Japanese female names, see my paper in the volume entitled Shadowings.

(2) Also spelled Edo, the former name of Tokyo.

THE STORY OF AOYAGI

(1) An ancient province corresponding to the northern part of
present-day Ishikawa Prefecture.

(2) An ancient province corresponding to the eastern part of
present-day Fukui Prefecture.

[1] The name signifies "Green Willow;"--though rarely met with, it is
still in use.

[2] The poem may be read in two ways; several of the phrases having a
double meaning. But the art of its construction would need considerable
space to explain, and could scarcely interest the Western reader. The
meaning which Tomotada desired to convey might be thus
expressed:--"While journeying to visit my mother, I met with a being
lovely as a flower; and for the sake of that lovely person, I am
passing the day here... Fair one, wherefore that dawn-like blush before
the hour of dawn?--can it mean that you love me?"

[3] Another reading is possible; but this one gives the signification
of the answer intended.

[4] So the Japanese story-teller would have us believe,--although the
verses seem commonplace in translation. I have tried to give only their
general meaning: an effective literal translation would require some
scholarship.

JIU-ROKU-ZAKURA

(1) Present-day Ehime Prefecture.

THE DREAM OF AKINOSUKE

(1) Present-day Nara Prefecture.

[1] This name "Tokoyo" is indefinite. According to circumstances it
may signify any unknown country,--or that undiscovered country from
whose bourn no traveler returns,--or that Fairyland of far-eastern
fable, the Realm of Horai. The term "Kokuo" means the ruler of a
country,--therefore a king. The original phrase, Tokoyo no Kokuo, might
be rendered here as "the Ruler of Horai," or "the King of Fairyland."

[2] The last phrase, according to old custom, had to be uttered by
both attendants at the same time. All these ceremonial observances can
still be studied on the Japanese stage.

[3] This was the name given to the estrade, or dais, upon which a
feudal prince or ruler sat in state. The term literally signifies
"great seat."

RIKI-BAKA

(1) Kana: the Japanese phonetic alphabet.

(2) "So-and-so": appellation used by Hearn in place of the real name.

(3) A section of Tokyo.

[1] A square piece of cotton-goods, or other woven material, used as a
wrapper in which to carry small packages.

(4) Ten yen is nothing now, but was a