Untitled

ONE OF THE GLORIES OF TOKIO. 43
Mashashige, that brilliant example
of unselfish devotion to
duty, calm courage and pure patriotism, whose loyalty was as
stainless as the sacred mirror of Ise'.
T The gods presided over his birth, he received his educa-
tion in the Chinese classics from a venerable priest, and he
devoted all his spare time to the art of war.
"At the age of twelve years he had exhibited his valor in
battle, and at fifteen he went to the temple and solemnly
vowed to overthrow the Kamakoura usurper.
All men of any
intelligence know the history of this noble patriot, and everybody
is delighted to hear the story repeated. (Assuming a
very solemn manner?) When Mashashige marched for Ka-
wachi, his son Masatsura, aged eleven, followed him in order
to die with his parent. Upon arriving at the town of Sakurai,
Mashashige called the boy to him and said:
"
My son, listen to the last instructions of your father. A
few days ago the Mikado assembled his generals in council.
Every one was satisfied with the victory in Kioto,
urging that the rebels should be followed and wiped
I alone
out of ex-
istence. My advice was rejected and when I returned to my
I am doomed!' but I felt happy in the
tent, I exclaimed, ?
prospect of dying for the Mikado.
"
Our enemies are ten times as strong as ourselves,
still I
am not afraid to meet them, for that is my duty. My son, you
are too young to die yet, so I command you to return home
and wait until you are old enough, when you will be able to
help the Mikado. (Rapping- on the table.}
"Then the great hero took a short sword that had been pre-
sented to him by the emperor, and, handing it to his child,
said:
" Masatsura, keep this for my sake, and promise me that
you will never use it except
in the service of the Mikado.'