UNDER THE CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE

This traditional Japanese joke/tale (called a "pillow" or makura according to Say's introduction) proceeds from the ridiculous to the outlandish in relating the fate of a stingy old landlord who swallows a cherry pit. Furious with the beautiful tree which then grows from his head, he pulls it out by the roots — leaving behind a large hole which fills with rain and becomes a home for fish. Sure enough, one afternoon while he is asleep (sitting up) in his garden, some village boys decide to go fishing in his head, and sure enough again the landlord wakens and starts to chase them. But then he trips and flies "head-over-heels" and falls feet first into the hole in his head. . . and only a pond (full of magnificent fish) is left of him. Say avoids the temptation to ham it up, and his misty fine line illustrations, which reflect the Japanese setting, help to make the far-fetched developments dreamily believable.