there was much gladness between the sea king and the happy hunter, and they sat and talked for a long time. at last the sea king clapped his hands, and then a huge retinue of fishes appeared, all robed in ceremonial garments, and bearing in their fins various trays on which all kinds of sea delicacies were served. a great feast was now spread before the king and his royal guest. all the fishes-in-waiting were chosen from amongst the finest fish in the sea, so you can imagine what a wonderful array of sea creatures it was that waited upon the happy hunter that day. all in the palace tried to do their best to please him and to show him that he was a much honored guest. during the long repast, which lasted for hours, ryn jin commanded his daughters to play some music, and the two princesses came in and performed on the koto (the japanese harp), and sang and danced in turns. the time passed so pleasantly that the happy hunter seemed to forget his trouble and why he had come at all to the sea king's realm, and he gave himself up to the enjoyment of this wonderful place, the land of fairy fishes! who has ever heard of such a marvelous place? but the mikoto soon remembered what had brought him to ryn gu, and said to his host: