that you have not been visiting any house whatever, but have been passing
your nights in the cemetery, among the tombs of the Heike; -- and it was
before the memorial-tomb of Antoku Tenno that our people to-night found
you, sitting in the rain. All that you have been imagining was illusion --
except the calling of the dead. By once obeying them, you have put yourself
in their power. If you obey them again, after what has already occurred,
they will tear you in pieces. But they would have destroyed you, sooner or
later, in any event... Now I shall not be able to remain with you to-night:
I am called away to perform another service. But, before I go, it will be
necessary to protect your body by writing holy texts upon it."



Before sundown the priest and his acolyte stripped Hoichi: then, with
their writing-brushes, they traced upon his breast and back, head and face
and neck, limbs and hands and feet,-- even upon the soles of his feet, and
upon all parts of his body,-- the text of the holy sutra called
Hannya-Shin-Kyo. [7] When this had been done, the priest instructed Hoichi,
saying:--


"To-night, as soon as I go away, you must seat yourself on the verandah,
and wait. You will be called. But, whatever may happen, do not answer, and
do not move. Say nothing and sit still -- as if meditating. If you stir, or
make any noise, you will be torn asunder. Do not get frightened; and do not
think of calling for help -- because no help could save you. If you do
exactly as I tell you, the danger will pass, and you will have nothing more
to fear."