Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/219

Rh. Notwithstanding this, Go-Shirakawa had married her to his councillor Taira-no-Tsunémori. Soon after, her son Atsumori was born to her. Therefore, though Atsumori had been brought up as Tsunénori's son, he was, in reality, an Imperial Prince. Yoshitsuné was well aware of these circumstances, and thought of sparing the young nobleman's life in the impending battle, in some secret way or other.

The day came for Yoshitstmé to set out on his march against the Tairas' camp. A large number of officers and men, clad in shining armour, gathered together at his headquarters. Yoshitsuné summoned to his presence two brave officers, Kumagai Noazané and Okabé Rokuyata. He then tied Tadanori's tanzaku to a branch of cherry-blossoms, which was arranged in a vase on the tokonoma or alcove, and addressed Rokuyata in these words:

"Before our army reaches Ichi-no-tani, you will go ahead and meet Taira-no-Tadanori, and tell him that his poem will be included in the Senzai-Shū, in compliance with his request. He is, however, one of the so-called 'rebels,' so we cannot attach his name to it. It shall be registered as