THE JAPANESE AND THEIR FLOWERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17361, 22 August 1918, Page 2

THE JAPANESE AND THEIR FLOWERS.

In the flower-loving land of Japan families will tramp ior miles through snow or rain or scorching sun to indulge in the favourite pastime of flower viewing. In the province of Shima. there is a little village tilled every spring with crowds of holidaymakers, who come to gaze in admiration at the mass of plum blossom which ii!i:i tho whole valley. The trees grow ior Home miles along the banks of tiie

iver. and here iiuin!>er.-> of tea-stalls

in soft. harmonious colouring, and bright with dainty paper lanterns, ar> arranged for the accomodation of those attending the flower feast.

Later in the year the paadi orchards near Tokio are visited by thousands. In the park at Kyoto the people gather again in the cherry blossom time. Temporary teahouses are erected, and hung with curtains and lanterns, decorated with representations of this flower. With unerring taste all the colouring is in harmony with the blossoms; no false note:-! detract from the. surrounding beauty. Even tho cakes and sweetmeats arp. said to reliable cherries. The dresses of the people, the teahouses they sit in, and even the food they eat harmonise with the flowering trees. Nothing, is tolerated in dress, decoration, or garden, that is not in perfect agreement.

In the month of June one garden winding along the banks of the River Sumida is crowded with sightseers paying their annual homage to the iris (Kempheri). Nothing could be more artistic than this garden, which has been in the possession of the same family for centuries. The colouring of tho little summer houses, the kimonos worn by tho little maids, who serve tea to the guests, all harmonise with the colour of the flowers.

The convolvulus, or morning glory, known to the Japanese as asago, is » great favourite. In one garden", where thousands of wonderfully trained plants are to ha seen, the people gather afc 4 o'clock in the morning to see th» flowers at their best. Lovers of the lotus rise earlier still, for soon after midnight they set out for the lotus pool to hear and se© the opening of the rosy buds at dawn. Mr. Parsons, in his description of the lotus, says, " every breath of wind disturbs the delicate balance of their leaves, and their glaucous surface reflects every passing phase of the sky."

In the month of May one of the most popular resorts is the garden attached to one of the temples in Tokio, where the "world-famed Wistaria multijuga (Fugi-no-hana) trails over large trellises overhanging the lake filled with goldfish.. Ancient nine trees are placed just where their trunks and branches will harmonise with the mauve splendour of these fugi blossoms. In the month of May, also the azalea viewing takes place, but so dazzling is the colour that tho little tea-houses near are placed out of sight of the blossom. For close on 1,000 years garden parties have been held in honour of the chrysanthemum, which is the imperial, but jiot th© national emblem of Japan. Chrysanthemums are grown alike by rich and poor with exquisite taste and skill. Even the bowls that many axe grown in are artistic, and they do not need to be hidden from the eye as our flower-pots do.

Tlie scarlet-leaved maple is often associated with the chrysanthemum, and near Tokio the little tea-booths erected in the valley where they grow again ha.rmoni.Se with them, and tea is served by little maids whose dresses are decorated with red maple leaves. The soft crepe kimono.s of the geishas bright with them, the cups in which the tea is served are painted with them, and even the cakes are made to represent them at this last great flower'feast of the year.