incongruity¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡humor¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡new¡¡¡¡¡¡year¡¡¡¡¡¡exists¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Far¡¡
East£»¡¡on¡¡the¡¡other¡¡band£»¡¡the¡¡calendar¡¡is¡¡made¡¡to¡¡fit¡¡the¡¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Men¡¡begin¡¡
to¡¡reckon¡¡their¡¡year¡¡some¡¡three¡¡weeks¡¡later¡¡than¡¡the¡¡Western¡¡world£»¡¡just¡¡as¡¡
the¡¡plum¡tree¡¡opens¡¡its¡¡pink¡¡white¡¡petals£»¡¡as¡¡it¡¡were£»¡¡in¡¡rosy¡¡reflection¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡snow¡¡that¡¡lies¡¡yet¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡ground¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡the¡¡coldness¡¡of¡¡the¡¡weather¡¡
does¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡least¡¡¡¡¡¡deter¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡thronging¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spot¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
trees¡¡¡¡¡¡grow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡spend¡¡¡¡¡¡hours¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡admiration£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡end¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡pinning¡¡
appropriate¡¡¡¡¡¡poems¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡twigs¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡later¡¡¡¡¡¡comers¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡peruse¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Fleeting¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡
the¡¡flowers¡¡are¡¡in¡¡fact£»¡¡they¡¡live¡¡forever¡¡in¡¡fancy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡they¡¡constitute¡¡one¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡commonest¡¡¡¡¡¡motifs¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡both¡¡¡¡¡¡painting¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡poetry¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡branch¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡
breaking¡¡into¡¡bloom¡¡seen¡¡against¡¡the¡¡sunrise¡¡sky£»¡¡or¡¡a¡¡bough¡¡bending¡¡its¡¡
blossoms¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bosom¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡stream£»¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡subject¡¡¡¡¡¡enough¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡greatest¡¡
masters£»¡¡who¡¡thus¡¡wed£»¡¡as¡¡it¡¡were£»¡¡two¡¡arts¡¡in¡¡one£»the¡¡spirit¡¡of¡¡poesy¡¡with¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡67¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡68¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Soul¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Far¡¡East¡¡
pictorial¡¡form¡£¡¡This¡¡plum¡tree¡¡is¡¡but¡¡a¡¡blossom¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Precocious¡¡harbinger¡¡of¡¡
a¡¡host¡¡of¡¡flowers£»¡¡its¡¡gay¡¡heralding¡¡over£»¡¡it¡¡vanishes¡¡not¡¡to¡¡be¡¡recalled£»¡¡for¡¡
it¡¡bears¡¡no¡¡edible¡¡fruit¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡next¡¡event¡¡in¡¡the¡¡series¡¡might¡¡fairly¡¡be¡¡called¡¡phenomenal¡£¡¡Early¡¡
in¡¡April¡¡takes¡¡place¡¡what¡¡is¡¡perhaps¡¡as¡¡superb¡¡a¡¡sight¡¡as¡¡anything¡¡in¡¡this¡¡
world£»¡¡the¡¡blossoming¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cherry¡trees¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Indeed£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡not¡¡easy¡¡to¡¡do¡¡the¡¡
thing¡¡¡¡¡¡justice¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡description¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡plum¡¡¡¡¡¡invited¡¡¡¡¡¡admiration£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cherry¡¡
commands¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sakura¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡flower¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡to¡¡
experience¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡new¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sensation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Familiar¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cherry¡¡
blossoms¡¡at¡¡home£»¡¡the¡¡sight¡¡there¡¡bursts¡¡upon¡¡him¡¡with¡¡the¡¡dazzling¡¡effect¡¡
of¡¡a¡¡revelation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Such¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡profusion¡¡of¡¡flowers¡¡that¡¡the¡¡tree¡¡seems¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡living¡¡¡¡¡¡mass¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡rosy¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡leaves¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡break¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
brilliance¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡snowy¡pink¡¡¡¡¡¡petals¡¡¡¡¡¡drape¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡branches¡¡¡¡¡¡entirely£»¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡
delicately£»¡¡one¡¡deems¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡all¡¡a¡¡veil¡¡donned¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡the¡¡tree's¡¡nuptials¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
