Book excerpt: With vibrant, full-color photographs and detailed instructions, Japanese Flower Wrapping shows readers how the traditional Japanese arts of origami, ikebana and gift-wrapping can be combined to create beautiful and unusual floral arrangements.Making gifts of flowers has long been a Japanese custom. Traditionally, flowers were wrapped in folded washi (Japanese paper) and tied. This practice, known as hana tsutsumi, or flower wrapping, was passed from generation to generation, going back to the time of the samurai. Few modern Japanese people are aware of this ancient style of art and it has been in danger of being forgotten. Author Mitsuko Kawata hopes to recapture the art based on the traditional practice of flower wrapping, while, at the same time incorporating a modern sensibility. She guides readers through the steps of folding decorative papers and tying them with mizuhiki (tightly twisted, long, narrow sheets of washi to which liquid glue is applied) and kimihimo (braided ropes) to fashion breathtakingly beautiful containers and arrangements. In addition to her easy-to-follow instructions, Kawata includes a section on the tying styles of Mizihiki and Kumihimo, as well as a fascinating description of washi.This unique book contains examples of arrangements for a variety of occasions, from Valentine's Day to school graduation. Another section focuses on flowers from every season, shown in arrangements from the simple to the sophisticated. Japanese Flower Wrapping is a book with wide appeal: for practitioners of ikebana and origami it will bring a new dimension to their arts. And for anyone who is looking for innovative ways to present gifts with flair and distinction, the book is sure to be a source of inspiration.