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THE RED AND WHITE BANNERS. 119
ancestors were, nor did he suspect that he was of
the mighty line of the Genji. He was a very short
and chubby boy, with ruddy cheeks and protruding
teeth. His nature was fiery and impetuous. He
was so strong, active, restless, and fond of play
that he gave great annoyance to the priests in the
monastery.
"For these old gentlemen liked to be always
quiet, which this 'young ox,' as they called him,
never was. His teacher wanted to shave his head
so as to have him smooth-pated like the monks, but
he refused, and said his two elder brothers were to
be priests, and he was ashamed of it. So he kept
on his fine silk clothing, such as boys of noble blood
wear, and wore his hair dressed in the butterfly
or ringed style, at which the bonzes were greatly
shocked.
" One day, when eleven years old, the boy got
hold of a book of the Genji pedigree, and found
out all about his ancestors. This made him more
discontented than before. Keeping quiet
over the
matter, however, he resolved never to be a priest,
but to become a warrior and redeem the Genji fortunes.
After this he became very studious at his
books by day and at night practiced fencing.
" One day an iron-merchant from the east visited
the monastery, and the ' young ox ' persuaded the
man to take him to the east. He said the priests
would be only glad to get rid of him. This proved
true. The 'young ox' left, and the priests never
troubled their heads further about him. On the