THE PINE. 7 



Other places famous for pine-trees are Sumiyoshi, near Sakai, 

 and Takasago, near Kobe. Indeed, the shore from Kobe westward 

 for some distance is a rare pine-clad coast. "The spirits of two 

 ancient pine-trees at Takasago, personified as man and woman of 

 venerable age, who are occupied in raking up pine-needles, form a 

 favorite subject of Japanese art." These figures are always prom- 

 inent in the decorations of a wedding ceremony. 



As the word matsu may mean either "a pine" or "to wait 

 (pine)," there is an excellent opportunity for a pun in both Japa- 

 nese and English, as in the following lines translated by Prof. B. H. 

 Chamberlain : 



"Matsu ga nc no 

 Matsu koto tohomi, etc." 



"Like the />i;;^-trees, I must stand and pine." 



The following poem is from the translation of Tosa Nikki by 

 Mrs. M. C. Harris: 



"Since I have viewed the pines that grow 



On Suminoye's shore, 

 I've come my own estate to know, 

 How I have e'en surpassed in years 



These pine-trees old and hoar." 



In the "Hundred Poems," which furnish the chief amusement 

 for the New Year season, we find the following, translated by Prof. 

 MacCauley: 



"SOLITUDE IN OLD AGE. 



"Whom then are there now, 



In my age so far advanced, 

 I can hold as friends? 



Even Takasago's pines 

 Are no friends of former days." 



All Japanese boys and girls, early in life, memorise the Hun- 

 dred Poems by a Hundred Writers, and can glibly repeat them. 



Here is a song generally used on the occasion of a wedding, 

 in the decorations of which the pine plays an important part : 



"The oceans four that gird our strand 

 Are calm, and quiet is our land; 

 No branches bend, no breezes blow, 

 These new-set pines in bliss will grow." 



We close with a very famous poem, which we give in both 

 Japanese and English, as follows : 



