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136 HONDA THE SAMUBAI.
which were useful in overcoming many obstacles.
Henceforth Benke"i was secretary, priest, messen-
ger, and armor-bearer to Yoshitsune*, and took part
in many of his master's exploits. His full name was
Musashi Bo Benkdi. Musashi is the province in
which Yedo is situated, so that Benke*i was evidently
an eastern man.
"Once he and Yoshitsun^ went upon Arashi moun-
tain, which is noted for its luxuriant blooming cherrytrees.
One of these was so famous for large blooms,
the size of roses, that it was fenced about with
stone railing. In front of this Yoshitsune', in full
armor, sat on a camp-chair and fanned himself while
Benk^i wrote out a proclamation on a board declar-
ing that no one should pluck a single cherry-blossom
on Arashi yama. 'For every blossom plucked one
finger will be cut off the hand of the trespasser.'
This caused much laughter among the picnic parties
and the people of Kyoto, but they respected the
prohibition.
" Some months after the He*ik enemies had been
slain and their fleet sunk at Shimonse'ki, Yoshitsune'
and Benke"i were crossing the sea over the spot
where the battle took place. The sun had set and
it was a dark night; a great commotion of the sea
arose, though no clouds were in the sky. The winds
blew fiercely, the waves roared and mounted high in
air, and some of the ropes were snapped asunder.
The sail was torn loose from the mast, and the ship
pitched and heaved frightfully. The foam splashed
over the deck till all were wet to the skin.