spring¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡completely¡¡¡¡¡¡personify¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spirit¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
spring¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡can¡¡almost¡¡fancy¡¡it¡¡some¡¡dryad¡¡decked¡¡for¡¡her¡¡bridal£»¡¡
in¡¡maidenly¡¡day¡dreaming¡¡too¡¡lovely¡¡to¡¡last¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡like¡¡the¡¡plum¡¡the¡¡cherry¡¡
fails¡¡in¡¡its¡¡fruit¡¡to¡¡fulfil¡¡the¡¡promise¡¡of¡¡its¡¡flower¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡would¡¡be¡¡strange¡¡indeed¡¡if¡¡so¡¡much¡¡beauty¡¡received¡¡no¡¡recognition£»¡¡
but¡¡it¡¡is¡¡even¡¡more¡¡strange¡¡that¡¡recognition¡¡should¡¡be¡¡so¡¡complete¡¡and¡¡so¡¡
universal¡¡as¡¡it¡¡is¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Appreciation¡¡is¡¡not¡¡confined¡¡to¡¡the¡¡cultivated¡¡few£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡
shown¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡enthusiastically¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡masses¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡popularity¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
plants¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡embracing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡common¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡sensitive¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡
beauty¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡upper¡¡¡¡¡¡classes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Private¡¡¡¡¡¡gratification£»¡¡¡¡¡¡roseate¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is£»¡¡
pales¡¡beside¡¡the¡¡public¡¡delight¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Indeed£»¡¡not¡¡content¡¡with¡¡what¡¡revelation¡¡
Nature¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡makes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡herself¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡accord£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡multiplied¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
manifestations¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Spots¡¡suitable¡¡to¡¡their¡¡growth¡¡have¡¡been¡¡peopled¡¡by¡¡him¡¡
with¡¡¡¡¡¡trees¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sometimes¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡stand¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡groups¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡star¡clusters£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡Oji£»¡¡
crowning¡¡a¡¡hill£»¡¡sometimes£»¡¡as¡¡at¡¡Mukojima£»¡¡they¡¡line¡¡an¡¡avenue¡¡for¡¡miles£»¡¡
dividing¡¡the¡¡blue¡¡river¡¡on¡¡the¡¡one¡¡hand¡¡from¡¡the¡¡blue¡green¡¡rice¡fields¡¡on¡¡
the¡¡other£»a¡¡¡¡¡¡floral¡¡milky¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡of¡¡light¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡wherever¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡trees¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡be£»¡¡
there¡¡at¡¡their¡¡flowering¡¡season¡¡are¡¡to¡¡be¡¡found¡¡throngs¡¡of¡¡admirers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡
in¡¡crowds¡¡people¡¡go¡¡out¡¡to¡¡see¡¡the¡¡sight£»¡¡multitudes¡¡streaming¡¡incessantly¡¡
to¡¡and¡¡fro¡¡beneath¡¡their¡¡blossoms¡¡as¡¡the¡¡time¡¡of¡¡day¡¡determines¡¡the¡¡turn¡¡of¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡68¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡69¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Soul¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Far¡¡East¡¡
the¡¡human¡¡tide¡£¡¡To¡¡the¡¡Occidental¡¡stranger¡¡such¡¡a¡¡gathering¡¡suggests¡¡some¡¡
social¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡loadstone£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡none¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡exists¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cherry¡trees¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡alone¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lies¡¡¡¡the¡¡
attraction¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡one¡¡week¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fifty¡two¡¡the¡¡cherry¡tree¡¡stands¡¡thus¡¡glorified£»¡¡
a¡¡vision¡¡of¡¡beauty¡¡prolonged¡¡somewhat¡¡by¡¡the¡¡want¡¡of¡¡synchronousness¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡different¡¡kinds¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡the¡¡petals¡¡fall¡£¡¡What¡¡was¡¡a¡¡nuptial¡¡veil¡¡becomes¡¡
a¡¡winding¡sheet£»¡¡covering¡¡the¡¡sod¡¡as¡¡with¡¡winter's¡¡winding¡sheet¡¡of¡¡snow£»¡¡
destined¡¡itself¡¡to¡¡disappear£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡tree¡¡is¡¡nothing¡¡but¡¡a¡¡common¡¡cherry¡¡¡
tree¡¡once¡¡more¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡flowers¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡means¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡because¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cherry¡¡¡¡¡¡blossoms¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡
past¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡brief¡¡space£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡same¡¡crowds¡¡that¡¡flocked¡¡to¡¡the¡¡cherry¡¡turn¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wistaria¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Gardens¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡devoted¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡plants£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡populace¡¡
