Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/235

  

[Tsurezure-Gusa]&emsp;by Yoshida Kenkō



To while away the idle hours, seated the livelong day before the inkslab, by jotting down without order or purpose whatever trifling thoughts pass through my mind, verily this is a queer and crazy thing to do!

It is desirable to have a knowledge of true literature, of composition and versifying, of wind and string instruments; and it is well, moreover, to be learned in precedent and court ceremonies, so as to be a model for others. One should write not unskilfully in the running hand, be able to sing in a pleasing voice and keep good time to music; and, lastly, a man should not refuse a little wine when it is pressed upon him.

However gifted and accomplished a young man may be, if he has no fondness for women, one has a feeling of something lacking, as