Game playing practice in the Japanese art of flower arranging

The paper considers the features of game playing practice in the art of flower arranging that now has become a genuine national symbol of Japan. Intellectual amusements and games used in this art, more known as ikebana, are analyzed against extensive cultural and historical background and in a wide time range. The techniques developing the ideas of the famous novel of the 11th century «Genji Monogatary» («The Tale of Prince Genji»), written by Murasaki Shikibu, which are most popular in the art of flower arranging and in floral painting, are discussed in detail.