning-glory, or convolvulus). + +"What _cautious_ beauties they are to talk in that way! But I wonder +if their forms when seen will answer to the pictures of my fancy," +thought Genji, as he retired to his original position, for he could +hear nothing more interesting. + +Ki-no-Kami presently entered the room, brought in some fruits, trimmed +the lamp, and the visitor and host now began to enjoy a pleasant +leisure. + +"What has become of the ladies? Without some of them no society is +cheerful," observed Genji. + +"Who can there be to meet such wishes?" said the Ki-no-Kami to +himself, but took no notice of Genji's remark. + +There were several boys in the house who had followed Ki-no-Kami into +the room. They were the sons and brothers of Ki-no-Kami. Among them +there was one about twelve or thirteen, who was nicer-looking than the +others. Genji, of course, did not know who they all were, and +accordingly made inquiries. When he came to the last-mentioned boy, +Ki-no-Kami replied:-- + +"He is the youngest son of the late Lord Yemon, now an orphan, and, +from his sister's connections, he is now staying here. He is shrewd +and unlike ordinary boys. His desire is to take Court service, but he +has as yet no patron." + +"What a pity! Is, then, the sister you mentioned your stepmother?" + +"Yes, sir, it is so." + +"What a good mother you have got. I once overheard the Emperor, to +whom, I believe, a private application had been some time made in her +behalf, referring to her, said, 'What has become of her?' Is she here +now?" said Genji; and lowering his voice, added, "How changeable are +the fortunes of the world!" + +"It is her present state, sir. But, as you may perceive, it differs +from her original expectation. Changeable indeed are the fortunes of +this world, especially so the fortunes of women!" + +"Does Iyo respect her? Perhaps he idolizes her, as his master." + +"That is a question, perhaps, as a _private_ master. I am the foremost +to disapprove of this infatuation on his part." + +"Are you? Nevertheless he trusts her to such a one as you. He is a +kind father! But where are they all?" + +"All in their private apartments." + +Genji by this time apparently desired to be alone, and Ki-no-Kami now +retired with the boys. All the escort were already slumbering +comfortably, each on his own cool rush mat, under the pleasant +persuasion of _sake_. + +Genji was now alone. He tried to doze, but could not. It was late in +the evening, and all was still around. His sharpened senses made him +aware that the room next but one to his own was occupied, which led +him to imagine that the lady of whom he had been speaking might be +there. He rose softly, and once more proceeded to the other side of +the room to listen to what he might overhear. He heard a tender voice, +probably that of Kokimi, the boy spoken of before, who appeared to +have just entered the room, saying:-- + +"Are you here?" + +To which a female voice replied, "Yes, dear, but has the visitor yet +retired?" And the same voice added-- + +"Ah! so near, and yet so far!" + +"Yes, I should think so, he is so nice-looking, as they say." + +"Were it daytime I would see him, too," said the lady in a drowsy +voice. + +"I shall go to bed, too! But what a bad light," said the boy, and +Genji conjectured that he had been trimming the lamp. + +The lady presently clapped her hands for a servant, and said, "Where +is Chiujio, I feel lonely, I wish to see her." + +"Madam, she is in the bath now, she will be here soon," replied the +servant. + +"Suppose I pay my visit to her, too? What harm! no harm, perhaps," +said Genji to himself. He withdrew the fastening of the intervening +door, on the other side there was none, and it opened. The entrance to +the room where the lady was sitting was only screened by a curtain, +with a glimmering light inside. By the reflection of this light he saw +travelling trunks and bags all scattered about; through these he +groped his way and approached the curtain. He saw, leaning on a +cushion, the small and pretty figure of a lady, who did not seem to +notice his approach, probably thinking it was Chiujio, for whom she +had sent. Genji felt nervous, but struggling against the feeling, +startled the lady by saying:-- + +"Chiujio was called for, I thought it might mean myself, and I come to +offer you my devoted services." + +This was really an unexpected surprise, and the lady was at a loss. + +"It is, of course, natural," he said, "you should be astonished at my +boldness, but pray excuse me. It is solely from my earnest desire to +show at such an opportunity the great respect for you which I have +felt for a very long time." + +He was clever enough to know how to speak, and what to say, under all +circumstances, and made the above speech in such an extremely humble +and insinuating manner that the demon himself could not have taken +offence, so she forbore to show any sudden resentment. She had, +however, grave doubts as to the propriety of his conduct, and felt +somewhat uncomfortable, saying shyly, "Perhaps you have made a +mistake!" + +"No, certainly not," he replied. "What mistake can I have made? On the +other hand, I have no wish to offend you. The evening, however, is +very irksome, and I should feel obliged if you would permit me to +converse with you." Then gently taking her hand he pressed her to +return with him to his lonely apartment. + +She was still young and weak, and did not know what was most proper to +do under these circumstances, so half yielding, half reluctantly was +induced to be led there by him. + +At this juncture Chiujio, for whom she had sent previously, entered +the room. Upon which Genji exclaimed "Ha!" + +Chiujio stared with astonishment at him, whom she at once recognized +as the Prince, by the rich perfume which he carried about him. + +"What does this mean?" thought Chiujio. She could still do nothing. +Had he been an ordinary personage she would have immediately seized +him. Even in that case, however, there was enough room to doubt +whether it would not have been better to avoid any violent steps lest +it might have given rise to a disagreeable family scandal, hence +Chiujio was completely perplexed and mechanically followed them. + +Genji was too bold to fear bystanders, a common fault with high +personages, and coolly closed the door upon her saying, "She will soon +return to you." + +The lady being placed in such an awkward position, and not knowing +what Chiujio might imagine, became, as it were, bewildered. Genji was, +however, as artful and insinuating as might be expected in consoling +her, though we do not know where he had learnt his eloquence. This was +really trying for her, and she said, "Your condescension is beyond my +merit. I cannot disregard it. It is, however, absolutely necessary to +know 'Who is who.'" + +"But such ignorance," he a little abashed, rejoined "as not to know +'Who is who,' is the very proof of my inexperience. Were I supposed to +understand too well, I should indeed be sorry. You have very likely +heard how little I mix in the world. This perhaps is the very reason +why you distrust me. The excess of the blindness of my mind seems +strange even to myself." + +He spoke thus insinuatingly. She, on her part, feared that if his +fascinating address should assume a warmer tone it would be still +more trying for her and more difficult to withstand, so she +determined, however hard she might appear, not to give any +encouragement to his feelings, and showed therefore a coolness of +manner. To her meek character there was thus added a firm resolution, +and it seemed like a young bamboo reed with its strength and +tenderness combined, difficult to bend! Still she felt the struggle +very keenly, and tears moistened her eyes. + +Genji could not help feeling touched. Not knowing exactly how to +soothe her, he exclaimed, "What makes you treat me so coolly? It is +true we are not old acquaintances, but it does not follow that this +should prevent us from becoming good friends. Please don't discompose +yourself like one who does not know the world at all: it pierces my +heart." + +This speech touched her, and her firmness began to waver. + +"Were my position what it once was," said she, "and I received such +attention, I might, however unworthy, have been moved by your +affection, but as my position in life is now changed, its +unsatisfactory condition often makes me dream of a happiness I cannot +hope to enjoy." Hereupon she remained silent for some moments, and +looked as if she meant to say that she could no longer help thinking +of the line:-- + + Don't tell anyone you've seen my home. + +But these few moments of silence agitated the pure waters of her +virtuous mind, and the sudden recollection of her aged husband, whom +she did not generally think much about, occurred tenderly to her +memory. She shuddered at the idea of his seeing her in such a dilemma +as this, even in a dream, and without a word fled back to her +apartment, and Genji was once more alone. + +Now the chanticleer began to proclaim the coming day, and the +attendants rose from their couches, some exclaiming "How soundly we +have slept," others, "Let us get the carriage ready." + +Ki-no-Kami also came out saying, "Why so early, no need of such hurry +for the Prince." + +Genji also arose, and putting on his _naoshi_, went out on a balcony +on the southern side of the house, where he leaned upon the wooden +balustrade and meditated as he looked round him. + +It appears that people were peeping out of the casement on the western +side, probably being anxious to catch a glimpse of the Prince, whose +figure was indistinctly to be seen by them from the top of a short +screen standing within the trellis. Among these spectators there was +one who perhaps might have felt a thrill run through her frame as she +beheld him. It was the very moment when the sky was being tinted by +the glowing streaks of morn, and the moon's pale light was still +lingering in the far distance. The aspect of the passionless heavens +becomes radiant or gloomy in response to the heart of him who looks +upon it. And to Genji, whose thoughts were secretly occupied with the +events of the evening, the scene could only have given rise to +sorrowful emotions. + +Reflecting how he might on some future occasion convey a message to +the lady, and looking back several times, he presently quitted the +house and returned to the mansion of his father-in-law. + +During some days succeeding the above events, he was staying at the +mansion with his bride. His thoughts, however, were now constantly +turning to the lady on the bank of the middle river. He therefore +summoned Ki-no-Kami before him, and thus addressed him:-- + +"Cannot you let me have the boy, the son of the late Chiunagon[48] +whom I saw the other day? He is a nice lad, and I wish to have him +near at hand. I will also introduce him to the Emperor." + +"I receive your commands. I will talk with his _sister_, and see if +she consents to it," replied Ki-no-Kami with a bow. + +These last words alluding to the object which occupied his thoughts +caused Genji to start, but he said with apparent calmness-- + +"Has the lady presented you yet with a brother or a sister?" + +"No, sir, not yet; she has been married now these two years, but it +seems she is always thinking she is not settled in the way her parents +desired, and is not quite contented with her position." + +"What a pity! I heard, however, she was a very good lady. Is it so?" + +"Yes, I quite believe so; but hitherto we have lived separately, and +were not very cordial, which, as all the world knows, is usual in such +relationship." + +After the lapse of five or six days the boy Kokimi was brought to +him. He was not tall or handsome but very intelligent, and in manners +perfectly well-bred. Genji treated him with the greatest kindness, at +which, in his boyish mind, he was highly delighted. Genji now asked +him many questions about his sister, to which he gave such answers as +he could, but often with shyness and diffidence. Hence Genji was +unable to take him into his confidence, but by skilfully coaxing and +pleasing him, he ventured to hand him a letter to be taken to his +sister. The boy, though he possibly guessed at its meaning, did not +trouble himself much, but taking it, duly delivered it to his sister. +She became confused and thoughtful as she took it, and fearing what +the boy might think, opened the letter and held it before her face as +she read, in order to conceal the expression of her countenance. + +It was a long one, and among other things contained the following +lines:-- + + I had a dream, a dream so sweet, + Ah! would that I could dream again; + Alas, no sleep these eyes will greet, + And so I strive to dream in vain! + +It was beautifully written, and as her eyes fell upon the passionate +words, a mist gathered over them, and a momentary thought of her own +life and position once more flashed over her mind, and without a word +of comment to the boy, she retired to rest. + +A few days afterwards Kokimi was again invited to join the Prince. +Thereupon he asked his sister to give him an answer to the Prince's +letter. + +"Tell the Prince," she said, "there is no one _here_ who reads such +letters." + +"But," said the boy, "he does not expect such an answer as this! How +can I tell him so?" + +At first, she half-resolved to explain everything to Kokimi, and to +make him thoroughly understand why she ought not to receive such +letters, but the effort was too painful, so she simply said, "It is +all the better for you not to talk in that way. If you think it so +serious why should you go to him at all?" + +"Yet, how can I disobey his commands to go back?" exclaimed the boy, +and so he returned to Genji without any written answer to him. + +"I was weary of waiting for you. Perhaps you, too, had forgotten me," +said Genji, when he saw the boy, who was, however, silent and blushed. +"And what answer have you brought me?" continued Genji, and then the +boy replied in the exact words which his sister had used. + +"What?" cried Genji: and continued, "Perhaps you may not know, so I +will tell you. I knew your sister before she knew Iyo. But she likes +to treat me so because she thinks she has got a very good friend in +Iyo; but do you be like a brother to me. The days of Iyo will be +probably fewer than mine." + +He now returned to the Palace taking Komini with him, and, going to +his dressing-room, attired him nicely in the Court style; in a word, +he treated him as a parent would do. + +By the boy's assistance several more letters were conveyed to his +sister. Her resolution, however, remained unshaken. + +"If one's heart were once to deviate from the path," she reflected, +"the only end we could expect would be a damaged reputation and misery +for life: the good and the bad result from one's self!" + +Thus thinking, she resolved to return no answer. She might, indeed, +have admired the person of Genji, and probably did so, yet, whenever +such feelings came into her mind, the next thought that suggested +itself was, "What is the use of such idle admiration?" + +Meanwhile, Genji was often thinking of paying a visit to the house +where she was staying, but he did not consider it becoming to do so, +without some reasonable pretext, more especially as he would have been +sorry, and for her sake more than his own, to draw a suspicion upon +her. + +It happened, however, after a prolonged residence at the Court, that +another occasion of closing the Palace in the certain celestial line +of direction arrived. Catching at this opportunity he left the Palace, +and suddenly turning out of his road, went straight to Ki-no-Kami's +residence, with the excuse that he had just discovered the above fact +on his way. Ki-no-Kami surprised at this unexpected visit, had only to +bow before him, and acknowledge the honor of his presence. The boy, +Kokimi, was already there before him, having been secretly informed of +his intention beforehand, and he attended on him as usual in his +apartment on his arrival. + +The lady, who had been told by her brother that the Prince earnestly +desired to see her, knew well how dangerous it was to approach an +inviting flower growing on the edge of a precipice. She was not, of +course, insensible to his coming in such a manner, with an excuse for +the sake of seeing her, but she did not wish to increase her dreamlike +inquietude by seeing him. And again, if he ventured to visit her +apartment, as he did before, it might be a serious compromise for her. + +For these reasons she retired while her brother was with Genji, to a +private chamber of Chiujio, her companion, in the rear of the main +building, under the pretence that her own room was too near that of +the Prince, besides she was indisposed and required "Tataki,"[49] +which she desired to have done in a retired part of the house. + +Genji sent his attendants very early to their own quarters, and then, +through Kokimi, requested an interview with the lady. Kokimi at first +was unable to find her, till after searching everywhere, he, at last, +came to the apartment of Chiujio, and with great earnestness +endeavored to persuade her to see Genji, in an anxious and half +trembling voice, while she replied in a tone slightly angry, "What +makes you so busy? Why do you trouble yourself? Boys carrying such +messages are highly blamable." + +After thus daunting him, she added, more mildly, "Tell the Prince I am +somewhat indisposed, and also that some friends are with me, and I +cannot well leave them now." And she again cautioned the boy not to be +too officious, and sent him away from her at once. + +Yet, at the bottom of her heart, different feelings might have been +struggling from those which her words seemed to express, and some such +thoughts as these shaped themselves to her mind: "Were I still a +maiden in the home of my beloved parents, and occasionally received +his visits there, how happy might I not be? How trying to act as if no +romantic sentiment belonged to my heart!" + +Genji, who was anxiously waiting to know how the boy would succeed in +persuading his sister, was soon told that all his efforts were in +vain. Upon hearing this he remained for some moments silent, and then +relieved his feelings with a long-drawn sigh, and hummed:-- + + "The Hahaki-gi[50] distant tree + Spreads broom-like o'er the silent waste; + Approach, how changed its shape we see, + In vain we try its shade to taste." + +The lady was unable to sleep, and her thoughts also took the following +poetic shape:-- + + Too like the Hahaki-gi tree, + Lonely and humble, I must dwell, + Nor dare to give a thought to thee, + But only sigh a long farewell. + +All the other inmates of the house were now in a sound slumber, but +sleep came not to Genji's eyes. He did, indeed, admire her immovable +and chaste nature, but this only drew his heart more towards her. He +was agitated. At one moment he cried, "Well, then!" at another, +"However!" "Still!" At last, turning to the boy, he passionately +exclaimed, "Lead me to her at once!" + +Kokimi calmly replied, "It is impossible, too many eyes are around +us!" + +Genji with a sigh then threw himself back on the cushion, saying to +Kokimi, "You, at least, will be my friend, and shall share my +apartment!" + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 22: A hero of an older fiction, who is represented as the +perfect ideal of a gallant.] + +[Footnote 23: A fast observed when some remarkable or supernatural +event took place, or on the anniversary of days of domestic +misfortune.] + +[Footnote 24: A general of the Imperial Guards.] + +[Footnote 25: Love letters generally are not signed or are signed with +a fancy name.] + +[Footnote 26: Left Master of the Horse.] + +[Footnote 27: Secretary to the Master of Ceremonies.] + +[Footnote 28: Deputy-governors of provinces. In those days these +functionaries were greatly looked down upon by the Court nobles, and +this became one of the causes of the feudal system.] + +[Footnote 29: The naoshi is an outer attire. It formed part of a loose +and unceremonious Court dress.] + +[Footnote 30: This alludes to a common habit of women, who push back +their hair before commencing any task.] + +[Footnote 31: Some kinds of nuns did not shave their heads, and this +remark seems to allude to the common practice of women who often +involuntarily smooth their hair before they see people, which practice +comes, no doubt, from the idea that the beauty of women often depends +on the tidiness of their hair.] + +[Footnote 32: This means that her soul, which was sinful, would not go +at once to its final resting-place, but wander about in unknown +paths.] + +[Footnote 33: A mountain spoken of in Chinese literature. It was said +to be in the Eastern Ocean, and people of extraordinary long lives, +called Sennin, were supposed to dwell there.] + +[Footnote 34: In China and Japan handwriting is considered no less an +art than painting.] + +[Footnote 35: An ideal woman patroness of the art of dyeing.] + +[Footnote 36: The weaver, or star Vega. In the Chinese legend she is +personified as a woman always engaged in weaving.] + +[Footnote 37: In the same legend, it is said that this weaver, who +dwells on one side of the Milky Way in the heavens, meets her +lover--another star called Hikoboshi, or the bull-driver--once every +year, on the evening of the seventh day of the seventh month. He dwelt +on the other side of the Milky Way, and their meeting took place on a +bridge, made by birds (jays), by the intertwining of their wings. It +was this which gave rise to the popular festival, which takes place on +this day, both in China and Japan.] + +[Footnote 38: Little darlings--a kind of pink.] + +[Footnote 39: The Tokonatz (everlasting summer) is another name for +the pink, and it is poetically applied to the lady whom we love.] + +[Footnote 40: A female divinity in Indian mythology.] + +[Footnote 41: From the Chinese poet Hak-rak-ten, who was mentioned +before. He says in one of his poems: "Once upon a time a certain host +invited to his abode a clever match-maker. When the guests were +assembled he poured forth wine into a beautiful jar, and said to all +present, 'drink not for a moment, but hear what I say about the two +choices, daughters of the rich get married soon, but snub their +husbands, daughters of the poor get married with difficulty but dearly +love their mothers-in-law.'"] + +[Footnote 42: A soft style of Japanese writing commonly used by +ladies.] + +[Footnote 43: A stiff and formal style of Japanese writing.] + +[Footnote 44: The fifth of May is one of the five important national +festivals. A solemn celebration of this fete used to be performed at +Court. It is sometimes called the festival of the "Sweet +Flags,"--_calami aromatici_--because it was held at the season when +those beautiful water-plants were in the height of perfection.] + +[Footnote 45: Another of the five above-mentioned. It was held on the +ninth of September, and it was customary on the occasion for rhymes to +be given out to those present, wherewith to compose Chinese poems. It +was sometimes called the "Chrysanthemum Festival," for the same reason +that the celebration of the fifth of May was termed the "Sweet Flag +Festival."] + +[Footnote 46: This is an astrological superstition. It is said that +when this God is in any part of the compass, at the time being, it is +most unlucky to proceed towards it, and to remain in the same line of +its direction.] + +[Footnote 47: The deputy governor of the province Iyo; he is supposed +to be in the province at this time, leaving his young wife and family +behind.] + +[Footnote 48: The father of Kokimi seems to have been holding the +office Yemon-no-Kami as well as Chiunagon.] + +[Footnote 49: Tataki, or Amma, a sort of shampooing, a very common +medical treatment in Japan.] + +[Footnote 50: Hahaki-gi, the broom-like tree, is said to have been a +certain tree growing in the plain of Sonohara, so called from its +shape, which, at a distance, looked like a spreading broom, but when +one comes near, its appearance was totally changed.] + + + + +CHAPTER III + +BEAUTIFUL CICADA + + +Genji was still sleepless! "Never have I been so badly treated. I have +now discovered what the disappointment of the world means," he +murmured, while the boy Kokimi lay down beside him fast asleep. The +smallness of his stature, and the graceful waving of his short hair, +could not but recall to Genji the beautiful tresses of his sister, and +bring her image vividly before him; and, long before the daylight +appeared, he rose up, and returned to his residence with all speed. +For some time after this no communication took place between the lady +and himself. He could not, however, banish her from his thoughts, and +he said to Kokimi that "he felt his former experience too painful, and +that he strove to drive away his care; yet in vain; his thoughts would +not obey his wish, and he begged him, therefore, to seek some +favorable opportunity for him to see her." Kokimi, though he did not +quite like the task, felt proud of being made his confidant, and +thenceforward looked incessantly, with keen boyish eyes, for a chance +of obliging him. + +Now, it happened that Ki-no-Kami went down to his official residence +in his province, and only the female members of his family were left +at home. "This is the time," said Kokimi to himself, and went to +Genji, and persuaded him to come with him. "What can the boy do?" +thought Genji; "I fear not very much, but I must not expect too much"; +and they started at once, in Kokimi's carriage, so as to arrive in +good time. + +The evening was darkening round them, and they drew up on one side of +the house, where few persons were likely to observe them. As it +happened to be Kokimi who had come, no fuss was made about his +arrival, nor any notice taken of it. He entered the house; and, +leaving the Prince in the Eastern Hall, proceeded first into the inner +room. The casement was closed. + +"How is it the casement is closed?" he demanded of the servants. They +told him "That the Lady of the West (Ki-no-Kami's sister, so called by +the domestics from her living to the westward of the house) was there +on a visit since noon, and was playing Go with his sister." The door +by which the boy had entered the room was not entirely closed. Genji +softly came up to it, and the whole interior of the apartment was +visible. He stood facing the west. On one side of the room was a +folding screen, one end of which was pushed back, and there was +nothing besides to obstruct his view. His first glance fell on the +fair figure of her of whom he had so fondly dreamt, sitting by a lamp +near a central pillar. She wore a dress of dark purple, and a kind of +scarf thrown over her shoulders; her figure was slight and delicate, +and her face was partly turned aside, as if she did not like to expose +it even to her companions. Her hands were prettily shaped and tiny, +and she used them with a gentle reserve, half covering them. Another +lady, younger than herself, sat facing the east--that is, just +opposite Genji--and was, therefore, entirely visible to him. She was +dressed in a thin white silk, with a Ko-uchiki (outer vestment), +worked with red and blue flowers, thrown loosely over it, and a +crimson sash round her waist. Her bosom was partly revealed; her +complexion very fair; her figure rather stout and tall; the head and +neck in good proportions, and the lips and eyelids lovely. The hair +was not very long, but reached in wavy lines to her shoulders. + +"If a man had such a daughter, he might be satisfied," thought Genji. +"But perhaps she may be a little deficient in quietness. No matter how +this may be, she has sufficient attractions." + +The game was drawing to a close, and they paid very little attention +to Kokimi on his entrance. The principal interest in it was over; they +were hurrying to finish it. One was looking quietly at the board, and +said, "Let me see, that point must be Ji. Let me play the Koh[51] of +this spot." The other saying, "I am beaten; let me calculate," began +to count on her fingers the number of spaces at each corner, at the +same time saying "Ten! twenty! thirty! forty!" When Genji came in this +way to see them together, he perceived that his idol, in the matter of +personal beauty, was somewhat inferior to her friend. He was not, +indeed, able to behold the full face of the former; yet, when he +shifted his position, and fixed his gaze steadfastly upon her, the +profile became distinct. He observed that her eyelids were a little +swollen, and the line of the nose was not very delicate. He still +admired her, and said to himself, "But perhaps she is more +sweet-tempered than the others"; but when he again turned his eyes to +the younger one, strange to say the calm and cheerful smile which +occasionally beamed in her face touched the heart of Genji; moreover, +his usual interviews with ladies generally took place in full +ceremony. He had never seen them in so familiar an attitude before, +without restraint or reserve, as on the present occasion, which made +him quite enjoy the scene. Kokimi now came out, and Genji retired +stealthily to one side of the door along the corridor. The former, who +saw him there, and supposed he had remained waiting in the place he +had left him all the while, apologized for keeping him so long, and +said: "A certain young lady is now staying here; I am sorry, but I did +not dare mention your visit." + +"Do you mean to send me away again disappointed? How inglorious it +is," replied Genji. + +"No; why so? The lady may leave shortly. I will then announce you." + +Genji said no more. The ladies had by this time concluded their game, +and the servants, who were about to retire to their own apartments, +cried out, "Where is our young master? we must close this door." + +"Now is the time; pray take me there; don't be too late. Go and ask," +said Genji. + +Kokimi knew very well how hard was his task to persuade his sister to +see the Prince, and was meditating taking him into her room, without +her permission, when she was alone. So he said, hesitatingly, "Please +wait a little longer, till the other lady, Ki-no-Kami's sister, goes +away." + +"Is Ki-no's sister here? So much the better. Please introduce me to +her before she leaves," said Genji. + +"But!" + +"But what? Do you mean that she is not worth seeing?" retorted Genji; +and would fain have told the boy that he had already seen her, but +thought it better not to do so, and continued: "Were we to wait for +her to retire, it would become too late; we should have no chance." + +Hereupon Kokimi determined to risk a little, and went back to his +sister's room, rolling up a curtain which hung in his way. "It is too +warm--let the air in!" he cried, as he passed through. After a few +minutes he returned, and led Genji to the apartment on his own +responsibility. The lady with the scarf (his sister), who had been for +some time fondly supposing that Genji had given up thinking about her, +appeared startled and embarrassed when she saw him; but, as a matter +of course, the usual courtesies were paid. The younger lady, however +(who was free from all such thoughts), was rather pleased at his +appearance. It happened that, when the eyes of the younger were turned +in another direction, Genji ventured to touch slightly the shoulder of +his favorite, who, startled at the action rose suddenly and left the +room, on pretence of seeking something she required, dropping her +scarf in her haste, as a cicada casts off its tender wingy shell, and +leaving her friend to converse with the Prince. He was chagrined, but +did not betray his vexation either by words or looks, and now began to +carry on a conversation with the lady who remained, whom he had +already admired. Here his usual bold flirtation followed. The young +lady, who was at first disturbed at his assurance, betrayed her +youthful inexperience in such matters; yet for an innocent maiden, she +was rather coquettish, and he went on flirting with her. + +"Chance meetings like this," said he, "often arise from deeper causes +than those which take place in the usual routine of things, so at +least say the ancients. If I say I love you, you might not believe me; +and yet, indeed, it is so. Do think of me! True, we are not yet quite +free, and perhaps I might not be able to see you so often as I wish; +but I hope you will wait with patience, and not forget me." + +"Truly, I also fear what people might suspect; and, therefore, I may +not be able to communicate with you at all," said she, innocently. + +"Perhaps it might not be desirable to employ any other hand," he +rejoined. "If you only send your message, say through Kokimi, there +would not be any harm." + +Genji now rose to depart, and slyly possessed himself of the scarf +which had been dropped by the other lady. Kokimi, who had been dozing +all the time, started up suddenly when Genji roused him. He then led +the latter to the door. At this moment, the tremulous voice of an +aged female domestic, who appeared quite unexpectedly, exclaimed-- + +"Who is there?" + +To which Kokimi immediately replied, "It is I!" + +"What brings you here so late?" asked the old woman, in a querulous +tone. + +"How inquisitive! I am now going out. What harm?" retorted the boy, +rather scornfully; and, stepping up to the threshold, gave Genji a +push over it, when all at once the shadow of his tall figure was +projected on the moonlit floor. + +"Who's that?" cried the old woman sharply, and in alarm; but the next +moment, without waiting for any reply, mumbled on: "Ah, ah! 'tis Miss +Mimb, no wonder so tall." + +This remark seemed to allude to one of her fellow-servants, who must +have been a stalwart maiden, and the subject of remarks among her +companions. The old woman, quite satisfied in thinking that it was she +who was with Kokimi, added: "You, my young master, will soon be as +tall as she is; I will come out this way, too," and approached the +door. Genji could do nothing but stand silent and motionless. When she +came nearer she said, addressing the supposed Mimb, "Have you been +waiting on the young mistress this evening? I have been ill since the +day before yesterday, and kept myself to my room, but was sent for +this evening because my services were required. I cannot stand it." So +saying, and without waiting for any reply, she passed on, muttering as +she went, "Oh! my pain! my pain!" Genji and the boy now went forth, +and they drove back to the mansion in Nijio. Talking over the events +of the evening, Genji ironically said to his companion, "Ah! you are a +nice boy!" and snapped his fingers with chagrin at the escape of his +favorite and her indifference. Kokimi said nothing. Genji then +murmured, "I was clearly slighted. Oh wretched me! I cannot rival the +happy Iyo!" Shortly after, he retired to rest, taking with him, almost +unconsciously, the scarf he had carried off, and again making Kokimi +share his apartment, for company's sake. He had still some hope that +the latter might be useful to him; and, with the intention of stirring +up his energies, observed, "You are a nice boy; but I am afraid the +coldness shown to me by your sister may at last weaken the friendship +between you and me." + +Kokimi still made no reply. Genji closed his eyes but could not +sleep, so he started up and, taking writing materials, began to write, +apparently without any fixed purpose, and indited the following +distich:-- + + "Where the cicada casts her shell + In the shadows of the tree, + There is one whom I love well, + Though her heart is cold to me." + +Casting away the piece of paper on which these words were +written--purposely or not, who knows?--he again leaned his head on his +hand. Kokimi slyly stretching out his hand, picked up the paper from +the floor, and hid it quickly in his dress. Genji soon fell into +profound slumber, in which he was speedily joined by Kokimi. + +Some days passed away and Kokimi returned to his sister, who, on +seeing him, chided him severely, saying:-- + +"Though I managed with some difficulty, we must not forget what people +might say of us, _your_ officiousness is most unpardonable. Do you +know what the Prince himself will think of your childish trick?" + +Thus was poor Kokimi, on the one hand, reproached by Genji for not +doing enough, and on the other by his sister for being too officious! +was he not in a very happy position! Yet, notwithstanding her words, +he ventured to draw from his dress the paper he had picked up in +Genji's apartment, and offered it to her. The lady hesitated a moment, +though somewhat inclined to read it, holding it in her hand for some +little time, undecided. At length she ventured to throw her eyes over +its contents. At once the loss of her scarf floated upon her mind as +she read, and, taking up her pen, wrote on part of the paper where +Genji had written his verses, the words of a song:-- + + "Amidst dark shadows of the tree, + Cicada's wing with dew is wet, + So in mine eyes unknown to thee, + Spring sweet tears of fond regret." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 51: Ji and Koh are the names of certain positions in the +game of "Go."] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +EVENING GLORY + + +It happened that when Genji was driving about in the Rokjio quarter, +he was informed that his old nurse, Daini, was ill, and had become a +nun. Her residence was in Gojio. He wished to visit her, and drove to +the house. The main gate was closed, so that his carriage could not +drive up; therefore, he sent in a servant to call out Koremitz, a son +of the nurse. + +Meantime, while awaiting him, he looked round on the deserted terrace. +He noticed close by a small and rather dilapidated dwelling, with a +wooden fence round a newly-made enclosure. The upper part, for eight +or ten yards in length, was surrounded by a trellis-work, over which +some white reed blinds--rude, but new--were thrown. Through these +blinds the indistinct outline of some fair heads were faintly +delineated, and the owners were evidently peeping down the roadway +from their retreat. "Ah," thought Genji, "they can never be so tall as +to look over the blind. They must be standing on something within. But +whose residence is it? What sort of people are they?" His equipage was +strictly private and unostentatious. There were, of course, no +outriders; hence he had no fear of being recognized by them. And so he +still watched the house. The gate was also constructed of something +like trellis-work, and stood half open, revealing the loneliness of +the interior. The line: "Where do we seek our home?" came first into +his mind, and he then thought that "even this must be as comfortable +as golden palaces to its inmates." + +A long wooden rail, covered with luxuriant creepers, which, fresh and +green, climbed over it in full vigor, arrested his eye; their white +blossoms, one after another disclosing their smiling lips in +unconscious beauty. Genji began humming to himself: "Ah! stranger +crossing there." When his attendant informed him that these lovely +white flowers were called "Yugao" (evening-glory), adding, and at the +same time pointing to the flowers, "See the flowers _only_, +flourishing in that glorious state." + +"What beautiful flowers they are," exclaimed Genji. "Go and beg a +bunch." + +The attendant thereupon entered the half-opened gate and asked for +some of them, on which a young girl, dressed in a long tunic, came +out, taking an old fan in her hand, and saying, "Let us put them on +this, those with strong stems," plucked off a few stalks and laid them +on the fan. + +These were given to the attendant, who walked slowly back. Just as he +came near to Genji, the gate of Koremitz's courtyard opened and +Koremitz himself appeared, who took the flowers from him and handed +them to Genji, at the same moment saying, "I am very sorry I could not +find the gate key, and that I made you wait so long in the public +road, though there is no one hereabouts to stare at, or recognize you, +I sincerely beg your pardon." + +The carriage was now driven in, and Genji alighted. The Ajari,[52] +elder brother of Koremitz; Mikawa-no-Kami, his brother-in-law; and the +daughter of Daini, all assembled and greeted him. The nun also rose +from her couch to welcome him. + +"How pleased I am to see you," she said, "but you see I have quite +altered, I have become a nun. I have given up the world. I had no +reluctance in doing this. If I had any uneasiness, it was on your +account alone. My health, however, is beginning to improve; evidently +the divine blessing on this sacrifice." + +"I was so sorry," replied Genji, "to hear you were ill, and now still +more so to find you have given up the world. I hope that you may live +to witness my success and prosperity. It grieves me to think you were +compelled to make such a change; yet, I believe, this will secure your +enjoyment of happiness hereafter. It is said that when one leaves this +world without a single regret, one passes straight to Paradise." As he +said these words his eyes became moistened. + +Now, it is common for nurses to regard their foster children with +blind affection, whatever may be their faults, thinking, so to speak, +that what is crooked is straight. So in Genji's case, who, in Daini's +eyes, was next door to perfection, this blindness was still more +strongly apparent, and she always regarded her office as his nurse, as +an honor, and while Genji was discoursing in the above manner, a tear +began to trickle from her eyes. + +"You know," he continued, "at what an early age I was deprived of my +dearest ties; there were, indeed, several who looked after me, but you +were the one to whom I was most attached. In due course, after I grew +up, I ceased to see you regularly. I could not visit you as often as I +thought of you, yet, when I did not see you for a long time, I often +felt very lonely. Ah! if there were no such things as partings in the +world!" + +He then enjoined them earnestly to persevere in prayer for their +mother's health, and said, "Good-by." + +At the moment of quitting the house he remembered that something was +written on the fan that held the flowers. It was already twilight, and +he asked Koremitz to bring a taper, that he might see to read it. It +seemed to him as if the fragrance of some fair hand that had used it +still remained, and on it was written the following couplets:-- + + "The crystal dew at Evening's hour + Sleeps on the Yugao's beauteous flower, + Will this please him, whose glances bright, + Gave to the flowers a dearer light?" + +With apparent carelessness, without any indication to show who the +writer was, it bore, however, the marks of a certain excellence. Genji +thought, "this is singular, coming from whence it does," and turning +to Koremitz, he asked, "Who lives in this house to your right?" "Ah," +exclaimed Koremitz mentally, "as usual, I see," but replied with +indifference, "Truly I have been here some days, but I have been so +busy in attending my mother that I neither know nor have asked about +the neighbors." "You may probably be surprised at my inquisitiveness," +said Genji, "but I have reasons for asking this on account of this +fan. I request you to call on them, and make inquiries what sort of +people they are." + +Koremitz thereupon proceeded to the house, and, calling out a servant, +sought from him the information he wanted, when he was told that, +"This is the house of Mr. Yomei-no-Ske. He is at present in the +country; his lady is still young; her brothers are in the Court +service, and often come here to see her. The whole history of the +family I am not acquainted with." With this answer Koremitz returned, +and repeated it to Genji, who thought, "Ah! the sending of this verse +may be a trick of these conceited Court fellows!" but he could not +entirely free his mind from the idea of its having been sent +especially to himself. This was consistent with the characteristic +vanity of his disposition. He, therefore, took out a paper, and +disguising his handwriting (lest it should be identified), indited the +following:-- + + "Were I the flower to see more near, + Which once at dusky eve I saw, + It might have charms for me more dear, + And look more beauteous than before." + +And this he sent to the house by his servant, and set off on his way. +He saw a faint light through the chinks of the blinds of the house, +like the glimmer of the firefly. It gave him, as he passed, a silent +sort of longing. The mansion in Rokjio, to which he was proceeding +this evening, was a handsome building, standing amidst fine woods of +rare growth and beauty, and all was of comfortable appearance. Its +mistress was altogether in good circumstances, and here Genji spent +the hours in full ease and comfort. + +On his way home next morning he again passed the front of the house, +where grew the Yugao flowers, and the recollection of flowers which he +had received the previous evening, made him anxious to ascertain who +the people were who lived there. + +After the lapse of some time Koremitz came to pay him a visit, +excusing himself for not having come before, on account of his +mother's health being more unsatisfactory. He said, "In obedience to +your commands to make further inquiries, I called on some people who +know about my neighbors, but could not get much information. I was +told, however, that there is a lady who has been living there since +last May, but who she is even the people in the house do not know. +Sometimes I looked over the hedges between our gardens, and saw the +youthful figure of a lady, and a maiden attending her, in a style of +dress which betrayed a good origin. Yesterday evening, after sunset, I +saw the lady writing a letter, her face was very calm in expression, +but full of thought, and her attendant was often sobbing secretly, as +she waited on her. These things I saw distinctly." + +Genji smiled. He seemed more anxious than before to know something +about them, and Koremitz continued: "Hoping to get some fuller +information, I took an opportunity which presented itself of sending a +communication to the house. To this a speedy answer was returned, +written by a skilful hand. I concluded from this and other +circumstances that there was something worth seeing and knowing +enclosed within those walls." Genji immediately exclaimed, "Do! do! +try again; not to be able to find out is too provoking," and he +thought to himself, "If in lowly life, which is often left unnoticed, +we find something attractive and fair, as Sama-no-Kami said, how +delightful it will be, and I think, perhaps, this may be such a one." + +In the meantime his thoughts were occasionally reverting to Cicada. +His nature was not, perhaps, so perverted as to think about persons of +such condition and position in life as Cicada; but since he had heard +the discussion about women, and their several classifications, he had +somehow become speculative in his sentiments, and ambitious of testing +all those different varieties by his own experience. While matters +were in this state Iyo-no-Kami returned to the capital, and came in +haste to pay his respects to Genji. He was a swarthy, repulsive +looking man, bearing the traces of a long journey in his appearance, +and of advanced age. Still there was nothing unpleasant in his natural +character and manners. Genji was about to converse with him freely, +but somehow or another an awkward feeling arose in his mind, and threw +a restraint upon his cordiality. "Iyo is such an honest old man," he +reflected, "it is too bad to take advantage of him. What Sama-no-Kami +said is true, 'that to strive to carry out wrong desires is man's evil +failing!' Her hardheartedness to me is unpleasant, but from the other +side this deserves praise!" + +It was announced after this that Iyo-no-Kami would return to his +province, and take his wife with him, and that his daughter would be +left behind to be soon married. + +This intelligence was far from pleasing to Genji, and he longed once +more, only once more to behold the lady of the scarf, and he concerted +with Kokimi how to arrange a plan for obtaining an interview. The +lady, however, was quite deaf to such proposals, and the only +concession she vouchsafed was that she occasionally received a letter, +and sometimes answered it. + +Autumn had now come; Genji was still thoughtful. Lady Aoi saw him but +seldom, and was constantly disquieted by his protracted absence from +her. There was, as we have before hinted, at Rokjio, another person +whom he had won with great difficulty, and it would have been a little +inconsistent if he became too easily tired of her. He indeed had not +become cool towards her, but the violence of his passion had somewhat +abated. The cause of this seems to have been that this lady was rather +too zealous, or, we may say, jealous; besides, her age exceeded that +of Genji by some years. The following incident will illustrate the +state of matters between them:-- + +One morning early Genji was about to take his departure, with sleepy +eyes, listless and weary, from her mansion at Rokjio. A slight mist +spread over the scene. A maiden attendant of the mistress opened the +door for his departure, and led him forth. The shrubbery of flowering +trees struck refreshingly on the sight, with interlacing branches in +rich confusion, among which was some Asagao in full blossom. Genji was +tempted to dally, and looked contemplatively over them. The maiden +still accompanied him. She wore a thin silk tunic of light green +colors, showing off her graceful waist and figure, which it covered. +Her appearance was attractive. Genji looked at her tenderly, and led +her to a seat in the garden, and sat down by her side. Her countenance +was modest and quiet; her wavy hair was neatly and prettily arranged. +Genji began humming in a low tone:-- + + "The heart that roams from flower to flower, + Would fain its wanderings not betray, + Yet 'Asagao,' in morning's hour, + Impels my tender wish to stray." + +So saying, he gently took her hand; she, however, without appearing to +understand his real meaning, answered thus:-- + + "You stay not till the mist be o'er, + But hurry to depart, + Say can the flower you leave, no more + Detain your changeful heart?" + +At this juncture a young attendant in Sasinuki[53] entered the garden, +brushing away the dewy mist from the flowers, and began to gather some +bunches of Asagao. The scene was one which we might desire to paint, +so full of quiet beauty, and Genji rose from his seat, and slowly +passed homeward. In those days Genji was becoming more and more an +object of popular admiration in society, and we might even attribute +the eccentricity of some of his adventures to the favor he enjoyed, +combined with his great personal attractions. Where beautiful flowers +expand their blossoms even the rugged mountaineer loves to rest under +their shade, so wherever Genji showed himself people sought his +notice. + +Now with regard to the fair one about whom Koremitz was making +inquiries. After some still further investigations, he came to Genji +and told him that "there is some one who often visits there. Who he +was I could not at first find out, for he comes with the utmost +privacy. I made up my mind to discover him; so one evening I concealed +myself outside the house, and waited. Presently the sound of an +approaching carriage was heard, and the inmates of the house began to +peep out. The lady I mentioned before was also to be seen; I could not +see her very plainly, but I can tell you so much: she looked charming. +The carriage itself was now seen approaching, and it apparently +belonged to some one of rank. A little girl who was peeping out +exclaimed, "Ukon, look here, quick, Chiujio is coming." Then one older +came forward rubbing her hands and saying to the child, 'Don't be so +foolish, don't be excited.' How could they tell, I wondered, that the +carriage was a Chiujio's. I stole forth cautiously and reconnoitred. +Near the house there is a small stream, over which a plank had been +thrown by way of a bridge. The visitor was rapidly approaching this +bridge when an amusing incident occurred: The elder girl came out in +haste to meet him, and was passing the bridge, when the skirt of her +dress caught in something, and she well-nigh fell into the water. +'Confound that bridge, what a bad Katzragi,'[54] she cried, and +suddenly turned pale. How amusing it was, you may imagine. The visitor +was dressed in plain style, he was followed by his page, whom I +recognized as belonging to To-no-Chiujio." + +"I should like to see that same carriage," interrupted Genji eagerly, +as he thought to himself, "that house may be the home of the very girl +whom he (To-no-Chiujio) spoke about, perhaps he has discovered her +hiding-place." + +"I have also made an acquaintance," Koremitz continued, "with a +certain person in this house, and it was through these means that I +made closer observations. The girl who nearly fell over the bridge is, +no doubt, the lady's attendant, but they pretend to be all on an +equality. Even when the little child said anything to betray them by +its remarks, they immediately turned it off." Koremitz laughed as he +told this, adding, "this was an amusing trick indeed." + +"Oh," exclaimed Genji, "I must have a look at them when I go to visit +your mother; you must manage this," and with the words the picture of +the "Evening-Glory" rose pleasantly before his eyes. + +Now Koremitz not only was always prompt in attending to the wishes of +Prince Genji, but also was by his own temperament fond of carrying on +such intrigues. He tried every means to favor his designs, and to +ingratiate himself with the lady, and at last succeeded in bringing +her and Genji together. The details of the plans by which all this was +brought about are too long to be given here. Genji visited her often, +but it was with the greatest caution and privacy; he never asked her +when they met any particulars about her past life, nor did he reveal +his own to her. He would not drive to her in his own carriage, and +Koremitz often lent him his own horse to ride. He took no attendant +with him except the one who had asked for the "Evening-Glory." He +would not even call on the nurse, lest it might lead to discoveries. +The lady was puzzled at his reticence. She would sometimes send her +servant to ascertain, if possible, what road he took, and where he +went. But somehow, by chance or design, he always became lost to her +watchful eye. His dress, also, was of the most ordinary description, +and his visits were always paid late in the evening. To her all this +seemed like the mysteries of old legends. True, she conjectured from +his demeanor and ways that he was a person of rank, but she never +ascertained exactly who he was. She sometimes reproached Koremitz for +bringing her into such strange circumstances. But he cunningly kept +himself aloof from such taunts. + +Be this as it may, Genji still frequently visited her, though at the +same time he was not unmindful that this kind of adventure was +scarcely consistent with his position. The girl was simple and modest +in nature, not certainly manoeuvring, neither was she stately or +dignified in mien, but everything about her had a peculiar charm and +interest, impossible to describe, and in the full charm of youth not +altogether void of experience. + +"But by what charm in her," thought Genji, "am I so strongly affected; +no matter, I am so," and thus his passion continued. + +Her residence was only temporary, and this Genji soon became aware of. +"If she leaves this place," thought he, "and I lose sight of her--for +when this may happen is uncertain--what shall I do?" He at last +decided to carry her off secretly to his own mansion in Nijio. True, +if this became known it would be an awkward business; but such are +love affairs; always some dangers to be risked! He therefore fondly +entreated her to accompany him to some place where they could be +freer. + +Her answer, however, was "That such a proposal on his part only +alarmed her." Genji was amused at her girlish mode of expression, and +earnestly said, "Which of us is a fox?