\"Oh！whatstrangewildfancies！\"criedthestartledhusband，——\"youareonlyalittleunwell，mydearone！……liedownforawhile，andrest;andthesicknesswillpass。\"……
\"No，no！\"sheresponded——\"Iamdying！——Idonotimagineit;——I
know！……Anditwereneedlessnow，mydearhusband，tohidethetruthfromyouanylonger：——Iamnotahumanbeing。Thesoulofatreeismysoul;——
theheartofatreeismyheart;——thesapofthewillowismylife。Andsomeone，atthiscruelmoment，iscuttingdownmytree;——thatiswhyI
mustdie！……Eventoweepwerenowbeyondmystrength！——quickly，quicklyrepeattheNembutsuforme……quickly！……Ah！……
Withanothercryofpainsheturnedasideherbeautifulhead，andtriedtohideherfacebehindhersleeve。Butalmostinthesamemomentherwholeformappearedtocollapseinthestrangestway，andtosankdown，down，down——levelwiththefloor。Tomotadahadspringtosupporther;——buttherewasnothingtosupport！Therelayonthemattingonlytheemptyrobesofthefaircreatureandtheornamentsthatshehadworninherhair：thebodyhadceasedtoexist……
Tomotadashavedhishead，tooktheBuddhistvows，andbecameanitinerantpriest。Hetraveledthroughalltheprovincesoftheempire;and，atholyplaceswhichhevisited，heofferedupprayersforthesoulofAoyagi。
ReachingEchizen，inthecourseofhispilgrimage，hesoughtthehomeoftheparentsofhisbeloved。Butwhenhearrivedatthelonelyplaceamongthehills，wheretheirdwellinghadbeen，hefoundthatthecottagehaddisappeared。Therewasnothingtomarkeventhespotwhereithadstood，exceptthestumpsofthreewillows——twooldtreesandoneyoungtree——
thathadbeencutdownlongbeforehisarrival。
Besidethestumpsofthosewillow-treesheerectedamemorialtomb，inscribedwithdiversholytexts;andhethereperformedmanyBuddhistservicesonbehalfofthespiritsofAoyagiandofherparents。
JIU-ROKU-ZAKURA
InWakegori，adistrictoftheprovinceofIyo（1），thereisaveryancientandfamouscherry-tree，calledJiu-roku-zakura，or\"theCherry-treeoftheSixteenthDay，\"becauseitbloomseveryyearuponthesixteenthdayofthefirstmonth（bytheoldlunarcalendar），——andonlyuponthatday。
ThusthetimeofitsfloweringisthePeriodofGreatCold，——thoughthenaturalhabitofacherry-treeistowaitforthespringseasonbeforeventuringtoblossom。ButtheJiu-roku-zakurablossomswithalifethatisnot——or，atleast，thatwasnotoriginally——itsown。Thereistheghostofamaninthattree。
HewasasamuraiofIyo;andthetreegrewinhisgarden;anditusedtoflowerattheusualtime，——thatistosay，abouttheendofMarchorthebeginningofApril。Hehadplayedunderthattreewhenhewasachild;andhisparentsandgrandparentsandancestorshadhungtoitsblossomingbranches，seasonafterseasonformorethanahundredyears，brightstripsofcoloredpaperinscribedwithpoemsofpraise。Hehimselfbecameveryold，——outlivingallhischildren;andtherewasnothingintheworldleftforhimtoliveexceptthattree。Andlo！inthesummerofacertainyear，thetreewitheredanddied！
Exceedinglytheoldmansorrowedforhistree。Thenkindneighborsfoundforhimayoungandbeautifulcherry-tree，andplanteditinhisgarden，——
hopingthustocomforthim。Andhethankedthem，andpretendedtobeglad。
Butreallyhisheartwasfullofpain;forhehadlovedtheoldtreesowellthatnothingcouldhaveconsoledhimforthelossofit。
Atlasttherecametohimahappythought：herememberedawaybywhichtheperishingtreemightbesaved。（Itwasthesixteenthdayofthefirstmonth。）Alonghewentintohisgarden，andboweddownbeforethewitheredtree，andspoketoit，saying：\"Nowdeign，Ibeseechyou，oncemoretobloom，——becauseIamgoingtodieinyourstead。\"（Foritisbelievedthatonecanreallygiveawayone’slifetoanotherperson，ortoacreatureoreventoatree，bythefavorofthegods;——andthustotransferone’slifeisexpressedbythetermmigawarinitatsu，\"toactasasubstitute。\"）Thenunderthattreehespreadawhitecloth，anddiverscoverings，andsatdownuponthecoverings，andperformedhara-kiriafterthefashionofasamurai。
Andtheghostofhimwentintothetree，andmadeitblossominthatsamehour。
Andeveryyearitstillbloomsonthesixteenthdayofthefirstmonth，intheseasonofsnow。
THEDREAMOFAKINOSUKE
InthedistrictcalledToichiofYamatoProvince，（1）thereusedtoliveagoshinamedMiyataAkinosuke……[HereImusttellyouthatinJapanesefeudaltimestherewasaprivilegedclassofsoldier-farmers，——
free-holders，——correspondingtotheclassofyeomeninEngland;andthesewerecalledgoshi。]
InAkinosuke’sgardentherewasagreatandancientcedar-tree，underwhichhewaswonttorestonsultrydays。Oneverywarmafternoonhewassittingunderthistreewithtwoofhisfriends，fellow-goshi，chattinganddrinkingwine，whenhefeltallofasuddenverydrowsy，——sodrowsythathebeggedhisfriendstoexcusehimfortakinganapintheirpresence。
Thenhelaydownatthefootofthetree，anddreamedthisdream：——
Hethoughtthatashewaslyingthereinhisgarden，hesawaprocession，likethetrainofsomegreatdaimyodescendingahillnearby，andthathegotuptolookatit。Averygrandprocessionitprovedtobe，——moreimposingthananythingofthekindwhichhehadeverseenbefore;anditwasadvancingtowardhisdwelling。Heobservedinthevanofitanumberofyoungmenrichlyappareled，whoweredrawingagreatlacqueredpalace-carriage，orgosho-guruma，hungwithbrightbluesilk。Whentheprocessionarrivedwithinashortdistanceofthehouseithalted;andarichlydressedman——evidentlyapersonofrank——advancedfromit，approachedAkinosuke，bowedtohimprofoundly，andthensaid：——
\"HonoredSir，youseebeforeyouakerai[vassal]oftheKokuoofTokoyo。
[1]Mymaster，theKing，commandsmetogreetyouinhisaugustname，andtoplacemyselfwhollyatyourdisposal。Healsobidsmeinformyouthatheaugustlydesiresyourpresenceatthepalace。Bethereforepleasedimmediatelytoenterthishonorablecarriage，whichhehassentforyourconveyance。\"
UponhearingthesewordsAkinosukewantedtomakesomefittingreply;buthewastoomuchastonishedandembarrassedforspeech;——andinthesamemomenthiswillseemedtomeltawayfromhim，sothathecouldonlydoasthekeraibadehim。Heenteredthecarriage;thekeraitookaplacebesidehim，andmadeasignal;thedrawers，seizingthesilkenropes，turnedthegreatvehiclesouthward;——andthejourneybegan。
