Hiraga Gennai

“ The Imperial troops fought so bravely, that the traitor's army, although it was far superior in numbers, showed signs of being defeated. To rally the wavering troops, Eda Hangwan, who was one of Taka-uji's generals, fought desperately, whereupon they were restored to order, and Yoshi-oki's army in its turn was thrown into confusion.
"Our men are cowards," cried Takezawa Kemmotsu, plunging into Eda's ranks, and fighting with great courage. ”

“ Hyōgo had scarcely spoken, when Kemmotsu came up, carrying two or three heads.
"I have glad news for your lordship," said he fervently. "The traitor has found it impossible to resist the fierce attack of our troops, and his regiments have fled like cowards to Kamakura. Your lordship had better avail yourself of this opportunity. You should give chase to the enemy without a moment's delay. You can, then, I am sure, readily take Taka-uji's head. ”

“ He then began to make preparations to search for the arrows. At this moment, the erstwhile buffoons appeared on the scene, dressed in full armour, at the head of a party of soldiers.
"Prepare for death, Yoshiminé!" cried they. "We are retainers of Lord Ashikaga Taka-uji. We waited on you, disguised as buffoons, in order to steal your arrows. Now that we have secured them, we will take your head to present it to our lord."
Yoshiminé was highly incensed, and encountered the soldiers with his great sword, and fought desperately for a while. ”

“ They hastily took up their swords and battled with each other for a little while, and as before Eda took to flight, and Kemmotsu pursued him.
With regard to Yoshi-oki, he was determined to search out Taka-uji, and to fight with him in single combat, in order to decide the issue. Therefore he spurred his steed and began to gallop towards the enemy's ranks. But a warrior wearing a mino or straw waterproof over his armour, and whose face was almost completely muffled in a hood, sprang forward, and firmly seizing the tail of his horse, drew the animal back. ”

“ Utena saluted her politely and O-Funé conducted the pair into the room upstairs.
As she came downstairs, O-Funé thought to herself: "What a splendid, noble-looking man he is! He is just the kind of man I should like to have for a husband. ”

“ Mr. Utayemon as O-Funé (on the left) , Mr. Danshirō as Tombei (on the right)
I therefore took him and his sister beyond the river, by boat ——"
When he heard her words, Tombei flew into a terrible passion. Gnashing his teeth, and stamping on the mat, he roared: "Shameless wanton! For the sake of your love, you have disclosed your father's great secret, and let a bird in his snare fly away." ”

“ Kemmotsu had given him orders, that if he came across any Nitta fugitives, particularly Yoshiminé, he was to arrest them, and bring them to him. It had been arranged that, on his finding a refugee, Tombei should fire a rocket as a signal. On catching sight of the signal, trumpets should be blown in the neighbouring villages, and the villagers were to be on the alert not to let the refugee escape. If he should be caught or killed, the announcement should be made by the beating of a drum. ”

“ The wounded man made an effort to pull himself together, and gasped out: "After the victory of the Imperial troops, our lord ordered them to pursue the enemy, and he hastened with them towards Kamakura. But previous to this, the traitor Takezawa Kemmotsu, with the assistance of Eda Hangwan, had given orders for the bottom of the Yaguchi ferry-boat, of the River Tama, to be bored through, and the hole to be temporarily filled with a plug. ”

“ The water rushed into the boat, and rapidly filled it. Immediately afterwards Hangwan's troops appeared on one bank, and Kemmotsu's troops on the other, both uttering terrible war-shouts. They both came at the same moment, and shot a terrible shower of arrows at the unfortunate Lord Yoshi-oki and his officers. His lordship was infuriated at Kemmotsu's treachery, but it was impossible to fight under such adverse circumstances, so he stripped his abdomen, and stabbed himself to death. Then all the ten officers followed his example, and killed themselves. ”

“ But, although he was a master-hand at fencing, it was impossible for him to face such odds. He was gradually put on the defensive, and it looked every moment as if he would be struck down. But fortune favoured him. ”