THE PINE. 5 



own peculiar significance, and is symbolical of good fortune for the 

 year. 



As the pine-tree is an evergreen, it is naturally quite popular 

 in floral compositions in which it is considered very felicitous. One 

 favorite combination, especially for the New Year and wedding 

 ceremonies, is that of the pine, bamboo, and plum (sho-chiku-bai) . 

 If these are used separately, "the pine is displayed on the first, 

 the bamboo on the second, and the plum on the third day of the 

 year.'' The pine is also commonly associated with the crane and 

 the tortoise, all of which are symbols of longevity. 



THE NEW YEAR'S DECORATIONS WITH SHIMENAWA. ETC. 

 Two girls playing at battledore and shuttlecock, and the little one with ball. 



The never-fading color of the pine is compared to the chastity 

 of woman, and O Matsu is a very common name for a girl. The 

 needle-shaped leaves of the pine "are credited with the power of 

 driving demons away." 



The remarkable dwarf pines are always a remarkable feature 

 of a Japanese garden ; and at Karasaki there is a famous giant 

 pine-tree, 90 feet high, with a circumference of trunk over 39 feet, 

 and length of branches (in all 380) from 240 to 288 feet. 



