Sanuki no Suke’s Diary (4)

 

     When I gave the Emperor a little porridge, he had it, and the joy I felt was indescribable.  "Is any minister available?" he asked, and upon hearing his request, the Chancellor entered through the curtain and explained his presence.  Then the Emperor asked, "Has the Cloistered Emperor finished his visit?"  The Chancellor replied, "Yes, he has."  The Emperor then replied, "Go to the Cloistered Emperor and tell him, 'Nothing will have any effect on me.  I would, however, like you to perform the nine-altar homa and a penance ritual at Sonsho-ji Temple.  These must be performed.  Also, anything you wish to do, you should do it tonight.  I do not think I will survive until tomorrow or the day after.'"  The Chancellor replied, "A homa is too much," to which the Emperor replied, "What are you saying?  I am in such a critical condition."  The Chancellor was very sad at it, pressing the sleeve of his formal attire over his face, and left the room.  What must the wetnurses think if they heard this?  The Chancellor returned to the Emperor from the Cloistered Emperor's residence and reported the Cloistered Emperor's reply, saying, "Then, I will do so.  The Emperor had the same intention last year and the year before, but the Crown Prince was still too young, and I have left it as it is until today."  The Emperor responded, "Any decision must be made by the end of tonight," and, for the first time, I realized that he was referring to the abdication.