[55] I don't know, but anyhow be +persuaded by me." And after repeated conversations of the same nature, +she at last half-consented. He had much doubt of the propriety of +inducing her to take this step, nevertheless her final compliance +flattered his vanity. He recollected very well the Tokonatz (Pinks) +which To-no-Chiujio spoke of, but never betrayed that he had any +knowledge of that circumstance. + +It was on the evening of the 15th of August when they were together. +The moonlight streamed through the crevices of the broken wall. To +Genji such a scene was novel and peculiar. The dawn at length began to +break, and from the surrounding houses the voices of the farmers might +be heard talking. + +One remarked, "How cool it is." Another, "There is not much hope for +our crops this year." "My carrying business I do not expect to +answer," responded the first speaker. "But are our neighbors +listening!" Conversing in this way they proceeded to their work. + +Had the lady been one to whom surrounding appearances were important, +she might have felt disturbed, but she was far from being so, and +seemed as if no outward circumstances could trouble her equanimity, +which appeared to him an admirable trait. The noise of the threshing +of the corn came indistinctly to their ears like distant thunder. The +beating of the bleacher's hammer was also heard faintly from afar off. + +They were in the front of the house. They opened the window and looked +out on the dawn. In the small garden before their eyes was a pretty +bamboo grove; their leaves, wet with dew, shone brilliantly, even as +bright as in the gardens of the palace. The cricket sang cheerfully in +the old walls as if it was at their very ears, and the flight of wild +geese in the air rustled overhead. Everything spoke of rural scenes +and business, different from what Genji was in the habit of seeing and +hearing round him. + +To him all these sights and sounds, from their novelty and variety, +combined with the affection he had for the girl beside him, had a +delightful charm. She wore a light dress of clear purple, not very +costly; her figure was slight and delicate; the tones of her voice +soft and insinuating. "If she were only a little more cultivated," +thought he, but, in any case, he was determined to carry her off. + +"Now is the time," said he, "let us go together, the place is not very +far off." + +"Why so soon?" she replied, gently. As her implied consent to his +proposal was thus given without much thought, he, on his part, became +bolder. He summoned her maid, Ukon, and ordered the carriage to be got +ready. Dawn now fairly broke; the cocks had ceased to crow, and the +voice of an aged man was heard repeating his orisons, probably during +his fast. "His days will not be many," thought Genji, "what is he +praying for?" And while so thinking, the aged mortal muttered, "Nam +Torai no Doshi" (Oh! the Divine guide of the future). "Do listen to +that prayer," said Genji, turning to the girl, "it shows our life is +not limited to this world," and he hummed:-- + + "Let us together, bind our soul + With vows that Woobasok[56] has given, + That when this world from sight shall roll + Unparted we shall wake in heaven." + +And added, "By Mirok,[57] let us bind ourselves in love forever." + +The girl, doubtful of the future, thus replied in a melancholy tone:-- + + "When in my present lonely lot, + I feel my past has not been free + From sins which I remember not, + I dread more, what to come, may be." + +In the meantime a passing cloud had suddenly covered the sky, and made +its face quite gray. Availing himself of this obscurity, Genji hurried +her away and led her to the carriage, where Ukon also accompanied her. + +They drove to an isolated mansion on the Rokjio embankment, which was +at no great distance, and called out the steward who looked after it. +The grounds were in great solitude, and over them lay a thick mist. +The curtains of the carriage were not drawn close, so that the sleeves +of their dresses were almost moistened. "I have never experienced this +sort of trouble before," said Genji; "how painful are the sufferings +of love." + + "Oh! were the ancients, tell me pray, + Thus led away, by love's keen smart, + I ne'er such morning's misty ray + Have felt before with beating heart. + +Have you ever?" + +The lady shyly averted her face and answered:-- + + "I, like the wandering moon, may roam, + Who knows not if her mountain love + Be true or false, without a home, + The mist below, the clouds above." + +The steward presently came out and the carriage was driven inside the +gates, and was brought close to the entrance, while the rooms were +hurriedly prepared for their reception. They alighted just as the mist +was clearing away. + +This steward was in the habit of going to the mansion of Sadaijin, and +was well acquainted with Genji. + +"Oh!" he exclaimed, as they entered. "Without proper attendants!" And +approaching near to Genji said, "Shall I call in some more servants?" + +Genji replied at once and impressively, "I purposely chose a place +where many people should not intrude. Don't trouble yourself, and be +discreet." + +Rice broth was served up for their breakfast, but no regular meal had +been prepared. + +The sun was now high in the heavens. Genji got up and opened the +window. The gardens had been uncared for, and had run wild. The forest +surrounding the mansion was dense and old, and the shrubberies were +ravaged and torn by the autumn gales, and the bosom of the lake was +hidden by rank weeds. The main part of the house had been for a long +time uninhabited, except the servants' quarter, where there were only +a few people living. + +"How fearful the place looks; but let no demon molest us," thought +Genji, and endeavored to direct the girl's attention by fond and +caressing conversation. And now he began, little by little, to throw +off the mask, and told her who he was, and then began humming:-- + + "The flower that bloomed in evening's dew, + Was the bright guide that led to you." + +She looked at him askance, replying:-- + + "The dew that on the Yugao lay, + Was a false guide and led astray." + +Thus a faint allusion was made to the circumstances which were the +cause of their acquaintance, and it became known that the verse and +the fan had been sent by her attendant mistaking Genji for her +mistress's former lover. + +In the course of a few hours the girl became more at her ease, and +later on in the afternoon Koremitz came and presented some fruits. The +latter, however, stayed with them only a short time. + +The mansion gradually became very quiet, and the evening rapidly +approached. The inner room was somewhat dark and gloomy. Yugao was +nervous; she was too nervous to remain there alone, and Genji +therefore drew back the curtains to let the twilight in, staying there +with her. Here the lovers remained, enjoying each other's sight and +company, yet the more the evening advanced, the more timid and +restless she became, so he quickly closed the casement, and she drew +by degrees closer and closer to his side. At these moments he also +became distracted and thoughtful. How the Emperor would be asking +after him, and know not where he might be! What would the lady, the +jealous lady, in the neighboring mansion think or say if she +discovered their secret? How painful it would be if her jealous rage +should flash forth on him! Such were the reflections which made him +melancholy; and as his eyes fell upon the girl affectionately sitting +beside him, ignorant of all these matters, he could not but feel a +kind of pity for her. + +Night was now advancing, and they unconsciously dropped off to sleep, +when suddenly over the pillow of Genji hovered the figure of a lady of +threatening aspect. It said fiercely, "You faithless one, wandering +astray with such a strange girl." + +And then the apparition tried to pull away the sleeping girl near him. +Genji awoke much agitated. The lamp had burnt itself out. He drew his +sword, and placed it beside him, and called aloud for Ukon, and she +came to him also quite alarmed. + +"Do call up the servants and procure a light," said Genji. + +"How can I go, 'tis too dark," she replied, shaking with fear. + +"How childish!" he exclaimed, with a false laugh, and clapped his +hands to call a servant. The sound echoed drearily through the empty +rooms, but no servant came. At this moment he found the girl beside +him was also strangely affected. Her brow was covered with great drops +of cold perspiration, and she appeared rapidly sinking into a state of +unconsciousness. + +"Ah! she is often troubled with the nightmare," said Ukon, "and +perhaps this disturbs her now; but let us try and rouse her." + +"Yes, very likely," said Genji; "she was very much fatigued, and since +noon her eyes have often been riveted upwards, like one suffering from +some inward malady. I will go myself and call the servants"--he +continued, "clapping one's hands is useless, besides it echoes +fearfully. Do come here, Ukon, for a little while, and look after your +mistress." So pulling Ukon near Yugao, he advanced to the entrance of +the saloon. He saw all was dark in the adjoining chambers. The wind +was high, and blew gustily round the mansion. The few servants, +consisting of a son of the steward, footman, and page, were all buried +in profound slumber. Genji called to them loudly, and they awoke with +a start. "Come," said he, "bring a light. Valet, twang your +bow-string, and drive away the fiend. How can you sleep so soundly in +such a place? But has Koremitz come?" + +"Sir, he came in the evening, but you had given no command, and so he +went away, saying he would return in the morning," answered one. + +The one who gave this reply was an old knight, and he twanged his +bow-strings vigorously, "Hiyojin! hiyojin!" (Be careful of the fire! +be careful of the fire!) as he walked round the rooms. + +The mind of Genji instinctively reverted at this moment to the comfort +of the palace. "At this hour of midnight," he thought, "the careful +knights are patrolling round its walls. How different it is here!" + +He returned to the room he had left; it was still dark. He found Yugao +lying half dead and unconscious as before, and Ukon rendered helpless +by fright. + +"What is the matter? What does it mean? What foolish fear is this?" +exclaimed Genji, greatly alarmed. "Perhaps in lonely places like this +the fox, for instance, might try to exercise his sorcery to alarm us, +but I am here, there is no cause for fear," and he pulled Ukon's +sleeve as he spoke, to arouse her. + +"I was so alarmed," she replied; "but my lady must be more so; pray +attend to her." + +"Well," said Genji, and bending over his beloved, shook her gently, +but she neither spoke nor moved. She had apparently fainted, and he +became seriously alarmed. + +At this juncture the lights were brought. Genji threw a mantle over +his mistress, and then called to the man to bring the light to him. +The servant remained standing at a distance (according to etiquette), +and would not approach. + +"Come near," exclaimed Genji, testily. "Do act according to +circumstances," and taking the lamp from him threw its light full on +the face of the lady, and gazed upon it anxiously, when at this very +moment he beheld the apparition of the same woman he had seen before +in his terrible dream, float before his eyes and vanish. "Ah!" he +cried, "this is like the phantoms in old tales. What is the matter +with the girl?" His own fears were all forgotten in his anxiety on her +account. He leaned over and called upon her, but in vain. She answered +not, and her glance was fixed. What was to be done? There was no one +whom he could consult. The exorcisms of a priest, he thought, might do +some good, but there was no priest. He tried to compose himself with +all the resolution he could summon, but his anguish was too strong for +his nerves. He threw himself beside her, and embracing her +passionately, cried, "Come back! come back to me, my darling! Do not +let us suffer such dreadful events." But she was gone; her soul had +passed gently away. + +The story of the mysterious power of the demon, who had threatened a +certain courtier possessed of considerable strength of mind, suddenly +occurred to Genji, who thought self-possession was the only remedy in +present circumstances, and recovering his composure a little, said to +Ukon, "She cannot be dead! She shall not die yet!" He then called the +servant, and told him. "Here is one who has been strangely frightened +by a vision. Go to Koremitz and tell him to come at once; and if his +brother, the priest, is there, ask him to come also. Tell them +cautiously; don't alarm their mother." + +The midnight passed, and the wind blew louder, rushing amongst the +branches of the old pines, and making them moan more and more sadly. +The cries of strange weird birds were heard, probably the shrieks of +the ill-omened screech-owl, and the place seemed more and more remote +from all human sympathy. Genji could only helplessly repeat, "How +could I have chosen such a retreat." While Ukon, quite dismayed, cried +pitifully at his side. To him it seemed even that this girl might +become ill, might die! The light of the lamp flickered and burnt dim. +Each side of the walls seemed to his alarmed sight to present +numberless openings one after another (where the demon might rush in), +and the sound of mysterious footsteps seemed approaching along the +deserted passages behind them. "Ah! were Koremitz but here," was the +only thought of Genji; but it would seem that Koremitz was from home, +and the time Genji had to wait for him seemed an age. At last the +crowing cocks announced the coming day, and gave him new courage. + +He said to himself, "I must now admit this to be a punishment for all +my inconsiderateness. However secretly we strive to conceal our +faults, eventually they are discovered. First of all, what might not +my father think! and then the general public? And what a subject for +scandal the story of my escapades will become." + +Koremitz now arrived, and all at once the courage with which Genji had +fought against calamity gave way, and he burst into tears, and then +slowly spoke. "Here a sad and singular event has happened; I cannot +explain to you why. For such sudden afflictions prayers, I believe, +are the only resource. For this reason I wished your brother to +accompany you here." + +"He returned to his monastery only yesterday," replied Koremitz. "But +tell me what has happened; any unusual event to the girl?" + +"She is dead," returned Genji in a broken voice; "dead without any +apparent cause." + +Koremitz, like the Prince, was but young. If he had had greater +experience he would have been more serviceable to Genji; indeed, they +both were equally perplexed to decide what were the best steps to be +taken under the trying circumstances of the case. + +At last Koremitz said, "If the steward should learn this strange +misfortune it might be awkward; as to the man himself he might be +relied on, but his family, who probably would not be so discreet, +might hear of the matter. It would, therefore, be better to quit this +place at once." + +"But where can we find a spot where there are fewer observers than +here?" replied Genji. + +"That is true. Suppose the old lodgings of the deceased. No, there are +too many people there. I think a mountain convent would be better, +because there they are accustomed to receive the dead within their +walls, so that matters can be more easily concealed." + +And after a little reflection, he continued, "There is a nun whom I +know living in a mountain convent in Higashi-Yama. Let us take the +corpse there. She was my father's nurse; she is living there in strict +seclusion. That is the best plan I can think of." + +This proposal was decided on, and the carriage was summoned. + +Presuming that Genji would not like to carry the dead body in his +arms, Koremitz covered it with a mantle, and lifted it into the +carriage. Over the features of the dead maiden a charming calmness was +still spread, unlike what usually happens, there being nothing +repulsive. Her wavy hair fell outside the mantle, and her small mouth, +still parted, wore a faint smile. The sight distressed both the eyes +and heart of Genji. He fain would have followed the body; but this +Koremitz would not permit. + +"Do take my horse and ride back to Nijio at once," he said, and +ordered the horse for him. Then taking Ukon away in the same carriage +with the dead, he, girding up his dress, followed it on foot. It was +by no means a pleasant task for Koremitz, but he put up with it +cheerfully. + +Genji, sunk in apathy, now rode back to Nijio; he was greatly +fatigued, and looked pale. The people of the mansion noticed his sad +and haggard appearance. + +Genji said nothing, but hurried straight away to his own private +apartment. + +"Why did I not go with her?" he still vainly exclaimed. "What would +she think of me were she to return to life?" And these thoughts +affected him so deeply that he became ill, his head ached, his pulse +beat high, and his body burned with fever. The sun rose high, but he +did not leave his couch. His domestics were all perplexed. Rice gruel +was served up to him, but he would not touch it. The news of his +indisposition soon found its way out of the mansion, and in no time a +messenger arrived from the Imperial Palace to make inquiries. His +brother-in-law also came, but Genji only allowed To-no-Chiujio to +enter his room, saying to him, "My aged nurse has been ill since last +May, and has been tonsured, and received consecration; it was, +perhaps, from this sacrifice that at one time she became better, but +lately she has had a relapse, and is again very bad. I was advised to +visit her, moreover, she was always most kind to me, and if she had +died without seeing me it would have pained her, so I went to see her. +At this time a servant of her house, who had been ill, died suddenly. +Being rendered 'unclean' by this event, I am passing the time +privately. Besides, since the morning, I have become ill, evidently +the effects of cold. By the bye, you must excuse me receiving you in +this way." + +"Well, sir," replied To-no-Chiujio, "I will represent these +circumstances to his Majesty. Your absence last night has given much +inquietude to the Emperor. He caused inquiries to be made for you +everywhere, and his humor was not very good." And thereupon +To-no-Chiujio took his leave, thinking as he went, "What sort of +'uncleanness' can this really be. I cannot put perfect faith in what +he tells me." + +Little did To-no-Chiujio imagine that the dead one was no other than +his own long-lost Tokonatz (Pinks). + +In the evening came Koremitz from the mountain, and was secretly +introduced, though all general visitors were kept excluded on the +pretext of the "uncleanness." + +"What has become of her?" cried Genji, passionately, when he saw him. +"Is she really gone?" + +"Her end has come," replied Koremitz, in a tone of sadness; "and we +must not keep the dead too long. To-morrow we will place her in the +grave: to-morrow 'is a good day.' I know a faithful old priest. I have +consulted with him how to arrange all." + +"And what has become of Ukon?" asked Genji. "How does she bear it?" + +"That is, indeed, a question. She was really deeply affected, and she +foolishly said, 'I will die with my mistress.' She was actually going +to throw herself headlong from the cliff; but I warned, I advised, I +consoled her, and she became more pacified." + +"The state of her feelings may be easily conceived. I am myself not +less deeply wounded than she. I do not even know what might become of +myself." + +"Why do you grieve so uselessly? Every uncertainty is the result of a +certainty. There is nothing in this world really to be lamented. If +you do not wish the public to know anything of this matter, I, +Koremitz, will manage it." + +"I, also, am aware that everything is fated. Still, I am deeply sorry +to have brought this misfortune on this poor girl by my own +inconsiderate rashness. The only thing I have now to ask you, is to +keep these events in the dark. Do not mention them to any one--nay, +not even to your mother." + +"Even from the priests to whom it must necessarily be known, I will +conceal the reality," replied Koremitz. + +"Do manage all this most skilfully!" + +"Why, of course I shall manage it as secretly as possible," cried +Koremitz; and he was about to take his departure, but Genji stopped +him. + +"I must see her once more," said Genji, sorrowfully. "I will go with +you to behold her, before she is lost to my sight forever." And he +insisted on accompanying him. + +Koremitz, however, did not at all approve of this project; but his +resistance gave way to the earnest desire of Genji, and he said, "If +you think so much about it, I cannot help it." + +"Let us hasten, then, and return before the night be far advanced." + +"You shall have my horse to ride." + +Genji rose, and dressed himself in the ordinary plain style he usually +adopted for his private expeditions, and started away with one +confidential servant, besides Koremitz. + +They crossed the river Kamo, the torches carried before them burning +dimly. They passed the gloomy cemetery of Toribeno, and at last +reached the convent. + +It was a rude wooden building, and adjoining was a small Buddha Hall, +through whose walls votive tapers mysteriously twinkled. Within, +nothing but the faint sound of a female's voice repeating prayers was +to be heard. Outside, and around, the evening services in the +surrounding temples were all finished, and all Nature was in silent +repose. In the direction of Kiyomidz alone some scattered lights +studding the dark scene betrayed human habitations. + +They entered. Genji's heart was beating fast with emotion. He saw Ukon +reclining beside a screen, with her back to the lamp. He did not speak +to her, but proceeded straight to the body, and gently drew aside the +mantle which covered its face. It still wore a look of tranquil +calmness; no change had yet attacked the features. He took the cold +hand in his own, crying out as he did so:-- + +"Do let me hear thy voice once more! Why have you left me thus +bereaved?" But the silence of death was unbroken! + +He then, half sobbing, began to talk with Ukon, and invited her to +come to his mansion, and help to console him. But Koremitz now +admonished him to consider that time was passing quickly. + +On this Genji threw a long sad farewell glance at the face of the +dead, and rose to depart. He was so feeble and powerless that he could +not mount his horse without the help of Koremitz. The countenance of +the dead girl floated ever before his sight, with the look she wore +when living, and it seemed as if he were being led on by some +mysterious influence. + +The banks of the river Kamo were reached, when Genji found himself too +weak to support himself on horseback, and so dismounted. + +"I am afraid," he exclaimed, "I shall not be able to reach home." + +Koremitz was a little alarmed. "If I had only been firm," he thought, +"and had prevented this journey, I should not have exposed him to such +a trial." He descended to the river, and bathing his hands,[58] +offered up a prayer to Kwannon of Kiyomidz, and again assisted Genji +to mount, who struggled to recover his energy, and managed somehow to +return to Nijio, praying in silence as he rode along. + +The people of the mansion entertained grave apprehensions about him; +and not unnaturally, seeing he had been unusually restless for some +days, and had become suddenly ill since the day before, and they could +never understand what urgency had called him out on that evening. + +Genji now lay down on his couch, fatigued and exhausted, and continued +in the same state for some days, when he became quite weak. + +The Emperor was greatly concerned, as was also Sadaijin. Numerous +prayers were offered, and exorcisms performed everywhere in his +behalf, all with the most careful zeal. The public was afraid he was +too beautiful to live long. + +The only solace he had at this time was Ukon; he had sent for her, and +made her stay in his mansion. + +And whenever he felt better he had her near him, and conversed with +her about her dead mistress. + +In the meantime, it might have been the result of his own energetic +efforts to realize the ardent hopes of the Emperor and his +father-in-law, that his condition became better, after a heavy trial +of some three weeks; and towards the end of September he became +convalescent. He now felt as though he had been restored to the world +to which he had formerly belonged. He was, however, still thin and +weak, and, for consolation, still resorted to talk with Ukon. + +"How strange," he said to her, as they were conversing together one +fine autumn evening. "Why did she not reveal to me all her past life? +If she had but known how deeply I loved her, she might have been a +little more frank with me." + +"Ah! no," replied Ukon; "she would not intentionally have concealed +anything from you; but it was, I imagine, more because she had no +choice. You at first conducted yourself in such a mysterious manner; +and she, on her part, regarded her acquaintance with you as something +like a dream. That was the cause of her reticence." + +"What a useless reticence it was," exclaimed Genji. "I was not so +frank as, perhaps, I ought to have been; but you may be sure that made +no difference in my affection towards her. Only, you must remember, +there is my father, the Emperor, besides many others, whose vigilant +admonitions I am bound to respect. That was the reason why I had to be +careful. Nevertheless, my love to your mistress was singularly deep; +too deep, perhaps, to last long. Do tell me now all you know about +her; I do not see any reason why you should conceal it. I have +carefully ordered the weekly requiem for the dead; but tell me in +whose behalf it is, and what was her origin?" + +"I have no intention of concealing anything from you. Why should I? I +only thought it would be blamable if one should reveal after death +what another had thought best to reserve," replied Ukon. "Her parents +died when she was a mere girl. Her father was called Sammi-Chiujio, +and loved her very dearly. He was always aspiring to better his +position, and wore out his life in the struggle. After his death, she +was left helpless and poor. She was however, by chance, introduced to +To-no-Chiujio, when he was still Shioshio, and not Chiujio. During +three years they kept on very good terms, and he was very kind to +her. But some wind or other attacks every fair flower; and, in the +autumn of last year, she received a fearful menace from the house of +Udaijin, to whose daughter, as you know, To-no-Chiujio is married. +Poor girl, she was terrified at this. She knew not what to do, and hid +herself, with her nurse, in an obscure part of the capital. It was not +a very agreeable place, and she was about removing to a certain +mountain hamlet, but, as its 'celestial direction' was closed this +year, she was still hesitating, and while matters were in this state, +you appeared on the scene. To do her justice, she had no thought of +wandering from one to another; but circumstances often make things +appear as if we did so. She was, by nature, extremely reserved, so +that she did not like to speak out her feelings to others, but rather +suffered in silence by herself. This, perhaps, you also have noticed." + +"Then it was so, after all. She was the Tokonatz of To-no-Chiujio," +thought Genji; and now it also transpired that all that Koremitz had +stated about To-no-Chiujio's visiting her at the Yugao house was a +pure invention, suggested by a slight acquaintance with the girl's +previous history. + +"The Chiujio told me once," said Genji, "that she had a little one. +Was there any such?" + +"Yes, she had one in the spring of the year before last--a girl, a +nice child," replied Ukon. + +"Where is she now?" asked Genji, "perhaps you will bring her to me +some day. I should like to have her with me as a memento of her +mother. I should not mind mentioning it to her father, but if I did +so, I must reveal the whole sad story of her mother's fate, and this +would not be advisable at present; however, I do not see any harm if I +were to bring her up as my daughter. You might manage it somehow +without my name being mentioned to any one concerned." + +"That would be a great happiness for the child," exclaimed Ukon, +delighted, "I do not much appreciate her being brought up where she +is." + +"Well, I will do so, only let us wait for some better chance. For the +present be discreet." + +"Yes, of course. I cannot yet take any steps towards that object; we +must not unfurl our sails before the storm is completely over." + +The foliage of the ground, touched with autumnal tints, was beginning +to fade, and the sounds of insects (_mushi_) were growing faint, and +both Genji and Ukon were absorbed by the sad charm of the scene. As +they meditated, they heard doves cooing among the bamboo woods. + +To Genji it brought back the cries of that strange bird, which cry he +had heard on that fearful night in Rokjio, and the subject recurred to +his mind once more, and he said to Ukon, "How old was she?" + +"Nineteen." + +"And how came you to know her?" + +"I was the daughter of her first nurse, and a great favorite of her +father's, who brought me up with her, and from that time I never left +her. When I come to think of those days I wonder how I can exist +without her. The poet says truly, 'The deeper the love, the more +bitter the parting.' Ah! how gentle and retiring she was. How much I +loved her!" + +"That retiring and gentle temperament," said Genji, "gives far greater +beauty to women than all beside, for to have no natural pliability +makes women utterly worthless." + +The sky by this time became covered, and the wind blew chilly. Genji +gazed intently on it and hummed:-- + + "When we regard the clouds above, + Our souls are filled with fond desire, + To me the smoke of my dead love, + Seems rising from the funeral pyre." + +The distant sound of the bleacher's hammer reached their ears, and +reminded him of the sound he had heard in the Yugao's house. He bade +"Good-night" to Ukon, and retired to rest, humming as he went:-- + + "In the long nights of August and September." + +On the forty-ninth day (after the death of the Yugao) he went to the +Hokke Hall in the Hiye mountain, and there had a service for the dead +performed, with full ceremony and rich offerings. The monk-brother of +Koremitz took every pains in its performance. + +The composition of requiem prayers was made by Genji himself, and +revised by a professor of literature, one of his intimate friends. He +expressed in it the melancholy sentiment about the death of one whom +he had dearly loved, and whom he had yielded to Buddha. But who she +was was not stated. Among the offerings there was a dress. He took it +up in his hands and sorrowfully murmured, + + "With tears to-day, the dress she wore + I fold together, when shall I + Bright Elysium's far-off shore + This robe of hers again untie?" + +And the thought that the soul of the deceased might be still wandering +and unsettled to that very day, but that now the time had come when +her final destiny would be decided,[59] made him pray for her more +fervently. + +So closed the sad event of Yugao. + +Now Genji was always thinking that he should wish to see his beloved +in a dream. + +The evening after his visit to the Hokke Hall, he beheld her in his +slumbers, as he wished, but at the same moment the terrible face of +the woman that he had seen on that fearful evening in Rokjio again +appeared before him; hence he concluded that the same mysterious being +who tenanted that dreary mansion had taken advantage of his fears and +had destroyed his beloved Yugao. + +A few words more about the house in which she had lived. After her +flight no communication had been sent to them even by Ukon, and they +had no idea of where she had gone to. The mistress of the house was a +daughter of the nurse of Yugao. She with her two sisters lived there. +Ukon was a stranger to them, and they imagined that her being so was +the reason of her sending no intelligence to them. True they had +entertained some suspicions about the gay Prince, and pressed Koremitz +to confide the truth to them, but the latter, as he had done before, +kept himself skilfully aloof. + +They then thought she might have been seduced and carried off by some +gallant son of a local Governor, who feared his intrigue might be +discovered by To-no-Chiujio. + +During these days Kokimi, of Ki-no-Kami's house, still used to come +occasionally to Genji. But for some time past the latter had not sent +any letter to Cicada. When she heard of his illness she not +unnaturally felt for him, and also she had experienced a sort of +disappointment in not seeing his writing for some time, especially as +the time of her departure for the country was approaching. She +therefore sent him a letter of inquiry with the following:-- + + "If long time passes slow away, + Without a word from absent friend, + Our fears no longer brook delay, + But must some kindly greeting send." + +To this letter Genji returned a kind answer and also the following:-- + + "This world to me did once appear + Like Cicada's shell, when cast away, + Till words addressed by one so dear, + Have taught my hopes a brighter day." + +This was written with a trembling hand, but still bearing nice traits, +and when it reached Cicada, and she saw that he had not yet forgotten +past events, and the scarf he had carried away, she was partly amused +and partly pleased. + +It was about this time that the daughter of Iyo-no-Kami was engaged to +a certain Kurando Shioshio, and he was her frequent visitor. Genji +heard of this, and without any intention of rivalry, sent her the +following by Kokimi:-- + + "Like the green reed that grows on high + By river's brink, our love has been, + And still my wandering thoughts will fly + Back to that quickly passing scene." + +She was a little flattered by it, and gave Kokimi a reply, as +follows:-- + + "The slender reed that feels the wind + That faintly stirs its humble leaf, + Feels that too late it breathes its mind, + And only wakes, a useless grief." + +Now the departure of Iyo-no-Kami was fixed for the beginning of +October. + +Genji sent several parting presents to his wife, and in addition to +these some others, consisting of beautiful combs, fans, _nusa_,[60] +and the scarf he had carried away, along with the following, privately +through Kokimi:-- + + "I kept this pretty souvenir + In hopes of meeting you again, + I send it back with many a tear, + Since now, alas! such hope is vain." + +There were many other minute details, which I shall pass over as +uninteresting to the reader. + +Genji's official messenger returned, but her reply about the scarf was +sent through Kokimi:-- + + "When I behold the summer wings + Cicada like, I cast aside; + Back to my heart fond memory springs, + And on my eyes, a rising tide." + +The day of the departure happened to be the commencement of the winter +season. An October shower fell lightly, and the sky looked gloomy. + +Genji stood gazing upon it and hummed:-- + + "Sad and weary Autumn hours, + Summer joys now past away, + Both departing, dark the hours, + Whither speeding, who can say?" + +All these intrigues were safely kept in strict privacy, and to have +boldly written all particulars concerning them is to me a matter of +pain. So at first I intended to omit them, but had I done so my +history would have become like a fiction, and the censure I should +expect would be that I had done so intentionally, because my hero was +the son of an Emperor; but, on the other hand, if I am accused of too +much loquacity, I cannot help it. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 52: Name of an ecclesiastical office.] + +[Footnote 53: Sasinuki is a sort of loose trousers, and properly worn +by men only, hence some commentators conclude, the attendant here +mentioned to mean a boy, others contend, this garment was worn by +females also when they rode.] + +[Footnote 54: A mythological repulsive deity who took part in the +building of a bridge at the command of a powerful magician.] + +[Footnote 55: A popular superstition in China and Japan believes foxes +to have mysterious powers over men.] + +[Footnote 56: Upasaka, a sect of the followers of Buddhism who are +laymen though they observe the rules of clerical life.] + +[Footnote 57: Meitreya, a Buddhisatva destined to reappear as a Buddha +after the lapse of an incalculable series of years.] + +[Footnote 58: It is the Oriental custom that when one offers up a +prayer, he first washes his hands, to free them from all impurity.] + +[Footnote 59: According to the Buddhist's doctrine of the Hosso sect, +all the souls of the dead pass, during seven weeks after death, into +an intermediate state, and then their fate is decided. According to +the Tendai sect, the best and the worst go immediately where they +deserve, but those of a medium nature go through this process.] + +[Footnote 60: An offering made of paper, to the God of roads, which +travellers were accustomed to make, before setting out on a journey.] + + + + +CHAPTER V + +YOUNG VIOLET + + +It was the time when Genji became subject to periodical attacks of +ague, that many exorcisms and spells were performed to effect a cure, +but all in vain. At length he was told by a friend that in a certain +temple on the northern mountain (Mount Kurama) there dwelt a famous +ascetic, and that when the epidemic had prevailed during the previous +summer, many people had recovered through his exorcisms. "If," added +the friend, "the disease is neglected it becomes serious; try +therefore, this method of procuring relief at once, and before it is +too late." + +Genji, therefore, sent for the hermit, but he declined to come, saying +that he was too old and decrepit to leave his retreat. "What shall I +do?" exclaimed Genji, "shall I visit him privately?" Eventually, +taking four or five attendants, he started off early one morning for +the place, which was at no great distance on the mountain. + +It was the last day of March, and though the height of the season for +flowers in the capital was over, yet, on the mountain, the +cherry-trees were still in blossom. They advanced on their way further +and further. The haze clung to the surface like a soft sash does round +the waist, and to Genji, who had scarcely ever been out of the +capital, the scenery was indescribably novel. The ascetic lived in a +deep cave in the rocks, near the lofty summit. Genji did not, however, +declare who he was, and the style of his retinue was of a very private +character. Yet his nobility of manners was easily recognizable. + +"Welcome your visit!" cried the hermit, saluting him. "Perhaps you are +the one who sent for me the other day? I have long since quitted the +affairs of this world, and have almost forgotten the secret of my +exorcisms. I wonder why you have come here for me." So saying, he +pleasingly embraced him. He was evidently a man of great holiness. He +wrote out a talismanic prescription, which he gave to Genji to drink +in water, while he himself proceeded to perform some mysterious rite. +During the performance of this ceremony the sun rose high in the +heavens. Genji, meantime, walked out of the cave and looked around him +with his attendants. The spot where they stood was very lofty, and +numerous monasteries were visible, scattered here and there in the +distance beneath. There was immediately beyond the winding path in +which they were walking a picturesque and pretty building enclosed by +hedges. Its well arranged balconies and the gardens around it +apparently betokened the good taste of its inhabitants. "Whose house +may that be?" inquired Genji of his attendants. They told him it was a +house in which a certain priest had been living for the last two +years. "Ah! I know him," said Genji. "Strange, indeed, would it be if +he were to discover that I am here in this privacy." They noticed a +nun and a few more females with her walking in the garden, who were +carrying fresh water for their offerings, and were gathering flowers. +"Ah! there are ladies walking there," cried the attendants in tones of +surprise. "Surely, the Reverend Father would not indulge in +flirtations! Who can they be?" And some of them even descended a +little distance, and peered over the enclosure, where a pretty little +girl was also seen amongst them. + +Genji now engaged in prayer until the sun sank in the heavens. His +attendants, who were anxious about his disease, told him that it would +be good for him to have a change from time to time. Hereupon, he +advanced to the back of the temple, and his gaze fell on the far-off +Capital in the distance, which was enveloped in haze as the dusk was +setting in, over the tops of the trees around. "What a lovely +landscape!" exclaimed Genji. "The people to whom such scenery is +familiar, are perhaps happy and contented." "Nay," said the +attendants, "but were you to see the beautiful mountain ranges and the +sea-coast in our various provinces, the pictures would indeed be found +lovely." Then some of them described to him Fuji Yama, while others +told him of other mountains, diverting his attention by their animated +description of the beautiful bays and coasts of the Western Provinces; +thus as they depicted them to him, they cheered and gladdened his +mind. One of them went on to say: "Among such sights and at no great +distance, there is the sea-coast of Akashi, in the Province of +Harima, which is, I think, especially beautiful. I cannot, indeed, +point out in detail its most remarkable features, but, in general, the +blue expanse of the sea is singularly charming. Here, too, the home of +the former Governor of the Province constitutes an object of great +attraction. He has assumed the tonsure, and resides there with his +beautiful daughter. He is the descendant of a high personage, and was +not without hope of elevation at Court, but, being of an eccentric +character, he was strongly averse to society. He had formerly been a +Chiujio of the Imperial Guard, but having resigned that office, had +become Governor of Harima. He was not, however, popular in that +office. In this state of affairs he reflected within himself, no +doubt, that his presence in the Capital could not but be disagreeable. +When, therefore, his term of office expired, he determined still to +remain in the province. He did not, however, go to the mountainous +regions of the interior, but chose the sea-coast. There are in this +district several places which are well situated for quiet retirement, +and it would have seemed inconsistent in him had he preferred a part +of the sea-coast so near the gay world; nevertheless, a retreat in the +too remote interior would have been too solitary, and might have met +with objections on the part of his wife and child. For this reason, it +appears, that he finally selected the place which I have already +alluded to for the sake of his family. When I went down there last +time, I became acquainted with the history and circumstances of the +family, and I found that though he may not have been well received in +the Capital, yet, that here, having been formerly governor, he enjoys +considerable popularity and respect. His residence, moreover, is well +appointed and of sufficient magnitude, and he performs with +punctuality and devoutness his religious duties--nay, almost with more +earnestness than many regular priests." Here Genji interrupted. "What +is his daughter like?" "Without doubt," answered his companion, "the +beauty of her person is unrivalled, and she is endowed with +corresponding mental ability. Successive governors often offer their +addresses to her with great sincerity, but no one has ever yet been +accepted. The dominant idea of her father seems to be this: 'What, +have I sunk to such a position! Well, I trust, at least, that my only +daughter may be successful and prosperous in her life!' He often told +her, I heard, that if she survived him, and if his fond hopes for her +should not be realized, it would be better for her to cast herself +into the sea." + +Genji was much interested in this conversation, and the rest of the +company laughingly said, "Ah! she is a woman who is likely to become +the Queen of the Blue Main. In very truth her father must be an +extraordinary being!" + +The attendant who had given this account of the ex-governor and his +daughter, was the son of the present Governor of the Province. He was +until lately a Kurand, and this year had received the title of Jugoi. +His name was Yoshikiyo, and he, too, was a man of gay habits, which +gave occasion to one of his companions to observe: "Ah! perhaps you +also have been trying to disappoint the hopes of the aged father." +Another said, "Well, our friend has given us a long account, but we +must take it with some reserve. She must be, after all, a country +maiden, and all that I can give credit to is this much: that her +mother may be a woman of some sense, who takes great care of the girl. +I am only afraid that if any future governor should be seized with an +ardent desire to possess her, she would not long remain unattached." + +"What possible object could it serve if she were carried to the bottom +of the sea? The natives of the deep would derive no pleasure from her +charms," remarked Genji, while he himself secretly desired to behold +her. + +"Ay," thought his companions, "with his susceptible temperament, what +wonder if this story touches him." + +The day was far advanced, and the Prince prepared to leave the +mountain. The Hermit, however, told him that it would be better to +spend the evening in the Temple, and to be further prayed for. His +attendants also supported this suggestion. So Genji made up his mind +to stay there, saying, "Then I shall not return home till to-morrow." + +The days at this season were of long duration, and he felt it rather +tiresome to pass a whole evening in sedate society, so, under the +cover of the shades of the evening, he went out of the Temple, and +proceeded to the pretty building enclosed by hedges. All the +attendants had been despatched home except Koremitz, who accompanied +him. They peeped at this building through the hedges. In the western +antechamber of the house was placed an image of Buddha, and here an +evening service was performed. A nun, raising a curtain before +Buddha, offered a garland of flowers on the altar, and placing a Kio +(or Sutra, i.e., Buddhist Bible) on her "arm-stool," proceeded to read +it. She seemed to be rather more than forty years old. Her face was +rather round, and her appearance was noble. Her hair was thrown back +from her forehead and was cut short behind, which suited her very +well. She was, however, pale and weak, her voice, also, being +tremulous. Two maiden attendants went in and out of the room waiting +upon her, and a little girl ran into the room with them. She was about +ten years old or more, and wore a white silk dress, which fitted her +well and which was lined with yellow. Her hair was waved like a fan, +and her eyes were red from crying. "What is the matter? Have you +quarrelled with the boy?" exclaimed the nun, looking at her. There was +some resemblance between the features of the child and the nun, so +Genji thought that she possibly might be her daughter. + +"Inuki has lost my sparrow, which I kept so carefully in the cage," +replied the child. + +"That stupid boy," said one of the attendants. "Has he again been the +cause of this? Where can the bird be gone? And all this, too, after we +had tamed it with so much care." She then left the room, possibly to +look for the lost bird. The people who addressed her called her +Shionagon, and she appeared to have been the little girl's nurse. + +"To you," said the nun to the girl, "the sparrow may be dearer than I +may be, who am so ill; but have I not told you often that the caging +of birds is a sin? Be a good girl; come nearer!" + +The girl advanced and stood silent before her, her face being bathed +in tears. The contour of the child-like forehead and of the small and +graceful head was very pleasing. Genji, as he surveyed the scene from +without, thought within himself, "If she is thus fair in her girlhood, +what will she be when she is grown up?" One reason why Genji was so +much attracted by her was, that she greatly resembled a certain lady +in the Palace, to whom he, for a long time, had been fondly attached. +The nun stroked the beautiful hair of the child and murmured to +herself, "How splendid it looks! Would that she would always strive to +keep it thus. Her extreme youth makes me anxious, however. Her mother +departed this life when she only a very young girl, but she was quite +sensible at the age of this one. Supposing that I were to leave her +behind, I wonder what would happen to her!" As she thus murmured, her +countenance became saddened by her forebodings. + +The sight moved Genji's sympathy as he gazed. It seemed that the +tender heart of the child was also touched, for she silently watched +the expression of the nun's features, and then with downcast eyes bent +her face towards the ground, the lustrous hair falling over her back +in waves. + +The nun hummed, in a tone sufficiently audible to Genji, + + "The dews that wet the tender grass, + At the sun's birth, too quickly pass, + Nor e'er can hope to see it rise + In full perfection to the skies." + +Shionagon, who now joined them, and heard the above distich, consoled +the nun with the following:-- + + "The dews will not so quickly pass, + Nor shall depart before they see + The full perfection of the grass, + They loved so well in infancy." + +At this juncture a priest entered and said, "Do you know that this +very day Prince Genji visited the hermit in order to be exorcised by +him. I must forthwith go and see him." + +Genji observing this movement quickly returned to the monastery, +thinking as he went what a lovely girl he had seen. "I can guess from +this," thought he, "why those gay fellows (referring to his +attendants) so often make their expeditions in search of good fortune. +What a charming little girl have I seen to-day! Who can she be? Would +that I could see her morning and evening in the palace, where I can no +longer see the fair loved one whom she resembles!" He now returned to +the monastery, and retired to his quarters. Soon after a disciple of +the priest came and delivered a message from him through Koremitz, +saying, "My master has just heard of the Prince's visit to the +mountain, and would have waited on him at once, but thought it better +to postpone calling. Nevertheless he would be much pleased to offer a +humble welcome, and feels disappointed that he has not yet had an +opportunity of doing so." + +Genji said in reply, "I have been afflicted with constant attacks of +ague for the last few weeks, and, therefore, by the advice of my +friends, I came to this mountain to be exorcised. If, however, the +spells of the holy man are of no avail to me, his reputation might +suffer in consequence. For that reason I wish to keep my visit as +private as possible, nevertheless I will come now to your master." +Thereupon the priest himself soon made his appearance, and, after +briefly relating the circumstances which had occasioned his retirement +to this locality, he offered to escort Genji to his house, saying, "My +dwelling is but a rustic cottage, but still I should like you to see, +at least, the pretty mountain streamlet which waters my garden." + +Genji accepted the offer, thinking as he went, "I wonder what the +priest has said at home about myself to those to whom I have not yet +been introduced. But it will be pleasant to see them once more." + +The night was moonless. The fountain was lit up by torches, and many +lamps also were lighted in the garden. Genji was taken to an airy room +in the southern front of the building, where incense which was burning +threw its sweet odors around. The priest related to him many +interesting anecdotes, and also spoke eloquently of man's future +destiny. Genji as he heard him, felt some qualms of conscience, for he +remembered that his own conduct was far from being irreproachable. The +thought troubled him that he would never be free from the sting of +these recollections through his life, and that there was a world to +come, too! "Oh, could I but live in a retreat like this priest!" As he +thus thought of a retreat, he was involuntarily taken by a fancy, that +how happy would he be if accompanied to such a retreat by such a girl +as he had seen in the evening, and with this fancy her lovely face +rose up before him. + +Suddenly he said to the priest, "I had once a dream which made me +anxious to know who was living in this house, and here to-day that +dream has again come back to my memory!" The priest laughed, and said, +"A strange dream! even were you to obtain your wish it might not +gratify you. The late Lord Azechi Dainagon died long ago, and perhaps +you know nothing about him. Well! his widow is my sister, and since +her husband's death her health has not been satisfactory, so lately +she has been living here in retirement." + +"Ah, yes," said Genji, venturing upon a guess, "and I heard that she +bore a daughter to Dainagon." + +"Yes, she had a daughter, but she died about ten years ago. After her +father's death the sole care of her fell upon her widowed mother +alone. I know not how it came to pass, but she became secretly +intimate with Prince Hiobkio. But the Prince's wife was very jealous +and severe, so she had much to suffer and put up with. I saw +personally the truth that 'care kills more than labor.'" + +"Ah, then," thought Genji, "the little one is her daughter, and no +wonder that she resembles the one in the palace (because Prince +Hiobkio was the brother of the Princess Wistaria). How would it be if +I had free control over her, and had her brought up and educated +according to my own notions?" So thinking, he proceeded to say how sad +it was that she died! "Did she leave any offspring?" + +"She gave birth to a child at her death, which was also a girl, and +about this girl the grandmother is always feeling very anxious." + +"Then," said Genji, "let it not appear strange to you if I say this, +but I should be very happy to become the guardian of this girl. Will +you speak to her grandmother about it? It is true that there is one to +whom my lot is linked, but I care but little for her, and indeed +usually lead a solitary life." + +"Your offer is very kind," replied the priest, "but she is extremely +young. However every woman grows up under the protecting care of some +one, and so I cannot say much about her, only it shall be mentioned to +my sister." + +The priest said this with a grave and even a stern expression on his +countenance, which caused Genji to drop the subject. + +He then asked the Prince to excuse him, for it was the hour for +vespers, and as he quitted the room to attend the service, said he +would return as soon as it was finished. + +Genji was alone. A slight shower fell over the surrounding country, +and the mountain breezes blew cool. The waters of the torrent were +swollen, and the roar of them might be heard from afar. Broken and +indistinct, one might hear the melancholy sound of the sleepy +intonation of prayers. Even those people who have no sorrow of their +own often feel melancholy from the circumstances in which they are +placed. So Genji, whose mind was occupied in thought, could not +slumber here. The priest said he was going to vespers, but in reality +it was later than the proper time for them. Genji perceived that the +inmates had not yet retired to rest in the inner apartments of the +house. They were very quiet, yet the sound of the telling of beads, +which accidentally struck the lectern, was heard from time to time. +The room was not far from his own. He pulled the screen slightly +aside, and standing near the door, he struck his fan on his hand, to +summon some one. + +"What can be the matter," said an attendant, and as she came near to +the Prince's room she added, "Perhaps my ear was deceived," and she +began to retire. + +"Buddha will guide you; fear not the darkness, I am here," said Genji. + +"Sir!" replied the servant, timidly. + +"Pray do not think me presumptuous," said Genji; "but may I beg you to +transmit this poetical effusion to your mistress for me? + + Since first that tender grass I viewed, + My heart no soft repose e'er feels, + But gathering mist my sleeve bedews, + And pity to my bosom steals." + +"Surely you should know, sir, that there is no one here to whom such +things can be presented!" + +"Believe me, I have my own reasons for this," said Genji. "Let me +beseech you to take it." + +So the attendant went back, and presented it to the nun. + +"I do not see the real intent of the effusion," thought the nun. +"Perhaps he thinks that she is already a woman. But"--she continued, +wonderingly--"how could he have known about the young grass?" And she +then remained silent for a while. At last, thinking it would be +unbecoming to take no notice of it, she gave orally the following +reply to the attendant to be given to Genji:-- + + "You say your sleeve is wet with dew, + 'Tis but one night alone for you, + But there's a mountain moss grows nigh, + Whose leaves from dew are never dry." + +When Genji heard this, he said: "I am not accustomed to receive an +answer such as this through the mouth of a third person. Although I +thank the lady for even that much, I should feel more obliged to her +if she would grant me an interview, and allow me to explain to her my +sincere wishes." + +This at length obliged the nun to have an interview with the Prince. +He then told her that he called Buddha to witness that, though his +conduct may have seemed bold, it was dictated by pure and +conscientious motives. + +"All the circumstances of your family history are known to me," +continued he. "Look upon me, I pray, as a substitute for your once +loved daughter. I, too, when a mere infant, was deprived by death of +my best friend--my mother--and the years and months which then rolled +by were fraught with trouble to me. In that same position your little +one is now. Allow us, then, to become friends. We could sympathize +with each other. 'Twas to reveal these wishes to you that I came here, +and risked the chance of offending you in doing so." + +"Believe me, I am well disposed at your offer," said the nun; "but you +may have been incorrectly informed. It is true that there is a little +girl dependent upon myself, but she is but a child. Her society could +not afford you any pleasure; and forgive me, therefore, if I decline +your request." + +"Yet let there be no reserve in the expression of your ideas," +interrupted Genji; but, before they could talk further, the return of +the priest put an end to the subject, and Genji retired to his +quarters, after thanking the nun for his kind reception. + +The night passed away, and dawn appeared. The sky was again hazy, and +here and there melodious birds were singing among the mountain shrubs +and flowers that blossomed around. The deer, too, which were to be +seen here, added to the beauty of the picture. Gazing around at these +Genji once more proceeded to the temple. The hermit--though too infirm +to walk--again contrived to offer up his prayers on Genji's behalf, +and he also read from the Darani.