PLATE V.
1, "Tsuku-tsuku-Bōshi," also called "Kutsu-kutsu-Bōshi," etc. (Cosmopsaltria Opalifera?)
2, Tsurigané-Zémi.
3, The Phantom.
VII.—Tsuku-tsuku-bōshi.
On the day immediately following the Festival of the Dead, by the old Japanese calendar[28] (which is incomparably more exact than our Western calendar in regard to nature-changes and manifestations), begins to sing the tsuku-tsuku-bōshi. This creature may be said to sing like a bird. It is also called kutsu-kutsu-bōshi, chōko-chōko-uisu, tsuku-tsuku-hōshi, tsuku-tsuku-oīshi,—all onomatopoetic appellations. The sounds of its song have been imitated in different ways by various writers. In Izumo the common version is,—
Tsuku-tsuku-uisu,
Tsuku-tsuku-uisu,
Tsuku-tsuku-uisu:—
Ui-ōsu
Ui-ōsu
Ui-ōsu
Ui-ōs-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-su.
[28] ] That is to say, upon the 16th day of the 7th month.
Another version runs,—