A Japanese miscellany - University of Oregon

Songs of Japanese Children 209
lattice-work , — in the house with the white walls, — in the
house with the red curtains hung up, — I do now most
worshipfully this ball pas-s-s-ss !
IHere the ball is thrown to another girl, who
catches it, and sings : — J
Second Player; —
I have caught it ! I have caught it ! I have received the
precious ball. Ah 1 I have received it ! Like a butterfly,
like a blossom, even so tenderly shall it be honorably cared
for ; and by this night shall it worshipfully be returned.
[To return it] neither paper nor inkstone will be needed,!
— but three needles, and three hnesof silken thread,'' — and
three honorable horses, and three honorable palanquins. . .
Changing horses, and again changing horses, [I myself
shall carry this ball] to the Lady = who dwells far,
far away from here,— in the building with the lattice-work,
in the building with the persimmon-colored curtains hung
up. To her I now do worshipfully [this ball] pas-s-s-ss I
VI
LULLABIES
A PARTICULAR psychological interest attaches to
the literature of the lullaby, independently of
' Because the ball will not be returned merely by a messenger bear-
ing a letter of thanks.
2 Because it will be respectfully enclosed in a silken wrapper or bag.
° Here the real name of the girl, to whom the ball Is next to be
thrown, may be mentioned.
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