[61] The tremulous accents of the old +man--poured forth from his nearly toothless mouth--imparted a greater +reverence to his prayers. + +Genji's attendants now arrived from the capital, and congratulated him +on the improvement in his health. A messenger was despatched from the +Imperial Palace for the same purpose. The priest now collected wild +and rare fruits, not to be met with in the distant town, and, with all +respect, presented them to Genji, saying: "The term of my vow has not +yet expired; and I am, therefore, sorry to say that I am unable to +descend the mountain with you on your departure." He then offered to +him the parting cup of _sake_. + +"This mountain, with its waters, fill me with admiration," said Genji, +"and I regret that the anxiety of my father the Emperor obliges me to +quit the charming scene; but before the season is past, I will revisit +it: and-- + + The city's folk from me shall hear + How mountain cherries blossom fair, + And ere the Spring has passed away, + I'll bid them view the prospect gay." + +To this the priest replied-- + + "Your noble presence seems to me + Like the rare flowers of Udon tree,[62] + Nor does the mountain cherry white, + Attract my gaze while you're in sight." + +Genji smiled slightly, and said: "That is a very great compliment; but +the Udon tree does not blossom so easily." + +The hermit also raised the cup to his lips, and said:-- + + "Opening my lonely hermit's door, + Enclosed around by mountain pine, + A blossom never seen before + My eyes behold that seems divine." + +And he presented to him his _toko_ (a small ecclesiastical wand). On +seeing this, the priest also made him the following presents:--A +rosary of Kongoji (a kind of precious stone), which the sage Prince +Shotok obtained from Corea, enclosed in the original case in which it +had been sent from that country; some medicine of rare virtue in a +small emerald jar; and several other objects, with a spray of +Wistaria, and a branch of cherry blossoms. + +Genji, too, on the other hand, made presents, which he had ordered +from the capital, to the hermit and his disciples who had taken part +in the religious ceremonies, and also to the poor mountaineers. He +also sent the following to the nun, by the priest's page:-- + + "In yester-eve's uncertain light, + A flower I saw so young and bright, + But like a morning mist. Now pain + Impels me yet to see again." + +A reply from the nun was speedily brought to him, which ran thus:-- + + "You say you feel, perhaps 'tis true, + A pang to leave these mountain bowers, + For sweet the blossoms, sweet the view, + To strangers' eyes of mountain flowers." + +While this was being presented to him in his carriage, a few more +people came, as if accidentally, to wait upon him on his journey. +Among them was To-no-Chiujio, and his brother Ben, who said: "We are +always pleased to follow you; it was unkind of you to leave us +behind." + +Just as the party were on the point of starting, some of them observed +that it was a pity to leave so lovely a spot without resting awhile +among the flowers. This was immediately agreed to, and they took their +seats on a moss-grown rock, a short distance from which a little +streamlet descended in a murmuring cascade. + +They there began to drink _sake_, and To-no-Chiujio taking his flute, +evoked from it a rich and melodious strain; while Ben, tapping his fan +in concert, sang "The Temple of Toyora," while the Prince, as he +leaned against a rock, presented a picturesque appearance, though he +was pale and thin. + +Among the attendants was one who blew on a long flute, called +Hichiriki, and another on a Shio flute. The priest brought a _koto_, +and begged Genji to perform upon it, saying: "If we are to have music +at all, let us have a harmonious concert." Genji said that he was no +master of music; but, nevertheless, he played, with fair ability, a +pleasing air. Then they all rose up, and departed. + +After they had quitted the mountain, Genji first of all went to the +Palace, where he immediately had an interview with the Emperor, who +considered his son to be still weak in health; and who asked him +several questions with regard to the efficacy of the prayers of the +reverend hermit. Genji gave him all particulars of his visit to the +mountain. + +"Ah!" said the Emperor, "he may some day be entitled to become a dean +(Azali). His virtue and holiness have not yet been duly appreciated by +the government and the nation." + +Sadaijin, the father-in-law of the Prince, here entered, and entreated +Genji to accompany him to his mansion, and spend a few days. Genji did +not feel very anxious to accept this invitation, but was persuaded to +do so. Sadaijin conveyed him in his own carriage, and gave up to him +the seat of honor. + +They arrived; but, as usual, his bride did not appear, and only +presented herself at last at the earnest request of her father. She +was one of those model princesses whom one may see in a picture--very +formal and very sedate--and it was very difficult to draw her into +conversation. She was very uninteresting to Genji. He thought that it +would only lead to a very unpleasant state of affairs, as years grew +on, if they were to be as cool and reserved to each other as they had +been hitherto. Turning to her, he said, with some reproachfulness in +his accents, "Surely you should sometimes show me a little of the +ordinary affection of people in our position!" + +She made no reply; but, glancing coolly upon him, murmured with +modest, yet dignified, tone-- + + "When you cease to care for me, + What can I then do for thee?" + +"Your words are few; but they have a sting in them. You say I cease to +care for you; but you do me wrong in saying so. May the time come when +you will no longer pain me thus," said Genji; and he made every effort +to conciliate her. But she was not easily appeased. He was +unsuccessful in his effort, and presently they retired to their +apartment, where he soon relapsed into sleepy indifference. His +thoughts began to wander back into other regions, and hopes of the +future growth and charms of the young mountain-violet again occupied +his mind. "Oh! how difficult it is to secure a prize," thought he. +"How can I do so? Her father, Prince Hiobkio, is a man of rank, and +affable, but he is not of prepossessing appearance. Why does his +daughter resemble so much, in her personal attractions, the lovely one +in the chamber of Wistaria. Is it that the mother of her father and of +Wistaria is the same person? How charming is the resemblance between +them! How can I make her mine?" + +Some days afterwards he sent a letter to the mountain home, and also a +communication--perhaps with some hint in it--to the priest. In his +letter to the nun he said that her indifference made it desirable to +refrain from urging his wishes; but, nevertheless, that he should be +deeply gratified if she would think more favorably of the idea which +was now so deeply rooted in his mind. Inside the letter he enclosed a +small folded slip of paper, on which was written:-- + + "The mountain flower I left behind + I strive but vainly to forget, + Those lovely traits still rise to mind + And fill my heart with sad regret." + +This ludicrous effusion caused the nun to be partly amused and partly +vexed. She wrote an answer as follows:-- + +"When you came into our neighborhood your visit was very pleasing to +us, and your special message does us honor. I am, however, at a loss +how to express myself with regard to the little one, as yet she cannot +even manage the naniwadz."[63] + +Enclosed in the note were the following lines, in which she hinted as +to her doubts of the steadfastness of Genji's character: + + "Your heart admires the lowly flower + That dwells within our mountain bower. + Not long, alas! that flower may last + Torn by the mountain's angry blast." + +The tenor of the priest's answer was much the same, and it caused +Genji some vexation. + +About this time the Lady Wistaria, in consequence of an attack of +illness, had retired from the palace to her private residence, and +Genji, while sympathizing with the anxiety of the Emperor about her, +longed greatly for an opportunity of seeing her, ill though she was. +Hence at this time he went nowhere, but kept himself in his mansion at +Nijio, and became thoughtful and preoccupied. At length he endeavored +to cajole O Miobu, Wistaria's attendant, into arranging an opportunity +for him to see her. On Wistaria's part there were strong doubts as to +the propriety of complying with his request, but at last the +earnestness of the Prince overcame her scruples, and O Miobu managed +eventually to bring about a meeting between them.[64] + +Genji gave vent to his feelings to the Princess, as follows:-- + + "Though now we meet, and not again + We e'er may meet, I seem + As though to die, I were full fain + Lost in this blissful dream." + +Then the Princess replied to him, full of sadness:-- + + "We might dream on but fear the name, + The envious world to us may give, + Forgetful of the darkened fame, + That lives when we no longer live." + +For some time after this meeting had taken place, Genji found himself +too timid to appear at his father's palace, and remained in his +mansion. The Princess, too, experienced a strong feeling of remorse. +She had, moreover, a cause of anxiety special in its nature and +peculiar to herself as a woman, for which she alone felt some +uneasiness of conscience. + +Three months of the summer had passed away, and her secret began to +betray itself externally. The Emperor was naturally anxious about the +health of his favorite, and kind inquiries were sent from time to time +to her. But the kinder he was to her the more conscience-stricken she +felt. + +Genji at this time was often visited by strange dreams. When he +consulted a diviner about them, he was told that something remarkable +and extraordinary might happen to him, and that it behooved him to be +cautious and prudent. + +"Here is a pretty source of embarrassment," thought Genji. + +He cautioned the diviner to be discreet about it, especially because +he said the dreams were not his own but another person's. When at last +he heard authentically about the condition of the Princess, he was +extremely anxious to communicate with her, but she now peremptorily +objected to any kind of correspondence between them, and O Miobu too +refused any longer to assist him. + +In July Wistaria returned to the palace. There she was received by the +Emperor with great rejoicing, and he thought that her condition did +but add to her attractiveness. + +It was now autumn, the season when agreeable receptions were often +held by the Emperor in Court, and it was awkward when Genji and the +Princess happened to face each other on these occasions, as neither of +them could be free from their tender recollections. + +During these autumn evenings the thoughts of Genji were often directed +to the granddaughter of the nun, especially because she resembled the +Princess so much. His desire to possess her was considerably +increased, and the recollection of the first evening when he heard +the nun intoning to herself the verses about the tender grass, +recurred to his mind. "What," thought he, "if I pluck this tender +grass, would it then be, would it then grow up, as fair as now." + + "When will be mine this lovely flower + Of tender grace and purple hue? + Like the Wistaria of the bower, + Its charms are lovely to my view." + +The Emperor's visit to the Palace Suzak-in was now announced to take +place in October, and dancers and musicians were selected from among +the young nobles who were accomplished in these arts, and Royal +Princes and officers of State were fully engaged in preparation for +the _fete_. After the Royal festivities, a separate account of which +will be given hereafter, he sent again a letter to the mountain. The +answer, however, came only from the priest, who said that his sister +had died on the twentieth day of the last month; and added that though +death is inevitable to all of us, still he painfully felt her loss. + +Genji pondered first on the precariousness of human life, and then +thought how that little one who had depended on her must be afflicted, +and gradually the memory of his own childhood, during which he too had +lost his mother, came back to his mind. + +When the time of full mourning was over, Shionagon, together with the +young girl, returned to their house in the capital. There one evening +Genji paid them a visit. The house was rather a gloomy one, and was +tenanted by fewer inmates than usual. + +"How timid the little girl must feel!" thought Genji, as he was shown +in. Shionagon now told him with tearful eyes every circumstance which +had taken place since she had seen him. She also said that the girl +might be handed over to her father, who told her that she must do so, +but his present wife was said to be very austere. The girl is not +young enough to be without ideas and wishes of her own, but yet not +old enough to form them sensibly; so were she to be taken to her +father's house and be placed with several other children, much misery +would be the result. Her grandmother suffered much on this account. +"Your kindness is great," continued she, "and we ought not, perhaps, +to think too anxiously about the future. Still she is young, too +young, and we cannot think of it without pity." + +"Why do you recur to that so often?" said Genji, "it is her very +youthfulness which moves my sympathy. I am anxious to talk to her, + + Say, can the wave that rolls to land, + Return to ocean's heaving breast, + Nor greet the weed upon the strand + With one wild kiss, all softly pressed. + +How sweet it would be!" + +"That is very beautifully put, sir," said Shionagon, "but, + + Half trembling at the coming tide + That rolls about the sea-beat sand, + Say, can the tender weed untried, + Be trusted to its boisterous hand?" + +Meanwhile the girl, who was with her companions in her apartment, and +who was told that a gentleman in Court dress had arrived, and that +perhaps it was the Prince, her father, came running in, saying, +"Shionagon, where is the gentleman in Court dress; has the Prince, my +father, arrived?" + +"Not the Prince, your father," uttered Genji, "but I am here, and I +too am your friend. Come here!" + +The girl, glancing with shy timidity at Genji, for whom she already +had some liking, and thinking that perhaps there was impropriety in +what she had spoken, went over to her nurse, and said, "Oh! I am very +sleepy, and wish to lie down!" + +"See how childish she still is," remarked Shionagon. + +"Why are you so timid, little one, come here and sleep on my knees," +said Genji. + +"Go, my child, as you are asked," observed Shionagon, and she pushed +her towards Genji. + +Half-unconsciously she took her place by his side. He pushed aside a +small shawl which covered her hair, and played with her long tresses, +and then he took her small hand in his. "Ah, my hand!" cried she, and +drawing it back, she ran into a neighboring room. Genji followed her, +and tried to coax her out of her shyness, telling her that he was one +of her best friends, and that she was not to be so timid. + +By this time darkness had succeeded to the beautiful evening, and hail +began to fall. + +"Close the casement, it is too fearful, I will watch over you this +evening," said Genji, as he led the girl away, to the great surprise +of Shionagon and others who wondered at his ease in doing this. + +By and by she became sleepy, and Genji, as skilfully as any nurse +could, removed all her outer clothing, and placed her on the couch to +sleep, telling her as he sat beside her, "some day you must come with +me to some beautiful palace, and there you shall have as many pictures +and playthings as you like." Many other similar remarks he added to +arrest her attention and to please her. + +Her fears gradually subsided, and as she kept looking on the handsome +face of Genji, and taking notice of his kindness, she did not fall +asleep for some time. + +When the night was advanced, and the hailstorm had passed away, Genji +at last took his departure. The temperature now suddenly changed, and +the hail was lying white upon the grass. "Can it be," thought he, +"that I am leaving this place as a lover?" At that moment he +remembered that the house of a maiden with whom he had had an +acquaintance was on his road home. When he came near to it he ordered +one of his attendants to knock at the door. No one, however, came +forth. Thereupon Genji turned to another, who had a remarkably good +voice, and ordered him to sing the following lines:-- + + "Though wandering in the morning gray, + This gate is one I cannot pass, + A tender memory bids me stay + To see once more a pretty lass." + +This was repeated twice, when presently a man came to the door and +sang, in reply, as follows:-- + + "If you cannot pass the gate, + Welcome all to stop and wait. + Nought prevents you. Do not fear, + For the gate stands always here." + +And then went in, slamming the door in their faces, and appearing no +more. Genji, therefore disappointed, proceeded on his way home. + +On the morrow he took up his pen to write a letter to Violet, but +finding that he had nothing in particular to say, he laid it aside, +and instead of a letter several beautiful pictures were sent for her. + +From this time Koremitz was sent there very often, partly to do them +service, and partly to watch over their movements. At last the time +when the girl's father was to take her home approached within a night, +and Shionagon was busily occupied in sewing a dress for the girl, and +was thus consequently unable to take much notice of Koremitz when he +arrived. Noting these preparatory arrangements, Koremitz at once +hastened to inform Genji about them. He happened to be this evening at +the mansion of Sadaijin, but Lady Aoi was not, as was often the case, +with him, and he was amusing himself there with thumping a _wagon_ as +he sang a "Hitachi" song. Koremitz presented himself before him, and +gave him the latest information of what was going on. + +Genji, when he had listened to Koremitz, thought, "This will never do; +I must not lose her in this way. But the difficulty is indeed +perplexing. If, on the one hand, she goes to her father, it will not +become me to ask him for her. If, on the other hand, I carry her off, +people may say that I stole her. However, upon consideration, this +latter plan, if I can manage to shut people's mouths beforehand, will +be much better than that I should demand her from her father." + +So, turning to Koremitz, he said, "I must go there. See that the +carriage is ready at whatever hour I may appoint. Let two or three +attendants be in readiness." Koremitz, having received these orders, +retired. + +Long before dawn broke, Genji prepared to leave the mansion. Lady Aoi, +as usual, was a little out of temper, but Genji told her that he had +some particular arrangements to make at his mansion at Nijio, but that +he would soon return to her. He soon started, Koremitz alone following +him on horseback. + +On their arrival Koremitz proceeded to a small private entrance and +announced himself. Shionagon recognized his voice and came out, and +upon this he informed her that the Prince had come. She, presuming +that he did so only because he happened to pass by them, said, "What! +at this late hour?" As she spoke, Genji came up and said:-- + +"I hear that the little one is to go to the Prince, her father, and I +wish to say a few words to her before she goes." + +"She is asleep; really, I am afraid that she cannot talk with you at +this hour. Besides, what is the use?" replied Shionagon, with a smile. + +Genji, however, pressed his way into the house, saying:-- + +"Perhaps the girl is not awake yet, but I will awake her," and, as the +people could not prevent his doing so, he proceeded to the room where +she was unconsciously sleeping on a couch. He shook her gently. She +started up, thinking it was her father who had come. + +Genji pushed the hair back from her face, as he said to her, "I am +come from your father;" but this she knew to be false, and was +alarmed. "Don't be frightened," said Genji; "there is nothing in me to +alarm you." And in spite of Shionagon's request not to disturb her, he +lifted her from the couch, abruptly saying that he could not allow her +to go elsewhere, and that he had made up his mind that he himself +would be her guardian. He also said she should go with him, and that +some of them should go with her. + +Shionagon was thunderstruck. "We are expecting her father to-morrow, +and what are we to say to him?" She added, "Surely, you can find some +better opportunity to manage matters than this." + +"All right, you can come afterward; we will go first," retorted Genji, +as he ordered his carriage to drive up. + +Shionagon was perplexed, and Violet also cried, thinking how strange +all this was. At last Shionagon saw it was no use to resist, and so +having hurriedly changed her own dress for a better one, and taking +with her the pretty dress of Violet which she had been making in the +evening, got into the carriage, where Genji had already placed the +little one. + +It was no great distance to Nijio, and they arrived there before dawn. +The carriage was driven up to the western wing of the mansion. To +Shionagon the whole affair seemed like a dream. "What am I to do?" she +said to Genji, who teasingly answered, "What you choose. You may go if +you like; so long as this darling is here I am content." Genji lifted +the girl out and carried her into the house. That part of the mansion +in which they now were, had not been inhabited, and the furniture was +scanty and inappropriate; so, calling Koremitz, the Prince ordered him +to see that proper furniture was brought. The beds were therefore +taken from the eastern wing, where he himself lived. + +Day broke, and Shionagon surveyed with admiration all the magnificence +with which she was surrounded. Both the exterior of the building and +its internal arrangements left nothing to be desired. Going to the +casement, she saw the gravelled walks flashing brightly in the sun. +"Ah," thought she, "where am I amidst all this splendor? This is too +grand for me!" + +Bath water for their ablutions, and rice soup were now brought into +the apartment, and Genji afterward made his appearance. + +"What! no attendants? No one to play with the girl? I will send some," +and he then ordered some young persons from the eastern wing of the +mansion. Four accordingly came. + +Violet was still fast asleep in her night-dress, and now Genji gently +shook and woke her. "Do not be frightened any more," he said quietly +to her; "a good girl would not be so, but would know that it is best +to be obedient." She became more and more pleasing to him, and he +tried to please her by presenting to her a variety of pretty pictures +and playthings, and by consulting her wishes in whatever she desired. +She was still wearing the dress of mourning, of sombre color and of +soft material, and it was only now at last that she began to smile a +little, and this filled Genji with delight. He now had to return to +the eastern wing, and Violet, for the first time, went to the casement +and looked out on the scenery around. The trees covered with foliage, +a small lake, and the plantations round about expanded before her as +in a picture. Here and there young people were going in and out. "Ah! +what a pretty place," she exclaimed, charmed as she gazed around. +Then, turning again into the apartment, she saw beautiful pictures +painted on the screens and walls, which could not but please her. + +Genji did not go to the Palace for two or three days, but spent his +time in trying to train Violet. "She must soon take lessons in +writing," he thought, and he wrote several writing copies for her. +Among these was one in plain characters on violet-colored paper, with +the title, "Musashi-no" (The field of Musashi is known for its +violets). She took it up, and in handwriting plain and clear though +small, she found the following: + + Though still a bud the violet be, + A still unopened blossom here, + Its tenderness has charms for me, + Recalling one no longer near. + +"Come, _you_ must write one now," said Genji. + +"I cannot write well enough," said Violet, looking up at him, with an +extremely charming look. + +"Never mind, whether good or bad," said he, "but still write +something, to refuse is unkind. When there is any difficulty I will +help you through with it." + +Thereupon she turned aside shyly and wrote something, handling the pen +gracefully with her tiny fingers. "I have done it badly," she cried +out, and tried to conceal what she had written, but Genji insisted on +seeing it and found the following:-- + + I wonder what's the floweret's name, + From which that bud its charm may claim! + +This was, of course, written in a childish hand, but the writing was +large and plain, giving promise of future excellence. + +"How like her grandmother's it is," thought Genji. "Were she to take +lessons from a good professor she might become a master of the art." + +He ordered for her a beautiful doll's house, and played with her +different innocent and amusing games. + +In the meantime, the Prince, her father, had duly arrived at the old +home of Violet and asked for her. The servants were embarrassed, but +as they had been requested by Genji not to tell, and as Shionagon had +also enjoined them to keep silence, they simply told him that the +nurse had taken her and absconded. The Prince was greatly amazed, but +he remembered that the girl's grandmother never consented to send his +daughter to his house, and knowing Shionagon to be a shrewd and +intelligent woman, he concluded that she had found out the reasons +which influenced her, and that so out of respect to her, and out of +dislike to tell him the reason of it, she had carried the girl off in +order that she might be kept away from him. He therefore merely told +the servants to inform him at once if they heard anything about them, +and he returned home. + +Our story again brings us back to Nijio. The girl gradually became +reconciled to her new home, as she was most kindly treated by Genji. +True, during those evenings when Genji was absent she thought of her +dead grandmother, but the image of her father never presented itself +to her, as she had seldom seen him. And now, naturally enough, Genji, +whom she had learned to look upon as a second father, was the only one +for whom she cared. She was the first to greet him when he came home, +and she came forward to be fondled and caressed by him without shame +or diffidence. Girls at her age are usually shy and under restraint, +but with her it was quite different. And again, if a girl has somewhat +of jealousy in her disposition, and looks upon every little trifle in +a serious light, a man will have to be cautious in his dealings with +her, and she herself, too, will often have to undergo vexation. Thus +many disagreeable and unexpected incidents might often result. In the +case of Violet, however, things were very different, and she was ever +amiable and invariably pleasant. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 61: An Indian theological writing.] + +[Footnote 62: In the Buddhist Bible it is stated that there is in +Paradise a divine tree, called Udon, which rarely blossoms. When, +however, it does blossom, Buddha is said to appear in the world, +therefore we make use of this expression when referring to any rare +event.] + +[Footnote 63: The name of a song which in those days formed the first +lesson in writing.] + +[Footnote 64: The authoress represents her in a subsequent chapter as +suffering punishment in the next world for this sin. The real cause of +Genji's exile is also supposed to have resulted from the same sin.] + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +SAFFRON FLOWER + + +The beauteous Yugao of Genji was lost, but memory of her never +vanished from his mind. Her attractive nature, thoughtfulness, and +patient manner had seemed to him surpassingly charming. At last he +began to think of seeking for some other maiden who might resemble her +in these qualities. True, his thoughts had often reverted to Cicada, +and to her young friend; but it was now of little use thinking of +them, for one had gone to the country, and the other was married. + +Now, Genji had another nurse, next in degree to Daini. The daughter of +this nurse, Tayu-no-Miobu, was in Court service. She was still young, +and full of mirth and life. Genji was wont to make her useful when in +the palace. Her father, who had been remotely connected with the Royal +blood, was an official in the War Department. Her mother, however, had +been married again to the Governor of the province of Chikzen, and had +gone there with her husband; so Tayu made her father's house her home, +and went from there backwards and forwards to the palace. She was an +intimate acquaintance of a young Princess, the daughter of the late +Lord-Lieutenant of Hitachi, and she had been the child of his old age, +and was at this time his survivor. The life that she passed was +somewhat lonely, and her circumstances miserable. Tayu mentioned this +young lady to Genji, who exclaimed:-- + +"How sad! Tell me all about her." + +"I cannot say that I know so much about her," replied Tayu. "She leads +a very retired life, and is seldom seen in society. Perhaps, some +favorable evening, you might see her from a hiding-place. The _koto_ +is her favorite instrument, and the favorite amusement of her +solitude." + +"Ah!" said Genji, "I see, one of the three friends (as the Chinese +poets call them)--Music, Poetry, and Wine; but, of the other two, one +is not always a good friend." And he added, "Well, you may manage some +time to let me hear her _koto_. The Prince, her father, had great +taste and reputation in such arts; so, I believe, she is no ordinary +performer." + +"But, perhaps, after all, not so good as you imagine," replied Tayu, +disingenuously. + +"Oh! that remains to be discovered," cried Genji, nibbling at the +bait. "One of these evenings I will come, and you had better be there +also." + +Now, the home of Tayu's father was at some distance from the +Princess's mansion; but Tayu used to spend her time very often with +the Princess, when she had leave of absence from the Court, chiefly +because she did not like being at home with her stepmother. For this +reason Tayu had plenty of chances for gratifying the wish of Genji to +see the Princess; so a certain evening was appointed. + +It was a sweet balmy day in spring, and the grounds of the palace were +full of silence and repose. Tayu left the palace, and proceeded to the +mansion of the Princess, attracted more by the beauty of the evening +than by the appointment made. Genji also appeared on the scene, with +the newly risen moon, and was soon prattling with Tayu. + +"You have not come at a very favorable time," said she. "This is not +the sort of evening when the _koto_ sounds sweetest." + +"But take me somewhere, so that I may hear her voice. I cannot go away +without hearing that." + +Tayu then led him into a private room, where she made him sit down, +and left him, saying, as she went away, "I am sorry to make you wait, +but you must have a little patience." She proceeded to another part of +the palace occupied by the Princess, whom she found sitting pensively +near an open casement, inhaling the rich perfume of the plum blossoms. + +"A good opportunity," thought Tayu; and, advancing to the Princess, +said: "What a lovely evening! How sweet at such an hour is the music +of the _koto_! My official going to and fro to the palace prevents me +from having the pleasure of hearing it often; so do now, if you +please, play me a tune." + +"You appreciate music," said the Princess; "but I am afraid that mine +is not good enough to charm the ear of courtiers; but, if you wish it, +I will play one tune." And she ordered the _koto_ to be brought, and +began to strike it. Her skill was certainly not super-excellent; but +she had been well instructed, and the effect was by no means +displeasing to the ear. + +Tayu, however, it must be remembered, was rather a sharp girl. She did +not like Genji to hear too much, so as to criticise; and, therefore, +said to the Princess, casting a glance upwards, "How changed and dull +the sky has become. A friend of mine is waiting; and is, perhaps, +impatient. I must have more of this pleasure some other time; at +present I must go and see him." Thus she caused the Princess to cease +playing, and went to Genji, who exclaimed, when she returned, "Her +music seems pretty good; but I had better not have heard it at all. +How can we judge by so little? If you are willing to oblige me at all, +let me hear and see more closely than this." Tayu made a difficulty. +"She is so retiring," she said, "and always keeps herself in the +strictest privacy. Were you to intrude upon her, it would not be +acting rightly." + +"Truly so," replied Genji; "her position insures her from intrusion. +Let us, then, seek for some better opportunity." And then he prepared +to take leave, as if he had some other affairs on his hands. Tayu +observed, with a knowing smile, "The Emperor, your father, always +thinks of you as quite guileless, and actually says so. When I hear +these remarks I often laugh in my sleeve. Were his Majesty to see you +in these disguises, what would he then think?" + +Genji answered, with a slight laugh: "Nonsense! If these trifling +amusements were thought so improper, how cheerless the life of woman +would be!" + +Tayu made no remark in reply; so Genji then left the house, and took a +stroll round the garden, intending to reach that part of the mansion +where the Princess had her apartments. As he sauntered along, he came +to a thick hedge, in which there was a dark bower, and here wished to +stop awhile. He stepped cautiously into it, when he suddenly perceived +a tall man concealed there. "Who can this be?" thought Genji, as he +withdrew to a corner where the moonlight did not reach. This was +To-no-Chiujio, and the reason of his being there was this: + +He had left the Palace that evening in company with Genji, who did not +go to his house in Nijio, nor to his bride, but separated from him on +the road. To-no-Chiujio was very anxious to find out where Genji was +going. He therefore followed him unperceived. When he saw Genji enter +the mansion of the Princess, he wished to see how the business would +end; so he waited in the garden, in order that he might witness +Genji's departure, listening, at the same time, to the _koto_ of the +Princess. Genji did not know who the man was, nor did he wish to be +recognized. He therefore began to retreat slowly on tip-toe, when +To-no-Chiujio came up to him from behind, and addressed him: "You +slighted me, but I have come to watch over you:-- + + Though like two wandering moons on high + We left our vast imperial home, + We parted on our road, and I + Knew not where you were bent to roam." + +Genji at once recognized his companion; and, being somewhat amused at +his pertinacity, exclaimed: "What an unexpected surprise! + + We all admire the moon, 'tis true, + Whose home unknown to mortal eye + Is in the mountains hid, but who + To find that far-off home, would try?" + +Hereupon To-no-Chiujio gave him a taunt: "What would you do," said he, +"if I were to follow you very often? Were you to maintain true +propriety in your position, you ought always to have trustworthy +attendants; and I am sure, by so doing, you will meet with better +fortune. I cannot say that it is very decorous of you to go wandering +about in such a fashion. It is too frivolous!" + +"How very tiresome!" mentally exclaimed Genji; "but he little knows +about his Nadeshiko (little darling). I have him there!" + +Neither of them ventured to go to any other rendezvous that night; +but, with many mutual home-thrusts, they got into a carriage together, +and proceeded home, amusing themselves all the way with a duet on +their flutes. Entering the mansion, they went to a small apartment, +where they changed their dresses, and commenced playing the flutes in +such a manner as if they had come from the Palace. The Sadaijin, +hearing this music, could not forbear joining them, and blew skilfully +a Corean flute in concert with theirs. Lady Aoi, also, in her room, +catching the impulse, ordered some practised players on the _koto_ to +perform. + +Meantime, both Genji and To-no-Chiujio, in their secret minds, were +thinking of the notes of the _koto_ heard before on that evening, and +of the bare and pitiable condition of the residence of the Princess +whom they had left--a great contrast to the luxury of their present +quarters. To-no-Chiujio's idea about her took something of this shape: +"If girls who, from a modest propriety, keep themselves aloof for +years from our society, were at last to be subdued by our attentions, +our affection for them would become irresistible, even braving +whatever remarks popular scandal might pass upon us. She may be like +one of these. The Prince Genji seems to have made her the object of +some attentions. He is not one to waste his time without reason. He +knows what he is doing." + +As these thoughts arose in his mind, a slight feeling of jealousy +disturbed him, and made him ready to dare a little rivalry in that +quarter; for, it would appear, that after this day amatory letters +were often sent both by him and Genji to the Princess, who, however, +returned no answer to either. + +This silence on her part made To-no-Chiujio, more especially, think +thus: "A strange rejection; and from one, too, who possesses such a +secluded life. True, her birth is high; but that cannot be the only +reason which makes her bury herself in retirement. There must be some +stronger reason, I presume." + +As we have before mentioned, Genji and To-no-Chiujio were so intimate +that all ceremony was dispensed with between them, and they could ask +each other any question without reserve. From this circumstance +To-no-Chiujio one day boldly inquired of Genji: "I dare say you have +received some replies from the Princess. Have you not? I for my part +have thrown out some hints in that quarter by way of experiment, but I +gave up in disappointment." + +"Ah, then, he too has been trying there," thought Genji, smiling +slightly, and he replied very vaguely, "I am not particularly +concerned whether I get an answer or not, therefore I cannot tell you +whether I have received any." + +"I understand that," thought To-no-Chiujio; "perhaps he has got one; I +suspect so." + +To state the truth, Genji was not very deeply smitten by the Princess, +and he was but little concerned at her sending no reply to his letter; +but when he heard the confession of his brother-in-law's attempts in +the same quarter, the spirit of rivalry stirred him once more. "A +girl," thought he, "will yield to him who pays her the most +attentions. I must not allow him to excel me in that." And Genji +determined to achieve what he intended to do, and with this object +still enlisted the aid of Tayu. He told her that the Princess's +treating his letter with such indifference was an act of great +cruelty. "Perhaps she does this," said he, "because she suspects I am +changeable. I am not, however, such a one as that. It is often only +the fault of ladies themselves that causes men to appear so; besides a +lady, like the Princess, who has neither parent nor brother to +interfere with her, is a most desirable acquaintance, as we can +maintain our friendship far better than we could otherwise do." + +"Yes! what you say is all very well," replied Tayu, "but the Princess +is not exactly so placed that any one can make himself quite at ease +with her. As I told you before she is very bashful and reserved; but +yet is perhaps more desirable for this very reason," and she detailed +many more particulars about her. This enabled Genji to fully picture +the general bearing of the Princess's character; and he thought, +"Perhaps her mind is not one of brilliant activity, but she may be +modest, and of a quiet nature, worthy of attention." And so he kept +the recollection of her alive in his mind. Before, however, he met +her, many events had taken place. He had been attacked by the ague, +which led to his journey to the mountain and his discovery of Violet, +and his secret affection for a certain one in the palace. + +His mind being thus otherwise occupied, the spring and summer passed +away without anything further transpiring about the Princess. As the +autumn advanced his thoughts recurred to past times, and even the +sound of the fuller's hammer, which he had listened to in the home of +Yugao, came back to his mental ear; and these reveries again brought +him to the recollection of the Princess Hitachi, and now once more he +began to urge Tayu to contrive a meeting. + +It would seem that there was no difficulty for Tayu to bring the +matter about, but at the same time no one knew better than herself +that the natural gifts and culture of the Princess were far from +coming up to Genji's standard. She thought, however, that it would +matter very little if he did not care for her, but if, on the other +hand, he did so, he was quite free to come and see her without any +interference. For this reason she at last made up her mind to bring +them together, and she gave several hints to the Princess. + +Now it so happened towards the end of August that Tayu was on one +occasion engaged in conversing with the Princess. The evening was as +yet moonless, the stars alone twinkled in the heavens, and the gentle +winds blew plaintively over the tall trees around the mansion. The +conversation gradually led to times gone by, and the Princess was +rendered sad by the contrast of her present circumstances with those +of her father's time. "This is a good opportunity," thought Tayu, and +she sent, it seems, a message to Genji, who soon hastened to the +mansion with his usual alacrity. At the moment when he arrived on the +scene the long-looked-for moon had just made her appearance over the +tops of a distant mountain, and as he looked along the wildly growing +hedges around the residence, he heard the sound of the _koto_, which +was being played by the Princess at Tayu's request. It sounded a +little too old-fashioned, but that was of no consequence to the eager +ears of the Prince. He soon made his way to the entrance, and +requested a domestic to announce him to Tayu. + +When the latter heard of this she affected great surprise, and said to +the Princess, "The Prince has come. How annoying! He has often been +displeased because I have not yet introduced him to you. I have often +told him that you do not particularly like it, and therefore I cannot +think what makes him come here. I had better see him and send him +away, but what shall I say. We cannot treat him like an ordinary +person. I am really puzzled what to do. Will you not let me ask you if +you will see him for a few minutes, then all matters will end +satisfactorily?" + +"But I am not used to receive people," said the Princess, blushing. +"How simple minded!" rejoined Tayu, coaxingly, "I am sorry for that, +for the bashfulness of young ladies who are under the care of their +parents may sometimes be even desirable, but how then is that parallel +with your case? Besides, I do not see any good in a friendless maiden +refusing the offer of a good acquaintance." + +"Well, if you really insist upon it," said the Princess, "perhaps I +will; but don't expose me too much to the gaze of a stranger." + +Having thus cunningly persuaded the Princess, Tayu set the +reception-room in order, into which Genji was soon shown. The Princess +was all the while experiencing much nervousness, and as she did not +know exactly how to manage, she left everything to Tayu, and was led +by her to the room to receive her visitor. The room was arranged in +such a way that the Princess had her back to the light so that her +face and emotions could be obscured. + +The perfume which she used was rich, still preserving the trait of +high birth, but her demeanor was timid, and her deportment awkward. + +Genji at once noticed this. "Just as I imagined. She is so simple," +thought he, and then he commenced to talk with her, and to explain how +passionately he had desired to see her. She, however, listened to him +almost in silence, and gave no plain answer. Genji was disconcerted, +and at last said, + + "From you I sought so oft reply, + But you to give one would not deign, + If you discard me, speak, and I + Will cease to trouble you again." + +The governess of the Princess, Kojijiu by name, who was present, was a +sagacious woman, and noticing the embarrassment of the lady, she +advanced to her side, and made the following reply in such a +well-timed manner that her real object, which was to conceal the +deficiencies of her mistress, did not betray itself-- + + "Not by the ringing of a bell, + Your words we wish to stay; + But simply, she has nought to tell, + And nothing much to say." + +"Your eloquence has so struck me that my mouth is almost closed," said +Genji, smiling-- + + "Not speaking is a wiser part, + And words are sometimes vain, + But to completely close the heart + In silence, gives me pain." + +He then tried to speak of this thing and that indifferently, but all +hopes of agreeable responsiveness on the lady's part being vain, he +coolly took his leave, and left the mansion, much disappointed. + +This evening he slept in his mansion at Nijio. The next morning +To-no-Chiujio appeared before he had risen. + +"How late, how late!" he cried, in a peculiar tone. "Were you fatigued +last night, eh?" + +Genji rose and presently came out, saying, "I have overslept myself, +that is all; nothing to disturb me. But have you come from the palace? +Was it your official watch-night?"[65] + +"Yes," replied To-no-Chiujio, "and I must inform you that the dancers +and musicians for the _fete_ in Suzak-in are to be nominated to-day. I +came from the palace to report this to my father, so I must now go +home, but I will soon return to you." + +"I will go with you," said Genji, "but let us breakfast before we +start." + +Breakfast was accordingly brought, of which they partook. Two +carriages, Genji's and To-no-Chiujio's, were driven to the door, but +To-no-Chiujio invited the Prince to take a seat with him. Genji +complied, and they drove off. Going along To-no-Chiujio observed with +an envious tone in his voice, "You look very sleepy;" to which Genji +returned an indifferent reply. From the house of Sadaijin they +proceeded to the Imperial Palace to attend the selection of the +dancers and musicians. Thence Genji drove with his father-in-law to +the mansion of the latter. + +Here in the excitement of the coming _fete_ were assembled several +young nobles, in addition to Genji himself. Some practised dancing, +others music, the sound of which echoed everywhere around. A large +_hichiriki_ and a _shakuhachi_ (two kinds of flute) were blown with +the utmost vigor. Even large drums were rolled upon a balcony and +beaten with a will. + +During the following days, therefore, Genji was so busily engaged that +no thought came across his mind of revisiting the Princess Hitachi. +Tayu certainly came now and then, and strove to induce him to pay the +Princess another visit, but he made an excuse on the pretext of being +so much occupied. + +It was not until the _fete_ was over that one evening he resolved to +pay a visit there. He did not, however, announce his intention openly, +but went there in strict secrecy, making his way to the house +unobserved, as there was no one about. + +On his arrival he went up to the latticed window and peeped through. +The curtains were old and half worn out, yet were still left to hang +in the once pretty and decorated chamber. There were a few domestic +maidens there partaking of supper. The table and service seemed to be +old Chinese, but everything else betrayed a scantiness of furniture. + +In the further room where the mistress was probably dining, an old +waitress was passing in and out, wearing a peculiar white dress rather +faded in appearance, and an awkward-looking comb in her hair, after +the old-fashioned style of those formerly in the service of the +aristocratic class, of whom a few might still be retained in a family. + +"Ah," thought Genji, smiling, "we might see this kind of thing in the +college of ceremonies." One of the maids happened to say, "This poor +cold place! when one's life is too long, such fate comes to us." +Another answered her, "How was it we did not like the mansion when the +late Prince was living?" + +Thus they talked about one thing or another connected with their +mistress's want of means. + +Genji did not like that they should know that he had seen and heard +all this, so he slyly withdrew some distance, and then advancing with +a firm step, approached the door and knocked. + +"Some one is come," cried a servant, who then brought a light, opened +the door, and showed him into a room where he was soon joined by the +Princess, neither Tayu nor Kojijiu being there on this occasion. The +latter was acquainted with the Saiin (the sacred virgin at the Temple +of Kamo),[66] and often spent some time with her. On this occasion she +happened to be visiting her, a circumstance which was not very +convenient for the Princess. The dilapidated state of the mansion was +just as novel to Genji as that which he had seen in the lodge of +Yugao, but the great drawback consisted in the Princess's want of +responsiveness. He spoke much, she but little. Outside, in the +meantime, the weather had become boisterous and snow fell thickly, +while within in the room where they sat the lamp burned dimly, no one +waiting there even to trim the light. + +Some hours were spent between them, and then Genji rose, and throwing +up the shutter in the same way as he did in the lodge of Yugao, looked +upon the snow which had fallen in the garden. The ground was covered +with a sheet of pure whiteness; no footstep had left its trace, +betraying the fact that few persons came to the mansion. He was about +to take his departure, but some vague impulse arrested him. Turning to +the Princess, he asked her to come near him, and to look out on the +scene, and she somewhat unreadily complied. + +The evening was far advanced, but the reflection of the snow threw a +faint light over all. Now, for the first time, he discovered the +imperfections of the personal attractions of the Princess. First, her +stature was very tall, the upper part of her figure being out of +proportion to the lower, then one thing which startled him most was +her nose. It reminded him of the elephant of Fugen. It was high and +long; while its peak, a little drooping, was tinged with pink. To the +refined eyes of Genji this was a sad defect. Moreover, she was thin, +too thin; and her shoulders drooped too much, as if the dress was too +heavy for them. + +"Why am I so anxious to examine and criticise?" thought Genji, but his +curiosity impelled him to continue his examination. Her hair and the +shape of her head were good, in no way inferior to those of others he +liked so well. Her complexion was fair, and her forehead well +developed. The train of her dress, which hung down gracefully, seemed +about a foot too long. If I described everything which she wore I +should become loquacious, but in old stories the dress of the +personages is very often more minutely described than anything else; +so I must, I suppose, do the same. Her vest and skirt dress were +double, and were of light green silk, a little worn, over which was a +robe of dark color. Over all this she wore a mantle of sable of good +quality, only a little too antique in fashion. To all these things, +therefore, he felt no strong objection; but the two things he could +not pass unnoticed were her nose, and her style of movement. She moved +in a stiff and constrained manner, like a master of the ceremonies in +some Court procession, spreading out his arms and looking important. +This afforded him amusement, but still he felt for her. "If I say too +much, pardon me," said Genji, "but you seem apparently friendless. I +should advise you to take interest in one with whom you have made +acquaintance. He will sympathize with you. You are much too reserved. +Why are you so? + + The icicle hangs at the gable end, + But melts when the sun is high, + Why does your heart not to me unbend, + And warm to my melting sigh." + +A smile passed over the lips of the Princess, but they seemed too +stiff to reply in a similar strain. She said nothing. + +The time had now come for Genji to depart. His carriage was drawn up +to the middle gate, which, like everything else that belonged to the +mansion, was in a state of dilapidation. "The spot overgrown with wild +vegetation, spoken of by Sama-no-Kami might be such as this," he +thought. "If one can find a real beauty of elevated character and +obtain her, how delightful would it not be! The spot answers the +description, but the girl does not quite equal the idea; however, I +really pity her, and will look after her. She is a fortunate girl, for +if I were not such a one as I am, I should have little sympathy for +the unfortunate and unfavored. But this is not what I shall do." + +He saw an orange tree in the garden covered with snow. He bade his +servant shake it free. A pine tree which stood close by suddenly +jerked its branches as if in emulation of its neighbor, and threw off +its load of snow like a wave. The gate through which he had to drive +out was not yet opened. The gatekeeper was summoned to open it. +Thereupon an aged man came forth from his lodge. A miserable-looking +girl with a pinched countenance stood by, his daughter or his +granddaughter, whose dress looked poorer from the whiteness of the +surrounding snow. She had something containing lighted charcoal which +she held to her breast for warmth. + +When she observed that her aged parent could scarcely push back the +gate, she came forward and helped him. And the scene was quite droll. +Genji's servant also approached them, and the gates were thrown open. + +Again Genji hummed:-- + + "The one who on the time-bent head of age, + Beholds the gathered snow, + Nor less his tears of grief may shed, + For griefs that youth can only know." + +and added, "Youth with its body uncovered."