Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/92

88 his years—was amazed to discover that, as our boat moves, the mountains appear to move with us. He composed this poem:

It is a fitting poem for a child. Today the sea is rough. Around the rocks the foam is like driving snow, and the waves themselves are flowers in bloom:

Twenty-third day: The sun appears, but is soon obscured by cloud. Since we have been told that this particular area is infested by pirates, we pray for the protection of the gods and Buddhas. …

Twenty-sixth day: Being told again (with what truth, I do not know) that pirates are on our tracks, we started out at about midnight, and on our way made offerings to the gods. The pilot cast our paper charms into the sea, and as they drifted off to the east he cried: “In the same direction in which these offerings drift, vouchsafe that this vessel may speed!” Hearing this, a young girl made the poem:

At about this time the wind was good, and the pilot—with an air of self-importance, and with evident relief—ordered the sails to be raised. Hearing his words of command we women, young and old alike, were overjoyed, feeling that Kyoto is not far off now. …

Thirtieth day: The wind and rain have stopped. Having heard that pirates operate only by day, we started at about midnight, rowing