THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



47 



white inside ; to drink kiku zake, or sake with chysanthemum dipped 

 in it, as a specific against malaria ; and to compose poems, for which, 

 in court circles, the Emperor chose the subject. This festival has 

 been practically merged into the Emperor's birthday.* 



In the "One Hundred Poems" there is only one reference to 

 the chrysanthemum, as follows: 



THE FROST'S MAGIC. 



If it were my wish 



White Chrysanthemum to cull ; 

 Puzzled by the frost 



Of the early autumn time, 

 I perchance might pluck the fiower.f 



CHRYSANTHEMUM VENDER. 



Another old poem, of which we have not found the Japanese 

 original has been translated as follows : J 



"Looking upward to the palace garden, long I gaze and wonder what they 

 are, whether white and snowy petalled chysanthemum, or the twinkling lustre 

 of the stars." 



The chrysanthemum has a great many very fanciful names 

 like "star-like flower," "flower of a thousand generations," "younger 



* "Let the Emperor live forever. May he see the chrysanthemum cup go 

 round autumn after autumn for a thousand years !" 

 t Translation by Prof. Clay MacCanley. 

 $ The Far East, Vol. II, No. n. 



