Shadowings 



One winter morning he happened to be pass 

 ing through a somewhat remote quarter of the 

 city, when he heard himself loudly called by 

 name, and saw a man-servant making signs to 

 him from the gateway of a private residence. 

 As Baishu did not know the man's face, and did 

 not have a single acquaintance in that part of 

 Kyoto, he was more than startled by so abrupt a 

 summons. But the servant, coming forward, 

 saluted him with the utmost respect, and said, 

 " My master greatly desires the honor of speaking 

 with you : deign to enter for a moment." After 

 an instant of hesitation, Baishu allowed himself 

 to be conducted to the house. A dignified 

 and richly dressed person, who seemed to be 

 the master, welcomed him at the entrance, and 

 led him to the guest-room. When the courte 

 sies due upon a first meeting had been fully 

 exchanged, the host apologized for the informal 

 manner of his invitation, and said : 



" It must have seemed to you very rude of us 

 to call you in such a way. But perhaps you will 

 pardon our impoliteness when I tell you that we 

 acted thus upon what I firmly believe to have 

 been an inspiration from the Goddess Benten. 

 Now permit me to explain. 