greatly¡¡given¡¡to¡¡the¡¡gardens¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡they¡¡go¡¡to¡¡sit¡¡and¡¡gaze¡¡at¡¡the¡¡grape¡¡¡
like¡¡clusters¡¡of¡¡pale¡¡purple¡¡flowers¡¡that¡¡hang¡¡more¡¡than¡¡a¡¡cubit¡¡long¡¡over¡¡
the¡¡wooden¡¡trellis£»¡¡and¡¡grow¡¡daily¡¡down¡¡toward¡¡their¡¡own¡¡reflections¡¡in¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡pond¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡beneath£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡vying¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡Narcissus¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡endeavor¡£¡¡
And¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡people£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡sip¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡tea¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡veranda¡¡¡¡¡¡opposite£»¡¡¡¡¡¡behold¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
doubled¡¡delight£»¡¡the¡¡flower¡¡itself¡¡and¡¡its¡¡mirrored¡¡image¡¡stretching¡¡to¡¡kiss¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wistaria¡¡¡¡¡¡comes¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tree¡peony£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡iris£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡
trefoil¡¡flowers¡¡broader¡¡than¡¡a¡¡man¡¡may¡¡span£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡all¡¡colors¡¡under¡¡the¡¡
sky¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡one¡¡who¡¡has¡¡seen¡¡the¡¡great¡¡Japanese¡¡fleur¡de¡lis£»¡¡France¡¡looks¡¡
ludicrously¡¡infelicitous¡¡in¡¡her¡¡choice¡¡of¡¡emblem¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡list¡¡¡¡¡¡grows¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡¡¡long£»¡¡¡¡¡¡limited¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡annual¡¡
repetition¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡have¡¡as¡¡yet¡¡reached¡¡but¡¡the¡¡first¡¡week¡¡in¡¡June£»¡¡the¡¡summer¡¡
and¡¡autumn¡¡are¡¡still¡¡to¡¡come£»¡¡the¡¡first¡¡bringing¡¡the¡¡lotus¡¡for¡¡its¡¡crown£»¡¡and¡¡
the¡¡second¡¡the¡¡chrysanthemum¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡lazily¡¡grand¡¡the¡¡lotus¡¡is£»¡¡itself¡¡the¡¡
embodiment¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spirit¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡drowsy¡¡August¡¡¡¡¡¡air£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡essence¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
Buddha¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡repose¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡castle¡¡¡¡¡¡moats¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡special¡¡¡¡¡¡domain£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
this¡¡its¡¡flowering¡¡season¡¡it¡¡wrests¡¡wholly¡¡from¡¡their¡¡more¡¡proper¡¡occupant¡¡¡
¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡dense¡¡¡¡¡¡growth¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡leather¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡leaves£»¡¡¡¡¡¡above¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡rise¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
majestic¡¡isolation¡¡the¡¡solitary¡¡flowers£»¡¡encircles¡¡the¡¡outer¡¡rampart£»¡¡shutting¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡castle¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡palace¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Sleeping¡¡¡¡¡¡Beauty¡£¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
delightful¡¡dreaminess¡¡that¡¡creeps¡¡over¡¡one¡¡as¡¡he¡¡stands¡¡thus¡¡before¡¡some¡¡
old¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡daimyo's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡former¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡abode¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡heart¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Japan£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡forgets¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡his¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡69¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡70¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Soul¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Far¡¡East¡¡
metaphysical¡¡difficulties¡¡about¡¡Nirvana£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡fancies¡¡he¡¡has¡¡found¡¡it£»¡¡one¡¡
long¡¡Lotus¡¡afternoon¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡last£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡sort¡¡¡¡¡¡first£»¡¡¡¡¡¡since¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
imperial¡¡insignia£»¡¡comes¡¡the¡¡chrysanthemum¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡symmetry¡¡of¡¡its¡¡shape¡¡
well¡¡fits¡¡it¡¡to¡¡symbolize¡¡the¡¡completeness¡¡of¡¡perfection¡¡which¡¡the¡¡Mikado£»¡¡
the¡¡son¡¡of¡¡heaven£»¡¡mundanely¡¡represents¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡typifies£»¡¡too£»¡¡the¡¡fullness¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡¡¡year£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡marks£»¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡were£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡golden¡¡¡¡¡¡wedding¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡spring£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
