80 BRITISH FLORAL DECORATION 



about A.D. 900, and has been held ever since with 

 unfailing regularity. 



Even among the common people the Chrysan- 

 theum is a very popular subject of admiration, and 

 there are many shows held during the month of 

 November, those held at Dango-Sako being of 

 particularly great repute, for at that centre there are 

 many florists who have for generations maintained 

 the reputation of the place in this respect. Of the 

 five leading floral festivals held annually in Japan 

 that devoted to the Chrysanthemum is by no 

 means the least important. 



A very old friend of mine, however, a Japanese 

 florist, tells me that in Japan the Chrysanthemum 

 is not looked upon as the national flower, indeed 

 he assures me that they have no accepted floral 

 emblem, but that if he had to give an opinion as to 

 which was Japan's most beloved flower, he should 

 give his verdict either to the Wistaria or the Lily 

 (Lilium auratum, the golden-rayed Lily of Japan). 

 Some colour is lent to his view by the fact that, 

 when I was commissioned by the Japanese Lega- 

 tion to carry out the floral decorations at the 

 great diplomatic reception given to H.H. Prince 

 Nashimoto of Japan, when visiting England, I was 

 asked to carry out the scheme entirely in Roses, 



