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If plant materials were not used, this arrangement could be considered a contemporary sculpture. As western influences became more and more present in Japan, the first modern ikebana school was created. In the late 19th century, the ikebana master, Ohara Unshin broke away from the Ikenobo school to create the Ohara school. This school of ikebana design commonly incorporates piled-up flowers (moribana) in its designs, and this use of flowers made the most of the new, western blossoms that were coming to the island. While arranging, be sure to study a Kakeizu diagram to get your angles right. Also, unlike Western arrangements, ikebana highlights the mechanics of floral arrangements.
Modern Schools and Contemporary Interpretations
When you’re just getting started with ikebana, try not to worry too much about a lack of minimalism in your presentation. The most important part of this discipline is to be able to bring out what you want to see in a plant, and most other concerns should be secondary until you can manage that. Since our eyes have a tendency to focus on things that are bright and colorful, especially if they’re relatively isolated, flowers are the best way to focus the viewer’s attention.
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Some flower masters embraced Western blooms and incorporated them into the arrangements. The most notable was Unshin Ohara who broke away from the Ikenobo School and started the Ohara School. He soon created the Moribana style, meaning ‘piling up of flowers,’ which took a much freer approach than previous styles, but still emphasized uneven numbers and asymmetry in the arrangements. There are three common Moribana styles—upright, slanting, and water-reflecting—with many variations within each style. The first styles were characterised by a tall, upright central stem accompanied by two shorter stems.
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It wasn’t until the 18th century that the practice became one of the top leisure activities—eventually branching out into different schools of ikebana. While ikebana has Buddhist roots, its development actually goes back to ancient Japan, where key factors like the landscape played a role in its creation. It’s more like nature appreciation,” says Asae Takahashi, president of Ohara School of Ikebana New York Chapter. In recent years a new wave of modern ikebana has emerged, challenging traditional forms and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From bold, minimalist arrangements to avant-garde designs, ikebana (and the related freakebana) is attracting a new generation of enthusiasts who are drawn to its innovative spirit and contemporary style.
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Designers are supposed to create their arrangements in total silence, which gives them a chance to connect with nature and achieve a state of inner calm and peace. The flowers and branches used in Moribana arrangements are chosen not only for their beauty, but also for how they interact with one another and with the style of Moribana as a whole. Upright arrangements often use stiff, straight branches for shin, while the slanting style is softer and projects a sense of movement by utilizing grasses and branches that grow slanting down. When choosing flowers and branches for your arrangement, it is important to keep in mind that there are endless possibilities to choose from.
What is the Basic Arrangement of Ikebana, and How is it Made?
We’ll also take a closer look at these fundamental principles that influence people who practice ikebana. The flexibility and variation that the Moribana style allows for has made it a favorite and a staple in almost every ikebana school today. At the core of Moribana is a three-stem system, whereby three flowers are almost always fixed to create a triangle. Compositions that do not follow this triangle system are known as freestyle.
What are the different styles of Ikebana?
With the emphasis on line, form, and shape, you’ll find leaves and stems are often more important than blooms in your arrangement—which might be a reversal from your usual focus. It’ll be a great challenge to reframe the way you look at natural elements in design. Beyond the act of placing flowers; ikebana is a mindfulness practice that reflects the deep connection between humans and the natural world.
Impressionist Inspiration for Floral Arrangements of Color
Historically, Seika arrangements were composed of one material – the exception being the more sumptuous arrangements created for the New Year’s celebrations. Today the rule has been relaxed, and arrangements made of one, two or three materials are common. Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years, having started her journey in interior journalism as part of the graduate program. ‘Whether you spend hours carefully positioning everything so it’s exactly how you want or you enjoy 10 minutes connecting with the flowers, that’s all that matters. I think, in such a fast-paced world we can learn a lot from slowing down and celebrating the simple things,’ Maryam adds.
Guides & Tips
In terms of seasonality, Asae suggests choosing materials by looking ahead one season, like in fashion. Yes, Ikebana is often considered a form of meditation as it requires focus, concentration, and a connection with nature, which can help to promote mindfulness and relaxation. When Buddhism entered Japan around the 6th century, a natural merging of the two traditions occurred, as Buddhist practices and Shinto practices lacked contradicting principles and naturally complemented one another. The ikebana tradition has deep historical roots in Japan, starting with the country’s native belief system, Shinto. Shinto literally translates to “the way of the gods,” and this polytheistic religion predates historical records. She started with red panther roses, poppies, viburnum, pink-painted agapanthus, carnation and peonies on the mantel as well as in a nearby hand-painted green basket.
Like sculptures and other artwork, ikebana is enjoyable to view and stirs viewers’ curiosity by making them investigate what the artist is trying to convey. Other schools include Banmi Shōfū-ryū (晩美生風流), founded in 1962 by Bessie "Yoneko Banmi" Fooks, and Kaden-ryū (華伝流), founded by Kikuto Sakagawa in 1987 based on the Ikenobō school. Each angle offers a different perspective and reveals different aspects of the arrangement, just like how life can look different from different perspectives. For thicker branch stalks, cut a portion away to make the bottom of the branch thinner. You can then add some smaller filler flowers or moss if you like, but this should be done sparingly. The Shin should be inserted straight and then tilted around 15 degrees to the left, with the Soe tilted to stand 45 degrees to the left, and the Hikae at the front tilted about 75 degrees to the right for balance.
It takes some patience (it can feel like Jenga with flowers if the balance isn’t right). A spiked flower “frog” strong and heavy enough to support the stems is essential. So are a pair of clippers and a shallow vessel that’s just deep enough hold water but not so high that it blocks the arrangement. A pitcher of water and a bowl, for submerging and clipping stems, helps too.
The number of flowers in an ikebana arrangement is dependent on the season and the message that you would like to send. While ikebana is meant to be minimalist, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should use a minimal number of plants. In fact, there is a happy medium between a minimal arrangement and one that is overcrowded. While this may be difficult to see for a first-timer, it becomes more obvious as you start to master ikebana. Don’t forget that selecting the right plants is a foundational element of ikebana. Much like the flowers in a western bouquet are dependent on the message that you want to send, the same can be said of the plants used in ikebana.
A dedication to the change and impermanence of nature, ikebana stresses the importance of seasonality when picking materials. When designing your arrangement choose local plant life that mirrors the time of year. If you are creating a spring arrangement popular selections are peonies, and cherry blossoms, while winter designs commonly use pine branches and camellias. Shinto, often regarded as a nature-based religion, features practices and traditions that revolve around honoring and celebrating nature, land, seasons, and people’s connection to these things. In Shinto practices, shrines containing various natural elements, such as seasonal flower arrangements, were (and still are) often constructed to honor a kami (divine spirit). The Orange County School of Flower Design is located inside a floral supply wholesaler that provides thousands of gorgeous flower stems every semester for the students to use to create beautiful floral designs.
Today’s open spaces require that Ikebana be viewed from all sides, from 360 degrees. To be appreciated, Seika must be in a tokonoma and be viewed while sitting on the floor in front of the arrangement. The Moribana (piling up) category of Ikebana evolved as a way to create a more three-dimensional sculptural quality with the use of natural plants. In ikebana, the arrangement of flowers is not just about creating a pleasing visual effect, but also about expressing a sense of balance, harmony, and the beauty of impermanence. Unlike Western floral arrangement, which often emphasizes symmetry and the use of a wide variety of flowers and foliage, ikebana tends to be more spare. With a history spanning over 600 years, ikebana remains a cherished tradition in Japan, passed down from generation to generation as a way of connecting with nature and expressing creativity.
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