Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/225

Rh of miracles. Without so much as budging from his seat, he can make his begging bowl fly through the air. If he is summoned to court and offers prayers for His Majesty, he cannot fail to effect a recovery.”

It was decided to adopt this suggestion, and an archivist was sent as an Imperial messenger to summon the holy man. On his arrival, the messenger was greatly impressed by the hermit’s noble and venerable bearing. He announced to the holy man that he was commanded by Imperial decree to appear at court, and that he must proceed to the capital in all haste. The holy man showed no sign whatever of stirring. “Why am I being summoned?” he asked.

“His Majesty is suffering from a serious complaint. Please come and pray for him,” explained the messenger.

“Why,” asked the holy man, “may I not pray for him here?”

“In that case,” objected the messenger, “if His Majesty should recover, how would we know that it was due to the efficacy of your prayers?”

The holy man said, “So long as his health is restored, it hardly matters whose miraculous powers are responsible.”

“Just the same,” insisted the messenger, “it would be best to have some way of telling which of the many prayers and rituals performed is the one that has had the desired effect.”

“Very well then,” said the holy man, “when I perform my ritual, I shall send the Sword Guardian to His Majesty as a sign. If he should happen to see this guardian either in a dream or a vision, he may know that he comes from me. The Sword Guardian wears a cloak of swords woven together. Under no circumstances can I go up to the capital.”

The Imperial messenger returned to the court and made his report. Toward noon of the third day following, the Emperor, while fully awake, caught sight of something glittering near him. When he looked at it closely, he saw that it was the Sword Guardian of which the holy man had spoken. From that moment on, His Majesty became cheerful, all symptoms of his illness disappeared, and he was his former self again. Everyone was delighted, and the holy man was honored and praised by all. His Majesty was also greatly