Melania enjoys nature-themed Japan culture

First lady Melania Trump had a nature-oriented Japanese cultural experience Monday at Akasaka Palace, where she learned that bamboo trunks can create music and also serve as flower vases. Melania and Japanese first lady Akie Abe were entertained by tunes from a “shakuhachi” bamboo flute, played by flutist Yosuke Irie, with a set of bamboo trunks standing upright like a screen behind him.

The bamboo installation then turned into a set of vases as flower artist Kumiko Kato built a sculpture out of it, decorating the vases with curved oak branches, maple leaves, blue hydrangea flowers and other plants, while the flutist played background music that included “Amazing Grace.”

Melania also learned how to summon carp at a pond in the garden: She clapped her hands, following the example of Mrs. Abe, and the fish raced to her. Children performing Japanese dance put a smile on Melania at the end of the highly stylized and educational program.