FLOWERS IN JAPAN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1649, 16 January 1913, Page 2

FLOWERS IN JAPAN.

Tho arrangement of flowers-in Japan is not 1 done haphazard, but is governed by rules. ' 'There aro certain flowers that aro used for festivals only; certain others that are,absolutely prohibited by custom. iThero are various.. -styles of. arrangement, each of which- has o liome, -and' the art of disposing tho flowers correctly is regularly , taught. : . v Vases in- which to, put the flowers 'or twigs ' are of infinite variety? and 'hai 1 - mony between the. vase'and the flower is One of the-first-Conditions to be'observed.' There : is a flower for each • month. and for each ;OircUmstance,- happy , or' otherwise. (SpepinJ., lxiuquets are, arranged for birthdavs, deaths,. for'.tho first day iof the eignth month and ,for the .hundred-' and-one little ceremonies that aro integral parts of Japanese lifo and for which it would ,1» a serious mistake to .use the wrong, flower. ; Tho place which a bouquet should occupy in a room is also important, and it is usually put before the kokemoyo or painting .that, ornaments every well-furnished room in'a. Japanese house. , Thefo should be harmony between the picture, and tho bouquet., Thus, before' every painting by , the famous artist Toemmei, who loved chrysanthemums, should bo placed a vase of those flowers., i It is not considered good taste to stand too near a vase of flowers. Three ;feet is a respectful distance from which 'to admire it. Approbation should be expressed in a low voice, simply and quietly, the colour of the flowor being first touched upon and different expressions being assigned to different tints. 1 ;