Cut-flower Usage for Ancestral Tombs in Kagoshima, Japan

Japanese people offer a great variety of cut flowers at their ancestors' tombs during four major events each year. In Kagoshima, however, they offer cut flowers throughout the year. Their basic offering combines cut-foliage plants, e.g., Eurya japonica Thunb. and colorful plants like chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.). Frequently used plant types have good keeping quality and are quite colorful and economical. Cultural and religious differences in the areas influence local use patterns.