VIII. HÉÏKÉGANÍ

Readers can find in my "Kottō" a paper about the Héïké-Crabs, which have on their upper shells various wrinklings that resemble the outlines of an angry face. At Shimono-séki dried specimens of these curious creatures are offered for sale.... The Héïké-Crabs are said to be the transformed angry spirits of the Héïké warriors who perished at Dan-no-ura.

Shiwo-hi ni wa

Séïzoroë shité,

Héïkégani

Ukiyo no sama we

Yoko ni niramitsu.

[Marshaled (on the beach) at the ebb of the tide, the Héïké-crabs obliquely glare at the apparition of this miserable world.[⁴⁷]]

Saikai ni

Shizumi-nurédomo,

Héïkégani

Kōra no iro mo

Yahari aka-hata.

[Though (the Héïké) long ago sank and perished in the Western Sea, the Héïké-crabs still display upon their upper shells the color of the Red Standard.[⁴⁸]]

Maké-ikusa

Munen to muné ni

Hasami ken;—

Kao mo makka ni

Naru Héïkégani.

[Because of the pain of defeat, claws have grown on their breasts, I think;—even the faces of the Héïké-crabs have become crimson (with anger and shame).]

Mikata mina

Oshi-tsubusaréshi

Héïkégani

Ikon we muné ni

Hasami mochikéri.

[All the (Héïké) party having been utterly crushed, claws have grown upon the breasts of the Héïké-crabs because of the resentment in their hearts.[⁴⁹]]