Читать книгу Gift of Japanese Flowers - Alfred Koehn - Страница 7

The appropriate place for displaying cut flowers and branches in vases in a Japanese house is the tokonoma. This alcove, originally designed for religious purposes and often holding a picture of Buddha or devotional script, has become over the centuries a place of aesthetic enjoyment. Exhibited here are the household's most valued objects of art, which are shown for a short time and then replaced by others. Appearing together as the center of interest for host and guest alike are a beautiful painting or calligraphy mounted on a scroll, an incense burner or prized ornament, and a seasonal flower decoration arranged with studied skill and thoughtfulness.

PINE, BAMBOO, AND PLUM

What happy deed on New Year's Day!

Chanting prayers unto Buddha.

— KABUTSU

The new year calls for the trinity of pine, bamboo, and plum, and it is good to open one's heart to the good wishes that each offers.