title: In the Realm of a Dying Emperor: Japan at Century's End
author: Norma Field
description: "Well-researched, well-observed and completely absorbing...an important and necessary book." -- The New York Times Book Review<br /><br />"Remarkable...a vivid, taut, graceful piece of writing...with enormous power."-- James Fallows, The Atlantic<br /><br />"Marvelous...Field uncovers a Japan rarely seen or acknowledged by Westerners, a Japan of individual expression, active dissent -- even open rebellion."-- Village Voice Literary Supplement<br /><br />"Superb...one of the most important books...on Japanese who refuse to conform." -- Ian Buruma, The New York Review of Books
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  [Contents](1597801216_toc.htm)
  
  # **FIFTY-NINE**
  
  Heaven was tearing down all around, shreds and tatters of beauty streaming
  away in the winds between the worlds, and Seijin could sense it now, the
  chilly nearness of home. A golden banner whipped by, followed by a young
  woman. She was dressed in white, her feet tightly bound, and she was smiling
  beneath her glossily lacquered helmet of hair. Her palms were together, as if
  praying. She smiled, bowed, and was whirled up into the rising storm.
  
  Seijin now stood on a little bridge, looking down into chaos. The Emperor was
  behind this: Mhara's presence--calm, implacable, _working_ --was very clear:
  Seijin could taste his spells on the wind and they were strong and sweet. They
  burst into ashes in the assassin's mouth, like the taste of failure. Once more
  Seijin howled, any semblance of control gone, as the Emperor dismantled Heaven
  all around and sent Seijin spinning down.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chen