If he follows

Positive III. Is not over-cautious. [Negative VI], he may be injured; unlucky.

Interpretation. "If he follows [Negative VI], he will be injured; unlucky." What can be done?

Positive IV. Is free from blame. He does not pass by [Negative V] and meets [Negative I]. Dangerous, if he advances. He is dissuaded. Do not use permanency and constancy.

Interpretation. "He does not pass by [Negative V] and meets [Negative I]," because his position is improp"Dangerous, if he advances. He is dissuaded,"

er.

and he can not endure long.

Negative V. Dense clouds, but without rain. They come from our western outskirts. The prince gets with

bow that which lies in the hole.

Interpretation.

"Dense clouds, but without rain,"

because they have risen up very high.

Negative VI. Does not meet [Negative V], but is beyond him. A flying bird flies away from [its nest]. Unlucky. It is calamitous.

Interpretation. [Negative VI] does not meet [Negative V], but is beyond him "—that is, the former is very proud.

EXAMPLES.

PETITION OF MR. KIKAKUDO.

When I was at Ikaho to keep myself from the hot weather in July, 1885, Mr. Kikakudō, a Haikai poet (Haikai, a verse of 7 syllables, and Waka, one of 31 syllables) of Tōkyō came to see me in my hotel, and said, "It gives me a great pain to see the Haikai forsaken by the people since the Revolution, except a few, now-a

days, who are however not yet influential enough to make it flourishing. The Imperial Household keeps a meeting of Waka every New-year, and even the common people can offer their excellent Waka to His and Her Majesties; but nothing of that kind happens in Haikai. I am now going to offer a petition of adding Haikai into the subjects which are published every New-year; as the Haika is only a modification of the Waka and nothing else. I have been told that you are very well versed in the art of divination. Please divine whether my petition will be adopted or not. I consented, and on divining for him, I obtained the "Negative II of “Shôkwa (›J、jä H).'

"This hexagram has no positives in the second and in the fifth, and represents a want of substantial power, as is the case with any other similar hexagram. Waka, Haikai, and other poems were, in olden times, the means by which faithful subjects were abled to warn their masters of their wrongs indirectly, as it very often happend that to advice them directly was rather impolite and dangerous. The Haikai was the most effective means for this purpose, as a single piece is worth thousands of words. But these poems have become lately misunderstood by the people, and now they are considered as a sort of pastimes. At present, the Government has been greatly improved, and a free gateway for petitions and views has been opened to all, so that there is no more fear of advices being disregarded. Thus indirect means of advising is become unnecessary, and the decline of the Haikai is an unavoidable consequence.

"The 'Exposition' says, 'Shôkwa has the figure of a flying bird,' which represents the Haikai's being an implement of pastimes and wanting in substantiality. Now, the most favourable condition in political administration is that of an agreement between the Government and the people to each other. The means for executing

this are not limited to petitions and

views only, but Waka and Haikai can be as effective. It will be proper for the Government to demand for them, but not to apply from the lower people. It says thus, 'It is not suitable for ascending, but it is suitable for descending. Very lucky, for to descend is obedient while to ascend is refractory.'

The Negative II' 'Passes by his grand father, but meets his grand mother. He does not see the Sovereign, but meets the latter's minister. Free from blame.' It will be seen from this that the petition is to be offered not to the Emperor, but either to the Empress or to the Imperial mother, or still better to the Cabinet President, or Ministers. The principle of the 'Eki' is thus, and how do you think of it?”

The guest was struck with the reasonable principles of the 'Eki' and he went away with an expression of utmost admiration.

PETITION OF THE SHINTOISTS' CLUB.

One day in June of 1886, I visited the Shintoists' Club, where I saw all the governors of Shintoism assembled. One of them said to me, "We are all assembled to offer a petition on a late secret order of the Home Department. You are come in a very good time, please divine whether we shall succeed or not.' I divined the "Positive IV" of "Shô-kwa ()]).'

"In this hexagram, the youngest son of 'Gon' is staying below and the eldest son of 'Shin' above; or it is the representation of a brotherly love. But as the 'Positive IV' is changed, the one is too old, and then the love will not be pervading through the heart. Again this hexagram is not positive in the second and the fifth line, so that it represents a want of substantial

power. Once more, the lower complement fixed and the upper changed, and it represents them as refusing our requests. From these, it will be seen that to offer a petition is in vain, as our heart can not be communicated to them. This hexagram has an emblem also of a flying bird, so that they are looking upon us, as a poet would admire excellent poems. The 'Exposition' says, 'It is not suitable for ascending, but it is suitable for descending, so that as the petition can not be acceped, it is far better to call on an important officer in an ordinary way and tell him of your real condition. If so, your petition will perhaps be successful.

HAHI

LXIII. KI-SEI (Consummation).

Ki-sei. Is somewhat auspicious. Advantageous to be constant. Lucky at first, but disturbed in the end.

Exposition. Ki-sei is auspicious, that is, it is auspicious in small things. "Advantageous to be constant," because the strong and weak elements are just and their positions are proper. "Lucky at first," because a weak element occupies a middle position. When the end is accompanied by a stand-still, disorders will follow, that is, the thing will come to an embarrassed state.

Interpretation.

Water lying above fire is [the emblem of] Ki-sei. Honourable nien accordingly think of calamities and take precautions against them.

Positive I. Draws back the wheel, and gets his tail Free from blame.

wet.

Interpretation. "[Positive I] draws back the wheel,” and he ought to be free from blame.

Negative II. A woman loses the blind of her carriage. She does not search after it. But it is recovered in seven days.

Interpretation. "It is recovered in seven days" because [Negative II] follows a middle course.

Positive III. Kô-sô [a wise king of the Dynasty of In] attacked Kihô and defeated it in three years. Smallminded men must not use armies.

Interpretation. "Defeated it in three years,"-this shows that troops have become tired.

Negative IV. It leaks and rags are used. Warning is observed the whole day.