The Peach. The Dolls' Festival 19 



of longevity," and is a greater favorite in China than in 

 Japan. It is generally associated with oxen, as in the fol- 

 lowing Chinese saying, depicting a peaceful scene of pros- 

 perous country life : "Turn the horse on the flower-covered 

 mountain and the ox into the peach-orchard." 



In the art of Japanese floral arrangement the peach and 

 the cherry-blossom make an "objectionable combination." 

 The peach-blossom is, however, most felicitous by itself, 

 or with other blossoms, on the occasion of the Dolls' Festi- 

 val, often called the "Peach Festival," on the third day of 

 the third month. Indeed, the peach is especially connected 

 with girls. 



The peach is commonly supposed to have the mysterious 

 power of driving away evil spirits, or keeping them at a 

 distance. In Chinese as well as in Japanese folklore, ar- 

 rows made of peach-tree wood are frequently used for the 

 purpose of piercing the otherwise invulnerable hearts of 

 devils. 



Chinese doctors sometimes use the extract of the peach 

 leaves or kernels for medicinal purposes. 



A little Japanese poem on the Dolls' Festival reads in 

 an English translation thus: 



"Once a year to low and high, 



Rich and poor, by all held dear, 

 Come the dolls that never die, 

 Once a year. 



"Minstrel, warrior, peasant, peer, 

 Humbly hail his Majesty, 

 Regnant on the topmost tier. 



"Children's hands that nursed them, lie 



Out of reach of hope and fear ; 

 Only dolls may Death defy 

 Once a year." 



