The beauty of flowers is undeniable, as they are colorful, bright and fragrant. Across all cultures and nations, flowers bring a smile to the face of almost everyone and look great in any decorative setting. The brilliance of flowers is magnified even more when they are set in an attractive vase. A vase adds an elegant touch that surrounds the flower with style and sophistication.

Additionally, the right vase can completely change the look of a room, adding an elegant charm where before there may have been only a blank space. While glass and porcelain vases are traditional and lovely, we prefer to place our flowers in mangowood vases and bamboo vases. Simply put, they add a contemporary look and appeal that cannot be had with any other material. In late 2008 we added a magnificent line of bamboo and mangowood vases for sale on our website. They have been gaining in popularity and in July of 2009 we added more wooden vases to our existing lineup. The next time you have a blank area to fill, consider trying one of our wooden vases. The vases can be purchased with or without dried flower arrangements. Below are some decorative tips for using vases in your home:

• Vases often go well in a corner. If you do not use a stand, we recommend using a floor vase that is no less than 35” tall.
• A table vase that is approximately 12” – 24” in height looks great on a stand. Make sure the stand fits the décor of your room.
• Vases with dark and vivid colors will stand out more. Use them in lighter color rooms to bring out their beauty.
• Bamboo and mangowood vases cannot hold water. Instead, place a dry flower arrangement in the vase. They will last for years and significantly enhance the look of the vase and the space they are in.

Unlike many other combat practitioners, the Japanese samurai of old devoted their whole life to their art and craft. The code by which the samurai lived was called “bushido,” also known as, “way of the warrior”. Bushido began as an unwritten set of rules early in samurai history. One of the first rules was absolute loyalty and devotion to the “daimyo” or master. The samurai’s job was to protect his master at all costs, even at the expense of his own life. As Hogo Shigetoki wrote circa 1300, the master should be obeyed even if he is being unreasonable or in the wrong. Perhaps such blind devotion is what made the samurai so indispensable to those they protected. The samurai was also expected to characterize the ideal man, setting a virtuous example for the classes below him. The Bushido Shoshinshu (Bushido for Beginners) was a comprehensive explanation of rules for all samurai, particularly young samurai. It was written in the Tokugawa period and postulates that the samurai follow a disciplined code of conduct. The samurai was expected to live every day as if it were his last. He therefore did not indulge in unhealthy activities, trivial or petty arguments, avoid his duties or feel attached to material comforts or possessions. In addition to these rules, the samurai was expected to continually house the spirit of combat in his heart and soul. This implied wearing a sword to bath and to bed. In this way, the samurai would never be vulnerable and always ready to defend and attack when necessary. Most samurai followed the bushido code. Evidence of its strict discipline can be seen in the movie “The Last Samurai” starring Tom Cruise. The samurai of old were true martial artists, able to summon courage, strength, determination and a laser-like focus at a moment’s notice. Their life was an inspirational testament to their discipline and devotion.

Chinese calligraphy is not only a written language, it is a magnificent and beautiful expression of art through a series of perfect brush movements. Mostly unintelligible to non-Chinese speaking people, it nevertheless retains a sense of artistry that makes it much sought after as an art form. The Chinese actually thought of their calligraphy as the supreme art form and even more lofty than sculpture, painting or lacquerware. Able to express ideals and feelings that other art forms could not, many took up the brush in the hopes of creating the perfect calligraphy masterpiece.

The art of Chinese calligraphy was so important to the people of past dynasties, that scholars had to practice and master it before they could graduate. A good work of calligraphy does not only possess beauty, but an emotional and spiritual feeling as well. As one Chinese historian from long ago put it, “calligraphy is like images devoid of sound, form or music.” Many calligraphy works were painted as hanging wall scrolls. These scrolls were mounted on walls for decoration, inspiration and wisdom. Many of these scrolls had profound yet simple sayings, such as love, good fortune, health and prosperity, etc.

Many of today’s Chinese art works have calligraphy somewhere on them, even if the main image is a painting. It was also important for the artist to have a seal to be recognized. Many of the seals were done in Chinese calligraphy. Today many people still buy and display Chinese art and calligraphy in their homes and businesses, enjoying the wisdom and beauty of this several thousand year old tradition.