Kusudama "Shin", Artificial flowers

The history of artificial flower-making in Japan goes back to the 8th century, when a poem in the Man yoshu anthology contains a poem apparently referring to such flowers. In the Heian period (794-1 1 85) artificial flowers were made of thread and cloth as a part of seasonal court events. The head of the Unjo-ryu； the final school to carry on this tradition, is located in Kyoto. The "Kusudama" was originally made during the Tango Festival to ward off evil spirits and contagious diseases. It contained medicinal herbs and spices and was decorated with artificial flowers. In the Unjo-ryu style there are three types: Shin (regular), Gyo (semicursive), and So (cursive). Tassels in two sets of six colors hang from the bottom of the ball to represent the twelve months of the year. The "Shin" is said to be principally used by the Imperial family. The kinds of flowers to be used, the colors, et cetera are all fixed. Here red and white azaleas surround three medicine balls.