He was ordered to westernize the traditional ikebana (flower arrangement) as an urgent tusk in order to decorate Mitsui family's geihinkan (guest house) with flowers, the second house built for the purpose of the facility to entertain foreigners.
外国人接待所として建築された三井家の別邸迎賓館などを飾る花卉装飾の為、それまでの「いけばな」の西洋化を急務として求められた。