Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/566
sion. Besides, this picture is by Koshe-no-omi, with notes 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 sandalwood. These are very common ornaments. Now, Toshikagè, 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 recognised 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 Michikaje. It was in the highest taste of the period.
‘The left made no more protestation against the right.
‘Next, the romance of Ishé 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 Ishé’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-suke, 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.”
‘Upon this, the Empress-Mother interceded. She said that “the exalted nobility of Lord Hioye 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 Ishé’s sea,
Its aged fisher’s honoured name
A tribute of respect may claim.”