1841.
Notices of Japan, No. VI.
79
you, that should you execute this baneful resolution, to-morrow's sun may see all Japan in rebellion." The siogoun was inflexible; her expostulations, gentle and subinissive as they were, serving only to exasperate his resentment. The heaven-descended lady, finding argument and solicitation fruitless of otherwise averting the impending disaster, suddenly plunged her dagger into his breast, and, withdrawing it, repeated the blow. Her aim was true; the monarch fell, and his consort, sinking on her knees by his side, implored his pardon for having in an emergency so critical, employed the only possible means left of securing the throne to the Gongen dynasty. She concluded with an assurance that she dreamed not of surviving him. The moment the siogoun Tsunayosi had breathed his last, she stabbed herself with the same dagger, and fell lifeless upon his corpse. Her ladies, hearing the noise of her fall, ran in and found both weltering in their blood.
At this moment appeared Ino Kamon, who, startled by the purport of the empress's billet, had flown to the place. He was instantly admitted to the cham. ber of death, and stood confounded at the fearful spectacle it presented. After a while, recovering himself, he exclaimed, "Lo! a woman has saved the empire! But for her bold deed, Japan would to-morrow have been convulsed, perhaps destroyed!"
The self-slain princess had not it seems, thought it sufficient thus effectually to prevent the siagoun from executing his illegal design: she had further given Ino Kamon, in her note, precise instructions as to the course he was to pursue. By obeying them, the minister secured the accession of the lawful heir, and alleviated the disappointment of the youth whom Tsunayosi had intended to adopt, by obtaining a principality for him from Yeyenobu, the monarch he had been intended to supplant. Ino Kamon's own services were recompensed by the new and grateful siogoun, who rendered the office of governor of the empire hereditary in his family; and the midai is said to divide the admiration of Japan with the wife of Chuya.
In a subsequent reign, that of Yosimune, the following incident occurred.* He reigned thirty years, and from Titsingh's account, would appear to have been elected siogoun, after the death of the preceding, who was a mere boy.
One of the inferior servants of the siogoun, named Iwaso Gozo, had a daughter. who was constantly ill; he took her to the hot baths, in hopes of reestablishing her health. He had been there three weeks, when three men befonging to the retinue of the prince of Satsuma came to see him, and requested him to lend them ten koban, promising to repay him at Yedo. Gozo declined, alleging that he was poor, and his daughter's illness very expensive, and expressing his regret that it was not in his power to accommodate them. They appeared to be satisfi ed with his excuses; and as he was to set off the next day, they invited him to supper, purposing to detain and make him drunk with sake. Gozo, having no suspicion of their design, accepted the invitation, and after supper, finding that it was late, he returned thanks, and begged permission to retire, that he might take a little. rest before his departure. Next morning, very early, he set out, but had scarcely proceeded three miles, when, on examining his sabre, which seemed heavier than usual, he discovered that it was not his own. He immediately re- turned, went to the persons with whom he had supped the preceding night, and
Titsingh, page 70.