USEFUL FLOWER- JARS 231 



On the other hand, a vase on which there has been painted 

 the picture of some plant form, whether natural or conven- 

 tionalized, cannot be used to advantage with flowers other 

 than the one in the design. Consequently, such decoration 

 greatly limits the usefulness of the flower- 

 jar, and one would be wise in postponing 

 the purchase of such jars until one had 

 accumulated a sufficient number of those 

 without this special decoration to serve 

 the needs of the home. An exception to 

 this general rule might be made in the 

 case of the beautiful flower-jars so gen- 

 erally offered in the Japanese shops in 

 which the design of the iris is utilized. 

 Throughout a considerable period of 

 spring and early summer one can get vari- 

 ous forms of iris to place in such a jar, and 

 the combination is peculiarly effective. 



When we leave the plant decorations 

 for those of animals or mountains — to 

 mention two features especially common 

 in Japanese flower- jars — there is oppor- 

 tunity for more extended argument. With 

 these it is chiefly a matter of association, and this may well 

 involve the exercise of a wise judgment in which many factors 

 receive due consideration. It is not strange that to the 

 Japanese mind the picture of their incomparable mountain, 

 Fujiyama, which so dominates the landscape of the islands, 

 should always be a welcome addition to their pictures and 

 decorative arrangements, and so we find it upon a large 

 proportion of the better decorated ware that comes to us 



Japanese Iris in Izumo 

 Vase. 



