JAPANESE HOME LIFE. 19 



can not reproduce Nature in art/' a Japanese artist has said, " and 

 instead of making so bold an attempt, had best satisfy ourselves 

 with mere suggestions of Nature's beauties." The same may be 

 said of some Japanese poetry, for the uta, or sonnets, usually are 

 mere poetic suggestions of a deeper meaning or sentiment. This 

 brings one to a realization of the close connection between art and 

 poetry in Japan, as also between poetry and music. In social 

 gatherings among friends, a favorite mode for mutual entertain- 

 ment is for one of the guests to quickly sketch some passing 

 thought or memory of one of Nature's beauties ; it may be the 

 crest of some distant mountain, a branch heavy with blossoms, or 

 a flower. This sketch is then passed on to another guest, who, 

 in looking at it, seeks to find some poetic suggestion, or hidden 

 lesson, and having done so, adds the verse to the sketch, and 

 the picture is complete. These illustrated sonnets, the fruits of 

 poetic inspiration and artistic impression, are taken home, to 

 be preserved as cherished souvenirs of the evening's entertain- 

 ment. 



To illustrate this more clearly, we will say that an artist has, 

 with two or three rough strokes of his brush, depicted a bleak 

 mountain peak, with a flock of birds flying above it. This is 

 passed to Aritsune', a Japanese poet of recognized merit, who 

 after a few moments' thought adds a sonnet to the sketch. It is, 

 like the sketch, a mere suggestion of a deeper sentiment, or imi, as 

 the Japanese would have it. I can best render it as follows, 

 making the translation as literal as possible : 



We may struggle to the peak 

 Of the mountain, bare and bleak, 



There but to learn, 



And well discern, 

 That tbe winging birds above, 

 Speeding to their nests of love, 

 More of Nature's beauties see 



Far than we. 



Surely the beauty of the thought is evident, and the deeper 

 meaning, or imi, appreciable even to the prosiest of us. Yet in 

 rendering the lesson of the sonnet, as implied to the Japanese 

 reader of the above words, I might add the following lines : 



So, when striving naught but fame to obtain, 

 Thou chance mayst reach the highest peak of earthly gain ; 

 Then thou wilt learn, 

 And well discern, 

 That Nature doth her beauties wide outspread 

 For those to daily duties who are wed. 

 While simple lives yield peace and light, 

 Fame blinds the sight. 



