Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/128

 III

and his son Nobutada went to Kyōto to pay homage to the Emperor. Nobutada stayed at the Nijō Castle, and Nobunaga put up at the Honnōji Temple, where he spent some days in enjoyment with his beautiful concubine Ano-no-Tsuboné, his favourite Rammaru, and the latter's younger brother Rikimaru.

One night Ano-no-Tsuboné brought Nobutada's son Sambōshi from the Nijō Castle, and taking the baby in her arms, bore it into Nobunaga's presence. Nobunaga was exceedingly delighted to see his innocent grandson. A feast was immediately given in honour of the child's visit, and Nobunaga ordered the lady to perform a dance. She saluted her lord, and taking a fan in her hand, she rose to her feet, and danced gracefully to the accompaniment of her own voice. Her gay coloured flowing sleeves fluttered in the air, and she looked like a butterfly on the wing. Nobunaga was much delighted, and praised her skill in glowing terms. At the conclusion of her dance, he ordered 78