[67] Then the pitiable +image of one with a tinged flower[68] on her face presented itself +once more to his thoughts and made him smile. + +"If To-no-Chiujio observed this, what would he not have to say?" +thought he, as he drove back slowly to his mansion. + +After this time communications were frequently sent from Genji to the +Princess. This he did because he pitied the helpless condition and +circumstances he had witnessed more than for any other reason. He also +sent her rolls of silk, which might replace the old-fashioned +sable-skins, some damask, calico and the like. Indeed, presents were +made even to her aged servants and to the gatekeeper. + +In ordinary circumstances with women, particular attention such as +this might make a blush, but the Princess did not take it in such a +serious light, nor did Genji do this from any other motive than +kindness. + +The year approached its end! He was in his apartment in the Imperial +Palace, when one morning Tayu came in. She was very useful to him in +small services, such as hairdressing, so she had easy access to him, +and thus she came to him this morning. + +"I have something strange to tell you, but it is somewhat trying for +me to do so," she said, half smiling. + +"What can it be? There can be nothing to conceal from me!" + +"But I have some reason for my hesitation to reveal it," replied Tayu. + +"You make a difficulty, as usual," rejoined Genji. + +"This is from the Princess," she said, taking a letter from her pocket +and presenting it. + +"Is this a thing of all others that you ought to conceal," cried +Genji, taking the letter and opening it. It was written on thick and +coarse paper of Michinok manufacture. The verse it contained ran as +follows:-- + + "Like this, my sleeves are worn away, + By weeping at your long delay." + +These words puzzled Genji. Inclining his head in a contemplative way, +he glanced from the paper to Tayu, and from Tayu to the paper. Then +she drew forth a substantial case of antique pattern, saying, "I +cannot produce such a thing without shame, but the Princess expressly +sent this for your New Year. I could not return it to her nor keep it +myself; I hope you will just look at it." + +"Oh, certainly," replied Genji. "It is very kind of her," at the same +time thinking, "What a pitiful verse! This may really be her own +composition. No doubt Kojijiu has been absent, besides she seems to +have had no master to improve her penmanship. This must have been +written with great effort. We ought to be grateful for it, as they +say." Here a smile rose on Genji's cheeks, and a blush upon Tayu's. +The case was opened, and a Naoshi (a kind of gown), of scarlet, shabby +and old-fashioned, of the same color on both sides, was found inside. +The sight was almost too much for Genji from its very absurdity. He +stretched out the paper on which the verse had been written, and began +to write on one side, as if he was merely playing with the pen. Tayu, +glancing slyly, found that he had written:-- + + This color pleases not mine eye, + Too fiery bright its gaudy hue, + And when the saffron flower was nigh, + The same pink tinge was plain to view. + +He then erased what he had written, but Tayu quickly understood what +he really meant by "saffron flower," referring to the pinkness of its +flower, so she remarked:-- + + "Although the dress too bright in hue, + And scarlet tints may please you not, + At least to her, who sends, be true, + Soon will Naoshi be forgot." + +While they were thus prattling on the matter, people were entering the +room to see him, so Genji hastily put the things aside, and Tayu +retired. + +A few days after, Genji one morning looked into the Daihan-sho (large +parlor), where he found Tayu, and threw a letter to her, saying, +"Tayu, here is the answer. It has cost me some pains," and then passed +through, humming as he went, with a peculiar smile, + + "Like that scarlet-tinged plum." + +None but Tayu understood the real allusion. One of the women observed, +"The weather is too frosty, perhaps he has seen some one reddened by +the frost." Another said, "What an absurdity! There is no one among us +of that hue, but perhaps Sakon or Uneme may be like this," and thus +they chattered on till the matter dropped. + +The letter was soon sent by Tayu to the Princess, who assembled all +her attendants round her, and they all read it together, when the +following was found in it:-- + + Of my rare visits you complain, + But can the meaning be, + Pray come not often, nor again, + For I am tired of thee. + +On the last day of the year he made the following presents to the +Princess, sending them in the same case as the Naoshi had been sent to +him: stuff for a complete dress, which had originally been presented +to himself; also rolls of silk, one of the color of the purple grape, +another of the Kerria japonica color, and others. All these were +handed to the Princess by Tayu. It should be observed that these +presents were made by Genji to the Princess chiefly on account of her +reduced circumstances. Her attendants, however, who wished to flatter +their mistress, exclaimed, "Our scarlet dress was very good, too. +Scarlet is a color which never fades. The lines we sent were also +excellent. Those of the Prince are, no doubt, a little amusing, but +nothing more." + +The Princess, flattered by the remarks, wrote down her verse in her +album, as if worthy of preservation. + +The New Year began with the morrow; and it was announced that the +Otoko-doka (gentlemen's singing dances) would soon take place in which +Genji would take part. Hence he was busy in going backwards and +forwards, to practise, but the lonely residence of the saffron flower +began to draw his thoughts in that direction. So after the ceremony of +the State Festival, on the seventh day, he betook himself there in the +evening, after he had left the Emperor's presence, having made a +pretence of retiring to his own private apartments. On this occasion +the appearance of the lady happened to be a little more attractive, +and Genji was pleased, thinking there might be a time when she would +improve still more. When the sun shone forth he rose to leave. He +opened the casement on the western side of the mansion, and, looking +at the corridor, perceived that its roof was broken. Through it the +sunshine peeped, and shone upon the slight cover of snow scattered in +the crevices. The scene, as we have before said, betrayed everywhere +dilapidation and decay. + +The mirror-stand, combs, and dressing-case were brought in by an +attendant. They were all of an extremely antique pattern. He drew an +"arm-stool" near him, and resting himself upon it began combing his +hair. He was amused at the sight of these articles, which were +doubtless a legacy from her parents. The dress of the Princess was in +every way nicer. It had been made out of the silk of Genji's present. +He recognized it by the tasteful pattern. Turning to her he said, +"This year you might become a little more genial, the only thing I +wait for above all is a change in your demeanor." To which she, with +some awkwardness, said, + + "In the spring, when numerous birds sing." + +Such poetic responses were a great delight to Genji, who thought they +were the silent touches of time, and that she had made some +improvement. He then left and returned to his mansion in Nijio, where +he saw the young Violet innocently amusing herself. She wore with +grace a long close-fitting cherry-colored dress of plain silk. She had +not yet blackened her teeth,[69] but he now made her do so, which gave +a pleasant contrast to her eyebrows. He played at their usual games at +toys with her, trying in every way to please her. She drew pictures +and painted them, so did he also. He drew the likeness of a lady with +long hair, and painted her nose with pink. Even in caricature it was +odd to see. He turned his head to a mirror in which he saw his own +image reflected in great serenity. He then took the brush and painted +his own nose pink. Violet, on seeing this, screamed. + +"When I become ornamented in this way what shall I be like?" inquired +Genji. + +"That would be a great pity. Do wipe it off, it might stain," she +replied. + +Genji partly wiped it off, saying, "Need I wipe it off any more? +Suppose I go with this to the Palace?" + +On this Violet approached and carefully wiped it for him. "Don't put +any more color," cried Genji, "and play upon me as Heijiu."[70] + +The mild sun of spring descended in the west, and darkness slowly +gathered over the forest tops, obscuring all but the lovely white plum +blossoms which were still visible amidst the gloom. At the front of +the porch, also, a red plum blossom, which usually opens very early, +was deeply tinged with glowing hues. Genji murmured:-- + + "The 'red-tinged flower' is far from fair, + Nor do my eyes delight to see, + But yon red plum which blossoms there, + Is full of loveliness to me." + +What will become of all these personages! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 65: Young nobles spent a night in the palace in turns, to +attend to any unexpected official business.] + +[Footnote 66: When a new emperor succeeded, two virgins, chosen from +the royal princesses, were sent--one to the Shinto temple at Ise, the +other to the same temple at Kamo--to become vestals, and superintend +the services.] + +[Footnote 67: From a Chinese poem about poor people "night advancing, +snow and hail fly white around. Youth with its body uncovered, and the +aged with chilly pain, grief and cold come together, and make them +both sob."] + +[Footnote 68: A play upon the word "hana," which means a nose, as well +as a flower.] + +[Footnote 69: An old custom in Japan for girls when married, or even +betrothed, is to blacken their teeth. This custom, however, is rapidly +disappearing.] + +[Footnote 70: In an old tale it is stated that this man had a +sweetheart. He often pretended to be weeping, and made his eyes moist +by using the water which he kept in his bottle for mixing ink, in +order to deceive her. She discovered this ruse; so one day she put ink +into it secretly. He damped his eyes as usual, when, giving him a hand +mirror, she hummed, "You may show me your tears, but don't show your +blackened face to strangers."] + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MAPLE FETE + + +The Royal visit to the Suzak-in was arranged to take place towards the +middle of October, and was anticipated to be a grand affair. Ladies +were not expected to take part in it, and they all regretted their not +being able to be present. + +The Emperor, therefore, wished to let his favorite, the Princess +Wistaria, above others, have an opportunity of witnessing a rehearsal +that would represent the coming _fete_, and ordered a preliminary +concert to be performed at the Court, in which Genji danced the "Blue +Main Waves," with To-no-Chiujio for his partner. They stood and danced +together, forming a most pleasing contrast--one, so to speak, like a +bright flower; the other, an everlasting verdure beside it. The rays +of the setting sun shone over their heads, and the tones of the music +rose higher and higher in measure to their steps. The movements both +of hand and foot were eminently graceful; as well, also, was the song +of Genji, which was sung at the end of his dance, so that some of the +people remarked that the sound of the holy bird, Kariobinga,[71] might +be even like this. And so the rehearsal ended. + +When the day of the _fete_ came, all the Royal Princes, including the +Heir-apparent, and all personages of State, were present at the scene. +On the lake, "the music boat," filled with selected musicians, floated +about, as usual on such occasions; and in the grounds, the bands, +which were divided into two divisions on the right and left, under the +direction of two Ministers and two Yemon-no-Kami, played. With this +music different dances, including Chinese and Corean, were performed, +one after another, by various dancers. As the performance went on, the +high winds rustled against the tall fir-trees, as though Divine +strains of music had broken forth on high in harmony with them. The +tune of the bands became quick and thrilling, as different colored +leaves whirled about overhead. + +Then, at length, the hero of the "Blue Main Waves" made his +appearance, to the delight of the suddenly startled spectators, from +the midst of a knoll in the grounds, covered with maple leaves. The +twigs of maple which crowned his head, became thinned as he danced, +and a Sadaishio, plucking a bunch of chrysanthemums from in front of +the Royal stand, replaced the lessened maple leaves. The sun was by +this time descending, and the sky had become less glaring, while the +face of Nature seemed as if it were smiling on the scene. Genji danced +with unusual skill and energy. All the pages and attendants, who were +severally stationed here under the side of the rock, there under the +shade of the foliage, were quite impressed with the effects of the +performance. + +After Genji, a little prince, the child of the Niogo of Jiokio-den, +danced the "Autumn Gales," with a success next to that of Genji. Then, +the principal interest of the day being over, as these dances were +finished, the _fete_ ended. This very evening Genji was invested with +the title of Shosammi, and To-no-Chiujio with that of Shoshii. Many +other persons also received promotion in rank according to their +merits. + +It was after this _fete_ that the young Violet was taken into the +mansion of Genji at Nijio, and she lived with him. The more care he +took of her the more amiable she became, while nothing pleased him +more than teaching her to read and write. + +The full extent of her mourning for her grandmother was three months, +as it is for the maternal side; and on the last day of December her +dress was changed. As she, however, had been always brought up under +the care of her grandmother, her indebtedness to the latter was not to +be held lightly; consequently any bright colors were not advisable for +her, so she wore plain scarlet, mauve, and light yellow, without +trimmings or ornament on them. + +The dawn ushered in the New Year's day. Genji was about to leave his +mansion to attend the New Year's _levee_. Just before starting, he +came into Violet's room to see her. + +"How are you? Are you becoming less childish now?" said he, with a +smile to the girl who was playing with her Hina (toys). + +"I am trying to mend this. Inuki damaged it when he was playing what +he called 'driving out devils,'"[72] replied the girl. + +"What carelessness! I will soon get it mended for you. Don't cry this +day, please," said Genji, and he went off, the maidens who attended on +Violet accompanying him to the door. This example was also followed by +Violet herself. + +She went back again to her toys, and presented a toy prince, whom she +called Genji, at the Court of her toy house. Shionagon was beside her. +She said:-- + +"You might really be a little more womanly, as the Prince told you. +How very childish! a girl older than ten always playing with toys!" + +Violet said nothing; but she seemed, for the first time, to have +become aware that she was expected to be a woman in the course of +time. + +From the Court, Genji went to the mansion of Sadaijin. Lady Aoi was as +cool to him as ever. His persuasive eloquence availed him but little. +She was older than Genji by four years, and was as cold and stately in +her mien as ever. Her father, however, received him joyfully whenever +he called, although he was not always satisfied with the +capriciousness of his son-in-law. + +The next morning Genji rose early, and was arranging his toilet, with +a view of making his New Year's visits, when Sadaijin entered the +room, and officiously assisted him in putting on his dress, except, +perhaps, his boots. He, moreover, had brought him a belt mounted with +rare jewels, and requested him to wear it. + +Genji observed: "Such a belt is more suited for some special +occasion--such as a Royal banquet, or the like." But Sadaijin insisted +on his putting it on, telling him that for that sort of occasion he +possessed a much more valuable one. + +These New Year's visits were only paid to the Emperor, to the +Heir-apparent, and to the Princess Wistaria at her private residence +in Sanjio, where she had retired, but she did not receive him +personally. At this time, the Princess was not in her usual state of +health, for she was approaching her confinement. Many people, who +thought that they might have heard of the event in December, now began +to say, "At least we shall receive the intelligence this month," and +the Emperor himself became impatient; but the month passed away, and +yet it did not happen. In the middle of February, however, she was +safely delivered of a Prince. During the following April the child was +presented to the Emperor.[73] He was rather big for his age, and had +already begun to notice those around him. + +In these days much of Genji's time was passed at Nijio with Violet, +and Lady Aoi was still greatly neglected. The circumstances which +induced him to stay at home more than ever were these: He would order +his carriage to be brought in readiness to take him; but, before it +was ready, he would proceed to the western wing, where Violet lived. +Perhaps, with eyes drowsy after dozing, and playing on a flute as he +went, he would find her moping on one side of the room, like a fair +flower moistened with dews. He would then approach her side, and say, +"How are you? Are you not well?" She, without being startled, would +slowly open her eyes, and murmur: "Sad like the weed in a creek," and +then put her hand on her mouth deprecatingly. On this he would remark, +"How knowing you are! Where did you learn such things?" He would then +call for a _koto_, and saying "The worst of the _soh-koto_ is that its +middle chord should break so easily," would arrange it for a Hiojio +tune, and when he had struck a few chords on it, would offer it to +her, asking her to play, and would presently accompany her with his +flute. They would then play some difficult air, perhaps Hosoroguseri, +a very ugly name, but a very lively tune, and she would keep very good +time, and display her skill. The lamp would be presently brought in, +and they would look over some pictures together. In due time, the +carriage would be announced. Perhaps it might be added, "It is coming +on to rain." Upon hearing this, she would, perhaps, put her pictures +aside, and become downcast. He would then smooth her wavy hair, and +say, "Are you sorry when I am not here?" To this question she would +indicate her feelings by slightly nodding an affirmative, and she +would lean on his knee and begin to doze. + +He would then say, "I shall not go out to-night." The servant having +brought in supper, would tell her that Genji was not going out that +evening. Then she would manifest the greatest delight, and would +partake of the supper. And thus it came to pass that he often +disappointed one who was expecting him. + +The way that Genji neglected his bride gradually became known to the +public--nay, to the Emperor himself, who sometimes admonished him, +telling him that his father-in-law always took great interest in him +and great care from his earliest childhood, and saying that he hoped +that he would surely not forget all these benefits, and that it was +strange to be unkind to his daughter. But when these remarks were made +to Genji, he answered nothing. + +Let us now change our subject. The Emperor, though he had already +passed the meridian of life, was still fond of the society of the fair +sex. And his Court was full of ladies who were well versed in the ways +of the world. Some of these would occasionally amuse themselves by +paying attentions to Genji. We will here relate the following amusing +incident:-- + +There was at the Court a Naishi-no-Ske, who was already no longer +young, and commonly called Gen-Naishi-no-Ske. Both her family and +character were good. She was, however, in spite of her age, still +coquettish, which was her only fault. Genji often felt amused at her +being so young in temperament, and he enjoyed occasionally talking +nonsense with her. She used to attend on the Emperor while his hair +was being dressed. One day, after he had retired into his +dressing-room, she remained in the other room, and was smoothing her +own hair. Genji happened to pass by. He stole unperceived into the +room, and slyly tugged the skirt of her robe. She started, and +instinctively half concealed her face with an old-fashioned fan, and +looked back at Genji with an arch glance in her sunken eyes. "What an +unsuitable fan for you!" exclaimed Genji, and took it from her hand. +It was made of reddish paper, apparently long in use, and upon it an +ancient forest had been thickly painted. In a corner was written, in +antique style, the following words:-- + + "On grasses old, 'neath forest trees, + No steed will browse or swain delay, + However real that grass may be, + 'Tis neither good for food nor play." + +Genji was highly amused. "There are many things one might write on +fans," thought he; "what made her think of writing such odd lines as +these?" + +"Ah!" said Genji, "I see, 'its summer shade is still thick +though!'"[74] + +While he was joking he felt something like nervousness in thinking +what people might say if anyone happened to see him flirting with such +an elderly lady. She, on her side, had no such fear. She replied-- + + "If beneath that forest tree, + The steed should come or swain should be, + Where that ancient forest grows, + Is grass for food, and sweet repose." + +"What?" retorted Genji, + + "If my steed should venture near, + Perhaps he'd find a rival there, + Some one's steed full well, I ween, + Rejoices in these pastures green." + +And quitted the room. + +The Emperor, who had been peeping unobserved into it, after he had +finished his toilet, laughed heartily to himself at the scene. + +To-no-Chiujio was somehow informed of Genji's fun with this lady, and +became anxious to discover how far he meant to carry on the joke. He +therefore sought her acquaintance. Genji knew nothing of this. It +happened on a cool summer evening that Genji was sauntering round the +Ummeiden in the palace yard. He heard the sound of a _biwa_ (mandolin) +proceeding from a veranda. It was played by this lady. She performed +well upon it, for she was often accustomed to play it before the +Emperor along with male musicians. It sounded very charming. She was +also singing to it the "Melon grower." + +"Ah!" thought Genji, "the singing woman in Gakshoo, whom the poet +spoke of, may have been like this one," and he stood still and +listened. Slowly he approached near the veranda, humming slowly, as +he went, "Adzmaya," which she soon noticed, and took up the song, "Do +open and come in! but + + I do not believe you're in the rain, + Nor that you really wish to come in." + +Genji at once responded, + + "Whose love you may be I know not, + But I'll not stand outside your cot," + +and was going away, when he suddenly thought, "This is too abrupt!" +and coming back, he entered the apartment. + +How great was the joy of To-no-Chiujio, who had followed Genji +unperceived by him, when he saw this. He contrived a plan to frighten +him, so he reconnoitred in order to find some favorable opportunity. + +The evening breeze blew chill, and Genji it appears was becoming very +indifferent. Choosing this moment To-no-Chiujio slyly stepped forth to +the spot where Genji was resting. + +Genji soon noticed his footsteps, but he never imagined that it was +his brother-in-law. He thought it was Suri-no-Kami, a great friend of +the lady. He did not wish to be seen by this man. He reproached her +for knowing that he was expected, but that she did not give him any +hint. Carrying his Naoshi on his arm, he hid himself behind a folding +screen. To-no-Chiujio, suppressing a laugh, advanced to the side of +the screen, and began to fold it from one end to the other, making a +crashing noise as he did so. The lady was in a dilemma, and stood +aloof. Genji would fain have run out, and concealed himself elsewhere, +but he could not get on his Naoshi, and his head-dress was all awry. +The Chiujio spoke not a word lest he should betray himself, but making +a pretended angry expostulation, he drew his sword. All at once the +lady threw herself at his feet, crying, "My lord! my lord!" +To-no-Chiujio could scarcely constrain himself from laughing. She was +a woman of about fifty seven, but her excitement was more like that of +a girl of twenty. + +Genji gradually perceived that the man's rage was only simulated, and +soon became aware who it was that was there; so he suddenly rushed +out, and catching hold of To-no-Chiujio's sword-arm, pinched it +severely. To-no-Chiujio no longer maintained his disguise, but burst +into loud laughter. + +"How are you my friend, were you in earnest?" exclaimed Genji, +jestingly--"but first let me put on my Naoshi." But To-no-Chiujio +caught it, and tried to prevent him putting it on. + +"Then I will have yours," cried Genji, seizing the end of +To-no-Chiujio's sash, and beginning to unfasten it, while the latter +resisted. Then they both began to struggle, and their Naoshi soon +began to tear. + +"Ah," cried To-no-Chiujio, + + "Like the Naoshi to the eye, + Your secrets all discovered lie." + +"Well," replied Genji, + + "This secret if so well you know, + Why am I now disturbed by you?" + +And they both quitted the room without much noticing the state of +their garments. + +To-no-Chiujio proceeded to his official chamber, and Genji to his own +apartment. The sash and other things which they had left behind them +were soon afterwards sent to Genji by the lady. + +The sash was that of To-no-Chiujio. Its color was somewhat deeper than +his own, and while he was looking at this, he suddenly noticed that +one end of a sleeve of his own Naoshi was wanting. "To-no-Chiujio, I +suppose, has carried it off, but I have him also, for here is his +sash!" A page boy from To-no-Chiujio's office hereupon entered, +carrying a packet in which the missing sleeve was wrapped, and a +message advising Genji to get it mended before all things. "Fancy if I +had not got this sash?" thought Genji, as he made the boy take it back +to his master in return. + +In the morning they were in attendance at Court. They were both +serious and solemn in demeanor, as it happened to be a day when there +was more official business than on other days; To-no-Chiujio (who +being chief of the Kurand, which office has to receive and despatch +official documents) was especially much occupied. Nevertheless they +were amused themselves at seeing each other's solemn gravity. + +In an interval, when free from duty, To-no-Chiujio came up to Genji +and said, with envious eyes, "Have you not been a little scared in +your private expedition?" when Genji replied, "No, why so? there was +nothing serious in it; but I do sympathize with one who took so much +useless trouble." + +They then cautioned each other to be discreet about the matter, which +became afterwards a subject for laughter between them. + +Now even some Royal Princes would give way to Genji, on account of his +father's favor towards him, but To-no-Chiujio, on the contrary, was +always prepared to dispute with him on any subject, and did not yield +to him in any way. He was the only brother of the Lady Aoi by the same +Royal mother, with an influential State personage for their father, +and in his eyes there did not seem to be much difference between +himself and Genji. + +The incidents of the rivalry between them, therefore, were often very +amusing, though we cannot relate them all. + +In the month of July the Princess Wistaria was proclaimed Empress. +This was done because the Emperor had a notion of abdication in favor +of the Heir-apparent and of making the son of the Princess Wistaria +the Heir-apparent to the new Emperor, but there was no appropriate +guardian or supporter, and all relations on the mother's side were of +the Royal blood, and thereby disqualified from taking any active part +in political affairs. + +For this reason the Emperor wished to make the position of the mother +firmer. + +The mother of the Heir-apparent, whom this arrangement left still a +simple Niogo, was naturally hurt and uneasy at another being +proclaimed Empress. Indeed she was the mother of the Heir-apparent, +and had been so for more than twenty years. And the public remarked +that it was a severe trial for her to be thus superseded by another. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 71: Kalavinka, the beautifully singing holy birds in +Paradise, to whose singing the voice of Buddha is compared.] + +[Footnote 72: On New Year's Eve, in Japan, some people fry peas, and +throw them about the rooms, saying, "Avaunt, Devil, avaunt! Come in +happiness!" This is called driving out devils.] + +[Footnote 73: An infant born to the Emperor is presented to him only +when it has attained the age of some months.] + +[Footnote 74: From an old poem, + + "The shade of Oaraki forest is thick: + The summer has come there, the summer has come!" + +This is a mere metaphorical pun referring to her still being lively in +spite of age.] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FLOWER-FEAST + + +Towards the end of February the cherry flowers at the front of the +Southern Palace were coming into blossom, and a feast was given to +celebrate the occasion. The weather was most lovely, and the merry +birds were singing their melody to the charms of the scene. All the +Royal Princes, nobles and _literati_ were assembled, and among them +the Emperor made his appearance, accompanied by the Princess Wistaria +(now Empress) on the one side, and the Niogo of Kokiden, the mother of +the Heir-apparent on the other; the latter having constrained herself +to take part with her rival in the _fete_, in spite of her uneasiness +at the recent promotion of that rival. + +When all the seats were taken the composing[75] of poems, as was the +custom, commenced, and they began picking up the rhymes. The turn came +in due course to Genji, who picked up the word spring. Next to Genji, +To-no-Chiujio took his. + +Many more followed them, including several aged professors, who had +often been present on similar occasions, with faces wrinkled by time, +and figures bowed by the weight of years. The movements and +announcements[76] both of Genji and his brother-in-law were elegant +and graceful, as might be expected; but among those who followed there +were not a few who showed awkwardness, this being more the case with +scholars of ordinary accomplishments, since this was an epoch when the +Emperor, the Heir-apparent and others of high distinction were more or +less accomplished in these arts. + +Meanwhile, they all partook of the feast; the selected musicians +joyfully played their parts, and as the sun was setting, "The +Spring-lark Sings" (name of a dance) was danced. This reminded those +present of Genji's dance at the maple _fete_, and the Heir-apparent +pressed him to dance, at the same moment putting on his head a wreath +of flowers. Upon this Genji stood up, and waving his sleeves, danced a +little. To-no-Chiujio was next requested by the Emperor to do the same +thing, and he danced the "Willow Flower Gardens" most elaborately, and +was honored by the Emperor with a present of a roll of silk. After +them, many young nobles danced indiscriminately, one after another, +but we cannot give an opinion about them as the darkness was already +gathering round. Lamps were at length brought, when the reading of the +poems took place, and late in the evening all present dispersed. + +The palace grounds now became quite tranquil, and over them the moon +shone with her soft light. + +Genji, his temper mellowed by _sake_, was tempted to take a stroll to +see what he could see. He first sauntered round Fuji-Tsubo (the +chamber of Wistaria) and came up by the side of the corridor of +Kokiden. He noticed a small private door standing open. It seems that +the Niogo was in her upper chamber at the Emperor's quarters, having +gone there after she retired from the feast. The inner sliding door +was also left open, and no human voice was heard from within. + +"Such are occasions on which one often compromises one's self," +thought he, and yet slowly approached the entrance. Just at that +moment he heard a tender voice coming toward him, humming, "Nothing so +sweet as the _oboro_[77] moon-night." Genji waited her approach, and +caught her by the sleeve. It made her start. "Who are you?" she +exclaimed. "Don't be alarmed," he replied, and gently led her back to +the corridor. He then added, "Let us look out on the moonlight +together." She was, of course, nervous, and would fain have cried out. +"Hush," said he; "know that I am one with whom no one will interfere; +be gentle, and let us talk a little while." These words convinced her +that it was Prince Genji, and calmed her fears. + +It appears that he had taken more _sake_ than usual, and this made him +rather reckless. The girl, on the other hand, was still very young, +but she was witty and pleasantly disposed, and spent some time in +conversing with him. + +He did not yet know who she was, and asked, "Can't you let me know +your name? Suppose I wish to write to you hereafter?" But she gave no +decided answer; so Genji, after exchanging his fan with hers, left her +and quietly returned to his apartments. + +Genji's thoughts were now directed to his new acquaintance. He was +convinced that she was one of the younger sisters of the Niogo. He +knew that one of them was married to a Prince, one of his own +relations, and another to his brother-in-law, To-no-Chiujio. He was +perfectly sure that his new acquaintance was not either of these, and +he presumed her to be the fifth or sixth of them, but was not sure +which of these two. + +"How can I ascertain this?" he thought. "If I compromise myself, and +her father becomes troublesome, that won't do; but yet I must know." + +The fan which he had just acquired was of the color of cherry. On it +was a picture representing the pale moon coming out of a purple cloud, +throwing a dim light upon the water. + +To Genji this was precious. He wrote on one side the following, and +kept it carefully, with a longing for the chance of making it +useful:-- + + "The moon I love has left the sky, + And where 'tis hid I cannot tell; + I search in vain, in vain I try + To find the spot where it may dwell." + +Now, it so happened that on a certain day at the end of March, an +archery meeting was to be held at Udaijin's, in which numerous noble +youths were to be present, and which was to be succeeded by the +Wistaria flower-feast. The height of the flower season was past, but +there were two cherry-trees, besides the Wistaria in the gardens, +which blossomed later. A new building in the ground, which had been +decorated for the occasion of the Mogi[78] of the two Princesses, was +being beautifully arranged for this occasion. + +Genji also had been told one day at Court by Udaijin that he might +join the meeting. When the day came Genji did not arrive early. +Udaijin sent by one of his sons the following haughty message to +Genji, who was at the time with the Emperor:-- + + "If the flowers of my home were of every-day hue, + Why should they so long a time have tarried for you?" + +Genji at once showed this to the Emperor, asking whether he had better +go. "Ah!" said the latter, smiling, "This is from a great personage. +You had better go, I should think; besides there are the Princesses +there." + +Thereupon he prepared to go, and made his appearance late in the +afternoon. + +The party was very pleasant, although the archery-match was almost +finished, and several hours were spent in different amusements. As +twilight fell around, Genji affected to be influenced by the _sake_ he +had taken, left the party, and went to that part of the Palace where +the Princesses lived. The Wistaria flowers in the gardens could also +be seen from this spot, and several ladies were looking out on them. + +"I have been too much pressed. Let me take a little quiet shelter +here," said Genji, as he joined them. The room was nicely scented with +burning perfume. There he saw his two half-sisters and some others +with whom he was not acquainted. He was certain that the one he wished +to ascertain about was among them, but from the darkness of the +advancing evening he was unable to distinguish her. He adopted a +device for doing so. He hummed, as he looked vacantly around, the +"Ishi-kawa,"[79] but instead of the original line, "My belt being +taken," artfully, and in an arch tone, substituted the word "fan" for +"belt." + +Some were surprised at this change, while others even said, "What a +strange Ishi-kawa!" One only said nothing, but looked down, and thus +betrayed herself as the one whom he was seeking, and Genji was soon at +her side. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 75: Composing poems in Chinese was a principal part of the +feast. The form of it is this, a Court scholar selects in obedience to +Imperial command, the subject, and then writes different words on +pieces of paper and places them on a table in the gardens, folded up. +Two of these are first picked out for the Emperor, and then each one +after another, according to precedence, goes to the table, takes one, +and these words form their rhymes.] + +[Footnote 76: It was also the custom, when each had taken his paper, +to read it aloud, and also to announce his particular title or +station.] + +[Footnote 77: "Oboro" is an adjective meaning calm, and little +glaring, and is specially attributed to the moon in spring. The line +is from an old ode.] + +[Footnote 78: The ceremony of girls putting on a dress marking the +commencement of womanhood, corresponding to the Gembuk in the case of +boys. These princesses were the daughters of the Niogo of Kokiden. It +was the custom that royal children should be brought up at the home of +the mother.] + +[Footnote 79: Name of a well-known ballad.] + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +HOLLYHOCK + + +The Emperor has at last abdicated his throne, as he has long intended, +in favor of the Heir-apparent, and the only child of the Princess +Wistaria is made Heir-apparent to the new Emperor. + +The ex-Emperor now lived in a private palace with this Princess in a +less royal style; and the Niogo of Kokiden, to whom was given the +honorary title of ex-Empress, resided in the Imperial Palace with the +Emperor, her son, and took up a conspicuous position. The ex-Emperor +still felt some anxiety about the Heir-apparent, and appointed Genji +as his guardian, as he had not yet a suitable person for that office. + +This change in the reigning Emperor, and the gradual advancement of +Genji's position, gave the latter greater responsibility, and he had +to restrain his wandering. + +Now, according to usage, the Saigu[80] and Saiin[81] were selected; +for the latter the second sister of the Emperor was chosen, and for +the former the only daughter of the Lady of Rokjio, whose husband had +been a Royal Prince. + +The day of the departure of the Saigu for Ise was not yet fixed; and +the mind of her mother, who had some reasons for dissatisfaction with +Genji, was still wavering in her indecision, whether or not she should +go to Ise with her daughter. + +The case of the Saiin, however, was different, and the day of her +installation was soon fixed. She was the favorite child of her mother +as well as of her father, and the ceremonies for the day of +consecration were arranged with especial splendor. The number of +persons who take a share in the procession on this occasion is defined +by regulations; yet the selection of this number was most carefully +made from the most fashionable of the nobles of the time, and their +dresses and saddles were all chosen of beautiful appearance. Genji was +also directed by special order to take part in the ceremony. + +As the occasion was expected to be magnificent, every class of the +people showed great eagerness to witness the scene, and a great number +of stands were erected all along the road. The day thus looked forward +to at last arrived. + +Lady Aoi seldom showed herself on such occasions; besides, she was now +in a delicate state of health, near her confinement, and had, +therefore, no inclination to go out. Her attendants, however, +suggested to her that she ought to go. "It is a great pity," they +said, "not to see it; people come from a long distance to see it." Her +mother also said, "You seem better to-day. I think you had better go. +Take these girls with you." + +Being pressed in this way, she hastily made up her mind, and went with +a train of carriages. All the road was thronged by multitudes of +people, many dressed in a style which is called Tsubo-Shozok. Many of +great age prostrated themselves in an attitude of adoration, and many +others, notwithstanding their natural plainness, looked almost +blooming, from the joy expressed in their countenances--nay, even nuns +and aged women, from their retreats, were to be seen amongst them. +Numerous carriages were also squeezed closely together, so that the +broad thoroughfare of the Ichijio road was made almost spaceless. +When, however, the carriages of the Lady Aoi's party appeared, her +attendants ordered several others to make way, and forced a passage to +the spot where the best view could be obtained, and where the common +people were not allowed. Among these happened to be two _ajiro_[82] +carriages, and their inmates were plainly incognito and persons of +rank. + +These belonged to the party of the Lady of Rokjio. When these +carriages were forced to give place, their attendants cried out, +"These carriages do not belong to people who ought to be so abruptly +forced away." But the attendants of the Lady Aoi, who were slightly +under the influence of drink, would not listen to their +expostulations, and they at last made their way and took up their +position, pushing the other two back where nothing could be seen, even +breaking their poles. + +The lady so maltreated was of course extremely indignant, and she +would fain have gone home without seeing the spectacle, but there was +no passage for retiring. Meanwhile the approach of the procession was +announced, and only this calmed her a little. + +Genji was as usual conspicuous in the procession. There were several +carriages along the roads on whose occupants his glance was cast; that +of Lady Aoi, however, was the most striking, and as he passed by the +attendants saluted him courteously, which act Genji acknowledged. What +were the feelings of the Lady of Rokjio, who had been driven back, at +this moment! + +In due course the procession passed, and the exciting scene of the day +was over. The quarrels about the carriage naturally came to the ears +of Genji. He thought that Lady Aoi was too modest to be the instigator +of such a dispute; but her house was one of great and powerful +families famous for overweening pride, a tendency shared by its +domestics; and they, for other motives, also of rivalry, were glad to +have an opportunity of mortifying the Lady of Rokjio. + +He felt for the wounded lady, and hastened to see her; but she, under +some pretext, refused to see him. + +The day of the hollyhock _fete_ of the same temple came. It was +especially grand, as it was the first one after the installation of +the new Saiin, but neither Lady Aoi or the Lady of Rokjio was present, +while Genji privately took Violet with him in a close carriage to see +the festival, and saw the horse-races. + +We have already mentioned that the mind of the Lady of Rokjio was +still wavering and unsettled whether or not she should go to Ise with +her daughter; and this state of mind became more and more augmented +and serious after the day of the dispute about the carriages, which +made her feel a bitter disdain and jealousy towards the Lady Aoi. +Strange to say, that from about the same time, Lady Aoi became ill, +and began to suffer from spiritual influences. All sorts of exorcisms +were duly performed, and some spirits came forth and gave their names. +But among them was a spirit, apparently a "living one,"[83] which +obstinately refused to be transmitted to the third party. It caused +her great suffering, and seemed not to be of a casual nature, but a +permanent hostile influence. Some imagined this to be the effect of +fearful jealousy of some one who was intimately known to Genji and who +had most influence over him; but the spirit gave no information to +this effect. Hence some even surmised that the wandering spirit of +some aged nurse, or the like, long since dead, still haunted the +mansion, and might have seized the opportunity of the lady's delicate +health, and taken possession of her. Meanwhile at the mansion of +Rokjio, the lady, when she was informed of the sufferings of Lady Aoi, +felt somewhat for her, and began to experience a sort of compassion. + +This became stronger when she was told that the sufferings of the Lady +Aoi were owing to some living spirit. She thought that she never +wished any evil to her; but, when she reflected, there were several +times when she began to think that a wounded spirit, such as her own, +might have some influence of the kind. She had sometimes dreams, after +weary thinking, between slumber and waking, in which she seemed to fly +to some beautiful girl, apparently Lady Aoi, and to engage in bitter +contention and struggle with her. She became even terrified at these +dreams; but yet they took place very often. "Even in ordinary +matters," she thought, "it is too common a practice, to say nothing of +the good done by people, but to exaggerate the bad; and so, in such +cases, if it should be rumored that mine was that living spirit which +tormented Lady Aoi, how trying it would be to me! It is no rare +occurrence that one's disembodied spirit, after death, should wander +about; but even that is not a very agreeable idea. How much more, +then, must it be disagreeable to have the repute that one's living +spirit was inflicting pain upon another!" + +These thoughts still preyed upon her mind, and made her listless and +depressed. + +In due course, the confinement of Lady Aoi approached. At the same +time, the jealous spirit still vexed her, and now more vigorous +exorcising was employed. She became much affected by it, and cried +out, "Please release me a little; I have something to tell the +Prince." + +Hereupon he was ushered into the room. The curtain was dropped, and +the mother of the lady left the room, as she thought her daughter +might prefer to speak to him in private. The sound of the spells +performed in the next chamber ceased, and Hoke-kio was read in its +place. The lady was lying on her couch, dressed in a pure white +garment, with her long tresses unfastened. He approached her, and +taking her hand, said: "What sad affliction you cause us!" She then +lifted her heavy eyelids, and gazed on Genji for some minutes. + +He tried to soothe her, and said, "Pray don't trouble yourself too +much about matters. Everything will come right. Your illness, I think, +will soon pass away. Even supposing you quit this present world, there +is another where we shall meet, and where I shall see you once more +cheerful, and there will be a time when your mother and father will +also join you." + +"Ah! no. I only come here to solicit you to give me a little rest. I +feel extremely disturbed. I never thought of coming here in such a +way; but it seems the spirit of one whose thoughts are much +disconcerted wanders away unknown even to itself. + + Oh, bind my wandering spirit, pray, + Dear one, nor let it longer stray." + +The enunciation of these words was not that of Lady Aoi herself; and +when Genji came to reflect, it clearly belonged to the Lady of Rokjio. +Always before, when anyone had talked with him about a living spirit +coming to vex Lady Aoi, he felt inclined to suppress such ideas; but +now he began to think that such things might really happen, and he +felt disturbed. "You speak thus," said Genji, as if he was addressing +the spirit, "but you do not tell me who you are. Do, therefore, tell +me clearly." At these words, strange to say, the face of the Lady Aoi +seemed momentarily to assume the likeness of that of Rokjio. On this, +Genji was still more perplexed and anxious, and put a stop to the +colloquy. Presently she became very calm, and people thought that she +was a little relieved. Soon after this, the lady was safely delivered +of a child. + +Now, to perform due thanksgiving for this happy deliverance, the head +of the monastery on Mount Hiye and some other distinguished priests +were sent for. They came in all haste, wiping off the perspiration +from their faces as they journeyed; and, from the Emperor and Royal +princes down to the ordinary nobles, all took an interest in the +ceremony of Ub-yashinai (first feeding), and the more so as the child +was a boy. + +To return to the Lady of Rokjio. When she heard of the safe delivery +of Lady Aoi, a slightly jealous feeling once more seemed to vex her; +and when she began to move about, she could not understand how it was, +but she perceived that her dress was scented with a strange odor.[84] +She thought this most surprising, and took baths and changed her +dress, in order to get rid of it; but the odor soon returned, and she +was disgusted with herself. + +Some days passed, and the day of autumn appointments arrived. By this +time, Lady Aoi's health seemed progressing favorably, and Genji left +her in order to attend the Court. + +When he said good-by to her, there was a strange and unusual look in +her eyes. Sadaijin also went to Court, as well as his sons, who had +some expectation of promotion, and there were few people left in the +mansion. + +It was in the evening of that day that Lady Aoi was suddenly attacked +by a spasm, and before the news of this could be carried to the Court, +she died. + +These sad tidings soon reached the Court, and created great distress +and confusion: even the arrangements for appointments and promotion +were disturbed. As it happened late in the evening there was no time +to send for the head of the monastery, or any other distinguished +priest. Messengers of inquiry came one after another to the mansion, +so numerous that it was almost impossible to return them all answers. +We need not add how greatly affected were all her relations. + +As the death took place from a malign spiritual influence, she was +left untouched during two or three days, in the hope that she might +revive; but no change took place, and now all hope was abandoned. In +due course the corpse was taken to the cemetery of Toribeno. Numerous +mourners and priests of different churches crowded to the spot, while +representatives of the ex-Emperor, Princess Wistaria, and the +Heir-apparent also were present. The ceremony of burial was performed +with all solemnity and pathos. + +Thus the modest and virtuous Lady Aoi passed away forever. + +Genji forthwith confined himself to his apartment in the grand mansion +of Sadaijin, for mourning and consolation. To-no-Chiujio, who was now +elevated to the title of Sammi, constantly bore him company, and +conversed with him both on serious and amusing subjects. Their +struggle in the apartment of Gen-naishi, and also their rencontre in +the garden of the "Saffron Flower," were among the topics of their +consoling conversation. + +It was on one of these occasions that a soft shower of rain was +falling. The evening was rendered cheerless, and To-no-Chiujio came to +see him, walking slowly in his mourning robes of a dull color. Genji +was leaning out of a window, his cheek resting on his hand; and, +looking out upon the half-fading shrubberies, was humming-- + + "Has she become rain or cloud? + 'Tis now unknown." + +To-no-Chiujio gently approached him. They had, as usual, some pathetic +conversation, and then the latter hummed, as if to himself-- + + "Beyond the cloud in yonder sky, + From which descends the passing rain, + Her gentle soul may dwell, + Though we may cease to trace its form in vain." + +This was soon responded to by Genji:-- + + "That cloudy shrine we view on high, + Where my lost love may dwell unseen, + Looks gloomy now to this sad eye + That looks with tears on what has been." + +There was among the faded plants of the garden a solitary +Rindo-nadeshko.[85] When To-no-Chiujio had gone, Genji picked this +flower, and sent it to his mother-in-law by the nurse of the infant +child, with the following:-- + + "In bowers where all beside are dead + Survives alone this lovely flower, + Departed autumn's cherished gem, + Symbol of joy's departed hour."[86] + +Genji still felt lonely. He wrote a letter to the Princess Momo-zono +(peach-gardens). He had known her long. He admired her, too. She had +been a spectator, with her father, on the day of the consecration of +the Saiin, and was one of those to whom the appearance of Genji was +most welcome. In his letter he stated that she might have a little +sympathy with him in his sorrow, and he also sent with it the +following:-- + + "Many an autumn have I past + In gloomy thought, but none I ween + Has been so mournful as the last, + Which rife with grief and change hath been." + +There was, indeed, nothing serious between Genji and this princess; +yet, as far as correspondence was concerned, they now and then +exchanged letters, so she did not object to receiving this +communication. She felt for him much, and an answer was returned, in +which she expressed her sympathy at his bereavement. + +Now, in the mansion of Sadaijin every performance of requiem was +celebrated. The forty-ninth day had passed, and the mementoes of the +dead, both trifling and valuable, were distributed in a due and +agreeable manner; and Genji at length left the grand mansion with the +intention of first going to the ex-Emperor, and then of returning to +his mansion at Nijio. After his departure, Sadaijin went into the +apartment occupied till lately by him. The room was the same as +before, and everything was unchanged; but his only daughter, the +pride of his old days, was no more, and his son-in-law had gone too. + +He looked around him for some moments. He saw some papers lying about. +They were those on which Genji had been practising penmanship for +amusement--some in Chinese, others in Japanese; some in free style, +others in stiff. Among these papers he saw one on which the words "Old +pillows and old quilts" were written, and close to these the +following:-- + + "How much the soul departed, still + May love to linger round this couch, + My own heart tells me, even I + Reluctant am to leave it now." + +And on another of these papers, accompanying the words, "The white +frost lies upon the tiles," the following:-- + + "How many more of nights shall I + On this lone bed without thee lie; + The flower has left its well-known bed, + And o'er its place the dews are shed." + +As Sadaijin was turning over these papers a withered flower, which +seems to have marked some particular occasion, dropped from amongst +them. + +Return we now to Genji. He went to the ex-Emperor, to whom he still +seemed thin and careworn. He had some affectionate conversation with +him, remained till evening, and then proceeded to his mansion at +Nijio. He went to the western wing to visit the young Violet. All were +habited in new winter apparel, and looked fresh and blooming. + +"How long it seems since I saw you!" he exclaimed. Violet turned her +glance a little aside. She was apparently shy, which only increased +her beauty. + +He approached, and after having a little conversation, said, "I have +many things to say to you, but now I must have a little rest," and +returned to his own quarters. + +The next morning, first of all he sent a letter to Sadaijin's, making +inquiry after his infant child. + +At this time he confined himself more than usual to his own house, and +for companionship he was constantly with Violet, who was now +approaching womanhood. He would sometimes talk with her differently +from the manner in which he would speak to a mere girl; but on her +part she seemed not to notice the difference, and for their daily +amusement either Go or Hentski[87] was resorted to, and sometimes they +would play on till late in the evening. + +Some weeks thus passed away, and there was one morning when Violet did +not appear so early as usual. The inmates of the house, who did not +know what was the reason, were anxious about her, thinking she was +indisposed. About noon Genji came. He entered the little room, saying, +"Are you not quite well? Perhaps you would like to play at Go again, +like last night, for a change;" but she was more than ever shy. + +"Why are you so shy?" he exclaimed; "be a little more cheerful--people +may think it strange," said he, and stayed with her a long time trying +to soothe her; but to no effect--she still continued silent and shy. + +This was the evening of Wild Boar's day, and some _mochi_ (pounded +rice cake) was presented to him, according to custom, on a tray of +plain white wood. + +He called Koremitz before him and said, "To-day is not a very +opportune day; I would rather have them to-morrow evening. Do send in +some to-morrow.[88] It need not be of so many colors." So saying, he +smiled a little, and sharp Koremitz soon understood what he meant. And +this he accordingly did on the morrow, on a beautiful flower-waiter. + +Up to this time nothing about Violet had been publicly known, and +Genji thought it was time to inform her father about his daughter; but +he considered he had better have the ceremony of Mogi first performed, +and ordered preparations to be made with that object. + +Let us here notice that the young daughter of Udaijin, after she saw +Genji, was longing to see him again. This inclination was perceived by +her relations. It seems that her father was not quite averse to this +liking, and he told his eldest daughter, the reigning Emperor's +mother, that Genji was recently bereaved of his good consort, and that +he should not feel discontented if his daughter were to take the place +of Lady Aoi; but this the royal mother did not approve. "It would be +far better for her to be introduced at Court," she said, and began +contriving to bring this about. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 80: The sacred virgin of the temple of Ise.] + +[Footnote 81: The same of Kamo, which is situated in the neighborhood +of Kioto, the then capital.] + +[Footnote 82: "Ajiro" means woven bamboo, and here it signifies a +carriage made of woven bamboo.] + +[Footnote 83: Before proceeding with the story, it is necessary for +the reader to peruse the following note: In Japan there existed, and +still more or less exists, a certain superstition which is +entertained, that the spirits of the dead have the power of inflicting +injury on mankind; for instance, a woman when slighted or deserted, +dies, her spirit often works evil on the man who forsook her, or on +her rival. This is the spirit of the dead. There is also another +belief that the spirits of the living have sometimes the same power, +but in this case it only takes place when one is fiercely jealous. +When this spirit works upon the rival, the owner of the spirit is not +aware of it; but she herself becomes more gloomy, as if she had, as it +were, lost her own spirit. These spirits can be exorcised, and the act +is performed by a certain sect of priests; but the living one is +considered far more difficult to exorcise than the other, because it +is imagined that the dead spirit can be easily "laid," or driven back +to the tomb, while the living one, being still in its present state, +cannot be settled so easily. The method of exorcism is as follows: +Certain spells are used on the sufferer, and certain religious +addresses are read from the Buddhist bibles, and then the sufferer is +made to speak out all his subjects of complaint; but it is supposed +not to be the man himself who speaks and tells these causes of +complaint, but the spirit of which he is possessed. This process is +sometimes performed on a third party; in that case the priest +temporarily transmits the spirit from the sufferer to the substitute +and makes it speak with his mouth. When he has told all the causes of +his complaint and wrongs, the priest sometimes argues with him, +sometimes chides, sometimes soothes, and sometimes threatens, and at +last says to the spirit, "If you do not go out quietly, I will confine +you by my sacred power." By such means the spirit is exorcised; the +process resembles mesmerism in some points, but of course has no +sensible foundation. In other cases the spirits of those who have +either recently, or even years before, met with cruel wrongs or death, +may in their wanderings seize upon some person in the vicinity, though +totally unconnected with the crime done upon them, and may cause them +suffering, or even spirits, who from any cause, are unable to obtain +rest, may do the same thing.] + +[Footnote 84: In the ceremony of exorcism a sacred perfume is burnt, +and it was this scent which the Lady of Rokjio perceived in her +garment because her spirit was supposed to go to and fro between +herself and Lady Aoi, and to bring with it the smell of this perfume.] + +[Footnote 85: A kind of pink; some translate it Gentian.] + +[Footnote 86: Here the flower is compared to the child, and autumn to +the mother.] + +[Footnote 87: "Hentski," a children's game. It consists in choosing +beforehand a "hen" or half-character, opening a book and seeing which +of the players can most quickly pick out the words beginning with this +"hen."] + +[Footnote 88: It seemed to have been the ancient custom, that on the +third night of a wedding, the same kind of rice cake, but only of one +color, was served up.] + + + + +CHAPTER X + +DIVINE TREE + + +The departure of the Saigu, the daughter of the Lady of Rokjio, for +her destination in the Temple of Ise, which was postponed from time to +time, owing to different circumstances, was at length arranged to take +place in September. This definite arrangement delighted the Saigu, to +whom the uncertainty of the event had been somewhat tiresome. Her +mother also made up her mind to accompany her to the temple. Although +there was no precedent for the mother of the Saigu accompanying her +daughter, this lady made up her mind to do so, because she would not +allow her young daughter to go alone. + +In a suburban field the "field palace" was built.