Ikebana

Ikebana (生け花 or いけばな); "arranged flower"),^[1] is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as kadō (華道, kadō; the "way of flowers")

In contrast to the massing of blooms typical of flower arrangement in western countries, Japanese flower arrangement is based on the line of twigs and/or leaves, filled in with a small number of blooms. The container is also a key element of the composition. The structure of a Japanese flower arrangement is based on a scalene triangle delineated by three main points, usually twigs, considered in some schools to symbolize heaven, earth, and man.

History

Ikebana began as a kind of ritual flower offering made in Buddhist temples in Japan during the sixth century. The first written account dates back to the tenth century in the Kokin Waka Shu, a poetry book:…” in a receptacle, place a flowering branch of plumtree...” In these arrangements, both the flowers and the branches were made to point toward heaven as an indication of faith. Tatebana ("vertical flower") in the Muromachi era (14-16th century) was regarded the first style that could be called Ikebana. It was arranged in a high narrow vase. A more sophisticated style of flower arrangement, called rikka (standing flowers), appeared in the fifteenth century. The rikka style reflects the magnificence of nature and its display. For example, pine branches symbolize rocks and stones, and white chrysanthemums symbolize a river or small stream. The rikka style became popular in the seventeenth century, used as a decorative technique for ceremonial and festive occasions, though today it is regarded as an antiquated form of flower arrangement and is rarely practiced.

The most significant changes in the history of Ikebana took place during the fifteenth century, when the Muromachi shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436–1490) ruled Japan. The large buildings and small houses that Yoshimasa had built expressed his love for simplicity. These small houses contained tokonoma, where people could place objects of art and flower arrangements. It was during this period that the rules of Ikebana were simplified so that people of all classes could enjoy the art.

Another major development took place in the late sixteenth century. A more simple style of flower arrangement called nageire (meaning to throw in or fling in) appeared as part of the tea ceremony. According to this style, flowers are arranged in a vase as naturally as possible, no matter what materials are used. Because of its association with the tea ceremony, this style is also called cha bana (茶花, cha bana; tea flowers).

In the 1890s, shortly after the Meiji Restoration (a period of modernization and westernization in Japan), there developed a new style of Ikebana called moribana, or "piled-up flowers". This style appeared partly due to the introduction of western flowers and partly due to the westernization of Japanese living. The moribana style, which created a new freedom in flower arranging, is used for a landscape or a garden scene. It is a style that can be enjoyed wherever it is displayed and can be adapted to both formal and informal situations.

Modern Ikebana dates from 1930 and goes by the transliteration zen'ei ikebana or zen'eibana. This form of Ikebana is more expressive than the classic style. Along with tea ceremony and calligraphy, Ikebana was one of the arts in which women were traditionally schooled in preparation for marriage. Today, flower arrangement is venerated as one of the traditional arts in Japan. It is practiced on many occasions like ceremonies and parties, and modern people are still choosing to study the art.

References

^ Ikebana: from Ikeru (生ける, ike(ru); place, arrange) and Hana (花, bana/hana; flower).

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Famous Individuals

[1] Ikebana: from Ikeru (生ける, ike(ru); place, arrange) and Hana (花, bana/hana; flower).

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