186 Shadowings 



I shall give only one specimen of the true 

 street -ballad, the kind of ballad commonly 

 sung by wandering samisen-players. It is written 

 in an irregular measure, varying from twelve to 

 sixteen syllables in length ; the greater number 

 of lines having thirteen syllables. I do not know 

 the date of its composition ; but I am told by aged 

 persons who remember hearing it sung when 

 they were children, that it was popular in the 

 period of Tenpo (1830-1843) . It is not divided 

 into stanzas; but there are pauses at irregular 

 intervals, marked by the refrain, Yanrei! 



O-KICHI-SEIZA KUDOKI 



("The Ditty of O-Kicbi and Sei^a ") 



Now hear the pitiful story of two that died for love. 

 In Kyoto was the thread-shop of Yogmon, a merchant 



Kumano (modern Kishu), where he tried to hide himself under the great 

 temple-bell. But the dragon coiled herself round the bell, which at 

 once became red-hot, so that the body of the priest was totally con 

 sumed. 



In this rude ballad Kiyohime figures only as the daughter of an inn 

 keeper, the Choja, or rich man of his village ; while the priest Anchin 

 is changed into a Yamabushi. The Yamabushi are, or at least were, 

 wandering priests of the strange sect called Shugendo, itinerant 

 exorcists and diviners, professing both Shinto and Buddhism. Of late 

 years their practices have been prohibited by law ; and a real Yama 

 bushi is now seldom to be met with. 



The temple Dojoji is still a famous place of pilgrimage. It is situated 

 not far from Gobo, on the western coast of Kishu. The incident of 

 Anchin and the dragon is said to have occurred in the early part of the 

 tenth century. 



