All those who wait for absent dear ones make, if they can, a pilgrimage to the peak called Dakeyama. It is visible from any part of the city; and from its summit several provinces can be seen. At the very top is a stone of almost human height and shape, perpendicularly set up; and little pebbles are heaped before it and upon it. And near by there is a small Shinto shrine erected to the spirit of a princess of other days. For she mourned the absence of one she loved, and used to watch from this mountain for his coming until she pined away and was changed into a stone. The people therefore built the shrine; and lovers of the absent still pray there for the return of those dear to them; and each, after so praying, takes home one of the little pebbles heaped there. And when the beloved one returns, the pebble must be taken back to the pebble-pile upon the mountain-top, and other pebbles with it, for a thank-offering and commemoration. Always ere O-Toyo and her son could reach their home after such a day, the dusk would fall softly about them; for the way was long, and they had to both go and return by boat through the wilderness of rice-fields round the town--which is a slow manner of journeying. Sometimes stars and fireflies lighted them; sometimes also the moon--and O-Toyo would softly sing to her boy the Izumo child-song to the moon: Nono-San, Little Lady Moon, How old are you? "Thirteen days-- Thirteen and nine." That is still young, And the reason must be For that bright red obi, So nicely tied,[4] And that nice white girdle About your hips. Will you give it to the horse? "Oh, no, no!" Will you give it to the cow? "Oh, no, no!"[5] [4] Because an obi or girdle of very bright color can be worn only by children. [5] Nono-San, _or_ _O-Tsuki-San_ Ikutsu? "Jiu-san-- Kokonotsu." Sore wa mada Wakai yo, Wakai ye mo Dori Akai iro no Obi to, Shiro iro no Obi to Koshi ni shanto Musun de. Uma ni yaru? "Iyaiya!" Ushi ni yaru? "Iyaiya!" And up to the blue night would rise from all those wet leagues of labored field that great soft bubbling chorus which seems the very voice of the soil itself--the chant of the frogs. And O-Toyo would interpret its syllables to the child: _Mé kayui! mé kayui!_ "Mine eyes tickle; I want to sleep." All those were happy hours. II