THE SHOGUN IEMITSU VISITS GAMO TADASATO
将軍家光は蒲生忠郷を訪ねる
In the first yare of Kwanei (1624) the Shogun Iemitsu paid a visit to Gamo Shimozuke-no-kami Tadasato at his residence.
寛永元年１６２４年、将軍家光は蒲生下野守忠郷を訪問しました。
He was received by Yorifusa Lord of Mito and Todo Izumi-no-kami Takatora and other high officers who had previously arrived.
彼は水戸藩主頼房候と藤堂和泉守高虎候が随行し幕府警護隊などが先検しました。
Tadasato had built a special gate for the Shogun's reception.
忠郷は将軍を迎えるにあたり特別な門を建築しました。
Its pillars were gilt and ornamented with wisteria blossoms and the doors were carved with figures of Taoist hermits and Buddhist Arhats.
柱は金箔で藤の花の装飾が施され門は道教の賢者や仏教の高僧が彫られていました。
It was considered the finest piece of work of its kind in the city, and proved a great attention to the people of Edo , who came in a never-ending stream to see it, so that it was nick-named ‘Hi-gurashi Mon' or ‘ the All-day-long Gate.'
この街では始めての建造で江戸では評判になり、見物人が絶えず押し寄せて「日暮門」と言う名前がついたほどでした。
Within the residence were displayed all kinds of rear works of art, each one a masterpiece of either Chinese or Japanese work.
その迎賓館の中には様々な芸術的な仕事が施され、中国や日本の秀作も有りました。
There was a writing of the Emperor Hui Taung of Sung and anther of Bodhidharama and many other treasures handed down from the collection of his grandfather Ujisato.
ＳｕｎｇのＨｕｉ Ｔａｕｎｇ皇帝の絵やＢｏｄｈｉｄｈａｒａｍａの絵などと祖父の氏郷が集めた宝物も有りました。
In the alcove was a large bronze incense burner diffusing the sweet scent to the rare incense called ‘Shiba-bune,' and the banquet that was served to his Highness was of the best that land and sea could produce.
床の間には“芝舟”と呼ばれる珍しい香が銅香炉で焚かれ甘い香りをはなっていました。そして国中で他に類を見ないほどの高貴な祝宴が行われました。
After this repast they went into the garden and sat down to rest on some matting spread out under the cherry trees that were still flagrant with late blossoming flowers.
祝宴が終わると一行は庭を散策し、遅咲きのさくらの下に敷かれた毛氈に腰掛け休みました。
There was a lake of clear water fed by a running stream, its surface a-ripple in the breeze, and beside it a hill with a narrow path winding round it with here and there the print of stag's feet.
そこには滝から水が流れ澄んだ池があり、湖面は風によるさざなみが立ち、そして隣接した丘には小道があり絵画のようでした。
Everything suggested the deep clam of some mountain valley.
すべてが山奥の渓谷を表わしていました。
By a thicket stood a little tea-house.
茂みには小さな茶室があり。
It was thatched with cryptomeria bark and had pillars of bamboo.
それは杉皮ぶきの屋根に竹の縁台が置かれていました。
From a lion-shaped incense burner was wafted the scent if the incense called ‘First Note of the Cuckoo.'
獅子の形をした香炉からは“カッコウの訪れ”と言う香が炊かれていました。
Iemitsu sat down to rest for a while here and his eye fell upon a boy in patched working clothes apparently drowsing by the window.
家光はしばしそこに腰掛け、それは風に漂う様に歩いている一人の少年を見つけました。
It was just what you might see on a country road.
それはまさに故郷でした。
The Shogun was very delighted with the natural charm of it all, and asked if he could have a cup of tea, whereon the boy took down a gourd that hung on one of the pillars, poured out some tea-substitute and infused it and served it to Iemitsu, who praised its simple flavor and turned to depart, when the boy plucked him by the sleeve and asked for the tea-money.
将軍は自然の雰囲気に大変喜び、茶を所望、その少年は柱の一つにかけてあったひょうたんの瓶をとりそこにおきました。それを茶碗に注ぎいれ家光へ献上、飲むとさっぱりした味と風味から深いこくへ変化して行きました。少年がたもとに引き寄せお茶代を願いました。
More pleased than ever, the Shogun took his purse and gave it to the boy, feeling as though he were taking part in a play.
もちろん快諾し、将軍は巾着から小銭を彼に与え趣向に答えました。
After this incident Tadasato met him and conducted him to the tea-room where Cha-no-yu was given with Yorifusa and Takatora as fellow-guests.
この演出が終わると、忠郷は将軍を茶室へと案内し、水戸藩主頼房候と藤堂和泉守高虎候が同席し茶の湯が行われました。
After that was a performance of Sarugaku mimes, and after that another more elaborate banquet followed by an illumination of the garden in a most tasteful manner.
その後猿楽が催され、庭がとても荘厳な飾りに包まれる中祝宴が催されました。
The Shogun returned to the Castle highly delighted with the entertainment, but what pleased him most in the whole day was the incident of the wayside tea-house.
将軍はその歓待に感激して城へ戻り、道端の茶室の出来事が一番感動したとの事です。