Page:Japanese Literature (Keene).pdf/92

Yoshimitsu was at first disturbed, but as the rider approached he could see that it was Toyohara Tokiaki. ‘Why have you come here?’ Yoshimitsu asked. The boy did not answer the question, but said merely, ‘I am going with you.’

“Yoshimitsu attempted to dissuade him. ‘It would make me very happy to have you with me, but the business which has taken me from the capital is very grave, and you would only be in the way if you came.’ But the boy would not listen to him, and insisted on following. Yoshimitsu could do nothing to change his mind, and thus they travelled together as far as Ashigara Mountain in the province of Sagami. Here Yoshimitsu drew up his horse and said, ‘That you have come thus far in spite of my efforts proves how strong your determination is. However, it will be an extremely difficult matter to get through the barrier at this mountain. I shall spur on my horse and break through somehow, for ever since leaving the capital I have placed no value on my life. But there is no sense in your coming any farther. Please turn back here.’ But Tokiaki still would not listen to him.

“No further word was said. Yoshimitsu understood then of what Tokiaki was thinking. Leaving the road a little, they headed through the fields to some shady trees. There Yoshimitsu cut away the underbrush and dismounted. He then placed two shields on the ground, sat on one, and had Tokiaki sit on the other. Putting all worldly thoughts far from his mind, he drew from his quiver a piece of paper which he showed to Tokiaki. On it were two pieces of music in the Arabian mode written in the hand of Tokiaki’s father, Tokimoto. Yoshimitsu had been a pupil of Tokimoto and had learned from him the secret of the arts of flutes and strings. Tokiaki’s father having died before the boy was ten,