The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JAPANESE CARRY FLOWERS WITH THE TOPS FACING DOWNWARDS
BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE APPEARANCE OF THE FLOWERS THAT
ARE BEING CARRIED THAT IS CONSIDERED, INSTEAD, JAPANESE
CONSIDER A THING INVISIBLE UNTIL IT IS SETTLED INTO
ITS PROPER PLACE. MOREOVER, JAPANESE SELDOM CARRY
FLOWERS UNLESS TO GRAVES OR TEMPLES. FLOWERS FOR THE
HOUSE ARE BOUGHT FROM FLOWER BENDORS WHO COME TO THE
DOOR. FLOWERS ARE NEVER WORN, NOR ARE THEY SENT AS
GIFTS BECAUSE THEY WHITHER AND DIE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 08-01-1964