had a hereditary reputation for learning. Nomi no Sukune,
deified as the patron of wrestlers and potters, was one of
his ancestors. Through him Michizane traced his descent
up to the Sun-Goddess herself. As a child he was fond of
study, and at an early age his knowledge of Chinese was
such that he was appointed to entertain an ambassador
from China. Being ordered by the Mikado to pray for
rain, he observed the rules of ritual purity for several days,
and then prepared a form of prayer to the God of Hakusan
(Izanagi), which had the desired effect He established a
system of national education, and therefore became known
as the " Father of letters." On reaching his fiftieth year he
received congratulations and a present of gold dust from a
genie. Soon afterwards he was made Prime Minister. In
901, owing to the calumnies of a rival statesman, he fell
into unmerited disgrace and was banished to Kiushiu. On
his departure he addressed the following lines to a plum
tree in his garden : —

When the east wind* blows.
Emit thy perfume
Oh thou plum-blossom ;
Forget not the spring.
Because thy master is away.
