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92 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
great fame, the Mikado conferred higher rank upon
him, and the praises of the hero were sounded on
every side. A nobleman of the He'i family gave
him his daughter in marriage. This lady was very
beautiful and highly accomplished in court life, and
after his long wars and many years spent ' under
the dews and stars, with iron and sharpness in his
hand,' the fierce warrior settled down to the joys of
a roof, of mats, of music, of love, and of home.
" Yoriyoshi longed for a son to bear half his own
name, linked with that of the family, which none
dare use in an uncalled-for manner.
" One night, as he lay asleep, he dreamed that
Hachiman, the god of war, whose original shrine
was at a place called Eight Flags, or Banners, near
Kyoto, a later one being at Tsuruga, appeared to
him in great splendor with eight banners waving
round him. The august being approached the war-
rior and presented him with a sword.
" This was a dream of most lucky omen. When
he awoke he told his wife, and, full of joy, medi-
tated deeply on the vision. Some time after that a
son was born, and there was great rejoicing in Yoriyoshi's
house. The female neighbors, friends, and
ladies of rank came in to congratulate the mother,
while old comrades and the nobles rejoiced with the
father. They also sent presents of food, sweetmeats,
fans, and other things wrapped in the red and white
cord. Yoriyoshi said, This boy will yoshi [raise up
or make to flourish] our iye [house or family].
So he took the word yoshi from his own name and