Inaveryshorttime，toAkinosuke’samazement，thecarriagestoppedinfrontofahugetwo-storiedgateway（romon），ofaChinesestyle，whichhehadneverbeforeseen。Herethekeraidismounted，saying，\"Igotoannouncedthehonorablearrival，\"——andhedisappeared。Aftersomelittlewaiting，Akinosukesawtwonoble-lookingmen，wearingrobesofpurplesilkandhighcapsoftheformindicatingloftyrank，comefromthegateway。
These，afterhavingrespectfullysalutedhim，helpedhimtodescendfromthecarriage，andledhimthroughthegreatgateandacrossavastgarden，totheentranceofapalacewhosefrontappearedtoextend，westandeast，toadistanceofmiles。Akinosukewasthenshownintoareception-roomofwonderfulsizeandsplendor。Hisguidesconductedhimtotheplaceofhonor，andrespectfullyseatedthemselvesapart;whileserving-maids，incostumeofceremony，broughtrefreshments。WhenAkinosukehadpartakenoftherefreshments，thetwopurple-robedattendantsbowedlowbeforehim，andaddressedhiminthefollowingwords，——eachspeakingalternately，accordingtotheetiquetteofcourts：——
\"Itisnowourhonorabledutytoinformyou……astothereasonofyourhavingbeensummonedhither……Ourmaster，theKing，augustlydesiresthatyoubecomehisson-in-law;……anditishiswishandcommandthatyoushallwedthisveryday……theAugustPrincess，hismaiden-daughter……Weshallsoonconductyoutothepresence-chamber……whereHisAugustnessevennowiswaitingtoreceiveyou……Butitwillbenecessarythatwefirstinvestyou……withtheappropriategarmentsofceremony。\"[2]
Havingthusspoken，theattendantsrosetogether，andproceededtoanalcovecontainingagreatchestofgoldlacquer。Theyopenedthechest，andtookfromitvariousroesandgirdlesofrichmaterial，andakamuri，orregalheaddress。WiththesetheyattiredAkinosukeasbefittedaprincelybridegroom;andhewasthenconductedtothepresence-room，wherehesawtheKokuoofTokoyoseateduponthedaiza，[3]wearingahighblackcapofstate，androbedinrobesofyellowsilk。Beforethedaiza，toleftandright，amultitudeofdignitariessatinrank，motionlessandsplendidasimagesinatemple;andAkinosuke，advancingintotheirmidst，salutedthekingwiththetripleprostrationofusage。Thekinggreetedhimwithgraciouswords，andthensaid：——
\"YouhavealreadybeeninformedastothereasonofyourhavingbeensummonedtoOurpresence。WehavedecidedthatyoushallbecometheadoptedhusbandofOuronlydaughter;——andtheweddingceremonyshallnowbeperformed。\"
Asthekingfinishedspeaking，asoundofjoyfulmusicwasheard;andalongtrainofbeautifulcourtladiesadvancedfrombehindacurtaintoconductAkinosuketotheroominwhichhebrideawaitedhim。
Theroomwasimmense;butitcouldscarcelycontainthemultitudeofguestsassembledtowitnesstheweddingceremony。AllboweddownbeforeAkinosukeashetookhisplace，facingtheKing’sdaughter，onthekneeling-cushionpreparedforhim。Asamaidenofheaventhebrideappearedtobe;andherrobeswerebeautifulasasummersky。Andthemarriagewasperformedamidgreatrejoicing。
Afterwardsthepairwereconductedtoasuiteofapartmentsthathadbeenpreparedfortheminanotherportionofthepalace;andtheretheyreceivedthecongratulationsofmanynoblepersons，andweddinggiftsbeyondcounting。
SomedayslaterAkinosukewasagainsummonedtothethrone-room。Onthisoccasionhewasreceivedevenmoregraciouslythanbefore;andtheKingsaidtohim：——
InthesouthwesternpartofOurdominionthereisanislandcalledRaishu。
WehavenowappointedyouGovernorofthatisland。Youwillfindthepeopleloyalanddocile;buttheirlawshavenotyetbeenbroughtintoproperaccordwiththelawsofTokoyo;andtheircustomshavenotbeenproperlyregulated。Weentrustyouwiththedutyofimprovingtheirsocialconditionasfarasmaybepossible;andWedesirethatyoushallrulethemwithkindnessandwisdom。AllpreparationsnecessaryforyourjourneytoRaishuhavealreadybeenmade。\"
SoAkinosukeandhisbridedepartedfromthepalaceofTokoyo，accompaniedtotheshorebyagreatescortofnoblesandofficials;andtheyembarkeduponashipofstateprovidedbytheking。AndwithfavoringwindstheysafetysailedtoRaishu，andfoundthegoodpeopleofthatislandassembleduponthebeachtowelcomethem。
Akinosukeenteredatonceuponhisnewduties;andtheydidnotprovetobehard。Duringthefirstthreeyearsofhisgovernorshiphewasoccupiedchieflywiththeframingandtheenactmentoflaws;buthehadwisecounselorstohelphim，andheneverfoundtheworkunpleasant。Whenitwasallfinished，hehadnoactivedutiestoperform，beyondattendingtheritesandceremoniesordainedbyancientcustom。Thecountrywassohealthyandsofertilethatsicknessandwantwereunknown;andthepeopleweresogoodthatnolawswereeverbroken。AndAkinosukedweltandruledinRaishufortwentyyearsmore，——makinginalltwenty-threeyearsofsojourn，duringwhichnoshadowofsorrowtraversedhislife。
Butinthetwenty-fourthyearofhisgovernorship，agreatmisfortunecameuponhim;forhiswife，whohadbornehimsevenchildren，——fiveboysandtwogirls，——fellsickanddied。Shewasburied，withhighpomp，onthesummitofabeautifulhillinthedistrictofHanryoko;andamonument，exceedinglysplendid，wasplaceduponhergrave。ButAkinosukefeltsuchgriefatherdeaththathenolongercaredtolive。
Nowwhenthelegalperiodofmourningwasover，therecametoRaishu，fromtheTokoyopalace，ashisha，orroyalmessenger。TheshishadeliveredtoAkinosukeamessageofcondolence，andthensaidtohim：——
\"Thesearethewordswhichouraugustmaster，theKingofTokoyo，commandsthatIrepeattoyou：’Wewillnowsendyoubacktoyourownpeopleandcountry。Asforthesevenchildren，theyarethegrandsonsandgranddaughtersoftheKing，andshallbefitlycaredfor。Donot，therefore，allowyoumindtobetroubledconcerningthem。’\"
Onreceivingthismandate，Akinosukesubmissivelypreparedforhisdeparture。Whenallhisaffairshadbeensettled，andtheceremonyofbiddingfarewelltohiscounselorsandtrustedofficialshadbeenconcluded，hewasescortedwithmuchhonortotheport。Thereheembarkedupontheshipsentforhim;andtheshipsailedoutintothebluesea，underthebluesky;andtheshapeoftheislandofRaishuitselfturnedblue，andthenturnedgrey，andthenvanishedforever……AndAkinosukesuddenlyawoke——underthecedar-treeinhisowngarden！
