The design of the "Flower and Water Tapestry," one of the largest three-dimensional flowerbeds in Japan, located in Uji Botanical Garden (Hirono-cho, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture), has been updated. Using about 3,600 flowers, a smiling maneki-neko (beckoning cat) appears, entertaining visitors.
The tapestry is located in front of the Flower Plaza, and is 18 meters long and 62 meters wide in a tiered shape. Since the park opened in 1996, seasonal flowers have been lined up and various designs have been drawn on it.
The maneki-neko (beckoning cat) is the 105th work. It was chosen as a subject to attract many people to the park as a lucky charm that brings happiness, and to have people pray for protection from misfortune and long life.
The cat's mouth, ears, red pattern, oval coins, collar, and bell are all made of coleus, and the white fur is made of begonia. Volunteers filled the planter with soil and planted the seedlings in early to mid-May.
The park says, "We hope that people will feel lucky when they see the picture." The lucky cat design will be on display until late November. An admission fee is required. Closed on Mondays.
