Of Old Japan
these reeds I saw a ruined temple called Takeshíba-dera. There were also the foundation-stones of a house with corridor.
"What place is it?" I asked; and they answered:
"Once upon a time there lived a reckless adventurer at Takeshiba.[1] He was offered to the King's palace [by the Governor] as a guard to keep the watch-fire. He was once sweeping the garden in front of a Princess's room and singing:
Ah, me! Ah, me! My weary doom to labour here in the Palace!
Seven good wine-jars have I—and three in my province.
There where they stand I have hung straight-stemmed gourds of the finest—
They turn to the West when the East wind blows,
They turn to the East when the West wind blows,
They turn to the North when the South wind blows,
They turn to the South when the North wind blows.
And there I sit watching them turning and turning forever—
Oh, my gourds! Oh, my wine-jars!
"He was singing thus alone, but just then a Princess, the King's favourite daughter, was sitting alone behind the misu.[2] She came forward, and, leaning against the doorpost, listened to the man singing. She was very interested to think how gourds were above the wine-jars and how they were turning and wanted to see them. She became very zealous for the gourds, and pushing up the blind called the guard, saying, 'Man, come here!' The man heard it very respectfully, and