Foramomenthewasstupefiedanddazed。Butheperceivedhistwofriendsstillseatednearhim，——drinkingandchattingmerrily。Hestaredattheminabewilderedway，andcriedaloud，——
\"Howstrange！\"
\"Akinosukemusthavebeendreaming，\"oneofthemexclaimed，withalaugh。
\"Whatdidyousee，Akinosuke，thatwasstrange？\"
ThenAkinosuketoldhisdream，——thatdreamofthree-and-twentyyears’
sojournintherealmofTokoyo，intheislandofRaishu;——andtheywereastonished，becausehehadreallysleptfornomorethanafewminutes。
Onegoshisaid：——
\"Indeed，yousawstrangethings。Wealsosawsomethingstrangewhileyouwerenapping。Alittleyellowbutterflywasflutteringoveryourfaceforamomentortwo;andwewatchedit。Thenitalightedonthegroundbesideyou，closetothetree;andalmostassoonasitalightedthere，abig，bigantcameoutofaholeandseizeditandpullingitdownintothehole。
Justbeforeyouwokeup，wesawthatverybutterflycomeoutoftheholeagain，andflutteroveryourfaceasbefore。Andthenitsuddenlydisappeared：wedonotknowwhereitwent。\"
\"PerhapsitwasAkinosuke’ssoul，\"theothergoshisaid;——\"certainlyI
thoughtIsawitflyintohismouth……But，evenifthatbutterflywasAkinosuke’ssoul，thefactwouldnotexplainhisdream。\"
\"Theantsmightexplainit，\"returnedthefirstspeaker。\"Antsarequeerbeings——possiblygoblins……Anyhow，thereisabigant’snestunderthatcedar-tree。\"……
\"Letuslook！\"criedAkinosuke，greatlymovedbythissuggestion。Andhewentforaspade。
Thegroundaboutandbeneaththecedar-treeprovedtohavebeenexcavated，inamostsurprisingway，byaprodigiouscolonyofants。Theantshadfurthermorebuiltinsidetheirexcavations;andtheirtinyconstructionsofstraw，clay，andstemsboreanoddresemblancetominiaturetowns。Inthemiddleofastructureconsiderablylargerthantheresttherewasamarvelousswarmingofsmallantsaroundthebodyofoneverybigant，whichhadyellowishwingsandalongblackhead。
\"Why，thereistheKingofmydream！\"criedAkinosuke;\"andthereisthepalaceofTokoyo！……Howextraordinary！……Raishuoughttoliesomewheresouthwestofit——totheleftofthatbigroot……Yes！——hereitis！……
Howverystrange！NowIamsurethatIcanfindthemountainofHanryoko，andthegraveoftheprincess。\"……
Inthewreckofthenesthesearchedandsearched，andatlastdiscoveredatinymound，onthetopofwhichwasfixedawater-wornpebble，inshaperesemblingaBuddhistmonument。Underneathithefound——embeddedinclay——thedeadbodyofafemaleant。
RIKI-BAKA
HisnamewasRiki，signifyingStrength;butthepeoplecalledhimRiki-the-Simple，orRiki-the-Fool，——\"Riki-Baka，\"——becausehehadbeenbornintoperpetualchildhood。Forthesamereasontheywerekindtohim，——
evenwhenhesetahouseonfirebyputtingalightedmatchtoamosquito-curtain，andclappedhishandsforjoytoseetheblaze。Atsixteenyearshewasatall，stronglad;butinmindheremainedalwaysatthehappyageoftwo，andthereforecontinuedtoplaywithverysmallchildren。Thebiggerchildrenoftheneighborhood，fromfourtosevenyearsold，didnotcaretoplaywithhim，becausehecouldnotlearntheirsongsandgames。Hisfavoritetoywasabroomstick，whichheusedasahobby-horse;andforhoursatatimehewouldrideonthatbroomstick，upanddowntheslopeinfrontofmyhouse，withamazingpealsoflaughter。
Butatlasthebecametroublesomebyreasonofhisnoise;andIhadtotellhimthathemustfindanotherplayground。Hebowedsubmissively，andthenwentoff，——sorrowfullytrailinghisbroomstickbehindhim。Gentleatalltimes，andperfectlyharmlessifallowednochancetoplaywithfire，heseldomgaveanybodycauseforcomplaint。Hisrelationtothelifeofourstreetwasscarcelymorethanthatofadogorachicken;andwhenhefinallydisappeared，Ididnotmisshim。MonthsandmonthspassedbybeforeanythinghappenedtoremindmeofRiki。
\"WhathasbecomeofRiki？\"Ithenaskedtheoldwoodcutterwhosuppliesourneighborhoodwithfuel。IrememberedthatRikihadoftenhelpedhimtocarryhisbundles。
\"Riki-Baka？\"answeredtheoldman。\"Ah，Rikiisdead——poorfellow！……
Yes，hediednearlyayearago，verysuddenly;thedoctorssaidthathehadsomediseaseofthebrain。AndthereisastrangestorynowaboutthatpoorRiki\"WhenRikidied，hismotherwrotehisname，’Riki-Baka，’inthepalmofhislefthand，——putting’Riki’intheChinesecharacter，and’Baka’inkana（1）。Andsherepeatedmanyprayersforhim，——prayersthathemightberebornintosomemorehappycondition。
\"Now，aboutthreemonthsago，inthehonorableresidenceofNanigashi-Sama（2），inKojimachi（3），aboywasbornwithcharactersonthepalmofhislefthand;andthecharacterswerequiteplaintoread，——’RIKI-BAKA’！
\"Sothepeopleofthathouseknewthatthebirthmusthavehappenedinanswertosomebody’sprayer;andtheycausedinquirytobemadeeverywhere。
Atleastavegetable-sellerbroughtwordtothemthatthereusedtobeasimplelad，calledRiki-Baka，livingintheUshigomequarter，andthathehaddiedduringthelastautumn;andtheysenttwomen-servantstolookforthemotherofRiki。
\"ThoseservantsfoundthemotherofRiki，andtoldherwhathadhappened;
andshewasgladexceedingly——forthatNanigashihouseisaveryrichandfamoushouse。ButtheservantssaidthatthefamilyofNanigashi-Samawereveryangryabouttheword’Baka’onthechild’shand。’AndwhereisyourRikiburied？’theservantsasked。’HeisburiedinthecemeteryofZendoji，’shetoldthem。’Pleasetogiveussomeoftheclayofhisgrave，’
theyrequested。
\"SoshewentwiththemtothetempleZendoji，andshowedthemRiki’sgrave;andtheytooksomeofthegrave-clayawaywiththem，wrappedupinafuroshiki[1]……TheygaveRiki’smothersomemoney，——tenyen。\"……（4）
\"Butwhatdidtheywantwiththatclay？\"Iinquired。
\"Well，\"theoldmananswered，\"youknowthatitwouldnotdotoletthechildgrowupwiththatnameonhishand。Andthereisnoothermeansofremovingcharactersthatcomeinthatwayuponthebodyofachild：youmustrubtheskinwithclaytakenfromthegraveofthebodyoftheformerbirth。\"……
