The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-04-22
JAPANESE FLewkr ARrlsrs
one school Has Been In Existence for

as special accomplishment by train
ed masters by the various schools.
There have been different authorities
OIL the mode to be followed In this Inn
portant decoration in a japanese
household. according to writer in
the Japan Magazine. but none has dis
placed the original school, whicE had
Its inception in family named Ono,
generally known as Ikehobo, in the
seventh century.
Prince Shotoku was really the one
with whom the idea originated. He
instructed Ono-no Imoko, Minister Of
State, to formulate set Of rules for
flower arrangement. Imoko. was a
man OF learning and culture and had
enjoyed the advantage of foreign
travel. having twice made { voyage
to China. He took for his model
Mount Sunni. India. associated with
the Horai Islands of Sofuku, and from
these developed what is known as the
rikkwa. or upright grouping of
flowers, so much admired at the pres
ent time, and of which through forty
three generations OF this notable
family OF artists the same essential
elements have been preserved. and
one might almost say reyerenced.
Upon the death OF Prince Shotoku
Ono-no ImokO went into retirement,
became q Buddhist priest and found
ed the Rokkakudo. or hexagonal
temple. at Kiota, where he enshrined
the image OF Kwannon. or goddess OF
mercy, OF whom the Prince had been
a votary during all his life. Later the
flower enthusiast established the
temple Of Shinnazans where he daily
devoted himself to his chosen art.
offering the pleasing results of his be-
loved Prince.
His influence became widespread.
and successors in his family from
generation to generation have been
proud to continue in the pursuit OF
flower arrangement ana do honor to
the name OF SO worthy an ancestor,
one Seno, who stands twelfth in the
line. being considered to have been
the most skilled expert among all the
deH0tees Of the art. He 1t was who
introduced many new and beautiful
adjuncts and was so highly appre.
ciated by the people OF his time as to
have had bestowed upon him the title
OF High Priest Of Rikkwa" for
straight flower arrangement. He
simpli6ed the method OF rikkwa and
originated what is now known as the
fkebana system OF grouping, which IL
supposed to typify the existence OF
the soul in the body. and which he
used to that end In instructing the
people in this pEixed refinement OF
their customa.
Through its priestly advocates now-
or arrangement attained its greatest
height and became so closely associat-
ed with Buddhistic expressions as 20
be regarded as one OF the essential
Communications for the tokonoma: or
raised dais forming the decorative
feature of japanese room when
religious paintings or images were
shown. When the power of the Full
wara family was AZ its zenith and the
various members We'd with one anoth-
or In Derfecting the elegance and
beauty Of their homes even those who
disiiked any semblance OF Buddhism
and It's practices conformed to their
manner OF flower arrangement, so
powerfully did Ifts charm appeal to
them; and during the days Of the
Ashikaga Shoguns is was considered
an Indispensable drawing room dec
grafton, and upon such occasions as
the fetes OF armour absolutely neces-
sary IN point Of etiquette.
Rival schools in the art aroused
such jealousy among the enthusiasts
rs to cause the eighth Shotgun OF the
Ashlkaga family. Yoshimasa, to issue
6 declaration to the effect that Ono
family was to be considered the auth
GRITTY or highest school of flower
arrangement. and passing unimpaired
through the lstorn1y days Of Dim
the art received further promotion at
the hands Of Emperor Mizuno-o, who
presented q handnome flower vase,
0rnamented with dragon handles and
still kept as a great treasure, to the
head OF the Ono family, Ikenobo.
ALbGkWhL1 Ab W&S 30 uOuOkCO aS W
be allowed to visit the Imperial Pa
lace, and later received permission
from the Emperor to hold the festival
OF the flower arrangement of Tanaba-
"a (July). which had been previously
celebrated at the palace. at his own
house. Further favors from the throne
came In the form OF the gift OF a
screen from Seiryoden Palace. to be
used on the above occasion, ali being
high honors and greatly exchanging
the popularity OF the art and its Fam
GUS representatives
The .rokugawa Shoguns were no
Tess patrons OF this evidence or cul-
ture than their predecessors had
been and new schools containued 70
spring ,ups and its promotion became
such that all Of the upper classes were
skilled in the art. and poor indeed was
one who was denied the advantage