CHAPTER NINETEEN 

 FLOWER CEREMONY 



THERE is a regular ceremony of ar- 

 ranging flowers, almost a counter- 

 part of the Cha-no-yu or Tea 

 Ceremony, not perhaps of general interest, 

 but proving the importance given to this 

 art. 



This ceremony like that of Cha-no-yu 

 is studied to develop the power of con- 

 centration. The knowledge of such cere- 

 monies puts us in closer sympathy with the 

 people of Japan, while it prevents on both 

 sides many embarrassing situations. 



First comes the ceremony of viewing 

 the flowers, which have been already ar- 

 ranged. After entering and greeting your 

 host, you can approach only to within a 

 certain distance of the tokonoma or re- 

 cess where the flowers are placed. The 



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