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The Old Man Who Made the Dead Trees Blossom

In short: Read why the same ashes bring different results for two neighbours in the Hanasaki Jiji tale.

The Old Man Who Made the Dead Trees Blossom · Blossoms on dead branches FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 16 The Old Man Who Made the Dead Trees Blossom Read why the same ashes bring different results for two neighbours in the Hanasaki Jiji tale. Origin Tokyo, Japan Atlas record 1885 First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF Blossoms on dead branches Reach¹ 2/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 2 records · 2 countries or regions blackhorsestories.com

¹ Based on the number of Atlas countries, capped at 10. ² Editorial suggestion for reading this page. Discover Black Horse’s question

Origin and tradition

Tokyo, Japan

In Ozaki’s telling, the old man keeps the ashes of a burnt mortar in memory of his dog. Trees blossom when the ashes touch their branches. His neighbour imitates the act, but the ashes he scatters do not bring the tree to flower. Two intentions become visible through the same object and gesture.

Dated records and sources

  1. 1885 · Tokyo, Japan
    Japanese Fairy Tale Series · Hanasaki Jiji
  2. 1903 · New York, United States
    Yei Theodora Ozaki · The Japanese Fairy Book · E. P. Dutton · Published collection

Country pages

Origin
Black Horse. The Old Man Who Made the Dead Trees Blossom. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-blossoms/