1 Tenth month. The Shintō gods become inaccessible during this month; but the Buddhas are, apparently, still available.

2 Lady Kōkiden.

3 China.

4 As opposed to a Sedan-chair. A carriage drawn by oxen is meant; this was a great luxury.

5 Used at the birth-ceremonies of a Princess.

6 Ika—Fiftieth Day; but also ‘Why do you not come?’

7 The taxes paid by 2,000 households.

8 These men accompanied a Minister of State on pilgrimages to the great Shintō shrines, danced in front of the shrine and afterwards took part in horse-races round it.

9 The higher officers wore cloaks of deeper hue, i.e. dipped more often in the dye and therefore more costly.

10 See above, p. 114.

11 For the extravagances of this statesman, see Nō Plays of Japan, p. 293.

12 ‘As to the tide-gauge at Naniwa that now lies bare, so to our love the flood tide shall at last return.’

13 Pun on Naniwa, name of town and nani wa ‘How comes it?’ Here and in the preceding poem there is also a play on miozukushi = tide-gauge, and mi wo tsukushi = with all one’s heart and soul.’

14 A Shintō shrine, offensive to Buddha.

15 Aoi’s son Yūgiri was his only acknowledged child.

16 Akikonomu was now nineteen; the boy-Emperor Ryōzen, seven.