Ho-ichi’s visitor at the temple led him through the village and through two gates. But who awaited the arrival of the storyteller?

Ho-ichi continued, “I could hear the sounds of people moving, screens sliding, and well-spoken women talking. By the rustling of the silk garments and the conversation around me I knew I was in the presence of nobility. I was guided to the center of a large assembly hall where I was shown to the kneeling cushion that awaited me.

“When I was settled upon the pillow a dignified but gentle woman’s voice said to me, ‘Ho-ichi San, you have been invited here by our lord, a lord of high degree, to tell the story of the Heike. You may now begin.’

‘O most noble host,’ I stammered. ‘The tale of the Heike takes many nights to tell. What part of the tale do you wish to hear?’

‘Tell of the battle of Dan-no-ura,’ said the woman, her voice quivering. ‘For the memory of that day is bittersweet.’

Next time: “Ho-ichi, the Master Storyteller”