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Show Tokyo Is Converted Into Green Forest Six Days Every Year For the first six days of every year it has been the custom of the Japanese to convert Tokyo into a green forest. And although events have changed in Japan in the last few years, much of the city will be decorated. On each side of the gate of every household that can afford it will be pine trees and bamboo, while ropes of rice straw and other decorations will grace the lintel. It is a custom that goes back 900 years or so, this planting of a forest in a city for the space of six days. The pine, with its evergreen ever-green branches, is emblematic of eternity, and the straight trunk of the bamboo symbolizes truth and manly courage. The third of this trio, the plum blossom, signifying womanly virtue, vir-tue, is not used in the out-of-doors decorations, but is within the house. A pine tree stands on either side of the door, and with it are three, five or seven bamboos. There are other decorations peculiar to the New Year tide which are to be seen on every hand. |