HI-MAWARI
OnthewoodedhillbehindthehouseRobertandIarelookingforfairy-rings。Robertiseightyearsold，comely，andverywise;——Iamalittlemorethanseven，——andIreverenceRobert。ItisaglowinggloriousAugustday;andthewarmairisfilledwithsharpsweetscentsofresin。
Wedonotfindanyfairy-rings;butwefindagreatmanypine-conesinthehighgrass……ItellRoberttheoldWelshstoryofthemanwhowenttosleep，unawares，insideafairy-ring，andsodisappearedforsevenyears，andwouldnevereatorspeakafterhisfriendshaddeliveredhimfromtheenchantment。
\"Theyeatnothingbutthepointsofneedles，youknow，\"saysRobert。
\"Who？\"Iask。
\"\"Goblins，\"Robertanswers。
Thisrevelationleavesmedumbwithastonishmentandawe……ButRobertsuddenlycriesout：——
\"ThereisaHarper！——heiscomingtothehouse！\"
Anddownthehillweruntoheartheharper……Butwhataharper！Notlikethehoaryminstrelsofthepicture-books。Aswarthy，sturdy，unkemptvagabond，withblackboldeyesunderscowlingblackbrows。Morelikeabricklayerthanabard，——andhisgarmentsarecorduroy！
\"WonderifheisgoingtosinginWelsh？\"murmursRobert。
Ifeeltoomuchdisappointedtomakeanyremarks。Theharperposeshisharp——ahugeinstrument——uponourdoorstep，setsallthestrongringingwithasweepofhisgrimyfingers，clearshisthroatwithasortofangrygrowl，andbegins，——
Believeme，ifallthoseendearingyoungcharms，WhichIgazeonsofondlyto-day……
Theaccent，theattitude，thevoice，allfillmewithrepulsionunutterable，——shockmewithanewsensationofformidablevulgarity。I
wanttocryoutloud，\"Youhavenorighttosingthatsong！\"ForIhavehearditsungbythelipsofthedearestandfairestbeinginmylittleworld;——andthatthisrude，coarsemanshouldaretosingitvexesmelikeamockery，——angersmelikeaninsolence。Butonlyforamoment！……Withtheutteranceofthesyllables\"to-day，\"thatdeep，grimvoicesuddenlybreaksintoaquiveringtendernessindescribable;——then，marvelouslychanging，itmellowsintotonessonorousandrichasthebassofagreatorgan，——whileasensationunlikeanythingeverfeltbeforetakesmebythethroat……Whatwitchcrafthashelearned？whatsecrethashefound——thisscowlingmanoftheroad？……Oh！isthereanybodyelseinthewholeworldwhocansinglikethat？……Andtheformofthesingerflickersanddims;——
andthehouse，andthelawn，andallvisibleshapesofthingstrembleandswimbeforeme。YetinstinctivelyIfearthatman;——Ialmosthatehim;andIfeelmyselfflushingwithangerandshamebecauseofhispowertomovemethus……
\"Hemadeyoucry，\"Robertcompassionatelyobserves，tomyfurtherconfusion，——astheharperstridesaway，richerbyagiftofsixpencetakenwithoutthanks……\"ButIthinkhemustbeagipsy。Gipsiesarebadpeople——andtheyarewizards……Letusgobacktothewood。\"
Weclimbagaintothepines，andtheresquatdownuponthesun-fleckedgrass，andlookovertownandsea。Butwedonotplayasbefore：thespellofthewizardisstronguponusboth……\"Perhapsheisagoblin，\"Iventureatlast，\"orafairy？\"\"No，\"saysRobert，——\"onlyagipsy。Butthatisnearlyasbad。Theystealchildren，youknow。\"……
\"Whatshallwedoifhecomesuphere？\"Igasp，insuddenterroratthelonesomenessofoursituation。
\"Oh，hewouldn’tdare，\"answersRobert——\"notbydaylight，youknow。\"……
[Onlyyesterday，nearthevillageofTakata，InoticedaflowerwhichtheJapanesecallbynearlythesamenameaswedo：Himawari，\"TheSunward-turning;\"——andoverthespaceoffortyyearstherethrilledbacktomethevoiceofthatwanderingharper，——
AstheSunflowerturnsonhergod，whenhesets，Thesamelookthatsheturnedwhenherose。
AgainIsawthesun-fleckedshadowsonthatfarWelshhill;andRobertforamomentagainstoodbesideme，withhisgirl’sfaceandhiscurlsofgold。
Wewerelookingforfairy-rings……ButallthatexistedoftherealRobertmustlongagohavesufferedasea-changeintosomethingrichandstrange……
Greaterlovehathnomanthanthis，thatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriend……]
HORAI
Bluevisionofdepthlostinheight，——seaandskyinterblendingthroughluminoushaze。Thedayisofspring，andthehourmorning。
Onlyskyandsea，——oneazureenormity……Inthefore，ripplesarecatchingasilverylight，andthreadsoffoamareswirling。Butalittlefurtheroffnomotionisvisible，noranythingsavecolor：dimwarmblueofwaterwideningawaytomeltintoblueofair。Horizonthereisnone：onlydistancesoaringintospace，——infiniteconcavityhollowingbeforeyou，andhugelyarchingaboveyou，——thecolordeepeningwiththeheight。Butfarinthemidway-bluetherehangsafaint，faintvisionofpalacetowers，withhighroofshornedandcurvedlikemoons，——someshadowingofsplendorstrangeandold，illuminedbyasunshinesoftasmemory……WhatIhavethusbeentryingtodescribeisakakemono，——thatistosay，aJapanesepaintingonsilk，suspendedtothewallofmyalcove;——andthenameofitisShinkiro，whichsignifies\"Mirage。\"Buttheshapesofthemirageareunmistakable。ThosearetheglimmeringportalsofHoraitheblest;andthosearethemoonyroofsofthePalaceoftheDragon-King;——
andthefashionofthem（thoughlimnedbyaJapanesebrushofto-day）isthefashionofthingsChinese，twenty-onehundredyearsago……
ThusmuchistoldoftheplaceintheChinesebooksofthattime：——
InHoraithereisneitherdeathnorpain;andthereisnowinter。Theflowersinthatplaceneverfade，andthefruitsneverfail;andifamantasteofthosefruitsevenbutonce，hecanneveragainfeelthirstorhunger。InHoraigrowtheenchantedplantsSo-rin-shi，andRiku-go-aoi，andBan-kon-to，whichhealallmannerofsickness;——andtheregrowsalsothemagicalgrassYo-shin-shi，thatquickensthedead;andthemagicalgrassiswateredbyafairywaterofwhichasingledrinkconfersperpetualyouth。
ThepeopleofHoraieattheirriceoutofvery，verysmallbowls;butthericeneverdiminisheswithinthosebowls，——howevermuchofitbeeaten，——
untiltheeaterdesiresnomore。AndthepeopleofHoraidrinktheirwineoutofvery，verysmallcups;butnomancanemptyoneofthosecups，——
howeverstoutlyhemaydrink，——untiltherecomesuponhimthepleasantdrowsinessofintoxication。
