The morning call., 1893-07-02


Kajlwara.
They were descendants of the Minam OTTO
family and were born into the most stormy
period of all Japan's many troublous
times.
The land was convulsed by the struggles
OF the two great families of MlnamotO and
Ialra. to obtain the supremacy. Yoshi-
tomo, the father of these heroes, was killed.
While in his bath treacherOus retainer
thrust spear through the thin Iatticed
paper-covered wall and mortally wounded
his master, for the ncompassing of whose
death he had accepted bride from Kiyo-
morl Talra. And the eldest son of the
FAMILY OF MinanotO was killed at KiOto.
Tokiwa. Yoshitsune's mo her. was not
his fathers wife, but his concubine, a
young ana beautiful girl who bore the
same relationship to YoshltOmo as Hagar
did to Abraham. OAe of the most ORA
matte and pathetic incidents in Japanese
history Is the flight of Iokiwa after the
death OF her lord. Barefoot, in the depth
OF winter, with snow on the ground, he
hunted woman fled with her baby at her
breast and her two little sons trudging
bravsly at her side. one holding her hand
and the other valiantly dragging his dead
Iather's most valued posse ssion, lsi& word.
KiyOmori was delighted with his sue
cess. Prac ically he had exterminaied the
Minamoto family. he thought, and when
Iokiwa's mother fell into his hands his
that above mothers love filial duty ruled
supreme. for In japan, as in China. fiial
piefy ranks higher than aught else.
When Iokiwa wandered forth she knew
not where to GO for shelter nor where to get
anything to satisfy either her own or he
chiidren's hunger.
Perishlng with cold and half starved the
beautiful young mother excited the com
passion Of Tara soldier. who sheltered
them as well as he could and gave up his
own ratl0ns TO feed the helpless wife and
family OF the vanQushed foe. To add TO
her other troubles ToklWa heard now Of
the capture of her mother and was we'll
nigh distracted between maternal love and
the reverence and affection she owed her
mother. II she ventured to Kiyomori's
court at kiot0 to attempt to rescue her
aged and helpless mother her children
would. she knew too we'll, pay the forfeit
with their lives, while in all probability il
she did not surrender herself and them
she would be responsible for that worst of
all crimes-the death of a parent.
But Tokiwa had brains as we'll as
beauty, aud she determined to run the risk
OF visit to kiOt0 and trust to her wits to
get her out Of the difficulty.
when she and her children were brought
before the conauerOr he was dazzlei and
completely vanauished by the wonderful
beauty of the peasant girl. He fell madiy
in love with the fair enemy and urged her
| acceptance OF his love, but to all his pro-
posals that she should become his concu-
blns she turned a deaf ear. Loyalty and
love toward her dead lord filled her with
repugnance at the idea of entering the
household of his bitterest enemy. But the
Tara retainers began to clamor for the
extinction of these young Mlnam to and
Ioklwa soon saw that to save her children
and her mo her she must yield to Kiyo-
morris wishes. so she bargained with him
Tor their lives. agreeing to submit to his
wish 10 return.
Despite the mutterings and warnings Of
tho courtlers the children were allowed to
live and the baby (Yoshitsune) grew In to
.healthy" though small boy.
Though the opening months of his life
had been spent in the midst of harasSing
circumstances he was full of life and
spirit. fiery and impetuous to a degree.
kiyOmori had preserved the lives of his
enemy's sons at their mothers pleading,
but 1t was no part of his plan to have
Thorn grow up at court to become soldiers
or courtlers. so when they were pretty
VOL grown he sent them off to Buddhist
monastery to be made priests. The two
elder brothers were quiet and steady, but
little i0shitsune absolutely refused to
nave his head shaved and led the unfor-
tunate priests a very unhappy life with
never-ending FRANKS and tricks.
he was so self-wlled, so strong and good
natured that he earned the sobrieuet OF
UShl-Waka, the young OK.
lie longed to get away from the monas-
terry. and his ambition was to become
soldier. An iron merchant of Mutsu had
frequent occasion to visit the monks. and
1oshitsune made friends with him aud
impiored him to take him away with him;
put the merchant feared the anger of the
6onze or priests. and refused until Yos-
nltsune very ingeniously persuaded him
tnat tney would not waste many regrets
over the loss of a pupil so little likely to
90 them honor, and the merchant there
upon granted his wish. While ON their
way TO Mitsu Yoshitsune gave many
proofs OF his courage and proves. Un-
armed ana alone he seized famous rob-
per, and on another occasion when house
wnere ne was visiting was attacked by
roDpers ne helped the owner to defend it
an9 himself killed five of the assailants.
These daring feats began to attract go
much attention that Yorishige, his bosom
friend. urged him not to make himself
conspicuous by uncaled-for exhibitions of
valor. for IL the Tara adherents heard of
an unknown stranger performing such
prodieies of valor they would suspect him
to be Minamoto and kill him.
After Yoshitsune reached Mutsu the
FRINGE OF Mutsn took him into his house.
hold. where he grew up a brave and gal
liant knight and studied military arts to his
hearts content.
He spent his days in hunting and ath.
iet'c sports, and before he was % he had
q m oil . kmn