JAPANESE FLOWER ARRANGEMENT 



Just the opposite from our points of direc- 

 tion, for the reason that the Japanese put 

 themselves in the place of the vase. 



They give an expression of the seasons 

 in their floral arrangements, grouping the 

 flowers differently according to the time 

 of the year. For example, in the month of 

 March, when high winds prevail, the un- 

 usual curves of the branches convey at once 

 the impression of strong winds. In summer 

 the Japanese rejoice in the low, broad recep- 

 tacles, where the water predominating pro- 

 duces a cooler and more refreshing arrange- 

 ment than those in upright vases. 



There is no occasion which cannot be 

 suggested by the manner in which the 

 flowers are arranged. 



It might seem strange to us to have our 

 departure from home announced by an 

 unusual arrangement of flowers. Yet hun- 

 dreds of ordinary occurrences are heralded 

 by charming flower compositions. So many 

 Japanese poets have sung of the willow, 

 comparing its very long branches with long 



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