Alameda High School - Acorn Yearbook (Alameda, CA)

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sion of the family title and estate of Sano. So I left secretly with my wife and sought refuge on this solitary country seat,” was the sad reply. “But, had the wickedness of your step-mother not been proved at the court of Kamakura in your favor?” “My friend,” continued he in sadder tone, “the hand of fortune is beyond human control. The trouble started after the departure of most righteous judge, Shippen Tokiyori.” “As I understand, then, the government at Kamakura at the present time is in the hand of evil souls, and these evil souls would not help your right to the title of Sano family. That is a sad story!’ said the stranger, thoughtfully. As he spoke these words a certain powerful light was shining in his eyes, which promised him to be also an unordinary man. “But my love for Kamakura has not deserted me at all for all these, master Stranger,’ continued Genzaemon Sano. “Though I am in such a disgrace at present, I always feel my obligation to Kamakura. Behold!” pointing to a dark corner, “there is my torn armor and rusty spear, and in yonder stall is my steed, though thin. Through many hardships | have kept them, and I will keep them hereafter in order to be ready to join the call of Kamakura at any time.” Hearing these courageous words, the heads of two listeners dropped downward and tears were in their eyes. “By that, I do not mean to wish that some disaster should happen to Kamakura,” he added, in the voice stronger than ever before. “But, if I continue to live this life of poverty, I have no means of regaining my father’s family title; my arms ring for vengeance, but I will only die of hunger! That is all my regret!” There was silence for a short interval and noth- ing was heard except the voices of raging wind and the con- stant fall of the snow from overladen leaves of bamboo bush. Soon the fire, which was built by the sacrifice of the valuable plants of the pots, gave out and the long winter night saw daylight again. The dreary snow storm seemed to have ceased and only the wind was raging. The stranger monk, who was deeply moved by the pitiable story of Sir Genzaemon Sano, was then preparing to set out. Genzaemon and Shirae ad- vised him to sojourn one more day, to wait the end of the storm, but the traveler started to the gate, saying: “Your kindness is deeply inlaid in my heart, and I will never forget it. We will surely meet again some day in more fortunate condition.”

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“Such a beautiful potted plants. They speak undoubtedly your great assiduity for a long time in rearing them up.” “They are not worth your praise,” replied the master. ‘For- merly I had several hundreds of them. But jus t before I had fallen to this impoverished present condition, I distributed them all among my friends. Yet I valued these three so much. I could not part with them. “No wonder! They are most charming ones that my eyes ever looked upon.” “That is enough of praise, my friend,” continued the master, interrupting the monk. “The pleasure of bringing up those potted plants belong entirely to those people of well-to-do class, and to us who are unable even to get daily living with ease, they are unnecessary now. Especially at this moment, warmth is all we need. Oh, how cold it is!” “But take care, sir master,” remarked the monk. “Preserve them, as they are so beautiful, that you may enjoy them when you get back to your power again.” “Ah, that is only a sweet imagination, my power will never come back.” Then cutting those three well brought up plants of the pots without the least grudge against it, he made the fire. Once more they stretched out their hands from three sides of the fire place, and forgot even the severest cold.. Meanwhile these unordinary deeds and the sympathetic heart of the husband and the tender and graceful manner of his wife gave great impression upon the stranger. So, think- ing that they must have been the member of some respected family once, he suddenly asked in reverend tone, “Sir, there is something yet, I do not know what, that tells me that you must have been of high birth. Permit me to learn your name and birth.” “I am unworthy to be named to you.” “Say that not so, sir. I think you are not an ordi- nary man.” “If you insist on it so urgently, I have nothing to hide from you. I am Tsuniyo Genzaemon Sano,” and, pointing to his wife, this is my wife Shirae,” he replied with dignified tone. “Was that you, Lord Sano, and your madam, Shirae? Pray, how did it happen that my Lord Sano is ruined to this pitiful condition?” “Ah, that is a sad story! As you may know, my mother had died while I was still young. And my father, one of the knights of Shippen at Kamakura, had a second wife. A son was soon born to her, a step-brother to me. Every- thing went fine while my father was living, but upon his death everything came to a change. My step- brother then conspired to murder my life and at the same time to get posses-

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“If you insist upon doing so, I will not delay you any long- But pray, my friend, when you happen to pass this way ain, do not forget to stop at our house, though ugly and uncomfortable. “And you, my master Sano, if you happened to visit Kama- a, forget not to call at my monastery. I may perhaps be Ip to you. Sayonaro!” So saying, the stranger monk left the Sano family cottage and passed away into the snow. Two months had passed since this incident, when suddenly a gathering was called upon all knights in the country by the Shippen of Kamakura. ‘A serious matter has arisen, arise and close in to Kama- kura!” The peace of the country was broken and what a stir was there! From every quarter of the country, the knights, eager to accomplish the deeds of reputation and honor, arose in arms and poured into Kamakura. Thus the great chance had arrived to our Genzaemon Sano, to prove his bravery. He clad himself in that torn armor, and taking his rusty spear under his arm, left his home on the back of his thin but faith- ful steed. He hurried over hills, through valleys, and across plains, and at last arrived at Kamakura. There were already gathered thousands of knights, all in beautiful suits of armor and on fiery steeds. Indeed the whole gathering presented a majestic scene. It had an appearance of a forest of long spears, intermixed with glittering helmets. But poor Sano! With torn armor, rusty spear, and thin horse, had an aspect of a copper cent among numerous shining gold pieces. As he joined the multitude, the knights who were near him laughed, ridiculed and made fun of his poor attire. However, he stood calmly and waited further order of the Shippen. Soon the officials were out on inspection of the gathered 29 Deis. knights. Upon noticing Sano, one of them approached near and demanded: “You are requested to the presence of Shippen Tokiyori.” “Sir, I am a poor knight of unworthy name. Is it mistake for some other knight?” with surprise. replied Sano, being “Hig request is to take to him that knight who comes here today clad in torn armor, holding a rusty spear, and riding on a thin “Not so, my knight,” said the deep voice of an official. —H AKAG|-