Emperor Chiū-ai (Part VIII.—The Empress Jin-gō Presents Liquor to the Heir Apparent)

Basil Hall Chamberlain, 1882 · 3 paragraphs · Read at the source

102.1Hereupon, when the [Heir Apparent] returned up [to the Capital], his august parent, Her Augustness Princess Okinaga-tarashi, distilled some waiting-liquor, and presented it to him. Then his august parent sang augustly, saying: “This august liquor is not my august liquor:—oh! it is august liquor respectfully brought as a divine congratulation, a repeated congratulation, a bountiful congratulation, a reiterated congratulation, by the Small August Deity, who dwells eternally, firmly standing. Partake not shallowly! Go on! go on!”

102.2Having thus sung, she presented to him the great august liquor. Then His Augustness the Noble Take-uchi replied for the august child and sang, saying: “Whatever person distilled this august liquor must surely have distilled it singing the while with that drum on the mortar,—must surely have distilled it dancing the while, for this august liquor, august liquor, to be ever more and more joyful. Go on! go on!”

102.3These are Drinking Songs.