INTRODUCTION
reason that its principles adapt themselves the most readily to purposes of explanation. But as a practical follower of the art, my experience in many years' teaching has been that the simpler schools are more adapted to Western needs.
Like most foreigners, I commenced my study of Ike-bana with Enshiu-Ryu, but soon wearied of its artificialities, and through the kindness of a Japanese friend was led into Koshin-Ryu, a more simple and natural school. The pleasure and benefit I have derived from a long study of this style cannot be estimated. Not only in the grace and beauty of the lines achieved and in the strengthening of sense of proportion, but also in the quickening of observation of the natural growth of all plants and trees, and in the simplifying and improving of taste in all directions, I have gained so much that it makes me long to pass on to others what I have found so helpful.
After following for years the school of Koshin-Ryu I found great benefit in learning [16]
