Page:Japanese Gardens (Taylor).djvu/304

202 subject of the Pine used at the ‘Moon-viewing Festival’:—

“Moon-viewing is at all times a favourite pastime of the Japanese, but the great Moon Festival of the year is on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. The more important dwellings have a special chamber from which the sight of the moonlit landscape can be enjoyed. The floral arrangement occupies the recess of the chamber, and has of course no real connexion with the outside prospect; but in the flower composition itself the moonlit landscape is expressed. A branch of Pine tree is used, and between the principal and secondary lines of the composition a special branch is introduced, fancifully called the ‘moon-shadow branch’; a hollow gap is also formed between the foliage, bounded by a special branch called the ‘dividing branch.’ In the composition the idea is to suggest both the opening through which the moon can be partially observed and the dark branch which appears to cross its surface. To fully appreciate the analogy, one must be familiar with the scenery of Japan, and have seen, on a clear night, the irregular Pine trees standing out against the moonlit heavens.”

Aquatic plants have particular methods used for their display, and some of the loveliest compositions I have seen were of this sort.