ash step the weaker groaned and yielded. The Nipponese fear and
detest cold water--even for drink.

Thus they sallied forth--from Ichigaya to Honjo[u] Kameidocho[u], from
Shitaya to Shinagawa; some on horseback, some in _kago_; all arrayed in
triple set of thickly wadded winter garments, in _hakama_, or trousers
with double folds, in shirts and leggings, and fur shoes of the warrior
on winter campaign. The gate keeper of the _yashiki_ in Owaricho[u]
called their names on arrival--"O[u]kubo Hikoroku Dono, Endo[u]
Saburo[u]zaemon Dono, Abe Shiro[u]goro[u] Dono, Matsudaira Montaro[u]
Dono, O[u]kubo Shichinosuke Dono, Mizuno Juro[u]zaemon Dono, Ishikawa
Hachiemon Dono,[10] Okumura Shu[u]zen Dono, Kuse Sanshichiro[u] Dono,
Aoyama Shu[u]zen Dono...." The list was a long one. One and all were met
by Kondo[u] Noborinosuke in person at the entrance. Over his triple
winter garb he wore a wadded coat or _kosode_. Others had donned the
longer _kataginu_. These were of the weaker kind. It did not fit so
closely; pressed the warmth of its tissue less lovingly to the person.
All complained of the intense cold. "Never was such cold felt," blandly
agreed Noborinosuke. "An old fellow of the gardeners says that for sixty
years such cold has not been experienced. It is a marvellous cold year.
The ground will not be thawed this season. Deign to enter. Warmth is
provided against this intensity of cold." And his hearers bowed and
offered thanks, as well as their unwieldy wrappings would allow. At all
events in the room yonder there would be the breeze from the garden
side. They knew the place and its delights. Kondo[u] was of the age to
provide himself with quiet comforts. With eager stride the banquet room
was sought.

"Oya! Oya!" The speaker gasped in dismay and for breath. They had been
introduced into a furnace. Explained Kondo[u] gently--"Everything has
been done to shut out the intense cold. The _amado_ are tight closed,
the braziers well supplied.... Heigh-ho! Allow none of these to get
dark. More charcoal! More fuel!" The attendants obeyed, urging the fires
before each guest. Seated close together to conserve the heat, the sweat
poured off in streams. Unable to get breath some groaned and grunted--to
pass it off as due to the intensity of cold. Soon they "would be thawed
out with the genial warmth." Kondo[u] and Aoyama were immensely pleased
in their assent and at their sufferings. But the more discontented
sought the fly in the oint