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
Japanese Friendship Garden (Balboa Park) gardeners who were well versed in the techniques of bonsai and ikebana. The overall harmony of elements was sacrificed as effects were compressed for space. In Japan there are often fences or walls surrounding the Garden, but in Balboa Park at that time, there was neither fence nor wall to help create and define areas or moods. For nearly 30 years, the Teahouse and garden were operated and maintained by the Asakawa family, who continue to this day as active members of the San Diego community. Though a symbol of the strong cultural and commercial ties that linked the two