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280 they would have plunged all Japan into a great civil war, and this was what Japan was afraid of.

But these two wise men decided on a strange way of settling the question.

The Japanese, as you probably know, are great wrestlers. Their muscles are like steel, so strong and springy. The twin princes hired the champion wrestlers of the country, ant had them wrestle it out! And, still more strange, they stuck to their bargain.

I can’t tell you which one won, because I don’t know myself.



the twelfth century a bitter civil war was raging in Japan between the two great clans or families of Minamoto and Taira. When peace had been proclaimed and the family of Taira had been victorious, Kiyomori, the head of the Taira family, raised himself to a pinnacle of nepotism and patronage. All the Minamato, therefore, at the head of whom was Yoshimoto, conspired to over-throw the arrogant Kiyomori. They were, however, detected. Yoshimoto was at once put to death. His young wife, Tokiwa, and his three children were able to escape, and fled across the country in the hope of saving themselves from Kiyomori.

One day Tokiwa, with her three boys, one of whom she carried in her arms, was seeking some refuge. It was bitterly cold, the snow was falling fast, and the children were crying with hunger and fatigue, In this forlorn condition they were met by one of the Taira officers, He was so moved by the sight of Tokiwa’s great beauty that he took them to a place of shelter, where they might live in comfort. One day, however, the sad news was brought that the mother of Tokiwa had been taken captive by Kiyomori. Now, from their earliest childhood the Japanese are taught to hold their parents in the greatest respect, so that Tokiwa thought that she ought at once to give herself up to Kiyomori and obtain her mother’s release. But when she considered that this step would probably result in the death of her innocent children, her heart failed within her. At last, however, she decided to surrender herself to Kiyomori and trust that her beauty would move him to pity. Fortunately, what she had anticipated came to pass. The tyrant Kiyomori was softened by her beauty, and promised to spare her and her children if she would become his wife. She consented and was spared, while the bays were placed in different monasteries, The youngest of them, Yositsuné, afterward escaped from the monastery, became a great general, and is now one of their national heroes. One of the many legends concerning him tells how a noted robber-chief tried to kill him as he was crossing a bridge. They fought, and Yositsuné conquered, while the robber was ever after his devoted servant.

early Chinese and the Japanese were on very friendly terms, and peaceful communications were kept up for several centuries. But about 1200 the Mongol Tartars overcame the Sung dynasty and conquered many surrounding nations.

Instead of keeping up a friendly intercourse with Japan, as their predecessors had done, they immediately sent envoys to the island-empire demanding tribute and homage. These the plucky little nation refused to give, and war almost directly ensued.

A Japanese captain named Michiari was overjoyed at the prospect of war, as he had long hoped, wished, and even prayed for a chance to fight against the Mongols.

The Japanese quickly collected an army and made fortifications on shore, so as ta be ready for an attack.