VI. THE IRIS. 



OF the iris there are several Japanese varieties, known as ayame, 

 hanashobu, kakitsubata, shaga, etc. In Tokyo the most fa- 

 mous show of this flower is at Horikiri, "where in ponds and 

 trenches grow acres of such fleur-de-lis as no Bourbon ever knew." 

 In strong contrast to the riotous carnival of the cherry-viewing, 

 "this festival is a quiet and decorous garden party, where summer- 



THE IRIS AT HORIKIRI, TOKYO. 



houses, hills, lakes, armies of royal flowers, and groups of visitors 

 seem to be consciously arranging themselves for decorative effects." 

 The iris laevigata, known in Japanese as kakitsubata, ranks high 

 among flowers used for ceremonies and congratulatory occasions, 

 except that, on account of its purple color, it is prohibited from wed- 



