Page:In ghostly Japan (IA cu31924014202687).pdf/178

 in the majority of cases, would signify almost nothing to the Western mind. Here, for example, is a little verse, pathetic enough to Japanese comprehension:—

Translated, this would appear to mean only,—“''Two butterflies! … Last year my dear wife died!” Unless you happen to know the pretty Japanese symbolism of the butterfly in relation to happy marriage, and the old custom of sending with the wedding-gift a large pair of paper-butterflies (ochō-méchō''), the verse might well seem to be less than commonplace. Or take this recent composition, by a University student, which has been praised by good judges:—

—“In my native place the old folks [or, my parents] are—clamor of insect-voices!” …