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ONE OF THE GLORIES OF TOKIO. 33
"Oh! oh!" exclaimed the Jewetts in chorus; "this is a
sight worth seeing."
The yashiki was filled with well-dressed people, who
evidently enjoyed the scene, and chatted with each other like
happy children.
All of the trees were very old, and their gnarled stems
were supported on short bamboo stakes, to prevent the flowers
from coming in contact with the earth.
"Why are those papers tied to the branches?" asked
Sallie.
"Those are poems," said Oto. "When my countrymen
feel very much delighted with anything, they write a verse and
attach it to the object of their admiration."
"Do you ever fasten them to your young ladies?" asked
Fitz.
"Oh, no! " said Oto. "We only affix them to trees."
" It is not solely a Japanese idea," remarked the Professor.
" Shakespeare mentions such a custom in ?As you like it.' We
Americans are too prosaic to do such things."
"Yes, sir," said Fitz. "The only inscriptions we put upon
our trees are 'Keep off the grass.' :
When the party had thoroughly enjoyed the glorious sight
they made their exit through the main gate, where one of the
attendants was peddling boxes of the dried plums called ume-
boshi.
Upon quitting the place Fitz began to partake of his pur-
chase, when he made a very wry face, and, turning to his sister,
said:
" Do not eat any of these, Sallie, they are salted."
"Yes," observed Oto, "that is done to preserve them. The
fruit is really very good and is considered excellent for sick
people."