Set up, electrotyped, and published April, 1904. Reprinted April, 1904. Norwood Press J. S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood. Mass., U.S.A. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contents CHAPTER PAGE Before the Story’s Action 13 I. The Child of the Sun 25 II. An Emperor’s Promise 41 III. Masago 53 IV. A Betrothal 67 V. Gossip of the Court 77 VI. The Princess Sado-ko 87 VII. The Picture by the Artist-man 101 VIII. A Sentimental Princess 113 IX. Moon Tryst 127 X. Cousin Komatzu 147 XI. A Mirror and a Photograph 163 XII. Mists of Kamakura 175 XIII. Daughters of Nijo 189 XIV. Solution of the Gods 199 XV. The Change 211 XVI. A Family Council 229 XVII. The New Masago 243 XVIII. A Mother Blind 255 XIX. Within the Palace Nijo 267 XX. An Evil Omen 281 XXI. “You are not Sado-ko!” 295 XXII. The Coming Home of Junzo 309 XXIII. The Convalescent 321 XXIV. A Royal Proclamation 335 XXV. The Eve of a Wedding 347 XXVI. Masago’s Return 359 XXVII. A Gracious Princess at Last 377 XXVIII “THE GODS KNEW BEST!” 389 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Illustrations “She did not speak to the attendant Frontispiece while she dined, but continued to stare before her through the open shoji” “A score of ripe cherries descended upon 35 her head” “‘Look,’ cried Sado-ko, clutching his 143 sleeve” Mists of Kamakura 183 “Then up and down the room in the long, 217 trailing robe of Princess Sado-ko, walked, peacock-like, the maiden Masago” “Then soft alighted on a cherry tree, 223 and filled the air with its sweet song” “She met his eyes, then flushed and 331 trembled” “Between the parted shoji, she stood 365 like one uncertain” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DAUGHTERS OF NIJO ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration] Daughters of Nijo BEFORE THE STORY’S ACTION IN the early part of the year of the Restoration there lived within the Province of Echizen a young farmer named Yamada Kwacho. Although he belonged only to the agricultural class, he was known and honored throughout the entire province, for at one time he had saved the life of the Daimio of the province, the powerful Lord of Echizen, premier to the shogunate. In spite of the favor of the Daimio of the province, Yamada Kwacho made no effort to rise above the class to which he had been born. Satisfied with his estate, he was proud of his simple and honest calling. So the Lord of Echizen, having no opportunity of repaying the young farmer for his service, contented himself perforce with a promise that if at any time Yamada Kwacho should require his aid, he would not fail him. Kwacho, therefore, lived happily in the knowledge of his prince’s favor; and since he possessed an excellent little farm which yielded him a comfortable living, he had few cares. He had reached the age of twenty-five years before he began to cast about him for a wife. Because of his renown in the province, Kwacho might have chosen a maiden of much higher rank than his own; but, being of a sensible mind and nature, he sought a bride within his own class. He found her in the person of little Ohano, the daughter of a neighboring farmer. She was as plump, rosy, and pretty as is possible for a Japanese maiden. Moreover, she was docile and gentle by temperament, and had all the admirable domestic virtues attractive to the eye of a youth of the character of Yamada Kwacho. Though their courtship was brief, their wedding was splendid, for the Prince of Echizen himself bestowed upon them gifts with all good wishes and congratulations....