Note 10 — Trees and their Legends
Reading edition
The Japanese, following the horology of the Chinese, used to divide the day of 24 hours into 12 periods, each of which had its sign, something like the sign of the Zodiac.
Midnight until 2 a.m. was the hour of the Rat
2 a.m. ” 4 a.m. ” ” Ox
4 a.m. ” 6 a.m. ” ” Tiger
6 a.m. ” 8 a.m. ” ” Hare
8 a.m. ” 10 a.m. ” ” Dragon
10 a.m. ” 12 noon ” ” Snake
12 noon ” 2 p.m. ” ” Horse
2 p.m. ” 4 p.m. ” ” Ram
4 p.m. ” 6 p.m. ” ” Ape
6 p.m. ” 8 p.m. ” ” Cock
8 p.m. ” 10 p.m. ” ” Hog
10 p.m. ” midnight ” ” Fox