Ikebana room decoration and commenced in a rudimentary way to consider natural beauty in floral arrangement. At this time "ikebana" was known as "rikka". This same age conceived another form called "nageirebana". "Rikka" and "nageirebana" are the two branches into which "ikebana" has been divided. Popularity of the two styles vacillated between these two for centuries. In the beginning, "rikka" was stiff, formal, and more decorative while "nageirebana" was simpler and more natural. Although "nageirebana" began to come into favour in the Higashiyama period, "rikka" was still preferred, and "nageirebana" did not truly gain popularity until the Momoyama period, about a
Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre and proposed a Japanese garden for the town. The Japanese government agreed to support this development as a sign of thanks for the respectful treatment of their war dead; the development also received money from the Australian government and private entities. The Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre opened in 1979, and the second stage opened in 1986. An annual "Sakura Matsuri" (cherry blossom festival) is held in the gardens during September and celebrates the birth of spring. The garden hosts Girl's Day and Boy's Day festivals, tea ceremonies, demonstrations and workshops on Japanese crafts including calligraphy, origami and Ikebana,