II. THE PLUM. 



THE plum-blossom has already been mentioned in con- 

 nection with the pine and the bamboo for New Year's 

 decorations, but it deserves a month by itself. As it begins 

 to blossom, in some parts of the country, in January, and 

 often continues in bloom till March, it might represent any 

 one of the first three months. But, as most of February 

 generally comes in the first month of the old calendar, it is 

 doubly appropriate for the plum. This blossom is em- 

 blematic of perseverance, because it sometimes forces its 

 way out through the snow with which its branches are 

 laden. This is illustrated in the following poems, the first 

 from Huish's Japan and Its Art, and the third from Pig- 

 gott's Garden of Japan : 



"Ice-flakes are falling fast 

 Through the chilly air, and now 

 Yonder trees with snow bloom laden 

 Do assume the wild plum's guise, 

 With their mass of snowy flowers 

 Gladdening winter's dreary time." 



"Amid the branches of silv'ry bowers 

 The nightingale doth sing ; perchance he knows 

 That spring has come, and takes the later snows 

 For the white petals of the plum's sweet flowers." 



(Form Chamberlain's Classical Poetry of the Japanese.} 



"The flowers of the plum-trees 

 All through the day make snow-light, 

 Moonlight through the night. 



