Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/412

 II

armies met on the plain of Musashino, and a bloody battle followed. The Imperial troops fought so bravely, that the traitor's army, although it was far superior in numbers, showed signs of being defeated. To rally the wavering troops, Eda Hangwan, who was one of Taka-uji's generals, fought desperately, whereupon they were restored to order, and Yoshi-oki's army in its turn was thrown into confusion.

"Our men are cowards," cried Takezawa Kemmotsu, plunging into Eda's ranks, and fighting with great courage. His strokes were so mighty that Eda and his men took to their heels. Kemmotsu overtook him, and they engaged in single bombatcombat [sic]. After fighting for some time they threw their swords down, and grappled with each other with Herculean strength. They looked around them, and finding that nobody was near, they each said, "It is not necessary for us to fight any longer." As they spoke, they unclasped their arms and rose to their feet. 334