In one of the poems of the famous Bashō it is said:—

This poem is considered to be written in praise of the virtue of the evergreen solitary pine-tree which is inferior to the flowers on a cloudy night. Tamakoto may be favourably compared to this pine-tree of Karasaki (which is a universally recognized symbol of virtue), as she is described to us as “a model of sincere, charitable, and charming womanhood, whose graceful manner and delightful conversational power lifted her high above the other women of her class.” Owing to these unique and sterling qualities she became the most popular of all the courtesans of the Yoshiwara. The custom of depositing a leaf of a “naki” tree in the back of the handle of the mirrors used by ladies in making their toilettes, was inaugurated by Tamakoto. It was afterwards followed by many ladies of high rank. In feudal days the sword was called “the living soul of the samurai,” and a lady’s mirror was also considered as equally precious and important to her. The depositing of a leaf of the “naki” tree in the mirror handle appears to have had a religious significance, as the naki tree is said to have been the sacred tree of the shrine of Idzu Dai-Gongen, in Hakone, Idzu province. It was believed that the Hakone Gongen was the deity who supervised the carrying out of promises made between the sexes, and therefore the naki leaf placed within the mirror handle was equivalent to a pledge to the gods that the owner of the mirror would be faithful to men and never utter a falsehood. While she was yet in the prime of life Tamakoto fell sick and returned to her parents’ home,[268] where, in spite of everything done to restore her to health, she departed this life and “set out on her journey to the unknown world” in the 25th year of her age. During her life this accomplished woman composed a lyric song entitled “The Sorrowful Butterfly” which was afterwards set to music by Ranshu and sung in loving memory of the gentle authoress. (Brief sketches of the lives of famous courtesans./The nightless city; or, The “history of the Yoshiwara Yūkwaku/J. E. De Becker)