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likewise now remembered as Antoku Tenno。 And that sea and shore have
been haunted for seven hundred years。。。 Elsewhere I told you about the
strange crabs found there； called Heike crabs； which have human faces on
their backs； and are said to be the spirits of the Heike warriors ＇1＇。 But
there are many strange things to be seen and heard along that coast。 On
dark nights thousands of ghostly fires hover about the beach； or flit above
the waves； pale lights which the fishermen call Oni…bi； or demon…fires；
and； whenever the winds are up； a sound of great shouting comes from that
sea； like a clamor of battle。
In former years the Heike were much more restless than they now are。 They
would rise about ships passing in the night； and try to sink them； and at
all times they would watch for swimmers； to pull them down。 It was in order
to appease those dead that the Buddhist temple； Amidaji； was built at
Akamagaseki ＇2＇。 A cemetery also was made close by； near the beach； and
within it were set up monuments inscribed with the names of the drowned
emperor and of his great vassals； and Buddhist services were regularly
performed there； on behalf of the spirits of them。 After the temple had
been built； and the tombs erected； the Heike gave less trouble than before；
but they continued to do queer things at intervals； proving that they had
not found the perfect peace。
Some centuries ago there lived at Akamagaseki a blind man named Hoichi；
who was famed for his skill in recitation and in playing upon the biwa ＇3＇。
》From childhood he had been trained to recite and to play； and while yet a
lad he had surpassed his teachers。 As a professional biwa…hoshi he became
famous chiefly by his recitations of the history of the Heike and the
Genji； and it is said that when he sang the song of the battle of
Dan…no…ura 〃even the goblins ＇kijin＇ could not refrain from tears。〃
At the outset of his career； Hoichi was very poor； but he found a good
friend to help him。 The priest of the Amidaji was fond of poetry and music；
and he often invited Hoichi to the temple； to play and recite。 Afterwards；
being much impressed by the wonderful skill of the lad； the priest proposed
that Hoichi should make the temple his home； and this offer was gratefully
accepted。 Hoichi was given a room in the temple…building； and； in return
for food and lodging； he was required only to gratify the priest with a
musical performance on certain evenings； when otherwise disengaged。
One summer night the priest was called away； to perform a Buddhist service
at the house of a dead parishioner； and he went there with his acolyte；
leaving Hoichi alone in the temple。 It was a hot night； and the blind man
sought to cool himself on the verandah before his sleeping…room。 The
verandah overlooked a small garden in the rear of the Amidaji。 There
Hoichi waited for the priest's return； and tried to relieve his solitude by
practicing upon his biwa。 Midnight passed； and the priest did not appear。
But the atmosphere was still too warm for comfort within doors； and Hoichi
remained outside。 At last he heard steps approaching from the back gate。
Somebody crossed the garden； advanced to the verandah； and halted directly
in front of him but it was not the priest。 A deep voice called the blind
man's name abruptly and unceremoniously； in the manner of a samurai
summoning an inferior：
〃Hoichi！〃
〃Hai！〃 （1） answered the blind man； frightened by the menace in the
voice； 〃I am blind！ I cannot know who calls！〃
〃There is nothing to fear；〃 the stranger exclaimed； speaking more gently。
〃I am stopping near this temple； and have been sent to you with a message。
My present lord； a person of exceedingly high rank； is now staying in
Akamagaseki； with many noble attendants。 He wished to view the scene of the
battle of Dan…no…ura； and to…day he visited that place。 Having heard of
your skill in reciting the story of the battle； he now desires to hear your
performance： so you will take your biwa and come with me at once to the
house where the august assembly is waiting。〃
In those times； the order of a samurai was not to be lightly disobeyed。
Hoichi donned his sandals； took his biwa； and went away with the stranger；
who guided him deftly； but obliged him to walk very fast。 The hand that
guided was iron； and the clank of the warrior's stride proved him fully
armed； probably some palace…guard on duty。 Hoichi's first alarm was over：
he began to imagine himself in good luck； for； remembering the
retainer's assurance about a 〃person of exceedingly high rank；〃 he thought
that the lord who wished to hear the recitation could not be less than a
daimyo of the first class。 Presently the samurai halted； and Hoichi became
aware that they had arrived at a large gateway； and he wondered； for he
could not remember any large gate in that part of the town； except the main
gate of the Amidaji。 〃Kaimon！〃 ＇4＇ the samurai called； and there was a
sound of unbarring； and the twain passed on。 They traversed a space of
garden； and halted again before some entrance； and the retainer cried in a
loud voice； 〃Within there！ I have brought Hoichi。〃 Then came sounds of feet
hurrying； and screens sliding； and rain…doors opening； and voices of womeni
n converse。 By the language of the women Hoichi knew them to be domestics
in some noble household； but he could not imagine to what place he had been
conducted。 Little time was allowed him for conjecture。 After he had been
helped to mount several stone steps； upon the last of which he was told to
leave his sandals； a woman's hand guided him along interminable reaches of
polished planking； and round pillared angles too many to remember； and over
widths amazing of matted floor； into the middle of some vast apartment。
There he thought that many great people were assembled： the sound of the
rustling of silk was like the sound of leaves in a forest。 He heard also a
great humming of voices； talking in undertones； and the speech was the
speech of courts。
Hoichi was told to put himself at ease； and he found a kneeling…cushion
ready for him。 After having taken his place upon it； and tuned his
instrument； the voice of a woman whom he divined to be the Rojo； or
matron in charge of the female service addressed him； saying；
〃It is now required that the history of the Heike be recited； to the
accompaniment of the biwa。〃
Now the entire recital would have required a time of many nights：
therefore Hoichi ventured a question：
〃As the whole of the story is not soon told； what portion is it augustly
desired that I now recite？〃
The woman's voice made answer：
〃Recite the story of the battle at Dan…no…ura； for the pity of it is the
most deep。〃 ＇5＇
Then Hoichi lifted up his voice； and chanted the chant of the fight on the
bitter sea； wonderfully making his biwa to sound like the straining of
oars and the rushing of