The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHEN BAMBOOS HAVE WHITE FLOWERS, IT'S A SIGN OF DISASTER.
BAMBOOS HAVE WHITE FLOWERS ONCE EVERY SIXTY YEARS AND
WITHER ALL OF THEM ONCE EVERY THIRTY YEARS. FOUR YEARS AGO
(1973) ALL OF THE WHITE FLOWERS WITHERED AND AT THAT YEAR
WE HAD AN UNUSUAL TYPHOON SEASON. THIS YEAR (1977) IN SOME
PLACES BAMBOOS HAD FLOWERS AND IN SOME PLACES THEY WITHERED.
AT THE SAME TIME USE VOLCANO EXPLODED ON AUGUST 3rd AND THE
CITY NEAR THE VOLCANO WAS COMPLETELY RUINED. THE EXPLOSION
OF VOLCANOES HAPPEN PERIODICALLY ONCE EVERY THIRTY YEARS
AND IN EACH CASES BAMBOO TREES HAVE WHITE FLOWERS.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; JAPAN, ASSUMED

Date learned: 10-10-1977