Page:Art Songs of Japan.djvu/17

 Fireflies

Fireflies are connected with weird legends and folk-lore. Insects, birds, animals and fish have a peculiar significance to such nature lovers as the Japanese. The Fireflies are compared to stars that have left the heavens to wander upon the earth. Every summer thousands of people visit Uji to see the Hotaru-Kassen, or Firefly Battle.