STAFF

Too busy to properly miss or mourn his daughter

The governor of  Satsuma conjured up a servant

To do it for him. He took her on as an attendant,

Paying her from his own funds. Every evening

He wrote in her diary, imagining as best he could

The tender love between the two women. The servant –

He named her Hatsusebe, after the princess –

Outlived the governor by seventeen months.

Her imaginary ashes rest in the family tomb.