The boy travellers in the Far East : adventures of two youths ... - Library

A JAPANESK FLOWER-GARDEN. 135
Asakiisa is famous for its liower-sliows, which occur at frequent inter-
vals, and, luckily for our visitors, one was in progress at the time of their
pilgrimage to the temple. The Japanese are great lovers of flowers, and
frerjnently a man will deprive himself of things of which he stands in
actual need in order to purchase his favorite blossoms. As in all other
countries, tlie women are more passionately fond of floral productions
than the men ; and when a flower-show is in progress, there is sure to be
a large attendance of the fairer sex. Many of these exhibitions are held
at night, as a great portion of the public are unable to come in the day-
time on account of their occupations. At night the place is lighted up by
means of torches stuck in the ground among the flowers, and the scene is
quite picturesque.
J%-.-^^^P
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A JAPAXESI': ILOAVEII-SIIOW. NIGHT SL'KMC,
Frank and Fred were greatly interested to find the love which the
Japanese have for dwai-fed plants and for plants in fantastic shapes. The
native florists are wonderfully skilful in this kind of work, and some of
their accomplishments would seem impossible to American gardeners.
For example, they will make representations of mountains, houses, men,
women, cats, dogs, boats, carts, ships under full sail, and a hundred other
.:4