of a perfect
fall night with its studded firmament.

Thus did the Sho[u]nin find the secret in the _ten_ repetition of the
sacred formula--the _ju_ nen. On her finger stumps O'Kiku
counted--counted as does the successful man in the business of life. But
O'Kiku was maimed. The thumb was lacking. Hence the tale went but to
nine. The missing factor once supplied her count found completion. Long
had been accomplished her vow of indignant vengeance, but still the
plates remained to count for her own release, and this she could not
effect. Great was the reputation thus acquired to priest and temple.
Probably it was this feat which has confused him with his greater
predecessor, the founder of the temple; transferred most
anachronistically to this latter the tradition of the actual laying of
the ghost.

There is an old book[35] in which the matter is discussed--"It was in
the old well that Kikujo[u] was drowned, says tradition in Sho[u]ho[u]
3rd year (1646). By the ability, merit, and power of Mikatsuki Sho[u]nin
her soul was saved, and at once she became a Buddha. Though such be the
story, by the temple register the founder of the Dendzu-In, Ryo[u]yo[u]
Sho[u]nin, entered the Hall in O[u]ei 22nd year 9th month 27th day (29th
October 1415). One smiles. Ho! The Sho[u]nin lived two hundred and
fifty-six years before, and dates do not amalgamate. How many
generations had the Sho[u]nin seen when Kikujo[u] became a Buddha! The
Mikatsuki Sho[u]nin becomes a bubble Sho[u]nin. The learning of this
Mikatsuki Sho[u]nin was notorious, and it has been banded down to people
of later generations in matters concerning Ryo[u]yo[u] Sho[u]nin. Deign
to take a glance at facts here indicated. The 'Edo Bukkaku Ryakuden'
(Epitomised Record of Buddhist teaching in Edo) says under the heading
'Muryo[u]zan Jukyo[u]ji Dendzu-in'--

'Koishikawa Ji-in: 600 _koku_ (income). The founder was
Yurensha Ryo[u]yo[u] Sho[u]nin, early in the Meitoku period
(1390-1393). This Sho[u]nin had between his eyebrows the
figure of the moon on the third day. Later people called him
Mikatsuki Sho[u]nin. Native of Jo[u]shu[u] he was the son of
the castle lord of Iwase in Kujigo[u]ri, Shirayoshi Shima no
Kami Yoshimitsu. Through prayer at the Iwase Myo[u]jin his
mother became pregnant. He was born Riaku-O[u] 4th year 1st
month 24th day (11th February 1311). Later his father was
killed in battle, and the mother took him to