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ABOUT YOSHITSUNE. 143
" Some think he did not commit hara-kiri, as is
commonly reported, but escaped to the mainland
of Asia and became the great conqueror, Genghis
Khan."
Mr. Rai now appeared in a very happy mood and
said :
" Now, my children, let me surprise you
all. I
have been telling these H^ik^ and Genji stories for
now perceive.
many reasons, one of which you will
Mr. Honda and I have painted for you pictures in
words. You shall now see how an artist tells the
same stories in ink, gold, and color. Uhe'i, draw
apart the partitions."
The sliding doors between the sitting-room and
parlor were shunted aside, and there in the light
of several burning candles stood two splendid goldpaper
screens fresh from Yedo. They had been
painted by one of the very best artists of the Tosa
school of historical painters, in brilliant colors, fine
drawing, and with great masses of gold that hid
excessive detail and made the parts visible more
suggestive. Although lacking technical perspective,
the skillful use of cloud and haze, as well as of the
gold bordering, gave the scenes practically the effect
of perspective in air and water, scenery and distance.
There was first, Yoshi-iye" on horseback,
reining up before the frightened wild fowl ; next,
the battle of the two clans, Gen and He"i before the
palace gates in Kyoto ; third, the wood-pigeons
flying out of the hollow log, into the rain, as the
soldier poked it with his bow; fourth, Tomoye*