Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan

“This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...if ir r CO, Ck; c::::s Liu. II THE DIARY OF MURASAKI SHIKIBU1 A.D. I007-IOIO As the autumn season approaches the Tsuchimikado 2 becomes inexpressibly smile-giving. The tree-tops near the pond, the bushes near the stream, are dyed in varying tints whose colours grow deeper in the mellow light of evening. The murmuring sound of waters mingles all the night through with the never-ceasing recitation3 of sutras which appeal more to one's heart as the breezes grow cooler. The ladies waiting upon her honoured presence are talking idly. The Queen hears them; she must find them annoying, but she conceals it calmly. Her beauty needs no words of mine to praise it, but I cannot help feeling that to be near so beautiful a queen will be the only relief from my sorrow. So in spite of my better desires for a religious life I am here. Nothing else dispels my grief4--it is wonderful! It is still the dead of night, the moon is dim and darkness lies under the trees. We hear an officer call, \"The outer doors of the Queen's apartment must be opened. The maids-of-honour are not yet come--let the Queen's secretaries come forward!\" While this order is being given the three-o'clock bell resounds, startling the air. Immediately the prayers at the five altars1 begin. The voices of the priests in loud recitation, vying with each other far and near, are solemn indeed. The Abbot of the Kanon-in Temple, accompanied by twenty priests, comes from the eastern 2 side building to pray. Even their footsteps along the gallery which sound to'-do-ro to'-do-ro are sacred. The head priest of the Hoju Temple goes to the mansion near the race-track, the prior of the Henji Temple goes to the library. I follow with my eyes when the holy figures in pure white robes cross the stately...”