48 The Japanese Floral Calendar. 



love has changed." 1 And when a blush of modesty spreads 

 over a maiden's cheek, the Japanese say that "she is scatter- 

 ing red leaves on her face." And a small delicate hand is 

 called "a hand like a maple leaf." 



Not only the Japanese landscape, but also Japanese lit- 

 erature, is resplendent with momiji. The famous collec- 

 tion of One Hundred Poems contains six which celebrate 

 the beauties of the autumn leaves, especially the maples. 

 One of these, by the well-known Narihira, was as follows : 



"O Tatsuta ! when the autumnal flow 



I watch of thy deep, ruddy wave, 

 E'en when the stern gods long ago 



Did rule, was ne'er beheld so brave, 

 So fair a stream as thine, I vow." 2 



"Beautiful is the Tatsuta 



With Autumn's brightest weaving ; 

 If I cross the stream, 



Alas! the brocade will be rudely rent." 



The comparison of the leaves to brocade (nishiki) seems 

 to be quite common. Another of the Hundred Poems reads 

 as follows: 



"By the wind-storm's blast 



From Mimuro's mountain-slopes, 

 Maple leaves are torn, 

 And, as (rich) brocades are wrought 

 On blue Tatta's quiet stream. 



"My wandering feet 



So rudely tear 

 The carpet red 



Of rich brocade 

 O'er Mimuro spread." 



1 Jinrikisha Days in Japan. 



* Translation by Mr. F. V. Dickins. 



