Heredia knows Japan only through pictures, armour, objects of art in museums, paintings and carvings.

Remembering this, I think that you will find that he does wonderfully well.

It is true that he puts a woman in one of his pictures, but I think that his management of his subject is very much nearer the truth than that of almost any writer who has attempted to describe old Japan.

And you must understand that the following sonnet is essentially intended to be a picture--to produce upon the mind exactly the same effect that a picture does, with the addition of such life as poetry can give.
LE SAMOURAI D'un doigt distrait frolant la sonore biva, A travers les bambous tresses en fine latte, Elle a vu, par la plage eblouissante et plate, S'avancer le vainqueur que son amour reva.
C'est lui.

Sabres au flanc, l'eventail haut, il va.
La cordeliere rouge et le gland ecarlate Coupent l'armure sombre, et, sur l'epaule, eclate Le blazon de Hizen ou de Tokungawa.
Ce beau guerrier vetu de lames et de plaques, Sous le bronze, la soie et les brillantes laques, Semble un crustace noir, gigantesque et vermeil.
Il l'a vue.