nd 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:--

"You have already been informed as to the reason of your having been
summoned to Our presence. We have decided that you shall become the
adopted husband of Our only daughter;--and the wedding ceremony shall
now be performed."

As the king finished speaking, a sound of joyful music was heard; and a
long train of beautiful court ladies advanced from behind a curtain to
conduct Akinosuke to the room in which he bride awaited him.

The room was immense; but it could scarcely contain the multitude of
guests assembled to witness the wedding ceremony. All bowed down before
Akinosuke as he took his place, facing the King's daughter, on the
kneeling-cushion prepared for him. As a maiden of heaven the bride
appeared to be; and her robes were beautiful as a summer sky. And the
marriage was performed ami