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Page 36
"_The ancients who had the nourishment of the world wished for
nothing, and the world had enough:--they did nothing, and all
things were transformed:--their stillness was abysmal, and the
people were all composed._"]
* * * * *
... The village was very dark when It[=o] reached it; for the sun
had set, and the after-glow made no twilight in the shadowing of the
trees. "Now, kind sir," the child said, pointing to a narrow lane
opening upon the main road, "I have to go this way." "Permit me, then,
to see you home," It[=o] responded; and he turned into the lane with
her, feeling rather than seeing his way. But the girl soon stopped
before a small gate, dimly visible in the gloom,--a gate of
trelliswork, beyond which the lights of a dwelling could be seen.
"Here," she said, "is the honorable residence in which I serve. As you
have come thus far out of your way, kind sir, will you not deign to
enter and to rest a while?" It[=o] assented. He was pleased by the
informal invitation; and he wished to learn what persons of superior
condition had chosen to reside in so lonesome a village. He knew that
sometimes a family of rank would retire in this manner from public
life, by reason of government displeasure or political trouble; and
he imagined that such might be the history of the occupants of the
dwelling before him. Passing the gate, which his young guide opened
for him, he found himself in a large quaint garden. A miniature
landscape, traversed by a winding stream, was faintly distinguishable.
"Deign for one little moment to wait," the child said; "I go to
announce the honorable coming;" and hurried toward the house. It was
a spacious house, but seemed very old, and built in the fashion of
another time. The sliding doors were not closed; but the lighted
interior was concealed by a beautiful bamboo curtain extending
along the gallery front. Behind it shadows were moving--shadows of
women;--and suddenly the music of a _koto_ rippled into the night. So
light and sweet was the playing that It[=o] could scarcely believe the
evidence of his senses. A slumbrous feeling of delight stole over him
as he listened,--a delight strangely mingled with sadness. He wondered
how any woman could have learned to play thus,--wondered whether the
player could be a woman,--wondered even whether he was hearing earthly
music; for enchantment seemed to have entered into his blood with the
sound of it.
* * * * *
The soft music ceased; and almost at the same moment It[=o] found the
little _miya-dzukai_ beside him. "Sir," she said, "it is requested
that you will honorably enter." She conducted him to the entrance,
where he removed his sandals; and an aged woman, whom he thought to be
the _R[=o]jo_, or matron of the household, came to welcome him at the
threshold. The old woman then led him through many apartments to a
large and well-lighted room in the rear of the house, and with many
respectful salutations requested him to take the place of honor
accorded to guests of distinction. He was surprised by the stateliness
of the chamber, and the curious beauty of its decorations. Presently
some maid-servants brought refreshments; and he noticed that the cups
and other vessels set before him were of rare and costly workmanship,
and ornamented with a design indicating the high rank of the
possessor. More and more he wondered what noble person had chosen
this lonely retreat, and what happening could have inspired the wish
for such solitude. But the aged attendant suddenly interrupted his
reflections with the question:
"Am I wrong in supposing that you are It[=o] Sama, of Uji,--It[=o]
Tat�waki Norisuk�?"
It[=o] bowed in assent. He had not told his name to the little
_miya-dzukai_, and the manner of the inquiry startled him.
"Please do not think my question rude," continued the attendant. "An
old woman like myself may ask questions without improper curiosity.
When you came to the house, I thought that I knew your face; and I
asked your name only to clear away all doubt, before speaking of
other matters. I have some thing of moment to tell you. You often pass
through this village, and our young Him�gimi-Sama[73] happened one
morning to see you going by; and ever since that moment she has been
thinking about you, day and night. Indeed, she thought so much that
she became ill; and we have been very uneasy about her. For that
reason I took means to find out your name and residence; and I was on
the point of sending you a letter when--so unexpectedly!--you came to
our gate with the little attendant. Now, to say how happy I am to see
you is not possible; it seems almost too fortunate a happening to be
true! Really I think that this meeting must have been brought about by
the favor of Enmusubi-no-Kami,--that great God of Izumo who ties the
knots of fortunate union. And now that so lucky a destiny has led you
hither, perhaps you will not refuse--if there be no obstacle in the
way of such a union--to make happy the heart of our Him�gimi-Sama?"
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