Page:Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan.djvu/135

Of Old Japan

these—many laughed at her silver foil. She was sister to Sukemitsu, the Governor of Shinano, and has lived at the court a long time. People wanted to see this entertainment. A priest was there who used to attend the court to beguile the night with religious and other stories. I said to him, "You cannot see such a lovely thing every day." "Indeed! indeed!" said he, neglecting his Buddha and clapping his hands for joy. The court nobles rose from their seats and went to the steps [descending from the balcony]. His Lordship the Prime Minister and others cast da.^[1] It was shocking to see them quarrelling about paper. Some [others] composed poems. A lady said, "What response shall we make if some one offers to drink saké with us?" We tried to think of something.^[2]

1. Da: a gambling game now not known. It was played with dice.
2. (The following poem, then composed, is made with words of two meanings. It is impossible to arrange it in poetic form in English, but we present the two meanings in separate phrases, which the reader may combine for himself.)
   
   Japanese words with their meanings:
   

   Mezurashiki hikari = uncommon light.

   Sashi sou =

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   added. pour more saké into.

   Sakazuki wa =

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   waxing moon. a cup.

   Chiyomo = for a thousand ages.

   Megurame = circulate

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   circulate, O moon never waning! circulate the cup to all persons countless times.

   Poem.
   First meaning:
   

   We pray that the waxing moon [i.e. the young Prince] may never wane, but shine for a thousand ages without change!
   

   Second meaning:
   

   May this cup [of joy] be full as soon as emptied and circulate freely to all!