INTRODUCTION 



reason that its principles adapt themselves 

 the most readily to purposes of explanation. 

 But as a practical follower of the art, my 

 experience in many years' teaching has been 

 that the simpler schools are more adapted 

 to Western needs. 



Like most foreigners, I commenced my 

 study of Ike-bana with Enshiu-Ryu, but soon 

 wearied of its artificialities, and through the 

 kindness of a Japanese friend was led into 

 Koshin-Ryu, a more simple and natural 

 school. The pleasure and benefit I have 

 derived from a long study of this style can- 

 not be estimated. Not only in the grace 

 and beauty of the lines achieved and in 

 the strengthening of sense of proportion, 

 but also in the quickening of observation 

 of the natural growth of all plants and 

 trees, and in the simplifying and improving 

 of taste in all directions, I have gained so 

 much that it makes me long to pass on to 

 others what I have found so helpful. 



After following for years the school of 

 Koshin-Ryu I found great benefit in learning 



[16] 