AllthisandmoreistoldinthelegendsofthetimeoftheShindynasty。
ButthatthepeoplewhowrotedownthoselegendseversawHorai，eveninamirage，isnotbelievable。Forreallytherearenoenchantedfruitswhichleavetheeaterforeversatisfied，——noranymagicalgrasswhichrevivesthedead，——noranyfountainoffairywater，——noranybowlswhichneverlackrice，——noranycupswhichneverlackwine。ItisnottruethatsorrowanddeathneverenterHorai;——neitherisittruethatthereisnotanywinter。ThewinterinHoraiiscold;——andwindsthenbitetothebone;andtheheapingofsnowismonstrousontheroofsoftheDragon-King。
NeverthelesstherearewonderfulthingsinHorai;andthemostwonderfulofallhasnotbeenmentionedbyanyChinesewriter。ImeantheatmosphereofHorai。Itisanatmospherepeculiartotheplace;and，becauseofit，thesunshineinHoraiiswhiterthananyothersunshine，——amilkylightthatneverdazzles，——astonishinglyclear，butverysoft。Thisatmosphereisnotofourhumanperiod：itisenormouslyold，——sooldthatIfeelafraidwhenItrytothinkhowolditis;——anditisnotamixtureofnitrogenandoxygen。Itisnotmadeofairatall，butofghost，——thesubstanceofquintillionsofquintillionsofgenerationsofsoulsblendedintooneimmensetranslucency，——soulsofpeoplewhothoughtinwaysneverresemblingourways。Whatevermortalmaninhalesthatatmosphere，hetakesintohisbloodthethrillingofthesespirits;andtheychangethesensewithinhim，——reshapinghisnotionsofSpaceandTime，——sothathecanseeonlyastheyusedtosee，andfeelonlyastheyusedtofeel，andthinkonlyastheyusedtothink。Softassleeparethesechangesofsense;andHorai，discernedacrossthem，mightthusbedescribed：——
——BecauseinHoraithereisnoknowledgeofgreatevil，theheartsofthepeoplenevergrowold。And，byreasonofbeingalwaysyounginheart，thepeopleofHoraismilefrombirthuntildeath——exceptwhentheGodssendsorrowamongthem;andfacesthenareveileduntilthesorrowgoesaway。
AllfolkinHorailoveandtrusteachother，asifallweremembersofasinglehousehold;——andthespeechofthewomenislikebirdsong，becausetheheartsofthemarelightasthesoulsofbirds;——andtheswayingofthesleevesofthemaidensatplayseemsaflutterofwide，softwings。InHorainothingishiddenbutgrief，becausethereisnoreasonforshame;——
andnothingislockedaway，becausetherecouldnotbeanytheft;——andbynightaswellasbydayalldoorsremainunbarred，becausethereisnoreasonforfear。Andbecausethepeoplearefairies——thoughmortal——allthingsinHorai，exceptthePalaceoftheDragon-King，aresmallandquaintandqueer;——andthesefairy-folkdoreallyeattheirriceoutofvery，verysmallbowls，anddrinktheirwineoutofvery，verysmallcups……
——Muchofthisseemingwouldbeduetotheinhalationofthatghostlyatmosphere——butnotall。ForthespellwroughtbythedeadisonlythecharmofanIdeal，theglamourofanancienthope;——andsomethingofthathopehasfoundfulfillmentinmanyhearts，——inthesimplebeautyofunselfishlives，——inthesweetnessofWoman……
——EvilwindsfromtheWestareblowingoverHorai;andthemagicalatmosphere，alas！isshrinkingawaybeforethem。Itlingersnowinpatchesonly，andbands，——likethoselongbrightbandsofcloudthattrainacrossthelandscapesofJapanesepainters。UndertheseshredsoftheelfishvaporyoustillcanfindHorai——butnoteverywhere……RememberthatHoraiisalsocalledShinkiro，whichsignifiesMirage，——theVisionoftheIntangible。AndtheVisionisfading，——neveragaintoappearsaveinpicturesandpoemsanddreams……
INSECTSTUDIES
BUTTERFLIES
I
WouldthatIcouldhopefortheluckofthatChinesescholarknowntoJapaneseliteratureas\"Rosan\"！Forhewasbelovedbytwospirit-maidens，celestialsisters，whoeverytendayscametovisithimandtotellhimstoriesaboutbutterflies。NowtherearemarvelousChinesestoriesaboutbutterflies——ghostlystories;andIwanttoknowthem。ButnevershallI
beabletoreadChinese，norevenJapanese;andthelittleJapanesepoetrythatImanage，withexceedingdifficulty，totranslate，containssomanyallusionstoChinesestoriesofbutterfliesthatIamtormentedwiththetormentofTantalus……And，ofcourse，nospirit-maidenswillevendeigntovisitsoskepticalapersonasmyself。
Iwanttoknow，forexample，thewholestoryofthatChinesemaidenwhomthebutterfliestooktobeaflower，andfollowedinmultitude，——sofragrantandsofairwasshe。AlsoIshouldliketoknowsomethingmoreconcerningthebutterfliesoftheEmperorGenso，orMingHwang，whomadethemchoosehislovesforhim……Heusedtoholdwine-partiesinhisamazinggarden;andladiesofexceedingbeautywereinattendance;andcagedbutterflies，sefreeamongthem，wouldflytothefairest;andthen，uponthatfairesttheImperialfavorwasbestowed。ButafterGensoKoteihadseenYokihi（whomtheChinesecallYang-Kwei-Fei），hewouldnotsufferthebutterfliestochooseforhim，——whichwasunlucky，asYokihigothimintoserioustrouble……Again，IshouldliketoknowmoreabouttheexperienceofthatChinesescholar，celebratedinJapanunderthenameSoshu，whodreamedthathewasabutterfly，andhadallthesensationsofabutterflyinthatdream。Forhisspirithadreallybeenwanderingaboutintheshapeofabutterfly;and，whenheawoke，thememoriesandthefeelingsofbutterflyexistenceremainedsovividinhismindthathecouldnotactlikeahumanbeing……FinallyIshouldliketoknowthetextofacertainChineseofficialrecognitionofsundrybutterfliesasthespiritsofanEmperorandofhisattendants……
MostoftheJapaneseliteratureaboutbutterflies，exceptingsomepoetry，appearstobeofChineseorigin;andeventhatoldnationalaestheticfeelingonthesubject，whichfoundsuchdelightfulexpressioninJapaneseartandsongandcustom，mayhavebeenfirstdevelopedunderChineseteaching。ChineseprecedentdoubtlessexplainswhyJapanesepoetsandpainterschosesooftenfortheirgeimyo，orprofessionalappellations，suchnamesasChomu（\"Butterfly-Dream），\"Icho（\"SolitaryButterfly），\"etc。
