Sanuki no Suke’s Diary (13)

 

     When dawn broke, the Minister of Interior arrived.  It seemed as though an important matter was about to take place on Retired Emperor Shirakawa's behalf.  Since it would be considered inappropriate for me to be nearby, I retreated and went to sleep.  The minister recounted the details.  "Perhaps it was about the abdication," I surmised.  After finishing his recounting, the minister approached where I was lying down and,

"Go to his side," he said, before leaving.

     The high priests of Enryaku-ji Temple had been summoned since yesterday, and the 12 of them were there, chanting incantations with loud voices, which was quite an impressive sight.  Hitting upon no better way, the Emperor summoned the Minister of the Interior and said, "Tell the Retired Emperor to summon Priest Gyoson (1055-1135), as he had asked me to summon the priest when I was ill last year."  Gyoson wasted no time and immediately arrived.  The Emperor summoned him to his sickbed and had him offer prayers.  The priests of Mii-dera Temple always venerate the Sutra of the Thousand Arms, so Gyoson recited it with great reverence.  Hearing him gently recite the phrase, "May your troubles be eliminated and your life be lengthened," is truly reassuring.  Perhaps because so many virtuous priests had come to pray for the Emperor, spirits appeared, determined not to be outdone, and loudly introducing themselves as Priest Ryumei (1019-1104) and Monk Raigo (1002-1084), saying,

"After your visit last year, we have longed to see you again, but you are not benevolent enough to visit us, so we are warning you."  The Emperor replied,

"If my health had been good these past two or three years, I would have gone on a royal visit.  But I have not been able to even go to nearby places.  If I am cured of this illness, I will definitely make it happen within the year."

     And from this point on, the Emperor looked suffering more and more.