There on the border, where the land of Kahi Doth touch the frontier of Suruga's land, A beauteous province stretched on either hand, See Fujiyama rear his head on high!
The clouds of heav'n in rev'rent wonder pause, Nor may the birds those giddy heights essay, Where melt thy snows amid thy fires away, Or thy fierce fires lie quench'd beneath thy snows.
What name might fitly tell, what accents sing, Thy awful, godlike grandeur? 'Tis thy breast That holdeth Narusaha's flood at rest, Thy side whence Fujikaha's waters spring.
Great Fujiyama, tow'ring to the sky! A treasure art thou giv'n to mortal man, A god-protector, watching o'er Japan: On thee for ever let me feast mine eye!
This now extinct volcano, besides inspiring poetical efforts, has been an inexhaustible subject for our pictorial art; it is enough to mention the famous sets of colour prints, representing the thirty-six or the hundred aspects of the favourite mountain, by Hiroshige, Hokusai, etc. The groups of rural pilgrims that annually swarm from all parts of Japan during the two hottest months of the year to pay their pious visit to the Holy Mount Fuji, return to their respective villages deeply inspired with a feeling of reverence and of love for the wonders and beauty of the remarkable dawn they witnessed from its summit.
There is many another towering mountain with its set of pilgrims, but none can vie with Fujiyama for majestic grace. More beautiful than sublime, more serene than imposing, it has been from time immemorial a silent influence on the Japanese character. Who would deny that it has reflected in its serenity and grace as seen on a bright day all the ideals of the Japanese mind?
Another favourite emblem of our spirit is the cherry blossom. The cherry tree, which we cultivate, not for its fruit, but for the annual tribute of a branchful of its flowers, has done much, especially in the development of the gay side of our character. Its blossoms are void of that sweet depth of scent your rose possesses, or the calm repose that characterizes China's emblematic peony. A sunny gaiety and a readiness to scatter their heart-shaped petals with a Samurai's indifference to death are what make them so dear to our simple and determined view of life. There is an ode known to every Japanese by the great Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801 A.D.) which runs as follows:--