The Kyoto cultural week at the International Horticultural Exposition 2014 in Qingdao kicks off on June 27.

A live show by Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) master Nakano Kyoshin was given at the opening ceremony.

The Kyoto mayor delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

The Kyoto cultural week at the International Horticultural Exposition 2014 in Qingdao kicks off on June 27.

A live show by Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) master Nakano Kyoshin was given at the opening ceremony. The beauty of his work lay in its asymmetrical balance, respect for the individual flower and harmony with nature as a whole. He hoped the elegance and beauty of Kyoto could be reflected in his work.

A performance team of eight top Japanese ikebana masters came to Qingdao to give performances to visitors to the Qingdao expo.

Ikebana originated in Kyoto, Japan. Passed down through generations of the Ikebana family and from teacher to student, Ikebana has spread throughout Japan and around the rest of the world.