[89] It was of wood, +and surrounded by a fence of newly cut branches of trees. In front +stood a huge _torii_[90] of logs, and within the compound were the +quarters of the Kandzkasa.[91] Here the Saigu took up her residence, +where her mother also accompanied her. When the sixteenth of +September, which was fixed for the departure, arrived, the ceremony of +her last consecration was duly performed on the banks of the River +Katzra, whence the sacred virgin went to the Imperial Palace to have +the farewell audience with the Emperor. She was accompanied by her +mother. The father of the latter had been a great personage of State, +and she had been married to a Royal Prince at sixteen, when there had +been every possibility of her coming to the Court in a position far +superior to what she now enjoyed. She was, however, bereaved of him at +the age of twenty; and now at thirty she comes to take leave at her +departure for a far-off province with her only daughter. The Saigu was +about fourteen years of age, was extremely delicate and fair to look +upon, and when presented to the Emperor he was struck by the charms +of her youthful appearance. + +Numerous carriages were ranged at the front of eight State departments +to see her off in state, besides many others along the road, full of +spectators. + +Late in the afternoon her party left the palace, and turned away from +Nijio round to the highway of Toin, and passed by the mansion of +Genji, who witnessed their passing, and sent the following to the +lady-mother with a twig of Sakaki (divine tree):-- + + "Bravely you quit this scene, 'tis true; + But though you dauntless fly so far, + Your sleeve may yet be wet with dew, + Before you cross Suzukah."[92] + +The answer to this was sent to him from beyond the barrier of Ausaka +(meeting-path) in the following form:-- + + "Whether my sleeve be wet or not, + In the waters of the Suzukah, + Who will care? Too soon forgot + Will Ise be that lies so far." + +And thus the Lady of Rokjio and her daughter disappear for some time +from our scenes in the capital. + +It was about this time that the ex-Emperor was indisposed for some +time, and in October his state became precarious. The anxiety of the +public was general, and the Emperor went to visit him. Notwithstanding +his weakness, the former gave him every injunction, first about the +Heir-apparent, then about Genji, and said:-- + +"Regard him as your adviser, both in large and small matters, without +reserve, and not otherwise than if I were still alive. He is not +incapable of sharing in the administration of public affairs, +notwithstanding his youth. He has a physiognomy which argues great +qualities, and for this reason, I made him remain in an ordinary +position, without creating him a Royal Prince, with the object that he +should be able to take part in public affairs. Do not misconstrue +these ideas." + +There were some more injunctions given of like nature relating to +public matters, and the Emperor sorrowfully and repeatedly assured him +that he would not neglect them. Such, however, are not subjects which +we women are supposed to understand, and even thus much that I have +mentioned is given not without some apprehension. + +A few days after the visit of the Emperor the Heir-apparent was +brought before his dying father. There had been some idea that he +should be brought on the day when the Emperor paid his visit, but it +was postponed to avoid any possible confusion. The boy Prince was +apparently more pleased at seeing his father than concerned at his +illness. To him the ex-Emperor told many things, but he was too young +to heed them. Genji was also present, and the ex-Emperor explained to +him in what way he should serve the Government, and how he should look +after this young Prince. When their interview concluded it was already +merging towards the evening, and the young Prince returned to the +palace. + +The Royal mother of the reigning Emperor (formerly Koki-den-Niogo) +would also have visited the ex-Emperor but for her repugnance to +encounter the Princess Wistaria, who never left his side. + +In the course of a few days the strength of the Emperor began to +decline, and at last he quietly and peacefully passed away. + +And now the Court went into general mourning, and Genji, being one of +the principal mourners, put on a dress of Wistaria cloth;[93] so +frequently did misfortune fall on him in the course of a few years, +and his cares became really great. + +The funeral and the weekly requiems were performed with all due pomp +and ceremony, and when the forty-ninth day had passed, all the private +household of his late Majesty dispersed in the midst of the dreary +weather of the latter part of December to their own homes; the +Princess Wistaria retiring to her own residence in Sanjio, accompanied +by her brother, Prince Hiobkio. + +True, it is that his late Majesty had been for some time off the +throne, but his authority had by no means diminished on that account. +But his death now altered the state of things, and the ascendancy of +the family of Udaijin became assured. The people in general +entertained great fear that infelicitous changes would take place in +public affairs, and among these Genji and the Princess Wistaria were +the most disturbed by such anxieties. + +The new year came in, but nothing joyful or exciting accompanied its +presence--the world was still. + +Genji kept himself to his mansion. In those days, when his father was +still in power, his courtyard was filled with the carriages of +visitors, especially when the days of the appointments were +approaching; but now this was changed, and his household secretaries +had but little to occupy them. + +In January the Princess Momo-zono (peach-gardens) was chosen for the +Saiin, of the Temple of Kamo, her predecessor having retired from +office, on account of the mourning for her father, the late +ex-Emperor. + +There were not many precedents for Princesses of the second generation +being appointed to this position; but this Princess was so chosen, +owing, it seems, to the circumstance that there was no immediate issue +of the Imperial blood suitable for this office. + +In February the youngest daughter of the Udaijin became the +Naishi-no-Kami,[94] in the place of the former one, who had left +office and become a nun after the death of the ex-Emperor. + +She took up her residence in the Kokiden, which was till lately +occupied by her sister, the Empress-mother, who at this period spent +most of her time at her father's, and who when she came to the Court +made the Ume-Tsubo (the plum-chamber) her apartment. + +Meanwhile the Empress-mother, who was by nature sagacious and +revengeful, and who during the late Emperor's life had been fain to +disguise her spiteful feelings, now conceived designs of vengeance +against those who had been adverse to her; and this spirit was +directed especially against Genji and his father-in-law, +Sadaijin--against the latter because he had married his only daughter +to Genji against the wishes of the Emperor when Heir-apparent, and +because during the life of the late Emperor his influence eclipsed +that of her father, Udaijin, who had long been his political +adversary. + +The Emperor, it is true, never forgot the dying injunctions of his +father, and never failed in sympathy with Genji; but he was still +young, with a weak mind, and therefore he was under the influence of +his mother and grandfather, Udaijin, and was often constrained by +them in his actions to go contrary to his own wishes. + +Such being the state of things, Sadaijin seldom appeared at Court, and +his loss of influence became manifest. Genji, too, had become less +adventurous and more steady in his life; and in his mansion Violet +became the favorite object of attraction, in whose behalf the ceremony +of Mogi had been duly performed some time before, and who had been +presented to her father. The latter had for a long time regarded her +as lost, and even now he never forgave the way in which his daughter +had been taken away by Genji. + +The summer had passed without any particular events, and autumn +arrived. Genji, wishing to have a little change, went to the monastery +of Unlinin,[95] and spent some days in the chamber of a rissh +(discipline-master), who was a brother of his mother. Maple-trees were +changing their tints, and the beautiful scenery around this spot made +him almost forget his home. His daily amusement was to gather together +several monks, and make them discuss before him. + +He himself perused the so-called "sixty volumes,"[96] and would get +the monks to explain any point which was not clear to his +understanding. + +When he came to reflect on the various circumstances taking place in +the capital, he would have preferred remaining in his present +retirement; but he could not forget one whom he had left behind there, +and this caused him to return. After he had requested a splendid +expiatory service to be performed, he left the monastery. The monks +and the neighbors came to see him depart. His carriage was still +black, and his sleeves were still of Wistaria, and in this gloomy +state he made his return to his mansion in Nijio. + +He brought back some twigs of maple, whose hues, when compared with +those in his own garden, he perceived were far more beautiful. He, +therefore, sent one of these to the residence of Princess Wistaria, +who had it put in a vase, and hung at the side of her veranda. + +Next day he went to the Imperial Palace, to see his brother the +Emperor, who was passing a quiet and unoccupied leisure, and soon +entered into a pleasant conversation on matters both past and present. +This Emperor, it must be remembered, was a person of quiet ways and +moderate ambition. He was kind in heart, and affectionate to his +relatives. His eyes were shut to the more objectionable actions of +Genji. He talked with him on different topics of literature, and asked +his opinions on different questions. He also talked on several +poetical subjects, and on the news of the day--of the departure of the +Saigu. + +The conversation then led to the little Prince, the Heir-apparent. The +Emperor said, "Our father has enjoined me to adopt him as my son, and +to be kind to him in every way; but he was always a favorite of mine, +and this injunction was unnecessary, for I could not be any more +particularly kind to him. I am very glad that he is very clever for +his age in penmanship and the like." + +Genji replied, "Yes, I also notice that he is of no ordinary promise; +but yet we must admit that his ability may be only partial." + +After this conversation Genji left. On his way he came across a nephew +of the Empress-mother, who seems to have been a person of rather +arrogant and rough character. As he crossed Genji's path he stopped +for a minute, and loudly reciting, + + "The white rainbow crossed the sun, + And the Prince was frightened,"[97] + +passed on. Genji at once understood what it was intended for, but +prudently proceeded on his way homeward without taking any notice of +it. + +Let us now proceed to the Princess Wistaria. Since she had been +bereaved of the late Emperor she retired to her private residence. She +fully participated in all those inglorious mortifications to which +Genji and his father-in-law were subjected. She was convinced she +would never suffer such cruel treatment as that which Seki-Foojin[98] +did at the hands of her rival, but she was also convinced that some +sort of misfortune was inevitable. These thoughts at last led her to +determine to give up the world. The fortune of her child, however, had +been long a subject of anxiety to her; and though she had determined +to do so, the thought of him had affected her mind still more keenly. +She had hitherto rarely visited the Court, where he was residing; for +her visits might be unpleasing to the feelings of her rival, the other +ex-Empress, and prejudicial to his interests. + +However, she now went there unceremoniously, in order to see him +before she carried out her intention to retire. In the course of her +chatting with him, she said, "Suppose, that while I do not see you for +some time, my features become changed, what would you think?" + +The little Prince, who watched her face, replied, "Like +Shikib?[99]--no--that can't be." The Princess smiled a little, and +said, "No, that is not so; Shikib's is changed by age, but suppose +mine were different from hers, and my hair became shorter than hers, +and I wore a black dress like a chaplain-in-waiting, and I could not +see you often, any longer." And she became a little sad, which made +the Prince also a little downcast. + +Serene was his face, and finely pencilled were his eyebrows. He was +growing up fast, and his teeth were a little decayed and +blackened,[100] which gave a peculiar beauty to his smile, and the +prettiness of his appearance only served to increase her regret; and +with a profound pensiveness she returned to her residence. + +In the middle of December she performed Mihakko (a grand special +service on the anniversary of death), which she was carefully +preparing for some days. The rolls of the Kio (Buddhist Bible) used +for this occasion were made most magnificently--the spindle of jade, +the covering of rich satin, and its case of woven bamboo ornamented +likewise, as well as the flower-table. + +The first day's ceremony was for her father, the second for her +mother, and the third for the late Emperor. Several nobles were +present, and participated, Genji being one of them. Different presents +were made by them all. At the end of the third day's performance her +vows of retirement were, to the surprise of all, announced by the +priest. At the conclusion of the whole ceremony, the chief of the Hiye +monastery, whom she had sent for, arrived, and from whom she received +the "commandments." She then had her hair cut off by her uncle, Bishop +of Yokogawa. + +These proceedings cast a gloom over the minds of all present, but +especially on those of Hiob-Kio, her brother, and Genji; and soon +after every one departed for his home. + +Another New Year came in, and the aspect of the Court was brighter. A +royal banquet and singing dances were soon expected to take place, but +the Princess Wistaria no longer took any heed of them, and most of her +time was devoted to prayer in a new private chapel, which she had had +built expressly for herself in her grounds. + +Genji came to pay his New Year's visit on the seventh day, but he saw +no signs of the season. All nobles who used to pay visits of +felicitation, now shunned her house and gathered at the mansion of +Udaijin, near her own. The only things which caught Genji's attention +in her mansion was a white horse,[101] which was being submitted to +her inspection as on former occasions. When he entered, he noticed +that all the hangings of the room and the dresses of the inmates were +of the dark hues of conventual life. The only things that there seemed +to herald spring, were the melting of the thin ice on the surface of +the lake, and the budding of the willows on its banks. The scene +suggested many reflections to his mind; and, after the usual greetings +of the season, and a short conversation, he quitted the mansion. + +It should be here noticed that none of her household officers received +any promotion or appointment to any sinecure office, or honorary +title, even where the merit of the individual deserved it, or the +Court etiquette required it. Nay, even the proper income for her +household expenses was, under different pretexts, neglected. As for +the Princess, she must have been prepared for such inevitable +consequences of her giving up the world; but it ought not to be taken +as implying that the sacrifice should be so great. Hence these facts +caused much disappointment to her household, and the mind of the +Princess herself was sometimes moved by feelings of mortification. +Nevertheless, troubled about herself no longer, she only studied the +welfare and prosperity of her child, and persevered in the most +devout prayers for this. She also remembered a secret sin, still +unknown to the world, which tormented the recesses of her soul, and +she was constantly praying to Buddha to lighten her burden. + +About the same time, tired of the world, both public and private, +Sadaijin sent in his resignation. The Emperor had not forgotten how +much he was respected by the late ex-Emperor, how the latter had +enjoined him always to regard him as a support of the country, and he +several times refused to accept his resignation; but Sadaijin +persevered in his request, and confined himself to his own mansion. +This gave complete ascendancy to the family of Udaijin. All the sons +of Sadaijin, who formerly had enjoyed considerable distinction at +Court, were now fast sinking into insignificance, and had very little +influence. To-no-Chiujio, the eldest of them, was one of those +affected by the change of circumstances. True, he was married to the +fourth daughter of Udaijin; but he passed little time with her, she +still residing with her father, and he was not among the favorite +sons-in-law. His name was also omitted in the appointment list on +promotion day, which seems to have been intended by his father-in-law +as a warning. + +Under such circumstances he was constantly with Genji, and they +studied and played together. They both well remembered how they used +to compete with each other in such matters as studying and playing, +and they still kept their rivalry alive. They would sometimes send for +some scholars, and would compose poems together, or play the "Covering +Rhymes."[102] They seldom appeared at Court, while in the outer world +different scandals about them were increasing day by day. + +One day in summer To-no-Chiujio came to pay his usual visit to Genji. +He had brought by his page several interesting books, and Genji also +ordered several rare books from his library. Many scholars were sent +for, in such a manner as not to appear too particular; and many nobles +and University students were also present. They were divided into two +parties, the right and the left, and began betting on the game of +"Covering Rhymes." Genji headed the right, and To-no-Chiujio the left. +To his credit the former often hit on the most difficult rhymes, with +which the scholars were puzzled. At last the left was beaten by the +right, consequently To-no-Chiujio gave an entertainment to the party, +as arranged in their bet. + +They also amused themselves by writing prose and verse. Some roses +were blossoming in front of the veranda, which possessed a quiet charm +different from those of the full season of spring. + +The sight of these afforded them a delightful enjoyment while they +were partaking of refreshment. A son of To-no-Chiujio, about eight or +nine years old, was present. He was the second boy by his wife, +Udaijin's daughter, and a tolerable player on the Soh-flute. Both his +countenance and disposition were amiable. The party was in full +enjoyment when the boy rose and sang "Takasago" (high sand).[103] When +he proceeded to the last clause of his song, + + "Oh, could I see that lovely flower, + That blossomed this morn!" + +To-no-Chiujio offered his cup to Genji, saying, + + "How glad am I to see your gentleness, + Sweet as the newly blooming flower!" + +Genji, smiling, took the cup as he replied, + + "Yet that untimely flower, I fear, + The rain will beat, the wind will tear, + Ere it be fully blown." + +And added, + + "Oh, I myself am but a sere leaf." + +Genji was pressed by To-no-Chiujio to take several more cups, and his +humor reached its height. Many poems, both in Chinese and Japanese, +were composed by those present, most of whom paid high compliment to +Genji. He felt proud, and unconsciously exclaimed, "The son of King +Yuen, the brother of King Mu;" and would have added, "the King Ching's +----"[104] but there he paused. + +To describe the scene which followed at a time such as this, when +every mind is not in due equilibrium, is against the warning of +Tsurayuki, the poet, so I will here pass over the rest. + +Naishi-no-Kami, the young daughter of Udaijin, now retired to her home +from the Court, having been attacked by ague; and the object of her +retirement was to enjoy rest and repose, as well as to have spells +performed for her illness. + +This change did her great good, and she speedily recovered from the +attack. + +We had mentioned before that she always had a tender yearning for +Genji, and she was the only one of her family who entertained any +sympathy or good feeling towards him. She had seen, for some time, the +lack of consideration and the indifference with which he was treated +by her friends, and used to send messages of kind inquiry. Genji, on +his part also, had never forgotten her, and the sympathy which she +showed towards him excited in his heart the most lively appreciation. + +These mutual feelings led at length to making appointments for meeting +during her retirement. Genji ran the risk of visiting her secretly in +her own apartments. This was really hazardous, more especially so +because her sister, the Empress-mother, was at this time staying in +the same mansion. We cannot regard either the lady or Genji as +entirely free from the charge of imprudence, which, on his part, was +principally the result of his old habits of wandering. + +It was on a summer's evening that Genji contrived to see her in her +own apartment, and while they were conversing, a thunderstorm suddenly +broke forth, and all the inmates got up and ran to and fro in their +excitement. Genji had lost the opportunity of escape, and, besides, +the dawn had already broken. + +When the storm became lighter and the thunder ceased, Udaijin went +first to the room of his royal daughter, and then to that of +Naishi-no-Kami. The noise of the falling rain made his footsteps +inaudible, and all unexpectedly he appeared at the door and said: +"What a storm it has been! Were you not frightened?" + +This voice startled both Genji and the lady. The former hid himself on +one side of the room, and the latter stepped forth to meet her father. +Her face was deeply flushed, which he soon noticed. He said, "You seem +still excited; is your illness not yet quite passed?" While he was so +saying he caught sight of the sash of a man's cloak, twisted round her +skirt. + +"How strange!" thought he. The next moment he noticed some papers +lying about, on which something had been scribbled. "This is more +strange!" he thought again; and exclaimed, "Whose writings are these?" +At this request she looked aside, and all at once noticed the sash +round her skirt, and became quite confused. Udaijin was a man of quiet +nature; so, without distressing her further, bent down to pick up the +papers, when by so doing he perceived a man behind the screen, who was +apparently in great confusion and was endeavoring to hide his face. +However, Udaijin soon discovered who he was, and without any further +remarks quitted the room, taking the papers with him. + +The troubled state of Genji and the lady may be easily imagined, and +in great anxiety he left the scene. + +Now it was the character of Udaijin that he could never keep anything +to himself, even his thoughts. He therefore went to the eldest +daughter--that is, the Empress-mother, and told her that he had found +papers which clearly were in the handwriting of Genji, and that though +venturesomeness is the characteristic of men, such conduct as that +which Genji had indulged in was against all propriety. "People said," +continued Udaijin, "that he was always carrying on a correspondence +with the present Saiin. Were this true, it would not only be against +public decorum, but his own interest; although I did not entertain any +suspicion before." + +When the sagacious Empress-mother heard this, her anger was something +fearful. "See the Emperor," she said; "though he is Emperor, how +little he is respected! When he was Heir-apparent, the ex-Sadaijin, +not having presented his daughter to him, gave her to Genji, then a +mere boy, on the eve of his Gembuk; and now this Genji boldly dares to +carry on such intrigues with a lady who is intended to be the Royal +consort! How daring, also, is his correspondence with the sacred +Saiin! On the whole, his conduct, in every respect, does not appear to +be as loyal as might be expected, and this only seems to arise from +his looking forward to the ascent of the young Prince to the throne." + +Udaijin somehow felt the undesirability of this anger, and he began to +change his tone, and tried to soothe her, saying: "You have some +reason for being so affected; yet don't disclose such matters to the +public, and pray don't tell it to the Emperor. It is, of course, an +impropriety on the part of the Prince, but we must admit that our +girl, also, would not escape censure. We had better first warn her +privately among ourselves; and if the matter does not even then come +all right, I will myself be responsible for that." + +The Empress-mother, however, could not calm her angry feelings. It +struck her as a great disrespect to her dignity, on Genji's part, to +venture to intrude into the very mansion where she was staying. And +she began to meditate how to turn this incident into a means of +carrying out the design which she had been forming for some time. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 89: A temporary residence expressly built for the Saigu to +undergo purification.] + +[Footnote 90: A peculiar gate erected in front of the sacred places.] + +[Footnote 91: Shinto priests.] + +[Footnote 92: Name of a river of the province of Ise, which the +travellers had to cross.] + +[Footnote 93: A dress made of the bark of the Wistaria was worn by +those who were in deep mourning for near relatives.] + +[Footnote 94: This was an office held by a Court lady, whose duty it +was to act as a medium of communication in the transmitting of +messages between the Emperor and State officials.] + +[Footnote 95: It is said that the tomb of the authoress of this work +is to be found at this spot.] + +[Footnote 96: In the Tendai sect of Buddhists there are sixty volumes +of the theological writings which are considered most authoritative +for their doctrine.] + +[Footnote 97: A passage of a Chinese history. The story is, that a +Prince of a certain Chinese kingdom contrived to have assassinated an +Emperor, his enemy. When he sent off the assassin this event took +place. The allusion here seems to imply the allegation that Genji +intended high treason.] + +[Footnote 98: She was the favorite of the first Emperor of the Hung +dynasty in China, and the rival of the Empress. When the Emperor died, +the Empress, a clever and disdainful woman, revenged herself by +cutting off her feet, and her arms, and making away with her son.] + +[Footnote 99: This seems to have been the name of an aged attendant.] + +[Footnote 100: Among Japanese children it often happens that the milk +teeth become black and decayed, which often gives a charm to their +expression.] + +[Footnote 101: It was the custom to show a white horse on the seventh +day of the new year to the Empress, the superstition being that this +was a protestation against evil spirits.] + +[Footnote 102: A game consisting in opening Chinese poetry books and +covering the rhymes, making others guess them.] + +[Footnote 103: Name of a ballad.] + +[Footnote 104: In Chinese history it is recorded that in giving an +injunction to his son, Duke Choau, a great statesman of the eleventh +century B.C., used these words: "I am the son of King Yuen, the +brother of King Mu, and the uncle of King Ching; but I am so ready in +receiving men in any way distinguished, that I am often interrupted +three times at my dinner, or in my bath." It would seem that Genji, in +the pride of his feeling, unconsciously made the above quotation in +reference to himself.] + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +VILLA OF FALLING FLOWERS + + +The troubles of Genji increased day by day, and the world became +irksome to him. One incident, however, deserves a brief notice before +we enter into the main consequences of these troubles. + +There was a lady who had been a Niogo at the Court of the late +ex-Emperor, and who was called Reikeiden-Niogo, from the name of her +chamber. She had borne no child to him, and after his death she, +together with a younger sister, was living in straitened +circumstances. Genji had long known both of them, and they were often +aided by the liberality with which he cheerfully assisted them, both +from feelings of friendship, and out of respect to his late father. + +He, at this time, kept himself quiet at his own home, but he now paid +these ladies a visit one evening, when the weather, after a +long-continued rain, had cleared up. He conversed with them on topics +of past times until late in the evening. The waning moon threw her +faint light over the tall trees standing in the garden, which spread +their dark shadows over the ground. From among them an orange-tree in +full blossom poured forth its sweet perfume, and a Hototo-gisu[105] +flew over it singing most enchantingly. + +"'Ah! how he recollects his own friend!'" said Genji, and continued:-- + + "To this home of 'falling flower,' + The odors bring thee back again, + And now thou sing'st, in evening hour, + Thy faithful loving strain." + +To this the elder lady replied:-- + + "At the home where one lives, all sadly alone, + And the shadow of friendship but seldom is cast, + These blossoms reach the bright days that are gone + And bring to our sadness the joys of the past." + +And, after a long and friendly conversation, Genji returned to his +home. One may say that the character of Genji was changeable, it is +true, yet we must do him justice for his kind-heartedness to his old +acquaintances such as these two sisters, and this would appear to be +the reason why he seldom estranged the hearts of those whom he liked. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 105: The name of a small bird which appears about the time +when the orange trees are in blossom. It sings, and is most active in +the evening. In poetry, therefore, the orange blossom and this bird +are associated, and they are both, the blossom and the bird, emblems +of old memories.] + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +EXILE AT SUMA + + +Genji at last made up his mind to undergo a voluntary exile, before +the opinion of the Imperial Court should be publicly announced against +him. He heard that the beautiful sea-coast along Suma was a most +suitable place for retirement, and that, though formerly populous, +there were now only a few fishermen's dwellings scattered here and +there. To Suma he finally determined to go into voluntary exile. + +When he had thus made up his mind he became somewhat regretful to +leave the capital, although it had hitherto appeared ungenial. The +first thing which disturbed his mind was the young Violet, whom he +could not take with him. The young lady, also, in the "Villa of +Falling Flowers" (notwithstanding that he was not a frequent visitor) +was another object of his regret. + +In spite of these feelings he prepared to set off at the end of March, +and at length it came within a few days of the time fixed for his +departure, when he went privately, under the cover of the evening, to +the mansion of the ex-Sadaijin, in an ajiro carriage, generally used +by women. He proceeded into the inner apartments, where he was greeted +by the nurse of his little child. The boy was growing fast, was able +to stand by this time and to toddle about, and run into Genji's arms +when he saw him. The latter took him on his knee, saying, "Ah! my good +little fellow, I have not seen you for some time, but you do not +forget me, do you?" The ex-Sadaijin now entered. He said, "Often have +I thought of coming to have a talk with you, but you see my health has +been very bad of late, and I seldom appear at Court, having resigned +my office. It would be impolitic to give cause to be talked about, and +for it to be said that I stretch my old bones when private matters +please me. Of course, I have no particular reason to fear the world; +still, if there is anything dreadful, it is the demagogical world. +When I see what unpleasant things are happening to you, which were no +more probable than that the heavens should fall, I really feel that +everything in the world is irksome to me." + +"Yes, what you say is indeed true," replied Genji. "However, all +things in the world--this or that--are the outcome of what we have +done in our previous existence. Hence if we dive to the bottom we +shall see that every misfortune is only the result of our own +negligence. Examples of men's losing the pleasures of the Court are, +indeed, not wanting. Some of these cases may not go so far as a +deprivation of titles and honors, as is mine;[106] still, if one thus +banished from the pleasures of Court, behaves himself as unconcernedly +as those to whom no such misfortune has happened, this would not be +becoming. So, at least, it is considered in a foreign country. +Repentance is what one ought to expect in such circumstances, and +banishment to a far-off locality is a measure generally adopted for +offences different from ordinary ones. If I, simply relying on my +innocence, pass unnoticed the recent displeasure of the Court, this +would only bring upon me greater dishonor. I have, therefore, +determined to go into voluntary exile, before receiving such a +sentence from the Court." + +Then the conversation fell back, as usual, on the times of the late +ex-Emperor, which made them sad; while the child also, who innocently +played near, made them still more gloomy. The ex-Sadaijin went on to +say:--"There is no moment when I ever forget the mother of the boy, +but now I almost dare to think that she was fortunate in being short +lived, and being free from witnessing the dreamlike sorrow we now +suffer. With regard to the boy, the first thing which strikes me as +unbearable is that he may pass some time of his lovely childhood away +from the gaze of your eyes. There are, as you say, no want of +instances of persons suffering a miserable fate, without having +committed any real offence; yet still, in such cases, there was some +pretext to justify their being so treated. I cannot see any such +against you." + +While he was thus speaking To-no-Chiujio joined them, and, partaking +of _sake_, they continued their conversation till late in the +evening. This night Genji remained in the mansion. + +Early the next morning he returned to his own residence, and he spent +the whole day with Violet in the western wing. It should here be +noticed that she was scarcely ever with her father, even from +childhood. He strongly disapproved of his daughter being with Genji, +and of the way in which she had been carried off, so he scarcely ever +had any communication with her, or did he visit her. These +circumstances made her feel Genji's affection more keenly than she +otherwise would have; hence her sorrow at the thought of parting with +him in a few days may be easily imagined. + +Towards the evening Prince Sotz came with To-no-Chiujio and some +others to pay him a visit. Genji, in order to receive them, rose to +put on one of his Naoshi, which was plain, without pattern, as proper +for one who had no longer a title. Approaching the mirror, to comb his +hair, he noticed that his face had grown much thinner. + +"Oh, how changed I appear," he exclaimed. "Am I really like this image +which I see of myself?" he said, turning to the girl, who cast on him +a sad and tearful glance. Genji continued:-- + + "Though changed I wander far away, + My soul shall still remain with you, + Perhaps in this mirror's mystic ray, + My face may linger still in view." + +To this Violet replied:-- + + "If in this mirror I could see, + Always your face, then it would be + My consolation when thou art gone." + +As she said this she turned her face to one side of the room, and by +doing so obscured the tears gathering in her soft eyes. Genji then +left her to receive his friends, who, however, did not remain long, +leaving the mansion after a short conversation of a consolatory +nature. This evening Genji paid his visit to the sisters of the +"Falling Flower" villa. + +On the following day the final arrangements necessary for his +household affairs were made at his residence. The management of the +mansion was intrusted to a few confidential friends; while that of his +lands and pasture, and the charge of his documents, were intrusted to +the care of Violet, to whom he gave every instruction what she should +do. Besides, he enjoined Shionagon, in whom he placed his confidence, +to give her every assistance. He told all the inmates who wished to +remain in the mansion, in order to await his return, that they might +do so. He also made an appropriate present to the nurse of his boy, +and to the ladies of the "Villa of Falling Flowers." When all these +things were accomplished, he occupied himself in writing farewell +letters to his intimate friends, such as the young daughter of Udaijin +and others, to none of whom he had paid a visit. + +On the evening prior to his departure he went on horseback to visit +the tomb of his father. On his way he called on the Princess Wistaria, +and thence proceeded to the mountain where the remains reposed. The +tomb was placed among tall growing grass, under thick and gloomy +foliage. Genji advanced to the tomb, and, half kneeling down before +it, and half sobbing, uttered many words of remembrance and sorrow. Of +course no reply came forth. The moon by this time was hidden behind +dark clouds, and the winds blew keen and nipping, when suddenly a +shadowy phantom of the dead stood before Genji's eyes. + + "How would his image look on me, + Knew he the secret of the past; + As yonder moon in clouded sky, + Looks o'er the scene mysteriously." + +He returned to his mansion late in the night. + +Early in the morning he sent a letter to O Miobu, the nurse of the +Heir-apparent, in which he said: "I at last leave the capital, to-day. +I know not when I may come and see the Prince again. On him my +thoughts and anxieties are concentrated, above all else. Realize these +feelings in your own mind, and tell them to him." He also sent the +following, fastened to a bough of cherry flowers, already becoming +thin:-- + + "When shall I see these scenes again, + And view the flowers of spring in bloom, + Like rustic from his mountain home, + A mere spectator shall I come?" + +These were carefully read by O Miobu to the Prince, and when he was +asked what she should write in answer, he said: "Write that I said +that since I feel every longing to see him, when I do not see him for +a long time, how shall I feel when he goes away altogether?" Thereupon +she wrote an answer, in which she indefinitely stated that she had +shown the letter to the Prince, whose answer was simple, yet very +affectionate, and so on, with the following:-- + + "'Tis sad that fair blossoms so soon fade away, + In the darkness of winter no flower remains, + But let spring return with its sunshiny ray, + Then once more the flowers we look on again." + +Now, with regard to the recent disgrace of Genji, the public in +general did not approve of the severity which the Court had shown to +him. Moreover, he had been constantly with the Emperor, his father, +since the age of seven, and his requests had been always cheerfully +listened to by the latter; hence there were very many, especially +among public servants of the ordinary class, who were much indebted to +him. However, none of them now came to pay their respects to him. It +seems that in a world of intrigue none dares do what is right for fear +of risking his own interests. Such being the state of things, Genji, +during the whole day, was unoccupied, and the time was entirely spent +with Violet. Then, at his usual late hour in the evening, he, in a +travelling dress of incognito, at length left the capital, where he +had passed five-and-twenty years of his life. + +His attendants, Koremitz and Yoshikiyo being among them, were seven or +eight in number. He took with him but little luggage. All ostentatious +robes, all unnecessary articles of luxury were dispensed with. Among +things taken, was a box containing the works of Hak-rak-ten (a famous +Chinese poet), with other books, and besides these a _kin-koto_ for +his amusement. They embarked in a boat and sailed down the river. +Early the next morning they arrived at the sea-coast of Naniwa. They +noticed the Oye Palace standing lonely amidst the group of pine trees. +The sight of this palace gave a thrill of sadness to Genji, who was +now leaving, and not returning, home. He saw the waves rolling on the +coast and again sweep back. He hummed, as he saw them:-- + + "The waves roll back, but unlike me, + They come again." + +From Naniwa they continued their voyage, sailing in the bay. As they +proceeded they looked back on the scenes they had left. They saw all +the mountains veiled in haze, growing more and more distant, while the +rowers gently pulled against the rippling waves. It seemed to them as +if they were really going "three thousand miles' distance."[107] + + "Our home is lost in the mist of the mountain, + Let us gaze on the sky which is ever the same." + +The day was long and the wind was fair, so they soon arrived at the +coast of Suma.[108] The place was near the spot where the exiled +Yukihira had lived, and had watched the beautiful smoke rising from +the salt ovens. There was a thatched house in which the party +temporarily took up their residence. It was a very different home from +what they had been used to, and it might have appeared even novel, had +the circumstances of their coming there been different. The +authorities of the neighborhood were sent for, and a lodge was built +under the direction of Yoshikiyo, in accordance with Genji's wishes. +The work was hurried on, and the building was soon completed. In the +garden, several trees, cherries and others, were planted, and water +was also conducted into it. Here Genji soon took up his abode. The +Governor of the province, who had been at Court, secretly paid +attention to the Prince, with as much respect as was possible. + +For some time Genji did not feel settled in his new residence. When he +had become in some degree accustomed to it, the season of continuous +rain had arrived (May); his thoughts more than ever reverted to the +old capital. + +The thoughtful expression of Violet's face, the childish affection of +the Heir-apparent, and the innocent playfulness of his little son, +became the objects of his reveries and anxiety, nor did he forget his +old companions and acquaintances. He, therefore, sent a special +messenger to the capital bearing his letters, so that speedy answers +might be returned from every quarter. He also sent a messenger to Ise +to make inquiry after the lady, who also sent one to him in return. + +Now the young daughter of Udaijin had been remaining repentingly in +the mansion of her father since the events of the stormy evening. Her +father felt much for her, and interceded with the Empress-mother in +her behalf, and also with her son, that is, the Emperor, thus getting +permission to introduce her once more into Court, an event which took +place in the month of July. + +To return to Suma. The rainy season had passed, and autumn arrived. +The sea was at some distance from the residence of Genji, but the dash +of its waves sounded close to their ears as the winds passed by, of +which Yukihira sang, + + "The autumn wind which passes the barrier of Suma." + +The autumn winds are, it seems, in such a place as this, far more +plaintive than elsewhere. + +It happened one evening that when all the attendants were fast asleep +Genji was awake and alone. He raised his head and rested his arms on +his pillow and listened to the sound of the waves which reached his +ear from a distance. They seemed nearer than ever, as though they were +coming to flood his pillows. He drew his _koto_ towards him and struck +a melancholy air, as he hummed a verse of a poem in a low tone. With +this every one awoke and responded with a sigh. + +Such was a common occurrence in the evening, and Genji always felt +saddened whenever he came to think that all his attendants had +accompanied him, having left their families and homes simply for his +sake. In the daytime, however, there were changes. He would then enjoy +pleasant conversations. He also joined several papers into long rolls +on which he might practise penmanship. He spent a good deal of time in +drawing and sketching. He remembered how Yoshikiyo, on one occasion in +Mount Kurama, had described the beautiful scenery of the place on +which he was now gazing. He sketched every beautiful landscape of the +neighborhood, and collected them in albums, thinking how nice it would +be if he could send for Tsunenori, a renowned contemporary artist, and +get him to paint the sketches which he had made. + +Out of all the attendants of Genji there were four or five who had +been more especially his favorites, and who had constantly attended on +him. One evening they were all sitting together in a corridor which +commanded a full view of the sea. They perceived the island of Awaji +lying in the distance, as if it were floating on the horizon, and also +several boats with sailors, singing as they rowed to the shore over +the calm surface of the water, like waterfowl in their native element. +Over their heads flocks of wild geese rustled on their way homeward +with their plaintive cry, which made the thoughts of the spectators +revert to their homes. Genji hummed this verse:-- + + "Those wandering birds above us flying, + Do they our far-off friends resemble. + With their voice of plaintive crying + Make us full of thoughtful sighing." + +Yoshikiyo took up the idea and replied:-- + + "Though these birds no friends of ours + Are, and we to them are nought, + Yet their voice in these still hours + Bring those old friends to our thought." + +Then Koremitz continued:-- + + "Before to-day I always thought + They flew on pleasure's wing alone, + But now their fate to me is fraught + With some resemblance to our own." + +Ukon-no-Jio added:-- + + "Though we, like them, have left our home + To wander forth, yet still for me + There's joy to think where'er I roam + My faithful friends are still with me." + +Ukon-no-Jio was the brother of Ki-no-Kami. His father, Iyo-no-Kami, +had now been promoted to be Hitachi-no-Kami (Governor of Hitachi), and +had gone down to that province, but Ukon-no-Jio did not join his +father, who would have gladly taken him, and faithfully followed +Genji. + +This evening happened to be the fifteenth of August, on which day a +pleasant reunion is generally held at the Imperial Palace. Genji +looked at the silvery pale sky, and as he did so the affectionate face +of the Emperor, his brother, whose expression strikingly resembled +their father's, presented itself to his mind. After a deep and long +sigh, he returned to his couch, humming as he went:-- + + "Here is still a robe + His Majesty gave to me." + +It should be here noticed that he had been presented by the Emperor on +a certain occasion with a robe, and this robe he had never parted +with, even in his exile. + +About this time Daini (the senior Secretary of the Lord-Lieutenant of +Kiusiu) returned to the capital with his family, having completed his +official term. His daughter had been a virgin dancer, and was known to +Genji. They preferred to travel by water, and slowly sailed up along +the beautiful coast. When they arrived at Suma, the distant sound of a +_kin_[109] was heard, mingled with the sea-coast wind, and they were +told that Genji was there in exile. Daini therefore sent his son +Chikzen-no-Kami to the Prince with these words: "Coming back from a +distant quarter I expected as soon as I should arrive in the capital +to have had the pleasure of visiting you and listening to your +pleasant voice, and talking of events which have taken place there, +but little did I think that you had taken up your residence in this +part of the country. How greatly do I sympathize with you! I ought to +land and see you at once, but there are too many people in the same +boat, therefore I think it better to avoid the slightest grounds which +may cause them to talk. However, possibly I shall pay you a visit +soon." + +This Chikzen-no-Kami had been for some time previously a Kurand (a +sort of equerry) to Genji, therefore his visit was especially welcome +to him. He said that since he had left the capital it had become +difficult to see any of his acquaintances, and that therefore this +especial visit was a great pleasure to him. His reply to the message +of Daini was to the same effect. Chikzen-no-Kami soon took his leave, +and returning to the boat, reported to his father and others all he +had seen. His sister also wrote to Genji privately thus: "Pray excuse +me if I am too bold. + + Know you not the mind is swayed + Like the tow-rope of our boat, + At the sounds your Kin has made, + Which around us sweetly float." + +When Genji received this, his pleasure was expressed by his placid +smile, and he sent back the following:-- + + "If this music moves the mind + So greatly as you say, + No one would care to leave behind + These lonely waves of Suma's bay." + +This recalls to our mind that there was in the olden time an exile +who gave a stanza even to the postmaster of a village.[110] Why then +should not Genji have sent to her whom he knew this stanza? + +In the meantime, as time went on, more sympathizers with Genji were +found in the capital, including no less a personage than the Emperor +himself. True it is that before Genji left, many even of his relatives +and most intimate friends refrained from paying their respects to him, +but in the course of time not a few began to correspond with him, and +sometimes they communicated their ideas to each other in pathetic +poetry. These things reached the ears of the Empress-mother, who was +greatly irritated by them. She said: "The only thing a man who has +offended the Court should do is to keep himself as quiet as possible. +It is most unpardonable that such a man should haughtily cause scandal +to the Court from his humble dwelling. Does he intend to imitate the +treacherous example of one who made a deer pass for a horse?[111] +Those who intrigue with such a man are equally blamable." These +spiteful remarks once more put a stop to the correspondence. + +Meanwhile, at Suma, the autumn passed away and winter succeeded, with +all its dreariness of scene, and with occasional falls of snow. Genji +often spent the evening in playing upon the Kin, being accompanied by +Koremitz's flute and the singing of Yoshikiyo. It was on one of these +evenings that the story of a young Chinese Court lady, who had been +sent to the frozen land of barbarians, occurred to Genji's mind. He +thought what a great trial it would be if one were obliged to send +away one whom he loved, like the lady in the tale, and as he reflected +on this, with some melancholy feelings, it appeared to him as vividly +as if it were only an event of yesterday, and he hummed:-- + + "The sound of the piper's distant strain + Broke on her dreams in the frozen eve." + +He then tried to sleep, but could not do so, and as he lay the distant +cry of Chidori reached his ears.[112] He hummed again as he heard +them:-- + + "Although on lonely couch I lie + Without a mate, yet still so near, + At dawn the cries of Chidori, + With their fond mates, 'tis sweet to hear." + +Having washed his hands, he spent some time in reading a Kio (Sutra), +and in this manner the winter-time passed away. + +Towards the end of February the young cherry-trees which Genji had +planted in his garden blossomed, and this brought to his memory the +well-known cherry-tree in the Southern Palace, and the _fete_ in which +he had taken part. The noble countenance of the late ex-Emperor, and +that of the present one, the then Heir-apparent, which had struck him +much at that time, returned to his recollection with the scene where +he had read out his poem. + + "While on the lordly crowd I muse, + Which haunts the Royal festive hours, + The day has come when I've put on + The crown of fairest cherry flowers." + +While thus meditating on the past, strange to say, To-no-Chiujio, +Genji's brother-in-law, came from the capital to see the Prince. He +had been now made Saishio (privy councillor). Having, therefore, more +responsibility, he had to be more cautious in dealing with the public. +He had, however, a personal sympathy with Genji, and thus came to see +him, at the risk of offending the Court. + +The first thing which struck his eyes was, not the natural beauty of +the scenery, but the style of Genji's residence, which showed the +novelty of pure Chinese fashion. The enclosure was surrounded by "a +trellis-work of bamboo," with "stone steps," and "pillars of +pine-tree."[113] + +He entered, and the pleasure of Genji and To-no-Chiujio was immense, +so much so that they shed tears. The style of the Prince's dress next +attracted the attention of To-no-Chiujio. He was habited in a plain, +simple country style, the coat being of an unforbidden color, a dull +yellow, the trousers of a subdued green. + +The furniture was all of a temporary nature, with Go and Sugorok +playing boards, as well as one for the game of Dagi. He noticed some +articles for the services of religion, showing that Genji was wont to +indulge in devotional exercises. The visitor told Genji many things on +the subject of affairs in the capital, which he had been longing to +impart to him for many months past; telling him also how the +grandfather of his boy always delighted in playing with him, and +giving him many more interesting details. + +Several fishermen came with the fish which they had caught. Genji +called them in and made them show their spoils. He also led them to +talk of their lives spent on the sea, and each in his own peculiar +local dialect gave him a narration of his joys and sorrows. He then +dismissed them with the gift of some stuff to make them clothing. All +this was quite a novelty to the eyes of To-no-Chiujio, who also saw +the stable in which he obtained a glimpse of some horses. The +attendants at the time were feeding them. Dinner was presently served, +at which the dishes were necessarily simple, yet tasteful. In the +evening they did not retire to rest early, but spent their time in +continuing their conversation and in composing verses. + +Although To-no-Chiujio had, in coming, risked the displeasure of the +Court, he still thought it better to avoid any possible slander, and +therefore he made up his mind to set out for his home early next +morning. The _sake_ cup was offered, and they partook of it as they +hummed, + + "In our parting cup, the tears of sadness fall." + +Several presents had been brought from the capital for Genji by +To-no-Chiujio, and, in return, the former made him a present of an +excellent dark-colored horse, and also a celebrated flute, as a token +of remembrance. + +As the sun shed forth his brilliant rays To-no-Chiujio took his leave, +and as he did so he said, "When shall I see you again, you cannot be +here long?" Genji replied, + + "Yon noble crane that soars on high,[114] + And hovers in the clear blue sky, + Believe my soul as pure and light; + As spotless as the spring day bright. + +However, a man like me, whose fortune once becomes adverse seldom +regains, even in the case of great wisdom, the prosperity he once +fully enjoyed, and so I cannot predict when I may find myself again in +the capital." + +So To-no-Chiujio, having replied as follows:-- + + "The crane mounts up on high, 'tis true, + But now he soars and cries alone, + Still fondly thinking of his friend, + With whom in former days he flew," + +set off on his homeward road, leaving Genji cast down for some time. + +Now the coast of Akashi is a very short distance from Suma, and there +lived the former Governor of the province, now a priest, of whom we +have spoken before. Yoshikiyo well remembered his lovely daughter, +and, after he came to Suma with Genji, he wrote to her now and then. +He did not get any answer from her, but sometimes heard from her +father, to whom Genji's exile became soon known, and who wished to see +him for a reason not altogether agreeable to himself. It should be +remembered that this old man always entertained aspirations on behalf +of his daughter, and in his eyes the successive governors of the +province who came after him, and whose influence had been unbounded, +were considered as nobodies. To him, his young daughter was +everything; and he used to send her twice a year to visit the temple +of Sumiyoshi, in order that she might obtain good fortune by the +blessing of the god. + +She was not of an ideal beauty, but yet expressive in countenance and +exalted in mind. She could, in this respect, rival any of those of +high birth in the capital. + +The priest said one day to his wife, "Prince Genji, the imperial son +of the Koyi of Kiritsubo is now at Suma in exile, having offended the +Court. How fortunate it would be if we could take the opportunity of +presenting our child to him!" + +The wife replied, "Ah, how dreadful, when I heard what the townspeople +talk, I understood that he has several mistresses. He went even so far +as to carry on a secret intimacy, which happened to be obnoxious to +the Emperor, and it is said that this offence was the cause of his +exile." + +"I have some reason for mentioning this to you," he interrupted, +impatiently; "it is not a thing which you understand, so make up your +mind, I shall bring the matter about, and take an opportunity of +making him come to us." + +"No matter how distinguished a personage he is," replied the wife, "it +is a fact that he has offended the Court and is exiled. I do not +understand why you could take a fancy to such a man for our maiden +daughter. It is not a joking matter. I hope you will take it into +graver consideration." + +"That a man of ability and distinction should meet with adverse +fortune is a very common occurrence," said he, still more obstinately, +"both in our empire and in that of China. How then do you venture to +say such things against the Prince? His mother was the daughter of an +Azechi Dainagon, who was my uncle. She enjoyed a good reputation, and +when she was introduced at Court, became both prosperous and +distinguished. Although her life was shortened by the suffering caused +by the fierce jealousy of her rivals, she left behind the royal child, +who is no other person than Prince Genji. A woman should always be +aspiring, as this lady was. What objection then is there in the idea +of introducing our only child to a man like him? Although I am now +only a country gentleman, I do not think he would withdraw his favor +from me." + +Such were the opinions of this old man, and hence his discouragement +of the advances of Yoshikiyo. + +The first of March came, and Genji was persuaded by some to perform +Horai (prayer for purification) for the coming occasion of the +Third.