reminiscence¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡November¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡nuptials¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡May¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Its¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡color£»¡¡
however£»¡¡is¡¡not¡¡confined¡¡to¡¡gold¡£¡¡It¡¡may¡¡be¡¡of¡¡almost¡¡any¡¡hue¡¡and¡¡within¡¡
the¡¡general¡¡limits¡¡of¡¡a¡¡circle¡¡of¡¡any¡¡form¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡it¡¡is¡¡a¡¡chariot¡¡wheel¡¡with¡¡
petals¡¡for¡¡spokes£»¡¡now¡¡a¡¡ball¡¡of¡¡fire¡¡with¡¡lambent¡¡tongues¡¡of¡¡flame£»¡¡while¡¡
another¡¡kind¡¡seems¡¡the¡¡button¡¡of¡¡some¡¡natural¡¡legion¡¡of¡¡honor£»¡¡and¡¡still¡¡
another¡¡a¡¡pin¡wheel¡¡in¡¡Nature's¡¡own¡¡day¡fireworks¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Admired¡¡as¡¡a¡¡thing¡¡of¡¡beauty¡¡for¡¡its¡¡own¡¡sake£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡also¡¡used¡¡merely¡¡as¡¡
a¡¡material¡¡for¡¡artistic¡¡effects£»¡¡for¡¡among¡¡the¡¡quaintest¡¡of¡¡such¡¡conceits¡¡are¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Japanese¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jarley¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡chrysanthemum¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡works¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Every¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡November¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡
florists'¡¡¡¡¡¡gardens¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡share¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡temple¡¡¡¡¡¡grounds¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡Asakusa¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡
groups¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡historical¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mythological¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡figures¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡composed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡entirely¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
chrysanthemum¡¡¡¡¡¡flowers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡These¡¡¡¡¡¡effigies¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡worthy¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡comparison¡¡
with¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡London¡¡¡¡¡¡cousins£»¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡sufficiently¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡terrify¡¡¡¡¡¡children¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡startle¡¡¡¡¡¡anybody¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡suddenly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡turning¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡corner£»¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
colossal¡¡warrior£»¡¡deterrently¡¡uncouth¡¡and¡¡frightfully¡¡battle¡clad£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡act¡¡
of¡¡dispatching¡¡a¡¡fallen¡¡foe£»¡¡is¡¡a¡¡sensation¡¡not¡¡instantly¡¡dispelled¡¡by¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡
that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡flowers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡practice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡least£»¡¡¡¡¡¡bears¡¡¡¡¡¡witness¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡
artistic¡¡ingenuity¡¡of¡¡no¡¡mean¡¡merit£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡a¡¡horticulture¡¡ably¡¡carried¡¡on£»¡¡if¡¡
somewhat¡¡eccentrically¡¡applied¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡From¡¡the¡¡passing¡¡of¡¡the¡¡chrysanthemum¡¡dates¡¡the¡¡dead¡¡season¡£¡¡But¡¡it¡¡
is¡¡suitably¡¡short¡lived¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sometimes¡¡as¡¡early¡¡as¡¡November£»¡¡the¡¡plum¡tree¡¡is¡¡
already¡¡blossoming¡¡again¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Even¡¡from¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡imperfectly¡¡¡¡gathered¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡garland¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡that¡¡the¡¡
Japanese¡¡do¡¡not¡¡lack¡¡for¡¡opportunities¡¡to¡¡admire£»¡¡nor¡¡do¡¡they¡¡turn¡¡coldly¡¡
away¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡given¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Indeed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡live¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
chronic¡¡state¡¡of¡¡flower¡fever£»¡¡but¡¡in¡¡spite¡¡of¡¡the¡¡vast¡¡amount¡¡of¡¡admiration¡¡
which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡bestow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡plants£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡quantity¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡that¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
СÌáʾ£º°´ »Ø³µ [Enter] ¼ü ·µ»ØÊéÄ¿£¬°´ ¡û ¼ü ·µ»ØÉÏÒ»Ò³£¬ °´ ¡ú ¼ü ½øÈëÏÂÒ»Ò³¡£
ÔÞÒ»ÏÂ
Ìí¼ÓÊéÇ©¼ÓÈëÊé¼Ü