Page:Japanese flower arrangement.djvu/56



IRST select your flowers or branches. In time one learns to choose flowers which lend themselves to the three principles of Heaven, Man, and Earth so nearly to begin with that very little bending or pruning is necessary.

When you can yourself choose your own material to work with half the battle is over; but if obliged to use branches or flowers chosen by the uninitiated the task is made difficult.

Select your flowers or branches with as long stems as possible.

Every arrangement must have the three principal parts known as Heaven, Man, and Earth. Any additional branches or sprays are merely supports to these main principles. [50]