[115] He therefore sent for a calendar-priest, with whom he went +out, accompanied by attendants, to the sea-shore. Here a tent was +erected ceremoniously, and the priest began his prayers, which were +accompanied by the launching of a small boat, containing figures +representing human images. On seeing this Genji said, + + "Never thought I, in my younger day, + To be thrown on the wild sea-shore, + And like these figures to float away, + And perhaps see my home no more." + +As he contemplated the scene around him, he perceived that the wild +surface of the sea was still and calm, like a mirror without its +frame. He offered prayers in profound silence, and then exclaimed, + + "Oh, all ye eight millions of gods,[116] hear my cry, + Oh, give me your sympathy, aid me, I pray, + For when I look over my life, ne'er did I + Commit any wrong, or my fellows betray." + +Suddenly, as he spoke these words, the wind arose and began to blow +fiercely. The sky became dark, and torrents of rain soon followed. +This caused great confusion to all present, and each ran back to the +house without finishing the ceremony of prayers. None of them were +prepared for the storm, and all got drenched with the rain. From this +the rain continued to pour down, and the surface of the sea became as +it were tapestried with white, over which the lightning darted and the +thunder rolled. It seemed as if thunderbolts were crashing overhead, +and the force of the rain appeared to penetrate the earth. Everyone +was frightened, for they thought the end of the world was near. + +Genji occupied his time in quietly reading his Buddhist Bible. In the +evening, the thunder became less loud, though the wind still blew not +less violently than in the daytime. Everyone in the residence said +that they had heard of what is termed a flood-tide, which often caused +a great deal of damage, but they had never witnessed such a scene as +they had that day. Genji dropped off into a slumber, when indistinctly +the resemblance of a human figure came to him and said, "You are +requested to come to the palace, why don't you come?" + +Genji was startled by the words, and awoke. He thought that the king +of the dragon palace[117] might have admired him, and was perhaps the +author of this strange dream. These thoughts made him weary of +remaining at Suma. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 106: When a person was exiled, he was generally deprived of +his own title, or was degraded. Genji appears to have been deprived of +his.] + +[Footnote 107: A favorite phrase in Chinese poems describing the +journey of exile.] + +[Footnote 108: Suma is about sixty miles from Kioto, the then +capital.] + +[Footnote 109: A musical instrument--often called a _koto._] + +[Footnote 110: When Sugawara, before referred to, arrived at Akashi, +on his way to exile, the village postmaster expressed his surprise. +Thereupon Sugawara gave him a stanza, which he composed: + + "Oh, master, be not surprised to see + This change in my estate, for so + Once to bloom, and once to fade + Is spring and autumn's usual lot." +] + +[Footnote 111: In Chinese history it is recounted that a certain +artful intriguer made a fool of his Sovereign by bringing a deer to +the Court and presenting it before the Emperor, declaring it to be a +horse. All the courtiers, induced by his great influence, agreed with +him in calling it a horse, to the Emperor's great astonishment and +bewilderment.] + +[Footnote 112: The coast along by Suma is celebrated for Chidori, a +small sea-bird that always flies in large flocks. Their cries are +considered very plaintive, and are often spoken of by poets.] + +[Footnote 113: Expressions used in a poem by Hak-rak-ten, describing a +tasteful residence.] + +[Footnote 114: Here To-no-Chiujio is compared to the bird.] + +[Footnote 115: The third day of March is one of five festival days in +China and Japan, when prayers for purification, or prayers intended to +request the freeing one's self from the influence of fiends, are said +on the banks of a river.] + +[Footnote 116: In the Japanese mythology the number of gods who +assemble at their councils is stated to have been eight millions. This +is an expression which is used to signify a large number rather than +an exact one.] + +[Footnote 117: In Japanese mythology we have a story that there were +two brothers, one of whom was always very lucky in fishing, and the +other in hunting. One day, to vary their amusements, the former took +his brother's bow and arrows and went to the mountain to hunt. The +latter took the fishing-rod, and went to the sea, but unfortunately +lost his brother's hook in the water. At this he was very miserable, +and wandered abstractedly along the coast. The dragon god of the +dragon palace, under the blue main, admired his beauty, and wishing +him to marry his daughter, lured him into the dragon palace.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +EXILE AT AKASHI + + +The storm and thunder still continued for some days, and the same +strange dream visited Genji over and over again. + +This made him miserable. To return to the capital was not yet to be +thought of, as to do so before the imperial permission was given, +would only be to increase his disgrace. On the other hand, to render +himself obscure by seeking further retreat was also not to be thought +of, as it might cause another rumor that he had been driven away by +mere fear of the disturbed state of the ocean. + +In the meantime, a messenger arrived from the capital with a letter +from Violet. It was a letter of inquiry about himself. It was written +in most affectionate terms, and stated that the weather there was +extremely disagreeable, as rain was pouring down continuously, and +that this made her especially gloomy in thinking of him. This letter +gave Genji great pleasure. + +The messenger was of the lowest class. At other times Genji would +never have permitted such sort of people to approach him, but under +the present circumstances of his life he was only too glad to put up +with it. He summoned the man to his presence, and made him talk of all +the latest news in the capital. + +The messenger told him, in awkward terms, that in the capital these +storms were considered to be a kind of heavenly warning, that a +Nin-wo-ye[118] was going to be held; and that many nobles who had to +go to Court were prevented from doing so by the storms, adding that he +never remembered such violent storms before. + +From the dawn of the next day the winds blew louder, the tide flowed +higher, and the sound of the waves resounded with a deafening noise. +The thunder rolled and the lightning flashed, while everyone was +trembling in alarm, and were all, including Genji, offering up prayers +and vows to the God of Sumiyoshi, whose temple was at no great +distance, and also to other gods. Meanwhile a thunderbolt struck the +corridor of Genji's residence and set fire to it. The Prince and his +friends retired to a small house behind, which served as a kitchen. +The sky was as if blackened with ink, and in that state of darkness +the day ended. In the evening the wind gradually abated, the rain +diminished to a thin shower, and even the stars began to blink out of +the heavens. + +This temporary retreat was now irksome, and they thought of returning +to their dwelling quarters, but they saw nothing but ruins and +confusion from the storm, so they remained where they were. Genji was +occupied in prayer. The moon began to smile from above, the flow of +the tide could be seen, and the rippling of the waves heard. He opened +the rude wooden door, and contemplated the scene before him. He seemed +to be alone in the world, having no one to participate in his +feelings. He heard several fishermen talking in their peculiar +dialect. Feeling much wearied by the events of the day, he soon +retired, and resigned himself to slumber, reclining near one side of +the room, in which there were none of the comforts of an ordinary +bedchamber. + +All at once his late father appeared before his eyes in the exact +image of life, and said to him, "Why are you in so strange a place?" +and taking his hand, continued, "Embark at once in a boat, as the God +of Sumiyoshi[119] guides you, and leave this coast." + +Genji was delighted at this, and replied, "Since I parted from you I +have undergone many misfortunes, and I thought that I might be buried +on this coast." + +"It must not be thus," the phantom replied; "your being here is only a +punishment for a trifling sin which you have committed. For my own +part, when I was on the throne, I did no wrong, but I have somehow +been involved in some trifling sin, and before I expiated it I left +the world. Hurt, however, at beholding you oppressed with such +hardships I came up here, plunging into the waves, and rising on the +shore. I am much fatigued; but I have something I wish to tell the +Emperor, so I must haste away," and he left Genji, who felt very much +affected, and cried out, "Let me accompany you!" With this exclamation +he awoke, and looked up, when he saw nothing but the moon's face +shining through the windows, with the clouds reposing in the sky. + +The image of his father still vividly remained before his eyes, and he +could not realize that it was only a dream. He became suddenly sad, +and was filled with regret that he did not talk a little more, even +though it was only in a dream. He could not sleep any more this night, +and dawn broke, when a small boat was seen approaching the coast, with +a few persons in it. + +A man from the boat came up to the residence of Genji. When he was +asked who he was, he replied that the priest of Akashi (the former +Governor) had come from Akashi in his boat, and that he wished to see +Yoshikiyo, and to tell him the reason of his coming. Yoshikiyo was +surprised, and said, "I have known him for years, but there was a +slight reason why we were not the best of friends, and some time has +now passed without correspondence. What makes him come?" + +As to Genji, however, the arrival of the boat made him think of its +coincidence with the subject of his dream, so he hurried Yoshikiyo to +go and see the new comers. Thereupon the latter went to the boat, +thinking as he went, "How could he come to this place amidst the +storms which have been raging?" + +The priest now told Yoshikiyo that in a dream which he had on the +first day of the month, a strange being told him a strange thing, and, +said he, "I thought it too credulous to believe in a dream, but the +object appeared again, and told me that on the thirteenth of this +month he will give me a supernatural sign, directing me also to +prepare a boat, and as soon as the storm ceased, to sail out to this +coast. Therefore, to test its truth I launched a boat, but strange to +say, on this day the extraordinarily violent weather of rain, wind, +and thunder occurred. I then thought that in China there had been +several instances of people benefiting the country by believing in +dreams, so though this may not exactly be the case with mine, yet I +thought it my duty, at all events, to inform you of the fact. With +these thoughts I started in the boat, when a slight miraculous breeze, +as it were, blew, and drove me to this coast. I can have no doubt that +this was divine direction. Perhaps there might have been some +inspiration in this place, too; and I wish to trouble you to transmit +this to the Prince." + +Yoshikiyo then returned and faithfully told Genji all about his +conversation with the priest. When Genji came to reflect, he thought +that so many dreams having visited him must have some significance. It +might only increase his disgrace if he were to despise such divine +warnings merely from worldly considerations, and from fear of +consequences. It would be better to resign himself to one more +advanced in age, and more experienced than himself. An ancient sage +says, that "resigning one's self makes one happier," besides, his +father had also enjoined him in the dream to leave the coast of Suma, +and there remained no further doubt for taking this step. He, +therefore, gave this answer to the priest, that "coming into an +unknown locality, plunged in solitude, receiving scarcely any visits +from friends in the capital, the only thing I have to regard as +friends of old times are the sun and the moon that pass over the +boundless heavens. Under these circumstances, I shall be only too +delighted to visit your part of the coast, and to find there such a +suitable retreat." + +This answer gave the priest great joy, and he pressed Genji to set out +at once and come to him. The Prince did so with his usual four or five +confidential attendants. The same wind which had miraculously blown +the vessel of the priest to Suma now changed, and carried them with +equal favor and speed back to Akashi. On their landing they entered a +carriage waiting for them, and went to the mansion of the priest. + +The scenery around the coast was no less novel than that of Suma, the +only difference being that there were more people there. The building +was grand, and there was also a grand Buddha-hall adjoining for the +service of the priest. The plantations of trees, the shrubberies, the +rock-work, and the mimic lakes in the garden were so beautifully +arranged as to exceed the power of an artist to depict, while the +style of the dwelling was so tasteful that it was in no way inferior +to any in the capital. + +The wife and the daughter of the priest were not residing here, but +were at another mansion on the hill-side, where they had removed from +fear of the recent high tides. + +Genji now took up his quarters with the priest in this seaside +mansion. The first thing he did when he felt a little settled was to +write to the capital, and tell his friends of his change of residence. +The priest was about sixty years old, and was very sincere in his +religious service. The only subject of anxiety which he felt was, as +we have already mentioned, the welfare of his daughter. When Genji +became thoroughly settled he often joined the priest, and spent hours +in conversing with him. The latter, from his age and experience, was +full of information and anecdotes, many of which were quite new to +Genji, but the narration of them seemed always to turn upon his +daughter. + +April had now come. The trees began to be clothed with a thick shade +of leaves, which had a peculiar novelty of appearance, differing from +that of the flowers of spring, or the bright dyes of autumn. The Kuina +(a particular bird of summer) commenced their fluttering. The +furniture and dresses were changed for those more suitable to the time +of year. The comfort of the house was most agreeable. It was on one of +these evenings that the surface of the broad ocean spread before the +eye was unshadowed by the clouds, and the Isle of Awaji floated like +foam on its face, just as it appeared to do at Suma. Genji took out +his favorite _kin_, on which he had not practised for some time, and +was playing an air called "Korio," when the priest joined him, having +left for awhile his devotions, and said that his music recalled to his +mind the old days and the capital which he had quitted so long. He +sent for a _biwa_ (mandolin)[120] and a _soh-koto_ from the hill-side +mansion, and, after the fashion of a blind singer of ballads to the +_biwa_, played two or three airs. + +He then handed the _soh-koto_ to Genji, who also played a few tunes, +saying, as he did so, in a casual manner, "This sounds best when +played upon by some fair hand." The priest smiled, and rejoined: "What +better hand than yours need we wish to hear playing; for my part, my +poor skill has been transmitted to me, through three generations, from +the royal hand of the Emperor Yenghi, though I now belong to the past; +but, occasionally, when my loneliness oppresses me, I indulge in my +old amusement, and there is one who, listening to my strains, has +learnt to imitate them so well that they resemble those of the Emperor +Yenghi himself. I shall be very happy, if you desire, to find an +opportunity for you to hear them." + +Genji at once laid aside the instrument, saying: "Ah, how bold! I did +not know I was among proficients," and continued, "From olden time the +_soh-koto_ was peculiarly adopted by female musicians. The fifth +daughter of the Emperor Saga, from whom she had received the secret, +was a celebrated performer, but no one of equal skill succeeded her. +Of course there are several players, but these merely strike or strum +on the instrument; but in this retreat there is a skilful hand. How +delightful it will be." + +"If you desire to hear, there is no difficulty. I will introduce her +to you. She also plays the _biwa_ very well. The _biwa_ has been +considered from olden time very difficult to master, and I am proud of +her doing so." + +In this manner the priest led the conversation to his own daughter, +while fruit and _sake_ were brought in for refreshment. He then went +on talking of his life since he first came to the coast of Akashi, and +of his devotion to religion, for the sake of future happiness, and +also out of solicitude for his daughter. He continued: "Although I +feel rather awkward in saying it, I am almost inclined to think your +coming to this remote vicinity has something providential in it, as an +answer, as it were, to our earnest prayers, and it may give you some +consolation and pleasure. The reason why I think so is this--it is +nearly eighteen years since we began to pray for the blessing of the +God Sumiyoshi on our daughter, and we have sent her twice a year, in +spring and autumn, to his temple. At the 'six-time' service,[121] +also, the prayers for my own repose on the lotus flower,[122] are only +secondary to those which I put up for the happiness of my daughter. My +father, as you may know, held a good office in the capital, but I am +now a plain countryman, and if I leave matters in their present state, +the status of my family will soon become lower and lower. Fortunately +this girl was promising from her childhood, and my desire was to +present her to some distinguished personage in the capital, not +without disappointment to many suitors, and I have often told her that +if my desire is not fulfilled she had better throw herself into the +sea." + +Such was the tedious discourse which the priest held on the subject of +his family affairs; yet it is not surprising that it awakened an +interest in the susceptible mind of Genji for the fair maiden thus +described as so promising. The priest at last, in spite of the shyness +and reserve of the daughter, and the unwillingness of the mother, +conducted Genji to the hill-side mansion, and introduced him to the +maiden. In the course of time they gradually became more than mere +acquaintances to each other. For some time Genji often found himself +at the hill-side mansion, and her society appeared to afford him +greater pleasure than anything else, but this did not quite meet with +the approval of his conscience, and the girl in the mansion at Nijio +returned to his thoughts. If this flirtation of his should become +known to her, he thought, it perhaps would be very annoying to her. +True, she was not much given to be jealous, but he well remembered the +occasional complaints she had now and then made to him while in the +capital. These feelings induced him to write more frequently and more +minutely to her, and he soon began to frequent the hill-side mansion +less often. His leisure hours were spent in sketching, as he used to +do in Suma, and writing short poetic effusions explanatory of the +scenery. This was also going on in the mansion at Nijio, where Violet +passed the long hours away in painting different pictures, and also in +writing, in the form of a diary, what she saw and did. What will be +the issue of all these things? + +Now, since the spring of the year there had been several heavenly +warnings in the capital, and things in general were somewhat +unsettled. On the evening of the thirteenth of March, when the rain +and wind had raged, the late Emperor appeared in a dream to his son +the Emperor, in front of the palace, looking reproachfully upon him. +The Emperor showed every token of submission and respect when the dead +Emperor told him of many things, all of which concerned Genji's +interests. The Emperor became alarmed, and when he awoke he told his +mother all about his dream. She, however, told him that on such +occasions, when the storm rages, and the sky is obscured by the +disturbance of the elements, all things, especially on which our +thoughts have been long occupied, appear to us in a dream in a +disturbed sleep; and she continued, "I further counsel you not to be +too hastily alarmed by such trifles." From this time he began to +suffer from sore eyes, which may have resulted from the angry glances +of his father's spirit. About the same time the father of the +Empress-mother died. His death was by no means premature; but yet, +when such events take place repeatedly, it causes the mind to imagine +there is something more than natural going on, and this made the +Empress-mother feel a little indisposed. + +The Emperor then constantly told her that if Genji were left in his +present condition it might induce evil, and, therefore, it would be +better to recall him, and restore his titles and honors to him. She +obstinately opposed these ideas, saying, "If a person who proved to be +guilty, and has retired from the capital, were to be recalled before +the expiration of at least three years, it would naturally show the +weakness of authority." + +She gained her point, and thus the days were spent and the year +changed. + +The Emperor still continually suffered from indisposition, and the +unsettled state of things remained the same as before. A prince had +been born to him, who was now about two years old, and he began to +think of abdicating the throne in favor of the Heir-apparent, the +child of the Princess Wistaria. When he looked around to see who would +best minister public affairs, he came to think that the disgrace of +Genji was a matter not to be allowed to continue, and at last, +contrary to the advice of his mother, he issued a public permission +for Genji's return to the capital, which was repeated at the end of +July. Genji therefore prepared to come back. Before, however, he +started, a month passed away, which time was mostly spent in the +society of the lady of the hill-side mansion. The expected journey of +Genji was now auspicious, even to him, and ought also to have been so +to the family of the priest, but parting has always something painful +in its nature. This was more so because the girl had by this time the +witness of their love in her bosom, but he told her that he would send +for her when his position was assured in the capital. + +Towards the middle of August everything was in readiness, and Genji +started on his journey homeward. He went to Naniwa, where he had the +ceremony of Horai performed. To the temple of Sumiyoshi he sent a +messenger to say that the haste of his journey prevented him coming at +this time, but that he would fulfil his vows as soon as circumstances +would permit. From Naniwa he proceeded to the capital, and returned +once more, after an absence of nearly three years, to his mansion at +Nijio. The joy and excitement of the inmates of the mansion were +unbounded, and the development of Violet charmed his eyes. His delight +was great and the pleasure of his mind was of the most agreeable +nature; still, from time to time, in the midst of this very pleasure, +the recollection of the maiden whom he had left at Akashi occurred to +his thoughts. But this kind of perturbation was only the result of +what had arisen from the very nature of Genji's character. + +Before the lapse of many days all his titles and honors were restored +to him, and he was soon created an extra Vice-Dainagon. + +All those who had lost dignities or office on account of Genji's +complications were also restored to them. It seemed to these like a +sudden and unexpected return of spring to the leafless tree. + +In the course of a few days Genji was invited by the Emperor to come +and see him. The latter had scarcely recovered from his indisposition, +and was still looking weak and thin. When Genji appeared before him, +he manifested great pleasure, and they conversed together in a +friendly way till the evening. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 118: A religious feast in the Imperial Palace, in which +Nin-wo-kio, one of the Buddhist Bibles, was read, an event which +rarely took place. Its object was to tranquillize the country.] + +[Footnote 119: The god of the sea.] + +[Footnote 120: The "biwa," more than any other instrument, is played +by blind performers, who accompany it with ballads.] + +[Footnote 121: The services performed by rigid priests were six times +daily--namely, at early morn, mid-day, sunset, early evening, +midnight, and after midnight.] + +[Footnote 122: The Buddhist idea that when we get into Paradise we +take our seat upon the lotus flower.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE BEACON + + +Genji well remembered the dream which he had dreamt at Suma, and in +which his father, the late ex-Emperor, had made a faint allusion to +his fallen state. He was always thinking of having solemn service +performed for him, which might prove to be a remedy for evils. + +He was now in the capital, and at liberty to do anything he wished. In +October, therefore, he ordered the grand ceremony of Mihakko to be +performed for the repose of the dead. Meanwhile the respect of the +public towards Genji had now returned to its former state, and he +himself had become a distinguished personage in the capital. The +Empress-mother, though indisposed, regretted she had not ruined Genji +altogether; while the Emperor, who had not forgotten the injunction of +the late ex-Emperor, felt satisfied with his recent disposition +towards his half-brother, which he believed to be an act of goodness. + +This he felt the more, because he noticed the improvement in his +health continued from day to day, and he experienced a sensation of +fresh vigor. He did not, however, believe he should be long on the +throne, and when he found himself lonely, he often sent for Genji, and +spent hours conversing with him, without any reserve, on public +affairs. + +In February of the next year the ceremony of the "Gembuk" of the +Heir-apparent, who was eleven years of age, was performed. + +At the end of the same month the Emperor abdicated the throne in favor +of the Heir-apparent, and his own son was made the Heir-apparent to +the new Emperor. + +The suddenness of these changes struck the Empress-mother with +surprise, but she was told by her son that his abdication had been +occasioned by his desire to enjoy quiet and repose. + +The new reign opened with several changes in public affairs. Genji had +been made Naidaijin. He filled this extra office of Daijin because +there was no vacancy either in the Sadaijin or the Udaijin. He was to +take an active part in the administration, but as he was not yet +disposed to engage in the busy cares of official life, the +ex-Sadaijin, his father-in-law, was solicited to become the regent for +the young Emperor. He at first declined to accept the office, on the +ground that he was advanced in age, that he had already retired from +official life, and that the decline of his life left him insufficient +energy. There was, however, an example in a foreign State, where some +wise councillors, who resigned and had retired into the far-off +mountains when their country was in a disturbed state, came forth from +their retreat, with their snow-crowned heads, and took part in the +administration of affairs. Nor was it an unusual thing for a statesman +who had retired from political scenes to assume again a place under +another government. + +So the ex-Sadaijin did not persist in his refusal, but finally +accepted the post of Dajiodaijin (the Premier). He was now sixty-three +years of age. His former retirement had taken place more on account of +his disgust with the world than from his indisposition, and hence, +when he accepted his new post, he at once showed how capable he was of +being a responsible Minister. To-no-Chiujio, his eldest son, was also +made the Gon-Chiunagon. His daughter by his wife, the fourth daughter +of Udaijin, was now twelve years old, and was shortly expected to be +presented at Court; while his son, who had sung the "high sand" at a +summer-day reunion at Genji's mansion, received a title. The young +Genji too, the son of the late Lady Aoi, was admitted to the Court of +the Emperor and of the Heir-apparent. + +The attendants who faithfully served the young Genji, and those in the +mansion at Nijio, had all received a satisfactory token of +appreciation from Genji, who now began to have a mansion repaired, +which was situated to the east of the one in which he resided, and +which had formerly belonged to his father. This he did with a notion +of placing there some of his intimate friends, such as the younger one +of the ladies in the "Villa of Falling Flowers." + +Now the young maiden also, whom Genji had left behind at Akashi, and +who had been in delicate health, did not pass away from his thoughts. +He despatched a messenger there on the first of March, as he deemed +the happy event would take place about that time. When the messenger +returned, he reported that she was safely delivered of a girl on the +sixteenth of the month. + +He remembered the prediction of an astrologer who had told him that an +Emperor would be born to him, and another son who would eventually +become a Dajiodaijin. He also remembered that a daughter, who would be +afterwards an Empress, would be also born to him, by a lady inferior +to the mothers of the other two children. When he reflected on this +prediction and on the series of events, he began thinking of the +remarkable coincidences they betrayed; and as he thought of sending +for her, as soon as the condition of the young mother's health would +admit, he hurried forward the repairs of the eastern mansion. He also +thought that as there might not be a suitable nurse at Akashi for the +child, he ought to send one from the capital. Fortunately there was a +lady there who had lately been delivered of a child. Her mother, who +had waited at Court when the late ex-Emperor lived, and her father, +who had been some time Court Chamberlain, were both dead. She was now +in miserable circumstances. Genji sounded her, through a certain +channel, whether she would not be willing to be useful to him. This +offer on his part she accepted without much hesitation, and was +despatched with a confidential servant to attend on the new-born +child. He also sent with her a sword and other presents. She left the +capital in a carriage, and proceeded by boat to the province of +Settsu, and thence on horseback to Akashi. + +When she arrived the priest was intensely delighted, and the young +mother, who had been gradually improving in health, felt great +consolation. The child was very healthy, and the nurse at once began +to discharge her duties most faithfully. + +Hitherto Genji did not confide the story of his relations with the +maiden of Akashi to Violet, but he thought he had better do so, as the +matter might naturally reach her ears. He now, therefore, informed her +of all the circumstances, and of the birth of the child, saying, "If +you feel any unpleasantness about the matter, I cannot blame you in +any way. It was not the blessing which I desired. How greatly do I +regret that in the quarter where I wished to see the heavenly gift, +there is none, but see it in another, where there was no expectation. +The child is merely a girl too, and I almost think that I need pay no +further attention. But this would make me heartless towards my +undoubted offspring. I shall send for it and show it to you, and hope +you will be generous to her. Can you assure me you will be so?" At +these words Violet's face became red as crimson, but she did not lose +her temper, and quietly replied: + +"Your saying this only makes me contemptible to myself, as I think my +generosity may not yet be fully understood; but I should like to know +when and where I could have learnt to be ungenerous." + +"These words sound too hard to me," said he. "How can you be so cruel +to me? Pray don't attribute any blame to me; I never thought of it. +How miserable am I!" And he began to drop tears when he came to +reflect how faithful she had been all the time, and how affectionate, +and also how regular had been her correspondence. He felt sorry for +her, and continued, "In my anxious thoughts about this child, I have +some intentions which may be agreeable to you also, only I will not +tell you too hastily, since, if I do so now, they might not be taken +in a favorable light. The attractions of the mother seem only to have +arisen from the position in which she was placed. You must not think +of the matter too seriously." He then briefly sketched her character +and her skill in music. But on the part of Violet she could not but +think that it was cruel to her to give away part of his heart, while +her thoughts were with no one but him, and she was quite cast down for +some time. + +Genji tried to console her. He took up a _kin_ and asked her to play +and sing with him; but she did not touch it, saying that she could not +play it so well as the maiden of Akashi. This very manner of her mild +jealousy made her more captivating to him, and without further remarks +the subject was dropped. + +The fifth of May was the fiftieth day of the birth of the child, so +Genji sent a messenger to Akashi a few days before the time when he +would be expected. At Akashi the feast for the occasion was arranged +with great pains, and the arrival of Genji's messenger was most +opportune. + +Let us now relate something about the Princess Wistaria.--Though she +had become a nun, her title of ex-Empress had never been lost; and +now the change in the reigning sovereign gave her fresh honors. She +had been recognized as equivalent to an Empress-regnant who had +abdicated. A liberal allowance was granted to her, and a becoming +household was established for her private use. She, however, still +continued her devotion to religion, now and then coming to Court to +see her son, where she was received with all cordiality; so that her +rival, the mother of the ex-Emperor, whose influence was overwhelming +till lately, now began to feel like one to whom the world had become +irksome. + +In the meantime, public affairs entirely changed their aspects, and +the world seemed at this time to have been divided between the +Dajiodaijin and his son-in-law, Genji, by whose influence all things +in public were swayed. + +In August, of this year, the daughter of Gon-Chiunagon (formerly +To-no-Chiujio) was introduced at Court. She took up her abode in the +Kokiden, which had been formerly occupied by her maternal aunt, and +she was also styled from this time the Niogo of Kokiden. Prince +Hiob-Kio had also the intention of introducing his second daughter at +Court, but Genji took no interest in this. What will he eventually do +about this matter? + +In the same autumn Genji went to the Temple of Sumiyoshi to fulfil his +vows. His party consisted of many young nobles and Court retainers, +besides his own private attendants. + +By a coincidence the maiden of Akashi, who had been prevented from +coming to the Temple since the last year, happened to arrive there on +the same day. Her party travelled in a boat, and when it reached the +beach they saw the procession of Genji's party crossing before them. +They did not know what procession it was, and asked the bystanders +about it, who, in return, asked them sarcastically, "Can there be +anyone who does not know of the coming of Naidaijin, the Prince Genji, +here to-day to fulfil his vows?" + +Most of the young nobles were on horseback, with beautifully made +saddles; and others, including Ukon-no-Jio, Yoshikiyo, and Koremitz, +in fine uniforms of different colors (blue, green, or scarlet), +according to their different ranks, formed the procession, contrasting +with the hue of the range of pine-trees on both sides of the road. + +Genji was in a carriage, which was followed by ten boy pages, granted +by the Court in the same way as a late Sadaijin, Kawara, had been +honored. They were dressed in admirable taste, and their hair was +twisted up in the form of a double knot, with ribbons of gorgeous +purple. The young Genji was also in the procession on horseback, and +followed the carriage. + +The maiden of Akashi witnessed the procession, but she avoided making +herself known. She thought she had better not go up to the Temple on +that day; but she could not sail back to Akashi, so she had her boat +moored in the bay of Naniwa for the night. As to Genji, he knew +nothing of the maiden being a spectator of the procession, and spent +the whole night in the Temple with his party in performing services +which might please the God. + +It was then that he was informed by Koremitz that he had seen the +maiden of Akashi in a boat. On the morrow Genji and his party set off +for their homes. As they proceeded Genji hummed, + + "Ima hata onaji Naniwa nal,"[123] + +and he stopped, while contemplating the bay. Koremitz, who stood +beside him, and divined what he was thinking about, took out a small +pen from his pocket and presented it to Genji, who took it and wrote +the following on a piece of paper, which he sent to the maiden by one +of his attendants who knew her whereabouts:-- + + "Divinely led by love's bright flame, + To this lone temple's shrine we come; + And as yon beacon meets our eye, + To dream, perchance, of days gone by." + +A few words more. The change of the ruler had brought a change of the +Saigu; and the Lady of Rokjio, with her daughter, returned to the +capital. Her health, however, began to fail, and she became a nun, and +after some time died. Before her death Genji visited her, and with her +last breath she consigned her daughter to his care. Genji was +thinking, therefore, of introducing her at Court at some future time. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 123: A line of an old ode about the beacon in the bay of +Naniwa, at the same time expressing the desire of meeting with a loved +one. It is impossible to translate this ode literally, as in the +original there is a play upon words, the word beacon (in Japanese) +also meaning "enthusiastic endeavor." The word "myo-tzkushi" (= +beacon) more properly means "water-marker" though disused in the +modern Japanese. In the translation a little liberty has been taken.] + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +OVERGROWN MUGWORT + + +When Genji was an exile on the sea-coast, many people had been longing +for his return. Among these was the Princess Hitachi. She was, as we +have seen, the survivor of his Royal father, and the kindness which +she had received from Genji was to her like the reflection of the +broad starlit sky in a basin of water. After Genji left the capital, +however, no correspondence ever passed between them. Several of her +servants left her, and her residence became more lonely than ever. A +fox might have found a covert in the overgrown shrubbery, and the cry +of the owl might have been heard among the thick branches. One might +imagine some mysterious "tree-spirit" to reign there. Nevertheless, +such grounds as these, surrounded with lofty trees, are more tempting +to those who desire to have a stylish dwelling. Hence there were +several Durios (local governors) who had become rich, and having +returned from different provinces, sounded the Princess to see if she +were inclined to part with her residence; but this she always refused +to do, saying that, however unfortunate she might be, she was not able +to give up a mansion inherited from her parents. + +The mansion contained also a store of rare and antique articles. +Several fashionable persons endeavored to induce the Princess to part +with them; but such people appeared only contemptible to her, as she +looked upon them as proposing such a thing solely because they knew +she was poor. Her attendants sometimes suggested to her that it was by +no means an uncommon occurrence for one to dispose of such articles +when destiny necessitated the sacrifice; but her reply was that these +things had been handed down to her only that she might make use of +them, and that she would be violating the wishes of the dead if she +consented to part with them, allowing them to become the ornament of +the dwellings of some lowborn upstarts. + +Scarcely anyone paid a visit to her dwelling, her only occasional +visitor being her brother, a priest, who came to see her when he came +to the capital, but he was a man of eccentric character, and was not +very flourishing in his circumstances. + +Such being the state of affairs with the Princess Hitachi, the grounds +of her mansion became more and more desolate and wild, the mugwort +growing so tall that it reached the veranda. The surrounding walls of +massive earth broke down here and there and crumbled away, being +trampled over by wandering cattle. In spring and summer boys would +sometimes play there. In the autumn a gale blew down a corridor, and +carried away part of the shingle roof. Only one blessing remained +there--no thief intruded into the enclosure, as no temptation was +offered to them for their attack. + +But never did the Princess lose her accustomed reserve, which her +parents had instilled into her mind. Society for her had no +attractions. She solaced the hours of her loneliness by looking over +ancient story-books and poems, which were stored in the old +bookshelves, such as the Karamori, Hakoya-no-toji, or Kakya-hime. +These, with their illustrations, were her chief resources. + +Now a sister of the Princess's mother had married a Durio, and had +already borne him a daughter. This marriage had been considered an +unequal match by the father of the Princess, and for this reason she +was not very friendly with the family. Jijiu, however, who was a +daughter of the Princess's nurse, and who still remained with the +Princess, used to go to her. This aunt was influenced by a secret +feeling of spite, and when Jijiu visited her she often whispered to +her many things which did not become her as a lady. It seems to me +that where a lady of ordinary degree is elevated to a higher position, +she often acquires a refinement like one originally belonging to it; +but there are other women, who when degraded from their rank spoil +their taste and habits just like the lady in question. She fondly +hoped to revenge herself for having been formerly looked down upon, by +showing an apparent kindness to the Princess Hitachi, and by wishing +to take her into her home, and make her wait upon her daughters. With +this view she told Jijiu to tell her mistress to come to her, and +Jijiu did so; but the Princess did not comply with this request. + +In the meantime the lady's husband was appointed Daini (Senior +Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant), and they were to go down to Tzkushi +(modern Kiusiu). She wished to take the Princess with her, and told +her that she felt sorry to go to such a far-off locality, leaving her +in her present circumstances; but the latter still unhesitatingly +replied in the negative, and declined the offer; whereupon her aunt +tauntingly remarked that she was too proud, and that, however exalted +she might think herself, no one, not even Genji, would show her any +further attention. + +About this time Genji returned, but for some while she heard nothing +from him, and only the public rejoicing of many people, and the news +about him from the outside world reached her ears. This gave her aunt +a further opportunity of repeating the same taunts. She said, "See now +who cares for you in your present circumstances. It is not +praiseworthy to display such self-importance as you did in the +lifetime of your father." And again she pressed her to go with her, +but the Princess still clung to the hope that the time would come when +Genji would remember her and renew his kindness. + +Winter came! One day, quite unexpectedly, the aunt arrived at the +mansion, bringing as a present a dress for the Princess. Her carriage +dashed into the garden in a most pompous style, and drove right up to +the southern front of the building. Jijiu went to meet her, and +conducted her into the Princess's apartment. + +"I must soon be leaving the capital," said the visitor. "It is not my +wish to leave you behind, but you would not listen to me, and now +there is no help. But this one, this Jijiu at least, I wish to take +with me. I have come to-day to fetch her. I cannot understand how you +can be content with your present condition." + +Here she manifested a certain sadness, but her delight at her +husband's promotion was unmistakable, and she continued:-- + +"When your father was alive, I was looked down upon by him, which +caused a coolness between us. But nevertheless I at no time +entertained any ill-will towards you, only you were much favored by +Prince Genji, as I heard, which made me abstain from visiting you +often; but fortune is fickle, for those in a humble position often +enjoy comfort, and those that are higher in station are not quite so +well circumstanced. I do really feel sorry to leave you behind." + +The Princess said very little, but her answer was, "I really thank you +for your kind attention, but I do not think I am now fit to move about +in the world. I shall be quite happy to bury myself under this roof." + +"Well, you may think so, but it is simply foolish to abandon one's +self, and to bury one's life under such a mass of dilapidation. Had +Prince Genji been kind enough to repair the place, it might have +become transformed into a golden palace, and how joyous would it not +be? but this you cannot expect. As far as I am informed the daughter +of Prince Hiob-Kio is the only favorite of the Prince, and no one else +shares his attention, all his old favorites being now abandoned. How, +then, can you expect him to say that, because you have been faithful +to him, he will therefore come to you again?" + +These words touched the Princess, but she gave no vent to her +feelings. The visitor, therefore, hurried Jijiu to get ready, saying +that they must leave before the dusk. + +"When I hear what the lady says," said Jijiu, "it sounds to me very +reasonable; but when I see how anxious the Princess is, that also +seems natural. Thus I am puzzled between the two. Let me, however, say +this, I will only see the lady off to-day." + +Nevertheless, the Princess foresaw that Jijiu was going to leave her, +and she thought of giving her some souvenir. Her own dress was not to +be thought of, as it was too old; fortunately she had a long tress of +false hair, about nine feet long, made of the hair which had fallen +from her own head. This she put into an old casket, and gave it to +Jijiu, with a jar of rare perfume. + +Jijiu had been an attendant on the Princess for a very long time, +besides, her mother (the nurse), before she died, told the Princess +and her daughter that she hoped they might be long together; so the +parting with Jijiu was very trying to the Princess who said to her +that though she could not blame her for leaving, she still felt sorry +to lose her. To this Jijiu replied, that she never forgot the wishes +of her mother, and was only too happy to share joy and sorrow with the +Princess; yet she was sorry to say that circumstances obliged her to +leave her for some time; but before she could say much, she was +hurried away by the visitor. + +It was one evening in April of the following year that Genji happened +to be going to the villa of "the falling flowers," and passed by the +mansion of the Princess. There was in the garden a large pine-tree, +from whose branches the beautiful clusters of a wistaria hung in rich +profusion. A sigh of the evening breeze shook them as they hung in the +silver moonlight, and scattered their rich fragrance towards the +wayfarer. There was also a weeping willow close by, whose pensile +tresses of new verdure touched the half-broken walls of earth +underneath. + +When Genji beheld this beautiful scene from his carriage, he at once +remembered it was a place he had seen before. He stopped his carriage, +and said to Koremitz, who was with him as usual-- + +"Is this not the mansion of the Princess Hitachi?" + +"Yes, it is," replied Koremitz. + +"Do ask if she is still here," said Genji; "this is a good chance; I +will see her if she is at home--ask!" + +Koremitz entered, and proceeding to the door, called out. An old woman +from the inside demanded to know who he was. Koremitz announced +himself, and asked if Jijiu was within. The old women replied that she +was not, but that she herself was the same as Jijiu. + +Koremitz recognized her as an aunt of the latter. He then asked her +about the Princess, and told her of Genji's intention. To his +inquiries he soon obtained a satisfactory answer, and duly reported it +to Genji, who now felt a pang of remorse for his long negligence of +one so badly circumstanced. He descended from his carriage, but the +pathway was all but overgrown with tall mugwort, which was wet with a +passing shower; so Koremitz whisked them with his whip, and led him +in. + +Inside, meanwhile, the Princess, though she felt very pleased, +experienced a feeling of shyness. Her aunt, it will be remembered, had +presented her with a suitable dress, which she had hitherto had no +pleasure in wearing, and had kept it in a box which had originally +contained perfume. She now took this out and put it on. Genji was +presently shown into the room. + +"It is a long time since I saw you last," said Genji, "but still I +have never forgotten you, only I heard nothing from you; so I waited +till now, and here I find myself once more." + +The Princess, as usual, said very little, only thanking him for his +visit. He then addressed her in many kind and affectionate words, many +of which he might not really have meant, and after a considerable stay +he at last took his departure. + +This was about the time of the feast in the Temple of Kamo, and Genji +received several presents under various pretexts. He distributed these +presents among his friends, such as those in the villa of "the falling +flowers," and to the Princess. He also sent his servant to the mansion +of the latter to cut down the rampant mugwort, and he restored the +grounds to proper order. Moreover, he had a wooden enclosure placed +all round the garden. + +So far as the world hitherto knew about Genji, he was supposed only to +cast his eyes on extraordinary and pre-eminent beauties; but we see in +him a very different character in the present instance. He showed so +much kindness to the Princess Hitachi, who was by no means +distinguished for her beauty, and who still bore a mark on her nose +which might remind one of a well-ripened fruit carried by +mountaineers. How was this? it might have been preordained to be so. + +The Princess continued to live in the mansion for two years, and then +she removed to a part of a newly built "eastern mansion" belonging to +Genji, where she lived happily under the kind care of the Prince, +though he had much difficulty in coming often to see her. I would fain +describe the astonishment of her aunt when she returned from the +Western Island and saw the Princess's happy condition, and how Jijiu +regretted having left her too hastily; but my head is aching and my +fingers are tired, so I shall wait for some future opportunity when I +may again take up the thread of my story. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BARRIER HOUSE + + +We left beautiful Cicada at the time when she quitted the capital with +her husband. Now this husband Iyo-no-Kami, had been promoted to the +governorship of Hitachi, in the year which followed that of the demise +of the late ex-Emperor, and Cicada accompanied him to the province. It +was a year after Genji's return that they came back to the capital. On +the day when they had to pass the barrier house of Ausaka +(meeting-path) on their homeward way, Hitachi's sons, the eldest known +to us as Ki-no-Kami, now became Kawachi-no-Kami, and others went from +the city to meet them. It so happened that Genji was to pay his visit +to the Temple of Ishiyama on this very day. This became known to +Hitachi, who, thinking it would be embarrassing if they met with his +procession on the road, determined to start very early; but, somehow +or another, time passed on, and when they came to the lake coast of +Uchiide (modern Otz, a place along Lake Biwa), the sun had risen high, +and this was the moment when Genji was crossing the Awata Road. In the +course of a few hours the outriders of Genji's cortege came in sight; +so that Hitachi's party left their several carriages, and seated +themselves under the shade of the cedars on the hill-side of Ausaka, +in order to avoid encountering Genji and his procession. It was the +last day of September. All the herbage was fading under the influence +of the coming winter, and many tinted autumn leaves displayed their +different hues over the hills and fields. The scene was in every way +pleasing to the eyes of the spectators. The number of the carriages of +Hitachi's party was about ten in all, and the style and appearance of +the party showed no traces of rusticity of taste. It might have been +imagined that the party of the Saigu journeying towards or from Ise, +might be something similar to this one. + +Genji soon caught sight of them, and became aware that it was Hitachi. +He therefore sent for Cicada's brother--whom we know as Kokimi, and +who had now been made Uyemon-no-Ske--from the party, and told him that +he hoped his attention in coming there to meet them would not be +considered unfavorable. This Kokimi, as we know, had received much +kindness from Genji up to the time of his becoming a man; but when +Genji had to quit the capital he left him and joined his +brother-in-law in his official province. This was not viewed as very +satisfactory; but Genji manifested no bad feeling to him, and treated +him still as one of his household attendants. Ukon-no-Jio, a +brother-in-law of Cicada, on the other hand, had faithfully followed +Genji to his exile, and after their return he was more than ever +favored by Genji. This state of things made many feel for the bad +taste of the ordinary weakness of the world, exhibited by the +faithfully following of one when circumstances are flourishing, and +deserting him in the time of adversity. Kokimi himself was one of +those who fully realized these feelings, and was pained by them. When +Genji finished his visit to the Temple, and was coming back, Kokimi +once more came from the capital to meet him. Through him Genji sent a +letter to his sister, asking her if she had recognized him when he +passed at Ausaka, adding the following verse:-- + + "As onward we our way did take, + On Meeting-Path, both I and you, + We met not, for by the saltless lake, + No _milme_[124] by its waters grew." + +In handing the letter to Kokimi, Genji said, "Give this to your +sister; it is a long time since I heard anything from her, still the +past seems to me only like yesterday. But do you disapprove of my +sending this?" Kokimi replied in a few words, and took the letter back +to his sister, and told her, when he gave it, that she might easily +give him some sort of answer. She did indeed disapprove of treating +the matter in any way more seriously than she had formerly done, yet +she wrote the following:-- + + "By Barrier-House--oh, name unkind, + That bars the path of friendly greeting; + We passed along with yearning mind, + But passed, alas! without a meeting." + +After this time some other correspondence now and then passed between +them. As time rolled on the health of her aged husband visibly +declined; and after fervently enjoining his sons to be kind and +attentive to her, in due time he breathed his last. + +For some time they were kind and attentive to her, as their father had +requested, and there was nothing unsatisfactory in their behavior +towards her, yet many things which were not altogether pleasant +gradually presented themselves to her, and so it is always in life. +Finally Cicada, telling her intentions to no one beforehand, became a +nun. