Japanese Notions.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XIV, 6 October 1900, Page 644

Japanese Notions.

11,,. subtleties of the Japanese mind are illustrated in nothing more strikingly than in their rules for the arrangement of Howers. Not only d es exerv Hower which a bouquet or garland contain symbolise something, baits position with regard to the other flowers is siHniHeant. Mr tinder. in a book on Japanese Howers, gives some of these singular titles. There are certain Howers, he says, which bloom twice in the same year. These are called by the Japanese lieturning Flowers. Though these are considered unsuitable for ordinary occasions, they are especially appropriate for farewell gatherings, since they express the hope of a safe ret urn. Flowers placet! before sick per.-ons in Japan are always put together in a rapid and unlaboured manner, intended to be vigorous in style, to suggest the idea of recovery and strengt h. At the eer mony of praying for the sick. Hower e impositions are. for the same reason, full and gay. as well as bold ami powerful in style. As it is the east wind which brings rain. fioral arrangements used at the time of praying for rain have their principal line pointing from right to left, to suggest the east wind binwA reverse rrangem nt is resorted to on occasions of prayer for fine weather. when the principal line, leaning from left to right, is made to suggest the west wind.