Page images
PDF
EPUB

the difficulty of 'Kan' lies in front, and the strong 'Ken' at its verge is going to wade the water but going on very carefully. The 'Lineation' says, 'Positive III is waiting in the mud; and invites invaders.' This 'Positive III' is at the end of the lower complement and nearest to the difficulty' of the upper complement; that is, it is occupying the most dangerous position. But the 'Interpretation' says, 'the danger lies outside.' Now I think from this that the so-called 'difficulty or danger' is not that of Yokosuka, but quite different from it. You are a prudent person and are not probable to escape from the prison, nor to commit any other crime. your difficulty will perhaps be a sickness. The ‘Interpretation' further says, 'If he be cautious, he will be exempt from ruin.' You will take care of yourself as well as you can.'

[ocr errors]

Then

Secondly, for Shūzo, the "Positive II" of "Tei (

[ocr errors]

"A three-legged kettle is full. The enemy is sick, and is unable to approach [Positive II]. Lucky.' The three-legged kettle is an important vessel which can not easily be shifted, the more heavy as it is filled with its contents here. We have the change of 'wind' into a 'mountain,' which is always stationary. I thus see that your body will not be shifted to anywhere else. He who wants to move you is your enemy' who must be strong and healthy in order to move the heavy you. But the enemy is sick.' He has no power to move you. Then do not be troubled with the Yokosuka affair; you will not be sent anywhere."

[ocr errors]

Thirdly, for myself, the "Negative V” of “Gon (♬ ," which says, "Negative V stops at the mouth. There is order in his words. Remorse disappears.' Having obtained this, I could not make it out instantly. After a good while of deliveration, I was able to master its meaning, thus:

66

[ocr errors]

"Stops at the mouth' means not to speak in vain. The whole Lineation' then means that I shall obtain the confidence of a certain officer by speaking something rational, and will be set free."

We were then waiting for the appearance of the counterparts of the divinations, and we were satisfied at last. Katsuzō was taken ill and was difficulty saved by the care of Shūzo from a state of imminent danger. Shūzo was not sent down to Yokosuka, as there was a change among the officers. I divined the fortune of Mr. Juichiro Wada, Judge, and as what I said was strictly rational, I was set free before the expiration of my term.

SUICIDE OF MR. GOICHI NAKANO.

Mr. G. Nakano was an acquaintance of mine, who lived in Osaka. Newspapers announced that he committed suicide, and it was rumoured everywhere. I was astonished by this unexpected event. "A wise man as he is," I said to myself, "how could he happen to be so pressed as to die such a pitiful death! There might have been some other means of accommodation, had it been stated to me before he died." I was then taken into a melancholy reflection, when a friend came to me with the same news, and we were for some time attracted towards the doubtful cause of his death. My friend asked me to divine, and on divining, I obtained the " Negative VI" of "Ju ()," which says, "Negative VI enters a hole; three uninvited visitors will come; lucky in the end, if they be treated with respect."

"As Mr. Nakano is a merchant, the phrase ' enters a hole' will mean that he engaged in a mining industry. Again, from the phrase, 'three uninvited visitors will come,' perhaps he was disappointed in his attempts.

Perhaps, he could not pay all the expenses and the debt of the capital, while the term expired. Thus he was pressed hard by his creditors and went mad, and killed himself. 'Kan' intimates increase of woe and also sickness of heart, and 'Son' is the emblem of wind. Thus, he must have been taken by an insanity. Again this hexagram is one intimating the 'floating of spirits,' or the emblem of madness."

Afterwards I was told that the cause of his suicide was exactly the same as was pointed out through my divination.

[ocr errors]

VI. SHÔ ( Lawsuit).

Shô. Suffering from wrong though conforming with veracity; lucky, when the spirit of modesty leads to an early conclusion [of the suit]; unlucky, when [the suit] is prosecuted to the last; advantageous to see great men; disadvan

tageous to wade a large river.

Exposition. Sho is composed of a resolute complement above and of an insidious complement below. Insidiousness and stoutness constitute the conditions of a lawsuit. 66 'Suffering from wrong, though conforming to veracity; lucky, when the spirit of modesty leads to an early conclusion of [the suit] "because a resolute [element] comes and occupies a middle position. "Unlucky, when [the suit] is prosecuted to the last,”— because a lawsuit ought not, from its very nature, to be brought to its final issue. "Advantageous to see great men "-because what are wanted are impartiality and justice. "Disadvantageous to wade a large river"because to do so one would get into the deep water.

Interpretation. The heaven and water running in opposite directions, are [the emblem of] Shô. Upon undertaking anything, honourable men will, therefore, deliberately arrange matters from the beginning.

Negative I. Represents what does not stick long to any undertaking, and is somewhat liable to murmurs, but is lucky in the end.

Interpretation. [Negative I] does not stick long to any undertaking," because the lawsuit ought not to be maintained for any long period of time. There will be some murmurs, but a plain explanation will be obtained.

Positive II. Is unable to maintain the suit, and goes home and flies away; but the three hundred families in the village are free from any calamity.

Interpretation. Being unable to maintain the suit, [Positive II] goes home and hides himself by flying. The suit has been instituted by an inferior against a superior: hence [Positive III] has invited a calamity.

Negative III. Returns to his original profession; lucky in the end, when there is constancy, though involving some danger. If he engages himself in the king's affairs, he will accomplish nothing.

Interpretation.

To return to one's original profession, is lucky, because it implies obedience to the superior.

Positive IV. Is unable to maintain the suit, turns back and submits to reason; lucky, if he changes his mind and remains constant.

Interpretation.

To turn back and submit to reason, and to change one's mind and remain constant-these expressions signify freedom from errors.

Positive V. The suit will be perfectly lucky. Interpretation. "The suit will be perfectly lucky," on account of modesty and justice.

Positive VI. A robe of state may be bestowed on [the Positive VI]; but it will be thrice revoked before the morning passes away.

Interpretation.

When a robe of state is obtained

by means of a lawsuit, it is entitled to no respect.

« PreviousContinue »