[4] The decisive battle between Ieyasu and Hideyori, son of the great Hideyoshi (“Taik� Sama�) was fought at Seki-ga-hara, Mino Province, in the year 1600.
[5] Masterless swashbucklers.
[6] These “bath-houses� were in reality houses of assignation and unlicensed brothels. Carrying on their business under this innocent title they engaged women called “Kami-arai-onna,� or (for want of a better word) “shampooers,� but these females were really “jigoku� (“Hell women�) and were selected for their beauty in order to attract persons to “take baths.� The “bath-house� women were not only as beautiful and accomplished as the regular courtesans, but they were cheaper and would accommodate guests either day or night, whereas, the regular girls were only permitted to exercise their calling in the day time. These unlicensed prostitutes were so numerous that they seriously interfered with the business of the real Yoshiwara, and it was to the interest of regular brothel-keepers that they should be suppressed.
[7] It is interesting to note that even in those times the Government recognized the principle of granting compensation when the right of eminent domain was exercised.
[8] Vide chapter entitled “[The Furisode Kwaji].�
[9] Ageya (�屋) were houses of assignation where, in accordance with the customs of the time, a visitor could stay and to which he could invite any prostitute with whom he had, or wished to have, a liaison. The age-ya made all arrangements for procuring the attendance of courtesans when required.
[10] “Named after their native place in order to perpetuate the memory of their ancestors.�
[11] The Japanese pronunciation of the character 西 (sai) in the name “Sainen� is “Nishi� (West); hence the name of Nishi (West) + gashi (river bank). It is a very common custom in Japan to compose names in this manner.
[12] The story of Watanabe no Tsuna’s adventures has been published in the K�bunsha “Fairy Tale Series� under the head of “The Ogre’s Arm.�
[13] Tenjin is the name under which Sagawara-no-Michizane is apotheosized. He was a great minister and scholar, but falling a victim to calumny was banished and finally died in exile. He is worshipped as the God of Calligraphy.