AndeventothisdaysuchgeimyoasChohana（\"Butterfly-Blossom\"），Chokichi（\"Butterfly-Luck\"），orChonosuke（\"Butterfly-Help\"），areaffectedbydancing-girls。Besidesartisticnameshavingreferencetobutterflies，therearestillinuserealpersonalnames（yobina）ofthiskind，——suchasKocho，orCho，meaning\"Butterfly。\"Theyarebornebywomenonly，asarule，——thoughtherearesomestrangeexceptions……AndhereImaymentionthat，intheprovinceofMutsu，therestillexiststhecuriousoldcustomofcallingtheyoungestdaughterinafamilyTekona，——whichquaintword，obsoleteelsewhere，signifiesinMutsudialectabutterfly。Inclassictimethiswordsignifiedalsoabeautifulwoman……
ItispossiblealsothatsomeweirdJapanesebeliefsaboutbutterfliesareofChinesederivation;butthesebeliefsmightbeolderthanChinaherself。
Themostinterestingone，Ithink，isthatthesoulofalivingpersonmaywanderaboutintheformofabutterfly。Someprettyfancieshavebeenevolvedoutofthisbelief，——suchasthenotionthatifabutterflyentersyourguest-roomandperchesbehindthebambooscreen，thepersonwhomyoumostloveiscomingtoseeyou。Thatabutterflymaybethespiritofsomebodyisnotareasonforbeingafraidofit。Neverthelesstherearetimeswhenevenbutterfliescaninspirefearbyappearinginprodigiousnumbers;andJapanesehistoryrecordssuchanevent。WhenTaira-no-Masakadowassecretlypreparingforhisfamousrevolt，thereappearedinKyotosovastaswarmofbutterfliesthatthepeoplewerefrightened，——thinkingtheapparitiontobeaportentofcomingevil……Perhapsthosebutterfliesweresupposedtobethespiritsofthethousandsdoomedtoperishinbattle，andagitatedontheeveofwarbysomemysteriouspremonitionofdeath。
However，inJapanesebelief，abutterflymaybethesoulofadeadpersonaswellasofalivingperson。Indeeditisacustomofsoulstotakebutterfly-shapeinordertoannouncethefactoftheirfinaldeparturefromthebody;andforthisreasonanybutterflywhichentersahouseoughttobekindlytreated。
Tothisbelief，andtoqueerfanciesconnectedwithit，therearemanyallusionsinpopulardrama。Forexample，thereisawell-knownplaycalledTonde-deru-Kocho-no-Kanzashi;or，\"TheFlyingHairpinofKocho。\"Kochoisabeautifulpersonwhokillsherselfbecauseoffalseaccusationsandcrueltreatment。Herwould-beavengerlongseeksinvainfortheauthorofthewrong。Butatlastthedeadwoman’shairpinturnsintoabutterfly，andservesasaguidetovengeancebyhoveringabovetheplacewherethevillainishiding。
——Ofcoursethosebigpaperbutterflies（o-choandme-cho）whichfigureatweddingsmustnotbethoughtofashavinganyghostlysignification。Asemblemstheyonlyexpressthejoyoflivingunion，andthehopethatthenewlymarriedcouplemaypassthroughlifetogetherasapairofbutterfliesflitlightlythroughsomepleasantgarden，——nowhoveringupward，nowdownward，butneverwidelyseparating。
II
Asmallselectionofhokku（1）onbutterflieswillhelptoillustrateJapaneseinterestintheaestheticsideofthesubject。Somearepicturesonly，——tinycolor-sketchesmadewithseventeensyllables;somearenothingmorethanprettyfancies，orgracefulsuggestions;——butthereaderwillfindvariety。Probablyhewillnotcaremuchfortheversesinthemselves。
ThetasteforJapanesepoetryoftheepigrammaticsortisatastethatmustbeslowlyacquired;anditisonlybydegrees，afterpatientstudy，thatthepossibilitiesofsuchcompositioncanbefairlyestimated。Hastycriticismhasdeclaredthattoputforwardanyseriousclaimonbehalfofseventeen-syllablepoems\"wouldbeabsurd。\"Butwhat，then，ofCrashaw’sfamouslineuponthemiracleatthemarriagefeastinCana？——
NymphapudicaDeumvidit，eterubuit。[1]
Onlyfourteensyllables——andimmortality。NowwithseventeenJapanesesyllablesthingsquiteaswonderful——indeed，muchmorewonderful——havebeendone，notonceortwice，butprobablyathousandtimes……However，thereisnothingwonderfulinthefollowinghokku，whichhavebeenselectedformorethanliteraryreasons：——
Nugi-kakuru[2]
HaorisugatanoKochokana！
[Likeahaoribeingtakenoff——thatistheshapeofabutterfly！]
TorisashinoSaonojamasuruKochokana！
[Ah，thebutterflykeepsgettinginthewayofthebird-catcher’spole！[3]]
TsuriganeniTomaritenemuruKochokana！
[Percheduponthetemple-bell，thebutterflysleeps：]
Neru-uchimoAsobu-yumewoya——
Kusanocho！
[Evenwhilesleeping，itsdreamisofplay——ah，thebutterflyofthegrass！[4]
Oki，okiyo！
Wagatomonisen，Neru-kocho！
[Wakeup！wakeup！——Iwillmaketheemycomrade，thousleepingbutterfly。[5]]
KagonotoriChowourayamuMetsukikana！
[Ah，thesadexpressionintheeyesofthatcagedbird！——envyingthebutterfly！]
Chotonde——
KazenakihitomoMiezariki！
[Eventhoughitdidnotappeartobeawindyday，[6]theflutteringofthebutterflies——！]
RakkwaedaniKaerutomireba——
Kochokana！
[WhenIsawthefallenflowerreturntothebranch——lo！itwasonlyabutterfly！[7]]
Chiru-hanani——
KarusaarasouKochokana！
[Howthebutterflystrivestocompeteinlightnesswiththefallingflowers！[8]]
Chochoya！
OnnanomichinoAtoyasaki！
[Seethatbutterflyonthewoman’spath，——nowflutteringbehindher，nowbefore！]
Chochoya！
Hana-nusubitowoTsukete-yuku！
[Ha！thebutterfly！——itisfollowingthepersonwhostoletheflowers！]
AkinochoTomonakerebaya;
Hitonitsuku[Poorautumnbutterfly！——whenleftwithoutacomrade（ofitsownrace），itfollowsafterman（or\"aperson\"）！]
Owaretemo，IsoganufurinoChochokana！
[Ah，thebutterfly！Evenwhenchased，itneverhastheairofbeinginahurry。]
ChowaminaJiu-shichi-hachinoSugatakana！
[Asforbutterflies，theyallhavetheappearanceofbeingaboutseventeenoreighteenyearsold。[9]]
Chotobuya——
KonoyonouramiNakiyoni！
[Howthebutterflysports，——justasiftherewerenoenmity（or\"envy\"）
inthisworld！]
Chotobuya，KonoyoninozomiNaiyoni！
[Ah，thebutterfly！——itsportsaboutasifithadnothingmoretodesireinthispresentstateofexistence。]
NaminohananiTomarikanetaru，Kochokana！
[Havingfounditdifficultindeedtoperchuponthe（foam-）blossomsofthewaves，——alasforthebutterfly！]
Mutsumashiya！——
Umare-kawarebaNobenocho。[10]
[If（inournextexistence）webebornintothestateofbutterfliesuponthemoor，thenperchancewemaybehappytogether！]
NadeshikoniChochoshiroshi——
Tarenokon？[11]
[Onthepink-flowerthereisawhitebutterfly：whosespirit，Iwonder？]
