The next day, it was off by express train to the west coast of the country to a place called Takefu-city. As a matter of interest, a party of visitors from Takefu-city, including the Mayor, attended the International Conference in Perth in 1990 and it was from a report in one of the magazines of the New Zealand National Chrysanthemum Society, written by the late Leo Clarke, a very prominent grower of chrysanthemums in New Zealand, that I was tempted to include Takefu-city in my chrysanthemum tour.

On arrival at the station, lo and behold, on the platform, was a display promoting the show. The show was held in a large amusement park, complete with rides for the children, a large marquee full of electronic game machines and another full of market stalls selling ‘just about everything’, including western style French Fries (or to us oldies – chips) - COLD. Fortunately, they did have a microwave to heat mine for me. It was here that I bought a new pair of reading glasses (off the shelf, so to speak) for the equivalent of about Aus$12.00.

Before entering the exhibition (again a fee to enter) I took in the displays outside. These featured plants of ‘cascade’ varieties grown in the shape of various birds and animals like apes, peacocks, swans and an elephant.

Like the show at Nagoya Castle, there were rows and rows of display stands featuring potted specimens in the Daruma style and many, many exhibits of bonsai. But the cascades, boy oh boy. Were there some, and were they magnificent. Dozens of them. And like the Nagoya show, stand after stand of the chrysanthemum dolls. Click, click, click went the camera.

I wandered around, and around, and around. Colour everywhere and thousands of people. I asked if an English speaking ‘guide’ was available as I wanted to find out what a particular style of growing was called. One was available and on talking to him about why I was in Japan I mentioned the visit by the Mayor of Takefu-city to Australia in 1990 and that I read a report on the show in a magazine published by the New Zealand National Chrysanthemum Society after one of that organisation’s members visited Takefu. "That would have been Mr Leo Clarke," he said, remembering him from nine years previously. He was greatly saddened when I advised him that Leo had passed away in August. Incidentally, the style I was particularly interested is called Tower Style and it consists of a single stem from a relatively late cutting of any of the cascade cultivars.

With the assistance of a delightful lady who spoke only limited English, I made my way back to the station for my return to Nagoya. This lady not only rode with me on the bus, she helped me to sort out the correct amount of Yen for the fare, waited with me until my train was due and, then, gave me a gift. It should have been the other way round!

© 2000 Bruce Skeen/Paul Barlow

Follow Bruce on his travels by choosing each day in turn:

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

If you would like further information or wish to comment on this publication please send your e-mail to: paul.barlow@chrysanthemums.info

Last updated on 22 December, 2001