to a distance of miles. Akinosuke was then shown into a reception-room of
wonderful size and splendor. His guides conducted him to the place of
honor, and respectfully seated themselves apart; while serving-maids, in
costume of ceremony, brought refreshments. When Akinosuke had partaken of
the refreshments, the two purple-robed attendants bowed low before him, and
addressed him in the following words,-- each speaking alternately,
according to the etiquette of courts:--



"It is now our honorable duty to inform you... as to the reason of your
having been summoned hither... Our master, the King, augustly desires that
you become his son-in-law;... and it is his wish and command that you shall
wed this very day... the August Princess, his maiden-daughter... We shall
soon conduct you to the presence-chamber... where His Augustness even now
is waiting to receive you... But it will be necessary that we first invest
you... with the appropriate garments of ceremony." [2]


Having thus spoken, the attendants rose together, and proceeded to an
alcove containing a great chest of gold lacquer. They opened the chest, and
took from it various roes and girdles of rich material, and a kamuri, or
regal headdress. With these they attired Akinosuke as befitted a princely
bridegroom; and he was then conducted to the presence-room, where he saw
the Kokuo of Tokoyo seated upon the daiza, [3] wearing a high black cap of
state, and robed in robes of yellow silk. Before the daiza, to left and
right, a multitude of dignitaries sat in rank, motionless and splendid as
images in a temple; and Akinosuke, advancing into their midst, saluted the
king with the triple prostration of usage. The king greeted him with
gracious words, and then said:--