THE CHERRY. 19 



have no distinction of singular or plural. The word ha, as pro- 

 nounced, may signify either 'leaves' or 'teeth' ; and the word hana, 

 either 'flowers' or 'nose.' The yamazakura puts forth its ha (leaves) 

 before its hana (flowers). Wherefore, a man whose ha (teeth) 

 project in advance of his hana (nose) is called a yamazakura. Prog- 

 nathism is not uncommon in Japan, especially among the lower 

 classes." 



The cherry blossom is symbolic of loyalty and patriotism, and 

 is generally associated with the pheasant. 



f 



BLOOMING CHERRY-TREES AT ASUKAYAMA, TOKYO. 



No important locality in Japan is without its special park or 

 grove with cherry-trees, to which the people resort in immense 

 crowds at the proper season. The inhabitants of Tokyo, for in- 

 stance, flock to Uyeno Park, or Mukojima, or Koganei. or Asuka- 

 yama ; while the Kyoto people visit Arashi-yama. But a more than 

 local reputation attaches to Yoshino in the Province of Yamato: 

 there "a thousand trees line the path and cover the hillside." And 

 some poet has said: "The cherry blossoms on Mount Yoshino de- 

 ceive me into thinking they are snow." But Yoshino's fame is dis- 

 puted by other places : Asukayama, near Tokyo, is called the "new 

 Yoshino" ; and an imperial poet has said that "not second to Yo- 



