Of Old Japan
Lady Koshosho sent me a letter, and when I was writing the answer a brisk shower came pattering down. The sky looked threatening and the messenger was in a hurry, so I think I wrote but a broken-legged poem. After dark the messenger returned with a strongly perfumed and deeply coloured paper[1] on which was written:
The dark sky dulls my dreamy mind,
The down-dripping rain lingers—
O my tears down falling, longing after thee!
I have forgotten what I wrote to her except the poem:
There are pauses between the showers of the outer world,
But there is no time when my sleeves, wet with tears, are dry.
That day the Queen saw the new boats which were presented for her inspection. The dragon's head and the phoenix at the prow made me think of animated living figures.
The visit[2] of His Majesty was to be made at eight or nine o'clock in the morning. From early dawn ladies adorned themselves with great care. As the seats of the courtiers were placed in the west side building the Queen's apartment was not so much disturbed. I have heard that the ladies serving at the Imperial shrine dressed very elaborately in the rooms of the first maid-of-honour.
In the early morning Lady Koshosho came back
