Old Japanese Songs 183 



ing queer ballad exemplifies the practice, and is 

 furthermore remarkable by reason of the curious 

 onomatopoetic choruses introduced at certain 

 passages of the recitative: 



KANE-MAKI-ODORI UTA 



(" ' 'Btll-wrapping-dance song." Province of Iga Naga district') 



A Yamabushi of Kyoto went to Kumano. There resting 

 in the inn Chojaya, by the beach of Shirotaka, he saw a 

 little girl three years old ; and he petted and hugged her, 

 playfully promising to make her his wife, 



(Chorus) Playfully promising. 



Thereafter that Yamabushi travelled in various provinces ; 

 returning only when that girl was thirteen years old. " O 

 my princess, my princess ! " he cried to her, " my little 

 princess, pledged to me by promise!" "0 Sir Yama- 

 bushi," made she answer, " good Sir Yamabushi, take me 

 with you now ! 



" Take me with you now ! " 



" soon," he said, " I shall come again ; soon I shall 

 come again : then, when I come again, I shall take you with 

 me, 



" Take you with me" 



Therewith the Yamabushi, escaping from her, quickly, 

 quickly fled away ; with all haste he fled away. Having 

 passed through Tanabe" and passed through Minabe', he fled 

 on over the Komatsu moor, 



Over tbe Komatsu moor. 



