July—During this month appropriate among flower subjects is that of the seven grasses of autumn _(aki no nana kusa)_ (_Plate LIX_, 6), consisting of the bush clover, the wild pink, the morning glory, et cetera. This is most difficult to paint on account of the extreme delicacy requisite in the handling of the brush, but a skilful artist can produce most interesting effects. All sorts of wonderfully shaped insects as well as birds of brilliant plumage are permitted in the picture. The seventh day of July is known as the festival of the stars, and _Kengyu,_ the swain, and _Orihime,_ the maiden, are painted. July is a month devoted to Buddhist ceremonies. Saints, sages, the five hundred rakkan disciples of Shaka and the sixteen rakkans are painted. There are two other subjects appropriate, known as _Tanabata_ (_Plate LIX_, 5) and _Nazunauchi_ (_Plate LXIV_, 4).
August—The first grain of the year is now offered to the gods. A charming way of commemorating this is by the painting called stacked rice and sparrows _(inamura ni suzume)_ (_Plate LX_, 1). The rabbit and the moon, called _tsuki ni usagi_ (_Plate LX_, 2), because the rabbit is seen in the moon making rice cakes, and the picture known as _meggetsu_ (_Plate LX_, 3) also commemorate the offering of the products of the soil to the moon divinity. As mist abounds during August, landscapes half concealed in mist are painted. The Kano artist, Tanyu, leaned much to such scenes, which suggest the tranquility of eventide. Such subjects are known as mist showers _(ugiri)_ (_Plate LX_, 4). The Japanese have their woman in the moon, named Joga. This lovely creature having procured and drunk of the ambrosia of hermits _(sennin)_ is said to have entered that planet. The picture is an engaging one (_Plate LX_, 6), the upper portion of Joga’s body being in the moon’s disc and the lower portion in fleecy clouds.
September—The ninth day of the ninth month is the festival of the chrysanthemum (KIKU NO SEKKU), when _sake_ made from the chrysanthemum is drunk. Kiku Jido, a court youth, having inadvertently touched with his foot the pillow of the emperor, was banished to a distant isle where, it is said, he was nourished by the dew of the chrysanthemum which abounded there. Becoming a hermit, he lived one thousand years. Seasonal pictures for this month commemorate this event, or reproduce the yellow and white chrysanthemum. (_Plate LXI_, 1). Appropriate for September are water grasses and the dragon-fly _(mizukusa ni tombo)_ (_Plate LXI_, 5). Tatsuta hime (_Plate LXI_, 2) is also painted. She is the autumn divinity, associated with the brilliant, warm and resplendent colors of the autumn season, and is always represented in gorgeous hues. Pictures of the deer and the early maples _(hatsu momiji ni shika)_ (_Plate LXI_, 3) are now appropriate. A favorite autumn picture is called _Kinuta uchi,_ or the beating, on a block, of homespun cotton to give it lustre. A poor peasant woman and her child are both occupied at the task under the rays of the full moon (_Plate LXIV_, 4). The sound of the blows on the block is said to suggest sad feelings. It is a law for painting such moonlight scenes that no red color be introduced, as red does not show in the moonlight (GEKKA _no_ KO SHOKU _nashi)._