Some people allege that the ballads were the result of literary efforts on the part of Kibun himself, but this seems rather apocryphal inasmuch that the name of Kibun is mentioned in them, and he would hardly compose songs about himself!

However, we may be well content to leave various antiquarians to quarrel over musty documents and ancient books, and content ourselves with knowing that the ballads did eventuate in some way or other, and that somebody did compose them. The following extracts are made from the “Dai-jin-mai K�-sh�� (大盡舞考證) and will give an idea of the songs, but it must be borne in mind that the translation is very free owing to the crudeness and vague character of the original text and the virtual impossibility of reducing the words into intelligible English.

The treasures of the Shin-Yoshiwara are hidden by the back of a palanquin. Passing through Shim-machi, Ageya-ch�, Uki-hashi, Komura, and Yatsuhashi, one comes out into the Shitaya streets, sees the small cherry temple of T�yeizan (Uyeno park) and the Toraren temple of Kinryū-zan (Asakusa temple). The thing which is praised and admired here is the long flowing haori of K�hei-b�. Then you know Confucius said, ha! ha! whosoever worships us, ha! ha! will certainly be dragged to the wicked place, ho! ho! (Chorus:—“Ho-ho-hon, ho-ho-hon-non, ho-hon-yo ho-hon-yo no notamawaku wa, soto senya soto senya ariya chin na.)

Ha ha! ho ho! It is a felicitous omen of this tranquil reign that the waves of the four seas are undisturbed ha! ha! ho! ho! Look at the Daijin-mai (dance).

(Next “Daijin�): The origin of the kuruwa (prostitute quarters) is that Yuge no D�ky�, by Imperial command, founded a kuruwa. On account of guests flocking in (kuru 來) and their hearts being softened (wa 和) it has been named “kuruwa.� Ha-a! ho-ho! Look at the Daijin-mai (dance).

(Next “Daijin�): The five streets of the Yoshiwara have been named because Yedo-ch� has “en� (affinity) with Yedo city: Fushimi-ch� has affinity with fushin (fushin suru = to build); all difficulties having been overcome Sumi-ch� was built, Shimmachi opened, and the bustling Ky�-machi established.

(Next Daijin): The title of tayū originated when the first Emperor of Shin was out a hunting and encountered a heavy rainstorm. His Majesty then sought shelter under a small pine-tree, when the branches of that tree miraculously extended and the leaves spread out and locked together so closely that the Emperor was completely protected from the elements. For such virtues the pine and the bamboo are felicitous. Ha-a! ho-ho! Look at the Daijin-mia (dance).

(Next Daijin): As to the beginning of guests, though the people may know nothing about Corea or China, everywhere in Japan they know the name of Kinokuni-ya Bunzaemon (Kinokuni Bunza). The Donsu Daijin (“Damask� millionaire) rivals him and redeems Kich� of Miuraya. Five rolls of red damask together with the cost of cotton-wool lining he sends to Ogiya Hanshi. He also presents a dagger valued at 25 ry which is still preserved as a treasure by Hanshi. Ha-a! ho-ho! Look at the Daijin-mai (dance).

(Next Daijin): As the next daijin we must mention Master Naramo. He redeemed Ura-zato who was well-known at Shimmachi as the leading belle of the Kagaya. He placed her in a mansion specially built for her reception at Kuroe-ch�, Fukagawa, and the name of the mansion was “Mokusan Goten�. The h�kan (jesters) in attendance on her were Itch�, Mimbu, and Kakuch�, while her female servants were O Man, O Kin, and O Y�. Koshir�, Zenroku, Kichibei, and Seigor� attend her in various capacities. But oh! what a change of taste, however, that this daijin should again redeem Arashi Kiyoji! Ha-a! ho-ho! Look at the Daijin-mai (dance).

(Next Daijin): The day-break on a Spring morning as sung by Seish�nagon (noted poetress) is interesting. Being attracted by the tinkling notes of sugagaki, crowds flock into the Yoshiwara dressed in their holiday clothes, to visit the girls for the first time in the New Year: so the kuruwa becomes lively, and men walk about stretching their necks like herons.