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is distinctively colloquial is de for ni te, while mifune and tabu nari are now written forms, and would not be used in the spoken language. There are one or two other examples of the colloquial language in the Tosa nikki, and although too few to be decisive, they point to the conclusion that the spoken idiom of the time differed but little from the language employed in literature. A curious colloquial form of the future occurs, ending in zu, as in the phrase “mata makarazu” ‘I will come again.’ The same form of the future is still preserved in some of the local dialects.
I translate part of the entry for the 5th, the day before they arrived within the Osaka river. They were now opposite Sumiyoshi.
“Meanwhile a sudden gale sprung up, and in spite of all our efforts we fell gradually to leeward, and were in great danger of being sent to the bottom. “This god of Sumiyoshi,” said the Captain, “is like other gods. What he desires is not any of the fashionable articles of the day. Give him nusa as an offering.” The Captain’s advice was taken, and nusa were offered, but as the wind, instead of ceasing, only blew harder and harder, and the danger from the storm and sea became more and more imminent, the captain again said, “Because the august heart of the God is not moved for nusa, neither does the august ship move. Offer to him something in which he will take greater pleasure.” In compliance with this advice, I thought what it would be best to offer. “Of eves I have a pair—then let me give to the god my mirror, of which I have only one.” The mirror was accordingly flung into the sea, to my very great regret. But no sooner had I done so, than the sea itself became as smooth as a mirror.”
The next day, they entered the Osaka river. All the passengers, men, women and children, were overjoyed at reaching this point of their voyage, and clasped their foreheads with their hands in ecstasies of delight.
There is no mention of any city or town of Osaka in the Diary, for the simple reason that it did not then exist. Naniwa, which has been used in later times as a
