38 The Japanese Floral Calendar. 



The Japanese also have what they call hirugao, or 

 "noon-face," and yugao, or "evening-face." The latter, 

 which Occidentals would presumably name "evening-- 

 glory," seems to be especially famous for the beauty of 

 its white blossoms. In the Genji Mono gat ari, a lady-love 

 of the hero sings as follows: 



"The crystal dew at evening's hour 

 Sleeps on the Yugao's beautiful flower; 

 Will this please him, whose glances bright. 

 Gave to the flower a dearer light?" 



The most famous verse about the morning-glory is, of 

 course, that of the maiden O Chiyo San, who, having found 

 a vine with its blossoms twining around her well-bucket, 

 would not disturb it, but went elsewhere to beg some water. 

 The poem, which is in the form of the Jwkkn, runs as fol- 

 lows: 



"Asagao ni 

 Tsurubc torarete 

 M oral-mid zn. " 



This means, literally translated, "By asagao bucket 

 being taken, begged-water." But Sir Edwin Arnold's 

 poetical version is also worth quoting: 



"The morning-glory 

 Her leaves and bells has bound 

 My bucket-handle round. 

 I could not break the bands 

 Of those soft hands. 

 The bucket and the well to her I left : 

 'Lend me some water, for I come bereft.' " 



Here are two more little poems 3 : 



"By the truth received from heaven and earth, 

 The morning-glory blooms and fades." 



8 From Knox's Japanese Life in Town and Country. 



