One day, that Chobei went to divert himself in a tea-house in the Yoshiwara, he saw a felt carpet spread in an upper room, which had been adorned as for some special occasion; and he asked the master of the house what guest of distinction was expected.  The landlord replied that my Lord Jiurozayemon, the chief of the Otokodate of the Hatamotos, was due there that afternoon.  On hearing this, Chobei replied that as he much wished to meet my Lord Jiurozayemon, he would lie down and await his coming.  The landlord was put out at this, and knew not what to say; but yet he dare not thwart Chobei, the powerful chief of the Otokodate.  So Chobei took off his clothes and laid himself down upon the carpet.  After a while my Lord Jiurozayemon arrived, and going upstairs found a man of large stature lying naked upon the carpet which had been spread for him.

“What low ruffian is this?” shouted he angrily to the landlord.

“My lord, it is Chobei, the chief of the Otokodate,” answered the man, trembling.

Jiurozayemon at once suspected that Chobei was doing this to insult him; so he sat down by the side of the sleeping man, and lighting his pipe began to smoke.  When he had finished his pipe, he emptied the burning ashes into Chobei’s navel; but Chobei, patiently bearing the pain, still feigned sleep.  Ten times did Jiurozayemon fill his pipe,[22] and ten times he shook out the burning ashes on to Chobei’s navel; but he neither stirred nor spoke.  Then Jiurozayemon, astonished at his fortitude, shook him, and roused him, saying—­

“Chobei!  Chobei! wake up, man.”

“What is the matter?” said Chobei, rubbing his eyes as though he were awaking from a deep sleep; then seeing Jiurozayemon, he pretended to be startled, and said, “Oh, my lord, I know not who you are; but I have been very rude to your lordship.  I was overcome with wine, and fell asleep:  I pray your lordship to forgive me.”

“Is your name Chobei?”

“Yes, my lord, at your service.  A poor wardsman, and ignorant of good manners, I have been very rude; but I pray your lordship to excuse my ill-breeding.”

“Nay, nay; we have all heard the fame of Chobei, of Bandzuin, and I hold myself lucky to have met you this day.  Let us be friends.”

“It is a great honour for a humble wardsman to meet a nobleman face to face.”

[Footnote 22:  The tiny Japanese pipe contains but two or three whiffs; and as the tobacco is rolled up tightly in the fingers before it is inserted, the ash, when shaken out, is a little fire-ball from which a second pipe is lighted.]

As they were speaking, the waitresses brought in fish and wine, and Jiurozayemon pressed Chobei to feast with him; and thinking to annoy Chobei, offered him a large wine-cup,[23] which, however, he drank without shrinking, and then returned to his entertainer, who was by no means so well able to bear the fumes of the wine.  Then Jiurozayemon hit upon another device for annoying Chobei, and, hoping to frighten him, said—­