INTRODUCTION 



Kyoto. Koshin Ryu is no longer taught 

 in the Ginkaku-ji where it originated, yet 

 Ikenobu still is being taught at the Rokakudo. 



Having studied Ko-Shin-Ryu longer than 

 any other school, I have always felt a pride 

 in knowing it originated in the Ginkaku-ji so 

 loved by Yoshimasa, Japan's most famous 

 patron of art. I regret keenly that instruction 

 has been discontinued in this most interesting 

 temple. 



Yoshimasa built Ginkaku-ji as a place of 

 retirement after abdicating the throne, ac- 

 companied there by his two favorites, Soami 

 and Shuko, and by this famous trio Flower 

 Arrangement and the Tea Ceremony were 

 raised to the rank of fine arts. It was my 

 great privilege to visit this temple last summer 

 with the Ko-Shin-Ryu Master before men- 

 tioned, and sit with him inside the enclosure 

 which holds Yoshimasa's image, while he 

 made a very beautiful flower arrangement, 

 which was left as an offering in front of this 

 simple wooden figure. 



Exhibitions of Flower Arrangement are held 

 frequently, much as the exhibitions of paint- 



