THE MAPLE. 



43 



leaves, especially the maples. 

 Narihira, was as follows: 



One of these, by the well-known 



"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."* 



"Beautiful is the Tatsuta 



With Autumn's brightest weaving; 

 If I cross the stream, 

 Alas! the brocade will be rudely rent." 



MAPLE LEAVES IN THE VILLA OF MR. SHIBUSAWA AT OJI. 



The comparison of the leaves to brocade (nikishi) seems to 

 be quite common. Another of the Hundred Poems reads as fol- 

 lows: 



"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. 



* Translation by Mr. F. V. Dickins. 



