::: fleurs 花のある生活 ::: [What is IKEBANA ?]

What is Ikebana?

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing where nature and humanity are brought together.

The history of Ikebana

Offering the flower for Buddha to Samurai

It was around 6th century when Buddhism came in Japan, the monk were offering the flower to Buddha in the temple. Then the word Ikebana appears around 15th century when Samurai (Bushi) made the base of Japanese culture with the architecture, the garden, tea ceremony, No, poem etc.

Momoyama until Edo period
Ikebana has been reserved for Samurai but from this period, men and women, both enjoy the life with flowers.

Difference between the Westin style and Ikebana

The Westin style has got a symmetorical form, but Ikebana has got an unbalance shape. The Westin Style is addition, Ikebana is subtraction of material.

Ikebana and the Japanese love of nature

The remarkably high development of floral art in Japan can be attributed to the Japanese love of nature. People in all countries appreciate natural beauty, but in Japan, the appreciation amounts almost to a religion. The Japanese have always felt a strong bond of intimacy with their natural surroundings, and even in contemporary concrete-and-asphalt urban complexes, they display a remarkably strong desire to have a bit of nature near them.
In Tokyo, you can see at Chinzanso in Mejiro, they have a garden and you can find Goshinboku, God tree or Symbol tree ,Kanda river side.
Japanese think the big tree can protect them.

Spiritual aspects of ikebana

Many practitioners of ikebana feel that the spiritual aspect of ikebana is very important. One becomes when one practices ikebana. It helps you to live "in the moment" and to appreciate things in nature that previously had seemed insignificant.
One becomes , not only in nature, but more generally in other people. It is the same as the other Japanese traditional culture --Dou> like Sadou(tea celemony), Aikidou, Kendou etc. Ikebana is Kadou, as you know.

Ikebana makes me happy, so if you have a opportuney to do this, please enjoy!

Keiko Yoshino