Ichi-nichinoTsumatomiekeri——
Chofutatsu。
[Theone-daywifehasatlastappeared——apairofbutterflies！]
Kitewamau，FutarishidzukanoKochokana！
[Approachingtheydance;butwhenthetwomeetatlasttheyareveryquiet，thebutterflies！]
ChowoouKokoro-mochitashiItsumademo！
[WouldthatImightalwayshavetheheart（desire）ofchasingbutterflies！[12]]
***
Besidesthesespecimensofpoetryaboutbutterflies，IhaveonequeerexampletoofferofJapaneseproseliteratureonthesametopic。Theoriginal，ofwhichIhaveattemptedonlyafreetranslation，canbefoundinthecuriousoldbookMushi-Isame（\"Insect-Admonitions\"）;anditassumestheformofadiscoursetoabutterfly。Butitisreallyadidacticallegory，——suggestingthemoralsignificanceofasocialriseandfall：——
\"Now，underthesunofspring，thewindsaregentle，andflowerspinklybloom，andgrassesaresoft，andtheheartsofpeopleareglad。Butterflieseverywhereflutterjoyously：somanypersonsnowcomposeChineseversesandJapaneseversesaboutbutterflies。
\"Andthisseason，OButterfly，isindeedtheseasonofyourbrightprosperity：socomelyyounowarethatinthewholeworldthereisnothingmorecomely。Forthatreasonallotherinsectsadmireandenvyyou;——thereisnotamongthemevenonethatdoesnotenvyyou。Nordoinsectsaloneregardyouwithenvy：menalsobothenvyandadmireyou。SoshuofChina，inadream，assumedyourshape;——SakokuofJapan，afterdying，tookyourform，andthereinmadeghostlyapparition。Noristheenvythatyouinspiresharedonlybyinsectsandmankind：eventhingswithoutsoulchangetheirformintoyours;——witnessthebarley-grass，whichturnsintoabutterfly。
[13]
\"Andthereforeyouareliftedupwithpride，andthinktoyourself：’Inallthisworldthereisnothingsuperiortome！’Ah！Icanverywellguesswhatisinyourheart：youaretoomuchsatisfiedwithyourownperson。Thatiswhyyouletyourselfbeblownthuslightlyaboutbyeverywind;——thatiswhyyouneverremainstill，——always，alwaysthinking，’InthewholeworldthereisnoonesofortunateasI。’
\"Butnowtrytothinkalittleaboutyourownpersonalhistory。Itisworthrecalling;forthereisavulgarsidetoit。Howavulgarside？Well，foraconsiderabletimeafteryouwereborn，youhadnosuchreasonforrejoicinginyourform。Youwerethenamerecabbage-insect，ahairyworm;
andyouweresopoorthatyoucouldnotaffordevenonerobetocoveryournakedness;andyourappearancewasaltogetherdisgusting。Everybodyinthosedayshatedthesightofyou。Indeedyouhadgoodreasontobeashamedofyourself;andsoashamedyouwerethatyoucollectedoldtwigsandrubbishtohidein，andyoumadeahiding-nest，andhungittoabranch，——
andtheneverybodycriedouttoyou，’RaincoatInsect！’（Mino-mushi。）[14]
Andduringthatperiodofyourlife，yoursinsweregrievous。Amongthetendergreenleavesofbeautifulcherry-treesyouandyourfellowsassembled，andtheremadeuglinessextraordinary;andtheexpectanteyesofthepeople，whocamefromfarawaytoadmirethebeautyofthosecherry-trees，werehurtbythesightofyou。Andofthingsevenmorehatefulthanthisyouwereguilty。Youknewthatpoor，poormenandwomenhadbeencultivatingdaikon（2）intheirfields，——toilingunderthehotsuntilltheirheartswerefilledwithbitternessbyreasonofhavingtocareforthatdaikon;andyoupersuadedyourcompanionstogowithyou，andtogatherupontheleavesofthatdaikon，andontheleavesofothervegetablesplantedbythosepoorpeople。Outofyourgreedinessyouravagedthoseleaves，andgnawedthemintoallshapesofugliness，——caringnothingforthetroubleofthosepoorfolk……Yes，suchacreatureyouwere，andsuchwereyourdoings。
\"Andnowthatyouhaveacomelyform，youdespiseyouroldcomrades，theinsects;and，wheneveryouhappentomeetanyofthem，youpretendnottoknowthem[literally，’YoumakeanI-don’t-knowface’]。Nowyouwanttohavenonebutwealthyandexaltedpeopleforfriends……Ah！Youhaveforgottentheoldtimes，haveyou？
\"Itistruethatmanypeoplehaveforgottenyourpast，andarecharmedbythesightofyourpresentgracefulshapeandwhitewings，andwriteChineseversesandJapaneseversesaboutyou。Thehigh-borndamsel，whocouldnotbeareventolookatyouinyourformershape，nowgazesatyouwithdelight，andwantsyoutoperchuponherhairpin，andholdsoutherdaintyfaninthehopethatyouwilllightuponit。ButthisremindsmethatthereisanancientChinesestoryaboutyou，whichisnotpretty。
\"InthetimeoftheEmperorGenso，theImperialPalacecontainedhundredsandthousandsofbeautifulladies，——somany，indeed，thatitwouldhavebeendifficultforanymantodecidewhichamongthemwastheloveliest。
Soallofthosebeautifulpersonswereassembledtogetherinoneplace;andyouweresetfreetoflyamongthem;anditwasdecreedthatthedamseluponwhosehairpinyouperchedshouldbeaugustlysummonedtotheImperialChamber。InthattimetherecouldnotbemorethanoneEmpress——whichwasagoodlaw;but，becauseofyou，theEmperorGensodidgreatmischiefintheland。Foryourmindislightandfrivolous;andalthoughamongsomanybeautifulwomentheremusthavebeensomepersonsofpureheart，youwouldlookfornothingbutbeauty，andsobetookyourselftothepersonmostbeautifulinoutwardappearance。Thereforemanyofthefemaleattendantsceasedaltogethertothinkabouttherightwayofwomen，andbegantostudyhowtomakethemselvesappearsplendidintheeyesofmen。AndtheendofitwasthattheEmperorGensodiedapitifulandpainfuldeath——allbecauseofyourlightandtriflingmind。Indeed，yourrealcharactercaneasilybeseenfromyourconductinothermatters。Therearetrees，forexample，——suchastheevergreen-oakandthepine，——whoseleavesdonotfadeandfall，butremainalwaysgreen;——thesearetreesoffirmheart，treesofsolidcharacter。Butyousaythattheyarestiffandformal;andyouhatethesightofthem，andneverpaythemavisit。Onlytothecherry-tree，andthekaido[15]，andthepeony，andtheyellowroseyougo：
thoseyoulikebecausetheyhaveshowyflowers，andyoutryonlytopleasethem。Suchconduct，letmeassureyou，isveryunbecoming。Thosetreescertainlyhavehandsomeflowers;buthunger-satisfyingfruitstheyhavenot;andtheyaregratefultothoseonlywhoarefondofluxuryandshow。
