Poor as well as rich, low as well as high, contrive to gratify their poetic instincts for natural scenery.

As for flowers, especially tree flowers, or those of the larger plants, like the lotus or the iris, the Japanese appreciation of their beauty is as phenomenal as is that beauty itself.
Those who can afford the luxury possess the shrubs in private; those who cannot, feast their eyes on the public specimens.

From a sprig in a vase to a park planted on purpose, there is no part of them too small or too great to be excluded from Far Oriental affection.

And of the two "drawing-rooms" of the Mikado held every year, in April and November, both are garden-parties: the one given at the time and with the title of "the cherry blossoms," and the other of "the chrysanthemum." These same tree flowers deserve more than a passing notice, not simply because of their amazing beauty, which would arrest attention anywhere, but for the national attitude toward them.

For no better example of the Japanese passion for nature could well be cited.