I have been seeing purple bushes beside roads for a few weeks.

I was so frustrated because I cannot stop the car on main roads then go into someone’s property to check what kind of flowers they are.

Finally I had an opportunity to take a close look at them. They were Red Clovers (Murasakitsumekusa). 

I humbly pick one, and brought it to home.

I was taught that chabana should be arranged so that the guests’ eyes meet the flowers naturally as if the flowers are saying hello to them when they lower their body in front of tokonoma to take a look at the flowers.

I was also taught that the flowers should be the best condition when guests come in to the tea room and see the flowers for the first time for the tea ceremony. Therefore, Rikyu said that as a guest, you should never look at the flowers again after you have looked at them during the sekiiri. Very fascinating.

Red Clover ( Murasakitsumegusa ) with white avens (Daikon so).