The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-19
The Empress Tin Gou;
Legend of Old Japan

her line into the water, crying aloud
IF ! am to succeed in my Enterprise
fish will nibble AZ my bait; If not. will re-
main untouched"
solemn silence regned and every eve
was fixed upon the line in the hand of the
Empress; Suddenly i twtched and jerked
from side to side With a quick motion
ZinGou lifted her line high in the air. At
the end dangled "A smet, flashing like 4
dagger in the sun.
A joyful shout rang out from the watch
ing army.
Forward" cried the Empress. The
fleet awaits us and victory is certain.
They arrived at the harbor Of kash-
No,Oura. The fleet appeared magnificent
like monsters, with the broad sails for
wings.
The Empress dismounted and advancing
TO the edge OF the water, threw aside her
her long hair. Then, TO drive away all
the sweet odors of her perfumes sba
bathed her hair in the salt waves ano>
wringing it dry bound it in a single knot,
such IA men wear.
This done, she seized a battle axe and
boarded the most beautiful of the junks
Seated upon her royal seat the Warrior
Empress appeared as II upon a pedestal.
She was arrayed in a suit of arrnor Of black
horn, whose overlapping scales were Joined
by knots Of purple silk, and which came
below her knees partially covering The wide
trousers Of richest white brocade, beauti-
fully embroidered
Her long sleeves were OF black velvet.
which fell. majestically, like a long mantle
and dragged on the ground on both sides
OF her seat. Upon each cuff were worked.
in gold thread, the insignia of her rank
golden chrysanthemum shone upon
her breast, two sabres hung from the wide
silken belt and the beautiful warrior leaned
upon a lance Of ivory and gold.
The sails filled with the wind and thu
sailors bent 10 their oars. while Hin-Gou,
gazing far ahead into the distance. cried.
Look Look The sea god. Foumi-
You'll Mio-Zin, is acting as our guide and
leads the way."
She was the only one who saw the god
OF the sea, but no one doubted her word
The King Of Corea trembed in the re-
vaded, his soldiers defeated. Before the
invincble army of the Japanese no re-
sistance was possible, and he knew that he
was hopelessly vanquished
Already the conquerors had taken pos
session Of the city. The warrior Empress
was at the doors Of the palace Truly. tho
soul OF hero had animated her Through
tempests and obstacles she had led her
army 10 victory
Now she was striking al the royal door.
crying loudly. THE King of Corea l. the
dog OF Japan"
Over the entrance she hung her lance Of
gold and ivory. For centuries it remained
where she had placed it.
II was a time Of pillage and blood-hci
Bound. his hands behind his bnck the King
OF Corea was dragged into the court Of
honor.
Il am your slave" he cried. falling at
the feet of the beautiful warrior
Under her stern amor the woman's
heart was touched Zin-Gou raised the
poor King and loosened his bonds.
You are not my slave she said gently
-You are still King OF Corea, but you are
my vasHal
She forbade her soldiers TO plunder tho
city They took away only the treasure
OF the King the paintings and works Of
art which, created in China. Japan knew
not yet how 10 make. And everywhere
the soldiers praised and shouted the name
of their imperial leader.
II il now more than thirteen centuries
sincs the glorious Zin-Gou-Gvo-Gou re-
turned In triumph TO her capital and Civ
ing birth 20 son entered upon long and
happy reign And yet do you think that
In modern Japan. 80 greedy Of progress.
so different from the ancient country any
thing has changed
True. the black helmets and the tiny Gags
are no longer worn, and instead Of tho stone
sings the soldiers have the latest aud most
perfectly constructed cannon and rifles;
but they are still the same intrepid heroe.
disdainful Of their lives
The Mikado who rcgns to-day. Nut-u
hito. OF the divine dynasty which accord
ing TO the official formula has 1iled in
japan from the beginning Of all time and
VIII reign forever. o. a direct Descendant
OF the illWrtrious Empress Zin-Gcu Tho
cycle inaugurated by his advent TO tho
throne Is called Mi-Dgi, luminous reign
and II shines indeed with dazzling glory
The present sovereign. whose Victories
have astonished all Europe is truly worthy
Of his fathers May tho sun Goddess
Tien-Sio-Dai-Tsin his radiant anccst ross
continue to smile upon him from the sky.