quietly, the colour of the flowers being 
first touched upon, and different ex¬ 
pressions being suited to different tints. 
We do not usually regard Japan as a 
country of vivid colouring, yet during 
the end of September the tender green 
of the rice-fields changes into brown, 
the jay flies shrieking through the 
woods and among the old pines, and 
the mountain forests clothe themselves 
in colours which are even more brilliant 
than the livery of scarlet and gold of 
our forest trees. At this season comes 
the kiku in all its glory. 
England had her “ Wars of the 
Roses,” which were waged only be¬ 
tween rival houses, whereas Japan 
has had her “ Wars of the Chrysan¬ 
themums” between rival dynasties. 
These wars lasted longer and were 
more bitterly contested than those in 
Britain; for fifty-six years, from 1336 
to 1392, when the members of the 
177 
