Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/343

Rh back on her head so as not to hide the good looks in which she obviously took pride. Her figure twisted sinuously as she stepped lightly along.

“That’s the one, that’s the one!”

“Quiet down! Let’s get a better look at her.”

Sure enough, on closer inspection they found that the lady was accompanied by three servants, each carrying a baby.

“Must have had three kids in three years.”

Behind her the babies kept calling out “Mama, mama” while the lady walked on, pretending not to hear them. “They may be her children, but she would just as soon not be seen with them. ‘Charm fades with childbirth!’ people say.” Thus the men shouted and laughed and ridiculed her until she almost died of chagrin.

Next, with a litter borne luxuriously beside her, came a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl whose hair was combed out smooth, curled a bit at the ends, and tied down with a red ribbon. In front her hair was parted like a young boy’s and held in place by five immaculate combs and a gold hair-clasp. Her face was perfectly beautiful, and I shall not tire you with needless details. A black inkslab pattern adorned her white satin chemise; a peacock design could be perceived in the iridescent satin of her outer garment. Over this hung lace made from Chinese thread and sleeves which were beautifully designed. A folded sash of twelve colors completed her ensemble. Her bare feet nestled in paper-strap clogs, and one of the litter-bearers carried a stylish rainhat for her.

The girl was holding a bunch of wistaria blossoms over her head, as if to attract the attention of someone who could not find her. Observed in this pose, she was clearly the most beautiful girl of all they had seen that day. “What is the name of this fine lady?” they asked politely of an attendant. “A girl from Muromachi,” was the reply. “She is called the Modern Komachi.”

Yes, she had all the beauty of a flower. Only later did they learn how much deviltry was hid beneath it.