Anthology of Japanese Literature by Donald Keene

Author:Donald Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-4-8053-1014-4
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Footnotes

1 The Todaiji is a temple completed in 752 in Nara, and is known for the colossal statue of the Buddha Vairocana which is its principal object of worship.

2 Reigned 897-929.

3 The events described in this story arc depicted in the "Shigisan Engi," or "Illustrated History of Mount Shigi," a famous picture scroll of the late Heian Period.

THE CAPTAIN OF NATUTO

[Naruto Chūjō Monogatari]

This tale, which was probably written in the late thirteenth century, ostensibly relates an actual event at the court of the Emperor Gosaga, who reigned from 1242 to 1246. It was intended to edify, but the modern reader may find that it affords instead a rather sardonic insight into the court life of the time.

One year, in the spring, when the cherry blossoms were at their peak, there took place in a courtyard within the palace grounds a football match in which distinguished members of the court took part. Among the spectators were a number of ladies, one of whom attracted the Emperor's interest. His attention was diverted from the game, and he allowed his glance to wander repeatedly in the direction of this lady, who was so distressed by his gaze that she slipped away toward the Left Gate. The Emperor summoned a secretary, instructing him to follow and report the lady's destination. When the secretary had overtaken her, the lady who understood and meant to mislead him somehow, beckoned him to draw near, and with a smile said, "Tell His Majesty, Of the young bamboo.' I will wait here, I promise, until I receive his reply." The secretary, never dreaming that she might deceive him, assumed that she merely wished to arrange a rendezvous and hurried away. The Emperor, on receiving this report, felt certain that she had quoted a line from a poem and inquired what it might be. None of those in attendance, however, were familiar with it, and Lord Tameie1 was sent for. "It is an old poem," he said without hesitation.

"Tall though it be, what can one do with the useless lengths of the young bamboo with its one or two joints?"2

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