CONCLUSION. 57 



education of women of rank. But it appertained also to men of 

 rank and of culture who might have retired from active life to the 

 leisure of literary and esthetic pursuits. It has been stated that 

 those who engaged in this "fine art" would possess the following 

 ten virtues: 



"The privilege of associating with superiors; ease and dignity 

 before men of rank ; a serene disposition and forgetfulness of cares : 

 amusement in solitude ; familiarity with the nature of plants and 

 trees ; the respect of mankind ; constant gentleness of character : 

 healthiness of mind and body ; a religious spirit ; self-abnegation 

 and restraint." 



In this monthly calendar of Floral Japan, we have not at- 

 tempted to include all the flowers as in a botanical catalogue ; we 

 have merely made a selection of certain typical hana, to represent 

 the floral year. But we must surely make at least mention of the 

 fete-days (en-nichi), which are really flower-fairs, held once, twice, 

 or thrice a month, according to circumstances, chiefly in the evening. 

 The roadways are lined with flower- sellers and dealers in various 

 other articles, which are displayed either on mats, or on carts, or in 

 booths hastily constructed. On these occasions it is possible, after 

 parleying with the seller,* to buy flowers for a very reasonable sum. 



And now we may be able to appreciate how much the floral 

 kingdom of Japan means to the Japanese. Huish has well ex- 

 pressed it as follows: "Flowers are associated with every act of a 

 Japanese's life : they herald his birth, they are his daily companions, 

 they accompany him to the grave ; and after that they serve as a 

 link between him and those he has left, for his relatives and friends 

 do not rest satisfied with piling up his coffin with floral tributes, 

 they show their remembrance by offerings for long years after- 

 wards." j 



* The first price is exorbitant and proverbial : "Charge like a florist at a 

 festival." 



t In the very interesting chapter on "Flora and Flower Festivals" in his 

 book entitled Japan and its Art." 



