346 MOUNTAIN TRAVELLING. 



rushing a noisy stream, foaming furiously as it bounded 

 onward, and laying bare in its descent huge masses of 

 black rock, some of them standing out in quite extra- 

 ordinary shapes, giving occasion to all sorts of fabulous 

 tales amongst the superstitious natives. Their origin, 

 however, is simply that of resisted decomposition, 

 whilst the once surrounding mass had gradually dis- 

 appeared under aquatic and atmospheric influences. 



The ascent here was very difficult, and caused many 

 a slip over the treacherous moss-grown masses of ill- 

 shapen stones ; presently the gorge became narrower 

 and the path steeper, until we reached a plateau, about 

 half-way to the top, upon which we found a most charm- 

 ing little hamlet, half hidden amongst a host of pines- 

 and cedars, its peaceful appearance contrasting strangely 

 with the wild scenes just left behind. This place was 

 called Puonosawa, and had its tea-house as well as a 

 bazaar of small articles, bowls, boxes, etc., in lacquer- 

 ware, made by the people of these mountain districts, 

 and amongst which I selected a quantity of very pretty 

 things to pick up on my return journey. After a short 

 rest we continued our toil along a somewhat more easy 

 route, and as we reached the height above, the scenery 

 quite changed. In the distance towered the fuming 

 head of Fusi-Yama, and all around there were hills- 

 and plains alternately clothed in the gorgeous colours- 



