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THE RED AND WHITE HANKERS. 121
for a beard, the cheeks puffed out, and the mouthpiece
left open. This made a terrific visage. The
nose-piece could also be removed so as to make
hasty eating or drinking possible. His armor was
of links and plates of lacquered and gold-incrusted
iron, laced together with raw silk.
" In his gauntlets Yoshitsune* held a lacquered
wand holding a bunch of strips of paper. This
was a commander's badge of rank, and the paper
was gilt, silvered, or plain, according to rank.
With it he gave orders, waving it to the right or
left, up or down, obliquely, etc., for advance, retreat,
charge, or flank movement, as the case required. His
feet were shod with bear-skin, and his knees, thighs,
arms, and body were all cased in deer leather, paper
lacquered until tough as tin, and chain-mail of iron
held together by cords and lacings. When on a
journey the armor was packed in a box which
served him for a seat when in camp. Japanese
armor rarely rusts, on account of the lacquer. Yoshitsun^
remained four or five years with Lord Hidehira
and continued his military education until, hearing
of his brother Yoritomo's march, he set out with
a score of horsemen at his back to join his brother's
camp at Fuji River.
"
When Yoritomo wished to destroy the He*ik6 in
the southern campaign he made trial of his younger
brothers to find which of them was fit for the business
;
so he heated a copper water-jar very hot, and
calling his brothers one by one into a wash-room, he
made them hold it for him.