PART II
The Emperor Murakami
I came up to the throne in the sacred era
of Gengi,[5]
when the fine music came from
Mirokoshi, the secret and sacred music, and
the lutes Genjo, Seizan,[6]
and Shishimaru. The
last brought from the dragon world. And
now I will play on it.
And he looked out at the sea and called on
the dragon god, and played on "Shishimaru."
The lion-dragon floated out of the waves,
and the eight goddesses of the dragon stood
with him, and he then gave Moronaga the
biwa. And Moronaga took it, beginning to
play. And the dragon king moved with the
music, and the waves beat with drum rhythm.
And Murakami took up one part. That was
music. Then Murakami stepped into the
cloudy chariot, drawn by the eight goddesses
of the dragon, and was lifted up beyond sight.
And Moronaga took a swift horse back to his
city, bearing that biwa with him.
FINIS
