THE FLOWER ART OF JAPAN 



In making similar arrangements to any 

 of these described, it will be seen by fol- 

 lowing the numbers that in every instance 

 the Heaven, or highest flower, takes a cen- 

 tral position. That the different Man ele- 

 ments are put into place first, next the 

 Heaven, and last those sprays or flowers 

 forming the Earth or lowest branches in the 

 group. 



Do as much of the necessary bending 

 required before putting your flowers into 

 the support. Should more changing of line 

 be needed after the flowers are in the vase, 

 hold the stems tightly together at the 

 base with one hand, while with the other 

 hand you rectify all mistakes. This pre- 

 vents spoiling your parent stem or base 

 line, here all branches or stems must unite 

 and appear as one. 



When possible, let your flowers stand 

 in deep water for several hours before 

 using them. Always have your kubari or 

 support firmly placed in the vase before 

 you commence to work. 



[56] 



