What
is ikebana?
Ikebana is the Japanese art of arranging flowers. It is more than
simply putting a bunch of flowers in a vase - it is an art form
which attempts to bring nature and humanity together. It is about
creating a link between indoors and outdoors, through nature.
A
brief history
When Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century, Buddhist
monks would offer flowers in honour of Buddha and to the spirits in
their worship. The first classical styles of ikebana started in the
15th century. The oldest school of ikebana was called Ikenobo, when
a priest so skilled in flower arrangement was asked to teach others
how to do so.
How is
it different from usual floral arrangements?
Normal floral arrangements usually focus on the "blooms" of the
flowers. Ikebana has more focus on the entire flower, including the
stems and leaves. It draws emphasis on the shape, line and form of
the flowers - using "empty space" and asymmetrical form.
Take a look at the floral arrangement on the left, contrasted with an ikebana piece from a show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (by Mrs. Keiko Ashida of the Sogestu School) on the right.
What
are the "rules" of ikebana?While ikebana is an art form, there are some rules governing its form.
Silence. Silence is a spiritual practice that is practiced while arranging flowers. It allows for the mind to meditate, relax and concentrate on the task at hand. It allows you to appreciate nature, take a step back from a busy life and feel closer to nature.
Harmony. The materials, containers, and setting must have a sense of harmony with each other and with nature.
The scalene triangle. Ikebana is based on the three points of a scalene triangle. Each point is usually a twig, and can represent heaven, earth and man (or even the sun, moon and earth, depending on the school).
Organic. All the elements used in construction must be organic, whether they are branches, leaves, grasses, or flowers. No plastic flowers here!
Photo Credits
D Lynns Floral Designs
unforth
Wikipedia
tomooka
Post Comments