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 124: The name of a seaweed, but also meaning the eyes that +meet, and hence the twofold sense of the word.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +COMPETITIVE SHOW OF PICTURES + + +The introduction of the late Saigu, the daughter of the Lady of +Rokjio, at Court, was now arranged to take place, with the approval of +the Empress-mother (the Princess Wistaria). All the arrangements and +preparations were made, though not quite openly, under the eye of +Genji, who took a parental interest in her. It may be remembered that +the ex-Emperor was once struck by her charms, on the eve of her +departure for Ise; and though he never encouraged this fancy to become +anything more than an ordinary partiality, he took no small interest +in all that concerned her welfare. + +When the day of introduction arrived, he made her several beautiful +presents, such as a comb-box, a dressing-table, and a casket +containing rare perfumes. At her residence all her female attendants, +and some others, assembled, who made every preparation with the utmost +pains. + +In the Palace, the Empress-mother was with her Royal son on this day. +He was still a mere boy, and scarcely understood what was going on; +but he was now fully informed on the subject by his mother, and was +told that a very interesting lady was going to reside in the Palace to +attend on him, and that he must be good and kind to her. The +presentation took place late in the evening, and henceforth she was +called the Niogo of the Ume-Tsubo (plum-chamber), from the name of her +apartment. + +She was a charming lady, and the Emperor was not without a certain +liking for her; yet Lady Kokiden, the daughter of Gon-Chiunagon +(To-no-Chiujio), who had been introduced some time previously, and +consequently was an acquaintance of an older date, was much more +frequently preferred by him to the other for society in daily +amusement. When Gon-Chiunagon introduced his daughter, he did not of +course do so without hope of her further elevation; but now Lady Plum +came to assume a position through Genji's influence, as if to compete +with his daughter for the royal favor; and it was by no means glad +tidings for him. It may be here mentioned that Prince Hiob-Kio had +also, as we have already seen, an intention of introducing one of his +daughters at Court; but this hope was doomed to disappointment by the +establishing of the two ladies already introduced, and he was induced +to defer his intention, at least for the present. + +The Emperor was very fond of pictures, and painted with considerable +ability. Lady Plum, too, as it happened, possessed the same taste as +the Emperor, and used often to amuse herself by painting. If, +therefore, he liked ordinary courtiers who exhibited a taste for +painting, it was no matter of surprise that he liked to see the +delicate hands of the lady occupied in carefully laying on colors. +This similarity of taste gradually drew his attention to her, and led +to frequent visits to the "plum-chamber." When Gon-Chiunagon was +informed of these circumstances, he took the matter into his own +hands. He himself determined to excite a spirit of rivalry. He +contrived means to counteract the influence of painting, and +commissioned several famous artists of the times to execute some +elaborate pictures. Most of these were subjects taken from old +romances, as he conceived that these were always more attractive than +mere fanciful pictures. He had also caused to be painted a +representation of every month of the year, which would also be likely, +he thought, to interest the Emperor. When these pictures were finished +he took them to Court, and submitted them to his inspection; but he +would not agree that he should take any of them to the plum-chamber; +and they were all deposited in the chamber of his daughter. + +Genji, when he heard of this, said of his brother-in-law, "He is +young; he never could be behind others." He was, however, unable to +pass the matter over unnoticed. He told the Emperor that he would +present him with some old pictures, and returning to his mansion at +Nijio he opened his picture cabinet, where numbers of old and new +pictures were kept. From these, with the assistance of Violet, he made +a selection of the best. But such pictures as illustrations of the +"Long Regrets," or representations of "O-shio-kun," were reserved, +because the terminations of these stories were not happy ones. He +also took out of his cabinet the sketches which he had made while in +Suma and Akashi, and showed them for the first time to Violet, who was +a little angry at his not having shown them to her sooner. + +It was about the tenth of February, and the face of Nature began to +smile with the approach of spring, making the hearts and tempers of +people more calm and cheerful; besides, it was just the time when the +Court was unoccupied with the keeping of any festival. There could be +no better chance than this for such an exhibition of pictures to +attract the attention of people enjoying leisure. Genji, therefore, +sent his collection of pictures to the Palace in behalf of the lady of +the plum-chamber. + +This soon created a sensation in the Palace. Most of the pictures that +were in the possession of the lady of the plum-chamber were from old +romances, and the pictures themselves were of ancient date, being +rare, while those of Kokiden were more modern subjects and by living +artists. Thus each of them had their special merits, so that it became +difficult to say which were more excellent. Talking of these pictures +became quite a fashionable subject of conversation of the courtiers of +the day. The Imperial-mother happened to be at Court, and when she saw +these pictures and heard different persons at Court discussing their +relative merits, she suggested that they should divide themselves into +two parties, right and left, and regularly to give their judgment. +This was accordingly done: Hei-Naishi-no-Ske, Jijiu-no-Naishi, and +Shioshio-no-Miobu took the left, on the side of the lady of the +plum-chamber; while Daini-no-Naishi-no-Ske, Chiujio-no-Miobu, and +Hioye-no-Miobu took the right, on the side of the Kokiden. + +The first picture selected was the illustration of the "Bamboo +Cutter,"[125] by the left, as it was the most appropriate to come +first for the discussion of its merits, as being the parent of +romance. To compete with this, that of "Toshikage,"[126] from "The +Empty Wood," was selected by the right. The left now stated their +case, saying, "The bamboo--indeed, its story too--may be an old and +commonly known thing, but the maiden Kakya, in keeping her purity +unsullied in this world, is highly admirable; besides, it was an +occurrence that belongs to a pre-historical period. No ordinary woman +would ever be equal to her, and so this picture has an excellence." +Thereupon the right argued in opposition to this, saying, "The sky, +where the maiden Kakya has gone away, may indeed be high, but it is +beyond human reach, so we may put it aside. When she made her +appearance in this world she was, after all, a creature of bamboo; +and, indeed, we may consider her even lower than ourselves. It may +also be true that she threw a bright radiance over the inside of a +cottage, but she never shone in the august society of a palace. +Abe-no-oshi's[127] spending millions of money in order to get the +so-called fire-proof rat, which, when obtained, was consumed in the +flames in a moment, is simply ridiculous. Prince Kuramochi's[128] +pretended jewel branch was simply a delusion. Besides, this picture is +by Kose-no-Omi, with notes[129] by Tsurayuki. These are not very +uncommon. The paper is Kamiya, only covered with Chinese satin. The +outer cover is reddish purple, and the centre stick is purple +Azedarach. These are very common ornaments. Now Toshikage, though he +had undergone a severe trial from the raging storm, and had been +carried to a strange country, arrived at length at the country to +which he was originally despatched, and from there returned to his +native land, having achieved his object, and having made his ability +recognized both at home and abroad. This picture is the life of this +man, and it represents many scenes, not only of his country but of +foreign ones, which cannot fail to be interesting. We therefore dare +to place this one above the other in merit." + +The ground of this picture was thick white tinted paper, the outer +cover was green, and the centre stick jade. The picture was by +Tsunenori, and the writing by Michikage. It was in the highest taste +of the period. + +The left made no more protestation against the right. + +Next the romance of Ise by the left, and that of Shio-Sammi by the +right, were brought into competition. Here again the relative merit +was very difficult to be decided at once. That of the right had +apparently more charms than that of the other, since it beautifully +represented the society of a more recent period. + +Hei-Naishi, of the left, therefore said, + + "If leaving the depths of Ise's night-sea, + We follow the fancies of new-fashioned dreams, + All the beauty and skill of the ancients will be + Swept away by the current of art's modern streams. + +Who would run down the fame of Narihira for the sake of the +pretentious humbug of our own days?" + +Then Daini-no-Naishi-no-Ske, of the right, replied, + + "The noble mind that soars on high, + Beyond the star-bespangled sky; + Looks down with ease on depths that lie + A thousand fathoms 'neath his eye."[130] + +Upon this, the Empress-mother interceded. She said, that "The exalted +nobility of Lord Hioye[131] may not, indeed, be passed over without +notice, yet the name of Narihira could not altogether be eclipsed by +his. + + Though too well-known to all may be + The lovely shore of Ise's sea; + Its aged fisher's honored name, + A tribute of respect may claim." + +There were several more rolls to be exhibited, and the rival +protestations on both sides became very warm, so that one roll +occasioned considerable discussion. + +While this was going on, Genji arrived on the scene. He suggested to +them that if there was any competition at all it should be decided on +a specially appointed day, in a more solemn manner, in the presence of +the Emperor. This suggestion having been adopted, the discussion came +to an end. + +The day for this purpose was fixed. The ex-Emperor, who had been +informed of this, presented several pictures to the lady of the +plum-chamber. They were mostly illustrations of Court Festivals, on +which there were explanatory remarks written by the Emperor Yenghi. +Besides these, there was one which had been expressly executed at his +own order by Kim-mochi. This was an illustration of the ceremony which +took place at his palace on the departure of the lady for Ise, some +time back, when she had gone there as the Saigu. It was also probable +that some of his pictures came into the possession of her rival, the +Lady Kokiden, through his mother (as the mother of the former was a +sister of the latter). + +When the day arrived every arrangement was made in the large saloon at +the rear of the Palace, where the Imperial seat was placed at the top. +The Court ladies of both parties--those of the lady of the +plum-chamber, and those of the lady of Kokiden--were arranged +respectively left and right, the left, or those of the lady of the +plum-chamber, facing southwards, and those of the right, northwards. +All the courtiers also took the places allotted to them. Here the +pictures were brought. The box, containing those of the left was of +purple Azedarach. The stand on which the box was placed was of safran, +and over this was thrown a cover of Chinese brocade with a mauve +ground. The seat underneath was of Chinese colored silk. Six young +girls brought all this in, and arranged it all in order. Their Kazami +(outer dress) was of red and cherry color, with tunics of Wistaria +lining (light purple outside, and light green within). + +The box which contained the pictures of the right was of "Jin" wood, +the stand of light colored "Jin," the cover of Corean silk with a +green ground. The legs of the stand, which were trellised round with a +silken cord, showed modern and artistic taste. The Kazami of the young +girls was of willow lining (white outside and green within), and their +tunics were of Kerria japonica lining (or yellow outside and light red +within). Both Genji and Gon-Chiunagon were present, by the Emperor's +special invitation, as also the Prince Lord-Lieutenant of Tzkushi who +loved pictures above all things, and he was consequently chosen umpire +for this day's competition. Many of the pictures were highly +admirable, and it was most difficult to make any preference between +them. For instance, if there was produced by one party a roll of "The +Season," which was the masterpiece of some old master, on selected +subjects; there was produced also, by the other party, a roll of +sketches on paper, which were scarcely inferior to, and more +ornamented with flourishing than the ancient works, in spite of the +necessary limitation of space which generally makes the wide expanse +of scenery almost too difficult to express. Thus the disputes on both +sides were very warm. + +Meanwhile the Imperial-mother (the Princess Wistaria) also came into +the saloon, pushing aside the sliding screen of the breakfast chamber. +The criticisms still continued, in which Genji made, now and then, +suggestive remarks. Before all was finished the shades of evening +began to fall on them. There remained, on the right, one more roll, +when the roll of "Suma" was produced on the left. It made +Gon-Chiunagon slightly embarrassed. The last roll of the right was, of +course, a selected one, but it had several disadvantages in comparison +with that of "Suma." The sketches on this roll had been done by Genji, +with great pains and time. They were illustrations of different bays +and shores. They were most skilfully executed, and carried away the +minds of the spectators to the actual spots. On them illustrative +remarks were written, sometimes in the shape of a diary, occasionally +mingled with poetical effusions in style both grave and easy. These +made a great impression on the Emperor, and on everyone present; and +finally, owing to this roll, the left was decided to have won the +victory. + +Then followed the partaking of refreshments, as was usual on such +occasions. In the course of conversation, Genji remarked to the +Lord-Lieutenant, "From my boyhood I paid much attention to reading and +writing, and perhaps my father noticed that I had benefited by these +pursuits. He observed that 'few very clever men enjoyed worldly +happiness and long life'; perhaps because ability and knowledge are +too highly valued in the world to admit of other blessings. True it +is, that even a man whose high birth assures him a certain success in +life, ought not to be devoid of learning, but I advise you to moderate +your exertions. After this time, he took more pains in instructing me +in the ways and manners of men of high position than in the minute +details of science. For these reasons, though on the one hand I was +not quite clumsy, I cannot, on the other, say in what particular +subject I am well versed and efficient. Drawing, however, was a +favorite object of my taste and ambition, and I also desired to +execute a work to the full extent of my ideas. In the meantime, I +enjoyed quiet leisure by the sea-shore, and as I contemplated the wide +expanse of scenery, my conception seemed to enlarge as I gazed upon +it. This made me take up my brush, but not a few parts of the work +have fallen short of those conceptions. Therefore, I thought them +altogether unworthy to be shown expressly, though I have now boldly +submitted them to your inspection on this good opportunity." + +"Nothing can be well learned that is not agreeable to one's natural +taste," replied the Lord-Lieutenant. "It is true, but every art has +its special instructor, and by this means their methods can be copied +by their pupils, though there may be differences in skill and +perfection. Among arts, however, nothing betrays one's tastes and +nature more than work of pen or brush (writing and painting), and +playing the game of Go. Of course men of low origin, and of little +accomplishment, often happen to excel in these arts, but not so +frequently as persons of position. Under the auspicious care of the +late Emperor, what prince or princess could have failed to attain the +knowledge of such arts? a care which was directed towards yourself +especially. I will not speak of literature and learning too. Your +accomplishments comprised the _kin_, next the flute, the mandolin, and +_soh-koto_--this we all knew, and so, too, the late Emperor said: your +painting, however, has been hitherto thought to be mere amusement, but +we now have seen your sketches executed with a skill not unequal to +the ancient famous draughtsmen in black ink." + +It was about the twentieth of the month, and the evening moon appeared +in the sky, while they were thus conversing. Her radiance was too weak +to make the ground near them bright, but afar-off the sky became +palely white. Several musical instruments were sent for from the +guardian of the library. Genji played a _kin_, Gon-Chiunagon a +_wagon_, the Lord-Lieutenant a _soh-koto_, and Shioshio-no-Miobu a +mandolin. The _hioshi_ (beating time to music) was undertaken by a +courtier. As this went on, the darkness of night began to diminish, +and the hues of the flowers in the garden, and the countenance of each +of the party, became gradually visible, while the birds themselves +began to chirp in the trees. It was a pleasant dawn. Several presents +were made to the company by the Imperial-mother, and to the +Lord-Lieutenant a robe was given in addition, as an acknowledgment of +his services as judge in the competition. And so the party broke up. +The roll of "Suma" was left, as was requested, in the hands of the +Imperial-mother. Genji had some more rolls of the same series, but +they were reserved for some future occasion. + +During the reign of this Emperor every care was taken on the occasion +of all Court Festivals, so that future generations should hold that +such and such precedents took their origin in this reign. Hence a +meeting even such as above described, which was only private in its +nature, was carried out in a manner as pleasant and enlightened as +possible. + +As to Genji, he thought he had obtained a position too exalted, and an +influence too great. There were, indeed, several instances of public +men surprised by misfortune, who, in premature age, obtained high +position and vast influence. He thought of these examples, and though +he had hitherto enjoyed his position and authority, as if he regarded +them as a compensation for his former fall, he began, as the Emperor +was now becoming older, to retire gradually from public life, so as to +prepare his mind and thoughts, and devote himself to the attainment of +happiness in the world to come, and also for the prolongation of life. +For these reasons he ordered a chapel to be built for himself on a +mountain side, where he might retire. In the meantime he had the +ambition to see his children satisfactorily brought out into the +world--an ambition which restrained him from carrying out his wishes +of retiring. + +It is not easy to understand or define the exact state of his mind at +this period. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 125: A short romance, supposed to be the oldest work of the +kind ever written in Japan, as the authoress states. The story is, +that once upon a time there was an aged man whose occupation was to +cut bamboo. One day he found a knot in a bamboo cane which was radiant +and shining, and upon cutting it he found in it a little girl who was +named Kakya-hime. He took her home and brought her up. She grew a +remarkable beauty. She had many suitors, but she refused to listen to +their addresses, and kept her maiden reputation unsullied. Finally, in +leaving this world, she ascended into the moon, from which she +professed to have originally come down.] + +[Footnote 126: This is another old romance, and Toshikage is its +principal hero. When twelve or thirteen years of age he was sent to +China, but the ship in which he was, being driven by a hurricane to +Persia, he met there with a mystic stranger, from whom he learned +secrets of the "Kin;" from thence he reached China, and afterwards +returned to Japan.] + +[Footnote 127: This man was one of the maiden's suitors. He was told +by her that if he could get for her the skin of the fire-proof rat she +might possibly accept his hand. With this object he gave a vast sum of +money to a Chinese merchant, who brought him what he professed to be +the skin of the fire-proof rat, but when it was put to the test, it +burnt away, and he lost his suit.] + +[Footnote 128: This Prince was another suitor of the maiden. His task +was to find a sacred island called Horai, and to get a branch of a +jewelled tree which grew in this island. He pretended to have embarked +for this purpose, but really concealed himself in an obscure place. He +had an artificial branch made by some goldsmith; but, of course, this +deception was at once detected.] + +[Footnote 129: Japanese pictures usually have explanatory notes +written on them.] + +[Footnote 130: It seems that this stanza alludes to some incident in +the Shio-Sammi, at the same time praising the picture.] + +[Footnote 131: This seems to be the name of the hero in the story +alluded to above.] + + * * * * * + + + + +CLASSICAL POETRY OF JAPAN + +[_Selections translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain_] + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +The poetry of a nation is always the best revealer of its genuine +life: the range of its spiritual as well as of its intellectual +outlook. This is the case even where poetry is imitative, for +imitation only pertains to the form of poetry, and not to its essence. +Vergil copied the metre and borrowed the phraseology of Homer, but is +never Homeric. In one sense, all national poetry is original, even +though it be shackled by rules of traditional prosody, and has adopted +the system of rhyme devised by writers in another language, whose +words seem naturally to bourgeon into assonant terminations. But +Japanese poetry is original in every sense of the term. Imitative as +the Japanese are, and borrowers from other nations in every department +of plastic, fictile, and pictorial art, as well as in religion, +politics, and manufactures, the poetry of Japan is a true-born flower +of the soil, unique in its mechanical structure, spontaneous and +unaffected in its sentiment and subject. + +The present collection of Japanese poetry is compiled and translated +into English from what the Japanese call "The Collection of Myriad +Leaves," and from a number of other anthologies made by imperial +decree year by year from the tenth until the fifteenth century. This +was the golden age of Japanese literature, and nowadays, when poetry +is dead in Japan, and the people and their rulers are aiming at +nothing but the benefits of material civilization, these ancient +anthologies are drawn upon for vamping up and compiling what pass for +the current verses of the hour. The twenty volumes of the "Myriad +Leaves" were probably published first in the latter half of the eighth +century, in the reign of the Mikado Shiyaumu; the editor was Prince +Moroye, for in those days the cultivation of verse was especially +considered the privilege of the princely and aristocratic. A poem +written by a man of obscure rank was sometimes included in the royal +collections, but the name of the author never. And indeed some of the +distinctive quality of Japanese poetry is undoubtedly due to the air +in which it flourished. It is never religious, and it is often +immoral, but it is always suffused with a certain hue of courtliness, +even gentleness. The language is of the most refined delicacy, the +thought is never boorish or rude; there is the self-collectedness +which we find in the poetry of France and Italy during the +Renaissance, and in England during the reign of Queen Anne. It +exhibits the most exquisite polish, allied with an avoidance of every +shocking or perturbing theme. It seems to combine the enduring lustre +of a precious metal with the tenuity of gold-leaf. Even the most vivid +emotions of grief and love, as well as the horrors of war, were +banished from the Japanese Parnassus, where the Muse of Tragedy +warbles, and the lyric Muse utters nothing but ditties of exquisite +and melting sweetness, which soothe the ear, but never stir the heart: +while their meaning is often so obscure as even to elude the +understanding. + +Allied to this polite reserve of the courtly poets of Japan is the +simplicity of their style, which is, doubtless, in a large measure, +due to the meagre range of spiritual faculties which characterize the +Japanese mind. This intellectual poverty manifests itself in the +absence of all personification and reference to abstract ideas. The +narrow world of the poet is here a concrete and literal sphere of +experience. He never rises on wings above the earth his feet are +treading, and the things around him that his fingers touch. But within +this limited area he revels in a great variety of subjects. In the +present anthology will be found ballads, love-songs, elegies, as well +as short stanzas composed with the strictest economy of word and +phrase. These we must characterize as epigrams. They are gems, +polished with almost passionless nicety and fastidious care. They +remind us very much of Roman poetry under the later Empire, and many +of them might have been written by Martial, at the court of Domitian. +They contain references to court doings, compliments, and sentiments +couched in pointed language. The drama of Japan is represented by two +types, one of which may be called lyrical, and the other the comedy of +real life. Specimens of both are found in the present collection, +which will furnish English readers with a very fair idea of what the +most interesting and enterprising of Oriental nations has done in the +domain of imaginative literature. + +E. W. + + + + +BALLADS + +THE FISHER-BOY URASHIMA + + + 'Tis spring, and the mists come stealing + O'er Suminoye's shore, + And I stand by the seaside musing + On the days that are no more. + + I muse on the old-world story, + As the boats glide to and fro, + Of the fisher-boy, Urashima, + Who a-fishing loved to go; + + How he came not back to the village + Though sev'n suns had risen and set, + But rowed on past the bounds of ocean, + And the sea-god's daughter met; + + How they pledged their faith to each other, + And came to the Evergreen Land, + And entered the sea-god's palace + So lovingly hand in hand, + + To dwell for aye in that country, + The ocean-maiden and he-- + The country where youth and beauty + Abide eternally. + + But the foolish boy said, "To-morrow + I'll come back with thee to dwell; + But I have a word to my father, + A word to my mother to tell." + + The maiden answered, "A casket + I give into thine hand; + And if that thou hopest truly + To come back to the Evergreen Land, + + "Then open it not, I charge thee! + Open it not, I beseech!" + So the boy rowed home o'er the billows + To Suminoye's beach. + + But where is his native hamlet? + Strange hamlets line the strand. + Where is his mother's cottage? + Strange cots rise on either hand. + + "What, in three short years since I left it," + He cries in his wonder sore, + "Has the home of my childhood vanished? + Is the bamboo fence no more? + + "Perchance if I open the casket + Which the maiden gave to me, + My home and the dear old village + Will come back as they used to be." + + And he lifts the lid, and there rises + A fleecy, silvery cloud, + That floats off to the Evergreen Country:-- + And the fisher-boy cries aloud; + + He waves the sleeve of his tunic, + He rolls over on the ground, + He dances with fury and horror, + Running wildly round and round.[132] + + But a sudden chill comes o'er him + That bleaches his raven hair, + And furrows with hoary wrinkles + The form erst so young and fair. + + His breath grows fainter and fainter, + Till at last he sinks dead on the shore; + And I gaze on the spot where his cottage + Once stood, but now stands no more. + +_Anon_. + + + + +ON SEEING A DEAD BODY + + + Methinks from the hedge round the garden + His bride the fair hemp hath ta'en, + And woven the fleecy raiment + That ne'er he threw off him again. + + For toilsome the journey he journeyed + To serve his liege and lord,[133] + Till the single belt that encircled him + Was changed to a thrice-wound cord; + + And now, methinks, he was faring + Back home to the country-side, + With thoughts all full of his father, + Of his mother, and of his bride. + + But here 'mid the eastern mountains, + Where the awful pass climbs their brow, + He halts on his onward journey + And builds him a dwelling low; + + And here he lies stark in his garments, + Dishevelled his raven hair, + And ne'er can he tell me his birthplace, + Nor the name that he erst did bear. + +_Sakimaro_. + + + + +THE MAIDEN OF UNAHI[134] + + + In Ashinoya village dwelt + The Maiden of Unahi, + On whose beauty the next-door neighbors e'en + Might cast no wandering eye; + + For they locked her up as a child of eight, + When her hair hung loosely still; + And now her tresses were gathered up, + To float no more at will.[135] + + And the men all yearned that her sweet face + Might once more stand reveal'd, + Who was hid from gaze, as in silken maze + The chrysalis lies concealed. + + And they formed a hedge round the house, + And, "I'll wed her!" they all did cry; + And the Champion of Chinu he was there, + And the Champion of Unahi. + + With jealous love these champions twain + The beauteous girl did woo, + Each had his hand on the hilt of his sword, + And a full-charged quiver, too, + + Was slung o'er the back of each champion fierce, + And a bow of snow-white wood + Did rest in the sinewy hand of each; + And the twain defiant stood. + + Crying, "An 'twere for her dear sake, + Nor fire nor flood I'd fear!" + The maiden heard each daring word, + But spoke in her mother's ear:-- + + "Alas! that I, poor country girl, + Should cause this jealous strife! + As I may not wed the man I love + What profits me my life? + + "In Hades' realm I will await + The issue of the fray." + These secret thoughts, with many a sigh, + She whisper'd and pass'd away. + + To the Champion of Chinu in a dream + Her face that night was shown; + So he followed the maid to Hades' shade, + And his rival was left alone; + + Left alone--too late! too late! + He gapes at the vacant air, + He shouts, and he yells, and gnashes his teeth, + And dances in wild despair. + + "But no! I'll not yield!" he fiercely cries, + "I'm as good a man as he!" + And girding his poniard, he follows after, + To search out his enemy. + + The kinsmen then, on either side, + In solemn conclave met, + As a token forever and evermore-- + Some monument for to set, + + That the story might pass from mouth to mouth, + While heav'n and earth shall stand; + So they laid the maiden in the midst, + And the champions on either hand. + + And I, when I hear the mournful tale, + I melt into bitter tears, + As though these lovers I never saw + Had been mine own compeers. + +_Mushimaro_. + + + + +THE GRAVE OF THE MAIDEN OF UNAHI + + + I stand by the grave where they buried + The Maiden of Unahi, + Whom of old the rival champions + Did woo so jealously. + + The grave should hand down through ages + Her story for evermore, + That men yet unborn might love her, + And think on the days of yore. + + And so beside the causeway + They piled up the bowlders high; + Nor e'er till the clouds that o'ershadow us + Shall vanish from the sky, + + May the pilgrim along the causeway + Forget to turn aside, + And mourn o'er the grave of the Maiden; + And the village folk, beside, + + Ne'er cease from their bitter weeping, + But cluster around her tomb; + And the ages repeat her story, + And bewail the Maiden's doom. + + Till at last e'en I stand gazing + On the grave where she now lies low, + And muse with unspeakable sadness + On the old days long ago. + +_Sakimaro_. + +[Note.--The existence of the Maiden of Unahi is not doubted by any of +the native authorities, and, as usual, the tomb is there (or said to +be there, for the present writer's search for it on the occasion of a +somewhat hurried visit to that part of the country was vain) to attest +the truth of the tradition. Ashinoya is the name of the village, and +Unahi of the district. The locality is in the province of Setsutsu, +between the present treaty ports of Kobe and Osaka.] + + + + +THE MAIDEN OF KATSUSHIKA + + + Where in the far-off eastern land + The cock first crows at dawn, + The people still hand down a tale + Of days long dead and gone. + + They tell of Katsushika's maid, + Whose sash of country blue + Bound but a frock of home-spun hemp, + And kirtle coarse to view; + + Whose feet no shoe had e'er confined, + Nor comb passed through her hair; + Yet all the queens in damask robes + Might nevermore compare. + + With this dear child, who smiling stood, + A flow'ret of the spring-- + In beauty perfect and complete, + Like to the moon's full ring. + + And, as the summer moths that fly + Towards the flame so bright, + Or as the boats that deck the port + When fall the shades of night, + + So came the suitors; but she said:-- + "Why take me for your wife? + Full well I know my humble lot, + I know how short my life."[136] + + So where the dashing billows beat + On the loud-sounding shore, + Hath Katsushika's tender maid + Her home for evermore. + + Yes! 'tis a tale of days long past; + But, listening to the lay, + It seems as I had gazed upon + Her face but yesterday. + +_Anon_. + + + + +THE BEGGAR'S COMPLAINT[137] + + + The heaven and earth they call so great, + For me are mickle small; + The sun and moon they call so bright, + For me ne'er shine at all. + + Are all men sad, or only I? + And what have I obtained-- + What good the gift of mortal life, + That prize so rarely gained,[138] + + If nought my chilly back protects + But one thin grass-cloth coat, + In tatters hanging like the weeds + That on the billows float-- + + If here in smoke-stained, darksome hut, + Upon the bare cold ground, + I make my wretched bed of straw, + And hear the mournful sound-- + + Hear how mine aged parents groan, + And wife and children cry, + Father and mother, children, wife, + Huddling in misery-- + + If in the rice-pan, nigh forgot, + The spider hangs its nest,[139] + And from the hearth no smoke goes up + Where all is so unblest? + + And now, to make our wail more deep, + That saying is proved true + Of "snipping what was short before":-- + Here comes to claim his due, + + The village provost, stick in hand + He's shouting at the door;-- + And can such pain and grief be all + Existence has in store? + +_Stanza_ + + Shame and despair are mine from day to day; + But, being no bird, I cannot fly away. + +_Anon._ + + + + +A SOLDIER'S REGRETS ON LEAVING HOME + + + When _I left_ to keep guard on the frontier + (For such was the monarch's decree), + My mother, with skirt uplifted,[140] + Drew near and fondled me; + + And my father, the hot tears streaming + His snow-white beard adown, + Besought me to tarry, crying:-- + "Alas! when thou art gone, + + "When thou leavest our gate in the morning, + No other sons have I, + And mine eyes will long to behold thee + As the weary years roll by; + + "So tarry but one day longer, + And let me find some relief + In speaking and hearing thee speak to me!" + So wail'd the old man in his grief. + + And on either side came pressing + My wife and my children dear, + Fluttering like birds, and with garments + Besprinkled with many a tear; + + And clasped my hands and would stay me, + For 'twas so hard to part; + But mine awe of the sovereign edict + Constrained my loving heart. + + I went; yet each time the pathway + O'er a pass through the mountains did wind, + I'd turn me round--ah! so lovingly!-- + And ten thousand times gaze behind. + + But farther still, and still farther, + Past many a land I did roam, + And my thoughts were all thoughts of sadness, + All loving, sad thoughts of home;-- + + Till I came to the shores of Sumi, + Where the sovereign gods I prayed, + With off'rings so humbly offered-- + And this the prayer that I made:-- + + "Being mortal, I know not how many + The days of my life may be; + And how the perilous pathway + That leads o'er the plain of the sea, + + "Past unknown islands will bear me:-- + But grant that while I am gone + No hurt may touch father or mother, + Or the wife now left alone!" + + Yes, such was my prayer to the sea-gods; + And now the unnumbered oars, + And the ship and the seamen to bear me + From breezy Naniha's shores, + + Are there at the mouth of the river:-- + Oh! tell the dear ones at home, + That I'm off as the day is breaking + To row o'er the ocean foam. + +_Anon._ + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 132: Such frantic demonstrations of grief are very +frequently mentioned in the early poetry, and sound strangely to those +who are accustomed to the more than English reserve of the modern +Japanese. Possibly, as in Europe, so in Japan, there may have been a +real change of character in this respect.] + +[Footnote 133: The Mikado is meant. The feudal system did not grow up +till many centuries later.] + +[Footnote 134: The N-a-h-i are sounded like our English word nigh, and +therefore form but one syllable to the ear.] + +[Footnote 135: Anciently (and this custom is still followed in some +parts of Japan) the hair of female children was cut short at the neck +and allowed to hang down loosely till the age of eight. At twelve or +thirteen the hair was generally bound up, though this ceremony was +often frequently postponed till marriage. At the present day, the +methods of doing the hair of female children, of grown-up girls, and +of married women vary considerably.] + +[Footnote 136: The original of this stanza is obscure, and the native +commentators have no satisfactory interpretation to offer.] + +[Footnote 137: In the original the title is "The Beggar's Dialogue," +there being two poems, of which that here translated is the second. +The first one, which is put into the mouth of an unmarried beggar, who +takes a cheerier view of poverty, is not so well fitted for +translation into English.] + +[Footnote 138: Because, according to the Buddhist doctrine of +perpetually recurring births, it is at any given time more probable +that the individual will come into the world in the shape of one of +the lower animals.] + +[Footnote 139: A literal translation of the Japanese idiom.] + +[Footnote 140: The Japanese commentators are puzzled over the meaning +of the passage "with skirt uplifted, drew near and fondled me." To the +European mind there seems to be nothing obscure in it. The mother +probably lifted her skirt to wipe her eyes, when she was crying. It is +evidently a figurative way of saying that the mother was crying.] + + + + +LOVE SONGS + +ON BEHOLDING THE MOUNTAIN + +_Composed by the commander of the forces of the Mikado Zhiyomei_ + + + The long spring day is o'er, and dark despond + My heart invades, and lets the tears flow down, + As all alone I stand, when from beyond + The mount our heav'n-sent monarch's throne doth crown. + + There breathes the twilight wind and turns my sleeve. + Ah, gentle breeze! to turn, home to return, + Is all my prayer; I cannot cease to grieve + On this long toilsome road; I burn, I burn! + + Yes! the poor heart I used to think so brave + Is all afire, though none the flame may see, + Like to the salt-kilns there by Tsunu's wave, + Where toil the fisher-maidens wearily. + +_Anon_. + + + + +LOVE IS PAIN + + + 'Twas said of old, and still the ages say, + "The lover's path is full of doubt and woe." + Of me they spake: I know not, nor can know, + If she I sigh for will my love repay. + My heart sinks on my breast; with bitter strife + My heart is torn, and grief she cannot see. + All unavailing is this agony + To help the love that has become my life. + +_Anon_. + + + + +HITOMARO TO HIS MISTRESS + + + Tsunu's shore, Ihami's brine, + To all other eyes but mine + Seem, perchance, a lifeless mere, + And sands that ne'er the sailor cheer. + + Ah, well-a-day! no ports we boast, + And dead the sea that bathes our coast; + But yet I trow the winged breeze + Sweeping at morn across our seas, + + And the waves at eventide + From the depths of ocean wide, + Onward to Watadzu bear + The deep-green seaweed, rich and fair; + + And like that seaweed gently swaying, + Winged breeze and waves obeying, + So thy heart hath swayed and bent + And crowned my love with thy content. + + But, dear heart! I must away, + As fades the dew when shines the day; + Nor aught my backward looks avail, + Myriad times cast down the vale, + + From each turn the winding road + Takes upward; for thy dear abode + Farther and still farther lies, + And hills on hills between us rise. + + Ah! bend ye down, ye cruel peaks, + That the gate my fancy seeks, + Where sits my pensive love alone, + To mine eyes again be shown! + +_Hitomaro._ + + + + +NO TIDINGS + + + The year has come, the year has gone again, + And still no tidings of mine absent love! + Through the long days of spring all heaven above + And earth beneath, re-echo with my pain. + + In dark cocoon my mother's silk-worms dwell; + Like them, a captive, through the livelong day + Alone I sit and sigh my soul away, + For ne'er to any I my love may tell. + + Like to the pine-trees I must stand and pine,[141] + While downward slanting fall the shades of night, + Till my long sleeve of purest snowy white, + With showers of tears, is steeped in bitter brine. + +_Anon._ + + + + +HOMEWARD + + + From Kaminabi's crest + The clouds descending pour in sheeted rain, + And, 'midst the gloom, the wind sighs o'er the plain:-- + Oh! he that sadly press'd, + Leaving my loving side, alone to roam + Magami's des'late moor, has he reached home? + +_Anon._ + + + + +THE MAIDEN AND THE DOG + + + As the bold huntsman on some mountain path + Waits for the stag he hopes may pass that way, + So wait I for my love both night and day:-- + Then bark not at him, as thou fearest my wrath. + +_Anon_. + + + + +LOVE IS ALL + + + Where in spring the sweetest flowers + Fill Mount Kaminabi's bowers, + Where in autumn dyed with red, + Each ancient maple rears its head, + And Aska's flood, with sedges lin'd, + As a belt the mound doth bind:-- + There see my heart--a reed that sways, + Nor aught but love's swift stream obeys, + And now, if like the dew, dear maid, + Life must fade, then let it fade:-- + My secret love is not in vain, + For thou lov'st me back again. + + + + +HUSBAND AND WIFE + + +WIFE.-- + + Though other women's husbands ride + Along the road in proud array, + My husband, up the rough hill-side, + On foot must wend his weary way. + + The grievous sight with bitter pain + My bosom fills, and many a tear + Steals down my cheek, and I would fain + Do aught to help my husband dear. + + Come! take the mirror and the veil, + My mother's parting gifts to me; + In barter they must sure avail + To buy an horse to carry thee! + +HUSBAND.-- + + And I should purchase me an horse, + Must not my wife still sadly walk? + No, no! though stony is our course, + We'll trudge along and sweetly talk. + +_Anon._ + + + + +HE COMES NOT + + + He comes not! 'tis in vain I wait; + The crane's wild cry strikes on mine ear, + The tempest howls, the hour is late, + Dark is the raven night and drear:-- + And, as I thus stand sighing, + The snowflakes round me flying + Light on my sleeve, and freeze it crisp and clear. + + Sure 'tis too late! he cannot come; + Yet trust I still that we may meet, + As sailors gayly rowing home + Trust in their ship so safe and fleet. + Though waking hours conceal him, + Oh! may my dreams reveal him, + Filling the long, long night with converse sweet! + +_Anon_. + + + + +HE AND SHE + + + HE.--To Hatsuse's vale I'm come, + To woo thee, darling, in thy home; + But the rain rains down apace, + And the snow veils ev'ry place, + And now the pheasant 'gins to cry, + And the cock crows to the sky:-- + Now flees the night, the night hath fled, + Let me in to share thy bed! + + SHE.--To Hatsuse's vale thou'rt come, + To woo me, darling, in my home:-- + But my mother sleeps hard by, + And my father near doth lie; + Should I but rise, I'll wake her ear; + Should I go out, then he will hear:-- + The night hath fled! it may not be, + For our love's a mystery! + +_Anon._ + + + + +THE PEARLS + + + Oh! he my prince, that left my side + O'er the twain Lover Hills[142] to roam, + Saying that in far Kishiu's tide + He'd hunt for pearls to bring them home. + + When will he come? With trembling hope + I hie me on the busy street, + To ask the evening horoscope, + That straightway thus gives answer meet-- + + The lover dear, my pretty girl, + For whom thou waitest, comes not yet, + Because he's seeking ev'ry pearl + Where out at sea the billows fret. + + "He comes not yet, my pretty girl! + Because among the riplets clear + He's seeking, finding ev'ry pearl; + 'Tis that delays thy lover dear. + + "Two days at least must come and go, + Sev'n days at most will bring him back; + 'Twas he himself that told me so:-- + Then cease, fair maid, to cry Alack!" + +_Anon._ + + + + +A DAMSEL CROSSING A BRIDGE + + + Across the bridge, with scarlet lacquer glowing, + That o'er the Katashiha's stream is laid, + All trippingly a tender girl is going, + In bodice blue and crimson skirt arrayed. + None to escort her: would that I were knowing + Whether alone she sleeps on virgin bed, + Or if some spouse has won her by his wooing:-- + Tell me her house! I'll ask the pretty maid! + +_Anon_. + + + + +SECRET LOVE + + + If as my spirit yearns for thine + Thine yearns for mine, why thus delay? + And yet, what answer might be mine + If, pausing on her way, + Some gossip bade me tell + Whence the deep sighs that from my bosom swell? + + And thy dear name my lips should pass, + My blushes would our love declare; + No, no! I'll say my longing was + To see the moon appear + O'er yonder darkling hill; + Yet 'tis on thee mine eyes would gaze their fill. + +_Anon_. + + + + +THE OMEN[143] + + + Yes! 'twas the hour when all my hopes + Seemed idle as the dews that shake + And tremble in their lotus-cups + By deep Tsurugi's lake-- + 'Twas then the omen said:-- + "Fear not! he'll come his own dear love to wed." + What though my mother bids me flee + Thy fond embrace? No heed I take; + As pure, as deep my love for thee + As Kiyosumi's lake. + One thought fills all my heart:-- + When wilt thou come no more again to part? + +_Anon_. + + + + +A MAIDEN'S LAMENT + + + Full oft he swore, with accents true and tender, + "Though years roll by, my love shall ne'er wax old!" + And so to him my heart I did surrender, + Clear as a mirror of pure burnished gold; + + And from that day, unlike the seaweed bending + To ev'ry wave raised by the summer gust, + Firm stood my heart, on him alone depending, + As the bold seaman in his ship doth trust. + + Is it some cruel god that hath bereft me? + Or hath some mortal stol'n away his heart? + No word, no letter since the day he left me, + Nor more he cometh, ne'er again to part! + + In vain I weep, in helpless, hopeless sorrow, + From earliest morn until the close of day; + In vain, till radiant dawn brings back the morrow, + I sigh the weary, weary nights away. + + No need to tell how young I am and slender-- + A little maid that in thy palm could lie:-- + Still for some message comforting and tender, + I pace the room in sad expectancy. + +_The Lady Sakanouhe_. + + + + +RAIN AND SNOW + + + Forever on Mikane's crest, + That soars so far away, + The rain it rains in ceaseless sheets, + The snow it snows all day. + + And ceaseless as the rain and snow + That fall from heaven above, + So ceaselessly, since first we met, + I love my darling love. + +_Anon_. + + + + +MOUNT MIKASH + + + Oft in the misty spring + The vapors roll o'er Mount Mikash's crest, + While, pausing not to rest, + The birds each morn with plaintive note do sing. + Like to the mists of spring + My heart is rent; for, like the song of birds, + Still all unanswered ring + The tender accents of my passionate words. + I call her ev'ry day + Till daylight fades away; + I call her ev'ry night + Till dawn restores the light;-- + But my fond prayers are all too weak to bring + My darling back to sight. + +_Akahito._ + + + + +EVENING + + + From the loud wave-washed shore + Wend I my way, + Hast'ning o'er many a flow'r, + At close of day-- + On past Kusaka's crest, + Onward to thee, + Sweet as the loveliest + Flower of the lea! + +_Anon._ + +[Note.--A note to the original says: "The name of the composer of the +above song was not given because he was of obscure rank," a reason +which will sound strange to European ears.] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 141: The play in the original is on the word Matsu, which +has the double signification of "a pine-tree" and "to wait."] + +[Footnote 142: Mount Lover and Mount Lady-love (Se-yama and Imo-yama) +in the province of Yamato.] + +[Footnote 143: The reference in this song is to an old superstition. +It used to be supposed that the chance words caught from the mouths of +passers-by would solve any doubt on questions to which it might +otherwise be impossible to obtain an answer. This was called the +yufu-ura, or "evening divination," on account of its being practised +in the evening. It has been found impossible in this instance to +follow the original very closely.] + + + + +ELEGIES + +ON THE DEATH OF THE MIKADO TENJI[144] + +_By One of His Ladies_ + + + Alas! poor mortal maid! unfit to hold + High converse with the glorious gods above,[145] + Each morn that breaks still finds me unconsoled, + Each hour still hears me sighing for thy love. + + Wert thou a precious stone, I'd clasp thee tight + Around mine arm; wert thou a silken dress + I'd ne'er discard thee, either day or night:-- + Last night, sweet love! I dreamt I saw thy face. + + + + +ON THE DEATH OF THE POET'S MISTRESS + + + How fondly did I yearn to gaze + (For was there not the dear abode + Of her whose love lit up my days?) + On Karu's often-trodden road. + + But should I wander in and out, + Morning and evening ceaselessly, + Our loves were quickly noised about, + For eyes enough there were to see. + + So, trusting that as tendrils part + To meet again, so we might meet, + As in deep rocky gorge my heart, + Unseen, unknown, in secret beat. + + But like the sun at close of day, + And as behind a cloud the moon, + So passed my gentle love away, + An autumn leaf ta'en all too soon. + + When came the fatal messenger, + I knew not what to say or do:-- + But who might sit and simply hear? + Rather, methought, of all my woe. + + Haply one thousandth part might find + Relief if my due feet once more, + Where she so often trod, should wind + Through Karu's streets and past her door. + + But mute that noise, nor all the crowd + Could show her like, or soothe my care; + So, calling her dear name aloud, + I waved my sleeve in blank despair. + +_Hitomaro_. + + + + +ELEGY ON THE POET'S WIFE + + + The gulls that twitter on the rush-grown shore + When fall the shades of night, + That o'er the waves in loving pairs do soar + When shines the morning light-- + 'Tis said e'en these poor birds delight + To nestle each beneath his darling's wing + That, gently fluttering, + Through the dark hours wards off the hoar-frost's might. + + Like to the stream that finds + The downward path it never may retrace, + Like to the shapeless winds, + Poor mortals pass away without a trace:-- + So she I love has left her place, + And, in a corner of my widowed couch, + Wrapped in the robe she wove me, + I must crouch, + Far from her fond embrace. + +_Nibi_. + + + + +ON THE DEATH OF PRINCE HINAMI + + +I + + When began the earth and heaven, + By the banks of heaven's river[146] + All the mighty gods assembled, + All the mighty gods in council. + And, for that her sov'reign grandeur + The great goddess of the day-star + Rul'd th' ethereal realms of heaven, + Downward through the many-piled + Welkin did they waft her grandson, + Bidding him, till earth and heaven, + Waxing old, should fall together, + O'er the middle land of reed-plains, + O'er the land of waving rice-fields, + Spread abroad his power imperial. + +II + + But not his Kiyomi's palace:-- + 'Tis his sov'reign's, hers the empire; + And the sun's divine descendant, + Ever soaring, passeth upward + Through the heav'n's high rocky portals. + +III + + Why, dear prince, oh! why desert us? + Did not all beneath the heaven, + All that dwell in earth's four quarters, + Pant, with eye and heart uplifted, + As for heav'n-sent rain in summer, + For thy rule of flow'ry fragrance, + For thy plenilune of empire? + Now on lone Mayumi's hillock, + Firm on everlasting columns, + Pilest thou a lofty palace, + Whence no more, when day is breaking, + Sound thine edicts, awe-compelling. + Day to day is swiftly gathered, + Moon to moon, till e'er thy faithful + Servants from thy palace vanish. + +_Hitomaro_. + + + + +ON THE DEATH OF THE NUN RIGUWAN + + + Ofttimes in far Corea didst thou hear + Of our Cipango as a goodly land; + And so, to parents and to brethren dear + Bidding adieu, thou sailed'st to the strand + Of these domains, that own th' imperial pow'r, + Where glittering palaces unnumbered rise; + Yet such might please thee not, nor many a bow'r + Where village homesteads greet the pilgrim's eyes:-- + But in this spot, at Sahoyama's base, + Some secret influence bade thee find thy rest-- + Bade seek us out with loving eagerness, + As seeks the weeping infant for the breast. + And here with aliens thou didst choose to dwell, + Year in, year out, in deepest sympathy; + And here thou buildest thee an holy cell; + And so the peaceful years went gliding by. + But ah! what living thing mote yet avoid + Death's dreary summons?--And thine hour did sound + When all the friends on whom thine heart relied + Slept on strange pillows on the mossy ground. + So, while the moon lit up Kasuga's crest, + O'er Sahogaha's flood thy corse they bore + To fill a tomb upon yon mountain's breast, + And dwell in darkness drear for evermore. + No words, alas! nor efforts can avail:-- + Nought can I do, poor solitary child! + Nought can I do but make my bitter wail, + And pace the room with cries and gestures wild, + Ceaselessly weeping, till my snowy sleeve + Is wet with tears. Who knows? Perchance, again + Wafted, they're borne upon the sighs I heave, + On 'Arima's far distant heights to rain. + +_Sakanouhe_. + + + + +ON THE POET'S SON FURUBI + + + Sev'n are the treasures mortals most do prize, + But I regard them not:-- + One only jewel could delight mine eyes-- + The child that I begot. + + My darling boy, who with the morning sun + Began his joyous day; + Nor ever left me, but with child-like fun + Would make me help him play; + + Who'd take my hand when eve its shadows spread, + Saying, "I'm sleepy grown; + 'Twixt thee and mother I would lay my head:-- + Oh! leave me not alone!" + + Then with his pretty prattle in mine ears, + I'd lie awake and scan + The good and evil of the coming years, + And see the child a man. + + And, as the seaman trusts his bark, I'd trust + That nought could harm the boy:-- + Alas! I wist not that the whirling gust + Would shipwreck all my joy! + + Then with despairing, helpless hands I grasp'd + The sacred mirror's[147] sphere; + And round my shoulder I my garments clasp'd, + And prayed with many a tear:-- + + "'Tis yours, great gods, that dwell in heav'n on high, + Great gods of earth! 