KUMAMOTO, September, 1894.
DEAR MR. OCHIAI,-- ... I was much interested in what your letter related
about the doves leaving Kizuki, and about the _O mamori_. It is a
curious fact that nearly the same story is told in Kumamoto, in regard
to Katō Kiyomasa. At the Nichiren temple of Hommyōji the helmet,
armour, and sword of the great Captain were always preserved. Lately
they disappeared, and some say they were sent to Korea,--to stimulate
the zeal of the army. But some of the people say that in the night
horse-hoofs were heard in the temple court; and that a great shadowy
horseman, in full armour, was seen to pass. So it is whispered that
Kiyomasa rose up from his grave, and buckled on his armour, and departed
to lead the Imperial Armies to glory and conquest.
Thanks also for the very interesting note about the Emperor Go-Daigo.
You know I visited the place where he lived at Oki, and the little
village--Chiburi-mura--from which he made his escape in the fishermen's
boat.
What you said about the _mamori_ of the soldier reminds me that at the
_ujigami_ here little charms are being given to thousands of soldiers.
They are very narrow, and contrived so as to be slipped into the lining
(_ura_) of a uniform.
Thanks for your two kindest letters. I shall write you again another
day,--this is only my answer to one of your two letters; the other I
still owe you for.
Best wishes and regards to you always.