Andthatisjustthereasonwhytheyarepleasedbyyourflutteringwingsanddelicateshape;——thatiswhytheyarekindtoyou。
\"Now，inthisspringseason，whileyousportivelydancethroughthegardensofthewealthy，orhoveramongthebeautifulalleysofcherry-treesinblossom，yousaytoyourself：’NobodyintheworldhassuchpleasureasI，orsuchexcellentfriends。And，inspiteofallthatpeoplemaysay，I
mostlovethepeony，——andthegoldenyellowroseismyowndarling，andI
willobeyhereveryleastbehest;forthatismyprideandmydelight。’……
Soyousay。Buttheopulentandelegantseasonofflowersisveryshort：
soontheywillfadeandfall。Then，inthetimeofsummerheat，therewillbegreenleavesonly;andpresentlythewindsofautumnwillblow，wheneventheleavesthemselveswillshowerdownlikerain，parari-parari。Andyourfatewillthenbeasthefateoftheunluckyintheproverb，Tanomikinoshitaniamefuru[EventhroughthetreeuponwhichIreliedforsheltertherainleaksdown]。Foryouwillseekoutyouroldfriend，theroot-cuttinginsect，thegrub，andbeghimtoletyoureturnintoyourold-timehole;——butnowhavingwings，youwillnotbeabletoentertheholebecauseofthem，andyouwillnotbeabletoshelteryourbodyanywherebetweenheavenandearth，andallthemoor-grasswillthenhavewithered，andyouwillnothaveevenonedropofdewwithwhichtomoistenyourtongue，——andtherewillbenothingleftforyoutodobuttoliedownanddie。allbecauseofyourlightandfrivolousheart——but，ah！howlamentableanend！\"……
III
MostoftheJapanesestoriesaboutbutterfliesappear，asIhavesaid，tobeofChineseorigin。ButIhaveonewhichisprobablyindigenous;anditseemstomeworthtellingforthebenefitofpersonswhobelievethereisno\"romanticlove\"intheFarEast。
BehindthecemeteryofthetempleofSozanji，inthesuburbsofthecapital，therelongstoodasolitarycottage，occupiedbyanoldmannamedTakahama。Hewaslikedintheneighborhood，byreasonofhisamiableways;
butalmosteverybodysupposedhimtobealittlemad。UnlessamantaketheBuddhistvows，heisexpectedtomarry，andtobringupafamily。ButTakahamadidnotbelongtothereligiouslife;andhecouldnotbepersuadedtomarry。Neitherhadheeverbeenknowntoenterintoalove-relationwithanywoman。Formorethanfiftyyearshehadlivedentirelyalone。
Onesummerhefellsick，andknewthathehadnotlongtolive。Hethensentforhissister-in-law，awidow，andforheronlyson，——aladofabouttwentyyearsold，towhomhewasmuchattached。Bothpromptlycame，anddidwhatevertheycouldtosoothetheoldman’slasthours。
Onesultryafternoon，whilethewidowandhersonwerewatchingathisbedside，Takahamafellasleep。Atthesamemomentaverylargewhitebutterflyenteredtheroom，andpercheduponthesickman’spillow。Thenephewdroveitawaywithafan;butitreturnedimmediatelytothepillow，andwasagaindrivenaway，onlytocomebackathirdtime。Thenthenephewchaseditintothegarden，andacrossthegarden，throughanopengate，intothecemeteryoftheneighboringtemple。Butitcontinuedtoflutterbeforehimasifunwillingtobedrivenfurther，andactedsoqueerlythathebegantowonderwhetheritwasreallyabutterfly，orama[16]。Heagainchasedit，andfolloweditfarintothecemetery，untilhesawitflyagainstatomb，——awoman’stomb。Thereitunaccountablydisappeared;andhesearchedforitinvain。Hethenexaminedthemonument。Itborethepersonalname\"Akiko，\"（3）togetherwithanunfamiliarfamilyname，andaninscriptionstatingthatAkikohaddiedattheageofeighteen。Apparentlythetombhadbeenerectedaboutfiftyyearspreviously：mosshadbeguntogatheruponit。Butithadbeenwellcaredfor：therewerefreshflowersbeforeit;andthewater-tankhadrecentlybeenfilled。
Onreturningtothesickroom，theyoungmanwasshockedbytheannouncementthathisunclehadceasedtobreathe。Deathhadcometothesleeperpainlessly;andthedeadfacesmiled。
Theyoungmantoldhismotherofwhathehadseeninthecemetery。
\"Ah！\"exclaimedthewidow，\"thenitmusthavebeenAkiko！\"……
ButwhowasAkiko，mother？\"thenephewasked。
Thewidowanswered：——
\"WhenyourgoodunclewasyounghewasbetrothedtoacharminggirlcalledAkiko，thedaughterofaneighbor。Akikodiedofconsumption，onlyalittlebeforethedayappointedforthewedding;andherpromisedhusbandsorrowedgreatly。AfterAkikohadbeenburied，hemadeavownevertomarry;andhebuiltthislittlehousebesidethecemetery，sothathemightbealwaysnearhergrave。Allthishappenedmorethanfiftyyearsago。Andeverydayofthosefiftyyears——winterandsummeralike——yourunclewenttothecemetery，andprayedatthegrave，andsweptthetomb，andsetofferingsbeforeit。Buthedidnotliketohaveanymentionmadeofthematter;andheneverspokeofit……So，atlast，Akikocameforhim：thewhitebutterflywashersoul。\"
IV
IhadalmostforgottentomentionanancientJapanesedance，calledtheButterflyDance（Kocho-Mai），whichusedtobeperformedintheImperialPalace，bydancerscostumedasbutterflies。WhetheritisdancedoccasionallynowadaysIdonotknow。Itissaidtobeverydifficulttolearn。Sixdancersarerequiredfortheproperperformanceofit;andtheymustmoveinparticularfigures，——obeyingtraditionalrulesforeverstep，pose，orgesture，——andcirclingabouteachotherveryslowlytothesoundofhand-drumsandgreatdrums，smallflutesandgreatflutes，andpandeanpipesofaformunknowntoWesternPan。
MOSQUITOES
Withaviewtoself-protectionIhavebeenreadingDr。Howard’sbook，\"Mosquitoes。\"Iampersecutedbymosquitoes。Thereareseveralspeciesinmyneighborhood;butonlyoneofthemisaserioustorment，——atinyneedlything，allsilver-speckledandsilver-streaked。Thepunctureofitissharpasanelectricburn;andthemerehumofithasalancinatingqualityoftonewhichforetellsthequalityofthepainabouttocome，——muchinthesamewaythataparticularsmellsuggestsaparticulartaste。IfindthatthismosquitomuchresemblesthecreaturewhichDr。HowardcallsStegomyiafasciata，orCulexfasciatus：andthatitshabitsarethesameasthoseoftheStegomyia。Forexample，itisdiurnalratherthannocturnalandbecomesmosttroublesomeintheafternoon。AndIhavediscoveredthatitcomesfromtheBuddhistcemetery，——averyoldcemetery，——intherearofmygarden。