'tis yours + To heed, or heed not, a poor father's cry, + Who worships and implores!" + + Alas! vain pray'rs, that more no more avail! + He languished day by day, + Till e'en his infant speech began to fail, + And life soon ebbed away. + + Stagg'ring with grief I strike my sobbing breast, + And wildly dance and groan:-- + Ah! such is life! the child that I caress'd + Far from mine arms hath flown. + + + + +SHORT STANZA ON THE SAME OCCASION + + + So young, so young! he cannot know the way:-- + On Hades' porter I'll a bribe bestow, + That on his shoulders the dear infant may + Be safely carried to the realms below. + +_Attributed to Okura._ + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 144: Died A.D. 671.] + +[Footnote 145: Viz., with the departed and deified Mikado.] + +[Footnote 146: The Milky Way.] + +[Footnote 147: The part played by the mirror in the devotions of the +Japanese is carried back by them to a tale in their mythology which +relates the disappearance into a cavern of the Sun-goddess Amaterasu, +and the manner in which she was enticed forth by being led to believe +that her reflection in a mirror that was shown to her was another +deity more lovely than herself.] + + + + +MISCELLANEOUS POEMS + +VIEW FROM MOUNT KAGO + +_Composed by the Mikado Zhiyomei_ + + + Countless are the mountain-chains + Tow'ring o'er Cipango's plains; + But fairest is Mount Kago's peak, + Whose heav'nward soaring heights I seek, + And gaze on all my realms beneath-- + Gaze on the land where vapors wreath + O'er many a cot; gaze on the sea, + Where cry the sea-gulls merrily. + Yes! 'tis a very pleasant land, + Fill'd with joys on either hand, + Sweeter than aught beneath the sky, + Dear islands of the dragon-fly![148] + + + + +THE MIKADO'S BOW[149] + + + When the dawn is shining, + He takes it up and fondles it with pride; + When the day's declining, + He lays it by his pillow's side. + Hark to the twanging of the string! + This is the Bow of our great Lord and King! + Now to the morning chase they ride, + Now to the chase again at eventide: + Hark to the twanging of the string! + This is the Bow of our great Lord and King! + +_Hashibito_. + + + + +SPRING AND AUTUMN + + + When winter turns to spring, + Birds that were songless make their songs resound, + Flow'rs that were flow'rless cover all the ground; + Yet 'tis no perfect thing:-- + I cannot walk, so tangled is each hill; + So thick the herbs I cannot pluck my fill. + But in the autumn-tide + I cull the scarlet leaves and love them dear, + And let the green leaves stay, with many a tear, + All on the fair hill-side:-- + No time so sweet as that. Away! Away! + Autumn's the time I fain would keep alway. + +_Ohogimi._ + + + + +SPRING + + + When winter turns to spring, + The dews of morn in pearly radiance lie, + The mists of eve rise circling to the sky, + And Kaminabi's thickets ring + With the sweet notes the nightingale doth sing. + +_Anon._ + + + + +RECOLLECTIONS OF MY CHILDREN + + + Ne'er a melon can I eat, + But calls to mind my children dear; + Ne'er a chestnut crisp and sweet, + But makes the lov'd ones seem more near. + Whence did they come, my life to cheer? + Before mine eyes they seem to sweep, + So that I may not even sleep. + What use to me the gold and silver hoard? + What use to me the gems most rich and rare? + Brighter by far--aye! bright beyond compare-- + The joys my children to my heart afford! + +_Yamagami-no Okura._ + + + + +THE BROOK OF HATSUSE + + + Pure is Hatsuse mountain-brook-- + So pure it mirrors all the clouds of heaven; + Yet here no fishermen for shelter look + When sailing home at even:-- + 'Tis that there are no sandy reaches, + Nor sheltering beaches, + Where the frail craft might find some shelt'ring nook. + Ah, well-a-day! we have no sandy reaches:-- + But heed that not; + Nor shelving beaches:-- + But heed that not! + Come a-jostling and a-hustling + O'er our billows gayly bustling:-- + Come, all ye boats, and anchor in this spot! + +_Anon._ + + + + +LINES TO A FRIEND + + + Japan is not a land where men need pray, + For 'tis itself divine:-- + Yet do I lift my voice in prayer and say:-- + "May ev'ry joy be thine! + And may I too, if thou those joys attain, + Live on to see thee blest!" + Such the fond prayer, that, like the restless main, + Will rise within my breast. + +_Hitomaro._ + + + + +A VERY ANCIENT ODE + + + Mountains and ocean-waves + Around me lie; + Forever the mountain-chains + Tower to the sky; + Fixed is the ocean + Immutably:-- + Man is a thing of nought, + Born but to die! + +_Anon._ + + + + +THE BRIDGE TO HEAVEN[150] + + + Oh! that that ancient bridge, + Hanging 'twixt heaven and earth, were longer still! + Oh! that yon tow'ring mountain-ridge + So boldly tow'ring, tow'red more boldly still! + Then from the moon on high + I'd fetch some drops of the life-giving stream-- + A gift that might beseem + Our Lord, the King, to make him live for aye! + +_Anon._ + + + + +ODE TO THE CUCKOO + + + Nightingales built the nest + Where, as a lonely guest, + First thy young head did rest, + Cuckoo, so dear! + Strange to the father-bird, + Strange to the mother-bird, + Sounded the note they heard, + Tender and clear. + Fleeing thy native bow'rs, + Bright with the silv'ry flow'rs, + Oft in the summer hours + Hither thou fliest; + Light'st on some orange tall, + Scatt'ring the blossoms all, + And, while around they fall, + Ceaselessly criest. + Through, through the livelong day + Soundeth thy roundelay, + Never its accents may + Pall on mine ear:-- + Come, take a bribe of me! + Ne'er to far regions flee; + Dwell on mine orange-tree, + Cuckoo, so dear! + +_Anon._ + + + + +THE ASCENT OF MOUNT TSUKUBA + + + When my lord, who fain would look on + Great Tsukuba, double-crested, + To the highlands of Hitachi + Bent his steps, then I, his servant, + Panting with the heats of summer, + Down my brow the sweat-drops dripping, + Breathlessly toil'd onward, upward, + Tangled roots of timber clutching. + "There, my lord! behold the prospect!" + Cried I, when we scaled the summit. + And the gracious goddess gave us + Smiling welcome, while her consort + Condescended to admit us + Into these, his sacred precincts, + O'er Tsukuba, double-crested, + Where the clouds do have their dwelling. + And the rain forever raineth, + Shedding his divine refulgence, + And revealing to our vision + Ev'ry landmark that in darkness + And in shapeless gloom was shrouded;-- + Till for joy our belts we loosen'd, + Casting off constraint, and sported. + Danker now than in the dulcet + Spring-time grew the summer grasses; + Yet to-day our bliss was boundless. + +_Anon._ + + + + +COUPLET + + + When the great men of old pass'd by this way, + Could e'en their pleasures vie with ours to-day? + +_Anon._ + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 148: One of the ancient names of Japan, given to the country +on account of a supposed resemblance in shape to that insect. The +dragon-flies of Japan are various and very beautiful.] + +[Footnote 149: The Mikado referred to is Zhiyomei, who died in A.D. +641.] + +[Footnote 150: The poet alludes to the so-called Ama-no-Ukihashi, or +"floating bridge of heaven"--the bridge by which, according to the +Japanese mythology, the gods passed up and down in the days of old.] + + + + +SHORT STANZAS + + +I + + Spring, spring has come, while yet the landscape bears + Its fleecy burden of unmelted snow! + Now may the zephyr gently 'gin to blow, + To melt the nightingale's sweet frozen tears. + +_Anon._ + + +II + + Amid the branches of the silv'ry bowers + The nightingale doth sing: perchance he knows + That spring hath come, and takes the later snows + For the white petals of the plum's sweet flowers.[151] + +_Sosei._ + + +III + + Too lightly woven must the garments be-- + Garments of mist--that clothe the coming spring:-- + In wild disorder see them fluttering + Soon as the zephyr breathes adown the lea. + +_Yukihara._ + + +IV + + Heedless that now the mists of spring do rise, + Why fly the wild geese northward?--Can it be + Their native home is fairer to their eyes, + Though no sweet flowers blossom on its lea? + +_Ise_. + + +V + + If earth but ceased to offer to my sight + The beauteous cherry-trees when blossoming, + Ah! then indeed, with peaceful, pure delight, + My heart might revel in the joys of spring! + +_Narihira._ + + +VI + + Tell me, doth any know the dark recess + Where dwell the winds that scatter the spring flow'rs? + Hide it not from me! By the heav'nly pow'rs, + I'll search them out to upbraid their wickedness! + +_Sosei._ + + +VII + + No man so callous but he heaves a sigh + When o'er his head the withered cherry-flowers + Come flutt'ring down.--Who knows? the spring's soft show'rs + May be but tears shed by the sorrowing sky. + +_Kuronushi._ + + +VIII + + Whom would your cries, with artful calumny, + Accuse of scatt'ring the pale cherry-flow'rs? + 'Tis your own pinions flitting through these bow'rs + That raise the gust which makes them fall and die! + +_Sosei._ + + +IX + + In blossoms the wistaria-tree to-day + Breaks forth, that sweep the wavelets of my lake:-- + When will the mountain cuckoo come and make + The garden vocal with his first sweet lay? + +_Attributed to Hitomaro._ + + +X + + Oh, lotus leaf! I dreamt that the wide earth + Held nought more pure than thee--held nought more true:-- + Why, then, when on thee rolls a drop of dew, + Pretend that 'tis a gem of priceless worth?[152] + +_Henzeu._ + + +XI + + Can I be dreaming? 'Twas but yesterday + We planted out each tender shoot again;[153] + And now the autumn breeze sighs o'er the plain, + Where fields of yellow rice confess its sway. + +_Anon._ + + +XII + + A thousand thoughts of tender, vague regret, + Crowd on my soul, what time I stand and gaze + On the soft-shining autumn moon; and yet + Not to me only speaks her silv'ry haze. + +_Chisato._ + + +XIII + + What bark impelled by autumn's fresh'ning gale + Comes speeding t'ward me?--'Tis the wild geese arriv'n + Across the fathomless expanse of Heav'n, + And lifting up their voices for a sail! + +_Anon._ + + +XIV + +_Autumn_ + + The silv'ry dewdrops that in autumn light + Upon the moors, must surely jewels be; + For there they hang all over hill and lea, + Strung on the threads the spiders weave so tight. + +_Asayasu._ + + +XV + +_Autumn_ + + The trees and herbage, as the year doth wane, + For gold and russet leave their former hue-- + All but the wave-toss'd flow'rets of the main, + That never yet chill autumn's empire knew. + +_Yasuhide._ + + +XVI + +_Autumn_ + + The dews are all of one pale silv'ry white:-- + Then tell me, if thou canst, oh! tell me why + These silv'ry dews so marvellously dye + The autumn leaves a myriad colors bright? + +_Toshiyuki._ + + +XVII + +_Autumn_ + + The warp is hoar-frost and the woof is dew-- + Too frail, alas! the warp and woof to be:-- + For scarce the woods their damask robes endue, + When, torn and soiled, they flutter o'er the lea. + +_Sekiwo._ + + +XVIII + +_Autumn_ + + E'en when on earth the thund'ring gods held sway + Was such a sight beheld?--Calm Tatsta's flood, + Stain'd, as by Chinese art, with hues of blood, + Rolls o'er Yamato's peaceful fields away. + +_Narihira._ + + +XIX + +_Winter_ + + When falls the snow, lo! ev'ry herb and tree, + That in seclusion through the wintry hours + Long time had been held fast, breaks forth in flow'rs + That ne'er in spring were known upon the lea. + +_Tsurayuki._ + + +XX + +_Winter_ + + When from the skies, that wintry gloom enshrouds, + The blossoms fall and flutter round my head, + Methinks the spring e'en now his light must shed + O'er heavenly lands that lie beyond the clouds. + +_Fukayabu._ + + +XXI + +_Congratulations_ + + A thousand years of happy life be thine! + Live on, my lord, till what are pebbles now, + By age united, to great rocks shall grow, + Whose venerable sides the moss doth line! + +_Anon._ + + +XXII + +_Congratulations_[154] + + Of all the days and months that hurry by + Nor leave a trace, how long the weary tale! + And yet how few the springs when in the vale + On the dear flow'rets I may feast mine eye! + +_Okikaze._ + + +XXIII + +_Congratulations_ + + If ever mortal in the days of yore + By Heav'n a thousand years of life was lent, + I wot not; but if never seen before, + Be thou the man to make the precedent. + +_Sosei._ + + +XXIV + +_Parting_ + + Mine oft-reiterated pray'rs in vain + The parting guest would stay: Oh, cherry-flow'rs! + Pour down your petals, that from out these bow'rs + He ne'er may find the homeward path again! + +_Anon._ + + +XXV + +_Travelling_ + + With roseate hues that pierce th' autumnal haze + The spreading dawn lights up Akashi's shore; + But the fair ship, alas! is seen no more:-- + An island veils it from my loving gaze. + +_Attributed to Hitomaro._ + + +XXVI + +_Travelling_ + + Miyako-bird! if not in vain men give + Thy pleasing name, my question deign to hear:-- + And has she pass'd away, my darling dear, + Or doth she still for Narihira live? + +_Narihira._ + + * * * * * + + +XXVIII + +_Love_ + + The barest ledge of rock, if but a seed + Alight upon it, lets the pine-tree grow:-- + If, then, thy love for me be love indeed, + We'll come together, dear; it must be so! + +_Anon._ + + +XXIX + +_Love_ + + There is on earth a thing more bootless still + Than to write figures on a running stream:-- + And that thing is (believe me if you will) + To dream of one who ne'er of you doth dream. + +_Anon._ + + * * * * * + + +XXXI + +_Love_ + + Since that first night when, bath'd in hopeless tears, + I sank asleep, and he I love did seem + To visit me, I welcome ev'ry dream, + Sure that they come as heav'n-sent messengers. + +_Komachi._ + + +XXXII + +_Love_ + + Methinks my tenderness the grass must be, + Clothing some mountain desolate and lone; + For though it daily grows luxuriantly, + To ev'ry mortal eye 'tis still unknown. + +_Yoshiki._ + + +XXXIII + +_Love_ + + Upon the causeway through the land of dreams + Surely the dews must plentifully light:-- + For when I've wandered up and down all night, + My sleeve's so wet that nought will dry its streams. + +_Tsurayuki._ + + +XXXIV + +_Love_ + + Fast fall the silv'ry dews, albeit not yet + 'Tis autumn weather; for each drop's a tear, + Shed till the pillow of my hand is wet, + As I wake from dreaming of my dear. + +_Anon._ + + +XXXV + +_Love_ + + I ask'd my soul where springs th' ill-omened seed + That bears the herb of dull forgetfulness;[155] + And answer straightway came:--Th' accursed weed + Grows in that heart which knows no tenderness. + +_Sosei._ + + +XXXVI + +_Elegies_[156] + + So frail our life, perchance to-morrow's sun + May never rise for me. Ah! well-a-day! + Till comes the twilight of the sad to-day, + I'll mourn for thee, O thou beloved one! + +_Tsurayuki._ + + +XXXVII + +_Elegies_ + + The perfume is the same, the same the hue + As that which erst my senses did delight:-- + But he who planted the fair avenue + Is here no more, alas! to please my sight! + +_Tsurayuki._ + + +XXXVIII + +_Elegies_ + + One thing, alas! more fleeting have I seen + Than wither'd leaves driv'n by the autumn gust:-- + Yea, evanescent as the whirling dust + Is man's brief passage o'er this mortal scene! + +_Chisato._ + + +XXXIX + + Softly the dews upon my forehead light:-- + From off the oars, perchance, as feather'd spray, + They drop, while some fair skiff bends on her way + Across the Heav'nly Stream[157] on starlit night. + +_Anon._ + + +XL + + What though the waters of that antique rill + That flows along the heath, no more are cold; + Those who remember what it was of old + Go forth to draw them in their buckets still. + +_Anon._ + + +XLI[158] + + Old Age is not a friend I wish to meet; + And if some day to see me he should come, + I'd lock the door as he walk'd up the street, + And cry, "Most honored sir! I'm not at home!" + +_Anon_. + + +XLII[159] + + Yes, I am old; but yet with doleful stour + I will not choose to rail 'gainst Fate's decree. + An' I had not grown old, then ne'er for me + Had dawned the day that brings this golden hour. + +_Toshiyuki._ + + +XLIII[160] + + The roaring torrent scatters far and near + Its silv'ry drops:--Oh! let me pick them up! + For when of grief I drain some day the cup, + Each will do service as a bitter tear. + +_Yukihira._ + + +XLIV + +_Composed on beholding the cascade of Otoha on Mount Hiye_ + + Long years, methinks, of sorrow and of care + Must have pass'd over the old fountain-head + Of the cascade; for, like a silv'ry thread, + It rolls adown, nor shows one jet-black hair. + +_Tadamine._ + + +XLV + + If e'en that grot where thou didst seek release + From worldly strife in lonesome mountain glen + Should find thee sometimes sorrowful, ah! then + Where mayest thou farther flee to search for peace? + +_Mitsune._ + + +XLVI[161] + + So close thy friendly roof, so near the spring, + That though not yet dull winter hath gone hence, + The wind that bloweth o'er our parting fence + From thee to me the first gay flow'rs doth bring. + +_Fukayabu._ + + +XLVII + + If to this frame of mine in spring's first hour, + When o'er the moor the lightsome mists do curl, + Might but be lent the shape of some fair flower, + Haply thou 'dst deign to pluck me, cruel girl! + +_Okikaze._ + + +XLVIII + + "Love me, sweet girl! thy love is all I ask!" + "Love thee?" she laughing cries; "I love thee not!" + "Why, then I'll cease to love thee on the spot, + Since loving thee is such a thankless task!" + +_Anon._ + + +XLIX + + A youth once lov'd me, and his love I spurn'd. + But see the vengeance of the pow'rs above + On cold indiff'rence:--now 'tis I that love, + And my fond love, alas! is not returned. + +_Anon._ + + +L + + Beneath love's heavy weight my falt'ring soul + Plods, like the packman, o'er life's dusty road. + Oh! that some friendly hand would find a pole + To ease my shoulders of their grievous load! + +_Anon._ + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 151: The plum-tree, cherry-tree, etc., are in Japan +cultivated, not for their fruit, but for their blossoms. Together with +the wistaria, the lotus, the iris, the lespedeza, and a few others, +these take the place which is occupied in the West by the rose, the +lily, the violet, etc.] + +[Footnote 152: The lotus is the Buddhist emblem of purity, and the +lotus growing out of the bud is a frequent metaphor for the heart that +remains unsullied by contact with the world.] + +[Footnote 153: The transplanting of the rice occupies the whole rural +population during the month of June, when men and women may all be +seen working in the fields, knee-deep in water. The crops are gathered +in October.] + +[Footnote 154: This ode was composed on beholding a screen presented +to the Empress by Prince Sadayasu at the festival held in honor of her +fiftieth birthday, whereon was painted a man seated beneath the +falling cherry blossoms and watching them flutter down.] + +[Footnote 155: The "Herb of Forgetfulness" answers in the poetical +diction of the Japanese to the classical waters Lethe.] + +[Footnote 156: It is the young poet Ki-no-Tomonori who is mourned in +this stanza.] + +[Footnote 157: The Milky Way.] + +[Footnote 158: This stanza is remarkable for being (so far as the +present writer is aware) the only instance in Japanese literature of +that direct impersonation of an abstract idea which is so very +strongly marked a characteristic of Western thoughts and modes of +expression.] + +[Footnote 159: Composed on the occasion of a feast at the palace.] + +[Footnote 160: One of a number of stanzas composed by a party of +courtiers who visited the cascade of Nunobiki, near the site of the +modern treaty-port of Kobe.] + +[Footnote 161: This stanza was composed and sent to the owner of the +neighboring house on the last day of winter, when the wind had blown +some snow across from it into the poet's dwelling.] + + * * * * * + + + + +THE DRAMA OF JAPAN + +[_Selected Plays, translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain_] + + + + +NAKAMITSU + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + +MITSUNAKA, Lord of the Horse to the Emperor Murakami. + +BIJIYAU, Son of Mitsunaka, and still a boy. + +NAKAMITSU, retainer of Mitsunaka. + +KAUZHIYU, son of Nakamitsu, and foster-brother of Bijiyau. + +WESHIN, Abbot of the great monastery on Mount Hiyei, near Kiyauto +(Miaco). + +The Chorus. + +Scene.--The Temple of Chiynuzanzhi, and my Lord Mitsunaka's palace in +Kiyauto. + +Time.--Early in the Tenth Century. + + + + +NAKAMITSU + +PART I + +Scene I.--Near the Monastery of Chiynuzanzhi + + +_Enter Nakamitsu._ + +NAKAMITSU.--I am Nakamitsu, a man of the Fujihara clan, and retainer +of Mitsunaka, Lord of Tada in the land of Setsushiu. Now you must know +that my lord hath an only son, and him hath he sent to a certain +monastery amid the mountains named Chiynuzanzhi, while I, too, have a +son called Kauzhiyu, who is gone as page to young my lord. But young +my lord doth not condescend to apply his mind unto study, loving +rather nothing so well as to spend from morn to night in quarrelling +and disturbance. Wherefore, thinking doubtless to disinherit young my +lord, my lord already this many a time, hath sent his messengers to +the temple with summons to return home to Kiyauto. Nevertheless, as he +cometh not, me hath he now sent on the same errand. + +[_The above words are supposed to be spoken during the journey, and +Nakamitsu now arrives at the monastery[162]._] + +Prithee! is any within? + +KAUZHIYU.--Who is it that deigneth to ask admittance? + +NAKAMITSU.--What! Is that Kauzhiyu? Tell young my lord that I have +come to fetch him home. + +KAUZHIYU.--Your commands shall be obeyed. [_He goes to his master's +apartment._] How shall I dare address my lord? Nakamitsu is come to +fetch my lord. + +BIJIYAU.--Call him hither. + +KAUZHIYU.--Your commands shall be obeyed. [_He returns to the outer +hall and addresses his father._] Condescend to come this way. + [_They go to Bijiyau's apartment._ + +NAKAMITSU.--It is long since I was last here. + +BIJIYAU.--And what is it that hath now brought thee? + +NAKAMITSU.--'Tis that my lord, your father, hath sent me to bid your +lordship follow me home without delay. + +BIJIYAU.--Shall I, then, go without saying anything to the priests, my +preceptors? + +NAKAMITSU.--Yes; if the priests be told, they will surely wish to see +your lordship on the way, whereas, my lord, your father's commands +were, that I alone was to escort you. + +BIJIYAU.--Then we will away. + +NAKAMITSU.--Kauzhiyu! thou, too, shalt accompany thy master. + +KAUZHIYU.--Your commands shall be obeyed. + + [_They depart from the temple, and arrive at Mitsunaka's palace._ + +NAKAMITSU.--How shall I dare address my lord? I have brought hither +his lordship Bijiyau. + +MITSUNAKA.--Well, Bijiyau! my only reason for sending thee up to the +monastery was to help thy learning; and I would fain begin, by hearing +thee read aloud from the Scriptures. + And with these words, and bidding him read on, + He lays on ebon desk before his son + The sacred text, in golden letters writ. + +BIJIYAU.--But how may he who never bent his wit + To make the pencil trace Asaka's[163] line + Spell out one letter of the book divine? + In vain, in vain his sire's behest he hears:-- + Nought may he do but choke with idle tears. + +MITSUNAKA.--Ah! surely 'tis that, being my child, he respecteth the +Scriptures too deeply, and chooseth not to read them except for +purposes of devotion. What of verse-making, then? + +BIJIYAU.--I cannot make any. + +MITSUNAKA.--And music? [_Bijiyau makes no answer._ + +MITSUNAKA.--What! no reply? Hast lost thy tongue, young fool? + +CHORUS.--Whom, then, to profit wentest thou to school? + And can it be that e'en a father's word, + Like snow that falling melts, is scarcely heard, + But 'tis unheeded? Ah! 'twill drive me wild + To point thee out to strangers as my child! + No sooner said, than out the scabbard flies + His trusty sword, and with fierce flashing eyes + Forward he darts; but rushing in between, + Good Nakamitsu checks the bloody scene-- + Firm, though respectful, stays his master's arm, + And saves the lad from perilous alarm. + +NAKAMITSU.--Good my lord, deign to be merciful this once! + +MITSUNAKA.--Why stayed'st thou my hand? Haste thou now and slay +Bijiyau with this my sword. + +NAKAMITSU.--Your commands shall be obeyed. [_He retires into another +apartment._] What is this horror unutterable? 'Tis no mere passing fit +of anger. What shall I do?--Ah! I have it! I have it! I will take upon +myself to contrive some plan for his escape. Kauzhiyu, Kauzhiyu, art +thou there? + +KAUZHIYU.--Behold me at thy service. + +NAKAMITSU.--Where is my lord Bijiyau? + +KAUZHIYU.--All my prayers have been unavailing to make him leave this +spot. + +NAKAMITSU.--But why will he not seek refuge somewhere? Here am I come +from my lord, his father, as a messenger of death! [_Bijiyau shows +himself._ + +BIJIYAU.--That I am alive here at this moment is thy doing. But +through the lattice I heard my father's words to thee just now. + Little imports it an' I die or live, + But 'tis for thee I cannot choose but grieve + If thou do vex thy lord: to avert his ire + Strike off my head, and show it to my sire! + +NAKAMITSU.--My lord, deign to be calm! I will take upon myself to +contrive some plan for your escape.--What! say you a messenger hath +come? My heart sinks within me.--What! another messenger? + + [_These are messengers from Mitsunaka to ask whether his orders be not + yet carried into execution_. + +NAKAMITSU.--Alas! each joy, each grief we see unfurl'd + Rewards some action in a former world. + +KAUZHIYU.--In ages past thou sinned; + +BIJIYAU.--And to-day + +CHORUS.--Comes retribution! think not then to say + 'Tis others' fault, nor foolishly upbraid + The lot thyself for thine own self hast made. + Say not the world's askew! with idle prate + Of never-ending grief the hour grows late. + Strike off my head! with many a tear he cries, + And might, in sooth, draw tears from any eyes.[164] + +NAKAMITSU.--Ah! young my lord, were I but of like age with thee, how +readily would I not redeem thy life at the cost of mine own! Alas! +that so easy a sacrifice should not be possible! + +KAUZHIYU.--Father, I would make bold to speak a word unto thee. + +NAKAMITSU.--What may it be? + +KAUZHIYU.--'Tis, father, that the words thou hast just spoken have +found a lodgment in mine ears. Thy charge, truly, is Mitsunaka; but +Mitsunaka's son is mine. This, if any, is a great occasion, and my +years point to me as of right the chief actor in it. Be quick! be +quick! strike off my head, and show it to Mitsunaka[165] as the head +of my lord Bijiyau! + +NAKAMITSU.--Thou'st spoken truly, Nakamitsu cries, + And the long sword from out his scabbard flies, + What time he strides behind his boy. + +BIJIYAU.--But no! + The youthful lord on such stupendous woe + May never gaze unmov'd; with bitter wail + The father's sleeve he clasps. Nought may 't avail, + He weeping cries, e'en should the deed be done, + For I will slay myself if falls thy son. + +KAUZHIYU.--But 'tis the rule--a rule of good renown-- + That for his lord a warrior must lay down + His lesser life. + +BIJIYAU.-- But e'en if lesser, yet + He, too, is human; neither shouldst forget + What shame will e'er be mine if I survive + +NAKAMITSU.--Alas! alas! and 'tis for death they strive! + +KAUZHIYU.--Me deign to hear. + +BIJIYAU.--No! mine the truer word! + +NAKAMITSU.--Ah! this my child! + +KAUZHIYU.--And there behold thy lord! + +NAKAMITSU.--Betwixt the two see Nakamitsu stand:-- + +CHORUS.--His own brave life, an' 'twere his lord's command, + Were freely giv'n; but now, in sore dismay, + E'en his fierce courage fades and droops away. + +BIJIYAU.--Why heed a life my sire himself holds cheap? + Nought may thy pity do but sink more deep + My soul in wretchedness. + +KAUZHIYU.--Mistake me not! + Think not 'tis pity moves me; but a blot + The martial honor of our house will stain, + If, when I might have bled, my lord be slain. + +CHORUS.--On either side 'tis infancy that pleads. + +NAKAMITSU.--And yet how well they've learnt where duty leads! + +CHORUS.--Dear is thy lord! + +NAKAMITSU.--And mine own child how dear! + +CHORUS.--But Nakamitsu knows full well that ne'er, + To save the child his craven heart ador'd, + Warrior yet dar'd lay hands upon his lord. + He to the left, the trembling father cries, + Was sure my boy, nor lifts his tear-stain'd eyes:-- + A flash, a moment, the fell sabre gleams, + And sends his infant to the land of dreams.[166] + +NAKAMITSU.--Oh, horror unutterable! to think that I should have slain +mine own innocent child! But I must go and inform my lord. [_He goes +to Mitsunaka's apartment._ How shall I dare to address my lord? I +have slain my lord Bijiyau according to your commands. + +MITSUNAKA.--So thou hast killed the fellow? I trow his last moments +were those of a coward. Is it not true? + +NAKAMITSU.--Not so, my lord. As I stood there aghast, holding in my +hand the sword your lordship gave me, your son called out, "Why doth +Nakamitsu thus delay?" and those were the last words he was pleased to +utter. + +MITSUNAKA.--As thou well knowest, Bijiyau was mine only child. Go and +call thy son Kauzhiyu, and I will adopt him as mine heir. + +NAKAMITSU.--Kauzhiyu, my lord, in despair at being separated from +young my lord, hath cut off his locks,[167] and vanished none knows +whither. + I, too, thy gracious license would obtain. + Hence to depart, and in some holy fane + To join the priesthood. + +MITSUNAKA.--Harsh was my decree, + Yet can I think what thy heart's grief must be + That as its own my recreant child receiv'd, + And now of both its children is bereav'd. + But 'tis a rule of universal sway + That a retainer ever must obey. + +CHORUS.--Thus would my lord, with many a suasion fond, + Have rais'd poor Nakamitsu from despond. + Nor eke himself, with heart all stony hard, + Might, as a father, ev'ry pang discard:-- + Behold him now, oh! lamentable sight! + O'er his own son perform the fun'ral rite. + + + + +PART II + +Scene I.--Mitsunaka's Palace + + +_Some time is supposed to have elapsed, and Weshin, abbot of the +monastery on Mount Hiyei, comes down from that retreat to Mitsunaka's +palace in the capital, bringing with him Bijiyau, who had been +persuaded by Nakamitsu to take refuge with the holy man._ + +WESHIN.--I am the priest Weshin, and am hastening on my way to my lord +Mitsunaka's palace, whither certain motives guide me. [_They arrive at +the gate and he cries out_:] I would fain crave admittance. + +NAKAMITSU.--Who is it that asks to be admitted? Ah! 'tis his +reverence, Weshin. + +WESHIN.--Alas, for poor Kauzhiyu! + +Nakamitsu.--Yes; but prithee speak not of this before his lordship. +[_He goes to Mitsunaka's apartment._] How shall I venture to address +my lord? His reverence, Weshin, hath arrived from Mount Hiyei. + +MITSUNAKA.--Call him hither. + +Nakamitsu.--Your commands shall be obeyed. [_He goes to the room where +Weshin is waiting, and says_:] Be pleased to pass this way. + + [_They enter Mitsunaka's apartment._ + +MITSUNAKA.--What may it be that has brought your reverence here +to-day? + +WESHIN.--'Tis this, and this only. I come desiring to speak to your +lordship anent my lord Bijiyau. + +MITSUNAKA.--Respecting him I gave orders to Nakamitsu, which orders +have been carried out. + +WESHIN.--Ah! my lord, 'tis that, 'tis that I would discourse of. Be +not agitated, but graciously deign to give me thine attention while I +speak. Thou didst indeed command that my lord Bijiyau's head should +be struck off. But never might Nakamitsu prevail upon himself to lay +hands on one to whom, as his lord, he knew himself bound in reverence +through all the changing scenes of the Three Worlds.[168] Wherefore he +slew his own son, Kauzhiyu, to save my lord Bijiyau's life. And now +here I come bringing Bijiyau with me, and would humbly supplicate thee +to forgive one who was so loved that a man hath given his own son in +exchange for him.[169] + +MITSUNAKA.--Then he was a coward, as I thought! Wherefore, if Kauzhiyu +was sacrificed, did he, too, not slay himself? + +WESHIN.--My lord, put all other thoughts aside, and if it be only as +an act of piety towards Kauzhiyu's soul--curse not thy son! + +CHORUS.--As thus the good man speaks, + Tears of entreaty pour adown his cheeks. + The father hears, and e'en his ruthless breast, + Soft'ning at last, admits the fond request, + While Nakamitsu, crowning their delight, + The flow'ry wine brings forth, and cups that might + Have served the fays: but who would choose to set + Their fav'rite's bliss that, home returning, wet + His grandson's grandson's still remoter line, + Beside the joy that doth itself entwine + Round the fond hearts of father and of son, + Parted and now in the same life made one? + +WESHIN.--Prithee, Nakamitsu, wilt thou not dance and sing to us +awhile, in honor of this halcyon hour? + + [_During the following song Nakamitsu dances._ + +NAKAMITSU.--Water-bird, left all alone + Now thy little mate hath flown, + On the billows to and fro + Flutter, flutter, full of woe! + +CHORUS.--Full of woe, so full of woe, + Flutter, flutter, full of woe! + +NAKAMITSU.--Ah! if my darling were but here to-day + I'd make the two together dance and play + While I beat time, and, gazing on my boy, + Instead of tears of grief, shed tears of joy! + +CHORUS.--Behold him weep! + +NAKAMITSU.--But the gay throng perceive + Nought but the rhythmic waving of my sleeve. + +CHORUS.--Hither and thither, flutt'ring in the wind. + +NAKAMITSU.--Above, beneath, with many a dewdrop lin'd! + +CHORUS.--Ah, dewy tears! in this our world of woe + If any stay, the friends he loves must go:-- + Thus 'tis ordain'd, and he that smiles to-day + To-morrow owns blank desolation's sway. + But now 'tis time to part, the good priest cries-- + Him his disciple follows, and they rise; + While Nakamitsu walking in their train, + The palanquin escorts; for he would fain + Last counsel give: "Beware, young lord, beware! + Nor cease from toilsome study; for if e'er + Thy sire again be anger'd, all is lost!" + Then takes his leave, low bending to the dust. + Forward they're borne; but Nakamitsu stays, + Watching and weeping with heart-broken gaze, + And, mutely weeping, thinks how ne'er again + He'll see his child borne homeward o'er the plain. + + + + +ABSTRACTION + +[_The Japanese title is "Za-zen"._] + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + +A HUSBAND. + +HIS WIFE. + +TARAUKUWAZHIYA, their servant. + + + + +ABSTRACTION + +Scene I.--A Room in a Private House in Kiyauto + + +HUSBAND.--I am a resident in the suburbs of the metropolis. On the +occasion of a recent journey down[170] East, I was served (at a +tea-house) in the post-town of Nogami, in the province of Mino, by a +girl called Hana, who, having since then heard of my return to the +capital, has followed me up here, and settled down at Kita-Shira-kaha, +where she expects me this evening according to a promise made by +letter. But my vixen of a wife has got scent of the affair and thus +made it difficult for me to go. So what I mean to do is to call her, +and tell her some pretty fable that may set me free. Halloo! halloo! +are you there, pray? are you there? + +WIFE.--So it seems you are pleased to call me. What may it be that +makes you thus call me? + +HUSBAND.--Well, please to come in. + +WIFE.--Your commands are obeyed. + +HUSBAND.--My reason for calling you is just simply this: I want to +tell you how much my spirits have been affected by continual dreams +that I have had. That is why I have called you. + +WIFE.--You are talking rubbish. Dreams proceed from organic +disturbance, and do not come true; so pray don't trouble your head +about them. + +HUSBAND.--What you say is quite correct. Dreams, proceeding as they do +from organic disturbance, do not come true nine times out of ten. +Still, mine have affected my spirits to such an extent, that I think +of making some pilgrimage or other to offer up prayers both on your +behalf and on my own. + +WIFE.--Then where shall you go? + +HUSBAND.--I mean (to say nothing of those in the metropolis and in the +suburbs) to worship at every Shintau shrine and every Buddhist temple +throughout the land. + +WIFE.--No, no! I won't allow you to go out of the house for a single +hour. If you are so completely bent upon it, choose some devotion that +can be performed at home. + +HUSBAND.--Some devotion to be performed at home? What devotion could +it be? + +WIFE.--Burning incense on your arm or on your head.[171] + +HUSBAND.--How thoughtlessly you do talk! What! is a devotion like that +to suit _me_--a layman if ever there was one? + +WIFE.--I won't tolerate any devotion that cannot be performed at home. + +HUSBAND.--Well, I never! You _are_ one for talking at random. Hang it! +what devotion shall it be? [_He reflects a few moments._] Ah! I have +it! I will perform the devotion of abstraction. + +WIFE.--Abstraction? What is that? + +HUSBAND.--Your want of familiarity with the term is but natural. It is a +devotion that was practised in days of old by Saint Daruma[172]--(blessings +on him!) you put your head under what is called the "abstraction blanket," +and obtain salvation by forgetting all things past and to come--a most +difficult form of devotion. + +WIFE.--About how long does it take? + +HUSBAND.--Well, I should say about a week or two. + +WIFE.--That won't do, either, if it is to last so many days. + +HUSBAND.--Then for how long would my darling consent to it without +complaining? + +WIFE.--About one hour is what I should suggest; but, however, if you +can do it in a day, you are welcome to try. + +HUSBAND.--Never, never! This important devotion is not a thing to be +so easily performed within the limits of a single day. Please, won't +you grant me leave for at least a day and a night? + +WIFE.--A day and a night? + +HUSBAND.--Yes. + +WIFE.--I don't much relish the idea; but if you are so completely bent +upon it, take a day and a night for your devotion. + +HUSBAND.--Really and truly? + +WIFE.--Really and truly. + +HUSBAND.--Oh! that is indeed too delightful! But I have something to +tell you: know then, that if a woman so much as peep through a chink, +to say nothing of her coming into the actual room where the devotee is +sitting, the spell of the devotion is instantly broken. So be sure not +to come to where I am. + +WIFE.--All right. I will not come to you. So perform away. + +HUSBAND.--Well, then, we will meet again after it shall have been +happily accomplished. + +WIFE.--I shall have the pleasure of seeing you when it is over. + +HUSBAND AND WIFE.--Good-by! good-by! [_She moves away._ + +HUSBAND.--I say! + +WIFE.--What is it? + +HUSBAND.--As I mentioned before, mind you don't come to me. We have +the Buddhist's warning words: "When there is a row in the kitchen, to +be rapt in abstraction is an impossibility."[173] So whatever you do, +do not come to me. + +WIFE.--Please feel no uneasiness. I shall not think of intruding. + +HUSBAND.--Well, then, we shall meet again when the devotion is over. + +WIFE.--When it is done, I shall have the pleasure of seeing you. + +HUSBAND AND WIFE.--Good-by! Good-by! + +HUSBAND [_laughing_].--What fools women are, to be sure! To think of +the delight of her taking it all for truth, when I tell her that I am +going to perform the religious devotion of abstraction for one whole +day and night! Taraukuwazhiya, are you there? halloo? + +SERVANT.--Yes, sir! + +HUSBAND.--Are you there? + +SERVANT.--At your service. + +HUSBAND.--Oh! you have been quick in coming. + +SERVANT.--You seem, master, to be in good spirits. + +HUSBAND.--For my good spirits there is a good reason. I have made, as +you know, an engagement to go and visit Hana this evening. But as my +old woman has got scent of the affair, thus making it difficult for me +to go, I have told her that I mean to perform the religious devotion +of abstraction for a whole day and night--a very good denial, is it +not? for carrying out my plan of going to see Hana! + +SERVANT.--A very good device indeed, sir. + +HUSBAND.--But in connection with it, I want to ask you to do me a good +turn. Will you? + +SERVANT.--Pray, what may it be? + +HUSBAND.--Why, just simply this: it is that I have told my old woman +not to intrude on my devotions; but, being the vixen that she is, who +knows but what she may not peep and look in? in which case she would +make a fine noise if there were no semblance of a religious practice +to be seen; and so, though it is giving you a great deal of trouble, I +wish you would oblige me by taking my place until my return. + +SERVANT.--Oh! it would be no trouble; but I shall get such a scolding +if found out, that I would rather ask you to excuse me. + +HUSBAND.--What nonsense you talk! Do oblige me by taking my place; for +I will not allow her to scold you. + +SERVANT.--Oh sir! that is all very well; but pray excuse me for this +time. + +HUSBAND.--No, no! you must please do this for me; for I will not so +much as let her point a finger at you. + +SERVANT.--Please, please let me off! + +HUSBAND.--Gracious goodness! The fellow heeds what my wife says, and +won't heed what I say myself! Do you mean that you have made up your +mind to brave me? + + [_Threatening to beat him._ + +SERVANT.--Oh! I will obey. + +HUSBAND.--No, no! you mean to brave me! + +SERVANT.--Oh no, sir! surely I have no choice but to obey. + +HUSBAND.--Really and truly? + +SERVANT.--Yes, really and truly. + +HUSBAND.--My anger was only a feint. Well, then, take my place, +please. + +SERVANT.--Yes, to be sure; if it is your desire, I will do so. + +HUSBAND.--That is really too delightful. Just stop quiet while I set +things to rights for you to sit in abstraction. + +SERVANT.--Your commands are laid to heart. + +HUSBAND.--Sit down here. + +SERVANT.--Oh! what an unexpected honor! + +HUSBAND.--Now, then; I fear it will be uncomfortable, but oblige me by +putting your head under this "abstraction blanket." + +SERVANT.--Your commands are laid to heart. + +HUSBAND.--Well, it is scarcely necessary to say so; but even if my old +woman should tell you to take off the abstraction blanket, be sure not +to do so until my return. + +SERVANT.--Of course not. I should not think of taking it off. Pray +don't be alarmed. + +HUSBAND.--I will be back soon. + +SERVANT.--Please be good enough to return quickly. + +HUSBAND.--Ah! that is well over! No doubt Hana is waiting impatiently +for me. I will make haste and go. + +WIFE.--I am mistress of this house. I perfectly understood my partner +the first time he asked me not to come to him on account of the +religious devotion which he was going to perform. But there is +something suspicious in his insisting on it a second time with a +"Don't come to look at me! don't come to look at me!" So I will just +peep through some hidden corner, and see what the thing looks like. +[_Peeping._] What's this? Why, it seems much more uncomfortable than I +had supposed! [_Coming in and drawing near._] Please, please; you told +me not to come to you, and therefore I had intended not to do so; but +I felt anxious, and so I have come. Won't you lift off that +"abstraction blanket," and take something, if only a cup of tea, to +unbend your mind a little? [_The figure under the blanket shakes its +head._] You are quite right. The thought of my being so disobedient +and coming to you after the care you took to tell me not to intrude +may justly rouse your anger; but please forgive my rudeness, and do +please take that blanket off and repose yourself, do! [_The figure +shakes its head again._] You may say no again and again, but I _will_ +have it off. You _must_ take it off. Do you hear? [_She pulls it off, +and Taraukuwazhiya stands exposed._] What! you, you rascal? Where has +my old man gone? Won't you speak? Won't you speak? + +SERVANT.--Oh! I know nothing. + +WIFE.--Oh! how furious I am! Oh! how furious I am! Of course he must +have gone to that woman's house. Won't you speak? Won't you speak? I +shall tear you in pieces? + +SERVANT.--In that case, how can I keep anything from you? Master has +walked out to see Miss Hana. + +WIFE.--What! _Miss_ Hana, do you say? Say, _Minx_, say _Minx_. +Gracious me, what a rage I am in! Then he really has gone to Hana's +house, has he? + +SERVANT.--Yes, he really has gone there. + +WIFE.--Oh! when I hear he has gone to Hana's house, I feel all ablaze, +and oh! in such a passion! oh! in such a passion! [_She bursts out +crying._ + +SERVANT.--Your tears are but natural. + +WIFE.--Ah! I had meant not to let you go if you had kept it from me. +But as you have told the truth I forgive you. So get up. + +SERVANT.--I am extremely grateful for your kindness. + +WIFE.--Now tell me, how came you to be sitting there? + +SERVANT.--It was master's order that I should take his place; and so, +although it was most repugnant to me, there was no alternative but for +me to sit down, and I did so. + +WIFE.--Naturally. Now I want to ask you to do me a good turn. Will +you? + +SERVANT.--Pray, what may it be? + +WIFE.--Why, just simply this: you will arrange the blanket on top of +me just as it was arranged on the top of you; won't you? + +SERVANT.--Oh! your commands ought of course to be laid to heart; but I +shall get such a scolding if the thing becomes known, that I would +rather ask you to excuse me. + +WIFE.--No, no! I will not allow him to scold you; so you must really +please arrange me. + +SERVANT.--Please, please, let me off this time. + +WIFE.--No, no! you must arrange me, as I will not so much as let him +point a finger at you. + +SERVANT.--Well, then, if it comes to my getting a scolding, I count on +you, ma'am, as an intercessor. + +WIFE.--Of course. I will intercede for you; so do you please arrange +me. + +SERVANT.--In that case, be so good as to sit down here. + +WIFE.--All right. + +SERVANT.--I fear it will be uncomfortable, but I must ask you to put +your head under this. + +WIFE.--Please arrange me so that he cannot possibly know the +difference between us. + +SERVANT.--He will never know. It will do very nicely like this. + +WIFE.--Will it? + +SERVANT.--Yes. + +WIFE.--Well, then! do you go and rest. + +SERVANT.--Your commands are laid to heart. + + [_He moves away._ + +WIFE.--Wait a moment, Taraukuwazhiya! + +SERVANT.--Yes, ma'am. + +WIFE.--It is scarcely necessary to say so, but be sure not to tell him +that it is I. + +SERVANT.--Of course not, I should not think of telling him. + +WIFE.--It has come to my ears that you have been secretly wishing for +a purse and silk wrapper.[174] I will give you one of each which I +have worked myself. + +SERVANT.--I am extremely grateful for your kindness. + +WIFE.--Now be off and rest. + +SERVANT.--Yes, ma'am. + + _Enter husband, singing as he walks along the road._ + + Why should the lonely sleeper heed + The midnight bell, the bird of dawn? + But ah! they're sorrowful indeed + When loosen'd was the damask zone. + + Her image still, with locks that sleep + Had tangled, haunts me, and for aye; + Like willow-sprays where winds do sweep, + All tangled too, my feelings lie. + +As the world goes, it rarely happens even with the most ardent secret +love; but in my case I never see her but what I care for her more and +more:-- + + 'Twas in the spring-time that we first did meet, + Nor e'er can I forget my flow'ret sweet. + +Ah well! ah well! I keep talking like one in a dream, and meantime +Taraukuwazhiya is sure to be impatiently awaiting me. I must get home. +How will he have been keeping my place for me? I feel a bit uneasy. +[_He arrives at his house._] Halloo! halloo! Taraukuwazhiya! I'm back! +I'm back! [_He enters the room._] I'm just back. Poor fellow! the time +must have seemed long to you. There now! [_Seating himself._] Well, I +should like to tell you to take off the "abstraction blanket"; but you +would probably feel ashamed at being exposed.[175] Anyhow I will +relate to you what Hana said last night if you care to listen. Do you? +[_The figure nods acquiescence._] So you would like to? Well, then, +I'll tell you all about it: I made all the haste I could, but yet it +was nearly dark before I arrived; and I was just going to ask +admittance, my thoughts full of how anxiously Hana must be waiting for +me in her loneliness, saying, perhaps, with the Chinese poet[176]:-- + + He promised but he comes not, and I lie on my pillow in the fifth + watch of the night:-- + The wind shakes the pine trees and the bamboos; can it be my beloved? + +when there comes borne to me the sound of her voice, humming as she +sat alone:-- + + "The breezes through the pine trees moan, + The dying torch burns low; + Ah me! 'tis eerie all alone! + Say, will he come or no?" + +So I gave a gentle rap on the back door, on hearing which she cried +out: "Who's there? who's there?" Well, a shower was falling at the +time. So I answered by singing:-- + + Who comes to see you Hana dear, + Regardless of the soaking rain? + And do your words, Who's there, who's there? + Mean that you wait for lovers twain? + +to which Hana replied:-- + + "What a fine joke! well, who can tell? + On such a dark and rainy night + Who ventures out must love me well, + And I, of course, must be polite, + And say: Pray sir, pass this way." + +And, with these words, she loosened the ring and staple with a +cling-a-ring, and pushed open the door with a crick-a-tick; and while +the breeze from the bamboo blind poured towards me laden with the +scent of flowers, out she comes to me, and, "At your service, sir," +says she, "though I am but a poor country maid." So in we went, hand +in hand, to the parlor. But yet her first question, "Who's there?" had +left me so doubtful as to whether she might not be playing a double +game, that I turned my back on her, and said crossly that I supposed +she had been expecting a number of lovers, and that the thought quite +spoiled my pleasure. But oh! what a darling Hana is! Coming to my side +and clasping tight my hand, she whispered, saying: + + "If I do please you not, then from the first + Better have said that I do please you not; + But wherefore pledge your troth, and after turn + Against me? Alas! alas! + +"Why be so angry? I am playing no double game." Then she asked why I +had not brought you, Taraukuwazhiya, with me; and on my telling her +the reason why you had remained at home, "Poor fellow!" said she, "how +lonely he must be all by himself! Never was there a handier lad at +everything than he, though doubtless it is a case of the mugwort +planted among the hemp, which grows straight without need of twisting, +and of the sand mixed with the mud, which gets black without need of +dyeing,[177] and it is his having been bound to you from a boy that +has made him so genteel and clever. Please always be a kind master to +him." Yes, those are the things you have said of you when Hana is the +speaker. As for my old vixen, she wouldn't let as much fall from her +mug in the course of a century, I'll warrant! [_Violent shaking under +the blanket._] Then she asked me to pass into the inner room to rest +awhile. So in we went to the inner room, hand in hand. And then she +brought out wine and food, and pressed me to drink, so that what with +drinking one's self, and passing the cup to her, and pressing each +other to drink, we kept feasting until quite far into the night, when +at her suggestion another room was sought and a little repose taken. +But soon day began to break, and I said I would go home. Then Hana +exclaimed:-- + + "Methought that when I met thee, dearest heart! + I'd tell thee all that swells within my breast:-- + But now already 'tis the hour to part, + And oh! how much still lingers unexpress'd! + +Please stay and rest a little longer!" "But no!" said I, "I must get +home. All the temple-bells are a-ringing." "And heartless priests they +are," cried she, "that ring them! Horrid wretches to begin their +ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong, when it is still the middle of the +night!" But for all her entreaties, and for all my own regrets, I +remembered that "meeting is but parting," and, + + Tearing me loose, I made to go; farewell! + Farewell a thousand times, like ocean sands + Untold! and followed by her distant gaze + I went; but as I turn'd me round, the moon, + A slender rim, sparkling remain'd behind, + And oh! what pain it was to me to part! + +[_He sheds tears._] And so I came home. Oh! isn't it a pity? [_Weeping +again._] Ah well! out of my heart's joy has flamed all this long +history, and meanwhile you must be very uncomfortable. Take off that +"abstraction blanket." Take it off, for I have nothing more to tell +you. Gracious goodness! what a stickler you are! Well, then! I must +pull it off myself. I _will_ have it off, man! do you hear me? + + [_He pulls off the blanket, and up jumps his wife._ + +WIFE.--Oh! how furious I am! Oh! how furious I am! To hoax me and go +off to Hana in that manner! + +HUSBAND.--Oh! not at all, not at all! I never went to Hana. I have +been performing my devotions, indeed I have. + +WIFE.--What! so he means to come and tell me that he has been +performing his devotions? and then into the bargain to talk about +"things the old vixen would never have let drop"! Oh! I'm all ablaze +with rage! Hoaxing me and going off--where? Going off where? + + [_Pursuing her husband round the stage._ + +HUSBAND.--Not at all, not at all! I never said anything of the kind. +Do, do forgive me! do forgive me! + +WIFE.--Oh! how furious I am! Oh! how furious I am! Where have you +been, sir? where have you been? + +HUSBAND.--Well, then! why should I conceal it from you? I have been to +pray both for your welfare and for my own at the Temple of the Five +Hundred Disciples[178] in Tsukushi. + +WIFE.--Oh! how furious I am! Oh! how furious I am! as if you could +have got as far as the Five Hundred Disciples! + +HUSBAND.--Do, do forgive me! Do forgive me! + +WIFE.--Oh! how furious I am! Oh! how furious I am! + + [_The husband runs away._ + +Where's the unprincipled wretch off to? Is there nobody there? Please +catch him! I won't let him escape! I won't let him escape! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 162: The reader will call to mind the extreme simplicity +which distinguishes the method of representing the Japanese lyric +dramas. In accordance with this simplicity, all the changes of place +mentioned in the text are indicated merely by a slight movement to and +fro of the actors upon the stage.] + +[Footnote 163: It is said that in antiquity an ode commencing with the +name of Mount Asaka was the first copybook put into the hands of +children. The term is therefore now used as the "Pillow-word" for +learning to write.] + +[Footnote 164: The doctrine of retribution set forth in the above +lines is a cardinal point of the Buddhist teaching; and, as the +afflicted Christian seeks support in the expectation of future rewards +for goodness, so will the pious Buddhist find motives for resignation +in the consideration of his present sufferings as the consequence of +sins committed in past stages of existence.] + +[Footnote 165: A little further on, Kauzhiyu says it is a "rule" that +a retainer must lay down his life for his lord. Though it would be +difficult to find either in the Buddhist or in the Confucian teaching +any explicit statement of such a duty, it is nevertheless true that +the almost frantic loyalty of the mediaeval and modern Japanese was but +the natural result of such teaching domiciled amid a feudal society. +We may see in this drama the whole distance that had been traversed by +the Japanese mind since the time of the "Manyefushifu" poets, whose +means of life and duty were so much nearer to those of the simply +joyous and unmoral, though not immoral, children of nature.] + +[Footnote 166: Literally, "turns his child into a dream."] + +[Footnote 167: During the Middle Ages it was very usual for afflicted +persons to renounce secular life, the Buddhist tonsure being the +outward sign of the step thus taken.] + +[Footnote 168: The Past World, the Present World, and the World to +Come. According to the Buddhist teaching, the relations subsisting +between parents and children are for one life only; those between +husband and wife are for two lives; while those uniting a servant to +his lord or a disciple to his master endure for the space of three +consecutive lives.] + +[Footnote 169: This sentence, which so strangely reminds us of John +iii., 16, is, like all the prose passages of these dramas, a literal +rendering of the Japanese original.] + +[Footnote 170: In Japan, as in England, it is usual to talk of going +"up" to the capital and "down" to the country.] + +[Footnote 171: A form of mortification current in the Shingon sect of +Buddhists.] + +[Footnote 172: Bodhidharma, the first Buddhist Patriarch of China, +whither he came from India in A.D. 520. He is said to have remained +seated in abstraction gazing at a wall for nine years, till his legs +rotted off. His name is, in Japan, generally associated with the +ludicrous. Thus certain legless and shapeless dolls are called after +him, and snow-figures are denominated Yuki-daruma (Snow Daruma).] + +[Footnote 173: Needless to say that no such text exists.] + +[Footnote 174: Used for carrying parcels, and for presenting anything +to, and receiving anything from, a superior. The touch of the +inferior's hand would be considered rude.] + +[Footnote 175: The meaning is that, as one of the two must be under +the blanket in readiness for a possible visit from the wife, the +servant would doubtless feel it to be contrary to their respective +positions for him to take his ease outside while his master is sitting +cramped up inside--a peculiarly uncomfortable position, moreover, for +the teller of a long story.] + +[Footnote 176: The lines are in reality a bad Japanese imitation of +some in a poem by Li Shang-Yin.] + +[Footnote 177: Proverbial expressions.] + +[Footnote 178: Properly, the Five Hundred "Arhan," or personal +disciples of Sakya. The island of Tsukushi forms the southwestern +extremity of Japan.] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Japanese Literature, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JAPANESE LITERATURE *** + +***** This file should be named 19264.txt or 19264.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/2/6/19264/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sankar Viswanathan, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + |