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90 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
great island between the central mountains and the
sea, and between Kyoto and the wild north Echizen
was civilized first. I propose to tell you the story
of how the arms of the Mikado were in the early
ages extended over all Hondo, as we call the main
island of Japan. I shall partly read from our great
historian Rai Sanyo, who has written the best history
of our country, and partly explain by talking. The
story will also show the origin of many of our customs,
the favorite subjects of our artists and romancers,
and also tell how the Throne and the Camp
came to be separated."
"
And may
I ask questions as we go along
? " inquired
Taro.
" Certainly, my son. I want you to learn all you
can, so I shall begin with the story of Yoshi-iye',
who may be called the founder of the Gen family,
or Genji; though the first men to whom the name
of Minarnoto was given were grandsons of the Mikado
Se*iwa, just as the first man named Taira was a
of the Mikado Kuammu. The Chi-
great-grandson
nese sounds of Minamoto and Taira are Gen and
IM."
" Oh, yes
;
we boys divide into two parts, those in
our street and those in the next, when we play
games, and call ourselves Genji and He"ikd. When
we are rivals at school, and when at kite-time we
play at cutting kite-strings, and the polo-players
with red and white hats, and, indeed, whoever are
opposed to each other, call themselves Genji and
Hdike. Will you
tell us about them and the meaning
of their names
"
?